Method and apparatus for peeling produce such as garlic
AssigneeChef 'N Corporation
InventorDavid A. Holcomb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for peeling the husk from produce such as garlic cloves in which cup means are provided with circumferentially spaced, inwardly biased prongs that converge toward an exit end, the prongs having gripping members adjacent the exit end. A plunger is provided for pushing the garlic meat relative to the husk while the husk is being held by the gripping members. In the method, the husk is held and gripped at the circumferentially spaced locations while the meat is pressed axially of the husk relative to the husk while the husk is being gripped. Preferably, the husk is simultaneously scored or cut as it is gripped to split the husk.
Claims18
Apparatus for peeling the husk from garlic cloves of the type having a firm inner meat and a fibrous husk, the garlic cloves having a leading surface and a trailing surface in the direction of movement through the apparatus, comprising:
- cup means having an entrance end and an opposite exit end, the exit end having a plurality of flexible, circumferentially spaced prongs converging radially inward and away from the entrance end, said prongs having inwardly protruding gripping members closely spaced to one another adjacent the exit end for engaging the husk of the garlic cloves and moving along the husk from its leading surface to its trailing surface;
- and
- plunger means for pushing the garlic cloves unidirectionally through and out of the exit end past the gripping members, wherein the gripping members penetrate the husk to hold the husk as the plunger pushes the inner meat out of the exit end separated from the husk.
A garlic peeler for garlic cloves having a husk covering firm meat, said garlic peeler having a radially outer member having an entrance end and a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible prongs converging radially inward and axially away from the entrance end to define an exit end, said prongs having having a plurality of laterally inwardly extending terminal points to grip and cut into said husk to serrate the husk and hold it;
- and a plunger having radially inwardly extending, circumferentially spaced fingers aligned with the spaces between the spaced prongs for pushing the garlic unidirectionally through the exit end of the outer member and removed from the peeler, causing substantially the entire husk to be split and separated from the meat in one motion.
An apparatus for removing the husk from garlic cloves of the type having a firm inner meat and a fibrous husk, comprising:
- cup means having an entrance end and an exit end, the exit end having a plurality of flexible means with inwardly protruding terminal gripping elements for separating the husk from the inner meat;
- and
- plunger means for pushing the produce into the exit end, both the inner meat and the husk exiting through the exit end in the same direction substantially separated from each other.
Apparatus for peeling the husk from garlic cloves having a firm inner meat and a fibrous husk, each garlic clove having a leading surface and a trailing surface in the direction of movement through the apparatus, comprising:
- cup means having an entrance end and an opposite exit end, the exit end having a plurality of flexible, circumferentially spaced prongs converging radially inward and away from the entrance end, each of said prongs having at least one laterally inwardly extending terminal gripping point, said gripping points being closely spaced to one another at the exit end for engaging the husk of the garlic clove and moving along the husk from its leading surface to its trailing surface;
- plunger means for pushing the garlic clove unidirectionally through and out of the exit end and past the gripping points, wherein the gripping points penetrate the husk to grasp the husk as the plunger pushed the inner meat out of the exit end separated from the husk.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.