Abstract:
A conveyor apparatus has a conveyor cleaner assembly proximate the delivery end. The cleaner assembly has first and second parallel rotating brushes having an axis of rotation substantially transverse to the conveyor direction of travel and rotating in the same direction as the conveyor. The first brush is nearer the conveyor and wherein the second brush is higher than the first brush. The cleaning assembly also includes a roller parallel to the first and second brushes and a bottom catch panel below the brushes sloping toward the conveyor. The brushes may be in contact with the conveyor, the bottom panel, the roller and each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to an agricultural harvester, and in particular to a cleaning apparatus for an agricultural harvester conveyor. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Agricultural equipment for handling citrus fruit and other crops are well known and have reached a high degree of mechanization. As harvesting equipment becomes more and more advanced, in addition to removing crops from the growing plants, the mechanized harvesters and other handling equipment collect and move the crops along to trucks and other mass transport vehicles. 
   It can be appreciated that the utility of such transport systems is increased if material other than the desired crop is removed early in the collection and transport process. Removal of this debris such as twigs and leaves at an early stage has several advantages. By removing the debris, the wear on equipment is reduced, as the equipment is typically not designed for transporting leaves, twigs and other unwanted material. The cost of transporting this debris and the capacity is increased if the debris is removed prior to being transported by other equipment. In addition, automatic removal of the debris at an early stage reduces the equipment needed to clean the crop at a later stage in processing. In some cases, the cleaning may require manual inspection and the early automatic removal of leaves and other debris may reduce labor costs associated with inspecting and removal of unwanted materials at a processing plant. 
   Although blowers and other devices for removing leaves and other debris do improve the overall quality of the harvested crop, still further improvements are possible. Prior art cleaning systems have typically been complicated and expensive and may require major reconfiguration of the harvesting equipment to accommodate the cleaning equipment. Such cleaning systems also may be subject to jamming and struggle to separate and remove unwanted debris and yet allow continued transport of the harvested crop. 
   It can be seen then that a new and improved agricultural harvester and an automatic system for removing unwanted debris is needed. Such a system should efficiently remove unwanted debris while continuing transport of the harvested crop. Moreover, such a system should be easily adaptable to existing equipment and be efficient and reliable without jamming. The present invention addresses these, as well as others associated with mechanized agricultural harvesters and automatic cleaning systems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a harvester apparatus, and in particular to a cleaning assembly for a conveyer, such as for a harvester. The harvester apparatus can include a shaker assembly as well as a conveyer assembly. The shaker assembly typically includes a mast and movable arms supporting whorl arrangements that are rotatably configured for engaging branches of citrus trees. The whorls move within the arms in a reciprocal motion and are arranged to extend horizontally from the mast to move the whorl arrangements in and out of the branches of the tree, thereby shaking the branches. 
   A conveyer assembly is extendably mounted on the harvester and moves in and out in response to a sensor assembly to properly maintain the conveyer relative to the tree for optimizing its position to catch fallen fruit. The conveyer extends and retracts depending upon input from the sensor assembly engaged in the trunk of the tree. The sensor assembly may include a sealing arrangement to further improve the percentage of fallen fruit caught by the harvester. A rearward directed conveyer transports the cleaned fruit rearward to another vehicle for further transport. 
   The cleaning assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending rotating bristle-type brushes mounted in parallel. The inner brush is approximate the upper edge of the conveyer, while the outer brush is mounted upward and outward from the inner brush. The cleaning assembly further includes a cleaning bar engaging the lower outer side of the bristles of the outer brush. A cleaning assembly bottom catch panel extends downward from the cleaning bar below the two brushes towards the rearward traveling bottom conveyer. Each of the brushes includes bristles mounted over the entire exterior area of the axle. The brushes are sized and have enough flexibility so that fruit can fall through the bristles as the brushes rotate. The brushes are configured to rotate in the same direction towards the edge of the harvester away from the conveyer. The density of the harvested fruit causes the fruit to fall through the rotating brushes while leaves, twigs and other debris is typically lighter and is propelled over the cleaning bar and side of the harvester. This provides for efficient separation of unwanted debris from the harvested fruit and the separated debris is allowed to fall to the ground. The brushes are typically mounted and sized so that the bristles overlap between the rotational axes of the brushes as well as engaging the upper end of the conveyer, and the cleaning bar. It has been found that the present invention achieves a surprising degree of cleaning with virtually no fruit propelled from the harvester while removing a very high percentage of unwanted debris. The cleaning assembly reduces inspection and further cleaning later in the transport and processing of the harvested crop. 
