Nut cracking apparatus
US6035772A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23N5/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for cracking nuts is disclosed which employs a striker mechanism to apply a sharp force to the shell of a nut in order to fracture it. The nut is held in a chamber consisting of an anvil and a cup, with a spring-loaded striker being cocked and released by the single motion of a lever. In the lever's normal raised state, the anvil and cup are separated to allow for insertion of the uncracked nut. As the lever is lowered, the anvil is gently closed down upon the nut to secure it with a light force between the anvil and the cup. As the lever continues its travel downward, the striker is cocked and released, imparting an impulse force on the cup and the nut, thereby cracking the shell of the nut with a predetermined force independent of the size of the nut. A fragment shield integral to the lever is lowered into place along either side of the cracking chamber as the lever is lowered, providing a simple and reliable safety mechanism. The shell, shards, and nut meat are directed to a catch bowl below the cracking chamber as the lever is raised and as the anvil releases the cracked nut.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.