Patent ID: 7763299

Claim:
A mechanical method of processing a leafy vegetable after being harvested, the leafy vegetable having a core end and a leafy end, the method comprising: transporting the leafy vegetable through a trim area using a first conveyor and a second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor is disposed adjacent and parallel to the first conveyor; trimming a portion of the core end using a first cutting implement in the trim area, wherein the second conveyer extends into the trim area and adjacent the first cutting implement; trimming a portion of the leafy end using a second cutting implement, wherein the first and second cutting implements are spaced a set distance apart, wherein the set distance defines an amount of the leafy vegetable remaining after the portions of the core and leafy ends are trimmed, wherein the first conveyor extends through the trim area and between the first and second cutting implements, wherein the first and second conveyors have cleats, wherein the leafy vegetable is held between two cleats of each of the first and second conveyors with the core end held on the second conveyor to reduce twisting of the leafy vegetable while the portion of the core end is trimmed by the first cutting implement, and wherein the second conveyer clears the trimmed portion of the core end from the first cutting implement; and while the portions of the core and leafy ends of the leafy vegetable are being trimmed, spraying a rinsing liquid on cut sites on the portions of the core and leafy ends of the leafy vegetable being trimmed to rinse off natural juices exuding from the cut sites.