Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder, device or method for sorting and/or transporting products, the holder comprises: a product carrier (4) movable in a transport direction for receiving and transporting the product to be transported; a first shaft (6) operatively connected to the product carrier (4) for rotating the product carrier in order to discharge the product transported with the product carrier; tilting means (14) for tilting the product carrier (4) about the first shaft (6) at a discharge position; and a second shaft (8) which is operatively connected to the product carrier (4) and to which a flexible member (10) can be releasably attached for discharging the product from the product carrier (4) in controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder, device or method for sorting and/or transporting products, the holder comprises: a product carrier (4) movable in a transport direction for receiving and transporting the product to be transported; a first shaft (6) operatively connected to the product carrier (4) for rotating the product carrier in order to discharge the product transported with the product carrier; tilting means (14) for tilting the product carrier (4) about the first shaft (6) at a discharge position; and a second shaft (8) which is operatively connected to the product carrier (4) and to which a flexible member (10) can be releasably attached for discharging the product from the product carrier (4) in controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for transporting fruits, comprising: a frame; a channel for fluid arranged on the frame for the purpose of transporting the fruits between an entry side and an exit side of the channel; a system for causing circulation of the fluid; and transport influencing means for influencing transport of the fruits and/or the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for uniformly filling a relatively large container (5) with relatively delicate products, wherein the products are supplied at a first level using a feed conveyor (17), and these products are transferred by means of a guiding device which guides the products in restrained manner from the first level to a second level, wherein at the second level the products are released into a distributing device (3) for distribution in the container. The invention further relates to a guiding device (2) for guiding products from a feed conveyor, comprising: —at least one transfer member (11) comprising means for receiving the products at a speed which can be adjusted to the speed of the feed conveyor, —a guide member (12) which is arranged substantially along a part of the outside of the transfer member for guiding the products in the transfer member.

Abstract: Device for classifying products such as fruits, comprising: a number of product carriers for carrying the products in a transport path of a conveyor with classification outlets, radiating means for irradiating the products, one or more radiation receiving elements for receiving a radiation sample of radiation emitted by the radiating means once it has irradiated the product during transport of the products by the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for transporting fruits, comprising: a frame; a channel for fluid arranged on the frame for the purpose of transporting the fruits between an entry side and an exit side of the channel; a system for causing circulation of the fluid; and transport influencing means for influencing transport of the fruits and/or the fluid.

Abstract: Device for classifying products such as fruits, comprising: a number of product carriers for carrying the products in a transport path of a conveyor with classification outlets, radiating means for irradiating the products, one or more radiation receiving elements for receiving a radiation sample of radiation emitted by the radiating means once it has irradiated the product during transport of the products by the conveyor.

Abstract: Conveyor (1), comprising a number of supporting bodies (10) arranged successively in an array in order to form transporting positions for objects (P) for transporting between two successive supporting bodies (10), wherein the form of the supporting bodies (10) is suitable for urging the objects (P) into a transverse position relative to the direction of movement (B).

Abstract: A device for orienting a number of objects. The device has a holder conveyor with holders for the objects, lifts synchronously co-displaceable with the holders and rotatable relative thereto for lifting the objects out of the holders and rotating the objects into and oriented standing rotational position relative to a standing rotation axis on the holders, a detector for detecting the standing rotational position of each object and a control device for the lifts which is connected to the detector and which activates the lifts for a relevant object as long as is required to rotate the oriented standing rotational position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for determining the hardness of a vegetable or fruit, wherein the vegetable or fruit is rotated, wherein an impactor element is carried close to the surface of a fruit or vegetable, wherein during rotation of the fruit an impactor element is brought into contact with the fruit or the vegetable a number of times, wherein the impact of the respective impactor element is measured in order to determine the hardness of the vegetable or fruit over at least a portion of the surface thereof. The present invention also comprises a device for determining the hardness of a vegetable or fruit. The present invention further provides a method for determining a property of a vegetable or fruit.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for determining the hardness of a vegetable or fruit, wherein the vegetable or fruit is rotated, wherein an impactor element is carried close to the surface of a fruit or vegetable, wherein during rotation of the fruit an impactor element is brought into contact with the fruit or the vegetable a number of times, wherein the impact of the respective impactor element is measured in order to determine the hardness of the vegetable or fruit over at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: The packaging of agricultural or horticultural produce requires much manual work, particularly when the stalks of fruits such as apples are all made to point in the same direction and/or when the most attractively colored side is properly presented. The invention relates to and provides a method which can be performed automatically wherein at least one camera recorded images of products are made and the products are packed subject to the recorded images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling agricultural or horticultural products, for instance tomatoes or apples, wherein the products are transported in at least one reservoir filled with water substantially at a transporting level determined by the water surface in accordance with at least one transport path in the direction from a supply to a discharge.In order to reduce the required transporting space the method according to the invention has the feature that in order to buffer products the upper level of at least one product mass is carried by a level adjusting buffering device to a level other than the transporting level.The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing this method.