APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OF CUCURBITACEOUS CROP FRUIT Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: food-processing industry. SUBSTANCE: apparatus has frame, hopper, drive drum with brushes on its internal surface and additional brush arranged inside drum cavity in parallel with drum axis of rotation. Each brush is formed by pack of flexible members made in the form of multiple-strand metal cable cuts, which are arranged in pack for changing of their working portion length. Cable cuts are positioned in tube provided with longitudinal slot extending in parallel with drum axis of rotation. Slot in tube forms cylindrical recess for limiting of blade working length. Position of cable cuts in tube is limited by retainer for flexible member. Retainer is formed of set of alternating rigid pressing washers and cylindrical bushings of flexible material. Flexible members, pressing washers and cylindrical bushings are connected with one another through pin with nuts on its threaded ends. Diameter of pressing washers is less than internal diameter of cylindrical slot. Apparatus is further provided with conveyor for cleaned fruit and conveyor for separated skin. Additional brush is equipped with reciprocating drive. Brush drive is made in the form of shaft with eccentrics, which are connected through bearings by connecting rods and bars to brush. Bars are arranged in pair of vertical guides. EFFECT: simplified construction, reduced power consumption and reduced costs of cleaned product. 6 dwg