Apparatus for removing barnacles from crustacean shells
AssigneeCanpolar East Inc.
InventorsErnest M. Reimer, Paul Hearn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for cleaning the shells of crabs and other crustacean and shellfish for removal of barnacles and other encrusted debris. A conveyor carries the shells through a cleaning station. The cleaning station features a rotating flail, having chains or other like flexible members for impacting against the shells with hard, smooth members for selectively shattering the barnacle shells while permitting the relatively softer crustacean shells to remain intact.
Claims12
A processing apparatus for removing barnacles or other like encrusted relatively hard debris from crustacean shells, said shells being resilient relative to said barnacles, said apparatus comprising:
- retention means for holding a selected crustacean or part thereof, and percussive impact means for applying a repeated essentially percussive force against said crustacean shell without brushing, sufficient to substantially dislodge or shatter said debris while leaving said crustacean shell substantially undamaged.
A method for removal of barnacles or other hardened debris from crustacean or shellfish shells, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting barnacle or debris-encrusted crustaceans, whereby the crustacean shell is resilient relative to said barnacles or other debris;
- fixedly supporting said crustacean or shellfish by means of a retaining means;
- and
- imparting a repeated essentially percussive force against said debris with percussive impact means without brushing,
- whereby said barnacles or other like debris are shattered or dislodged and said crustaceans remain substantially undamaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.