GB890031A - Improvements in or relating to potato harvesters - Google Patents

Abstract

890,031. Separating solid materials. TEAGLE, W. T. Nov. 2, 1960 [Oct. 8, 1959], No. 34163/59. Class 117. Automatic sorting apparatus for a travelling potato harvester comprises a number of suction devices mounted for movement into pressure contact with the lifted material remaining after initial separation of the potatoes from the bulk of the soil and weeds, whereby the device act upon the relatively smooth surfaces of the potatoes to lift or deflect them out of the path of the unwanted material for separate collection. During forward travel of the harvester shown in Fig. 1 potatoes, soil &c. are lifted by a share 1 and conveyed rearwardly by a conveyer 2 to a conveyer 3 comprising spaced belts between which potatoes &c. fall to be received in an annular conveyer 4. The bulk of the tops and weeds are deposited on the ground from the conveyer 3. Potatoes &c. are then dropped on to a conveyer 5 moving forwardly, and above which is rotated a suction roller 7 comprising a number of suction devices 14, Fig. 2, each attached to the roller hub 8 by a spring clip 18. Each device consists of a corrugated rubber tube with an open mouth 16 and a closed opposite end embraced by a clip. The hub 8 comprises a spindle 11 with a number of spaced peripherally perforated discs 10 into the perforations 13 of which the ends of the clips are inserted; the mouths of the devices are close to each other and provide an almost continuous suction surface. The potatoes, having relatively smooth surfaces, are picked up and carried a short distance by the devices and dropped through a shoot 19 on to the friction surface of a rotary drum 20, and to one side of the drum. The potatoes slide down the drum in a direction opposite to its direction of rotation and are collected separately from the soil and stones &c. which is carried round with the drum and falls to the ground. Water jets 23 and 24 keep the mouths of the suction devices and the drum surface free of dirt. Instead of the hubs 8 the suction devices may be be attached to a large diameter flexible tube of the bellows type. The devices may deflect the potatoes laterally of the conveyer on to a cross-conveyer, and in this case they may be mounted on an endless belt or drum moving or rotating in a direction at right angles to the path of travel of the material.