Patents by Inventor Douglas P. Cook

Douglas P. Cook has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for increasing tree nut shelling efficiency
    Patent number: 4742686
    Abstract: A process for increasing tree unit shelling efficiency includes a means of temporarily hardening the kernels of unshelled nuts to increase the efficiency of conventional nut hulling and/or shelling means. Quick freezing is used to sufficiently lower the temperature of the kernels of unshelled nuts to freeze the liquid matter contained in the kernels with minimal ice crystal formation. A higher percentage of nut kernels remain intact during hulling and/or shelling. The hulls and/or shells of the nuts remain substantially unaffected by quick freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Douglas P. Cook