The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 31, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1995
Michael S Harvey, Modesto, CA (US);
Donald P Jepson, Modesto, CA (US);
Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc., Modesto, CA (US);
Abstract
A tomato peeling machine is disclosed which includes an inclined, cylindrical steam chamber having star valves at its input and output ends. A feed screw is concentrically mounted therewithin and drives tomatoes through a biphasic environment comprised of an aqueous condensate solution of naphthalene sulfonate and steam vapor. A fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the steam chamber is connected to a water source as well as to a chemical reservoir containing concentrated solution of naphthalene sulfonate. The fluid delivery conduit includes flow-regulating apparatus and the steam chamber includes condensate level-controlling apparatus. A vacuum chamber is provided downstream of the steam chamber, and a vacuum pump draws vapors out of the vacuum chamber into a condensing chamber. A method of peeling tomatoes with the disclosed machine includes passing tomatoes through the steam chamber and maintaining a steam-controlled temperature of approximately 220.degree.-290.degree. F. and a pressure of 12-30 psi. The level of condensate is controlled for dragout by adding water and the concentration of naphthalene sulfonate is monitored and maintained at approximately 1000-2000 ppm. Residence time in the steam chamber is 8-35 seconds, while residence time in the vacuum chamber is 5-10 seconds while maintaining a vacuum of approximately 16-26 in. Hg at approximately 75.degree.-90.degree. F.