A method for processing pears advancing on housing and centering cups (9) of a multilane belt (7) with its calycine end facing upwards, in order to be cored, pitted and halved the method provides, in a first step, locking each pear against rotation inside its housing and centering cup (9), to measure the distance of the calycine end, and to communicate said distance to a control unit (14) that determines the height position of the endocarp of that pear, and, in a second step, to lower simultaneously, by the control unit (14), a coring rod (24) and a pitting knife (26) from a rest position to the height of the endocarp of the underlying pear, as determined by the control unit (14). A multilane apparatus for processing pears is also disclosed.

A method for processing pears advancing on housing and centering cups (9) of a multilane belt (7) with its calycine end facing upwards, in order to be cored, pitted and halved the method provides, in a first step, locking each pear against rotation inside its housing and centering cup (9), to measure the distance of the calycine end, and to communicate said distance to a control unit (14) that determines the height position of the endocarp of that pear, and, in a second step, to lower simultaneously, by the control unit (14), a coring rod (24) and a pitting knife (26) from a rest position to the height of the endocarp of the underlying pear, as determined by the control unit (14). A multilane apparatus for processing pears is also disclosed.

A device and method for proportioning slices of fruit by slicing a piece of fruit into a number of slices using a endoskeletal slicing and coring device with twin-opposed coaxial upper and lower guide pins to positioning and holding the fruit, a coring tube for separating the fruit from the core, and a cassette for slicing the fruit and a proportioning device for separating the slices into a number of groups.

A device and method for proportioning slices of fruit by slicing a piece of fruit into a number of slices using a endoskeletal slicing and coring device with twin-opposed coaxial upper and lower guide pins to positioning and holding the fruit, a coring tube for separating the fruit from the core, and a cassette for slicing the fruit and a proportioning device for separating the slices into a number of groups.

A machine for removing seeds, comprising: a rotating rod (11) that is movable between a first position, in which it is found outside of a product (P), and a second position, in which it can be inserted in a product (P); a curved knife (12) associated with the rotating rod (11); an adjusting mechanism (20) structured so as to adjust the second position of the rotating rod (11) in relation to at least one dimension of the product (P) being processed.

A machine for removing seeds, comprising: a rotating rod (11) that is movable between a first position, in which it is found outside of a product (P), and a second position, in which it can be inserted in a product (P); a curved knife (12) associated with the rotating rod (11); an adjusting mechanism (20) structured so as to adjust the second position of the rotating rod (11) in relation to at least one dimension of the product (P) being processed.

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.

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.

The object of the present invention is a machine and the continuous cycle processing process for pears, which includes mechanisms for feeding and distributing, housing and holding, aligning and expelling, enucleating the endocarp and peeling the pears, whether they are of variable shape or length and in which said mechanisms are synchronized and form a single or more aligned and integrated processing stations

In each work station, the distribution of the pears in the fruit bowls takes place automatically and vertically; the measurement of the endocarp of the pear starting from the measurement of its calyx end, takes place through the alignment mechanism of the pears, which does not cause unnecessary compressions on the fruit, and the pulp is stressed as little as possible, maintaining its necessary consistency, and making so that the part to be enucleated, where the seeds really are, always finds itself in correspondence with the small knives in charge of carrying out this function and part of the edible fruit is not eliminated.

Furthermore, the peeling takes place using a tool which, positioning itself at the measured point, tilts following the profile of the pear closely.