Crab processing device and crab processing method

Abstract

A crab processing device 100 includes a transportation mechanism 50 transporting a crab 400; a shell / gill removal device 10 including a shell remover 20 (21, 22) removing a shell 406 of the crab; and a crab leg extending member (13, 15) extending legs 401 of the crab, the crab leg extending member (13, 15) being provided at at least one of a position where the crab enters the shell / gill removal device 10 in the advancing direction (101) of the transportation mechanism 50 and a position where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal device 10 in the advancing direction (101) of the transportation mechanism 50.

Description

<DP=1>²CRAB PROCESSING DEVICE AND CRAB PROCESSING METHOD²BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION² L Field of the Invention:²

[0001] ²The present invention relates to a crab processing device and a crab ²processing ²method, and specifically, to a processing device and a processing method ²capable of ²removing a shell and gills of a crab, and also relates to a crab processing ²device and a crab²to processing method capable of recovering the removed shell and recovering ²brown meat in²the shell to provide the brown meat as a product.²2. Description of the Related Art:²

[0002] ²A crab is known as a delicious food material and is popular all over the ²world. The²crab has a shell, which needs to be removed to provide the crab in a proper ²form as a food ²material. Even after the shell of the crab is removed, gills, which are ²inedible, also need to ²be cleanly removed. In the case where a crab is eaten in a household, the ²shell and the gills ²of the crab may be removed by hand one by one. In a seafood processing plant, ²it is very²troublesome to remove the shell and the gills of crabs. Some shell removal ²devices have²been proposed, but existing shell removal devices often do not remove the ²shell or gills ²completely or cleanly. In consideration of the work of removing the remaining ²part of the ²shell or gills, it is better and reasonable to conduct manual removal from the ²points of view ²of cost, speed, accurateness and safety.²

[0003] ²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 1²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=2>²For removing the shell of a crab manually, the shell is pressed onto a ²rotating roller, ²or the belly of the crab is pressed onto a knife-like member to divide the ²crab into two halves. ²Thus, the shell is removed. Then, the gills attached to the meat of the crab ²(meat at the ²shoulder) deprived of the shell is removed by the rotating roller. The crab ²(meat of the crab)²deprived of the shell and the gills is put on a belt conveyor and is recovered ²at a different²location. Such a shell removing work requires a large number of operators when ²the amount ²of crabs to be processed at the plant is large, is hard labor and lacks ²cleanliness. As the ²number of the operators is larger, the personnel expenses are increased. In ²addition, there is ²a limit on the speed of such a manual work.²

[0004] ²The present inventors attempted to construct a technique to automatically ²remove the²shell and the gills of the crab, and completed a processing device (shell ²removal device) and²a processing method, which is disclosed in Patent Document 1.²

[0005] ² Citation List²Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2018-139522²

[0006] ²The crab processing device (shell removal device) disclosed in Patent Document ²1²is epoch-making as compared with conventional devices, and is superior in the ²appearance²of the crab in a finished state and the processing rate (having a high ²throughput). The present²inventors further improved the crab processing device (shell removal device) ²that they ²developed themselves and successfully developed a device that provides a ²higher ²performance and is easier to use. The present invention is thus completed.² SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 2²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=3>²

[0007] ²The present invention, made in the above-described situation, has an object of ²²providing a crab processing device and a crab processing method capable of ²removing the ²shell of the crab such that the legs of the crab are not stuck during the ²processing work.²

[0008] ²A crab processing device according to the present invention includes a ²transportation ²mechanism transporting a crab; a shell / gill removal device including a shell ²remover ²removing a shell of the crab; and a crab leg extending member extending legs ²of the crab, ²the crab leg extending member being provided at at least one of a position ²where the crab²enters the shell / gill removal device in an advancing direction of the ²transportation²mechanism and a position where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal ²device in the²advancing direction of the transportation mechanism.²

[0009] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab leg extending member is provided at the ²position²where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal device in the advancing ²direction of the²transportation mechanism.²

[0010] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab leg extending member is J-shaped. A pair ²of the²crab leg extending members are located above the transportation mechanism.²

[0011] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab leg extending member is provided at the ²position²where the crab enters the shell / gill removal device in the advancing direction ²of the²transportation mechanism.²

[0012] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab leg extending member is a rotatable brush.²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 3²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=4>²

[0013] ²In a preferred embodiment, the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor. ²The ²belt conveyor includes a first belt portion located on the left side as seen ²in the advancing ²direction of the transportation mechanism, a second belt portion located on ²the right side as²seen in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism, and a central ²belt portion²located between the first belt portion and the second belt portion.²

[0014] ²In a preferred embodiment, a surface of the central belt portion is lower than ²a surface²of the first belt portion and a surface of the second belt portion. The ²surfaces of the first belt²portion and the second belt portion allow the legs of the crab to be put ²thereon. The surface²of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including the shell to ²be put thereon. ²

[0015] ²In a preferred embodiment, the first belt portion and the second belt portion ²are ²movable to change a width of a region between the first belt portion and the ²second belt² portion.²

[0016] ²In a preferred embodiment, the first belt portion and the second belt portion ²are²respectively provided with L-shaped members changing a width of a region ²between the first²belt portion and the second belt portion.²

[0017] ²In a preferred embodiment, the shell / gill removal device further includes a ²movable ²belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation ²mechanism. ²

[0018] ²In a preferred embodiment, the movable belt mechanism includes a pair of ²circulating²belt portions provided on the left side and on the right side as seen in the ²advancing direction²EDC_LAIM 2096886\1 4²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=5>²of the transportation mechanism, the pair of circulating belt portions ²pressing from above, ²and holding, the legs of the crab together with the first belt portion and the ²second belt ²portion of the transportation mechanism.²

[0019] ² In a preferred embodiment, the pair of circulating belt portions each have a²protruding portion formed on at least a top surface and a rear surface ²thereof.²

[0020] ²In a preferred embodiment, the shell remover includes an upper gear rotating ²in a²direction opposite to the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism, ²and a lower²gear rotating in the direction opposite to the advancing direction of the ²transportation²mechanism. The upper gear has a plurality of grooves formed in an outer ²circumferential ²surface thereof. The lower gear has hooks removing the shell of the crab, the ²hooks being ²formed at tips of the lower gear.²

[0021] ²In a preferred embodiment, the hooks each include a pair of protruding ²portions²having an opening therebetween, the opening being formed at a center of a tip ²portion of the²hook.²

[0022] ²In a preferred embodiment, the hooks each include a plate portion at a tip ²portion²thereof.²

[0023] ²In a preferred embodiment, the upper gear has a function of removing a pleon ²in a ²belly of the crab during an operation of the shell remover. The hooks of the ²lower gear each ²have a function of contacting a mouth of the crab and then removing the shell ²during the²operation of the shell remover.²EDC_LA1N\ 2096886\1 5²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=6>²

[0024] ²In a preferred embodiment, crab processing device further includes a gill ²remover ²removing gills of the crab, and a crab cutter cutting the crab into two ²halves. The gill ²remover and the crab cutter are provided downstream with respect to the shell ²remover. The²gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurizing water toward the ²crab at an angle²oblique with respect to the horizon.²

[0025] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab processing device further includes an ²upper²water pressure protection plate provided above the jetting device of the gill ²remover, and a²side water pressure protection plate provided outer to, and to the side of, ²the jetting device²of the gill remover.²

[0026] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab processing device further includes a ²plurality of²slidable doors provided outer to the side water pressure protection plate.² 5

[0027] ²A crab processing device according to the present invention includes a ²transportation ²mechanism transporting a crab, and a shell / gill removal device including a ²shell remover ²removing a shell of the crab. The transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor. ²The belt ²conveyor includes a first belt portion located on the left side as seen in an ²advancing direction²of the transportation mechanism, a second belt portion located on the right ²side as seen in²the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism, and a central belt ²portion located ²between the first belt portion and the second belt portion. A surface of the ²central belt portion ²is lower than a surface of the first belt portion and a surface of the second ²belt portion. The ²surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs of ²the crab to be put²thereon. The surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab ²including the shell²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 6²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=7>²to be put thereon. The first belt portion and the second belt portion are ²respectively provided ²with L-shaped members changing a width of a region between the first belt ²portion and the ²second belt portion.²

[0028] ²In a preferred embodiment, the first belt portion and the second belt portion ²each²have a protruding portion formed on a rear surface thereof along the advancing ²direction. ²The crab processing device further includes belt supports respectively ²supporting the first ²belt portion and the second belt portion, and the belt supports each have a ²recessed portion ²formed in a top surface thereof, the recessed portion corresponding to the ²protruding portion.²

[0029] ²In a preferred embodiment, the shell / gill removal device further includes a ²movable ²belt mechanism holding the legs of the crab transported by the transportation ²mechanism. ²The movable belt mechanism includes a pair of circulating belt portions ²provided on the left ²side and on the right side as seen in the advancing direction of the ²transportation mechanism,²the pair of circulating belt portions pressing from above, and holding, the ²legs of the crab²together with the first belt portion and the second belt portion of the ²transportation²mechanism.²

[0030] ²A crab processing method for processing a crab according to the present ²invention²includes the steps of putting the crab on a transportation mechanism; removing ²a shell of the²crab while transporting the crab by the transportation mechanism, and ²extending legs of the ²crab by a crab leg extending member while transporting the crab by the ²transportation ²mechanism at least before and after the step of removing the shell of the ²crab.²

[0031] ²In a preferred embodiment, the transportation mechanism is configured to ²change a²EDC_LA1N\ 2096886\1 7²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=8>²size of a region, of the transportation mechanism, on which the shell of the ²crab is to be put. ²The step of putting the crab includes the step of adjusting the size of the ²region of the ²transportation mechanism in accordance with the size of the crab.²

[0032] ²In a preferred embodiment, the crab processing method further includes the ²steps of²jetting high-pressure water toward the crab deprived of the shell at an ²oblique angle to²remove gills of the crab; and cutting the crab into two halves.²

[0033] ²In a preferred embodiment, the step of removing the gills of the crab includes ²the²step of protecting an area around the shell / gill removal device against the ²high-pressure²water, which is splashing, by a water pressure protection plate.²

[0034] ²According to the present invention, the crab leg extending member extending ²the²legs of the crab is provided at at least one of the position where the crab ²enters the shell / gill²removal device in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism and ²the position²where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal device in the advancing ²direction of the ²transportation mechanism. Therefore, a situation is prevented in which the ²legs of the crab ²are stuck with a part of the shell / gill removal device to stop the operation ²of the shell / gill ²removal device. This will be further described. A situation is prevented in ²which the legs²of the crab are bent or stacked on each other to increase the thickness ²thereof, and thus are²stuck with a part of the shell / gill removal device, and / or in which the legs ²of the crab are ²bent inappropriately and enter a part of the transportation mechanism or a ²part of the ²shell / gill removal device, and thus are stuck with a part of the ²transportation mechanism or ²a part of the shell / gill removal device. As a result, the throughput of a ²process of removing²the shells of the cabs continuously by an associated operation of the ²transportation²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 8²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=9>²mechanism and the shell remover is prevented from being decreased.²BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS²

