Patent Publication Number: US-2013240417-A1

Title: Mechanical plant harvesting devices

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to mechanical plant harvesting devices. In particular, mechanical plant harvesting devices that may include continuous, cyclical modes of operation that do not require removal and reinsertion of plant material, interchangeable features, and/or additional or alternative features adapted to increase efficacy in trimming dry plant material are described. 
     Known mechanical plant harvesting devices are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, many existing devices do not include automatic mechanical features, such as electrically powered motors, which may allow plants to be harvested using repetitive mechanical processes with minimal human labor. Further, some conventional plant harvesting devices, particularly trimming devices that may provide automatic mechanical operation require plant material to be removed and reintroduced into the trimming device several times to fully harvest the crop from undesired portions of the plants. Many examples include, for example, substantially linear mechanisms that require plant material to be repeatedly sent through a trimming mechanism and output partially harvested plant material which must be reintroduced multiple times to adequately harvest the crop from the undesired portions of the plant. Such systems require a great deal of continuous human attention and labor. Thus, there exists a need for a harvesting mechanism that obviates the need for this reintroduction mechanism through a cyclical, repetitive process that does not require consistent user intervention. 
     Additionally or alternatively, many known mechanical plant harvesting devices are not adequately equipped to trim dry plants. Many existing devices are unable to retain plant material in a harvestable position when dry. Further, many existing devices do not have adequate mechanisms for handling stray particulate matter or fire hazards. 
     Additionally or alternatively, many conventional harvesting devices lack adequate detachability and interchangeability of harvesting mechanisms. As a result, many devices are unable to adapt to harvest disparate plant materials or perform disparate harvesting tasks. For example, many devices relating to harvesting plants that produce harvestable buds or flowers, such as hops, are unable to subsequently grind the resultant crop down to more fine particulate matter, as is often desired. As a result, users that require that functionality are often required to purchase a wholly separate product. Thus, to achieve desired results, many conventional systems require users to use two or more separate machines: one for each individual harvesting task. Thus, there exists a need for a device that may be adapted to each of these harvesting tasks. 
     Thus, there exists a need for mechanical plant harvesting devices that improve upon and advance the design of known plant harvesting devices. Examples of new and useful mechanical plant harvesting devices relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to mechanical plant harvesting devices for harvesting crops from plant material including saddles, harvesting containers, and rotary actuators. In some examples, the saddles define harvesting container-proximate regions over portions of the surface areas and saddle openings positioned within the harvesting container-proximate regions. In some examples, the harvesting containers define exterior surfaces proximate the saddles over at least a portion of the harvesting container-proximate regions of the saddles and harvesting container openings in the exterior surfaces. In some examples, the rotary actuators are mechanically connected to the harvesting containers and are configured to rotationally drive the harvesting containers through ranges of rotation. In some examples, portions of the harvesting container openings and portions of the saddle openings overlap at one or more harvesting positions in the mechanical actuators&#39; ranges of rotation. Some examples may additionally or alternatively include fine meshes and/or harvesting containers interchangeably connected to mechanical actuators. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first example of a mechanical plant harvesting device. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mechanical plant harvesting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation cutaway view of the mechanical plant harvesting device shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating a saddle, a harvesting container, and a motor. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the mechanical plant harvesting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is perspective, close-up view showing a unit of plant material with an undesired portion of the plant material partially received within a harvesting container opening a saddle opening and a crop of the plant material maintained within a harvesting space. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second example of a harvesting container configured to be interchangeably connected to disclosed mechanical plant harvesting devices. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a second example of a mechanical plant harvesting device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed mechanical plant harvesting devices will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various mechanical plant harvesting devices are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a first example of a mechanical plant harvesting device, device  100 , for harvesting crops from plant material will now be described. As  FIG. 4  illustrates, device  100  includes a case  110 , a motor  130 , a harvesting container  150 , and a saddle  170 . As  FIG. 2  shows, device  100  includes a control panel  190 . As  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate, device  100  provides a substantially cyclical harvesting operation, which requires no unloading and/or reintroduction of the plant material to fully harvest the plant. Indeed, device  100  allows users to harvest plants without consistent intervention; rather, device  100  provides users with a one step harvesting operation. Some examples may also include interchangeable elements that may allow users to modify device  100  to adapt to particular uses. Additionally or alternatively, device  100  includes several features that may increase its effectiveness in trimming dry plant material. 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  encloses substantially all of device  100 &#39;s operable harvesting features, including harvesting container  150  and saddle  170 , in a case interior space  113 . As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  defines a plurality of substantially metallic panels, including a top panel  112   i,  a first side panel  112   ii , a second side panel  112   iii . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, case  110  additionally defines a bottom portion  114 . As  FIGS. 1 and 2  show, case  110  additionally includes a plurality of legs  111  extending from bottom portion  114 . As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  defines a substantially open open panel  116 , through which case  110  may be accessed from case  110 &#39;s exterior. As  FIG. 2  illustrates, case  110  defines a rear panel  118  opposite open panel  116 . As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  includes a case access cover  119 . As  FIGS. 1 and 2  collectively show, each of case  110 &#39;s panels are attached to one another, such as through corner welds, to give case  110  a shape that substantially resembles a rectangular prism. 
     Case  110  provides, among other benefits, a barrier that isolates case interior space  113  and prevents materials for unintentionally entering or exiting. Similarly, case  110  provides safety through preventing users from unintentionally contacting device  100 &#39;s harvesting elements, which could cause injury. Further, case  110  provides structural support many features of device  100 . 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, top panel  112   i  defines a substantially rigid, sheet-metal rectangular panel attached by corner welds to first side panel  112   ii , second side panel  112   iii , and rear panel  118 . 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, first side panel  112   ii  defines a substantially rigid, sheet-metal rectangular panel attached by corner welds to top panel  112   i,  rear panel  118 , and bottom portion  114 . As  FIG. 1  shows, first side panel  112   ii  defines a first case access cover retainer  121   i  projecting into case interior space  113 . As  FIG. 1  shows, first case access cover retainer  121   i  defines a plurality of first case magnetically interactive materials  122   i  facing outward through open panel  116 . 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, second side panel  112   iii  defines a substantially rigid, sheet-metal rectangular panel attached by corner welds to top panel  112   i,  rear panel  118 , and bottom portion  114 , substantially similar to first side panel  112   ii . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, second side panel  112   iii  defines a second case access cover retainer  121   ii  defining a plurality of second case magnetically interactive materials  122   ii , substantially similar to first side panel  112   ii.    
     As  FIG. 1  shows, second side panel  112   iii  includes a duct opening  107 , to which a duct  108  connects case interior space  113  to a disposal area  109 , such as an external air vent, to define a substantially enclosed fluid- and solid particulate-transmissive path extending between case interior space  113 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, a fluid pump  105  is connected to duct  108  to better direct air flow from case interior space  113  to disposal area  109 . Device  100  is configured to selectively direct fluid and solid particulate matter contained within case interior space  113  through duct  108  to disposal area  109  to reduce the amount of particulate matter contained within case  110  and the amount of particulate matter undesiredly given off in the area near device  100 . This may be useful, for example, to reduce the amount of dust or solid particulate matter produced by device  100  when harvesting plant material. Some examples may not include any such structure to connect to disposal area  109 . This may be particularly useful, for example, with examples wherein it is desired to save any discarded particulate matter, such as with hops or other plants that produce harvestable buds or flowers. Further, it may reduce the scent given off by device  100  when harvesting pungent plants. 
     As  FIG. 2  shows, rear panel  118  is attached to first side panel  112   ii , second side panel  112   iii , top panel  112   i,  and bottom portion  114 . Unlike top panel  112   i,  first side panel  112   ii , second side panel  112   iii , and bottom portion  114 , rear panel  118  includes a polymer covering on its exterior surface. As  FIG. 2  shows, rear panel  118  defines a plurality of vents  124  positioned above motor  130  and provide a fluid-transmissive path between case interior space  113  and the exterior of case  110 . This allows the passage of moisture and/or heat from case interior space  113  to the environment. When trimming dry material, vents  124  may help regulate temperature within case interior space  113 , thereby reducing the risk of igniting any plant particulate matter. By being positioned immediately above motor  130 , vents  124  may be particularly efficient in releasing heat produced by motor  130  during operation. When trimming wet plant material, vents  124  may provide a path through which evaporated moisture may travel. 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, open panel  116  defines a void that serves as a case access opening through which a user may access plant material from harvesting container  150 , which is accessible through harvesting container access opening  162 . In some examples, open panel  116  may include a rigid, sheet-metal panel, similar to other disclosed panels, over some or all of a portion of its surface rather than completely defining a void. In such examples, open panel  116  may include a case access opening that at least partially overlaps harvesting container access opening  162 . 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  additionally includes case access cover  119  removably supported to cover a portion of open panel  116 . As  FIG. 1  shows, case access cover  119  is substantially rigid and translucent, defining a plexiglass material. Using a rigid, translucent material reduces the likelihood that users&#39; anatomy or exterior particulate matter unintentionally enters case interior space  113  while allowing users to continue viewing harvested material. This may prevent harm to users and reduce operational wear on the equipment. As  FIG. 4  shows, case access cover  119  includes a case cover port  120  substantially centered on case access cover  119 . Case cover port  120  allows users to better view the contents of harvesting container  150  while case access cover  119  provides a meaningful barrier to unintentional access within case access cover  119 . 
     As  FIG. 4  illustrates, case access cover  119  includes a plurality of case access cover magnetically interactive materials  117 , each operatively paired with first case magnetically interactive materials  122   i  and second case magnetically interactive materials  122   ii . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, case access cover magnetically interactive materials  117  are positioned to align with first case magnetically interactive materials  122   i  and second case magnetically interactive materials  122   ii  when case  110  is in a fitted position in case  110 , such as is seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, bottom portion  114  is positioned below case interior space  113 , and thus saddle  170  and harvesting container  150 , and is attached to first side panel  112   ii , second side panel  112   iii , and rear panel  118 . As  FIG. 1  shows, bottom portion  114  provides a base for device  100  that collects any falling particulate matter and/or discarded plant material produced by device  100  during operation. 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, bottom portion  114  includes a tray  128  slidingly supported within bottom portion  114  and facing case interior space  113 , thus supported below saddle  170  and harvesting container  150 . Tray  128  is positioned to collect falling particulate matter and/or discarded plant material produced by device  100  during operation. Tray  128  is configured to slide between an accumulating position substantially fully received within case  110 , such as is seen in  FIG. 1 , and a dispensing position substantially outside the case. As  FIG. 1  shows, tray  128  includes a tray handle  129  that allows a user to pull tray  128  from the accumulating position to the dispensing position. 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, case  110  includes a safety device  125  supported by top panel  112   i  proximate open panel  116  and in electric communication with motor  130  via a safety wire  103 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, safety device  125  includes a safety control box  127  and an outwardly biased safety device pin  126 . Safety device  125  is configured to detect removal of case access cover  119  and is configured to communicate a signal to the motor to enter an idle state, in other words, cease operation, in response to removal of case access cover  119 . The paired magnetically interactive materials help retain case access cover  119  in a substantially in place when in a fitted position in case  110 . 
     As  FIG. 1  illustrates, safety device pin  126  is configured to be pressed from an extended position with safety device pin  126  extending from out of safety control box  127  to a depressed position wherein safety device pin  126  is substantially received by safety control box  127  by case access cover  119  when case access cover  119  is supported in the fitted position in case  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . When case access cover  119  is removed, safety device pin  126  extends back to the extended position due to its outward biasing. When safety device pin  126  returns to this extended position, safety control box  127  is configured to communicate a signal to motor  130  to cease operation. In some examples, device  100  may be configured to prevent motor  130  from receiving electrical power unless safety device pin  126  in the depressed state. This prevents device  100  from operating without case access cover  119  supported in a fitted position in case  110 , such as is seen in  FIG. 1 , which reduces the likelihood of users being harmed by unintentionally inserting anatomy into case interior space  113  during operation. 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, saddle  170  is positioned within case  110 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, saddle  170  longitudinally extends substantially horizontally from a front end  172  proximate open panel  116  to a rear end  174  proximate rear panel  118 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, saddle  170  defines a substantially parabolic cross-section taken transverse its longitudinal axis along its entire length. As  FIGS. 1 and 4  collectively show, saddle  170  this parabolic shape extends from a first saddle lateral edge  176  to a second saddle lateral edge  178 , thereby defining a saddle-interior space  173  bounded by saddle  170 &#39;s parabolic shape and top panel  112   i.  As  FIGS. 1 and 4  show, saddle  170  defines a harvesting container-proximate region  171  over a portion of saddle  170 &#39;s surface area. As  FIG. 4  shows, saddle  170  defines a plurality of saddle openings  180 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , harvesting container-proximate region  171  extends over a portion of saddle  170 &#39;s interior surface area proximate its vertex. As  FIG. 1  illustrates, harvesting container-proximate region  171  includes a substantial portion of saddle  170 &#39;s interior surface area proximate harvesting container  150 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, saddle  170  defines a curve over at least a portion (and indeed, all) of harvesting container-proximate region  171 . 
