Method and Device for Producing a Hollow Cylindrical, Edible Container Composed of a Vegetable Item or Fruit Item

Abstract

A method and device for producing a hollow cylindrical, edible container composed of a vegetable item or fruit item (10), in particular of a cucumber, courgette or the like, which can be filled with a filling. The device has a centring means (11) for centring and fixing the fruit item (10), a hollowing-out means (21) for removing the core of the fruit item (10) and forming an internal cavity, and a peeling device for removing the outer shell of the fruit item (10).

Claims

1. A method for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container composed of a vegetable item or a fruit item, especially a cucumber, zucchini, or the like, which can be filled with a filling, comprising steps of: a) centering and fixing of the fruit in a centering device; b) separating of at least one end region of the fruit; c) hollowing out of the core of the fruit to form an interior cavity, the core being hollowed out only for a partial region of the fruit so that a closed bottom of the remains. d) removing of an outer shell of the fruit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the container is filled with a suitable filling.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an outside of the container is processed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a granular coating is applied to the outside of the container, especially one of sesame seeds or coconut flakes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the centering device for the centering and fixing of the fruit switches from a position of rest to a fixation position, wherein the fruit can be placed in the centering device in the position of rest, while the fruit is firmly fixed and centered in the fixation position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the centering device switches from a centering position to a peeling position, wherein in the centering position, the method steps a) to c) are performed, and in the peeling position method step d) is performed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fruit is held in the peeling position by a holding device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a hollow tube of the holding device is introduced into the interior cavity of the fruit in order to fix the fruit.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the fruit is stripped off at a stripping-off device for removal from the holding device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a leveling of the fruit along its entire length is accomplished during method step a).

11. A hollow cylindrical container made by the method of claim 1.

12. An apparatus for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container composed of a vegetable item or a fruit item, especially a cucumber, zucchini, or the like, which can be filled with a filling, comprising: a) a centering device for the centering and fixing of the fruit; b) a hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the fruit and forming of an interior cavity, wherein the hollowing-out device comprises a cutting device for separating the core from a bottom of the fruit, and c) a peeling device for the removing of the outer shell of the fruit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the centering device and at least one of the hollowing-out device and the peeling device can travel relative to each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the hollowing-out device and the peeling device comprise a hollow knife, which is coupled to a drive unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the centering device comprises at least two centering shells enclosing the fruit.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a cutting device is provided for the separating of an end region of the fruit.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a filling device is provided for the placing of a filling in the interior cavity of the fruit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filling device comprises a carriage for holding the filling and a piston able to travel relative to it for the emptying of the carriage.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a control device is provided, which controls an automatic feeding of at least one of the hollowing-out device, the peeling device and the filling device.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a base body is provided with a longitudinal groove running in the longitudinal direction for introducing at least one of the centering device, the hollowing-out device, the peeling device the filling device and the garnishing device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein electrical contacts for at least one of the centering device, the hollowing out device, the peeling device and the filling device are provided on the base body, especially at a longitudinal groove.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the centering device comprises a holding unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the holding unit comprises several holding elements, which are staggered in the longitudinal direction.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the holding elements each form one first holding jaw and one second holding jaw, which can travel relative to each other.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the holding elements are outfitted with a pressure sensor.

26. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cutting device is designed for the cutting of a defined bottom in the interior cavity of the fruit.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the hollowing out device is designed as a spiral drill, in which the cutting device for the cutting of a defined bottom is arranged at the end face.

28. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a holding device for the fixing of the fruit.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the holding device comprises a hollow tube with a vent opening.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the hollow tube comprises a smooth surface.

31. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the peeling device comprises a stripping device for the stripping of the fruit off from the hollow tube.

32. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the peeling device comprises a horizontally movable peeling knife.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the stripping device comprises a stripping plate with a through opening for the stripping of the fruit off from the hollow tube.

34. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the centering device and the peeling device are fastened on the base body and are able to jointly travel vertically in order to switch from a centering position to a peeling position.

35. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the holding device and the hollowing-out device are fastened on the base body and are able to jointly travel horizontally.

36. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a cleaning device for the cleaning at least one of the hollowing-out device, the peeling device and the holding device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0054] The invention shall be explained more closely below with the aid of sample embodiments, which are shown schematically in the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of an apparatus according to the invention to hold a cucumber according to a first embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a front view of the centering device in the opened and closed state according to the first embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a view of the centering device and cutting device according to the invention for the removing of the end regions of the cucumber according to the first embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a view of the hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the cucumber according to the first embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a view of the peeling device for the removing of the outer shell according to the first embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a view of the removing of the core piece by means of the hollowing-out device according to the first embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a view of the filling device for the introducing of a filling according to the first embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a view of the removing of the filled container from the peeling device according to the first embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a view of a vertical section through an edible container according to the invention with filling introduced into the interior cavity according to the first embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of an apparatus according to the invention to hold a cucumber according to a second embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 11 is a magnified view of the cutting device for the cutting of a defined bottom in the cavity of the cucumber of FIG. 10.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a view of the centering device in the position of rest and the centering position according to the second embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a view of the hollowing-out device for the removing of the core of the cucumber according to the second embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a view of the transport of the cucumber after the hollowing out to a position in which the cucumber will be peeled according to a second embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 15 is a view of the peeling device for the removing of the outer shell according to the second embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a view of the fillable container produced by the processing of the cucumber by the apparatus according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 20 for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container from a cucumber 10 according to a first embodiment. The apparatus 20 comprises a centering device 11, a hollowing-out device 21 and a peeling device 26. The mentioned devices 11, 21 and 26 are secured on a base body 15, which comprises a longitudinal groove 16 to receive the devices 21 and 26. On the longitudinal groove 16 there are provided electrical contacts, not shown, which energize the devices 21 and 26 when they are inserted therein.

[0072] The centering device 11, as represented in FIG. 2a, comprises four centering shells 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, which are secured on associated holders 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d which are staggered in the circumferential direction. The centering shells 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are adjustable with respect to each other and lie in the closed state against the outside of the cucumber 10.

[0073] In the area of the centering device 11 there is arranged a cutting device 17, having a stand 18 which is secured to the base body 15. On the stand 18, two knives 19a, 19b are arranged and able to travel, serving to separate the end regions 10d, 10e of the cucumber 10. This shall be described in connection with FIG. 3.

[0074] The hollowing-out device 21 comprises a hollow knife 23, which is provided with a serration 23a at the end face. The hollow knife 23 is connected at the opposite end to a drive unit 24, in which an electric motor is provided for example. The activating of the drive unit 24 is done by a switch 25.

[0075] The hollowing-out device 21 serves to remove the core 10a of the cucumber 10. For this, the hollowing-out device 21 can travel relative to the centering device 11 in the longitudinal direction. Only a partial hollowing out occurs here, so that a closed bottom 10d of the cucumber 10 remains.

[0076] The peeling device 26, which can also be designed as a milling cutter, serves to remove the outer shell 10c of the cucumber 10. The peeling device 26 comprises a hollow knife 27, whose free end is provided with a serration 27a. The hollow knife 27 is connected to a drive unit 28, comprising an electric motor, not otherwise represented. The drive unit 28 can be activated by a switch 29. The peeling device 26 is secured by a foot 30 to the longitudinal groove 16 of the base body 15.

[0077] The peeling device 26 is able to travel relative to the centering device 11, in which the cucumber 10 is held. The outer shell of the cucumber 10 can be removed with the peeling device 26. At the same time, a uniform surface of the cucumber 10 is produced by the peeling of the outer shell.

[0078] A control device 14 controls an automatic feeding of the hollowing-out device 21, the peeling device 26 and a filling device 36.

[0079] The centering, slicing to length, and hollowing out of the cucumber 10 shall now be described with the aid of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows the centering device 11 in a front view. Thanks to the centering device 11, the cucumber 10, which is often curved, is both centered and fixed.

[0081] In FIG. 2a, the centering shells 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are opened. The curved cucumber 10 is placed in the centering device 11. FIG. 2b shows the centering device 11 in the closed state, in which the centering shells 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d lie against the outside of the cucumber 10, centering and straightening it. The centering of the cucumber 10 enables a hollowing out of the cucumber 10 and minimizes cutting scraps.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows the separating of the end regions 10d, 10e of the cucumber 10 by means of the cutting device 17. The knives 19a, 19b which are spaced apart on the cutting device 17 travel downward in the direction of the arrows, so that the end regions 10d, 10e of the cucumber 10 are separated.

[0083] The mode of functioning of the hollowing-out device 21 shall be explained with the aid of FIG. 4. It is evident from FIGS. 4a and 4b that the hollow knife 23 of the hollowing-out device 21 has a serration 23a and a cutting device 23b at its end face, being fashioned as a cutting wire. In place of a cutting wire 23b, a cutting mandrel can also be used. As is seen from the magnified view of FIG. 4b, the cutting wire 23b connects the free end regions of the serration 23a. The cutting device 23b serves to separate the core 10a from the bottom 10d of the cucumber 10.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4c, the hollowing-out device 21 travels relative to the centering device 11, so that the hollow knife 23, placed in rotation by the drive unit 24, penetrates into the cucumber 10. The core 10a or a defined part of the inside of the cucumber 10 is hollowed out. FIG. 4d shows the end position. The cutting wire 23b serves to separate the core 10a from the bottom 10d after the hollowing out of the interior cavity.

[0085] The mode of functioning of the peeling device 26 shall be described with the help of FIG. 5. First of all, the centering device 11 is opened, so that the cucumber 10 held on the hollowing-out device 21 is exposed on its outside. The peeling device 26 is then brought up, wherein the hollow knife 27 removes the outer shell 10c of the cucumber 10. The mandrel 27b of the hollow knife 27 severs the outer shell 10c of the cucumber 10. FIG. 5c shows the end position in the retracted position of the peeling device 26.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows the removing of the core 10a from the cucumber 10 by means of the hollowing-out device 21. The core 10a, which lies on the hollow knife 23, is brought out along with it. The hollow cylindrical container 45 remains in place in the hollow knife 27 of the peeling device 26. For assistance, or alternatively, a pneumatic suction can also be provided.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows the filling device 36 provided for the apparatus 20 for the placing of a filling 37 in the interior cavity 41 of the cucumber 10. The filling device 36 comprises a carriage 40 to hold the filling 37. The carriage 40 is designed here as a half-shell. In addition, a covering shell, not shown, can be provided in order to press the filling 37 and adapt it to the interior cavity 41. The carriage 40 extends from a bearing block 38, which is secured by a foot 30 in the longitudinal groove 16 of the base body 15. Furthermore, a piston 39 is received on the bearing block 38, which can travel relative to the bearing block 38. For this, a drive unit for the piston 39 is provided in the bearing block 38. The outer diameter of the piston 39 is adapted to the inner diameter of the carriage 40 and fits inside the carriage 40.

[0088] FIG. 7a shows the filling device 36 in its starting position relative to the peeling device 26, on which the container 45 is held. In the position per FIG. 7b, the filling device is almost fully retracted into the container. In this position, the piston 39 is actuated in order to press in the filling. Finally, the filling device 36 is again moved out, while the filling 37 remains in the container.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows the discharging of the container 45 from the peeling device 26. A piston 43 is provided for this, being arranged and able to travel on the drive unit 28.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows the edible container 45 produced from the cucumber 10. The container 45 comprises an outer wall 10b, bounding off the interior cavity 41. The end region shown at the top in FIG. 9 is open. On the other hand, the end region shown at the bottom in FIG. 7 is closed by the bottom 10d.

[0091] The filling 37 is inserted in the interior cavity 41 of the container 45. The hollow cylindrical edible container 45 can be filled with various fillings 37. Besides meat fillings, especially chicken and beef, there can also be fish fillings, especially salmon and tuna. Furthermore, vegetarian fillings such as lettuce or rice can also be placed in the container 45.

[0092] Thus, one obtains an edible container 45 consisting of cucumber flesh, which can be filled with any desired filling 37.

[0093] FIG. 10 shows an apparatus 50 for producing a hollow cylindrical edible container according to a second embodiment. The apparatus 50 comprises a base body 52, a first processing device 54 and a second processing device 56.

[0094] The base body 52 comprises a horizontally arranged delivery spindle 58, which can be driven with the aid of an electric motor 60. Furthermore, the base body 52 comprises a delivery rail 62.

[0095] The first processing device 54 comprises a holding device 64, a hollowing-out device 66 and a delivery carriage 68, the holding device 64 and the hollowing-out device 66 being arranged firmly on the delivery carriage 68. The holding device 64 is arranged running parallel above the hollowing-out device 66.

[0096] The holding device 64 comprises a hollow tube 70, which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor 72. On the outer wall of the hollow tube 70 there is provided a vent opening 74. The hollow tube 70 has a smooth surface 76.

[0097] The hollowing-out device 52 comprises a spiral drill 78, which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor 80 and comprises a cutting device 82 at its end face.

[0098] The second processing device 56 comprises a centering device 84, a peeling device 86 and a delivery carriage 88, the centering device 84 and the peeling device 86 being arranged firmly on the delivery carriage 88.

[0099] The centering device 84 comprises three holding elements 90, 92, 94, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. The three holding elements 90, 92, 94 form a first holding jaw 96 and a second holding jaw 98 for the holding of a cucumber 10 to be processed. The first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98 can travel relative to each other. In addition, the holding elements 90, 92, 94 are outfitted with a pressure sensor 100.

[0100] The peeling device 86 comprises a stripping device 102, a delivery spindle 104, which can rotate about its own axis with the aid of an electric motor 106, and a delivery carriage 108 standing in engagement with the delivery spindle 104, on which a peeling knife 110 is arranged. The stripping device 102 comprises a stripping plate 112 and a through opening 114 located in the stripping plate 112. The diameter of the through opening 114 is both larger than the diameter of the spiral drill 78 and larger than the diameter of the hollow tube 70. The stripping device 102 is connected to the delivery spindle 104 at the left end of the delivery spindle 104 and makes a right angle with the delivery spindle 104.

[0101] The peeling device 86 is arranged on the delivery carriage 88 such that the stripping plate 112 runs parallel with the left side of the holding element 90 and the through opening 114 is vertically centered on the holding element 90 in the position of rest. The delivery spindle 104, the electric motor 106, the delivery carriage 108 and the peeling knife 110 are situated spatially behind the centering device 84.

[0102] Because the delivery carriage 68 of the first processing device 54 is in engagement with the delivery spindle 58 of the base body 52, the first processing device 54 is fastened so that it can move horizontally on the base body 52 by the propulsion of the electric motor 60 of the base body 52.

[0103] Furthermore, the delivery carriage 88 of the second processing device 56 is in engagement with the delivery rails 62 of the base body 52 so that the second processing device 56 is fastened on the base body 52 and can move vertically. In particular, the second processing device 56 can move from a centering position to a peeling position, while the hollowing-out position lies vertically beneath the peeling position.

[0104] When the first processing device 54 is arranged as far to the left as possible on the base body 52, the entire first processing device 54 is arranged horizontally to the left of the second processing device 56. If the first processing device 54 travels to the right, the horizontal arrangement of the first processing device 54 partly intersects the horizontal arrangement of the second processing device 56. For this, the spiral drill 78 can pass through the through opening 114 and extend vertically between the first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98 and the hollow tube 70 can extend above the second processing device 56 when the second processing device 56 is in the hollowing-out position.

[0105] If the second processing device 56 is in the peeling position, the hollow tube 70 can pass through the through opening 114 and extend vertically between the first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98. The spiral drill 78 can extend beneath the second processing device 56.

[0106] For an automated sequence, the control device 115 controls the horizontal travel of the first processing device 54, the vertical travel of the second processing device 56, the changes of position of the centering device 84 and the rotation of the spiral drill 78 and the hollow tube 70.

[0107] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of the end face of the spiral drill 78. The spiral drill 78 has a cutting device 82 at its end face for the cutting of a defined, e.g. planar, bottom 10d in the cavity of the cucumber, a drill tip 116 and a drill spindle 118 for transporting the core from the cucumber 10 to the outside. The cutting device 78 comprises a tip spindle 120 and a through opening 122. The tip spindle 120 forms a drilling blade 124 at the level of the drill tip 116, which removes the core to the full width of the diameter of the spiral drill 78 at the level of the drill tip 116. With the aid of the tip spindle 120, the core removed by the drilling blade 124 can be transported through the through opening 122 to the drill spindle 118, and thus out from the cucumber 10.

[0108] The method of functioning of the centering device 84 is described in FIG. 12. FIG. 12a shows the centering device 84 in the position of rest, the cucumber 10 having been inserted into the centering device 84. The cucumber 10 is arranged on the second holding jaw 98 such that the cucumber 10 makes contact with all three holding elements 90, 92, 94.

[0109] In order to fix and center the cucumber 10, the first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98 move toward each other and deliver the cucumber 10 to the same vertical level as the spiral drill 78. The centering and fixing of the cucumber 10 by the first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98 is shown in FIG. 12b. During the fixing of the cucumber 10, pressure sensors 100 ensure that the cucumber 10 remains structurally intact. Since the first holding jaw 96 and the second holding jaw 98 comprise a half-shell shape to receive the cucumber 10, curvatures of the cucumber 10 still need to be balanced out during the fixing. This balancing out takes place to such an extent that the pressure sensors 100 can ensure a structural integrity of the cucumber 10.

[0110] With the aid of FIG. 13 the method of functioning of the hollowing-out device 66 will be described. Thanks to the centering device 84, the cucumber 10 is fixed at the level of the end face of the spiral drill 78. The left end of the cucumber 10 has already been separated with a cutting device (not shown) to the left of the holding element 90. As can be seen in FIG. 13a, the electric motor 80 makes sure that the spiral drill 78 rotates in order to ensure a drilling operation. At the same time, the electric motor 60 makes sure that the delivery spindle 58 rotates and that the delivery carriage 68 standing in engagement with the delivery spindle 58 moves to the right with the hollowing-out device 66 secured thereon.

[0111] The spiral drill 78 thereupon moves through the through opening 114 of the stripping device 102 and into the cucumber 10. The spiral drill 78 bores out an interior cavity 126 in the cucumber 10. Thanks to the cutting device 82 at the end face of the spiral drill 78, a defined bottom 128 is bored out in the interior cavity 126 of the cucumber 10.

[0112] Inasmuch as the holding device 64, just like the hollowing-out device 66, is tied in to the movement of the delivery carriage 68, the holding device 64 also moves to the right during the hollowing out process. But since it is arranged vertically above the second processing device 56 during this step, the holding device 64 can travel horizontally above the second processing device 56 with no problems.

[0113] As can be seen in FIG. 13b, the spiral drill 78 returns back to its starting position after the boring out of the interior cavity 126 in the cucumber 10, indicated by a broken line.

[0114] FIG. 14 shows the delivering of the second processing device from the hollowing out position to the peeling position. In the peeling position, the cucumber 10 is arranged horizontally at the same level as the hollow tube 70.

[0115] FIG. 15 shows the method of functioning of the peeling device 86. Since the cucumber 10 needs to be peeled, it must be removed from the centering device 84. The peeling knife 110 for peeling the cucumber 10 needs free access to the outer shell 87 of the cucumber 10. Furthermore, the right end of the cucumber has been sliced off at the position to the left of the holding element 94, in order to produce a bottom 130 of the cucumber 10 with a predetermined thickness.

[0116] Therefore, the electric motor 60, as in the hollowing out process, actuates the delivery spindle 58 in order to move the first processing device 54 horizontally to the right. As can be seen in FIG. 15a, the hollow tube 70 passes through the through opening 114 of the stripping device 102 and into the interior cavity 126 of the cucumber 10. Once the hollow tube 70 has entered the cucumber 10 to the full length of the interior cavity 126, the centering device 84 switches from the centering position back to the position of rest and thus frees up the outer shell 87 of the cucumber 10.

[0117] Since the diameter of the hollow tube 70 corresponds roughly to the diameter of the interior cavity 126 of the cucumber 10, the hollowed-out cucumber 10 is fixed against a twisting of the cucumber 10 on the hollow tube 70 by a friction force which is produced between the surface of the hollow tube 70 and the moist surface of the interior cavity 126 of the cucumber 10.

[0118] This effect is important since, as can be seen in FIG. 15b, the electric motor 72 begins to rotate the hollow tube 70 and at the same time the electric motor 106 begins to rotate the delivery spindle 104 in order to move the delivery carriage 108 with the peeling knife 110 arranged thereon to the right. Thus, the peeling knife 110 can remove the outer shell 87 of the cucumber 10. Accordingly, the friction force which prevents a twisting of the cucumber 10 on the hollow tube 70 must be greater than the countervailing force produced by the peeling of the peeling knife. For this reason, the hollow tube 70 has the smoothest possible, and thus the largest possible, surface 76. The larger the contact surface between hollow tube 70 and the surface of the interior cavity 126 of the cucumber 10, the greater the friction force which prevents a twisting of the cucumber 10 on the hollow tube 70.

[0119] FIGS. 15c and 15d show the method after the peeling process. The peeling device 86 halts after the right end of the cucumber 10 and, as indicated in FIG. 15d, ends the rotation of the hollow tube 70. The hollowed-out and peeled cucumber now needs to be removed from the holding device 64. For this, as described above, the first processing device 52 is moved to the left and the hollow tube 70 exits once more from the through opening 114 of the stripping device 102. But the cucumber 10 located on the hollow tube 70 has a larger diameter than the through opening 114 of the stripping device 102. Therefore, the cucumber 10 is stripped off at the stripping plate 112 of the stripping device 102 by the movement of the first processing device 54 to the left and it can be removed from the apparatus 50.

[0120] The end product is a fillable container, as shown in FIG. 16, which can be made in a reproducible manner. The cucumber 10 is now peeled and sliced off at the ends, resulting in a cylindrical shape for the cucumber 10. Moreover, an interior cavity 128 has been produced, which makes the cucumber 10 fillable. Thanks to a special design of the hollowing-out device 66, the cucumber 10 comprises a defined bottom 130 in the interior cavity 128.

[0121] In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, a cleaning device 132 can be provided for the regular, automatic cleaning of the spiral drill 78 making contact with the cucumber 10, the hollow tube 70 and the peeling knife 110, which cleans the respective elements after their use with the aid of a fluid.

[0122] For this, the cleaning device 132 comprises a cleaning nozzle 134 for the cleaning of the spiral drill 78, in order to clean the spiral drill 78 upon emerging from the cucumber 10.

[0123] Moreover, the cleaning device 132 comprises a cleaning nozzle 136 for the cleaning of the hollow tube 70, in order to clean the hollow tube 70 upon emerging from the cucumber 10. Furthermore, the cleaning device 132 comprises a further cleaning nozzle inside the hollow tube 70 (not shown) in order to clean the hollow tube 70 from the inside, once it has been separated from the cucumber 10.

[0124] The cleaning device 132 comprises a cleaning nozzle 138 in order to clean the peeling knife 110 after the peeling of the cucumber 10.

[0125] The cleaning nozzle 134 is arranged on the base body 52 at the level of the cutting device 82 in the horizontal direction and beneath the first processing device 54 in the vertical direction.

[0126] The cleaning nozzle 136 is arranged on the base body 52 at the level of the cutting device 82 in the horizontal direction and above the first processing device 54 in the vertical direction.

[0127] The cleaning nozzle 138 is arranged on the base body 52 at the right end of the delivery spindle 104 in the horizontal direction and above the second processing device 56 in the vertical direction.

[0128] The cleaning device 132 preferably comprises a pump, which supplies fluid to all cleaning nozzles 134, 136, 138. Alternatively, the cleaning device 132 comprises several pumps in order to supply each cleaning nozzle separately with fluid.

List of Reference Numbers

[0129]

TABLE-US-00001  10 cucumber  11 centering device  10a core  10b outer wall  10c shell  10d bottom  12a, b, c, d centering shell  13a, b, c, d holder  14 control device  15 base body  16 longitudinal groove  17 cutting device  18 stand  19 knife  20 apparatus  21 hollowing-out device  23 hollow knife  23a serration  23b cutting device  24 drive unit  25 switch  26 peeling device  27 hollow knife  27a serration  28 drive unit  29 switch  30 foot  36 filling device  37 filling  38 bearing block  39 piston  40 carriage  41 interior cavity  42 arrow  45 container  50 apparatus  52 base body  54 first processing device  56 second processing device  58 delivery spindle  60 electric motor  62 delivery rails  64 holding device  66 hollowing-out device  68 delivery carriage  70 hollow tube  72 electric motor  74 vent opening  76 smooth surface  78 spiral drill  80 electric motor  82 cutting device  84 centering device  87 outer shell  86 peeling device  88 delivery carriage  89 holding unit  90 holding element  92 holding element  94 holding element  96 first holding jaw  98 second holding jaw 100 pressure sensor 102 stripping device 104 delivery spindle 106 electric motor 108 delivery carriage 110 peeling knife 112 stripping plate 114 through opening 115 control device 116 drill tip 118 drill spindle 120 tip spindle 122 through opening 124 drilling blade 126 container 128 interior cavity 130 bottom 132 cleaning device 134 cleaning nozzle 136 cleaning nozzle 138 cleaning nozzle