WO2023244126A1 - A method of growing a shellfish - Google Patents

A method of growing a shellfish Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023244126A1
WO2023244126A1 PCT/NZ2023/050039 NZ2023050039W WO2023244126A1 WO 2023244126 A1 WO2023244126 A1 WO 2023244126A1 NZ 2023050039 W NZ2023050039 W NZ 2023050039W WO 2023244126 A1 WO2023244126 A1 WO 2023244126A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shell
ledge
shellfish
oyster
tab
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2023/050039
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Shaun Gregory
Original Assignee
Aqua Mould Systems Nz Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aqua Mould Systems Nz Limited filed Critical Aqua Mould Systems Nz Limited
Publication of WO2023244126A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023244126A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/50—Culture of aquatic animals of shellfish
    • A01K61/54—Culture of aquatic animals of shellfish of bivalves, e.g. oysters or mussels
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method of growing a shellfish, for example an oyster, in a manner that facilitates opening of its shell.
  • Shellfish for example oysters
  • the fleshy edible part of a shellfish grows inside a shell and to get to this one must first prise the shell open. This can be difficult and time consuming because significant force must typically be applied to open the shell, and to open a large number of shells efficiently takes a reasonable expertise.
  • the invention is a method of growing a shellfish, comprising causing the shellfish to develop in or on a substrate such that an edge of its shell forms a tab that protrudes proud of the rest of the shell, the tab being such that it can be cut through without cutting any other parts of the shell to create an aperture which is sufficient to receive a blade that can be manipulated by hand to cut through the shellfish’s abductor muscle.
  • the substrate comprises a tab-forming walled ledge which delineates the shape and position of the tab, and the shellfish’s shell grows into the ledge to create the tab.
  • the ledge extends outwards as a discontinuity in a convex side of the substrate.
  • the substrate comprises a cup and a plurality of fingers, wherein the fingers extend at an angle upwards and inwards from a top edge of the cup, the fingers serving to encourage the shell to grow in a predetermined shape.
  • the tab is such that when fully formed it can be cut by hand tool to create the aperture.
  • the shellfish is an oyster.
  • the substrate comprises a mould.
  • the tab is adjacent to the shellfish’s abductor muscle.
  • a method of opening a shellfish comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a shellfish grown according to a method as above; b) using a cutting tool to cut through the tab so that the aperture is created; c) inserting a blade into the shell via the aperture and causing it to move to severe the shellfish’s abductor muscle so that the muscle provides no, or substantially no, resistance to opening of the shell; and d) opening the shell to provide access to edible flesh within the shell.
  • a substrate for use in shaping a growing oyster comprising a cup suitable for receiving an oyster spat, a side wall of the substrate having a walled ledge cantilevering outwards as a discontinuity in the side wall, the ledge being open to the interior of the substrate, the substrate being such that in the event a spat is placed in or on it the spat can be left to grow so that the shell of the oyster grows into the ledge to produce a tab of complimentary shape to the ledge which, if cut through, exposes an aperture sufficiently close to the oyster’s adductor muscle such that a blade can be inserted in the aperture and manoeuvred to sever the muscle.
  • the substrate has a developing oyster therein with part of the shell of the oyster having formed in the ledge.
  • the substrate is in the form of a mould.
  • the ledge cantilevers as a discontinuity of a convex portion of the cup.
  • Figure 1 is an overview view of a known type of oyster
  • Figure 2 is an isometric view of a mould for growing oysters in according to the invention
  • Figure 3 is an isometric view of an oyster grown in the mould
  • Figure 4 is an isometric view of the oyster of Figure 3, when cut to expose an aperture
  • Figure 5 is an overhead cross-sectional view of the oyster of Figure 4 just prior to having its abductor muscle cut;
  • Figure 6 is an isometric view of the oyster of Figure 5 when it’s shell has been opened.
  • Figure 7 is an isometric view of a blade used to sever the abductor muscle.
  • Figure 1 illustrates standard type of mature oyster 1 prior to being opened for consumption.
  • the oyster’s shell comprises a pair of cups 2, 3 that are held tight together by the oyster’s abductor muscle inside the shell.
  • the position and shape of the abductor muscle is indicated with broken lines at 4.
  • To open the shell the abductor muscle must be severed, and this is traditionally achieved by forcing a shucking knife between the two cups and manoeuvring it to slice through the muscle. The process tends to require a fair amount of skill of done without undesirably cutting through and spoiling the marketability of the edible fleshy parts of the oyster inside the shell.
  • an oyster is placed in a mould 5 when at the spat stage of its life, and is left there to mature.
  • the mould is open topped and shaped to encourage the oyster’s shell to form in an aesthetically pleasing shape complimentary to the interior of the mould.
  • a series of fingers 6 angle upwards and inwards from the cup’s upper peripheral edge 7. These also assist to encourage the oyster to grow into the desired shape.
  • a sidewall of the mould has a ledge 8 that juts outwards as a discontinuity from the surrounding convex shape of the mould.
  • the oyster develops, its shell grows against the walls of the mould and into the ledge 8, the outer part of which comprises a wall 8a.
  • the portion of the oyster’s shell that grows into the ledge presents as a tab 9 when the oyster is mature and is removed from the mould.
  • an elongate blade 11 is then inserted into the aperture 10 by hand so that it is positioned immediately next to the abductor muscle 12. From there the blade is moved laterally by hand, for example pivoted against one side 13 of the aperture, to sever the abductor muscle.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the blade 11 alone. It has a hand grip 15 and two sharp edges 16 and 17. In some embodiments the blade may be sharp at only one of its edges 16, 17.
  • the mould 5 has one or more plate like flanges 18 around the edge 7 of the cup and these serve to hold the oyster in a tray of multiple of the moulds, each with a growing oyster inside.
  • the ledge may be approximately 23 mm long and 6 mm deep. In other embodiments, the ledge may be approximately 15 mm long and approximately 12 mm deep. In each case the tab forms to about those dimensions.
  • the embodiments described above allow for an oyster to be opened in a relatively straight forward easy manner soon before it is needed for consumption.
  • the tab 9 is part of the shell, the oyster flesh is more amendable to remaining sealed against decay compared, for example, to a situation where the shell is cut to expose an aperture while the oyster is growing, or significantly before it is consumed, and an artificial tab inserted into the aperture to plug it.
  • having the oyster grow its own tab for later cutting means that it requires less processing compared to a situation where an artificial plugging tab is inserted.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
  • Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of growing a shellfish, comprising causing the shellfish to develop in or on a substrate such that an edge of its shell forms a tab (9) that protrudes proud of the rest of the shell, the tab being such that it can be cut through without cutting any other parts of the shell to create an aperture (10) which is sufficient to receive a blade (11) that can be manipulated by hand to cut through the shellfish's abductor muscle.

