Method of removing outer protective layer from edible materials using laser energy

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Skin is removed from an edible material by passing the edible material through a skin removal zone of an ablative removal apparatus. In the skin removal zone skin is, ablatively removed by the action of a continuous wave carbon dioxide laser beam which rapidly traverses the skin removal zone in a direction substantially transverse to the edible material movement. The edible material may he skinned regardless of whether it is fresh, frozen thawed, or cooked. Skin vaporized by the laser light beam generates a gaseous plume which is removed from the skin removal zone by causing a current of air to traverse that zone.