Transport system for fruit and like objects
US7695220B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/2066
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.