Patent Description:
A substantial portion of the food commercially farmed and sold is packed in some form, typically in bags, containers or the like. The majority of such packaging, at least in relation to larger scale food production, is automated such that many of the steps are carried out by computer controlled machinery. However, in most packaging operations there is still a requirement for operator intervention in one or more steps in the packaging process. One example of such intervention is in relation to small items such as mushrooms, which are typically picked by hand from a growth bed by an operator before being input into a piece of machinery which carries out packaging steps in an at least semi-autonomous manner. In this case, an operator must typically also replenish the machinery with empty containers, and collect packaged mushrooms at an output of the machinery. Conventionally, the design and layout of such machinery results in the operator having to move around the machinery to different areas in order to input mushrooms, load empty containers, and collect packaged mushrooms. In some cases, multiple operators are required due to the disparity in the locations where these tasks are carried out, which increases cost. Where excess movement of an operator is required this reduces the overall efficiency of the operator, and increases safety concerns, particularly where the machinery may not be located at ground level. In addition, conventional machinery is large and cumbersome such that it is not easily transportable, or easily manipulated onsite to differing heights and locations should this be required.

<CIT> discloses a packing apparatus for agricultural or horticultural products, the packing apparatus comprising a conveyor arrangement for conveying agricultural or horticultural products towards a packing station. The conveyor arrangement comprising a pair of endless carrying arrangements with at least two corresponding portions facing each other and a gap for accommodating and retaining the agricultural or horticultural products to be transported, the gap being delimited laterally by the at least two facing portions of the conveyor arrangement, wherein each of the endless carrying arrangements are mounted and looped around at least two pulleys, and; wherein the pulleys of the endless carrying arrangements are arranged so that, when the products are accommodated in the gap , the width of the gap is automatically adapted based on the size of the products to be transported, thus allowing the gap to accommodate and retain products of different sizes. The packing apparatus may be used for mushrooms.

It is desirable to provide a mushroom packaging system operable by a single operator and comprising a more compact overall form.

According to the invention there is provided a mushroom packaging system according to claim <NUM>.

Advantageously, a single operator may load mushrooms into the system, replenish the supply of empty containers, and remove packaged mushrooms from the system with minimal movement, thus increasing both efficiency and safety.

Further advantageously, the requirement for additional operators located at different ends or sides of the system is negated.

Preferably, the operator station is positioned at a first end of the mushroom packaging system, the mushroom loading station, container loading station, and packaged mushroom collection station being positioned relative to the operator station such that they are accessible by an operator from the first end of the system.

Ideally, the mushroom conveyor and the container conveyance apparatus are configured such that mushrooms travel in a generally U-shaped path from the food loading station to the packaged mushroom collection station, and wherein the mushroom loading station and packaged mushroom collection station are preferably located adjacent each other and the operator station.

Ideally, the first end of the mushroom packaging system is a front end thereof.

Preferably. the mushroom loading station, container loading station and packaged mushroom collection station are located at a front end of the system.

Ideally, the operator station is located at said front end of the system.

Preferably, the mushroom loading station and the collection station are laterally spaced apart with respect to an end-to-end direction of the system.

Ideally, the operator station is provided between the mushroom loading station and the collection station.

Preferably, the mushroom loading station and the collection station are substantially in register with each other in the end-to-end direction.

Ideally, the operator station is substantially in register with the mushroom loading station and the collection station in the end-to-end direction.

Preferably, the container loading station is spaced apart from the mushroom loading station and the collection station in the end-to-end direction.

Ideally, the operator station is spaced apart from the mushroom loading station and the collection station in the end-to-end direction.

Preferably, the mushroom packaging apparatus is spaced apart from the mushroom loading station and the collection station in the end-to-end direction.

Ideally, the mushroom packaging apparatus is spaced apart from the operator station in the end-to-end direction.

Preferably, the container conveyor apparatus is arranged to convey containers in said end-to-end direction.

Ideally, the mushroom conveyor apparatus is arranged to convey mushrooms in said end-to-end direction.

Preferably, there is a conveyor apparatus for transferring containers from the container loading station to the container storage apparatus.

Preferably, the container conveyance apparatus is configured to selectably convey the containers in a first direction towards the mushroom packaging apparatus.

The container storage apparatus comprises a container storage portion located such that a container may be deposited therefrom onto the container conveyance apparatus at a first side of the mushroom packaging apparatus located distal the side thereof closest the packaged mushroom collection station.

Where a container is deposited on the first side of the mushroom packaging apparatus, the container conveyance apparatus is arranged to convey an empty container deposited thereon through the mushroom packaging apparatus and towards the packaged mushroom collection station. Ideally, where the container storage portion is locatable such that an operative cannot directly place containers thereinto, a container transport device is provided to transport containers between the container loading station and the container storage portion.

