Diseño y construcción de un mecanismo para enfundar frutos de chirimoya en la etapa inicial del crecimiento

Abstract

In Ecuador, it is common to use chemical based substances to control the attacks from insects, fungus and other pests to fruits such as chirimoya. A friendly alternative is to put a bag on the fruit and seal it with the use of a soft string. This technique allows for a chemical free fruit, which is preferred as a natural and ecological product.

This project proposes a mechanism for sealing chirimoya fruits using paper-based or plastic bags. The system consists of a chain-pinion transportation system and a sealing system. The transportation system moves the sealing mechanism towards the fruit and backwards to the operator. An action from the operator put the bag onto the fruit and seals it by means of a soft and small diameter rope. The rope is cut by a blade located on top of the mechanism.

Several tests were performed to check the functionality of the mechanism. It was estimated that the prototype can seal a chirimoya fruit in about two and half minutes. This works provides a significant reduction in time for sheathing a fruit when compared with a normal process, and provides a safer working environment for the operator.