US3727542A - Installation for trimming mushrooms and other vegetables - Google Patents

Installation for trimming mushrooms and other vegetables Download PDF

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Publication number
US3727542A
US3727542A US00080837A US8083770A US3727542A US 3727542 A US3727542 A US 3727542A US 00080837 A US00080837 A US 00080837A US 8083770 A US8083770 A US 8083770A US 3727542 A US3727542 A US 3727542A
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United States
Prior art keywords
mushrooms
ducts
vibrating
receiving surfaces
vertically movable
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00080837A
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English (en)
Inventor
M Blanchaud
E Bournier
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR6935893A external-priority patent/FR2024730A5/fr
Priority claimed from FR7019635A external-priority patent/FR2059796A6/fr
Priority claimed from FR7022169A external-priority patent/FR2097251A6/fr
Priority claimed from FR7035041A external-priority patent/FR2094772A6/fr
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3727542A publication Critical patent/US3727542A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N15/00—Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs
    • A23N15/04—Devices for topping fruit or vegetables
    • A23N15/045—Devices for topping mushrooms

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This invention relates to a machine for cutting up mushrooms, first the roots and then the stem, this machine comprising a feed funnel, a vibrating table bringing the mushrooms in lines, feet first, to gripping components, the latter taking the mushrooms and bringing them above the cutting components, the dif ferent mushroom pieces being distributed separately into recuperation ducts.
  • This invention relates to an installation for automatically trimming mushrooms, particularly cultivated mushrooms, for canning as well as for presentation for sale as fresh destalked mushroom caps.
  • mushrooms When they have just been gathered, mushrooms have I a soil covered root that it is advisable to remove. This is trimming mushrooms and other vegetables, wherein said mushrooms are distributed into a feed funnel and on leaving it are automatically placed vertically by vibrating components so that their head faces components which grip them and take them near cutting tools to remove their root and cut theirstalk to the desired length.
  • FIG. 1 is a general view of the installation.
  • FIG. 2 shows in detail the components that move the mushrooms from the third vibrating table towards the gripping components.
  • FIG. 3 is a section along AA in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a section along B-B in FIG. 2.
  • FIGS. 5 to 8 show the positioning of components for transferring the mushrooms during the different moves.
  • FIGS. 9 to show the different operating phases of the gripping components.
  • FIG. 16 shows in detail the second vibrating table.
  • FIG. 17 shows in detail the third vibrating table, which positions samples in relation to i the gripping components.
  • the mushrooms 1 are previously graded according to cap diameter and are placed loose in a feed funnel 2.
  • This funnel leads to a first flat table 3 subjected to vibratory movement. This first vibrating table spreads the mushrooms out evenly when they fall from the feed funnel.
  • the mushrooms move forward from the first vibrating table 3 towards the second vibrating table 4, shown in detail in FIG. 16.
  • This table is fitted with an assembly of channels forming grooves 5, parallel to each other, stretching from the rear part, corresponding to where the mushrooms fall from the first vibrating table, to the front part, for distributing onto a third vibrating table whose construction details are stated later.
  • Each of the vibrating tables is slightly tilted, which also helps the mushrooms to topple over.
  • the mushrooms then fall into the components of a third vibrating table, shown in FIG. 17.
  • This third vibrating table is made up of a group of ducts 6 whose bases are slightly rounded or V-shaped in section. Each duct corresponds to each groove 5 on the second vibrating table 4; these ducts are parallel to each other and situated in the axis of advancement of the sheet of mushrooms to be treated. Their rear part comprises an opening 62 into which the mushrooms 1 fall after arriving at the end of the grooves S on the second vibrating table.
  • the top of the ducts is closed by a casing 8 whose rear part 8, is raised and serves as a deflector to send the mushrooms back towards the opening 7 should they have been thrown beyond this opening.
  • the other end of the casing 8 is bent round at 8 so as to leave at the duct outlets an opening only equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the mushrooms being treated.
  • At least one orifice I0 is made in the rear part of each closed duct 9, through which a jet of compressed air is distributed.
  • the group of ducts for distributing compressed air is connected up to a collector l 1.
  • FIG. 17 a part of the duct has been cut away to show the orifices 10.
  • the mushroom coming from moving table 4 may be in one of three positions:
  • cap at the top root downwards; in this case, the jet of compressed air moves the root forwards and the mushroom is in the desired position.
  • the mushroom falls flat, stalk towards the rear; in this case, the jet of air acts on the shape of the mushroom head and causes it to topple over.
  • the bent round part 8 of the upper casing will cause it to be positioned stem forwards by acting as a deflector channeling the current of air from orifices 10 in the rear part of the ducts.
  • the mushrooms are consequently positioned stem forwards, cap backwards. They then fall between fingers 12 between which the clearance is greater than the diameter of the root but less than that of the cap; the portion of the fingers in I contact with the underside of the mushroom cap is slightly triangular in order to reduce rubbing of the mushroom caps as they move along.
  • the fingers 12 are inserted into tubes 12, welded along the sides of the ducts.
  • the section comprising the ducts and the fingers attached to them is subjected to a vibrating action; the section forms the third vibrating table preceding arrival of the mushrooms into transfer devices.
  • Each of the three vibrating tables has an independent vibration system, so that it is possible to vary the intensity of the vibrations acting directly on the advance of the sheet of mushrooms from one: table in relationto another.
  • FIGS. 2 to 8 show the parts for transferring the mushrooms, from the end of the fingers forming part of the third vibrating table to the gripping components.
  • the mushrooms are thus positioned vertically on the fingers 12, the cap held horizontally, the stems between the fingers 12 forming part of the third vibrating table.
  • FIG. 3 The section of the vibrating table level with the fingers is shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with the section AA in FIG. 2, whilst the section of the portion of fingers 14 on the bar 13 is shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with the'section B-B in FIG. 2.
  • the height of the bar 13 is approximately twice that of the third vibrating table, and is mounted on a jack 15. This jack can lower the bar 13 and the mushrooms inserted into parts 14 supported by the bar.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show the mushrooms 1 in their portions of fingers 14.
  • Another support 16 also bearing other portions of fingers 17 on its upper part, is positioned below the suction cups 20 for taking hold of the mushrooms 1 to be trimmed.
  • the blade includes a pusher l8 which acts on the cap of each mushroom in the portions of fingers 17 fixed on the support 16.
  • the device functions as follows:
  • the mushrooms are at the end of the fingers on the third vibrating table and pass from this table into the portions of fingers 14; this action occurs all along the width of the vibrating table, governed by the number of ducts making up the said table.
  • the mushrooms are all set in line by a stop 21 which places them on the same level; this stop is mounted on two pivots which allow it to turn forwards about 20.
  • the bar 13 When the bar 13 returns to its highest point, it brings the stop to its vertical position at the same time; when the bar 13 descends, the stop turns 20 forwards under the action of the spiral spring, so as to prevent mushrooms remaining hanging blocked against the stop by the thrust of the line of mushrooms on the vibrating fingers.
  • the jack 15 is set in action and, by retracting, draws along the bar 13 and the portions of fingers 14, as well as the mushrooms held by them. The bar 13 is then positioned as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the mushroom is moved from the portions of fingers 14 on bar 13, towards other portions of fingers 17 mounted on the support 16.
  • the mushroom l is taken up by the gripping component 20 (a hollow suction cup), which carries it along as illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • the gripping components are shown in FIGS. 9 to 15.
  • the jack 27 is retracted, lifting with it the tube 23 by means of the stop 25.
  • a main jack 28 extended when the mushrooms are taken, retracts to bring the gripping device above a set of knives described later.
  • the jack 27 is again extended, so leaving the tube 23 free. At this moment, the mushroom 1 comes to rest on a plate 29.
  • the bar 26 completely frees the stop 25, in this way letting the mushroom rest on the plate 29 by its stem, whatever the length of the stem (see FIG. 12).
  • the tube 23 is then blocked in this position by an additional jack 30.
  • the plate 29 moves out of the way and the two cutting blades 31, each controlled by a jack, then enter into action, said blades cutting through the part of the mushroom stem 1 including the roots, this part falling into a tube 32 (see FIG. 13).
