U.S. patent application number 09/790962 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for assembly for a seafood cleaning machine.
Invention is credited to Skrmetta, Raphael Q..
Application Number | 20020115400 09/790962 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25152259 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020115400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skrmetta, Raphael Q. |
August 22, 2002 |
ASSEMBLY FOR A SEAFOOD CLEANING MACHINE
Abstract
An assembly for a seafood cleaning machines provides increased
efficiency and decreases loss of meat of cleaned seafood items,
such as shrimp, prawns, and the like. The assembly has a plurality
of parallel rollers, a plurality of secondary rollers spaced
between and mounted slightly above the power rollers, and a
plurality of insert rollers fitted between adjacent power rollers
and secondary rollers. Each insert roller has a variable diameter
outside surface, gradually increasing from an upstream portion to
the downstream portion. Smaller diameter upstream portion forms a
tighter channel between the rollers and help the rollers to grab
even smaller portions of the inedible parts of the crustaceans. To
remove peeled off inedible portions, the assembly provides for a
two-level water spraying, from above and below the insert rollers,
thereby preventing a build-up of debris on the rollers and
decreasing a possibility of over-peeling.
Inventors: |
Skrmetta, Raphael Q.; (New
Orleans, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS S. KEATY
KEATY PROFESSIONAL LAW CORP.
2140 WORLD TRADE CENTER
NO. 2 CANAL STREET
NEW ORLEANS
LA
70130
US
|
Family ID: |
25152259 |
Appl. No.: |
09/790962 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
452/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A22C 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
452/5 |
International
Class: |
A22C 029/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An assembly for a seafood cleaning machine, comprising: a
plurality of power rollers mounted in a parallel spaced-apart
relationship to each other and extending from an upstream of the
assembly to a downstream of the assembly; a plurality of secondary
rollers mounted above and in frictional contact with a pair of
adjacent power rollers; a plurality of insert rollers, each mounted
in frictional contact between a power roller and an adjacent
secondary roller, each of said insert rollers having a variable
outside diameter that increases from an upstream section thereof to
a downstream section of each insert roller, and wherein said power
rollers, said secondary rollers and said insert rollers are
operationally connected to the seafood cleaning machine.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said power rollers, said
secondary rollers and said insert rollers are adapted for a
reciprocating movement about their respective longitudinal
axes.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior surfaces of one
insert roller, one secondary roller and one power roller form a
pinching channel for engaging inedible portions of a seafood item
deposited on the assembly.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said pinching channel varies in
width from the upstream of the assembly to the downstream of the
assembly.
5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a means for
delivering a cleaning liquid from above and below said insert
rollers.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said means for delivering a
cleaning liquid comprises at least one upper conduit extending
above said insert rollers and at least one lower conduit extending
below said insert rollers.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said at least one upper conduit
extends transversely to longitudinal axes of said insert rollers,
said at least one upper conduit being provided with a plurality of
downwardly facing spray nozzles for delivering the cleaning liquid
on top of said insert rollers.
8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said at least one lower conduit
extends transversely to longitudinal axes of said insert rollers,
said at least one lower conduit being provided with a plurality of
upwardly facing lower spray nozzles for delivering the cleaning
liquid from below said insert rollers.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said lower spray nozzles
comprise pairs of lower spray nozzles positioned on opposite sides
of said at least one lower conduit, said lower spray nozzles being
oriented at an acute angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of
said at least one lower conduit.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each of said pairs of lower
spray nozzles has a first lower spray nozzle and a second lower
spray nozzle oriented at an acute angle in relation to said first
lower spray nozzle.
11. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said at least one upper
conduit and said at least one lower conduit provide intermittent
spray of cleaning liquid to facilitate movement of the seafood
items deposited on said assembly and removal of inedible portions
of said seafood items removed by said power rollers, said secondary
rollers and said insert rollers.
