US3756001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit harvesting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-18
•
Granted: 1973-09-04
•
Expires: 1992-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for removing fruit from a tree within the tubular body of the device utilizing vacuum pressure. The fruit is received against a flexible diaphragm adjacent the end of the tubular body portion. The fruit sealing against the diaphragm has the effect of decreasing the pressure within the remainder of the body portion under the influence of the vacuum. This reduction in pressure is sensed by a pressure transducer which activates a cutter mechanism secured to the end of the tubular body. The cutter severs the fruit stem freeing the fruit. The transducer also opens a valve to bleed air from the flexible diaphragm and allow the severed fruit to pass down the body into a storage bin under the influence of the vacuum source.
Inventors
- 👤 J Macidull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In apparatus for use in the harvesting of fruit wherein the fruit is conveyed from the picked position to a receptacle by means of air flow through a flexible conduit, and wherein the improvement comprises: an elongated tubular body having a picking end and a discharge end, a variable restriction throat within said body adjacent said picking end, said throat having a first configuration restricting the passage of fruit through said body, stem cutter means on said body and spaced from said throat in the direction of said picking end for severing the stem of said fruit, and control means operatively associated with said cutter means and said throat for causing said throat to retract to a second configuration that permits said fruit to pass along said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In apparatus for use in the harvesting of fruit wherein the fruit is conveyed from the picked position to a receptacle by means of air flow through a flexible conduit, and wherein the improvement comprises: an elongated tubular body having a picking end and a discharge end, a variable restriction throat within said body adjacent said picking end, said throat having a first configuration restricting the passage of fruit through said body, stem cutter means on said body and spaced from said throat in the direction of said picking end for severing the stem of said fruit, and control means operatively associated with said cutter means and said throat for causing said throat to retract to a second configuration that permits said fruit to pass along said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, said control means includes a sensor means mounted on said tubular body toward said discharge end from said variable restriction throat, said control means for causing said cutter means to sever said stem in response to a lowering of pressure detected by said sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, said stem cutter means comprises at least three curved blade means, pivotally mounted at an open end of said tubular body, and said blade means being operatively related to converge in the manner of an iris, to cut said stem centrally of said tubular body opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein, said blade means are pivotally mounted on a first ring and are engaged by a second ring, said first and said second rings being relatively movable to pivot said cutter means and sever said stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said tubular body and operatively connected to said blade means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including, a feed-through solenoid mounted on said tubular body and operatively connected to said blade means for actuation of said blade means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, said variable restriction throat comprises a flexible diaphragm, and manifold means for deliverying operating pressure to the interior of said diaphragm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2968907A
Cited
US3165880A
Cited
US3473312A
Cited
US3564826A
Cited
US3538695A
Cited
US3664104A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |