Patents by Inventor Malcolm VILLIS

Malcolm VILLIS has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240139777
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating berries from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated berries through the berries while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein berries pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventor: Malcolm Villis
  • Patent number: 11963481
    Abstract: Provided is a separator for separating harvested berries from other plant matter, particularly to a separator that can be fitted to, positioned above, or integrated with, a collection bin and as such allows for material harvested by an automatic berry harvester to be processed prior to deposition of the berries in the collection bin. In particular the berry harvester can be a grape harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: AUSSIE WINE GROUP HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Malcolm Villis, Peter Balnaves
  • Patent number: 11911795
    Abstract: Described is a separation apparatus for a harvester, for separating berries from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated berries through the berries while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein berries pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Aussie Wine Group Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Malcolm Villis
  • Publication number: 20230087530
    Abstract: Provided is a separator for separating harvested berries from other plant matter, particularly to a separator that can be fitted to, positioned above, or integrated with, a collection bin and as such allows for material harvested by an automatic berry harvester to be processed prior to deposition of the berries in the collection bin. In particular the berry harvester can be a grape harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm VILLIS, Peter BALNAVES
  • Patent number: 11582912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for separating harvested berries from other plant matter. The invention particularly relates to a separator that can be fitted to, positioned above, or integrated with, a collection bin and as such allows for material harvested by an automatic berry harvester to be process prior to deposition of the berries in the collection bin. In particular the berry harvester can be a grape harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Aussie Wine Group Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Malcolm Villis, Peter Balnaves
  • Publication number: 20220362809
    Abstract: Described is a separation apparatus for a harvester, for separating berries from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated berries through the berries while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein berries pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Malcolm VILLIS
  • Publication number: 20210282324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for separating harvested berries from other plant matter. The invention particularly relates to a separator that can be fitted to, positioned above, or integrated with, a collection bin and as such allows for material harvested by an automatic berry harvester to be process prior to deposition of the berries in the collection bin. In particular the berry harvester can be a grape harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Malcolm VILLIS, Peter BALNAVES