FR2887862A1 - Article e.g. abalone, processing apparatus, has separator comprising two hollow parts causing fall of articles, their rotation and elongated element`s engagement separate articles into individual articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a separator comprising hollow parts (25, 26) through which a set of articles pass, where the parts rotate. The articles advance through the part (25) for entering and traversing in the part (26). The parts cause the articles to fall between them. An elongated element (32) is disposed inside the part (26), and the articles engage in the element (32), when they are displaced through the part (26). The rotation of the parts, the fall of articles caused by the parts and the engagement of the element make the articles to be separated into individual articles. An independent claim is also included for articles processed by a processing apparatus.

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for processing articles.

  The invention is suitable for use with articles of products such as abalone, mussels,

  scallops, carrots, potatoes and, in particular, oysters, and it will be appropriate to describe the invention below, with respect to this particular application. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention has a wider application.

  The supply of oysters to market and, in fact, any of the product items identified above, generally involves some type of processing, to determine whether the products meet the requirements of the market. The treatment may include counting, weighing and / or measuring the length of each individual item. These processing steps usually require one consisting of doing individual items.

  Oysters are 25 if they meet pretreatment stage so that the article separated from a plurality tested, to determine certain market requirements. Each oyster is tested for the weight and length of its outer shell. The test of whether an oyster is suitable for commercialization has previously involved the process of manually extracting each oyster and assessing weight, feel, and length at Poil. This form of testing is subjective, time consuming and tedious. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain a reasonably homogenous standard of oysters ready for commercialization. In addition, it is difficult to find and retain staff to perform the laborious testing process.

  Attempts have been made to eliminate the subjectivity of the tests, and to automate the process of determining whether an oyster is suitable for commercialization, using X-rays and / or video imaging equipment, to measure shade or the surface of the oyster. Imaging equipment requires that oysters be presented individually, which requires each oyster to be manually placed on a conveyor. As a result, the process is not completely automated, as manual tasks are still quite daunting. In addition, this apparatus does not include means for weighing the oyster and, therefore, is inappropriate for testing at the same time important indications concerning the size of the oysters. In addition, imaging equipment is very expensive and, therefore, unlikely to be economically viable for all, if not most, oyster producers.

  Another prior arrangement includes loading manually oysters on a conveyor belt which are successively weighed by a machine. Again, the process involved requires intensive work and does not test the length of the oysters'.

  The present applicant has developed a processing apparatus, for processing oysters and other articles, which has been disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / AU01 / 00409. This apparatus which comprises the application discloses one of the means forming a separator, for mainly supply of oysters, and individually the oysters of their longitudinal axes. application PCT / AU01 / 00409 can items, from one to align separate, along the device to operate it to separate oysters, separate and align items such as oysters, by treating oysters through a device component of a rotating cone and cylinder. This device is based on opposing rotational and gravitational forces, to separate and align oysters, the cone and cylinder composed device being inclined downwards as well, which has the effect of moving the oysters in the direction of the length of the device. The oysters, which are separated and aligned by this device, move on a conveyor to a spacer which separates the oysters from each other by a predetermined distance so that measuring means can measure oysters. 25 individual depending on size and weight. The separator means disclosed in PCT / AU01 / 00409 have, in practice, performed satisfactorily, however a continuing difficulty has been encountered in separating oyster pairs known as "doubles". . These are pairs of oysters that are securely joined or "locked" together, mainly because of their irregular shape and very rough surface, and often remain in this state despite passage through the separator means. disclosed in PCT / AU01 / 00409. Since the pairs of oysters are not separated, they move to the measuring means, in this state, and are then processed by the measuring means, as a single oyster rather than as two oysters. Thus, the measuring means can not measure the individual oysters of each pair. This problem is a specific problem related to so-called "glued" cultured oysters that can be extremely irregular in shape, even convoluted.

  It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the problems associated with the prior art.

  The present invention is directed to articles that have irregular shapes. An example of such an article is an oyster, while articles, which are considered to have a regular shape, are eg postal items such as envelopes. The present invention provides a novel arrangement in which irregularly shaped articles, such as oysters, are exposed to fillers which tend to cause articles, which are releasably bonded together, to separate, so that the items can be separated and aligned appropriately for further processing.

  In one embodiment of the invention, a processing apparatus is provided for processing a plurality of articles becoming individual articles, the apparatus comprising separator means and supply means 2887862, the supply means being operating to provide a plurality of articles to said separator means, said separator means including a first hollow portion having open front and rear ends, a longitudinal axis that is inclined downward from said front end, and about which can rotate said first portion, and a generally frustoconical inner surface, said leading end of said first portion having a relatively wide aperture and said rear end having a relatively narrow aperture, said separator means further comprising a second hollow portion having front ends and back open, an axis l longitudinal slope which is inclined downwards from said front end to said rear end, longitudinal axis about which the second part can rotate, and a generally circular inner surface, the position of said rear end of said first part relative to the front end of said second portion, said sub-portion being such that, in use, plurality of articles are dropped, effect of gravity between said first and said second portion, said first and second portions being in progress in use, driven to rotate, said supply means supply said plurality of articles to said separator means for passing said plurality of articles through said first portion, moving said plurality of articles, through said first part, tending to separate articles from said plurality of articles and, for said separate articles to align longitudinally with respect to said first portion, said plurality of articles then passing into said second portion after being dropped from said first portion to said second portion which further tends to separate the articles of said plurality of articles, moving said plurality of said articles, through said second portion, tending to separate articles from said plurality of articles and, for said separate articles, to align longitudinally with respect to said second part.

  Articles, which are provided at the open front end of the first part, move through this part under the effect of gravity, due to the longitudinal axis of the first part, which is inclined downwards. Rotation of the first portion tends to cause separation and alignment of oysters that are not sufficiently joined or blocked together, such as double oysters. The rotation of the second part tends to separate and align the oysters. This process can be assisted by changing the speed of movement through the first and second parts, so that the oysters move faster through the second part than through the first part, thus separating the oysters better. While this can be achieved in any suitable manner, this can be achieved by arranging the respective longitudinal axes of the first and second portions so that they have the same extent.

  Compared to double oysters, those that remain joined at the rear end of the first part may further be tested by engagement with an elongate member disposed in the second portion. Such an elongated member may extend within the second portion, substantially between the front and rear edges of that portion, and is mounted opposing rotation with the second portion. The elongate member is positioned, so that at least a major part of the plurality of items interact with the item, whereby the interaction imposes loads on items of the plurality of items that are joined together, which further tends to separate and align the joined articles along the elongate member.

  It is important to note that double oysters include a pair of oysters that are typically located in a side-by-side junction. Thus, the rotational action of the first and second parts is such that it has the effect that double oysters generally extend transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the oyster, through the respective portion. Double oysters, which resist passage through the first part, enter the second part, and in this part, it may happen that an oyster of double oysters has an interaction with the elongated element, bearing against the elongated element or coming into contact with it, while the other oyster of double oysters is spaced from this elongated element. Moreover, since the inner surface of the second portion is curved, the center of mass of the double oyster is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the second portion and is high, so that the gravity acts on the the double oyster, tending to move it and bring it into contact with the elongated element. However, since the second portion is rotated in a direction tending to move the oysters away from the elongated member, the oysters of a double oyster are subject to an opposite charge which tends to disturb the junction therebetween. In practice, it has been found that cooperation between a double oyster and the elongated element has a significant effect on the junction with double oysters, in a way that disrupts the junction and, in a high percentage of cases, detaches or separates, from each other, the oysters which are double. Once the oysters are detached or separated, the normal rotational and gravity forces acting on the individual oysters have the effect of separating and aligning them along the elongated element for further processing.

  The elongated member preferably has a longitudinal bottom edge which is positioned near, but spaced from, the inner surface of the second portion, substantially the entire length thereof, between the front and rear ends of this second portion. This minimizes the likelihood that articles, which are provided in the second part, are trapped or trapped between the lower edge of the elongate member and the inner surface of the second portion.

  The elongated member preferably has a first section which is spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second portion. The elongate member also preferably includes a second section that extends from a front end of the first section and at an angle to the first section, to a region of the edge of the front end of the first section. second part, being adjacent to said edge area. The second section is intended to create a guide or barrier, to ensure that articles that are provided in the second portion advance only along one side of the elongate member.

