Tacky Silicone Fruit Picking Receptacle for Damage-Free Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit-picking devices often damage delicate fruits due to rigid or abrasive gripping mechanisms, and they lack adaptability to various fruit sizes and types.
Innovation Solution
A conical-cylindrical hybrid receptacle made of Shore A 60-70 silicone rubber, featuring a soft, tacky interior surface for gentle gripping and modular inserts for size customization, attached to a threaded base for secure pole attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid or abrasive gripping mechanisms are used, then gripping strength is improved, but fruit damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible silicone rubber receptacle instead of rigid gripping mechanisms. The silicone material conforms to the fruit surface, providing gentle contact that prevents damage while maintaining adequate grip strength through friction and adhesion rather than mechanical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the gripping surface by using silicone rubber with specific durometer hardness (Shore A 20-40), creating a soft, compliant surface that can adapt to different fruit shapes and sizes. This parameter change allows the device to grip fruits securely without concentrating stress that would cause damage.
2Device complexity
If a fixed-size receptacle is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various fruit sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the receptacle size adjustable through removable inserts. Users can change the internal dimensions by removing or adding inserts, allowing the same device to accommodate different fruit sizes dynamically without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the receptacle into a main body and removable inserts. This segmentation allows the inserts to be taken out or put in depending on the fruit size being harvested, providing versatility while keeping the main device structure simple and reusable.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If soft materials are used for gentle gripping, then fruit damage is reduced, but gripping strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction with silicone rubber as the primary material, potentially combined with fabric or other reinforcement layers. This composite approach maintains the soft, non-damaging surface while providing sufficient structural integrity and gripping force through the combination of materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the durometer hardness of the silicone rubber (Shore A 20-40) to achieve the right balance between softness for protection and firmness for gripping. The material parameters are selected to provide adequate friction and adhesion for secure handling without being so soft as to fail in providing support.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a secure yet damage-free grip on various fruits, enabling efficient harvesting without bruising or tearing, and adapts to different fruit sizes and types through modular inserts.
Implementation Method 1
a cone-shaped device with a soft, tacky interior surface for gently gripping and detaching produce from a tree
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a harvesting device designed to minimize damage to produce during harvesting. It features a conical-cylindrical receptacle with a tacky, flexible gripping surface that conforms to the shape of various fruits and produce, allowing gentle and secure handling. The gripping surface enables the produce to be twisted off from the stem without bruising. The device also includes a threaded base compatible with standard extension poles for easy attachment, providing adaptability to different harvesting conditions.