Carlos F Ortega

US Patent:

6550366, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/870960

Inventors:

Edward Ortega - Salinas CA
Carlos Ortega - Watsonville CA

Assignee:

Finepro, LLC - Salinas CA

International Classification:

B26D 102

US Classification:

83857, 83856, 83932, 99637

Abstract:

An apparatus for the rapid removal of an extraneous portion of a produce item with minimal loss. The apparatus, rendered attachable to an agricultural processing implement by an integral attachment device, enables one-handed operation by a user. The apparatus includes a base section in operative combination with an elevated blade that not only enables the severing of the extraneous portion from the produce body, but also separates the extraneous portion therefrom, and guides the cleaned produce body towards a collection device, for instance, a picking box.

US Patent:

20030126964, Jul 10, 2003

Filed:

Feb 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/375772

Inventors:

Edward Ortega - Salinas CA, US
Carlos Ortega - Watsonville CA, US

International Classification:

B26B003/00

US Classification:

083/013000, 030/351000, 030/278000, 030/280000

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.

US Patent:

62864076, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

May 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/083641

Inventors:

Edward Ortega - Salinas CA
Carlos Ortega - Watsonville CA

Assignee:

Finepro, LLC - Salinas CA

International Classification:

B26D 102

US Classification:

83857

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.