Patents by Inventor Jose De Jesus Valdez

Jose De Jesus Valdez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9668513
    Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce and its method of use is provided. The apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The methods of using the apparatus include feeding a harvested produce onto a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween; transporting the harvested produce on the conveyor towards a stripping roller connected to a framework of the leaf removal apparatus; contacting the harvested produce with a plurality of flexible members connected to the framework, and the stripping roller, and loosening or removing one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce, wherein one or more of the removed wrapper leaves fall through the space between the rods of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, 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
  • Publication number: 20170042211
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, 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
  • Patent number: 9307785
    Abstract: Wrapper leaves of a harvested produce can be removed using a leaf removal apparatus. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The method of using the leaf removal apparatus includes feeding a harvested produce onto a conveyor; transporting the harvested produce on the conveyor towards a stripping roller connected to a framework of the leaf removal apparatus; and contacting the harvested produce with a plurality of flexible members connected to the framework, and the stripping roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, 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
  • Publication number: 20150282519
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Dole Fresh Vegetables, 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
  • 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