Abstract:
A method and device for producing a hollow cylindrical, edible container composed of a vegetable item or fruit item ( 10 ), in particular of a cucumber, courgette or the like, which can be filled with a filling. The device has a centring means ( 11 ) for centring and fixing the fruit item ( 10 ), a hollowing-out means ( 21 ) for removing the core of the fruit item ( 10 ) and forming an internal cavity, and a peeling device for removing the outer shell of the fruit item ( 10 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention concerns a method for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container composed of a vegetable item or a fruit item, especially a cucumber, zucchini, or the like, which can be filled with a filling, a container produced according to the method, as well as an apparatus to carry out the method. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Edible containers for filling with an edible filling, such as a meat filling, are known in many varieties. Thus, buns which are filled with meat or vegetables are used to make hamburgers and doner kebabs. So-called hot dogs are also known for which a bun is provided with a hole into which a sausage is placed. Due to gluten intolerance, many people have problems with buns made from grains. Furthermore, many people are interested in food having few carbohydrates. For this reason, they would rather not consume grain products. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,900 A discloses the industrial processing of a pineapple. In this process, the fruit is clamped, the end portions are cut off, the core is hollowed out, and the outer shells are removed. An apparatus with a centering device, a cutting device, a de-coring device and with peeling heads is used for this. As the end product, one then obtains the familiar ring-shaped piece of pineapple. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,777 B1 discloses a similar production method and a similar apparatus to U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,900 A and also furthermore shows a control system for the apparatus. 
         [0005]    KR 10 0 792 464 B1 discloses a production method for producing filled cucumber disks with the aid of a receiving device and hollow knives designed for this. The receiving device for the cucumber consists of two half-shells which can be joined together and which clamp the cucumber in place. After this, the end regions of the fruit protruding beyond the half-shells are cut off with a knife and the core is hollowed out completely with the aid of the hollow knife. In this way, one obtains a tubular cucumber container. This is filled by hand and then either cut in half lengthways or sliced into disks for serving. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The problem which the present invention proposes to solve is to further modify an edible container. 
         [0007]    As the solution of this problem, a method according to claim  1  is proposed and an apparatus according to claim  12  for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container composed of a vegetable item or a fruit item, especially a cucumber, zucchini, or the like, which can be filled with a filling. 
         [0008]    Since the container is made from a vegetable item or a fruit item, no problems occur with gluten intolerance. Furthermore, the edible container is suitable for holding the filling of a low-carbohydrate food. Since only a portion of the fruit is hollowed out from the container, it has a bottom which prevents the filling from falling out. 
         [0009]    The method according to the invention can be used for various fruits and vegetables. But in particular it is suitable for cucumbers. 
         [0010]    In the method according to the invention, at first a centering and a fixing of the fruit in a centering device are accomplished. Next, at least one end region of the fruit is separated. Then the core or a region of the core of the fruit is partly hollowed out to form an interior cavity with a bottom. Finally, an outer shell of the fruit is removed. Thanks to the centering of the fruit, a hollowing out is made possible and cutting scraps are minimized, especially in the case of a curved fruit. 
         [0011]    The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention enable an automatic processing of the starting piece of fruit. 
         [0012]    The method according to the invention is preferably carried out with the apparatus according to the invention. 
         [0013]    Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. 
         [0014]    Advantageously, the interior cavity of the container is filled with a suitable filling. This involves in particular an organic filling such as chicken, beef, salmon, tuna, lettuce, rice or mixtures thereof. 
         [0015]    The outside of the edible container can be processed. In particular, a granular coating can be applied to the outside of the container, especially one of sesame seeds or coconut. In this way, one achieves a dry surface which enhances the secure holding of the container. 
         [0016]    In an advantageous embodiment, the centering device for the centering of the fruit and fixing of the fruit on the outside switches from a position of rest to a centering position. The centering device consists for example of several spaced-apart holding elements, which form two half-shells that fix the fruit accordingly from a first side and a second side. For example, the centering device is open in the position of rest, that is, the fruit can be placed in the centering device in the position of rest. In particular, the centering device is closed in the centering position, that is, the fruit is firmly fixed and centered in the centering position. In the centering position, the fruit is fixed for example in such a way that curvatures of the fruit can be balanced out and the fruit can be fixed as straight as possible in the centering device. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the centering device switches from a centering position to a peeling position. In the centering position, the fruit is centered and fixed in the centering device, at least one of the end regions of the fruit is separated and the core of the fruit is hollowed out to form an interior cavity, wherein the core is hollowed out only across a partial region of the fruit, so that a closed bottom of the fruit remains in place. The outer shell of the fruit is removed in the peeling position. 
         [0018]    In an advantageous embodiment, the fruit is held in the peeling position by a holding device. The holding device, unlike the centering device, affords the advantage that the fruit can be held from the inside and thus the outer surface of the fruit is left free. Especially when the fruit is to be peeled, it is helpful to hold the fruit from the inside. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, a hollow tube of the holding device is introduced into the cavity of the fruit in order to fix the fruit. By introducing the hollow tube into the interior cavity of the fruit, a holding of the fruit from only the inside of the fruit is made possible. Thus, the outside of the fruit remains free and can be processed. For example, the outer diameter of the hollow tube corresponds as much as possible to the outer diameter of the peeling device. 
         [0020]    Since the diameter of the hollow tube corresponds roughly to the diameter of the cavity of the fruit, only a small space is formed between the hollow tube and the fruit when the hollow tube is inserted into the interior cavity of the fruit. Thanks to the liquid stored up in the fruit, moistening the inside of the fruit, the friction of the liquid at the inner surface of the fruit against the outer surface of the hollow tube prevents a twisting of the fruit on the hollow tube. The friction here is directly dependent on the contact surface between hollow tube and inside of the fruit. As long as the friction is larger than the force which the peeling device produces on the fruit when it is being peeled, an optimal operation is assured. For example, the hollow tube has the smoothest possible surface in order to maximize the contact surface between the hollow tube and the inside of the fruit and thus the friction force between the hollow tube and the fruit. 
         [0021]    Thanks to the holding of the fruit on the inside with the aid of a hollow tube, it is furthermore possible for the peeling device to peel the fruit on the outside, which is not possible with a piece of fruit clamped in the centering device. 
         [0022]    In an advantageous embodiment, the fruit is stripped off at a stripping-off device for removal from the holding device. For example, the stripping-off device comprises a stripping plate and a through opening in the stripping plate. For example, the diameter of the fruit is larger than the diameter of the hollow tube of the holding device. A movement of the hollow tube through a through opening of the stripping plate provided for this purpose with only a slightly larger diameter than the hollow tube ensures that the fruit, having a larger diameter than the opening of the stripping plate, is blocked by the stripping plate in the direction of movement of the hollow tube and thus is stripped off from the hollow tube at the stripping plate. 
         [0023]    Advantageously, a leveling of the fruit along its entire length is accomplished during the centering and fixing of the fruit by the centering device. For example, the fruit is centered by each of the holding elements in the centering position. After this, the fruit is leveled by vertical displacement of the individual holding elements. Curvatures of the fruit are thus balanced out and the fruit can be fixed as straight as possible in the centering device. This results in a maximization of the fruit body which can be processed and a reduction in the amount of waste. 
         [0024]    The apparatus according to the invention to carry out the method according to claim  12  comprises a centering device for the centering and fixing of the fruit, a hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the fruit and formation of an interior cavity, and a peeling device for the removing of the outer shell of the fruit. 
         [0025]    The mentioned devices can be manual in design or have a drive unit. 
         [0026]    Advantageously, the centering device and/or the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device can travel relative to each other. For example, the centering device and/or the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device can travel relative to each other on one or more rails. In particular, it is possible for one or more of the devices to be fixed firmly, as long as at least one of the devices can travel. However, several of the devices or all of the devices can be able to travel. The traveling ability of the devices relative to each other facilitates an automatic performance of the method steps, for example, by a traveling with the aid of an electric motor. 
         [0027]    In an advantageous embodiment, the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device can comprise a hollow knife, which is coupled to a drive unit. Rotating hollow knives will be used here in particular, whose diameter is adapted to the fruit to be processed. Thus, the knives are designed to be interchangeable. The drive unit can be for example an electric motor, and it can drive both the rotation of the hollow knife and the horizontal travel of the hollowing-out device. 
         [0028]    In an advantageous embodiment, the centering device can comprise at least two centering shells enclosing the fruit. One advantageous embodiment comprises four mutually adjustable centering shells, which are secured on associated holders. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the device can comprise a cutting device for the separating of an end region of the fruit. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a filling device for the placing of a filling in the interior cavity. The filling device can here comprise a shell-shaped carriage for holding the filling and a piston able to travel relative to it for the emptying of the carriage. 
         [0031]    In an advantageous embodiment, a control device is provided, which controls an automatic feeding of the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device and/or the filling device. 
         [0032]    In an advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a delivery unit in order to arrange the individual elements of the apparatus movably with respect to each other in one or more dimensions. 
         [0033]    Advantageously, the delivery unit has delivery spindles for delivering the individual elements. 
         [0034]    In an advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base body with a groove running in the longitudinal direction for introducing the centering device and/or the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device and/or the filling device. Thus, the apparatus has a modular design, wherein the individual devices each comprise holders corresponding to the longitudinal groove, which can be secured on the base body. The electrical connection of the devices secured on the base body can also occur via the longitudinal groove. 
         [0035]    In an advantageous embodiment, the centering device comprises a holding unit, by means of which the fruit can be fixed and centered. 
         [0036]    Advantageously, the holding unit comprises several holding elements, which are staggered in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0037]    In an advantageous embodiment, the holding elements form at least one first holding jaw and one second holding jaw, which can travel relative to each other. For example, the holding jaws can be moved away from each other or moved up to each other. 
