Removing Skin Patents (Class 99/584)
  • Patent number: 11766064
    Abstract: A peeler blade (102) of a peeler (101) is made to swing such as to come into contact with and separate from a virtual axial line of a peeler shaft (111) by a tension state of an urging member (148) being adjusted based on a rotation angle difference between the peeler shaft (111) and a center shaft (141). Peeling is performed from an upper portion side of a fruit or vegetable that is supported by a fruit and vegetable holder (161), on a counter-peeler driving section arrangement side in relation to a virtual axial line of the fruit and vegetable holder (161). The peeling device is made for, for example, peeling a fruit or vegetable having hard skin such as a pineapple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ASTRA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ichijo, Takahiro Karino, Akihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 10631679
    Abstract: A rebound garlic peeling apparatus is presented having an elastomeric, rubberlike, spherical member separable into halves. A first hemispherical section is therefore securable to a second hemispherical section to encapsulate a hollow center. An interior layer, disposed bounding the hollow center when each of the first and second hemispherical members are secured together, is forced to contact garlic cloves enclosed therein when the spherical member is accelerated against a proximal surface. Tractive engagement of the interior layer against the garlic cloves effects separation of the garlic tunic and sheath from the cloves whereby the cloves are expediently peeled by bouncing the spherical member previous to culinary preparation. Force of impact is absorbed predominantly into the spherical member whereby any bruising of the cloves is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Neal David Coyle
  • Patent number: 10624486
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a device for peeling, including a peeling means, a fixing means, a first motor, a second motor, a control device for controlling the peeling means, a three-dimensional (3D) modeling apparatus configured to acquire three-dimensional coordinates of the surface of the item to be peeled, and a processing and controlling unit, wherein the processing and controlling unit is connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus and configured to determine an operating parameter of the peeling means, an operating parameter of the first motor and an operating parameter of the second motor, the processing and controlling unit is further connected to the first motor and controls the first motor to drive the movement of the fixing means, the processing and controlling unit is further connected to the second motor and control the second motor to drive the movement of the peeling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinyue Ju, Tianyue Zhao
  • Publication number: 20140352555
    Abstract: A garlic clove peeler comprising a housing formed with a clove receiving compartment and with a friction wall and a balloon-like complimentary peeling element made of resilient material and having a shaft that has a rotational axis and that removably connects to the housing. The peeling element being formed with a peeler surface extending adjacent the friction wall and resiliently biased in a direction facing the friction wall wherein the friction wall and the peeler surface are concentric with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: SIMON HAIMOFF, OFER HAIMOV
  • Patent number: 8752480
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a melon juice concentrate, such as watermelon juice concentrate, includes a finisher with brushes for separating melon flesh from melon rind including leaving at least 1/16 inch flesh on the rind and screens for separating juice from flesh. The apparatus also includes a steamer to reduce bacteria count on whole melon, a chopper for chopping melons into pieces less than about 16 inches square, an extractor for extracting juice from the flesh, and an evaporator for concentrating melon juice to form melon juice concentrate. The steamer includes a cylinder frame, steam jets directing steam through apertures in the cylinder frame at whole melon therein, and a motivator to move the whole melon along the cylinder frame. The apparatus can also process cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and other melon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Milne Fruit Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. DeJong, Eric A. Johnson, David L. Luther, Gordon R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8733239
    Abstract: A food processor includes a base, a container having a side wall and an open end including a rim, and a lid for engaging the open end of the container in an operating position and a storage position. The lid has a top wall with a first and second principal surface, an annular ledge with a first and second side, and a food chute extending from the first principal surface generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the top wall. The food chute has a length and extends away from the container with the second side of the annular ledge contacting the rim of the container when the lid is in the operating position. When the lid is in the storage position, the food chute extends into an interior of the container with the first side of the annular ledge contacting the rim of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Allen
  • Publication number: 20140109738
    Abstract: A slicer device for slicing and removing a fleshy part of a watermelon surrounded by a rind. The slicer devices comprises a cutter piece having an outer surface and an inner surface; and a series of cutters of a thickness attached to the inner surface of the cutter piece spaced apart, connected to each other and arranged to form a pattern with openings, the openings defined by the cutter sand the inner surface of the cutter piece for receiving and slicing the fleshy part of the watermelon from the rind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel G. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8607698
