APPARATUS FOR PICKING BERRY, PREFERABLY CRANBERRY Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: agricultural engineering. SUBSTANCE: apparatus is formed as box with elongate U-shaped berry grip fixed to front part of box by retainer. Berry grip has parallel bent rods positioned in upper horizontal and front vertical parts in different planes. Lower parts of rods are bent to rear wall to define gripping surface 4, with length of gripping surface 4 not exceeding double diameter of berry. Gripping surface 4 is bent at an angle and is made integral with separating surface, which is gradually continued by gathering surface at location adjacent to gate and rod contact point. Rods fixed to front retainer are spaced by distance exceeding that between these rods and retainer 9. Side surfaces 3 are fixed on bent side rods and bent to outside for an angle of α. Inner side of surfaces 3 adjacent to gripping surface 4 is provided with curved portion for passage of berries. Each bent rod of grip Е is shifted to rear wall. Front upper part of apparatus has fastening portion 12 for L-shaped removable handle 11. By moving gripping surface for minimum distance from moss in parallel with it, berries are introduced into apparatus and are urged to be moved to portion behind gate. To withdraw berries from depressions, apparatus is inclined and berries are gripped by side curved portion. L-shaped portion facilitates handling of apparatus. EFFECT: increased efficiency, provision for collecting berries from grass or from irregular surfaces and enhanced reliability in operation. 2 cl, 3 dwg