Pickle harvester
US4524572A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D45/008
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A harvester for picking cucumbers that is effective and cost efficient on small, "pickling" cucumbers is mountable on a tractor frame for a conventional mechanical pickle harvester between a vine cutter and pinch roller mechanism. The harvester comprises a pickup mechanism at the front of the harvester for picking up severed cucumber vines and a conveying and fruit removal mechanism that conveys the vines rearwardly between the pick-up mechanism to the pinch roller mechanism, while at the same time gently dislodging fruit from the vines and thinning and defoliating the vines so as to improve the action of the pinch roller mechanism. The conveying and fruit removal mechanism includes a rotating paddle mechanism comprising cushioned gum rubber paddle blades that rotate in the direction of vine travel and strike the fruit as the vines are conveyed over the paddles. The number of paddles and position, spacing, speed, and synchronization of the paddles are carefully controlled such that the mechanism is small enough to fit in a frame for a conventional pickle harvester, is sufficiently light and flexible to use in a wide variety of field conditions, and is inexpensive and effective enou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.