Abstract: A food processing device includes a base portion with a motor housing upwardly extending from a first end of the base portion. A motor is disposed within the motor housing. A processing assembly extends upwardly from a second end of the base portion and is spaced-apart from the motor housing to define a processing area therebetween. An auger assembly includes an auger shaft that is operably coupled to the motor for driving rotational movement of the auger shaft. A clutch assembly is disposed within the motor housing and is operable between engaged and disengaged positions with the auger assembly. A disconnect feature is disposed on the motor housing and configured to selectively actuate movement of the clutch assembly between engaged and disengaged positions with the auger assembly. In use, a food substrate is mounted to the processing accessory and the auger shaft to process the food substrate.

Abstract: A machine for cutting fruit or vegetables into segments, including a blade group (10), at least one of which is arranged with a radial orientation relative to a central axis (X); a presser (20) arranged above the blade group (10) and mobile according to an operating stroke along which it pushes a product (P) through the blades (10); a motor, connected to the presser (20) for activating it along an operating stroke thereof. The presser (20) includes a central body (21), connected to the motor; a peripheral body (22), arranged concentrically to the central body (21) and mobile relative to the central body (21) between a first and a second end position.

Abstract: In one respect, the invention is a coring machine for removing portions of food item blanks, the coring machine including a plate assembly for holding the food item blanks and a pair of coring assemblies, each having a plurality of coring bits that are aligned with passages in the plate assembly.

Abstract: A device for extracting zest from a fruit includes a body, a carrier coupled to the body, and a blade coupled to the body. The carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade and holds the fruit as the blade separates a portion of the flavedo from the pith of the fruit's peel to extract zest from the fruit. The device also includes an arm that urges the blade against the fruit's peel to generate contact pressure as the carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade, and that allows the blade to move toward and away from the carrier to accommodate the contour of the fruit's peel, which is often curved. The blade includes a plurality of teeth, each configured to cut a portion of the fruit's flavedo from the fruit's pith without separating the pith from the berry.

Abstract: In one respect, the invention is a coring machine for removing portions of food item blanks, the coring machine including a plate assembly for holding the food item blanks and a pair of coring assemblies, each having a plurality of coring bits that are aligned with passages in the plate assembly.

Abstract: Nitro-compounds are hydrogenated with an activated Ni catalyst whose Ni/Al alloy also contained one or more elements from the list of Cu, Ag and Au prior to activation. In combination with the Group IB elements mentioned above, this catalyst can also be doped with other elements via their addition to the Ni/Al alloy prior to activation and/or they can be adsorbed onto the surface of the catalyst either during or after the activation of the alloy. The suitable doping elements for the alloy prior to activation in combination with the group IB elements mentioned above are one or more of the elements from the list of Mg, Ti, Ce, Cr, V, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Co, Tr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt and Bi. The suitable doping elements that may be adsorbed onto the surface of the catalyst that was previously doped in the alloy prior to activation with the group IB elements mentioned above are one or more elements from the list Mg, Ca, Ba, Ti, Ce, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Ni, Cu, Ag, Au and Bi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melon cutting apparatus that cuts a melon portion or melon half. The apparatus cuts the melon pulp into sections, and removes the rind from the pulp. The apparatus includes a base having an opening; a cutting matrix that has a plurality of blades, wherein the cutting matrix communicates with the opening. The apparatus also includes a sweeping blade that is curved and positioned at or near the cutting matrix and is used to cut the rind from the melon pulp. The apparatus further includes an actuator that engages the sweeping blade. The apparatus embodies an arm attached to the apparatus, and a pressure cap that is mounted to the arm, opposite the cutting matrix. Additionally, the present invention pertains to systems and methods of using the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fruit. The apparatus includes a frame, at least first and second cutting stations, at least one receptacle in which the fruit is received that includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, and a conveyor that conveys the receptacle from the first cutting station to the second cutting station. The frame includes a kicker. In use, the object is cut along its vertical axis at the first station, the receptacle is then rotated about its vertical axis as a result of one of the extensions contacting the kicker, and the object is cut at the second station.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing apples is provided. The slicer utilizes thinner blades than known in the art, with a thickness less than 300 microns, and preferably between 180 and 220 microns. Each of the thinner blades is supported against bending, warping or twisting by a novel clinch buckle which rigidly supports the outer end or ends of each blades. The clinch buckle is rigidly connected to bent tabs formed at the outer end or ends of each blade and supports the outer ends across the full width of the blades. The clinch buckle is supported by an outer blade support ring and is captured by the outer support ring to prevent rotation of the clinch buckle. The thinner blade reduces cell damage, reduces the amount of sealant or neutralizer needed to slow or prevent oxidation of enzymes released from cells ruptured by slicing, and delays the onset of browning. A serrated blade is used to further reduce the extent of cell damage.

