Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for removing a covering from produce. An example system includes a structure for supporting a plurality of rollers, the structure being configured to turn a first roller and a second roller. The first roller comprises a first plurality of gear shaped structures, and the second roller comprises a second plurality of gear shaped structures. The first and second gear shaped structures are configured to contact the produce and remove the covering from the produce when the first roller and the second roller are turned.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 5/08 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit

Abstract

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric food items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of food are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the food items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each food item. Asymmetric food items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric food items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• A23N 4/14 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for coring fruit for apples, pears or the like
• G01N 33/02 - Food
• B25J 11/00 - Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• G06T 7/55 - Depth or shape recovery from multiple images
• G06T 7/90 - Determination of colour characteristics
• G06T 7/73 - Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras using feature-based methods
• G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
• B25J 15/02 - Gripping heads servo-actuated
• B25J 15/12 - Gripping heads having finger members with flexible finger members
• H04N 23/90 - Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Goods & Services

Fruit and vegetable processing machinery comprising cleaning, washing, feeding, slicing, grading, conveying, stacking, bottling, canning, filling and packaging machines and parts thereof

Goods & Services

Fruit and vegetable processing machinery comprising cleaning, washing, feeding, slicing, grading, conveying, stacking, bottling, canning, filling and packaging machines and parts thereof

Abstract

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric produce items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of produce are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the produce items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each produce item. Asymmetric produce items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric produce items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• A23N 4/14 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for coring fruit for apples, pears or the like
• G01N 33/02 - Food
• B25J 11/00 - Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• G06T 7/55 - Depth or shape recovery from multiple images
• H04N 5/247 - Arrangement of television cameras
• G06T 7/90 - Determination of colour characteristics
• G06T 7/73 - Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras using feature-based methods

Abstract

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric produce items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of produce are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the produce items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each produce item. Asymmetric produce items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric produce items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• B26D 1/147 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a stationary axis with horizontal cutting member

Abstract

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric produce items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of produce are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the produce items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each produce item. Asymmetric produce items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric produce items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• B26D 1/147 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a stationary axis with horizontal cutting member

Abstract

A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 7/08 - Peeling vegetables or fruit for peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections
• A23N 7/00 - Peeling vegetables or fruit
• B26D 3/26 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies specially adapted for cutting fruit or vegetables, e.g. for onions
• B26D 7/26 - Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting memberMeans for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
• B26D 9/00 - Cutting apparatus combined with punching or perforating apparatus or with dissimilar cutting apparatus
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• A23N 15/04 - Devices for topping fruit or vegetables
• B26D 1/03 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a stationary cutting member with a plurality of cutting members
• A23N 4/24 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for removing seed-containing sections from cut fruit
• B26D 1/43 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about another axis, e.g. mounted on the surface of a cone or curved body
• B26D 1/45 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member the movement of which is not covered by any preceding group
• B26D 3/24 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies

Abstract

A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 7/00 - Peeling vegetables or fruit

Abstract

A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 7/08 - Peeling vegetables or fruit for peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections
• A23L 1/212 - Preparation of fruits or vegetables (of pulse A23L 1/20; treating harvested fruit or vegetables in bulk A23N)
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• A23N 7/00 - Peeling vegetables or fruit
• A23N 15/04 - Devices for topping fruit or vegetables
• B26D 3/26 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies specially adapted for cutting fruit or vegetables, e.g. for onions
• B26D 1/43 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about another axis, e.g. mounted on the surface of a cone or curved body
• B26D 1/45 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member the movement of which is not covered by any preceding group
• B26D 3/24 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies
• B26D 7/26 - Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting memberMeans for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
• B26D 9/00 - Cutting apparatus combined with punching or perforating apparatus or with dissimilar cutting apparatus

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• B26B 3/04 - Hand knives with fixed blades for performing several incisions simultaneouslyMultiple-blade knives

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• B26B 3/04 - Hand knives with fixed blades for performing several incisions simultaneouslyMultiple-blade knives

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• B26D 7/26 - Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting memberMeans for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
• A47J 25/00 - Devices for coring fruit

Abstract

A tuna fish canning apparatus is provided wherein each can has a premium cake appearance. The machine has first and second turrets adjacent each other which rotate around a common axis. Fish slugs loaded into a shared pocket by the adjacent turrets are severed along a plane between the turrets to produce first and second cakes with each cake having a cut surface and each cake adapted to be transferred into a can. The present invention provides first and second knock-out plungers for ejecting the first and second cakes into cans, wherein the first and second knock-out plungers are positioned on opposite sides of the plane between the first and second turrets so that each cake has its freshly cut surface at the top of the can to provide a premium appearance. A method for achieving the same result is also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B25B 25/06 -

Abstract

A tuna fish canning apparatus is provided wherein each can has a premium cake appearance. The machine has first and second turrets adjacent each other which rotate around a common axis. Fish slugs loaded into a shared pocket by the adjacent turrets are severed along a plane between the turrets to produce first and second cakes with each cake having a cut surface and each cake adapted to be transferred into a can. The present invention provides first and second knock-out plungers for ejecting the first and second cakes into cans, wherein the first and second knock-out plungers are positioned on opposite sides of the plane between the first and second turrets so that each cake has its freshly cut surface at the top of the can to provide a premium appearance. A method for achieving the same result is also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 1/04 - Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 3/00 - Machines for coring or stoning fruit, characterised by their feeding device

Goods & Services

commercial food cutting and can-filling machines

Goods & Services

SPECIAL STAINLESS STEEL TANKS FRUIT [AND VEGETABLE] PROCESSING MACHINERY COMPRISING [CLEANING, WASHING[, FEEDING, SLICING,[ GRADING], CONVEYING, [STACKING, BOTTLING, CANNING, FILLING AND PACKAGING MACHINES] AND PARTS THEREOF; [LYE AND WATER RECLAIM UNITS; VIBRATING SEWAGE SCREENS AND WASTE DISPOSAL UNITS] [GLASS JAR PASTEURIZERS AND COOLERS, AND CAN COOLERS]

Goods & Services

FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT-NAMELY, FRUIT PITTERS, REPITTERS, CONVEYORS, ALIGNERS, FEEDERS, AND RELATED FRUIT PROCESSING EQUIPMENT, AND PARTS THEREFOR