Integrated dual-use machine for harvesting and treating fruit on trees

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees, said machine comprising a moveable structure intended to shelter fruit trees therewithin, said moveable structure comprising: a collection unit for the fruit that has been brought down, said moveable structure being supported on one or two traction vehicles, said collection unit comprising: a) extendable collection trays, made up of flat, overlapping telescopic elements, sloping at variable angles, actuated by cylinders and coupled to the traction vehicles by articulation mechanisms; and b) plates associated with a support of the collection unit made up of collection trays which can be coupled to fit around the bases of the trees, said support being provided with devices for projecting air currents to push the fallen fruit toward said collection belts of the traction vehicles, said vehicle or each of said vehicles comprising: a) at least one device for projecting and orienting air currents with phytosanitary products, b) at least one infrared camera, c) at least one collection belt, d) at least one load container, e) at least one conveyor belt configured to receive the fruit coming from the collection belt and to transport the fruit for unloading, f) a traction system which actuates, g) tractor treads.

2. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein said moveable structure comprises covers, and mechanical or pneumatic side screens.

3. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein said devices for projecting and orienting air currents comprise means for controlling the direction and intensity of the currents in accordance with information provided by the at least one infrared camera.

4. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein said devices for projecting and orienting air currents are arranged on guides which allow said devices to move on said guides in a back-and-forth motion which can be adjusted and is independent of the speed of said traction vehicle.

5. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor belt comprises a vertical belt and a high horizontal belt with a length of approximately the distance between rows of trees.

6. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein said traction vehicles comprise load containers connected to said collection belt by a conveyor belt, at least one telescopic protective bulkhead, and wheels with tires capable of supporting the vehicle.

7. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 2, wherein said screens are mechanical and comprise sensors for the detection of trees or bushes.

8. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 6, wherein said wheels with tires are connected to an articulated support which allows said wheels with tires to descend until contact is made with the ground, and also to lift the entire vehicle for transport thereof.

9. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 6, wherein said traction vehicles comprise a chassis which can move relative to the wheels with tires and tracks, and self-guiding and control means so as to remain automatically side by side during the operation, said tracks being of the caterpillar tractor type.

10. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 2, wherein said covers are foldable and form the upper portions of said moveable structure, said covers being supported by telescopic elements which allow the height of the covers to be adjusted.

11. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein the elements of the collection unit can be moved from an operational position in which the assembly is applied, with the required incline, to the trees to a non-operational folded position, oriented practically vertically, to allow the machine to be moved.

12. The versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees according to claim 1, wherein the devices supporting the collection units are, at the same time, blowers for pushing the fruit that has been brought down toward the collection devices.

13. A versatile integrated machine for harvesting fruit on trees, said machine comprising: a moveable structure intended to shelter fruit trees therewithin, said moveable structure comprising: a collection unit for the fruit that has been brought down, said moveable structure being supported on one or two traction vehicles, said vehicle or each of said vehicles comprising: a) at least one device for projecting and orienting air currents with phytosanitary products, b) at least one infrared camera, c) at least one collection belt, d) at least one load container, e) at least one conveyor belt configured to receive the fruit coming from the collection belt and to transport for unloading, f) a traction system which actuates, g) tractor treads, wherein said traction vehicles carry controlled-pressure air current generators for bringing down and then moving the fruit brought down and for the operation of the various pneumatic devices, a metering tank for regulating the phytosanitary product in dry or damp powder form, by injecting liquid at the air outlet, and an electric power unit for supplying the electric devices and motors and for the installation of lighting for operating the machine at night.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To facilitate explanation, the present description is accompanied by drawings in which examples of embodiments of an integrated dual-use machine for harvesting and treatment of fruit on trees are shown, as an illustrative and non-limiting example.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a general structure of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, passing parallel to a row of fruit trees during the harvesting, bringing down or treatment phase.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a detail in perspective of the tree passing through the plates of the collection unit in an embodiment of a machine according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the upper portion of one half of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one half of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, seen from the conveyor belt portion.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one half of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, indicating the movement of the telescopic bulkheads.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one half of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, indicating the movement of the load containers.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, at a time when traction is provided only by wheels.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment showing a region of a traction vehicle according to the present invention where the conveyor belt is shown in the operating position.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing the conveyor belt when not in use.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention which incorporates a system of hatches.

(12) FIG. 11 is a front view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 is a rear view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 10.

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a region of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 10.

(16) FIG. 15 is a front view of an embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention which consists of a single extendable vehicle moving parallel to a row of fruit trees during the harvesting, bringing down or treatment phase.

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 15.

(18) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 15 provided in this case with traction tracks.

(19) FIG. 18 is a front view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 15 when retracted.

(20) FIG. 19 is a side view of the embodiment of an integrated dual-use machine of FIG. 15 when retracted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(21) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the integrated dual-use machine according to the present invention, which comprises a moveable structure intended to surround a fruit tree or bush -1- in its interior. Said structure is made up of covers -2-, -2′-, side screens (not shown in FIG. 1) and a collection unit.

(22) The covers -2-, -2′- are on the upper portion of the structure, on telescopic supports -21-, -21′- which allow the height thereof to be adjusted. Said covers -2-, -2′- are connected in an articulated manner to said supports -21-, -21′- and it is therefore possible to place said supports in a vertical position for transport, and in a horizontal position to place one in contact with the other in order to cover the tree -1-.

(23) The fruit that has been brought down falls onto the collection unit, which comprises extendable collection trays -41-, -41′-, made up of flat, overlapping, telescopic elements, which when extended are arranged between the traction vehicle and some plates -42- which allow the trunks to pass.

(24) The elements of the moveable structure are supported on two traction vehicles -5-, -5′-, on which the air projection devices -6-, -6′-, which are the ones responsible for bringing down the fruit, are situated. Said devices -6-, -6′- comprise means for creating and orienting jets of air, with the option of spraying a phytosanitary product in a liquid state or in a dry or damp powder form on the tree.

(25) Collection belts -43-, -43′- receive the pieces of fruit which come from said collection trays -41-, -41′- and take said pieces to other belts which transport said pieces to the load containers or trailers following in the adjacent row.

(26) FIG. 2 shows a detail of the movement of the moveable structure when acting on a tree -1-, where the arrows x, y indicate the direction of movement of the moveable structure. The movement of the plates -42- as the tree -1- passes therethrough can be seen.

(27) As shown in FIG. 3, a conveyor belt -7- receives the pieces of fruit coming from the collection belt -43- and transports said pieces to a load container -8- situated on the vehicle -5-. At the side of said containers -8-, on the portion farthest from said structure, telescopic bulkheads -9- protect the platform of the vehicle from possible incursions, such as by the branches or twigs of the trees, for example.

(28) Said air projection devices -6- and -6′- move along longitudinal guides -61- at an assigned back-and-forth speed which can be adjusted and is independent of the platform supporting said devices.

(29) FIG. 4 shows in detail the connection between said collection belt -43- and the conveyor belt -7- and the opening of said conveyor belt into a load container -8-. Also shown schematically in FIG. 4 are the air currents -62- of the device -6-. Said currents -62- bring down the fruit from the trees depending on their degree of ripeness, causing said fruit to fall onto the collection trays -41-. Said trays -41- have a system which projects air currents -44- which push the fallen fruit towards the collection belt -43-, which may optionally be rotary belts carrying the fruit that has been brought down to the collection belt.

(30) In one embodiment of the invention the fruit that has been brought down is stored in load containers situated on the traction vehicle. To empty said containers -8- the bulkheads -9- are taken down to their lower position as shown in FIG. 5.

(31) FIG. 6 shows said containers -8-, which are articulated on a telescopic support -81- which allows said containers to be lifted and tipped over in order to empty the load into a trailer or similar (not shown). As mentioned in the previous paragraph, at this moment the telescopic bulkheads -9- are lowered to allow unloading.

(32) The vehicles normally travel on caterpillar-type tractor treads when operational, at which time the wheels are raised. However, as shown in FIG. 7, a system allows the wheels -10- to be lowered until contact is made with the ground with the option of lifting the vehicle -5- so that the tracks -11- are not in contact with the ground.

(33) In a second preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, the conveyor belts transport the fruit in bulk directly to the trailers which accompany the machine for bringing down fruit from the adjacent lane and row, allowing the containers situated on the platform of the trailer also to be filled in order to safeguard the quality of the fruit by immersion in emulsions that promote the quality thereof.

(34) to load containers which are situated outside the vehicle, allowing loading into containers which are positioned, for example, in an adjacent row of trees. In this case transport is on a vertical belt -71- which lifts the pieces of fruit, and a horizontal belt which transports said fruit to a load container. The horizontal belt is divided into a fixed portion -72a- and a portion -72b- which rotates relative to the axis -73′- and which rests at one end on a support -73- when the machine is not operational, as shown in FIG. 9.

(35) FIG. 10 shows the mechanical side screens consisting of hatches -3-, -3′-, which are arranged at the entry and at the exit of the moveable enclosure, articulated on the telescopic supports -21-, -21′-. Sensors -30- arranged at the edges of the hatches -3-, -3′- detect the dimensions of the tree or bush which is passing through said enclosure and automatically open and close to allow the trees to enter and leave said enclosure. The objective is to keep the interior region of the structure as sealed as possible to prevent pieces of fruit or phytosanitary products from exiting said enclosure. Said hatches -3-, -3′- are also telescopic so that the height thereof coincides with that of said supports -21-, -21′-. FIG. 11 shows with arrows the lowering movement of the hatches -3-, -3′- together with the supports -21-, -21′-.

(36) FIGS. 12 and 13 show that the hatches are connected to the collection unit by bellows -10- with strips so that when the hatches -3-, -3′- are open the bellows -70- with strips occupy the area swept by the hatches -3-, -3′- and prevents the pieces of fruit that have been brought down from falling to the ground. Suction openings -50- actuated by a turbine -52- open in said bellows -70- so as to suck up the pieces of fruit found there. These pieces travel to a tank -53- along suction tubes -51- and the pieces collected are discharged directly from said tank -53-.

(37) The positioning of the infrared cameras -60- can be seen in more detail in FIG. 13, showing how said cameras are focused toward the interior of the moveable enclosure.

(38) FIG. 14 shows in greater detail the tank -53- and the lower opening thereof -54- through which the sucked-up fruit is discharged toward the collection belt -43-. It also shows the turbine -52-, which creates the suction air current.

(39) One embodiment of a machine according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 15 comprises a single extendable vehicle which is adapted to the dimensions of the field and of the tree -1- to perform the harvesting, bringing down or treatment tasks. The vehicle comprises a structure -31-, which is provided with horizontal extension means, supported by vertical supports -22-, -22′- which allow the vertical movement of the structure -31-. The machine comprises a control station -32- intended to be controlled by an operator, behind which a cover -3- is located. The control station -32- is arranged on guides -33- which allow vertical movement thereof.

(40) The machine of a single vehicle in FIG. 16 comprises plates -42- which come in contact with the trunk of the tree. The fruits that have been brought down fall onto collection trays -41-, -41′-, which in this case open onto circular collection belts -43- which take the brought down fruit from the trays -41-, -41′- and lift said fruit to a load container -8-. A tube -82- unloads the fruit from said container -8- into, for example, a trailer which is following the vehicle. The air projection devices -6-, -6′- are located on either side of the vehicle.

(41) The vehicle is provided with traction by wheels -10-, -10′-, although, as shown in FIG. 17, the vehicle may also be provided with tractor treads -11-.

(42) The extendable vehicle can be retracted so as to reduce the dimensions thereof as shown in FIG. 18, where the structure -31- and the control station -32- are in their lowest position. The collection trays -41-, -41′- are folded upwards to allow the structure -31- to be retracted in the horizontal direction as well.

(43) FIG. 19 shows how the collection trays -43- form a closed circuit so as to act both as a collection tray and a conveyor belt, unloading the fruit into a load container -8-. The structure -31- and the control station -32- are in their lowest position, covering most of the vertical supports -22-, -22′-, which slide through the inside of the structure -31- when said structure moves.

(44) Optionally an ultrasonic wave-generating device may be used for bringing down the pieces of fruit.

(45) Both systems for bringing down the fruit may be applied to only one side of a tree or row of trees or alternatively to both sides, whereas the collection (harvesting) of the fruit that has been brought down is always carried out on both sides.

(46) In phytosanitary treatments with recycled spraying in a semi-closed enclosure maximum coverage of the entire volume of the trees and the fruit is guaranteed.

(47) The collection trays may be replaced by rotary belts with portions made of soft materials, which trays are also telescopic and are used for finally sending sensitive and delicate, or flat fruit (such as almonds), by conveyor belts to the load containers, in order to bring down fruit on trees with very low trunk bases or on sloping terrain, whereas rounded fruit (olives and the like) can slide by rolling along inclined planes or ramps.

(48) The shortness of travel of the fruit from falling after being brought down to passing to the loading means, of approximately 20 to 30 seconds, without being knocked or compressed, allows the maximum yield from the harvesting operation. In the case of olive trees, said short travel prevents possible acidity in the oil produced, as the olives harvested using the machine described can pass quickly onto pressing.

(49) Other advantages resulting from the use of the machine described are the mechanical circulation of the fruit harvested from being brought down clean, and the option of using semi-skilled workers, instead of other staff who are more skilled and expert in the selective harvesting operations. The profitability of the harvests is thus increased considerably.

(50) The configuration of the machine, which incorporates autonomous, operationally coordinated, functional devices, but that are different from each other facilitates easy, low-cost maintenance.

(51) With the machine described, no prior preparation (pruning) of the fruit trees is necessary for harvesting the fruit and for the phytosanitary treatment thereof and of the trees themselves.

(52) Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, said embodiments should not be considered as limiting the invention, which will be defined by the widest interpretation of the following claims.