Patent Publication Number: US-6902067-B1

Title: In-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to nut sorting and debris removal devices and more particularly pertains to a new in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly for removing debris including empty shells and sorting out unacceptable in-shell nuts. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of nut sorting and debris removal devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,351 describes a device for sorting nuts using a fluidized bed that sorts by weight using air passed through a base screen. Another type of sorting and debris removal device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,918 having a perforate separator deck. U.S. Pat. No. 1,079,905 discloses a machine for separating gangue without using water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,700 discloses a density separation sheller. U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,151 discloses a machine using parallel shafts all rotating in the same direction and a blower to separate chaff from peanuts. U.S. Patent No. Des. 285,204 an ornamental design for a rack for seed sorting. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a machine that more reliably and accurately sorts in-shell nuts from empty shells and debris. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing multiple spaced belts assemblies for initially sorting objects by size, followed by an inclined mesh separator screen within a chamber in which collisions between objects are initiated to sort the objects based on relative density. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a new in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly that removes empty shells from nuts in the shell. 
   To this end, the present invention generally comprises a multi-phase machine for sorting debris and unwanted materials from in-shell nuts. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a new in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the collision chamber of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an initial sorting assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional end view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 7  thereof, a new in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly  10  generally comprises an initial supply chute  12  for delivering raw materials  14 . A first spaced belt sorting assembly  16  is positioned to receive the raw materials  14  from the initial supply chute  12 . The first spaced belt sorting assembly.  16  includes a plurality of individual belts spaced apart by a pre-determined distance to permit materials  15  smaller than a first pre-determined size to pass through the first spaced belt sorting assembly  16 . A second spaced belt sorting assembly  18  is positioned below the first spaced belt sorting assembly  16 . The second spaced belt sorting assembly  18  receives the materials  15  smaller than the first pre-determined size and permits materials  17  smaller than a second pre-determined size to pass through the second spaced belt assembly  18 . 
   A collision chamber assembly  20  includes an input opening  22 . The second spaced belt sorting assembly  18  delivers materials  19  larger than the second pre-determined size and smaller than the first pre-determined size into the collision chamber assembly  20  through the input opening  22 . 
   The collision chamber assembly  20  includes an inclined separator mesh screen  24  positioned beneath the input opening  22 . 
   A blower assembly  26  is positioned in the collision chamber assembly  20  and an upward air current through the separator mesh screen  24  such that collisions are promoted between the materials  19  larger than the second pre-determined size and smaller than the first pre-determined size. Thus, relative densities of the materials  19  larger than the second pre-determined size and smaller than the first pre-determined size urge denser materials to a lower end of the separator mesh screen  24  and less dense materials to an upper end of the separator mesh screen  24 . 
   An upper output opening  28  is provided for permitting removal of the less dense materials  21  from the collision chamber assembly  20 . A lower output opening  30  is provided for permitting removal of the denser materials  23  from the collision chamber assembly. 
   An output door  32  selectively covers the lower output opening  30 . The door  32  may be electronically controlled to permit adjustment of the door automatically or remotely. The output door  32  is gradually openable to permit selective restriction of distribution of the denser material  23  through the lower output opening  30 . 
   A first belt assembly waste removal means  34  is positioned adjacent to the first spaced belt sorting assembly  16  for receiving materials  13  larger than the first pre-determined size. The first belt assembly waste removal means  34  may be an auger assembly or similar device. 
   A second belt assembly waste removal means  36  is positioned below the second spaced belt sorting assembly  18  for receiving materials  17  smaller than the second pre-determined size. 
   An output weir  40  is positioned adjacent to the upper output opening  28 . 
   A collision chamber assembly waste removal means  42  is positioned adjacent the upper output opening  28  for facilitating removal of the less dense materials  21 . Similar to the other waste removal means, an auger assembly is suitable but may be provided with another structure for performing the described function. 
   The lower output opening  30  is divided into an upper portion  44  and a lower portion  46  such that densest materials  25  pass through the lower portion  46 . 
   In an embodiment, the separator mesh screen  26  includes a lower chute portion  48  leading towards the lower output opening  30 . 
   A main chute assembly  50  is coupled to the upper portion  44  of the lower output opening  30  for receiving materials  23  passed through the upper portion  44  of the lower output opening  30 . 
   A waste chute assembly  52  is coupled to the lower portion  46  of the lower output opening  30  for receiving the densest materials  25 . 
   In an embodiment, an insert portion  54  is centrally positioned adjacent to the lower portion  46  of the lower output opening  30  for diverting the densest materials  25  around the insert portion and out opposite sides of the lower portion  46 . A pair of waste chute assemblies  58  are then provided, each waste chute assembly  58  being coupled to the lower portion  46  of the lower output opening  30  adjacent to an associated side of the insert portion  54  for receiving the densest materials  25 . 
   In use, raw materials are deposited onto the first spaced belt sorting assembly and the materials having the proper size to pass through the spaced belts of the first spaced belt sorting assembly move onto the second spaced belt sorting assembly. The belts of the second spaced belt sorting assembly are spaced differently than the belts of the first spaced belt sorting assembly to further sort the materials. Unlike the first spaced belt sorting assembly which permits the desirable material to pass through, the second spaced belt sorting assembly retains the desired materials, particularly mature in-shell nuts, and delivers them to the collision chamber assembly. The collision chamber assembly holds the size sorted material and subjects it to collisions created by the introduction of air current upwards through the separator screen mesh. The relative densities of the particles in each collision work to sort the materials with the densest materials moving down to the lower end of the separator screen mesh and the less dense materials moving upwards. Thus, the immature nuts, having less density, are collected and removed from the collision chamber assembly after they pass through the weir, upper output opening and into the collision chamber waste removal means. The desired materials are separated from denser materials such as rocks by division of the lower output opening. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.