12. An assembly for a seafood cleaning machine, comprising: a
plurality of power rollers mounted in a parallel spaced-apart
relationship to each other and extending from an upstream of the
assembly to a downstream of the assembly; a plurality of secondary
rollers mounted above and in frictional contact with a pair of
adjacent power rollers; a plurality of insert rollers, each mounted
in frictional contact between a power roller and an adjacent
secondary roller, each of said insert rollers having a variable
outside diameter that increases from an upstream section thereof to
a downstream section of each insert roller, and wherein said power
rollers, said secondary rollers and said insert rollers are
operationally connected to the seafood cleaning machine; and a
means for delivering a cleaning liquid from above and below said
insert rollers to facilitate movement of seafood items deposited on
said assembly and for removal of inedible portions of said seafood
items removed by said power rollers, said secondary rollers and
said insert rollers.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each of said insert rollers
is fitted in a space between adjacent power roller and a secondary
roller to form pinching channels for engaging inedible portions of
seafood items deposited on said assembly.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said each of said insert
rollers comprises a plurality of separate sections, each section
being resiliently secured between adjacent power rollers and
secondary rollers.
15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said means for delivering a
cleaning liquid comprises at least one upper conduit extending
above said insert rollers and at least one lower conduit extending
below said insert rollers.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one upper
conduit extends transversely to longitudinal axes of said insert
rollers, said at least one upper conduit being provided with a
plurality of downwardly facing spray nozzles for delivering the
cleaning liquid on top of said insert rollers.
17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said lower spray nozzles
comprise pairs of lower spray nozzles positioned on opposite sides
of said at least one lower conduit, said lower spray nozzles being
oriented at an acute angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of
said at least one lower conduit.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein each of said pairs of lower
spray nozzles has a first lower spray nozzle and a second lower
spray nozzle oriented at an acute angle in relation to said first
lower spray nozzle.
19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one upper
conduit and said at least one lower conduit provide intermittent
sprays of cleaning liquid to facilitate movement of the seafood
items deposited on said assembly and removal of inedible portions
of said seafood items removed by said power rollers, said secondary
rollers and said insert rollers.
20. An assembly for a seafood cleaning machine, comprising: a
plurality of power rollers mounted in a parallel spaced-apart
relationship to each other and extending from an upstream of the
assembly to a downstream of the assembly; a plurality of secondary
rollers mounted above and in frictional contact with a pair of
adjacent power rollers; a plurality of insert rollers, each mounted
in frictional contact between a power roller and an adjacent
secondary roller, and wherein said power rollers, said secondary
rollers and said insert rollers are operationally connected to the
seafood cleaning machine; and a means for delivering a cleaning
liquid from above and below said insert rollers to facilitate
movement of seafood items deposited on said assembly and for
removal of inedible portions of said seafood items removed by said
power rollers, said secondary rollers and said insert rollers.
21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said means for delivering the
cleaning liquid comprises at least one upper conduit extending
above said insert rollers and at least one lower conduit extending
below said insert rollers.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said at least one upper
conduit extends transversely to longitudinal axes of said insert
rollers, said at least one upper conduit being provided with a
plurality of downwardly facing spray nozzles for delivering the
cleaning liquid on top of said insert rollers.
23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said lower spray nozzles
comprise pairs of lower spray nozzles positioned on opposite sides
of said at least one lower conduit, said lower spray nozzles being
oriented at an acute angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of
said at least one lower conduit and at an acute angle to each
other.
24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said at least one upper
conduit and said at least one lower conduit provide intermittent
sprays of cleaning liquid to facilitate movement of the seafood
items deposited on said assembly and removal of inedible portions
of said seafood items removed by said power rollers, said secondary
rollers and said insert rollers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning
seafood, and more particularly to an assembly for a machine that is
used to clean crustaceans, such as shrimp, prawns, crawfish, and
the like.
[0002] Machines for peeling shrimp and prawns have been known since
about the early 1950's. One of such machines is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,537,355 issued on Jan. 9, 1951 to Fernand S. Lapeyre, et
al. In that machine, a channel is created for receiving unpeeled
shrimp and for slowly peeling the crustaceans, removing hulls,
shells, appendages, and other inedible portions of the crustaceans.
The apparatus of the '355 patent uses a plurality of rollers, along
which the seafood item slides, assisted by gravity and water flow.
The shrimp are moved from one channel created by the rollers to
another by reciprocating rotation of the rollers, causing the
peeling of the shrimp and removal of the inedible portions.
Pressure fingers hold the shrimp in firm contact with the rollers
to facilitate peeling. The fingers are formed to approximately
correspond to the contours of the channels formed between the
rollers. The rollers move the shrimp from an elevated upstream
portion of the roller assembly downstream, from where the peeled
seafood item is deposited into a collector, while the inedible,
peeled away portions of the shrimp are disposed of. The seafood
cleaning machine of the '355 patent was the industry standard for
many years.
[0003] An improvement to the '355 patent is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
2,778,055 issued to Lapeyre, et al. in 1957 for "Machine for
Peeling Shrimp." In accordance with the '055 patent, the roller
assembly has a bottom roller, parallel side rollers disposed on
opposite sides of the bottom roller and spaced above the bottom
roller. The peeling channel is formed between the elevated rollers
and the bottom rollers. Insert rollers are positioned between the
bottom and side rollers to cover up crevices or spaces formed
between the bottom roller and the elevated rollers. The inserts are
strapped down in a resilient connection to the shrimp-peeling
machine.
[0004] Another example of a shrimp peeling machine is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,781,544 issued in 1957 for "Seafood Cleaning Machine."
In that patent, oscillating rollers are mounted in contact with the
top surface of a shrimp-receiving platform. The surfaces of the
rollers and the platform have different coefficients of friction so
that the shrimp which is received in a crotch between the rollers
is caused to rotate until the loose ends of the shells are caught
between the rollers and the platform, and the shell is unwound from
the shrimp.
[0005] While these devices worked satisfactory, it has been
observed that with time, shrimp shells and appendages tend to
accumulate on the rollers and cause separation between the rollers.
For instance, the insert rollers may be lifted from the crotch area
between the larger diameter rollers, such that an unusually large
crevice is created between the insert rollers and the larger
diameter rollers. As a result of the debris accumulation, the
peeled shrimp may get caught in the spaces between the rollers,
which will cause pinching of an edible portion of the seafood item
and damage to the edible portion of the product.
[0006] Additionally, the insert rollers, which are held down at
both ends by hold down straps tend to form a curvature when too
much debris accumulates on the insert rollers. The insert rollers
then create a "bow" in the mid-section, separating themselves from
a frictional contact with the larger diameter rollers. Water that
is supplied to help move the shrimp and remove the debris, seeps
into the created crevice and is lost. Further, since the rollers
are oscillating, the peeled hulls are pushed down between the
rollers, then pulled up again above the rollers, which interferes
with the normal peeling of the shrimp.
[0007] It was also observed that with the machines where the narrow
insert rollers have the same diameter from the upstream portion of
the cleaning machine to the downstream portion thereof, hulls or
whiskers of the crustacean may cling to the shrimp body, even when
the shrimp reach the downstream portion of the machine.
Consequently, some shrimp remain under-peeled. This effect is
particularly pronounced in cases where the processed product has
different sizes.
[0008] The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks
associated with the prior art and provision of an improved assembly
for a seafood cleaning machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide an assembly for a seafood cleaning machine that reduces the
amount of damage of the edible portions of the cleaned items.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
assembly for a machine designed for cleaning shrimp that reduces
the buildup of peeled inedible portions of the shrimp.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an assembly for a seafood cleaning machine that increases
efficiency and productivity of the cleaning machine, while
minimizing loss of the product to over-peeling.
[0012] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved through a provision of an assembly for a seafood cleaning
machine that comprises a plurality of power rollers positioned in a
spaced-apart relationship to each other and are adapted for
reciprocating partial rotation about their longitudinal axes. A
plurality of secondary, smaller diameter, rollers are mounted
between the power rollers in frictional contact with the adjacent
power rollers. A plurality of insert rollers are fitted in the
spaces between the power rollers and the secondary rollers to
create pinching channels for the hull, appendages, whiskers and
other inedible portions of crustaceans.
[0013] Each insert roller has an outside diameter that varies from
the upstream portion of the assembly to the downstream portion
thereof. A narrow section of each insert rollers is mounted
adjacent the upstream portion, while the wider portion of the
insert roller is positioned near the downstream portion. As a
result, a tighter space is formed upstream between the rollers,
which helps to engage smaller portions of the hull, or shrimp
shell. When the smaller elements of the inedible portions are
caught between the rollers, there is less probability that the
rollers pinch edible meat and damage the seafood item.
[0014] The assembly of the present invention is also more efficient
in cleaning away the debris of the peeled away portions and
eliminating any build-up. This benefit is achieved through a
provision of a double level of water spray directed to the insert
rollers. One level of the water supply is provided above the insert
rollers, sending intermittent sprays of water, followed by a
flushing cycle, from one or more transverse upper conduits mounted
above the rollers. The second level of the water spray is delivered
from one or more transverse lower conduits equipped with a
plurality of spray nozzles located below the insert rollers. A
combination of two-level time-regulated water supply eliminates
build-up of debris on the insert rollers and helps increase
efficiency of the seafood cleaning operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of the assembly in accordance with the present
invention for use in a seafood cleaning machine.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the assembly of FIG. 1, showing
in more detail position of the rollers and the water supply
conduits.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detail view showing an end view of the roller
assembly and illustrating direction of water sprays directed to the
rollers.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a detail view of an insert roller with different
diameter sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10
designates the assembly for a seafood cleaning machine in
accordance with the present invention. As can be seen in the
drawings, the assembly comprises a plurality of power rollers 12
mounted in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other and
secured at one of their ends to a back wall 14 of a seafood
cleaning machine. The drawing of a seafood cleaning machine is
omitted for clarity, it is to be understood that the seafood
cleaning machine is provided with conventional power source, drive
mechanism for operation of the rollers and movement of the water
conduits, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The
power source may be an actuating mechanism with a pinion and rack
arrangement to impart a reciprocating movement on the rollers.
[0020] Mounted above the power rollers 12, in a substantially
parallel relationship to the longitudinal axes of the rollers 12 is
a plurality of secondary rollers 16. The rollers 16 are also
secured by their first ends, through shafts 18 to the back wall 14
for reciprocating movement about the axes of the shafts 18. As can
be seen in the drawings, the diameter of the secondary rollers 16
is smaller than the diameter of the power rollers 12.
[0021] The rollers 16 are positioned between the power rollers 12
(see FIG. 3) and cover spaces between the power rollers 12, leaving
narrow gaps between the outer surfaces of the power rollers 12 and
the secondary rollers 16. A plurality of insert rollers 20, 22, are
mounted between the adjacent power rollers and the secondary
rollers 16 to substantially close the created gap.
[0022] The insert rollers 20, 22 cover the areas, or spaces formed
between the power rollers 12 and the secondary rollers 16. In
effect, the assembly 10 has a plurality of roller units, each unit
formed by five rollers: one power roller 12, two secondary rollers
16, and two insert rollers 20 and 22.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, an example of a roller unit is
designated by a power roller 12a, a secondary roller 16a, a
secondary roller 16b, an insert roller 20 and a second insert
roller 22. A frictional contact exists between the rollers of each
roller unit. A number of channels are defined by adjacent power
rollers and secondary rollers 16, with the insert rollers 20 and 22
fitted within these channels.
[0024] Each insert roller 20, 22 can be composed of one or more
individual sections. In the drawings, each insert roller 20 or 22
is shown to consist of four sections 24, 26, 28, and 30. Each
roller section 24, 26, 28, and 30 is secured by a pair of tie down
plates 32, 34. The tie down plates are secured to the central shaft
36, which extends outwardly from the main body of each insert
roller 22, 24.
[0025] An aperture 40 is formed in a free end of the plates 32 or
34, and a hook 42 is inserted through the aperture 40. The hook 42
is connected to a spring 44 that allows adjustment of the relative
position of the inserts 20, 22 in relation to the channels formed
between the adjacent power rollers 12 and secondary rollers 16. The
spring 44 allows for a resilient mounting of the insert rollers
within a seafood cleaning machine.
[0026] Turning now to FIG. 4, the design of the insert rollers is
shown in more detail. The insert roller sections 24, 26, 28, and 30
(only sections 24, 26, 28 are shown in FIG. 4) have different
outside diameters, with the smallest diameter section 30 being
adjacent to the upstream portion of the assembly and the largest
diameter portion 24 being adjacent to the downstream portion of the
assembly 10. For instance, section 30 may have an outside diameter
of {fraction (5/16)}", section 28 may have an outside diameter
{fraction (6/16)}", section 26 may have an outside diameter of
{fraction (7/16)}" and section 24 may have the largest diameter of
{fraction (8/16)}". Each section, 24, 26, 28, and 30 reciprocates
independently about its longitudinal axis.
