Fruit Processing Device with Flexible Holding Cups

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for processing avocados and similar fruits are manual, time-consuming, and inefficient, particularly in retaining solids content, and existing machinery is not suitable for large-scale processing or accommodating varying fruit sizes and pit sizes without significant machine adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An automated system comprising flexible holding cups, a splitting device, a plunger for pit ejection, and a fruit pulp removal screen that can adapt to different fruit sizes and shapes, allowing for efficient processing with minimal pulp loss and damage, while maintaining hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual processing methods are used to retain intact pulp, then pulp integrity is maintained, but processing time and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulp integrityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processing with an automated mechanical system consisting of a holding cup, splitting device, plunger, and screen press. This automated system processes fruit while maintaining pulp integrity through controlled mechanical actions rather than manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing system is divided into distinct functional components: the holding cup secures the fruit, the splitting device separates halves, the plunger ejects pits, and the screen press extracts pulp. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently while preserving overall pulp integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If drum or roller squeeze systems are used to process fruit pulp, then processing automation is achieved, but solids content and chunk retention are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidsolids content

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a screen press with porous structure that allows liquid extraction while retaining solid pulp chunks. The screen's porosity enables selective passage of materials based on size, preserving the required solids content (30% for guacamole, 50% for Asian markets) while achieving automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of operation

If semiautomatic avocado peelers are used, then peeling function is provided, but processing speed and cost-effectiveness for large-scale operations are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeeling capabilityVSAvoidprocessing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate operations (peeling, splitting, pitting, and pulp extraction) into a single integrated automated system. The holding cup accommodates the entire fruit, and all processing steps occur within this unified system, dramatically increasing throughput for large-scale operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing machinery is used to process various sized fruit, then processing capability is provided, but machine component changes are required, compromising hygiene and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit size accommodationVSAvoidmachine adjustment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding cup is designed as a flexible component that can dynamically adapt its shape and size to accommodate different fruit varieties. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for physical machine component changes while maintaining hygiene and processing efficiency across various fruit sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables efficient, automated processing of avocados and other fruits, ensuring high solids content retention, accommodating various sizes, and minimizing pulp loss, thus addressing the inefficiencies of manual methods and existing machinery limitations.

Implementation Method 1

the holding cups are of flexible construction to adapt to the shape and size of the fruit being processed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fruit pulp removal screen pressable into the holding cups to extract the fruit pulp from the fruit husk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240023592A1Fruit processing device

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 JBT MAREL CORPORATION

AI summary

A fruit processing apparatus includes a chute through which fruit passes to be placed into a series of holding cups positioned around the perimeter of a first rotating indexing delivery carousel. A second rotating indexing delivery carousel is located side by side the first delivery carousel and also includes a series of cups positioned around its perimeter. Two corresponding holding cups from the rotating delivery carousels close towards each other to cooperatively form a cavity to retain the fruit therein. A small separation remains between the two cups through which passes a splitting device for splitting, with one section/half remaining within each of the two cups. An ejector for ejecting the pit from the split fruit includes at least one pick configured to strike against the pit to remove the pit from the fruit.