Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for orienting a substantially spherical object having an external characteristic suitable for orientation, such as bulbous plant, pepper, apple or cabbage, comprising: - a frame, - at least three drivable rotation members (1, 2, 3) arranged in the frame, -drive means (4, 5, 6) for driving the rotation members, and - an orientaion determining system (7) for determining the orientaion of the spherical object.
Abstract:
An apparatus for taking over singulated objects, in particular at least slightly elongated objects, wherein the objects are supplied on an endless feed conveyor (1) which is formed by two endless conveyor strips forming a V-channel, and wherein the objects are subsequently transferred to a following endless sorting conveyor (3) with transport positions at fixed mutual intermediate distances or pitch distances, wherein the apparatus further comprises an endless positioning conveyor (2) , immediately following the feed conveyor, as well as a control, which controls the speed of the conveyor (1) and of the positioning conveyor (2) , and hence the transfer of the objects onto the positioning conveyor (2) , wherein the intermediate distances of the transferred objects on the positioning conveyor correspond to values previously entered in the control, and wherein the objects are taken over from the positioning conveyor by the sorting conveyor (3) by means of grippers (4) . Preferably, at take-over by the grippers, the speed of the positioning conveyor and of the sorting conveyor are substantially equal. Such a conveyor system sa suitably sort delicate products such as chicory or pears whilst avoiding these products being damaged.
Abstract:
A foldable conveyor belt (10) used in an apparatus, such as a grape harvesting machine, whereby the belt (10) separates different dimensions material such as grapes (22) form the pedicles (24). The belt (10) includes a series of aligned projections (12) along a base (14) and defining a channel pattern, each projection having a free end, the projections (12) supporting the grapes (22) and the pedicles (24) to be separated. For the cleaning of grapes (22) and pedicles (24) the width of the channel pattern is greater than the pedicles (24) but smaller than the grapes (22). The belt (10) is then folded longitudinally and inwardly causing the projections (12) to capture the pedicles (24) or part extending in the channels. As the pedicles (24) are captured the belt is inverted causing only the grapes to fall away, typically to another belt (30). The belt (10) is then unfolded but is still inverted causing the now free pedicles (24) to drop onto yet another belt (56). Thus the grapes (22) and the pedicles (24) are efficiently separated.
Abstract:
A conveying assembly for fruit handling, comprising a carriage (20) adapted to be attached to a conveying chain arranged to displace the carriage in a conveying direction, a cup (30) adapted to support a single piece of fruit, the cup being secured to the carriage via a parallelogram linkage (41, 42, 22, 35) extending transversely to the conveying direction, the cup being pivotally secured to the linkage to be moveable from a conveying position to a discharge position, the linkage having release means (60) to cause the cup to pivot relative to the linkage transversely of the conveying direction to the discharge position to effect discharge of the fruit, the linkage allowing the cup to be vertically displaceable to effect weighting of the fruit.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device and method for singulating from a holder with liquid and/or individualizing of products, such as fruits, wherein the device comprises: a discharge conveyor extending above the liquid level in the holder for discharging the products in rows; and a feed conveyor of V-shaped cross section, the discharge end of which connects onto a front end of the discharge conveyor and which extends at an inclination from this front end to below the liquid level in the liquid holder.
Abstract:
A transport system for use in a produce sizing or sorting apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of pivotally interconnected carrier members (10) forming an endless conveyor, each said carrier member (10) having a pair of finger members (25, 26) connected thereto in a manner whereby the finger members depend downwardly at least along a portion of the endless conveyor, each pair of finger members (25, 26) together with adjacent such pairs defining a produce retaining zone (22) extending in the direction of the endless conveyor when the finger members (25, 26) are positioned in a first closed position, and at least one of each finger member pair (25, 26) being selectably pivotable, in use, to a second open position enabling produce to be released from the produce retaining zone (22) at desired and spaced locations along the path of the endless conveyor.
Abstract:
Apparatus for stacking selected layers of products on a pallet comprises an upstanding frame having two side walls, a back wall forming a close with the side walls, an open entry side and an open uppermost end defined by peripheral frame members. Clamp means circumscribe the uppermost end in unobstructive overhead relation within the close and surrounding frame members to provide an inwardly directed clamping pressure between the side walls and between the back wall and frame members positioned above the entry side. Clamping pressure is generated by inflatable air bags positioned between the peripheral frame members and pressure plates facing inwardly of the close. Layers of products from successive pallet loads are placed by a forklift truck into the apparatus through the open side. A selected layer is raised and supportively clamped. The remaining pallet load is lowered and withdrawn. Successive pallet loads of different products are placed into the apparatus and raised to engage the lowermost surface of the previous clamped layer which is then released. The combined load is raised to the next selected layer and reclamped, the remainder being lowered and withdrawn. Loads extending above the apparatus are confined within a safety cage in a further embodiment which also includes a safety curtain to support the load in the event of clamp means failure. On completion of stacking, clamping pressure is released and the entire load of assorted product layers is lowered and withdrawn.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a conveyor device for transporting fruits and vegetables, comprising a plurality of buckets (1) articulated about a transverse traction shaft (8) integral with a conveyor line (5), and provided with a lateral transverse shaft (4). The invention is characterised in that said conveyor device comprises, associated with each bucket (1), a lever (9) articulated about a transverse shaft (11) integral with the conveyor line (5), and provided with a transverse catch (16) supporting said bucket lateral shaft (4), and tilting means (20, 21) arranged to cause said levers to pivot at the unloading zones, so as to release the lateral shafts (4) of the buckets (1) and enable the latter to be tilted.
Abstract:
A bucket elevator (16) for use in grape harvesting which has buckets (1) in sequential alignment which are each attached to a bucket elevator chain (7) so that the orientation of each bucket will remain that of the chain to which it is attached. There are disclosures of shapes of buckets to facilitate collection, emptying and carrying materials and to avoid allowing spaces between the buckets which will ensnare with materials being carried.
Abstract:
A device for facilitating the transportation of bunches of bananas at the time of harvest comprises two horizontal runners (13, 14) having a hairpin configuration and forming two levels of track (130, 131; 140, 141). Said runners are secured to the platform (1) of a trailer by means of vertical side posts (11, 12), and horizontal members (2) can be moved translationally in the tracks (130, 140; 131, 141) of the said runners (13, 14), to pass from one level to the other, by means of chains (21) to which they are attached by means of sprocket wheels (22). Said horizontal members (2) are fitted at their ends with idler wheels (20) running in said runners (13, 14) and linked to shock absorber assemblies (3). Means for hooking (4) the bunches of bananas are provided between two shock absorber assemblies (3).