FRESH COMMODITY PEELING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

The system for peeling a fresh commodity (11) includes barbs (155) for piercing the peel in a plurality of spaced-apart locations. A vacuum infuser (17) is used to infuse the pierced commodity with an aqueous solution to loosen the peel. A peeling device (20, 20') supports a fresh commodity in a first position. The commodity is impelled toward a structure having cutting elements (294, 294') for scoring the peel to a predetermined depth. Preferab ly the scores are made along generally circumferential lines having substantial ly common endpoints (111, 112). Peel grippers (314, 314') hold the peel between the scores and release the peeled commodity, such that the peel is retained on the gripping means. A thruster (27, 27') is positioned and adapted to force the commodity along a path to engage the cutting and peel-gripping elements.