Steam-peeling methods
AssigneeEnviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Harvey, Donald P. Jepson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and a pressure of 12-30 psi. The level of condensate is controlled for dragout by adding water and the concentration of naphthalene sulfonate is monitored and maintained at approximately 1000-2000 ppm. Residence time in the steam chamber is 8-35 seconds, while residence time in the vacuum chamber is 5-10 seconds while maintaining a vacuum of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.
Claims29
A method for removing skin from an article of agricultural produce, comprising the steps of:
- a. treating said article with naphthalene sulfonate and steam at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure;
- and,
- b. quickly thereafter, subjecting said article to a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure.
A method for removing skin from an article of agricultural produce, comprising the steps of:
- a. treating said article with cuticle integrity-reducing substance and steam at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure;
- and,
- b. quickly thereafter, subjecting said article to a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure.
A method for peeling a tomato, comprising the steps of:
- a. subjecting said tomato to a first environment comprising steam from an aqueous solution of cuticle integrity-reducing substance at a temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and at a pressure of approximately 12-30 psi for approximately 8-35 seconds;
- and,
- b. quickly thereafter, subjecting said tomato to a second environment comprising negative pressure of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.
A method for peeling a tomato, comprising the steps of:
- a. subjecting said tomato to a first environment comprising steam from an aqueous solution of 1000-2000 ppm of naphthalene sulfonate at a temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F., at a pressure of approximately 12-30 psi, for approximately 8-35 seconds;
- and,
- b. subjecting said tomato to a second environment comprising negative pressure of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.
A method for peeling a continuous stream of tomatoes, comprising the steps of:
- a. subjecting said tomatoes to a first environment comprising an aqueous solution of surface-lubricating substance at a temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and at a pressure of approximately 12-30 psi for approximately 8-35 seconds;
- and,
- b. quickly thereafter, subjecting said tomatoes to a second environment comprising negative pressure of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.
A method for peeling a continuous stream of tomatoes, comprising the steps of:
- a. passing said stream from a conveyor, through a valve, and into a pressure chamber;
- b. passing said stream from said pressure chamber, through a valve and into a vacuum chamber;
- c. passing said stream from said vacuum chamber to mechanical peeling apparatus;
- d. maintaining a biphasic environment within said pressure chamber, a first phase of which comprises an aqueous solution of cuticle integrity-reducing substance and a second phase of which is vapor;
- e. maintaining a temperature within said pressure chamber of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F.;
- f. maintaining a pressure within said pressure chamber of approximately 12-30 psi;
- g. controlling the rate of passage of said stream of tomatoes through said pressure chamber such that a tomato in said stream resides within said pressure chamber for approximately 8-35 seconds;
- h. maintaining a concentration of cuticle integrity-reducing substance of 1000-2000 ppm;
- and,
- i. maintaining a vacuum in said vacuum chamber of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.