  • the additional jack 30 frees the tube 23 and the jack 27 then rises to its top position, as shown in FIG. 10. At this moment, a small jack 33 enters into action, moving forward a stop 34 on which, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the bar 26 comes to rest.
  • the tube 32 forms part of a partitioned group, the partitions comprising flaps to guide the different parts out from the mushrooms.
  • the waste bits fall directly into the first tube 32, whence they are removed.
  • a flap 35 is turned down so as to seal the tube 32 for recuperating waste and to steer the severed stems into a tube 36 whence they are likewise removed.
  • the mushroom heads are separated from the suction cups 20 when the vacuum is broken in the tubes 23.
  • a second flap 37 has been turned down so as to seal tube 36 and the mushroom heads slide over the first flap 35 sealing tube 32, over the second flap 37 sealing tube 36, and fall into tube 38, whence they are likewise removed.
  • the mushrooms then follow the circuit. However, the mushrooms not taken up by the gripping components are remomoved into a funnel 39 leading into a pipe 40 connected to a centrifugal ventilator 41. The mushrooms collected in the pipe 40 follow its path and are brought back into the feed funnel 2 to be distributed on the first vibrating table 3 (see FIG. 1
  • An apparatus for trimming mushrooms which include a root, stem and cap, said apparatus comprising:
  • a vibrating table in juxtaposition with said feed funnel, said vibrating table having a plurality of parallel channels on the top surface thereof;
  • alignment means for aligning the mushroom cap and stem in a predetermined manner substantially adjacent said vibrating table, said alignment means including a plurality of ducts, each duct being aligned with one of the channels of said vibrating table;
  • vacuum means for securing the cap of a mushroom in juxtaposition with each of said ducts, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushrooms from said alignment means;
  • said alignment means comprises:
  • a vibrating member upon which is disposed said plurality of ducts, said ducts being parallel to each other;
  • a vertically movable member in spaced relation to said extension members and having receiving surfaces in cooperative relationship with each of said extension members for receiving the mushrooms.
  • said alignment means includes a source of compressed air aligned with said ducts for moving the mushrooms along said ducts to said extension members.
  • An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member and means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to a lower vertical position.
  • said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member.
  • An apparatus for trimming mushrooms having a cap, stem and root comprising:
  • a feed funnel for holding the mushrooms to be trimmed; b. a first vibrating member in uxtapositlon to said feed funnel;
  • a second vibrating member substantially adjacent to and vertically lower than said first vibrating member, said second vibrating member having a plurality of channels parallel to each other end being graduated in depth;
  • a third vibrating member vertically lower than said second vibrating member and having a plurality of parallel ducts aligned with and substantially adjacent the channels of said second vibrating member and extended fingers depending outwardly from said third vibrating member opposite said second vibrating member, said extended fingers being parallel and intersticial with said ducts whereby the mushrooms are supported on said extended fingers when emitted from said ducts;
  • a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member when said vertically movable member is in a lower vertical position;
  • moving means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to the lower vertical position
  • vacuum means for securing the cap ofa mushroom in juxtaposition with each of the receiving surfaces of said holding member, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushroom from the receiving surfaces of said holding member;
  • said third vibrating member includes a source of compressed air aligned with each of said ducts for moving mushrooms along said ducts to said extending fingers.
  • said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles To Conveyors (AREA)
US00080837A 1969-10-20 1970-10-15 Installation for trimming mushrooms and other vegetables Expired - Lifetime US3727542A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR6935893A FR2024730A5 (en) 1969-10-20 1969-10-20 Trimming mushrooms and other vegetables
FR7019635A FR2059796A6 (en) 1969-10-20 1970-05-28 Trimming mushrooms and other vegetables
FR7022169A FR2097251A6 (en) 1969-10-20 1970-06-16 Trimming mushrooms and other vegetables
FR7035041A FR2094772A6 (en) 1969-10-20 1970-09-28 Trimming mushrooms and other vegetables

Publications (1)

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US3727542A true US3727542A (en) 1973-04-17

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US00080837A Expired - Lifetime US3727542A (en) 1969-10-20 1970-10-15 Installation for trimming mushrooms and other vegetables

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US (1) US3727542A (ja)
AT (1) AT308313B (ja)
BE (1) BE756996A (ja)
BG (1) BG20075A3 (ja)
CA (1) CA926722A (ja)
CH (1) CH517447A (ja)
DE (1) DE2050654C3 (ja)
GB (1) GB1318988A (ja)
HU (1) HU162935B (ja)
IL (1) IL35475A (ja)
LU (1) LU61817A1 (ja)
NL (1) NL7015031A (ja)
PL (1) PL81053B1 (ja)
RO (1) RO56594A (ja)
SE (1) SE366460B (ja)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5495797A (en) * 1992-01-31 1996-03-05 S.A. Royal Champignon Device for automatically processing mushrooms at an optimum processing rate
US20150173404A1 (en) * 2013-12-21 2015-06-25 John Heffernan Potato chip crumb condiments

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4901841A (en) * 1987-04-13 1990-02-20 Kirby Lester, Inc. Parts sorter
CN112956715A (zh) * 2021-03-15 2021-06-15 安徽栋泰农业科技发展有限公司 一种多工位一体式南瓜去蒂装置及其实施方法

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2383228A (en) * 1941-01-13 1945-08-21 Fmc Corp Method and apparatus for preparing asparagus or the like
US2621692A (en) * 1949-09-30 1952-12-16 Joe R Urschel Mushroom trimming machine
US2638949A (en) * 1951-11-30 1953-05-19 Brandywine Mushroom Corp Mushroom trimming machine
US2978003A (en) * 1957-07-16 1961-04-04 Benekam William Floating mushroom root trimming machine
US3164182A (en) * 1960-10-26 1965-01-05 American Mushroom Inst Machine for stem-cutting and sizing of mushrooms
US3179138A (en) * 1962-07-31 1965-04-20 Myers Canning Company Mushroom trimmer
US3396766A (en) * 1966-08-22 1968-08-13 Artichoke Ind Inc Artichoke machine
US3463212A (en) * 1967-11-02 1969-08-26 Univ Tennessee Res Corp Okra orienter and trimmer
DE1937393A1 (de) * 1968-07-26 1970-01-29 Interet Collectif Agricole Mar Maschine zum Bearbeiten der Boeden oder der Fruechte einer mit Deckblaettern versehenen Pflanze,insbesondere von Artischockenboeden
US3537495A (en) * 1967-07-28 1970-11-03 William S Pearson Mushroom cutting machine
US3596693A (en) * 1968-04-18 1971-08-03 American Specialty Foods Inc Mushroom-handling apparatus

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2383228A (en) * 1941-01-13 1945-08-21 Fmc Corp Method and apparatus for preparing asparagus or the like
US2621692A (en) * 1949-09-30 1952-12-16 Joe R Urschel Mushroom trimming machine
US2638949A (en) * 1951-11-30 1953-05-19 Brandywine Mushroom Corp Mushroom trimming machine
US2978003A (en) * 1957-07-16 1961-04-04 Benekam William Floating mushroom root trimming machine
US3164182A (en) * 1960-10-26 1965-01-05 American Mushroom Inst Machine for stem-cutting and sizing of mushrooms
US3179138A (en) * 1962-07-31 1965-04-20 Myers Canning Company Mushroom trimmer
US3396766A (en) * 1966-08-22 1968-08-13 Artichoke Ind Inc Artichoke machine
US3537495A (en) * 1967-07-28 1970-11-03 William S Pearson Mushroom cutting machine
US3463212A (en) * 1967-11-02 1969-08-26 Univ Tennessee Res Corp Okra orienter and trimmer
US3596693A (en) * 1968-04-18 1971-08-03 American Specialty Foods Inc Mushroom-handling apparatus
DE1937393A1 (de) * 1968-07-26 1970-01-29 Interet Collectif Agricole Mar Maschine zum Bearbeiten der Boeden oder der Fruechte einer mit Deckblaettern versehenen Pflanze,insbesondere von Artischockenboeden

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5495797A (en) * 1992-01-31 1996-03-05 S.A. Royal Champignon Device for automatically processing mushrooms at an optimum processing rate
US20150173404A1 (en) * 2013-12-21 2015-06-25 John Heffernan Potato chip crumb condiments
US9545118B2 (en) * 2013-12-21 2017-01-17 John Heffernan Potato chip crumb condiments

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE366460B (ja) 1974-04-29
LU61817A1 (ja) 1971-04-28
CH517447A (fr) 1972-01-15
CA926722A (en) 1973-05-22
AT308313B (de) 1973-06-25
HU162935B (ja) 1973-05-28
NL7015031A (ja) 1971-04-22
DE2050654C3 (de) 1974-01-17
DE2050654A1 (de) 1971-05-13
PL81053B1 (ja) 1975-08-30
BE756996A (fr) 1971-03-16
BG20075A3 (ja) 1975-10-30
RO56594A (ja) 1974-07-01
IL35475A0 (en) 1970-12-24
IL35475A (en) 1974-07-31
DE2050654B2 (de) 1973-06-07
GB1318988A (en) 1973-05-31

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