         [0038]    Advantageously, the holding jaws comprise a semicircular holding surface, in order to adapt to the fruit the best possible way. 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the holding elements are outfitted with a pressure sensor. With the aid of the pressure sensor, one can assure the most gentle possible handling of the fruit. When the fruit is fixed by the centering device/holding unit, curvatures of the fruit are balanced out by bending and the fruit is leveled along its entire length. In this way, the curvatures of the fruit are balanced out the best possible way and the fruit is centered in the centering device without damaging the fruit in this way. With the aid of the pressure sensor, the fruit can be centered in the individual holding elements and then be leveled by a vertical displacement of the holding elements relative to each other in the same plane. Furthermore, the pressure sensor enables the most optimal possible orientation of the fruit, so that the body of the fruit used for the edible container obtained as the end product can be maximized for processing. 
         [0040]    In an advantageous embodiment, the cutting device is designed for the cutting of a defined bottom in the cavity of the fruit. In particular, the bottom is defined by the shape of the cutting device, so that a concave, convex, or planar bottom is produced, for example. 
         [0041]    Advantageously, the hollowing-out device is designed as a spiral drill, in which the cutting device for the cutting of a defined bottom is arranged at the end face. The hollowing-out device is designed to remove a core of the fruit and create an interior cavity in the fruit. Thus, the diameter of the spiral drill corresponds to the diameter of the interior cavity of the fruit. Furthermore, the hollowing-out device can have different diameters, depending on the fruit used, in order to make possible predefined interior cavities and thus predefined wall thicknesses of the hollowed-out fruit depending on the fruit used. The desired wall thickness of the hollowed-out fruit is determined according to the stability of the fruit as well as its length. With increasing length of the hollowed-out fruit, its stability decreases. Likewise, different fruits possess different properties in terms of their stability. Thanks to the above-described centering device with pressure sensors to maximize the fruit body to be processed and the variable hollowing-out device depending on the fruit, an especially thin wall with uniform wall thickness can be achieved, without endangering the stability of the hollowed-out fruit too much. 
         [0042]    In an advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a holding device for the fixing of the fruit. For example, the holding device can fix the fruit from the inside. Advantageously, the holding device comprises a hollow tube with a vent opening. The hollow tube comprises roughly the diameter of the interior cavity of the fruit and is suited to enter into the interior cavity of the fruit in order to hold the fruit from the inside. 
         [0043]    Since the stability of a hollowed-out fruit is usually very low, the vent opening prevents a damaging of the fruit. In this way, no pressure differences between the inside of the fruit and the surroundings occur during the processing of the fruit. 
         [0044]    In an advantageous embodiment, the hollow tube comprises a smooth surface. A smoothest possible surface affords an especially large contact surface of the hollow tube with the inside of the fruit and it is proportional to the magnitude of the friction force between fruit and hollow tube. If the contact friction between fruit and hollow tube is too slight, the fruit can twist on the hollow tube when the peeling device tries to peel the fruit from the outside. Therefore, one must make sure to maximize the contact friction. 
         [0045]    Advantageously, the peeling device comprises a stripping device for the stripping of the fruit off from the hollow tube. 
         [0046]    In an advantageous embodiment, the peeling device comprises a horizontally movable peeling knife. For example, the peeling knife is designed to separate end regions of the fruit from the fruit. 
         [0047]    Advantageously, the stripping device comprises a stripping plate with a through opening for the stripping of the fruit off from the hollow tube. In order to remove the fruit from the hollow tube once more after the peeling process, the hollow tube is led through a through opening of the stripping device. The fruit fixed on the hollow tube by contact friction does not fit through this through opening and is thus stripped off from the hollow tube at the stripping plate. 
         [0048]    In an advantageous embodiment, the centering device and the peeling device are fastened on the base body and are able to jointly travel vertically in order to switch from a centering position to a peeling position. In the centering position, the hollowing-out device has access to the fruit being processed by a horizontal movement, while in the peeling position the holding device has access to the fruit to be processed by a horizontal movement. 
         [0049]    Advantageously, the holding device and the hollowing-out device are fastened on the base body and are able to jointly travel horizontally. 
         [0050]    The mentioned devices can be manual in design or have a drive unit. 
         [0051]    Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a cleaning device for the cleaning of the hollowing-out device and/or the peeling device and/or the holding device. The cleaning device for example has cleaning nozzles, which clean the spiral drill of the hollowing-out device upon emerging from the fruit, the hollow tube of the holding device upon emerging from the fruit, and the peeling knife of the peeling device after peeling the fruit. 
         [0052]    As cleaning fluid, air and/or water and/or cleaning liquid can be used, for example. 
         [0053]    In an advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a catching device for the catching of the core and/or the shell of the fruit, which can be arranged underneath the first and second processing device. For example, the catching device can be designed as a transport container. Thus, the core of the fruit can be separated from the shell of the fruit during the processing of the fruit and be disposed of separately or processed further. Preferably, the catching device has a suction device, by means of which the core of the fruit and/or the shell of the fruit can be sucked into the catching device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0054]    The invention shall be explained more closely below with the aid of sample embodiments, which are shown schematically in the drawings. 
