AU2018202348A1 - Harvester apparatus for tree fruits - Google Patents

Abstract

AUSTRALIA PATENT Standard patent application Dated: 3 April 2018 Title: Harvesting machine for tropical tree fruit crops 3 April 2018 This invention is addressing a more effective method of harvesting mango fruits, but not limited to. When the stalk at the top of the mango fruit is broken off, a sticky, milky sap exudes, which causes sap burn. Sap burn causes black lesions on the fruit, leading to rot and reducing storage and consumption time. When the sap becomes in contact with the fruit surface, it causes brownish-black to black streaks or blotches on the mango skin due to its acidic nature causing quick decay of the fruit. Research and experimental work has proven that increased harvesting productivity can be achieved by carefully picking mangoes and braking off the stem/stalk at the top of the fruit and immediately after, de-sapping in a mixture of water and sodium carbonate, followed by washing in tap water. This process neutralises the sap and reduces damage to the mango skin. This invention consists of a prototype machine (mobile unit) that consist of a tarp/trampoline, trough/tank, conveyor and a fruit bin for collection of the harvested mangoes. When the prototype machine is in operation at least one person, but not limited to, are walking and manually pick mangoes from the trees. In this process they brake the stalk off each fruit and throw the fruit into the tarp/trampoline which in turn is submerged into a trough/tank, where at the bottom is a conveyor for transporting the fruit into a fruit bin for collection of harvested mangoes. The trough/tank is full of water mixture sodium carbonate, which naturalise the mango sap. Along the conveyor which at some point a shower sprinkling type system, is situated, that is adjustable in flow rate thus rinsing travelling fruits using clean mixture of water/sodium carbonate pumped from tanks located on the mobile unit. The rinsing water/sodium carbonate flows onto a tray under the conveyor and returns into the trough/tank. The rate of rinsing water will overflow the trough/tank and bring with it mango sap and thus discharge it on the ground in the field. Mango sap floating in the trough/tank has now been neutralised and does not stick to the mango skin. The machine has an engine for powering forward/backward motion and is able to accurately regulate its ground speed and frequently stop. The engine is also powering the conveyor that incorporates a variable speed system that the driver/operator can adjust depending on the rate of harvesting and the submersion time required of the type of mangoes being harvested, thus ensuring de sapping is effective and intake rate of fruit at any given time is optimum and efficient. <END OF THIS APPLICATION>

Description

Description of the invention

Technical field [0001] Scientific research has proven that mango sap can be managed during the harvesting process by submerging the fruit into Mango Wash®; a mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 with added detergent therefore neutralising the mango sap. Agral® was used as a wetting agent together with added detergent.

[0002] A prototype machine (mobile unit) was developed based on significant scientific research work conducted in the mango industry.

[0003] It was realised that it would be possible to devise an effective harvesting machine that would be able to harvest high tonnage of mango per day using traditional methods of manually picking fruits from the tree and throwing mangoes into a tarp/trampoline.

[0004] A prototype machine (mobile unit) was developed. The machine consist of a tarp/trampoline, trough/tank for submersion, a conveyor for transporting mangoes, and a fruit bin for collecting the mangoes.

[0005] When the machine is in operation, it travels very slowly, and stops frequently in between two rows of mango trees. In front, on the side and at the rear of the mobile machine several people are walking and manually pick mangoes from the trees and in the process they brake the stalk off each fruit and throw the fruit into the tarp/trampoline.

[0006] The prototype machine has an engine for powering forward motion and is able to accurately regulate its ground speed and frequently stop. The engine is also powering the conveyor either by a hydraulic or electrical motor. The conveyor motor has incorporated a variable speed system that the driver/operator can adjust depending on the rate of harvesting and the submersion time required of the type of mangoes being harvested thus, ensuring de-sapping is effective and the intake rate of fruit at any given time is optimal and efficient.

[0007] Furthermore, the engine also powers at least two water/sodium carbonate/detergent pumps, together with a hydraulic or electrical actuator for tilting and lifting the fruit bin at the rear of the machine. The system for tilting the angle and lifting the fruit bin is also controlled by the driver/operator to ensure that fruits are gently falling into the fruit bin.

[0008] One pump (pump 1) transfers and circulates water/sodium carbonate/detergent from trough/tank to the tarp/trampoline high volumes in the vicinity of 300 litre per minute to 500 litre per minute. The tarp/trampoline has a funnel shape and is separated into four sections, which are divided by simple vertical tarps so the pickers can throw the fruit into the vertical tarps. The fruit falls into the funnel shaped tarp/trampoline and into the trough/tank and are therefore submerged in water/sodium carbonate/detergent, generally known as Mango Wash® [0009] From the trough/tank the conveyor (belt) transports mangoes from a submerged position, up and along a partly horizontal but inclined towards the trough/tank, and along the conveyor which at some point a shower sprinkling type system, is situated with an adjustable in flow rate thus rinsing travelling fruits using clean water/sodium carbonate/detergent or Mango Wash® pumped from tanks located on the mobile machine. Rinsing water consisting of water/sodium carbonate/detergent or Mango Wash® flows onto a tray under the conveyor and return into the trough/tank. The rate of rinsing water will overflow the trough/tank and bring with it mango sap and thus discharge it on the ground in the field. Mango sap floating in the trough/tank has now been neutralised and does not stick to the mango skin.

[0010] When the machine is in operation traveling between two rows of trees (or frequently stopping) the conveyor speed is adjusted to suit the rate of harvest.

[0011] In operation the driver/operator of the prototype machine is situated at the rear on the side next to the conveyor near the fruit bin. The driver is also involved in the process of harvesting such as quality control of fruit that has been harvested and travelling on the conveyor. The driver/operator is checking and evaluating each fruit passing for the removal of its stalk so that the fruit can drain its sap before it travels into the bin. In the event that the stalk has not been removed from fruits, the driver/operator will do so and throw those particular fruits back into the tarp/trampoline, ensuring submersion and de-sapping will take place.

[0012] Using this invention, harvesting can be accomplished in a time-frame available due to desirable weather conditions, fruit ripening stage and with much less damage to fruits.

[0013] The effectiveness of this harvester (this invention) if based on an accurate and efficient control system of the forward travel speed of the harvester machine, the conveyor speed, the flow rate of the mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 with added detergent pumped to the tarp/trampoline and the rinsing flow rate, which is the overflow of the trough/tank thus the discharge of mango sap on the ground.

[0014] The invention will be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which are:-

Items for all relevant figures for reference as follows: 1. Engine la. Tarp/trampoline lb. Vertical trap/trampoline lc Water pipe for wetting tarp/trampoline ld. Tarp frame le. Mango(s) lf. Shower/sprinkler system 2. Front wheels 2a. Rear wheels 4. Trough/tank 5 Tanks for rinsing water 6. Bin for fruits 7. Conveyor 7a. Tray under conveyor 8. Roof for driver/operator 9. Driver/operator

Figure 2. Side view

Figure 4. Top view

Figure 5. Side view

Figure 6. Rearview

Figure 7. Front view

Figure 8. Trough/tank and conveyor view

Figure 9. Schematic view of harvester system

Figure 10. Schematic diagram/view of pumping system

Figure 11. Mango Fruit

Figure 16.13. Mango Fruit Schematic view

Industry introduction [0015] Mango is one of the most popular fruits in the world due to its attractive colour, delicious taste and excellent nutritional properties. Known for its sweet fragrance and flavour, the mango has delighted the senses for more than 4000 years. A celebrated fruit, mango, is now produced in most of the tropical parts of the globe.

Mango production worldwide [0016] The rapid growth of mango production in recent years has been due to its expansion into new growing regions of the New Worlds, China and parts of Africa; the planting of regular bearing selections; and the adoption of modern field practices, which include irrigation management, control of flowering, etc. There is an estimated 3.7 million ha of mango worldwide.

[0017] Mangoes form a regular part of the diet of people in areas where the fruit is easily grown. Over many years mangoes have been used in ice cream and mixture of fruit juice.

[0018] The mango is the most important fruit of Asia, and currently ranks fifth in the total production among major fruit crops worldwide after bananas and plantain, citrus, grapes and apples. The top eight largest mango exporting countries are India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and the Philippines with high export value in US$100's of million.

[0019] By far India is the largest mango producing country in the world with annual mango production of 16,337,400 tons a year, which accounts for over 40% of the world's total production of mango. India is exporting mangoes to many country throughout the world.

Mango production in Australia [0020] Australian is a very small producer of the world's mango production. The Australian mango industry produced 50,000 tonnes in the 2015-2016 season of fresh mangoes each season, of which up to 10 per cent is exported to markets in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Australian mangoes are the most expensive in the world. This is due to high labour costs, remote production regions involving high cost of infrastructure such as accommodation, the high cost of establishing and operating cooling rooms and very long transport distances to market, such as capital cities in Australia.

[0021] In contrast the Australian domestic market is very profitable so growers tend to be spot sellers in overseas markets, where price drives a transactional approach to exports.

[0022] However, Australian mangoes have unique genetics, resulting in a product that appeals to premium export markets. The industry leaders believe that the Australian mango industry has the potential to double exports over the next three years, if there is a focussed effort by industry, growers and exporters to obtain very high quality of fruits. The Australian Mango Industry is aiming to export 20% (10,000 tonnes) of production by 2018-19.

Industry harvesting problems [0023] In order to supply the superior quality mango to domestic and international markets, many problems need to be solved.

[0024] The Australian mango industry is currently facing many challenges including cost of harvesting, limited shelf life of fruit and quality issues due to extensive transportation distance to the markets. One of the quality concerns for mango producers and exporters is sap burn damage resulting in poor cosmetic quality fruits, which lower the price of fruit both for the domestic and international markets. The fruit from mango trees does not mature all at one time so growers are required to pick what is mature and then harvest again, adding extra cost for producers. Generally, fruit will take at least several days to ripen once it is picked.

[0025] In Australia, many types of harvesting equipment aids have been produced by farmers. The equipment is damaging mangoes and is unreliable and unsuitable for increased production. Poor harvest techniques, equipment and handling practices while harvesting have generally been reasons for reducing the quality and consumer acceptability. Therefore, for the delivery of a competitive commodity in the market and to fetch maximum price is a great opportunity for Australia.

[0026] One of the major problems while harvesting mangoes is to control, or eliminate, the sap burn on the mango skin. Different experiments have been conducted to devise a strategy to eliminate sap burn.

[0027] All over the world mangoes are harvested manually by people. The fruit is picked from the trees by hand or with long stakes (sometime an elevating work platform may be used that may be mobile). Generally some equipment is used for assistance for collecting the mangoes. To harvest mangoes, the fruit needs a tug. If the stem snaps off easily the fruit is ripe.

[0028] The stem at the top of the fruit is broken off and shortly after a sticky, milky sap exudes, which can cause sap burn. Sap burn causes black lesions on the fruit, leading to rot and reducing storage and consumption time.

[0029] In many countries, where labour cost is very low, traditional harvesting methods is used, the fruit is picked with a long stalk, for example of 100mm to 150mm and laid on a tray so the sap will drain on the ground in the field. This prevents sap from coming in contact with the skin of the fruit. The fruit is later collected into a bin.

[0030] During harvesting the fruit, sap or heavy sugary waxy material gets exuded on the fruit skin. This sap is very sticky and attracts soils which adheres to the fruit, making it dirty and high in sugars and other nutrients, attracting microorganisms which grow rapidly on the sap and cause quick decay of the fruit. When the sap is on the fruit surface, it causes brownish-black to black streaks or blotches on the mango skin due to its acidic nature.

[0031] Skin damage symptoms may appear after a few hours as the ripening progresses. Damage caused to the skin of the mango fruit by contact with sap exuded from the cut or broken pedicel reduces cosmetic quality and storage life of the fruit. Mango sap removed from the fruit can be separated into two distinct fractions on standing: oil and a protein-polysaccharide fraction, the former being responsible for skin damage.

[0032] Damage occurs as the oil fraction makes contact with and enters the mango skin, which is normally via the lenticels. A major component of this oil fraction is terpinolene which give symptoms indistinguishable from sap burn damage when applied to the fruit surface. Sap exuded from the mango leaf petioles also contain terpinolene, but its concentration is generally less than 1% of the concentration in pedicel sap and this sap is not damaging to the fruit's skin. The intensity of sap burn damage depends on many factors including the cultivars, tree age, fruit maturity and conditions under which harvesting takes place.

[0033] Traditional harvesting techniques and postharvest handling procedures prevailing in the mango industry severely plague the quality along the supply chains. Significant volume of mangoes (about 50%) undergoes sap contamination due to poor harvesting methods; while about 25% of the fruit is harvested at improper stage of maturation.

Background research of harvesting techniques [0034] Poor harvesting techniques and postharvest handling procedures, contribute towards high economic losses due to poor value at retail.

[0035] Unfortunately, limited research work has been conducted regarding on-farm interventions.

[0036] Effective use of available research work could add value to the product and help obtaining better quality of produce in supply chain. Further, this in turn will give better returns to the stakeholders.

[0037] Over the last few years commercial produces in Australia have taken up some experimental trials.

[0038] Improving the efficiency of harvesting practices has been undertaken by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) mainly evaluating the benefits of tree architectural training systems on trellis grown mangoes and also at Walkamin Research Station in Australia.

[0039] Dr Cameron McConchie from the Berrimah Farm, Darwin of Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government has also conducted some research work on mango sap management.

[0040] Some research work has been conducted within Philippines mango crop management project co-funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

[0041] Universities in Pakistan have conducted studies in mango harvesting techniques and postharvest handling procedures. The studies were undertaken to conduct a comparative impact analysis of the traditional and improved on-farm harvest and handling practices on the mango fruit quality along the domestic supply chains. Reference has been made to some research work by: Mazhar, M.S., M. Amin, A.U. Malik, J. Campbell and P. Johnson, 2011. Improved harvest and de-sapping practices affect mango fruit quality along the supply chains. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 13: 776-780.

[0042] In most countries, traditionally harvested mangoes are picked with stalks of 100mm to 150mm in length and laid on a tray so the sap would drain on the ground in the field followed by collecting the mangoes in cushioned baskets and then shifting the mangoes to a packing shed and rough packaging in retail boxes/crates. In Australia, this would be a time consuming and costly method.

[0043] I has been found that mango sap can be managed during the harvesting process by submerging for 2-3 min dip the fruit into Mango Wash®; a mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 with added detergent followed by washing in simple tap water. Mango Wash® is a neutraliser and detergent mixture that has been developed over some time, and does not have additives except clean water.

[0044] Mango sap is acidic, sugary, proteinaceous and sticky in nature and has been reported to be associated with secondary pathogenic infections.

[0045] The improved practice of lime de-sapping along with subsequent washing denatures washes it away along with various dust particles from the fruit skin, imparting an attractive and clean appearance to the mango fruit and reducing the chances of invasion and proliferation of the spores of various sap associated pathogens (fungi &amp; bacteria).

[0046] It has been found that the traditional harvest and handling practices were responsible for physical damage to the mango fruit at the farm (15% affected fruit). Further increase in physical damages were also noted at retail in the fruit of both practices.

[0047] Occurrence of the physical damage from farm level (site of production) up to retail clearly indicated that adopting improved practices only at farm level (i.e., careful harvest &amp; de-sapping) is not sufficient to maintain the quality throughout the supply chain.

[0048] As mentioned, over the years Mango Wash® has been used and it is a neutraliser and detergent mixture, and needs no additives except clean water. If, and when, hydrated lime is used, it can be mixed with a detergent such as Agral®. This product is a wetting agent that will assist wetting waxy leafed plants which are normally hard to wet.

[0049] Also Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. It has also been used to naturalise the sticky, milky sap exuded from mangoes.

[0050] Mangoes are very sensitive and are prone to physical damage at each step of the harvesting and postharvest handling chain. Therefore, there is a need to follow better management practices at all subsequent steps/stages (i.e., grading, packaging, loading/unloading, transport, market &amp; retail etc.) until the commodity arrives in the hands of consumer.

[0051] Therefore it was believed that harvesting could somewhat be partly mechanised and much more effective and efficient methods could be developed, at least for Australia where labour costs are extremely high.

<END OF THIS APPLICATION

Claims (3)

1. Claims The nature, purpose and operation of this invention has been described above and should be understood by those skilled in this field this invention and claims will be better understood when referring to the illustrations [figure number 9 and figure number 10] and the item numbers listed on page 4 paragraph [0014] and the scope of the invention are further expressed in the claims as follows:

   1. A harvester apparatus to be used for harvesting particularly mangoes and managing sap from mangoes comprising: a) a mobile towable chassis having at least two wheels, powered and towed by a conventional tractor able to travel at adjustable forward/reverse speed and stopping frequently; b) a mobile chassis having three wheels, at least one steerable front wheel, an engine and transmission system able to travel at said adjustable speed forward and reverse and stopping frequently; c) a mobile chassis having four wheels, at least two steerable front wheel, said engine and said transmission system able to travel at said adjustable speed forward and reverse and stopping frequently; d) a mobile chassis having located, at least one tank for the mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 storage; e) a mobile chassis being located, in centre, a trough for a mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 storage; f) in-side of said trough is located a conveyor (belt), partly submerged in said mixture of water and sodium carbonate [Na2CO3], and said conveyor extending upward at an incline and backward along said mobile chassis to the rear of said mobile chassis; g) a mobile chassis having located, at centre rear, a pair of tilt-able fork lift tines for carrying and securing a fruit bin for collecting and storage of said mangoes that have been harvested and delivered by said conveyor (belt); h) a mobile chassis having located, above the centre of said trough, a funnel shaped trap/trampoline in which mangoes are manually thrown into by help of manual labours (pickers); i) a tarp/trampoline has a funnel shape, expanding the width and partly the length of said mobile chassis; j) a funnel shape tarp/trampoline upper edge is of a rectangular or square funnel shape and has a square or rectangular lower centre outlet (hole) and the upper part is separated into four sections, which are divided by vertical stretched tarps, partly covering the lower centre outlet (hole) in the lower part of said funnel shape tarp/trampoline therefore preventing mangoes from falling and/or being thrown directly into said trough and said submerged conveyor (belt); k) strategically along said upper edge, of said funnel shape tarp/trampoline, is incorporate a delivery pipe system that has a plurality of adjustable sprinkler outlets sufficiently to wet the entire material of said funnel shape trap/trampoline at all times when in operation; l) strategically along said upper edge of said vertical stretched tarps, is incorporate a delivery pipe system that has a plurality of sprinklers sufficiently to wet at all times the entire material of said vertical stretched tarps when in operation; m) at all time, when in operation, said mixture of water and sodium carbonate [Na2CO3], is transferred by a pump (1) from said trough via a filter and through a flow control valve to said sprinkler outlets of said funnel shape tarp/trampoline and to said sprinkler outlets of said vertical stretched tarps; n) strategically along and above said conveyor (belt) at least one adjustable sprinkler is located targeting all said mangoes traveling on said conveyor (belt) ensuring rinse/wash of said mangoes before arriving in the fruit bin for storage; o) at all time, when in operation, said mixture of water and sodium carbonate [Na2CO3], is transferred by a pump (2) from said storage tank via a filter and through a flow control valve to sprinkler targeting said mangoes traveling on said conveyor (belt) ensuring rinse/wash of said mangoes before arriving in the fruit bin for storage; p) a mobile chassis (harvester machine) has a control system (with flow meter) of flow rate to said rinse/wash sprinkler and that is the overflow of the trough discharged of mango sap on the ground; q) a mobile chassis (harvester machine) having an efficient control system of the forward/reverse travel speed; r) a mobile chassis (harvester machine) having an efficient control system of flow rate of mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 pumped to the tarp/trampoline; s) a mobile chassis (harvester machine) having an efficient control system of conveyor (belt) speed; t) a mobile chassis (harvester machine) having an efficient control system of flow rate for rinsing traveling said mangoes on conveyor (belt); u) strategically alongside of said conveyor, a control/instrumentation console is located, having a steering wheel and control leavers for controlling said mobile chassis (harvester machine) and where an operator is situated (standing or sitting) and having overview of said conveyor(belt) and able to make adjustment of all required functions for effective harvesting process;
2. 2. A harvester apparatus as recited in claim 1, said to be used for harvesting particularly mangoes; a) a mobile chassis is made from structural steel and designed to incorporate said engine, said transmission system, said conveyor, said pair of tilt-able fork lift tines, said funnel shape trap/trampoline and fruit bin; b) a engine and said transmission system is able travel on undulating agricultural land at adjustable speed forward and reverse and stop; c) a trough is made from stainless steel or UV-protected, food-grade polyethylene able to store water and sodium carbonate [ Na2CO3], having a suitable shape to accommodate said submergible part of said conveyor; d) a conveyor frame is made from stainless steel or corrosion resistance materials that is food-grade and said conveyor belt is made from UV-protected, food-grade thermoplastics that cannot discolour said mangoes; e) a pair of tilt-able fork lift tines made from high tension steel and able of carrying and securing a fruit bin for storage of harvested fruit; f) a fruit bin is made from UV-protected, food-grade polyethylene; g) a funnel shape trap/trampoline is made from synthetic fabrics that are laminated and coated with a waterproofing material such polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane and that the design of said funnel shape trap/trampoline is accommodating such that said mangoes can slide/role down into said trough; h) a vertical stretched tarps are made from synthetic fabrics that are laminated and coated with a waterproofing material polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane;
3. 3. A claim of a process [refer to figure number 9] for removing and managing sap from mangoes, which comprises the steps of: a) an orchard manager and/or horticulture manager estimates and/or predicts the amount of mangoes to be harvested per minute (estimates harvesting rate) by said mobile harvester; b) said operator adjusts all said adjustable controls from said control/instrumentation console to suit particular harvesting situation; c) manually harvesting/fruit picking removing a ripe mango from a tree either by hand or picking pool, removing the stalk (stem) from said mango locating said mango into said funnel shape trap/trampoline which incorporates said sprinklers that ensures circulation of said mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 from said trough to said funnel shape trap/trampoline and said vertical stretched tarps; d) by gravity said mangoes are transferred to a trough containing a mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, and submerging said mangoes for a specific period; e) removing said mango from said trough (submerging position) by said conveyor (belt); f) a conveyor (belt) moving along said mango passing said sprinkling of clean mixture of water and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3; g) an operator inspects said mango traveling on said conveyor (belt), remove stalk(stem) from said mango, if required, and return said mango to said funnel shape trap/trampoline; h) an operator adjusts ideal and optimum angle of the fruit bin, preventing any damage to said mango falling into said fruit bin; i) when said mobile chassis (harvester machine) is operating and traveling, and when said fruit bin is full, said operator stops said harvester machine including conveyor (belt), changes angle of said fruit bin, tilting it backward thus unloading said fruit bin on ground, thereafter an empty said fruit bin is loaded on to said pair of tilt-able fork lift tines and ready for the continuation of harvesting; <END OF CLAIMS>