Apparatus for processing fava bean seeds

Membrane removal apparatus for removing seed protective membranes from relatively fragile bean seeds, without damaging the relatively fragile seeds themselves, said membrane removal apparatus comprising,

• first belt means providing a substantially flat, planar, continuous first surface for engaging and for supporting bean seeds with attached seed membranes on said first surface,
• second belt means providing a substantially flat, planar, continuous second surface for engaging each bean seed membrane on a side of the seed membrane opposite the side engaged with the first surface while the seed membrane is maintained in contact with the first surface,
• spacer means for maintaining the first and second substantially flat, planar, continuous surfaces at a substantially uniform and fixed spacing from one another throughout a given linear distance in which the removal of a seed membrane can be achieved while a seed membrane and related bean seed, are engageable with said substantially flat, planar, continuous surfaces, and
• drive means for moving the first belt means and the second belt means at different speeds relative to one another to remove the seed membranes from the bean seeds as a result of the engagement of the first surface and the second surface with the seed membrane and the relative movement between the first surface and the second surface,
• whereby the seed membranes are effectively removed from the bean seeds continuously along the length of the said linear distance and at any and all locations across the width of the first and second substantially flat, planar, continuous surfaces and without damage to the relatively fragile bean seeds.