Abstract: A peeling and slicing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a corer consisting of a cutting cylinder, a peel removing ring and a plunger. The cylinder is forced into a piece of fruit to produce a core and the ring moves relative to the cylinder to separate the peel from the core. The plunger then moves into the cylinder to push the core from the cylinder. A holder is provided for receiving the core. The holder has first and second components which are moveable relative to one another so that the core is clamped in the holder and may be released from the holder after the core has been sliced. The holder has a plurality of fingers which are spaced apart so that slicing blades can enter the spaces between the fingers to slice the core. The cylinder may have segmenting blades and may be mounted for rotation about its axis to facilitate cutting into the fruit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melon cutting apparatus that cuts a melon portion or melon half. The apparatus cuts the melon pulp into sections, and removes the rind from the pulp. The apparatus includes a base having an opening; a cutting matrix that has a plurality of blades, wherein the cutting matrix communicates with the opening. The apparatus also includes a sweeping blade that is curved and positioned at or near the cutting matrix and is used to cut the rind from the melon pulp. The apparatus further includes an actuator that engages the sweeping blade. The apparatus embodies an arm attached to the apparatus, and a pressure cap that is mounted to the arm, opposite the cutting matrix. Additionally, the present invention pertains to systems and methods of using the apparatus.

Abstract: A double blade peeling device for vegetable and fruit comprises a handle attached to a vegetable and fruit retaining member and a body of screw, the handle can drive internal gears to rotate, so as to make the retaining member and the body of screw to rotate as well. The body of screw, which is provided with two screw threads, drives upper and lower blade carriers to move upward and downward oppositely, such that the blades mounted on the upper and lower blade carriers move downward and upward respectively, contact the rotating food frictionally, and peel vegetable or fruit from upside and underside simultaneously. When two blade carriers move to the intermediate position to complete the peeling action, the two blade carriers open through wedge in blade carrier devices, two blades leave the surface of food, the lower blade carrier devices disengage with the body of screw. The body of screw drives upper blade carrier device to press the lower blade carrier device to move downward unceasingly.

Abstract: An automated high volume coring machine having a frame, a lifting device, a coring station, and a programmable controller. The lifting device having a scoop for lifting the produce into the coring station. The coring station having removing the skin and core of the produce.

Abstract: A produce slicer 10 for slicing produce is disclosed. The produce slicer includes a frame (12) defining a cavity (16) having a central axis (22). A plurality of radial cutting blades (20) are disposed in the cavity, wherein each of the radial cutting blades are substantially contained by an imaginary plane, wherein the imaginary planes of the radial cutting blades extend radially outward from the central axis toward the frame. The produce slicer (10) further includes a plurality of ancillary cutting blades (24) extending inward from the frame (12) and into the cavity (16). Each ancillary cutting blade intersects at least one of the radial cutting blades at a location between the frame and the central axis. The ancillary cutting blades may include a first series (50) of blades located substantially perpendicularly to a second series (52) of blades. The radial cutting blades may intersect the ancillary cutting blades at an oblique angle.

Abstract: Automatic pear processing machine, performing the operations of singularizing the pears, picking them up from a container (2), peeling and coring them, and separating the edible parts, wherein the improvement consists, besides other things, in providing elements (14, 25, 26, 27, 20) allowing to immediately reject pears of irregular form, which would necessarily lead to waste material, and moreover, in providing holes (46, 53) of very small diameters, on the blades (44, 45) used for cutting the pears into segments. The holes (46, 43) of very small diameter, or “microholes”, allow to inject a fluid, so as to ensure the detachment of the core from both halves of the pears, and the detachment of these parts from the blades (44, 45).

Abstract: An improved cutter blade assembly for cutting vegetable products such as potatoes. The cutter blade assembly utilizes a number of cutter blades that transverse an axial bore through which products to be cut are fed. These blades are locked within the assembly by an attachment system that partially deforms the blade to hold the blade in place. This improved attachment connection system serves to hold the blade in a position having higher tension and thereby reduces wear, chatter, and feathering.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for sectioning produce into substantially equal pieces. A produce slicer is provided for sectioning the produce into substantially even wedges, the produce slicer includes a base unit for supporting a piece of produce and a slicing unit having an array of spaced apart blades for partitioning the piece of produce. The base unit further includes a plurality of individual support members that operate to force the piece of produce through the blade array and to guide the slicing unit during a slicing operation. The base unit and the slicing unit are designed to congruently mate, such that the blades of the blade array pass through the piece of produce and between the individual support members of the base unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing produce includes a base having a cradle for receiving the produce which is to be processed, and a reciprocating head which cooperates with the cradle and which includes one or more blades for operating upon the produce which is positioned in the cradle. A single blade is positioned for alignment with center portions of the produce to sever the core membrane of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. An opposing pair of blades are positioned for alignment with end portions of the produce for removal of the end portions of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. The base of the apparatus further preferably includes a retaining element which extends over the cradle for receiving the produce, for maintaining the produce in the cradle during operations of the apparatus on the produce.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dicing garlic, or similar vegetables. Said device comprises an inner section (2) which has a receiving chamber with a cutting grid (6) located at one end, an upper housing section (3) which can close the other end of the receiving chamber and has a plunger (9) and comprises a housing body (1) with a blade (7), in which the inner section (2) is accommodated in a rotating manner and thread elements which cause the plunger (9) to be driven into and out of the receiving chamber of the rotating section (2) as a result of a twisting motion of the upper housing section (3). The thread elements can be engaged or disengaged using adjustment elements (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrial machine used to process a lot of pears, and its object is to obtain an end-item which can be readily stored in vases or containers, or utilized to prepare fruit salads, confectionery products, etc. The work cycle of the machine starts with the automatic collection of the pears from a basin, their successive orientation, the removal of the stem and the related woody part, up to the central core, the external peeling, the removal of the flower, the end cutting, the removal of the central core, and finally the cutting into segments, all of which is done automatically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in a chamfering machine for chamfering blocks of vegetable such as carrots or potatoes. A conventional vegetable block chamfering machine uses a chamfering blade having a crank-like axle integrally connected thereto with its opposite handles aligned with the blade edge, permitting the chamfering blade to rotate freely about its opposite handles. An improved chamfering machine according to the present invention is free of any kind of malfunction as would be often caused in the conventional chamfering machine, and is capable of chamfering blocks of vegetable effectively. A chamfering blade is placed in the path in which a selected block of vegetable is transported, the edge of the chamfering blade being directed to the vegetable block. The chamfering blade is integrally connected to a blade axle, which is placed in engagement with guide and the blade axle is fixed to one end of a swingable rod. A vegetable carrier is placed in front of the chamfering blade.

Abstract: A garlic cutter comprising a housing bearing a cutting blade (8) at its underside and further comprising an upper part (2) with a punch (12) affixed thereto. The upper part when in the operational state and during rotation relative to the housing (6) carries out an axial displacement relative to the co-rotating cutting grid (5b). In order to achieve speed in operation following filling of the garlic cutter, so that the latter gently mince the fruit and also be rapidly reopenable and cleanable, an inner structure (7) receiving the garlic is rotatably supported in the housing (6) and comprises a cutting grid (5b) entered by the punch (12) mounted to a spindle (4). A coupling nut (3) can be mounted on the housing (6), that in the operational state assure engagement with the spindle (4) and that in the open state allows longitudinal displacement of the spindle (4).

Abstract: A food wedger for slicing food such as apples into wedge shaped segments and coring the food comprises a frame having a base that supports a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly comprises a plurality of cutter blades radiating outwardly and upwardly from a central ring in an inverted cone-shaped radial array. The blades are fixed to the central ring and, are fixed at the periphery of the assembly to a peripheral support ring. A tapered segmented pusher having radial slots and a central pin is mounted for selective advancement through the cutter assembly. When so advanced, the blades of the assembly pass through the slots and the central pin of the pusher passes through the central ring of the cutter assembly. Food to be wedged is placed in the cutter assembly and the pusher is advanced through the cutter to force the food past the blades, which cuts the periphery of the food into wedge-shaped segments. The core of the food is, at the same time, cut away by the central ring.

Abstract: A pear processing method and apparatus is provided which includes several mechanisms for properly orienting the pear prior to coring, peeling and seed celling of the pear. Each pear is tumbled between a pair of orienting rolls to a position wherein the stem of the pear is oriented downwardly. Whiskers on one of the rolls speed up this orienting of the pear. A friction clutch on the other roll helps maintain the pear in its proper position, once the proper alignment has been attained. The pear is dropped downwardly into a transfer cup having four resilient fingers which tend to orient the pear. The pear is then pushed out of the transfer cup downwardly into a feed cup having a concave receptacle for centering the stem of the pear and three upwardly extending arms which grasp and center the blossom end of the pear. The pear is then transferred to a station wherein the pear is cored and thereafter peeled and seed celled simultaneously. The stem and blossom are also trimmed.

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly for cutting a product, such as a carrot, into a plurality of finished end products, such as carrot sticks, comprises a blade holder and a first and second blade group disposed within the blade holder. The blade holder has a longitudinal passage formed therein. The first blade group comprises a plurality of first blades radially disposed about the longitudinal passage for cutting a first group of finished end products from the product as the product is advanced through the longitudinal passage. The second blade group comprises a plurality of second blades radially disposed about the longitudinal passage and angularly displaced with respect to the first blades. The second blades cut a second group of finished end products from the product as the product is further advanced through the longitudinal passage. Since both the first and second blades produce finished end products, the utilization of the product is maximized, and the amount of waste generated from the product is minimized.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of blades, an inner guide having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, an outer guide having a longitudinal axis and inner and outer surfaces, and a plurality of blade drive means for rotating each of the blades to cut the fruit into the desired shape. Both the inner and outer guides have a plurality of longitudinally extending apertures equal to the number of blades. The apertures are disposed in each guide's outer surface and each aperture in a guide's surface is circumferentially spaced from each other aperture in that guide surface. The apertures in the outer guide are also arranged such that they are aligned with the inner guide apertures. The inner guide is spaced from the outer guide inner surface to form a longitudinally extending annular aperture. The blades are disposed such that a portion of each blade extends through each outer guide aperture and into the annular aperture.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting an object such as a citrus fruit includes an outer casing containing a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a first cutting blade extending radially outwardly from the central axis to a side wall of the casing and cuts the fruit so as to completely sever one portion thereof from another. A second cutting blade extends outwardly radially from the central axis towards the side wall of the casing, but does not reach the side wall. The second cutting blade partially severs one portion of the object from another. In use, fruit if forced over the cutting assembly. A scooping device is provided which generally comprises a hemispherical-shaped scooping member with a dome and a substantially circular edge which forms a cutting blade. The scooping device has a shaft extending outwardly from a point on the outer surface so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the scooping member thereby removing the edible inner portion of the fruit.

Abstract: A food cutting apparatus for making multiple radial cuts in a work piece such as an onion has a cutter assembly formed as a truncated cone by a plurality of radially extending cutter blades. The cutter assembly cuts through the work piece until it encounters stops which prevent it from passing completely through the work piece. Ejector members are provided for separating the cutter assembly from the work piece after the cutting operation.

Abstract: A vegetable cutting machine comprising a vegetable feeder which includes a vertically upstanding cylindrical tube (2) and a vegetable press-feed device in the form of a plate (4) which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tube and is movable linearly in relation to the tube, wherein the plate can be swung away from the top orifice of the tube so as to allow vegetation to be inserted into the tube for disintegration in the machine, and wherein a cutting tool comprising a disc provided with one or more knives is mounted adjacent the bottom orifice of the tube. The invention is characterized in that the machine further includes a drill (10) which is nonrotatably mounted on a driven shaft (8) in the centre of said disc (5); in that the drill (10) is conically configured with the cone apex directed away from the disc; and in that the drill lands (11) have the form of relatively thin and radially projecting flanges.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting an objection such as a citrus fruit includes a cutting assembly and an outer casing about the cutting assembly. The casing is generally cylindrical having a central axis, and has open ends. The cutting blade assembly includes a first cutting blade extending radially outward from the central axis to a sidewall of the casing, the first cutting blade cutting the fruit in a manner so as to completely sever one portion thereof from another. The cutting assembly further includes a second cutting blade extending outwardly radially from the central axis toward the sidewall of the casing, but not reaching the sidewall, the second cutting blade cutting the object in a manner so as to partially sever one portion of the object from another. In use, the fruit is introduced into the cutting device at the first open end, is forced over the cutting assembly, and exits the cutting device at the second end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pitting olives and then slicing the pitted olives. In a preferred embodiment, each olive is carried in a cup positioned between a coring knife and a pitting knife in a manner so that the longitudinal axes of the cup and the knives coincide. As the cup and knives rotate around a drive shaft along parallel circular paths, a system of cams extends and retracts the knives relative to the cup, in order to pit the olive. After the pitting operation, the cup (containing a pitted olive) continues to rotate along its circular path past a set of slicing knives. The slicing knives are oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the cup's circular path, so that the slicing knives act as wedges to sever the olive cleanly into slices as the cup translates past the slicing knives. In the inventive method and apparatus, both the pitting and slicing operations are performed on each olive while the olive is held in a known orientation.

Abstract: A pineapple cutter is provided with a cylindrical body 1 having a cutter edge 1a at the circumference end portion of the lower end, a pair of handles 5, 5 connected to the outer surface of said cylindrical body, a pressing sheet mounted on the inner portion of said cylindrical body 3 slidably in the vertical direction, and a pushing member secured to the upper portion of the cylindrical body connected with the pressing sheet.A pineapple is cut by being inserted into said cylindrical body 1.

Abstract: A pineapple cutter consists of a cylinder, a cutter portion and a pair of handles. In this case, the cylinder is adapted to punch an outer peel and an interior of the pineapple so as to separate both portions. The cutter portion is secured to the outer side of the cylinder and is adapted to cut the outer side peel of pineapple longitudinally. The pair of handles is secured to a supporting plate extends from the cutter portion integrally.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for use in cutting vegetable products, such as potatoes and the like, into a longitudinally extending central core and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer strips having a generally arcuate cross section. The cutting assembly is mounted along an hydraulic flow path defined by an inlet pressure conduit for passage of the product one at a time at a relatively high velocity into cutting engagement with a core knife and a plurality of strip knives and for separation of the core and the outer strips for respective flow along an inner core discharge conduit and a concentric outer strip discharge conduit. The cutting assembly is supported within an assembly housing between the inlet conduit and the discharge conduits with the core knife having a cylindrical shape for mounting at the upstream end of the core discharge conduit and defining a circular leading cutting edge along the axis of the flow path.

Abstract: A method and machine for processing pineapples by sequentially drilling a central hole, cutting off the upper end, transferring the pineapple to a peelng spindle, indexing the pineapple on the spindle through a series of peeling stations, cutting off the bottom end, rotating the spindle a single turn at each peeling station adjacent an array of rotating cutters to remove spaced bands from the outer surface of the pineapple while maintaining the original ovoid shape of the pineapple, pushing the peeled pineapple through a rotating circular knife to form the pineapple into a cylinder and an outer blanket, and removing the remaining fibrous core prior to discharge. The outer blanket, frequently termed the "crush blanket", is useful as such rather than as merely a source of juice.

Abstract: A machine is provided for splitting a pear which has been previously cored and peeled into two or more segments. The machine comprising a first spindle upon which the pear is cored and peeled after which the pear is pushed by a pusher means on to a second coaxial movable spindle which pivots away from the axis of the first spindle and into alignment with a stationary knife where a second pusher pushes the pear off of the second spindle and through the knife thereby cutting the pear into segments while the first spindle is accepting a second pear.