Shellfish Opening Tool

The present invention relates to utensils capable of breaking the tough outer shell of shellfish such as lobsters, crabs and the like so that the meat thereof can be easily withdrawn so that the user experiences a reduction of undesired splattering of food juices. In present practice, shellfish are cracked by the use of nutcracker devices which compress the shell of the seafood item. This compressive action frequently causes the internal juices of the seafood to splatter in an undersirable fashion. Devices of this type are well known in the art and are representatively described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 198,678; 1,017,424; 1,123,852; 2,058,072; 2,218,607; 2,472,354; and 3,685,097. Each of the foregoing disclosures teach the use of variations on a tool which has two handles which extend to jaw members which are joined together to form a pivot. The user places the shellfish between the jaw members and squeezes the handles together. The seafood is thus compressed in this vise-like arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,961 discloses a lobster fork which has a handle, a plurality of tines and a distinctive outermost claw tine wherein all of the aforesaid tines are in a common arcuate plane are parallel to one another. The present invention provides an improved shellfish cutting tool whereby two knife portions which are in different planes are connected at a common edge to form an angle therebetween.

The present invention provides a utensil suitable for cutting shellfish or the like which comprises a handle, a first substantially planar knife portion extending from said handle, and a second substantially planar knife portion extending from said handle; said first and second planar knife portions being joined at a common edge and having a slit partially through said edge. In the preferred embodiment the edges are joined such that the angle of said planes is about 90 degrees or less although angles of greater than 90 degrees are also within the purview of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the utensil of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the utensil of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the utensil of the present invention.

With reference to the drawing figures, there is shown the utensil of the present invention 10, which is comprises a handle 12, a first substantially planar knife portion 14, and a second substantially planar knife portion 16. Knife portions 14 and 16 are joined such that the angle 18 between their planes is about 90 degrees or less. The utensil may be made of metal, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. In one preferred embodiment, the length of the second knife portion is less than the lenght of the first knife portion.

In use, the utensil is grasped by the handle by the user and knife portion 16 is inserted into the shell workpiece and knife portion 14 is outside the shell workpiece. In one method of operation the handle is used as a lever and knife portion 16 cuts up through the shell thus severing it. This prying action is then repeated as necessary across the shell. The knives may then also be employed to sever the meat membranes which attach themselves to the inside of the shell.

It is apparent that those skilled in the art may also make uses and modifications to the specific embodiment heretofore described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.