CA2201803C - Automated washing system for shelled seafood - Google Patents
Automated washing system for shelled seafoodInfo
- Publication number
- CA2201803C CA2201803C CA002201803A CA2201803A CA2201803C CA 2201803 C CA2201803 C CA 2201803C CA 002201803 A CA002201803 A CA 002201803A CA 2201803 A CA2201803 A CA 2201803A CA 2201803 C CA2201803 C CA 2201803C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- washing system
- seafood
- spray
- conveyor belt
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
- A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
- A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
- A22C29/02—Processing shrimps, lobsters or the like ; Methods or machines for the shelling of shellfish
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)
- Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
Abstract
A washing system for shelled seafood items comprises a frame having mounted thereon a conveyor belt apparatus adapted to transport the seafood, a nozzle apparatus for directing a high-pressure water spray towards a belt of the conveyor belt apparatus, and a spray shield for shielding from the water spray a portion of the belt on which a selected part of each seafood item is to be placed. The washing system is suitable for shelled seafood having a fragile portion that would otherwise be destroyed by the high-pressure spray, such as crab sections. When the crab sections are placed on the conveyor belt with their selected fragile portion under the spray shield, the fragile portion is protected from the water spray by the spray shield while the rest of the seafood is washed.
Description
~20 1 8i,3 AUTOMATED WASHING SYSTEM FOR s~T,T,Fn SEAFOOD
This invention relates to an automated washing system for seafood items, and in particular, for shelled seafood items such as crab, lobster, oysters, mussels, and clams.
A number of automated washing systems for seafood currently in use generally comprise a conveyor belt and a combination of spray nozzles and brushes. For example, two such automated washing systems are described in Canadian Patents 512,403 and 563,417, issued on May 3, 1955 and September 16, 1958, respectively. These systems are primarily intended for washing fish, which are soft-bodied.
Consequently, the intensity of the spray and brushes of these systems is relatively low, so that slime and bacteria may be removed from the surface of the fish without destroying the soft flesh.
The low intensity cleaning of the above conventional automated washing systems makes them unsuitable for washing the shells of crustaceans harvested for seafood. This is because the shells are typically encrusted, to varying degrees, with dirt and foreign matter, and must be cleaned with intense scrubbing or high-pressure spray. In particular, crustaceans such as crab may be harvested from locations prone to parasites such as sea lice, whose eggs are firmly attached to the legs of the crabs and require considerable force to remove. In the past, shells have been hand scrubbed, and, more recently, various washing systems having high-pressure spray nozzles have been employed.
. ,_ However, the latter were not automated in that they were not provided with conveyor belts, and hence productivity was not maximized.
In addition, the preparation of shelled seafood often requires washing after an initial stage of processing. This may involve washing sections of crustaceans rather than intact animals. Sectioning of shelled seafood exposes the tender flesh beneath the shell, which is destroyed by the high-pressure spray of the washing system.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide an automated washing system suitable for washing shelled seafood sections.
According to the invention, a washing system for shelled seafood items comprises a frame having mounted thereon a conveyor belt apparatus adapted to transport the seafood items, a nozzle apparatus for directing a high-pressure water spray towards a belt of the conveyor belt apparatus, and a spray shield for shielding from the water spray a portion of the belt on which a selected part of each seafood item is to be placed, whereby the selected part of each seafood item can be protected from the water spray by the spray shield.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle apparatus is disposed within a hood. The hood has a top and sides to substantially cover a portion of the conveyor belt while allowing the seafood items to pass thereunder. The hood is connected to an exhaust system so that mist produced by the nozzle apparatus may be removed. The nozzle 22~1803 ,....
apparatus comprises a plurality of spray nozzles arranged in an array to provide effective washing of seafood items that pass thereunder on the conveyor belt.
According to the invention the spray shield advantageously includes at least one flange disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the belt. The flange is of a width and of a height above the belt to just accommodate the selected part of each seafood item thereunder. Preferably, the spray shield comprises two flanges longitudinal of the belt. The flanges are fixed to a side wall of the conveyor belt apparatus, one at each side of the belt.
In a preferred embodiment, first and second nozzle apparatus, each disposed within a hood, are provided in a longitudinally spaced relationship above the belt of the conveyor belt apparatus. The first and second nozzle apparatus and their associated hoods are spaced from each other and from respective opposite ends of the belt apparatus. The first and second nozzle apparatus each include a different number of spray nozzles, to provide two different washing regimes. The two washing regimes are suitable for washing one side and then the other of a seafood item.
The invention thus provides a washing system for automated washing of sectioned, shelled seafood items. The high-pressure spray nozzles remove all dirt and encrustations from the shells of the sectioned seafood, while the spray shield protects delicate exposed meat of the 2'~ l S
sections from the spray. Different washing regimes under two arrays of spray nozzles ensure that both sides of the seafood item are cleaned.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the washing system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partial view of a section taken at the line A-A shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partial view of a longitudinal section of a conveyor belt apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; and, Figure 5 is a partial view of a longitudinal section of a conveyor belt apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Figure 1, a washing system according to the invention comprises a frame 10, upon which a conveyor belt apparatus 12 is mounted. The conveyor belt apparatus 12 has a belt 14 adapted to transport shelled seafood items.
The belt 14 is constructed of a flexible mesh to allow water and dirt and foreign matter washed off the shells of the shelled seafood items to pass therethrough. An electric motor 16 and drive means 18 disposed below the belt 2~0 1 8~j~
-apparatus 12 drives the belt 14 at a speed selected by the user. The conveyor belt speed may be varied between, for example, 10 to 50 ft/min, with slower speeds being used for dirtier or more encrusted seafood items. Typically, a belt speed of about 30 ft/min is used.
First and second hoods 20 and 22 are disposed above the conveyer apparatus 12 and each encloses a nozzle apparatus (described below). The hoods 20, 22 are longitudinally spaced above the conveyor apparatus 12 so as to leave open regions at leading and lagging end portions of the belt 14, and a third open region between the hoods. The hoods 20, 22 are connected via ductwork 24 to an exhaust system (not shown). Access may be had to the space within each hood 20, 22 via doors 26 provided on both sides. A conduit 28 supplies water to the nozzle apparatus.
The washing system may optionally be provided with a trough 27 disposed below the conveyor apparatus 12. The trough 27 collects the waste water and dirt that drips from the conveyor apparatus and the seafood items, and channels the waste water and dirt to a suitable drain (not shown).
The washing system is further provided with a manual washing station 30 at the lagging end region of the conveyor belt apparatus 12. The manual washing station has a wand 32 disposed at each side of the conveyer belt apparatus 12.
Seafood items emerging from the second hood 22 may, if necessary, be further washed manually with the wand.
In Figure 2, hood 20 is shown in cut-away view so that a nozzle apparatus disposed therein, generally represented ~'2~ 1 &u3 ' _ by reference numeral 40, may be seen. A second nozzle apparatus 42 is shown in stippled lines within hood 22.
Each nozzle apparatus comprises a plurality of high-pressure spray nozzles 44. The spray nozzles operate at a pressure in the range of about 800 to 1100 psi, typically about 1000 psi. When washing crab, for example, it has been found that pressures below about 800 psi may not adequately clean the shells, whereas pressures above about 1100 may destroy the shells. When washing oysters, a lower pressure, for example about 500 to 800 psi, may be appropriate to avoid entry of water into the oysters.
As shown in Figure 2, nozzle apparatus 40 under hood 20 comprises fewer spray nozzles than nozzle apparatus 42 under hood 22. Accordingly, the washing regime provided under the second hood 22 is more intense than that under the first hood 20. The spray nozzles 44 of each nozzle apparatus are arranged in an array to concentrate the water spray onto different areas of the belt 14, and hence onto different portions of the seafood items, as they pass under each hood.
Also shown in the embodiment of Figure 2 are spray shields 46 running substantially the length of the belt 14.
Figure 3 is a partial section through the line A-A of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a spray pattern 45 of a single spray nozzle 44 with respect to a section of a seafood item 52, in this example a crab section, placed on the belt 14. The crab section 52 is placed on the belt 14 such that any exposed meat is beneath one of the spray shields 46, and hence protected from the ~2U 1 ~3 spray 45. The spray shields 46 are attached to a side wall 50 of the conveyor apparatus 12. The spray shields 46 are disposed at a distance above the belt 14 that facilitates easy placement of the crab sections 52 thereunder and removal therefrom, and simultaneously provides maximum protection of the exposed meat. The distance that the spray shields 46 overlap the belt 14 may be varied to accommodate different sized portions of seafood items to be protected from the spray 45.
In a preferred embodiment the spray shields are made of a poly material, including plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinylchloride. Preferably, the poly material is an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) poly material that has a low coefficient of sliding friction, to minimize any damage to the exposed meat of the crab section should it come into contact with the spray shields. Associated with each spray shield 46 is a backing plate 48, which is also attached to the side wall 50 of the conveyor apparatus 12. Preferably, the backing plate 48 is made of the same poly material as the spray shield 46, so that the same advantage of low friction will be obtained should the exposed meat of the crab section 52 come into contact therewith.
Shelled seafood items such as crab are typically dirtier on their ventral surface than on their dorsal surface. Thus, when washing crab sections, for example, it is contemplated that the crab sections will be placed on the leading end of the belt 14 with their dorsal surface facing up, which will subsequently be washed under the first hood 2 2 ~ J
20. Upon emerging from the first hood 20, the crab sections will then be manually turned over so that the ventral surface will be washed under the second hood 22. This procedure will ensure that the dirtier ventral surface of the crab sections is subjected to a more intense washing regime provided by the greater number of spray nozzles under the second hood 22.
It should be noted that the order in which the two nozzle means 40, 42 are arranged above the conveyor apparatus 12 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the order may be opposite to that above. In addition, the number of spray nozzles in each nozzle apparatus may be the same, and within each hood the array of spray nozzles may have the same spatial arrangement or the spray nozzles may have a different spatial arrangement.
Further, the number of nozzle apparatus and associated hoods is not limited to two, and one or more nozzle apparatus may be provided as is necessary and is practical. The configuration of a washing system according to the invention is determined by the requirements of a specific application.
In an alternative embodiment of the washing system, the process of turning over seafood items between the first and second hoods is automated. Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal section of a conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment which is provided with a step 54 for turning over the seafood items on the belt. The step 54 in the conveyor apparatus is provided between the first and second hoods 20, 22, such that seafood emerging from the first hood ~2U I ~3 20 will be turned over as it traverses the step, and thereby enter the second hood 22 with its opposite side facing the spray nozzles 44. As shown in Figure 4, the belt 14 of the conveyor apparatus is sloped upwards after the step 54, to bring the turned-over seafood items back under the spray shield 46 prior to entering the second hood 22.
Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal section of the conveyor apparatus 12 according to a further embodiment of the washing system. In this embodiment the spray shield comprises a plurality of shields 56, shown in cross-section, attached to the belt 14, rather than to the frame 10 of the washing system as in the preferred embodiment. The spray shields 56 are transverse of the belt 14, and sufficiently spaced apart so as to accommodate seafood items 52 therebetween. A plane of the top flange of each spray shield 56 is substantially parallel to the plane of the belt 14, and the flange is sized to protect a selected portion of the seafood items placed thereunder from the spray.
This invention relates to an automated washing system for seafood items, and in particular, for shelled seafood items such as crab, lobster, oysters, mussels, and clams.
A number of automated washing systems for seafood currently in use generally comprise a conveyor belt and a combination of spray nozzles and brushes. For example, two such automated washing systems are described in Canadian Patents 512,403 and 563,417, issued on May 3, 1955 and September 16, 1958, respectively. These systems are primarily intended for washing fish, which are soft-bodied.
Consequently, the intensity of the spray and brushes of these systems is relatively low, so that slime and bacteria may be removed from the surface of the fish without destroying the soft flesh.
The low intensity cleaning of the above conventional automated washing systems makes them unsuitable for washing the shells of crustaceans harvested for seafood. This is because the shells are typically encrusted, to varying degrees, with dirt and foreign matter, and must be cleaned with intense scrubbing or high-pressure spray. In particular, crustaceans such as crab may be harvested from locations prone to parasites such as sea lice, whose eggs are firmly attached to the legs of the crabs and require considerable force to remove. In the past, shells have been hand scrubbed, and, more recently, various washing systems having high-pressure spray nozzles have been employed.
. ,_ However, the latter were not automated in that they were not provided with conveyor belts, and hence productivity was not maximized.
In addition, the preparation of shelled seafood often requires washing after an initial stage of processing. This may involve washing sections of crustaceans rather than intact animals. Sectioning of shelled seafood exposes the tender flesh beneath the shell, which is destroyed by the high-pressure spray of the washing system.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide an automated washing system suitable for washing shelled seafood sections.
According to the invention, a washing system for shelled seafood items comprises a frame having mounted thereon a conveyor belt apparatus adapted to transport the seafood items, a nozzle apparatus for directing a high-pressure water spray towards a belt of the conveyor belt apparatus, and a spray shield for shielding from the water spray a portion of the belt on which a selected part of each seafood item is to be placed, whereby the selected part of each seafood item can be protected from the water spray by the spray shield.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle apparatus is disposed within a hood. The hood has a top and sides to substantially cover a portion of the conveyor belt while allowing the seafood items to pass thereunder. The hood is connected to an exhaust system so that mist produced by the nozzle apparatus may be removed. The nozzle 22~1803 ,....
apparatus comprises a plurality of spray nozzles arranged in an array to provide effective washing of seafood items that pass thereunder on the conveyor belt.
According to the invention the spray shield advantageously includes at least one flange disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the belt. The flange is of a width and of a height above the belt to just accommodate the selected part of each seafood item thereunder. Preferably, the spray shield comprises two flanges longitudinal of the belt. The flanges are fixed to a side wall of the conveyor belt apparatus, one at each side of the belt.
In a preferred embodiment, first and second nozzle apparatus, each disposed within a hood, are provided in a longitudinally spaced relationship above the belt of the conveyor belt apparatus. The first and second nozzle apparatus and their associated hoods are spaced from each other and from respective opposite ends of the belt apparatus. The first and second nozzle apparatus each include a different number of spray nozzles, to provide two different washing regimes. The two washing regimes are suitable for washing one side and then the other of a seafood item.
The invention thus provides a washing system for automated washing of sectioned, shelled seafood items. The high-pressure spray nozzles remove all dirt and encrustations from the shells of the sectioned seafood, while the spray shield protects delicate exposed meat of the 2'~ l S
sections from the spray. Different washing regimes under two arrays of spray nozzles ensure that both sides of the seafood item are cleaned.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the washing system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partial view of a section taken at the line A-A shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partial view of a longitudinal section of a conveyor belt apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; and, Figure 5 is a partial view of a longitudinal section of a conveyor belt apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Figure 1, a washing system according to the invention comprises a frame 10, upon which a conveyor belt apparatus 12 is mounted. The conveyor belt apparatus 12 has a belt 14 adapted to transport shelled seafood items.
The belt 14 is constructed of a flexible mesh to allow water and dirt and foreign matter washed off the shells of the shelled seafood items to pass therethrough. An electric motor 16 and drive means 18 disposed below the belt 2~0 1 8~j~
-apparatus 12 drives the belt 14 at a speed selected by the user. The conveyor belt speed may be varied between, for example, 10 to 50 ft/min, with slower speeds being used for dirtier or more encrusted seafood items. Typically, a belt speed of about 30 ft/min is used.
First and second hoods 20 and 22 are disposed above the conveyer apparatus 12 and each encloses a nozzle apparatus (described below). The hoods 20, 22 are longitudinally spaced above the conveyor apparatus 12 so as to leave open regions at leading and lagging end portions of the belt 14, and a third open region between the hoods. The hoods 20, 22 are connected via ductwork 24 to an exhaust system (not shown). Access may be had to the space within each hood 20, 22 via doors 26 provided on both sides. A conduit 28 supplies water to the nozzle apparatus.
The washing system may optionally be provided with a trough 27 disposed below the conveyor apparatus 12. The trough 27 collects the waste water and dirt that drips from the conveyor apparatus and the seafood items, and channels the waste water and dirt to a suitable drain (not shown).
The washing system is further provided with a manual washing station 30 at the lagging end region of the conveyor belt apparatus 12. The manual washing station has a wand 32 disposed at each side of the conveyer belt apparatus 12.
Seafood items emerging from the second hood 22 may, if necessary, be further washed manually with the wand.
In Figure 2, hood 20 is shown in cut-away view so that a nozzle apparatus disposed therein, generally represented ~'2~ 1 &u3 ' _ by reference numeral 40, may be seen. A second nozzle apparatus 42 is shown in stippled lines within hood 22.
Each nozzle apparatus comprises a plurality of high-pressure spray nozzles 44. The spray nozzles operate at a pressure in the range of about 800 to 1100 psi, typically about 1000 psi. When washing crab, for example, it has been found that pressures below about 800 psi may not adequately clean the shells, whereas pressures above about 1100 may destroy the shells. When washing oysters, a lower pressure, for example about 500 to 800 psi, may be appropriate to avoid entry of water into the oysters.
As shown in Figure 2, nozzle apparatus 40 under hood 20 comprises fewer spray nozzles than nozzle apparatus 42 under hood 22. Accordingly, the washing regime provided under the second hood 22 is more intense than that under the first hood 20. The spray nozzles 44 of each nozzle apparatus are arranged in an array to concentrate the water spray onto different areas of the belt 14, and hence onto different portions of the seafood items, as they pass under each hood.
Also shown in the embodiment of Figure 2 are spray shields 46 running substantially the length of the belt 14.
Figure 3 is a partial section through the line A-A of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a spray pattern 45 of a single spray nozzle 44 with respect to a section of a seafood item 52, in this example a crab section, placed on the belt 14. The crab section 52 is placed on the belt 14 such that any exposed meat is beneath one of the spray shields 46, and hence protected from the ~2U 1 ~3 spray 45. The spray shields 46 are attached to a side wall 50 of the conveyor apparatus 12. The spray shields 46 are disposed at a distance above the belt 14 that facilitates easy placement of the crab sections 52 thereunder and removal therefrom, and simultaneously provides maximum protection of the exposed meat. The distance that the spray shields 46 overlap the belt 14 may be varied to accommodate different sized portions of seafood items to be protected from the spray 45.
In a preferred embodiment the spray shields are made of a poly material, including plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinylchloride. Preferably, the poly material is an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) poly material that has a low coefficient of sliding friction, to minimize any damage to the exposed meat of the crab section should it come into contact with the spray shields. Associated with each spray shield 46 is a backing plate 48, which is also attached to the side wall 50 of the conveyor apparatus 12. Preferably, the backing plate 48 is made of the same poly material as the spray shield 46, so that the same advantage of low friction will be obtained should the exposed meat of the crab section 52 come into contact therewith.
Shelled seafood items such as crab are typically dirtier on their ventral surface than on their dorsal surface. Thus, when washing crab sections, for example, it is contemplated that the crab sections will be placed on the leading end of the belt 14 with their dorsal surface facing up, which will subsequently be washed under the first hood 2 2 ~ J
20. Upon emerging from the first hood 20, the crab sections will then be manually turned over so that the ventral surface will be washed under the second hood 22. This procedure will ensure that the dirtier ventral surface of the crab sections is subjected to a more intense washing regime provided by the greater number of spray nozzles under the second hood 22.
It should be noted that the order in which the two nozzle means 40, 42 are arranged above the conveyor apparatus 12 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the order may be opposite to that above. In addition, the number of spray nozzles in each nozzle apparatus may be the same, and within each hood the array of spray nozzles may have the same spatial arrangement or the spray nozzles may have a different spatial arrangement.
Further, the number of nozzle apparatus and associated hoods is not limited to two, and one or more nozzle apparatus may be provided as is necessary and is practical. The configuration of a washing system according to the invention is determined by the requirements of a specific application.
In an alternative embodiment of the washing system, the process of turning over seafood items between the first and second hoods is automated. Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal section of a conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment which is provided with a step 54 for turning over the seafood items on the belt. The step 54 in the conveyor apparatus is provided between the first and second hoods 20, 22, such that seafood emerging from the first hood ~2U I ~3 20 will be turned over as it traverses the step, and thereby enter the second hood 22 with its opposite side facing the spray nozzles 44. As shown in Figure 4, the belt 14 of the conveyor apparatus is sloped upwards after the step 54, to bring the turned-over seafood items back under the spray shield 46 prior to entering the second hood 22.
Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal section of the conveyor apparatus 12 according to a further embodiment of the washing system. In this embodiment the spray shield comprises a plurality of shields 56, shown in cross-section, attached to the belt 14, rather than to the frame 10 of the washing system as in the preferred embodiment. The spray shields 56 are transverse of the belt 14, and sufficiently spaced apart so as to accommodate seafood items 52 therebetween. A plane of the top flange of each spray shield 56 is substantially parallel to the plane of the belt 14, and the flange is sized to protect a selected portion of the seafood items placed thereunder from the spray.
Claims (17)
1. A washing system for shelled seafood items comprising:
a frame;
a conveyor belt apparatus mounted on said frame and adapted to transport the seafood items;
nozzle means for directing a high-pressure water spray towards a belt of said conveyor belt apparatus; and, a spray shield for shielding from the water spray a portion of the belt on which a selected part of each seafood item is to be placed;
whereby said selected part of each seafood item is protected from the water spray by the spray shield.
a frame;
a conveyor belt apparatus mounted on said frame and adapted to transport the seafood items;
nozzle means for directing a high-pressure water spray towards a belt of said conveyor belt apparatus; and, a spray shield for shielding from the water spray a portion of the belt on which a selected part of each seafood item is to be placed;
whereby said selected part of each seafood item is protected from the water spray by the spray shield.
2. A washing system according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle means is disposed within a hood, the hood having a top and sides to substantially cover a portion of the conveyor belt while permitting the seafood items on the belt to pass thereunder, and wherein the hood is connected to an exhaust system, for applying a negative pressure to remove mist created during spraying.
3. A washing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said nozzle means comprises a plurality of spray nozzles in mutually spaced arrangement to effectively clean the seafood items.
4. A washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said spray shield comprises at least one flange disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the belt, the flange being of a width and of a height above said belt to just accommodate said selected part of each seafood item thereunder.
5. A washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including first and second nozzle means disposed in a longitudinally spaced relationship above the conveyor belt apparatus, wherein the two nozzle means are respectively spaced from leading and lagging end regions of the conveyor belt apparatus.
6. A washing system according to claim 5, wherein said first and second nozzle means each comprise a different number of spray nozzles.
7. A washing system according to claim 4, wherein the flange is fixed to a side wall of the conveyor belt apparatus and is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt, such that the flange extends over an edge of the belt.
8. A washing system according to claim 7, further comprising turning-over means disposed between the first and second nozzle means, for turning over seafood items from a first side thereof to a second side thereof.
9. A washing system according to claim 8, wherein said turning-over means comprises an abrupt downward step in the belt, the step being of sufficient depth to cause the seafood items to turn over upon traversing the step.
10. A washing system according to claim 4, wherein the or each flange is fixed to the belt and is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the belt.
11. A washing system according to claim 10, including a plurality of mutually spaced flanges transverse to the longitudinal axis of the belt.
12. A washing system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein some or all of the flanges are substantially L-shaped in cross-section with a wall portion generally normal to the plane of the belt and a top portion generally parallel to the plane of the belt, so as to comprise an awning under which said selected parts of seafood items can be placed.
13. A washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a manual wash station disposed at a lagging end region of the conveyor belt apparatus.
14. A washing system according to claim 13, wherein said manual wash station comprises at least one high pressure nozzle disposed on a wand, for manual cleaning of seafood items.
15. A washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising trough means disposed beneath the belt, for collecting and channelling water sprayed on the seafood items to a drain.
16. A washing station according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said high-pressure water spray is within the range of about 800 to 1100 pounds per square inch.
17. A washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the conveyor belt apparatus is a variable speed conveyor belt capable of speeds within the range of about 10 to 50 feet per minute.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002201803A CA2201803C (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1997-04-04 | Automated washing system for shelled seafood |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002201803A CA2201803C (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1997-04-04 | Automated washing system for shelled seafood |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2201803A1 CA2201803A1 (en) | 1997-05-04 |
| CA2201803C true CA2201803C (en) | 1998-07-28 |
Family
ID=4160327
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002201803A Expired - Fee Related CA2201803C (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1997-04-04 | Automated washing system for shelled seafood |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2201803C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8591296B2 (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2013-11-26 | Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership | Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods |
| US11974582B2 (en) | 2019-08-01 | 2024-05-07 | Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership | Apparatus and methods for mollusc processing |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107410434A (en) * | 2017-09-18 | 2017-12-01 | 无为县姚沟杭仁政家庭农场 | A kind of crab size separation equipment |
| CN108029738B (en) * | 2017-11-14 | 2020-03-10 | 安徽福恩食品科技有限公司 | Crab belt cleaning device |
-
1997
- 1997-04-04 CA CA002201803A patent/CA2201803C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8591296B2 (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2013-11-26 | Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership | Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods |
| US11974582B2 (en) | 2019-08-01 | 2024-05-07 | Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership | Apparatus and methods for mollusc processing |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2201803A1 (en) | 1997-05-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |