Abstract: A corn transfer and alignment mechanism for preparing ears for being sawn into cobbettes is provided. The ears are received by the transfer mechanism from a feed conveyor on which the ears are conveyed singularly with their tip ends first. The transfer station uses a transfer plate and stabilizer drum to reduce the forward momentum of the ears and align the tips of the ears against a guide plate. The aligned ears are then discharged onto a roller conveyor for presentation to trimming saws.

Abstract: A lid sealing apparatus (30) and method for induction heat sealing a heat-sealable lid (15) to a can body (21). The lid sealing apparatus (30) includes a first conveyor assembly (34) having a plurality of independent, transversely mounted side-by-side support shoes (35) of relative rigidity collectively cooperating to define a segmented first surface (36) for supporting and moving the can (21) along a pathway. A second conveyor assembly (37) is oriented adjacent to the first conveyor assembly (34) and includes a relatively rigid second surface (40) in opposed moving relation to the first surface (36). A plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms (43) are operably mounted to the frame (33) and provide moving support to each support shoe (35) as it moves along the pathway.

Abstract: An apple orienting apparatus is provided wherein one or more agitating spools are utilized to constantly agitate and rotate an apple until it is properly oriented. The agitator spools are mounted in an eccentric or off-center fashion to produce a wobble or eccentric motion in addition to rotational motion. The mechanism is especially useful with elongated apples but also is effective in orienting relatively round apples as well.

Abstract: A peeling and coring apparatus (20) for use with perishable produce (24) having a tapered neck portion (32) of reduced transverse dimension. Upon placement of the produce (24) into a tapered coring cup (30) formed to receive the produce (24), a detecting mechanism (36) detects the extension of the tapered neck portion (32) into the coring cup (30) by a distance sufficient to indicate proper orientation of the produce (24) relative to the coring cup (30). If the detecting mechanism (36) determines that the produce (24) is improperly oriented relative the coring cup (30), the peeling and coring apparatus (20) removes the produce (24) from the coring cup (30) prior to further processing of the produce (24). If the detecting mechanism (36) determines that the produce (24) is properly oriented, a gripping mechanism (34) grips the produce (24) to secure it against the coring cup (30) in preparation for further processing such as peeling and coring.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing the peel from a pineapple comprises a tubular knife provided with a toothed cutting edge designed to cut through a pineapple and fixed elongated guide means telescopically positioned within the tubular knife and adapted to direct the toothed cutting edge toward a pineapple that is interposed between the guide means and a cutting pad positioned in opposing relationship to the toothed cutting edge. The mechanism for moving the tubular knife towards the cutting pad and through the body of a pineapple includes leveraged means designed to reduce the force required to move the tubular knife through the pineapple. The elongated guide means is adapted to accommodate quickly interchangeable caps which increase the effective diameter of the guide means and which cooperate with annular spacer elements mounted on the inside wall of a tubular knife. This allows the apparatus to be used with different diameter tubular knives for different size pineapples.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing the peel from a pineapple comprises a cylindrical body provided with a toothed cutting edge designed to cut through a pineapple and fixed guide means telescopically positioned within the cylindrical body and adapted to direct the toothed cutting edge of the cylindrical body towards a pineapple that is placed on a cutting pad positioned in opposing relationship to the toothed cutting edge. The apparatus is optionally provided with a core tube slidably disposed in a passageway extending through the guide means and designed to cut through the central core of a pineapple placed on the cutting pad. The apparatus is also provided with means for simultaneously or separately moving the cylindrical body and the core tube towards the pineapple and the cutting pad.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the flanges of cans. After fruit has been deposited in cans being carried by a conveyor, pistons that are slidably carried by a second conveyor are caused to enter each can. Each piston is so constructed that it severs fruit material on the can flange and compresses the fruit therein.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filling speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating pickles of an undesired configuration (e.g., crooked or enlarged at one end) from those of acceptable configuration (e.g., relatively straight and uniform from end to end). It employs a series of horizontally spaced rods to which the pickles are fed and over which the desired pickles are traversed, while undesired pickles (nubbins) fall through the spaces between the rods. The means that supports and journals the rods is such that the spacing between the rods can be adjusted while maintaining equal spacing between adjacent rods for the entire series.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing slices of pitted cherries. It carries out successive orientation and slicing operations with direct introduction of a predetermined count of slices into containers (e.g., cans or jars). The desired count for each container can be adjusted to meet requirements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filling cans with measured amounts of wet material, having improved methods and procedures for the conveying and controlling the feeding of such materials. The height of the column of material maintained in an upright tube of the can filling unit is controlled by an electrical probe assembly and associated electronic circuitry. The probe of the assembly is positioned above the column of material, and the arrangement is such that when it is contacted by the upper surface of the column, the associated circuitry effects a reduction in the feed of material to the column.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and separating out articles having pits therein after the product has been passed through a pit removing device. The apparatus includes a pair of detector wheels supported to rotate in the same plane. Each of these wheels is power driven. The adjacent peripheries are spaced apart to receive the articles such that the articles having a greater thickness due to the presence of pits are indicated by the separating force on the wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filling cans with measured amounts of wet material, having improved methods and procedures for the conveying and controlling the feeding of such materials. Feeding from a conveyer belt employs a deflecting barrier having two or more adjacent rotating rollers. The height of the column of material maintained in an upright tube of the can filling unit is controlled by an electrical probe assembly and associated electronic circuitry. The probe of the assembly is positioned above the column of material, and the arrangement is such that when it is contacted by the upper surface of the column, the associated circuitry effects a reduction in the feed of material to the column.

Abstract: A method for filling containers with predetermined amounts of food material (e.g., leafy vegetable, like fresh blanched spinach). It employs a vertically extending tube having removable cut-off means at its lower end. The food material is supplied to the upper end of the tube in loose uncompacted form, and as it moves downwardly into the tube a column of the material is formed which provides progressively increased gravity compaction toward the lower end of the tube. Lower end portions of this column are recurrently cut off and caused to be transferred to containers being filled. Also apparatus for carrying out the method including the vertical tube into which the material is fed and having cut-off means at its lower end. Also, means is provided for continuously shaking the tube with a vertically directed stroke.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filing speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.