Trimming and cutting apparatus for the preparation of crabs for meat extraction

Apparatus and method for preparing cooked crabs for further processing to separate meat from shell by centrifugal action is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a holding means (28), cooperating with a clamping means (190, 192) for securing a crab body (30) to a conveying means (20). The conveying means (20) moves the crab body (30) which has had the carapace shell removed along a predetermined path to a cutting means such as for example circular blades (50A-50D). The circular blades are supported and driven such that as the crab body is moved into the blades by conveying means (20), these blades make a "V" cross-sectional shape cut extending betwee the front and rear of the crab. The open or top of the "V" shape is located at the top or back of the crab and the "tip" of the "V" extends into the crab body such that the "tip" is proximate to but does not cut through the belly shell of the crab. Thus, a "V" cross-sectional portion (116) containing the viscera of the crab is removed from the crab body. In a preferred embodiment, another pair of circular blades removes the legs, claws and swimmerets. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, a brush means (56, 62) located proximate the predetermined path, detaches and removes gills and other loosely inedible attached parts of the crab such that the inner back shell of the crab is exposed. There is also a nozzle (68) for directing a stream of water (148) in the area of the cut to provide a final washing of the crab body.