Shrimp processing system, processing apparatus and methods

A shrimp processing system comprising:

• a plurality of clamps, wherein each clamp of the plurality of clamps is configured to hold a shrimp proximate a tail of the shrimp;
• a plurality of processing stations comprising at least one data collection station capable of collecting data regarding a shrimp held in each clamp of the plurality of clamps and at least one functional station capable of changing the shrimp held in each clamp of the plurality of clamps;
• a conveying system connecting the plurality of processing stations, the conveying system configured to move the plurality of clamps between the plurality of processing stations;
• and
• a controller operably connected to the conveying system and the plurality of processing stations, the controller configured to:
• operate the conveying system such that the plurality of clamps are moved through the plurality of processing stations;
• and
• selectively activate each processing station of the plurality of processing stations;
• wherein each clamp of the plurality of clamps comprises:
• a pair of jaws positioned on a base, wherein the pair of jaws comprises a first jaw and a second jaw facing each other across a clamping axis extending between the first jaw and the second jaw,
• wherein the first jaw comprises a first jaw face and the second jaw comprises a second jaw face, wherein the first jaw face faces the second jaw face along the clamping axis,
• wherein the first jaw face and the second jaw face define a receiving slot between the first jaw face and the second jaw face,
• wherein a distance between the first jaw face and the second jaw face across the receiving slot in a direction aligned with the clamping axis narrows when moving away from the base between the first jaw face and the second jaw face along a compression axis, wherein the compression axis extends through the base between the first jaw face and the second jaw face;
• and
• a spring member operably attached to the first jaw, the spring member configured to resist movement of the first jaw away from the second jaw along the clamping axis and the spring member configured to resist movement of the first jaw away from the base along a compression direction aligned with the compression axis, wherein a shrimp located between the pair of jaws is compressed against the base between the pair of jaws by the spring member and the first jaw.