Abstract

The invention provides apparatus and a method which allows for the automated and effective cutting and peeling of fruit and vegetable articles (30) such as onions and particularly pickling onions, of a size which was previously regarded as impossible to handle automatically. The apparatus includes orientation means (16), cutting means (20) and material removal means (22) as well as detection means (18) to allow at least one characteristic of the article to be analysed and the control of the cutting and/or removal means to be controlled in response thereto.

IPC Classes  ?

• A23N 15/08 - Devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs
• B65G 47/24 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
• A23N 7/02 - Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit
• B26D 3/26 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies specially adapted for cutting fruit or vegetables, e.g. for onions
• B65G 47/256 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles removing incorrectly orientated articles
• B65G 47/80 - Turntables carrying articles or materials to be transferred, e.g. combined with ploughs or scrapers
• B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
• B65G 47/88 - Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers