Apparatus for bunching broccoli and a method therefor

Claim 3

A method of forming vegetables as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of clamping includes the steps of providing an element in the path of said holder; providing a clamping apparatus that is movable between an open and a closed position on said holder; engaging said element with said clamping apparatus; and moving said clamping apparatus from said open to said closed position.

Claim 4

A method of forming vegetables as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of removing includes providing a saw, and driving said holder past said saw.

Claim 5

A method of forming vegetables as recited in claim 1 and further comprising removing said bunch of vegetables from said holder following the step of inserting a band.

Claim 6

A method of forming vegetables as recited in claim 1 and further comprising the step of supporting the stalks of the vegetables prior to the step of clamping said stalks.

Claim 7

Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising: a chain formed into an endless band; first means for driving said chain in a generally elongated loop; a plurality of members affixed to said chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, said holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables, said clamping portion including a first clamp having an arm portion and a stalk engaging portion, said first clamp being pivotally affixed to said holding portion at a location intermediate said arm portion and said stalk engaging portion, a second clamp pivotally affixed to said holding portion and being pivotable between an open position and a closed position and second means formed of a resilient material interconnecting said first and second clamps and being capable of pivoting said second clamp such that when said second clamp is in said open position, vegetables are able to be placed in said holding portion with their stalks extending beyond said clamping portion and when said second clamp is in said closed position, the stalks of the vegetables in said clamping portion are clamped; an elongated element disposed in the path of said arm portion for pivoting said first clamp; and third means for removing portions of the stalks when said second clamp is in said closed position, whereby when said chain is driven and after vegetables are inserted into said holding portion, said arm portion engages said elongated element and pivots said stalk engaging portion and hence said second clamp into said closed position, such that said stalk engaging portion, said second clamp and said means clamp the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion so that continued movement of said chain drives the clamped stalks past said third means which in turn removes undersired portions of the stalks so as to form the vegetables into a predetermined length and hence enables the stalks to be bound with an elastic band that serves to maintain the vegetables in a bunch, and whereby when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said elongated element and said second clamp pivots into said open position, the bunch of vegetables is capable of being removed from said holding portion.

Claim 8

Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising: a chain formed into an endless band; first means for driving said chain in a generally elongated loop; a plurality of members affixed to said chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, said holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables, said clamping portion including a first clamp having an arm portion and a stalk engaging portion, said first clamp being pivotally affixed to said holding portion at a location intermediate said arm portion and said stalk engaging portion, a second clamp pivotally affixed to said holding portion and being pivotable between an open position and a closed position and second means formed of a resilient material interconnecting said first and second clamps and being capable of pivoting said second clamp such that when said second clamp is in said open position, vegetables are able to be placed in said holding portion with their stalks extending beyond said clamping portion and when said second clamp is in said closed position, the stalks of the vegetables in said clamping portion are clamped; an elongated element disposed in the path of said arm portion for pivoting said first clamp; and third means for removing portions of the stalks when said second clamp is in said closed position, whereby when said chain is driven and after vegetables are inserted into said holding portion, said arm portion engages said elongated element and pivots said stalk engaging portion and hence said second clamp into said closed position, such that said stalk engaging portion, said second clamp and said means clamp the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion so that continued movement of said chain drives the clamped stalks past said third means which in turn removes undersired portions of the stalks so as to form the vegetables into a predetermined length and hence enables the stalks to be bound with an elastic band that serves to maintain the vegetables in a bunch, and whereby when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said elongated element and said second clamp pivots into said open position, the bunch of vegetables is capable of being removed from said holding portion.

Claim 9

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 6 wherein said clamping portion further includes fourth means formed from a resilient material for urging said first and second clamps into said open position when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said elongated element.

Claim 10

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 6 wherein said stalk engaging portion and said second clamp have generally arcuate shapes.

Claim 11

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 6 wherein said elongated element has a leading surface that is generally ramp-shaped and serves to cam said arm portion into said closed position.

Claim 12

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 6 wherein each said member includes a headplate affixed to said holding portion opposite said clamping portion and serving to provide a reference surface for use in positioning the heads of vegetables.

Claim 13

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 10 wherein said third means is a saw disposed generally parallel to said headplate.

Claim 14

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 6 and further comprising support means disposed upstream of said elongated element for supporting the butt ends of the stalks when said second clamp is in said open position.

Claim 15

Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising: a frame; a chain formed into an endless band; first means mounted to said frame for driving said chain in a generally elongated loop; a plurality of members affixed to said chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, said holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables with their stalks extending in a direction generally normal to the plane of said loop, said clamping portion including a first clamp having an arm portion and a stalk engaging portion, said first clamp being pivotally affixed to said holding portion at a location intermediate said arm portion and said stalk engaging portion, a second clamp pivotally affixed to said holding portion and being pivotal between an open and a closed position, and second means formed of a resilient material interconnecting said first and second clamps and being capable of pivoting said second clamp such that when said second clamp is in said open position, vegetables are able to be placed in said holding portion and when said second clamp is in said closed position, the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion are clamped; third means connected to said frame and disposed in the path of said arm portion for pivoting said first clamp; and fourth means for removing portions of the stalks when said second clamp is in said closed position, whereby when said chain is driven and after vegetables are inserted into said holding portion, said arm portion engages said third means and pivots said stalk engaging portion and hence said second clamp into said closed position, such that said stalk engaging portion, said second clamp and said second means clamp the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion so that continued movement of said chain drives the clamped stalks past said fourth means which in turn removes undersired portions of the stalks so as to form the vegetables into a predetermined length and hence enables the stalks to be bound with an elastic band that serves to maintain the vegetables in a bunch, and whereby when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said third means and said second clamp pivots into said open position, the bunch of vegetables is capable of being removed from said holding portion.

Claim 16

Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising: a frame; a chain formed into an endless band; first means mounted to said frame for driving said chain in a generally elongated loop; a plurality of members affixed to said chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, said holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables with their stalks extending in a direction generally normal to the plane of said loop, said clamping portion including a first clamp having an arm portion and a stalk engaging portion, said first clamp being pivotally affixed to said holding portion at a location intermediate said arm portion and said stalk engaging portion, a second clamp pivotally affixed to said holding portion and being pivotal between an open and a closed position, and second means formed of a resilient material interconnecting said first and second clamps and being capable of pivoting said second clamp such that when said second clamp is in said open position, vegetables are able to be placed in said holding portion and when said second clamp is in said closed position, the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion are clamped; third means connected to said frame and disposed in the path of said arm portion for pivoting said first clamp; and fourth means for removing portions of the stalks when said second clamp is in said closed position, whereby when said chain is driven and after vegetables are inserted into said holding portion, said arm portion engages said third means and pivots said stalk engaging portion and hence said second clamp into said closed position, such that said stalk engaging portion, said second clamp and said second means clamp the stalks of the vegetables in said holding portion so that continued movement of said chain drives the clamped stalks past said fourth means which in turn removes undersired portions of the stalks so as to form the vegetables into a predetermined length and hence enables the stalks to be bound with an elastic band that serves to maintain the vegetables in a bunch, and whereby when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said third means and said second clamp pivots into said open position, the bunch of vegetables is capable of being removed from said holding portion.

Claim 17

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 13 wherein said clamping portion further includes fifth means formed from a resilient material for urging said first and second clamps into said open position when said arm portion moves out of engagement with said second means.

Claim 18

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 13 wherein said stalk engaging portion and said second clamp have generally arcuate shapes.

Claim 19

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 13 wherein said second means comprises an elongated element having a leading surface that is generally ramp-shaped and serves to cam said arm portion.

Claim 20

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 13 wherein each said member includes a headplate affixed to said holding portion opposite said clamping portion and serving to provide a reference surface for use in positioning the heads of vegetables.

Claim 21

Apparatus for bunching vegetables as recited in claim 13 and further comprising support means disposed upstream of said third means for supporting the butt ends of the stalks when said clamping portion is in said open position.