Robert Ragon

Title: Innovations by Robert Ragon in Lettuce Trimming Technology

Introduction

Robert Ragon, an innovative inventor based in Lake Wylie, SC, has made significant contributions to the field of agriculture technology, particularly in the processing of lettuce. With a total of two patents to his name, Ragon's inventions focus on enhancing efficiency and precision in lettuce trimming.

Latest Patents

One of Ragon's groundbreaking inventions is a “System for topping and tailing lettuce heads using a camera-guided servo-controlled water knife.” This patented system employs a digital imaging mechanism to trim lettuce heads accurately. The setup features a lower and an upper feed conveyor aligned to facilitate the seamless movement of lettuce heads. The digital imaging system captures images of the lettuce and determines a cutting profile. The cutting mechanism includes a servo motor connected to a drive shaft, along with an armature that pivots to deliver a precise cutting action via a nozzle attached to the sweep end.

Another notable patent by Ragon is the “System for trimming a lettuce head using a digital imaging system and cutting mechanism.” Similar to the previous system, it highlights the integration of technology in agriculture, showcasing his focus on innovation in food processing. By employing sophisticated mechanics and imaging systems, his inventions significantly reduce the time and labor involved in preparing lettuce for market.

Career Highlights

Robert Ragon is currently employed at Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., where he continues to develop innovative solutions for the vegetable processing industry. His work not only contributes to the efficiency of operations at Dole but also enhances the quality control aspects of food processing.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Ragon has collaborated with esteemed coworkers such as Rosser W. Pryor and Roland C. Myers, Jr. These partnerships illustrate the collaborative spirit prevalent in the innovation space, where ideas are shared, refined, and developed into patentable technologies.

Conclusion

Robert Ragon's advancements in lettuce trimming technology serve as a testament to the power of innovation in agriculture. His patents reflect a commitment to improving food processing techniques, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers. As he continues his work with Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., it will be exciting to see how his contributions will further shape the future of agricultural technology.