Patents by Inventor Christine Nakas

Christine Nakas 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).

  • Patent number: 8479484
    Abstract: The invention includes the steps of disposing at least a portion of the stream containing leafstalks (P) and berries (G) on a continuous conveyor belt (5) in a longitudinal direction (L2), disposing the portion on a discontinuous conveyor belt (6) longitudinally aligned with the continuous belt. The discontinuous belt has vertical (7) openings with a geometry that is configured for enabling berries (G) to pass through them and to retain leafstalks (P) on the discontinuous belt, thereby eliminating leafstalks (P) remaining on the discontinuous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: CNH France S. A.
    Inventors: Christine Nakas, Christophe R. Defurne
  • Patent number: 8267256
    Abstract: A device (1) for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches is mounted in a harvesting machine. The sorting device includes at least two transverse sorter bars (3) driven with a cyclic relative movement, the cyclic relative movement enabling longitudinal displacement of the stream over the bars, while opening passages (4) between them. The passages allow detached berries to drop under the sorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Berthet, Christophe R. Defurne, Christine Nakas
  • Publication number: 20110197563
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for eliminating leafstalks (P) from a harvested stream in a berry (G) harvesting machine, said method comprising successively the steps of disposing at least a portion of the stream containing leafstalks (P) and berries (G) on a continuous conveyor belt (5) in a longitudinal direction (L2); disposing said portion on a discontinuous conveyor belt (6) longitudinally aligned with said continuous belt, said discontinuous belt having vertical (7) openings with a geometry that is configured for enabling berries (G) to pass through them and to retain leafstalks (P) on said discontinuous belt; eliminating leafstalks (P) remaining on said discontinuous belt. The invention also concerns an extraction conveyor and an elimination system for implementing this method, as well as a berry harvesting machine including such an extraction conveyor or such an elimination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Christine Nakas, Christophe R. Defurne
  • Publication number: 20100275566
    Abstract: The invention relates a device (1) for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches, said device being intended to be mounted in a harvesting machine. The sorting device comprises at least two transverse sorter bars (3) driven with a cyclic relative movement, said movement enabling longitudinal displacement of the stream over said bars, while opening passages (4) between them, said passages being adapted to allow detached berries to drop under said sorting device. The invention also relates to a separation system including such a sorting device and a destemming device, and a harvesting machine including such a separation system and possibly such a sorting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Berthet, Christophe R. Defurne, Christine Nakas
  • Publication number: 20100223899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of eliminating leaf stalks (P) from a harvested stream in a machine for harvesting fruit berries (G), said method successively comprising the steps of feeding the harvested stream to a sorting device through which a stream portion comprising leaf stalks (P) and fruit berries (G) can pass; recovering the portion passing through on a conveyor: removing from the conveyor components of the passing through portion other than leaf stalks (P); eliminating leaf stalks (P) remaining on the conveyor. The invention also relates to a sorting device, an extraction conveyor, and an elimination system for implementing this method, and a fruit berry harvesting machine including this kind of elimination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Christophe R. Defurne, Christine Nakas