GB801862A - Means for hulling cacao beans - Google Patents

Abstract

801,862. Hulling cacao beans. BUHLER, GEB. July 27, 1956 [March 7, 1956 ; April 19, 1956], No. 23322/56. Class 58. In a machine for hulling cacao beans, the beans are carried in a current of air through a duct, then through a hulling channel into a receiver. The hulling channel has wall surfaces against which the beans impinge. In the construction according to Fig. 1, the beans are drawn through the duct 41 and a zig-zag hulling channel 43 into the receiver 42 in a current of air generated by a suction fan 49 connected to the receiver. The wall 45 of the channel is fixed. The wall 44 pivots about a hinge 53 and is linked to a flexible diaphragm 54 in the wall of the receiver. If the channel 43 becomes choked, the pressure in the receiver is reduced and the diaphragm is pushed inwards by the atmospheric pressure and swings the wall 44 away from the wall 45 to relieve choking. When normal working pressure is restored in the chamber, the diaphragm and the wall 44, assisted by a spring 57, return to their normal positions. In the construction according to Fig 6, cacao beans from a hopper 58 are carried into the receiver 42 through the duct 59 and the hulling channel 43 in a current of air from a blower 60. Air leaves the receiver through a filter bag 61. The hinged wall 44 is linked to a piston 63, subjected on one side to the pressure of air in the duct 59 and on the other side to atmospheric pressure. If the channel 43 becomes choked, the pressure in the duct 59 increases and moves the piston so as to swing the wall 44 away from the wall 45. The hulling channel may be arcuate in shape and may widen towards its outlet, Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown). Its walls may be roughened and perforated.