Bivalve shell opening device

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for opening a bivalve shell such as a scallop by simply placing it manually or the like and continuously cutting the joint between one shell and the adductor muscle. [Solution] The device of the present invention is composed of a loading and conveying section I, a two-sided cutting section II, a shell fixing and scallop adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III or a shell fixing and scallop adductor muscle / shell joining and cutting section III', and a processed shell discharge section IV. By placing a bivalve shell on a platform plate connected to the conveyor chain of the conveying section, the shell is pressed against the platform plate by a pressing mechanism above the conveyor and sent to the cutting mechanism downstream of the conveying section, where a two-sided opening is formed in the end of the shell so as to cut off the hinge, the shell is supported on the platform plate by a shell fixing unit or the like downstream of the opening formation position, and as the shell moves on the conveyor chain, a knife is inserted into the shell from one of the opening sides by a knife pushing unit, and the knife is advanced and retreated to cut the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, this bivalve shell opening device.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Scallops, a representative bivalve shellfish, are distributed raw or frozen after removing the shells and separating the adductor muscle from the shucked meat. In many seafood processing plants, the separation of the adductor muscle is done manually, with many skilled workers processing large quantities of shellfish. This work requires skill to remove the meat from the shell, and since the labor shortage at seafood processing plants has become 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] References 2 and 3 disclose a method of forming an opening in the shell by cutting, and injecting high-pressure liquid into the shell to cut the joint between the shell and the fin.

[0005] Reference 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, in the shell-opening methods shown in Patent Documents 1 to 6, the processes of placing the shellfish on the tray, cutting off the shell tips, and cutting off the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell are performed during the intermittent stoppage of the table or conveyor, which results in problems such as time-consuming processing and complicated equipment. Furthermore, in the method of Patent Document 1, the height of the opening formed at the end of the shell by cutting is measured by a camera or the like to adjust the insertion height of the knife that cuts the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, resulting in a complicated equipment. Furthermore, in the shell-opening methods of Patent Documents 2 and 3, the cutting of the shellfish body and shell after the opening is formed is performed by a high-pressure fluid injection, which requires ancillary equipment to generate high-pressure fluid, resulting in a problem of complicated equipment.

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

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 5 discloses a method for cutting the adductor muscle and the 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 a reliable cut; however, this poses the problem of making the mechanism complicated.

[0011] Additionally, at seafood processing plants where the adductor muscles are separated from the scallops, there is a demand for equipment that can separate the adductor muscles efficiently with a small number of staff, with fewer adjustments to be made and with fewer shutdowns due to breakdowns, ensuring stable production.

[0012] In addition, 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 scallops that are tightly closed due to the contraction force of the adductor muscle and cut the connection between the adductor muscle and the shell. Inexperienced workers often end up with the adductor muscle remaining on the shell, resulting in a low yield.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art with the ultimate goal of meeting the above-mentioned requirements for on-site work, and relates to a shell opening device with a simplified structure in which the pre-processing work is limited to placing the raw shells in a designated position only, which improves processing capacity by performing reliable shell opening work 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 and hold the shell horizontally, a pressing mechanism that is provided at the shell input section at one end of the conveyor chain to pinch the bivalve placed on the base plate 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 blade objects at high speed on both sides of the conveyor chain so that the cut surface formed is parallel to the feed direction of the conveyor chain. While the chain conveyor is moving continuously, the bivalve is inserted into the shell input section by pressing the hinged end of the shell into 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 plate. The shell then moves downstream while still on the plate, and is sandwiched between the conveyor table and the hold-down mechanism away from the insertion position. In this state, the shell is further sent out by the rotation of the press belt of the hold-down mechanism and the movement of the conveyor chain of the conveyor mechanism of the conveyor table. The shell is then passed through a point where the cutting blades of two cutting mechanisms, located along the intermediate path of the range in which the shell remains sandwiched between the plate on the conveyor table and the hold-down mechanism, form a straight line, and both ends of the edge of the bivalve shell can be cut simultaneously to form two openings.

[0015] In the second invention, the shell opening device of the first invention, after two appropriately sized openings have been formed in the shell cutting device and the shell has been released from the pressing mechanism, sends the shell out as is on a base plate by a transport conveyor, and when the shell is away from the shell cutting position downstream in the transport direction, a cylinder portion provided above the shell pushes out a movable portion of a 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 portion presses the upper shell portion placed on the base plate toward 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 portion of the movable portion of the shell fixing unit and rotational escape of the shell fixing unit. By this effect, the shell is moved on the conveyor while in the pressed-down state, and when the opening of the shell reaches an appropriate position for the knife to be pushed in, the plate-like knife of the knife pushing unit, which can be advanced and retreated, is inserted into the shell from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface while being restricted in its movement along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife is advanced along the inner surface of the shell on either the top or bottom side until it penetrates the shell toward the other opening, and then the knife is retreated, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell is cut off by the movement of the conveyor and the knife insertion and retraction. This cutting method makes it possible to increase the relative movement range of the knife with respect to the shell, enabling stable cutting. Furthermore, the shell with the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell cut off can be sent out by the chain conveyor of the transport platform while still placed on the platform plate.

[0016] After processing, the shellfish can be transferred to a discharge slope by utilizing the inclination of the plate at the end of the conveyor table, 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 shellfish after processing 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, and when the shell moves downstream from the cutting position, the conveyor stops moving, and then the cut shell is pressed towards the receiving plate by a shell pressing member provided by a shell fixing unit attached to the frame of the device, with a cylinder portion provided above the base plate on which the shell is placed, thereby fixing the shell to the base plate.In this state, the movable plate-shaped knife of the knife pressing unit is inserted into the shell from one of the openings in 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 the shell from either the top or bottom 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 the conveyor is then 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 transport platform by using the inclination of the tray, and can then be collected in a storage container installed near the end of the transport platform.

[0019] In the shell opening device of the fourth invention, two appropriately sized openings are 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 sent out by the transport conveyor in this state while still placed on the base plate to the knife pushing unit located on either side of the transport conveyor downstream in the transport direction, and while the pressing mechanism maintains stable support of the shell on the base plate, the shell continues to be transported. When the opening of the shell reaches an appropriate position for knife pushing, the knife pushing unit's movable plate-like knife is inserted into the shell from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening face, while its movement is restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife is advanced along the inner surface of the shell on either the top or bottom side towards the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, and then it is withdrawn, and the movement of the conveyor and the knife insertion and retraction allow the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell to be cut off. This cutting method allows the knife to move over a larger range relative to the shellfish, enabling a stable cutting process. In addition, the shellfish, whose join between the adductor muscle and the shell has been cut, can be sent out on the chain conveyor of the transport platform while still on the tray.

[0020] After processing, the shells can be transferred to a discharge slope by utilizing the inclination of the plate at the end of the conveyor table, 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. Also, 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, which simplifies the structure of the device. Effect of the Invention

[0021] In the cutting device of the first invention, when the raw shellfish are placed manually or otherwise on the platform plate connected to the conveyor chain, scallop shells can be easily aligned across the width of the conveyor by pressing the straight part of the shell end on the hinged side against a guide fixed to the frame of the conveying mechanism at the shell insertion position.

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

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

[0024] In the first invention, two sides of the bivalve shell, the end on the hinge side and the end on the opposite side of the hinge, are cut at the same time to form two openings, which makes it easier to cut 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 upper and lower shells are no longer connected, so after opening the shells, one of the shells becomes a single shell 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 transported, while still being sandwiched between the base plate on the conveyor table and the pressing mechanism, 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 short distance from the cutting position so that the cylinder part protrudes downwards, and then the shell continues to be transported only by the conveyor. 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 contact between the shell and the movable part of the fixing unit and the shell is fixed. Due to the effect of the rotational escape of the setting unit, the shell continues to move on the transport conveyor while still 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 face, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of the shell on either the top or bottom 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] In addition, the shellfish whose joints between the adductor muscle and the shell have been cut can be sent out on the conveyor while still remaining on the tray.

[0027] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they are transferred to a discharge slope by utilizing the inclination of the tray at the end of the conveyor, 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 the next process.

