Abstract: A device for breaking the shells of nuts, such as walnuts, pecan nuts, cashew nuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, where such device includes a sleeve with a through hole along an axis, elastic gripping means which can exert a force in a preferential direction coupled to the end of the sleeve in a manner such that the preferential direction is substantially coincident with the axis of a base, and a means for rotatably mounting the sleeve with respect to the base about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis, in a manner such that the sleeve is capable of taking up a first position in which the plane of the second end of the sleeve rests substantially on the face of the base and a second position in which the plane of the end of the sleeve makes a non-zero angle with the plane of the face of the base.

Abstract: A clamshell stapling end effector includes first and second jaws and defines an end effector axis. The first jaw has proximal, central, and distal portions. The central portion includes a first tissue contacting surface and defines a cavity. The second jaw includes a second tissue contacting surface and is rotatably secured to the first jaw about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is parallel to the end effector axis. The second jaw has a folded position such that the second jaw is positioned within the cavity of the first jaw with the first and second tissue contacting surfaces parallel to one another and facing in the same direction and a clamped position such that the first and second tissue contacting surfaces oppose one another.

Abstract: A system for extending a finger of a hand comprises structural elements configured to be inserted into a flexed finger and capable of providing a controllable force to extend the finger. In some embodiments, structural elements comprise a cam connected to a spacer, the spacer connected to a first strut, and a second strut holding a loading assembly, an end piece and a spring. The loading assembly compresses or relaxes the spring, which exerts a variable force on the end piece, which rotates the cam and the first strut about an extension angle. When the extension angle is minimal, the first and second struts are substantially parallel. A method of extending a finger of a hand substantially fixed in a flexed position comprises inserting a system comprising structural elements into the finger and thereafter providing a force to extend the finger and maintaining the force for a period of time.

Abstract: A fruit splitting device facilitates the process of splitting open a fruit, such as a coconut shell. The device includes a hoop having a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally coupled together for pivoting the hoop between an open position and a closed position. A first handle has a first end coupled to the hoop. A second handle has a first end being coupled to the hoop. A plurality of first teeth is coupled to an inner surface of the first jaw. The first teeth are spaced from each other. A plurality of second teeth is coupled to an interior surface of the second jaw. The second teeth are spaced from each other. The second teeth are positioned opposite the first teeth wherein the first and second teeth engage and split open a fruit when the first and second teeth exert pressure on the fruit.

Abstract: A fruit splitting device facilitates the process of splitting open a fruit, such as a coconut shell. The device includes a hoop having a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally coupled together for pivoting the hoop between an open position and a closed position. A first handle has a first end coupled to the hoop. A second handle has a first end being coupled to the hoop. A plurality of first teeth is coupled to an inner surface of the first jaw. The first teeth are spaced from each other. A plurality of second teeth is coupled to an interior surface of the second jaw. The second teeth are spaced from each other. The second teeth are positioned opposite the first teeth wherein the first and second teeth engage and split open a fruit when the first and second teeth exert pressure on the fruit.

Abstract: A shell cracking and retaining device for cracking shelled food products, wherein the device entirely or substantially retains food, shell portions and other debris during the cracking process, and therefore prevents said food, shell portions and other debris from being sent airborne from the device.

Abstract: A hand-held, manually operated seed shucking appliance enables a food preparer to remove the seed coverings of black-eyed peas from their kernels. A spring and piston inside a chamber are arranged to compress a load of pre-soaked black-eyed peas against a shuttle rasp threaded between side slots. As a user manipulates the shuttle rasp, the shucks are scraped off the seeds by a scraping surface and both pass through the side slots. The piston is configured to be cocked back such that the chamber can be loaded through one end with a fresh charge of black-eyed peas.

Abstract: A monolithic nut opening apparatus includes a hinge portion forming a rearward end. A first elongated arm and a second elongated arm longitudinally extend towards a forward end from opposing ends of the hinge portion. A first tip extends from the first elongated arm and at least one upward extending lateral tapered edge extending from the first tip. A second tip extends from the second elongated arm and at least one downward extending lateral tapered edge extending from the second tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing a bird's head includes a first member and a second member that are pivotally attached and which are adapted to pivot about an axis. An inner arcuate recessed area is provided on an interior side of each member intermediate a second end and a first end. The arcuate recessed area is adapted to receive a bird's head with a bill or beak of the bird extending beyond the arcuate area. A ridge or protrusion protrudes from at least one member so that it initially makes contact with the bird's head when the first and second members are urged together. This concentrates the force that is applied to the head and also prevents the bird from moving out of the apparatus. The members are then urged together and the bird's head is crushed thereby instantly killing the bird.

Abstract: A cracker comprises a first handle and a second handle including an end pivotally connected to an end of the first handle. The first handle further includes a first working face and a second working face on two opposite sides thereof The second handle includes a first working face and a second working face on two opposite sides thereof The first working faces of the first handle and the second handle together define a first crushing space when the first handle and the second handle are in a first relative position. The second working faces of the first handle and the second handle together define a second crushing space when the first handle and the second handle are in a second relative position.

Abstract: A device for piercing a nut comprising a first member having a receptacle for receiving the nut and a first handle section. A second member is also provided having a handle section and a cover section for the receptacle. The cover section has an opening formed therein. A third member is provided having a handle section shorter than the first and second handle sections and a piercing device for extending through the opening and into the receptacle for piercing the nut. The first, second, and third members have a common hinge point for pivoting the second and third members relative to the first member to pierce the nut in the receptacle. The first and second handle sections cooperate to form a gripping handle for the user to grip while pivoting the third member and piercing device to safely pierce the nut.

Abstract: A device for piercing a nut comprising a first member having a receptacle for receiving the nut and a first handle section. A second member is also provided having a handle section and a cover section for the receptacle. The cover section has an opening formed therein. A third member is provided having a handle section shorter than the first and second handle sections and a piercing device for extending through the opening and into the receptacle for piercing the nut. The first, second, and third members have a common hinge point for pivoting the second and third members relative to the first member to pierce the nut in the receptacle. The first and second handle sections cooperate to form a gripping handle for the user to grip while pivoting the third member and piercing device to safely pierce the nut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing an eggshell, which provides a body and handle for holding an egg softly by linkage between them, a removing plate for breaking the eggshell with the handle, an operating device for expanding the removing plate so as to extract the contents in the egg so that the convenience in removing the eggshell is proposed, the eggshells are removed easily and rapidly, and most of all, the sanitation in removing the eggshell is improved.

Abstract: A hand held pistachio nut opener for splitting open pistachio nut shells and removing the edible nut from the opened half shells comprises forwardly directed upper and lower protruding members having forward distal edges adapted to be inserted in the lateral peripheral separation between the half shells of the pistachio nut to split open the half shells. The upper protrusion member is operative to open upwardly relative to the stationary lower protrusion member. The upper forward protrusion member is secured to a rearward extension member operatively rotatable about an interconnecting means secured to a rearward extension means of the stationary lower protrusion member.