IT202000018517A1 - APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEANING OF BIVALVE MARINE MOLLUSCS AND FOR THE SEPARATION OF SAND, SHELL FRAGMENTS AND DEAD MOLLUSCS FROM INTACT AND LIVE SPECIMENS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. DEFINITIONS

Clam: ? the scientific name of an invertebrate organism of the Phylum Mollusca. The molluscs, object of the invention, have shells made up of two equal or similar valves.

Bivalvo: The bivalve molluscs are called so? due to the presence of two valves made of calcareous material which enclose the animal's body.

Seashell: ? a calcareous exoskeleton consisting of two valves which encloses, supports and preserves the soft parts (pulp) of the animal.

Valve: the shell? composed of two equal or similar parts, defined as valves. If the animal? alive, the valves are closed thanks to a flexible ligament and some ?teeth? forming a hinge. When the mollusk dies, the ligament decomposes and the valves are no longer? lock.

Hinge: provides the shell with the possibility to to open and close passively without one valve physically separating from the other.

2. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus and a procedure for cleaning marine bivalve molluscs, in particular those of the following families:

? Venerupis (Nastri) decussata / Venerupis (Nastri) philippinarum / Tapes decussatus / Tapes semidecussatus - Called CLAM

The Clam? a bivalve mollusc of the Lamellibranchs of the genera Tapes and Venus. Shell solid, equivalent, inequilateral, transversely elongated and posteriorly truncated. The valves are rough and are crossed by thin radial streaks that cross with the concentric streaks. The color is very variable: yellowish, greenish or greyish with brown speckles and broken lines. Size: >28mm, <70mm.

? Tellina pulchella / Tellina nitida / Tellina tenuis / Donax trunculus - Called TELLINA

The Tellina? a Mediterranean mollusk of bivalves with a rosy shell and fine meats. Shell of triangular shape, rounded in the ventral region, the ideal environment? represented by a sandy bottom directly exposed to wave motion, it prefers to live in shallow waters.

? Venus Hen (Chamelea gallina) - Called LUPINE

Lupine has a sub-triangular, equivalve and inequilateral shell with the umbos facing forward. The internal surface? smooth and usually white; sometimes with a purple spot near? of the posterior and ventral margin. The background of the valve varies from white to light gray to beige. Size: >22mm, <40mm.

? Venere verrucosa - Said SEA TRUFFLE

The sea truffle? a mollusk of the Lamellibranchs that lives in the mud and sand of the Mediterranean and has fine meats. The truffle has a rounded shell, solid and globular, equivalve and inequilateral: the back side? more long of the front. The outer surface of the valves? adorned by lamellose and concentric growth streaks bearing ?warts? on the anterior and posterior part, from which the specific name derives. The inner surface? smooth and usually white; sometimes with an area adjacent to the posterior adductor muscle colored violet. The external color ranges from ivory to beige. Size: >25mm, <50mm.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OF THE STATE OF THE ART

The term "mollusc" in this description implies that it has been fished or farmed in the lagoon or at sea, and comes from a certified production. Immediately after fishing, the molluscs can be conveyed directly for consumption (if coming from waters classified as "A?) or must be purified and thermally treated (if coming from waters classified as ?B?) in accordance with the regulations of the fishing country. However, all bivalve molluscs must pass through a shipping facility where they are packaged, the final product must be kept at a refrigerated temperature (from 0?C to 4?C).The consumer can only buy the molluscs in places duly registered by the health authorities, such as: retailers, fishmongers and supermarkets. Molluscs are sold in bags of at least 1 kg. The consumer can be the occasional cook or the chef of a restaurant.

After being purchased, the molluscs must undergo a further and final cleaning before being cooked; they inevitably have grains of sand inside them coming from the sandy bottom in which they live; the package often includes molluscs with non-intact and/or perfectly closed valves (in this case the animal inside is already dead and stale). For the reasons listed above, ? it is essential to be able to clean and drain the molluscs before they are consumed.

