1、FRUITS AND NUTS PICIKING DEVICEABSTRACTApparatus for harvesting fruits from trees comprising first conduit means, coupling means adjacent a first end thereof and adapted for attachment to a source of vacuum. Throat means including inner and outer sleeve members are provided, the inner sleeve member
2、having a fruit receiving opening at one end thereof, a generally flexible fruit receiving portion arranged inwardly of said fruit receiving opening and having an inwardly converging conical portion. The inwardly converging conical portion is arranged to have a minimum diameter which is not substanti
3、ally greater than the diameter of the fruit being harvested. A generally rigid cylinder depends from the inwardly converging conical portion and is coupled to the inwardly converging conical portion at one end thereof. Aspirating openings are formed along the rigid cylinder adjacent the inwardly con
4、verging conical portion, and a second generally flexible sleeve or conical member is coupled to the rigid cylinder at the end opposite from the fruit receiving opening. This second flexible member is arranged to form a generally flexible closure in response to vacuum being applied through said aspir
5、ating openings. The outer sleeve is sealingly secured to the inner sleeve about axially spaced points disposed on opposite sides of said aspirating openings, and means defining a port are arranged on the wall of the outer sleeve with means for coupling said port to said first conduit means.BACKGROUN
6、D OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to an improved apparatus for harvesting fruits and nuts from trees, wherein vacuum means are coupled to a flexible throat means for removing or detaching the fruit from the tree, and thereafter depositing the fruit in a collecting station. Th
7、e apparatus of the present invention utilizes a source of vacuum as power for the unit, with the apparatus handling the picked fruit extremely gently.In the harvesting of fruit, including both fruits and nuts, it is frequently desirable to utilize mechanical techniques which will eliminate the need
8、for hand picking of each individual item from the tree. For certain fruits, hand picking is normally required inorder to avoid blemishes from being formed on the fruit. Such hand picking is, of course, costly and extremely slow, and accordingly contributes to the high cost of such fruit to the consu
9、mer.In the past, various techniques have been suggested for the harvesting and extraction of fruits from trees, however these apparatus frequently employ complex electromechanical devices including photocell sensors and the like for locating the fruit, and clamping arms for extracting the fruit from
10、 the growing tree. Such apparatus, while enhancing the speed of harvest, normally cannot avoid the risk of damage to the flesh of the fruitIn accordance with the present invention, however, the risk of damage to the flesh is minimized, and a worker may harvest the fruit without necessarily leaving t
11、he ground. The apparatus is simple, light in weight, and may be handled from the ground by a suitable extension wand or the like.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fruit harvesting apparatus which will enable the picking of fruit or nut
12、s from trees, the apparatus being designed to gently handle the fruit as it is taken from the tree.It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for harvesting fruit and nuts from trees, this apparatus being operated and powered by a simple source of vacuum.It
13、is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved fruit and nut harvesting device which utilizes a structure without requiring mechanically moving parts.Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the follo
14、wing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawing.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGFIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially schematic, illustrating the improved fruit and nut harvesting device of the present invention, and illustrating the apparatus in combination with an elongated fr
15、uit transmission conduit means for delivering the harvested material to a collecting station;FIG. 2 is a detail elevational view; partially broken away and partially in section, and illustrating the structure as it is about to extract or harvest fruit from a tree;FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2,
16、and illustrating the structure as individual items of harvested fruit are being passed through the gathering head; andFIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating the manner in which the harvesting head can be releasably attached to an extension wand.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTAttention is
17、 now directed to FIG. 1 of the drawing wherein the harvesting apparatus generally designated 10 is illustrated, this apparatus including a harvesting head assembly generally designated 11, the harvesting head being coupled to a first conduit means 12, and a fruit guiding sleeve member 13. A collecti
18、ng station in the form of a box or the like is shown at 14.With particular attention being directed to the harvesting head means 11, this structure includes a throat assembly comprising a pair of generally coaxially arranged sleeves, including an outer sleeve 15, and an inner sleeve assembly 16. The
19、 inner sleeve assembly 16 includes a throat means shown generally at 18, the throat means having a fruit receiving opening as at 19, and an inwardly converging conical portion as at 20. The inwardly converging conical portion 20 has a minimum diameter or constriction area as at 21, this diameter bei
20、ng substantially equal to the diameter of the. fruit being harvested. For normal purposes, this constriction is fabricated from flexible substances so that the diameter of the constriction is adjustably variable when vacuum is applied, this diameter being not substantially greater than the normal di
21、ameter of the fruit being harvested.A generally rigid cylinder member 23 is arranged in depending relationship from the inwardly converging conical portion 20, cylinder 23 having a plurality of aspirating openings 24 around the periphery thereof. These openings are adapted to permit a flow of air to
22、 pass through, this flow being created by the operation of the vacuum means shown generally at 26. As can be seen in the harvesting head means, a second generally flexible member, preferably a conical member, is shown at 28, this member being coupled to the rigid cylinder at the end opposite to the
23、inwardly converging conical portion. Member 28 is arranged to close upon itself, if desired, such as is illustrated in FIG. 2. For most purposes, member 28 may be fabricated from a flexible film substance such as flexible polyethylene, stress-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, or the like.With con
24、tinued attention being directed to FIG. 1, it will be seen that sleeve 15 is sealingly secured to sleeve 16 at axially spaced points disposed on opposite sides of the aspirating openings 24-24. These seal areas are shown as at 30 and 31. Also, means defining a port are arranged on the wall of the sl
25、eeve 15 as at 32, these port means being arranged to couple conduit 12 to the harvesting head 11.Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 of the drawing wherein an item of fruit is shown at 35, with the fruit just entering the constriction formed in the inwardly converging conical opening 20, the circumf
26、erence or surface of the fruit touching the constricted area 21, as illustrated. The vacuum means 26, drawing or aspirating upon the structure, tends to close the opening as at 28, while drawing the fruit 35 inwardly through the system. Upon passing through the opening 21, the fruit will drop throug
27、h the harvesting head in the fashion shown in FIG.3.It can be appreciated, therefore, that opening 28 is adapted to intermittently open-and-close in response to the vacuum drawing on the structure, and in response to the blockage of the throat means at the constricted area 21. This blocking occurs w
28、henever an article of fruit is present in the throat area.In order to cushion the fall of the individual articles of fruit from the harvesting head into the collecting station, the fruit guiding sleeve 13 is arranged to control the fall of the individual articles and gently deposit them in the colle
29、cting box or station such as the box 14. In this fashion, fragile fruits may be collected without risking damage to the skin, flesh, or meat.With attention being directed to FIG. 4, it can be appreciated how the harvesting head 11 may be secured by a closure ring or the like 40 to the wand 41. In th
30、is fashion, it is possible for an individual to harvest fruit or nuts from a tree without necessarily having to climb a ladder to ascend to a point where the individual articles of fruit can be harvested by hand.While the present specification has discussed the gathering of fruit, it will be appreci
31、ated that the term “fruit“ is being utilized in a generic sense, and is intended to include such fruits as apples, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes, as well as peaches and pears. By suitable selection of throat diameters, nuts can be harvested utilizing the identical principle. Any co
32、nventional materials of construction may be employed for the device, with molded plastic materials being preferred. The inwardly converging conical portion 20 may be fabricated from molded plastic such as nylon, Teflon, vinyl, or the like, while cylinder member 16 may be fabricated from similar mate
33、rials. Outer sleeve 15, which is preferably rigid, can also be fabricated from any desired material of construction.I claim:1. Apparatus for harvesting fruits from trees comprising:a. first conduit means, coupling means adjacent a first end thereof and arranged forattachment to a source of vacuum;b.
34、 harvesting head means with throat means including inner and outer sleeve members, said inner sleeve member having a fruit receiving opening at one end thereof, a generally flexible fruit receiving portion disposed inwardly from said opening and having an inwardly converging conical portion, said in
35、wardly converging conical portion having a minimum diameter which is not substantially greater than the normal diameter of the fruit being harvested, and a generally rigid cylinder depending from said inwardly converging conical portion and being coupled to said inwardly converging conical portion a
36、t one end thereof, means defining aspirating openings disposed along said rigid cylinder adjacent said inwardly converging conical portion;c. a second generally flexible conical member coupled to said rigid cylinder at the end opposite to said inwardly converging conical portion and adapted to form
37、a generally flexible closure;d. said outer sleeve being sealingly secured to said inner sleeve at axially spaced points disposed on opposite sides of said openings; ande. means defining a port arranged on the wall of said outer sleeve and having means for coupling said outer sleeve member to said fi
38、rst conduit means.2. The fruit harvesting apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a fruit guiding sleeve is secured to said rigid cylinder and depends therefrom so as to enclose said second conical member therewithin.3. The fruit harvesting apparatus as defined in cl
39、aim 1 being particularly characterized in that vacuum means are coupled to said first conduit means and are arranged to draw a vacuum through said aspirating openings.4. The fruit harvesting apparatus as defined in claim 3 being particularly characterized in that said second generally flexible conic
40、al member is adapted to close upon itself in response to the vacuum drawn by said vacuum means through said aspirating openings.5. The fruit harvesting apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said inwardly converging conical member is resiliently deformable.水果和坚果采摘装置
41、摘要水果采摘装置，包括一个水管、临近终点的耦合方式以及适合附件的的真空装置。窄路部分包括内部和外部所提供的套管，内部套管在末端有一个开放式水果接收器，水果接收器的内部有一个灵活的开放式的锥形接受部分。向内收敛的锥形部分的最小直径大于正在收获的果实的直径。一半刚性圆柱取决于从内心融合的圆锥部分和耦合锥形一端或其部分向内收敛。吸入开口是沿着刚性圆柱部分里面接近圆锥形部分，锥形部分一般灵活耦合刚性圆柱底部形成开放式水果接收。第二个灵活装置形成一个真空封闭吸入式开口。外套筒内套筒固定轴向间距对点两侧的吸入式开口处理来说意味着定义一个端口被安排在外面的外壁耦合的管道。研发背景本发明通常涉及到一种收集水果
