Abstract:
A water-resistant electric motor having an end bell with a passage that prevents the formation of a vacuum between the shaft seal and the shaft bearing. The passage extends from the interior region of the motor through the end bell bypassing the bearing to communicate with a gap between the seal and the bearing. The motor housing includes a vent to expose the motor's interior region and the gap to atmospheric pressure or to a source of higher-pressure air or gas to prevent water from being sucked into the motor's interior.
Abstract:
A deveining system efficiently removes veins from shrimp while preserving the meat of the shrimp in both appearance and quantity. The deveining system comprises an endless deveining wall having outwardly-extending snagging tabs. Water flooding a deveining region creates a vacuum effect to pull exposed veins through openings formed by the snagging tabs, followed by separation of the body of the shrimp from the veins.
Abstract:
A roller-type peeler having a rack gear retractable for servicing peeler rollers and a method for servicing peeler rollers by retracting the rack gear. A jack attached to the rack gear allows an operator to jack the rack gear up to a service position and out of engagement with roller gears so that the rollers can be removed and replaced and to lower the rack gear back into engagement with the gears of the replaced rollers.
Abstract:
A deveining device efficiently removes veins from shrimp while preserving the meat of the shrimp in both appearance and quantity. The deveining device comprises a channel having a blade extending along a section of the channel for cutting the back of the shrimp as it rolls through the channel to expose a vein. A downstream vein remover severs the exposed vein from the shrimp body. Nozzles spray fluid into the channel to propel the shrimp through the channel.
Abstract:
A shrimp deveining machine with adjustable blades. The deveiner has an inclined trough with groups of blades arranged in a zig-zag pattern. The trough is lubricated by water to help shrimps advance along the blades, which slit the shrimps' backs to expose their veins. Blade-height adjusters adjust the height of the blades above the trough. Blade-angle adjusters adjust the angles of the blades relative to the length direction of the trough. Magnets are used to hold the blades in place for easy replacement. A feed tank at the entrance to the trough includes a serpentine path to separate the shrimps.
Abstract:
A water-resistant electric motor having an end bell with a passage that prevents the formation of a vacuum between the shaft seal and the shaft bearing. The passage extends from the interior region of the motor through the end bell bypassing the bearing to communicate with a gap between the seal and the bearing. The motor housing includes a vent to expose the motor's interior region and the gap to atmospheric pressure or to a source of higher-pressure air or gas to prevent water from being sucked into the motor's interior.
Abstract:
Peeling apparatus and cam followers for lowering and raising the finger frames of roller-type peeling apparatus. The cam followers have monolithic hardened stainless steel cam rollers with journals extending outward of central wheels into bronze bushings retained stationarily in holders. The monolithic cam rollers roll on pivoting cams at the four corners of the finger frame to raise and lower the finger frame in synchrony with the back and forth rotation of peeling rollers forming peeling channels. Support rollers supporting the ends of the peeling rollers also rotate in stationary bronze bushings.
Abstract:
Peeling apparatus and cam followers for lowering and raising the finger frames of roller-type peeling apparatus. The cam followers have monolithic hardened stainless steel cam rollers with journals extending outward of central wheels into bronze bushings retained stationarily in holders. The monolithic cam rollers roll on pivoting cams at the four corners of the finger frame to raise and lower the finger frame in synchrony with the back and forth rotation of peeling rollers forming peeling channels. Support rollers supporting the ends of the peeling rollers also rotate in stationary bronze bushings.
Abstract:
A flexible scraper for a grader or other solid object processing system. The flexible scraper is adjustably mounted to a frame and contacts a rotating roller to clean the rotating roller or prevent components from wrapping around the roller, as well as maintain products within designated lanes. Connectors allow insertion and release of the scraper into and from the frame. The flexible scraper is inserted into slots in the frame and held against the rotating roller by gravity.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for separating lightweight waste from product with air supplied by a plenum. An air separator includes a blower duct directing air upward through product conveyed on a foraminous conveyor. The blower duct is in communication with a plenum through an opening. One or more blowers fill and pressurize the plenum with air without blowing the air directly through the opening. The drop in pressure from the plenum to the exit end of the duct draws air uniformly through the opening and into the duct. The uniform flow of air through the duct and the conveyor lifts lightweight waste from the product.