GB1180757A - Method and apparatus for peeling onions or like vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

1,180,757. Apparatus for peeling onions or like vegetables. MARELA Ltd. and ENG. & CHEMICAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES Ltd. 6 Nov., 1968 [19 Sept., 1967], No. 42679/67. Heading A4C. An apparatus suitable for peeling onions, particularly large onions, comprises a cylindrical chamber with slide valve sealable apercures at both axial ends, an inlet duct, 12, located in the wall of the chamber to permit entry of a peeling fluid, and a diametrically oppositely situated exhaust duct 13 for release of the fluid. The chamber comprises a cylindrical wall 1, having a top flange 2a welded to it, the flange being bolted to a top plate, 5, via a gasket, 6, to ensure a fluid tight joint. The top plate 5, has an aperture 7 to register with the end of the cylinder wall, and lies adjacent to a sliding sealing plate 10 also having an aperture 11 of a similar size to 7, and positioned so that with the plate, 10, in the 'open' position, apertures 7 and 11 are aligned. The sealing plate is capable of longitudinal movement so that a 'closed' position is possible (as shown in the drawing) when the chamber is sealed to its surroundings. Sealing top plate 5, and sealing plate, 10, is accomplished by means of face contact over most of their adjacent faces, and by provision of channel section sealing guide rails (8a, 8b), Fig. 2 (not shown) along the longitudinal edges, and a guide rail, 9, at the right hand end of the top plate 5. The bottom end of the chamber is similar to the top end. During operation, which may be manual, control of the slide valves and of a fluid control system, or automatic by means of limit and pressure switches, the upper sliding plate 10, is moved to the open position, the lower sealing plate being closed, and an onion placed in the chamber. The upper plate, 10, is moved to the 'closed' position, and the peeling fluid allowed to enter the chamber, through duct, 12, and impinge on the onion, removing its outer skin. When a predetermined chamber pressure is reached, the entry of fluid is prevented, and it is released through outlet duct, 13. When the pressure has been sufficiently reduced, the lower sealing plate is opened, the onion and detached skin released, and the plate closed again, and the operation repeated. Topping and tailing of the onion may be necessary prior to the peeling of large onions, and possibly the slitting of the outer skin along one or more great circles. The apparatus normally operates using a compressed gas, such as air, as the peeling fluid but if a liquid, such as water is used then the apparatus is modified by the provision of a larger inlet bore. A further modification Figs 5, 6 (not shown) includes a fluid permeable cage, (14), supporting the onion within the cylinder, and comprising a radially extending end plate (15) of a polyvinylchloride material linked to a metallic circular end ring (16) by way of four axially extending metal strips (17). A drive shaft (18) attached to the end plate (15) provides a means for rotating the cage. The lower sealing plate is also modified to provide accommodation and sealing means for the shaft (18), the peeled onion and detached skin being removed via the top sealing plate 10. Higher inlet velocity of the peeling fluid is also required with this modification. Another modification comprises a spiked rotatable holder on to which the onion is impaled on entry into the chamber.