Abstract: A method and apparatus handles discrete bruisable articles, such as apples or other pieces of fruit, with a minimum amount of bruising while determining a number of different properties of the articles, including optical properties. The articles are conveyed by conveyor cups over a load cell to determine their weight, and perhaps other properties, and then the cups are tilted so that the articles roll onto soft surface rollers with at least one back stop brush positioned where the rolling occurs. The rollers are rotated as the articles are conveyed by the rollers, so as to turn an article mounted between rollers so that a camera can evaluate optical properties of a large portion of each article, if not substantially all. Then a rotating brush disposed at an angle of between about 25-65 (e.g.

Abstract: An article transporting, and preferably also color and/or weight sorting, assembly and method, support the articles (.g. apples or like pieces of fruit), and effect precise rotation (e.g. within about 5°) of all apples transported thereby. This allows accurate determination of the apple's color by color sensing equipment (e.g. a color camera). The assembly comprises a support element, and two sets of cones mounted to the support by rotatable shafts, each set comprising first and second cones having a tapered exterior surface, the cones on each shaft facing each other and tapering to an imaginary substantially common midpoint. The cones support an apple essentially without the apple engaging the shaft. The cones may be of soft yieldable plastic or rubber with a first taper of about 25-35° (e.g. about 28°), and optionally one or more steps of different taper.

Abstract: A control system for a thermoelectric device to maintain the temperature in a storage compartment at a set point. The system includes input terminals for receiving a DC voltage and output terminals for connecting to the thermoelectric device. First and second switches are provided and coupled to the terminals for connection when enabled by the application of the DC voltage.

Abstract: A current control circuit for improved power application and control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point. The circuit includes at least one thermoelectric device, an inductor device, a current sensor and a switch device operatively connected in a series connection across a pair of terminals to allow current to flow therethrough when the switch device is activated to the "on" condition; a temperature sensor operatively positioned to monitor the temperature associated with the at least one thermoelectric device; a comparator device receives an input from the current sensor and provides an output to the switch device; a programmable control device receives an input from the temperature sensor and provides an output to the comparator device, the value of the output is determined by the difference between the sensed temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device and the desired set point temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A power control circuit for improved temperature control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point.

Abstract: A bagger for fruit or other discrete articles ensures that the bag has a minimum weight of fruit but with the lowest overage practical. A weigh pan is fed by a first conveyor having a number of singulating lanes, with an individual weigh chute at the end of each lane. The conveyor is controlled to stop filling the pan once a certain number of articles (sensed by photosensors) have passed into the pan which is less than the expected number of articles which will meet the minimum weight of articles to be bagged. Then the individual weigh chutes are loaded with one article each, and the individual or combinations of weights of one or more articles from the weigh chutes are calculated. The desired individual combination is selected which causes the weight of articles in the pan to exceed the predetermined weight by the lowest amount, and that desired individual or combination of articles is fed to the pan, the weight is confirmed in the pan, then the pan tilted to discharge the articles.

Abstract: A cup for conveying fruit, or other discrete bruisable articles to be sorted, is connected to a transporting chain. The cup has a first body of a first plastic, such as Delrin or UHMW, which has dimensional stability, which is connected to the transporting chain. The cup also has a second body of a second plastic which is of a less expensive/quality material, such as a softer material having the cost characteristics of EVA. The second body is irremovably connected to the first body and extends from it in a dimension opposite to the connection of the first body to the transporting chain, and the second body has a generally conical depression with the front and rear edges longer than the side edges and a varying angle of inclination, that prevents a discrete bruisable element from inadvertently moving out of the body. A trip tab may extend downwardly from the first body.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine and method gently and efficiently handle bruisable articles to be automatically bagged, such as apples. The bagger includes a weighing pan, a bag supply, a source of compressed air for inflating a plastic bag while it is held open at spaced points adjacent its top, and a cushioning arm assembly for engaging the exterior of the bag as it is being filled with articles to cushion the fall of the articles. A piston and cylinder moves the cushioning arm into engagement with the bag exterior while it is being filled, and away from the bag after the fall of articles has been effectively broken (cushioned). A number of conveyors that are independently controlled feed articles to the pan, and an ultrasound sensor senses the volume of the next article or articles to be fed to the pan in each conveyor path, and that conveyor or conveyors is or are operated which contains the next article or articles closest to the desired weight of articles in the pan, or slightly above it.

Abstract: Bruisable articles, such as pieces of fruit like apples, are singulated, sorted according to property (e.g., weight), and discharged with a minimum of bruising, even if the fruit is not treated with ALAR (diminozide). The cups for holding the fruit are continuously conveyed by conveying chains, and have larger, more steeply angled front and rear surfaces (in the direction of conveyance) than side surfaces so that the fruit will be held in place during conveyance but can be relatively easily discharged when the cup is tilted at a discharge station. Self-singulating is accomplished utilizing conveyors on either side of the row of cups, an overhead rotating brush, and elongated brush strips. The brushes of the brush strips gently engage the fruit and urge it into position within a cup.

Abstract: A sorter sorts discrete bruisable articles, such as pieces of fruit like apples, with minimum bruising. A continuous conveying chain has a number of discrete article supporting elements connected to it for linear movement with it, and for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the chain. At various stations along the chain a self-singulating section is provided in which the articles are singulated onto the supporting elements, a weighing section (or like property determining section) is provided after the self-singulating section, and a discharge section is provided at which the articles are dischargee depending upon the weight sensed in the weighing section. The same chain supporting elements may continue through a second self-singulating section, a second weighing section, and a second discharge section. The supporting elements comprise plastic cups defining a shallow depression on a top face, e.g. a conically shaped depression with sidewalls making an angle of about 20.degree.-30.degree.

Abstract: A sorter sorts discrete bruisable articles, such as pieces of fruit like applies, with minimum bruising. A continuous conveyor chain has a number of discrete article supporting elements connected to it for linear movement with it, and for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the chain. At various stations along the chain a self-singulating section is provided in which the articles are singulated onto the supporting elements, a weighing section (or like property determining section) is provided after the self-singulating section, and a discharge section is provided at which the articles are discharged depending upon the weight sensed in the weighing section. The same chain supporting elements may continue through a second self-singulating section, a second weighing section, and a second discharge section. The supporting elements comprise plastic cups defining a shallow depresssion on a top face, e.g. a conically shaped depression with sidewalls making an angle of about 20.degree.-30.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bagging bruisable discrete articles, such as apples. The apples are fed single file to a weighing device, and the feed of articles is terminated just before the desired predetermined weight of apples to be bagged. The weighing device is allowed to reach equilibrium, and then the weight of the apples is compared to the desired predetermined weight. If the weight is less than the desired amount, the apples are fed one by one to the weighing device until the predetermined weight is reached or exceeded, at which time the apples in the weighing device are dumped onto a pair of spiral brushes which convey the apples to a bagging station. At the bagging station, a bag is clamped and blown open, and is filled with apples being fed one at a time. The bag full condition is automatically sensed, at which point one of the clamps is released, and an arm supporting the other clamp is pivoted to swing the bag into operative association with an automatic tying machine.

Abstract: A bin filling mechanism comprising an inner frame mounted for oscillation about an intermediate frame and carrying a pivotally mounted product conveying means thereon. The intermediate frame is vertically adjustable with respect to a main frame to allow adaptation of the device to variously sized feed mechanisms. A sensing means of the bin end of the product conveying means initiates raising of the product conveying means as the bin is filled with product. A slotted disc and rod arrangement provides for oscillation of the whole inner frame structure to insure even distribution of product within the bin.