PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2017901322 titled "HULLING AND SHELLING IMPROVEMENTS" and filed on 11 April 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for hulling and/or shelling a crop of nuts and/or seeds or the like. In a particular form, the present disclosure is described in relation to hulling and/or shelling almonds, although its application is not so limited, being potentially applicable to any crop having one or more of a husk, a hull or a shell.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Almonds are a fruit comprising a fleshy hull and a woody shell, both of which are removed and discarded so that the kernel can be eaten. Traditionally, equipment for large scale hulling and shelling of almonds uses shear rolls and/or rollers spinning over a belt. This method provides a simultaneous double sided compression and shear of a crop in order to detach a hull (hulling), break a shell (shelling) and release a kernel. Multiple passes of such equipment are required to release the kernel, and instances of damage to the kernel are approximately 50% or more, with the damage taking the form of a skin scratch or a chip or breakage to the meat of the kernel.

[0004] Another problem with this shear method is that almonds come in a range of sizes, and hence there must be a range of gap sizes provided to match the range of sizes of the almonds, thus requiring a very large number of stations. Moreover, a large floor area is required for current factories that use this method, which requires sorting and cleaning at each station. The current equipment creates lots of dust and a considerable amount of dust extraction equipment is required to handle the significant volume of dust, which in itself is a problem.

[0005] An alternative process involves dropping the nuts and/or seeds onto a rotating impellor, which throws them against a stationary outer wall. However a single impact of relatively constant impact angle is not always sufficient for complete hulling and/or shelling due to the random orientation of the nut/seed during impact. [0006] Accordingly, processors desire equipment that increases production rates, reduces damage to kernels, and reduces the dust which results from conventionally used processes.

[0007] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0008] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a hulling and/or shelling apparatus comprising a tubular, elongate conduit comprising at least one bend therein, and a means for establishing a fluid through the conduit sufficient to entrain at least one nut and/or seed and convey the or each of the nuts and/or seeds through the conduit so that these are involved in one or more collisions with and/or within the conduit as they pass therethrough.

[0010] In one form, the nuts and/or seeds are involved in a plurality of collisions with the conduit.

[001 1] In one form, the tubular conduit comprises a rectilinear cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, the term 'tubular ^" should not be construed as being limited to generally circular cross-sectional shapes.

[0012] Moreover, the term 'bend ^" should be construed as being inclusive of both curves and angles.

[0013] In one form, the conduit comprises a tortuous path.

[0014] In one form, the conduit comprises a plurality of bends.

[0015] In one form, the conduit comprises at least one vertically extending portion.

[0016] In one form, the conduit comprises a plurality of vertically extending portions.

[0017] In one form, the vertically extending portions are connected by one or more bends.

[0018] In one form, the conduit comprises at least one straight portion.

[0019] In one form, the conduit comprises a plurality of straight portions. [0020] In one form, the or each straight portion precedes at least one bend.

[0021] In one form, the or each straight portion has a direction comprising an upright component.

[0022] In one form, the or each straight portion extends substantially vertically.

[0023] In one form, the straight, substantially parallel portions are connected by one or more bends.

[0024] In one form, the conduit comprises a plurality of substantially vertically extending portions connected by some of the bends.

[0025] In one form, each of the substantially vertically extending portions is positioned adjacent to the others.

[0026] In one form, the apparatus comprises a separating means after the outlet which divides a finished product from both by-product and a remainder which is to be returned to the inlet for recirculating through the apparatus.

[0027] In one form, the tubular conduit comprises a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0028] In one form, in an alternative, the tubular conduit may comprise any enclosed cross-sectional shape.

[0029] In one form, one or more objects may be positioned within the conduit for the nuts and/or seeds to impact against.

[0030] In one form, the or each obstacle is within but not part of the conduit.

[0031] In one form, the or each obstacle is part of the conduit.

[0032] In one form, the fluid is a gas.

[0033] In one form, the fluid is air. Alternatively however, any suitable inert gas could be employed.

[0034] In one form, the means for establishing a fluid flow comprises a fan or a blower or a compressor.

[0035] In one form, the means for establishing a fluid flow sucks through the conduit. In an alternative, the means for establishing a fluid flow blows through the conduit.

[0036] In one form, in an alternative, the fluid is a liquid. [0037] In one form, the means for establishing a fluid flow comprises a pump. The pump could be either of a reciprocating or a rotary type.

[0038] In one form, the conduit is comprised of a plurality of conduit modules which are joined together to cooperatively form the conduit.

[0039] In one form, each conduit module is substantially identical to the others.

[0040] In one form, each conduit module comprises a conduit housing, an inlet, a plurality of bends, and an outlet.

[0041] In one form, at least one of the inlet or the outlet of each module is adapted to connect the module with a further module. In one form, both the inlet and the outlet are so adapted.

[0042] In one form, the conduit module comprises a plurality of substantially vertically extending portions connected by some of the bends.

[0043] In one form, each of the substantially vertically extending portions is positioned adjacent to the others.

[0044] In a further aspect, there is provided a conduit module for a hulling and/or shelling apparatus, wherein the conduit module comprises a tubular, elongate conduit comprising a plurality of bends, and wherein the conduit module is adapted to connect with a further conduit module.

