The disclosed technology includes a food system that prepares food based on a user's preferences and environment (e.g., health and diet, tastes, availability of food, costs, location, and what is stored or available for the food preparation system). The food system can store, cool, serve, prepare, juice, recognize with an antenna array, cut, weigh, sanitize, or compost food. The food system can include a robotic arm or water jet for cutting a food item. The disclosed technology improves food consumption for users based on diet and observed behavior (e.g., tracking caloric intake and exercise).

Systems and methods of de-stemming produce are provided. An apparatus can process an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion. The apparatus can include at least one first conveyor unit that can convey the first portion of the item of produce in a first direction. The apparatus can include at least one second conveyor unit that can convey the second portion of the item of produce in a second direction that differs from the first linear direction by between zero and 90 degrees to generate a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce that separates the first portion from the second portion.

Systems and methods of de-stemming produce are provided. An apparatus can process an item of produce having a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion. The apparatus can include at least one first conveyor unit that can convey the first portion of the item of produce in a first direction. The apparatus can include at least one second conveyor unit that can convey the second portion of the item of produce in a second direction that differs from the first linear direction by between zero and 90 degrees to generate a separation force between the first portion of the item of produce and the second portion of the item of produce that separates the first portion from the second portion.

A fresh fruit-stick product has a semi-rigid tube having an inside diameter, an inside length, one closed end and an open end, a cylindrical plug of fruit having an outside diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the of the semi-rigid tube, and a length somewhat less than the inside length of the semi-rigid tube, the cylindrical plug or fruit fully inserted in the semi-rigid tube, natural fruit juice in the tube with the plug of fruit, and a sealing cap over the open end.

A fresh fruit-stick product has a semi-rigid tube having an inside diameter, an inside length, one closed end and an open end, a cylindrical plug of fruit having an outside diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the of the semi-rigid tube, and a length somewhat less than the inside length of the semi-rigid tube, the cylindrical plug or fruit fully inserted in the semi-rigid tube, natural fruit juice in the tube with the plug of fruit, and a sealing cap over the open end.

A way of dealing with challenges to the pepper processing industry and pepper growers is to mechanize pepper processing, including the de-stemming of whole peppers. The present example provides a method for mechanically de-stemming whole peppers. The method provides for the recognition of a pepper's shoulder and or interior regions and stem in order to generate a control signal to initiate a process to de-stem the pepper. In particular, several implementations of the method are provided that may include a mechanical system, a laser system, a machine vision system, a combination of a machine vision system and the laser system, and other equivalent implementations. Additionally disclosed, are methods of processing whole peppers utilizing automated de-stemming.

A way of dealing with challenges to the pepper processing industry and pepper growers is to mechanize pepper processing, including the de-stemming of whole peppers. The present example provides a method for mechanically de-stemming whole peppers. The method provides for the recognition of a pepper's shoulder and or interior regions and stem in order to generate a control signal to initiate a process to de-stem the pepper. In particular, several implementations of the method are provided that may include a mechanical system, a laser system, a machine vision system, a combination of a machine vision system and the laser system, and other equivalent implementations. Additionally disclosed, are methods of processing whole peppers utilizing automated de-stemming.

A handheld bean end cutting device.

An apparatus, method and system for wet or dry processing of plant material is provided. The apparatus has an enclosure attached to a frame. The apparatus includes: (a) a cylindrical rotatable drum for receiving the plant material, the rotatable drum having a plurality of slots; (b) a cutting module for cutting portions of the plant material that pass through one or more said slots; and (c) a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid within the enclosure.

The apparatus may further include a controller having a processing unit and a memory, the memory containing instructions for directing the processing unit. The controller may be operable to selectably control operations of the rotatable drum, the cutting module, and the plurality of nozzles.

The cutting module may include a plurality of cutting reels.

The cutting module and the rotatable drum may be coaxial. The cutting module may include a plurality of blades rotatable about the drum.

An apparatus, method and system for wet or dry processing of plant material is provided. The apparatus has an enclosure attached to a frame. The apparatus includes: (a) a cylindrical rotatable drum for receiving the plant material, the rotatable drum having a plurality of slots; (b) a cutting module for cutting portions of the plant material that pass through one or more said slots; and (c) a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid within the enclosure.

The apparatus may further include a controller having a processing unit and a memory, the memory containing instructions for directing the processing unit. The controller may be operable to selectably control operations of the rotatable drum, the cutting module, and the plurality of nozzles.

The cutting module may include a plurality of cutting reels.

The cutting module and the rotatable drum may be coaxial. The cutting module may include a plurality of blades rotatable about the drum.