Patents by Inventor Andrew Prins

Andrew Prins 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).

  • Method for removing skins from a food product
    Patent number: 6517881
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing skins from a food product (11), such as produce or fruit, including a pressure vessel (14) formed to contain a volume of superheated water (41) for immersion of the food product, a discharge valve (51) positioned for receipt of superheated water (41) and food product (11) together from the pressure vessel (14). The discharge valve (51) is further formed for separation of superheated water (41) from the food product (11) prior to discharge of the food product into a skin removal device (61). Preferably the skin removal device (61) is a rotary valve which applies both steam and vacuum to the food product to effect flashing of the moisture under the loosened skins to produce peeling. A retrofittable discharge valve (51) is disclosed, as is a method for removing skins from food product (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Rey A. Elizondo, Andrew Prins
  • Food product peeling apparatus and method using superheated water and a discharge valve therefor
    Publication number: 20020142084
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing skins from a food product (11), such as produce or fruit, including a pressure vessel (14) formed to contain a volume of superheated water (41) for immersion of the food product, a discharge valve (51) positioned for receipt of superheated water (41) and food product (11) together from the pressure vessel (14). The discharge valve (51) is further formed for separation of superheated water (41) from the food product (11) prior to discharge of the food product into a skin removal device (61). Preferably the skin removal device (61) is a rotary valve which applies both steam and vacuum to the food product to effect flashing of the moisture under the loosened skins to produce peeling. A retrofittable discharge valve (51) is disclosed, as is a method for removing skins from food product (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: FMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rey A. Elizondo, Andrew Prins