Portable automatic oyster opener
OwnerChi-Minh Leinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus which automatically forces open shells during the downward stroke of a reciprocating plunger. Opening can occur through shearing of the two shell halves along their seam. The tip of the plunger can be a long inclined blade and wedge shaped. The apparatus may open all sizes of shells by applying a downward force on at least one of the shell halves. Alternatively, both shearing and sliding forces are applied. In one embodiment the shell is placed parallel to the angle of taper of the tip for opening. When the plunger comes down it exerts by frictional shearing force on the shell which causes the halves to slide off each other and open providing access to the inside.
Claims9
A apparatus for opening the shells of a bivalve mollusk having a pair of shells with an interface therebetween, comprising:
- (a) a reciprocating plunger, the reciprocating plunger including a tapered tip for engaging the interface between the pair of shells when opening the shells, the reciprocating plunger being connected to a motor drive with a linkage,
- (b) a base located under the reciprocating plunger, the base being rotatable relative to the plunger, and
- (c) wherein the motor and linkage move the plunger between upper and lower positions relative to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.