Peeler with crowned rollers
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorBrent A. Ledet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Roller-type peeling apparatus and crowned rollers in the peeling channels of the peeling apparatus. Each peeling channel includes small-diameter insert rollers frictionally counterrotated by simultaneous contact with two large-diameter, rotating powered rollers separated across a gap. Holddowns at spaced locations along the length of the insert rollers hold the insert roller against the two powered rollers and into the mouth of the gap. The insert roller or the powered rollers are crowned between consecutive holddowns to compensate for the tendency of the insert roller to deflect and to provide uniform contact pressure between the insert roller and the powered rollers along the insert roller's length.
Claims19
Peeling apparatus comprising:
- first and second rotating powered rollers separated by a gap extending along the length of the rollers;
- a smaller-diameter insert roller held in counterrotating frictional contact with the first and second powered rollers by forces applied at spaced apart holddown positions along the length of the insert roller;
- wherein the insert roller, the first roller, or the second roller is crowned with a maximum diameter between the holddown positions.
Peeling apparatus comprising:
- first and second rotating powered rollers separated by a gap extending along the length of the rollers;
- a smaller-diameter insert roller including one or more insert roller sections disposed in the gap in counterrotating frictional contact with the first and second powered rollers;
- holddowns disposed at the ends of the one or more insert roller sections and extending through the gap to hold the insert roller in contact with the first and second powered rollers;
- wherein the insert roller, the first roller, or the second roller is crowned with a maximum diameter between the ends of the one or more insert roller sections.
Peeling apparatus comprising:
- an array of reciprocating lower rollers spaced apart laterally across the width of the peeling apparatus;
- an array of reciprocating channel-forming rollers flanking and elevated slightly above the array of lower rollers across narrow gaps between the power rollers and the flanking channel-forming rollers;
- wherein each lower roller forms the base of a peeling channel between laterally consecutive channel-forming rollers;
- a pair of insert rollers disposed in each channel, each insert roller contacting the lower roller and one of the channel-forming rollers along the gap;
- holddowns applying a force at spaced apart positions along the length of the insert rollers directed toward the gap to hold the insert rollers in counterrotating frictional contact with the lower roller and the associated one of the channel-forming rollers;
- wherein the insert rollers, the lower rollers, or the channel-forming rollers are crowned with a maximum diameter midway between the positions of the holddowns.
An insert roller section held down in the peeling nip formed by a pair of closely spaced, larger-diameter rotating powered peeler rollers in the peeling section of a roller-type peeling apparatus, comprising a metal roller having a crowned outer surface with a single crown along its length.
A powered lower or channel-forming roller for frictionally counterrotating a smaller-diameter insert roller in the peeling section of a roller-type peeling apparatus, comprising a roller having a crowned outer surface with at least one crown along its length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.