AU4460999A - Nut processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: NUT PROCESSING

APPARATUS

THIS INVENTION relates to nut processing apparatus. In particular, it is directed to an apparatus to remove the husk from nuts. Although in no way limiting, the invention is of value to dehusk macadamnia nuts and, for illustrative purposes, reference will be made to such an application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used for processing other nuts or other related products.

Nuts such as macadamia nuts have' a relatively fragile kernel surrounded by a hard shell which, in turn, is surrounded by a relatively softer husk. The value of the processed nut kernel in terms of the volume of nuts processed is increased if the proportion of whole kernels is maximized over half kernels, and half kernels over broken kernels. After harvesting, an early stage in the removal of the kernel from its shell is the initial removal of die outer husk. The relative thickness of this husk depends on the variety of the nut. For example, the Australian variety of macadamnia %15 nut has a tinner shell and husk than the Hawaiian variety. Due to these differences in die thickness of husks and shells, care must be exercised in the choice of equipment used and their settings a machine which is set to dehusk the thicker husked Hawaiian I macadamia nut would damage the thinner husked Australian variety.

A number of differing types of apparatus are known to dehusk macadamnia nuts. In one type, an auger collects the nuts at one end and passes the nuts along the auger via the screw flutes to pass out at the other end. In this type of apparatus, the auger is positioned close to a set of five "fingers" set in series along an axis parallel to that of the auger. Each finger is spring loaded and adjustable to enable the finger to be positioned such that an appropriate gap exists between die tip of the finger and the screw flutes of the auger. As the nut travels along the auger, the finger cuts into the husk of the nut sufficient for the husk to part from the shell. This is considered to be ian "aggressive" dehusker suitable for the thicker shelled varieties of nuts. A second 2 less aggressive dehusker comprises a continuous flexible endless chain held in tension by a leaf spring. The chain is set such that its longitudinal axis is parallel to that of the *auger. A series of spaced adjusters are positioned along die leaf spring to enable the chain to be positioned such that an appropriate gap exists between the chain and the screw flutes of the auger. As the nut travels along the auger, the pressure exerted on the husk by the chain splits the husk from the shell.

Disadvantages of these prior machinery include that each "finger" or each "adjuster" has to be set individually; if a farmer harvests both thick and thin husked nuts, he will usually require the two types of dehiusker to process his crop; and if the output of 5:10 processed nuts is to be increased, then it is necessary to purchase multiple units. A variation of these two prior apparatii includes an auger surrounded by a cage with dehusking bars fixed internally with the longitudinal axis of each bar essentially set parallel to that of the auger. The auger is tensioned to an appropriate gap between the bars and the screw flutes of the auger. As the nut travels along the auger, the pressure exerted on the husk by the bar splits the husk from the shell. Once again, the tensioning devices for this type of apparatus are relatively time-consuming to adjust.

Another prior apparatus essentially comprises a vertical spinning wheel, the outer surface of which is positioned close to a fixed plate. Nuts are passed between the spinning wheel and the fixed plate whereby they can be dehusked. The configuration of such an apparatus is such that it is difficult to control the rate at which the nuts pass through the apparatus. Further, there is limited, if any, adjustment possible for such apparatus to accommodate nuts of varying husk thickness.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above disadvantages.

It has been found that, by using a roller operating above a belt along which the nuts travel, efficient dehusking of the nuts with minimal damage to the shell and kernel can be undertaken.

Thus according to the present invention, there is provided a device for the removal of husks from nuts, said device including: a belt or similar adapted to support said nuts to be dehusked and to move said nuts from a first position to a second position; and 10 at least one roller positioned essentially above said belt; wherein said belt and said at least one roller are adapted such that nuts pass under said at least one roller as said nuts move from said first position to said second position, and wherein said at least one roller applies sufficient pressure S 15 to said nuts as said nuts pass thereunder to split or otherwise remove said husks from said nuts.

g Preferably, said belt is an endless belt which collects nuts to be dehusked at one position, said nuts being transported on said endless belt to pass under said at least one roller to a second position after being dehusked.

Preferably, said belt and said at least one roller are adjustable to alter the spacing between said belt and said at least one roller.

Preferably, there are two of said rollers, the first positioned above said belt at or near said first position and the second positioned above said belt at or near said second position.

Preferably, the speed of each said roller is such that it is greater than the speed of said belt.

Preferably, said first roller has a surface of mesh-like configuration.

More preferably, said mesh-like configuration is provided by a metal mesh affixed to said first roller.

Preferably, said second roller has a smooth surface.

More preferably, said smooth surface is provided by a rubber coating affixed to said second roller.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings wherein: FIG. I illustrates a perspective sketch from a first direction of a device manufactured according to the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective sketch from a second direction of the device depicted in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the two rollers of the device depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

S. Referring to FIGS. I and 2, a drive roller and an idler roller (2) are fixed at respective ends of any suitable frame by any appropriate means known in the art.

Typically, the frame will include at least side bars (3a,b) and a first pair of legs (4a,b) at one end of the side bars (3a, b) and a second pair of legs (4c, 4d) part way along the side bars (3a, 3b). The drive roller is driven by a motor coupled to the shaft of the roller An endless belt is fitted to the rollers and Frame legs (4a, 4b) extend above the upper surface of the endless belt At the upper extremity of the extended legs (4a, 4b) extend a respective pair of first upper arms (8a,b) which are pivotally connected to the extended legs (4a, 4b) at respective pivot points The other ends (l0ab) of the upper anms (8ab) are connected to respective ends of a shaft (11) of a first roller A handle (17) is fixed to a rod the rod (16) being rotatably connected between the side bars (3a, 3b). Respective short arms (13a, 13b) are fixed at one end to the rod (16) and have an angled other end (l3aa, l3bb) bearing upon the respective lower edge of the first upper arms (8a, 8b). A threaded bolt (23) is housed in a complementary threaded bore of a bracket (24) which, in turn, is affixed to any suitable mounting which, in this embodiment, is fixed to the leg As the bolt (23) is turned in a clockwise direction, its end (25) bears against the handle (17), ,fmoving the handle (17) in the direction D. As the handle (17) moves, the rod (16) rotates causing the short arms (13a, '13b) to rotate and thus lift the upper arms (8a, Sb) 5 resulting in the roller (12) pivoting about points (9a, 9b) and increasing the space St (FIG. 3) between the base of the roller (12) and the upper surface of the belt Conversely, as the bolt is turned in an anti-clockwise direction, the space Si can be decreased.

A second roller (18) and its support mechanism and adjustment means, basically identical in all respects to the roller (12) and its associated support mechanism and adjustment means, is present adjacent to the first roller (12) thus allowing the space S2 (FIG. 3) between the base of the roller (18) and thle upper surface of the belt to be varied. However, the outer surface of dile first roller (12) and the second roller (18) differ. To the outer surface of the first roller (12) there is affixed a metal mesh. To Ithe outer surface of the second roller 18) there is affixed a rubber coating.

6 A motor (not illustrated) drives the first roller The first roller (12) is connected to the second roller (18) by conventional sprockets (20,a,b) connected by a chain (21).

As the first roller (12) is rotated, the second roller (18) is simultaneously rotated.

In use (FIG. harvested nuts are fed onto the endless belt at ithe end (22) closest to dithe first roller The first roller is adjusted such that dithe depth S1 is sufficient to allow dithe mesh of the first roller to apply sufficient pressure to the nuts as they pass under to split or otherwise remove the husks from the larger nuts. As the nuts continue along the endless belt to pass under the second roller the second roller (18) *...(which has been adjusted such that the depth S2 is less than that of depth S1) can apply 10 sufficient dehusking pressure to the nuts of smaller size that may have not been dehusked by the first roller (12).

It has been found that, for a given quantity of nuts to be processed, by using the present invention the time taken to dehusk those nuts is at least halved over the use of 15 the conventional auger technology described above. It will be realized that the quantity of nuts to be processed can be altered by simply altering the length of dithe rollers.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment is given for exemplification purposes only and that modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A device for the removal of husks from nuts, said device including: a belt or similar adapted to support said nuts to be dehusked and to move said nuts from a first position to a second position; and at least one roller positioned essentially above said belt; wherein said belt and said at least one roller are adapted such that nuts pass under said at least one roller as said nuts move from said first position to said second position, and wherein said at least one roller applies sufficient pressure to said nuts as said nuts pass thereunder to split or otherwise remove said husks from said nuts.

2. A device as defined in Claiml, wherein said belt is an endless belt.

3. A device as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said belt and said at least one roller are adjustable to alter the spacing between said belt and said at least one roller.

4. A device as defined in any one of Claims I to 3, wherein there are two of said roller.

A device as defined in Claim 4, wherein a first roller is positioned above said belt at or near said first position and wherein a second roller is positioned above said belt at or near said second position.

6. A device as defined in Claim 5, wherein said first roller has a surface of mesh- like configuration. 8

7. A device as defined in Claim 6, wherein said mesh-like configuration is provided by a metal mesh affixed to said first roller.

8. A device as defined in any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein said second roller has a smooth surface.

9. A device as defined in Claim 8, wherein said smooth surface is provided by a rubber coating affixed to said second roller.

A device as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the speed of each of said at least one roller is greater than the speed of said belt. a.o

11. A device as defined in Claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. DATED THIS 19th DAY OF August 1999 MORGAN; Allen John MORGAN; Paul Anthony by their Patent Attorney KEVIN M PULLEN