A cherry pitter

Abstract: A cherry pitter (10) is disclosed which includes a pitting station at which a cherry 88 is supported over an opening 82 of a size to allow passage of a pit 85 but not the cherry 88. A pit ejector (26) reciprocable across the station to press into and through a cherry 82 at the station is provided and pushed the pit 85 through the flesh of the cherry and out through the opening 82, the pit ejector comprising an elongate punch having a number of arms (50 to 56) radiating out from its longitudinal axis along which it is reciprocable, each arm having a pointed tip 60 spaced outwardly from its axis 58 and an end 62 incline so that the end of the punch has a hollow centre, at least some of the arms 50, 52, 54 having an undercut portion 66 of the same order of axial length as a typical cherry along their length.

Description: This invention relates to a cherry pitter or de-stoner as such items are sometimes called. Many types of cherry pitter are known. DE-C-146 425 discloses a pitting machine having a pitting knife in the form of a bent blade having an H-shaped cross-section curved and leading blade edges to push the pits through an opening in a resilient plate. CH-A-168 975 also teaches a device which uses a blade of H-shaped cross-section to cut through fruit flesh, pushing pits through an opening in a membrane beneath the fruit. US-A-2730 149 discloses a method of pitting fruit with a device which includes a pitter blade having a blade end defining pitter notches. DE-C-85769 discloses a pitting device having a blade of simple cross-shaped section to push fruit pits through an opening beneath the pits. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved version. According to the invention a cherry pitter comprises a pitter for removing a pit from a fruit with an outer flesh comprising: a pitting station at which a fruit is supportable over an opening sized for allowing passage of the pit, the opening also sized for preventing passage of the fruit; a pit ejector adapted to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis and across the pitting station, the ejector comprising an elongate punch with a proximal end near the pitting station, the punch having a first arm and at least one second arm radiating out from the longitudinal axis, the arms each being inclined from the proximal end of the punch to form a hollow center; means for reciprocating the pit ejector so that the elongate punch drives through the fruit and pushes the pit through the outer flesh of the fruit and through the opening; an upper reservoir for housing a plurality of fruits; and a delivery passage connecting the upper reservoir to the pitting station; characterised in that: an outer edge of the first arm has a substantially flat profile, the second arm having front, inner and rear portions, the front portion extending further from the longitudinal axis than the inner and rear portions; and in that the punch is oriented so that the first arm projects radially towards the delivery passage and at the least one second arm is prevented from contacting the fruits while the fruits are in the delivery passage. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the ejector device has four arms each equally spaced around the axis by 90°. It is found when the ejector mechanism is used in a cherry pitter of the type where the cherries form a queue or line waiting to move into the pitting station it is advantageous that the arm against which the next cherry waiting to be pitted abuts and rests has the substantially flat profile. Therefore it should not be undercut as noted above since, by providing a flat profile against which the cherry rests, this avoids the possibility of the surface of the next cherry being damaged as the ejector moves to a retracted position ready to eject a pit from the cherry which then rolls into place. That arm may however have a pointed tip at its end as described above which is spaced from the axis and from the other tips on the other arms. We have found that with such a cross-section to the pit ejector, there is the minimum of damage to the flesh of the cherry yet at the same time the pit can be ejected very effectively. Preferably the initial or front portion of an arm adjacent the end is of progressively increasing length outwardly from the axis. The resulting inclined faces of the edges of the arms which are of increasing height from the axis cut gently through the flesh of the cherry. Also the tip and sides of the arms of the ejector enter the flesh by cleanly cutting the flesh and substantially without damaging or squashing the flesh. The hollowed end of the pit ejector will engage over and centre on the pit even though there will be considerable irregularities as between one cherry and another as to the position and size of a pit. The front portions of the arms need not be very long, indeed they are preferably relatively short, and will generally only need to be sufficiently long in the axial direction to ensure that the tip of the ejector engages the pit before these parts of the arms have fully penetrated the flesh of the cherry. Thereafter the undercut inner portion of reduced height is provided to support the tip and to keep the ejector and cherry aligned. By providing the undercut inner portions, however, the amount of friction between the ejector and the flesh of the cherry can be reduced and indeed these arms will follow in the cut made by the larger initial end and so will not damage the flesh of the cherry. The axial length of this undercut inner portion should be slightly less than the typical diameter of a cherry so that as the tip finally approaches the other side of the cherry, the subsequent portion of increased height will again engage in the cuts in the flesh already made by the tip. Therefore after the pit has been fully ejected, then the cherry will be engaged by both the tip and the subsequent enlarged portion to hold it reasonably steady and again prevent accidental damage to the flesh. Desirably the undercut inner portion is joined to the subsequent rear portion of increased height by any inclined portion so that there are no sharp or pointed edges to further damage the flesh of the cherry. The cherry pitter of the invention can be in the form of a hand-held device as for example shown and described in copending United Kingdom Patent Application No 9019949.8. It is preferred however that the cherry pitter of the invention include means to deliver cherries one at a time and one after another to the pitting station and that means be provided to continuously reciprocate the pit ejector so that a relatively large number of cherries can be pitted one after another. Such an arrangement can include an upper reservoir for fresh cherries which has a base gently sloping down to a delivery passage narrow enough to align the cherries into a line and deliver them one at a time to the pitting station. In this way cherries placed therein will roll progressively to the station until the reservoir becomes empty. In addition a first open-topped chamber is provided beneath the pitting station to receive the pits whilst a second open-topped chamber is provided to receive the pitted cherries. According to another aspect of the invention, the axis of movement of the pit ejector may be inclined to the upright so that the piit is pushed ot one side and then as the ejector withdraws from the cherry it will pull the cherry to an opposite side clear of the pit and once the ejector become fully withdrawn from the cherry the latter can drop into the separate second chamber. The pit will be ejected at the advanced position of the ejector and the pitted cherry can be released from the ejector near to its retracted position and so separate from the pit. Preferably, the delivery passage has an arcuate channel tapering away from the pitting station, the channel being sized and positioned to align the fruits and to deliver the fruits from the upper reservoir to the pitting station one at a time. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the first chamber is removably positioned within the second chamber and so can be removed therefrom at the end of a pitting operation to separate the pits completely from the now pitted cherries so avoiding their accidental mixing. The path of movement of the pit ejector can for example be at an angle of from 20 to 60° to the upright, an angle of 35 to 40° being preferred. In one preferred embodiment of the invention it is desirable that the base of the pitting station be constituted by means of a resilient member having an opening whose cross-section corresponds to that of the end of the ejector. In this way, the end of the ejector can penetrate that opening without damage yet under normal circumstances the resilient member will provide support for the cherry prior to and during the ejection of the pit. However the opening can be distended as the pit is pressed against it to allow the pit to pass through and this ensures good separation of the pit from the flesh and, should the points at the end of the ejector penetrate the pit and so the pit become adhered to the ejector, this will also assist in removing the pit from the end of the ejector. In that connection it is desirable that the tip of the ejector penetrate completely through the cherry itself and also at least partially through the opening into the resilient member. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a cherry pitter according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the cherry pitter with the ejector in the retracted position; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the ejector in the advanced, pit-ejecting position; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the handle removed; Figure 5 is a view from one end of the cherry pitter; Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the ejector; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but taken at right angles thereto. The cherry pitter 10 shown in the drawings includes an upper portion 12 which supports the pit ejecting mechanism as will be described and this is supported over an open topped bowl 13 which receives the separated pits and cherries. The upper portion 12 includes a handle and a rotatable knob 16 at the end of the arm of the handle for operating the pit ejecting mechanism. The portion 12 has a downwardly extending rim 19 around its periphery which extends over and encompasses the top edge of the open topped bowl 13. Projecting inwardly from the rim 19 are flanges 19 a and the lower shoulders of these rest on the upper edge 13 a of the bowl 13. Therefore during use the upper portion 12 rests firmly on the bowl 13. The portion 12 includes a bowl region 20 into which cherries to be pitted are placed. As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, this region 20 is inclined in a direction towards a passage 22 which is of approximately the width of a typical cherry. In turn this passage 22 is inclined downwardly, as is best seen in Figure 5, so as to feed the cherries to a pitting station 24 (see Figure 1). It is at the pitting station that the cherries are then contacted by an ejector 26 and the pits are removed. Therefore when a number of fresh cherries are placed in the bowl region 20 they will roll gently under gravity across the area 20 into the passage 22 and then down the passage 22 to the station 24. The passage 22 includes an arcuate channel portion tapering away from the pitting station 24 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. In the passage 22 they will tend to be aligned in a row one behind the other and so will only be received one at a time at the pitting station 24. The portion 12 includes an upstanding casing 30 which houses the operating mechanism and supports the handle 16. This includes a support block 32 to which the ejector 26 is joined. The support block is itself constrained to move up and down an inclined guide 34. Attached to the block 32 and projecting forwardly of the guide 34, is a cam member 36 which includes a slot 38 extending transversely relative the slot 34. The ejector 26 is capable of being moved between a retracted position, as shown for example in Figures 2 and 4 where it and the cam member 36 are moved to a top right position in the sense seen in Figure 4, and an advanced ejecting position as shown for example in Figure 3. In the latter position the ejector 26 and the cam member 36 are in a lower left position in the sense viewed in Figure 3 and it will be noted that in this position the ejector 26 extends completely across the pitting station 24 whereas in the retracted position shown in the Figures 2 and 4 it is completely clear of this station. The handle 16 is rotatably supported by means of a cover 40 attached to the casing 30 and the handle 16 is joined on the inside of the cover to a circular rotatable plate 42. Integrally formed with the circular plate 42 is a cam pin 44. This projects into the slot 38 and can slide from one end to the other end thereof as the handle is rotated. In this way it will move the cam member 36 up and down along the inclined slot 34 as the handle is rotated around a circle. The orientation of the pin 44 on the plate 42 is such that, when the pit is being pushed from the flesh of the cherry, ie the hardest part of the operation, the handle is being pushed downwardly. The ejector 26 is best shown in Figures 6 and 7. It comprises four arms 50 to 56 which are arranged to radiate out at 90° to one another relative the axis 58 of the ejector. At its pit contacting or proximal end each arm has an identical point 60. These points 60 are spaced equally from the axis 58. In addition the ends 62 of each of the arms are inclined so that the end of the ejector is hollowed. In this way the end can engage over the pit of a cherry. Each of the arms 50 to 54 is identical whilst the arm 56 differs for reasons which will be explained. Each arm 50 to 54 includes an initial or front portion 64 which tapers slightly in a direction towards the tip. It is this portion 64 which initially enters the flesh of the cherry following the tip 60 and cuts the flesh of the cherry. Following the initial portion is an inner portion 66 of reduced height relative the axis 58. The overall extent of this portion 66 approximates the diameter of a cherry and, because of the smaller size of the arms in this portion 66, there is therefore less contact between the arms and the flesh of the cherry when the ejector is penetrating the cherry and so less chance of damaging the flesh of the cherry. Finally the arms 50 to 54 have at their rear a portion 68 of increased height relative the axis 58 except that this height is still slightly less than the maximum height of the portions 64. The portion 66 and 68 are in turn joined by an inclined portion 70. All of the arms including the arm 56 have a rear end portion 72 which fixes into the block 32 to join the ejector 26 to the latter. By contrast with the arms 52 to 54, the arm 56 is of constant height relative the axis 58 the whole way along its length apart from the rear portion 72. When the ejector is mounted in the pitter 10, it will be noted from Figure 5 that this arm 56 faces the passage 22. Because it presents a constant flat surface to the incoming cherry it does not trap or mark or cut the skin of the next cherry waiting to arrive at the pitting station as it is retracted from the advance position shown in Figure 3 to the retracted position shown in Figure 2. The pitting station 24 is defined at its lower end by means of a wall 80 forming part of the portion 12 and a resilient material flap 82 which, as best shown in Figure 1, includes a cross shaped opening 84 of a shape corresponding to the shape of the ejector 26. In use a row of cherries forms in the passage 22 and, when the station 24 is empty, the first cherry in the row will drop from the passage 22 into the station 24 and will rest against the wall 80 and flap 82. Then as the ejector 26 is advanced upon rotating the handle 16, the ejector 26 will advance towards the cherry and engage it. As it continues to advance it will penetrate the flesh of the cherry and its hollowed out end will engage over the pit. The arms 50 to 58 cut their way through the flesh of the cherry and also support the cherry as the pit is pushed through the end of the cherry and eventually out through the flesh and through the cross shaped opening in the flap 82. When the ejector reaches its fully advanced position its tip has penetrated completely through the cherry and also engages into the opening 84 in the flap 82 and so ensures that the pit is fully ejected from the station 24. This situation is best shown in Figure 3 where a pit 84 is shown as having been just pushed through the flap 82 from a cherry 86 which is shown with the ejector 26 penetrating fully across it. The next cherry 88 is shown in the passage 22. As the user continues to turn the handle, the ejector 26 will be withdrawn back to the initial position shown in Figures 2 and 4. Initially the ejector will carry the cherry with it towards the upper most position. However, the cherry will eventually abut against a wall 90 through which the ejector extends. When it does this the wall 90 will prevent further upward movement of the cherry so the ejector will be withdrawn progressively from the cherry. Eventually the pitted cherry will be released and this will drop downwardly. Whilst the cherry is being withdrawn there comes a point where the next cherry 88 (Figure 3) existing in the passage 22 is able to drop past the now pitted cherry 86 into the station 24. Once the pitted cherry 86 becomes released from the ejector 26 it drops down and it will be effectively pushed towards the right in the sense seen in Figure 4 when it contacts the cherry 88. It therefore falls past this and down a chute 92 forming an extension of the wall 80 into the bowl 13. In the absence of a further cherry 88 the same effect is achieved since the pitted cherry will in any case fall against the chute 92 and be directed into the main portion of the bowl 13. Therefore, because the axis of movement of the ejector 26 is inclined according to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to eject the pits in one direction and the pitted cherries in the other direction. The bowl 13 on which the upper portion 12 rests will receive the pitted cherries. However, according to another aspect of the invention, within it is a separate, removable bowl 94 for the pits. This is retained in position within the larger bowl 13 by projecting flanges 96. However the bowl 94 can easily be removed to empty it of accumulated pits and so separate them readily from the pitted cherries at the end of a pitting operation. In that connection the upper portion 12 will of course be first removed from the bowl 13 to obtain access. Although the term "cherry" has been used herein for simplicity and convenience, the invention is applicable to the de-stoning or pitting of other types of fruit having a pit or stone and so that term is to be construed broadly to cover all such types of fruit, unless the context specifically requires otherwise.

Claims: A pitter for removing a pit (85) from a fruit (88) with an outer flesh comprising: a pitting station (24) at which a fruit is supportable over an opening (84) sized for allowing passage of the pit, the opening (84) also sized for preventing passage of the fruit; a pit ejector (26) adapted to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis and across the pitting station (24), the ejector (26) comprising an elongate punch with a proximal end near the pitting station (24), the punch having a first arm (56) and at least one second arm (50, 52, 54) radiating out from the longitudinal axis, the arms each being inclined from the proximal end of the punch to form a hollow center; means for reciprocating the pit ejector so that the elongate punch drives through the fruit and pushes the pit through the outer flesh of the fruit and through the opening (84); an upper reservoir for housing a plurality of fruits; and a delivery passage (22) connecting the upper reservoir to the pitting station (24); characterised in that: an outer edge of the first arm (56) has a subtantially flat profile, the second arm having front (64), inner (66) and rear (68) portions, the front portion (64) extending further from the longitudinal axis than the inner and rear (68) portions; and in that the punch is oriented so that the first arm (56) projects radially towards the delivery passage (22) and the at least one second arm is prevented from contacting the fruits while the fruits are in the delivery passage (22). A pitter according to claim 1 wherein the front portion (64) of the second arm tapers toward the proximal end of the punch. A pitter according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rear portion (68) of the second arm extends further from the longitudinal axis than the inner portion (66). A pitter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the inner portion (66) of the second arm has an axial length approximately equal to a diameter of the fruit. A pitter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate punch comprises three second arms (50, 52, 54) and one first arm equally spaced around the longitudinal axis. A pitter for removing a pit from a fruit with an outer flesh according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a first chamber (94) positioned beneath the opening (84) to receive the pit and a second chamber (13) positioned to receive the fruit after the pit has been removed. A pitter according to claim 6 wherein the longitudinal axis of the pit ejector is inclined so that the fruit will fall into the second chamber after being pulled from the pitting station (24). A pitter according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the first chamber (94) is positioned within the second chamber (13). A pitter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the pitting station (24) includes a resilient member (82) having an opening (84) sized to allow passage of the pit ejector, the resilient member (82) being adapted to allow the pit ejector to push the pit through the opening (84) and to prevent passage of the fruit. A pitter according to claim 9 wherein the reciprocating means is arranged to drive the proximal end of the punch to at least partially penetrate through the opening (84) in the resilient member (82). A pitter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the path of movement of the pit ejector is in the region of 20 to 60° from the upright. A pitter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the angle is in the range of 35 to 40° from the upright. A pitter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the delivery passage (22) has an arcuate channel tapering away from the pitting station (24), the channel being sized and positioned to align the fruits and to deliver the fruits from the upper reservoir to the pitting station (24) one at a time.

Inventors: CHEUNG PAUL, CHEUNG, PAUL PO WO,, CHEUNG, PAUL PO WO, 606-616 WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE
Applicants: MAXPAT TRADING & MARKETING, MAXPAT TRADING & MARKETING (FAR EAST) LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47J23
IPC codes: A47J23