Apparatus and method for separating produce from their vines

Abstract

An apparatus for separating produce from a produce vine comprising: a frame (28); a substantially cylindrical shaker brush assembly (21) mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis of rotation (32), the shaker brush assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart tines (27) extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation and terminating in free ends (31), the shaker brush assembly further being formed for vibration of the free ends of the tines as the shaker brush assembly rotates; a conveyor assembly (22) mounted for movement to the frame in a direction of rotation of the shaker brush assembly along a substantially arcuate path (37) substantially concentric to the axis of rotation of the shaker brush assembly at a radial distance therefrom positioning the free ends of the tines in close proximity to the conveyor assembly along the arcuate path; and a drive assembly (43) coupled to drive the conveyor assembly in the direction of movement.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.