Abstract: A way of dealing with challenges to the pepper processing industry and pepper growers is to mechanize pepper processing, including the de-stemming of whole peppers. The present example provides a method for mechanically de-stemming whole peppers. The method provides for the recognition of a pepper's shoulder and or interior regions and stem in order to generate a control signal to initiate a process to de-stem the pepper. In particular, several implementations of the method are provided that may include a mechanical system, a laser system, a machine vision system, a combination of a machine vision system and the laser system, and other equivalent implementations. Additionally disclosed, are methods of processing whole peppers utilizing automated de-stemming.

Abstract: A hulling device includes a cap, a pushing member, a spring between the cap and pushing member, and at least one nipper having two nipping members coupled to the pushing member and extending toward the cap. The nipping members are mutually shaped with the cap and slide contiguous respective contact regions of the cap to separate tips of the nipping members upon actuation of the pushing member. The separated tips can be inserted in a food item, such as a strawberry, and twisted and pulled to hull the food item. The user can release the pushing member when the tips are in the food item to improve gripping and severing the hull. The hulling device can also include a main body housing at least a portion of the pushing member, cap, spring, and first and second nippers, the main body being coupled to the cap, the pushing member, or both.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method for processing green onions may include moving green onions along a path of travel, peeling at least one of the leaves from each green onion, aligning the root ends of the green onions, singulating the green onions, removing roots from the root ends of the green onions, and separating the green onions into groups based on the diameter of the root end of each green onion.

Abstract: Broccoli heads are placed individually, stem down, in transporting cups that are affixed to a conveyor that at one end rotates around a carousel axis. A clamping and cutting assembly includes linkages rotating around the carousel axis synchronously with the transporting cups on the conveyor. Retractable clamps affixed to an upper linkage retain the broccoli heads while curved blades that are affixed to a lower linkage dissect the broccoli. The blades cut off the florets with a scooping motion along the bottom side of the transporting cups which results in similar sized florets, standardized by the diameter of the truncated cone-shaped chamfer of the cups. Upon dissection the florets are released from the cups and collected on a collecting conveyor.

Abstract: This invention refers to a machine for the cutting and extraction of the stem of vegetables with tree-like structure and the cutting and extraction method of the stem with this machine which provides pieces branched into different sizes of the edible part of the vegetable. The machines is characterized by being constituted by at least one tray in which the vegetable to be cut is deposited which slides along a horizontal structure and by several vertical slide guides with several cutting devices for the separation of the useful tree-like material, a cutting device for the division of the stem into pieces and a cutting device for the separation of the stem from the edible part. It can be additionally equipped with knives arranged radially on the cutting head for the division of the tree-like material into portions.

Abstract: This application discloses a method for separating banana clusters into individual fruits. In this method, the banana cluster is hung on a carrier (such as a cable) in such a way that the hanging point is the place where the banana fruit stalks converge (at the crown). The cluster and/or the cutter are moved toward each other and the cutter is positioned such that the cutter cuts the fruit stalks at a point lower than the cluster hanging point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for declustering cherries, including a plurality of oscillating cutting modules (36), each having a power driven shaft (40) with a plurality of circular blades (42) fixed along its length. The modules further comprise cutting ramps (46) having a tail section (48) extending under the blades, such that the clusters are suspended from their nodes at the moment of cutting. The height of tail sections (48) may be adjusted to accommodate cherry varieties having different stem lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a root vegetable, such as a radish. The apparatus includes a hopper, a track, and a cutting mechanism. The hopper includes a reciprocating chute for providing a radish from a plurality of radishes to the track. As the radish travels down the track, the radish is properly positioned and orientated such that a tip portion of the radish is disposed between spiral threads in the track. If the radish is not properly oriented, air pressure is applied against the radish to remove the radish from the track. If the radish is properly oriented, it reaches the cutting mechanism having a pair of belts that frictionally engage the radish. As the radish travels through the cutting mechanism, the radish encounters a first blade which cuts a bottom portion from the radish.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automated removal of cores from vegetables, especially floretting vegetables, comprises a conveyor (13, 14) including vegetable supports (15) for indexed advancing of vegetables (35) from a loading station (A) to a cutting station (B) and a cutting head assembly comprising one or more cutter elements (23) movable in a core-excision cutting movement, in which the cutting head assembly is movable between a cutting position in registration with a vegetable support in the cutting station and a core discharge position displaced from the pass of the conveyor. The apparatus may be single- or multi-lane. The cutter blades may be formed as lobes (23) which retain the excised cores in the closed-together condition pending ejection at the discharge position.

Abstract: A continuous flighted conveyor belt (18) is fed product (12) from a transverse direction. As the belt moves the product forward, offset water jets (56) cause some of the items not seated in a flight (20) to be rotated and captured in the flights. Further movement brings the product (12) to a zone where water jets (72) force all items to one side against a registration plate (76). Excess product and items not captured are forced off the surface of the belt by water jets (62) and are carried away to be fed again. A cutting blade (84) is set an appropriate distance from the registration plate (76) to trim product captured and registered. The products are then forced across the width of the belt by repositioning water jets 102 and stop against a second registration plate (104). A belt (82) covering the top of the belt flights (22) prevents items from escaping through the top of the conveyor.

Abstract: A strawberry dehulling machine which provides for manually placing a berry or other fruit onto a retainer that will close under a controlled spring action and retain the berry or other fruit with the hull or calyx in an opening formed in the retainer. A rotating cutter removes the hull as the retained berry or other fruit is moved over the cutter for dehulling the berry or fruit. Once the dehulled berry is moved past the cutter, the retainer will be opened and the berry removed either manually or by using an air jet or other mechanical member.

Abstract: A vegetable topper is disclosed. In one embodiment, the topper includes a plurality of spaced rollers which are mounted on a pair of laterally spaced roller chain loops such that the rollers are able to freely spin relative to the roller chains. The rollers define a bed on which vegetables may be positioned and the flow of vegetables along the bed is generally perpendicular to the rotational axes of the rollers. A pair of laterally spaced traction members engage the lower surface of the rollers on the "upper" portion of the roller chain loops which define the bed such that the rollers of the bed are spun by relative movement between the roller chain loops and these belts. At least two cutter blades are disposed below the bed and cut vegetable tops which extend below a pair of adjacent rollers to provide a self-cleaning feature. A paddle wheel is disposed between these two cutter blades.

Abstract: A finish topper for bulb crops having a plurality of longitudinal, parallel, generally horizontal, spaced-apart moving belts for conveying bulbs through the apparatus. Adjacent belts are driven at different linear speeds. In a preferred embodiment, alternate belts are replaced by stationary rails to maximize the speed differential. Below and adjustably close to the belts is a driven rotating blade for cutting the bulb stems and also exerting a downwards draft of air through the belts. Onions introduced onto the belts are conveyed through the apparatus by the belts, and the differential in speed between the moving belts and stationary rails causes the bulbs to rotate and gyrate randomly as they are being conveyed. Because the belts are spaced apart, the bulbs assume momentarily an attitude to permit the uncut stems of bulbs to extend downwardly between the belts. The bulbs are retained on their shoulders on the belts in inverted posture.

Abstract: Broccoli fleurettes are rapidly trimmed from broccoli heads by positioning the heads accurately so that the axes of the head stalks intersect the axes of rotation of special U-shaped guillotine blades shaped and dimensioned to trim fleurettes of substantially uniform size. The heads are securely but yieldably pre-positioned in an upward direction, followed by final positioning by a dome shaped cap designed so that optimum trimming is effected and the cut fleurettes are directed toward a collecting station. Denuded stalks are ejected and recovered for further use. The process is characterized by an electronically programmed operation providing both accuracy and speed.

Abstract: Machine comprising carriages (2) each provided with a rotatably mounted head supporting a gripping device (5) for grasping a lettuce in the suspended state below this carriage, and a closed-circuit conveying path (4) on which the carriages circulate, characterised in that the gripping device comprises, firstly, movable needles which slide between an extended position for grasping a lettuce and a position retracted inside the head, and, secondly, movable hooks which pivot at the end of the head between a spaced-apart position and a closed-together position for grasping the lettuce, these needles and hooks being placed in the active position to grasp a lettuce in different areas of the conveying path.

Abstract: Trimmer for vegetables of the broccoli type is provided with a structure supporting a rotating plate in which are mounted vegetable holding systems. Each vegetable holding system is free to rotate about its axis so as to be capable of being propelled with a movement of rotation about that axis by a drive device. The device for driving in rotation acts during a portion of each revolution of the rotating plate during which a cutter associated with the corresponding vegetable holding system is brought by a control system against the vegetable so as to remove heads from the vegetable at the required section.

Abstract: A device removing the stem and blossom portions of fruit utilizing a support for the fruit which is capable of orienting the stem or the blossom portion of the fruit in an upright position. The support permits access to either the stem or blossom portion of the fruit and is spanned by a pair of fruit reamers. Each fruit reamer is capable of completely dressing out the stem and blossom portions of the fruit when the first and second reamers are brought toward one another.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for slicing broccoli and the like into relatively uniform spears suitable for packing and freezing by grasping the stem end of the broccoli in clamping jaws with the main portion of the broccoli head depending vertically, moving a plurality of slicing knives upwardly to slice through said main portion, and severing the stem portion from the sliced portion to provide spears of similar size and shape. The heads of broccoli move along a feed conveyor and erecting means to a transfer station where their stem ends are grasped by clamping jaws carried on a rotary turntable in vertical alignment with a slicing knife assembly reciprocable vertically in response to the rotation of the turntable. A rotary knife severs the stem ends from the spears which drop onto a discharge conveyor. All of the described actions occur as the broccoli moves at a constant uniform speed through the slicing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting freshly harvested mushrooms from the farm to a gathering station has an endless conveyor which advances discrete receptacles for individual mushrooms or groups of mushrooms from the beds to the gathering station past a trimming device where the stems of the mushrooms are trimmed in automatic response to advancement past a knife. The receptacles on the conveyor are designed to permit the stems of mushrooms to enter upright sockets which enable smaller mushrooms to descend therein to a level below that of larger mushrooms in order to ensure that the knife can sever the stems at optimum distances from the pilei of the mushrooms. The receptacles are free to pivot relative to the conveyor or are mounted on the conveyor with a certain amount of friction. If the receptacles are not free to pivot, the apparatus employs devices serving to prevent changes of orientation of receptacles which carry mushrooms from the farm toward and past the trimming device.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing fragments (such as fleurettes) from a one-piece core of an article, such as a cauliflower, as the article is translated between stations along a process path. In a preferred embodiment, the article is translated through a sequence of stations, including a coring station, along the process path. At the coring station, the article is held in a fixed position by an impaling knife or pin, while one or more rotating coring knives are lowered into engagement with the article by a pivoting arm mechanism. The pivoting arm mechanism causes each rotating knife to trace out a generally helical path as it cores the article.

Abstract: Cherries are transported by an array of side-by-side belts which are driven past cutters aligned with respective separating guides, each of which separates the cherries of a bunch before the bunch reaches a cutter, and locates the cherries on opposite sides of the cutter. The cutter can cooperate with an anvil to support the stalks while the stalks are separated by the cutter, usually at a node.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cutting device having a mounting member comprised of two cylindrical portions mounted on a base. The two cylindrical portions are arranged co-axially, and define between them a recess adapted to accommodate an article to be cut. Cutting blades are provided and comprise a first cutting blade of tubular shape mounted on a cylindrical portion of the mounting block and a flat blade mounted in a slot in one of the mounting blocks. A moving mechanism is provided to move the blades across the recess when an article is located therein, thereby removing and discarding the outer portions of the article. The invention further comprises a feed system for feeding the article into the recess of the cutting device. The feed system comprises a segmenting apparatus, a transport line between the segmenting apparatus and the recess of the cutting device, as well as propulsion means for moving the article from the transport line into the recess.

Abstract: An improved food processing vat including an outer shell, and a vessel to contain a food product, such as curds and whey, is spaced inwardly of the shell and is composed of a pair of generally cylindrical sections which intersect along vertical apices. Each apex is generally curved and has a radius in the range of 1:6 to 1:12 with respect to the radius of the cylindrical sections. A heating medium, such as steam, is introduced into the area beneath the vessel and the outer shell at locations diposed outwardly of each apex. An agitator unit is disposed in each cylindrical section and each unit includes a rotatable vertical shaft and a frame extends radially from each shaft. Each frame consists of a series of vertical and horizontal blades and a swinging blade is mounted on the outer end of each frame and is freely swingable from a cutting position where the sharp edge of the blade leads in the direction of rotation to an angular stirring position where the side of the blade faces in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An improved broccoli trimming machine is provided for cutting or scalping broccoli heads in a manner yielding separated broccoli fleurettes of substantially uniform size and shape. The improved broccoli trimming machine includes an indexing mechanism with clamp units for holding and indexing broccoli heads to a scalping station. A bowl-shaped cutter at the scalping station is moved into cutting relation with the broccoli heads to scalp each head along a curved, substantially semi-spherical line to approximate the curved contour of the top of a broccoli head to be cut, thereby separating the head into individual fleurettes of substantially uniform size and shape.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cutting broccoli and other similar vegetables into a plurality of longitudinal sections wherein the head of the vegetable is firmly gripped with the stem thereof extending outwardly and then cut longitudinally through the stem and partially through the head. Broccoli can be sectioned in this manner at high production rates without generating an excessive amount of vegetable debris.

Abstract: Automated food processing apparatus and methods of the type adapted for coring food products wherein a constantly sized core is removed from all food products of a group independently of the product size variation from one member to another of the group.

Abstract: The machine consists of more operative equal and independent units located side-by-side, but operated by a single motor, and each predisposed according to the screening of the mushrooms to be carried out. In each unit, the mushrooms, approximately pre-selected in the wanted size by a screening machine are discharged into a loading basin. From said basin, sequentially, the mushrooms are taken by a conveyor means and thereby conveyed up to the outcome point from the machine. During this path, the mushrooms first are self-selected at the predisposed size, and simultaneously they self-orient, or are compelled to turn to their correct positions, and then they undergo the cutting off of the terminal part of their stems.

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.