CA2911017C - Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor - Google Patents
Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2911017C CA2911017C CA2911017A CA2911017A CA2911017C CA 2911017 C CA2911017 C CA 2911017C CA 2911017 A CA2911017 A CA 2911017A CA 2911017 A CA2911017 A CA 2911017A CA 2911017 C CA2911017 C CA 2911017C
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- uncapping
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 235000012907 honey Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000264877 Hippospongia communis Species 0.000 abstract description 32
- 210000003660 reticulum Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 32
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 abstract description 9
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 208000024780 Urticaria Diseases 0.000 description 1
- XIWFQDBQMCDYJT-UHFFFAOYSA-M benzyl-dimethyl-tridecylazanium;chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].CCCCCCCCCCCCC[N+](C)(C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 XIWFQDBQMCDYJT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 244000144987 brood Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000004886 head movement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K59/00—Honey collection
- A01K59/02—Devices for uncapping honeycombs
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
The design of a rotary cutter-auger uncapper and the process of uncapping honey frames without their removal from honey supers. It comprises rotating, cutter-augers or bits that remove cappings from honey combs when inserted down and across in the direction parallel to the frames containing the honey combs. Traditional uncapping devices require that all honey frames be removed prior to the uncapping of wax and extraction of honey. The rotary cutter-auger uncapper is designed to work using standard Langstroth supers consisting of self-spacing frames with modified top bars.
Description
ROTARY CUTTER-AUGER UNCAPPER AND METHOD THEREFOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to machines and methods for uncapping honeycomb frames, and more particularly to such machines and methods that enable such uncapping operations to be performed without removal of the honeycomb frames from honey supers in which they are contained.
BACKGROUND
Currently, uncapping frames of honey is physically accomplished by removing the frames of honey from a super, uncapping the honey combs with a device designed to accommodate one frame, extracting the honey, and replacing the frames back into the super. This method is slow, inefficient, and labour intensive. In addition, frames are required to be field spaced.
Advancements have been made in this area that are widely used which incorporate equipment that removes the frames from supers and passes them between rotary knives, reciprocating knives, or flails. The removed frames are then passed through an extractor to remove the honey and are returned to the supers.
While this method employs less labour, the frames still require field spacing.
This process, by its limitations, is restricted to a building facility for honey extraction, requires intensive labour, as well as large expensive processing equipment. In addition, current honey extraction equipment cannot effectively be applied in mobile operations (for field harvesting and extracting of honey on site) and do not allow for ease in dismantling for routine cleaning and maintenance.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to machines and methods for uncapping honeycomb frames, and more particularly to such machines and methods that enable such uncapping operations to be performed without removal of the honeycomb frames from honey supers in which they are contained.
BACKGROUND
Currently, uncapping frames of honey is physically accomplished by removing the frames of honey from a super, uncapping the honey combs with a device designed to accommodate one frame, extracting the honey, and replacing the frames back into the super. This method is slow, inefficient, and labour intensive. In addition, frames are required to be field spaced.
Advancements have been made in this area that are widely used which incorporate equipment that removes the frames from supers and passes them between rotary knives, reciprocating knives, or flails. The removed frames are then passed through an extractor to remove the honey and are returned to the supers.
While this method employs less labour, the frames still require field spacing.
This process, by its limitations, is restricted to a building facility for honey extraction, requires intensive labour, as well as large expensive processing equipment. In addition, current honey extraction equipment cannot effectively be applied in mobile operations (for field harvesting and extracting of honey on site) and do not allow for ease in dismantling for routine cleaning and maintenance.
2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames comprising:
a super supporting means for supporting at least one honey super;
a bit supporting means located above said super supporting means for supporting and rotationally driving a fluted bit or augering bit;
means for lowering said bit into a space between two honeycomb frames inside the honey super; and means for moving said bit along said honeycomb frames within said space while rotationally driving said bit, such that driven rotation of the bit cuts and augers wax from said honeycomb frames.
In embodiment, tracks means are provided on which the bit supporting means is movably carried to enable movement thereof into alignment with the honey super on the super supporting means.
In embodiment, there are multiple bits spaced apart from one another according to spacing of the honeycomb frames in the honey super, a motor connected to one of said multiple bits, and chain and sprocket means connecting said multiple bits together for driven rotation of said multiple bits by said single motor.
In embodiment, a belt connects said motor to said one of said multiple bits.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for uncapping honeycomb frames, the method comprising lowering a fluted bit or
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames comprising:
a super supporting means for supporting at least one honey super;
a bit supporting means located above said super supporting means for supporting and rotationally driving a fluted bit or augering bit;
means for lowering said bit into a space between two honeycomb frames inside the honey super; and means for moving said bit along said honeycomb frames within said space while rotationally driving said bit, such that driven rotation of the bit cuts and augers wax from said honeycomb frames.
In embodiment, tracks means are provided on which the bit supporting means is movably carried to enable movement thereof into alignment with the honey super on the super supporting means.
In embodiment, there are multiple bits spaced apart from one another according to spacing of the honeycomb frames in the honey super, a motor connected to one of said multiple bits, and chain and sprocket means connecting said multiple bits together for driven rotation of said multiple bits by said single motor.
In embodiment, a belt connects said motor to said one of said multiple bits.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for uncapping honeycomb frames, the method comprising lowering a fluted bit or
3 augering bit into a space between honeycomb frames inside a honey super, and moving said augering bit along said honeycomb frames within said space while rotationally driving said augering bit, thereby cutting and augering wax from said honeycomb frames.
In one embodiment, the method includes augering the wax downwardly from the honeycomb frames.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an uncapping apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames without requiring removal of said frames from a honey super in which the frame are supported in side-by-side parallel relationship with space between adjacent frames, the uncapping apparatus comprising:
super support means for supporting a plurality of honey supers in series one after the other in a longitudinal direction with each honey super in an orientation in which a plurality of honeycomb frames within the honey super lie perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the supper support means;
longitudinal movement means for enabling relative movement between the super support means and the head unit support means in the longitudinal direction to allow alignment of the head unit over any one of said plurality of honey supers;
lateral movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the
In one embodiment, the method includes augering the wax downwardly from the honeycomb frames.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an uncapping apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames without requiring removal of said frames from a honey super in which the frame are supported in side-by-side parallel relationship with space between adjacent frames, the uncapping apparatus comprising:
super support means for supporting a plurality of honey supers in series one after the other in a longitudinal direction with each honey super in an orientation in which a plurality of honeycomb frames within the honey super lie perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the supper support means;
longitudinal movement means for enabling relative movement between the super support means and the head unit support means in the longitudinal direction to allow alignment of the head unit over any one of said plurality of honey supers;
lateral movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the
4 honeycomb frames; and at least one cutter carried on the head unit and arranged to reach downward from the head unit into a working position lying adjacent to a respective side of one of the frames in close proximity thereto inside one of the honey supers in order to perform an uncapping operation on said respective side of the frame by displacing the head unit in the transverse direction to move the uncapping means along said frame.
In one embodiment, head unit raising and lowering means enables movement of the head unit between raised and lowered positions relative to the super support means, the at least one cutter being arranged to move into and out of the working position by movement of the head unit into and out of the lowered position.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal movement means comprises means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction over the series of honey supers.
In one embodiment, the means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction comprises a longitudinal track on which the head unit is supported for displacement along said track.
In one embodiment, there is provided a honey extractor that is arranged to hold frame-filled honey supers and is positioned in-line with the longitudinal direction of the super support means.
In one embodiment, the at least one cutter comprises a plurality of rotatably driven cutters, in which one of said cutters is rotatably driven off another of said cutters by a chain connected between said cutters.
In one embodiment, said one of said cutters from which the other of said cutters is driven is belt-driven by a motor.