   These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals and letters designate corresponding structure throughout the several views: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an agricultural harvester according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a the harvester shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the harvester and the conveyor and cleaning brush assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the cleaning brush assembly for the harvester shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan detail view of the cleaning brush assembly shown in  FIG. 4  separating harvested crop from unwanted matter; 
       FIG. 6  is an end detail view of the cleaning brush assembly shown in  FIG. 4  separating harvested crop from unwanted matter; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a brush element for the brush assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is an end elevational view of the brush element shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1–3 , there is shown an agricultural harvester apparatus, generally designated  10 . The harvester apparatus  10  shown in the drawings is particularly suited for removing citrus fruit from trees. However, it is contemplated that other equipment that requires separation of harvested crops from leaves, twigs and other debris is also within the scope the present invention. 
   The harvester  10  generally includes a frame  12 , and wheels  16  powered by an engine  14 . A cab  18  is generally placed at the rear of the harvester  10  so the operator can steer and observe the harvesting simultaneously while facing forward. The harvester  10  also includes a shaker assembly  30 , configured for engaging trees, as explained hereinafter. A conveyer assembly  40  catches loosened fruit and transports it to a cleaner assembly  60 . A longitudinal belt conveyer  22  below the conveyor assembly  40  transports the harvested crop rearward to a delivery chute  24  that delivers the crops to a towed trailer or a transport truck or vehicle (not shown). The harvester  10  may also include brush-type cleaners  20  to help clear a path on the ground and to decrease the amount of fallen fruit that is run over by the wheels  16  of the harvester  10 . The conveyer assembly  40  is movable laterally to provide proper positioning relative to the plants, such as citrus trees, for maximizing the harvest yield. In addition, the harvester may include a trunk seal device (not shown for clarity) such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,725 to Briesemeister, incorporated herein by reference. The seal assembly generally includes sensors to move the conveyer  40  in and out as well as providing pivoting sealing members that engage the trunk of the tree and are angled to deliver fruit falling onto the sealing members to the conveyer  40 . Other types of seal arrangements are also well known in the art may also be utilized with the present invention. 
   The shaker assembly  30  includes a mast  34  supporting a number of moveable arms  36  that extend horizontally in a stacked configuration. At the ends each of the arms  36  are mounted whorl arrangements  32  having beater rods extending radially outward. The rods of the whorl arrangements  32  engage the trees as the harvester  10  passes. In use, the harvester  10  is used in pairs with a complimentary harvester so that two harvesters engage each tree at the same time, one engaging the tree from opposite sides. In this manner, the tree is shaken with two shaker assemblies  30  and the conveyers  40  and sealing arrangements are in close proximity to provide substantial coverage with little or no exposed ground so that very little fruit is not collected. The arms  36  move the whorl arrangements  32  in a linear reciprocating motion to engage and shake the tree branches. The whorl arrangements  32  are also rotatably mounted to freely turn as the harvester  10  passes the tree and the whorl arrangements  32  engage the branches. It can be appreciated that the arms  36  generally extend to the side and rearward and are substantially above the conveyer assembly  40 , as most clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . In this manner, the harvester  10  is properly positioned to both engage the branches and shake the fruit free as well as to recover and harvest the loosened fruit. It can further be appreciated that other shaker assemblies that are well known in the art may also be utilized with harvesters falling within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the conveyer assembly  40  generally includes a series of chains  42  generally moving across the deck from the right side of the harvester  10  to the left side in the embodiment shown. The conveyer assembly  40  is moveably mounted and may be extended and retracted in response to a sensor assembly (not shown) to move the conveyer  40  in and out for catching the fallen fruit. The conveyer chains  42  also include cleats  44  spaced apart and mounted on the chains  42  extending transverse to the direction of travel. The cleats  44  sweep upward and across the deck of the conveyor  40  ensure that fruit does not slide down the slope of the conveyer  40  and is transported upward, as shown in  FIG. 6 . A rotary skirt shaker  48  shown in  FIG. 5  engages and removes fruit on the low hanging branches of citrus trees. It can be appreciated that the conveyer  40  is at a slight angle to carry fruit upward and use gravity to aid in separation from leaves, twigs and other unwanted debris, as explained hereinafter. 
   Following cleaning, as explained below, when the fruit has fallen from the conveyer  40  as shown in  FIG. 6 , it falls onto the longitudinal conveyer  22 . The longitudinal conveyer  22  transports the fruit rearward and then upward, as shown in  FIG. 1 , where it transports fruit to a delivery chute  24  where the fruit drops into a transport vehicle such as a truck or trailer. Specially designed transport vehicles are sometimes utilized that include a forward mounted bin that can closely follow the harvester  10  with the bin below the rear chute  24 . In addition, the harvester  10  may include a hold so that the fruit may be held and transported on the harvester  10  and periodically expelled into a transport vehicle. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4–6 , the cleaner assembly  60  generally includes a pair of brushes, including an inner brush  62  and an outer brush  64 . The brushes  62  and  64  are elongated and mounted on parallel axes to extend longitudinally along the upper end of the conveyer assembly  40 . The brushes  62  and  64  are both driven to rotate toward the edge of the harvester  10 , generally shown as rotating clockwise in  FIG. 6 . The brushes  62  and  64  include radially extending bristles spaced around the periphery of a center axle and spaced along the length of each of the brushes  62  and  64 , substantially covering the exterior surface. The cleaner assembly  60  also includes a cleaner bar  66  generally mounted parallel to the inner and outer brushes  62  and  64 . The cleaner bar  66  is typically mounted outward and below the center axis of the outer brush  64 . The cleaner bar  66  and the brushes  62  and  64  are adjustably mounted so that the outer ends of the bristles of the brushes  62  and  64  may encounter more or less contact or resistance. A bottom panel  68 , such as a sheet of canvas or other durable material, extends downward below the cleaner bar  66 , the outer brush  68  and a portion of the inner brush  62 . The bottom panel  68  is generally sloped downward so that fruit on the panel  68  rolls downward onto the longitudinal conveyer  22 . The fruit is then transported rearward on the conveyer  22 , as explained above. 
   In operation, fruit is shaken loose by the whorl arrangements  32  of the shaker assembly  30  engaging the tree and falls onto the conveyer assembly  40 . The cleats  44  transport the fruit along with twigs, branches, leaves and other debris that has fallen along with the fruit up to the cleaner assembly  60 . After falling off the upper end of the conveyor  40 , the fruit and debris typically first engage the upper surface of the inner brush  62 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As the fruit is heavier and denser than the twigs and leaves, it is more likely to drop downward through the bristles of the brushes  62  and  64 . The bristles of the brushes have a particular rigidity and are spaced and sized such that the fruit can fall through the bristles while the lighter debris tends to be propelled over the edge of the harvester, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The type, length and rigidity of the bristles and the rotational speed of the brushes  62  and  64  will vary according to the application. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in a typical embodiment for harvesting oranges, which have a mean diameter of approximately 2½, the brushes  62 ,  64  have an outer diameter of 16 inches, an inner diameter of 4 inches and a length of 116 inches. In the embodiment shown, the brushes  62  and  64  use a helical bristle configuration with a pitch of 1.5 inches with bristles composed of nylon 6.6 material and a diameter of 0.028 inches. 
   The brushes  62  and  64  are also configured so that the bristles are forced to flex as the inner brush  62  typically engages the inner side of the conveyer  40  as well as the cleaner assembly bottom panel  68 . The outer brush  64  also typically engages the cleaner assembly bottom support  68  and typically engages the cleaner bar  66 . It can be appreciated that different harvesting conditions and fruit varieties may dictate adjustment of the mounting positions for the various components. The brushes  62  and  64  are typically mounted so that the bristles engage each other at a point between the axes of the brushes  62  and  64 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bristles of the inner brush  62  are moving downward at the engagement point with the outer brush  64  where the bristles of the outer brush  64  are generally moving upward at the point of engagement. This rotational motion tends to prevent leaves and twigs from falling through the brushes while fruit falls through the bristles intermediate the rotational axes of the brushes  62  and  64 . The size and rigidity of the bristles provides for their deflection to allow the fruit to fall downward through the brushes  62  and  64 . The fruit may fall in several paths for cleaning. Some fruit falls between the conveyer  40  and the center axis of the inner brush  62 . Other fruit falls between the brushes  62  and  64 . When the fruit has fallen through the brushes  62  and  64 , both brushes are rotating to move the fruit along the upper surface of the cleaner assembly bottom panel  68  and downward onto the longitudinal conveyer  22 . The rotational direction of the brushes  62  and  64  also tends to propel the lighter leaves and twigs upward and over the side of the cleaner bar  66  and the harvester  10 . 
   With the arrangement of the cleaner assembly  60  according to the principles of the present invention, virtually no fruit is propelled over the edge of the harvester  10  and lost. Moreover, extremely high efficiencies are obtained from removing leaves, twigs and other unwanted debris so that the fruit leaving the delivery chute  24  is clean and requires virtually no additional cleaning at the factory. The cleaner assembly  60  is also simple and reliable and while achieving its high cleaning efficiency. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.