DESCRIPTION

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a device used for the opening of shells, particularly bivalve shells, such as the shells of oysters, scallops, mussels, clams, and other edible mollusks.

A shell opening device of the prior art comprises an ogival or triangular blade attached to the end of a handle. Such a device requires a relatively difficult manual work that consists in inserting the blade between the two valves of the shell to prize the shell open, and completing the opening using the hands and the device simultaneously.

Given the difficulty of the operations, the device may break one of the valves or even injure the hand of the user who is holding the shell, especially in the case of an inexperienced user.

In order to overcome these inconveniences, new shell opening devices have been devised over time, which are provided with two pivoted arms equipped with blades capable of being inserted between the valves of the shells. Said new shell opening devices are disclosed in the following documents.

US411797A discloses an implement for opening oysters and other bivalves. The implement comprises a pair of arms which are pivoted together and are provided with pointed ends with reduced thickness in such a way to define two cutters suitable for being inserted between the two valves of the shell. ES2241380A1 discloses a clip for the opening of shells. Also in this case, the clip has a pair of arms which are pivoted together and are provided with pointed ends with reduced thickness in such a way to define two cutters suitable for being inserted between the two valves of the shell.

FR954291 A discloses a pliers to open oysters. The device comprises two arms that can be moved by means of a pin inserted in slots. Each arm ends with a cutter suitable for being inserted between the two valves of the shell.

The devices described in US411797A, ES2241380A1 and FR954291A are impaired by a common drawback due to the fact that the blades are an integral part of the arm or are made in one piece with the arm. In fact, over time and after numerous uses, the blades can get damaged, chipped, and/or bent, making the aforementioned devices inefficient and inadequate for the opening of shells. Therefore, in such a case, it will be necessary to throw away the device and buy a new one. Having to buy a new device every time the blades get damaged is an extremely expensive solution.

Furthermore, blades with a certain shape may be efficient for opening a certain type of shells and less efficient for opening other types of shells. Thus, such devices are characterized by a poor versatility.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a shell opening device which is reliable, practical, versatile and characterized by a simple rapid assembly.

These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features of the independent claim 1 .

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

Additional features of the invention will appear clearer from the following detailed description, which refers to purely illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiments, illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 to 4 are axonometric views of a first embodiment of the device, in open and closed position;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the device of Fig. 1 ;

Figs. 6 to 9 are axonometric views of the device of Figs. 1 to 5, in open and closed position, with blades that differ from the ones of Figs. 1 to 5;

Figs. 10 and 11 are axonometric views of a second embodiment of the device, in open and closed position;

Figs. 12 and 13 are two frontal schematic views of the device of Figs. 10 and 11 , sectioned along the plane where the device lies; in said Figs. 12 and 13 the device is shown respectively in open and closed position;

Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the sectioned device of Figs. 12 and Fig. 15 is an axonometric exploded view of an arm with a blade of the device of Figs. 10 and 11 ;

Figs. 16 and 17 are axonometric views of the device of Figs. 10 and 11 , in open and closed position, with blades that differ from the ones of Figs. 10 and 11.

With reference to the appended figures, the shell opening device according to the invention is described in two different embodiments that are generally indicated with reference numerals 100 and 200.

Figs. 1 to 9 show the shell opening device (100) according to a first embodiment.

The device (100) comprises two arms (1 , 2) pivoted together by means of at least one pin (3) disposed between each pair of ends of the arms (1 , 2) in such a way that if two adjacent ends of two arms (1 , 2) are moved closer to each other, the other two adjacent ends of the two arms are moved away from each other, and vice versa, as shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2, in the open and closed position, respectively.

Each arm (1 , 2) thus comprises two shaped portions (1a, 1 b and 2a, 2b) which protrude from the pin (3) towards the ends. The first shaped portions (1 a, 2a) of the arms (1 , 2) are configured in such a way to be grabbed by a user, acting as handles (1 a, 2a). Each second shaped portion (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2) is particularly configured to have a substantially parallelepiped shape, in order to act as a head (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2). Each head (1 b, 2b) has a flat end side (101 b, 201 b), an internal side (102b, 202b), facing the other head (2b, 1 b) and an external side (103b, 203b).

The device (100) comprises a blade (4, 5) for each arm (1 , 2) connected to the head (1 b, 2b) of the arm (1 , 2). In this way, the blades (4, 5) are in contact with each other if said heads (1 b, 2b) are adjacent to each other.

Said pin (3) may have different shapes, sizes and operating modes, preferably comprising at least one substantially cylindrical element, in particular a screw and a threaded bushing, which are screwed together and are provided with a head, for example a head with a cross notch, for removably joining the arms (1 , 2). The pin (3) is inserted into a seat (7) formed in two internal protuberances (1 c, 2c) that protrude from each arm (1 , 2) towards the other arm (2, 1 ). The internal protuberances (1 c, 2c) may have a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the axis of the cylinder is the axis of rotation of the arms (1 , 2). In an alternative embodiment, the pin (3) may consist of an elastic element joined to the arms (1 , 2), which may be made in one piece with said elastic element. The device (100) may comprise elastic means (6) arranged between the arms (1 , 2) to exert a repulsion force that tends to rotate the arms (1 , 2) around the pin (3) and to move the blades (4, 5) closer to each other.

In the first embodiment of the device (100) according to the invention, said elastic means (6) comprise at least one metal plate (61 ) which is shaped in such a way to form at least two loops (6a, 6b), is disposed between the two handles (1a, 2a) and is removably attached to at least one of the two handles, in particular by means of a screw (8) screwed into a threaded bushing (80) inserted in a cavity of the handle (2a). The internal protuberances (1 c and/or 2c) of the arms (1 , 2) may comprise a recess (10) suitable for at least partially accommodating a loop (6a) of the elastic means (6) when the blades (4, 5) are in contact with each other.

The metal plate (61 ) with the aforesaid configuration acts on the arms (1 , 2) in two steps: a first step, wherein the metal plate (61 ) tends to close the device (100), and a second phase, when the loop exits the recess (10), wherein the device clicks to spread the blades (4, 5) apart.

At least one of the two arms (1 , 2) may comprise an external protuberance (1d, 2d) disposed between a blade (4, 5) and a handle (1 a, 2a) that acts as a guard to prevent the accidental movement of the hand that holds the handles (1 a, 2a) towards the blades (4, 5).

The device (100) comprises removable connection means (M) that are disposed between the blades (4, 5) and the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2) and removably connect the blades (4, 5) to the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2). In view of the above, when the blades (4, 5) are worn out or damaged, they can be replaced with other blades (4, 5). Moreover, thanks to the removable connection means (M), the blades (4, 5) can be replaced with blades (4, 5) of different type according to the shell to be opened. The blades (4, 5) may comprise at least one tip (4a, 5a) that protrudes from the head (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2) and an attachment portion (4t, 5t) attached to said removable connection means (M) that connect the blade (4, 5) to the head (1 b, 2b).

The tip (4a, 5a) of each blade (4, 5) comprises at least one wire, in particular two wires (4b, 5b). The wire (4b, 5b) of a blade (4, 5) gets thinner towards the opposite blade (5, 4), in such a way that if the blades (4, 5) are in contact with each other, as shown in Figs. (2) and (4), the wires lie substantially on a same ideal surface, in particular a flat surface.

With reference to Figs. 1 -5, the tips (4a, 5a) of the blades (4, 5) are substantially flat and/or have a tapered shape, in particular a substantially ogival shape, and/or have a thickness of 1 -2 mm, in particular about 1.5 mm, in the unsharpened portion and/or have substantially the same maximum width and/or have a maximum width of 1 -2 cm, in particular about 1 .5 cm.

The tips (4a, 5a) of the blades (4, 5) shown in Figs. 1 -5 preferably have a length of 5-8 cm, in particular different lengths, more particularly about 7 cm for the blade (4) and about 6 cm for the blade (5), wherein the difference in length is 0.5-1.5 cm, in particular about 1 cm, for the opening of shells, such as, for example, oysters or scallops.

Said attachment portion (4t, 5t) comprises:

- a first shaped section (4c, 5c) which forms a dihedral angle greater than 45°, in particular 90°, with the tip (4a, 5a);

- a second shaped section (4d, 5d) which forms a dihedral angle greater than 45°, in particular 90°, with the first section (4c, 5c); said second section (4d, 5d) being substantially parallel to the tip (4a, 5a).

In the device (100) of the first embodiment, the first section (4c, 5c) and/or the second section (4d, 5d) of the attachment portion (4t, 5t) of the blades (4, 5) is/are in contact with at least one surface of the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2).

In particular, the first section (4c, 5c) is in contact with the flat end side (101 b, 201 b) of the head (1 b, 2b), whereas the second section (4d, 5d) is in contact with the external side (103b, 203b) of the head (1 b, 2b). Still with reference to Figs. 1 - 5, the removable connection means (M) of the device (100) of the first embodiment comprise threaded connection means that provide a threaded connection between the blade (4, 5) and the head (1 b, 2b). More particularly, said threaded connection means comprise screws (11 ) inserted into openings of the attachment portion (4t, 5t) of the blade (4, 5) and screwed into corresponding threaded holes disposed inside the heads (1 b, 2b). More precisely, said threaded holes are part of threaded bushings (12) disposed in cavities obtained in the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2).

The arms (1 , 2) are preferably made of a plastic material and/or the blades (4, 5) are preferably made of stainless steel.

The arms (1 , 2) and/or the blades (4, 5) may be substantially symmetrical, in particular symmetrical without considering the internal protuberances (1 c, 2c), with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the arms (1 , 2), in particular to the axis of the pin (3).

Such a feature makes the device usable for both right-handed and left-handed users.

In use, in order to open the shell of a mollusk, a user grabs the handles (1 a, 2a) of the device (100), without exerting a pressure, and then inserts the blades (4, 5) joined together into the hinge of the shell, that is to say between the back sides of the valves of the shell, in such a way to let the air to enter the shell. Then, the user presses the handles (1 a, 2a) so as to spread the blades (4, 5) apart and to open the valves of the shell. The user can use the blades (4, 5) to cut parts of the mollusk in order to completely separate the two valves of the shell. The blades (4, 5) can also be used to separate the mollusk from the valves.

Figs. 6 to 9 show the device (100) according to the first embodiment wherein, being interchangeable, the blades (4, 5) are replaced with different blades, wherein the attachment portion (4t, 5t) is substantially identical, but the tips (4a, 5a) are substantially shaped like a triangle, in particular an isosceles triangle, and/or have a thickness of 0.3-0.7 mm, in particular about 0.5 mm, in the unsharpened portion and/or have a different maximum width and/or have a maximum width of 1 .5-2.5 cm, in particular about 2.2 cm for the blade (4) and about 2 cm for the blade (5).

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the tips (4a, 5a) of the blades (4, 5) preferably have a length of 2-3 cm, in particular different lengths, more particularly about 2.8 cm for the blade (4) and about 2.3 cm for the blade (5), wherein the difference in length is 0.3-0.7 cm, in particular about 0.5 cm, in order to open shells, such as mussels and clams.

With reference to Figs. 10 to 17, a second embodiment of the device (200) according to the invention is described below.

The device (200) of the second embodiment is very similar to the device (100) of the first embodiment and differs from the device (100) of the first embodiment in the configuration of the connection means (M), in the configuration of the elastic means (6) and in the provision of additional elements which will be described below.

It should be noted that elements that are equal or correspond to those described above are indicated with the same reference numbers, omitting a detailed description.

Firstly, with reference to Figs. 10 to 17, the connection means (M) of the device (200) of the second embodiment comprise elastic snap connection means. The elastic snap connection means comprise an insert (14) which is removably connected to the blade (4, 5) and comprises a flexible tab (15) provided at the end with a retention tooth (15a) suitable for being coupled with a hole (161 , 162) of the head (1 b, 2b) of the arm (1 , 2).

Said insert (14) is box-shaped, and the head (1 b, 2b) of each arm (1 , 2) is provided with a cavity (1x, 2x) (with an access opening obtained on the flat side (101 b, 201 b) of the head (1 b, 2b)) that is suitably dimensioned to contain said box-shaped insert (14). Said hole (161 , 162) is obtained on a wall of the head (1 b, 2b) that defines the cavity (1 x, 2x) and is a through hole in such a way that, when said retention tooth (15a) is inserted into said hole (161 , 162), a user can push it with his or her finger towards the inside of the cavity (1 x, 2x) in order to release it and remove the entire insert (14) and the blade (4, 5) from the cavity (1x, 2x). Said box-shaped insert (14) comprises a first wall (14a) provided with flexible tab (15), a second wall (14b) opposite to said first wall (14a), an upper wall (14c), and a lower wall (14d).

The upper wall (14c), the second wall (14b), and the lower wall (14d) are connected by curved sections so that the three walls (14b, 14c, and 14d) define a single substantially C-shaped wall.

A distance (d14) is provided between the upper wall (14c) and the lower wall (14d).

Referring to Fig. 14, in such a case, the attachment portion (4t, 5t) is shaped in such a way that the insert (14) can be attached to the attachment portion (4t, 5t)..

More precisely, in such a case, in addition to the first section (4c, 5c) and the second section (4d, 5d), the attachment portion (4t, 5t) also comprises a folded end section (40d, 50d) which is shaped to form a dihedral angle greater than 45°, preferably 90°, with the second section (4d, 5d). The folded end section (40d, 50d) is spaced from the first section (4c, 5c) by a distance (D) that is equal to or slightly lower than the distance (d14) between the upper wall (14c) and the lower wall (14d) of the insert (14). Thus, in order to attach the insert (14) to the attachment portion (4t, 5t) it will be necessary to insert the insert (14) exactly between the first section (4c, 5c) and the folded end section (40d, 50d) until the second wall of the insert (14) is brought into contact with the second section (4d, 5d) so that the insert (14) is retained by the attachment portion (4t, 5t).

In order to release the insert from the attachment portion (4t, 5t), it will be necessary to pull the insert (14) away with a sufficient force to overcome the retention action provided by the first section (4c, 5c) and by the folded end section (40d, 50d) on the upper wall and the lower wall of the insert (14). Therefore, in the device (200) of the second embodiment, in order to connect the blade (4, 5) to the arm (1 , 2), firstly the insert (14) is attached to the attachment portion (4t, 5t) of the blade (4, 5). Then, the insert (14) is inserted inside the cavity (1x, 2x). During the insertion, the retention tooth (15a) slides against an internal surface of the cavity (1 x, 2x), causing the flexible tab (15) to retract until the retention tooth (15a) meets the recess (161 , 162), snapping inside the recess (161 , 162).

With reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the elastic means (6) of the device (200) of the second embodiment comprise a torsional spring (62) disposed inside the seat (7) (defined by the two protuberances (1 c, 2c)) and around the pin (3). The torsional spring (62) has a first end (62a) connected to one of the two internal protuberances (1 c) and a second end (62b) connected to the other internal protuberance (2c). In particular, each end (62a, 62b) consists of a section that is folded and inserted into a small hole obtained in the internal protuberance (1 c, 2c).

The torsional spring (62) may be of spiral type or alternatively may have a C shape.

The device (200) of the second embodiment is more aesthetically pleasing and cleaner than the device (100) of the first embodiment because the connection means (M) and the elastic means (6) are not visible to a user using the device (200).

Furthermore, the device (200) of the second embodiment can also be grabbed by the user also in correspondence of the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 , 2). In fact, the heads of the screws do not protrude on the external side (103b, 203b) of the heads (1 b, 2b) of the arms (1 ,2), which may be annoying and hindering in case a user wants to grab the device in correspondence with the heads. Moreover, in order to facilitate the user's grip, the external side (103b, 203b) of the head (1 b, 2b) is configured in such a way as to act as non-slip surface for the fingers. More particularly, said external side (103b, 203b) comprises, for example, knurling and/or ribs (r).

With reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the device (200) of the second embodiment further comprises anti-misalignment means (9) which are arranged between the arms (1 , 2) and which prevent the two arms (1 , 2) from being misaligned during their movement. The anti-misalignment means (9) comprise a tooth (91 ) that radially protrudes from the internal protuberance (1 c) of one of the two arms (1 ) and a guide groove (92) formed on the other arm (2) wherein the tooth (91 ) is inserted, exactly sliding, during the movement of the two arms (1 , 2).

In Figs. 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14 and 15, the blades (4, 5) have a tip (4a, 5a) that is identical to the tip of the blades (4, 5) shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

In Figs. 16 and 17, instead, the blades (4, 5) have a tip (4a, 5a) that is identical to the tip of the blades (4, 5) shown in Figs. 6 to 9.

In use, in order to open the shell of a mollusk, the device (200) of the second embodiment is used in substantially the same manner as described above for the device (100) of the first embodiment.

Finally, it should be noted that although only two embodiments of the device (100, 200) have been shown in the appended figures, an expert of the field may combine the elements of the device (100) of the first embodiment with the elements of the device (200) of the second embodiment, thus obtaining additional embodiments of the device according to the invention.

By way of example, the device (100) of the first embodiment, which is provided with threaded connection means, may have the torsional spring (62) instead of the plate (61 ) as elastic means (6).

Moreover, the device (100) of the first embodiment, which is provided with threaded connection means, may also have said anti- misalignment means (9) consisting of said tooth (91 ) and of said guide groove (92).

A further example is that the device (200) of the second embodiment, which is provided with elastic snap connection means, may have said plate (61 ) instead of the torsional spring (62) as elastic means (6).

Following the foregoing description, the advantages of the present invention are now apparent.

Firstly, the device (100, 200) according to the invention can open bivalve shells easily, quickly and safely without breaking the valves of the shell.

The provision of removable connecting means (M), which allow the blades (4, 5) to be easily changed or replaced with other blades (4, 5), makes the device (100, 200) reliable since the blades can be changed whenever they are damaged and also versatile since different blades can be used according to the type of shell to be opened. In addition, the device (100, 200) can also be partially or completely disassembled to facilitate cleaning or to interchange elements.

The blades (4, 5) are also designed not only to make the device (100, 200) versatile and capable of opening particular shells, but also to withstand the wear and tear and the forces applied by the user to the device, protecting the user from injuries.

Equivalent variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiments of the invention, within the scope of a person skilled in the art, still falling within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.