System and method of processing produce
OwnerNagendra B. Kodaliinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods of processing produce are provided. A sizing unit can convey the produce in a first direction, and can release the produce onto a receiving unit, which can convey the produce in a second direction. The receiving unit can include a trough to receive the produce subsequent to release from the sizing unit. A supplemental conveyor unit can guide the produce through at least one channel to convey the produce from the receiving unit to at least one conveyor unit, which can convey the produce into contact with at least one other conveyor unit to separate a first portion of the produce from a second portion of the produce.
Claims20
An apparatus for processing produce, comprising:
- a receiving unit configured to receive an item of produce and to convey the item of produce;
- a supplemental conveyor unit having a first channel wall and a second channel wall defining a channel between an end portion of the receiving unit and a top surface of a first conveyor unit, the channel configured to receive the item of produce from the receiving unit and to deposit at least part of the item of produce on the top surface of the first conveyor unit;
- the first conveyor unit configured to convey the item of produce toward at least one additional conveyor unit;
- and
- the first conveyor unit and the at least one additional conveyor unit configured to apply at least part of a separation force to the item of produce to separate a first portion of the item of produce from a second portion of the item of produce.
A system of processing produce, comprising:
- a receiving unit configured to receive an item of produce and conveys the item of produce;
- a supplemental conveyor unit configured with a first channel wall and a second channel wall defining a channel between an end portion of the receiving unit and a top surface of a first conveyor unit, the channel configured to receive the item of produce from the receiving unit and to deposit at least part of the item of produce on the top surface of the first conveyor unit;
- the first conveyor unit configured to convey the item of produce toward at least one additional conveyor unit;
- and
- the first conveyor unit and the at least one additional conveyor unit configured to apply at least part of a separation force to the item of produce to separate a first portion of the item of produce from a second portion of the item of produce.
A method of processing produce, comprising:
- receiving an item of produce by a receiving unit;
- conveying the item of produce in a first direction on a top surface of the receiving unit;
- receiving the item of produce in a channel defined by a first channel wall of a supplemental conveyor unit and a second channel wall of the supplemental conveyor unit;
- depositing, via the channel, the item of produce onto a first conveyor unit that conveys the item of produce in a second direction to separate a first portion of the item of produce from a second portion of the item of produce by generating a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.