Patent ID: 6966254

Claim:
A device for peeling pulpy fruits with a cutting depth adjustable and/or variable according to a program, specifically for oranges and other fruits having a variable-thickness skin, the device being characterized in that it comprises a feeler device ( 7 ), which in the peeling step is constantly elastically in contact with the surface of the fruit, to allow a tool ( 6 ) to follow the profile and size of the fruit ( 8 ), this tool being suited to cut and remove the skin in the form of a single spiral-like piece; a mechanism suited to drive the tool ( 6 ) according to a circular movement, having a transmission shaft consisting of two half-spindles ( 10 , 10 / a ) connected by an articulated joint ( 19 ); a mechanism for moving the tool ( 6 ) away from a peeled fruit ( 8 ) and for causing its return to a position in contact with a successive fruit ( 8 ) to be peeled, and maintaining the tool in contact with the latter during the peeling step; an electronically programmable mechanism, allowing to vary the projection (a) of the tool ( 6 ) relative to said feeler device ( 7 ), in order to adjust, according to the selected program, the thickness value of the skin removed during the peeling step; a mechanism allowing to impart, to the tool ( 6 ), a reciprocating orbital movement (F 6 ) around the fruit, from one pole of the fruit to its other pole, in order to be able to peel generally spherical fruits; a cam ( 53 ), controlling the orbital movement of the tool ( 6 ) according to various parameters like the size and shape of the fruit, the rpm imparted to the fruit, the advancement of the tool ( 6 ) for each turn of the fruit during the orbital movement; a program software, a distance transducer, and a step motor ( 32 ), allowing to program said electronically programmable mechanism used to vary the projection of the tool ( 6 ) relative to said feeler device ( 7 ) during the peeling step; means for enabling the transmission and connection in respect of other mechanisms making part of a machine on which the peeling device may be mounted.