WO2010142875A2 - Device for automatically opening univalve and multivalve shells - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) capable, in a few seconds and without requiring any dangerous cutting instruments, of automatically opening univalve and multivalve shells by applying a very intense source of energy to the ends of the adductor muscle (20, 21) thereof. The invention is therefore suitable for instantly separating the flesh while ensuring that all the freshness and organoleptic properties thereof remain intact. The device is made up of two parts between which the source of energy used diverges to produce an electric voltage/heat with the temperature level required to perform the action to be carried out.

Description

 AUTOMATIC OPENING DEVICE FOR UNTVALVES AND MULTTVALVES SHELL

The present invention relates to a device for automatic opening of multi-valve and / or univalve shells. It relates more particularly to such a device to quickly open without difficulty and without any effort bivalve shells, such as oysters.

The expression "multi-valve shells" is understood to mean all types of marine molluscs that have a shell of at least two usually calcareous valves, generally asymmetrical and pointed at one of their two ends, in particular in the oyster. Classically, multi-valve shells have two valves enclosing the body of the animal: the lower valve located under the body, constitutes the left part of the so-called posterior shell, more or less hollow depending on the species. Located above the body, the upper valve is the right part of the shell, said anterior region, less hollow, and even rather flat for some categories of molluscs; it acts as the lid of the lower valve. These valves are generally united, at their mid-length, by a muscle composed of a pearly part and a vitreous part. Note that we speak of adductor muscle in invertebrates to designate this inner muscle connecting the two valves of a shell while the tendon designates the horny elastic ligament, which serves as hinge joining, outside, the pointed end of the valves, called "head" in the oyster, and opposite vertically to its other end, it, rounded. Typical examples of bivalve shellfish are oysters, hulls, clams, clams, mussels and scallops. Seashells with more than two valves are rarer and generally do not serve food; however, as far as univalve shells, they are not excluded from the present invention inasmuch as all of these species have an adductor muscle for securing them securely to their single or multiple valve shells. In bivalves this muscle has the function, if necessary, to close more or less hermetically, by contraction, the valves on the body of the animal or, at times, to interlock them. For example, the tonic contraction of the adductor muscle of the oyster is able to suddenly develop a force of 0.6 kg / cm2 and maintain it for several days, despite a limited energy expenditure. Its phasic contraction develops a peak force of up to 12 kg / cm ² . This organ is then resistant to any mechanical force of tearing to open the raw consumable shell, fresh and, in any case, easily and quickly obtain the flesh of the animal in the desired state. In the traditional way, the opening of bivalve shellfish to consume raw is carried out using a particular knife that can be electric. This knife is introduced in force between the two valves to open the bivalve shell and cut the adductor muscle. This manipulation requires know-how and physical strength and frequently causes accidents so that the difficulty of opening the bivalve shells is a major drawback for their consumption.

To overcome these difficulties, a plurality of knives or mechanical tools has been adapted to open the oysters with ease. These mechanical systems, as practical as they are, always require an operator or a user to handle the oyster and open it. In addition to fatigue and the injuries associated with their use, they have a longer or shorter handling time for opening oysters or other multi-valves. Such systems are disclosed in JP 2007282618, US 2006246832, FR 2885781 or US 6785967.

We also know much more complex systems that offer the opening of oysters or other shells automatically. Thus, it is proposed at present by the document US 7344436 an automated chain for handling an oyster intended to open by presenting it in a specific profile. In the document FR 2828066, it is a matter of making a puncture in the adductor muscle to position an implant. A gripping means outside the mature bivalve (consumable) is then used in traction to sever the adductor muscle. In the document FR 2771611-A1, the method presented leads the user to cut the adductor muscle with a knife following the cracking of the shell of the mollusc obtained by heating. A recent process of freezing the shell, completely detaches the muscle but, however, the state of the thawed oyster that follows, not pleasant in the mouth, does not promote its consumption.

