EP2540403A1 - Device and method for sorting products to length - Google Patents
Device and method for sorting products to length Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2540403A1 EP2540403A1 EP12174156A EP12174156A EP2540403A1 EP 2540403 A1 EP2540403 A1 EP 2540403A1 EP 12174156 A EP12174156 A EP 12174156A EP 12174156 A EP12174156 A EP 12174156A EP 2540403 A1 EP2540403 A1 EP 2540403A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- products
- transport
- conveyor
- sorting
- length
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
- B07B13/003—Separation of articles by differences in their geometrical form or by difference in their physical properties, e.g. elasticity, compressibility, hardness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
- B07B13/04—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices according to size
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device and method for sorting elongate products to length, in particular natural products such as green beans.
- Such a device is known from the Netherlands patent NL 1 033 048 .
- the known device comprises transport means in the form of an endless conveyor belt on which the elongate products can be transported.
- the products are oriented during transport such that the longitudinal direction of the products extends parallel to the direction of transport.
- a sorting unit for sorting the transported products is provided as component of the transport means.
- the sorting unit is constructed from a number of parallel sorting rollers, the centre-to-centre distance and the diameter of which are chosen such that there is a sorting gap between the sorting rollers.
- This sorting gap has predetermined dimensions as seen in the conveyor belt direction for the purpose of allowing or not allowing passage of products.
- the sorting unit of the transport device further has an endless pressing belt which is provided above the sorting rollers and which is embodied to clamp the products between the pressing belt on one side and the sorting rollers on the other.
- Products supplied via the conveyor belt are taken over by the sorting rollers and the pressing belt arranged thereabove, and all products with a length smaller than a determined sorting length (threshold value) will drop downward via the sorting gap between the sorting rollers and subsequently be collected.
- the known device is an improvement compared to the sorting drums previously applied in the field, there are however still a number of drawbacks associated with the known device.
- a first drawback is that in the known device too much good product nevertheless finds its way into the waste.
- the known device is for instance used in the separation of the supplied products into a first product flow with relatively long products suitable for further processing and a second product flow with relatively short products which are unsuitable for further processing and are discharged as waste. It has been found that a fairly large number of long products which are in fact suitable for further processing are still to be found in the second product flow (i.e. the waste flow).
- a further drawback is that, if two or more products lie one on top of another in the supply, a proper sorting does not take place. As a result of the presence of the pressing belt the view and the accessibility are moreover limited in the known device.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a device and/or method wherein at least one of the above stated drawbacks of the known device is obviated or at least reduced.
- a device for sorting elongate products to length comprising:
- the sorting result can be improved compared to the known device in which use is made of only a single upper pressing belt.
- the pressing belt also extends above the sorting opening(s).
- the consequence hereof is that the products tend sometimes to be pressed to some extent round the lower conveyor roller or rollers. This can mean that products, which should in fact not be allowed to pass through a sorting opening because they are too long, may be allowed through this sorting opening.
- the transport members can comprise conveyor rollers, wherein the products are thus engaged in each case by a set of conveyor rollers placed one above another and displaced in the direction of transport.
- the transport members comprise one or more (endless) conveyor belts.
- An advantage of using two or more sets of transport members placed one above another is that the clamping force with which the products are clamped can be properly controlled, and certainly (though not limited hereto) in the embodiments to be described below in which both the lower and upper conveyor rollers are provided with a suitable covering.
- the upper transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers
- a first lower transport member is formed by a conveyor roller with an endless conveyor belt
- the one or more other lower transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers.
- the products are given the opportunity to lie flat since they are not clamped fixedly directly from the vibrator.
- a green bean for instance may be a little curved but, because it is then not immediately clamped, it comes to lie flat in horizontal direction.
- the horizontal distance between the lower conveyor roller of the belt and the upper conveyor roller is moreover preferably adjustable. It is then possible for instance to allow the lower conveyor roller to protrude slightly, whereby the products are less likely to hang askew.
- the transport members In order to improve the engagement of the transport members on the products they can be provided on their peripheral side with a material compressible by the products.
- a material compressible by the products When the transport members are formed by conveyor rollers, it is for instance possible to provide the running surface of the rollers with a compressible covering.
- the covering can be formed by flexible, in particular elastic material, for instance in the form of cellular rubber or similar material. The thickness of the covering depends on the application, but generally amounts to between 0.5 cm and 3 cm.
- sorting gap Provided in an embodiment are two sets of transport members between which a single sorting opening (sorting gap) is present.
- more than two successive sets of transport members are provided in other embodiments, so that there are at least two sorting openings.
- These sorting openings can have an equal length in the direction of transport for the purpose of separating the products into a group of relatively long products and a group of relatively short products, although in determined other embodiments the centre-to-centre distance and/or the diameter of the rollers is selected such that the sorting openings have a differing length.
- the length of the sorting openings of the successive sets of transport members increases as seen in the direction of transport. It is hereby possible to separate the products into more than the above stated two groups. The products can for instance be separated into three or more groups, in each case with products in a different length range.
- a number of parallel groups of a number of successive sets of transport members with at least one sorting opening therebetween are provided in a determined embodiment. Two or more product flows can in this way be sorted simultaneously.
- the feed conveyor can for instance comprise a directional vibrator.
- a directional vibrator comprises a number of ridges or protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction (corresponding to the direction of transport) to form longitudinal channels in which the products can be supplied. Feed takes place by setting the directional vibrator into vibration, for instance using one or more unbalance motors or with other techniques lying within the reach of the skilled person.
