Patent ID: 9247768
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: A23N,B07B

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for the de-stalking of small fruit picked in bunches after harvesting, the apparatus comprising: a flow mechanism for moving the harvested fruit bunches in a flow from an infeed toward an outfeed; a de-stalking mechanism positioned above said flow mechanism, said de-stalking mechanism having at least two berry-detaching assemblies positioned opposite each other and separated by a space forming an open chute, said space being between adjacent surfaces of said at least two berry-detaching assemblies, said space having an infeed end at one end of the two berry-detaching assemblies and an outfeed end at an opposite end of the two berry-detaching assemblies, said space narrowing from said infeed end toward said outfeed end, each of the berry-detaching assemblies having a plurality of separator arms with each arm extending in a plane in spaced relationship and with all arms stacked in a direction perpendicular to their respective planes, each pair of opposed berry-detaching assemblies interacting laterally with the passing fruit bunches over approximately a width of the flow; and a mechanical drive connected to or interconnected to the berry-detaching assemblies so as to impart a high frequency oscillating movement to said plurality of stacked separator arms.