These systems and methods of opening bivalve shells are complex and / or require a certain skill of the operator. Moreover, they can either damage the edible part, or load fragments of shells and / or allow the transmission of infections, or even diseases of animals handled. However, everywhere, the different methods of cooking shellfish reveal that the properties of the adductor muscle, especially in its resistance and adhesion, gradually decrease and eventually stop, in a determined time, under the effect of the cooking temperature more or less high, before delivering to the consumer a cooked meat accommodated according to his taste.

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art by providing a simple and economical installation to open quickly, without effort, without risk of injury, and especially consume in the desired state, ie raw or cooked (at different stages), shellfish uvivalves / multi valves, especially bivalve shells of the oyster type highly prized for its fresh flesh. Thus, it is a principle, to abruptly separate said molluscs from their shell by suppressing, under the effect of energy shock, the skills of their adductor muscle (s) by means of this device, particularly performance, which certainly achieves the opening of uπivalve shells and multi valves. This principle takes all its meaning, in the application of the method established by the inventor and which accurately indicates a reference to be considered on each side of the shell for its application associated with the use of a very high temperature. It follows, mainly for the oyster so "open", that there is more, to taste it, to peel it by lifting its upper valve to the hand and get rid of it.

The thermal or electrical energy shock caused by the device, in compliance with the application of the safety standards in force, must be of extreme power, and must provide a very high heat / produce a very intense direct charge electrocutant electricity, by the following means:

- Butane gas C4H10, or propane C3H8 preferably, fuels distributed individually (in bottle) or even better, natural gas, collectively distributed in urban areas, fuel fueling, whatever, the device cable "Flexible" . This energy source uses the portion of the reducing flame at torch type burners, whose nozzles are calibrated, to produce a very high point heat corresponding to a maximum gas power that can reach a high peak rarely reached in processing or cooking seafood.

- Electricity producing electric shock or rising heat, as required by radiant fireplaces, halogen or induction fireplaces, up to a very high temperature level in an extremely short range, and created by resistance (small size) set in a heating point, and low impedance to raise the temperature according to the law (RI2t = Q) known to professionals.

- For fireplaces / for electric heating resistors, we can consider all types able to produce a consistent temperature, up to the highest degree aimed, such as infrared emitting resistors.

The thermal energy preferably chosen for the operation of the device comes in a non-limiting manner from the gas and / or electricity capable of heating each other in a more or less intense manner, necessary to obtain the opening or simply cooking the shell to be treated.

Thus, the present invention relates to a device for automatic opening of univalve and multi-valve shells, comprising:

- A movable upper part, a seat, connected by a hinge to a fixed lower part, a base, and both containing slightly concave aligners with rough surface, with sliding stops. The gutters of the base, seen from the hinge, have their right side which adopts a certain inclination. The seat and base have an internal surface which contains impressions intended to form, when folded on top of one another, a plurality of flexible-walled chambers for housing the shells to be treated, given their size indicated by their size. calibration ", adaptable to the device, by the wedging performed using the stops.

- The device comes in a doubled "combustion table", made, specifically, by observing the existing French standards and according to the new European standards in force, connected, depending on the nature of the gas used, the control valve of arrival of urban natural gas / expansion valve propane gas or butane gas, and in any case integrating with the operation of the "thermocouple security", an electronic card that centralizes the controls necessary for optimal use of the device according to the options offered to the user.

characterized in that this table, two in one, is connected to the flexible gas supply valve called "Flexible" necessarily adapted to the nature of the gas consumed (combined or replacing the electrical energy), or by regulator, s acting on bottled gas. The gas inlet diverges between the upper and lower parts of the device to access, by a mass of rigid copper tubing, to a sufficient number of households to "direct ignition a hand" (electronic). It follows that, the upper and lower parts of the device respectively comprise, in each gutter, a type of burner flame-type burner, seat of the gas combustion and small bore orifice. Knobs control the opening of valves that release the gas and send it to injectors (called nozzles), regulators of gas flow, depending on its nature. The assembly is associated with a gas-cutting mechanism provided by the built-in thermocouple system to manage the safety of the use of the device and thus allow the gas supply to be interrupted in the event of accidental extinguishing of the flame. . The calibrated nozzles of the burners make it possible to obtain a "small flame" called "dart" of very high degree and which passes through a whip made in the imprints that must carry the inner surface of each part of the device. Activated, this flame can easily be flattened on the anterior and posterior regions of the shell of the mollusc, at the location exactly corresponding to its points of contact with the adductor muscle.

