CA2362884C - Sea urchin gonad extraction system, device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The extraction system comprises: clamping means; opening and closing means for closing the clamping means for grasping a bear with a rearward side facing upwards to a predetermined height in a clamping zone, and opening the clamping means in a clamping zone; 'expulsion; driving means that can move the clamping means from the clamping zone to the expulsion zone; a cutting zone where the orientation of the sea urchin is reversed and where the sea urchin is held u by the clamping means with the anterior face upwards where the anterior side of the beari n is cut at a given distance from the clamping height; and gonad extraction means located between the cutting zone and the expulsion zone. The extraction device for this part uses an impact to extract the gonads from the sea urchin.

Description

SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING OUR GONADES
Historical With reference to Figure 1, sea urchins 8 (strongylocentrotus members of Echinodermata phylum) are composed of a shell 111 which has, on the one hand, a posterior side 112 in the form of dome in the middle of which is located the anus 114 and, on the other hand, a side previous 116 relatively dish in the middle of which is located the mouth 118. The sea urchin 8 is covered of thorns 120 on the outer surface of its shell 111. The gonads 54 constitute the edible and Sea urchins 8. The gonads 54 are localized on the surface inside the shell of the sea urchin 8 according to a pattern of five-pointed star, centered around of the anus 114, that is, at the top of the posterior side 112.

The traditional way of extracting gonads from the shell is to open the sea urchin breaking the shell with a hand tool. This tool is inserted in the shell by the mouth and break the shell. The gonads are then extracted from the shell manually by means a tool usually shaped like a spatula or spoon. A manual tool to open the shells is described in US Patent No. 4,393,545, to O'Donnell. A
another manual tool, which uses an alternative method of opening the shell, is described in the Canadian patent n 2,025,761, from Johannessen. A manual tool for removing gonads is described in the patent Canadian No. 2,025,762, from Johannessen.

Several problems exist in the traditional manual process of gonad extraction. The main problem is that all the steps in this process are manual, extremely long to complete and require a large and skilled workforce.

Problems caused by manual opening of shells, including breakage gonads caused by the bursting of the shell, the breakage of the initial shaped form of five stars gonads, and the presence of shell debris in the gonads, have been resolved by the device developed by Kestner et al. described in US Patent No. 5,364,301.

-2-However, several problems remain, even with the use of a device that improves the opening of the shells. The process of gonad extraction remains manual and long and the Star shape preservation of gonads depends on manual dexterity of the person which removes the gonads from open shells.

A study report from the University of Quebec at Rimouski for Poseidon inc.
entitled Project development of a sea urchin huller and deposited at the Federal Office of development Government of Canada in January 1995, described four methods potential for sea urchin gonad extraction, ie extraction by vibration, extraction by suction, water jet extraction and impact extraction. Ways impact extraction are composed of an arm at the end of which is fixed a clamp for to squeeze a sea urchin must be previously opened to expose its gonads, and at the other end is fixed a pivot provided of a torsion spring so that the arm can perform a rotation around the pivot to hit a stop and produce an impact that will result in the extraction of gonads of the sea urchin.
None of these extraction techniques experienced by the University of Quebec at Rimouski did allowed to obtain a gonad extraction rate greater than 80%.

Summary One of the aims of the present invention is to define means which make it possible extraction Mechanized gonads of sea urchins.

Another object of the present invention is to define extraction means gonads sea urchins which, arranged with means of mechanized opening of the shells of sea urchins, automate and mechanize the gonad extraction process sea urchins.

Another object of the present invention is to define means and a method treatment of sea urchins that increase the speed and efficiency of extraction of gonads of sea urchins to improve the quality of the gonads produced.

-3-Another object of the present invention is to define means which make it possible to extraction mechanized sea urchin gonads by means of a mechanical impact.

Another object of the present invention is to define holding means sea urchins allow to maintain a sea urchin through all stages of the means extraction of gonads, including means of cutting sea urchins and means extraction of gonads.

It is another object of the present embodiment of the present invention to describe ways of sea urchins that help maintain a sea urchin through the stages of operation a sea urchin extraction system or a device for opening sea urchins.

It is another object of the present invention to describe clamping means able to tighten properly sea urchins of different diameters and different shapes.

According to one aspect, the invention has an extraction system comprising a deposit area sea urchins, where urchins to be treated are introduced into the system, manually or by automated means, means of cutting sea urchins where the shells of sea urchins are gonad extraction means, and an expulsion zone of shells, where the emptied sea urchins are removed from the system. For the system to be effective in a context of production, it is preferable that the means listed above work in a cycle continuous, where sea urchins are treated one after the other without interruption of the cycle and introduced in the device steadily.

According to another aspect, the invention has a system for extracting gonads of a sea urchin having a dome-shaped rear side in the middle of which is located anus and other on the other hand, a relatively flat front side in the middle of which is located the mouth, comprising:
cutting means for cutting a sea urchin near the side prior; of the gonad extraction means for extracting the gonads from the sea urchin whose side previous was cut; clamping means sea urchins movable between a configuration

-4-open and a closed configuration to grab a sea urchin positioned in a clamping area and release a sea urchin whose gonads have been extracted by the means extraction in an area expulsion; and drive means that can move the means of tightening along a gonad extraction path passing through the cutting means and the extraction means.

In another aspect, the invention has a device for extracting gonads of sea urchins anterior side was removed to expose the gonads, the device extraction comprising:
fixed structure having at least one fixed stop; a mobile structure having at least one stop mobile, and being mounted to the fixed structure so as to be able to move by report to the fixed structure between a first position where the movable stop is in contact with the fixed stop and a second position where the movable stop is spaced from the fixed stop, the mobile structure being adapted to hold the sea urchin with the front side open downward; and impact means that produce the displacement of the moving structure with respect to the fixed structure, and shock, by the contact between the fixed stop and the movable stop, the shocking shock the expulsion of the gonads.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for extracting gonads of a sea urchin having a dome-shaped rear side in the middle of which is located anus and other on the other hand, a relatively flat front side in the middle of which is located the mouth, the method including: seize the sea urchin; remove the anterior side of the sea urchin now the tight sea urchin with the front side upwards; subject the sea urchin open and tight to a vertical shock down so as to cause the extraction of the gonads; and release the shell of the sea urchin emptied of its gonads.

In another aspect, the invention has a sea urchin treatment system possessing a side posterior dome-shaped in the middle of which is located the anus and other part, one side relatively flat in the middle of which is located the mouth, the system comprising: a plate of deposit intended to receive a sea urchin with the front side downwards, clamping means activatable between a closed configuration to seize a sea urchin deposited on the

-5-deposit plate at a predetermined clamping height, and a configuration opened; and cutting means for cutting the front part of the sea urchin to a distance predetermined height of clamping.

Description of figures Figure 1 shows a side view of a sea urchin;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary extraction system of FIG.
sea urchin gonads according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of urchin clamping means used in the system of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of the clamping means of Figure 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of means for opening and closing clamping means Figure 3;

FIG. 6 is a front view of cutting means used in the system of Figure 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view of means for adjusting the height of the cutting means of Figure 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of gonad extraction means used.
in the system of Figure 2, wherein the clamping means is illustrated in a low position;

Figure 9 is a side view of the extraction means of Figure 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the extraction means of FIG.
clamping means are illustrated in a high position; and Figure 11 is a side view of the extraction means of Figure 10.

-6-detailed description Figure 2 shows an example of a sea urchin gonad extraction system 79 allowing to mechanize a process of extracting sea urchin gonads. This system extraction 79 includes in general, a fixed structure 1 comprising drive means 83 on which ones clamping means 7 are mounted. The clamping means 7 make it possible to grab a sea urchin 8 located in a clamping zone 62 and to maintain the sea urchin 8 during the moving means by means of the drive means 83 in the drive direction 43, along a processing path, to first cross a cutting zone 84 where find 85 of the sea urchin cutting means, then an extraction zone 86 where are located means of gonad extraction 58, and to release the sea urchin into an expulsion zone 61. The means of 85 cut open the front side 116 of the sea urchin 8 (see figure 1), and the means extraction 58 can extract gonads 54 from the sea urchin 8.

In this example, the drive means 83 comprise two chains parallels 9, 10 (see Figure 5) mounted on serrated wheels 48, 49, 50, 51, minus one of the wheels toothed 49 is moved by means of a motor 56. When they are moved by the means 83 of the lower side 88 of the structure 1, the means of tightening 7 engage a lower displacement guide 63 which maintains the vertical position of the sea urchin 8 during the cutting of the anterior part 116. The cutting means 85 comprise a saw 57 moult by a motor 87. When they are moved to the upper side 89 of the structure 1, the means of 7 engage an upper displacement guide 90 having three parts:
a first part fixed 73, a second moving part 6, then a third fixed part 60. The mobile part 6 of upper displacement guide 90 corresponds to the gonad extraction zone 86. The means extraction 58 raise the clamping means 7, then lower the means tightening 7 abruptly which generates a shock which causes the extraction of gonads 54.
The third part 60 of the upper guide 90 guides the clamping means 7 in the zones expulsion order 61, deposit 53, and clamping the sea urchin 62. When the clamping means 7 enter the third part 60 of the upper guide 90, they meet a spacer guide 52 which causes

-7-the opening of the clamping means 7 and the expulsion of the sea urchin. The end of spacer guide 52 corresponds to the clamping zone 62 where the clamping means 7 are closed again on a sea urchin 8 having previously deposited on a deposit plate 59 located in the area of filing 53 and having moved to the clamping zone 62 by the clamping means 7.

Such an extraction system 79 may also include several means of tightening 7 identical but spaced apart from one another along the driving means 83 so as to increase the rate of treatment of sea urchins by the system 79.

It should be noted, among other things, that in other achievements, the means of 85 cut can be placed elsewhere than in the lower zone 88, and that other types of cutting means 85 or drive means 83 may be used.

The extraction system 79 of FIG. 2 thus realizes a method gonad extraction where clamping means of sea urchins 7 are driven in a continuous cycle where they close for seize a sea urchin 8, train the sea urchin 8 in cutting means 85, in the occurrence after a rotation of the sea urchin 180 degrees, perform a new rotation of 180 degrees according to a axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction indicated by the driving direction 43, collinear with the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels 48, 49, 50 and 51, then drive the sea urchin in ways of gonad extraction 58 where the gonads 54 of the sea urchin 8 are expelled, then train the shell of the sea urchin 8 in the expulsion area 61 to prepare to seize a new sea urchin.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of clamping means 7 that can be used with the extraction system of Figure 2. A sea urchin 8 is maintained in the means 7. The clamping means 7 comprise two linear guides 15, 42 (Figure 4); a central stop 16 fixed at the center of the linear guides 15, 42; two outer stops 17 and 18 each fixed to each end of the linear guides 15, 42; of two jaws, 21, 22, each jaw 21, 22 being fixed at means of a pivot 44, 46 on a jaw support 19, 20 corresponding, the pivoting of each jaws 21, 22 being limited by means of a jaw stop 45, 47 correspondent being mounted on

-8-the corresponding jaw support 19, 20, the two jaw supports 19, 20 able to move freely along the linear guides 15, 42, where on the one hand the support of 20 jaws moves between the outer stop 18 and the central stop 16, and on the other hand, the jaw support 19 se freely moves between the outer stop 17 and the central stop 16 and where the bit holders 19 and 20 are placed so that the jaws 21 and 22 face each other and are oriented towards the central stop 16.

The clamping means 7 illustrated also comprise centering means 91. In this for example, the sea urchin is previously deposited on a deposit plate 59, located in the area of deposit 53 (see Figure 2). The centering means 91 comprise a piece of centering 41 fixed at the central stop 16, and located just above the jaws 22 and 21, so that the piece centering 41 is in contact with the sea urchin 8 at the time of tightening of the sea urchin 8 by the jaws 21 and 22 and so that at that moment, the centering piece 41 is not in interference with the jaws 21 and 22. The half-moon shape of the centering piece 41 makes it possible to center the sea urchin 8 between the two jaws 21 and 22 during the displacement of the clamping means 7 by ways 83 (FIG. 2), in the driving direction 43, between the zone of deposit 53 in which the sea urchin 8 has been previously deposited and the clamping zone 62, for that when tightening of the sea urchin 8, the quality of the tightening of the sea urchin 8 in the clamping means 7 be increased.

The shape of the jaws 21 and 22, for example that of two tapered tips, makes so that they penetrate the shell of the sea urchin 8 and hold them firmly the sea urchin 8 when this last passes through the cutting means 85 and the extraction means 58 (Figure 2), but they do not damage the shell of the sea urchin 8 to prevent the sea urchin 8 does not break when subjected to shock in the gonad extraction means 58, and they do not damage not the gonads 54 penetrating inside the shell.

The clamping means 7 illustrated also comprise traction means 92 (Figure 3), in this case two tension springs 26 and 27 and three attachment rods 23, 24 and 25 including two lateral attachment rods 23, 25 fixed to a corresponding jaw support, 20, 19, and a rod

-9 central fastener 24 fixed to the central stop 16. The tension spring 26 is fixed on the one hand to the fastening rod 23 and secondly to the fastening rod 24. The spring in traction 27 is fixed on the one hand to the attachment rod 25 and secondly to the attachment rod 24. The means of traction 92 exercise a force of approximation between the jaw support 19, 20 and pull the two bit holders 19 and 20 towards the central stop 16. The tension spring 26 pulls the support from 20 jaws to the central stop 16 and the tension spring 27 pulls the jaw support 19 to the central stop 16.
In use, the outer stops 17, 18 serve to position the means tightening 7 engaging the guides 90 and 63 (Figure 2) which are part of the fixed structure 1, as illustrated in figure 4.

In the extraction system 79 (FIG. 2), the clamping means 7 are displaced by the means 83. In the illustrated example, the drive means 83 include two parallel drive systems comprising two parallel chains 9 and 10, who carry the clamping means 7 now the sea urchin 8. Each chain 9, 10 connects four serrated wheels 48, 50, 51, 49, of which a toothed wheel 49 is moved by means of a motor 56 (see Figure 2).
The clamping means 7 (FIG. 3) are fixed to the chains 9, 10 by means of fastening means free 93 so as to be driven by the chains 9, 10 in one direction perpendicular to the view of FIG. 3, but also so as to allow a vertical displacement by report to the chains 9, 10. This vertical displacement occurs for example during the passage of clamping means, in the gonad extraction means 58, which will be detailed below in reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. In this example, the free fixing means 93 comprise two blocks 28 and 29. In use, the fastener block 29 is attached to a mesh of chain 9, and the fastening block 28 is attached to a chain stitch 10. Each attachment block 28, 29 includes a corresponding guide rod 30, 31, along which an abutment outer corresponding 17, 18 clamping means 7 can slide. Thus, clamping means 7 are connected to the drive means 83 through the means of free fixation 93, and each outer stop 17, 18 comprises an opening (not shown) to through which the stem of corresponding guide 30, 31 is slidably mounted.

-10-It should be noted that the illustrated clamping means can also be used in a system of extraction different from that of Figure 2, in an opening device of sea urchins, as well as in or in conjunction with any other device where tightening or holding of a sea urchin is required.

With reference to FIG. 5, an example of opening and closing means 94 means of tightening 7 that can be used with in the extraction system of the figure 2 is illustrated. The FIG. 5 also shows the zone of expulsion of the shells 61, the zone of deposit of sea urchins 53, and the clamping area of sea urchins 62. In this example, the opening means and closing include a spacer guide 52 attached to the structure 1. The guide Spacer 52 includes two spacer rods each having an angle surface 55 and 64 in the expulsion area 61, divergently oriented along the driving direction 43, as well as only two surfaces parallel 65 and 66, tangent and consecutive to the two angled surfaces 55 and 64 in the direction 43, and extending from the angled surfaces 55, 64 to the clamping area 62 in passing through the deposit zone 53. The length of the spacer guide 52 is established in such a way that the beginning of both corner surfaces 55 and 64 is located in the area expulsion sea urchin shells 61 and so that the end of both surfaces parallels 65 and 66 be located in the clamping zone 62.

The clamping means 7 are open by the opening means and closure 94 by the displacement of the clamping means 7, according to the driving direction 43. When the stem 23 and the attachment rod 25, which are normally pulled towards the center means of tightening 7 by the action of the two springs in tension 26 and 27, pass into a first time respectively on each side of the angle surfaces 55 and 64, the angle between two surfaces to angle 55 and 64 makes sure that the two attachment rods 23 and 25 in a second time are forced to move horizontally away from each other. The distance results because both jaw supports 19 and 20, on which the two rods 23 and 25 are fixed, slide along two linear guides 15 and 42 until the two rods 23 and 25 reach a distance between them when the two rods 23 and 25 are on the parallel surfaces 65 and

-11-66 of spacer guide 52. Both springs in tension 26 and 27 hold both stems fastener 23 and 25 in contact with the two parallel surfaces 65 and 66.

When the clamping means 7 which grip the empty shell of the sea urchin 8 arrive in the area expulsion of the sea urchin shells 61 in the training direction 43, the two rods 23 and 25 are separated from each other by the action of their contacts with both angle surfaces 55 and 64, and the two jaws 21, 22 (see Figure 3) attached to the jaw supports 19 and 20 are moving away one on the other by the sliding of the two jaw supports 19 and 20 along the two guide rods linear 15 and 42. Then the empty shell of the sea urchin 8 is released from the embrace of the two jaws 21, 22 and falls out of the clamping means 7, under the effect of gravity. A
piece of disengagement 68 empty shells sea urchins 8 can advantageously be placed between two angle surfaces 55 and 64 and fixed to the fixed structure 1 to disengage an empty shell of sea urchin 8 which could remain attached to one of the jaws 21, 22 after the distance of the supports jaw 19 and 20. The sea urchin disengagement piece 68 includes a first and a second branch 69 and 70 that come into contact with the empty shell of the sea urchin 8 in the eventuality where the latter remains attached to one of the jaws 21, 22, and grow on the shell empty of the sea urchin 8, thus forcing it to disengage from the jaws 21, 22.

Once the sea urchin shell has been cleared from the jaws 21, 22, the stems fasteners 23, slide parallel surfaces 65, 66 on either side.
centering 41 shaped half moon of the central stop 16 may come into contact with another sea urchin beforehand 20 deposited on the deposit plate 59 and convey this sea urchin to the 62. Where clamping means 7 arrive at the ends of the parallel surfaces 65, 66, they are released from parallel surfaces 65, 66 and the tension springs 26, 27 return the jaws 21, 22 one towards the other in contact on both sides of the sea urchin 8 previously pushed by the room centering 41 in a tightening movement.

In use, the opening and closing means 94 therefore allow on the one hand to open clamping means 7 in an expulsion zone of the sea urchin shells 61, this which allows

-12-release a sea urchin 8 having been previously emptied of its gonads 54, and on the other hand, to engage the clamping means 7 with a sea urchin in the clamping zone 62 where the means of tightening 7 grab and hold another sea urchin 8 in anticipation of gonad extraction 54.
The other sea urchin 8 having previously been introduced into the deposition zone 53, between the area of expulsion of the sea urchin shells 61 and the clamping zone 62, and having been slid along the deposit plate 59 to the clamping zone 62 by the centering piece 41 half-shaped Moon.

When the tightening means pass from the deposition zone 53 to the zone of tightening 62, they get close when the fastening rods 23 and 25 reach the end of the surfaces 65 and 66 and leave the guide 52 and when the attachment rods 23 and 25, which are not more relied on surfaces 65 and 66 are pulled towards the center of the clamping means towards the central stop 16 by the action of the tension springs 26 and 27. In the example illustrated, the plate deposit 59 has a narrowed portion 72 in the clamping zone 62. At this point, the sea urchin 8 is centered by the piece of centering 41 and the deposit plate 59 can be advantageously narrowed for minimize the possibility of interference between the deposit plate 59 and the means of tightening 7.

When the clamping means are closed and the jaws (not shown) fixed to the media of jaws 19 and 20 tighten the sea urchin 8, the force exerted by the springs in traction 26 and 27 makes sure that the jaws (not shown) penetrate the shell of the sea urchin 8 so that that the sea urchin 8 remains firmly attached to the clamping means 7, so as to be able to undergo the effect of the means cutting and extraction means 58 described below. Springs in traction 26 and 27 can be selected in such a way that the approximation force of jaws 21, 22 exercised by them is sufficient to secure the jaws 21, 22 to the sea urchin 8, but not too much strong, which could damage the sea urchin 8. It is possible that it is necessary to cut or breaking the spines 120 (FIG. 1), by means not shown, which can be naturally found on sea urchins before introducing them into the clamping means 7 if these thorns 120 are too long or too big and they obstruct the passage of the jaws 21 and 22.

-13-The fact that the sea urchin is positioned with the front face 116 down on the plate deposit 59, and that the relative height of the jaws 21, 22 is maintained with a good accuracy to using guide 60 (see also Figure 2), you can seize the sea urchin with the jaws 21, 22 at a predetermined height from the front face 116.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of cutting means 85 for sea urchins to be used with the extraction system shown in Figure 2. When taken by the clamping means 7, the sea urchin 8 is conveyed to the cutting means 85 by the means 83 which move the sea urchin 8 with the clamping means 7. With reference to FIG.
the sea urchin 8 engages a vertical descent following a change of orientation of 90, then undergoes a new change of orientation 90 clockwise to end up at backwards, with the party posterior 112 downwards and the anterior portion 116 upwards, in the position illustrated in the figure 6. The precision of the vertical elevation of the sea urchin in the means of tightening 7 is then guided by means of two horizontal guides 36 and 63 integral with the structure fixed 1 in which are engaged the outer stops 17, 18.

In this example, the cutting means 85 comprise a band saw having a blade 32 driven and guided by two main pulleys 33 and 34 being secured to the fixed structure 1. The two main pulleys 33, 34 are oriented vertically describe a rotation along an axis horizontal rotation perpendicular to the view of FIG.
lower blade 32 forms a cutting plane 35. The blade 32 removes the anterior portion 116 of the sea urchin shell 8 exceeding the cutting plane 35, so as to expose the gonads of the sea urchin 8 without the to damage. The two pulleys 33 and 34 are driven by a motor 38.
means of cutout 85 may be provided with a tension adjustment mechanism 95 which allow to do vary the tension of the blade 32 between the two pulleys 33 and 34. In this case, here, the mechanism voltage adjustment device 95 comprises a fixed part 96 and a part sliding 97 where is mounted the pivot of the main pulley 33. The sliding part 97 can be moved laterally relative to the fixed part 96 by means of a bolt 40 that can be actuated by means of a handle 39.

-14-Thus, the cutting means 85 combined with the clamping means 7 allow:
First, removing the anterior part of the sea urchin 8 so as to expose its gonads;
secondly, to maintain intact, in one piece, the posterior shell in the form of dome of the sea urchin 8 during the cutting process; and thirdly, not to damage or do not move the gonads of the sea urchin 8 inside its shell.

The cutting means 85 may be provided with means for adjusting the height 71. In this example, the means for adjusting the height of the saw 71 are located at each end of cutting means 85 and allow to vertically vary the position cutting plane 35 compared to the clamping means of the sea urchin 7 and therefore to vary the thickness of the part previous sea urchin 8 which is removed by the cutting means 85.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of means for adjusting the height 71 can be used with the cutting means 85. The means for adjusting the saw height 71 are placed at each end of the cutting means 85. The means for adjusting the height of saw 71 comprise a clamping piece 75, for example a screw and a nut fix the structure saw 74 to the fixed structure 1 of the extraction system 79 (Figure 2). The opinion is installed at once through a vertical oblong hole (not illustrated) practiced in the structure of saw 74 and through a vertical oblong hole (not shown) in the fixed structure 1, which allows the structure to saw 74 to move vertically relative to the fixed structure 1, while by holding the screw in the oblong holes, and block the vertical adjustment by tightening the screw and the bolt. The height adjustment means 71 also include an adjustment piece of the height 76 placed between the saw structure 74 and the fixed structure 1 and to fix the vertical distance between the saw structure 74 and the fixed structure 1. In this example, the piece height adjustment device 76 also includes a screw and a nut where the screw pass through a hole threaded cut in the saw structure 74, or in a nut attached to the saw structure 74, and comes freely lean on the fixed structure 1. To adjust the height of the saw structure 74 by relative to the fixed structure 1, it is necessary to disengage the clamping piece 75, adjust the height of the saw structure 74 by means of the height adjustment part 76, then reengage the room

- 15-clamping device 75 to fix the distance between the saw structure 74 and the fixed structure 1 of each side of the cutting means.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate an example of gonad extraction means 58 can be used with the extraction system 79 illustrated in FIG.
example, the means extractors 58 are impact extraction means. As illustrated by Figure 2, extraction means 58 are placed subsequently to the cutting means 85 in meaning 43, so that when the sea urchin 8 is conveyed to the extraction means 58, its front portion 116 has previously been removed and is open.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the gonad extraction means 58 include a movable structure 2 movable vertically with respect to the fixed structure 1.
The structure mobile 2 comprises two movable guides 5 and 6 in which are engaged the external stops 17, 18 at the moment they are driven by the drive means 83, as it happens two parallel chains 9 and 10. The extraction means 58 comprise means of impact 98 which make it possible to cause a shock between the mobile structure 2 and the structure In this example, the impact means 98 comprise two cylinders pneumatic 3 and 4 connecting the mobile structure 2 to the fixed structure 1 and fixed stops lower 13 and 14, integral with the fixed structure 1 and against which movable stops corresponding 80, 81 of the mobile structure 2 can be struck. The fixed structure 1 comprises for its share of the stops 11, 12 limiting the displacement of the movable structure 2 towards the high.

The impact means 98 and, more particularly, the pneumatic cylinders 3 and 4 in this case ci, produce a cycle which consists of moving the mobile structure 2, which is normally in a low position illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, in a high position, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 where the mobile structure 2 is pressed against the stops 11 and 12, then to speed up the structure mobile 2 vertically downwards to produce a shock against the stops mobile 80, 81 of the movable structure 2 and the lower fixed stops 13 and 14 of the structure fixed 1, the shock is transmitted to the sea urchin 8 by the clamping means 7. During this shock, the mobile structure 2 is

-16-reset to the initial position which allows the clamping means 7 to go out mobile guides 5 and 6 and engage in the third portion 60 of the fixed guide 90 (see FIG.
2).

The free fastening means 93, described above in connection with FIG.
3, allow clamping means 7 to follow the vertical displacement of the mobile structure 2 compared to the fixed structure 1 while remaining fixed and trained by the means 83, without the driving means 83 do not move vertically with the structure mobile 2 neither are subjected to the impact of the mobile structure 2 on the fixed structure 1.

With reference to FIG. 8, the mobile structure 2 is in the low position by relation to the structure In this lower position, the clamping means 7 can engage in the structure 2 from the first portion 73 of the upper guide 90 (FIG.
be guided by two moving guides 5 and 6. They can also leave the structure mobile 2 after the shock, when the mobile structure is supported on the lower stops 13 and 14.
The mobile structure 2 can be maintained in this low position by the two cylinders pneumatic tires 3 and 4.

With reference to FIG. 2, the gonads of the sea urchin 8 are extracted when the means of 7, in which the sea urchin 8 is tight, pulled by the means 83 in the moving guides 5, 6 of the gonad extraction means 58 are subjected to acceleration produced by the impact means 98, which strike a fixed stop, such as the stops 13 and 14, which produces a shock that expels the gonads 54 to down, out of the The means of impact 98 accelerate a sea urchin 8 open, vertically from top to bottom in a direction perpendicular to the opening and according to the direction of the axis 122 (Figure 1) between the anterior side 116 and the posterior side 112 of the sea urchin 8, with the opening sea urchin 8 facing down. At the moment of this shock, the means of gonad extraction 58 are in the position described with reference to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9.
shock, the means of 7, always pulled by the drive means, come out of the means extraction of gonades 58. In this case, the outer stops 17, 18 come out of the guides mobiles 5, 6 and

-17-enter the third part 60 of the upper guide 90, which leads to the expulsion area 61 of the sea urchin shell 8.

In order to reduce the chances that the gonads will be damaged, it may be advantageous to collect expelled gonads on a surface or in a material that absorbs shock mechanical. In the illustrated example (Figure 2) the gonads 54 are collected in a container of water 82.

With reference to FIG. 2, the impact means 98 may further comprise means of 99 (FIGS. 8 to 11), like a pneumatic valve 37 which actuates the means of impact 98 at the moment when the clamping means 7 pass in the extraction means gonads 58.
The control means 99 may also include reading means 100 to facilitate the synchronization of the action of the impact means 98 with the speed of the means 83. For example, a proximity sensor 67, located against one of the wheels 48, 49, 50 or 51 and interpret the speed of the drive means 83 by reading the location of openings in the wheel (not shown), may be used. This sensor proximity 67 may transmit, to the control means 99, a signal for operate the means of impact 98 when the clamping means 7 pass in the means extraction of gonads 58 and thus synchronize the action of the impact means 98 with the speed of means 83.

These extraction means make it possible to accelerate vertically the sea urchin 8, in the direction of the axis 122 which connects on the anterior side 116, the mouth 118 to the anus 114, on the side posterior 112 (figure 1) of the sea urchin 8 then, to suddenly decelerate the sea urchin 8, to cause a shock that causes the expulsion of the gonads. The benefits that can be obtained by these means of gonad extraction 58 are firstly to extract a high percentage gonads 54 of the shell 111 of the sea urchin 8 repetitively regardless of the size of the sea urchin 8 or gonads 54 found there; secondly, to extract a high percentage gonads 54 of the shell of the sea urchin 8 without breaking or damaging the shell 111 of such that

-18-pieces of this shell are not found among the gonads 54;
thirdly, to extract completely a high percentage of the gonads 54 of the 111 shell of the sea urchin without gonads do not remain completely or partially hung inside the shell 111 sea urchin 8; and fourth, to extract a high percentage of gonads 54 of the shell 111 of the sea urchin 8 without these gonads 54 being damaged or broken.

In order to regularly obtain these benefits, the sea urchin 8 must undergo a shock adequate. To do this, the force of the impact produced by the means of impact 98 must be sufficient but not excessive and the impact means 98 must be selected and adjusted properly.
A person who in the field of the invention is able to select the means impact 98 and to adjust them according to: dimensions and the weight of the parts of the means extraction of gonads, in particular the mobile structure 2 and the fixed structure 1; the weight of means of tightening 7; materials chosen for the manufacture of these components; of the dimensions of the sea urchin 8, its gonadal mass and the gonad size of the sea urchin 8;
acceleration produced by the impact means, for example the acceleration of the structure mobile 2; and some speed of movement of the clamping means 7.

Depending on these different variables, more than one shock may be required for carry out the extraction sea urchin 8. These can be achieved by adjusting the means of control 99, for example the pneumatic valve 37 impact means 98. In the case where more of a shock would be required to successfully achieve sea urchin gonad extraction 8, the speed of displacement of the drive means 83, can be adjusted by varying the speed of motor 56, so that the clamping means 7 remain sufficiently a long time in the gonad extraction means 58 to undergo these shocks. A person who work in the field of the invention is able to select the means of impact and adjust them from in such a way that the clamping means 7 do not remain blocked in the means of gonad extraction 58 so that the outer stop 18 is located between fixed structure 1 and the mobile structure 2 at the entrance of the moving guides 5, 6 when the structure mobile 2 moves vertically up or down, or located between the structure

-19-mobile 2 and the fixed structure 1 at the output of the movable guides 5, 6, when the mobile structure 2 is moves vertically up or down.

So that the means of extraction of the gonads illustrated can extract the gonads of a sea urchin, the latter must be opened beforehand. It is understood that for the means of extracting illustrated gonads can extract the gonads from a sea urchin, the latter must contain gonads and the presence of gonads can be established by a person who works in the domain of the invention, in particular according to the period of the year and the place Geographical harvest of urchin. The sea urchin is preferably opened using a method that makes so that firstly, the dome-shaped posterior shell is intact and in one single piece;
secondly, that the anterior part be removed so as to expose the gonads sea urchin; and third, that the sea urchin gonads have not been damaged or displaced inside the shell.

It is understood that other means of opening sea urchins, other than those described in present disclosure, which meet the three opening criteria mentioned above, used in a device the configuration and construction of which would differ or no of that described in this disclosure, could be used with the means of gonad extraction described above.

It is understood that other means of clamping the shell of sea urchins, other than those illustrated can be used with the gonad extraction means described above high. Moreover, the clamping means described above can be used in a system different extraction of the one described above, and including or not the extraction means of gonads described more high, and may use a device for opening sea urchins different from cutting means sea urchins described above or even have no means of cutting.

Although several disclosures and achievements have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those working in the field of the present invention that the details of

-20-construction of these disclosures can be modified in many ways without moving away from the novelty and uniqueness of the present invention and its achievements. he is thus understood that the present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims declared below and not by the particular construction details shown except as specified in the claims.

Although the principles of this invention have been described in detail, understand that various modifications and alterations can be made without detaching from the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims.

Claims (50)

Claims: 1. A system for extracting the gonads of sea urchins with a posterior side domed in the middle of which is the anus and on the other hand, an anterior side relatively flat in the middle from which the mouth is located, the system comprising:

clamping means movable between an open configuration and a configuration closed to grab a sea urchin positioned in a tightening zone and release sea urchins in an expulsion area;

cutting means for cutting the sea urchin near the side prior;
gonad extraction means for extracting the gonads from the sea urchin whose the front side has been cut, the extraction means comprising a structure fixed having at least one fixed stop, a mobile structure having at least one stop mobile and being mounted to the fixed structure so that it can move vertically, relative to the fixed structure, between a low position where the stop mobile is in contact with the fixed stop and a high position where the stop mobile is spaced from the fixed stop, the mobile structure being able to receive the means of clamping with the front side previously cut of the sea urchin facing the low during their passage in the extraction means and impact means who produce the vertical displacement of the mobile structure relative to the structure fixed and which produce a vertical shock downwards, by the contact between the fixed stop and the movable stop, the vertical shock being transmitted to the sea urchin by the means of tightening and causing expulsion of the gonads; and drive means capable of moving the clamping means along a path gonad extraction successively passing through the cutting means and the extraction means between the clamping zone and the expulsion zone. 2. System according to claim 1, in which the cutting means are configured for cut the sea urchin at a predetermined distance from the front side. 3. System according to claim 2, wherein the clamping means grab the sea urchin at a clamping height and where the predetermined distance from the front side of the sea urchin is determined relative to the clamping width. 4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the front side of the sea urchin is oriented upwards through cutting means. 5. System according to claim 3, wherein the clamping height is relative to the side prior. 6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means for tightening grab the sea urchin while the posterior side is facing up. 7. System according to claim 6, in which the drive means reverse the orientation of the sea urchin before crossing the cutting means. 8. System according to claim 7, in which the drive means reverse the orientation of the sea urchin between the cutting means and the means extraction. 9. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the impact means include at least a pneumatic cylinder installed between the mobile structure and the structure fixed. 10. System according to claim 9, wherein the extraction means are located in an area extraction and where the mobile structure includes guides to guide the displacement of clamping means in the extraction zone. 11. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cutting means are located in a cutting area and include a saw having a blade moving in a cutting plane parallel to the gonad extraction path; the cutting part of the blade facing the sea urchin when the sea urchin enters the cutting area. 12. System according to claim 3, wherein the cutting means are located in an area of cut out and include a saw having a blade moving in a plane of cut parallel to gonad extraction path; the cutting part of the blade facing the sea urchin when the sea urchin enters the cutting area and where the cutting means comprise more blade adjustment means for adjusting the distance between the plane cutting and the clamping height. 13. System according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the drive means include two parallel chains attached on either side to the clamping means, each of the chains parallel connecting in a loop a quantity of cogwheels and a motor resulting in at least one cogwheels corresponding to each of the parallel chains. 14. System according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the clamping means include: a linear guide; an external stop placed at each end of the guide linear; stubborn central unit fixed in the middle of the linear guide, between the external stops; of them bit, each being mounted on the linear guide so that it can move along the guide linear between the stop center and the corresponding outer stop, the jaws being oriented towards the central stop; and traction means exerting a closing force between the two jaws to enter a sea urchin by two opposite lateral sides. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising means opening and closure having an attachment rod fixed on each of the jaws and oriented in a direction perpendicular to both the gonad extraction path and the guide linear and two guides fixed spacers oriented in the direction of the extraction path of gonads and extending from the urchin expulsion area to the clamping area, so that when the stems of attachment meet the spacing guides in the expulsion zone, a force contrary to the closing force is exerted and opens the jaws and that when the rods of attachment are released from the distance guides in the clamping area, the force of reconciliation closes them bit. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein a disengagement piece is fixed, in between spacing guides in the expulsion zone and aligned with the jaws. 17. System according to one of claims 14 to 16, in which the mobile structure includes two guides able to receive the external stops of the clamping means during the displacement of means clamping in the extraction zone and where the clamping means comprise plus two blocks attachment associated respectively with the two outer stops; each block of attachment being attached to the drive means and having an oriented guide rod perpendicularly according to the direction of movement of the mobile part of the extraction means and where each of soft outer stops includes an opening in which the rod respective guidance is slidingly inserted. 18. System according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein each of the two jaws is mounted to guide linear by means of a pivot whose axis is perpendicular to the linear guide. 19. System according to one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the shape of the jaws is that of a two-pointed fork. 20. System according to one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a zone deposit located immediately before the tightening zone along the route gonad extraction and a plate positioned in the deposition area and extending into the deposition area Tightening; sea urchins, from which the gonads will be extracted, being deposited in the deposit zone with the front side against the plate and the posterior side up. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the clamping means comprise a guide to centering in the shape of a half moon with the open part facing forward relative to the journey gonad extraction; the centering guide for centering the sea urchin relative to means for clamping and moving the sea urchin on the plate from the deposit area to the clamping area. 22. System according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the extraction path of gonads is a closed loop. 23. A device for extracting urchin gonads whose anterior side has been removed for expose the gonads; the extraction device comprising:

a fixed structure having at least one fixed stop;

a mobile structure having at least one mobile stop and being mounted at the fixed structure so as to be able to move relative to the fixed structure between a first position where the movable stopper is in contact with the fixed stopper and a second position where the movable stop is spaced from the fixed stop; the mobile structure being adapted to hold the sea urchin with the front side open down; and impact means which produce the displacement of the mobile structure by compared to the fixed structure and which produce a shock by the contact between the fixed stop and the movable stop; the shock causing expulsion of the gonads. 24. Device according to claim 23, in which the mobile structure is move vertically relative to the fixed structure and producing a vertical downward shock when activating impact means to allow expulsion of the gonads downwards. 25. Device according to claim 23 or 24, in which the structure mobile receives resources holding the sea urchin with the front side open down. 26. Device according to one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the impact means understand at minus a pneumatic cylinder installed between the mobile structure and the fixed structure. 27. Device according to claim 25, in which the mobile structure comprises guides and where clamping means are connected to drive means engaged in the guides during vertical movement and shock and disengaged guides following the shock. 28. Device according to claim 25 or 27, wherein the clamping means include: a guide linear; an outer stop placed at each end of the linear guide;
a central stop fixed in the middle of the linear guide, between the outer stops; two jaws, each being mounted linear guide so that it can move along the linear guide between the central stop and the corresponding external stop, the jaws being oriented towards the stop plant; and means of traction exerting a closing force between the two jaws to grasp a sea urchin by two opposite sides. 29. Device according to claim 28, in which the traction means include two springs in traction; each tension spring having one end connected to the stop central and one jaw respective. 30. Device according to claim 28 or 29, wherein each of the two jaws is mounted to guide linear by means of a pivot whose axis is perpendicular to the linear guide. 31. Device according to one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the shape of the jaws is that of a two-pointed fork. 32. A sea urchin processing system with a posterior side forms dome in the middle from which the anus is located and on the other hand, a relatively anterior side flat in the middle of which is localized mouth; the system comprising:

a deposit plate intended to receive a sea urchin with the front side facing the bottom, clamping means that can be activated between a closed configuration to grip a sea urchin previously deposited on the deposit plate at a clamping height predetermined and an open configuration;

cutting means for cutting the front part of the sea urchin to one predetermined distance from the clamping height; and drive means making it possible to move the clamping means in a block in a treatment path passing through the deposition plate and also passing by the cutting means at said predetermined distance. 33. The system of claim 32, further comprising means gonad extraction, positioned downstream of the cutting means in the treatment path and allowing to do undergo a vertical shock to the clamping means of an appropriate force so that the gonads of the sea urchin previously seized and the front part of which has been cut out be extracted. 34. A sea urchin processing system with a shaped posterior side dome in the middle from which the anus is located and on the other hand, a relatively anterior side flat in the middle of which is localized mouth; the system comprising:

a deposit plate intended to receive a sea urchin with the front side facing the bottom;

clamping means that can be activated between a closed configuration to grip a sea urchin previously deposited on the deposit plate at a clamping height predetermined and an open configuration;

cutting means for cutting the front part of the sea urchin to one predetermined distance from the clamping height; and means for extracting gonads making it possible to subject the means of tightening a vertical shock of an appropriate force so that the gonads the sea urchin beforehand seized and from which the front part has been cut out are extracted. 35. The system of claim 34, further comprising means drive allowing the clamping means to be moved in block in a path of treatment through the deposition plate and cutting means. 36. System according to one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the orientation of the sea urchin is reversed when cutting of the front part. 37. System according to one of claims 32, 33 and 35, further comprising a fixed structure at which are assembled the deposit plate, the cutting means and the training means. 38. System according to one of claims 32, 33, 35 and 37 wherein the path of treatment makes a loop. 39. System according to claim 38, wherein the clamping means comprise two jaws movable along respective linear guides between the open position and the closed position, and being biased towards the closed position; further including guides engaging spacing the jaws and opening them during movement of the clamping means before the means to tightening arrive at the deposit plate. 40. System according to one of claims 32 to 39, in which the side anterior of the sea urchin is oriented upwards through cutting means. 41. System according to one of claims 32 to 40, in which the height of tightening is relative at the anterior side. 42. System according to one of claims 32, 33, 35, 37, 38 and 39, in which means gripping grip the sea urchin while the posterior side is facing high. 43. System according to claim 42, in which the drive means reverse the orientation of the sea urchin before crossing the cutting means. 44. System according to claim 43, in which the drive means reverse the orientation of the sea urchin between the cutting means and the means extraction. 45. System according to one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the extraction means include mie fixed structure having at least one fixed stop, a mobile structure having at least one stop mobile and being mounted to the fixed structure; so you can move around vertically by relative to the fixed structure between a low position where the movable stop is in contact with the stop fixed and a high position where the movable stop is spaced from the fixed stop; the mobile structure can receive the clamping means with the front side open of sea urchin oriented low during their passage in the extraction means and impact means who produce the vertical movement of the mobile structure relative to the fixed structure, and who produce a vertical shock down by the contact between the fixed stop and the stop mobile; the vertical shock being transmitted to the sea urchin by the clamping means and causing the expulsion of gonads. 46. System according to claim 45, in which the clamping means comprise:
a guide linear; an outer stop placed at each end of the linear guide;
a central stop fixed in the middle of the linear guide, between the outer stops; two jaws, each being mounted linear guide so that it can move along the linear guide between the central stop and the corresponding outer stop, the jaws being oriented towards the stop plant; and means of traction exerting a closing force between the two jaws to grasp a sea urchin by two opposite sides. 47. The system of claim 46, further comprising means opening and closure having an attachment rod fixed on each of the jaws and oriented in a direction perpendicular to both the gonad extraction path and the guide linear and two guides fixed spacers oriented in the direction of the extraction path of gonads and extending from the urchin expulsion area to the clamping area so that when the tie rods meet the spacing guides in the expulsion area, a force contrary to the strength of approximation is exercised and opens the jaws and that when the tie rods are released from distance guides in the clamping area, the closing force closes the bits. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein a disengagement piece is fixed in between spacing guides in the expulsion zone and aligned with the jaws. 49. System according to one of claims 46 to 48, in which the mobile structure includes two guides able to receive the external stops of the clamping means during the displacement of means clamping in the extraction zone and where the clamping means comprise plus two blocks attachment associated respectively with the two outer stops; each block of attachment being attached to the drive means and having an oriented guide rod perpendicularly according to the direction of movement of the mobile part of the extraction means and where each of two outer stops includes an opening in which the rod respective guidance is slidingly inserted. 50. System according to claim 49, in which each of the two jaws is mounted on the linear guide by through a pivot whose axis is perpendicular to the linear guide.