US1362930A - Water-spray section of peeling-machines - Google Patents

Description

S. 1. DUN'KLEY.

WATER SPRAY SECTION 05 FEELING MACHINES. API?LICATION FILED JAN.28; 1919.

I 1,362,930. Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

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WATER SPRAY SECT ION 0F FEELING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, I919- 7 1,362,930, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 L L]. DUN/HEY q vbtueooe Q T 2907 8.1 DUNKLEYL WATER SPRAY SECTION OF FEELING MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN-28,1919. Lgag gm Patentad Dec. 21,1926.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- S. J. DUNKLEY WATER SPRAY SECTION OF FEELING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-28, I9I9.

Patented Dec. 21,1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

SAMUEL JDUIIIILEY UNITED STATES IATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J". DUNKLEY, OF KALAIVIAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGIIOR TO DUNKLEY COMPANY, OF-KALA1VIAZOO, MICHIGAN, A CCRFGRATION OF MICHIGAN.

"WATER-SPRAY SECTION OF PEELING-IVIAGHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed January 28, 1919. Serial No. 273,597.

7 '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water- Spray Sections of Peeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the improved water spray section of my improved peach and vegetable peeling machine illustrated and described in my concurrent patent application.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an. improved means for delivering and utilizing the water spray in such peeling machine.

Second, to provide improved spray structures.

Third, to provide improved means of controlling the delivery of water to and the collection of waste water from the machine.

Fourth, to provide improved means of screening the water and circulating it back to the machine for repeated use.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation, will definitelv appear from the detailed description to rollow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means and mechanism.

described in the specification. The invention is clearly defined in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my apparatus and especially well adapted for carrying out my improved process is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure I is an elevation view of my improved peeling apparatus, with the feed section A, the preheating section B, and the lye section C in diagram, the water section D, outlined, and the blanchin section E and inspection section F also in diagram.

Fig. II is a side elevation view of the lye section enlarged.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line 3-3 of F igs. I and II.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the casing with one of the covers broken away, showing the arrangement and disposition of the spray pipes and agitator plows.

Fig. V is a detail perspective view of one of the spray sections of the water pipe.

Fig. V is a detail sectional view of such spray nozzle section, taken on a line corresponding to line zi of Fig. V.

Fig. VI is an enlarged detail sectional elevation view of the left hand end of the supply tank and screen device taken on line 66 of Figs. I, II and VII Fig. VII is an enlarged right hand sectional elevation view taken on line 7-7 of Figs. I, II and VIII.

Fig. VIII is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view through the storage tank and rotary screen, taken on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Figs. III, VII and IX. 7

Fig. IX is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view through the rotary screen and storage tank, taken on a line corresponding to line 99 of Figs. II and VIII.

Fig. X is a detail view showing the con stfruction of the openwork conveyer belt.

Fig. XI is a partial detail view in perspective, showing the adjustable partitions for dividing the lower part of the tank to control the drainage therefrom.

Fig. XII is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Figs. III and IV, showing the details of one of the agitator plows.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the reference characters, the different parts of the peach peeler are given general reference letters in Fig. I. A is the feeder section, B the preheating section, C the lye section, I) the water section hereunder consideration, shown in outline, E the blanching section, and F the inspection section, all of the parts except the water section, which is outlined, being merely diagrammatic.

The machine comprises general framework supported by legs 1 connected by longitudinal frame bars 2 and 3 connected by suitable crossbars 4 at intervals. An endless metalopenwork conveyer belt (see Fig. X for detail) is carried on and actuated by suitable drums at the ends of the machine, and is supported by suitable rollers 6, 6 dising the same are provided over this general longitudinal casing.

The water compartment is separated from V the remainlng part of the machine by up' wardly extending partitions 12 at each end, forming a receiving pan for the water. Downwardly extending partition 13 separate the upper part of the casing from the remainder of the machine, the lower edge of which partitions are sufiiciently hlgh above the conveyor belt to permit the passing of the load of fruit or vegetables thereon.

Transverse bars 14, 1 1 are disposed across the casing above the conveyer belt and carry downwardly depending arms 15 which support agitator plows 16 disposed in staggered relation to agitate and turn the load of fruit or vegetables on the belt.

The screen 5 (see' Fig. X for detail) is metallic openwork. Cross pipes 17 (see Figs. 111 and IV extend transversely through the casing at considerable distance above the screen, and similar cross pipes 18 (see Fig. 111) are disposed transversely across the casing at a considerable distance below the screen. Spray nozzles 19 are built into the pipe, like pipe couplings, at intervals. These nozzles are made of casting having a jet hole 20 drilled into the same through the screw-threaded hole 21, which is plugged by plug 22. A flat deflector blade 23 is formed integral with this section and the jet 20 is directed against the same so that the water delivered from the jet nozzle 20 is spread out in fan shape, and the series of such fan-shaped nozzles reaches entirely across the casing at each point where pipe 17 or 18 is interposed. A series of these pipes 17 and 18 i provided above and below, and the nozzles are arranged in staggered relation so that the entire casing is covered. It is preferred, however, to have the nozzles arranged o that a nozzle comes immediately back of each of the little plows to insure its efiective action at that point.

These cross pipes 17 and 18 are coupled in pairs one above and one immediately below, so that they cotiperate in treating the layer of fruit by sprays directly above and directly below, which sprays thus react the one against the other and prevent the displacement of fruit or vegetables on the belt when a strong ressure i made use of, thus insuringthe strongest action of the sprays when that is desired.

In the bottom part of the casing there is interposed between the cross pipes 18 an adjustable partition 2 1 carried on the rocker armf25 which is pivoted at 26 in the side of the casing. A handle 27 serves for the ma nipulation of the same and also to indicate whether the partition is swung into or out of position.

The cross pipes are connected to a general header 28 which is supplied from a city water main or fresh water supply by the pipe 29 at the tail of the machine, and is supplied from the circulating system b the pipe 30 at the head of the machine. lobe valves or gates 31 are provided in this header so that the same can be utilized in any proportion desired for fresh water or water from the circulating system. Small globe valves 32 are provided for opening and closing the connection to each cross pipe, and pressure gages 33 are provided at each cross pipe so that by manipulation of the valves the pressure delivered to the nozzles can be controlled and observed.

The water supply from the circulating system is stored in the tank 3 1 which is provided with a rotary screen which will be hereafter described. An electrically driven centrifugal pump 35 takes water from the supply tank 3% through the pipe 36 and delivers the same to the spray nozzles through the pipe 30.

drainage pipe 37 is connected to the frontor head end of the water pan beneatl the spray nozzles and delivers to the sewer or other point of discharge from the ma chine. The tail end of this pan is provided with a drain pipe 38 which delivers through pipe 39 axially into the rotary screen 40 (see Fig. V111).

A ii-shaped hopper-like collecting trough :1 is within the rotary screen, this trough being connected by pipe as through the T 43 and pipe 1% to the sewer or other point of discharge.

The end of the pipe 39 is connected to the collecting trough 41 and serves as the support of the front end thereof and the discharge pipe 42 is also connected to the trough 41 and serves as support for thetail end thereof and extends out through the end of the tank 34:. These pipes therefore together afiord support for the rotary screen, the head 45 and 46 of which are provided with suitable journal bearings embracing journals formed thereon. A gear 17 is secured to the head 16 of the screen and is, driven by the pinion 18 carried by the coun- I tershaft 49 which is driven by the pulley 50. This pulley is driven preferably by electric motor 51 by the belt 52 (see Figs. V11 and V111).

A crew conveyor 53 is disposed in the bottom of the V-shaped hopper 41 and the pipe 12, and is driven by sprocket- 54; carried by theflanged cover 55 of the pipe 12. This is driven by sprocket chain 56 from a sprocket wheel 57 which is on the end of the countershaft 4:9. 7

Disposed above the rotary screen is the longitudinal shaft 58 carrying the series of cross arms 59 with flexible tappers 60 for jarring the top of the screen to free it of debris (see Fig. IX). This is driven by sprocket 61 and sprocket chain 62 from the sprocket wheel 63 on the counter-shaft 49 (see Fig. VIII). There is also provided a longitudinal spray pipe ea provided with nozzles like my improved nozzle 19 disposed and directed against the upper part of the rotary screen (see Figs. VIII and IX) for washing debris from the same and discharging it downwardly into the V-shaped hopper 41. Where water is abundant the screen can be kept clean by these water sprays alone. Both clearing devices, however, are desirable to be provided, as they supplement each other. The tappers 60 might be used SLllllClGIltlY to clear the screen completely but they would wear the screen unduly if they did all the work. However, the screen is readily renewable and the exigencies of any particular situation or locality will determine the best course to pursue so far as keeping the screen clear is concerned.

In the operation it will be observed that the fruit or vegetable with the disintegrated peel will be delivered into the water section from the left hand of Fig. II, that is, into the head end at which point water from the circulating system can be delivered with strong jets against the load of fruit or vegetables on the conveyer belt. The first sprays or pair of sprays will remove to a very large extent the disintegrated peel. By closing the bottom partitions 24. at that point and dividing the pair, this heavily loaded section will at once discharge into the sewer through the pipe 37. As the fruit advances beyond this section, it can be sprayed by water from the circulating system which will drain through the pipe 38 down through the pipe 39 to the rotary screen, back into the storage tank 34: ready to be passed by the centrifugal pump 35 to the sprays repeatedly.

Absolutely clean water can be introduced into the last section through the pipe 29 by closing of the gate 31 in the header 28 at that point. Or clear water can be admitted into as many of the sections as may be desired, and this clear unused water will also pass out through the pipe 38 down into the system to pass through the rotary screen and to pump and sprays.

In practice fresh water is usually admitted to as many sections at the tail of the water section as are drained from the head end of the machine directly into the sewer, through the pipe 37 so that the even supply of water in the system is maintained by fresh water introduced at the tail end of the machine to replace that drained away at the head, and by this means a thorough washing of all the fruit is accomplished by the use of a minimum of fresh water introduced into the system in this way. The spraying after the first section is largely for the purpose of eliminating the lye, as the peel has usually been substantially removed by the sprays from the first or second cross pipes. Of course, where water is abundant, it will not be necessary to use the circulating system at all, the fresh water can be delivered through the pipe 29 to the sprays and the whole can be drained out to the sewer through the pipe 37. This, however, requires a large amount of water and would in many instances entail an undue expense.

By providing the gages and globe valves to control, aheavy pressure can be applied to the fruit for removing the peel, and lighter pressures for the rinsing operation, thereby avoiding undue injury to the ripe fruit after the peel has been removed, and yet'at the same time insure complete elimination of all lye or other caustic solution made use of for disintegrating the peel.

From this description it is clear that the specific features enumerated have special advantages and I therefore desire to claim the invention specifically and also to claim it broadly as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In water spraying means for a peeling machine, the combination of a casing; an openwork conveyer therethrough; transverse spray pipes extending through the casing above and below said conveyer; a header connected to the said cross pipe connected at the tail end to a fresh water sup ply and connected at the other end to a circulating system with gates or valves therein; a drain for the front or head end of said casing delivering directly to the sewer or waste; a drain for the tail end of said machine; a storage tank containing a screen to receive the water from the tail end of said machine; a circulating pump, the suction of which is connected to said supply tank and the delivery end of which is connected to the front end of said header to the sprays and a partition in the bottom of the tank beneath the sprays, whereby the sprays and the drainage therefrom can be controlled and delivered separately; substantially as specified.

2. In a water spraying means for a peeling machine, the combination of a casing, an openwork conveyer therethrough, a series of transverse spray pipes extending through the casing, with spray means to deliver spray upon the load on said conveyer, a header conected to-the said transverse pipes, a connection at the tail end of said header to a fresh water supply, and a connection at the other end to a circulating system, gates on the said header to regulate the con nection and the amount of water delivered from either or both of said sources, a drain for the front or head end of said casing delivering to waste, and a drain for the tail end of said casing, and adjustable partitions to regulate the flow of water to the said drains, a storage tank for collecting the water from the tail end of said machine, and a pump for pumping the water from the said storage to the head end of said header, coacting for the purpose specified.

8. In a water spray means for a peeling machine, the combination of an open work conveyer, spray pipes, a collector pan beneath the said sprays, with a drain at the front delivering directly to the waste or sewer, and a drain at the rear or tail, a storage tank for the said drainage from the tail, and a pump for delivering water from the said storage tank to the sprays at the head of the machine, coacting as specified.

4 In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain from the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from the said hopper, a spray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screen from debris; a circulating pump, the suction of which is connected to said tank and connected to deliver the water to the head end of said machine, coacting as specified.

5. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain from the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a spray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screen from debris; a circulating pump, the suction of which is connected to said tank and connected to deliver the water to the head end of said machine, coacting as specified.

6. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain from the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from the said hopper; a circulating pump, the suction of which is connected to said tank and connected to deliver the water to the head end of said machine, coacting as specified.

7. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain therefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the water from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from the said hopper, a spray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for. delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screen from debris; coacting as specified.

8. In a spray means fora peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain therefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the water from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a spray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screen from debris, coacting as specified.

9. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain therefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the Water from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending intosaid tank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a; hopper within said screen connected tosaid discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from the said hopper, coacting as specified.

10. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drain therefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive the waterfrom the said machine, a

drain connecting pipe extending into said In Witness whereof I have hereunto set tank and affording a support for said rotary my hand and seal in the presence of two screen, a discharge conveyer pipe'from said witnesses.

rotary screen, a hopper Within said screen SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY. [L. s] 5 connected to said discharge, and a screw Witnesses:

conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe LUELLA G. GREENFIELD,

for eliminating debris; coacting as specified. MARTHA J. GREGORY.

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