Abstract: A method is provided for packaging objects which are included in a plurality of objects belonging to the fruit and vegetable group and the shape of which is such that the objects included in the plurality of objects can roll along a surface. The objects included in the plurality of objects are deposited onto a solid surface of a system for packaging the objects. The deposition surface is substantially horizontal, suitable for receiving the objects included in the plurality of objects and elastically deformable such that the deposition of each object on the deposition surface creates, under the weight of the object concerned, a recess in the deposition surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for grouping into batches at least semi-buoyant objects belonging to the group of fruit and vegetables, comprising a plurality of accumulation channels (11), a hydraulic supply device for each accumulation channel (11), a device for supplying objects to an upstream portion of each accumulation channel, a collecting channel downstream of each accumulation channel (11), a device (14) for holding/releasing the objects in each accumulation channel Each accumulation channel (11) comprises at least one bypass passage (30) for the hydraulic stream extending from at least one inlet of the bypass passage (30) located upstream of the holding/releasing device (14) to at least one outlet of the bypass passage (30) issuing downstream of the holding/releasing device (14). A bypass valve (32) allows adjustment of said part of the diverted flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for orienting an umbilicated fruit, in which, during a first orientation phase (22), the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II), then the fruit is driven (24) in spinning rotation about a first axis of rotation at an angular amplitude of between 5° and 45°, and then the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one subsequent image (IU). If at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II) and no longer detected in each subsequent image (IU), the first orientation phase is stopped and the method is continued.

Abstract: A hydraulic conveyor for floating objects, having recirculation of a liquid composition, named conveying composition, for conveying the floating objects, includes at least one device for sanitizing the conveying composition. The sanitizing device includes: at least one device irradiating a composition, named composition to be sanitized, formed by mixing at least some of the conveying composition and an amount of a composition, named photoreactive composition, including at least one photosensitive compound that forms, under the effect of irradiation by the irradiation device, at least one compound, named active compound, transforming by chemical reaction at least one pollutant compound of the conveying composition into a non-pollutant compound; and at least two photolysis chambers mounted in series such that the composition to be sanitized can flow successively into the at least two photolysis chambers, at least one irradiation device being arranged in an inner volume of each photolysis chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a device for optically analyzing fruit or vegetables. Different light sources are adapted to apply light radiation in different wavelength ranges selectively to each object according to a predetermined illumination sequence, and images are produced by at least one color camera sensitive to infrared, the exposure of which is controlled in synchronism with the illumination sequence so as to produce a plurality of images in different wavelength ranges, including at least one image in a visible range and at least one image in an infrared range.

Abstract: Disclosed is an object transporting device for objects such as fruits or vegetables including a receptacle suitable for receiving at least one object, a support and a connecting mechanism for connecting the receptacle to the support in order to interlock them in longitudinal translation, permit a lateral tilting of the receptacle for the purpose of laterally discharging each object carried by the receptacle, and allow a displacement of the receptacle in vertical translation for the weighing of the receptacle and of the object which it carries. The connecting mechanism includes at least one ball interposed and imprisoned between at least one vertical bearing surface of the receptacle and at least one vertical bearing surface of the support in order to be able to roll without sliding on at least one of these vertical bearing surfaces. Also disclosed is a conveying and weighing device equipped with such transporting devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for grouping fragile floating objects, such as floating fruits, in batches in at least one accumulation channel. An upstream portion (12) of at least one accumulation channel is supplied with objects transported by a hydraulic current as far as a downstream end of the latter provided with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects. The speed of the hydraulic current is adjusted so as to bring about a hydraulic superposition of the objects retained in a superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for unilateral analysis—notably optical—of products comprising a product turning device comprising two series (18, 20) of levers (19, 21) in opposition borne by at least one conveyor continuously driven in a longitudinal direction with respect to a fixed structure, and a device (34, 37) controlling the tilting of the levers (19, 21) arranged to cause the products to be turned over in a turning zone (35) between two successive unilateral analysis work stations in the longitudinal direction. In the turning zone, several levers (19, 21) of one same series are caused to tilt by the control device (34, 37), each product being able to be turned over under the effect of the tilting of several levers (19, 21) of each series.

Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for grouping fragile floating objects, such as floating fruits, in batches in at least one accumulation channel. An upstream portion (12) of at least one accumulation channel is supplied with objects transported by a hydraulic current as far as a downstream end of the latter provided with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects. The speed of the hydraulic current is adjusted so as to bring about a hydraulic superposition of the objects retained in a superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects.

Abstract: Fruit handling equipment comprising a conveyor having a plurality of linked carriages, each supporting at least one fruit carrying cup pivotally secured to the carriage, each cup having a latching mechanism operable to hold the cup in a fruit carrying mode and releasable to cause the cup to pivot to a delatched position to eject the fruit, and remotely controllable means in each carriage to release the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.

Abstract: A device for processing products such as fruit or vegetables includes a plurality of hydraulic channels (11) for transporting the products, elements for producing a liquid flow in each hydraulic channel, at least one cleaning carriage (20) guided and driven in translation along a cleaned channel (11), and a device (41, 42) for transferring the cleaning carriage (20) from one hydraulic channel to another hydraulic channel (11). It covers a cleaning method implemented in a device according to the invention.

Abstract: A device for processing products such as fruit or vegetables includes at least one hydraulic channel (11) for transporting the products, and elements for producing a liquid flow in each hydraulic channel, at least one cleaning carriage (20) carrying guiding members (19), members (30, 32) for brushing the walls of each cleaned channel, and at least one hydraulic drive blade (34) capable of extending in the liquid flow flowing in at least one cleaned channel (11) in order to drive the cleaning carriage (20) in translation in each cleaned channel (11) under the effect of this liquid flow.