By Paring Patents (Class 99/541)
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Patent number: 11278146Abstract: An apple peeler and corer is configured with a main body having a platform which is raised above a lower foundation for the main body. A crank handle drives a threaded rod toward a blade assembly for slicing an apple. A rocker arm carries a peeler blade and may be resiliently biased toward the blade assembly or locked in a position pivoted away from the blade assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Progressive international corporationInventor: Jennifer Cotter
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Patent number: 8875624Abstract: A rotating blade food preparation device (10) for cutting, shaving, slicing, and peeling, vegetables and fruits, cheese, tofu, bread, and other food products, includes a handle (12), a frame element (16) connected to the handle (12), and a rotating blade assembly (28) operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly (28) has one or more cutting elements (30) for cutting, slicing, shaving and peeling fruits, vegetables, cheese and other foods. The rotating blade assembly (28) is operably secured to the frame (16) by a shaft (18) allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame (16), and fixing the rotating blade assembly (28) in a desired position for use.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Inventor: Chikara R. Tateno
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Publication number: 20140178551Abstract: An apparatus and methods for splitting apart a pomegranate fruit employ a pair of elongated splitting levers and a pivoting connecting mechanism, carried on the pair of elongated levers. Each one of the elongated levers has a penetrating end and a shape configured to enable the pair of elongated levers to be arranged in a substantially closed configuration in contact or contiguous lengthways with one another to form a penetrating structure to enable the elongated levers to be at least partially inserted into a pomegranate. The elongated splitting levers are hingedly connectable at the penetrating ends by the pivoting connecting mechanism which is configured to outwardly pivot the elongated splitting levers from the substantially closed configuration into a substantially open configuration in response to forcing the elongated splitting levers apart about a fulcrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventor: Monica Nicole SCHOFIELD
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Patent number: 8734883Abstract: Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani CenterInventors: Ze'ev Schmilovitch, Yoav Sarig, Avraham Daskal, Eitan Weinberg, Frederich Grosz, Benjamin Ronen, Aharon Hoffman, Haim Egozi
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Patent number: 8695492Abstract: A device for cutting, peeling and slicing avocados and other fruits and vegetables includes a handle, a frame element connected to the handle, and a rotating blade assembly operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly has one or more cutting elements for cutting, slicing and peeling. The rotating blade assembly is operably secured to the frame by a shaft allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame, and fixing the rotating blade assembly in a desired position for use.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventor: Chikara R. Tateno
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Patent number: 8563063Abstract: A melon peeler system designed to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon for consumption. The melon peeler system includes a melon peeler assembly having a concave base, a horizontal blade, fasteners, and vertical supports. The concave base has a smooth surface and serves as a melon cutting guide. The horizontal blade is supported a user-determined distance above the concave base by the vertical supports and the blade is a small, flat cutting edge sufficiently sharp to slice through a melon but not sufficiently sharp to easily cut a user. Suction cups fasteners located on the bottom of the device provide stability and allow the assembly to be removably affixed to a planar surface of the user's choice.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Inventors: Jerry Avey, Donna Avey
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Publication number: 20130032043Abstract: Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: STATE OF ISRAEL - MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONInventors: Ze'ev Schmilovitch, Yoav Sarig, Friederich Grosz, Benjamin Ronen, Aharon Hoffman, Haim Egozi
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Patent number: 8347782Abstract: A fruit or vegetable slicer, particularly suitable for slicing between the edible portion of a watermelon and its rind. The slicer comprises a cutting blade made a thin flexible or bendable food compatible material and having at least one cutting edge; a positioning strip; and a connector mechanism for operably connecting distal ends of the cutting blade and positioning strip to each other and adapted to allow the positioning strip and cutting blade to swivel relative to the connector mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Inventor: Itai Ezra Nuri
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Patent number: 8291817Abstract: There is described a potato peeling device comprising a container provided with an in the operational position at least partly open top, a releasable lid arranged to close the top of the container, a rotatable peeling plate disposed in the container and connected to a drive, and an outlet arranged for draining the container, where an inlet opening arranged for receiving a water jet, is disposed in or above the top of the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventors: John Kristian Haukas, Walter Johannes Bennett
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Patent number: 8247011Abstract: Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani CenterInventors: Ze'ev Schmilovitch, Yoav Sarig, Abraham Daskal, Eitan Weinberg, Friedrich Grosz, Benjamin Ronen, Aharon Hoffman, Haim Egozi
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Patent number: 8205545Abstract: The present invention relates to a melon cutting apparatus that cuts a melon portion or melon half. The apparatus cuts the melon pulp into sections, and removes the rind from the pulp. The apparatus includes a base having an opening; a cutting matrix that has a plurality of blades, wherein the cutting matrix communicates with the opening. The apparatus also includes a sweeping blade that is curved and positioned at or near the cutting matrix and is used to cut the rind from the melon pulp. The apparatus further includes an actuator that engages the sweeping blade. The apparatus embodies an arm attached to the apparatus, and a pressure cap that is mounted to the arm, opposite the cutting matrix. Additionally, the present invention pertains to systems and methods of using the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: HAA ConsultingInventors: Richard D. Heck, Henry A. Affeldt, Jr.
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Patent number: 8136443Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which can shape fruits and root and tuberous vegetables. The shaping apparatus is operated in such a manner that: when root and tuberous vegetable or fruit is placed in a cutting blade case and rotated, the object is spirally tracked and the spirally tracked object is removed from the lower side of the cutting blade case, so that the spirally tracked object is picked up by an additional stick and then ornamented into various forms. The shaping apparatus allows fruits and root and tuberous vegetables to be easily treated in a variety of ways, as per the second process, thereby enhancing the product value of processed foodstuffs produced from the first process.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventors: Bong-Gu Lee, Sung-Wook Choi, Zoong-Ho Park, Jun-Mo Yoo, Chang-Ho Kim, Kwang-Su Kim, Jae-Hong Kim
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Patent number: 7968136Abstract: Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentInventors: Ze'ev Schmilovitch, Yoav Sarig, Abraham Daskal, Eitan Weinberg, Friedrich Grosz, Benjamin Ronen, Aharon Hoffman, Haim Egozi
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Publication number: 20110094394Abstract: A device for cutting, peeling and slicing avocados and other fruits and vegetables includes a handle, a frame element connected to the handle, and a rotating blade assembly operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly has one or more cutting elements for cutting, slicing and peeling. The rotating blade assembly is operably secured to the frame by a shaft allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame, and fixing the rotating blade assembly in a desired position for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventor: Chikara R. Tateno
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Publication number: 20100212519Abstract: There is described a potato peeling device comprising a container provided with an in the operational position at least partly open top, a releasable lid arranged to close the top of the container, a rotatable peeling plate disposed in the container and connected to a drive, and an outlet arranged for draining the container, where an inlet opening arranged for receiving a water jet, is disposed in or above the top of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: John Kristian Haukas, Walter Johannes Bennett
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Publication number: 20100162906Abstract: Disclosed is a food peeler comprising a conical shaped handle having a longitudinal axis, a head containing a blade holder affixed to the top of the handle, the head having an axis transverse to the axis of the handle, the head comprising an elongated member with a recessed inner section, defining opposed vertically situated walls on opposite sides of the recessed inner section. The walls have flat inner surfaces, and vertically oriented projections extending from the surfaces thereof, and an orifice in the upper section of each wall, a blade mounted within a blade holder positioned within the recessed inner section, the blade comprising a flat elongated member having one exposed sharp edge, the blade holder further having a pin at each end thereof, each pin adapted to fit within one of the orifices of the walls to secure the blade holder in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventor: Thomas John Scimone
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Publication number: 20100031831Abstract: An apparatus for removing a rind from a food item, the apparatus comprising: a compartment defining an interior area adapted to contain a food item, the compartment having at least one opening and a blade assembly; a pushing apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the pushing apparatus is movable to engage the food item; actuator means for driving the pushing apparatus to contact at least a portion of said food item in the compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS, LLCInventors: Tariq Farid, Kamran Farid, Amit Doshi
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Patent number: 7615242Abstract: The present invention includes a method for processing and trimming products such as fish fillets where the product is form frozen forming a thin frozen shell round the product and the subsequent processing of the product uses that condition to remove the fish skin and bones with more efficiency than any prior art methods whereas the quality of the product is increased due to less loss and less loss in liquid from the product than known by prior art methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Skaginn HF.Inventors: Ingolfur Arnason, Hordur Gardarsson, Gylfi Borgthor Gudfinnsson, Bryndis Ragnarsdottir, legal representative
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Publication number: 20090007804Abstract: The present invention relates to a melon cutting apparatus that cuts a melon portion or melon half. The apparatus cuts the melon pulp into sections, and removes the rind from the pulp. The apparatus includes a base having an opening; a cutting matrix that has a plurality of blades, wherein the cutting matrix communicates with the opening. The apparatus also includes a sweeping blade that is curved and positioned at or near the cutting matrix and is used to cut the rind from the melon pulp. The apparatus further includes an actuator that engages the sweeping blade. The apparatus embodies an arm attached to the apparatus, and a pressure cap that is mounted to the arm, opposite the cutting matrix. Additionally, the present invention pertains to systems and methods of using the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Richard D. Heck, Henry A. Affeldt, JR.
