Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester

• US 8,631,635 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2012
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• 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, Frans, Whit, Jens, Stephen C., Machuca, Raul, Magana, Manuel, Meza, Carlos, Villasenor, Gabriel, Young, Terry, Corral, Maximino, Davis, Frank E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fbin-Kovcs, rpd
• Application Number:
  US13/663,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20130111870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 563/271, 56/98, 56/136, 171/27, 171/42, 171/22, 171/61, 171/38
• 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 a substantial portion of 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 angled towards each other to sever a substantial portion of the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground, and

wherein a portion of the first positioning arm and a portion of the second positioning arm are in contact with the produce in the ground when the first blade and the second blade come in contact with the produce in the ground; 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 greater than 0 degrees to 60 degrees.

3. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the straight sections of the first and second positioning arms have a parallel configuration with a width of 1 inch to 10 inches apart.

4. The mechanical harvester of claim 3, wherein the first and second blades each have a length of 0.5 inches to 5 inches.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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; and

a decoring device configured to sever a substantial portion of 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 angled towards each other to sever a substantial portion of the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground, and

wherein a portion of the first positioning arm and a portion of the second positioning arm are in contact with the produce in the ground when the first blade and the second blade come in contact with the produce in the ground,

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

9. The mechanical harvester of claim 8, 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 greater than 0 degrees to 60 degrees.

10. The mechanical harvester of claim 8, wherein the straight sections of the first and second positioning arms a parallel configuration with a width of 1 inch to 10 inches apart.

11. The mechanical harvester of claim 8, wherein the first and second blades each have a length of 0.5 inches to 5 inches.