Novel Approaches to Bin Filling
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The document describes two passive approaches to filling bins with apples during harvest: a pneumatic self-adjusting apple distributor and an energy absorbing grate. The pneumatic distributor uses inflatable cylinders and a padded ramp to gently distribute apples into bins, but requires moving between bins. The energy absorbing grate uses rubber bands or foam balls on a rubber grate to absorb impact and distribute apples, performing better with singulated fruit. Field tests showed the prototypes worked better than expected but transport from trees remains a challenge.
Novel Approaches to Bin Filling
- 1. Novel Approaches to Passive Bin Filling for Apples Brian Kliethermes 1 , Alexander Leslie 2 , Russel Rohrbaugh 2 Jacob Koan 2 , Scott Wolford 3 , Michael Glenn 3 , Karen Lewis 4 , Tara Baugher 2 , William Messner 1 1 Carnegie Mellon University 2 Penn State 3 USDA-ARS 4 Washington State University
- 2. Introduction Bin filling remains among the most challenging operations of apple harvest. There is a need for effective and inexpensive alternatives to mechanized approaches currently under development. We describe two alternative passive dry bin filling approaches under development at Carnegie Mellon, Penn State, and ARS.
- 3. Augmented Harvesting: Bin filling concepts Net-based Passive Apple Distributor Active Roller Apple Distributor Pneumatic Self-Adjusting Apple Distributor Energy Absorbing Grate for Apple Distribution
- 4. Pneumatic Self-Adjusting Apple Distributor for Bin Filling Advantages: self-adjusting height, less damage, faster bag dumping Disadvantages: must be moved from bin to bin, heavier, power required
- 5. Augmented Harvesting: Energy absorbing grate tests Soft foam balls on rubber bands Rubber bands alone Hard foam balls on rubber bands
- 6. Augmented Harvesting: Bin Filling Results
- 7. Prototype Energy Absorbing Grate Prototype Bungee cords Padded ramp Frame for confining apples
- 8. Pneumatic self-adjusting bin filler Inflatable cylinders Padded ramp Frame for confining apples
- 9. Bruise data control pneumatic self-adjusting energy absorbing grate singulated
- 10. control pneumatic self-adjusting singulated energy absorbing grate Energy absorbing grate singulated
- 11. Conclusions Two passive dry bin filling concepts were investigated. Laboratory tests provided overly optimistic results for the energy absorbing grate Performance of the full-scale prototypes was much better with singulation of the fruit was much better than without it. Transport from the tree to the bin filler will be key to the success of these approaches.