CHERRY PITTER

摘要

Apparatus and method for removing pits from fruit such as cherries or the like wherein a moveable conveyor is adapted to convey the fruit to pitting knife means. The conveyor has a plurality of open-topped fruit pockets formed therein, each of said fruit pockets being adapted to have disposed therein individual specimens of said fruit. Normally closed slits are provided in the bottoms of said pockets for retaining water therein so that said fruit may orient itself under the influence of gravity while floating. A plurality of slots are formed in the conveyor with at least one of the slots in communication with the interior of each of the fruit pockets. Stem positioning means is disposed adjacent to the path of movement of the conveyor for engaging the stems of the fruit disposed in the fruit pockets as the fruit is being conveyed to the pitting knife means. The stem positioning means positions each fruit stem in a slot which is in communication with the interior of the pocket within which the fruit specimen is disposed. During the actual pitting of the fruit the knife means passes through the fruit forcing the pits thereof through the slits.