| 摘要 |
<p>A processing apparatus for removing rind from a spheroidal food article, such as a melon, is provided. The apparatus includes infeed (12) and outfeed (16) componentry for conveying melons to be processed into and out of the apparatus, providing an apparatus well suited for use in an automated environment. The infeed componentry includes a positioning device (22) for positioning a melon to be processed between revolving mandrels (76), for achieving a desired orientation of the melon relative to the mandrels. The mandrels retain the melon on its axis and revolve the melon on its equator. Knife members (114) are positioned on either side of the melon and aligned with the equator thereof when the melon is in an initial position. The knife members have detachable blades (120) to accommodate rinds of different thicknesses, so that the blades extend through the rind, without extending into the flesh. Rollers (136) are secured to the knife members to control the cutting depth of the blades and to enhance the ease with which the rind is cut. As the melon is rotated from the initial position toward a completed position, the knives initially remove rind from its equator, then simultaneously toward each pole, for removing substantially the entire rind from the melon.</p> |
