GB1261032A - Apparatus for stripping brussels sprouts from their stalks - Google Patents

Abstract

1,261,032. Stripping brussels sprouts from plant stalks. BRUFF MFG. CO. Ltd. April 11, 1969 [April 29, 1968], No.20130/69. Heading A4C. Apparatus for stripping brussels sprouts from plant stalks comprises a plurality of cutters 24 which co-operate to form a split tube, the tube tapering near one end, each cutter being sharpened at one end (26), which end forms part of the narrower end of the tube, and having a secondary sharpened part (27) adjacent end (26), Figs.4 and 5 (not shown), part (27) being overlapped by an adjacent cutter when the cutters are in a radially inward position, means for mounting the cutters and adapted to allow radially outward movement of the cutters, with respect to the axis of the split tube, against the action of resilient biasing means 28, and means (33) Fig.2 (not shown) for moving a stalk through the centre of the tube. The cutters 24 are mounted in a head (12), Figs. 1 and 2 (not shown) comprising a front annular plate 18, rear annular plate 17 and a spacer plate 19. The plate 19 has equi-spaced radial slots 20, which reveive radial arms 23 carrying the cutters 24, and a circumferential groove 21 accommodating an angularly movable annular cam 22. Adjacent outer ends of the arms 23 are connected by coiled tension springs 28. The cam 22 co-operates with rollers 29 on arms 23 to move the cutter radially outwards to allow initial insertion of a stalk in the head (12), the cam 22 having a semi-circular plate 31 secured to it. The plate 31 may be rotated about the tube axis by an operator actuating a pedal which pulls a cable 32 attached to a radial arm on plate 31. The head (12) is attached to a frame 13 and to leaf-springs 14 by arms on the plate 17. The head (12) may be reciprocated along said tube axis by an eccentric (15), Fig.2 (not shown), driven by an hydraulic motor (16) which also drives counter-rotating toothed rollers (33). The rollers (33) draw a stalk through the head (12) causing the sprouts to be stripped off by cutting edges (26, 27). Edges (27) are effective in removing material passing between edges (26) as these are caused to separate by variations in stalk cross-section. Stripped sprouts and leaves fall on to a conveyor (34) Fig.2 (not shown) the sprouts being separated and delivered to a container (35) Fig. 1 (not shown). Two heads (12) are each supported by springs 14 and a frame (13) on a further frame (11), Fig. 2 (not shown). The frame (11) and container (35) are carried on a tractordrawn trailer (10), Fig. 1 (not shown).