Dorsal surface deveining systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for dorsal surface deveining of shrimp are described herein. The deveining performed using the systems and methods involves aligning the abdomen of the shrimp and slitting or cutting the dorsal surface of the abdominal segments along a selected length of the abdomen (e.g., along a superior-inferior axis extending between the head and the tail of the shrimp) using a rotating blade to cut into the dorsal surface of the abdomen and remove the mud vein of shrimp.

Description

[0001] DORSAL SURFACE DEVEINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

[0002] RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 524,444 filed 30 June 2023 and titled DORSAL SURFACE DEVEINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] Systems and methods for dorsal surface deveining of shrimp are described herein.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Preparing shrimp for human consumption may include performing one or more processes such as heading, peeling, deveining, etc.

[0008] Deveining involves removal of at least a portion of the portion of the digestive tract passing through the abdominal segments of the shrimp (sometimes referred to as the vein, mud vein, etc.) and it may be performed manually or by equipment designed to at least partially devein the shrimp.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] Systems and methods for dorsal surface deveining of shrimp are described herein.

[0011] The deveining performed using the systems and methods described herein involves aligning the abdomen of the shrimp and slitting or cutting the dorsal surface of the abdominal segments along a selected length of the abdomen (e.g., along a superior-inferior axis extending between the head and the tail of the shrimp) using a rotating blade to cut into the dorsal surface of the abdomen and remove the mud vein of shrimp. The shrimp processing system and methods may be used on shrimp with or without the abdominal shell segments in place on the abdominal segments, i.e., the system and methods can be used to cut through the abdominal shell segments if they are still in place on the abdominal segments of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments, the shrimp may be aligned while cutting into the dorsal surface to maintain proper orientation of the shrimp during the cutting process. In one or more embodiments, the aligning may involve contacting the shrimp on opposing sides of the abdomen between the dorsal and ventral surfaces.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the rotating blade may include channels formed into the cutting edge, the channels extending into the blade. The channels may, in one or more embodiments, facilitate removal of the mud veins while the blade is cutting into the dorsal surface of a shrimp. Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that the openings of the channels may perform a scooping action to facilitate removal of the mud vein as the blade is advanced along the dorsal surface. Regardless of the theory, the inventors have observed that blades with channels are more effective at removing mud veins than blades without channels. In one or more embodiments, removal of mud veins is even more effective when a liquid (e.g., water or any other suitable liquid) is delivered to the rotating cutting edges of the blades while the blades are cutting into the dorsal surfaces of shrimp.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, shrimp processed by the systems and methods described herein provide a product that is easier to peel at the time of consumption with reduced degradation the quality of the meat of the shrimp because the width of the cut is limited to the thickness of the blade and no further processing after cutting into the shrimp using the systems and methods described herein is required.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be used in conjunction with the shrimp processing apparatus and methods described in International Applications WO 2021 / 158892, WO 2021 / 158894, and WO 2021 / 158897 - each titled SHRIMP PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS (Eid et al.) and each describing a variety of processes that can be performed on shrimp including heading (i.e., removal of the head (carapace) of a shrimp), peeling, severing the mud vein proximate the tail of the shrimp (to facilitate mud vein removal), etc. Performing one or more of the processes described in those applications using the shrimp processing apparatus and methods described in the above applications before and / or after processing shrimp using the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein may result in an even more superior product for peeling at the time of consumption. In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein, the system comprise: a deveining carriage configured to move above a working surface along a processing axis between a first position and a second position; an alignment apparatus attached to the deveining carriage, the alignment apparatus configured to align a shrimp located on the working surface along the processing axis as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position; a blade connected to the deveining carriage; a blade actuator operably connected to the blade, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a carriage actuator operably connected to the deveining carriage and configured to move the deveining carriage between the first position and the second position; and a controller operably connected to the blade actuator and the carriage actuator, wherein the controller is configured to: operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, wherein moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position moves the alignment apparatus and the blade along the processing axis, and operate the blade actuator to rotate the blade about the blade axis when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

[0015] In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of a deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein, the system comprise: a blade operably connected to a blade actuator, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a working surface configured to support a shrimp in a processing position relative to the blade; a transport apparatus configured to move one or both of the blade and the working surface relative to each other along a processing axis such that the blade, when rotated about the blade axis, cuts into a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface in the processing position; wherein the blade comprises a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

[0016] In a third aspect, one or more embodiments of a cutting apparatus as described herein comprise a blade configured to rotate about a blade axis, the blade comprising a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, one or more embodiments of a method of processing shrimp as described herein comprise: positioning a shrimp in a processing location on a working surface such that a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces a cutting edge of a blade, wherein the cutting edge of the blade defines a blade perimeter radially distal from a blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel; and cutting into the dorsal surface of the shrimp using the blade, wherein the cutting comprises: rotating the blade about the blade axis, contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the cutting edge of the blade, and advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp over a selected distance while rotating the blade to cut into the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, one or more embodiments of a method of processing shrimp as described herein comprise: positioning a shrimp on a working surface, wherein a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces away from the working surface; aligning at least a portion of the shrimp with a processing axis by contacting the shrimp with an alignment apparatus after positioning the shrimp on the working surface; contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with a rotating blade after contacting the shrimp with the alignment apparatus, wherein the rotating blade is aligned with the processing axis, and wherein the rotating blade rotates about a blade axis; advancing the blade along the processing axis after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the rotating blade; and advancing the alignment apparatus along the processing axis while advancing the blade along the processing axis such that the shrimp is aligned with the processing apparatus while the blade forms a cut in the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0019] As used herein, the term “shrimp” should be construed to refer to crustaceans harvested for human consumption that are referred to as either shrimp or prawns in, for example, the sub-orders Pieocyemata (Shrimp) and Dendrobranchiata (Prawns). Further, because the physical characteristics of shrimp capable of being processed using the processing systems and methods described herein can vary widely, any dimensions discussed herein are provided only as a general guide and further refinement of any such dimensions may be required to optimize operation of the shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein based on for example, the size, species, and / or general conditions of shrimp being processed.

[0020] If used herein, relational terms such as above, below, top, bottom, etc. are (unless otherwise specified in this description and / or the claims) used only to facilitate description of the various features of the shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein and should not be construed to require any specific orientation of the shrimp processing apparatus and / or the methods described herein unless explicitly required otherwise.

[0021] When used herein, the term “aligned with” as used in connection with various components, axes, directions of travel, etc. includes both parallel and generally parallel arrangements. For example, two axes (or other components, features, etc.) may be described as “aligned with” when the axes (or other components, features, etc.) are both perfectly parallel with each other or nearly parallel, e.g., the axes (or other components, features, etc.) may form an angle with each other that is greater than 0° but 10° or less.

[0022] If used herein, the term “substantially” has the same meaning as “significantly,” and can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 75%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term "not substantially" as used herein has the same meaning as “not significantly,” and can be understood to have the inverse meaning of "substantially," i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 25%, not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.

[0023] Numeric values used herein include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art and should be understood to have the same meaning as “approximately” and to cover a typical margin of error, such as ±5 % of the stated value.

[0024] Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

[0025] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of’ and “comprises at least one of’ followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

[0026] As used here, the term “or” is generally employed in its usual sense including “and / or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

[0027] The recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. or 10 or less includes 10, 9.4, 7.6, 5, 4.3, 2.9, 1.62, 0.3, etc.). Where a range of values is “up to” or “at least” a particular value, that value is included within the range.

[0028] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0029] The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following description of illustrative embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0030] FIGS. 1-3 are perspective views of one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein.

[0031] FIGS. 4-5 are opposite side views of the shrimp processing system depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

[0032] FIGS. 6-7 are opposite side views of the illustrative embodiments of the blade, blade shield, blade support, and alignment apparatus used in the illustrative embodiment of the shrimp processing system depicted in FIGS. 1-5.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a top view of the components depicted in FIGS. 6-7.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the components depicted in FIGS. 6-7 with a portion of the deveining carriage removed to expose components of one illustrative embodiment of an alignment actuator used in the illustrative embodiment of an alignment apparatus as described herein in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a side view of one illustrative embodiment of a blade that may be used in one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing system described herein.

[0036] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the blade depicted in FIG. 10.

[0037] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the blade depicted in FIG. 10.

[0038] FIG. 13 is a side view of one illustrative embodiment of a blade and blade shield combination that may be used in one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing system described herein.

[0039] FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the blade and blade shield combination depicted in FIG. 13.

[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the blade shield depicted in FIG. 13.

[0041] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the bearing surface of the lower portion of the blade shield depicted in FIG. 15.

[0042] FIG. 17 is a top view of the lower portion of the blade shield depicted in FIGS. 15-16.

[0043] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the upper portion of the blade shield depicted in FIG. 13. FIG. 19 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp that may be processed using one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems and methods as described herein.

[0044] FIG. 20 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp with its head removed and including a broken line indicating one illustrative embodiment of a cut or slit that may be formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp using the system and apparatus described herein.

[0045] FIGS. 21-28 depict various stages of operation of one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein in use to cut into and remove the mud vein of a shrimp.

[0046] FIG. 29 is a side view of a portion of the illustrative embodiment of the shrimp processing systems described herein with optional alternative features.

[0047] FIG. 30 depicts the shrimp processing system of FIG. 29 after moving the blade from its stored position in FIG. 29 to its operating position.

[0048] FIG. 31 is a top view of the arms of the illustrative alignment apparatus of the shrimp processing system of FIG. 30 with the arms in their alignment configuration.

[0049] FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of components that may be found in one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems described herein.

[0050] While the above-identified figures (which may or may not be drawn to scale) set forth some illustrative embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope of this invention.

[0051] DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIGS. 1-5 depict one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein with FIGS. 1-3 being perspective views of the shrimp processing system and FIGS. 4-5 being opposite side views of the shrimp processing system depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

[0053] With reference to all of FIGS. 1-5, the system includes a deveining carriage 15, a blade 30 located in a blade shield 40 on a great support 24 connected to the deveining carriage 50. The system also includes an alignment apparatus 50 attached to the deveining carriage 15, the alignment apparatus 50 configured to align a shrimp along a processing axis 11 beneath the blade 30 shield 40 as will be described herein.

[0054] In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the deveining carriage 15 is supported on a chassis 14 includes the base plate 14-1 along with a rear support 14-2 and a front support 14- 3. Deveining carriage 15 includes a side plate 15-2 and a housing 15-3 attached to the side plate 15-2. Deveining carriage 15 moves along carriage axis 15-1 between rear support 14-2 and the front support 14-3 on rails 14-4 and 14-5 that extend between the rear support 14-2 and front support 14-3. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the processing axis 11 and the carriage axis 15-1 may be described as being aligned with each other.

[0055] Movement of the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 is, in the depicted embodiment, driven by carriage actuator 16 which is operably connected to and rotates a drive pulley 16-1 to drive belt 16-2. Carriage 15, in particular, side plate 15-2 of carriage 15, is operably connected to the drive belt 16-2 using a clamp (not shown) such that movement of the drive belt 16-2 moves carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1.

[0056] Moving the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 also moves all of the components attached to the deveining carriage 15. For example, blade 30 and blade shield 40 mounted on the blade support 24 attached to carriage 15 as well as alignment apparatus 50 all move with the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1. Because carriage axis 15-1 is aligned with a processing axis 11, blade 30, blade shield 40, and alignment apparatus 50 may be described as moving along processing axis 11 when the deveining carriage 15 moves along carriage axis 15-1.

[0057] In the depicted embodiment, carriage actuator 16 may be in the form of an electric motor rotating drive pulley 16-1. It should, however, be understood that many other drive mechanisms can be used to move deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1. For example, hydraulic and / or pneumatic pistons, magnetic drives, etc. could all be used in place of the electric motor and drive belt system depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system depicted in FIGS. 1-5.

[0058] The illustrative embodiment of the shrimp processing system depicted in FIGS. 1-5 also includes an alignment apparatus 50 used to align a shrimp located on a working surface as deveining carriage 15 moves from a first position to a second position along the carriage axis 15-1. As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the deveining carriage 15 is located proximate the front support 14-3 and the alignment apparatus 50 aligns a shrimp while the deveining carriage 15 moves from that position proximate the front support 14-3 towards the rear support 14-2 of chassis 14 (operation of one illustrative embodiment of an alignment apparatus of a shrimp processing system as described herein will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 21-28).

[0059] The depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment apparatus 50 as depicted in FIGS. 1-5 includes a pair of arms 52-1 and 52-2 (which may be collectively referred to below as “arms”). Each of the arms 52-1 and 52-2 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, attached to the housing 15-3 of the deveining carriage 15 with arm 52-1 being configured to rotate about arm axis 51-1 and arm 52-2 being configured to rotate about arm axis 51-2. Rotation of the arms about their respective axes may be described as moving an alignment end of each of the arms closer to a processing axis 11 along which a shrimp is aligned and process using the shrimp processing systems described herein.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, arms may be described as having alignment ends that are configured to move from a loading configuration to an alignment configuration, with the alignment ends of the arms being located closer to a processing axis in the alignment configuration than when the alignment ends of arms are in the loading configuration. With respect to the depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment apparatus 50, arm 52-1 includes an alignment end 54-1 while arm 52-2 includes an alignment end 54-2. In, for example, FIGS.

[0061] I, 2 and 3 depict the alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2 in their loading configurations. Rotation of arm 52-1 about arm axis 51-1 moves alignment end 54-1 towards processing axis 11 while rotation of arm 52-2 about arm axis 51-2 moves alignment end 54-2 towards processing axis

[0062] I I. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, arm axis 51-1 may be described as being oriented transverse to the processing axis 11 (it being understood that the two axes do not intersect but are still oriented transverse to each other such that, for example, a projection of one axis on the other axis would result in the two axes being both transverse to each other and intersecting). Similarly, arm axis 51-2 may be described as being oriented transverse to the processing axis 11.

[0063] Because the blade 30 mounted on blade support 24 is attached to the deveining carriage 15 along with arms 52-1 and 52-2 of alignment apparatus 50, the alignment end 54-1 of arm 52-1 may be described as being fixed in position along the processing axis 11 relative to the blade 30 such that movement of deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 moves the alignment end 54-1 with the blade 30 along the processing axis 11. Similarly, alignment 54-2 of arm 52-2 may be described as being fixed in position along the processing axis 11 relative to the blade 30 such that movement of deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 also moves the alignment end 54-2 with the blade 30 along processing axis 11.

[0064] In one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems described herein, the alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2 may be described as configured to apply a compressive force to a shrimp located along processing axis 11 when the alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2 are in their alignment configuration as described herein.

[0065] Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment apparatus 50 includes a pair of rotating arms, one or more alternative embodiments of alignment apparatus that may be used in connection with shrimp processing systems described herein may take any suitable configuration. For example, the depicted pair of rotating arms may be replaced with one rotating arm and a fixed support located on an opposite side of processing axis 11 from single rotating arm. In one or more alternative embodiments, the alignment apparatus may involve translational movement in addition to or in place of rotary movement of the arms of the depicted illustrative embodiment.

[0066] As discussed herein, the illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein depicted in FIGS. 1-5 also includes a blade 30 along with a blade shield 40 mounted on a blade support 24. The blade 30 is operably connected to a blade actuator 36 configured to rotate blade 30 about blade axis 31 within blade shield 40. Blade actuator 36 may be in the form of an electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. motor operably connected to blade 30 to rotate blade 30 about blade axis 31.

[0067] The blade support 24 is, as discussed herein, attached to the side plate 15-2 of the deveining carriage 15 and configured for rotation about support axis 21. FIGS. 6-9 depict a housing 15-3 also attached to the side plate 15-2 in addition to the blade support 24, blade 30, blade shield 40, and alignment apparatus 50.

[0068] The blade support 24 is configured to move between a stored position and an operating position relative to a working surface. In the shrimp processing system as depicted in FIGS. 1-8 the location of the working surface may be represented by processing axis 11 (although FIGS. 21-28 include one illustrative embodiment of a working surface that may be used to support shrimp acted on by the shrimp processing systems described herein).

[0069] As depicted in FIGS. 1-9, blade support 24 is in its stored position such that blade 30 is located above the working surface (processing axis 11) to allow for positioning of a shrimp between the blade 30 and working surface (processing axis 11). In the depicted illustrative embodiment, blade support 24 rotates about support axis 21 to move blade 30 from the stored position as depicted in FIGS. 1-9 to its operating position relative to the working surface (processing axis 11). Although not required, the support axis 21 about which blade support 24 rotates may be described as being aligned with blade axis 31 about which blade 30 rotates.

[0070] With reference to FIG. 7, the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade support 24 includes an optional guide 27 configured to receive an optional pin 28 to limit rotation of the blade support 24 about support axis 21 . Although not depicted in FIG. 7, pin 28 is mounted on and extends from the side plate 15-1 of the deveining carriage 15 such that the position of the pin 28 above the working surface (processing axis 11) is fixed. As a result, rotation of the blade support 24 about support axis 21 is limited by the length of the guide 27.

[0071] Rotation of the blade support 24 about support axis 21 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment of the shrimp processing system, accomplished using support actuator 26. In the depicted embodiment, the support actuator 26 is attached to side plate 15-2 of the deveining carriage 15 at actuator end 26-1 and also attached to blade support 24 at actuator end 26-2 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-2 and 6-7). The depicted illustrative embodiment of support actuator 26 is in the form of a linear actuator that, when in its short configuration as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, holds support arm 24 and attached blade 30 in the stored position. Transitioning support actuator 26 into its long configuration in which the distance between actuator ends 26-1 and 26-2 increases to allow support arm 24 to rotate about support axis 21 which moves blade 30 towards the working surface (processing axis 11).

[0072] Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of support actuator 26 is in the form of a double acting cylinder, many alternative mechanisms could be used. Examples of potentially useful actuators include, but are not limited to, a pistons / cylinders operated pneumatically (as depicted) or hydraulically, a motor with or without a gear assembly (e g., a rack and pinion, etc.), magnetic / electromagnetic linear actuators, rotary actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, magnetic / electromagnetic actuators, etc.), etc.

[0073] With reference to FIGS. 8-9, one illustrative embodiment of an alignment actuator 56 can be described with reference to the illustrative embodiment of alignment apparatus 50 as described herein. As discussed above, alignment apparatus 50 includes alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 which, respectively, rotate about arm axes 51-1 and 51-2. In the depicted illustrative embodiment as seen in FIGS. 8-9, rotation of alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 is driven by rotation of paddles 53-1 and 53-2 about, respectively, arms axes 51-1 and 51-2. In particular, rotation of paddle 53-1 about arm axis 51-1 causes corresponding rotation of alignment arm 52-1 about arm axis 51-1 while rotation of paddle 53-2 about arm axis 51-2 causes corresponding rotation of alignment arm 52-2 about arm axis 51-2.

[0074] Rotation of paddles 53-1 and 53-2 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment caused by alignment actuator 56. In particular alignment actuator 56 includes a collar 56-1 in which ends of paddles 53-1 and 53-2 are captured such that linear movement of collar 56-1 towards and away from housing 15-3 causes paddles 53-1 and 53-2 to rotate about their respective axes.

[0075] In the depicted illustrative embodiment, alignment actuator 56 is in the form of a pneumatic cylinder which, when pressurized through port 56-4, forces collar 56-1 away from housing 15-3. To better illustrate components of the depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment actuator 56, housing 15-3 is removed from FIG. 9 to expose the piston 56-2 on which collar 56-1 is mounted. The piston 56-2 is located in a piston cavity (not shown) in housing 15-3. Pressurization of the piston cavity moves piston 56-2 away from port 56-4 with movement of piston 56-2 causing collar 56-1 to also away from port 56-4.

[0076] The depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment actuator 56 also includes an optional spring 56-3 which, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, limits the force applied to the piston 56-2 and, therefore, the collar 56-1 and, further, the paddles 53-1 and 53-2. Spring 56-3 and, therefore, limit the force applied to a shrimp located between alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2 of arms 52-1 and 52-2.

[0077] Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of alignment actuator 56 is in the form of a pneumatic cylinder, many alternative mechanisms could be used. Examples of potentially useful actuators include, but are not limited to, a pistons / cylinders operated hydraulically, a motor with or without a gear assembly (e.g., a rack and pinion, etc.), magnetic / electromagnetic linear actuators, rotary actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, magnetic / electromagnetic actuators, etc.), etc.

[0078] The shrimp processing systems described herein may use a variety of rotating blades to cut into the dorsal surface of a shrimp aligned on the working surface as described herein. One illustrative embodiment of a blade 30 that may be used in one or more embodiments of shrimp processing systems described herein is depicted in FIGS. 10-12.

[0079] The depicted illustrative embodiment of blade 30, which rotates about blade axis 31, has a cutting edge 32 forming the blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis 31.

[0080] The blade 30 also includes a set of channels 34 formed into the cutting edge 32. Each channel 34 extends from an opening 34-1 along the cutting edge 32 to a terminal end 34-2 located radially inward from the opening 34-1 such that the radial distance from the blade axis 31 to the terminal end 34-2 is shorter than the radial distance from the blade axis 31 to the opening 34-1 in any given channel 34.

[0081] In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the channels 34 in blade 30 are all oriented in the same direction such that for each pair of successive channels 34 encountered when moving about the cutting edge 32 / blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end 34-2 of a first encountered channel 34 is located between an opening of that first encountered channel 34 and the opening 34-1 of a second encountered channel. With respect to the blade 30 as depicted in FIGS. 10-12, that first direction is in the counterclockwise direction about blade axis 31.

[0082] In one or more embodiments of blades including channels used in one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems as described herein, the channels may be characterized in terms of the arc occupied by the channels relative to the blade axis. Characterizing channels in blades used in shrimp processing systems as described herein in terms of an occupied channel arc is one way in which the length of the channels can be determined regardless of the diameter of the blade. In one or more embodiments, the blade length / channel arc is sufficient to improve the effectiveness of mud vein removal as described herein.

[0083] With reference to FIG. 12, the channels 34 may be described as occupying a channel arc represented by angle P (beta). In the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade 30, the channel arc is measured from the beginning of opening 34-1 to the terminal end 34-2 relative to the blade axis 31. In one or more embodiments, the channel arc may, at the lower end, be 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more. At an upper end, the channel arc may, in one or more embodiments, be in the range of 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less. In one illustrative embodiment, the channel arc may be approximately 9 degrees.

[0084] In one or more embodiments of blades including channels used in one or more embodiments of shrimp processing systems as described herein, the channels may be characterized in terms of a channel angle measured relative to a radial line extending through the blade axis. Characterizing channels blades used in shrimp processing systems as described herein in terms of the channel angle is one way which the orientation of the channels can be described. In one or more embodiments, orientation of the channels may be selected to improve the effectiveness of mud vein as described herein.

[0085] With reference to FIG. 12, the channels 34 may be described as including an inner edge 34-3 located closer to the blade axis 31 and an outer edge 34-4 located further from the blade axis 31. In one or more embodiments, the inner edges 34-3 of the channels 34 may be described as straight edges (i.e., follow a straight line) when moving from the openings 34-1 to the terminal ends 34-2. In one or more embodiments, the outer edges 34-4 of the channels 34 may also be described as straight edges (i.e., follow a straight line) when moving from the openings 34-1 to the terminal ends 34-2.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the inner edges 34-3 of the channels 34 may be used to define a channel angle a (alpha) with a radial line extending from the blade axis 31 through a center of opening 34-1 of the channel 34. In one or more embodiments, the channel angle may, at the lower end, be greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more. At an upper end, the channel angle may, in one or more embodiments, be 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less. In one illustrative embodiment, the channel angle may be approximately 54 degrees.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the channels 34 may have a uniform width measured between the inner edge 34-3 and outer edge 34-4 in a direction generally transverse to a length of the channel 34 measured between the opening 34-1 and the terminal end 34-2 of the channel 34.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, a blade used in a shrimp processing system as described herein may include any suitable number of channels formed into the cutting edge of the blade. It may, however, improve both cutting and mud vein removal performance by providing enough, but not too many, channels in the cutting edge of a blade. In one or more embodiments, a blade used in a shrimp processing system as described herein may, at a lower end, include six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and 12 or more channels. At an upper end, a blade may, in one or more embodiments, include 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

[0089] The depicted illustrative embodiment of blade 36 cutting edge 32 can be described as a serrated cutting edge having valleys 35 located between successive pairs of peaks 36 when moving about the blade perimeter. With reference to FIG. 12 particular, the blade radius measured from blade axis 31 to the cutting edge 32 in each of the valleys 35 of the serrated cutting edge 32 may be described as decreasing when moving away from a first encountered peak 36 of the successive pair of peaks located at each end of the valley 35. The blade radius in the depicted illustrative embodiment reaches a minimum at a bottom 35-1 of each of the valleys 35. From the bottom 35-1 of each of the valleys 35 the blade radius in each of the valleys 35 of the serrated cutting edge 32 increases when moving away from the bottom 35 of one and towards the second encountered peak 36 of the successive pair of peaks located at each end of 35.

[0090] In embodiments of blades having serrated cutting edges and channels as described herein and used in one or more embodiments of shrimp processing systems as described herein, the channel openings 34-1 of one or more of the channels 34 may be located in portions of the valleys 35 in which the blade radius is increasing. In terms of the description of the serrated cutting edge of the previous paragraph, channel openings 34-1 may be located between the bottoms 35-1 and the second encountered peak 36. Alternatively, the positions of openings 34-1 of channels 34 may be characterized as being located closer to one peak 36 of the successive pair of peaks 36 located at each end of the valleys 35.

[0091] Positioning the channel openings 34-1 in the portions of the valleys 35 in which the blade radius is increasing may provide advantages in terms of improving the removal of mud veins from shrimp when the blades are rotated in a direction such that the first encountered 36 of each valley 35 containing the channel opening 34-1 leads the channel opening 34-1 as well as the second successive peak 36. With respect to the illustrative embodiment of blade 30, that rotational direction would be counterclockwise with respect to each of FIGS. 10-12. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it may be that the improved performance observed when locating the channel openings 34-1 in a portion of increasing radius of valleys 35 is the result of passing the openings 34-1 through a cut already formed in the dorsal surface of a shrimp.

[0092] In embodiments of blades used in shrimp processing systems as described herein include a serrated cutting edge 32 and channels 34, the channels 34 may or may not be located in every valley 35 of the serrated cutting edge 32. Separating the channels 34 by one or more valleys 35 that do not include channels formed therein may, as observed in some embodiments, enhance cutting of the dorsal surface of a shrimp and also improve mud vein removal from the cut. In the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade 30, channels 34 are located in alternating valleys, i.e., every other valley 35 such that at least one valley 35 does not include a channel 34 is located between each valley 35 does include a channel 34. Characterized in another way, the openings 34-1 of successive pairs of channels 34 are, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks 36 when moving about the blade perimeter. Characterized in yet another manner, the number of channels may, in one or more embodiments, be lower than number of serrations / valleys a serrated cutting edge.

[0093] Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade 30 includes channels 34 in every other valley 35 of the serrated cutting edge 32, one or more alternative embodiments of blades used in shrimp processing systems as described herein may include fewer channels 34 such that, for example, each successive pair of channels 34 are separated by two or more successive pairs of peaks 36 when moving about the cutting edge 32 / blade perimeter. In still other alternative embodiments, the number of channels may be equal to or less than the number of serrations in a serrated blade used in the shrimp processing systems described herein.

[0094] The illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as depicted in FIGS. 1-5 includes a blade shield 40 in which the blade 30 rotates. The illustrative embodiments of blade 30 and blade shield 40 are depicted removed from the shrimp processing system in FIGS. 13-14. The depicted illustrative embodiment of blade shield includes a lower portion 40-1 and an upper portion 40-2.

[0095] The blade shield 40 includes a bearing surface 42 that faces a shrimp and the working surface on which a shrimp is located. A portion of the blade 30 protrudes through a slot 44 (see, e.g., FIG. 15) in the lower portion 40-1 of the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40. As a result, the bearing surface 42, slot 44 and blade 30 define a cutting depth measured radially from the blade axis 31 .

[0096] In the illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40 as depicted in FIGS. 13-14, the bearing surface 42 can be described as having a cutting arc portion 42-1 and a trailing arc portion 42-2. In the cutting arc portion 42-1 the bearing surface 42 can be described as defining a shield depth measured radially from blade axis 31 while the blade 30 has a blade radius measured from the blade axis 31 to an outermost edge of blade 30, with the blade radius being greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion 42-1. That exposed portion of the blade 30 is the portion of the blade 30 that cuts into the dorsal surface of a shrimp located on a working surface as described herein. With reference to FIG. 14, the cutting edge 32 of blade 30 can be described as defining a cutting diameter 32-1 defined by the outermost edge of the blade 30. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion 42-1 is concentric with the blade 30 (i.e., the cutting diameter 32-1 defined by the outermost edge of the blade 30). As a result, the blade 30 protrudes from the slot 44 and shield 40 by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion 42-1.

[0097] In the depicted illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40, the bearing surface 42 includes trailing arc portion 42-2 located on one side of the cutting arc portion 42-1 in one or more embodiments, trailing arc portion 42-2 follows the cutting arc portion 42-1 as the blade 30 and blade shield 40 are moved along the dorsal surface of a shrimp. Within the trailing arc portion 42-2, the shield depth relative to the blade axis 31 may be described as increasing when moving along the bearing surface 42 away from the cutting arc portion 42-1. In one or more embodiments, bearing surface 42 may follow a straight line within the trailing arc portion 42-2 beginning at a junction between cutting arc portion 42-1 and the trailing arc portion 42-2. The gradual decrease in cutting depth provided in the trailing arc portion 42-2 may limit excessive cutting into the dorsal surface of shrimp during processing as the blade 30 and blade shield 40 move off of the dorsal surface of a shrimp during processing as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the bearing surface 42 may continue to follow a straight line outside of the trailing arc portion 42-2.

