Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously peeling vegetables and fruits in large quantities. The apparatus 1ncludes a support structure with a housing rotatably mounted thereon, the housing having a plurality of closely spaced-apart, rotating abrading spindles mounted thereon forming an enclosed cage. Rotation of the cage at a sufficient rate accelerates produce items engaging the spindles into generally circular orbits at a speed which results in the produce items being held against the rotating spindles by centrifugal force. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the cage also urges peelings outwardly of the cage between the spindles for discharge. A finger drum is rotatably mounted on said support structure within the cage and has a plurality of flexible fingers thereon adapted to engage produce items as they move from a feed end to a discharge end of the housing. Rotation of the finger drum causes the fingers to urge the produce items into initial engagement with the spindles.

Abstract: A machine is provided for splitting a pear which has been previously cored and peeled into two or more segments. The machine comprising a first spindle upon which the pear is cored and peeled after which the pear is pushed by a pusher means on to a second coaxial movable spindle which pivots away from the axis of the first spindle and into alignment with a stationary knife where a second pusher pushes the pear off of the second spindle and through the knife thereby cutting the pear into segments while the first spindle is accepting a second pear.

Abstract: A pear orienting machine which includes an inclined feed chute along which pears are fed. The chute has a plurality of friction strips applied thereto near the inlet end thereof and the friction strips are small in relation to the size of the chute, whereby pears fed to the chute engage the spaced friction strips and those pears which are properly oriented continue along the chute in their proper orientation, but improperly oriented pears are caused to turn and be properly oriented by the frictional engagement thereof with the friction strips. The size and location of the strips is such that the pears are not excessively abraded by the strips and the strips thus remain effective for their intended purpose for extended periods of time, with the result that very few pears are wasted and more efficient operation of the machine is obtained.

Abstract: Apples which have been oriented, peeled and cored on the machine shown in U.S. Patent 3,586,081 are further processed to remove the fibrous carpel tissue providing the seed cell in the apple. Following removal of the seed cell, the apples may be discharged whole or passed through a slicing device to cut the apples into a plurality of segments.

Abstract: A vacuum filler is provided which enables empty or partially full cans to be filled without drawing a significant amount of the filling material into the vacuum system.

Abstract: Apples which have been oriented, peeled and cored on the machine shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,081 are further processed to remove the fibrous carpel tissue providing the seed cell in the apple. Following removal of the seed cell, the apples may be discharged whole or passed through a slicing device to cut the apples into a plurality of segments.

Abstract: A multi-lane machine for removing the seed cell from previously cored apples by selectively cutting a cavity therein. Various size apples are accommodated and the size of the seed cell cavity is varied depending on the size of the apple. The apples are conveyed along a path while the core hole is oriented relative to the path. Taking advantage of the alignment of the core hole, the apples are transferred onto a spindle and moved therealong by a pair of centering jaws to a seed cell station. The medial plane of the apple is positioned over a seed celling knife on the spindle while the size of the apple is measured as it is moved into the seed celling station. The knife is crescent-shaped and pivotally housed in and rotated by the spindle. A knife control mechanism extends the rotating knife into the seed cell a distance determinate of the size of the apple and in timed sequence with the movement of the jaws. Subsequently, the apple is displaced along the spindle and through a die to cut the apple in segments.