an electrical module for delivering an electrical voltage / a fast and high rise in temperature,

characterized in that the electrical module is connected by wire bonds, the ends of which consist of electrodes / heating resistors whose end is, for example, an electric cylindrical tooth, support of the energy supplied and covered with a material The base of this tooth can carry a plate, circular or quadrilateral, in order to flatten, once very quickly heated to white, on each face of the shell with regard to the oyster for example. These elements are mounted at the level of each gutter, the removable upper part of the device, as its fixed lower part and act through blinkers, orifices arranged in the imprints of the inner surface, both the vault for the upper part than the sole for the part lower.

The principle of the use of the device is that the two burners / electrodes / resistors, at each part, are affixed to the multi-valve shell and, especially for the oyster, from its left side to the right one : at the quarter of the width of the upper valve, from half of its length on the one hand, and, on the other hand, at mid-length of the posterior region, on the right side of this face, the head then being directed upwards The shellfish receives there, located with precision, a very intense heat / an electric discharge creating an electric tension between the two electrodes, thus at least in two particular points corresponding to the location of the extremities of the adductor muscle, located substantially vis-à-vis on its two outer faces.

Particularly advantageously, the point of reception of the energy source, the flame / electrode / resistance of each wire, on the shell, is present at or in the zone of the ends of the adductor muscle of said shell to infiltrate the powerful heat / charge Direct electrocutant, through the limestone. As a result, the adductor muscle in a few seconds, loses its ability to hook to the inner face of each valve.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to open quickly, easily, without cutting instruments, a plurality of shells mufti valves, without any danger to the operator and without altering the flavors, freshness and composition of the edible portion among other things, by the presence of fragments of shells, a source of inconvenience, because they are mixed with the flesh of the seafood. The indicated method associated with the use of a very high temperature favors the immediate rupture of the adductor muscle. it is necessary to bring this heat to a maximized temperature to separate instantly, in total, this muscle from its points of attachment, particularly that of the lower valve and for example to eat the fresh oyster, this is not essential for the detachment of the upper valve. Indeed, with a much lower temperature, but still of a considerable level, one can note the very fast separation of the muscle and this valve, explained by its weaker adhesion to this place, than that, very strong, uniting it with the lower valve.

It has indeed been found by the applicant that, surprisingly, the application of a significant temperature, worn much higher, or a strong electric shock, for a period of time, a few seconds, on the ends of the adductor muscle, has the effect of detaching it instantaneously and completely from the internal face (s) of the shell, that is to say from the valves of the mollusc, with all the more rapidity as the level of growth, the The age of the animal, also revealed by its sizing, is less advanced. Under a very high temperature, the desired result (opening of the shell) is abruptly obtained over such a short time that neither the flesh has time to cook, nor the water surrounding the body of the mollusc has the time not more than warm up consistently. The insignificant rise in temperature of the marine liquid contained in the flesh in the pallial cavity quickly makes it time to raise the time of lifting, by hand, of the upper valve (which can not prevent the presence of the external tendon, also broken or not). Thus the marine animal to swallow raw, comes in all its freshness with all its taste qualities sought.

Other features will appear in the description of an embodiment and use of the invention:

the upper part acts as a cover for the lower part. It is mobile, and has a handle low temperature contact for handling and transport;

the inner surface, in other words the roof and the sole, in direct contact with the molluscs, is removable. Adaptable to the bottom of each of the two parts of the device, it bears the fingerprints (half-molds) which, together, form the chambers for the shells. This internal surface superimposed on the gutters, to which it is molded in each part of the device, is designed so as to allow the sliding stops and the passage, through "blinders", supports of any source of energy arranged in screws to both sides of the device. It consists of a non-flammable / electrically insulating and flexible material, presumably plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) if not, in one of the last materials of the genre appeared. - The opening device according to the invention comprises a closing mechanism / locking parts, upper and lower, for closing / locking one on the other;

- The opening device comprises a sensor adapted to detect the state of closure or locking of the parts to each other;

