Automated selective harvesting of crops with continuous offload
US9554513B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D45/006
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.