Background of the invention

The invention relates to a vegetable processing roller with vegetable treatment areas on the surface of said roller, which roller can be rotated around its axis of rotation. The invention also relates to a vegetable processing apparatus, provided with one or several of these processing rollers. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and using the processing roller and the processing apparatus.

When handling vegetables, there are used rotary elongate rod-like rollers, the surface of which include treatment areas for peeling and grinding vegetables. Generally said treatment area consists of coarse stone chips that are glued onto the surface of the processing roller. In the prior art there is known (patent publication FM 12435B) for example a processing roller, on the surface of which is arranged a coarse grinding surface, and the surface is provided with blade elements for peeling vegetables. The drawback with prior art processing rollers is that the produced vegetables are often relatively uneven on the surface, which means that the durability of the vegetables is not as good as it could. An uneven or dull surface layer also is esthetically unsatisfactory.

General description of the invention

We have now invented a vegetable processing roller, by which vegetables with particularly fine surfaces can be produced.

In order to achieve this aim, the invention is characterized by features that are enlisted in the independent claims. Other claims describe a few preferred embodiments of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the invention, roller surface material is removed from the treatment area, and/or the surface is mechanically treated and/or essentially non-detachable surface material is added on the surface. Advantageously the surface can be sand blasted, mechanically treated, corroded, injection molded and/or electrolytically treated. It can preferably by for instance knurled or turned.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the treatment area surface of the roller is sand blasted, such as steel sand blasted. In the sand blasting, a small amount of the roller surface material is removed from the processing roller surface. It is not necessary to glue on any loose treatment material, such as stone chips or sandpaper, which is made when manufacturing conventional processing rollers. In some cases, stone chips or sandpaper sand can be attached to the vegetable, in which case it becomes a risk. The use of a sand blasted roller is particularly safe, because it is impossible that during the handling of vegetables, it would give off any material that would damage the machines or become a safety hazard or an esthetic disadvantage when using the vegetables. Also the washing of a sand blasted roller can be carried out particularly effectively and hygienically, and the maintenance of the roller as well as the replacing of the surface is also technically simple and quick. Thus the use of a sand blasted roller essentially improves the treatment of vegetables in comparison with conventional rollers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the treatment area surface of the roller is mechanically treated. Thus it is not necessary to glue on any loose treatment material, such as stone chips or sandpaper, which is made when manufacturing conventional processing rollers. In some cases, stone chips or sandpaper sand can be attached to the vegetable, in which case it becomes a risk. The use of a mechanically treated roller is particularly safe, because it is impossible that during the handling of vegetables, it would give off any material that would damage the machines or become a safety hazard or an esthetic disadvantage when using the vegetables. Also the washing of a mechanically treated roller can be carried out particularly effectively and hygienically, and the maintenance of the roller as well as the replacing of the surface is also technically simple and quick. Thus the use of a this kind of a roller essentially improves the treatment of vegetables in comparison with conventional rollers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the treatment area surface of the roller is corroded. Material is removed from the surface of a corroded processing roller. Thus it is not necessary to glue on any loose treatment material, such as stone chips or sandpaper, which is made when manufacturing conventional processing rollers. In some cases, stone chips or sandpaper sand can be attached to the vegetable, in which case it becomes a risk. The use of a corroded roller is particularly safe, because it is impossible that during the handling of vegetables, it would give off any material that would damage the machines or become a safety hazard or an esthetic disadvantage when using the vegetables. Also the washing

of a corroded roller can be carried out particularly effectively and hygienically, and the maintenance of the roller as well as the replacing of the surface is also technically simple and quick. Thus the use of a sand blasted roller essentially improves the treatment of vegetables in comparison with conventional rollers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the treatment area surface of the roller is injection molded or electrolytically treated. In that case, on the surface of the processing roller, there is added a small amount of material that is permanently attached to the roller surface material. It is not necessary to glue on any loose treatment material, such as stone chips or sandpaper, which is made when manufacturing conventional processing rollers. In some cases, stone chips or sandpaper sand can be attached to the vegetable, in which case it becomes a risk. The use of an injection molded roller is particularly safe, because it is impossible that during the handling of vegetables, it would give off any material that would damage the machines or become a safety hazard or an esthetic disadvantage when using the vegetables. Also the washing of an injection molded roller can be carried out particularly effectively and hygienically, and the maintenance of the roller as well as the replacing of the surface is also technically simple and quick. Thus the use of this kind of a roller essentially improves the treatment of vegetables in comparison with conventional rollers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing roller includes two or several element parts. By means of the element structure, the roller is made particularly flexible in structure. The element structure can be utilized in the manufacturing and assembly of the roller. It can preferably also be utilized when using the roller. For example, it is possible to build various different combinations that are suitable in each target of use. Thus, for example the front end treatment area can be replaced by another, and respectively the rear end part/parts can be replaced by other parts. An element roller may include for example two or three element parts, and several different combinations can be obtained by exchanging these. The element structure is particularly advantageous for example in targets where the roller parts wear at a different pace. In that case for instance the element that is fastest to wear can be replaced more often than a slowly wearing part that needs less maintenance.

The treatment area of a vegetable processing roller according to the invention includes at least two such sub-surfaces, the distances from the axis of rotation differ mutually by 0.5 % or more. In this kind of a processing roller, the treated vegetable is set in a partly eccentric motion. Said slight eccentric motion makes

the handling of vegetables essentially more effective, because in that case the relative speed between the vegetable and the roller at different spots of the surface varies. This eccentric motion makes for instance the peeling and shaping of vegetables more effective, because all parts of the vegetable get more certainly and evenly into contact with the processing surface. Thus the surface treatment of the vegetables is more evenly directed to all surfaces. This for example reduces peeling wastage and improves peeling appearance. Same advantages are gained also in the grinding and polishing of vegetables.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the roller for handling vegetables is essentially oval-shaped in cross-section. This kind of oval-shaped rotary roller is particularly effective in the handling of vegetables, because there the vegetables are set in a slight, continuous uneven motion. Also from the technical point of view, the oval surface is advantageous to manufacture.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the roller fasteners are worked eccentrically in the axis of rotation. In this case the roller can be advantageously manufactured to be symmetric throughout its surface, but by selecting eccentric points of rotation, the roller is made asymmetrically rotating.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing roller includes a fine- ground treatment area. The fine-ground area is particularly suited for polishing vegetables. By means of it, vegetables are made particularly durable, because an effective and even polishing reduces oxidation on the vegetable surface, thus essentially improving its qualities.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing roller includes a coarse-ground treatment area. This kind of coarse treatment area is particularly suited for peeling and shaping vegetables. The effective and even treatment that is achieved by the apparatus of the invention when using the coarse-ground treatment area reduces vegetable wastage in the process, thus essentially improving the efficiency of the vegetable treatment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing roller includes a treatment area provided with a cutting unit. This kind of cutting unit is particularly effective for example when peeling vegetables. The effective and even treatment that is achieved by the apparatus of the invention when using the treatment area provided with a cutting unit reduces vegetable wastage in the process, thus essentially improving the efficiency of the vegetable treatment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing roller includes a coarse-ground treatment area or a treatment area provided with a cutting unit, as well as a fine-ground treatment area. By using this kind of combination roller, vegetables can be processed in one and the same can apparatus in a versatile and effective way. Advantageously the roller includes at least a coarse-ground treatment area, a treatment area provided with a cutting unit, and a fine-ground treatment area. This is particularly effective for example when treating root vegetables.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the roller is uniformly processed to include one or several degrees of coarseness. Preferably the roller does not have a coating from which, during the use, could be detached any such substance that could damage the machines or become a safety hazard or an esthetic disadvantage when using the vegetables. The washing of a uniformly worked roller can also be carried out particularly effectively and hygienically, and also from the technical point of view, the replacing and maintenance of the roller surface is simple and quick. Thus the use of a uniformly worked roller essentially improves the handling of vegetables, in comparison with conventional rollers.

A vegetable processing apparatus according to the invention includes two or several vegetable processing rollers according to the invention. This kind of processing apparatus is particularly well suited to the peeling, coarse grinding, shaping and/or polishing vegetables.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing apparatus includes two such adjacent rollers, the rotating speeds of which can be adjusted to mutually differ for 100 rpm or more, such as preferably 300-500 rpm. The handling of vegetables has been proved to be effective, when the rotating speed of the processing rollers is advantageously within the area of 900-1500 rpm. Rollers that rotate at different velocities set the vegetables in an asymmetric motion with respect to the rollers. This makes the treatment of vegetables essentially more effective. When these kind of rollers are advantageously combined with an rollers asymmetric motion of the rollers, the rollers and the apparatus are made particularly effective. Improved technical efficiency and hygiene in the treatment is also achieved by using in the processing apparatus rollers, the surface of which is manufactured by sand blasting, corroding, injection molding or mechanical working.

In a processing apparatus according to the invention, rollers with altering velocities can be used. Advantageously the speed of each roller can be adjusted separately. Thus the adjusting of the processing apparatus is extremely versatile and precise.

According to an embodiment of the invention, both sides of the vegetable processing apparatus are provided with two or several processing rollers, and the direction of rotation located on one side can be adjusted to be opposite to the direction of rotation of the rollers located on the other side. This essentially improves the capacity of the vegetable processing apparatus, because the surface area in the apparatus is put to maximal use. The vegetables are distributed more evenly in the apparatus, and their treatment is effective, because they get relatively more often in contact with the rollers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing apparatus includes a batching device for feeding liquid and/or steam, such as water or aqueous steam. By means of the batching device, the processing rollers and/or vegetables can be for instance moistened and/or washed. Thus the processing apparatus is made particularly versatile and effective. During the treatment, the liquid/steam batching equipment can be used for instance for adding water, which makes the handling of vegetables more effective. In a way, the liquid serves as a lubricant in the treatment of vegetables. For instance in the peeling step, peeling waste is effectively removed from the apparatus by adding water. In the grinding, shaping and polishing steps, the surface friction of the vegetables is reduced for instance by adding water, in which case they move more evenly on the processing roller surfaces, which in part makes the vegetable treatment more effective, thus improving the capacity of the apparatus as well as the quality of the whole process. By means of batching liquid, the rollers etc. can also be effectively and rapidly cleaned after the process.

