Copra-Cutting

Machines

Another Outfit Seeks Market

A SOMEWHAT confused position has arisen over the marketing in the South Pacific of what may be described as copra-cutting machines. As already described in PIM, a machine invented by Mr.

Henri D. Rey, of Tahiti, manufac tured in USA, is being marketed in the South Pacific by Messrs. Burns Philp (SS) Co. Ltd.

Now, however, it appears that another copra-cutting machine is to be marketed in the South Pacific by Mr. Tom Marshall. Mr. Marshall is head of the Apex Engineering Co., of Burbank, California, which constructed Mr. Rey’s machine, in

This photograph of Mr. Marshall’s machine illustrates the chief differences between the two machines referred to in this article.

Mr. Key’s machine (illustrated in September, 1953, PIM) is in two units.

In one, the guillotine or pile-driver method of splitting coconuts is used. A small engine hauls a weighted knife to the top of a frame, where it is “tripped,” and falls onto a coconut, which thus is split. The split nut is then moved across to a series of oscillating knives, which remove the meat.

Mr. Marshall’s machine (illustrated above) is in one unit. It is 30 in. high,

16V2 in. wide. 54 in. long, and weighs 390 lbs. An operator stands at one end and places the nut in position, through the top. He presses a foot pedal (D) and a knife (B) moves sideways and slices the nut in two. There are four more positions for operators at the other end of the machine they receive the split nuts and hold them against knives which oscillate apparently in the same way as in the Rey machine. The one petrol engine (A) provides all the power.

A tray and snout (C) gathers the water from the split nuts and runs it into a container.

IT A son was born at Vavau, Tonga, recently to Mr. and Mrs. Siua Moa, of the local wireless office.

accordance with Mr. Key’s specifica tions.

Mr. Key is a very old resident of Tahiti —a French citizen of part- Tahitian blood. He is an ingenious man, of an inventive turn of mind, and he has for years been experi menting with ideas for a copra-cut ting machine. In recent years, Mr.

Marshall, an engineer from Cali fornia, visited Tahiti on holiday, and he personally became interested in the idea of a copra-cutting machine; and eventually he and Mr. Key studied the matter to gether.

When Mr. Key returned to Cali fornia, his Apex Engineering Co. produced for Mr. Key the copra cutting machine already described and illustrated in this journal. Mr.

Key, through his San Francisco agents, appointed Burns Philp dis tributors of the machine, and arrangements for advertising and marketing were made.

Then it was announced by the Apex Engineering Co. that it had a copra-cutting machine, called the Copra King, in production, and almost ready for distribution, and it sought agents in the South Pacific. Since then, Mr. Marshall has brought two of his copra cutters into the South Pacific for demon stration.

There since has ensued an ex change of communications between

Messrs. Burns Philp, Key, Marshall

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A/? Tvi 18 ha Y e er U n f ri u gec li Mr. Marshall contends that, based on his personal knowledge of the coconut planter s needs, he has produced a machine different from that of Mr. Key; and he also has

applied for patent rights, The illustration of Mr. Marshall’s machine differs from that of Mr.

Rey’s machine. Some time may lapse before the issue between them jg decided. Meanwhile it would appear that both machines are be ing offered to copra producers.