AU2008200703A1 - A method and apparatus for harvesting fruit - Google Patents

Description

12-02-'08 16:49 FROM-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P004/029 F-385 Australian Patents Act 1990 Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title "A method and apparatus for harvesting fruit" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P100/Ol1 5102 COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-' 03 16:49 FERON-DGC SYDNEY 625100T41P5/2F-3 -61292621080 T-451 P005/029 F-385 pM.WpDacrNtL ~Cz Aiti.# FINAL COMPLEEw1I2*2l00 00 A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING FRUIT TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to a method of manual harvesting of palm oil fruit o bunches to a manual method of individually lowering each fruit bunch with special devices o after it has been cut.

o0 BACKGROUND

ART

0 10 Usually 7 when an oil palm tree has grown to a heigh of more than 3 meters, its fronds are cut using a sickle, or a sickle on a pole to expose the oil palm fruit bunches underneath.

The fruit bunch is next cut at its base and it falls freely from that height to the ground below. A direct consequence of this action is that the oil palm fruits are shaken free from the fruit bunch and scattered all over the ground which is thick with undergrowth.

The scattered fruits may eventually lead to growth of oil palm trees. It is inconvenient and expensive to manually collect these scattered fruits, and these scattered fruits represent a source of wastage in plantation management.

In Malaysian Patent Number MY-I 18057-A, a cutting blade for reaper has been disclosed.

This invention does not however inhibit the above wastage.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovernentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided A method of harvesting fruit or fruit bunches from a tree, the method including the steps of- supporting the fruit or fruit bunches on a support; cutting the fruit or fruit bunches from the tree; controlling the support so that the fruit or fruit bunches are inhibited from dropping freely to the ground.

Preferably the fruit or fruit bunches are palm oil fruit bunches. Preferably the support is in COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-' 08 16:49 FHOM-DtX SYDNEY +622200T41P0/2 -8 +61292621080 T-451 P006/029 F-385 V' OCA. p~\C 1 w'g *d FINAL COML!Ttd-A O& 00 o -2the form of a support carriage. Preferably the method includes the step of controlling the descent of the support with one or more ropes.

Preferably the controlling step includes the step of providing a lowering control rope and a position control rope. Preferably the supporting step includes the step of piercing the fruit o or fruit bunch with a stake or other piercing means. In one embodiment the supporting step includes the step of clamping the fruit or fruit bunch with a clamp. In another embodiment the supporting step includes the step of enveloping the fruit or fruit bunch 00 o with a net.

01 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for harvesting fruit or fruit bunches from a tree wherein the apparatus includes: a fruit or fruit bunch support; a cutter for cutting the fruit bunch from the tree; and a support controller connected to the fruit or fruit bunch support so that the fruit or frait bunch may be controlled.

Preferably the fruit or fruit bunch support includes a detachable head. 'Preferably the fruit or fruit bunch support includes a stake or other piercing means. The fruit or fruit bunch support may include a clamp. The fruit or fruit bunch support may. include a net.

Preferably the cutter includes a sickle.

Preferably the fruit or fruit bunch support is mounted on a distal end of a pole. Preferably the pole is extendible. Preferably the pole is telescopic.

Preferably the support controller is in the form of one or more control ropes. Preferably there is provided a descent control rope and a position control rope. Preferably the arrangement is such that the one or more ropes extend through spacer elements so as to space the ropes from the pole for greater control of the fruit or fruit bunch.

BRIEF DIESCRIPTION OF THE, DRAWINGS COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by P1 Australia: ime 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-'08 16:49 FHOtI-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P007/029 F-385 P1WPDOCSILM1 Spaeetmg Ridwrd PINRAL COMP"L~~Ot-I2flf 00 o -3- In order that the present invention may be readily understood, the following description is given, by way of example, of three embodiments of the spike-head mechanism made in Cl accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art method of manually harvesting, wherein an oil palm fruit o bunch is manually harvested with a sickle on one end of a single pole, and allowed to fall o onto the ground; 0 o Figure 1(b) shows a side elevation view of a sickle placed on an extendable pole; 0 Figure 2(a) shows a side elevation view of a hook and ring holder means, disposed at the remote end of a pale according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2(b) shows a plan view of the hook and ring holder means as shown in Figure 2(a); Figure 2(c) shows a side elevation view of a first embodiment of a single spike-head mechanism; Figure 2(d) shows a plan view of the single spike-head mechanism as shown in Figure 2c; Figure 3(a) illustrates bow a cut oil palm fruit bunch is lowered to the ground using the hook and ring holder means, the pole and the single spike-head mechanism taught by a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3(b) illustrates a side elevation view of an extendable pole with rope holder means and retainer means, in accordance with an element of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a multiple spike-head mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 5(a) shows an assembly view from one side of a third embodiment of a spike-head COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by II' Australia: lime 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-'08 26:49 FHOII-DCC SYDNEY +6222G0T41 P0/2 -8 +61292621080 T-451 P008/029 F-385 MWPDOWLMSXpedChvC tcAud F'INAL COWMflEE cI2J2JW3 00 o -4mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Cl Figure 5(b) illustrates how a cut oil palm fruit bunch is lowered to the ground using the hook and ring bolder means, the pole and the spike-head mechanism taught by a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 6(a) illustrates a front view of a ring net mechanism, which is detachably disposed at the end of an extendable pole; 00 Figure 6(b) illustrates a side elevation view of the ring net mechanism as shown in Figure 6(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS is As seen in Figure 1 an oil palm tree may have grown to a height of more thani 3 meters tall. Traditionally, a sickle (5 1) on one end of a long pole (52 is employed to cut an oil palm fruit bunch. After cutting, the fruit bunch falls to the ground due to its own weight.

The pole (52) may be extended, see Figure to negotiate the height of the tree. This represents the traditional method of manual harvesting and its disadvantages have been elaborated in the Background Art section above.

A preferred embodiment of an improved method of manual harvesting employs a pole (52) with a sickle (5 1) on its distal end, and another extendable pole (49) equipped with a hook and ring bolder means a single spike-head mechanism (10) detachable from said hook and ring holder means (40) and two ropes (47, 48) operatively connected to the spike-head mechanism There are three preferred embodiments of the spike-head mechanism 30) described in this specification.

As shown in Figure a hook and ring holder means (40) is in the form of an empty shell-like element (43) wit at least one hook (41) and one ring Half of the element (43) is securely fatstened to the remote end of the pole (49) while exposing the other half.

The fastening method is by means of locking bolts and nuts. To ensure strength and COMS ID No: ARCS-I 79013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-t08 16:50 FHOM-DCC SYDNEY 526100T41 P9/9F-3 +61292621080 T-451 P009/029 F-385 Rebfl FINAL CWL~tITEce-22/ffuhS 00 reliability, the construction material should be rust-free, such as alloy steel. In this figure, two hooks (41) are oppositely disposed on the circumference of the hook and ring holder Ci means Meanwhile, two rings (42) are oppositely disposed on the circumference of the hook and 0 ring holder means such that the rings (42) and the hooks (4 1) occupy cross positions o on the circumference as seen in Figure 2b. The relative positions of the hooks (41) and the c-I rings (42) arc not critical. The exposed half of the element (43) receives a detachable 00 o spike-head mechanism (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. A first embodiment of the spike-head mechanism (10) taught by the present invention is as shown in Figures 2(c) and The mechanism (10) includes a single screw spike a locknut a spike-head mounting means (13) and a splined spike-head base The locknut (12) assists in securing the screw spike (11) to the mounting means The non-pointed end of the single screw spike (11) is screwed into a corresponding hole in the spike-head mounting means such that the pointed end is on the other side of the spike-head base Two rings (15) are suitably welded onto the mounting means (13).

In order to impart a twisting moment to the spike-head mechanism the inside of the exposed half of the element (43) in the hook and ring holder means (40) should be appropriately splined. The spike-head base (14) is then slidably received by this exposed half of the element (43) in the hook and ring holder means When the single spikehead mechanism (10) is pushed into an oil palm fruit bunch, the single screw spike (11) is slowly rotated, screwed and embedded into the fruit bunch. Upon withdrawal of the pole the single screw spike (11) stays embedded and the entire spike-head mechanism is detached from the hook and ring holder means (40) on the pole (49).

An improved harvesting method will become evident as seen in Figure Before use, a first long rope (48) passes through any one ring (42) on the hook and ring holder means and engages any one ring (15) on the single spike-head mechanism This is for lowering control operation. A second rope (47) is connected to the other ring (15) on the spike-head mechanism The second rope (47) is employed to adjust and manipulate the position of the fruit bunch while lowering. A reaper or harvester should hold on to the COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-' 08 16:50 FBOM-DCC SYDNEY +622200T41 P1/2 -3 +61292621080 T-451 P010/029 F-385 MWPDOC"ChtN~&Ij Richad MlAL CQWM9T dcc-lZ2flfl 00 o -6free end of the first rope so that a cut oil palm fruit bunch can be slowly lowered to the ground. Before cutting the oil palm fruit bunch using a long pole (52) with a sickle (51), Cl the reaper can attach the upper end of the extendable pole (49) to the oil palm tree, by using the hook (41) of the book and ring holder means (40) on the extendable pole In this position, the hook and ring holder me ans (40) on the upper end of the extendable pole (49) serves as a pivot.

Cl It is important to note that the single screw spike (11) is rotated and screwed into the fruit 00 o bunch with the assistance of a cross band-bar (44) installed to the bottom portion of the extendable pole (49) within reach of a harvester standing on the ground as seen in Figure As seen in Figure a rope holder means (46) is provided on the extendable pole (49) for holding on the first long rope The extendable pole (49) is telescopic and adjustable and comprises one inner tube slidable inside an outer tube. A retainer means is disposed towards the upper end of the outer tube to engage and retain the position of the inner tube. The retainer means (45) comprises essentially a lock-screw with a shank protruding into the cavity of the outer tube.

A second embodiment of the spike-head mechanism (20) will now be described. As seen in Figure 4, three spikes are shown. The central spike (21) is substantially straight and carries a plurality of barbs. Three barbs are preferred. The shank of each lateral spike (22) is slightly curved and carries a single barb. The purpose of the barbs is to embed the pointed hooks into the oil palm fruit bunch. The non-pointed ends of the three spikes (21, 22) are screwed into each corresponding hole in the mounting means all protruding on one side of the mounting means On the other side of the mounting means there is provided a spike-head base (24) which is splined. Two rings (25) are welded onto the opposite sides of the mounting means A third embodiment of the spike-head mechanism (30) will now be described. As seen in Figure 5a, the spike-head mechanism (30) comprises a splined spike-head base a tworing bracket a mounting means two spring-loaded spiked claw means and a single spike (3 The spike-head base (34) is secured to the bottom face of the mounting means The single spike (3 1) with a plurality of barbs and the two-ring bracket (32) COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-' 08 16:50 FHOM-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P011/029 F-385 P:%WPDCWLPMhSpocthwg Rictvd MQAL COfELflSoCjifr4LM 00 are secured to the top face of the mounting means The two claw means (35) are secured to the opposite side faces of the mounting means (33).

The claw means (35) is of unique design and comprises two criss-cross claw elements.

Each claw element is essentially S-shaped. One end of the S-shaped shank is disposed with o a claw ring The other end and its adjacent extended ann are disposed with spikes. A o locking nut is employed to engage the claw means (35) to the mounting means at a 0 position roughly one-third of its total length. Between the single spike (3 1) and the o0 mounting means (33) disposed the curved two-ring br Iacket One end of a spring (37) to1 is attached to one end ring of this curved two-ring bracket The other end of the spring (37) is attached to a ring (38) disposed on the extended arm of the claw means By the tension of these springs the claw means (35) are closed together, providing a gripping action.

As seen in Figure when the single spike (3 1) of the spike-head mechanism engages a limit bunch, the two claw means (35) open to embrace a fruit bunch. When the fruit bunch is cut, the weight of the fruit bunch will collapse the gap between the claw rings The fruit bunch is gripped by the claw means (35) while being lowered. The first lowering control rope (48) passes through the two claw rings (36) at the end of each spiked claw means The fruit bunch is first pierced and held by the spike-head mechanism preferably also equipped with two ropes. A first rope is for lowering control of the fruit bunch and the second rope is for position manipulation of the -fruit bunch. Before the fruit bunch is cut, the extendable pole is moved next to the oil palm tree and the hook and ring holder means serves as a pivot. The first rope is employed to lower the fruit bunch to the ground, so as to inhibit dropping of the fruit bunch to the ground.

As shown in Figures 6(a) and a ring net mechanism (60) comprises a base a mounting means (63) with two rings a locknut an attachment bolt (66) and a ring net (6 The ring net (6 1) fbrther comprises a steel ring (67) suitably attached to the attachment bolt There are four ringlets (68) equi-distantly disposed around the COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-'08 16:50 FROM-DOG SYDNEY 122100T41P202F38 +61292621080 T-451 P012/029 F-385 1 h c$JM4~ca.~g izhxud FINAL COMLSU eoc-ihQ/2 00 circumference of the steel ring Tough and resilient strings made of metallic or plastic material including nylon pass through these ringlets (68) to be weaved into a net.

A method of manual harvesting of oil palm fruit bunches using a ring net mechanism is also taught. A hook and ring holder means (40) is attached at the end of the extendable pole The ring net mechanism (60) is attached detachably to the hook and ring holder o means A first lowering control rope (48) is passed through the hook and ring holder Cl means (40) to engage the ring net mechanism 00 A position manipulation (second) control rope (47) is next engaged to the ring net mechanism An oil palm fruit bunch to be cut is caught with the ring net mechanism The ring net mechanismu (60) is detached and the end of the extendable pole (49) is placed next to the oil palm tree to serve as a pivot The oil palm fruit bunch is cut with the pole (52) with sickle (5 The oil palm fruit bunch is lowered to the ground with the 1s assistance of the first lowering control rope (48) and the position manipulation (second) control rope Hence, the oil palm fruit bunch does not fall freely to the ground.

The ring net mechanism (60) operates substantially the same as the spike-bead mechanisms (10, 20, 30) with one major difference. The spike-head mechanism (10, 20, 30) either spears through a fruit bunch or grips onto a fruit bunch before cutting. The ring net mechanism (60) catches the fruit bunch after it has been cut.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of' integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or infornation derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

COMS ID Na:ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:08 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-'08 16:50 FROM-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P013/029 F-385 P-WPDVCUM31L MCu$RifJM ALG*LS GGIAm -9- Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12

Claims (1)

12-02-'08 16:50 FROM-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P014/029 F-385 P AWPDOC$thM\pCChng 1 rd A '2NAL COMPLETftd-I 2AJ20 00 O Ic T1E CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) A method of harvesting fruit or fruit bunches from a tree, the method including the 5 steps of: supporting the fruit or fruit bunches on a support; cutting the fruit or fruit en o bunches from the tree; controlling the support so that the fruit or fruit bunches are oinhibited from dropping freely to the ground. o 2) The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fruit or fruit bunches are palm 1 oil fruit bunches. 3) The method in accordance with claim I or 2 wherein the support is in the form of a support carriage. is 4) The method in accordance with any previous claim wherein the method includes the step of controlling the descent of the support with one or more ropes. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the method includes the step of providing a lowering control rope and a position control rope. 6) The method in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the supporting step includes the step of piercing the fruit or fruit bunch with a stake or other piercing means. 7) The method in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the supporting step includes the step of clamping the fruit or fruit bunch with a clamp. 8) The method in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the supporting step includes the step of enveloping the fruit or fruit bunch with a net. 9) An apparatus suitable for harvesting fruit at fruit bunches from a tree wherein the apparatus includes: a fruit or fruit bunch support; a cutter for cutting the fruit bunch COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-' 08 16:50 FHOM-DGC SYDNEY +61292521080 T-451 P015/029 F-385 P' xWVOCS%*14pccCbhf fqhsd?INAL COMPLETE diW2000M8 00 from the tree; and a support controller connected to the fruit or fruit bunch support so that the fruit or fruit bunch may be controlled. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the fruit or fruit bunch support includes a detachable head. o 11) The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 or 10 wherein the fruit or fruit bunch 0 support includes a stake or other piercing mewns. 00 010 12) The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, 10 or I11 wherein the fruit or fruit bunch support includes a clamp. 13) The apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 9 12 wherein the fruit or fruit bunch support includes a net. Is 14) The apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 9 13 wherein the cutter includes a sickle. The apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 9 14 wherein the fruit or fruit bunch support is mounted on a distal end of a pole. 16) The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the pole is extendible. 17) The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 or 16 wherein the pole is telescopic. 18) The apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 9 17 wherein the support controller is in the form of one or more control ropes. 19) The apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 9 18 wherein there is provided a descent control rope and a position control rope. The apparatus in accordance with claim 18 or 19 wherein the one or more ropes COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12 12-02-'08 16:51 FROM-DCC SYDNEY +61292621080 T-451 P016/029 F-385 r^WIOCfl4*e4~iKCbW IRiOllrINAL COaMLIT.doc.IZAWZU) 00 O -12- extend through spacer elements so as to space the ropes from the pole for greater control of the fruit or fruit bunch. 21) A method of harvesting fruit substantially as hereinbefore described. o 22) An apparatus for harvesting fruit substantially as hereinbefore described with o reference to the drawings. 0 00 0 ci COMS ID No: ARCS-179013 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:06 Date 2008-02-12