[0035] ²FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab ²processing²device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 2(a) through FIG. 2(c) show how a crab 400 is processed according to an²embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the crab 400 on a transportation mechanism ²(belt² to conveyor) 50.²FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of crab leg extending member ²(J-²shaped members) 13 in the vicinity of an exit of a shell / gill removal device ²10 according to²an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of crab leg extending member²(rotatable brush 15) in the shell / gill removal device 10 according to an ²embodiment of the²present invention.²FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of crab leg extending member ²(rotatable brush 15) in the shell / gill removal device 10 according to an ²embodiment of the ²present invention.²FIG. 7 is a side view showing a structure of the transportation mechanism ²(belt²conveyor) 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the belt conveyor 50 ²according²to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the belt conveyor 50 ²according² to an embodiment of the present invention.²EDC_LAVV \ 2096886\1 9²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=10>²FIG. 10 shows a surface of a driving roller 56 in an internal structure of the ²²transportation mechanism 50 according to an embodiment of the present ²invention.²FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an operation of shell removing gears 21 ²and 22 ²according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an operation of the shell removing gears ²21²and 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 13 is a side view showing a structure of the shell removing gear (upper ²gear) 21 ²according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 14 is a perspective view, as seen obliquely from above, showing a ²structure of²the shell removing gear (upper gear) 21 according to an embodiment of the ²present invention.²FIG. 15 shows an example of structure of a hook 23 of the shell removing gear ²(lower ²gear) 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of structure of the shell removing ²gear ²(lower gear) 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of structure of the shell removing ²gear²(lower gear) 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an operation of the shell removing gear ²(upper²gear 21) according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an operation of the shell removing gear ²(lower² gear 22) according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 20 shows a structure of a gill remover 30 (jetting device 34) in the ²state where²the crab 400 is put on the transportation mechanism.²FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a structure of the crab processing device ²100.²FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method in an embodiment² according to the present invention.²EDC_LAIN\ 2096886\1 10²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=11>²FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a structure of the crab processing ²device 100 ²according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a structure of the crab processing ²device 100 ²according to an embodiment of the present invention.²FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a structure of the crab processing ²device 100²according to an embodiment of the present invention.²DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ²

[0036] ²to Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention ²will be²described with reference to the drawings. In the following figures, elements ²or portions ²having the same functions bear the same reference signs, and overlapping ²descriptions may ²be omitted or simplified, for the sake of simplicity. In the figures, relative ²sizes (length, ²width, thickness, etc.) may not accurately reflect the actual relative sizes.²

[0037] ²Elements which are other than elements specifically referred to in this ²specification ²and are necessary to carry out the present invention may be grasped as a ²matter of design ²choice for a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the conventional ²technology in this ²field. The present invention can be carried out based on the contents ²disclosed by this²specification and the attached drawings, and the technological common ²knowledge in the²art. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments in any ²way.²

[0038] ²FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a crab ²processing²device 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention. The crab ²processing device²100 in this embodiment includes a transportation mechanism 50 transporting a ²crab 400 and²EDC_LA1M 2096886 \ 1 11²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=12>²a shell / gill removal device 10 including a shell remover removing the shell of ²the crab 400. ²The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment includes a crab leg ²extending member ²13 extending the legs of the crab 400 provided at a position where the crab ²400 enters the ²shell / gill removal device 10 (at an entrance of the shell / gill removal device ²10) in an²advancing direction (101) of the transportation mechanism 50 and / or at a ²position where the²crab 400 exits from the shell / gill removal device 10 (at an exit of the ²shell / gill removal device ²10) in the advancing direction (101). In the structure in this embodiment, the ²crab leg ²extending member 13 is provided at both of the position where the crab 400 ²enters the ²shell / gill removal device 10 and the position where the crab 400 exits from ²the shell / gill²to removal device 10. The provision of the crab leg extending member 13, ²even if being²provided at either one of the positions, is effective. In the structure in ²this embodiment, the ²shell / gill removal device 10 includes a gill remover removing the gills of the ²crab 400 and a ²crab cutter cutting the crab 400 into two halves, in addition to the shell ²remover.²

[0039] ²The transportation mechanism 50 in this embodiment is a belt conveyor. The ²belt²conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes belt portions 51 (51a, 51b and 51c) on ²which the ²crab 400 may be put, a driving force source (motor) 52 driving the belt ²portion 51, a driving ²force transmission member (chain) 53, a driving roller 56 and a subordinate ²roller 54. The ²belt conveyor 50 is supported by a frame 55. The belt portion 51 supported by ²the frame 55²may be circulated by the driving force of the motor 52. The frame 55 is formed ²of a metal²material (e.g., stainless steel).²

[0040] ²The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 advances in an advancing direction²(arrows 101, 102, 105 and 106) by the driving force of the motor 52. When ²being put on the²belt portion 51, the crab 400 is transported in the advancing direction by the ²belt conveyor²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 12²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=13>²50.²

[0041] ²The belt portion 51 of the belt conveyor 50 in this embodiment includes a ²first belt²portion 51a located on the left side in the advancing direction (arrow 101), a ²second belt²portion 51b located on the right side in the advancing direction, and a ²central belt portion²51c located between the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion ²51b. A surface of ²the central belt portion 51c is lower than a surface of the first belt portion ²51a and a surface ²of the second belt portion 51b. On the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a ²and the second ²belt portion 51b, legs of the crab 400 may be located. On the surface of the ²central belt²portion 51c, a site of the crab 400 including the shell may be located. In ²this specification,²the "left side" and the "right side" refer to the left side and the right side ²as seen in the²advancing direction of the transportation mechanism 50.²

[0042] ²In a structural example in this embodiment, the central belt portion 51c has a ²width²smaller than that of the first belt portion 51a (and that of the second belt ²portion 51b). In²this embodiment, the width of the central belt portion 51c (width of a region ²located between ²the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b), and / or the height ²of the central ²belt portion 51c (the depth of the central belt portion 51c on the basis of ²the height of the ²first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) may be changeable in ²accordance with²the size of the crab 400 (whether the crab 400 is large or small). For ²example, in the case²where the crab 400 weighs less than 400 g, the width of the central belt ²portion 51c may be ²set to 10 cm, whereas in the case where the crab 400 weights 400 g or more, ²the width of the ²central belt portion 51c may be set to 12 cm.²

[0043] ²In this embodiment, on the entrance side of the shell / gill removal device 10, ²the²EDC_LA1N\ 2096886\1 13²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=14>²central belt portion 51c is configured to turn back before the shell remover ²in the shell / gill ²removal device 10 and circulates. More specifically, the central belt portion ²51c is wound ²along a roller 59a provided in a region of the shell / gill removal device 10 ²and changes the ²advancing direction thereof so as to advance toward the subordinate roller 54. ²Thus, the²central belt portion 51c circulates between the subordinate roller 54 and the ²roller 59a. The²central belt portion 51c turns back before the shell / gill removal device 10. ²Therefore, in the ²shell / gill removal device 10, the first belt portion 51a and the second belt ²portion 51b extend ²while having a hollow space therebetween without the central belt portion 51c. ²On the other ²side of the shell / gill removal device 10 (on the exit side), the central belt ²portion 51c has²to substantially the same structure. A chain (driving force transmission ²member) 59c is²extended between the roller 59a and the roller 59b.²

[0044] ²The shell / gill removal device 10 includes a frame 10a (formed of a metal ²material²such as, for example, stainless steel or the like). Stoppers 10b are provided ²at ground contact²portions of the frame 10a. In this embodiment, a control panel (controller ²box) 14 is located²on the frame 10a of the shell / gill removal device 10. The control panel ²(controller box) 14 ²may be located at any other position. The control panel 14 controls an ²operation of the ²shell / gill removal device 10 and the transportation mechanism 50. The control ²panel 14 ²includes buttons 14a. Pushing any of the buttons 14a operates the control ²panel (controller)²14. The control panel 14 includes an outer housing and a wiring board / control ²portion (e.g.,²circuit board including a semiconductor integrated circuit and an electronic ²component) ²accommodated in the housing. The control panel 14 is electrically connected ²with a ²predetermined component in each of the shell / gill removal device 10 and the ²transportation ²mechanism 50. Driving motors 12 (12a, 12b and 12c) are also located on the ²frame 10a of²the shell / gill removal device 10. The driving motors 12 may be located at any ²other position.²EDC_LA1N\ 2096886\1 14²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=15>²The control and communication by the control panel 14 may be performed ²wirelessly or may²be performed by remote control.²

[0045] ²A movable belt mechanism 16 holding the legs of the crab 400 transported by ²the²belt conveyor 50 (first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b) ²extends from the²entrance to the exit of the shell / gill removal device 10. The movable belt ²mechanism 16 has ²a function of pressing the crab 400 downward (toward a surface of the belt ²conveyor 50) by ²an urging member (e.g., spring). In this embodiment, the movable belt ²mechanism 16 ²includes one belt portion 16a on the left side and one belt portion 16b on the ²right side. The²movable belt mechanism 16 is provided with a plurality of rollers 18. The ²movable belt²mechanism 16, in cooperation with the rollers 18, circulates to drive the crab ²400 in the ²advancing direction. In a structural example in this embodiment, one belt ²portion is provided ²on each of the left side and the right side. Namely, one (single) belt portion ²16a is provided ²on the left side, and one (single) belt portion 16b is provided on the right ²side. Alternatively,²a plurality of belt portions (e.g., two belt portions 16a and 16b) may be ²located on the right²side.²

[0046] ²Inside the shell / gill removal device 10, the shell remover (20) removing the ²shell of²the crab 400 transported by the belt conveyor 50 is located. Also in the ²shell / gill removal²device 10, the gill remover (30) removing the gills of the crab 400 deprived ²of the shell 406,²and the crab cutter (40) cutting the crab 400 deprived of the gills into two ²halves, are located. ²The shell remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) are ²located in this order ²(in the advancing direction) from the entrance of the shell / gill removal ²device 10. The shell ²remover (20), the gill remover (30) and the crab cutter (40) will be described ²below in detail.²

[0047] ²EDC_LA1M 2096886 \ 1 15²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=16>²FIG. 2(a) through FIG. 2(c) show how the crab 400 is processed by the ²processing ²device 100 in this embodiment.²

[0048] ²In FIG. 2(a), reference sign 400a represents the crab before being put on the²transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50. An operator 300 (300a or 300b) ²shown in²FIG. 1 spreads legs 401 of the crab 400 (arrows 402), and puts the crab 400 ²such that a shell ²406 of the crab 400 is directed downward (such that a belly 403 is directed ²upward). Then, ²the operator 300 puts the crab 400 on the belt conveyor 50 such that the shell ²406 contacts ²the surface of the central belt portion 51c and such that the legs 401 of the ²crab 400 are on²or above the surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt ²portion 51b. The²surface of the central belt portion 51c is configured (designed) to be lower ²than the surface ²of the first belt portion 51a and the surface of the second belt portion 51b. ²Therefore, it is ²easy to put the shell 406 in the recessed portion provided by the central belt ²portion 51c ²whereas putting the legs 401 on the first belt portion 51a and the second belt ²portion 51b.²The crab 400 is located such that a mouth (or beak) 405 (or a front site ²including the eyes)²of the crab 400 is directed forward in the advancing direction. The crab 400 ²is located such ²that a pleon 403a is directed rearward in the advancing direction in the state ²where the belly ²403 is directed upward.²

[0049] ²In FIG. 2(b), reference sign 400b represents the crab deprived of the shell ²406 by the²shell remover in this embodiment. The crab 400b has the shell 406 removed to ²have the ²inside (crab meat) 407 exposed, but gills 409 (the gills themselves are not ²shown) are ²attached to the crab meat 407. The gills 409 are inedible and thus need to be ²removed. The ²gills 409 may be removed by the gill remover in this embodiment.²

[0050] ²EDC_LA1M 2096886 \ 1 16²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=17>²In FIG. 2(c), reference sign 400c represents the crab deprived of the gills ²409 and cut ²into two halves by the crab cutter in this embodiment. In this state, the crab ²400c is clean ²meat deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409. Namely, the crab 400c is in ²the state of a ²processed crab product (crab meat with shoulder meat and legs, or crab ²section) as a food² product.²

[0051] ²Now, FIG. 1 will be referred to again. In the structural example shown in FIG. ²1, a²crab feeder 60 feeding the crab 400a to be processed is provided on a stage ²before (upstream²with respect to) the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment. The crab ²feeder 60 is,²for example, a transportation member (belt conveyor, roller conveyor, chain ²conveyor, etc.)²or a box (basket) accommodating the crab 400a. The crab 400a fed from the crab ²feeder 60 ²is put on the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50 by the operator ²300a. The crab ²400a may be fed automatically by a machine (or a robot) instead of the ²operator 300a. It is ²preferred to wash the crab with washing water such as sea water, tap water (or ²well water)²or the like on a stage before the step of feeding the crab by the crab feeder ²60. In the case²where warm water of 20 C to 50 C is used as the washing water, the crab that ²is alive and ²moving is put into a state of asphyxia and the muscles of the legs are ²extended. In this state, ²it is easy to put the crab 400 on the device (crab feeder 60, transportation ²mechanism 50, ²etc.).²

