ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, praises and thanks to God, the Almighty, for His showers of
blessings throughout my work to complete the research successfully.

I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my research adviser, Engr.
Benjamin, Professor, MCA, ME, CB, Mechanical Engineering Department, Technological
Institute of the Philippines-Manila for giving me the opportunity to do research and
providing invaluable guidance throughout this research. His dynamism, vision, sincerity
and motivation have deeply inspired me. He taught me the methodology to carry out the
research and to present the research works as clearly as possible. It was a great privilege
and honor to work and study under his guidance. I am extremely grateful for what he had
offered me. I would also like to thank him for her friendship, empathy, and great sense of
humor. I am extending my heartfelt thanks for the acceptance and patience i had with him
on research study preparation.

I am extremely grateful to my parents for their love, prayers, caring and sacrifices
for educating and preparing me for my future.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKOWLEDGMENT…………………………………………………………………………….i

TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………….….ii-iii

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………………..iv

CHAPTER 1 The Problem and its Background……………………………………………...1

Background of the Study…………………………………………………………………1-3

Introduction of the Study……………………………………………………………………4

Objectives of the Study……………………………………………………………………..5

Significance of the Study……………………………………………………………………5

Scope and Delimitations……………………………………………………………………6

CHAPTER 2 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………7

Related Literature and Studies …………………………………………………………7-9

Research Paradigm…………………………………………………………………….…10

Assumptions……………………………………………………………………………….11

Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………….11-12

Operational Definition……………………………………………………………………..12

CHAPTER 3 Methodology……………………………………………………………………13

Research Design…………………………………………………………………………..13

3.1 Research Locale………………………………………………………………………..13

3.2 Sources of Data…………………………………………………………………………14

ii
CHAPTER 4 Results and Discussion……………………………………………………15-25

CHAPTER 5……………………………………………………………………………………26

Summary of Findings and Conclusions……………………………………………........26

Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………26

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………………….27

iii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Research Paradigm……………………………………………………………………………10

Map of Asturias, Cebu………………………………………………………………………...13

Figure 1 Perspective View of a preferred device of the present invention………………15

Figure 2 Plan View of the device of FIG. 1………………………………………………….17

FIG. 3 Front End View of the device of FIG. 1…………………………………………...…17

FIG. 4 Side View of the device of FIG.1…………………………………………………….17

FIG. 5 Plan View of the device of FIG. 1 before it is mounted to a tree………………....19

FIG. 6 Schematic View of the device of FIG. 1 mounted to a tree……………………….21

FIG. 7 Perspective View of a further preferred device of the invention………………….23

FIG. 8 Plan View of the device of FIG. 7…………………………………………………...24

FIG. 9 Front End View of the device of FIG. 7…………………………………………….24

FIG. 10 Side View of the device of FIG. 9………………………………………………….24

iv
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

CHAPTER 1

Background of the Study

Falling fruit from trees such as coconut, breadfruit and jackfruit trees can pose a

jeopardy to people in the vicinity of the tree. People have been hurt and in some cases

killed by falling coconuts. Property such as cars may also be blemish by falling fruit.

Circumspection which have been inked to attenuate the perils associated with such trees

includes simple warning signs alerting people to the dangers, removing fruit when green

before it ripens and falls and even removing the annoying trees. Fruit removal is a

manually intensive and costly scheme. Further, green fruit may still become dislodged

under conditions such as high wind or be alleviate or dislodged by animals feeding on the

fruit. While tree removal is an ultimate elucidation in many cases it is neither

environmentally, culturally, nor aesthetically desirable.

Other types of trees drop fruit, nuts, seeds and the like, which although may not pose

a safety threat, the falling of such bodies may be undesirable. For example, the dropping

of fruit, seeds or the like onto areas such as lawns, golf greens, swimming pools and the

like is unacceptable for many reasons. Presently, when trees are fruiting and dropping

fruit, the dropped fruit must be manually cleaned and cleared from the expanse. Such

clearing is typically manually intensive and can add to maintenance expenditure.

1
 Harvesting of fruit from trees may also be an energy intensive operation. Harvesting

of coconuts for example is still carried out by conventional methods. The simplest method

is to wait for the coconuts to drop on the ground and manually pick them up. A detriment

of collecting coconuts from the ground is that it is manually exhaustive. Further, while on

the ground coconuts are susceptible to damage by animals and rodents in particular.

Alternatively, and/or in addition to, trained climbers climb the trees to pick the coconuts.

In some Asian countries specially trained monkeys are used for this purpose. Seed

collection is another area where collectors wait for seeds to fall onto the ground and/or

climb trees to collect the seeds. Again this is a manually intensive process. Further,

climbing trees is an inherently risky procedure.

Various types of fruit collecting or harvesting devices have been contemplated over

the years. Some of these devices include a fruit catching apron or the like which extends

radially from the trunk of the tree. In many cases, these earlier devices include quite

intricate attachment and support means in the form of rigid support arms. Some earlier

devices represent inverted umbrellas. Some of these devices include perplexed means

for guiding the fruit from a catching are to a collection area. These earlier devices

generally include numerous parts, are lavish to manufacture and complicated and time

consuming to install. Further, in view of the intricate nature of the devices and moving

parts therein, routine maintenance is required. Further such devices are subject to

damage by the weight of the falling fruit themselves and under adverse weather

conditions.

2
Further, it is believed that many of these earlier devices were developed based on the

assumption that trees grow vertically and trunks have a circular cross-section.

It is therefore a goal of the invention to yield a device for collecting vegetation falling

from a tree, which may at least partially overthrow the above disadvantages or provide

the public with a useful or commercial choice.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

3
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Introduction of the Study

Coconut is one of the most valuable gifts of nature to mankind. Every part of a

coconut tree has its own use or applications. It is generally called “Tree of Heaven”,

‘‘Tree” of Abundance”, “Tree of Life”.

Coconut servers as a veritable source of food and drinks to millions of people in the

tropics. The coconut crop is gaining significance as a fiber crop, beverage and a medical

crop. Coconut is a crop with unique features. Owing to its versatile uses, the demand for

coconut and its products has been on the increase. Due to multifarious uses, the future

of the crop is very bright irrespective of the locations where it is grown in the world.

Falling coconuts can cause injury to the head, back, and shoulders. Since mature

coconut palms may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may

weigh 1 to 4 kg, blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible. It is true

that a person can be injured, and in some cases killed, by a coconut because the trees

are tall, and the velocity of the coconut accelerates as it falls. This could essentially be

the equivalent of dropping a coconut, in many cases, off a ten-story building. Passers-by

could have concussions, and it would be theoretically possible for a direct hit to cause

death. This would be especially the case if a small child or infant were hit. Most people

do not suffer acute injuries from a falling coconut.

Retrieved from: http://www.wisegeek.org/are-falling-coconuts-dangerous.htm

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 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to determine the reasons why should a Mechanized Coconut

Harvester should be the implemented method.

Specifically, it seeks to provide solutions to the following:

a. Damage to Properties like cars

b. Hazards / Threats brought by the Killer Tree to Humans

c. Manually Intensive Procedure if fall onto areas such as lawns, golfs, swimming

pools and the like.

Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the following:

To the people within the vicinity of the killer tree, Mechanized Coconut Harvester

serves as a safety harvesting device to prevent jeopardy from the falling coconuts.

To the Harvester, Mechanized Coconut Harvester serves as a conventional harvesting

device wherein the fruit collection can be lowered when the basket limits its capacity.

5
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Scope and Delimitations

This research work study compile with the researchers started last November 23 up

to March 22, 2018. This study is primarily focus not only to safety of the people as well

as properties but also to have a useful harvesting device which can harvest the fruit-

bearing tree with ease. This study covers harvesting of fruit issues and how it can be

shunned.

6
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

CHAPTER 2

Conceptual Framework

Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the literature, studies conducted, and the readings significantly

related to this present study. Hence, they serve and provide essential background to this

study.

a.) According to history coconut palm derived from African country and suitable

planted at warm climate. Country which produces oil palm mostly was in world north.

Malaysia is either country that largest production oil palm in the world. Malaysia has

competitive advantage in palm oil industry because has owned experience more than

century and lead market from productivity aspect and R&D. Every seed coconut palm is

very important to national income. Oil palm can be processed and make various

commercial material needed by market. There is high demand from local factories which

made commercial material such as soap, wax, cooking oil, margarine, biscuit, and others.

Palm oil originated from oil palm fruit. Oil palm fruit contain husk, shell and kernel. Palm

oil is located in husk area and kernel. Palm oil which originated from husk called as palm

oil and oil which originated from kernel called kernel oil. Hereby many new machines were

created to facilitate works whether in aspect unload or knitting. Most machine or tools

were created to discharge and cut bunch and oil palm fronds but no machine to facilitate

7
process collection loose fruit. Every bunch of cutting will cause at least 5% oil palm fruit

fall separated on the land. Loose fruit means lost income. If this fruit uncollected,

entrepreneur oil palm planter would loss big profit besides pay cost of area maintenance.

To collect the loose oil palm fruit cause big problem to this crop entrepreneur. Previously,

method used to collect the loose fruit with conventional or traditional 6 methods. This

meant collects using hand and employees have to sit squatting, bow or bend their body

to collect fruit on the land and need to move from one tree to another tree. This method

causes backbone will feel pain. Oil palm owner will not let seed oil palm this without picked

up because loose oil palm fruit also important role to increase the total collection and an

individual’s income.

b.) Based on the comparison, the conventional method or technique by using hand,

nail rake or scoop is not suitable to uses in the collection loose fruit problem. This is

because this technique always causes big problem to the oil palm planter because the

workers always sick waist and need to sit when want to collect fruit. This technique cause

trouble to worker and need more times to collect the loose fruit at the land. Workers need

to collect loose fruit one by one and need to move from one tree to another tree. The

method or technique to collect loose fruit using disc collector is suitable to uses in the

collection loose fruit problem. This is because this technique makes easy to workers to

collect loose fruit. Disc collector has nail as a sticker to stick the fruit and has a mechanism

removed tool to remove fruit at once. Workers an able to see fruit those stick at nail

because disc is made by acrylic or clear plastics. The loose fruit can collect and remove

at once and no need to sit or band body. This product is portable and anywhere. These

8
products also easy to bring on bicycle, motorcycle or any vehicles because the parts can

be dissembled and separated between holder and fruit collector. However, this technique

has a several disadvantages but the workers can cover this problem to make sure that

the time not waste and workers not sick waist. The problems appear from this technique

usually such as rubbish presence and high injury fruit. The rubbish presence problem can

easy to solve with separated the rubbish from the nail. The injury fruit problems are difficult

to avoid. Every technique has advantages and disadvantages respectively. Everything

has advantages and disadvantages, benefits and weakness own. Anywhere, costumers

cannot run or avoid from advantages and disadvantages or benefits and weakness for

some products.

Retrieved from: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/2995/1/CD6135.pdf

9
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Research Paradigm

Input Process Output

 Knowledge  Planning of
the Research
Requirement  Preparation
of the
-Mechanical materials and
equipment to
Engineering be used
 Designing of
Principles
the Prototype
-Machine

Shop  Prototype
 Findings and
Practices Conclusions
 Recommendat
-Engineering ions

Standards

 Hard Ware

-Solid Works

Assumptions
-CAD

 People
Definition Ware
of Term
-ME Students
Operational Definition
-ME

Practitioners

Research Paradigm 10
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Assumptions

It is believed that many of these earlier devices were developed based on the

assumption that trees grow vertically and trunks have a circular cross-section.

Definition of Terms

Adverse is unfavorable or antagonistic in purpose or effect.

