Mechanical harvesting method for removing fruit pods from vine - by distending vine and cutting exposed pods protruding through grid

摘要

Pods or similar fruit are separated from a vine or plant by distending the plant to expose the pods. supporting the distended plant on a grid having openings allowing free passage of the pods and relatively moving the grid and a cutter to cut pods which are suspended through the openings. Pressure may be applied to the plant to encourage the pods to pass through the openings. The plant may be distended by moving differents parts at different rates ina predetermined path. The distended plants may be passed successively to several grids at each of which pods are cut. The grids may be vibrated and the plants may be cut into sections before delivery to the grids.