NZ617389B2 - Article carrier for a grading apparatus - Google Patents
Article carrier for a grading apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ617389B2 NZ617389B2 NZ617389A NZ61738913A NZ617389B2 NZ 617389 B2 NZ617389 B2 NZ 617389B2 NZ 617389 A NZ617389 A NZ 617389A NZ 61738913 A NZ61738913 A NZ 61738913A NZ 617389 B2 NZ617389 B2 NZ 617389B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- rotation
- article
- connecting member
- axis
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 139
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000004936 Bromus mango Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000008067 Cucumis sativus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000009849 Cucumis sativus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000007119 Malus pumila Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000007228 Mangifera indica Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014826 Mangifera indica Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000008426 Persea americana Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000220324 Pyrus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000009184 Spondias indica Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021016 apples Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012055 fruits and vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000021017 pears Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000005426 persea americana Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Abstract
article carrier 100 comprises a mounting portion 1 adapted for connection to a conveyor, a connecting member 5 rotatably connected to the mounting portion 1 and rotatable relative to the mounting portion about a first axis of rotation, a carrier portion 3 rotatably connected to the connecting member 5 and rotatable relative to the connecting member 5 about a second axis of rotation R2, where the first axis of rotation is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation R2, and a releasably lockable carrier support means adapted to support the carrier portion 3 in a carriage position when in a locked state, and to allow rotation of the carrier portion to a discharge position when in an unlocked state. ber 5 and rotatable relative to the connecting member 5 about a second axis of rotation R2, where the first axis of rotation is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation R2, and a releasably lockable carrier support means adapted to support the carrier portion 3 in a carriage position when in a locked state, and to allow rotation of the carrier portion to a discharge position when in an unlocked state.
Description
ARTICLE CARRIER FOR A GRADING APPARATUS
Technical field of the Invention
The invention relates to carriers for articles, particularly for use within grading systems, and in
particular, but in not exclusively, to an article carrier which is suitable for conveying elongate
articles of produce.
Background of the Invention
Article carriers are often used in fruit graders to transport fruit through various measurement
stages for grading purposes and to eject fruit at a required location dependent on the result of
the grading process. Such article carriers usually include an endless circuit of carriers or cups
on a conveyor chain with the cups situated to unload fruit at one of a plurality of stations.
Many of the article carriers of the prior art use rollers to rotate the fruit as they travel along on
the conveyor, in order to present the entire surface of the fruit to a grading apparatus such as a
camera. The article carriers may also be provided with a mechanism by which a portion of the
carrier on which the fruit bears can be isolated from the rest of the carrier, and the supporting
portion of the conveyor, in order to allow the fruit to be weighed while it is being conveyed. US
patent 7,410,044 describes an example of one such article carrier.
Such carriers, while well suited to use with generally spherically shaped fruit and vegetables
such as apples and the like, are not suitable for use with elongate fruit or vegetables such as
cucumbers, mangoes, pears, avocados and the like.
Another type of article carrier is known to the art, in which the article is held to one side of the
conveyor chain on elongate “fingers”. While such carriers are suitable for elongate fruit or
vegetables, they typically do not allow the produce to be weighed accurately.
In the examples discussed above, the article carrier remains connected to, and in motion with,
the conveyor chain, while the article is being weighed. The horizontal component of the force
exerted by the conveyor chain on the article carrier has no effect on the weighing operation.
However, for the weighing operation to be accurate it is important that the connection between
the conveyor chain and the carrier portion which is bearing on the load cell exert the minimum
possible force on the carrier portion in the vertical direction.
The reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an
acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge in any country.
Object of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article carrier for a grading apparatus which
will overcome or ameliorate problems with the article carriers of the prior art, or which will at
least provide a useful choice.
Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description,
which is given by way of example only.
Brief Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an article carrier comprising a
mounting portion adapted for connection to a conveyor, a connecting member rotatably
connected to the mounting portion and rotatable relative to the mounting portion about a first
axis of rotation, a carrier portion rotatably connected to the connecting member and rotatable
relative to the connecting member about a second axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of
rotation is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation, and a releasably lockable carrier
support means adapted to support the carrier portion in a carriage position when in a locked
state, and to allow rotation of the carrier portion to a discharge position when in an unlocked
state.
