Grader and packer for spherical form fruit - uses selective operation of gauge heads to push correct size fruit into compartment of box below

The machine sizes and packs fruit of circular form, automatically in accordance with preset standards. The fruit is graded downwards from the first station, undersized being rejected at the end. Each station comprises several gauge heads (13, 14, 15) and the fruit (A, B, C) placed in set positions, passes below. If of correct size, and depending on the sequence set, a gauge head is activated. The fruit is pushed sideways (19, 20, 21) off the belt (1a,) down a chute to the box (12) below. This is pre-positioned on a conveyor below, the fruit dropping into an empty compartment (A14). A power cylinder (6) then moves the box to the next compartment (B13, C15).