The present invention relates to a device for at least transporting agricultural products having at least a foot which is to be cut and has a longitudinal direction, such as mushrooms (5) or leek. Known devices of this type comprise at least one gripper (4) which is displaceable along a conveyor and adapted to grip at least one of the agricultural products at a time, and which comprises two or more gripping elements connected to the conveyor for movement apart relative to each other. The known device further comprises a cutter arranged ^' between and including the at least one infeed position and the at least one outfeed position .

It is known here that the conveyor carriers clamps into which the products can be inserted and from which the products have to be removed using auxiliary means at an outfeed position. The need for such auxiliary means makes the known devices complex, and the auxiliary means are moreover based on a push-out force which can cause damage, particularly to vulnerable agricultural products .

The products can be placed mechanically or manually in or on the clamps on or of the conveyor.

Known from DE-2256048, which represents the prior art closest to the invention, is a dual conveyor. Mushrooms are very probably inserted with the base thereof into clamps of a first conveyor and transferred to a second conveyor with its own clamps for engaging the cap or hat of the mushrooms . It is known that the cap of mushrooms and other agricultural products can have very irregular shapes. Leek has a long base or stem and a very irregular crown or outgrowth. The direction of the base when it is cut is determined here by the irregular shapes of the hat or cap or crown or outgrowth, and can be in practically any orientation. A cut with the cutter can therefore be made at anything but a predetermined position or in a desired orientation .

The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least reduce the above stated or other problems and drawbacks of the known art, for which purpose a device according to the present invention is distinguished from known devices in that the gripping elements (9, 10) extend from the conveyor substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of the base and, during use with an agricultural product in the gripper (4), engage round the base.

A gripping movement for engaging the products which avoids harm or damage is thus realized. A considerable simplification is hereby moreover provided, which results in an embodiment which is simpler and elegant in its simplicity and which can further also be effected at lower cost and the operation of which can be controlled considerably more easily. Compared to the closest prior art according to DE-2256048 the advantage is provided that the base can be gripped when the base is being cut. A pre-desired location and orientation for cutting of the base with the cutter can hereby be determined more precisely than in the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment the device according to the invention has the further feature that the cutter and the gripping elements extend substantially parallel to each other during use transversely of the longitudinal direction of the base. The gripping elements and the cutter are preferably positioned close together. The parallel arrangement can ensure that a cut by the cutter corresponds to the orientation of the gripper .

In an alternative or additional preferred embodiment the device according to the invention has the further feature that the base forms a narrowing relative to a wider part of the plant, such as a cap of a mushroom, wherein the gripper forms a support for the wider part at least on a side remote from the cutter. A cap, hat, crown or outgrowth can then rest on the gripper when the base is cut.

In an alternative or additional preferred embodiment the device according to the invention has the further feature that the gripping elements are substantially plate-like. This enhances a compact configuration of the device. This can further be particularly useful or favourable when agricultural products with a cap, hat, crown or outgrowth can rest on the flat gripper, which then simultaneously engages round the base in order to cut off the base. Such a cut will then be parallel to the underside of the crown, hat, cap or outgrowth resting on the gripper.

In an alternative or additional preferred embodiment the device according to the invention has the further feature that the conveyor comprises an elongate flexible carrier which is trained round at least one rotation point and to which the gripping elements are connected at a distance from each other, and the outfeed position is defined at the rotation point. As the carrier passes through the rotation point the gripping elements arranged at a distance from each other on the carrier are automatically opened so that the products drop out of the gripper at the rotation point, or at least close to it, so that the outfeed position is unambiguously defined and the release of the products can take place at this position with certainty and without damage to the products. It can be favourable here if/when the device has the feature that the rotation point comprises a reversing wheel, or more particularly that the carrier is trained round at least two reversing wheels in an endless loop. Movements of the gripper can thus be defined in very unambiguous manner. In an embodiment with at least a carrier and a rotation point it can also be advantageous for the carrier to comprise at least one of a chain, cable or line.

In an alternative or additional embodiment the device according to the present invention can have the features that a cutter is arranged between and including the at least one infeed position and the outfeed position. This can then achieve that, during movement of the products along the conveyor, at least a part of the base of the product is processed, in particular severed. Such a cutter is preferably adjustable at the position (and distance) thereof relative to the conveyor so that it is possible to determine beforehand how large the part of the base of the product to be severed must be. This can be determined individually for each product, for instance on the basis of an image from a camera to be further described below.

Alternatively or additionally, other processes are also possible which would otherwise have to take place elsewhere in a progression between harvest and delivery of the products, such as brushing clean, for which purpose a brush can be arranged between and including the at least one infeed position and the outfeed position. An overall processing time can thus be reduced by also performing processes on the products during the transport. In a variant with a brush, the brush can be movable relative to the conveyor, wherein a drive is preferably connected to the brush for the purpose of driving the brush in a cleaning movement .

In an alternative or additional embodiment the device according to the present invention can have the features that a camera is arranged between and including the at least one infeed position and the outfeed position and is connected to a control. It is hereby possible to realize a sorting according to size, colour or other criterion. The conveyor can then release products from the gripper at different positions, or the conveyor can displace so as to release the products from the gripper at a fixed location along the conveyor but at a variable position relative to the surrounding area. The conveyor and/or the gripper could be provided in similar manner with weighing means, such as a load cell, in order to fill holders with a desired quantity (in terms of the weight thereof) of products.

In an alternative or additional embodiment the device according to the present invention can have the features that a control is provided for sorting according to at least one of size, colour or any other criterion relating to the agricultural products .

In an alternative or additional embodiment the device according to the present invention can have the features that a discharge connects to the conveyor for the purpose of discharging the agricultural products. The discharge and the conveyor can be disposed at clearly defined positions relative to each other in order to realize desired and perhaps even synchronized discharge of the products . It can be favourable here if/when the discharge comprises a feed for holders for the purpose of receiving the agricultural products in the holders. These can then be released into the holders and the holders can already form part of, or already substantially form, a packaging. It is favourable here if/when the feed comprises a denester for individualizing holders provided in a nested stack. A continuous flow of products can thus be placed in a continuing flow of holders, wherein the products can be discharged in a desired manner, perhaps even synchronized with the holders. When the device comprises at least only the discharge, it can be favourable for the discharge to comprise weighers for determining a filling weight reached in a holder. It is thus possible to aim for and also achieve a desired end filling weight in accurate, reliable and reproducible manner.

In an alternative or additional embodiment the device according to the present invention can have the features that a control is provided for synchronizing displacement of the agricultural products by means of at least one of: the conveyor ; the cutter; the brush; the discharge; and the feed, to the extent these are provided in a specific embodiment. Such

synchronization serves to achieve desired filling weights of holders, to prevent products being released at the outfeed position without a holder being ready to receive the products, to enable the cutter to act at a correct moment on a product which is moving past or which has been stopped for a moment, and any other desirable synchronization.

The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment thereof, which is shown in the accompanying drawing and which must in no way be interpreted as limiting the present invention or the protection therefor, since this is/these are defined in the appended claims, more particularly in only the single independent claim, and wherein the same or similar elements, components, aspects and features are (possibly) designated with the same reference numeral (s), and/or specific elements, components, aspects and features may be omitted in some views for the sake of clarity. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of particularly a cutter at a conveyor in a device according to Fig. 1 or 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of a conveyor in a device according to the invention with a discharge connecting thereto .

The embodiment of a device 1 according to the present invention shown in the drawing comprises a conveyor 2 with a number of grippers 4 thereon. Grippers 4 act or engage on a base of agricultural products to be engaged for transport, such as particularly mushrooms 5. Conveyor 2 extends between at least one infeed position 7 and an outfeed position 8. Grippers 4 are adapted to engage the base of at least one of the mushrooms 5 at a time.

Grippers 4 each comprise two (or more) gripping elements 9, 10 which are connected to conveyor 2 for movement apart relative to each other. Gripping elements 9, 10 are thin or plate-like and extend radially relative to the longitudinal direction of the base of the mushrooms, and/or the cap or hat of a mushroom 5 rests on the legs of gripping elements 9, 10 as shown particularly in figure 3 (but also in figures 1 and 2) . Because gripping elements 9, 10 are thin or even plate-like, space is with certainty left clear thereunder for cutting the mushrooms 5, this cutting being further described below.

The conveyor comprises an elongate, flexible carrier trained round at least one rotation point in the form of a chain 11 to which gripping elements 9, 10 are connected at a distance from each other. The outfeed position for releasing mushrooms 5 is defined at the rotation point. The rotation point is formed by a reversing wheel 12. Chain 11 is also trained round a second reversing wheel 13 in an endless loop. This second reversing wheel 13 is connected to a motor for the purpose of driving the chain 11 in a peripheral movement. Chain 11 could be replaced by a cable or line.

Gripping elements 9, 10 are arranged at a distance from each other on chain 11. When a gripper 4 passes through the bend round a reversing wheel 12, 13, gripping elements 9, 10 are moved apart relative to each other or rotated away from each other . This creates (more) space between gripping elements 9, 10 and gripper 4 is open, in which situation the mushroom 5 can drop out of the gripper in the direction of arrow A in figure 4.

Running under outfeed position 8 is a transport device, such as belt 18, which in the sense of the present invention form parts of a feed on which holders 19 or trays are carried under and along the outfeed position in the direction of arrow B. Mushrooms 5 drop into the trays or holders 19. Once a holder 19 has been sufficiently filled (belt 18 can comprise at least one schematically shown load cell 25 under the belt for determining this), belt 18 is set into motion again in order to discharge the sufficiently filled holder 19. When trays or holders 19 are supplied in nested stacks 22, a per se known denester 21, formed here in an embodiment as robot arm, can advantageously be utilized to individualize the holders and place them

individually on belt 18 in the direction of arrow C in figure 4 on a path in the direction of arrow B in figure 4 to a position under outfeed position 8.

Between and including the at least one infeed position 7 and the outfeed position 8 the device comprises a cutter 3. Cutter 3 comprises two knives 17 which are moved away from and toward each other using individual drives 15, 16 (or a single shared drive) in order to sever at least a part of the base of mushrooms 5 under gripping elements 9, 10, after which an at least approximately straight cut surface 6 remains. This cut surface has an orientation corresponding to the position of the base with the hat or cap of the mushrooms in a situation resting on gripping elements 9, 10, and is therefore not per se at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the base of each mushroom 5 but parallel to the underside of the lower side of the hat or cap of these mushrooms 5 resting on gripping elements 9, 10. The bases of mushrooms can likewise also be cut at right angles to the (local) longitudinal direction thereof, for instance by gripping the base clampingly with gripping elements 9, 10.

The cutting edges of knives 17 facing toward each other have a design corresponding to that of a cigar cutter, in the sense that the cutting edges have a complementary or opposed V-shape .

For the purpose of an accurate cut the motor 14 of conveyor 2 can be stopped by a control (not shown) during a time necessary for cutter 3 to sever the base of mushrooms 5. The cutting speed of cutter 3 can alternatively be increased sufficiently for this purpose. Stopping can further be made dependent on the detectable absence or presence of a mushroom in each of the grippers 4. Detection can take place with a sensor or even with the camera 20 which will be further described below and which can serve to select and sort cut mushrooms.

Further also arranged between and including the at least one infeed position 7 and the at least one outfeed position 8 is a camera 20 which is connected to a control (not shown) . This can be the same control or a control other than that described above in respect of stopping the conveyor to enable cutting of the bases of mushrooms. The assembly of camera 20 and the control can serve for the purpose of sorting the agricultural products, for instance on the basis of size, colour or other properties thereof. The control can be adapted to open grippers 4, if it should be the case that the agricultural product in a gripper 4 does not meet a standard in terms of colour or size, in order to remove this agricultural product as waste. Additionally or alternatively, grippers 4 can each be connected by means of a load cell (not shown) or other weighing element to chain 11 so that the weight of individual products, such as mushrooms 5, can also qualify a product for removal as waste. Additionally or alternatively, the weight can also determine the choice of one of a number of holders 19 to which the product in question has to be carried in order to bring about a desired filling weight thereof. For this purpose belt 18 can be moved reciprocally by the control (not shown) , or a rotation shaft can be arranged through the middle of reversing wheel 13 in order to pivot the conveyor 2 therearound and so select one of a number of holders 19 for the purpose of releasing the mushrooms 5 from an associated gripper 4 into a desired one of the holders 19. Holders 19 can for this purpose also lie on a number of individual belts 18 and, having reached a desired filling weight, be discharged by the belt on which a relevant holder 19 is lying in each case.

A set 23 of brushes can also be arranged along conveyor 2. The brushes of set 23 are preferably - as shown in figure 2 - positioned above and below a path of mushrooms 5 and are driven by means of at least one motor 24 in order to clean the mushrooms. A or the control (not shown) can ensure that the motor of the brush (es) is set into operation only when a mushroom 5 is actually transported into the operative range of the brush (es), or that driving of the conveyor is paused or modified (in particular a reduced transport speed) in order to give the brush (es) sufficient opportunity to properly clean the mushrooms. This can be made dependent on detection of mushrooms in identifiable grippers 4, and optionally making allowance for the peripheral movement thereof. Use can simply be made of a sensor or an image to be recorded with camera 20.

The device according to the invention can thus comprise the control for synchronizing displacement of the agricultural products by means of at least one of: the conveyor; the cutter; the brush; the discharge; activation of the brushes; and the feed, to the extent these are provided in a specific embodiment. The camera can serve to detect whether a mushroom 5 is in a gripper for the purpose of activating the control of cutter 3 or of the (set) of brush(es) 24 as they are approached.

The distance between conveyor 2 and cutter 3 is adjustable by means of an adjusting screw 26 on a mounting bracket 27, which adjusting screw 26 engages a suspension bracket 28 carrying the cutter 3. In the case of large mushrooms 5 the distance can be made greater, so that more of the base of mushrooms 5 remains after the cutter has severed a part therefrom. Additionally or alternatively, the above described camera 20 can be utilized to determine, on the basis of images of individual mushrooms obtained therewith, how large the part of the base of a relevant mushroom 5 must or may be that can be severed from this individual mushroom 5 so that as much as possible of the product remains. In such an embodiment the adjusting screw 26 can be replaced by a motor (not shown) for the purpose of adjusting for each individual mushroom 5 the distance between mounting bracket 27 and suspension bracket 28, and thereby also the distance between cutter 3 and conveyor 2.

It will be immediately and clearly apparent that there are many alternative and additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, in particular the independent claim thereof. Grippers 4 can comprise individual drives, other than reversing wheel 12, 13, for the purpose of opening grippers 4, for instance in order to remove waste before it arrives at packages or holders for discharge of desirable products.