- the drive of the transport members is adapted to rotate the transport members in opposing rotation directions.
- the transport members arranged one above another preferably rotate at the same speed so that the friction forces between the products for sorting and the transport members are limited. These friction forces could otherwise result in the desired orientation of the products, i.e. substantially parallel to the direction of transport of the products, being lost during transport. This can have an adverse effect on the sorting to be performed.
- the device further comprises a frame which is to be disposed on a ground surface and in which the transport members are rotatably arranged.
- An intermediate space (pinch) is provided between the transport members of a set of transport members for the purpose of clamping the products therebetween.
- the transport members can be driven in different ways.
- the device comprises a direct drive, for instance comprising an electric drive motor, for direct driving of only one of the transport members of a set of transport members, for instance the upper or lower transport member.
- the opposite transport member can be embodied here to co-rotate freely with the driven transport member, although in other embodiments of the invention the opposite transport member is also driven, either in direct manner or in indirect manner.
- the transport member can for instance be driven in indirect manner by a transmission mechanism which transmits the movement of the direct drive to the opposite transport member.
- the sorting conveyor can also comprise adjusting means for adjusting the length of at least one opening (i.e. at least one sorting opening) between the lower conveyor rollers.
- adjusting means for adjusting the length of at least one opening (i.e. at least one sorting opening) between the lower conveyor rollers.
- a high degree of flexibility can thus be obtained in respect of the threshold value for the length employed in processing the elongate products.
- the adjusting means can be adapted to modify the centre-to-centre distance between successive sets of transport members. Alternatively or additionally, the adjusting means can be adapted to adjust the distance between the outer end of the feed conveyor and the first set of transport members.
- the adjusting means are adapted to adjust the length of at least one opening between the upper conveyor rollers.
- the opening between two successive upper conveyor rollers can correspond to the sorting opening of the associated lower conveyor rollers, but can also differ therefrom.
- the opening between upper conveyor rollers does after all have another function, i.e. that of preventing the situation where products are pressed to some extent round a lower roller.
- the throughfeed speed in the sorting conveyor is greater than the throughfeed speed in the feed conveyor. This results in the elongate products remaining as far as possible in the desired orientation (i.e. substantially parallel to the direction of transport) at the transition from the feed conveyor to the sorting conveyor.
- the device comprises:
- a method for sorting elongate products to length in particular natural products such as green beans, wherein the method comprises of:
- FIGS 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention.
- the device comprises a feed conveyor 1 for feeding the products in a direction of transport (T) and a sorting conveyor 2 which is separate or combined with feed conveyor 1 for sorting to length the products (p) supplied by feed conveyor 1.
- the elongate products are supplied via a vibrating distributor or belt distributor and placed on feed conveyor 1.
- Feed conveyor 1 comprises a frame 3 on which a directional vibrating feed 4 is arranged. This directional vibrating feed 4 is provided with a number of ridges 29 in the longitudinal direction, whereby a number of parallel channels are formed extending in the direction of transport.
- the number of channels can vary, for instance from 1 to 20.
- Products (p) can be displaced in each of the channels by setting the channels into vibration.
- the elongate products are displaced along the channels while they are oriented with their longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of transport.
- the elongate products (p) can be taken onto sorting conveyor 2.
- the sorting conveyor comprises a first set of conveyor rollers 5, 6 and a second set of conveyor rollers 5', 6' arranged adjacently thereof.
- the number of sets of conveyor rollers equals two, although this number can be greater in other embodiments.
- Each set of conveyor rollers comprises a lower conveyor roller 6,6' and a conveyor roller 5,5' placed directly thereabove.
- Each set of conveyor rollers 5,6 forms a conveyor roller pair between which a receiving space (pinch) 7 is present for the purpose of clamping the supplied products therein and further transport thereof.
- the conveyor rollers 5, 5', 6, 6' are covered in the shown embodiment with an elastic covering, for instance cellular rubber.
- the covering ensures that the products can be properly pressed so that a change in the orientation (relative to the direction of transport) is prevented as far as possible and the products also extend in the sorting conveyor as far as possible parallel relative to the direction of transport.
- the conveyor rollers of a conveyor roller pair can also be spring-mounted relative to each other, wherein the rollers tend to be pressed against each other as a result of a determined bias.
- rollers 5,6 and the thickness of covering 9 depend on the dimensions of the product for sorting.
- the rollers can have an external diameter of 40 mm and covering 9 is formed by a 10 mm thick cellular rubber.
- the conveyor roller preferably has an external diameter of 60 mm and a flexible covering about 20 mm thick is arranged on the conveyor roller.
- Each set of rollers 5,6 placed one above the other is driven so that the rollers rotate in an opposite direction relative to each other (see arrows), whereby as noted above the product can be carried along by the set of rollers.
- one of the rollers of a set of rollers is driven directly, for instance by an electric motor 11 for set of rollers 5,6 and electric motor 10 for set of rollers 5',6'.
- the other roller of a set of rollers is then driven in indirect manner, for instance by means of a gear transmission 12.
- all rollers are driven directly, for instance with different electric motors.
- Conveyor rollers 5, 6 are mounted in a frame 14 and conveyor rollers 5',6' are mounted in a frame 15. Both frames 14,15 are displaceable in direction of transport (T) over a linear guide 13. Frame 14 with rollers 5,6 mounted thereon and frame 15 with rollers 5',6' mounted thereon can be displaced independently of each other.
