Abstract: Novel pectin derivatives having important and useful gel properties are made by direct amidation with high levels of ammonia at low temperatures.The desirable pectin derivatives have not more than 39% carboxyl groups and at least 27% amide groups. The most desirable pectin derivatives have from 56 to 70% acid plus amide groups, based on the total level of anhydrogalacturonic acid units as 100%, and the preferred amide level is between 30 and 35%. The pectins form 20 to 40% soluble solids gels that are improved in texture and less prone to syneresis over the gel pH range 3 to 4 with a wide range of added calcium ion when compared to gels made with currently known pectins.

Abstract: A conveyor having a single row of receptacles to seat individual fruit of a corresponding row of citrus fruit moves the fruit in succession past a station where it is required that the major axis of each fruit, i.e., the axis through the stem and blossom ends of the fruit be parallel to the direction of travel of the fruit. In each receptacle the individual fruit rests on a pair of parallel power-actuated spool-shaped rollers the axes of which are parallel to the direction of travel of the receptacles, which rollers spin the fruit to cause the major axes of the fruit to be oriented parallel to the direction of travel. Each receptacle is detachably mounted to transverse rods.

Abstract: A conveyor having an endless series of holders equipped with cushions to carry fragile objects has an upper run extending from a receiving station to a discharge station and a lower return run with an upward arcuate return path from the lower run to the start of the upper run. The holders are turned upside down on the lower run of the conveyor and are subject to centrifugal force on the upward arcuate return path. The cushions are envelopes of flexible sheet material containing masses of pellets. A free-falling object lands on a cushion at the receiving station of the conveyor and is decelerated without harm by forming a seating recess in the mass of pellets. The return journey of the cushions redistributes the pellets to eliminate the seating recesses and thus enables newly received objects at the receiving station to be decelerated by forming new seating recesses.

Abstract: A conveyor having a single row of receptacles to seat individual fruit of a corresponding row of citrus fruit moves the fruit in succession past a station where it is required that the major axis of each fruit, i.e., the axis through the stem and blossom ends of the fruit be parallel to the direction of travel of the fruit. In each receptacle the individual fruit rests on a pair of parallel power-actuated spool-shaped rollers the axes of which are parallel to the direction of travel of the receptacles, which rollers spin the fruit to cause the major axes of the fruit to be oriented parallel to the direction of travel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically evaluating articles particularly citrus fruits, on the basis of the uniformity and non-uniformity of their transparency to light rays and selectively separating them into different grades according to such evaluations, the fruit being oriented and carried by a conveyor in a path between a light ray source and light ray detectors positioned to straddle the fruit core portion, the signals from the detectors being carried to an internal quality computer controlled by timing sensors responsive to fruit movement through the light rays, wherein the percentage of internal damage is computed for each fruit, after which the fruits are successively separated into different predetermined grades according to their respective damage evaluations.

Abstract: In a system for classifying objects, particularly fruits, which pass successively through an inspection station for evaluation according to respective grades and for generating evaluation signals corresponding to such grades. The inspected fruits are then delivered to a distribution apparatus by means of a sorting conveyor having a single row of traveling holders for the individual fruits. The sorting conveyor has a plurality of discharge stations corresponding to the different evaluation grades and, when a holder carrying a fruit reaches a discharge station that corresponds to the evaluation grade for that particular fruit, the generated evaluation signal for that particular fruit causes the holder to discharge the fruit.