Cracking die assembly for high production nut cracking apparatus

摘要

A cracking die assembly is disclosed which is adapted for use in a high production nut cracking apparatus of the type wherein a nut is held between an anvil and cracking die, and a shuttle then impacts against the rear end surface of the cracking die to sharply advance the cracking die and thereby crack the shell of the nut. The cracking die assembly includes a mounting sleeve having a bore with an internal shoulder, and a retainer mounted within a portion of the sleeve bore and having an opposing shoulder. The cracking die has a radial flange mounted between the two shoulders so as to permit limited movement in the axial direction, and a unitary annular resilient gasket is disposed between the flange of the die and one of the shoulders, with the gasket being designed to block passage of foreign substances past the cracking die, as well as to absorb at least a portion of the impacting force from the shuttle.