Method and apparatus for separating fleurettes from long-stemmed vegetables having flowery heads
AssigneeMann Packing Co., Inc.
InventorEdward M. Centeno
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutting device for separating fleurettes from the stalk of a long-stemmed vegetable having a flowery head. The cutting device has at least three blades positioned symmetrically around a perpendicular center axis and a moving means for moving each blade downward in a linear motion toward that center axis. Each blade has two flat surfaces joined at a linear backbone, and each of those flat surfaces has a cutting edge on its bottom. Each backbone forms an angle with the center axis of from 25 to 45 degrees. The moving means moves the blades downward in linear motions toward the center axis in the same angles with the center axis as formed by their respective blade backbones.
Claims17
A cutting device for separating fleurettes from the stalk of a long-stemmed vegetable having a flowery head, said cutting device comprising:
- (a) at least three blades, positioned symmetrically around a perpendicular center axis;
- (1) wherein each blade has two flat surfaces joined at a linear backbone;
- (2) wherein each flat surface has a cutting edge on its bottom;
- (3) wherein each backbone forms an angle with the center axis of from 25 to 45 degrees;
- and
- (b) moving means for moving each blade downward in a linear motion toward said center axis in the same angle with the center axis as formed by the blade backbone.
A method of separating fleurettes from the stalk of a long-stemmed vegetable having a flowery head, said method comprising:
- (a) positioning the vegetable on a surface under a cutting device comprising:
- (1) at least three blades, positioned symmetrically around a perpendicular center axis;
- (i) wherein each blade has two flat surfaces joined at a linear backbone;
- (ii) wherein each flat surface has a cutting edge on its bottom;
- (ii) wherein each backbone forms an angle with the center axis of from 25 to 45 degrees;
- and
- (2) moving means for moving each blade downward in a linear motion toward said center axis in the same angle with the center axis as formed by the blade backbone
- wherein the perpendicular center axis of the cutting device passes through said vegetable and so that the stalk is substantially upright relative to the surface upon which the vegetable rests;
- and
- (b) moving each blade of the cutting device downward toward the vegetable in a linear motion to sever the fleurettes from the vegetable.
A method of separating fleurettes from the stalk of a long-stemmed vegetable having a flowery head, said method comprising:
- (a) positioning the vegetable on a surface so that the stalk is substantially upright relative to the surface upon which the vegetable rests;
- (b) moving at least one blade downward toward the vegetable in a linear motion to sever the fleurettes from the vegetable, where said blade has at least one flat surface having a cutting edge, and wherein said blade severs said fleurettes at an angle of from 45 to 65 degrees from that surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.