NZ573692A

NZ573692A - Deseeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: NZ573692A
Application number: NZ573692A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Grant Kenneth Roberts
Original assignee: Grant Kenneth Roberts
Priority date: 2008-12-17
Filing date: 2008-12-17
Publication date: 2010-07-30
Also published as: WO2010071451A1

Abstract

A pulp and pip or seed separator includes a pair of counter-rotating rollers 7a, 7b, only one of which is provided with a helical projection 21. Fruit such as grapes is loaded into the valley between the rollers and as the rollers rotate the fruit pulp is stripped off the seeds and is squeezed through the gaps 23 to be collected below the rollers. The hard pips or seeds cannot fit through the gaps so are conveyed by the helical projection along the rollers to a portion of the rollers where the seeds can fall into a collector. An abrasive portion 25 that extends along the direction of the helical projection and on one side thereof serves to assist stripping of the pulp from the seeds.

Description

10056633703* ;57 3 6 92 ;NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 ;No: Date: ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;DESEEDING APPARATUS ;I, GRANT KENNETH ROBERTS, a New Zealand citizen, of Silverford, 358 Dartmoor Road, Puketapu, Napier 4121, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;1776452-1 ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. ;11 DEC 2008 ;— *». i v i r~ FIELD OF THE INVENTION ? Tins invention relates to an apparatus for processing fruit. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for separating seed(s) from the flesh of a fruit.

BACKGROUND Manv fruit have an interior of pulp and seeds, surrounded by an outer skin. In some fruits, the seeds may have a harsh flavour which renders them undesirable for use in some end 10 products. For some applications it is desirable to use both the pulp and skm for end products, but not the seeds. One application where it may be desirable to separate fruit seeds from the pulp and skin is in winemaking. For some types of grapes, only the pulp and skin are used m the winemaking process.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the invention to provide an apparatus for separating seed(s) from the flesh of a fruit. It is an alternative object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of1. When interpreting each statement m this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms 25 such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for deseeding a fruit, the apparatus comprising: a pair of elongate counter-rotatable rollers in a substantially parallel arrangement, 30 the rollers defining a flesh removal zone in which there are separations between surfaces of the rollers and a seed removal zone; only one of the rollers in the pair comprising a seed mover configured to move seed(s) from the flesh removal zone to the seed removal zone, the seed mover comprising 3 a generally helical projection that extends along at least a major part of the length of the roller 111 the flesh removal zone, wherein enlarged clearances are provided between die surfaces of the rollers in the flesh removal zone other than the projection, with the enlarged clearances being sufficiently small that the seed(s) cannot pass through the 5 enlarged clearances, the roller with the projection further comprising a transition zone between die enlarged clearances and the projection, with the transition zone extending along at least a major part of die length of the projection 011 one side of the projection, the transition zone comprising an abrasive surface to assist with separating the flesh from the seed(s); the rollers spaced and configured so that m use, counter-rotation of the rollers causes rotation of the fruit and a major part of the flesh of the fruit to be separated from the seed(s) of the fruit and ejected through the flesh removal zone, and the seed(s) to be moved by the seed mover to the seed removal zone.

As used herein, "flesh" should be construed as meaning either the pulp of the fruit (if the skin has previously been removed from the fruit), or the pulp and skin of the fruit (if the skin is initially intact).

In some fruit, such as apples and grapes for example, the seeds will be in the form of pips.

Other fruit, such as apricots, plums, and olives for example, will have a single seed m the form of a stone. Accordingly, the "seeds" and "deseeding" language and similar terms used herein should be construed to cover those variants.

Preferably, the separations between surfaces of the rollers in the enlarged clearances are sufficient for flesh to pass through, but are sufficiently small that seed(s) cannot pass through the enlarged clearances.

Preferably, the separations between surfaces of the rollers in the enlarged clearances are no greater than about 50% of the average smallest dimension of the seed(s) of the fruit to be processed.