Description

TITLE
A Method of Growing a Shellfish.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of growing a shellfish, for example an oyster, in a manner that facilitates opening of its shell.
BACKGROUND
Shellfish, for example oysters, are a well-known source of food. The fleshy edible part of a shellfish grows inside a shell and to get to this one must first prise the shell open. This can be difficult and time consuming because significant force must typically be applied to open the shell, and to open a large number of shells efficiently takes a reasonable expertise.
OBJECT
It is an object of preferred embodiments of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problem. While this applies to preferred embodiments, the object of the invention per se is simply to provide a useful choice. Therefore, any objects or advantages applicable to preferred embodiments should not be taken as a limitation on claims expressed more broadly.
DEFINITIONS
The term “comprises” or “has”, if and when used in this document in relation to one or more features, should not be seen as excluding the option of there being additional unmentioned features. The same applies to derivative terms such as “comprising” and “having”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect, the invention is a method of growing a shellfish, comprising causing the shellfish to develop in or on a substrate such that an edge of its shell forms a tab that protrudes proud of the rest of the shell, the tab being such that it can be cut through without cutting any other parts of the shell to create an aperture which is sufficient to receive a blade that can be manipulated by hand to cut through the shellfish’s abductor muscle. Optionally the substrate comprises a tab-forming walled ledge which delineates the shape and position of the tab, and the shellfish’s shell grows into the ledge to create the tab.
Optionally the ledge extends outwards as a discontinuity in a convex side of the substrate.
Optionally the substrate comprises a cup and a plurality of fingers, wherein the fingers extend at an angle upwards and inwards from a top edge of the cup, the fingers serving to encourage the shell to grow in a predetermined shape.
Optionally the tab is such that when fully formed it can be cut by hand tool to create the aperture.
Optionally the shellfish is an oyster.
Optionally the substrate comprises a mould.
Optionally the tab is adjacent to the shellfish’s abductor muscle.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is a method of opening a shellfish comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a shellfish grown according to a method as above; b) using a cutting tool to cut through the tab so that the aperture is created; c) inserting a blade into the shell via the aperture and causing it to move to severe the shellfish’s abductor muscle so that the muscle provides no, or substantially no, resistance to opening of the shell; and d) opening the shell to provide access to edible flesh within the shell.
According to another aspect of the invention there is a substrate for use in shaping a growing oyster, comprising a cup suitable for receiving an oyster spat, a side wall of the substrate having a walled ledge cantilevering outwards as a discontinuity in the side wall, the ledge being open to the interior of the substrate, the substrate being such that in the event a spat is placed in or on it the spat can be left to grow so that the shell of the oyster grows into the ledge to produce a tab of complimentary shape to the ledge which, if cut through, exposes an aperture sufficiently close to the oyster’s adductor muscle such that a blade can be inserted in the aperture and manoeuvred to sever the muscle.
Optionally the substrate has a developing oyster therein with part of the shell of the oyster having formed in the ledge.
Optionally the substrate is in the form of a mould.
Optionally the ledge cantilevers as a discontinuity of a convex portion of the cup.
DRAWINGS
Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which-
Figure 1 is an overview view of a known type of oyster;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of a mould for growing oysters in according to the invention;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of an oyster grown in the mould;
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the oyster of Figure 3, when cut to expose an aperture;
