WO2006010220A1

WO2006010220A1 - Produce handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006010220A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Staatz; James Buckel
Original assignee: Bliss Harvesters Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-07-30
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: AU2004203473B1

Abstract

An apparatus for handling produce includes a chassis having a longitudinal axis (46), at least one work station (48, 50) located on the chassis, at least one arm extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (46) of the chassis, an endless loop (40) arranged to travel along a path, the path including a section (42) that runs along the at least one arm and a section (44) that runs generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (46) and a produce carrying means (70) suspended from and hanging downwardly from the endless loop (40) such that the produce is carried below the endless loop (40). The path of the endless loop (40) runs to or past the at least one work station (48, 50).

Description

PRODUCE HANDLING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a produce handling apparatus. In specific embodiments, the present invention relates to an apparatus used in the harvesting of vegetables.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce, are typically grown in rows with only a restricted space between adjacent rows. Harvesting of such vegetable produce typically involves people walking through the fields in front of a harvester to pick the vegetables. The harvester typically has a wheeled body that has a longitudinally extending conveyor. This conveyor is used to move the produce from the front of the wheeled body towards the back of the wheeled body. The wheeled body also holds one or more work stations at which people stand. The people at the work stations remove the items of produce as they pass by the work stations to process and package the items of produce, for example by removing the items of produce from the conveyor and packing the items of produce into bags or boxes.

In order to efficiently move the items of produce from the field onto the longitudinal conveyor, such produce harvesters also have one, or in some instances, two transverse conveyor systems extending from a front part of the longitudinal conveyor. The transverse conveyor systems extend outwardly from the longitudinal conveyor. The transverse conveyors operate such that pickers walking just in front of the harvester pick the produce from the field and place the produce on the transverse conveyors. This causes the produce to be moved inwardly towards the longitudinal conveyor. The transverse conveyors terminate at positions that result in the produce being moved inwardly on the transverse conveyors being deposited by the transverse conveyors onto the longitudinal conveyors.

Known produce harvesters suffer from the disadvantages that transfer of produce from the transverse conveyor(s) to the longitudinal conveyor can result in rougher than desirable handling of the produce, thereby bruising or damaging the produce.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a produce handling apparatus that overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the above disadvantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for handling produce including a chassis having a longitudinal axis, at least one work station located on the chassis, at least one arm extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chassis, an endless loop arranged to travel along a path, said path including a section that runs along the at least one arm and a section that runs generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, said path running to or past the at least one work station, and produce carrying means for carrying items of produce, said produce carrying means travelling with the endless loop.

The apparatus for handling produce in accordance with the present invention is most suitably a vegetable harvesting apparatus.

The apparatus includes a chassis. The chassis may take any desired configuration known to be suitable to the person skilled in the art. The chassis may be made from separate members joined together, for example by bolting or welding. The chassis may, for example, comprise a plurality of chassis rails connected to a plurality of chassis cross members to form a chassis including box sections or triangulated sections for strength. The particular design of the chassis is not crucial to the present invention and thus the present invention encompasses any suitable chassis design.

The chassis suitably enables the apparatus to travel across a field, for example to travel across a field from which vegetables are being picked. The direction of chassis of the apparatus is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis. The chassis most suitably carries at least one axle that supports wheels to facilitate movement of the apparatus. In place of wheels, the apparatus may include any other known devices to enable the apparatus to move, for example, crawler tracks.

The apparatus also includes at least one arm extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The at least one arm preferably extends outwardly from the chassis. The at least one arm is suitably positioned above the ground. In this fashion, when the apparatus is used as a vegetable harvester, the at least one arm moves across the field and is spaced above the field. In this way, the at least one arm does not damage produce growing in the field or lying on the ground. The apparatus may have a single transversely extending arm. Alternatively, the apparatus may have two transversely extending arms, with each arm extending on opposite sides of the apparatus. Indeed, the apparatus may include more than two arms. If more than two arms are included, the arms are preferably arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs of arms, with the arms of each pair extending on opposite sides of the apparatus.

The transversely extending arm or arms may comprise a solid member. Preferably, each arm is made from a number of members joined together, for example, by bolting or welding, hi this embodiment, each arm may be made in accordance with any design known to be suitable to the person skilled in the art. These designs may include arm structures that include box structures or triangulated structures or truss structures. The person skilled in the art would readily understand how to design an appropriate transversely extending arm. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention also includes an endless loop that is arranged to travel along a path. The path preferably moves outwardly along the at least one arm, inwardly along the at least one arm, longitudinally rearwardly along the chassis and longitudinally forwardly along the chassis. The endless loop may comprise any endless loop design known to be suitable to the person skilled in the art. The endless loop is preferably a chain that runs along the path. The endless loop may have appropriate guide means to guide the endless loop along the path. The endless loop may include drive means to drive the endless loop to move along the path. The drive means may comprise a motor, such as an electric motor, a petrol or diesel powered motor, a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor. The drive means may comprise a power take-off connected to a hydraulic drive on a tractor or other tow vehicle.

The produce carrying means may comprise any means for carrying produce. The produce carrying means travels with the endless loop. Most suitably, the produce carrying means is connected to the endless loop, hi one preferred embodiment, the produce carrying means comprises a plurality of cradles for carrying the items of produce. The cradles are preferably suspended from the endless loop. hi another embodiment, the produce carrying means may comprise a plurality of trays carried by the endless loop. The trays may be suspended from the endless loop.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention also includes at least one work station located on the chassis. The at least one work station is suitably arranged such that produce carried to or past the work station by the produce carrying means can be removed therefrom and processed at the work station. The processing may include washing the produce, grading the produce, placing the produce into bags and/or placing the produce into boxes for storage and transport. The one or more workstations may be arranged in any suitable format to enable the desired processing of the produce to take place. The one or more work stations are suitably arranged to accommodate at least one operator per work station. To this end, each work station may be provided with standing room or a seat for the operators. Other features that may be incorporated into the work station include washing means for washing the produce, bag storage means for storing bags used in baying a produce, box erection means and storage means for storing blanks used to make boxes. It will be apparent that the work stations may include a number of other features as well.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for handling produce is used in the harvesting of vegetables from a field, such as broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce. In harvesting such vegetables, a team of pickers walks through the field in which the vegetables are growing. The pickers harvest the vegetables, typically by cutting them from the growing plants. In practice, the pickers walk just in advance of the at least one transversely extending arm of the vegetable harvesting apparatus. The pickers can then place the harvested vegetables into the produce carrying means that are travelling along the at least one transversely extending arm. The picked vegetables in the produce carrying means are then carried past the one or more work stations where the harvested vegetables are processed accordingly (e.g. by washing, grading, bagging or boxing). A particular advantage of the present invention is that the vegetables, once placed in the produce carrying means, remain in those produce carrying means until they reach the workstations. In contrast, in prior art vegetable harvesting apparatus, the harvested vegetables would be placed on a conveyor that moved inwardly towards the machine. At the inner extent of that conveyor, the vegetables would drop off that conveyor onto the conveyor that moved the vegetables rearwardly towards work stations. It was found in practice that damage to the vegetables would occur as the vegetables dropped from the transverse conveyor to the longitudinal conveyor. This damage would often manifest itself in bruising to the vegetables or increased bacterial damage to the vegetables during subsequent storage and transport.

Further advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereunder.

The apparatus of the present invention may be provided with a towing means to enable the apparatus to be towed by a tow vehicle. The towing means may comprise a tow hitch. Alternatively, the apparatus may be self powered and include appropriate drive train and steering mechanisms to enable the apparatus to be driven by an operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a layout of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a produce handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the apparatus of Figure 2 showing details of the transversely extending arm;

Figure 4 is a front view of a guide rail used to guide the endless loop along at least part of the transverse arm shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is an isometric view of the guide rail shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a cradle used to hold produce or products in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows detail of the connecting means used to connect the cradle of Figure 6 to an endless chain. Figure 8 shows the connecting means used in Figure 7 but with details of the cradle removed;

Figure 9 shows the connecting means of Figure 8 apart and in line for assembly to more clearly show how the connecting means is connected to the chain;

Figure 10 shows an isometric view of a guide wheel or driving wheel for use with the endless chain in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows an alternative product support means for use in the present invention;

Figure 12 shows the product support means of Figure 11 with the tray removed therefrom to show details of the tray carrying means; Figure 13 shows a highly schematic top view of one possible layout of the product handling system in accordance with the present invention; and

Figures 14 to 19 show highly schematic top views of further alternative layouts of the product handling system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It will be appreciated that the drawings attached to this specification have been provided for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention should not be considered to be limited to the specific embodiments shown in the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of part of a produce handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In Figure 1, a number of details of the apparatus have been removed for clarity. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a produce handling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of the transverse arm and associated endless loop in accordance with the present invention. In Figure 3, a number of details have been omitted for clarity.

Turning initially to Figure 2, the apparatus 10 shown in Figure 2 is intended for use as a vegetable harvester. The apparatus 10 includes a chassis 12. Chassis 12 may comprise any suitable chassis structure. A chassis may considered to be a frame upon which the rest of the apparatus is supported by or mounted.

The chassis 12 carries an axle 14, which is suspended from the chassis 12 by appropriate suspension components 16. Axle 14 also carries appropriate wheels 18 to enable the apparatus 10 to be moved across a paddock.

The chassis 12 further includes a platform 20. A tow hitch 22 extends from the front of the platform 20. Alternatively, tow hitch 22 may extend from the chassis 12. The tow hitch 22 may be any suitable tow hitch known to the person skilled in the art and need not be described further. A first upstanding post 24 carries a guide wheel 26. A second post 28 carries a guide wheel 30. A transversely extending arm 32 extends transversely from second post 28. Arm 32 carries another guide wheel 34. A further post 36 carries a further guide wheel 38. Figures 1 to 3, between them, show each of the features described above.

The guide wheels 26, 30, 34, 38 guide an endless chain 40 along a path. Path 40 includes a section 42 that travels along the transverse arm 32. The path also includes a section 44 that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 of chassis 12.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, the platform 20 also supports work stations 48 and 50. The work stations 48 and 50 are represented schematically in Figure 2 by seats. At the work station, one or more desired operations may take place. For example, without limiting the generality of the work stations, when the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3 is used as a vegetable harvester, the work stations may be used to grade, wash, bag and/or box the harvested vegetables.

In order to provide appropriate guidance to the endless chain 40, guide rails 52, 54 and 56 are also provided.

As best shown in Figure 3, arm 32 may comprise an arm made from a truss section having an upper chord 58, a lower chord 60 and intermediate truss webs 62. In this fashion, a strong arm can be manufactured, which strong arm can cantilever from post 28. It will also be understood that the arm 32 may be supported from any other part of chassis 12 or any other structure mounted to chassis 12.

Figure 3 also shows that guide wheel 34 is mounted below the arm 32, as is guide rail 52. In this fashion, the endless chain 40 is positioned closer to the ground as it travels around the outer extent of arm 32.

In order to properly guide the endless chain 40 as it travels from guide wheel

30 to the lower guide wheel 34, guide rail 52 includes a section that angles downwardly.

This is more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. In these figures, guide rail 52 includes an inner essentially horizontal portion 64, an outer essentially horizontal portion 66 which is lower than portion 64 and a sloping portion 68. Guide rail 54 includes similar portions.

As also shown in Figure 1, the endless chain 40 carries a plurality of product carrying means 70. Only some of the product carrying means in Figure 1 have been labelled. hi operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 shown as a vegetable harvester, particularly a harvester for harvesting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce or the like, the tow hitch 22 is connected to a tow vehicle (typically a tractor) and moved in the direction of arrow 72 across a field in which the vegetables are growing. A team of pickers walks in front of the arm 32 of apparatus 10 and picks the vegetables. The pickers then place the vegetables in the product carrying means 70 travelling along the arm 32. The arrows positioned inside the endless chain 40 in Figure 1 show the direction of travel of the endless chain 40. The vegetables are then carried by the product carrying means 70 that are mounted to the endless chain 40. When the vegetables travel past the work stations 48, 50, the vegetables are removed from the product carrying means 70 and processed in accordance with the processing operations of the work stations 48, 50. As can be seen from Figure 1, once the vegetables are placed in an individual produce carrying means 70, the vegetables remain in that particular product carrying means 70 until they are removed at the work stations 48, 50. Thus, the apparatus shown in Figure 1 provides for gentle handling of the vegetables to thereby minimise damage to the vegetables caused by that handling.

A further advantage of the apparatus shown in Figured 1 to 3 is that the chassis can be made relatively narrow in order to enable the apparatus 10 to be towed between rows of vegetables growing in the field. hi order to cause the endless chain 40 to move, at least one of the guide wheels may be a driven guide wheel. Most suitably, guide wheel 30 is a driven guide wheel. The guide wheel 30 may, for example, be connected in a known manner to a power take off on a tractor or other tow vehicle. Alternatively, guide wheel 30 may be driven in a known manner by an associated motor, such as an electric motor. The person skilled in the art will readily understand that the guide wheel 30 may be driven by a number of different driving means and further description of such driving means need not be given. It will also be appreciated that the other guide wheels 26, 34 and 38 are caused to rotate by the movement of the endless chain 40.

The guide rods 52, 54, 56 may take any configuration known to be suitable to the person skilled in the art. For example, the guide rod 52 may comprise a C-section member 74 having sufficient space between opposed side walls thereof to enable the chain 40 to pass therethrough (see Figure 5). The inside of the C-section member 74 may be lubricated or it may be provided with a suitable low friction material, such as nylon bushes, to enable easy passage of the chain 40 therethrough. Figures 5 and 6 show one embodiment of a product carrying means in accordance with the present invention. The product carrying means 70 shown in Figured 5 and 6 includes a central rod 76 having a downwardly extending part 78, an outwardly extending part 80 and an upwardly extending outer part 82. An outer rod 84 extends downwardly to an outwardly extending part 86 and an outer longitudinally extending part 88. Rod 84 continues from longitudinally extending part 88 into an inwardly extending part 90 and an upwardly extending part 92. hi this fashion, a cradle is formed which can support a produce item, such as a vegetable (shown in dotted outline 94 in Figure 6). In order to minimise damage done to the produce placed in the cradle shown in Figure 6, the outwardly extending parts 80, 86, 90 of the rods may be covered with a soft material, such as a resilient foam.

As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the product carrying means 70 is connected to the endless chain 40 via connection means 96. Connection means 96 includes a bracket 98 having an aperture 100 therethrough. The upper end of product carrying means 70 includes a plate 102 having a threaded rod 104 that extends through aperture 100 and enables the product carrying means 70 to be threadably attached to the bracket 98.

The bracket 98 includes two upstanding ears 104, 106 that are spaced to enable a link of chain 40 to be inserted therebetween. A pin 108 passes through apertures

110, 112 formed in respect of ears 104, 106 and also through an aperture 114 in the link of chain 40 that sits between ears 104, 106. The pin 108 is retained in place by use of retaining clips 116, 118. In this fashion, the bracket 98 is mounted to the chain 40 in a fashion that enables pivoting movement of the product carrying means 70 about pin 108. Figure 10 shows a detailed view of the guide wheel 30 as used in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 3. As can be seen from Figure

10, the guide wheel assists in guiding and locating chain 40 and the product carrying means

70.

The guide wheel 30 includes circumferential rim 120. The wheel further includes a plurality of radially extending spokes 122 and a centre mount 124. The guide wheel 30 is able to rotate about centre mount 124.

The circumferential rim 120 includes a plurality of slots 126 that extend in a circumferential direction around the rim. Slots 126 are sized to receive the side of a link of chain 40, as shown by reference to the links referenced by numeral 128. Thus, the slots 126 receive and assist in holding some of the links of chain 40.

Guide wheel 30 also includes a plurality of radially extending plates 130 that extend outwardly from the lower surface of circumferential rim 120. Plates 130 assist in catching the chain 40 in the event that the links 128 of chain 40 do not properly mesh into slots 126. Due to the configuration of guide wheel 30, the guide wheel 30 may be driven, which, in turn, causes the chain 40 to also be driven.

Guide wheels 26, 34 and 38 may be generally similar to guide wheel 30. Figures 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of a product carrying means, which may be used in the first aspect of the present invention. Where the product carrying means shown in Figures 11 and 12 has features in common with the product carrying means shown in Figures 5 and 6, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts. Further description of these parts need not be given.

As best shown in Figure 12, the product carrying means 132 includes a hook portion 134, preferably fabricated from a metal rod. Hook portion 134 is connected to plate 102 of the connection means 96. Hook portion 134 is suitably welded to the plate 102. The hook portion 134 is designed to carry a tray 136 (refer to Figure 11). Tray 136 is sized to receive products or produce. The tray 136 may be snap fitted into the hook portion 134 or it may be joined to the hook portion 134 by welding, use of an adhesive, screws, bolts, etc.

Figures 13 to 19 show highly schematic diagrams of a number of possible layouts of product handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The highly schematic diagrams of Figures 13 to 19 show the path followed by the endless loop and the location of one or more work stations relative to the endless loop, hi Figure 13, the endless loop 140 has a path that includes a section 142 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis end of section 144 that travels along a transverse arm. A work station 146 is positioned such that section 142 of the endless loop travels pass work station 146. The arrows in Figure 13 illustrate a preferred direction of travel of the endless loop. Figure 14 shows another possible layout, hi Figure 14, two separate endless loops are used. The first endless loop 150 includes a section 152 that travels along a first transverse arm and a second section 154 that travels generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and past work station 156. The second endless loop 160 includes a section 162 that travels along a second transversely arm that extends away from an opposite side of the chassis. The second endless loop 160 includes a second section 164 that travels generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and pass work station 166.

Figure 15 shows a layout in which the endless loop 170 that includes a section 172 that travels along a first transverse arm, a section 174 that travels along a second transverse arm extending from an opposite side of the chassis and a section 176 that travels in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. Section 176 travels past a first work station 178 and past a second work station 180. hi Figure 16, two separate endless loops 184, 186. Endless loop 186 is arranged to the fore of endless loop 184. Each endless loop 184, 186 is arranged as described with reference to endless loop 140 as shown in Figure 13. Endless loop 184 moves past work station 188 and endless loop 186 moves past work station 189.

Figure 17 is generally similar to Figure 16 except that endless loop 190 includes a section that moves along a transverse arm which is positioned on an opposite side of the transverse arm associated with endless loop 192. Endless loop 190 moves past work station 194 whilst endless loop 192 moves past work station 196. The embodiment shown in Figure 17 has the advantage over the embodiments shown in Figures 14 and 15 (which also include transverse arms extending on opposed sides of the chassis) in that the sections of endless loops 190, 192 that move generally parallel to the longitudinal axis are essentially in alignment with each other, thereby minimising the width of the machine.

Figure 18 shows an arrangement similar to Figure 14, except that the endless loops 150a, 160a, which generally correspond to endless loops 150, 160 of Figure 14, have further endless loops 150b, 160b positioned to the fore. In Figure 18, features that are common to the features shown in Figure 14 are denoted with the same reference numeral with the letter (a) or (b) added thereto.

Figure 19 is generally similar to Figure 18 and for convenience, like reference numerals are used for like parts, with the exception that the letters c, d, e, or f are added thereto. The embodiment of Figure 19 provides more space between the transversely extending arms for the operators to work.

A vegetable harvester in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may also include moving means for moving processed produce off the harvester.

For example, a rear ramp or rear conveyor may be provided to enable processed vegetables

(for example, vegetables that have been packed into boxes) to be easily removed from the harvester.

In all embodiments of the present invention, the direction of travel of the endless chain may differ from that shown and thus the present invention extends to the endless chain travelling in any direction. Similarly, the direction of travel of the apparatus over a field may also differ from the examples shown with reference to the attached drawings.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein will be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically disclosed. It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and such modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for use in harvesting vegetables, the apparatus including a chassis having a longitudinal axis, at least one work station located on the chassis, at least one arm extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chassis, an endless loop arranged to travel along a path, said path including a section that runs along the at least one arm and a section that runs generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, said path running to or past the at least one work station, and produce carrying means for carrying items of produce, said produce carrying means travelling with the endless loop, said produce carrying means being suspended from and hanging downwardly from the endless loop such that the items of produce are positioned below the endless loop when being carried by the produce carrying means.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one transversely extending arm comprises a single transversely extending arm.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one transversely extending arm comprises two transversely extending arms, with each arm extending on opposite sides of the apparatus.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one transversely extending arm comprises more than two arms, with the arms arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs of arms, with the arms of each pair extending on opposite sides of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one arm extends outwardly from the chassis and is positioned above the ground.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the path moves outwardly along the at least one arm, inwardly along the at least one arm, longitudinally rearwardly along the chassis and longitudinally forwardly along the chassis.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the endless loop is a chain that runs along the path.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including guide means to guide the endless loop along the path.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including drive means to drive the endless loop to move along the path.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the produce carrying means comprises a plurality of cradles suspended from the endless loop for carrying the items of produce.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the produce carrying means comprises a plurality of trays suspended from and carried by the endless loop.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one work station is arranged such that produce carried to or past the work station by the produce carrying means can be removed therefrom and processed at the work station.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the one or more work stations are arranged to accommodate at least one operator per work station.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a towing means to enable the apparatus to be towed by a tow vehicle.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further including connection means for connecting the cradles to the endless loop and a downwardly depending member extending from the connection means, with each cradle being connected to or formed with the downwardly depending member such that the cradle is suspended below the endless loop.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further including connection means for connecting the trays to the endless loop and a downwardly depending member extending from the connection means, with each tray being connected to or formed with the downwardly depending member such that the tray is suspended below the endless loop.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein each downwardly extending member is connected to the endless loop at a single point.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the downwardly extending member can pivot about the connection means.

19. A vegetable harvester substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.