AU752504B2 - Method and apparatus for processing molluscs - Google Patents

Description

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -1- "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MOLLUSCS" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing molluscs such as scallops, oysters, mussels, ugari, and similar shell type molluscs.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to processing scallops to extract the edible muscle from the shell, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application.

However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as for opening other molluscs such as oysters or mussels.

BACKGROUND ART In the art, the term eviscerate refers to two slightly different, but distinct, processes. Firstly, the term eviscerate refers to the removal of the visceral mass of the shellfish from the shells. Secondly, the term eviscerate refers to the separation of the meat (or muscle) from the offal. The use of mechanical devices for the separation of mollusc meat from its offal is well known, and in the art such devices are generally referred to as eviscerators. Additionally, the term "shucking" is used to refer to the process of removing the visceral mass from the shell, and accordingly, in this specification, the term "shucking", and its grammatical derivatives, refers generally to the removal of the visceral mass of the shellfish from the shells, and the term "eviscerate" refers to the removal of meat from the offal, unless the context requires otherwise.

Scallop processing machines are sometimes used in the processing of scallops for removal of the edible part of the scallop from its shell. Some types of such apparatus use heat to loosen the meat from the shell, and this frequently has a detrimental effect on the meat. Additionally, such apparatus is generally complex in design and slow in operation.

Australian patent specification No. 28595/95 discloses a shellfish processor for processing the monoshell type shell fish abalone. The processor includes two conveyor systems arranged one across the other, one for carrying the shellfish from a feed hopper, and the other for receiving meat expelled from the shellfish by a water jet or an elastically deformable knife blade. The shellfish are suspended between two parallel chains in the first conveyor, an operation which appears to be impractical because the shellfish do not readily orientate themselves to be so suspended.

Australian Patent Specification No. 33386/93 discloses an apparatus for processing shellfish, preferably bivalve type shellfish. The apparatus uses a water jet to spray the shellfish with heated water, causing the shellfish to open and release one shell from the other. The meat is removed from the one shell upon which it remains by a shucking device.

Australian Patent Specifications Nos. 12787/88 and 27413/92 both disclose apparatus which opens and shucks bivalve molluscs using mechanical and thermal shock. However, the use of mechanical and thermal shock very often damages the meat extracted from the shellfish.

Other mechanical arrangements have included apparatus for holding the shellfish whilst a knife or wedge is inserted between the shells, or forcing the shellfish onto a stationary knife edge, blade or wedge. Such approaches have been unsuccessful due to the inability of such apparatus to orientate the shellfish in such a way as to enable the operative elements of the apparatus to be effective.

In any process each step must be performed efficiently and in a co-ordinated manner, because a breakdown in any one step may disrupt the operation of the other steps. As far as is known to the WO 99/31992 PCT/A U98/01 055 -2applicant, prior art machinery is designed around shucking of the molluscs, but with no provision for handling of the molluscs from a bulk supply. The feeding of prior art shucking apparatus has been a significant factor in their failure to achieve practical application. A frequent problem with prior art apparatus is the tendency of such apparatus to jam or fail when molluscs wedge together. Additionally, the molluscs are often damaged by the apparatus when the jamming occurs. The initial handling of molluscs and their delivery to an apparatus used to process them may determine the overall efficacy of the process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for removing meat from a mollusc but causing only minimal, if any, damage to the meat, or at least causes less damage than prior art apparatus. It is another object to provide apparatus which will handle molluscs from a bulk hopper through to the shucking of the molluscs. It is another object to provide apparatus for delivering molluscs individually from a bulk supply of molluscs for processing by a shucking apparatus. The present invention also aims to alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art and provide methods of, and apparatus for, processing molluscs which will be reliable and efficient in use. It is another object to provide apparatus for efficiently delivering molluscs to a processing apparatus, and processing apparatus for shucking molluscs, the delivering and the shucking being carried out in a continuous manner.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION With the foregoing objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in mollusc processing apparatus for separating the visceral mass of a bivalve mollusc from the shells of the mollusc, said apparatus including: conveying means having a plurality of apertures therein in selective communication with a vacuum source whereby a mollusc may be picked up and held to said conveying means by one of said apertures by the vacuum and released at a predetermined position; separating means including a pair of opposable gripping means, each gripping means being adapted to grip a respective shell of the mollusc in an intact state in an attitude suitable for separation of the shells from one another and to release the shells at a predetermined time after separation, the gripping means being adapted for relative movement apart to separate the shells of the mollusc from one another, one of said gripping means being moveable in register with said conveying means whereby a mollusc on said conveying means may thereby be gripped; and cutting means operatively disposed relative to each said gripping means, said cutting means being operable, while the shells are being gripped, to cut the visceral mass of the mollusc from one or both shells as desired.

Preferably, the conveying means includes an inclined portion with said predetermined position being in said inclined portion, and a plurality of support means such as a cradle, one such support means being adjacent each aperture whereby, in use, the mollusc may fall under the action of gravity into the support means and centre itself over each aperture upon reaching the predetermined position. It is preferred that the vacuum not be applied along the inclined portion upon which the mollusc is supported whereby the mollusc may fall into the cradle and centres itself therein to be in register with the gripping means when the gripping means becomes operatively aligned with the predetermined position.

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -3- Advantageously, the relative arrangement of the conveying means and the gripping means ensures that in general only the mollusc which is held to the conveyor may be gripped by the gripping means. Any other mollusc which may become wedged between the "vacuum held" mollusc and the conveyor will not be in the predetermined position for pick-up by the one gripping means.

In a preferred form of the invention, each gripping means includes a suction cup in selective fluid communication with a vacuum supply for gripping the mollusc. In such form, each suction cup preferably includes normally closed valve means making an openable fluid connection between a vacuum supply and the interior of said suction cup, said valve means being operable by the presence of the mollusc when placed on or near said suction cup whereby, in use, a vacuum is applied to said suction cup when the mollusc is so placed.

It is further preferred that each suction cup also be in selective fluid communication with a compressed air supply, supplied to the respective suction cup through a compressed air valve having a passage through which the vacuum is supplied to the suction cup, so that, when the compressed air valve is opened to supply the compressed air to the suction cup, the vacuum supply is shut off to the suction cup. The supply of compressed air thus discharges the shell from the suction cup, but the compressed air is thereby shut off by the closing of the valve means.

Preferably, the processing apparatus includes a hopper (or a bin) for bulk storage of molluscs to be processed and picking and placing means operatively interposed between the hopper and the conveying means, the hopper being arranged to deliver molluscs to be processed to the picking and placing means, and the picking and placing means being arranged to pick up molluscs and place them in a position for transfer to said conveying means. Preferably, the picking and placing means includes a continuous conveyor belt having a plurality of apertures therein in selective communication with a vacuum source whereby a mollusc may be picked up and held to said conveyor belt by one of said apertures by the vacuum and released at said position for transfer to said conveying means. Suitably, in such form of the invention, the apertures of the conveyor belt are substantially in register with the apertures of the conveying means and at or near the position of transfer, the vacuum is not supplied to the apertures in the conveyor belt so that the mollusc can be picked up and held by the vacuum applied to the apertures of the conveying means.

Preferably, the hopper includes feed control means for controlling the rate of feed of molluscs from the hopper to the picking and placing means. It is preferred that the hopper be arranged with a movable base wall which, when moved with respect to the hopper, mobilises at least some of the molluscs in the hopper and maintain feed to the feed control means, and the feed control means includes restricting means for restricting the flow to one layer only.

Generally, the cutting means would include a pair of cutting assemblies, so that the visceral mass could be cut from either one of the shells since, in practice, the shell to which the visceral remains attached after separation of the shells is random. The visceral mass may on rare occasions with some species of mollusc, or more frequently with other species, fracture, so that both shells would need to be shucked of the visceral mass. However, it will be appreciated that in circumstances where it is known which shell would retain the visceral mass, only one cutting assembly may be required to be associated with the gripping means which holds the shell with the visceral mass.

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -4- Preferably, the cutting means includes a blade operable for relative motion with respect to the gripping means from a retracted position remote from the shell gripped by the gripping means to a cutting position wherein the blade engages with the surface of the shell for sliding motion therewith by virtue of the relative motion in order to cut the visceral mass of the mollusc from the shell.

The mollusc processing apparatus preferably includes meat sensing means for sensing the presence of visceral mass on one or the other or both of the shells of the mollusc whereby the cutting means operates to cut the visceral mass from the shell only when sensed by the meat sensing means.

In such form of the invention, it is preferred that the relative motion be effected by moving the gripping means past the cutting means, the cutting means having retraction means which retracts the blade into alignment with the visceral mass of the mollusc so that the visceral mass may be removed from the shell as it passes, and blade biassing means arranged to return the blade to a position remote from the pathway of the passing shells.

