Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for filling a central open space in a jar. The apparatus includes a base, an indexing station including a magazine, a blade, and a first actuator, a filling station including cartridges, and a second actuator. The magazine is rotatably mounted to the base. The platform of the cutting station is configured to receive a whole cucumber at a loading area and is incrementally indexed to reposition the whole cucumber from the loading area to a cutting area above the blade. The first actuator is configured to urge the whole cucumber through the blade and cut the whole cucumber into spears. The spears drop into and are held by one of the cartridges. The second actuator is configure to push at least one of the spears out from the cartridge into the central open space of the jar.

Abstract: A thrust-type food cutting apparatus that includes a blade set, food product pusher, and a manually operated pusher arm having a self-stable resting-open position in which the food product pusher is spaced from the blade set to allow a user to load the cutting apparatus with food product to be cut. In an embodiment, the cutting apparatus includes a chassis and a pivoting link linking the pusher arm to the chassis to provide the pivot arm with a movable fulcrum pivot that enables the self-stable resting-open pusher arm position. A thrust-type food product cutting apparatus of the present disclosure may include a blade set, a food product pusher, and a retractable food product stabilizer that stabilizes food product loaded into the cutting apparatus and retracts as the food product pusher moves toward the blade set. Such a retractable food product stabilizer may be integrated with a self-stabilizing pusher arm mechanism.

Abstract: A knockout method for knocking out a cluster (30) of lost-pattern metal castings (32), the cluster of castings being formed in a shell (1), wherein at least one knife is moved by means of a machine without making contact with the cluster in such a manner that the knife engages the shell, breaks it into a plurality of fragments, and detaches at least a portion of the shell from the cluster; a machine for performing the method.

Abstract: A meat cutter, a blade head and an associated cutter blade (11, 12) are provided to reduce the complexity with respect to assembly and disassembly and the diversity of the parts, and the potential danger during assembly and disassembly. This is achieved according to the invention by providing the blade foot (2) of the cutter blade (1, 11, 12) with a toothing structure (8) with projections (9) and recesses (10), which point towards the drive shaft (19) and by means of which the cutter blade (11, 12) can be positioned in a rotationally secure manner in a matching toothing structure (14), by being pushed on in the axial direction.

Abstract: A rotating blade food preparation device (10) for cutting, shaving, slicing, and peeling, vegetables and fruits, cheese, tofu, bread, and other food products, includes a handle (12), a frame element (16) connected to the handle (12), and a rotating blade assembly (28) operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly (28) has one or more cutting elements (30) for cutting, slicing, shaving and peeling fruits, vegetables, cheese and other foods. The rotating blade assembly (28) is operably secured to the frame (16) by a shaft (18) allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame (16), and fixing the rotating blade assembly (28) in a desired position for use.

Abstract: A slice blade assembly for various produce items is provided. A circular array of V-shaped blades is carried in an outer support ring. Each blade is held in place by a new non-welded block and nut which interlock with bent tabs formed at the tips of each blade. Each blade is adjustable since each blade is bendable at its apex. Each worn or damaged blade may be removed and replaced without replacing the block and nut that support the blade.

Abstract: A device for cutting, peeling and slicing avocados and other fruits and vegetables includes a handle, a frame element connected to the handle, and a rotating blade assembly operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly has one or more cutting elements for cutting, slicing and peeling. The rotating blade assembly is operably secured to the frame by a shaft allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame, and fixing the rotating blade assembly in a desired position for use.

Abstract: A fruit cutter includes a fixed seat, and a cutting device movable relative to the fixed seat. The cutting device includes a movable seat and a blade unit. The blade unit includes a plurality of cutting blades. The cutting blades have an intersection provided with a sharp tapered drilling portion. Each of the cutting blades has a mediate portion provided with a concave guide edge. Thus, the drilling portion of the cutting blades is inserted into the central portion of the fruit to pierce the fruit, while the cutting blades of the blade unit extend from the central portion toward the rim of the fruit to cut and separate the fruit by guidance of the guide edge of each of the cutting blades, so that the fruit is cut into multiple parts easily and quickly.

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 fruit seed removing device includes a body, a sleeve, a button, a positioning block, a toggle, a pull rod, a connecting block and a knife. By pulling a hand of a pull rod, the pull rod will drive the knife to move inwards or expand outwards. Then the button is rotate through an angle to drive the positioning block to rotate. Then the pull rod is tightened and positioned. Therefore, the size of a ring for removing seeds is set. The adjustment of the size of the ring can be performed quickly and easily according to the range of the seeds in a fruit. Thereby no pulp will adhere to the user's hand. The operation is retained in clean state and can be performed easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A melon cutter includes a cutting basket which has a plurality of arched wire cutters which extend to a central member. The cutter includes a melon holder which can be forced down towards the cutting head. A melon half placed on the cutting head is then forced by the holder down against the cutting elements. The cutting basket is then rotated about 30°-45° to effectively separate melon meat from the melon rind. The melon pieces then fall into a bowl below the cutting basket.

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: 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 tool for use on an avocado, for separating the meat of an avocado from its skin while simultaneously cutting the meat into separate slices, comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and a frame mounted at one end of the handle. The frame has a cutter fastener portion and a handle fastening portion operably secured to the handle and extending away therefrom. A plurality of cutting elements are operably positioned on the frame. An elongated adjustment element extends through the handle and into the frame. A first end of the elongated adjustment element is secured to the plurality of cutting elements and a second end is secured to a rotatable adjustment knob. Fastening elements are slidably secured to the cutter fastener portion of the frame and to the handle fastening portion of the frame allowing the cutter fastening portion of the frame and the handle fastening portion of the frame to be adjusted in relationship to each other.

Abstract: A tool for use on an avocado, for separating the meat of an avocado from its skin while simultaneously cutting the meat into separate slices, comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and cutting rings are mounted at one end of the handle. The cutting rings including a pair of ring element operably secured to the handle and extending away therefrom. The pair of ring elements comprise an inner ring and outer ring formed from a continuous band. The inner ring has an elongated guide slot operably positioned therein, and the outer ring has an elongated guide slot operably positioned therein and in operably alignment with the elongated guide slot of the inner ring and extending therethrough. The inner ring includes a set element having a centrally positioned aperture therethrough and adapted for releasably securing and receiving the second end of the handle.

Abstract: A combination can crusher, juicer and slicer having a main housing with a vertically adjustable cutting blade holder or can holder and a ratcheted lever adapted to raise and lower a pressure plate into contact with either a can disposed in the holder or a cutting blade retained in the holder. Moving the pressure plate, which will vary depending on the operation desired, downwardly against a can disposed in the holder crushes the same. Moving the pressure plate downwardly against a mating cutting blade cuts a fruit or vegetable therebetween. Moving the pressure plate downwardly against a mating juicer assembly juices a vegetable or fruit disposed therebetween and juices the same.

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 device for subdividing a workpiece, typically a citrus fruit, into segments. The device comprises a blade support structure having an opening with a plurality of blades sharpened on two edges projecting from the circumferential surface of the opening toward the middle to juxtapose attacking points and edges forming a channel through which a plunger mechanism urges the workpiece into contact with the attacking points and sharpened edges thereby subdividing the workpiece into segments.

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 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 peeler (10) is provided for peeling articles (50) such as oranges. The peeler (10) comprises a cylindrical member (12) which will cut a major portion of the article (50) by plunging thereinto. The portion cut will be within the cutting member (12) with the peel on the outside of the cutting member (12). A moveable member (20) is provided to push the portion from within the cutting member (12). A peel removing member (18) is provided to remove the peel from the outside of the cutting member (12). The ends of the portion can have the peel removed therefrom by slicing menas (149) either before or after the portion is cut from the article.

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 or water jet cutters. The slicing elements are oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the cup's circular path, so that the slicing elements will sever the olive cleanly into slices as the cup translates past them. 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 juicing apparatus includes a conveyor for delivering citrus fruit to the top of a truncated cone. The top of the cone defines a circular knife with a tube extending concentrically from the circular knife and through the convex cone. The fruit is centered on the convex cone by deflectable centering supports. A plurality of radially aligned knives are directed toward the upper portion of the convex cone. A concave cone is movably disposed over the fruit and over the convex cone. Downward movement of the concave cone causes a central cylindrical plug to be cut from each fruit and gently juiced in the tube extending from the circular knife. Further downward movement of the concave cone urges the fruit into the radially aligned knives and cuts the fruit into sections that can be squeezed and wiped against the outer surface of the convex cone.

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 centering and aligning tube for use in hydraulic food cutting apparatus, said tube including a rigid outer housing and a resilient liner insertable into the housing, the liner constructed of resilient material and preferably provided with a plurality of evenly spaced, radially inward and longitudinally extending ribs operable to engage the food product, such as a potato, for alignment and centering thereof relative to a cutter. The ribs are preferably tapered from entrance to a location adjacent the exit of the liner. A resilient annular seal with an opening for passage of the food product, such as a raw potato, is provided adjacent the exit end of the liner to increase the exit speed of the potato and to restrict fluid use for greater efficiency. An inner tube engaging the inner most surface of the ribs may optionally be provided.

