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Produce processing apparatus

  • US 9,221,186 B2
  • Filed: 11/17/2010
  • Issued: 12/29/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A produce processing apparatus comprising:

  • a plurality of paddles coupled with a rotating conveyor system, the plurality of paddles configured for capturing and securing produce along a first position of the rotating conveyor system;

    a counter-rotating compression belt system for compressing the produce along a second position of the rotating conveyor system, whereinthe counter-rotating compression belt system is configured to apply a compressive force to the produce such that the produce is secured between the rotating conveyor system andthe counter-rotating compression belt system without damaging the produce, 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 further comprises;

    at least two coring blades, the at least two coring blades each including a core blade edge aligned along a middle portion of each of the at least two coring blades, wherein the middle portion is formed to provide a first coring shape to core the produce, and wherein each of the at least two coring blades further include,a first proximal attachment point positioned along a proximal end of each of the at least two coring blades for attaching each of the at least two coring blades with a rotatable coring shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation, wherein the first proximal attachment point removeably couples with the rotatable coring shaft by a first coupling member; and

    a first distal attachment point positioned along a distal end of each of the at least two coring blades for attaching each of the at least two coring blades with the rotatable coring shaft wherein the first distal attachment point removeably couples with the rotatable coring shaft by a second coupling member such that each of the at least two coring blades is positioned parallel with the rotatable coring shaft, wherein, each of the at least two coring blades are coupled with the rotatable coring shaft, whereineach of the at least two coring blades define a void with respect to the rotatable coring shaft, and whereinthe rotary coring blade assembly is positioned and configured to core the produce along a third position of the rotating conveyor system.

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