Abstract: Apparatus for extracting oil from the peel of whole citrus fruit includes a frame and a plurality of parallel horizontal rolls including toothed projections for piercing the outer surface of the whole fruit. Each of the plurality of rolls is rotatably supported via a rotatable shaft that is mounted to the frame. A plurality of motors are secured to the frame, each of the plurality of motors are mechanically coupled to a corresponding shaft of the rolls, wherein each motor independently rotates the shaft and roll. The apparatus also includes a controller for individually controlling the rotational speed of each of the rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting oil from the peel of whole citrus fruit includes a frame and a plurality of parallel horizontal rolls including toothed projections for piercing the outer surface of the whole fruit. Each of the plurality of rolls is rotatably supported via a rotatable shaft that is mounted to the frame. A plurality of motors are secured to the frame, each of the plurality of motors are mechanically coupled to a corresponding shaft of the rolls, wherein each motor independently rotates the shaft and roll. The apparatus also includes a controller for individually controlling the rotational speed of each of the rolls.

Abstract: A washer for a fruit processing machine includes a rotary nozzle paddlewheel gear mounted in a nozzle housing. The rotary nozzle paddlewheel gear meshes with combination gears which in turn mesh with a wash nozzle. Fluid pumped into the housing drives the gears and blows out through the rotary wash nozzle creating a spray pattern. As the rotary wash nozzle completes a revolution, a hemispherical or larger region is sprayed by the fluid, cleaning the equipment to be washed.

Abstract: A food product finisher includes a finisher housing and screen supported by the housing. A rotor driven within the screen has an inlet section with inlet vanes of reduced diameter in a steep helical configuration. The inlet vanes are joined continuously into body vanes of full height and less steep helical configuration on the body of the rotor. Steps or transition sections may be provided in the vanes. The vane configuration provides uniform loading of the vanes, high efficiency and reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A fruit juice extracting machine has a pair of opposing endless cup chains extending around a rotatable reamer wheel. The peel guide or retainer holds reamed peel halves in cup until ejector directs peel half into peel chute. A filler plate panel substantially closes off the reamer wheel to help to prevent the accumulation of stagnant juice or pulp. A peel chute behind the reamer wheel has a back surface with slotted opening to recover additional juice and pulp as the peels are ejected from the cup chain and collide against the back surface of the peel chute. The new cup track is a stiffer structure for maintaining the cup chain in proper engagement to the reamers, for improved yield and reduced wear. A full width bulkhead divides the juicing area from the peel chute area.

Abstract: A fruit juice extracting machine has a pair of opposing endless cup chains extending around a rotatable reamer wheel. The peel guide or retainer holds reamed peel halves in cup until ejector directs peel half into peel chute. A filler plate panel substantially closes off the reamer wheel to help to prevent the accumulation of stagnant juice or pulp. A peel chute behind the reamer wheel has a back surface with slotted opening to recover additional juice and pulp as the peels are ejected from the cup chain and collide against the back surface of the peel chute. The new cup track is a stiffer structure for maintaining the cup chain in proper engagement to the reamers, for improved yield and reduced wear. A full width bulkhead divides the juicing area from the peel chute area.

Abstract: A fruit juice extracting machine has a pair of opposing endless cup chains extending around a rotatable reamer wheel. The peel guide or retainer holds reamed peel halves in cup until ejector directs peel half into peel chute. A filler plate panel substantially closes off the reamer wheel to help to prevent the accumulation of stagnant juice or pulp. A peel chute behind the reamer wheel has a back surface with slotted opening to recover additional juice and pulp as the peels are ejected from the cup chain and collide against the back surface of the peel chute. The new cup track is a stiffer structure for maintaining the cup chain in proper engagement to the reamers, for improved yield and reduced wear. A full width bulkhead divides the juicing area from the peel chute area.

Abstract: A rotary fruit and juice extractor has pairs of holding cups pivotally mounted to a rotating frame. A rotatable reamer is associated with each cup. Cams pivot the cups from a fruit loading position, to a fruit slicing position and then to a reaming position as the frame rotates. Reamer cams drive the reamers into and out of the fruit halves held within the cups as the frame rotates.

Abstract: A rotary fruit and juice extractor has pairs of holding cups pivotally mounted to a rotating frame. A rotatable reamer is associated with each cup. Cams pivot the cups from a fruit loading position, to a fruit slicing position and then to a reaming position as the frame rotates. Reamer cams drive the reamers into and out of the fruit halves held within the cups as the frame rotates.

Abstract: A fruit sizing apparatus includes a guideway having an inclined surface extending from a base to a peak with a first channel adjacent to the peak and a second channel adjacent to the base. First and second endless moving belts are supported in part by the first and second channels respectively. The first and second belts are driven at different speeds. A roller is spaced apart from the guideway and rotates in a direction tending to cause fruit to roll up the inclined surface. Additional belts can be provided for improved performance. A washing system over the apparatus cleans the apparatus using fan sprays of water.

Abstract: A fruit sizing apparatus includes a guideway having an inclined surface extending from a base to a peak with a first channel adjacent to the peak and a second channel adjacent to the base. First and second endless moving belts are supported in part by the first and second channels respectively. The first and second belts are driven at different speeds. A roller is spaced apart from the guideway and rotates in a direction tending to cause fruit to roll up the incline surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal finisher and method of its operation are disclosed for separating finished juice from an initial juice including substantial solids or for separating finished fluid from any slurry including substantial solids, the slurry being introduced into one end of a cylindrical screen driven in rotation for centrifugally urging the slurry against the screen and causing a fluid component to pass through the screen. Wiper paddles are arranged on a support drum for rotation in wiping contact with the screen and for limited movement relative to the screen for continuously moving solid material from the slurry toward an outlet axial end of the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing skins and pits from avocados and the like in a process where the avocado is initially held in a split cup, knife means being operated for cutting through the avocado skin and flesh and for engaging and holding the avocado pit, jaw means being operated for engaging respective skin portions of the avocado, the jaw means then being retracted with the avocado skins, stripper means being movable relative to the knife means for urging the avocado flesh away from the avocado pit, the flesh portions of the avocados being collected in a first collection means, the pits and skins of the avocados being collected in a second collection means. Prior to processing in the manner described above, the avocados are preferably treated by immersion in hot avocado oil or the like in order to loosen their skins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically cleaning extrusion screens in finishing machines of a type having a generally cylindrical perforated screen arranged in a housing, juice or the like laden with solids being introduced into the interior of the screen and urged against the screen by a screw element, paddle assembly, or the like to cause the juice to flow through the screen with the solids being retained on the screen. The cleaning method and apparatus comprise a cleaning unit with a plurality of spray nozzles arranged about the screen, the cleaning unit being moved back and forth along the screen by a reversing motor additionally controlled by suitable limit switches. The method and apparatus of the invention are preferably adapted for causing relatively increased cleaning action adjacent a solids outlet end of the screen to better remove larger amounts of juice solids or pomace deposited on that portion of the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing skins and pits from avocados and the like in a process where the avocado is initially held in a split cup, knife means being operated for cutting through the avocado skin and flesh and for engaging and holding the avocado pit, jaw means being operated for engaging respective skin portions of the avocado, the jaw means then being retracted with the avocado skins, stripper means being movable relative to the knife means for urging the avocado flesh away from the avocado pit, the flesh portions of the avocados being collected in a first collection means, the pits and skins of the avocados being collected in a second collection means. Prior to processing in the manner described above, the avocados are preferably treated by immersion in hot avocado oil or the like in order to loosen their skins.

Abstract: Peel oil is extracted from whole citrus fruit by means of a plurality of parallel horizontal toothed rolls. The toothed rolls define bights between them for reception and support of whole citrus fruit. Each roll comprises a shaft carrying a series of thin parallel rings each ring having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery. A motor rotates the rolls in the same direction at different speeds. Water spray nozzles are spaced above the rolls to deliver relatively coarse sprays against the outer surface of each whole citrus fruit to carry away peel oil produced by the pointed teeth of the rings.

Abstract: Parallel horizontal toothed rolls form bights therebetween for reception of non-spherical citrus fruit such as lemons. A body of liquid submerges the toothed rolls so that puncturing of the peel of the fruit takes place below the liquid level. Groups of the toothed rolls are turned in the same direction but at progressively slower speeds. Adjacent toothed rolls are reciprocated axially in opposite directions to change the orientation of the fruit with respect to the toothed rolls. The rolls may be pushed and pulled from one side of the machine through a cam operated device or they may be pushed from both ends by mechanism on opposite sides of the machine.

Abstract: Fruit juice extraction apparatus in which a pair of confronting frusto-conical discs are supported on a rotatable main shaft by ball and socket connections and retained in angular tilted relation by guide bearing assemblies to provide a point of minimum peripheral spacing between the discs on one side, a stationary wall being interposed between the discs and cooperating therewith to form separate pressure-applying travel paths for the respective halves of cut fruit sections, each of the paths converging in the direction of disc rotation from a path inlet adjacent the minimum spacing point to an outlet. The whole uncut fruits are supplied in advance of the minimum spacing point and gripped between the discs and carried to a slicing knife for cutting into half-sections which are carried through the converging paths and forced against perforate portions of the stationary wall by progressively applied pressure to extract the juice.

Abstract: Horizontal rolls define troughs between them for reception and support of whole citrus fruit, each roll including a plurality of thin metal rings mounted in axially spaced relationship, each ring having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, and each ring being inclined to its rotary axis whereby rotary movement of the rings causes wobble movement of the disk peripheries so that penetration of the teeth is substantially uniform over the entire outer surface of each fruit. The rolls are turned in the same direction, each successive roll in a series turning at a slower speed. Washers are positioned between each pair of toothed rings and are free to move radially to prevent buildup of seeds, buttons, pieces of peel or other foreign matter on the toothed rings.