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A machine for peeling and cleaning fruits and vegetables using a plurality of rotating abrasive rollers which are each driven by an electric motor. The machine has a frame with a pair of end plates that rotatively carry the rollers. Each motor is carried by an end plate and coupled to a roller solel

A machine for peeling and cleaning fruits and vegetables using a plurality of rotating abrasive rollers which are each driven by an electric motor. The machine has a frame with a pair of end plates that rotatively carry the rollers. Each motor is carried by an end plate and coupled to a roller solely to drive only that roller. In one preferred embodiment, the motor is coupled to a gear reducer that preferably is a cycloidal gear reducer having an output shaft coupled to one end of a roller and which has an output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the axis of rotation of the roller. In another preferred embodiment, the motor can be directly coupled to the roller with its output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the roller axis of rotation. To control operation and speed of the abrasive rollers, the motors are controlled by a motor controller that preferably is a variable frequency electric motor drive. Where the machine uses an auger to urge food product through the machine, the auger can be driven by an electric motor whose operation and speed preferably is controlled by a variable frequency electric motor drive. Where the machine is a rotating cage machine, the cage can be driven by an electric motor whose operation and speed preferably is controlled by a variable frequency electric motor drive. Each motor preferably is a three phase alternating current electric motor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of treating a plurality of food products substantially simultaneously comprising:a) providing a treatment apparatus comprising a frame; at least four generally horizontally disposed rollers in operable cooperation with the frame with the rollers being arranged to define an

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of treating a plurality of food products substantially simultaneously comprising:a) providing a treatment apparatus comprising a frame; at least four generally horizontally disposed rollers in operable cooperation with the frame with the rollers being arranged to define an elongate food product-receiving chamber having 1) a non-straight cross-section along a transverse direction of the chamber, 2) an inlet through which the food products enter, and 3) an outlet through which the food products are discharged; an electric power supply; a plurality of electric roller drive motors carried by the frame with each electric roller drive motor in electrical communication with the electric power supply and each electric roller drive motor operably coupled to at least one of the rollers; and a housing surrounding at least a portion of the rollers;b) introducing each of the food products into the chamber through the inlet;c) applying electrical power to each of the roller drive motors to rotate each roller operably coupled thereto;d) treating the food products while the rollers are rotating by contact between the rollers and the food products to remove matter from the food products; ande) discharging each of the food products from the chamber out the outlet.