Preferably, the container transport device is a conveyor, chute, slide, or any other such mechanism capable of carrying containers loaded at the container loading station to the container storage portion.

Ideally, the mushroom packaging system further comprises a mushroom processing apparatus located between the mushroom loading station and the mushroom packaging apparatus.

Preferably, the mushroom processing apparatus being configured to carry out a processing step on the mushrooms.

Ideally, the mushroom processing apparatus comprises a blade.

Preferably, the mushroom processing step is a cutting or trimming operation.

The packaging apparatus comprises at least one mushroom lifting and lowering means which lifts the mushrooms from the mushroom conveyor and transfers the mushrooms to a container locatable on the container conveyance apparatus.

Ideally, the packaging apparatus comprises a slidable transfer carriage onto which the at least one mushroom lifting and lowering means is mounted.

Preferably, the at least one mushroom lifting and lowering means comprise at least one suction cup configured to engage with and selectably retain the mushrooms.

Ideally, the system is locatable adjacent a source of mushrooms from which an operator may pick or otherwise harvest mushrooms.

Preferably, the mushroom packaging system is mounted on a lifting apparatus such that the system may be for raising and lowering the system.

Advantageously, the system may be to aligned with sources of mushrooms located at differing heights.

Ideally, the lifting apparatus comprises a generally vertical frame.

Preferably, the system is slidably mountable to the frame.

Ideally, drive means are configured to drive slidable movement of the remainder of the system along the frame.

Preferably, the mushroom packaging apparatus comprises a weighing apparatus configured to weigh a container located at the mushroom packaging apparatus.

Ideally, the mushroom packaging apparatus further comprises a controller.

Preferably, the controller is in operable communication with the weighing apparatus such that container weight obtained from the weighing apparatus may be used by the controller to control the extent of filling of said container.

Ideally, the controller is in operable communication with any one or more of the mushroom conveyor, the mushroom packaging apparatus, the container storage apparatus, the container conveyance apparatus, the lifting and lowering means, the lifting apparatus, and/or with drive means or subcomponents of these various components, as required, in order to control the operation of the system.

Ideally, the mushroom conveyor comprises mushroom holders which retain the mushrooms at an orientation wherein the heads thereof are facing upwards.

Ideally, the mushroom loading apparatus is removably attachable to the remainder of the mushroom packaging system via a loading apparatus coupling mechanism.

Ideally, the loading apparatus coupling mechanism is a quick release coupling mechanism.

Advantageously, a first mushroom loading apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate mushrooms of a first size may be quickly detached from the remainder of the mushroom packaging system and quickly replaced with an alternative mushroom loading apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate mushrooms of a size different from the first size. In this way an operator may quickly adapt a mushroom packaging system to package mushrooms of varying sizes.

Preferably, the container storage apparatus is removably attachable to the remainder of the mushroom packaging system via a container storage apparatus coupling mechanism.

Ideally, the container storage apparatus coupling mechanism is a quick release coupling mechanism.

Advantageously, a first container storage apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate containers of a first size and/or shape may be quickly detached from the remainder of the mushroom packaging system and quickly replaced with an alternative container storage apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate containers of different from the first size and/or shape. In this way an operator may quickly adapt a mushroom packaging system to package mushrooms into containers of varying sizes.

Preferably, a plurality of the mushroom lifting and lowering means are movably mounted on a base plate element such that individual lifting and lowering means may be selectably positionable relative to each other.

Ideally, the lifting and lowering means are slidably mountable within slots formed in the base plate element.

Advantageously, the mushroom lifting and lowering means are individually movable such that they may be arranged relative to each other to form an overall arrangement which is suited to a particular size of mushroom, or to a desired format for loading of containers.

Preferably, the base plate element comprises first and second portions joined about a pivotal coupling.

Advantageously, the second portion of the base plate element may be rotated when the lifting and lowering means mountable thereon are not required to form a desired arrangement of lifting and lowering means.

Ideally, the mushroom processing apparatus comprises first and second rotatable blades mountable on a common axis, the first blade being an upper blade and the second blade being a lower blade.

Preferably, least one of said first or second blades is movable along said common axis to increase or decrease the distance between the first and second blades.

Ideally, the upper and lower blades are positioned such that a mushroom head is locatable above the upper blade during the cutting process.

Advantageously, the stalk of a mushroom may cut at two selectable locations such that the upper portion of mushroom above the upper blade comprises a mushroom head and a pre-determined length of stalk, the portion of mushroom cut between the upper and lower blades comprises a length of stalk suitable for use as an ingredient for soup or the like, and the portion of stalk cut below the lower blade is a waste portion.

It will be understood that the packaging system disclosed herein may be used to package any other suitable items, particularly but not exclusively other food items such as other vegetables or fruits.

