Abstract: A technique of characterizing histograms using unique serial code words for discrimination between look alike acceptable and unacceptable items. The histogram is processed by normalizing the captured histogram image pixels preferably to the largest pixel size image normally encountered. Thereafter the histogram is attributed. The preferred embodiment related to a gray scale histogram (as distinguished from a histogram relating to area, length, width, perimeter, or aspect ratio) and successively attributes each histogram into peak location, range of histogram, peak value, right of peak value, and a selected gray scale count. For each attribute, an arbitrary range of codes is generated to break the classification of each attribute into manageable two-digit code categories. These two-digit code categories are typically written to a serial look-up table opposite the actual histogram value and extracted from the look-up table in real time to create two-digit code words.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for splitting closed pistachio nuts in a controlled manner such that the longitudinal sutures of the nuts will be cracked open. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a mandrel mounted for rotation therein to provide an annulus into which nuts can be introduced. According to various features of the apparatus, the pistachio nuts are rotated, oriented and then split along their sutures in the annulus and subsequently discharged through an opening in the housing. There is also provided a continuous process of treating closed shell pistachio nuts which includes the step of removing the denser foreign particles from the closed shell nuts by flotation; and a soaking step so that the shells of the unopened pistachio nuts will be saturated with water to provide a degree of shell flexibility such that when pressure is applied to the suture of the shell to effect splitting, the shell will flex rather than crack.