FR2842396A1 - Machine separating cherries linked by their stalks, comprises series of separation modules with endless belts running on pulleys to cause centrifugal effect on cherries - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of separation modules is combined, each having an endless belt (3) running on a pair of pulleys (4). The speed of rotation is sufficient to cause an inertial effect on the cherries (1). A separate conveyor belt (5) below the separation modules, carries away the fruit leaving them. A flexible brake (8) is mounted in the extension of each module and receives the cherries thrown off. A feed conveyor is located above the separation modules. It supplies the cherries, pouring them onto the separation modules. Guards in front of each pulley, prevent the fruits from being drawn in, as the belt runs on the pulley. Each separation module is mounted with the two pulleys horizontal. Each pulley drives the next in rotation. A number of separation modules are mounted side by side and one above the other, such that several stages of separation are formed.

Description

The invention relates to a device for separating cherries into bunches,

  separation at the junction of the stems, device characterized in that it makes it possible to individualize each cherry, while each cherry retains its own tail. This new device is characterized in that it consists of: * 1 feed conveyor belt

  * 1 series of pulley / belt modules.

  * 1 receiving mat * flexible brakes for receiving the projected fruit This invention relates more particularly to:

  * The arrangement, the positioning of the different elements between them.

  * The separation process carried out by centrifugal effect.

  In comparison with the various devices already existing, the new process has the following advantages: * This device, in comparison with the devices already existing, is very very simple and does not cut, but detaches the cherries in cluster at the level

from their junction point.

  Device for separating, at their junction point, cluster table cherries, characterized in that it comprises in combination: - a series of modules mounted in combination with each other, each module being characterized in that it is composed of 2 pulleys and an endless belt, said rotating module has a rotational speed sufficient to cause an inertia effect on cherries, - a fruit evacuation conveyor belt, which extends under the modules of separation and receives the fruit leaving the separation modules, - a flexible brake which is mounted as an extension of each

  module and which receives the projected cherries.

  Thanks to this simple arrangement, a machine is produced which allows

separate the cherries into bunches.

  According to an alternative embodiment, a feed conveyor belt, positioned above the separation modules, feeds and discharges the

  fruit in the separation modules.

  According to an alternative embodiment, pulley protectors are positioned in front of each pulley, to prevent the fruits from forming

  swallow when winding the belt on the pulley.

  According to an alternative embodiment, each module is mounted 'flat', that is

  to say that the two pulleys are mounted horizontally.

  According to a particular embodiment, each pulley causes its

neighbor in rotation.

  According to a particular embodiment, several modules are mounted one next to the other, and one above the other, so that the

  device has several separation stages.

  Other characteristics, object and advantages of the invention will emerge from the

  detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show

  by way of nonlimiting example, a preferred embodiment. These drawings make

  an integral part of this description:

  Fig 1: Side view of the machine (only 1 module shown).

  Fig 2: Top view of the machine (only 1 module shown).

  Fig 3: Series of chronological views (depending on the progression of the cherry in

  machine), views according to section. (Only 1 module shown).

  Fig 4: Continuation of the series of chronological views (according to the progression of the

  cherry in the machine), views according to section. (Only 1 module shown).

  Fig 5: Top view of the machine (2 modules shown).

  Fig 6: Top view of a module, mounted with a pulley protector.

  A motorized conveyor belt (2) conveys the fruit (1), in bulk, above and to the center of the separation modules. On this belt (2) are optionally arranged deflectors (6) in order to better guide the fruits (1) towards the separation modules. Each separation module consists of 2 pulleys (4) and a belt without

  end (3) which are rotated.

  The strap (3) is fine enough so that a single cherry (1) does not remain balanced on top, and that it systematically falls to the right or to the left of said strap (3). If however a bunch of cherries (1) straddles the

  strap (3), it hangs by the junction of the tails.

  The cherry alone (1) falls to the right or to the left and is then directly received by the receiving conveyor belt (5); while the bunches of cherries (1) hanging on the belt (3) are routed into the

pulley (4).

  Arriving in the pulley (4), the cherry stalks (1) located inside the belt (in the drawing, to the left of the belt (3)) are strongly pinched between the pulley (4) and its belt winding (3); while the cherry stalks (1) located outside the belts (3) (in the drawing, to the right of the belt) remain free. As the winding progresses, there is a centrifugal acceleration on the cherries (1). The cherries (1) pinched between the pulley (4) and the belt (3) remain

  bridles, while the unripe cherries are pulled by centrifugal force.

  Sufficiently strong, this centrifugal force stretches and tears the cherry stalks (1) linked together, tearing which takes place at the level of the least resistant point,

  ie the point where the tails meet.

  This tearing phase is also called the separation phase of the

cherry stalks (1).

  Io After tearing: * the cherries (1), to the right of the belt, are, with momentum, projected in a straight braking brush (8), then fall back onto the conveyor belt (5), * the cherries (1 ), to the left of the belt, are released from their pinching between

  the pulley (4) and the belt (3), when the belt (3) leaves the pulley (4).

  Therefore, the cherries (1) fall on the receiving conveyor belt (5) and

  are conveyed on any other downstream machine (or part of machine).

  Pulley protectors (7) are optionally installed in front of each pulley (4). These pulley protectors (7) are fixed parts which aim to deflect and eject any cherries (7) which are not positioned correctly, and which could become

  swallow and grind between the belt (3) and the pulley (4).

  The cluster cherry separation machine (1) generally consists of

  a series of modules mounted in parallel, one along the other.

  One embodiment (FIG 5) combines several modules which rotate flat, one next to the other. This assembly optimizes the size. Indeed, the belts work on the way as on the return, so that a module will offer 2 lines of separation: * the belt (3) on the right (go) of each module, which will separate the bunches of cherries (1) on the front of the machine (towards the exit), * the left belt (3) (back), which will separate the bunches of cherries (1) on the rear of the machine (in return, below the conveyor belt (2)). The direction arrows in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6 illustrate the direction of advance of the belts (3). The kinematic drive of the pulleys / belts of the different modules is carried out by a single motor. The speed of rotation is adjustable by a speed variator. This speed of rotation is high enough, so that the centrifugal force exerted on the cherries (1) is strong enough to tear the

bunches of cherries (1).

  The diameter of the pulleys (4) is minimum, in order to increase the centrifugal effect.

  The number of modules is not restricted.

  Another particular embodiment combines several modules, one next to the other

  from each other, and one above the other (several stages of separation).

Claims (5)

  1 - Device for separating, at their junction point, cluster table cherries, characterized in that it comprises in combination: - a series of modules mounted in combination with each other, each module being characterized in that it is composed of 2 pulleys and an endless belt, said rotating module having a sufficient speed of rotation to cause an inertia effect on the cherries, - a conveyor belt for evacuating fruit, which extends under the separation modules and receives the fruit leaving the separation modules, - a flexible brake which is mounted as an extension of each   module and which receives the projected cherries.   Thanks to this simple arrangement, a machine is produced which allows separate the cherries into bunches.   2 - Device for separating, at their junction point, cluster table cherries, according to claim 1, characterized in that a feed conveyor belt, positioned above the separation modules, feeds and   pours the fruit into the separation modules.   3 - Device for separating, at their junction point, cluster table cherries, according to claim 1, characterized in that pulley protectors are positioned in front of each pulley, to prevent fruit   are swallowed when the belt is wound on the pulley.   4 - Device for separating, at their junction point, cluster table cherries, according to claim 1, characterized in that each module is   mounted 'flat', that is to say that the two pulleys are mounted horizontally.   - Device for separation, at their junction, of cluster table cherries, according to claim 1, characterized in that each pulley drives its neighbor in rotation.   6 - Device for separating, at their junction, cluster table cherries, according to claim 1, characterized in that several modules are mounted one next to the other, and one above the other, so   that the device has several separation stages.