Advantageously, the sensing means is adapted to control the operation of the cutting blades so that they do not unnecessarily operate and thus require less maintenance. Additionally, the shell sensor prevents the cutting blade from cutting the suction cup if a shell is not present.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in separating apparatus for separating the shells of a bivalve mollusc to gain access to the visceral mass, said apparatus including: a pair of opposable suction cups in selective communication with a vacuum source; valve means for controlling the supply of vacuum to each said suction cup whereby the respective shells of a mollusc may be gripped by or released from said suction cups, and actuation means for opening said valve means to supply vacuum to said suction cups upon a mollusc to be processed being placed in close proximity to one of said suction cups and closing said valve means a predetermined time after the visceral mass is removed from the mollusc. Preferably, each valve means is adjacent the suction cup and the actuation means includes a rod operatively connected to the valve means and extending beyond the suction cup where it may be engaged by the mollusc being placed on the suction cup to open the valve means.

Preferably, the separating apparatus includes a fluid pressure supply in selective communication with the gripping means through a pressure supply valve and shell sensing means for sensing the presence of a shell on the gripping means, the shell sensing means being adapted to operate the pressure supply valve to connect the fluid pressure supply to the gripping means for discharge of the shell from the gripping means. Suitably, the shell is discharged after the operation of the cutting means.

However, in another form of the invention, impact means are provided for removing the shells from the gripping means. In such form of the invention, each impact means is arranged for relative motion to the respective gripping means and adapted for impacting with the shell but clearing the gripping means. It is preferred that the relative motion be effected by passing the gripping means past the impact means, the impact means being relatively stationary.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in feeding apparatus for feeding bivalve molluscs to separating apparatus, said feeding apparatus including: feed control means for controlling the rate of feed of molluscs from a bulk feed source and being so formed and arranged that the molluscs may be fed substantially in a single layer; WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 picking and placing means adapted to pick up molluscs and place them in a desired position for transfer, and conveying means adapted to pick up individual molluscs from said desired transfer position and hold them for transfer to the separating apparatus.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in picking and placing means and conveying means in combination, the picking and placing means including a first belt having a plurality of apertures (hereinafter referred to as pick-up apertures) aligned in longitudinal spaced relationship, the spacing of the pick-up apertures being such that a plurality of molluscs may be aligned in spaced relationship when held by the pick-up apertures to the first belt by a vacuum applied to said pick-up apertures; the conveying means including a second belt having a plurality of apertures (hereinafter referred to as placing apertures) aligned in longitudinal spaced relationship, the spacing of the placing apertures being such that they may register with the pick-up apertures; the picking and placing means having a pick-up portion along which the first belt is adapted to pick up molluscs from a supply by occlusive engagement of individual molluscs with individual pick-up apertures, a transfer portion in operative alignment with the second belt wherein the individual molluscs held by the pick-up apertures may be transferred to corresponding placing apertures, and a vacuum supply to the first belt along said pick-up portion but not to the first belt along said transfer portion, and the conveying means having a receiving portion along which the second belt may receive molluscs from the transfer portion by occlusive engagement thereof over the placing apertures, and a placing portion along which the second belt is adapted to place or position the molluscs at a desired location, and a vacuum supply in communication with the receiving portion, but not to the placing portion.

Preferably, the placing portion is arranged along an inclined plane and the second belt includes a plurality of cradles as hereinbefore described. In the operation of such form of the invention, the molluscs held to each respective placement aperture fall into their respective cradles under the action of gravity for more accurate positioning of the mollusc at the desired location because there is no vacuum to maintain them held to the apertures in the belt.

In operation, there is a tendency for one or more molluscs to wedge under the edges of another mollusc picked up by the suction on a respective pick-up aperture. Accordingly, it is preferred that the second belt be arranged to overhang a portion of the first belt, and that portion of the first belt in register with the second belt is preferably biassed against the overhanging portion. Thus, only the mollusc aligned with the pick-up aperture on the second belt is retained therein and any other molluscs are allowed to fall to be recycled back to the bulk feed source.

In a preferred form, the respective belts have their respective vacuums established by providing a slot, or a series of openings in a belt support table through which a vacuum may be drawn, the belt sealing the slot by its contact therewith and in most instances, the pick-up aperture being sealed by the mollusc engaged therewith.

It is believed that approximately 80 mm mercury vacuum is sufficient to hold the molluscs on the pick-up and placement apertures, but it will be appreciated that a high volume suction is generally required because sometimes, one of the apertures may not pick up a mollusc, leaving the aperture open to atmosphere.

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -6- Of course, the apparatus of the present invention may be provided in two or more parallel runs on the same driving equipment. For example, three belt or chain runs may be matched by a triple-row version of the first and second vacuum belts, the single layer of molluscs received from the transfer means being of a width sufficient to feed the three parallel runs, the cutting means, sensors, discharge means and the like likewise being triplicated.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in storage and delivery apparatus for molluscs including: a hopper for bulk storage of molluscs; a roller mounted in a base portion of the hopper for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis with an upper portion of the roller exposed for contact with molluscs stored in the hopper; a flexible baffle pivotally mounted to an upper portion of the hopper and depending therefrom such that its lower edge is gravitationally biassed towards the upper portion of the roller; a base plate in the hopper for supporting the molluscs and being mounted for oscillatory movement to agitate the molluscs towards the roller and said baffle whereby a substantially single layer of molluscs may be delivered therefrom, and the roller, the flexible baffle and the lower edge being so made and arranged that, in use, the roller may force a single layer of molluscs to pass over the roller and under the baffle for discharge.

It will be appreciated that the flexible baffle forms a flexible wall having a free lower edge which may yield, but which is sufficiently stiff, so as to permit passage of at most a single layer of molluscs when engaged by the roller.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in storage and delivery apparatus for molluscs including: a hopper for bulk storage of molluscs; a feed chute extending from the base of the hopper and terminating in a set of stationary pegs; a rotatable peg assembly having one or more sets of pegs extending in a plane at right angles to a plane containing the axis of rotation of the rotatable peg assembly, and arranged for interleaving with the stationary pegs during rotation of the peg roller at an obtuse angle during the segment of rotation that the said stationary pegs and the or each set of pegs are interleaved; the parts being so made and arranged that, in use, rotation of the rotatable peg assembly lifts a substantially controlled quantity of molluscs over the axis of rotation of the rotatable peg assembly for discharge in a substantially single layer.

Preferably, the or each set of pegs is arranged substantially tangentially to a roller drum. The controlled quantity of molluscs is preferably the same as, or in slight excess of, the capacity of the processing apparatus, and recycle means is preferably provided for recycling any excess molluscs to the bulk feed source.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a method of processing a bivalve mollusc to separate the visceral mass of the mollusc from its shells, said method being a substantially continuous process including: extracting at a metered rate a substantially single layer of molluscs from a bulk supply of molluscs; WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -7picking individual molluscs from the single layer and placing the respective individual molluscs in operative alignment on respective gripping means moving in register with the individual molluscs picked from the layer; moving each gripping means into opposed relationship with respective second gripping means, the opposed relationship being such that each respective pair of gripping means grips one shell of each respective individual mollusc with a gripping force sufficient to separate the shells from one another; separating the respective pairs of gripping means in succession to separate the shells of the respective molluscs; cutting the visceral mass from one or both of the shells of the respective individual molluscs; discharging the respective mollusc shells from the respective gripping means, and repeating the process.

It will be appreciated that the visceral masses and the shells are collected separately and removed from the mollusc processing apparatus.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a scallop when processed by an apparatus herein described.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a scallop when prepared by a method herein described in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that this 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: Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show diagrammatically storage and delivery apparatus according to the invention; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show diagrammatically picking and placing apparatus and conveying apparatus in combination according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows diagrammatically the conveying apparatus from the other side to that shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6; Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically separating apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows in a diagrammatic plan view the arrangement of shell sensors on the separating apparatus of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 shows in a diagrammatic side view the arrangement of shell sensors of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 shows in a diagrammatic side view the arrangement of visceral mass sensors on the separating apparatus of Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is a pneumatic circuit diagram for the connection of vacuum and pressurised air to a suction cup for the separating apparatus of Fig. 8 according to the invention; Fig. 13 shows in a diagrammatic side view mollusc processing apparatus according to the invention incorporating the storage and delivery apparatus of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the picking an placing apparatus and conveying apparatus of Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and separating apparatus of Fig.

8; Fig. 14 shows diagrammatically in side view an alternative storage and delivery apparatus to that shown in Fig. 3, and WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -8- Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a peg roller assembly used in the alternative storage and delivery apparatus shown in Fig. 14.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the storage and delivery apparatus 10 includes a feeding hopper 11 having two spaced apart side walls 29a and 29c and two spaced apart end walls 29b and 29d defining a rectilinear space. An inclined baffle plate 12 extends between the side walls from the upper edge of the end wall 29b and ends in a free edge 27 a little more than half way across the hopper. The baffle plate is removed from the view in Fig. 2 for clarity and to show other features of the feeding hopper.

