Methods and apparatus for processing vegetables
AssigneeFresh Innovations Inc.
InventorsJ. Kevin Alsobrook, R. Kent Addison, James Aikins, Antonio Cicchino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed embodiments include methods and apparatus for processing vegetables having a root crown including applying opposing forces to the vegetables to separate the roots or portions thereof at or near the root crown from the vegetable, and packaging the vegetables in a container.
Claims21
A method of processing green onions having bulbs including root crowns comprising:
- securing a top portion of each of the green onions;
- moving the secured green onions in a generally vertical disposition into engagement with a pair of like sized reversely rotating members;
- driving the rotating members sufficiently to apply an abrupt jarring force to a bottom portion of each of the green onions acting substantially in the direction opposite the top portion and in line between the top and bottom portions of each one of the green onions to rip apart a root crown to separate a bottom portion only of the root crown from the remaining portion of each green onion upon engaging the rotating members;
- and packaging the green onions in a container.
A method of processing green onions having bulbs including moving the secured green onions in a generally vertical disposition into engagement with a pair of like sized reversely rotating members;
- driving the rotating members sufficiently to apply an abrupt jarring force to a bottom portion of each of the green onions acting substantially in the direction opposite the top portion and in line between the top and bottom portions of each one of the green onions to rip apart a rot crown to separate a bottom portion only of the root crown from the remaining portion of each green onion upon engaging the rotating members.
A method of processing green onions having bulbs including root crowns comprising:
- securing a top portion of each of the green onions;
- moving the secured green onions in a generally vertical disposition;
- engaging the secured green onions with a vertically movable clamp;
- driving the clamp sufficiently to apply an abrupt jarring force using the vertically movable clamp to a bottom portion of each of the green onions acting substantially in the direction opposite the top portion and in line between the top and bottom portions of each one of the green onions to rip apart a root crown to separate a bottom portion only of the root crown from the remaining portion of each green onion;
- and packaging the green onions in a container, wherein the green onions are secured by the top portion at the time of applying the abrupt jarring force in a downward direction, the green onions are transported to the clamp in a direction generally perpendicular to a path of travel of the clamp.
A method of processing green onions having bulbs including root crowns comprising:
- securing a top portion of each of the green onions;
- moving the secured green onions in a generally vertical disposition into engagement with a pair of like sized reversely rotating members;
- driving the rotating members sufficiently to apply an abrupt jarring force to a bottom portion of each of the green onions acting substantially in the direction opposite the top portion and in line between the top and bottom portions of each one of the green onions to rip apart a root crown to separate a bottom portion only of the root crown from the remaining portion of each green onion as soon upon engaging the rotating members;
- wherein the green onions are secured by the top portion at the time of applying the abrupt jarring force, the green onions are transported to the rotating members in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of each of the rotating members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.