AU2005100413A4 - Harvesting method and apparatus for leafy vegetables or legumes - Google Patents

Description

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0'- P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "HARVESTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LEAFY VEGETABLES OR LEGUMES" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: O1 0 HARVESTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LEAFY VEGETABLES tORLEGUMES This invention relates to a harvesting method and apparatus for leaf vegetables or legumes which are normally used in salads.

n 5 Leaf vegetables include spinach, lettuce, asian greens including bok ochoy and silverbeet and leaf legumes may include snow peas and lentils.

0 The invention is also application to members of the Brassica family 0 o that include broccoli such as asparagus broccoli and leafy cabbages such as pak-choi and ornamental cabbages. However a very common leafy vegetable used in salads is baby leaf lettuce which comes in a variety of shapes and colours and thus may have broad leaves, curly leaves or reddish leaves.

The invention is also applicable to a wide variety of lettuce type greens including tango, Iolla rosa, red oak leaf, baby romaine, green oak leaf, baby red romaine, baby leaf spinach, baby red chard, red mustard, Tatsoi, Mizuma, Frisee, arugula, radicchio, herbs and curly endives known in the trade as "baby greens" and used in salads and garnishes.

Baby salad is normally planted in a greenhouse and is harvested about 14-50 days after planting. Lettuce is normally planted in consecutive plantings so that there is a supply growing throughout the season. This means that as soon as the first planting has germinated and emerged the second planting is seeded. Leaf lettuces are normally harvested by hand into cartons in the field before being held in cold storage or shipped directly to wholesale distributors. Shelf life for lettuce is approximately two weeks so o therefore it will be appreciated that time is of the essence in shipping the leaf lettuce to the wholesale distributors. However manually picking the leaf lettuce into cartons in the field is time consuming and inefficient. Use of a leafy vegetable harvester as described for example in US Patent 6 463 722 which is a mechanical harvester having a cutting assembly that cuts leafy o vegetables such as baby greens in the field and deposits the cut leaves onto 0 collection belts for ultimate location in storage bins is also time consuming 0 o and inefficient. Similar comments apply to mechanical leafy vegetable harvesters as described in US Patents 6 378 281, 6 173 559, 4 967 545 and 5193331.

Reference may be made to US Patent 5,964,081 which describes a baby greens harvester having a cutter/conveyor assembly fixed to a chassis so that the cutter/conveyor assembly may rotate about a generally horizontal axis. The baby greens after delivery by a conveyor belt to a cutting assembly are cut and the produce is then delivered into a produce box through a chute. However use of such a harvester was also found deficient because it could not be applied successfully to seedlings and was applicable only to fully grown produce in the field.

it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for harvesting leafy vegetables which is efficient and which can be carried out in minimum time.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of harvesting leafy vegetables and legumes which includes the steps of: passing a tray of seedlings wherein each seedling has one or 0more leaves extending above the tray through a cutting station wherein the leaves are cut to remove the leaves from their associated stalks; and (ii) conveying the cut leaves away from the cutting station to a collection receptacle for subsequent transport or storage.

oPreferably in the method of the invention the seedlings are initially 0 cultivated in a greenhouse wherein the seedlings are propagated and grown 0 o in the same seedling tray used in step above. In this embodiment a plurality of seedling trays may be supported on support frames in the greenhouse and subjected to appropriate irrigation which may be automatically applied or timed as appropriate. There also may be provided nutrient drips which may be applied to each seedling by fertigation.

When the leaves reach a suitable height forconsumption the seedling trays may be transported from the greenhouse to a harvesting location or harvesting shed.

Each tray may then be placed on a first conveyor and preferably each tray abuts each other so that when a particular tray reaches the cutting station the leaves of each of the seedlings may be subjected to a cutting operation and the cut leaves may then be removed from the cutting station by a second conveyor. Preferably the first and second conveyor are spaced from each other so that the tray being processed at the cutting station may then be momentarily slowed to facilitate cufftting of the leaves before the leaves are removed by the second conveyor.

At the cutting station the seedling tray after processing may then be o removed in a direction below the cutting station containing the stalks and growth media for ultimate cleaning or vibration to remove relevant detritus and then stored for re use in the greenhouse.

The invention in other aspect may include harvesting apparatus for harvesting leafy vegetables or legumes which includes first conveying means for conveying a plurality of seedling trays 0 wherein each seedling tray has a plurality of seedlings wherein 0 leaves of each seedling project above their associated seedling tray; (ii) a cutting station located the adjacent the first cutting means and having a cutting mechanism to cut the leaves from their associated stalks of a particular tray as it passes through the cutting mechanism; and (iii) second conveying means for conveying cut leaves away from the cutting station.

Preferably in the apparatus of the invention both the first and second conveying means are conveyors having endless conveying belts which may be driven by one or more drive rollers. Each of the belts may also be supported by one or more idler rollers.

The cutting station may have a frame for supporting the cutting mechanism. Suitably the cutting mechanism may be adjustable in height above a stationary plate or grille located below the cutting mechanism which may separate the first and second conveyors. This is useful to enable the apparatus of the invention to process different plants and thus a variety of 0 different leafy legumes or vegetables may be processed by the apparatus of the invention. This may be carried out by providing an upper frame which supports the cutting mechanism which is moveable relative to a lower frame so as to adjust the cutting height of the cutting mechanism above the stationary plate or grille. Such upper frame may have one or more upright frame members telescopically engaged with lower frame members of the lower frame to provide the relevant movement of the cutting mechanism that 0 o may be required. Such movement may cover a range of 0-130 mm.

Suitable actuating means may be provided for achieving movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame such as jacking means exemplified by a scissor jack which interconnects the upper and lower frames. However this does not preclude the use of other forms of actuating means such as a hydraulic or pneumatic ram assembly.

The cutting mechanism may be of any suitable type and thus comprise a reciprocating blade or bandsaw as herein after described.

However it will be appreciated that other forms of cutting mechanism could be used such as a movable cutter in conjunction with a stationary cutter or other forms of mechanical shearing means.

The apparatus of the invention may also comprise a collection means for receiving discarded seedling trays after they have passed through the cutting station and in one form such collection means may comprise a collection receptacle or more preferably a conveyor for conveying the trays to a storage location. Such conveyor may comprise an endless moveable belt but preferably has a series of spaced rollers attached to a roller support 6

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o frame.

Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein FIG 1 is a perspective view of seedling trays being cultivated in a greenhouse; FIG 2 is a schematic view showing transportation of the seedling trays 0 from the greenhouse to a harvesting shed; 0 o FIG 3 is a schematic view showing the harvesting of the seedlings in the harvesting shed; FIG 4 is a more detailed view of loading of the seedling at a loading station tray onto a conveyor belt which transports the seedling trays at a cutting station FIG 5 shows a schematic view of the cufftting of seedlings at the cutting station with the seedling trays being separated from the cut seedlings FIG 6 shows a detailed view of one form of cutting mechanism for use in the invention at the cutting station FIG 7 shows a detailed perspective view of another form of cutting mechanism for use in the invention at the cutting station; and FIG 8 is a schematic view of a storage box containing the storage bag of cut seedlings for subsequent storage or transportation In FIG 1 there is shown a seedling tray 10 which is cultivated on support frames 11 in a green house 12 shown in FIG 2. The seedling trays is shown in three stages of cultivation which include stage 13 when the recesses 14 of seedling tray 10 are empty or filled with growth medium 0 o such as potting mix soil and other growth nutrients. In stage 16 the recesses 14 have sprouts or shoots 17 emerging from the growth medium 15 and finally stage 18 when each recess 14 contains leaves 19 of a particular seedling The seedling trays 10 are supported on L shaped frame members 21 such as angle iron of support frame 11 supported by legs 22 and are 0 preferably contained in a vast greenhouse 12 which may be supplied with 0 o appropriate watering systems (not shown). The greenhouse 12 is useful in preventing adverse climatic conditions such as frost adversely effecting seedlings 20. As shown in FIG 2 when leaves 19 have reached a suitable height the trays 10 are transported on trailers 23 pulled by tractors 24 to harvesting shed 25 where the trays are subjected to harvesting apparatus 26.

In harvesting apparatus 26 as shown in FIG 3 the trays 10 are loaded manually onto ramps 27 at loading station 9 from trailer 21 and it is important that each tray 10 abuts each other at 28. Ramps 27 are supported by legs 29. The trays 10 are transferred to horizontal conveyor 30 having frame 31 having side plates 32 which are broken away for convenience to show idler roller 33 and drive roller 34. The conveyor 30 has a belt 36 tensioned by tensioning rollers 37. A more detailed view of loading of seedling trays onto conveyor belt 36 is shown in FIG 4. Conveyor 30 if desired may have legs 35 supported by wheels 38 shown in phantom. Legs 29 of ramp 27 may also be supported by ground engaging wheels 39.

In FIG 3-5 the seedling trays 10 are shown being conveyed by 0 conveyor belt 36 to cutting station 8 where leaves 19 of seedlings 20 are cut by cutting mechanism 40. The leaves 19 are then transferred to an angled conveyor 41 with the trays 10 being passed below cutting station 8 to be transported by rollers 42 supported on frame 43 to a roller conveyor 44 having rollers 45 wherein trays 10 are either discarded or cleaned out by oremoval of growth medium 15 by suitable vibrating means (not shown) for re 0 use. Roller conveyor 44 is supported by frame 46 having legs 47 and cross 0 o members 48. Roller conveyor 44 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of conveyor 30. As best shown in FIG 5 the conveyor 41 is provided with a conveyor belt 49 which is provided with a sharp curve or narrow radius to facilitate operation of cutting mechanism 40 at cutting station 8. The sharp curve is provided by a wedge plate 51 having a pointed end 52 which is located below conveyor belt 47. The conveyor belt 41 is also provided with idler rollers 53 and 54.

In FIG 6 there is shown one form of cutting mechanism 40 for use in the invention comprising a reciprocating blade 56 which is pivotally attached to a pair of opposed rocker arms 57A and 57B which each pivot about a pivot pin or joint 58. There is also provided bearings 62. Each rocker arm 57 at its lower end 63 is retained within a clevis assembly 64 by pivot pin 65. At each top end of each rocker arm 57 there is proved the tie rod bearings 68 which also attach the link rod 69 to each rocker arm 57A or 57B.

There is also provided a drive means 70 for reciprocating blade 56 which comprises a drive motor which has an upper pulley 74 attached to a drive shaft (not shown) of the motor 70. The upper pulley 74 engages with o belt 75 which also engages with lower pulley 76 and which engages with a tdrive shaft (not shown) and bearing (not shown) for fly wheel 77 which engages with connection rod 78 which engages with clevis 64. Connection rod 78 is also pivotally attached to projection 80 of fly wheel 77. When drive 5 motor 70 is actuated this results in rotation of lower pulley 76 which causes rotation of fly wheel 77. This in turn causes movement of blade 56 through movement of rocker arms 57A and 57B.

o As the seedling trays 10 pass through cutting station 8 because they abut each other at 28 this causes continued movement of seedling trays over support grille 82. Support grille 82 located below blade 56 and facilitates transfer of seedling trays 10 onto rollers 42 below conveyor 41 which moves cut leaves 19 from cutting station 8 as shown in FIG 5. Conveyor 41 is provided with support legs 41A and braces 41B as well as longitudinal frame members 41C.

There is also shown support frame 85 for cutting mechanism having uprights 86 and cross members 87. Rocker arm 57A s attached to frame member 88 by pivot pin 58 and the rod bearings 68 and rocker arm 57B is attached to frame member 89. This means that the height of blade 56 may be adjusted by upper or lower movement of support frame 85 and it will be noted that each frame member 83A is telescopically engaged with a lower frame member 90 at 91 and such movement may be controlled by control lever 92 which causes actuation of scissor jack 93 to thereby cause elevating or lowering of support frame 85 relative to a lower frame comprising frame members 90 and axle frame member 94. Each lower frame member 90 is 1

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o rigidly attached to axle frame member 94 which has attached thereto caster wheels 95 by bracket assemblies 97. Conveyor 30 may be actuated by control knob 99 and conveyor 41 may be actuated by control knob 100.

Scissor jack 89 is rigidly attached to upright 86 at a suitable location (not shown) as well as to axle frame member 94.

oIn relation to FIG 7, reference is made to an alternative cufftting 0 mechanism 40 in relation to a bandsaw mechanism 100A. Bandsaw 0 o mechanism 100A is driven by drive motor 70 which is shown in FIG 6.

However, pulley 76 a connecting shaft 60 and associated bearings 61.

Pulleys 102 and 103 are interconnected by bandsaw 104. Each of pulleys 102 and 103 are supported by frame 85 and more specifically frame upright 86 and mounting plate 86A. Therefore the cutting height of bandsaw 104 is adjustable having regard to telescopic engagement of frame members 91 with bottom frame member 90 as discussed in FIG 6 which is actuated through control lever 92 and scissor jack 93 as discussed in FIG 6.

As shown in each of the embodiments of FIGS 6-7 seedling trays have their speed along conveyor 30 decreased when they reach support grille 82 which spaces conveyor belt 30 from conveyor belt 49 by gap 82A to facilitate operation of cutting mechanism In regard to FIG 8, the transport of leaves 19 along conveyor belt 49 is caused by drive roller 110 and leaves 19 are then caused to be deposited in a collection receptacle such as a flexible bag 111 which is retained within a box 112 for convenience during storage and transport. The box is provided with an extended top component 113 and air holes 114 as best shown in FIG o 9. The box 112 also has a body component 115.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of harvesting leafy vegetables and legumes which includes the steps of: cutting leaves of seedlings contained in one or more seedling trays wherein said leaves extend above said one or more seedling trays and osaid leaves are separated from their associated stalks; and 0 (ii) conveying the cut leaves away from the tray(s) to a collection 0 o receptacle for subsequent transport or storage.

It therefore will be appreciated from the foregoing that the method and apparatus of the invention is extremely efficient in operation especially in relation to use of the same seedling tray 10 during cultivation in a greenhouse 12 and subsequent harvesting at a harvesting shed 25. This avoids double handling of removal of leaves and subsequent location in a box in the field and also provides better hygienic conditions for harvesting of salad leaves 19. The process and apparatus of the invention also avoids use of mechanical harvesters such as those described in the prior art. It will also be appreciated that the seedling trays may be cooled in a cooling room at a temperature of from 5-10°C prior to being subjected to the cutting operation.

Claims (3)

1. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seedlings are propagated and grown in the same seedling tray used in step above.
2. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein when the leaves reach a suitable height for consumption the seedling trays are transported from a greenhouse to a harvesting location containing the cutting station prior to step (ii).
3. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein at the harvesting location each tray is placed on a first conveyor in abutting relationship so that when a particular tray reaches the cutting station the leaves of each of the seedlings are subjected to a cutting operation and the cut leaves are removed from the cutting station by a second conveyor. A method of harvesting leafy vegetables and legumes which includes the steps of: cutting leaves of seedlings contained in one or more seedling trays wherein said leaves extend above said one or more seedling trays and mi 13 0 o said leaves are separated from their associated stalks; and y (ii) conveying the cut leaves away from the tray(s) to a collection receptacle for subsequent transport or storage. in