Abstract: Systems and methods of de-stemming produce are provided. An apparatus can process an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion. The apparatus can include at least one first conveyor unit that can convey the first portion of the item of produce in a first direction. The apparatus can include at least one second conveyor unit that can convey the second portion of the item of produce in a second direction that differs from the first linear direction by between zero and 90 degrees to generate a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce that separates the first portion from the second portion.

Abstract: A machine for removing roots and tops from crops including a pair of counter-rotating rollers spaced apart so as to define a nip therebetween, and means for rotating the rollers characterized in that at least one roller is in the form of a polygonal twisted prism.

Abstract: Sprouting beans roots removing apparatus cuts and removes roots of sprouting beans, as harvested, efficiently. A plurality of projections, each having at its upper face angular portion, are fitted to upper surface of base plate with predetermined space being maintained between each of them. Roots cutting member having angular portion is arranged above the base plate with predetermined space being maintained from upper surface of the projections. The base plate is moved in certain velocity and the roots cutting member repeats faster movements and stops, thereby the sprouting beans have their roots cut and removed by and between both the angular portions of the projection and the roots cutting member.

Abstract: A device to remove the pod peanuts from the root thereof. The device mainly comprises a stem and leaf conveying mechanism and a pod peanut rubbing and conveying mechanism. The two mechanisms hold the stem and leaf portion and the pod peanut portion respectively, and twist the two portions simultaneously so as to cause the pod peanuts to separated from the root of peanut plant. The stem and leaf conveying mechanism includes a sliding member and a driving member; the pod peanut rubbing and conveying mechanism includes a fixed rubbing member and a rotary rubbing member. Both of the two mechanisms are driven with a driving power so as to provide almost an equal conveying speed for the stem and leaf portion and the pod peanut portion.

Abstract: A machine for accomplishing the removal of leaves and other unwanted portions from vegetables comprising an elongate shear bar having two opposed, machined edges and a pair of elongate members mounted for rotation in close proximity to the machined edges. Each of the elongate rotary members are of the approximate length of the shear bar, and each has at least one helically configured raised portion extending along a substantial portion of its length, with the raised portion of each rotary member being arranged to operate close to the respective machined edge of the shear bar, such that a shearing action can be accomplished without damage to the vegetables.

Abstract: A cauliflower coring apparatus and method in which cauliflower heads are fed one-by-one into a housing by a conveyor having bowls for receiving the heads, each bowl having a number of spikes on which the heads are impaled. A shiftable beam in the housing carries a first rotary cutter and a vertically adjustable hold-down ring for engaging a head to keep it from moving out of its bowl as the first cutter rotates and removes the culls from the head by a coring effect. After its culls have been removed, the head is engaged and cut by a second rotary cutter which disintegrates the head and separates it into curds. The culls and curds drop into respective first and second chutes and onto first and second conveyors for movement away from the housing.