[0045] In one form, the conduit housing comprises two housing portions which are hinged to each other.

[0046] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for hulling and /or shelling, the method comprising the steps of establishing a fluid flow through a tubular, elongate conduit comprising at least one bend therein, entraining at least one nut and/or seed in the fluid flow and conveying the or each of the nuts and/or seeds through the conduit so that these are involved in one or more collisions with and/or within the conduit as they pass therethrough.

[0047] In one form, the method comprises the further step of wetting the or each nut and/or seed before entraining them in the airflow.

[0048] In one form, the method comprises the further step of harvesting the or each nut and/or seed and entraining them in the airflow before they dry. [0049] In one form, the method comprises the further step of drying the or each nut and/or seed post hulling and /or shelling.

[0050] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hulling and /or shelling apparatus comprising a tubular, elongate conduit comprising at least one bend therein, and a fan providing an airflow through the conduit sufficient to entrain at least one nut and/or seed and convey the or each of the nuts and/or seeds through the conduit so that these are involved in one or more collisions with and/or within the conduit as they pass therethrough.

[0051] According to a further aspect, there is provided a hulling and/or shelling apparatus comprising a tubular, elongate conduit comprising a plurality of bends and a plurality of substantially vertically extending portions connected by some of the bends, the apparatus further comprising a means for establishing a fluid flow through the conduit sufficient to entrain at least one nut and/or seed and convey the or each of the nuts and/or seeds through the conduit so that these are involved in one or more collisions with and/or within the conduit as they pass therethrough.

[0052] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for hulling and /or shelling, the method comprising the steps of establishing an airflow through a tubular, elongate conduit comprising at least one bend therein, entraining at least one nut and/or seed in the airflow and conveying the or each of the nuts and/or seeds through the conduit so that these are involved in one or more collisions with the conduit as they pass therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a hulling and/or shelling apparatus; [0055] Figure 2 is an end view of a conduit from the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0056] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a hulling and/or shelling apparatus according to a further embodiment;

[0057] Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 3; [0058] Figures 5 and 6 are end views of the apparatus of Figure 3;

[0059] Figure 7 is a top view of the apparatus of Figure 3; [0060] Figure 8 is a side view a conduit module from the apparatus of Figure 3;

[0061] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken at A-A in Figure 8;

[0062] Figure 10 is an isometric view of the conduit module of Figure 8, when it is open;

[0063] Figure 11 is a side view of the conduit module of Figure 8, when it is open; and

[0064] Figure 12 is an exploded isometric view of the open conduit module of Figure 8.

[0065] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0066] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a hulling and/or shelling apparatus 1 comprising a tubular, elongate conduit 10 comprising an inlet 10a, a tortuous path 20, and an outlet 10b. The apparatus 1 further comprises a hopper 30 supplying almonds (in this case) to the inlet 10a, and a means 40 (at the inlet) for establishing a fluid (air in this case) flow through the conduit 10 sufficient to entrain the almonds, and convey them through the conduit 10 so that these are involved in a series of collisions with and /or within the conduit 10 as they pass therethrough.

[0067] In this embodiment, the means 40 for establishing the fluid flow through the conduit 10 comprises a fan 40 driven by a motor 50 to establish an airflow through the conduit 10. Fans of this type are commonly referred to as 'pneumatic conveyor blowers ^" , but this means is not so limited, and may take other forms.

[0068] The hopper 30 is so positioned relative to the fan 40 and conduit 10 as to release almonds into the airflow as this issues from the fan 40 into the inlet 10a. A venturi (not illustrated) could be employed at this point to aid release of the almonds into the airflow. In a non-illustrated alternative, the fan could act to suck almonds through the conduit 10 from a distal hopper.

[0069] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the conduit 10 is rectangular, which allows the apparatus 1 to be scaled width-wise with no change in performance parameters, i.e. double the width gives double the capacity but also requires double the air flow rate.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the tortuous path 20 comprises four straight portions 22 connected by a series of bends 24, where these straight portions 22 are arranged so as to be substantially vertical and parallel. [0071] The vertical straight portions 22 allow the almonds to be accelerated by the air with minimal frictional contact with the walls of the conduit 10. It should be understood that straight portions extending at an angle less than vertical will also work, albeit with more frictional drag and hence decreased impact energy.

[0072] Each of the straight portions 22 is used to accelerate the almonds into one of the bends 24, where, due to inertia, the almonds will move to the outside of the bend 24 and impact with the wall of the conduit 10. If sufficient energy is involved, this impact will first act to dislodge a hull and at higher impact energies that accumulate in effect will break a shell within the conduit 10. As the impacts occur in the enclosed conduit the design thereby prevents the escape of dust and other material resulting from the or each impact.

[0073] The bends 24 may be angled as illustrated, or more gradual or curved, but desirably the intent is to maximise the energy of each impact therewith.

[0074] The air flow rate and the length of acceleration (i.e. the length of the straight portions 22) govern the impact speed. The number of bends and/or the number of passes through the apparatus 1 required, as well as the angle of these bends, governs the number of impacts, randomness of impact angles, and the cumulative impact energy sustained by the crop.

