WO2018002345A1

WO2018002345A1 - A packing apparatus for agricultural or horticultural products

Info

Publication number: WO2018002345A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/066358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Edwards
Original assignee: Alan Edwards
Priority date: 2016-06-30
Filing date: 2017-06-30
Publication date: 2018-01-04
Also published as: GB201611494D0; GB201703397D0

Abstract

A packing apparatus (1) for agricultural or horticultural products, the packing apparatus (1) comprising a conveyor arrangement (3) for conveying agricultural or horticultural products towards a packing station (16). The conveyor arrangement (2) comprising a pair of endless carrying arrangements (12a, 12b) with at least two corresponding portions facing each other and a gap (10) for accommodating and retaining the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported, the gap being delimited laterally by the at least two facing portions of the conveyor arrangement (3), wherein each of the endless carrying arrangements (12a, 12b) are mounted and looped around at least two pulleys (120a, 21a; 20b, 21b), and;wherein the pulleys (120a, 21a; 20b, 21b) of the endless carrying arrangements (12a, 12b) are arranged so that, when the products are accommodated in the gap (10), the width of the gap (10) is automatically adapted based on the size of the products to be transported, thus allowing the gap to accommodate and retain products of different sizes. The packing apparatus may be used for mushrooms.

Description

A PACKING APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS

The present invention relates to a packing apparatus for agricultural or horticultural products, and in particular, an apparatus for packing mushrooms.

Agricultural and horticultural products, and especially mushrooms, are customarily grown in stacked growing beds separated by passages running between them. During harvesting, pickers will travel along the passages between the rows and upwards on picking lorries and pick the products, depositing them in a basket or similar container for subsequent sorting and packing.

There have been attempts to at least semi-automate this procedure by using a packing apparatus which can travel between the rows of growing beds. The packing apparatus has a conveyor comprising two endless belts with two portions facing one another to define a gap. A picker will transfer the products to a receiving section of the conveyor such that the products are received within the gap and supported by the endless belts. The products are then conveyed towards a packing station. At the packing station, the endless belts of the conveyor diverge outward ly such that the gap widens. This means that smaller sized products will drop through the gap first, while the larger sized products are conveyed along a greater distance before they drop through. By appropriately positioning containers underneath the conveyor, the products can be sorted into groups of different sizes.

While these prior systems have been successful in automating aspects of the grading procedure they still require the picker to carefully adjust the gap between the belts at the receiving section and/or the grading section based on the size of the products to be inserted. Further, the picker or other user has to position the containers beneath the belts, remove them when full and replace them with empty containers. This decreases the efficiency of existing packing apparatuses, and renders them unsuitable in applications where there is a wide variety in the size of the prod ucts desired to be picked. This is especially true for mushrooms, which exhibit a wide degree of variety in the diameter of the stems/caps.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of decreased efficiency in existing packing apparatuses.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a packing apparatus for agricultural or horticultural products, the packing apparatus comprising a conveyor means for conveying agricultural or horticultural products towards a packing station, the conveyor means comprising:

a pair of endless carrying means with at least two corresponding portions facing each other;

a gap for accommodating and retaining the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported, the gap being delimited laterally by the at least two facing portions of the conveyor means;

wherein each of the endless carrying means is mounted and looped around at least two pulleys, and;

wherein the pulleys of the endless carrying means are arranged so that, when the products are accommodated in the gap, the width of the gap is automatically adapted based on the size of the products to be transported, thus allowing the gap to accommodate and retain products of different sizes.

Advantageously, the width of the gap is automatically adapted based on the size of the products as a result of the volume of the product engaging the endless carrying means, thus allowing the gap to accommodate and retain products of different sizes. This means that the conveyor means allows for the introducti on and transportation of bigger/smaller agricultural or horticultural products without manual adjustment of the gap- Preferably, the packing apparatus comprises a conveyor support means.

Ideally, the conveyor support means comprises a chassis.

Preferably, the chassis is pivotably mounted on a carriage means.

Ideally, at least one pulley of the first endless carrying means of the pair is staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to at least one pulley of the other endless carrying means of the pair.

Advantageously, by having the pulleys staggered with respect to one another, there are no hard points along the direction of travel which prevent the expansion of the width of the gap.

Preferably, each of the endless carrying means is looped around a head pulley and a tail pulley and the head and tail pulleys of one endless carrying mean s are staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to the corresponding head and tail pulleys of the other endless carrying means.

Ideally, when no products are accommodated in the gap, the width of the gap corresponds to, or is less than, the minimum size of the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported.

Advantageously, the gap can accommodate the minimum or maximum size of the product intended to be transported without requiring any manual adjustment. Preferably, the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported are mushrooms that are intended to be accommodated and retained in the gap with their stems.

Ideally, the cap of the mushrooms are intended to be rested and supported on the conveyor means. More preferably, the cap of the mushrooms are intended to be rested on the pair of endless carrying means.

Preferably, the conveyor means comprise ropes, flat belts, groove belts, ribbed belts and/or V belts. More preferably, the pair of endless carrying means comprise ropes, flat belts, groove belts, ribbed belts and/or V belts.

Ideally, at least the inner walls of the pair of endless carrying means comprise a layer of soft resilient material.

Ideally, the conveyor means is supported along its path by one or more intermediate idle rollers and/or guiding elements.

Preferably, at least one, most preferably both, endless carrying means is supported along its path by one or more intermediate idle rollers and/or guiding elements.

Preferably, the rotation axes of the pulleys are inclined, and preferably are substantially perpendicular, with respect to both the width and longitudinal development of the gap.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprises means for varying the tension of the conveyor means and most preferably at least one of the endless carrying means.

Ideally, the means for varying the tension comprises an actuator for activating and/or controlling the means for varying the tension of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the means for varying the tension of the conveyor means comprise at least one speed-controlled motorized pulley.

Preferably, the means for varying the tension of the conveyor means comprise means for moving at least one of the pulleys of the conveyor means forwards and backwards along the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

Ideally, the means for varying the tension of the conveyor means comprise a tension pulley that is the head/tail pulley of the conveyor means and/or the endless carrying means.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprises means for biasing at least one of the endless carrying means with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the means for biasing at least one of the endless carrying means comprise means for moving at least one of the pulleys of the conveyor means. Most preferably, the means for biasing at least one of the endless carrying means comprise means for moving at least one of the pulleys of the endless carrying means along a direction parallel to the width of the gap.

Preferably, the means for biasing at least one of the endless carrying means comprise means for rotating one end pulley of the endless carrying mean s with respect to the other end pulley of the same endless carrying means.

Ideally, the packing apparatus comprises a receiving section, the receiving section being operable to receive agricultural or horticultural products from a picker.

More preferably, the conveyor means comprises a receiving section .

Preferably, at least one or all of the component parts of the packing apparatus being adaptable to swivel from side to side about a pivot point.

Advantageously, the packing apparatus and therefore the receiving section can be swivelled to move it into close proximity to the growing bed where the picker is picking the products.

Preferably, at least part of the pair of endless carrying means being disposed at or about the receiving section of the packing apparatus.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprising a grading section , the grading section being operable to grade the agricultural or horticultural products.

Preferably, the grading section being operable to grade the agricultural or horticultural products received by the receiving section into different sizes or other set parameter.

More preferably, the conveyor means further comprising a grading section.

Preferably, the grading section having a direction of travel that is angled with respect to the direction of travel of the receiving section of the conveyor means.

In one arrangement, at least part of the pair of endless carrying means being disposed at or about the receiving section and grading section .

In an alternative arrangement, the conveyor means comprises a second pair of endless carrying means, at least part of the second pair of endless carrying means being disposed at or about the grading section.

In another alternative arrangement, at least part of the conveyor means comprises at least one separate but adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means.

Ideally, the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means are adapted to ensure transfer of the agricultural or horticultural product from at least one endless carrying means to the corresponding adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means along the direction of travel of the conveyor means. More ideally, the at least one endless carrying means and the corresponding adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means are vertically staggered relative to each other.

Preferably, the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means is vertically below the at least one endless carrying means.

Preferably, in the grading section, the laterally opposing facing portions of the conveyor means diverge along the direction of travel of the endless carrying means and/or the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means .

Ideally, in the grading section, the width of the gap defined by the at least two facing portions of the conveyor means increases along the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

Preferably, in the grading section, the facing portions of the conveyor means are moveable towards and/or away from each other.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprises a control means, the control means being operable to controllably move the facing portions of the conveyor means towards and/or away from each other.

In one arrangement, the control means can automatically control the divergence between the facing portions of the conveyor means at the grading section.

Advantageously, this means that the packing apparatus can automatically control how the products are sorted into containers without manual input from the picker.

In an alternative arrangement, the control means can be manually operated to determine the width of the gap of the conveyor means in the grading section.

Ideally, in the grading section, the conveyor means comprises one or more displaceable pulleys for moving the facing portions of the conveyor means towards and/or away from each other.

Preferably, the control means comprises at least one means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means.

Ideally, the control means comprises a first means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the control means comprises a second means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means.

Ideally, the at least one means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley is capable of simultaneously positioning at least two pulleys.

More preferably, the means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley is capable of simultaneously positioning at least three pulleys. In one arrangement, the at least one displaceable pulley being driven by an actuator, and most preferably the actuator is controlled by the control means.

In an alternative arrangement, the at least one displaceable pulley is manually positioned by the picker or another operator.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprises a moveable pulley-support means.

More ideally, the control means comprises a moveable pulley-support means.

Preferably, when the moveable pulley-support means is moved the at least one displaceable pulley is moved.

Ideally, the moveable pulley-support means provides means for moving at least one displaceable pulley.

More preferably, the moveable pulley-support means provides means for moving at least two displaceable pulleys.

More preferably, the moveable pulley-support means provides means for moving at least three displaceable pulleys.

Preferably, the moveable pulley-support means provides means for moving the at least one displaceable pulley substantially laterally.

Ideally, the moveable pulley-support means provides means for moving the at least one displaceable pulley in an arcuate path about a pivot point.

Preferably, when the moveable pulley-support means is moved the width of the gap between the laterally opposing faces of the conveyor means is altered.

Ideally, when the moveable pulley-support means is moved the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means moves laterally and/or in an arcuate path.

Preferably, lateral and/or arcuate movement of the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means adjusts the width of the gap between laterally opposing faces of the conveyor means in the grading section.

Preferably, the moveable pulley-support means comprises a pivotable rudder.

Ideally, the at least one displaceable pulley is attached to the moveable pulley- support means.

More ideally, the at least one displaceable pulley is attached to the pivotable rudder.

More preferably, at least two and preferably three displaceable pulleys are attached to the pivotable rudder.

Ideally, the at least one means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley comprises a lever means. Preferably, the at least one means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley further comprises a pivot means, the lever means being rotatable about the pivot means.

Preferably, the at least one means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley further comprises a stop means at or about one end of the lever means.

Ideally, the pivot means is located between the stop means and the end of the lever means opposing the stop means.

Preferably, the first means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley comprises a pulley-displacing component and a movement control component.

More preferably, the stop means comprises a pulley-displacing component and a movement control component.

Preferably, the pulley-displacing component is capable of movement relative to the movement control component.

Ideally, the packing apparatus comprises a means for restricting movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

More preferably, the stop means comprises a means for restricting movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

Advantageously, the stop means prevents undesired movement in at least one direction of the moveable pulley-support means.

Preferably, the restriction means is capable of releasably restricting movement of the pulley-displacing component relative to the movement control component.

Ideally, the pulley-displacing component comprises a flange or protrusion .

Preferably, the movement control component comprises a flange or protrusion.

In one arrangement, the pulley-displacing component and the movement control component both comprise flanges.

In an alternative arrangement, the pulley-displacing component comprises a protrusion and the movement control component comprises a flange.

In an alternative arrangement, the pulley-displacing component comprises a flange and the movement control component comprises a protrusion.

Ideally, the flange comprises an opening.

Preferably, the opening comprises an elongate slot.

Preferably, the protrusion engages the opening.

Ideally, the protrusion can be fixed in the opening.

Preferably, the protrusion is a threaded protrusion.

Preferably, a nut can be screwed on to the threaded protrusion.

Ideally, tightening the nut about the threaded protrusion restricts movement of the protrusion relative to the flange. Preferably, tightening the nut about the threaded protrusion restricts movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

Preferably, the protrusion or the flange can move relative to the protrusion or the flange when not restricted.

Ideally, the protrusion can move within the elongate slot when not restricted.

Preferably, moving the protrusion or the flange results in movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

More preferably, moving the protrusion or flange results in movement of the pivotable rudder.

Ideally, when the protrusion or flange is moved the at least one displaceable pulley moves.

Preferably, when the protrusion or flange is moved the gap between the laterally opposing faces of the conveyor means is adjusted.

Ideally, the second means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means comprises a means for lateral movement of the moveable pulley- support means.

Preferably, the means for lateral movement comprises a rail .

Ideally, the means for lateral movement comprises a rail mounted on the chassis of the packing apparatus.

Ideally, the moveable pulley-support means comprises a means for engaging the rail.

Preferably, the rail engagement means is formed for slidable engagement along the rail.

Ideally, the second means for positioning the at least one displaceable pulley comprises a means for braking the lateral movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

More preferably, the lateral movement means comprises a brake means.

Ideally, the brake means comprises a means for releasably fixing the rail- engagement means to the rail.

Preferably, the brake means prevents movement of the moveable pulley-support means substantially laterally.

Ideally, the brake means prevents movement of the at least one displaceable pulley substantially laterally.

Preferably, the brake means releasably blocks and/or prevents movement of the rail-engagement means along the rail.

Ideally, the brake means comprises a means for releasably increasing friction between the rail-engagement means and the rail. Preferably, the friction means comprises a friction adjusting component.

Ideally, the friction adjusting component comprises a screw or screw-like component.

Advantageously, the friction adjusting component can increase or decrease the force of friction between the rail-engagement means and the rail.

Preferably, the friction adjusting component is located on the rail-engagement means or the rail, most preferably it is located on the rail -engagement means.

Ideally, the lateral movement means comprises a component for receiving the friction adjusting component.

More ideally, the rail-engagement means comprises a component for receiving the friction adjusting component.

Preferably, the receiving component comprises an aperture.

Ideally, the aperture extends through the rail-engagement means.

Preferably, the aperture is a threaded aperture.

Ideally, the friction adjusting component can be operably engaged with the receiving component.

Preferably, the friction adjusting component can be inserted and/or screwed in to the aperture.

Ideally, when the friction adjusting component is sufficiently engaged with the receiving component the force of friction between the rail -engagement means and the rail is increased.

Preferably, when the friction adjusting component is sufficiently engaged with the receiving component the rail-engagement means cannot easily move laterally along the rail, hence fixing the moveable pulley-support means to the rail.

Advantageously, when the friction adjusting component is sufficiently engaged with the receiving component undesired movement in at least one direction of the moveable pulley-support means is prevented.

Ideally, the rail-engagement means can be moved along the rail when not fixed to the rail.

Preferably, movement of the rail-engagement means along the rail also results in movement of the moveable pulley-support means.

Ideally, movement of the rail-engagement means along the rail results in lateral movement of the at least one displaceable pulley.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprising a packing station, the conveyor means being operable to convey agricultural or horticultural products towards the packing station.

Preferably, the packing station being located underneath the conveyor means. More preferably, the packing station being located underneath the longitudinal axis of the grading section of the conveyor means.

Advantageously, products can drop down from the grading section of the conveyor means and into the packing station.

Ideally, the packing station comprising more than one packing location .

Preferably, each packing locating is distributed under the grading section of the conveyor means.

Preferably, each packing location being provided with at least one container for collecting agricultural or horticultural products.

Ideally, each packing location comprises a means for transferring agricultural or horticultural products to the at least one container.

Preferably, the transfer means comprises a packing conveyor.

Preferably, the agricultural or horticultural products are transferred on the packing conveyor to the at least one container.

In another arrangement, the agricultural or horticultural products fall directly into the at least one container.

In an alternative arrangement, some of the agricultural or horticultural products fall directly into the at least one container whereas others are transferred on the packing conveyor to the at least one container.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprising means for positioning a container at a packing location.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprising a means for removing a container from a packing location.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprising means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container.

Preferably, the means for removing a container from a packing location and/or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container being operable to remove containers in response to the container and its contents reaching a pre-determined parameter.

Ideally, the pre-determined parameter is a pre-determined weight.

Preferably, the packing apparatus comprises a container movement means.

More preferably, the packing apparatus comprises a first container movement means and a second container movement means.

Preferably, the first container movement means is operable to move a container laterally.

Ideally, the first container movement means comprises one or more cradles for engaging a container. Preferably, a cradle is provided for each packing location.

Preferably, the one or more cradles has a means for lateral movement.

Ideally, the cradle movement means comprises at least one lateral actuator. Preferably, the at least one lateral actuator is positioned above or below the one or more cradles.

More preferably, the at least one lateral actuator is positioned below the one or more cradles.

Ideally, a lateral actuator is provided for each cradle.

Ideally, the at least one lateral actuator is automatically operated when the at least one container and its contents reach a pre-determined parameter.

Preferably, the at least one actuator is automatically operated when the at least one container and its contents reach a pre-determined weight.

Preferably, the pre-determined weight is between 1 0 and 1 ,000 grams.

Ideally, the pre-determined weight is between 100 and 800 grams.

Preferably, the pre-determined weight is between 200 and 600 grams.

Ideally, the pre-determined weight is between 300 and 400 grams.

Preferably, when the at least one lateral actuator is operated the corresponding cradle movement means and the cradle move laterally.

Advantageously, if a container is positioned in the cradle when the lateral actuator is operated then the container will be moved laterally.

Preferably, the first container movement means is capable of positioning a container at a packing location.

Ideally, the first container movement means is capable of removing a container from a packing location.

More ideally, the first container movement means is capable of removing a container from a packing location when the container and its contents reach a predetermined parameter.

Preferably, the first container movement means is capable of removing a container from a packing location when the container and its contents reach a predetermined weight.

Preferably, the second container movement means is operable to move a container longitudinally.

Ideally, the second container movement means comprises a container movement conveyor means.

Preferably, the container movement conveyor means is a bi-directional conveyor means.

Ideally, the container movement conveyor means is automatically operated. Preferably, the container movement conveyor means is operated when a container and its contents in each packing location reach a pre-determined parameter.

Ideally, the container movement conveyor means is operated when a container and its contents in each packing locating weigh a pre-determined weight.

Preferably, the pre-determined weight is between 1 0 and 1 ,000 grams.

Ideally, the pre-determined weight is between 100 and 800 grams.

Preferably, the pre-determined weight is between 200 and 600 grams.

Ideally, the pre-determined weight is between 300 and 400 grams.

Preferably, when the container and its contents are of the pre-determined weight, the container movement conveyor means is operated first in a direction to move the container longitudinally generally towards the receiving section .

Ideally, the operation of the first container movement means and the second container movement means are synchronised.

More ideally, the operation of the first container movement means and the second container movement means are automatically synchronised.

Preferably, the first container movement means moves the container laterally on to the container movement conveyor means.

Ideally, the container movement conveyor means moves the container away from the first container movement means.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprises a container collecting means.

Ideally, the container collecting means comprises a ramp.

More ideally, the container collecting means comprises a downward sloping ramp.

Ideally, the container collecting means comprises a container stop means.

Preferably, the container stop means is located along the length of the container collecting means.

Advantageously, the container stop means prevents a container from sliding off the ramp.

Ideally, the container collecting means further comprises barrier means.

Advantageously, the barrier means prevents the containers fro m falling sideways off the downward sloping ramp.

Ideally, more than one container can be distributed on the container collecting means.

Preferably, the container collecting means is positioned proximal to the second container movement means. Preferably, when operated, the second container movement means moves the container on to the container collecting means.

Ideally, the container collecting means is orientated generally towards the receiving section .

Ideally, the container collecting means further comprises a means for detecting when a container has passed on to the container collecting means.

Preferably, the detecting means is operably linked to the container movement means.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprises a means for loading containers. Preferably, the container loading means is angled upwards from the second container movement means.

Ideally, the container loading means is positioned above the container collecting means.

Preferably, the container loading means is capable of loading containers on to the means for positioning a container at a packing location, the means for removing a container from a packing location and /or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container.

Ideally, the container loading means comprises a holding means.

Preferably, the holding means comprises an elongate member.

Preferably, the elongate member extends outwards towards the direction of the picker at the receiving section generally and is proximal to the receiving section .

Ideally, the container loading means further comprises a container carriage means.

Preferably, the container carriage means comprises a pair of endless container- carrying means defining a gap therebetween for receiving containers .

Ideally, the container carriage means comprises a plurality of pulleys.

Preferably, there are at least two pulleys per each endless container-carrying means.

Ideally, at least one pulley is a drive pulley.

Preferably, the pulleys are attached to the holding means.

Ideally, the pulleys are attached above or below the holding means.

More preferably, the pulleys are attached below the holding means.

Preferably, the endless container-carrying means are spaced apart from each other at a generally consistent distance.

Ideally, the distance between the endless container-carrying means is sufficient to hold a container. Preferably, the distance between the endless container-carrying means is sufficient to hold and transfer a container.

Ideally, only one face of each endless container-carrying means is in contact with the containers.

Preferably, the uppermost face of each endless container-carrying means is in contact with the containers.

Preferably, the pulleys are angled to the vertical.

Ideally, the pulleys are angled to position the lower face of the endless container-carrying means at a distance from a container when a container is positioned on the endless container-carrying means in situ.

Advantageously, the angled pulleys mean only one face of the endless container-carrying means is in substantial contact with the containers.

Advantageously again, when the endless container-carrying means are moving, the lower face of the endless container-carrying means, which is moving opposite to the desired direction of travel, does not substantially contact the containers.

Advantageously again, the angled pulleys enable containers to move along the desired direction of travel within the container loading means.

Preferably, the endless container-carrying means comprise ropes, flat belts, groove belts, ribbed belts and/or V belts.

Ideally, the container loading means has a loading stop means.

Advantageously, the loading stop means prevents a container from leaving the container loading means.

Preferably, the loading stop means prevents a container from being passed on to the second container movement means.

Ideally, the loading stop means is operable to allow a container to move on to the second container movement means.

Preferably, the loading stop means is automatically operable to allow a container to move on to the second container movement means.

Ideally, more than one container can be pre-loaded on to the container loading means.

Preferably, at least six containers can be pre-loaded on to the container loading means.

Ideally, the components of the means for positioning a container at a packing location, the means for removing a container from a packing location and /or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container operate sequentially to remove and replace containers at the locations of the packing station. Preferably, when a container and its contents in one of the locations reaches a pre-determined parameter, the first container movement means moves the container laterally, the second container movement means moves the container longitudinally to the container collecting means, a new container is released from the container loading means on to the second container movement means which positions the container longitudinally, then the first container movement means moves the container laterally to a packing location.

In an alternative arrangement, the packing apparatus further comprises a control means for controlling the divergence along the direction of travel of the conveyor in the grading section, the control means being operable to adjust the divergence of the conveyor in the grading section in response to the container reaching a pre-determined parameter.

Advantageously, this means that when the target parameter of a container is achieved, the divergence between the conveyor at the grading section is adjusted such as to make the products move onto the next location with an empty container. This can involve widening the gap between the diverging faces of the conveyor or narrowing the gap between the diverging faces. This can speed up the packing process as the apparatus does not have to wait while the filled container is removed.

Preferably, the grading section further comprises means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus.

Ideally, the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus will be the largest products that are added to the packing apparatus at the receiving section .

Preferably, the means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus comprises a first large product transfer means.

Ideally, the first large product transfer means laterally transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus .

Preferably, the first large product transfer means is a conveyor belt.

Ideally, the means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus comprises a second large product transfer means.

Preferably, the second large product transfer means is generally perpendicular to the first large product transfer means.

Ideally, the second large product transfer means is proximal to the first large product transfer means. Ideally, the second large product transfer means lo ngitudinally transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means are transferred generally laterally on the first large product transfer means then generally longitudinally on the second large product transfer means.

Ideally, the second large product transfer means transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means towards the direction of the receiving section.

Ideally, the second large product transfer means transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means towards the direction of the picker generally.

Preferably, the second large product transfer means is a similar length to the grading section.

Ideally, the means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means further comprises a catchment means.

Preferably, the catchment means comprises at least one enclosure, box, bucket, bag or other such apparatus.

Ideally, the catchment means is located proximal to th e first or second large product transfer means.

Ideally, the catchment means is operable to collect the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the catchment means is positioned to catch the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means as they are transferred along first or second large product transfer means.

Ideally, the catchment means is removable f rom the packing apparatus.

Preferably, a container can be positioned in the catchment means.

Ideally, the packing apparatus further comprising one or more weighing means .

Preferably, the one or more weighing means are positioned underneath the at least one packing locations.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprises a cutting means for cutting a protruding portion of the products.

Advantageously, the cutting means can trim part of the product, such as part of the stem of a mushroom. Traditionally, a mushroom picker would pick the mushrooms with one hand and hold a knife in the other for cutting the stems of the mushroom. The cutting means avoids the need for the picker to manually cut the products, and thus frees up the other hand of the picker, increasing the picking efficiency. Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprises a waste collection bin positioned underneath the cutting means, the waste collection bin being operable to receive the cut protruding portion of the products.

Ideally, the cutting means comprises two rotatable blades positioned underneath a section of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprising means for moving the cutting means up/down to control the length of the protruding portion of the products to be cut.

Ideally, the means for moving the cutting means up/down comprises at least one actuator.

Preferably, the means for moving the cutting means up/down comprises a detecting means which detects the length of the protruding portion to be cut, and moves the cutting means up/down based on the detected length.

Ideally, the detecting means comprises a mech anical detecting means.

Ideally, the two rotatable blades are vertically aligned defining a very slight gap between the cutting edges.

Preferably, the two rotatable blades are vertically aligned to cut a protruding portion of the agricultural or horticultu ral product stems completely away from the remainder of the product.

Preferably, the detecting means comprises an imaging means and most preferably an infra-red camera.

Preferably, the packing apparatus comprises a drive means.

Ideally, the drive means is powered electronically, hydraulically, pneumatically or other such power source.

Ideally, the drive means being operably engaged with the conveyor means and/or the cutting means.

Preferably, the drive means comprises a motor, more preferably an electric motor, operably engaged with the conveyor means and/or the cutting means.

Ideally, when operated, the drive means rotates the blades.

Preferably, the packing apparatus further comprises one or more pulleys located proximal to the cutting means.

Ideally, the one or more pulleys are located proximal to one or both blades.

Preferably, the one or more pulleys are located above or below one or both blades.

More preferably, a pulley is located below each blade.

Ideally, when operated, the drive means rotates the pulleys located below the blades. More ideally, when operated, the drive means rotates the blades and the pulleys located below the blades.

Preferably, an endless drive means is looped around the pulleys located below the blades.

Ideally, the endless drive means is also looped around at least one pulley of the conveyor means.

Preferably, the endless drive means comprise ropes, flat belts, groove belts, ribbed belts and/or V belts.

Ideally, the drive means drives the conveyor means.

Preferably, all the pulleys, rollers or guiding elements of the facing endless carrying means are staggered along the direction of travel of the products to be transported.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which shows by way of example three embodiments of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packing apparatus according to an illustrative implementation of the present invention ;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a receiving section of the packing apparatus in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic, top-view diagram of a conveyor of a packing apparatus according to an illustrative implementation of the present invention ;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of Section A of the conveyor shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of Section B of the conveyor shown in Figure 3 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cutti ng device of the packing apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a grading section of the packing apparatus according to an illustrative implementation of the present invention ;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective of the grading section shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a top view the packing apparatus according to an illustrative implementation of the present invention , having the grading section shown in Figure 7 ;

Figure 1 0 is a bottom view of the packing apparatus in Figure 9 sh owing a detail view of the cutting device;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the packing station of the packing apparatus in Figure 1 0;

Figure 1 2 is a side view of the packing station in Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 1 3 is a side view of the packing apparatus in Fig ures 9 and 1 0;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the packing apparatus in Figure 1 3;

Figure 1 5 is a perspective view of the packing station in Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 1 6 is a partial perspective view of the packing station in Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 1 7 is a perspective view of the conveyor of the packing apparatus in Figure 1 0;

Figure 1 8 is a top view of the conveyor in Figure 1 7;

Figure 1 9 is a side view of the conveyor in Figure 1 7;

Figure 20 is a bottom view of the conveyor in Figure 1 7; and

Figure 21 is a bottom perspective view of the conveyor in Figure 1 7.

In Figures 1 to 21 there is shown a packing apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 . The packing apparatus 1 is for packing agricultural or horticultural products, especially mushrooms, which are grown in growing beds separated by passages running between them. The packing apparatus 1 is able to travel along the passages and receive products picked by a picker. The packing apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor indicated generally by the reference nu meral 3 onto which the products are deposited by the picker. The conveyor 3 conveys the agricultural or horticultural products to a packing station indicated generally by the reference numeral 5.

The packing apparatus 1 has a pair of endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b means with at least two corresponding portions facing each other 1 2a, 1 2b and a gap 1 0 for accommodating and retaining the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported, the gap being delimited laterally by the at least two facing portions 1 2a, 1 2b of the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b. Each of the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b are mounted and looped around pulleys e.g., 20a, 20b; the pulleys are arranged so that, when the products are accommodated in the gap 1 0, the width of the gap 1 0 is automatically adapted based on the size of the products to be transported, thus allowing the gap 1 0 to accommodate and retain products of different sizes. Advantageously, the width of the gap 10 is automatically adapted based on the size of the products as a result of the volume of the product engaging the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b, thus allowing the gap 1 0 to accommodate and retain products of different sizes. This means that the conveyor 3 allows for the introduction and transportation of bigger/smaller agricultural or horticultural products without manual adjustment of the gap.

The packing apparatus 1 has a chassis 50 mounted on a wheeled frame 7. One pulley 20a of the first endless carrying device 1 1 a of the pair is staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to at least one pulley 20b of the other endless carrying device 1 1 b of the pair. Advantageously, by having the pulleys 20a, 20b staggered with respect to one another, there are no hard points along the direction of travel which prevent the expansion of the width of the gap 10. Each of the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b is looped around a head pulley 20a, 20b and a tail pulley 21 a, 21 b and the head and tail pulleys 20a, 21 a of one endless carrying device 1 1 a are staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to the corresponding head and tail pulleys 20b, 21 b of the other endless carrying device 1 1 b. When no products are accommodated in the gap 1 0, the width of the gap 1 0 corresponds to, or is less than, the minimum size of the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported. The gap 1 0 can accommodate the minimum or maximum size of the product intended to be transported without requiring any manual adjustment. When the agricultural or horticultural product to be transferred is mushrooms, the cap of the mushrooms rest on the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b. The endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b are made of soft resilient material. The conveyor 3 is supported along its path by one or more intermediate idle rollers and/or guiding elements 27, 29. The rotation axes of the pulleys 20a, 20b, 21 a, 21 b are inclined, and preferably are substantially perpendicular, with respect to both the width and longitudinal development of the gap 1 0.

The packing apparatus 1 has a device 51 for varying the tension of one of the endless carrying devices 1 1 b. Varying the speed of the conveyor will also vary the tension of one or both of the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b. The device 51 for varying the tension moves the tail pulley 21 b of the endless carrying device 1 1 b forwards and backwards. In some arrangements, the packing apparatus 1 further has a biasing apparatus, not shown, for biasing at least one of the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b with respect to the direction of travel of the endless carrying 1 1 a, 1 1 b. The biasing apparatus, not shown, moves at least one of the pulleys 20a, 20b, 21 a, 21 b of the conveyor means 5 along a direction parallel to the width of the gap 1 0 and rotates a pulley with respect to the other pulleys. The conveyor 3 has a receiving section 13, the receiving section 1 3 being operable to receive agricultural or horticultural products from a picker and being adaptable to swivel from side to side about a pivot point. Advantageously, the receivin g section 1 3 can be swivelled to move it into close proximity to the growing bed where the picker is picking the products. The pair of endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b being disposed at or about the receiving section 13 of the conveyor 3. The conveyor 3 further has a grading section 1 6, the grading section 1 6 being operable to grade the agricultural or horticultural products received by the receiving section into different sizes. The grading section 1 6 of the conveyor 3 having a direction of travel that is angled with respect to the direction of travel of the receiving section 1 3 of the conveyor 3. In one arrangement, the pair of endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b being disposed at or about the receiving section 1 3 and grading section 1 6. In one arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4, the conveyor 3 has a second pair of endless carrying devices 14a, 14b, the second pair of endless carrying means being disposed at or about the grading section 1 6. In the packing apparatus shown in Figures 7 to 1 0, 1 3, 14 and 17 to 21 , part of the conveyor 3 has a separate but overlapping endless carrying device 52. The overlapping endless carrying device 52 is adapted to ensure transfer of the agricultural or horticultural product from one endless carrying devices 1 1 a to the overlapping endless carrying device 52 along the direction of travel of the product. The overlapping endless carrying device 52 is vertically staggered relative to the endless carrying device 1 1 a.

In the grading section 1 6, the laterally opposing facing portions 1 2a, 1 2b, 52a of the conveyor 3 diverge along the direction of travel of the endless carryi ng devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b and the overlapping endless carrying device 52 and the width of the gap 1 0 increases along the direction of travel of the agricultural or horticultural products on the conveyor 3. Further, in the grading section 1 6, the facing portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 52a of the conveyor 3 are moveable towards and/or away from each other.

The packing apparatus 1 further has a control arrangement 53, the control arrangement 53 being operable to controllably move the facing portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 52a of the conveyor 3 towards and/or away from each other. In one arrangement, the control arrangement 53 means can automatically control the divergence between the facing portions of the conveyor 3 at the grading section 16, not shown . Advantageously, this means that the packing apparatus 1 can automatically control how the products are sorted into containers without manual input from the picker , not shown.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 21 , the control arrangement 53 is manually operated to determine the width of the gap 1 0 of the conveyor 3 in the grading section 1 6. In the grading section 1 6, the conveyor 3 has one or more displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 for moving the facing portions 1 2a, 12b, 52a of the conveyor 3. The control arrangement 53 has two arrangements 57, 58 for positioning three displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 of the conveyor 3. In another embodiment of the present invention, not shown , the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 are driven by an actuator. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 7 to 21 , the two arrangements 57, 58 of the control arrangement 53 are manually operated. The packing apparatus 1 further has a moveable pulley-support device 59. When the moveable pulley-support device 59 is moved the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 are moved. The moveable pulley-support device 59 provides means for moving the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 substantially laterally and/or in an arcuate path about a pivot point. When the moveable pulley-support device 59 is moved the width of the gap 1 0 between the laterally opposing faces 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 52a of the conveyor 3 is altered. When the moveable pulley-support device 59 is moved the adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying device 52 moves laterally and/or in an arcuate path. This movement adjusts the width of the gap 1 0 between laterally opposing faces 1 1 b, 52a of the conveyor 3 in the grading section 1 6. The moveable pulley-support device 59 has a pivotable rudder 60. The displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 are attached to the moveable pulley-support device 59 and to the pivotable rudder 60.

The control arrangement 53 further has a pivot 61 , the pivotable rudder 60 being pivotable about the pivot 61 ; and a stop arrangement 62 at one end of the pivotable rudder 60. The pivot 61 is located between the stop arrangement 62 and the end of the pivotable rudder 60 opposing the stop arrangement 62. The first arrangement 57 for positioning the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 has a pulley-displacing component 63 and a movement control component 64. The pulley-displacing component 63 is capable of movement relative to the movement control component 64. The stop arrangement 62 has an arrangement 65 for restricting movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59 and prevents undesired movement in at least one direction of the moveable pulley- support device 59. The restriction arrangement 65 is capable of releasably restricting movement of the pulley-displacing component 63 relative to the movement control component 64.

The pulley-displacing component 63 is a protrusion and the movement control component 64 is a flange. In one embodiment, not shown , the pulley-displacing component 63 and the movement control component 64 are both flanges. In another embodiment, not shown, the pulley-displacing component 63 is a protrusion and the movement control component 64 is a flange. In yet another embodiment, not shown , the pulley-displacing component 63 is a flange and the movement control component 64 is a protrusion. The flange of the movement control component 64 has an elongate slot 66. The protrusion of the pulley-displacing component 63 engages the elongate slot; the protrusion is a threaded protrusion and is fixed in the elongate slot by a nut. Tightening the nut restricts movement of the protrusion relative to the flange and restricts movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59. The protrusion can move relative to the flange and within the elongate slot when not restricted. Moving the protrusion of the pulley-displacing component 63 results in movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59 and of the pivotable rudder 60. When the pulley-displacing component 63 is moved the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 move and the gap between the laterally opposing faces 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 52a of the conveyor 3 is adjusted.

The second arrangement 58 of the control arrangement 53 for positioning the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 of the conveyor 3 has an arrangement for lateral movement 67 of the moveable pulley-support device 59. The arrangement for lateral movement 67 has a rail 68 mounted on the chassis 50 of the packing apparatus 1 . The moveable pulley-support device 59 has a device 69 for engaging the rail 68. The rail engagement device 69 is formed for slidable engagement along the rail 68. The second arrangement 58 for positioning the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 further has a brake arrangement 70 for braking the lateral movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59. The brake arrangement 70 disposed on the arrangement 67 for lateral movement. The brake arrangement 70 further has an arrangement 71 for releasably fixing the rail-engagement device 69 to the rail 68. The brake arrangement 70 prevents movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59 and of the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56 substantially laterally. The brake arrangement 70 releasably blocks and/or prevents movement of the rail-engagement device 69 along the rail 68 by increasing friction between the rail-engagement device 69 and the rail 68. The brake arrangement 70 has a friction adjusting component 72, the friction adjusting component 72 being a screw. Advantageously, the friction adjusting component 72 can increase or decrease the force of friction between the rail-engagement device 69 and the rail 68. The friction adjusting component 72 is located on the rail-engagement device 69. The rail- engagement device 69 has an aperture, not shown, for receiving the friction adjusting component 72, the friction adjusting component 72 is screwed in to the aperture. The friction adjusting component 72 is inserted in to the aperture and can be further inserted into the aperture by screwing to increase the force of friction between the rail - engagement device 69 and the rail 68. When the friction adjusting component 72 is sufficiently engaged with the aperture the rail-engagement device 69 cannot easily move laterally along the rail 68, hence fixing the moveable pulley-support device 59 to the rail 68. Advantageously, when the friction adjusting component 72 is sufficiently engaged with the aperture undesired movement in at least one direction of the moveable pulley-support device 59 is prevented. The rail-engagement device 69 can be moved along the rail 68 when not fixed to the rail 68. Movement of the rail- engagement device 69 along the rail 68 also results in movement of the moveable pulley-support device 59 and lateral movement of the displaceable pulleys 54, 55, 56.

The packing apparatus 1 further has a packing station 5, the conveyor 3 being operable to convey agricultural or horticultural products towards the packing station 5. The packing station 5 is located underneath the conveyor 3 and underneath the longitudinal axis of the grading section 16 of the conveyor 3. Advantageously, products can drop down from the grading section 1 6 of the conveyor 3 and into the packing station 5. The packing station 5 has packing locations 74, 75 distributed under the longitudinal axis of the grading section 1 6 of the conveyor 3. Each packing location 74, 75 being provided with a container 79, 80 for collecting agricultural or horticultural products and having an apparatus 76, 77 for transferring agricultural or horticultural products to the container 79, 80. The apparatus 76, 77 for transferring agricultural or horticultural products to the container has a packing conveyor 81 , 82 which transfer the products to the containers 79, 80. In another embodiment, not shown , the agricultural or horticultural products fall directly into the at least one container. In yet another embodiment, not shown, some of the agricultural or horticultural products fall directly into the at least one container whereas others are transferred on the packing conveyor to the at least one container.

The packing apparatus 1 further has an arrangement 83 for positioning, removing and replacing a container 79, 80 at a packing location 74, 75. The arrangement 83 for positioning, removing and replacing the containers 79, 80 is operable to remove the containers 79, 80 in response to the containers 79, 80 and their contents reaching a pre-determined weight. The container positioning arrangement 83 has a first container movement device 84 and a second container movement device 85. The first container movement device 84 is operable to move a container laterally and has two cradles 86, 87 for engaging a container 79, 80. There is one cradle 86, 87 in each packing location, 74, 75. The cradles 86, 87 have a lateral actuator 88, 89 for lateral movement. The lateral actuators 88, 89 are positioned below the cradles 86, 87. The lateral actuators are automatically operated when a container 79, 80 and its contents reach a pre-determined weight between 300 and 400 grams. When a lateral actuator 88, 89 is operated the corresponding cradle 86, 87 moves laterally. Advantageously, if a container 79, 80 is positioned in the cradle 86, 87 when the lateral actuator 88, 89 is operated then the container 79, 80 will be moved laterally. The first container movement device 84 is capable of positioning a container 79, 80 at a packing location 74, 75 and removing a container 79, 80 from a packing location 74, 75 when the container 79, 80 and its contents reach a pre-determined weight. The second container movement device 85 is operable to move a container longitudinally and has an automatically operated, bi-directional container movement conveyor 90. The container movement conveyor 90 is operated when a container 79, 80 and its contents in each packing location 74, 75 reach a pre-determined weight between 300 and 400 grams. When the container 74, 75 and its contents are of the pre-determined weight, the container movement conveyor 90 is operated first in a direction to move the container 74, 75 longitudinally generally towards the receiving section 1 3. The operation of the first container movement device 84 and the second container movement device 85 are automatically synchronised. The first container movement device 84 moves the container 79, 80 laterally on to the container movement conveyor 90. The container movement conveyor 90 moves the container 79, 80 away from the first container movement device 84.

The packing apparatus 1 further has a container collecting arrangement 91 . The container collecting arrangement 91 has a downward sloping ramp 92 and a container stop arrangement 93. Advantageously, the container stop arrangement 93 prevents a container 95, 96, 97, 98, 1 98, 99 from sliding off the ramp 92. The container collecting arrangement 93 further has a barrier 94. The barrier 94 prevents the containers 95, 96, 97, 98, 1 98, 99 from falling sideways off the downward sloping ramp 92. More than one container 95, 96, 97, 98, 1 98, 99 can be distributed on the container collecting arrangement 91 . The container collecting arrangement 91 is positioned proximal to the second container movement device 85. When operated, the second container movement device 85 moves a container on to the container collecting arrangement 91 . The container collecting arrangement 91 is orientated generally towards the receiving section 1 3. The container collecting arrangement 91 further has an arrangement, not shown, for detecting when a container has passed on to the container collecting arrangement 91 . The detecting arrangement is operably linked to the container movement arrangement 83.

The packing apparatus 1 has an arrangement 1 00 for loading containers. The container loading arrangement 1 00 is angled upwards from the second container movement device 85 and is positioned above the container collecting arrangement 91 . The container loading arrangement 1 00 is capable of loading the containers 1 01 , 102, 1 03, 1 04, 1 05, 1 06 on to the container movement device 85. The container loading arrangement 1 00 has a holding arrangement 107; the holding arrangement 100 has an elongate structure 1 08. The elongate structure 1 08 extends outwards towards the direction of the picker at the receiving section 13 generally and is proximal to the receiving section 13. The container loading arrangement 100 further has a container carriage arrangement 109. The container carriage arrangement 109 has a pair of endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 defining a gap therebetween for receiving containers 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106. The container carriage arrangement 109 has a plurality of pulleys 112, 113, 114; there being two pulleys per each endless container- carrying device 110, 111. One of the pulleys is a drive pulley; not shown. The pulleys 112, 113, 114 are attached to the holding arrangement 107, below the holding arrangement 107. The two endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 are spaced apart from each other at a generally consistent distance; the distance being sufficient to hold a container 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106.

Only one face 110a, 111a, being the uppermost face, of each endless container- carrying device 110, 111 is in contact with the containers 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106. The pulleys 112, 113, 114 are angled to the vertical to position the lower face 110b, 111b of the endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 at a distance from a container

101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 when a container 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 is positioned on the endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 in situ. Advantageously, the angled pulleys 112, 113, 114 mean only one face 110a, 111a of the endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 is in substantial contact with the containers 101,

102, 103, 104, 105, 106. Advantageously again, when the endless container-carrying devices 110, 111 are moving, the lower face of the endless container-carrying devices 110b, 111a which is moving opposite to the desired direction of travel, does not substantially contact the containers 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106. Advantageously again, the angled pulleys 112, 113, 114 enable the containers 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 to move along the desired direction of travel within the container loading arrangement 100.

The container loading arrangement 100 has a loading stop arrangement, not shown. Advantageously, the loading stop arrangement prevents a container 101, 102,

103, 104, 105, 106 from leaving the container loading arrangement 100 and being passed on to the second container movement device 85. The loading stop arrangement is automatically operable to allow a container 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 to move on to the second container movement device 85. At least six containers 101, 102, 103,

104, 105, 106 can be pre-loaded on to the container loading arrangement 100. The components of the container movement arrangement 83 operate sequentially to remove and replace containers 79, 80, 95, 96, 97, 98, 198, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104,

105, 106 at the locations 74, 75 of the packing station 5. When a container 79, 80 and its contents in one of the locations 74, 75 reaches a pre-determined weight, the first container movement device 84 moves the container 74, 75 laterally, the second container movement device 85 moves the container 74, 75 longitudinally to the container collecting arrangement 91 , a new container 1 01 , 1 02, 1 03, 1 04, 105, 1 06 is released from the container loading arrangement 1 00 on to the second container movement device 85 which positions the container longitudinally, then the first container movement device 84 moves the container laterally to a packing location 74, 75.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown , the packing apparatus 1 further comprises a control arrangement for controlling the divergence along the direction of travel of the conveyor 3 in the grading section 1 6, the control arrangement being operable to adjust the divergence of the conveyor in the grading section 1 6 in response to the container reaching a pre-determined weight. Advantageously, this means that when the target parameter of a container is achieved, the divergence between the faces of the conveyor 3 at the grading section 16 is adjusted such as to make the products move onto the next location with an empty container. This can involve widening the gap between the faces of the conveyor 3 or narrowing the gap between the faces of the conveyor 3. This can speed up the packing process as the apparatus 1 does not have to wait while the filled container is removed.

The grading section 1 6 further has an arrangement 1 1 5 for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 of the packing apparatus 1 . The horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 of the packing apparatus 1 will be the largest products that are added to the packing apparatus 1 at the receiving section 1 3. The arrangement 1 1 5 for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 of the packing apparatus 1 has a first large product transfer device 1 16. The first large product transfer device 1 1 6 laterally transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 of the packing apparatus 1 . The first large product transfer device 1 1 6 is a conveyor belt. The arrangement 1 1 5 for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 of the packing apparatus 1 has a second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7. The second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7 is generally perpendicular and proximal to the first large product transfer arrangement 1 16. The second large product transfer arrangement 1 17 longitudinally transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3. The products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 are transferred generally laterally on the first large product transfer arrangement 1 1 6 then generally longitudinally on the second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7. The second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7 transfers the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 towards the direction of the receiving section 1 3 and towards the direction of the picker generally. The second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7 is a similar length to the grading section 1 6. The arrangement 1 1 5 for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3 further has a catchment device 1 18, being a box. The catchment device 1 18 is located proximal to the second large product transfer arrangement 1 1 7 and is operable to collect the products that are carried off the end of the conveyor 3. The catchment device 1 1 8 is removable from the packing apparatus 1 . A container can be positioned in the catchment device 1 18, not shown .

The packing apparatus 1 further has one or more weighing devices 1 1 9, 1 20 positioned underneath the packing locations 74, 75 distributed under the longitudinal axis of the grading section 1 6 of the conveyor 3. The packing apparatus 1 further has a cutting device 40 for cutting a protruding portion of the products. Advantageously, the cutting device 40 can trim part of the product, such as part of the stem of a mushroom. Traditionally, a mushroom picker would pick the mushrooms with one hand and hold a knife in the other for cutting the stems of the mushroom. The cutting device 40 avoids the need for the picker to manually cut the products, and thus frees up the other hand of the picker, increasing the picking efficiency.

The packing apparatus 1 further has a waste collection bin , not shown, positioned underneath the cutting device 40, the waste collection bin being operable to receive the cut protruding portion of the products. The cutting device 40 comprises two rotatable blades 1 22, 1 23 positioned underneath a section of the conveyor 3. The packing apparatus 1 further has an arrangement 42 for moving the cutting device 40 up/down to control the length of the protruding portion of the products to be cut. In one embodiment, not shown, the arrangement for moving the cutting device 40 up/down has an infra-red imaging means which detects the length of the protruding portion to be cut, and moves the cutting device 40 up/down based on the detected length. The two rotatable blades 1 22, 123 are vertically aligned defining a very slight gap between the cutting edges, and aligned to cut a protruding portion of the agricultural or horticultural product stems completely away from the remainder of the product.

The packing apparatus 1 has a drive arrangement 1 25, powered electronically. The drive arrangement 1 25 is operably engaged with the conveyor 3 and the cutting device 40 and, when operated, the drive arrangement 1 25 drives the blades 1 22, 1 23. The packing apparatus 1 further has two pulleys 126, 1 27 located proximal to the cutting device 40 and to the blades 122, 1 23. The two pulleys 1 26, 127 are located below the blades 122, 1 23. When operated, the drive arrangement 1 25 rotates the pulleys 1 26, 1 27 located below the blades and the blades 122, 1 23. An endless drive arrangement 1 28 is looped around the pulleys 1 26, 127 located below the blades 1 22, 1 23 and two pulleys 21 a, 21 b of the conveyor 3. The drive arrangement 1 25 also drives the conveyor 3. All the pulleys, rollers or guiding elements of the laterally opposing faces of the conveyor 3 are staggered along the direction of travel of the products to be transported.

In the embodiment of the current invention shown in Figure 1 , the packing apparatus 1 comprises a wheeled frame 7 onto which the conveyor 3 and packing station 5 are mounted/disposed. The wheeled frame 7 is only one arrangement of the present invention. The packing is mountable on other forms of transport mechanism such as rails, and indeed is stationary in some arrangements . The conveyor 3 comprises a receiving section indicated by the reference numeral 1 3 that extends outwardly from the wheeled frame 7 and on which the picker places the products. Figure 2 details the receiving section 9 extending from the wheeled frame 7.

In the embodiment of the current invention shown in Figure 3, the conveyor 3 comprises a pair of endless carrying devices indicated generally by the reference numerals 1 1 a, 1 1 b with at least two corresponding portions 1 2a, 12b facing each other. In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 in particular, the endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b comprise a first pair of endless carrying devices 21 3a, 21 3b, a second pair of endless carrying devices 14a, 14b, a third pair of endless carrying devices 1 5a, 1 5b and a fourth pair of endless carrying devices 21 6a, 216b. The first pair of endless carrying devices 21 3a, 21 3b act as a receiving section 1 3 for receiving products picked by the picker. The receiving section 1 3 is able to swivel from side to side about a pivot point 21 a, 21 b that is formed by pivot pulleys 21 a, 21 b. The swivelling from side to side is in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3. The receiving section 13 can be swivelled to move it into close proximity to the growing bed where the picker is picking the products. The fourth pair of endless carrying devices 216a, 21 6b act as a grading section 1 6 for grading the agricultural or horticultural products received by the receiving section into different sizes. The pulleys of 20a, 21 a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 27 of the first endless carrying device 1 1 a of the pair of endless carrying devices 1 1 a, 1 1 b are staggered along the direction of travel with respect to the pulleys 20b, 21 b, 22b, 23b, 24b of the other endless carrying device 1 1 b of the pair 1 1 a, 1 1 b. By having the pulleys 20a, 21 a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 27 staggered with respect to the pulleys 20b, 21 b, 22b, 23b, 24b there are no hard points along the direction of travel that will prevent the expansion of the width of the gap 10.

In the particular arrangement shown in Figure 3, the first pair of endless carrying devices 21 3a, 21 3b each comprise a head pulley 20a, 20b and a tail pulley 21 a, 21 b. The head and tail pulleys 20a, 21 a of one of the first pair of endless carrying devices 213a is staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to the corresponding head and tail pulleys 20b, 21b of the other one of the first pair of endless carrying devices 213b. Similarly, the second pair of endless carrying devices 14a, 14b each comprise a head pulley 27, 21b and a tail pulley 22a, 22b. The third pair of endless carrying devices 15a, 15b each comprise a head pulley 22a, 22b and a tail pulley 23a, 23b. The fourth pair of endless carrying devices 216a, 216b comprise a head pulley 23a, 23b and a tail pulley 24a, 24b. The pulleys 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 27 of the second, third and fourth endless carrying devices 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 216a, 216b are offset/staggered in the same way as the pulleys 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b of the first pair of endless carrying devices 213a, 213b. At least one of the pulleys, 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 27 is motorized. The rotation axes of the pulleys 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 27 are inclined, and in most arrangements are substantially perpendicular, with respect to both the width and longitudinal development of the gap 10.

Referring to Figure 3 and 4, the packing apparatus further comprises an arrangement 30 which is encircled in Figure 3 and labelled with the letter A for varying the tension of at least one of the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b and/or biasing the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b with respect to the direction of travel of the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b. The arrangement 30 for varying the tension comprises a command device 31 (Figure 1) for activating and/or controlling the arrangement 30 for varying the tension of the endless carrying means. In addition, the arrangement 30 for varying the tension of the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b and/or biasing the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b comprise at least one speed-controlled motorized pulley 21a, 27. Additionally/alternatively, the arrangement 30 for varying the tension and/or biasing the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b comprises a device, not shown, for moving at least one of the pulleys 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 27 forwards and backwards along the direction of travel of the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b. Additionally/alternatively still, the arrangement 30 for tensioning the endless carrying devices 11a, 11b comprise a tension pulley 21a, 27 that is the head/tail pulley of one of the pairs of endless carrying devices 213a, 213b, 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 216a, 216b of the endless carrying device 11a, 11b.

Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a detailed view of the encircled Section B in Figure 3. In this Figure, it shown that at the corner/bend section, the pulleys 23a, 23b do not present any fixed hard parts, and thus allow for the accommodation and retention of products of different sizes around the corner/bend section. This arrangement allows for better grip with more flexibility in gap 10 distances. Once the particular area of growing bed is picked, the picker can swivel the receiving section 1 3 towards the growing bed on the other side of the passage and repeat the picking process. In addition, the picker can move the packing apparatus 1 forwards/backwards along the length of the growing bed.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to th e contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermedi ate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 . A packing apparatus for agricultural or horticultural products , the packing apparatus comprising a conveyor means for conveying agricultural or horticultural products towards a packing station, the conveyor means comprising:

2. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a conveyor support means.

3. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the conveyor support means comprises a chassis.

4. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the chassis is pivotably mounted on a carriage means.

5. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pulley of the first endless carrying means of the pair is staggered, along the direction of travel, with respect to at least one pulley of the other endless carrying means of the pair.

6. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein when no products are accommodated in the gap, the width of the gap corresponds to, or is less than, the minimum size of the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported,

7. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported are mushrooms that are intended to be accommodated and retained in the gap with their stems and wherein wherein the cap of the mushrooms are intended to be rested and supported on the conveyor means.

8. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor means comprise ropes, flat belts, groove belts, ribbed belts and/or V belts.

9. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises means for varying the tension of the conveyor means.

1 0. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises means for biasing at least one of the endless carrying means with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

1 1 . A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus comprises a receiving section, the receiving section being operable to receive agricultural or horticultural products from a picker.

1 2. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein at least part of the pair of endless carrying means being disposed at or about the receiving section of the packing apparatus.

1 3. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a grading section, the grading section being operable to grade the agricultural or horticultural products into different sizes or other set parameter.

14. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the conveyor means comprises at least one separate but adjacent and/or overlapping endless carrying means.

1 5. A packing apparatus as claimed in claims 1 3 or 14, wherein in the grading section, the width of the gap defined by the at least two facing portions of the conveyor means increases along the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

1 6. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the precedi ng claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a control means, the control means being operable to controllably move the facing portions of the conveyor means towards and/or away from each other.

1 7. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 6, wherein the control means comprises at least one means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means.

1 8. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 7, wherein the control means comprises a first means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means and a second means for positioning at least one displaceable pulley of the conveyor means.

1 9. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a packing station , the conveyor means being operable to convey agricultural or horticultural products towards the packing station.

20. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 9, wherein the packing station comprises more than one packing location , each packing location being provided with at least one container for collecting agricultural or horticultural products.

21 . A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 20 , wherein each packing location comprises a means for transferring agricultural or horticultural products to the at least one container.

22. A packing apparatus as claimed in claims 20 or 21 , wherein the packing apparatus further comprising means for positioning a container at a packing location, a means for removing a container from a packing location and /or a means for removin g a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container.

23. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the means for removing a container from a packing location and/or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container being operable to remove containers in response to the container and its contents reaching a pre-determined parameter.

24. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a container collecting means.

25. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the container collecting means is orientated generally towards the receiving section .

26. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the packing apparatus further comprises a means for loading containers.

27. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 26 when dependent on claim 22, wherein the container loading means is capable of loading containers on to the means for positioning a container at a packing location, the means for removing a container from a packing location and /or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container.

28. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the components of the means for positioning a container at a packing location, the means for removing a container from a packing location and and /or the means for removing a container from a packing location and replacing with a different container operate sequentially to remove and replace containers at the locations of the packing station.

29. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 3 or 14 to 28 when dependent on claim 1 3, wherein the grading section further comprises means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means of the packing apparatus.

30. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the means for collecting the horticultural or agricultural products that are carried off the end of the conveyor means further comprises a catchment means.

31 . A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises one or more weighing means.

32. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises a cutting means for cutting a protruding portion of the products.

33. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the packing apparatus further comprises means for moving the cutting means up/down to control the length of the protruding portion of the products to be cut.

34. A packing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing apparatus comprises a drive means.

35. A packing apparatus as claimed in claims 34, wherein the drive means is operably engaged with the conveyor means.

36. A packing apparatus as claimed in claim 34 when dependent on claim 33, wherein the drive means is operably engaged with the cutting means.