Abstract: A process for conveying a flow of harvested crop along a first conveyor, which is configured to convey the flow along a first direction, and a second conveyor arranged downstream of the first conveyor and which is configured to convey the flow along a second direction different from the first direction. The process includes operating the first conveyor at a variable conveyor speed presenting a cycle of acceleration and deceleration, the cycle being operable to ensure a spatial repartition of the flow of harvested crop on the second conveyor, which receives the flow at a location that is variable according to the first direction.

Abstract: A grape processing apparatus and method is described and which includes a screen, a cleated conveyor belt with a bottom flight and which is spaced from the screen, and a source of bunches of grapes which have associated stems, and which are fed into a predetermined space between the bottom flight of the cleated conveyor belt and the screen, and wherein the bunches of grapes move along the screen in a rolling and tumbling motion to separate the individual grapes from the associated stems, and wherein the individual grapes are collected thereafter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for harvesting vinous crops includes cutting a fruit-carrying vine mass from its growing roots, sweeping the vine mass with rotary reel motion onto a upwardly inclined endless conveyor for carriage to a position of commencement of a first arcuate path and thereafter carrying the vine mass along the arcuate path by first lifting and then lowering the vine mass while imparting vibratory motion to the vine mass to separate fruit from vines of the mass.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for recovering food losses from the main recovery system, the handsorters, and the color sorters. A recovery shaker conveyor located beneath the main recovery system to catch food and vines which are tossed off the end of the main recovery system. The food and vines are turned over during the fall, thus loosening some food from the vine. The loosened food falls through the openings in the recovery shaker conveyor onto a recovery cross conveyor which is situated in between the chains of the recovery shaker conveyor and under the handsorters. Food which is rejected by the color sorters also falls onto the recovery cross conveyor and is directed toward a dirt sorter electronic system. The food which is rejected by the handsorters, is placed on a recovery sorter conveyor which is fed into the recovery cross conveyor for re-examination.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a threshing and separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material; and cleaning mechanisms for cleaning the threshed and separated crop material. The cleaning mechanism comprising: a grain pan for receiving threshed and separated crop material and transporting the latter rearwardly; and an upper and lower sieves installed behind the grain pan and operable to receive the material from the grain pan and move it through and along. At least one portion of the grain pan is inclined in a sideways direction for sideways movement of the threshed and separated crop material while it is being transported rearwardly towards the sieve. This inclination spreads out the surplus of crop material supplied to one longitudinal section of the grain pan and delivers it in an even pattern to the front section of the upper sieve.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a threshing and separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material; and cleaning mechanism for cleaning the threshed and separated crop material. The cleaning mechanism comprising: a grain pan for receiving threshed and separated crop material and transporting the latter rearwardly; and an upper and lower sieves installed behind said grain pan and operable to receive the material from said grain pan and move it through and along. At least one portion of said grain pan is inclined in a sideways direction for sideways movement of said threshed and separated crop material while it is being transported rearwardly towards said sieve. This inclination spreads out the surplus of crop material supplied to one longitudinal section of the grain pan and delivers it in an even pattern to the front section of the upper sieve.

Abstract: The invention provides a harvesting shaker with a set of primary eccentric weights and secondary eccentric weights. The invention rotates the primary and secondary eccentric weights at the same speed, but may on the fly, using a hydraulic rotary actuator, change the rotational phase between the primary and secondary eccentric weights, causing an on the fly change of amplitude of the inventive shaker. The invention also uses a rotary valve, that does not require high pressure bearings, and that provides damping of the control system.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.

Abstract: The invention provides a shaker with a set of primary eccentric weights and secondary eccentric weights. The invention rotates the primary and secondary eccentric weights at the same speed, but may on the fly change the rotational phase between the primary and secondary eccentric weights, causing an on the fly change of amplitude of the inventive shaker.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ripple pan which compensates for the over-deposition of threshed grain onto the outer portions of the grain pan by channeling the grain to the center of the pan. The pan has a central section with ripples that are perpendicular to the flow of the grain, and two outer sections with outer edges that are elevated above the central section. The ripples on the two outer sections are biased such that the outer edges of the ripples are located rearward of the inner edges of the ripples. An alternate embodiment of this invention solves the problem of excessive grain deposition in the central section of the ripple pan. This embodiment has two outer sections configured similarly to the first embodiment and a central section with a center peak which slopes downward on either side of the peak to the inner edges of the outer sections.

Abstract: A device for separating vegetables and root-crops from admixtures, comprising a transporter mounted on a frame and a device mounted on the exit end of the transporter for removing the vegetables from the transporter. The transporter has a plurality of protruding fingers for receiving separation products comprised of vegetables and admixtures and an upper bed with at least one bent part so as to create upwardly and downwardly inclined parts. The bent part causes the protruding fingers to move apart and allow the separation products to drop therebetween, wherein after the fingers pass through the bent part, the fingers clamp together and destroy at least a portion of the admixtures.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.

Abstract: The invention provides a shaker with a set of primary eccentric weights and secondary eccentric weights. The invention rotates the primary and secondary eccentric weights at the same speed, but may on the fly change the rotational phase between the primary and secondary eccentric weights, causing an on the fly change of amplitude of the inventive shaker.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into/the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.