- the choice of the electronic ignition system "direct ignition a hand" exempts the user from the match and / or from the gas lighter / gas lighter. The built-in thermocouple prevents gas leakage that could result in sudden and / or voluminous ignition that could burn the user or cause a fire;

the electric module is only authorized to deliver an electric voltage when said sensor detects said state of closing / locking;

- The combustion table can be connected to any type of installation for gas supply of any kind, provided that is used for this purpose, a hose adapted to the nature of the gas consumed;

the electrical module is able to connect to a conventional electrical network;

the device according to the invention, whatever the energy source used, comprises means for adjusting the degree of the temperature delivered, the electrical voltage in intensity, and the duration of the opening operation, to ensure by buttons with a variety of other settings, its two options: that of the essential function, to detach very quickly, completely, the adductor muscle of shells and, moreover, that of the secondary function among many others of the same nature , to cook seafood.

The goal of abruptly detaching the adductor muscle lies exclusively with your first and main option, and is attained by the command which allows to obtain an excessively high temperature, delivered over a very limited time. The operation extended over a few units of seconds is, by its brevity, clearly insufficient to lead the shells to any beginning of cooking (observable on your oysters taken as an example), whatever their size. The device, its two parts together, manages to separate and the two valves of the flesh of the mollusc by leaving all its freshness.

Since the cooking of any solid body is based on several factors, essentially the temperature and the duration, the cooking option according to the device, requires adjustment of the setting of the longer or shorter duration and temperature, to degrees usually adopted in cooking for seafood, before consuming cooked molluscs, as desired, at the end of the necessary period.

The device can perform the cooking operation by the combined or individual operation of the flap and the base that can be activated simultaneously, but also solo, on instruction given. The cooking of all levels can even be completed by the activation of any function installed to meet the needs and the will of the user.

The slightest rise in temperature of any liquid body causes the increase of its volume, also, as soon as the adductor muscle, for example, an oyster, breaks up, the marine liquid contained in the shell, which becomes slightly overflowing. According to the device, an escape route discharges the liquid, escaped from the shells during the operation, into a reservoir, accessory of the device for draining; this is not shown in the accompanying figures.

- The flap is equipped with a handle to fold down and / or facilitate the transport of the device for which the European safety standards are respected including those relating to the outside temperature of household appliances. This handle in the same way that the entire device keeps permanently, an external contact of low temperature; reassuring for everyone, no age limit.

The invention is described below in more detail using non-limiting figures representing only a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention. FIG. 1, composed of an overall perspective view of an opening device according to the invention, completed by a schematic view of its main internal elements: a gutter FIG. 2, and a closed chamber containing a shell. FIG. , resulting in the meeting of the fingerprints of the two parts of the device.

- Figure 4 is a sectional view of the opening device shown in Figure 1, when cetui-ri is closed and two bivalve shells are present.

In the example chosen to illustrate the invention, the device for opening multivalve shells 1 is substantially identical to a waffle device, namely a movable upper portion 2 rotatably mounted on a fixed lower portion 3 The upper portion 2 for its displacement is made by means of a protruding handle 4 at low contact temperature, disposed on the outer surface of the upper part 2. The upper part 2 is fixed to the lower part 3 via a hinge 5 extending substantially the entire length of one of the sides of the device 1 preferably one of its long sides.