     As  FIG. 4  illustrates, saddle  170  includes a plurality of saddle attachment points  186   i - iv , each positioned proximate a saddle lateral edge. As  FIG. 4  shows, saddle attachment points  186   i  and  186   ii  are positioned proximate first saddle lateral edge  176  substantially near one endpoint of saddle  170 &#39;s parabolic shape and saddle attachment points  186   iii  and  186   iv  are positioned proximate second saddle lateral edge  178  substantially near the opposite endpoint of saddle  170 &#39;s parabolic shape. As  FIG. 1  illustrates, a plurality of saddle fasteners  187  are each removably routed through a corresponding saddle fastener receiver  115  on top panel  112   i  and each saddle attachment point to substantially retain saddle  170  attached to and supported in case interior space  113  by top panel  112   i.  In some examples, the saddle fasteners may define wingnut and bolt combinations, wherein saddle attachment points  186   i - iv  and saddle fastener receivers  115  define holes through which the bolts may be routed and the wingnuts may be fastened either above top panel  112   i  or below saddle attachment points  186   i - iv . Such configurations may allow saddle  170  to be removed, which may be useful in certain harvesting contexts; for example, this may be useful when using a harvesting container defining only a fine mesh. 
     In some contexts, some or all of harvesting container  150  is either in contact with or minimally spaced from saddle  170  over some or all of harvesting container-proximate region  171 . In some examples, saddles may additionally or alternatively include a low-friction material applied to their surfaces on the side facing harvesting container  150 , which may allow harvesting container  150  to be seated within and rotate within saddle  170  with less friction. This reduces the amount of heat applied to plant material in harvesting space  155 , which makes device  100  particularly adaptable to harvesting dry plant material. In particular, the reduced friction may reduce the risk posed by friction-generated heat igniting particular plant material caught between harvesting container  150  and saddle  170 . Further, this reduced friction may reduce operational wear. In some examples, this low-friction material may define Teflon or other chemically similar material. In many cases, device  100  may harvest most efficiently by minimizing the space between harvesting container  150  and saddle  170 ; applying a non-friction surface to either saddle  170 &#39;s interior surface or harvesting container  150 &#39;s exterior surface to mitigate any damage from so minimizing this space for the reasons discussed above. 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, harvesting container-proximate region  171  is substantially proximate and aligned with approximately, but slightly less than, one half of the circumference of harvesting container  150 . This size has provides a good amount of trimming space while reducing the likelihood of friction or stress resisting harvesting container  150 &#39;s rotation within saddle  170 . As  FIG. 3  shows, harvesting container  150  may, in some examples, partially rest in harvesting container-proximate region  171 . Because of the reduced surface area, and corresponding reduction in friction, compared to a dual-concentric design, device  100 &#39;s saddle-and-drum make device  100  particularly suited to harvesting dry plant material. Further, because no harvesting occurs on the upper half of harvesting container  150 , device  100  reduces the likelihood of particulate matter inadvertently entering the top half of case  110  (which would, in some examples, pose a fire risk or damage equipment). 
     As  FIG. 4  shows, saddle openings  180  are positioned over substantially all of saddle  170 &#39;s surface, including within harvesting container-proximate region  171 ; as a result, saddle opening  180  collectively substantially define a saddle mesh  182 . As  FIG. 4  shows, saddle mesh  182  defines a plurality of equally sized, aligned parallelogram (which may be, in some examples, rectangular) openings that cover substantially all of saddle  170 &#39;s surface area. As  FIG. 5  demonstrates, each saddle opening  180  defines a first saddle opening lateral edge  184  and a second saddle opening lateral edge  185 , wherein both of first saddle opening lateral edge  184  and second saddle opening lateral edge  185  are substantially linear and substantially parallel. 
     As  FIG. 3  illustrates, motor  130  serves as a rotary mechanical actuator is supported within case  110  proximate rear panel  118  and is mechanically attached to harvesting container  150 . As  FIG. 3  illustrates, motor  130  is electrically powered, drawing energy from an external electrical power source, such as a electrical outlet  99 , through a power cable  132  extending through case  110 . As  FIG. 3  shows, motor  130  serves as a rotary mechanical actuator, configured convert the received electrical energy by rotationally driving harvesting container  150  through a range of rotation via a rotary shaft  134 . 
