Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing applesauce utilizing unpeeled apples that have been cored or reamed on the stem and blossom ends. The apples are divided into portions and pumped into a heater which raises the temperature of the portions of the apple to approximately 71.degree.-73.degree. C. A finisher then separates the waste parts from the flesh of the apple portions. The apple flesh is pulped and pumped to a second heater which raises the temperature to approximately 90.degree.-104.degree. C. The applesauce product then travels through a dwell line to an expansion chamber for collection.

Abstract: A device removing the stem and blossom portions of fruit utilizing a support for the fruit which is capable of orienting the stem or the blossom portion of the fruit in an upright position. The support permits access to either the stem or blossom portion of the fruit and is spanned by a pair of fruit reamers. Each fruit reamer is capable of completely dressing out the stem and blossom portions of the fruit when the first and second reamers are brought toward one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for pitting fruit of the drupe type, in which fruit having sound pits are torque pitted and fruit having split pits are spoon pitted. A coring spoon is spaced from the pit gripping portion of the fruit bisecting blades with spoon pitting being accomplished by moving the blades and coring spoon through the fruit and between the halves of the split pit to move the fruit gripping portions of the blade away from the split pit and bring the coring spoon adjacent the pit for cutting a core, including the split pit, from the fruit.

Abstract: A method is described for pitting fruit of the drupe type in a cyclical manner in a processing operation involving a series of processing steps in which fruit having sound pit is torque pitted and fruit having a split pit is spoon pitted. In the method the presence or absence of a fruit to be supplied to the pitting station from a preceding station is sensed and the cyclical operation of the process with the cyclical sequence of steps and machine operations is varied depending upon whether a fruit is presented to the pitting station during a cycle of operation or not, and if a fruit so presented has a sound or split pit. When a fruit having a split pit is presented, a coring spoon spaced from the pit gripping portion of fruit bisecting blades is moved into position by moving the blades and coring spoon through the fruit and between the halves of the split pits for cutting a core including the split pit from the fruit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for pitting fruit of the drupe type, in which fruit having sound pits are torque pitted and fruit having split pits are spoon pitted. A coring spoon is spaced from the pit gripping portion of the fruit bisecting blades with spoon pitting being accomplished by moving the blades and coring spoon through the fruit and betwen the halves of the split pit to move the fruit gripping portions of the blade away from the split pit and bring the coring spoon adjacent the pit for cutting a core, including the split pit, from the fruit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for pitting fruit of the drupe type in a cyclical manner in a processing operation involving a series of processing steps in which fruit having a sound pit is torque pitted and fruit having a split pit is spoon pitted. In the apparatus and method the presence or absence of a fruit to be supplied to the pitting station from a preceding station is sensed and the cyclical operation of the process and the apparatus with the cyclical sequence of steps and machine operations is varied depending upon whether a fruit is presented to the pitting station during a cycle of operation or not, and if a fruit so presented has a sound or split pit. When a fruit having a split pit is presented, a coring spoon spaced from the pit gripping portion of fruit bisecting blades is moved into position by moving the blades and coring spoon through the fruit and between the halves of the split pits for cutting a core including the split pit from the fruit.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning fruit of the drupe type in which the fruit is conveyed along a vertically elongated path from a receiving station upward along the path and then downward along the path to a discharge station with the positioning apparatus being operative to urge the fruit to a predetermined orientation during both the upward and downward portions of travel from the receiving station to the discharge station.

Abstract: Method for pitting peaches using a machine which receives a peach by partially cutting it and gripping the stone and while then rotating the peach through a circle engages the peach halves by resilient pneumatic grippers which adapt to the surface of the peach halves. After rotation through a predetermined angle in the cycle, the grippers rotate in opposite directions to separate the peach halves from the stone and, therefore, release the peach halves and the stone.

Abstract: In a peach bisecting and pitting machine in which the fruit is gripped by a deformable gripper during the pitting operation, apparatus is disclosed for sensing the presence or absence of a fruit within such gripper and for preventing the gripping deformation of the gripper when no fruit is present during the operation of the pitting machine.

Abstract: Drupe pitting apparatus includes means which receive such a fruit, produce a partial cut in its pulp and thus define two fruit halves adhered to the pit of the fruit and grips the pit, and means for gripping the outer surfaces of the two fruit halves.

Abstract: Apparatus to pit peaches consisting of a machine which receives a peach by partially cutting it and gripping the stone and while then rotating the peach through a circle engages the peach halves by resilient pneumatic grippers which adapt to the surface of the peach halves. After rotation through a predetermined angle in the cycle, the grippers rotate in opposite directions to separate the peach halves from the stone and, therefore, release the peach halves and the stone.