Abstract: An apparatus for preparing fruit includes a main housing with a cutting area containing a cutting assembly and a drive assembly, a removable cup assembly for inserting the fruit into the apparatus, and a removable drawer and tray for removing cut pieces of fruit from the apparatus after a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a rinsing assembly for cleaning the fruit and the cutting assembly, and a deflector configured to route cut pieces of fruit into the tray and waste material through a disposal outlet. The cutting assembly is configured to perform one or more cutting operations depending on the type of fruit detected in the cup assembly: wedging for apples, lemons, limes, and pears, and cutting/peeling for oranges and grapefruits. The apparatus quickly prepares various fruits for consumption without requiring an operator to touch the cut pieces of fruit.

Abstract: A continuous feed machine for trimming and separating plant material, the machine having one or more augers or conveyors for feeding plant material into a trommel barrel covered with mesh netting, adapted to include baffles between longitudinal sections of the trommel barrel, and sized for rotational speeds to so as to process the plant material as components of the plant material progress longitudinally through successive sections of the trommel barrel. The mesh netting trims plant material as it moves through the trommel barrel, with the trim falling through the mesh netting. One or more augers or conveyors may be used to remove trimmed plant material exiting an output end of the trommel barrel, and one or more augers or conveyors may be used to remove trim material from below one or more sections of the trommel barrel.

Abstract: Processor apparatus for collecting material adhering to surfaces of packages for processing as waste. The processor apparatus includes a cylindrical drum that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and provided with orifices to form a screen that retains the packages while allowing the material for collecting to pass through; and motor device for driving the rotary drum in rotation. The processor apparatus also includes an unclogging device for at least partially unobstructing the orifices while the cylindrical drum is rotating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming device having a removable cutting cartridge. A direct-drive motor is magnetically coupled to the cutting cartridge. The cutting cartridge houses a blade and a set of rotating blades. Plant parts are cut by the rotating blades across the razor. The cartridge is mounted on rails and has a handle to facilitate the ease of inserting and removing the cutting cartridge. Thereby, an old cutting cartridge is readily removed and replaced by a new cutting cartridge. Furthermore, the cutting cartridge can easily be removed for cleaning and later re-inserted back into the plant trimming device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a plant trimmer. The plant trimmer may separate leaves or other peripheral plant matter from a body portion of a plant. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a rotatable basket having a set of ribs separated by openings in a basket sidewall and a cutting assembly having at least one blade. The rotatable basket may be configured to spin in a first direction. The cutting assembly may be configured to spin parallel to the rotatable basket and in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Plant matter extending through one of the openings in the sidewall of the rotatable basket maybe sheared by a cutting face of the blade and a rib of the rotatable basket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing food products. The apparatus includes a casing, an impeller adapted for rotation within the casing, and a cutting device. The casing has axial and circumferential openings for product entering and exiting, respectively, the casing. The impeller includes a drum, paddles mounted to the drum, and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of paddles that are radially aligned with the circumferential opening of the casing as each pocket travels past the circumferential opening. The cutting device includes a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing and oriented perpendicular to the axis of the impeller. The knife lies on a sector of the casing and has a cutting edge located within an interior of the casing so that the knife extends into the path of the paddles and passes through relief slots defined in the paddles as the impeller rotates.

Abstract: A way of dealing with challenges to the pepper processing industry and pepper growers is to mechanize pepper processing, including the de-stemming of whole peppers. The present example provides a method for mechanically de-stemming whole peppers. The method provides for the recognition of a pepper's shoulder and or interior regions and stem in order to generate a control signal to initiate a process to de-stem the pepper. In particular, several implementations of the method are provided that may include a mechanical system, a laser system, a machine vision system, a combination of a machine vision system and the laser system, and other equivalent implementations. Additionally disclosed, are methods of processing whole peppers utilizing automated de-stemming.