Preferably the first and second axes of rotation are substantially parallel to a direction of travel
of the article carrier when in use.
Preferably the carrier portion comprises a rotation limiting portion adapted to limit rotation of the
carrier portion relative to the connecting member when the releasably lockable carrier support
means is in the locked state.
Preferably the rotation limiting portion bears on the connecting member.
Preferably when the releasably lockable carrier support means is in the unlocked state, the
carrier portion is moveable to a weighing position in which the rotation limiting portion does not
bear on the connecting member.
Preferably the releasably lockable carrier support means comprises an over-centre linkage.
Preferably the over-centre linkage is rotatably connected to the mounting portion.
Preferably the over-centre linkage is rotatably connected to the connecting member.
Preferably the connection between the over-centre linkage and the connecting member is co-
linear with the second axis of rotation.
Preferably the over-centre linkage comprises a first portion which is connected to the mounting
portion and a second portion which is connected to the connecting member, wherein the first
and second portions are rotatably connected.
Preferably the first portion of the over-centre linkage comprises a trigger portion for moving the
over centre linkage to an unlocked position.
Preferably the article carrier is provided with a plurality of carrier portions.
Preferably the article carrier has at least one carrier portion on each side of a central plane of
the mounting portion.
Preferably the article carrier has at least one plane of symmetry.
Preferably the article carrier has two planes of symmetry.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sorting apparatus
comprising a plurality of article carriers of the first aspect.
The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to
or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all
combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are
mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such
known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an article carrier and/or a sorting
apparatus comprising the article carrier is substantially as herein described, with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will
become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible
embodiments of the invention.
Brief Description of the Figures
Figure 1: Is a front view of an article carrier according to one embodiment of the present
invention, with the carrier in a carriage position.
Figure 2: Is an exploded view of the article carrier of Figure 1.
Figure 3: Is a transverse cross-section of the article carrier of Figure 1.
Figure 4: is a partial side view of a sorting apparatus comprising a plurality of the article
conveyors of Figure 1, conveying an item of produce.
Figure 5: Is a front view of the article carrier of Figure 1, with the releasable locking
means in an unlocked position and the carriage portion in a lower weighing
position.
Figure 6: Is a transverse cross-section of one side of the article carrier with the carriage
portion in the lower weighing position.
Figure 6A: Is an enlarged view of detail “A” of Figure 6.
Figure 7: Is a front view of the article carrier of Figure 1, with the releasable locking
means in an unlocked position and the carriage portion in an upper weighing
position.
Figure 8: Is a transverse cross-section of one side of the article carrier with the carriage
portion in the upper weighing position.
Figure 8A: Is an enlarged view of detail “B” of Figure 8.
Figures 9a-9d: show a sequence of partial front views of the article carrier of Figure 1 in use,
discharging an article.
Figure 10: Is a transverse cross-section of one side of the article carrier, with the carriage
portion in the discharge position.
Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, an article carrier of the present invention is generally
referenced by arrow 100.
The article carrier 100 comprises a mounting portion 1 for mounting the carrier 100 to a
conveyor chain (not shown), for example by means of a clip 2.
One or more carrier portions 3 are mounted to the mounting portion 1. In the embodiment
shown the carrier 100 comprises four carrier portions 3, with two carrier portions 3 on either side
of the mounting portion 1. However, other embodiments (not shown) may have more or fewer
carrier portions on either side of the mounting portion, or may have one or more carrier portions
on only one side of the mounting portion. The article carrier is preferably substantially
symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, and about a vertical plane which is orthongonal
to the longitudinal plane, so that the carrier can be mounted to the conveyor chain in either
direction.
In the embodiment shown the carrier portions 3 are provided as elongate “fingers”, and define a
cupped shape in order to securely hold an article.
Each carrier portion 3 is connected to the mounting portion 1 by a connecting member 4. The
connecting member 4 is rotatably connected to the mounting portion 1 such that it can rotate
about a first axis of rotation R1. The carrier portion 3 is rotatably connected to the connecting
member 4 such that it can rotate relative to the connecting member 4 about a second axis of
rotation R2. The first and second axes of rotation R1, R2 are spaced apart, and in many
embodiments are at opposite ends of the connecting member 4.
The article carrier 100 is further provided with a releasable carrier support means 5. In the
embodiment shown the carrier support means 5 comprises an over-centre type linkage which
has a first portion 5a rotatably connected to the mounting portion 1 at or adjacent a first end 6
and a second portion 5b rotatably connected to the connecting member 4 at a second end 7.
The linkage 5 is of a type which can transmit compressive forces when a link, preferably a
hinged connection 5c, between the first and second portions 5a, 5b is on one side of an axis
connecting the rotatable connections at either end of the link, but which collapses when the
central link is moved to the opposite side of that axis.
In the embodiment shown the connection between the second end 7 of the over-centre linkage
and the connecting member 4 is collinear with the connection between the connecting
member 4 and the carrier portion 3. However, this is not necessarily the case. The connection
between the second end 7 of the over-centre linkage and the connecting member 4 may be at
any point on the connecting member 4 which is not collinear with the connecting member’s
connection to the mounting portion 1.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the over-centre linkage 5 is in a locked position, suitable
for conveying an article on the carrier portion 3.
In order to maintain the carrier portion 3 in a substantially horizontal orientation (in use), suitable
for conveying an article, the rotation of the carrier portion 3 relative to the connecting member 4
must be limited in order to avoid rotation of the carrier portion 3 under its own weight (and the
weight of the article). As is best seen in Figure 3, in a preferred embodiment the carrier portion
comprises a rotation limiting formation 10 which extends to an opposite side of the second axis
of rotation R2 from the side on which the centre of gravity C of the carrier portion is located.
The rotation limiting portion 10 is shaped to bear against the connecting member 4 in order to
resist rotation of the carrier portion 3 under the influence of gravity. In the embodiment shown
the carrier portion 3 is able to rotate in the opposite direction (i.e anticlockwise in Figure 3)
about the second axis of rotation R2, although rotation in this direction is ultimately limited by
interference between an inner edge 13 of the carrier portion (see Figure 6) and the mounting
portion 1.
Figure 4 shows an article of produce P being conveyed by a sorting system of the present
invention, with the article of produce being supported by a plurality of article carriers 100.
Referring next to Figures 5 and 6, the article carrier 100 is particularly suited for use with sorting
systems which individually weigh each item. By exerting a laterally outward force on a trigger
portion 11 of the over-centre linkage (for example with a ramp or cam surface, or a solenoid
operated trigger pushing mechanism), the over-centre linkage 5 can be moved from the locked
position shown in Figure 1 over-centre to the unlocked position shown in Figures 5 and 6,
whereby the over-centre linkage 5 no longer supports the weight of the connecting member 4,
carrier portion 3 and any produce carried on the carrier portion 3.
The over-centre mechanism 5 is unlocked as the carrier portion 3 moves over a weighing
means W. The unsupported carrier portion 3 bears on the weighing means W, and so the
weighing means W is able to measure the weight of the item on the carrier portion 3 (and the
carrier portion itself). In some embodiments the sorting apparatus may comprise a support
surface (not shown) immediately before and/or after the weighing means in order to guide the
carrier portion 3 on and/or off the weighing means W.
In the embodiment shown the underside of the carrier portion 3 is provided with a pair of spaced
apart downwardly protruding bearing surfaces 12. These bearing surfaces 12 ensure that the
contact between the carrier portion 3 and the weighing means W occurs in a consistent and
predictable place, and also helps to minimise the drag created by sliding the carrier portion 3
over the surface of the weighing means W.
As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, in the embodiment shown, the centre of the carrier portion 3
maintains a substantially horizontal orientation during the weighing operation.
Figures 5 and 6 show the carrier portion 3 at the lowest position in which accurate weighing can
occur. If the carrier portion 3 were to be lowered any further relative to the mounting portion 1
then an inner edge 13 of the carrier portion 3 would abut the mounting portion 1, thereby
making accurate weighing impossible.
