#$%^&*AU2017200209A120170202.pdf#####- 61 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FOOD, PARTICULARLY FRUIT ABSTRACT An apparatus for preparing fruit includes a main housing with a cutting area containing a cutting assembly and a drive assembly, a removable cup assembly for inserting the fruit into the apparatus, and a removable drawer and tray for removing cut pieces of fruit from the apparatus after a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a rinsing assembly for cleaning the fruit and the cutting assembly, and a deflector configured to route cut pieces of fruit into the tray and waste material through a disposal outlet. The cutting assembly is configured to perform one or more cutting operations depending on the type of fruit detected in the cup assembly: wedging for apples, lemons, limes, and pears, and cutting/peeling for oranges and grapefruits. The apparatus quickly prepares various fruits for consumption without requiring an operator to touch the cut pieces of fruit.1 40 --- ------ --- - 4 A --------------- -- -- -- - -' -----N >；- ------------ -~ ------FIG>；. 1 7