[0098] With reference to FIGS. 15-17, the lower portion 40-1 of the illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40 is depicted to illustrate features of the slot through which a blade protrudes as well as channels formed in the blade shield as described herein. In particular, the bearing surface 40 20 shield 40 as found on lower portion 41 includes a slot 44 through which the blade 30 protrudes as depicted in FIGS. 13-14. Slot 44 may be described as having ends 44-1 and 44-2. In one or more embodiments, the slide 44 may be described as extending into the trailing arc portion 42-2 of the blade shield 40. In one or more embodiments, the slot 44 may terminate in the trailing arc portion 42-2 such that, for example, end 44-2 of slot 44 may define the end of the trailing arc portion 42-2 distal from the cutting arc portion 42-1.

[0099] The lower portion 40-1 of shield 40 also includes portions 46-1 (see, e.g., FIGS. 15 and 17) of a blade channel that extends about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot 44 in the bearing surface 42. With reference to FIG. 18, the upper portion 40-2 of blade shield 40 includes the remainder of the blade channel in portion 46-2. Blade 30 rotates within the blade channel defined by blade channel portions 46-1 and 46-2 in, respectively, lower portion 40-1 upper portion 40-2 of the illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40.

[0100] In one or more embodiments, the blade shield may include one or more ports opening into the blade channel. As depicted in, e.g., FIGS. 13 and 18, a pair of ports 47-1 and 47-2 are, respectively, in fluid communication with fittings 48-1 and 48-2 on upper portion 40-2 of the illustrative embodiment of blade shield 40. One or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems as described herein may include a liquid source in fluid communication with one or more of the ports 47-1 and 47-2 and configured to deliver liquid into the blade channel when the blade is rotated about the blade axis within blade channel.

[0101] In one or more embodiments of a shrimp processing system as described herein including a liquid source, the liquid source may include a delivery apparatus configured to selectively deliver liquid to the ports. In one or more embodiments, the liquid delivery may occur only when the blade is rotated about the blade axis. As discussed herein, the delivery of liquid (e.g., water, saline, etc.) into the blade channel in blade shield 40 may improve mud vein removal as observed by inventors. In particular, it has been observed that mud vein removal from shrimp is particularly effective when using the combination of a blade including channels as described herein with the delivery of a liquid into the blade channel of a blade shield.

[0102] In one or more embodiments, delivery of liquid through only one of the ports 47-1 or 47-2 may be used. In one or more embodiments, delivery of liquid to a port at which the cutting edge of the blade is rotating away from the port may be beneficial to mud vein removal. It has been observed that doing so results in the blade accelerating the liquid into the cut formed by the blade to improve mud vein removal. In the case of the depicted illustrative embodiment as depicted in, e.g., FIGS. 13 & 18 in which the blade 30 is rotating about blade axis 31 counterclockwise, delivery of liquid through port 47-2 (using, e.g., fitting 48-2) may provide these beneficial results.

[0103] To assist with a discussion of operation of the shrimp processing systems and methods described herein, one example of a shrimp that may be processed using the shrimp processing systems and methods described herein is depicted in FIGS. 19-20 along with a description of the various anatomical features of the shrimp. The depicted shrimp 13 includes an abdomen 13-2 terminating in a tail / uropod 13-3 (although the proper name for this anatomical feature is the uropod, for simplicity it will be referred to simply as the “tail” herein). Although the depicted shrimp 13 includes an abdomen 13-2 having six segments, other shrimp that may be processed using shrimp processing systems as described herein may have more or fewer segments forming the abdomen of the shrimp.

[0104] The head or carapace 13-1 of the shrimp 13 is attached to the abdomen 13-2 at the opposite end from the tail 13-3. The carapace 13-1 contains the viscera of the shrimp 13 and also carries various features such as antennae, rostrum, etc. and FIG. 20 depicts the shrimp 13 after removal of the head or carapace 13-1.

[0105] As discussed above, the depicted shrimp abdomen 13-2 includes six segments located between the carapace 13-1 and the tail / uropod 13-3. The segments are numbered starting at the carapace 13-1 and proceeding towards the tail 13-3, with the abdominal segment closest to the carapace 13-1 being referred to as the first segment and the abdominal segment closest to the tail 13-3 being referred to as the sixth segment. Each abdominal segment includes a shell segment on the dorsal side of the abdomen.

[0106] With reference to FIG. 20, one illustrative example of a cut or slit formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 as described herein is represented by broken line 13-4. As depicted, in one or more embodiments, it may be preferred that the cut or slit formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 as represented by broken line 13-4 increases in depth when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail 13-3 and, optionally, also increases in depth when moving along the cut or slit from the tail end of the cut or slit towards the first abdominal segment. Further, although depicted cut or slit 13-4 extends through segments 1-5 of abdomen 13-2 of shrimp 13, one or more alternative embodiments of shrimp processed by the shrimp processing system described herein may include a cut or slit extending into fewer selected abdominal segments as desired.

[0107] FIGS. 21-28 depict one process of using the illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as depicted in FIGS. 1-5 to devein a shrimp. Beginning with FIG. 21, each shrimp 13 to be processed is moved along the working surface 10 in a direction aligned with a processing axis 11 to a processing location on working surface 10.

[0108] In the depicted illustrative embodiment, each shrimp 13 is restrained in a clamp 12, with clamp 12 and a shrimp 13 restrained therein being advanced over the working surface 10 to position a shrimp in processing location between the working surface 10 and the deveining carriage 15 and associated components of the depicted illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein. In the depicted embodiment, the shrimp 13 is retained by the clamp acting on its tail proximate the distal end of the abdomen of the shrimp 13.

[0109] The direction of travel and the orientation of the shrimp 13 when in the processing location may be described as being aligned with the superior-inferior axis of the shrimp 13. One or more illustrative embodiments describing movement and retention of shrimp on and across working surfaces in shrimp processing apparatus using clamps as described herein are discussed in, e.g., International Application WO 2021 / 158897 titled SHRIMP PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS (Eid et al ).

[0110] Although the illustrative embodiments of shrimp processing systems and methods described herein involve using a transport apparatus in the form of, e.g., a deveining carriage, to move the blade along a processing axis such that the blade, when rotated about the blade axis, cuts into a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface in the processing position, one or more alternative embodiments of shrimp processing systems and methods described herein may involve using a transport apparatus configured to move the shrimp along the processing axis relative to blade such that the blade, when rotated about the blade axis, cuts into a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface. Such a transport apparatus may include the working surfaces and clamps described herein and in the other patent documents referred to herein.

[0111] As depicted in FIG. 21, positioning of the shrimp 13 in a processing location on the working surface 10 involves positioning the shrimp such that a dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 faces the cutting edge of the blade 30 and the bearing surface of the blade shield 40. The blade 30 and blade shield 40 are, as described herein, mounted on a blade support 24 which is, in turn, attached to the deveining carriage 15 that is configured to move along carriage axis 15-1 above the working surface 10 and processing axis 11. With the shrimp 13 in the processing location of working surface 10, it can also be seen that the shrimp 13 is located between the arms 52-1 and 52-2 of the illustrative embodiment of alignment apparatus 50 as described herein.

[0112] FIG. 22 depicts the shrimp processing system of FIG. 21 after beginning the alignment process on shrimp 13. In particular, arms 52-1 and 52-2 are rotated as described herein such that the alignment ends of arms 52-1 and 52-2 contact shrimp 13 after moving towards the processing axis 11. As described herein, alignment apparatus used in the shrimp processing systems described herein may use many alternative mechanisms and rotation may not be required alignment ends into contact with the shrimp 13.

[0113] FIG. 23 depicts the shrimp processing system of FIG. 22 after movement of the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 to the left in FIG. 23. Movement of the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 also moves arms 52-1 and 52-2 of the alignment apparatus away from the clamps 12 along the length of the shrimp 13. That movement of alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 assists with proper alignment of the shrimp 13 working surface 10.

[0114] With the shrimp 13 properly aligned on working surface 10 along processing axis 11, FIG. 24 depicts the beginning of the deveining process as blade support 24 is lowered such that blade 30 and blade shield 40 contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 on working surface 10. Blade 30 is, as described herein, preferably rotated about its blade axis as described herein before blade 30 contacts the shrimp 13. The initial contact between the blade 30 and the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 may, in one or more embodiments, involve contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp at a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp 13 as depicted in FIG. 24. In one or more embodiments, the cut formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 can be described as beginning in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment where the terminal abdominal segment is the segment located adjacent the tail, with the cut or slit extending towards the first abdominal segment of the shrimp 13.

[0115] In one or more embodiments, the method may include holding the blade 30 and blade shield 40 in contact with the shrimp 13 at a selected location along the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 for a selected period of time after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp and before advancing the blade 30 along the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13. It has been observed that holding the blade 30 stationary in a selected location on the dorsal surface of the shrimp while the blade 30 is rotating for a dwell time of even less than one second can improve removal of the mud vein from shrimp. The dwell time may be adjusted based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the size of the shrimp, the species of the shrimp, the period time between harvesting the shrimp and processing of the shrimp using the systems and methods described herein (which can affect, e.g., the firmness of the meat, the mud vein properties, the shell properties (if present), etc.), etc.

[0116] With the blade 30 and blade shield 40 in contact with the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 in FIG. 24, FIG. 25 depicts that advancement of the blade 30 (and blade shield 40) along the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp 13 towards a first abdominal segment of the shrimp 13 located distal from tail to extend the cut or slit towards the first abdominal segment of the shrimp 13. In this phase of the process, the cutting arc portion of the bearing surface of the blade shield 40 may preferably be in contact with dorsal surface of the shrimp 13.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, the deveining carriage 15 carrying both the blade 30 and the alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 may be moved or advanced relative to the processing axis / dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 at any selected velocity or combination of velocities. In one or more embodiments, the velocity of the deveining carriage 15 relative to the processing axis 11 and shrimp 13 may be adjusted based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the size of the shrimp, the species of the shrimp, the period time between harvesting the shrimp and processing of the shrimp using the systems and methods described herein (which can affect, e.g., the firmness of the meat, the mud vein properties, the shell properties (if present), etc.), etc.

