AUTOMATED CHESTNUTS PELLICLES REMOVING DEVICE

Abstract

An automated chestnuts pellicles removing device comprise a housing 1 installed on a fixed surface, a multi-sectioned chamber 2 stored with multiple chestnuts connected to a container 3 by means of a conduit 4, a touch enabled screen 5 to give input commands, a motorized iris unit 6 for dispensing chestnuts, a pair of overlapping sliding plates 7, a curved-shaped extendable member 8 on each of plates 7 for receiving chest nuts from container 3, a slider crank arrangement for providing linear reciprocatory movement to first plate, a motorized cutting unit 9 for peeling pellicles from the chest but, a motorized ball and socket joint for facilitating in uniform cutting of pellicles, a pair of robotic arms 10 to position pellicles into a waste vessel 11, a tactile sensor to detect hardness of chest nut and an ultrasonic sensor to detect dimensions of chestnuts.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device that is capable of removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various efforts have been made to remove the hard skin of raw chestnuts and the astringent skin that adheres closely to the pulp and is difficult to peel off. By the way, according to experiments when looking at the composition and ingredients of raw chestnuts the outer skin of the chestnut is made of hard wood while the inner astringent skin contains less water and is made of flexible fibres and the five-fold tannic acid contained in it. Like the pulp, this astringent skin has a very low moisture content and it adheres to and protects the internal pulp of the fruit. It is insoluble in water and hardens and becomes brittle when exposed to heat. Furthermore, there is no adhesion between the demon skin and the astringent skin as there is between the astringent skin and the fruit pulp, and a thin layer of air is always formed in the gap.

[0003] Traditional methods of peeling raw chestnuts can be roughly divided into three methods: manual knife treatment, heat treatment, and chemical treatment. The manual knife treatment method involves peeling the skin of raw chestnuts one by one using a knife. After peeling, the astringent skin is also peeled off in the same way. As for the heat treatment method, raw chestnuts with the demon skin attached are directly treated at high temperature, and the astringent skin is treated at low temperature. In other words, in the manual knife processing method although the peeling efficiency is low. The chemical treatment methods and heat treatment methods proposed in the past are all unsuitable for commercialization and have not been adopted. Manual knife peeling methods which are inefficient and involve large losses. So, there is need of such device that is capable of removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut as well as cleaning the device by eliminating the removed pellicles away from the device.

[0004] JPH03112475A discloses a device to prevent discoloration, deterioration and breakage of raw chestnuts by partially peeling rough parts of dried chestnuts with shells, dipping the peeled chestnuts in an edible oil, peeling the shells, then dipping the peeled chestnuts in a boiling edible oil and peeling pellicles. Raw chestnuts containing in a container are placed on shelves of a hot-air dryer and hot air heated with a heater is fed through an air blasting fan to dry the chestnuts for 14-16hr by heating. Rough parts of the chestnuts with shells in the raw chestnuts are then partially peeled with a cutting tool and the resultant chestnuts are subsequently placed in a wire net cage, dipped in an edible oil, boiled for 2-4sec and pulled up to cause cracks in the rough parts and smooth parts and carry out peeling. The resultant raw chestnuts are then dipped in an edible oil and boiled for 2-4sec to cause cracks in a pellicle. Thereby, a gap is formed between the pellicle and the kernel to peel the pellicle.

[0005] CN109170935A discloses a kind of methods for removing walnut kernel pellicle, belong to nut processing method；It is intended to provide a kind of method that can quickly and effectively remove walnut kernel pellicle. Including dipping by lye；Specific method is that fresh walnut kernel is freeze 2-3h, then sprays 15-20min with steam, will be immersed by the walnut kernel of spray by composite phosphate, Na2CO3, impregnate 20-30min in the heat alkali liquid that is formulated of NaOH, by the walnut kernel by impregnating with having the clear water of certain pressure to rinse to neutrality, then dry. Walnut kernel is handled using the method for the present invention, the removal of kind skin can rate up to 98% or more；Treated walnut kernel protein content is 15.938% up to content, is lost not high；It is a kind of method of quickly removal walnut kernel pellicle.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are exist that are capable of removing chestnuts pellicles. However, these devices fail in removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut. These devices do not providing a mean for cleaning the device by eliminating the removed pellicles away from the device.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut. The device also providing a mean for cleaning the device by eliminating the removed pellicles away from the device.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of cleaning the device by eliminating the removed pellicles away from the device.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device that removes the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device comprises a housing developed to be installed on a fixed surface, the housing is installed with a multi-sectioned chamber stored with multiple chestnuts and each section is connected to a container by means of a conduit arranged between the section and container, a touch enabled screen is arranged on the housing for enabling a user to give input commands regarding amount of chest nuts form which the user desires to remove pellicles of the chest nut, a microcontroller linked with the screen processes the input commands and actuate a motorized iris unit configured on bottom portion of the container to open for dispensing the chestnuts, a pair of overlapping sliding plates configured within the housing, a curved-shaped extendable member is carved on each of the plates for receiving chest nuts from the container, and accordingly microcontroller actuates the members to extend/ retract for increasing/ decreasing dimensions of the member for properly accommodating the chest nut over the member, a slider crank arrangement assembled on the housing and attached with first plate for providing linear reciprocator movement to the first plate, a motorized cutting unit is arranged on each of the members to extend for peeling the pellicles from the chest, a motorized ball and socket joint integrated in between the first plate and arrangement for diverting angle of the first plate for facilitating in uniform cutting of the pellicles.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device also comprises a pair of robotic arms installed on lateral sides of the first plate, upon cutting of the pellicles, the microcontroller actuates the robotic arms grip the pellicles and position the pellicles into a waste vessel configured within the housing, thereby removing the chestnut pellicles from chestnut fruit, a motorized pinion gear meshed with teeth carved on a rack attached with the second plate, the microcontroller actuates the pinion gear to rotate for translating the rack to-and-fro, which in turn results in tilting the second plate to-and-fro via a hinge configured between the housing and second plate in view of deploying the peeled chest into a receptacle arranged on bottom portion of the housing, a tactile sensor is installed on the plate to detect hardness of the chest nut pellicles based on which the microcontroller regulates the arrangement for providing cutting of the pellicles with an optimum amount of pressure, an ultrasonic sensor is installed within the housing to detect dimensions of the chestnuts, a motorized drawer arrangement integrated within each of the member to modulate shape of the member as per detected dimensions of the chest nuts.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device that is capable of removing the pellicles of the chestnut in an automated manner by detecting the hardness and size of the chestnut. In addition, the device also provide a mean for cleaning the device by eliminating the removed pellicles away from the device.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an automated chestnuts pellicles removing device is illustrated comprising a housing 1 installed on a fixed surface, a multi-sectioned chamber 2 having each section connected to a container 3 by means of a conduit 4 arranged between the section and container 3, a touch enabled screen 5 is arranged on the housing 1, a motorized iris unit 6 configured on bottom portion of the container 3, a pair of overlapping sliding plates 7 configured within the housing 1, a curved-shaped extendable member 8 is carved on each of the plates 7, a motorized cutting unit 9 is arranged on each of the member 8, a pair of robotic arms 10 installed on lateral sides of the first plate 7 and a waste vessel 11 configured within the housing 1.

[0023] The proposed device includes a housing 1 developed to be installed on a fixed surface, the housing 1 is installed with a multi-sectioned chamber 2 stored with multiple chestnuts and each section is connected to a container 3 by means of a conduit 4 arranged between the section and container 3. A touch enabled screen 5 is arranged on the housing 1 for enabling a user to give input commands regarding amount of chest nuts form which the user desires to remove pellicles of the chest nut. The screen 5 of the touch enabled screen 5 is made of insulating material which prevent the user from electric shock when the user touches the surface of the touch enabled screen 5 for entering details regarding amount of chest nuts form which the user desires to remove pellicles.

[0024] The surface of touch enabled screen 5 is coated with a thin layer of electrically conducting material ideally an indium tin oxide, which helps in creating a low intensity electric discharge conducted towards an internal circuitry of the touch enabled screen 5. The internal circuitry of the touch enabled screen 5 consists of a microcontroller and resistor which work in collaboration with each other to detect the exact point of touch on the screen 5 of the touch enabled screen 5.

[0025] The microcontroller change the touch point in the form of the electric signals and transmits the information towards the internal circuitry of the touch enabled screen 5. The microcontroller translates the electric signal in the understandable format and fetch the information regarding the amount of chest nuts form which the user desires to remove pellicles. Based on the fetched command, the microcontroller actuates a motorized iris unit 6 configured on bottom portion of the container 3 to open for dispensing the chestnuts. The motorized iris unit 6 is the removable cover of something, or is an action to stop something whose operation is monitored using motor connected to the microcontroller that controls the bidirectional motion of the blades of the iris unit 6 to open or close. The anticlockwise motion of the motor regulates the blades to open, similarly, the clockwise motion of the motor regulates the blade to close. The opening of the blades of the iris unit 6 aids in the dispensing of the chestnuts.