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Patent number: 7080454Abstract: Devices for removing and/or slicing a meat of fruit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has a handle portion and a working portion having an elongated blade and a pair of lateral extensions. The elongated blade has a cross-sectional shape adapted to facilitate movement of the elongated blade through the meat of the fruit. The working portion of the device has a resting configuration in which the elongated blade has a first radius of curvature, and at least one of the lateral extensions is manipulable under a manual force during use to deform the working portion from the resting configuration to a displaced configuration in which the elongated blade has a second radius of curvature, selectively conforming to the curvature of the skin before and as the elongated blade moves through the meat of the fruit.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Chef'n CorporationInventors: David A. Holcomb, Joshua R. Stewart
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Patent number: 7077058Abstract: A fruit and vegetable peeler which is suitably used in general homes for peeling a small amount of fruits and vegetables, which is small-sized and light-weight, and which is further convenient in carrying and storage. A pair of clamp members are supported by a housing to lie in opposed relation, and a handle is fixed to a handle shaft extended externally of the housing. The housing accommodates a speed increasing gear mechanism for transmitting rotation of the handle shaft to a cup-shaped rotating blade, a transmission gear mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the handle shaft to the rotary shaft of the clamp member, and a rotating-blade swinging mechanism for converting the rotation of the handle shaft into a swing motion of the rotating blade along the circumference of a fruit/vegetable.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Muro CorporationInventor: Giichiro Muro
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Patent number: 6834579Abstract: A palm food processor includes a casing and a knife seat. The casing is composed of an upper cover and a lower cover detachably joined to each other oppositely with a receiving chamber formed between the two covers, a top side of the upper cover having a hand grip part and a bottom of the lower cover having a cover opening. The knife seat provides a size and a shape thereof corresponding to the cover opening for engaging with the cover opening and a bottom thereof having a cutter. Once a hand holds the handgrip part and the cutter contacts a treated food, the treated food can be cut, sliced, peeled or ground into processed products through repeated motions of the food processor and the processed products can be received in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia Kuan
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Patent number: 6748854Abstract: A melon cutter includes a cutting basket which has a plurality of arched wire cutters which extend to a central member. The cutter includes a melon holder which can be forced down towards the cutting head. A melon half placed on the cutting head is then forced by the holder down against the cutting elements. The cutting basket is then rotated about 30°-45° to effectively separate melon meat from the melon rind. The melon pieces then fall into a bowl below the cutting basket.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Display Specialties, Inc.Inventor: James E. Barnard
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Patent number: 6523464Abstract: The invention is an automated peeler for peeling vegetables or fruit. The peeler includes a split axle support for securing and rotating an object to be peeled within a frame, and a peeling blade supported on an articulating peeler blade mount secured through a blade arm to a peeler support. As the peeler support is driven along a peeler carriage, a torsion drive forces the peeler blade against the rotating object. The articulating peeler blade mount permits the peeling blade to track an irregular surface of a vegetable such as a butternut squash. The peeling blade comprises an arcuate cutting surface having at least one blade tip extending above a throughbore defined in the surface of the peeling blade so that a peel of the object passes through the throughbore defined in the peeling blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Ronald J. Widelo
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Patent number: 6516713Abstract: A produce mandrel system has a driven cylinder formed with a point. A driven support receives the driven cylinder for its axial reciprocation and for rotation there within. A driven control assembly has a handle and a collar receiving the driven cylinder whereby movement of the handle will axially shift the driven cylinder. A drive cylinder is formed with needles and a guard with a point coaxial with the driven cylinder. A drive support with bearings receives the drive cylinder for its axial and rotational movement. A drive control assembly includes a motor to rotate the cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Inventor: Rudolph A. Holmander
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Publication number: 20020066374Abstract: An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Brian Hill, Hector Chavez
