Abstract: A juice extractor includes an extractor frame, at least one pair of extractor cups relatively moveable to each other, a strainer tube that receives juice and pulp and discharges juice therefrom, and a juice manifold positioned to collect the juice discharged from the strainer tube. The strainer tube is bottom loaded on the juice manifold and includes a sealing assembly for sealing the strainer tube relative to the juice manifold. In one aspect of the present invention, the sealing assembly includes an annular beveled surface positioned on an inside surface of the juice manifold through which the strainer tube is received. A gasket is positioned between the annular beveled surface and strainer tube that is compressed and provides a seal therebetween.

Abstract: A fruit harvester for harvesting fruit from a tree includes a shaker vehicle, a boom having a proximal end connected to the shaker vehicle and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, a shaker head connected to a distal end of the boom, and a fruit deflector carried by the boom. The fruit deflector includes a lower fruit deflecting portion, and an upper fruit deflecting portion. The upper fruit deflecting portion may pivot downward as the boom moves from the retracted position to the extended position, and pivot upward as the boom moves from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of fruit. An orifice tube has opposing first and second ends. The first end is inserted in and moveable within the strainer tube. A rigid sleeve is formed from a material that resists wear and is received within the first end. A drive mechanism engages the orifice tube and reciprocates the orifice tube within the strainer tube and applies pressure on the juice and pulp within the strainer tube for separating the juice and pulp.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of fruit. An orifice tube has opposing first and second ends. The first end is inserted in and moveable within the strainer tube. A rigid sleeve is formed from a material that resists wear and is received within the first end. A drive mechanism engages the orifice tube and reciprocates the orifice tube within the strainer tube and applies pressure on the juice and pulp within the strainer tube for separating the juice and pulp.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention removes defects from citrus pulp. An advancing mechanism advances citrus pulp along a predetermined path of travel into an inspection zone. A citrus pulp imager is positioned at the inspection zone and acquires image data of the citrus pulp. A processor is operatively connected to the citrus pulp imager and receives the image data and processes the image data to determine defects within the citrus pulp. A rejection mechanism rejects any citrus pulp determined to be defective.

Abstract: A fruit harvester for harvesting fruit from a tree includes a shaker vehicle, a boom having a proximal end connected to the shaker vehicle and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, a shaker head connected to a distal end of the boom, and a fruit deflector carried by the boom. The fruit deflector includes a lower fruit deflecting portion, and an upper fruit deflecting portion. The upper fruit deflecting portion may pivot downward as the boom moves from the retracted position to the extended position, and pivot upward as the boom moves from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention removes defects from citrus pulp. An advancing mechanism advances citrus pulp along a predetermined path of travel into an inspection zone. A citrus pulp imager is positioned at the inspection zone and acquires image data of the citrus pulp. A processor is operatively connected to the citrus pulp imager and receives the image data and processes the image data to determine defects within the citrus pulp. A rejection mechanism rejects any citrus pulp determined to be defective.

Abstract: A cam-driven juice extractor that achieves steady state operation without the start up problems associated with traditional juice extractors. A soft start controller is coupled to the juice extractor motor to gradually increase motor voltage during a preset and controllable acceleration and voltage ramp time.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention removes defects from citrus pulp. An advancing mechanism advances citrus pulp along a predetermined path of travel into an inspection zone. A citrus pulp imager is positioned at the inspection zone and acquires image data of the citrus pulp. A processor is operatively connected to the citrus pulp imager and receives the image data and processes the image data to determine defects within the citrus pulp. A rejection mechanism rejects any citrus pulp determined to be defective.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of fruit. An orifice tube is moveable within the strainer tube and includes a first tube portion and opposing second tube portion threaded within the first tube portion. A drive mechanism engages the orifice tube for reciprocating the orifice tube within the strainer tube and separating juice and pulp within the strainer tube.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of fruit. An orifice tube is moveable within the strainer tube and includes a first tube portion and opposing second tube portion threaded within the first tube portion. A drive mechanism engages the orifice tube for reciprocating the orifice tube within the strainer tube and separating juice and pulp within the strainer tube.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.