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.

Abstract: A pepper seed polishing machine consists of a frame made from welded angle iron bars, a polishing mechanism which is a concave made from iron sieve having holes with diameter of 1.5-2 millimeters, and an agitator set. The agitator set consists of three backward curve vane blades welded onto a rotating shaft and is driven by a two-horsepower electric motor via a two V belt-pulley set. Black pepper seed is loaded into a hopper located on top of the machine. After polishing process, the polished seed is unloaded from the machine, while dust and rubbish can be collected separately. Polishing or rubbing off the outer skin of pepper seed resulted from rubbing action between seed to metal and seed to seed. The revolution of the rotor can be changed by changing pulleys' diameter. This results in changing of time required for each cycle of polishing process and polishing capacity as well. After polishing, the pepper seed has much more favorably odor than those polished by the conventional method.

Abstract: A peeler for garlic and/or peanuts includes a housing having an open top end and a cylindrical inner wall surface on which four ribs having respective surfaces are formed, and a lid for closing the housing top end. The peeler includes a central beater surrounded by the wall surface and supported for rotation about an axis. A handle is provided for rotating the beater so the garlic and/or peanut pieces strike the rib surfaces at a steep angle, whereby the skin of the garlic and/or peanut pieces is cracked open through continued movement by the beater for subsequent peeling.

Abstract: A peeler uses parallel inclined valleys in a cylindrical interior surface to serve as channels. The parallel valleys are between parallel ridges or ribs. A rotary disk having a series of bumps and an abrasive surface is rotated so as to abrasively remove an outer portion of agricultural products. The debris corresponding to removed portions is urged downwardly and out a peripheral debris exit by the ridges as rotation takes place. A wear rim around the disk has an upper surface and the debris exit is between the wear rim and the interior surface. The interior surface is on a liner having a lower surface. The upper surface of the wear rim is no greater than 1/4 inch higher than a lower edge of the liner such that a restricted passage therebetween has a height no greater than 1/4 inch. An expansion zone is just below the restricted passage.

Abstract: A cleaning and peeling machine (1) with an essentially vertically aligned cylinder (6) and with a conveyor screw (26) located in the latter is designed for cleaning and peeling agricultural products. The shell (18) of the cylinder (6) has a plurality of orifices which are distributed peripherally and through which the waste which occurs, such as skins, passes outwards. So that continuous treatment can take place, the product is fed centrally into the bottom region (27) of the cylinder (6).

Abstract: Equipment for processing produce including a rotatable drum with outwardly facing pockets distributed circumferentially. The lower portion of the drum is submerged in a pool of liquid confined by a tank. Liquid is circulated in the tank to cause produce to travel into the pockets as the pockets move into the liquid pool with rotation of the drum, and to cause produce to travel out of the pockets as the pockets move out of the liquid pool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously peeling vegetables and fruits in large quantities. The apparatus 1ncludes a support structure with a housing rotatably mounted thereon, the housing having a plurality of closely spaced-apart, rotating abrading spindles mounted thereon forming an enclosed cage. Rotation of the cage at a sufficient rate accelerates produce items engaging the spindles into generally circular orbits at a speed which results in the produce items being held against the rotating spindles by centrifugal force. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the cage also urges peelings outwardly of the cage between the spindles for discharge. A finger drum is rotatably mounted on said support structure within the cage and has a plurality of flexible fingers thereon adapted to engage produce items as they move from a feed end to a discharge end of the housing. Rotation of the finger drum causes the fingers to urge the produce items into initial engagement with the spindles.