- Displacement of a frame 14,15 takes place by operating a respective handwheel with which a continuous shaft 16,17 is set into motion with a toothed wheel on the outer side thereof.
- Mounted on frames 14, 15 of sorting conveyor 2 are respective gear racks with which the frames 14, 15 can be linearly adjusted. This adjustment is realized in order to set as required the intermediate distance (a) between outer end 8 of feed conveyor 1 and the first conveyor roller set 5, 6 and/or the distance (b) between the first conveyor roller set 5, 6 and a second conveyor roller set 5', 6'. Because both conveyor roller sets are adjustable, the mutual distance of the conveyor rollers can be set as well as the space between the end of the feed conveyor and the first conveyor roller set.
- Said distances (a,b) form sorting openings 20,21 along which products can drop downward and can be discharged via a discharge, for instance in the form of a hopper 22.
- a discharge for instance in the form of a hopper 22.
- the elongate products which are supplied via feed conveyor 1 and which are long enough will be taken from feed conveyor 1 into rollers 5, 6 of the first conveyor roller set of sorting conveyor 2.
- the throughput speed of the conveyor rollers is at least as great here as the transport speed of feed conveyor 1 so that the orientation of the products continues to be maintained as far as possible in sorting conveyor 2.
- products from a determined length will be too curved and/or too short to be taken from feed conveyor 1 by the first set of conveyor rollers 5, 6 or be too short to be taken from the first set of conveyor rollers 5, 6 by the second set of conveyor rollers 5', 6'.
- These products then drop downward and can be collected, for instance in hopper 22.
- the products in hopper 22 guided to one or more discharge conveyors (not shown) which provide for discharge of the products.
- the other products which are carried along by the second set of conveyor rollers are discharged for instance via a chute (not shown) or, as in the shown embodiment, via a second feed conveyor 31 and sorting conveyor 32.
- the construction and operation of second feed conveyor 31 and sorting conveyor 32 are essentially identical to that of the first feed conveyor 1 and sorting conveyor 2. A further separation of the products takes place.
- the relatively short products drop into discharge 33, while the longer products drop into discharge 34.
- the length from which the products can or cannot drop downward through a sorting gap (also referred to as the sorting length) is generally not exactly equal to the length of sorting gaps or openings 20,21 in the direction of transport, but is of course related thereto.
- Both vibrating channels of feed conveyors 1,31 are driven in the shown embodiment by one set of unbalance motors 35. In other embodiments this could optionally also take place separately per vibrator.
- the device can further be closed using doors 36.
- sorting gaps it is further possible to allow the dimensions of the sorting gaps to increase in the direction of transport (for instance by selecting increasingly larger successive sorting gaps within a single sorting conveyor and/or sorting gaps of different sorting conveyors). It is hereby possible to have the sorting process take place in more than two groups. When the sorting process must result in more than two groups of products, it is of course also possible to envisage carrying an already sorted product once again through the same sorting conveyor, only this time with a different (smaller) sorting gap/opening.
- FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention.
- the construction and operation of the second embodiment largely correspond to those of the first embodiment, and a lengthy description thereof is therefore dispensed with as far as possible below.
- the embodiment comprises a feed conveyor 41 for feeding the products in a direction of transport (T) and a sorting conveyor 42 which is separate or combined with feed conveyor 41 for sorting to length the products (p) supplied by feed conveyor 41.
- the elongate products are supplied via a vibrating distributor or belt distributor and placed on feed conveyor 41.
- Feed conveyor 41 comprises a frame 43 on which a directional vibrating feed 44 is arranged.
- This directional vibrating feed 44 is provided in the above described manner with a number of ridges 29 extending in the longitudinal direction. These ridges form a number of parallel channels which lie adjacently of each other and along which a number of rows of elongate products are supplied when the channels are set into vibration by a vibrating motor 45.
- the outer end of directional vibrating feed 44 the
- the sorting conveyor comprises a flat conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt 46.
- the endless conveyor belt 46 comprises a driver roller 47 on the feed side and a (pressing) roller 48 on the discharge side.
- the conveyor belt can be driven via the drive roller using an electric motor (not shown).
- An upper roller 49 is situated above the discharge outer end of the conveyor belt, in particular above roller 48.
- the upper roller is provided on the peripheral surface with a covering, manufactured for instance from cellular rubber or similar material. Supplied products can now be clamped between upper roller 49 on the one side and lower roller 48 on the other and further transported in the direction of transport (T).
- a second roller pair is situated some distance downstream of the first conveyor roller pair (consisting of the upper free conveyor roller 49 and the lower conveyor roller 48 which forms part of the flat conveyor).
- This roller pair comprises a lower conveyor roller 50 and an upper conveyor roller 51.
- the upper conveyor roller 51 is provided with a flexible covering and the lower conveyor roller 50 takes a smooth (and substantially hard and essentially non-compressible) form.
- the covering is arranged to increase the grip of the conveyor rollers on the products. The covering ensures that the products can be properly pressed down so that a change in the orientation (relative to the direction of transport) is prevented as far as possible and the products also extend as parallel as possible relative to the direction of transport in the sorting conveyor.
- the conveyor rollers of a conveyor roller pair can also be spring-mounted relative to each other.
- both conveyor rollers are however interchanged or both conveyor rollers take a smooth or flexible form.
- both the conveyor rollers are however arranged such that they can clamp and further transport supplied products.
- the number of sets (pairs) of conveyor rollers equals two, although in other embodiments this number can be greater so that the products can be sorted into more groups.
- the products are supplied in one or more rows by feed conveyor 44.