[0052] ²Next, the crab 400a is put on the belt conveyor 50 by the operator 300b in the ²state ²where the legs 401 are spread, and advances toward the shell / gill removal ²device 10 (arrow ²101). Then, the crab 400a goes into the shell / gill removal device 10 (arrow ²102), and ²advances in the shell / gill removal device 10 by the movable belt mechanism 16 ²(16a, 16b)²in the state where the legs 401 are secured.²EDC_LAW\ 2096886\1 17²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=18>²

[0053] ²In the shell / gill removal device 10, first, the shell 406 is removed by the ²shell remover ²in this embodiment. The removed shell 406 drops downward together with brown ²meat ²contained in the shell 406 (see arrow 86). The removed shell 406 may be ²received by a²recovery container (basket, etc.). In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the ²removed shell 406 is²moved by a transportation member (slider (e.g., metal inclining plate), roller ²conveyor, belt ²conveyor, etc.) 81 (arrow 88) and is recovered by a recovery member ²(recovering container) ²82 (arrow 88b). In the case where a recovery device including the ²transportation member ²81 and the recovery member 82 is used, the shells 406 (containing brown meat) ²are not²accumulated below the shell / gill removal device 10, and thus the work is ²efficiently done²(and the work area is hygienically clean). The brown meat in the shell 406 is ²a delicious ²food material and is also processed into a food product. Therefore, it is ²advantages for a ²post-processing work to recover the brown meat by the recovery member 82. In ²addition, ²the shell 406 itself is not a food material but may be used as a container. ²Therefore, it is also² advantageous to recover the shell 406 efficiently.²

[0054] ²Next, in the shell / gill removal device 10, the gills (409) are removed by the ²gill²remover in this embodiment. The remaining brown meat attached to the gills ²(409) are also²removed together with the gills (409). The gill remover uses water ²(pressurized water,²namely, high-pressure water) to remove the gills. Therefore, the gill remover ²is connected²with water booster pumps (not shown). Water is introduced into the water ²booster pumps ²from a hose coupled with a water pipe in the plant. The water (pressurized ²water) is supplied ²via a pressurized water hose to the gill remover in the shell / gill removal ²device 10. The hose ²may be coupled with the gill remover directly or via a coupling member. In a ²structural²example in this embodiment, a plurality of (two in this example) movable water ²booster²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 18²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=19>²pumps are used.²

[0055] ²The gills (409) removed by the gill remover and the brown meat attached to the ²gills²(409) drop downward together with water jetted from the gill remover (see ²arrow 87). The²removed gills (409) may be received by a recovery container (basket, etc.). In ²the structure²shown in FIG. 1, the removed gills (409) are moved by a transportation member ²(slider (e.g., ²metal inclining plate), roller conveyor, belt conveyor, etc.) 83 (arrow 89) ²and is recovered ²by a recovery member (recovering container) 84 (arrow 89b). In the case where ²the gills are ²recovered in this manner, the gills or water is not accumulated under the ²shell / gill removal²device 10. Therefore, the work is efficiently done, and the work area is ²hygienically clean.²

[0056] ²Next, in the shell / gill removal device 10, the crab 400 (crab meat) is cut ²into two ²halves by the crab cutter in this embodiment. The crab 400 may be cut by a ²rotatable blade ²(rotatable saw), a sharp blade, or any other cutting mechanism (e.g., ²guillotine cutter, water²cutter, etc.). The expression "cut into two halves" indicates that as shown in ²FIG. 2(c), the²crab 400c is cut into right side meat and left side meat, but does not ²indicate that the crab is²accurately cut into two halves in terms of weight or volume.²

[0057] ²Then, the crab 400c (crab meat cut into two halves) is transported from the ²shell / gill²removal device 10 (see arrows 105 and 106). The crab 400c (crab meat as a food ²product)²may be recovered by a recovery box (e.g., basket) or, as shown in FIG. 1, may ²be transported ²to another location by, for example, a transportation mechanism (belt ²conveyor, roller ²conveyor, chain conveyor, etc.) 62 (see arrow 107). In the case where the crab ²400c is ²transported to another location, the work efficiency of the shell / gill removal ²device 10 (crab² processing device 100) is improved.²EDC_LA\N \ 2096886 \ 1 19²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=20>²

[0058] ²A system including the crab processing device 100 including the shell / gill ²removal ²device 10, the water booster pumps and the transportation member 81 or 83 ²(occasionally, ²also including the transportation mechanism 60 or 62) may be referred to as a ²"crab meat²production system 200". The driving motors 12a, 12b and 12c shown in FIG. 1 ²respectively²drive the shell remover, the crab cutter and the movable belt mechanism 16.²

[0059] ²Now, with reference to FIG. 3 through FIG. 10, the structure of the crab ²processing²device 100 in this embodiment will be further described. FIG. 3 is a ²photograph showing²the crab 400 put on the transportation mechanism 50. The crab 400 shown here ²is a snow²crab. As shown in FIG. 1, the crab 400 in the state shown in FIG. 3 is moved ²by the ²transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50 (arrow 101) and enters the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10. If the position of the crab legs 401 is not appropriate at this ²point, the crab legs ²401 may undesirably be stuck with the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b). ²Such stuck crab²legs 401 may possibly stop the operation of the crab processing device 100 ²(shell / gill²removal device 10). If the operation is stopped many times in this manner, the ²throughput²of the crab processing is decreased, which is not preferred.²

[0060] ²FIG. 4 shows the crab leg extending member 13 provided in the crab processing²device 100 in this embodiment. The crab leg extending member 13 in this ²embodiment is²provided at the position where the crab 400 exits from the shell / gill removal ²device 10. The ²crab leg extending member 13 in this embodiment includes a pair of J-shaped ²members. As ²shown in FIG. 1, the crab leg extending member 13 may also be provided at the ²position ²where the crab 400 enters the shell / gill removal device 10.²

[0061] ²EDC_LAW \ 2096886 \ 1 20²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=21>²The pair of J-shaped members 13 shown here are located above the ²transportation ²mechanism (belt conveyor) 50. Specifically, a first J-shaped member 13a is ²provided above ²the first belt portion 51a, and a second J-shaped member 13b is provided above ²the second ²belt portion 51b. A gap between the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) is wider on ²the rear²side (wider at a position farther from the entrance of the shell / gill removal ²device 10 than at²a position closer to the entrance). In the case where the J-shaped members 13 ²(13a, 13b) are ²provided at the position where the crab 400 enters the shell / gill removal ²device 10, the gap ²between the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) is narrower on the rear side ²(narrower at a ²position closer to the exit of the shell / gill removal device 10 than at a ²position farther from²the exit). Namely, the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) are located such that ²the gap ²therebetween becomes wider outward from the shell / gill removal device 10, and ²becomes ²narrower toward the shell / gill removal device 10. More specifically, the J-²shaped members ²13 (13a, 13b) are curved such that tip portions thereof are higher than the ²remaining portions ²thereof. The tip portions located at the higher position and having the wider ²gap²therebetween allow the crab legs 401 (crab legs 401 different in the height) ²to exit from (or²to enter) the shell / gill removal device 10. By contrast, the portions having ²the narrower gap ²therebetween align the crab legs 401. The crab leg extending member (J-shaped ²members) ²13 having such a structure arrays the crab legs 401 such that the crab legs ²401 have a uniform ²low height. As a result, the crab legs 401 are prevented from being stuck with ²the belt portion²16a or 16b of the movable belt mechanism 16. In addition, tips of the crab ²legs 401 are²prevented from being stuck with gaps between the first belt portion 51a, the ²second belt²portion 51b and the central belt portion 51c.²

[0062] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) are²connected to the frame 10a of the shell / gill removal device 10 by coupling ²members 13c.²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 21²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=22>²The J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) and the coupling members 13c are integral ²with each ²other. In the structure shown in FIG. 4, a part of each of the coupling ²members 13c is secured ²to the frame 10a of the shell / gill removal device 10 by a joining member 13d ²(screw, ²adhesive, magnet, etc.). In the structure in this embodiment, the J-shaped ²members 13 (13a,²13b) are formed of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). ²Alternatively, the²J-shaped members 13 may be formed of another material. In the example shown in ²FIG. 4, ²the J-shaped members 13 include one left J-shaped member 13a and one right J-²shaped ²member 13b. Still alternatively, the J-shaped members 13 may include a ²plurality of left J-²shaped members and a plurality of right J-shaped members. In this embodiment, ²the J-²shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) and the coupling members 13c are integral with ²each other.²Alternatively, the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) and the coupling members 13c ²may be ²formed separately and connected with each other. In this embodiment, the J-²shaped ²members 13 (13a, 13b) are connected with the frame 10a of the shell / gill ²removal device 10. ²Alternatively, the J-shaped members 13 (13a, 13b) may be connected with ²another portion²of the shell / gill removal device 10. Herein, the term "J-shaped" of the J-²shaped members 13²refers to the geometric shape of letter J, and also refers to a state where ²the gap therebetween ²becomes wider outward from the shell / gill removal device 10 and becomes ²narrower toward ²the shell / gill removal device 10, so that the crab legs 401 are aligned. As ²long as such a role ²may be played, the crab leg extending member 13 may include triangular ²(generally²triangular) members. In other words, the crab leg extending member 13 may be ²shaped such²that the gap between the pair of members is wider on one side and becomes ²narrower toward ²the other side. In the structural example shown in FIG. 4, the J-shaped ²members 13 may be ²shaped oppositely (shaped such that the gap is wider on the side closer to the ²shell / gill ²removal device 10). The crab leg extending member is not limited to being J-²shaped, but²may include a pair of inverted-T-shaped (anchor-shaped) members each including ²curved²EDC_LAIN\ 2096886\1 22²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=23>²portions at both of two sides. In summary, the crab leg extending member ²(formed of, for ²example, a metal material) may be shaped such that the gap between parts ²thereof ²(lowermost parts) is sufficiently narrow to align the crab legs 401 (e.g., ²arcked shape, shape ²of a part of ellipse, etc.).²

[0063] ²FIG. 4 also shows an exit (discharge opening) of the movable belt mechanism ²16. ²The movable belt mechanism 16 has substantially the same structure at an ²entrance (entering ²opening). The movable belt mechanism 16 includes the pair of, more ²specifically, left and ²right, circulating belt portions (16a, 16b), which hold the crab legs 401 from ²above. Thus,²the crab legs 401 are held by the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) above ²the crab legs 401²and the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b below the crab ²legs 401. In the ²state where the crab legs 401 are held, the crab 400 advances into the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10 by the movable belt mechanism 16 and the transportation mechanism 50 ²(51a, ²51b), and moves to the exit of the shell / gill removal device 10. FIG. 4 shows ²the crab cutter²(rotatable blade) 40 cutting the crab 400 deprived of the shell into two ²halves. The rotatable²blade 40 is supported by a shaft 41. The rotatable blade 40 is rotated along ²with the rotation²of a motor connected with the shaft 41, and thus the crab 400 is cut.²

[0064] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) ²are wound²on outer circumferential surfaces of shaft rollers 18s. A shaft 19 runs ²through the centers of²the shaft rollers 18s. The movable belt mechanism 16 is provided with the ²rollers 18s, the ²shaft 19, and an urging member (not shown) pressing the belt portions 16a and ²16b ²downward. The urging member includes a spring (urging member) and a frame ²securing ²and supporting the spring. The belt portions 16a and 16b are pressed downward ²by the²urging member (spring), so that the crab legs 401 are held by the left and ²right belt portions²EDC_LAIM 2096886 \ 1 23²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=24>²51a and 51b. As described above, the crab 400 is transported in the advancing ²direction in²the state where the crab legs 401 are held and secured.²