           [0055]      FIG. 1  is a perspective representation of an apparatus according to the invention to hold a cucumber according to a first embodiment. 
           [0056]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the centering device in the opened and closed state according to the first embodiment. 
           [0057]      FIG. 3  is a view of the centering device and cutting device according to the invention for the removing of the end regions of the cucumber according to the first embodiment. 
           [0058]      FIG. 4  is a view of the hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the cucumber according to the first embodiment. 
           [0059]      FIG. 5  is a view of the peeling device for the removing of the outer shell according to the first embodiment. 
           [0060]      FIG. 6  is a view of the removing of the core piece by means of the hollowing-out device according to the first embodiment. 
           [0061]      FIG. 7  is a view of the filling device for the introducing of a filling according to the first embodiment. 
           [0062]      FIG. 8  is a view of the removing of the filled container from the peeling device according to the first embodiment. 
           [0063]      FIG. 9  is a view of a vertical section through an edible container according to the invention with filling introduced into the interior cavity according to the first embodiment. 
           [0064]      FIG. 10  is a perspective representation of an apparatus according to the invention to hold a cucumber according to a second embodiment. 
           [0065]      FIG. 11  is a magnified view of the cutting device for the cutting of a defined bottom in the cavity of the cucumber of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0066]      FIG. 12  is a view of the centering device in the position of rest and the centering position according to the second embodiment. 
           [0067]      FIG. 13  is a view of the hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the cucumber according to the second embodiment. 
           [0068]      FIG. 14  is a view of the transport of the cucumber after the hollowing out to a position in which the cucumber will be peeled according to a second embodiment. 
           [0069]      FIG. 15  is a view of the peeling device for the removing of the outer shell according to the second embodiment. 
           [0070]      FIG. 16  is a view of the fillable container produced by the processing of the cucumber by the apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0071]      FIG. 1  shows an apparatus  20  for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container from a cucumber  10  according to a first embodiment. The apparatus  20  comprises a centering device  11 , a hollowing-out device  21  and a peeling device  26 . The mentioned devices  11 ,  21  and  26  are secured on a base body  15 , which comprises a longitudinal groove  16  to receive the devices  21  and  26 . On the longitudinal groove  16  there are provided electrical contacts, not shown, which energize the devices  21  and  26  when they are inserted therein. 
         [0072]    The centering device  11 , as represented in  FIG. 2 a   , comprises four centering shells  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d , which are secured on associated holders  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d  which are staggered in the circumferential direction. The centering shells  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  are adjustable with respect to each other and lie in the closed state against the outside of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0073]    In the area of the centering device  11  there is arranged a cutting device  17 , having a stand  18  which is secured to the base body  15 . On the stand  18 , two knives  19   a ,  19   b  are arranged and able to travel, serving to separate the end regions  10   d ,  10   e  of the cucumber  10 . This shall be described in connection with  FIG. 3 . 
         [0074]    The hollowing-out device  21  comprises a hollow knife  23 , which is provided with a serration  23   a  at the end face. The hollow knife  23  is connected at the opposite end to a drive unit  24 , in which an electric motor is provided for example. The activating of the drive unit  24  is done by a switch  25 . 
         [0075]    The hollowing-out device  21  serves to remove the core  10   a  of the cucumber  10 . For this, the hollowing-out device  21  can travel relative to the centering device  11  in the longitudinal direction. Only a partial hollowing out occurs here, so that a closed bottom  10   d  of the cucumber  10  remains. 
         [0076]    The peeling device  26 , which can also be designed as a milling cutter, serves to remove the outer shell  10   c  of the cucumber  10 . The peeling device  26  comprises a hollow knife  27 , whose free end is provided with a serration  27   a . The hollow knife  27  is connected to a drive unit  28 , comprising an electric motor, not otherwise represented. The drive unit  28  can be activated by a switch  29 . The peeling device  26  is secured by a foot  30  to the longitudinal groove  16  of the base body  15 . 
         [0077]    The peeling device  26  is able to travel relative to the centering device  11 , in which the cucumber  10  is held. The outer shell of the cucumber  10  can be removed with the peeling device  26 . At the same time, a uniform surface of the cucumber  10  is produced by the peeling of the outer shell. 
         [0078]    A control device  14  controls an automatic feeding of the hollowing-out device  21 , the peeling device  26  and a filling device  36 . 
         [0079]    The centering, slicing to length, and hollowing out of the cucumber  10  shall now be described with the aid of  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 2  shows the centering device  11  in a front view. Thanks to the centering device  11 , the cucumber  10 , which is often curved, is both centered and fixed. 
         [0081]    In  FIG. 2 a   , the centering shells  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  are opened. The curved cucumber  10  is placed in the centering device  11 .  FIG. 2 b    shows the centering device  11  in the closed state, in which the centering shells  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  lie against the outside of the cucumber  10 , centering and straightening it. The centering of the cucumber  10  enables a hollowing out of the cucumber  10  and minimizes cutting scraps. 
