Patent ID: 8549996
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: A23N,B26D,B26F,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for trimming a whole lettuce head having a top end and a tail end, the system comprising: a lower feed conveyer configured to convey the lettuce head, the lower feed conveyor having an input end and an output end; an upper feed conveyor disposed a fixed distance over and substantially aligned with the lower feed conveyor to convey the lettuce head disposed between the lower and upper feed conveyors; a digital imaging system disposed over the lower feed conveyor a fixed distance from the input end of the lower feed conveyor, wherein the digital imaging system is configured to capture an image of the lettuce head and determine a top-cutting profile using the image; and a top-cutting mechanism disposed over the lower feed conveyor between the digital imaging system and the output end of the lower feed conveyor, comprising: