Abstract: A grape processing apparatus and method is described and which includes a screen, a cleated conveyor belt with a bottom flight and which is spaced from the screen, and a source of bunches of grapes which have associated stems, and which are fed into a predetermined space between the bottom flight of the cleated conveyor belt and the screen, and wherein the bunches of grapes move along the screen in a rolling and tumbling motion to separate the individual grapes from the associated stems, and wherein the individual grapes are collected thereafter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2012
Date of Patent:
April 29, 2014
Assignee:
Key Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
David W. Hufford, Tracy McGowen, Quentin Kemph