Facilitating WHIC Removal of Shells from the Kernels of Cocoa-nuts.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 5th Apr., 1887.
New or improved means ΟΙ ада Apparatus ΤΟΥ Facilitating WHIC
Removal of Shells from the Kernels of Cocoa-nuts.
JAMES PETER WEST of 43 Cannon Street London E.C. engineer, and DAVID GIBSON
of 25 Milton Street London E.C. Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Hitherto the method of removing shells from the Kernels of Cocoa-nuts, adopted in
Countries of which the Cocoa-nut is a native has been to break the nut and to expose
the pieces to the heat of the sun until the kernel or copra, adhering to the Shell, has
been dry enough to admit of its being easily released. Besides being a very slow
process the kernel or copra, when exposed in the above manner has been frequently
spoilt in large quantities by rain, thereby entailing great loss.
By this invention however in lieu of breaking the Cocoa-nut into pieces, we form
a series of longitudinal grooves, or saw-cuts in the shell of the nut, which extend
nearly through to the kernel and then in that state expose the nuts to the heat of the
sun or preferably to artificial heat, and rotate them intermittently so that they are
heated equally all over.
It will be seen that although the nuts are sometimes exposed to the sun as here-
tofore yet, the rain cannot damage or injure their kernels in any way inasmuch as the
grooves or cuts, before referred to, which are sawn in the shells, extend only part of
the way through, the portion remaining in each penetration being sufficient to
exclude it.
«
By subjecting cocoa-nuts, treated according to this invention, suddenly to artificial
heat of high temperature, the shell in a few seconds warps and cracks along each of
the grooves or saw-cuts. The pieces of shell thus cracked and warped are by means
of a hand device such as or similar to a shave hook "easily removed. Exposure to
the sun produces a similar effect on the nut treated according to this invention,
except that the warping and cracking is not brought about so quickly nor so
completely; only minute cracks occur in the grooves and the warping is not so
perceptible. Sufficient effect, however, is produced, after a few hours exposure to

page_text: the sun, by reason of the shell being very much weakened by the grooves, to enable
the operator to easily remove it (the shell).
In order that this invention may be carried into practical effect & the greatest
expedition attained we used 1st a multiple sawing machine 2nd a multiple rotator.
The former consists of a series of small circular saws, preferably six in number,
each mounted in a separate framing and erected with spindles on the plan of a
Hexagon, at intervals of 60° from each other, tending to one centre. The
framings in which these saws are mounted, are erected at an angle of about 80° to
the Horizontal plane and are severally made to incline to one centre. Each framing
is provided at its base or foot with a lug or ear by means of which it is hinged to a
corresponding provision projecting from a curb or base-framing. The whole of the
framings in which the small circular saws are mounted, are thereby capable of a
movement to and from the centre to which they are inclined so that when the nut,
is forced through the aperture or void in front of the saws, the latter follow the curve
of the nut at the same time cutting to the required depth and opening outwards or
diverging so as to let the nut pass between. These small circular saws are driven by
pulleys attached to shafts in suitable positions.
The multiple rotator may be made in various ways, but when required for
treating the nut by the heat of the sun we construct it in the following manner;
vizt:-
In a table or framing about 2' 6" high are fitted a series of rollers lying parallel to
each other, having an endless webbing of cloth, wire gauze or other suitable substance,
passing over eacli alternate roller and under the intermediate one, so as to present the
appearance of an undulated or corrugated surface and then passing beneath the whole.
To one of these rollers, which is of a greater diameter than the rest, is fitted a handle
by means of which motion is communicated to the endless webbing. The nuts are
placed in the valleys of the webbing, previously mentioned, which as will be seen on
receiving motion imparts it to anything which may lie on its surface. The nuts are
in this way rotated in large quantities at the same time.
When however the multiple rotator is required for artificial heat we construct it as
follows vizt:―
In a casing of sheet iron or other suitable substance is a furnace with a flue leading
therefrom to the opposite end of the casing ascending & returning above the going-
flue and leaving a space between. Cylindrical cages with axles are made to project
into the space from either side of the casing and are connected by their end to worm
wheels in the centre. These worm wheels are of a greater diameter than the
cylindrical cages & project out at the top of the casing where, they are actuated in
the usual way. The cocoa-nuts are placed in the cylindrical cages and the latter are
rotated, thereby imparting the desired rotary movement to the nuts. The axles of
the cylindrical cages are preferably kept horizontal.
Date : 151

page_text: Removal of Shells from the Kernels of Cocoa Nuts.
We JAMES PETER WEST 18 St. Donatt's Road New Cross, London, Engineer and
DAVID GIBSON 25 Milton Street London E.C. do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Since the increased demand and consumption of copra, cochin, cocoa nut oil and
other products arising from the treatment of cocoa nuts, the processes and operations
consequent on production in this branch of industry have proved to be so crude, slow
and incomplete as to render it necessary to replace them by more systematic, reliable
and expeditious methods.
In this invention however we purpose dealing only with the processes and operations
of separating the kernels and shells assuming the "Husking" to have been previously
done according to an invention No. 9432 dated August 7th 1885 and granted to West
and Raphael.
The tenacity with which the kernel and shell of cocoa nuts adhere together even
when broken into small fragments is very great, and the object of the present
invention is to render the operation of separating the two and expeditious systematic
and reliable one.
According to the present methods the natives break the nuts into medium sized
pieces and expose them to the heat of the sun. After exposure for various periods,
ranging from one to three days, according to the temperature, the kernel is found to
dry and to partly separate itself from its shell. At this stage the natives collect the
whole of the exposed pieces, sometimes covering several acres, and by means of a
small knife which they insert between the kernel and shell the two are completely
separated. By this system of exposure, however, it not infrequently happens that the
moisture of successive nights together with little sun during the daytime, has the
effect of turning the kernel or copra rancid, which renders it perfectly useless as a
marketable article or for oil-making purposes. A similar occurrence likewise takes
place in the case of rain.
By this invention, however, in lieu of breaking the nut into fragments we first form
a series of longitudinal grooves or saw-cuts in the shell of the nut which extend in
depth nearly through to the kernel. We then expose the nuts thus cut to the sun or
preferably to artificial heat of high temperature and rotate them, in either case, inter-
mittently so that they become heated as nearly as possible equally all over.
The shells of the nuts thus treated, by reason of the unequal expansion which takes
place, crack along the cuts or grooves and at the same time separate themselves from
the kernel. By means of a hand device similar to a shave-hook," the shell is then
removed piece by piece leaving the kernel in many cases quite whole with the milk
still inside it.

page_text: It will therefore be seen, by the use of this invention that not only is great
expedition attained, but the risk of destruction and damage when the kernels are
exposed to the weather is entirely obviated.
In order that our invention may be carried into practical effect, we use
1st A multiple sawing-machine and
2nd A multiple rotator.
The former consists of a series of small circular saws preferably six in number each
mounted in a separate gib-like framing and erected with their spindles on the plan of
a hexagon. The saws are arranged at intervals of 60° from each other and all tend
to one centre whilst each jib-like framing in which they are mounted inclines at an
angle of about 80° to the horizontal plane.
Each framing which is about twelve inches high, is provided at its base or foot with
one or more lugs or ears, by means of which it is hinged to a corresponding provision
projecting from a curb or base framing. The whole of the jib-like framings in which
the small circular saws are mounted are thereby capable of a movement to and from the
centre to which they are all inclined. A suitable "stop" capable of adjustment is
provided to each of the framings and spiral or other springs which are fixed in such
manners as to keep the framings rigidly to the "stops," allow of their being deflected
under force.
Close beside each of the circular saws and attached to the same shafts, is a suitable
one-speed pulley and on each of the shafts on which the jib-like framings hinge is a
two-speed pulley. A band is made to connect each one-speed to each two-speed pulley
in every case.
The curb or base framing before referred to, is supported on a suitable framework
of cast iron or other material about two feet high hexagonal on plan, and the driving
pulleys are inserted within it. These pulleys which are six in number, are keyed to a
vertical shaft running in suitable bearings, the whole rotating together. Endless
bands running over guide-rollers, connect these pulleys to each of the two-speed
pulleys before referred to. A pair of bevel wheels, one attached to the vertical shaft,
the other to a horizontal shaft, one end of which projects outside the framing, gear
together. To the projecting end of the horizontal shaft is attached a handle by means
of which motion is imparted to the machine.
At a suitable height above the circular saws before referred to we arrange a claw
which works up and down a guide rod attached to a standard rising out of the main
framework of the machine. Motion is communicated to this claw by eccentrics,
cranks connecting rods and other gearing in connection with a pedal or other suitable
device arranged about the machine which may be actuated by the operator at any
desired moment.
Having now described the various parts constituting this multiple sawing machine
and the arrangement thereof I will proceed to describe its use and action. In order,
however, that I may be better understood I will refer from time to time by letters &c.
to the drawing of the said machine attached hereto.
The nut, upon which it is desired to operate, is placed into the gripping claw a. by
the operator who in turn depresses the pedal b.which causes the claw a. to descend with
the nut on to the circular saws c¹. c² c³ c c. c. which are rotating. The operator
further depresses the pedal. b. so that the nut is forced or carried down between the
rotating saws. During the passage of the nut down between the saws, the whole of
the latter follow the configuration of the nut and simultaneously cut into the shell to
a distance regulated by "fences" fixed in suitable positions.
By reason of the framings d¹ d² d³ d' d' d' (in which the six circular saws are
mounted) being hinged and regulated in their movement by springs, cocoa nuts of
any size or shape may be accomodated and their configuration closely followed by
the saws.
It will be seen, however, that the grooves or saw-cuts made by the circular saws do
not extend the entire length of the cocoa-nut shells, but sufficiently far to answer the
object of this invention.
After the nut has passed down between the circular saw the gripping-claw releases

page_text: it hold and the nut drops into a receptacle inside the machine. The operator then
releases the pedal and the claw ascends ready to receive a second nut. The operation
is then repeated de novo. An exit aperture is formed in the main framework of the
machine out of which the nuts gravitate continuously.
The multiple rotator may be made in various ways, but when required for drying
the nuts by the heat of the sun we construct it in the following manner :-
In a table or framing about two feet six inches high are fitted a series of rollers
lying parallel to each other, having an endless webbing of canvas, gauze or other
suitable material passing over each alternate roller and under the intermediate one so
as present the appearance of an andulated or corrugated surface and then beneath
the whole. To one of these rollers which is of a greater diameter than the rest, is
fitted a handle by means of which motion is communicated to the rollers and the
webbing.
The nuts are placed, after coming from the multiple sawing machine before
described, in the valleys of the webbing which as will be seen, on receiving motion
imparts it to anything which may lie on its surface. The nuts remain in the valleys
of the webbing and are in this way rotated.
When, however, the multiple rotator is required for artificial heat which we prefor
we construct it as follows
In a casing of sheet iron or other suitable material is a furnace with a flue leading
therefrom to the opposite end of the casing where it ascends and then returns above
the "going-flue," leaving a space between. Cylindrical cages are made to project into
this space from either side of the casing butting midway where they are connected to
worm-wheels. These worm-wheels are actuated by worms in the usual way keyed to
a shaft lying over each worm-wheel. The nuts, after passing the multiple sawing-
machine are placed in these cylindrical cages and slowly rotated by the worms &
wheels for a few minutes. The furnace having been previously heated to the required
temperature it will be found that the nuts crack in the manner described in the early
part hereof. They are then taken from the cages and their shells are removed by the
use of a hand device such as the "shave-hook.'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The multiple sawing machine hereinbefore described and shown.
2nd. The weakening of the shell of the cocoa-nut by cutting grooves therein by
means of which it is more easily removed, substantially as described herein.
3rd. The multiple rotators as described herein for artificial or other heat.
4th. The system of cutting grooves in the shell of the cocoa nut, afterwards,
applying artificial or other heat, finally, stripping the shell by a shave-hook" or other
device as described herein.