AU704375B3 - Nut processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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 the 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 dehusker to process his crop; and if the output of 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 S. 15 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.

*0 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 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.

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. 1 illustrates a perspective sketch from a first direction of a device S-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.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive roller and an idler roller 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 (O10a,b) of the upper arms (8a,b) 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 (13aa, 13bb) 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), moving 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, 8b) 15 resulting in the roller (12) pivoting about points (9a, 9b) and increasing the space S1 oo. (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 S1 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 the upper surface of the belt to be varied. However, the outer surface of the 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 the outer surface of the second roller (18) there is affixed a rubber coating.

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 the end (22) closest to the first roller The first roller is adjusted such that the depth S1 is sufficient to allow the 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 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 o.

quantity of nuts to be processed can be altered by simply altering the length of the S."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.

S

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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 claim 1, wherein said belt and said at least one roller are .adjustable to alter the spacing between said belt and said at least one roller.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein: 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; S"there are two of said rollers, a first roller positioned above said belt at or near said first position and a second roller positioned above said belt at or near said second position;

Claims (1)

1.0(o z VON *f OF ABSTRACT A device to remove the husk from nuts, particularly macadamia nuts. An endless belt is positioned below two rollers The distance between the two rollers (18) from the endless belt is adjustable. The first roller (12) has a surface of metal mesh and the second roller has a smooth surface. The speed of each of the two rollers (18) is greater than the speed of the endless belt Harvested nuts are fed onto the endless belt at the end (22) closest to the first roller The first roller (12) is adjusted such that the spacing S1 between the first roller (12) and the endless belt is sufficient to allow the mesh of the first roller (12) 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 its spacing S2 from the endless belt is less than the distance S1) applies sufficient dehusking pressure to the nuts of smaller size that may have not been dehusked by the first roller (12). t oo a go** S. C OC C C