     As  FIG. 4  illustrates, rigidly attached to motor  130 &#39;s rotor  131 . Accordingly, motor  130  is configured to rotationally drive rotary shaft  134  about rotary shaft  134 &#39;s longitudinal axis. Rotary shaft  134  extends, when motor  130  is supported within case  110 , toward case  110 &#39;s open panel  116 . As  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate, rotary shaft  134  is configured to operatively pair harvesting container  150  with motor  130  by rigidly, but interchangeably, attaching to harvesting container  150  such that motor  130  drives harvesting container  150  via rotary shaft  134 . Although rotary shaft  134  is round in the example displayed in  FIG. 3 , some examples may include rotary shafts that define a polygonal (or other non-circular) cross-section taken about its longitudinal axis. Such designs may increase the amount of torque the rotary shafts are able to translate to harvesting containers. 
     As  FIG. 4  illustrates, harvesting container  150  is seated within saddle  170  and is operatively connected to motor  130 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, harvesting container  150  substantially defines a hollow cylindrical drum defining a harvesting container exterior surface  151  circumferentially enclosing a harvesting space  155  and extending from an interior end  152  proximate rear panel  118  to an intake end  154  proximate open panel  116 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, harvesting container  150 &#39;s central longitudinal axis may additionally overlap or be aligned with saddle  170 &#39;s focus. As  FIG. 3  illustrates, harvesting container  150  includes a harvesting container back panel  156 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, harvesting container back panel  156  defines a back panel opening  157 . As  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate, harvesting container  150  defines a plurality of harvesting container openings  158  positioned around its exterior. 
     As  FIG. 4  shows, harvesting container  150  defines a harvesting container access opening  162  facing open panel  116 . Users may access harvesting space  155  through harvesting container access opening  162 , allowing users to insert unharvested plant material into harvesting space  155  and retrieve harvested plant material from harvesting space  155 . 
     As  FIG. 4  shows, device  100  includes a substantially rigid, translucent harvesting container access opening cover  167  configured to be supported by harvesting container  150  in harvesting container access opening  162  to cover substantially all of harvesting container access opening  162 ;  FIG. 1  shows harvesting container access opening cover  167  positioned on harvesting container  150 . Harvesting container access opening cover  167  is made of the same or similar plexiglass material as case access cover  119 . Harvesting container access opening cover  167 &#39;s translucency allows users to view harvesting space  155  while its rigidity provides a meaningful barrier preventing unintentional entry into harvesting space  155 . As  FIG. 1  shows, harvesting container access opening cover  167  includes a handle  166  that allows users the ability to insert and remove harvesting container access opening cover  167  from harvesting container  150 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, case cover port  120  is substantially aligned with at least a portion of harvesting container access opening cover  167 , requiring users to look through only one layer of plexiglass material in viewing harvesting space  155 , thereby increasing the visibility of harvesting space  155  compared to an example with case access cover  119  covering all of open panel  116 . 
     As  FIG. 3  shows, harvesting container  150  defines a curvature  169  that is substantially similar to harvesting container-proximate region  171 &#39;s curve, placing each point of saddle  170 &#39;s interior surface substantially equidistant harvesting container  150 . As  FIGS. 4 and 5  show, harvesting container  150 &#39;s perimeter is substantially circular, and, as a result, curvature  169  is substantially uniform around all of harvesting container  150 &#39;s exterior. 
     As  FIG. 3  illustrates, harvesting container  150  may be positioned within saddle-interior space  173 , longitudinally extending substantially aligned with saddle  170 &#39;s longitudinal axis. When so positioned, some or all of a portion of harvesting container exterior surface  151  may be minimally spaced from or interfacially engaged with saddle  170  over some or all of harvesting container-proximate region  171 . 
     Harvesting container  150  includes a low-friction material applied to harvesting container exterior surface  151 , reducing damage and heat that may otherwise result from friction between harvesting container  150  and saddle  170 . Further, this may reduce the amount of heat generated during use, which may reduce the risk of unintentionally igniting plant material or particulate matter and may reduce the amount of operational damage to harvesting container  150  and/or saddle  170 . In some examples, harvesting container  150  may be seated and substantially engaged with some or all of harvesting container-proximate region  171 , whereby low-friction material reduces the amount of friction created as harvesting container  150  rotates. In some examples, the low-friction material may define Teflon. 
