US3740795A

US3740795A - Seafood peeler using rollers on an endless conveyor and a bank of inclined rollers

Info

Publication number: US3740795A
Application number: US00156758A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Cox
Original assignee: United States Department of Commerce
Current assignee: United States Department of Commerce
Priority date: 1971-06-25
Filing date: 1971-06-25
Publication date: 1973-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-26

Abstract

Adjoining rollers in an inclined bank rotate in opposite directions. The bank is sprayed with water. Seafood, such as shrimp, is delivered to a crotch between a first and second roller. When the contacting surface between the rollers move downward, they draw the peels through the bottom of the crotch and reject the slippery meat. On the reverse movement of the surfaces, the rejected meat is carried over the second roller to the next crotch. Here the operation of peeling and discharging is repeated, and the shrimp are delivered to successive crotches along the bank. Rollers on an endless conveyor roll over the bank to prevent shrimp from floating down the inclined bank and to press them between the crotches.

Description

United States Patent 9] Cox [ 51 June 26, 1973 SEAFOOD PEELER USING ROLLERS ON AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR AND A BANK OF INCLINED ROLLERS [-75 Inventor: James S. Cox, Falls Church, Va.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, Washington, DC.

{22] Filed: June 25, 1971 {21] Appl. No.: 156,758

52 US Cl. 17/73, 17/53 {51] Int. Cl. A22c 29/00 [58] Field of Search 17/71, 73, 53; 146/55 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,832,092 4/1958 Lapeyre et al 17/73 3,528,124 9/1970 Wenstrom et a]. 17/53 X 3,621,515 11/1971 Bunnell 17/53 Primary Examiner-Lucie l-l. Laudenslager Attorney-David Robiins et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Adjoining rollers in an inclined bank rotate in opposite directions. The bank is sprayed with water. Seafood, such as shrimp, is delivered to a crotch between a first and second roller. When the contacting surface between the rollers move downward, they draw the peels through the bottom of the crotch and reject the slippery meat. On the reverse movement of the surfaces, the rejected meat is carried over the second roller to the next crotch. Here the operation of peeling and discharging is repeated, and the shrimp are delivered to successive crotches along the bank. Rollers on an endless conveyor roll over the bank to prevent shrimp from floating down the inclined bank and to press them between the crotches.

14 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAINTED- SKFQOJWB mm s? INVENTOR James 5. Cox

BY Jamil ATTORNEY SEAFOOD PEELER USING ROLLERS ON AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR AND A BANK OF INCLINED ROLLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein was made in the course of Contract 8-35-356, as amended, negotiated under Technical Assistance Project No. 99-6-09056, between James S. Cox and the Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce. Pursuant to the Contract, James S. Cox has a'limited exclusive license under this application and any resulting domestic patent. The exclusive license is subject to the march-in rights set forth in Section l(g) of the Presidential Memorandum and Statement of Government Patent Policy issued Oct. 10, l963(28 F.R.l0943, Oct. 12, 1963).

In a machine in the prior art for peeling raw shrimp, a bank of rollers is positioned on an incline and in nip relationship. The rollers are given an oscillating motion so that adjoining rollers revolve in opposite directions. Theshrimp are delivered to the crotch between the highest roller and its companion or next roller in the bank. When the contacting surfaces between these rollers move downward, they perform a peeling operation on the shrimp, drawing the peels and heads through the bottom of the crotch, while rejecting the slippery meat. On the reverse movement of the contacting surfaces, the rejected meat is carried over the peripheral surface of the companion roller and delivered to the crotch between the latter roller and the next one. Here the operation of peeling and discharging are repeated and the shrimp are transferred to successive crotches between the remaining rollers. The peeled shrimp, coming off the final roller in the bank, are delivered to a collection trough. Strong jets of water are directed against the under sides of the rollers to keep their surfaces clean and free of slime and peels.

This machine has the disadvantage that slime accumulates on the top portions of the rollers and is a deterrent to proper peeling. When the slime is removed by jets of water, the water tends to accumulate in the crotches and the shrimp float over the tops of the rollers withoutbeing peeled.

