WO2024115419A1

WO2024115419A1 - Truck for harvesting fruit and vegetable products

Info

Publication number: WO2024115419A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/083231
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Benedetti
Original assignee: Unitec S.P.A.
Priority date: 2022-11-29
Filing date: 2023-11-27
Publication date: 2024-06-06

Abstract

A truck for harvesting fruit and vegetable products (A), which comprises a vehicle (2) that can move over ground. The truck comprises: - an automated conveyance line (5) for fruit and vegetable products (A), which is provided on the vehicle (2) and comprises at least one first section (5a) for receiving the products (A), - at least one measurement and/or verification apparatus (6) for the fruit and vegetable products (A), which is arranged along a second section (5b) of the line (5), downstream of the first section (5a), and is configured for the acquisition of information related to at least one parameter of interest for each fruit and vegetable product (A) in transit, - at least two collection stations (8a, 8b) for the fruit and vegetable products (A), which are arranged downstream of the second section (5b) and are provided on the vehicle (2), - at least one electronic control and management unit (9), functionally associated with the apparatus (6) and provided with instructions at least for the conveyance of each product (A) in transit toward any chosen one of the collection stations (8a, 8b), based on the information acquired by the apparatus (6).

Description

TRUCK FOR HARVESTING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS

The present invention relates to a truck for harvesting fruit and vegetable products.

In the sector of fruit and vegetable products, the use is known of machines designed to facilitate and streamline the work of harvesting the products in the field: among these, it is possible to include an implementation solution that comprises first of all a truck or vehicle capable of moving over ground, between the rows of the crop of interest.

The truck (sometimes called “harvest truck”) is typically equipped with one or more raised platforms, designed to receive a corresponding number of operators: from the platforms, the operators can have easier access to the fruits on the trees or in any case to the products to be harvested hanging from the plants, as they are freed from having to traverse the field on foot.

At the same time, the harvested fruits are progressively accumulated in a container (or “bin”) which is in turn placed on board the vehicle and is transported by it.

In some implementation solutions, which ensure greater hourly productivity (in terms of fruits harvested per time unit) in exchange for a greater structural complication, the truck also supports one or more conveyor belts, interposed between the platforms and the container. Evidently this is a configuration that makes it possible to deploy a greater number of platforms, including at some distance from the collection container, leaving it to the belts to convey the fruits harvested by the operators standing on the platforms (or indeed on the ground, beside the vehicle) to the container.

So in fact, in any configuration adopted, while the truck moves between the rows, without ever needing to leave their platforms the operators can easily harvest the fruits from the plants, so progressively filling the container. Evidently this solution is meeting with increasing success in the sector, both because it makes it possible to appreciably speed up the activities of harvesting, and because it drastically reduces the physical effort required of the operators.

When the container is filled with fruits, the truck can unload it to the ground, in the field or directly in the warehouse or reception shed (in the former case, another agricultural vehicle has the task of transporting it to the warehouse), from where it can then be sorted to the working lines, which handle the cleaning, selection, sizing and packaging of the harvested fruits.

Therefore if trucks of the type described above make it possible to speed up the stage of harvesting in the field, the subsequent steps of sorting and processing are still hampered by the need to handle indiscriminate masses of products, which arrive at the lines in the containers filled on the trucks, with great heterogeneity in their representative parameters (degree of ripeness, color, size, etc).

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, by providing a truck that ensures practical methods of harvesting fruits and fruit and vegetable products in general in the field, while at the same time facilitating the subsequent activities of sorting and processing.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to devise a method that ensures practical methods of harvesting fruits and fruit and vegetable products in general in the field, while at the same time facilitating the subsequent activities of sorting and processing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck and devise a method that are capable of optimally handling the containers as they are progressively filled with fruits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck that is capable of collecting information on the crops that pass through it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck that ensures a high reliability of operation. Another object of the invention is to provide a truck that adopts an alternative technical and structural architecture to those of conventional trucks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck that can be easily implemented using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck that is of low cost and safely applied.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a truck according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 11.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the truck according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view from above of the truck according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the truck of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the method for harvesting fruit and vegetable products according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a truck for harvesting fruit and vegetable products A.

