Patent US3853049A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3853049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tomato skin removing device
Assignee: TRI/VALLEY GROWERS A NONPROFIT COOPERATIVE CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-01-12
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A device is disclosed to remove skins from tomatoes which skins have been previously loosened from the remaining fruit by known processes such as treatment with a caustic solution. A drum, open at both ends, is rotatably supported within a frame. Tomatoes are fed from one end of the drum to the other and contacted during such transit by a series of rotating discs rotating in a direction opposite to that of the drum. Means including a chain fixed in relationship to the rotation of the drum and sprockets mounted on the drum engagable and in turn rotated by such chain are provided to bring about the relative opposite rotation of the drum and the discs. Also the drum positively moves the tomatoes therethrough by means of a spiral rod attached to the inner surface of the drum. Thus, tomatoes rotating through the drum in a first direction are continuously engaged by the discs which in turn are rotating in a direction opposite to that of the drum and accordingly causing removal of the already loosened skins from the remaining fruit of the tomatoes so treated.
Inventors
- 👤 K Wilkerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:10
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for removing the skins of tomatoes and the like comprising: a drum open at both ends and mounted for rotation about its fixed longitudinal axis in a first direction; a plurality of discs mounted on at least one shaft for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said shaft in a second direction opposite to said first direction, all of said axes being generally parallel to each other, said discs longitudinally spaced from each other along said shaft and each extending an equal minor distance into the interior of said drum from the circumference thereof; means for rotating said drum in said first direction and; separate meanas for rotating said discs in said sEcond direction including a stationary chain supported by said drum, a sprocket mounted on each said disc shaft, said sprockets in turn mounted on said drum and each of said sprockets in turn engaged with said chain whereby rotation of said drum in said first direction causes rotation of said sprockets and said discs in said second direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for removing the skins of tomatoes and the like comprising: a drum open at both ends and mounted for rotation about its fixed longitudinal axis in a first direction; a plurality of discs mounted on at least one shaft for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said shaft in a second direction opposite to said first direction, all of said axes being generally parallel to each other, said discs longitudinally spaced from each other along said shaft and each extending an equal minor distance into the interior of said drum from the circumference thereof; means for rotating said drum in said first direction and; separate meanas for rotating said discs in said sEcond direction including a stationary chain supported by said drum, a sprocket mounted on each said disc shaft, said sprockets in turn mounted on said drum and each of said sprockets in turn engaged with said chain whereby rotation of said drum in said first direction causes rotation of said sprockets and said discs in said second direction.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for removing the skins of tomatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a rotatable drum mounted on said frame and having an entrance end and a discharge end, said drum having means for positively feeding tomatoes from said entrance end through said drum to said discharge end, means for rotating said drum about its fixed longitudional axis of a first direction, said drum having a plurality of longitudinally orientated circumferentially spaced opening therethrough; a set of rotatable discs mounted on parallel shafts in turn mounted on said drum at each of said openings through said drum, each set comprising at least two rows of a plurality of longitudinally spaced rotatable discs, said discs each extending an equal minor distance into the interior of said drum; and separate means for rotating said discs about the longitudinal axis of their respective shafts in a second and opposite direction to said drum.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for removing the skins of tomatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a rotatable drum mounted on said frame and having an entrance end and a discharge end, said drum having means for positively feeding tomatoes from said entrance end through said drum to said discharge end, means for rotating said drum about its fixed longitudional axis of a first direction, said drum having a plurality of longitudinally orientated circumferentially spaced opening therethrough; a set of rotatable discs mounted on parallel shafts in turn mounted on said drum at each of said openings through said drum, each set comprising at least two rows of a plurality of longitudinally spaced rotatable discs, said discs each extending an equal minor distance into the interior of said drum; and separate means for rotating said discs about the longitudinal axis of their respective shafts in a second and opposite direction to said drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 2 wherein each shaft is rotatably supported by said drum, said discs of each shaft are generally equally spaced from each other, the discs of one shaft longitudinally staggered in relationship to the discs of another shaft opposed to said one shaft and wherein said discs of said one shat interdigitate with the discs of said other shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means for rotating said discs further provides that each shaft is provided with a sprocket and a stationary chain supported by said drum simultaneously engages said sprockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said chain is attached to said frame and in part supported and spaced from the surface of said drum by a plurality of chain lifters, each of said lifters spanning the distance between the shaft sprockets of each respective set of discs, each of said sprockets and lifters positioned in a single plane said plane normal to the axis of said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the means for feeding said tomatoes comprises a spiral member attached to the interior surface of said drum, said member extending radially inwardly from the interior surface of said drum a minor distance generally equal to the extent of said discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the means for rotating said drum comprises a sprocket circumferentially attached to said drum, a motor and a chain trained about said sprocket and operatively connected to said motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |