Cashew nut sheller
Abstract
Abstract A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING EXPLOSIVELY THE KERNEL OF A CASHEW OR SIMILAR NUT FROM ITS SHELL WHILE ISOLATING THE KERNEL FROM CONTAMINATION. THE EXPLOSIVE OPENING OF THE NUT-SHELL RESULTS FROM A TECHNIQUE IN WHICH THE NUT INITIALLY IS SUBJECTED TO A COMPRESSED GAS FOR A TIME INTERVAL DURING WHICH THE INTERNAL PRESSURE OF THE NUT IS RAISED. THE NUT THEN IS EXPLODED RAPIDLY, TO A LOWER PRESSURE WHICH FRACTURES THE SHELL AND SEPARATES THE SHELL FROM THE KERNEL. THE NUTS ARE ISOLATED AND EXPLODED INDIVIDUALLY AND IN RAPID, CONTINUOUS SUCCESSION. AS EACH NUT IS EXPLODED BOTH ITS KERNEL AND SHELL ARE EJECTED FROM THE MACHINE ALONG DIFFERENT TRAJECTORIES AND ARE COLLECTED AND SORTED SEPARATELY AND AUTOMATICALLY THUS AVOIDING ANY CONTACT BETWEEN THE SEPARATED SHELLS AND KERNELS.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Dean Jr
- 👤 Richard W Couch Jr
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-19 | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-19 | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-19 | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |