Abrasive Drum Peeling Machine for Nuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for de-husking or peeling nuts and kernels are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often result in inefficient peeling, breakage, and increased costs due to the need for skilled labor and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
An automated machine with a controller, object handling unit, agitating and heating unit, and peeling and separation unit that uses abrasive particles and heat to loosen the bond between the peel and the object, reducing the need for skilled labor and minimizing breakage, while also incorporating optional chemical treatment and drying processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual de-husking/peeling is used, then skilled labor can perform the task, but it is difficult, time-consuming and tiresome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical peeling operations with an automated electro-mechanical system that uses a rotating drum covered with abrasive material. The abrasive surface mechanically abrades the husk off the nut automatically, eliminating the need for skilled manual labor and significantly reducing peeling time while maintaining consistent results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the peeling process by using controlled abrasion through a rotating drum with abrasive coating. The rotation speed, abrasive material type, and contact pressure are adjusted parameters that enable automated peeling while controlling the intensity and consistency of the peeling action.
2Productivity
If automated peeling machines are used, then productivity increases, but breakage of nuts may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a selectively abrasive surface on the rotating drum. The abrasive material is applied only to the inner surface of the drum where peeling is needed, while the outer surface and other drum components remain smooth. This localized abrasion enables efficient peeling without causing breakage through excessive force on the nut shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating drum creates a controlled mechanical action that combines rotation with slight vibration and impact as nuts tumble against the abrasive surface. This vibrational component helps loosen and remove the husk more effectively while distributing the mechanical stress to prevent concentrated breakage of the nuts.
3Productivity
If abrasive particles are used to peel, then peeling efficiency improves, but the distance between abrasive particles and object must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the abrasive particles directly into the rotating drum structure, creating an integrated abrasive surface. This eliminates the need for separate adjustable abrasive components and complex distance control mechanisms, as the abrasive material is fixed at a predetermined optimal distance from the nut surface during drum rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating drum design allows the abrasive surface to automatically maintain optimal contact with the nuts through the rotation motion itself. The drum's rotation naturally regulates the pressure and distance between abrasive particles and the object surface, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms while maintaining consistent peeling efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine effectively and efficiently peels nuts or kernels with reduced breakage, automating the process to save time and space, and improving the overall processing efficiency by using a combination of heat, abrasive particles, and controlled chemical treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The heater, simultaneously receives thrown out abrasive particles from the agitator and heat the abrasive particles at a pre-determined temperature upon direction of controller
Implementation Method 2
uses abrasive particles and heat to loosen the bond between the peel and the object
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a machine and a method for peeling skin from un-peeled objects that mainly includes at least one controller, an object: handling unit, an agitating: and heating unit and a peeling and separating unit. The agitating and heating unit includes an agitator and a heater. The agitator receives un-peeled objects and hot abrasive particles. During agitation, un-peeled objects and hot abrasive particles tumble with each other thereby loosing bond between skin and objects and provide objects with loosely bonded skin. The heater heats the abrasive particles and then permits, flow within the agitator by use of abrasive conveyor. Objects with loosely bonded skin are then provided in the peeling and separation unit for peeling and separating skin from un-peeled objects and provide peeled objects in a controlled manner.