[0118] It can also be noted that, as seen in the depicted illustrative embodiment, the blade axis about which the blade rotates is offset along the processing axis 11 from the contact locations at which the alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 contact the shrimp 13 when the blade 30 contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13, and those contact locations precede the blade axis along the processing axis 11 as the blade 30 advances along the processing axis. As the blade 30 and blade shield 40 are advanced along the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13, the bearing surface of the blade shield is supported on the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 such that the blade shield and the blade 30 follow the contours of the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 during movement of the blade shield 40 and blade 30 along the length of the shrimp 13. In one or more embodiments, the mass of the blade 30, blade shield 40 and supporting apparatus is sufficient to maintain proper contact between blade shield 40 blade 30.

[0119] In other embodiments, the force exerted on the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 by the blade shield 40 may be controlled to, e.g., avoid unwanted deformation or movement of the shrimp 13 during processing or to provide sufficient pressure. In other words, the force may be less than or greater than the force that would be exerted based on the mass of the blade 30, blade shield 40 and supporting apparatus. The force exerted on the dorsal surface of the shrimp by the blade shields of shrimp processing systems as described herein may be adjusted based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the size of the shrimp, the species of the shrimp, the period time between harvesting the shrimp and processing of the shrimp using the systems and methods described herein (which can affect, e.g., the firmness of the meat, the mud vein properties, the shell properties (if present), etc.), etc.

[0120] FIG. 26 depicts further advancement of the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 and, as a result, further advancement of blade 30 and blade shield 40 along the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13. At this point in the process, the trailing arc portion of the blade shield 40 is in contact with dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 such that the depth of the cut formed by the blade 30 into the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13 is decreasing as the blade 30 and blade shield 40 move off of the dorsal surface of the shrimp 13. This is, as described herein, and optional feature of the cods or sleds formed by the shrimp processing systems described herein but, as also described herein, may be beneficial in retaining meat on the shrimp as well as facilitating removal of the mud veins as described herein.

[0121] FIG. 27 depicts still further advancement of the deveining carriage 15 along the carriage axis 15-1 such that blade 30 and blade shield 40 are no longer in contact with the shrimp 13. At this point in the process, the deveining is complete. FIG. 28 depicts the shrimp processing system after raising the blade 30 and blade shield 40 away from the working surface 10 and shrimp 13 as well as opening of the arms 52- 1 and 52-2 of the alignment apparatus to prepare the shrimp processing system for return to the start position depicted in FIG. 21 by advancing the deveining carriage 15 along carriage axis 15-1 as described herein. At this point, shrimp 13 is moved off of working surface 10. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, shrimp 13 is moved off of working surface 10 along processing axis 11 using clamp 12 which is advanced along the processing axis 11 to pull shrimp 13 off of the working surface 10 to allow for positioning of another shrimp for processing as described herein.

[0122] FIG. 29 is a side view of a portion of the illustrative embodiment of the shrimp processing systems described herein with optional alternative features. In particular, the depicted system includes, as described herein, a blade 30 configured to rotate about a blade axis 31 along with a blade shield 40. Blade 30 and shield 40 are mounted on a blade support 24 attached to side plate 15-2 and configured to rotate about a support axis 21 extending through the housing 15-3 of the deveining carriage.

[0123] One optional feature depicted in connection with the shrimp processing system of FIG. 29 is force attenuator 28 which can be used to provide control over the force exerted by the blade shield 40 on a shrimp during processing as described herein. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, force attenuator 28 is attached at a first end 28-1 to side plate 15-2 and attached at a second end 28-2 to blade support 24. The force attenuator 28 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, in the form of a coil spring although any suitable alternative force limiting structure could be used in place of coil spring, e.g. elastic members, pneumatic / hydraulic dampening assemblies, magnets, electromagnets, etc.

[0124] Another optional feature depicted in connection with the shrimp processing system of FIG. 29 are retention features 110-1 provided on working surface 110. The retention features 110-1 are in the form of serrations or channels extending transverse processing axis 11 in a improve retention of shrimp on the working surface 110 as the blade 30 is advanced along the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein.

[0125] FIG. 30 depicts the shrimp processing system of FIG. 29 after moving the blade from its stored position in FIG. 29 to its operating position. As depicted in FIG. 30, the force attenuator 28 has been stretched between its first end 28-1 and its second end 28-2 by movement of blade support 24 from its stored position as depicted in FIG. 29 to its operating position as seen in FIG. 30. That action can reduce the force exerted on the dorsal surface of a shrimp by the blade shield 40 as the blade support moves to its operating position.

[0126] Another feature depicted in connection with FIGS. 30-31 is the offset along the processing axis 11 that may be provided in one or more embodiments of the shrimp processing systems described herein between the location of the blade axis 31 and the location or locations at which the alignment apparatus contacts a shrimp positioned on the working surface 110. FIG. 30 is a side view, while FIG. 31 is a top view of the arms of the illustrative alignment apparatus of the shrimp processing system of FIG. 30 with the arms in their alignment configuration.

[0127] With reference to FIG. 31, the alignment arms 52-1 and 52-2 include, as described herein alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2. The arms 52-1 and 52-2 and alignment ends 54-1 and 54-2, when moved towards a shrimp located on the working surface 110 (and the processing axis 11) define contact locations 55-1 and 55-2 at which the shrimp so located is contacted so that it can be aligned on the working surface 110 along the processing axis 11 as described herein.

[0128] In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the blade axis 31 is offset from the contact locations 55-1 and 55-2 of the arms 52-1 and 52-2 by a distance L (see FIG. 30). As a result, the blade axis 31 is located behind the alignment apparatus as the deveining carriage carrying the blade 30, shield 40, and alignment arms 52-1 / 52-2 moves along the processing axis 11 to the right in the view of FIGS. 30-31. In one or more embodiments, the alignment apparatus can be described as contacting a shrimp located on the working surface 110 along the processing axis 11 ahead of the blade axis 31 as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position as described herein. Alternatively, the blade axis 31 can be described as being offset along the processing axis 11 from a contact location (e.g., contact locations 55-1 and / or 55-2) at which the alignment apparatus contacts a shrimp when the blade 30 contacts the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein, Further, the contact location(s) can be described as preceding the blade axis 31 along the processing axis 11 when advancing the blade 30 along the processing axis 31. FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of components that may be found in one illustrative embodiment of a shrimp processing system as described herein. The depicted system includes a controller 100 operably connected to a carriage actuator 16, support actuator 26, blade actuator 36, alignment actuator 56, and delivery apparatus 76. Although not depicted, the controller 100 may also be operably connected to a shrimp apparatus to move shrimp into and out of the shrimp processing system as described herein.

[0129] The carriage actuator 16 is operably connected to the deveining carriage 15 and controller 100 of a shrimp processing system as described herein. Controller 100 is configured to operate carriage actuator 16 to move the deveining carriage between a first position and a second position as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the controller 100 is configured to operate the carriage actuator 16 to move the deveining carriage 15 at any selected velocity or combination of velocities.

[0130] The support actuator 26 is operably connected to the blade support 24 and controller 100 of a shrimp processing system as described herein. Controller 100 is configured to operate the support actuator 26 to move the blade support 24 (on which the blade 30 and blade shield 40 are mounted) between a stored position and an operating position as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the controller 100 is configured to operate the support actuator 26 to move the blade support 24 to the operating position before operating the carriage actuator 16 to move the deveining carriage 15 from the first position to the second position. In one or more embodiments, the controller 100 is configured to operate the carriage actuator 16 to move the deveining carriage 15 away from the first position only after the blade support is in the operating position for a selected dwell time.

[0131] The blade actuator 36 is operably connected to a blade 30 and the controller 100 of a shrimp processing system as described herein. Controller 100 is configured to operate the blade actuator 36 to rotate the blade 30 about blade axis as described herein.

[0132] The alignment actuator 56 is operably connected to the alignment apparatus 50 and the controller 100 of a shrimp processing system as described herein. Controller 100 is configured to operate the alignment actuator 56 to move the alignment apparatus between a loading configuration and an alignment configuration as described herein. The delivery apparatus 76 is operably connected to a liquid source 70 and the controller 100 of a shrimp processing system as described herein. Controller 100 is configured to operate the delivery apparatus 76 to deliver liquid from the liquid source to the blade channel of a blade shield as described herein.

[0133] The controller 100 may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include memory and a controller. The controller may, for example, be in the form of one or more microprocessors, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), Digital Signal Processors (DSP), microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machines, etc. The controllers may include one or more of any suitable input devices configured to allow a user to operate the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein (e.g., keyboards, touchscreens, mice, trackballs, etc.), as well as display devices configured to convey information to a user (e.g., monitors (which may or may not be touchscreens), indicator lights, etc.). Although not depicted separately, the controller 100 may incorporate a pneumatic and / or hydraulic control system in those systems in which one or more of the actuators use pneumatic and / or hydraulic components.

[0134] ILLUSTRATIVE ASPECTS

[0135] Following are some illustrative aspects of the shrimp processing systems and methods described herein.

[0136] In independent aspect Al, a deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein comprises: a deveining carriage configured to move above a working surface along a processing axis between a first position and a second position; an alignment apparatus attached to the deveining carriage, the alignment apparatus configured to align a shrimp located on the working surface along the processing axis as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position; a blade connected to the deveining carriage; a blade actuator operably connected to the blade, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a carriage actuator operably connected to the deveining carriage and configured to move the deveining carriage between the first position and the second position; and a controller operably connected to the blade actuator and the carriage actuator. The controller is configured to: operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, wherein moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position moves the alignment apparatus and the blade along the processing axis, and operate the blade actuator to rotate the blade about the blade axis when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

[0137] In aspect A2 according to aspect Al, the alignment apparatus comprises a first arm, wherein an alignment end of the first arm is configured to move from a loading configuration to an alignment configuration, wherein the alignment end of the first arm is located closer to the processing axis in the alignment configuration than when the alignment end of the first arm is in the loading configuration.

