Abstract: A crop cart cleaning and unloading system for cleaning debris such as dirt and rocks from a crop as the crop is being transferred between a hopper of a crop cart and a transport vehicle. The crop cart cleaning and unloading system generally includes a hopper for receiving a crop such as potatoes. The hopper transfers the crop onto a cleaning bed on which the crop is cleaned of debris, with the debris falling underneath the cleaning bed. The crop is conveyed across the cleaning bed as it is cleaned, with the cleaned crop being transferred from the cleaning bed onto an unloading conveyor. The unloading conveyor then transfers the cleaned crop to another location to be discharged, such as directly into a transport vehicle for further transport and processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting element for a sorting device. The sorting element comprises a substrate from which a multitude of fingers project. The fingers are arranged on the substrate along a first helical line.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning crops, such as potatoes or beets, with adhering particles of soil and the like. The apparatus comprises a charging and or supply hopper with an opening at its underside from which the crops enter for cleaning; a housing with a cleaning region, wherein the crops are cleaned; a rotating screen drum rotating about an axis of rotation wherein the crops are cleaned; wherein the screen drum is arranged in the cleaning region; the axis of rotation of the rotating screen drum is inclined at an acute angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for washing and drying leaf products and more generically vegetables, comprising a frame (2), a centrifugation basket (3), a container (tank) (4) within which said centrifugation basket (3) is provided, a basin (6), communicating with said container (4) for inlet and discharge of washing water, said centrifugation basket (3) being pivoted on said frame (2) so as to rotate of about 180° from a working position to a discharge position, and vice versa, and means (7) for collection and removal of washed and dried product, said means being provided raised with respect to said centrifugation basket (3), in a position corresponding to the discharge position of the same centrifugation basket (3), being further provided driving means for said centrifugation basket permitting driving said basket (3) at at least two rotation speeds, respectively a washing speed and a drying speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for abrading the surface of objects are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber, an abrasive surface defining a wall of said chamber and drive means for moving the abrasive surface relative to the chamber. In use, the aforementioned relative movement promotes circulation of the objects within the chamber, wherein the chamber is shaped such that regions of flow stagnation of the objects within the chamber are avoided or minimized. Additionally or alternatively, the chamber may be shaped to approximate the peripheral flow path of the objects within the chamber.

Abstract: Device for separating the stalks of fruit such as cherries, grouped together in clusters, from one another at their joining point, includes at least one hydraulic circuit including a tank (1) receiving the fruit to be treated; a centrifugal pump (2) connected to the tank for sucking up the liquid and the fruit therefrom; and at least one filtration device (3) receiving the liquid and the fruit discharged by the pump and capable of separating the fruit from the liquid. The tank has a base (4) which converges downwards as far as a lower outlet orifice (5) of this tank. The pump includes a housing (7) and at least one pumping wheel (9) guided in rotation relative to the housing along an at least substantially vertical axis (10) of rotation, and the pump has an axial suction inlet (11) connected below the lower outlet orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for food handling, comprising a member for the support of a food item; and a covering for the member, wherein said covering is formed with an anti-microbial agent to retard the growth of microbes. In a particular embodiment, the covering comprises a foam padding.

Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.

Abstract: A combine having a variable speed drive that rotates at least one of a plurality of thrashing cylinders that thrash crops. Three of the thrashing cylinders have a gradually increasing number of flexible fingers that thrash the crops. The combine also includes a drum separator located downstream of the thrashing cylinders with respect to the direction of crop flow in the combine. The drum separator separates desirable portions of the crops and is part of a tailings return system. The combine also includes disk separators that are configured to minimize damage to desirable portions of the crops.

Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.