Abstract: Tomatoes are placed on parallel cutter blades (20) in article openings (46) of an article positioning plate (44). Alternate blades are oscillated in arcuate paths in opposite direction as article pushers (24) move downwardly, pushing the tomatoes through the parallel cutter blades (20). The end slices of the tomatoes are gathered separately in the collectors (96) and are later discarded, while the intermediate slices are received in a transfer plate (78). Gathering plates (100) urge the intermediate slices of the several tomatoes together in one accumulation of tomato slices, and the transfer plate (78) is lowered to a position immediately above the shipping containers (80) and opened to deposit the tomatoes in the shipping containers. A fluid spray nozzle (75) may be positioned to emit a spray of gas or liquid between the fins of the pushers and/or toward the cutter blades (20) and toward engagement with the tomatoes for sterilizing, cleaning, or other treatment of the tomatoes and the adjacent surfaces.

Abstract: Tomatoes are placed on cutting blades (20) in article openings (46) of an article positioning plate (44). The blades are moved as article pushers (24) move downwardly and engage the upper facing surfaces of the tomatoes, pushing the tomatoes through parallel cutting blades (20). The end slices (30 and 40) are gathered in end collectors (96) and discarded while the intermediate slices (42) are received in transfer tray (72). Gathering plates (100) urge the intermediate slices of the several tomatoes to gather in one accumulation of tomato slices, and the transfer tray (72) is lowered to a position immediately above shipping containers (74) and tilted to deposit the tomatoes in the containers.

Abstract: When it has been attempted to dry wet polymeric particles in hot air at up to 100.degree. C. it has tended to produce discoloration in the product, introduce aggregates into the product, reduce the dispersibility of the product and reduce the integrity of the surface of the particles. A process of drying has now been developed which comprises heating to an elevated temperature the wet particles in an atomsphere substantially free of oxygen gas so that substantially all of the moisture is removed from association with said particles and under such conditions of time and temperature that any substantial deterioration of said particles is minimized. Preferably the atmosphere is of nitrogen.