Apparatus and method for harvesting and processing celery

An improved machine and method for harvesting and processing an upstanding crop, such as celery, in situ, the machine comprising a self driven vehicle supporting a plurality of harvesting and processing units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to crop harvesting and particularly to a device and method for mechanically harvesting and processing celery or other similar, upstanding crop in the field. The invention is directed to a driven, self-contained harvesting and processing device capable of removing the plant from the soil, trimming the greens from the stalk, slicing the stalk pieces into pieces of predetermined dimensions, removing debris from the sliced pieces and grading the sliced pieces.

Historically, many food crops, such as celery, have been harvested on large truck farms, with much of the harvesting work conducted by manual laborers. In the growing industry, specialized devices to aid in the harvest have been developed, however these devices have mainly aided in post harvest handling, with manual labor still being required to cut the plant from its root, trim the leaves from the top of the plant, or place the harvested plant on a conveyor for further processing, such as slicing, grading, removal of extraneous debris, and washing. Consequently, prior known devices have suffered from economic or functional deficiencies, as they have provided only partial mechanization of the harvesting and processing procedure.

Further, none of the prior devices has been known to combine the functions of the present device while operating in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to crop harvesting equipment and more specifically to a self-propelled celery harvester having unique multi-tasking properties.

The present invention provides a novel harvesting machine that includes means to do multiple tasks while still in the field, including some of those presently done by hand, and/or those done away from the harvest field, thereby reducing overall harvesting and processing cost. The apparatus includes one or more rotating top knives for removing the top leaves from the celery plant while the celery is still in the ground, one or more fixed lower knives for severing the plant from the root portion, a first conveyor system for moving the severed plants from the field level to an elevated slicing area, an elevated trans-slicing area having a plurality of knives (such as those manufactured by Urschel Laboratories, Inc. of Valparaiso, Ind.), means to remove unwanted debris, such as a vacuum system, a second conveyer system for moving and grading the sliced celery from the elevated trans-slicing area toward a third conveyor system, and a third conveyor system for moving the sliced, graded celery toward a load out container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved celery harvesting and processing machine comprising a self driven vehicle supporting a plurality of harvesting and processing units.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a celery or other vegetable harvester including a plurality of cooperating harvesting and processing units supported and transported by an underlying operator-driven tractor unit; wherein the harvester is driven along a first selected row of upstanding plants for harvest, wherein the harvester further includes, among other processing units, a forwardly extending elongated boom supporting initial harvesting blades at its distal end and being pivotally and slidably mounted at its elevated proximal end for unique movement in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane, and wherein the operator cab unit is pivotally mounted for vertical and horizontal movement relative the aforementioned boom supporting the initial harvesting blades. The present primary object provides a convenient means of utilizing the harvester from row to row within a minimal geographic harvesting area by providing means to move the processing units to either side of the machine.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a celery harvester which will remove the tops from the stalks, sever the stalks from the roots, remove and convey the stalks from the ground to a slicing station, convey the sliced stalks from the slicing station to a grader, remove unwanted debris, and transport the graded celery to adjacent, external transporting means.

An improved harvesting machine according to the present invention, includes: (1) cutting means for initially cutting off the leaves at the top portion of the plant while the plant is still planted in the soil; (2) cutting means for severing the plant at its base to thereby detach it from its root portion; (3) first conveying means to move the harvested plant to a slicing area; (4) slicing means to cut the stalks into various desired configurations, such as sticks of predetermined length; (5) means to remove leaf pieces and other debris from the pieces, such as vacuum means; (6) grading means to grade the pieces according to size; (7) second conveying means to move the graded pieces to storage and transportation containers. The improved machine preferably further includes (8) elevator means arranged to alternatively raise and lower the cutting station and first conveyor relative to the cab. The ability to control the vertical position of the cutting station and the first conveyor may be further coupled with (9) horizontally moveable means arranged to alternatively move the cutting station and the first conveyor horizontally. This combination of movement means thereby allows alternative sidewise movement and alignment of the various cooperating components. Alternative alignment permits facile operation on either side of the machine. This feature enables the user to facilely harvest adjacent crop rows upon reaching the end of a row, turning the machine to go down an adjacent, parallel row and to then shift the alignment of the machine to an alternative harvester side.

