EP0228442A1

EP0228442A1 - Machine for inserting fruit in preserve jars

Info

Publication number: EP0228442A1
Application number: EP86904343A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Spolaore
Original assignee: Saiace Soc Az Industrie Alimentari Colli Euganei SpA
Current assignee: Saiace Soc Az Industrie Alimentari Colli Euganei SpA
Priority date: 1985-07-17
Filing date: 1986-07-14
Publication date: 1987-07-15
Also published as: IT1188014B; AU6133286A; IT8585575A0; WO1987000505A1

Abstract

La machine comprend une série d'éléments tubulaires (1) qui se déplacent avec leurs extrémités ouvertes tournées vers le haut afin de recevoir les bocaux (5) disposés avec l'ouverture tournée vers le bas, de telle sorte qu'au cors de l'avancement de la chaîne de transfert, ces bocaux viennent prendre appui sur un tapis transporteur (6) tandis que les éléments (1) se retirent, en permettant de la sorte le remplissage des bocaux à l'aide de fruits qui sont orientés dans le même sens.The machine comprises a series of tubular elements (1) which move with their open ends facing upwards in order to receive the jars (5) arranged with the opening facing downwards, such that at the corn of the advancement of the transfer chain, these jars come to rest on a conveyor belt (6) while the elements (1) are withdrawn, thus allowing the filling of the jars using fruits which are oriented in the Same direction.

Description

MACHINE FOR LAYING FRUITS INSIDE PRESERVATION JARS

We know that at the present time quality fruits, in particular peaches, are marketed in glass jars, in the cut state by half and suitably pitted, in order to allow the conservation in syrup after posteuri sati on.

In practice, the placement of this type of fruit inside the jars is carried out manually, using forks or other special utensils. Such an operation requires a large amount of labor and special attention on the part of the staff, so that the filling is carried out correctly and without involving any deterioration of the fruit. The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks using a machine capable of ensuring fully mechanical introduction into jars of peaches or other similar fruits in the state cut in half and pitted, dimensions of the fruit and the quality thereof having been read beforehand in order to obtain the maximum uni fomi sat i on of the product.

The fundamental element of the machine according to the invention is constituted by two co-axial tubes capable of moving one inside the other and equipped with an internal piston forming the bottom suitable for const killing support for fruit. A suitable plate, cut from an annular cavity forming a stop for the opening of a jar in the inverted state, is fixed on the open end of the outer tube while the inner tube enters this jar, at the same time time as half peaches or other intended to be introduced therein.

The inversion of the assembly constituted by the jar,

SHEET O2 LOCATION , The 1st outer tube, the inner tube, the piston and the half peaches in a quantity suitable for filling a jar, ensures by gravity the descent of the fruits inside this jar which is thus completely filled, the half peaches are finding in a phase-shifted mutual position, but being all oriented in the same direction, for example the cavity of the core turned downwards.

The appended drawing, given by way of example, will allow a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics which it has and the advantages which it is capable of providing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a tubular filling element according to the invention, oriented with its opening facing upwards. Fig. 2a to 2h illustrate the positions affected by this filling element during the operating process of the machine according to the invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating in perspective the general operation of this machine. Fig. 4 is a life of detail in perspective representing the fruit feeding device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device which ensures the positioning of the glass jars on the machine.

Fig. 6 and 6a are side views, respect i ve nt in plan, illustrating in detail the centering device which ensures the fall of the fruit in the tubular elements.

Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the whole machine according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is the corresponding plan view. Fig. 9 is a side view.

The fundamental element which ensures the operation of filling the half peaches or other fruits inside the jars in ver r e suitably arranged is visible in fig. 1 and includes a fixed tube 1 open upwards and cut out

REPLACEMENT SHEET laterally from vertical slots 1a. Inside this tube 1 moves a movable tube 2 provided with lateral studs 2a fitted with an idler roller with a larger diameter; these studs slide in the slots 1a of the fixed tube. The tube 2 contains a movable piston 3 which is also equipped with radial studs 3a provided with protruding rollers which are su¬ susceptible to turn on themselves in order to ensure the displacement of the aforementioned piston; the studs 3a are guided in vertical slots 2b made in the inner tube 2 by crossing the vertical slots 1a of the tube 1.

Upwards, the tube 1 is equipped with a plate 4 preferably made of plastic material and provided with an annular cavity 4a in which is housed and centered the glass jar 5 to be filled, arranged with its open - ture turned downwards.

.The semi-peaches 5a..which have been previously introduced into the tube 2 and which bear on the piston 3 are all oriented so that the cavity correspon¬ dant to the core is turned upwards. Mechanical devices which will be described below in more detail provide vertical control of the studs 2a and 3a equipped with their rotating rollers, as required during the various phases of the operation of the machine. Figs. 2a to 2h illustrate the different operations necessary to fill the jars with half-peaches or similar fruits. These are brought to the machine after having undergone the usual preparation processes, that is to say cutting the peaches into two halves, removing the kernel, peeling and orientation so that all the half peaches have the core recess facing upwards.

In fig. 2a, we see the first half-fishing which enters the filling element. At this instant, the piston 3 is in the highest position while the inner tube

2 is fully inserted into the outer tube 1.

In the following position illustrated in fig. 2b, the piston

3 lowers and a second half-peach is introduced into the inner tube 2.

In fig. 2c, the piston 3. is now lowered to the level of the bottom of the tube 2, the complete set of half peaches to be introduced into a jar is now inside this tube 2, in the space delimited downwards by the piston 3.

In fig. 2d, it can be seen that the jar 4 has been engaged on the opening of the tube 1, more precisely inside the annular cavity 4a formed in the wafer 4. At this time. The piston 3 and the movable tube 2 are raised relative to the tube 1 in order to penetrate inside the jar 5 which bears on the plate 4 (fig. 2e ⁾ .

In the subsequent phase ⁽ fig. 2f), the whole assembly is turned over and the lifting of the tube 2 relative to the tu¬ be 1 begins in the manner shown in fig. 2g. Consequently, the half-peaches come to rest against the bottom of the jar 5 by resting on each other and are distributed inside said jar under the effect of their own weight, it being observed that the corresponding cavity at the core always remains facing down. Fig. 2h shows that all the half peaches enclosed by the tube 2 are now housed inside the jar 5 which is thus completely filled.

In the part of the description which follows, reference 1 has been used, above assigned to the single outer tube, to designate the assembly of each tubular filling element formed by the tubes 1 and 2, the studs. 3 and the plate 4.

In fig 3, we can see that in the lower part

LOCATION .of the machine, the jars J bear against a conveyor belt 6 throughout the filling operation, while in the prior inversion operation, these same jars bear against a curved guide 7 which prevents them from detach elements 1 During this return. In this same fig. 3_, it will be observed that the filling of the tubular elements 1 in half-peaches or other fruit is operated using inclined gutters 8, while the jars 5 are brought into coincidence with said elements 1 in the inverted position along movement guides 9. In fig. 4, two gutters 8 have been shown in detail, preferably established in a serai-circular section in order to ensure perfect alignment of the half peaches. These gutters 8 are provided with adjustable cover elements 8a which prevent fruit spilling. Movable metering bars 10 and .11, provided with projecting bosses 12, respectively 19 facing downward, stop and free the passage of the fruits 13 which must fill the tubular elements. More precisely, while the half-fishing referenced 15 is already supported on the plane 16 which rests on the outlet of the element 1 advancing along arrow 17, the stop element 18 secured to the structure of the gutter 8 retains this half-fishing before the fai¬ re enter the upper opening of the aforementioned element. The subsequent half-fishing 14 is on the contrary retained by the boss or screen 19 projecting downwards on the bar 11 which then moves to the position shown in the broken line in 19a to allow this half-fishing to descend. 14 on the plane 16. During this working phase, the boss 12 of the bar 10 has moved to the position shown in broken line at 12a in order to stop the half-peaches introduced inside. The gutter 8.

These maneuvers are repeated alternately each time ENT that a new tubular element 1 presents itself at the level of the gutter 8, so that each time a half peach penetrates into an element 1, the operation being repeated a certain number of times equal to that of the half -peaches which must be introduced inside the same jar.

Of course, this number must be established as a function of the actual dimensions of the half-peaches or other fruits to be put in place.

In fig. 5, it has been shown how the jars 5 were brought to the elements 1 by means of a guide 9. It can be seen that a chain 20, driven continuously, brings guide stirrups 21 which receive the jars 5, which are held against the curved inner wall of the guide 9 until they come to bear one after the other against the planes 16 arranged in front of the elements 1.

In fig. 6 and 6 'have been shown the centering members constituted by two side walls 22 which guide each half-fishing 5a with respect to each tubular element 1. A small upper rim 23 is provided for pressing down each half-fishing 5a with a view to forcing it to enter element 1.

If it happens, for example as a result of excessive dimensions or for any other reason, that a half-fishing cannot enter the opening of an element 1, the rim 23, held down by a spring 24 straightens up to evacuate the rejected half-fishing laterally, in the direction corresponding to arrow 25.

There is shown in fig. 7, 8 and 9 the whole of a machine according to one of the embodiments of the invention, this machine being viewed from the side, in plan and from the front.

In fig. 7, it can be seen that the elements 1 advance between inclined guides 26 intended to lower the studs

REPLACEMENT SHEET , 3a which support the movable pistons 3 of FIG. 1 with a view to rendering said elements suitable for receiving the half-peaches coming from the supply device shown in detail in FIG. 8. We also see the gutters 8 which support the half-peaches and the elements 1 and which bear on a vibrating table 27 vibrated by devices 28, which include vibrators with excen¬ weights. A movable bar 29 actuated by a piston 30 sets in reciprocating motion The bars 10 e 11 already described with reference to FIG. 4.

Thereafter. Along the machine are provided pressure members 23 ⁽ fig. 8 ⁾ which facilitate the fall of the fruit in Elements 1. In the following part of the transfer path is placed the guide 9 for the jars, as illustrated in fig . 5 and the chain 20 of which is set in motion by the same electric motor 30 'with reduction gear 31 which already controls the chain 32 of FIG. 7.

In fig. 9, there is shown schematically the device 31 which directs all the half-peaches so that the core cavity is turned upwards. This device is well known in itself, so that it does not require a detailed description.

Following it is mounted the vibrating table 27 which has been shown in FIG. 8 with its vibrating devices 28, which table is followed by the guide 9 intended for the positioning of the jars along the transfer line comprising the tubular elements 1. We also see the chain 32 as well as the conveyor belt 6 which supports the jars 5 who lean on him. The advantages obtained by adopting the machine according to the invention are easily understood. The filling of the jars with pitted and peeled half-peaches or other equivalent fruits having dimensions of

jι ς „ij -__.__. £ .. .-- _' -. ..-— i-'i v-.nii <.ι4 i • wisely chosen is ensured using mechanical operations, which makes it possible to reduce very significantly the cost of the labor required for the placement of items in the jars, while ensuring maximum guarantees for the consumer with regard to hygiene.

It should moreover be understood that the foregoing description has been given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the field of the invention from which one would not depart by replacing the details of execution described by all other equivalents.

P:

^ LAOEMB

Claims

1. Machine for placing in jars of semi-peaches or similar fruits oriented in the same way, characterized in that it comprises a continuous transfer chain in which tubular elements are provided. filling (1) which are turned vertically upwards in the upper part of the chain at the level of which the half-peaches are brought using gutters (8) to then be pushed upwards in order to penetrate the interior of the jars ⁽ 5), which are associated with the aforementioned tubular elements using an appropriate guiding device ⁽ 9) and are then returned with the said elements in the final part of the chain in order to take support on a conveyor belt (6) when the fruits have been introduced.

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each tubular element comprises a cylindrical outer tube (1) closed upwards by a plate (4) cut out from a circular hole through which is engaged a co-axial tube ( 2), movable relative to the previous one and which contains a piston (3) itself oriented co-axi a Lement and mo¬ bile relative to said tubes ⁽ 1 and 2), the latter being both cut laterally from slots or lights through which pins are engaged (2a-3a) which allow the displacement of the internal tube (2) relative to the external tube (1) and the piston (3) relative to the latter in order to ensure filling in the first place firstly in fruit from the tube ⁽ 2), then the transfer of the latter into the jar (5), when the tubular elements are in the inverted position.

3. Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises an alternative guide device provided with bars (10-11) themselves

* - * »- * - '-. -_-_. __ •. ^' - ** "_. C ^' * '- ^' •» - ". i provided with bosses ⁽ 12, 19) which act as screens, as well as covering elements (8a) which ensure the correct and alternating do¬ sage of half-peaches or other fruit until supported on planes (16) fixed in front of the tubular elements (1), while stop orga¬ nes (18) force these fruits to fall into said elements until they are completely filled.

4. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a guide (9) suitably profiled and associated with a movable chain (20) equipped with stirrups (21), in order to ensure the loading the transfer chain into jars (5) to be filled.

5. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that elastic pressing members (23) ensure the application of the fruit (5a) against plates (4) provided at the opening of the tubular elements (1) during the movement of these in order to ensure their introduction into said elements in a perfectly regular manner.

6. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises pro¬ threaded guides ⁽ 26) which ensure the correct movement of the pistons ⁽ 3) and the inner tubes (2) of the tubular elements ( 1) both in the filling phase thereof and in the filling phase of the jars.

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