In one embodiment, the motor is mounted to the head unit.
In one embodiment, head unit raising and lowering means enables movement of the head unit between raised and lowered positions relative to the super support means, the at least one cutter being arranged to move into and out of the working position by movement of the head unit into and out of the lowered position.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal movement means comprises means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction over the series of honey supers.
In one embodiment, the means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction comprises a longitudinal track on which the head unit is supported for displacement along said track.
In one embodiment, there is provided a honey extractor that is arranged to hold frame-filled honey supers and is positioned in-line with the longitudinal direction of the super support means.
In one embodiment, the at least one cutter comprises a plurality of rotatably driven cutters, in which one of said cutters is rotatably driven off another of said cutters by a chain connected between said cutters.
In one embodiment, said one of said cutters from which the other of said cutters is driven is belt-driven by a motor.
In one embodiment, the motor is mounted to the head unit.
5 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an uncapping apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames without requiring removal of said frames from a honey super in which the frame are supported in side-by-side parallel relationship with a gap space between adjacent frames, the uncapping apparatus comprising:
super support means for supporting at least one honey super in an orientation placing honeycomb frames of the honey super in positions lying in a predetermined direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the super support means;
head movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in the predetermined direction; and at least one fluted bit or augering bit carried on the head unit; and a rotational drive source coupled to the at least one bit for driven rotation thereof;
wherein the bit is arranged to depend downward from the head unit in a working position lying adjacent to a respective side of one of the frames in close proximity thereto inside the honey super in order to perform an uncapping operation
super support means for supporting at least one honey super in an orientation placing honeycomb frames of the honey super in positions lying in a predetermined direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the super support means;
head movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in the predetermined direction; and at least one fluted bit or augering bit carried on the head unit; and a rotational drive source coupled to the at least one bit for driven rotation thereof;
wherein the bit is arranged to depend downward from the head unit in a working position lying adjacent to a respective side of one of the frames in close proximity thereto inside the honey super in order to perform an uncapping operation
6 on said respective side of the frame by displacing the head unit in the predetermined direction to move the uncapping means along said frame, during which driven rotation of the bit frees capping material from the honeycomb frame.
In one embodiment, the rotational drive and the at least one bit are arranged to drive rotation of the bit in a predetermined direction resulting in a downwardly directed augering action performed by said bit.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for uncapping honeycomb frames, the method comprising:
placing a plurality of honey supers in series with one another in a longitudinal direction that is, perpendicular to a transverse direction in which sets of honeycomb frames lie within said plurality of supers;
performing relative displacement between a head unit and at least one of the plurality of supers in the longitudinal direction in order to bring the head unit into alignment over said one of the supers;
with at least one cutter of said head unit in a working position adjacent a side of a respective one of the honeycomb frames in close proximity thereto inside said one of the supers, performing an uncapping operation in which said cutter is displaced along said one of the honeycomb frames in the transverse direction to remove capping material from said one of the honeycomb frames.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In one embodiment, the rotational drive and the at least one bit are arranged to drive rotation of the bit in a predetermined direction resulting in a downwardly directed augering action performed by said bit.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for uncapping honeycomb frames, the method comprising:
placing a plurality of honey supers in series with one another in a longitudinal direction that is, perpendicular to a transverse direction in which sets of honeycomb frames lie within said plurality of supers;
performing relative displacement between a head unit and at least one of the plurality of supers in the longitudinal direction in order to bring the head unit into alignment over said one of the supers;
with at least one cutter of said head unit in a working position adjacent a side of a respective one of the honeycomb frames in close proximity thereto inside said one of the supers, performing an uncapping operation in which said cutter is displaced along said one of the honeycomb frames in the transverse direction to remove capping material from said one of the honeycomb frames.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
7 Figure 1 is an elevational view of a movable power head of a honeycomb uncapping machine using rotary bits to cut and auger wax capping material from honeycomb frames in a honey super.
