GB2109762A

GB2109762A - Method and apparatus for use in sorting/grading fish

Info

Publication number: GB2109762A
Application number: GB08131677A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Wesley Denton
Original assignee: SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
Current assignee: SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
Priority date: 1981-10-21
Filing date: 1981-10-21
Publication date: 1983-06-08

Abstract

In order to sort/grade fish more efficiently there is provided a sorting conveyor (5) onto which fish to be sorted is delivered, and a discharge conveyor (15) for removing receptacles (11) which have been filled by an operator. The receptacles are disposed on opposite sides of the sorting conveyor (5) and the discharge conveyor (15) is disposed vertically beneath the sorting conveyor (5). Means in the form of a belt are provided for transferring the receptacles (11) onto the discharge conveyor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for use in sorting/grading fish The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sorting and/or grading fish.

An existing method of sorting fish on unloading from a vessel prior to sale utilises a conveyor onto which mixed fish are delivered. A line of operators/personnel assemble along one side of the conveyor and receptacles in the form of circular open topped kits are placed on the other side of the conveyor. Each operator is responsible for removing a particular type or types of fish and putting them into the appropriate kit. Each operator will have, say, two or perhaps three, kits available, and when full these kits are taken away by other personnel and replaced by empty kits.

These kits are easily manoeuvred by hand but are not readily suited to mechanical handling. The known sorting method is labour intensive because the small number of kits that each operator has to fill means that more operators are required to accommodate the quantities and varieties of fish delivered onto the conveyor.

In order to improve the efficiency of the operation, especially with regard to the removal and handling of the receptacles, a system has been developed in which rectangular boxes are used instead of kits, and the boxes to be filled are placed on the same side of the conveyor as the operator, one on each side of him. The fish are thus removed from the conveyor and dropped into the boxes. The full boxes are transferred by the operator onto a discharge conveyor which is placed behind the row of operators, and transfers the full boxes to a weighing station.

This arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that each operator has only 2 boxes in which to put fish and thus many operators are required. An additional row of boxes can be positioned on the far side of the discharge conveyor behind the operators, but this requires the operators to turn around to throw fish into the additional boxes which reduces the efficiency of the operators, and an additional operator is required to remove and replace the additional boxes.

The present invention sets out to provide a solution to the abovementioned problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in sorting or grading, comprising a longitudinal sorting conveyor on to one end of which items to be sorted are delivered, receptacles disposed on either side of the sorting conveyor for receiving items from the sorting conveyor and adapted to be transferred, when full, onto a longitudinal discharge conveyor disposed underneath the sorting conveyor and to be replaced by empty receptacles.

The items delivered onto the conveyor are sorted by an operator who stands on one side of the sorting convey.. Preferably three receptacles are placed on the side of th conveyor opposite to the operator and two receptacles are placed on the same side as the operator, one on either side of the operator. The receptacles are placed on guide tracks, whose surface is covered with or has applied thereto a material-such as a plastics having low co-efficient of friction. Alternatively the track may comprise a plurality of rollers or wheels which contact either directly or indirectly, for example by way of a belt, with the receptacle.

The tracks are preferably inclined so that they slope downwardly toward the discharge conveyor. A stop is provided at the end of each track adjacent the discharge conveyor and this prevents the receptacle from accidentally moving onto the discharge conveyor. Preferably, the stop is in the form of a roller which is raised slightly above the plane of the track, or base of the receptacle. Displacement of the receptacle towards the discharge conveyor overcomes the initial resistance offered by the stop, whereafter the receptacle moves freely over the roller onto the discharge conveyor.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the receptacles disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor to the operator is displaced towards the discharge conveyor by means of a respective belt which engages with the receptacle. A handle is secured to the belt and is located in a convenient position for the operator to pull, preferably above the sorting conveyor. The belt is tensioned by spring means which serves to return the belt to a rest position. This displacement of the receptacles is normally done when the receptacle is full of the sorted items from the conveyor.

After a full receptacle has been transferred onto the discharge conveyor it is replaced by an empty receptacle. Conveniently the empty receptacle is positioned by the operator and the empty receptacles are stored on a rack which is disposed above the sorting conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the operator has access to three rows of receptacles, disposed side by side, on a respective track. The track is conveniently provided with wheels or rollers and with a stop at the forward edge of the track adjacent to the operator. The tracks are preferably inclined.

Empty receptacles are loaded onto the roller tracks from the end remote from the operator and slide or roll down the track until they contact the stop. Two or more receptacles may be accommodated one behind the other on each track.

The sorting conveyor is preferably an endless belt conveyor whose upper surface is preferably supported along its entire length. The framework bounding the longitudinal edges of the sorting conveyor has edges which extend upwardly from the conveyor surface to prevent spillage of items over the sides. The framework along the edge opposite the operator is formed with a sloping surface which extends downwardly from the upper edge toward the receptacles and serves as a chute for items removed from the conveyor and directed by the operator to the receptacles.

Preferably the whole apparatus has a framework linking the various components and the framework is provided with wheels by means of which the apparatus is rendered mobile.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of sorting items delivered onto a sorting conveyor in which an operator stands on one side of the sorting conveyor and selects items from the conveyor and puts them into receptacles, a number of which are disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor and others are disposed on the same side as the operator, on either side of the operator; when full, the receptacles being transferred onto a discharge conveyor disposed underneath the sorting conveyor and being replaced by empty receptacles.

Preferably the receptacles opposite the operator are transferred onto the discharge conveyor by the operator pulling a belt which passes around the receptacle, and on engagement therewtih causes the receptacle to be displaced onto the discharge conveyor.

Preferably the operator transfers receptacles from a storage rack disposed above the sorting conveyor to replace the receptacles transferred to the discharge conveyor.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified diagrammatic end view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention showing the layout of the boxes relative to the operator and conveyors, Figure 2 is a simplified plan view showing the position of the boxes in the process of being lifted, Figure 3 is a simplified end view of the apparatus of figure 1, showing the mechanism for transferring a box onto the discharge conveyor, Figure 4 is a simplified end view of the apparatus of figures 1 to 3 showing the position of empty boxes, Figure 5 is a simplified end view of the apparatus of figure 1, with the boxes omitted, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the feed end of the sorting conveyor, Figure 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the discharge end of the sorting conveyor, and Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus according to the invention and the associated ancillary equipment.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is illustrated in a simplified manner showing the relative positions of the various components making up the apparatus. The apparatus has a framework, not illustrated in detail, carrying the components of the apparatus. The framework has wheels 1 in the form of casters which permit the apparatus to be moved from one location to another, and adjustable height support legs 3 for supporting the framework in its operating location. The adjustment serves to permit levelling of the apparatus. The apparatus is primarily intended for use in the sorting/grading of fish and separation of ice on unloading from a vessel, but is also suitable for many other manual sorting/grading operations.

A longitudinally extending endless belt conveyor 5 is carried by the framework and is powered by an electric motor. The speed may be variable. The belt is preferably of a rubber or plastics material whose upper surface is supported either-by spaced apart rollers, or by a plate bed.

The material to be sorted/graded is put onto the sorting conveyor 5 by way of a hopper 7, see Fig. 6, which is supplied with the material to be sorted, e.g. fish, from a conveyor or suction transport device. The conveyor 5 passes at a convenient working height in front of a row of sorting personnel 8, who are positioned at intervals along the conveyor 5. As illustrated, the operator stands on a stage 9 carried by the framework. The number of personnel required depends on the quantity of material delivered onto the conveyor, and the time available for sorting. The apparatus may be constructed to accommodate a single operator or more usually may be made in modules accommodating three operators.

Receptacles 11 in the form of open top rectangular boxes are positioned on both sides of the conveyor 5. Each operator has five boxes into which items removed from the conveyor 5 are put. Three of the boxes 11 are positioned on the opposite side of the conveyor to the operator and two boxes 11 are positioned on the same side of the conveyor as the operator, one on either side of the operator.

The boxes 11 sit on tracks 13 carried by the framework, which tracks are inclined downwardly in a direction towards a discharge conveyor 1 5.

The discharge conveyor is disposed beneath the sorting conveyor 5. Each of the tracks 13 comprise a pair of rails 17 which are spaced apart and which are covered with a plastics material having a low co-efficient of friction. A nose wheel roller 19 extends between the rails 1 7 and is positioned adjacent to the discharge conveyor 1 5.

The nose roller is raised proud of the rails 1 7 and acts as a stop preventing one box 11 placed on the track 13 from moving accidentally onto the discharge conveyor.

The discharge conveyor 1 5 comprises an endless conveyor made up of a plurality of metal slats which are pivotally connected. The conveyor is driven by an electric motor which may be a variable speed motor. The conveyor 1 5 is at least as wide as the base length of the boxes 11.

A continuous coaming 23 is positioned at the box side of the sorting conveyor and comprises a substantially vertically extending flange 25 and an inclined portion 27. The flange 25 prevents items sited on the sorting conveyor from being accidentally displaced therefrom. The inclined portion 27 serves to guide items into the boxes 11 when they have been removed from the sorting conveyor by the operator.

In use, fish delivered onto the sorting conveyor 5, usually mixed fish, is passed in front of the operator or operators, each of whom is assigned to remove particular types or sizes of fish from the conveyor and put them into an appropriate one of the boxes 1 Thus, each operator can be collecting 5 types or sizes of fish, with the basic arrangement described.

When a receptacle 11 is full, it is moved onto the discharge conveyor 1 5 by the operator. In the case of the boxes disposed by the side of the operator these are pushed towards the discharge conveyor 1 5 by the operator and on initial movement the box 11 rides up onto the nose wheel roller 1 9 following which the box moves easily onto the conveyor, the weight of the box acting to move it on the roller.

In the case of boxes 11 positioned on the opposite side of the conveyor 5 to the operator, these cannot be reached by the operator and a mechanism is provided to enable the operator to transfer them to the discharge conveyor 1 5 without having to move from his normal operating position. The mechanism comprises a webbing belt 29 which is secured to the framework of the apparatus adjacent to the nose roller 1 9 by a connecting piece 31. The belt passes around the box 11 and through a fairlead 33. The free end of the belt connects with a handle 35 which is retained by the fairlead when the belt is withdrawn into its rest position under the influence of a spring 37.The spring 37 preferably takes the form of an elastic strap secured at one end to the belt approximately at its mid point, and to the framework at its other end. The strap passes around a pulley 39.

On pulling the belt 29 it engages the box 11 and displaces it along the track 13, up onto the nose roller 1 9 and it then moves under its own weight onto the discharge conveyor 15. If the box does not move completely onto the conveyor under its own weight, then the belt can be pulled further to displace the box pulley onto the coneyor. The belt is returned to its rest position under the influence of the spring 37.

The operator manually places an empty box on the track 13 to replace the box transferred to the discharge conveyor. The empty boxes may be stacked behind the operator or as is preferred on a rack 41, disposed above the sorting conveyor 5.

Each operator has access to three rows of boxes 11 which rest on rollers 43. A stop bar 45 prevents the boxes from rolling off the rack 41 which is inclined downwardly towards the operator. The boxes 11 are preferably loaded onto the rack 41 from the end remote from the operator, see figure 4. To put a new box in position, the operator reaches up, lifts down a box and then either directs it over the sorting conveyor into position, or puts it down by his side, depending on which of the boxes has to be replaced.

In order to help position the boxes, each operator unit is bounded by side partitions 47 which extend upwardly above the level of the sorting conveyor 5 and forwardly up to the conveyor 5. Intermediate partitions 49 are positioned between the boxes 11. These partitions stop short of the conveyor to give unobstructed access to the two side boxes, so that items can travel in a diagonal path from the conveyor to the boxes 11. A rear partition 51 is also provided to fully close off the section of the apparatus holding the boxes. Dividers 53 are provided on the operator's side of the conveyor to help position the boxes.

Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment for the end of the conveyor 5 for removing the ice when all the fish have been transferred into the boxes by the sorters. A scraper blade 55 disposed at an angle across the conveyor directs the ice off the side of the conveyor down a chute 57 and onto a transfer conveyor 59 which transports the ice back into the dock. As an alternative the ice may pass over the end of the conveyor into a trough which feeds an ice flume.

Figure 8 illustrates a typical layout of the apparatus in use, in this case a six operator apparatus. The conveyor 5 is fed with fish from a conveyor 61 and the operators select their type of fish and put it into the boxes 11. When full these boxes are transferred by the operator onto the discharge conveyor which delivers them onto a roller conveyor 63 via a transfer table 65 to a weighing station 67 where an operator adjusts the weight of the boxes from stock 69, following which the weighed boxes are transferred to the hall for sale. The ice is transferred back to the dock from the sorting conveyors by way of the transfer conveyor 59.

As the boxes on the rack are used, they are replaced by an operator 71 who takes boxes from a stack 73.

With the preferred embodiment additional boxes 11 may be placed behind the operator 8 for receiving the occasional unusual item, rather than unnecessarily tie up one of the 5 primary receptacles. Alternatively, this space behind the operator can be used to store the empty boxes instead of positioning them on rack 41 above the sorting conveyor.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a preferred arrangement with five receptacles disposed adjacent to the conveyor, this number may be varied. For example, four or five boxes may be placed on the side of the conveyor opposite the operator and three or four on the side of the operator. Where the width of each "operation unit" is increased in this way, the rack containing the empty boxes may similarly have an increased number of rows.

Claims (filed 20.10.82) 1. Apparatus for use in sorting or grading, comprising a longitudinal sorting conveyor, on to one end of which items to be sorted are delivered, receptacles disposed on either side of the sorting conveyor for receiving items from the sorting conveyor and adapted to be transferred, when full, onto a longitudinal discharge conveyor disposed underneath the sorting conveyor and to be replaced by empty receptacles.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. operator or operators, each of whom is assigned to remove particular types or sizes of fish from the conveyor and put them into an appropriate one of the boxes 1 Thus, each operator can be collecting 5 types or sizes of fish, with the basic arrangement described. When a receptacle 11 is full, it is moved onto the discharge conveyor 1 5 by the operator. In the case of the boxes disposed by the side of the operator these are pushed towards the discharge conveyor 1 5 by the operator and on initial movement the box 11 rides up onto the nose wheel roller 1 9 following which the box moves easily onto the conveyor, the weight of the box acting to move it on the roller. In the case of boxes 11 positioned on the opposite side of the conveyor 5 to the operator, these cannot be reached by the operator and a mechanism is provided to enable the operator to transfer them to the discharge conveyor 1 5 without having to move from his normal operating position. The mechanism comprises a webbing belt 29 which is secured to the framework of the apparatus adjacent to the nose roller 1 9 by a connecting piece 31. The belt passes around the box 11 and through a fairlead 33. The free end of the belt connects with a handle 35 which is retained by the fairlead when the belt is withdrawn into its rest position under the influence of a spring 37.The spring 37 preferably takes the form of an elastic strap secured at one end to the belt approximately at its mid point, and to the framework at its other end. The strap passes around a pulley 39. On pulling the belt 29 it engages the box 11 and displaces it along the track 13, up onto the nose roller 1 9 and it then moves under its own weight onto the discharge conveyor 15. If the box does not move completely onto the conveyor under its own weight, then the belt can be pulled further to displace the box pulley onto the coneyor. The belt is returned to its rest position under the influence of the spring 37. The operator manually places an empty box on the track 13 to replace the box transferred to the discharge conveyor. The empty boxes may be stacked behind the operator or as is preferred on a rack 41, disposed above the sorting conveyor 5. Each operator has access to three rows of boxes 11 which rest on rollers 43. A stop bar 45 prevents the boxes from rolling off the rack 41 which is inclined downwardly towards the operator. The boxes 11 are preferably loaded onto the rack 41 from the end remote from the operator, see figure 4. To put a new box in position, the operator reaches up, lifts down a box and then either directs it over the sorting conveyor into position, or puts it down by his side, depending on which of the boxes has to be replaced. In order to help position the boxes, each operator unit is bounded by side partitions 47 which extend upwardly above the level of the sorting conveyor 5 and forwardly up to the conveyor 5. Intermediate partitions 49 are positioned between the boxes 11. These partitions stop short of the conveyor to give unobstructed access to the two side boxes, so that items can travel in a diagonal path from the conveyor to the boxes 11. A rear partition 51 is also provided to fully close off the section of the apparatus holding the boxes. Dividers 53 are provided on the operator's side of the conveyor to help position the boxes. Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment for the end of the conveyor 5 for removing the ice when all the fish have been transferred into the boxes by the sorters. A scraper blade 55 disposed at an angle across the conveyor directs the ice off the side of the conveyor down a chute 57 and onto a transfer conveyor 59 which transports the ice back into the dock. As an alternative the ice may pass over the end of the conveyor into a trough which feeds an ice flume. Figure 8 illustrates a typical layout of the apparatus in use, in this case a six operator apparatus. The conveyor 5 is fed with fish from a conveyor 61 and the operators select their type of fish and put it into the boxes 11. When full these boxes are transferred by the operator onto the discharge conveyor which delivers them onto a roller conveyor 63 via a transfer table 65 to a weighing station 67 where an operator adjusts the weight of the boxes from stock 69, following which the weighed boxes are transferred to the hall for sale. The ice is transferred back to the dock from the sorting conveyors by way of the transfer conveyor 59. As the boxes on the rack are used, they are replaced by an operator 71 who takes boxes from a stack 73. With the preferred embodiment additional boxes 11 may be placed behind the operator 8 for receiving the occasional unusual item, rather than unnecessarily tie up one of the 5 primary receptacles. Alternatively, this space behind the operator can be used to store the empty boxes instead of positioning them on rack 41 above the sorting conveyor. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a preferred arrangement with five receptacles disposed adjacent to the conveyor, this number may be varied. For example, four or five boxes may be placed on the side of the conveyor opposite the operator and three or four on the side of the operator. Where the width of each "operation unit" is increased in this way, the rack containing the empty boxes may similarly have an increased number of rows. Claims (filed 20.10.82)

1. Apparatus for use in sorting or grading, comprising a longitudinal sorting conveyor, on to one end of which items to be sorted are delivered, receptacles disposed on either side of the sorting conveyor for receiving items from the sorting conveyor and adapted to be transferred, when full, onto a longitudinal discharge conveyor disposed underneath the sorting conveyor and to be replaced by empty receptacles.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which

three receptacles are placed on one side of the conveyor and two receptacles are placed on the opposite side of the conveyor one on either side of the operator.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the receptacles are placed on guide tracks, whose surface is covered with or has applied thereto a material having low co-efficient of friction.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the receptacles are placed on guide tracks which comprise a plurality of rollers or wheels which contact either directly or indirectly with the receptacle.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which a belt is interposed between the rollers or wheels and the receptacle guided thereon.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5 in which the guide tracks are inclined so that they slope downwardly toward the discharge conveyor.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6 in which a stop is provided at the end of each track adjacent the discharge conveyor and this prevents the receptacle from accidentially moving onto the discharge conveyor.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the stop is in the form of a roller which is raised slightly above the plane of the track, or base of the receptacle.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which each of the receptacles disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor to the operator is displaceable towards the discharge conveyor by means of a respective belt which engages with the receptacle.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which a free end of the belt is provided with a handle and a spring is provided for returning the belt to a rest position.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a rack disposed on a level above the sorting conveyor for storing empty receptacles.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the rack accommodates three rows of receptacles disposed side by side, on a respective track and each track is provided with wheels or rollers and with a stop at the forward edge of the track adjacent to the operator.

1 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the tracks are inclined in a direction downwardly to the forward edge.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the sorting conveyor is an endless belt conveyor whose upper surface is supported along its entire length.

1 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a framework bounding the longitudinal edges of the sorting conveyor has edges which extend upwardly from the conveyor surface to prevent spillage of items over the sides.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 5 in which the framework along the edge opposite the operator is formed with a sloping surface which extends downwardly from the upper edge toward the receptacles and serves as a chute for items removed from the conveyor and directed by the operator to the receptacles.

1 7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a framework linking the various components, the framework being provided with wheels by means of which the apparatus is rendered mobile.

1 8. A method of sorting items delivered onto a sorting conveyor in which an operator stands on one side of the sorting conveyor and selects items from the conveyor and puts them in receptacles, a number of which are disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor and others are disposed on the same side as the operator, on either side of the operator, when full, the receptacles being transferred onto a discharge conveyor disposed underneath the sorting conveyor and being replaced by empty receptacles.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 in which the receptacles opposite the operator are transferred onto the discharge conveyor by the operator pulling a belt which passes around the receptacle, and on engagement therewith causes the receptacle to be displaced onto the discharge conveyor.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or 1 9 further comprising the step of transferring empty receptacles from a storage rack disposed above the level of the storing conveyor to replace the receptacles transferred to the discharge conveyor.

21. A method of sorting and/or grading fish substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Apparatus for sorting and/or grading fish constructed and arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.