LEAF REMOVAL APPARATUS

• Main Authors: FUENTES VILLASENOR Gabriel, URIBE MEZA Carlos, BASCOU Richard L, BARAJAS IGNACIO, DE JESUS VALDEZ Jose, MALDONADO MAGANA Manuel, DAVIS Frank E, CORRAL Maximino, VALDIVIA RODRIGUEZ Edgar Enrique, CASTILLO Dennis Johnny, ALBARRAN Serafin, JENS Stephen
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.02.2017
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS; FISHING; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FORESTRY; HARVESTING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLESOR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOWING; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES; TRAPPING

A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves.