Door for a steam peeler

Claim 1

In a steam peeler of the type comprising a pressurized steam vessel rotatably mounted on trunnions in a framework and having a rim which defines an opening forming a combined product inlet and outlet of the vessel and also having an interior door mounted within the vessel for closure of the combined product inlet and outlet, a door closing device comprising: first support means mounted externally of the vessel and defining a first axis which extends externally of the vessel and adjacent the rim thereof; second support means mounted on said first means to rotate with respect to the vessel about said first axis; a rigid pivot arm which has first and second opposite ends and is connected rigidly at its first end to said second support means and extends substantially radially of said first axis; a rigid arcuate cranked arm which has first and second opposite ends and is connected rigidly at its first end to the second end of the pivot arm, is curved from its first end to its second end through an angle of at least 90° about an axis which substantially coincides with said first axis, passing with clearance about the rim of the vessel, and is connected rigidly at its second end to the door, whereby upon rotation of the second support means about said first axis the door is moved within the vessel towards or away from the product inlet and outlet along a path which is curved about said first axis; and drive means external of the vessel and connected to rotate the second support means about said first axis and thereby move the door within the vessel along said path to open or close the product inlet and outlet.