  It is expected that the rotational speed of the second part is such that the articules received in this second part are generally accumulated in the region of the vertically lower section of the inner surface. Therefore, it is preferable that the elongated member is positioned to overlie the inner surface of the second portion, generally at or adjacent the vertically lower section of the interior surface. It is also preferable that the elongated member is adjustable laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second portion so that its position can be adjusted to accommodate items of different average size. Lateral adjustment may also require height adjustment, as the element moves outwardly from the curved inner surface of the second portion.

  It is preferred that the second portion be an elongate cylinder, although it is possible that this portion has any suitable outer shape, as long as the inner surface is generally cylindrical. The inner surface may include protrusions or a profile that promotes vibration of the articles received within the second portion, to assist in the separation and alignment of the articles, although, conversely, the interior surface can be relatively smooth.

  It is furthermore preferable that the angle of the longitudinal axes of the first and second parts is adjustable, and this is typically required to accommodate changes in the average size and / or weight of the articles being processed. For oysters, a lot of usually large oysters is preferably treated at an inclination that is more pronounced than that used with a smaller batch of oysters. In addition, it is preferred that the rotational speed of the first and second portions be adjustable, again to make appropriate adjustments to accommodate variations in average size and / or weight.

  The surface of the elongate member at which the articles come into contact during movement between the rear and front ends of the second portions may have any suitable surface texture, although for some articles, Like oysters, the surface is preferably roughened to provide greater frictional resistance when contact occurs. In a related embodiment, minor ribs or protrusions may extend from the elongate member, and these are intended to exert a rotational force on articles that contact the ribs or ribs. projections, rotational force which is larger than that which would be generated otherwise, without these ribs or projections. In the preferred arrangement, these ribs or projections are formed in the second section of the elongate member which extends at an angle to the first section.

  Since the articles fall between said first part and said second part, an impact occurs which disrupts the advance of the oysters, tending to ensure that the articles are separated from the plurality of items that are attached to each other.

  The process of separating and aligning the articles processed through the first and second parts, discussed above, begins as the articles enter and progress along the length of the first part. The rotation of this part causes the articles to flow to the front, once they have been received at the front end of this part. As for oysters, these 2887862 tend to be provided in blocks or groups, with varying degrees of junction between oysters, within the block or group. Most oysters have only a minor junction or even no junction at all, so the rotation of the first part causes these oysters to separate for alignment, or at least start the separation. Other oysters, which remain joined, advance in this state, through the rear end of the first part and the fall occurring between the first and second parts tests this junction. That is to say, the fall that the oysters undergo between the first and second parts requires, in order to separate the oysters which are joined to each other, a load greater than that which the oysters undergo just under the effect of the rotation of the first part. Where this greater load is sufficient to separate oysters that were previously joined to each other, the separated oysters will be influenced to align within the second part.

  The first part is preferably a frustoconical tube whose front end has a relatively wide opening and whose rear end has a relatively narrow opening. The outside of the first part may however have any suitable shape, as long as the inner surface of this first part is frustoconical. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the first and second portions have the same extent, although these axes may, alternatively, be oriented at an angle to each other.

  It is preferred that the first and second portions are connected to each other so that the rear end of the first portion is joined to the front end of the second portion. In this way, the first and second parts can be rotated together in the same direction and at the same rotational speed. However, alternatively, the respective portions may be separate and may rotate in opposite directions relative to each other.

  The separation means of the present invention may comprise a third part having a longitudinal axis, this third part being rotatable about this axis, a generally frustoconical inner surface and open front and rear ends, the longitudinal axis of said third part being tilted back down, from the front end to the rear end, and the end of the third part opens into the front end of the first part. In this arrangement, the supply means provides articles at the front end of the third portion. In use, the third portion is rotated, which causes the plurality of articles to advance from the front end of this third portion to the back end, and this progression tends to separate the plurality of articles into individual articles that are generally aligned. Preferably, the position of the rear end of said third portion, with respect to the front end of said second portion, is such that the articles experience a fall occurring under the effect of gravity between the third portion. and the first, impacting portion which results in a disturbance tending to cause items to be separated from said plurality of joined items.

  The third part functions in much the same way as the first part, providing another step of rotation, to separate and align individual articles and, preferably, to provide another fall occurring under the effect of gravity, tending to break the junction between items such as those posing as "doubled" oysters. It is preferable that the taper of the inner surface of the first part is more moderate than that of the third part.

  In addition, it is preferable that the longitudinal axes of the first and third parts have the same extent.

  Preferably, the rear end of the third portion is connected to the front end of the first portion so that the first and third portions can rotate together at the same rotational speed.

  It is preferred that some lubrication be provided to assist moving articles through separator means, and a suitable lubricating means is a continuous supply of water. Further lubrication may be provided, such as that obtained by feeding other liquids, or the inner surfaces of the respective portions may be treated with a friction reducing coating. Other arrangements may also apply.

  It is proposed that the previously described processing apparatus is combined with various other components, such as a queuing arrangement for queuing items that have passed through the separator means and by measuring means for measuring the items that come from either the separator means or queuing means (if provided).

  Upstream of any measuring means, the apparatus may include a spacing and orientation conveyor which may appropriately spacing and orienting the articles, for the measuring means, to properly perform the measurement of items.

  It will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion that the articles intended primarily for use with a treatment apparatus according to the invention are oysters, although the apparatus has also been tried with molds and is considered suitable. for other shells and similar articles formed irregularly. Therefore, the invention extends to articles that have been processed by the treatment apparatus described above.

  For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it can be implemented, its embodiments are now described only by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Figure 1 is a schematic plan of an apparatus form incorporating an embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 2 is a detail view, from the side, of a section of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1.

  Figures 3 and 4 are plan views, in cross-section, of the particular section of the apparatus, shown in Figure 2.

  Fig. 5 is an end view of the section of the treatment apparatus of Fig. 2.

  Referring to Figure 1, this illustrates a processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, which apparatus comprises a singulator 2 which supplies articles to sorting means 3.

  Singulator 2 separates articles, guides them and spaces them. The singulator comprises feed means in the form of an elevator 4, a separator 5 and a spacer 6. The sorting means 3 may include a length measuring device and a weight measuring device. .

  Briefly, items such as oysters are provided on the elevator 4 which transfers the oysters to the separator 5. The oysters move through the separator 5 in which the oysters are separated from each other and aligned generally along the their longitudinal axes, then are spaced apart in the spacer 6, so that the sorting means 3 correctly measure the length and / or the weight of each oyster, for appropriate sorting. The sorting means 3 then sort the oysters according to the measures that have been taken.

  Referring now to Figure 2, this shows the upper end 20 of the elevator 4 and shows a motor 21 which drives the conveyor belt 22 (shown in broken lines). Figure 2 also shows the separator 5 illustrated in Figure 1, in more detail and in transparency. The separator 5 is schematically illustrated with a plurality of oysters 23 passing through the separator from one end to the other.

  The separator 5 comprises three portions 24 to 26. Each of these portions is a tube having open front and rear ends. Each of the portions 24 and 25 is formed as a frusto-conical tube, while the portion 26 is formed as a cylinder. Each of the portions 24 to 26 has an inner surface of a generally circular section, and each of the portions has a longitudinal axis and, in the illustrated arrangement, the respective longitudinal axes have the same extent.

  Each of the portions 24 to 26 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and, in the illustrated arrangement, each of the portions 24 to 26 rotates at the same time as the others at the same rotational speed. The portions 24 to 26 may be rotated individually, or a single drive control may act on one of the parts, the portions being arranged to cooperate such that the other portions rotate with that portion being driven. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the portions 24 to 26 are connected to each other at their respective front and back ends, so that a drive control applied, say in part 24, can operate to rotate the entire separator 5.

  The oysters 23 enter the portion 24 and, by rotation of the portion 24 and its downward inclination, the oysters 23 discharge to the front and begin to separate and be aligned along the longitudinal axis of the Part 24. Oysters 23 tend to move on the vertically lower section of the inner surface of portion 24.

  The rear end 27 of the portion 24 engages in the front end 28 of the portion 25. The arrangement is such that there is a drop D between the rear end 27 and the front end 28 of so that oysters, which move from part 24 to part 25, undergo a fall occurring under the effect of gravity. This drop imposes a load on oysters 23, a load that tends to cause oysters to separate, particularly those that are joined with other oysters, such as double oysters.

  The oysters 23 that moved into the portion 25 continue to move longitudinally, and the rotation of the portion 25 causes the oysters contained within to continue to separate and align. A movement of oysters of this type is shown in Figure 4 in which the oysters 23 shown in Part 25 are less grouped and more aligned than those contained in Part 24.

  The rear end 29 of the portion 25 opens in the front end 30 of the portion 26. Again, as for the junction between the parts 24 and 25, there is a drop D between the parts 25 and 26. The effect of the fall is similar to that of the previous fall described above.

  It should be noted that the conicity of the portion 25 is more moderate than that of the portion 24. This facilitates a slower movement of the oysters through the portion 24, compared with the portion 25, so that the oysters, in the part 25, move faster and, therefore, are more susceptible to separation and alignment than in part 24. Similarly, the inner surface 31 of part 26 has the greatest inclination, so that Here again, there is an increase in the speed of movement through this part.

  An elongated member 32, which is shown in FIG. 2 in a side view and in a plan view in each of FIGS. 3 and 4, is disposed within the portion 26. The elongated member 32 extends substantially between the front end 30 and the rear end 33 of the portion 26 and is mounted on a support 34 opposing rotation with the portion 26, allowing adjustment of the position of the elongated member 32 .

  The elongate member 32 includes a first section 35 which extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the portion 26, and a second section 36 extending from an end of the section 35 to to an edge - adjacent thereto - of the leading end 30 of the portion 26, at an angle to the first section 35. Figure 4 illustrates how the second section 36 prevents the oysters 23 to enter the space 37 formed behind the elongated element 32.

  The portion 26 rotates in a direction that tends to push the oysters 23 in a direction away from the elongated member 32. This arrangement is best illustrated in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the cylindrical portion 26 is shown mounted on rollers 40 which support the portion 26 and which allow it to rotate. The support 34 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 and this includes an adjusting device comprising mounting tubes 41 which, being threaded, house threaded shafts 42. The adjustment device facilitates the movement of the element 32 each in each of the directions illustrated by the arrows A. Each of the rollers 40 and the vertically extending mounting tube 41 are mounted on a frame member 43.

  Figure 5 also illustrates a double oyster comprising a pair of oysters 23 which are joined to each other. The junction of the double oyster, shown in Figure 5, withstood the passage through each of the parts 24 and 25, including falls D. Thus, in the rotating portion 26, rotating in the direction R, the oysters 23 are subjected to a different and different load, as they move through the portion 26, which results from the interaction of the oysters with the elongate member 32. First, the rotation of the portion 26, in the direction R, tends to cause the oysters to move away from the elongate member 32. Secondly, since the inner surface 31 of the portion 26 is cylindrical, the center of The mass of the double oyster is raised, so that a force of gravity acts on the double oyster, tending to move it towards the elongated element 32. In the third place, the commitment of the oyster 23 vertically the lower, with the elongated element 32, gives a rotational force to the the lowest oyster 23. These three forces create an impact which results in a disturbance effect which, in tests carried out, has been considered to be generally sufficient to break the junction formed between the double oyster. Once the double oyster is disjointed, the rotational forces act as before, to separate and align the oysters along the section 36 of the elongate member 32.

  The arrangement of the invention thus improves the probability that the oysters, which are joined to each other, are separated as they reach the rear end 33 of the portion 26. Thus, the oysters that exit through the rear end 33 may continue to be treated, if necessary, with a degree of reliability making it very unlikely that incorrect measurements have been made.

  Finally, it is understood that various changes, modifications and / or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

23 2887862

Claims (24)

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S   A processing apparatus (1) for processing a plurality of articles becoming individual articles, the apparatus comprising separator means (5) and supply means (4), the supply means being operable to provide a plurality of articles to said separator means, said separator means (5) comprising a first hollow portion (25) having open front and rear ends (29), a longitudinal axis which is inclined downwardly from said front end, and about which said first portion (25) is rotatable, and a generally frustoconical inner surface, said front end of said first portion having a relatively wide opening and said rear end (29) having a relatively narrow aperture, said means forming separator further comprising a second hollow portion (26) having front (30) and rearward (33) open ends, a longitudinal axis i is inclined downwards from said front end to said rear end, longitudinal axis about which the second portion (26) can rotate, and a generally circular inner surface, the position of said rear end of said first part relative to at the front end (30) of said second portion (26) being such that, in use, said plurality of articles falls, under the effect of gravity between said first portion and said second portion, said first (25) and second (26) parts being, in use, rotated, said feeding means (4) providing said plurality of articles to said separator means for passing said plurality of articles through said first portion, moving said plurality of articles, through said first portion (25), tending to separate the articles from said plura and, for said separate articles, to align longitudinally with respect to said first portion, said plurality of articles then passing into said second portion (26) after being dropped from said first portion to said second portion, which further tends to separate the articles from said plurality of articles, moving said plurality of said articles, through said second portion (26), tending to separate the articles from said plurality of articles and for said separate articles to align longitudinally with respect to said second portion.   The processing apparatus of claim 1, said second portion (26) including an elongate member (32) extending within said second portion substantially between said front (30) and rear (33) ends of said second portion (26). said second portion being mounted opposing rotation with said second portion, said elongate member (32) being positioned such that at least a major portion of said plurality of articles received in said second portion (26) has interacting with said elongated member, whereby said interaction imposes loads on articles of said plurality of joined articles, which further tends to cause said joined articles to separate and align along said elongate member.   The treatment apparatus of claim 2, said elongated member having a longitudinal lower edge which is positioned proximate to, but spaced from, the inner surface of said second portion.   The treatment apparatus of claim 2 or 3, said elongated member (32) having a first section (35) spaced from the longitudinal axis of said second portion and generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.   The processing apparatus of claim 4, said elongated member (32) having a second section (36) extending from a front end of said first section (38) and at an angle to said first section, and extends adjacent an area of the edge of said front end of said second portion.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said elongate member (32) includes protrusions for interaction with said plurality of articles to facilitate rotation of the articles.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said elongated member (32) is positioned to overlie the vertically lower section of said inner surface of said second portion (26).   The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the position of said elongated member (32) is adjustable with respect to the spacing from said longitudinal axis of said second portion.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said second portion (26) is an elongate cylinder.   The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inclination of one or each of said longitudinal axes of said first (25) and second (26) portions is adjustable.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotational speed of said first (25) and second (26) parts is adjustable. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said longitudinal axes of said first (25) and second (26) parts have the same extent.   The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said rear end (29) of said first portion (25) is connected to said front end (30) of said second portion (26), so that, in use, said first and second parts rotate together, at the same rotational speed.   4s 2887862 A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, in use, said second portion (26) is driven to rotate in opposite directions with respect to said first portion (25).   The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said separator means (S) further comprising a third portion (24) having front (28) and rearward (27) open ends, a longitudinal axis which is inclined downwards, from said front end (28) to said rear end (27), and axis about which said third part can rotate, and a generally frustoconical inner surface, its front end having a relatively wide opening and said rear end of this inner surface having a relatively narrow opening, said rear end of said third portion opening into said front end of said first portion, said supply means (4) being operable to provide said plurality of articles to said front end of said third portion, for discharging said articles passing through its rear end, in use said third portion is rotated, whereby said plurality of articles advance from said front end of said third portion (24) for discharging through said rear end, moving said plurality of articles through said third portion (24) tending to separate the articles from said plurality of articles and, for said separate articles, align longitudinally with respect to said third portion.   The processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the position of said rear end of said third portion, with respect to said front end of said first portion, being such that said plurality of articles falls under said effect of gravity between said third portion and said first portion, tending to cause items to be separated from said plurality of articles.   The processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the taper of said generally frustoconical inner surface of said first portion (25) is more moderate than the taper of said generally frustoconical inner surface of said third portion (24). .   The treatment apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein said longitudinal axes of said first and third portions have the same extent.   19. The processing apparatus of claim 18 wherein the rear of said portion is the front end of said first portion so that the first and third portions rotate together at the same rotational speed.   20. Treatment apparatus according to one of   any of claims 1 to 19, in   depending on which end is connected to which lubrication is provided in the separator means, to facilitate advancement of said plurality of articles through the process apparatus.   The treatment apparatus of claim 20, wherein the treatment is a continuous supply of water.   22. Treatment apparatus according to one of   any of claims 1 to 21, comprising   furthermore any one or more measuring means for measuring separate articles, queuing means, for receiving articles from said separator means and for providing these items downstream of the separator means, a spacing and orientation conveyor that can operate to space or space apart each article, and to facilitate orientation of the articles, in a particular direction.   23. Processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the articles processed by the apparatus are oysters (23) or molds.   24. Items processed by the treatment apparatus, according to any one of Claims 1 to 23.