Embodiments of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are used to denote like parts and in which:.

The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary mushroom packaging system. It will be understood that the exemplary mushroom packaging systems are provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring now to the Figures there is illustrated a mushroom packaging system <NUM> comprising a mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> wherein empty containers <NUM> are at least partially filled with mushrooms <NUM>. In the embodiment of the drawings, the system further comprises a mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> comprising a mushroom loading station <NUM> and a mushroom conveyor <NUM> for retaining and conveying mushrooms loaded thereon by an operator (not shown) to the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. A container storage apparatus <NUM> is also provided which provides a container loading station <NUM> positioned such that an operator may load empty containers <NUM> thereinto. In a preferred embodiment the empty containers <NUM> are provided in a stack, with further containers <NUM> being loaded into the top of the stack as required to replenish the supply of containers <NUM>. A container conveyance apparatus <NUM> conveys empty containers <NUM> from the container storage apparatus <NUM> to a packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> via the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. Packaged mushrooms <NUM> (i.e. containers <NUM> packed with mushrooms <NUM>) received at the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> may be retrieved by the operator. An operator is located at an operator station <NUM> from which the operator has access to the mushroom loading station <NUM>, container loading station <NUM> , and packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. Advantageously, a single operator may load mushrooms <NUM> into the mushroom loading station <NUM>, replenish the supply of empty containers <NUM>, and remove packaged mushrooms <NUM> from the system with minimal movement. Further advantageously, the requirement for additional operators located at different ends or sides of the system is negated.

In preferred embodiments, the operator station <NUM> is located at a first end <NUM> of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> and comprises an area in which an operator may stand to load mushrooms <NUM> and empty containers <NUM> into the system, and collect packaged mushrooms <NUM> from the system, all without leaving the operator station <NUM>. The mushroom loading station <NUM>, container loading station <NUM>, and packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> are positioned relative to the operator station <NUM> such that they are accessible by an operator whilst located at the first end <NUM> of the system. In use, and in the preferred embodiment, the system <NUM> is configured such that mushrooms travel in a generally U-shaped path from the mushroom loading station <NUM> to the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> such that the mushroom loading station <NUM> and packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> are located proximal to each other at the same end <NUM> of the system <NUM>, and proximal to the operator station <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, the operator station <NUM> is located between the loading station <NUM> and the collection station <NUM>, i.e. the loading station <NUM> and collection station <NUM> are located laterally of the operator station <NUM>. Conveniently, the container loading station <NUM> is located forwardly of the operator station <NUM>, i.e. such that the loading station <NUM> is located in front of the operator when he is located in the operator station <NUM> facing the system <NUM>. Preferably, the mushroom loading station <NUM>, container loading station <NUM>, and packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> are positioned relative to the operator station <NUM> such that an adult operator of regular size and ability may simply stand in position but still easily access any of the mushroom loading station <NUM>, container loading station <NUM>, and packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. In use, the system <NUM> is located beside a supply of mushrooms, typically a growth bed (not shown), such that the operator can reach the mushroom growth bed from the operator station <NUM> from which he may pick mushrooms <NUM> for loading into the system <NUM>. An additional advantage is that an operator may pick mushrooms <NUM> with both hands improving the accuracy and speed of picking.

In the non-claimed embodiment of <FIG>, the container conveyance apparatus <NUM> is configured to selectably convey the containers both in a first direction towards the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, and in a second direction towards the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second directions are opposite to each other and the container conveyance apparatus <NUM> is a belt conveyor, although other types of conveyor may alternatively be used. The conveyor <NUM> is capable of movement in both a forward and a reverse direction and extending such that a container thereon may be placed at the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> at a first end <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>, at the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> at a second end <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>, or at a location therebetween. The conveyor <NUM> may be of any suitable kind known to a person skilled in the art and may be driven by a motor <NUM> or any other such suitable drive means capable of driving in two directions. Alternatively, the conveyor <NUM> may be driven by two motors configured to selectably drive the conveyor belt in opposing directions, or a motor which drives in a single direction may be in operable engagement with the conveyor <NUM> via a geared arrangement which can be selectably engaged to reverse the direction which the conveyor <NUM> moves under the influence of the motor. It should be understood that any conveyance arrangement may be employed that is suitable for moving the containers in the described manner. The packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> may also be provided with a slide <NUM> which encourages sliding of packaged mushrooms <NUM> towards an end <NUM> of the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. It should be understood that, in some embodiments, additional packaging steps may also be incorporated into the system. For example, the containers may be covered with cellophane or another such covering at some point along the conveyor <NUM>.