[0075] Additional passes of the apparatus 1 can be facilitated by incorporation of a return conduit (not illustrated) that takes air entrained almonds from the outlet 10b of the conduit 10 and returns these to the inlet 10a thereof. One or more separating or sorting devices (not illustrated) can be incorporated after the outlet 10b to divide a finished product (i.e. kernels) from by-product (i.e. hull and shell material - which is to be discarded) and a remainder (i.e. partially hulled/shelled kernels) which are to be returned to the inlet for recirculating through the apparatus. Return for additional passes can be maintained for sufficient impacts to ensure that all air entrained almonds make the requisite number of passes of the apparatus 1.

[0076] In the apparatus of Figure 1, air speeds of 40 m/s and straight portion lengths of 0.7 m work well. A rectangular conduit cross section of 125 mm width and 75 mm depth will handle approximately lOt/h of incoming almonds. An apparatus 1 of this size and configuration should effectively hull almonds of any type. With incorporation of additional straight portions 22 and bends 24, and/or by the making of additional passes through the apparatus 1, this sizing also works well for shelling soft-shelled almonds. In order to shell hard shelled almonds it is desirable to either double the airspeed, or increase the length of the straight sections to 3-10 m. Increasing the air speed results in higher pressure losses and increases the pressure requirements for the fan or blower. [0077] Using the apparatus of Figure 1 described above, tests on shelling of Nonpareil (soft shelled almonds) were conducted with an airspeed of 38 m/s. Results showed that it took 4 passes of the apparatus 1 to both hull and shell 97% of the almonds when they were dry, but some scratching and chipping was evident on nearly all kernels.

[0078] When the Nonpareil almonds were 'wetted ^" , by soaking for 15 minutes and then sitting for 4 hours before being processed, it took 5 passes to shell 98% of the fruit. In this case over 95% of the kernels were flawless (i.e. suffered no damage). Following shelling, the kernels needed to be dried for 8 hours at 40°C to return them to a kernel moisture content of less than 6% , that they had prior to wetting.

[0079] That is to say, the release of an increased number of flawless kernels from the apparatus 1 can be achieved by prior wetting the almonds before processing them with the above described apparatus. The wetting reduces the rigidity of the shells and increases the toughness (resistance to brittle scratching and fracture of the skin or meat) of the kernels, thus reducing damage during processing.

[0080] Currently, almonds are processed when they are dry; that is to say, with the kernel moisture content of less than 6%. In order to avoid weather damage to almonds from rains that do occur during Australia ^' s drying and harvest time, there is interest in harvesting and hulling almonds before they are completely dry. Hulling reduces product volume (by up to 50% in the case of almonds) and mass, resulting in significantly improved efficiencies relating to each of subsequent drying (less heat and energy required), transporting and storing (less weight and volume) of the product.

[0081] Referring now to Figures 3 through 12, where there is illustrated a hulling and/or shelling apparatus 100 according to a further embodiment. Those parts of the hulling and/or shelling apparatus 100 which are identical (or near- identical) to corresponding parts shown in hulling and/or shelling apparatus 1 of Figures 1 and 2, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.

[0082] In apparatus 100, the conduit 10 is comprised of two conduit modules 120 which are joined together to cooperatively form the conduit 10. It should be understood however that one, or even three or more modules 120 could be employed, depending on the intended application.

[0083] Both the inlet 10b and the outlet 10b of each conduit module 120 comprises a flange 124 via which each module 120 can be connected (by bolting in this case) to any one or more of a further module 120, an inlet nozzle 140, an outlet nozzle 150, or a fan or blower. As an alternative, a releasable coupling or screw thread and collar could be employed for this purpose. [0084] The conduit housing 122 comprises two housing portions which are hinged to each other via hinge portions 123a and 123b so that the conduit module 120 can be opened (as illustrated in Figures 10 through 12) for cleaning and maintenance. In this embodiment, a first housing portion is a body 122a, and a second housing portion is a lid 122b which is hinged to the body 122a to open and close the body 122a. A plurality of latches 126 are provided to secure the lid 122b in its closed position.

[0085] With reference to Figures 10 through 12, where each illustrated conduit module 120 comprises a tortuous path 20. This tortuous path 20 comprises an inlet bend 130, a first vertically extending portion 132, a series of bends 24 which reverse the direction of the path and lead into a second vertically extending portion 134, and then an outlet bend 136. The first vertically extending portion 132 is substantially straight, but the second vertically extending portion 134 comprises a serpentine path which bends one way and then the other before reaching the outlet bend 136. This serpentine path comprises additional bends, which result in additional impacts.

[0086] It will be apparent from the above that the apparatus according to the present invention can be configured for hulling, or hulling and shelling, all the while containing all dust and other material created by these processes. This negates the need for dust extraction equipment for this stage of the process.

[0087] Moreover, the apparatus disclosed herein is suitable for use on or with a mobile almond harvester so that hulling can be performed in the field, similar to how a grain harvester now threshes and cleans the grain in the field.

[0088] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0089] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0090] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.