Figure 2 is an overhead view of illustrating a narrower top bar of a honeycomb frame usable with the uncapping machine of the present invention relative to a wider top bar of a standard honeycomb frame.
Figure 3 is an overhead perspective view of a honey super in which a full set of honeycomb frames are installed using metal clips on the outer frames to maintain alignment of the frames in the super.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the movable power head of the of the honeycomb uncapping machine illustrating available directions of movement of the power head on a track.
Figure 5 shows a series of honey supers loaded onto a rack below the track on which the movable power head is carried for uncapping of the frames in the different supers by moving the power head from one super to another.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following describes in detail one embodiment of a Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and process of uncapping honey without the removal of the frames from the super. The machine used in the process consists of rotary bits that have a cutting edge and offer an augering effect. Eleven rotary bits are aligned in a straight
Figure 2 is an overhead view of illustrating a narrower top bar of a honeycomb frame usable with the uncapping machine of the present invention relative to a wider top bar of a standard honeycomb frame.
Figure 3 is an overhead perspective view of a honey super in which a full set of honeycomb frames are installed using metal clips on the outer frames to maintain alignment of the frames in the super.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the movable power head of the of the honeycomb uncapping machine illustrating available directions of movement of the power head on a track.
Figure 5 shows a series of honey supers loaded onto a rack below the track on which the movable power head is carried for uncapping of the frames in the different supers by moving the power head from one super to another.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following describes in detail one embodiment of a Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and process of uncapping honey without the removal of the frames from the super. The machine used in the process consists of rotary bits that have a cutting edge and offer an augering effect. Eleven rotary bits are aligned in a straight
8 row on a movable, powered head.
The rotary action of the bits simultaneously cut and auger the wax cappings from all frames while remaining inside the honey super. Initially, the bits are lowered at one end of the super and pass along all ten frames to the opposite end of the super. The head with the rotary bits are then raised and returned overhead to the initial position. This completes the cycle for uncapping one super with ten frames. The process is repeated for all subsequent supers by sliding supers under or by positioning the head which is mounted on a track. The head is not limited to eleven bits and the number of supers uncapped in one cycle is not limited to one super. A series of bits can be used to uncap simultaneously multiple supers prior to extraction. However, the head as described in this document makes up the fundamental unit for uncapping honey frames without removing the frames from supers.
The rotary cutter-auger uncapper has distinct advantages over existing uncapping methods:
1. Eliminates the requirement for the removal and replacing of frames into honey supers thereby reducing labour cost.
2. Rapid uncapping of several frames (ten frames per cycle) simultaneously rather than one frame at a time using conventional uncapping systems.
3. Eliminates the need for field spacing frames thereby decreasing labour and increasing hive productivity.
4. Eliminates the need for frame removal equipment thereby decreasing
The rotary action of the bits simultaneously cut and auger the wax cappings from all frames while remaining inside the honey super. Initially, the bits are lowered at one end of the super and pass along all ten frames to the opposite end of the super. The head with the rotary bits are then raised and returned overhead to the initial position. This completes the cycle for uncapping one super with ten frames. The process is repeated for all subsequent supers by sliding supers under or by positioning the head which is mounted on a track. The head is not limited to eleven bits and the number of supers uncapped in one cycle is not limited to one super. A series of bits can be used to uncap simultaneously multiple supers prior to extraction. However, the head as described in this document makes up the fundamental unit for uncapping honey frames without removing the frames from supers.
The rotary cutter-auger uncapper has distinct advantages over existing uncapping methods:
1. Eliminates the requirement for the removal and replacing of frames into honey supers thereby reducing labour cost.
2. Rapid uncapping of several frames (ten frames per cycle) simultaneously rather than one frame at a time using conventional uncapping systems.
3. Eliminates the need for field spacing frames thereby decreasing labour and increasing hive productivity.
4. Eliminates the need for frame removal equipment thereby decreasing
9 capitol cost.
5. This technology can be accommodated easily into mobile harvesting and extraction units for in field processing of honey.
6. Offers ease of cleaning for sanitation as required by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The appended figures show the rotary cutter-auger uncapper and component details. To illustrate the mechanics of the equipment (Fig. 1), eleven 5/8-inch (15.8 mm) rotary bits 1 with a 9-inch (228.6 mm) flute area 2 are spaced in the head 3, at distances 1-3/8-inch (34.9 mm) apart 4. The flute area is used to cut and auger cappings and wax down and out of the honey super. The spacing of the bits matches the spacing of a Langstroth super having ten frames 5 which are a standard 13/8" (9.5 mm) apart.
As shown in Figure 2, the uncapper of the illustrated embodimentrequires frames to be constructed with a 11/16" (17.5 mm) width modified top bar 6 rather than 1" (25.4 mm) 7. In addition, to maintain the strength of the modified top bar, the depth of the top bar is increased to 7/8" (22.2 mm) rather than 3/4" (19.1 mm).
In Figure 1, the application of a narrowed top bar (11116"), spaced 1 3/8" centre to centre, leaves a 3/4" space between the top bars. This allows a 5/8"
(15.9 mm) rotary bit to pass freely with 1/8" (3.2 mm) clearance. Utilizing the narrowed top bar, the rotary bits are able to come within 1/16" (1.6 mm) from the side of the top bar, thus removing all of the cappings on the frames containing the honey.
To maintain proper frame alignment and position within the super, the outside frames are secured with metal clips 8 (Fig. 3). However, the frames still 5 maintain their ability to be easily removed (manually) to comply with the Bee Act.
The rotary bits are powered by an electric motor 9 using a pulley and belt drive 10 (Fig. 1). The bits are connect via sprockets and roller chains (sprocket and chain assembly) and are driven from the centre bit (centre bit is connected to the pulley and belt drive). The raising and lowering of the head can
5. This technology can be accommodated easily into mobile harvesting and extraction units for in field processing of honey.
6. Offers ease of cleaning for sanitation as required by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The appended figures show the rotary cutter-auger uncapper and component details. To illustrate the mechanics of the equipment (Fig. 1), eleven 5/8-inch (15.8 mm) rotary bits 1 with a 9-inch (228.6 mm) flute area 2 are spaced in the head 3, at distances 1-3/8-inch (34.9 mm) apart 4. The flute area is used to cut and auger cappings and wax down and out of the honey super. The spacing of the bits matches the spacing of a Langstroth super having ten frames 5 which are a standard 13/8" (9.5 mm) apart.
As shown in Figure 2, the uncapper of the illustrated embodimentrequires frames to be constructed with a 11/16" (17.5 mm) width modified top bar 6 rather than 1" (25.4 mm) 7. In addition, to maintain the strength of the modified top bar, the depth of the top bar is increased to 7/8" (22.2 mm) rather than 3/4" (19.1 mm).
In Figure 1, the application of a narrowed top bar (11116"), spaced 1 3/8" centre to centre, leaves a 3/4" space between the top bars. This allows a 5/8"
(15.9 mm) rotary bit to pass freely with 1/8" (3.2 mm) clearance. Utilizing the narrowed top bar, the rotary bits are able to come within 1/16" (1.6 mm) from the side of the top bar, thus removing all of the cappings on the frames containing the honey.
To maintain proper frame alignment and position within the super, the outside frames are secured with metal clips 8 (Fig. 3). However, the frames still 5 maintain their ability to be easily removed (manually) to comply with the Bee Act.
The rotary bits are powered by an electric motor 9 using a pulley and belt drive 10 (Fig. 1). The bits are connect via sprockets and roller chains (sprocket and chain assembly) and are driven from the centre bit (centre bit is connected to the pulley and belt drive). The raising and lowering of the head can
10 be manual 12 as illustrated or equipped with a pneumatic or hydraulic system (not shown).
The head is mounted in a slider housing 13 allowing the bits (aligned in the head assembly) to be raised and lowered 14 into the super of honey and the slider housing with rollers (free rolling) is mounted on the uncapper track 16 (Fig. 4).
The uncapper track with rollers 15 (free rolling) is mounted on the super rack 17. The uncapper track allows for the positioning and alignment of the bits above the super prior to uncapping 18 and allows the bits, once in the honey super, to be dragged between the frames 19 for uncapping via the rollers on the slider housing. The super rack is mounted to a horizontal in-line extractor 20 modified to hold supers.
In Figure 5, four honey supers 21 are shown awaiting extraction after being uncapped. As discussed previously, several linked series of bits can be used to uncap simultaneously several consecutive honey supers.
The head is mounted in a slider housing 13 allowing the bits (aligned in the head assembly) to be raised and lowered 14 into the super of honey and the slider housing with rollers (free rolling) is mounted on the uncapper track 16 (Fig. 4).
The uncapper track with rollers 15 (free rolling) is mounted on the super rack 17. The uncapper track allows for the positioning and alignment of the bits above the super prior to uncapping 18 and allows the bits, once in the honey super, to be dragged between the frames 19 for uncapping via the rollers on the slider housing. The super rack is mounted to a horizontal in-line extractor 20 modified to hold supers.
In Figure 5, four honey supers 21 are shown awaiting extraction after being uncapped. As discussed previously, several linked series of bits can be used to uncap simultaneously several consecutive honey supers.
11 The intended use for the illustrated embodiment of the invention is to be incorporated into a honey extraction line for either use in a honey extraction building or in a mobile honey extraction unit.
Potential disadvantages of the illustrated embodiment of the invention include:
1. Restricted for use with 11/16" top bar frames, however there is no standard in use as manufactures differ in widths from 7/8" to 1 1/16" (26.9 mm). on the plus side, reducing the size of the top bar results in a 35% savings of wood.
2. The depth of the modified top bar is suggested to be 7/8". However, this can easily be incorporated into the manufacturing of modified top bars as wood blanks for bee wooden ware is 7/8" thickness.
3. Requires queen excluders for honey production, though queen excluders are common and widely used inthe industry.
4. A larger quantity of wax cappings are removed from the frames and an efficient means of handling an increased amount of wax production must be used. Wax and honey separation equipment are readily available and wax is a by-product of honey production which adds revenue for honey producers.
5. Honey supers and brood supers cannot be interchanged. This can actually be considered advantageous, as super exchange between hives spreads disease.
Potential disadvantages of the illustrated embodiment of the invention include:
1. Restricted for use with 11/16" top bar frames, however there is no standard in use as manufactures differ in widths from 7/8" to 1 1/16" (26.9 mm). on the plus side, reducing the size of the top bar results in a 35% savings of wood.
2. The depth of the modified top bar is suggested to be 7/8". However, this can easily be incorporated into the manufacturing of modified top bars as wood blanks for bee wooden ware is 7/8" thickness.
3. Requires queen excluders for honey production, though queen excluders are common and widely used inthe industry.
4. A larger quantity of wax cappings are removed from the frames and an efficient means of handling an increased amount of wax production must be used. Wax and honey separation equipment are readily available and wax is a by-product of honey production which adds revenue for honey producers.
5. Honey supers and brood supers cannot be interchanged. This can actually be considered advantageous, as super exchange between hives spreads disease.
Claims (12)
1. An uncapping apparatus for uncapping honeycomb frames without requiring removal of said frames from a honey super in which the frame are supported in side-by-side parallel relationship with space between adjacent frames, the uncapping apparatus comprising:
super support means for supporting a plurality of honey supers in series one after the other in a longitudinal direction with each honey super in an orientation in which a plurality of honeycomb frames within the honey super lie perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the supper support means;
longitudinal movement means for enabling relative movement between the super support means and the head unit support means in the longitudinal direction to allow alignment of the head unit over any one of said plurality of honey supers;
lateral movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the honeycomb frames; and at least one cutter carried on the head unit and arranged to reach downward from the head unit into a working position lying adjacent to a respective side of one of the frames in close proximity thereto inside one of the honey supers in order to perform an uncapping operation on said respective side of the frame by displacing the head unit in the transverse direction to move the uncapping means along said frame.
super support means for supporting a plurality of honey supers in series one after the other in a longitudinal direction with each honey super in an orientation in which a plurality of honeycomb frames within the honey super lie perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
head unit support means for supporting a head unit above the supper support means;
longitudinal movement means for enabling relative movement between the super support means and the head unit support means in the longitudinal direction to allow alignment of the head unit over any one of said plurality of honey supers;
lateral movement means for enabling movement of the head unit in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the honeycomb frames; and at least one cutter carried on the head unit and arranged to reach downward from the head unit into a working position lying adjacent to a respective side of one of the frames in close proximity thereto inside one of the honey supers in order to perform an uncapping operation on said respective side of the frame by displacing the head unit in the transverse direction to move the uncapping means along said frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cutter comprises a fluted bit.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cutter comprises an augering bit.
4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the at least one cutter is arranged to auger material downwardly during the uncapping operation.
5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising head unit raising and lowering means for enabling movement of the head unit between raised and lowered positions relative to the super support means, the at least one cutter being arranged to move into and out of the working position by movement of the head unit into and out of the lowered position.
6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the longitudinal movement means comprises means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction over the series of honey supers.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for enabling movement of the head unit in the longitudinal direction comprises a longitudinal track on which the head unit is supported for displacement along said track.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a honey extractor that is arranged to hold frame-filled honey supers and is positioned in-line with the longitudinal direction of the super support means.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the at least one cutter comprises a plurality of rotatably driven cutters, in which one of said cutters is rotatably driven off another of said cutters by a chain connected between said cutters.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said one of said cutters from which the other of said cutters is driven is belt-driven by a motor.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the motor is mounted to the head unit.
12. A method for uncapping honeycomb frames, the method comprising:
placing a plurality of honey supers in series with one another in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to a transverse direction in which sets of honeycomb frames lie within said plurality of supers;
performing relative displacement between a head unit and at least one of the plurality of supers in the longitudinal direction in order to bring the head unit into alignment over said one of the supers;
with at least one cutter of said head unit in a working position adjacent a side of a respective one of the honeycomb frames in close proximity thereto inside said one of the supers, performing an uncapping operation in which said cutter is displaced along said one of the honeycomb frames in the transverse direction to remove capping material from said one of the honeycomb frames.
placing a plurality of honey supers in series with one another in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to a transverse direction in which sets of honeycomb frames lie within said plurality of supers;
performing relative displacement between a head unit and at least one of the plurality of supers in the longitudinal direction in order to bring the head unit into alignment over said one of the supers;
with at least one cutter of said head unit in a working position adjacent a side of a respective one of the honeycomb frames in close proximity thereto inside said one of the supers, performing an uncapping operation in which said cutter is displaced along said one of the honeycomb frames in the transverse direction to remove capping material from said one of the honeycomb frames.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2911017A CA2911017C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2911017A CA2911017C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
| CA2600813A CA2600813C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2600813A Division CA2600813C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2911017A1 CA2911017A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
| CA2911017C true CA2911017C (en) | 2017-02-28 |
Family
ID=40527636
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2911017A Active CA2911017C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
| CA2600813A Active CA2600813C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2600813A Active CA2600813C (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2007-10-09 | Rotary cutter-auger uncapper and method therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA2911017C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111990293A (en) * | 2020-09-08 | 2020-11-27 | 张超 | Automatic separation mechanism for capping honey |
-
2007
- 2007-10-09 CA CA2911017A patent/CA2911017C/en active Active
- 2007-10-09 CA CA2600813A patent/CA2600813C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2600813A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
| CA2911017A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
| CA2600813C (en) | 2016-01-19 |
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