Device for opening bivalve

Abstract

To provide a device for opening a shell by easily mounting a bivalve such as scallop by manual work, and continuously cutting a connection part between one shell and an adductor muscle.SOLUTION: A device for opening a bivalve includes: a mounting conveyance part I; a two-face cut part II; a shell fixing and adductor muscle / shell connection-cutting part III or an adductor muscle / shell connection-cutting part III'; and a processed shell discharge part IV. Due to that a bivalve is mounted on a base plate joined onto a conveyor chain of the conveyance part, the bivalve is sent to a cutting mechanism at a conveyance downstream side while being pushed to the base plate by a pushing-down mechanism of a conveyor upper part. An opening of two faces is formed on a shell end part so as to cut off a hinge, the shell is supported on the base plate by a shell fixing unit or the like at an opening formation position downstream side, a knife is inserted into the shell from one opening face by a knife push-in unit while the shell moves due to movement of the conveyor chain, and the knife is progressed and retreated so as to cut a connection part between the adductor muscle and the shell.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for opening bivalve shells such as scallops by simply placing them on the device by hand or the like and cutting the joint between one shell and the adductor muscle. [Background technology]

[0002] Scallops, a representative bivalve shell, are shucked and the adductor muscle is separated from the shell, and the resulting shells are distributed raw or frozen. At many seafood processing plants, the separation of the adductor muscle is done manually, with many skilled workers processing large quantities of shellfish. This process requires skill to remove the meat from the shell, and as the labor shortage at seafood processing plants has become more serious in recent years, many devices for removing the meat from the shell have been developed.

[0003] Documents 1, 5, and 6 disclose a method of cutting the end of the shell and inserting a thin plate-like object into the shell to cut the joint between the meat and the shell.

[0004] Documents 2 and 3 disclose a method of forming an opening in the shell by cutting, and then injecting high-pressure liquid into the shell to cut the joint between the shell and the fin.

[0005] Document 4 discloses a method of applying heat to the surface of a closed shell from the outside to separate the joint between the meat and the shell.

[0006] [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6866544 Patent Gazette [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4164475 Patent Gazette [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4084178 Patent Gazette [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 4436009 Patent Gazette [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-289718 [Patent Document 6] Patent No. 1588089 Patent Gazette Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the shell-opening methods shown in Patent Documents 1 to 6 have the drawback of being time-consuming and requiring complex equipment, since processes such as placing the shellfish on a tray, cutting off the tips of the shells, and cutting off the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell are carried out during intermittent table or conveyor stoppages. Furthermore, the method in Patent Document 1 uses a camera or other device to measure the height of the opening formed at the end of the shell by cutting, thereby adjusting the insertion height of the knife that cuts the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, resulting in a complex equipment. Furthermore, the shell-opening methods in Patent Documents 2 and 3 use a high-pressure fluid jet to separate the shell from the body after the opening is formed, which requires additional equipment to generate the high-pressure fluid, resulting in a complex equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, the shell-opening method shown in Patent Document 4 involves heating the shell from the outside to separate the joint between the shell and the body of the shell. As shells are living organisms, the shell thickness varies, and it is necessary to carefully adjust the heat to match the shell thickness so as not to cause excessive thermal denaturation of the adductor muscle, etc. However, such adjustments are difficult, and there is a problem in that more thermal denaturation than expected cannot be avoided.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 5 discloses a method for cutting the adductor muscle and shell by inserting a cutting knife into the shell through the opening while stopping the feeding of the shell and then swinging the knife back and forth to ensure reliable cutting; however, this method has the problem of making the mechanism complicated.

[0011] Furthermore, at seafood processing plants where the adductor muscles are separated from scallops, there is a demand for equipment that can efficiently separate adductor muscles with a small number of people, has fewer adjustment points, and ensures stable production with fewer shutdowns due to malfunctions.

[0012] Furthermore, in the manual shell-opening process carried out at many seafood processing plants, considerable skill is required to be able to insert a tool into fresh oysters that have been tightly closed by the contractile force of the adductor muscle and cut the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell; inexperienced workers often end up with the adductor muscle remaining inside the shell, resulting in a lower yield.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology with the ultimate goal of meeting the demands of on-site work. The present invention simplifies the structure by requiring only the placement of raw shells in a predetermined position as a pre-processing operation, and relates to a shell-opening device that improves processing capacity by performing reliable shell-opening operations continuously, and prevents complete production stoppage even if a partial failure occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The shell cutting device of the first invention is composed of a conveyor chain with a plurality of connected base plates that receive the convex shape of one of the upper and lower shells of the bivalve shells and hold the shells horizontally, a push-down mechanism that is provided at the shell input section at one end of the conveyor chain to pinch the bivalve shells placed on the base plates with the base plate on the conveyor at a location away from the input position, and two cutting means that rotate band-shaped or linear ring-shaped blades at high speed on both sides of the conveyor chain so that the cut surface formed is parallel to the feeding direction of the conveyor chain. While the chain conveyor is moving continuously, the bivalve shells are inserted into the shell input section by the hinged end and then pushed down onto the conveyor chain. The shell is pressed against the side of a guide plate fixed to the machine frame, positioned in the width direction of the conveyor, and placed on a platform plate.The shell then moves downstream while still on the platform plate, and is sandwiched between the conveying table and the pressing mechanism at a point away from the insertion position.In this state, the shell is further sent out by the rotation of the pressing belt of the pressing mechanism and the movement of the conveyor chain of the conveyor mechanism of the conveying table.By passing the shell through a point where the cutting blades of two cutting mechanisms located along the route along the range where the shell remains sandwiched between the platform plate and the pressing mechanism on the conveying table become straight, both ends of the edge of the bivalve shell can be cut simultaneously to form two openings.

[0015] In the shell opening device of the second invention, after two appropriately sized openings have been formed in the shell cutting device of the first invention and the shell has been released from the pressing mechanism, it is sent out on a conveyor while still placed on a base plate, and at a point away from the shell cutting position downstream in the conveying direction, a cylinder part provided above the shell pushes out the movable part of the shell fixing unit which is rotatably attached to an axis fixed to the machine frame of the device, and the member at the end of the movable part presses the upper part of the shell placed on the base plate towards the base plate, thereby supporting the shell in a stable state on the base plate, and preventing slippage between the shell and the direct contact part of the movable part of the shell fixing unit and rotational escape of the shell fixing unit. As a result, the shell is moved along the conveyor while still pressed down, maintaining its pressed-down support state. When the opening of the shell reaches the appropriate position for the knife to be inserted, the retractable, flat knife of the knife-insertion unit is inserted into the shell from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening, with its movement restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame. The tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell. The knife is then retracted, and the conveyor movement and knife insertion / retraction cut the junction between the adductor muscle and the shell. This cutting method allows the knife's range of motion relative to the shell to be increased, enabling stable cutting. Furthermore, the shell, whose adductor muscle and shell have been severed, can be sent out on the chain conveyor while still on the tray.

[0016] After processing, the shells can be transferred to a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor table by using the inclination of the tray, and collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor table. This device can shorten processing time by cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell of shells with two openings and discharging the processed shells without stopping the conveyor.

[0017] In the shell opening device of the third invention, after two appropriately sized openings have been formed in the shell cutting device of the first invention and the shell has been released from the pressing mechanism, it is placed on a base plate and sent out on a transport conveyor. When the shell moves downstream from the cutting position, the conveyor stops moving. The cut shell is then pressed towards the receiving tray by a shell pressing member attached to the frame of the device using a cylinder section located above the base plate on which the shell is placed, and the shell is fixed to the base plate. In this state, the retractable plate-shaped knife of the knife pressing unit is inserted into the shell from one opening, approximately perpendicular to the opening, while its movement is restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the frame of the conveyor. The tip of the knife is slid along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell towards the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, and then it is retracted, thereby cutting off the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell. Furthermore, after the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell has been completely cut, the movable part of the shell fixing unit is raised to release the shell from its fixation on the base plate, and then the conveyor is started again, allowing the processed shell to be sent out on the transport table while still remaining on the base plate.

[0018] After processing, the shellfish can be transferred to a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor table using the inclination of the tray, and collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor table.

[0019] In the shell opening device of the fourth invention, two appropriately sized openings have been formed by the shell cutting device of the first invention, and the shell, which has been pressed down onto a base plate by the pressing mechanism, is then placed on the base plate and sent by the transport conveyor to the knife pressing unit, which is located on either side of the transport conveyor downstream in the transport direction.The shell continues to be transported while the pressing mechanism maintains stable support for the shell on the base plate, and when the opening of the shell reaches an appropriate position for the knife pressing, the retractable plate-shaped knife of the knife pressing unit is inserted into the shell from approximately perpendicular to the opening face, toward one of the opening faces, with its movement restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame.The tip of the knife is then slid along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell toward the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, and then retracted, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be cut off by the movement of the conveyor and the insertion and retraction of the knife. This cutting method allows the knife to move more freely relative to the shellfish, enabling a stable cutting process. Furthermore, once the junction between the adductor muscle and the shell has been cut, the shellfish can be sent out on the chain conveyor while still on the tray.

[0020] Furthermore, processed shellfish can be transferred to a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor table by using the inclination of the plate, and collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor table. This device can shorten processing time by cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell of shellfish with two openings and discharging the processed shells without stopping the conveyor. Furthermore, unlike the second invention, cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell does not require a shell fixing unit to support the shell on the plate, simplifying the device structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] In the cutting device of the first invention, when the raw shells are manually placed on a tray connected to the conveyor chain, for scallops, the straight part of the end of the shell on the hinged side can be pressed against a guide fixed to the frame at the shell insertion position of the conveying mechanism, allowing easy alignment across the width of the conveyor.

[0022] In addition, in the cutting device of the first invention, after being placed, the shells are subjected to a moderate pressing force by the pressing mechanism, and are stably transported to the cutting position by the action of the rotation of the pressing belt of the pressing mechanism, which corresponds to the feed of the conveyor chain.