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: An apple coring apparatus (10) includes a first arm (16) which is pivotally connected to a base plate (12). A lever arm (20) is pivotally connected to the first arm (16). A sliding tube (36) is mounted on a guide rod (38) which is mounted normal to the base plate (12). A tubular knife (30) is pivotally connected to the lever arm (20). A blade (34) is rigidly connected to the tubular knife (30) and to the sliding tube (36). A blocking arm (54) is pivotally mounted to the plate (12) and rigidly connected to a handle (58). The blocking arm (54) includes a notch (54a) which is positioned to receive a pin (24) mounted longitudinally on the lever arm (20). When the lever arm (20) is forced downward, the pin (24) is received in the notch (54a) and the downward travel of the lever arm (20) is blocked.

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: In prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,586,081, 3,586,151 and 3,869,974, machines are disclosed for orienting an apple along the axis of its central core. The oriented apple was impaled on a fork and rotated while being processed. The machine herein disclosed cuts the apple into a plurality of rings and thereafter removes the core so that when the apple is released, one has a plurality of annular apple segments which are useful in decorating salads and the like.

Abstract: Whole beets are graded by size and fed one at a time to a bank of beet cutting assemblies. The whole beets are cut into a cylindrical plug member and a plurality of segment members. The plug members and segment members are separated by a suitable grading mechanism. The segment members are removed from the apparatus for further processing. The plug members are transported to a beet plug heating apparatus wherein they are heated to approximately 160.degree. F. The heated beet plugs are transported to a beet slicing apparatus wherein they are sliced into circular disc-shaped slices. The slices are removed from the apparatus for further processing.

Abstract: Pepper coring and slicing apparatus including a conveyor having individual pepper holding devices for holding peppers with the stem portion upward, a processing station for coring and splitting the peppers, and a discharge station where the peppers are ejected from the pepper holders and dropped onto a conveyor for further processing. The conveyor includes a pair of adjacent plates for holding each pepper by means of a resilient rubber structure half of which is carried on each plate of the pair and between which the pepper is disposable with the bottom of the pepper seated in an opening between the two plates. When the conveyor moves the pepper into the processing station, a pair of side cutting blades and a corer descend from above to core the pepper and slice through the pepper sides while a second slicing knife rises from below through the hole between the conveyor plates and cuts the center of the pepper beneath the core. The core is stripped from the corer and remains with the pepper.

Abstract: A device for cutting out and extracting the pulp from a vegetable or fruit, particularly a pineapple, while leaving the peel or rind intact for later use. The device has a central coring tube depending from a handle and secured for rotation therewith. The coring tube enables the pulp to be severed from the hard, fibrous core of the fruit or vegetable as it is displaced axially. A vertically cutting blade also depends from the handle and is spaced radially from the axis of the device so that as the handle is rotated the cutting blade describes a cylindrical cut adapted to sever the pulp from a shell including the peel or rind. The device also comprises one or more radial cutting blades extending from the coring tube to the radial position of the vertical cutting blade depending on whether a cylindrical mass of pulp is desired or rather a stack of slices. A plurality of radial blades may be fixed to the coring tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sectioning oranges and other fruit which preferably has been previously cored and peeled. Fruit is positioned over a spindle and allowed to move preferably downwardly into a plurality of revolving, circular blades whose respective peripheries are in edge adjacent relationship to said spindle. The fruit in passing through these blades is sectioned. Blades can be offset from a radially extending relationship to said spindle if desired for obtaining oblique angles of sectionizing.

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.

Abstract: Apples which have been oriented, peeled and cored on the machine shown in U.S. Patent 3,586,081 are further processed to remove the fibrous carpel tissue providing the seed cell in the apple. Following removal of the seed cell, the apples may be discharged whole or passed through a slicing device to cut the apples into a plurality of segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skins from fruit (including vegetables) where the fruit has an elongated shape being substantially cylindrical or egg shaped, and which are particularly suitable for removing the skins from Chinese gooseberries (Actinidia Chinensis). The apparatus comprises a heated lye bath for loosening the fruit skin, washing means for removing the loosened skin and conveying means for separately conveying each fruit through the lye bath and the washing means. The conveying means comprises an endless drive loop having projecting dividers adapted to separate and propel each fruit in use. The apparatus includes guide means in the lye bath and through the the washing means defining a path followed by the fruit. The dividers tend to roll the fruit along said path when the fruits contact the guide means.