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Patent number: 6220153Abstract: By providing fruit processing apparatus comprising rotatable movement control members and a U-shaped cutting blade cooperatively associated therewith, high speed, efficient and automatic removal of skins and seeds from a fruit segment is efficiently achieved. The rotatable movement control members receive the fruit segment with the cutting blade positioned along the junction between the skin and the edible fruit portion. Then, the fruit segment is arcuately pivoted, causing the blade to pass between the juncture surface, completely separating the skin from the fruit. If desired, a seed sack removal member is also employed for removing and separating the seeds from the edible fruit.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Kingslink USA, Inc.Inventor: Owen John Easby
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Patent number: 6125744Abstract: A peeling machine is disclosed for peeling various fruits and vegetables. The peeling machine includes a lower holding assembly and an upper holding assembly rotatably coupled to a frame for securing and rotating a fruit or vegetable to be peeled. An air cylinder acts to push the lower assembly towards the upper holding assembly, in the process securing the fruit or vegetable between the upper and lower holding assemblies. A carriage assembly, which is configured to move vertically, is movably coupled to the frame, the carriage assembly containing a cutting assembly coupled to the end of a second air cylinder. The extension of the second air cylinder acts to push the cutting assembly towards the fruit as the carriage assembly moves upwards, as a result peeling the rind from the fruit or vegetable.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Pre-Pack Machinery, Inc.Inventor: Richard Martin
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Patent number: 6116155Abstract: An apparatus for removing skin from a convex surface of a section of fruit. The apparatus includes a curved peeling blade which presents a concave peeling surface to the convex surface of the section of fruit and a drive gear wheel in mesh with an idler gear wheel. Each wheel has a concentric outwardly extending fruit gripping portion which are profiled such that in combination they conform to the curved peeling blade. When the drive wheel is driven and the wheels are rotating, the fruit gripping portions grip a section of fruit and urge the section of fruit past the peeling blade so as to remove the skin from the fruit.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Univex CorporationInventor: Gary John Harding
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Patent number: 5996482Abstract: A high speed, high volume fruit sectionizer is comprised of a pair of suction cup conveyors onto which fruit is loaded. The fruit is coupled by means of suction attachment to a first conveyor and carried to a position wherein the opposing side of the fruit is suction coupled to the second conveyor. The fruit is drawn through a halving guillotine and coring blade. The fruit halves are then positioned on scooping and sectioning assemblies. A rotating semicircular hoop blade cuts the fruit meat away from the peel while leaving the fruit meat and peel in place. The separated peel and fruit meat are moved across the scooping and sectioning assembly through a blade assembly which sections the fruit meat. The meat sectioning blade has a first portion which cuts through the peel and fruit meat to establish a first radial extent of the section cut.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Sunkist Growers, Inc.Inventors: William J. Kirk, Maurice V. Johnson, Jr., Jaxon W. Potter
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Patent number: 5957045Abstract: The machine for peeling vegetables and fruits has a hollow base. A vertical pole projects upwardly from the hollow base. A threaded rod extends vertically within the vertical pole and is driven into rotation by a handle. The vegetable or fruit to be peeled is held between a support pin rod having one end slidably mounted onto the vertical pole and a remove end which is located at a distance away from the vertical pole, and a support axle rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on top of the hollow base. A set of gears is mounted within the hollow base and connected to the bottom end of the threaded rod and to the support axle so as to drive the support axle into rotation when the handle is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Les Promotions Atlantiques Inc.Inventors: Shen Long He, Pierre Tardif
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Patent number: 5787801Abstract: A high speed, high volume fruit sectionizer is comprised of a pair of suction cup conveyors onto which fruit is loaded. The fruit is coupled by means of suction attachment to a first conveyor and carried to a position wherein the opposing side of the fruit is suction coupled to the second conveyor. The fruit is drawn through a halving guillotine and coring blade. The fruit halves are then positioned on scooping and sectioning assemblies. A rotating semicircular hoop blade cuts the fruit meat away from the peel while leaving the fruit meat and peel in place. The separated peel and fruit meat are moved across the scooping and sectioning assembly through a blade assembly which sections the fruit meat. The meat sectioning blade has a first portion which cuts through the peel and fruit meat to establish a first radial extent of the section cut.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Sunkist Growers, Inc.Inventors: William J. Kirk, Maurice V. Johnson, Jr., Jaxon W. Potter
