Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A machine for trimming Brussels sprouts comprising, in combination: cutting means, means for presenting the Brussels sprouts to said cutting means, orienting means adapted to direct a fluid jet upwardly toward said presenting means for positioning the stems of the Brussels sprouts downwardly from said presenting means and into the path of said cutting means, and holding means for retaining the Brussels sprouts within said presenting means while the stems thereof are presented to said cutting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A machine for trimming Brussels sprouts comprising, in combination: cutting means, means for presenting the Brussels sprouts to said cutting means, orienting means adapted to direct a fluid jet upwardly toward said presenting means for positioning the stems of the Brussels sprouts downwardly from said presenting means and into the path of said cutting means, and holding means for retaining the Brussels sprouts within said presenting means while the stems thereof are presented to said cutting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A machine for trimming Brussels sprouts comprising, in combination: an endless conveyor arranged to progress along a horizontal flight, pockets transversely disposed and mounted on said conveyor, each of said pockets having open upper and lower ends thereof and convergently downwardly extending sides for supporting a Brussels sprout therein, knives fixedly positioned on a first frame along a horizontal plane beneath said conveyor and said pockets, nozzles also positioned along a horizontal plane beneath said conveyor and said pockets and adapted to direct fluid upwardly into said pockets thereby serving to orient each Brussels sprout with its stem protruding from the lower end of the pocket, and plungers mounted on a second frame positioned along a horizontal plane above said conveyor and said pockets and adapted to depress the Brussels sprouts into the pockets as their stems are presented to the knives.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
A machine for trimming Brussels sprouts comprising, in combination: an endless conveyor arranged to progress along a horizontal flight, pockets transversely disposed and mounted on said conveyor, each of said pockets having open upper and lower ends thereof and convergently downwardly extending sides for supporting a Brussels sprout therein, knives fixedly positioned on a first frame along a horizontal plane beneath said conveyor and said pockets, nozzles also positioned along a horizontal plane beneath said conveyor and said pockets and adapted to direct fluid upwardly into said pockets thereby serving to orient each Brussels sprout with its stem protruding from the lower end of the pocket, and plungers mounted on a second frame positioned along a horizontal plane above said conveyor and said pockets and adapted to depress the Brussels sprouts into the pockets as their stems are presented to the knives.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as in claim 2 further comprising baffle means positioned on said first frame along a horizontal plane above said conveyor and said pockets whereby upon direction of fluid upwardly into said pockets expelling the Brussels sprouts from said pockets is prevented.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A machine as in claim 3 further comprising means for feeding Brussels sprouts to said pockets, said means comprising a rotary drum with perforation on the surface thereon and means to create a vacuum therein whereby the Brussels sprouts remAin on said drum and are subsequently deposited into said pockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine as in claim 3 further comprising means for feeding Brussels sprouts to said pockets, said means comprising a rotary drum with indentations on the surface thereof and a curved retaining plate extending over a portion of said surface whereby the Brussel sprouts remain on said drum and are subsequently deposited into said pockets.