The container storage apparatus comprises a container storage portion <NUM>. However, in the non-claimed embodiment of <FIG>, the container storage portion <NUM> and container loading station <NUM> are essentially the same component as the location of the container storage portion <NUM> is such that containers may be directly loaded thereinto by an operator. Further embodiments will be later discussed wherein the container loading station <NUM> and container storage portion <NUM> are separate components and containers <NUM> must travel to the container storage portion <NUM> from the container loading station <NUM> as the two components <NUM>, <NUM> may not be co-located. The container storage apparatus <NUM> is located such that an empty container stored therein <NUM> may be deposited therefrom onto the conveyor <NUM> at a location between the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> and the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. The container storage apparatus <NUM> is operable to deliver containers, preferably one at a time, onto the conveyor <NUM>, and may comprise any conventional delivery, or release, mechanism for this purpose. For example, the container storage apparatus <NUM> may have a release mechanism which engages with the bottom most container <NUM> and is movable to selectably release said bottom most container <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment, and as best seen in <FIG>, the release mechanism comprises opposing continuous tracks <NUM> located on either side of the container storage apparatus <NUM>, the continuous tracks <NUM> having lip engagement elements <NUM> which are shaped and sized to engage with the underside of a lip <NUM> of the containers <NUM> on each side of the containers <NUM>. The continuous tracks <NUM> rotate such that the lip engagement elements <NUM> travel downwards when on an inner facing portion <NUM> of the continuous tracks <NUM>, which causes the bottom most lip engagement element of each continuous track to disengage from the lip of the bottom most container <NUM> such that the container is allowed to drop onto the conveyor <NUM>. The continuous tracks <NUM> of the release mechanism may be driven by a motor or any other such suitable drive means. As can be viewed in <FIG>, the release mechanism of the container storage apparatus <NUM> may also comprise a screw type mechanism which engages with the lip <NUM> of the containers <NUM> such that rotation of the screw mechanism effects travel of a container <NUM> along said screw mechanism. When the lip <NUM> of the container <NUM> has reached a lower end of the screw mechanism, the container <NUM> is released onto the conveyor <NUM>. The conveyor belt <NUM> conveys an empty container <NUM> deposited thereon in the first direction to the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, wherein the empty container <NUM> is at least partially filled with mushrooms. The direction of the conveyor belt is then reversed such that the packaged mushrooms <NUM> are moved in the second direction from the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> to the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. In the embodiment according to the invention, the conveyor belt may be so routed that the conveyor belt is driven in a single direction and transports the containers to the rear of the packaging apparatus <NUM> after which they travel through the packaging apparatus <NUM> and on to the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. The rear of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> being the end thereof distal the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the mushroom packaging system <NUM> further comprises a mushroom processing apparatus <NUM> locatable between the mushroom loading station <NUM> and the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, the mushroom processing apparatus <NUM> carrying out at least one processing step on the mushrooms. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the mushroom processing apparatus <NUM> comprises a blade such that a cutting or trimming operation is carried out on the stalk <NUM> of the mushroom <NUM>. Some embodiments may include further or alternative processing steps carried out between the mushroom loading station <NUM> and the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. For example, the mushrooms may be washed or inspected, and suitable apparatus may be provided for such purpose.

The packaging apparatus <NUM> comprises a lifting device, typically comprising a plurality of lifting and lowering members <NUM>, for lifting the mushrooms from the mushroom conveyor <NUM> and transferring the mushrooms <NUM> to a container <NUM> located on the conveyor <NUM> at a loading location, which is at the end <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, there are three lifting and lowering members <NUM> arranged in a linear relationship, each capable of lifting a single mushroom <NUM> such that a row of three mushrooms <NUM> are lifted thereby and transferred to, preferably lowered into the container <NUM>. The row of three mushrooms <NUM> is chosen as this aligns with the dimensions of the typical punnet sized container used in the embodiment shown. However it should be understood that a greater or fewer number of lifting and lowering members <NUM> may be provided to suit differing mushroom and/or container sizes. The mushroom conveyor <NUM> may be stopped or slowed such that the lifting device <NUM> has sufficient time to lift the mushrooms <NUM> therefrom. In alternative embodiments, the lifting and lowering members are lifting members only, in which case they simply drop the mushrooms into the container <NUM> rather than lowering.

The packaging apparatus <NUM> comprises means for moving the lifting device <NUM> between a first position in which it is capable of lifting mushrooms from the mushroom conveyor <NUM> (conveniently from a part of the conveyor <NUM> that is adjacent the loading location <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>), and a second position in which it is capable of depositing mushrooms into the container <NUM> that is in the loading location <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the moving means comprises a movable transfer carriage <NUM> mounted, e.g. slidably, on a carriage arm <NUM> and being movable along the arm <NUM>. The lifting device <NUM> may be mounted on the carriage in any convenient manner.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the carriage arm <NUM> is itself movable such that it may be raised and lowered which in turn raises and lowers the lifting device <NUM>. This may be achieved by any conventional means. In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage arm <NUM> is slidably coupled to a vertical track <NUM> by any suitable drive mechanism, and a motor <NUM> is operable to move the carriage arm <NUM> along the track <NUM> via the drive mechanism. The lifting and lowering members <NUM> are mounted to the slidable transfer carriage <NUM> via a bracket <NUM>.

In preferred embodiments, the lifting device <NUM> is vacuum operated. To this end, the lifting and lowering members <NUM> may each comprise a suction cup <NUM> configured to engage with and selectably retain a mushroom <NUM> by the application of a suction force. The suction force may be supplied by a vacuum pump (not shown) or the like in connected to the suction cups by any convenient means, typically pipes (not shown). Preferably, the suction force at each suction cup <NUM> may be independently activated and deactivated with respect to the other suction cups <NUM>. In this manner, the system may dictate that any number of the available suction cups <NUM> are activated such that they engage with and selectably retain a mushroom <NUM>. The suction force is calibrated such that the delicate surface of a mushroom <NUM> is not damaged thereby. The material of the suction cup <NUM> may also be elastically deformable in nature such that damage to the mushroom <NUM> is further avoided. It should be understood that any suitable structure known to the skilled person for lifting mushrooms from a conveyor and placing the mushrooms in a container may be utilised.

In a preferable embodiment, the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> comprises a weighing device <NUM> configured to weigh the container <NUM> located at the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. Preferably, the weighing device comprises a scale <NUM> incorporated into or locatable under the conveyor <NUM>, conveniently at the loading location <NUM>. Preferably, the mushroom packaging system <NUM> further comprises a controller <NUM> in operable communication with the scale <NUM> and the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> such that a weight for a container <NUM> obtained from the scale <NUM> may be used to control the filling of said container. For example, wherein the mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> is configured to place three mushrooms <NUM> at a time into the container <NUM>, but the container <NUM> has a weight determined by the scale such that addition of another three mushrooms <NUM> to the container <NUM> would place the container above a maximum weight, the controller <NUM> may instruct the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> to only load one or two mushrooms <NUM> into the container <NUM>. In this case, one or more of the suction cups <NUM> are deactivated by the controller <NUM> such that no suction force is applied and thus no mushroom <NUM> is lifted thereby. The controller <NUM> may also calculate the number of mushrooms <NUM> required to exceed a minimum desired weight and fill the container <NUM> until the desired weight is achieved. The controller may for example comprise a suitably programmed PLC controller, and/or computer(s). Typically, the controller <NUM> comprises a central computer programmed to co-ordinate the operation of the various components of the system <NUM>, and being in communication with one or more other computers or processors that control respective system components.

In the preferred embodiment, the mushroom conveyor <NUM> comprises mushroom holders <NUM> which each retain a single mushroom13 at an orientation wherein the heads <NUM> thereof are facing upwards. The mushroom holders comprise two mushroom head support members <NUM> defining an aperture <NUM> therebetween into which the stalk <NUM> of a mushroom <NUM> may be located. The operator places the mushrooms <NUM> into the mushroom holders at the mushroom loading station <NUM> such that the stalks <NUM> extend downwards through the aperture <NUM> and the heads <NUM> are facing upwards. The mushroom conveyor <NUM> preferably comprises a continuous track which extends from the mushroom loading station <NUM> to adjacent the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> and back again to the mushroom loading station <NUM>. The mushroom conveyor <NUM> may therefore move in only one direction whist transporting mushrooms <NUM> loaded thereon to the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> and returning empty mushroom holders to the mushroom loading station <NUM> once the mushrooms have been removed therefrom at the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. The mushroom conveyor <NUM> may be driven by any suitable motor or other such drive means known to a person skilled in the art. Advantageously, as the mushrooms <NUM> are delivered to the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> in an orientation such that the heads thereof are facing upwards, the suction cups engage with the mushrooms <NUM> more effectively due to said engagement being with the head <NUM> portion of the mushroom, which has a more suitable shape and surface for engagement with the suction cups <NUM>. Additionally, the mushrooms <NUM> are loaded into the container in their heads up orientation which forms a more aesthetically pleasing presentation of the final packaged mushrooms <NUM>, this orientation being favoured by consumers/end purchasers of mushrooms.

