Ear corn selection and trimming device
AssigneeComputer Controlled Machines of Mn., Inc.
InventorDonald Frisbie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for the automatic and rapid inspection of ears of corn to select ears having a predetermined length wherein the kernels meet selection standards and the ear has uniform characteristics which length will be trimmed from the ear to provide cut lengths of corn for subsequent treatment. The device includes a first conveyor and inspection area for segregating ears as to conditions of acceptability and determination of quality for ultimate use including trimming of certain of the ears into predetermined lengths with a second transport station arranged to receive the ears and to sort them for subsequent use and to convey the ears of predetermined quality to a trimming device wherein the ear of corn is cut into at least one acceptable length.
Claims26
A device for interrogation, classification and transport ears of corn to various use locations in accordance with parameters of selection, the device including:
- a. initial conveyor means arranged and constructed for receiving cleaned and husked ears of corn and conveying the same;
- b. second conveying means positions for receiving ears of corn from said initial conveyor means for transport thereof to a use area;
- c. an ear interrogation section arrange in association with said initial conveyor means or inspection of ears conveyed thereby and generating a signal in accordance with the condition of the kernels of the ear;
- d. said second conveying means including controllable ear receiving and retaining means;
- e. said controllable ear retaining means of said second conveying means including clamp members;
- f. said clamp members being transversely shiftable for receiving nd clamping the ears receiving from said initial conveying means at desired longitudinal position.
The device as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of the selectable, controllable clamp lever actuating means is responsive to a particular signal generated by said interrogation section for commandable release of an ear of corn in response to the condition of the ear and the parameters of selection and classification of the husks thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.