Abstract: A crushing device (100) includes a base (101). A first sidewall (103) and a second sidewall (104) extend distally from the base. A crushing assembly (102) is coupled between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The crushing assembly can include a first crushing plate (601) pivotally coupled about a first pivot (406) defining a first axis (111) and a second crushing plate (602) pivotally coupled about a second pivot (507) defining a second axis (112). A lever (110) is coupled to the first crushing plate, and is selectively movable between a first position (600) and a second position (700) to rotate the first crushing plate in a first radial direction (703). A cog insert (604), coupled between the first crushing plate and the second crushing plate, causes the second crushing plate to rotate in a second radial direction (704), opposite the first radial direction.

Abstract: A device for cracking shells of nuts comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaws spaced apart and arranged to move together to compress a nut N between them, the first jaw arranged to slide on an arm to amend the spacing of the jaws, the second jaw arranged to be driven along the arm towards the first jaw by a driving mechanism; and a lever; the lever arranged to operate the driving mechanism and drive the second jaw along the arm towards the first jaw; the first jaw held by a user when the lever is pulled, characterized in that the first jaw comprises an elongate first jaw member with an intermediate perforation for passage of the arm, whereas the second jaw comprises an L-shaped part with a pinion arm parallel the arm and moving through the mechanism, and an orthogonally arranged jaw arm parallel the first jaw member.

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: The Universal Nutcracker is set of jaws with an increasing opening between top and bottom jaws to allow for cracking different diameter nuts connected by a set of linkages. Each jaw has a set of teeth for gripping the shell of the nut to be cracked. A torsion spring is connected between the top and bottom center lever to assist in opening the jaw set after the nut has been cracked. Ends of top and bottom center levers are then coupled to a scissoring arms with linkage assembly for opening and closing with a mechanical advantage.

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: This invention is directed toward a nutshell cracker and method of use. The nutshell cracker has three or more cracking members, each with a concave cracking surface, a central slot on its top with eyelets on either side. The 3-D design and curvature of the invention make it stylish, sleek, and attractive, and suitable for storage upon a table or kitchen countertop. The cracking members rotate about the connecting member, surrounding the nut on three or more sides, thereby allowing the user to apply less pressure per cracking member to achieve the same overall pressure upon the nutshell as would be applied through use of a traditional nutcracker. Having cracking members on three or more sides also increases the ability of the invention to constrain the nutshell during cracking and decreases the chances that once cracked, the actual nut will squirt out the side and fall on the floor.

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.