Abstract: To provide a binary-multilevel OR gate, a binary-multilevel AND gate, a binary-multilevel EXCLUSIVE OR gate and their operational methods, which enable direct logic operations between multilevel logic values and binary logic values, including logic operations between binary numbers, the present invention comprises a switch for performing binary-multilevel OR gate operations, which select and output according to binary logic signal values only an input out of its both inputs of a multilevel logic signal and a maximum value of the multilevel logic signal; a switch for performing binary-multilevel AND gate operations, which select and output according to binary logic signals only an input out of its both inputs of multilevel logic signals and a minimum value of the multilevel logic signal; and a switch for performing binary-multilevel EXCLUSIVE OR gate operations, which select and output according to binary logic signals only an input out of its both inputs of a multilevel logic signal and the complementary valu

Abstract: A nut cracking machine constructed with a cracking unit having a first reel of generally cylindrical configuration with a periphery having a series of uniformly spaced first cracking faces and a second reel of generally cylindrical configuration disposed within the first reel with a periphery having a series of uniformly spaced second cracking faces oppositely facing the first cracking faces, the first reel and second reel being rotated together on displaced axes that are parallel, the machine having a nut dispensing mechanism for dispensing nuts between the opposed cracking faces where the nuts are cracked as the reels rotate.

Abstract: A vertical dryer for granular materials the dryer having a substantially vertical chute into which granular material is deposited, the chute having walls that are at least in part air pervious for passing heated air through the chute, the chute having incline baffles for intercepting and redirecting the granular material during its descent in the chute.

Abstract: A netting system for orchard trees for fruit or nut collection, the system having netting units constructed with a number of uniformly spaced struts angularly disposed around each tree with one end lodged in an anchoring device next to the tree trunk and the distal end aerially disposed, and a brace structure secured to the trunk of each tree with horizontal support members connected to the ends of the struts to stabilize the struts with a perimeter line interconnecting the distal ends of the struts and with net panels between struts connected to the perimeter line and to the struts to form a funnel-like, trapezoidal structure directing fruit or nuts to the base of the tree trunk where a basket gathers nuts for periodic collection and where in an orchard setting the perimeter line of the net panels at the top corners of the trapezoidal structure for one tree are interconnected with the perimeter line of diagonally adjacent net panels of another tree.

Abstract: A nut cracking machine constructed to crack nuts of different size in a continuous operation is provided, the machine having first and second disks that are spaced apart with opposed tapered faces forming a narrowing gap therebetween, the first disk being rotated on a first axis and the second disk being rotated together with the first disk on a second axis slightly skewed from the first axis such that the face of one disk is oblique to the face of the other disk and when rotated together, the gap between the faces of the disks has a wide sector and a narrow sector. The machine includes a feed mechanism to feed nuts of different size to the space between the disks where the space is widest, the nuts advancing between the tapered faces until the nuts are engaged by the disks and are then transported to where the gap narrows, the disks compressing the nuts therebetween and cracking the shells.

Abstract: A hand cracker for nuts, particularly thick shelled macadamia nuts, the cracker having a receptacle with a bottom and a side wall for receiving a nut to be cracked with an off-center cracking shaft with wedge blades arranged circumferentially around the shaft and a crank device to rotate the shaft and wedge the nut between the wedge blades of the shaft and the wall of the receptacle wherein the nut is cracked by the force of the wedge action of the wedge blades.

Abstract: A netting system for fruit and nut trees in an orchard where the trees are uniformly spaced, the system having an elongated pole for each tree with a top end having a plurality of suspension lines, and a net arranged under each tree with a center opening wrapped around the pole and the trunk of the tree the net having a perimeter arranged under the outer branches of the tree with the suspension lines connecting the perimeter of the net to the top of the pole the net having lines connecting one net in to the neighboring nets to spread open the nets in the orchard without interfering with cultivation equipment or access to the trunk of the trees.

Abstract: A nut shelling machine in which a rotary drive mechanism operates a rotary feed mechanism and a rotary shelling mechanism, the shelling mechanism having a frame with four shafts arranged in spaced, side by side, upper and lower pairs, the shafts having surface lobes and indentions for enlarging and contracting the effective space between the upper pair and lower pair of shaft for accepting and trapping a nut between the pair of upper shafts and lower shafts, where it is shelled by a shafting implement before the shell and nut passes between the pair of lower shafts.