AU3649400A - Pneumatic collection and/or conveying method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/62594 PCT/AUOO/00322 PNEUMATIC COLLECTION AND/OR CONVEYING METHOD AND APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a collection and/or conveying method and 5 apparatus using pneumatics which in one aspect may be used for collecting and/or conveying easily bruised or damaged products but which may be used for collecting and/or conveying other products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fruit is currently harvested by a number of different methods. Often 10 easily bruised fruit such as stone fruits are collected by manual hand picking however this process is labour intensive, slow and can result in damage to the fruit. Some mechanical methods are also used for example by raking of the branches of the tree to pull fruit or other produce from the branches or by vibrating the tree to shake fruit or produce from the trees after which the fruit or 15 produce is collected by mechanical or hand collection means. This arrangement also can result in damage to the fruit or other produce and further is relatively inefficient. OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide in one aspect an improved method 20 and means for collecting or harvesting fruit or other agricultural products. The present invention in a further aspect aims to provide a method and means for conveying easily bruised or damaged products such as fruit. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The present invention thus provides in a first preferred aspect, a method 25 of harvesting fruit or other produce, said method including the steps of providing duct means, creating a vacuum or partial vacuum in said duct means, and locating an open inlet end of said duct means adjacent fruit or other produce to be harvested to draw, under the influence of the vacuum or partial vacuum in said duct means, said fruit or other produce into said duct means under the 30 influence of air inflatable cushioning in said duct means. The present invention in a further preferred aspect provides apparatus for harvesting fruit or other produce, said apparatus including duct means having an Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:02 Page: 3 WO 00/62594 PCT/AUOO/00322 2 open inlet end, means for creating a vacuum or partial vacuum in said duct means and means for positioning said open inlet end of said duct means adjacent fruit or other produce to be harvested to draw under the influence of the vacuum or partial vacuum, said fruit or other produce into said duct means, said 5 duct means having inflatable cushioning tc-preserve the produce as it travels along said duct means. The vacuum or partial vacuum in the duct means may be created by means of one or more venturis in the duct means. Any suitable means may be provided for supplying compressed air to the venturi/s to create the vacuum or 10 partial vacuum in the duct means. Such means may include a compressor. The duct means may be a duct or pipe of any form and may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. Typically, the apparatus may be mounted on a prime mover such as a tractor whereby the apparatus may be positioned adjacent trees or shrubs from 15 which fruit or other produce such as nuts or coffee beans are to be harvested. Suitably, the prime mover includes a collection bin or bins into which the harvested fruit or other produce collected by the duct means may be deposited. The present invention in yet a further aspect provides a method of conveying products, said method including the steps of providing duct means, 20 providing inflatable cushioning means within said duct means and creating an air flow along said duct means to cause products within said duct means to be conveyed there along, said products in movement along said duct means, being cushioned by said cushioning means. In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides apparatus for 25 conveying products, said apparatus including duct means, inflatable cushioning means within said duct means and means forcreating an airflow along said duct means to cause products within said duct means to be conveyed there along, said products in movement along said duct means being cushioned by said cushioning means. 30 The duct means may comprise a tube or duct of any form and any cross section and the means for creating an air flow in the duct means may comprise a venturi in, or communicating with the duct means. More than one venturi may Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:04 Page: 4 WO 00/62594 j'1/AUUU/uuJA 3 be located at spaced positions along the duct means. Any suitable means may be provided for supplying compressed air to the venturi/s. Typically such means may comprise a compressor. The venturi or venturis may comprise members of annular form having a 5 plurality of air passages therein which are angled inwardly from an outer air chamber, connectable to the compressed air source, to the interior of the annular bodies where they open through an annular shoulder. Alternatively, the air passages may be replaced by an annular slot. The cushioning means may be formed of porous or non porous materials. 10 In one form, the cushioning means may comprise a series of longitudinally extending cushioning elements arranged around the inner surface of the duct means. The elements may be arranged in a side by side position or spaced apart. Suitably the elements have an exposed surface which provides cushioning to products passing along the duct means. The elements typically 15 have an exposed surface of part circular form. For this purpose, the elements may be of part cylindrical form. The elements may also include one or more air flow passages to enhance the cushioning effect of the elements. The air flow passages may be supplied with air flowing along the duct means induced for example by the or each venturi. The elements may be formed of a porous 20 flexible or resilient material such as a foamed plastics material. Alternatively the elements may be formed of a non porous material or within a non-porous outer sheath or layer to constrain air within the elements to form the elements into air cushions. In a further configuration, the cushioning means may comprise a thin 25 sheet-like membrane within the interior of the duct means and means may be provided to supply air to the region between the membrane and inner wall of the duct means to provide an inflated pneumatic cushion to protect products moving along the duct means. The membrane may have any shape or configuration and in one form may comprise a series of peaks and troughs. Alternatively the 30 membrane may be of irregular form. The means for supplying air to the region behind the membrane may include the venturi/s which supply air for conveying the products along the duct means. Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:05 Page: 5 4 The cushioning means may be provided with air slots or openings for the partial escape of air from behind the cushioning means to assist flow of products along the duct means. The cushioning means may be of spiral form or any other configuration to assist flow of the products along the duct means. 5 Where venturis are used to create the air flow along the duct means and supply air to the membrane means, exposed corners or edges of the venturi means maybe covered in a cushioning material or materials to prevent damage to the products being conveyed. Means may also be provided for decelerating movement of products 10 along the duct means usually where products are to be deposited or removed from the duct means. Such means may comprise one or more buffer members which produce a constriction or constrictions in the duct means. Separating means may be provided downstream of the buffer member/s to separate or direct the products to a preferred location or locations. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention designed for harvesting 20 fruit or other produce; Fig. 2 illustrates one form of cushioned conveying duct with one cushioning element removed; Fig. 2A illustrates in cross section typical cushioning elements; Fig. 3 illustrates the cushioned duct in the region of the air flow inducing 25 venturi; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate further embodiments of cushioned conveying duct; and Fig. 6 illustrates an arrangement for slowing the passage of products along the duct and dividing and directing arrangement at the end of the duct. 30 METHOD OF PERFORMANCE Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1 there is illustrated schematically a prime mover 10 in the form of a tractor having mounted thereon Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:07 Page: 6 WO 00/62594 PCT/AUOO/00322 5 the harvesting apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 11 includes one or more collection ducts or tubes 12 which are mounted so that their open outer ends 13 can be positioned adjacent to a tree, bush, shrub or other plant 14 from which fruit or other produce is to be 5 harvested. The open outer end 13 of the duct 12 may be of flared or of any other form which will facilitate harvesting. The end 13 may also be cushioned to prevent damage to the harvested product. The ducts 12 for this purpose may be rigid semi-rigid or flexible and suitable support means may be provided to selectively move the ducts 12 towards or away from the trees or shrubs 14. The 10 ducts 12 at their inner ends communicate with a collection bin or hopper 15 in which the produce may be collected. Suitable means are provided to create a suction pressure within the ducts or tubes 12 so as to enable fruit or produce to be harvested from the trees, The preferred form of suction pressure creating means comprises one or more 15 venturis 16 arranged within the ducts 12 (see Fig. 3). The venturis 16 comprise annular members 17 provided with a series of circumferentially spaced passages 18 which are inclined inwardly to open through an annular shoulder 19 on the inside of the members 17. The passages 18 communicate with an annular chamber 20 in a housing 21 surrounding the venturi 16, the annular chamber 20 20 being supplied in use with compressed air for flow through the passages 18. Air flowing through the passages 18 creates a back pressure and partial vacuum in the duct 12 to accelerate the flow of air through the tube or duct 12 and create a suction pressure in the duct 12 adjacent the open end 13 thereof. In this embodiment also, the venturi 16 is provided with additional air jets 22 which are 25 connected to the passage 18 and which enhance flow of product through the ducts 12. In use the ducts 12 are manipulated such that the open ends 13 thereof are located adjacent the individual fruit pieces or other produce to be harvested from the trees 14. Compressed air is supplied to the chamber 20 such that air 30 flow through the passages 18 into the duct 12 will create a suction pressure at the open ends 13 of the ducts 12 which will cause the fruit or other produce to be detached from the trees or shrubs 14 and be drawn down the ducts 12 to be Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:08 Page: 7 WO 00/62594 PCT/AUOO/00322 6 deposited into the collection hopper 15. The harvested products may then be conveyed in the hopper 15 to a site for sorting and packaging or other processing. To prevent damage to the fruit or other produce, the ducts 12 may be 5 internally cushioned as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2. In this arrangement, a series of longitudinally extending cushioning members 23 are located on the inside of the duct 12 at circumferentially spaced locations therearound. The cushioning members 23 may be in edge to edge relationship with each other or alternatively spaced from each other as shown. Each cushioning member 23 is 10 of a generally half cylindrical configuration with the curved surfaces 24 located radially inwardly. Longitudinally extending channels 25 extend along the rear faces of the member 23 to define with the inner surface of the duct 12 an air passage. The cushioning members 23 may be porous or non-porous Where non 15 porous, the outer periphery of the members 23 may be covered or sheathed in a non-porous material or membrane 26 (see Fig. 2A). Thus air passing along the channels 25 will