Abstract:
A produce harvesting and coring apparatus and method, which facilitates the harvesting and coring of produce in a field setting. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of coring devices having automated coring elements are affixed to a side portion of an elongated harvesting apparatus, between work tables. A clean and core operator may then take an item of harvested produce and core it using the coring device, before placing the cored item of produce onto the elongated harvesting apparatus. The coring device preferably operates by placing an item of produce in a basket and moving the basket (with the produce therein) toward a rotating cutting element, permitting the cutting element to penetrate and remove the core of the item of produce.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/378,145, filed Mar. 4, 2003, and to which priority is claimed. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for coring harvested produce and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for coring harvested produce in a field setting.  
           [0004]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0005]    The harvesting of certain types of produce, including for example varieties of cabbage, is typically accomplished manually. In a manual harvesting operation, a person (generally referred to as a “cutter”) will, using a special cutting tool, cut the produce head from the root portion, so that it may be removed from the ground. Where a mobile harvesting apparatus is utilized for further transport and/or processing of harvested produce, it may be the case that an additional worker will take the harvested produce, core it manually using a hand-held cutting tool, and place it on the harvesting apparatus. Alternatively, the produce may be harvested in the field but not cored, and then cored in a processing facility that is remote from the field.  
           [0006]    There are several drawbacks with prior art methods. Where coring is accomplished manually in the field, that process can be relatively time consuming. Moreover, the use of a knife to perform the coring operation can result in injury to the person performing such an operation. On the other hand, where coring is conducted in a remote processing facility, the efficiency of performing the coring incident to the harvesting process and in the field setting is lost.  
           [0007]    A need therefore existed for a harvesting apparatus that permits automated produce coring, in the field, in a manner that is safer than prior art fully manual methods. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related, advantages.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for coring harvested produce in a field setting.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for coring harvested produce in a substantially automated way in a field setting.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a produce harvesting and coring apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a harvesting apparatus; and at least one coring device having a powered coring element coupled to the harvesting apparatus.  
           [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for coring produce in a field setting is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a harvesting apparatus in a field to be harvested; providing at least one coring device having a powered coring element coupled to the harvesting apparatus; harvesting an item of produce from a field; and coring the item of produce on the at least one coring device while the harvesting apparatus is positioned in the field to be harvested.  
           [0012]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coring device consistent with the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating the movement of the apparatus when a coring operation is performed.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cutting element of the device of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of a harvesting apparatus having a coring device thereon.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side view of the harvesting apparatus of FIG. 5.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cutting element for another embodiment of a coring device consistent with the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a top view of the cutting element of FIG. 7.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coring device consistent with the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a side view of a mounting structure for an embodiment of a cording device consistent with the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a top view of the coring device of FIG. 9.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a side view of the cording device of FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a coring device  10  is consistent with the present invention is shown. The coring device  10  preferably comprises a base portion  12 , to which is affixed a plurality of spring-loaded supports  14 . (While four supports  14  are shown, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of supports  14  could be provided.) The supports  14  support a produce basket  16 , having a coring bit  18  projecting through a bottom portion thereof. The produce basket  16  is dimensioned to receive an item of produce  19  therein. (Preferably, the item of produce  19  is cabbage, though other items of produce, such as lettuce, may also be cored with the coring device  10  of the present invention.) Below the basket  16  is positioned at least one and preferably two stops  17 . The individual components and their operation will now be treated in greater detail.  
         [0026]    Turning first to the spring-loaded supports  14 , these preferably consist of a center post  20  which is coupled at a superior end thereof to the base portion  12 . Over a lower portion of the center post  20  is positioned a spring  22 . The topmost portion of the spring  22  contacts a sleeve  24 , which is slidably retained on the center post  20  above the spring  22 . Downward pressure on the sleeve  24  causes contraction of the spring  22 , such that the release of such pressure will cause the sleeve  24  to move upward to its original position on the center post  20 .  
