Abstract: Citrus peels discharged from a juice extractor are first comminuted with water to form a slurry, and thereafter the slurry of comminuted peels and water is screened to separate from the slurry a larger particle size fraction consisting mainly of the flavedo portion of the peels and a smaller particle size fraction consisting mainly of the albedo portion of the peels. A preferred apparatus for separating peels into albedo and flavedo fractions includes a comminutor which utilizes a cutting action to reduce the peels to finely divided particles. Water is added to the comminutor to fluidize the peels so as to facilitate their movement through the comminutor and also to facilitate subsequent screening. The slurry of water and comminuted peels is sifted using a vibratory screen having an upper screen of a 20 Tyler mesh size to remove the flavedo fraction from the slurry and having a lower screen of a 60 Tyler mesh to separate the albedo fraction from the remaining slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus receives empty bins and loose articles of random size and shape, such as apples, to be stored within the bins at a fill station. The articles are delivered to an inclined conveyor which has a lower end adjacent to a horizontal conveyor with a stop roller being positioned between the conveyors. When the articles have collected on the inclined conveyor a predetermined distance up the incline, a drive is actuated which simultaneously moves the inclined conveyor upwardly and moves the horizontal conveyor away from the inclined conveyor while rotating the stop roller to permit the articles to move from the inclined conveyor to the horizontal conveyor. This conveyor motion causes the articles to gently cascade down the incline in spread out fashion so that they are transported toward the end of the horizontal conveyor remote from the inclined conveyor and across the entire breadth thereof.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for plants grown in rows, such as grapes, includes a vehicle having a support frame of an inverted U-shape and a shaker frame that also has an inverted U-shape and that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle support frame about a single axis that is parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Striker bars are rigidly attached in spaced, opposing and parallel relation at the lower end of the shaker frame and at a height above ground level to engage the trunk of the plants. A non-positive oscillatory drive mechanism is attached to the upper end of the shaker frame to rock the frame about the single pivot axis to cause the striker bars to alternately impact opposite sides of the trunks. The drive mechanism consists of two eccentric weights rotatably mounted to the shaker frame above and equidistantly spaced from the pivot axis so that the center of gravity of the shaker frame, weights and other elements attached to the shaker frame is approximately coincidental with the pivot axis.

Abstract: An improved screw type apparatus for separating the liquid phase from a solid-liquid mixture includes a conveyor screw and a discharge housing that includes an imperforate cylindrical wall which surrounds the downstream end of the screw tube and has a discharge opening formed therein. A discharge gate is pivotally mounted in the discharge opening, and a pneumatic actuator is provided to bias the gate toward a closed position with a preselected, constant force. Paddles are affixed to the cylindrical downstream end of the screw tube at longitudinal spacings thereon for the purpose of propelling the deliquified solid phase of the mixture about the end of the screw tube, and stripper members are mounted on the interior of the cylindrical discharge housing wall adjacent the discharge opening to extend between the paddles to aid in urging the solid material into the discharge opening.

Abstract: A wheel clamp for mounting a wheel aligning tool on a wheel rim and in a plane parallel to that of the wheel rim is disclosed. A lower bracket, a center sliding bracket and an upper clamping bracket are all mounted on a pair of parallel rods. The lower bracket is fixed to one end of the parallel rods, and two rim-engaging fingers project rearward therefrom. The upper clamping bracket slides freely on the parallel rods, and a single rim-engaging finger projects rearward therefrom. The upper sliding bracket may be positioned on the parallel rods so that the three rim-engaging fingers bear against either the inside surface or the outside surface of a peripheral lip found on the wheel rim. A clamping mechanism mounted on the upper clamping bracket fixes the upper bracket to the parallel rods and stresses the three-rim engaging fingers against either the outside or the inside surface of the peripheral lip, depending on which direction a knob on the clamping mechanism is turned.

Abstract: An off-the-car wheel unbalance measuring system has a rotationally driven wheel mounting shaft supported in a pedestal together with a pair of force transducers mounted in the pedestal adjacent to and spaced along the shaft. The force transducers are coupled mechanically to the shaft and provide periodic electrical output signals indicative of unbalance forces transmitted through the shaft when the shaft is driven rotationally. The angular position of the shaft is monitored with respect to an angular reference position at a predetermined number of angular increments during each full revolution of the shaft. The transducer output signals are converted in electrical circuitry within the system to digital form, and a multiplication operation is performed on the digitized signals at each angular increment using sine and cosine representative factors corresponding to that particular angular increment.

Abstract: An improved sorting apparatus for separating loose debris, rocks and clods of dirt from root crops such as potatoes includes a channelizing conveyor, a take-away conveyor having an inlet end positioned below the discharge end of the channelizing conveyor, and a plurality of diverter paddles aligned with the channels of the channelizing conveyor. The channelizing conveyor includes an endless series of segments, each segment comprising a bar having hook portions at the ends thereof and an elastomeric molding formed thereon. Each molding includes several uniformly spaced, wedge-shaped projections, and the projections are longitudinally aligned to form channels for the potatoes, rocks and clods. The segments are interconnected with the hook portions thereof being engaged upon the trailing segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting fruit according to its color comprising a conveyor including a plurality of individual conveyor lines, a first viewer associated with each conveyor line and positioned to observe one side of the fruit carried by the associated conveyor line, a second viewer associated with each conveyor line, said second viewer located downstream from the first viewer and positioned to observe the other side of the fruit carried by the associated conveyor line, and control means. Each viewer produces an electronic signal indicative of the color of the side of the fruit observed. The control means receives the electronic signals as they are produced, storing the signal from the first viewer until the signal from the second viewer is received for a given individual fruit, and evaluates both signals in order to classify the individual fruit according to color. The classifications are stored and available for processing by conventional sorting discharge means not a part of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved fruit harvester, including a self-propelled main frame with means for grasping a fruit tree and inducing vibration in the fruit tree so that fruit will be caused to fall and a retractable collection surface which extends beneath the tree to gather the fruit as it falls. The gathered fruit is directed to either of two longitudinal conveyors disposed on each side of the main frame which transport the fruit to the rear of the harvester. A transversely mounted conveyor is disposed between the respective termination points of each of the longitudinal conveyors and is capable of selectively receiving fruit from either of the two longitudinal conveyors and depositing said fruit in either of two receptacles elevatably supported at the corners of the main frame of the harvester.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging cartons in a wire-bound box assembly includes a folding assembly which supports the unassembled box in a horizontally positioned blank, a shuttle platform which is loaded with a number of cartons and the end boards of the box assembly, a drive mechanism for reciprocatably carrying the loaded shuttle platform to a position above the bottom board of the blank, a stripper assembly including a plate which is downwardly pivotable from a position above the shuttle to a position engaging the ends of the cartons and end boards after the shuttle platform has been moved above the bottom panel, and clamping arms for holding the end boards against the cartons while the shuttle platform is removed. After the stripper plate has been lowered and the clamping arms are in place, the shuttle platform is retracted past the stripper plate such that the end boards and cartons drop onto the bottom panel of the blank.

Abstract: A spacer assembly for half steam table trays includes a grid-like framework upon which are mounted a plurality of non-metallic support pads adapted to accept the corners of adjacent trays laid thereon in a rectangular pattern. The framework is fabricated of a light metal functioning structurally only to position the support pads. A spacer assembly is laid atop each succeeding layer of trays and the tray corners are compressed a predetermined amount until the pads in a vertical column are in contact, whereby the pads bear the load of the trays stacked thereabove.

Abstract: An improved direct-loading crop harvester is disclosed as having a single rotating disc which supports the front end of a pickup conveyor which is pivotally attached to the main frame of the harvester. The disc is provided with a plurality of broad teeth along its periphery and is caused to rotate in a manner which severs the crops at a point near ground level as the harvester proceeds in a forward direction. In this manner, the single cutting disc provides the sole means of support for the front end of the pickup conveyor, and the cross-sectional shape of the cutting disc determines the height above the ground at which the vines are severed. This invention is particularly useful in harvesting crops from planting ridges which are covered with plastic.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus classifies and discharges articles, such as items of agricultural produce, in accordance with their individual weights. A multichannel conveyor cooperates with a front end singulator which receives the produce from a source of supply and which provides the items in single file to a continuous line of spaced carrying cups moved by the conveyor along each channel. The cups are disposed for movement between an upright article carrying position and a depending discharge position, and they are supported by a rail in each channel. The rail has openings therein at each of a plurality of discharge stations spaced therealong. The cups each pass over a weighing scale aligned with the supporting rail near the front end of each conveyor channel which scale comprises a pivotally mounted bar upon which the cups ride.

Abstract: A rotary irrigation system comprises a length of irrigation tubing formed by interconnected pipe sections and having sprinkler heads spaced along the length thereof, which tubing is connected at one end to a fixed upstanding water supply pipe and which is connected at the other end to a pulling tractor that is powered by the irrigation water under pressure in the tubing. The length of tubing is provided at spaced positions along its length with hydraulic cylinder powered support struts. The activation of the struts and the tractor is controlled by a timing mechanism at the central water supply pipe which periodically shuts off the flow of water to the tubing.

Abstract: In a system for producing frozen confections without molds, a transfer conveyor is provided for picking up the confections from a freezer conveyor and dropping them on a wrapper conveyor which transfer conveyor includes a large number of carriages pivotally mounted in series to an endless chain. Each carriage has a pair of scissorable arms and tongs detachably mounted to the arms for engaging a confection. The arms are opened by a wedge mounted on a push rod, and a pneumatic cylinder is used at the drop zone to rapidly extend the push rod and thereby quickly open the tongs so that the confection will fall through a predetermined trajectory. The retracted position of the wedge and rod, and thus the closed position of the tongs, is controlled by a stop assembly that is slidably mounted on the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a carton into a thermoplastic bag includes a table for supporting the bag, a pusher assembly for transferring a carton into the bag, and a guide assembly for first opening the bag mouth and for thereafter guiding the carton into the mouth of the bag while supporting the carton above the table until after it has been fully inserted into the bag. A vacuum is applied through apertures formed in the table to initially hold the bottom panel of the bag against the table, and a reciprocatable suction cup assembly is mounted above the suction apertures for engaging the top panel of the bag and for partially opening the mouth of the bag so that the guide assembly may be inserted therein.

Abstract: A system for performing an oxygenation process within a body of sewage at atmospheric pressure includes an oxygen absorber coupled to an oxygen supply at superatmospheric pressure. A storage vessel has an elongate chamber therein which is oriented vertically in the system. Pipes and valves are coupled to the upper and lower ends of the chamber so that the chamber is alternately communicated with the oxygen absorber and the body of sewage, thereby providing alternate high pressure and low pressure half cycles respectively. Initially, oxygenated liquor at superatmospheric pressure is in the oxygen absorber and the elongate chamber is filled with a quantity of low oxygen content liquor at atmospheric pressure. The valves are then operated during the high pressure half cycle to admit oxygenated liquor into the elongate chamber through the lower end and to simultaneously expel liquor and undissolved oxygen from the upper end into the oxygen absorber.

Abstract: A bushing is provided which is arranged to be press fit into a bushing bore. The bushing is adapted to support a high level load which is unidirectional or which changes in direction through only a small angle. A rigid core in the bushing has a long rubber, or rubber-like, semicylinder bonded to one side of the outer surface thereof and has a number of uniformly spaced short rubber semicylinders bonded to the other side thereof. The short semicylinders have a greater wall thickness than the long semicylinder so that when the bushing is pressed into the bushing bore the space between the core and the wall of the bore is practically filled on the short semicylinder side. The long semicylinder operates in compression to support the high level load without exceeding the rubber endurance limits and therefore avoids the effects of internal deterioration in the rubber.

Abstract: An improved carriage for use in a conveyor for transferring frozen confections includes a pair of scissorable tong-receiving arms. A pair of tongs are detachably mounted on the arms in a manner which facilitates rapid replacement of the tongs. Each tong is pivotable on a pin extending transversely of the arms and is held by a spring clip that remains attached to the arm during removal and replacement of the tong. Preferably, the clip is generally U-shaped and attached to the arm such that the inner wall thereof abuts against the inner surface of the tong. Such inner wall has an inwardly bent tip which snaps into place against the tong when the tong has been pivoted into alignment with the arm.

Abstract: A rotary irrigation system comprised of an interconnected string of pipe sections having sprinkler heads spaced along the length thereof, which string is connected at one end to a fixed upstanding water supply pipe and which is connected at the other end to a powered vehicle for propelling the pipe sections in circular paths in a field about the supply pipe. The pipe sections are supported by castered wheels which are offset alternately on opposite sides of the pipe string. The powered vehicle is arranged to be intermittently driven so that the string of pipe sections will be intermittently moved to permit adjacent radial segments of the field to be sequentially sprinkled. Means are provided for discharging all water from the string of pipe sections prior to the movement thereof to a new sprinkling position in order to reduce the weight to be pulled by the powered vehicle.