The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 30, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1991
Applicant:
Inventor:
David J Meester, Fresno, CA (US);
Assignee:
FMC Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A01D / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
563271 ; 563281 ;
Abstract
The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention provides a tined reel which separates vines to allow disengaged fruit caught between the vines to be released. In addition, the invention provides a blowing and pinching means to blow and pull vines from the collected fruit. The invention also provides feeder bars which direct vines to a shaker brush and provides improved separation.