Abstract: Automated food processing apparatus and methods of the type adapted for coring food products wherein a constantly sized core is removed from all food products of a group independently of the product size variation from one member to another of the group.

Abstract: A pineapple cutter, wherein a smaller diameter tubular cutter for cutting the core of a pineapple and a larger diameter tubular cutter for cutting the peel of the pineapple are concentrically arranged on upper peripheral edge of a cylindrical body having a base disc, between said cutters a pineapple loading table is inserted loosely in vertically movable state, a horizontal rod for vertical movement of said loading table is connected with a vertically operating rod passing through a slant groove which is provided obliquely in vertical direction in the peripheral said wall of said cylindrical body.According to said arrangement, the disadvantage of usual pineapple cutter is completely eliminated, assuring simultaneous removing of hard peel and core of a pineapple easily and accurately.

Abstract: To prevent damaging the rotary reciprocating knives and/or the cups which hold the fruit in a pimento coring machine caused by non-synchronous operation of the fruit conveyor and the reciprocating knife carriage, a sensing probe on the carriage near its lower end engages a roller of the chain to prevent complete descent of the knife carriage, thus protecting the knives and cups when the non-synchronous condition exists. When the chain is properly synchronized with the knife carriage, the probe can enter a space between two rollers and two side links of the dwelling chain so as to allow full descent of the knife carriage and knives.

Abstract: An arrangement for continuously separating fruits has a housing, a sieve element rotating in the housing and a hammer element rotating inside the sieve element, wherein the sieve element rotates with the speed which is lower than the speed of rotation of the hammer element and the relation between the speeds of rotation of the hammer element and the sieve element is within the region of between 2:1 and 4:1. A method of continuously separating fruits include withdrawing the extracted fruit juice from the inventive arrangement and supplying the same into a screw centrifuge so as to clarify the fruit juice in the latter and to produce a white wine. Red pigment of the fruit skin can be introduced into the fruit juice so as to produce a red fruit wine.

Abstract: An olive pitter and stuffer comprising a machine structure which includes two sets of pitting plungers disposed along one side each of respective chains for carrying the olives into alignment with these plungers. On the other side of each chain is an olive-opening device aligned with the pitting plunger for cutting an opening through which the pit is ejected by the plunger. The olives are then transported by the plunger to a pair of stations at which mechanisms maintain the opening of the olives while further plungers insert respective stuffings in the olives. According to the invention, a pair of mechanisms are provided with respective chains, all operated by a synchronous drive so that the output of the machine is doubled.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting the core of a leafy vegetable, such as a cabbage, prior to the cabbage being sliced for making sauerkraut and the like.The machine comprises a frame having endless belt conveying means for carrying the cabbage heads to a coring station. At the coring station, vertically-reciprocating, non-rotating knives engage the core and cut it into sections. The downward or cutting movement of the knives is terminated by adjustable means which cause the knives to be returned to their normal at-rest positions out of engagement with the cabbage.

Abstract: A sampler for extracting core samples from a mass of sugar cane. The sampler is mounted on a fixed or movable support which includes a plate member on which the cylinder of an operating jack is mounted.The piston of the jack is secured at one end of a rod which has at its other end another piston for expelling core samples. A sleeve extends around a portion of the length of the rod and rotatably mounts a hollow cylindrical core cutter with a toothed cutting edge. A motor is mounted on the sleeve for rotating the core cutter. Selectively operable temporary securing fingers are provided on the sleeve of alternate engagement with a collar on the rod so that the sleeve, core cutter and rod are displaceable in unison by the jack for lowering and raising the core cutter into and out of a mass, and with the plate member for preventing the axial movement of the core cutter with respect to the support so that displacement of the rod displaces the other piston in the core cutter to expel the core sample.