Shellfish cleaning? a rather long and laborious manual process. For example, for clams and cockles, this cleaning is done manually by the consumer who shakes the single shell on a table to expel the sand; often ? It is necessary to use brushes or other cleaning tools to remove limescale residues from the outside of the shell. Open or chipped shells contain dead shellfish and must be manually separated from intact, closed shells.

Due to the intense work required to clean the shellfish, the consumer could neglect these phases or skip them altogether and, consequently, risk compromising the taste of the cooked product or even causing unpleasant effects for the person consuming the shellfish .

It would be advantageous for the consumer if molluscs could be cleaned before cooking in an automatic, simple and efficient way, to avoid the above complications.

In view of this problem, the proposed invention represents a response to this need. Currently, the only cleaning devices available for bivalve molluscs are industrial devices, bulky and difficult to move. These systems are not available to the casual cook or restaurant chef; are made specifically for large shipping companies. For the occasional cook, these devices are impractical due to their large size and are also not specifically designed for cleaning cavities. interior of molluscs (removal of sand, dead soft parts). The apparatus, object of the present invention, is of such dimensions as to allow its use in a non-industrial environment, for example in restaurants, fishmongers (to clean the product before sale) and in common home kitchens.

At the moment, a specific appliance for cleaning the bivalve molluscs in question (clams, cockles, lupins and sea truffles), for domestic use, is not available. available on the market; machines conceived and designed for other purposes are often used, such as those for cleaning tomatoes or potatoes, vegetables and fruit, meat cleaners; the result ? that such machines break the shells or lead to the death of molluscs and are unable to remove the grains of sand inside the shell.

Various patents related to the cleaning of meat, vegetables, fruit, shellfish, etc. have been issued in the past; some of these are described below.

This patent relates to a device for removing small pieces of shell or other residues that are attached to the soft parts of oysters. The oysters object of the treatment are already? open and ? present only one valve. The patented device? equipped with a pre-wash section, the cio? a chamber that favors a cyclonic movement of the oysters in the water. The apparatus of the patent also comprises a second section for separating the molluscs washed in a still water tank through inclined planes; the water is drained thanks to an overflowing level.

In this patent the oysters are inserted together with the water into the device and are completely immersed in the water. The device has no system to generate air bubbles.

The device of the patent is used with semi-opened oysters, that is? the mollusc has only one valve, therefore the soft pulp of the oyster? immediately exposed to the action of water. For this reason, the device is used to remove fine deposits on the pulp surface, and for this application, ? the vortex/cyclone effect is clearly sufficient. In the present invention, on the other hand, both shells of the mollusk are closed and grains of sand are present inside the shell. The goal of the invention? that of removing grains of sand from inside the shell, dead shellfish (soft stale pulp) and shell fragments. The calcareous residues on the outside of the shell do not represent a problem for the molluscs object of the invention. The vortex effect, generated by the patented device, could not remove the grains of sand from inside the shells nor detach dead molluscs. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a procedure for enriching water with small air bubbles; the molluscs are not only immersed in water, but they rotate in water full of air bubbles; until sand, dead shellfish and broken shell pieces are thrown out.

In U.S. Pat. pat. No. 6,508,699 refers to a mechanical device which includes very heavy components which make the equipment difficult to move. The patent would not be able to clean the inside of molluscs from grains of sand.

The device object of the U.S. patent pat. 4,324,020 ? a cylindrical cleaner that requires surface water, the cio? shellfish must be cleaned near their collection point. Furthermore, this patent ? specific for cleaning the outside of mussels which have a very dirty surface (unlike the molluscs object of the invention). The device? a perforated rotating container, partially submerged in a water bath. The rotation of the container causes a double abrasive action: between the molluscs themselves and between the container and the molluscs, which removes the sand, algae and other debris stuck to the surface of the mussels. Does this patent have no beneficial effect on cleaning the cavity? inside of the molluscs in question, n? separates shell fragments from intact molluscs.