Each part, lower 3 and upper 2 has a parapelipedal shape. These parts 2, 3 have a removable internally face 10, 11 fitting into a gutter bottom 3, 6 and consist respectively of a vault and a sole marked with fingerprints for isolating the shell or seashells. adapting to their shapes once they are placed in the device 1. These prints 13, 14, here have two chambers 13, 14, that is to say two locations each dedicated to a shell 15: a mold or a chamber 13, 14 being formed (e) by the meeting of the two footprints, lower (of the sole 11) and upper (vaûtelO), at a zone forming a concavity adequate for the placement of a shell 15 so that the footprints 13, 14 perfectly match the outer contours of the shell 15. The indentations 13, 14 of each of the inner faces, respectively the upper 2 and lower 3 parts must be a removable coating absolutely non-flammable, flexible, molding / elastomer by example (plastic), intended firstly to best follow the outer forms of the shell 15 and secondly to constitute an electrical insulator and have a blinker, orifice passage of a burner / tooth, and also a end passage to move a stop handle 16 towards the rear end of the shells or away from it in order to block them on their position. Supports fingerprints 13 and 14, the roof 10 and the sun l of the device 1 are removable so that they can be replaced to fit the shells 15 to their size according to their "calibration" indicated, their shapes, their number, by housing efficiently in gutters 6 of each part.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the impression 13 of the lower part 3 is more marked than that of the upper part 2, that is to say that the impression of the lower part 3 presents at the level of the the zone of the half-mold (or of the chamber) a concavity or a greater depth intended to receive each of the two shells 15. Of course, the shape of the impression 13, 14 is eminently linked to the outer shape of the shell 15 and it can be provided, unlike what is shown in Figure 4, that the upper footprint 14 is more pronounced than the lower footprint 13. It is important, however, that both 13, 14 have a minimum flexibility so that the flame / electrodes / resistors 20 and 21, flush with the surface of the footprint 13 or 14, by a blinker can be pressed correctly on the valves of the shell 15.

Each imprint (or half-mold) 13, 14, at the location where the shell 15 is to be located, has at least one orifice for the exit of the flame conveyed by tubing / electrode / heating resistor 20, 21 connected (e) to the electrical module 30 electric parfit, covered with an insulating material ,.

The gas / electrode / resistance pipes 20, 21 are ideally operated in pairs so that there is at least one upper burner / electrode / resistor 21 placed in the upper position to contact the upper shell, and a burner / electrode / lower resistance 20 placed on the coast in the lower position to contact the lower shell. The position of the adductor muscle for the different species of multivalve shellfish is well known to professionals.

The two parts of the device can, on command, operate simultaneously, for the tearing of the adductor muscles, or separately in the event of a cooking operation. The ignition of the lights, obtained automatically by "hand ignition" button (electronic), ensures with other control levers two functions: the main one, the opening of shells; the other secondary, cooking them at different levels. In this case, the stopping of the action of the torch type burners can be obtained by adjustment, on an ad hoc basis or according to the programming of the operating time.

Furthermore, the electrical module 30 is able to generate electrical pulses, of a variable duration of the order of a few milliseconds to a few seconds, for the various electrodes / heating resistors 20, 21.

The electrical module 30 makes it possible to produce a high voltage at low amperage. The electrodes / resistors 20, 21 are inert metal, for example platinum or any other material that is not likely to react chemically or melt during the passage of current.

The burners / electrodes / resistors, upper 21 and lower 20, are each pieced appropriately in each chamber formed by the two indentations 13, 14 joined to each other; they are in the immediate vicinity of the adductor muscle of the shellfish.

By way of example, for oysters, this muscle is always placed at almost half the length of your patteat cavity (internal space delimited by the mantle lobes, the mantle is the ectodermal structure that produces the shell molluscs), between your hinge, horny elastic ligament, which joins your extremities in points of the valves of which it assures just the articulation by its role of spring, and the posterior region, rounded and widened part, whatever the stage of grow oyster.

As described above, at this half-length, the adductor muscle is fixed, from its left side to the right: one quarter of the width of the upper valve that connects to the right side the posterior region. This site is clearly materialized on the two valves by a succession of muscle impressions indicative of its mutation during the growth of the animate; it is circumchangeable in a circular space of at most approximately 30 mm in diameter or in a quadrilateral having 30 x 150 mm of side. Nevertheless, in order to adapt the opening device to all types of shells, and thus to the location of the adductor muscle, a variety of forms of gutters 6, chambers, footprints 13, 14, and foci 20, 21 may be arranged in the two parts 2, 3 of the device and used on command by several buttons, one of which must serve particularly to wedge both for example, one or more oysters, of the same "caliber", in the gutters before releasing the energy to detach their adductor muscle. The burners / electrodes / heating resistors 20, 21 thus remain vis-à-vis with respect to multi-valve shells 15.