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Patent number: 5778770Abstract: A food processing machine is provided for separating a body of a food item, for example for removing a portion of potato from its outer skin. The machine comprises a plurality of cutting means (4) arranged in an array; a plurality of receptacles (41) for containing a plurality of food items, the receptacles (41) being arranged in an array; and means for moving the cutting means (4) between a cutting position, in which the cutting means are operable to cut a body portion from each of the food items, and the release position, in which thefood items are released from the cutting means.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Inventor: Paul Lindsay Holt
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Patent number: 5690022Abstract: A peeling device includes a base in which a motor is disposed and two ends portions extend from the base wherein a transmitting device is disposed in one of the end portions and is actuated by the motor, a first lead screw rotatably supported between the two end portions and driven by the transmitting device, a movable member movably and threadedly engaged with the first lead screw and a knife disposed to the movable member, a first fork member extending from one of the end portions and mechanically connected to the transmitting device and a second fork member adjustably disposed to the other end portion such that an object to be peeled by the knife is securely positioned between the first and second fork members.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Inventor: Liao-chu Chai
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Patent number: 5669293Abstract: The invention concerns a device for peeling elongated vegetables, preferably asparagus. The device has a housing (2) with a passage (4) designed to permit a stick of asparagus (50) to be inserted. Inside the housing (2) are several peeling blades (12, 12') which are disposed in different directions of the passage (4) and act on the stick of asparagus (50). At least one of the blades (12, 12') can move crosswise to the longitudinal direction (6) of the passage (4) and presses flexibly against the stick of asparagus (50). The blades (12, 12') each have a cutting edge (19, 19') preceded in the peeling direction (23) by a feeler (20, 20'). During the peeling operation, the feeler (20, 20') lies against the stick of asparagus and guides the blade (12, 12') tangentially along the outside surface of the stick (50). The device enables sticks of asparagus (50) of differing diameter to be peeled simply in one operation round the whole of their peripheral area.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Inventor: Felix Sommer
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Patent number: 5664490Abstract: A melon peeler simultaneously removes the seed pod, seeds and rind from a melon slice. A melon slice input channel and a drive assembly cooperate to guide a melon slice toward a cutting assembly arranged across the input channel. The cutting assembly includes an upper blade and a lower blade arranged so that the upper blade removes the seeds and seed pod while the lower blade removes the find, leaving a melon slice of selected thickness.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Fresh King LLCInventors: Nicholas J. Tompkins, Tim T. Murphy, Andrew T. Furukawa
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Patent number: 5640898Abstract: A machine (10) for automatically peeling substantially elongated fruits (15), advantageously for peeling kiwis, comprising a frame (11) supporting a conveyor suitable for translating said fruits (15) from a first feeding station towards a peeling station, said conveyor being provided with means (14) suitable for substantially aligning to each other the longitudinal axes of the fruits which are placed on the conveyor and for rotating said fruits about said longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the machine comprises at least a peeling device (30) cooperating with said means (14) provided on the conveyor, said device (30) being provided with means (53) for cutting and raising a given area of skin of each fruit (15), said cutting and raising means (53) acting during the rotation phase of the fruit about its longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: Tiziana Tomelleri
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Patent number: 5613431Abstract: A tool for use on an avocado, for separating the meat of an avocado from its skin while simultaneously cutting the meat into separate slices, comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and a frame mounted at one end of the handle. The frame has a cutter fastener portion and a handle fastening portion operably secured to the handle and extending away therefrom. A plurality of cutting elements are operably positioned on the frame. An elongated adjustment element extends through the handle and into the frame. A first end of the elongated adjustment element is secured to the plurality of cutting elements and a second end is secured to a rotatable adjustment knob. Fastening elements are slidably secured to the cutter fastener portion of the frame and to the handle fastening portion of the frame allowing the cutter fastening portion of the frame and the handle fastening portion of the frame to be adjusted in relationship to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1996Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Inventor: Chikara R. Tateno
