Vincent V Vanlue

US Patent:

45384924, Sep 3, 1985

Filed:

Feb 1, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/576254

Inventors:

Benjamin H. Van Lue - Granby MO
Timothy A. Van Lue - Granby MO
Vincent V. Vanlue - Granby MO

International Classification:

B26D 706

US Classification:

83411R

Abstract:

An inclined chute is provided for receiving side-by-side transversely extending elongated beans thereon for gravity lateral feeding of the beans downwardly along the chute. A rotary shaft is disposed outward of and below the lower end of the chute and a plurality of axially spaced wheels are mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The wheels include axially registered radially outwardly projecting arms whose outer ends are hooked in the direction of rotation of the shaft and stationary knife structure is disposed between adjacent wheels on the sides thereof remote from the chute. The registered arms of the wheels are operative to engage, support and convey beans from the lower end of the chute past the knife structure for cutting of the beans into a plurality of short bean member sections. Additional bean tipping blades are provided adjacent the axial ends of the shaft for tipping the beans and a cutting blade-equipped divider plate may be mounted between adjacent wheels for tipping shorter beans.