[0138] In aspect A3 according to aspect A2, the system comprises an alignment actuator configured to move the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration, wherein the alignment actuator is operably connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the alignment actuator to move the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

[0139] In aspect A4 according to aspect A3, moving the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration comprises rotating the first arm about a first arm axis, and wherein, optionally, the first arm axis is transverse to the processing axis.

[0140] In aspect A5 according to any one of aspects Al to A4, when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, the first arm moves with the blade along the processing axis.

[0141] In aspect A6 according to any one of aspects A2 to A5, the alignment apparatus comprises a second arm, wherein an alignment end of the second arm is configured to move from a loading configuration to an alignment configuration, wherein the alignment end of the second arm is located closer to the processing axis in the alignment configuration than when the alignment end of the second arm is in the loading configuration; and, optionally, the system comprises an alignment actuator operably connected to the controller and configured to move the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the alignment actuator to move the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position; wherein, optionally, moving the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration comprises rotating the second arm about a second arm axis; wherein, optionally, the second arm axis is aligned with the first arm axis; and wherein, optionally, when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, the second arm moves with the blade along the processing axis.

[0142] In aspect A7 according to aspect Al, the alignment apparatus comprises a pair of arms attached to the deveining carriage, wherein the pair of arms comprise a pair of alignment ends configured to apply a compressive force to a shrimp positioned between the pair of alignment ends.

[0143] In aspect A8 according to any one of aspects Al to A7, the blade axis is located behind the alignment apparatus as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, and, optionally, wherein the alignment apparatus contacts a shrimp located on the working surface along the processing axis ahead of the blade axis as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position.

[0144] In aspect A9 according to any one of aspects Al to A8 to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is mounted on a blade support, wherein the blade support is attached to the deveining carriage, and further wherein the blade support is configured to move between a stored position and an operating position relative to the working surface, wherein the blade is spaced from the working surface to allow for positioning of a shrimp between the blade and the working surface when the blade support is in the stored position, and wherein the blade is located closer to the working surface when the blade support is in the operating position than when the blade support is in the stored position such that the blade is configured to contact a shrimp located between the blade and the working surface when the blade support is in the operating position, and wherein, optionally, the controller is configured to operate the support actuator to move the blade support to the operating position before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, and, optionally, wherein the controller is configured to operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage away from the first position only after the blade support is in the operating position for a selected dwell time.

[0145] In aspect A10 according to aspect A9, the blade support is configured to rotate about a support axis when the blade support moves between the stored position and the operating position, and wherein, optionally, the support axis is aligned with the blade axis.

[0146] In aspect Al 1 according to any one of aspects A9 to A 10, the deveining system comprises a support actuator operably attached to the blade support and configured to move the blade support between the stored position and the operating position, wherein the support actuator is operably attached to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the support actuator to move the blade support between the stored position and the operating position.

[0147] In aspect A12 according to any one of aspects A9 to Al 1, the system comprises a blade shield connected to the deveining carriage, wherein the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein the blade shield comprises a slot and wherein a portion of the blade protrudes through the slot such that the bearing surface, slot, and blade define a cutting depth measured radially from the blade axis; and wherein, as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, the operating position changes as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp located on the working surface in the alignment apparatus.

[0148] In aspect A13 according to any one of aspects Al to A8, a portion of the blade protrudes through a slot in a blade shield, wherein the blade and the blade shield are mounted on a blade support attached to the deveining carriage, and further wherein the blade and the blade shield are configured to move towards and away from the working surface as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp when the deveining carriage is moving from the first position to the second position, and wherein, optionally, the blade support comprises a base end attached to the deveining carriage and a working end distal from the base end, wherein the blade and the blade shield are mounted on the blade support closer to the working end, and wherein the blade support rotates about a support axis passing through the blade support proximate the base end when the blade and the blade shield move towards and away from the working surface as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp when the deveining carriage is moving from the first position to the second position.

[0149] In aspect A14 according to any one of aspects Al to A12, the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the bearing surface comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to an outermost edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, and wherein the shield depth increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

[0150] In aspect Al 5 according to aspect A14, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

[0151] In aspect A16 according to any one of aspects A14 to A15, the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an and of the trailing arc portion.

[0152] In aspect A17 according to any one of aspects A14 to A16, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

[0153] In aspect Al 8 according to any one of aspects Al 4 to Al 7, the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity.

[0154] In aspect Al 9 according to any one of aspects Al to Al 8, the blade comprises a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

[0155] In aspect A20 according to aspect Al 9, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

[0156] In aspect A21 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A20, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

[0157] In aspect A22 according to any one of aspects A19 to A21, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing.

[0158] In aspect A23 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A22, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extend from the opening towards the terminal end. In aspect A24 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A23, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

[0159] In aspect A25 according to aspect A24, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

[0160] In aspect A26 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A25, each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

[0161] In aspect A26 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A26, the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and 12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

[0162] In aspect A27 according to any one of aspects Al 9 to A27, the blade is configured to rotate within a blade shield and wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity; and wherein the system comprises a liquid source in fluid communication with the one or more ports and configured to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis by the blade actuator. In aspect A29 according to aspect A28, the liquid source comprises a delivery apparatus configured to selectively deliver liquid to the one or more ports, wherein the delivery apparatus is operably connected to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the delivery apparatus to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis.

[0163] In aspect A30 according to any one of aspects Al to A29, the controller is configured to operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position at any selected velocity or combination of velocities.

[0164] In aspect Bl a deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp as described herein comprises: a blade operably connected to a blade actuator, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a working surface configured to support a shrimp in a processing position relative to the blade; a transport apparatus configured to move one or both of the blade and the working surface relative to each other along a processing axis such that the blade, when rotated about the blade axis, cuts into a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface in the processing position; wherein the blade comprises a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

[0165] In aspect B2 according to aspect Bl, the transport apparatus comprises a deveining carriage configured to move relative to the working surface along the processing axis between a first position and a second position and a carriage actuator operably attached to the deveining carriage and configured to move the deveining carriage between the first position and the second position; and wherein the deveining system comprises a controller operably connected to the blade actuator and the carriage actuator. The controller is configured to: operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, wherein moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position moves the blade along the processing axis; and operate the blade actuator to rotate the blade about the blade axis when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

[0166] In aspect B3 according to any one of aspects B 1 to B2, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

[0167] In aspect B4 according to any one of aspects Bl to B3, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

[0168] In aspect B5 according to any one of aspects Bl to B4, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing. In aspect B6 according to any one of aspects Bl to B5, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extend from the opening towards the terminal end.

[0169] In aspect B7 according to any one of aspects B 1 to B6, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

[0170] In aspect B8 according to aspect B7, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

[0171] In aspect B9 according to any one of aspects B 1 to B8, each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

[0172] In aspect B10 according to any one of aspects Bl to B9, the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and 12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

[0173] In aspect Bl 1 according to any one of aspects Bl to B10, the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the bearing surface comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to an outermost edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the blade moves along a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface, the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, and wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

[0174] In aspect B12 according to aspect Bl 1, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

[0175] In aspect B 13 according to any one of aspects Bl 1 to Bl 2, the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an end of the trailing arc portion.

[0176] In aspect B 14 according to any one of aspects Bl 1 to Bl 3, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

[0177] In aspect B15 according to any one of aspects Bl to B B14, the blade is configured to rotate within a blade shield and wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity; and wherein the system comprises a liquid source in fluid communication with the one or more ports and configured to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis by the blade actuator.

[0178] In aspect B 16 according to aspect Bl 5, the liquid source comprises a delivery apparatus configured to selectively deliver liquid to the one or more ports, wherein the delivery apparatus is operably connected to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the delivery apparatus to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis.

[0179] In aspect Cl, a cutting apparatus as described herein comprises: a blade configured to rotate about a blade axis, the blade comprising a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

[0180] In aspect C2 according to aspect Cl, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

[0181] In aspect C3 according to any one of aspects C 1 to C2, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

[0182] In aspect C4 according to any one of aspects Cl to C3, the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing. In aspect C5 according to any one of aspects Cl to C4, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extending from the opening towards the terminal end.

[0183] In aspect C6 according to any one of aspects Cl to C5, each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

[0184] In aspect C7 according to aspect C6, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

[0185] In aspect C8 according to any one of aspects C 1 to C7, each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

[0186] In aspect C9 according to any one of aspects Cl to C8, the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and 12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

[0187] In aspect CIO according to any one of aspects Cl to C9, the cutting apparatus comprises a blade shield and the blade is configured to rotate within the blade shield; wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity. In aspect Cl 1 according to aspect CIO, the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the blade moves in a forward direction in which the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

[0188] In aspect C12 according to aspect Cl 1, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

[0189] In aspect C13 according to any one of aspects Cl 1 to C12, the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an end of the trailing arc portion.

[0190] In aspect C14 according to any one of aspects Cl 1 to Cl 3, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

[0191] In aspect DI, a method of processing shrimp as described herein comprises: positioning a shrimp in a processing location on a working surface such that a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces a cutting edge of a blade, wherein the cutting edge of the blade defines a blade perimeter radially distal from a blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel; and cutting into the dorsal surface of the shrimp using the blade, wherein the cutting comprises: rotating the blade about the blade axis, contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the cutting edge of the blade, and advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp over a selected distance while rotating the blade to cut into the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0192] In aspect D2 according to aspect DI, rotating the blade comprises rotating the blade in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0193] In aspect D3 according to any one of aspects DI to D2, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises moving the blade relative to the shrimp and / or moving the shrimp relative to the blade.

[0194] In aspect D4 according to any one of aspects DI to D3, the method comprises holding the blade in a selected location along the dorsal surface of the shrimp for a selected period of time after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp before advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0195] In aspect D5 according to any one of aspects DI to D4, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail.

[0196] In aspect D6 according to any one of aspects DI to D4, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail.

[0197] In aspect D7 according to any one of aspects DI to D4, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment and extends towards the first abdominal segment.

[0198] In aspect D8 according to any one of aspects DI to D4, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail; wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail; and wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment.

[0199] In aspect D9 according to any one of aspects DI to D8, the blade is located in a blade shield such that the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, the exposed portion of the cutting edge cutting into the dorsal surface of the shrimp; and wherein, optionally, the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, wherein the method comprises delivering liquid into the blade cavity through the one or more ports when rotating the blade.

[0200] In aspect DIO according to aspect D9, the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion such that a depth of a cut formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp is controlled by a difference in the blade radius and the shield depth in the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion when advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp, wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

[0201] In aspect Dl l according to any one of aspects DI to DIO, the blade comprises a blade according to any one of aspects C2 to C9.

[0202] In aspect E2, a method of processing shrimp as described herein comprises: positioning a shrimp on a working surface, wherein a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces away from the working surface; aligning at least a portion of the shrimp with a processing axis by contacting the shrimp with an alignment apparatus after positioning the shrimp on the working surface; contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with a rotating blade after contacting the shrimp with the alignment apparatus, wherein the rotating blade is aligned with the processing axis, and wherein the rotating blade rotates about a blade axis; advancing the blade along the processing axis after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the rotating blade; and advancing the alignment apparatus along the processing axis while advancing the blade along the processing axis such that the shrimp is aligned with the processing apparatus while the blade forms a cut in the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0203] In aspect E3 according to aspect E2, aligning the at least a portion of the shrimp along the processing axis comprises moving an alignment arm towards the processing axis and into contact with the shrimp, wherein, optionally, moving the alignment arm comprises rotating the alignment arm about an alignment arm axis, wherein, optionally, the alignment arm axis is transverse to the processing axis such that an end of the alignment arm moves in an arc along the working surface.

[0204] In aspect E4 according to aspect E3, the alignment arm comprises a first alignment arm and the alignment apparatus comprises a second alignment arm, wherein the method comprises moving the second alignment arm towards the processing axis and into contact with the shrimp, wherein the shrimp is located between the first alignment arm and the second alignment arm, and wherein, optionally, the first alignment arm and the second alignment arm compress an aligned portion of the shrimp between the first alignment arm and the second alignment arm.

[0205] In aspect E5 according to any one of aspects E2 to E4, relative to the processing axis, a blade position of the blade and an alignment position of the alignment apparatus remain constant relative to each other when advancing the alignment apparatus along the processing axis while advancing the blade along the processing axis.

[0206] In aspect E6 according to any one of aspects E2 to E5, the blade axis is offset along the processing axis from a contact location at which the alignment apparatus contact the shrimp when the blade contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp, and wherein the contact location precedes the blade axis along the processing axis when advancing the blade along the processing axis.

[0207] In aspect E7 according to any one of aspects E2 to E6, the method comprises holding the blade in a selected location along the dorsal surface of the shrimp after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp for a selected period of time before advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

[0208] In aspect E8 according to any one of aspects E2 to E7, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail.

[0209] In aspect E9 according to any one of aspects E2 to E7, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail.

[0210] In aspect E10 according to any one of aspects E2 to E7, advancing the blade along the processing axis after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment and extends towards the first abdominal segment.

[0211] In aspect El 1 according to any one of aspects E2 to E7, advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail; wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail; and wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment. In aspect E12 according to any one of aspects E2 to El 1, the blade is located in a blade shield such that the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the exposed portion of the cutting edge forms the cut in the dorsal surface of the shrimp while the bearing surface of the blade shield contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp; and wherein, optionally, the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, the blade shield comprising one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, wherein the method comprises delivering liquid into the blade cavity through the one or more ports when rotating the blade.

[0212] In aspect E13 according to aspect E12, the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion such that a depth of the cut formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp is controlled by a difference in the blade radius and the shield depth in the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion when advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp, wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

[0213] In aspect E14 according to any one of aspects E2 to E13, the blade comprises a blade according to any one of claims Cl to C9.

[0214] All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure, except to the extent they may directly contradict this disclosure. Although specific illustrative embodiments have been described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of the disclosure intended to be limited only by the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp, the system comprising: a blade operably connected to a blade actuator, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a working surface configured to support a shrimp in a processing position relative to the blade; a transport apparatus configured to move one or both of the blade and the working surface relative to each other along a processing axis such that the blade, when rotated about the blade axis, cuts into a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface in the processing position; wherein the blade comprises a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

2. A deveining system according to claim 1, wherein the transport apparatus comprises a deveining carriage configured to move relative to the working surface along the processing axis between a first position and a second position and a carriage actuator operably attached to the deveining carriage and configured to move the deveining carriage between the first position and the second position; and wherein the deveining system comprises a controller operably connected to the blade actuator and the carriage actuator, wherein the controller is configured to:operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, wherein moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position moves the blade along the processing axis, and operate the blade actuator to rotate the blade about the blade axis when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

3. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

4. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

5. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successivepair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing.

6. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extend from the opening towards the terminal end.

7. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

8. A deveining system according to claim 7, wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

9. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

10. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

11. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the bearing surface comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to an outermost edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the blade moves along a dorsal surface of a shrimp supported on the working surface, the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, and wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

12. A deveining system according to claim 11, wherein the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

13. A deveining system according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an end of the trailing arc portion.

14. A deveining system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

15. A deveining system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the blade is configured to rotate within a blade shield and wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity; and wherein the system comprises a liquid source in fluid communication with the one or more ports and configured to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis by the blade actuator.

16. A deveining system according to claim 15, wherein the liquid source comprises a delivery apparatus configured to selectively deliver liquid to the one or more ports, wherein the delivery apparatus is operably connected to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the delivery apparatus to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis.

17. A method of processing shrimp, the method comprising: positioning a shrimp in a processing location on a working surface such that a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces a cutting edge of a blade, wherein the cutting edge of the blade defines a blade perimeter radially distal from a blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel; and cutting into the dorsal surface of the shrimp using the blade, wherein the cutting comprises:rotating the blade about the blade axis, contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the cutting edge of the blade, and advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp over a selected distance while rotating the blade to cut into the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

18. A method according to claim 17, rotating the blade comprises rotating the blade in a second direction opposite the first direction.

19. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises moving the blade relative to the shrimp and / or moving the shrimp relative to the blade.

20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the method comprises holding the blade in a selected location along the dorsal surface of the shrimp for a selected period of time after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp before advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail.

22. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail.

23. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface froma first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment and extends towards the first abdominal segment.

24. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail; wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail; and wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment.

25. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the blade is located in a blade shield such that the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, the exposed portion of the cutting edge cutting into the dorsal surface of the shrimp; and wherein, optionally, the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, wherein the method comprises delivering liquid into the blade cavity through the one or more ports when rotating the blade.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion such that a depth of a cut formed in the dorsalsurface of the shrimp is controlled by a difference in the blade radius and the shield depth in the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion when advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp, wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

27. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

28. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

29. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing.

30. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extending from the opening towards the terminal end.

31. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

32. A deveining system configured to remove at least a portion of a vein through the dorsal surface of a shrimp, the system comprising: a deveining carriage configured to move above a working surface along a processing axis between a first position and a second position; an alignment apparatus attached to the deveining carriage, the alignment apparatus configured to align a shrimp located on the working surface along the processing axis as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position; a blade connected to the deveining carriage;a blade actuator operably connected to the blade, the blade actuator configured to rotate the blade about a blade axis; a carriage actuator operably connected to the deveining carriage and configured to move the deveining carriage between the first position and the second position; a controller operably connected to the blade actuator and the carriage actuator, wherein the controller is configured to: operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, wherein moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position moves the alignment apparatus and the blade along the processing axis, and operate the blade actuator to rotate the blade about the blade axis when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

33. A deveining system according to claim 32, wherein the alignment apparatus comprises a first arm, wherein an alignment end of the first arm is configured to move from a loading configuration to an alignment configuration, wherein the alignment end of the first arm is located closer to the processing axis in the alignment configuration than when the alignment end of the first arm is in the loading configuration.

34. A deveining system according to claim 33, wherein the system comprises an alignment actuator configured to move the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration, wherein the alignment actuator is operably connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the alignment actuator to move the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position.

35. A deveining system according to claim 34, wherein moving the alignment end of the first arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration comprises rotating thefirst arm about a first arm axis, and wherein, optionally, the first arm axis is transverse to the processing axis.

36. A deveining system according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein, when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, the first arm moves with the blade along the processing axis.

37. A deveining system according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the alignment apparatus comprises a second arm, wherein an alignment end of the second arm is configured to move from a loading configuration to an alignment configuration, wherein the alignment end of the second arm is located closer to the processing axis in the alignment configuration than when the alignment end of the second arm is in the loading configuration; and wherein, optionally, the system comprises an alignment actuator operably connected to the controller and configured to move the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the alignment actuator to move the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position; wherein, optionally, moving the alignment end of the second arm from the loading configuration to the alignment configuration comprises rotating the second arm about a second arm axis; wherein, optionally, the second arm axis is aligned with the first arm axis; and wherein, optionally, when moving the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, the second arm moves with the blade along the processing axis.

38. A deveining system according to claim 32, wherein the alignment apparatus comprises a pair of arms attached to the deveining carriage, wherein the pair of arms comprise a pair of alignment ends configured to apply a compressive force to a shrimp positioned between the pair of alignment ends.

39. A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 38, wherein the blade axis is located behind the alignment apparatus as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, and, optionally, wherein the alignment apparatus contacts a shrimp located on the working surface along the processing axis ahead of the blade axis as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position.

40. A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 39, wherein the blade is mounted on a blade support, wherein the blade support is attached to the deveining carriage, and further wherein the blade support is configured to move between a stored position and an operating position relative to the working surface, wherein the blade is spaced from the working surface to allow for positioning of a shrimp between the blade and the working surface when the blade support is in the stored position, and wherein the blade is located closer to the working surface when the blade support is in the operating position than when the blade support is in the stored position such that the blade is configured to contact a shrimp located between the blade and the working surface when the blade support is in the operating position, and wherein, optionally, the controller is configured to operate the support actuator to move the blade support to the operating position before operating the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position, and, optionally, wherein the controller is configured to operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage away from the first position only after the blade support is in the operating position for a selected dwell time.

41. A deveining system according to claim 40, wherein the blade support is configured to rotate about a support axis when the blade support moves between the stored position and the operating position, and wherein, optionally, the support axis is aligned with the blade axis.

42. A deveining system according to any one of claims 40 to 41, wherein the deveining system comprises a support actuator operably attached to the blade support and configured to move the blade support between the stored position and the operating position, wherein the support actuator is operably attached to the controller and the controller is configured tooperate the support actuator to move the blade support between the stored position and the operating position.

43. A deveining system according to any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the system comprises a blade shield connected to the deveining carriage, wherein the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein the blade shield comprises a slot and wherein a portion of the blade protrudes through the slot such that the bearing surface, slot, and blade define a cutting depth measured radially from the blade axis; and wherein, as the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, the operating position changes as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp located on the working surface in the alignment apparatus.

44. A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 39, wherein a portion of the blade protrudes through a slot in a blade shield, wherein the blade and the blade shield are mounted on a blade support attached to the deveining carriage, and further wherein the blade and the blade shield are configured to move towards and away from the working surface as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp when the deveining carriage is moving from the first position to the second position, and wherein, optionally, the blade support comprises a base end attached to the deveining carriage and a working end distal from the base end, wherein the blade and the blade shield are mounted on the blade support closer to the working end, and wherein the blade support rotates about a support axis passing through the blade support proximate the base end when the blade and the blade shield move towards and away from the working surface as the blade shield follows a dorsal surface of a shrimp when the deveining carriage is moving from the first position to the second position.

45. A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 43, wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the bearing surface comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the bladecomprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to an outermost edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the deveining carriage moves from the first position to the second position, the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, and wherein the shield depth increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

46. A deveining system according to claim 45, wherein the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

47. A deveining system according to any one of claims 45 to 46, wherein the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an and of the trailing arc portion.

48. A deveining system according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

49. A deveining system according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity.

50. A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 49, wherein the blade comprises a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channelsare oriented in the same direction such that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

51. A deveining system according to claim 50, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

52. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 51, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

53. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successivepair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing.

54. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 53, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extend from the opening towards the terminal end.

55. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 54, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

56. A deveining system according to claim 55, wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

57. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 56, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

58. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 57, wherein the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

59. A deveining system according to any one of claims 50 to 58, wherein the blade is configured to rotate within a blade shield and wherein the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the bearing surface faces the working surface; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity; and wherein the system comprises a liquid source in fluid communication with the one or more ports and configured to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis by the blade actuator.

60. A deveining system according to claim 59, wherein the liquid source comprises a delivery apparatus configured to selectively deliver liquid to the one or more ports, wherein the delivery apparatus is operably connected to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the delivery apparatus to deliver liquid into the blade cavity when the blade is rotated about the blade axis.61 . A deveining system according to any one of claims 32 to 60, wherein the controller is configured to operate the carriage actuator to move the deveining carriage from the first position to the second position at any selected velocity or combination of velocities.

62. A cutting apparatus comprising: a blade configured to rotate about a blade axis, the blade comprising a cutting edge defining a blade perimeter radially distal from the blade axis, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of channels formed into the cutting edge, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from an opening in the cutting edge to a terminal end located radially inward from the opening, and wherein the plurality of channels are oriented in the same directionsuch that, for each pair of successive channels encountered when moving about the blade perimeter in a first direction, a terminal end of a first encountered channel is located between an opening of the first encountered channel and an opening of a second encountered channel.

63. A cutting apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein, optionally, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a selected valley of the plurality of valleys between a midpoint of the selected valley as measured between the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley and one peak of the successive pair of peaks such that the opening is located closer to one peak than the other peak of the successive pair of peaks at each end of the valley.

64. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 63, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises successive pairs of channels when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction, and wherein the openings of each successive pair of channels are separated by one or more successive pairs of peaks when moving about the blade perimeter in the first direction.

65. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 64, wherein the cutting edge of the blade comprises a serrated cutting edge comprising plurality of valleys located between successive pairs of peaks such that, when moving in the first direction about the blade perimeter over each valley of the plurality of valleys, a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge decreases when moving away from a first encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks towards a bottom of the valley and wherein the blade radius increases when moving away from the bottom and towards a second encountered peak of the successive pair of peaks, and further wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the opening is located in a portion of the valley in which the blade radius is increasing.

66. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 65, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a uniform width measured along a channel axis extending from the opening towards the terminal end.

67. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 66, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises an inner edge located closer to the blade axis than an outer edge of the channel, and wherein the inner edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end, and, optionally, wherein the outer edge of the channel comprises a straight edge when moving from the opening towards the terminal end.

68. A cutting apparatus according to claim 67, wherein, for each channel of the plurality of channels, the straight edge of the inner edge of the channel defines a channel angle with a radial line extending from the blade axis through a center of the opening of the channel, and wherein the channel angle is greater than 0 degrees, 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, or 50 degrees or more, and, optionally, wherein the channel angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or less.

69. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 68, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels occupies a channel arc measured from the opening to the terminal end relative to the blade axis of 2 degrees or more, 4 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or 8 degrees or more and, optionally, wherein the channel arc is 20 degrees or less, 16 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

70. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 69, wherein the plurality of channels comprises six or more channels, eight or more channels, 10 or more channels, and 12 or more channels, and optionally, wherein the plurality of channels comprises 24 or fewer channels, 20 or fewer channels, 16 or fewer channels, or 12 or fewer channels.

71. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 62 to 70, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a blade shield and the blade is configured to rotate within the blade shield; wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield; wherein the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, and wherein the blade shield comprises one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, the one or more ports configured to introduce liquid into the blade cavity.

72. A cutting apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measured radially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion; and further wherein the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that, when the blade moves in a forward direction in which the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion, the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion.

73. A cutting apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion.

74. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 72 to 73, wherein the slot extends into the trailing arc portion and, optionally, wherein the slot defines an end of the trailing arc portion.

75. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 72 to 74, wherein the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

76. A method of processing shrimp, the method comprising: positioning a shrimp on a working surface, wherein a dorsal surface of the shrimp faces away from the working surface; aligning at least a portion of the shrimp with a processing axis by contacting the shrimp with an alignment apparatus after positioning the shrimp on the working surface; contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with a rotating blade after contacting the shrimp with the alignment apparatus, wherein the rotating blade is aligned with the processing axis, and wherein the rotating blade rotates about a blade axis; advancing the blade along the processing axis after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp with the rotating blade; and advancing the alignment apparatus along the processing axis while advancing the blade along the processing axis such that the shrimp is aligned with the processing apparatus while the blade forms a cut in the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

77. A method according to claim 76, wherein aligning the at least a portion of the shrimp along the processing axis comprises moving an alignment arm towards the processing axis and into contact with the shrimp, wherein, optionally, moving the alignment arm comprises rotating the alignment arm about an alignment arm axis, wherein, optionally, the alignment arm axis is transverse to the processing axis such that an end of the alignment arm moves in an arc along the working surface.

78. A method according to claim 77, wherein the alignment arm comprises a first alignment arm and the alignment apparatus comprises a second alignment arm, wherein the method comprises moving the second alignment arm towards the processing axis and into contact with the shrimp, wherein the shrimp is located between the first alignment arm and the second alignment arm, and wherein, optionally, the first alignment arm and the secondalignment arm compress an aligned portion of the shrimp between the first alignment arm and the second alignment arm.

79. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 78, wherein, relative to the processing axis, a blade position of the blade and an alignment position of the alignment apparatus remain constant relative to each other when advancing the alignment apparatus along the processing axis while advancing the blade along the processing axis.

80. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 79, wherein the blade axis is offset along the processing axis from a contact location at which the alignment apparatus contact the shrimp when the blade contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp, and wherein the contact location precedes the blade axis along the processing axis when advancing the blade along the processing axis.

81. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 80, wherein the method comprises holding the blade in a selected location along the dorsal surface of the shrimp after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp for a selected period of time before advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp.

82. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 81, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail.

83. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 81, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail.

84. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 81, wherein advancing the blade along the processing axis after contacting the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail, wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment and extends towards the first abdominal segment.

85. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 81, wherein advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp comprises advancing the blade along the dorsal surface from a first location proximate a tail of the shrimp towards a first abdominal segment located distal from the tail; wherein the cut comprises a cut depth that increases when moving from the first abdominal segment towards the tail; and wherein the shrimp comprises a terminal abdominal segment adjacent the tail and wherein the cut begins in an abdominal segment located adjacent the terminal abdominal segment.

86. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 85, wherein the blade is located in a blade shield such that the blade rotates within the blade shield, wherein an exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from a slot in a bearing surface of a blade shield, wherein the exposed portion of the cutting edge forms the cut in the dorsal surface of the shrimp while the bearing surface of the blade shield contacts the dorsal surface of the shrimp; and wherein, optionally, the blade shield comprises a blade cavity extending about a perimeter of the blade outside of the slot in the bearing surface, the blade shield comprising one or more ports opening into the blade cavity, wherein the method comprises delivering liquid into the blade cavity through the one or more ports when rotating the blade.

87. A method according to claim 86, wherein the bearing surface of the blade shield comprises a cutting arc portion in which the bearing surface defines a shield depth measuredradially from the blade axis and wherein the blade comprises a blade radius measured from the blade axis to the cutting edge of the blade, wherein the blade radius is greater than the shield depth within the cutting arc portion such that a depth of the cut formed in the dorsal surface of the shrimp is controlled by a difference in the blade radius and the shield depth in the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface comprises a trailing arc portion to one side of the cutting arc portion such that the trailing arc portion follows the cutting arc portion when advancing the blade along the dorsal surface of the shrimp, wherein the shield depth in the trailing arc portion increases when moving along the bearing surface away from the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the shield depth in the cutting arc portion is concentric with the blade such that the exposed portion of the cutting edge of the blade protrudes from the slot by a uniform distance within the cutting arc portion; and wherein, optionally, the bearing surface defines a straight line within the trailing arc portion beginning at a junction between the cutting arc portion and the trailing arc portion.

88. A method according to any one of claims 76 to 87, wherein the blade comprises a blade according to any one of claims 62 to 70.

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