Pressurized steam pitting apparatus and process
AssigneeDesert Valley Date, Inc.
InventorGregory Paul Kirkjan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, a process is disclosed for pitting drupes. In some embodiments of a pitting process, the pitting machine uses a pitting knife that has a longitudinal passageway that extends axially through the pitting knife. The pitting machine has a steam source that provides pressurized steam to the passageway of the pitting knife. Prior to pitting the drupe, the pressurized steam flows through the passageway and onto a portion of a drupe positioned within a carrier in the pitting machine. The heat and pressure of the steam between the drupe and the cutting end of the cutting knife can soften a localized portion of the drupe so that the cutting knife can cut through the flesh of the drupe and eject the pit out of the opposite side of the drupe.
Claims20
A pitting machine comprising:
- a pitting knife comprising a longitudinal body having a connector end and a cutting end, and a passageway extending between the connector end and the cutting end;
- a steam system configured to deliver steam at a specified temperature and pressure, wherein the steam system has one or more fluid conduits in fluid communication with the passageway of the pitting knife;
- a carrier configured to position a drupe upright within the carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to be conveyed by a conveyor system, wherein the pitting knife is configured to move relative to the position of the carrier to remove a pit from within the drupe;
- and
- a control system configured to control the position of the pitting knife relative to the drupe and the application of steam such that the steam is applied to a top portion of the drupe via the passageway prior to pitting the drupe.
A method for pitting a drupe, the method comprising:
- conveying a drupe within a carrier of a pitting machine;
- positioning a pitting knife above the carrier, the pitting knife having a longitudinal passageway that is in fluid communication with a pressurized steam source;
- applying pressurized steam to a top portion of the drupe, the pressurized steam provided by the pressurized steam source through the longitudinal passageway of the pitting knife;
- moving the pitting knife through the drupe such that the pitting knife forces a pit of the drupe through an opposite side of the drupe;
- and
- retracting the pitting knife from the drupe.
A method for pitting a drupe, the method comprising:
- conveying a drupe along a conveyor system to at least one pitting knife, the drupe being positioned within a carrier on the conveyor system;
- applying pressurized steam to a top portion of the drupe;
- moving the pitting knife through the portion of the drupe to which the pressurized steam was applied such that a pit of the drupe is forced out of the opposite side of the drupe, wherein the pitting knife penetrates the portion of the drupe;
- and
- retracting the pitting knife from the drupe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.