SEPARATOR DEVICE AND CLEANING SYSTEM FOR A STREAM HARVESTED BY A FRUIT HARVESTING MACHINE

摘要

A device for separating a harvested fruit from other plant material in a crop stream and designed to be mounted in a fruit harvesting machine, comprises a frame 1 and longitudinal separator members 2 that are fastened longitudinally to the frame and spaced transversely from each other to form an array 7, and a conveyor belt that is driven in a longitudinal direction between an upstream roller 4 and a downstream roller 5, where the rollers are fastened to the frame 1. The array separates the crop stream between a portion retained on the array which is mainly other plant material, and a portion passing through the array which is mainly fruit. The belt is positioned under the separator members 2 and provides a space between the belt and the members to receive the portion of the crop stream that passes through the array 7. The belt is provided with teeth 11 which have a base part that extends into the receiving space, and a projecting part 11 b that extends above the separator members 2, and passes through the spaces formed between the members 2. The separator members 2 are fastened, behind the upstream roller 4, by fixing the members to the frame 1 and, in front of the upstream roller, by a rotary member 12 mounted on the frame 1. The member 12 including paddles 13 that are adapted to hold the separator members 2 in position on rotation of the member 12.