Peeling apparatus with enhanced abrasive rollers and associated methods

Abstract

A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A peeling apparatus comprising: 
 a frame; and    at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by said frame to define at least one peeling chamber;    at least one abrasive roller of said at least one set thereof comprising an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface, and a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of said elongate body portion.    
     
     
         2 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said elongate body portion and said pair of mounting stubs each comprises metal; and wherein said pair of mounting stubs are welded to respective ends of said elongate body portion.  
     
     
         3 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said elongate body portion has a tubular shape.  
     
     
         4 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said abrasive outer surface comprises a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern.  
     
     
         5 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein at least some of said knurls comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.  
     
     
         6 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein at least some of said knurls have a substantially same shape.  
     
     
         7 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said plurality of knurls are integrally formed with said elongate body portion.  
     
     
         8 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 4  further comprising a surface coating over the plurality of knurls.  
     
     
         9 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said surface coating comprises at least one of cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and nickel.  
     
     
         10 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said elongate body portion comprises at least one of steel and aluminum.  
     
     
         11 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one auger adjacent said at least one set of abrasive rollers.  
     
     
         12 . A peeling apparatus comprising: 
 a frame; and    at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by said frame to define at least one peeling chamber;    at least one abrasive roller of said at least one set thereof comprising an elongate body portion and a plurality of knurls arranged thereon in a pattern defining an abrasive outer surface, said at least one abrasive roller comprising at least one of steel and  10  aluminum and an outer coating thereon comprising at least one of cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and nickel.    
     
     
         13 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said elongate body portion has a tubular shape.  
     
     
         14 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein at least some of said knurls comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.  
     
     
         15 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein at least some of said knurls have a substantially same shape.  
     
     
         16 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said plurality of knurls are integrally formed with said elongate body portion.  
     
     
         17 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising at least one auger adjacent said at least one set of abrasive rollers.  
     
     
         18 . A peeling apparatus comprising: 
 a frame; and    at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by said frame to define at least one peeling chamber;    at least some of said abrasive roller of said at least one set of abrasive rollers comprising an elongate body portion and a plurality of knurls arranged thereon in a pattern defining an abrasive outer surface, at least some of said knurls comprising a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.    
     
     
         19 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said elongate body portion has a tubular shape.  
     
     
         20 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein at least some of said knurls have a substantially same shape.  
     
     
         21 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said plurality of knurls are integrally formed with said elongate body portion.  
     
     
         22 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 18  further comprising a surface coating over the plurality of knurls.  
     
     
         23 . A peeling apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein said surface coating comprises at least one of cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and nickel.  
     
     
         24 . A method for making an abrasive roller for a peeling apparatus of a type comprising a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber, the method comprising: 
 providing an elongate body portion; and    permanently affixing a pair of mounting stubs to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  wherein the elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs each comprises metal; and wherein permanently affixing comprises welding.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 24  further comprising forming a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern on the elongate body portion to define an abrasive surface thereon.  
     
     
         27 . A method for making an abrasive roller for a peeling apparatus of a type comprising a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber, the method comprising: 
 providing an elongate body portion comprising at least one of said steel and aluminum;    forming a plurality of knurls on the elongate body portion in a pattern defining an abrasive outer surface; and    forming an outer coating on the abrasive surface comprising at least one of cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and nickel.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27  forming the plurality of knurls comprises forming at least some of said the knurls to have a substantially same shape.  
     
     
         29 . A method for making an abrasive roller for a peeling apparatus of a type comprising a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber, the method comprising: 
 providing an elongate body portion; and    forming a plurality of knurls on the elongate body portion to define an abrasive surface with at least some of the knurls having a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.    
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29  wherein forming the plurality of knurls comprises forming at least some of the knurls to have a substantially same shape.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29  further comprising forming a surface coating over the plurality of knurls.