Method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material
US6729951B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D41/12
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material. A grain component is separated from the plant material such as by processing the plant material through a primary threshing and separating mechanism. At least one additional component of the plant material is selectively harvested such as by subjecting the plant material to a secondary threshing and separating mechanism. For example, the stems of a plant material may be broken at a location adjacent one or more nodes thereof with the nodes and the internodal stem portions being subsequently separated for harvesting. The at least one additional component (e.g., the internodal stems) may then be consolidated and packaged for subsequent use or processing. The harvesting of the grain and of the at least one additional component may occur within a single harvesting machine, for example, during a single pass over a crop field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.