Systems and method for improving airflow in an onion topping device
OwnerDuane R. Kidoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A harvesting and topping system includes a substantially horizontal cutting table for receiving a cultivated vegetable, the cutting table being pervious to air, a cutting assembly configured to cut vegetable tops of the cultivated vegetable when on the cutting table, at least one fan configured to blow air under positive pressure upwardly through the cutting table, and a ductwork configured to provide an airway from the fan to beneath the cutting table. According to one embodiment, the ductwork includes at least one airflow divider disposed in an interior portion of the ductwork to maximize uniformity of an air pressure within the ductwork and to distribute airflow within the ductwork.
Claims20
A harvesting and topping system, comprising:
- a substantially horizontal cutting table for receiving a cultivated vegetable, said cutting table being pervious to air;
- a cutting assembly configured to cut vegetable tops of said cultivated vegetable when on said cutting table, said cutting assembly being spaced apart above said cutting table;
- at least one fan configured to blow air under positive pressure upwardly through said cutting table;
- and
- a ductwork configured to provide an airway from said at least one fan to beneath said cutting table, wherein said ductwork includes at least one airflow divider disposed in an interior portion of said ductwork.
A harvesting and topping apparatus, comprising:
- a front-end gathering and lifting assembly;
- a transport assembly coupled to said gathering and lifting assembly, said transport assembly being configured to move a cultivated vegetable upwardly and backwardly within said topping apparatus;
- a substantially horizontal cutting table coupled to said transport assembly, said cutting table being pervious to air;
- a cutting assembly disposed on said cutting table, said cutting assembly being spaced above said cutting table;
- a discharge chute configured to receive cut vegetable tops from said cutting assembly;
- a discharge assembly coupled to said cutting table configured to receive vegetables with their tops removed;
- at least one fan configured to direct air under positive pressure upwardly through said cutting table;
- a ductwork configured to provide an airway from said at least one fan to beneath said cutting table, wherein said ductwork includes at least one airflow divider disposed in an interior portion of said ductwork;
- and
- a distributor foil having at least one outlet vane, wherein said distributor foil is coupled to said ductwork opposite said at least one fan.
A method of making a ductwork, comprising:
- forming at least one airflow divider;
- forming a ductwork surface;
- disposing at least one airflow divider along the interior of said ductwork surface;
- and
- completing an outer surface of said ductwork.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.