Figure 5 is an overhead cross-sectional view of the oyster of Figure 4 just prior to having its abductor muscle cut;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the oyster of Figure 5 when it’s shell has been opened; and
Figure 7 is an isometric view of a blade used to sever the abductor muscle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates standard type of mature oyster 1 prior to being opened for consumption. As is known, the oyster’s shell comprises a pair of cups 2, 3 that are held tight together by the oyster’s abductor muscle inside the shell. The position and shape of the abductor muscle is indicated with broken lines at 4. To open the shell the abductor muscle must be severed, and this is traditionally achieved by forcing a shucking knife between the two cups and manoeuvring it to slice through the muscle. The process tends to require a fair amount of skill of done without undesirably cutting through and spoiling the marketability of the edible fleshy parts of the oyster inside the shell.
Referring to Figure 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention an oyster is placed in a mould 5 when at the spat stage of its life, and is left there to mature. The mould is open topped and shaped to encourage the oyster’s shell to form in an aesthetically pleasing shape complimentary to the interior of the mould. As shown, a series of fingers 6 angle upwards and inwards from the cup’s upper peripheral edge 7. These also assist to encourage the oyster to grow into the desired shape.
Still with Figure 2, a sidewall of the mould has a ledge 8 that juts outwards as a discontinuity from the surrounding convex shape of the mould. As the oyster develops, its shell grows against the walls of the mould and into the ledge 8, the outer part of which comprises a wall 8a.
Referring to Figure 3, the portion of the oyster’s shell that grows into the ledge presents as a tab 9 when the oyster is mature and is removed from the mould.
Referring to Figure 4, to access the edible fleshy parts of the oyster, its shell must first be opened. To facilitate this the tab 9 is cut off with a pair of tin snips or some other suitable tool, which leaves an aperture 10 clean through the side of the shell, adjacent to the oyster’s abductor muscle.
As shown in Figure 5, an elongate blade 11 is then inserted into the aperture 10 by hand so that it is positioned immediately next to the abductor muscle 12. From there the blade is moved laterally by hand, for example pivoted against one side 13 of the aperture, to sever the abductor muscle.
Referring to Figure 6, with the muscle severed the two cups of the oyster’s shell can be readily pulled apart by hand to expose the flesh 14 for consumption or cooking etc.
Figure 7 illustrates the blade 11 alone. It has a hand grip 15 and two sharp edges 16 and 17. In some embodiments the blade may be sharp at only one of its edges 16, 17. Referring back to Figure 2, in preferred forms of the invention the mould 5 has one or more plate like flanges 18 around the edge 7 of the cup and these serve to hold the oyster in a tray of multiple of the moulds, each with a growing oyster inside. In some embodiments of the invention, the ledge may be approximately 23 mm long and 6 mm deep. In other embodiments, the ledge may be approximately 15 mm long and approximately 12 mm deep. In each case the tab forms to about those dimensions.
As will be appreciated, the embodiments described above allow for an oyster to be opened in a relatively straight forward easy manner soon before it is needed for consumption. As the tab 9 is part of the shell, the oyster flesh is more amendable to remaining sealed against decay compared, for example, to a situation where the shell is cut to expose an aperture while the oyster is growing, or significantly before it is consumed, and an artificial tab inserted into the aperture to plug it. Also, having the oyster grow its own tab for later cutting means that it requires less processing compared to a situation where an artificial plugging tab is inserted.
While some forms of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.
In terms of disclosure, this document envisages and hereby posits any feature mentioned herein in combination with itself or any other feature or features mentioned herein, even if the combination is not claimed.

Claims

1. A method of growing a shellfish, comprising causing the shellfish to develop in a mould having a tab-forming walled ledge such that an edge of its shell grows into the ledge to form a tab that protrudes proud of the rest of the shell and that has its shape and position delineated by the ledge, the tab being such that it can be cut through without cutting any other parts of the shell to create an aperture which is sufficient to receive a blade that can be manipulated by hand to cut through the shellfish’s abductor muscle.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the ledge extends outwards as a discontinuity in a convex side of the mould.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mould comprises a cup and a plurality of fingers, wherein the fingers extend at an angle upwards and inwards from a top edge of the cup, the fingers serving to encourage the shell to grow in a predetermined shape.
4. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the tab is such that when fully formed it can be cut by hand tool to create the aperture.
5. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the shellfish is an oyster.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab is adjacent to the shellfish’s abductor muscle.
7. A method of opening a shellfish comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a shellfish grown according to the method of any one of the preceding claims; b) using a cutting tool to cut through the tab so that the aperture is created; c) inserting a blade into the shell via the aperture and causing it to move to severe the shellfish’s abductor muscle so that the muscle provides no, or substantially no, resistance to opening of the shell; and d) opening the shell to provide access to edible flesh within the shell. A substrate for use in shaping a growing oyster, comprising a cup suitable for receiving an oyster spat, a side wall of the substrate having a walled ledge cantilevering outwards as a discontinuity in the side wall, the ledge being open to the interior of the substrate, the substrate being such that in the event a spat is placed in or on it the spat can be left to grow so that the shell of the oyster grows into the ledge to produce a tab of complimentary shape to the ledge which, if cut through, exposes an aperture sufficiently close to the oyster’s adductor muscle such that a blade can be inserted in the aperture and manoeuvred to sever the muscle. A substrate according to claim 8, having developing oyster therein with part of the shell of the oyster having formed in the ledge. A substrate according to claim 8 or 9, in the form of a mould. A substrate according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the ledge cantilevers as a discontinuity of a convex portion of the cup.
PCT/NZ2023/050039 2022-06-17 2023-03-29 A method of growing a shellfish WO2023244126A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2022204231 2022-06-17
AU2022204231A AU2022204231B1 (en) 2022-06-17 2022-06-17 A Method of Growing a Shellfish

Publications (1)

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WO2023244126A1 true WO2023244126A1 (en) 2023-12-21

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5579724A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-12-03 Chauvin; Leroy J. Oyster holder for oyster growing system
WO2002085108A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-31 Jacques Fesquet Device for rearing shellfish such as oysters in an aquatic medium
FR2959394A1 (en) * 2010-04-28 2011-11-04 Cambon Et Fils Method for breeding oyster i.e. young oyster, on rigid or non rigid support, involves placing rigid projecting element on support, where element is arranged in growing zone of oyster to create obstacle bypassing growth of oyster

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5579724A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-12-03 Chauvin; Leroy J. Oyster holder for oyster growing system
WO2002085108A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-31 Jacques Fesquet Device for rearing shellfish such as oysters in an aquatic medium
FR2959394A1 (en) * 2010-04-28 2011-11-04 Cambon Et Fils Method for breeding oyster i.e. young oyster, on rigid or non rigid support, involves placing rigid projecting element on support, where element is arranged in growing zone of oyster to create obstacle bypassing growth of oyster

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