form the members 23 into inflated or partially inflated air cushions. Air may be supplied to the channels or grooves 25 from the air flowing along the ducts 12 from the venturi 16. Where the cushioning member is 20 formed of a porous material as shown schematically at 23' in Fig. 2A, air supplied to the channels 25 will permeate through the member 23 to again create a form of air cushioning. It will be appreciated that easily damaged products such as fruit or produce harvested as above will be cushioned by the cushioning members 23 25 as it passes along the ducts 12 without being damaged. In the embodiment illustrated, the members 23 extend longitudinally parallel to the axis of the duct 12. The members 23 however may extend spirally, helically or be in any other configuration. Further any number of members 23 may be provided and whilst it is preferred the members 23 are in edge to edge relationship, they may be 30 spaced apart depending upon the nature of the products being conveyed. Referring now to Fig. 4 there is illustrated an alternativeform of conveying duct 12 wherein in this case, the cushioning in the interior of the duct 12 Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:10 Page: 8 WO 00/62594 PCT/AUUU 7 comprises a membrane 27 is of castellated form ccmprising a series of peaks and troughs around the inner circumference of the duct 12. The region 28 between the membrane 27 and inner wall of the duct 12 forms a series of circumferentially spaced passages through which air may flow to form the 5 membrane 27 into air cushions around the inner periphery of the duct 12. Alternatively, the regions 28 may be filled with a porous material through which air flows to enhance the cushioning effect. As with the embodiment of Fig. 2, air is suitably provided to the regions 28 by the air flow induced along the duct 12 by the venturi/s 16. To prevent collapse of the membrane 27 into the duct 12, 10 it is suitably secured, preferably at the troughs, at circumferentially spaced positions, and/or longitudinally to the duct 25. Fig. 5 illustrates yet an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the membrane 29 is of irregular form with the region 30 between the membrane 29 and wall of the duct 12 being supplied with air to form an air cushion around 15 the inner periphery of the duct 12. The membrane 29 is suitably anchored at spaced circumferential positions, and/or longitudinally, to the inner wall of the duct 12. Again air for the region 30 is preferably supplied by the air induced to flow along the duct 12 by the venturi/s 16. In both of the arrangements described in Figs. 2 and 5, products passing 20 along the duct 12 will be cushioned from contact with the inner wall of the duct 12 and will therefore be protected from damage. To prevent damage to the product as it passes the Aenturi 16 exposed edges or corners of the venturi 16 such as the corner 31 may be covered by a cushioning material as at 32 (see Fig. 3). The cushioning material may be any 25 suitable synthetic or natural cushioning material such as plastics on rubber. At the end of the conveying duct 12, it is necessary to slow the conveyed products depicted schematically at 33 and this may be achieved using the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. In this arrangement, the end of the duct 12 is constricted by means of a buffer member 35 which is preferably constructed of 30 a cushioning material and which as shown extends circumferentially around the inner periphery of the duct 12. In the configuration shown the buffer member 34 is of annular form having a part circular inner periphery 35 to define a throat 36 Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:12 Page: 9 WU UU143Y4 LVUAUUU/UU322 8 through which the products 33 may pass. One or more such buffer members 34 may be located along the duct 12 of different diameters to progressively slow movement of the products 33 and prevent backup of product being conveyed. Thus upstream buffer members 34 may have a wider throat 36 whilst 5 downstream buffer members 34 may have narrower throats 36. In the embodiment illustrated also, the buffer members 34 define with the duct 12 an annular space 37 which may be filled or partially filed with air to form the buffer members 34 into air cushions. The buffer members 34 may be formed of a porous or non-porous material similar to the members 23 and 23' of Fig. 1. 10 Beyond the buffer members 34, the duct 12 may diverge as at 38 and a dividing member 39 in this embodiment in the form of a rotating spline having a plurality of radially extending arms 40 is provided in the region 38 to direct produce 33 to one side or the other of the dividing member 39. At the end of the duct 12 sensing means may be provided to sort the product into appropriate 15 sizes or in accordance with other properties. The sensing means may be arranged to sense the size of products 33 or other properties of the products 33 and be associated with the dividing member 39 so as to cause the dividing member 39 by rotation in the appropriate direction to direct product 33 having certain properties to one side of the dividing member 20 39 and products 33 having other properties to the other side of the dividing member 39. The cushioned conveying duct 12 has been described in the embodiment as being used in harvesting apparatus for conveying harvested produce. It will be appreciated however that the cushioned duct 12 may be used in any other 25 application, not involving harvesting, where conveying of easily damaged or other products is required. Of course the duct shape, size and configuration may be varied to suit the application and/or size and type of product to be conveyed. Whilst the air supply to the cushioning members is usually achieved by means of the air flowing along the duct, alternative air supply means such as air 30 pumps may be used as a substitution for, orto enhance the air cushioning of the cushioning members. Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:13 Page: 10 vk. VUUz;oY'. 1'17AUUU/UU322 9 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims. 5 Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:15 Page: 11

Claims (20)

1. A pneumatic collection apparatus for harvesting fruit r-r cthe:- produce, said apparatus including duct means having an open inlet end, means for creating a vacuum or partial vacuum in said duct means and means for 5 positioning said open inlet end of said duct means adjacent fruit or other produce to be harvested to draw under the influence of the vacuum er partial vacuum, said fruit or other produce into said duct means, said duct means having inflatable cushioning to preserve the produce as it travels along said duct means.

2. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the 10 vacuum or partial vacuum in the duct means is created by means of one or more venturis in the duct means.

3. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum or partial vacuum in the duct means is created by means of one or rcre venturi in the duct means, the venturis being in the form of annular bodies 15 having an interior and a series of openings angled inwardly from an outer air chamber connected to the compressed air source delivering compressed air to the interior of the annular bodies where they open through annular shoulders.

4. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to clairr. i wherein the vacuum or partial vacuum in the duct means is created by meam c' Une or more 20 venturis in the duct means, the venturis being in the fom o annular bodies having an interior and an annular slot angled inwardly from an outer air chamber connected to the compressed air source delivering compressed airto the interior of the annular bodies where they open through annular shoulders.

5. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 whereire the 25 cushioning comprises a series of longitudinally extending cushioning elements arranged around the inner surface of the duct means.

6. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to clam 1 wherein the cushioning comprises a series of longitudinally extending cushioning elements arranged around the inner surface of the duct means, the elements being 30 arranged in a side by side position.

7. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim I wherein the cushioning comprises elements having an exposed surface which provides Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:15 Page: 12 WU UUI62J594 rU'T/AUUU/UU.52 11 cushioning to produce passing along the duct means the exposed surface be~ng of part circular form.

8. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cushioning comprises elements having one or more air flow passages. 5

9. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cushioning comprises elements having onc or more air flow passages, the air flow passages being supplied with air flowing along the duct means induced venturis located along said duct means.

10. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the 10 cushioning comprises elements having one or more air flow passages to constrain air within the elements to form the elements into air cushions.

11. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim I wherein the cushioning means includes a thin sheet-like membrane within the duct means and means being provided to supply air to a region between the membrane and 15 an inner wall of the duct means to provide an inflated pneumatic cushion to protect produce moving along the duct means.

12. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim I wherein the cushioning means includes a thin sheet-like membrane within the duct means and means being provided to supply air to a region betweer the membrane and 20 an inner wall of the duct means to provide an inflated pneumatic cushion to protect produce moving along the duct means, the membrane comprising a series of peaks and troughs.

13. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim I wherein the cushioning means includes a thin sheet-like membrane within the duct means 25 and means being provided to supply air to a region between the membrane and an inner wall of the duct means to provide an inflated pneumatic cushion tc protect produce moving along the duct means, the means for supplying air to the region including venturi/s which at the same time supply air for conveying the products along the duct means. 30

14. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cushioning means is provided with air vents for the partial escape of air from behind the cushioning means to assist flow of products along the duct means. Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:17 Page: 13 WU UU/62594 YU/AUUU/UU.34 12

15. A pneumatic collec':cij apparatus according .c clm i1 whe:cr. the cushioning means is configured to assist flow of the products along the cuct means.

16. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to clarn 1 wherein Ihe 5 cushioning means is of spiral form to assis'. flow of the products alclig the dcci means.

17. A pneumatic collection apparatus according to claim 1 where; venturi. are used to create the air flow along the duct means and to supply air to ihe cushioning means, exposed corners or edges of the ventur-s bEir g cCvere,' i 10 a cushioning material to prevent damage tc the produce be'ng conveyed.

18. A pneumatic collection apparatus according tc claim 1 where.1 decelerating movement of products along the duct means is employed where products are to be deposited oi removed from the duct nieans.

19. A pneum,.tic collection apparatus according I. clai. 1 wher'In 15 deceler ating movement of products alercg the duct means is achieved by a buffe member which produces a constriction in the duct means their temporarily resistz passage.

20. A pneumatic collection apparatus according tc clair- 1 wre decelerating movemeni of products lorng the duct meLns is achieved by a bUffe 20 member which produces a constriction in the duct means that iemi. 3a-rily rss passage and separating means downstream of the buffer rmerrbe: t, separate or direct the produce tc a preferred location or locations. Printed from Mimosa 00/11/30 14:21:18 Page: 14