[0028] This device makes it possible to continuously carry out all processes from transportation to cutting the shells on two sides, severing the connections 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, the shellfish processed by the shellfish cutting device of the first invention is sandwiched between the plate on the conveyor and the pressing mechanism, and is conveyed to a position in front of the shell fixing unit, which is fixed to the machine frame above the plate so that the cylinder part protrudes downwards, and then continues to be sent only by the conveyor. When the shell reaches the position of the shell fixing unit, the conveyor chain is stopped once, the movable part of the shell fixing unit is pushed out, and the shell can be fixed on the plate by pressing the shell against the plate with the member at the end of the movable part of the shell fixing unit. In this state, the knife is inserted into the shell from one opening from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface by the knife pushing unit, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of the shell from the top or bottom toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then the knife is retracted, allowing for stable cutting of the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell (opening of the shell). Note that in this invention, the movement of the knife relative to the shell is linear, so the tip of the knife is required to have a shape that is larger than the width of the adductor muscle.

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

[0031] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they can be transferred to a discharge slope by utilizing the inclination of the tray at the end of the conveyor, 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 a separate conveyor in preparation for 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 plate on the conveying table and the pressing mechanism, to a knife pushing unit which is located on either the left or right side of the conveying mechanism in the feed direction, downstream of the conveying mechanism, and at that point, without stopping the transport of the shell, the cylinder of the knife pushing unit simultaneously inserts a knife into the shell from one opening in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening face, and the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of the shell on either the top or bottom side towards the other opening until it has penetrated the shell, after which the knife is retracted and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be cut off (shell opening) by moving the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife.

[0033] In addition, the shellfish whose joints between the adductor muscle and the shell have been cut can be sent out on the conveyor while still remaining on the tray.

[0034] Furthermore, after the shellfish have been opened, they are transferred to a discharge slope by utilizing the inclination of the tray at the end of the conveyor, 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 the next process.

[0035] This device can continuously carry out all processes from transporting the shells to cutting them on two sides, cutting the joints between the adductor muscle and the shells, and discharging the processed shells.It also eliminates the need to support the shells on the tray while the joints between the adductor muscle and the shell are being cut, which allows for increased transport speed and improved processing capacity. [Brief description 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 shell. [Diagram 2] This is a structural diagram (oblique view) showing the internal structure of a scallop shell with the lower shell facing down. [Diagram 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 according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall process flow of 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 how shells are placed on a base plate in the first invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a shell is placed on a base plate according to one embodiment of the first, second, third and fourth inventions. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a two-sided cutting process of the shell after placement according to one embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 10] This is a partial view of the device according to one embodiment of the first invention, showing the state of shells being fed after being placed with the upper shell facing down, with the shell feeding direction being to the right of the drawing. [Figure 11] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing the blade shape of a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 12] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing cutting positions of shells and shapes of shells after cutting processing according to one embodiment of the first invention. [Figure 13] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the supporting and fixing operations of the shell after two-sided cutting before knife insertion when the upper shell is placed downward according to an embodiment of the second and third inventions. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 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 downward, according to an embodiment of the second and third inventions. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 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 downward, according to one embodiment of the fourth invention. [Figure 16] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the supporting and releasing operation of a two-sided cut shell on a base plate in the second invention. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a knife shape. [Figure 18]11A to 11C 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] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement trajectory of a knife relative to a shellfish according to an embodiment of the third invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the state of shellfish that have been discharged after being cut at the joint between the adductor muscle and the upper shell following processing according to one embodiment of the second, third and fourth inventions. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a shell discharge mechanism after the shell-opening process according to one embodiment of the second, third and fourth inventions.

[0037] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] The main figures are explained below.

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

[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structures of the second, third and fourth inventions (A and B). In the fourth invention, the raw shellfish are fixed onto the conveyor chain of the conveyor mechanism FM and placed on a plate, and are then sandwiched between the press-down mechanism PM and the 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 in the second and third inventions, but it differs from the second and third inventions in that the adductor muscle / shell junction cutting mechanism B2 is incorporated within the section where the press-down mechanism PM holds the shell between the plate and the adductor muscle, where the adductor muscle is cut, eliminating the need for a shell fixing unit B1.

