Abstract: A robotic arm and a method for harvesting a fruit. The robotic arm includes (i) a cutting unit that includes a fruit support element, stem cutting elements and an intermediate frame, (ii) a manipulator that is configured to (a) move the cutting unit of the robotic arm to a stem cutting position, and (b) move the stem cutting elements during a cutting of a stem connected to the fruit. When positioned in the stem cutting position, the intermediate frame is configured to substantially surround an intermediate portion of the fruit, the fruit support element is configured to support a lower portion of the fruit, and the stem cutting elements are configured to perform a movement between a first position to a second position thereby cutting the stem. The movement includes an elevating of the stem cutting elements.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for debris removal are provided comprising a flexible chute having a mouth, a body, and an exit. The flexible material can be collapsible. The flexible material is rip-stop nylon. When the chute is used, a user can take the chute in a collapsed form and scale a tree for pruning. Upon reaching a top area of the tree, the user secures the chute to the tree and allows the body and exit portions to deploy by releasing those sections. Gravity allows the body and exit portions to fall to towards the ground. As debris is removed from the tree, it is placed into the mouth and passes through the body and out exit. If desired the exit can be placed in other desired locations such as proximate to a wood chipping device for shredding debris or proximate to a truck bed, dump box or trailer for catching the debris as it exits the chute. Thus, the chute can safely collect, control and direct debris generated from pruning vegetation.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for harvesting generally spherical fruit by severing each fruit from its stem and conveying it using air flow into a receptacle. The harvesting apparatus includes a tubular body with a clamshell cutter for severing items of fruit from their stems, and a retractable throat that is able to restrict and then allow passage of the fruit. The apparatus further includes a control unit that can control the clamshell cutter and the throat. A funnel-shaped orifice is preferably included at the harvesting end of the tubular body. When a piece of fruit enters the harvesting end, it contacts the throat and blocks the airflow. The control unit senses the resulting pressure drop, and then activates the clamshell cutter while causing the throat to open so as to allow the piece of fruit to pass through the tubular body and into the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for harvesting items of spherical fruit by severing them from their stems and conveying them by means of air flow into a receptacle. The harvesting apparatus includes a tubular body with a clamshell cutter for severing items of fruit from their stems, and a retractable throat that is able to restrict and then allow passage of the fruit. The apparatus further includes a control unit that can control the clamshell cutter and the throat. A funnel-shaped orifice is preferably included at the harvesting end of the tubular body. When a piece of fruit enters the harvesting end, it contacts the throat and blocks the airflow. The control unit senses the resulting pressure drop, and simultaneously activates the clamshell cutter while causing the throat to open so as to allow the piece of fruit to pass through the tubular body and into the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting food from plants comprising a housing with drive mechanisms. Such mechanisms are provided with at least one shaft rotatable with respect to the housing about a first axis, each shaft having a plurality of fingers mounted thereon. Further provided are components for linearly reciprocating each shaft along a second axis generally perpendicular with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: This mechanical fruit picker is composed of a housing, (9, 11, 12, 16, 17), it has two jaws mounted on the top perimeter of the said housing (5, 6). They are mounted in such a manner that one passes through the other in the process of opening and closing. This is accomplished by them being hinged a small distance apart (8). A control rod (20) activated through a bracket (18) with a ring provided on the top end that encloses the sides of the jaws (10) is energized by a spring (15) to open and close the jaws. A cord (32) attached to the bottom of this rod takes the jaws down with a light pull. When released they snap shut. The ring then holds them shut until it is again pulled to gather another fruit. The fruit as it is engaged passes down through the housing into a flexible sleeve (25, 26) to the operator. A snap-on cap (22-24) of flexible material is also provided if only a few fruit are desired.

Abstract: A hand-operated fruit picker having a cage defining a fruit gathering chamber with a fruit receiving frontal opening, an upper concavity and a top central forwardly directed stem slit, and a gate hinged to the cage for movement from a fruit receiving to a fruit clamping position, is provided with an outwardly diverging scoop-like extension formed at the top forward margin of the opening to envelop the lateral members of a fruit cluster, and is further provided with removable chamber and gate linings of resilient tufted material contoured to extend the concavity of the chamber and serving to protect more sensitive and fragile fruits against bruising.

Abstract: A pole mounted, fruit picking device for collecting fruit from trees. The fruit picker is comprised of a double ring jaw assembly mounted on the top end of a pole, with the bottom jaw being stationary and having a receiving bag or chute attached to it. The upper ring has a cutting edge and is pivotally movable by a pull device on the pole handle to snap down against the lower jaw and sever a fruit stem. The severed fruit drops through the bottom ring into the receiving chute. Flexible guard bands on the top ring extend around both sides of the cutting edge, and serve to protect the fruit against damage as a fruit stem is severed.

Abstract: A vacuum operated fruit harvesting machine is disclosed for harvesting fruit from fruit trees. The fruit harvesting machine of the invention comprises a picker head connected to an airflow control valve. A discharge valve is connected to the airflow control valve by means of a plurality of rigid or flexible conduits. The picker head comprises a conduit having the internal wall portion. A gripper is angularly positioned relative to the internal wall of the curved conduit for gripping the stem of the fruit. As the fruit is conducted into the picker head, the fruit pivots against the internal wall which functions as a fulcrum causing the stem to be peeled away from the fruit at the calex thereof.

Abstract: The applicant's hand operated fruit picker and bag is characterized by a cage which has a narrower mid-section, horizontal zone or area, the upper section of which cage is concave in shape, forming a pocket, a pole to which the cage is attached at the pole's upper extremity, a horizontally pivoted gate facing the cage, which gate is held in normal closed position by springs attached to it and within the cage, the said gate having an upper section and a lower section, the angle between the two sections being about 137.degree.