The system <NUM> is locatable adjacent a source of mushrooms <NUM> from which an operator may pick or otherwise harvest mushrooms <NUM>. The source is typically a growth bed from which an operator may pick mushrooms. The system <NUM> may be mounted on a lifting apparatus <NUM> by which it may be raised and lowered to align with mushroom growth beds at differing heights. It is typical in the mushroom growing industry to stack mushroom growth beds. In a preferred embodiment, as best illustrated in <FIG>, the lifting apparatus <NUM> comprises a vertical frame <NUM>, the system <NUM> being slidably mounted on the frame <NUM> via mounting components <NUM>, and further comprising motor(s), hydraulic ram(s), or other such suitable drive means in operable engagement therebetween to drive slidable movement of the system <NUM> along the frame <NUM> in both vertical directions. The ability to raise the system <NUM> to align with growth beds further reduces the requirement for an operator to move to access growth beds of differing heights. The frame <NUM> may also be movable such that it, and accordingly the remainder of the system, may be easily moved to other sections of growth beds if required.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be in operable communication with any one or more of the mushroom conveyor <NUM>, components of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, the release mechanism of the container storage apparatus <NUM>, the conveyor <NUM>, the lifting apparatus <NUM>, and/or with drive means of these various components, as required, in order to control the operation of the system <NUM>. Sensors (not shown) may be placed so as to determine positioning, speed, weight, or any other such useful system parameter such that the controller <NUM> may coordinate the actions of the various system components to control the packaging process accordingly. Such methods of control are generally known to the person skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is in operable communication with a storage module configured to store data in relation to the packaging operation carried out by the system, such data may be utilised to analyse the efficiency of the operation. Various sensors may be provided to detect jamming of mushrooms or of containers, positioning of the mushroom conveyor <NUM>, and the positioning of mushrooms themselves on the mushroom conveyor <NUM>. Such sensors are in operable communication with the controller <NUM> such that the controller <NUM> may utilise the output thereof to control the system. The system may also be configured to run on a 12V battery which provides a running time of up to <NUM> hours.

In the embodiment of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> according to the invention, as is best illustrated in <FIG> to19, the container storage apparatus <NUM> comprises a container storage portion <NUM> located to the rear of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, i.e. beyond the packaging apparatus <NUM> with respect to the operator station <NUM>. A container <NUM> may therefore be deposited from the container storage portion onto the conveyor <NUM> at a first side of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>. The first side of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> is the side locatable distal the side thereof closest the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>. In this embodiment, the conveyor <NUM> conveys an empty container <NUM> deposited thereon through the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM>, stopping at the loading location <NUM> whereupon it is filled with mushrooms, and then towards the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>.

The container storage portion <NUM> may be located such that an operative cannot directly place containers thereinto. Resultantly a container transport device <NUM> is provided to transport containers between the container loading station <NUM> and the container storage portion <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. The container transport device <NUM> may comprise a conveyor, chute, slide, or any other suitable mechanism. The transport device <NUM> ideally permits a carton containing a plurality of containers to be transported to, and located into, the container storage portion <NUM>. The positioning of the container storage portion <NUM> at the first side of the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> allows a container placed thereon to move in a single direction on the conveyor belt <NUM> and facilitates the placement of a container on the conveyor belt <NUM> and transfer of said placed container to the mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> without waiting for a previously placed container to clear the area beneath the container storage portion <NUM>, as would be the case in the embodiment of <FIG>. The conveyor belt <NUM>, in this embodiment, travels in a single direction from beneath the container storage portion <NUM> to the packaged mushroom collection station <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as is best viewed in <FIG>, the mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> is removably attachable to the remainder of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> via a loading apparatus coupling mechanism <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment the loading apparatus coupling mechanism <NUM> is a quick release coupling mechanism. The quick release coupling mechanism <NUM> can be any such mechanism which would be readily known to the skilled person, such as a lever operated coupling mechanism <NUM> which may be both released and recoupled without the need for tools or specialised knowledge. Advantageously, a first mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> sized and dimensioned to accommodate mushrooms of a first size may be quickly detached from the remainder of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> by releasing the lever operated coupling mechanism <NUM> and quickly replaced with an alternative mushroom loading apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate mushrooms of a size different from said first size. In this way an operator may quickly adapt the mushroom packaging system <NUM> to package mushrooms of varying sizes. This is particularly relevant where picking mushrooms on raised beds as an operator at an upper bed may adapt the machine to package a different type of mushroom having a different size without returning to floor level. In an exemplary embodiment, the mushroom packaging system <NUM> may be provided with three interchangeable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM>, one which is sized and dimensioned to accommodate button mushrooms having a diameter of approximately <NUM> - <NUM>, one which is sized and dimensioned to accommodate midsize mushrooms of diameter of <NUM>-<NUM>, and one which is sized and dimensioned to accommodate larger mushrooms of diameter between <NUM> and <NUM>. In this manner an operative can easily and quickly switch between packaging of these three types of mushroom. It should be understood that any number of interchangeable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> may be provided as required. The interchangeable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> may differ at least in the size of the mushroom holders <NUM> thereof, or in the spacing of said holders <NUM> to accommodate different sized mushrooms. The removably attachable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> comprise rollers at either end to tension a belt <NUM> and hold said belt <NUM> in position. The rollers also comprise a groove sized and dimensioned for a positioning a guide rib of the belt thereinto. One of the rollers is a drive roller which is driven by a motor or the like to rotate and cause movement of the belt <NUM> and resultantly of the other roller. A Slide arrangement <NUM> is provided to guide the removably attachable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> into position such that it may be secured by activation of the lever operated coupling mechanism <NUM>. In a preferable arrangement, a drive cog arrangement is provided which connects the driven roller to a motor cog and motor, said cog and motor remaining on the remainder of the mushroom packaging system when the removably attachable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> is removed. A main arm <NUM> of the removably attachable mushroom loading apparatus <NUM> may comprise a tensioning arrangement for shortening / lengthening said arm according to the belt <NUM> length. Additional Guides and rollers may also be provided to hold the belt <NUM> in place.