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

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

[0043] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shellfish S placed on the base plate 7 in the two-sided cutting section II in one embodiment of the first invention, in which two openings are formed by cutting the shellfish S placed on the base plate 7 in one embodiment of the first invention, and Fig. 10 is a partial enlarged view seen from a direction perpendicular to the conveyor feed direction, in which two openings are formed by cutting the shellfish S placed on the base plate 7 in one embodiment of the first invention. Immediately after being placed on the base plate 7, the shellfish S are sent to the cutting position downstream in the conveying direction while being sandwiched between the base plate 7 and the pressing mechanism PM, which has a belt mechanism attached to the outer periphery of the base plate 7 so that the rotation direction (MR1 direction) at the place where the shellfish contacts the outer periphery is the same as the feed direction of the chain conveyor. At this time, the pressing force is adjusted by adjusting the reaction force generated by the rod of the pressing force adjustment cylinder 12, which is provided away from the rotation axis Cp of the pressing mechanism A, pressing the machine frame of the machine. While the shell S is sandwiched between the belt and the plate of the pressing mechanism, both ends of the shell S are pressed against the straight part of the cutting blade rotating in the MR3 direction while being fed, whereby the shell S is cut and two openings are formed.

[0044] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the state in which the shell Sh is supported or fixed on the base plate 7 after two-sided cutting before knife insertion when the upper shell is placed downward at the shell fixing / adducal muscle / shell joint 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 without interfering with the movement of the conveyor by pushing out the movable part of the shell fixing unit B1, and cuts the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell. The third invention stops the 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 the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell in this state.

[0045] Fig. 14 is a partial enlarged view of the device according to the second and third inventions, showing the state of cutting the scallop adductor muscle and the joint of the shell by inserting the knife when the upper shell is placed downward, as seen from the conveyor width direction. In the second invention, the shell Sh on the base plate 7 after the two-sided cut is pushed downward by the movable part of the shell fixing unit and supported on the base plate 7, and continues to move by the conveyor. At an appropriate position, the knife B21 is inserted into the shell from one opening and pulled back by the function of the knife pushing unit B2, and the joint of the adductor muscle 1 and the shell is cut. In the third invention, the conveyor stops when the shell Sh on the base plate 7 after the two-sided cut reaches the knife insertion position, and is pushed downward by the movable part of the shell fixing unit B1 at that position and fixed on the base plate 7. Then, the knife is inserted into the shell from one opening and pulled back by the function of the knife pushing unit B2, and the joint of the adductor muscle 1 and the shell is cut.

[0046] Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged view of the device seen from the conveyor width direction, showing how the adductor muscle and the joint of the shell are cut by inserting a knife when the upper shell is placed downward according to an embodiment of the fourth invention. In the fourth invention, after the two sides of the shell Sh are cut, the shell Sh on the base plate 7 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 by the conveyor, the knife B21 is inserted into the shell from one opening at an appropriate position by the function of the knife pressing unit B2 and pulled back, cutting the joint between the adductor muscle 1 and the shell.

[0047] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram explaining the supporting and releasing operation of the 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 two-sided cut shell Sh on the base plate starts to insert the knife, and while the shell Sh continues to move on the conveyor while supported on the base plate 7, the movable part B12 is pulled back after the insertion and retraction of the knife B21 is completed. During this time, the shell fixing unit cylinder part B11 rotates around the axis CB1 with the movement of the shell it is pressing, and maintains the support of the shell on the base plate. After that, when the shell Sh is sufficiently away, the shell fixing unit cylinder part B11 returns to the initial rotation position before pressing due to the weight of the cylinder B11 and the effect of the restoring spring B13.

[0048] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the shapes of two types of thin knife 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 a 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 by the knife pushing unit B2 while the two-sided cut shell Sh placed on a base plate is supported on the base plate by the shell fixing unit or the pressure of the 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 a 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 by the knife pushing unit B2.

[0051] Fig. 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 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] Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the discharge mechanism after the open shell processing in the processed shell discharge section IV according to one embodiment of the second, third and fourth inventions. The shells Sf that have been processed in the shell fixing / adducal muscle / shell joint section cutting section III of the second and third inventions and the adductor muscle / shell joint section cutting section III' of the fourth invention are in the state shown in Fig. 20 and are sent to the discharge side while still on the platform 7 by the conveyor's sending function. In this embodiment, when the platform 7 on the belt at the end of the conveyor becomes inclined, the discharge slope 13 functions to collect the processed shells in the collected box PC installed on the extension of the discharge slope. The processed shells Sf may be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for connecting to the next process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 12 for the scallop shells shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the cutting device of the present invention is composed of a loading and conveying section I and a two-sided cutting section II. In the loading and conveying section I, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the raw shells S are placed with one shell facing down, with the convex surface of the shell facing down against the depression of the base plate 7 connected to the conveyor chain 9 of the conveyor at an appropriate interval. At this time, in the case of scallop shells, the straight part of the shell end on the hinge side is placed against the side of the guide 8 fixed to the machine frame of the shell loading and placing part of the conveyor, and the shells are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The raw shells S placed on the base plate 7 are conveyed by the conveyor in the direction of the two-sided cutting section (MT direction) as shown in Fig. 8. Then, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the shell is pressed against the base plate 7 through the belt 10 of the pressing mechanism PM, which is attached so as to be rotatable in the MR2 direction around the axis Cp fixed to the machine frame above the base plate 7, and is sent to the cutting position of the two-sided cutting section II, which is provided with two cutting mechanisms having straight parts of cutting blades that rotate in the MR3 direction in accordance with the cutting line (L1, L2) of the shell as shown in Fig. 12, by the feed MT of the conveyor and the rotation MR1 of the pressing belt synchronized with MT. At this time, the force pressing the shell is adjusted by the pressing force adjustment cylinder 12 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 11 for two-sided cutting is a belt-shaped annular blade object (11_b1) as shown in Fig. 11, but it may be a linear one (11_w), and the cutting blade may be not only a general saw blade but also one with ultra-hard fine material fixed thereto. By this device, two parallel openings (01, 02) are simultaneously formed 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 for the scallop shells 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 / adducal 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 (continuous feed type I). The shells Sh that have been cut on two sides by the cutting device of the present invention 1 as shown in Figure 12 and have two openings are transported by the transport conveyor to the shell fixing and scallop / shell joining and cutting section III while still on the base plate 7, 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 freely rotatably attached to the machine frame above the conveyor chain via the 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-sided cut against the base plate 7 via the shell pressing member B12e at the tip of the movable part, supporting them to the extent that it does not interfere with the transport by the conveyor. As shown in Figure 16, the shell fixing unit B1 is freely rotatable around axis CB1, and while pressing the shell against the base plate 7, it rotates in the MRsp direction as the shell is transported.When the shell is sufficiently far away from the shell fixing unit B1, it pulls back the movable part, and at the same time, due to its own weight and the restoring force of the return spring B13, it returns to the state it was in before it began supporting the shell Sh.

[0055] As the shell Sh is supported on the plate 7 by the shell fixing unit B1 and continues to be transported, as shown in FIG. 14, when the two-sided cut shell Sh reaches an appropriate position for starting the knife pushing, the knife B21 is pushed out by 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, while being restrained by the 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 retreated. By moving the shell by the conveyor and inserting and pulling back the knife, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in FIG. 18, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be cut reliably.

[0056] While the shells Sf after the adductor muscle is cut are being transported on the conveyor, the knife B21 is retracted to the retreat position by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2 as shown in FIG. 14, the movable part B12 is retracted by the cylinder of the shell fixing unit B1 after the two-sided cutting, and the shell pressing member B12e is separated from the shell. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the processed shells are transported to the end of the conveyor of the processed shell discharge section IV, where they move onto the discharge slope 13 when the platform on the belt is inclined, and are collected in the processed open collection box PC installed on the extension of the discharge slope 13 by the function of the slope. With this device, the process from transportation to two-sided cutting of the shells, cutting of the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, and discharge of the processed shells can be performed continuously without stopping the transport conveyor, improving the processing capacity. Note that the shells after shell processing may be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or moved to another conveyor in preparation for connecting to 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 for the scallop shells shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the shell-opening device of the present invention is composed of a loading and conveying section I, a two-sided cutting section II, a shell fixing / adducal 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 that have been cut on two sides to create 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 / shell joining and cutting section III while still on the base plate 7, and as shown in Figures 6, 13 and 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, the cylinder part of which is fixed to the equipment frame above the conveyor chain 9 so that the direction in which the movable part protrudes is toward the base plate, and the shells Sh after the two-sided cut are pressed and fixed against the base plate 7 via the shell pressing member B12 at the tip of the movable part. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the knife B21 is pushed out by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2, the cylinder part B22 of which is fixed to the machine frame of the apparatus so as to be inclined forward in the extrusion direction, while being restrained by a knife guide B23 separately fixed to the machine frame of the apparatus, and the knife B21 is inserted into the shell on the inside side of the shell in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening face, and the tip of the pushed-out knife B21 is caused to slide 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 inserting the knife, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in FIG. 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 off, the knife B21 is pushed back to the retracted position by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of B2 as shown in Fig. 14, and then the conveyor is restarted, and in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21, the shellfish are transferred to the discharge slope 13 at the end of the conveyor of the processed shellfish discharge section IV where the platform plate 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. Note that the shellfish that have been processed may be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or transferred to another conveyor in preparation for connection to the next process.