The device of the patent EP0580238A1 ? consisting of an element that rotates around a vertical axis inside a container for mixing shellfish; the bottom of the container? a perforated base, which rotates rigidly and coaxially with the central element, with the aim of interacting and rubbing the molluscs; the appliance also includes a water supply and drainage system. The patent device ? suitable for external washing or the removal of limescale on the external surface of molluscs, however it does not have a specific function for cleaning the cavity? inside of the shell.

describes a device for cleaning fruits and vegetables that includes a base, a pump and a pressure vessel. The pump ? mounted on the base and includes a water supply pipe inside the container. The vessel includes a water outlet and a solenoid valve. The pump delivers pressurized water and allows the water to mix with the air inside the vessel, generating air bubbles. Residual pesticides left on fruits and vegetables attach themselves to the tiny air bubbles contained in the water.

In the present invention, the container is an atmospheric and non-pressurized vessel (as per the patent); the water is enriched with air bubbles thanks to the joint and simultaneous actions of:

a) jet of water from the nozzle (tilted at an angle of 45 degrees down);

b) rounded shaped walls that help circulate water;

c) inclination and concave bottom of the container and, finally,

d) hydrodynamic effect of the deflector which supports the turbulence in the container.

The patent? effective only for the removal of pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables and cannot? be used with shellfish that would not hatch under the effect of static pressure in the container.

describes a cleaning device that uses water pressure to prepare fish and game for consumption. ? composed of a bucket with a duct inside that can? be connected to a pressurized water source. The pressurized water interacts with the fish or game inside the container.

The patent? applicable for surface cleaning of large pieces of meat or fish; the products placed in the bucket are completely immersed in the water and are cleaned by a cyclonic effect. The patented device would be harmless to the molluscs in question, which in themselves? they live in water and are hit by waves; the cyclone effect would not help the molluscs to open up, nor? it would allow fresh water to enter inside to wash out and remove the grains of sand.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT

FIG. 1 ? a side view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 ? a plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 ? a view showing the holes, the wedge-shaped opening and the external exhaust manifold (the point of view is near the baffle).

FIG. 4 ? a close-up view showing only the holes and the opening (the point of view is outside the container, through the exhaust manifold).

FIG. 5 ? a close up view showing the nozzle and deflector.

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 10 for cleaning marine bivalve molluscs. As previously clarified, the term "molluscs" includes animals of the genera Venerupis, Nastri, Venere Gallina, Tellina, Venere verrucosa. The appliance 10 comprises a container 12 with an internal volume 14 of about 6.3 liters, defined by well-shaped rounded walls 16. The container 12 has a concave bottom (concavity facing upwards) 18 and a folded upper edge with a convex flap 20. The container 12 ? inclined by an angle a = 3? with respect to the horizontal plane thanks to a support frame 21. The container 12 is a metal vessel with a constant circular section for two-thirds of its height and a variable circular section for the remaining third.

A 22 nozzle ? inserted through the wall of the container 12. In FIG. 1 , the nozzle 22 has a portion 23 which extends externally of the container. The 22 nozzle? angled at an angle? = 45? downward. The nozzle 22 has a 0.5 mm orifice suitable for directing the jet of water tangentially to the wall towards the bottom of the container 12, in the area where the wall is. rounded.

The external part of the nozzle 23 ? fluid-dynamically connected to the inlet water regulating valve 25 by means of a connector 29. The valve 25 has another fitting which connects it to a flexible pipe 27, which in turn is connected to the water mains.

The valve 25 has a manual regulator 28 for setting the passage area of the valve itself, which allows the pressure and the flow rate of water entering the container to be adjusted. The regulation of the valve is carried out by the consumer according to the characteristics of the molluscs to be cleaned.

Within the scope of the present invention, ? there is only one nozzle.

