Abstract

A pitting head assembly of an apparatus that grabs onto a fruit (e.g., Medjool or other date) with a gripper assembly in the pitting head assembly and further grabs onto an end portion of the pit near the calyx of the fruit with a plucker assembly in the pitting head assembly. The gripper and plucker assemblies move away from each other to remove the pit from the fruit and may be cleaned after pitting a number of fruits. A process for pitting a fruit comprising orienting the fruit, grabbing the fruit with a gripper assembly, grabbing an end portion of a seed of the fruit, and moving the gripper assembly and the plucker assembly away from each other.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 4/04 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for stoning fruit for peaches, plums, apricots or the like
• A23N 5/08 - Machines for hulling, husking, or cracking nuts for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts
• A23N 3/00 - Machines for coring or stoning fruit, characterised by their feeding device

Abstract

A pitting head assembly of an apparatus that grabs onto a fruit (e.g., Medjool or other date) with a gripper assembly in the pitting head assembly and further grabs onto an end portion of the pit near the calyx of the fruit with a plucker assembly in the pitting head assembly. The gripper and plucker assemblies move away from each other to remove the pit from the fruit and may be cleaned after pitting a number of fruits. A process for pitting a fruit comprising orienting the fruit, grabbing the fruit with a gripper assembly, grabbing an end portion of a seed of the fruit, and moving the gripper assembly and the plucker assembly away from each other.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 4/08 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for stoning fruit for dates, olives or the like oblong fruits
• A23L 5/20 - Removal of unwanted matter, e.g. deodorisation or detoxification
• A23L 19/00 - Products from fruits or vegetablesPreparation or treatment thereof
• A23N 3/04 - Machines for coring or stoning fruit, characterised by their feeding device with endless feeder-belts

Abstract

An apparatus for removing pits from prunes or other soft fruit, including holders defining pockets for holding soft fruit, an excess fruit removal assembly (e.g., comprising one or more paddle wheels), a pitting knife assembly, and a holder drive assembly for translating the holders along a closed loop. Each pocket defined by each holder is movable between open and closed configurations as the holder is translated around the loop. Each holder includes a top chuck plate shaped to guide an article of fruit into each pocket with reduced risk that excess fruit (fruit not properly seated in a pocket) will remain lodged on the chuck plate after the holder has translated past the excess fruit removal assembly. Other aspects are a chuck plate configured for use as a top chuck plate of a fruit holder of a pitting apparatus, and a fruit holder including such a chuck plate.

IPC Classes  ?

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

Abstract

A pitting knife assembly including a pitting knife mount and a pulley drive assembly coupled and configured to move the knife mount around a circular or substantially circular path, and a fruit pitting apparatus including such an assembly. During operation of the pitting knife assembly with at least one pitting knife mounted to the knife mount and a fruit conveying assembly positioned to convey fruit to the pitting knife assembly, the pitting knife can produce pitted fruit by moving into engagement with fruit conveyed by the conveying assembly (to pit the fruit) as the knife mount moves through a first portion of the path, and the pitting knife can then move out of engagement with (and away from) the pitted fruit as the knife mount moves through a second portion of the path.

IPC Classes  ?

• A47J 25/00 - Devices for coring fruit
• A23N 4/02 - Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for stoning fruit