Abstract: A method of peeling agricultural products having skins, including the steps of: immersing the agricultural products to be peeled in a treating solution in a first area of a peeling apparatus, and forming a mixture at a first pressure; transporting the mixture in a second area, the second area having a first end at the first pressure and a second end at a second pressure; transporting the mixture in a third area, the third area being at an essentially constant second pressure; transporting the mixture in a fourth area, the fourth area having a first end at the second pressure and having a second end at a third pressure that is essentially equal to the first pressure and transporting the mixture to a separator at essentially the third pressure. An apparatus for peeling agricultural products having skins in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the transfer of a fluent material to or from a container. The container has a holding portion adapted to hold the fluent material and a transfer assembly having a flexible conduit and multiple access ports. The access ports are positioned in spaced apart relationship along the flexible conduit, which has a flow channel in fluid communication with the holding portion. Each of the access ports is operable for selectively transferring fluent material. After a first access port is used to transfer a quantity of fluent material, the section of the conduit carrying the first access port is hermetically or mechanically divided from upstream sections of the conduit. Successive transfers that either dispense fluent material from the holding portion or add fluent material to the holding portion are performed in a like manner using the remaining access ports.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the transfer of a fluent material to or from a container. The container has a holding portion adapted to hold the fluent material and a transfer assembly having a flexible conduit and multiple access ports. The access ports are positioned in spaced apart relationship along the flexible conduit, which has a flow channel in fluid communication with the holding portion. Each of the access ports is operable for selectively transferring fluent material. After a first access port is used to transfer a quantity of fluent material, the section of the conduit carrying the first access port is hermetically or mechanically divided from upstream sections of the conduit. Successive transfers that either dispense fluent material from the holding portion or add fluent material to the holding portion are performed in a like manner using the remaining access ports.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring particulate product contained in a compatible media and then separating or straining the particulate product from the compatible media. A housing is provided for containing the compatible media at an optimum level and includes an inclined portion having a particulate product inlet at a lower end thereof and separate particulate product and compatible media outlets at an upper end thereof. The compatible media outlet is located below the particulate product outlet. The housing contains a particulate product conveyor unit which includes a perforated tube and auger assembly for transferring the particulate product from the particulate product inlet to the particulate product outlet. The particulate product is heated or cooled while it is submerged within the compatible media and cross currents of media are supplied to increase heat transfer and conveyance of the product.

Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus including a tube having inward projections or turbulating structure extending into the tube at substantially all angular locations around the diameter of the tube except along a drainage path extending along the entire bottom inner surface of the tube. The width of the drainage path is sufficient to ensure that fluid may fully drain from the tube. No turbulating structure is positioned within the drainage path so as to prevent fluid from draining from the tube and potentially contaminating the tube. The turbulating structure of the invention are dimples which are deformed into the tube and have smoothly sloping side walls which further inhibit the dimples from preventing full drainage of the tube. The tubes are fixed to the apparatus at an angle which provides a drainage slope.