     As  FIG. 4  illustrates, harvesting container  150  includes a plurality of harvesting container openings  158  positioned around harvesting container  150 &#39;s perimeter to define a coarse harvesting container mesh  168 . As  FIG. 4  shows, coarse harvesting container mesh  168  defines a plurality of equally sized, aligned parallelogram (which may be, in some examples, rectangular) openings that cover substantially all of harvesting container  150 &#39;s exterior. In some examples, either saddle openings, harvesting container openings, or both, may be circular, other polygonal shapes, or non-polygonal. While there is a set of substantially uniformly shaped and sized openings on both the illustrated saddles and harvesting containers, this is not specifically required. As  FIG. 5  demonstrates, each harvesting container opening  158  defines a first container opening lateral edge  159  and a second container opening lateral edge  160 , wherein both of first container opening lateral edge  159  and second container opening lateral edge  160  are substantially linear and substantially parallel. As  FIG. 4  shows, harvesting container  150  includes a harvesting container harvesting surface, one example of which may be coarse harvesting container mesh  168 , that is configured to contact and interact with contained plant material, for example, to harvest crops, such as buds or flowers, grind harvested crops, or otherwise adjust the state of the contained plant material. 
     The example shown in  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a coarse harvesting container mesh  168  with a screen sized to isolate a desired crop of a plant and discard unwanted plant material, which may include stem and/or leaves. As  FIGS. 1-5  show, harvesting container  150  defines a coarse screen for harvesting container  150 &#39;s intended use of coarsely harvesting crop from stems and/or leaves. As  FIG. 5  shows, this coarse mesh is configured to receive at least a portion of an undesired portion of the plant, which may include leaves and/or stems, while maintaining substantially all of the crop, such as the bud of a hop or other plants that produce harvestable buds or flowers, within harvesting space  155 . This large mesh is not, of course, appropriate for all contexts. Some contexts may require a finer or larger mesh, however. Some may be fitted to receive stems specifically, leaves specifically, or be adapted to other plants. 
     Some harvesting container examples, such as harvesting container  250  shown in  FIG. 6 , may include a fine mesh layer, such as fine harvesting container mesh  263  included additionally or alternatively to a coarse mesh layer, such as coarse harvesting container mesh  268  similar to coarse harvesting container mesh  168  (but with even larger openings). As  FIG. 6  illustrates, fine harvesting container mesh  263  defines a plurality of fine openings  264  that are considerably smaller than harvesting container openings  158 . As  FIG. 6  shows, coarse harvesting container mesh  268  includes a plurality of coarse openings  269 , which are larger than harvesting container openings  158  (and, by extension, substantially larger than fine openings  264 ). Further, as  FIG. 6  shows, fine harvesting container mesh  263 &#39;s solid areas are substantially thinner than coarse harvesting container mesh  168 &#39;s. 
     As  FIG. 6  illustrates, fine harvesting container mesh  263  is installed as an additional layer around the exterior of harvesting container  250  (exterior to coarse harvesting container mesh  268 ). This fine mesh may be useful in “grinding” crop into more fine particulate matter, which may be useful in creating a dense, concentrated powder of the plant material. Some harvesting container examples may include only a fine mesh layer substantially similar to fine harvesting container mesh  263 . Including both layers, however, may increase efficacy in some examples, however. For example, the metal portions of the coarse mesh may, at times, deflect crop within the harvesting container&#39;s harvesting space, thereby increasing the velocity with which crop will hit the fine mesh or adjust the angle with which crop hits to fine mesh, which may increase the shearing force the fine mesh applies to the crop compared to an example including only a fine mesh. Further, some examples implementing a fine mesh may forgo the use of the saddle, which may increase the efficiency in which yielded crop is accumulated. Some examples may allow the saddle fasteners to be removed to detach saddles from cases. 
     As  FIG. 4  shows, back panel opening  157  is substantially centered on harvesting container back panel  156 . Back panel opening  157  is configured to removably attach harvesting container  150  to motor  130 . Specifically, back panel opening  157  is sized and shaped to slidingly receive rotary shaft  134 . Harvesting container  150  may be mechanically attached to motor  130  in by connecting harvesting container  150  via routing rotary shaft  134  through back panel opening  157 . 
     As  FIG. 3  shows, a fastener  140 , may be attached to rotary shaft  134  to retain harvesting container  150  in a substantially fixed longitudinal position on rotary shaft  134 . As  FIG. 3  shows, fastener  140  includes a collar  142  is rigidly connected to harvesting container back panel  156  around back panel opening  157  and a bolt  146  configured to be screwingly received by collar  142  toward rotary shaft  134 . As  FIG. 3  shows, device  100  includes a fixed backstop  144  that prevents harvesting container  150  from sliding beyond a desired position on rotary shaft  134 . As  FIG. 4  shows, backstop  144  may include a plurality of low-friction backstop pads  147  attached to a backstop panel  148  positioned between harvesting container  150  and motor  130 , the backstop pads configured to contact harvesting container  150  without substantially restricting its rotation. In some examples, however, backstops may define a metal (or other similarly rigid) radial projection projecting from rotary shafts between harvesting containers and motors. 
     To attach harvesting container  150  to motor  130 , rotary shaft  134  may be slidingly received by back panel opening  157  until harvesting container back panel  156  is substantially fully engaged with backstop  144 . When harvesting container  150  has fully received rotary shaft  134  such that harvesting container  150  is engaged with backstop  144 , bolt  146  may be tightened within collar  142  to substantially fix fastener  140  in its longitudinal position on rotary shaft  134 . Bolt  146  further retains harvesting container  150  in a substantially fixed radial position on rotary shaft  134 , allowing motor  130  to rotationally drive harvesting container  150 . In some examples, rotary shaft  134  may include an opening or a longitudinally extending channel to receive bolt  146  to better retain harvesting container  150  in a fixed radial position on rotary shaft  134 . As a result, harvesting container  150  may be placed in substantially fixed position on rotary shaft  134  where it may be rotationally driven by motor  130  via rotary shaft  134 . 
     Likewise, bolt  146  may, of course, be removed to remove harvesting container  150  from rotary shaft  134 . Removing bolt  146  may involve, for example, unscrewing it from collar  142 . 
     By allowing removal of harvesting container  150 , device  100  allows additional or alternative examples of drums to be attached to rotary shaft  134  and operate similar to harvesting container  150 . By providing users with an interchangeable harvesting container, users are able to selectively exchange drums to adapt device  100  to particular circumstances. 
     When so mechanically connected, motor  130  is configured to rotationally drive harvesting container  150  within saddle  170  about harvesting container  150 &#39;s central longitudinal axis. As a result, motor  130  is configured to rotationally drive through a range of rotation. As motor  130  rotationally drives harvesting container  150 , harvesting container  150  may travel through a range of one or more harvesting positions wherein at least one harvesting container opening  158  at least partially overlaps a saddle opening  180 .  FIG. 5  provides details of one such harvesting position, harvesting position  102 . 
     As  FIG. 5  illustrates, at each harvesting position  102 , first container opening lateral edge  159  and first saddle opening lateral edge  184  of the associated overlapped harvesting container opening  158  and saddle opening  180  are misaligned with one another by a predetermined harvesting angle  104 . Predetermined harvesting angle  104  has been selected to roughly translate to the angle of a pair of trimming shears, such as a scissors, that has been found to be particularly successful in trimming plant material. This disclosure notes that harvesting angles ranging of 9.5 degrees to 10 degrees have been found to be particularly successful in trimming plant material, particular with regard to trimming hops or other plants that produce harvestable buds or flowers. Disclosed examples are not, however limited to this range. Indeed, different angles may be more appropriate for other example plant materials. 
     As  FIGS. 1 and 5  show, the first lateral edges of each saddle and harvesting container opening each define a substantially uniform trimming angle at each harvesting position. This disclosure notes that this uniformity may help produce a more uniform harvested crop. 
     As  FIG. 2  shows, control panel  190  is positioned on first side panel  112   ii  and includes wiring (not shown) placing it in electrical communication with power cable  132  and motor  130 . As  FIG. 2  shows, control panel  190  includes an on button  191 , an off button  192 , a timed harvest button  193 , and a timer  194 . Control panel  190  is configured to receive user input and send electrical signals, via a control panel wire  199 , that are configured to adjust motor  130  between an operating state wherein the motor automatically drives harvesting container  150  and an idle state wherein the motor is substantially stationary in response to received user input. Control panel  190  is powered by power cable  132  (or, in some examples, motor  130  by way of an inverter), and is configured to communicate electric signals to motor  130  adjust its behavior. 
     For example, on button  191  may communicate a signal to adjust motor  130  to an operating state in response to user selection. This may be useful, of course, for users to instruct harvesting container  150  to begin harvesting plant material contained within harvesting space  155 . 
     Similarly, off button  192  may communicate a signal to adjust motor  130  to an idle state in response to user selection. This may be useful, of course, for users to instruct harvesting container  150  to stop harvesting plant material contained within harvesting space  155 . 
     As  FIG. 2  shows, timer  194  includes a display  195 , an add time button  196 , and a remove time button  197 . Users may adjust a user-selected segment of time by selecting add time button  196  and remove time button  197 . In many examples, add time button  196  will add an incrememt of time, such as a minute, to the user-selected segment of time, whereas remove time button  197  will remove the same increment of time from the user-selected segment of time. At any given time, display  195  will reflect the current user-selected segment of time. 
     Timed harvest button  193  is configured to communicate a signal or signals to retain motor  130  in an operating state for the user-selected segment of time depicted by timer  194 . As device  100  performs a timed harvest in response to selecting timed harvest button  193 , the user-selected segment of time will be appropriately reduced during operation. Users may lengthen or shorten the user-selected segment of, and thus the remaining duration of the timed harvest, by selecting add time button  196  or remove time button  197 . 
     As  FIG. 2  shows, control panel  190  additionally includes an intensity adjustment  198 , which allows users to adjust the speed at which harvesting container  150  rotates within saddle  170  by communicating an electric signal to motor  130  to either increase or decrease its rotations per minute. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , a second example of a mechanical plant harvesting device, device  300 , will now be described. As  FIG. 7  illustrates, device  300  is substantially similar in design to device  100 . Indeed, device  300  includes a case  310 , a saddle  370 , a harvesting container  350 , and a motor  330 , each substantially similar in design to case  110 , saddle  170 , harvesting container  150 , and motor  130 , respectively. Each of these components, while similar in design, are significantly reduced in dimension. Device  300  is not merely a smaller version of device  100 , however, as saddle  370  and harvesting container  350  includes both saddle openings  372  and harvesting container openings  350  that are substantially the same size as saddle openings  180  and harvesting container openings  158 . As a result, device  300  provides exactly the same efficacy as device  100  in trimming devices. Device  300 &#39;s smaller design makes it more practical and accessible for individuals and home users. Further, device  300  is considerably more portable, allowing users to easily transport device  300  to areas where plant material is stored. Indeed, this disclosure specifically contemplates smaller devices such as device  300  that are battery powered, which provide a great deal more portability. Indeed, smaller devices, such as device  300 , may even be transported to the place where plant material is grown to complete harvesting the plant material on the spot. 
     Some examples of devices including harvesting container retaining members may include fasteners attached to harvesting container retaining members to retain harvesting containers in substantially fixed longitudinal positions on the harvesting container retaining members. 
     In some examples of devices including trays, the trays may include tray handles. 
     In some examples of devices including cases and motors, the cases may define vents proximate the motors, the vents configured to provide a path through which heat may release from the interiors of the cases. 
     Some examples may include rigid, substantially translucent harvesting container covers removably supported by harvesting containers in harvesting container access openings to cover substantially all of the harvesting container access openings. In some such examples, the case access covers may define cover openings sized to allow insertion and removal of the harvesting container covers. 
     In some examples with safety devices, the safety devices may each include an outwardly biased safety device pin that is configured to be pressed from an extended position to a depressed position by the case access cover when the case access cover is supported in a fitted position in the case. 
     In some examples, saddles may define pluralities of attachment points fastened to top panels of cases and saddle-interior spaces bounded by the top panel of the cases and the saddles and the harvesting containers may be supported within the saddle-interior spaces. 
     Some examples may additionally or alternatively include control panels including a level adjustment input configured to communicate a signal that instructs the motor to rotate the harvesting container with a selected angular velocity. 
     Some examples may include control panels that additionally or alternatively include an on button configured to communicate a signal that instructs the motor to enter the operating state in response to user selection. 
     Some examples may include control panels that additionally or alternatively include an off button configured to communicate a signal that instructs the motor to enter the idle state in response to user selection. 
     Some examples may define harvesting container-proximate regions that extend over less than one half of the circumference of the harvesting container. 
     In some examples, the mechanical actuator may include a motor. 
     Some examples may include first container opening lateral edges that are misaligned with first saddle lateral edges of a partially overlapping saddle openings at predetermined trimming angles at each harvesting position. 
     Some examples may include harvesting containers that define harvesting container meshes over their entire exterior surface areas, wherein the harvesting container meshes define pluralities of spaced harvesting container openings. 
     In some examples, harvesting containers may define harvesting container access openings on open ends of the harvesting containers and the cases may define case access openings overlapping at least a portion of the harvesting container access openings. Such examples may additionally or alternatively include rigid, translucent case access covers removably supported by the case to cover at least a portion of the case access openings. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.