WO2005022976A2 - Food product harvesting methods and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for harvesting plants from the soil, including the extracting of the plants from the soil and placing them in containers such as totes. In order to deposit the harvested plants in the containers, the plants are re-oriented into generally horizontal dispositions and positioned within the containers. Also, other disclosed embodiments relate to harvested crop loading apparatus and method for loading individual containers with harvested crops or other. Such loading apparatus and methods employ multiple stations including a receiving station, a loading station, and a stacking station. A conveyor system interconnects at least certain ones of the stations such as the receiving station, the loading station and the stacking station to translate the containers disposed along at least one predetermined path of travel.

Description

FOOD PRODUCT HARVESTING METHODS AND APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for harvesting food products. It more particularly relates to such a method and apparatus for harvesting food products such as green onions, spinach, baby leaf vegetables, and other.

Background Art

[0002] This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutes prior art.

[0003] Currently, certain types of vegetables such as green onions, are essentially harvested by hand. In this regard, it has been difficult to construct automatic equipment for harvesting green onions and similar vegetables, since they are each somewhat unique in size and shape.

[0004] Thus, mechanical equipment for removing the product from the ground and then bunching them together is a difficult task to do mechanically as a result of the different sizes and shapes of the product. Nonetheless, harvesters have been proposed for the harvesting of vegetables, such as green onions, so that the vegetables can be removed from the soil in an efficient manner.

[0005] Also, support vehicles for harvesters have been provided that trail behind crop harvesters for transporting the harvested crops in individual containers. These harvesting support vehicles may be self propelled or pulled by the harvester, and are staffed with personnel who take empty containers and cause them to be filled with the crops being harvested. After the containers are filled, the personnel stack the filled containers onto pallets which are then moved to a pallet storage area at the back of the harvesting support vehicle for later unloading at a processing location. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The following is a brief description of the drawings:

[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 are partially diagrammatic pictorial views of a harvesting apparatus, which is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a partially diagrammatic side elevational view of a portion of the harvesting apparatus of FIG. 1 , illustrating the conveying of the extracted plants upwardly onto the harvester of FIG. 1 and illustrating a pneumatic reorienting and discharging mechanism;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a partially diagrammatic view of a separator of the harvester of FIG. 1 ;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the separator of FIG. 4 taken substantially on line 5-5;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic pictorial enlarged view of the conveyors of the harvester of FIG. 1 ;

[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged pictorial diagrammatic view of one pair of pinch conveyors of the conveyors of FIG. 6;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the separator of FIG. 4;

[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged pictorial diagrammatic view of the separator of FIG. 4, illustrating it in a closed position;

[0015] FIG. 10 is an enlarged diagrammatic pictorial view of the separator of FIG. 4, similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the separator in its opened position;

[0016] FIGS. 11-15 are diagrammatic views of another harvester which is constructed according to another embodiment of the invention; [0017] FIG. 16 is a partially diagrammatic side elevational view of another harvester, which is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary pictorial partially diagrammatic view of the harvester of FIG. 16, illustrating a foam conveyor assembly and a rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism.

[0019] FIG. 18 is an enlarged pictorial diagrammatic view of the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism of FIG. 17;

[0020] FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the reorienting and discharging mechanism of FIG. 17;

[0021] FIG. 20 is a side elevational diagrammatic view of the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism of FIG. 17, illustrating it in the process of operation;

[0022] FIG. 21 is an enlarged pictorial diagrammatic view of the harvesting apparatus in FIG. 16, illustrating a flexible disc of the reorienting and discharging mechanism;

[0023] FIG. 22 is a pictorial view of a harvesting support vehicle, which is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and which illustrates the right side, rear and top thereof;

[0024] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 22;

[0025] FIG. 24 is a pictorial view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 22 illustrating the left side, rear and top thereof;

[0026] FIG. 25 is a reduced-scale side elevational view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 22 illustrating it with the addition of an overhead cover or awning;

[0027] FIG. 26 is a pictorial view of a harvesting support vehicle which is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, and which illustrates the right side, front and top thereof; [0028] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 26;

[0029] FIG. 28 is a pictorial view of a harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 26, illustrating the left side, front and top thereof;

[0030] FIG. 29 is an enlarged scale pictorial view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 26, illustrating the on-board container stacking apparatus in operation;

[0031] FIG.30 is a pictorial view of a container stacker apparatus of a harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 26, illustrating the stacking apparatus is a further stage of operation; and

[0032] FIG. 31 is a pictorial view of the harvesting support vehicle of FIG. 26, similar to FIG. 28 but from a different perspective.

Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments of the Invention

[0033] The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for harvesting plants from the soil, including the extracting of the plants from the soil and placing them in containers such as totes. In order to deposit the harvested plants in the containers, the plants are re-oriented into generally horizontal dispositions and positioned within the containers.

[0034] According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for harvesting plants from the soil. In one disclosed embodiment, the harvesting includes reorienting and discharging the extracted plants into containers or totes via at least one pneumatic driven reorienting and discharging mechanism that includes a product transfer tube and a product separator. In another disclosed embodiment, the harvesting includes reorienting and discharging the extracted plants into containers or totes via at least one rotating reorientation and discharging mechanism that includes two rotating discs employing spreader rollers and pinch rollers for receiving the plants and re-orienting the received plants to deposit them into the containers.

[0035] Another method and apparatus as disclosed relate to a harvested crop loading apparatus and method for loading individual containers on vehicle means with harvested crops such as green onions, spinach, baby leaf vegetables, and other. The method and apparatus includes multiple stations including a receiving station, a loading station, and a stacking station on the vehicle means. A conveyor system interconnects at least certain ones of the stations, such as the receiving station, the loading station and the stacking station to translate the containers disposed along at least one predetermined path of travel on the vehicle means.

[0036] According to one disclosed embodiment of the invention, a method of continually loading harvested crops into individual containers on a harvesting support vehicle means is provided. The method includes continually translating seriatim denested empty containers arranged in a series along a predetermined path of travel on the vehicle means to a loading station on the vehicle means. The method further includes continually loading containers with the harvested crops at the loading station and continually translating the loaded seriatim containers from the loading station to a stacking station on the harvesting support vehicle means along the predetermined path of travel where the loaded containers are continually stacked seriatim onto the harvesting support vehicle means.

[0037] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a harvester 10, which is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and which is used to harvest plants from a soil bed 12 having a series of spaced-apart seed rows such as the seed row 14. The harvester 10 is able to harvest substantially all or part of the seed rows of the bed 12 in one or more swaths. The food products such as a green onion 16 (FIG. 3) is removed from the soil bed 12 by means of a plant extractor 18 including a digger 68 and then directed via an infeed guide mechanism generally indicated at 67 and 72 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7.

[0038] A pair of transversely staggered pinch belt conveyor assemblies 21 and 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each have four conveyors to transport the extracted plants such as the green onion 16 upwardly at an angle of approximately 35 degrees from the horizontal away from the 8 but not limited to seed lines of the seed bed 12. A pneumatic reorienting and discharging mechanism generally indicated at 28 includes a pneumatic product transfer tube such as the pneumatic product transfer tube 23 (FIG. 3) that receives the extracted onions from the conveyors such as the conveyor 21. A product separator such as product separator 25 that is also part of the reorienting and discharging mechanism 28 receives the onions such as the onion 16 (FIG. 3) via the transfer tube 23. The onions are ejected into the interior of a housing 26 of the separator 25 to abruptly stop when hitting a wall 27 (FIG. 4) of the housing 26. Separator 25 may also receive onions from other pneumatic product transfer tubes such as the pneumatic product transfer tube 24 that receives the extracted onions from other conveyors. Multiple separators such as separators 270, 272, 274 (FIG. 1) may also receive onions from other pneumatic product transfer tubes.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, the separator 25 includes a V-shaped drop gate generally indicated at 29 to drop accumulations of the onions into the tote 32. Once the tote such as the tote 32 (FIG. 1) is filled, it is removed from under the separator 25 and an empty tote is then placed under the separator 25. The V- shaped drop gate 29 includes a pair of gates 34 and 36 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. A piston cylinder assembly 38 controls the movement of the gates 34 and 36 so that they can be opened as shown in FIG. 10 to drop an accumulation of the onions into the tote 32. Thus, the reorienting and discharging mechanism 28 containing both the pneumatic product transfer tube 23 and the separator 25 combinationally function to take vertically disposed onions, such as onion 16, and reorient and discharge the onion from the conveyor 21 into a horizontal disposition suitable for stacking in a container or tote 32

[0040] Considering now the harvester 10 in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the harvester 10 includes a platform or bed 41, which is mounted on a set of 4 wheels such as a wheel 43. A diesel engine 45 is mounted on the front of the platform 41 and drives the wheels such as the wheel 43 to move along the ground. The wheels are spaced apart to enable the platform 41 to move above the soil bed 12 so that all of the seed rows such as the seed row 14 can be harvested in one or more passes. [0041] A vertical frame 46 is adjustably mounted on the front end of the platform 41 and includes a horizontally-disposed power band saw 47 to sever the tops of the stalks of the onions prior to harvesting. A trash conveyor 49 is mounted on the frame 46 above the band saw 47 to remove the severed portions of the onions to discharge them into furrows (not shown). A piston cylinder assembly 52 positionally adjusts the frame 46 vertically to adjust the height of the topping of the onions.

[0042] Fuel and hydraulic oil tanks 54 and 56 are mounted on the outboard sides extending a substantial length of the platform 41 as best seen in FIG. 2. A pair of fans 57 and 58 are mounted on the front end of the platform 41 flanking the diesel engine 45 to provide negative air pressure for a pair of negative air pressure plenums 61 and 62, for providing for the air return from pairs of return air vacuum tubes such as a pair of tubes 63 and 65, for the separators such as the separator 25. Thus, the fans 57 and 58 provide the negative pressure for each one of the separators and are driven by the engine 45.

[0043] Considering the infeed guide mechanisms such as the mechanism 18, the guide mechanisms are all similar to one another, and the mechanism 67 and 72 will now be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the mechanisms 67 or 72 includes a pair of pointed tips such as the tip 67 for helping to guide the dislodged onions. A trailing shoe 69 is connected to the tip 67 to skid along the surface of the ground. A pair of inlet feed guides such as an inlet feed guide 72 (FIG. 6) helps guide the extracted onions to engage the pinch belt conveyor 21. In this regard, should the dislodged onion lean either to the right or the left, one of the pair of guides will receive the onion and help to guide it into an upright position to then engage the pinch conveyor.

[0044] The conveyor 21 includes a pair of foam conveyor belts 74 and 76 (FIG. 7) for engaging the stalks of these extracted onions to convey them upwardly from the bed 12.

[0045] Considering now the product transfer tubes in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3, the transfer tubes are all similar to one another, and thus, only the tube 23 will now be described in greater detail. The tube 23 forms part of the pneumatic reorientation and discharges device 24 and includes a flared entrance 78 to receive the extracted onions dropping from the upper end of the conveyor belts 74 and 76. The negative air pressure within the tubes such as the tube 23, draws the onions into a fast moving airstream directing them into the interior of the separator 25.

[0046] The tube 23 includes a descending vertical tube portion 80 extending from the flared entrance 78 and interconnecting in fluid communication with a 90 degree tube transition portion 81. A horizontal tube portion 83 connects in fluid communication the transition portion 81 to a 90 degree tube transition portion 85, which is connected in fluid communication with a vertical ascending tube portion 87. The tube portion 87 conveys the dislodged onions vertically upwardly to the separator 25.

[0047] As best seen in FIG. 4, a 90 degree tube transition portion 89 is connected in fluid communication with the upper end of the vertical ascending tube portion 87 and with a horizontal exit stub tube portion 92, which is connected in fluid communication with the interior of the separator housing 26.

[0048] The transfer tubes 23 and 24 as best seen in FIG. 5 are connected in fluid communication with a pair of inverted diverging flared housing portions 94 and 96 at the upper portion of the housing 26 to drop the onions delivered by the transfer tubes 23 and 24. A pair of baffles 98 and 101 help direct the falling onions into a diverging funnel shaped portion 103 of the housing 26 to direct the onions into a cylindrical portion 105 of the housing 26. A set of rotating seal vanes 107 are mounted within the cylindrical housing portion 105 to provide an air lock to permit the falling onions to enter the V-shaped drop gate 29. A motive means 109 such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor is used to rotate the vanes 107.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 11-15, there is shown another harvester 121 , which is constructed according to another embodiment of the invention. The harvester 121 is generally similar to the harvester 10, except that a set of vacuum plenums such as a vacuum plenum 123 having a sealed discharge conveyor belt 125 is used. [0050] It is to be understood that other means of creating the suction for transferring the food products may also be employed. For example, a compressed air injector system, such as the one marketed under the trade name Line Vac by Exair, may also be used.

[0051] According to still another one of the disclosed embodiments of the invention and with reference to FIG. 16, a tractor pulled harvester 130 is shown which includes a harvester 134 attached to a tractor 132 or other such vehicle such as a truck. It should also be understood that the harvester 130 may also be self propelled. The tractor 132 functions to pull the harvester 134 over a soil bed 136. The soil bed 136 is similar to the soil bed 12 discussed hereinabove and has a series of spaced-apart rows, such as row 139. The soil bed 136 may contain a variety of different plants for harvesting, and such plants may include green onions such as the green onion 138.