Abstract: A plant processor, having: a) a rotatable drum for receiving plant matter, the rotatable drum having a plurality of slots; b) a rotatable cutting reel positioned below the rotatable drum, the cutting reel rotatable in the opposite direction of the drum; c) a cutting knife horizontally positioned below the top of the reel; the cutting knife maintained in position by one or more magnets, the cutting knife slidable along a slot in a frame of the processor by a rod extending above the knife; and d) a motor to rotate a shaft secured to the reel, the shaft having a groove to frictionally engage a ring, the ring supporting the drum, whereby rotation of the reel rotates the drum in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A system for trimming a lettuce head using a digital imaging system and cutting mechanism. The lettuce head is conveyed between a lower feed conveyor and an upper feed conveyor that is disposed a fixed distance over and substantially aligned with a lower feed conveyor. The digital imaging system is configured to capture an image of the lettuce head and determine a cutting profile using the image. The cutting mechanism is disposed over the lower feed conveyor and includes: a servo motor mechanically coupled to a drive shaft; an armature with a pivot end mounted to the drive shaft and a sweep end disposed a radial distance from the pivot end; a cutting nozzle, mounted to the sweep end of the armature, configured to trim the lettuce head; and servo-control circuitry configured to articulate the cutting nozzle through a cutting arc based on the cutting profile.

Abstract: A hulling device includes a cap, a pushing member, a spring between the cap and pushing member, and at least one nipper having two nipping members coupled to the pushing member and extending toward the cap. The nipping members are mutually shaped with the cap and slide contiguous respective contact regions of the cap to separate tips of the nipping members upon actuation of the pushing member. The separated tips can be inserted in a food item, such as a strawberry, and twisted and pulled to hull the food item. The user can release the pushing member when the tips are in the food item to improve gripping and severing the hull. The hulling device can also include a main body housing at least a portion of the pushing member, cap, spring, and first and second nippers, the main body being coupled to the cap, the pushing member, or both.

Abstract: A vegetative shredder and destemming apparatus that includes a shredding drum having a interior volume into which a harvested plant crop may be placed for processing. The drum includes a substantially cylindrical side with a plurality of openings and at least one brush roller disposed proximate the cylindrical side. A motor rotates the shredding drum and the brush rollers simultaneously. The apparatus employs centrifugal force to urge portions of the plant material into engagement with the drum's cylindrical side and the openings therethrough so as to allow bring the brush rollers to mechanically shred and destem the plant material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fruit feeding device, or fruit conveyor, for fruits like melons and pine-apples, which is used to supply peeling machines, coring machines, and peeling-coring machines with such fruits; the feeding device allows to work safely since it prevents the operator's hands from coming near the moving members, though the fruits are manually loaded on the fruit conveyor. In particular, it is suitable in those cases where the fruits have to be manually loaded because their automatic orientation is difficult and expensive to perform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement effected in the peeling and coring machines used for peeling and coring melons and pineapples, the improvements being that the machine: is able to indifferently peel one or the other type of fruit, after a simple replacement of a kit of sharp blades; is able to remove the peel (skin) of the fruit, by acting on the inside of the fruit; is able to separate the pips and the central part of melons which contains these pips, and to remove the fibrous inner stem of the pineapple.

Abstract: Vegetables, especially carrots, have both ends trimmed by this machine. The machine has an inclined table which forms a track and product guides in the form of troughs are attached to a belt so that the guides travel around the table when the belt is driven around the track. The guides are arranged with their long dimensions extending radially as they travel around the track. Carrots are fed into the trough-like guides at the upper side of the track and slide down the guides until they reach a stationary fence. The guides than travel past a blade which cuts off one end. As the guides continue to travel around the track, they change orientation so that the end of each guide which was at the top is then at the bottom, and the carrot slides to the other end of the guide before passing a second blade where the opposite end is cut off.

Abstract: A snipping apparatus includes a frame having an inlet end and an outlet end, a rotatable drum mounted in the frame, and a plurality of mounting rods fixed relative to the frame. The mounting rods extend between the inlet end and the outlet end and are aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drum. The snipping apparatus also includes a plurality of resilient rods, each resilient rod having a first end, a second end and a curved portion positioned between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of snipper knives, such that each of the knives is coupled to a free end of one of the resilient rods.

Abstract: A crop processing machine includes a transport mechanism for conveying a crop, a mounting assembly fixed with respect to the transport mechanism, and a knife assembly pivotally mounted with a 4-bar link to the mounting assembly, the knife assembly including a knife for trimming the crop as the crop is conveyed past the knife assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a bean sprout both end portions removing method for mechanically cutting and removing root portions and sprouting portions of bean sprouts. The method comprises a bean sprouts separating step to separate and remove undergrown bean sprouts, etc. from bean sprouts as harvested by a bean sprouts separating device (1), etc.

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: The invention relates to a device suited to peel pulpy fruits, like citrus fruits, mango, kiwi, papaya, apples, pears, and particularly oranges and other fruits whose skin has not a uniform thickness. The peeling of fruits whose skin has an uneven thickness is made possible by the fact that the inventive device is equipped with a mechanism capable of varying continuously—according to a program—the amount of projection of the peeling tool relative to the feeler device, in the peeling step. The device is applicable to any kind of peeling machine, or to a machine that foresees a peeling step.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vegetable delivery device for use in trimming roots and tops from bulbs such as onions. The device comprises a frame, a bottom conveyance means and a top conveyance means composed of a chain and gear system with a common synchronized drive. Concave cups are synchronously positioned in opposition to grasp and secure a vegetable as the conveyance means passes the vegetable to, through and past a cutting means. A wheel or skid means exerts a downward force against the top conveyance means proximal the cutting means as an additional manner of securing the vegetable as it passes the cutting means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine used for the industrial peeling of citrus fruits and specifically oranges. The only manual operation to be performed corresponds to the loading, since the orange must be oriented. The machine has a high productivity, and does not lead to production reject, since even the peel is recoverable. The machine can be realized in a form that includes a single production line, or in one which includes several simultaneously operating production lines.

Abstract: A preferred device for cleaning an ear of corn including at least one of shuck and silk includes a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface. A cob cleaner aperture arranged in the platform is configured to receive the ear of corn therethrough. A cleaning member extends into the cob cleaner aperture and is adapted to engage the ear of corn inserted into the cob cleaner aperture. The cleaning member is adapted to remove at least a portion of at least one of the shuck and silk as the ear of corn is rotated and engages the cleaning member. Methods of operation are also provided.

Abstract: A holder for mounting a knife assembly, e.g., as used in a bean snipper or similar device, to a mounting rod or similar structure. The holder includes first and second plate members which are moveably joined together at first ends thereof (e.g., in a hinged relation), and which are sized and shaped to contact the mounting rod at a plurality of points when closed together around the mounting rod such that the second ends of the plate members are brought together. A knife assembly, including a knife head and a knife rod, is attached to the knife holder by extending an end of the knife rod through knife rod apertures formed in one of the plate members until the end of the knife rod contacts a knife rod stop. The knife rod apertures position a portion of the knife rod adjacent to the mounting rod at a contact point.

Abstract: A holder for mounting a knife assembly, e.g., as used in a bean snipper or similar device, to a mounting rod or similar structure. The holder includes first and second plate members which are moveably joined together at first ends thereof (e.g., in a hinged relation), and which are sized and shaped to contact the mounting rod at a plurality of points when closed together around the mounting rod such that the second ends of the plate members are brought together. A knife assembly, including a knife head and a knife rod, is attached to the knife holder by extending an end of the knife rod through knife rod apertures formed in one of the plate members until the end of the knife rod contacts a knife rod stop. The knife rod apertures position a portion of the knife rod adjacent to the mounting rod at a contact point.

Abstract: A holder for mounting a knife assembly, e.g., as used in a bean snipper or similar device, to a mounting rod or similar structure. The holder includes first and second plate members which are moveably joined together at first ends thereof (e.g., in a hinged relation), and which are sized and shaped to contact the mounting rod at a plurality of points when closed together around the mounting rod such that the second ends of the plate members are brought together. A knife assembly, including a knife head and a knife rod, is attached to the knife holder by extending an end of the knife rod through knife rod apertures formed in one of the plate members until the end of the knife rod contacts a knife rod stop. The knife rod apertures position a portion of the knife rod adjacent to the mounting rod at a contact point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a root vegetable, such as a radish. The apparatus includes a hopper, a track, and a cutting mechanism. The hopper includes a reciprocating chute for providing a radish from a plurality of radishes to the track. As the radish travels down the track, the radish is properly positioned and orientated such that a tip portion of the radish is disposed between spiral threads in the track. If the radish is not properly oriented, air pressure is applied against the radish to remove the radish from the track. If the radish is properly oriented, it reaches the cutting mechanism having a pair of belts that frictionally engage the radish. As the radish travels through the cutting mechanism, the radish encounters a first blade which cuts a bottom portion from the radish.

Abstract: A continuous flighted conveyor belt (18) is fed product (12) from a transverse direction. As the belt moves the product forward, offset water jets (56) cause some of the items not seated in a flight (20) to be rotated and captured in the flights. Further movement brings the product (12) to a zone where water jets (72) force all items to one side against a registration plate (76). Excess product and items not captured are forced off the surface of the belt by water jets (62) and are carried away to be fed again. A cutting blade (84) is set an appropriate distance from the registration plate (76) to trim product captured and registered. The products are then forced across the width of the belt by repositioning water jets 102 and stop against a second registration plate (104). A belt (82) covering the top of the belt flights (22) prevents items from escaping through the top of the conveyor.

Abstract: A carrot processing machine having an accumulation well, an elevating conveyor (16), and sensing means (18, 20, 22, 24). Carrots are delivered into the well by a delivery conveyor and a constant head of carrots maintained by signals derived from a height sensing means controlling the delivery conveyor. The elevating conveyor (16) is provided with a series of pockets (28, 30, 32, 34) into which the carrots are urged by vibration of the well. Cutting blades (124, 126, 128, 130) are provided further along the conveyor for topping and tailing the carrots and segmenting them into short lengths. Endwise movement of the carrots (in their pockets) is achieved by engagement between transversely extending endless belts and the carrots in the conveyor pockets or by tilting the conveyor.

Abstract: A vegetable peeling and shaping machine has a preliminary cutting assembly for cutting off portions of a vegetable to produce a vegetable core insertable into a tube, and a main cutting assembly with a tube positioned to sequentially receive vegetable cores from the preliminary cutting assembly. A reciprocable plunger is operable to push the vegetable cores sequentially through the tube, the tube having a series of circumferentially spaced shaped slots therein, and a series of reciprocable non-rotatable cutter blades is circumferentially spaced around the tube. The cutter blades are shaped correspondingly to the slots in the tube and are movable from a position exterior to the tube through the slots into the tube to cut a vegetable core to form a vegetable product of the desired shape.

Abstract: An automatic mungbean sprout hulling and root-cutting apparatus includes a case which has a bean sprout inlet chute to receive bean sprouts transmitted by a conveyer of a transmission means. Bean sprouts then fall upon an inclined screen and are discharged out through a bean exhaust chute. An air ventilation means is disposed at the bottom of the case to send forced air pass through the reclined screen and to blow away light-weight bean hull from bean sprout. Bean hulls are discharged out through a bean hull exhaust exit. Bean sprouts fall on the screen by gravity force. The apertures on the screen can facilitate root-cutting function. Thus to serve the purpose of bean sprout hulling and root-cutting purpose. A screen vibration means can also be employed to further enhance the hulling and root-cutting effect.

Abstract: A pear processing methods 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: Machine comprising carriages (2) each provided with a rotatably mounted head supporting a gripping device (5) for grasping a lettuce in the suspended state below this carriage, and a closed-circuit conveying path (4) on which the carriages circulate, characterised in that the gripping device comprises, firstly, movable needles which slide between an extended position for grasping a lettuce and a position retracted inside the head, and, secondly, movable hooks which pivot at the end of the head between a spaced-apart position and a closed-together position for grasping the lettuce, these needles and hooks being placed in the active position to grasp a lettuce in different areas of the conveying path.

Abstract: Apparatus for top and tailing vegetables, for example carrots, comprises an endless flexible plastics material belt formed of inter-linked transverse links between which a drive wheel may rest. The belt is divided into compartments by interspaced modified links having upstanding molded walls over most of the width of the belt. The belt tilts from side to side on a wide support surface to tilt vegetables first one way and then the other. Knives operate in margins of the belt free of upstanding walls on vegetables which have been tilted towards them. Sidewalls for the belt which stop vegetables falling off it are absent in the region of the knives to allow detritus to fall easily away.

Abstract: A device removing the stem and blossom portions of fruit utilizing a support for the fruit which is capable of orienting the stem or the blossom portion of the fruit in an upright position. The support permits access to either the stem or blossom portion of the fruit and is spanned by a pair of fruit reamers. Each fruit reamer is capable of completely dressing out the stem and blossom portions of the fruit when the first and second reamers are brought toward one another.

