The invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container for depuration of mollusks and a drain canal unit. The assembly provides a closed circulation of water via a circulation route that has an entry portion between the floor of the container and the drain canal unit, a circulation channel between the corner of the container and a drain canal unit, and a drain canal within the drain canal unit. Also provided is a drain canal unit for use in stackable containers that provides circulation of water within a container assembly.

Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The molluscs have a first shell, a second shell and an adductor muscle attached to the shells. Multiple holders hold a respective mollusc by the first shell of the mollusc. A conveyor is coupled to the holders to move the molluscs between processing stations. One processing station is a shell cut station to cut an opening into the shells of each respective mollusc. Another processing station is a muscle cut station to cut the adductor muscle from the second shell through the opening in the shells of each mollusc. A further processing station is a shell detach station to detach the second shell from the first shell of each respective mollusc.

A system for processing shellfish includes an input hopper that receives a batch of shellfish to be processed. A conveyer is positioned to receive shellfish from the input hopper and transports the shellfish through the system. The conveyor defines a plurality of holes that allow cleaning substances to pass through the conveyor. A washing system comprising a least one nozzle that dispenses cleaning substances to the shellfish being transported by the conveyor. An operator station includes at least one container for depositing market-ready shellfish passing along the conveyor. At least one optical sensor is positioned to detect the market-ready shellfish being placed into the at least one container. A counter is electrically connected to the optical sensor and records a number of shellfish being placed in the at least one container. An output hopper is positioned proximate to an end of the conveyor to catch rejected shellfish.

The present disclosure provides for a method of preparing at least one oyster in a skillet. The at least one oyster is shucked to form a cupped-oyster on a half shell. The skillet is partially filled with a liquid solution, warmed to a temperature of at least 160 F., and the cupped-oyster is placed in the skillet upside down. The cupped-oyster is cooked for at least 2 minutes and then removed from the liquid solution. A method of preparing at least two dozen oysters in a roasting pan is presented. The at least two dozen oysters are shucked to form cupped-oysters on a half shell. The roasting pan is partially filled with a liquid solution, warmed to a temperature of at least 160 F., and the cupped-oysters are placed in the roasting pan upside down. The cupped-oysters are cooked for at least 3 minutes and then removed from the liquid solution.

A method is provided for packaging live clams in a container. The method includes harvesting the live clams from sea water having a first temperature. The method further includes placing the live clams in a tank of sea water having a second temperature that is less than the first temperature. The method further includes drying, with a blowing device, an outside surface of the live clams after removing the live clams from the tank. The method further includes placing a number of the live clams in the container after the drying step. The method further includes applying a vacuum seal along a top of the container and over the live clams in the container.

An apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall, a fluid inlet extending into the interior volume of the container, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the fluid inlet. The plurality of nozzles are directed in different directions. The plurality of nozzles are positioned adjacent to the wall of the container so as to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet toward another portion of the wall of the container. The fluid inlet is adapted to pass a fluid under pressure into the interior volume of the container. The plurality of nozzles are arranged one above another.

The invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container for depuration of mollusks and a drain canal unit. The assembly provides a closed circulation of water via a circulation route that has an entry portion between the floor of the container and the drain canal unit, a circulation channel between the corner of the container and a drain canal unit, and a drain canal within the drain canal unit. Also provided is a drain canal unit for use in stackable containers that provides circulation of water within a container assembly.

A tidal rotating oyster shaper and cleaner apparatus has an outer frame, a containment cage supported by the outer frame, and a plurality of containers designed to hold oysters, the containers being located and maintained within the containment cage. A circular end member having outwardly extending teeth which circumscribes the end member, is mounted on each lateral end of the containment cage. At least one passive energy capturing pawl is configured to contact and engage the teeth, such that upon the introduction of a source of passive energy, the pawl is caused to rotate. This results in the rotation of the end members, the containment cage, and the containers, which thereby rotates the oysters within the containers. Continual rotation of the oysters serves to shape and clean the oysters.

Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The molluscs have a first shell, a second shell and an adductor muscle attached to the shells. Multiple holders hold a respective mollusc by the first shell of the mollusc. A conveyor is coupled to the holders to move the molluscs between processing stations. One processing station is a shell cut station to cut an opening into the shells of each respective mollusc. Another processing station is a muscle cut station to cut the adductor muscle from the second shell through the opening in the shells of each mollusc. A further processing station is a shell detach station to detach the second shell from the first shell of each respective mollusc.

An apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall, a fluid inlet extending into the interior volume of the container, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the fluid inlet. The plurality of nozzles are directed in different directions. The plurality of nozzles are positioned adjacent to the wall of the container so as to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet toward another portion of the wall of the container. The fluid inlet is adapted to pass a fluid under pressure into the interior volume of the container. The plurality of nozzles are arranged one above another.