Grape processing apparatus

A method for processing grapes, comprising:

• providing a vibratory conveyor having a supporting, conveying surface which reciprocates;
• supplying a source of harvested individual grapes to move along a given path of travel, and wherein the source of harvested individual grapes are derived from individual bunches which include both a multiplicity of individual grapes and associated stems attached to the grapes and material other than grapes (MOG);
• providing a screen, defining a multiplicity of apertures, and which is mounted on the vibratory conveyor, and which is further located in spaced relationship relative to the supporting, conveying surface of the vibratory conveyor, and which additionally reciprocates in unison with the supporting conveying surface, and wherein the screen has a top surface;
• providing a cleated continuous conveyor belt and locating the cleated continuous conveyor belt in spaced, at least partially covering relationship over the screen which is mounted on the vibratory conveyor, and wherein the cleated continuous conveyor belt has a top flight, and a bottom flight which is located in spaced relation relative to the top surface of the screen;
• first depositing the source of the harvested bunches of grapes on the top flight, and then secondly depositing the harvested bunches of grapes onto the top surface of the screen;
• forcibly engaging the harvested bunches of grapes deposited on the top surface of screen with the respective cleats on the bottom flight of the cleated continuous conveyor belt so as to forcibly move the harvested bunches of grapes along the top surface of the reciprocating screen in a rolling and tumbling action and which facilitates the separation of the respective grapes from the associated stems, and further causes the separated grapes to pass through the apertures defined by the screen, and be received on the supporting, conveying surface of the vibratory conveyor for transport along the path of travel for collection;
• and
• propelling the separated stems and MOG across the top surface of the screen for collection and disposal.

A method for processing grapes comprising:

• providing a vibratory conveyor having a conveyor bed for receiving and transporting a multiplicity of individual grapes;
• energizing the vibratory conveyor so as to impart vibratory motion to the conveyor bed, and cause a resulting motion of the individual grapes, and wherein the conveyor bed has a first, intake end, and a second, discharge end, and wherein individual grapes deposited on the conveyor bed of the vibratory conveyor, under the influence of the vibratory motion imparted by the vibratory conveyor bed, travel in a predetermined direction of movement from the first intake end, to the second discharge end;
• providing a screen having a top surface, and mounting the screen on the vibratory conveyor, and above the conveyor bed, and wherein the screen defines a multiplicity of apertures each having a size which will permit the individual grapes to pass therethrough, and wherein the screen includes a first end which is disposed in spaced relation, and elevationally above the first, intake end of the vibratory conveyor bed, and a second end which is located in spaced relation, and elevationally above the second, discharge end of the vibratory conveyor bed, and wherein the screen co-vibrates with the vibratory conveyor;
• providing a cleated and continuous conveyor belt, and mounting the cleated and continuous conveyor belt above the screen, and wherein the cleated and continuous conveyor belt has a top flight, and a bottom flight, and wherein a plurality of outwardly extending cleats are mounted in predetermined spaced relation on, and along, the respective top and bottom flights, and wherein the bottom flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt is spaced a predetermined distance from the top surface of the screen and thereby forms a predetermined space between the bottom flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt, and the top surface of the screen;
• energizing the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt so as to cause the top flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt to move in a direction which is opposite to the direction of movement of the individual grapes which are traveling along the conveyor bed of the vibratory conveyor, and wherein the bottom flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt moves in a direction which is similar to, and parallel with the direction of movement of the individual grapes which are traveling along the conveyor bed of the vibratory conveyor;
• supplying a source of individual bunches of grapes which include individual stems which support, and have attached thereto, individual grapes, and which further include material other than grapes (MOG);
• depositing the individual bunches of grapes on the top flight, and then transporting the individual bunches of grapes on the top flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt, and depositing the individual bunches of grapes on the first end of the screen;
• engaging the bunches of grapes with the respective cleats of the bottom flight of the cleated, and continuous conveyor belt, and forcibly moving the respective bunches of deposited grapes through, and along, the predetermined space which is defined between the top of the screen, and the bottom flight of the cleated and continuous conveyor belt from the first end of the screen, and toward the second end of the screen, and wherein the plurality of cleats of the bottom flight of the cleated and continuous conveyor belt, along with the vibratory motion of the screen, imparts a resulting tumbling action to the respective bunches of grapes passing along, and through the predetermined space so as to facilitate a separation of the individual grapes from the stems and MOG, and wherein the separated individual grapes pass, under the influence of gravity, through the individual apertures defined by the screen, and drop onto the conveyor bed of the vibratory conveyor, and wherein the stems and MOG, which have become separated from the individual grapes, remain on the top surface of the screen;
• and
• propelling the separated stems and MOG which are resting on the top surface of the screen toward the second end of the screen, and in the same direction of travel as the individual grapes which have been deposited on the conveying bed of the vibratory conveyor.