초록 ▼

A method for dry peeling potatoes includes punching the periphery of a potato to form a partially peeled potato having a standardized dimension, moving the partially peeled potato under and over other cutting members to remove the remainder of the potato skin. According to a presently preferred meth

A method for dry peeling potatoes includes punching the periphery of a potato to form a partially peeled potato having a standardized dimension, moving the partially peeled potato under and over other cutting members to remove the remainder of the potato skin. According to a presently preferred method, the potato is punched with an oval-cylindrical punch and the punch is utilized to hold the potato as a workpiece for further cutting operations. An apparatus according to the invention includes a plurality of punches which are arranged in carriers for transport through an assembly line; a plurality of plungers arranged along the assembly line for pushing a potato into a punch, for removing scraps, for repositioning the potato in the punch for further cutting operations, for removing the peeled potato from the punch, and optionally for cutting the peeled potato into a plurality of pieces; a plurality of movable cutting knives arranged along the assembly line for removing skin from opposite sides of the potato as it is held in the punch; and a conveying means for moving the carriers to the plungers and knives along the assembly line. Circular and linear assembly lines are disclosed. The invention produces approximately half the waste as compared to known methods and apparatus. Moreover, the waste is dry and usable for cattle feed, for example, and need not be processed as a pollutant.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for peeling produce such as a potato, comprising:a) pushing the produce into a punch cutter so that an outer periphery of the produce is substantially separated from the produce and the produce is held in the punch cutter against the action of gravity; andb) removing additi

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for peeling produce such as a potato, comprising:a) pushing the produce into a punch cutter so that an outer periphery of the produce is substantially separated from the produce and the produce is held in the punch cutter against the action of gravity; andb) removing additional outer periphery portions of the produce while the produce is held in the punch cutter, whereinthe punch cutter includes a plate member lying in a first plane and having a central opening occupying a first area, and a substantially endless punch member having a surface which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and defining an interior area which is smaller than the first area, the punch member being located within the central opening to define an annular space.