Thus, an object of the invention is to provide a combination celery harvester and processor including: cutting means for initially cutting off the leaves at the top portion of the plant while the plant is still planted in the soil; cutting means for severing the plant at its base to thereby detach it from its root portion; conveying means to move the harvested plant to a cutting area; slicing means to cut the celery stalks into varying desired configurations, such as sticks of predetermined length; means to remove leaf pieces and other debris from the pieces; grading means to grade the pieces according to size; and conveying means to move the graded pieces to storage and transportation containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As illustrated in the Figures, a preferred embodiment of the harvester10is shown in connection with the harvesting of celery, but it is to be understood that the harvester10may be used to harvest other similar types of upstanding vegetables, such as cabbage and the like. As it may be observed particularly inFIGS. 1-4, the harvester10may be provided with wheels, tracks12, or other earth-engaging members and driven by a prime mover, such as the diesel engine14shown. The harvester10further includes a forward end24and a trailing end26, with an operator's station or cab16located at the forward end24to provide maximum visibility by the operator (not shown). In the Figures, the harvester10is illustrated as generally including a track-laying, power-driven tractor18having tracks12for movement of the harvester10along crop rows200(seen inFIG. 11). A supporting structure20is mounted on the tracks12, which comprises a plurality of frame members22.

As may be further seen in the Figures, the forward end24of the harvester10is provided with an initial cutting station30. Illustrated particularly inFIGS. 7 and 8, the initial cutting station30may be provided with ground-engaging wheels32mounted on axle34. A housing, or protective shroud36, is further provided for the purpose of surrounding initial cutting elements37,38(see particularlyFIG. 8). As seen, the shroud36includes at least one open end35which allows entry of the rooted and upstanding plant100to be harvested as the harvester moves along the crop rows200. As may be observed in the Figures, cutting element38is preferably in the form of a horizontally rotatable blade38, which is rotated by auxiliary drive39. In operation, as the harvester10advances, blade38is arranged to remove the leafy portion of the plant100(seen as celery in these views). The initial cutting station30preferably further includes means for severing the plant100from the roots (not shown). For this purpose, and as shown particularly inFIG. 8, the initial cutting station30may include at least one root cutting blade, such as the butt knife37, shown for severing the plants100from the ground.

As seen inFIG. 1, the harvester10further includes a forwardly extending elongated boom40defined by one or more oppositely disposed elevating conveyor supporting side frames42. The boom40supports the aforementioned initial cutting station30at its distal end46and is pivotally and slidably mounted at its elevated proximal end41for unique movement in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. Elevating conveyor side frames42support a plurality of resiliently faced, endless elevator belts44,44awhich are each supported at the distal and proximal ends46,41, respectively, of the boom40. As illustrated, the harvester10may include a pair of belts44,44afor each row200(seeFIG. 11) of plants100(seeFIG. 7). As the harvester10advances, each pair of belts44,44agrasps, in sequence, the topped plants100as the root cutting butt knife37(seeFIG. 8), mounted below the belts44,44asevers the plant100from the ground. Conveyor frames42, along with the cooperating belts44,44a,are located directly behind the cutting station30and serve to raise the severed plants100from ground level to elevated trans-slicing station50. Individual spindle members47serve to rotatably support and drive the belts44,44a. Intermediate drive members serving the spindles47are not specifically shown, but derive power from the hydraulic pump15via conventional power coupling means. As illustrated particularly inFIGS. 1 and 9, as the belts44,44a,raise the severed plants100toward elevated trans-slicing station50, the plants100are deposited on intermediate belt pairs48,48a. As may be observed particularly inFIG. 9, intermediate belt pairs48,48aserve to move the severed plants100into the slicing station50and may include angularly disposed belt elements for optimal control and positioning of the plants100. It is to be noted that while not specifically shown, motive power for the cooperating elements is derived from the hydraulic pump15via conventional power coupling means. As is shown in phantom, the hydraulic pump15is powered by diesel or other internal combustion engine14(see particularlyFIG. 9). Further, it is to be understood that while hydraulic pump15is illustrated by way of example, other conventional power sources may be utilized.

