Abstract: A fruit or vegetable peeling apparatus (1) moves the fruit or vegetable from a loading station, which includes a centralising means (14) to a heating station (23), a ripping or scragging station (24), a vacuum peeling station (25) and finally a cutting station (26). The heating at (23) which can be by infra-red radiation, is sufficient to at least partially lift the skin from the flesh. One or more scragging wheels (32) can then puncture and lift the skin to provide access for vacuum at (25) to peel the skin off. A further embodiment uses gas flame heating and a linear conveying system.

Abstract: A tool holder for a scissor-like tool whose blades are biased to an open position by means of a spring has a portion co-acting with the blades or handles which are forced against that portion to secure the tool in the holder.