A method and system of a pneumatic conveying system for moving separated grain and small plant material to an onboard storage tank or out of the combine harvester. The pneumatic conveying system having a gateway for introducing the material into an air flow channel, and with a diverter valve or an airlock directing separated grain and small plant material to the tank or outside of the harvester.

The present concept is a plant trimming assembly for trimming materials from plants and includes a frame, and a cylindrical slotted drum rotationally mounted to the frame along a longitudinal axis. The slotted drum includes an exterior surface and a longitudinally oriented internal passageway for receiving plant material there through. It further includes a longitudinally oriented cutting assembly retainer which is also rotationally mounted to the frame about the longitudinal axis such that it rotates concentrically around the outside of the exterior surface and along the length of the slotted drum. A longitudinally oriented blade is mounted to a cutting assembly which in turn is mounted to the cutting assembly retainer. The cutting assembly rotates in unison with the retainer around the outside of the exterior surface of the slotted drum. The cutting assembly is configured to maintain a pre-selected stand-off gap between a cutting edge of the blade and a circumferential contour of the exterior surface of the drum such that plant material projecting through a slot and beyond the stand-off gap will be trimmed off by the rotating blade cutting edge.

A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem and an end effector connected to the vacuum generating subsystem. The end effector has a first tube having a first diameter, and a second tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter so the second tube fits inside the first tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem and at least one structure coupled to an inside of the tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a first tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem, and a second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube having a tubular portion coupled to the first tube in an orientation other than parallel, the second tube having openings on opposite sides of the first tube.

Pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, comprise an assembly that includes a reception tray and a rubber membrane, wherein the whole assembly has a polygonal shape. The rubber membrane is stretched over the upper side and side edges of the reception tray, and attached to the side surfaces of the tray. The membrane is glued around the entire side perimeter of the tray and may be secured by means of a safety tape. On the part opposite to the sides, on the bottom of the tray, are fitted blow-holes for release of air from underneath the membrane. On the corner of the tray, formed by sides, is fitted a mechanism for revolving connection of the tray to the support and to air supply pipe.

Systems and methods here may include a vehicle with automated robotic subcomponents for harvesting delicate agricultural items such as berries. In some examples, the vehicle includes a targeting subcomponent and a harvesting subcomponent. Which may utilize multiple cameras to create three dimensional maps of foliage and targets. In some examples, the targeting subcomponent includes automated or semi-automated harvesting targets to be mapped and passed to the harvesting subcomponent. In some examples, the harvesting subcomponent includes vacuum features and padded spoons to detach the target agriculture from the stem.

A movable harvesting apparatus includes an end effector including a suction port to suction a harvest object, a vacuum generator, vacuum spaces in which a vacuum is generated by the vacuum generator, a switching valve disposed in a path from the vacuum spaces to the suction port, and a controller to control opening and closing of the switching valve. The harvesting apparatus reduces wasteful energy consumption required for harvesting.

A self-guided blossom picker uses a vision system to identify and locate blossoms or inflorescence growing on a plant. The device can be towed by a tractor or it can be self-propelled. Image data captured by the vision system is sent to an machine vision module, which interprets the data and identifies a location of blossom. A controller uses the location data to command a picker to the proper location. A cutter on the picker is actuated to remove the blossom.

An example harvesting device includes: a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end; a nozzle coupled to the distal end of the conduit, wherein a vacuum generating device is configured to generate a vacuum environment in the conduit and the nozzle coupled thereto; a housing coupled to the proximal end of the conduit, wherein the housing defines a chamber therein, and wherein the housing includes a divider that partitions a portion of the chamber into a first section and a second section; and a wedge rotatably mounted within the housing, wherein: (i) when the wedge is in a first position, fruit that has traversed through the conduit is deflected to the first section, and (ii) when the wedge is in a second position, fruit that has traversed through the conduit is deflected to the second section.

An Integrated dual-use machine is for harvesting and treating fruit on trees, in order to harvest the fruit when in season and treat the fruit on the tree with phytosanitary products. The machine includes a moveable structure, intended to shelter the fruit trees. The moveable structure includes a collection unit for the fruit that has been brought down, and is supported on one or two traction vehicles. The vehicles include at least one device for projecting and orienting air currents, at least one infrared camera, at least one collection belt, at least one load container, at least one conveyor belt that connects the collection belt to a load trailer, and a traction system that actuates tractor treads.

Devices, systems and methods for harvesting fruits, such as apples, pears, apricots, peaches, citrus fruits, small-citrus fruit, lemon, avocado, vines, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and peppers.