[0027] When a seafood product, for example shrimp, are deposited
onto the roller assembly, such as delivered by a conveyor or from
the hopper, the smallest portions of the shrimp, such as
appendages, are caught between the smallest diameter insert portion
30 and the adjacent secondary roller 16 and the power roller 12.
The insert roller portion 30, being relatively narrow, allows to
form a tighter pinching channel between the adjacent rollers 12 and
16 and cause even small protuberances of the shrimp shell to be
caught between the rollers. At the same time, no damage is imparted
on the shrimp meat. As the seafood item, such as shrimp, progresses
downstream towards the insert roller portion 24, the hull portions
that are still adhering to the shrimp will be caught and pulled
away from the shrimp body, leaving clean, unblemished shrimp meat
intact.
[0028] In addition to providing better peeling capability, the
variable diameter insert rod portions prevent loss of valuable
water. It was observed that when the shell buildup is created on
the insert rods 20,22, the rods, being tied down at opposite ends
by the tie down plates 32 and 34, tend to lift themselves from
their usual contact position with the power rod 12 and the
secondary rods 16 and form a "bow." Water can seep through the
created gap and be lost in the process. With the insert rollers 20
and 22 being composed of sections having gradually increasing
diameters, the problem of damage to the valuable natural resource
is substantially decreased or altogether eliminated.
[0029] In operation, the power rollers 12 and the secondary rollers
16 reciprocate back and forth, rotating about 280 degrees about
their respective axes, i.e. the rollers move about their axes in
one direction, then stop and reverse the direction of movement.
This reciprocating movement causes the shrimp that is deposited on
the roller assembly 10 to move between the rollers and have their
shells, or hulls peeled away along with whiskers, appendages,
etc.
[0030] It is envisioned that a one-piece insert roller 20 or 22 can
be utilized for the purposes of the present invention when an
insert roller has a frustoconical configuration, with an apex, that
is the narrowest portion being positioned in the upstream portion
of the roller assembly and the base of the frustoconical insert
roller being adjacent to the downstream portion of the roller
assembly. For instance, if the power roller 12 is selected to have
3" in diameter and the secondary rollers 16 have an outside
diameter of 21/2", the insert rollers 20, 22 can gradually increase
in their outside diameter from {fraction (5/16)}" to {fraction
(8/16)}". It has been found that the use of the different diameter
insert roller portions produces a much more beneficial result in
the cleaning capability of the assembly than a conventional
approach of changing the texture or the friction capability of the
rollers' exterior.
[0031] As the shrimp peeling process continues, the removed hull,
appendages, whiskers, and other inedible parts are being pulled
away, leaving edible portions intact. To facilitate movement of the
shrimp and the removed portions downstream, the roller assembly 10
is positioned on an incline, with an upstream section being higher
than the downstream section. Water is used to facilitate movement
of the peeled shrimp and the removed portions to the downstream
end. Water is supplied from above the roller assembly 10 and from a
level underneath the roller assembly.
[0032] The upper portion of the water supply lines comprises a
plurality of transverse water conduits, or pipes 50 (only one is
shown in FIG. 1), spaced from each other and arranged in a parallel
relationship to each other. The pipes 50 are carried by a frame 52
and secured to a side wall 54 of a cleaning machine. The frame 52
comprises a water supply line 56 supported by a pair of support
members 58 and 60.
[0033] The support members 58 and 60 are secured at a right angle
to the underside of the water supply line 56. The support members
58 and 60 are securely attached to a rail 62. A plurality of guide
rollers 64 ride on the upper surface of the rail 62. A matching
number of lower guide rollers 66 slide along the bottom surface of
the rail 62. The rollers 64, 66 are arranged in pairs, as shown in
FIG. 1, and are secured at their free ends to a bracket 68. The
brackets 68 are fixedly attached to a bar 74, which in turn is
fixedly attached to the back wall 14.