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Patent number: 5582096Abstract: A vegetable peeling and shaping machine has a preliminary cutting assembly for cutting off portions of a vegetable to produce a vegetable core insertable into a tube, and a main cutting assembly with a tube positioned to sequentially receive vegetable cores from the preliminary cutting assembly. A reciprocable plunger is operable to push the vegetable cores sequentially through the tube, the tube having a series of circumferentially spaced shaped slots therein, and a series of reciprocable non-rotatable cutter blades is circumferentially spaced around the tube. The cutter blades are shaped correspondingly to the slots in the tube and are movable from a position exterior to the tube through the slots into the tube to cut a vegetable core to form a vegetable product of the desired shape.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1996Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Shelburne Potato Co. Inc.Inventor: John P. Marton
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Patent number: 5533442Abstract: A tool for use on an avocado, for separating the meat of an avocado from its skin while simultaneously cutting the meat into separate slices, comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and cutting rings are mounted at one end of the handle. The cutting rings including a pair of ring element operably secured to the handle and extending away therefrom. The pair of ring elements comprise an inner ring and outer ring formed from a continuous band. The inner ring has an elongated guide slot operably positioned therein, and the outer ring has an elongated guide slot operably positioned therein and in operably alignment with the elongated guide slot of the inner ring and extending therethrough. The inner ring includes a set element having a centrally positioned aperture therethrough and adapted for releasably securing and receiving the second end of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1995Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Inventor: Chikara R. Tateno
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Patent number: 5461971Abstract: An onion peeling device comprised of a shield having an open lower end and a rounded upper end. The open lower end has a slot formed therein extending upwardly therefrom. The slot has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a width greater than the lower portion. The slot forms edges on opposing sides thereof. The shield is adapted to receive an onion within the open lower end thereof. The shield serves to protect a user's eyes from juices produced when slicing the onion. A rubber strip is secured to the edges of the slot of the shield. The rubber strip is adapted to secure a knife blade within the slot to be used on an onion within the shield.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1995Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Inventor: Cecil B. Brooks
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Patent number: 5168799Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting out of vegetable heads, in particular cauliflower, fruits or parts thereof which have on their underside a central part (stipe), which is to be cut out from the surrounding part along a hemispherical or ogival face. The diameter of the cauliflower is established and the value determined is used for setting and controlling the cutter which is guided on a circular path, for adapting the diameter of the cutter circular path and the penetration depth of the cutter. In addition, the height of the cauliflower to be worked is also sensed, and the values for diameter and height are converted into electric signals and then processed to form setting signals. These setting signals are used for electromechanical control of the cutting operation in such a manner that the adjustment of the diameter of the cutter circular path is carried out independently of the adjustment of the cutter penetration depth.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1992Date of Patent: December 8, 1992Assignee: Herbort Maschinenbau GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Borvitz
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Patent number: 5105734Abstract: A peeler (10) is provided for peeling articles (50) such as oranges. The peeler (10) comprises a cylindrical member (12) which will cut a major portion of the article (50) by plunging thereinto. The portion cut will be within the cutting member (12) with the peel on the outside of the cutting member (12). A moveable member (20) is provided to push the portion from within the cutting member (12). A peel removing member (18) is provided to remove the peel from the outside of the cutting member (12). The ends of the portion can have the peel removed therefrom by slicing menas (149) either before or after the portion is cut from the article.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1991Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Geoffrey FoxcroftInventors: Geoffrey Foxcroft, Cliff R. Mansfield
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Patent number: 5044268Abstract: The invention provides for a cutting device having a mounting member comprised of two cylindrical portions mounted on a base. The two cylindrical portions are arranged co-axially, and define between them a recess adapted to accommodate an article to be cut. Cutting blades are provided and comprise a first cutting blade of tubular shape mounted on a cylindrical portion of the mounting block and a flat blade mounted in a slot in one of the mounting blocks. A moving mechanism is provided to move the blades across the recess when an article is located therein, thereby removing and discarding the outer portions of the article. The invention further comprises a feed system for feeding the article into the recess of the cutting device. The feed system comprises a segmenting apparatus, a transport line between the segmenting apparatus and the recess of the cutting device, as well as propulsion means for moving the article from the transport line into the recess.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1988Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Inventor: Thomas Lin