In certain embodiments, the cleaning of the rollers according to the invention is particularly effective, because rollers made for example by sand blasting, corroding, injection molding or mechanical working can be washed and cleaned particularly effectively and rapidly. Apart from water, also other vaporous or liquid or liquid-soluble substances can be added in the batching device for treating vegetables, processing rollers and/or the processing apparatus. Along with liquid and steam, there can advantageously also be fed additives with an effect that improves the efficiency of the treatment.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is explained in more detail below, with reference to the appended drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of a vegetable processing roller including a fine-ground treatment area.

Figure 2 illustrates a longitudinal section of a vegetable processing roller including a fine-ground treatment area and a treatment area provided with a cutting unit.

Figure 3 illustrates a longitudinal section of a vegetable processing roller including a fine-ground treatment area and a coarse-ground treatment area.

Figure 4 illustrates a longitudinal section of a vegetable processing roller including a fine-ground treatment area, a treatment area provided with a cutting unit, and a coarse-ground treatment area.

Figure 5 illustrates a transversal section of an ellipse-shaped vegetable processing roller, the surface of which is provided with a fine-ground treatment area.

Figure 6 illustrates a transversal section of an ellipse-shaped vegetable processing roller, the surface of which is provided with a coarse-ground treatment area.

Figure 7 illustrates a transversal section of an ellipse-shaped vegetable processing roller, on top of the surface of which there is provided a coarse-ground treatment area.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate cross-sections of vegetable processing rollers with treatment surfaces of varying shapes.

Figure 10 illustrates a cross-section of a vegetable processing apparatus.

In the cross-sectional illustration of Figure 1 , we see a vegetable processing roller 1 , the surface of which is provided with a sand blasted treatment area 2. The drawing also illustrates the axis of rotation h of the roller.

In the cross-sectional illustration of figure 2, we see a vegetable processing roller

1 , provided with two element parts 1a, 1b. The surface of the first element part 1b is provided with a fine-ground treatment area 2 made by sand blasting, and the

surface of the second element part 1a is provided with a treatment area 3 with a cutting unit, made by working. The drawing also illustrates the axis of rotation h of the roller.

In the cross-sectional illustration of figure 3, we see a vegetable processing roller 1 , the surface of which is provided with a fine-ground treatment area 2 made by sand blasting, and a coarsely ground treatment area 4 made by mechanical working. The drawing also illustrates the axis of rotation h of the roller.

In the cross-sectional illustration of figure 4, we see a vegetable processing roller 1 , the surface of which is provided with a fine-ground treatment area 2, made by sand blasting, a treatment area 3 provided with a cutting unit, made by working, and a coarsely ground treatment area 4 made by knurling. The drawing also illustrates the axis of rotation h of the roller.

Figures 5-7 illustrate a vegetable processing roller 1 with an ellipse-shaped cross- section, the distances r1 , r2 of the sub-surfaces s1 , s2 of which from the axis of rotation h are mutually different. In figure 5, the surface of the processing roller 1 is provided with a sand blasted and fine-ground treatment area 11h. In figure 6, we see respectively a coarse-ground treatment area 11f made by rolling. In figure 7, on top of the surface of the processing roller 1 , there is arranged an injection molded, coarse-ground treatment area 11 r.

Figure 8 illustrates a vegetable processing roller 1 that is provided with a treatment area 11h, fine-ground by sand blasting, the distances r3, r4, r5 of the sub-surfaces s3, s4, s5 of which from the axis of rotation h are mutually different.

Figure 9 illustrates a vegetable processing roller 1 that is coarse-ground by injection molding on top of the treatment area 11 r, the distances r6, r7 of the sub- surfaces s6, s7 of which from the axis of rotation h are mutually different.

Figure 10 illustrates a vegetable processing apparatus 20, where inside a housing element 21 , there are arranged processing rollers 1a-1h with similar ellipse-like (r1-r2) shapes as those illustrated in figures 5-7. The left-hand rollers V, 1a-1d are arranged to rotate counterclockwise, and the right-hand rollers, O, 1e-1h are arranged to rotate clockwise. On top of the treatment rods 1a-1 h, there is installed a vegetable conveyor 22. At the edges of the holders element 21 , above the processing rollers 1a, 1 h, there are arranged vegetable guide plates 23 for guiding the vegetables during the process into the processing space 24. The lower part of the processing apparatus 20 is provided with a collecting funnel 25 for collecting

removed vegetable parts. In addition, the processing apparatus 20 includes, at the top part thereof, a batching device 26 for moistening and washing the processing rollers and vegetables.