PRODUCE PROCESSING APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A produce processing apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of paddles coupled with a rotating conveyor system configured for capturing and securing produce along a first position;
a counter-rotating compression belt system for compressing the produce along a second position, whereinthe counter-rotating compression belt system is configured to apply a compressive force to the produce such that the produce is secured, and whereinthe counter-rotating compression belt system includes a belt that is counter-rotating and synchronized with respect to the rotating conveyor system; and
a cutting system comprising a rotary coring blade assembly positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, whereinthe rotary coring blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a third position.
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Abstract
Produce processing apparatuses are presented including: a number of paddles coupled with a rotating conveyor system configured for capturing and securing produce along a first position; a counter-rotating compression belt system for compressing the produce along a second position, where the counter-rotating compression belt system is configured to apply a compressive force to the produce such that the produce is secured, and where the counter-rotating compression belt system includes a belt that is counter-rotating and synchronized with respect to the rotating conveyor system; and a cutting system including a rotary coring blade assembly positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, where the rotary coring blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a third position.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A produce processing apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of paddles coupled with a rotating conveyor system configured for capturing and securing produce along a first position; a counter-rotating compression belt system for compressing the produce along a second position, wherein the counter-rotating compression belt system is configured to apply a compressive force to the produce such that the produce is secured, and wherein the counter-rotating compression belt system includes a belt that is counter-rotating and synchronized with respect to the rotating conveyor system; and a cutting system comprising a rotary coring blade assembly positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the rotary coring blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a third position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
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13. The apparatus of claim A1, wherein the produce is selected from the group consisting of:
- a romaine lettuce head, an iceberg lettuce head, a butterhead lettuce head, a summertime lettuce head, a cabbage head, a bok choy head, an escarole lettuce head, a radicchio lettuce heat, a broccoli head, a cauliflower head, a broccoflower head, a celery bunch, and a carrot bunch.
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17. A method for processing produce, the method comprising:
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receiving severed produce on a rotating conveyor system along a first position, the rotating conveyor system comprising a plurality of paddles for capturing and securing the severed produce; compressing the severed produce with a counter-rotating compression belt system configured to apply a compressive force to the severed produce such that the severed produce is secured; and transporting the severed produce through a cutting system comprising, the cutting system comprising, at least one coring blade positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the at least one coring blade is positioned and configured to core the severed produce along a second position, and at least one trimming blade positioned along the path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the at least one trimming blade is positioned and configured to trim the severed produce along a third position; and releasing a cored and trimmed produce to a collection point. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A produce processing apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of annular cups coupled with a rotating conveyor system configured for capturing and securing produce along a first position; a cutting system comprising a rotary coring blade assembly positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the rotary coring blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a second position a rotary trimming blade assembly positioned along the path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the rotary trimming blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a third position - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for processing produce, the method comprising:
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receiving severed produce on a rotating conveyor system along a first position, the rotating conveyor system comprising a plurality of annular cups for capturing and securing the severed produce; transporting the severed produce through a cutting system comprising, the cutting system comprising, at least one coring blade positioned along a path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the at least one coring blade is positioned and configured to core the severed produce along a second position, and at least one trimming blade positioned along the path of the rotating conveyor system, wherein the at least one trimming blade is positioned and configured to trim the severed produce along a third position; and releasing a cored and trimmed produce to a collection point.
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Specification