In each case, the chambers and the half-molds of the impressions 13, 14 may have more than one burner / electrode / resistance model 20, 21 to enhance the action of the electric current or to adapt to the different types of shells 15 If appropriate, if the opening device 1 is intended to receive different types of shellfish, it is preferable that a central processing unit, not shown in the accompanying figures, is integrated in said device 1 in order to allow the user to select the type of shells 15 deposited in the chambers and accordingly the burner / electrodes / resistors 20, 21 to be activated for each type of operation to be undertaken.

To this end, the lid 2, upper part and the base 3, lower part of the opening device 1, may also include a plurality of gas pipes / electrical resistors, not shown in the accompanying figures,

The electrical module of the device 30 has here only one of the adjustment buttons 31 of the intensity, and possibly the duration, of the electric discharges sent to the electrodes and the degree of temperature to be supplied by the resistors; it represents a multiplicity of buttons and handles, not drawn, responding to different or complementary requests from the user of the device. Thus one or more of them can in particular slide the stops 16 to position in the gutter oyster for example. The operator will thus have a list enumerating the intensity of heat and / or the duration of the appropriate electrical pulse to be sent to the burners / electrodes / resistors 20, 21 so that the latter correctly perform the opening of the shells 15 , depending on their type and the result to be obtained: For oysters, for example, the intensity of the heat / electrical and the duration of the pulse must be different from those of the molds for an identical result. The opening device 1 may also comprise a sensor 40 detecting the closing state of the device 1, that is to say when the upper part 2 rests on the lower part 3, possibly one locked to the other .

This closure sensor 40 may consist of a push button present on the lower part 3 and cooperating with a portion 41 of the upper part 2 to push it when the upper part 2 comes into contact with the lower part 3. When the button push-button 40 is depressed, this means that the upper part 2 is in contact with the lower part 3, thus closing the device 1, so that it is possible to actuate said opening device 1, that is, that is to say that the electrical module 30 sends one or more electric discharges to the electrodes / heating resistors 20, 21. A visual or audible indication that the opening device 1 is effectively closed may possibly be added and connected to the sensor 40, so that to warn the operator.

The ignition of the burners / the sending of the discharge or the electric pulse is designed according to the new techniques practiced. The operator using gas as an energy source is now responsible for ensuring ignition; it suffices to press a handle / switch present on the device 1, or distance, for example by radio link, the opening device 1 then being provided with a non-wire receiving unit, not shown in the accompanying figures. Particularly for the activation of the electrical operation, provision may be made for the discharge of the electric discharge to be effected automatically as soon as the closing / locking sensor 40 has detected a state of closure / locking of the device 1.

The opening device 1, according to the invention, may be connected to any kind of gas supply installation / conventional national electrical network by a cable, for example to supply the electrical device 30 with an electric current at the usual voltage of domestic appliances. The invention is not limited to the presence of two chambers 13, 14 for shells 15 and the opening device 1 may of course include more than two chambers to have as many shells 15 desired, according to the use to which is intended for its application.

A "family type" model and a "professional type" model, applications not shown here, are a variant of the device. They operate according to the principle of the device and with the same characteristics. With the use of scales in the catering sector, for example, the professional type model is mounted on a piece of furniture of the "kitchen piano" type, and it has specific functionalities adapted to the execution of their various and multiple tasks.

Finally, considering FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 of the plate 3/3, the shell opening system according to the invention is intended to be integrated in an industrial installation that characterizes by definition a production in large quantity of fruits. multi sea valves, intended to be marketed after canning.

Indeed for the moment, all operations of opening, detachment of the flesh and its whitening, is carried out, on the industrial level, by plunging the shells in boiling water for about four minutes. Steam injection by means of an autoclave is also used. These techniques are absolutely binding especially as they require the batch processing of shells, a strong handling of the products, a very important energy consumption caused by the repetition of the operations, and, finally, a long peeling time and little controllable.

Current practices reveal that the size of the shells being variable, the opening of some require scalding two minutes, but six minutes for others. Also, applying an average time, 25% of the shells open and detach entirely. However, in general, 50% open but remain attached to one or the other of the valves. And finally, 25% are not open. This explains, on an industrial scale, the relentless use of a supplement of temporary staff. Many other disadvantages arise regularly in this industrial context of the treatment of shells, such as poor working conditions, that present permanent fog, excessive heat, the dangers of handling boiling products. It should be added that of a potential deterioration of the taste and appearance of the products, caused by a cooking possibly too prolonged or by the effect of soaking which, moreover, makes random the bacteriological quality of the shells thus prepared.

One of the aims of the invention is also to overcome these disadvantages and to allow the installation of a tool that can be integrated into a chain of preparation and packaging of shells in the industrial sector.

In this way, the application of the shell opening device according to the invention can be integrated in an industrial installation operating continuously with scheduled pauses to distinguish two stages of work. Sealing time control devices and their cooking rate can be added to the installation which in addition to the automatic shelling and shell removal system may include washing and gritting elements, not shown. by the following figures, which work during additional steps. As a result, the shell opening station does not require a large number of staff and only requires minimal handling.

The recommended installation avoids the presence, during the treatment of shells, steam or excessive heat as it is generally in your facilities according to the prior method still practiced today.

Soaking in a boiling water during the opening is not necessary at all, the particularity of the invention being such as to facilitate a good preservation of the bacteriological qualities of the products as well as their organoleptic qualities. In a variant desired by the inventor, according to the device of which he is the application and has, at least, all the characteristics, a mixed solution of the installation constituting a processing chain, can be realized with two work trays. successive large ones (Figures 5, 7). They are composed of a movable flap, with an optionally removable internal face, in their upper part (25) and, of a fixed base in their lower part, (26) to carry out continuously the operation of automatic opening of the shells. multi valves / univalve and their dehulling. These two elements are folded over one another (Figure 6) that of the top, mobile, serving as a lid to the bottom, the base. These two worktables: "start tray" (figure 5) and "end tray" (figure 7), succeed each other and have a distinct role: the first is a "dropout" receiver tray (figure 5), the second that contains no heating element is a "huller" (Figure 7). At the level of the first work plate, after receiving the shell, the energy shock provided by the burners (20) torch type / electrical resistances contained in the gutters of its two parts (25, 26), opens in a few seconds a very large quantity of oysters for example. The desired cooking rate of the mollusc can also be obtained according to the manipulation and the adjustments made. Not designed, the motor means for the continuous operation of the device belong to the latest technologies.

In step "A" of opening: A dispenser presents and directs oysters, for example, to the application of the device consisting of a rolling lapis receiver "(22) continuous circulation, the same composition flexible as the surface internal device (2, 3) and where are housed individually in progress in footprints (23) the molluscs to be treated At the height of the first plate, the carpet becomes your inner face of the base. stop facing each of the trays, its footprints (13,14) and their load fit here in the gutters (6) of the base and systematically its cover (25) removable internal flexible face, with half molds (imprints) also contained in gutters, folds and encloses (Figure 6) a large number of molluscs to achieve their automatic opening by tearing the ends of the adductor muscles of their valves.

Depending on the application of the device, in addition to the stops, the gutters are flanked by a system (23) to retain in their place, for a while, your lower valves becoming waste to recover at the end of the processing chain (32). The cover of the "start tray" (25), applies (Figure 6), according to the device, the energy source (20) on the upper valve of the shells housed in the footprints of the carpet while the base does the same on the lower valve. Thus the energy carried at a very high degree of temperature, on and under the shells, detaches simultaneously, at the end of a tiny time of a few seconds the adductor muscle, for at least hundreds of shells or more, at a time, that may contain the start plateau, "dropout" receiver (Figure 5).

For step "Two": The treadmill (22) resumes its race, arrives with its loading in the "end tray", the "huller" (Figure 7) and makes a second pause. This second plate then ensures a new function of its own. Indeed, its cover (25) carries a system (27) to catch and hang at this stage, upon stopping of the treadmill, the upper valves thus shelled after folding the lid on the base. Following this action, opened and placed in a vertical position (Figure 7), the flap of this plate by an automatic mechanism, lifts dry as necessary and then moves away from the base holding the upper valves (27) that it finally lets fall in a bin intended to receive the waste (32). The carpet continues its course (figure 8): it empties water and flesh, content of the bottom valve of the shell, in a tray (33) to recover them and direct them to conditioning and consumption before dumping, on the end of its course, the empty bottom valves in the tank (32) of waste recovery.

