A machine for cleaning up fruits, particularly strawberries and radishes is disclosed. The machine includes closed loop conveyor belt (5) for conveying fruits, a vacuum-generating means (8), and first cutting means (11). The closed loop conveyor belt (5) is provided with an upper conveying branch (5a), a lower returning branch (5b) and two front and rear connecting portions (5c, 5d), respectively, a plurality of holes (6) that are formed in the conveyor belt (5), and the conveyor belt (5) is movable by rollers (3, 4) along a predetermined advancing direction (A). The vacuum-generating means (8) includes distributing means (10) arranged under at least a predetermined portion of the upper conveying branch (5a). The first cutting means (11) cutting fruits is arranged in the plurality of holes (6) according to a cutting line substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction (A).

A machine for cleaning up fruits, particularly strawberries and radishes is disclosed. The machine includes closed loop conveyor belt (5) for conveying fruits, a vacuum-generating means (8), and first cutting means (11). The closed loop conveyor belt (5) is provided with an upper conveying branch (5a), a lower returning branch (5b) and two front and rear connecting portions (5c, 5d), respectively, a plurality of holes (6) that are formed in the conveyor belt (5), and the conveyor belt (5) is movable by rollers (3, 4) along a predetermined advancing direction (A). The vacuum-generating means (8) includes distributing means (10) arranged under at least a predetermined portion of the upper conveying branch (5a). The first cutting means (11) cutting fruits is arranged in the plurality of holes (6) according to a cutting line substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction (A).

A hemp flower, bud, and leaf material stripping machine having a housing, a motor and gearbox that drive a pair of rollers inside the housing, an adjustable locking shaft that adjusts and maintains a space and pressure between the rollers, and a series of feed holes of different diameters on a front side of the housing. Each feed hole is constructed to strip flowers, buds, and leaves from a hemp stem as the stem is inserted into a feed hole and is pulled through the feed hole by the rollers. The flowers, buds, and leaves are severed from the stem at an exterior of the front side of the housing, without damage to the flowers, buds, and leaves. The feed hole is constructed with close tolerance so that the stem can pass through the feed hole but the flowers, buds, and leaves cannot. Hemp stems are stripped in seconds. The flowers, buds, and leaves are not crushed, cut, torn, or compressed as they are severed and fall into a container.

A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.

A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.

A device comprises a fruit reception compartment, a fruit suction area, a liquid suction area comprising an orifice, and a narrowing which feeds into a channel, with a water flow between the narrowing and the channel, and the channel defining part of a pipe configured to carry impelled liquid inside the channel. A method comprises supplying a mixture of fruits in bunches and liquid, moving the mixture to a fruit suction area through a suction entrance, aspirating and injecting liquid through the channel, generating a depression which drags the mixture towards the narrowing, and generating turbulence which separates stalks from the fruit and extracts the separated fruit.

A device comprises a fruit reception compartment, a fruit suction area, a liquid suction area comprising an orifice, and a narrowing which feeds into a channel, with a water flow between the narrowing and the channel, and the channel defining part of a pipe configured to carry impelled liquid inside the channel. A method comprises supplying a mixture of fruits in bunches and liquid, moving the mixture to a fruit suction area through a suction entrance, aspirating and injecting liquid through the channel, generating a depression which drags the mixture towards the narrowing, and generating turbulence which separates stalks from the fruit and extracts the separated fruit.

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 destemming device includes a housing, a motor, and a belt system configured to fit within the housing. The housing includes at least one cutting aperture. The belt system includes a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly. The first belt assembly includes a first plurality of rollers and a first gripper belt extending around the first plurality of rollers. The second belt assembly includes a second plurality of rollers and a second gripper belt extending around the second plurality of rollers. The first gripper belt and the second gripper belt define a nip. The at least one cutting aperture is aligned with the nip. The motor is operatively connected to the belt system.