Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus for dry hulling or dry peeling harvested crops, particularly pistachio nuts, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide crop harvesting with great efficiency resulting in consistently high percentages of hulled or peeled crops and low percentages of nut breakage, without increasing processing times regardless of the sizes of the crops being hulled or peeled. The methods and apparatus of the present invention also provide for a relatively small overall machine footprint, plus easy and efficient removal and replacement of the impingement drum to accommodate for different drum speeds, different crop sizes, different bolt patterns, different bolt sizes, and other variations allowing embodiments of the invention to be used on a wide range of nuts and vegetables of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 5/00 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts
• A23N 5/08 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts
• B02B 3/04 - HullingHuskingDecorticatingPolishingRemoving the awnsDegerming by means of rollers
• B07B 13/05 - Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided forSorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices according to size using material mover cooperating with retainer, deflector or discharger

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus for dry hulling or dry peeling harvested crops, particularly pistachio nuts, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide crop harvesting with great efficiency resulting in consistently high percentages of hulled or peeled crops and low percentages of nut breakage, without increasing processing times regardless of the sizes of the crops being hulled or peeled. The methods and apparatus of the present invention also provide for a relatively small overall machine footprint, plus easy and efficient removal and replacement of the impingement drum to accommodate for different drum speeds, different crop sizes, different bolt patterns, different bolt sizes, and other variations allowing embodiments of the invention to be used on a wide range of nuts and vegetables of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 5/00 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts
• A23N 7/00 - Peeling vegetables or fruit
• B02B 3/00 - HullingHuskingDecorticatingPolishingRemoving the awnsDegerming

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus for dry hulling or dry peeling harvested crops, particularly pistachio nuts, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide crop harvesting with great efficiency resulting in consistently high percentages of hulled or peeled crops and low percentages of nut breakage, without increasing processing times regardless of the sizes of the crops being hulled or peeled. The methods and apparatus of the present invention also provide for a relatively small overall machine footprint, plus easy and efficient removal and replacement of the impingement drum to accommodate for different drum speeds, different crop sizes, different bolt patterns, different bolt sizes, and other variations allowing embodiments of the invention to be used on a wide range of nuts and vegetables of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

IPC Classes  ?

• A47J 43/00 - Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• A23N 5/08 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts
• B02B 3/00 - HullingHuskingDecorticatingPolishingRemoving the awnsDegerming