[0058] Next, an embodiment of the present invention 4 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6, 12, 15, 17 to 18, and 20 to 21 for the scallop shells 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, a scallop / shell joint cutting section III', and a processed shell discharge section IV, and performs shell-opening processing according to the flow shown in Figure 5 (continuous feed type II). Shells Sh that have been two-sided cut by the cutting device of the present invention 1 to create two openings as shown in Figure 12 are conveyed to the scallop / shell joint cutting section III' while still held down by the pressing mechanism PM and placed on the platform plate 7 by the conveyor.

[0059] Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the knife pushing mechanism is located downstream of the cutting mechanism in the conveying direction, and while the pressing mechanism PM continues to support the shell Sh on the base plate 7, as shown in FIG. 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 of the device so as to tilt forward in the pushing direction, pushes out the knife B21 while being restrained by the knife guide B23 separately fixed to the machine frame of the device, and inserts the knife B21 into the inside of the shell in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, and slides the tip of the pushed out knife B21 along the inner surface of the shell on either the top or bottom side until it penetrates the shell toward the other opening, and then retreats. As a result of the movement of the shell by the conveyor and the knife insertion and withdrawal, the movement trajectory of the knife relative to the shell becomes Mnp as shown in FIG. 18, as in the present invention 2, and the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell can be reliably cut.

[0060] While the shellfish Sf continues to be conveyed after the adductor muscle is cut, the knife B21 is retracted to the retreat position by the knife push-back cylinder B22 of the knife pushing unit B2 as shown in Fig. 15. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21, the shellfish Sf that have been processed are conveyed and reach the end of the conveyor of the processed shellfish discharge section IV, where they are transferred to the discharge slope 13 when the platform on the belt is inclined, and are collected in the processed shell collection box PC installed on the extension of the discharge slope 13 by the function of the slope. With this device, the process from conveying to cutting the shells on two sides, cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell, and discharging the processed shells can be performed continuously without stopping the conveyor, improving the processing capacity. Note that the shellfish that have been processed may be picked up from the conveyor by a separate mechanism or moved to another conveyor in preparation for connecting to 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 joints) I Loading and conveying section II Double-sided cut section III Shell fixing (support) - Scallop / shell joint cut section III' Adductor muscle / shell joint cut section IV Shellfish processing 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 (line shape) 12 Pressing force adjustment cylinder 13 Discharge slope PM pressing mechanism Cp Rotation center of the pressing mechanism PM MT conveyor transport MR1 Rotation of the pressing belt of the pressing mechanism MR2 Push-down mechanism swing MR3 Cutting blade rotation Mp Pressing mechanism pressing force adjustment cylinder in and out movement Sh Shell after two-sided cutting Scb: Lower shell with internal organs including the adductor muscle after cutting the connection of the adductor muscle to the upper shell Scu Upper shell with adductor muscle and viscera 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 the shell fixing unit B1 B13 Shell fixing unit restoring spring B2 Knife pushing unit B21 Knife B22 Knife push back cylinder B23 Knife Guide CBl Rotational support center of shell fixing unit B1 Msp A pressing action to hold or support a shell Rotational movement of MRsp shell fixing unit B1 Mc knife push-in / return action MNP: Knife trajectory relative to shell when cutting Sf processed shellfish PC processed shell collection box Sst Shells placed on a pedestal plate Scst: Shellfish after being cut into two sides, placed on a plate FM Conveyor Mechanism CM cutting mechanism

Claims

1. A shell cutting device for cutting the shell end on the hinge side and the shell end on the opposite side by pinching the shell end and the center of the shell when viewed from above to form an opening in the bivalve shell, A conveyor for conveying the bivalve shellfish as raw material shellfish placed on a plate; A pressing mechanism that presses the shell to be cut against the plate during cutting to stabilize it; The bivalve shell is made up of two cutting means for sandwiching the hinged shell end and the center of the shell and cutting the hinged shell end and the opposite shell end, 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 input section upstream of the conveyor in the feed direction so as to pinch the bivalve shells placed on the base plate with the base plate at a location away from the input position, and has a belt that rotates in a direction to send the shells on the base plate in the conveyor direction; the cutting means are disposed on both the left and right sides in the feed direction across the conveyor chain of the chain conveyor mechanism in such a way that a cut surface to be formed is parallel to the feed 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 conveyor frame to position the bivalve shell across the width of the conveyor, and the shell is then placed on a plate.The shell then moves while still on the plate, and when it moves away from the feeding position, it is sandwiched between the plate on the conveyor chain and the hold-down mechanism, and is further sent out in that state by the hold-down mechanism and the conveyor mechanism.The shell is then passed through a point where the cutting blades of two cutting mechanisms, which are located midway through the range in which the shell continues to be sandwiched between the plate on the conveyor and the belt surface of the hold-down mechanism, form a straight line, thereby simultaneously cutting both ends of the edge of the bivalve shell to form an opening.

2. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between an adductor muscle and either an 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 platform on which the shell is placed when pushing and 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 opening formed in the shell; The shell fixing unit has a movable part that can be pushed out and pulled back and has a contact member at an end thereof for contacting the shell, In the cutting device of claim 1, shells with openings formed on two sides parallel to the feed direction of the conveying table are sent out by the function of the conveying table while being placed on a platform connected to the conveyor chain of the conveying table, and as the conveying proceeds, at a point downstream of the position where the end of the shell is cut, the movable part of the shell fixing unit, which is freely rotatable about an axis fixed to the conveying table frame provided 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 conveying table conveyor chain moves, As the shell moves along the conveyor, a plate-shaped knife of the knife pushing unit is inserted into the shell from a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface toward one of the opening surfaces, with its movement restricted along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, and the tip of the knife is moved along the inner surface of the shell from above or below toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then the knife 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 sent out on the transport table while still placed on the platform.

3. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between an 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 further comprises a knife pushing unit for inserting a plate-shaped knife into the shell through the opening of the shell to position it, and a shell fixing unit for fixing the shell on the plate when the knife is pushed in and pulled 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 opening formed in the shell, The shell fixing unit has a movable part that can be pushed out and pulled back and has a contact member at an end thereof for contacting the shell, In the cutting device of claim 1, a shell with two openings parallel to the feed direction of the conveying table is placed on a platform plate connected to the conveyor chain of the conveying table, and the conveyor is stopped once at a point downstream of the cutting position of the end of the shell, and the movable part of the shell fixing unit located above the platform on which the cut shell is placed at that position is lowered to press 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 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface, while being restricted in its movement along the way by a guide fixed to the conveyor frame, so that the tip of the knife slides along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell, penetrating it through to the opening 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 is started again, and the processed shell is sent out by the conveying table while still placed on the platform plate.

4. A bivalve shell opening device for cutting a joint between an adductor muscle and one of the upper and lower shells of a shell having openings on both ends 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 knife pushing direction faces the opening formed; The knife pushing unit has a plate-shaped knife and a mechanism for inserting and positioning the knife into the shell through an opening of the shell, In the cutting device of claim 1, a shellfish having two openings formed thereon parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying table is placed on a plate connected to the conveyor chain of the conveying table and is fed out by the function of the conveying table. While the shellfish is being conveyed, This shell opening device is characterized by the function of the knife pushing unit 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, allowing the tip of the knife to slide along the inner surface of either the upper or lower shell toward the other opening until it penetrates the shell, and then retracting it, cutting the joint between the adductor muscle and the shell by moving the conveyor and inserting and retracting the knife, and then sending the processed shell off on the transport table while still on the tray.

Images