A system for processing agricultural items includes a first member having a first surface, a first axis, and a partially cylindrical space, the first surface being an inner surface of the partially cylindrical space. The system also includes a substantially arcuate second member having a second surface and a second axis, the second member being disposed at least partially in the partially cylindrical space, and the contoured second surface being an outer surface of the second member. The first surface and the second surface are substantially opposed to each other. One of the first and second surfaces substantially tapers toward another of the first and second surfaces along the first or second axes. The first and second axes are respective first and second circumferential axes.

A system for processing agricultural items includes a first member having a first surface, a first axis, and a partially cylindrical space, the first surface being an inner surface of the partially cylindrical space. The system also includes a substantially arcuate second member having a second surface and a second axis, the second member being disposed at least partially in the partially cylindrical space, and the contoured second surface being an outer surface of the second member. The first surface and the second surface are substantially opposed to each other. One of the first and second surfaces substantially tapers toward another of the first and second surfaces along the first or second axes. The first and second axes are respective first and second circumferential axes.

A bin for containing an apple mash within a cider press, the bin including a multiple of staves interconnected and held together by a cable threaded through each stave. Preferably, an upper cable and a lower cable hold the staves together, with each cable received into a first terminal stave and threaded through a multiple of staves in sequence, to a second terminal stave. The cabled bin resists bending, to maintain tension and to form a full circle when bent, while rebounding flat when released. To secure the bin in the curved, cylindrical or tubular form, the bin includes a bin latch to lock the first terminal stave to the second terminal stave. When the bin is not in use in the cider press, it can be stored and easily cleaned by lying-out flat, requiring much less storage space compared to traditional bins in fruit presses.

A device to disintegrate comestible articles, comprising: a containment vessel with a floor and generally tubular sidewalls projecting upwardly from the floor, the sidewalls having a central longitudinal axis, a power rotated agitator disposed within the containment vessel above and proximate to the floor, having a rotational axis, and operable to both agitate and disintegrate comestible articles placed within the containment vessel, a power source, configured to rotate the agitator, a support housing which encloses the power source which is structured to removably mount the containment vessel. The containment vessel is canted relative to the motor shaft. Output of the containment vessel is filtered. A resiliently closed opening into the containment is formed in the vessel lid. A food handling mechanism introduces comestible articles into the containment vessel. A support mechanism mounts vessels below a device outlet.

A device to disintegrate comestible articles, comprising: a containment vessel with a floor and generally tubular sidewalls projecting upwardly from the floor, the sidewalls having a central longitudinal axis, a power rotated agitator disposed within the containment vessel above and proximate to the floor, having a rotational axis, and operable to both agitate and disintegrate comestible articles placed within the containment vessel, a power source, configured to rotate the agitator, a support housing which encloses the power source which is structured to removably mount the containment vessel. The containment vessel is canted relative to the motor shaft. Output of the containment vessel is filtered. A resiliently closed opening into the containment is formed in the vessel lid. A food handling mechanism introduces comestible articles into the containment vessel. A support mechanism mounts vessels below a device outlet.

Fruit-squeezing machine with automatic fruit (7) feeder (1) and cutting and squeezing means that have a pair of rotating assemblies of three fruit (7) receiving cups (4) and a cutting assembly (5) with a blade (10) and means for extracting the rinds after squeezing the fruit, and a pair of squeezing balls (6) below the cup assemblies (4). Additionally, the machine has a juice-collecting tray (2) with a fixed? filter (8), and rind-collecting means. The cup assemblies (4) rotate towards the inside of the machine, which has motor means that synchronize the continuous movements of the feeder (1) with the movement of the cutting and squeezing means.

An apparatus for making and vending juice products and a method for making and vending juice products are disclosed. The invention comprises one or more robotic manipulator arms which move automatically to produce a final product based on an algorithm contained within a program based on an order made by a consumer. The robotic manipulator arms comprise hands or other means for grabbing and transferring materials. The housing of the apparatus comprises solid transparent surfaces such that the interior of the apparatus comprising the robotic manipulator arms is visible from an exterior perspective. The robotic manipulator arms perform actions such as transferring produce from storage to juicer, transferring beverage containers from dispensers to juicers, combining juices, and delivering a finished product to a consumer. An apparatus for making and vending cotton candy products and a method for making and vending cotton candy products are also disclosed.

An apparatus for making and vending juice products and a method for making and vending juice products are disclosed. The invention comprises one or more robotic manipulator arms which move automatically to produce a final product based on an algorithm contained within a program based on an order made by a consumer. The robotic manipulator arms comprise hands or other means for grabbing and transferring materials. The housing of the apparatus comprises solid transparent surfaces such that the interior of the apparatus comprising the robotic manipulator arms is visible from an exterior perspective. The robotic manipulator arms perform actions such as transferring produce from storage to juicer, transferring beverage containers from dispensers to juicers, combining juices, and delivering a finished product to a consumer. An apparatus for making and vending cotton candy products and a method for making and vending cotton candy products are also disclosed.

A press is used to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible through the press region.

An apparatus for preparing a melon juice concentrate, such as watermelon juice concentrate, includes a finisher with brushes for separating melon flesh from melon rind including leaving at least 1/16 inch flesh on the rind and screens for separating juice from flesh. The apparatus also includes a steamer to reduce bacteria count on whole melon, a chopper for chopping melons into pieces less than about 16 inches square, an extractor for extracting juice from the flesh, and an evaporator for concentrating melon juice to form melon juice concentrate. The steamer includes a cylinder frame, steam jets directing steam through apertures in the cylinder frame at whole melon therein, and a motivator to move the whole melon along the cylinder frame. The apparatus can also process cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and other melon.