Patents Assigned to Dole Fresh Vegtables, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9078468
    Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves. The friction force applied by the stripping roller removes one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegtables, Inc.
    Inventors: Ignacio Barajas, Maximino Corral, Edgar Enrique Valdivia Rodriguez, Gabriel Fuentes Villasenor, Manuel Maldonado Magana, Carlos Uribe Meza, Jose De Jesus Valdez, Dennis Johnny Castillo, Serafin Albarran, Stephen Jens, Richard L. Bascou, Frank E. Davis