A food processing apparatus includes a tank defining an inner compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and positioned relative to the tank in a first position, and a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen for advancing food product within the tank from the inlet end of the tank toward the outlet end.

A food processing apparatus includes a tank defining an inner compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and positioned relative to the tank in a first position, and a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen for advancing food product within the tank from the inlet end of the tank toward the outlet end.

An apparatus for blanching segmented avocados uses a conveyor system for transporting the avocados from one end of a blanching chamber to an opposite end, the conveyor system having a perforated conveyor belt positioned on two or more drive rollers for transporting the avocados into and out of the blanching chamber and driven by a drive mechanism. The blanching chamber includes a shroud overlying the conveyor belt and in longitudinal alignment in relation thereto to at least partially enclose steam produced from a bath underlying the conveyor belt and in longitudinal alignment with the shroud and the conveyor belt. During use, the steam is at least partially enclosed by the shroud thereby exposing the segmented avocados positioned on the perforated conveyor belt to steam and blanching the avocados in the blanching chamber at a blanching pressure, at least a portion of which is not sealed from atmosphere.

An apparatus for blanching segmented avocados uses a conveyor system for transporting the avocados from one end of a blanching chamber to an opposite end, the conveyor system having a perforated conveyor belt positioned on two or more drive rollers for transporting the avocados into and out of the blanching chamber and driven by a drive mechanism. The blanching chamber includes a shroud overlying the conveyor belt and in longitudinal alignment in relation thereto to at least partially enclose steam produced from a bath underlying the conveyor belt and in longitudinal alignment with the shroud and the conveyor belt. During use, the steam is at least partially enclosed by the shroud thereby exposing the segmented avocados positioned on the perforated conveyor belt to steam and blanching the avocados in the blanching chamber at a blanching pressure, at least a portion of which is not sealed from atmosphere.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

A rotary drum blancher/cooler for processing food includes a skinsheet comprised of a plurality of sections, clamps, and structural channels. Each clamp has clamping and release positions, and includes a base, a bail connected to the base, a draw connected to the bail, and at least a portion of a skinsheet clamp bar connected to the draw. The sections are disposed between structural channels, such that the drum is defined by the skinsheet sections alternating with the structural channels. The base is attached to a structural channel, and the draw extends from within to outside the structural channel. The skinsheet clamp bar is outside the structural channel. When the clamp is in the clamping position the clamp bar holds a skinsheet section to the structural channel in an operating position. When the clamp is in the release position configuration the clamp bar allows skinsheet section to move away from the structural channel in cleaning position.

A rotary drum blancher/cooler for processing food includes a skinsheet comprised of a plurality of sections, clamps, and structural channels. Each clamp has clamping and release positions, and includes a base, a bail connected to the base, a draw connected to the bail, and at least a portion of a skinsheet clamp bar connected to the draw. The sections are disposed between structural channels, such that the drum is defined by the skinsheet sections alternating with the structural channels. The base is attached to a structural channel, and the draw extends from within to outside the structural channel. The skinsheet clamp bar is outside the structural channel. When the clamp is in the clamping position the clamp bar holds a skinsheet section to the structural channel in an operating position. When the clamp is in the release position configuration the clamp bar allows skinsheet section to move away from the structural channel in cleaning position.

A method and apparatus for food processing includes a processing compartment, two trunnions, a sensor and an alarm. The processing compartment includes a rotating component having two ends. Each trunnion includes a component for rotational movement and the trunnions are disposed to support one of the ends. The sensor is disposed to sense a rotational speed of one of the components for rotational movement and the alarm is responsive to the sensor.

A method and apparatus for food processing includes a processing compartment, two trunnions, a sensor and an alarm. The processing compartment includes a rotating component having two ends. Each trunnion includes a component for rotational movement and the trunnions are disposed to support one of the ends. The sensor is disposed to sense a rotational speed of one of the components for rotational movement and the alarm is responsive to the sensor.