Abstract: A holder assembly for fruit or the like adapted for use in washing of the type employed for the commercial processing of harvested fruit, etc. Such assemblies are usually mounted in gangs upon flight straps which move through one or more processing zones. Each assembly employs a base, a cup, preferably forked pairs of grasping arms for each cup, and biasing means urging such arms against their associated such cup. The holder emphasizes simple, reliable construction and operation.

Abstract: A blade assembly which, during a single cycle of reciprocation, both halves a pear or the like and cuts out the calyx or equivalent portion thereof. This assembly is shown employed in apparatus which automatically and sequentially functions to halve and remove the calyx from a plurality of pears or the like. Control means is also provided for synchronizing reciprocations of a blade assembly (or a gang of blade assemblies) relative to each of a successive plurality of continuously moving pears or the like.

Abstract: A fruit feeder adapted to elevate a plurality of fruit pieces along a diagonal pathway from a bottom position to a top position in a stair-step transfer arrangement. The feeder is operated by fluid cylinder and is adapted to deliver individual fruit members arranged in a row to continuously or discontinuously moving fruit holders located functionally adjacent the upper end portion of the fruit feeder.