GRIPPING DEVICE FOR A MACHINE FOR HARVESTING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS, RESPECTIVE MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

Abstract

A gripping device (24) for a machine (1) for harvesting fruits and vegetables, the gripping device (24) comprises a clamp (28) configured to at least partially grasp said fruits and vegetables; said clamp (28) comprises a pair of projecting jaws (31), arranged opposite each other, which move between an approach position and a grasping position; wherein at least two facing grasping portions of the projecting jaws (31) are arranged, in the grasping position, at a minimum distance of less than 20 millimeters; wherein the gripping device comprises an anchoring support (26); wherein the clamp (28) is movably carried by the anchoring support (26) and is configured to be controlled to move with respect to said anchoring support (26) and thus pick up / detach from a respective branch the petiole(s) (202) of the previously grasped fruits and vegetables (200).