The invention relates to a method and a device for placing fruit or vegetables on a tray (11) comprising an upper face (13) having a plurality of recessed cells adapted to be able to receive a single object in each one, two objects placed in two adjacent cells juxtaposed in the same plane being able to come laterally into contact with each other. During any step of placing at least one object in at least one receiving cell (14) adjacent to at least one full cell already containing another object, the upper face (13) of the tray has an upwards envelope curvature adapted to avoid any contact between the objects.

An improved robot for packing produce such as fruit or other produce is provided. The robot includes a plurality of longitudinal carriage arms arranged in an array, and cantilevered off a support unit such that each longitudinal carriage arm is independently movable between an extended condition and retracted condition. Each arm includes a head connected to it that is independently movable in a vertical direction to pick up, hold and/or drop off an item of produce. Each longitudinal carriage arm is further independently movable in a lateral direction to alter the relative spacing between the plurality of heads such that the heads can move across lanes of the robot. The cantilevered arrangement of each carriage arm allows for compact set-out and other advantages.

The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for reliably inserting packing trays into packing crates. Thus, the present invention solves the problems of conventional packaging lines by providing a positioning device for depositing packing trays into packing crates. Particularly, the present invention can be incorporated into existing fruit and vegetable packing lines.

Disclosed herein are containers and methods for managing springy produce during packaging. An exemplary container includes a wall structure defining a storage space. The wall structure includes four side panels, a top panel with an opening to the storage space, and a bottom panel opposite the top panel. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the storage space progressively increases from the top panel to the bottom panel, which is facilitated by the arrangement of the side panels, one or more of which is inclined at an angle such that the top portion of the side panel is located inward with regard to the storage space in comparison to the bottom portion of the side panel. The top panel includes a flange that extends inward from the top portions of the side panels to define the perimeter of the opening. Such containers can be constructed from paper materials including recyclable paper materials.

The present invention provides an autonomous harvesting system designed to be mounted onto a standard collection bin/wagon for autonomously harvesting and filing the bin.

A method including transporting fragile fruit into a hopper. The method also includes transferring the fragile fruit from the hopper into a container that is at least partially submerged in a fluid. The method additionally includes raising the container out of the fluid while the fragile fruit are within the container. Other embodiments are described.

The present invention provides a fruit's protection system designed to be mounted onto a standard collection bin for safely placing harvested fruits inside the collection bin without harming same.

A method and system for long term preservation of ready to eat minimally processed fruit or vegetable, while retaining the nutrition properties, textural appearance and taste of the fresh fruit or vegetable. The method comprising the steps of: Providing at least: a fruit or vegetable, a sterilized seal-able package and a carbonated liquid. Processing the fruit or vegetable by at least washing and disinfecting the exterior of the fruit or vegetable. Placing the processed fruit or vegetable into the sterilized seal-able package Filling the remaining volume of the seal-able package with the carbonated liquid. Sealing the seal-able package. And storing the sealed package at a storage temperature of between 1° C. to 40° C. The processing steps are performed under a disinfected processing environment.

An item packing system configured to sort and/or pack items into item containers, the system comprising a robotic arm. At least one end effector for holding and manipulating an item to be sorted and/or packed, wherein at least one end effector comprises a pressure sensing assembly. A controller configured to receive sensor signals from the pressure sensing assembly to obtain an indication of a magnitude of contact pressure for contact between the end effector and the item held by the end effector. A direction of contact pressure for contact between the end effector and the item held by the end effector, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the end effector is correctly holding the item based on the indication of the magnitude of the contact pressure and the indication of the direction of contact pressure.

A tilt-able flat table, mounted on cams in a frame, retrieves rows of containers from a stage and deposits them in a box. The table is mounted on a horizontal tilt axle which is borne between two parallel cams. The tilt angle determines the path of the containers into the box. The cams rotate about a cam axis which determines the position of the table relative to the frame. Container top bands engage the containers on the table and move them in the forward-rearward direction on the table. The frame is movable relative to the box.