PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leaf-plucking machine for vegetable leaves which is capable of squeezing and collecting only the leaves from branches with the leaves.SOLUTION: The leaf-plucking machine is constituted of branch moving means for holding tips of the branches at a prescribed length and moving at a constant speed, and leaf-separating means attached to the branch moving means at an optional angle in the horizontal direction, holding the branches, moving at a speed substantially equal to that of the branch moving means and squeezing and collecting the leaves from the tips of the branches to the base parts thereof. The branch-moving means is constituted of a support part for supporting the branches, and an endless member running which is in contact with or at close vicinity to the supporting part on the support part. The leaf-separating means is constituted of an endless mechanism consisting of a pair of upper and lower chain members and contact small pieces which are attached to the chain members at fixed intervals.COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT【課題】植物の葉の採葉機を提供する。【解決手段】所定長さの枝の先端部を把持し定速度で移動する枝移動手段と、該枝移動手段と水平方向で任意の角度にて取り付けられ、前記枝を把持して前記枝移動手段と実質的に等速に移動し、枝の先端部から元部へ葉をしごき落とす葉分離手段と、から構成される。そして枝移動手段は、枝を支持する支持部と、該支持部上を接触又は近接して走行する無端状部材とから構成され、葉分離手段は、上下一対のチェーン部材からなる無端機構と、該チェーン部材に一定間隔にて取り付けられた接触小片から構成される。【選択図】 図1
