Apparatus and method for removing an extraneous portion of a produce item

Abstract

Method for the rapid cleaning of produce with minimal loss, and apparatus to perform the method. The cleaning method taught in the present application enables the rapid cleaning of produce by removing an extraneous portion therefrom, by separating the extraneous portion from the body of the produce, and by urging the cleaned produce towards a collection device. These steps are attainable, using the principles of the present invention, by a working using only one motion and one hand. To perform the method, a novel aperture knife is taught which, rendered attachable to an agricultural processing implement by an integral attachment device, enables one-handed operation by a user. The knife includes a generally planar knife body in operative combination with an elevated blade which not only enables the severing of the extraneous portion from the produce body, but separates the extraneous portion therefrom, and guides the cleaned produce body towards a collection device, for instance a picking box.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An aperture knife adapted for the cleaning of produce, the aperture knife comprising: 
 a planar section defining an aperture;    an elevated section in operative combination with said planar section and said aperture;    at least a portion of said aperture forming an edge; and    attachment means for attaching said aperture knife to an object.    
     
     
         2 . An aperture knife adapted for the cleaning of produce, the aperture knife comprising: 
 a planar section defining an aperture;    an elevated section in operative combination with said planar section and said aperture;    at least a portion of said aperture forming a substantially sharpened edge; and    attachment means for attaching said aperture knife to an object,    whereby said planar section, said elevated section and said aperture operate in combination to receive therein a produce item, to guide said produce item to and beyond said edge, and to remove a portion of said produce item.    
     
     
         3 . An aperture knife adapted for the cleaning of a produce item including a body and an extraneous portion, the knife comprising: 
 produce receiving means for receiving thereon said produce item;    a blade in operative combination with said produce receiving means, said blade for severing said body from said extraneous portion;    separation means, in operative combination with said blade, for separating said body from said extraneous portion; and attachment means for attaching said knife to a produce processing device.    
     
     
         4 . A method for cleaning a produce item, the produce item including a body and an extraneous portion, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an aperture knife, the knife including produce receiving means, an elevated blade in operative combination with said produce receiving means, separation means, and an attachment device for attaching said knife to a produce processing device;    attaching said knife to said produce processing device;    grasping said produce item;    placing said produce item on said produce receiving means;    urging said produce item towards and over said blade; and    separating said extraneous portion from said body with said separation means.