US3880066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for shelling vegetable products
Assignee: Creusot Loire SA
•
Filing: 1973-08-14
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-08-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for shelling vegetable products comprising a chamber for subjecting the product to successive compression and expansion, the chamber having a discharge orifice closable by a valve member, the opening of which to remove the product causes the expansion of the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriel Ruget
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:37
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for shelling vegetable products having an envelope containing at least one kernel by the sequential steps of placing said product in a gaseous atmosphere; increasing the pressure of said atmosphere to a super-ambient value; maintaining said pressure at said super-ambient value for a given period of time; and rapidly reducing said pressure from said super-ambient value; the apparatus comprising a chamber having a charging orifice closable in a fluid-tight manner by a charging valve member and a discharge orifice closable in a fluid-tight manner by a discharge valve member, the arrangement being such that with said vegetable products in the chamber and the pressure of the gaseous atmosphere of the chamber at said super-ambient value, the opening of the discharge orifice by movement of the discharge valve member causes said rapid reduction in said gas pressure and the ejection of said product from the chamber by the expanding gaseous atmosphere and spaced elastic cylindrical skirts coaxial with said chamber receiving and braking the products from the discharge valve member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for shelling vegetable products having an envelope containing at least one kernel by the sequential steps of placing said product in a gaseous atmosphere; increasing the pressure of said atmosphere to a super-ambient value; maintaining said pressure at said super-ambient value for a given period of time; and rapidly reducing said pressure from said super-ambient value; the apparatus comprising a chamber having a charging orifice closable in a fluid-tight manner by a charging valve member and a discharge orifice closable in a fluid-tight manner by a discharge valve member, the arrangement being such that with said vegetable products in the chamber and the pressure of the gaseous atmosphere of the chamber at said super-ambient value, the opening of the discharge orifice by movement of the discharge valve member causes said rapid reduction in said gas pressure and the ejection of said product from the chamber by the expanding gaseous atmosphere and spaced elastic cylindrical skirts coaxial with said chamber receiving and braking the products from the discharge valve member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the discharge valve member in the closed position is held in exterenal contact with a seat formed on the discharge orifice by a closure means, opening of the discharge valve member being caused by the internal gas pressure when the closure means are rendered inoperative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the chamber is cylindrical with a vertical axis, and wherein the discharge valve member constitutes the base of the chamber and is in the form of a cone, the vertex of which is directed towards the inside of the chamber, the discharge valve member being held in its closed position against its seat by a device applying a vertical, upwardly directed thrust which can be instantaneously annulled, the discharge valve member also being provided with guide means, and braking and shock-absorption means which become operative after a first portion of free stroke of the discharge valve member after stoppage of the holding thrust.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the device exercising a thrust on the closure device in its closed position is an electro-magnet rigidly attached to the chamber through a vertical, axial support shaft, acting on an armature rigidly attached to the discharge valve member by a hollow shaft sliding on the support shaft of the electro-magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the charging orifice is at the top of the chamber and is closable by a charging valve member which when closed is in internal contact with a seat, the charging valve member being movable between its open position and its closed position by a compressed air actuated ram arranged inside the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the piping for bringing the products to the chamber includes a diaphragm closure valve, the position of this diaphragm valve being vertically adjustable above the charging orifice valve, enabling the quantity of products introduced into the chamber at each cycle to be adjusted.
References 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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |