Patent US3584446A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3584446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tree fruit cultivating and harvesting system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-01-30
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1990-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A multiple purpose machine for cultivating and harvesting fruit trees in an orchard is described. The machine is constructed to straddle a row of trees, and performs operations on trees interiorly of the machine as the machine continuously moves along a tree row. The basic machine may be equipped for pruning and hedging, spraying, or harvesting. For harvesting, individual trees are surrounded by containers formed of extended flexible partitioning, the containers are filled with a cushioning material, the trees are shaken to dislodge the fruit therefrom, and a pneumatic conveying system withdraws the cushioning material from the container, allowing the fruit to gently settle on conveyor belts without bruise producing impacts. The cushioning material withdrawn from one container is deposited into a second container formed about a second tree, and as the first container is withdrawn from a harvested tree, a new container is formed around a third tree, so that the harvesting system operates continuously along the row of trees.
Inventors
- 👤 Fritz Bernshausen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:35
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/28; A01G; A01G3/00; A01G3/04; A01G2003/0461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In an apparatus for surrounding a fruit tree with a container for receiving harvested fruit therefrom, first and second extendable partition means mounted on first and second frame members, respectively, said partition means being locatable on opposite sides of a tree to be harvested; means for extending first portions of each of said partition means so as to form a first substantially continuous container around said tree; means for harvestng said fruit from said tree; said first and second frame members being movable continuously past said tree; and said first and second partition means being movably mounted on said first and second frame means for maintaining said first container stationary with respect to said tree when said first and second frame members are moved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an apparatus for surrounding a fruit tree with a container for receiving harvested fruit therefrom, first and second extendable partition means mounted on first and second frame members, respectively, said partition means being locatable on opposite sides of a tree to be harvested; means for extending first portions of each of said partition means so as to form a first substantially continuous container around said tree; means for harvestng said fruit from said tree; said first and second frame members being movable continuously past said tree; and said first and second partition means being movably mounted on said first and second frame means for maintaining said first container stationary with respect to said tree when said first and second frame members are moved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame members carry deck means arranged to form a bottom for said first container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second partition means are mounted on said first and second frame means by means of overhead tracks which carry roller means affixed to spaced points on said partition means, said tracks being so shaped as to extend said portions of said partition means to form said first container as said first and second frame members move past said tree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further including deck means carried by said first and second frame members to form a bottom for said first container, said deck means including a withdrawal station initially located outside said first container but movable with said first and second frame members to a location permitting withdrawal of harvested fruit from said first container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further including means for substantially filling said first container with cushioning material while said withdrawal station is outside said first container, and means at said withdrawal station for removing said cushioning material and harvested fruit from said first container when said withdrawal station is in communication with said first container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including means for disassembling said first container after removal therefrom of said harvested fruit and said cushioning material and for thereafter forming a second container around a second tree to be harvested.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said harvesting means includes means for detaching fruit from said tree; cushioning material deposited in said first container; a conveying system for transferring said cushioning material from said first container; and means for separating said fruit from said cushioning material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 7, including means for extending second portions of each of said partition means so as to form a second container around a second tree, and wherein said conveying system includes means for transferring said cushioning material form said first container to said second container, said deck means forming a bottom for said second container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said conveying system comprises: a fan; a duct connecting the inlet of said fan with the bottom of said first container; and a duct connecting the discharge of said fan with said second container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means For detaching said fruit from said trees comprises means for mechanically shaking said trees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said means for mechanically shaking said trees comprises: a frame movably mounted to said apparatus; a belt rollably mounted on said frame; and means for oscillating said frame when said belt is in contact with said tree.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including sprayer means attached to said apparatus for spraying said tree; and means for selectively operating said sprayer means and said harvesting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including cutting means for severing portions of the branches of said tree; sprayer means for spraying said tree; and means for selectively operating said cutting means, sprayer means and harvesting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |