AU626077B2 - Aquatic food washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUBTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: P/00/011 Form ~77 Cbmjlete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: R3'cted Art: a Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT JOHN EDWARD THOMAS AND RICHARD COLIN BEETHAM 30 SIXTH AVENUE, SOUTH TOWNSVILLE Q 4810 AND 23 CYPRESS DRIVE, TOWNSVILLE Q 4810 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: JOHN R.G. GARDNER, PATENT ATTORNEY PO BOX 443, MUDGEERABA Q 4213 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: AQUATIC FOOD WASHING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- SNote: The description is to be typed In double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm In depth and 160 mm In width, on tough white paper of good quality and It is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78- L Printcd by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwcalth Government Printer, Canbcrra L lli_ 2.

THIS INVENTION relates to aquatic food washing apparatus which is particularly suited to the washing of salt water and fresh water aquatic food, such as fish, prawns or other like foods.

Fish or other aquatic food, whether caught in the wild or commercially grown using aquiculture, is required to be washed so as to rid the aquatic food of mud and slime before it is presented to the consumer or to markets for sale. A number of different methods have been proposed in the past for washing aquatic food, however, such methods are generally labour intensive and not particularly effective. For example in one known arrangement the aquatic food is simply placed in a perforated basket and subject to water from a pressurized water supply, however, this procedure is wasteful and not particularly effective.

a The present invention aims to overcome or alle, iate the 0 above disadvantages by providing washing apparatus for aquatic food whether caught in the wild or commercially grown which will function to rapidly and efficiently wash aquatic food.

a Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention provides apparatus for washing aquatic food, said apparatus including tank means for containing liquid for l washing said aquatic food, said tank means having first and second opposite end wall means, inlet means at a lower portion of one said end wall means for introducing liquid into said tank means and for directing said liquid towards the other said wall means, and wherein said other wall means includes an internally concave portion facing said one end wall means and adapted to cause liquid introduced into said tank means through said inlet means to undergo a circulating motion in a vertical direction to thereby wash aquatic food therein.

Preferably said internally concave portion of said other wall means is of generally arcuate form. Suitably, said internally concave portion is defined by wall parts of generally arcuate form in cross section. Preferably, said wall NV T 3.

parts comprise upper and lower generally arcuate wall parts, said upper wall part being fixed and said 'lower wall part being mounted for movement between a first position defining with said upper wall part, said internally concave portion of said other wall means, and a second position wherein said lower part is moved away from said first position to permit discharge of aquatic food from said tank means.

Preferably said lower wall part is mounted for pivotal movement about a transverse axis and means are provided for movinq said lower wall part between said first and second positions. The moving means for said lower wall part comprises a lever arm fixed for movement with said lower wall part.

Preferably, latching means are provided for releasably holding said lower wall part in said first or said second position.

Preferably the upper wall part terminates below an upper edge Sof said tank means. Suitably baffle means extend between the upper wall part and the upper edge of said tank means.

o Preferably, the one end wall means is apertured to permit discharge of excess liquid and other materials therethrough. Suitably said apertures are defined by an array oooB of openings over a substantial area of the one end wall means.

Preferably, said one end wall means is substantially flat.

The tank means also preferably includes a pair of opposite side walls extending between said end wall means and 5 a base wall and wherein said means for introducing liquid into S, said tank means comprises inlet duct means arranged centrally of said one end wall means and adjacent said base wall.

oo 0o In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- "o Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a first form of washing apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of operation of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in cC 3a.

which aquatic food is discharged from the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a second form of the apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 4 there is illustrated washing apparatus 10 according to the

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L r- present invention which is in the form of an open topped tank including first and second opposite side walls 11 and 12, a first end wall 13 and a second end wall 14 and a base wall 15 which is connected through a curved portion 16 with the end wall 13.

Respective spaced apart U-shaped legs 17 are secured to the side walls 11 and 12 to support the apparatus at an elevated attitude.

The end wall 14 is of generally arcuate or part-circular form in cross-section to form a concavity within the tank and includes a fixed upper curved portion 18 which terminates in a transversely extending upright baffle 19 and a second lower curved portion 20 which is mounted between the opposite side walls 11 and 12 for pivotal movement with a pivot shaft 21 which extends along a transversely extending axis. The wall portion includes at its end opposite the pivot shaft 21 an outwardly turned edge or lip 22 which in the Fig. 3 attitude of the apparatus is adapted to co-operate with a downwardly turned lip 23 on the base wall 15 so as to substantially close the base of the apparatus.

An actuating arm 24 is arranged on one side of the apparatus 10 and fixed to the pivot shaft 21 for movement with the wall portion 20 so that movement of the arm 24 causes pivotal movement of the wall portion 20. A stop 25 is secured to the side wall 11 and the arm 24 is movable to a position behind the stop so that the end wall portion 20 is in a closed attitude with the respective lips 22 and 23 being urged into firm engagement with each other. The arm 24 has sufficient resilience to enable it to be moved outwardly beyond the stop 25 and pivoted as shown in dotted outline Fig. 4 so as to move the wall portion 20 to a position where the lips 22 and 23 are moved away from each other.

Extending along the end wall 13 adjacent the curved interconnecting portion 16 is a water inlet manifold 26 which communicates with the interior of the apparatus via a pair of spaced apart inlet ducts 27 (only one of which is shown) adjacent the junction of the end wall 33 and base wall 35. A series of apertures 28 are formed in the end wall 13 so as to permit exit of excess liquid from the apparatus In use aquatic food such as fish, prawns or crabs are 4 placed into the interior of the apparatus 10 when the apparatus is in the Fig. 3 attitude. Water under pressure is then introduced into the manifold 26 so as to be directed through the ducts 27 towards the curved wall 14. The water on striking the wall 14 will be deflected upwardly so as to undergo a circulating motion as indicated by the arrows thereby causing the aquatic food therein to be tumbled over and be thoroughly washed. Excess water carrying mud and slime associated with the product will simply overflow from the apparatus 10 and/or pass through the apertures 28 thereby leaving the food product clean. When it is desired to remove the product after completion of the washing operation the arm 24 is pivoted to the Fig. 4 position so that the product exits through the opening 29 defined between the wall Sportion 20 and base wall 15. After the product is discharged the wall portion 20 may again be moved to its closed position of Fig.

3 by the arm 24 and the process repeated.

Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar to the above embodiment but which has smaller capacity. This apparatus 30 includes as before ,2 cO ,opposite side walls 31 and 32, a first end wall 33 and a second Send wall 34 and a base wall 35 which is connected to the end wall 33 at one end through a curved section 36 and which at its other Send is curved upwardly at 37 and terminates in a downwardly inclined lip 38. The end wall 34 is as before defined by a first upper arcuate wall portion 39 fixed to the opposite side walls S31 and 32 and terminating in a fixed upright transverse baffle A water discharge slot 41 is formed in the baffle adjacent its connection to the curved wall portion 39. The wall 34 also includes a second movable portion 42 of part-circular or sectional curved form hingedly connected to the first wall portion 39 at 43 for pivotal movement about a transversely extending axis. This wall portion 42 also terminates in a lip 44 which in the closed position of the wall portion 42 abuts against the lip 38 of the base wall Holding the wall portion 42 in position is a control arm which comprises a generally T-shaped member 45 having at one end a transverse handle portion 46 and being pivotally connected at 47 at its opposite end to the wall portion 42. A stop 48 is provided part way along the member 45 and is adapted to cooperate with a split bracket 49 fixed to the wall portion 39 the bracket 49 including a central slot 50. In the position shown in Fig. 7 the stop 48 is located beneath and abuts the bracket 49 so as to urge the wall portion 42 to a closed position. The member 45, however, may be pivoted away from this position out of the slot 50 to release the stop 48 from the bracket 49 and permit the wall 41 to be pivoted upwardly by grasping and lifting the handle 46. To hold the wall 42 in this attitude, the member may be moved back into the slot 50 to position the stop 48 on the upper side of the bracket 49 as shown in Fig. The end wall 33 is provided with an inlet duct 51 in its lower portion and the end wall 31 is also apertured at 52 at 1 spaced positions. Opposite inwardly directed channel members 53 are arranged along the top edges of the side walls 31 and 32 to accept an apertured grid 54 which may be slid into a position to close access to the apparatus 30 and hold the aquatic food therein.

The apparatus 30 functions in a similar manner to that previously described with water being pumped into the duct 51 so as to be directed towards the curved wall 34 and undergo, because of the curved or concave nature of the wall 34, a circulating motion so as to tumble and wash the aquatic Food therein. This circulating motion is also enhanced by the curved wall sections 36 and 37. Excess water with mud and slime exits through the openings 52 in the end wall 33 and slot 41. At the completion of the washing process, a basket or other container 55 is located beneath the lips 38 and 43 and the member 45 unlatched and lifted to pivot open the wall portion 42 permitting the aquatic food to be washed or discharged into the basket 54. After a'll the aquatic food is removed the wall 41 is moved back to its closed position and the process repeated.

The apparatus of the invention is suitably constructed of a material which is non corrosive such as aluminium or stainless steel, however, the apparatus may also be constructed of other materials such as fibreglass. In some instances it is not necessary to have a pivoted wall portion as the washed food may be removed by hand from the tank after washing. In this configuration the curved end wall is simply fixed between the opposite side walls.

The apparatus of the invention may be used on land situations or on watercraft such as trawlers. In the latter case, the grid 54 may be slid into position to restrain the aquatic food therein in rough weather. The curved walls 14 or 34 may terminate at the top of the respective tanks, however, it is preferred that the baffles 19 and 40 be employed to prevent water splashing out of the apparatus and to avoid the possibility of loss of the aquatic food.

Various other arrangements may be used for discharging excess water from the apparatus. For example slots or apertures may be formed in the side walls of the apparatus as well as or instead of the apertures in the end wall. The number and size of apertures or slots, however, is selected so that a sufficient level of water remains in the tank for washing.

All other such variations and modifications to the 2V invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for washing aquatic food, said apparatus including tank means for containing liquid for washing said aquatic f-od, said tank means having first and second opposite end wall means, inlet means at a lower portion of one said end wall means for introducing liquid into said tank means and for directing said liquid towards the other said wall means, and wherein said other wall means includes an internally concave portion facing said one end wall means and adapted to cause liquid introduced into said tank means through said inlet means to undergo a circulating motion in a vertical direction to thereby wash aquatic food therein. S 10 1 a o

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said internally concave portion of said other wall means is of generally arcuate form.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said internally concave portion is defined by wall parts of generally arcuate form in cross section.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said wall parts comprise upper and lower generally arcuate wall parts, said upper wall part being fixed and said lower wall part being a 0 a mounted for movement between a first position defining with said upper wall part, said internally concave portion of said other wall means, and a second position wherein said lower part 0 is moved away from said first position to permit discharge of aquatic food from said tank means. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said lower wall part is mounted for pivotal movement about a transverse axis and wherein means are provided for moving said lower wall part between said first and second positions. o o I <i o o 0 0600 o C i 1 Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said moving U' 4~ '-a A' cC- f 1. i i

9. means for said lower wall part comprises a lever arm fixed for movement with said lower wall part. I 7. Apparatus according to any one of Claim 4 to 6 and 5 including latching means for releasably holding said lower wall part in said first or said second position. 8. Apparatus according to any one of Claim 4 to 7 wherein said upper wall part terminates below an upper edqe of said 10 tank means. 9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 and including baffle means extending between said upper wall part and said upper edge of said tank means. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said one end wall means is apertured to permit discharge of excess linuid and other materials therethrough. J 0 11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said apertures in said one end wall means are defined by an array of openings over a substantial area of said one end wall means.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 25"o wherein said one end wall means is substantially flat. o **o

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said tank means includes a pair of opposite side walls extending between said end wall means and a base wall and 3QC wherein said means for introducing liquid into said tank means comprises inlet duct means arranged centrally of said one end wall means and adjacent said base wall.

14. Apparatus for washing aquatic or other foods including a tank having first and second opposite end walls, first and second side walls and a base walt, liquid inlet means adjacent the junction of one said end wall and said base for introducing -I liquid into said tank and for directing said liquid towards the other said wall, said other wall having a portion of arcuate cross-section facing said one end wall whereby liquid introduced into said inlet upon meeting said other wall is caused to flow upwardly from said base in a generally circulating motion so as to wash in use food in said tanks. Apparatus for washing aquatic food substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this twenty-third day of March 1992 JOHN EDWARD THOMAS AND RICHARD COLIN BEETHAM By Our Patent Attorney JOHN R.G. GARDNER 1,35, 0 00 c C e oI