Patent ID: 6516713
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A23N,A47J

Abstract:
A produce mandrel system for rotating a piece of produce such as a fruit or vegetable while removing its exterior surface comprising, in combination:a support table having an upper working surface in a horizontal plane with a drive end and a driven end and with a central operating region there between and having downwardly extending legs; a driven cylinder with an interior end formed with a point positioned above the central operating region of the working surface and with an exterior end over the driven end of the working surface and a central section there between; a driven support having an upper end with a cylindrical bore receiving the driven cylinder for axial reciprocation and for rotation there within, the driven support having a lower end mounted on the working surface adjacent to the driven end; a driven control assembly including a drive rod with an upper end formed with a handle and a lower end provided with parallel coil springs coupled to the table adjacent to the driven end and an intermediate extent there between with a pivot pin secured with respect to the table, the driven control assembly also including a collar rotatably receiving the driven cylinder adjacent its exterior end and a link pivotally coupling the collar and the driven cylinder adjacent to the handle whereby the spring will urge the drive rod, link, collar and driven cylinder into engagement with a piece of produce and reverse movement of the handle by an operator will reverse the movement of the driven cylinder; a drive cylinder with an interior end adjacent to a point positioned above the central operating region of the working surface and with an exterior end over the drive end of the working surface and a central section there between, the drive cylinder being coaxial with the driven cylinder; a drive support having an upper end with axially spaced cylindrical bearings receiving the drive cylinder for axial reciprocation and for rotation there within, the drive support having a lower end mounted on the working surface adjacent to the drive end; a cylindrical sleeve with an exterior surface mounted in the bearings for rotational movement and with an interior surface receiving the drive cylinder whereby the drive cylinder is capable of axial and rotational movement, the sleeve being formed with an enlarged cylindrical block with interiorly extending pins and a circular plate with a point aligned with the drive cylinder and supplemental holes for the passage of the point of the drive cylinder and with a coil spring encompassing the drive cylinder with one end contacting the block and one end contacting the plate for urging their separation; a drive control assembly including a motor mounted to the table with a variable speed drive pulley mounted to the rotor of the motor and a driven pulley mounted on the sleeve with a drive belt coupling the pulleys, the drive control assembly also including a foot control to activate the motor, sleeve and drive cylinder at a preselected speed and also the driven cylinder when a piece of produce is coupled between the cylinders; and a safety switch mounted adjacent to the exterior end of the drive cylinder and adapted to be contacted by axial movement of the drive cylinder to allow rotation of the motor, sleeve, and cylinders only when a piece of produce is supported by the cylinders but to preclude such rotation when no piece of produce is so supported.