System and method for de-stemming produce and preparing produce for de-stemming
OwnerNagendra B. Kodaliinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods of at least partially de-stemming produce are provided. A de-stemming apparatus can include a plurality of roller pairs defining a longitudinal gap between individual rollers of the roller pairs. The roller pairs can to rotate to pass the produce through the longitudinal gap and apply a compression force to the produce. The de-stemming apparatus can include drum assembly having at least one of a shaft and a drum. At least one of the shaft and the drum can include protrusions to apply a blunt force to the produce to at least partially separate a first portion of the produce from a second portion of the produce.
Claims20
A system of de-stemming produce having a first portion and a second portion, comprising:
- a plurality of roller pairs defining a longitudinal gap between individual rollers of the roller pairs;
- the plurality of roller pairs configured to rotate to pass the produce through the longitudinal gap and apply a compression force to the produce;
- a drum assembly having at least one of a shaft and a drum, at least one of the shaft and the drum including a plurality of protrusions configured to apply a blunt force to the produce to at least partially separate the first portion from the second portion.
A de-stemming apparatus for at least partially de-stemming produce having a first portion and a second portion, comprising:
- a plurality of rollers defining a longitudinal gap;
- the plurality of rollers configured to rotate to pass the produce through the longitudinal gap and apply a compression force to the produce;
- a drum assembly having a drum at least partially defining a cavity and a shaft at least partially disposed in the cavity, the drum having a protrusion extending into the cavity, and the shaft having a protrusion extending into the cavity;
- a drive unit configured to rotate at least part of the drum assembly to apply a blunt force to the produce.
A method of processing produce, comprising:
- conveying an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion through a gap between a first roller and a second roller to apply a compression force to the item of produce;
- conveying the item of produce from the gap between the first roller and the second roller into a cavity of a drum assembly having at least one of a drum and a shaft, at least one of the drum and the shaft having a protrusion extending into the cavity;
- rotating at least part of the drum assembly to apply a blunt force from the protrusion to the item of produce to separate the first portion of the produce from the second portion of the produce.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.