Patent ID: 9185930
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: A23N,B65G

Abstract:
1. 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; at least one second conveyor unit having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion of the second conveyor unit disposed at an angle of greater than zero degrees and less than 60 degrees relative to the first portion of the second conveyor unit about a pivot point; a first portion of the first conveyor unit in parallel with the first portion of the second conveyor unit to define a gap between the first portion of the first conveyor unit and the first portion of the second conveyor unit; the first conveyor unit configured to convey the item of produce toward at least one additional conveyor unit, the at least one additional conveyor unit having a bottom surface in parallel with the top surface of the first conveyor unit to define an opening between the bottom surface of the at least one additional conveyor unit and the top surface of the first conveyor unit; and the first conveyor unit and the at least one additional conveyor unit configured to separate a first portion of the item of produce from a second portion of the item of produce with at least one of the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce disposed in the opening between the bottom surface of the at least one additional conveyor unit and the top surface of the first conveyor unit.