The truck 1 is designed to proceed over terrain of any type, on which grow fruits or fruit and vegetable products A of any nature (whether deliberately cultivated or grown wild). By virtue of the truck 1, such products A can be harvested more efficiently (using the innovative methods that will be described below), thus making it possible in particular to streamline and facilitate the subsequent steps of sorting and logistics management.

The truck 1 therefore comprises, first of all, a vehicle 2 that can move over ground: the vehicle 2 can traverse the terrain of interest (between rows of plants and/or fruit trees for example); the vehicle 2 is optionally (and preferably) capable of road travel, so that it can be moved between different areas and/or warehouses for loading/unloading.

The vehicle 2 can comprise (according to methods that are per se known) a supporting chassis 3 with which an engine (of any type) is associated, adapted to supply mechanical energy transmitted to wheels 4 or crawler tracks, in order to enable the vehicle to move over ground. The chassis 3 of the vehicle 2 will preferably be associated (directly or indirectly) with the components that will be described below.

It must also be noted that, for all aspects not discussed in detail in the present description, any implementation detail relating to the vehicle 2 can be conventional. In particular therefore, the person skilled in the art can choose in each instance the fitting and the form of implementation deemed most suitable based on the common general knowledge of the sector and according to the specific requirements, while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein.

According to the invention, the truck 1 first of all comprises an automated conveyance line 5 for fruit and vegetable products A, which is provided on the vehicle 2 and comprises at least one first section 5a for receiving the products A.

The term "line" 5 is used here in its conventional meaning, of an ordered succession of contrivances and stations that cooperate in the execution of a series of tasks (in this case relating to conveying the products A). The line 5 and the contrivances that it comprises therefore identify or define the path imposed on the products A, upstream to downstream.

In this regard, in the present discussion the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used here in their common meanings and refer to the direction of motion imposed of the products A along the line 5, since they are deposited on it (harvested from the trees or from the plants) up until the end sections, which will be described below, and which is defined solely by the contrivances and devices responsible for movement, which are located on board the truck 1. This direction is clearly illustrated by arrows in the accompanying Figures 1 and 2.

With regard to these contrivances, they can be of any type, over and above the specific examples that will be given below, and they can optionally be chosen as a function of the specific fruit (or other fruit and vegetable product A) to be harvested and of the corresponding care that it requires (in terms of handling in particular).

Likewise, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” should be understood as referring (obviously) to the ideal resting plane of the vehicle 2 and/or to the ground.

In addition, the line 5 comprises at least one measurement and/or verification apparatus 6 for the fruit and vegetable products A, which is arranged along a second section 5b of the line 5, downstream of the first section 5a (with or without the interposition of additional intermediate sections): the apparatus 6 is configured for the acquisition of information related to at least one parameter of interest for each fruit and vegetable product A in transit. The apparatus 6 is preferably a vision device (for example arranged inside a tunnel 7) and in such case it therefore comprises one or more video cameras (or similar optical instruments) which are per se conventional and are provided with graphic processing software, capable of acquiring and processing images of the products A in transit within its area or field of view (which intersects with at least one part of the second section 5b of the line 5). The apparatus 6 could in any case be of a different nature, and consist for example of a weighing scales, or the like.

The parameter of interest is chosen for example among color, shape, size, sugar content, ripeness, any blemishes (small spots of rot for example) or damage (such as that which can be caused by a hailstorm), weight or the like.

Precisely in order to achieve the correct acquisition of the information of interest, for each product A, at least along the second section 5b preferably the products A are made advance one by one and/or in any case so as to enable the apparatus 6 to acquire specific information about each one of them. So for example, each product A can be conveyed at least along the second section 5b, resting on adjacent pairs of rollers that rotate about a transverse axis, so as to display the entire outer surface the apparatus 6.

The specific embodiment of the apparatus 6 and of the contrivances that are responsible for conveying the products A along the second section 5b can in any case be conventional and chosen among those that the person skilled in the art would know to be applicable to the specific case and suitable for installation on a mobile truck 1.

Furthermore, according to the invention the truck 1 comprises at least two (separate) collection stations 8a, 8b for the fruit and vegetable products A, which are arranged downstream of the second section 5b (with or without the interposition of further intermediate portions) and are provided on the vehicle 2.

Furthermore, according to the invention the truck 1 comprises at least one electronic control and management unit 9, functionally associated with the apparatus 6 and provided with instructions at least for the conveyance of each product A in transit toward any chosen one of the collection stations 8a, 8b, based on the information acquired by the apparatus 6.

The electronic unit 9 (for simplicity, shown only schematically in the accompanying Figure 1) can be of any type, and for example it can be a controller, a PLC or an electronic computer; it can furthermore be dedicated solely to performing the task just described or it can be a controller or a PLC that also performs other tasks. Typically however, it is the same device that oversees and governs the operation of the entire line 5 and/or of the entire truck 1.

The unit 9 can thus send each fruit and vegetable product A to the specific collection station 8a, 8b intended to collect all and only those products A for which the measured parameter takes a preset value (or falls within a preset range). For example, it is possible to have different collection stations 8a, 8b for receiving products A of different weight or grammage, or which have different coloring (shades of color), or the like. In this regard, it must be reiterated that the number of collection stations 8a, 8b can be any, according to requirements.

More simply, in the preferred application (in which it may be sufficient to use only two collection stations 8a, 8b), the unit 9 can distinguish (by verifying an appropriate parameter) products A that have any kind of blemish or damage from unblemished and undamaged products, and send them to one collection station 8a, 8b.

Basically, in order to achieve this objective it is possible (for the purposes of non-limiting example) for there to be two moving mats 10, facing two different points of a third section 5c downstream of the second section 5b, which in turn lead to conveyor belts 11 (of any type and provided with any contrivance adapted for the purpose) which transfer the products A to the respective collection stations 8a, 8b. In place of the moving mats 10 it is possible to adopt other solutions, including conventional solutions, which are in any case adapted to perform the same task: for example undulating belts can be used, which make it possible to carry the products up and down gradients without losing control of their position and guarding against falls or sliding suddenly upstream or downstream, which could damage them.

The unit 9 can therefore control one at will of at least two expulsion devices of any type (pneumatic or hydraulic for example), facing the line 5 proximate to respective mats 10, in order to cause the products A to be ejected toward one or the other of these mats and send them to the appropriate collection station 8a, 8b.

Moreover the unit 9 can be configured so that it actively and selectively controls (using expulsion devices or in another manner) the conveyance of the products A in transit toward all the collection stations 8a, 8b except the one farthest downstream (so if only two are provided, the unit 9 will operate actively only on the first). Conveyance to the last (the second) collection station 8a, 8b can in fact always be active, so as to intercept all the products A that have not yet been sent to the previous collection stations 8a, 8b. This produces a twofold benefit: the complexity of the actuation systems and in general of the truck 1 is evidently reduced and, at the same time, it guards against the danger that, owing to a malfunction in the ejector for conveying to the last collection station 8a, 8b, the product A never leaves the line 5 (considering that normally the conveyor elements move along a closed path, this would return the product A upstream, where it could interfere with products harvested later).

Independently of the specific embodiments chosen for the various components described up to this point (which, as already said, can in any case be any, while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein), the truck 1 from this point onward achieves the set aim. In fact, by virtue of the electronic unit 9, which cooperates with the apparatus 6 and the line 5, it is possible to operate a first subdivision (or categorization or sizing) of the products A, directly on the field and substantially simultaneously with the harvesting stage: the truck 1 therefore ensures practical methods of harvesting of fruits and fruit and vegetable products A in general in the field, while at the same time facilitating the subsequent activities of sorting and processing, as the products A arrive at the destination after undergoing a first screening and this fact makes it possible to manage each type of product in the most appropriate way (the defective products A can even just be discarded before they reach the warehouse).

In particular, in the embodiment in the accompanying figures, the line 5 comprises at least one conveyor belt 12, which defines at least one first section 5a and which leads (directly or indirectly) to the second section 5b.

More specifically, the line 5 comprises a plurality of first sections 5a (and, preferably but not necessarily, respective conveyor belts 12), which converge toward the second section 5b.

The first sections 5a can be placed in direct communication with the second section 5b or, as in the accompanying figures, between the first and the second sections a connecting section 5d can be provided or any kind of additional intermediate fraction of path can in any case be imposed on the products A, prior to arriving at the second section 5b, which is affected by the apparatus 6.

In the preferred embodiment, illustrated for the purposes of nonlimiting example of the invention, the truck 1 comprises at least one platform 13, supported by the vehicle 2 and placed proximate to a respective first section 5 a, for the delivery of the products A to the line 5 by an operator B stationed on the platform 13.

So while the possibility exists for one or more operators B to follow the truck 1 on foot, feeding respective first sections 5a (two are shown in the accompanying figures), the truck 1 can be provided with any number of platforms 13 (two, in the accompanying figures), so relieving a corresponding number of operators B from the task of walking, and at the same time enabling them to reach fruits or products A located at higher points. In this regard, the platforms 13 can be provided with the possibility to adjust their height (vertically), so as to enable the operators B to get closer to the placing of the products A on trees and plants. Evidently, by deploying the platforms 13 of the truck 1 at different heights (and optionally leaving some operators B on the ground) it is possible to appreciably increase the area that can be covered and therefore reach all the products A.

Likewise, the task of the operators B is performed (entirely or partially) in an automated manner, by equipping the truck 1 with manipulators or other robotic systems and/or by using (flying) drones.

The second section 5b, along which the apparatus 6 acts, can have any shape and impose a path of any type on the products A. In particular, in an embodiment of the invention of significant practical interest, illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, the line 5 comprises a carousel 14 for moving the products A, which defines the second section 5b of the line 5 and which preferably lies on a horizontal (or slightly inclined) plane. The conveyance elements operating along the carousel 14 therefore cyclically travel a (closed) annular path about a vertical rotation axis C; the second section 5b therefore coincides with a fraction (and only with a fraction) of the annular path, along which the elements can convey the products A from the sections upstream of the line 5 to the sections downstream of it.

The choice to use a horizontal or slightly inclined carousel 14 is found to be of particular practical interest, in that while it makes it possible to have an annular path or in any case a cyclic path for the conveyance elements that transport the products A (preferably one by one), it keeps the overall bulk of the second section 5b and of the truck 1 low (in particular lengthwise).

A similar result can be obtained, for example, by using, instead of the carousel 14, an additional conveyor belt which is still structured in a ring, an oval or an ellipse (preferably but not necessarily lying on a horizontal or slightly inclined plane), in which the second section 5b imposed on the products A can be curved or straight and in which in any case the conveyance elements cyclically travel a closed path.

It must be noted that the first section 5a, which receives the products A, can in turn be constituted by a fraction of the closed path, whether or not it is defined by the carousel 14: in this option (and therefore differently from what is shown in the accompanying figures), the operators B deposit the products A directly along the carousel 14 (or other fraction of a closed path), just before they enter the field of view of the apparatus 6 (upstream of the second section 5b).

According to the invention, each collection station 8a, 8b comprises a platform on which to place a container D (or “bin”, in the jargon of the sector), which is configured to progressively accumulate the fruit and vegetable products A received by the line 5. Preferably, each collection station 8a, 8b comprises automatic means which are configured at least to unload each container D (onto the ground). The means can be of any type, and will make it possible to deposit the containers D on the ground in a practical manner (once filled, the containers will have a considerable weight, and therefore will be difficult to handle manually). Preferably, the means also load the containers D on board, although in this case, since they are evidently supplied empty, the possibility is not ruled out of leaving this task to the operators B or in any case of using methods that are at least partially manual.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the truck 1 is also capable of storing reserves of further containers D, to supply one or both collection stations 8a, 8b. For example, in the accompanying Figure 2, in addition to the two containers D placed on the respective collection stations 8a, 8b (intended to be progressively filled with products A), the truck 1 carries a reserve of three empty containers D, intended to take the place of one of the first containers at one of the collection stations 8a, 8b. The capability of carrying further containers D in addition to the ones placed at the collection stations 8a, 8b gives greater capacity to the truck 1, which can proceed along the terrain even after it has filled and unloaded the first containers. However, in the discussion below, where reference is made to the containers D, unless specified otherwise such reference should always be understood to designate the containers placed in the collection stations 8a, 8b.

According to the invention, the collection stations 8a, 8b can be placed at different heights, with respect to the ideal resting plane of the vehicle 2.

