Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically cutting kernels off ears of corn with reduced damage to the kernels are provided. A circular array of movable kernel cutting knives rotates around an axis of rotation. Singulated ears of corn are conveyed along the axis of rotation into and through the array of kernel cutting knives. A sensor is provided for sensing the size and shape of each ear of corn prior to the ear being conveyed into the array of cutting knives and a knife controller moves the array of cutting knives relative to the axis of rotation in response to input from the sensor to efficiently cut the kernels off the cob with reduced damage to the kernels. The ears may be presented to the kernel cutting knives either tip end or butt end first. The cutting depth of the knives may be varied to compensate for variations in thickness of the kernels. In one embodiment, the ears may be presented to the kernel cutting knives with their husks attached.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly for cutting kernels or corn from an ear of corn comprising: a) a container having an open top, an enclosed bottom, a front side, and a rear side, said front side defining a front slit extending from the top of the container to a point near the bottom of the container, said rear side defining a rear slit corresponding to said front slit so that a cutting plane extending through both slits transects the top and bottom of the container; b) a lid positionable atop of said container, said lid defining an orifice eccentrically transected by the cutting plane; and c) a concave pedestal attached to the bottom of said container transected by the cutting plane and adapted to stabilize the tip end of the ear of corn when it is held in an upright position in the container.

Abstract: A new and unique construction for a corn cob cutter knife is presented. A method is described for the manufacture of a unique cutting blade insert which is tapered and which has an inner ski angle compatible with the many applications involved in removing corn kernels from a corn cob in a mechanized operation. The unique removable cutting blade insert is designed so that the various angles of declination and attack optimize the sharpness and long lasting nature of the knife. A method is also presented to determine the off-set grinding radius for the ski angle of the knife.

Abstract: A new and unique construction for a corn cob cutter knife is presented. A method is described for the manufacture of a unique cutting blade insert which is tapered and which has an inner ski angle compatible with the many applications involved in removing corn kernels from a corn cob in a mechanized operation. The unique removable cutting blade insert is designed so that the various angles of declination and attack optimize the sharpness and long lasting nature of the knife. A method is also presented to determine the off-set grinding radius for the ski angle of the knife. A unique square bushing for the control of the knife is also provided.

Abstract: A corn harvesting system integrates automatic separation and removal of ears of corn from a plurality of rows of corn plants (the stalks thereof), the husking of the ears, the cutting or the kernels and the deposit thereof into a container from which the kernels can be removed for canning or other processing. A tracked vehicle has a structure on which mechanisms for corn ear from stalk separation (picking), husking, kernel cutting and conveying ears between the picking, husking, cutting and a cut kernel container are arranged on two levels or stories and is of height, length and width so as to be capable of being self-propelled through the fields and carried on a flat bed truck or trailer between fields on roads without special permits or routing to make bridge and tunnel clearances. The system has mechanisms for the ejection of stalks, husks and cobs directly on the field.