Patent ID: 7921628
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A machine for harvesting vine-borne crops along a path on a vertical plane extending from front to rear inside the machine comprising: a. a self-propelled harvester main frame; b. at least one feeder conveyor traveling along said vertical plane for transporting severed vines with crops rearward along said path to a shaker brush in said machine; c. a recovery conveyor traveling along said vertical plane of said machine adjacent to said shaker brush for conveying shaken vines away from the shaker brush along said vertical plane toward the back of the machine; d. a removal conveyor traveling along said vertical plane having a portion thereof located below the shaker brush for collecting dislodged crops from the shaker and conveying them rearward along said path, said removal conveyor terminating inside said machine; e. a crop return deployed underneath said recovery conveyor and traveling along said vertical plane for bringing additional crops that have been dislodged from the vines forward along said plane to the removal conveyor; f. a sorter conveyor traveling along said vertical plane for conveying dislodged crops rearward along said path, wherein one end of said sorter conveyor is adjacent to the termination of said removal conveyor defining a gap therebetween, said gap extending across said path; and g. an air blower having a nozzle located along said vertical plane below said gap for separating unwanted materials from said dislodged crops.