Cyclonic Seafood Cleaning Apparatus with Nested Container Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning seafood, particularly crawfish, are inefficient and labor-intensive, requiring manual handling and leading to debris accumulation and loss during the cleaning process, and existing cooking setups are cumbersome for storage and transportation due to non-nested pot and basket designs.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic water flow apparatus with a tapered container and basket configuration that allows for efficient debris removal and easy nesting of components for storage and transportation, enabling automated cleaning and convenient transfer of cleaned seafood to a boiling pot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning methods using buckets and hoses are used, then cleaning can be performed, but a great deal of manual effort is required and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated washing machine system that includes a drum, water delivery system, and automated control mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for manual bucket cleaning while maintaining effective cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine is designed to perform cleaning operations autonomously through automated water delivery, drum rotation, and cleaning cycles. The system serves itself by automatically managing the cleaning process without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing both effort and time requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple cleaning cycles are performed to ensure thorough cleaning, then cleanliness is improved, but the process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine implements continuous cleaning cycles where water is continuously delivered, the drum rotates continuously, and cleaning actions are maintained throughout the process. This continuous operation achieves thorough cleaning in a single integrated cycle rather than requiring multiple separate manual cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic drum rotation and adjustable water delivery rates to optimize cleaning effectiveness. The drum's rotational motion and varying water pressure create dynamic cleaning actions that maintain high cleaning effectiveness throughout the cycle, eliminating the need for multiple static cleaning passes.
3Ease of operation
If crawfish are manually handled during cleaning, then cleaning can be performed, but crawfish may escape and must be manually retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine replaces manual handling of crawfish with automated mechanical systems including the drum containment structure and water delivery mechanisms. The drum acts as a containment system that prevents escape while the automated water system performs cleaning without requiring manual retrieval of escaped animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum and water system serve as intermediaries between the operator and the crawfish. Instead of direct manual handling, the crawfish are contained and cleaned through the intermediary drum structure and water delivery system, which prevents escape and eliminates the need for manual retrieval operations.
4Ease of operation
If traditional non-nested pot and basket designs are used, then cooking can be performed, but storage and transportation become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking system is designed with nested components where the basket fits inside the pot, and the entire assembly can be stacked with other similar units. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces the volume required for storage and transportation while maintaining full cooking functionality when components are assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable arrangement. Components can be assembled into nested configurations for compact storage or expanded into functional cooking assemblies when needed, providing adaptability between storage and operational states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus significantly reduces manual effort in cleaning seafood, minimizes debris loss, and facilitates efficient storage and transportation by allowing nested stacking of components, enhancing the overall efficiency and convenience of seafood preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe positioned in the container adjacent to the wall. The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning and cooking seafood or crustacea has a container with an interior volume defined by wall, a basket removably received in the interior volume of the container, a pipe positioned adjacent to the wall and having a plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow water creates a cyclonic path in the basket within the container, and a connector fluid equally connected to the pipe and having a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the container. The wall of the container has a taper that matches a taper of the wall of the basket. The basket has a slotted configuration overlying the pipe. A pot is spaced from the container and serves to removably receive the basket.