Abstract:
A method and apparatus for peeling a variety of fruits and vegetables wherein a sharp blade is traversed and rotated in a continuous or intermittent manner across a rotating fruit or vegetable. In a first aspect of the invention, the fruit or vegetable is mounted on a slender arbor which cooperates with a pair of surfaces to rotate and constrain the fruit or vegetable with respect to the peeling blade. The arbor is manually rotated with one hand of a user as an opposite hand controlled peeling blade is traversed from side to side and rotated to engage center and end portions of the peeling blade with the fruit or vegetable. In a second aspect of the invention, the arbor is driven by a small electric motor, a small kitchen appliance, such as an electric can opener or mixer, or a small kitchen appliance such as a mixer which cooperates with the arbor to constrain and rotate the fruit or vegetable with respect to the peeling blade.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to food processing and more particularly to an efficient, easy-to-use method and apparatus for peeling fruits and vegetables. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many chefs and homemakers, peeling vegetables and fruits is a boring, unrewarding task and a frequent cause of cuts and callouses. Heretofore, maintaining contact of a hand controlled peeling blade with a fruit or vegetable has been exceedingly difficult. Moreover, it has not been possible to maintain orderly work areas with existing hand controlled peeling blades and methods. When large amounts of fruit or vegetables have been processed during cooking, baking, and canning, a great deal of time has been devoted to peeling and cleaning of work areas. A need exists for an economical, safe, efficient, and easy-to-use peeling apparatus for homemakers and small businesses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention satisfies the need for an economical, safe, efficient and easy-to-use peeling apparatus. One important benefit of the invention is that it provides a means for maintaining contact of a hand controlled peeling blade with a fruit or vegetable. This makes it possible for utilizing the smooth continuous motions of cranks and devices such as small kitchen appliances and power tools while still permitting intermittent peeling of portions of fruits and vegetables. The only peeling devices which applicant is aware of which employ hand controlled peeling blades are capable of either continuous or intermittent peeling, but not both. One benefit of continuous peeling is that it makes it possible to maintain a clean work area by producing continuous or near continuous peeling strips. Another benefit of the invention is that it reduces labor costs of establishments, such as restaurants, schools and hospitals. 
     The invention resides in features which individually and collectively contribute to its ability to employ devices such as manually rotatable arbors, hand cranks, small appliances and small power tools to continuously or non-continuously peel fruit and vegetables in a safe and efficient manner. A desirable feature of the invention is that it is readily adaptable to small electrical appliances and power tools, such as can openers, mixers, drills and screwdrivers. This feature further reduces peeling times. 
     The invention generally comprises a means for constraining a fruit or vegetable with respect to a peeling blade; a means for rotating the fruit or vegetable with respect to the peeling blade; and a means for controlling the motion of the peeling blade during peeling. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, a fruit or vegetable is mounted on an arbor which cooperates with a pair of surfaces to rotate and constrain the fruit or vegetable with respect to a peeling blade. One constraining surface is a portion of a handle on which the peeling blade is pivotally mounted. The other constraining surface is a surface of an article such as a counter top, table, chopping block or custom block. The arbor is attached to another handle which serves as the means for rotating the fruit or vegetable during peeling. The handle which carries the peeling blade also serves as the means for controlling the motion of the blade during peeling. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, the arbor is attached to a small power tool or appliance which in combination with the arbor serves as the means to rotate and constrain the fruit or vegetable with respect to the peeling blade. In a third aspect of the invention, the handle which carries the peeling blade is attached to a base which cooperates with the handle to control the motion of the blade. 
     Further objects, benefits and features of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description and drawings which illustrate and describe the invention. The best mode which is contemplated in practicing the invention together with the manner of using the invention are disclosed and the property in which exclusive rights are claimed is set forth in each of a series of numbered claims at the conclusion of the detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings illustrating a presently preferred specific embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example only. As used herein, words such as plan view, right side view, etc. refer to the directions of the arrows &#34;F&#34; and &#34;U&#34;, respectively, in the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a peeling apparatus and an apple, according to my invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the FIG. 1 embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the peeling apparatus and the apple during peeling. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the peeling blade and the handle of FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the peeling blade and the handle of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 6 is a right side view of the peeling blade and the handle of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the arbor of the FIG. 1 embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged right side view of the arbor of FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 9--9 in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 10--10 in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment wherein the arbor and the apple are supported on a power screwdriver. 
