Mobile apparatus for retrieving and processing bulk harvested nuts and fruits

摘要

An apparatus for processing nuts and fruits, and more specifically, to a mobile apparatus that picks-up fruits and nuts, and similar products from the ground and conditions them, in bulk. The mobile apparatus conditions the fruits and nuts by removing debris with a combination of a belted conveyor and a high volume fan. The plenum of the apparatus is sized to achieve a constant velocity of air throughout the portions of the plenum in contact with the product, providing a constant suction to prevent the entrainment of product into the dust collection system. The processing apparatus can be utilized in a conditioner that picks-up and processes the product and then returns the cleaned and conditioned product to the floor of the orchard or grove. The processing apparatus can also be utilized in a harvester that picks-up and processes the product and then stores the product temporarily in a bin.