121 |
REMOVABLE MOTOR HOUSING FOR A PLANT MATERIAL TRIMMING DEVICE |
US14438422 |
2014-04-03 |
US20150285427A1 |
2015-10-08 |
Jay Evans; Aaron McKellar |
A removable motor housing for a plant material trimming device. The removable housing may include a first motor housing connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be slidably or pivotably connectable to the plant trimming device. The first motor housing may be operable to receive an output shaft from a first motor in the first housing. The output shaft may be operable to communicate with an input shaft of the plant trimming device. A biasing device may be connectable to the first motor housing and the plant trimming device for biasing the first motor housing into a first position. When the first motor housing is in the first position a substantially constant force is applied between the input shaft of the plant trimming device and the output shaft of the first motor. |
122 |
MECHANICAL DEVICES FOR POST-HARVEST PROCESSING OF PLANT MATTER |
US14740682 |
2015-06-16 |
US20150273527A1 |
2015-10-01 |
Josh Kelly |
Mechanical post-harvest processing devices for processing plant material by separating a desired portion of plant material from an undesired portion of plant material are shown and described. The mechanical post-harvest processing devices each include: a saddle having a plant material container-proximate region and one or more saddle openings; a plant material container having one or more plant material container openings and an exterior surface proximate the saddle and circumferentially enclosing a post-harvest processing space; and a rotary actuator mechanically connected to the plant material container and configured to rotationally drive the plant material container such that the plant material chamber rotates within the saddle. In some examples, a portion of the one or more plant material container openings and a portion of the one or more saddle openings overlap at one or more positions during rotation of the plant material chamber. |
123 |
Sorting apparatus |
US13953544 |
2013-07-29 |
US09120130B2 |
2015-09-01 |
Kurt Palmbos; Dennis Schepel |
A sorting apparatus comprising a frame, a sorting surface assembly, a roller control assembly, a first movable cam surface adjustment assembly and a drive assembly. The sorting apparatus is configured, through adjustment of the sorting surface by the roller control assembly, to separate small particles and articles, such as fruit berries, based on the relative size thereof. |
124 |
Leaf removal apparatus |
US13742319 |
2013-01-15 |
US09078468B2 |
2015-07-14 |
Ignacio Barajas; Maximino Corral; Edgar Enrique Valdivia Rodriguez; Gabriel Fuentes Villasenor; Manuel Maldonado Magana; Carlos Uribe Meza; Jose De Jesus Valdez; Dennis Johnny Castillo; Serafin Albarran; Stephen Jens; Richard L. Bascou; Frank E. Davis |
A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves. The friction force applied by the stripping roller removes one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce. |
125 |
Sorting Apparatus |
US13953544 |
2013-07-29 |
US20150027935A1 |
2015-01-29 |
Kurt Palmbos; Dennis Schepel |
A sorting apparatus comprising a frame, a sorting surface assembly, a roller control assembly, a first movable cam surface adjustment assembly and a drive assembly. The sorting apparatus is configured, through adjustment of the sorting surface by the roller control assembly, to separate small particles and articles, such as fruit berries, based on the relative size thereof. |
126 |
FLUID-BASED ARTICLE DISTRIBUTION AND SORTING SYSTEM |
US14340874 |
2014-07-25 |
US20150016898A1 |
2015-01-15 |
William Thomas Hockett; Frederick D. Webb; Michael Christopher Metcalf; Ronald R. Huff; Charles Denio Kirkbride; Greg Robert Lambier; Dave Hufford |
A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with that gate member. |
127 |
Raw materials, methods and fruits and vegetables pertaining to sugar content improvement, sugar component adjustment, and tastes adjustment |
US13059166 |
2009-08-18 |
US08784923B2 |
2014-07-22 |
Minoru Kanno |
The present invention provides a sugar content-improving material that can prevent oxidative damage of fruits and vegetables after harvesting as well as can improve the sugar content, a method for improving the sugar content of fruits or vegetables, fruits or vegetables having an improved sugar content, a sugar component-adjusting material, a method for adjusting a sugar component of fruits and vegetables, fruits or vegetables having an adjusted sugar component, a taste-adjusting material, a method for adjusting the taste of fruits or vegetables, and fruits or vegetables having adjusted taste. The sugar content-improving material includes a breathable, permeable and flexible sheet containing proanthocyanidin and trehalose. The proanthocyanidin is contained in the sheet in a proportion of 250 to 300 mg/m2. The trehalose is contained in the sheet in a proportion of 5 g/m2. |
128 |
Baked potato products and process for preparing same |
US12115839 |
2008-05-06 |
US08343564B2 |
2013-01-01 |
John C. Kerr; Sylvester L. Woodland; Roman J. Bogdanowicz; Pajaree T. Lynn |
The invention relates to baked potatoes and, particularly, to convenient forms of baked potatoes having an optimally-baked flavor and texture which can be simply prepared for serving in any size portion with a minimum of effort. In one preferred form, the product will be in the form of baked potato pieces with the skin attached, preferably having a moisture content of from about 70 to about 75% and flavor and texture profiles characteristic of optimally baked potatoes. A process and an apparatus for preparing the potatoes and a packaged form are also provided. The process calls for freezing a baked potato and subdividing the potato into discrete pieces of a size of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches, preferably by means comprising at least one roller pair comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted blades with cutting edges angularly offset (FIG. 7) or diagonally-opposed, spaced cutting blades (FIG. 7). |
129 |
Friable, baked potato pieces and process |
US13184027 |
2011-07-15 |
US08329244B2 |
2012-12-11 |
John C. Kerr; Pajaree T. Lynn |
Potatoes are processed to develop baked and fried flavors and aromas. The are baked to create a number of characteristic baked flavors and textures. When fried, a whole other group of flavors and textures is achieved. To avoid damage to the discrete potato pieces that are prepared in processing and are desired in the final product, the process entails baking potatoes; pressing the potatoes to a predetermined thickness; freezing the potatoes; breaking the potatoes into discrete pieces; drying the discrete pieces to form a skin thereon and preferably lightly brown the surfaces; and freezing and packaging the pieces. Oven heating will be sufficient to provide a browning effect to a light golden to golden brown color and form a skin on the exterior surface of exposed potato pulp, both important to the preparation of the best product. |
130 |
FLUID-BASED ARTICLE DISTRIBUTION AND SORTING SYSTEM |
US12986860 |
2011-01-07 |
US20120174983A1 |
2012-07-12 |
William Thomas Hockett; Frederick D. Webb; Michael Christopher Metcalf; Ronald R. Huff; Charles Denio Kirkbride; Greg Robert Lambier |
A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with that gate member. |
131 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCT COUNTING, GROUPING AND DISCHARGING |
US12888786 |
2010-09-23 |
US20110079490A1 |
2011-04-07 |
Gregory J. Kelly; Douglas M. Lehmann |
An apparatus and method to efficiently and accurately count, group and discharge individual products from a production line. The apparatus and methods are suitable for a variety of products, including products with irregular shapes, and/or products that travel down production lines at irregular intervals. In one embodiment the apparatus can have a delivery conveyor having a product sensor; a grouping conveyor adjacent to the delivery conveyor having a plurality of containment areas to receive a plurality of products; and a controller communicatively connected to the delivery conveyor, the grouping conveyor, and the product sensor, the controller configured to count product traveling on the delivery conveyor during a grouping sequence and to discharge a product group from the grouping conveyor during a discharge sequence at a predetermined product count. The grouping conveyor can be at substantially right angles to the delivery conveyor. |
132 |
Method of Processing Food Material Using A Pulsed Laser Beam |
US12848789 |
2010-08-02 |
US20110027432A1 |
2011-02-03 |
Ulrich Loeser |
Food material (12) is processed using a pulsed laser beam (16), wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is in the near-infrared (IR) range and the laser beam has a focussed laser spot (18). The method comprises the step of applying a laser pulse with a pulse duration in the range of 1 to 1000 fs to the food material, wherein the focussed laser spot lies on the surface of the food material or in the body of the food material and the laser pulse creates a cavity in the food material at the position of the focussed laser spot. |
133 |
PROCESSING MACHINE FOR SOYBEANS AND SOYBEAN-EMBRYOS |
US12678445 |
2008-09-19 |
US20100206182A1 |
2010-08-19 |
Yoshinori Iwamoto |
A processing machine for soybeans and soybean-embryos is provided, with improved efficiency in the deodorizing and drying processes and the capability to perform a deactivating process in a stable manner. A closed container is divided into individual sections by partitions. In each section, the temperature conditions for the deodorizing and drying processes can be independently determined, so that these processes can be performed within the same closed container and yet at different temperatures. A space is provided above a screw conveyer within the closed container. A heater is wound around the closed container so that the temperature can be freely regulated. |
134 |
Method and apparatus for severing root of bean sprout |
US11491315 |
2006-07-21 |
US07712251B2 |
2010-05-11 |
Masahiro Nakada |
In a method and apparatus for severing roots of bean sprouts, a severing table has a plurality of ridges formed at predetermined intervals and extending in parallel with a direction in which a cutter blade is moved. Each ridge is formed with a number of severing slits each of which has such a width that a root of a bean sprout falls into each severing slit. The bean sprouts are continuously supplied onto the severing table while a cutter blade is moved along an upper face of the severing table and air is being blown from above the severing table so that roots of the bean sprouts on the severing table flow into the severing slits. The roots of the bean sprouts fallen in the severing slits are severed by the cutter blade. The bean sprouts from which the roots have been severed are conveyed out of the severing table with movement of the cutter blade. |
135 |
SHELLING AND GRINDING APPARATUS |
US12369570 |
2009-02-11 |
US20090203411A1 |
2009-08-13 |
Mildrag M. Bugarcic; Slavisa S. Bugarcic |
An apparatus for reducing and separating an associated agricultural product into two or more sub-parts is provided. A first housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive the associated agricultural product to be reduced. A first reducing assembly is disposed between and in communication with the inlet and the outlet of the first housing and includes a first rotatable reducing member, a second rotatable reducing member, and a reaction member. The first reducing member, the second reducing member and the reaction member are disposed adjacent to the other and cooperate to receive and reduce the associated agricultural product to a plurality of first sub-parts. A second housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts. A second reducing assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the second housing and includes a reducing rotor and a stationary reducing ring. The reducing ring is secured to the second housing and is disposed between the reducing rotor and the outlet of the second housing. The select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts are further reduced to a plurality of second sub-parts by the second reducing assembly and discharged via the outlet of the second housing. |
136 |
BAKED POTATO PRODUCTS AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING SAME |
US12115839 |
2008-05-06 |
US20090047412A1 |
2009-02-19 |
John C. Kerr; Sylvester L. Woodland; Roman J. Bogdanowicz; Pajaree T. Lynn |
The invention relates to baked potatoes and, particularly, to convenient forms of baked potatoes having an optimally-baked flavor and texture which can be simply prepared for serving in any size portion with a minimum of effort. In one preferred form, the product will be in the form of baked potato pieces with the skin attached, preferably having a moisture content of from about 70 to about 75% and flavor and texture profiles characteristic of optimally baked potatoes. A process and an apparatus for preparing the potatoes and a packaged form are also provided. The process calls for freezing a baked potato and subdividing the potato into discrete pieces of a size of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches, preferably by means comprising at least one roller pair comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted blades with cutting edges angularly offset (FIG. 7) or diagonally-opposed, spaced cutting blades (FIG. 7). |
137 |
Seed coring system and method for arranging seed cores for analysis |
US11216382 |
2005-08-31 |
US07134351B2 |
2006-11-14 |
Kevin L. Deppermann |
A coring device includes a base portion that receives an arrayed plurality of samples, the base portion including a plurality of vertically oriented slider rods. A coring portion including an arrayed plurality of samples is slidable along the vertically oriented slider rods between a retracted position and an actuated position where cores are taken from the samples. An extraction portion including arrayed plurality of extraction pins aligned with the arrayed plurality of coring tubes for insertion therein is also slidable along the vertically oriented slider rods between a retracted position and an actuated position where the extraction pins eject cores from the coring tubes. A coring drive mechanism is provided to mechanically move the coring portion between the retracted position and the actuated position. |
138 |
Supporting body, conveyor comprising a number of supporting bodies and method for transversally aligning objects |
US10518163 |
2003-06-16 |
US20050205391A1 |
2005-09-22 |
Jacob De Greef |
Conveyor (1), comprising a number of supporting bodies (10) arranged successively in an array in order to form transporting positions for objects (P) for transporting between two successive supporting bodies (10), wherein the form of the supporting bodies (10) is suitable for urging the objects (P) into a transverse position relative to the direction of movement (B). |
139 |
Dried lavender flower separator system and method |
US10892753 |
2004-07-16 |
US20050011812A1 |
2005-01-20 |
Robert Nelson |
An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils. |
140 |
Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce |
US10284052 |
2002-10-29 |
US06843049B2 |
2005-01-18 |
Richard Brown |
Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce using a produce harvesting apparatus wherein the method includes trimming the fresh produce and placing the trimmed produce into a container. The container is placed onto a transport device located on the produce harvesting apparatus. The container is then transported on the transport device to a wash station and it is washed at the wash station. The container may be shaken during transport after the wash station. |