An inclined oscillating base wall 13 is formed integrally with an upper back wall 26 so as to have substantially an L-shaped configuration, the upper back wall forming the upper leg of the and the base wall forming the lower leg of the The upper back wall is pivotally mounted to the upper edge of the end wall 29d so that the base wall starts sloping downward from about halfway up the end wall 29d and extends between the side walls to terminate at a free edge 28 a little more than half way along the length of the rectilinear space, the free edge 28 being at a level close to the lower edges of the side walls. Respective side guides 14 are provided along each side of the oscillating base wall to prevent scallops from wedging between the side walls and the side edges oscillating base wall.

A flexible pinch flap 15 is supported by a support rod (not shown) across the feeding hopper below the lower edge of the baffle plate and above the lower edge of the oscillating base wall. The flexible pinch flap has a free lower edge 23 which rests on or near the lower edge of the oscillating base wall. A pinch belt 18 is disposed across the width of the feeding hopper near to the centre of the side walls near to the lower edges thereof. The pinch belt rotates in the direction of an arrow 24 on respective rollers shown typically at 23 in Fig. 3.

The oscillating base wall is oscillated by rotation of an eccentric cam 21 as it rotates in the direction of an arrow 22 to cause oscillation of the base wall in the direction of respective arrows 19, the base wall resting on and having its lower portion supported by the cam. Thus, free edge 28 oscillates up and down and causes the lower end of the flexible pinch flap 15 also to oscillate in the direction of respective arrows 25 for that part of the oscillation cycle where the lower edge 23 rests on the free edge 28 when the cam is rotated in the direction of the arrow 22.

The baffle plate supports the weight of the scallops above the flexible pinch flap when the feeding hopper is provided with a hopper extension shown in dotted outline at Individual scallops are substantially separated from one another between the pinch belt and flexible pinch flap and move along the roller to exit from the feeding hopper along an exit ramp 16. A wear plate 17 is provided across the exit ramp near to its the upper end to accommodate the wear of the abrasive mollusc shells as they strike the exit ramp upon leaving the pinch belt.

The base wall oscillates about a pivot 29 extending along the upper edge of an upper back wall 26. The upper back wall and base wall are formed integrally so that scallops will not wedge themselves between the upper portion of the base wall 13 and the rear wall 29d of the feeding hopper.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, instead of the pinch flap and pinch belt, a peg roller assembly 100 is provided having a peg roller 101. The peg roller includes four sets of tangentially extending pegs shown typically at 103 mounted on a peg drum 102 which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis in the direction of the arrow given reference numeral 105. The oscillating base wall 13 is modified from that WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01 055 -9shown in Figs. 1 to 3 such that its lower end terminates with a stationary set of pegs 106 having a plurality of stationary pegs shown typically at 107 which interleaves with each of the extending peg sets in turn as they orbit the axis of rotation of the peg roller. The pegs shown typically at 104 are tangentially fixed on a peg drum 102 and interleave between the stationary pegs shown typically at 107 at an obtuse angle shown at 109.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the picking and placing apparatus 30 includes two vacuum belts, the first to receive the molluscs hereinafter being referred to as a picking belt 40, and the second being referred to hereinafter as a placing belt 56.

A plurality of spaced suction apertures shown typically at 42 penetrate the picking belt, and are aligned longitudinally intermediate the edges of the picking belt. The apertures 42 are in selective fluid connection with a vacuum supply which is received through a vacuum supply line 53 by arranging the apertures 42 to follow a suction slot 51 formed into a belt support plate 52 which is disposed beneath the picking belt. The suction slot is arranged in sideways register with the apertures 42, the suction slot 51 being in fluid communication with the vacuum supply line 53 in the form of a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber also terminates at a termination point 54 such that the apertures 42 are not provided with suction until they pass over the suction slot.

A height limiting bar44 is also provided to prevent any extra scallops which may get caught on the picking belt from jamming up the belts if they get caught between the picking belt and the placing belt.

The belt support plate is in the form of an inverted with a rounded apex. One leg of the "V" is hidden from view, but the slot 51 continues over the apex and partway down the hidden leg, terminating where corresponding apertures shown typically at 32 in the placing belt align to be in register with the apertures 42 in the picking belt. Additionally, the apex of the support plate is flexible, the leg of the adjacent the placing belt being spring biassed towards the placing belt, as shown by an arrow at 63 in Fig. 8. During operation, the picking belt rotates in the direction shown by the arrow at 48, and the placing belt rotates in the direction shown by the arrow at 57.

A set of baffles 35 is associated with the picking belt to guide molluscs from the exit ramp 16 of the sorting hopper onto the apertures 42.

The placing belt 56 includes a plurality of apertures shown typically at 32 which penetrate the placing belt, and are aligned longitudinally intermediate the edges thereof. Associated with each aperture 32 is a crescent shaped cradle shown typically at 31. In like manner to the vacuum chamber in respect of the picking belt 40, the apertures 32 pass across a slotted support plate so as provide the apertures with suction by way of another vacuum supply provided through a second vacuum supply line 33.

Referring to Fig. 7, the apertures 32 on the placing belt pass over the termination of the suction as the placing belt moves in the direction of the arrow 34. In a similar arrangement to that of the picking belt, a slot, shown in dot-dash outline at 36, terminates to shut off the suction. A mollusc shown in dotted outline at 37 may be held off-centre as shown by the suction on the aperture 32. However, when the suction is removed, the mollusc falls into the centre of the cradle as shown at 39, and is aligned for pickup by shucking apparatus described hereinafter.

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 Referring to Fig. 8, a separating apparatus 60 includes a plurality of suction cups shown typically at 62 mounted on a belt or chain on upper and lower traction assemblies shown respectively at 64 and The suction cups 62 are arranged so that they are aligned in opposed pairs for part of their respective pathways, and the suction cups of the lower traction assembly are arranged to be in register with the apertures 32 of the placing belt 56.

Each suction cup 62 is provided with a spring shown typically at 69 such that the respective pairs of suction cups are biassed towards one another when initially engaging the mollusc 61 in their intact state. The spring also permits the suction cups of the lower traction assembly to resiliently engage with molluscs on the placing belt. Subsequently, further along that part of the traction assemblies, the respective pathways of the suction cups diverge, whereby both shells of the mollusc being engaged by opposed suction cups are drawn apart as they move in the direction of respective arrows 66 and 67, the respective shells are pulled apart and separated from one another.

The visceral mass 45 parts from one of the shells 46 and is cut from the other shell by a shucking blade assembly 70, one of which is provided for each of the upper traction assembly and the lower traction assembly.

The visceral mass is allowed to drop to a guide 71 for collection and further processing for separating offal from meat and such like according to normal practice. The shells 46 once shucked are removed from the suction caps 62 by a pulsed discharge of pressurised gas timed to pass through the respective suction cup after the shucking blade assembly and, for the lower traction assembly, before the alignment of the suction cup with the apertures 32 of the placing belt, and for the upper traction assembly, before the alignment of the suction cups with the suction cups of the lower traction assembly.

Additionally, a wedge 68 is provided aligned with the shells, but clear of the suction cups, to ensure the shells are removed from the respective suction cups. The diameter of the suction cups 62 is smaller than the diameter of the scallops 61 such that the wedge 68 engages with the peripheral portions of the shells 46 on each side of the suction cups 62 to remove the shells 46 therefrom if the pressurised fluid fails to achieve the discharge of the respective shells from the cups.

The shucking blade assembly includes a blade 75 attached to the distal end of an actuated arm 72 which is actuated to pivot about a fixed proximal end at a pivot point 76. The arm 72 is actuated by an actuator 73 operable through respective fluid lines 74. The shucking blade assembly is operated under control of a shell sensor which detects the presence or absence of a shell 46 on the respective suction cup 62 passing the shucking blade 70 and a meat sensor which detects the presence of meat on the shell. In the absence of a shell 46, the shucking blade 70 does not operate, and the actuator remains retracted so as not to damage the suction cup 62. In the absence of visceral mass on the shell, when present, the shucking blade is likewise kept retracted.

Referring to Fig. 9, two views of a suction cup 62 are shown with a scallop 61 gripped thereby travelling in the direction of the arrow shown at 82. Two respective shell sensors (not shown in Fig. 9, but given reference numeral 83 in Fig. 10) are aligned to view along respective parallel vertical lines which, relative to the suction cups, apparently pass by each side of the suction cups along respective parallel sight paths 81. It will be appreciated that in the example shown, the sensors remain stationary and the suction cups move in the direction of travel 82. The two shell sensors are required because the scallop may be positioned to one side of the suction cup. Thus, if both shell sensors report no signal, WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -11the knife blade will not operate. If one or both shell sensors report a signal, then the knife blade will operate.

