Harvesting device and method for harvesting fruit hanging from a plant
AssigneeFine Field B.V.
InventorPeter Johannes Lodewijk Geurts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A harvesting device for harvesting fruit hanging from a plant, includes a frame which is displaceable in a transport direction and carries a loop-like conveyor track which can be driven in circular manner, and at least one harvesting bin connected to the conveyor track. The conveyor track lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the transport direction and which lies at a first acute angle to the horizon in a direction transversely of the transport direction during normal use of the harvesting device. A method for harvesting fruit hanging from a plant, wherein the harvesting device is used.
Claims20
A harvesting device for harvesting fruit hanging from a plant, comprising:
- a frame which is displaceable in a transport direction and carries a loop-like conveyor track which can be driven in circular manner;
- and
- at least one harvesting bin connected to the conveyor track,
- wherein the conveyor track lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the transport direction and which lies at a first acute angle to the horizon in a direction transversely of the transport direction during normal use of the harvesting device,
- wherein the harvesting device further comprises a plurality of harvesting bins and a plurality of catchers, wherein adjacent harvesting bins and catchers connect at least substantially to each other along at least a part of the conveyor track,
- wherein the conveyor track has a substantially linear harvesting segment extending substantially in the transport direction along a lower side thereof, and the harvesting device further comprises a first guide placed along the harvesting segment for the purpose of displacing the at least one harvesting bin and/or the at least one catcher in a direction of extension relative to the conveyor track, and
- wherein the first guide is configured, while the harvesting bin and/or the catcher is being displaced along the harvesting segment counter to the transport direction by the conveyor track, to:
- first move the harvesting bin and/or the catcher away from the conveyor track in the direction of extension;
- hold the harvesting bin and/or the catcher away from the conveyor track while the harvesting bin is being displaced along at least a portion of the harvesting segment;
- and then
- displace the harvesting bin and/or the catcher back toward the conveyor track counter to the direction of extension.
A harvesting device for harvesting fruit hanging from a plant, comprising:
- a frame which is displaceable in a transport direction and carries a loop-like conveyor track which can be driven in circular manner;
- and
- at least one harvesting bin connected to the conveyor track,
- wherein the conveyor track lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the transport direction and which lies at a first acute angle to the horizon in a direction transversely of the transport direction during normal use of the harvesting device;
- and
- wherein at least one catcher:
- is mounted on the at least one harvesting bin,
- comprises a flexible catching element for catching fruit and guiding it to the harvesting bin, and
- is displaceable relative to the conveyor track in a direction of extension substantially transversely of the transport direction;
- wherein the at least one harvesting bin and/or the at least one catcher is/are reciprocally displaceable over a carrier mounted on the conveyor track;
- and
- wherein the carrier is mounted non-rotatably on the conveyor track and extends substantially transversely of a local longitudinal direction of the conveyor track, and encloses a second angle with an extension of the plane in which the conveyor track lies, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.