Independent produce sorter for installation on a produce harvester

摘要

A produce sorting unit that is a separate item of commerce intended for mounting on an existing produce harvester that has a conveyor for conveying produce to be sorted or graded. The unit comprises a frame that is adapted to be lifted onto the existing harvester and installed without requiring major alterations or modifications to the harvester. The frame supports a pair of produce elevating conveyor belts that extend outwardly from the frame and downwardly to the harvester conveyor to pick up produce therefrom. A horizontal conveyor belt supported on the frame receives produce from the elevating conveyor belts and carries it to an inspection location. The unit also includes a rejected produce conveyor belt underlying and extending transversely to the horizontal conveyor belt. Optic-electronic sorting means secured to the frame is responsive to light received from the produce as it is discharged from the horizontal conveyor at the inspection location. Ejection paddles operable in response to the sorting means can be moved into the paths of the produce to divert unacceptable produce to the rejected produce conveyor belt. The unit includes means for driving each of the belts.