Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically cutting kernels off ears of corn with reduced damage to the kernels are provided. A circular array of movable kernel cutting knives rotates around an axis of rotation. Singulated ears of corn are conveyed along the axis of rotation into and through the array of kernel cutting knives. A sensor is provided for sensing the size and shape of each ear of corn prior to the ear being conveyed into the array of cutting knives and a knife controller moves the array of cutting knives relative to the axis of rotation in response to input from the sensor to efficiently cut the kernels off the cob with reduced damage to the kernels. The ears may be presented to the kernel cutting knives either tip end or butt end first. The cutting depth of the knives may be varied to compensate for variations in thickness of the kernels. In one embodiment, the ears may be presented to the kernel cutting knives with their husks attached. In this embodiment, the husks are sliced longitudinally parallel to the axis of rotation and are again sliced transversely simultaneously with cutting the kernels off the ear. A novel singulator is provided wherein a disc rotating around an inclined axis utilizes centrifugal force to separate and transfer ears of corn onto a chain conveyor which transports the singulated ears to the remainder of the machine.

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First Claim