Preferably, the separations between the rollers in the enlarged clearances are smaller than spacing between the rollers in the seed removal zone. 4 Preferably, a ratio of the diameter of the roller m the enlarged clearances to the average smallest outer dimension of the fruit to be processed is between about 2:1 to about 10:1, depending on the skin thickness and toughness of the fruit to be processed. Preferably, the 5 apparatus is suitable for deseeding grapes, and the ratio is about 3:1.

Preferably, the flesh removal zone comprises a major part of a length of each roller, with the seed removal zone comprising a minor part of the length of each roller. Preferably, the seed removal zone is positioned at or toward one end of the rollers.

Preferably, the seed mover comprises a plurality of generally helical projections extending along at least a major part of die length of the roller in the flesh removal zone. Preferably, the seed mover comprises three generally helical projections on the roller. The seed mover could alternatively comprise a greater or lesser number of generally helical projections.

Preferably, the roller comprising the projections comprises an abrasive transition zone extending along at least a major part of die length of each projection on one side of each projection.

Preferably, the length of each clearance between adjacent projections on the roller, excluding the transition zones, is approximately equal to the average greatest dimension of a seed of the fruit to Lie processed, multiplied by the average maximum number of seeds in an individual fruit.

Preferably, at least a major part of the surface of the roller comprising the projection(s), other than the projecnon(s) and the transition zone(s), comprises a substantially smooth surface m the flesh removal zone.

The seed mover on one roller may contact a surface of the other roller. Alternatively, a 30 clearance may lie provided between the seed mover on one roller and the other roller. In either case, enlarged clearances are provided between the surfaces of the rollers in the flesh removal zone, other than the seed mover. The enlarged clearances will be sufficiendy small that the seed(s) cannot pass through the enlarged clearance.

Preferably, the or each abrasive transition zone comprises a plurality of ribs or protrusions. Any other suitable type of abrasive surface could be used. By way of example, the abrasive transition zone(s) could comprise a hammered, dimpled, diamond, knurled, or sandpaper-5 like finish. Preferably, the width of the or each abrasive surface is at least about 30% of the average minimum outer dimension of the fruit to be processed.

Preferably, the transition zone(s) extend(s) along substantially the entire length of the projection^) in the flesh removal zone.

In one embodiment, the roller in the pair that does not comprise a seed mover comprises a substantially smooth surface in the flesh removal zone. In another embodiment, the roller in the pair that does not comprise a seed mover may comprise an abrasive surface m the flesh removal zone.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of rollers, with the rollers m each pair configured to counter-rotate relative to one another and having one or more of the features outlined above.

Preferably, in each pair of rollers, only one roller comprises a seed mover comprising at least one generally helical projection that extends along at least a major part of the length of the roller in the flesh removal zone, wherein the roller in each pair that comprises the generally helical projection(s) further comprises an abrasive transition zone extending along at least a major part of the length of the or each projection on one side of the or each 25 projection.

The apparatus preferably comprises a drive mechanism to cause the counter-rotation of the rollers. Preferably, the drive mechanism comprises a motor operatively connected to the rollers by a gear mechanism. Preferably, each roller is operatively connected to an adjacent 30 roller by gears, to cause the counter-rotation of the rollers. The gears may be integral with or attached to the rollers. The rollers are preferably configured to counter-rotate at between about 300 rpm and about 2000 rpm, more preferably at about lOOOrpm. A speed controller ma)r be provided to control the speed of the rollers. 6 The spacing between the rollers may be adjustable to enable the apparatus to be used for different fruit.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to separate the seed(s) from the flesh of pip fruit, such as apples, kiwifruit, or grapes for example. Preferably, the apparatus is configured to separate the seeds from the flesh of grapes, with the rollers spaced and configured accordingly.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of separating seed(s) from die flesh of a fruit, comprising: providing an apparatus as oudined in relation to the first aspect above; delivering the fruit to the rollers; and operating the apparatus so the fruit is rotated and the rollers separate the flesh from 15 the seed(s) of the fruit, and such that the flesh is ejected from the flesh removal zone, and the seed(s) is/are moved to the seed removal zone.

Preferably, the step of operating the apparatus comprises rotationally peeling pulp away from the seed(s) of the fruit. Preferably, the step of operating the apparatus comprises 20 initially rorationally peeling skin away from the pulp of the fruit.

Preferably, the method comprises collecting the flesh from die flesh removal zone, and collecting the seeds from the seed removal zone.

Preferably the fruit comprises a pip fruit, such as apples, kiwifruit, or grapes for example. 25 Most preferably, the fruit comprises grapes. Alternatively, the fruit may comprise a stone fruit.

Where speciEc integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein 30 as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. 7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be more fully understood by way of example only having reference to 5 the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an end perspective view of a preferred embodiment deseeding apparatus; Figure 2 is an overhead view of the deseeding apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the deseeding apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is the opposite side view of the deseeding apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an overhead view of a portion of one pair of counter-rotatable rollers; Figure 6 is an overhead detailed view of a portion of one pair of rollers in the seed removal zone of the rollers; Figure 7 is an overhead schematic view of one pair of rollers; Figure 8A is an overhead detail view7 of section A of Figure 7; and Figure 8B is an overhead detail view of section B of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment deseeding apparatus comprises a support 1 that defines a fruit receiving zone or bed 3. The housing 1 extends around the exterior of the fruit receiving zone, and is supported at a height above the ground by a plurality of legs 2. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of castors 2a to enable the apparatus to be moved to a desired position for operation or storage.

Referring to Figure 2, the fruit receiving zone comprises a plurality- of elongate counter-rotatable rollers 7a, 7b arranged in pairs. The rollers m each pair are provided in a parallel arrangement. In the form shown, there are eight pairs 5a to 5h of counter-rotatable rollers, each pair comprising a roller 7a and roller 7b. The apparatus could be provided with a 30 single pair of counter-rotatable rollers, or with any suitable plurality of pairs of counter-rotatable rollers, depending on the amount of the fruit to be processed in the apparatus. 8 As the tollers in each pair will generally be rhe same, rhe details ot only one pair of rollers 7a, 7b will be described. The rollers will be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer or metal for example. Preferably, the rollers are made of stainless steel.

One side of the housing forms a gearbox housing la, and an end of each roller 7a, 7b extends through a respective bearing 9 (Figure 6) into the gearbox housing la. As shown in Figure 3, the opposite sick of the housing 1 has a plurality of apertures, and an end 7a', 7b' of each roller extends through a respective aperture. Although not shown in the figures, bearings will lie provided within the apertures to rota tab Iv support the rollers.

Referring to Figure 2, the bed 3 and rollers define a flesh removal zone indicated generally by reference 9a, and a seed removal zone indicated generally by reference 9b.

A barrier or shutter mechanism SM is represented schematically by a broken line m Figure 15 2. The barrier is positioned above the rollers and comprises a vertical board which has a plurality of arcuate cutouts to accommodate rhe rotating rollers. Tire barrier SM prevents whole fruit from passing from the flesh removal zone to the seed removal zone. The barrier is preferably repositionable along the rollers depending on the load of fruit to be processed.

A linear brush LB (one of which is represented schematically by a broken line in Figure 2) is positioned along the underside of each roller, and is aligned with the rotational axis of the roller. The brush preferably extends the full length of the flesh removal zone of the rollers. The brushes assist with the removal of skins and pulp from the roller surfaces. 25 The brushes are preferably held in a stainless steel frame that is mounted to the underside of the roller frame, and that is preferably removable to enable cleaning and sterilisation of the apparatus.

