US 6,041,697 A · Apparatus for controlled cracking of nut-like fruits and the like

Abstract

An apparatus for the controlled fracture of the outer hull of a nut-like fruit wherein a reciprocable piston is moved within a frame and is supported and guided by arms that interfit with the piston to guide it or non-rotating movement into and out of engagement with the nut-like fruit. A key actuator is rotated by the user and which rotates an actuator, threadedly interengaged with the frame and which serves to provide the reciprocable movement of the piston. The nut hull is itself positioned between the piston and an anvil that among the surfaces of the piston and anvil that crack the nut hull are both configured so as to retain the nut in a stable position where it can be acted upon by the apparatus. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus is modified so as to act as a garlic press using the same piston constrained motion. In a still further embodiment. the apparatus is modified so as to operate as a corkscrew to safely and easily remove the corks from bottles such as wine bottles.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the controlled fracture of the outer hull of nut-like fruit comprising:

A. a support housing comprising a base for the support of an anvil means for the reception of said nut-like fruit;
B. arcuate frame means communicating with said support housing, having an apical end and arms extending away therefrom, said arms adapted for connection to said base adjacent said anvil means, and a screw-threaded opening at said apical end;
C. reciprocable plunger means associated with said frame means, said plunger means comprising a reciprocable piston, said piston adapted for sliding contact with said arms throughout its extent of travel, and screw-threaded actuator arm means screw-threadedly reciprocable within said opening, said actuator arm having a proximal end freely rotatably journaled within said piston, and a distal end extending beyond said opening;
and a key-like actuator mounted on said distal end for the rotation of said actuator arm in the operation of said plunger means;
D. wherein the operation of said apparatus permits the controlled fracture of the outer hull of the nut-like fruit without damaging the meat contained therein.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for controlled cracking of nut-like fruits and the like

Life of this patent

Apparatus for controlled cracking of nut-like fruits and the like

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10