GB163710A - Improvements in or relating to machines for peeling potatoes or the like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

163,710. Ballester, V. E. May 25, 1920, [Convention date]. Peeling potatoes &c.-In a potato or the like peeling-machine the skins are removed in water by contact with a plurality of vertical, rotary, abrasive members 15 which are preferably arranged in three units such that a continuous platform is formed when in operation, the potatoes being discharged into a hopper by tilting each individual unit. The units are carried by a frame 11 and each consists of a tray-like member 13 which is provided with bearings for the spindles 14 and is covered by a plate 18, also having bearings, the enclosed space 17 housing gear wheels which interconnect the spindles. The centre transverse row of spindles project downwardly into a space closed by a plate 20 and are provided with worm wheels which engage with a common worm shaft 22, which shaft is concentric with the trunnion bearing whereby the unit is tilted and is interconnected by chains and sprocket wheels with the worm shafts of the other units. The spaces between the units are filled with rollers 38, which may have abrasive surfaces, the continuity of the platform thus being preserved. Transverse reciprocating combing members 54, having downwardly projecting teeth, are operated by frank 44 and rods 45, 46, the potatoes being thus agitated to present all surfaces to the rotary members. A suitable roller guide-path for the combing members 54 is provided on the walls of the charging hopper 55 of which the rotarv members form the floor. The tilting discharging mechanism comprises an arrangement of interconnected rods and levers operated by a common lever. A water supply pipe 59 is provided. The rotary abrasive members, three forms of which are described, consists of dome-shaped metal portions 15 which fit over bosses formed on the cover 18. The rotary abrasive members may be arranged at different levels or on an inclined plane. In a further modification, the rotary members project radially into a revolving cylindrical inclined drum and the potatoes are fed through continuously.