         [0027]    With specific regard to the stops  17 , these preferably comprise upwardly extending posts that are adjustable in height. Such adjustability can be provided by, for example, providing a stop  17 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a superior threaded shaft is received within a mating threaded shaft, such that rotation of the threaded shaft in one direction will increase the height of the stop  17 , and rotation in the opposite direction will decrease its height.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 4, attention is directed to the coring bit  18 . The cording bit  18  projects through an opening in the base of the basket  16 . While the length of the coring bit  18  may be adjustable, in operation, it remains of fixed length—so that depression of the basket  16  causes the position of the coring bit  18  to become raised relative to the base  16   a  of the basket  16 , as illustrated in FIG. 2. The coring bit  18  comprises a cutting surface that is adapted to cut away the core of an item of produce  17 , when the coring bit  18  is rotated and brought into contact with the produce  17  core. Rotational force is imparted through any desired automated means, with hydraulic power being preferred.  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, a harvesting apparatus  100  having a plurality of coring devices  10  thereon is shown. The harvesting apparatus  100  is preferably towed by a trailer  102 , though the harvesting apparatus  100  could be self-propelled. The harvesting apparatus  100  preferably comprises a horizontal conveyor  104 , leading to an elevated conveyor  106 .  
         [0030]    Projecting outward from the horizontal conveyor  104  are a plurality of work tables  108 . These work tables  108  should be spaced far enough apart to permit at least one clean and core person  110  to stand therebetween. The surface of the work tables  108 , which are expected to come into contact with the harvested produce, should be stainless steel, for greater food safety. Coupled to the side of the apparatus  100 , preferably between work tables  108 , are coring devices  10 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1, behind the clean and core persons  110  will preferably be a row of cutters  112 . The role of the cutters  112  is to harvest the produce  17  from the ground, typically with a knife of some kind. After harvesting, the cutter  112  places the produce  17  on a work table  108  from where it can be taken by a clean and core person  110  or, optionally, hands it directly to a clean and core person  110 .  
         [0032]    The clean and core person  110  will then grasp the produce  17 , place it into the basket  17  (as shown in FIG. 2), and press downward while the coring bit  18  is rotating (or with such downward force activating rotation of the coring bit  18 ). The clean and core operator  110  should continue to press down until the base  16   a  of the basket  16  contacts the stops  17 .  
         [0033]    Such downward motion of the basket  16  brings the core of the produce  17  into contact with the coring bit  18 . Rotation of the coring bit  18  causes a cutting away of the core area of the produce  17 , with the core being reduced to small pieces that fall into the basket  16 . Because the basket  16  is preferably open on two sides (see FIGS. 1-3), the pieces fall through these openings and onto the ground.  
         [0034]    It will be desired to adjust the height of the stops  17  so that, for the particular size of the produce  17  that is being harvested, the coring bit  18  will project sufficiently upward to remove the core, but not so high as to penetrate the exterior of the produce  17 .  
         [0035]    After coring, the clean and core operator  110  then removes the cored produce  17  from the basket  16 , allowing the basket  16  to spring to its original position. The clean and core operator  110  then places the cored produce  17  on the horizontal conveyor  104 . It will travel to the right (see FIG. 2) and may pass through an optional washing station  105 . Thereafter, the produce  17  enters an elevated conveyor  106 , from where it is ultimately loaded into a bin  114  or other desired loading location.  
         [0036]    Refeerring now to FIGS. 7-9 and  11 - 12 , another embodiment of a coring device, referred to as a coring device  200 , is shown. The coring device  200  preferably comprises a first base plate  202 , a second base plate  204 , a pair of supports  206  having springs  207  therearound, a top plate  208 , and a cutting element  210 . With respect to the top plate  208 , it has an opening  212  therethrough, which is dimensioned to permit the rotating cutting element  210  to pass therethrough without contacting the sides thereof.  
         [0037]    Below the opening  212  and coupled to an underside of the top plate  208  is a reservoir  214 . The reservoir  214  has an opening in an underside thereof (see FIG. 12) sufficient to permit at least a shaft portion  215  of the cutting element  210  to pass therethrough. The underside of the reservoir  214  is dimensioned to contact a base  216  of the cutting element  210  when the top plate  208  is depressed, as illustrated in FIG. 212.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the cutting element  210  includes an open blade  218 . The blade  218  has a substantially egg beater type of configuration, and is preferably formed from stainless steel for food safety reasons. The blade  218  is preferably hydraulically powered.  
         [0039]    In operation, a person will grasp an item of produce  17  (see FIG. 12), and position it on the top plate  208 . The produce  17  should be positioned with the core down, and located over the opening  212 . The person will depress the produce  17 , causing the top plate  208  to travel in the direction of the second base plate  204 . The springs  207  will resist this movement, with sufficient depressing force overcoming this resistance. Sufficient depression of the top plate  208  causes the rotating blade  218  to penetrate the opening  212  and cut away the core of the produce  17 .  
         [0040]    Contact between the underside of the reservoir  214  and the base  216  limits the extent of penetration of the blade  218  into the produce  17 , limiting the risk that the blade  218  could fully penetate the produce  17  and potentially injure a worker. When the cutting operation is completed, the worker lifts the produce  17  off of the top plate  208 . When the depressing force is removed, the springs  207 , and top plate  208 , will revert to their prior position.  
         [0041]    It should be noted that it would be possible to adjust the position of the top plate  208  along the supports  206 , so as to adjust the depth of the cut made by the blade  218 .  
         [0042]    Attention is now directed to FIG. 10. While it would be possible to position the coring device  200  in a vertical configuration as shown in FIG. 12, so that, relative to the field, the top plate  208  is superior to the second base plate  204 , a horizontal configuration is preferred. In this configuration, the coring device  200  projects outward in a horizontal orientatino from a harvesting apparatus  220 . A primary benefit of this orientation is that it permits a worker to use his or her body weight to help in the action of depressing the produce  17 , instead of requiring the worker to essentially fully rely on arm strength for this function. Additionally, this orientation is considered to reduce the risk of injury to the worker.  
         [0043]    Still referring to FIG. 10, it is noted that a typical harvesting apparatus is regularly operated first on one side and, during a succeeding pass through the field, on its second side. One alternative would be to positioning coring devices  200  on both sides of the harvesting apparatus  220 . Alternatively, it would be possible to swivel mount the coring device  200  to the harvesting apparatus  220 , so that it may be swivelled from one side of the harvesting apparatus  220  to the other.  
         [0044]    In this regard, it is preferred that the coring device be coupled to a mounting device  230 . In one embodiment, the mounting device  230  preferably comprises a first arm  232  that is rotatably coupled in a horizontal plane to an underside of the harvesting apparatus  220  about point A, and a second arm  234  that is rotatably coupled in a vertical plane to first arm  232  about point B. In order to move the coring device  200  from a first side of the harvesting apparatus  220  to its second side, the second arm  234  will be rotated downward about point B, so as to position the coring device  200  below the level of the underside of the harvesting apparatus  220 . The first arm  232  will then be rotated horizontally about point A, so as to position the coring device  200  on an opposite side of the harvesting apparatus  220 . The second arm  234  will then be rotated upward about point B, so a to position the coring device  200  at the desired height level for coring operations. It can be seen through this description that an additional advantage to a horizontal orientation for the coring device  200  is that it reduces the clearance necessary to permit the coring device  200  to travel under the harvesting apparatus  220  from one side to the other.  
         [0045]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it should be noted that the coring process as outlined herein could be made more fully automated, by providing means for automatically depressing the basket  16  or top plate  208  when an item of produce  17  is positioned therein—so that it will not be necessary for a clean and core person  110  to manually depress the basket  16  or top plate  208 . It may also be desired to provide a lid or other covering over the produce  17  when in position on the basket  16  or over the top plate  208 , to maintain the produce  17  in a constant position and to reduce the risk that the coring bit  18  or blade  218  could come into contact with the hand of a person using the coring device  10  or  200 .