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.

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.

A method of coring a lettuce head, consisting in cutting the lettuce head (TS) transversely with respect to its axis (RR), above the core (TR), leaving a residue (E4) formed by the core and the remains of the leaves, while the residue (E4) is rotated about its axis while a jet of cutting water forming a cutting line (AA) is directed toward the base of the rotating residue (RR) to separate the leaf remains from the core (TR).

A method is disclosed that includes growing romaine lettuce in a greenhouse using a hydroponic technique and using purified water. The romaine lettuce has a heart and outer leaves. The heart is separated from the outer leaves of the romaine lettuce. The outer leaves are packaged in a first container and the heart is packaged in a second container. The first container and the second container are separate from one another. The first container and the second container are transferred to a storage device of approximately 32 to 41 degrees F. The packaging the outer leaves and the heart, and the transferring the first container and the second container, occur in an environment of less than or equal to 41 degrees F. The method occurs in a single, environmentally-controlled facility.

In an aspect, a process for removing a tail end of Brussels sprouts comprises separating a Brussels sprout from a stack and transferring it to a longitudinal transport track. On the track, the Brussels sprout is manipulated to position a longest dimension of the Brussels sprout perpendicular to a direction of travel of the transport track. Near an end of the track, a position and an orientation of each Brussels sprout is defined by photographic detection. Each Brussels sprout is removed from the transport track by a gripper. A position and an orientation of the gripper are defined using the detected position and orientation of the Brussels sprout to be removed. The gripper is re-oriented and moved along a knife to remove the tail end of the Brussels sprout. The Brussels sprout is removed from the gripper and collected.