Referring to Fig. 10, the alignment of the shell sensors is such that the knife operates a predetermined time afer the signal from one or both is received by a programmable logic controller (not shown). For the scallops of the exemplified embodiment, the suction the cups spaced at 152 mm centres, the knife blade being timed to operate at a time interval which causes the knife to strike the shell of the scallop in time to remove the visceral mass and retract before the edge of shell passes the blade.

When the knife operates, it moves the blade towards the shell until the edge engages the surface of the shell. The blade is resiliently biassed against the shell's surface and scrapes along the surface, cutting the visceral mass therefrom as the shell passes past the stationary blade. The spring 77 on the suction cup 62 may also be compressed to assist in the biassing of the blade against the shell.

Referring to Fig. 11, a visceral mass sensor 84 is aligned horizontally at a level which gives no signal if the single shell of an opened mollusc passes, the detection distance being 150 mm, the line of detection being shown in dashed outline at 85. A signal is given if the shell has the visceral mass attached to it or if the suction cup has an unopened mollusc on it.

The programmable controller is given in logic an indication of the presence of a shell on any one of the suction cups of the three parallel rows, and is also timed to actuate a valve opening the compressed air line to eject the shell off the suction cup at the appropriate time, but give no air pulse when there is no shell present on any of the parallel rows of suction cups.

Referring to Fig. 12, a pneumatic circuit 90 includes a vacuum line 91 and a compressed air line 92. The vacuum line and the compressed air line meet at a normally open valve 96 which is actuated by compressed air. For three parallel rows of suction cups 62, each having a suction valve actuation pin 93, there is provided a pneumatic manifold line 94 connecting them together and to the valve 96.

When the actuation pins are depressed into the suction cups by the presence of a mollusc on the suction cup, suction from the vacuum supply is provided to the suction cup through the vacuum supply line 91, the valve 96 and the manifold 94.

When the pulse of compressed air is provided to the valve 96, the supply of vacuum to the manifold is shut off pressurised air is supplied to the suction cups instead. If there is a shell on the suction cup, the compressed air ejects it, but the actuation pin close against the compressed air, reducing the amount of compressed air escaping from the suction cup. If there is no mollusc on the suction cup, the compressed air does not flow at all through the suction cup.

Referring to Fig. 13, the storage and delivery apparatus 10, the picking and placing apparatus and the separating apparatus 60 are shown in their general assembly together so as to demonstrate their respective working interrelationships. The storage and delivery apparatus is shown with its sorting hopper having its exit ramp in operative alignment with the lower end of the picking belt, which is operated with the aim being that one scallop is provided for each of the respective suction apertures 42 described above. However, occasionally an extra scallop shown at 59 may be wedged under a selected scallop 58 provided, and not being subject to the suction on the picking belt when the selected scallop 58 is picked up by the placing belt, is dropped onto a return conveyor 38 for return to the sorting hopper when the scallop on the aperture 32 held by suction is transferred to the aperture 42 on the placing belt.

WO 99/31992 PCT/AU98/01055 -12- The scallops 61 are removed from the apertured belt 40 by engaging with the apertures on the alignment belt 56, this being in close timing arrangement with the shucking apparatus.

In use, a catch of molluscs is separated from the by-catch on a trawler, the by-catch being retumrned to the sea. A hopper is provided to deliver the molluscs to one or more processing stations via a vibrating table or a pick and place device, or some other means of separating the molluscs from the remainder of the by-catch. The molluscs are killed by removal from water such that the mollusc processing apparatus does not receive live molluscs.

Each processing station includes mollusc processing apparatus as shown in Fig. 13. The upper and lower traction assemblies are operated to provide production rate of processed scallops of at least one shell per second. This, of course would be multiplied by the number of parallel runs arranged in the apparatus.

The parallel length may be in the order of 1,000 mm with a belt or chain speed in the order of 250 mm per second, the suction cups being about 250 mm apart. It will be appreciated that the above dimensions may be varied without departing from the concept of the invention, and would be varied for different species of mollusc from smooth shelled scallop for which the invention was particularly developed.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall withing the broad scope and ambit of this invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims (13)