42、和坚果的改进装置，其中真空部分、耦合了一个灵活的窄路也就是说从树上摘除果子，然后存放到收集装置中。本仪器的发明利用真空作为动力的来源，利用该装置采摘水果非常轻松。采摘水果，包括水果及坚果，经常需要利用机械技术，这将代替个人用手从树上采摘的需要。对于某些水果，手采通常是为了让避免采到有瑕疵的水果。当然，这样的手采方式花费高，速度慢，而且这些高成本都会转嫁给水果消费者。在过去，各种不同的水果采摘方法已经被应用，然而这些装置通常使用复杂的机电设备包括硅光电池传感器和像定位水果位置的机械手臂来采摘水果。这些装置在提高采摘效率的同时不可避免的增加了伤害新鲜水果的风险。然而，根据本发明可以将采摘伤害果实的
43、风险降到最低以及没有必要离开地面一个工人就能完成采摘。该设备简单，重量轻，可以从地面通过一个合适的延伸棒或者类似的东西处理。本发明概要因此，本发明提供了一种改进的水果收集采摘装置，这种设计的装置可以将水果或坚果轻轻的从树上采摘下来。它是一个进一步改进了的采摘水果和坚果的装置，此设备的操作及供电都由一个简单的真空源提供。它也对现有采摘水果装置进行了一种改进，利用了没有机械运动部件的结构。其它的装置以及本发明将进一步显现在对艺术的研究及下列规格、附加要求及相应的图纸上。绘图简介图 1 是一个整体视图，说明了部分原理及水果坚果收集装置，并说明仪器有一条长方形水果传输管道提供采摘的收集装置。图 2 是
44、一个细节图，显示了部分截图，说明了从树上采摘水果的装置的结构。图 3 类似于图 2，说明了采摘单个果实通过采摘器头部结构的过程。图 4 是一个头部试图，说明了采摘器头部延伸棒的可释放连接方式。优选的具体化描述正在看的视图 1 所指定的采摘装置通常设计成 10 所示样式，这包括设计成11 的采摘头组件，采摘头被加上一个导管 12,以及水果的导向窄路 13。收集装置的形式是一个盒子就像 14 所示的样子。在这里我们要特别之处采摘头 11，该结构包括一个窄路，又一对同轴摆放的套筒所组成，包括外部管道 15 以及内部套筒 16。内部组装的套筒 16 包括像18 那样显示的窄路，这个窄路在 19 处有一
45、个开放式水果接收器，而且在 20 处聚合了一个锥形部分。内部聚合锥形部分 20 有一个最小直径或收缩面积在 21处，这个直径与收获的水果的直径大致相等。一般来说，这种收缩部件由柔性材质构成，使真空时它的收缩直径是可调的，这个直径相对于刚收获的水果的直径来说不会更大。一般的刚性圆柱件 23 安排在依靠关系内部锥形部件 20 处，圆柱件 23 有多个吸入式开口 24 分布在其周边。这些开口能够适应允许流动空气通过，这流动是由真空操作所产生就像 26 所显示的那样。从中我们可以看到采摘头，另一个柔性部分，最好是一个锥形部分，就像 28 所示，这个部分被连接到刚性圆柱底部对立的圆锥部分里面。28 部分
46、会安排在自行关闭后，如果需要的话就像图 2所示那样。对于大多数用途，部件 28 可制作柔软的聚乙烯，压力为导向的聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯，或如柔性薄膜物质。继续关注图 1，我们将看到套筒 15 抵押处置吸气开口 24 两侧轴向间隔的套筒 16.这些密封区域出现在 30 和 31。同时，意味着定义一个套筒壁 15 被安排在 32 上的部件，这些部分在采摘头 11 处被安排了一对套管 12。现在我们把注意力转向显示水果 35 的图 2，这幅图显示一个水果刚刚进入20 这个开放式内部聚合锥形窄路部分，水果的周长或表面积接触区域如图所示在 21 处。当绘制的水果在内部通过此系统时，真恐部分 26 的绘制或
47、吸入结构在 28 处趋近于关闭。通过了开放式收缩部分 21，水果将会掉入如图 3 所示的采摘头中。因此开放式部件 28 可以适应间歇性的打开和关闭来回应绘制的真空结构，并回应阻塞窄路的受限制区域 21。这种阻塞发生时，水果的路径是在目前的窄路区域。为了缓解每个水果从才会在头部掉入收集箱的冲击，水果导向套管 13 被用作控制水果轻柔地存入收集箱比如说像 14 所示装置。这种方式可以免除水果收集时伤害到它的表皮或者果肉。现在看图 4，它的采摘头 11 会被像一个封闭环或者长杆 41 上的 40 所示的装置所保护。这种方式，可以让一个人在采摘水果和坚果时不必拿一个梯子爬到很高的地方去采摘而可以用手直
48、接去采摘。现在的详述已经讨论了怎样去收集水果，而水果这个词语也被用作一个通用的定义，旨在包括苹果之类的水果，柑橘类水果如柳橙、柠檬和酸橙以及桃子何梨。通过选择合适的窄路直径，坚果的收获都可利用此相同的原理。任何建筑用常规材料可以采用的设备，都可以作为此装置的塑料材料选择。内部聚合锥形部分 20 可以由模压塑料制成，如聚四氟乙烯，尼龙，乙烯或其他相似材料，而圆柱筒 16 材料也可以用相似材料制作。外部套管 15 是非常坚固的，它可以是任何想要的建筑材料来制作。我要求：1. 从树上采摘水果的装置包括：a. 首先是临近第一部分终点管道的耦合方式以及所附带的真空源；b. 采摘头窄路部分包括内部和外部管
49、道部分，内部管道在其根部有一个开放式水果接收器，通常的柔性接收部分在其内部有开放式的内部聚合锥形部分，内部的聚合锥形部分的直径不会比收获的水果的直径要大，一般的刚性圆柱部分与内部聚合锥形部分的底部相组合，意味着定义吸入式开口以及刚性圆柱相毗邻的内部聚合锥形部分；c. 第二个通常是柔性的锥形连接到刚性圆柱相对应的内部聚合锥形的底部，以适应聚合锥形部分形成一个灵活的关闭；d. 外部套管被固定在内部套管轴向间距点相反方向来说明；e. 这也意味着从定义上说，外环和耦合方式表示外环部分，第一节管道外壁上也有一个端口。 2. 果实收获装置如专利要求 1 所述，被特别描述的导向套筒固定刚性圆柱体，由此决定附上第二个锥形部分。3. 从设计要求 1 所特别要求的水果采摘装置真空部分的第一节管道被安装一个真空吸入开口。4. 从设计要求 3 所特别要求的水果采摘装置的第二个柔性锥形部分来适应通过开放式吸入真空自行关闭。5. 专利要求 1 中所界定的水果采摘装置，特别是内部聚合锥形部分可以弹性变形。
