Abstract:
Apparatus for harvesting grapes without damaging the grapes. A cluster hanger clip is provided to securely hold a cluster of grapes by the stem, in order to cut, carry, and transport the cluster with minimal or no touching of the grape berries. A grape harvesting vehicle which moves between the rows of grapevines in the vineyard, includes grape conveyors, on which the hanger clips are suspended, either temporarily or permanently. The conveyors convey the grape clusters to packers at packing stations on the platform. The packers segregate the grape clusters and pack the clusters into boxes. A palletizer stacks the boxes on pallets in a bin. The platform can change configuration for use in the vineyard, and for travel on the highway.

Description:
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/437,679, filed May 22, 2006, now abandoned which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/001,013, filed Dec. 2, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,498, issued Jul. 25, 2006 all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a system and method for harvesting fruit, and more particularly to a system and method for harvesting clusters of grapes. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In conventional systems and methods for harvesting, handling, and packing grape clusters, a picker approaches a grape vine, grabs a grape cluster (or bunch) either by its stem or by the grape berries themselves, cuts the stem to separate the cluster from the vine, and places the cluster in a container for subsequent transfer to a sorting or packing station. Where a conventional grape-harvesting vehicle is being used, the grape cluster is mechanically separated from the vine, placed on a conveyor belt, conveyed to a vehicle, and then hauled to a processing station. At the packing station, which typically is located at a remote location, a packer picks up the grape clusters, sorts them by grape berry quality and type (a typical sort may include separating the grape clusters into wine/juice grade grapes, jelly/jam/marmalade grade grapes, and table grade grapes), partially wraps each sorted grape cluster in paper, plastic, or other material and lays the grape cluster into a box, one cluster next to another until the box is filled and is prepared to be closed up. Full boxes are stacked on a pallet, and the full pallet is wrapped, banded, and shipped. 
   During the above-described conventional procedure, the grape berries in the clusters are handled frequently, and/or laid on a conveyor in contact with a conveyor belt. This frequent contact with the grape berries results in bruises and minor damage to some of the grape berries. For wine/juice grade grapes, or jelly/jam/marmalade grade grapes, such occasional minor berry damage is relatively inconsequential since the berries will be subsequently rendered. For table grade grapes, however, this damage creates a problem. Consumers of table grapes tend to be reluctant to buy or consume bruised or damaged grapes, and a cluster with numerous bruised or damaged grapes may be unsellable and go to waste, representing a financial loss to the grape grower and to the seller. 
   Past attempts to harvest table grapes, while avoiding damage to the grape berries, however, have proven to be slow, inefficient, and not cost-effective. 
   It is desirable to have a system and method for harvesting grapes, particularly table grade grapes, which can harvest the grapes quickly and efficiently, without touching the grape berries, or with only minimal physical contact with the grape berries, in order to minimize or prevent damage thereto. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The advantages and purpose of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows; and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purpose of the invention will be realized and achieved by means of the apparatus and method set forth in the attached claims. 
   To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as broadly described herein, the invention is a system and method for harvesting grape clusters. 
   A grape cluster hanger clip is provided for handling a grape cluster by the stem during the steps of cutting the stem, conveying the cluster to a packing station, and packing the cluster. The grape cluster hanger clip includes an elongated member with two distal ends, a generally annular portion being provided atone distal end, and a generally U-shaped portion, defining a substantially 180° turn, provided midway between the two distal ends, dividing the elongated member into first and second elongated member portions. A gap is defined between the first elongated member portion and the second distal end at the tip of the second elongated member portion. The gap merges into an area between the first and second elongated member portions. The dimensions of the area are smaller than the dimensions of the gap. In use, a stem of a grape cluster squeezes through the gap, and is held in the area between the first and second elongated member portions, by pressure applied by the second elongated member portions and due to a spring force in the generally U-shaped member. 
   The stem can be cut, the cluster held by the picker suspended from the hanger clip, and the hanger clip can be hung suspended from a chain conveyor, to be conveyed to a packing station on a grape harvesting vehicle, which is described below. During the cutting, transfer, and packing operations, the picker and the packer may hold the cluster by the hanger clip, and need not touch the grape berries themselves. 
   In accordance with the invention, the grape harvesting vehicle includes a generally horizontal platform, which can be raised to a first height h 1  above the height of grape vines in a vineyard during grape harvesting operations, and lowered to a second height h 2  suitable for highway travel, garage storage, and maintenance. The first height h 1  is higher than the second height h 2 . The platform supports a plurality of conveyors, each conveyor conveying suspended grape clusters to a respective packing station, each packing station being located on the platform. 