The molluscs are introduced through the upper opening of the container 19.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container 12. In FIG. 2, can you? see that the water flows from the orifice of the nozzle as a pressurized jet 44, tangential to the wall, towards the bottom of the container, activating a circular flow of water, illustrated by the arrows 46. Fig. 2 illustrates the deflector 26 , consisting of a 1.5 mm sheet metal welded to the inner wall of the container, with a curvature of 25 mm and a length of 20 mm. The baffle extends vertically along the container wall for 80 mm and is ? positioned 60 mm from the bottom. The circular flow of water, illustrated by arrows 46, ? activated thanks to the simultaneous actions a) of the pressurized water jet 44, b) of the rounded wall of the container 16, c) of the inclination of the container a, d) of the concave bottom of the container 18 and finally, e) thanks to the effect hydrodynamic of the deflector 26. The deflector 26 increases the? intensity? of the flow of water in rotation and the turbulence of the same, increasing the hydrodynamic performances of the appliance, that is? improving the washing and cleaning effect of shellfish.

In summary, the simultaneous action of all the components and of the phenomena mentioned creates a turbulent mix of air and water in the container such as to generate and enrich the circulating water flow with small air bubbles. The small air bubbles open the shell valves slightly and remove the small grains of sand from the cavity. inside of the mollusk itself, maintaining the integrity? of the product and minimizing the loss of the intravalvular liquid which remains clear and functional for the future survival of the mollusc.

Fig. 3 illustrates the configuration of the discharge passages, that is? the detail of the holes and the drain opening. The point of view ? in the vicinity? of the deflector.

The container 12 has a plurality of drain passages on the surface of its wall. These passages are sized to keep the shells of the molluscs intact inside the container 12 and to allow the exit of dirty water mixed with grains of sand, dead molluscs, fragments of shells and residual debris in the discharge manifold 33, welded on the wall exterior of the container. The discharge passages include Nr. 12 holes of ? = 4.5 mm 31, positioned along a 90 mm length of the wall. The function ? that of discharging only dirty water mixed with grains of sand. Next to the holes, about 4 mm from them, ? positioned a "wedge" shaped opening 32, with a cutting edge 34 for cutting the soft parts of the dead molluscs (during their rotation). The wide part of the opening has a width of 5 mm. The main function of this "wedge-shaped" opening? to favor and allow the discharge of dirty water mixed with grains of sand, dead molluscs, fragments of shells and other cleaning residues.

The holes 31 and the opening 32 communicate with the water discharge manifold 33, welded externally, for the disposal of the water.

The position on the container wall of the discharge passages 31 and 32 ? opposite to the position of the nozzle 22 and the deflector 26.

FIG. 4 ? a close-up view showing only the holes 31 and the opening 32. The point of view ? outside the container, through the discharge manifold on the wall.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the nozzle 22 behind the deflector 26. In FIG. 5, it can be clearly seen that the inner part of the nozzle 22 is positioned behind the deflector 26 which protects it from the impact of molluscs.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

The present invention introduces a procedure for cleaning molluscs which comprises the following steps:

1 ) Opening the water source.

2) Pressurized water will flow? from the water source, through the hose 27, the regulating valve 25 and the nozzle 22, into the container 12.

3) Adjustment of the passage area of the water inlet valve 25 with the manual regulator 28, according to the type and size of the molluscs to be cleaned.

4) The nozzle 22, inclined at an angle of 45?, continuously sprays the water, directing the jet 44 tangentially to the wall towards the lower part of the container.

5) A circular flow of water 46 is activated automatically inside the container.

6) The circular flow of water is supported thanks to the joint and simultaneous actions a) of the jet of pressurized water from the nozzle 44, b) of the rounded wall of the container 16, c) of the inclination of the container to d) of the concave bottom 18 of the container and, finally, e) thanks to the hydrodynamic effect of the deflector 26 which enhances the turbulence and the strength of the circular flow.

7) A few seconds after activation, the water in circulation 46, interacting with the jet from the nozzle 44, is enriched with small air bubbles.

8) At this point, the molluscs (1 kg), introduced into the container from the opening 19, begin to rotate and interact with the water and bubbles, in a continuous movement, dragged without residing on the bottom 18 of the container, pushed by the inclination of the container on the opposite side of the jet. 9) The action of the small air bubbles opens the valves slightly so that the inside of the shell is exposed to the water which carries away the grains of sand from the cavity. interior of the mollusk itself. The action of the small air bubbles? delicate and decisive; maintains the integrity of the mollusc and minimizes the loss of the intravalvular liquid which remains clear and functional for the future survival of the mollusc.

