The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 08, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 19, 2002
James B. Quantz, Lexington, SC (US);
Pascal W. Pitts, Cayce, SC (US);
John L. Feaster, Columbia, SC (US);
Machine Design Incorporated, West Columbia, SC (US);
Abstract
A nutcracking unit which is adapted for use in a high production nutcracking apparatus of the type wherein a nut is held between an anvil and cracking die, and a shuttle then impacts against the rear end surface of the cracking die to sharply advance the cracking die and thereby crack the shell of the nut. The cracking die and the anvil have opposing concave cracking surfaces for supporting a nut therebetween, and each of the concave cracking surfaces is defined by an outwardly bowed convoluted curve made with circle arcs when viewed in cross section. This configuration allows a relatively small nut, such as a pecan seedling, to be engaged and cracked at a point spaced from the pointed end of the nut, which in turn results in fewer uncracked or insufficiently cracked nuts.