NZ717863B2 - Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches and method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a compartment for fruit connected to a liquid suction area with a first orifice, and to a fruit suction area (10) with a narrowing (7) which flows into a channel (12), with a liquid passage between the narrowing (7) and the channel (12), where this liquid is re-injected into the channel (12) with a pump through a pipe that connects with the liquid passage, producing a depression which drags the liquid and fruit mixture, generating turbulence in the channel (12) which causes the dragged fruits, joined by their stalks, to separate from each other. The method comprises the steps for supplying a mixture of fruits in bunches and liquid, moving the mixture, and injecting liquid through the channel (12) to generate turbulence which separates the stalks from the fruit and extracts the separated fruit. The device separates bunched fruit such that each fruit retains its stalk, making them more commercially presentable, and reduces labor costs associated with manual separation.

Description

DEVICE FOR SEPARATING STALKS OF FRUITS GROUPED IN BUNCHES AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING STALKS OF FRUITS GROUPED IN BUNCHES DESCRIPTION This invention refers to a device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, such as cherries. It also refers to a method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches. The invention is applied in the food industry.

PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART There is a need to separate fruits which are collected from a producing tree, joined to each other by stalks or stems, in other words fruits grouped in bunches, in such a way that, once the separation has been performed, each of the fruits keeps its respective individual stalk. This facilitates subsequent processing of the fruits given that, once they are separated, they can be classified appropriately, for example, by size, colour, ripeness or quality, thus improving the commercial presentation and the price that can be obtained for the product. In addition, automatic separation reduces considerably the labour costs involved in manual separation.

Documents FR2820287 and ES2319713 describe devices for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches. These devices comprise a hydraulic circuit in which a mixture of liquid and fruits enters a centrifugal pump and is pumped, in such a way that said devices use an adapted pump (flow sufficiently open) to allow the fruits mixed with the liquid to pass through its internal elements. However, the passage of the fruits through a centrifugal pump can cause damage of varying degrees to the fruits processed by the device, because when the fruits enter the body of the centrifugal pump there is a risk of the fruits colliding with the moving parts of the pump and the walls, especially when the pump is required to work at high speed to ensure an appropriately efficient separation of stalks, when the flow of fruits is high, when the fruits in question are sensitive because of their variety or ripeness, or when the separation is more difficult because the stalks are difficult to separate, which also requires an increased pump speed to obtain an appropriate percentage of efficiency in the separation.

There is thus a need to develop a device designed to separate stalks of fruits grouped in bunches (i.e. by means of their respective stalks), to overcome at least some of the drawbacks indicated above, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is a device to separate stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, which comprises: - a compartment for receiving fruits, in which fruits and a liquid are located, connected to an area for suction of fruits and connected to an area for suction of liquid, - a narrowing which comprises an outlet from the narrowing which flows into a channel, with a flow of water between the outlet of the narrowing and the channel.

The liquid suction area comprises a first orifice for connection to means for suction of liquid.

In the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention the channel forms part of a pipe which comprises a tube or conduit to introduce liquid at high speed into the channel through the flow of water, in such a way that a depression is generated in the channel which generates a system of turbulence to separate the fruits from each other and drags a mixture of fruits and liquid from the fruit suction area to the pipe through the narrowing.

In the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention, the liquid suction area is connected to the fruit reception compartment via a filter.

The device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises a vertical housing downstream of the channel which connects with a fruit evacuation area arranged in perpendicular fashion to the vertical housing.

In a particular aspect, the present invention provides a device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, comprising: a fruit reception compartment, configured to contain fruits and a liquid, connected to a fruit suction area and connected to a liquid suction area, in which the liquid suction area comprises: means for suction of liquid, and a first orifice for connection to the means for suction of liquid; a narrowing which comprises an outlet from the narrowing which extends into a channel, wherein the device comprises a liquid passage between the outlet of the narrowing and the channel, where the channel forms part of a pipe which comprises a tube or conduit to introduce liquid at high speed into the channel through the liquid passage; wherein this liquid is re-injected into the channel passing through the liquid passage between the walls of the narrowing outlet and the walls of the channel, producing a depression which drags the liquid and fruit mixture in the fruit suction area, generating turbulence in the channel which causes the dragged fruits, joined by their stalks, to separate from each other.

In one embodiment, the filter in the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises a bottom and at least one mesh made wall.

In another embodiment, the filter in the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises at least one non-filtering wall in contact with the fruit reception compartment, in which the wall comprises an upper end which is lower than the height of the fruit reception compartment, so that the liquid reaches the filter when it exceeds this upper end.

In the preferred embodiment of the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention, the inside of the narrowing area is covered with a material with a friction coefficient of less than 0.4.

The material covering the narrowing area is a material which may be either polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high molecular weight polyethylene or polyphthalamide (PPA).

The device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises means for regulating the position of the pipe in the channel.

In the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention, the suction means connected to the first orifice comprise at least one impeller pump.

The fruit reception compartment in the preferred embodiment of the device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises at least one inclined plane directed towards the fruit suction area.

The device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention comprises an additional filter between the liquid suction area and the first orifice.

A further object of the invention is a method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, using the device defined previously. The abovementioned method comprises the following steps: - supplying a mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid in a fruit reception compartment, - moving the mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid to a fruit suction area through a suction entrance, - aspirating part of the liquid and causing it to circulate at high speed through at least one pump, - injecting the liquid at high speed through a pipe to a channel located after the fruit suction area, generating a depression in the channel which drags a mixture of liquid with fruits in the fruit suction area to a narrowing located between the channel and the fruit suction area, in such a way that turbulences are generated around the fruits, which separate the fruit stalks from each other, - extracting the separated fruits.

In the method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches which is the object of the invention, the step for extracting the separated fruits involves sending the fruits to an evacuation area arranged downstream of the narrowing area.

The method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches comprises an additional step for filtering the aspirated liquid.

[FOLLOWED BY PAGE 4a] 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".

In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter which is not within the scope of the appended claims. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Given below, for illustrative purposes and without limitation, are descriptions of particular embodiments of this invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a general perspective view from above of a device for separating stalks of fruits in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device shown in figure 1.

Figures 3a and 3b show schematic perspectives, from opposite side positions, of an embodiment of vertical housing incorporated in the device in figure 1.

Figures 4a and 4b show details of the device in figures 1 to 3b in partial schematic sections.

The different numerical references featured in the figures correspond to the following elements: 1.- fruit reception compartment, 2.- filter, 3.- first orifice, 4.- second orifice, 5a.- vertical housing, [FOLLOWED BY PAGE 5] 5b.- evacuation area, 6.- suction entrance, 7.- narrowing, 8.- pipe, 9.- entrance, .- fruit suction area, 11.- liquid suction area, 12- channel, 13.- additional filter, 14.- water flow, 21.- wall, 22. - upper end of the wall, 31.- pump, 101.- upper part of the fruit reception compartment, and 102.- lower part of the fruit reception compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In the different figures, the same reference numbers have been used to indicate the same elements.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. According to figure 1, the device comprises a fruit reception compartment (1). In an embodiment, as the fruits arrive from the collection point, they can be transferred directly into the fruit reception compartment (1). In other embodiments, the fruits can be transferred onto a conveyor belt (not represented in any figure) which transports the fruits to the fruit reception compartment (1). When the fruits come directly from the collection point, they are grouped in bunches joined by their stalks.

When the device object of the invention begins to operate, it is essential that the fruit reception compartment (1) contains a liquid (preferably water) together with the fruits.

As the operation of the device requires a mixture of liquid and fruits, this mixture may be generated as follows: - the fruit reception compartment already (1) contains the liquid, the liquid is added to the fruit reception compartment (1) after the reception of the fruits, or fruits and liquid are supplied simultaneously.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the fruit reception compartment (1) comprises an inclined plane which guarantees that the fruits fall by force of gravity into a lower part (102) of the fruit reception compartment (1).

Figure 2 shows that the device comprises an area for suction of fruits (10) connected to the lower part (102) of the fruit reception compartment (1) via a suction entrance (6). After the fruit suction area (10), according to the route followed by the fruits in the device which is the object of the invention, the device comprises a channel (12) through which the fruits circulate. The channel (12) in the preferred embodiment of the invention is in the vertical position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention (the one shown in figure 1), the upper part (101) of the fruit reception compartment (1) is connected to a liquid suction area (11). The liquid suction area (11) is connected to the fruit reception compartment (1) via a filter (2), which prevents any impurity from the fruits entering with the liquid. The filter (2) can be a mesh filter which allows liquid to pass while retaining the fruits, and may also comprise a non-filtering wall (21) in contact with the fruit reception compartment (1). In these cases, the non-filtering wall (21) has an upper end (22) located in a position lower than the height of the fruit reception compartment (1) (see figure 2) so that, when the device is in use, and when the fruit reception compartment (1) is being filled with liquid and fruits, and said liquid exceeds this upper end (22), the liquid passes into the liquid suction area (11). The filter (2) ensures that the liquid aspirated by the pump (31) is residue-free, given that the fruit entering the fruit reception compartment (1) comes directly from collection and is accompanied by a multitude of residues.

The filter (2) in the preferred embodiment of the device object of the invention is in the form of a drawer, allowing the filter to be extracted and the residue which has accumulated in the drawer to be removed.

In addition, the liquid suction area (11) is connected to a pump (31) via a first orifice (3) made in a side wall. In some embodiments, the device also comprises an additional filter (13) located between the liquid suction area (11) and the first orifice (3).

The device object of the invention comprises a narrowing (7) after the fruit suction area (10) with an outlet from the narrowing (7) which flows into a channel (12), with a flow of water (14) between the walls of the narrowing (7) outlet and the walls of the channel (12).

The channel forms part of a pipe (8) which comprises a tube or conduit which carries the liquid pumped at high speed from the pump (31) to the pipe (8) through a second orifice, so that the fruit-free liquid, having been aspirated and accelerated, is re-injected into the channel (12) passing through the flow of water (14) between the walls of the narrowing (7) outlet and the walls of the channel (12), producing a depression which drags the liquid and fruit mixture in the fruit suction area (10). As a result of the effect of the depression, turbulence is generated in the channel (12) which causes the dragged fruits, joined by their stalks, to separate from each other.

According to the embodiment in figure 2, the device comprises, after the channel (12), a vertical housing (5a) (which can be seen in figure 3), which ends in a fruit evacuation area (5b) which, as can be seen in the embodiment in figure 2, is arranged perpendicular to the vertical housing (5a).

Figures 3a and 3b show opposed schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a vertical housing (5a) incorporated in the device in figure 1. To allow a better view of the elements of the vertical housing (5a), said vertical housing (5a) has been represented as though it were transparent. This embodiment shows that both the fruit suction area (10) and the narrowing (7) and the channel (12) are located in the vertical housing (5a).

Figures 3a and 3b also show a suction entrance (9) from the channel (12) to the vertical housing (5a), through which the mixture of liquid and fruits is dragged to the evacuation area (5b).

In the embodiment in figur 3a the suction housed in a lower area of e entrance (9) is the vertical housing (5a), and figure 3b clearly shows that the pipe (8) for the means of injecting the high speed liquid is located before the suction entrance (9), bearing in mind the flow direction of the fruits in the device which object of the invention.

The area in which the narrowing (7) occurs is covered with a low friction coefficient material which facilitates the flow of the fruit and liquid mixture through it. In the different embodiments, the low friction coefficient material used to cover this narrowing (7) is a material which can either be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high molecular weight polyethylene or polyphthalamide (PPA).

Figure 4a shows a cross-section of the suction entrance (6) which gives access to the fruit suction area (10). In said figure 4a, the arrows marked with "a" represent the mixture of fruits and liquid entering the fruit suction area (10). Above (downstream of) the fruit suction area (10) is where the narrowing (7) is located. The arrows marked with "b" and "c" represent the mixture of fruits and liquid dragged downstream through the narrowing (7) by the effect of the depression caused by high speed liquid entering through the pipe (8).

The arrows marked with "d" also represent the mixture of fruits and liquid dragged by the depression. In addition, the arrow marked "E" represents the injection of liquid at high speed through the pipe (8). The injection of liquid at high speed contributes both to producing the turbulence necessary for the stalks connected to each other to separate, and to drag the mixture of fruits and liquid from the fruit suction area (10) to the evacuation area (5b).

Figure 4b shows two possible positions (d and d’) of the pipe (8) with regard to the fruit suction area (10) inside the channel (12). These two positions can be obtained using means to regulate the position of the pipe (8).

These means for regulating the position of the pipe (8) are mounting holes and grooves, where the pipe (8) is moved in its entrance to the channel (12).

In all the embodiments, the fruit suction area (10), the pipe (8) and the channel (12) can have any cross-section, for example circular, square, rectangular or any other shape, and these elements can have a different cross-section from that of the element located before or after (following the route of the fruits in the device object of the invention), provided the changes in cross-section between adjacent elements do not alter the flow from the suction entrance (6) to the evacuation area (5b).

In all the embodiments of the invention, other types of pumps for liquid apart from centrifugal pumps can be used, provided the pressure jet can be directed inside the pipe (8) to impel the mixture of fruits and liquid in a direction towards the evacuation area (5b).

A further object of the invention is a method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, using the device defined previously.

The method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches comprises the following steps: - supplying a mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid in a fruit reception compartment (1), - aspirating part of the liquid and causing it to circulate at high speed through at least one pump, - filtering the aspirated liquid, - moving the mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid to a fruit suction area (10) through a suction entrance (6), - injecting the liquid at high speed through a pipe (8) to a channel (12) located after the fruit suction area (10), generating a depression in the channel (12) which drags a mixture of liquid with fruits in the fruit suction area (10) to a narrowing (7) located between the channel (12) and the fruit suction area (10), in such a way that turbulences are generated around the fruits, which separate the fruit stalks from each other, - circulating the fruits towards an evacuation area (5b) arranged downstream of the narrowing (7).

Although only some particular embodiments of the invention have been described here, an expert in the matter will understand that other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention are possible, as are obvious modifications and equivalent elements.

Furthermore, this invention covers all the possible combinations of the specific embodiments which have been described. The numerical signs in brackets relating to the drawings in a claim are merely an attempt to improve understanding of the claim, and must not be interpreted as factors limiting the scope of protection of the claim. The scope of this invention must not be limited to specific embodiments, but must be determined solely from an appropriate reading of the attached claims.

Claims (13)

1. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, comprising: - a fruit reception compartment, configured to contain fruits and a liquid, connected to a fruit suction area and connected to a liquid suction area, in which the liquid 5 suction area comprises: - means for suction of liquid, and - a first orifice for connection to the means for suction of liquid, - a narrowing which comprises an outlet from the narrowing which extends into a channel, wherein the device comprises a liquid passage between the outlet of the 10 narrowing and the channel, where the channel forms part of a pipe which comprises a tube or conduit to introduce liquid at high speed into the channel through the liquid passage; wherein this liquid is re-injected into the channel passing through the liquid passage between the walls of the narrowing outlet and the walls of the channel, producing a 15 depression which drags the liquid and fruit mixture in the fruit suction area, generating turbulence in the channel which causes the dragged fruits, joined by their stalks, to separate from each other.

2. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 1, 20 wherein the liquid suction area is connected to the fruit reception compartment via a filter.

3. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for suction of liquid connected to the first orifice comprise at least one impeller pump.

4. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to any one of the previous claims, wherein it comprises a vertical housing downstream of the channel which connects with a fruit evacuation area arranged in perpendicular fashion to the vertical housing.

5. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 2 or claim 3 or 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the filter comprises a bottom and at least one mesh made wall. 35

6. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 5, wherein the filter comprises at least one non-filtering wall in contact with the fruit reception compartment, in which the wall comprises an upper end which is lower than the height of the fruit reception compartment, so that when the liquid exceeds this upper limit, it reaches the filter.

7. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to any one of the previous claims, wherein it comprises a low friction coefficient material covering the narrowing which is a material to be chosen among: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high molecular weight polyethylene or polyphthalamide (PPA).

8. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to any one of the previous claims, wherein it comprises means for regulating the position of the pipe in the channel. 15

9. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the fruit reception compartment comprises at least one inclined plane directed towards the fruit suction area.

10. Device for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to any one of claims 2, 5 or 6, wherein it comprises an additional filter located between the liquid suction 20 area and the first orifice.

11. Method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches, using the device defined in any one of the previous claims, wherein it comprises the following steps: - supplying a mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid in the fruit reception 25 compartment, - moving the mixture of fruits grouped in bunches and liquid to the fruit suction area through the suction entrance, - aspirating part of the liquid and causing it to circulate at high speed through the means for suction of liquid, 30 - injecting the liquid at high speed through the pipe to the channel located after the fruit suction area, generating a depression in the channel which drags a mixture of liquid with fruits in the fruit suction area to the narrowing located between the channel and the fruit suction area, in such a way that turbulences are generated around the fruits, which separate the fruit stalks from each other. 35 - extracting the separated fruits.

12. Method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the step for extracting the separated fruits involves sending the fruits to the fruit evacuation area arranged downstream of the narrowing.

13. Method for separating stalks of fruits grouped in bunches according to claim 11 or 12, wherein it comprises an additional step for filtering the aspirated liquid.