Patent ID: 6220153
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: A23N

Abstract:
High speed fruit processing apparatus constructed for receiving fruit segments incorporating an edible fruit portion and an outer skin substantially surrounding the edible fruit portion and for automatically removing the outer skin surface therefrom, said apparatus comprising:A. a pair of spindles mounted in juxtaposed, spaced, side-to-side cooperating relationship and defining a fruit segment receiving zone formed thereby;B. each spindle being rotationally movable along its central axis and incorporating a fruit movement control surface formed thereon for receiving and controllably arcuately pivoting the fruit segment between a first raised position and a second lowered position; andC. a cutting blade,a. fixedly mounted in cooperating relationship with the fruit segment receiving zone and in juxtaposed spaced relationship with the fruit movement control surface of the spindles, andb. positioned for contacting the juncture between the inside surface of the skin and the outer surface of the edible fruit portion of the fruit segment when the fruit segment is in its raised position and for entering the juncture and separating the skin from the edible fruit portion as a fruit segment is arcuately pivoted into its second position;whereby the outer skin surface of any desired fruit segment fed into the fruit segment receiving zone is automatically removed from the edible fruit portion in a rapid, efficient, easily obtained manner.