Harvesting device for harvesting mushrooms from a growing bed

Abstract

Harvesting device for harvesting mushrooms from a growing bed that extends in a lengthwise and widthwise direction and that has a harvesting surface that is the surface over which the mushrooms can be cut from the growing bed in order to be harvested, the device comprising: - A cutting device that can be moved in the lengthwise direction relative to the growing bed, comprising an endless saw band, that extends over a closed path with an active part that is a straight line that extends in use in the harvesting surface, in the widthwise direction of the growing bed or that extends at least with a directional component in the widthwise direction and a directional component in the lengthwise direction of the growing bed, i.e. perpendicular to the lengthwise direction or oblique to the lengthwise direction and - a drive device for driving the cutting device along the closed path.

Description

The present invention relates to a . Mushrooms are grown on large beds, often 10 to 15 meters long, With a width of between 50cm and 2 meters. The mushrooms grow a number ofweeks, and there is a relative short window of opportunity for harvesting, often only a few hours up to one day. As there are often multiple beds in one shelving, and several shelvings in one cell, wherein mushrooms have grown under comparable circumstances, numerous mushrooms require harvesting at thesame time. Although it has beencommon to harvest mushrooms manually, and there are various systems, like the ones described in European patents EP 3578037, EP 3607818 and EP 3673726 that have made manual harvesting easierand the circumstances for harvesters better, manual harvesting remains cumbersome, and personnel becomes harder and harder to find. It has also been common to harvest mushrooms in an automated manner, be it that the devices and methods for this aim are usually rathercourse and mushrooms harvested thisway are only suitable for sales in tin cans or glass jars, mostly after being sliced. This disadvantage is aimed to be solved bythe solutions described in international patent applications PCT / EP2023 / 068625 and PCT / EP2024 / 062359, which are herein incorporated by reference. These patents describe the used of rotating knives, positioned next to each other in order to cut and harvest mushrooms in an automated manner, or reciprocally driven saw blades or belts forthesame purpose, and means for separatingand further processingthe mushrooms. One disadvantage ofmost prior art systems is thatmushrooms start tumblingand falling after being cut or harvested, losing their mutual orientation and often also gettingdamaged, which renders them unsuitable for fresh market purposes. This may both be caused bythe actual cuttingmeans or method and in particular byforces or vibrations exerted on the mushrooms thereby, and bythe further processing means. It is a goal of the present invention to take awaythe above described disadvantages, and / or to provide a device and method for harvesting mushrooms from a growing bed thatforms a useful alternative to the prior art. According to the invention, therefore a harvesting device is proposed for harvestingmushrooms from a growing bed that extends in a lengthwise and widthwise direction and that has a harvesting surface that is the surface overwhich the mushrooms can be cutfrom the growing bed in order to be harvested, the device comprising: 1 A cutting device that can be moved in the lengthwise direction relative to the growing bed, comprising an endless saw band, that extends over a closed path With an active part that is a straight line that extends in use in the harvesting surface, in the widthwise direction of the growing bed or that extends at leastWith a directionalcomponent in the WidthWise direction and a directionalcomponent in the lengthwise direction of the growing bed, i.e. perpendicular to the lengthwise direction or oblique to the lengthwise direction and a drive device for drivingthe cutting device alongthe closed path. The active part of the path the beltsaw follows, is the partwhere the mushrooms are cut. During use, this part extends in the harvesting surface. The endless beltsawmay be looped over pulleys orwheels, and as it is endless, be driven continuously, wherein the saw band passes the active part and a return path. In the active part of the path, itmay actuallyengage and cut the mushrooms. In a preferred embodiment, the drive device is configured to drive the saw band along the closed path in one direction during use. This avoids the cause of vibrations in the entire device, but also to the mushrooms duringand after being cut. As a result, the mushrooms remain in their mutual position and orientation after being cut, Which causes less pollution and mess of the device, the shelvingand a mushroom growing cellwherein the device is located, but also avoids damage afterthe further harvesting process. The mushrooms withhold one anotherfrom tumbling and this from gettingdamaged. With drivingthe saw band alongthe closed path in one direction during use it is meant that no reciprocal movement of the beltsaw is made. The closed path is a unidirectional path in such embodiment. In the device according to the invention, besides the movement of the saw belt alongthe closed path, the entire cutting device is moved over the growing bed, in a length direction of the latter. For this purpose, it pay be provided With Wheels, that are guided on rails oron any provision provided on the growing bed. This may in a simple case be a top edge of the growing bed. In an embodiment, the cutting device maycomprise guides or bearings for defining the shape of the path, wherein an arc section of at least 90 degrees is defined at both ends of the active path byan arc sectionshaped slide bearing or by a series of several roller bearings arranged along an arc section shape, thereby leaving a free passage for cutmushrooms above the active path of the saw band. Such an arc sectionshaped slide bearing or by a series of several roller bearings arranged along an arc section shape may be used instead of pulleywheels, and has the advantage that it does not extend in the direction of the active part of the path of the saw band, and leaves the space 2 above the active part of the path the band saw follows free, so that cutmushrooms can pass overthe belt.A90 degrees angle makes sure that the beltsaw then moves upward ordownward, but a 180 degree turn may be preferred, to obtain the shortest loop path for a given bed with to be cut. In an embodiment, the drive device engages the saw band on a side of the saw band opposite the active path. This makes sure that also the drive forthe beltsaw does not impede the mushroomswhen the cutting device is moved overthe mushroom growing bed. The drive device may be configured to move the saw band at a speed of 5002500 m / min, and in particular between 900 and 1800 m / min, and more in particular between 1200 and 1500 m / min. This movement overthe bed maybe done manually, by simply pushingthe cutting device over the growing bed. The cutting device may be suspended in anyknown way for that purpose, for instance by havingwheels. Alternatively, the device according to the invention maycomprise a (second) drive device for movingthesaw band over the cultivation bed in the lengthwise direction of the cultivation bed. Such second drive device may be mounted on a cart carrying the cutting device, or be arranged outside the shelving, wherein the cutting device is for instance pulled via a cord orwire or chain. With a drive device, a powered drive device is meant here. The device according to the invention may furthercomprise a dispensing device for a cloth or foil, configured to be moved overthe growing bed togetherwith the cutting device, and to dispense cloth or foil in connection with the active part of the cutting ribbon, for receiving harvested mushrooms on the cloth or foil. The dispensing device mayfollowthe cutting device and it and may to that end be coupled with the cutting device. As it is beneficial to support the cut mushrooms as soon as possible afterthey are cut, a leading edge of the dispensing device may be positioned less than 5cm and preferably less than 3cm and more preferably less than 1 cm behind saw band. A dispensing device for use in the present invention maycomprise a cloth or foil holder, accommodated in a housing that iswedgeshaped on a side adjacent to the cutting device for guiding the cloth or foil over the cloth or foil holder.A standard and commercially available insulation foil, in particular a dampopen insulation foil, such as Miofol125G is suitable. The cloth or foil holdermaycomprise two rollers or spindles overwhich the cloth or foil is stretched, such that a cloth or foil holder that is as low as possible and lower than a single roller or spindle is obtained. The dispensing device may further be accommodated in a housing that is wedgeshaped on a side facingawayfrom the cutting device for placingthe cloth or foilwith harvested mushrooms on a harvested part of the growing bed. 3 The invention also relates to an assembly of a growing bed and a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the growing bed is included in a shelving comprising uprights, which uprights extend at a distance in the width direction of the growing bed, wherein the distance is greater than or equal to the distance overwhich the saw band extends beyond the active part in the width direction of the bed. Such shelvingmaycomprise several growing beds placed above and / or next to each other. The invention further relates to a method for harvestingmushrooms, comprising moving a driven endless saw band over a closed path in a lengthwise direction of a growing bed, which endless saw band comprises an active part that extends at least in a widthwise direction over at least the entire width of the growing bed. The method may furthercomprise transferringthe mushrooms thus harvested to a cloth or foil, and / or to clearing a strip extending along at least one edge of the growing bed in the lengthwise direction of the growing bed ofmushrooms prior to harvesting the mushrooms. The invention willnow be elucidated into more detailwith reference to the following figures. Herein: Figure 1 shows a perspective schematicview of a device according to the invention; Figure 2shows a schematic frontview of a device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic sideview of a device according to the invention; and Figure 4 shows a schematic frontview of a device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective schematicview of a harvesting device 1 for harvestingmushrooms 2 from a growing bed 3 that extends in a lengthwise L and widthwiseW direction and that has a harvesting surface 4 that is the surface overwhich the mushrooms 2 can be cutfrom the growing bed 3 in order to be harvested, the device comprising a cutting device 5 that can be moved in the lengthwise L direction relative to the growing bed 3, comprising an endless saw band 6, that extends over a closed path with an active part 7 that is a straight line that extends in use in the harvesting surface 4 , in the widthwiseW direction of the growing bed 3 or that extends at least with a directionalcomponent in the widthwiseW direction and a directionalcomponent in the lengthwise L direction of the growing bed 3, i.e. perpendicular to the lengthwise L direction or oblique to the lengthwise L direction and a drive device 8 for driving the cutting device 5 along the closed path. 4 The drive device 8 is configured to drive the saw band 6 alongthe closed path in one direction 9 during use. The device 1 comprises bearings 10 for defining the shape of the path, wherein an arc section 11, 12 of 180 degrees is defined at both ends of the active path 7 by a series of several roller bearings 10 arranged alongan arc section shape 11, 12, thereby leaving a free passage 13 for cut mushrooms 2 above the active path 7 of the saw band 6. The drive device 8 engages the saw band 6 on a side 14 of the saw band opposite the active path 7. The device according to the invention may furthercomprise a drive device (not shown) for movingthe saw band 6 overthe cultivation bed in the lengthwise L direction of the cultivation bed. The device 1 furthercomprises a dispensing device 15 for a cloth or foil 16, configured to be moved over the growing bed 3 togetherwith the cutting device 5, and to dispense cloth or foil 16 in connection with the active part 7 of the cutting path, for receiving harvested mushrooms 2 on the cloth or foil 16. The dispensing device 15 comprises a cloth orfoil holder 18, accommodated in a housing 17 that iswedgeshaped on a side adjacent to the cutting device 5 forguidingthe cloth or foil 16 overthe cloth orfoil holder 18. The cloth orfoil holder 18 comprises two rollers or spindles 18 overwhich the cloth or foil1 6 is stretched, such that a cloth orfoil holder 18 as low as possible and lowerthan a single roller or spindle is obtained. The housing 17 is alsowedgeshaped on a side facingawayfrom the cutting device 5 for placing the cloth or foil 16 with harvested mushrooms 2 on a harvested part of the growing bed 3. Figure 2shows a schematic frontview of the device 1 from figure 1, wherein the growing bed 3 is arranged in a shelving 19 comprising uprights 20, which uprights 20 extend at a distance 21 in the width direction of the growing bed, wherein the distance 21 is greaterthan or equal to the distance 22 overwhich the saw band 6 extends beyond the active part 7 in the widthW direction of the bed 3. Figure 3shows a schematic sideview of the device 1 from figures 1 and 2. Figure 4shows a schematic frontview of a device 30 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the beltsaw 6 is arranged around two pulleywheels 31 , 32. As the active part 7 is smaller in this case, itmay be necessary clear strips 32, 33 of the mushrooms 2 extending along at least one edge of the growing bed 3 in the lengthwise L direction 32, 33. The embodiments described above are examples onlyand do not limit the scope of protection as defined in the following clauses. 5 Clauses 1. that extends in a lengthwise and widthwise direction and that has a harvesting surface that is the surface overwhich the mushrooms can be cutfrom the growing bed in order to be harvested, the device comprising: A cutting device that can be moved in the lengthwise direction relative to the growing bed, comprising an endless saw band, that extends over a closed path with an active part that is a straight line that extends in use in the harvesting surface, in the widthwise direction of the growing bed or that extends at least with a directionalcomponent in the widthwise direction and a directionalcomponent in the lengthwise direction of the growing bed, i.e. perpendicular to the lengthwise direction or oblique to the lengthwise direction and a drive device for driving the cutting device alongthe closed path. 2. Harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein the drive device is configured to drive the saw band alongthe closed path in one direction during use. 3. Device according to claim 1, comprisingguides or bearings for definingthe shape of the path, wherein an arc section of at least 90 degrees is defined at both ends ofthe active path byan arc sectionshaped slide bearing or by a series of several roller bearings arranged along an arc section shape, thereby leaving a free passage for cutmushrooms above the active path of the saw band. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherebythe drive device engages the saw band on a side of the saw band opposite the active path. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive device for movingthe saw band overthe cultivation bed in the lengthwise direction of the cultivation bed. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a dispensing device for a cloth or foil, configured to be moved overthe growing bed togetherwith the cutting device, and to dispense cloth or foil in connection with the active part of the path, for receiving harvested mushrooms on the cloth or foil. 7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing device comprises a cloth or foil holder, accommodated in a housing that iswedgeshaped on a side adjacent to the cutting device forguidingthe cloth or foil over the cloth or foil holder. 6 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the cloth or foil holdercomprises two rollers or spindles overwhich the cloth or foil is stretched, such that a cloth or foil holder that is as low as possible and lowerthan a single roller or spindle is obtained. 9. Device according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the despensing device comprises a cloth or foil holder, accommodated in a housing that iswedgeshaped on a side facingawayfrom the cutting device for placingthe cloth or foilwith harvested mushrooms on a harvested part of the growing bed. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device is configured to move the saw band at a speed of 5002500 m / min, and in particular between 900 and 1800 m / min, and more in particular between 1200 and 1500 m / min. 1 1 .Assembly of a growing bed and a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the growing bed is included in a shelving comprising uprights, which uprights extend at a distance in the width direction of the growing bed, wherein the distance is greater than or equal to the distance overwhich the saw band extends beyond the active part in the width direction of the bed. 12.Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the shelvingcomprises several growing beds placed above and / or next to each other. 13. Method for harvestingmushrooms, comprising moving a driven endlesssaw band over a closed path in a lengthwise direction of a growing bed, which endlesssaw band comprises an active part that extends at least in a widthwise direction over at least the entire width of the growing bed. 14. Method according to claim 1, further comprising transferring the mushrooms thus harvested to a cloth or foil. 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising clearing a strip extending along at least one edge of the growing bed in the lengthwise direction of the growing bed of mushrooms prior to harvestingthe mushrooms. 7

Claims

1. Harvesting device for harvesting mushrooms from a cultivation bed that extends in a length and extends in the latitude direction and has a harvest area that is the surface over which the mushrooms can be cut from the growing bed in order to be harvested, the establishment comprising: A cutting device movable longitudinally relative to the seedbed, comprising an endless saw blade, extending along a closed trajectory with a active part which is a straight section which during use in the harvest surface extends in the width direction of the seedbed or that during use in the harvested areas at least with a directional component in the width directions a directional component in the longitudinal direction of the seedbed extends, thus perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or at an angle to the longitudinal direction and a drive device for moving the cutting device along the closed track.

2. Harvesting device in accordance with claim 1, where the drive device is designed to the ribbon to move in one direction during use.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, comprising conductors or bearings for defining the form of the trajectory, whereby adjacent to both ends of the active trajectory a by an arc-shaped plain bearing or by a series of several along a arc part shape mounted roller bearings defined arc part of at least 90 degrees is defined, leaving a free passage pre-cut mushrooms open above the working path of the saw blade.

4. Configuration in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the drive device on a engages the saw blade on the opposite side of the working section.

5. Device pursuant to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive device for moving the saw blade.

6. Establishment pursuant to one of the preceding claims, comprising a dispensing facility for a cloth or foil, designed to move over the cultivation bed together with the cutting device 8 to become, and to apply cloth or foil adjacent to the active part of the route, for receiving harvested mushrooms on the cloth or foil.

7. Device in accordance with claim 6, where the dispensing device comprises a cloth or film holder, housed in a housing adjacent to the cutting device, which is wedge-shaped is designed to guide the fabric or film over the fabric or film holder.

8. Configuration in accordance with claim 7, where the cloth or film holder consists of two rollers or spindles includes, over which the cloth or foil is stretched, unless as low as possible and at obtainable with a lower cloth or film holder compared to a single roller or spindle.

9. Device in accordance with claim 6, 7 or 8, where the dispensing device is a cloth or film holder comprises, housed in a casing on one of the sides facing away from the cutting device is designed in a wedge shape for laying the cloth on a harvested part of the cultivation bed or the foil with harvested mushrooms.

10. Configuration in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the drive device is designed for at a speed of 500-2500 m / min, in particular 900-1800 m / min, and more specifically the movement of the saw blade between 1200 and 1500 m / min.

11. Combination of a breeding bed and a setup in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the cultivation bed is incorporated into a rack comprising uprights, which uprights extend at a distance across the width of the seedbed, where the distance is greater than or equal to the distance over which the saw blade extends in the width direction of the bed extends beyond the active part.

12. Compound according to conclusion 11, where the theorem has multiple positions above and / or next to each other includes installed nursery beds.

13. Method for harvesting mushrooms, comprising the longitudinal direction of a moving the culture bed over that culture bed along an agreed closed trajectory endless saw blade that extends in at least one width direction over at least the entire extends the width of the seedbed. 9 14. Method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the transfer of onto a cloth or foil the mushrooms harvested in this way.

15. Method pursuant to claim 13 or 14, comprising the prior to the harvesting of the 5 mushrooms, free of mushrooms, making one along at least one edge of the seedbed strip extending lengthwise along the seedbed. 10

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