Singulation and separation system for a shrimp processor
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsChristopher G. Greve, Lars Vedsted, Charles L. Borrello, Robert S. Lapeyre, Charles J. Ledet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separation and singulation system for presenting shrimps or other product individually to a processor. The separation and singulation system includes a divider pan that separates a layer of shrimp into several lanes, a shaker pan that receives the lanes of shrimp and agitates them to separate clumps of shrimp and a flume for providing further singulation and acceleration of the shrimp. The singulated, separated shrimps are then sent to a processor.
Claims21
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- providing a batch of shrimp;
- distributing the batch of shrimp onto a conveyor to form a layer of shrimp;
- delivering the layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan;
- conveying the plurality of lanes of shrimp to a visioning system;
- removing water from the shrimp using a dewatering belt;
- imaging each shrimp using the visioning system to determine the size of each shrimp;
- and
- separating the shrimp into different sizes based on the step of imaging each shrimp.
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- passing a layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- and
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan, the divider pan comprising a plurality of diverging channels and a plurality of converging channels for receiving product from the diverging channels.
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- providing a batch of shrimp;
- distributing the batch of shrimp onto a conveyor to form a layer of shrimp;
- delivering the layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan;
- spreading out each lane of shrimp using a shaker pan to form a plurality of spread-out lanes of shrimp;
- delivering each spread-out lane of shrimp to a flume;
- singulating each spread-out lane of shrimp using a flume;
- imaging each shrimp using a visioning system to determine the size of each shrimp;
- and
- separating the shrimp into different sizes based on the step of imaging each shrimp.
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- providing a batch of shrimp;
- distributing the batch of shrimp onto a conveyor to form a layer of shrimp by creating a wave-like motion to spread product onto the conveyor;
- delivering the layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan;
- and
- conveying the plurality of lanes of shrimp to a visioning system.
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- providing a batch of shrimp to a bulk feed tank,
- pulling the shrimp out of the bulk feed tank using a first inclined conveyor belt;
- distributing the batch of shrimp onto a second inclined conveyor belt to form a layer of shrimp;
- delivering the layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan;
- and
- conveying the plurality of lanes of shrimp to a visioning system.
A method of processing shrimp, comprising the steps of:
- providing a batch of shrimp;
- distributing the batch of shrimp onto a conveyor to form a layer of shrimp by plunging the shrimp using a plunging paddle;
- delivering the layer of shrimp to a divider pan;
- dividing the layer of shrimp into a plurality of lanes of shrimp using the divider pan;
- and
- conveying the plurality of lanes of shrimp to a visioning system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.