[0023] In addition, the shell cutting device of the first invention has two sets of cutting mechanisms with parallel cutting surfaces, allowing simultaneous processing of both ends of the shell in one stroke, and the movement direction of the blade itself is the direction in which it presses against the plate on which the shell is placed, which has the effect of stably cutting the shell. Furthermore, by making the cutting edge of the cutting blade a fine, hard material, the cutting surface is smooth, and cutting debris is carried in the direction of the blade movement at the same time as cutting, reducing adhesion to the surface or inside of the shell, which has the effect of reducing the effort required to clean the shell after cutting.

[0024] In the first invention, two sides of the bivalve shell, the hinge end and the opposite end of the hinge, are cut simultaneously to form two openings, facilitating the cutting of the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell. Also, by cutting the inside of the hinge when forming the opening on the hinge side, the connection between the upper and lower shells is eliminated, so after opening the shells, one shell is left alone with no meat attached, which has the effect of facilitating post-processing.

[0025] In the shell opening device of the second invention, the shells processed by the shell cutting device of the first invention are held between the base plate on the conveyor table and the pressing mechanism, and are transported to a location just before the shell fixing unit position, which is fixed to the machine frame above the base plate on the conveyor line a little distance from the cutting position, with the cylinder part fixed so that the movable part protrudes downwards, and then continue to be transported only by the transport conveyor, and when the shell reaches the position of the shell fixing unit, the shell is supported stably on the base plate by the shell fixing unit, and the shell is fixed by the shell fixing unit. Due to the effect of the rotational relief of the setting unit, the shell continues to move on the transport conveyor while still pressed and supported against the plate, and while this supported state can be maintained, the transport of the shell is not stopped and at the same time the knife pushing unit inserts a knife into the shell from one opening in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell towards the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, after which the knife is retracted and the conveyor moves and the knife is inserted and pulled back, allowing the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell to be cut (opened).

[0026] Furthermore, the shells whose joints between the adductor muscle and the shell have been cut can be transported on the carrier while still placed on the tray.

[0027] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they are transferred onto a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor using the inclination of the tray, and the slope allows them to be collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor. In addition, the shellfish that have been processed can be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for moving on to the next process.

[0028] This device allows for continuous processing, from transporting the shells to cutting them into two sides, cutting the joints between the adductor muscle and the shell, and discharging the processed shells, thereby improving processing capacity.

[0029] In the shell-opening device of the third invention, shells processed in the shell-cutting device of the first invention are sandwiched between the base plate on the conveyor table and the pusher mechanism and transported to a position just before the shell-holding unit, which is fixed to the machine frame above the base plate with the movable part protruding downwards. Then, the shell continues to be transported by the conveyor alone. When the shell reaches the shell-holding unit, the conveyor chain is stopped temporarily, and the movable part of the shell-holding unit is pushed out. The part at the end of the movable part of the shell-holding unit presses the shell toward the base plate, thereby fixing the shell on the plate. Then, the knife-pushing unit inserts a knife into the shell from one opening, approximately perpendicular to the opening, and slides the tip of the knife along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell. The knife is then retracted, allowing for stable cutting of the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell (opening the shell). Note that in this invention, because the knife moves linearly relative to the shell, the tip of the knife must be shaped to be wider than the adductor muscle.

[0030] In addition, by restarting the conveyor, shells whose joints between the adductor muscle and the shell have been cut can be sent out by the transport table while still on the tray.

[0031] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they can be transferred onto a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor using the inclination of the tray, and the slope will allow them to be collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor. In addition, the shellfish that have been processed can be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for moving on to the next process.

[0032] In the shell opening device of the fourth invention, the shells processed in the shell cutting device of the first invention are transported within a section where they remain sandwiched between the tray on the conveying table and the pressing mechanism to a knife pushing unit located on either the left or right side of the conveying mechanism in the feed direction, and at this point, without stopping the transport of the shells, the knife is inserted into the shell from one opening using the cylinder of the knife pushing unit in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, and the tip of the knife is slid along the inner surface of either the top or bottom of the shell towards the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, and then the knife is retracted, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be cut (shell opening) by the movement of the conveyor and the insertion and retraction of the knife.

[0033] Furthermore, the shells whose joints between the adductor muscle and the shell have been cut can be transported on the carrier while still placed on the tray.

[0034] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they are transferred onto a discharge slope at the end of the conveyor using the inclination of the tray, and the slope allows them to be collected in a storage container installed near the end of the conveyor. In addition, the shellfish that have been processed can be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for moving on to the next process.

[0035] This device allows for continuous operations from transporting the shells to cutting them on two sides, cutting the joints between the adductor muscle and the shell, and discharging the processed shells.It also eliminates the need to support the shells on a tray while cutting the joints between the adductor muscle and the shell, which means that processing capacity can be improved by increasing the transport speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the characteristics of the external shape of a scallop, a representative edible bivalve. [Figure 2] This is a structural diagram (oblique view) showing the internal structure of a scallop with the lower shell facing downwards. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration and structure of an embodiment of the first to third aspects of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration and structure of an embodiment of a first invention and a fourth invention of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall processing flow in the present invention. [Figure 6] Schematic diagrams illustrating the structures of the second, third, and fourth inventions [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which shells are placed on a base plate in the first invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which shells according to one embodiment of the first, second, third and fourth inventions are placed on a base plate. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a two-sided cutting process of a shell after placement according to one embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 10] This is a partial view of the device, showing the state of shell feeding after placement when the upper shell is facing downwards, in one embodiment of the first invention, with the shell feeding direction to the right of the drawing. [Figure 11] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the blade shape of a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 12] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing cutting positions of shells and shapes of shells after cutting processing according to one embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the state of the supporting and fixing operations of the shell after two-sided cutting before knife insertion when the upper shell is placed downwards according to an embodiment of the second and third inventions. [Figure 14] This is a partially enlarged view seen from the width direction of the conveyor, showing how the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell is cut by inserting a knife when the upper shell is placed downwards, according to one embodiment of the second and third inventions. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view seen from the width direction of the conveyor, showing how the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell is cut by inserting a knife when the upper shell is placed downwards, according to one embodiment of the fourth invention. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the supporting and releasing operations of a two-sided cut shell on a base plate in the second invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a knife shape. [Figure 18]10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the movement trajectory of a knife relative to shellfish according to an embodiment of the second and fourth inventions. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the movement trajectory of a knife relative to shellfish according to an embodiment of the third invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state of shellfish after processing in accordance with one embodiment of the second, third and fourth inventions, with the joint between the adductor muscle and the upper shell cut off and the shell being discharged. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for discharging shells after the shell-opening process according to an embodiment of the second, third and fourth inventions.

[0037] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] The main figures are explained below.

[0039] Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the process flow in the present invention, where continuous feed type I is the process flow of the shell opening device realized in the first and second inventions, conveyor stop type during knife insertion is the process flow of the shell opening device realized in the first and third inventions, and continuous feed type II is the process flow of the shell opening device realized in the first and fourth inventions.

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the structures of the second, third (A) and fourth (B) inventions. In the fourth invention, the raw shellfish are fixed onto the conveyor chain of the conveyor mechanism FM and placed on a base plate. They are then sandwiched between the pressing mechanism PM and the base plate and sent to the cutting mechanism CM downstream in the conveying direction, where both ends of the shell are cut off. This is the same as the second and third inventions, but the adductor muscle / shell joint cutting mechanism B2 is incorporated within the section where the pressing mechanism PM sandwiches the shell between the base plate, where the adductor muscle is cut off, eliminating the need for the shell fixing unit B1.

[0041] Figure 7 is an oblique view illustrating the placement of raw shells S on a base plate 7. In the present invention, while the base plate 7 connected to the conveyor chain 9 moves in the conveyor feed direction MT, part of the raw shells S is pressed against the side of a guide 8 fixed to the machine frame near the raw shell feed section to position the raw shells S perpendicular to the feed direction, and the raw shells S are placed on the base plate 7.

[0042] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the placement of raw shells S in the placement and conveyance section I of the device in the first, second, third and fourth inventions. The placement of raw shells on the tray 7 is carried out while the conveyor chain 9 is moving in the MT direction.

[0043] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the process of cutting raw shells S placed on the base tray 7 in the two-sided cutting section II in one embodiment of the first invention, where two openings are formed by cutting. Figure 10 is a partial enlarged view, viewed perpendicular to the conveyor feed direction, illustrating the process of cutting raw shells S placed on the base tray 7 in one embodiment of the first invention. Immediately after being placed on the base tray 7, the raw shells S are sandwiched between the base tray 7 and the press-down mechanism PM, which has a belt mechanism attached to its outer periphery that rotates freely (in the MR2 direction) around an axis Cp fixed to the machine frame above the base tray 7. The belt mechanism rotates in the same direction as the chain conveyor feed direction (in the MR1 direction) where the shells contact the outer periphery. The pressing force is adjusted by adjusting the reaction force generated by the rod of the pressing force adjusting cylinder 12, located away from the rotation axis Cp of the press-down mechanism A, pressing against the machine frame. While sandwiched between the belt and base plate of the pressing mechanism, the shell S is cut by being fed while both ends are pressed against the straight part of the cutting blade rotating in the MR3 direction, forming two openings.

[0044] 13 is a perspective view showing how a shell Sh is supported or fixed on the base plate 7 after two-sided cutting before knife insertion when the upper shell is placed downwards at the shell fixing / adducal muscle / shell joining and cutting section III, according to one embodiment of the second and third inventions. The second invention supports the shell Sh on the base plate 7 by pushing out the movable part of the shell fixing unit B1 without interfering with the movement of the conveyor, and cuts off the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell. The third invention stops the transport conveyor when the shell Sh placed on the base plate 7 reaches the knife insertion position, pushes out the movable part of the shell fixing unit B1 to press and fix the shell Sh against the base plate 7, and cuts off the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell in this state.

[0045] 14 is a partially enlarged view of the conveyor width direction showing how the knife cuts the adductor muscle 1 and the shell at their joints, with the top shell facing downward, in accordance with an embodiment of the second and third inventions. In the second invention, after two sides of the shell Sh are cut, the shell Sh on the base plate 7 is pressed downward by the movable part of the shell fixing unit and supported on the base plate 7. As the shell continues to move along the conveyor, the knife pushing unit B2 inserts the knife B21 into the shell from one opening and pulls it back, severing the joint between the adductor muscle 1 and the shell. In the third invention, the conveyor stops when the shell Sh on the base plate 7 reaches the knife insertion position, where it is pressed downward by the movable part of the shell fixing unit B1 and fixed on the base plate 7. The knife pushing unit B2 then inserts the knife B21 into the shell from one opening and pulls it back, severing the joint between the adductor muscle 1 and the shell.

[0046] 15 is a partially enlarged view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the fourth invention, viewed from the conveyor width direction, showing how the knife is inserted to cut the junction between the adductor muscle and the shell when the upper shell is placed downward. In the fourth invention, after two sides of the shell Sh are cut, the shell Sh is pressed downward by the pressing belt 10 of the pressing mechanism and supported on the base plate 7. As the shell Sh continues to move along the conveyor, the knife pressing unit B2 functions to insert the knife B21 into the shell from one opening at an appropriate position and then pull it back, cutting the junction between the adductor muscle 1 and the shell.

[0047] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the support and release operations of a two-sided cut shell Sh on the base plate 7 in the second invention. The movable part B12 of the shell fixing unit B1 is pushed toward the base plate just before the position where the knife insertion begins. As the shell Sh continues to move along the conveyor while supported on the base plate 7, the insertion and retraction of the knife B21 is completed, and the movable part B12 is retracted. During this time, the shell fixing unit cylinder part B11 rotates around the axis CB1 as the pressed shell moves, maintaining support of the shell on the base plate. After the shell Sh has sufficiently moved away, the weight of the cylinder B11 and the effect of the restoring spring B13 return the shell fixing unit cylinder part B11 to its initial rotational position before pressing.

[0048] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the shapes of two types of thin knife blades used to cut the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell.

[0049] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram explaining the movement trajectory Mnp of the knife B21 relative to the shell in one embodiment of the second and fourth inventions, and shows the movement trajectory Mnp of the knife relative to the shell, which is achieved by the knife B21 moving back and forth inside the shell using the knife pushing unit B2 while the two-sided cut shell Sh placed on the base plate is supported on the base plate by pressing with the shell fixing unit or pressing mechanism and the shell continues to move by the conveyor.

[0050] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram explaining the movement trajectory Mnp of the knife B21 relative to the shell in one embodiment of the third invention, and shows the movement trajectory Mnp of the knife B21 relative to the two-sided cut shell, which is achieved by stopping the conveyor at the knife insertion position, fixing the two-sided cut shell Sh on the base plate at that position by pressing the shell fixing unit, and moving the knife B21 back and forth inside the shell using the knife pushing unit B2.

[0051] Figure 20 is a perspective view showing the state of shells discharged after all processing is completed according to one embodiment of the second, third, and fourth inventions. According to the first invention, the hinge is removed and the connection between the upper and lower shells of the shell is severed, so after all processing is completed, the shells are discharged in the form of the lower shell with the body still attached and the upper shell with only the shell.

[0052] Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the discharge mechanism after open shell processing in the processed shell discharge section IV according to one embodiment of the second, third, and fourth inventions. Shells Sf that have been processed in the shell fixing / adducal muscle / shell joint cutting section III of the second and third inventions and the adductor muscle / shell joint cutting section III' of the fourth invention are in the state shown in Figure 20 and are sent to the discharge side while still on the platform 7 by the conveyor's feeding function. In this embodiment, when the platform 7 on the belt slopes at the end of the conveyor, the discharge slope 13 functions to collect the shells in the processed shell collection box PC installed on the extension of the discharge slope. The processed shells Sf may also be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for passing on to the next process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] One embodiment of the present invention 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 12, focusing on scallop shells shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cutting device of the present invention comprises a loading and conveying section I and a two-sided cutting section II. In loading and conveying section I, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, raw shells S are placed with one shell facing downwards, with the convex side of the shell touching the recess of base plate 7, which is attached at an appropriate distance to conveyor chain 9. At this time, in the case of scallop shells, the straight portion of the end of the shell on the hinged side is placed against the side of guide 8, which is fixed to the frame of the shell loading and placement section of the conveyor, to position the shell perpendicular to the feed direction. Raw shells S placed on base plate 7 are transported by the conveyor toward the two-sided cutting section (MT direction) as shown in Figure 8. 9 and 10, the shells are pressed against the base plate 7 via the belt 10 of the pressing mechanism PM, which is rotatable in the MR2 direction around an axis Cp fixed to the machine frame above the base plate 7. The conveyor feed MT and the rotation MR1 of the pressing belt synchronized with MT transport the shells to the cutting position in the two-sided cutting section II, which is equipped with two cutting mechanisms with straight cutting blades that rotate in the MR3 direction along the shell cutting lines (L1, L2) shown in FIG. 12. The pressing force on the shells is adjusted by the pressing force adjusting cylinder 12 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this embodiment, the two-sided cutting blade 11 is a band-shaped annular blade (11_b1) as shown in FIG. 11, but it can also be a linear blade (11_w). The cutting blade can be a typical saw blade or one with an ultra-hard fine material attached. This device simultaneously forms two parallel openings (01, 02) in the scallop shell, into which a knife B21 is inserted to cut the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0054] Next, one embodiment of the present invention 2 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 5-6, 12-14, 16-18, and 20-21, focusing on the scallops shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the shell-opening device of the present invention comprises a loading and conveying section I, a two-sided cutting section II, a shell fixing and adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III, and a processed shell discharge section IV, and the shell-opening process is carried out in accordance with the flow shown in Figure 5 (continuous feed type I). The shells Sh, which have been cut on two sides and have two openings as shown in Figure 12 by the cutting device of the present invention 1, are transported by the transport conveyor while still on the base plate 7 to the shell fixing and adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III, and as shown in Figures 6, 13 and 14, just before the shells Sh reach the position where the knife B21 is inserted, the shell fixing unit B1, which is rotatably attached to the machine frame above the conveyor chain via an axis CB1 so that the cylinder part B11 of the movable part protrudes in the direction toward the base plate, pushes out the movable part B12, and presses the shells Sh after the two-side cut against the base plate 7 via the shell pressing member B12e at the tip of the movable part, supporting them to an extent that does not interfere with transport by the conveyor. As shown in Figure 16, the shell fixing unit B1 is rotatable around axis CB1, and rotates in the MRsp direction as the shell is transported while pressing it against the base plate 7.When the shell is sufficiently far from the shell fixing unit B1, the movable part is pulled back, and at the same time, the unit returns to the state it was in before it began supporting the shell Sh due to its own weight and the restoring force of the return spring B13.

[0055] As the shells Sh are supported on the tray 7 by the shell fixing unit B1 and continue to be transported, as shown in Figure 14, when the two-sided cut shells Sh reach the appropriate position for starting to push the knife, the knife pushing-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2, which has a cylinder part B22 fixed to the machine frame of the device so that it tilts forward in the pushing direction, pushes the knife B21 out while being restrained by a knife guide B23 separately fixed to the machine frame of the device, and the knife B21 is inserted into the inside of the shell in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, and the tip of the pushed-out knife B21 slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then it is retracted.By moving the shell on the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in Figure 18, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be reliably cut.

[0056] As the shells Sf continue to move along the conveyor after their adductor muscles have been cut, the knife B21 of the knife pushing unit B2 is retracted to its retracted position by the knife pushing-back cylinder B22 (see Figure 14). The movable part B12 of the shell fixing unit B1 is then retracted by the cylinder, separating the shell pressing member B12e from the shell. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 21, the processed shells are transported to the end of the conveyor in the processed shell discharge section IV. When the tray on the belt tilts, they are transferred onto the discharge slope 13, which functions as a slope to collect them in the processed shell collection box PC located at the extension of the discharge slope 13. This system allows the process of transport, shell cutting, shell severing, and discharge of processed shells to be carried out continuously without stopping the conveyor, thereby improving processing capacity. Shells that have been processed can be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for the next process.

[0057] Next, one embodiment of the present invention 3 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 5-6, 12-14, 17, and 19-21, focusing on the scallops shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the shell-opening device of the present invention comprises a loading and conveying section I, a two-sided cutting section II, a shell fixing and adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III, and a processed shell discharge section IV, and performs shell-opening processing according to the flow shown in Figure 5 (conveyor stopped while knife is inserted). The shells Sh, which have been cut on two sides and have two openings as shown in Figure 12 by the cutting device of the present invention 1, are transported on the transport conveyor to the shell fixing and scallop adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III while still on the base plate 7, and as shown in Figures 6 and 13-14, when the shells Sh reach the position where the knife B21 is inserted, the transport conveyor is stopped for a moment, and the movable part B12 is pushed out by the cylinder B11 of the shell fixing unit B1, whose cylinder part is fixed to the machine frame above the conveyor chain 9 so that the direction of the movable part protruding toward the base plate, and the shells Sh after being cut on two sides are pressed and fixed against the base plate 7 by the shell pressing member B12 at the tip of the movable part. Then, as shown in Figure 14, the knife B21 is pushed out by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2, whose cylinder part B22 is fixed to the machine frame of the device so as to be inclined forward in the pushing-out direction, while being restrained by a knife guide B23 separately fixed to the machine frame of the device, and the knife B21 is inserted into the shell on the inside side of the shell in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface.The tip of the pushed-out knife B21 slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell and advances towards the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then it is retracted.When the knife is inserted, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in Figure 19, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be cut off. After the adductor muscle of the shellfish Sf has been cut, the knife B21 is retracted to the retracted position by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of B2 as shown in Figure 14, and then the conveyor is restarted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 21, the shellfish are transferred to the discharge slope 13 at the end of the conveyor in the processed shellfish discharge section IV, where the tray 7 on the belt is inclined, and are collected in the processed shellfish collection box PC installed on the extension of the discharge slope by the function of the slope 13. In addition, the processed shellfish can be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for passing on to the next process.