[0052] The plants disposed in a row such as the row 139 are removed from the soil bed 136 by means of a plant extractor shown generally at 140. The plant extractor 140 includes a digger that is similar to the digger 68 shown in FIG. 3 and includes an infeed guide mechanism similar to the guide mechanism generally indicated at 67 and 72 as shown in FIGS 3, 6 and 7 discussed hereinabove.

[0053] A pinch belt conveyor assembly shown generally at 144 transports the extracted plants such as the green onion 238 from the plant extractor 140 upwardly at an angle of approximately 35 degrees from the horizontal away from the seed bed 136. A rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism generally indicated at 146, receives the extracted onions from the exit end of the pinch belt convey assembly 144. The rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 functions to reorient the onions disposed in a substantially vertical disposition such as an onion 239 to a substantially horizontal disposition such as an onion 248. The rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 further includes the function of discharging the horizontally disposed onions such as the onion 148 to a collection location 150 which may, for example, be a container, tote or other. [0054] The harvester 130 is able to harvest substantially all of the seed rows of the soil bed 136 in one swath or a multiple number thereof, by including a plurality of angularly disposed mechanisms (not shown) arranged side-by-side. Each mechanism could include a plant extractor, a pinch belt conveyor assembly, and a rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism, each having a similar structure and function as the others previously described herein.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, the reorienting and discharging mechanism generally includes a pair of flexible discs 156 and 158 are rotatably mounted in axial alignment to one another about a common generally horizontal axis. The flexible discs are further mounted on an axle 174 journaled for rotation between a gear box 170 and a bearing assembly 178. Each flexible disc may be composed of a suitable flexible material, such as polyurethane or other, that has a substantially perfect memory, meaning that when deformed under pressure, the disc returns to its unstressed disc shape when the pressure is removed. Each disc has an inner surface and an outer surface. Specifically, the disc 156 has outer surface 260 composed of the flexible material as best shown in FIG. 18, and an inner surface 161 composed of a soft spongy material such as a suitable foam material, as best shown in FIG. 19. The disc 158 has an inner surface 262 as best shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and an outer surface (not shown), which may be similar to the outer surface 260.

[0056] The reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 includes a pair of pinch rollers generally indicated at 216 and comprising rollers 184 and 186 (FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20) disposed at or near the uppermost portions of the discs 156 and 158 as best seen in FIG. 20. They urge the peripheries of the discs 156 and 158 toward one another to enable the onions to be received and grasped therebetween in a generally vertical disposition from the conveyor 144 seriatim. The speed of rotation of the discs 156 and 158 is coordinated with the speed of the conveyor 144 so that the individual onions are discharged from the conveyor 144 and are received individually between the pinched together rotating discs in a substantially continuous operation. [0057] The mechanism 146 including the discs 156 and 158 together with the pinch rollers 216 serve as a reorienting device, since the onions are received in a generally vertical disposition and are angularly translated through about 90 degrees to a generally horizontal disposition. In order to serve as a discharge device, a pair of spreader rollers 218 may be disposed between the discs 156 and 158 at the underside thereof at about 230 degrees in a clockwise direction from the pinch rollers 216 as viewed in FIG. 20, and may cooperate with the discs to help insure that the rotating disc separate sufficiently to discharge the onions as they become generally horizontally disposed to fall into the container 150.

[0058] The rotating discs 156 and 158 thus wobble as they rotate. They are urged together at the upper portions thereof to receive and grasp the onions discharged from the conveyor 144 through about a segment of about 90 degrees, and then snap back toward their unstressed shape with the assistance of the spreader rollers 218. Once spread apart, they are able to receive the onions and then grasp them as the pinch rollers force the upper periphery of the discs 156 and 158 together.

[0059] The discs 156 and 158 are fixed facing one another in axial alignment on the axle 174 (FIG. 19). The two discs 156 and 158 are spaced slightly apart from one another when not deformed. When the discs are unstressed, the soft spongy inner surfaces 261 and 262 face each other. The flexible discs 156 and 158 are driven into rotation with the axle 174 via the gear box 170. A motive means 164 drives the axle 174 to rotate in the direction shown by arrow 232 (FIG. 18) via the gear box 170 and a coupling 172 to, in turn, drive the flexible discs 156 and 158 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 232 (FIG. 18). A hub 176 secures the two discs to the axle 174.

[0060] Considering now the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 in more detail and in reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 includes a mounting beam 163, and mounting brackets 160 and 162 fixed to the beam 163 to help form a frame for the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146. A set of mounting brackets 180 and 182 are connected to the beam 163 for mounting on the pinch belt conveyor assembly 144 near its upper exit end and serve to secure the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 in rigid positional alignment with the exit end below the pinch belt conveyor assembly 144.

[0061] Attached to the mounting bracket 162 is the gear box 170. The motive means 164 is drivingly coupled to the gear box 170 through the coupling 172. The motive means 164 may be any source of rotational power such as an electric motor, hydraulic motor, an engine, or other. The axle 174 is connected to the gear box 170 disposed at about ninety degrees from the input 164 for driving the discs 156 and 158.

[0062] As best shown in FIG. 19, the bearing assembly 178 is mounted to the mounting bracket 160. The assembly 178 is disposed in axial alignment with the output of the gear box 170.

[0063] As best seen in FIG. 18, the pinch rollers 184 and 186 may be rigidly mounted by angle brackets 196 and 188, respectively.

[0064] The pinch rollers 184 and 186 are rotatably mounted to the angle brackets through a pair of bearings 198 and 190 and a pair of mounting bolts 200 and 194 to provide a low friction pinch roller system. In order to mount the angle brackets to hold the pinch rollers in place, a pair of mounting plates 202 and 192 are vertically and fixedly mounted to mounting brackets 162 and 160, respectively. Angle brackets 196 and 188 may be fixedly and adjustably mounted to mounting plates 202 and 192, respectively.

[0065] As best seen in FIG. 19, a pair of spreader rollers 218, comprising spreader rollers 204 and 206, are angularly disposed and rotatably engaging the inner surfaces 261 and 262 of each flexible disk 156 and 158, respectively, to spread apart the discs as they rotate. Spreader rollers 204 and 206 are preferably disposed near the outer circumference or periphery of each flexible disc and journaled for rotation on shafts 208 and 210 fixed to mounting plates 212 and 214, respectively. The spreader rollers 204 and 206 are supported by the beam 163. Roller shafts 208 and 210 are mounted to the mounting plates 212 and 214, respectively, for positioning the rollers in engagement with the inner surfaces 161 and 262 of the flexible rotating discs 156 and 158.

[0066] In order to drop the plants in a generally horizontal disposition, the spreader rollers 204 and 206 serve to deform the flexible discs in an outward direction at the bottom portion of the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146 to release the plants and permit them to drop under the force of gravity. As the flexible discs are deformed outwardly, they help form a discharging device for discharging and dropping the horizontally disposed plants that were reoriented by the reorienting device.

[0067] With reference to FIGS. 18, 19, and 20, when motive means 164 begins to rotate the flexible discs 156 and 158, in the direction shown by arrow 232, the pinch rollers 184 and 186 engage the outer surfaces of each disc driven to rotate in the directions shown by arrows 264 and 266, respectively. Spreader rollers 204 and 206 (FIG. 19) rotatably engaging the inner surfaces of each disc are also driven to rotate by the rotational motion of the flexible discs 156 and 158.

[0068] In operation as best seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, green onions, such as onion 234 are transported angularly upwardly by the pinch belt conveyor assembly 144 seriatim. As the onions reach the top of the conveyor 144, such as onion 236, the pinch belt conveyor assembly 144 propels the onions, such as onion 236 (FIG. 20), into the rotating reorienting and discharging mechanism 146. The mechanism 146 receives each green onion seriatim. As the onions, such as onion 238 enter the mechanism 146, the substantially vertically disposed onion is gripped between the two flexible discs 156 and 158 near the top thereof.

[0069] The mechanism 146 reorients the onions from a generally vertical disposition to a generally horizontal disposition through the rotation of the discs 156 and 158. For example, an onion 240 is gripped by the discs at the top parts thereof shortly after the mechanism 146 received the onion discharged from the conveyor assembly 144. As the discs continue to rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow 232 of FIG. 20, the onion continues to be translated angularly by the rotation of the discs, gripped therebetween, to a generally horizontal disposition where it is discharged from the mechanism 146.

[0070] At the point where onion is being discharged from the mechanism 146, the flexible discs begin to diverge from each other for causing the onions to begin to be released from the discs and fall from the mechanism 146.

[0071] As best shown in FIG. 20, collection location 150 is positioned to receive the discharged onions such as the onions 248, 250, and 148. Collection location 150 receives the plurality of onions being discharged from the discharging device 168 and compiles a pile of onions 252 for further processing.

[0072] Considering the flexible discs in greater detail with reference to FIG. 21 , the two flexible discs 156 and 158 are similar to each other, and thus, only the flexible disc 158 will now be described in greater detail. A spongy substance in the shape of a ring may be deposited or laminated on the outer surface 222 to form the spongy inner surface 220 of the disc 158 to form a composite. The inner surface 220 has the proper frictional properties to grip the plants while not damaging them.

[0073] The outer surface area 222 may be formed of a suitable flexible material such as polyurethane, having a perfect or substantially perfect memory. The properties of the material such as polyurethane permit the disc to be deformed when pressure is applied by pinch rollers 184 and 186 and spreader rollers 204 and 206. As pressure is released from the rollers, the material such as polyurethane enables the disc to spring back to its non-deformed disposition, and thus wobble back and forth as it rotates.

[0074] Flexible disc 158 further includes a central bore 226 sized to receive the hub 176. Flexible disc 158 additionally includes a plurality of hub mounting holes, such as mounting hole 224, are radially disposed around the bore 226. [0075] Referring to FIG. 22, there is shown a harvesting support vehicle 10A for a harvester 12A which may be similar to the one disclosed in U.S. patent 3,989,110. The harvester 12A is adapted to rapidly harvest a row of crops, such as green onions, spinach, baby leaf vegetables and other. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the support vehicle may also be self propelled, or may form a part of the harvester itself. Thus, when the term "vehicle means" is used herein, it refers either to a separate support vehicle which is either pulled or is self propelled, or to a single vehicle which serves both as a harvester and as a means of transporting containers.

[0076] According to the disclosed example, the harvesting support vehicle 10A may be self propelled and adapted to follow the harvester 12A. The vehicle 10A may be capable of loading crops harvested at a high speed from harvester 12A into a plurality of containers.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the harvester support vehicle 10A may be coupled to the harvester 12A through a hitch 41 A or other vehicle connection apparatus. The harvester support vehicle 10A may also include an empty container storage device 40A for storing nested empty containers 45A.

[0078] The harvesting support vehicle 10A includes a receiving station shown generally indicated at 15A. In operation, the receiving station 15A continually receives seriatim individual denested empty containers such as a container 60A, along a pre-determined path of travel on a continuous longitudinal conveyor system 16A (FIG. 2) disposed (not shown) on the harvester support vehicle 10A forwardly to a loading station 20A on the rear of the harvester 12A via a transverse conveyor system 19A (see FIG. 2) on the vehicle 10A.

[0079] In this regard, empty open top containers are denested manually or by means (not shown), and translated manually or by conveyor means (not shown), to the conveyor system 16A at the receiving station 15A. The conveyor system 16A, as well as the conveyor system 19A, may be a belt system, a roller system, a chain system or other. [0080] With reference to FIG. 23, in operation at the loading station 20A, harvested crops are continually loaded into containers such as a container 70A moving past the station 20A, as hereinafter described in greater detail. The loaded containers, such as a container 75A, are then continually translated seriatim from the loading station 20A to a stacking station 25A on the harvester support vehicle means 10A along the predetermined path of travel to a longitudinal continuous conveyor system 21 A, which may be similar to the conveyors 16A and 19A. It should be understood that the containers may be translated between conveyors 16A and 19A, and between the conveyors 19A and 21 A either manually or by means (not shown).

[0081] With reference to FIG. 24, in operations at the stacking station 25A filled containers such as container 27A, are continually stacked, thereby creating a stack of loaded containers as indicated at 90A. The stacks of loaded containers, such as the stack 90A, are then translated to a pallet loading station 30A where the stacks of loaded containers are then translated onto a pallet such as pallet 95A either manually or by means (not shown).

[0082] With reference to FIG. 22, on board the harvesting support vehicle 10A, the empty container storage device 40A may include an empty container conveyor 42A for translating longitudinally forwardly, along a predetermined path of travel, a plurality of stacks of nested empty containers such as a stack of nested empty containers 45A. The conveyor 42A may be similar to the conveyors 16A, 19A and 21 A. The stacks of nested empty containers may be placed on the empty container conveyor 42A of the device 40A through an automatic system (not shown) or by a human worker (not shown). The empty container conveyor 42A then translates the stack of nested empty containers to the receiving station 15A.

[0083] Considering now the receiving station in more detail and with reference to FIG. 22, a denesting station 55A may be provided at the entrance to the receiving station 15A and where empty nested containers are denested from a stack, such as the stack of empty containers 50A, received from the empty container conveyor 42A. At the denesting station 55A, empty containers are continually denested and the empty containers such as denested empty containers 60A and 62A are placed on the conveyor system 16A at the station 15A. The denested containers 60A and 62A are then continually translated seriatim and are arranged in a series along a predetermined path of travel on the continuous conveyor system 16A on the harvester support vehicle 10A for travel to the loading station 20A. The denesting of the stacks of empty containers can either be accomplished manually or by means (not shown).

[0084] Considering the loading station 20A in more detail and with reference to FIG. 23 thereof, open top empty denested containers such as container 70A that have been translated from the receiving station 15A pass underneath a crop discharge device shown generally at 28A of the harvester 12A which may be similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,989,110. The crop discharge device 28A dispenses freshly harvested crops seriatim from the harvester 12A and dispenses the harvested crops (not shown) into the containers such as container 75A as it moves transversely in the direction of the arrow past the discharge end of the device 28A. The crops are generally dispensed into the containers at a high rate of speed.

[0085] The filled container 75A continues to travel over a predetermined path on the continuing conveyor system 19A to a translation station 85A where a loaded container such as container 80A containing crops is translated to the stacking station shown generally at 25A. The translation station 85A may either be a mechanical system or means (not shown), or include personnel who that perform the translation operation manually.

[0086] Considering now the stacking station 25A in more detail with reference to FIG. 24 thereof, the stacking station 25A receives loaded containers such as denested loaded container 27A where they are stacked to form a stack of loaded containers such as the stack 90A. Stacks of loaded containers may include a predetermined number such, for example, as seven containers. Stacks of loaded containers are then translated along a predetermined path via the conveyor system 21 A to a pallet loading station shown generally at 30A where stacks of loaded containers such as stack 90A are staged to be loaded onto an empty pallet such as a pallet 95A (see FIGS. 23 and 24). [0087] After the pallet 95A is filled with stacked loaded containers such as the stack 90A, a full pallet 100A of stacks of loaded containers, as shown generally at 105A, is placed onto a pallet and container storage conveyor system 35A. The conveyor 35A may be similar to the conveyors 16A, 19A, 21A and 42A, and it is presently contemplated to be a pair of chain drives 36A and 37A. The full pallet 100A containing a plurality of stacks of loaded containers 105A, is then translated rearwardly via a pallet and container conveyor system 35A in the direction shown by the arrow 110A in FIG. 24.

[0088] After the pallet and container storage area 35A is filled with full pallets of filled containers, the harvester support vehicle may then be separated from the harvester 12A, and then transferred to a crop processing location (not shown) under its own power or pulled by a tractor or other vehicle (not shown).

[0089] In the disclosed embodiment, the harvester support vehicle 10A may be releaseably attached to a the harvester 12A at 41A (FIG. 25). In this embodiment, the harvester support vehicle 10A may be self propelled, such as by an engine 38A (FIG. 25) and, thus, continually attempting to push the harvester 12A to move forwardly when the harvester is traveling forwardly during a harvesting operation.

[0090] After the support vehicle 10A is removed, it may then be replaced by another like support vehicle (not shown) and coupled to the harvester 12A or the harvester support vehicle means 10A.

[0091] With reference to FIG. 25, the harvester support vehicle 10A is configured for storage of empty pallets as indicated at 125A and stacks of empty nested containers such as stacks 120A, 130A, 135A and 140A. The configuration as shown in FIG. 25 is representative of a configuration before a harvesting operation is to commence.

[0092] In preparation for a harvesting operation, empty pallets 125A are translated to pallets staging area 145A as best shown in FIG. 23. The stacks of nested empty containers such as stacks 120A, 130A, 135A and 140A are then positioned on the conveyor 42A (FIG. 23). As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the empty container storage device 40A may be elevated to facilitate a later denesting operation. Also, the device 40A may extend longitudinally on the right side of the vehicle 10A, and a second such device may be disposed on the left side of the vehicle in the area 43A indicated in FIG. 23 in broken lines. Also, as shown in FIG. 25, a covering or awning 44A may be provided on the vehicle 10A.

[0093] In another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 26, there is disclosed a harvesting support vehicle 500A which is adapted to be removably coupled to a harvester 512A for harvesting crops, such as green onions or others. The harvesting support vehicle 500A includes a receiving station shown generally at 515A for continually receiving stacks of empty nested containers such as a stack 520A. The harvester support vehicle 500A is similar to the vehicle 10A, but includes added mechanisms to facilitate the operation.

[0094] With reference to FIG. 27, denested empty containers such as a denested empty container 525A are translated one at a time from the receiving station 515A continually to a transverse conveyor system 590A. the conveyor system 590A may be similar to the conveyor systems of FIGS. 22-25, and convey the containers to a loading station 530A along a pre-determined path of travel. As denested empty containers, such denested empty container 525A, traverse the loading station 530A, the denested empty containers are filled with harvested crops dispensed by a crop dispensing units, such as dispensing unit 531 A (FIG. 28) of the harvester 512A.

[0095] After the empty containers are filled with harvested crops, the containers filled with harvested crops such as a filled container 532A are continually translated seriatim from the loading station 530A rearwardly to a translation station 535A. The translation station 535A receives filled containers such as the filled container 532A, which are then translated to a container stacking apparatus 540A by moving transversely through a "U" turn translation operation. The "U" turn translation may be performed using a mechanical apparatus (not shown) or through a manual process utilizing human operators.

[0096] With reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, the container stacking apparatus 540A continually receives seriatim filled containers such as filled container 540A and stacks the filled containers on top of one another until a pre-determined amount of filled containers are stacked. Typically, there may be eight filled containers forming a stack such as filled container stacks 545A and 550A (FIG. 26).

[0097] Filled container stacks such as filled container stacks 545A and 550A are stored in a filled container stack staging area 555A as best shown in FIG. 27. After a sufficient quantity of filled container stacks are staged in the staging area 555A, the filled container stacks such as stacks 545A and 550A are translated to an empty pallet such as pallet 560A, either using a conveyor (not shown) or by other suitable techniques such as manually. After the pallet 560A is filled with filled container stacks, the pallet is translated to the pallet and container storage area 570A of the harvester support vehicle 500A.

[0098] After the pallet and container storage area 570A is filled with a plurality of pallets each containing a plurality of filled container stacks, the harvester support vehicle 500A may be disconnected from the harvester 512A and transported to a food processing plant or other location for subsequent processing (not shown) either under its own power or pulled by a tractor. In this disclosed embodiment, the container stacking apparatus 540A and the loading station 530A are disposed on the harvester 512A, but it is to be understood that these components may also be disposed on the support vehicle 500A.

[0099] Considering now the receiving station 515A, in more detail and in reference to FIG. 26, the vehicle 500A carries a plurality of nested empty container stacks such as nested empty containers 575A and 576A. The containers are designed so that when they are empty they nest within one another thereby reducing the overall amount of space required for transportation. The containers may be conventional and contain a nesting and stacking feature such as when the containers are rotated 180 degrees about their vertical axis relative to another like container placed either above or below it, the containers will not nest but rather stack on top of each other such that when the containers are filled with crops, the containers may stack on top of one another without crushing the crops stored therein.

[00100] The nested empty container stacks such as the stacks 575A and 576A, are disposed on the pallet and container storage are in alternating orientations of 180 degrees. For example, stack 575A may have an orientation about its vertical axis of zero degrees and stack 576A may have an orientation of 180 degrees about its vertical axis relative to the stack 575A. In this configuration, as containers are denested as discussed below, adjacent containers will alternate in orientation so that they may be easily stacked and will not nest after being filled with crops.

[00101] In operation, the nested empty container stacks such as nested empty container stack 576A may be translated two stacks at a time to the receiving station 515A via a walking beam 580A. After the pair of stacks of the nested empty containers are translated to the receiving station 515A they are then individually denested by means of a denesting apparatus 585A. Denesting apparatus such as a denester bracket 587A may include a mechanical system to denest individual containers or may include a manual worker to denest the containers.

[00102] The denesting apparatus 515A may receive two stacks of nested empty containers, each stack having an opposite orientation about its vertical axis as described hereinbefore. The individual containers are denested one at a time from the bottom of the stacks. They are denested by alternating between the two stacks of orientation such that adjacent denested containers exiting the denesting apparatus alternate in orientation by 180 degrees to facilitate the subsequent stacking operation.

[00103] After individual containers are denested, a plurality of denested empty containers, such as denested empty container 525A, are continually translated seriatim via the transverse container conveyor 590A.

[00104] Considering now the loading station 530A in more detail and in reference to FIG. 28, loading station 530A is disposed on board the harvester 512A adjacent to the crop dispensing unit such as unit 531 A of the harvester 512A. The crop dispensing units continually dispense crops seriatim onto a transverse crop conveyor 595A which may be in the form of a continuous loop conveyor belt disposed above the transverse container conveyor 590A. The transverse crop conveyor 595A includes an origin end 597A (FIG. 26) and a termination end 596A (FIG. 27). Thus, crops dispensed onto the transverse crop conveyor 595A travel from the origin end 597A to the termination end 596A, and then fall therefrom into the open top containers on the lower conveyor 590A in an orderly manner.

[00105] In operation, crops dispensed by the crop dispensing unit 531 A are disposed onto the upper transverse crop conveyor 595A and translated across the loading station 530A by the transverse crop conveyor 595A. Simultaneously, a plurality of denested empty containers having open tops such as denested empty container 527A pass underneath the transverse crop conveyor 595A on the continuous conveyor system 536A. As the crops disposed on the crop conveyor 595A reach the termination end 596A, the crops fall into the open-top denested empty containers passing thereunder such as container 527A. In this fashion, the denested empty containers are filled such as the filled container 532A. The containers are thus filled with crops dispensed by the crop dispensing units, such as unit 531 A that were freshly harvested by the harvester 512A.

[00106] Considering now the translation station 535A in more detail and with reference to FIG. 28, translation station 535A serves the purpose of receiving filled containers such as filled container 532A and continually translating those containers seriatim to the container stacking apparatus 540A. The translation station 535A may be in the form of a mechanical apparatus for translating the denested filled containers through a "U" shaped translation to the stacking apparatus 540A. Alternatively, the translation of the containers may be performed manually by one or more operators.

[00107] Considering now the container stacking apparatus 540A in more detail and with reference to FIG. 29, the container stacking apparatus continually receives seriatim a plurality of filled containers such as filled container 600A from the translation station 535A (see FIG. 28) and stacks those containers in a container stacking location shown generally at 630A.

[00108] The container stacking apparatus includes a container infeed area shown generally at 605A for receiving filled containers such as filled container 600A. The container stacking apparatus 540A further includes a series of grippers such as gripper 610A and 615A mechanically coupled to and spaced along a chain drive system shown diagrammatically at 650A. The system 650A includes a chain 651 A, which is shown in part in FIG. 31 , and which is configured in a closed loop. It should be understood that, while a chain drive is disclosed, other drives, such, for example, as belt drives, may also be employed. Grippers such as gripper 610A and 615A are generally horizontally opposed so that they may grip both sides of a filled container such as container 600A. The grippers such as gripper 610A and gripper 615A are adapted to grip the lip of a filled container so that the container may be translated upwardly through the container stacking apparatus 540A.

[00109] The apparatus 540A picks up one container after another and lifts them upwardly and then downwardly onto the top of the previous container. The motion of the apparatus is similar to a conventional "Ferris Wheel" amusement ride.

[00110] In operation, filled denested containers travel along a pre-determined path within the container stacking apparatus 540A held by the grippers and moved by the chain drive system 650A. In particular, as a filled denested container 600A enters the container infeed area 605A, it is gripped by grippers 610A and 615A. The grippers that are being moved by the chain drive system 650A serve to raise the filled denested container 600A in an upward direction until it is proximate to the upper end of the frame 542A of the container stacking apparatus 540A. At this point, the filled container such as the container 600A is translated horizontally to the top portion of the container stacking location or station shown generally at 630A which is generally located at least partially within the frame 542A.

[00111] The filled container such as filled denested container 625A is then lowered into the container stacking station 630A such that the filled container 625A is placed seriatim on top of other filled and stacked containers such as 635A, 640A, and 645A that were previously lowered and stacked by the container stacking apparatus 540A. After thus stacking, the container is released.

[00112] When a predetermined quantity of filled containers are stacked vertically in the container stacking location 630A, such as eight, the stack of containers may be removed from the container stacking location 630A so that another stack of filled denested containers may be stacked in the container stacking location 630A. The stack of filled containers in the container stacking location 630A is generally removed manually or may otherwise be removed by a mechanical apparatus (not shown). After the stack of filled containers are removed from the container stacking location 630A another stack of filled containers are then stacked in the container stacking location 630A in a continuous operation.

[00113] The container stacking apparatus 540A includes an extendable upright frame or structure 542A, which supports the chain drive and which has the capability of elongating in the vertical direction through a telescoping mechanical apparatus. The telescoping mechanical apparatus is driven by piston cylinder assemblies such as hydraulic cylinders including cylinder 543A (FIGS. 29 and 30). In its elongated disposition, the frame 542A is raised from its retracted position.

[00114] Considering the chain drive system 650A of container stacking apparatus 540A in more detail with reference to FIG. 29, the chain drive system further includes a pair of take up wheels or sprockets 655A and 660A for a closed loop chain. The take up sprockets 655A and 660A are slidably and rotatably mounted to the frame 540A where the take up sprockets may be lowered relative to the extendable frame 542A to provide the dwell time to permit a stack to be discharged.

[00115] In general, the stacking apparatus 540A includes the upright structure 542A for supporting the chain drive system 65θA. The container receiving station and the container stacking station are disposed adjacent to one another at the structure 542A. The chain drive system 650A has the chain 651A configured in the closed loop and the series of container grippers spaced therealong for grasping individual containers at the receiving station to translate containers upwardly from the receiving station seriatim and then downwardly toward the stacking station to position containers one at a time on top of previous containers to form a vertical stack. The moveably mounted take up sprocket coupled to the chain is adapted to move for adjusting the size of the loop of the chain.

[00116] In operation, after a predetermined quantity of containers have been stacked vertically at the stacking station 630A, the take up sprocket moves downwardly to increase the effective size of the closed loop, and the structure substantially simultaneously extends vertically to accommodate the increased size of the chain loop for creating a longer translation path to increase dwell time for providing sufficient time to remove a completed stack of containers disposed at the stacking station from the structure before starting a new stack. Once the stack is removed from the stacking station and in order to return to normal operation, the take up sprockets return to their normal position as the structure retracts to its normal shorter size. Thus, sufficient tension is maintained on the chain 651 A at all times.

[00117] With reference to FIG. 30, it should be understood that the instant harvesting support vehicle means and its related components described heretofore operate in a high speed manner where a row of crops which may be a considerable distance, such as about one-fourth mile long, are harvested in one continuous cycle and where containers are filled and stacked at a high rate of speed according to the apparatus and method of the present invention. In this regard, stacks of filled containers stored in the container stacking location 630A may be quickly removed so that another stack of filled containers may stack in the container stacking location 630A. In order to provide more time for a manual operator or the mechanical apparatus to remove the stacks of filled containers stored in the container stacking location 630A, the instant container stacking apparatus 540A contains a novel feature for increasing the dwell time of the system after the last filled denested container is stacked in the container stacking location 630A so that it may be removed without interfering with a subsequent stacking operation.

[00118] To increase the dwell time between the last filled container to be stacked in the container stacking location 630A and the first container to be placed in the container stacking location 630A for a subsequent stack that is to be created, the take up wheel 655A and 660A begins to descend down the frame of the container stacking apparatus 540A after the last container of the current stack is stacked within the container stacking location 630A.

[00119] When the take up wheels descend the effect is to create slack in the chain 650A (see FIG. 29) which allows the frame 542A to extend upwardly. After the frame extends upwardly additional space may then be traversed by the filled containers such as filled container 670A. Since additional space must be traversed by the subsequent container which is the first container to be stacked in the subsequent stack to be created, additional travel time is necessary which increases dwell time and permits sufficient time for the stack of filled containers in the container stacking location 630A to be removed.

[00120] After the stack of filled denested containers in the container stacking location 630A is removed, the frame 542A is retracted back into its normal operating position and take-up wheels 655A and 660A then return upwardly into their normal operating positions, thereby shortening the dwell time to provide speedy and efficient stacking of the filled containers in the container stacking location 630A. This process continually repeats so long as filled containers are fed into the container stacking apparatus 540A.

[00121] With reference to FIG. 31 , stacks of filled containers such as filled container stacks 545A and 550A are placed either mechanically or through a manual operation onto the stacked filled container staging area 555A. The filled container stacks, such as container stacks 545A and 550A, after being staged in the filled container stack staging area 555A, are then translated to an empty pallet 560A. After a plurality filled container stacks are disposed on the pallet 560A, the pallet is then translated to the pallet and container storage device 570A.

[00122] The pallet and container storage device 570A is designed to receive a plurality of pallets each containing a plurality of filled container stacks as described for the previous embodiment heretofore. The pallet and container storage device 570A of the first or second embodiment may contain an awning or overhead covering 665A for shading purposes.

[00123] After the vehicle 500A is filled with a plurality of pallets each containing a plurality of filled container stacks, the vehicle 500A may be disconnected from the harvester 512A and driven or otherwise pulled to a crop processing area (not shown) and another support vehicle attached thereto containing empty pallets and containers for subsequent filling. [00124] In another embodiment of the present invention the complete vehicle means having the pallet and container storage 570A attached thereto may be disconnected from the harvester 512A and driven under its own power to a location to further process the crops (not shown).

[00125] While the present embodiments of the invention is disclosed herein have been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for harvesting plants extracted from the soil and transported them onto the apparatus in a generally vertical disposition, comprising: a reorienting and discharging mechanism having an input end and an output end; the mechanism includes a first device for reorienting the plants extracted from the soil received in a generally vertical disposition to a generally horizontal disposition and a second device for dropping the horizontally disposed plants to a collection location.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reorienting device includes a pneumatic product transfer tube.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reorienting device includes a product separator.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reorienting device includes a pair of rotating flexible discs.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first device of the reorienting device includes a pair of pinch rollers.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second device of the reorienting device includes a pair of spreader rollers.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plants are green onions.

8. A method for harvesting plants extracted from the soil and transported singly up onto the apparatus in a generally vertical disposition, comprising: reorienting the plants extracted from the soil from an approximate vertical disposition to an approximate horizontal disposition; and dropping the horizontally disposed plants to a collection location.

9. An apparatus for harvesting plants extracted from the soil and transported them onto the apparatus in a generally vertical disposition, comprising: means for reorienting the plants extracted from the soil from a generally vertical disposition to a generally horizontal disposition; and means for dropping the horizontally disposed plants to a collection location.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for reorienting includes a pneumatic product transfer tube having an input end and an output end; a mounting bracket attached to the tube; and a pump for creating a vacuum in the tube.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for dropping includes a product separator having a housing and an interior section formed therein, the interior section being in fluid communication with the output end of the tube.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the product separator further includes a drop gate.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the product separator further includes a sealed discharge conveyor belt.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , further including a negative air pressure plenum being in fluid communication to the product separator and a fan in fluid communication to the plenum for creating negative air pressure therein.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for reorienting a pair of flexible discs, the pair of flexible discs having an input portion and an output portion; a mounting bracket attached to the flexible discs; motive means for rotating the flexible discs; and a pair of pinch rollers for urging the discs toward one another along a portion of the periphery thereof.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the flexible discs includes: a first and second discs, each formed of material having a memory, and each disc further having an inner surface and an outer surface; the discs disposed in an axial relationship to each other and the inner surfaces of each disc facing each other; and the pair of pinch rollers disposed in an opposing relationship, the rollers engaging the outer surfaces of the discs.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the inner surface of each disc is comprised of foam.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the outer surface of each disc is composed of polyurethane having an approximate perfect memory.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for dropping includes a pair of spreader rollers at the output portion of the discs.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein: the pair of discs are each formed of material having a memory, and each disc further having an inner surface and an outer surface; the discs are disposed in an opposing axial relationship to each other, the inner surfaces of each disc facing each other; the pair of pinch rollers are disposed in an opposing relationship, the rollers engaging the outer surfaces of the discs; and a pair of spreader rollers disposed in an opposing relationship disposed at least approximately 45 degrees away from the pair of pinch rollers, the rollers engaging the inner surfaces of the disc.

21. A method for harvesting plants extracted from the soil and transported singly up onto the apparatus in a generally vertical disposition, comprising: mounting a pneumatic product transfer tube having an input end and an output end; creating a vacuum within the tube; placing the plants removed from the soil near the input end of the tube causing the plants to be drawn into the input tube and discharged from the output end of the tube.

22. A method as recited in claim 15, further including collecting the plants ejected from the output end of the tube into a product separator.

23. A method as recited in claim 16, further including forming a vacuum within the product separator.

24. A method for harvesting plants removed from the soil by a plant extractor and transported onto a harvesting apparatus in a generally vertical disposition, comprising: reorienting the plants being received in a generally vertical disposition using a first device; and dropping the reoriented plants in a generally horizontal disposition to a collection location.

25. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the reorienting includes placing the plants removed from the soil near the input end of the tube causing the plants to be drawn into the input tube and discharged from the output end of a vacuum tube, and wherein the dropping includes collecting the plants ejected from the output end of the tube into a product separator.

26. A method as recited in claim 19, further including forming a vacuum within the product separator.

27. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the reorienting includes: mounting for rotation a pair of discs having an input portion and an output portion; rotating the pair of discs; pressing the discs toward one another along a portion of the periphery of the discs for gripping the plants.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the dropping includes spreading apart the discs.

29. A method of loading harvested crops into individual containers being transported on vehicle means, comprising: translating seriatim individual ones of the containers arranged in a series along at least one predetermined path of travel on the vehicle means to a loading station on the vehicle means; translating loaded containers from the loading station to a stacking station on the vehicle means along the predetermined path of travel; and translating stacked loaded containers to a storage station on the vehicle means.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, further including loading containers with the harvested crops at the loading station.

31.A method as recited in claim 29, further including storing a plurality of nested empty containers on the vehicle means.

32. A method as recited in claim 31 , further including denesting the nested empty containers.

33. A method as recited in claim 29, further including continuously positioning the stacked loaded containers on the vehicle means.

34. A system for loading harvested crops into individual containers being transported on vehicle means, comprising: means for translating seriatim individual one of the containers arranged in a series along at least one predetermined path of travel on the vehicle means to a loading station on the vehicle means; means for translating loaded containers from the loading station to a stacking station on the vehicle means along the predetermined path of travel; and means for translating loaded containers to a storage station on the vehicle means.

35. A system as recited in claim 34, further including means for loading containers with the harvested crops at the loading station.

36. A system as recited in claim 34, further including storing a plurality of nested empty containers on the vehicle means.

37. A system as recited in claim 36, further including denesting the nested empty containers.

38. A system as recited in claim 34, further including continuously positioning the stacked loaded containers on the vehicle means.

39. A harvesting support vehicle means for loading individual containers with harvested crops, comprising: a receiving station disposed on the vehicle means for receiving empty individual containers; a loading station disposed on the vehicle means for receiving empty nested containers from the receiving station and filling the empty nested containers with the harvested crops, thereby seriatim forming filled containers; a stacking station disposed on the vehicle means for facilitating stacking the filled containers; a continuous conveyor system interconnecting the receiving station, the loading station, and the stacking station; and wherein containers disposed on the continuous conveyor system are translated seriatim along at least one predetermined path of travel on the vehicle means from the receiving station to the loading station, and are translated to the stacking station along a predetermined path of travel.

40. A harvesting support vehicle means as recited in claim 39, wherein the stacking station further includes: an upright structure having an extendible portion; a container receiving station disposed at the structure for receiving containers seriatim; a container stacking station disposed at the structure opposite the container receiving station for assembling and stacking containers received seriatim by the container receiving system; a chain drive disposed within the structure having a chain and a gripper for grabbing and translating containers from the container receiving station seriatim and through the container stacking station; a slidably mounted take up sprocket coupled to the chain of the chain drive system; and wherein, after a predetermined quantity of containers have been stacked within the container stacking station, the take up sprocket moves downwardly and the structure substantially simultaneously extends vertically for creating a larger translation path to increase dwell time in the apparatus for providing sufficient time to remove a stack of containers disposed within the container stacking station from the structure.

41. An object stacking apparatus, comprising: an upright structure having an extendible portion; an object receiving station disposed at the structure for receiving objects seriatim; an object stacking station disposed at the structure opposite the object receiving station for assembling and stacking objects received seriatim from the object receiving system; a chain drive disposed moveably mounted on the structure having a chain configured in a closed loop and a series of spaced apart grippers on the chain for grasping individual objects at the receiving station to translate objects upwardly from the object receiving station seriatim and then downwardly toward the object stacking station to position objects one at a time on top of previous objects to form a vertical stack; a moveably mounted take up sprocket coupled to the chain of the chain drive system; and wherein, after a predetermined quantity of objects have been stacked vertically at the object stacking station, the take up sprocket moves to increase the size of the closed loop and the structure substantially simultaneously extends to accommodate the increased size of the chain loop for creating a longer translation path to increase dwell time for providing sufficient time to remove a completed stack of objects disposed at the object stacking station from the structure before starting a new stack.

42. A harvesting container stacking apparatus as recited in claim 39, further including a walking beam for translating a plurality of empty nested containers to a denesting station.

43. A harvesting container stacking apparatus as recited in claim 42, further including a harvester crop discharge device; a first conveyor for receiving crops seriatim and translating the crops to the harvester crop discharge device; a second conveyor disposed underneath the first conveyor and originating near the denesting station for receiving and conveying containers seriatim from the denesting station and conveying the containers underneath the exit portion of the first conveyor; and wherein the crops travel along the first conveyor seriatim and fall into the containers as the crops traverse the termination end of the first conveyor.