Stone Fruit Processing Centrifugal Separation and Oxidation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing stone fruit, such as those using rubber and metal rollers, suffer from rubber wear that releases microscopic fragments, compromising product quality, and are sensitive to time and oxidation due to cold production processes.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a rotating element with blade elements inside a casing to separate flesh from stones without rubber rollers, followed by a refining device with an impeller and sieve to further separate and purify the fruit product, minimizing oxidation and improving product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber rollers are used in the stone remover, then the stone can be effectively removed from the fruit, but rubber wear releases microscopic fragments that compromise product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber roller component from the system entirely, replacing it with a metal roller. This extraction of the problematic rubber element eliminates the source of contamination while maintaining the stone removal function through alternative means (metal roller with different surface characteristics).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a metal roller instead of rubber, implying a shift to a more durable, non-consumable material that does not wear down and release fragments. The metal roller serves as a long-lasting alternative to the short-lived rubber component.
2Loss of energy
If cold production process is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the product becomes very sensitive to production time and oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a streamlined processing system that minimizes the time the fruit purée remains in the processing apparatus. The stone remover and stone cleaner are positioned in immediate sequence, allowing the product to quickly pass through processing stages and reducing exposure time to oxidation, thereby enabling cold processing without quality loss.
3Reliability
If two machines (stone remover and stone cleaner) are placed in series, then stone removal is effective, but production time increases and oxidation risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the stone remover and stone cleaner in immediate series connection, effectively merging their operations into a continuous flow process. This eliminates intermediate storage or handling steps, reducing the time the product remains in the processing system while maintaining the effectiveness of both stone removal stages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively removes stone fruit flesh from stones without rubber wear issues, reduces oxidation by minimizing processing time, and enhances product quality by maintaining a consistent and high-quality purée.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating element (3) is suitable to remove the flesh attached to the stone and to draw in rotation the fruit placed inside the casing (2) pushing it by centrifugal force against the casing (2)
Implementation Method 2
The propeller (5) is bladed and draws in rotation the stone (11) pushing it (due to the effect of the radial thrust imposed by the blade and by centrifugal effect) against the sieve (4) to determine a further detachment of flesh still attached to the stone (11)
Implementation Method 3
The hole (21) is advantageously placed on a lower portion of the casing (2) in order to facilitate the outlet by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for processing fruit (10) that has a central stone (11) and flesh (12) surrounding the stone, said method comprising the steps of: -positioning the fruit (10) inside a casing (2) in which a rotating element (3) rotates, said casing (2) comprising at least one outlet hole (21 ); -removing from the stone (11) at least a part of the flesh (12) attached to the stone (11); The step of removing from the stone (11) at least a part of the flesh (12) attached to the stone (11) comprises the step of pushing the fruit (10) by centrifugal force against the casing (2) and bringing said rotating element (3) into contact with the flesh (12) until the stone (11) manages to pass through said at least one outlet hole (21). The method further comprises the steps of: -obtaining a semi-processed product downstream of the casing (2) formed by the stone (11) and the flesh (12) that was separated from the stone (11); -making said semi-processed product pass through a sieve (4) that retains the stone (11) allowing the passage of the flesh (12).