In contrast to the prior art, the present invention may be used to construct a machine with a bank of inclined peeling rollers, having alternating rotary motion, in which the slime is removed by a spray of water, but the seafood, such as shrimp or scallops, is prevented from floating down the inclined rollers. The seafood either falls or is pressed by an auxillary arrange-ment into the crotches between the rollers and is efficiently peeled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the inventive concept, a bank of peeling rollers is positioned on an incline. The bank comprises a plurality of rollers, associated in nip relationship. The rollers are driven in alternating rotary motion, the motion being such that adjoining rollers rotate in opposite directions. As an illustration, the bank may comprise several idler rollers, each positioned in length of the peeling rollers. The first and second rollers are positioned apart, in contact with the upper portions of the peeling rollers, and in such a way that the first roller confronts the space between the second rollers. The first and second rollers are placed in transitional movement and roll over those in the bank.

In a typical operation, shrimp are deposited in the crotch between a driven and idler roller. When the former roller is rotated clockwise, the latter is rotated counterclockwise and the peel is drawn between the rollers. When the direction of rotation is reversed, the shrimp meat is thrown over the peripheral surface of the idler roller into the next crotch where the peeling and rejecting is repeated. In this way the shrimp meat is moved down the bank of rollers and then off the last one into a tray. During this operation, a stiff spray of water cleans the slime off the top portion of the peeling rollers, keeps the shrimp meat slippery, and assists in moving the meat from crotch to crotch. The auxillary rollers sweep over the bank, preventing shrimp from floating down and pressing them into the crotches, thereby increasing the peeling efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and parts shown in section, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of the idler and driven rollers and associated components used in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is atop plan of part of the idler and driven rollers, bearing blocks, spur gears, and associated elements employed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view, with parts broken away, of an angle-shaped cover, threaded pin, cap, bearing blocks, and related elements in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view partly in section of the clamping mechanism employed in FIG. 1 to urge the bearing blocks against a fixed member.

FIG. 7 is a top plan, with parts broken away, showing the auxillary rollers mounted in the lower run of a endless conveyor and their relationship to the idler and driven rollers in the embodiment represented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view showing the auxillary rollers mounted on a endless conveyor and their relationship to thedriven rollers, and the water spray network utilized in the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an auxillary roller in its down position.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an auxillary roller in its down position (solid lines) and in its up position (dotted lines).

FIG. 11 is a front view of an auxillary roller in its up position.

FIG. 12 represents the manner in which a bent-lug connecting link is used in FIG. 1 to connect the supporting bars to the chains in the endless conveyor.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of idler and driven rollers, illustrating their mode of operation in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of idler and driven rollers, and an auxillary roller, representing their operation in the embodiment in FIG. 1.

lary rollers mounted on a endless conveyor and their relationship to the driven rollers and the water spray network used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Bank of Rollers With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the bank or rollers includes driven rollers 16, 16A and idler rollers 17. (Only a few of the rollers are numbered in FIG. 1 to simplify the illustration.) Each idler roller 17 is positioned on a shaft 18 which is journalled between a pair of bearing blocks 19 and 20 (FIGS. 2 and 3). A collar 21 is fastened on each end of 18 to prevent end play. In a similar manner, each driven roller 16 is located on a shaft 25, journalled between a pair of bearing blocks 26 and 27; and each driven roller 16A is located on a shaft 25, journalled between a pair of bearing blocks 26A and 27A. A collar 28 is fastened on each end of each shaft to prevent end play.

A spur gear 29 is positioned on one end of each shaft 25 while another spur gear 30 is positioned on the other end. A sectional view of channel 41 is shown in FIG. 4. Each spur gear engages a respective one of

racks

31 and 32, which are located in nylon troughs. (One of these troughs 24 is shown in FIG. 4.) The troughs in turn are placed in build-up

channels

33 and 34 which are connected to frame 35.

In the preferred embodiment, there are fourteen rollers 16, two rollers 16A, and seventeen rollers 17. The rollers are made of neopreme,

shafts

18 and 25 are made of stainless steel, and bearing blocks 19, 20, 26, 26A, 27, and 27A are made of nylon. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other suitable materials could be used in fabricating these components. As shown in FIG. 2, axle 36 is journalled in support plates 39 which are'connected to frame and drive gears 37 and 38 are mounted on the axle. Each gear engages one of the

racks

31 and 32, and the axle is driven by a conventional chain and hydraulic mechanism to impart alternating rotary motion to

rollers

16, 16A, and 17. More specifically, in this embodiment, the racks are driven forward approximately 9 inches to rotate rollers 16 and 16A clockwise approximately 2% revolutions. The racks are then driven in the reverse direction about 9 inches to rotate l6 and 16A counterclockwise about 2% revolutions. When the driven rollers 16 and 16A are rotated clockwise, the idler rollers 17 are rotated counterclockwise, and in the reverse direction of the racks, the idler rollers are rotated clockwise.

Built-up channels 41 and 42 are attached to frame 35, and in this embodiment are fabricated of stainless steel. Each bearing

block

19, 20, 26, and 27 is fabricated with a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, while bearing blocks 26A and 27A are fabricated with a shoulder on one side. The bearing blocks 19, 26, and 26A are slidably positioned in a row in channel 41 and their adjacent sides form shouldertype joints. (See FIG. 3.) Likewise, blocks 20, and 27, and 27A are slidably located in a row in channel 42 and their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints (FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 4, angle-cover 43 is attached to frame 35 by means of hinge 44. In operation, the cover is rotated on the hinge from its open position in FIG. 5 to its closed position in FIGS. 1 and 4. Cap 45 is then screwed down on threaded dowel pin 46, and cap 47 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is screwed down on a dowel pin that is not shown. This holds cover 43 firmly against the top of bearing

blocks

19, 26, and 26A and prevents substantial vertical movement of the blocks in channel 41. In a similar manner, angle-cover 50 (FIG. 2) is connected to frame 35 through a hinge 57 (FIG. 8) and is firmly clamped against the tops of bearing blocks 20, 27, and 27A by means of cap 51 which is screwed down on a related dowel pin and a cap screwed down on pin 52. The pins noted just above are attached to frame 35.

When pressure clamp 53 is moved to its closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the roller take-up mechanism 54 is activated. The mechanism is spring-loaded and urges bearing blocks 19, 26, and 26A against fixed member 48 (FIG. 2). Likewise, when pressure clamp 56 is moved to its closed position, take-up mechanism 55 is activated to urge bearing blocks 20, 27, and 27A against fixed member 49. Members 48 and 49 are connected to frame 35.

The roller take-up mechanism 55 is essentially identical to mechanism 54, which is shown in detail in FIG. 6. As illustrated in this figure, mechanism 54 comprises plates 58 and 59 located in channel 41. The

holes

61 and 62 are positioned in plate 58, while holes 63 and threaded hole 64 are in 59. Compression springs 68 and 69 are positioned on pins' 70 and 71, respectively, which are slidably mounted in

holes

61 and 63. Finally, screw 72 is threaded into hole 64 to place a desired pressure on the springs. In operation, when a thick seafood-peel passes between a pair of

rollers

16 and 17 or 16A and 17, the rollers separate and compress

springs

68 and 69.

Pins

70 and 71 and the unfastened end of screw 72 then slide in their related holes. After the peel passes through the rollers, the springs expand and the pins and screw return to the position shown in FIG. 6. Endless Conveyor on Rollers With reference to FIG. 1, superstructure 73 is located on frame 35 and is attached to 35 through hinges 74. (Only one hinge is represented in the figure.) The superstructure includes

end plates

75 and 76, and axles 77 and 78 (FIG. 7) are journalled between the plates.

Sprockets

79 and 80 are mounted on

axles

77 and 78, respectively, while endless chain is mounted on the sprockets. The tension on the chain is set by adjusting screw 101 and take-up bearing 102. Wear plates 83 FIG. 1 and 7 are positioned between the lower and upper parts of the chain, while support plate 84 (FIG. 7) is positioned just below the lower part of the chain and runs the entire length between

sprockets

79 and 80. In a similar manner,

sprockets

86 and 87 are located on

axles

77 and 78, endless chain 88 is positioned on the sprockets, and support plate 89 and wear plates 90 are associated with chain 88. Finally, the tension on 88 is adjusted by means of screw 108 and takeup bearing 107. I

A plurality of supporting bars 91 are mounted between chains 85 and 88 (FIGS. 7 and 8), and the manner in which the ends of the bars are attached to the chains is represented in detail in FIG. 12. As shown in this figure, the end of bar 91 is slotted and threaded; A

bent-lug connecting link 92 is rotatably mounted on a link in chain 88 by means of pin 93, and has one end positioned in the slot. A set screw 94 is screwed into the threads in bar 91 to fasten the link to the end of the bar.

Returning to FIG. 7, each of the rollers 95 is rotatably and slidably mounted on a shaft 96 positioned in a bracket 97. In this embodiment, each roller may slide three-eighths of an inch on its related shaft, which prevents seafood particles from jamming the roller by accumulating between the roller and the side of its bracket. Finally, brackets 97 are rotatably mounted on bars 91 in such a way that each roller 95, suspended in its down position, confronts a space between rollers suspended in their down position from the preceding bar.