In this context, bearing in mind that typically the loading/unloading operations are most inconvenient in the uppermost collection station 8b (as will become clearer below), it is envisaged to place the container D that it is expected will be filled most slowly at the uppermost level: in the case described above, wherein the unit 9 distinguishes between prime products A and defective/damaged products, then it will in fact be the latter (which are usually present in lower numbers in the field) that will therefore be sent to the uppermost collection station 8b.

Advantageously, the electronic unit 9 is provided with instructions for periodically checking (continuously or at programmed intervals) the percentage of filling of the container D placed in at least one collection station 8a, 8b and for activating a first unloading procedure for unloading that container D onto the ground, at least upon reaching a filling percentage equal to a first threshold value (independently of how much the container D placed at the other collection station 8a, 8b is filled). It is possible for the first unloading procedure to be adopted for the containers D at each collection station 8a, 8b or for the container placed in only one or in only some of them.

The way in which the filling percentage is checked can be any: for example it is possible to monitor the weight of the container D or the level reached by the mass of products A inside it. Also, more simply, the unit 9 can store the number of products A sent to one or the other collection station 8a, 8b, and compare them with a predefined number (which can be re-settable) corresponding to being completely full, in order to obtain the desired percentage.

The first unloading procedure can simply consist of an acoustic signal, a light signal and/or another type of signal, which informs the operators B of the need to unload a container D; furthermore, the first procedure can also entail the automatic braking of the vehicle 2 or in any case the automatic stopping of the contrivances operating along the line 5. Likewise, the unit 9 can be provided with instructions for actuating the automatic unloading means, upon the activation of the first procedure. The first threshold value preferably is fixed and set in advance (optionally it can be reprogrammed) and for example it can simply correspond to the container D of interest being completely (or nearly) full. In one or both of the collection stations 8a, 8b therefore, the electronic unit 9 can simply take care of unloading the container D when the filling percentage reaches 100% (or 95%, or 90%), even though the possibility is not ruled out of choosing different and/or lower values (and also different values for the two collection stations 8a, 8b).

In a preferred embodiment the empty reserve containers D, intended to replace the containers in use at the collection stations 8a, 8b, are aligned with each other, at the same vertical height as the lowermost collection station 8a and facing the latter (in order to keep down the bulk and to facilitate the loading and unloading operations). In this condition, evidently it is inconvenient (or impossible) to bring an empty container D to the uppermost collection station 8b, as long as the lowermost collection station 8a is occupied by a container D that is being filled.

Therefore, a solution is described below for unloading the containers D, which makes it possible to effectively manage situations like the one described above (while not ruling out its adoption in other configurations and arrangements of the containers D and of the collection stations 8a, 8b, whether or not they are such as to mutually impede unloading).

The electronic unit 9 can be provided with instructions for activating a second unloading procedure for unloading onto the ground, for the container D placed in the collection station 8b arranged uppermost, upon the unloading of the container D placed in the collection station 8a arranged lowermost and upon the simultaneous reaching of a filling percentage of the container D placed in the collection station 8b arranged uppermost, equal to a second threshold value, preferably chosen as a function of the filling rates (of both of the collection stations 8a, 8b and of the corresponding containers D) observed over a predefined period of time. In this context, the unloading of the container D placed in the collection station 8a arranged lowermost can happen, because the first unloading procedure has been activated.

The actions executed by the electronic unit 9, to actuate the second unloading procedure, in practice can for example be the actions described above for the first unloading procedure (an acoustic signal or activation of the automatic unloading means, for example).

The second threshold value is typically lower than the first, and in this manner the uppermost container D can be unloaded when it is still far from being completely filled, in order to take advantage of the moment when the lowermost container D is unloaded and it is therefore easy to place a new container D in the uppermost region.

In fact, as has already been observed, it can be inconvenient to bring an empty container D to the uppermost collection station 8b, if the lowermost station is occupied, and it is therefore preferable to choose to unload the first one even when it is not full (but it is more convenient to do so when the other one is already being unloaded), rather than waiting for it to be completely filled (and then having to unload it when the lowermost container D is not yet ready).

