Peduncled vegetable and fruit positioning device

A device for positioning and transporting peduncled fruits and vegetables, said device comprising:

• a frame;
• an endless conveyor mounted for movement along said frame;
• said conveyor including a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged axially parallel to each other and transverse to the direction of movement of said conveyor;
• each said pair of rollers comprising a first type roller and a second type roller, at least one of said first and second type rollers having therein means for receiving and retaining the pedicle of a peduncled fruit or vegetable, said means comprising at least one peripheral canal;
• means operatively connected to said first and second type rollers for rotating said first and second type rollers in the same direction at the same speed, said rotating means comprising a rack fixedly mounted on said frame, and pinions fixed to said rollers and in meshing engagement with said rack;
• said conveyor having attached thereto and positioned between adjacent pairs of rollers generally upwardly extending dihedral walls;
• lateral plates positioned at opposite lateral sides of said conveyor and extending in said direction of movement thereof;
• and
• means extending radially from said at least one roller of each said pair of rollers for moving said peduncled fruit or vegetable such that said pedicle thereof is positioned in said at least one peripheral canal and such that said pedicle faces downwardly.