In the present embodiment there are thirteen supporting bars 91. Seven of the bars each support five rollers 95, and six of the bars each support four rollers.

In operation, axle 77 is driven by a conventional arrangement to drive

chains

85 and 88 in the direction shown in FIG. 1. The chains form an endless conveyor that has a lower and upper run. Some of the rollers 95 which, at the time under consideration, are on the lower part of the chains, or lower run, are shown in FIG. 7. One of the rollers in this position is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 (solid lines), and the position of

screws

99 and 100 should be noted.

As the portions of the chains and 88 that support a bar 91 moves around

sprockets

80 and 86 from the lower to upper run, rollers 95 on the bar are thrown by centrifugal force from their down to their up position. More specifically, the bar 91 rotates so that stop screws 99 and are moved from the position in FIG. 9 to the one in FIG. 11. At the same time, bracket 97 totates counterclockwise from the down position (FIG. 9) until its back engages screw 99 and the bracket stops in the up position represented in FIGS. 10 (dotted lines) and 11. If the bracket should rotate clockwise from its position in FIG. 11, the back of the bracket engages stop screw 100 and the bracket comes to rest. Water Spray Network As illustrated in FIG. 1, the brackets 103 and 104 are connected to side plate 75 and support conduit 105, which contains nozzles 106. Likewise, conduit (FIG. 8) is supported by brackets 111 and contains nozzles 112. (Only one bracket 111 and nozzle 112 is represented in the figure.) Again, several nozzles 115 are positioned in conduit 116 which is supported by a pair of brackets 117, and nozzles 119 are positioned in conduit 120 supported on a pair of

brackets

117 and 121. The brackets are connected to frame 35 by suitable means. Only one of 117, on of 121, one of nozzles 115, and one of nozzles 119 are shown in FIG. 8.

When a source of water is connected to the conduits, described just above, and their related nozzles are adjusted, the upper and lower portions of

rollers

16, 16A, 17, and 95 are sprayed with water of desired intensity. Second Embodiment I With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, in the second embodiment of the invention, each auxillary roller'140 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 141 placed in a bracket 142. The brackets are rotatably mounted on bars 143 and are placed so that the rollers are located one behind the other and in contact with the upper portions of the idler rollers 144 and the driven rollers 145.

Brackets

150 and 151 are connected to

side plates

75 and 76 and support conduit 152, which holds nozzles 153. Only one nozzle 153 is represented in FIG. 16. Likewise, nozzles 154 are positioned in conduit 155 which is supported in a pair of brackets 156. Only one bracket 156 and one nozzle 154 are shown in the figure.

When a source of water is connected to

conduits

152 and 155 and the associated

nozzles

153 and 154 are adjusted, the peeling

rollers

144 and 145 and auxillary rollers 140 are subjected to a spray of selected inten- Sity.

The remaining structure in the second embodiment is essentially the same as that in the first embodiment of the inventive concept described above. It will be understood that the operation of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first, which is set forth in detail immediately below.

Operation In a typical operation, raw beheaded shrimp or shrimp with their heads on are deveined in a machine such as the one described in US. Pat. No. 3,380,112, entitled Shrimp Butchering Apparatus, which was granted to James S. Cox on Apr. 30, I968. The output chute 124 (FIG. 1) of this machine discharges the deveined shrimp to slide which in turn delivers them to a crotch between

rollers

16 or 16A and 17.

When racks 31 and 32 are driven forward in FIG. 2,

rollers

16 and 17 are rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 13. As a shrimp 128 falls in the crotch between the first pair of rollers, their contacting surfaces move downward to perform a peeling operation. Part of the shrimp peel and the shrimp head are drawn through the bottom of the 'crotch to the underside of the rollers where it is flushed off by a stiff spray of water provided by nozzles 115 and 119 (FIGS. 1 and 8). The peel and head falls into the trash pan 129 (FIG. 1), while the slippery meat is rejected by the rollers. The half-peeled shrimp rides the crotch or upper side of the rollers without being mangled.

When racks 31 and 32 are driven in the reverse direction, the direction of the

rollers

16 and 17 is reversed as shown in FIG. 14. The half-peeled shrimp 128 then rides over roller 17 to the next crotch where the second peeling and discharging is repeated. The shrimp meat is then transferred successively to the crotches between the remaining rollers and off the last roller into collection tray (FIG. 1).

Several peeling operations are applied since a certain percentage of the shrimp will not be completely peeled by the first and second operations, noted above, and to provide for two or more shrimp overlapping within a crotch. In the latter case, only two operations would not complete the peeling operation. The chances are remote, however, that any shrimp will remain unpeeled after being subjected to all the operations provided for in this embodiment.

During the operation, slime has a tendency to accumulate on the upper portions of the peeling

rollers

16, 16A, and 17 but is washed off by a strong spray of water developed by nozzles 106 and 112 (FIGS. land 8). The water also keeps the meat and rollers slippery and tends to float the shrimp and meat. Thus, they are easily transported from crotch to c'rotch along the inclined bank of rollers 15. Almost all the water that falls on the upper portions of the peeling rollers flows through the space 131 between the rollers and the outer wall of channel 41 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and through a similar space on the opposite ends of 16, 16A, and 17.

Bearing blocks 19, 26, and 26A prevent water from reaching rack 31 and gears 29. Likewise blocks 20, 27,

and 27A prevent water from reaching rack 32 and gears 30.

However, some water may accumulate on the top of

rollers

16, 16A and 17 and shrimp may start to float down the bank. When this occurs they are stopped by one of the rollers 95 as illustrated by the position of shrimp 133 in FIG. 14. As seen in this figure, 133 is stopped on the top of roller 16 and will be moved into the adjacent crotch as 16 rotates clockwise. If the shrimp float slightly in the water contained in a crotch, they are pressed down gently by the weight of rollers 95 to where efficient peeling action occurs. This is represented by the relationship between 95 and shrimp 134 in FIG, 14. It will be understood, of course, that 95 rotates and has a motion of translation in the directions noted in the figure.

When the peeling operation is completed, superstructure 73 in FIG. 1 is rotated on hinges 74 and is held in its up position by a conventional crane arrangement that is not shown.

Clamps

53 and 56 are released, caps 47 and 51 and the caps on dowel pins 46 and 52 (FIG. 2) are screwed up, and covers 43 and 50 are rotated to their open position (FIG. Take-

up mechanism

54 and 55 are then removed from channels 41 and 42, and

rollers

16, 16A, and 17 are removed by sliding their related bearings out of 41 and 42. The rollers are then cleaned.

I claim:

1. A seafood peeling machine comprising:

at least three peeling rollers positioned in nip relationship, 1

means for supporting the peeling rollers in such a way that their longitudinal axis are substantially horizontal and the longitudinal axis of each peeling roller is located lower than the same axis of the preceding one, means for imparting alternating rotary motion to said peeler rollers, the motion being such that adjoining peeling rollers rotate in opposite directions,

means for spraying the top portions of said peeling rollers with water,

a plurality of auxillary rollers,

a plurality of supporting members,

means for rotatably mounting each of said auxillary rollers on a respective one of said supporting members, a support structure, means for connecting said supporting members apart and behind one another on said support structure in such a way that the members have a first position and a second position wherein the auxillary rollers may roll over the top portions of said peeling rollers,

said connecting means including means for allowing said supporting members to rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions and for allowing the supporting members to rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions, and

a plurality of means, each holding a respective one of said supporting members in its first position.

2. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises:

a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between 'a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks,

means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints,

means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints,

a fixed structure,

first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, and

first and second spring-loaded means for urging said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, against said fixed structure.

3. The shrimp peeling machine set forth in claim 2 including: a first and second channel, and

wherein each of said first and second bearing blocks are positioned in and have one end resting against the bottom of said first and second channel, respectively, and

wherein said clamping means comprises: a first angleshaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel,

a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said channel, and

means for clamping the second sides of said first and second angle-shaped members to said fixed structure.

4. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises:

a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks, a first and second channel, means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in said first channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in said second channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, a fixed structure, first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, a first and second spring-loaded means, each comprising: a first and second member, at least one element having one end fixed in said first member and the other end slidably mounted int the second member,

at least one other element slidably mounted in said first and second member,

a compression spring located on said lastmentioned element and between said first and second member,

said first and second spring-loaded means being slidably positioned in said first and second channel respectively,

means for urging said first spring-loaded means and said first bearing blocks against said fixed structure, and

means for urging said second spring-loaded means and said second bearing blocks against said fixed structure.

5. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said first and second clamping means comprises:

a first angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel,

a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and

6. A seafood peeling machine comprising:

at least three peeling rollers positioned in nip relationship,

means for supporting the peeling rollers in such a way that their longitudinal axis are substantially horizontal and the longitudinal axis of each peeling roller is located lower than the same axis of the preceding one,

means for imparting alternating rotary motion to said peeling rollers, the motion being such that adjoining peeling rollers rotate in opposite directions,

means for spraying the top portions of said peeling rollers with water,

at least two first auxillary rollers and one second auxillary roller, each having a length shorter than the length of the peeling rollers,

a plurality of first supporting members,

means for rotatably mounting each of said first auxillary rollers on a respective one of said first supporting members,

a support structure,

first means for connecting the first supporting members to said support structure in such a way that a space is formed between the longitudinal axis of the first auxillary rollers and the first members have a first position and a second position wherein the first auxillary rollers mayroll over the top portions of said peeling rollers,

a second supporting member,

means for rotatably mounting said second auxillary roller on said second supporting member,

second means for connecting said second supporting member to said support structure in such a way that the second auxillary confronts the space between said first auxillary rollers and the second member has a first position and a second position wherein the second auxillary roller may roll over the top portions of said peeling rollers,

said first and second connecting means including means for allowing said first and second supporting members to rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second posi- 5 tions and for allowing the members to rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions, and

a plurality of means, each holding a respective one of said first and second supporting members in its first position.

7. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises:

a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks,

a fixed structure,

first and second spring-loaded means for urging said first and second bearing blocks, respectively,

against said fixed structure.

8. The shrimp peeling machine set forth in claim 7 including:

a first and second channel, and

wherein each of said first and second bearing blocks is positioned in and have one end resting against the bottom of said first and second channel, respectively, and

wherein said clamping means comprises:

a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second hearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and

9. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 6 V Ill means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in said second channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints,

a fixed structure,

first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure,

a first and second spring-loaded means, each comprising: a first and second member,

at least one element having one end fixed in said first member and the other end slidably mounted in the second member,

at least one other element slidably mounted in said first and second member,

a compression spring located on said lastmentioned element between said first and second member,

10. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said first and second clamping means comprises:

a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and

1 l. The seafood machine set forth in claim -I wherein said support structure comprises:

an endless conveyor having an upper and lower run, and wherein the seafood machine includes:

means for driving said conveyor whereby said supporting members rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its upper to its lower run and said supporting members rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its lower to its upper run.

12. The seafood machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatably mounted auxillary rollers are each slidably mounted on a respective one of said supporting members.

13. The seafood machine set forth in claim 6 wherein said support structure comprises:

means for driving said conveyor whereby said first and second supporting members rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its upper to its lower run and said first and second supporting members rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its lower to its upper run.

14. The seafood machine set forth in claim 6 wherein the rotatably mounted first auxillary rollers are each slidably mounted on a respective one of said first supporting members and the rotatably mounted second auxillary roller is slidably mounted on said second supporting member.

Claims

1. A seafood peeling machine comprising: at least three peeling rollers positioned in nip relationship, means for supporting the peeling rollers in such a way that their longitudinal axis are substantially horizontal and the longitudinal axis of each peeling roller is located lower than the same axis of the preceding one, means for imparting alternating rotary motion to said peeler rollers, the motion being such that adjoining peeling rollers rotate in opposite directions, means for spraying the top portions of said peeling rollers with water, a plurality of auxillary rollers, a plurality of supporting members, means for rotatably mounting each of said auxillary rollers on a respective one of said supporting members, a support structure, means for connecting said supporting members apart and behind one another on said support structure in such a way that the members have a first position and a second position wherein the auxillary rollers may roll over the top portions of said peeling rollers, said connecting means including means for allowing said supporting members to rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions and for allowing the supporting members to rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions, and a plurality of means, each holding a respective one of said supporting members in its first position.

2. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises: a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks, means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, a fixed structure, first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, and first and second spring-loaded means for urging said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, against said fixed structure.

3. The shrimp peeling machine set forth in claim 2 including: a first and second channel, and wherein each of said first and second bearing blocks are positioned in and have one end resting against the bottom of said first and second channel, respectively, and wherein said clamping means comprises: a first angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel, a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said channel, and means for clamping the second sides of said first and second angle-shaped members to said fixed structure.

4. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises: a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks, a first and second channel, means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in said first channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in said second channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, a fixed structure, first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, a first and second spring-loaded means, each comprising: a first and second member, at least one element having one end fixed in said first member and the other end slidably mounted int the second member, at least one other element slidably mounted in said first and second member, a compression spring located on said last-mentioned element and between said first and second member, said first and second spring-loaded means being slidably positioned in said first and second channel respectively, means for urging said first spring-loaded means and said first bearing blocks against said fixed structure, and means for urging said second spring-loaded means and said second bearing blocks against said fixed structure.

5. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said first and second clamping means comprises: a first angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel, a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and means for clamping the second sides of said first and second angle-shaped members to said fixed structure.

6. A seafood peeling machine comprising: at least three peeling rollers positioned in nip relationship, means for supporting the peeling rollers in such a way that their longitudinal axis are substantially horizontal and the longitudinal axis of each peeling roller is located lower than the same axis of the preceding one, means for imparting alternating rotary motion to said peeling rollers, the motion being such that adjoining peeling rollers rotate in opposite directions, means for spraying the top portions of said peeling rollers with water, at least two first auxillary rollers and one second auxillary roller, each having a length shorter than the length of the peeling rollers, a plurality of first supporting members, means for rotatably mounting each of said first auxillary rollers on a respective one of said first supporting members, a support structure, first means for connecting the first supporting members to said support structure in such a way that a space is formed between the longitudinal axis of the first auxillary rollers and the first members have a first position and a second position wherein the first auxillary rollers may roll over the top portions of said peeling rollers, a second supporting member, means for rotatably mounting said second auxillary roller on said second supporting member, second means for connecting said second supporting member to said support structure in such a way that the second auxillary confronts the space between said first auxillary rollers and the second member has a first position and a second position wherein the second auxillary roller may roll over the top portions of said peeling rollers, said first and second connecting means including means for allowing said first and second supporting members to rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions and for allowing the members to rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions, and a plurality of means, each holding a respective one of said first and second supporting members in its first position.

7. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises: a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks, means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, a fixed structure, first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, and first and second spring-loaded means for urging said first and second bearing blocks, respectivEly, against said fixed structure.

8. The shrimp peeling machine set forth in claim 7 including: a first and second channel, and wherein each of said first and second bearing blocks is positioned in and have one end resting against the bottom of said first and second channel, respectively, and wherein said clamping means comprises: a first angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel, a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and means for clamping the second sides of said first and second angle-shaped members to said fixed structure.

9. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for supporting said peeling rollers comprises: a plurality of first and second bearing blocks, each having a shoulder on each of two opposite sides, each of said peeling rollers being journalled between a respective one of said first blocks and a respective one of said second blocks, a first and second channel, means for slidably positioning said first bearing blocks in a row in said first channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, means for slidably positioning said second blocks in a row in said second channel in such a way that their adjacent sides form shoulder-type joints, a fixed structure, first and second clamping means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said first and second bearing blocks, respectively, by clamping them against said structure, a first and second spring-loaded means, each comprising: a first and second member, at least one element having one end fixed in said first member and the other end slidably mounted in the second member, at least one other element slidably mounted in said first and second member, a compression spring located on said last-mentioned element between said first and second member, said first and second spring-loaded means being slidably positioned in said first and second channel respectively, means for urging said first spring-loaded means and said first bearing blocks against said fixed structure, and means for urging said second spring-loaded means and said second bearing blocks against said fixed structure.

10. The seafood peeling machine set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said first and second clamping means comprises: a first angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said first bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said first channel, a second angle-shaped member having a first side hinged to said fixed structure and a second side positioned against the ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends of said second bearing blocks opposite to their ends resting against the bottom of said second channel, and means for clamping the second sides of said first and second angle-shaped members to said fixed structure.

11. The seafood machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure comprises: an endless conveyor having an upper and lower run, and wherein the seafood machine includes: means for driving said conveyor whereby said supporting members rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its upper to its lower run and said supporting members rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its lower to its upper run.

13. The seafood machine set forth in claim 6 wherein said support structure comprises: an endless conveyor having an upper and lower run, and wherein the seafood machine includes: means for driving said conveyor whereby said first and second supporting members rotate under centrifugal and gravitational forces from their first to their second positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its upper to its lower run and said first and second supporting members rotate under said forces from their second to their first positions when they are in the part of the conveyor moving from its lower to its upper run.