Seafood sheller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shell-opening devices for crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, are ineffective for non-brittle shells and often damage the meat during the extraction process.

Innovation Solution

A seafood sheller with a handle, upper beak member, and lower blade member, featuring a semi-cylindrical channel and angled rails, designed to securely hold and split open shells without damaging the meat, using a combination of up-and-down and twisting motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If plier-type or prong-type openers are used to crack open shells, then the shell can be opened, but the meat is torn apart and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to open shellVSAvoidmeat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blade member as an intermediary tool between the user and the shell. Instead of directly gripping and forcing the shell open with pliers or prongs, the blade member is inserted into the shell and used to split it open. This intermediary blade allows the shell to be divided along its natural seam without crushing or tearing the meat, thus resolving the contradiction between opening capability and meat preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful gripping action from the shell-opening process. By removing the direct mechanical grip that causes crushing and tearing, and replacing it with a blade-based splitting mechanism, the harmful factors are eliminated while maintaining the ability to open the shell effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional shell-openers are used on non-brittle, flexible shells, then the device can be applied, but it is highly ineffective in opening the shell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to different shell typesVSAvoideffectiveness in opening shell

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter from gripping and crushing (effective for brittle shells) to inserting and splitting along the natural seam (effective for flexible shells). The blade member is designed to follow the natural contour and separation line of the shell, allowing it to effectively open both brittle and non-brittle shell types by adapting to their structural characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The seafood sheller is designed with universal applicability to handle different shell types. The blade member can be inserted into various shell configurations, and the handle allows for multiple motion types (pushing, twisting, leveraging) to accommodate both brittle and flexible shells, making the device versatile across different crustacean species

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If more complex mechanisms are added to improve shell-opening effectiveness, then opening capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshell-opening effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into simple functional components: a handle member and a blade member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without unnecessary complexity. The handle provides leverage and control, while the blade performs the cutting action, creating a simple yet effective system that avoids over-engineering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex gripping mechanism that tries to force the shell open, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple blade that follows the natural separation line of the shell. This inverted approach simplifies the device structure while maintaining high effectiveness, as it works with the shell's natural geometry rather than against it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11712041B2Seafood sheller

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 CRABKEY INC

AI summary

A seafood sheller for cracking or cutting open shells of, for example, crustaceans is described herein. The seafood sheller having a handle member, an upper beak member and a lower bladed member. The upper beak member extending longitudinally forward from the handle member and having a distal end opposite from the handle member and an upper beak member bottom that extends longitudinally from the handle member. The lower blade member having a blade edge and a blade base, the blade edge extending longitudinally forward beneath the upper beak member bottom from the blade base. The blade base being connected to the upper beak member at a rearward portion of the upper beak member bottom. The lower blade member further having a distal end opposite from the blade base, the distal end of the upper beak member longitudinally extending forwardly beyond the distal end of the lower blade member.