The general operation of the application of the device thus described is fully automated, according to modern techniques, for all the steps of work and other manipulations such as the adjustments of the stops according to the calibration of the shells received, to be treated. Specific controls allow the receiver tray with burners to perform a cooking operation.

Claims

claims 1. Device for automatic opening of multivalve shells (1), comprising: - an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) carry, molded in gutters, fingerprints intended, when they are folded one on the other, forming at least one chamber for accommodating at least one shell (15) and subjecting them to a powerful point source energy which must perform the instantaneous takeoff of the adductor muscle of its fasteners, 2. A combustion plate with thermocouple safety operation (gas cutter); characterized in that a tubular rigid pipe made of copper diverges the gas inlet between the upper portions 21 and lower 20 of the device to burners with calibrated nozzles, type of heat-exchange torch, to be ignited by " direct ignition a hand "(electronic) and, as soon as twisted, flatten a" dart "of very high degree of heat, on each face of the shell. Gas can be supplied by urban distribution or individually by the use of gas cylinders. 3. an electrical resistance for delivering a voltage (30), characterized in that the end of the heating / electrode resistor constitutes an electric tooth covered with an insulating material. Support of the energy supplied, it can end with a circular or quadrilateral plate (20 and 21), to deliver a desired electrical voltage / temperature to at least one shell (15); at least one of the electrodes / resistors (21) being mounted in the upper part (2) of the device and at least one of the electrodes / resistors (20) being mounted in its lower part (3). The electrical module (30) is able to connect to a conventional electrical network. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flame / electrode / resistance (20, 21) of each wire, brought to a very high temperature level, in contact with the shell (15), is present at a precise location of the valves, at or in the area of each end of the adductor muscle, on two points situated opposite (15), in the oyster for example. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface composed of two movable parts the vault (10) and the sole (11) superimposable gutters (6) is designed in an intfflammable / electrically insulating material and flexible, and contains the footprints (13, 14) with the blinkers, which allow the passage of the energy source, the slot required for sliding stops; 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closing mechanism / locking portions, upper (2) and lower (3), for locking one on the other. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a sensor (40) adapted to detect the state of closure or locking of said parts (2, 3) to each other; the electrical module (30) being authorized to deliver a voltage, only when the sensor (40) detects said closing / locking state. 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (31) for adjusting the flame / electrical voltage, the degree of temperature delivered, the duration of the automatic opening operation to accomplish independently with one or the other, or both parts together, the desired operation (opening or cooking). 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controls and various controllers allow according to the choice, to have as a result in a few seconds to easily lift by hand the lid of the shell to eat there flesh, its adductor muscular having detached itself instantly and irremediably, without alteration of its state, of its flavors, nor of its organoleptic qualities. 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the choice of the temperature delivered and the determination of the duration of the operation can allow a simple cooking of molluscs according to the modes usually adopted in cooking for seafood. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external contact in full (1) is at low temperature as well as the handle (4), which comprises the upper part (2) mobile, for its manipulation. . 12. Application of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a processing chain consists of a treadmill and two large work trays, operates continuously with scheduled stops to apply the method and perform various tasks. Each tray has a movable flap, optionally removable internal face, and a fixed base, stackable on one another for the opening of a large amount of univalve shells and multi valves. 13. Application of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, The first work tray is provided with gutters and burners in its two parts and the inner face of its flap can be removable. The treadmill, made of flexible material and nonflammable adapts to the base of which it becomes the internal face by joining it. Its function is to pick up the adductor muscle; however, the activation of specific settings allows you to carry out a cooking operation. 14. Application of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second plate, is a "dehuller" without any heating element in its two parts. Equipped with an attachment system in its upper part whose inner face can be removable, it grabs the upper valves for the automatic shelling of shellfish whose flesh is immediately recovered in a tray then directed to the packaging for consumption while empty shells are poured into a trash bin.