FR2477042A1 - Automatic fruit sorting machine - determines size and colour to separate fruit into several classes each of which are further divided into sub-classes - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine uses at least two different criteria, e.g. the colour and the quality of the fruit. It has an initial stage for sorting the fruit into different classes according to one of these criteria and the same number of subsequent identical sorting stages as the number of initial classes for dividing the fruit into sub-classes according to the second criteria. The fruit may be sorted initially according to weight, the output signal of an electric weighing gauge controlling a set of deflectors for dividing the fruit between respective weight groups. The fruit is subsequently divided into two sub-groups for colour by a common colour sensor receiving each weight group in turn.

Description

The present invention relates to an installation for t: automatic fruit or the like depending on their size and color.

We know that many fruit stations are equipped with automatic machines for sizing the fruit they receive. Such sizing makes it possible, on the one hand, to package said fruit size by size for sale to customers and, on the other hand, to compensate the various producers according to the quality (assimilated to size) of their production.

However, it turns out that a simple sorting according to the size is not satisfactory. Indeed, some fruits of large sizes (therefore considered to be of high quality) may have a color revealing a poor quality for the species of fruit considered, while on the contrary, fruits of small sizes (therefore considered to be of poor quality) may have a color representative of good taste quality.

The present invention relates to an installation allowing the automatic sorting of fruits or the like according to their size and their color. It thus allows a finer classification of said fruits according to their quality, which is no longer considered to be of the simple size.

As a result, it allows more differentiated packaging and fairer remuneration for producers.

In addition, it easily lends itself to computerization of the calculation of these remunerations since, for a given batch of fruit, it is easy to know, thanks to accessory peripheral devices, such as scales, the proportions of fruits of different sizes and of different colors.

To this end, according to the invention, the installation for the automatic sorting of fruits or the like according to at least two criteria, such as size and color, is remarkable in that it comprises, on the one hand, first means capable of dividing said fruits into a first plurality of classes each of which corresponds to a determined value of one of said criteria and, on the other hand, an equal plurality of second means capable of dividing the fruits of each class into a second plurality of subclasses, each of which corresponds to a determined value of the other of said criteria.

Thus, it is possible to start sorting the fruits according to their size (or their color), then to carry out for each size (or color) the sorting according to the color (or size).

Preferably, the means capable of apprehending the size include at least one strain gauge providing an electrical signal representative of the weight of each fruit or the like. This electrical signal can be used, after processing, to control switches directing the fruit or the like in different directions depending on their weight.

The installation may include a chain of tilting cups. With offset tilting axis, each capable of containing a piece of fruit, the bottom of each cup resting, at the time of weighing, on a pad acting on said strain gauge. It is possible to provide a plurality of electromagnets, each of which is associated with a switch and is controlled as a function of the level of said electrical signal, as well as a plurality of carriers for receiving the fruits oriented by said switches.

Furthermore, in the installation according to the invention, the means capable of apprehending the color comprise at least one light source sending an incident beam on the fruits to be examined, a device for separating the reflected beam into at least two sub-beams , colored filters, each of which is placed on the path of one of said sub-beams, opto-electric generators placed behind each filter to give an electrical quantity depending on the quantity of colored light required and a device for processing the various electrical quantities The electrical quantities generated by said opto-electric devices control the orientation of the fruits and this orientation can be carried out by means of switches or by at least partial tilting of a transporter conveying said fruits.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an installation according to the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the electrical circuit for controlling the tilting of the cups.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the electrical circuit for controlling sorting by color.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device for reversing the cups of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross section corresponding to FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a cross section along the line
VI-VI of FIG. 7, of an alternative embodiment of the sorting device according to the color of FIG. 1.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Figure 6, along the line VII-VII of the latter figure.

The installation according to the invention, shown by way of example in FIG. 1, is of the circular type with an endless chain of tilting cups. It goes without saying that this exemplary embodiment is not limitative of the invention and that the installation could be rectilinear and provided with a different system for transporting fruit.

The installation shown comprises a b ti 1, supporting a circular horizontal plate 2. On this plate 2 are mounted a plurality of electromagnets 3 (only two are shown) whose plunger core 4 is capable of carrying out movements of comes and goes vertical.

Under the plate 2 is provided a circular horizontal ramp 5, in which are provided, opposite each electromagnet 3, interruptions in which are arranged moving portions 6 of the ramp.

Each ramp portion .6 is made integral, by means of a crew 7, with the plunger core 4 of the corresponding electromagnet 3. When the electromagnets 3 are at rest, the ramp portions 6 are at the level of the ramp 5, 'which they extend. On the other hand, when an electromagnet 3 is excited, it attracts its core -4 which lifts the ramp portion 6 above the ramp 5.

Under the ramp 5 is arranged a circular plate 8 rotating around its vertical axis. In the edge 9 of the plate 8 are mounted the tilt axes 10 of a plurality of successive cups 11, only one of which is shown. Each cup is free to tilt around its axis 10, but it is normally prevented by a lug 12, which is integral with it and which rests on the ramp 5. The cups 11 each receive a fruit from a loading device known and not shown.

Furthermore, on the path of the cups 11, a weighing device 13 is provided, comprising a movable shoe 14 (tilting or plunging) acting by a rod 15 on a strain gauge 60. Normally the upper level of the pad 14 is such that when the bottom of a cup 11 slides over it, it is raised, so that the corresponding lug 12 leaves its support on the ramp 5. The rise and fall of the bottom cups 11 relative to the shoe 14 are favored by upstream 16 and downstream 17 ramps.

As shown in FIG. 2, the analog electrical signal supplied by the strain gauge pressed by the shoe 14 is transmitted to an amplifier 18 and shaped at 19. It is then. rendered digital at 20, then introduced into a digital comparator 21. This digital comparator comprises a plurality of inputs 22, each of which is connected to a preselection member (not shown), as well as a plurality of outputs each of which of them is connected to an electromagnet 3.

In addition, opposite each electromagnet 3, the installation comprises a conveyor 23 arranged under the turntable 8 and arranged radially with respect to the plates 2 and 8. There are therefore as many conveyors 23 as there are electromagnets 3, although only one conveyor 23 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

Above each conveyor 23 is provided a device 24 for measuring color, capable of actuating a flap 25 for directing the fruit towards a receptacle 26 or a receptacle provided on either side of the conveyor 23.

FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of each device 24. Each of these comprises several light sources capable of sending on the fruits 28, incident beams 29, which, after reflection on the latter, give rise to reflected beams 30 .

Thanks to semi-transparent mirrors 31, each reflected beam 30 is divided into two sub-beams, one of which passes through a red filter 32 and the other through a green filter 33. Behind each of the filters 32 and 33 is arranged a photo cell -electric 34 or 35 respectively, delivering a current of intensity proportional to the amount of red or green light it receives. Thanks to converters 36 and 37, the currents are transformed into voltage, the voltage at the output of the converters 36 and 37 being respectively representative of the red color and the green color of the fruit 28. In the divider 38, the ratio of these two tensions.

The different ratios obtained at the output of the different dividers 38 (each of which corresponds to an incident beam '29) are compared in the comparator 39 to reference values and the result of this comparison makes it possible to determine whether the fruit 28 examined should be classified as green or red. The output of comparator 39 emits a signal controlling the position of the switch 25.

Thus, when a cup 11, loaded with a fruit, and rotating with the plate 8, is present on the ramp 16, it is raised so that the lug 12 is no longer supported on the ramp. Then, the loaded cup passes over the pad 14 which actuates the device 13. The latter provides at its output a signal which is a function of the weight of the fruit (and therefore the size of the latter) and which, in relation to the preselected values supplied to inputs 22, activates the corresponding electromagnet 3. Downstream of the device 13, the cup 11 lowers its level and its lug 12 resumes contact with the ramp 5 and / or the ramp parts 6 associated with the non-excited electromagnets 3.

On the other hand, the excited electromagnet 3 lifts its ramp portion 6, so that, when the cup 11 is present at this location, the lug 12 loses its support and slides on a descending ramp 40 at the end of which the cup 11 tips, discharging its fruit on the corresponding conveyor 23.

Thus, a classification of the fruits is obtained according to their size, each transporter 23 conveying fruit of the same size.

When the fruits conveyed by a transporter 23 pass under the device 24, the latter determines the color of each fruit and directs the switcher 25 accordingly, which in turn directs, for example, the green fruits towards the receptacle 26 and the red fruit to receptacle 27.

Thus, for each size of fruit, we obtain the separation of red fruits and green fruits.

The assembly 7 illustrated in FIG. 1 requires relatively powerful electromagnets 3. Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment allowing the use of electromagnets 41 of lower power.

To this end, the ramp portions 6 are articulated around an axis 42, integral with the b-ti, and are connected to the core 43, by means of a lug 44, on which they are articulated. The electromagnets 41 must have the power just necessary to rotate the light ramp portions 6 around the axes 42, at an angle of small amplitude, corresponding at least to the thickness of the pins 12.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the conveyor 23 and of the switch 25 has been shown.

In these figures, the carriers, responsible for removing the fruit released by the cups 11 after calibration by weight, consist of a plurality of successive buckets 45, mounted on an endless chain 46, supported by a rail 47.

Each bucket 45 has a bottom 48 by which it is made integral with the chain 46, a front transverse wall 49 and a rear transverse wall 50, integral with said bottom 48. Furthermore, each bucket 45 has two lateral walls 51 and 52, forming a V open upwards and articulated around a median longitudinal axis 53, the ends of which are integral with the transverse walls 49 and 50.

The side walls 51 and 52 are held in their V-shaped position by means of helical springs 54 and 55. Furthermore, the external faces of the side walls 51 and 52 are provided with arms 56 at the ends of which are. provided with rollers 57. These rollers co-operate with ramps with hatches (not shown) of the type 5,6,40 shown in FIG. 4.

These doors are controlled by the device 24 and when a roller 57 passes at their level, the corresponding wall 51 or 52 is forced to open against the action of the spring 54 or 55 (position in dashed lines on Figure 6), so that a fruit 58, contained in the bucket 45 and resting on these walls is discharged from the side of the wall which opens to fall either into the receptacle 26 or into the receptacle 27. Good of course, the receptacles 26 and 27 could be replaced by conveyors parallel to the conveyor 23 or to the chain 46.

Notches 59 can be provided in the movable walls 51 and 52 for the passage of the incident light 29 and reflected light beams 30 of the device 24. It is thus possible to make three color measurements along axes offset by 1200: one from above and two lateral.

Claims (10)

1.- Installation for the automatic sorting of fruits or the like according to at least two criteria, such as size and color, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, first means capable of dividing said fruits into a first plurality of classes, each of which corresponds to a determined value of one of said criteria, and, on the other hand, an equal plurality of second means capable of dividing the fruits of each class into a second plurality of subclasses, each of which corresponds to a determined value of the other of said criteria. 2.- Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means capable of apprehending the size include at least one strain gauge providing an electrical signal representative of the weight of each fruit or the like. 3.- Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said electrical signal is used, after treatment, to control switches orienting the fruit or the like in different directions depending on their weight. 4.- Installation according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a chain of tilting cups, with offset tilting axis, each capable of containing a fruit, the bottom of each cup resting, at the time weighing, on a pad acting on said strain gauge. -5.- Installation according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electromagnets each of which is associated with a switch and is controlled according to the level of said electrical signal. 6.- Installation according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of carriers for receiving the fruit oriented by said switches. 7.- Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means capable of apprehending the color comprise at least one light source sending an incident beam on the fruits to be examined, a device for separating the reflected beam in at least two sub-beams, colored filters, each of which is placed on the path of one of said sub-beams, opto-electric generators placed behind each filter to give an electrical quantity depending on the quantity of colored light received and a device for processing the various electrical quantities thus generated. 8.- Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical quantities generated by said opto-electric devices control the orientation of the fruit. 9 .- "Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said orientation is effected by means of switches. 10.- Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said orientation is effected by at least partial tilting of a conveyor carrying said fruit.