    Abstract: A fruit press includes a housing removably arranged on a frame and enclosing a pressing chamber, parallel shafts mounted in the frame and protruding into the pressing chamber, for two press rollers which can be driven in opposite directions and which include semi-spherical press recesses distributed over the circumference and for two press heads provided beneath the press rollers, which can be driven in opposite directions in relation to the press rollers, and form spherical press punches cooperating with the press recesses, a knife displaceable along a guide between the press rollers, and a detachable securing device against withdrawal for the press rollers and press heads; which are slid axially onto their conical shafts. The pressing chamber includes a rear wall detachably fastened to the frame, penetrated in a liquid-tight manner by the shafts for the press rollers and press heads, and carrying the guide for the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Technic-Marketing-Products GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Pichler
  • Patent number: 8596193
    Abstract: A supply plate has a proximal end supported by a pivot shaft disposed parallel to a position-fixed shaft and a position-movable shaft. A position-movable shaft support member is pressed toward the position-fixed shaft so the first and second rolls are pressed at the contact point under a predetermined pressure. A link arm supported by a fulcrum shaft is pressed to a surface of the position-movable support member that faces the position-fixed shaft. The fulcrum shaft and the pivot shaft are connected. The contact point is shifted as the position-movable shaft support member moves toward the position-fixed shaft, and the pivot shaft is rotated around the axis line by the link arm, the fulcrum shaft, and the link mechanism based on the movement of the position-movable shaft support member, so the slant angle of the supply plate is automatically changed and the supply plate is directed to the contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Sakamoto, Tomohiro Mitsuhata, Koji Yokota, Tadashi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8563063
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Jerry Avey, Donna Avey
  • Patent number: 8387522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for trimming the surface of meat, in particular fish fillets, comprising a transporting element by means of which the products which are to be processed are conveyed continuously in the transporting direction T into the region of a knife head, also comprising an element for detecting the position of the products, as well as a knife head for trimming the products and a means of controlling the movement of the knife head in dependence on the information and data determined by the position-detecting element, the device being distinguished in that the knife head is designed for automatically executing free trimming cuts along the surface contour of the products. The invention also relates to an apparatus for processing meat using a device mentioned above, and to a corresponding surface-trimming method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Torsten Rusko, Ralf Neumann
  • Publication number: 20120318151
    Abstract: The invention relates to an onion peeler comprising a first part (1, 1?) adapted to hold an onion (4) and at least one second part (2, 2?) comprising a frame on which first and/or second arms (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) are arranged around an opening (6, 6?). First free ends (7a1, 7b1; 8a1, 8b1) of the arms are pointing towards a centre axis (a1) of the opening (6, 6?) and are radially moveable with respect to the centre axis (a1) of the opening. At least two of the first arms (7a, 7b) are provided with vertically arranged cutting means (10) and at least two of the second arms (8a, 8b) are provided with peeling means (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: EPU AG
    Inventors: Nikola Knezevic, Mikael Ericsson, Daniel Ericsson, Johan Vestberg
  • Patent number: 8313708
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating objects with a treatment gas comprises a treatment chamber, a chamber input through which objects enter the treatment chamber, and a chamber output (which may be the same as the chamber input) through which the objects leave the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber encloses the treatment gas, which can be steam. The chamber output and/or the chamber input include an intermediate medium, such as a liquid, through which the objects pass. The intermediate medium prevents escape of the treatment gas from the treatment chamber and the ingress of external gases into the treatment chamber, while facilitating input of the objects to the chamber, and output of the objects from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Paul N. Walker
  • Patent number: 8291817
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: John Kristian Haukas, Walter Johannes Bennett
  • Patent number: 8246427
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to separate a surface layer of a product in the food industry. The apparatus includes a transport device to transport the product from an input region to an output region and a pressure device to press the product against the transport device. A separating device is arranged in the output region to separate the surface layer from the product. The separating device defines a separating gap between the separating device and the transport device. A substantially cylindrical, rotatably controllable deflecting device is arranged in the output region. The deflecting device has a shape varying in the axial direction and/or a circumferential direction. The transport device is guided around the deflecting device to create a variable process gap to separate the surface layer of the product from the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Grabau
  • Publication number: 20120085249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembled peeler, comprising: a rod-shaped handle, the front thereof is axially and protrudingly installed with a buckling tenon or radially installed with a buckling slot; and at least one knife rack, the front thereof is formed with an opening for receiving a knife tool, and the rear of each knife rack is radially installed with a buckling slot or axially and protrudingly installed with a buckling tenon; the handle and the knife rack being combined as one piece through radially inserting the buckling tenon into the buckling slot, such that the knife tool of the knife rack being able to be axially forced for food process operations such as peeling, chopping, slicing, grinding or splitting, so the safety for users is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia KUAN
  • Publication number: 20120024172
    Abstract: A fruit press is described, comprising a housing (22) which is removably arranged on a frame (1) and encloses a pressing chamber (21), parallel shafts (4, 5) which are mounted in the frame (1) and protrude into the pressing chamber (21), on the one hand for two press rollers (2) which can be driven in opposite directions and which comprise semi-spherical press recesses (6) distributed over the circumference and on the other hand for two press heads (3) which are provided beneath the press rollers (2), can be driven in opposite directions in relation to the press rollers (2), and form spherical press punches (7) which cooperate with the press recesses (6) of the press rollers (2), a knife (8) which is displaceable along a guide (11) between the press rollers (2), and a detachable securing means against withdrawal for the press rollers (2) and press heads (3) which are slid axially onto their conical shafts (4, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Technic-Marketing-Products GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Pichler
  • Patent number: 7861648
    Abstract: A large scale processing method for separating banana pulp from its peel is shown. In this method bananas are separated into two parts (generally in a transverse direction), each part having a tip end and a cut end. A compression force is applied to those banana parts such that the force increases from the tip end to the cut end. A device which implements that process, comprising a cutting device, a means for feeding bananas into the cutting device, and two processing conveyor devices (to apply the compression force to the banana parts), is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands International Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Angel Lopez Alvarez, Raul Fernandez, Ilya Ilyin, Jose T. Mejia, Luis Guillermo Bonilla Murillo, Elena Nunez, Andrey Parfenov, Julio Schouwe, Julio Vasquez, James H. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7789016
    Abstract: A device which separates banana pulp from its peel, suitable for large-scale processing, is disclosed. The device consists of upper and lower conveyor belts, a roller installed above the upper belt, and a pressure generating element (e.g., a roller or a plate) installed below the lower belt. The belts are installed so as to converge in the direction of their movement. The axes of the roller(s) is oriented between the longitudinal direction of the lower belt and its transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Angel Lopez Alvarez, Raul Fernandez, Ilya Ilyin, Jose T. Mejia, Luis Guilermo Bonilla Murillo, Elena Nunez, Audrey Parfenov, Julio Schouwe, Julio Vasquez, James H. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20100212519
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: John Kristian Haukas, Walter Johannes Bennett
  • Publication number: 20100186569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knife holding device, particularly for derinding machines, comprising a knife holder (11) with a lower part (13) and an essentially plate-shaped clamping element, the clamping element being displaceable between a clamping position and a release position in order to optionally clamp or release a knife blade (17) to be inserted between the lower part and the clamping element, and a tensioning device (19, 53) engaging with the clamping element for adjusting the clamping element between the release position and the clamping position. According to the invention, the lower part comprises a counter bearing (21) for the clamping element, said counter bearing cooperating with the clamping element such that the clamping element executes a rotational or tilting movement about the counter bearing during adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Guenther Weber
  • Publication number: 20100151094
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for removing the peels/skins from agricultural produce, such as fruits and vegetables, are disclosed. The peel and/or the connection between the peel and the flesh of the produce can be at least partially destroyed by a caustic fluid and/or steam. Once the peel has been sufficiently loosened from the flesh, forced air may be applied to the surface of the produce to remove the loosened peel and any residual caustic fluid. Using air to remove the loosened peel instead of the conventional use of water significantly reduces the freshwater requirements and substantially reduces the quantity of wastewater discharge with very low concentration of contaminants. The peels, caustic fluid, and water can be collected and separated, after which the peels can be neutralized and fed to livestock, used as fertilizer, or used for pectin production, and the caustic fluid and residual water can recycled into the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Gour S. Choudhury, Bill R. Hachtmann
  • Publication number: 20100000423
    Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a peel body and a ceramic blade unit. The peel body has a handgrip part and two carrier arms extending from a distal end of the handgrip part. The ceramic blade unit has two opposite sides connected pivotally to the carrier arms, an inner cutting edge and an outer blunt edge extending between the opposite sides so as to expose the outer blunt edge to an exterior thereof. The inner cutting edge is used for peeling an external surface of fruit and vegetable, and the outer blunt edge is easy shoveled off waste resulted from peeling operation of the inner cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: MING-TUNG YU, FU-TANG LIN
  • Patent number: 7615242
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Skaginn HF.
    Inventors: Ingolfur Arnason, Hordur Gardarsson, Gylfi Borgthor Gudfinnsson, Bryndis Ragnarsdottir, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7607388
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fruit feeding device, or fruit conveyor, for fruits like melons and pine-apples, which is used to supply peeling machines, coring machines, and peeling-coring machines with such fruits; the feeding device allows to work safely since it prevents the operator's hands from coming near the moving members, though the fruits are manually loaded on the fruit conveyor. In particular, it is suitable in those cases where the fruits have to be manually loaded because their automatic orientation is difficult and expensive to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: A.B.L. s.r.l.
    Inventors: Carlo Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Patent number: 7581491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement effected in the peeling and coring machines used for peeling and coring melons and pineapples, the improvements being that the machine: is able to indifferently peel one or the other type of fruit, after a simple replacement of a kit of sharp blades; is able to remove the peel (skin) of the fruit, by acting on the inside of the fruit; is able to separate the pips and the central part of melons which contains these pips, and to remove the fibrous inner stem of the pineapple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: A.B.L. s.r.l.
    Inventors: Carlo Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Publication number: 20090199726
    Abstract: An avocado de-skinning apparatus having two vertically disposed rotating drums which rotate inward. The drums each have axial grooves which are perpendicular to the axis of the drums and intersecting cross grooves which are perpendicular to the axial grooves and parallel to the axis of the drums. The rotating drums pinch off the skin of an avocado and force it through a drum gap between the rotating drums. The avocado pulp drops off for further processing. A skin scraper at the rear of the rotating drums removes skin adhering to the drums and a pulp scraper [doctor blade] to the front, with ends which corresponds to the shape of the axial grooves, biases onto the axial grooves and scrapes off any pulp adhering to the drums for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Richard MOORE
  • Publication number: 20090090255
    Abstract: An agricultural product peeling apparatus includes an alignment supply unit, a peeling unit, and a plurality of urging plates. The alignment supply unit aligns and supplies agricultural product such as potatoes. The peeling unit includes a pair of parallel rotary members with a cutting body on their outer surfaces and peels with the cutting body the agricultural products, sequentially supplied from the alignment supply unit to a convey path formed between the rotary members. The urging plates move the agricultural products supplied to the start side of the convey path to the end side of the convey path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Karasawa, Masayuki Kaji, Katsuhiro Watanabe, Noritoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7430958
    Abstract: A double blade peeling device for vegetable and fruit comprises a handle attached to a vegetable and fruit retaining member and a body of screw, the handle can drive internal gears to rotate, so as to make the retaining member and the body of screw to rotate as well. The body of screw, which is provided with two screw threads, drives upper and lower blade carriers to move upward and downward oppositely, such that the blades mounted on the upper and lower blade carriers move downward and upward respectively, contact the rotating food frictionally, and peel vegetable or fruit from upside and underside simultaneously. When two blade carriers move to the intermediate position to complete the peeling action, the two blade carriers open through wedge in blade carrier devices, two blades leave the surface of food, the lower blade carrier devices disengage with the body of screw. The body of screw drives upper blade carrier device to press the lower blade carrier device to move downward unceasingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Publication number: 20080233250
    Abstract: A continuous flow/batch peeling device and method of using the device comprising a tub comprising a treatment zone and holding a replaceable quantity of an electrically conductive fluid and at least one produce immersed in the fluid, a belt comprised of a nonconductive material and comprising at least one divider that exposes produce to the treatment zone, and at least one variable power supply connected to at least one set of electrodes that are fixed to a wall of the treatment zone and in electrical contact with the fluid such that when the electrodes are energized, an electrical current is produced in the fluid and the produce causing the peel to rupture from an outer layer of flesh of the produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Sudhir Sastry, Sarvesh N. Gupta, Brian F. Heskitt
  • Patent number: 7415769
    Abstract: An improved peeler or scraper is disclosed with a pivoting head that can be pivoted between a longitudinal position where the cutting or scrapping blade is in general alignment with the handle to a transverse position where the cutting blade is disposed perpendicular to the handle or in a “T” configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: W. Scott Hughes
  • Patent number: 7263776
    Abstract: A fruit seed removing device includes a body, a sleeve, a button, a positioning block, a toggle, a pull rod, a connecting block and a knife. By pulling a hand of a pull rod, the pull rod will drive the knife to move inwards or expand outwards. Then the button is rotate through an angle to drive the positioning block to rotate. Then the pull rod is tightened and positioned. Therefore, the size of a ring for removing seeds is set. The adjustment of the size of the ring can be performed quickly and easily according to the range of the seeds in a fruit. Thereby no pulp will adhere to the user's hand. The operation is retained in clean state and can be performed easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hausco Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaw-Chyi Shieh
  • Patent number: 7264189
    Abstract: A hand-held hand-powered food processor having a pull cord motor for rotating a spindle that carries an arm. The arm can be a cutter blade or an elastomeric flexible peeler arm having a durometer of preferable between Shore 80A and Shore 82A. A food processor having a spindle, an elastomeric arm driven by the spindle, a stop block on a sidewall near the end of the arm, and a drive for rotating the spindle to rub against the skin of food in the processor for peeling the food. The cover of the processor has a flat outer periphery so the cover can be used as a storage unit for the contents of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Joshua R. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7048957
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method and an apparatus relating to an infeed for positioning the green onions in a generally horizontal position on a conveyor and a transition conveyor for transporting the horizontally disposed green onions and transporting them to a substantially vertical disposition to present them to a peeler for removing the outer skins of the onion and a de-rooter for shortening or removing the roots from the onions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Fresh Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Alsobrook, Antonio Cicchino, Jose Bojorquez
  • Patent number: 7004056
    Abstract: A Cutting Machine for processing leafy vegetables such as collard greens is provided. The Cutting Machine is adjustable to accommodate vegetables of varying thicknesses. An enclosure with a cover has an input opening in the cover to feed material to be cut between the rollers. An actuating shaft which is rotated includes an offset wheel and an offset shaft. An actuating rod on the offset wheel swings a pivoting knife back and forth to cut the material. An actuating shaft which is connected to the offset shaft moves a roller cog mounted on the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: Carolyn Shorter, James Shorter
  • Patent number: 6966254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device suited to peel pulpy fruits, like citrus fruits, mango, kiwi, papaya, apples, pears, and particularly oranges and other fruits whose skin has not a uniform thickness. The peeling of fruits whose skin has an uneven thickness is made possible by the fact that the inventive device is equipped with a mechanism capable of varying continuously—according to a program—the amount of projection of the peeling tool relative to the feeler device, in the peeling step. The device is applicable to any kind of peeling machine, or to a machine that foresees a peeling step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: A.B.L. s.r.l.
    Inventors: Carlo Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Patent number: 6951168
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a vegetable delivery device for use in trimming roots and tops from bulbs such as onions. The device comprises a frame, a bottom conveyance means and a top conveyance means composed of a chain and gear system with a common synchronized drive. Concave cups are synchronously positioned in opposition to grasp and secure a vegetable as the conveyance means passes the vegetable to, through and past a cutting means. A wheel or skid means exerts a downward force against the top conveyance means proximal the cutting means as an additional manner of securing the vegetable as it passes the cutting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Gary Tasakos
  • Publication number: 20040261634
    Abstract: An apple/potato peeler. The peeler includes a base, a main frame mounted to a slightly L-shaped structure on the base, a rotatable and axially movable screw horizontally supported on a screw support member on a vertical frame member disposed at the rear of the main frame, a 3-prong fork fixed to the front end of the screw, a guide piece pivotally mounted on the vertical frame member and being releasably engageable relative to a screw channel of the screw, a resiliently movable peeling arm fore-and aft swingeable pivoted to the front part of the horizontal frame member of the main frame, a U-shaped peeling blade fixed to the upper end of the movable peeling arm by a blade positioning device, and a coring/slicing blade fixed to the front end of the horizontal frame member for cutting flesh of a vegetable fruit held by the 3-prong fork if the screw into continuous spiral slices and for coring fruit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Philip Wang
  • Patent number: 6834579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia Kuan
  • Publication number: 20040250362
    Abstract: A hand-held fruit and vegetable surface cleaner/remover (10) includes a handle (11), a motor (14) housed within the handle, an output shaft (15) extending from the motor, and a surface cleaning or removing utensil (20) attached to the output shaft and surrounding a portion of the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Ascot Pacific Limited
    Inventor: David Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 6796224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine used for the industrial peeling of citrus fruits and specifically oranges. The only manual operation to be performed corresponds to the loading, since the orange must be oriented. The machine has a high productivity, and does not lead to production reject, since even the peel is recoverable. The machine can be realized in a form that includes a single production line, or in one which includes several simultaneously operating production lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ABL S.r.l.
    Inventors: Carlo Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Patent number: 6776087
    Abstract: A food processing machine having a product cleaning drum and an encircling product carrier shell disposed to define an annular product cleaning space therebetween. A waste collecting bell is concentrically mounted about the carrier shell to provide a waste collecting space therebetween and the carrier shell and collecting bell are interconnected. Separate mechanisms drive the cleaning drum and the interconnected carrier shell and collection bell to alter the magnitude of the centrifugal force that moves the products through the cleaning space and controls the amount of surface pressure applied to the products by abrading members carried on the periphery of the cleaning drum. Centrifugal force and the abrading members coact with frictional surfaces provided in the product movement path to move the products through the machine, while centrifugal force moves waste material from the cleaning space into the waste collecting space and out through a waste discharge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Amstad Family Revocable Trust
    Inventor: John H. Amstad
  • Patent number: 6758133
    Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products having a cutting knife which is driven in a rotary manner. The cutting plane of the knife extends perpendicular to the product support surface of a product supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günther Weber
  • Publication number: 20040089166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine used for the industrial peeling of citrus fruits and specifically oranges. The only manual operation to be performed corresponds to the loading, since the orange must be oriented. The machine has a high productivity, and does not lead to production reject, since even the peel is recoverable. The machine can be realized in a form that includes a single production line, or in one which includes several simultaneously operating production lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: ARL S.R.L.
    Inventors: Carlo Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Publication number: 20040069160
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia Kuan
  • Patent number: 6718868
    Abstract: A peeling device supports a fresh commodity in a first position in a nonspecific orientation. The commodity is impelled using a thruster toward a scoring structure for scoring the peel to a predetermined depth into two sectors. Peel grippers hold the peel between the scores and release the peeled commodity, such that the peel is retained on the gripping means. The thruster is positioned and adapted to force the commodity along a path to engage the cutting and peel-gripping elements, the thruster bottom surface changeable from a first, generally concave orientation for conforming to a shape of the commodity to a second, generally convex orientation for releasing the commodity from the peel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Florida Department of Citrus
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Ismail, Shi-Chiang Pao, Mark Thomas, Rudi C. Groppe, Eric Davidson
  • Publication number: 20040025717
    Abstract: In food preparation in which a starting salad of ingredients of a purchased size are reduced to bite-size by dicing, rather than slicing, and use is made of a scissors-type device which uses a cutting knife urged in one direction and a food-supporting scoop urged in an opposite direction to make a chopped salad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Lee Smith
  • Publication number: 20040003728
    Abstract: A culinary peeler having an elongate blade bent or curved in its lateral dimension having at least one longitudinal opening extending along its length with a sharp cutting region adjacent the opening, wherein the blade is of curved form in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robin Levien, Anthony Harrison-Griffin
  • Publication number: 20030232116
    Abstract: A corrugated knife fixture is provided for cutting vegetable products or the like particularly such as potatoes, wherein the knife fixture includes one or more knife blades each having a cutting edge with a variable pitch and variable amplitude geometry. The knife fixture is particularly adapted for cutting whole potatoes into a plurality of wedge-shaped pieces each including a pair of wave-shaped cut surfaces which angularly intersect at a narrow cut tip located generally at a longitudinal centerline of the potato and diverge radially outwardly to an enlarged heel corresponding with the external surface of the potato which may remain unpeeled. The knife fixture, and the resultant wave-shaped cut surfaces of the potato wedges, is defined by the variable pitch and variable amplitude cutting edge wherein the pitch and amplitude increases from the cut tip of the wedge toward the heel or external surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Michael O. Fein, Allen J. Neel
  • Patent number: 6619194
    Abstract: An omni-bearing peeler includes a knife holder, a handle and a catch device. The knife holder has a wing part at two opposite lateral sides thereof respectively and two frame plates at a lower portion thereof with a frame groove in between. The frame groove at two opposite ends thereof is provided with a cap hole and a cover hole respectively. The handle provides a step hole at an end thereof being received in the frame groove and between the cap hole and the cover hole. The step hole at a circumferential edge thereof provides at least two guide grooves and a step ring groove arranged at lower portions of the guide grooves so as to communicate with the guide grooves. The catch device has a button with an upper cap and a lower stop ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia Kuan