As seen particularly inFIGS. 1 and 9, an elevated trans-slicing station50includes a cutting wheel52supporting a plurality of radially extending blades54. As may be observed, the blades54may be radially arranged around an axle56, such that as the plants100are moved toward the blades54in the direction of the arrow58, they are sliced into individual pieces59having a predetermined size. As mentioned previously, cutting wheel52, such as that shown, may be manufactured by Urschel Laboratories, Inc. of Valparaiso, Ind., for example. The cutting wheel52may be interchanged and positioned for maximum versatility according to the cut desired, such as, slicing, julienne, or the like, by way of example. The trans-slicing station50is conveniently adaptable for uniformly slicing the celery stalks or other elongated, harvested vegetable, with precision and at high capacities.

Turning specifically toFIGS. 7 and 9, it may be observed that the harvester10may further include a debris-removal station60. As seen in these views, the sliced pieces59exit the trans-slicing station50to fall beneath a suction hood66of the debris-removal station60and onto auxiliary conveyor64. Auxiliary conveyor64carries the pieces59in the direction of arrow62. As seen particularly inFIG. 1, the debris-removal station60of the present embodiment may include a fan67or other device to create a partial vacuum under the hood66to draw debris68, such as dirt and other particulate matter, away from the pieces59and through duct69. As illustrated particularly inFIG. 9, the debris68moves through the hood66and duct69in the direction of arrow65to be deposited at the trailing end26of the harvester10(seen inFIG. 7). With reference toFIGS. 9 and 10in particular, it may be seen that auxiliary conveyor belt64moves the pieces59, now separated from the debris68, in the direction of arrow62and toward a grading station70. There the pieces59are graded according to desired final product size.

Illustrated particularly in the view ofFIG. 10, the grading station70may include a grate72having a plurality of cross bars74which may be spaced to define transversely spaced interstices configured to permit passage of cross-sliced or julienne cut product, depending on the grading operation desired. For example, a wider spacing allows larger sized pieces59to fall through, while a smaller spacing allows only the smallest pieces59to fall through. With further reference toFIG. 10, pieces59which are permitted to fall through the grate72land on tray76. As illustrated, the grading station70may further include means for horizontal movement in the direction indicated by arrows77to thereby encourage the pieces59to fall through the grate72, as described. Any pieces59which do not fall through to tray76, move in the direction of arrow78and ultimately fall to the ground (not shown in this view) as debris. Pieces59which fall through the cross bars74are deposited on tray76and are encouraged in the direction of arrow79toward a perpendicularly disposed conveyor80. Conveyor80moves the graded pieces59in the direction of arrow82to a laterally extending, off-loading conveyor84. The off-loading conveyor84serves to move the graded pieces59toward a transport container or vehicle86(seen in phantom inFIG. 1). The transport vehicle86travels across the field alongside the harvester10in a conventional manner. It may be observed in the view ofFIG. 2that the off-loading conveyor84may be moveable between a laterally-extending functional position, and a stowed, retracted position, shown in phantom.

A further feature of an embodiment of the present harvester10is exemplified in the views ofFIGS. 3-6, and11. As shown, the harvester10may be provided with means to laterally shift the cooperating components such as the cab assembly16, initial cutting station30, boom40, slicing station50, and debris-removal station60to alternative sides of the harvester10. As illustrated particularly in the views ofFIGS. 5 and 6, components30,40,50, and60may be shifted in the direction of arrow88to thereby align the components30,40,50, and60along an alternative side. The harvester10then operates in the manner previously described while utilizing an alternative laterally extending, offloading conveyor84. This feature allows the user of the harvester10to easily harvest adjacent crop rows200(see particularlyFIG. 11). Typically, when a harvester reaches the end of a row, the driver must turn the harvester to proceed down a parallel, but not adjacent crop row. This requires a subsequent trip down the adjacent row. The ability of the present harvester10to shift the components30,40,50, and60, to thereby align them on alternative sides of the harvester10, permits the harvester10to harvest adjacent crop rows200without the requirement of revisiting alternate rows later in the harvesting process.

As may be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, shifting of components30,40,50, and60is accomplished by first lowering the operator cab assembly16in the direction of arrow17and raising the cutting station30and boom40in the direction of arrow45. As previously mentioned, the boom40may be pivotally mounted at its elevated proximal end41for unique movement in a vertical plane, with the operator cab16being mounted for vertical movement relative to the boom40. As seen inFIGS. 1-4, the boom40is pivotally supported at91on framework90. As is further seen inFIG. 3, the boom40is rotated upward in the direction of arrow45to provide clearance between it and the cab assembly16. Other pivotable means may also be utilized, such as a rotatably movable tubular shaft positioned circumjacent to a stationary supporting shaft (not shown). Likewise, the cab assembly16may be adapted for vertical movement. As may be observed particularly in the views ofFIGS. 1-4, the cab assembly16may be attached to the tractor18by way of vertical support member92. Vertical movement of the cab assembly16may be effected by use of the vertical support member92and tubular shaft93positioned circumjacent the support member92, as shown, or other conventional means. Motive power for vertical movement of the cab assembly16may be derived from the hydraulic pump15shown, or other conventional means. The lowering of the cab assembly16and raising of the boom40provides clearance between the cab16and boom40to thereby allow the boom40, elevated trans-slicing station50, and debris removal station60to move horizontally, from a first side of the harvester10to an alternative side. As seen in the view ofFIG. 6, once the boom40and cab assembly16have been moved vertically relative to one another as discussed to provide clearance, the boom40, trans-slicing station50and debris removal station60may be horizontally shifted in the direction of arrow88to an adjacent side. Concurrently, the cab assembly16may be horizontally shifted in the direction of arrow89to an opposed, adjacent side. During horizontal movement of cooperating parts the trans-slicing station50rides on rails94A,94B along with the proximal end41of the boom40which rides on rails94C,94D. As may be observed particularly inFIG. 1, the trans-slicing station50further includes at least one extending gripping member96which engages a corresponding stationary rail94A,94B for relative longitudinal movement of the trans-slicing station50. Likewise, support frame90may further include at least one extending gripping member96which is adapted to slidingly engage a corresponding stationary rail94C,94D for relative longitudinal movement of the boom40. In a similar manner, the cab assembly16rides on rails94e. As illustrated, the cab assembly16is supported on the forward end24of the harvester10by way of a frame95which preferably further includes means to slidingly engage rail94e. As illustrated, the frame95may include least one extending gripping member96which slidingly engages rail94eto thereby facilitate horizontal movement of the frame95and attached cab assembly16. Horizontal movement of the cooperating parts may be effected by way of the chain97and sprocket98arrangement shown, or by other conventional means. Power for the horizontal movement may be derived from the aforementioned hydraulic pump15. After the boom40, trans-slicing station50and debris removal station60have been horizontally shifted, as discussed, the boom40and cab16are then returned to their usual operating positions. As seen, the harvesting and processing procedures remain the same regardless of which harvester operating side is utilized, while using an alternative, corresponding conveyor64and off-loading conveyor84. Although the trans-slicing station,50is illustrated as being mounted on rails94A,94B to facilitate sliding of the components, it is to be understood that other mounting mechanisms that enable similar shifting of components may be envisioned.

FIG. 11depicts a harvester10of the present invention as it moves along a crop row200. The path of the harvester10, shown in solid line, illustrates the harvester turning at an end of a row, with a harvester10in phantom showing an un-shifted apparatus.FIG. 11illustrates the manner in which a harvester is unable to access the nearest adjacent row200and must skip a row and harvest an alternating row200unless the harvester is able to shift components as herein described. As shown, and as described hereinabove, the present harvester10is enabled to shift operating components30,40,50, and60to thereby gain access to the immediately adjacent crop row200. This capability saves harvest time and provides a cost savings.