GB277363A - Improvements in machines for removing stones, cores and stalks from fruit - Google Patents

Abstract

277,363. Frova, G. Sept. 10, 1926, [Convention date]. Addition to 247,592. Removing stones and stalks from fruit. - The machine for removing stones, cores, and stalks from fruit described in the parent Specification is provided with means for properly distributing the fruit to the gripping-members 25, said means comprising a revolving dish 5 on which the fruit is heaped, the dish having holes 161 arranged in groups adjacent its periphery, each group being registered at times with the upper ends of tubes 11 leading to the gripping-members 25 on the drum 22. The holes 161 are opened and closed at the requisite times by a cam-operated reciprocating plate 151 and the bottoms of the tubes 11, which are received in a straight header 13, are opened and closed by a sliding plate 186 having a resilient connection with links 187 &c. connecting it to an operating cam. The stalks are gripped by plate-like members 92, 92<1> havng notched edges and being moved towards or away from one another by a cam slotted plate 213 pivoted at 207 and operated through links &c. from a cam shaft 20. The plates 92, 92<1> are situated over the gripping-members 25 and the movement of the plates, operating on the stalks, moves them to the vertical. After the stalks are gripped, the plates are raised by cam and link mechanism, and the stalks are pulled out of the fruit. A spring-pressed sliding bar 201 moves outwards when the plates 92, 92<1> are opened to eject the stalks, which action may be assisted by rotary brushes. Fruit, which becomes stuck in the tubes 11, may be forced through by flexible plungers of rubber or spiral spring mounted on the dish 5 and operated by cam and lever mechanism. Alternatively, air or water nozzles may be directed into the tubes to clear them of fruit. The dish 5 carrying the heaped fruit is revolved intermittently by ratchet mechanism operated by links from the cam shaft 20, each movement bringing a fresh group of holes 161 into registration with the tubes 11. The dish 5 is locked between each movement by a sliding bolt operated from the shaft 20. The fruit is prevented from interfering with those already in the holes 161 over the tubes by a curved bar 183 hinged to the rim 4 so as to be liftable, and carrying a brush 200 at its end. Other brushes 185 are hinged to the rim 4.