Device and method for shelling crabs

Abstract

The invention relates to a crab shelling machine which removes the carapace, the mandibles and the tail of a crab by temporally controlling the actuation of tools as a function of the measured dimensions of the carapace. A measuring tool determines the location of the front and rear part of the carapace relative to the saddle in order to secure the crab and move it through the machine. The position of the ends of the tools, which act upon the crab, are known. After measuring, the crab is advanced into a calculated position relative to a first tool so that an arm moves upwards and separates the carapace from the crab. The crab is then moved past a second tool which lifts the carapace off the crab carcass so that a third tool can move upwards to separate carapace and tail from the carcass, when the saddle is in a second calculated position. The remaining leg clusters are cut off and released by the saddle for further processing.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention discloses subject matter generally related to animal slaughtering apparatus, and more particularly to crab slaughtering apparatus for removing carapace, jaws and tails from crabs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatic slaughtering of crabs by removing meat-free parts such as carapace, jaws and tail from the crab, and more particularly from the usually live crab carcass Separated so that meat-containing parts (such as leg and shoulder areas) can be recovered for further processing. Accordingly, we can also speak of methods and devices for segmenting crabs. Background technique [0002] Handling of caught sea crabs is largely a manual process. Crabs have a central mass disposed between a back or top called the carapace and a belly or bottom called the lamella. The front end of the crab includes a mouth with lower jaws. Legs protrude laterally from the shoulder area, forming a tu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] Known devices and methods for slaughtering crabs have the disadvantage that they can only achieve a limited efficacy and yield of recovered meat

In addition, the known device requires a large construction due to the star wheel with radially protruding arms

Since the arms are designed in the widest necessary way in order to remove the carapace, when removing the tail with the same tool, first of all, the yield is reduced, because the meat from the aforementioned (leg / shoulder) tufts is also removed tear off, and on the other hand the only tool must necessarily be of large size, which may damage the end product

Images