Abstract: A filler and sealer with an endless two directional flexing chain having carriers thereon are capable of being driven about vertical axes of a rotary filler and also about horizontal axes of end discs. Each carrier movably supports a tray supporting head which is accurately maintained in filling positions relative to rotary and reciprocating tray fillers, and is thereafter accurately maintained in position to have a lid sealed on the container. Arcuate guide shoes on each carrier ride in linear and arcuate tracks to guide the carriers. A push bar conveyor includes spacer rollers which engage each carrier and push the carriers around their paths of movement at uniform speed.

Abstract: A size grader for pod vegetables includes a horizontally oriented rotatable drum which contains banks of fixed grading members and movable panels oriented over each bank. The banks and panels are wanted on the drum so as to be parallel to its longitudinal axis. The final grading members and the movable panels have grading vanes which are disposed circumferentially to the drum and transversely to its longitudinal axis. The apertures between the fixed grading vanes and the movable vanes defines grading surfaces. A control rod mounted to the drum longitudinally across each row of panels and operatively engaged with a rowring enables movable panel to move selectively with respect to its corresponding fixed panel as the drum rotates so that the movable panel moves toward the fixed panel in grading position when the panel is in a lower level in the drum and moves away from the fixed bank in a clearing position when the panel is located above the drum.

Abstract: A declusterer disc assembly (8) is disclosed which is useable in conjunction with a partition (20) of the pod tumbling drum (18) of a declusterer machine to shear the stems of pod vegetables which are engaged and elevated by notches (17) in the inner edge (16) of the partition (20) when the drum (18) is rotated. The declusterer disc assembly (8) includes a rotatable hub (12) and a pair of interchangeable discs (9a, 9b) mounted on the hub (12) in parallel relation to define a gap (14) between the discs (9a, 9b) of sufficient width to receive the partition (20) in slideable relation. The discs (9a, 9b) each have a plurality of spaced spokes (11a, 11b) extending from an annular cutting ring (10a, 10b) to the hub (12) to define spaced discharge openings (23) of greater area than the spokes (11a, 11b ) for discharge of stem portions from between the discs (9a, 9b).