FR2511844A1 - Honey-comb decapping and extraction machine - has heated cages holding frames in position during both operations - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotary decapping cutter is for honeycombs held in a centrifugal tangential extractor. Both the frame and the direction of rotation are automatically reversible, and cages with horizontal wires are provided to hold the frame in position during decapping and extraction. It can have a heater for the casing and a honey discharge pump. The design allows both operations to be carried out in the one machine, the duration of extraction from each side of the honeycomb frames being timed.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of beekeeping and in particular the technical part which consists in removing honey from the wax rays.

 Until now, various methods have been used to uncap the honeycombs and then to extract the honey from these combs. These two operations were carried out separately.

 The uncapping was done, either by hand, with knives adapted to this work, or by machine, according to different techniques of vibrating knives or rotary changers.

 Once the honeycomb frames were uncapped, they were taken up for extraction in baskets of different dimensions, for tangential or radial extraction, depending on the model of extractor chosen.

The apparatus, object and of the invention, combines the two operations: uncapping and extracting honey from the combs.

 I1 was provided in this device, a passage of the honey frame in front of a system which removes the lids; and this for a few seconds.

 as soon as the honeycombs are uncapped, the honey is extracted by the centrifugal force which projects it onto the wall of the tank.

 This work is done on one side of the honeycomb and, after stopping and reversing the direction of travel, the second side of the frame is then treated.

 The electronic control of the device allows the timing of each operation, with one or more passages on each side of the department.

The proposed device is built according to conventional methods and comprises three essential elements, namely:
a) The tank itself.

 b) The rotary uncapping group.

c) The extraction group, with the frame supports
reversible.

DESCRIPTION
a) THE TANK.

 It is preferably made of stainless steel and its initial horizontal section is oval in shape to properly wrap the uncapping and extraction group.

 The bottom of the tank is provided in a double slope to facilitate the realization of the attachments of the uncapping and extraction gaups.

This feature also promotes the evacuation of honey
o and lids, which, broken by the uncapper, are carried in the honey.

 To facilitate this evacuation, large orifices are provided in the bottom of the tank.

 For reasons of improvement of the product and the cost price, this tank may title made of food plastic, according to techniques in force or to come.

 It is intended that the tank may be connected to a second receiver and honey filter assembly, but this device, not being the object of the invention, will not be described here.

b) THE ROTATING GROUP OF DESPERCULDION

It is a vertical axis, driven by a motor. On this vertical axis are fixed, either nylon straps, wires, cables or chains in metal or plastic or any other material likely to improve the performance of the device
Under the effect of the rotation and the speed obtained, the elements fixed on the axis take a horizontal position and rub the face of the spoke, destroying the cover.

 the approach to this rotary element is adjustable and the distance from the face of the spoke is limited by a polygonal guide which follows the profile of the cages in which the spokes are pressed.

The electronic control of this rotary element makes it possible to limit or temporarily eliminate the uncapping action c) THE ETBCTIOI GROUP

 The extraction of honey by centrifugal force is a known process and this process will be used in the apparatus, object of 1 invention.However, the rotary extraction group presented includes various features that allowallied with the uncapper, to carry out , the complete work of removing honey from the combs, by centrifugal force, the frames being exploited by the so-called tangential position.

 The first feature concerns the Fis 4 cages in which the honeycombs are pressed.

 These cages are provided constructed of ydable stainless steel wire welded horizontally and thus allowing the passage of the rotary uncapping elements.

 This technique is an essential element of the invention.

 I1 is expected that these cages can be made by other methods such as molding or from perforated metal techniques.

The second peculiarity concerns the honey frame supports.

 They are provided movable, around a vertical axis, which allows the reversibility of the frames, by changing the direction of rotation of the whole of the cage. These rotary supports, comprise small simple elements, allowing to hold the frame upright.

 reversibility is obtained automatically by return springs, which, when stopped, bring back the supports and the frames, radiating towards the center.

 The frame supports can be constructed between stainless steel, aluminum, or from molding techniques.

importante pour 1' invention, des bielle tes en haut et en bas de l'axe vertical,ce qui permet au cadre,quelque soit son épaisseur, de venir plaquer parfaitement contre la cage.They also understand, and this peculiarity is very

important for one invention, rods at the top and bottom of the vertical axis, which allows the frame, whatever its thickness, to come to press perfectly against the cage.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
The industrial application of this technique is of particular interest to manufacturers of beekeeping equipment, both French and foreign, who will see, in the manufacture of this device, the possibility of replacing a good part of the equipment existing on the market, technically exceeded by this process.

 The export market will also be very buoyant for this new equipment and mass production is planned soon.

Claims (3)

I) Rotary honeycomb uncapper, associated with a tangential centrifugal extractor, characterized by the automatic reversibility of the frames and the direction of rotation and by the special cages with horizontal wires to hold the frames during uncapping and extraction. 2) De-sealer according to claim I, characterized by the addition of a heating means of the envelope. 3) De-sealer according to claim I, characterized by the addition of a honey evacuation pump.