Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to crop harvesting equipment and more specifically to a self-propelled celery harvester having unique multi-tasking properties. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a harvester according to the present invention and showing a transport container in phantom. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  and showing the operator cab and initial cutting station in relative operating position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2 , but showing the operator cab and the initial cutting station in relative vertical movement. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , but showing the operator cab and the initial cutting station in further relative vertical movement, with the initial cutting station and boom raised for horizontal movement. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the harvester shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating the initial cutting station, boom and trans-slicing station in operational condition on the right side of the forward motion of the operator cab, with the stowed position of an off-loading conveyor being shown, at upper right, in phantom. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but showing the initial cutting station, boom, and trans-slicing station in operational condition on the left side of the forward motion of the operator cab. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of an embodiment of the harvester with plants being processed shown in phantom. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, partially cut away, perspective view of the initial cutting station of the device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary, partially cut away, perspective view of the trans-slicing and debris removal stations of the device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary view illustrating various conveyors and the grading station with their relative movement indicated by arrows. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view illustrating a harvester according to the present invention moving along a crop row with path shown in dashed line, and relative component alignment shift shown with an arrow. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the Claims. 
         [0023]    As illustrated in the Figures, a preferred embodiment of the harvester  10  is shown in connection with the harvesting of celery, but it is to be understood that the harvester  10  may be used to harvest other similar types of upstanding vegetables, such as cabbage and the like. As it may be observed particularly in  FIGS. 1-4 , the harvester  10  may be provided with wheels, tracks  12 , or other earth-engaging members and driven by a prime mover, such as the diesel engine  14  shown. The harvester  10  further includes a forward end  24  and a trailing end  26 , with an operator&#39;s station or cab  16  located at the forward end  24  to provide maximum visibility by the operator (not shown). In the Figures, the harvester  10  is illustrated as generally including a track-laying, power-driven tractor  18  having tracks  12  for movement of the harvester  10  along crop rows  200  (seen in  FIG. 11 ). A supporting structure  20  is mounted on the tracks  12 , which comprises a plurality of frame members  22 . 
         [0024]    As may be further seen in the Figures, the forward end  24  of the harvester  10  is provided with an initial cutting station  30 . Illustrated particularly in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the initial cutting station  30  may be provided with ground-engaging wheels  32  mounted on axle  34 . A housing, or protective shroud  36 , is further provided for the purpose of surrounding initial cutting elements  37 ,  38  (see particularly  FIG. 8 ). As seen, the shroud  36  includes at least one open end  35  which allows entry of the rooted and upstanding plant  100  to be harvested as the harvester moves along the crop rows  200 . As may be observed in the Figures, cutting element  38  is preferably in the form of a horizontally rotatable blade  38 , which is rotated by auxiliary drive  39 . In operation, as the harvester  10  advances, blade  38  is arranged to remove the leafy portion of the plant  100  (seen as celery in these views). The initial cutting station  30  preferably further includes means for severing the plant  100  from the roots (not shown). For this purpose, and as shown particularly in  FIG. 8 , the initial cutting station  30  may include at least one root cutting blade, such as the butt knife  37 , shown for severing the plants  100  from the ground. 
         [0025]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the harvester  10  further includes a forwardly extending elongated boom  40  defined by one or more oppositely disposed elevating conveyor supporting side frames  42 . The boom  40  supports the aforementioned initial cutting station  30  at its distal end  46  and is pivotally and slidably mounted at its elevated proximal end  41  for unique movement in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. Elevating conveyor side frames  42  support a plurality of resiliently faced, endless elevator belts  44 ,  44   a  which are each supported at the distal and proximal ends  46 ,  41 , respectively, of the boom  40 . As illustrated, the harvester  10  may include a pair of belts  44 ,  44   a  for each row  200  (see  FIG. 11 ) of plants  100  (see  FIG. 7 ). As the harvester  10  advances, each pair of belts  44 ,  44   a  grasps, in sequence, the topped plants  100  as the root cutting butt knife  37  (see  FIG. 8 ), mounted below the belts  44 ,  44   a  severs the plant  100  from the ground. Conveyor frames  42 , along with the cooperating belts  44 ,  44   a,  are located directly behind the cutting station  30  and serve to raise the severed plants  100  from ground level to elevated trans-slicing station  50 . Individual spindle members  47  serve to rotatably support and drive the belts  44 ,  44   a . Intermediate drive members serving the spindles  47  are not specifically shown, but derive power from the hydraulic pump  15  via conventional power coupling means. As illustrated particularly in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , as the belts  44 ,  44   a,  raise the severed plants  100  toward elevated trans-slicing station  50 , the plants  100  are deposited on intermediate belt pairs  48 ,  48   a.  As may be observed particularly in  FIG. 9 , intermediate belt pairs  48 ,  48   a  serve to move the severed plants  100  into the slicing station  50  and may include angularly disposed belt elements for optimal control and positioning of the plants  100 . It is to be noted that while not specifically shown, motive power for the cooperating elements is derived from the hydraulic pump  15  via conventional power coupling means. As is shown in phantom, the hydraulic pump  15  is powered by diesel or other internal combustion engine  14  (see particularly  FIG. 9 ). Further, it is to be understood that while hydraulic pump  15  is illustrated by way of example, other conventional power sources may be utilized. 
         [0026]    As seen particularly in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , an elevated trans-slicing station  50  includes a cutting wheel  52  supporting a plurality of radially extending blades  54 . As may be observed, the blades  54  may be radially arranged around an axle  56 , such that as the plants  100  are moved toward the blades  54  in the direction of the arrow  58 , they are sliced into individual pieces  59  having a predetermined size. As mentioned previously, cutting wheel  52 , such as that shown, may be manufactured by Urschel Laboratories, Inc. of Valparaiso, Ind., for example. The cutting wheel  52  may 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 station  50  is conveniently adaptable for uniformly slicing the celery stalks or other elongated, harvested vegetable, with precision and at high capacities. 
         [0027]    Turning specifically to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , it may be observed that the harvester  10  may further include a debris-removal station  60 . As seen in these views, the sliced pieces  59  exit the trans-slicing station  50  to fall beneath a suction hood  66  of the debris-removal station  60  and onto auxiliary conveyor  64 . Auxiliary conveyor  64  carries the pieces  59  in the direction of arrow  62 . As seen particularly in  FIG. 1 , the debris-removal station  60  of the present embodiment may include a fan  67  or other device to create a partial vacuum under the hood  66  to draw debris  68 , such as dirt and other particulate matter, away from the pieces  59  and through duct  69 . As illustrated particularly in  FIG. 9 , the debris  68  moves through the hood  66  and duct  69  in the direction of arrow  65  to be deposited at the trailing end  26  of the harvester  10  (seen in  FIG. 7 ). With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10  in particular, it may be seen that auxiliary conveyor belt  64  moves the pieces  59 , now separated from the debris  68 , in the direction of arrow  62  and toward a grading station  70 . There the pieces  59  are graded according to desired final product size. 
         [0028]    Illustrated particularly in the view of  FIG. 10 , the grading station  70  may include a grate  72  having a plurality of cross bars  74  which 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 pieces  59  to fall through, while a smaller spacing allows only the smallest pieces  59  to fall through. With further reference to  FIG. 10 , pieces  59  which are permitted to fall through the grate  72  land on tray  76 . As illustrated, the grading station  70  may further include means for horizontal movement in the direction indicated by arrows  77  to thereby encourage the pieces  59  to fall through the grate  72 , as described. Any pieces  59  which do not fall through to tray  76 , move in the direction of arrow  78  and ultimately fall to the ground (not shown in this view) as debris. Pieces  59  which fall through the cross bars  74  are deposited on tray  76  and are encouraged in the direction of arrow  79  toward a perpendicularly disposed conveyor  80 . Conveyor  80  moves the graded pieces  59  in the direction of arrow  82  to a laterally extending, off-loading conveyor  84 . The off-loading conveyor  84  serves to move the graded pieces  59  toward a transport container or vehicle  86  (seen in phantom in  FIG. 1 ). The transport vehicle  86  travels across the field alongside the harvester  10  in a conventional manner. It may be observed in the view of  FIG. 2  that the off-loading conveyor  84  may be moveable between a laterally-extending functional position, and a stowed, retracted position, shown in phantom. 
         [0029]    A further feature of an embodiment of the present harvester  10  is exemplified in the views of  FIGS. 3-6 , and  11 . As shown, the harvester  10  may be provided with means to laterally shift the cooperating components such as the cab assembly  16 , initial cutting station  30 , boom  40 , slicing station  50 , and debris-removal station  60  to alternative sides of the harvester  10 . As illustrated particularly in the views of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , components  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  may be shifted in the direction of arrow  88  to thereby align the components  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  along an alternative side. The harvester  10  then operates in the manner previously described while utilizing an alternative laterally extending, offloading conveyor  84 . This feature allows the user of the harvester  10  to easily harvest adjacent crop rows  200  (see particularly  FIG. 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 harvester  10  to shift the components  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60 , to thereby align them on alternative sides of the harvester  10 , permits the harvester  10  to harvest adjacent crop rows  200  without the requirement of revisiting alternate rows later in the harvesting process. 
         [0030]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , shifting of components  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  is accomplished by first lowering the operator cab assembly  16  in the direction of arrow  17  and raising the cutting station  30  and boom  40  in the direction of arrow  45 . As previously mentioned, the boom  40  may be pivotally mounted at its elevated proximal end  41  for unique movement in a vertical plane, with the operator cab  16  being mounted for vertical movement relative to the boom  40 . As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the boom  40  is pivotally supported at  91  on framework  90 . As is further seen in  FIG. 3 , the boom  40  is rotated upward in the direction of arrow  45  to provide clearance between it and the cab assembly  16 . 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 assembly  16  may be adapted for vertical movement. As may be observed particularly in the views of  FIGS. 1-4 , the cab assembly  16  may be attached to the tractor  18  by way of vertical support member  92 . Vertical movement of the cab assembly  16  may be effected by use of the vertical support member  92  and tubular shaft  93  positioned circumjacent the support member  92 , as shown, or other conventional means. Motive power for vertical movement of the cab assembly  16  may be derived from the hydraulic pump  15  shown, or other conventional means. The lowering of the cab assembly  16  and raising of the boom  40  provides clearance between the cab  16  and boom  40  to thereby allow the boom  40 , elevated trans-slicing station  50 , and debris removal station  60  to move horizontally, from a first side of the harvester  10  to an alternative side. As seen in the view of  FIG. 6 , once the boom  40  and cab assembly  16  have been moved vertically relative to one another as discussed to provide clearance, the boom  40 , trans-slicing station  50  and debris removal station  60  may be horizontally shifted in the direction of arrow  88  to an adjacent side. Concurrently, the cab assembly  16  may be horizontally shifted in the direction of arrow  89  to an opposed, adjacent side. During horizontal movement of cooperating parts the trans-slicing station  50  rides on rails  94 A,  94 B along with the proximal end  41  of the boom  40  which rides on rails  94 C,  94 D. As may be observed particularly in  FIG. 1 , the trans-slicing station  50  further includes at least one extending gripping member  96  which engages a corresponding stationary rail  94 A,  94 B for relative longitudinal movement of the trans-slicing station  50 . Likewise, support frame  90  may further include at least one extending gripping member  96  which is adapted to slidingly engage a corresponding stationary rail  94 C,  94 D for relative longitudinal movement of the boom  40 . In a similar manner, the cab assembly  16  rides on rails  94   e . As illustrated, the cab assembly  16  is supported on the forward end  24  of the harvester  10  by way of a frame  95  which preferably further includes means to slidingly engage rail  94   e.  As illustrated, the frame  95  may include least one extending gripping member  96  which slidingly engages rail  94   e  to thereby facilitate horizontal movement of the frame  95  and attached cab assembly  16 . Horizontal movement of the cooperating parts may be effected by way of the chain  97  and sprocket  98  arrangement shown, or by other conventional means. Power for the horizontal movement may be derived from the aforementioned hydraulic pump  15 . After the boom  40 , trans-slicing station  50  and debris removal station  60  have been horizontally shifted, as discussed, the boom  40  and cab  16  are 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 conveyor  64  and off-loading conveyor  84 . Although the trans-slicing station,  50  is illustrated as being mounted on rails  94 A,  94 B to facilitate sliding of the components, it is to be understood that other mounting mechanisms that enable similar shifting of components may be envisioned. 
         [0031]      FIG. 11  depicts a harvester  10  of the present invention as it moves along a crop row  200 . The path of the harvester  10 , shown in solid line, illustrates the harvester turning at an end of a row, with a harvester  10  in phantom showing an un-shifted apparatus.  FIG. 11  illustrates the manner in which a harvester is unable to access the nearest adjacent row  200  and must skip a row and harvest an alternating row  200  unless the harvester is able to shift components as herein described. As shown, and as described hereinabove, the present harvester  10  is enabled to shift operating components  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  to thereby gain access to the immediately adjacent crop row  200 . This capability saves harvest time and provides a cost savings. 
         [0032]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the Claims.