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US 5,865,675 AGranted
Bulk weighing system
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorDavid Jeffrey Meester
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is a harvester which is able to weigh harvested fruit. The harvester transfers the fruit from the harvester by a transfer conveyor. The weighing system is a first shoe and a second shoe supported on the end of the transfer conveyor. A load cell supports the second shoe and is used to determine the weight of the fruit in the second shoe. A linkage system is used to keep the first shoe and second shoe in desired relative positions as the transfer conveyor is moved up or down.
Claims14
An apparatus for harvesting and weighing fruit, comprising:
- a harvester, for separating fruit from plants;
- a transfer conveyor with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the transfer conveyor is mechanically connected to the harvester;
- and
- a weighing apparatus, comprising:
- a support frame mechanically connected to the second end of the transfer conveyor;
- a first shoe mechanically connected to the support frame;
- a load cell with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the load cell is mechanically connected to the support frame;
- and
- a second shoe mechanically connected to the second end of the load cell in a position below the first shoe, so that the first shoe may direct fruit and allow it to drop to the second shoe in a uniform manner to apply force to the second shoe for a period of time.
6 more elements
An apparatus for harvesting and weighing fruit, comprising:
- a harvester, for separating fruit from plants;
- a transfer conveyor with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the transfer conveyor is mechanically connected to the harvester with capability for moving at different angles relative to the harvester or a ground surface;
- a weighing apparatus mechanically connected to the second end of the transfer conveyor;
- and
- a fixed angle device mechanically connected to the weighing apparatus, including apparatus for maintaining the weighing apparatus at a fixed angle relative to the harvester or a ground surface as the transfer conveyor changes angles relative to the harvester or a ground surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.