GB2371472A - Trimming fruit and vegetables - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRIMMING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES The present invention is directed to the-field of fruit and vegetable processing, and in particular to the trimming of unwanted tops or roots from fruit and vegetables.

When picked or harvested, a large number of fruits and vegetables retain roots or tops which are undesirable when the produce reaches the ultimate consumer. In particular, root vegetables must be trimmed before they reach consumers. Until now, such trimming, otherwise known as"topping and tailing", has been done manually with workers taking the harvested produce and removing undesirable roots or tops using sharp knives. This method is very labour intensive, and in a concern where large amounts of produce are processed in order to supply a large customer such as a supermarket chain, for example, a large workforce is required. The automation or semiautomation of this process would lead to a

significant decrease in labour costs and also reduce the time taken to process the produce. One problem which occurs when attempting to provide an automated or semi-automated process is that by nature each item of produce will differ in size, although it is still the same variety of vegetable or fruit. A solution to this problem is required where only the root and/or top of the produce is removed, irrespective of the differing sizes of the produce.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of trimming produce which reduces both time and cost of processing. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of trimming produce in which the trimming apparatus automatically adjusts in relation to the size of each item of produce, so that only the undesirable parts of the produce are removed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for trimming fruit or vegetable items, said apparatus comprising a first trimming means and conveying means adapted to convey said items through said first trimming means, wherein said first trimming means is adapted so as to automatically adjust the vertical distance between said conveying means and first trimming means for each item so that only a particular portion of said item is trimmed.

Preferably, said conveying means is a substantially horizontal rotating platform containing at least one aperture, said platform comprising at least one fixing means adapted to selectively secure an item in said at least one aperture.

Preferably, said apparatus further comprises a cam surface located beneath said platform remote from said first trimming means, said fixing means being adapted to come into contact with said cam surface such that said fixing means secures said item as the item passes through said first trimming means and releases said item after said item has passed through said first trimming means.

Preferably, said fixing means comprises a pair of spring-loaded clamps movable between open and closed positions and biased into the closed position, each clamp being provided with a roller member adapted to come into contact with said cam surface such that said clamps move to the open position when said. roller members come into contact with said cam surface and move towards the closed position when said roller members leave the cam surface.

In one preferred embodiment, said platform contains a plurality of apertures and comprises a corresponding plurality of fixing means adapted to selectively secure an item in said apertures.

Preferably, said first trimming means is located above said conveying means and is mounted for movement in the substantially vertical direction relative to said conveying means.

Preferably, said first trimming means comprises a substantially horizontal cutting blade and a pair of downwardly facing substantially parallel ramp surfaces spaced apart laterally from each other and oriented substantially parallel to the direction of motion of said items as they enter said first trimming means, each ramp surface having a first item receiving portion inclined from the horizontal and a second portion which is substantially horizontal.

Preferably, said ramp surfaces are adapted such that when they engage the item the cutting blade is raised a vertical distance above said conveying means by said item.

Preferably, said cutting blade is a rotating cutting blade.

Preferably, said first trimming means is slidingly engaged on a rod member for movement in the substantially vertical direction, the trimming means being biased in the downward direction towards said conveying means.

Preferably, said apparatus further comprises a second trimming means located beneath said conveying means.

Preferably, said second trimming means is a rotating cutting blade.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of trimming fruit or vegetable items comprising the steps of conveying a plurality of items through a trimming means using an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure l (a) is a top view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure l (b) is a sectional view of the apparatus along lines I (b)-I (b) as shown in Fig. l (a); Figure l (c) is a detail top view of the apparatus with an adapter fitted thereto; Figure 2 is a side view of the trimming element of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a front view of the trimming element shown in Fig. 2.

Figures l (a) and l (b) show top and section views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which fruit or vegetable items are trimmed prior to delivery to consumers. For the purpose of this example, the items to be trimmed are turnips, which require to be trimmed at both top and bottom. A

conveying means in the form of a rotating platform 1 is provided which contains a number of apertures 2 circumferentially spaced around the platform 1 and into which the turnips are placed. The turnips may be placed into the apertures 2 manually or else for a fully automatic system a conveyor delivery system (not shown) can place the produce in the apertures 2 as the platform 1 rotates. As the platform 1 rotates under the power of an electric motor 6, the turnips are placed in each successive aperture 2. Each aperture 2 has a fixing means in the form of a pair of spring-loaded fixing clamps 3 which are moveable between open and closed positions and are biased into the closed position. The clamps 3 pivot about pivot points 4 under the action of their springs to hold the turnips secure during the trimming operation.

As the turnips only need to be held by the clamps 3 during trimming, an arrangement is provided such that the clamps 3 only close around the turnips when approaching a trimmer 10 before releasing the turnips after the trimming operation. Therefore, each clamp 3 is provided with a roller member comprising a leg 5 and roller or wheel 7. Thus, each aperture 2 has a pair of clamps 3 and an associated leg 5 for each clamp 3. As the turnips are loaded onto the platform 1 the rollers 7 are in contact with a cam surface 8 that runs underneath the platform 1 for approximately two thirds of the platform's circumference. The cam surface 8 is located underneath the platform 1 remote from the area of the trimming means. As the rollers

7 contact the cam surface 8, the contact of the rollers 7 on the cam surface 8 causes the legs 5 to rotate, which in turn forces each pair of clamps 3 away from each other, thereby allowing insertion of a turnip into the aperture 2. As the platform 1 continues to rotate, the rollers 7 leave the cam surface 8 before the trimming operation, and the spring loaded clamps 3 are forced towards the closed position under the action of their respective springs, thus clasping the turnip during trimming.

Once the trimming operation is complete, the platform 1 continues to rotate and the rollers 7 re-engage the cam surface 8 and the clamps 3 are forced apart to the open position. The trimmed turnips may then be removed from the platform 1 manually, or else by an automated means such as a revolving brush (not shown), for example, if full automation of the process is desired.

Figure l (c) shows a portion of the platform 1 and an adapter 30 which can be fitted to the platform 1 to decrease the size of the apertures 2. The adapter 30 is made from a thin sheet of plastic or metal and comprises a ring portion 31 having two diametrically opposed flanges 32,33 attached thereto. The adapter 30 is also provided with a leg portion 34 extending from the ring 31 perpendicular to the direction of the flanges 32,33. The leg 34 is provided with a hole 35 for receiving a bolt or other fixing means therethrough. When in position, the adapter 30 lies on top of the aperture 2 with the flanges 32,33

resting on the area of the platform 1 either side of the aperture 2. The leg 34 extends towards the centre of the platform 1 between the clamps 3 and is secured to the platform by a bolt or other fixing means (not shown) through the hole 35. In this way, smaller items may be accommodated on the platform 1 when necessary. The adapter 30 can simply be removed when the processing of smaller items is completed.

The actual trimming operation itself will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a trimmer 10. A turnip 9 sits in one of the apertures 2 of the platform 1, clamped between the clamps 3 as previously described. As the clamped turnip 9 rotates in the platform 1, it arrives at the trimmer 10. The apparatus includes a second trimming means in the form of a fixed lower rotating cutting blade 11 located below the platform 1 and powered by an electric motor 12. This trims the root portion 9b of the turnip 9. Located above the platform 1 is a first trimming means, or cutting unit, 13 which is supported in a frame 14. As can be seen best in Fig. 3, the unit 13 is comprised of a pair of interconnected downwardly facing substantially parallel ramp surfaces 13a, 13b which are laterally spaced apart such that the top 9a of the approaching turnip 9 may pass between them. Each ramp surface 13a, 13b is comprised of an inclined item receiving portion and a substantially horizontal guide portion. Also fixed to the unit 13 is a substantially horizontal upper rotating cutting blade

15 which is powered by another motor 16 located within the frame 14. A substantially vertical rod member 18 is provided, which is fixed to a location remote from the unit 13. The frame 14 is provided with an apertured flange 17 so that when the unit 13 is installed, the unit 13 is located on the fixed rod 18 through the apertured flange 17 so that the unit 13 is slidingly attached to the fixed rod 18. The rod 18 is further provided with a spring 19 so that the apertured flange 17 is acted upon by the spring 19, biasing the flange 17 and, consequently, the unit 13 in the downward direction towards the platform 1.

The final component of the trimmer 10 is a lip member 20 upon which the unit 13 sits when biased downwards by the spring 19. As with the rod 18, the lip member 20 is fixed and independent of both the unit 13 and platform 1. In this way, the lip unit 20 prevents the unit 13 and upper cutting blade 15 from descending below a predetermined level in the direction of the platform 1.

The turnip 9 approaches the trimmer 10 from the direction indicated by arrow A, such that as the turnip 9 arrives, it is travelling in a direction substantially parallel to the ramp surfaces 13a, 13b.

As the turnip 9 approaches, its top portion 9a passes between the ramp surfaces 13a, 13b. At the same time, the remainder of the turnip 9 which is protruding above the platform 1 is too wide to pass between the ramp surfaces 13a, 13b and instead forces the ramp surfaces 13a, 13b and unit 13 upwards in direction B

as it passes. As the turnip 9 engages the ramp surfaces 13a, 13b, it increases the vertical distance between the unit 13 and the platform 1. As a result, as the turnip 9 passes the trimmer 10, only the undesirable top 9a of turnip 9 is removed by the upper cutting blade 15, irrespective of the size of the turnip 9. At the same time, the fixed cutting blade 11 removes the undesirable base portion 9b of the turnip 9.

Once the trimmed turnip 9 has passed the trimmer 10, the spring 19 forces the unit 13 back down in direction C to its starting position on the lip member 20, awaiting the next approaching turnip 9.

The lip member 20 may include a cushioning element (not shown) to cushion the unit 13 as it meets the lip member 20.

In this way, the trimmer 10 can compensate for the varying sizes of item being processed. Irrespective of the size of the items, the unit 13 of the trimmer 10 is automatically adjusted by the items themselves so that only the undesirable parts of the item are removed. Thus, manual trimming of items is no longer required, with the resultant benefits to both processing costs and timescales.

Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

The trimmer components may differ depending on the produce being trimmed. For example, while the

embodiment described above was for the trimming of turnips, where both the top and bottom of the item require trimming, with other fruit and vegetable varieties such as, for example, pineapples or carrots, only the top of the produce is usually trimmed. In this case, the fixed lower cutting blade 11 would not be necessary. The cutting blades may also be replaced by rotating disc cutters if desired.

As previously described, adapters may also be fitted to the platform for the processing of smaller items.

The size of platform 1 and number of apertures 2 can be adapted depending on the size of the processing plant. Naturally, larger processing lines will require more capacity than small lines. Indeed, a conveyor belt arrangement may be used instead of the platform to deliver the items through the trimmer 10.

Furthermore, the above embodiment uses mechanical means to move the clamps 3 to and from the clamping position, but an alternative embodiment may use electrical means to have the clamps 3 engage the items. For example, there may be sensors positioned under the platform 1 that trigger micro-switches on the clamps 3 which bias the clamps 3 into the clamping position. There would then be a further sensor located after the trimmer 10 which would signal the microswitches when to allow the clamps 3 to release.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS :

1. An apparatus for trimming fruit or vegetable items, said apparatus comprising a first trimming means and conveying means adapted to convey said items through said first trimming means, wherein said first trimming means is adapted so as to automatically adjust the vertical distance between said conveying means and first trimming means for each item so that only a particular portion of said item is trimmed.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said conveying means is a substantially horizontal rotating platform containing at least one aperture, said platform comprising at least one fixing means adapted to selectively secure an item in said at least one aperture.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said apparatus further comprises a cam surface located beneath said platform remote from said first trimming means, said fixing means being adapted to come into contact with said cam surface such that said fixing means secures said item as the item passes through said first trimming means and releases said item after said item has passed through said first trimming means.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said fixing means comprises a pair of spring-loaded

clamps movable between open and closed positions and biased into the closed position, each clamp being provided with a roller member adapted to come into contact with said cam surface such that said clamps move to the open position when said roller members come into contact with said cam surface and move towards the closed position when said roller members leave the cam surface.

5. The apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein said platform contains a plurality of apertures and comprises a corresponding plurality of fixing means adapted to selectively secure an item in said apertures.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first trimming means is located above said conveying means and is mounted for movement in the substantially vertical direction relative to said conveying means.

7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first trimming means comprises a substantially horizontal cutting blade and a pair of downwardly facing substantially parallel ramp surfaces spaced apart laterally from each other and oriented substantially parallel to the direction of motion of said items as they enter said first trimming means, each ramp surface having a first item receiving portion inclined from the horizontal and a second portion which is substantially horizontal.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said ramp surfaces are adapted such that when they engage the item the cutting blade is raised a vertical distance above said conveying means by said item.

9. The apparatus according to either Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein said cutting blade is a rotating cutting blade.

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first trimming means is slidingly engaged on a rod member for movement in the substantially vertical direction, the trimming means being biased in the downward direction towards said conveying means.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second trimming means located beneath said conveying means.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said second trimming means is a rotating cutting blade.

13. A method of trimming fruit or vegetable items comprising the steps of conveying a plurality of items through a trimming means using an apparatus in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 12.

14. An apparatus for trimming fruit or vegetable items substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of trimming fruit and vegetable items substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.