[0065] ²This will be further described. If the legs 401 of the crab 400 deprived of ²the shell²are bent, the tips of the crab legs 401 may enter a space between the ²circulating belt portions²(16a, 16b) and the shaft rollers 18s, which may undesirably stop the operation ²of the shell / gill ²removal device 10. When the crab legs 401 are belt or stacked, the thickness ²of the crab legs ²401 is made twice or greater of the original thickness. In addition, if the ²crab legs 401 are ²inserted between the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) and the shaft ²rollers 18s in this state,²the shell / gill removal device 10 may be stopped. The crab leg extending member ²(J-shaped²members) 13 in this embodiment suppresses the crab legs 401 from being stuck ²in this ²manner. This is also applicable to the case where the crab legs 401 is about ²to enter the ²shell / gill removal device 10. The crab leg extending member (J-shaped members) ²13 may ²be provided at the position where the crab legs 401 enter the shell / gill ²removal device 10, so²that the crab legs 401 are suppressed from being stuck. In order to suppress ²the crab legs²401 from being stuck between the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) and the ²shaft rollers ²18s, it is preferred that as shown in the figure, the J-shaped members 13 are ²located in the ²vicinity of the shaft rollers 18s (in this example, outer to the shaft rollers ²18s (to the left of, ²and to the right of, the shaft rollers 18s)).²

[0066] ²The crab leg extending member may be a rotatable brush extending the crab legs ²401. ²FIG. 5 shows a structure of the rotatable brush 15 in this embodiment. The ²rotatable brush ²15 shown in FIG. 5 is provided at a position where the crab 400 enters the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10 in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism 50 (to a ²position to the²front of the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b)). In the structural example ²shown in FIG. 5,²EDC_LAW\ 2096886\1 24²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=25>²the rotatable brush 15 extends the crab legs 401. Therefore, the crab legs 401 ²are arrayed so ²as to have a uniform low height. As a result, the crab legs 401 are not stuck ²with the belt ²portion 16a or 16b of the movable belt mechanism 16.²

[0067] ²In a structural example in this embodiment, the position where the rotatable ²brush 15²is located is a position where the crab 400 enter the shell / gill removal ²device 10 but is to the ²front of (upstream with respect to) the J-shaped members 13. Therefore, both ²of the J-shaped ²members 13 and the rotatable brush 15 may be used as the crab leg extending ²member in ²this embodiment. In accordance with the conditions of crab processing, only ²the J-shaped²members 13 or only the rotatable brush 15 may be used as the crab leg ²extending member.²In the structure in this embodiment, the rotatable brush (crab leg extending ²brush) 15 is ²effective. Nonetheless, it has been confirmed that the crab legs 401 may be ²well extended ²even without the rotatable brush 15.²

[0068] ²The rotatable brush 15 shown in the example of FIG. 5 includes a pair of brush²portions (15a, 15b). Specifically, the rotatable brush 15 includes a first ²brush portion 15a ²and a second brush portion 15b. The first brush portion 15a is located above ²the first belt ²portion 51a, and the second brush portion 15b is located above the second belt ²portion 51b. ²The first brush portion 15a and the second brush portion 15b are rotatable so ²as to extend²the crab legs 401 outward. While the crab processing device 100 is in ²operation in the state²shown in FIG. 5 the first brush portion 15a rotates clockwise and the second ²brush portion ²15b rotates counterclockwise as seen from an upstream position toward a ²downstream ²position. The first brush portion 15a and the second brush portion 15b rotate ²in this manner, ²so that the legs 401 of the crab 400 transported by the transportation ²mechanism 50 are²extended. As a result, the crab legs 401 are suppressed from being stuck with ²the circulation²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 25²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=26>²belt portions (16a, 16b).²

[0069] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the rotatable brush 15 has a mechanism of²rotating the pair of brush portions (15a, 15b). Specifically, the pair of ²brush portions (15a,²15b) are provided respectively on brush shafts 15c, and the brush shafts 15c ²are connected²with a rotatable rod 15d via gears 15e and gears 15f. When the rotatable rod ²15d rotates, the ²brush shafts 15c are rotated in predetermined directions, and thus the pair of ²brush portions ²(15a, 15b) are rotated in predetermined directions. This will be further ²described. The gears ²(15e, 150 are configured such that the pair of brush portions (15a, 15b) are ²rotated in the² predetermined directions (clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively).²

[0070] ²In the structural example shown in FIG. 5, a rotation mechanism including the²rotatable rod 15d, the gears (15e, 150 and the brush shafts 15c rotates the ²pair of brush²portions (15a, 15b). Any other mechanism may be adopted instead of the above-²described²mechanism. For example, the brush shafts 15c may be connected with a driving ²device²(motor) so as to be rotated in predetermined directions, with no use of the ²rotatable rod 15d ²or the gears (15e, 150. Any other structure may be adopted. In the example ²shown in FIG. 5, ²one left brush portion (15a) and one right brush portion (15b) are provided. ²Alternatively, a ²plurality of left brush portions and a plurality of right brush portions may ²be provided. For²example, a plurality of (e.g., two) brush portions 15a and a plurality of ²(e.g., two) brush²portions 15b may be arrayed in a direction from an upstream position toward a ²downstream²position.²

[0071] ²FIG. 6 shows how the legs 401 of the crab 400 put on the transportation ²mechanism²50 are extended by the rotatable brush 15. As shown in FIG. 6, the first brush ²portion 15a²EDC_LA1M 2096886 \ 1 26²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=27>²and the second brush portion 15b of the rotatable brush 15 are rotated so as ²to extend the ²crab legs 401 outward. Thus, the crab legs 401 are extended. In this manner, ²the crab legs ²401 are suppressed from being stuck when entering the shell / gill removal ²device 10. As a ²result, the throughput of the crab processing is prevented from decreasing.²

[0072] ²FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the crab processing device 100 in ²this ²embodiment including the transportation mechanism 50 and the shell / gill ²removal device 10. ²FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the transportation ²mechanism 50 of ²the crab processing device 100 as seen from an upstream position.²

[0073] ²As shown in FIG. 7, the transportation mechanism 50 in this embodiment ²includes ²the belt portions 51 (51a, 51b), the driving roller 56 and the subordinate ²roller 54. ²Specifically, the belt portions 51 (51a, 51b) are wound along outer ²circumferential surfaces ²of the driving roller 56 and the subordinate roller 54, and are driven to ²circulate. The driving²roller 56 and the subordinate roller 54 may be replaced with each other.²

[0074] ²In the structure in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a first belt support ²151a (e.g.,²first below-the-belt frame) supporting the first belt portion 51a and a second ²belt support²151b (e.g., second below-the-belt frame) supporting the second belt portion ²51b are²configured to be movable in a horizontal direction (see arrows 152a and 152b). ²The first²belt support 151a and the second belt support 151b may be moved in a lateral ²direction ²(horizontal direction) by a motor or manually (e.g., by rotating a handle to ²use a structure in ²association with the handle (e.g., jack or vise) thus to move the first belt ²support 151a and ²the second belt support 151b) in the horizontal direction. The first belt ²support 151a and the²second belt support 151b may be constructed by the driving roller 56 and the ²subordinate²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 27²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=28>²roller 54.²

[0075] ²In the structure in this embodiment, a region (width) between the first belt ²portion²51a and the second belt portion 51b may be changeable in accordance with the ²size of the²crab 400. Therefore, the width of a space (150) between the first belt portion ²51a and the²second belt portion 51b (or the gap region 150 where the central belt portion ²51c is located) ²may be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the size of the shell 406 (or ²the belly 403) ²of the crab 400. In this manner, the crab shell 406 is fit into gap region ²150. This allows the ²crab legs 401 to be located at an appropriate position. Therefore, for ²example, a situation is²alleviated in which the crab legs 401 are stuck with the circulating belt ²portions (16a, 16b)²as a result of two leg portions of the crab legs 401 being stacked on each ²other to increase ²the thickness thereof. Especially, a situation is suppressed in which the crab ²legs 401 are ²bent to increase the thickness as if two of the crab legs 401 were stacked on ²each other. Thus, ²a situation is alleviated in which the crab legs 401 are stuck. Namely, the ²gap region 150 is²appropriately adjusted, so that the legs 401 of the crab 400 transported by ²the transportation²mechanism 50 are located at an appropriate position. As a result, the crab ²legs 401 are ²suppressed from being stuck with the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b). In ²addition, a case ²is prevented in which the crab shell 406 is shifted toward the first belt ²portion 51a (or toward ²the second belt portion 51b) and thus the crab 400 is not cut equally into a ²left half and a²right half. In other words, the structure in this embodiment provides an ²effect that the crab²shell 406 is located at the center and the crab 400 is cut equally into a left ²half and a right²half.²

[0076] ²In a structural example in this embodiment, the belt portions (51a, 51b) each ²have a²protruding portion 51t formed on a rear surface 51r thereof, such that the ²belt portions (51a,²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 28²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=29>²Sib) are not shifted laterally. The belt supports (151a, 151b) each have a ²recessed portion ²151d formed therein. The belt portions 51 (51a, 51b) are moved in the ²advancing direction ²in the state where the recessed portions 151d and the protruding portions 51t ²are in ²engagement with each other. This prevents the belt portions (51a, 51b) from ²being shifted²while moving. The recessed portion 151d may be provided in the driving roller ²56 and / or²the subordinate roller 54.²

[0077] ²A structure shown in FIG. 9 may be adopted. In the structure shown in FIG. 9,²neither the first belt support 151a nor the second belt support 151b is ²movable (i.e., the first²Jo belt support 151a and the second belt support 151b are secured). The ²first belt support 151a²and the second belt support 151b each have a width changing member (L-shaped ²member) ²153 located on at least a part of a surface thereof. The width changing member ²(L-shaped ²member) 153 includes a planar member 153a extending on a top surface of the ²belt support ²(151a, 151b) and a vertical member 153b extending downward (perpendicularly) ²from the²planar member 153a. In this structural example, an L-shaped member (L-shaped ²column²extending in the advancing direction; length: for example, 2 to 5 meters) 57 ²is slid in the ²horizontal direction (lateral direction, see arrow 153h), so that the gap ²region 150, into which ²the shell 406 of the crab 400 is to fit, is adjusted to have an appropriate ²width. The structure ²shown in FIG. 9 conveniently allows the gap region 150, into which the shell ²406 of the crab²400 is to fit, to be adjusted easily, without using a mechanism of moving the ²belt supports²(151a, 151b) in the horizontal direction. In the case where the belt supports ²(151a, 151b) ²movable in the horizontal direction are used, the positions of the belt ²portions (51a, 51b) ²may be roughly set by the belt supports (151a, 151b) and then finely adjusted ²to adjust the ²width of the gap region 150 by the width changing members (L-shaped members) ²153. It is²preferred that the width changing members (L-shaped members) 153 extend from a ²position²EDC JAVV\ 2096886\1 29²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=30>²where the crab 400 is put into the crab processing device 100 (especially, on ²the ²transportation mechanism 50) to a position where the crab 400 is deprived of ²the shell 406 ²(shell remover 20 described below). The width changing members (L-shaped ²members) 153 ²may extend by the length of a part of the transportation mechanism 50 (extend ²to the shell / gill²removal device 10) or may extend to the position where the crab 400 is cut ²(extend to the²crab cutter 40).²

[0078] ²In the structural example shown in FIG. 9, the horizontal portions 153a ²(planar²portions extending in the horizontal direction) of the width changing members ²(L-shaped²members) 153 are held between the belt portions (51a, 51b) and the belt ²supports (151a,²151b). The vertical portions (planar portions extending in the vertical ²direction) 153b of the ²width changing members (L-shaped members) 153 extend to run through areas ²below the ²belt supports (151a, 151b). The belt supports (151a, 151b) each have a ²securing member ²(e.g., protruding metal portion) 58 provided on a bottom surface thereof. The ²securing²member 58 and the vertical portion 153b of each of the width changing members ²(L-shaped²members) 153 are connected with each other by a gap adjusting member (e.g., ²screw member ²(bolt or the like)) 57. The gap adjusting member (bolt or the like) 57 is ²adjusted, so that the ²position of the L-shaped member 153 is changed. With such a structure, the ²horizontal ²portion 153a of each of the width changing members (L-shaped members) 153 is ²slid in the²horizontal direction (lateral direction, arrow 153h), so that the gap region ²150, into which²the shell 406 of the crab 400 is fit, is adjusted to have an appropriate ²width.²

