US 5,307,738 AGranted

Food processing machine

OwnerJohn H. Amstadinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A dry food processing machine designed to clean and polish vegetables such as potatoes as well as various fruits. The machine includes inner and outer, concentrically arranged, inverted, frusto-conical rotatable members which are concentrically spaced from one another to provide a product cleaning space therebetween. The conical members are rotatably driven in opposite or synchronous directions at selected speeds. Rotation produces a centrifugal force to the product which constitutes a vertical and horizontal component of force. Abrading devices are provided in the cleaning apace to assist in cleaning. Product is introduced through the inner member into the cleaning space and the provided vertical force will drive the product upwardly through the cleaning space for removal of material for final delivery of product to a collector cowling. Material removed rom the product will be driven horizontally from the cleaning space through the outer conical member for collection.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A food processing machine particularly arranged and designed to abrade, peel and otherwise treat the exterior surface of various food products, including:

a. a support framework;
b. a pair of centrically arranged conical members rotatably provided on said framework and positioned in radially spaced relation from one another to provide a product treatment area therebetween.
c. means for selectively, rotatably driving said conical members;
d. means for introducing the food product to be treated into said product treatment area;
e. refuse passing apertures provided through the exterior of the outer conical member for passing removed particulates from said treatment area due to the horizontal component of the centrifugal force provided by rotation of said exterior conical member;
f. product surface contacting means carried on the exterior surface of the interior of said conical members extending into said treatment area for treating the exterior surface of the product to a desired condition;
g. exit means at the upper end of said treatment area for delivery of the treated product, the product advancing to said exit means due to the vertical component of the centrifugal force provided by rotation of said exterior conical member.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/081,229Filed 25 Jun 1993
Granted: 3 May 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A23N 12/005
Machines for cleaning, blanching, drying or roasting fruits or vegetables, e.g. coffee, cocoa, nuts: for dry-cleaning
A23N 7/02
Peeling vegetables or fruit: peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
Y02A 40/90
Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production: in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
A23N
Machines or apparatus for treating harvested fruit, vegetables or flower bulbs in