The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 2020

Filed:

Jan. 10, 2018
Applicant:

The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA (US);

Inventors:

Stavros Vougioukas, Davis, CA (US);

David Slaughter, Davis, CA (US);

Dennis Sadowski, Davis, CA (US);

Long He, Richland, WA (US);

Adrien Durand-Petiteville, Davis, CA (US);

Assignee:
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A23N 15/02 (2006.01); B26D 3/26 (2006.01); A23N 15/04 (2006.01); B26D 5/00 (2006.01); B26D 7/06 (2006.01); B26D 7/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A23N 15/02 (2013.01); A23N 15/04 (2013.01); B26D 3/26 (2013.01); B26D 5/007 (2013.01); B26D 7/0625 (2013.01); B26D 2007/0018 (2013.01); B26D 2210/02 (2013.01);
Abstract

An automated apparatus for removing the tops (calyx) of strawberries as they move along a conveyor belt having a plurality of concave-shaped slotted rollers which operate to orient the calyx of each strawberry for being cut. Images are captured and processed for locating the calyx of each strawberry and determining an optimal cutting plane. In response to the image processing a control system actuates a blade in a cutting apparatus to pass through the produce item and into one of the slots in a roller, or rollers, to separate the calyx from the body of the strawberry.


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