Produce harvesting and wrapping apparatus and method

Abstract

A produce harvesting and wrapping apparatus and method, which facilitates the harvesting, wrapping and packing of produce in the field. The apparatus is elongated, and has a plurality of work tables extending perpendicularly therefrom. Individual workers, called packers, are positioned between work tables, and these pack harvested produce into boxes. Empty boxes are transported along the apparatus on a first, upper conveyor belt, and packed boxes are transported along the apparatus on a second, lower conveyor belt toward a loading platform that travels alongside the apparatus. It is preferred that the surfaces potentially contacting the produce, including specifically the work tables, be of stainless steel.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A produce harvesting and wrapping apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 a self-propelled, elongated harvesting apparatus;    a first conveyor belt located on said elongated harvesting apparatus and adapted to transport empty boxes along said first conveyor belt so that they may be utilized by packers working alongside said harvesting apparatus;    a second conveyor belt located on said elongated harvesting apparatus below said first conveyor belt and adapted to transport packed boxes in a direction of a loading platform; and    a plurality of work tables extending perpendicularly from said elongated harvesting apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first conveyor belt travels in a first direction and wherein said second conveyor belt travels in a second direction opposite said first direction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said work tables may be folded upward for storage.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said work tables have a stainless steel surface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an elevator section located at an end of said second conveyor belt and adapted to transport said packed boxes from an end of said second conveyor belt to a point proximate said loading platform.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a water tank coupled to said apparatus; and  
 at least one spray nozzle adapted to spray water from said water tank onto harvested produce.  
 
     
     
         8 . A method of harvesting and wrapping produce comprising the steps of: 
 providing a self-propelled, elongated harvesting apparatus;    providing a first conveyor belt located on said elongated harvesting apparatus and adapted to transport empty boxes along said first conveyor belt so that they may be utilized by packers working alongside said harvesting apparatus;    providing a second conveyor belt located on said elongated harvesting apparatus below said first conveyor belt and adapted to transport packed boxes in a direction of a loading platform;    providing a plurality of work tables extending perpendicularly from said elongated harvesting apparatus;    a cutter cutting an item of produce;    said cutter handing said produce to a packer;    said packer removing one said empty box from said first conveyor belt;    said packer placing said item of produce in said empty box;    said packer placing a packed box on said second conveyor belt; and    said packed box travelling on said first conveyor belt in the direction of said loading platform.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said first conveyor belt travels in a first direction and wherein said second conveyor belt travels in a second direction opposite said first direction.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said work tables may be folded upward for storage.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said work tables have a stainless steel surface.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of providing an elevator section located at an end of said second conveyor belt and adapted to transport said packed boxes from an end of said second conveyor belt to a point proximate said loading platform.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a water tank to said apparatus;  
 providing on said apparatus at least one spray nozzle adapted to spray water from said water tank onto harvested produce; and  
 spraying said water from said water tank through said at least one spray nozzle onto harvested produce.