In this regard, the second threshold value can be calculated dynamically, by monitoring the speed of filling over time of the containers D: the second threshold value is the value beyond which, if the uppermost container D is not unloaded when the time has arrived to unload the lowermost container D, the uppermost container D will be filled (at least in probabilistic terms) before the time arrives to unload the lowermost container D again, with the result of being in a difficult situation owing to the hindrance caused by the latter.

In practice, the monitored filling speed is expressed (or is measured) as the quantity of products A unloaded in a unit of time, and therefore for example in kg/minute or in quantity of products/minute: if we know the capacity of the container D (for example, 500 kg) it is easy to estimate when it will be completely filled, once the filling percentage at the time of interest is checked.

The electronic unit 9 can be configured to execute the first procedure for both of the collection stations 8a, 8b or only for one (the lowermost one - 8a), and in any case for the uppermost collection station 8b the unloading can or must occur according to the second procedure, in particular when it would otherwise be impossible or inconvenient to place an empty container to replace the unloaded one.

Usefully, the electronic unit 9 can comprise a geolocation module 9a and be provided with instructions for associating the information acquired by the apparatus 6 about each product A in transit with the respective position assumed by the vehicle 2 (at the time of harvesting each product A), detected by the geolocation module 9a.

This makes it possible to accurately characterize each area traversed by the truck 1, by verifying any differences in terms of the parameter observed by the apparatus 6 at the various different points of the ground; for example therefore, it can be assessed whether regions that are more or less shaded, more or less leveled, closer to or further from watercourses, etc. offer a higher or lower percentage of defective/damaged products A (or to consider the faster or slower speed of ripening). Such useful information can obviously be used to better manage future crops (or harvest phases).

The truck 1 can likewise comprise at least one command post 2a, provided on the vehicle 2 and equipped with a control and command interface at least for the electronic unit 9 (and preferably also for the other contrivances mounted on board), which can be used by an operator E to control the operation of the truck 1.

As seen, the transfer of the products A from the third section 5c to the collection stations 8a, 8b can be done in various ways, using for example moving mats 10 or undulating belts. However, different methods are adopted for transferring the products A to the various collection stations 8a, 8b, as a function for example of the greater or lesser care with which it is desired to handle the products A.

The truck 1 illustrated in the accompanying figures is an example of the latter option illustrated above: the uppermost collection station 8b can be adapted for receiving products A that are damaged or defective, for which less care is required in handling: in this sense a variously-shaped conveyor 11, downstream of the respective moving mat 10, can be sufficient for the transfer.

Likewise, the transfer of the products A to the lowermost collection station 8a, where the prime products A can be received, evidently requires greater caution and care, and in such case an assembly 15 for controlled delivery of the products A can be used.

In more detail, the truck 1 can comprise an assembly 15 for controlled delivery of the products A to at least one of the collection stations 8a, 8b (whenever particular care in handling the products A is required). Such assembly 15 can receive the products A from a moving mat 10, from another conveyor 11 (or from another contrivance) or directly from the third section 5c.

The assembly 15 comprises at least one conveyor device 16, arranged downstream of the second section 5b and configured to lower the products A in a controlled manner (by bringing them down one by one) and subsequently release them into one of the collection stations 8a, 8b.

In the accompanying figures (for the purposes of non-limiting example), the first device 16 is a form of elevator conveyor that lowers the products A (while holding them), until it brings them to just above the designated container D, and deposits them into it. To reduce the drop distance, the first device 16 preferably can move vertically, in order to be deployed closer to the bottom of the container D when the latter is empty, and then rise progressively as the level of products A already accumulated rises. Furthermore, the truck 1 can comprise at least one rotating disk 17 (preferably at least two, superimposed and coaxial), arranged along the release trajectory of the products A (which is imposed variously by the contrivances upstream), above a collection station 8a, 8b, and provided with a plurality of openings, for the controlled passage of the products A. By rotating, the position of the openings changes and therefore the products A are progressively deposited at different points of the container D, so as to fill it evenly and thus guarding against the danger that excessive clumps of products A form in some parts of it, at the expense of other areas.

One or a plurality of superimposed disks 17 make it possible to handle the products A with additional caution and care, and their use is therefore particularly advantageous when such needs are most felt: for this reason, as in the accompanying figures, this solution can be integrated in the assembly 15, by interposing the disks 17 between the conveyor device 16 and the corresponding lowermost collection station 8a. However, the possibility is not ruled out of placing one or a plurality of superimposed disks 17 above other collection stations 8a, 8b, even if the use is not envisaged of the assembly 15 and/or of the conveyor device 16.