Figures 7 and 8 show the carrier portion 3 at the highest position in which weighing can occur.
Further elevation (relative to the mounting portion 1) of the carrier portion 3 beyond this position
will result in the over-centre linkage 5 being placed in tension and/or the rotation limiting portion
abutting the connecting member 4. In one embodiment the centre of the carrier portion 3 is
approximately 6mm higher (relative to the mounting portion 1) when in the highest position
(shown in Figures 7 and 8), relative to when it is in the lowest position (shown in Figures 5 and
6). The rotation limiting portion 10 does not abut or bear on the connecting member 4 (or any
other member) when the carrier portion is in a weighing position.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that because the first and second axes of rotation R1, R2
are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the carrier portion 3 as it moves over the
weighing means W (and the direction of travel of the conveyor chain), the force exerted by the
connecting member 4 to move the carrier portion 3 over the weighing means W has little or no
vertical component, and so has a minimal effect on the accuracy of the weight measurement.
To further minimise any vertical component of force exerted by the connecting member, the
weighing means is preferably located such that the first and second axes of rotation R1, R2 are
both horizontally orientated during the weighing operation.
Figures 9a-9d illustrate an article of produce A being discharged from the article carrier 100 as a
result of the releasable carrier support means 5 being unlocked and the article carrier 3 moving
to a discharge position.
The releasable carrier support means 5 is unlocked when the article carrier 100 is adjacent a
selected receiving portion of the sorting apparatus. The releasable carrier support means 5 is
preferably unlocked by a solenoid operated trigger pushing mechanism or similar apparatus (not
shown), as has been described above. The particular receiving portion which the sorting
apparatus elects to eject the produce into may depend on the weight of the produce, as well as
information gathered from other assessment apparatus such as cameras and the like.
As can be seen in Figures 9a-9d, the article A tends to fall substantially vertically, with the article
carrier 100 exerting almost no horizontal force on the article A as it drops. The carrier portion 3
is able to rotate from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical one.
Figure 10 shows the carrier portion 3 in the discharge position.
The sorting apparatus is preferably provided with a ramp or cam surface (not shown)
immediately ahead a final receiving portion of the apparatus. The ramp acts on the trigger
portion of any article carriers which have not yet been released into the discharge position. In
this way it is assured that the produce is discharged from all of the article carriers 100 before
they begin a new cycle of the apparatus.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the
words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as
opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not
limited to”.
Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or
integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein
incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible
embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made
thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
WHAT WE
Claims (9)
1. An article carrier comprising a mounting portion adapted for connection to a conveyor, a connecting member rotatably connected to the mounting portion and rotatable relative to 5 the mounting portion about a first axis of rotation, a carrier portion rotatably connected to the connecting member and rotatable relative to the connecting member about a second axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation, and a releasably lockable carrier support means adapted to support the carrier portion in a carriage position when in a locked state, and to allow rotation of the carrier 10 portion to a discharge position when in an unlocked state.
2. The article carrier of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes of rotation are substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the article carrier when in use. 15
3. The article carrier of claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier portion comprises a rotation limiting portion adapted to limit rotation of the carrier portion relative to the connecting member when the releasably lockable carrier support means is in the locked state.
4. The article carrier of claim 3, wherein the rotation limiting portion bears on the 20 connecting member.
5. The article carrier of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the releasably lockable carrier support means is in the unlocked state, the carrier portion is moveable to a weighing position in which the rotation limiting portion does not bear on the connecting 25 member.
6. The article carrier of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the releasably lockable carrier support means comprises an over-centre linkage. 30
7. The article carrier of claim 6, wherein the over-centre linkage is rotatably connected to the mounting portion.
8. The article carrier of claim 6 or 7, wherein the over-centre linkage is rotatably connected to the connecting member.
9. The article carrier of claim 8, wherein the connection between the over-centre linkage and the connecting member is co-linear with the second axis of rotation.
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ617389B2 true NZ617389B2 (en) | 2015-09-01 |
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