SANITARY CONTROL OF TOMATO-CANNING FACTORIES. 15 



This series of observations, which extended over a continuous 

 period of 28 minutes, shows a variation of from to 4^ bushels per 

 minute. The table shows that during the 28 minutes there were 

 five periods of from 1 to 9 minutes each (aggregating a total of 19| 

 minutes) during which no tomatoes at all were dumped into the 

 washer. From the washer the tomatoes were removed by a conveyor 

 to the sorting apron. This tended to equalize the variation some- 

 what, but there was still great irregularity as the tomatoes were 

 delivered finally for sorting. Although the average rate was only 

 about 66 bushels per hour, there were periods when the observed 

 rate amounted to 270. Such variation makes it practically impossible 

 to obtain uniform results in sorting. 



In dumping directly on the sorting apron the workmen often 

 become careless and the tomatoes pass to the sorters in piles inter- 

 spersed with vacant areas. In some plants one of the workmen is 

 assigned to the task of regulating the rate at which the tomatoes are 

 fed from the dumping board to the apron, but even this is not wholly 

 satisfactory. An attempt has been made to overcome this difficulty 

 by providing a mechanical device in the form of a feeding hopper, 

 and although this device has not been tested thoroughly, it gives 

 promise of relief. This feeding hopper consists of a short conveyor 

 18 inches wide and about 42 inches long, inclosed at the sides by 

 boards extending 6 inches above the apron. It is so regulated that it 

 travels 3 feet per minute. The conveyor or hopper thus made is kept 

 rounding full and so placed as to deliver the tomatoes to the sorting 

 apron with as little drop as possible. With these specifications as 

 to size and speed, such a feeder, if kept full, will deliver 120 bushels 

 of tomatoes per hour to the sorting apron at a regular speed. This 

 is about the amount that can be handled satisfactorily on a sorting 

 apron operated by 6 good sorters. Although this device as yet has 

 been tested only in an experimental way under factory conditions, 

 the results appear encouraging. 



TURNING DEVICES. 



For good sorting it is important that during the process all sides 

 of each tomato be subjected to inspection. In 1911 the writer pointed 

 out 1 the desirability of a mechanical device to turn the tomatoes 

 over while they are on the apron. Some firms manufacturing ma- 

 chinery and several packers have undertaken to accomplish this in 

 various ways. Of the forms applicable to the simple apron a certain 

 device used in one plant has such merit that a description of it should 

 prove valuable. Its simplicity, cheapness, and effectiveness, together 



1 Tomato Ketchup under the Microscope. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem. Circ. 68, 

 Feb. 13. 1911. 