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Patent number: 4972769Abstract: In an appliance for peeling fruit and vegetables, the appliance comprising an electric motor (1) driving a rotor (2) inside a cover (6), the axis of rotation (21) of the rotor being perpendicular to the surface to be peeled, and the rotor being loosely or pivotally mounted on the axis of rotation and being driven at a speed such that the tangential speed of the blades (16) carried by the rotor is at least equal to 7 meters per second.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1989Date of Patent: November 27, 1990Inventor: Serge Cailliot
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Patent number: 4787305Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollowing machine for vegetables and fruits comprising a frame (1) with a lower table (2), a central table (3), an upper table (4) and outermost a step-by-step pivoting table (7), placed above the upper table. The pivoting table is provided with recesses or pockets for keeping a vegetable or fruit, e.g. a head of cauliflower. The machine comprises a supporting device (103) and a holding device (104) for centering and holding the head of cauliflower in the correct position. Below the outer pivoting table (7) and the upper table (4), centered under one of the recesses, a device of the iris diaphragm (83) type is arranged and straight under this diaphragm a knife head (46) and control devices (107, 36) for controlling the up- and downward movements of the knife head are arranged. The knife head comprises i.a.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Progressive Food Engineering ABInventor: Yngve Akesson
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Patent number: 4785729Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for treating produce for peeling it, in particular a nut-husking machine. This machine comprises a tank (1) with a cylindrical wall, a rotary disk (10) dotted with a plurality of teeth (16) projecting above the disk by an adjustable height, means (4-9) for driving the disk into rotation, a sliding gate (24) to recover the processed produce, means for evacuating the wastes and liquid that include a passage (15 ) on the disk circumference, a ring (21) in this passage and a bottom (2) associated with a spout (3), and means distributing the liquid which include a distributor (12) fixed to the center of the disk (10) in order to eject the liquid at the disk in the centrifugal direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1987Date of Patent: November 22, 1988Inventor: Suzanne Latreyte
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Patent number: 4503761Abstract: A machine for fashioning vegetables and similar products.The machine comprises: a fashioning gripper 12 comprising two jaws 18, 19 adapted for seizing the vegetable via opposed axial actions; a fashioning tool 17 rotating about an axis parallel to the common axis of the fashioning gripper and of the vegetable, said tool being in the shape of a solid of revolution about its rotation axis; means 40 for successively bringing the fashioning tool 17 near and away from the fashioning gripper 12; means 27 for rotating the gripper about itself over a predetermined angle, between two fashioning operations, and an outlet cutting station with two spaced apart cutting tool 43, adapted for eliminating on the facetted vegetable end portions, at least in the areas where the fashioning tool has not removed material, so that the machined facets end axially on two end radial faces.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1982Date of Patent: March 12, 1985Inventor: Jean-Francois Cailloux
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Patent number: 4397228Abstract: Apparatus is provided for slitting the skins of shelled peanuts, or the like, without splitting the nuts. Peanuts are fed in a single stream into the bite of a pair of rollers mounted one above the other for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. The rollers are driven to carry the stream of nuts into engagement with slitting elements disposed on both sides of the bite of the rollers. The upper roller is carried by a yoke pivoted to a drive shaft and is adapted to rise and fall to and away from the lower roll according to the size of the nut being fed therethrough whereby a substantially constant gripping pressure is applied to the nuts irrespective of the size of the nut. A power drive system connects between the drive shaft and the upper roll.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1982Date of Patent: August 9, 1983Assignee: Seabrook Blanching CorporationInventor: Robert L. Thornton
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Patent number: 4157681Abstract: A machine for paring vegetables, fruits or parts thereof having as their base a central portion to be separated over a hemispherical or ogival surface from the surrounding portion, said machine comprising a tray which pivots discontinuously and which is provided with a recess in which said vegetable or fruit is placed, a blade which is curved towards the vertical axis of said vegetable or fruit, rotates about said axis and moves over an arc of a circle which is convex in relation to said axis between two positions, said positions being a position where it is retracted from said recess and a cutting position.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1977Date of Patent: June 12, 1979Assignee: Produits Findus S.A.Inventors: Yngve R. Akesson, Bror F. Lundgren