1. 2. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said conveying means includes an o inclined portion with said predetermined position being in said inclined portion.
2. 3. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said conveying means includes a plurality of support means such as a cradle, one said support means being adjacent each aperture whereby, in use, the mollusc may fall under the action of gravity into said support means and centre itself over each aperture upon reaching said predetermined position.
3. 4. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each said gripping means includes a suction cup in selective fluid communication with a vacuum supply for gripping the mollusc. S 5. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein each said suction cup includes o. 25 normally closed valve means making an openable fluid connection between a vacuum supply and the interior of said suction cup, said valve means being operable by the presence of the mollusc when placed on or near said suction cup whereby, in use, a vacuum is applied to said suction cup when the mollusc is so placed.
4. 6. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein each said suction cup is in selective fluid communication with a compressed air supply for supplying compressed air to the suction cup to discharge a mollusc shell on said suction cup.
5. 7. Mollusc processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, and including a hopper for bulk storage of molluscs to be processed and picking and placing means operatively interposed between said hopper and said conveying means, said hopper being arranged to deliver molluscs to be processed to said picking and placing means, and said picking and placing means being __-arranged to pick up molluscs and place them in a position for transfer to said conveying means. -14-
6. 8. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said picking and placing means includes a continuous conveyor belt having a plurality of apertures therein in selective communication with a vacuum source whereby a mollusc may be picked up and held to said conveyor belt by one of said apertures by the vacuum and released at said position for transfer to said conveying means.
7. 9. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said hopper includes feed control means for controlling the rate of feed of molluscs from said hopper to said picking and placing means. Mollusc processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, and including a movable base wall which, when moved with respect to the hopper, mobilises at least some of the molluscs in the hopper and maintains feed to the feed control means.
8. 11. Mollusc processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said cutting means includes a blade operable for relative motion with respect to said gripping means from a retracted position remote from the shell gripped by said gripping means to a cutting position wherein said blade engages with the surface of the shell for sliding motion therewith by virtue of the relative motion in order to cut the visceral mass of the mollusc from the shell.
9. 12. Mollusc processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, and including meat sensing means for sensing the presence of visceral mass on one or the other or both of the shells of the mollusc and said cutting means being arranged to operate to cut the visceral mass from the shell only when sensed by said meat sensing means. 20 13. Mollusc processing apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein relative motion between said gripping means and said cutting means is effected by moving said gripping means past said cutting means, said cutting means being arranged to move into alignment with the visceral mass of the mollusc so that the visceral mass may be removed from the shell as it passes, and then return to a position remote from the pathway of the passing shells.
10. 14. Separating apparatus for separating the shells of a bivalve mollusc to gain access to the visceral S mass, said apparatus including: pair of opposable suction cups in selective communication with a vacuum source; *•-°valve means for controlling the supply of vacuum to each said suction cup whereby the respective shells of a mollusc may be gripped by or released from said suction cups, and actuation means for opening said valve means to supply vacuum to said suction cups in response to a mollusc to be processed being placed in close proximity to one of said suction cups and closing said valve means a predetermined time after the visceral mass is removed from the mollusc. Separating apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein each said valve means is adjacent said suction cup and said actuation means includes a rod operatively connected to said valve means and extending beyond said suction cup where it may be engaged by the mollusc being placed on said the Gu Lon cup to open said valve means. C>
11. 16. Separating apparatus according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, and including a fluid pressure supply in selective communication with said gripping means through a pressure supply valve and shell sensing means for sensing the presence of a shell on said gripping means, said shell sensing means being adapted to operate said pressure supply valve to connect said fluid pressure supply to said gripping means for discharge of the shell from said gripping means.
12. 17. Separating apparatus according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein impact means are provided for removing the shells from the gripping means, each said impact means being arranged for relative motion to respective said gripping means and adapted for impacting with the shell but clearing said gripping means.
13. 18. A method of processing a bivalve mollusc to separate the visceral mass of the mollusc from its shells, said method being a substantially continuous process including: extracting at a metered rate a substantially single layer of molluscs from a bulk supply of molluscs; transferring the individual molluscs to evacuated apertures moving in register with the individual molluscs; picking individual molluscs from the single layer and placing the respective individual molluscs in operative alignment on respective gripping means moving in register with the individual molluscs held by the respective evacuated aperture; 2moving each gripping means into opposed relationship with respective second gripping means, the opposed relationship being such that each respective pair of gripping means grips both shells of each respective individual mollusc with a gripping force sufficient to separate the shells from one another; separating the respective pairs of gripping means in succession to separate the shells of the respective molluscs; cutting the visceral mass from one or both of the shells of the respective individual molluscs; 25 discharging the respective mollusc shells from the respective gripping means, and repeating the process. S 19. A scallop when processed by the method according to Claim 18 or by apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17. :eo 20. Mollusc processing apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figs. 8 to 13. Dated this 2 9th day of July 2002 GRAEME BOSCHEN By his Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX