Harvester accessory

Abstract

NOT VISIBLE DUE TO STATUS OF PATENT

Description

[0001] HARVESTER ACCESSORY

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a harvester accessory. More particularly, this invention relates to a harvester accessory for harvesting pinas derived from agave plants.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

[0006] Agave pinas are harvested for their pina, which is used to produce a popular component of alcoholic drinks. Harvesting is typically carried out manually using farm labour and is difficult manual work. A labourer typically digs out an agave plant having reached a sufficient level of maturity and size. The core of the plant is characteristically referred to as the "pina".

[0007] The shape and size of a harvestable pina of the Agave Tequilana plant varies, depending on the particular plant variety, the region in which they are grown and local agricultural practices. Mexican agave tequila pinas are generally broad ovate or transverse elliptical in shape (like an onion), whereas Queensland (Australian) varieties are more prolate spheroidal or elongated ellipsoidal in shape (like a rugby ball). In any case, mature or harvestable pinas usually have a horizontal diameter of about 300mm. However, each individual pina within a particular crop varies in size and shape, thereby discouraging automated or mechanical processing despite the difficulties in harvesting such crops manually.

[0008] The harvesting process involves stages and substantial care is required in the manual handling of the agave plant. The leaves of a mature agave tequila plant are long and terminate in a sharply ended spikes that can inflict an extremely painful injury to animals such as horse and, of course, humans. In manual processing, the plant is retrieved from the ground to expose the underside of its core. From the upper hemisphere of agave plant, the sharp-ended leaves extend radially outwardly. In manual handling, the leaves are manually cut from the core of the plant, using a round- headed, broad blade. The leaves are cut down to a triangular-sectioned base. The leaf base corresponds to the junction between the pina and where the leaf branches out and extends from the pina. The resulting generally spherical or ovaloid pina obtained in this way may be further processed by the pina being cut and sectioned into smaller parts to increase surface area and facilitate further processing, namely the extraction of its juices. For example, the pina may be cut into quarters to obtain quarter spheres. From there, the quarter spheres may be further processed by cooking or hydrolysis. The resultant liquid spirit known as Tequila is most famously, and commercially significantly, a primary component of margarita cocktails, but may also be used as a disinfectant or health remedy.

[0009] The production of tequila through the harvesting of agave plants is largely limited by the intensive and hazardous manual methods used to isolate the pina from its leaves whereby a more effective means for extraction of a bald pina is required.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0011] STATEMENT OF INVENTION

[0012] The invention according to one or more aspects is described herebelow and further defined in the independent claims. Some optional and / or preferred features of the invention are described herebelow and further defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] The following disclosure refers to a number of inventive elements which may each be inventive in their own right. These elements include a rotatable cutter, a rotatable support for a pina, a pina splitter and a movable claw.

[0014] Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a harvester accessory for harvesting a pina, the harvester accessory including: a support adapted to attach to a base of a core of a plant from which the pina can be extracted, whereby the portions of the plant above the base are accessible for cutting; a moving mechanism adapted to move a cutter relative to the support between a remote position and a cutting position for cutting the plant; a tilt mechanism adapted to alter the angle of orientation of the support relative to the cutter; and a support rotator adapted to rotate the support, the support rotator adapted to expose different sides of the plant to the cutter.

[0015] The satisfactory removal of the leaves is characterised by the base of the leaves on the exterior of the pina displaying a triangular outline or cross-section. Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention provides:

[0016] A method of manufacturing a pina extraction device for extracting a pina from an agave tequila plant, including the steps of providing: (a) a rotatable spiked support on which may be impaled the agave tequila plant, whereby the spiked support extends into a base of a core of the tequila plant;

[0017] (b) a support rotator adapted to rotate the support about a substantially upright axis;

[0018] (c) a moveable cutter adapted to move reciprocally between a cutter position and a remote position;

[0019] (d) a support tilt mechanism adapted to adjust the angle of the support relative to the cutter.

[0020] HARVESTER ACCESSORY

[0021] The harvester accessory may be an attachment mountable to a vehicle used in agriculture, such as a lorry or truck. The vehicle may have a tray, tub or other utility platform on which the harvester accessory may be mounted. The vehicle may be a tractor. The motive power for the harvester accessory, such as for the tilt mechanism, the moving mechanism, the support rotator and the cutter rotator, may be a power take off (PTO), drive belt or an electrical power source.

[0022] The support may include a spike adapted to impale the pina plant. The moving mechanism may include at least 3 claws, fingers or arms adapted to grasp the pina plant. The harvester accessory may be mobile and adapted to both harvest and cut the pina plant. The harvester accessory may be a trailer or may be otherwise mountable to a vehicle.

[0023] PLANT

[0024] The plant is preferably an agave tequilana plant, although other harvestable plants comprising a pina at their core are envisaged as being within the scope of the invention. Most preferably, the plant is a Blue Agave plant.

[0025] In terms of harvesting the produce from the plant, a typical objective included within the scope of this invention isto form an agave pina into a signature 'egg', ellipsoid or round ended fusiform shape. Depending on the variety, the distance between the ends may be greater, the same or lesser, than the mid-section diameter of the pina.

[0026] Base

[0027] The base of the core may be cut flat or may have a shallow central portion from which the root system extended. In any case, the support is adapted to either cup, clasp, spear or pinch the core base whereby to attach it.

[0028] The portions of the plant above the base on immediate extraction from the ground include the leaves which radially extend outwardly from the core. The leaves, each in turn include a base attachment to the core that has a substantially triangular profile. This profile may become recognisable to an optical recognition device adapted to detect when the leaf has been cut close enough to the core to form a satisfactory surface of the pina product. Alternatively, a lidar shape recognition system may be used. In any case, the shape recognition system is adapted to detect key points of the pina shape. These key points may correspond to the location of the base of a sample of the leaves. These points may identify data points that mathematically define a representative underlying shape of the pina. The recognition system advantageously identifies points in the silhouette or profile of the pina. These points may be where a sample of leaves of the plant meet the outer surface of the pina at their respective bases.

[0029] Claw

[0030] The harvester accessory may be adapted such that the plant may be speared or impaled with a spike or other sharp object. The spike or other sharp object may be inserted into a base of the plant with a claw or grasping device. The harvester accessory may further include the claw. The claw may be adapted to grasp onto the plant for insertion of the spike or other sharp object into the plant. The claw may be adapted to be linearly actuated to both grasp and press the plant onto the spike or other sharp object. The claw may include a single linear actuator. The single linear actuator may be adapted to both grasp and force the plant onto the spike or other sharp object. The claw may include multiple linkages. The multiple linkages may be adapted to be actuated by the single linear actuator of the claw. The multiple linkages may be couples to the linear actuator, each radially arranged around the linear actuator and circumferentially equi-spaced around a longitudinal axis of the linear actuator. The multiple linkages may extend from a piston end of the linear actuator to a ring of couplings disposed at or near a remote end of a cylinder of the linear actuator. The remote end couplings may be hingedly attached intermediate the length of a plurality of claw arms (arms).

[0031] Preferably the claw includes three arms with sharp ends adapted to penetrate into the plants core or to otherwise grasp the plant to provide a secure attachment between the claw and the plant. The claw may be mounted on a pivotable arm. The pivotable arm may rotate about a substantially upright , preferably vertical axis.

[0032] Preferably, the three arms are each actuated by the single linear actuator.

[0033] By linkage mechanism, the claw arms may be caused to radially extend away from the actuator longitudinal axis to open a gap between end tines of the claw arms, and in a reverse motion, to contract towards the actuator longitudinal axis in a grasping as the ties converge towards each other in a pinching action, the tines acting as pincers. Preferably, the claw is mounted on a claw arm that is adapted to swing through an arm sweeping from a position wherein the tines reach ground level or close to ground level, and an elevated position. In the elevated position the claw may be adapted to first interact with the cutter to cut the base of the plant, then to push the plant onto a support spike, the spike extending through the base of the plant and into its core to hold it securely on the spike. Thereafter, the cutter and the spike interact to cut the leaves off the spike, and optionally the spike interacts with a splitter block to split the pina into sections for further processing as a harvested commodity.

[0034] The claw's preferably has the ability to pluck the plant directly out of the ground.

[0035] SUPPORT

[0036] The support is preferably mounted to a mobile support.

[0037] SUPPORT ROTATOR

[0038] The support rotator is preferably mountable to a frame of the harvester accessory and, indeed, forms part of the accessory. The support rotator is preferably adapted to rotate at between 0.5 - 120RPM, preferably about 30 - 70 PRM. The support rotator may be adapted to be driven by a PTO of the accompanying vehicle, by an electric motor, or by an ICE. Preferably, the support rotator is driven by an hydraulic drive means. The drive of the support rotator may be independent of other drives of the harvester accessory.

[0039] TILT MECHANISM

[0040] The tilt mechanism may alter the angle of:

[0041] (a) the cutter relative to the support;

[0042] (b) preferably the support relative to the cutter; and / or

[0043] (c) the cutter and the support relative to each other.

[0044] The tilt mechanism may include hydraulic actuators or other linear actuators. The tilt mechanism and moving mechanism may both be assisted by the same linear actuators. The tilt mechanism and moving mechanism may both include a linkage that is adapted to articulate with the hydraulic or other linear actuators.

[0045] The tilt mechanism may include 2-4 degrees of freedom. Preferably, the tilt mechanism and moving mechanism form the same mechanism, a tilt and moving mechanism that includes 3 degrees of freedom. Preferably, the tilt and moving mechanism both translates in a 2-dimensional plane further or closer to the plant and pivots the cutter relative to the plant.

[0046] MOVING MECHANISM

[0047] The moving mechanism involving the movement of the cutter relative to the support may include:

[0048] (a) moving the cutter relative to the support;

[0049] (b) preferably moving the support relative to the cutter; or

[0050] (c) moving the cutter and the support.

[0051] CUTTER

[0052] Blade

[0053] The cutter preferably has at least one moveable blade. The blade may be moved by an agitator adapted to move the blade reciprocally or in an oscillatory manner. The cutter preferably includes a rotator to rotate the cutter.

[0054] In a preferred form, the cutter comprises a plurality of blades. The blades may mounted to a rotating shaft directly or indirectly. The rotating shaft may be positioned at a location central to the plurality of blades. The blades may be mounted for rotation about a cutter rotation axis.

[0055] Tin

[0056] The or each blade may comprise a tip movable through a circular path. The circular path may be located in a blade tip plane. The blade tip plane may move relative to the support as the cutter moves relative to the support.

[0057] The blades may be mounted in a circular array. The location at which the cutter is mounted to the rotating shaft may be identified as a cutter mounting point.

[0058] The cutter mounting point preferably:

[0059] (a) is aligned with the cutter rotation axis;

[0060] (b) lies outside the tip plane; and / or

[0061] (c) is spaced further away from the support than the tip plane.

[0062] The cutter preferably defines a concave space between the tip plane and the cutter mounting point.

[0063] The cutter preferably has an adaptable blade angle that may be positioned in an off- axis condition to produce a cut plant of spheroidal shape relative to the individual shape and size of each pina.

[0064] CUTTER ROTATOR

[0065] The cutter rotator is preferably mountable to the frame of the harvester accessory and also forms part of the accessory. The cutter rotator is preferably adapted to rotate at between about 300RPM and about 1600 PRM. The cutter rotator may be adapted to be driven by the PTO of the accompanying vehicle, by an electric motor, or by an ICE. Preferably, the cutter rotator is driven by an hydraulic drive means. The drive of the cutter rotator may be independent of other drives of the harvester accessory. The rotator cutter preferably defines a cutting zone that is conically shaped.

[0066] The signature 'egg' or ellipsoidal shape of an agave pina is preferably achieved through the combination of the action of the support rotator and the tilt mechanism. This preferably determines the relationship of the cutter axis to the pina rotation axis. This may dictate an orbital path that the rotator cutter takes around the pina to achieve the desired shape. The rotator cutter may be a rotating conical shaped cutter. The rotator cutter is preferably horizontally offset relative to a centreline of the pina / agave plant. The rotator cutter, relative to the tilt mechanism, transitions through changes in height relative to the base of the pina / agave plant. The support rotator may not vary in height. The rotator cutter may incorporate both the tilt mechanism and a height adjustment mechanism for varying the height of the rotator cutter relative to the support rotator.

[0067] The height adjustment mechanism may be in the form of powered articulated linkages, and / or screws or rams, adapted to move the rotator cutter up or down in the height transition. The height adjustment mechanism may comprise one or more length-adjustable ram arms oriented in a substantially upright position which may be varied with respect to its or their longitudinal axis relative to the vertical to tilt the rotator cutter at various angles within a range. The movement mechanism may include a length adjustable arm extending from a base of the harvestor accessory to a location on the height adjustment mechanism intermediate its length or at an upper portion thereof. This may be used to vary the angle of the rotator cutter and to perform the role of the movement mechanism, being adapted to move the rotator cutter outwardly away from the support rotator or inwardly toward the rotator cutter.

[0068] CENTRAL POINT

[0069] The blades of the cutter may extend from a central point corresponding to the axis of rotation of the cutter rotator. The central point is preferably recessed away from the support, so that the cutter defines a concave structure extending from the circumferential tips of the blades to the central point. The recess is therefore adapted to receive a generally round or ovaloid shaped core as it is cut to assume the endproduct shape of the pina.

[0070] OFF AXIS CUTTER

[0071] Preferably, a rotational axis of the cutter is adapted to not intersect an axis of the pina plant. The axis of the pina plant may be vertically aligned with the pina plant still in the ground. A core of the pina plant is typically ovular. Preferably, the rotational axis of the cutter is off-axis or not directly facing a centroidal line of the pina plant core.

[0072] The support rotator may be adapted to rotate about the centroidal line of the pina plant. The cutter may be adapted to simultaneously rotate about the off-axis rotational axis of the cutter. The combination of the support rotator and cutter both rotating may be adapted to cut an ovular profile around the pina plant core.

[0073] The cutter may be adapted to cut an ovular profile of the pina plant to form a signature pina shape. The cutter may be adapted to be positioned such that the cutter rotational axis does not intersect or is "off-axis" from the cutter rotator rotational axis.

[0074] The cutter rotator and cutter may be adapted to both rotate simultaneously to cut the pina plant. The cutter rotator and cutter may be adapted to both rotate simultaneously to cut the pina plant into an ovular shape.

[0075] POSITION OF CUTTER BLADES

[0076] The cutter includes the at least 3 cutter blades. The cutter blades may be positioned at the same radial distance from the cutter rotational axis. The cutter blades may be adapted to be adjustable. The cutter blades may be adapted to articulate closer and further away from the cutter blade rotational axis

[0077] Preferably, there are 3 cutter blades. The cutter blades may be connected to a collet with cutter blade arms. The cutter blade arms may all be respectively attached through corresponding hinged joints to the collet. The collet may be adapted to translate or reciprocate along the rotational shaft in the same direction as the cutter rotational axis. The cutter blades may be adapted to simultaneously and collectively articulate as the collet translates. Translation of the collet may be effected by an hydraulic piston or a linear translation device.

[0078] The translational position of the collet may be adapted to position the orientation of the cutter blades. The cutter blade orientation may be adapted to be positioned with an actuator such as the collet and cutter blade arms. The cutter blade arms may be attached to both the cutter blades and the collet with an articulated or hinged joint.

[0079] LIDAR

[0080] The harvester accessory may further include a lidar sensor. The lidar sensor may be adapted to measure dimensions of the pina plant core. The harvester accessory may be adapted to automatically update a position of the cutter and angle of the cutter blades through hydraulic or other actuators. The harvester accessory may be adapted to automatically cut the exact profile of any pina plant core regardless of size or shape. The harvester accessory may be adapted to update an off-set distance of the cutter axis from the supporter rotator axis, a cutting path of the cutter and variable or set angular positions of the cutter blades. The harvester accessory may be adapted to update the cutting profile of the cutter blades based on the profile recorded with the lidar sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

[0082] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a harvester accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention showing a support to which a cut pina is mounted, and a rotator cutter and moving mechanism shown in a remote retracted position;

[0083] Figure 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 with the rotator cutter shown in a less retracted position;

[0084] Figure 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 with the rotator cutter shown in a position closer to the support;

[0085] Figure 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 with the rotator cutter shown immediately adjacent the support in a final cutting position in which the pina is formed in the shape of the final pina product;

[0086] Figure 5A is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing the agave plant prior to be cut;

[0087] Figures 5B - 7B show the harvester accessory whereby the agave plant is in various stages of being cut;

[0088] Figure 7c is a view similar to Fig. 2;

[0089] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a rotator cutter of a harvester accessory according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0090] Figures 9A-D are front schematic drawings of a cut path of the rotator cutter according to the first or second embodiment of the invention showing the cut path in a first, second, third and fourth position respectively;

[0091] Figures 10A-E are isometric schematic drawings of a cut path of the rotator cutter according to the first or second embodiment of the invention showing the cut path in a first, second, third, fourth and fifth position respectively;

[0092] Figures 1OF-J are isometric schematic drawings at stages of an orbital path of the blades of a rotator cutter according to the first or second embodiment of the invention showing the cut path in various positions whereby to achieve the pina's desired egg or ellipsoidal shape;

[0093] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in an open position and the rotator cutter in a first position according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0094] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in an open position and the rotator cutter in a second position according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in an open position and the rotator cutter in a third position according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0095] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in an open position and the rotator cutter in a third retracted position according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0096] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in a closed position and the rotator cutter in the third retracted position according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0097] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the harvester accessory with a claw in an open position and the rotator cutter in a fourth final position according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0098] Figures 17A-22 show a harvester accessory 200 according to a third embodiment in which the harvester accessory is mounted to a trailer;

[0099] Figure 23a is a front view of the cutter off-axis from the pina plant with the cutter in a central position according to the second or third embodiments of the invention;

[0100] Figure 23b is a side view of the cutter and pina plant with the cutter in a central position according to the second or third embodiments of the invention;

[0101] Figure 23c is a front view of the cutter and pina plant with the cutter in an upper position according to the second or third embodiments of the invention; and

[0102] Figures 24a-c are fronts views of the cutter and pina plant with the cutter in an upper, mid and lower position respectively according to the second or third embodiments of the invention.

[0103] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention, except as may be recited in the claims accompanying this specification.

[0105] In the drawings, there is shown a harvester accessory 10 for harvesting a pina 30. The harvester accessory 10 includes: a support 20 adapted to attach to a core 32 of a plant 34 forming the basis for the pina 30 whereby the portions of the plant 34 above a base 36 of the core 36 are accessible for cutting; a moving mechanism 50 to move a cutter 70 and / or the support 20 relative to the other of the cutter 70 and the support 20 between a remote position Pr (as shown in Fig. 1) and a cutting position Pc (as shown in Fig. 4) for cutting the plant 34; a tilt mechanism 40 to alter the angle of orientation o of the support 20 and / or the cutter 70 relative to the other of the support 20 and the cutter 70; a support rotator 22 to rotate the support 20, the support rotator 22 adapted to expose different sides 38a, b of the plant 34 to the cutter 70; and a cutter rotator 72 to rotate the cutter 70.

[0106] The cutter 70 further includes a plurality of blades 80 mounted for rotation to define a generally concave-shaped cutting zone 76.

[0107] The mounting point 71 about which the blades 80 rotate is at a location that is central to the plurality of blades 80 and is aligned with a cutter rotation axis 78.

[0108] The cutting zone 76 is in the shape of a truncated cone, with a larger diameter corresponding to a swept zone through which the blade's 80 outer edges 84 are adapted to travel. The tip plane Pt is further from the mounting point 71 than the blades' 80 outer edges 84. The narrower diameter of a base of the truncated cone shaped cutting zone 76 is closer to the mounting point 71 and to the cutter rotation axis 78.

[0109] The outer edge of each blade 84 may be in the form of a tip 73 that is movable through a circular path in a tip plane Pt that corresponds to the cutting zone's 76 outer diameter.

[0110] The location 71 of the cutter mount 71:

[0111] (a) is aligned with the cutter rotation axis 78;

[0112] (b) lies outside the tip plane Pt or cutting zone 76; and

[0113] (c) is spaced further away from the support rotator 22 than the tip plane Pt or cutting zone 76.

[0114] The tip plane Pt is movable with the adjustment of the angle 0 of the blades 80,180,280, as discussed particularly with regard to Fig. 8 particularly in relation to the second and third embodiments, but also applicable to the first embodiment.

[0115] HARVESTER ACCESSORY

[0116] The harvester accessory 10,100,200 is mounted to a mobile support 1, such as a motor or manually driven cart 101 or a vehicle, such as a tractor or a vehicle having a work platform or frame 1 behind the cabin or driver's position.

[0117] The motive power for the harvester accessory 10, such as for the tilt mechanism 40, the moving mechanism 50, the support rotator and the cutter rotator, may be a power take off (PTO), drive belt or an electrical power source.

[0118] PLANT

[0119] The plant 34 is an agave plant comprising a pina 30 at its core 32. Plants 34 may grow very large if left unharvested for many years, but ideally agave tequila pinas may be harvested a number of years after being planted, the core 32 having reached a satisfactory size in commercial terms.

[0120] Pinas

[0121] The shape and size of the pina 30 may be ovaloid or spherical. Regarding the size of the pina, it may have a horizontal diameter of 200 - 350mm and a height or length of about 200 -400mm, depending on the individual, variety and region. Advantageously, the cutter 70 is sized, shaped and / or configured to cut pinas 30 of a variety of sizes and shapes.

[0122] Base of Pina

[0123] The base 36 of the pina 30 represents the underside of the core 32 after the plant 34 is removed from the ground in which it was growing.

[0124] Portions of the Plant Above the Base

[0125] Extending outwardly from the plant core 32 above the base 36 is a multiplicity of radiating, outwardly and upwardly extending, and downwardly depending, leaves 39, being long fronds ending with a pointed and poisonous tip.

[0126] SUPPORT

[0127] In the first and second embodiments, the support 20 is preferably mounted to a mobile support in the form of a frame 1,101. The frame 1,101 may, in turn, be mounted to a cart or trailer 201, or a prime mover (not shown). The frame 201 used to mount the harvest accessory to the trailer 201, can be used to mount the harvester accessory 200 on the tray or chassis of a suitable prime mover. SUPPORT ROTATOR

[0128] The support rotator 22 is a rotatable drive mechanism supporting an axial spike 24 for impaling the core 32. The spike 24 may have one or more side features whereby to secure the core 32 against rotation relative to the spike 24. The core 32 is rotatable with the spike 24. The spike is rotatably mounted on the tilt mechanism 40, which may comprise gears or one or more articulated arms whereby to orient the support 20 through a range of angles between 60 - 1209to the vertical.

[0129] TILT MECHANISM

[0130] The tilt mechanism 40 alters the angle of the support 20 relative to the cutter 70.

[0131] With reference to the second embodiment of the invention, a tilt mechanism 140 includes hydraulic actuators or other linear actuators 142. The tilt mechanism 140 and moving mechanism 150 are both assisted by the same linear actuators 152. The tilt mechanism 140 and moving mechanism 150 both include multiple linkages 124 that is adapted to articulate with the hydraulic or other linear actuators 152 and linkages 156.

[0132] The tilt mechanism 140 and moving mechanism 150 together include 3 degrees of freedom. In the second embodiment of the invention, the tilt mechanism and moving mechanism are combined in the same mechanism, a tilt and moving mechanism 160, that includes 3 degrees of freedom. The tilt and moving mechanism 160 both translates in a 2-dimensional plane to be distant or closer to the plant 30, as required, and pivots the cutter 170 relative to the plant 30.

[0133] MOVING MECHANISM

[0134] The moving mechanism 50 moves the cutter 70 relative to the support 20 along a rail 51 by means of a hydraulic ram 52. The moving mechanism is controlled manually by a local operator. Alternatively, the process of the isolation of the pina 30 from the plant 34 is automated and the moving mechanism 50 toward or away from the support 20 is controlled by a CPU. Preferably the automated controlled has adapted capabilities to adjust to the size and shape of the plant 34 and the core 32.

[0135] CUTTER

[0136] Blade

[0137] The cutter 70 has at least three moveable blades 80. The blade 80 may be moved by movable cables or arms 86. The blades 80 may be controlled directly by an array of radially aligned cables 86, one for each blade 80. The cutter 80 is driven by rotatable drive means, optionally connected to a PTO.

[0138] The cutter 70 comprises a plurality of blades 80 mounted to a rotating shaft (see cutter rotator 72) indirectly via a cutter disc 74. The cutter disc 74 is either concave or truncated conical in shape whereby to form a recess for receiving in part a plant core 32. The rotating shaft is positioned at a location 71 central to the plurality of blades 80. The blades 80 are mounted for rotation about the cutter rotation axis 78

[0139] TIP

[0140] The or each blade 80 comprises a sharp 73 tip movable through a circular path 77. The leaves are fairly soft and fleshy thereby lending themselves to cutting by means of a lateral incision. This also means that the blades 80 have a long service life and require minimal maintenance regarding replacement or sharpening.

[0141] TIP PLANE

[0142] The circular path 77 may be located in a blade tip plane Pt. The blade tip plane Pt moves relative to the support 20 as the moving mechanism 50, and hence the cutter 70, moves relative to the support 20.

[0143] The blades 80 are mounted in a circular array on the cutter disc 74. The location at which the cutter 70 is mounted to the rotating shaft 72 is identified as a cutter mounting point 71.

[0144] The cutter mounting point 71:

[0145] (d) is aligned with the cutter rotation axis 78;

[0146] (e) lies outside the tip plane Pt; and / or

[0147] (f) is spaced further away from the support 20 than the tip plane Pt.

[0148] The cutter 70 defines a concave space or recess 75 between the tip plane Pt and the cutter mounting point 71.

[0149] CUTTER ROTATOR

[0150] The cutter rotator 72 may be an electric or hydraulically drive motor. It may rotate the cutter 70 continuously or intermittently depending on health and safety considerations, noting that the blades 80 should be rotating as the cutter 70 approaches the cutting position shown in Fig. 4 in which the plant core 32 is positioned at least partially in the recess 75. The cutter rotator 72 is program controlled by a computer procedure to control a continuous pina production process, or may be manually controlled by a local operator.

[0151] With reference to the second embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8 shows a cross- sectional view of the cutter 170. A cutter rotator 172 includes an electric motor adapted to drive a cutter disc 171 on which are articulately mounted a plurality of circumferentially equi-spaced cutter blades 174 via a drive shaft 183. The cutter 170 is adapted to rotate on bearings 182. The cutter 170 further includes a blade positioning device. The blade positioning device includes a linkage 186 for each blade 174. Each linkage 180 is adapted to extend or contract to adjust an angle of the blades 174 relative to the drive shaft 183 and rotational axis 178. The blade positioning device includes an cylindrical actuator 185 adapted to reciprocally travel in a limited linear path that is coaxial to the rotational axis 178. Each linkage 186 is a rigid arm that is hingedly attached at an actuator end to the cylindrical actuator 185, and at a blade end to a thickened rear wall 173a of a blade base 173c of the cutter blade 174. The blade base 173c is hinged to the cutter disc 171. The blade tip 173 is fixed to the blade base 173c, preferably by a releasable fastener, such as a bolt 173d for easy maintenance or replacement.

[0152] Figures 9A-9D show a side view of a cutter blade path 18, being in effect the theoretical side wall of the truncated cone-shaped cutting zone 176 defined between the peripheral edge of cutter disc 174 and the circular pathway 80a of rotating blade tip 80,180, relative to the plant 30. The drawings show how the cutter blade path 18 changes, for example, through the progression of repositioning the plant 30 and or the cutter 70,170, relative to one another. As shown in Figs. 11 - 14, the cutter 170 may travel through multiple positions representing different angles and orientations of the cutter blades 180 relative to the plant 30. Figures 10A-10J show different perspective angles of the cutter blades 180 relative to the plant 30 for the progressions of repositioning of the plant 30 relative to the cutter blades 180 or the positioning the cutter blades 180 relative to the plant 30. The ultimate outcome is a bald pina 30 wherein the blades 180 have successfully cut all around the pina 34 to cleanly remove the leaves 39 at their respective bases 37.

[0153] The pina is rotated about the support axis 42, whereas the cutter rotational axis 78 is positioned in a plane 78i that is off-centre relative to the support axis 42 and / or a centre-point 42i along centre-line extending along the pina axis (corresponding to the support axis 42).

[0154] In Fig. 10F, a pina outer shape 30 is identified, in this case a large pina. The cutter blade path 80a is spread wide to accommodate the large pina and the first cutting position is located at the bottom of the pina. In Fig. 10G, a second cutting position corresponding to a mid-section of the large pina is assumed to cut the agave leaves 39 at their base 36,37 in this mid-position. Finally, in Fig. 10H, the cutter 70 is moved to a third upper cutting position to remove the leaves at their base 36,37 in this top position. In this example of a large pina 30, the process requires the setting and resetting of the rotator cutter 70 in 3 different positions, bottom, middle and top, to complete the removal of the leaves 39 from the entire pina 30 at their respective bases 36,37. In Fig. 101, a small pina 30 may be cut using the rotator cutter 70 and the cutter blade 80a is reduced correspondingly to accommodate the smaller pina size (relative to the large pina). The blade tips 84 are tilted toward the rotator cutter axis 78 to reduce the volume of the recess defined by the truncated cone path 77. In this case, the small pina 30 may be cut to its signature shape with a single cutter (middle) position as shown in Fig. 101, or with a second top position, as shown in Fig. 10J.

[0155] The combination of multiple cutter positioning actuators 179,279 allows the cutter disc 174,274 to assume a wide variety of positions and angles relative to the claw 120,220 and the support 170,270 whereby to effect cutting of the base 36 prior to being impaled on the spike 110,210 and cutting of the pina plant 34 prior to its final segmentation using the splitter 290.

[0156] The relationship of the cutter axis 78 to the pina rotation axis L dictates an orbital path that the blades 180 take around the pina 30 whereby to achieve the shapes of the pina 30 depicted in Figs. 10a- d.

[0157] The signature 'egg' shape of an agave pina 30 is achieved through the adaptation of the horizontal offset of the rotating conical shaped rotator cutter 180 to a centreline of the pina / agave plant L with respect to a change in height from the base 36 of the plant 34.

[0158] CLAW

[0159] A second and a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 11-16 with reference to the second embodiment, and Figs. 17A - 20 with regard to the third embodiment. Like numerals are used to refer to like components of each of the embodiments. The cutter and support features described with reference to the first embodiment also apply to the second and third embodiments. The cutter, support and claw features of the second embodiment also apply to the third embodiment.

[0160] As shown in Figs. 9A - 9D, the plant 30 is initially preferably cut at the core's base 36

[0161] The harvester accessory 100 is adapted such that the plant may be speared or impaled with a spike 110. The harvester accessory 100 further includes a claw 120. The spike 110 is inserted into a base 36 of the plant (pina or agave plant) 34 with a claw 120. The claw 120 is shown mounted to an articulated arm 121. The articulated arm 121 pivots about a claw pivot 123 that is capable of moving the sharp ended tines 127 to ground level to grasp the sides 38a, b of an agave plant 34, and moving the claw 120 to a position above the support 120 whereby to impale the agave plant 34 on a spike 110 through the pina's base 36.

[0162] The claw 120 is adapted to grasp onto the plant 34 and to hold it in fixed relationship to the claw 120. This enables the core 32 of the plant 34 to be held steady whilst the spike 110 is inserted into the plant 34. The plant 34 is preferably trimmed at its base 36 by positioning the claw 120 so that the cutter 70 can be used to remove the roots and other material from the base of the plant 34. The claw 120 is then repositioned above the support 20 and is then advantageously pushed onto the spike 110 at the point generally central of the base 36 by the claw 120.

[0163] The claw 120 is adapted to (1) grasp the plant 34, (2) by the agency of the movement of the articulated arm 121, travel from a plant pick-up position to a plant impaling position, and (3) press down the plant 30 it firmly holds onto the spike 110.

[0164] The claw arms 126 are preferably formed from tubular metal, although they may be formed non-exhaustively from profiles of square, L-, I-, channel- and / or arc-shape. In the radial direction, the claw arms 126 have a narrow width. The claw arms 126 having a narrow profile enable the claw arms 126 to better intersect between the leaves 39 whereby the claw tines 127 obtain a firm grasp of the pina 30 close to or on the core 32. The claw tines 127 are preferably inwardly pointing claws. The ends of the tines may point radially inwardly at a position where they are adapted to grasp the plant 34.

[0165] The articulated arm 121 is adapted to travel through a large-radiused arc rotating about a pivot 121a. The movement of the articulated arm 121 may be complex, involving more than just one pivot to move from ground level clasp position where the tines may grasp the sides 39a, b of the pina, to the position of spike 110 for impaling. However, in the second embodiment, the linear extent of travel of the actuator 122, combined with the reach of the claw arms 126 actuated by intermediate linkage rods 125, is sufficient to complete the required travel from a clasp position to an impaling position.

[0166] The plant is preferably grasped by the claw 120 so that it is in a substantially coaxial orientation with the approximate longitudinal axis L of the plant 34 (see Fig. 5A) aligning with a longitudinal axis A of the claw 120. The longitudinal axis A of the claw is preferably coaxial with that of the linear actuator 122.

[0167] The claw 120 therefore includes the actuator 122 to move the claw arms 126, and therefore the tines 127 at their respective free ends, radially in and out. The claw arms 126 are adapted for radially symmetrical movement relative to the claw arm longitudinal axis A. The actuator 122 may be a single actuator 122. The actuator may be a linear actuator 122 to radially move the tines 127 centrally towards each other, and outwardly away from each other. The claw 120 may include three or more arms, preferably three arms 126, that are adapted to radially move in unison. The claw arms 126 each curve, extend or bow outwardly intermediate their respective lengths to clear space into which the agave plant 34 may be positioned with a large plumage of long leaves 39 radiating from the core 32. The claw arms 126 bow out radially from a centre axis A. The centre axis A is preferably coaxial with the longitudinal axis (also A) of the linear actuator 122. The claw arms 126 preferably each comprise a plurality of fixed corner joins or elbows so that each arm 126 extends from an end near the actuator 122 to the remote-end tines 127 at each tip.

[0168] The single linear actuator 122 is adapted to provide the motive force to grasp the plant 34. The claw arm 221 is actuated to force the plant 34 onto the spike 110. The claw 120 includes a scissor linkage 124. The scissor linkage 124 is adapted to be actuated by the single linear actuator 122 of the claw 120. Each claw arm 126 is connected at hinges 129 intermediate their length by a pair of linkage rods 125. The hinges 129 are preferably close to the arm end near the actuator 122 for leverage to maximise the extent of travel of the tines 127 through an arc relative to the linear travel of the actuator 122. The hinged ends 126a of the claw arms 126 are axially fixed to the piston 122a of the actuator 122.

[0169] The leaves 39 are removed by the cutter 70,170,270 to produce an intermediate product in the form of a bald core 31 of a cut pina. In the first, second and third embodiments, the bald core 31 is the resultant product obtained by the complex cutting process effected by the cutter 70,170,270.

[0170] In the third embodiment, the harvester accessory 201 further includes a splitter 290, in the form of a block or disc 292. The splitter 294 may be static, so that the support 220 may be moved towards or away from it. The splitter 294 is mounted to the frame 200.

[0171] The support 220 is moved by travel of a support arm 254. The support arm 254 travels through a swept path 256 about a support pivot 257 into opposed relationship to the splitter 290. As the support 220 moves into direct opposition to the splitter 290, the support spike 210 is aligned normal or near to normal to a general plane of the splitter 290. The support pivot 257 includes a motor that urges the support spike 210 towards the splitter 290. A bald core 31 is thereby axially driven on to a plurality of axially aligned support blades to slice the pina in to axially cut portions. The portions may fall away from the support 220 and be collected in a produce bin 204.

[0172] The claw 120 includes three arms 126 with sharp ends 127 adapted to penetrate into the plants core 35 or grasp into the plant 30 to provide a secure attachment between the claw 120 and the plant 30.

[0173] The three arms 126 are each actuated by the single linear actuator 112. The single linear actuator 112 is adapted to elongate to actuate the claw 120, the claw then expanding as the linear actuator elongates. Similarly, the single linear actuator 112 is adapted to shrink or telescope into itself to actuate the claw 120, the claw then contracting to grasp the plant 30. In the second and a third embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 11 - 16 and 17A - 20, respectively, the claw 120,220 is adapted to grip and pick up a guava plant 34. The base 36 of the plant 34 is naturally bound with roots, soil and debris. Accordingly, the claw 120,220 is used to move the plant 34 into proximity with the cutter 70,170,270. The cutter 70,170,270 may adjusted by the blade actuator so that its blades 80,180,280 assume a flat, circular saw-like orientation to effect the cutting of the base 36. Additionally, the blades may be set through a range of angles relative to the cutter disc 174, and the cutter disc itself adjusted through a range of orientations relative to the plant 34 to achieve the intermediate product being the bald pina 30..

[0174] CENTRAL POINT

[0175] The cutter 70 defines a recess 75 into which the pina 30 can be partially received whilst the rotating blades 80 work to cut off a portion of the core's leaves 39 when the core / pina 30 is tilted from the vertical V along an axis 42 of rotation of the support 20 at a particular angle O to the horizontal. The blades 80 are set at an angle relative to the cutter's rotational axis 78 whereby to extend away from the centre and base of the recess corresponding to ta cutter disc mounting point 71. The blades 80 rotate in a truncated cone path 77 corresponding to the cutting zone 76. As the pina 30 mounted to the support 20 rotates at a particular tilt angle O a hemisphere of leaves 39 or part thereof is clipped.

[0176] The combination of the truncated cone concave space formed by the cutting zone 76, the support's tilting mechanism 40 and the cutter's moving mechanism 50, is adaptive to the various dimensions and shapes that any particular pina 30 may comprise. Changing the tilt angle O exposes a new portion of the leaves 39 to the cutting zone 76, so that all of the leaves 39 may be cut from the pina 30 in one cycle of operation of the support tilting mechanism 40, the cutter moving mechanism 50 and the cutter 70.

[0177] CYCLE

[0178] The cycle of operation may comprise one orchestrated program in which the tilt mechanism moves the pina 30 through a range of tilt angles O whilst the support rotates the pina 30, the moving mechanism 50 moves the cutter 70 into and away from the cutting position (shown in Fig. 4 with the cutter 70 close to the support 20) and the cutter 70 rotating the cutter blades 80. The cutting position will vary as the tilt mechanism 50 inclines the pina 30 toward or away from the cutter 70, keeping the cutter 70 close to the pina 30 to effect a close cut at the base of each leaf 39.

[0179] The cycle may be achieved as a smooth and continuous process orchestrated by a computer program. The arrangement may include proximity sensors and / orshape recognition sensors to detect the shape and position of the pina 30 mounted on the support 20 to guide the moving mechanism 50 in and out, and to control the tilt angle O of the tilt mechanism 40, all whilst the cutter 70 is rotating the blades 80 and the support 20 is rotating the pina 30. The drive for the cutter 70 may cease impelling rotation of the blades 80 when the moving mechanism 50 moves the cutter 70 a predetermined distance away from the support 20.

[0180] The cycle may be achieved in a stepwise process in which the tilt mechanism 40 is set at a first angle Oi close to the vertical, for example as shown in Fig. 5A. The moving mechanism 50 moves the cutter 70 into a cutting position and a first portion of the leaves 39 lying in the pathway 77 are cut. The tilt angle O is then adjusted to a greater angle O2 relative to the vertical V, for example as shown in Fig. 6A. The cutter is moved into the cutting position by the moving mechanism 50 and a second portion of the leaves 39 are cut with the pina in a different tilt orientation, and so on with a subsequent tilt angles O3 until a bald pina 30 is achieved in which the leaves 39 are cut off at their respective leaf bases. These continuous or stepped processes may be used to control the process by automation in which the distance travelled by the moving mechanism 50 (see the reciprocal travel D of the moving mechanism 50 in Fig. 6B) and the tilt angle On+i (see range of tilt To in Fig. 6B) of the tilt mechanism 40 are adapted to suit the plant 34 shape and size. Alternatively, manually control is used to allow an operator to control the tilt mechanism 40 and the moving mechanism 50 to achieve a fully cut and whole pina 30.

[0181] Figs. 5A to Fig. 7C illustrate the progressive-continuous or stepped process.

[0182] The satisfactory removal of the leaves 39 is characterised by the base of the leaves 39 on the exterior of the pina 30 displaying a general rounded-corner triangular or tetrahedral outline or cross-section.

[0183] Referring to Figs. 17 - 22, and particularly Fig.s 21A-B and 22, the vehicle 201 carries a frame 200 on which is mounted 4 apparatus adapted to carry out distinct functions:

[0184] 1. The claw 220 to grab the plant and extract it from the ground. The claw arms are adapted to spread out over the plant and the claw 210 is then descended by the horizontally diagonal sweeping motion of the claw actuator arm 221 from an elevated position to a ground level position as shown in Fig. 21A.

[0185] By means of the actuation of the linear actuator 222 acting on the actuator arms 225, the tines 227 are contracted radially inwardly whereby they collectively grip at or near the base 36 of the plant 34. The upward sweeping motion of the claw actuator arm 221 pulls the plant clear out of the ground. In the sequence, the claw 220 is moved to a position where the base 36 opposes the cutter 270

[0186] 2. The cutter 270 is first used to cut the base 36 preparatory to the base 36 being impaled on the spike 210. The swing of the claw actuator arm 221 brings the uncut and gripped plant 34 into coaxial alignment with the spike 210. The support arm 254 and the claw actuator arm 221 in combination complementarily coordinate to orientate the claw 220 and the support for the spike 210 to push the spike 210 through the base 36. The claw 220 then releases the plant 34 and retreats away from the support 20. The support 20 is then swung into a position where the plant 34 is accessible to the cutter 270.

[0187] 3. The cutter 270 has an adaptable blade 80 angle that may be positioned in an off-axis condition to produce a cut plant 30 of obloid or spheroidal shape, the final size and shape of the pina 30 being to some extent a function of the individual shape and size of plant core 32. As shown in Figs. 9A - 10E, the cutter disc TTL angle of approach is modified through the cutting sequence for each pina 30, as well as the angle of the blades 280 relative to the rotational axis 278.

[0188] 4. The support 210 is then swung toward the splitter 290 and the pina 30 is split into quarters, by the quaternary array of axially aligned blades 253, along axially aligned planes by the spike 210 being driven toward the splitter block 292. The quarter segments, being the harvested commodity, are then deposited in the bin 204 for transport to a downstream processing location for storage, processing and / or transport.

[0189] OFF AXIS CUTTER

[0190] A rotational axis 178 of the cutter 170 is adapted to not intersect an axis 178i of the pina plant. The axis 178i of the pina plant is vertically aligned with the pina plant 134 still in the ground. A core of the pina plant 134 is ovular. The rotational axis 178 of the cutter 170 is off-axis or not directly facing a centroidal line (or rotational axis) 178i of the pina plant 134 core corresponding to the support rotator 142 rotational axis.

[0191] The support rotator 142 is adapted to rotate about the centroidal line 178i of the pina plant 134. The cutter 170 is adapted to simultaneously rotate to combine with the support rotator 142 to cut the plant 134 to form the pina signature shape. The combination of the rotation of the support rotator 142 and the rotation of the cutter 170 is adapted to cut an ovular profile around the pina plant 134 core.

[0192] The cutter 170 is adapted to cut an ovular profile of the pina plant 134. The cutter 170 is adapted to be positioned such that the cutter rotational axis 178 does not intersect or is "off-axis" relative to the cutter rotator rotational axis 178i.

[0193] The support rotator 142 and cutter 170 are adapted to both rotate simultaneously to cut the pina plant 134. The support rotator 142 and the cutter 170 are adapted to both rotate simultaneously to cut the pina plant 134 into an ovular shape.

[0194] POSITION OF CUTTER BLADES

[0195] The cutter 170 includes multiple circumferentially arranged cutter blades 174 equally spaced around the periphery of the cutter mount or disc 171. Preferably the cutter has 3 cutter blades 174. The cutter blades 174 are each positioned at a same radial distance from the cutter rotational axis 178. The cutter blades 174 are adapted to be adjustable or tiltable about an axis aligned tangentially to the periphery of the cutter mount 171. The cutter blades 174 are adapted to articulate so that the radial spacing of their respective outer tips relative to the cutter axis 1788 can be varied. That is the outer tips may be positioned closer or further away from the cutter blade 174 rotational axis 178.

[0196] The cutter blades 174 are connected to a collet 191 with cutter blade arms 192a-c. The cutter blade arms 192a-c are all attached through a hinged joint 193a-c to the collet 191. The collet 191 is adapted to translate in the same direction as the cutter rotational axis 178. The cutter blades 174 are adapted to simultaneously articulate as the collet 191 translates. Translation of the collet 191 is effected by an hydraulic piston 194.

[0197] The translational position of the collet 191 is adapted to position the orientation or extent of tilt of the cutter blades 174. The cutter blade arms 192a-c are attached to both the cutter blades 174 and the collet 191 with corresponding articulated or hinged joints 193a-c.

[0198] LIDAR

[0199] The harvester accessory of the second and third embodiments 101,201 further include a lidar sensor. The lidar sensor is adapted to be positioned anywhere around the circumference of the pina plant 170. The lidar sensor is adapted to detect shape and position of the pina plant core 134. The lidar sensor is adapted to detect the shape and position of the pina plant core 134 through outer fronds 33,133,233 while rotating the supporter rotator 22,142 or the lidar. Alternatively, the lidar is stationary and the supporter rotator 22,142 stationary to record the approximate position and shape of the pina plant core 134 for the cutting profile. The lidar sensor is adapted to measure dimensions of the pina plant core 134. The pina plant core being the substantially solid inner core of the pina plant excluding freely extending fronds with little contact with each other. The harvester accessory 101,201 is adapted to automatically update a position of the cutter 134 and angle of the cutter blades 174 th rough hydraulic or other actuators. The harvester accessory 101,201 is adapted to automatically cut the exact profile of any pina plant core 134 regardless of plant and pina core size or shape. The harvester accessory 101,201 is adapted to update an off-set distance of the cutter axis 178 from the supporter rotator axis 178i, a cutting path 80a of the cutter 170 and variable or set angular positions of the cutter blades 174. The harvester accessory 101,201 may be adapted to update the cutting profile of the cutter blades 174 based on the profile recorded with the lidar sensor. The harvester accessory may further include a computer adapted to convert readings from the lidar sensor into positions and actuation signals to position the cutting blades 174 to cut the pina plant at the exact profile of the pina plant core 134 as read by the lidar sensor.

[0200] Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0201] In the present specification, terms such as "apparatus", "means", "device" and "member" may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an "apparatus", "means", "device" or "member" or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an "apparatus", "assembly", "means", "device" or "member" is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. In the present specification, the phrase "and / or" refers to severally or any combination of the features. For example, the phrase "feature 1, feature 2 and / or feature 3" includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3.

[0202] The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms such as "flexed", "normal", "parallel", "horizontal", "vertical" or "fully" includes the preceding qualifier "substantially or almost", unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated.

[0203] Qualifying relative terms, such as "relatively", "sufficiently", "near", "almost" or "substantially", may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between 09and 109or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, "near horizontal" may be taken to mean any orientation between 09and 109relative to the horizontal.

[0204] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

[0205] In the present specification, the term "integral" means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term "integrally formed" means formed of the one body without post-forming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, "integrally formed" and the similar term "unitarily formed" mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

[0206] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0207] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and / or depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.

Claims

The Claims:

1. A harvester accessory for harvesting a pina, wherein the harvester accessory includes: a support adapted to attach to a base of a core of a plant from which the pina can be extracted, whereby the portions of the plant above the base are accessible for cutting; a moving mechanism adapted to move a cutter relative to the support between a remote position and a cutting position for cutting the plant; and a support rotator adapted to rotate the support about a support axis, the support rotator adapted to expose different sides of the plant to the cutter; wherein, the cutter is adapted in the cutting position to rotate about a cutter axis that is: laterally offset relative to the support axis so that the cutter axis does not intersect the support axis; or vertically offset relative to a point intermediate the length of the pina along the support axis.

2. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cutter is adapted to define a cutting zone3. The harvester accessory as claimed Claim 2, wherein the cutting zone in the cutting position is concave.

4. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the cutting zone is a truncated conical shape defining a concave recess adapted to receive a portion of the pina in the cutting position.

5. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the cutter includes at least one blade with an outer edge radially spaced from the cutter axis.

6. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the cutter includes a central cutter mount mounted on a rotatable cutter shaft.

7. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the blade is tiltable relative to the cutter mount to vary the size and shape of the cutting zone.

8. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the at least one blade includes multiple blades circumferentially spaced around a periphery of the cutter mount.

9. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the cutter mount is a disc shape.

10. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the moving mechanism is adapted to orient the cutter in the cutter position being a predetermined position dependent on the size and shape of the pina.

11. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the moving mechanism is adapted to cut the pina in multiple steps wherein the cutter position is changed to achieve a signature pina shape.

12. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the signature pina shape is an egg shape or round ended fusiform shape.

13. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, the harvester accessory including a tilt mechanism adapted to alter the angle of orientation of the support relative to the cutter.

14. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 5- 13, wherein the blade is adapted to be oriented perpendicular to the cutter axis.

15. The harvester accessory as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the cutter is adapted to cut the plant immediately below the base.

16. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the support includes a spike adapted to impale the pina plant.

17. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the moving mechanism includes at least 3 fingers or arms adapted to grasp the pina plant.

18. The harvester accessory as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the harvester accessory is mobile and is adapted to lift the pina plant, cut the pina plant below the base and harvest the pina plant in the form of a signature shaped pina.

19. The harvester according to Claim 1, wherein the cutter defines a recess into which the core is partially receivable, the recess having at its centre and base a cutter mount which:(a) is aligned with a cutter rotation axis;(b) lies outside cutting zone of the cutter; and(c) is spaced further away from the support rotator than the cutting zone.