Patent ID: 6428834
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: A23N

Abstract:
A method for selectively producing clean corn kernels and cut corn cobs from raw unhusked ears of corn at or near the harvest site, including:receiving raw unhusked ears of corn into a mobile processing apparatus; mechanically removing corn husks and silks from the ears within said mobile processing apparatus; discharging corn husks and silks from said mobile processing apparatus; selectively directing a first group of ears towards saws and a second group of ears towards cutters after the husks and silks are removed; cutting said first group of ears in a radial direction to remove corn stalks from the cob and to cut the cob into smaller cob portions, and further including discharging corn stalks from said mobile processing apparatus and filling receptacles with the cut cobs for transport; and cutting said second group of ears in a longitudinal direction to remove kernels from the cob within said mobile processing apparatus, and further including: discharging the corn cobs from said mobile processing apparatus; washing the kernels within said mobile processing apparatus; chilling the kernels within said mobile processing apparatus; and filling receptacles with the chilled kernels for transporting.