Abstract

A system including one or more inspectors each configured to automatically inspect crops individually to classify the crops into a classification including two or more classes. The system also can include one or more respective separators associated with each of the one or more inspectors. The one or more respective separators can be configured to automatically physically separate the crops into two or more areas based on the classification. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
• B65B 1/32 - Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality of the material fed or filled by weighing
• B65B 1/22 - Reducing volume of filled material by vibration

Abstract

A harvesting vehicle including harvesters configured to pick crops. The harvesting vehicle also can include a crop fluid transporter configured to float and transport the crops in a fluid on the harvesting vehicle. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
• B65B 1/32 - Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality of the material fed or filled by weighing
• B65B 1/22 - Reducing volume of filled material by vibration

Abstract

A system including a picking apparatus including at least two grippers. Each of the at least two grippers is configured to pick a respective individual crop of crops of a plant. The system is configured to move the at least two grippers of the picking apparatus in a rotational path. The system is configured to stop rotation of the picking apparatus when a first gripper of the at least two grippers is moved to a picking position along the rotational path. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/00 - Picking of fruits, vegetables, hops, or the likeDevices for shaking trees or shrubs
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A harvesting vehicle including harvesters configured to pick crops. The system also can include a crop fluid transporter configured to transport the crops. The system additionally can include one or more inspectors to classify the crops into a classification. The system further can include one or more packers configured to pack the crops in containers. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 5/08 - Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
• B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
• B65B 25/00 - Packaging other articles presenting special problems
• B65B 25/02 - Packaging agricultural or horticultural products

Abstract

A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
• B65B 1/32 - Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality of the material fed or filled by weighing
• B65B 1/22 - Reducing volume of filled material by vibration

Abstract

A method including transporting fragile fruit into a hopper. The method also includes transferring the fragile fruit from the hopper into a container that is at least partially submerged in a fluid. The method additionally includes raising the container out of the fluid while the fragile fruit are within the container. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
• B65B 1/32 - Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality of the material fed or filled by weighing
• B65B 1/22 - Reducing volume of filled material by vibration

Abstract

An apparatus and method for filling a container with fragile fruit involving submerging the container in water to better distribute the fragile fruit within the container. The container may be filled with fragile fruit either before or after being submerged in water. The fragile fruit may be transported using a stream of water or other suitable fluid medium.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65B 25/04 - Packaging fruit or vegetables
• B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
• B65B 1/32 - Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality of the material fed or filled by weighing
• B65B 1/22 - Reducing volume of filled material by vibration

Abstract

A harvesting vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels coupled to the body, and a pick deck coupled to the body. The pick deck can include a plurality of picking systems configured to be carried over plants growing in at least one plant bed to harvest crops of the plants. The pick deck can include at least one sensor system configured to provide distance measurement data of a height of the pick deck over the at least one plant bed. The harvesting vehicle also includes a plurality of actuators each adjustably coupling the pick deck to the body, and a suspension control system configured to adjust at least a vertical position of the pick deck with respect to the body based at least in part on the distance measurement data. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A system including a first carrier configured to carry at least one first robotic system. The system also can include a second carrier configured to be coupled to a vehicle that is movable across a surface. The first carrier can be movably coupled to and carried by the second carrier. The system can be configured to automatically hold the first carrier in a first position and stationary in a first direction with respect to the surface during a first time period while the vehicle moves the second carrier in the first direction with respect to the surface during the first time period, such that at least a portion the at least one first robotic system carried by the first carrier is stationary in the first direction with respect to the surface during the first time period. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops

Abstract

A harvesting vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels coupled to the body, and a pick deck coupled to the body. The pick deck can include a plurality of picking systems configured to be carried over plants growing in at least one plant bed to harvest crops of the plants. The pick deck can include at least one sensor system configured to provide distance measurement data of a height of the pick deck over the at least one plant bed. The harvesting vehicle also includes a plurality of actuators each adjustably coupling the pick deck to the body, and a suspension control system configured to adjust at least a vertical position of the pick deck with respect to the body based at least in part on the distance measurement data. Other embodiments are described.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A system including a picking apparatus including at least two grippers. Each of the at least two grippers can extend radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus. Each of the at least two grippers can be configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of a plant. The system can be configured to rotate the at least two grippers of the picking apparatus around the central axis in a rotational path. The system can be configured to stop rotation of the picking apparatus when a first gripper of the at least two grippers is rotated to a picking position along the rotational path. The system can be configured to adjust an opening width of the first gripper at the picking position to pick a first individual crop of the crops of the plant. The opening width of the first gripper can be adjusted based on a size of the first individual crop to fit the first gripper around the first individual crop. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/00 - Picking of fruits, vegetables, hops, or the likeDevices for shaking trees or shrubs
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/253 - Portable motorised fruit pickers

