Abstract:
A fruit and vegetable peeler having a blade mounted on a handle and a handle for supporting and traversing the blade along an outer surface of a fruit or a vegetable. The handle has a steady rest for maintaining the position of the blade relative to the fruit or vegetable. The blade has a narrow elongated front cutting portion, a narrow elongated spaced apart rear portion and short connecting end portions for attaching the blade to the handle. In a first aspect of the invention, the steady rest is an integral portion of the handle and has a fixed spatial relationship to the blade. In a second aspect, the steady rest is attached to the handle and its position on the handle is selectively adjustable to accommodate large differences in the size and shape of fruits or vegetables. In a third aspect, a pair of blades and steady rests are provided on a common handle.

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/028,103, filed Feb. 23, 1998 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,253. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to food processing and more particularly to a fruit and vegetable peeler. 
     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 “F” and “U”, 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 manual cranking device. 
     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 “A”, 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 “forward”, “upward” and the like are indicated by the arrows “F” and “U”, 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 ; and a means for controlling the motion of 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 “A” about which the apple  41  rotates. During the rotation of the apple  41  in the direction of arrow “C” 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 “B” 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 “B” 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 “B” and is offset below the rear strip  50  by small amounts. The cutting edge  51  is further offset forwardly of the pivot axis “B” 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 “O” 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 “A” in the direction of arrow “C”, 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 battery 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 battery 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 top  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.