[0079] ²In the structure shown in FIG. 9, a central belt support 151c is provided in ²the gap²region 150. On a top surface of the central belt support 151c, the central ²belt portion 51c is²located. The belt supports (151a, 151b, 151c) each have a recessed portion, ²and the belt²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 30²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=31>²portions (51a, 51b, 51c) each have a protruding portion on a rear surface ²thereof. The belt ²portions (51a, 51b, 51c) are moved in the advancing direction in the state ²where the recessed ²portions and the protruding portions are in engagement with each other. This ²prevents the ²belt portions (51a, 51b, 51c) from being shifted while moving.²

[0080] ²According to the structure shown in FIG. 9, when the crab 400 is set, the crab ²shell ²406 is fit into the gap region 150 (on the central belt portion 51c) adjusted ²to have an ²appropriate width, and the crab legs 401 are located cleanly on the top ²surfaces of the first ²and second belt portions (51a, 51b). Therefore, the legs 401 of the crab 400 ²transported by²the transportation mechanism 50 are located at an appropriate position (so as ²to have a low²height without the legs 401 being stacked on each other). As a result, the ²crab legs 401 are ²suppressed from being stuck with the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) ²(and / or the crab ²400 is suppressed from being shifted leftward or rightward).²

[0081] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the gap region (150) located between the ²first²belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b may be configured to allow ²the depth thereof ²to be adjusted. Specifically, in the structure shown in FIG. 9, the central ²belt support 151c ²may be configured to allow the height thereof to be adjusted (configured to be ²movable in ²the up-down direction). More specifically, the position at which the central ²belt support 151c²is attached (position in the height direction) may be made adjustable by an ²attachment²member (e.g., attachment screw, bolt and nut) securing the central belt ²support 151c. ²Alternatively, the central belt support 151c may be configured to be movable ²in the up-down ²direction by a motor. In the case where the gap region (150) movable in the up-²down ²direction is provided, the gap region (150) may be made deep for a large crab ²400 (thick²shell 406), and may be made shallow for a small crab 400 (thin shell 406). In ²the case where²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 31²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=32>²the crab processing device 100 is adjusted in the depth direction in this ²manner, the crab legs ²401 are suppressed from being stuck more effectively. This contributes to more ²accurate ²removal of the shell 406 (and / or more accurate removal of the pleon, etc.).²

[0082] ²FIG. 10 shows a surface of the driving roller 56 in an internal structure of ²the²transportation mechanism 50. The driving roller 56 is a driving core formed of ²a plastic ²material. The driving roller 56 has roller grooves 56d formed in a top surface ²thereof. The ²protruding portion 51t is formed on the rear surface 51r of each of the belt ²portions 51. While ²the belt portions 51 circulate along the driving roller 56, the protruding ²portions 51t of the²belt portions 51 and the roller grooves 56d are in engagement with each other. ²In the²structure in this embodiment, the roller grooves 56d are wider than the ²protruding portions ²51t of the belt portions 51. Specifically, the width of each of the roller ²grooves 56d is larger ²than the width of each of the protruding portions 51t including the vibration ²width of the belt ²portion 51 (vibration margin) (namely, a width including the physical width of ²the protruding²portion 51t and some room added thereto). The roller grooves 56d are made ²wide, so that²even a change in the positions of the first and second belt portions (51a, ²51b) (see arrows²152a and 152b in FIG. 8) is easily responded to.²

[0083] ²In this embodiment, a support frame 154 is movable in the horizontal direction ²(see²arrow 155). Specifically, a protruding portion 154a of the support frame 154 ²has a hole 156²longer in the lateral direction, and a securing member (e.g., bolt and nut) ²157 is fit into the ²hole 156 longer in the lateral direction. For moving the support frame 154 in ²the horizontal ²direction (arrow 155), the securing member 157 is once loosened and the ²support frame 154 ²is moved, and then the securing member 157 is tightened at a predetermined ²position to²secure the post-movement support frame 154. Such a structure (154a, 156, 157) ²may be²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 32²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=33>²adopted, so that the width of the gap region (see FIG. 8) 150 is adjusted ²easily.²

[0084] ²In the crab processing device in this embodiment, the crab leg extending ²member (13,²15) extending the legs 401 of the crab 400 is provided at a position where the ²crab 400 enters²the shell / gill removal device 10 in the advancing direction (101) of the ²transportation²mechanism 50. This solves an inconvenience that the crab legs 401 are stuck ²with a part ²(16) of the shell / gill removal device 10 and prevents the crab 400 from ²entering the shell / gill ²removal device 10. As a result, the throughput of a process of removing the ²shells 406 ²continuously by an associated operation of the transportation mechanism 50 ²(51a, 51b) and²the shell / gill removal device 10 (16a, 16b) is prevented from decreasing. In ²the structure in²this embodiment, the position where the crab 400 enters the shell / gill removal ²device 10 is²located upstream with respect to the circulating rollers (16a, 16b).²

[0085] ²The first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b of the ²transportation²mechanism 50 in this embodiment are configured to change the width of the gap ²region (150)²located between the belt portions (51a, 51b). Therefore, the crab shell 406 is ²put into the ²gap region (150) adjusted to have an appropriate width. For this reason, a ²situation is ²alleviated in which the crab legs 401 are stuck as a result of, for example, ²two leg portions ²of the crab legs 401 being stacked on each other to increase the thickness ²thereof. In other²words, a situation is alleviated in which the crab legs 401 are stuck with the ²circulating belt²portions (16a, 16b). Namely, according to the structure in this embodiment, ²the gap region ²150 is appropriately adjusted, so that the legs 401 of the crab 400 ²transported by the ²transportation mechanism 50 are located at an appropriate position. As a ²result, the legs 401 ²of the crab 400 are suppressed from being stuck with the circulating belt ²portions (16a, 16b).²

[0086] ²EDC_LAIM 2096886\1 33²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=34>²Now, with reference to FIG. 11 through FIG. 19, a shell removal mechanism in ²the ²shell / gill removal device 10 and a shell removal process performed by the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10 will be described. The shell / gill removal device 10 in this ²embodiment includes ²the above-described movable belt mechanism 16 holding the crab legs 401 and ²the shell² remover 20 (gears 21 and 22) removing the crab shell 406.²

[0087] ²FIG. 11 schematically shows an operation of shell removing gears (21, 22) ²included²in the shell remover 20. The shell removing gears (21, 22) include an upper ²gear 21 and a²lower gear 22. In the structure in this embodiment, the upper gear 21 is a ²gear (upper teeth)²rotating in a direction opposite to the advancing direction 103 of the ²transportation²mechanism 50. The lower gear 22 is a gear (lower teeth, lower blades) rotating ²in the ²direction opposite to the advancing direction 103 of the transportation ²mechanism 50. The ²upper gear 21 has a plurality of grooves 21b formed in an outer ²circumferential surface ²thereof. The lower gear 22 includes hooks 23 removing the crab shell 406 ²formed at tips²thereof.²

[0088] ²This will be further described. The upper gear 21 rotates against the ²advancing ²direction (103) (arrow 21r; counterclockwise in the sheet of FIG. 11). The ²lower gear 22 ²rotates against the advancing direction (103) (arrow 23r; clockwise in the ²sheet of FIG. 11).²When the crab 400a advances (arrow 103) and is held between the upper gear 21 ²and the²lower blades 22, a hook portion 23b of one of the lower blades 22 is hooked ²with the mouth ²405 (so-called beak) of the crab 400a. When the lower gear 22 is rotated and ²the hook ²portion 23b is moved downward, the shell 46 of the crab 400a is removed ²cleanly. The ²removed shell 406 drops to a space below. After this, each time a crab 400a ²advances, this²operation is repeated. The shell remover 20 operates in this manner by use of ²the shell²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 34²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=35>²removing gears 21 and 22.²

[0089] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the upper gear 21 has a function of, in ²operation,²pressing the crab belly 403 and removing the pleon 403a of the crab belly 403. ²The hooks²23 of the lower gear 22 have a function of contacting the crab mouth 405 and ²then removing²the crab shell 406. The upper gear 21 rotates in the direction opposite to the ²advancing ²direction 103 (arrow 21r) and thus removes the pleon 403a. Since the upper ²gear 21 removes ²the pleon 403a, the lower gear 22 easily removes the crab shell 406 cleanly. ²In the case ²where the upper gear 21 rotates forward, namely, in the advancing direction ²103, the upper²gear 21 plays the role of pressing the crab belly 403 (although not playing ²the role of²removing the pleon 403a of the crab belly 403). In this case, the lower gear ²22 removes the ²crab shell 406. It is preferred that the removal of the pleon 403a by the ²upper gear 21 and ²the removal of the shell 406 by the lower gear 22 are performed in the same ²step.²

[0090] ²In the structure in this embodiment, the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 ²may be²configured such that the positions thereof (attached positions, fixed ²positions) are ²changeable in the up-down direction. Specifically, at standard positions of ²the upper gear ²21 and the lower gear 22, a tip of the upper gear 21 is at the same height as ²that of the top ²surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second belt portion 51b, and a ²tip of the lower²gear 22 is below the top surfaces of the first belt portion 51a and the second ²belt portion 51b.²In the structure in this embodiment, the positions of the upper gear 21 and ²the lower gear 22 ²are each changeable in the up-down direction by 10 mm. Such a positional ²change may be ²realized by, for example, a structure in which the positions of shafts (21s, ²22s) are changeable ²in the up-down direction (for example, by changing the positions at which the ²shafts (21s,²22s) are attached to a main body of the shell / gill removal device 10). The ²upper gear 21 and²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 35²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=36>²the lower gear 22 are configured such that the positions thereof are ²changeable. Therefore, ²the positions of the upper gear 21 and the lower gear 22 are adjustable in ²accordance with ²the size of the crab 400. As a result, the crab processing (step of removing ²the shell, etc.) is ²performed favorably.²

[0091] ²The rotation rate (and / or the number of teeth) of each of the shell removing ²gears (21, ²22) may be appropriately selected in accordance with the size or the type of ²the crab 400, or ²the transportation rate. In this embodiment, the rotation rate of the upper ²gear 21 and the ²rotation rate of the lower gear 22 are set to be equal (or approximately ²equal) to each other.²It should be noted that the rotation rate of each of the upper gear 21 and the ²lower gear 22²may be made changeable by controlling motors that operate the upper gear 21 ²and the lower ²gear 22. A structure in which the rotation rate of each of the upper gear 21 ²and the lower ²gear 22 is changeable may be realized by driving the upper gear 21 and the ²lower gear 22 by ²different motors, or by inverter control. The number of teeth of the upper ²gear 21 may be,²for example, 16, whereas the number of teeth of the lower gear 22 may be, for ²example, 8.²In another example, the number of teeth of the upper gear 21 may be 10 to 30, ²whereas the²number of teeth of the lower gear 22 may be 4.²

[0092] ²FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a combination structure of the upper ²gear 21²and the lower gear (lower blades) 22.²

[0093] ²The upper gear 21 has a shape of a rotatable disc including the shaft 21s at a ²center²thereof, and has a function of pressing the belly 403 of the crab 400 (side ²opposite to the²shell 406). When the upper gear 21 rotates in a rotation direction represented ²by arrow 21r²in FIG. 11, the pleon 403a in a rear part of the crab belly 403 is removed. ²The shell removing²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 36²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=37>²gear has recessed portions and protruding portions (grooves 21b and ²protrusions 21a) to be ²gear-shaped, such that the belly 403 of the crab 400 is easily pressed and the ²pleon 403a is ²easily removed. The recessed portions and the protruding portions, or the ²grooves and the ²protrusions, are not limited to being shaped or structured as shown in FIG. ²12, and may have²any preferable shape or structure as long as the crab belly 403 is pressed and ²the pleon 403a²is removed.²