   At each packing station, a packer removes the grape clusters from the respective conveyor, sorts them by grape quality, and packs the sorted grape clusters in boxes (with the grape cluster hanger clip either removed from or left on the stem). The packer then slides full boxes onto a box conveyor for transfer to a palletizing station, located proximate the center of the platform. 
   At the palletizing station, the full boxes are removed from the box conveyor and hand stacked onto a pallet positioned on a pallet tray. In the pallet tray, the sides of the stacked boxes on the pallet are aligned with one another by the sides of the tray. When full, the pallet tray is shifted to the center of the palletizing station, a pallet jack lifts the pallet from the tray and the tray is returned to its original position. The pallet is then wrapped with a cover sheet and banded, picked up by the trolley, conveyed to an opening provided in the platform, lowered down, and deposited on the ground for subsequent recovery and shipping. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the grape cluster hanger clip is fixed to the chain conveyor via a pivotal connection. The cluster is cut and then attached to the hanger clip to be conveyed to the packing station. The pivotally-connected hanger clip can pivot and maintain vertical orientation of the grape cluster, even when the conveyor rotates around the circumference of a cylindrical pulley. 
   The grape cluster hanger clip also can be modified by installing a hinged connection in the generally U-shaped portion, between the first elongated member portion and the second elongated member portion, including a spring to apply pressure on the second elongated member portion to hold the stem in place. 
   It is to be understood that both the general description above and the detailed description below are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a grape cluster hanger clip in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the grape cluster hanger clip of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the grape cluster hanger clip of  FIG. 1 , gripping a stem of a grape cluster; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a grape harvesting vehicle in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIG. 4  with the platform at height h 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIG. 5 , taken along line b-b. 
       FIG. 7  is another cross-section view of the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIG. 5 , taken along line c-c; 
       FIG. 8  is another cross-sectional view of the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIG. 5 , taken along line d-d; 
       FIG. 9  is another cross-sectional view of the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIG. 5 , with the platform at height h 2 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of a grape conveyor used with the grape harvesting vehicle of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , with another preferred embodiment of a grape cluster hanger clip, permanently fixed to the conveyor; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view depicting operation of the conveyor and fixed hanger clip of  FIG. 10 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is a pivotal top view of the grape harvesting vehicle as shown in  FIG. 4 , but with a single continuous grape cluster conveyor in place of two grape cluster conveyors. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 . Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
   In accordance with the invention, and as broadly embodied, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a grape cluster hanger clip  20  is provided. The grape cluster hanger clip  20  includes an elongated member  22 , having first and second distal ends  24  and  26 . As embodied in  FIG. 1 , an annular portion  28  is provided at first distal end  24 . Elongated member  22  has a substantially 180° bend at a position intermediate the distal ends  24  and  26 , featuring a U-shaped portion  30 . The U-shaped portion  30  defines a first elongated member portion  31  and a second elongated member portion  32 . The second elongated member  32 , and the second distal end  26  curve up and back toward the first distal end  24  and the first elongated member  31 . A narrow gap  33  is defined between distal end  26  and first elongated member  31 . The gap  33  merges into an area  34  in the direction of U-shaped portion  30  between the first elongated member portion  31  and the second elongated member portion  32 . The distance in area  34  between elongated member portions  31  and  32  is smaller than the distance in gap  33  between elongated member portions  31  and  32 . The distance of gap  33  is selected such that a stem of a grape cluster can pass therebetween, with the stem thereafter being caught and held in the area  34 . A flange  36  is provided at the second distal end  26 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the stem passes through gap  33  and is held in place in area  34 . U-shaped portion  30  has a spring force, so that second elongated member  32  can flex away from the first elongated member  31 , as needed to allow the stem to pass through the gap  33 , and then spring back into position to hold the stem in place in the space  34 . An elastic material layer  35  also can be applied to the surfaces within gap  33  and area  34 , to compress the stem therebetween without damaging the stem. 
     FIG. 2  depicts a variation of the embodiment of the grape cluster hanger clip of  FIG. 1 . The difference is that annular portion  28  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  defines a ring  29   a , whereas annular portion  28  in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  defines a hook  29   b , in place of ring  29   a.    
   In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10 , grape cluster hanger clip  20  is pivotally fixed to a conveyor cable, as described below. In this embodiment, a hinge  37  is provided in the U-shaped portion  30 , so that second elongated member  32  pivots hingedly away from and back towards first elongated member  31 . When second elongated portion  32  is pivoted back toward first elongated portion  31 , a grape cluster stem can be held in place in area  34 . In order to apply tension to the second elongated member portion  32  in the closed position, a spring  38 , preferably a leaf spring, is provided between hinge  37  and flange  36  at the second distal end  26 . 
   The present invention further encompasses a grape harvesting system  40 , including a grape cluster hanger clip  20 , as broadly described above, and a mobile grape harvesting vehicle  42 . The grape harvesting vehicle  42  is broadly described below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , mobile grape harvesting vehicle  42  includes a generally rectangular and generally horizontal, steerable platform  44 , having right and left sides  45 , and  46 , mounted on a set of wheels  47 . The wheels  47  are linked to platform  44  via a set of legs  48 , with plural sets of the legs  48  provided on each side  45  and  46  of the platform  44 . The wheels  47  preferably are fitted with tires, suitable for travel both off-road and on-road, permitting vehicle  42  to travel along rows of grape vines at a vineyard, and on paved roads to and from the vineyard. 
   Each pair of legs  48  on the side of platform  44  preferably defines a pair of pivotally connected cross-links  48   a ,  48   b , configured to extend downward, with hydraulic or pneumatic power and control, thereby extending to raise platform  44  to a first height h 1 , shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which is higher than height of selected grapevines at the vineyard to be harvested. Vehicle  44  usually is set at height h 1  for grape harvesting. Each pair of leg cross-links  48   a ,  48   b , also pivots to lower the platform  44  to a second, lower height h 2 , shown, e.g., in  FIG. 9 , used when vehicle  42  is in transit, storage, or maintenance. Height h 2  is selected so that vehicle  42  can meet local ordinances for vehicle height on public roadways, can pass beneath bridges, and fit into a storage shed or garage. 
   Platform  44  includes a plurality of conveyors  50  mounted on the right and left sides  45 ,  46 , preferably with at least two conveyors  50  per side. It is further possible, as shown in  FIG. 12 , that the grape cluster conveyor  50  can be one single continuous conveyor  50  provided on each side  45  and  46  of platform  44 , servicing each picking station  60  and each packing station  62  on the respective side. Conveyors  50  preferably include a series of brackets  52 , each bracket  52  being configured to receive and mount a grape cluster hanger clip  20 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bracket  52  is a horizontal bar, and the annular ring  29   a  of the hanger clip  20  attaches thereto by being slid onto the bar. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , wherein the annular portion  28  defines a hook  29   b , the hook  29   b  hooks onto the straight bar of bracket  52 . In either case, when the grape cluster hanger clip is attached to conveyor  50 , the grape cluster preferably is suspended with the grape berries hanging freely and vertically, and not laying on or resting against the conveyor  50 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , another preferred embodiment of grape cluster hanger clip  20  is fixed to conveyor  50 . In this embodiment, a stem  59  is pivotally connected to a bracket  52  via a pivotal attachment  53 . The hinged grape cluster hanger clip  20  holds the grape clusters suspended to hang vertically. The pivotal attachment  53  ensures that the grape cluster continues to hang vertically, even when the conveyor  50  passes around the circumference of a cylindrical pulley  54 . 
   Each conveyor  50  transfers cut grape clusters from a picking station  60 , located on the ground proximate the grape vines, and proximate the respective side of the platform  44 , to a packing station  62 , located on the platform  44 . Each conveyor  50  conveys grape clusters from a respective picking station  60  to a respective packing station  62 , so, preferably, the vehicle  42  will have, operating simultaneously, at least four (4) picking stations  60 , and four (4) packing stations  62 . 
   At each picking station  60 , a picker grabs a grape cluster by its stem, and cuts the stem. When using the portable grape cluster hanger clip  20  embodiment of  FIG. 1  or  2 , the picker grabs the stem with the cluster hanger clip  20  before cutting it, but with the fixed cluster hanger clip embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the picker grabs the stem with the cluster hanger clip  20  after cutting it. In either hanger clip embodiment, the cut stem is held in space  34  of the respective grape cluster hanger clip  20 , and the hanger clip  20  is suspended from a bracket on the nearest respective conveyor  50 . 