As is best viewed in <FIG>, the container storage apparatus <NUM> may also be removably attachable to the remainder of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> via a container storage apparatus coupling mechanism <NUM>. The container storage apparatus coupling mechanism <NUM> may also be a quick release coupling mechanism <NUM>, and preferably is lever operated in a similar manner to the lever operated coupling mechanism <NUM> of the mushroom loading apparatus <NUM>. In a most preferred embodiment there are two quick release coupling mechanisms <NUM> which couple the container storage apparatus <NUM> to the remainder of the mushroom packaging system <NUM>. Advantageously, a first container storage apparatus <NUM> sized and dimensioned to accommodate containers of a first size and/or shape may be quickly detached from the remainder of the mushroom packaging system <NUM> and quickly replaced with an alternative container storage apparatus sized and dimensioned to accommodate containers of different from the first size and/or shape. In this way an operator may quickly adapt a mushroom packaging system <NUM> to package mushrooms into containers of varying sizes. The removably attachable container storage apparatus comprises a main body section <NUM> of with screws <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, cogs <NUM>, belts <NUM>, belt tensioning apparatus, and frame <NUM>. A slide arrangement may also be provided to guide the container storage apparatus <NUM> into position. A detachable bracket may also be fixed to the container storage apparatus <NUM>, the bracket comprising a female electrical connection, and a similar detachable bracket is likewise provided with a male electrical connection.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the mushroom packaging apparatus may comprise a mushroom lifting and/or lowering apparatus <NUM> which comprises a plurality of lifting and lowering members <NUM> movably mountable on a base plate element <NUM> such that individual lifting and lowering members <NUM> may be movably positionable relative to each other. The lifting and lowering members <NUM> are slidably mountable within slots <NUM> formed in the base plate element <NUM>. Advantageously, the mushroom lifting and lowering members <NUM> are individually movable relative to each other such that they may form an overall arrangement which is suited to a particular size of mushroom, or to a desired format for loading of containers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the base plate element <NUM> comprises first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> joined about a pivotal coupling <NUM>. The pivotal coupling may be a hinged coupling <NUM> or any other such suitable coupling as would be known by the skilled person. Advantageously, the second portion <NUM> of the base plate element <NUM> may be rotated upwards to an out of use position when the lifting and lowering members <NUM> mountable thereon are not required to form a desired arrangement. In the preferred case the second portion <NUM> is rotated such to a position perpendicular to the first portion where it is retained by a retaining element such as a retaining catch. The mushroom lifting and/or lowering apparatus <NUM> may also be provided with a retaining plate for retaining the lifting and lowering members <NUM> in a desired position within their respective slots <NUM>. It should also be understood that one or more of the lifting and lowering members <NUM> may be removed from their respective slots to further still adapt the overall arrangement of the lifting and lowering members <NUM> provided on the base plate element <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the base plate element <NUM> comprises four slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, first and second end slots <NUM>, <NUM> are locatable towards each end <NUM>, <NUM> of the base plate element <NUM>, and first and second central slots <NUM>, <NUM> are locatable therebetween. The slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, are arranged in a linear arrangement. Preferably, first ends <NUM> of each slot <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are located approximately <NUM> from each adjacent slot. Also preferably, the second end <NUM> of the first end slot <NUM> is locatable <NUM> from the second end <NUM> of the first middle slot <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the first middle slot <NUM> is locatable <NUM> from the second end <NUM> of the second middle slot <NUM>. As is best seen in <FIG> this permits arrangements wherein four lifting and lowering members <NUM> may be utilised in a linear arrangement where each is paced apart by <NUM> (see spacing indicated as 'x' at the bottom portion of <FIG>), or arrangements where three lifting and lowering members <NUM> may be utilised in a linear arrangement where each is paced apart by <NUM> (see spacing indicated as 'y' on the top portion of <FIG>). This facilitates use with mushrooms of differing diameters as described above. In arrangements where three lifting and lowering members <NUM> are utilised, the unused lifting and lowering member <NUM>, <NUM> of the second end slot <NUM> may be removed from its slot <NUM>, or the second portion <NUM> of the base plate element <NUM> may be rotated to the out of use position as described above. The second end slot <NUM> may also extend to the second end <NUM> of the base plate element to form an open ended slot having an opening on at the second end <NUM> of the base plate element. The unused lifting and lowering member <NUM>, <NUM> may in this case be simply slid out of said open end of the slot when not required. The In a preferred arrangement, the first end slot has a length of approximately <NUM>, the first middle slot <NUM> has a length of approximately <NUM>, the second middle slot <NUM> has a length of approximately <NUM>, and the second end slot <NUM> has a length of approximately10mm.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the mushroom processing apparatus <NUM> may comprises first and second rotatable blades <NUM>, <NUM> mountable on a common axis, the first blade <NUM> being an upper blade and the second blade <NUM> being a lower blade. The common axis is formed by a rotatable shaft <NUM>. The lower blade <NUM> preferably has a greater diameter then the upper blade <NUM> such that a mushroom <NUM> approaching the blades <NUM>, <NUM> laterally will contact the lower blade <NUM> before the upper blade <NUM>. The lower blade <NUM> is movable along said rotatable shaft <NUM> to increase or decrease the distance between the blades <NUM>, <NUM>. The lower blade <NUM> is selectably securable to the rotatable shaft <NUM> at a desired location by a locking element <NUM>. Generally, the upper and lower blades <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned such that a mushroom head <NUM> is locatable above the upper blade <NUM> during the cutting process whilst the lower blade <NUM> is positioned such that it may cut the stalk of the mushroom at a position below the cut made by the upper blade <NUM>.

Advantageously, the stalk of a mushroom may cut at two selectable locations such that the upper the portion of mushroom above the upper blade <NUM> comprises a mushroom head <NUM> and a pre-determined length of stalk <NUM>, the portion of mushroom <NUM> cut between the upper and lower blades <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a length of stalk <NUM> suitable for use as an ingredient for soup or the like, and the portion of stalk <NUM> cut below the lower blade <NUM> is a waste portion <NUM>.

In use, the preferred system <NUM>, <NUM> is utilised in a non-claimed method of packaging mushrooms <NUM> comprising the step of first loading mushrooms <NUM> onto a mushroom conveyor <NUM> at a mushroom loading station <NUM> and loading empty containers <NUM> into an empty container storage apparatus <NUM>. The method further comprising transferring the loaded mushrooms and empty containers <NUM> to a mushroom packaging apparatus <NUM> whereat the mushrooms <NUM> are placed into the empty containers <NUM> forming a items of packaged mushrooms. The items of packaged mushrooms are then transferred to a packaged mushroom collection station <NUM> whereat they are collected. The loading and collecting operations of the method are carried out by an operator located at one operator station <NUM>.

The system, due to the layout of the components as described above, forms a low profile such that it is easily transportable when compared to existing systems. Moreover, the system is more easily manipulated onsite, and more easily stored due to its compact form.

Claim 1:
A mushroom packaging system (<NUM>) comprising:
a mushroom packaging apparatus (<NUM>) for packing mushrooms into containers;
a mushroom loading apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a mushroom loading station (<NUM>) and a mushroom conveyor (<NUM>) for conveying mushrooms to the mushroom packaging apparatus;
a container storage apparatus (<NUM>);
a packaged mushroom collection station (<NUM>);
a container conveyance apparatus (<NUM>) for conveying containers from the container storage apparatus (<NUM>) to the packaged mushroom collection station (<NUM>) via the mushroom packaging apparatus (<NUM>), wherein the mushroom packaging apparatus comprises at least one mushroom lifting and lowering means (<NUM>) which lifts the mushrooms from the mushroom conveyor (<NUM>) and transfers the mushrooms to a container locatable on the container conveyance apparatus;
the container storage apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a container loading station (<NUM>) and being operable to deliver containers onto said container conveyance apparatus;
wherein the mushroom loading station (<NUM>), container loading station (<NUM>) and packaged mushroom collection station (<NUM>) are located sufficiently close to each other such that a human operator located at an operator station (<NUM>) is able to load mushrooms to the mushroom loading station, load containers to the container loading station, and retrieve containers from the packaged mushroom collection station; and
wherein the container storage apparatus (<NUM>) comprises a container storage portion (<NUM>)
located such that a container may be deposited therefrom onto the container conveyance apparatus (<NUM>) and the container conveyance apparatus is routed such that it is driven in a single direction to transport the containers through the mushroom packaging apparatus and on to the packaged mushroom collection station.