This invention relates to a tea harvesting shear with improved efficacy and durability.
Robert Kidd introduced Tea in India in the year 1780 and the British started large scale tea plantations in this country during early 20th century. Tea plantations and tea processing are lab our oriented and soon large colonies of tea plantation workers were formed in and around tea estates. Mechanization was at the top of the priority list from then on.
Hand plucking of tea leaves as a method of harvesting tea leaves is as old as tea itself and is the most labour intensive operation in the industry. Hand held harvesting shears with a collection bag attached working on the principle of the scissors were developed and put to use in the 80's. This semi mechanical tool which is still in use has many limitations.
Two major defects or demerits are observed while using hand held tea harvesters. They are heavy to handle thus causing human hardship and resultant fatigue which affect productivity. Frequent wear and tear of the cutting blade result in uneven cut affecting the quality of the produce.
Non-availability of labour and the need to enhance productivity led to increased mechanization. Improvement in the existing machinery to make them more efficient and production oriented is also a part of ongoing research.
With these in mind it was decided to look into the possibility of an effective and efficient tea harvesting shear. Reduction in frictional loss and total weight of the shear would no doubt lead to increased production.

Reduction in weight was achieved by the use of polypropylene moulded handles, construction of the blades and the stopper mechanism have been improved to reduce the strain imposed on the plucker during harvest.
Tea harvesting shear according to this invention comprises two blades pivot ably joined to handles which on operation closes and opens the blades. Said blades being provided with a downwardly disposed detachable collection bag made of fiberglass and having top cover plates disposed above each said blade having a flat surface broader at the pivoted and tapering to the front, inner area thereof having a cutting edge and stopper means provided adjacent to the pivot joint on one or the blades, the other blade being provided with a groove to nestle the stopper.
The collection bag is housed in a frame member which is revetted to the blades on its lower surface. The shear blades are made of stainless steel and the revetting is also done with stainless steel which avoids wear and tear.
The tea harvesting shear will now be described with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the tea harvesting shear without collection bag. Reference letters Bi and B2 represent the blades, P the pivot, Hj and H2 the handles. The stopper means is shown by letter S and the groove by letter G, do and d2 in fig. 1 show the holes for positioning the frame to the blades.
Fig.2 shows the fiber glass collection bag.
Fig. 3 the frame or housing for the collection bag and
3

Fig. 4 shows the cover plate.
Harvested tea leaves fall into the collection bag which can be periodically emptied into the entire assembly is light weight and durable. At least 20% increase in production is achieved when this improved tea harvesting shear is used.

WE CLAIM :
1. A tea harvesting shear comprising two stainless steel blades pivotably
joined to handles which on operation closes and opens the blades, said blades
being provided with a downwardly disposed, detachable collection bag made of
fiberglass and having top cover plates disposed above each blade, said blades
having a flat surface broader at the pivoted end and tapering to the front, inner
area of each blade being provided with cutting edges and a stopper means
being provided adjacent to the pivot joint on the handle side of one of the
blades, and a corresponding groove to nestle the stopper means on the other
blade.
2. The tea harvesting shear according to claim 1, wherein the handles are made of polypropylene and are moulded into the blades.
3. The tea harvesting shear according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the collection bas is housed in a frame member.