In addition to the truck 1 according to the invention, another object of the protection claimed herein is a method 100 for harvesting fruit and vegetable products A, which is executed with a truck 1 according to the foregoing.

The method 100 comprises first of all a first step a., in which the truck 1 proceeds over ground. The other steps of the method 100 according to the invention, which are described below, are executed while step a. is being performed (and therefore while the truck 1 proceeds over the ground).

In a step b. of the method 100, the fruit and vegetable products A are harvested along the ground and placed on the first section 5a (on each first section 5 a) of the line 5.

As mentioned, this step b. can be performed by operators B but the possibility is not ruled out of its being partially or completely automated, using robotic manipulators mounted on the vehicle 2 or drones that act in cooperation with the truck 1.

The method 100 furthermore entails, in a step c., acquiring information relating to at least one parameter of interest for each fruit and vegetable product A in transit along the second section 5b of the line 5. Such step c. can be performed by the measurement and/or verification apparatus 6.

Subsequently, the method 100 entails conveying each product A toward any chosen one of the collection stations 8a, 8b, based on the information acquired in step c. (by virtue of the unit 9 and the logic already described).

Thus, as with the truck 1, the method 100 also makes it possible to achieve the set aim.

More specifically, in an embodiment that also makes it possible to optimize the management of unloading the products A, step d. entails accumulating the products A in any chosen one of two containers D accommodated in respective collection stations 8a, 8b. Furthermore, in such a case the method 100 comprises a step e. of unloading each container D arranged in the respective collection station 8a, 8b, wherein such step e. is activated when at least one of the following conditions occurs:

- the reaching of a filling percentage equal to a first threshold value (this can determine the activation of the first unloading procedure, described above),

- for the container D placed in the collection station 8b arranged uppermost (where the container for which a slower filling speed is expected is arranged) and upon the unloading of the other container D (the one placed in the other collection station 8a), the reaching of a filling percentage equal to a second threshold value, preferably chosen as a function of the observed filling rates over a predefined period of time. The second condition introduced above corresponds to the second unloading procedure and, more generally, the actuation logic of step e. is the logic already explained in the preceding paragraphs.

The operation of the truck 1 according to the invention is effectively evident from the foregoing description: the vehicle 2 moves over the ground, optionally carrying one or more operators B. During the journey, the first sections 5a receive the products A as they are progressively harvested (by the operators B or in another way), which are then conveyed toward the carousel 14 or in any case toward the second section 5b, where they enter the field of view of the apparatus 6. Thus, the unit 9 can route the products A (which are still on the truck 1) to two different containers D or in any case to two different collection stations 8a, 8b (provided on the truck 1), effectively doing the work in advance that otherwise would need to be done at the warehouse or shed to which the products A will be transported, in view of the subsequent activities of processing, sorting and packaging.

The products A are therefore collected in a practical and easy manner, by virtue of the line 5 installed on the vehicle 2 which moves them, leaving it to the operators B to deposit them on the first sections 5a. Furthermore, and in an entirely peculiar and innovative manner, the selective conveyance operated by the unit 9, mounted on the vehicle 2 as the apparatus 6 that cooperates with the unit 9, facilitates the subsequent activities of sorting and processing.

The peculiar method of managing the unloading of the containers D, in particular the ability to proceed with unloading the container D that is the slowest to be filled (conveniently assigned to the uppermost collection station 8b) even when the latter is not completely filled, makes it possible to optimally manage the containers D being progressively filled by the fruits, in so doing optimizing the activities of unloading the containers D onto the ground and avoiding the situation where placing a new container D to substitute the one just unloaded, in the uppermost collection station 8b, is hindered by the presence of a container D in the other collection station 8a.

By providing the unit 9 with a geolocation module 9a, it is likewise possible to collect information about the crops passed through, by associating (any) different qualities of the products A with the different areas of ground where they were harvested.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be substituted with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000024525 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A truck for harvesting fruit and vegetable products (A), which comprises a vehicle (2) that can move over ground and:

- an automated conveyance line (5) for fruit and vegetable products (A), which is provided on said vehicle (2) and comprises at least one first section (5a) for receiving the products (A),

- at least one measurement and/or verification apparatus (6) for the fruit and vegetable products (A), which is arranged along a second section (5b) of said line (5), downstream of said first section (5a), and is configured for the acquisition of information related to at least one parameter of interest for each fruit and vegetable product (A) in transit,

- at least two collection stations (8a, 8b) for the fruit and vegetable products (A), which are arranged downstream of said second section (5b) and are provided on said vehicle (2), each one of said collection stations (8a, 8b) comprising a platform on which a container (D) is arranged, configured for the progressive accumulation of the fruit and vegetable products (A) received from said automated conveyance line (5), at least one electronic control and management unit (9), functionally associated with said measurement and/or verification apparatus (6) and provided with instructions at least for the conveyance of each product (A) in transit toward any chosen one of said collection stations (8a, 8b), based on the information acquired by said measurement and/or verification apparatus (6), characterized in that said collection stations (8a, 8b) are placed at different heights with respect to the ideal resting plane of said vehicle (2).

2. The truck according to claim 1, characterized in that said automated conveyance line (5) comprises at least one conveyor belt (12), which defines at least one said first section (5a) and leads to said second section (5b).

3. The truck according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one platform (13), supported by said vehicle (2) and placed proximate to a respective said first section (5a), for the delivery of the products (A) to said automated conveyance line (5) by an operator (B) stationed on said platform (13).

4. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automated conveyance line (5) comprises a carousel (14) for handling products (A), which defines said second section (5b) of said line (5) and preferably lies on a horizontal plane.

5. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said collection stations (8a, 8b) comprises automatic means configured at least for the unloading of each container (D).

6. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic unit (9) is provided with instructions for periodically checking the percentage of filling of the container (D) placed in at least one of said collection stations (8a, 8b) and for activating a first unloading procedure for unloading said container (D) onto the ground, at least upon reaching a filling percentage equal to a first threshold value.

7. The truck according to claim 6, characterized in that said electronic unit (9) is provided with instructions for activating a second unloading procedure for unloading onto the ground, for the container (D) placed in said collection station (8b) arranged uppermost, upon the unloading of the container (D) placed in said collection station (8a) arranged lowermost and upon the simultaneous reaching of a filling percentage of the container (D) placed in said collection station (8b) arranged uppermost, equal to a second threshold value, preferably chosen as a function of the filling rates observed over a predefined period of time.

8. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic unit (9) comprises a geolocation module (9a) and is provided with instructions for associating the information acquired by said apparatus (6) about each product (A) in transit with the respective position assumed by the vehicle (2), detected by said geolocation module (9a).

9. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an assembly (15) for the controlled delivery of the fruit and vegetable products (A) to at least one of said collection stations (8a, 8b), said assembly (15) comprising at least one conveyor device (16), located downstream of said second section (5b) and configured for the controlled lowering and subsequent release of the products (A) into one of said collection stations (8a, 8b).

10. The truck according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one rotating disk (17), arranged along a release path of the products (A) above a collection station (8a, 8b) and provided with a plurality of openings, for the controlled passage of the products (A).

11. A method for harvesting fruit and vegetable products (A), executed by means of a truck (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, which comprises the following steps: a. proceeding over ground with said truck (1), b. collecting the fruit and vegetable products (A) along the ground and delivering them to said at least one first section (5a) of said automated conveyance line (5), c. acquiring information relating to at least one parameter of interest for each fruit and vegetable product (A) in transit along said second section (5b) of said automated conveyance line (5), d. conveying each product (A) toward any chosen one of said collection stations (8a, 8b), based on the information acquired in said step c..

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that: said step d. entails accumulating the products (A) in any chosen one of two containers (D) accommodated in respective said collection stations (8a, 8b), and in that it comprises a step e. of unloading each container (D) arranged in the respective said collection station (8a, 8b), which can be activated when at least one of the following conditions occurs:

- the reaching of a filling percentage equal to a first threshold value,

- for the container (D) placed in said collection station (8b) arranged uppermost and upon the unloading of the other container (D), the reaching of a filling percentage equal to a second threshold value, preferably chosen as a function of the observed filling rates over a predefined period of time.