A medical device as described herein includes a communication module to process radio frequency signals associated with operation of the medical device, an antenna associated with the communication module, and a microstrip transmission component coupled between the communication module and the antenna. The transmission component includes a dielectric substrate, an electrically conductive signal trace formed overlying the upper major surface of the substrate, an electrically conductive ground plane formed overlying the lower major surface of the substrate, and a complementary split ring resonator arrangement integrally formed in the ground plane, and having a layout and dimensions tuned to cause the resonator arrangement to resonate at one or more harmonic frequencies of the nominal transmission frequency of the radio frequency signals.

A method of inspecting plants for contamination includes generating a first series of images of a plant using a camera mounted to a frame being moved along a planting bed by a harvester, identifying a region of interest displayed in the first series of images as a region of contamination on the plant based on a color criterion and a morphological criterion applied to the region of interest, and transmitting data including an instruction to increase a vertical distance between the plant and a cutter of the harvester to avoid harvesting the plant in response to identifying the region of interest as the region of contamination. The method further includes generating a second series of images of an additional plant as the frame continues to be moved along the planting bed by the harvester while the vertical distance between the plant and the cutter is being increased.

A method is disclosed that includes growing romaine lettuce in a greenhouse using a hydroponic technique and using purified water. The romaine lettuce has a heart and outer leaves. The heart is separated from the outer leaves of the romaine lettuce. The outer leaves are packaged in a first container and the heart is packaged in a second container. The first container and the second container are separate from one another. The first container and the second container are transferred to a storage device of approximately 32 to 41 degrees F. The packaging the outer leaves and the heart, and the transferring the first container and the second container, occur in an environment of less than or equal to 41 degrees F. The method occurs in a single, environmentally-controlled facility.

A method of inspecting plants for contamination includes generating a first series of images of a plant using a camera mounted to a frame being moved along a planting bed by a harvester, identifying a region of interest displayed in the first series of images as a region of contamination on the plant based on a color criterion and a morphological criterion applied to the region of interest, and transmitting data including an instruction to increase a vertical distance between the plant and a cutter of the harvester to avoid harvesting the plant in response to identifying the region of interest as the region of contamination. The method further includes generating a second series of images of an additional plant as the frame continues to be moved along the planting bed by the harvester while the vertical distance between the plant and the cutter is being increased.

A medical device as described herein includes a communication module to process radio frequency signals associated with operation of the medical device, an antenna associated with the communication module, and a microstrip transmission component coupled between the communication module and the antenna. The transmission component includes a dielectric substrate, an electrically conductive signal trace formed overlying the upper major surface of the substrate, an electrically conductive ground plane formed overlying the lower major surface of the substrate, and a complementary split ring resonator arrangement integrally formed in the ground plane, and having a layout and dimensions tuned to cause the resonator arrangement to resonate at one or more harmonic frequencies of the nominal transmission frequency of the radio frequency signals.

A method of inspecting plants for contamination includes generating a first series of images of a plant using a camera mounted to a frame being moved along a planting bed by a harvester, identifying a region of interest displayed in the first series of images as a region of contamination on the plant based on a color criterion and a morphological criterion applied to the region of interest, and transmitting data including an instruction to increase a vertical distance between the plant and a cutter of the harvester to avoid harvesting the plant in response to identifying the region of interest as the region of contamination. The method further includes generating a second series of images of an additional plant as the frame continues to be moved along the planting bed by the harvester while the vertical distance between the plant and the cutter is being increased.

An example apparatus embodiment includes a support frame; a cut and lift mechanism coupled to the support frame; a tool carrying platform coupled to the cut and lift mechanism; an outer leaf removal device coupled to the tool carrying platform; a cutting tool coupled to the tool carrying platform; a controller in data communication with the cut and lift robot; and a plant center locator in data communication with the controller.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.

A machine 10 for harvesting horticultural products, in particular leafy vegetables, comprises a support structure 20 mainly extending predominantly along a movement direction M of the machine 10, between a first end 11 and a second end 12; cutting means 30 mechanically associated with said support structure 20, arranged at said first end 11and configured to cut said horticultural products; conveying means 40 mechanically connected to said support structure 20 and extending, along a conveying direction R, between a harvesting portion 41 arranged near said first end 11, and an outlet portion 42arranged near a receiving area of said support structure 20, and configured to convey said cut horticultural products along said conveying direction R; motorisation means 50mechanically associated with said conveying means 40 and configured to move them so as to convey said cut horticultural products; wherein said conveying means 40 comprise a first carrier 60; and a second carrier 70 arranged counter-facing said first carrier 60 by a predetermined distance so as to define an upwards tunnel 80 of said horticultural products; wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 being arranged inclined with respect to a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the ground; and wherein said first and second carriers 60, 70 extending along said conveying direction R so as to allow a harvesting of said horticultural products along said conveying direction R from a starting height near the ground to a collection height greater than said starting height.

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.