Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF OP ERATION rCR. T-_. DRY PEELING OF
POTa TCES PVD S.I:vIILAR PRCDUC E.
I general !rrc~ri c,.~ge to ct~.r_p potatoes and similar ~ rCdi: Ce of
t s g:_
their outer layer 1n an industrial CCeSS. In this pr~CeSS many
types of rolling, scrapi ng, peeling and cutting machines and so
forth UtiliZed on a~.ary~e scale that subject the potatoes and
similar prociuce to a nt:.-n.ber of operations requirlrig large
quantltleS of 'Nater. TheSe operaticns continue until all outer
layers and blemished parts have been removed from the potatoes
or similar produce. The cuttings, ground together with the
water, are removed as a slushy mi:;ture. These operations result
in a substantial loss of the potato body. Th4s loss can amount
to approximately 60% which results in a significant production
cost increase in the peeled potato industry.
Thus the negative feature of the known processes is the
large quantities of water uti'_ized which is removed as a slushy
effluent and is regarded as a pollutant requiring a costly
cleaning process to separate the effluent componerits.
The resulting sludge is considered a waste of little use.
The objective of the invention is to design equipment and
methods of operation which in contrast to known peeling
Drocesses, can be used without water and the cutting used for
productive purposes such as a supplement to cattle fodder. T!ie
method of operation for the industrial dry peeling of potatoes
shows herewith the features mentioned in claim 1. Through this
method of operation the potato to be processed is machine
punched to its largest circumference, giving the potato a
preferably oval-cylindrical peeled surface through which the
,0 potato shows a reference level in a singular manner for all
further ooeraticns. A s'_eeve shaped punch-cutter, that shows the
features in claim 2, is used to its advantage. This method cf
oceration offers the possibility in a reiatively simple way to
subject a sinaularly identified potato to a variety of
manipulations to croduce a peeled potato with a mini:-rium o=
waste. Tests ln C'_Cat tnat tne waste produced ,.'~,y t':''.;S
process is appr--:imate'_y 30 to 35%. further advantage is
considered in _-e less labor .1.ntens.i':e ..reatmeP.t 'Jf _.~.e
~~y1~.UDcO S;-4EcT
CA 02189981 1996-11-08
9 9~1 47 prod'.lcts. Tn aCultio n, a- lI~:l1naL---n of need for p'''.____;,a--
lon
anC s?paraLlon 1i sta1lar'_-- '.7s aS af oY'e_neione<'1~ re- S1ai_ ~s 1'_'1
re=z'ivelv low in%7eCt:m.ent costs.
Acc.~irJing to -"':e =."'.ientlc n, W1'--ri Lnis iTie'::Zod of
Orer ii wh1.... uses a sleeve s~,aped punch ~utter
functions as a zeITlpOrar'j ter~~ fvr v'"'.e potato whic~. need to be
pus'-:ed out of its berth cniy partially for urther pee'_ir:g
oper.:tlons by cutting knives. It 13 ~.h us l;ilportarit that the
potato is clamped t=,ht in the punc:: cutter yet :re:~ains movable.
According to t:~.e inventicn, with this method of
operation the rounded zone obtained by t:ne punching cutter is of
a preferably oval-cylindrical shape; this shape is the c?osest
match to the average shape of tne potato. The invention is also
applicable to other cross-section shapes such as for example an
oblong shape with almost parallel zone parts.
The invention also provides for a structure to
execute the previously described method of operation. This
structure shows the specific details which are identified by the
distinguishing marks of claim 2. This structure can be equipped
with a stepwise rotating assembly plate with holders for
punching cutters and whereby the various means of operation are
in a stationary position. Naturally another stepwise movable
transporter with holders for punching cutters can a',so be
utilized, such as for example a chain transporter with which the
holders with _he cutters are moved along a partially linear
path.
The invention further provides for the special
operating ways of the various means positioned ir. the operating
stations for the execution of further cutting and peeli;:g
operations. T:n!e are mentioned in the claims and are further
explained in tne description hereafter following.
AMtirZ tD S:'EET
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Tho i nve: ti on 'r1'~11 be desc'_';.lbed t~ilth greater spevifl..~.ity d
a n
cl r ty with reference to the drawings in "Nhlc~ .
=C.~ure 1 t-<:ere iS shown a -op 'lie'N of L:'le aOCli ed
cunc:cutter,
Figure 2 t:nere is a cross-section according to the line
=-T? from Fi gure 1.
Figure 3 tnere is a cross-section according to III-I7I
from Figure 1.
Figure 4 there is a schematic top view a of step wise
:0 rotating assembly plate for cutter holders
according to Figure 1.
Figure 5 t'nere is a frontal view of a cutting unit with
ineans of connection.
Figure 6 there is a cross-section of a cutting unit
without means of connection, according to the
line Vi-VI from Figure S.
Figure 7 there is a top view of the cutting unit without
means of connection.
Figure 8 there is shown a rotatabi.e cutting knife.
Figure 9 there is shown a top view of the knife according
to Figure 8 without its driving means and
Figure 10 there is shown in schematic manner all
operations to be executed in sequential stages
and
Figure 11 there is shown an exploded view of t:.e peeled
potato, according to the invented method of
operation and structure, that shows the punched
away, respectively cut away parts grouped around
this aotato.
Figure 12 there is .. schematic zop view of a stepwise
movable chaintransporter for the holders of
Ctinch cutterS and
Figure 13 there is shown a side view in a schematic manner
of the chain transporzer according to Figure 12.
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oP.e of the IT.los- 1Ricortdnt olements _.,_ '.sO t:le rCetP.cd of
operation and uhe equicment Structure _cr the dry peeling of
potatoes 1s SnC :vi: n fiylreS 1,2 an} .~, er tn_s e1eT'ent :S
shaped as a t- n octagoCl pla''_e ( l) mcde of stainless sL e i
provided with -,: e_~._ngs ) for Lhe atta--~:'ent Qf :.~.e holder (1)
to the assembl1 clate of a tran.sporzer. The holder (1) contains
a sleeve shaped stainless punching cutter (5) which has an
oblong, prefer;;bly ova=, cross section shape and where the
sleeve can wall (6) sho,Pls an oval-cy'_ir.dr':cay sizape. The top (7)
and also the bottcro side (9) of this pu~:ch cutter are
constructed as a'..nife edge. The cutter (5) is attached to the
holder (1) through welding the stainless steel tabs (11,13,15
and 17) . The tab walls show cutting edges on their upper and
lower sides (19 respectively 20).
Bet,Neen the punch cutter (5), the holder (1) and the
aforementioned tabs are four spaces in which plate shaped
elements ( 21, 23, 25 and 27) can be moved. T'his will be discussed
in more detail in another section.
According to the invention, in its first model a
transporter is used which is designed as a rotating, step wise
rotatable assembly plate. This type of movement is not a part of
the invention and is thus not described in more detail. Or. this
assembly plate (39) are a large number of cutter holders (1) of
the described type, specifically 24 pieces fitted evenly. The
movement structure of the cutter holders (1) is indicated by 41.-
Near the periphery (43) of the assembly plate (39)
are a large nl.:mber of stationary processing stations positioned,
each of which are structured to perform an appropriate
procedure. These stations are indicated in figure 4 by 10.1,
10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and so forth.
AN;ENQED SNtEET
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The distinguishing features a:tcng others are
... the station 10.3., ",Jhich mQans "f p'.._.._:ln,g and press_::g ar,.
positicned,
... c}ie st.3i.10.~. 10. ~. 1n why.c.~, :".e a_T:~ are CeSltioP.ed tc remove
the punc,hed peeling in four parts,
... a first track (51),
... the station 10.6 to perform a-._:;ting peelin8 operation,
a=irst group stations 10.7, 1~.., and 10.9, of which each _s
orovided wlth cutters,
... a second guide trac'.. (65),
... the station 10.12 to lift up the tiotatoes present in the
holders ( 1 ) against the guide track (0' 5) ,
a station 10.13 for performing a rotating peeling action,
a second group of stations 10.14, 10.15 and 10.16, of which
each is provided with cutters,
... a station 10.19 for the remova'; of the punched and
afterwards peeled potatoes.
The in Figures 5, 6 and 7 displayed cutting
structure, for use by stations 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 and 10.14, 10.15
and 10.16, contains a spring loaded (80) vertically movable
shaft (81). This shaft contains a height adjustable sliding
plate (83) which can be fastened with a screw (85). Further
there is a jacket (91) bcrdered by f-'ar_ges (87 an 89). Attached
to these flanges is a cutting knife. This cutting knife takes a
slanted angle with respect to the cer:ter line (95) of the shaft
(81) and the direction of movement c: the holders (1). The
distance (a) is adjustable with a screw and determines the
thickness of the peelings. The shaft (81) is mounted in a
housing (82), which is designed in such a manner that the entire
cutting structure is movable to process potatoes in every way
and manner desired.
The cutting structures in Figures 8 and 9, which
can be applied to the s-zations 10.6 and 10.13-3, contain a 'r.c'_der
(97) which is rotatable by means of - schematically indicated
power source (98) . ln -;:e manner il_..stratea, a kriifeblade ;99)
is attached to t'.':e hOldar. This kI:ife cail thus perform a
cutting movement.
a ~11~11~11~..'.
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T.~_e o,."~.erat_.~,g method of Sc:".e~latlcall;i shown Si.r'.:: tUre
is now f',;rthe= e:plaized on the basis of Figure 10. In this
='e, :he pOta ces --J De PrCceSSed can be dlstinguis :eC _n
their secuent'_al phases togetheZ' with tZe Sc:'lematicall'I
-'ll'-,Strat@d D;3-_eccing units in t; ei r operating poSitio:: witI':
potatoes. The various cositions are indicated by 10.1, 110.2,
10.3 and so fcrth ;ust as in Figure 4.
... In position 10.1 a potato (2) to be produced is with its
largest iength measurement aimed iP_ the transport dlrectlon of
the holders, placed in the sleeve shaped punch cutter.
... In cosition 10.2 the level of the punching tools are
controlled.
... In position 10.3 the punching tool (47) is lowered by
pressure mechanism not shown in detail. Thereby the potato 4-s
pushed outside the punching cutter over a portion of its height
measurement in such a way that substantial portion of the potato
remains clamped tight in the sleeve shaped knife and the punched
out peeling drops outside this sleeve shaped cutter and lands on
top of the openings in Figure 1 indicated by (21, 23, 25, 27).
... In position 10.4 the peelings, cut by means of cutting edces
(19) of the tabs (11, 13, 15, 17), are removed in four sections
(112, 114, 116, 118) through the openingz (21, 23, 25 and 27) by
peeling removal element, which shows a number of plate shaped
attachments. The plate shaped attachments are indicated in
Figure 1 by a dotted line (104, 106, 108 and 110).
... In position 10.6 the holder has landed under the first
guide track, whereby the pre-punched potato is relocated, in
height direction, in the sleeve shaped cutter and with a section
(120) in all its positions, in which the guide track (51)
functions, is shifted out of the punch cutter over a
predetermined distance. In this position, the potaco is
processed over a conical surface on its lengths ends by the
rotatable cutting structure according to .7ig'ares 8 and 9. I'h e
cut away sections are indicated wi-ch (1224 and 126)
33 ... In positio.~. 10.7, the potato, in _ts holder, lands before
the cutting structure (55) according to Figures 3, 6 and 7. By
moving the ho_ ders, ti:e guide section !93) of that struct'urc
wlll follow tq shace o' t:~_P_ ".cotato to be peeled a nQ ti,e ci .~.C'j.
AMcivGtD SHEAc-T
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~i n_e :J _ adj'1S bl d1S n'S 1.~ ~ on
k 1 , :.i! ta e t3 e, N ' _:oI _ow t ~l _ S __ Ge se ..
to cerfori-, a cutting opeYat_cn.
... Nearb',i cositions 10.8 and 10.9, sim_lar as i:. 10.7 ..re
a:or_.". er ~
performed every t Te o rer
~ section ~ of the potato ~o be
peeled. _-~a cutting stru~.tureS '_<'1 ti.ose pcsitl.oPis are indicated
by (57 and 59). The cut away peelinas are indicated by (130 and
132) ... The positions 10.10 and 10.11 are reserved cutting
positions.
...In position 10.12, the potato, which no has been peeled also
on the bottom side, is moved up in tha sleeve shaped cutter by
an upward pressing mechanism in such a way that the potato with
its peeled rounded zone remains partially within the punching
cutter and the outside top portion extends above the cutter.
... On passing the positions 10.13, 10.14, 10.15 and 10.16, the
potato is held back the guide track (65), while it is being
subjected to the cutting operations of the cuttina units (67,
61, 63, 64) iP. a manner as previously described at the positions
10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9. The peelings that are removed are
indicated respectively by (134, 136, 138 and 140).
... The positions 10.17 and 10.18 are positions for reserve
cutters.
... In. position 10.19, the potato is pushed out of the sleeve
shaped punching cutter by a suitable pressure mechanism (81).
This mechanism can be equipped with additional knives to cut the
potato in two parts (68 and 70).
... In position 10.20, a pressure mechanism is set up, similar
to the pressure mechanism for position 10.19, which is equipped
to divide a peeled potato into four parts (72, 47, 76 and 78)
In the aforementioned description, its is assumed
that the sleeve sftaped punch cuter shows a hollow cylindrical
design up to its cutting edge. Because it is important that the
potato, after the punch o0eratloI'1, ls held tight yet in a
movable Conf'auration the cuttrng edge oL the sleeve Shaoed
cutter is designe: witn a sloped level preferably with an
olltward a;:Qle of 133.
=z _=;gt.re 11, a completel1~ cee! ed potato is shown in
its final ctase in a perspective manner. The rounded, oval-
AMENDSD SHEET
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cyli::C,rical 7-One iS ind'_:'a.ted with 15"0. The cut away peeling
carts are gro'',ped f:e':'', around 1.:'.e ',;Jotat.3 and have reference
nL':::be=: which Conior:ri to t,,lose in '_'gure lv.
I:'. C!:e Figures 12 and 1-3 a c:.ai.~. traP.S,Dorter is si owP.
as a step wise movable zransporLer. 'I'hese FigureS show schemat? c
chain gear (200 and 202). yere the cha'~~.n links carry assembly
Dlates ~204) W::ich are comparable to the holders (1) of Figure
1. The sleeve shaped punch cutters and the movement of the
transporter are indicated respectively i236) and (208). In a
similar rnanner, as shown on the basis of the rotatable asse.*ibly
plate according to Figure 1, the holders of the punch cutters
pass identical fixed stations which are identified by reference
(210, 212, 214, 210, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228) for the
instruments placed at those points. The supply and removal of
potatoes are -zdicated respectively by (230) and (232). In this
design, the peeling waste lands in collection bins (234 and 236)
from where they can be removed by suitable suction equipment.
:i-;Er-i