Referring to Figure 4, the apparatus is provided with a drive mechanism which in the form 30 shown is an electric motor that causes the counter-rotation of the rollers m each pair of rollers. Although not shown m the figures, within the gearbox housing la, a gear mechanism is provided to operatively connect adjacent rollers to one another. The end of each roller that extends into the gearbox housing comprises a gear, and the gears on 9 adjacetir rollers mesh to cause the counter-rotation of the rollers. The end roller closest to the motor further comprises a second gear 15 that is operatively connected to the motor output via a suitable endless linkage 17. In the form shown, the endless linkage is a chain 17; however, it will be appreciated that any other suitable type of linkage could be used 5 such as a pulley belt for example. The gears may be integrally formed with the rollers, or may be formed separately but attached to the rollers. The gearbox housing la preferably also acts as a sump containing a lubricant for lubricating the gears during operation.

One of the rollers 7a, 7b in each pair of rollers 5a to 5h comprises a seed mover to move 10 the seeds from the flesh removal zone 9a to the seed removal zone 9b. In the form shown, the seed mover comprises a helical projection 21 that extends along at least a major part of the length of the roller 7b in the flesh removal zone, and preferably along the entire length of the roller 7b m the flesh removal zone. In the preferred form, a plurality of helical projections are provided on the roller 7b. Most preferably, three helical projections 21 are 15 provided on the roller 7b. That is, there are three "starts" for the helical projections on the roller 7b. Any other suitable number could be provided.

In the preferred form shown, the helical projections 21 are provided on only a single roller m each pair 5a to 5h of rollers. This has been found to provide the most efficient 20 separation of flesh from seeds and movement of seeds to the seed removal zone.

The roller 7a that does not comprise a seed mover is provided with a substantially smooth surface 7a', at least m the flesh removal zone 9a. At least a major part of the surface 7b' of the roller comprising the seed mover, comprises a substantially smooth surface in the flesh 25 removal zone. The smooth surfaces on the adjacent rollers enhance movement of the seeds toward the seed removal zone 9b.

At least one separation is provided between the surfaces 7a', 7b' of the rollers in the flesh removal zone. The separations are indicated by reference numeral 23 in Figure 5. The 30 separations 23 between the surfaces of the rollers in the flesh removal zone is sufficient for flesh to pass through, but are sufficiently small that seeds cannot pass through the separation 23 in the flesh removal zone.

In the form shown, the helical projections 21 011 roller 7b contact the surface 7a' of the smooth roller 7a. Alternatively, a small spacing can be provided between the helical projections 21 and the surface 7a' of the other roller. In either case, an enlarged clearance is provided by separations 23. The enlarged clearance 23 is larger than any spacing 5 between the helical projections 21 and the surface 7a' of the smooth roller 7a. The helical projections 21 extend radially outwardly beyond the surface 7b', so that the helical projections effectively form an outer diameter OD of the roller 7b and the surface 7b' form a smaller diameter ID of the roller 7b. The difference between OD and ID may be selected based on the fruit that is to be processed.

The seed mover comprises a transition zone 25 between the enlarged clearance region 23 and each projection 21, with each transition zone forming part of a respective projection. The transition zone is provided along at least a major part of the length of each projection, and preferably along the entire length of each projection. The transition zone is provided 15 on one side of each projection, and the other side of each projection 27 is provided with a wall that extends radially outwardly from the clearance region 23 to the outer surface of the projection. That wall is preferably perpendicular to the outer surface of the projection. In the form shown, each transition zone has a concave curvature, and transitions radially outwardly from the surface 7b' to the outer surface of the projection 21. Alternatively, 20 each transition zone could have a convex curvature, or a substantially linear arrangement.

At least one of the rollers in each pair comprises an abrasive surface, to assist with separating flesh from the seeds. In the preferred form shown, the roller comprising the seed mover 21 has an abrasive surface, and the other roller is substantially smooth. In the 25 preferred form shown, the abrasive surface comprises part of the transition zones 25. The abrasive surface can be any suitable type, such as a plurality of ribs or protrusions for example. Ribs are preferred as they function effectively and are easy to machine into the roller. However, any other suitable type of abrasive surface could be used. By way of example, the abrasive surface could comprise a hammered, dimpled, diamond, knurled, or 30 sandpaper-like finish. Preferably, rhe width (if the abrasive surface is between about 30% and about 50% of the average minimum outer dimension (diameter) of the fruit to be processed. 11 As shown in Figure 2, the flesh removal zone 9a comprises a major part of a length of each roller 7a, 7b, with the seed removal zone 9b comprising a minor part of the length of each roller and positioned at one end of the rollers. The diameter SRD of the rollers m the seed removal zone 9b is smaller than the diameter of the rollers in the flesh removal zone.

As shown in Figure 1, a container 31 for receipt of flesh may be positioned beneath the flesh removal zone 9a, and a container 33 for receipt of the seeds may be positioned beneath the seed removal zone 9b. Alternatively, conveyors or any other suitable collection devices could be provided.

In the form shown, the apparatus is a grape deseeding apparatus configured to separate rhe seeds from the flesh of grapes. The roller sizes, spacing, and configuration are preferably as outlined below.

Figures 7, 8a, and 8b show greater detail of the dimensions of the rollers in the preferred form grape deseeding apparatus. The clearance regions 23 between the rollers preferably have a spacing G between the rollers that allows an easy passage of skin and pulp while being no greater than 50% of the average shortest dimension of the seed(s) of the grape(s). In the preferred form shown, the spacing G is at least about 0.5 mm, preferably between 20 about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm, and most preferably about 1.0 mm.

The inner diameter ID of the roller 7b will be selected based on the average diameter of the whole product (fruit) to be processed. The ratio of the inner diameter of the roller in the region(s) of the separation^) to the average smallest outer dimension of the fruit to be 25 processed is between about 2:1 to about 10:1, depending on the skin thickness and toughness of the product to be processed. For the preferred form grape deseeding apparatus, the ratio is preferably about 3:1.

The length of the smooth flat clearance surface 7b' between adjacent projection(s) on the 30 rollers 7b will be selected to accommodate the number of seed(s) m an individual fruit, as they lie m a line adjacent to one another. Some fruits have one seed (e.g. apricots) but many have several seeds. The seed(s) will naturally sit against the projection face with their longest dimension positioned along the line of travel. Thus the selection of this length is 12 based upon die average greatest dimension of tlie seed multiplied by the average maximum number of seeds in an individual fruit. For grapes for example, this length is determined as 3.3mm x 3 seeds, or about 10mm, as indicated by dimension C m Figure BA. While diat length could be greater, that would reduce the total number of machined abrasive surfaces 5 in contact with the fruit and therefore reduce the machine's efficiency. If that length is made smaller than the above rule, crowding may occur which may keep some seed(s) 111 contact with the abrasive surface, resulting in undesirable grinding of the seed(s) and passage of the resultant grounds into the skin/pulp collector 31.

The width D of the abrasive surface 25 is preferably between about 30% and about 50% of the average minimum outer dimension of the fruit to be processed. In the preferred embodiment shown, the width B is about 5 mm. The fruit skin is gripped firmly by the abrasive surface on one side of the fruit sphere, the skin then peels off and passes through the rollers as the fruit rotates. The pulp is then stripped away from the seeds in a similar rotational manner until the seeds are reached. Because of this rotational stripping, the angle of the abrasive surface, the hardness of the seeds and the lubricating effect of the juice, the seeds are left m the smoodi zone 7b' where diey stay until diey reach the seed removal zone and are ejected. The seed(s) are sufficiently hard that they cannot be compressed between the rollers m the flesh removal zone. If the abrasive zone is not angled or it exceeds 50% of the average minimum outer dimension of the fruit, then the iD y rotational effect may not easily occur and unacceptable numbers of seeds may be trapped and crushed by the abrasive surface. Therefore, it is preferred that the abrasive surface is angled, and is within the above range.

The angle of the helical projection(s) relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller is determined by the above features, although that is balanced by the following: the closer the angle to the line of travel, the greater the amount of product is processed for a given rotational speed; and the closer the angle to the line of travel, the more inadvertent crushing of seeds occurs.