Attenuate is to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value.

Blemish is to destroy or diminish the perfection of.

Circumspection is the quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks.

Dislodged is a knock or force out of position.

Elucidation is the explanation that makes something clear.

Expanse is an area of something, typically land or sea, presenting a wide continuous

surface.

Intensive is concentrated on a single area or subject or into a short time, very thorough

or vigorous.

Intricate is a very complicated or detailed.

Inverted is a put upside down or in the opposite position, order, or arrangement.

Jeopardy is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.

11
Lavish is a sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.

Peril is a serious and immediate danger.

Perplexed is a completely baffled, very puzzled.

Trunk is the main woody stem of a tree as distinct from its branches and roots.

Vicinity is the area near or surrounding a particular place.

Operational Terms

Aperture is a circular hole that can be mounted in a coconut tree.

Basket serves as a storage for the falling coconuts.

Catching Zone is a zone in which the falling coconuts are stored.

Collar serves as a barrier to animals climbing he tree trunk to eat the fruit.

Collecting Zone is a zone in which the falling coconuts went through.

Fingers holds the net which is mounted in the coconut tree.

Flaps is a scalene cone shaped used to bring the device together.

Fold Lines allow the device to be folded and stored in a flat manner.

Net Portion is a part of the net which guides the falling coconut to the basket.

Upper Perimeter defines the outer limit of the catching are to remain substantially

parallel to the ground regardless of the angle of the trunk.

12
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The research design used by the researcher in this study is a descriptive research.
This particular design of research is concerned with the harvesting device which would
be a safety device in protecting people and properties within the vicinity of the killer tree.

Moreover, it is concerned not only with the people and properties within the vicinity but
also with how to collect the fruits without intensive process through the use of Mechanized
Coconut Harvester. This study provides useful information to the problems related to fruit
collection.

Research Locale

Asturias is a 3rd municipal income class municipality in the province

of Cebu, Philippines. It is bounded by Tuburan in the north; Balamban in the

south, Danao City in the east and by the Tañon Strait in the west.

Figure Map of Asturias, Cebu 13

 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M.

Sources of Data

The researcher’s sources of data are collected with the help of articles from
literature reviews from published journals, published research papers, newspapers,
magazines, etc. The articles from the include sources proves its relation to the research
work.

14
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M

CHAPTER 4

Discussions and results

The invention relates to a safety and harvesting device. More particularly the
invention relates to a safety and/or harvesting device for use with fruit bearing trees.

Catching Zone Outer Ring

Reinforcing Ring

Net Portion

Fingers
Aperture

Solid Collar

Mechanized
Collecting Zone
Coconut Harvester

FIG. 1 shows a preferred device of the invention. The device is in the form of a net

constructed from a thermoplastics material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or

mixtures and blends thereof. The plastics material is sufficiently flexible such that the

15
device may be manually formed to shape when being mounted to a tree, as will be

described further below. However, the device is also sufficiently rigid that when mounted

to a tree, it can hold its shape.

The device has a catching means in the form of a net portion. The device has an

aperture and a collar portion surrounding the aperture. The net and collar form a

continuous curved wall extending about the aperture. In use, a tree trunk passes through

aperture. The outer circumference of this aperture is lined with tree contacting fingers.

These fingers are at least partially flexible and can be pushed upwards or downwards by

contact with a tree trunk. It can be seen therefore that the aperture can be placed around

trees having different diameters, the difference in diameter being accommodated by the

movement of the fingers. The fingers also enable the device to be mounted to tree trunks,

which are not strictly circular in cross-section. About the aperture is a solid collar. In use,

this collar can act as a barrier to animals climbing the tree trunk to eat the fruit. For

example, it is known that rodents are able to climb coconut trees to access coconuts.

The upper perimeter of the net portion is provided with a ring of thicker plastic, which

serves to reinforce the perimeter. A second reinforcing ring is spaced from the outer ring.

