阅读说明：本技术 用于收获悬挂在植物上的果实的收获装置和方法 (Harvesting device and method for harvesting fruit hanging on a plant ) 是由 彼得·约翰尼斯·洛德维克·格尔兹 于 2020-01-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于收获悬挂在植物上的果实的收获装置,包括：框架,该框架可在运输方向上位移；至少一个容器,该至少一个容器可相对于框架在基本上横向于运输方向的延伸方向上位移；和至少一个捕获器,该至少一个捕获器安装在至少一个容器上,其中,至少一个刷子包括：臂,该臂从容器基本上在延伸方向上延伸；和多个刷毛,该多个刷毛附接至臂并且从臂基本上平行于运输方向延伸。本发明还涉及一种用于收获这种果实的方法,其中使用这种收获装置。(The invention relates to a harvesting device for harvesting fruit hanging on a plant, comprising: a frame displaceable in a transport direction; at least one container displaceable relative to the frame in an extension direction substantially transverse to the transport direction; and at least one catch mounted on the at least one container, wherein the at least one brush comprises: an arm extending substantially in an extension direction from the container; and a plurality of bristles attached to the arm and extending from the arm substantially parallel to the transport direction. The invention also relates to a method for harvesting such fruits, wherein such harvesting device is used.)

1. Harvesting device for harvesting fruit suspended on a plant, comprising:

-a frame displaceable in a transport direction;

-at least one container displaceable relative to the frame in an extension direction substantially transverse to the transport direction; and

-at least one catch mounted on the at least one container,

wherein the at least one catcher comprises:

-an arm extending from the container substantially in the extension direction; and

-at least one flexible capturing element attached to the arm and extending from the arm substantially parallel to the transport direction.

2. The harvesting device of claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible capture element is formed by a flexible strip, preferably made of an optional synthetic rubber.

3. The harvesting device of claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible catch element is formed by a plurality of bristles attached to said arm and extending substantially parallel to said transport direction.

4. The harvesting device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first flexible capture element extends from the arm substantially in the transport direction and a second flexible capture element extends substantially opposite the transport direction.

5. The harvesting device of claim 4, wherein the first flexible capture element is attached at a non-right angle relative to the second flexible capture element in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the arm.

6. The harvesting device of claim 5, wherein, in normal use of the harvesting device, the at least one capture element extends from the arm in a direction defined upward.

7. The harvesting device of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a free end of the first flexible capture element of a determined arm at least nearly contacts a free end of the second flexible capture element of an adjacent arm.

8. The harvesting device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein traps adjacent to one another at least partially overlap one another.

9. The harvesting device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in normal use of the harvesting device, the arm extends from the container in a direction defined upward.

10. Harvesting device according to at least claim 3, wherein the bristles are connected to the arm at an acute angle, wherein the acute angle is defined between the arm and the bristles attached thereto on the side of the bristles facing the container.

11. The harvesting device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms are flexible.

12. Harvesting device according to claim 8 and/or claim 3, wherein the arms and/or the catching elements, such as the bristles or the strips, are made of plastic.

13. Harvesting device according to any one of the preceding claims, provided with at least two containers that are displaced from each other in the extension direction, wherein the arms of the catches of the two containers that are displaced from each other in the extension direction point towards each other.

14. The harvesting device of claim 13, wherein a minimum distance is defined between at least two displaceable containers in the direction of extension, wherein each arm bridges approximately half of the minimum distance in the direction of extension.

15. Harvesting device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the arms of the catches of the two containers that are displaced from each other in the direction of extension are offset with respect to each other seen in the transport direction.

16. A method for harvesting fruit suspended on a plant, comprising the steps of:

-displacing the harvesting device according to any one of the preceding claims in a transport direction towards at least one plant;

-displacing at least one container in the extension direction towards the at least one plant such that the at least one flexible capturing element forms a capturing surface at least partially surrounding the at least one plant;

-shaking said at least one plant, causing said fruit hanging thereon to fall onto said capture surface, or picking and throwing fruit; and

-collecting the fruit captured by the capture surface.

17. The method of claim 16, using the harvesting device of claim 13, wherein the at least two containers are displaced towards the plant from opposite sides of the plant.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a harvesting device for harvesting fruit suspended on a plant, comprising a frame displaceable in a transport direction, at least one container displaceable relative to the frame in an extension direction substantially transverse to the transport direction, and at least one catch mounted on the at least one container.

Background

Such a harvesting device is known per se from NL 2009207C and comprises a hanger frame, wherein two containers are moved away from each other in the direction of extension and on each container there is a plurality of bristles directed towards the other container. During use, the harvesting device of NL 2009207C travels over a row of plants in the transport direction, and then the two containers are placed towards each other. The mutually directed brushes thus form a catching surface for the fruit that can be shaken off the plant. The fruit may also be removed from the plant and immediately released so that the fruit still falls in the vicinity of the plant.

This is mainly the case when the known harvesting device is not correctly aligned with respect to the plant from which the fruit is to be harvested, i.e. when the plant is not positioned exactly in the middle between the containers (as is often the case), because the plant is not positioned exactly in a straight line and therefore the bristles directed towards each other do not enclose the plant correctly. This is because, when the distance from the container to the plant is relatively small, the bristles will bend around the plant, thereby forming a hole behind the plant that is not covered by the bristles. During harvesting, the fruit may fall through that hole. The fallen fruit is considered lost. Using such harvesting devices, tens of times of fruit is sometimes lost.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved harvesting device whereby less fruit is lost.

This object is achieved by a harvesting device of the type stated in the preamble, wherein the at least one catch comprises an arm extending substantially from the container in the direction of extension, and at least one flexible catch element attached to the arm and extending from the arm substantially parallel to the transport direction.

Since according to the invention the catching element extends parallel to the transport direction, the distance of the plants from the container is of less importance. The catching element can after all be attached to the arm at any distance from the container and extend parallel to the transport direction in order to be able to enclose the plant and catch the fruit. The harvesting device according to the invention thus forms a catching surface of the catching elements with smaller holes than in known harvesting devices, or even without holes, so that less fruit falls between the catches.

Such a harvesting device is particularly suitable for harvesting fruit growing on shrubs, due to the arm having the catching element in the transport direction. This is because shrubs are made up of many branches extending upward from the ground, rather than a single trunk. In order to catch as much of the fruit as possible, each shoot must be surrounded by a catching surface. This is particularly possible with a harvesting device according to the invention, since the arms can extend between the branches of the bush, with the catching element extending along the branches. The arms thus have in particular an elongated form, so that they can extend between the branches of the plant. The flexible capture element may provide the following advantages: the fruit cannot be damaged by dropping because the flexibility of the catch element provides a soft landing for the fruit.

The trap may also include a catch tank for catching and collecting harvested fruit. An arm may be mounted on and extend from the catch tank. The arms and catch tanks must be clearly distinguished because the arms, due to their elongate form, can extend between the branches, which cannot be done or is less easily done by the tanks. Of course, the fruit may be directly caught by the catch bin, but it is the arms that may extend between the branches in order to catch the fruit, for example to guide it to the catch bin, which is particularly advantageous.

The at least one flexible catch element is in particular formed by a flexible strip, preferably made of an optional synthetic rubber. The strip may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the arm and extend from the arm. By using a flexible strip, plants, in particular shrubs, can be enclosed relatively well without creating very large holes. A greater proportion of the fruit is thereby captured.

Alternatively, the at least one flexible catch element is formed by a plurality of bristles attached to the arm and extending substantially parallel to the transport direction. The number of bristles can surround the plant, in particular the bush, particularly well, so that most or even all of the fruit is captured.

The first flexible capture element extends in particular substantially in the transport direction from the arm, and the second flexible capture element extends substantially opposite to the transport direction. This may be achieved, for example, by attaching the capture element to the arm at the centre of the arm such that the free end of the capture element extends away from the arm in both directions. Alternatively, separate capture elements may be used for the first and second capture elements.

The first capture element and the second capture element effectively make the trap double sided. When the arm extends between the branches of the bush, the catch element may enclose the branches on both sides of the arm, thereby preventing or reducing holes on the catch surface, and thereby catching the fruit. Thereby resulting in fewer or no holes in the capture surface formed by the capture. Due to the catch elements on both sides, the catch can further cover a relatively large surface area without the need for long catch elements, as seen in the transport direction, being necessary for this purpose. This provides the advantage that when a part of the catching element is bent by the plant, no or only relatively small uncovered holes behind and/or beside the plant are left behind, so that no or less fruit is lost. Alternatively or additionally, short catch elements offer the advantage that, in order to prevent bending due to gravity, they do not need to take the same hard form as the catch elements of the known harvesting devices, after all the latter being longer. Such a less rigid capture element reduces the chance of damage to the plant by the capture element during harvesting.

The first flexible capture element is preferably attached at a non-right angle relative to the second flexible capture element in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the arm. Thus, the catch elements form a V-shape, seen in cross section of the arms, wherein the arms are located at the point of the V-shape and the respective first catch element and second catch element each form a leg of the V-shape.

Due to its V-shape, the catch forms a trough in which the fruit shaken or plucked and thrown from the plant can be guided in the longitudinal direction of the arm. For this purpose, the flexible catch element preferably extends from the arm in a direction defined upwards in normal use of the harvesting device. The arm is thus located adjacent the underside of the slot formed by the catch element. Thus, the harvested fruit will roll towards the arms in the trough. Because the catch element is attached to the arm, it is precisely close to the arm, so the trough is strong enough to guide the harvested fruit, so that no or very little fruit will fall between the catch elements. In this way, the fruit is also guided away from the free end of the catch element, which at least partially prevents the fruit from falling off the catch.

When a plurality of arms are arranged adjacent to each other, for example two or more arms are arranged on the same container and/or in case a plurality of containers are adjacent to each other, the free end of the first flexible capture element of a certain arm preferably at least almost contacts the free end of the second flexible capture element of an adjacent arm. This results in a combined capture surface that leaves no or only small uncovered holes due to the two arms being adjacent to each other. A greater proportion of the fruit can thereby be captured.

It is also conceivable that catches adjacent to each other at least partially overlap each other. This results in relatively small holes being formed around the plant during harvesting, thereby reducing fruit loss.

In addition, the arm also extends from the container in a direction defined as upward, so that the harvested fruit rolls in the longitudinal direction of the arm towards the container. The fruit may be captured in a catch box provided for this purpose.

When the catch has bristles, these are preferably connected to the arm at an acute angle, wherein the acute angle is defined between the arm and the bristles attached thereto on the side of the bristles facing the receptacle. In other words, the bristles are directed slightly rearwardly of the container. The arm can thus easily be moved in the direction of extension alongside the plant or between the branches of the bush, since in this case the plant is displaced relative to the container in the direction of the bristles.

The arms are preferably flexible. This is because the arms can thus bend when the plant or shoot is in the position of the arms. Thus, even when the harvesting device is aligned relative to the plant such that the plant is in the position of the arm, the container can be displaced in the direction of extension to catch the fruit. The arms will then eventually bend to make room for the plant or shoot.

To obtain the required flexibility of the arm, the arm may be made of plastic. The same is true of capture elements, such as bristles or strips, which also typically take a flexible form. The flexible bristles provide a dampening and/or elastic effect when a fruit falls on the bristles. So that the bristles at least partially prevent the fruit from being damaged by falling off.

In a practical embodiment of the harvesting device, it is provided with at least two containers which are displaced from each other in the direction of extension, wherein the arms of the catches of the two containers which are displaced from each other in the direction of extension point towards each other. A harvesting zone is formed between two containers that are displaced from each other in the extension direction. A harvesting device having such a harvesting area may then travel over the plants in the harvesting area at this point so that the containers are on both sides of the plants. The arms of the two containers are then directed towards the plant. It is thereby particularly easy to provide an at least substantially continuous catching surface of the catcher around the entire plant, thereby ensuring that little or no fruit falls to the ground.

It is particularly advantageous that a minimum distance is defined between at least two displaceable containers in the extension direction, wherein each arm bridges approximately half the minimum distance in the extension direction. Since each arm bridges about half of the minimum distance, the free ends of the arms pointing towards each other are at least almost in contact with each other. Whereby a combined, at least substantially continuous catching surface is formed by the catches of the arms placed opposite each other. This again provides a limitation or prevention of fruit loss.

It is advantageous if the arms of the catches of two containers which are displaced from one another in the direction of extension are offset relative to one another, viewed in the transport direction, since the catches of the containers which are displaced from one another in the direction of extension are connected relatively tightly to one another in this way. This helps to form a continuous catch surface, thereby reducing fruit loss. It is clear that when the arms are offset in this way with respect to each other, the free ends of the arms will not touch each other. However, the free ends of the catch formed by the arms still at least almost touch each other, so that the catch surface still remains at least substantially continuous.

The invention also relates to a method for harvesting fruit suspended on a plant, comprising the steps of: displacing the harvesting device in the transport direction towards at least one plant; displacing the at least one container in the direction of extension towards the at least one plant such that the at least one flexible capture element forms a capture surface at least partially surrounding the at least one plant; shaking at least one plant to cause the fruit suspended therefrom to fall onto a capture surface, or picking and throwing the fruit; and collecting the fruit captured by the capture surface.

According to the invention, the method can be carried out with a harvesting device as described above, having any of the features described above. The method may thus provide the advantages described therewith. The method according to the invention provides in particular an efficient way of harvesting, since no or little fruit is lost by falling to the ground.

When the method uses a harvesting device provided with at least two containers that are displaced from each other in the direction of extension, wherein the arms of the traps of the two containers that are displaced from each other in the direction of extension point towards each other, the at least two containers can be displaced towards the plant from opposite sides of the plant. Thus, the plant can be surrounded on all sides by the trap.

Drawings

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective top view of an embodiment of a harvesting device according to the invention as it is positioned along a row of plants;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the harvesting device of FIG. 1 with various elements omitted for clarity;

fig. 3 schematically shows a top view of two containers and two brushes according to the prior art;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a top view of a plurality of containers having brushes mounted thereon according to an embodiment of the harvesting device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the single container of FIG. 4 having two brushes thereon;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a top view of a container including a flexible strip, according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically illustrate cross-sections of a plurality of containers placed adjacent to and overlapping each other according to another embodiment; and

fig. 8 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Like elements in the drawings are denoted by like reference numerals. Similar elements in certain embodiments are in each case denoted by reference numerals increased by one hundred (100) relative to the previous embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a harvesting device 1 for harvesting fruit hanging on a plant 2. In this case, the plant 2 is greatly simplified. The plant 2 may for example be a bush 2, which consists of a plurality of branches extending upwards from the ground. Plants 2 are usually in a row for easy harvesting, but not always exactly in a straight line. As will be further elucidated below, deviations of the plant 2 from an exact straight line occur randomly during planting and/or growth of the plant 2 and hamper harvesting. Hanging on the plant 2 is a fruit (not shown) which falls off the plant 2 when the plant 2 is shaken. Of course, the fruit may also be picked and released. The fruit then falls to the ground unless it is caught. Fruits that fall on the ground are considered lost, so it is important to capture as much fruit as possible to take advantage of the harvest as much as possible.

In order to harvest fruit from such a plant 2, a harvesting device 1 is provided having a frame 3 displaceable in a transport direction T. The transport direction T is the same as the longitudinal direction of the rows in which the plants 2 are arranged. In this embodiment, the frame 3 can travel because it is provided with wheels 4. In order to be able to access the plants 2 from both sides, the frame 3 is formed as a cradle which can be displaced over the row of plants 2. The spreader comprises two half-frames 14A, 14B connected on their upper sides by a bridge 15. During harvesting, the harvesting device 1 is thus displaced over the row of plants in the longitudinal direction of the row of plants 2, i.e. in the transport direction T.

The harvesting device shown has a plurality of containers 5, on which containers 5 there are mounted catches 6. In this embodiment, the catcher 6 is a brush 6. With reference to fig. 6, it is explained below that the catch 6 may also have a flexible strip instead of a brush with bristles. The container 5 is displaceable in the extension direction S relative to the frame 3, as is the brush 6 mounted on the container 5. The direction of extension S is defined transversely to the transport direction T, as seen in the horizontal plane. For each container 5, the extension direction is defined from the relative half-frame 14A, 14B to the opposite respective half-frame 14A, 14B and, at least if a plant 2 is present at the container 5 below the frame 3, therefore towards the plant 2. In the embodiment shown, the harvesting device 1 has a plurality of containers 5 on either side of the frame 3, which are displaced from one another in the direction of extension S. During use, the plants 2 move relative to the frame between the containers 5 that are moved away from each other in the extension direction S.

In this case, the plants 2 are shaken when they are located at the container 5. The illustrated embodiment shows a worker 7 manually shaking the plant 2. The worker 7 may also pick the fruit and throw it. The harvesting device 1 has a standing surface 8 for use by a worker 7. This harvesting device is also called "semi-mechanical" because the worker 7 shakes the plant 2 manually, not mechanically. However, it is also conceivable to provide a mechanical vibration assembly, so that the worker 7 is not required.

The brush 6 mounted on the container 5 forms an almost closed catching surface which closes all around the stem of the plant 2 by displacement of the container 5 in the extension direction. This will be further elucidated with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 shows two containers 105 with brushes 106 as known in the prior art according to NL 2009207C. The brush 106 here consists of bristles 109 extending from the container 105. The container 105 runs parallel to the transport direction T; thus, the bristles 106 extend parallel to the extension direction S. In fig. 3, the containers 105 are shown in a position in which they are displaced towards each other. In order to displace the harvesting device 1, it is known to move the container 105 of fig. 3 away, i.e. opposite to the direction of extension S, thereby creating a space between the brushes. The harvesting device 1 is then displaced in the transport direction T to a new plant 2 from which the fruit has to be harvested, after which the containers 105 are displaced towards each other, i.e. towards each other in the extension direction S. The bristles 109 then extend along the plant 2.

In the first part of fig. 3, indicated with a, no plants are located between the containers 105. Thus, the brushes 106 are connected to each other and form a continuous catching surface. In the part marked B, the stem or shoot of the plant 102 is shown, which is located just in the middle between the containers 105. This is ideal for a harvesting device 1 with a prior art brush 106, since the bristles 109 of the brush 106 are bent by the plants 102 only at their free ends. However, problems arise in such brushes 106 with holes 110 in the capturing surface formed by the brushes 106, which holes 110 are always outlined on both sides of the plant 102 in the figure. The capture surface formed by the brush 106 is thus interrupted by the holes 110. The fruit can therefore fall to the ground through the hole 110 and thereafter be considered lost.

The brush of fig. 3 presents a greater problem when the plants are not positioned exactly in the middle between the two containers 105, as shown in parts C and D of the figure. These figures show that the stem or branch of the plant 102, which is not placed in the middle, bends the bristles 109 of the nearest container 105 to the side relatively close to the container 105, thereby creating a rather large hole 110 behind the plant 102, as seen from this nearby container. Because the plants 102 are not always exactly in a straight line, the situation is more common in parts C and D of the figure, whereby a larger proportion of the harvest is lost using the bristles of fig. 3.

Fig. 4 shows a brush 206 according to the invention, comprising an arm 211, the bristles 209 being attached to the arm 211. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of containers 205 is shown, which extend in two rows parallel to the transport direction T. The rows of containers 205 are moved away from each other in the direction of extension S. The containers 205 are displaceable in their direction of extension S relative to the frame and, unless otherwise stated, operate in the same manner as the containers of fig. 3. The arms 211 extend substantially in the direction S of extension of their respective container 205. The arms 211 of the containers 205 which are displaced from one another in the direction of extension S point towards one another and at least almost touch the free ends of one another. For this purpose, each arm 211 bridges approximately half of the minimum distance between two containers 205 that are displaced from one another in the direction of extension S.

The bristles 209 are attached to the arm 211 and extend substantially parallel to the transport direction T. Even when the plant 202 is not located in the middle between the containers 205, no holes or smaller holes are created in the catching surface formed by the bristles 206. Fig. 4 further shows that the bristles 209 extend from the arm 211 in two directions, i.e. in and opposite to the transport direction. So that each brush 206 is double-sided. The free ends of the bristles 209 of the arms adjacent to each other are at least almost in contact with each other resulting in an at least substantially continuous catching surface of the brush 206. It is of course also conceivable to make the brush 206 of one-sided form and to make the free ends of the bristles 209 of a certain arm 211 at least almost contact the adjacent arm 211 so as to form an at least substantially closed catching surface.

In fig. 4, on the side of the bristles 209 directed towards the container, an angle β is further defined between the bristles 209 and the arm 211 to which they are attached. As can be seen from the figure, the angle β is an acute angle, i.e. greater than 0 ° but less than 90 °. Thus, the bristles 209 are directed slightly rearwardly toward the receptacle 205 on the arm 211 to which they are attached. In this way, when the brush 206 is displaced in the extension direction towards the plant 202, the brush 206 moves together with the bristles 209, so that the bristles do not get stuck behind obstacles and do not create large holes. Since the arms 211 of the brushes 206 of the containers 205 which are opposite to each other are offset with respect to each other in the transport direction T, the mutually opposite brushes 206 of those containers 205 have a substantially corresponding shape at their free ends. This helps to form an at least substantially continuous capture surface.

The arms 211 are in a flexible form so that the arms 211 may bend slightly when the plant 202 is in the position of the arms 211. This is shown in fig. 4 as curved arms 211'. In this case, the arms 211 are therefore made of plastic. In this case, the bristles 209 are also made of plastic.

Fig. 5 illustrates, in perspective, the single container 205 of fig. 4. Two brushes 206 are mounted on the container 205, but it is also conceivable to have any other number of brushes 206 per container. As can be seen in this figure, the first portion of the bristles 209 is attached at a non-right angle a relative to the second portion of the bristles 209 in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the arm 211. The bristles 209 thus form the legs of a V-shape, as seen in a cross-section at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the arm 211, wherein the arm 211 is located at the point of the V-shape. Each brush 206 thus forms a trough through which the captured fruit can roll. The receptacle 206 is mounted such that in normal use the bristles 209 extend upwardly from the arms 211 so that the harvested fruit rolls by gravity towards the arms 211 of each brush. This prevents the fruit from falling between two brushes 206 adjacent to each other.

The container 205 also includes a catch tank 212. The brush 206 is disposed in line with the catch tank 212 and terminates in the catch tank 212. The fruit can thus roll from the brush 206 of the determined container 205 into its catch bin 212. From the catch bin 212, the fruit is typically unloaded into a collection crate 13 (see FIG. 1). The harvesting device 1 according to the invention provides a storage space for a plurality of collecting crates 13, which collecting crates 13 can be stacked and stored, optionally filled with fruit, until they are removed from the harvesting device 1.

Fig. 6 shows a single container 305 according to another embodiment. The container 305 has the same features as described above and can therefore be used in the same manner. However, the container 305 of FIG. 6 differs from the containers described above in that the container 305 does not have bristles, but rather has flexible strips 316 in place of the bristles. In this case, the container 305 has one arm 311, but it may have a plurality of arms 311. Arranged on either side of the arm are flexible strips 316, which flexible strips 316 are placed beside the arm 311 in the longitudinal direction of the arm 311. The flexible strip 316 extends from the arm 311 in a direction substantially transverse to the arm 311, i.e. away from the arm 311, such that the flexible strip 316 extends from the arm 311 in the transport direction T and opposite to the transport direction T when used in the harvesting device described above.

Fig. 7A and 7B show in a greatly simplified manner that containers 405, 505 adjacent to each other may at least partially overlap each other. Fig. 7A shows a substantially identical container 405 having bristles 409 defining slots, as described above. The bristles 409 can of course also be replaced by flexible strips. The receptacles 409 are offset in height relative to each other such that the free ends of the bristles 409 which are opposite each other are located directly above each other. This results in a relatively small area where the bristles 409 overlap each other. Fig. 7B also shows the same containers 505, but they are arranged at the same height. The bristles on one side of the arm (see 509') are always longer than the bristles on the other side (see 509) so that the bristles 509' on one side end above and at least partially overlap the bristles 509 on the other side of the adjacent arm. The bristles 509, 509' may here also be replaced by flexible strips.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a method 99 according to the invention by means of a flow chart. At the beginning, the method 99 comprises a first step S1: the harvesting device according to the invention is displaced in the transport direction towards at least one plant. Next is a second step S2: displacing the at least one container in an extension direction towards the at least one plant such that the bristles form a capture surface at least partially surrounding the at least one plant. The first step S1 and the second step S2 may be performed simultaneously. Following the second step S2 is a third step S4: shaking at least one plant to cause the fruit hanging thereon to fall onto a capture surface, or picking and throwing the fruit. As mentioned above, this can be done both mechanically and manually. The final fourth step S4 completes the method: the fruit captured by the capture surface is collected. For example, as described above, this may be achieved by providing the container with a catch bin, and then pouring the fruit into a collection crate.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or shown in the drawings, but extends also to the subject matter defined in the claims appended hereto.