FR2940789A1 - Plants e.g. onion shallot, bulbs clustering method, involves tightening of rope around stems that are maintained in position against maintaining unit, and withdrawing maintaining unit when tightening of rope around stems is realized - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves placing stems of bulbs (B1,B2, B4) of plants against a maintaining unit e.g. rod (31), and tightening of a rope (13) around the stems that are maintained in position against the maintaining unit. The maintaining unit is withdrawn when tightening of the rope around the stems is realized, where the maintaining unit is displaced in translation along a direction parallel to a main axis (A-A') of a cylindrical bulb receiving unit. An independent claim is also included for an installation for clustering bulbs of plants.

Description

The invention relates to a method of clustering plant bulbs provided with a stem, as well as to a method for placing plant buds endowed with a stem and setting them up for the implementation of this method. an installation adapted for the implementation of such a method. Many plants include bulbs, some of which are intended for human consumption. These include bulbs of onions, shallots or garlic. These bulbs are either presented in bulk, for example in a net, or gathered in clusters comprising bulbs on one or more levels, so as to form braids facilitating storage, drying, transport and presentation at the point of sale . The clustering operation consists of making a link around the stems of these bulbs. Such an operation is usually performed manually. In this case, the rates are relatively low and it is difficult to achieve similar clusters or braids. In order to improve productivity, while achieving more homogeneous clusters, it has been envisaged to mechanize this operation. For this, we know from FR-A-2 746 598 a machine for the clustering of bulbs. This machine comprises a rod movable in translation between two plates. These define a guide member for the placement of the bulbs. These plates are arranged perpendicular to the rod which is substantially vertical. A clamping link is rolled around the bulbs held in position against the ring by means of a rotating device. This ring can be continuous. When the desired size of the braid is obtained, we cut the link and the ring. To finish the cluster, the stems of the bulbs and the link are stapled on the ring. Due to the presence of the ring, the braid or cluster thus produced does not have the flexibility observed with clusters made manually. As a result, its size is greater. For example, it is not possible to fold it for transport. Furthermore, such a device does not reproduce a manual clustering since, here, there is no tie knotting but stapling. Also known from FR-A-2 632 812 a method of clustering bulbs around a longitudinal support, which can be likened to the previously described rod. A link is wound helically around the stems of the bulbs positioned against this support. Regularly, after a predetermined number of turns of the link around the support, is positioned a rod of a bulb against the support, before continuing the winding of the link. The support is connected at one end to a fastening member for holding and fixing the support on the machine during winding. This fastening member is detached, once the implementation of the link made, the support that remains in place in the braid of which it is the soul. Such a method induces a significant consumption of link, which also affects the natural appearance of the braid thus produced. In addition, as before, it is rigid. It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a method of clustering the bulbs making it possible to produce clusters or braids of bulbs that are easy to store, to transport, and that have substantially the same appearance as a braid. manually, by limiting link consumption. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a process for clustering plant bulbs provided with a stem, comprising at least: a step of placing the bulbs rods against a holding member and a step b) clamping a link around the rods held in position against the holding member, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional step c) consisting in: - removing the holding member when the clamping the link around the stems is realized. By removing the holding member it returns the flexibility to the braid and a handmade appearance.

According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, the method may incorporate one or more of the following steps: during step a) and after step b), the holding member is moved in translation in one direction parallel to a main axis of a bulb receiving member. - After step b) and before step c), during a step d), a final tie is made, stopping, the link around the rods held in position against the holding member. - Before step d), a new step a) of establishment of bulbs rods against the holding member, above the bulbs already in position, to achieve an additional stage of bulbs on the cluster. After step c) of removing the holding member, the holding member is put back into the initial position before a new step a) is performed.

The invention also relates to an installation for implementing a method for clustering bulbs according to one of the preceding characteristics, characterized in that it comprises: a zone for placing the stems of the bulbs against a holding member, - a member for holding the rods, movable in translation, - a means for clamping a link around the rods in place against the holding member, - a member for receiving the bulbs, - a member of Maneuvering the removal member.

