Pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesting devices

Abstract

The invention relates to pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, meant to cushion the fall of harvested fruit wherein the assembly (3) consists of a plastic reception tray (4) and a rubber membrane (5), and the whole assembly (3) has a polygonal shape. The rubber membrane (5), which is most favourably made of food-grade rubber, is stretched over the upper side of the reception tray (4) and the side edges of the tray (4), and attached to the side surfaces of the tray (4). The membrane (5) is glued around the entire side perimeter of the tray (4) and secured by means of a safety tape (6). On the part opposite to sides (c, d), on the bottom of the tray (4), are fitted blow-holes (7) for release of air from underneath the membrane (5). On the corner of the tray (4), formed by sides (a, e), is fitted a mechanism (10) for revolving connection of the tray (4) to the support (23) and to air supply pipes (20), wherein the mechanism (10) includes an axle (12) and a bushing (13) with a hole (14).

Claims

1. A pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, characterized by an assembly (3) which consists of a plastic reception tray (4) and a rubber membrane (5), wherein the assembly (3) has a polygonal shape with longer sides (a, b) positioned under acute angle to each other, while the couples of shorter sides (c, d) and (e, f) form an obtuse angle between them, and wherein the rubber membrane (5), which is most favourably made of food-grade rubber, is stretched over the upper side of the reception tray (4) and the side edges of the tray (4) and glued to the side surfaces of the tray (4), and wherein the membrane (5) is secured around the entire perimeter of the tray (4) by means of a safety tape (6), and wherein, on the bottom of the tray (4) and opposite to sides (c, d) of the tray (4), blow-holes (7) for air release are fitted under the membrane (5), and wherein on the corner of the tray (4), formed by sides (a, e), is fitted a mechanism (10) for revolving connection of the tray (4) to the support (23) and to air supply pipes (20), wherein the mechanism (10) includes an axle (12) and a bushing (13) with a hole (14).

2. The pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, according to claim 1, characterized by the mechanism (10), allowing for a free rotation of the assembly (3), which consists of an upper plate (11) and the axle (12) of the reception tray (4) attached to the lower side of the plate, under the tray (4) and on it, wherein the axle (12) of the tray (4), fitted and rotating in a revolving bushing (13), features a central hole (14), wherein the axle (12) with a revolving bushing (13) is attached to a support (23), with the lower part of the bushing (12) fitted inside the air supply pipe (20), wherein the trays (4) with the axle (12) and the bushing (13) are fitted at an angle to the support (23) and the air supply pipe (20), wherein the central hole (14) connects the air supply pipe (20) to a space under the rubber membrane (5), and wherein the assembly (3) is connected to a support (23) by means of springs (15).

3. The pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, according to claim 1, characterized by the the valve (21) fitted to one end of the air supply pipe (20) and connected to a flexible hose (22), while the other end of the pipe (20) is sealed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For easier understanding of the invention and presenting the way it can be carried out in practice, the applicant refers to figures attached hereinafter, namely:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an axonometric view of the air tunnel assembly on the harvester with pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a bird's eye view of the pneumatic cushions assembly as per FIG. 1, shown in operating position;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the pneumatic cushions assembly as per FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows an axonometric view of the pneumatic cushions assembly as per FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the pneumatic cushions assembly as per FIG. 4;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a front view of one pneumatic cushion as per FIG. 5;

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the pneumatic cushion as per FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a view of the mechanism assembly connecting the reception tray with revolving bushing to an air pipe (detail A on FIG. 3), on a larger scale and in partial cross section;

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a view of the assembly of the reception tray with revolving bushing and the air pipe (cross section line B-B on FIG. 3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The air blast harvesting device 1, of commonly known design, consists of two rows of assemblies 2, parallel to each other and partially overlapping, including a serie of trays 4, FIG. 1, fitted lengthwise in the air tunnel of the harvester. The assembly 2 mentioned above including a serie of plastic reception trays with pneumatic cushions of the harvester 1, designed for soft reception of harvested fruit (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, red current, etc.), according to the invention and as per FIGS. 1 to 9, consists of a serie of interconnected pneumatic cushions connected to an air supply pipe.

[0038] The assembly 3, FIGS. 2 to 7, consists of a plastic reception tray 4 covered with a rubber membrane 5. The assembly 3 has a polygonal shape with longer sides a and b positioned under acute angle to each other, while the couples of shorter sides, c and d and e and f, form an obtuse angle between them. The rubber membrane 5, which is most favourably made of food-grade rubber and covers the upper side of the reception tray 4, is laid over the side edges of the tray, stretched and glued to the side of the tray 4. The membrane 5, FIG. 4, is glued around the entire side edge and secured by means of a safety tape 6, for improved safety and operating conditions. The safety tape 6 is fitted along the entire perimeter of the tray 4. On the lower side of the tray 4, are fitted blow-holes 7 designed for releasing air from underneath the membrane 5, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

[0039] The assemblies 3, including a membrane 5 stretched over a plastic tray 4, are stacked on each other steplike with some overlapping, see FIGS. 2 and 3, including the mechanism 10 for revolving connection to the support 23 and to the air supply pipe 20. On one end of the air supply pipe 20 is fitted a valve 21 connected to a flexible hose 22, while the other end of the pipe 20 is sealed. The mechanism 10, allowing a free rotation of the assembly 3, see FIGS. 8 and 9, is fitted on the corner of the tray 4 formed by sides a and e. The mechanism 10 includes an upper plate 11 and the axle 12 of the reception tray is attached to the lower side of the plate, under the tray 4 and on it. The axle 12 of the tray 4, fitted by means of a revolving connection to a revolving bushing 13, features a central hole 14. The axle 12 with a revolving bushing 13 is attached to a support 23, with the lower part of the bushing 12 partially fitted in the air supply pipe 20. The trays 4 with the axle 12 and the bushing 13 are fitted at an angle to the support 23 and the air supply pipe 20. The central hole 14 connects the air supply pipe 20 to a space under the rubber membrane 5, allowing for pumping air under pressure in it (air inlet on one side and air outlet on the other side of the tray). It is important to note that the quantity of air pumped inside the membrane 5, more precisely between the tray 4 and the membrane 5, is larger than the quantity of air evacuated through the blow-holes 7. Therefore, air is permanently evacuated through the blow-holes 7 in a way to keep constant overpressure value on all trays during harvesting, thus creating a permanent soft and elastic rubber surface providing for a gentle reception of harvested fruit. The assembly 3 is attached to the support 23 by means of springs 15, allowing for radial mobility and spatial regulation of the assembly 3, while the limiter 16 confines this radial motion.

[0040] The operating mode of pneumatic cushions for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, intended to cushion the fall of harvested fruit, according to the invention, is simple and clearly described in the text above and on figures, so it is not necessary to be described in particular.

INDUSTRIAL OR OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The application mode of the invention arises clearly from the text above, and the industrial application of the invention, according to the patent application, does not require any particular skills, instructions or experience for efficient use of this invention. Only skills pertinent to the covered technical field, required and sufficient for efficient use of this invention in keeping with the description given above, are common to any average expert. The inventor has taken care to test on a manufactured prototype all design and operating characteristics of the invention.

[0042] Also, any design improvement or modification to the above described pneumatic cushions assembly for soft reception of harvested fruit on mechanized fruit harvesters, aimed at operating improvements, shall be considered covered by this application.