Abstract:
A harvester capable of alternate configurations for bulk and tote loading. In a tote loading configuration, harvested produce is moved along a main conveyor, elevated to a raised conveyor area, packed into totes, and the packed totes are then moved onto a lower conveyor for further transport. In a bulk loading configuration, the harvested produce is transported along the main conveyor, to a raised conveyor area, and are then lifted using an elevator for placement into a bulk bin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to harvesting apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method that permits a harvester to be utilized, alternately, for bulk and tote loading of harvested produce. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Mobile harvesting apparatuses, including of the self-propelled type, are well-known in the harvesting industry. Even for produce that is hand-cut from the ground, mobile harvesters may be utilized to facilitate the efficient washing and packing of harvested produce in a field setting. 
   There are several methods of packing harvested produce. For example, one method involves the bulk loading of harvested produce into large containers such as bins. Another involves the loading of produce into cartons, known in the industry as “totes.” Depending on the preference of the harvester and/or customer, it may be desired to pack the same type of produce, e.g., lettuce, into either bins or totes. 
   Mobile harvesting apparatuses are relatively expensive pieces of farming equipment. In today&#39;s dollars, they can cost several hundred thousand dollars to purchase. It would therefore be preferable to provide a single harvester, which could be utilized, alternately, for either tote or bulk loading of harvested produce. 
   The present invention satisfies these needs, and provides other related advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a combination bulk and tote loading harvester is disclosed. The harvester comprises, in combination: a first harvester end; a second harvester end opposite the first harvester end; a main conveyor adapted to transport harvested produce in a direction from the first harvester end to the second harvester end; a substantially horizontal raised conveyor area positioned at a level higher than the main conveyor and located proximate the second harvester end; means for elevating the harvested produce from the main conveyor to the raised conveyor area; a lower conveyor adapted to transport filled totes; a first elevator adapted to lift the filled totes from a terminus of the lower conveyor; a second elevator adapted to lift the harvested produce in an unpacked state from a terminus of the raised conveyor area toward a bin; and means for permitting the first elevator and the second elevator to be alternately coupled to the second harvester end. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for converting a harvester between bulk loading and tote loading is disclosed. The method comprises: utilizing a harvester comprising, in combination: a first harvester end; a second harvester end opposite the first harvester end; a main conveyor adapted to transport harvested produce in a direction from the first harvester end to the second harvester end; a substantially horizontal raised conveyor area positioned at a level higher than the main conveyor and located proximate the second harvester end; means for elevating the harvested produce from the main conveyor to the raised conveyor area; a lower conveyor adapted to transport filled totes; a first elevator adapted to lift the filled totes from a terminus of the lower conveyor; a second elevator adapted to lift the harvested produce in an unpacked state from a terminus of the raised conveyor area toward a bin; and means for permitting the first elevator and the second elevator to be alternately coupled to the second harvester end; coupling the first elevator to the terminus of the lower conveyor; transporting the filled totes on the first elevator; removing the first elevator; coupling the second elevator to the second harvester end; and lifting the harvested produce with the second elevator from the terminus of the raised conveyor area in the direction of the bin. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a harvesting method is disclosed. The method comprises: utilizing a harvester comprising, in combination: a first harvester end; a second harvester end opposite the first harvester end; a main conveyor adapted to transport harvested produce in a direction from the first harvester end to the second harvester end; a substantially horizontal raised conveyor area positioned at a level higher than the main conveyor and located proximate the second harvester end; means for elevating the harvested produce from the main conveyor to the raised conveyor area; a lower conveyor adapted to transport filled totes; an elevator adapted to lift the filled totes from a terminus of the lower conveyor; wherein the elevator is coupled to the second harvester end; at least one tiltable platform located at a level lower than that of the raised conveyor area and substantially at a level of the lower conveyor when coupled to the second harvester end; transporting the filled totes on the lower conveyor; positioning a filled tote on the tiltable platform; and tilting the tiltable platform sufficiently to cause the filled tote to move from the tiltable platform to the lower conveyor; and transporting the filled totes from the lower conveyor to the elevator. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an end view of the pneumatic carton station portion of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the pneumatic carton station portion of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the raising of a filled tote. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, showing the main conveyor and pneumatic carton station. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, showing more particularly the pneumatic carton station. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, in a tote-loading configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, in a bulk loading configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention in a tote loading configuration, illustrating more particularly the off-loading of filled totes and the loading of empty totes. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a harvesting apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention in a bulk loading configuration, illustrating more particularly the off-loading of filled totes and the loading of empty totes. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to FIGS.  3  and  5 - 6 , the general topography of a harvester  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In general, the harvester  10  can be described as having a first second originating at a first end  12 , and terminating at a second end  14 . Whether configured for tote or bulk loading as herein described, the configuration of the section of the harvester  10  between the first end  12  and the second end  14  may remain the same. The harvester  10  further comprises a second section, where actual loading of harvested produce occurs, which may alternately be configured for tote or bulk loading as herein described. 
   In this embodiment, the harvester  10  comprises a main conveyor  16 , onto which workers  18  called “cutters” place harvested produce, such as heads of lettuce. The produce moves along the main conveyor  16  in the direction of the second end  14 . It eventually reaches an incline  19 , which also contains a washing station  20 . It is washed as it ascends through the washing station  20 . (It should be apparent that, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, the washing station  20  could be eliminated, or could be modified in any of a variety of ways, including for example by having the main conveyor  16  continue therethrough without ascending.) 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the bulk loading configuration of the harvester  10  is described. In this embodiment, an elevator  22  raises the harvested produce from the level of the main conveyor  16 . The elevator may be continuous with the main conveyor  16  (or, more particularly, as described below, a raised area  25  that is continuous with the main conveyor  16 .) For example, it may be desired to provide a main conveyor  16  comprised of a series of linked sections, so that it can be extended simply by removing links and inserting a new section—with the new section to comprise the elevator  22 . In this configuration, the harvested produce proceeds through the washing station  20 , up the elevator  22 , and into a bulk bin  24  that is towed alongside the harvester  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 ,  5  and  7 , the tote loading configuration of the harvester  10  is described. In this embodiment, after passing through washing station  20 , the harvested produce reaches a raised area  25  (as compared to the level of the main conveyor  16 ) where a group of workers called “packers” are located (herein referred to as “packers  26 ”). Preferably, this raised area  25  is continuous with the main conveyor  16 —i.e., utilizes the same belt as the main conveyor  16 —though separate conveyors may be provided if desired. The packers  26  remove the produce lettuce heads from the raised area  25  and place them in totes  28 . 
   Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1-2 , prior to loading, the packer  26  places an empty tote  28  on a tiltable platform  30 , which is located at a level that is lower than that of the raised area  25 . The platform  30  may be titled forward by activation of a pneumatic piston  32 , or the like. The platform  30  should be at the same level as a lower conveyor  34 . The platform  30  preferably has rollers (not shown) or the like positioned thereon. (As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , it may be desired to provide a plurality of platforms  30 , so that a plurality of packers  26  may pack simultaneously.) 
   When the tote  28  is filled, the packer  26  may activate the piston  32 , lifting the rear edge of the platform  30  and thus causing the platform  30  to tilt forward. See  FIG. 2 . That permits the filled tote  28  to roll or slide forward onto the lower conveyor  34 , which may be roller type. (See, e.g.,  FIGS. 3-4 ) The lower conveyor  34  then transports the filled totes  28  to an elevator  29  and from there onto a trailer  38  which travels alongside the harvester  10 , where the filled totes  28  may be placed on pallets  40  by a loader  42 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the portion of the harvester  10 , herein described, where the packers  26  perform their roles of packing produce into totes  28  and tilting the platform  30  forward to place packed totes  28  onto the lower conveyor  34  is referred to generally as the packing station  23 . 
   Attention is now drawn to the process by which the harvester  10  may be loaded with empty totes  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the loader  42  may take empty totes  28  from the trailer  38 , and place them on an empty tote roller conveyor  44 , which is positioned above the raised area  25  so as not to interfere with the work of the packers  26  within the packing station  23 . The empty totes  28  may be removed from the roller conveyor  44  by a driver  46 , and placed top down on a J-shaped tote roller conveyor  48 , which transports the empty totes  28  to the packing station  23 . The packers  26  are then able to remove empty totes  28  from the J-shaped conveyor  48  and use them for packing purposes as above-described. 
   Attention is now directed to a manner of switching between the herein-described bulk and tote loading configurations. As shown by way of example in  FIGS. 5-8 , whether fitted for bulk or tote loading, the harvester  10 , in these embodiments, transports produce along the main conveyor  16 , though washing station  20 , and to the raised area  25 . When the harvester  10  is to be configured for bulk loading, the elevator  22  is attached at point A, proximate the exit point of the raised area  25 . Preferably, as noted above, an extendible, link-type of conveyor material is utilized, so that the conveyor belt traveling along the main conveyor  16 , raised area  25 , and elevator  22  may be continuous. 
   In this configuration, the packing station  23  may be left as is or, alternatively, the platforms  30  may be removed and the support structure  31  located therebelow may be folded upward. 
   When it is desired to convert the harvester  10  for tote loading, the elevator  22  will be removed. If the platforms  30  have been removed, they will be reinstalled within the packing station  23 . It will then be necessary to couple the elevator  29  at point B, proximate the terminus of the lower conveyor  34 . 
   It should be noted that while alternative configuration of the harvester  10  for bulk and tote loading as herein described is preferred, it may be preferred to provide a harvester  10  having a fixed configuration for either bulk or for tote loading, utilizing features as herein described.