Abstract: A chute apparatus is comprised of a guide member, an arched member, and a floor member. The guide member guides an object entering the chute apparatus. The arched member receives the object from the guide member and redirects the object toward an exit port of the chute apparatus. The floor member receives the object from the arched member and directs the object toward the exit port of the chute apparatus. It is contemplated that the object may comprise a fruit, such as a berry or the like.

Abstract: A shaped conveyor assembly configured for use in association with a harvester comprising a first side lower conveyor sub-assembly and a second lower conveyor subassembly. One or both of the sub-assemblies having a frame structure, a discharge assembly and a conveyor assembly. The frame structure has a gathering portion, an outward portion and a terminating portion. The gathering portion is positioned proximate the first end and spaced apart from the second end. The terminating portion is positioned proximate the second end and spaced apart from the first end. The outward portion extends therebetween, the outward portion being inclined in an upward direction relative to the gathering portion, and directed in an outward direction, thereby extending away from the channel, and away from the other one of the first side and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A harvester having a frame, an agitating system and a product gathering system. The frame has a central portion configured to receive and pass plants therethrough. The agitating system is positioned within the central portion that has a first side agitating assembly further comprising an axle with an axis of rotation and a plural of axial wands extending axially outwardly therefrom in a spaced apart configuration. The axle has a first end which is both above and outboard of the second end and the axle is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof. The axial wands can be agitated. The product gathering system includes an outer guide wall positioned below the rotary agitator assembly. The outer guide wall is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof.

Abstract: A shaped conveyor assembly configured for use in association with a harvester comprising a first side lower conveyor sub-assembly and a second lower conveyor sub-assembly. One or both of the sub-assemblies having a frame structure, a discharge assembly and a conveyor assembly. The frame structure has a gathering portion, an outward portion and a terminating portion. The gathering portion is positioned proximate the first end and spaced apart from the second end. The terminating portion is positioned proximate the second end and spaced apart from the first end. The outward portion extends therebetween, the outward portion being inclined in an upward direction relative to the gathering portion, and directed in an outward direction, thereby extending away from the channel, and away from the other one of the first side and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A harvester having a frame, an agitating system and a product gathering system. The frame has a central portion configured to receive and pass plants therethrough. The agitating system is positioned within the central portion that has a first side agitating assembly further comprising an axle with an axis of rotation and a plural of axial wands extending axially outwardly therefrom in a spaced apart configuration. The axle has a first end which is both above and outboard of the second end and the axle is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof. The axial wands can be agitated. The product gathering system includes an outer guide wall positioned below the rotary agitator assembly. The outer guide wall is angled relative to a vertical plane bisecting the frame body from front to back thereof.

Abstract: A container denester apparatus which overcomes, among other problems, the problems identified above. The denester apparatus positively controls the flanges of the container so as to individually denest a lowermost container from a stack of containers. The apparatus protects the container by spreading the force required to denest the container along much of the flange structure. In addition, the stack of containers above the lowermost container are retained, again along much of the flange structure of the immediately adjacent container.

Abstract: A container denester apparatus for sequentially supplying nested containers, the apparatus comprising an indexer chassis, an indexing assembly and a rotating indexing arm. The rotating indexing arm is configured to extend into the clamshell cavity, which provides for the passage of clamshell containers therethrough. The indexing arm is rotationally coupled to at least one of the at least one rack gear, and has a lower cam profile and an upper cam profile, with the cam profiles extending into the clamshell cavity when properly rotated. In a starting position, a clamshell container is precluded from passage through the clamshell cavity, and, a portion of an underside surface rests upon the upper cam profile. Through rotation of the rotating indexing arm the lower cam profile forces the downward movement of the clamshell container while retaining the other clamshell containers nestedly coupled thereto.