Small Scale Tomato Harvester

Abstract

The present invention is a compact fruit-vine harvester and separation system in which the harvested fruit travels along a vertical plane inside the harvester during processing, followed by a single turn for output. The system includes a machine and related methods for harvesting vine-borne crops. The machine is relatively compact, and provides for vine borne crops to be severed, separated, cleaned and machine-sorted along a longitudinal axis before making a single turn prior to exit. Harvested fruit passing through the machine drops by as much as 18 inches less than in other harvesters, thereby reducing the potential for fruit damage. The machine incorporates a combination blower and suction system for efficient removal of unwanted dirt, vegetation and debris, and an optional roller to prevent clogging of the suction system.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A method for harvesting vine-borne crops comprising the following steps that are performed along a single vertical plane:
 a. depositing crop-laden vines that have been severed from the earth into a shaker;   b. shaking said crop-laden vines to dislodge the crop therefrom;   c. conveying said shaken vines along said plane away from said shaker;   d. collecting and conveying said dislodged crop along said plane away from said shaker;   e. separating unwanted materials from said crop as it travels along said plane by directing said crop across an upwardly blowing volume of air; and   f. sorting said crop as it travels along said plane.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  comprising the additional steps of:
 a. severing crop-laden vines from the earth;   b. conveying said crop-laden vines upward along said path and depositing them into said shaker.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  comprising the additional steps of:
 a. directing said shaken vines not separated by said shaker to a recovery conveyor along said plane for further separation of crop from vines; and   b. retrieving dislodged crop from the recovery conveyor and directing it along said plane for separation of unwanted materials.   
   
   
       27 . A method for harvesting above-ground vine-borne crops, comprising the steps of:
 a. collecting crops and vines onto a main frame;   b. directing the crops and vines along a vertical plane to a shaker brush having a plurality of tines;   c. inducing a shaking action in the vines, causing a separation of at least some of the crops from the vines;   d. retrieving dislodged crops fallen from the shaker brush with a conveyor located along said vertical plane below the shaker brush;   e. directing crops separated from the vines through a cleaner located along said vertical plane to remove unwanted materials; and   f. directing said cleaned crops into a sorter located along said vertical plane.   
   
   
       28 . A method for harvesting vine-borne crops along a path on a vertical plane extending from front to rear inside a machine comprising the steps of:
 a. conveying crop-laden vines upward along a vertical plane and depositing them into a shaker;   b. shaking said crop-laden vines to dislodge crop therefrom;   c. conveying said shaken vines away from said shaker along said plane;   d. collecting and conveying said dislodged crop along said vertical plane away from said shaker;   e. cleaning said dislodged crop as it travels along said vertical plane to separate unwanted materials from said crop;   f. conveying said cleaned crop along said plane to a sorter; and   g. sorting said crop.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said cleaning step further comprises directing said crop across an upwardly directed adjustable high volume of air located along said plane. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said cleaning step further comprises directing said crop underneath an adjustable overhead high-volume air suction located along said plane. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said cleaning step further comprises directing said crop underneath an adjustable overhead high-volume air suction located along said plane. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the conveying shaken vines, the cleaning of dislodged crop, and the conveying said cleaned crop all intersect an axis along said vertical plane.