DECORING MECHANISM WITH MECHANIZED HARVESTER

• US 20120311989A1
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bud Antle, Inc. (Dole Plc)
• Original Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc (Dole Plc)
• Inventors: Albarran, Serafin, Albarran, Daniel, Alejo, Jorge, Barajas, Ignacio, Bascou, Richard, Castillo, Dennis, Corral, Maximino, Frans, Whit, Davis, Frank E., Jens, Stephen C., Machuca, Raul, Magana, Manuel, Meza, Carlos, Villasenor, Gabriel, Young, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 8,312,701 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/327.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 45/26 of cabbage or lettuce
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 45/263 of lettuce

Abstract

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Claims

1. A mechanical harvester for harvesting and decoring a produce planted in a field, the produce having a core, a stem, and roots extending from the stem when the produce is growing in the ground, the mechanical harvester comprising:

a chassis;

a positioning apparatus configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring, wherein the positioning apparatus comprises;

a first positioning arm; and

a second positioning arm,

wherein each of the first and second positioning arms has a straight section and a bent section, and wherein the bent sections of the first and second positioning arms are bent away from each other;

a decoring device configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground, wherein the decoring device comprises;

a first blade connected to the first positioning arm; and

a second blade connected to the second positioning arm,

wherein the first blade and the second blade are configured in an inverted V-shape to sever the core of the produce; and

a transport assembly comprising one or more moveable belts, configured to lift the cut produce from the ground, and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container,

wherein the positioning apparatus, the decoring device, and the transport assembly are connected to the chassis.

2. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning arms in the bent section are bent away from each other, and wherein each positioning arm is bent to form an interior angle of 0 degrees to 60 degrees.

3. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the first and second positioning arms in the straight section have a width of 1 inch to 10 inches.

6. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the inverted V-shaped configuration of the first and second blades has an interior angle between 0 degrees and 120 degrees.

7. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the first and second blades each have a length of 0.5 inches to 5 inches.

8. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more roller guides, wherein the one or more roller guides are connected to the chassis, and wherein the one or more roller guides position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring.

9. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the transport assembly is further configured to pull the produce through the decoring device.

10. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the transport assembly comprises:

a movable first belt, wherein the movable first belt includes a first set of produce grippers; and

a movable second belt, wherein the movable second belt includes a second set of produce grippers,

wherein a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers, when the cut produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, and

wherein the opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the cut produce to hold the cut produce between the movable first and second belts.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

11. A mechanical method of harvesting a produce planted in a field using a mechanical harvester, the produce having a core, a stem, and roots extending from the stem when the produce is growing in the ground, the method comprising:

positioning the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring;

severing the core of the produce with a decoring device connected to a chassis of the mechanical harvester, wherein the severed core remains attached to the roots in the ground;

lifting the cut produce from the ground; and

transporting the cut produce with a transport assembly to a processing unit or a storage container.