Improved methods and apparatus for dry hulling or dry peeling harvested crops, particularly pistachio nuts, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide crop harvesting with great efficiency resulting in consistently high percentages of hulled or peeled crops and low percentages of nut breakage, without increasing processing times regardless of the sizes of the crops being hulled or peeled. The methods and apparatus of the present invention also provide for a relatively small overall machine footprint, plus easy and efficient removal and replacement of the impingement drum to accommodate for different drum speeds, different crop sizes, different bolt patterns, different bolt sizes, and other variations allowing embodiments of the invention to be used on a wide range of nuts and vegetables of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

Improved methods and apparatus for dry hulling or dry peeling harvested crops, particularly pistachio nuts, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide crop harvesting with great efficiency resulting in consistently high percentages of hulled or peeled crops and low percentages of nut breakage, without increasing processing times regardless of the sizes of the crops being hulled or peeled. The methods and apparatus of the present invention also provide for a relatively small overall machine footprint, plus easy and efficient removal and replacement of the impingement drum to accommodate for different drum speeds, different crop sizes, different bolt patterns, different bolt sizes, and other variations allowing embodiments of the invention to be used on a wide range of nuts and vegetables of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

A system for processing agricultural items includes a first member having a first surface, a first axis, and a partially cylindrical space, the first surface being an inner surface of the partially cylindrical space. The system also includes a substantially arcuate second member having a second surface and a second axis, the second member being disposed at least partially in the partially cylindrical space, and the contoured second surface being an outer surface of the second member. The first surface and the second surface are substantially opposed to each other. One of the first and second surfaces substantially tapers toward another of the first and second surfaces along the first or second axes. The first and second axes are respective first and second circumferential axes.

A nut cracking device with a frame having elongated, parallel members that surround a mechanical advantage device, such as a hydraulic jack. Top and bottom channel members are mounted at opposite ends of the frame members to separate the frame members and form a rigid frame structure. An anvil with texture to reduce slipping and increase pressure is mounted to the top member and extends toward the jack, on which a table is mounted. A nut may be placed on the table. Upon displacement of the jack's shaft, the table moves toward the anvil and any nut on the table is clamped, and ultimately fractured, between the table and the anvil. A hand-grippable knob permits manual bypass of a valve to permit the table to be pulled away from the anvil by springs mounted to the table.

A nut cracking device with a frame having elongated, parallel members that surround a mechanical advantage device, such as a hydraulic jack. Top and bottom channel members are mounted at opposite ends of the frame members to separate the frame members and form a rigid frame structure. An anvil with texture to reduce slipping and increase pressure is mounted to the top member and extends toward the jack, on which a table is mounted. A nut may be placed on the table. Upon displacement of the jack's shaft, the table moves toward the anvil and any nut on the table is clamped, and ultimately fractured, between the table and the anvil. A hand-grippable knob permits manual bypass of a valve to permit the table to be pulled away from the anvil by springs mounted to the table.

A process for preparing crunchy sprouted nuts and the resulting nuts of such process are disclosed herein. The nuts are submerged and soaked in water for a period of 24-48 hours. Then the nuts are drained and rinsed and allowed to dry for a period of 20-60 minutes. Next the nuts are dehydrated for a period of 24-48 hours. The result is a particularly crunchy sprouted nut.

Methods and systems for producing improved hemp seed products, such as proteins and oils are provided.

Methods and systems for producing improved hemp seed products, such as proteins and oils are provided.

An apparatus for cracking nuts comprises a mounting structure, a circular element, a chute and a drive mechanism. The circular element has a tapered edge for scoring a nutshell and is rotatably supported by the mounting structure. The chute is positioned adjacent to the tapered edge of the circular element and has a rear wall. A distance between the rear wall of the chute and the tapered edge of the circular element gradually decreases along a length of the chute. The drive mechanism is connected to the circular element for rotating the circular element relative to the chute. In use, the circular element is rotated relative to the chute and a nut is received in the chute. The nut is pinched between the tapered edge of the circular element and the rear wall of the chute. Rotation of the circular element rolls the nut along the chute and scores the nutshell along an equator of the nutshell with a channel that becomes progressively deeper as the nutshell rolls further along the length of the chute.

An apparatus for cracking nuts comprises a mounting structure, a circular element, a chute and a drive mechanism. The circular element has a tapered edge for scoring a nutshell and is rotatably supported by the mounting structure. The chute is positioned adjacent to the tapered edge of the circular element and has a rear wall. A distance between the rear wall of the chute and the tapered edge of the circular element gradually decreases along a length of the chute. The drive mechanism is connected to the circular element for rotating the circular element relative to the chute. In use, the circular element is rotated relative to the chute and a nut is received in the chute. The nut is pinched between the tapered edge of the circular element and the rear wall of the chute. Rotation of the circular element rolls the nut along the chute and scores the nutshell along an equator of the nutshell with a channel that becomes progressively deeper as the nutshell rolls further along the length of the chute.