GB757994A - Improved apparatus for sorting weeds, stones and the like from potatoes or other crops or vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

757,994. Separating solid materials. BRICE, A. July 1, 1954 [April 1, 1953; Jan. 22, 1954], Nos. 8994/53 and 1924/54. Class 117. Relates to machines, for sorting potatoes or the like from stones &c., of the type incorporating a smooth rotating surface on to which the mixture is fed and separated by centrifugal force and the different coefficients of friction of the components of the mixture. In the apparatus described, a smooth conical bowl member 1 is rotated by the friction drive 3 and has a central aperture 2. The axis of the bowl is inclined at about 10 degrees to the vertical and its sloping sides include an angle of about 140 degrees. Potatoes, stones, earth, &c., are fed from an elevator 5 to a shoot 4 passing over the upper part of the periphery of the bowl. The potatoes are discharged over a peripheral rubber &c. beading 9 at the lower edge of the bowl and the remainder of the 'material is guided by a deflector 6 to the central aperture 2 for discharge to the ground. The aperture 2 is covered by a dome 7 to minimize the loss of potatoes therethrough. The potatoes are checked by a hanging canvas screen 10 and drop into a trough 11, and as, in practice, a certain number of stones still remain, they are fed to a further separator. This comprises a smooth conical bowl member 20 with an upper rim 21 and an outlet 22 its axis being vertical. The bowl is rotated by shaft 23 which also rotates a smooth distributer disc 28 to which the potatoes and stones are fed by a conical distributer 25 on to which they drop from the trough 11. The member 25 is surrounded by a curtain 29 of loose chain mesh or suspended lengths of chain. Potatoes which drop vertically off member 25 are flung by disc 28 over the rim 21 of bowl 20 or against the upper part of the bowl which discharges them over the rim. The stones, however, slip on disc 28 and fall to the lower part of bowl 20 and slide out of the opening 22. The rim 21 overlaps an annular collecting trough 31 communicating with a shoot 32. The ring 33 forming the bottom of the trough 31 is supported on spring-loaded rollers 34, so that when sufficient weight of potatoes is present it is depressed into contact with, and rotated by, the rim 21 to carry the potatoes to the shoot 32.