     FIG. 12 is a front view of the FIG. 11 embodiment. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the apple mounted on the power screwdriver during peeling. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment showing the arbor and the apple supported on a manual cranking device. 
     FIG. 15 is a rear view of the FIG. 14 embodiment. 
     FIG. 16 is a right side view of the FIG. 14 embodiment. 
     FIG. 17 is a left side view of the FIG. 14 embodiment. 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment showing the cranking device of FIGS. 14-17 and the peeling blade mounted on a common base. 
     FIG. 19 is left side view of the FIG. 18 embodiment. 
     FIG. 20 is a front view of the FIG. 18 embodiment. 
     FIG. 21 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment wherein the apple and the arbor are mounted on an electric can opener. 
     FIG. 22 is a left side view of the FIG. 21 embodiment. 
     FIG. 23 is a right side view of the FIG. 21 embodiment. 
     FIG. 24 is a front view of the FIG. 21 embodiment. 
     FIG. 25 is a front view of an alternate embodiment wherein the arbor and the apple are mounted on an electric mixer. 
     FIG. 26 is a right side view of the FIG. 25 embodiment. 
     FIGS. 27 through 29 are front views of alternate embodiments for selectively varying the relationship between the apple and the peeling blade. 
     FIG. 30 is an alternate embodiment showing a pair of peeling blades mounted on a handle. 
     FIG. 31 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the peeling blade. 
     FIG. 32 is a left side view of the FIG. 30 embodiment. 
     FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33--33 in FIG. 31. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate similar and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIGS. 1 through 8, inclusive, a peeling apparatus 40 is illustrated, according to my invention. An apple 41, shown in phantom, is mounted on an arbor 42 which rotates about an axis &#34;A&#34;, it being understood that my invention is applicable to most fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to, pears, onions, potatoes and turnips. For purposes of description, as used herein, directions such as &#34;forward&#34;, &#34;upward&#34; and the like are indicated by the arrows &#34;F&#34; and &#34;U&#34;, respectively, in the drawings. 
     The peeling apparatus 40 generally comprises a means for maintaining the location of a fruit or vegetable with respect to a peeling blade 43; a means for rotating the fruit or vegetable with respect to the peeling blade 43 during peeling. A distinguishing feature of my invention is that a continuous peeling strip 45 is produced rather than small peeling segments. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the arbor 42 cooperates with a pair of surfaces to maintain the location of the apple with respect to the peeling blade 43. As shown in FIG. 3, one surface is a surface of a counter top 74 while the other surface is the surface of a steady rest portion 59 of a handle 58. It will be appreciated that surfaces of articles such as a table, chopping block or a custom block can be used in place of the counter top 74. 
     The arbor 42 is preferably detachable and is mounted in an end portion of a handle 44. The handle 44 further serves as the means for rotating the apple 41. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the arbor 42 consists of three thin radial fins 46 which are equally spaced about an axis of the arbor 42. The corners of the arbor 42 are rounded to facilitate the mounting of the apple 41. The ends of the fins 46 opposite the rounded corners are attached to a short hex shaped shaft 47. The axis of the arbor 42 is coincident with an axis &#34;A&#34; about which the apple 41 rotates. During the rotation of the apple 41 in the direction of arrow &#34;C&#34; in FIG. 3, the apple 41 engages a sharp cutting edge 51 of the blade 43 to produce the continuous peeling strip 45. 
     The detachable arbor 42 is desirable for several reasons. It allows the use of optional arbors to accommodate differences in size, shape, hardness and texture of fruits and vegetables. It also simplifies the mounting and removal of the apple 41 and a cleaning of the arbor 42. The odd number of fins 46 prevents planar stresses from developing which could split the apple 41 in half as the apple 41 is pressed on to the arbor 42. 
     The short hex shaft 47 at the end of the arbor 42 engages a corresponding shaped aperture at the end of a handle 44. An existing screw driver handle which is used with interchangeable bits may be used, or a special handle having a hex aperture for attaching the arbor 42. Adjacent to the inner ends of the fins 46 is a circular collar 48 which is used for grasping the arbor 42 during the mounting or removal of the apple 41. 
     The construction of the peeling blade 43 which is an important element of my peeling apparatus 40 is best understood by reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10. The peeling blade 43 is a generally rectangular blade comprised of an arcuate front strip 49 joined to an arcuate rear strip 50. The rear edge of the front strip 49 is spaced apart from the front edge of the rear strip 50 and is ground to a sharp knife edge 51. The arcuate shape is desirable for generating the continuous peeling strip because of variations in the contours of fruits and vegetables. The arcuate shape allows the cutting edge 51 to generate a peeling strip as it follows the contour of the apple 41. However, for fruits and vegetables in which abrupt changes in curvature do not occur, straight blades can be used with my invention. 
     At the ends of the rear strip 50 are tabs 52 which extend forwardly to attach the rear strip 50 with small screws 53 to the ends of the front strip 49. Other tabs 54 extend outwardly from the ends of the rear strip 50 to engage apertures 55 in spaced apart arm portions 56 of the handle 58 to pivotally mount the blade 43. The centers of the apertures 55 lie on an axis &#34;B&#34; about which the blade 43 may rotate a small amount to engage the cutting edge 51 with the apple 41. The maximum amount of rotation of the blade 43 rotation about the axis &#34;B&#34; is governed by a small protuberance 57 which projects inwardly from one of the arms 56 to contact the rear strip 50. Limiting the amount of blade rotation is desirable for initially engaging the blade 43 with the apple 41. The precise rotation of the blade 43 during peeling is determined by the contact of rear strip 50 with the apple 41. 
     The handle 58 which carries the blade 43 also serves as a means for controlling the motion of the blade 43 with respect to the apple 41 during peeling. The two-piece blade 43 is preferable over a single piece blade because it allows the front strip 49 to be made of a simple strip 49 of quality steel which is capable of maintaining a sharp cutting edge 51 and the rear strip 50 to be stamped of an easily formable low carbon steel. However, a single stamping can be used having a narrow slot for separating and offsetting the front and rear portions of the blade 43. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the relationship of the front strip 49 to the rear strip 50 is important to properly engage the cutting edge 51 with the apple 41. As shown in FIG. 9, the cutting edge 51 is offset below the pivot axis &#34;B&#34; and is offset below the rear strip 50 by small amounts. The cutting edge 51 is further offset forwardly of the pivot axis &#34;B&#34; and offset forwardly of rear strip 50. During peeling, the engagement of the cutting edge 51 produces a torque which causes the rear strip 50 to rest on the apple 41. The contact of the rear strip 50 with the apple 41 sets the depth of cut of the blade 43 and thickness of the peeling strip 45. 
     In an alternate embodiment 60 illustrated in FIGS. 31-33, a narrow tab 61 extends rearwardly on the rear strip 50 to further control the rotation of the blade 43 and depth of cut of the cutting edge 51. In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30, a pair of blades 43 are mounted on a common handle for peeling large 63 and small 64 apples. In FIGS. 27, 28 and 29, embodiments 65, 66 are disclosed for selectively adjusting the position of the apple 41 with respect to the cutting edge 51. 
     In an embodiment 65 shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the location of the surface of the steady rest which constrains the apple 41 with respect to the cutting edge can be adjusted. A small cylindrical post 67 in the center of an auxiliary steady rest 68 engages an aperture 69 of a steady rest 70. A small rubber &#34;O&#34; ring 71 on the center post 67 provides a snug fit of the center post 67 in the aperture 69. In the embodiment 66 of FIG. 29, a small cylindrical post 72 engages a threaded aperture 73 of a steady rest. 
     The peeling apparatus 40 of FIGS. 1 through 8 is used in the following manner. The apple 41 is mounted on the arbor 42 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by piercing the center of the apple 41 with the arbor&#39;s fins 46. The arbor 42 is next attached to the handle 44 by engaging the arbor&#39;s hex end portion 47 with the handle 44. After the arbor 42 is attached, the handle 44 is grasped with one of the user&#39;s hands and the other handle 58 which carries the blade 43 is grasped with the other of the user&#39;s hands and the apple is placed on the counter top 74. The apple 41 is next oriented and engaged with the cutting edge 51 of the blade 43 as shown in FIG. 3. After the cutting edge 51 is engaged, the arbor 42 is continuously or non-continuously rotated with the user&#39;s hand about the axis &#34;A&#34; in the direction of arrow &#34;C&#34;, and the blade 43 is traversed from side to side across the apple 41 in the direction of arrows H--H to produce either a continuous peeling strip 45 or segments (not shown). During the traversal of the blade 43 across the apple 41, the blade 43 may also be rotated with the handle 58 in the direction of the arrows G--G as shown in FIG. 3 to engage the outer portions of the cutting edge 51 with the apple 41. After peeling has been completed, the apple 41 and arbor 42 are removed from the handle 44, the collar 58 is grasped with a user&#39;s hand and the apple 41 is removed from the collar 58. 
     In place of a manual means, such as the handle 44 of FIGS. 1-8, a small batter operated or conventional ac motor may be used to rotate the apple 41, it being necessary to control the motor&#39;s speed by the usual gear or electronic means. In the alternate embodiment 75 of FIGS. 11-13, the arbor 42 is detachably mounted in an existing power screwdriver 76. The screwdriver 76 is exemplary of a batter operated means for rotating the apple 41 and cooperates with the arbor 42 to locate the apple 41 with respect to the blade 43. The screwdriver 76 is mounted on a charging stand 77 which is supplied with the screwdriver 76. The stand 77 rests on a counter to 78 such that the apple 41 overhangs an edge of a sink 79 to deposit the peeling 45 into the sink 79. In FIG. 13, the charging stand 77 has been deleted to illustrate that the charging stand 77 is not an indispensable element of my invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 14 through 17, an embodiment 80 is shown wherein the arbor 42 is detachably mounted in a manual crank 81 which serves as the rotating means. The crank 81 cooperates with the arbor 42 to provide the means for positioning the apple 41 with respect to the blade 43. The crank 81 is mounted in a housing 82 which rests on a surface 83 of a table or a counter top. The housing 82 is secured to the surface 83 with suction cups 84 at each of the corners of a base 93. 
     In the embodiment 86 of FIGS. 18 through 20, the manual crank 81 and peeling blade 43 are supported on a common base 87. A lower end portion of a handle 94 is rotatably connected to an intermediate member 92 which is pivotally connected to a slider plate 89. The slider plate 89 is free to move in opposite directions in a track 88 of the base 87. The handle 94, intermediate member 92, slider plate 89 and base 87 cooperate to provide the means for controlling the motion of the blade 43 during the continuous peeling. During peeling, the motion of the handle 94 is controlled with one of the user&#39;s hands. 
     In FIGS. 21 through 24 an embodiment 95 is shown which is exemplary of the use of an AC motor for rotating the apple 41. In this embodiment 95, the arbor 42 is detachably mounted in a conventional electric can opener 96 and cooperates with the can opener 96 to locate and rotate the apple 41 with respect to the blade 43. In FIGS. 25 and 26, an embodiment 97 is shown wherein a conventional electric mixer 98 is used in place of the can opener 96. Peelings from the apple 41 are deposited in a bowl. 
     From the foregoing it will be apparent that my invention provides numerous advantages over existing peeling devices. Moreover, my improved, efficient, easy-to-use peeler provides these advantages in homes, restaurants and other commercial establishments. A unique feature of my invention is that my invention can be used in a continuous or interrupted manner for peeling fruits and vegetables. 
     Although I have illustrated and described only several embodiments of my invention, it is not my intention to limit my invention to these embodiments, since other embodiments can be developed by obvious changes in material, shape as well as substitution, elimination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit thereof.