US3220548A - Sizer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A. T. F LODIN SIZER APPARATUS Nov. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1964 Allan 7. F lodin INVENTOR.

Nov. 30, 1965 A. T. FLODIN 3,22@,548

S I Z ER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1964 3 SheetsSheet 2 Fig.3

Allan 7? F lad/n INVENTOR.

A. T. FLODIN SIZER APPARATUS Nov. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 25, 1964 Allan 7. F lad/n INVENTOR.

9 BY @wm United States Patent "ice 3,22%,543 SIZER APPARATUS Allan T. Fiodin, Sunnyside, Wash, assignor to Flodin, Inc., a corporation of Washington Filed Feb. 25, 1964, Ser. No. 347,295 4 Claims. (Cl. 209-107) This invention relates to a machine for grading articles according to size and more particularly to the sizing of produce such as asparagus.

In sizing machines of the type with which the present invention is concerned, it has been customary to initially separate and collect the smallest size produce passing downwardly along the rotating sizing rollers progressively spaced by wider amounts in the direction of feed. The sizing effected by such apparatus has not been as accurate as possible in view of the carry over of smaller size items with the larger size items or produce subsequently passed between the sizing rollers into collecting channels. Therefore, one of the unique features of the present invention, is to provide an arrangement whereby the larger size produce being graded are initially separated from the remainder of the produce which is subsequently separated into the smaller and intermediate sizes. Carry over of the smaller size produce with the larger size produce is thereby avoided.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a size grading machine capable of more accurately grading produce according to size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sizer for asparagus or the like capable of achieving the aforementioned objective in a simple yet effective manner by a novel arrangement of vertically spaced rows of sizing rollers.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompying drawings forming I21 part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an asparagus sizing machine made in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 55 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 66 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 but illustrating a modification.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the apparatus of the present invention includes a sizing section generally referred to by reference numeral 10 receiving produce such as asparagus from a vibrator feed section 12 of a known design and operation. Asparagus are therefore fed by the vibrator section 12 and diverted along a plurality of channels for deposit at the upper rear end of the sizer section 10. The sizer section is therefore supported by a frame assembly 14 in proper spaced relation to the vibrator section 12 from which it receives the asparagus. The frame assembly includes a base portion 16 adjustably spaced above the ground.

ant-s43 Fatented Nov. 30, 1965 Connected to the base portion 16 are laterally spaced rear posts 18 at the rear end of the frame assembly and laterally spaced posts 20 at the forward end of the assembly. Also, intermediate posts 22 are provided more closely spaced to the forward posts 20. Supported at the upper ends of the posts, are side frame members 24 disposed at a downward incline from the rear posts 18 toward the forward posts 20. The frame members forming-the frame assembly including the posts may be made of any suitable material and are preferably tubular in cross section. As more clearly seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the base frame members 16 connected between the forward and rear posts are supported above the ground by adjustable foot assemblies 26 mounted at the lower ends of the rear and forward posts. The posts are laterally spaced by tubular connecting members 28 and support therebetween two pairs of sizing roller assemblies including an upper sizer assembly 30 and a lower sizer assembly 32. The upper sizer assembly extends at a downward incline from the rear posts 18 toward the forward posts 20 while the lower sizer assembly extends at the same downward incline from the rear posts .18 toward the intermediate posts 22. Elongated collecting channels or water flumes extend laterally through the frame assembly 14 between the posts so as to collect the asparagus according to size. Extending laterally through the frame assembly between the rear posts 18 and the intermediate .posts 22, are the collecting channels 34 and 36 respectively collecting the smallest size asparagus and the intermediate size asparagus. A laterally extending support 38 is disposed between the collecting channels 34 and 36 for supporting the adjacent end portions thereof. The opposite wall of the channel 36 is therefore secured to the intermediate posts 22. The collecting channel 34 on the other hand, is provided with a relatively large inclined wall portion 40 extending toward the rear posts 18 to be secured thereto. A collecting channel 42 for the largest size asparagus extends laterally through the frame assembly between the intermediate posts 22 and the forward posts 20 and has opposite side walls thereof connected to these latter posts. It will therefore become apparent, that the asparagus deposited at the upper end of the sizer section at the rear posts 18, will move downwardly along the incline of the sizer assemblies 30 and 32 and be deposited according to size in the collecting channels 34, 36 and 42 to be carried away by the flow of Water through the collecting channels.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, it will be observed that the upper sizer assembly 30 is supported between the forward posts 20 and the rear posts 18 by means of a pair of channel frame members 44 and 46 interconnected between the posts. The channel frame member 44 supports thereon two series of laterally spaced journal assemblies 48 and 50 respectively secured to adjustable supporting bars 52 and 54. The channel frame member 46 similarly mounts two series of laterally spaced journal assemblies 56 and 58 respectively mounted on the adjustable supporting bars 60- and 62. The laterally spaced journal assemblies supported on the channel frame members 44 and 46 are supported on their respective supporting bars in staggered relation so as to present laterally spaced journal assemblies at the forward and rear posts equally spaced by an amount adjusted through the supporting bars. Accordingly, means are provided at opposite ends of the supporting bars for laterally shifting each series of journal assemblies relative to the other in order to vary the spacing therebetween. For example, lateral adjustment of the series of journal assemblies 56 supported on the channel frame member 46 may be accomplished at opposite lateral ends by an adjustment screw member 64 as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Accordingly, the ends of the adjustable supporting bar 60, for example, are provided with an upwardly projecting nut portion 66 threadedly receiving the threaded portion of the adjustment member 64 that extends through the post 18 and is provided with a head portion 68 by means of which the adjustment member may be rotated in order to laterally shift the supporting bar 60. Similar adjustments are provided for the other series of journal assemblies through the respective supporting bars 62, 52 and 54.

In FIGURE 7, a modified form of adjustment is provided which may replace the adjustment facilities described in connection with FIGURE 4. Accordingly, the posts may be provided with tubular extensions 70 receiving the lateral end portions of tubular frame members 72 on which the series of journal assemblies are secured in spaced relation to each other. An adjustment screw member 74 may therefore be mounted by the posts and extend into abutting relation with the ends of the sup porting frame members 72 so as to effect lateral shifting thereof. The frame members 72 may therefore be locked in laterally adjusted position by locknuts 76 threadedly mounted on the adjustment screw members 74.

It will therefore be apparent, that the journal assemblies 48, 50, 56 and 58 of the sizer assembly 30 will rotatably mount at a downward incline, a plurality of parallel spaced roller shafts 78. Each of the roller shafts has mounted thereon a roller section 80 which extends from the rear posts 18 and terminates at the intermediate post 22 so as to define a sizing portion between the rear posts and the intermediate posts for passing all but the larger size asparagus. Accordingly, the larger size asparagus will pass downwardly along the sizing portion inasmuch as the diameter of these larger size asparagus will exceed the spacing between the rollers 80. The larger size asparagus will therefore be deposited in the collecting channel 42 falling between the exposed lower end portions of the roller shafts 78 extending between the intermediate posts 22 and the forward posts 20. The asparagus are therefore deposited .at the rear posts 18 by the vibrator feed section 12 and move downwardly within channels defined by a plurality of laterally adjustable dividing rail assemblies 82.

As more clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, each of the guide assemblies is provided with a pair of diverging wall portions 84 to which upwardly extending channel projections 86 and 88 are secured. The channel projections are therefore provided with slots 90 so that fastener assemblies 92 may extend therethrough and secure the channel projections to angle frame members 94 and 96 which are in turn secured at opposite ends to the upper side frame members 24. The side frame members 24 also have secured thereto end wall members 98 cooperating with the adjacent dividing rail assembly 82 to form a feed channel for the asparagus. Adjacent diverging walls of the assemblies 82 are therefore provided with downwardly depending flexible elements 100 confining the asparagus to the channel formed above the rollers 80 spaced so as to pass the desired size asparagus. The rollers are rotated in opposite directions so as to maintain the asparagus in a state of movement and toward this end, the roller shafts 78 are driven in opposite directions. As more clearly seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the lower ends of the roller shafts 78 extend beyond their journal assemblies 48 and 50 and have connected thereto meshing gears 102 so as to ensure that they rotate in opposite directions. Alternate roller shafts 78 are also provided with sprocket gears 104 by means of which rotation is imparted to the roller shafts through the endless sprocket chain 106. Finally, the roller shaft 78 at one lateral side of the sizer assembly adjacent a forward post 20, is provided with a drive sprocket 108 about which there is entrained the sprocket chain 110. The sprocket chain 110 is also enmeshed with the sprocket 112 connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 114 mounted on the frame assembly at one side adjacent one of the forward posts 20 by means of the base plate 116.

A similar sprocket chain drive assembly 118 driven by the drive motor 120, is provided for the upper end portions of the roller shafts 122 associated with the lower sizer assembly 32. The roller shafts 122 therefore extend beyond the two series of journal assemblies 124 and 126 adjustably supported by the channel frame member 128 between the rear posts 18 in a manner similar to the journal assemblies 56 and 58 associated with the upper sizer assembly 30. The lower ends of the roller shafts 122 on the other hand, are supported by two series of journal assemblies 130 and 132 adjustably supported on the channel frame member 134 secured between the intermediate .posts 22. The roller shaft 122 will therefore be rotatably mounted at a downward incline parallel to the downward incline of the sizer assembly 30 in adjustably spaced parallel relation, lateral adjustment being effected in a manner similar to that described with respect to the journal assemblies of the upper sizer assembly. The roller shafts 122 of the lower sizer assembly are also provided with rollers 136 which extend from the rear posts 18 toward the intermediate posts but terminate in spaced relation therefrom leaving lower end portions of the shafts 122 exposed. Also associated with the rollers 136, are dividing rail assemblies 138 interconnected in laterally spaced relation by the angle iron member 140 secured at its opposite lateral ends to the tubular frame members 142 which are interconnected between the rear posts 18 and the intermediate posts 22. Accordingly, the same channels are formed between the dividing rail assemblies 138 above the oppositely rotating rollers 136 as described with respect to the upper sizer assembly 30. However, the spacing between the rollers 136 is adjusted so as to pass only the smaller size asparagus therebetween for deposit into the collecting channel 34. The intermediate size asparagus will therefore drop between the exposed lower end portions of the shafts 122 into the collecting channel 36. The exposed portions of the shafts 122 and the shafts 78 are also provided with water slinger elements 144. Also, interconnecting the intermediate posts 22 is a rod element 146 to which deflector elements 148 and 150 are secured so as to direct the asparagus into the appropriate collecting channel 36 or 42 and avoid contact with the journal assemblies 130 and 132.

From the foregoing description, the construction and operation of the sizing machine of the present invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that asparagus deposited at the upper end of the sizer assembly 30 will move downwardly along the downward incline of the sizer assemblies toward the forward posts 20. All but the larger size asparagus will initially drop between the rollers 80 of the upper sizer assembly so that the larger size asparagus will drop into the collecting channel 42 when moving past the intermediate posts 22. The asparagus of smaller or intermediate size will therefore drop onto the lower sizer assembly 32 in order to separate them into the smaller size asparagus and the intermediate size asparagus respectively collected in the channels 34 and 36. Accordingly, the length of the lower sizer assembly will be substantialy equal to the length of the rollers 80 associated with the upper sizer assembly, both sizer assemblies having roller shafts having lower end portions respectively disposed above collecting channels on opposite sides of the intermediate posts 22. The journal assemblies at the lower ends of the sizer assemblies will be protected by the water slinger elements 144 while additional protection will be provided for the journal assemblies associated with the lower ends of the roller shafts 122 by the deflector elements. A more accurate and eificient sizing machine is therefore realized.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows.

1. A size grading machine, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) at least two rows of generally vertically spaced elongated rollers rotatably mounted by the frame at a downward incline, the first and upper row of rollers having an upper entry end and a lower end, said upper row of rollers being disposed in coacting pairs and having first grading sections and said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage therebetween of all but the greatest size of a product, said upper row of rollers also having a shorter second grading section of reduced diameter near the lower end for passage of said largest size product therebetween into a first receiving means; (c) the second and lower row of rollers being vertically disposed substantially entirely below and generally parallel to the first grading sections of the rollers in the upper row, said lower rollers including at least two grading sections and disposed in coacting pairs, said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage respectively therebetween of the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product, the first grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage of the smallest size product extending over the upper and greater portion of said lower rollers and a shorter second grading section of said lower row of rollers of reduced diameter for passage therebetween of the intermediate size product extending over the lower portion of said lower rollers; and (d) second and third receiving means disposed below said lower row of rollers beneath said first and second grading sections for receiving the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product respectively.

2. A size grading machine, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) at least two rows of generally vertically spaced elongated rollers rotatably mounted by the frame at a downward incline, the first and upper row of rollers having an upper entry end and a lower end, said upper row of rollers being disposed in coacting pairs and having first grading sections and said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage therebetween of all but the greatest size of a product, said upper row of rollers also having a shorter second grading section of reduced diameter near the lower end for passage of said largest size product therebetween into a first receiving means; (c) the second and lower row of rollers being vertically disposed substantially below and generally parallel to the first grading sections of the rollers in the upper row, said lower rollers including at least two grading sections and disposed in coacting pairs, said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage respectively therebetween of the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product, the first grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage therebetween of the smallest size product extending over the upper and greater portion of said lower rollers and a shorter second grading section of said lower row of rollers or reduced diameter for passage therebetween of the intermediate size product extending over the lower portion of said lower rollers; (d) second and third receiving means disposed below said lower row of rollers beneath said first and second grading sections for receiving the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product respectively; and (e) means on said frame for adjustably positioning one of each pair of coacting rollers in predetermined spaced relationship to the other of said pair of rollers.

3. A size grading machine, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) at least two rows of generally vertically spaced elongated rollers rotatably mounted on said frame at a downward incline, the first and upper row of rollers having an upper entry end and a lower end, said upper row of rollers being disposed in coacting pairs and having first grading sections and said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage therebetween of all but the greatest size of a product, said upper row of rollers also having a shorter second grading section of reduced diameter near the lower end for passage of said largest size product therebetween into a first receiving means; (c) the second and lower row of rollers being disposed vertically substantially entirely below and generally parallel to the first grading sections of the rollers in the upper row, said lower rollers including at least two grading sections of different diameter and disposed in coacting pairs, said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage respectively therebetween of the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product, the first grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage therebetween of the smallest size product and the second grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage of the intermediate size product; and (d) second and third receiving means disposed below said lower row of rollers beneath said grading sections for receiving the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product respectively.

4. A size grading machine, comprising: (a) a frame, (b) at least two rows of generally vertically spaced elongated rollers rotatably mounted by the frame at a downward incline, the first and upper row of rollers having an upper entry end and a lower end, said upper row of rollers being disposed in coacting, oppositely driven pairs and having first grading sections, said pairs being generally horizontally spaced for passage of all but the greatest size of a product through said first grading sections, said upper row of rollers having a shorter second grading section near the discharge end for passage therebetween of said largest size product into a first receiving means; (c) the second and lower row of rollers being disposed vertically substantially entirely below and generally parallel to the first grading sections of the rollers in the upper row, said lower row of rollers being disposed in oppositely driven, coacting pairs and including at least two grading sections being generally horizontally spaced for passage respectively of the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product, the first grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage therebetween of the smallest size product extending over the upper portion of said lower rollers and the second grading section of said lower row of rollers for passage therebetween of the intermediate size product being shorter than said first grading section and extending over the lower portion of said lower rollers; (d) second and third receiving means disposed below said lower row of rollers beneath said first and second grading sections for receiving the smallest and intermediate sizes of said product respectively; and (e) means for delivering various sized products to the upper entry end of said upper row of rollers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,421 2/ 1903 Carnochan 209-407 754,390 3/ 1904 Riddlebaugh 209-l07 2,989,180 6/1961 Merrick 209-l07 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A SIZE GRADING MACHINE, COMPRISING: (A) A FRAME; (B) AT LEAST TWO ROWS OF GENERALLY VERTICALLY SPACED ELONGATED ROLLERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED BY THE FRAME AT A DOWNWARD INCLINE, THE FIRST AND UPPER ROW OF ROLLERS HAVING AN UPPER ENTRY END AND A LOWER END, SAID UPPER ROW OF ROLLERS BEING DISPOSED IN COACTING PAIRS AND HAVING FIRST GRADING SECTIONS AND SAID PAIRS BEING GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY SPACED FOR PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN OF ALL BUT THE GREATEST SIZE OF A PRODUCT, SAID UPPER ROW OF ROLLERS ALSO HAVING A SHORTER SECOND GRADING SECTION OF REDUCED DIAMETER NEAR THE LOWER END FOR PASSAGE OF SAID LARGEST SIZE PRODUCT THEREBETWEEN INTO A FIRST RECEIVING MEANS; (C) THE SECOND AND LOWER ROW OF ROLLERS BEING VERTICALLY DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY ENTIRELY BELOW AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE FIRST GRADING SECTIONS OF THE ROLLERS IN THE UPPER ROW, SAID LOWER ROLLERS INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO GRADING SECTIONS AND DISPOSED IN COACTING PAIRS, SAID PAIRS BEING GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY SPACED FOR PASSAGE RESPECTIVELY THEREBETWEEN OF THE SMALLEST AND INTERMEDIATE SIZES OF SAID PRODUCT, THE FIRST GRADING SECTION OF SAID LOWER ROW OF ROLLERS FOR PASSAGE OF THE SMALLEST SIZE PRODUCT EXTENDING OVER THE UPPER AND GREATER PORTION OF SAID LOWER ROLLERS AND A SHORTER SECOND GRADING SECTION OF SAID LOWER ROW OF ROLLERS OF REDUCED DIAMETER FOR PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN OF THE INTERMEDIATE SIZE PRODUCT EXTENDING OVER THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID LOWER ROLLERS; AND (D) SECOND AND THIRD RECEIVING MEANS DISPOSED BELOW SAID LOWER ROW OF ROLLERS BENEATH SAID FIRST AND SECOND GRADING SECTIONS FOR RECEIVING THE SMALLEST AND INTERMEDIATE SIZES OF SAID PRODUCT RESPECTIVELY.

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