Patent ID: 11963481
Assignee: AUSSIE WINE GROUP HOLDINGS PTY LTD
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. An apparatus, configured to be fitted to a collection unit, for separating berries from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising:
a first separating conveyor system comprising an array of rollers, rotatable to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to form a plurality of openings therebetween permitting the transit of separated berries therethrough while preventing the transit of other plant matter;
a second separating conveyor system comprising a continuous belt mounted to rotate around an upstream shaft and a downstream shaft, the second separating conveyor system positioned below the first separating conveyor system, the continuous belt of the second conveyor system including a plurality of openings configured to permit the transit of berries therethrough while retaining other plant matter on the continuous belt, wherein the first and second separating conveyor systems are arranged such that berries and other plant matter from the first conveyor system are deposited onto the second conveyor system, wherein the entirety of the first separating conveyor system is positioned directly and vertically above the second separating conveyor system, and a direction of travel of harvested plant material on the first conveyor system and the second separating conveyor system is the same such that after separated berries transit through the first conveyor system, remaining berries and the other plant matter are conveyed along the first separating conveyor and are deposited onto the second separating conveyor for further separation of the berries from the other plant matter; and
a de-stemming unit positioned above the second separating conveyor system downstream of the first separating conveyor system.