Shrimp Injection Conveyance With Stabilizing Pockets for Moisture Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial shrimp processing methods using phosphate salts to retain moisture result in labor-intensive operations, require significant real estate, affect shrimp quality, and limit weight gain to moderate levels, often leading to lower product value.
Innovation Solution
Injecting shrimp with a high viscosity brine (HVB) treatment solution containing emulsified crustacean substrate, which maintains crustacean position during conveyance, optimizing moisture retention without artificial additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphate salts are used to treat shrimp, then moisture retention is improved, but labor requirements and space needs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical soaking method (requiring large tanks and manual monitoring) with an automated injection system that delivers treatment solution directly into shrimp tissue. The injection apparatus uses needles to penetrate shrimp bodies and inject brine solution, eliminating the need for large soaking tanks and continuous manual attention, thus reducing both labor and space requirements while maintaining moisture retention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by injecting brine solution under pressure into shrimp tissue using an injection system. The treatment solution is delivered through needles that penetrate the shrimp body, allowing the solution to be forced into tissue spaces. This hydraulic injection method is more space-efficient and labor-reducing compared to traditional soaking, as it requires only small containers for the brine solution rather than large soaking tanks
2Reliability
If phosphate salts are used to treat shrimp, then moisture retention is improved, but shrimp quality and weight gain are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment solution by using a brine-based injection solution instead of phosphate salts. The brine solution contains salt and water in specific concentrations that, when injected into shrimp tissue, create osmotic pressure differences that draw water into the tissue spaces. This parameter change allows for greater weight gain (up to 30% or more) while improving shrimp quality, as the brine solution does not have the same negative effects on texture and appearance as phosphate salts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the shrimp's own tissue structure to facilitate the injection and retention of the brine solution. The needles are inserted into natural tissue spaces and cavities within the shrimp body, allowing the brine solution to be distributed throughout the tissue matrix. The shrimp's own anatomy serves as the delivery and retention system, eliminating the need for external soaking containers and reducing both labor and space requirements
3Reliability
If traditional soaking methods are used, then treatment is applied, but processing time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the treatment action directly at the point of need by injecting the brine solution into the shrimp tissue during the processing sequence, rather than requiring preliminary soaking. The injection system is integrated into the processing line, allowing treatment to be applied immediately as shrimp pass through the equipment. This preliminary action approach eliminates the need for separate soaking steps and reduces overall processing time while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of soaking (requiring manual monitoring, water changes, and time-consuming immersion) with an automated injection mechanism. The injection system uses needles and brine solution delivery under pressure to achieve rapid penetration and distribution of the treatment solution within the shrimp tissue. This mechanical substitution reduces processing time from hours of soaking to minutes of injection, while significantly reducing labor intensity
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
Reduces labor and space requirements, achieves higher weight gain and quality, allowing smaller shrimp to be categorized into higher value categories, and maintains natural product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an injection treatment solution made from water and emulsified crustacean substrate of the crustacean being treated
Implementation Method 2
Injecting shrimp with a high viscosity brine (HVB) treatment solution containing emulsified crustacean substrate
Implementation Method 3
a crustacean stabilizing assembly configured to substantially maintain a position of crustaceans relative to a support surface of the conveyance system
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance system or method for conveying a crustacean to be injected with an injection treatment solution made from water and emulsified crustacean substrate of the crustacean being treated may include a crustacean stabilizing assembly configured to substantially maintain a position of crustaceans relative to a support surface of the conveyance system before, during, and/or after injection, wherein a first pocket defined by the crustacean stabilizing assembly is positionable beneath a first injector head, the crustacean stabilizing assembly supporting crustaceans in the first pocket during injection by the first injector head, and wherein the first pocket defined by the crustacean stabilizing assembly is positionable beneath a second injector head located downsteam of the first injector head, the crustacean stabilizing assembly supporting crustaceans in the first pocket during injection by the second injector head.