[0094] ²The lower gear (lower blades) 22 includes a plurality of extending portions ²(wings)²23a extending from the shaft 22s and the hook portions 23b formed at tips of ²the extending²portions (wings) 23a. The hook portions 23b in this embodiment each have a ²shape of letter²C that is opened outward (shaped like mandibles of stag beetle). When one of ²the hook ²portions 23b touches the mouth 405 (site of the crab 400 to the front of the ²belly 403) and ²the lower gear is rotated, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is removed cleanly.²

[0095] ²FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are respectively a side view and a perspective view ²showing an²example of structure of the upper gear 21 in this embodiment. The upper gear ²21 shown ²here includes grooves 21b and outer circumferential portions (portions ²protruding with ²respect to the grooves 21b) located between the grooves 21b. The upper gear 21 ²includes ²width expanding portions 21w provided on side surfaces of the outer ²circumferential²portions (protrusions) 21a. In this example, the width expanding portions 21w ²are formed²on both of sides of the outer circumferential portions 21a. The width ²expanding portions ²21w enhance the function of pressing the crab belly 403 and the function of ²removing the ²pleon 403a.²

[0096] ²FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view showing an example of the hook 23 of the ²lower²EDC_LAIM 2096886 \ 1 37²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=38>²gear (lower blades) 22. The hook 23 includes a pair of protruding portions 23t ²having an ²opening 23s therebetween. The opening 23s is formed at a center of the tip ²23b. The shape ²of the hook 23 shown in FIG. 15 is suitable to remove the shell 406 favorably, ²and is ²preferable because brown meat in the crab shell 406 is also removed favorably. ²Specifically,²the hook 23 may be shaped appropriately (e.g., shaped as shown in FIG. 15). ²This provides²an advantage that the shell 406 is allowed to be recovered while containing ²brown meat²therein and thus the brown meat is easily recovered.²

[0097] ²FIG. 16 shows an example of structure of the lower gear (lower blades) 22. The²to lower gear 22 shown in FIG. 16 includes a plate portion 23p formed at ²the tip 23b of the²hook 23. Such a structure including the plate portion 23p also removes the ²crab shell 406 ²cleanly. The lower gear 22 shown in FIG. 17 has an opening 23s formed deep in ²the tip 23b ²of the hook 23. The lower gear 22 may have such a structure. The number of the ²teeth (23a, ²23b) of the lower gear 22 may be 4, 6, 8 or the like. The structure, the ²number of the teeth,²and the like, of the lower gear 22 may be appropriately selected in accordance ²with the²conditions of use (e.g., type and size of the crab, throughput conditions, how ²easily the brown²meat is to be removed) or the like.²

[0098] ²FIG. 18 shows how the pleon 403a of the crab 400 is removed by the upper gear ²21.²The legs 401 of the crab 400 move forward while being held between the ²circulating belt²portions 16a and 16b of the movable belt mechanism 16 and the belt portions 51 ²of the ²transportation mechanism 50. The movable belt mechanism 16 includes an urging ²member ²(spring) 17. The urging member 17 presses the circulating belt portions 16a ²and 16b toward ²the belt portions 51.²

[0099] ²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 38²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=39>²FIG. 19 shows how the shell 406 of the crab 400 is removed by the lower gear ²(lower ²blades) 22. The lower gear 22 rotates in a direction of the arrow (23r). The ²tip 23b of the ²lower gear 22 contacts the mouth (beak) 405 of the crab 400 and then the lower ²gear keeps ²on rotating, so that the shell 406 is removed and is knocked to fall downward ²while the crab²400 is transported. Then, the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 becomes the ²crab meat (407).²

[0100] ²Next, the gills (409) are removed from the crab 400 (crab meat 407) deprived ²of the ²shell 406. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, high-pressure water is ²jetted toward the ²crab 400 (407) deprived of the shell 406 at an oblique angle. As a result, the ²gills 409 are² removed from the crab 400.²

[0101] ²FIG. 20 shows a structure of the gill remover 30 in this embodiment. FIG. 20²schematically shows how a jetting device (nozzle) 34 of the gill remover 30 in ²this²embodiment jets pressurized water toward the crab 400b.²

[0102] ²The crab 400b is located with the belly 403 being directed upward (in the ²state of ²being deprived of the shell 406). The gills 409 are attached to a part of a ²bottom surface of ²the crab 400b (surface of the crab meat). In this embodiment, the jetting ²device 34 is located ²as being directed upward from below obliquely, so that jetted water 39 (gill ²removing²medium) from an jetting opening (nozzle opening) 33 advances at an oblique ²angle (0). The²jetted water 39 from the jetting opening 33 is adjusted to pass a space 35s in ²a box 35 ²accommodating the jetting device 34 and to collide against a predetermined ²site of the crab ²400b (site of the gills 409). The jetted water 39 is adjusted to advance at an ²oblique angle ²(oblique angle 0) because it has been found by an experiment performed by the ²present²inventors that the gills 409 are removed more cleanly in this manner than in ²the case where²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 39²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=40>²the water (pressurized water) is jetted in the horizontal direction or in the ²vertical direction. ²

[0103] ²In a structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle ²0) of a ²central line 33c of the jetting opening 33 is, for example, 5 degrees to 45 ²degrees (in an²example, 10 degrees to 35 degrees, preferably 30 5 ) with respect to the ²horizon (L) . It²should be noted that as long as the gills 409 are removed cleanly, there is no ²specific ²limitation on the angle, and any preferable angle may be adopted. In this ²embodiment, the ²jetting opening 33 of the jetting device 34 has a diameter of, for example, ²0.5 mm to 3 mm ²(in an example, 1 mm 0.2 mm). The diameter is not limited to such a range of ²numerical²lo values (sizes), and any preferable diameter may be adopted. In the ²example shown here,²four jetting openings 33 (jetting devices 34) and another four jetting ²openings 33 (jetting ²devices 34) are arrayed on the left side and the right side. Any other ²structure or number ²may be adopted. The pressure (plunger-type high pressure ejection pressure) of ²the ²pressurized water (jetted water) 39 is, for example, 20 kgf / cm2 to 80 kgf / cm2 ²(in an example,²30 kgf / cm2 to 50 kfg / cm2). The pressure is not limited to such a range, and ²any pressure at²which the gills 409 are removed cleanly may be used. The amount of the jetted ²water 39 ²may be set to at least 20 liters / min. The pressure of the pressurized water 39 ²may be variable ²or constant.²

[0104] ²In a structural example in this embodiment, the oblique angle (jetting angle ²0) is²fixed. Alternatively, the oblique angle (jetting angle 0) may be variable (the ²nozzle 34 may ²be swung). The jetting device (nozzle) 34 in this embodiment is adjustable to ²swing up and ²down. The jetting device (nozzle) 34 in this embodiment may be configured to ²be swung ²left and right, or to be changed in the jetting angle in the up-down direction ²or the left-right²direction. The jetting device (nozzle) 34 swingable in any of various manners ²easily²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 40²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=41>²responds to various sizes or types of the crab 400.²

[0105] ²In this embodiment, the crab 400 is deprived of the gills 409 while being ²moved by²the transportation mechanisms (50, 16). The transportation of the crab 400 may ²be once²stopped to remove the gills 409. The throughput is higher and the flow from / to ²the other²steps (shell removal step, etc.) is smoother in the case where the gills 409 ²are removed while²the crab 400 is transported continuously.²

[0106] ²Next, the crab 400 deprived of the gills 409 is moved toward the exit in the ²advancing²direction, and is cut into two halves by the rotatable blade of the crab ²cutter 40. This will be²further described. The crab 400 deprived of the gills 409 is cut into two ²halves by the crab ²cutter in this embodiment. The crab 400 may be cut by a rotating blade ²(rotating saw) or ²any other cutting mechanism (e.g., guillotine cutter, water cutter, etc.) In ²the structure in this ²embodiment, the rotatable blade of the crab cutter is configured such that the ²fixed position²(attached position) thereof is changeable in the up-down direction from a ²standard attached²position. The attached position of the rotatable blade may be made changeable ²in the up-²down direction as described above, so as to be adjusted in accordance with the ²size of the ²crab 400. As a result, the crab processing (crab cutting step) is performed ²favorably. The ²attached position of the rotatable blade may be changed by, for example, ²changing the²position at which the shaft of the rotatable blade is attached to the main ²body of the shell / gill²removal device 10. In the case where the crab 400 does not need to be cut into ²two halves, ²the crab cutter 40 does not need to be provided. It is convenient to cut the ²crab 400 into two ²halves on this stage by a series of operations (by one processing device 100 ²or one shell / gill ²removal device 10).²

[0107] ²EDC_LAW\ 2096886 \ 1 41²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=42>²After being cut by the crab cutter 40, the crab 400c is transported by the ²belt conveyor ²50 as shown in FIG. 1. The crab 400c is deprived of the shell 406 and also the ²gills 409 ²cleanly, and thus is used as a processed crab product (crab meat product or ²crab sections; see ²FIG. 2).²

[0108] ²FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the overview of the crab processing device ²100 ²in this embodiment. First, the crab 400 is transported by the belt conveyor 50 ²(arrows 101 ²and 102) and enters the shell / gill removal device 10. In the shell / gill ²removal device 10, the ²shell remover 20 (upper and lower gears 21 and 22), the gill remover 30 and ²the crab cutter²40 are located. The crab 400 is processed by these devices sequentially. ²According to the²structure in this embodiment, when the crab 400 is about to enter the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10, the crab legs 401 are extended appropriately by the crab leg ²extending member ²(13, 15). Therefore, the crab legs 41 enter the shell / gill removal device 10 ²smoothly. Namely, ²the crab legs 41 are suppressed from being stuck.²

[0109] ²After the shell 406 is removed by the shell remover 20 (upper and lower gears ²21 ²and 22), the shell and the brown meat may be collected by the shell and brown ²meat recovery ²member 81(82). In this embodiment, the shell and brown meat recovery member ²81(82) ²includes the transportation member (conveyor) 81 and the recovering container ²82.²Alternatively, the shell and brown meat recovery member 81 (82) may have a ²different ²structure (e.g., the transportation member may not be included, or the ²recovering container ²82 may be modified). The gill remover 30 is connected with a booster pump (not ²shown). ²In the plant, it is preferred to use a movable booster pump (water booster ²pump). ²Alternatively, water may be supplied from a water booster pump device ²installed in a fixed²manner as a part of the facilities to the gill remover 30 via a hose.²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 42²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=43>²

[0110] ²Then, the processed crab meat (crab meat without shell or gills, crab ²sections) comes ²out of the shell / gill removal device 10 (arrows 105 and 106) and transported ²by the belt ²conveyor 50 to be collected. After this, such collected crabs (crab sections) ²are transported²to the next step, for example, a boiling step. During the transportation, the ²crabs (crab²sections) may be classified by size or the like. This will be further ²described. The crab ²sections deprived of the shell automatically are uniformly located side by ²side in a left-right ²symmetrical manner, and are classified by size in the next step on the belt ²conveyor ²connected with the shell / gill removal device 10 or are efficiently put into a ²boil container.²By contrast, in the case where the shell is removed manually, the crab ²sections are moved²onto the conveyor in the state of being located non-uniformly in the left-²right direction. This²causes a problem that the work efficiency is low.²

[0111] ²FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a crab processing method (method for producing ²a² crab meat product) in this embodiment.²

[0112] ²First, the crab 400 is put on the conveyor 50 in the state where the shell 406 ²is directed²downward (in the state where the belly 403 is directed upward) (step S100). ²Next, the²conveyor 50 is moved to transport the crab 400 toward the shell / gill removal ²device 10 (step²S110). Immediately before the crab 400 enters the shell / gill removal device ²10, the legs 401²of the crab 400 are extended and aligned (step S120).²