For grapes, the most efficient angle is about 60 degrees relative to the line of travel. That allows for three starts of helical ridges. 13 Other dimensions tor the preferred form apparatus shown are E=about 5 mm, F = about 20 mm, SRD=about 30 mm, BD=about 30 mm, Ll=about 40 mm, L2=about 390 mm, L3=about 100 mm, L4=about 90 mm. LI is the length of die portion of the rollers received m the bearing casing, L2 is the length of the flesh removal zone of the rollers, L3 5 is the length of the seed removal zone of the rollers, and L4 is the length of the portion of the rollers received m die gear and bearing casing. BD, SRD, and OD are preferably the same for each roller; however, that is not essential. It will lie appreciated that the dimensions are by way of example only.

Some or all dimensions could differ depending on the fruit to be processed. For example, when used for processing a stone fruit, the spacing dimension G would be larger, which mav also result in dimensions D, E, and F being larger.

The rollers are preferably configured to counter-rotate at between about 300 rpm and 15 about 2000 rpm, preferably at about lOOOrpm.

Operation of preferred embodiment apparatus In use, the motor 13 is operated and causes the rollers 7a, 7b m each pair 5a to 5h to 20 counter-rotate m the directions R shown m Figure 2. Hie fruit to be processed are delivered to rhe flesh removal zone 9a on top of rhe rollers. The counter-rotation of the rollers causes the flesh (comprising pulp and/or skin) to be separated from the seeds of rhe fruit. The abrasive surface causes the fruit to generally rotate in one direction, and the transition zone 25 grips the skm of the fruit and pulls that toward the projection 21. That 25 causes the seeds of the fruit to be ejected from the skin toward the smooth surface 7b' of the roller. The separated flesh is forced downwardly through the enlarged recesses 23 between rollers 7a, 7b by rotation of the rollers, and is ejected dirough the flesh removal zone into the container 31.

As die spacing 23 is sufficiently small that the seeds cannot pass theredirough, the helical projections 21 cause the seeds to travel along the smooth surfaces 7a', 7b' 111 the general direction S (Figure 2) to the seed removal zone 91). Due to the smaller diameters SRD of 14 the rollers in the seed removal zone, the seeds are ejected from the seed removal zone into the container 33.

The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and 5 modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the apparatus above is described as a grape deseeding apparatus, and is configured accordingly. However, the apparatus could be readily modified to separate the 10 seeds from the flesh of any other type of pip fruit, such as apples or kiwifruit for example, or to separate rhe seed (stone) from the flesh of stone fruit such as apricots, plums or olives for example. The configuration of the machine, such as roller sizes, spacings, and features will be adjusted accordingly.

In the form shown, the spacing between the rollers in each pair is fixed. However, in an alternative embodiment, the spacing could be adjustable so that the apparatus is adjustable for processing different types of fruit, or different sizes of the same species.

Both of the rollers could comprise abrasive surface(s).

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1,2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges 25 expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated m this application m a similar manner.

Claims

15 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for deseeding a fruit, the apparatus comprising: a pair of elongate counter-rotatable rollers in a substantially parallel arrangement, 5 the rollers defining a flesh removal zone in which there are separations between surfaces of the rollers and a seed removal zone; only one of the rollers in the pair comprising a seed mover configured to move seed(s) from the flesh removal zone to the seed removal zone, the seed mover comprising a generally helical projection that extends along at least a major part of the length of the 10 roller m the flesh removal zone, wherein enlarged clearances are provided between the surfaces of the rollers in the flesh removal zone other than the projection, with the enlarged clearances being sufficiently small that the seed(s) cannot pass through the enlarged clearances, the roller with the projection further comprising a transition zone between the enlarged clearances and the projection, with the transition zone extending 15 along at least a major part of the length of the projection on one side of the projection, the transition zone comprising an abrasive surface to assist with separating the flesh from the seed(s); the rollers spaced and configured so that in use, counter-rotation of the rollers causes rotation of the fruit and a major part of the flesh of the fruit to be separated from 20 the seed(s) of the fruit and ejected through the flesh removal zone, and the seed(s) to be moved by the seed mover to the seed removal zone.

2. An apparatus as claimed m claim 1, wherein the separations between surfaces of the rollers in the enlarged clearances are sufficient for flesh to pass through, but are sufficiently 25 small that seed(s) cannot pass through the enlarged clearances.

3. An apparatus as claimed m claim 2, wherein the separations between surfaces of the rollers in the enlarged clearances are no greater than about 50% of the average smallest dimension of the seed(s) of the fruit to be processed. 30

4. An apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separations between the rollers m the enlarged clearances are smaller than spacing between the rollers in the seed removal zone. 16

5. An apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a ratio of the diameter of the roller m the enlarged clearances to the average smallest outer dimension of the fruit to be processed is between about 2:1 to about 10:1. 5

6. An apparatus as claimed m claim 5, wherein the apparatus is suitable for deseeding grapes, and the ratio is about 3:1.

7. An apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seed mover 10 comprises a plurality of generally helical projections extending along at least a major part of the length of the roller in the flesh removal zone.

8. An apparatus as claimed m claim 75 comprising three generally helical projections on the roller. 15

9. An apparatus as claimed m claim 7 or 8, wherein the roller comprising die projections comprises an abrasive transition zone extending along at least a major part of the length of each projection on one side of each projection. 20

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the length of each clearance between adjacent projections on the roller, excluding the transition zones, is approximately equal to the average greatest dimension of a seed of the fruit to be processed, multiplied by the average maximum number of seeds m an individual fruit. 25

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a major part of the surface of the roller comprising the projection(s), other than die projection(s) and transition zone(s), comprises a substantially smooth surface in the flesh removal zone. 30

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the width of rhe or each abrasive transition zone is at least about 30% of the average minimum outer dimension of the fruit to be processed. 17

13. An apparatus as claimed 111 any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the transition zone(s) extend(s) along substantially the entire length of the projection(s) m die flesh removal zone.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the roller in the pair 5 that does not comprise a seed mover comprises a substantially smooth surface in the flesh removal zone.

15. An apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein die roller m die pair that does not comprise a seed mover comprises an abrasive surface in the flesh removal 10 zone.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a plurality of pairs of rollers, with the rollers in each pair configured to counter-rotate relative to one another. 15

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein in each pair of rollers, only one roller comprises a seed mover comprising at least one generally helical projection that extends along at least a major part of die length of the roller in the flesh removal zone, wherein the roller m each pair that comprises the generally helical projection(s) further comprises an abrasive transition zone extending along at least a major part of the length of the or each 20 projection on one side ol the or each projection.

18. An apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the apparatus is configured to separate seeds from the flesh of pip fruit, such as apples, kiwifruit, or grapes for example. 25

19. An apparatus as claimed m claim 18, wherein the apparatus is a grape deseeding apparatus.

20. A method of separating seed(s) from the flesh of a fruit, comprising: 30 providing an apparatus as claimed m any one of claim 1 to 19; delivering the fruit to the rollers; and 18 operating the apparatus so the fruit is rotated and the rollers separate the flesh from the seed('s) of the fruit, and such that the flesh is ejected from the flesh removal zone, and the seed(s) is/are moved to the seed removal zone. 5

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step of operating the apparatus comprises rotanonallv peeling pulp away from the seed(s) of the fruit.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein die step of operating the apparatus comprises initially rotationally peeling skm away from the pulp of the fruit. 10

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the method comprises collecting the flesh from the flesh removal zone, and collecting the seed(s) from the seed removal zone. 15

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the fruit comprises a pip fruit, such as apples, kiwifruit, or grapes for example.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fruit comprises grapes. 20

26. An apparatus for deseeding a fruit, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. 25

28. A method as claimed m claim 24, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. GRANT KENNETH ROBERTS 30 By the authorised agents A]PARK Per: