A Machine for Peeling Potatoes and like Tubers or Roots.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Peeling Potatoes and like Tubers or Roots.
I, JUSTIN BLACHE, of Valence-sur-Rhône dépt. (Drôme) France, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
-
My invention relates to a new or improved machine for peeling potatoes and
other tubers or roots and has reference to that class of machine wherein the
vegetables requiring to be peeled are placed in a kind of barrel the inner
periphery of which is furnished with brushes of special construction; while
the movable bottom thereof which is likewise provided with brushes receives
a rapid rotary motion about a vertical axis, thereby causing the tubers to
follow such motion and in consequence of the centrifugal force thus developed
to be constantly thrown against fixed brushes which divest them of their peel
or jacket.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation partly in
section showing the driving shaft carrying the two cranks arranged at 180°,
one relatively to the other.
Fig. 2 is a transverse elevation.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine.
This new or improved potato peeling machine is arranged in the following
manner; the tubers requiring to be peeled are placed in a receiver having the
shape of a truncated cone and formed of wooden staves. The latter are provided
up to a given height with brushes made either of bristles, whalebone, or horn.
As shown in the plan view of Fig. 3 these brushes preferably have a different
length of bristle on alternate staves, the bristles being of the same length on
each stave, this arrangement has for its object to assist in the decortication of
the tubers.
The staves are held in position by two cast iron hoops BB forming angle
pieces and by an outer casing of galvanized iron sheet D, the ends of which
are clamped between the hoops B, B and the staves A.
The apparatus is carried by three feet F cast in one piece and connected
together by radial arms leading to a boss in the centre carrying a step
bearing G on which placed the end or pivot of the vertical shaft J.
hoops B, B are connected to the three feet F in the following manner, that
is to say,
The
The upper hoop B carries on its periphery six bosses through which pass
the iron tie rods H and I. The lower hoop B carries upon its periphery three
bosses through which the tie-rods I pass. The three feet F carry likewise three
bosses through which the tie rods H. pass. The upper hoop is thus connected
to the lower hoop B₁ on the one part and to the three feet F on the other part.
The rigidity of the feet relatively to the upper part or frame is secured in all.
directions by suitable bosses cast some upon the lower hoop B¹ and some upon
the feet F.
The upper hoop or open angle piece B and the lower hoop or closed angle
piece B close and press the staves one against the other whenever the cross
bolts are tightened up in a similar manner to the hoops of ordinary barrels
so as to form a consolidated whole in the shape of a churn like tapering vessel
which is thoroughly water tight.
A horizontal driving shaft actuated by means of two crank handles rotates
in two bearings cast integrally with a bracket R of suitable shape, which is

page_text: connected to the hoop by four screws. and is provided centrally with a boss
through which passes the vertical shaft J. The horizontal shaft U imparts a
rotary motion to the vertical shaft J by the aid of the two bevel wheels T and S.
At the foot of the vertical shaft is keyed a horizontal fly wheel K. having a
heavy rim for the purpose of regulating the rotary motion of the shaft. The
bottom disc L furnished with brushes is fixed upon the fly wheel. The brushes
fixed near to the periphery of this disc are inclined as shown in Fig. 1 in
order to withstand the action of the centrifugal force and to avoid rubbing
when the machine is in motion, against the fixed brushes of the outer casing
or receptacle. A cylinder consisting of wooden staves M provided with brushes
surrounds the vertical shaft. The lower end of this cylinder which is provided
with a centrally perforated disc bears against the movable bottom disc L
while its upper end is likewise furnished with a centrally perforated disc N
tightened by two nuts. Two other nuts Parranged under the hub of the
fly wheel allow of the whole of the movable part being gradually raised as the
brushes are wearing. The boss or step bearing G is preferably furnished with
two tiny steel balls while the vertical shaft can be properly adjusted by means
of a set screw furnished with a tightening nut. A lubricator having a constant
level of oil and not shown in the drawings distributes the oil necessary for
the lubrication of the machine through a suitable brass pipe. The tubers
requiring to be peeled are watered at their upper end by a circular perforated
brass pipe which is connected to any suitable water supply pipe such as b.
Below the crown of the fly wheel is arranged a zinc gutter Y designed to
receive the water and the refuse through an opening not shown in the drawings
and to convey them in a suitable receptacle placed below the machine. A cover
joint or apron Z is nailed on the staves .A, it has for its object to prevent the
water from running between such staves and the gutter.
A hinged door allows the potatoes or the like being withdrawn at the end
of the operation.
In the machine such as herein before described there is shown a cylinder M
formed of wooden staves furnished with brushes, in smaller size machines however
such cylinder can be replaced by a truncated cone of tinned iron resting with
its base upon the disc L and held in position by the disc N placed upon its
top.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A machine for peeling potatoes and other tubers or roots wherein the
latter are placed in a vessel having the shape of a truncated cone and furnished
internally with brushes of different lengths, the potatoes being impelled down-
wardly in consequence of the rapid rotary motion imparted to the vertical shaft
and being brought into contact with the fixed brushes by reason of the centri-
fugal force developed therein, substantially as herein described and shown.
2. In potato peeling machines the arrangement of brushes held between
hoops or angle pieces connected by transverse bolts, substantially as herein
described and shown.
3. In potato peeling machines the arrangement of a fly wheel serving as
a support for a movable bottom likewise furnished with brushes, and as a
regulator for the rotary motion, substantially as herein described and shown.
Dated this 16th day of November 1899.
R. J. URQUHART, Fel.Chart.Inst.P.A.,
Agent for Applicant, Manchester and Liverpool.