Abstract: A plantain impregnated with fruit juice, particularly orange juice, having a unique taste and texture. Plantains are selected with ripeness such that the sugar content is derived from at least 70% conversion of the starch to sugar, peeling the plantains and then apply a high vacuum to the plantains. The plantains are then immersed in a solution of fruit juice. When the vacuum is released, the plantains are held immersed in the fruit juice for a sufficient dwell time. The impregnated fruit is then removed and it is frozen. The fruit prior to impregnation is desirably preserved from fungus attack by ripening the plantains in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% relative humidity and/or contacting the plantains with a fungicide, such as that containing chlorine.

Abstract: A machine for effecting an orientation of carrots or other elongate, tapered vegetables placed thereon, comprising a vibratory table of elongate configuration whose upper surface is principally constituted by a plurality of generally parallel members. These members are spaced along the longitudinal centerline of the table, with the spacing between members increasing incrementally such that the minimum spacing between members exists at one end of the table, and the maximum spacing exists at the other end. Alignment means are utilized such that elongate vegetables cuased to be individually aligned with the longitudinal axis of the table can travel for a substantial portion of the length of the table, bridging at least some of the spaces between members.

Abstract: An automatic seeder for planting tiny seeds at a consistent depth and at evenly spaced intervals, utilizing a vehicle carrying a novel seed dispersing means operationally disposed a short, preascertained distance above a seed bed. A ground sensing arrangement is utilized, which automatically brings about necessary adjustment of the support arrangement for the seed dispersing means on an as-needed basis, in order that the seed dispersing means will be maintained by servo means at a proper, preascertained distance above the ground. A preferred embodiment of this invention involves furrow-creating means located forward of, and aligned with, the seed dispersing means, which furrow-creating means is arranged to create furrows of a consistent, desired depth, into which the seeds from the seed dispersing means are inserted at precisely controlled intervals.

Abstract: A threader device designed to simplify the threading of strapping tapes around and under a load to be strapped to a pallet or other load supporting device having a pair of apertures extending substantially horizontally through its base, with the threader device involving a framework having a pair of substantially parallel, elongate threader bars extending outwardly from its base for a distance sufficient to pass through the load supporting device. The threader bars are disposed slightly above ground level and spaced apart a distance consistent with the spacing of the apertures of the load supporting device. Tape dispensing means are carried on the framework, and arranged to dispense a pair of strapping tapes. The threader bars each have tape securing means on their outer ends, such that the ends of a pair of strapping tapes from the tape dispensing means can be removably secured to respective ones of the tape securing means.

Abstract: Apparatus serving the combined functions of maintaining a grove or orchard in properly trimmed as well as topped condition, comprising a vehicle adapted for movement along the ground in a direction essentially parallel to and adjacent a row of trees. A generally U-shaped structural member is operably mounted upon the vehicle, with this member having a pair of arms, one disposed on each side of the vehicle, and with the base portion interconnecting these arms being disposed at a forward location on the vehicle. The end of each arm remote from the base portion is rotatably mounted to an attachment point located on the frame of the vehicle, and devices such as actuators are utilized for bringing about selected movements of these arms about their attachment points, thus to change the effective height of the base portion with respect to the ground. The base portion serves as the mounting for a pair of booms, upon each of which, a multiplicity of saw blades are mounted.

Abstract: Apparatus for sizing and sorting celery stalks, plants, produce, and similar articles into groups of like sizes automatically, rapidly, and without damage to such articles. Articles to be sized are carried by an endless conveyor to a measuring or sizing station, where a succession of sizing arms contact each successive article. Each successive sizing arm moves upward in proportion to the average diameter of the particular article it encounters, thereby providing a measurement of size group to which that article belongs. If sorting is to be accomplished, each such measurement may be temporarily stored in a mechanical memory on a rotating disk and read out by a control device after a selected time delay. After the measurement operation the conveyor carries the articles to collecting stations, with there being separate collecting stations provided for each of several desired size groups.

Abstract: A machine for cutting or slicing celery, carrots, or other elongate vegetables into pieces of selected size, accomplished on a rapid and highly economical basis. My machine utilizes a plurality of endless, moving belts, with one of the belts being arranged to receive vegetables deposited thereon, and to transport same to a location adjacent what may be regarded as the terminus of the belt. Mean such as other moving belts are utilized for gradually applying pressure to the vegetables during their travel along the length of the vegetable-supporting belt, thus to accomplish a compression of such vegetables into a tightly compacted mass. High speed cutter means operative adjacent the terminus serve to cut the vegetables into small pieces, with the size of the pieces being determined by the speed of the cutter relative to the velocity of the belts.