Method of retaining closure of shelled bi-valve mollusks and an apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for retaining closure of shells of raw molluscan shellfish prior to high pressure processing involves positioning of heat-shrinkable band around each individual shellfish. The shellfish is then exposed to heated air of about 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit to 2-3 seconds, a time sufficient to cause shrinking of the band and secure adherence of the band to the shells. To prevent denaturing of raw shellfish the banded shellfish is then immediately exposed to a stream of cold air, about 30 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 second. Cooling of the banded shellfish arrests the heating process and helps retain sensory qualities of the product.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of retaining closure of shelled raw shellfish during high pressure processing, comprising the following steps: 
 providing a heat-shrinkable band;    wrapping said band around an individual shelled shellfish;    exposing said shelled shellfish to an elevated temperature of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit; and    immediately exposing said shelled shellfish to a cooling temperature of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shelled shellfish is exposed to said elevated temperature for about 2-3 seconds.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shelled shellfish is exposed to said cooling temperature for about 1 second.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shelled shellfish is exposed to elevated temperature of from about 300 degrees Fahrenheit to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         5 . A method of retaining closure of raw shelled shellfish during high pressure processing, comprising the following steps: 
 providing a conveyor assembly with a conveyor belt divided into a plurality of compartments by outwardly extending separating members;    placing said raw shelled shellfish into said compartments;    providing a heat-shrinkable band;    wrapping said band around each individual shelled shellfish;    exposing said shelled shellfish to an elevated temperature of between 300 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit; and    immediately exposing said shelled shellfish to a cooling temperature of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said shelled shellfish is exposed to said elevated temperature for about 2-3 seconds.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said shelled shellfish is exposed to said cooling temperature for about 1 second.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a step of delivering banded shelled shellfish to a separate container positioned below a downstream end of said conveyor assembly.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for banding shelled molluscan shellfish in preparation for high pressure processing, comprising: 
 a conveyor assembly comprising a conveyor belt divided into a plurality of compartments,    a motor means for moving said conveyor belt in an endless loop;    a source of heat-shrinkable banding material;    a source of heat positioned above said conveyor assembly; and    a source of cooling air positioned above said conveyor downstream of said source of heat.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said conveyor assembly comprises a conveyor belt movable in an endless loop about a pair of feed rollers.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said conveyor belt is made from a flexible resilient stretchable material, said conveyor belt stretching while moving about said feed rollers, said conveyor belt returning to its original non-stretched condition after passing the feed rollers.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said conveyor is divided into a plurality of compartments by outwardly extending flexible resilient separating members, said compartments enlarging while the belt moves around the feed rollers, said separating members closely engaging said shelled shellfish when the conveyor belt returns to the non-stretched condition.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said heat source provides a heated air output of about 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said cooling air source provides a cool air output of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a heat-shrinkable band from said source of heat-shrinkable banding material is wrapped around individual shells of said shellfish prior to said conveyor moving said shelled shellfish below said source of heat.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for securing bands on shells of molluscan shellfish, comprising: 
 a conveyor assembly comprising a conveyor belt divided into a plurality of compartments, said compartments being adapted to receiving raw shellfish in shells therein with a heat-shrinkable band wrapped about individual shells;    a motor means for moving said conveyor belt in an endless loop;    a source of heat positioned above said conveyor assembly; and    a source of cooling air positioned above said conveyor immediately downstream of said source of heat.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said motor means moves said conveyor belt at a speed sufficient to prevent excessive heat exposure of said raw shellfish and denaturing of said shellfish.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said heat source provides a heated air output of about 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and wherein said conveyor belt moves at a speed to expose said shellfish to heat for about 2-3 seconds.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said motor means moves said conveyor belt at a speed sufficient to arrest heating process of said raw shellfish and denaturing of said shellfish.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said cooling air source provides a cool air output of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and wherein said conveyor belt moves at a speed to expose said shellfish to cooling air for about 1 second.