According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such an installation may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics: the holding member is a rod which cooperates with a hook and a grooved wheel forming a means of guiding the link; when it is placed around the stems of the bulbs. - The zone of establishment of the rods of the bulbs comprises a hood provided with at least one opening of shape adapted to that of a bulb. - The hood is provided with four openings, configured generally clover-shaped, and centered around the holding member. - The holding member is mounted vertically, above a plate receiving the cover, and adapted to move up and down in a direction coaxial with an axis of rotation of the bulb receiving member. - The clamping means of the link comprises a reserve of a coil of a link mounted on a ring rotatable in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the bulb receiving member. - The bulbs receiving member is located under the hood and is provided with at least one opening of shape adapted to that of a bulb. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of an installation and a method according to the invention, given only by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrammatic representations illustrating the kinematics of placing a link around the bulbs rods resting against a holding member, FIG. 7 is a view, in perspective of an installation according to the invention, of the holding member, the bulbs supply and the zone of placement of the bulb stems not being represented for more 8 is a partial view, on the same scale and at another angle, of the installation of FIG. 8, in the configuration of use, FIG. 9 is a view from above and to a larger extent. scale, of the final knotting operation of the link, only part of the installation being shown and - Figure 10 is a simplified representation, from above, on another scale, openings made in a bulb receiving member when it receives bulbs, the latter being schematized in three positions, 30 with a link, without the holding member. The installation 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises a frame 2, generally cubic shape, made using metal tubes 3. The dimensions of the frame 2 allow sitting work. In other words, this frame 2 has the overall dimensions of a table. In the lower part, the frame comprises sleepers 4 supporting a member 5 for receiving the bulbs of the plants.

This member 5 is of generally cylindrical shape, hollow and circular base. A cutout 6 is formed in the lower part of the member 5, on a part of its periphery. It extends outwards by a ramp 7 evacuation. This ramp 7 evacuation advantageously opens above a tray placed on a treadmill, these elements, known per se, not being represented for more legibility. The treadmill is intended to convey the bins filled with clusters of bulbs to a storage area. In this description, the terms "clusters" or "braids" are used to designate the bulbs connected together by a link at the level of their stems.

The receiving member 5, disposed centrally in the frame 2, is provided at its upper part with a closure plate 8. This closure plate 8 has four openings 9, generally ovoid, regularly arranged and extending radially from the center of the closure plate 8. In other words, these four openings 9 are arranged to generally form a four-leaf clover. The dimensions of the openings 9 of the plate 8 are adapted to the dimensions of the bulbs to be clustered. The shutter plate 8 is removable relative to the rest of the member 5. Around this receiving member 5, the frame 2 is provided with a ring 10 driven in rotation by drive rollers 11, visible to the 7. The ring 10 can rotate freely around the cylinder 5, more precisely around a geometric axis AA 'passing through the center of the cylinder 5, the latter remaining stationary during the rotation of the ring 10. The rotation of the ring 10 is carried out in a plane P 'perpendicular to the axis AA' of the member 5 for receiving the bulbs. On this ring 10 is fixed a reserve 12, generally in the form of cylindrical container with a circular base. This reserve 12 is intended to receive a coil 12 'of a link 13. Advantageously, it is a plastic link. The coil 12 'has a length of about 2000 m which allows about 1000 braids. If necessary, one can have several reserves on the ring 10 with link coils of different diameters and / or lengths to easily adapt the installation to the type of bulbs to be clustered. The ring gear 10 is rotated by an electric motor, schematized in the right part of the frame 2 by a casing 14, in FIG. 7, and controlled by a set of pedals 15. In a variant, the implementation of the rotation of the crown 10 is caused by detecting the presence of a bulb in the cylinder 5 or by a timing system. When the ring gear 10 is rotated, the link reserve 12 rotates around the cylinder 5, the latter being stationary. Thus, the link 13 wraps around the axis A-A '. In the upper part of the frame 2, the zone 16 for placing the bulbs comprises a plate, visible in FIG. 8, placed on the frame 2. This plate is provided, in the central part, with a hinged cover 17 thanks to two hinges 18 located on the rear part of the installation, looking at FIG. 8. The pivoting movement of the cover 17 is advantageously made by a jack 19.

This cover 17 is provided with a central cutout 20, similar in shape to the openings 9 formed in the shutter plate 8 of the cylinder 5. In other words, the cutout 20 of the cover 17 has a generally four-leaf clover shape. Two portions 21, 22 of the cutout 20 located near the operator are interconnected by a notch 23 formed in the cover 17, to facilitate the introduction of the bulbs in the cut. Two troughs 24, connected to a hopper 25, are arranged on the right and left of the frame 2 and above it, so as to feed by gravity the zone 16 for receiving the bulbs. The jack 19 allowing the maneuvering of the cover 17 is fixed to the mast 26 of a bracket 27 integral with the frame 2. This mast 26 advantageously supports the hopper 25. The transverse arm 28 of this bracket 27 is arranged so that its free end 29 is perpendicular to the vertical geometric axis AA 'of the receiving cylinder 5. This end is provided with a mandrel 30 on which is mounted, coaxially with the mandrel, a rod 31 forming a member for holding the rods of the bulbs in position. The mandrel 30 is fixed perpendicularly to the arm 28 of the stem 27. In other words, the rod 31 or needle, materializes the axis of rotation AA 'of the cylinder and the mandrel 30 constitutes an actuating member of the rod 31. On a ball joint, not shown, mounted at one end of the jack 19 and fixed on the cover 17, a hook 32 is fixed. This hook 32, visible in FIG. 9, is arranged to guide the link 13 between the link reserve 12 and the rod 31. The guide of the link 13 is completed by a grooved wheel 33 mounted at the end of the mandrel 30. The axis of rotation of this wheel 33 is perpendicular to the axis A-A '. In other words, the wheel 33 is disposed orthogonally with respect to the rod 31. At its attachment zone to the mandrel 30, the end 29 of the arm 28 of the bracket is equipped with a device, not shown, vertical translation drive of the mandrel 30. It is, for example, a rack. This device is inserted into a housing 34, visible in FIGS. 7 and 8. The bracket 27 is positioned on the frame 2 so that the rod 31 can translate up and down respectively according to the arrows F1 and F3, in the cylinder 5, and that in a direction coaxial with the axis AA 'of rotation of the cylinder 5. A control box 35 is fixed on the housing 34 of the drive device. It comprises buttons 36, at least, on / off, power on, emergency stop, and a potentiometer for adjusting the speed of rotation of the ring 10 rotating around the cylinder 5, a timer making it possible to perform a given number of rotations before stopping the crown 10 and a servo-control system making it possible to adjust the lowering and rising speeds of the rod 31, synchronously with the rotation of the crown 10.

We will now describe the operation of the apparatus with reference to Figures 1 to 6 illustrating the kinematic embodiment of a braid bulb.

In a first step shown in Figure 1, the rod 31 is placed in the high position, in a configuration where it is at a top dead center of its vertical trajectory. From the reserve 12, one end of the link 13 is passed around the wheel 33 fixed on the mandrel 30. In Figures 1 to 6, for simplicity, the wheel is shown schematically by a hook attached to the rod 31, the hook 32 being symbolized by a ring. The link 13, out of the reserve 12, passes around the wheel 33, down along the rod 31 and passes inside the cylinder 5 receiving bulbs. The hook 32 guides the link 13 before it passes on the wheel 33.

In a second step shown in FIG. 2, the user takes two bulbs BI and B2, by their rods, for example one on each feed chute 24, which it introduces through the two openings 21 and 22, said before, formed in the cover 17. It maintains the rods TI and T2 of the bulbs B, and B2 bears against the needle 31 which forms a holding member.

While maintaining the bulbs, it controls in a third step shown in Figure 3, using one of the pedals 15, the rotation of the ring 10, so the coil 12 'link 13. This rotation of the coil 12 'of linkage, central reeling, allows to wind, according to the arrow F2, the link 13 around the rods TI and T2 of the bulbs BI and B2 so that the link 13 encloses and maintains the stems of the bulbs around the l central hand 31. The hook 32 and retarder rollers, not shown, can maintain tension 13 link during rotation, so that the clamping is effective. Here, the rotation is done in the opposite direction of clockwise. Alternatively, it can be performed in the direction of clockwise.

As the link 13 makes turns around the rods TI and T2 of the bulbs B, and B2, and therefore of the central hand 31, the latter goes down, as represented by the arrow F3, in a manner synchronized with the rotation of the ring 10 in the direction of the cylinder 5. In other words, the last turn made by the link 13 around the rods T, and T2 of the bulbs B, and B2 is always located in the same plane P, horizontal , located substantially under the openings 20 of the cover 17.

When the predefined number of turns is achieved, the rotation of the ring 10 stops, so there is more winding of the link 13 around the rods TI and T2. The needle 31 continues its descent down towards the cylinder 5 and the user has, in a fourth step shown in Figure 4, through the openings 21 and 22 or by the opposite openings, two new bulbs B3 and B4. It triggers, by the pedals 15, a new cycle of rotations of the crown 5 so as to make other turns of the link 13 now together the rods T3 and T4 of the bulbs B3 and B4 around the needle 31, which corresponds to at a fifth step shown in Figure 5. It thus produces a braid 37 comprising successive stages or levels of bulbs BI to B4. When the number of stages provided is realized, that is to say when the desired length of the braid 37 is obtained, the rod 31 forming the holding member is in the low position, at its bottom dead point. The user releases, in a sixth step, the link 13 of the wheel 33, maintaining it in a loop and performs a tightening knot, for example a double knot between this loop and the rest of the link 13 from the reel 12 'as shown in Figure 6. It thus achieves a final stop node, preventing the braid 37 from breaking. During the final knotting operation, the user is made to operate in the lower part of the apparatus, that is to say under the plate 16. For this, the jack 19 raises the cover 17. This movement falls under also the hook 32 fixed at the ball of the cylinder 19, without changing the position of the rod 31 in place in the braid 37. Following this operation, the rod 31 is raised by the driving device of the mandrel 30, according to arrow F ,, and returns to its top dead center, either automatically during a new cycle of manufacture of a braid, or voluntarily by action of the user.

It then suffices to rewire an additional length of the link 13 in the wheel 33 to resume manufacturing operations of another braid as indicated above.

The braid 37 thus produced is either cut by means known per se and evacuated on a carpet to a storage area, or kept connected to the next braid, the separation of the braids being done later. The dimensions of the rod 31 forming the holding member are such that it is of a small diameter relative to its length. It is therefore comparable to a needle. Therefore, it is easy to remove without the vacuum thus created inside the braid 37 by this withdrawal causes the loosening of the clamping. The removal of the rod 31 does not induce any risk that the braid can be unintentionally discarded.

This produces a braid 37 which has a natural appearance using a mechanical process, fast and while saving material, since it is no longer necessary to have a ring in the braid or dye. use a lot of link as in the known methods. Alternatively, it is possible to terminate the clamping not by a stopping knot but with a staple between the link and the stems of the bulbs. Tying is nevertheless preferred because it avoids the use of another material while preserving a hand-made aspect to the braid. In FIG. 10, the view from above of the insertion zone of the bulbs B 1 to B 4 in the openings 20 makes it possible to observe that the clover formed by the openings 20 is not regular. Parts 21 and 22 located closer to the user, as well as the indented portion 23, facilitate the introduction of the bulbs. The bulbs are then placed in the opposite openings, after insertion from the parts 21 and 22. Such an installation allows the production of about a hundred clusters per hour as long as the bulbs are provided with a rod, even of low mechanical strength, but of a length at least equal to about 2 cm. Such an installation can be parameterized to produce either braids or clusters of a given length and / or a number of stages and / or a given weight. Alternatively, the number of openings 9 of the cylinder 5 may be different from that shown, that is to say less than or greater than four, in order to form braids of different shape, for example on the basis of three, six or more bulbs per storey. In this case, the openings 20, 21, 22, 23 of the cover 17 are adapted. Similarly, other feeding devices or evacuation bulbs and / or braids can be provided, for example, the supply can be made from a carpet bringing the bulbs and located at the back of the frame.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Method for clustering plant bulbs provided with a stem, comprising at least: a step a) of placing the rods (TI -T4) of the bulbs (B1-B4) against a holding member (31) and a step b) of clamping a link (13) around the rods (T1-T4) held in position against the holding member, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional step c) consisting of: - Remove (FI) the holding member (31) when the tightening of the link around the rods (TI -T4) is achieved. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during step a) and after step b), the holding member (31) is moved in translation in a direction (F) parallel to an axis main (A-A ') of a member (5) for receiving the bulbs (BI - B4). 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after step b) and before step c), during a step d), a final tie is made for stopping the link ( 13) around the rods (TI -T4) held in position against the holding member (31). 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that before step d), a new step is performed a) of establishment of rods (T3 -T4) of bulbs (B3 - B4) against the organ of holding (31), above the bulbs (B1-B2) already in position, to achieve an additional stage of bulbs on the cluster. 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after step c) of removal of the holding member, is returned to the initial position the holding member (31), before the realization of a new step a). 6. Installation for implementing a bulb clustering method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a zone (16, 17) for placing the rods (TI - T4) of the bulbs (BI - B4) against a holding member (31), - a holding member (31) of the rods (TI - T4), movable (F ,, F3) in translation, - a means (10) , 12) for clamping a link (13) around the rods in place against the holding member (31), - a member (5) for receiving the bulbs (BI - B4), - a member (30) for operating the holding member (31). 7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding member is a rod (31) which cooperates with a hook (32) and a grooved wheel (33) forming a guide means of the link (13) when its placement around the rods (TI - T4). 8. Installation according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the zone (16) of establishment of the rods of the bulbs comprises a cover (17) provided with at least one opening (20, 21, 22, 23) of shape adapted to that of a bulb (B, - B4). 9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (17) is provided with four openings (20, 21, 22, 23), generally shaped clover-shaped, and centered around the holding member (31). ). 10. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the holding member (31) is mounted vertically, above a plate (16) receiving the cover (17), and adapted to mount ( F,) and descend (F3) in a direction coaxial with an axis (A-A ') of rotation of the member (5) for receiving the bulbs. 11. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the means (10, 12) for clamping the link (13) comprises a reserve (12) of a coil (12 ') of a link (13) mounted on a rotating ring (10) in a plane (P') perpendicular to an axis (A-A ') of the bulbs receiving member (5). Installation according to Claim 11, characterized in that the bulb receiving member (5) is situated under the hood (17) and in that it is provided with at least one opening (9) of a shape adapted to that of a bulb.