【文章內(nèi)容簡(jiǎn)介】
vacuum is applied, this diameter being not substantially greater than the normal diameter of the fruit being harvested. A generally rigid cylinder member 23 is arranged in depending relationship from the inwardly converging conical portion 20, cylinder 23 having a plurality of aspirating openings 24 around the periphery thereof. These openings are adapted to permit a flow of air to pass through, this flow being created by the operation of the vacuum means shown generally at 26. As can be seen in the harvesting head means, a second generally flexible member, preferably a conical member, is shown at 28, this member being coupled to the rigid cylinder at the end opposite to the inwardly converging conical portion. Member 28 is arranged to close upon itself, if desired, such as is illustrated in FIG. 2. For most purposes, member 28 may be fabricated from a flexible film substance such as flexible polyethylene, stressoriented polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. With continued attention being directed to FIG. 1, it will be seen that sleeve 15 is sealingly secured to sleeve 16 at axially spaced points disposed on opposite sides of the aspirating openings 2424. These seal areas are shown as at 30 and 31. Also, means defining a port are arranged on the wall of the sleeve 15 as at 32, these port means being arranged to couple conduit 12 to the harvesting head 11. Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 of the drawing wherein an item of fruit is shown at 35, with the fruit just entering the constriction formed in the inwardly converging conical opening 20, the circumference or surface of the fruit touching the constricted area 21, as illustrated. The vacuum means 26, drawing or aspirating upon the structure, tends to close the opening as at 28, while drawing the fruit 35 inwardly through the system. Upon passing through the opening 21, the fruit will drop through the harvesting head in the fashion shown in . It can be appreciated, therefore, that opening 28 is adapted to intermittently openandclose in response to the vacuum drawing on the structure, and in response to the blockage of the throat means at the constricted area 21. This blocking occurs whenever an article of fruit is present in the throat area. In order to cushion the fall of the individual articles of fruit from the harvesting head into the collecting station, the fruit guiding sleeve 13 is arranged to control the fall of the individual articles and gently deposit them in the collecting box or station such as the box 14. In this fashion, fragile fruits may be collected without risking damage to the skin, flesh, or meat. With attention being directed to FIG. 4, it can be appreciated how the harvesting head 11 may be secured by a closure ring or the like 40 to the wand 41. In this fashion, it is possible for an individual to harvest fruit or nuts from a tree without necessarily having to climb a ladder to ascend to a point where the individual articles of