Overhanging tines for orienting bast stalks

摘要

An apparatus for harvesting bast stalks includes a cutting device and a first moving belt. The cutting device is configured to receive bast stalks includes at least one cutter at a front end of the apparatus, where the cutter is configured to cut bast stalks from bast plants. The first moving belt has a first end for receiving the cut bast stalks from the cutter, a second end, and a top surface configured to move the cut bast stalks between the first end and the second end. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced tines extending toward the top surface of the first belt to orient a substantial majority of the bast stalks generally parallel to each other and generally along the direction the first moving belt is configured to move.

主权项

1. A harvester for harvesting bast stalks, the harvester comprising:
at least one cutting device configured to receive bast stalks and comprising at least one cutter at a front end of the harvester, the at least one cutter configured to cut bast stalks from bast plants; a first moving belt having a first end for receiving the cut bast stalks from the at least one cutter, a second end, and a top surface configured to move the cut bast stalks between the first end and the second end; a plurality of sets of spaced tines extending toward the top surface of the first moving belt and disposed laterally across the first moving belt between a first side and a second side of the first moving belt to orient a substantial majority of the bast stalks generally parallel to each other and generally along the direction the first moving belt is configured to move, each set of spaced tines in the plurality of sets of spaced tines being affixed to and supported by a respective bar of a plurality of bars elevated above the first moving belt and substantially perpendicular to a length of the first moving belt extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the plurality of sets of spaced tines extend from the plurality of bars toward the first moving belt, the tines in each set of spaced tines are connected at proximal ends to the respective bar, and distal ends of the tines in each set of spaced tines form a line parallel to and proximate the top surface of the first moving belt; and at least one actuator connected to the plurality of bars and configured to move the plurality of bars back and forth across the first moving belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first moving belt is configured to move, the at least one actuator configured to move the plurality of bars in such a way that operation of the actuator moves the line of the distal ends of the tines along a linear path parallel to and proximate the top surface of the first moving belt.