- a product then comes to lie on the flat endless belt 46, whereby it has the opportunity to lie flat. Green beans for instance may be a little curved but, because they are not then immediately clamped, they generally come to lie flat in horizontal direction.
- the product is clamped between upper conveyor roller 49 and (conveyor roller 48 of) conveyor belt 46.
- the product is then further sorted to length in the same way in that the product can be taken up in a set of double rollers 50,51.
- the gap between the outer end of belt 46 and the set of conveyor rollers 50,51 in principle takes an adjustable form here in order to thereby determine the sorting length.
- the conveyor roller 49 takes a form which is adjustable in height and lengthwise direction.
- the throughput speed of the product can be increased quite considerably.
- an (adjustable) brush strip 55 is arranged on the upper side in the sorting opening. This brush strip 55 can ensure that the speed of these short products is slowed, and the sorting result can be enhanced.
- air blowing means ensure that the shorter products are blown downward out of the product flow so that the chance of blockages is reduced and a good throughflow can be realized.
Landscapes
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for sorting elongate products (P) to length, comprising:
- a feed conveyor (1) for transporting the products (P) in a direction of transport (T), wherein the conveyor (1) is adapted to hold the products (P) during transport with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport (T);
- a sorting conveyor (2) for transporting the products (P), wherein the sorting conveyor (2) is adapted to separate the products (P) according to their length during transport;
wherein the sorting conveyor (2) comprises a number of successive sets (5, 6) (5', 6') of transport members, wherein each set comprises an upper (5, 5') and a lower transport member (6, 6') between which the products (P) can be clamped and moved forward;
wherein a sorting opening (b) is provided between two successive lower transport members (6, 6') for allowing products with a length smaller than a sorting length to drop via the sorting opening (b).
- a feed conveyor (1) for transporting the products (P) in a direction of transport (T), wherein the conveyor (1) is adapted to hold the products (P) during transport with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport (T);
- a sorting conveyor (2) for transporting the products (P), wherein the sorting conveyor (2) is adapted to separate the products (P) according to their length during transport;
wherein the sorting conveyor (2) comprises a number of successive sets (5, 6) (5', 6') of transport members, wherein each set comprises an upper (5, 5') and a lower transport member (6, 6') between which the products (P) can be clamped and moved forward;
wherein a sorting opening (b) is provided between two successive lower transport members (6, 6') for allowing products with a length smaller than a sorting length to drop via the sorting opening (b).
Description
- The present invention relates to a device and method for sorting elongate products to length, in particular natural products such as green beans.
- Such a device is known from the Netherlands patent
NL 1 033 048 - Products supplied via the conveyor belt are taken over by the sorting rollers and the pressing belt arranged thereabove, and all products with a length smaller than a determined sorting length (threshold value) will drop downward via the sorting gap between the sorting rollers and subsequently be collected.
- Although the known device is an improvement compared to the sorting drums previously applied in the field, there are however still a number of drawbacks associated with the known device.
- A first drawback is that in the known device too much good product nevertheless finds its way into the waste. The known device is for instance used in the separation of the supplied products into a first product flow with relatively long products suitable for further processing and a second product flow with relatively short products which are unsuitable for further processing and are discharged as waste. It has been found that a fairly large number of long products which are in fact suitable for further processing are still to be found in the second product flow (i.e. the waste flow).
- A further drawback is that, if two or more products lie one on top of another in the supply, a proper sorting does not take place. As a result of the presence of the pressing belt the view and the accessibility are moreover limited in the known device.
- Finally, the construction of the known device, and particularly the pressing belt and the suspension thereof relative to the sorting rollers, is quite complex, this making the device costly and requiring frequent maintenance.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a device and/or method wherein at least one of the above stated drawbacks of the known device is obviated or at least reduced.
- Provided for this purpose according to a first aspect of the present invention is a device for sorting elongate products to length, the device comprising:
- a feed conveyor for transporting the products in a direction of transport, wherein the conveyor is adapted to hold the products during transport with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport;
- a sorting conveyor for transporting in the direction of transport the products supplied via the feed conveyor, wherein the sorting conveyor is adapted to separate the products according to their length during transport;
- By applying two or more successive sets (pairs) of transport members the sorting result can be improved compared to the known device in which use is made of only a single upper pressing belt.
- In the known device the pressing belt also extends above the sorting opening(s). The consequence hereof is that the products tend sometimes to be pressed to some extent round the lower conveyor roller or rollers. This can mean that products, which should in fact not be allowed to pass through a sorting opening because they are too long, may be allowed through this sorting opening. By making use of successive sets of transport members, wherein not only is a sorting opening provided between the lower rollers but a determined opening is also provided between the upper rollers, the above-mentioned tendency is reduced, which can improve the sorting result.
- The transport members can comprise conveyor rollers, wherein the products are thus engaged in each case by a set of conveyor rollers placed one above another and displaced in the direction of transport. In other embodiments the transport members comprise one or more (endless) conveyor belts.
- An advantage of using two or more sets of transport members placed one above another (particularly, but not limited to, embodiments in which the transport members are formed by conveyor rollers) is that the clamping force with which the products are clamped can be properly controlled, and certainly (though not limited hereto) in the embodiments to be described below in which both the lower and upper conveyor rollers are provided with a suitable covering.
- It has further been found that in the known device products can adhere to the pressing belt. In that case the products can be carried along by the pressing belt to a position beyond the sorting rollers provided thereunder, so that the products cannot drop downward. This affects the sorting result in adverse manner. According to embodiments of the invention this effect does not occur, or does so to considerably lesser extent, so that the sorting result can be improved.
- The use of a pair of conveyor rollers placed one above another further allows a good view of the device and the sorting process performed therein. The construction is relatively simple. The accessibility to the different components of the device is also good, so that maintenance can be carried out easily and quickly.
- In embodiments of the invention the upper transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers, a first lower transport member is formed by a conveyor roller with an endless conveyor belt and the one or more other lower transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers. In this embodiment the products are given the opportunity to lie flat since they are not clamped fixedly directly from the vibrator. A green bean for instance may be a little curved but, because it is then not immediately clamped, it comes to lie flat in horizontal direction. The horizontal distance between the lower conveyor roller of the belt and the upper conveyor roller is moreover preferably adjustable. It is then possible for instance to allow the lower conveyor roller to protrude slightly, whereby the products are less likely to hang askew.
- In order to improve the engagement of the transport members on the products they can be provided on their peripheral side with a material compressible by the products. When the transport members are formed by conveyor rollers, it is for instance possible to provide the running surface of the rollers with a compressible covering. The covering can be formed by flexible, in particular elastic material, for instance in the form of cellular rubber or similar material. The thickness of the covering depends on the application, but generally amounts to between 0.5 cm and 3 cm.
- Provided in an embodiment are two sets of transport members between which a single sorting opening (sorting gap) is present. Provided in other embodiments are more than two successive sets of transport members, so that there are at least two sorting openings. These sorting openings can have an equal length in the direction of transport for the purpose of separating the products into a group of relatively long products and a group of relatively short products, although in determined other embodiments the centre-to-centre distance and/or the diameter of the rollers is selected such that the sorting openings have a differing length. In embodiments of the invention the length of the sorting openings of the successive sets of transport members increases as seen in the direction of transport. It is hereby possible to separate the products into more than the above stated two groups. The products can for instance be separated into three or more groups, in each case with products in a different length range.
- Provided in a determined embodiment are a number of parallel groups of a number of successive sets of transport members with at least one sorting opening therebetween. Two or more product flows can in this way be sorted simultaneously.
- The feed conveyor can for instance comprise a directional vibrator. A directional vibrator comprises a number of ridges or protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction (corresponding to the direction of transport) to form longitudinal channels in which the products can be supplied. Feed takes place by setting the directional vibrator into vibration, for instance using one or more unbalance motors or with other techniques lying within the reach of the skilled person.
- The drive of the transport members is adapted to rotate the transport members in opposing rotation directions. The transport members arranged one above another preferably rotate at the same speed so that the friction forces between the products for sorting and the transport members are limited. These friction forces could otherwise result in the desired orientation of the products, i.e. substantially parallel to the direction of transport of the products, being lost during transport. This can have an adverse effect on the sorting to be performed.
- The device further comprises a frame which is to be disposed on a ground surface and in which the transport members are rotatably arranged. An intermediate space (pinch) is provided between the transport members of a set of transport members for the purpose of clamping the products therebetween.
- The transport members can be driven in different ways. In determined embodiments the device comprises a direct drive, for instance comprising an electric drive motor, for direct driving of only one of the transport members of a set of transport members, for instance the upper or lower transport member. The opposite transport member can be embodied here to co-rotate freely with the driven transport member, although in other embodiments of the invention the opposite transport member is also driven, either in direct manner or in indirect manner. The transport member can for instance be driven in indirect manner by a transmission mechanism which transmits the movement of the direct drive to the opposite transport member.
- The sorting conveyor can also comprise adjusting means for adjusting the length of at least one opening (i.e. at least one sorting opening) between the lower conveyor rollers. A high degree of flexibility can thus be obtained in respect of the threshold value for the length employed in processing the elongate products. The adjusting means can be adapted to modify the centre-to-centre distance between successive sets of transport members. Alternatively or additionally, the adjusting means can be adapted to adjust the distance between the outer end of the feed conveyor and the first set of transport members.
- In a further embodiment the adjusting means are adapted to adjust the length of at least one opening between the upper conveyor rollers. The opening between two successive upper conveyor rollers can correspond to the sorting opening of the associated lower conveyor rollers, but can also differ therefrom. The opening between upper conveyor rollers does after all have another function, i.e. that of preventing the situation where products are pressed to some extent round a lower roller.
- In a further embodiment the throughfeed speed in the sorting conveyor is greater than the throughfeed speed in the feed conveyor. This results in the elongate products remaining as far as possible in the desired orientation (i.e. substantially parallel to the direction of transport) at the transition from the feed conveyor to the sorting conveyor.
- In further embodiments of the invention two or more of the devices described herein are placed successively for further transport and separation of the separated products. According to a determined embodiment, the device comprises:
- a first feed conveyor and a first sorting conveyor;
- a second feed conveyor and a second sorting conveyor;
- Provided according to another aspect of the invention is a method for sorting elongate products to length, in particular natural products such as green beans, wherein the method comprises of:
- feeding the products in a direction of transport such that during transport the products extend with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport;
- further transporting the supplied products in the direction of transport and separating the products according to their length during the further transport;
- guiding at least some of the products along a first set of transport members comprising an upper and lower transport member, wherein between the transport members is an intermediate space in which the products can be clamped;
- guiding at least some of the products along a second set of transport members comprising an upper and lower transport member, wherein between the transport members is an intermediate space in which the products can be clamped;
- The invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of the description of several embodiments thereof. Reference is made in the description to the accompanying figures, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a top view of a feed conveyor and sorting conveyor according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment offigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the embodiment offigure 1 ; and -
Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment according to the invention. -
Figures 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention. The device comprises afeed conveyor 1 for feeding the products in a direction of transport (T) and a sortingconveyor 2 which is separate or combined withfeed conveyor 1 for sorting to length the products (p) supplied byfeed conveyor 1. The elongate products are supplied via a vibrating distributor or belt distributor and placed onfeed conveyor 1.Feed conveyor 1 comprises a frame 3 on which a directional vibratingfeed 4 is arranged. This directional vibratingfeed 4 is provided with a number ofridges 29 in the longitudinal direction, whereby a number of parallel channels are formed extending in the direction of transport. The number of channels can vary, for instance from 1 to 20. Products (p) can be displaced in each of the channels by setting the channels into vibration. The elongate products are displaced along the channels while they are oriented with their longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of transport. - At
outer end 8 of the directional vibratingfeed 4 the elongate products (p) can be taken onto sortingconveyor 2. In the shown embodiment the sorting conveyor comprises a first set ofconveyor rollers - Each set of conveyor rollers comprises a
lower conveyor roller 6,6' and aconveyor roller 5,5' placed directly thereabove. Each set ofconveyor rollers - In order to increase the grip of the conveyor rollers on the products, the
conveyor rollers - The diameter of
rollers - Each set of
rollers rollers electric motor 10 for set of rollers 5',6'. The other roller of a set of rollers is then driven in indirect manner, for instance by means of agear transmission 12. In other embodiments (not shown) all rollers are driven directly, for instance with
different electric motors. -
Conveyor rollers frame 14 and conveyor rollers 5',6' are mounted in aframe 15. Both frames 14,15 are displaceable in direction of transport (T) over alinear guide 13.Frame 14 withrollers frame 15 with rollers 5',6' mounted thereon can be displaced independently of each other. - Displacement of a
frame continuous shaft frames conveyor 2 are respective gear racks with which theframes outer end 8 offeed conveyor 1 and the first conveyor roller set 5, 6 and/or the distance (b) between the first conveyor roller set 5, 6 and a second conveyor roller set 5', 6'. Because both conveyor roller sets are adjustable, the mutual distance of the conveyor rollers can be set as well as the space between the end of the feed conveyor and the first conveyor roller set. Said distances (a,b) form sorting openings 20,21 along which products can drop downward and can be discharged via a discharge, for instance in the form of ahopper 22. When the distance (a) between the first conveyor roller set and the outer end offeed conveyor 1 is increased, possibly curved products can in this way also be better sorted. Because the products are not yet clamped at the end of the feed conveyor, the curved products can rotate here (for instance with the curve hanging downward), whereby they can drop downward through the gap between vibratingfeed 4 and the first set of conveyor rollers. - During operation the elongate products which are supplied via
feed conveyor 1 and which are long enough will be taken fromfeed conveyor 1 intorollers conveyor 2. The throughput speed of the conveyor rollers is at least as great here as the transport speed offeed conveyor 1 so that the orientation of the products continues to be maintained as far as possible in sortingconveyor 2. - Depending on the set distances (a/b) between the rollers, products from a determined length will be too curved and/or too short to be taken from
feed conveyor 1 by the first set ofconveyor rollers conveyor rollers hopper 22. The products inhopper 22 guided to one or more discharge conveyors (not shown) which provide for discharge of the products. The other products which are carried along by the second set of conveyor rollers are discharged for instance via a chute (not shown) or, as in the shown embodiment, via asecond feed conveyor 31 and sortingconveyor 32. The construction and operation ofsecond feed conveyor 31 and sortingconveyor 32 are essentially identical to that of thefirst feed conveyor 1 and sortingconveyor 2. A further separation of the products takes place. The relatively short products drop intodischarge 33, while the longer products drop intodischarge 34. - The length from which the products can or cannot drop downward through a sorting gap (also referred to as the sorting length) is generally not exactly equal to the length of sorting gaps or openings 20,21 in the direction of transport, but is of course related thereto. The larger the sorting opening, the greater the sorting length. Products shorter than this sorting length drop downward via the sorting opening, while products longer than this sorting length are engaged by the following transport members and transported further.
- Both vibrating channels of
feed conveyors unbalance motors 35. In other embodiments this could optionally also take place separately per vibrator. The device can further be closed usingdoors 36. - It is further possible to allow the dimensions of the sorting gaps to increase in the direction of transport (for instance by selecting increasingly larger successive sorting gaps within a single sorting conveyor and/or sorting gaps of different sorting conveyors). It is hereby possible to have the sorting process take place in more than two groups. When the sorting process must result in more than two groups of products, it is of course also possible to envisage carrying an already sorted product once again through the same sorting conveyor, only this time with a different (smaller) sorting gap/opening.
-
Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The construction and operation of the second embodiment largely correspond to those of the first embodiment, and a lengthy description thereof is therefore dispensed with as far as possible below. The embodiment comprises afeed conveyor 41 for feeding the products in a direction of transport (T) and a sorting conveyor 42 which is separate or combined withfeed conveyor 41 for sorting to length the products (p) supplied byfeed conveyor 41. The elongate products are supplied via a vibrating distributor or belt distributor and placed onfeed conveyor 41.Feed conveyor 41 comprises aframe 43 on which a directional vibratingfeed 44 is arranged. This directional vibratingfeed 44 is provided in the above described manner with a number ofridges 29 extending in the longitudinal direction. These ridges form a number of parallel channels which lie adjacently of each other and along which a number of rows of elongate products are supplied when the channels are set into vibration by a vibratingmotor 45. At the outer end of directional vibratingfeed 44 the - elongate products (p) can be taken over by sorting conveyor 42. In the shown embodiment the sorting conveyor comprises a flat conveyor comprising an
endless conveyor belt 46. Theendless conveyor belt 46 comprises adriver roller 47 on the feed side and a (pressing)roller 48 on the discharge side. The conveyor belt can be driven via the drive roller using an electric motor (not shown). - An
upper roller 49 is situated above the discharge outer end of the conveyor belt, in particular aboveroller 48. In the shown embodiment the upper roller is provided on the peripheral surface with a covering, manufactured for instance from cellular rubber or similar material. Supplied products can now be clamped betweenupper roller 49 on the one side andlower roller 48 on the other and further transported in the direction of transport (T). - A second roller pair is situated some distance downstream of the first conveyor roller pair (consisting of the upper
free conveyor roller 49 and thelower conveyor roller 48 which forms part of the flat conveyor). This roller pair comprises alower conveyor roller 50 and anupper conveyor roller 51. In determined embodiments theupper conveyor roller 51 is provided with a flexible covering and thelower conveyor roller 50 takes a smooth (and substantially hard and essentially non-compressible) form. The covering is arranged to increase the grip of the conveyor rollers on the products. The covering ensures that the products can be properly pressed down so that a change in the orientation (relative to the direction of transport) is prevented as far as possible and the products also extend as parallel as possible relative to the direction of transport in the sorting conveyor. As alternative to the covering, or in addition thereto, the conveyor rollers of a conveyor roller pair can also be spring-mounted relative to each other. - In other embodiments the smooth and flexible conveyor rollers are however interchanged or both conveyor rollers take a smooth or flexible form. In all these embodiments both the conveyor rollers are however arranged such that they can clamp and further transport supplied products.
- In the embodiment shown in
figure 4 the number of sets (pairs) of conveyor rollers equals two, although in other embodiments this number can be greater so that the products can be sorted into more groups. - During use the products are supplied in one or more rows by
feed conveyor 44. A product then comes to lie on the flatendless belt 46, whereby it has the opportunity to lie flat. Green beans for instance may be a little curved but, because they are not then immediately clamped, they generally come to lie flat in horizontal direction. At the end aboveflat belt 46 the product is clamped betweenupper conveyor roller 49 and (conveyor roller 48 of)conveyor belt 46. The product is then further sorted to length in the same way in that the product can be taken up in a set ofdouble rollers belt 46 and the set ofconveyor rollers - After the longer products leave the set of
rollers discharge conveyor belt 57 and discharged (A2) for further processing. The short products drop downward into sortingopening 51 and are discharged (A1) via a hopper-like receptacle 52. - In determined embodiments the
conveyor roller 49 takes a form which is adjustable in height and lengthwise direction. The throughput speed of the product can be increased quite considerably. In order to prevent shorter products nevertheless being taken up by roller set 50,51 at this speed, in the embodiment offigure 4 an (adjustable)brush strip 55 is arranged on the upper side in the sorting opening. Thisbrush strip 55 can ensure that the speed of these short products is slowed, and the sorting result can be enhanced. In another embodiment (not shown) it could also be possible to place air blowing means, for instance a so-called air knife, at the location of the brush strip. Such air blowing means ensure that the shorter products are blown downward out of the product flow so that the chance of blockages is reduced and a good throughflow can be realized. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiments thereof described herein. The rights sought are rather determined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.
wherein a sorting opening is provided between two successive lower transport members for allowing products with a length smaller than a predetermined threshold value (also referred to as the sorting length) to drop via the sorting opening.
Claims (15)
- Device for sorting elongate products to length, in particular natural products such as green beans, the device comprising:- a feed conveyor for transporting the products in a direction of transport, wherein the conveyor is adapted to hold the products during transport with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport;- a sorting conveyor for transporting in the direction of transport the products supplied via the feed conveyor, wherein the sorting conveyor is adapted to separate the products according to their length during transport;wherein a sorting opening is provided between two successive lower transport members for allowing products with a length smaller than a sorting length to drop via the sorting opening; characterized in that the sorting conveyor comprises a number of successive sets of transport members, wherein each set comprises an upper and a lower transport member between which the products can be clamped and moved forward.
- Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transport members comprise one or more conveyor rollers.
- Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transport members comprise one or more conveyor belts.
- Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein the upper transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers, a first lower transport member is formed by a conveyor roller with an endless conveyor belt and the one or more other lower transport members are formed by free conveyor rollers.
- Device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein some of the transport members or all transport members are provided on their peripheral side with a material compressible by the products, wherein the material preferably comprises a covering, preferably a covering of cellular rubber and/or a covering with a thickness of between 5 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein more than two successive sets of transport members with at least two sorting openings therebetween are provided, wherein the length of the sorting openings preferably increases as seen in the direction of transport and/or wherein a number of parallel groups of a number of successive sets of transport members with at least one sorting opening therebetween are provided and/or wherein the feed conveyor comprises a directional vibrator.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a drive for rotating the transport members in opposing rotation directions.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a frame in which the transport members are rotatably arranged, wherein an intermediate space (pinch) is provided between transport members of a set of transport members for the purpose of clamping the products therebetween.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the sorting conveyor comprises adjusting means for adjusting the length of at least one of the openings between the upper conveyor rollers and/or lower conveyor rollers.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising means for reducing the product transport speed between two successive sets of transport members, particularly comprising one or more brush strips.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising blowing means for blowing products through the sorting opening.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the throughfeed speed in the sorting conveyor is at least equal to or greater than the throughfeed speed in the feed conveyor and/or wherein the device comprises receiving means for receiving the separated products, preferably in two or more hopper receptacles.
- Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising:- a first feed conveyor and a first sorting conveyor;- a second feed conveyor and a second sorting conveyor;wherein the second feed conveyor is adapted to receive products from the first sorting conveyor.
- Method for sorting elongate products to length, in particular natural products such as green beans, the method comprising of:- feeding the products in a direction of transport such that during transport the products extend with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport;- further transporting the supplied products in the direction of transport and separating the products according to their length during the further transport;wherein separation comprises of:- guiding at least some of the products along a first set of transport members comprising an upper and lower transport member, wherein between the transport members is an intermediate space in which the products can be clamped;characterized in that the separation further comprises of:- guiding at least some of the products along a second set of transport members comprising an upper and lower transport member, wherein between the transport members is an intermediate space in which the products can be clamped;wherein a sorting opening is provided between two successive lower transport members for allowing products with a length smaller than a sorting length to drop via the sorting opening.
- Method as claimed in claim 14, comprising of receiving the separated products, carrying the received products further in the direction of transport such that during transport the products extend with their longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport, and transporting the products further and separating these products according to their length during transport, and/or wherein a device according to any of the claims 1-13 is applied.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2007006A NL2007006C2 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2011-06-28 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LENGTHING SORTING OF PRODUCTS. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2540403A1 true EP2540403A1 (en) | 2013-01-02 |
Family
ID=46319653
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12174156A Withdrawn EP2540403A1 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2012-06-28 | Device and method for sorting products to length |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2540403A1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL2007006C2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2777828A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-17 | Claus Juul Nielsen | Apparatus for sorting used bricks and a method |
CN109692801A (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2019-04-30 | 广州市华璟机械科技有限公司 | A kind of wash dishes sorting equipment |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL8403813A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1986-07-01 | Miedema Landbouwwerktuigen | Machine for separating bulbs from stones - has braking plate working with current of air of variable direction |
FR2847493A1 (en) * | 2002-11-21 | 2004-05-28 | Cff Recycling | Method for sorting iron bars into short and long products comprises transporting bars aligned on conveyor and placing downstream of conveyor device ensuring continuity of progress of long products delivered by conveyor |
NL1033048C1 (en) | 2006-12-13 | 2008-06-16 | Gege Machb B V | Equipment is for sorting elongate products according to their length |
US20110056797A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-10 | Tung-I Tsai | Web product sorting machine |
-
2011
- 2011-06-28 NL NL2007006A patent/NL2007006C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2012
- 2012-06-28 EP EP12174156A patent/EP2540403A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL8403813A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1986-07-01 | Miedema Landbouwwerktuigen | Machine for separating bulbs from stones - has braking plate working with current of air of variable direction |
FR2847493A1 (en) * | 2002-11-21 | 2004-05-28 | Cff Recycling | Method for sorting iron bars into short and long products comprises transporting bars aligned on conveyor and placing downstream of conveyor device ensuring continuity of progress of long products delivered by conveyor |
NL1033048C1 (en) | 2006-12-13 | 2008-06-16 | Gege Machb B V | Equipment is for sorting elongate products according to their length |
US20110056797A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-10 | Tung-I Tsai | Web product sorting machine |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2777828A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-17 | Claus Juul Nielsen | Apparatus for sorting used bricks and a method |
CN109692801A (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2019-04-30 | 广州市华璟机械科技有限公司 | A kind of wash dishes sorting equipment |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL2007006C2 (en) | 2013-01-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8776986B2 (en) | Singulator | |
US8087509B2 (en) | Transport apparatus and method for feeding articles to a packing machine | |
EP1658777B2 (en) | Device for coating food products with a particulate material | |
EP2684461A2 (en) | Feed trough for a processing apparatus | |
EP2039258B1 (en) | Tipping and tailing machine for vegetables | |
US10638766B2 (en) | Apparatuses and methods of orienting sausages (natural casing sorter) | |
EP1901981B1 (en) | Device and method for transporting elongate food products | |
EP3378336B1 (en) | Method and device for separating fruits from wooden shells of almonds | |
US5044240A (en) | Apparatus for conveying and cutting a product into discrete pieces | |
US7607544B2 (en) | Apparatus for use to check potatoes or similar items | |
CN210971763U (en) | Fruit cup rotating device | |
EP2540403A1 (en) | Device and method for sorting products to length | |
US5641055A (en) | Conveyor belt | |
US20080135464A1 (en) | Separating system for separating articles | |
US10370196B2 (en) | Food product separating and aligning apparatus | |
EP3148903A1 (en) | Distribution system for supplying irregularly shaped products such as pears to a singulating means, and transport system and method therefor | |
US20090090255A1 (en) | Agricultural product peeling apparatus | |
KR20160000843U (en) | Apparatus for sorting agricultural products | |
SE452705B (en) | PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR FEEDING OF TOBACCO CUTTING MACHINES | |
KR101448432B1 (en) | supply for grader | |
US3800693A (en) | Apparatus for cutting articles | |
KR200345755Y1 (en) | a feeder for fruits | |
EP2540171A1 (en) | Device and method for processing agricultural products | |
KR101738752B1 (en) | A size sorting apparatus for products | |
US343999A (en) | Grain-separating machine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20130703 |