[0026] As the chestnuts are dispensed from the container 3, the chestnuts are adhered on a pair of overlapping sliding plates 7 carved with a curved-shaped extendable member 8, configured within the housing 1, there the inbuilt microcontroller actuates the member 8s to extend/ retract for increasing/ decreasing dimensions of the member 8 for properly accommodating the chest nut over the member 8. An ultrasonic sensor is installed within the housing 1 to detect dimensions of the chestnuts. The ultrasonic sensor consists of a transducer that functions as both a transmitter and a receiver that works in collaboration to detect the dimension of the chestnut. The transducer typically contains a piezoelectric crystal or a similar material. When an electrical signal is applied to the crystal, it vibrates at a high frequency, typically in the ultrasonic range above 20 kHz. When the transducer is activated, it converts the electrical energy into mechanical vibrations or waves.

[0027] These vibrations are transmitted as a focused beam of ultrasonic waves in the polybag. The ultrasonic waves propagate outward in a cone-shaped pattern from the transducer. The same transducer that emitted the ultrasonic waves now acts as a receiver. It detects the reflected after hitting the surface of the chestnut and converts them back into electrical signals. The sensor measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel from the sensor to the surface of the chestnut.

[0028] The ultrasonic sensor now starts a timer when the waves are emitted and stops it when the reflected waves are detected. The elapsed time is known as the "time of flight" (TOF). Using the known speed of sound in the medium through which the waves are travelling, the dimension of the chestnut is detected. Based on the detected dimension the microcontroller actuates a drawer arrangement integrated within each of the member 8 to extend/ retract for increasing/ decreasing dimensions modulate shape of the member 8 as per detected dimensions of the chest nuts for properly accommodating the chest nut over the member 8.

[0029] The drawer arrangement comprises of a carriage assembly and a DC (direct current) motor that works in collaboration to extend and retract the member 8s. The carriage assembly fitted with two rails that are used for expand the member 8s up and down. The clamp opening located at the end of the rail and have two clips that are used to accommodate the chestnuts. To extend the drawer, the drawer is pushed to open and the carriage assembly slide outward. This creates an opening to allow extension and retraction of the arrangement to provide translation to the member 8s for properly accommodating the chest nut over the member 8 based on the detected dimension of the chestnut.

[0030] Further, a slider crank arrangement assembled on the housing 1 and attached with first plate 7 that is actuated by the microcontroller for providing linear reciprocatory movement to the first plate 7. The slider crank arrangement consists of three main components that is a crank, connecting rod, and a slider, wherein the crank is powered by a DC (Direct Current) motor. The crank is a rotating shaft driven by a motor or other power source. The connecting rod is a linear link that connects the crank to the slider. The slider is a sliding element that moves back and forth along a straight line. As the crank rotates, it drives the connecting rod and slider through a series of pivot points, causing the slider to move back and forth that is in a reciprocating motion which is connected to the first plate 7. The speed and distance of the slider movement can be controlled by adjusting the connecting rod length, the crank speed, or the pivot point's position. Thus, the slider crank arrangement the converts the rotational motion to a reciprocating motion to the first plate 7.

[0031] Further, a motorized cutting unit 9 is arranged on each of the member 8s that are actuated by the microcontroller to extend for peeling the pellicles from the chest nut. The cutting unit 9 used herein is powered by the motor that regulates the cutting process of the chestnuts in order to remove the pellicles from the surface of the chestnuts. Moreover, a tactile sensor is installed on the plate 7 to detect hardness of the chest nut pellicles. The tactile sensor comprises of a piece of elastomer that is ideally a polymer having a property of elasticity that act as the sensing medium and a camera to capture the deformation of the elastomer when the elastomer gets contacted with the surface of the first plate 7 and measure the pressure applied by the chestnut onto the first plate 7. The microcontroller upon receiving and processing the signal, determines hardness of the work pieces. Based on the determined hardness of the workpiece, the microcontroller regulates the arrangement for providing cutting of the pellicles with an optimum amount of pressure.

[0032] Further, as the cutting process of the pellicles is done the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic arms 10 installed on lateral sides of the first plate 7 to grip the pellicles and position the pellicles into a waste vessel 11 configured within the housing 1. The robotic arms 10 of a shoulder, elbow and wrist. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arms 10 that allows the upper part of the arms 10 to move the lower section independently. Lastly, the wrist is at the tip of the upper arms 10 and attached to the end effector works as hand to grip and position the pellicles into a waste vessel 11, removing the chestnut pellicles from chestnut fruit.

[0033] Further, a motorized pinion gear meshed with teeth carved on a rack attached with the second plate 7 that is actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for translating the rack to-and-fro which in turn results in tilting the second plate 7 to-and-fro via a hinge configured between the housing 1 and second plate 7. The rack and pinion arrangement is a type of linear actuator that comprises a circular gear (the pinion) engaging a linear gear (the rack) wherein the pinion is mounted over the rack. The pinion is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is capable of converting the electric current provided from an external force into mechanical force for providing the required power to the pinion to rotate which in turn causes the rack to drive in a linear motion, thus the arrangement coverts rotary motion to a liner motion thereby extending the second plate 7 to-and-fro for deploying the peeled chest into a receptacle arranged on bottom portion of the housing 1.

[0034] Lastly, a battery is associated with the device that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of the device. A battery is a device that converts chemical energy contained within its active materials directly into electric energy by means of an electrochemical oxidation and provides the power supply to other components.

[0035] The present invention works best in the following manner where the housing 1 positioned on the fixed surface. The housing 1 is having the multi-sectioned chamber 2 stored with multiple chestnuts, and each section is connected to the container 3 by means of the conduit 4. The touch enabled screen enables the user to give input commands regarding amount of chest nuts form which the user desires to remove pellicles of the chest nut. The motorized iris unit 6 dispense the chestnuts from the container 3. The pair of overlapping sliding plates 7 with curved-shaped extendable member 8 is receive the chest nuts from the container 3, and the microcontroller actuates the member 8s to extend/ retract for increasing/ decreasing dimensions of the member 8 for properly accommodating the chest nut over the member 8. The slider crank arrangement provides linear reciprocatory movement to the first plate 7. The motorized cutting unit 9 extend for peeling the pellicles from the chest but. The pair of robotic arms 10 grip the pellicles and position the pellicles into the waste vessel 11 configured within the housing 1, thereby removing the chestnut pellicles from chestnut fruit.

[0036] Additionally, the motorized pinion gear meshed with teeth carved on a rack attached with the second plate 7, rotate and translate the rack to-and-fro, that results in tilting the second plate 7 to-and-fro via the hinge configured between the housing 1 and second plate 7, for deploying the peeled chest into the receptacle arranged on bottom portion of the housing 1. The tactile sensor detect the hardness of the chest nut pellicles, based on which the microcontroller regulates the arrangement for providing cutting of the pellicles with an optimum amount of pressure. The ultrasonic sensor is that detect dimensions of the chestnuts, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement that modulate shape of the member 8 as per detected dimensions of the chest nuts.

[0037] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to individuals skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated chestnuts pellicles removing device, comprising:

i) a housing 1 developed to be installed on a fixed surface, wherein said housing 1 is installed with a multi-sectioned chamber 2 stored with multiple chestnuts, and each section is connected to a container 3 by means of a conduit 4 arranged between said section and container 3;
ii) a touch enabled screen 5 is arranged on said housing 1 for enabling a user to give input commands regarding amount of chest nuts form which said user desires to remove pellicles of said chest nut, wherein a microcontroller linked with said screen 5 processes said input commands and actuate a motorized iris unit 6 configured on bottom portion of said container 3 to open for dispensing said chestnuts;
iii) a pair of overlapping sliding plates 7 configured within said housing 1, wherein a curved-shaped extendable member 8 is carved on each of said plates 7 for receiving chest nuts from said container 3, and accordingly microcontroller actuates said member 8s to extend/ retract for increasing/ decreasing dimensions of said member 8 for properly accommodating said chest nut over said member 8;
iv) a slider crank arrangement assembled on said housing 1 and attached with first plate 7 that is actuated by said microcontroller for providing linear reciprocatory movement to said first plate 7, wherein a motorized cutting unit 9 is arranged on each of said member 8s that are actuated by said microcontroller to extend for peeling said pellicles from said chest but, followed by actuation of a motorized ball and socket joint integrated in between said first plate 7 and arrangement for diverting angle of said first plate 7 for facilitating in uniform cutting of said pellicles;
v) a pair of robotic arms 10 installed on lateral sides of said first plate 7, wherein upon cutting of said pellicles, said microcontroller actuates said robotic arms 10 grip said pellicles and position said pellicles into a waste vessel 11 configured within said housing 1, thereby removing said chestnut pellicles from chestnut fruit; and
vi) a motorized pinion gear meshed with teeth carved on a rack attached with said second plate 7, wherein said microcontroller actuates said pinion gear to rotate for translating said rack to-and-fro, which in turn results in tilting said second plate 7 to-and-fro via a hinge configured between said housing 1 and second plate 7, in view of deploying said peeled chest into a receptacle arranged on bottom portion of said housing 1.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is installed on said plate 7 to detect hardness of said chest nut pellicles, based on which said microcontroller regulates said arrangement for providing cutting of said pellicles with an optimum amount of pressure.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is installed within said housing 1 to detect dimensions of said chestnuts, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement integrated within each of said member 8 to modulate shape of said member 8 as per detected dimensions of said chest nuts.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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