Patents by Inventor Alex Schuermans

Alex Schuermans 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).

  • System and method for processing citrus fruit with enhanced oil recovery and juice quality
    Patent number: 6427584
    Abstract: A method and system of processing citrus fruit is disclosed. A peeling chamber has opposing ends and a fruit inlet and fruit outlet formed at respective opposing ends. Abrasive rollers are rotatably mounted in an arcuate configuration within the peeling chamber at an area forming a lower portion of the peeling chamber. Citrus fruit is fed into the peeling chamber through the fruit inlet to the fruit outlet. The citrus fruit engages the rotating abrasive rollers with a residence time within the peeling chamber for peeling off the outer surface of the fruit in an amount sufficient to remove a majority of the oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Thomas, Alex Schuermans, Michael L. Suter, Salvador Garcia
  • System and method for processing citrus fruit with enhanced oil recovery and juice quality
    Patent number: 6426107
    Abstract: A method and system of processing citrus fruit is shown. A peeling chamber has opposing ends and a fruit inlet and fruit outlet formed at respective opposing ends. Abrasive rollers are rotatably mounted in an arcuate configuration within the peeling chamber at an area forming a lower portion of the peeling chamber. Citrus fruit is fed into the peeling chamber through the fruit inlet to the fruit outlet. The citrus fruit engages the rotating abrasive rollers with a residence time within the peeling chamber for peeling off the outer surface of the fruit in an amount sufficient to remove a majority of the oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Thomas, Alex Schuermans, Michael L. Suter, Salvador Garcia
  • System and method for processing citrus fruit with enhanced oil recovery and juice quality
    Publication number: 20020061350
    Abstract: A method and system of processing citrus fruit is disclosed. A peeling chamber has opposing ends and a fruit inlet and fruit outlet formed at respective opposing ends. Abrasive rollers are rotatably mounted in an arcuate configuration within the peeling chamber at an area forming a lower portion of the peeling chamber. Citrus fruit is fed into the peeling chamber through the fruit inlet to the fruit outlet. The citrus fruit engages the rotating abrasive rollers with a residence time within the peeling chamber for peeling off the outer surface of the fruit in an amount sufficient to remove a majority of the oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: FMC Thchnologeies, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Thomas, Alex Schuermans, Michael L. Suter, Salvador Garcia