   Each packing station  62  includes a table  64 , and a continuous horizontal roller or belt conveyor  66 , supported on the platform  44 . The belt conveyor  66  travels from the packing station  62  to the center of the platform  44 . A packer works at each table  64 , with a plurality of empty boxes  70 . The packer removes each grape cluster from its respective bracket  52  of the respective conveyor  50 , segregates the cluster by quality of the grape berries, partially wraps the cluster, and places the cluster, based on the quality of its berries, into a selected box  70 . The boxes  70  typically are Styrofoam boxes, with standard dimensions of 13½″×20″ or else 16″×20″. The packer preferably lays each wrapped cluster in its respective box  70 , either first removing the grape cluster hanger clip  20 , or else leaving it in place attached to the stem of the cluster. As boxes become full, the packer shifts the full boxes  70  from the packing table  64 , onto a belt conveyor  66  and the full boxes  70  are conveyed to palletizing station  80 , proximate the center of platform  44 . 
   At the palletizing station  80 , a palletizer places a pallet  72  into a L- or U-shaped tray  92 . The pallets  72  are typically hardwood pallets, with standard dimensions of 40″×48″. The palletizer removes full boxes  70  from the belt conveyor  66 , and stacks the full boxes  70  onto the pallet. Each tray  92  has at least two vertical angle iron sides  94  whereby the vertical sides of full boxes  70 , stacked on the respective pallet  72 , are aligned vertically. The palletizer segregates by grade, and stacks full boxes  70  on any one of four (4) palleted trays  92 . Preferably fifty-six (56) full boxes  70  are placed on each pallet  72 , stacked eight (8) boxes high. When each pallet  72  is filled with full boxes  70 , the palletizer hydraulically shifts the tray  92  to the proximate center of the platform  44 , beneath an overhead winched—roller trolley  90 . In turn, the pallet  72  is lifted from the tray  92  by a hydraulic pallet jack  88  allowing the tray  92  to be returned to its original location. The pallet  72 , stacked with full boxes  70 , is ready to be covered with a tarpaulin, preferably made of clear plastic, and wrapped with a band. Then lifting straps  93  suspended from the overhead winched roller-trolley  90  are attached to the loaded pallet  72 , the pallet jack  88  is lowered, and the winched roller-trolley shifts the loaded pallet  72  to double doors  96  provided near the center of platform  44 . The double doors  96  open downward, assisting as guides  98  for the pallet  72  to be lowered through the opening in platform  44  to the ground. As the harvesting machine continues rolling forward down the respective rows of grape vines to the next packing station  60 , the loaded, covered, and banded pallets  72 , left on the ground in the vineyard, will be picked up later for shipping and/or storage. 
   Referring to the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , grape cluster hanger clip  20  is fixed to a bracket  52  of the conveyor  50  via an elongated rod  59 . Rod  59  is pivotably connected to the annular portion  28  of grape cluster hanger clip  20  via a lock nut  100 . The opposite end of elongated rod  59  attaches to a cable  102 , preferably a ⅜″ cable, of conveyor  50  with a cable gusset  104  and a clamp  106 . A pair of carrier rollers  108  are mounted on rod  59  to roll on a 1½″ guide track  110 . The pivotal connection between elongated rod  59  and fixed grape cluster hanger clip  20  is provided so that when conveyor  50  transits around a pulley  54 , the grape cluster hanger clip  20  will rotate, as shown in  FIG. 11 , in order to maintain the vertical hanging orientation of the grape cluster. 
   As further embodied in  FIG. 7 , an optional juicing apparatus  114 , and a juice storage tank  116  can be provided on the platform  44 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 8 , one or more wings  118  are pivotably attached to the sides  45  and  46  of platform  44 . Pivotal wings  118  are pivoted upward to a vertical position for highway travel and vehicle storage, or alternately one or both of the wings  118  can be pivoted downward to a horizontal position, as needed, to provide additional storage space for boxes, pallets, spare parts and the like. 
   In accordance with the present invention, as broadly described herein, because the grape stem is gripped with the grape cluster hanger, and the cluster hanger is hung suspended from a bracket on the grape conveyor, the berries in each grape cluster need not be touched by the picker, are not touched by the conveyor, and are touched only minimally by the packers, substantially reducing the amount of contact with the berries, and thereby substantially reducing the risk of damage to the grape berries. Locating the packing station on the vehicle platform proximate the picking station reduces the amount of time required to harvest and package the grapes. Stacking and binning of the grape boxes in the pallets results in neatly stacked, uniformly-configured pallets, which can be stored and/or shipped quickly and efficiently. Hence, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for harvesting and packaging high-quality table grapes, quickly and efficiently, with no or only minimal damage to the grapes. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the structure and operation of the apparatus described above, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore that the present invention cover all such modifications and variations, provided that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.