Systems and methods are provided for separating seed from wet material. The method includes aerating raw, wet material comprising seed to provide an aerated material and aspirating the aerated material. The aspirating separates seed from liftings of the aerated material, and the separated seed can then be recovered.

Systems and methods are provided for separating seed from wet material. The method includes aerating raw, wet material comprising seed to provide an aerated material and aspirating the aerated material. The aspirating separates seed from liftings of the aerated material, and the separated seed can then be recovered.

It is a system for processing produce comprising a plurality of freestanding pucks for carrying items of produce, each puck comprising a base and a spike extending from the base, the spike configured to pierce an item of produce and hold the item in a substantially fixed position relative to the base.

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 method of recovering pomace produced during the processing of whole fruits and vegetables is described. The method includes optionally enzymatically treating a cold mash during a blanching step to form a hot mash which is finished and then pasteurized and cooled to a temperature no greater than about 2 C. Thereafter, the pasteurized and cooled product is separated into juice and pomace, which has a temperature no greater than about 13 C. and which can be packaged for use.

A method for pitting and re-pitting fruit halves, in particular peach halves, has steps of lifting fruit halves from a loading area to a feeding zone, feeding the fruit halves to an advancing lane, moving the fruit halves forward, detecting the supporting condition of each fruit half and a presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, assessing the supporting condition as correct or incorrect, communicating the presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, in the fruit half, pit removing, if any, delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or bringing them back to the step of lifting the fruit halves, in case their supporting condition is assessed as incorrect. There is shown a multi-lane machine having a detecting station (9), a control unit (10), communication means for sending information to a cutting station (8) and to a separating station (13) for delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or to the loading area of the machine.

A method for pitting and re-pitting fruit halves, in particular peach halves, has steps of lifting fruit halves from a loading area to a feeding zone, feeding the fruit halves to an advancing lane, moving the fruit halves forward, detecting the supporting condition of each fruit half and a presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, assessing the supporting condition as correct or incorrect, communicating the presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, in the fruit half, pit removing, if any, delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or bringing them back to the step of lifting the fruit halves, in case their supporting condition is assessed as incorrect. There is shown a multi-lane machine having a detecting station (9), a control unit (10), communication means for sending information to a cutting station (8) and to a separating station (13) for delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or to the loading area of the machine.

A method for pitting and re-pitting fruit halves, in particular peach halves, has steps of lifting fruit halves from a loading area to a feeding zone, feeding the fruit halves to an advancing lane, moving the fruit halves forward, detecting the supporting condition of each fruit half and a presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, assessing the supporting condition as correct or incorrect, communicating the presence of pit or pit fragments, if any, in the fruit half, pit removing, if any, delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or bringing them back to the step of lifting the fruit halves, in case their supporting condition is assessed as incorrect. There is disclosed a multi-lane machine having a detecting station (9), a control unit (10), communication means for sending information to a cutting station (8) and to a separating station (13) for delivering the fruit halves to their further treatment or to the loading area of the machine.