[0058] Next, one embodiment of present invention 4 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6, 12, 15, 17 to 18, and 20 to 21, focusing on the scallops shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 4, the shell-opening device of the present invention is composed of a loading and conveying section I, a two-sided cutting section II, an adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III', and a processed shell discharge section IV, and performs the shell-opening process according to the flow shown in Figure 5 (continuous feed type II). Shells Sh, which have been double-cut by the cutting device of present invention 1 to create two openings as shown in Figure 12, are transported to the adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III' while still held down by the pressing mechanism PM and placed on a base plate 7 by the transport conveyor.

[0059] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the knife pushing mechanism is located downstream of the cutting mechanism in the conveying direction. While the pushing mechanism PM continues to support the shell Sh on the base plate 7, as shown in Figure 15, when the two-sided cut shell Sh reaches an appropriate position to start the knife pushing, the knife pushing back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2, which has a cylinder part B22 fixed to the machine frame so that it tilts forward in the pushing direction, pushes the knife B21 out while being restrained by the knife guide B23 separately fixed to the machine frame, and inserts the knife B21 into the inside of the shell in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface. The tip of the pushed-out knife B21 slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then retracts. By moving the shell by the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in Figure 18, as in the present invention 2, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be reliably cut.

[0060] As the shells Sf continue to travel along the conveyor after their adductor muscles have been cut, the knife B21 is retracted to a retracted position by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2, as shown in Figure 15. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 21, the processed shells Sf are transported to the end of the conveyor in the processed shell discharge section IV, where they are transferred to the discharge slope 13 at the point where the tray on the belt slopes. The slope then functions to collect the shells in the processed shell collection box PC, located at the extension of the discharge slope 13. This device allows the process from transport to two-sided cutting of the shell, severing the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, and discharge of the processed shells to be carried out continuously without stopping the conveyor, thereby improving processing capacity. Shells whose shells have been processed can also be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for the next process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] S Raw material shellfish Su Upper Shell Sb Lower shell 1 scallop 2 gills 3 Mantle 4 Testes (Ovaries) 5 Midgut glands 6 Ligaments (hinge) I Loading and transport section II Double-sided cut section III Shell fixation (support) - Adductor muscle / shell joint cut section III' Adductor muscle / shell junction cut section IV Processing shellfish discharge section 7 plates 8 Guide plate 9. Conveyor chain 10 Pressing belt 11 Cutting blade 11-b Cutting blade (strip) 11-w Cutting blade (linear) 12 Pressing force adjustment cylinder 13 Discharge slope PM pressing mechanism Cp Rotation center of the pressing mechanism PM MT conveyor transport MR1 Pressing mechanism pressing belt rotation MR2 Push-down mechanism swing MR3 cutting blade rotation Mp Pressing mechanism pressing force adjustment cylinder in and out operation Sh Shell after cutting two sides Scb: Lower shell with internal organs including the adductor muscle attached after cutting the connection between the adductor muscle and the upper shell Scu: Upper shell with the adductor muscle and internal organs separated L1 cutting line L2 cutting line (hinge side) O1 Opening corresponding to cutting line L1 O2 Opening corresponding to cutting line L2 B1 Shell fixing unit B11 Cylinder part of shell fixing unit B12 Movable part of shell fixing unit B12e Shell pressing member fixed to the tip of the cylinder moving part of shell fixing unit B1 B13 Shell fixing unit restoring spring B2 Knife Push-in Unit B21 Knife B22 Knife push-back cylinder B23 Knife Guide CBl Rotation support center of shell fixing unit B1 Msp Pressing action to fix or support the shell MRsp Shell Fixation Unit B1 Rotational Movement Mc knife push-back operation Knife trajectory relative to shellfish when cutting MNP Sf processed shellfish PC processed shell collection box Sst Shellfish placed on a plate Scst: Shellfish after being cut into two sides and placed on a plate FM conveyor mechanism CM cutting mechanism

Claims

1. A shell cutting device that cuts the end of the shell on the hinge side and the end of the shell on the opposite side by pinching the end of the shell on the hinge side and the center of the shell when viewed from above to form an opening in the bivalve shell, A conveyor that conveys bivalve shells as raw material shells placed on a tray; A pressing mechanism that presses the shell to be cut against the base plate to stabilize it during cutting; The bivalve shell is made up of two cutting means for sandwiching the hinged end of the shell and the center of the shell, and cutting the hinged end and the opposite end of the shell, The conveyor has a chain conveyor mechanism to which a plurality of base plates are connected, which receive the convex shape of one of the upper and lower shells of the bivalve and hold the shell horizontally; The pressing mechanism is provided at the shell insertion section upstream of the conveyor in the feeding direction so as to sandwich the bivalve shells placed on the base plate with the base plate at a location away from the insertion position, and has a belt that rotates in a direction to send the shells on the base plate in the conveying direction; the cutting means are disposed on both the left and right sides of the conveyor chain of the chain conveyor mechanism in the feeding direction so that the cut surface to be formed is parallel to the feeding direction of the conveyor table, and have a belt-shaped or linear annular blade; While the conveyor chain is moving continuously, at the shell feeding section upstream of the chain conveyor, the hinged end is pressed against the side of a guide plate fixed to the conveying platform frame to position the conveyor widthwise and place the bivalve shell on a platform plate.The shell then moves while still on the platform plate and, when it is away from the feeding position, is sandwiched between the platform plate on the conveyor chain and the push-down mechanism.In this state, the shell is further sent out by the push-down mechanism and the conveying platform mechanism.The shell passes through a point where the cutting blades of two cutting mechanisms, located midway through the range in which the shell continues to be sandwiched between the platform plate on the conveying platform and the belt surface of the push-down mechanism, and cuts both ends of the edge of the bivalve shell simultaneously to form an opening.

2. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between the adductor muscle and either the upper or lower shell of a shell having openings at both ends of its edge by the shell cutting device of claim 1, The conveying platform of the shell cutting device of claim 1 is provided with a knife pushing unit for inserting a plate-shaped knife into the shell through the opening of the shell and positioning it, and a shell fixing unit for supporting the knife on the base plate on which the shell is placed when pushing or retracting the knife. The knife pushing unit has a plate-shaped knife and a mechanism for inserting and positioning the knife into the shell through the opening of the shell, and is disposed on either the left or right side of the conveyor chain feed direction so that the pushing direction of the knife faces the formed opening; The shell fixing unit has a movable part that can be pushed out and pulled back and has a contact member at its end that contacts the shell, In the cutting device of claim 1, shells with openings on two sides parallel to the feed direction of the conveyor are placed on a platform connected to the conveyor chain of the conveyor and are fed out by the function of the conveyor; as the conveyor continues to feed, at a point downstream from the end cutting position of the shell, the movable part of the shell fixing unit, which is rotatable about an axis fixed to the conveyor frame above the platform on which the cut shell is placed, descends, pressing the upper shell part on the platform toward the platform, supporting the shell on the platform; and as the conveyor chain moves, As the shell moves along the conveyor, the plate-shaped knife of the knife pushing unit is inserted into the shell from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, while its movement is restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife is slid along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then it is retracted, thereby cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell by moving the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife, and the processed shell is then sent out on the transport table while still placed on the platform.

3. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between the adductor muscle and one of the upper and lower shells of a shell having openings at both ends of its edge by the shell cutting device of claim 1, The conveyor of claim 1 is provided with a knife pushing unit for inserting a plate-shaped knife into the shell through the opening of the shell and positioning it, and a shell fixing unit for fixing the shell on the plate when the knife is pushing in and pulling out while the conveyor is stopped. The knife pushing unit has a plate-shaped knife and a mechanism for inserting and positioning the knife into the shell through the opening of the shell, and is disposed on either the left or right side of the conveyor chain feed direction so that the pushing direction of the knife faces the formed opening; The shell fixing unit has a movable part that can be pushed out and pulled back and has a contact member at its end that contacts the shell, The shell opening device of claim 1, in which shells with two openings parallel to the feed direction of the conveying table are placed on a platform plate connected to the conveyor chain of the conveying table and sent out by the function of the conveying table, and when the shell is away from the cutting position of the end of the shell in the downstream direction of the conveyor, the conveyor feed is stopped temporarily, and at that position, the movable part of the shell fixing unit located above the platform plate on which the cut shell is placed lowers, pressing the upper shell surface toward the platform plate, thereby fixing the shell on the platform, and in this state, the knife pushing unit functions to insert a plate-shaped knife approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, while its movement is restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell, penetrating through to the opening side of the other shell, and then the knife is retracted to cut the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, and then the movable part of the shell fixing unit is raised to release the shell from its fixation on the platform, and the conveyor feed is started again, and the processed shell is sent out by the conveying table while still on the platform plate.

4. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between the adductor muscle and one of the upper and lower shells of a shell having openings formed on both end surfaces of the edge by the shell cutting device of claim 1, In the section of the pressing mechanism of claim 1 where the shell is clamped, the knife pushing unit is disposed downstream of the cutting means of the chain conveyor of the conveyor table in the conveying direction, on either the left or right side of the conveyor chain feed direction, so that the pushing direction of the knife faces the formed opening, The knife pushing unit has a plate-shaped knife and a mechanism for inserting and positioning the knife into the shell through an opening in the shell, In the cutting device of claim 1, shellfish having openings on two sides parallel to the feeding direction of the conveyor are placed on a tray connected to the conveyor chain of the conveyor and are fed out by the function of the conveyor. The knife pushing unit functions to insert a plate-shaped knife from one opening side in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, with its movement restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then it is retracted, cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell by moving the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife, and the processed shell is then sent out on the transport table.

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