[0113] ²Then, the shell 406 of the crab 400 is removed in the shell / gill removal ²device 10²(step S200), and the gills 409 of the crab 400 are removed (step S300). The ²removal ratio²of the shells 406 is 100%, and the removal ratio of the gills 409 is also high ²(almost 100%).²EDC_LAW\ 2096886\1 43²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=44>²Then, the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 and the gills 409 is cut into two ²halves (step ²S400). The crab sections (half portions of the crab meat) obtained as a result ²of such a ²process are recovered (step S500). In the step of removing the shell 406 of ²the crab 400 ²(step S200), the brown meat (and the shell 406) of the crab 400 may be ²recovered.²

[0114] ²In this embodiment, the transportation rate of the conveyor 50 is set such ²that when ²crabs are processed continuously, a processed product of each crab is output ²every 0.8 to 1.0 ²second. This numerical value may be changed in accordance with other ²conditions; for ²example, the transportation rate may be decreased. The transportation rate of ²the belt²portions (51a, 51b) of the conveyor 50 may be controlled by an inverter. This ²processing²rate corresponds to a productivity of 2.5 tons / hour for crabs each weighting ²0.7 kg. If the ²plant is operated for a day (10 hours), 25 tons of meat is processed. The crab ²400 has a size ²(width) of, for example, 9 cm to 13 cm. For crabs having a size out of this ²range, the crab ²processing device 100 may be changed so as to fit to such crabs. The crab 400 ²preferable²for the crab processing method in this embodiment is snow crab or red snow ²crab. The²method in this embodiment is also applicable to any other type of crab (e.g., ²red king crab). ²In the case where the shell 406 and the gills 409 are removed by operators ²manually, at least ²8 to 15 operators are needed in order to process 2.5 tons per hour. The crab ²processing ²method in this embodiment is superior to the manual work done by operators in ²term of the²product quality (appearance of the crab meat, uniformity) and also the ²cleanliness of the crab²processing plant (cleanliness during the work). Especially, portions after the ²gills 409 are ²removed are white and clean. Remaining gills 409 tend to cause complaints. It ²is highly ²advantageous that the portion after the gills 409 are removed is clean.²

[0115] ²The crab processing device 100 (shell / gill removal device 10) in this ²embodiment²EDC_LAW\ 2096886\1 44²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=45>²includes the transportation mechanism 50 transporting the crab 400, the shell ²remover 20, ²the gill remover 30 and the crab cutter 40. The gill remover 30 includes the ²jetting device ²34 jetting the pressurized water 39 toward the crab 400. Therefore, the gills ²409 attached to ²the crab 400 deprived of the shell 406 are removed cleanly with the ²pressurized water 39.²Especially when the water is jetted (ejected) at an oblique angle (0), the ²gills 409 are removed²cleanly, specifically, more cleanly than by a gill removing roller. The crab ²processing device ²100 in this embodiment automatically performs the shell removal (S200) and the ²gill removal ²(S300) while transporting the crab 400 by the transportation mechanism 50, and ²thus ²produces crab meat products at low cost and with a high level of cleanliness.²

[0116] ²With the technique in this embodiment, expenses (personnel expenses) are ²decreased ²by an automatic operation. The automatic operation suppresses the quality ²deterioration ²(remaining gills, etc.). As compared with the manual work, the automatic ²operation ²improves the quality of the crab meat products and also make the quality ²uniform. The²automatic operation also increases the processing speed. It requires almost 6 ²seconds to²process one crab manually, whereas the automatic shell / gill removal device 10 ²in this ²embodiment requires only 1 second or less to process one crab. The gills 409 ²are removed ²almost perfectly. One such shell / gill removal device 10 merely requires two ²experts (skilled ²operators). The processing rate of the crab processing device 100 in this ²embodiment²(automatic shell / gill removal device 10) is 0.6 to 0.8 seconds / crab. With such ²a processing²rate, it does not matter how rapidly the crabs 400 may be put into the crab ²processing device ²100. Therefore, the rate at which the crabs 400 are put into the crab ²processing device 100 ²often determines the processing rate.²

[0117] ²The shell 406 is removed with almost no damage, and therefore, may be ²recycled.²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 45²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=46>²Since the shell 406 is recovered in the state of containing brown meat ²therein, the brown ²meat is also recovered easily. Therefore, according to the technique in this ²embodiment, it ²is easy to recover the removed shell, and also to recover the brown meat in ²the shell and ²provide the brown meat as a product. In the case of being removed manually, ²the shell 406²and the gills 409 are mixed together. As a result, during recovery of the ²shell 406 and the²brown meat, a large amount of gills 409 remains as impurities. According to ²the automatic ²shell / gill removal device 10 in this embodiment, the shell 406 is removed and ²then the gills ²409 are removed. The steps are separate, which has an advantage that the gills ²409 are not ²much mixed with the shell 406. The gill remover 30 (high-pressure water ²jetting device 34)²may be attached to a space having a width of about 10 cm, which contributes to ²the size²reduction of the crab processing device 100. Occasionally, the brown meat of ²the crab may ²remain in a shoulder part of the crab section deprived of the shell. The crab ²meat (shoulder ²part, etc.) with the brown meat attached thereto may be treated as a defective ²product. The ²brown meat is removed more cleanly by the automatic shell removal in this ²embodiment (by² the technique using water pressure) than by manual shell removal.²

[0118] ²The remaining brown meat may often be removed by jetting high-pressure water, ²but²occasionally cannot be completely removed. In this case, after the shell 406 ²is removed,²middle-pressure water (water of a pressure lower than that of the high-²pressure water) may²be jetted toward a shoulder (407) of the crab 400. In this manner, the ²remaining brown meat²still attached to the crab 400 may be washed away. In this case, a device ²(nozzle) jetting the ²middle-pressure water may be attached to the crab processing device 100 ²(shell / gill removal ²device 10).²

[0119] ²FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show an example of the crab processing device 100 ²(shell / gill²EDC_LA1M 2096886\1 46²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=47>²removal device 10) in this embodiment.²

[0120] ²FIG. 23 shows the crab processing device 100 in this embodiment from the rear ²side²(exit side). In the crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 23, the crab leg ²extending²member (J-shaped members) 13 is located also on the exit side of the ²shell / gill removal²device 10. In the structure shown here, the crab cutter 40 (rotatable blade ²40) is located ²between the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b). The rotatable blade 40 is ²supported by the ²shaft 41. The rotatable blade 40 is rotated along with the rotation of a motor ²connected with ²the shaft 41. As a result, the crab 400 is cut (namely, the crab deprived of ²the shell 406 and² the gills 409 is cut into two halves).²

[0121] ²In the structural example shown in FIG. 23, the shell / gill removal device 10 ²includes²an upper water pressure protection plate 71 and side water pressure protection ²plates 72. The²upper water pressure protection plate 71 and the side water pressure ²protection plates 72 are²provided in the vicinity of the gill remover 30 including the jetting device ²(nozzle) 34. The²upper water pressure protection plate 71 is provided above the circulating ²belt portions (16a, ²16b). The upper water pressure protection plate 71 is slidable to move to the ²rear side (or to ²the front side). The side water pressure protection plates 72 are located at ²positions at which ²the jetting device (nozzle) 34 is located and which is outer to the ²circulating belt portions²(16a, 16b). The upper water pressure protection plate 71 and the side water ²pressure²protection plates 72 protect an area around the shell / gill removal device 10 ²against the high-²pressure water jetted from the jetting device 34. The upper water pressure ²protection plate ²71 and the side water pressure protection plates 72 are formed of a metal ²material (e.g., ²stainless steel) or the like. The protection plates (71, 72) are preferably ²plate-like, but may²be of another member (high-pressure water protection member) as long as ²protection against²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 47²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=48>²the pressurized water is provided.²

[0122] ²When the high-pressure water is jetted from the jetting device 34, the inside ²of the²shell / gill removal device 10 gets dirty with the splashing water. In the ²structure shown in²FIG. 23, the protection members (water pressure protection plates) against ²splashing water²are located outer to the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) (above, to the ²left of, and to the ²right of, the circulating belt portions (16a, 16b)). Therefore, such a problem ²regarding water ²is solved.²

[0123] ²to The circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) shown in FIG. 23 each have ²recessed and²protruding portions (knurling) at the surfaces thereof. Such recessed and ²protruding portions ²make it difficult for the crab 400 to slide and makes it easy to process the ²crab 400. The ²circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) have a thickness of, for example, about 5 ²mm, and the ²protruding portions of the recessed and protruding portions have a height of, ²for example,²about 1 mm. The circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) may be formed of, for ²example, rubber,²Teflon (registered trademark), polyurethane synthetic resin or the like. If ²the circulating belt ²portions (16a, 16b) formed of rubber are deteriorated by scratches or the ²like, polyurethane ²synthetic resin (thickness: 3 to 5 mm) may be used to form the circulating ²belt portions (16a, ²16b).²

[0124] ²The circulating belt portions (16a, 16b) each have recessed and protruding ²portions ²at the rear surfaces thereof. The shaft rollers 18s driving and rotating the ²circulating belt ²portions (16a, 16b) each have a recessed portion in the surface thereof. ²Specifically, the ²protruding portions on the rear surfaces of the circulating belt portions ²(16a, 16b), and the²recessed portions in the surfaces of the shaft rollers 18s, are shaped so as ²to correspond to²EDC_LAVV \ 2096886\1 48²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=49>²each other (to be engaged with each other). In the case where such protruding ²portions and ²such recessed portions are used, the protruding portions and the recessed ²portions are in ²engagement with each other, so as to prevent the circulating belt portions ²(16a, 16b) from ²being shifted leftward or rightward while moving. In addition, the circulating ²belt portions²(16a, 16b) may be each provided with a pressing member including a spring, and ²such a²pressing member may be used in association with the protruding portions and ²the recessed ²portions. In this case, the recessed and protruding shape of the crab legs 401 ²are received ²flexibly.²

[0125] ²The crab processing device 100 shown in FIG. 24 includes a door 75 outer to ²each²of the side water pressure protection plates 72 located on the side surfaces ²(left and right ²surfaces) of the shell / gill removal device 10. The door 75 shown here is ²slidable and ²movable in the direction of arrow 79. When the door 75 is thus slid, the ²inside of the shell / gill ²removal device 10 is made viewable. The door 75 is detachable. According to ²the structure²shown in FIG. 24, the doors 75, as well as the side water pressure protection ²plates 72,²protect an area around the shell / gill removal device 10 against the splashing ²high-pressure ²water from the jetting device 34. In addition, the inside of the crab ²processing device 100 ²may be easily inspected, which is convenient. In the example shown here, the ²doors 75 each ²include a plurality of (three in this example) slidable door members. The ²doors 75 are²provided on the left side and the right side. The doors 75 are not limited to ²being slidable,²and may be of any other structure, for example, of an open / close type, a ²shutter type or the ²like, as long as the inside of the shell / gill removal device 10 may be ²inspected easily. In the ²case where the area around the shell / gill removal device 10 is protected ²against the splashing ²water only by the doors 75 with no need of the side water pressure protection ²plates 72, such² a structure may be adopted.²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 49²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=50>²

[0126] ²In the structure shown in FIG. 24, the control panel (controller box) 14 is ²provided ²on the main body frame 10a of the shell / gill removal device 10 (in an ²uppermost portion of ²the crab processing device 100 or on a top plate of the shell / gill removal ²device 10). In the²case where the control panel 14 is located in such a top portion, the entirety ²of the crab²processing device (100) including the control panel 14 is made more compact ²than in the ²case where the control panel 14 is located to the side of the shell / gill ²removal device 10. In ²addition, the control panel 14 is protected against water leakage, and the ²crab processing ²device (100) appears better in the plant or the like. The switch of the ²control panel 14 may²be located at a position (height) corresponding to the height of the eyes of ²the operator (or²at a position at which manual work is made easily). In this case, the crab ²processing device ²(100) is made compact, and the workability is improved. The control panel 14 ²and ²components, for example, main motors and gears accompanying the main motors ²may be ²provided on the main body frame 10a (e.g., on the top plate of the shell / gill ²removal device²10). In this case, the entirety of the crab processing device (100) is made ²compact, and the²components are protected against water leakage. The crab processing device ²(100) appears²better.²

[0127] ²FIG. 25 shows a state where the door 75 is detached. The door 75 is detached, ²so²that the inside of the crab processing device (100) is made well viewable and ²the inspection²is made easy. In the structure shown in FIG. 25, the side water pressure ²protection plate 72 ²is exposed to the side of the shell / gill removal device 10. Coupling members ²31 in the gill ²remover 30 are exposed. The coupling members 31 are to be connected with hoses ²²(pressurized water hoses) extending from a water booster pump. The coupling ²members 31²are connected with water pipes 32. The water pipes 32 extend to the position ²where the gills²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 50²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=51>²409 is removed in the shell / gill removal device 10. Specifically, the water ²pipes 32 are²connected with the jetting device 34 shown in FIG. 20.²

[0128] ²The crab processing device 100 in this embodiment automatically removes the ²crab²shell 406 and the gills 409. The crab processing device 100 also has various ²characteristics²(especially by a mechanism of preventing the crab legs 401 from being stuck), ²and therefore, ²is improved in the level of performance and the ease of use. Specifically, the ²position (width, ²depth) of the transportation mechanism 50 is adjustable in accordance with the ²size or the ²type of the crab 400 (especially, the size of the shell 406). Therefore, the ²shell / gill removal²device 10 removes the shell 406. The crab processing device 100 also includes ²the crab leg²extending member (13, 15). Therefore, the legs 401 of the crab 400 are ²prevented from ²being stuck, and thus the operation of the movable belt mechanism 16 and the ²transportation ²mechanism 50 is suppressed from being stopped.²

[0129] ² The present invention has been described by way of preferred embodiments. The²description does not limit the present invention, and the preferred ²embodiments may be ²modified in any of various manners. For example, the belt conveyor is mainly ²described as ²the transportation mechanism 50 of the crab processing device 100 in this ²embodiment. Any ²other transportation mechanism that realizes the operation in this embodiment ²may be used.²It is preferred to use both of the crab leg extending member (13, 15) and the ²mechanism of²adjusting the width of the transportation mechanism (belt conveyor) 50. It is ²not absolutely ²necessary that both of these should be used. It is preferred that the crab leg ²extending ²member (13, 15) is provided both at the entrance and the exit of the ²shell / gill removal device ²10. Nonetheless, it is effective to provide the crab leg extending member (13, ²15) at only at²the entrance or only at the exit. As described above, it is possible and is ²preferred to provide²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 51²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=52>²the J-shaped members 13 both at the entrance and the exit of the shell / gill ²removal device ²10, and to further provide the rotatable brush 15 at the entrance of the ²shell / gill removal ²device 10. In accordance with the cost of the facilities or the required ²conditions, any ²preferred form may be adopted appropriately. The above-described components in ²the²embodiments may be appropriately combined unless the components contradict ²each other.²The present invention is not to be construed as being limited by the above-²described ²embodiments.²INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY²

[0130] ²The present invention provides a crab processing device and a crab processing ²method removing a crab shell such that the crab legs are not stuck while the ²crab is processed. ²The present invention also provides a crab processing device and a crab ²processing method ²removing the shells automatically and continuously, recovering the removed ²shells, and²recovering the brown meat in the shells and providing the brown meat as a ²product.²DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS²

[0131] ²10 Shell / gill removal device² 12 Driving motor²13 Crab leg extending member (J-shaped member)²14 Control panel²15 Crab leg extending member (rotatable brush)²16 Movable belt mechanism²16a, 16b Circulating belt portion²EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 52²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=53>²17 Urging member (spring)²18 Roller²19 Shaft²20 Shell remover² 21 Upper gear (shell removing gear)²22 Lower gear (shell removing gear)²30 Gill remover²31 Coupling member²32 Water pipe²33 Jetting opening (nozzle opening)²34 Jetting device (nozzle)²39 Pressurized water (jetted water)²40 Crab cutter²50 Transportation mechanism (belt conveyor)²51a First belt portion²51b Second belt portion²51c Central belt portion²52 Power source (motor)²52 Motor²53 Power transmission member (chain)²54 Subordinate roller²56 Driving roller²58 Securing member²60 Crab feeder²71 Water pressure protection plate²EDC_LA1N\ 2096886\1 53 ²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²<DP=54>²72 Water pressure protection plate²75 Door (slidable door)²81 Transportation member²82, 84 Recovery member² 100 Crab processing device²150 Gap region²151 Belt support²153 Width changing member (L-shaped member)²154 Support frame²157 Securing member²200 Crab meat production system²400 Crab²401 Crab leg²403 Crab belly²403a Pleon²405 Crab mouth (beak)²406 Crab shell²407 Crab meat²409 Crab gill² EDC_LAVV\ 2096886\1 54 ²CA 3056623 2019-09-25²

Claims

<DP=1>²WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:²1. A crab processing device, comprising:²a transportation mechanism transporting a crab;²a shell / gill removal device including a shell remover removing a shell of the ²crab; ²and²a crab leg extending member extending legs of the crab, the crab leg extending ²²member being provided at at least one of a position where the crab enters the ²shell / gill ²removal device in an advancing direction of the transportation mechanism and a ²position ²where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal device in the advancing ²direction of the ²transportation mechanism.²2. The crab processing device according to claim 1, wherein the crab leg ²extending member ²is provided at the position where the crab exits from the shell / gill removal ²device in the ²advancing direction of the transportation mechanism.²3. The crab processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:²the crab leg extending member is J-shaped, and²a pair of the crab leg extending members are located above the transportation²mechanism.²4. The crab processing device according to claim 1, wherein the crab leg ²extending member ²is provided at the position where the crab enters the shell / gill removal ²device in the ²advancing direction of the transportation mechanism.²5. The crab processing device according to claim 4, wherein the crab leg ²extending member²<DP=2>²is a rotatable brush.²6. The crab processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 5, ²wherein:²the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor,²the belt conveyor includes:²a first belt portion located on the left side as seen in the advancing ²direction²of the transportation mechanism,²a second belt portion located on the right side as seen in the advancing²direction of the transportation mechanism, and²a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second ²belt²portion, and²a surface of the central belt portion is lower than a surface of the first ²belt portion²and a surface of the second belt portion,²the surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow the ²legs of the²crab to be put thereon, and²the surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including ²the shell to²be put thereon.²7. The crab processing device according to claim 6, wherein the first belt ²portion and the ²second belt portion are movable to change a width of a region between the ²first belt portion ²and the second belt portion.²8. The crab processing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first ²belt portion and ²the second belt portion are respectively provided with L-shaped members ²changing a width ²of a region between the first belt portion and the second belt portion.²56²<DP=3>²9. The crab processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 8, ²wherein the ²shell / gill removal device further includes a movable belt mechanism holding ²the legs of the ²crab transported by the transportation mechanism.²10. The crab processing device according to claim 9, wherein the movable belt ²mechanism ²includes a pair of circulating belt portions provided on the left side and on ²the right side as ²seen in the advancing direction of the transportation mechanism, the pair of ²circulating belt ²portions pressing from above, and holding, the legs of the crab together with ²the first belt ²portion and the second belt portion of the transportation mechanism.²11. The crab processing device according to claim 10, wherein the pair of ²circulating belt ²portions each have a protruding portion formed on at least a top surface and a ²rear surface ²thereof.²12. The crab processing device according to any one of claims 9 through 11, ²wherein:²the shell remover includes:²an upper gear rotating in a direction opposite to the advancing direction of²the transportation mechanism, and²a lower gear rotating in the direction opposite to the advancing direction of²the transportation mechanism,²the upper gear has a plurality of grooves formed in an outer circumferential ²surface²thereof, and²the lower gear has hooks removing the shell of the crab, the hooks being ²formed at²tips of the lower gear.²57²<DP=4>²13. The crab processing device according to claim 12, wherein the hooks each ²include a pair ²of protruding portions having an opening therebetween, the opening being ²formed at a center²of a tip portion of the hook.²14. The crab processing device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the hooks ²each include ²a plate portion at a tip portion thereof.²15. The crab processing device according to any one of claims 12 through 14, ²wherein: ²the upper gear has a function of removing a pleon in a belly of the crab ²during an²operation of the shell remover, and²the hooks of the lower gear each have a function of contacting a mouth of the ²crab²and then removing the shell during the operation of the shell remover.²16. The crab processing device according to any one of claims 1 through 15, ²further²comprising:²a gill remover removing gills of the crab, and²a crab cutter cutting the crab into two halves,²wherein:²the gill remover and the crab cutter are provided downstream with respect to ²the shell²remover, and²the gill remover includes a jetting device jetting pressurizing water toward ²the crab²at an angle oblique with respect to the horizon.²17. The crab processing device according to claim 16, further comprising:²58²<DP=5>²an upper water pressure protection plate provided above the jetting device of ²the gill ²remover, and²a side water pressure protection plate provided outer to, and to the side of, ²the jetting ²device of the gill remover.²18. The crab processing device according to claim 17, further comprising a ²plurality of ²slidable doors provided outer to the side water pressure protection plate.²19. A crab processing device comprising:²a transportation mechanism transporting a crab, and²a shell / gill removal device including a shell remover removing a shell of the ²crab,²wherein:²the transportation mechanism is a belt conveyor,²the belt conveyor includes:²a first belt portion located on the left side as seen in an advancing ²direction²of the transportation mechanism,²a second belt portion located on the right side as seen in the advancing²direction of the transportation mechanism, and²a central belt portion located between the first belt portion and the second ²belt²portion,²a surface of the central belt portion is lower than a surface of the first ²belt portion²and a surface of the second belt portion,²the surfaces of the first belt portion and the second belt portion allow legs ²of the crab²to be put thereon,²the surface of the central belt portion allows a site of the crab including ²the shell to²59²<DP=6>²be put thereon, and²the first belt portion and the second belt portion are respectively provided ²with L-²shaped members changing a width of a region between the first belt portion and ²the second ²belt portion.²20. The crab processing device according to claim 19, wherein:²the first belt portion and the second belt portion each have a protruding ²portion ²formed on a rear surface thereof along the advancing direction, and²the crab processing device further includes belt supports respectively ²supporting the ²first belt portion and the second belt portion, and the belt supports each ²have a recessed ²portion formed in a top surface thereof, the recessed portion corresponding to ²the protruding ²portion.²21. The crab processing device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein:²the shell / gill removal device further includes a movable belt mechanism ²holding the ²legs of the crab transported by the transportation mechanism, and²the movable belt mechanism includes a pair of circulating belt portions ²provided on ²the left side and on the right side as seen in the advancing direction of the ²transportation ²mechanism, the pair of circulating belt portions pressing from above, and ²holding, the legs ²of the crab together with the first belt portion and the second belt portion ²of the transportation ²mechanism.²22. A crab processing method for processing a crab, comprising the steps of:²putting the crab on a transportation mechanism;²removing a shell of the crab while transporting the crab by the transportation²<DP=7>²mechanism, and²extending legs of the crab by a crab leg extending member while transporting ²the ²crab by the transportation mechanism at least before and after the step of ²removing the shell ²of the crab.²23. The crab processing method according to claim 22, wherein:²the transportation mechanism is configured to change a size of a region, of ²the²transportation mechanism, on which the shell of the crab is to be put, and²the step of putting the crab includes the step of adjusting the size of the ²region of the²transportation mechanism in accordance with the size of the crab.²24. The crab processing method according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising ²the steps²of:²jetting high-pressure water toward the crab deprived of the shell at an ²oblique angle²to remove gills of the crab; and²cutting the crab into two halves.²25. The crab processing method according to claim 24, wherein the step of ²removing the ²gills of the crab includes the step of protecting an area around the ²shell / gill removal device ²against the high-pressure water, which is splashing, by a water pressure ²protection plate.²61²