Abstract: A bean snipper has a rotatable drum with a central passage extending therethrough which has an opening adapted to admit beans and an opening adapted to allow the exit of beans. The surface of the drum has portions defining a plurality of slots which extend circumferentially and which permit the beans inserted therein to protrude outwardly of the drum. A plurality of planar baffles are axially spaced within the drum and have portions defining a central passage for beans therein. A plurality of bean support rods extend between adjacent planar baffles and the rods are spaced radially inwardly from the drum surface and extend substantially perpendicularly to the baffles. The rods are adapted to support a bean with its end inserted in a slot. A snipper knife is located outside the drum and is adapted to snip the end of a bean protruding beyond the surface of the drum.

Abstract: In a cutting apparatus for a root and a stem of an onion, a plurality of first swing links composed of a plurality of parallel link rods and a plurality of second swing links composed of a plurality of parallel link rods are mounted to a machine frame for vertically angular movement. A first and second supports are mounted respectively to one ends of the respective first swing links and to one ends of the respective second swing links for angular movement. A first and a second cutting edges are provided respectively on the first and second supports in facing relation to each other for angular movement, with cutting planes of the respective first and second cutting edges maintained horizontal. A first and a second guides are arranged respectively at the first and second supports so as to project respectively from front parts of the respective first and second supports. Biasing means is arranged at the second swing links for moving the first and second cutting edges toward each other.

Abstract: In a bulb centering clamp apparatus, a plurality of first parallel swing links are angularly movable vertically and are mounted above a rotary table rotatable about a vertical axis. A plurality of second parallel swing links are angularly movable vertically and are mounted below the rotary table in facing relation to the first swing links. An upper gripper is movable angularly in facing relation to one ends of the respective first swing links. The upper gripper has a gripping surface maintained horizontal. A lower gripper is movable angularly in facing relation to one ends of the respective second swing links. The lower gripper has a gripping surface maintained horizontal. A first cam mechanism inlcudes a pair of cam followers and a pair of stationary cams, for moving the upper and lower grippers toward and away from each other. The cam followers are provided respectively at the other ends of the respective first and second swing links and are abutted respectively against the stationary cams.

Abstract: Garlic cloves to have their outer inedible skins removed are placed on a shake table which spreads them generally into a one-clove layer and moves them toward an exit edge. The cloves drop from shake table onto a sloped feed tray having a number of downwardly extending parallel troughs. Underneath each trough is a tube having a flexible cylinder secured to its lower end which receives cloves from its associated trough. A continuous belt driven along a path to present an upper surface has a number of openings within each of which an open-topped product cup is secured. The flexible cylinder contacts the belt surface and is closed off between product cups and released to feed cloves into the cups upon alignment therewith. A plate is spaced just above the belt and has openings through which nozzles extend to provide a timed blast of pressurized air into the cups for peeling the cloves. The outer skins are removed from the space above the belt by a suction fan.

Abstract: A cluster cutter apparatus and a snipping apparatus are similarly formed to increase the snipping efficiency of a bean processing line. Each apparatus includes a rotating drum having a circumferential slotted surface in combination with an internally elongated inclined orienting plate unit for orienting of the beans onto the lower interior periphery of the rotating drum. The plate unit may be an inclined fixed plate or a rotating paddle wheel and includes a plurality of plates which is located in the lower leading quadrant of the drum. The paddle wheel is rotated at an appropriate speed relative to the drum and contributes to a highly cost effective high volume bean processing system. The plate(s) supports the beans and provides gradual and controlled vertical transfer to the drum slots. The cluster cutter includes separating disc units to separate the clusters.

Abstract: A peeling machine intended for removing the outer skins of onions or other bulbous or tuberous plants comprising a holder (19) with one or more knives (20) for making a circumferential cut in the onions and at least one nozzle (21) for the infeed of compressed air or an other pressurized medium for removing the peelings. In order to increase the percentage of skins blown away, and to improve the peeling output without damage to the onions the nozzle (21) for the supply of compressed air is fitted in or on the knife holder (19) a short distance away from a knife (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for peeling bulbous plants, such as onions, the apparatus consisting substantially of cutting means for removing the tail and head of the bulb, incision means for making an incision into at least the outer skin of the bulb, friction means for removing the incised skin and a conveyor for carrying the bulbs series-wise along these means.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for the treatment of an elongated agricultural produce, such as vegetables, this device comprising an inner drum coaxial with the treatment drum and rotatably solid with the latter, the inner drum being provided with at least one strip which is wound in an helicoidal manner around its axis like at least one screw thread and with radial walls extending in a parallel direction to the longitudinal axis of the drum while being angularly spaced from one another so as to delimit, with the turns of the helicoidal strip, compartments for receiving and transporting the treated produce.

Abstract: Stemming machine, particularly for horticultural products, comprising a conveyor belt composed of a plurality of individual containers which are swivelling and guided on counterposed and sequential inclined planes. The machine furthermore comprises stations for cutting at a selective depth, as well as means adapted to secure said products within said containers during the cutting steps.

Abstract: The invention deals with an appliance with which onions or other vegetable bulbs can be oriented with their axial direction in a particular position necessary to present the onions to a processing machine for instance for the removal of top and root ends, the removal of the outermost skins and the cutting of the onions into slices. In a first embodiment the alignment appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the outer surface thereof, a roller 1 provided next to said cylinder and a means of driving 8 to rotate the groove cylinder and the roller, both the width of the groove and the minimum distance between the groove cylinder 2, 3 and the roller 1 being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned. In a second embodiment the appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the inside surface thereof and means for rotating the grooved cylinder, the width of the groove being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and removing stems and roots of bulbs includes a carrying element for the bulb, a centering element, cutting elements for the stem and the root, and a holding element to hold the bulb. The central position, between an upper cutter and a lower cutter arranged in said cutting element, and the similar central position between the upper portion and the lower portion of the bulb are both arranged to be on a reference line located at a predetermined height above a base reference such as a floor. The holding part of the holding element is moved from the centering element to the cutting element, for cutting of the stem and the root thereby, along the base line while said holding part is holding the bulb.

Abstract: A first and a second leading member are disposed in opposite relation with one another and are supported for movement in a direction axially of a cutting apparatus. A first and a second cutter are supported for movement integral with the respective leading members and are disposed in opposite relation with one another and at locations downstreams of the leading members in a direction transversely of the apparatus and closer to the bulb to be cut than the leading member in the direction axially of the apparatus. The leading members move toward one another and the respective cutters are rotatably driven by motors. The leading members are adapted to abut against the bulb, to be displaced away from one another by the bulb so as to cause the cutters to assume their desired positions for a cutting operation.

Abstract: A machine for automatically peeling vegetables, particularly onions, and also some fruits. The peeling machine consists of a conveyor belt with devices for holding an individual onion, spaced along the belt, a cutter station where the two ends of the onion are removed as the belt is moved past the station, a reciprocating blade that slits the two outer layers of the onion and a station consisting of two rotating rolls and an air jet where the two outer layers are removed from the onion.

Abstract: A machine for processing pod vegetables including a frame. A generally horizontal outer drum is rotatably mounted on the frame and is adapted to contain the pod vegetables being processed. The outer drum has an inwardly presented working surface adapted to interact with the pod vegetables to process them, the working surface having an ascending side and a descending side as the outer drum rotates. An inner drum is rotatably mounted on the frame, the longitudinal axis of the inner drum being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer drum. The inner drum is adapted to rotate in the same direction as and at a higher rate of rotation than the outer drum, the inner drum having an outer surface.

Abstract: A machine for fashioning vegetables and similar products.The machine comprises: a fashioning gripper 12 comprising two jaws 18, 19 adapted for seizing the vegetable via opposed axial actions; a fashioning tool 17 rotating about an axis parallel to the common axis of the fashioning gripper and of the vegetable, said tool being in the shape of a solid of revolution about its rotation axis; means 40 for successively bringing the fashioning tool 17 near and away from the fashioning gripper 12; means 27 for rotating the gripper about itself over a predetermined angle, between two fashioning operations, and an outlet cutting station with two spaced apart cutting tool 43, adapted for eliminating on the facetted vegetable end portions, at least in the areas where the fashioning tool has not removed material, so that the machined facets end axially on two end radial faces.