Oyster processing method
OwnerJames P. Coxinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A declustering component breaks clusters of oysters into individual oysters and an opening component separates oyster half shells thereby exposing the meat of the oysters. The declustering component includes a rotatable drum having a feed opening for oyster clusters and slots which permit only single oysters to leave the drum. The opening component includes mechanical means for disconnecting the oyster half shells by applying opposed shearing forces adjacent to the shell joint.
Claims5
The method of opening an oyster which comprises supporting the oyster on a support member engaging a central portion of the exterior of one half shell of the oyster, engaging an edge portion of the exterior of one half shell of the oyster with a first force-applying member connected to the support member, and driving the support member and the first force-applying member relatively toward a second force-applying member to engage the second force-applying member against the edge portion of the oyster half shell not engaged by the first force-applying member which latter edge portion is generally opposite the shell edge portion engaged by the first force-applying member for applying shearing force to the oyster for separating the oyster half shells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.