An automated method for crab meat picking which has an image processing system configured with an imaging sub-system and an image processing sub-system acting in cooperation with each other where the image processing system operates in accordance with a processing routine. An image of a crab to be processed is obtained by the imaging sub-system which is transmitted to the image processing system where the processing routine determines appropriate cut lines to be made on the crab being processed based on instructions from the image processing sub-system. The crab being processed is then cut in accordance with the appropriate cutting lines developed.

Shrimp processing apparatus to peel shrimp along with methods for peeling shrimp are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems including one or more processing stations configured to peel individual shrimp, where peeling may involve removal of shell segments on the dorsal surfaces of the shrimp abdomen and/or removal of pleopods/swimmerets on the ventral surfaces of the shrimp abdomen and, optionally, separation of shell segments. The processing systems and methods may, in one or more embodiments, include apparatus for and methods of measuring the shrimp.

A shrimp processing method and system, the system comprising a plurality of clamps, wherein each clamp is configured to hold a shrimp proximate a tail of the shrimp, a plurality of processing stations comprising at least one data collection station capable of collecting data regarding a shrimp held in a clamp and at least one functional station capable of changing the shrimp held in a clamp, a conveying system connecting the plurality of processing stations, the conveying system configured to move the plurality of clamps between the processing stations, and a controller operably connected to the conveying system and the processing stations, the controller configured to operate the conveying system and to selectively activate each processing station.

Shrimp processing apparatus to sever the mud veins of shrimp, along with methods for heading and mud vein severing are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems may include one or more processing stations configured to perform one or more of the following functions on each shrimp: measurement of individual shrimp, severing the mud vein of individual shrimp, and remove of pleopods of individual shrimp.

Shrimp processing apparatus to head and optionally sever the mud veins of shrimp, along with methods for heading and mud vein severing are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems may include one or more processing stations configured to perform one or more of the following functions on each shrimp: measurement of individual shrimp, severing the mud vein of individual shrimp, and heading of individual shrimp.

A shellfish beheading assembly includes a clipper that includes a top jaw and a bottom jaw. The top jaw is hingedly coupled to the bottom jaw. The clipper may have a shellfish positioned between the top jaw and the bottom jaw. The top jaw is selectively urged toward the bottom jaw. A saddle is coupled to the clipper and saddle is configured to have the shellfish positioned therein. A pair of blades is provided. A selected one of the blades is removably coupled to the clipper. Thus, the selected blade beheads the shellfish when the top jaw is urged toward the bottom jaw.

Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The in-line or off-line vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in or the percentage of full weight of each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.

Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The in-line or off-line vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in or the percentage of full weight of each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.

System and method for processing raw shrimp. A head-on shell-on shrimp is first back-slit to expose the vein. Next, the head and some or all of the vein is removed in a hydraulic deheader. The headless, back-slit shrimp is then peeled in a roller-type peeling machine to remove the shell and any residual vein and provide high-quality, peeled and deveined shrimp meat.

Shrimp processing apparatus to sever the mud veins of shrimp, along with methods for heading and mud vein severing are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems may include one or more processing stations configured to perform one or more of the following functions on each shrimp: measurement of individual shrimp, severing the mud vein of individual shrimp, and remove of pleopods of individual shrimp.