Method for harvesting bast plants

• US 8,635,844 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Abbott, Michael D., Miller, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fbin-Kovcs, Arpd
• Application Number:
  US13/074,778
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 19/30, 19/902.9, 19/94, 19/24, 460/24, 460/68, 561/32, 561/31, 162/98, 162/21, 162/28, 162/286, 162/272, 162/48, 162/99, 162/150, 156/512, 144/357
• US Class Current: 56/131
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/00 Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/06 Combines with headers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/12 Details of combines
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/006 with devices for pressing or compacting
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 45/065 of fibrous plants other than flax, e.g. ramie, sisal, hemp, jute, Spanish grass, raffia
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 61/02 Endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 82/00 Crop conditioners, i.e. machines for crushing or bruising stalks combined with harvesters A01D43/10
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 11/02 for flax
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 15/00 Baling presses for straw, hay or the like

Abstract

A method for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt by moving a bar back and forth across the first belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first belt is moving, the bar elevated above the first belt and having spaced tines extending toward the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalks may be packaged.

Claims

1. A method for harvesting bast plants, the bast plants having stalks, husks, and seeds, the method comprising:

cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants;

receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt;

orienting at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt by moving a first bar back and forth across the first belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first belt is moving, the first bar being elevated above the first belt and having spaced tines extending toward the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving;

removing the husks and seeds from the bast stalks; and

packaging the bast stalks.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising

receiving the bast stalks on a second belt;

and

orienting the bast stalks on the second belt, the bast stalks being oriented in the direction the second belt is moving.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising compacting the oriented bast stalks.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of packaging further comprises baling the oriented bast stalks.

5. The method of claim 2, where the second orienting step further comprises moving a second bar back and forth across the second belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the second belt is moving, the second bar being elevated above the second belt and having spaced tines extending toward the second belt, wherein the movement of the second bar orientates the bast stalks.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing further comprises passing the bast stalks through a first plurality of roller sets, each of the first plurality of roller sets having an upper roller proximate a lower roller.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the bast stalks over a screen, the screen having a plurality of openings that are sized so as to permit the removed husks and seeds to pass therethrough.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of compacting further comprises passing the bast stalks through a second plurality of roller sets, each of the second plurality of roller sets having at least one squeeze roller.