Abstract A flexible conveyor tube has intermediate points interconnected by tension springs which draw the points together and configure the tube into a plurality of consecutive loops. One end of the tube has a gathering funnel and the other end is provided with a closure and a pull line. The springs vary in strength from strongest at the closure to least strong at the funnel. The funnel is adapted to be connected to a date tree disposed about a bunch of dates, with the looped tube suspended in depending relation. Dates gravitate into and are held in the uppermost loop. A pull on the line elongates the uppermost spring and varies the configuration of the uppermost loop so that the dates gravitate therefrom into the next loop. Additional pull varies the configuration of the consecutive loops sequentially and controls the speed of gravitational movement of the dates. After the dates are in the lowermost loop, the closure is opened to discharge the dates into a container. A plurality of gathering funnels can be connected to the upper end of the tube for harvesting the pickings of several pickers.
A device for conveying articles comprising: a flexible conveyor tube having support means at one end thereof for suspending the tube in depending relation for movement of the articles therethrough by gravitational force; a plurality of resilient linking means interconnecting vertically spaced points on the tube and configuring a portion of the tube into a plurality of consecutive loops adapted to receive and hold articles gravitating thereinto, the resilience of the linking means being graduated along the length of the tube; and means attached to the tube for elongating the resilient linking means for increasing the vertical spacing of said points and varying the configuration of the loops for gravitation of the articles therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for conveying articles comprising: a flexible conveyor tube having support means at one end thereof for suspending the tube in depending relation for movement of the articles therethrough by gravitational force; a plurality of resilient linking means interconnecting vertically spaced points on the tube and configuring a portion of the tube into a plurality of consecutive loops adapted to receive and hold articles gravitating thereinto, the resilience of the linking means being graduated along the length of the tube; and means attached to the tube for elongating the resilient linking means for increasing the vertical spacing of said points and varying the configuration of the loops for gravitation of the articles therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of linking means includes tension springs which vary in tension from least in the uppermost linking means to greatest in the lowermost linking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the lower end of the tube is attached to a pull line effective to vary the configuration of the loops sequentially beginning with the uppermost loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said one end of the tube is provided with a coupling sleeve for connecting a gathering funnel thereto and the other end of the tube has a coupling sleeve with a closure and a pull line, said tube includes a plurality of tube sections between the funnel and the closure having ends coupled together by coupling sleeves, and tension springs linking said coupling sleeves and forming the tube sections into consecutive loops, said springs varying in tension from least in the uppermost loop to greatest in the lowermost loop.