Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft having a plurality of rotating blades in fixed position along its length, said shafts being parallel to each other and mounted above conveying means suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward said rotating blades, a plurality of positioning ramps mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade and having a shape elongated in the direction of movement of said conveying means and almost flattened and oriented vertically, the elongate upper edge of which is oriented downward toward said conveying means with an inclination such that the height of said edges increases in the feeding direction of the conveying means, so that the clusters of products placed on said conveying means are carried toward said ramps, the respective upper edge of which determines the point of intersection of th

Abstract: A plant for manual packaging of crates with fruit and vegetable products includes a first mobile horizontal belt conveyor on which products are placed and a second mobile conveyor on which are placed a plurality of crates. The two conveyors are arranged on parallel horizontal planes. The upper surface of the second conveyor is arranged at least partially overlying the position of the first conveyor. A return conveyor is arranged on the same horizontal plane as the first mobile conveyor, and moving in a direction opposite to the first conveyor. A third mobile conveyor may be provided, similar to the first conveyor, moving in the same direction as the first conveyor and arranged, with respect to a median vertical plane of the return conveyor, in a position opposite and preferably symmetrical to said first conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus to move automatically and in a continuous sequence a plurality of crates in succession, preferably of orthi-cultural products, and vertically laid one on the other so as to form a related stack, able of carrying out the transfer of a first stack to a first loading station, of opening the related crates and of forming a first stack of opened crates; it comprises a first loading conveyor provided with a first loading end, first support means adjacent to said first end and supporting a pallet on which a stack of closed crates is deposed, a first pushing means, placed externally with respect to the vertical projection of said first support means and at a level slightly higher than the level of said first conveyor, in order to transfer, with a translatory and orderly motion, one or more stacks from the pallet to the first loading end.

Abstract: Method for measuring the hardness of agricultural products includes: implementing a test program suitable for identifying and selecting one or more indices (S3, S4) which can be measured with a non-destructive test on a respective product/fruit, correlated with the hardness (Du) of the same product/fruit, measured by a respective penetration test; and calculating the coefficients that define the straight line representative of the linear correlation between said indices and the hardness for the respective product. The method is implemented with the operations of: applying on the product a dynamic force, preferably of impulsive type; detecting the mechanical reaction through at least a piezoelectric transducer capable of generating an electric signal based on the application or transmission of said dynamic force through the respective kiwi fruit; and analyzing said electric signal relative to the fruit.

Abstract: A bin cleaning plant includes a bin destacking and overturning station, a plurality of bin washing stations, the whole being connected to a conveyor that transfers the bins in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner through the stations; and means that sense and measure the level of dirt present in each of said bins and that modify the washing process selectively for each of said bins according to the level of dirtiness detected. Preferably, the measurement and control means are connected to optical devices oriented toward the internal surfaces of the bins, and detect the optical/luminous/chromatic image reflected from their internal surfaces. The image is converted into one or more electrical signals with representative characteristics, which signals are compared with corresponding levels selectively predetermined and previously memorized. The measuring and control means control actuators suitable to control/drive one or more of the operating parameters of the washing station.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening in an automatic mode and in a continuous sequence the closed side walls of a plurality of crates, preferably for horticultural products, and preferably lying vertically one on another so as to form a relative first stack, suitable for carrying out the operations for carrying a first stack to a first arrival and loading station, lifting vertically said two pairs of opposite walls, transferring said open crates to a second stack, and subsequently carrying said stack outside the apparatus; the apparatus includes command and control means suitable to store the parameters that correspond to a plurality of types of crates having different dimensions, enter into said command and control means a coded instruction representative of a particular type of crate, and automatically make it so that said command and control means process and transmit to the controls, structures, operating bodies, devices, actuators present in the apparatus appropriate signals that are suitable to determine therein the c

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft having a plurality of rotating blades in fixed position along its length, the shafts being parallel to each other and mounted above conveying elements suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward the rotating blades, a plurality of positioning ramps mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade and having a shape elongated in the direction of movement of the conveying elements and almost flattened and oriented vertically, the elongate upper edge of which is oriented downward toward the conveying elements with an inclination such that the height of the edges increases in the feeding direction of the conveying elements, so that the clusters of products placed on the conveying elements are carried toward the ramps.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products, built and operating in such a manner as to utilize at least one horizontal transporting conveyor, a moving structure arranged at the output edge of said conveyor and provided with displacement and engagement means to incline said containers, through a partial rotation, from a first inclined position with respect to the horizontal plane, in which the mouth of the container remains contiguous with the output edge of the conveyor, and subsequent working positions in which the same container moves progressively through less inclined positions until it returns to the normal horizontal position.

Abstract: Plant for the selection of crates, in particular for vegetable products, comprising: transferring means, preferably a continuous conveyor suitable for suitable for transferring said crates in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner, a station for measuring the degree of cleanliness of said crates, comprising measurement and control means suitable to detect the cleanliness degree of said crates, and arranged in an intermediate position in the path of said transferring means. Loading means are provided suitable to reassemble said crates in respective stacks based on their degree of cleanliness measured on each of them, wherein said loading means are arranged downstream of said measuring station and wherein said transfer means supply said loading means, without intermediate stations or processes. In addition, the plant includes a station for aligning the crates on said transfer means in a position stacked upstream of said measuring station.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying containers filled with horticultural products and comprising a basin with an open top side and filled with water, operating means of the containers, and arranged at a level higher than the top liquid level in the basin, in order to move the containers over a defined area and to rotate them to offload its content, collecting means placed in the lower part of the basin and partially outside of it, and that collect the horticultural products from the bottom of the basin and lift them up to an emersion level, and that uses means apt to deviate the leaves from the central surface of the liquid towards a surface area adjacent to a definite wall of the basin, and to remove them from that area.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft (32A, 32B, 32C, . . . ) having a plurality of rotating blades (11,12,13, . . . ) in fixed position along its length, said shafts (32A, 32B, 32C, . . . ) being parallel to each other and mounted GP above conveying means suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward said rotating blades (11,12,13, . . . ), a plurality of positioning ramps (11-1,12-1,13-1, . . . ) mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade (11,12,13, . . .

Abstract: A produce filling apparatus includes a bin filling head and a disk arranged under the head. The disk is made up of two plates, each having one or more openings. Plural sensors beneath the disk detect the presence of produce at a predefined vertical distance from the lower plate. A control unit detects the instantaneous position of both overlying rotating plates and determines the speed of rotation of each of the rotating plates in a manner that depends on a pre-coded external signal generated by the sensors and by the instantaneous positions of the rotating plates. The control unit processes the information received and controls the respective angular speed of the plates so that the respective openings are vertically aligned, so as to distribute the produce to those bins in which an absence of underlying produce is sensed.

Abstract: Plant for manual packaging of crates with fruit and vegetable products includes a first mobile horizontal belt conveyor on which products are placed, and which moves with a controllable motion and a second mobile conveyor on which is placed a plurality of crates. The two conveyors are arranged on parallel and horizontal but planes. The upper surface of the second conveyor is arranged at least partially overlying the position of the first conveyor. A return conveyor is arranged on the same horizontal plane as the first mobile conveyor, and moving in a direction opposite to the same. A third mobile conveyor may be provided, similar to the first conveyor, oriented and provided with a movement like the first conveyor and arranged, with respect to a median vertical plane of the upper belt of said return conveyor, in a position opposite and preferably symmetrical to said first conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for singularizing and separating cherries includes a product line defining a V-shaped slot and motorized belts installed on opposite walls defining the slot and arranged on the bottom thereof. The cherries are separated from their stems by circular blades rotating around axes preferably orthogonal to the direction of said “V” slot. Preferably, in the position corresponding to said rotating circular blades, on the upper edges of said opposite walls is installed a respective rising face, oriented upwardly and preferably inclined and lying on the same plane of the respective said opposite wall, parallel to the direction of said “V” slot, provided with a front edge that is downwardly oriented and inclined toward the direction of origin of the vegetable products.

Abstract: Plant for the selection of crates, in particular for vegetable products, comprising: transferring means, preferably a continuous conveyor suitable for suitable for transferring said crates in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner, a station for measuring the degree of cleanliness of said crates, comprising measurement and control means suitable to detect the cleanliness degree of said crates, and arranged in an intermediate position in the path of said transferring means. Loading means are provided suitable to reassemble said crates in respective stacks based on their degree of cleanliness measured on each of them, wherein said loading means are arranged downstream of said measuring station and wherein said transfer means supply said loading means, without intermediate stations or processes. In addition, the plant includes a station for aligning the crates on said transfer means in a position stacked upstream of said measuring station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for opening pairs of opposed reclined walls of a plurality of crates, comprises carrying a first stack to a first working station, raising opposed walls of the upper crate by rotation with respect to the bottom plane, raising the other two front walls by rotation, blocking at least one of the side walls to an adjacent side wall, horizontally transferring the open crate into a position where it is lowered onto an adjacent second stack opened crates.

Abstract: Method for measuring the hardness of agricultural products includes: implementing a test program suitable for identifying and selecting one or more indices (S3, S4) which can be measured with a non-destructive test on a respective product/fruit, correlated with the hardness (Du) of the same product/fruit, measured by a respective penetration test; and calculating the coefficients that define the straight line representative of the linear correlation between said indices and the hardness for the respective product. The method is implemented with the operations of: applying on the product a dynamic force, preferably of impulsive type; detecting the mechanical reaction through at least a piezoelectric transducer capable of generating an electric signal based on the application or transmission of said dynamic force through the respective kiwi fruit; and analyzing said electric signal relative to the fruit.

Abstract: An apparatus for singularizing and separating cherries, includes a product line defining a V-shaped slot and motorized belts installed on opposite walls defining the slot and arranged on the bottom thereof. The cherries are separated from their stems by circular blades rotating around axes preferably orthogonal to the direction of said “V” slot. Preferably, in the position corresponding to said rotating circular blades, on the upper edges of said opposite walls is installed a respective rising face, oriented upwardly and preferably inclined and lying on the same plane of the respective said opposite wall, parallel to the direction of said “V” slot, provided with a front edge that is downwardly oriented and inclined toward the direction of origin of the vegetable products.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling bins with produce such as fruit includes a filling head, and a disk arranged under the head. The disk is composed of two overlying plates, each having openings arranged radially to a rotating plate. Sensors underneath the disk detect the presence of the produce at a predefined vertical distance from the lower plate. A controller detects the instantaneous position of each of the two overlying rotating plates, determines individually the speed of rotation of each of said rotating plates in a manner that depends on a pre-coded external signal generated by said sensors and by the instantaneous positions of the rotating plates. The control unit processes the information received and controls the respective angular speed of the plates so that the respective openings are vertically aligned in correspondence of the information received in order to distribute the produce inside the bin in those angular positions at which the absence of underlying produce is sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating objects, such as cherries, that are joined together by removable links, includes a collecting vessel having a water inlet and into which the objects are conveyed by means separate from the water inlet. One or more conduits extend downstream from the collecting vessel and have respective inflow mouths situated downstream of the collecting vessel. Water pumps within the conduits cause liquid to whirl about with the products taken in therewith, and pump them into the respective outflow mouths so as to eject them. The collecting vessel is a tank whose wall facing the inflow mouths has an upper edge adapted to perform as a horizontal spillway. The upper edge is situated higher than the inflow mouths, and a chute between the upper edge and the inflow mouths causes the liquid and the objects to converge towards the inflow mouths. Preferably, water ejected from the conduits is recovered and recycled.