In use, the reinforcing rings assist in the device retaining the shape as illustrated.

The area within the perimeter defines a catching zone. Any fruit falling within this

zone will be caught by the device.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

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17
 FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show plan, end and side views respectively of device. It can be seen

in FIG. 2 that the catching zone is circular in plain view and is substantially in the shape

of a scalene cone. The aperture is centrally located within the circle when viewed in plan.

The catching zone netting may vary depending on the selection of fruit bearing trees.

The device has a collecting zone, which when the device is mounted to a tree, the

collecting zone is located lowermost. This may be more clearly seen by reference to FIGS.

3 and 4. It can be seen that fruit falling within the catching zone is guided by the curvature

of the net towards the collecting zone. The collecting zone has an aperture through which

collected fruit may pass. The collecting zone may be provided with a closure for the

aperture such that if desired fallen fruit may collect in the collecting zone and be removed

as desired by an operator.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

18
 Eyelet

Joining Flaps

Facing Tabs

Line

FIG. 5 shows the device before being mounted to a tree. The device can essentially be

laid out flat. In order to assist in transport and storage the device is provided with fold

lines to allow the device to be folded and stored in a flat manner. In the unfolded and flat

position, the device has an oval shape with a wedge removed therefrom. Joining

flaps extend along each side of the wedge. During mounting to a tree, the device is placed

19
about a tree trunk, flaps are brought together and joined. As the flaps are brought together

the device takes a shape similar to that of a scalene cone as can been seen from FIG. 1.

The device also includes inwardly facing tabs, which are also joined. of a scalene cone

as can been seen from FIG. 1. The device also includes inwardly facing tabs, which are

also joined.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

20
 Collar

Supporting Members

Trunk

FIG. 6 shows schematically the device of FIG. 1 mounted to a tree trunk. The

device includes a collar mounted to the tree trunk above the net portion. Four flexible

support members, (the fourth not being visible) extend from the collar and attach to the

perimeter of the net portion. Support members are typically manufactured from nylon

webbing. The perimeter is provided with reinforced eyelets, which may be seen in detail

21
in FIG. 5. The support members are of adjustable length, which allows the angle of the

device to be varied with respect to the tree trunk. Such variation may be desired when

the device is to be mounted to a tree trunk, which is not vertical. The variation allows the

upper perimeter of the device which defines the outer limit of the catching area to remain

substantially parallel to the ground regardless of the angle of the tree trunk.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

22
23
 Mechanized
Coconut Harvester

Basket

Collecting
Zones

24
 FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate further preferred device of the present invention. This device is

similar to that of FIG. 1 and the same reference numerals will be used to describe the

same or similar features. Device includes a collecting basket located below collecting

zone. In use the basket collects the fallen fruit. The basket is formed separately from the

catching portion of the net and can be removed to allow emptying of fruit therefrom. This

device is mounted to a tree in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 6. The basket is

attached directly to the collar from which the device is suspended. In this way, the weight

of fruit in the basket is borne by the collar and does not deform the net.

In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the basket is attached to the collar by

a pulley system, which can be operated by a user on the ground. An operator can activate

the pulley so as to lower the basket to remove fruit therefrom and return the basket to its

collecting portion without.

Retrieved from: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040112033

25
 Tagalog, Ireneo Jr. M

CHAPTER 5

Summary of Findings and Conclusions

The researcher concludes that with the use of Mechanized Coconut Harvester, the
threat pose of the killer tree within its vicinity not only to people but also to the properties
such as cars is negligible. Falling fruit normally picked up by using hand and put together
into bucket, sack or gunny. Manually Collection of fruit can be an intensive process and
can cause big problem to this crop entrepreneur. Also, it can lead to ergonomic injuries
resulting to back problems. Tree Climbing could lead to the injuries when the occurrence
of the accidents.

Recommendations

The researcher recommends the usage of the device since it is not only for harvesting
agent but also act as a safety device protecting anyone within the vicinity of the Coconut
Tree.

26