10) The small air bubbles cause a rocking effect, equivalent to a high frequency vibration, which also helps loosen dead molluscs from broken shells.

11 ) During the circular movement, the shells collide and slide against themselves, in a continuous mixing and mechanical interaction. At the same time, when spinning, partially broken shells crumble into small pieces.

12) During this turbulent rotation, grains of sand, dead molluscs, shell fragments, favored by the inclination of the container, tend to pass through the holes and the discharge opening into the collector for final disposal.

13) Dirty water and insoluble solids will continue to flow through the discharge passages for approximately 2 minutes, until only clear water with clean shellfish is circulating. inside the container.

14) The cleaning effect ends, and the water source can? be closed; intact, clean shellfish will reside at the bottom of the container in clear water; all non-edible elements were separated from the live and intact shellfish.

15) At this point, the shellfish, cleaned and ready to be cooked without further treatment, can be removed from the container.

With the procedure just described, the molluscs are cleaned in an average of 2 (two) minutes; the timing can? vary according to the type/size of the mollusk.

Claims (8)

1. A device for the simultaneous cleaning of about 1 kg of bivalve marine molluscs, in particular those of the Venerupis, Tapes, Venus Gallina, Tellina, Venus verrucosa types (ie clams, cockles, lupins, sea truffles). The apparatus comprises a container, a support frame, an inlet water regulating valve with a manual regulator, a nozzle inserted into the container, a deflector welded on the inner wall, several holes and a wedge-shaped opening for the discharge of water and cleaning residues in the outlet manifold (welded to the external wall of the container). 2. As per claim 1, said container ? a metal container (steel for food), with a volume of about 6.3 litres, defined by rounded and suitably shaped walls, with a constant circular section for two-thirds of its height and a variable circular section for the remaining third. The container has a concave bottom (concavity facing up) and includes an opening on the top for inserting and/or removing shellfish from inside. The container has a bent upper edge with a convex flap which prevents water from leaking during circulation. The container ? supported by a support frame which keeps it inclined at an angle a = 3? with respect to the horizontal plane. 3. As per claim 1, said container has a plurality? of discharge passages on the surface of its wall which communicate with the water discharge manifold. In detail, the unloading steps include: a) Nr. 12 holes of 0 = 4.5 mm, positioned along a length of 90 mm of the wall. The function ? that of facilitating the discharge of dirty water and grains of sand. b) a "wedge-shaped" opening, with a cutting edge for shredding the soft parts of dead molluscs (during their rotation). The wide part of the opening has a width of 5 mm. The function of this "wedge-shaped" opening? to favor and allow the discharge of dirty water mixed with grains of sand, dead molluscs, fragments of shells and other cleaning residues. The opening has the characteristic "wedge" shape (i.e. the width of the passage increases moving from the bottom towards the top of the container) to cope with the water pressure variation along its entire length during circulation and therefore to keep the discharge flow to the outside constant. The space between the holes and the "wedge" opening is 4 mm. The position on the container wall of the discharge passages ? opposite to the position of the nozzle and deflector. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a valve for regulating the inlet water. The valve ? connected to a hose which in turn ? connected to the water source. The valve has a manual regulator for setting the water passage area in order to regulate the pressure and flow rate entering the container. The manual regulator has three (3) positions and is adjusted according to the physical characteristics of the shellfish (type and size): Position 1 : the passage area of the valve ? maximum; this position is set to clean the molluscs with the valves pi? thick, like Venere Gallina and Verrucosa. Position 2: the passage area of the valve ? at 50%; this position? ideal for cleaning Venerupis decussate, Venerupis philippinarum and Tapes semidecussatus. Position 3: the passage area of the valve ? minimum and ? used to clean molluscs of the genus Tellina. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a nozzle inserted into the wall of the container. The nozzle has one part that extends outward and another part extends into the container. The nozzle has a 0.5 mm orifice and is ? angled at an angle? = 45?, directs the water jet tangentially towards the lower part of the container, in the area where the wall ? rounded. The part of the nozzle outside the container? fluid dynamically connected to the inlet water regulating valve via a connector. The nozzle ? located on the wall opposite the exhaust openings and ? positioned behind the deflector which protects it from the impact of rotating molluscs. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a baffle. The deflector? a 1.5 mm sheet metal welded to the inner wall of the container, with a curvature of 25 mm and a length of 20 mm. The baffle extends vertically along the container wall for 80 mm and is ? positioned 60 mm from the bottom. The main function of the deflector ? that of improving the hydrodynamic performance of the device, by increasing the turbulence and the strength of the circular flow. The deflector also has the function of protecting the nozzle from the impact of rotating molluscs. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, during its operation, has water in circulation enriched with small air bubbles and acts as a continuous "generator" of the same. The jet of water from the nozzle, the hydrodynamic effect of the deflector, the particular shape of the container keep the circular flow of water active; this turbulent mix of air and water in the container? such as to enrich the water flow with small air bubbles. The action of these small air bubbles slightly opens the shell valves and the water removes the small grains of sand from the cavity. interior of the mollusk; moreover, the action of these small air bubbles detaches the dead molluscs, preserving the integrity of the shells. of the live mollusc (the pulp of the live specimen does not detach) and minimizes the loss of the intravalvular liquid, which remains clear and functional for the future survival of the mollusc. 8. A procedure, utilizing the apparatus of claim 1, for cleaning bivalve marine molluscs and for separating sand, shell fragments and dead molluscs from intact and live specimens. The procedure includes the following steps: Opening of the water source. Will pressurized water flow? from the water source, through the hose, the regulating valve (4) and the nozzle (5), into the container. Adjustment of the passage area of the water inlet valve with the manual regulator (4), according to the type and size of the molluscs to be cleaned. The nozzle, inclined at an angle of 45°, continuously sprays the water, directing the jet tangentially to the wall towards the lower part of the container. A circular flow of water is activated automatically inside the container. The circular flow of water is maintained thanks to joint and simultaneous actions: ? of the pressurized water jet from the nozzle (5), ? of the rounded wall of the container (2), ? container inclination (2) ? of the concave bottom of the container (2) and, finally, ? thanks to the hydrodynamic effect of the deflector (6) which enhances the turbulence and strength of the circular flow. A few seconds after activation, the water circulating, interacting with the jet from the nozzle, is enriched with small air bubbles (7). At this point, the molluscs (1 kg), introduced into the container from the opening, begin to rotate and interact with water and bubbles (7), in a continuous movement, dragged without residing on the bottom of the container (2), pushed by the inclination of the container on the opposite side of the jet. The action of the small air bubbles (7) slightly opens the valves so that the inside of the shell is exposed to the water which carries away the grains of sand from the cavity. interior of the mollusk itself. The action of the small air bubbles? delicate and decisive; maintains the integrity of the mollusc and minimizes the loss of the intravalvular liquid which remains clear and functional for the future survival of the mollusc. The tiny air bubbles (7) cause a rocking effect, equivalent to a high-frequency vibration, which also helps loosen dead molluscs from broken shells. During the circular movement, the shells collide and slide against themselves, in a continuous mixing and mechanical interaction. At the same time, when spinning, partially broken shells crumble into small pieces. During this turbulent rotation, grains of sand, dead molluscs, shell fragments, favored by the inclination of the container, tend to pass through the holes and the discharge opening into the collector for final disposal. Dirty water and insoluble solids will continue to flow through the discharge passages for approximately 2 minutes, until only clear water with clean shellfish is circulating. inside the container. The cleaning effect ends, and the water source can? be closed; intact, clean shellfish will reside at the bottom of the container in clear water; all non-edible elements were separated from the live and intact shellfish. At this point, the molluscs, cleaned and ready to be cooked without further treatment, can be removed from the container.