Scallop spreading device

A scallop spreading device for use with a scallop eviscerator formed by a plurality of counter-rotating rollers rotatably mounted on a frame to form an inclined path, with the axes of the rollers aligned transversely of the path, said spreading device comprising:

• a. a travelling frame mounted on the eviscerator frame for reciprocating movement relative to the eviscerator frame and the counter-rotating rollers;
• b. a plurality of spaced spreader bars mounted on said travelling frame with the axes of said spreader bars being substantially parallel to the axes of the rollers and the clearance between the bottom of the spreader bars and the top of the rollers being slightly less than the diameter of the scallops being processed;
• c. drive means connected to said travelling frame for imparting reciprocating movement to said travelling frame in a plane aligned with the inclined path, the downstroke of said reciprocating movement moving said travelling frame in the direction toward the lowermost roller of said eviscerator, and the upstroke of said reciprocating movement moving said travelling frame in the direction toward the uppermost roller of said eviscerator;
• and
• d. adjustment means connected to said travelling frame for varying the height of said spreader bars above the eviscerator rollers, said adjustment means including first height adjusting means connecting each spreader bar with said travelling frame for individually adjusting the height of each spreader bar, said first height adjusting means for each spreader bar comprising a plurality of brackets to which the spreader bar is secured, each bracket having an elongated slot and being movable within the limits of the elongated slot to various heights, and means for securing the bracket to the travelling frame at any height within the slot.