         [0082]      FIG. 3  shows the separating of the end regions  10   d ,  10   e  of the cucumber  10  by means of the cutting device  17 . The knives  19   a ,  19   b  which are spaced apart on the cutting device  17  travel downward in the direction of the arrows, so that the end regions  10   d ,  10   e  of the cucumber  10  are separated. 
         [0083]    The mode of functioning of the hollowing-out device  21  shall be explained with the aid of  FIG. 4 . It is evident from  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    that the hollow knife  23  of the hollowing-out device  21  has a serration  23   a  and a cutting device  23   b  at its end face, being fashioned as a cutting wire. In place of a cutting wire  23   b , a cutting mandrel can also be used. As is seen from the magnified view of  FIG. 4 b   , the cutting wire  23   b  connects the free end regions of the serration  23   a . The cutting device  23   b  serves to separate the core  10   a  from the bottom  10   d  of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 4 c   , the hollowing-out device  21  travels relative to the centering device  11 , so that the hollow knife  23 , placed in rotation by the drive unit  24 , penetrates into the cucumber  10 . The core  10   a  or a defined part of the inside of the cucumber  10  is hollowed out.  FIG. 4 d    shows the end position. The cutting wire  23   b  serves to separate the core  10   a  from the bottom  10   d  after the hollowing out of the interior cavity. 
         [0085]    The mode of functioning of the peeling device  26  shall be described with the help of  FIG. 5 . First of all, the centering device  11  is opened, so that the cucumber  10  held on the hollowing-out device  21  is exposed on its outside. The peeling device  26  is then brought up, wherein the hollow knife  27  removes the outer shell  10   c  of the cucumber  10 . The mandrel  27   b  of the hollow knife  27  severs the outer shell  10   c  of the cucumber  10 .  FIG. 5 c    shows the end position in the retracted position of the peeling device  26 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 6  shows the removing of the core  10   a  from the cucumber  10  by means of the hollowing-out device  21 . The core  10   a , which lies on the hollow knife  23 , is brought out along with it. The hollow cylindrical container  45  remains in place in the hollow knife  27  of the peeling device  26 . For assistance, or alternatively, a pneumatic suction can also be provided. 
         [0087]      FIG. 7  shows the filling device  36  provided for the apparatus  20  for the placing of a filling  37  in the interior cavity  41  of the cucumber  10 . The filling device  36  comprises a carriage  40  to hold the filling  37 . The carriage  40  is designed here as a half-shell. In addition, a covering shell, not shown, can be provided in order to press the filling  37  and adapt it to the interior cavity  41 . The carriage  40  extends from a bearing block  38 , which is secured by a foot  30  in the longitudinal groove  16  of the base body  15 . Furthermore, a piston  39  is received on the bearing block  38 , which can travel relative to the bearing block  38 . For this, a drive unit for the piston  39  is provided in the bearing block  38 . The outer diameter of the piston  39  is adapted to the inner diameter of the carriage  40  and fits inside the carriage  40 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 7 a    shows the filling device  36  in its starting position relative to the peeling device  26 , on which the container  45  is held. In the position per  FIG. 7 b   , the filling device is almost fully retracted into the container. In this position, the piston  39  is actuated in order to press in the filling. Finally, the filling device  36  is again moved out, while the filling  37  remains in the container. 
         [0089]      FIG. 8  shows the discharging of the container  45  from the peeling device  26 . A piston  43  is provided for this, being arranged and able to travel on the drive unit  28 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 9  shows the edible container  45  produced from the cucumber  10 . The container  45  comprises an outer wall  10   b , bounding off the interior cavity  41 . The end region shown at the top in  FIG. 9  is open. On the other hand, the end region shown at the bottom in  FIG. 7  is closed by the bottom  10   d.    
         [0091]    The filling  37  is inserted in the interior cavity  41  of the container  45 . The hollow cylindrical edible container  45  can be filled with various fillings  37 . Besides meat fillings, especially chicken and beef, there can also be fish fillings, especially salmon and tuna. Furthermore, vegetarian fillings such as lettuce or rice can also be placed in the container  45 . 
         [0092]    Thus, one obtains an edible container  45  consisting of cucumber flesh, which can be filled with any desired filling  37 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 10  shows an apparatus  50  for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container according to a second embodiment. The apparatus  50  comprises a base body  52 , a first processing device  54  and a second processing device  56 . 
         [0094]    The base body  52  comprises a horizontally arranged delivery spindle  58 , which can be driven with the aid of an electric motor  60 . Furthermore, the base body  52  comprises a delivery rail  62 . 
         [0095]    The first processing device  54  comprises a holding device  64 , a hollowing-out device  66  and a delivery carriage  68 , the holding device  64  and the hollowing-out device  66  being arranged firmly on the delivery carriage  68 . The holding device  64  is arranged running parallel above the hollowing-out device  66 . 
         [0096]    The holding device  64  comprises a hollow tube  70 , which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor  72 . On the outer wall of the hollow tube  70  there is provided a vent opening  74 . The hollow tube  70  has a smooth surface  76 . 
         [0097]    The hollowing-out device  52  comprises a spiral drill  78 , which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor  80  and comprises a cutting device  82  at its end face. 
         [0098]    The second processing device  56  comprises a centering device  84 , a peeling device  86  and a delivery carriage  88 , the centering device  84  and the peeling device  86  being arranged firmly on the delivery carriage  88 . 
         [0099]    The centering device  84  comprises three holding elements  90 ,  92 ,  94 , which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. The three holding elements  90 ,  92 ,  94  form a first holding jaw  96  and a second holding jaw  98  for the holding of a cucumber  10  to be processed. The first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98  can travel relative to each other. In addition, the holding elements  90 ,  92 ,  94  are outfitted with a pressure sensor  100 . 
         [0100]    The peeling device  86  comprises a stripping device  102 , a delivery spindle  104 , which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor  106 , and a delivery carriage  108  standing in engagement with the delivery spindle  104 , on which a peeling knife  110  is arranged. The stripping device  102  comprises a stripping plate  112  and a through opening  114  located in the stripping plate  112 . The diameter of the through opening  114  is both larger than the diameter of the spiral drill  78  and larger than the diameter of the hollow tube  70 . The stripping device  102  is connected to the delivery spindle  104  at the left end of the delivery spindle  104  and makes a right angle with the delivery spindle  104 . 
         [0101]    The peeling device  86  is arranged on the delivery carriage  88  such that the stripping plate  112  runs parallel with the left side of the holding element  90  and the through opening  114  is vertically centered on the holding element  90  in the position of rest. The delivery spindle  104 , the electric motor  106 , the delivery carriage  108  and the peeling knife  110  are situated spatially behind the centering device  84 . 
         [0102]    Because the delivery carriage  68  of the first processing device  54  is in engagement with the delivery spindle  58  of the base body  52 , the first processing device  54  is fastened so that it can move horizontally on the base body  52  by the propulsion of the electric motor  60  of the base body  52 . 
         [0103]    Furthermore, the delivery carriage  88  of the second processing device  56  is in engagement with the delivery rails  62  of the base body  52  so that the second processing device  56  is fastened on the base body  52  and can move vertically. In particular, the second processing device  56  can move from a centering position to a peeling position, while the hollowing-out position lies vertically beneath the peeling position. 
         [0104]    When the first processing device  54  is arranged as far to the left as possible on the base body  52 , the entire first processing device  54  is arranged horizontally to the left of the second processing device  56 . If the first processing device  54  travels to the right, the horizontal arrangement of the first processing device  54  partly intersects the horizontal arrangement of the second processing device  56 . For this, the spiral drill  78  can pass through the through opening  114  and extend vertically between the first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98  and the hollow tube  70  can extend above the second processing device  56  when the second processing device  56  is in the hollowing-out position. 
         [0105]    If the second processing device  56  is in the peeling position, the hollow tube  70  can pass through the through opening  114  and extend vertically between the first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98 . The spiral drill  78  can extend beneath the second processing device  56 . 
         [0106]    For an automated sequence, the control device  115  controls the horizontal travel of the first processing device  54 , the vertical travel of the second processing device  56 , the changes of position of the centering device  84  and the rotation of the spiral drill  78  and the hollow tube  70 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 11  shows an enlarged view of the end face of the spiral drill  78 . The spiral drill  78  has a cutting device  82  at its end face for the cutting of a defined, e.g. planar, bottom  10   d  in the cavity of the cucumber, a drill tip  116  and a drill spindle  118  for transporting the core from the cucumber  10  to the outside. The cutting device  78  comprises a tip spindle  120  and a through opening  122 . The tip spindle  120  forms a drilling blade  124  at the level of the drill tip  116 , which removes the core to the full width of the diameter of the spiral drill  78  at the level of the drill tip  116 . With the aid of the tip spindle  120 , the core removed by the drilling blade  124  can be transported through the through opening  122  to the drill spindle  118 , and thus out from the cucumber  10 . 
         [0108]    The method of functioning of the centering device  84  is described in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12 a    shows the centering device  84  in the position of rest, the cucumber  10  having been inserted into the centering device  84 . The cucumber  10  is arranged on the second holding jaw  98  such that the cucumber  10  makes contact with all three holding elements  90 ,  92 ,  94 . 
         [0109]    In order to fix and center the cucumber  10 , the first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98  move toward each other and deliver the cucumber  10  to the same vertical level as the spiral drill  78 . The centering and fixing of the cucumber  10  by the first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98  is shown in  FIG. 12 b   . During the fixing of the cucumber  10 , pressure sensors  100  ensure that the cucumber  10  remains structurally intact. Since the first holding jaw  96  and the second holding jaw  98  comprise a half-shell shape to receive the cucumber  10 , curvatures of the cucumber  10  still need to be balanced out during the fixing. This balancing out takes place to such an extent that the pressure sensors  100  can ensure a structural integrity of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0110]    With the aid of  FIG. 13  the method of functioning of the hollowing-out device  66  will be described. Thanks to the centering device  84 , the cucumber  10  is fixed at the level of the end face of the spiral drill  78 . The left end of the cucumber  10  has already been separated with a cutting device (not shown) to the left of the holding element  90 . As can be seen in  FIG. 13 a   , the electric motor  80  makes sure that the spiral drill  78  rotates in order to ensure a drilling operation. At the same time, the electric motor  60  makes sure that the delivery spindle  58  rotates and that the delivery carriage  68  standing in engagement with the delivery spindle  58  moves to the right with the hollowing-out device  66  secured thereon. 
         [0111]    The spiral drill  78  thereupon moves through the through opening  114  of the stripping device  102  and into the cucumber  10 . The spiral drill  78  bores out an interior cavity  126  in the cucumber  10 . Thanks to the cutting device  82  at the end face of the spiral drill  78 , a defined bottom  128  is bored out in the interior cavity  126  of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0112]    Inasmuch as the holding device  64 , just like the hollowing-out device  66 , is tied in to the movement of the delivery carriage  68 , the holding device  64  also moves to the right during the hollowing out process. But since it is arranged vertically above the second processing device  56  during this step, the holding device  64  can travel horizontally above the second processing device  56  with no problems. 
         [0113]    As can be seen in  FIG. 13 b   , the spiral drill  78  returns back to its starting position after the boring out of the interior cavity  126  in the cucumber  10 , indicated by a broken line. 
         [0114]      FIG. 14  shows the delivering of the second processing device from the hollowing out position to the peeling position. In the peeling position, the cucumber  10  is arranged horizontally at the same level as the hollow tube  70 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 15  shows the method of functioning of the peeling device  86 . Since the cucumber  10  needs to be peeled, it must be removed from the centering device  84 . The peeling knife  110  for peeling the cucumber  10  needs free access to the outer shell  87  of the cucumber  10 . Furthermore, the right end of the cucumber has been sliced off at the position to the left of the holding element  94 , in order to produce a bottom  130  of the cucumber  10  with a predetermined thickness. 
         [0116]    Therefore, the electric motor  60 , as in the hollowing out process, actuates the delivery spindle  58  in order to move the first processing device  54  horizontally to the right. As can be seen in  FIG. 15 a   , the hollow tube  70  passes through the through opening  114  of the stripping device  102  and into the interior cavity  126  of the cucumber  10 . Once the hollow tube  70  has entered the cucumber  10  to the full length of the interior cavity  126 , the centering device  84  switches from the centering position back to the position of rest and thus frees up the outer shell  87  of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0117]    Since the diameter of the hollow tube  70  corresponds roughly to the diameter of the interior cavity  126  of the cucumber  10 , the hollowed-out cucumber  10  is fixed against a twisting of the cucumber  10  on the hollow tube  70  by a friction force which is produced between the surface of the hollow tube  70  and the moist surface of the interior cavity  126  of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0118]    This effect is important since, as can be seen in  FIG. 15 b   , the electric motor  72  begins to rotate the hollow tube  70  and at the same time the electric motor  106  begins to rotate the delivery spindle  104  in order to move the delivery carriage  108  with the peeling knife  110  arranged thereon to the right. Thus, the peeling knife  110  can remove the outer shell  87  of the cucumber  10 . Accordingly, the friction force which prevents a twisting of the cucumber  10  on the hollow tube  70  must be greater than the countervailing force produced by the peeling of the peeling knife. For this reason, the hollow tube  70  has the smoothest possible, and thus the largest possible, surface  76 . The larger the contact surface between hollow tube  70  and the surface of the interior cavity  126  of the cucumber  10 , the greater the friction force which prevents a twisting of the cucumber  10  on the hollow tube  70 . 
         [0119]      FIGS. 15 c  and 15 d    show the method after the peeling process. The peeling device  86  halts after the right end of the cucumber  10  and, as indicated in  FIG. 15 d   , ends the rotation of the hollow tube  70 . The hollowed-out and peeled cucumber now needs to be removed from the holding device  64 . For this, as described above, the first processing device  52  is moved to the left and the hollow tube  70  exits once more from the through opening  114  of the stripping device  102 . But the cucumber  10  located on the hollow tube  70  has a larger diameter than the through opening  114  of the stripping device  102 . Therefore, the cucumber  10  is stripped off at the stripping plate  112  of the stripping device  102  by the movement of the first processing device  54  to the left and it can be removed from the apparatus  50 . 
         [0120]    The end product is a fillable container, as shown in  FIG. 16 , which can be made in a reproducible manner. The cucumber  10  is now peeled and sliced off at the ends, resulting in a cylindrical shape for the cucumber  10 . Moreover, an interior cavity  128  has been produced, which makes the cucumber  10  fillable. Thanks to a special design of the hollowing-out device  66 , the cucumber  10  comprises a defined bottom  130  in the interior cavity  128 . 
         [0121]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a cleaning device  132  can be provided for the regular, automatic cleaning of the spiral drill  78  making contact with the cucumber  10 , the hollow tube  70  and the peeling knife  110 , which cleans the respective elements after their use with the aid of a fluid. 
         [0122]    For this, the cleaning device  132  comprises a cleaning nozzle  134  for the cleaning of the spiral drill  78 , in order to clean the spiral drill  78  upon emerging from the cucumber  10 . 
         [0123]    Moreover, the cleaning device  132  comprises a cleaning nozzle  136  for the cleaning of the hollow tube  70 , in order to clean the hollow tube  70  upon emerging from the cucumber  10 . Furthermore, the cleaning device  132  comprises a further cleaning nozzle inside the hollow tube  70  (not shown) in order to clean the hollow tube  70  from the inside, once it has been separated from the cucumber  10 . 
         [0124]    The cleaning device  132  comprises a cleaning nozzle  138  in order to clean the peeling knife  110  after the peeling of the cucumber  10 . 
         [0125]    The cleaning nozzle  134  is arranged on the base body  52  at the level of the cutting device  82  in the horizontal direction and beneath the first processing device  54  in the vertical direction. 
         [0126]    The cleaning nozzle  136  is arranged on the base body  52  at the level of the cutting device  82  in the horizontal direction and above the first processing device  54  in the vertical direction. 
         [0127]    The cleaning nozzle  138  is arranged on the base body  52  at the right end of the delivery spindle  104  in the horizontal direction and above the second processing device  56  in the vertical direction. 
         [0128]    The cleaning device  132  preferably comprises a pump, which supplies fluid to all cleaning nozzles  134 ,  136 ,  138 . Alternatively, the cleaning device  132  comprises several pumps in order to supply each cleaning nozzle separately with fluid. 
       List of Reference Numbers 
       [0129]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10 
                 cucumber 
               
               
                   
                  11 
                 centering device 
               
               
                   
                  10a 
                 core 
               
               
                   
                  10b 
                 outer wall 
               
               
                   
                  10c 
                 shell 
               
               
                   
                  10d 
                 bottom 
               
               
                   
                  12a, b, c, d 
                 centering shell 
               
               
                   
                  13a, b, c, d 
                 holder 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 control device 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 base body 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 longitudinal groove 
               
               
                   
                  17 
                 cutting device 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 stand 
               
               
                   
                  19 
                 knife 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                  21 
                 hollowing-out device 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 hollow knife 
               
               
                   
                  23a 
                 serration 
               
               
                   
                  23b 
                 cutting device 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 drive unit 
               
               
                   
                  25 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 peeling device 
               
               
                   
                  27 
                 hollow knife 
               
               
                   
                  27a 
                 serration 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 drive unit 
               
               
                   
                  29 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 foot 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 filling device 
               
               
                   
                  37 
                 filling 
               
               
                   
                  38 
                 bearing block 
               
               
                   
                  39 
                 piston 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 carriage 
               
               
                   
                  41 
                 interior cavity 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                  45 
                 container 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 base body 
               
               
                   
                  54 
                 first processing device 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 second processing device 
               
               
                   
                  58 
                 delivery spindle 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 electric motor 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 delivery rails 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 holding device 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 hollowing-out device 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 delivery carriage 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 hollow tube 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 electric motor 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 vent opening 
               
               
                   
                  76 
                 smooth surface 
               
               
                   
                  78 
                 spiral drill 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 electric motor 
               
               
                   
                  82 
                 cutting device 
               
               
                   
                  84 
                 centering device 
               
               
                   
                  87 
                 outer shell 
               
               
                   
                  86 
                 peeling device 
               
               
                   
                  88 
                 delivery carriage 
               
               
                   
                  89 
                 holding unit 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 holding element 
               
               
                   
                  92 
                 holding element 
               
               
                   
                  94 
                 holding element 
               
               
                   
                  96 
                 first holding jaw 
               
               
                   
                  98 
                 second holding jaw 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 pressure sensor 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 stripping device 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 delivery spindle 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 electric motor 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 delivery carriage 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 peeling knife 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 stripping plate 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 through opening 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 control device 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 drill tip 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 drill spindle 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 tip spindle 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 through opening 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 drilling blade 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 container 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 interior cavity 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 bottom 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 cleaning device 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 cleaning nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 cleaning nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 cleaning nozzle