GRADING 287 



emptied. This expanding circular opening at the bottom of the 

 gauge is necessary to accurate size sorting. 



The track which guides the lower rings of the gauges is just 

 inside the machine and cannot be shown in the cuts. The amount 

 of incline given this track is governed by four adjusting screws. 

 From the time the gauges leave the feeding mechanism until they 

 have passed over the entire length of the packing tables, the size 

 of the circular holes and their range of expansion is controlled by 

 these adjusting screws. By turning them the entire range of all 

 the 88 gauges can be instantly regulated to give any sizes from 

 1 1 to 4^ inches. For instance, assume that the machine is adjusted 

 to grade apples ranging in size from 2 to 3}, inches, the variation 

 between the smallest apple and the largest being 1 A inches, which 

 variation is evenly distributed over the entire length of the packing 

 tables ; if the grower then desires to adjust the machine for peaches, 

 it can be instantly done by simply turning the adjusting screws to 

 give a range of, say, i| to 2| inches, or a variation of 1 inch. It 

 will be readily seen that this feature provides for a perfect distri- 

 bution of work among the packers, regardless of what range of 

 sizes is represented by the fruit. 



Packing tables. Particular attention is directed to the ideal 

 arrangement of tables, which is patented. First of all, the fruit is 

 deposited by the gauge directly upon the table and within easy 

 reach of the packer, thus avoiding the necessity for a chute or run- 

 way. Second, this table arrangement permits the fruit to be packed 

 directly into the box or other package used. As all deciduous fruit 

 is damaged by handling, the machine is so designed that such injury 

 is reduced to an absolute minimum. The fruit is automatically and 

 evenly distributed over each packing table in a single layer. This 

 feature not only permits of an unobstructed view of each apple on 

 the table, but it prevents stem punctures and other bruises which 

 always occur when apples are piled on top of one another. The 

 partitions which divide the tables are adjustable, which allows 

 the packer to make quick and accurate minor size-adjustments 

 in the fruit coming to his table. It will be remembered that the 

 gauges expand gradually as they move over the tables. It there- 

 fore depends upon the location of the table as to what size of 

 apples are delivered to it, so moving a partition is equivalent to 



