Patent ID: 6463725
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
A harvester for gathering produce from one or more plants, the harvester comprising:(a) a drive mechanism for automatically advancing the harvester along a first direction relative to the plants; (b) a retractable conveyor mounted to and extending from the drive mechanism towards the plant, the retractable conveyor being selectively positionable between a first position and a second position; and (c) a sealing arrangement mounted at a distal end of the retractable conveyor; the sealing arrangement including an integral sensor input and sealing member arranged between the harvester and at least one of the plants configured to engage at least one of the plants and provide input to the retractable conveyor so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the distal end of the retractable conveyor and at least one corresponding plant, thereby forming a seal between the harvester and each corresponding plant.