OYSTER PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Applicant: James Patrick Cox Title: Oyster Processing Apparatus and Method Two force-applying devices are driven relatively toward each other to engage an oyster positioned between the two devices for applying an abrupt shearing jolt to the oyster for separating its half shells. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the forceapplying devices is a barrier positioned to engage one of the oyster half shells, and the other force-applying device is a flight that moves the oyster toward the barrier and engages the other oyster half shell. Sensing mechanism is provided to determine when the oyster-moving flight is within a predetermined distance of the barrier. Such sensing mechanism actuates movement of the barrier in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the oyster toward the barrier slightly before, or substantially simultaneously with, or slightly after, the abrupt shearing jolt is applied to the oyster. The oyster-moving flight may be carried by a conveyor and mechanism can be provided to hold the oyster against the conveyor.