Process and system for sorting and pitting fruit

Abstract

Drupaceous fruit pieces, including fruit flesh with and without pit matter adhering to the flesh as well as loose pits and pit pieces themselves, are passed through an integrated system of multiple sorting units utilizing different sorting methodologies. The sorting units include a laser-based sorting unit that sorts according to differences in light scattering, a diode-based sorting unit that sorts according to differences in light reflectance, and in certain embodiments a camera-based sorting unit that sorts according to differences in color. The system also includes an impact separator that dislodges pit material from fruit flesh from which the pit material has not been dislodged by any preceding units, most notably by pitting machinery through which the fruit has passed prior to entering the system of the invention.