[0034] A crank 70 is secured at one end to the water supply line 56
and, at its other end to a rotating disk 72. The disk 72 is
connected to a power source (not shown) which moves the disk 72
causing the fixedly attached crank 70 to move back and forth,
pulling the frame 52 and, thereby moving the water pipes 50 a
distance above the roller assembly 10. The diameter of the disk 72
controls the distance to which the pipes 50 travel across the
roller assembly 10. The guide rollers 64 and 66 rotate and move
along the rail 62, facilitating reciprocating movement of the frame
52 above the roller assembly 10.
[0035] A plurality of upper spray nozzles 76 is attached to the
underside of each waterline, or pipe 50. The nozzles 76 are
oriented with their openings facing down, so that jets of water,
shown in phantom lines 78 in FIGS. 2 and 3, are directed from above
onto the insert rollers 20 and 22. The spray flow 78 helps wash
away the debris and facilitates movement of the cleaned seafood
items downstream along the roller assembly. The distance to which
the water conduits 50 travels can be as little as 6-7" in one
direction. The travel distance of the water pipes 50 is not
designed to cover the entire surface of the roller assembly 10.
[0036] It was observed that with time, the buildup of removed
inedible matter becomes so substantial that it prevents normal
movement of the product along the roller assembly 10, and the water
supply from only the top of the roller assembly is not sufficient.
In order to prevent the build-up of debris on the insert rollers
20, 22, an upward stream of cleaning water is provided in the
assembly of the present invention. As shown in the drawings, one or
more lower water supply lines 80 extend underneath the rollers 12,
each lower water conduit 80 being also connected to the frame
52.
[0037] A plurality of spray nozzles 82 is secured in fluid
communication with each water supply conduit 80 on one side of the
pipe 80. A plurality of similar spray nozzles 84 is positioned on
the opposite side of the pipe 80. The spray nozzles 82 and 84 are
secured at an acute angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of
the pipe 80. The angle of the direction of the jet heads 82 and 84
can be 30 to 45 degrees in relation to the longitudinal axis of the
pipe 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the spray nozzles 82 and 84 are
oriented in opposite directions, sending sprays of water shown in
phantom lines 86 and 88, respectively, between the secondary
rollers 16, towards the insert rollers 20, 22, where the most
likely buildup is to occur.
[0038] In operation, the water supply frame 52 is connected to a
timer (not shown) for intermittent operation of the jet nozzles 76,
82, and 84. The usual cycle consists of a few seconds of spray,
while the frame 52 travels alongside the roller assembly 10, then
an idle pause, when the frame 52 comes to a stop. Then, a flushing
step takes place, when the water flow is delivered through the
pipes 50 and 80 and to the spray heads 76, 82, and 84, flushing the
rollers with water and dislodging any accumulated debris.
[0039] Then the frame 52 moves in the opposite direction, while
continuing to spray the rollers, stopping at the end of the travel
and providing the flushing step again. The intermittent cycles of
spraying continue while the peeling of the seafood items deposited
on the rollers takes place.
[0040] It is preferred that the spray nozzles 76, 82, and 84 be
directed towards the insert rollers 20, 22, to a place where the
possibility of a build-up exists. When providing the intermittent
spraying and flushing steps in the cleaning cycle, the valuable
natural resource, water, can be saved and not lost to a flow
between the rollers, as it would be, had a buildup of peeled off
inedible portions be allowed to continue. When the shells and other
inedible portions are continuously removed from the rollers, the
seafood items are cleaned better and the loss of the edible
portions due to over peeling is substantially minimized.
[0041] The flushed-away inedible portions are removed from the
downstream portion of the assembly 10 and are disposed of in the
usual manner. The edible portions of the seafood items, such as
cleaned shrimp, are deposited into a container, from where the
product can be packaged, frozen or otherwise processed for delivery
to a customer.
[0042] It is envisioned that the power rollers 12 and the secondary
rollers 16 can be covered with soft resilient sleeves, for example
made of rubber, and the insert rollers 20, 22 be made of a
non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel. The number of
water lines 50 and 80 can vary depending on the length of the
rollers and can be 3 or 4 in number. The spring action of the hook
42, securing the insert rollers 20, 22 can be easily adjusted by
the selection of the spring 44 having different tensile
characteristics.
[0043] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the
design of the present invention without departing from the spirit
thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention
be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *