CA2962992A1 - Crab processing device and crab processing method - Google Patents
Crab processing device and crab processing method Download PDFInfo
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- CA2962992A1 CA2962992A1 CA2962992A CA2962992A CA2962992A1 CA 2962992 A1 CA2962992 A1 CA 2962992A1 CA 2962992 A CA2962992 A CA 2962992A CA 2962992 A CA2962992 A CA 2962992A CA 2962992 A1 CA2962992 A1 CA 2962992A1
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- crab
- shell
- gill
- remover
- transportation mechanism
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Abstract
A crab processing device includes a transportation mechanism transporting a crab; a shell remover removing a shell of the crab; a gill remover removing a gill of the crab; and a crab cutter cutting the crab into halves. The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal line.
Description
CRAB PROCESSING DEVICE AND CRAB PROCESSING METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention:
[0001]
The present invention relates to a crab processing device and a crab processing method, and specifically, to a processing device and a processing method capable of removing a shell and a gill of a crab, and also relates to a processing device and a processing method capable of recovering the removed shell and recovering brown meat in the shell to provide the brown meat as a product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention:
[0001]
The present invention relates to a crab processing device and a crab processing method, and specifically, to a processing device and a processing method capable of removing a shell and a gill of a crab, and also relates to a processing device and a processing method capable of recovering the removed shell and recovering brown meat in the shell to provide the brown meat as a product.
2. Description of the Related Art:
[0002]
A crab is known as a delicious food material and is popular all over the world. The crab has a shell, which needs to be removed to provide the crab in a proper form as a food material. Even after the shell of the crab is removed, gills, which are inedible, also need to be cleanly removed. In the case where a crab is eaten in a household, the shell and the gills of the crab may be removed by hand one by one. In a seafood processing plant, it is very troublesome to remove the shell and the gills of crabs. Some shell removal devices have been proposed, but existing shell removal devices often do not remove the shell or gills completely or cleanly. In consideration of the work of removing the remaining part of the shell or gills, it is better and reasonable to conduct manual removal from the points of view of cost, speed, accurateness and safety.
[0002]
A crab is known as a delicious food material and is popular all over the world. The crab has a shell, which needs to be removed to provide the crab in a proper form as a food material. Even after the shell of the crab is removed, gills, which are inedible, also need to be cleanly removed. In the case where a crab is eaten in a household, the shell and the gills of the crab may be removed by hand one by one. In a seafood processing plant, it is very troublesome to remove the shell and the gills of crabs. Some shell removal devices have been proposed, but existing shell removal devices often do not remove the shell or gills completely or cleanly. In consideration of the work of removing the remaining part of the shell or gills, it is better and reasonable to conduct manual removal from the points of view of cost, speed, accurateness and safety.
[0003]
For removing the shell of a crab manually, the shell is pressed onto a rotating roller to be disengaged. Then, the gills attached to the meat of the crab (meat at the shoulder) deprived of the shell is removed by the rotating roller. The crab (meat of the crab) deprived of the shell and the gills is put on a belt conveyor and is recovered at a different site. Such a shell removing work requires a large number of operators when the amount of crabs to be processed at the plant is large, is hard labor and lacks cleanliness. As the number of the operators is larger, the personnel expenses are increased. In addition, there is a limit on the speed of such a manual work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For removing the shell of a crab manually, the shell is pressed onto a rotating roller to be disengaged. Then, the gills attached to the meat of the crab (meat at the shoulder) deprived of the shell is removed by the rotating roller. The crab (meat of the crab) deprived of the shell and the gills is put on a belt conveyor and is recovered at a different site. Such a shell removing work requires a large number of operators when the amount of crabs to be processed at the plant is large, is hard labor and lacks cleanliness. As the number of the operators is larger, the personnel expenses are increased. In addition, there is a limit on the speed of such a manual work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
As a result of active studies made in an attempt to provide a technique of automatically removing the shell and the gills of a crab, the present inventor completed a processing device and a processing method for removing the shell and the gills of a crab.
The present invention, made in light of the above-described situation, has an object of providing a processing device and a processing method for removing the shell and the gills of a crab.
As a result of active studies made in an attempt to provide a technique of automatically removing the shell and the gills of a crab, the present inventor completed a processing device and a processing method for removing the shell and the gills of a crab.
The present invention, made in light of the above-described situation, has an object of providing a processing device and a processing method for removing the shell and the gills of a crab.
[0005]
A processing device for a crab according to the present invention includes a transportation mechanism transporting a crab; a shell remover removing a shell of the crab;
a gill remover removing a gill of the crab; and a crab cutter cutting the crab into halves.
The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal line.
A processing device for a crab according to the present invention includes a transportation mechanism transporting a crab; a shell remover removing a shell of the crab;
a gill remover removing a gill of the crab; and a crab cutter cutting the crab into halves.
The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal line.
[0006]
In a preferable embodiment, the gill remover includes a coupling portion connected =
=
with a hose; a water pipe connected with the coupling portion; and the jetting device connected with the water pipe. The hose is connected with a water booster pump. The jetting device includes a plurality of jetting openings.
In a preferable embodiment, the gill remover includes a coupling portion connected =
=
with a hose; a water pipe connected with the coupling portion; and the jetting device connected with the water pipe. The hose is connected with a water booster pump. The jetting device includes a plurality of jetting openings.
[0007]
In a preferable embodiment, the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor.
The jetting device is located on each of two sides of the belt conveyor.
In a preferable embodiment, the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor.
The jetting device is located on each of two sides of the belt conveyor.
[0008]
In a preferable embodiment, the belt conveyor includes a first belt portion located on the left side in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; a second belt portion located on the right side in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second belt portion. A surface of the central belt portion is lower than surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion. The surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs of the crab to be put thereon. The surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including the shell to be put thereon.
In a preferable embodiment, the belt conveyor includes a first belt portion located on the left side in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; a second belt portion located on the right side in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second belt portion. A surface of the central belt portion is lower than surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion. The surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs of the crab to be put thereon. The surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including the shell to be put thereon.
[0009]
In a preferable embodiment, the central belt portion is configured to turn back before the shell remover to circulate.
In a preferable embodiment, the central belt portion is configured to turn back before the shell remover to circulate.
[0010]
In a preferable embodiment, the shell remover includes a movable belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab.
In a preferable embodiment, the shell remover includes a movable belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab.
[0011]
In a preferable embodiment, the shell removal gear includes an upper gear rotatable forward in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism. The lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side.
In a preferable embodiment, the shell removal gear includes an upper gear rotatable forward in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism. The lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side.
[0012]
In a preferable embodiment, the movable belt mechanism is urged toward the transportation mechanism by a spring.
In a preferable embodiment, the movable belt mechanism is urged toward the transportation mechanism by a spring.
[0013]
In a preferable embodiment, the processing device further includes a recovery member recovering the shell and brown meat contained in the shell, the recovery member being provided below the shell remover.
In a preferable embodiment, the processing device further includes a recovery member recovering the shell and brown meat contained in the shell, the recovery member being provided below the shell remover.
[0014]
In a preferable embodiment, the crab cutter includes a rotatable cutter cutting the crab after the crab passes the shell remover and the gill remover.
In a preferable embodiment, the crab cutter includes a rotatable cutter cutting the crab after the crab passes the shell remover and the gill remover.
[0015]
A shell/gill removal device according to the present invention is a shell/gill removal device disengaging a shell of a crab. The shell/gill removal device includes a shell remover removing a shell of a crab; and a gill remover removing a gill of the crab. The shell remover includes a movable belt mechanism holding, from above, legs of the crab transported by a transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab. The shell removal gear includes an upper gear rotatable forward in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism.
The lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side. The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab deprived of the shell. The jetting device is located on each of two sides of A
the transportation mechanism.
A shell/gill removal device according to the present invention is a shell/gill removal device disengaging a shell of a crab. The shell/gill removal device includes a shell remover removing a shell of a crab; and a gill remover removing a gill of the crab. The shell remover includes a movable belt mechanism holding, from above, legs of the crab transported by a transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab. The shell removal gear includes an upper gear rotatable forward in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism.
The lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side. The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab deprived of the shell. The jetting device is located on each of two sides of A
the transportation mechanism.
[0016]
A processing method for a crab according to the present invention includes the steps of putting a crab on a transportation mechanism; removing a shell of the crab while transporting the crab by the transportation mechanism; and jetting high pressure water at an oblique angle toward the crab deprived of the shell to remove a gill of the crab.
A processing method for a crab according to the present invention includes the steps of putting a crab on a transportation mechanism; removing a shell of the crab while transporting the crab by the transportation mechanism; and jetting high pressure water at an oblique angle toward the crab deprived of the shell to remove a gill of the crab.
[0017]
In a preferable embodiment, the processing method further includes the step of cutting the crab into two halves after the step of removing the gill.
to [0018]
In a preferable embodiment, the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor.
In the step of putting the crab, the crab is put on the belt conveyor in a state where the shell of the crab is directed downward and a mouth of the crab is directed forward in the advancing direction. In the step of removing the shell, the shell of the crab is disengaged by a gear applying a downward force to the mouth of the crab. In the step of removing the gill, the high pressure water is allowed to hit the gill to remove the gill while the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism.
[0019]
In a preferable embodiment, in the step of removing the shell of the crab, the shell drops downward. The processing method further includes the step of recovering brown meat contained in the dropped shell.
[0020]
In a preferable embodiment, in the step of removing the gill, the gill drops downward and together with the jetted water and is abolished.
[0021]
A crab processing device according to the present invention includes a transportation mechanism transporting a crab, a shell remover, a gill remover, and a crab cutter. The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle. Therefore, the gills attached to the crab deprived of the shell is removed cleanly by the pressurized water. While the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism, the shell removal and the gill removal are performed automatically. Thus, a crab meat product is produced at low cost and a high level of cleanliness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A shows how a crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2B shows how the crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2C shows how the crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows the entrance side of the crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 6 shows a transportation mechanism 50 (belt conveyor 51) in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective side view).
FIG. 7 shows a structure of a movable belt mechanism 16, shell removal gears and 22 and a crab cutter 40 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 8 shows a structure of the movable belt mechanism 16 and the crab cutter in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective side view).
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a structure of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an operation of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a structure of a gill remover 30 (coupling portion 31) in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) in an embodiment according to the present invention, in a state where the crab 400 is located.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34).
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of the crab processing device 100.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 shows the entrance side of another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 20 shows the crab 400 used in the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
FIG. 21 shows a shell 406 and brown meat 404 removed in the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
FIG. 22 shows crab meat 407 produced by the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023]
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following figures, elements or sites having the same functions bear the same reference signs, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified for the sake of simplicity. In the figures, relative sizes (length, width, thickness, etc.) may not accurately reflect the actual relative sizes.
[0024]
Elements which are other than elements specifically referred to in this specification and are necessary to carry out the present invention may be grasped as a matter of design choice for a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the conventional technology in this field. The present invention can be carried out based on the contents disclosed by this specification and the attached drawings, and the technological common knowledge in the art. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment in any way.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention. The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment includes a transportation mechanism 50 transporting a crab 400 and a shell/gill removal device 10 including a shell remover removing the shell of the crab 400. The shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment includes a gill remover removing the gills of the crab 400 and a crab cutter cutting the crab 400 into two halves, in addition to the shell remover.
[0026]
The transportation mechanism 50 in this embodiment is a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes a belt portion 51 (51a, 51b and 51c) on which the crab 400 may be placed, a driving force source (motor) 52 driving the belt portion 51, a driving force transmission member (chain) 53, a driving roller 56 and a subordinate roller 54. The belt conveyor 50 is supported by a frame 55. The belt portion 51 supported by the frame 55 is rotatable by the driving force of the motor 52. The frame 55 is formed of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel).
[0027]
The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 advances in an advancing direction (arrows 101, 102, 105 and 106) by the driving force of the motor 52. When being put on the belt portion 51, the crab 400 is transported in the advancing direction by the belt conveyor 50.
[0028]
The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes a first belt portion 51a located on the left side in the advancing direction (arrow 101), a second belt =
portion 5 lb located on the right side in the advancing direction, and a central belt portion 51c located between the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 5 lb. A surface of the central belt portion 51c is lower than a surface of the first belt portion 51a and a surface of the second belt portion 51b. On the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b, legs of the crab 400 may be located. On the surface of the central belt portion 51c, a portion including the shell of the crab 400 may be located.
[0029]
In the structural example in this embodiment, the central belt portion 51c has a width smaller than that of the first belt portion 51a (and also that of the second belt portion 51b). In this embodiment, the width of the central belt portion 51c (width of the portion located between the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b), and/or the height of the central belt portion 51c (the difference between the height of the surface of the central belt portion 51c and the height of the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) may be changeable in accordance with the size of the crab 400 (whether the crab 400 is large or small). For example, in the case where the crab 400 weighs less than 400 g, the width of the central belt portion 51c may be set to 13 cm whereas in the case where the crab 400 weights 400 g or more, the width of the central belt portion 51c may be set to 14 cm.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the central belt portion 51c is configured to turn back before the shell remover in the shell/gill removal device 10 to circulate. More specifically, the central belt portion 51c is wound along a roller 59a in a region of the shell/gill removal device 10 and changes the advancing direction thereof so as to advance toward the subordinate roller 54. Thus, the central belt portion 51c circulates between the subordinate roller 54 and the roller 59a. The central belt portion 51c turns back before the shell/gill removal device 10 whereas the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b keep advancing in the shell/gill removal device 10. Therefore, the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b keep moving while having a space therebetween beyond the point at which the central belt portion 51c turns back. The central belt portion 51c has substantially the same structure on the other side of the shell/gill removal device 10 (on the exit side). A chain (driving force transmission member) 59c is extended between the roller 59a and the roller 59b.
[0031]
The shell/gill removal device 10 includes a frame 10a (formed of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel or the like). Stoppers 10b are provided at ground contact portions of the frame 10a. In this embodiment, a control panel (controller box) 14 is provided on the frame 10a of the shell/gill removal device 10. The control panel (controller box) 14 may be located at any other position. The control panel 14 controls an operation of the shell/gill removal device 10 and the transportation mechanism 50. The control panel 14 includes a button 14a. Pushing the button 14a operates the control panel (controller box) 14. The control panel 14 includes an outer housing and a wiring board/control portion (e.g., circuit board including a semiconductor integrated circuit and an electronic component) accommodated in the housing. The control panel 14 is electrically connected with a predetermined component in each of the shell/gill removal device 10 and the transportation mechanism 50. Driving motors 12 (12a, 12b and 12c) are also located on the frame 10a of the shell/gill removal device 10. The driving motors 12 may be located at any other position. The control and communication by the control panel 14 may be performed wirelessly or may be performed by remote control.
[0032]
On the side of the roller 59a (on the entrance side) of the shell/gill removal device 10, a movable belt mechanism 16 holding the legs of the crab 400 transported by the belt conveyor 50 (first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) is located. The movable belt mechanism 16 has a function of pressing the crab 400 or the like downward (toward the surface of the belt conveyor 50) by an urging member (e.g., spring). In this embodiment, the movable belt mechanism 16 includes a plurality of (two in this example) belt portions 16a on the left side and a plurality of (two in this example) belt portions 16b on the right side. A plurality of rollers 18 are also provided in the vicinity of the movable belt mechanism 16. The movable belt mechanism 16, in cooperation with the rollers 18, circulates to drive the crab 400 or the like in the advancing direction.
Alternatively, the movable belt mechanism 16 may include one (single) belt portion 16a on the left side and one (single) belt portion 16b on the right side.
[0033]
The shell/gill removal device 10 includes the shell remover (20) removing the shell of the crab 400 transported by the belt conveyor 50, the gill remover (30) removing the gills of the crab 400 deprived of the shell, and the crab cutter (40) cutting the crab 400 deprived of the gills into two halves. The shell remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) are located in this order (in the advancing direction) from the entrance of the shell/gill removal device 10. The shell remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) will be described below in detail.
[0034]
FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C show how the crab 400 is processed by the processing device 100 in this embodiment.
[0035]
In FIG. 2A, reference sign 400a represents the crab before being put on the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50. An operator 300 (300a or 300b) shown in FIG. 1 spreads legs 401 of the crab 400 (arrow 402), and puts the crab 400 such that a shell 406 of the crab 400 is directed downward (such that a belly 403 is directed upward). Then, the operator 300 puts the crab 400 on the belt conveyor 50 such that the shell 406 contacts the surface of the central belt portion 51c and the legs 401 of the crab 400 are on or above the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b.
The conveyor belt 50 is configured (designed) such that the surface of the central belt portion 51c is lower than the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b. Therefore, it is easy to put the shell 406 in the recessed portion provided by the central belt portion 51c whereas putting the legs 401 on the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b.
The crab 400 is located such that the mouth (or beak) 405 (or a front region including the eyes) of the crab 400 are directed forward in the advancing direction.
[0036]
In FIG. 2B, reference sign 400b represents the crab in a state of being deprived of the shell 406 by the shell remover in this embodiment. The crab 400b has the shell 406 removed to have the inside (crab meat) 407 exposed, but the gills 409 (the gills themselves are not shown) are attached to the crab meat 407. The gills 409 are inedible and thus need to be removed. The gills may be removed by the gill remover in this embodiment.
[0037]
In FIG. 2C, reference sign 400c represents the crab in the state of being deprived of the gills and cut into two halves by the crab cutter (40) in this embodiment.
In this state, the crab 400 is clean meat deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409.
Namely, the crab 400 is in a state of a processed crab product (crab meat with shoulder meat and legs, or crab section) as a food product.
[0038]
Now, FIG. 1 will be referred to again. In the structural example shown in FIG.
1, a crab feeder 60 feeding the crab 400a to be processed is provided on a stage before (upstream with respect to) the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment.
The crab feeder 60 is, for example, a transportation mechanism (belt conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, etc.) or a box (basket) accommodating the crab 400a. The crab 400a fed by the crab feeder 60 is put on the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50 by the operator 300a. The crab 400a may be fed automatically by a machine (or a robot) instead of the operator 300a.
[0039]
Next, the crab 400a is put on the belt conveyor 50 by the operator 300b in a state where the legs 401 are spread, and advances toward the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrow 101). Next, the crab 400a goes into the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrow 102), and advances in the shell/gill removal device 10 by the movable belt mechanism 16 (16a, 16b) in a state where the legs 401 are secured.
[0040]
In the shell/gill removal device 10, first, the shell 406 is disengaged by the shell remover in this embodiment. The removed shell 406 drops downward together with brown meat contained in the shell 406 (see arrow 86). The removed shell 406 may be received by a recovery container (basket, etc.). In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the removed shell 406 is moved by a transportation mechanism (slider (e.g., metal inclining plate), roller conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.) 81 (arrow 88) and is recovered by a recovery member (recovering container) 82 (arrow 88b). In the case where a recovery device including the transportation mechanism 81 and the recovery member 82 is used, the shells 406 (containing brown meat) are not accumulated below the shell/gill removal device 10, and thus the work is efficiently done (and the work area is clean). The brown meat in the shell 406 is a delicious food material and is also processed into a food product.
Therefore, it is advantages for post-processing to recover the brown meat by the recovery member 82. In addition, the shell 406 itself is not a food material but may be used as a container. It is also advantageous to recover the shell 406 efficiently.
[0041]
Next, in the shell/gill removal device 10, the gills (409) are removed by the gill remover in this embodiment. The gill remover uses water (pressurized water, namely, high-pressure water) to remove the gills. Therefore the gill remover is connected with water booster pumps 70 (70a, 70b). Water is introduced into the water booster pump 70 from a hose 71 coupled with a water pipe in the plant. The water (pressurized water) is supplied via a pressurized water hose 72 to the gill remover in the shell/gill removal device 10. The hose 72 may be coupled with the gill remover directly or via a coupling portion.
In the structural example in this embodiment, a plurality of (two in this example) movable water booster pumps 70 (70a, 70b) are used.
[0042]
The gills (409) removed by the gill remover drop downward together with water jetted from the gill remover (see arrow 87). The removed gills (409) may be received by a recovery container (basket, etc.). In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the removed gills (409) are moved by a transportation mechanism (slider (e.g., metal inclining plate), roller conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.) 83 (arrow 89) and is recovered by a recovery member (recovering container) 84 (arrow 89b). In the case where the gills are recovered in this manner, the gills or water is not accumulated under the shell/gill removal device 10.
Therefore, the work is efficiently done, and the work area is clean.
[0043]
Next, in the shell/gill removal device 10, the crab 400 (crab meat) is cut into two halves by the crab cutter (40) in this embodiment. The crab may be cut by a rotatable blade (rotatable saw) or may be cut by any other cutting mechanism (e.g., guillotine cutter, water cutter, etc.). The expression "cut into two halves" indicates that as shown in FIG 2C, the crab 400c is cut into right side meat and left side meat, and does not indicate that the crab is accurately cut into two halves in terms of the weight or volume.
[0044]
Then, the crab 400c (crab meat cut into halves) is transported from the shell/gill removal device 10 (see arrows 105 and 106). The crab 400c (crab meat as a food product) may be recovered by a recovery box (e.g., basket) or, as shown in FIG. 1, may be transported to another site by, for example, a transportation mechanism (belt conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, etc.) 62 (see arrow 107). In the case where the crab 400c is transported to another site, the work efficiency of the shell/gill removal device 10 (crab processing device 100) is improved.
[0045]
A system including the crab processing device including the shell/gill removal device 10, the water booster pump 70 and the transportation mechanism 81 or 83 (occasionally, also including the transportation mechanism 60 or 62) may be referred to as a "crab meat production system 200". The driving motors 12a, 12b and 12c shown in FIG. 1 respectively drive the shell remover, the crab cutter and the movable belt mechanism 16.
[0046]
Now, with reference to FIG. 3 through FIG. 14, the structure of the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment will be further described. FIG. 3 is a perspective side view showing the structure of the crab processing device 100. The crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is slightly different from the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, but is the same in the basic operation and structure. Thus, overlapping descriptions will be omitted. FIG. 4 shows the crab processing device 100 as seen from a side opposite to FIG. 3. In the structural example shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 14 is located separately from the shell/gill removal device 10.
[0047]
FIG. 5 shows the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the front side (from the entrance side). FIG. 6 shows the belt conveyor 50 of the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 5 as seen from a side face thereof. As shown in FIG.
5 and FIG. 6, the central belt portion 51c is slightly recessed from the first belt portion 51a (left) and the second belt portion 51 b (right), and the body of the crab 400 (shell 406) may be located in the recess.
[0048]
FIG. 7 shows a structure of the movable belt mechanism 16 (16a, 16b) shown in FIG. 5. FIG 7 shows the movable belt mechanism 16 as seen from the exit side.
On the entrance side of a shaft 19 (rotation axis shown as being closer to the viewer of FIG. 7) of the movable belt mechanism 16, a shell removal gear 21 (upper gear or upper blade) included in the shell remover 20 is located. Below the shell removal gear 21 (upper gear), a shell removal gear 22 (lower gear or lower blade) usable in combination with the shell removal gear 21 is located.
[0049]
On the exit side of the shell removal gear 21 (side closer to the viewer of FIG. 7), a jetting device 34 included in the gill remover 30 is provided. The jetting device 34 is accommodated in a container (box) 35 attached to a frame 11 (e.g., metallic housing frame).
On the exit side of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) (side closer to the viewer of FIG. 7), a rotatable blade (rotatable cutter) 41 included in the crab cutter 40 is provided.
[0050]
FIG. 8 shows the structure shown in FIG. 7 as seen from a side face thereof The rollers 18 (18a, 18b) and the shaft 19 included in the movable belt mechanism 16, and an urging member 17 (17a, 17b) pressing the belt portion 16a (16b) downward, are provided.
The urging member 17 includes a spring (urging member) 17a and a frame 17b securing and supporting the spring 17a. The belt portion 16a (16b) is pressed downward by the urging member 17, so that the legs 401 of the crab 400 are held by the belt portion 16a (16b) and the fist and second (left and right) belt portions 51a and 51b of the belt conveyor 50. The crab 400 is transported in the advancing direction while the legs 401 thereof are held as described above. At the center (central line) of the movable belt mechanism 16, the rotatable blade 41 included in the crab cutter 40 is located. The center of the rotatable blade 41 is secured by a shaft 41s.
[0051]
FIG. 9 shows a combination structure of the shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 and the shell removal gear (lower blade) 22. The shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 has a shape of a rotatable disc and has a function of pressing the belly 403 of the crab 400 (side opposite to the shell 406). The shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 has a gear shape with grooves formed therein such that the belly 403 of the crab 400 is easily pressed. The shell removal gear (lower blade) 22 includes a plurality of extending portions (wings) 23a extending from a shaft 22s and a hook 23b formed at a tip of each of the extending portions (wings) 23a. The hooks 23b in this embodiment each have a shape of letter C
that is opened outward (is shaped like mandible of stag beetle). When the hook 23b touches the mouth 405 (front region of the belly 403 of the crab 400) and is rotated, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is removed cleanly.
[0052]
FIG. 10 schematically shows an operation of the shell removal gear (upper gear,
In a preferable embodiment, the processing method further includes the step of cutting the crab into two halves after the step of removing the gill.
to [0018]
In a preferable embodiment, the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor.
In the step of putting the crab, the crab is put on the belt conveyor in a state where the shell of the crab is directed downward and a mouth of the crab is directed forward in the advancing direction. In the step of removing the shell, the shell of the crab is disengaged by a gear applying a downward force to the mouth of the crab. In the step of removing the gill, the high pressure water is allowed to hit the gill to remove the gill while the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism.
[0019]
In a preferable embodiment, in the step of removing the shell of the crab, the shell drops downward. The processing method further includes the step of recovering brown meat contained in the dropped shell.
[0020]
In a preferable embodiment, in the step of removing the gill, the gill drops downward and together with the jetted water and is abolished.
[0021]
A crab processing device according to the present invention includes a transportation mechanism transporting a crab, a shell remover, a gill remover, and a crab cutter. The gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle. Therefore, the gills attached to the crab deprived of the shell is removed cleanly by the pressurized water. While the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism, the shell removal and the gill removal are performed automatically. Thus, a crab meat product is produced at low cost and a high level of cleanliness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A shows how a crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2B shows how the crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2C shows how the crab 400 is processed in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows the entrance side of the crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 6 shows a transportation mechanism 50 (belt conveyor 51) in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective side view).
FIG. 7 shows a structure of a movable belt mechanism 16, shell removal gears and 22 and a crab cutter 40 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 8 shows a structure of the movable belt mechanism 16 and the crab cutter in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective side view).
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a structure of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an operation of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a structure of a gill remover 30 (coupling portion 31) in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) in an embodiment according to the present invention, in a state where the crab 400 is located.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34).
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of the crab processing device 100.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 shows the entrance side of another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention (perspective front view).
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the another crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 20 shows the crab 400 used in the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
FIG. 21 shows a shell 406 and brown meat 404 removed in the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
FIG. 22 shows crab meat 407 produced by the crab processing method in an embodiment according to the present invention (photo substituting a drawing).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023]
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following figures, elements or sites having the same functions bear the same reference signs, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified for the sake of simplicity. In the figures, relative sizes (length, width, thickness, etc.) may not accurately reflect the actual relative sizes.
[0024]
Elements which are other than elements specifically referred to in this specification and are necessary to carry out the present invention may be grasped as a matter of design choice for a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the conventional technology in this field. The present invention can be carried out based on the contents disclosed by this specification and the attached drawings, and the technological common knowledge in the art. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment in any way.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab processing device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention. The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment includes a transportation mechanism 50 transporting a crab 400 and a shell/gill removal device 10 including a shell remover removing the shell of the crab 400. The shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment includes a gill remover removing the gills of the crab 400 and a crab cutter cutting the crab 400 into two halves, in addition to the shell remover.
[0026]
The transportation mechanism 50 in this embodiment is a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes a belt portion 51 (51a, 51b and 51c) on which the crab 400 may be placed, a driving force source (motor) 52 driving the belt portion 51, a driving force transmission member (chain) 53, a driving roller 56 and a subordinate roller 54. The belt conveyor 50 is supported by a frame 55. The belt portion 51 supported by the frame 55 is rotatable by the driving force of the motor 52. The frame 55 is formed of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel).
[0027]
The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 advances in an advancing direction (arrows 101, 102, 105 and 106) by the driving force of the motor 52. When being put on the belt portion 51, the crab 400 is transported in the advancing direction by the belt conveyor 50.
[0028]
The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes a first belt portion 51a located on the left side in the advancing direction (arrow 101), a second belt =
portion 5 lb located on the right side in the advancing direction, and a central belt portion 51c located between the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 5 lb. A surface of the central belt portion 51c is lower than a surface of the first belt portion 51a and a surface of the second belt portion 51b. On the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b, legs of the crab 400 may be located. On the surface of the central belt portion 51c, a portion including the shell of the crab 400 may be located.
[0029]
In the structural example in this embodiment, the central belt portion 51c has a width smaller than that of the first belt portion 51a (and also that of the second belt portion 51b). In this embodiment, the width of the central belt portion 51c (width of the portion located between the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b), and/or the height of the central belt portion 51c (the difference between the height of the surface of the central belt portion 51c and the height of the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) may be changeable in accordance with the size of the crab 400 (whether the crab 400 is large or small). For example, in the case where the crab 400 weighs less than 400 g, the width of the central belt portion 51c may be set to 13 cm whereas in the case where the crab 400 weights 400 g or more, the width of the central belt portion 51c may be set to 14 cm.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the central belt portion 51c is configured to turn back before the shell remover in the shell/gill removal device 10 to circulate. More specifically, the central belt portion 51c is wound along a roller 59a in a region of the shell/gill removal device 10 and changes the advancing direction thereof so as to advance toward the subordinate roller 54. Thus, the central belt portion 51c circulates between the subordinate roller 54 and the roller 59a. The central belt portion 51c turns back before the shell/gill removal device 10 whereas the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b keep advancing in the shell/gill removal device 10. Therefore, the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b keep moving while having a space therebetween beyond the point at which the central belt portion 51c turns back. The central belt portion 51c has substantially the same structure on the other side of the shell/gill removal device 10 (on the exit side). A chain (driving force transmission member) 59c is extended between the roller 59a and the roller 59b.
[0031]
The shell/gill removal device 10 includes a frame 10a (formed of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel or the like). Stoppers 10b are provided at ground contact portions of the frame 10a. In this embodiment, a control panel (controller box) 14 is provided on the frame 10a of the shell/gill removal device 10. The control panel (controller box) 14 may be located at any other position. The control panel 14 controls an operation of the shell/gill removal device 10 and the transportation mechanism 50. The control panel 14 includes a button 14a. Pushing the button 14a operates the control panel (controller box) 14. The control panel 14 includes an outer housing and a wiring board/control portion (e.g., circuit board including a semiconductor integrated circuit and an electronic component) accommodated in the housing. The control panel 14 is electrically connected with a predetermined component in each of the shell/gill removal device 10 and the transportation mechanism 50. Driving motors 12 (12a, 12b and 12c) are also located on the frame 10a of the shell/gill removal device 10. The driving motors 12 may be located at any other position. The control and communication by the control panel 14 may be performed wirelessly or may be performed by remote control.
[0032]
On the side of the roller 59a (on the entrance side) of the shell/gill removal device 10, a movable belt mechanism 16 holding the legs of the crab 400 transported by the belt conveyor 50 (first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) is located. The movable belt mechanism 16 has a function of pressing the crab 400 or the like downward (toward the surface of the belt conveyor 50) by an urging member (e.g., spring). In this embodiment, the movable belt mechanism 16 includes a plurality of (two in this example) belt portions 16a on the left side and a plurality of (two in this example) belt portions 16b on the right side. A plurality of rollers 18 are also provided in the vicinity of the movable belt mechanism 16. The movable belt mechanism 16, in cooperation with the rollers 18, circulates to drive the crab 400 or the like in the advancing direction.
Alternatively, the movable belt mechanism 16 may include one (single) belt portion 16a on the left side and one (single) belt portion 16b on the right side.
[0033]
The shell/gill removal device 10 includes the shell remover (20) removing the shell of the crab 400 transported by the belt conveyor 50, the gill remover (30) removing the gills of the crab 400 deprived of the shell, and the crab cutter (40) cutting the crab 400 deprived of the gills into two halves. The shell remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) are located in this order (in the advancing direction) from the entrance of the shell/gill removal device 10. The shell remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) will be described below in detail.
[0034]
FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C show how the crab 400 is processed by the processing device 100 in this embodiment.
[0035]
In FIG. 2A, reference sign 400a represents the crab before being put on the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50. An operator 300 (300a or 300b) shown in FIG. 1 spreads legs 401 of the crab 400 (arrow 402), and puts the crab 400 such that a shell 406 of the crab 400 is directed downward (such that a belly 403 is directed upward). Then, the operator 300 puts the crab 400 on the belt conveyor 50 such that the shell 406 contacts the surface of the central belt portion 51c and the legs 401 of the crab 400 are on or above the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b.
The conveyor belt 50 is configured (designed) such that the surface of the central belt portion 51c is lower than the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b. Therefore, it is easy to put the shell 406 in the recessed portion provided by the central belt portion 51c whereas putting the legs 401 on the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b.
The crab 400 is located such that the mouth (or beak) 405 (or a front region including the eyes) of the crab 400 are directed forward in the advancing direction.
[0036]
In FIG. 2B, reference sign 400b represents the crab in a state of being deprived of the shell 406 by the shell remover in this embodiment. The crab 400b has the shell 406 removed to have the inside (crab meat) 407 exposed, but the gills 409 (the gills themselves are not shown) are attached to the crab meat 407. The gills 409 are inedible and thus need to be removed. The gills may be removed by the gill remover in this embodiment.
[0037]
In FIG. 2C, reference sign 400c represents the crab in the state of being deprived of the gills and cut into two halves by the crab cutter (40) in this embodiment.
In this state, the crab 400 is clean meat deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409.
Namely, the crab 400 is in a state of a processed crab product (crab meat with shoulder meat and legs, or crab section) as a food product.
[0038]
Now, FIG. 1 will be referred to again. In the structural example shown in FIG.
1, a crab feeder 60 feeding the crab 400a to be processed is provided on a stage before (upstream with respect to) the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment.
The crab feeder 60 is, for example, a transportation mechanism (belt conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, etc.) or a box (basket) accommodating the crab 400a. The crab 400a fed by the crab feeder 60 is put on the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50 by the operator 300a. The crab 400a may be fed automatically by a machine (or a robot) instead of the operator 300a.
[0039]
Next, the crab 400a is put on the belt conveyor 50 by the operator 300b in a state where the legs 401 are spread, and advances toward the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrow 101). Next, the crab 400a goes into the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrow 102), and advances in the shell/gill removal device 10 by the movable belt mechanism 16 (16a, 16b) in a state where the legs 401 are secured.
[0040]
In the shell/gill removal device 10, first, the shell 406 is disengaged by the shell remover in this embodiment. The removed shell 406 drops downward together with brown meat contained in the shell 406 (see arrow 86). The removed shell 406 may be received by a recovery container (basket, etc.). In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the removed shell 406 is moved by a transportation mechanism (slider (e.g., metal inclining plate), roller conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.) 81 (arrow 88) and is recovered by a recovery member (recovering container) 82 (arrow 88b). In the case where a recovery device including the transportation mechanism 81 and the recovery member 82 is used, the shells 406 (containing brown meat) are not accumulated below the shell/gill removal device 10, and thus the work is efficiently done (and the work area is clean). The brown meat in the shell 406 is a delicious food material and is also processed into a food product.
Therefore, it is advantages for post-processing to recover the brown meat by the recovery member 82. In addition, the shell 406 itself is not a food material but may be used as a container. It is also advantageous to recover the shell 406 efficiently.
[0041]
Next, in the shell/gill removal device 10, the gills (409) are removed by the gill remover in this embodiment. The gill remover uses water (pressurized water, namely, high-pressure water) to remove the gills. Therefore the gill remover is connected with water booster pumps 70 (70a, 70b). Water is introduced into the water booster pump 70 from a hose 71 coupled with a water pipe in the plant. The water (pressurized water) is supplied via a pressurized water hose 72 to the gill remover in the shell/gill removal device 10. The hose 72 may be coupled with the gill remover directly or via a coupling portion.
In the structural example in this embodiment, a plurality of (two in this example) movable water booster pumps 70 (70a, 70b) are used.
[0042]
The gills (409) removed by the gill remover drop downward together with water jetted from the gill remover (see arrow 87). The removed gills (409) may be received by a recovery container (basket, etc.). In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the removed gills (409) are moved by a transportation mechanism (slider (e.g., metal inclining plate), roller conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.) 83 (arrow 89) and is recovered by a recovery member (recovering container) 84 (arrow 89b). In the case where the gills are recovered in this manner, the gills or water is not accumulated under the shell/gill removal device 10.
Therefore, the work is efficiently done, and the work area is clean.
[0043]
Next, in the shell/gill removal device 10, the crab 400 (crab meat) is cut into two halves by the crab cutter (40) in this embodiment. The crab may be cut by a rotatable blade (rotatable saw) or may be cut by any other cutting mechanism (e.g., guillotine cutter, water cutter, etc.). The expression "cut into two halves" indicates that as shown in FIG 2C, the crab 400c is cut into right side meat and left side meat, and does not indicate that the crab is accurately cut into two halves in terms of the weight or volume.
[0044]
Then, the crab 400c (crab meat cut into halves) is transported from the shell/gill removal device 10 (see arrows 105 and 106). The crab 400c (crab meat as a food product) may be recovered by a recovery box (e.g., basket) or, as shown in FIG. 1, may be transported to another site by, for example, a transportation mechanism (belt conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, etc.) 62 (see arrow 107). In the case where the crab 400c is transported to another site, the work efficiency of the shell/gill removal device 10 (crab processing device 100) is improved.
[0045]
A system including the crab processing device including the shell/gill removal device 10, the water booster pump 70 and the transportation mechanism 81 or 83 (occasionally, also including the transportation mechanism 60 or 62) may be referred to as a "crab meat production system 200". The driving motors 12a, 12b and 12c shown in FIG. 1 respectively drive the shell remover, the crab cutter and the movable belt mechanism 16.
[0046]
Now, with reference to FIG. 3 through FIG. 14, the structure of the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment will be further described. FIG. 3 is a perspective side view showing the structure of the crab processing device 100. The crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is slightly different from the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, but is the same in the basic operation and structure. Thus, overlapping descriptions will be omitted. FIG. 4 shows the crab processing device 100 as seen from a side opposite to FIG. 3. In the structural example shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 14 is located separately from the shell/gill removal device 10.
[0047]
FIG. 5 shows the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the front side (from the entrance side). FIG. 6 shows the belt conveyor 50 of the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 5 as seen from a side face thereof. As shown in FIG.
5 and FIG. 6, the central belt portion 51c is slightly recessed from the first belt portion 51a (left) and the second belt portion 51 b (right), and the body of the crab 400 (shell 406) may be located in the recess.
[0048]
FIG. 7 shows a structure of the movable belt mechanism 16 (16a, 16b) shown in FIG. 5. FIG 7 shows the movable belt mechanism 16 as seen from the exit side.
On the entrance side of a shaft 19 (rotation axis shown as being closer to the viewer of FIG. 7) of the movable belt mechanism 16, a shell removal gear 21 (upper gear or upper blade) included in the shell remover 20 is located. Below the shell removal gear 21 (upper gear), a shell removal gear 22 (lower gear or lower blade) usable in combination with the shell removal gear 21 is located.
[0049]
On the exit side of the shell removal gear 21 (side closer to the viewer of FIG. 7), a jetting device 34 included in the gill remover 30 is provided. The jetting device 34 is accommodated in a container (box) 35 attached to a frame 11 (e.g., metallic housing frame).
On the exit side of the gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) (side closer to the viewer of FIG. 7), a rotatable blade (rotatable cutter) 41 included in the crab cutter 40 is provided.
[0050]
FIG. 8 shows the structure shown in FIG. 7 as seen from a side face thereof The rollers 18 (18a, 18b) and the shaft 19 included in the movable belt mechanism 16, and an urging member 17 (17a, 17b) pressing the belt portion 16a (16b) downward, are provided.
The urging member 17 includes a spring (urging member) 17a and a frame 17b securing and supporting the spring 17a. The belt portion 16a (16b) is pressed downward by the urging member 17, so that the legs 401 of the crab 400 are held by the belt portion 16a (16b) and the fist and second (left and right) belt portions 51a and 51b of the belt conveyor 50. The crab 400 is transported in the advancing direction while the legs 401 thereof are held as described above. At the center (central line) of the movable belt mechanism 16, the rotatable blade 41 included in the crab cutter 40 is located. The center of the rotatable blade 41 is secured by a shaft 41s.
[0051]
FIG. 9 shows a combination structure of the shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 and the shell removal gear (lower blade) 22. The shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 has a shape of a rotatable disc and has a function of pressing the belly 403 of the crab 400 (side opposite to the shell 406). The shell removal gear (upper gear) 21 has a gear shape with grooves formed therein such that the belly 403 of the crab 400 is easily pressed. The shell removal gear (lower blade) 22 includes a plurality of extending portions (wings) 23a extending from a shaft 22s and a hook 23b formed at a tip of each of the extending portions (wings) 23a. The hooks 23b in this embodiment each have a shape of letter C
that is opened outward (is shaped like mandible of stag beetle). When the hook 23b touches the mouth 405 (front region of the belly 403 of the crab 400) and is rotated, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is removed cleanly.
[0052]
FIG. 10 schematically shows an operation of the shell removal gear (upper gear,
18 upper teeth) 21 and the shell removal gear (lower blade, lower gear, lower teeth) 22. The upper gear 21 is rotated along the advancing direction (arrow 103) (i.e., the upper gear 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow 21r, clockwise on the sheet of FIG 10).
By contrast, the lower blade 22 is rotated in a direction opposite to the advancing direction (arrow 103) (i.e., the lower blade 22 is rotated in the direction of arrow 23r, clockwise on the sheet of FIG. 10). When the crab 400a advances (arrow 103) and is held between the upper gear 21 and the lower blade 22, the hook 23b of the lower blade 22 is stuck in the mouth 405 of the crab 400a. When the hook 23b is rotated to move downward, the shell 406 of the crab 400a are disengaged cleanly. The disengaged shell 406 drops into the space below. After this, each time the crab 400a advances, this operation is repeated. The shell remover 20 including the shell removal gears 21 and 22 operates in this manner. The rotation rate (and/or the number of teeth) of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 may be appropriately determined in accordance with the size or type of the crab or the transportation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation rate of the upper gear 21 is set to be lower than the rotation rate of the lower gear 22. Specifically, the rotation rates are adjusted such that while the upper gear 21 is rotated once, the lower gear 22 is rotated twice (or close to twice, for example, 1.5 times to three times). In this embodiment, one motor is used to set the difference between the rotation rates of the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 (for example, such that the rotation rate of the lower gear 22 is twice the rotation gear of the upper gear 21) by use of a plurality of gears, more specifically, a larger gear (upper gear 21) and a smaller gear (lower gear 22). Alternatively, the rotation rates of the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 may be respectively controlled by different motors.
[0053]
FIG. 11 through FIG 13 show the structure of the gill remover 30 in this embodiment. FIG 11 shows a coupling device (coupling portion) 31 coupled with the hose
By contrast, the lower blade 22 is rotated in a direction opposite to the advancing direction (arrow 103) (i.e., the lower blade 22 is rotated in the direction of arrow 23r, clockwise on the sheet of FIG. 10). When the crab 400a advances (arrow 103) and is held between the upper gear 21 and the lower blade 22, the hook 23b of the lower blade 22 is stuck in the mouth 405 of the crab 400a. When the hook 23b is rotated to move downward, the shell 406 of the crab 400a are disengaged cleanly. The disengaged shell 406 drops into the space below. After this, each time the crab 400a advances, this operation is repeated. The shell remover 20 including the shell removal gears 21 and 22 operates in this manner. The rotation rate (and/or the number of teeth) of the shell removal gears 21 and 22 may be appropriately determined in accordance with the size or type of the crab or the transportation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation rate of the upper gear 21 is set to be lower than the rotation rate of the lower gear 22. Specifically, the rotation rates are adjusted such that while the upper gear 21 is rotated once, the lower gear 22 is rotated twice (or close to twice, for example, 1.5 times to three times). In this embodiment, one motor is used to set the difference between the rotation rates of the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 (for example, such that the rotation rate of the lower gear 22 is twice the rotation gear of the upper gear 21) by use of a plurality of gears, more specifically, a larger gear (upper gear 21) and a smaller gear (lower gear 22). Alternatively, the rotation rates of the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 may be respectively controlled by different motors.
[0053]
FIG. 11 through FIG 13 show the structure of the gill remover 30 in this embodiment. FIG 11 shows a coupling device (coupling portion) 31 coupled with the hose
19 (pressurized water hose) 72 extending from the water booster pump 70. The coupling device 31 is connected with water pipes 32, which extend to a position in the shell/gill removal device 10 at which the gills are to be removed. In this example, one coupling device 31 is provided at each of two sides of the crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10). Alternatively, the water pipes 32 may extend from one coupling device 31. In this example, a plurality of water pipes 32 extend from one coupling device 31. Alternatively, one water pipe 32 may extend from one coupling device 31.
[0054]
FIG. 12 shows the jetting device 34 located in the shell/gill removal device 10.
FIG. 13 shows that the crab 400b deprived of the shell 406 is located in the structure shown in FIG. 12.
[0055]
In the structural example shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of jetting devices 34 each including an jetting opening 33 at a tip thereof are provided. The jetting devices 34 are located in a box 35 provided on a part of the frame 11 (parallel direction member) supporting the jetting devices 34. In the structure in this embodiment, a series of four jetting devices (jetting nozzles) 34 are provided. A total width of the four jetting devices 34 is about 10 cm (e.g., 20 cm to 8 cm), which is relatively short. The jetting devices 34 of such a compact size are advantageous for being located in a processing device (in this example, in the shell/gill removal device 10). The water pipes 32 extending from the coupling device 31 are respectively connected with jetting devices 34, and the pressurized water from the water booster pump 70 is supplied to the jetting devices 34 via the coupling device 31 and the water pipes 32. As shown in FIG. 13, the crab 400b is transported to the gill removal position in a state where the legs 401 are held between the belt portion 16a and the belt portion 51b.
[0056]
FIG. 14 schematically shows how the pressurized water is jetted from the jetting device (nozzle) 34 in this embodiment toward the crab 400b. The crab 400b is located in a state where the belly 403 is directed upward (while being deprived of the shell 406). The gills 409 are attached to a part of the lower face (part of the crab meat) of the crab 400b. In this embodiment, the jetting device 34 is directed obliquely upward so that jetted water 39 (medium for gill removal) is jetted from the jetting opening (nozzle opening) 33 at an oblique angle (0). The jetted water 39 from the jetting opening 33 is adjusted to pass a space 35s in the box 35 of the jetting device 34 and hit a predetermined site (at which the gills 409 are positioned) of the crab 400b. A reason why the jetted water 39 is adjusted to be jetted in an oblique direction (with jetting angle 0) is that it has been found by experiments conducted by the present inventor that the gills 409 are removed more cleanly in this manner than in the case where the water (pressurized water) is jetted in a horizontal direction or vertical direction.
[0057]
In the structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) of a central line 33c of the jetting opening 33 is, for example, about 5 degrees to 45 degrees (in an example, 10 degrees to 35 degrees, preferably 30 5 ) with respect to the horizontal line (L). As long as the gills 409 are removed cleanly, there is no specific limitation on the angle and any preferably angle may be adopted. In this embodiment, the jetting opening 33 of the jetting device 34 has a diameter of, for example, 0.5 mm to 3 mm (in an example, 1 mm 0.2 mm). The diameter is not limited to such a range, and any other preferable size may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
13, four jetting openings 33 (jetting devices 34) and another four jetting openings 33 (jetting devices 34) are arrayed on the left side and the right side. Any other structural example or number may be used. The pressure of the pressurized water (jetting water) 39 (plunger-type high pressure ejection pressure) is, for example, 20 kgf/cm2 to 80 kgf/cm2 (in an example, 30 kgf/cm2 to 50 kfg/cm2). The pressure is not limited to such a range, and any pressure at which the gills 409 are removed cleanly may be used. The amount of the jetted water may be set to 20 liters/minute or greater. The pressure of the pressurized water 39 may be variable or constant. In the structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) is fixed. Alternatively, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) may be variable (the nozzle 34 may be swung). In the structure in this embodiment, the crab 400 is deprived of the gills 409 while being moved by the transportation mechanisms (50, 16).
The transportation of the crab 400 may be once stopped to remove the gills 409. In the case where the gills 409 are removed while the crab 400 is transported continuously, the throughput is higher and the flow from/to the other steps (shell removal step, etc.) is smoother.
[0058]
Next, the crab 400 deprived of the gills 409 is continuously moved (toward the exit) to be cut into two halves by the rotatable blade 41 of the crab cutter 40. In the case where the crab 400 does not need to be cut into two, the crab cutter 40 does not need to be provided. It is convenient to cut the crab 400 into two halves on this stage as a part of a series of operations (by one processing device 100 or shell/gill removal device 10).
[0059]
After being cut by the crab cutter 40, the crab 400c is transported by the belt conveyor 50 as shown in FIG. I. The crab 400c is deprived of the shell and also the gills cleanly, and thus is used as a processed crab product (crab meat product or crab sections).
[0060]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the overview of the crab processing device in this embodiment. First, the crab 400 is transported by the belt conveyor 50 (arrows 101 and 102) and enters the shell/gill removal device 10. The shell/gill removal device 10 includes the shell remover 20, the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. The crab 400 is processed by these processors sequentially. After being processed by the shell remover 20, the shell and the brown meat of the crab 400 may be collected by the shell and brown meat recovery member 81 (82). In this embodiment, the shell and brown meat recovery member 81 (82) includes the transportation mechanism (conveyor) 81 and the recovering container 82. Alternatively, the shell and brown meat recovery member 81(82) may have a different structure (e.g., the transportation mechanism may not be included, or the recovering to container may be modified). The gill remover 30 is connected with the water booster pump 70. In the plant, it is preferable to use a movable booster pump (water booster pump) 70. Alternatively, water may be supplied from a water booster pump device installed in a fixed manner to the gill remover 30 via the hose 72.
[0061]
Then, the processed crab meat (crab meat without shell or gills, crab sections) comes out of the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrows 105 and 106) and transported by the belt conveyor 50 to be collected. After this, the collected crab (crab sections) is transported to the next step, for example, a boiling step. During the transportation, the crab (crab sections) may be classified by size or the like. The crab sections deprived of the shell automatically are located side by side in a left-right direction uniformly and are classified by size in the next step on the belt conveyor connected with the shell/gill removal device 10 or are efficiently put into a boil container. By contrast, in the case where the shell is removed manually, the crab sections are moved onto the conveyor in the state of being located side by side non-uniformly in the left-right direction. This causes a problem that the work efficiency is low.
[0062]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method (method for producing a crab meat product) in this embodiment.
[0063]
First, the crab 400 is put on the conveyor 50 in a state where the shell 406 is directed downward (in a state where the belly 403 is directed upward) (step S100). Next, the conveyor 50 is moved to transport the crab 400 toward the shell/gill removal device 10 (step S110). Then, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is disengaged (step S200), and the gills 409 of the crab 400 are removed (step S300). Next, the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409 is cut into two halves (step S400). The crab sections (half portions of the crab meat) obtained as a result of such processing are recovered (step S500).
In the step of disengaging the shell 406 of the crab 400 (step S200), the brown meat (and the shell 406) of the crab 400 may be recovered.
[0064]
In this embodiment, the transportation rate of the conveyor 50 is set such that when crabs are processed continuously, a processed product of each crab is output every 0.8 to 1.0 second. This numerical value may be changed in accordance with other conditions; for example, the transportation rate may be decreased. This processing rate corresponds to the productivity of 2.5 tons/hour for crabs each weighting 0.7 kg. If the plant is operated for a day (10 hours), 25 tons of meat is processed. The crab 400 has a size (width) of, for example, 9 cm to 13 cm. For crabs having a size out of this range, the device may be changed so as to fit to such crabs. The crab 400 preferable for the processing method in this embodiment is snow crab or red snow crab. The method in this embodiment is applicable to any other type of crab (e.g., red king crab). In the case where the shell and the gills are removed by operators, at least six operators are needed in order to process 2.5 tons per hour. The crab processing method in this embodiment is superior to the manual work done by operators in term of the product quality (appearance of the crab meat, uniformity) and also the cleanliness of the crab processing plant (cleanliness during the work).
[0065]
The crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment includes the transportation mechanism 50 transporting the crab 400, the shell remover 20, the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. The gill remover 30 includes the jetting device 34 jetting pressurized water 39 toward the crab 400. Therefore, the gills 409 attached to the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 are removed cleanly with the pressurized water 39.
Especially when the water is jetted (ejected) at an oblique angle (0), the gills 409 are removed cleanly, specifically, more cleanly than by a gill removing roller.
The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment automatically performs the shell removal (S200) and gill removal (S300) while transporting the crab 400 by the transportation mechanism 50, and thus produces crab meat products at low cost and high level of cleanliness.
[0066]
With the technique in this embodiment, expenses (personnel expenses) are decreased by an automatic operation. The automatic operation suppresses the quality deterioration (remaining gills, etc.). As compared with manual work, the automatic operation improves the quality of the crab meat products and also make the quality uniform.
The automatic operation also increases the processing speed. It requires almost 6 seconds to process one crab manually, whereas the automatic shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment requires only 1 second or less to process one crab. The shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment removes the gills 409 almost completely.
[0067]
The shell 406 is removed with almost no damage, and thus may be recycled.
Since the shell 406 is recovered in a state of containing brown meat therein, the brown meat is easily recovered. Therefore, according to the technique in this embodiment, it is easy to recover the removed shell, and also to recover the brown meat in the shell and provide the brown meat as a product. In the case where the shell and the gills are removed manually, the shell 406 and the gills 409 are mixed together. As a result, the during recovery of the shell 406 and the brown meat, a large amount of gills 409 remains as impurities. With the automatic shell/gill removal in this embodiment, the shell 406 is removed and then the gills 409 are removed. The steps are separate, which has an advantage that the gills are not to much mixed with the shell 406. The gill remover 30 (high pressure jetting device 34) may be attached to a space having a width of about 10 cm, which contributes to the size reduction of the crab processing device 100. Occasionally, the brown meat of the crab may remain in a shoulder part of the crab section deprived of the shell. The crab meat (shoulder part, etc.) with the brown meat attached thereto may be treated as a defective product. The brown meat is removed more cleanly by the automatic shell removal in this embodiment (by the technique using water pressure) than manual shell removal.
[0068]
FIG. 17 through FIG. 19 show another structure (modified example) of a crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment. FIG.
17 is a perspective view of the crab processing device 100, for example, the shell/gill removal device 10, as seen from the entrance side. FIG. 18 shows a structure of a right side (as seen from the entrance side) of the crab processing device 100. FIG. 19 shows a structure of an opposite side (left side) of the crab processing device 100.
[0069]
In the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 17, the movable belt mechanism 16 includes one (single) belt portion 16a on the left side and one (single) belt portion 16b on the right side.
[0070]
In the structural example shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, one motor 12a operates the shell remover 20 (21, 22), namely, the upper teeth 21 and the lower teeth 22 of the shell remover 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG 18, the power of the motor 12a is transmitted to a gear 15a connected with the motor 12a and then is transmitted to a gear 15b via a chain I 5c. The rotation of the gear 15b moves the lower teeth 22. As shown in FIG.
19, the power of the gear 12a is also transmitted to a gear 15h connected with the gear 12a and then is transmitted to a gear 15i via a chain 15j. The rotation of the gear 15i moves the upper teeth 21. In this structural example, the power of one motor 12a moves the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 such that the rotation rates thereof are different, by use of the gear 15a and the like. Especially, the diameter of the gear 15b is made small to increase the rotation rate thereof. Alternatively, two motors may be used to move the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 such that the rotation rates thereof are different.
[0071]
The motor 12b operates the crab cutter 40. More specifically, the motor 12b moves the rotation blade (rotation cutter) 41 included in the crab cutter 40 via a chain 15e. The motor 12c moves the movable belt mechanism 16. More specifically, the motor 12c moves the movable belt mechanism 16 via the chain 15e. The number and the positions of the motors and the structures of the gears and the chains are not limited to those described above, and maybe appropriately modified.
[0072]
FIG. 20 through FIG. 22 show experiment examples of processing the crab 400 by use of the crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment.
FIG. 20 shows the crab 400 put on the conveyor 50. The crab 400 shown in FIG
[0054]
FIG. 12 shows the jetting device 34 located in the shell/gill removal device 10.
FIG. 13 shows that the crab 400b deprived of the shell 406 is located in the structure shown in FIG. 12.
[0055]
In the structural example shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of jetting devices 34 each including an jetting opening 33 at a tip thereof are provided. The jetting devices 34 are located in a box 35 provided on a part of the frame 11 (parallel direction member) supporting the jetting devices 34. In the structure in this embodiment, a series of four jetting devices (jetting nozzles) 34 are provided. A total width of the four jetting devices 34 is about 10 cm (e.g., 20 cm to 8 cm), which is relatively short. The jetting devices 34 of such a compact size are advantageous for being located in a processing device (in this example, in the shell/gill removal device 10). The water pipes 32 extending from the coupling device 31 are respectively connected with jetting devices 34, and the pressurized water from the water booster pump 70 is supplied to the jetting devices 34 via the coupling device 31 and the water pipes 32. As shown in FIG. 13, the crab 400b is transported to the gill removal position in a state where the legs 401 are held between the belt portion 16a and the belt portion 51b.
[0056]
FIG. 14 schematically shows how the pressurized water is jetted from the jetting device (nozzle) 34 in this embodiment toward the crab 400b. The crab 400b is located in a state where the belly 403 is directed upward (while being deprived of the shell 406). The gills 409 are attached to a part of the lower face (part of the crab meat) of the crab 400b. In this embodiment, the jetting device 34 is directed obliquely upward so that jetted water 39 (medium for gill removal) is jetted from the jetting opening (nozzle opening) 33 at an oblique angle (0). The jetted water 39 from the jetting opening 33 is adjusted to pass a space 35s in the box 35 of the jetting device 34 and hit a predetermined site (at which the gills 409 are positioned) of the crab 400b. A reason why the jetted water 39 is adjusted to be jetted in an oblique direction (with jetting angle 0) is that it has been found by experiments conducted by the present inventor that the gills 409 are removed more cleanly in this manner than in the case where the water (pressurized water) is jetted in a horizontal direction or vertical direction.
[0057]
In the structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) of a central line 33c of the jetting opening 33 is, for example, about 5 degrees to 45 degrees (in an example, 10 degrees to 35 degrees, preferably 30 5 ) with respect to the horizontal line (L). As long as the gills 409 are removed cleanly, there is no specific limitation on the angle and any preferably angle may be adopted. In this embodiment, the jetting opening 33 of the jetting device 34 has a diameter of, for example, 0.5 mm to 3 mm (in an example, 1 mm 0.2 mm). The diameter is not limited to such a range, and any other preferable size may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
13, four jetting openings 33 (jetting devices 34) and another four jetting openings 33 (jetting devices 34) are arrayed on the left side and the right side. Any other structural example or number may be used. The pressure of the pressurized water (jetting water) 39 (plunger-type high pressure ejection pressure) is, for example, 20 kgf/cm2 to 80 kgf/cm2 (in an example, 30 kgf/cm2 to 50 kfg/cm2). The pressure is not limited to such a range, and any pressure at which the gills 409 are removed cleanly may be used. The amount of the jetted water may be set to 20 liters/minute or greater. The pressure of the pressurized water 39 may be variable or constant. In the structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) is fixed. Alternatively, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) may be variable (the nozzle 34 may be swung). In the structure in this embodiment, the crab 400 is deprived of the gills 409 while being moved by the transportation mechanisms (50, 16).
The transportation of the crab 400 may be once stopped to remove the gills 409. In the case where the gills 409 are removed while the crab 400 is transported continuously, the throughput is higher and the flow from/to the other steps (shell removal step, etc.) is smoother.
[0058]
Next, the crab 400 deprived of the gills 409 is continuously moved (toward the exit) to be cut into two halves by the rotatable blade 41 of the crab cutter 40. In the case where the crab 400 does not need to be cut into two, the crab cutter 40 does not need to be provided. It is convenient to cut the crab 400 into two halves on this stage as a part of a series of operations (by one processing device 100 or shell/gill removal device 10).
[0059]
After being cut by the crab cutter 40, the crab 400c is transported by the belt conveyor 50 as shown in FIG. I. The crab 400c is deprived of the shell and also the gills cleanly, and thus is used as a processed crab product (crab meat product or crab sections).
[0060]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the overview of the crab processing device in this embodiment. First, the crab 400 is transported by the belt conveyor 50 (arrows 101 and 102) and enters the shell/gill removal device 10. The shell/gill removal device 10 includes the shell remover 20, the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. The crab 400 is processed by these processors sequentially. After being processed by the shell remover 20, the shell and the brown meat of the crab 400 may be collected by the shell and brown meat recovery member 81 (82). In this embodiment, the shell and brown meat recovery member 81 (82) includes the transportation mechanism (conveyor) 81 and the recovering container 82. Alternatively, the shell and brown meat recovery member 81(82) may have a different structure (e.g., the transportation mechanism may not be included, or the recovering to container may be modified). The gill remover 30 is connected with the water booster pump 70. In the plant, it is preferable to use a movable booster pump (water booster pump) 70. Alternatively, water may be supplied from a water booster pump device installed in a fixed manner to the gill remover 30 via the hose 72.
[0061]
Then, the processed crab meat (crab meat without shell or gills, crab sections) comes out of the shell/gill removal device 10 (arrows 105 and 106) and transported by the belt conveyor 50 to be collected. After this, the collected crab (crab sections) is transported to the next step, for example, a boiling step. During the transportation, the crab (crab sections) may be classified by size or the like. The crab sections deprived of the shell automatically are located side by side in a left-right direction uniformly and are classified by size in the next step on the belt conveyor connected with the shell/gill removal device 10 or are efficiently put into a boil container. By contrast, in the case where the shell is removed manually, the crab sections are moved onto the conveyor in the state of being located side by side non-uniformly in the left-right direction. This causes a problem that the work efficiency is low.
[0062]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method (method for producing a crab meat product) in this embodiment.
[0063]
First, the crab 400 is put on the conveyor 50 in a state where the shell 406 is directed downward (in a state where the belly 403 is directed upward) (step S100). Next, the conveyor 50 is moved to transport the crab 400 toward the shell/gill removal device 10 (step S110). Then, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is disengaged (step S200), and the gills 409 of the crab 400 are removed (step S300). Next, the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409 is cut into two halves (step S400). The crab sections (half portions of the crab meat) obtained as a result of such processing are recovered (step S500).
In the step of disengaging the shell 406 of the crab 400 (step S200), the brown meat (and the shell 406) of the crab 400 may be recovered.
[0064]
In this embodiment, the transportation rate of the conveyor 50 is set such that when crabs are processed continuously, a processed product of each crab is output every 0.8 to 1.0 second. This numerical value may be changed in accordance with other conditions; for example, the transportation rate may be decreased. This processing rate corresponds to the productivity of 2.5 tons/hour for crabs each weighting 0.7 kg. If the plant is operated for a day (10 hours), 25 tons of meat is processed. The crab 400 has a size (width) of, for example, 9 cm to 13 cm. For crabs having a size out of this range, the device may be changed so as to fit to such crabs. The crab 400 preferable for the processing method in this embodiment is snow crab or red snow crab. The method in this embodiment is applicable to any other type of crab (e.g., red king crab). In the case where the shell and the gills are removed by operators, at least six operators are needed in order to process 2.5 tons per hour. The crab processing method in this embodiment is superior to the manual work done by operators in term of the product quality (appearance of the crab meat, uniformity) and also the cleanliness of the crab processing plant (cleanliness during the work).
[0065]
The crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment includes the transportation mechanism 50 transporting the crab 400, the shell remover 20, the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. The gill remover 30 includes the jetting device 34 jetting pressurized water 39 toward the crab 400. Therefore, the gills 409 attached to the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 are removed cleanly with the pressurized water 39.
Especially when the water is jetted (ejected) at an oblique angle (0), the gills 409 are removed cleanly, specifically, more cleanly than by a gill removing roller.
The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment automatically performs the shell removal (S200) and gill removal (S300) while transporting the crab 400 by the transportation mechanism 50, and thus produces crab meat products at low cost and high level of cleanliness.
[0066]
With the technique in this embodiment, expenses (personnel expenses) are decreased by an automatic operation. The automatic operation suppresses the quality deterioration (remaining gills, etc.). As compared with manual work, the automatic operation improves the quality of the crab meat products and also make the quality uniform.
The automatic operation also increases the processing speed. It requires almost 6 seconds to process one crab manually, whereas the automatic shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment requires only 1 second or less to process one crab. The shell/gill removal device 10 in this embodiment removes the gills 409 almost completely.
[0067]
The shell 406 is removed with almost no damage, and thus may be recycled.
Since the shell 406 is recovered in a state of containing brown meat therein, the brown meat is easily recovered. Therefore, according to the technique in this embodiment, it is easy to recover the removed shell, and also to recover the brown meat in the shell and provide the brown meat as a product. In the case where the shell and the gills are removed manually, the shell 406 and the gills 409 are mixed together. As a result, the during recovery of the shell 406 and the brown meat, a large amount of gills 409 remains as impurities. With the automatic shell/gill removal in this embodiment, the shell 406 is removed and then the gills 409 are removed. The steps are separate, which has an advantage that the gills are not to much mixed with the shell 406. The gill remover 30 (high pressure jetting device 34) may be attached to a space having a width of about 10 cm, which contributes to the size reduction of the crab processing device 100. Occasionally, the brown meat of the crab may remain in a shoulder part of the crab section deprived of the shell. The crab meat (shoulder part, etc.) with the brown meat attached thereto may be treated as a defective product. The brown meat is removed more cleanly by the automatic shell removal in this embodiment (by the technique using water pressure) than manual shell removal.
[0068]
FIG. 17 through FIG. 19 show another structure (modified example) of a crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment. FIG.
17 is a perspective view of the crab processing device 100, for example, the shell/gill removal device 10, as seen from the entrance side. FIG. 18 shows a structure of a right side (as seen from the entrance side) of the crab processing device 100. FIG. 19 shows a structure of an opposite side (left side) of the crab processing device 100.
[0069]
In the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 17, the movable belt mechanism 16 includes one (single) belt portion 16a on the left side and one (single) belt portion 16b on the right side.
[0070]
In the structural example shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, one motor 12a operates the shell remover 20 (21, 22), namely, the upper teeth 21 and the lower teeth 22 of the shell remover 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG 18, the power of the motor 12a is transmitted to a gear 15a connected with the motor 12a and then is transmitted to a gear 15b via a chain I 5c. The rotation of the gear 15b moves the lower teeth 22. As shown in FIG.
19, the power of the gear 12a is also transmitted to a gear 15h connected with the gear 12a and then is transmitted to a gear 15i via a chain 15j. The rotation of the gear 15i moves the upper teeth 21. In this structural example, the power of one motor 12a moves the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 such that the rotation rates thereof are different, by use of the gear 15a and the like. Especially, the diameter of the gear 15b is made small to increase the rotation rate thereof. Alternatively, two motors may be used to move the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 such that the rotation rates thereof are different.
[0071]
The motor 12b operates the crab cutter 40. More specifically, the motor 12b moves the rotation blade (rotation cutter) 41 included in the crab cutter 40 via a chain 15e. The motor 12c moves the movable belt mechanism 16. More specifically, the motor 12c moves the movable belt mechanism 16 via the chain 15e. The number and the positions of the motors and the structures of the gears and the chains are not limited to those described above, and maybe appropriately modified.
[0072]
FIG. 20 through FIG. 22 show experiment examples of processing the crab 400 by use of the crab processing device 100 (shell/gill removal device 10) in this embodiment.
FIG. 20 shows the crab 400 put on the conveyor 50. The crab 400 shown in FIG
20 is snow crab. FIG. 21 shows the shell 406 removed by the shell remover 20. It is confirmed that brown meat 404 neatly remains in the shell 406. FIG 22 shows the crab meat 407 (crab product 408) obtained after the crab 400 is processed by the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. It is confirmed that the gills 409 are cleanly removed. It is also confirmed that the brown meat 404 does not remain in the sections 408.
[0073]
The present invention has been described by way of a preferable embodiment.
The description does not limit the present invention, and the preferable embodiment may be to modified in any of various manners. For example, the belt conveyor is mainly described as the transportation mechanism 50 of the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment.
Any other transportation mechanism that realizes the operation in this embodiment may be used. A system mainly including the gill remover 30 in this embodiment may be structured, and other steps may be performed separately. However, it is desirable to perform the steps continuously by the same system.
[0074]
The present invention provides a crab processing device and a crab processing method capable of removing a shell and a gill of a crab, and also provides a processing device and a processing method capable of recovering the removed shell and recovering brown meat in the shell to provide the brown meat as a product.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS
[0075]
10 Shell/gill removal device 11 Frame 12 Driving motor 14 Control panel 16 Movable belt mechanism 17 Urging member 18 Roller 19 Shaft 20 Shell remover
[0073]
The present invention has been described by way of a preferable embodiment.
The description does not limit the present invention, and the preferable embodiment may be to modified in any of various manners. For example, the belt conveyor is mainly described as the transportation mechanism 50 of the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment.
Any other transportation mechanism that realizes the operation in this embodiment may be used. A system mainly including the gill remover 30 in this embodiment may be structured, and other steps may be performed separately. However, it is desirable to perform the steps continuously by the same system.
[0074]
The present invention provides a crab processing device and a crab processing method capable of removing a shell and a gill of a crab, and also provides a processing device and a processing method capable of recovering the removed shell and recovering brown meat in the shell to provide the brown meat as a product.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS
[0075]
10 Shell/gill removal device 11 Frame 12 Driving motor 14 Control panel 16 Movable belt mechanism 17 Urging member 18 Roller 19 Shaft 20 Shell remover
21 Shell removal gear (upper gear)
22 Shell removal gear (lower gear) 1() 30 Gill remover 31 Coupling device 32 Water pipe 33 Jetting opening 34 Jetting device 35 Box 39 Jetted water 40 Crab cutter 41 Rotatable blade 50 Transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 51 Belt portion 52 Motor 54 Subordinate roller 56 Driving roller 60 Crab feeder 70 Water booster pump 72 Pressurized water hose 81/82 Shell and brown meat recovery member 100 Crab processing device 200 Crab meat production system
Claims (16)
1. A processing device for a crab, comprising:
a transportation mechanism transporting a crab;
a shell remover removing a shell of the crab;
a gill remover removing a gill of the crab; and a crab cutter cutting the crab into halves;
wherein the gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal line.
a transportation mechanism transporting a crab;
a shell remover removing a shell of the crab;
a gill remover removing a gill of the crab; and a crab cutter cutting the crab into halves;
wherein the gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab at an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal line.
2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the gill remover includes:
a coupling portion connected with a hose;
a water pipe connected with the coupling portion; and the jetting device connected with the water pipe; and the hose is connected with a water booster pump; and the jetting device includes a plurality of jetting openings.
the gill remover includes:
a coupling portion connected with a hose;
a water pipe connected with the coupling portion; and the jetting device connected with the water pipe; and the hose is connected with a water booster pump; and the jetting device includes a plurality of jetting openings.
3. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor; and the jetting device is located on each of two sides of the belt conveyor.
the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor; and the jetting device is located on each of two sides of the belt conveyor.
4. The processing device according to claim 3, wherein:
the belt conveyor includes:
a first belt portion located on the left side in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism;
a second belt portion located on the right side in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second belt portion;
a surface of the central belt portion is lower than surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion;
the surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs of the crab to be put thereon; and the surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including the shell to be put thereon.
the belt conveyor includes:
a first belt portion located on the left side in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism;
a second belt portion located on the right side in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second belt portion;
a surface of the central belt portion is lower than surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion;
the surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs of the crab to be put thereon; and the surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including the shell to be put thereon.
5. The processing device according to claim 4, wherein the central belt portion is configured to turn back before the shell remover to circulate.
6. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the shell remover includes:
a movable belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab.
a movable belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab.
7. The processing device according to claim 6, wherein:
the shell removal gear includes:
an upper gear rotatable forward in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and the lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side.
the shell removal gear includes:
an upper gear rotatable forward in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and the lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side.
8. The processing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the movable belt mechanism is urged toward the transportation mechanism by a spring.
9. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 8, further comprising a recovery member recovering the shell and brown meat contained in the shell, the recovery member being provided below the shell remover.
10. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the crab cutter includes a rotatable cutter cutting the crab after the crab passes the shell remover and the gill remover.
11. A shell/gill removal device disengaging a shell of a crab, the shell/gill removal device comprising:
a shell remover removing a shell of a crab; and a gill remover removing a gill of the crab;
wherein:
the shell remover includes:
a movable belt mechanism holding, from above, legs of the crab transported by a transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab;
the shell removal gear includes:
an upper gear rotatable forward in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism;
the lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side;
the gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab deprived of the shell; and the jetting device is located on each of two sides of the transportation mechanism.
a shell remover removing a shell of a crab; and a gill remover removing a gill of the crab;
wherein:
the shell remover includes:
a movable belt mechanism holding, from above, legs of the crab transported by a transportation mechanism; and a shell removal gear disengaging the shell of the crab;
the shell removal gear includes:
an upper gear rotatable forward in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism; and a lower gear rotatable in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism;
the lower gear includes a hook at a tip thereof, the hook being engageable with a front region of the crab on a belly side;
the gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurized water toward the crab deprived of the shell; and the jetting device is located on each of two sides of the transportation mechanism.
12. A processing method for a crab, comprising the steps of:
putting a crab on a transportation mechanism;
removing a shell of the crab while transporting the crab by the transportation mechanism; and jetting high pressure water at an oblique angle toward the crab deprived of the shell to remove a gill of the crab.
putting a crab on a transportation mechanism;
removing a shell of the crab while transporting the crab by the transportation mechanism; and jetting high pressure water at an oblique angle toward the crab deprived of the shell to remove a gill of the crab.
13. The processing method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of cutting the crab into two halves after the step of removing the gill.
14. The processing method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein:
the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor;
in the step of putting the crab, the crab is put on the belt conveyor in a state where the shell of the crab is directed downward and a mouth of the crab is directed forward in the advancing direction;
in the step of removing the shell, the shell of the crab is disengaged by a gear applying a downward force to the mouth of the crab; and in the step of removing the gill, the high pressure water is allowed to hit the gill to remove the gill while the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism.
the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor;
in the step of putting the crab, the crab is put on the belt conveyor in a state where the shell of the crab is directed downward and a mouth of the crab is directed forward in the advancing direction;
in the step of removing the shell, the shell of the crab is disengaged by a gear applying a downward force to the mouth of the crab; and in the step of removing the gill, the high pressure water is allowed to hit the gill to remove the gill while the crab is transported by the transportation mechanism.
15. The processing method according to any one of claims 12 through 14, wherein:
in the step of removing the shell, the shell drops downward; and the processing method further includes the step of recovering brown meat contained in the dropped shell.
in the step of removing the shell, the shell drops downward; and the processing method further includes the step of recovering brown meat contained in the dropped shell.
16. The processing method according to any one of claims 12 through 15, wherein in the step of removing the gill, the gill drops downward and together with the jetted water and is abolished.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2017035479A JP2018139522A (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2017-02-27 | Crab processing device and crab processing method |
| JP2017-35479 | 2017-02-27 |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2962992A1 true CA2962992A1 (en) | 2018-08-27 |
| CA2962992C CA2962992C (en) | 2021-04-13 |
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| CA2962992A Active CA2962992C (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2017-03-31 | Crab processing device and crab processing method |
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| JP (1) | JP2018139522A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2962992C (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP7368118B2 (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2023-10-24 | 友田セーリング株式会社 | Crab processing equipment and crab processing method |
| CN112262880B (en) * | 2020-10-22 | 2022-03-25 | 付兵 | Quick peeling device used in secret soft-shelled turtle making process |
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- 2017-03-31 CA CA2962992A patent/CA2962992C/en active Active
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| JP2018139522A (en) | 2018-09-13 |
| CA2962992C (en) | 2021-04-13 |
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