Abstract

A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A system including one or more first carriers each configured to carry two or more robotic systems. The system also can include one or more second carriers configured to be coupled to a vehicle that is movable across a surface. Each of the one or more first carriers each can be movably coupled to and carried by one of the one or more second carriers. The system can be configured to automatically hold each of the one or more first carriers in a first carrier position and stationary with respect to the surface for a first time period while the vehicle moves the one or more second carriers in a first direction with respect to the surface, such that at least a portion of each of the two or more robotic systems carried by each of the one or more first carriers is carried in a stationary manner with respect to the surface for the first time period by each of the one or more first carriers. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops

Abstract

A vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels movably coupled to the body, a guidance control system. The plurality of wheels can be configured to roll through rows between plant beds such that at least a portion of the body moves above the plant beds. The guidance control system can be configured to guide the vehicle along the rows. The guidance control system can be configured to track a different individual plant location of each individual plant of plants that are either planned for growth or growing in the plant beds. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Abstract

A system including a foliage displacement system. The foliage displacement system can include a support structure and two or more surfaces movably coupled to the support structure and configured to move between an open configuration of the foliage displacement system and a closed configuration of the foliage displacement system. The two or more surfaces can be configured to move foliage of a plant toward a center of the plant such that crops of the plant that underlie the foliage are exposed when the foliage displacement system moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• A01D 91/00 - Methods for harvesting agricultural products
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops

Abstract

A harvesting vehicle including a body including a plurality of picking systems configured to be carried over plants growing in one or more plant beds to harvest crops of the plants. Each picking system can include an imaging system and can be configured to (a) determine a height of the picking system over one of the one or more plant beds as the picking system is carried over the plants and (b) provide distance measurement data based on the height. The harvesting vehicle also can include a plurality of wheels each having a vertical position with respect to the body. The harvesting vehicle also can include a suspension control system configured to perform: receiving the distance measurement data from the plurality of picking systems; determining adjustment information for an adjustment of the vertical position of one or more of the plurality of wheels with respect to the body based at least in part on the distance measurement data provided by at least one of the plurality of picking systems; and controlling the adjustment of the vertical position of the one or more of the plurality of wheels with respect to the body based on the adjustment information. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops
• G01B 5/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/24 - Devices for picking apples or like fruit

Goods & Services

Robotic lifting, conveying and transmitting machines and arms; robotic mechanisms in the sectors of farming, agriculture and livestock and in processing cereals, fruits, vegetables, and food, namely, farming robots, agriculture robots and livestock robots and fruit, vegetable and food processing robots; engines and electrical engines not for land vehicles

Abstract

Various embodiments include a device for selectively harvesting crops on a plant. The device can include a picking apparatus. The picking apparatus can be rotatable around a central axis. The picking apparatus can include a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from the central axis, and each configured to pick a different individual one of the crops. Each of the plurality of grippers can be adjustable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the open position to open around the individual crop. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the closed position to securely hold the individual crop when the picking apparatus is rotated around the central axis. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops
• A01D 46/30 - Robotic devices for individually picking crops

Abstract

Various embodiments include a device for selectively harvesting crops on a plant. The device can include a picking apparatus. The picking apparatus can be rotatable around a central axis. The picking apparatus can include a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from the central axis, and each configured to pick a different individual one of the crops. Each of the plurality of grippers can be adjustable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the open position to open around the individual crop. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the closed position to securely hold the individual crop when the picking apparatus is rotated around the central axis. Other embodiments are provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 46/20 - Platforms with lifting and lowering devices
• A01D 46/00 - Picking of fruits, vegetables, hops, or the likeDevices for shaking trees or shrubs
• A01D 45/00 - Harvesting of standing crops

Goods & Services

Robotic lifting, conveying and transmitting machines and arms; robotic mechanisms in the sectors of farming, agriculture and livestock and in processing cereals, fruits, vegetables, and food, namely, farming robots, agriculture robots and livestock robots and fruit, vegetable and food processing robots; engines and electrical engines not for land vehicles