Patent ID: 6427584
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: A23N,B24B

Abstract:
A system for processing citrus fruit comprising:a peeling chamber having opposing sides and ends and openings defining a fruit inlet and fruit outlet at the ends, and a lower portion; a feeder positioned adjacent the fruit inlet for feeding citrus fruit into the fruit inlet; a feed auger rotatably mounted in the peeling chamber for driving citrus fruit fed into the fruit inlet through the peeling chamber and out of the fruit outlet; and a plurality of abrasive rollers rotatably mounted within the lower portion of the peeling chamber, wherein said abrasive rollers and feed auger are driven to provide a residence time for citrus fruit within said peeling chamber in an amount sufficient to remove at least a portion of oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.