US3717084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water spray ring for citrus fruit processing apparatus
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A device for aiding in the recovery of peel oil from the skin of citrus fruit comprises a band or ring having a groove in its outer circumferential surface with radially directed openings which connect the groove to the inner circumferential surface of the band so that, when the band is placed in a fruit processing apparatus with the groove closed and sealed, liquid can be pumped into the groove causing a spray of liquid to be emanated radially inwardly through the openings onto fruit skins which have been scored to expose the peel oil sacs in the skin.
Inventors
- 👤 R Robbins
- 👤 T Thys
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:18
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N1/00; A23N1/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine comprising a pair of cups arranged in a vertically opposed relationship for receiving a fruit therebetween, means communicating with one of said cups for providing a passage for juice from the interior of said fruit, means for moving said cups together to compress the fruit therebetween and cause the juice to be directed through said passage, means providing an opening extending through one of the cups for permitting the extrusion of the peel during the compression of the fruit, and means providing a plurality of cutting edges on at least one of the cups for scoring the peel to release the peel oil therefrom; the improvement comprising spray means located directly adjacent to the outer portion of the cup through which the peel is extruded for directing sprays of fluid in a generally horizontal plane at the peel as it is extruded to wash the peel oil from the peel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine comprising a pair of cups arranged in a vertically opposed relationship for receiving a fruit therebetween, means communicating with one of said cups for providing a passage for juice from the interior of said fruit, means for moving said cups together to compress the fruit therebetween and cause the juice to be directed through said passage, means providing an opening extending through one of the cups for permitting the extrusion of the peel during the compression of the fruit, and means providing a plurality of cutting edges on at least one of the cups for scoring the peel to release the peel oil therefrom; the improvement comprising spray means located directly adjacent to the outer portion of the cup through which the peel is extruded for directing sprays of fluid in a generally horizontal plane at the peel as it is extruded to wash the peel oil from the peel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine comprising a pair of cups arranged in a vertically opposed relationship for receiving a fruit therebetween, means communicating with one of said cups for providing a passage for juice from the interior of said fruit, means for moving said cups together to compress the fruit therebetween and cause the juice to be directed through said passage, means providing an opening extending through one of the cups for permitting the extrusion of the peel during the compression of the fruit, and means providing a plurality of cutting edges on at least one of the cups for scoring the peel to release the peel oil therefrom; the improvement comprising spray means located directly adjacent to the outer portion of the cup through which the peel is extruded for directing sprays of fluid in a generally horizontal plane at the peel as it is extruded to wash the peel oil from the peel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine comprising a pair of cups arranged in a vertically opposed relationship for receiving a fruit therebetween, means communicating with one of said cups for providing a passage for juice from the interior of said fruit, means for moving said cups together to compress the fruit therebetween and cause the juice to be directed through said passage, means providing an opening extending through one of the cups for permitting the extrusion of the peel during the compression of the fruit, and means providing a plurality of cutting edges on at least one of the cups for scoring the peel to release the peel oil therefrom; the improvement comprising spray means located directly adjacent to the outer portion of the cup through which the peel is extruded for directing sprays of fluid in a generally horizontal plane at the peel as it is extruded to wash the peel oil from the peel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine according to claim 1 wherein said spray means is disposed so as to surround the scored peels as they are extruded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine according to claim 2 wherein said spray means comprises a ring having a plurality of radially directed openings therein, and means for delivering water to the exterior surface of said ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine according to claim 3 wherein said ring is provided with an annular groove on its exterior surface which communicates with said radially directed openings and wherein said spray water is directed to said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a citrus fruit processing machine according to claim 1 including a housing surrounding the outer portion of the cup through which the peel is extruded; said spray means comprising a ring mounted within said housing provided with a plurality of radially directed openings, means for delivering water to the exterior surface of said ring, and means for sealing said exterior surface of the ring to said housing so that the water is directed from said last named means through said radially directed openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |