Elevated fruit harvest conveying system

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevated fruit harvest conveying system (E) that can be installed in a manner suited to the type of crop, allowing it to be moved in the field, wherein the conveying system (E) is installed in an elevated and horizontal position, depending on the type of crop and ground conditions, and comprises a structure (C) consisting of a rectangular or square tubular base with levelling wheels (B) and levelling support plates (I) that can be adjusted to the ground level, ensuring that the conveying system remains horizontal and parallel to the ground and can operate with the aid of a motor; or at a slight angle to allow crates to be transported by gravity.

Description

[0001] HIGH-LEVEL FRUIT HARVEST EVACUATION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] [1] The present invention relates to the technical field of agriculture, especially in the area of ​​harvesting and production of different types of fruit crops.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] [2] The cultivation and production of grapes or other types of crops such as fruits, vegetables, etc., requires structures or systems that can facilitate the transport and / or evacuation in the field of the harvested fruits.

[0006] [3] In the prior art, document DE2807259 is known, which discloses a vehicle-shaped collection device for collecting and transporting fruit that has been separated from its plants, allowing it to be transported for further processing. The transport device comprises a conveyor belt equipped with guides or an elevator that fits into the collection channel, and the grapes are transported to a transportable collection container, preferably mounted on a vehicle that is moved by a grape harvester.

[0007] [4] Also known is document CN111572876 which discloses a packaging device used after fruit harvesting comprising a lower support frame, wherein a battery pack is arranged on the surface of the lower end of the lower support frame; two side support sockets are arranged on the upper end face of the lower support frame; a transmission mechanism is arranged on one side of one of the side support sockets; the transmission mechanism comprises a drive motor, connecting strips, side deflectors, a drive shaft, a fixed rotating frame, guide rollers, tension adjustment plates, a driven shaft, rollers, a conveyor belt, positioning plates and a protective cover; and the drive motor is arranged at one end of the drive shaft.

[0008] [5] Document FR8101540 discloses a fruit handling unit consisting of a pair of articulated frames mounted in front of the harvester. Each parallel frame supports inclined endless chain conveyors equipped with elastic "fingers" that prevent the fruit from falling back to the ground. The movement of the chains is controlled by a height-adjustable wheel on which a toothed ring is mounted. The endless chain passes over this wheel and drives the upper drive shaft of the chain conveyors.

[0009] [6] On the other hand, document FR2643622 discloses a conveyor comprising a hopper with a generally “U” shaped cross-section, containing two overlapping branches of an endless belt, the upper of which is intended to move the fruit and is located below the plane of passage through the edges of the conduit. The upper part, i.e., the part located above the belt, of at least one of the conduit walls, is formed by a flap having a length at least equal to the width of the hopper and which can be moved between a position in which it is in line with the wall relative to the hopper and ensures its continuity, and a position in which it closes the central part of the hopper and uncovers an opening in the side wall. The conveyor's main application is for filling fruit fermentation tanks.

[0010] [7] In this regard, it is clear that there is still an unmet need for a portable conveyor belt or fruit harvesting system that allows for easy and efficient harvesting of fruit in the field without damage to the harvested fruit, where the belt or system can be positioned perpendicular to the crop rows or longitudinally and placed above the crop, i.e., elevated. [8] The portable fruit harvesting system of the present invention offers several significant advantages for the harvesting process of different crops. First, its adaptable design allows its use on a variety of terrains and crop types, making it versatile and suitable for different agricultural contexts.The ability to adjust the swivel casters ensures the conveyor belt remains horizontal and parallel to the ground and above the crop, and slightly inclined as needed. The casters rotate a full 360 degrees, facilitating the efficient transport of crates filled with harvested produce. Furthermore, the reduced number of workers and tractors required lowers operating costs and optimizes human resources. Decreasing the waiting time for harvested fruit also helps maintain its freshness and quality, preventing damage and losses. The conveyor systems can be powered by motors or pulled by additional crates, offering operational flexibility.Additionally, the evacuation systems can be of various types, such as belts with canvas or rubber covers, modular plastic and chain belts, or rotating rollers, allowing them to adapt to different types of fruit and working conditions. The detachable structure of the evacuation system facilitates its transport and installation in different fields, enabling rapid adaptation to the specific needs of each harvest.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] [9] The present invention relates to a portable, elevated evacuation system located above the crop, designed for use in the field during the harvest of various crops. This evacuation system facilitates the efficient collection and transport of agricultural products from the harvest site to collection or processing points. Its design significantly reduces the number of workers required, decreases the use of tractors, and reduces the waiting time for harvested products, thus improving the efficiency of the harvesting operation. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013]

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of the elevated evacuation system in use during the harvesting of different types of crops.

[0014]

[0011] Figure 2 shows the evacuation system located high above the crop.

[0015]

[0012] Figure 3 shows the evacuation system located perpendicular to and above the crop lines.

[0016]

[0013] Figures 4 and 5 show the assembly and disassembly process of the elevated evacuation system.

[0017]

[0014] Figure 6 shows a top view of the elevated evacuation systems with the thin tubular guides for the placement of the crates and where the portable evacuation systems are located longitudinally to the crop.

[0018]

[0015] Figure 7 shows a side view of the portable elevated evacuation system showing the tubular structure, the wheels and the adjustable support plates.

[0019]

[0016] Figure 8 shows a detail of the adjustable tires and support plate and their adjustment mechanism for uneven terrain.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]

[0017] The present invention relates to a portable and detachable elevated fruit harvest evacuation system (E) for installation in a manner suitable to the crop, wherein the portable evacuation system comprising a main conveyor belt is installed high above the crop plants being adjustable to allow raising or lowering the system according to the height of the fruit trees, allowing its mobility through the field,Where the portable elevated evacuation system (E) can be of any length and height, positioned above the crop, and comprises a rectangular, tubular, or square structure (C) with adjustable wheels (B) and adjustable support plates (I) at its lower end. These plates can be adapted to the ground level to ensure the conveyor belt remains horizontal and parallel to the ground, driven by a motor, or slightly inclined to allow gravity transport of the crates containing the harvested fruit to a transport vehicle. The evacuation system consists of two adjustable wheels (B) at the front and two adjustable support plates (I) at the rear, which help position the evacuation system on the ground. This design allows for easy assembly with other systems, making it sized as needed for each row or width of the crop.

[0022]

[0018] The adjustable wheels (B) and adjustable support plates (I) are a crucial component of this design, as they can be individually adjusted to the ground level, ensuring that the elevated evacuation system remains horizontal and parallel to the ground, or slightly inclined, allowing it to be raised above the crop. This individual adjustment of the wheels allows the elevated evacuation system (E) to maintain efficient operation even on uneven and difficult terrain, improving stability and safety during operation. Furthermore, the design, featuring adjustable wheels (B) at the front with full 360-degree rotation and adjustable support plates (I), provides a locking mechanism that secures its position, preventing unwanted movement during use.

[0023]

[0019] As previously stated, the portable elevated evacuation system (E) is designed for use in the field during the harvesting of various crops and can be positioned perpendicular to the crop rows and elevated above them, or, in another embodiment of the invention, longitudinally to the crop rows and also elevated above them. This elevated evacuation system (E) facilitates the efficient collection and transport of agricultural products from the harvest site to collection or processing points and may include a secondary conveyor belt extending perpendicularly from bottom to top in each crop row, transporting the harvested crates and / or boxes to a main conveyor belt.

[0024]

[0020] The technology is based on an elevated evacuation system (E) that can be installed according to the type of crop, allowing for its mobility in the field. The evacuation system (E) can be installed elevated above the crop or horizontally, depending on the crop type and terrain conditions. When the evacuation system is horizontal, it can be powered by a motor, ensuring the efficient transport of the fruit in crates.

[0025]

[0021] The structure (C) of the elevated evacuation system (E) is a rectangular tubular or square base with adjustable wheels (B) and adjustable support plates (I) that can be adjusted to the ground level and crop height, ensuring that the evacuation system remains horizontal and operates with the aid of a motor, or slightly inclined to allow for gravity transport. The adjustable wheels (B) and adjustable plates (I) feature an adjustment mechanism (F) for uneven terrain, allowing the height of each wheel and plate to be adjusted individually and independently, ensuring that the elevated evacuation system (E) remains level regardless of ground irregularities and above the crop. Additionally, the supports for the conveyor belt wheels are adjustable, allowing adaptation to the width of the crop rows to ensure efficient installation.

[0026]

[0022] Figure 1 shows an example of the evacuation system (E) in use during the harvesting of different types of crops. In this view, it can be seen how the crates with harvested products are placed on the evacuation system (E), specifically on the main conveyor belt, and efficiently transported to the collection point. The image also illustrates the adaptation of the evacuation system to different terrain conditions and crop types, demonstrating its versatility and efficiency in the harvesting process.

[0027]

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the evacuation system (E) can be located high up and above the crop to allow for better collection of the fruit from the crop.

[0028]

[0024] Figure 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the evacuation system (E) comprises a main conveyor belt that is located perpendicular to the rows of the crop and in a high manner in order to allow a better way of collecting the fruits of the crop.

[0029]

[0025] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the assembly and disassembly process of the elevated drainage system (E). These images show how the elevated drainage systems (E), comprising a main belt and one or more secondary belts, are assembled and disassembled using a bolt (H) at one end of one elevated drainage system (E). This bolt connects to a bolt coupling (G) located at the end of another elevated drainage system (E), forming a row of elevated drainage systems (E) and facilitating their transport and relocation to different fields. The bolt (H) is inserted into the bolt coupling (G) to ensure a secure and stable connection between the elevated drainage systems. The modular design allows for quick and easy installation of one or more belts of any length, adapting to the specific needs of each crop field.The coupling of the evacuation systems (E), achieved by means of bolt (H) and bolt coupling (G), allows for quick and safe installation and removal of the different sections of the evacuation systems (E). This enables the creation of a system with two or more evacuation systems (E), increasing the length of the resulting evacuation system (E). This detachable feature facilitates transport and installation in different fields, allowing for rapid adaptation to the specific needs of each harvest.

[0026] Figure 6 shows a top view of the elevated evacuation systems, highlighting the thin tubular guides (D) that facilitate the safe transport of the crates. In this view, it can be seen how the guides (D) are distributed along the length of the elevated evacuation system, preventing the crates from falling during transport.These thin tubular guides (D) are located at the top of the evacuation system (E) and along its length, ensuring the safe transport of the crates. This figure also shows a configuration where the evacuation systems are positioned longitudinally along the crop rows.

[0030]

[0027] Referring to Figure 7, a side view of the portable elevated evacuation system (E) is shown, highlighting the rectangular tubular structure (C), the adjustable wheels (B), and the adjustable support plates (I). This view allows observation of how the wheels (B) and plates (I) can be adjusted to maintain the track horizontal or slightly inclined according to the terrain, ensuring efficient transport of the crates.

[0031]

[0028] Regarding the adjustable rims (B) and adjustable support plates (I), Figure 8 shows a detail of their adjustment mechanism (F) for uneven terrain. This specific view illustrates how the mechanism allows the height of each rim (B) and support plate (I) to be adjusted individually, ensuring that the elevated evacuation system (E) remains level regardless of the terrain's irregularity and can also be raised above crops.

[0032]

[0029] The thin tubular guides (D) at the top along the length of the elevated evacuation system (E) ensure that the crates containing the harvested produce remain in place during transport, preventing falls and damage to the produce. The elevated evacuation system, comprising the main conveyor belt, may include a protective roof, which may be either wallless or in the form of a complete tunnel, designed to protect the fruit from the sun, reduce dehydration, and prevent the accumulation of dust and leaf debris.

[0033]

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the elevated evacuation systems (E) can be driven by motors or by pulling other crates as they are placed, offering flexibility in their operation. Additionally, the elevated evacuation systems can have different types of covers or rotating rollers, allowing them to adapt to different types of products and working conditions.

[0034]

[0031] The modular structure of the drainage system allows for expansion by coupling multiple sections, enabling its application in fields of varying sizes and configurations. This modularity, combined with its ease of assembly and disassembly, makes the drainage system an indispensable tool for improving efficiency and reducing operating costs in the harvesting process.

[0035]

[0032] Another aspect of the present invention is the harvesting process with this portable evacuation system (E) which consists of several stages:

[0036] a) the careful manual cutting of the crop's fruit,

[0037] b) the storage of the harvested products in crates,

[0038] c) the placement of the crates in the elevated evacuation system (E); and d) Collection of the crates at the end of the elevated evacuation system for transport to the vehicles that will take the products to the collection points or processing plants.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable elevated fruit harvest evacuation system for different types of crops, characterized in that it comprises a main conveyor belt that is located perpendicular to the crop rows and rises above the fruit trees and comprises two adjustable wheels (B) at the front and two adjustable support plates (I) at the rear in a structure (C) and thin tubular guides (D) at the top and along the evacuation system, wherein the adjustable wheels (B) and the adjustable support plates adjust to the terrain facilitating the transport of harvested crates and / or boxes from the field to a collection point.

2. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a secondary belt that runs from bottom to top parallel to the cultivation lines that help to transport the fruit crates to the main belt.

3. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the main conveyor belt has a protective roof, which may be without walls or in the form of a complete tunnel, designed to protect the fruit from the sun, reduce dehydration and prevent the accumulation of dust and leaf debris.

4. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt wheels have a full 360-degree rotation, allowing for easy movement and transport in the field.

5. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the main belt is adjustable, allowing the system to be raised or lowered according to the height of the fruit trees.

6. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the supports where the belt wheels are located are adjustable, allowing adaptation to the width of the crop rows to ensure efficient installation.

7. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the evacuation system is driven by motors or by dragging crates and / or boxes.

8. The elevated evacuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two or more evacuation systems coupled in a row by means of bolts (H) and bolt couplings (G), wherein one evacuation system is joined to another by means of a bolt and its corresponding coupling which allows it to be conditioned to the desired size.

9. A harvesting process characterized by comprising the following stages: a) careful manual cutting of the crop's fruit; b) storage of the harvested products in crates; c) placement of the crates in the elevated evacuation system (E); and d) collection of the crates at the end of the elevated evacuation system for transport to the vehicle that will take the products to the collection points or processing plants.

Images