A method of peeling tubers includes providing a peeler device defining a cavity surrounded by a peeling mechanism, inputting tubers to be peeled into the cavity, directing electromagnetic radiation from an illumination device into the cavity, detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected into lens of a camera from tubers located in the cavity during a peeling operation by the peeling mechanism, and operating the peeler device based on the reflected electromagnetic radiation detected by the camera. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

A method of peeling tubers includes providing a peeler device defining a cavity surrounded by a peeling mechanism, inputting tubers to be peeled into the cavity, directing electromagnetic radiation from an illumination device into the cavity, detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected into lens of a camera from tubers located in the cavity during a peeling operation by the peeling mechanism, and operating the peeler device based on the reflected electromagnetic radiation detected by the camera. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric food items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of food are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the food items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each food item. Asymmetric food items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric food items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric food items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of food are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the food items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each food item. Asymmetric food items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric food items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

A peeler blade (102) of a peeler (101) is made to swing such as to come into contact with and separate from a virtual axial line of a peeler shaft (111) by a tension state of an urging member (148) being adjusted based on a rotation angle difference between the peeler shaft (111) and a center shaft (141). Peeling is performed from an upper portion side of a fruit or vegetable that is supported by a fruit and vegetable holder (161), on a counter-peeler driving section arrangement side in relation to a virtual axial line of the fruit and vegetable holder (161). The peeling device is made for, for example, peeling a fruit or vegetable having hard skin such as a pineapple.

An electromechanical double-bladed fruit and vegetable peeling and cutting machine comprising a holding mechanism (1), a peeling mechanism (2), and a cutting mechanism (3) sequentially provided in a direction of fruit and vegetable processing. The holding mechanism receives and holds a fruit or vegetable, and pushes the fruit or vegetable toward the peeling mechanism for positioning. The peeling mechanism performs positioning, measures actual cutting height of the fruit or vegetable, and adaptively peels the fruit or vegetable by means of two peeling blades. The cutting mechanism removes a top and a bottom portion of the peeled fruit or vegetable, and cuts the fruit or vegetable into pieces. A processing method for the electromechanical double-bladed fruit and vegetable peeling and cutting machine is also disclosed, and comprises: using a holding mechanism to hold and fix a fruit or vegetable in a processing position; using a peeling structure to accurately measure the height of the fruit or vegetable to be processed; using two peeling blades to efficiently and adaptively peel the fruit or vegetable; and finally engaging a pushing cylinder (27), to sequentially push multiple fruits and vegetables toward a cutting blade (37) such that the fruits and vegetables are cut into pieces. A third telescopic cylinder participates in the processing steps by pushing cutting blades such that the bottoms and the tops of the fruits and vegetables are removed. The invention reduces processing time, and improves productivity.

A peeling process and system comprising a primary peeling device; a sorting device arranged to sort product output from the primary peeling device into peeled product and partially peeled product; a secondary peeling device arranged to receive the partially peeled product output from the sorting device; and a peel control system to monitor the peel quality of product detected in at least one position after the primary peeling device and control the peeling system in response to same.

A peeling process and system comprising a primary peeling device; a sorting device arranged to sort product output from the primary peeling device into peeled product and partially peeled product; a secondary peeling device arranged to receive the partially peeled product output from the sorting device; and a peel control system to monitor the peel quality of product detected in at least one position after the primary peeling device and control the peeling system in response to same.

Cellulose derivatives comprising a hydroxyethyl group, such as hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, are used as foam control agents in foodstuff processing. The cellulose derivatives are biodegradable while still providing excellent foam control capacity. In addition, cellulose derivatives foam control agents of the disclosure can be used with various apparatus while avoiding forming films that otherwise affect apparatus function. The cellulose derivatives can be used at various stages during industrial processing of vegetables (e.g., potatoes and beets) and fruits.

A produce cutting apparatus is utilized, among other things, for making single cuts in an elongated produce product to trim ends, segment the product into variable length segments, make fixed length segments, and cutting out undesirable portions of the produce product. Using a combination of a feed belt, sensor, radial cutter apparatus and programmable controller, the apparatus precisely locates each cut. The cutting blade makes a single cut with each rotation of the radial cutter apparatus. The apparatus may further have a piece removal system and a product holding system.