WO2012125026A1 - Apparatus for sorting products - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for sorting products comprising, -for conveying the products, at least a single row of carriers (2) tiltable to two sides, with fixed intermediate distances or pitch distances, wherein each carrier (2) is connected to a carrier connecting piece (20) through a hinge device (23,24,26), wherein the carrier connecting piece (20) is connected to two parallel endless conveyors (la, lb) which are housed in a frame (30) and wherein each hinge device (23,24,26) at its underside is provided with a tipping device (29a).

Description

Title: Apparatus for sorting products

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sorting products labeled according to a grading regulation, wherein the products are conveyed in a conveying direction, comprising:

- for conveying the products, at least a single row of carriers tiltable to two sides, with fixed intermediate distances or pitch distances,

wherein each carrier is connected to a carrier connecting piece through a hinge device,

wherein the carrier connecting piece is connected to two parallel endless conveyors which are housed in a frame, and

wherein each hinge device at its underside is provided with a tipping device,

- a drive unit for driving said conveyors,

- receiving units, arranged substantially under said conveyors for receiving said labeled products after discharge from the carriers; and

- as part of the tipping device, at least a single steer, arranged adjacent a said receiving unit, substantially between and slightly below said parallel conveyors, for energizing the tipping device for sideward tipping and thereby discharging a said product.

More particularly, the invention concerns the sorting of large products, for example, relatively large and relatively heavy products, such as melons.

Generally known is sorting by, e.g., weight, whereby the weight determination is processed in a processor or computer according to a well-defined grading regulation into, and treated as, a sorting label or sorting feature. Based on this, in a conventional manner, ejection devices or discharge stations are thereupon controlled to eject and deliver the products, for example, to packaging tracks. Such an apparatus with tipping device is known from JP57019221. In this publication, cups for conveying and sorting fruits and vegetables are used which are tiltable to both sides of the conveyor. For the stability of the cups, the cups are not carried along with a single guide, for example, centrally under the cup, but are supported on both sides by means of support connecting pieces which on these sides are connected with two parallel endless conveyors. For tilting, this design comprises a hinge device with steering device or tipping device substantially between and slightly below these conveyors. The part of the tipping device connected to the cup comprises a set of rods, functioning as a hinge device, consisting of two (pairs of; downstream and upstream) identical rods which are each connected to a side of the cup, cross each other, and by their other end are connected to sliding supports sliding over a transverse shaft. While for the conveying position, with the cup horizontal, sliding supports, which function as steer, stand apart through a tension spring, the rod system, by a pusher being pushed against the left-hand or right-hand support, and hence against the spring force, can rotate about the various pivots, allowing the cup to be tilted to one direction or the other, whereby a product carried along on the cup is thus discharged.

Furthermore, from WO9009944 a sorting apparatus is known with trays mutually connected as carts, the apparatus having for each tray,

- a rod system of mutually hinging rods, and

- a wheel which can be passed into a rail guide to therewith rotate the rods and thus tilt a tray.

Not only do the rod systems from these documents constitute a complex construction, but also the energization thereof, and hence the pushing, requires comparatively much energy.

To simplify to a far-reaching extent both the makeup of such a complex construction and the operation thereof, the apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the tipping device comprises: - a rudder, pivotable about a rudder pivot arranged in a carrier support of the carrier, the rudder being operated by the steer, and

- a pusher, for pushing via the rudder against the carrier for tilting the carrier about the tilting pin.

With great advantage, this allows heavy products such as melons to be sorted and delivered or discharged, utilizing the reaction force of the frame. Complex rod systems and the heavy-duty drive necessary therefor are thereby rendered superfluous.

With advantage, in a simple manner, large pushing forces can be exerted so that with such an apparatus relatively heavy products such as melons can be sorted in a reliable manner.

According to a further elaboration the rudder pivot is parallel to the conveying direction. Alternatively, the rudder pivot may be perpendicular to the conveying direction.

According to a further elaboration the pusher comprises a guide curve fixed to the frame.

According to a further elaboration the carrier support and the carrier connecting pieces are each pivotably connected to a connecting arm, in particular via respective pivots. These pivots are, in particular,

substantially parallel to each other, and in particular can be substantially parallel to the conveying direction.

The connecting arm may, for example, be movable between a conveying position and a weighing position.

According to a further elaboration, the rudder is suspended at the underside of the carrier supports, for example, in an initial vertical position in a condition not engaged by the pusher.

According to a further elaboration each connecting piece is provided with a tilting pin slot to guide a vertical movement thereof, in particular via a tilting pin (extending into that tilting pin slot) connected to the connecting piece. The steer mentioned may be arranged to turn the rudder from an initial position to a carrier tilting position, in which carrier tilting position the rudder is engageable by the pusher for the purpose of tilting the carrier.

The pusher mentioned can comprise at least one rudder guide curve to engage a rudder brought into a carrier tilting position, the rudder guide curve ascending, viewed in the conveying direction T, for the purpose of pushing up the rudder brought into the carrier tilting position.

Further particulars and possibilities of the present invention will be elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIGURE 1 is an isometric elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGURES 2A, 2B, 2C are elevational views of a part of FIGURE 1, viewed in the conveying direction, for the conveying position, the tilting position, and the weighing position;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric elevational view of a part of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric elevational view of another part of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the part according to FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic side elevational view of a part of an exemplary embodiment.

In the different FIGURES like parts, components or designations are numbered and denoted in a like manner.

In FIGURE 1 an isometric elevational view is shown of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.

As mentioned, the apparatus comprises at least a single row of carriers 2 tiltable to two sides, with fixed intermediate distances or pitch distances.

Further, the apparatus comprises two parallel endless conveyor parts la, lb of an endless conveyor 1, housed in a frame 30. The two parallel endless conveyor parts la, lb extend in mutually spaced relation (see FIG. 1). The conveyor 1 is drivable by a drive M (schematically represented in FIG. 6).

Each carrier 2 is connected through a hinge device 23, 24, 26 to at least one carrier connecting piece 20, which carrier connecting piece 20 is connected to the two parallel endless conveyor parts la, lb of the endless conveyor 1.

The apparatus is provided with a number of receiving units H

(schematically represented in FIG. 6), arranged at a level substantially below the conveyor 1, for receiving the labeled products after discharge from the carriers 2.

The apparatus comprises a tipping device (i.e., tilting mechanism) comprising at least one steer 34a, 34b (see FIGS. 4, 5), arranged adjacent a receiving unit as mentioned, in particular substantially between and slightly below the parallel conveyors la, lb. The steer 34a, 34b can serve to energize the tipping device, at least, to cooperate with a part of the tipping device associated with that carrier (viz., a rudder 29a) during the passage of that carrier 2, for tilting the carrier.

The tipping device comprises in particular a rudder 29a, associated with a carrier 2, pivotable about a rudder pivot 29b arranged in a carrier support 27 of the respective carrier. In particular, each carrier 2 is provided with a rudder 29a. The rudder 29a is operable during use by the steer 34a, 34b (at least, during passage of the corresponding carrier 2).

Further, the tipping device comprises a pusher 3 which is arranged for pushing via the rudder 29a against the carrier 2, to thereby tilt the carrier 2 about a tilting pin. An example of the pusher 3, which, in particular, is disposed immovably with respect to the frame 30 and, in particular, is fixed to the frame 30, will be discussed in more detail below (see also FIGS. 4, 5).

As follows from the drawing, the carrier 2 with a cup 28 may be connected through support connecting pieces 20 to an above-mentioned endless conveyor 1 with which the carrier can be advanced in a conveying direction T. In this example, the endless conveyor consists of two endless chains la, lb. It is shown how the connecting pieces 20 may be connected with both chains la, lb, for example, with snap fit pieces. This allows heavy products such as melons, broccoli, or cauliflowers, to be conveyed, weighed, and sorted in a very stable manner. To those skilled in the art it will be clear that such a conveyor is driven, for example, with a combination of a driving motor and sprocket wheels, this combination being housed in a frame or housing 30, see the discussion of FIGS. 4 and 5 further down.

The connection, attachment, and coupling of a cup 28 with the support connecting pieces 20 is obtained in this exemplary embodiment with:

- a connecting arm 24 functioning as intermediate piece between the cup 28 and the two intermediate connecting pieces 20, upstream and downstream,

- a connecting arm pivot 23 which connects the connecting arm 24 pivotably with the connecting pieces 20, and

- a tilting pivot 26 which connects the connecting arm 24 pivotably with carrier supports 27 on which the cup 28 is mounted or which may be integral therewith, for example of a suitable plastic.

The pivots 23, 26 mentioned are located in the conveying direction T. Further details in FIG. 1, in which the carrier 2 is represented in a tilted position, include lower edges or supporting surfaces 25 of the carrier supports 27 which in the conveying position rest on shoulder surfaces 21a, 21b, and rest slopes 22 on which the carrier 2 rests in the depicted tilted position. Furthermore, a tilting pin slot 26a is provided in each connecting piece 27 to guide a vertical movement thereof.

A further part of the apparatus is a tipping device as mentioned, of which one part (viz., the rudder 29a) is connected with the carrier 2 (at least, is part of the carrier 2). Another part of the tipping device (viz., the pusher 3 mentioned) is connected with the frame 30.

More particularly, suspended from the underside of the carrier supports 27 is a rudder 29a as mentioned, pivotable about a rudder pivot 29b. In particular, the rudder 29a is suspended in an initial vertical position, in a condition not engaged by the pusher (as in FIG. 2A), and, for example, centrally with respect to the carrier 2 extending above it (as in the drawing) in an initial condition not engaged by the pusher.

Preferably, the rudder 29a is suspended while somewhat clamped with the aid of a spring 29c. Such clamping is especially applied to prevent the rudder 29a, in case of free rotation, from swinging back and forth, and thereby tapping and flapping against parts of the frame 30, resulting in friction and wear. Further details of this will be elucidated below with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 4 and 5.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that pivots and holes therefor are so dimensioned that the mutually linked parts 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29a, 29b are freely rotatable with respect to each other.

With such a connecting arm 24, both slight lifting and rotation of the carrier support 27 is made possible. In FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C it is represented in more detail what positions the above-mentioned parts take up with respect to each other upon such movements.

In FIG. 2A the conveying position is represented. The cup 28 then sits substantially horizontally, and the carrier supports 27 on the upstream and downstream side rest by their supporting surfaces 25 on shoulder surfaces 21a, 21b. In this exemplary embodiment the connecting arm 24 also takes up a horizontal position. It is noted that horizontal and vertical are understood to refer to directions with respect to gravity. As appears from the drawing, the rudder 29a in the conveying position can be, for example, in an initial vertical position. In FIG. 2B a tilted position is represented. The rudder 29a has here been brought, for example, in a carrier tilting position (by a steer as mentioned). By pushing against the rudder 29a from a rudder guide curve 33, the carrier 2 is lifted and rotated or tilted about the tilting pin 26. In FIG. 2B the beginning of tilting is shown, from the conveying position to the end position. In the end position or discharge position for delivering or discharging the products carried along, the underside of the cup 28 rests on rest slopes 22. Further details on pushing and discharge will be elucidated hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 2C the weighing position is represented. From the conveying position according to FIG. 2A, the carrier 2 is slightly lifted to be dragged over a load cell, weighing cell, or weighbridge. A weighing is thereby carried out, while in this position the supporting surfaces 25 do not rest on the shoulder surfaces 21a, 21b but the cup 28 is substantially situated in a horizontal position. In a known manner, the cups 28 are raised to some extent over slopes arranged upstream of the load cells, weighing cells, or weighbridges, with generally known means, parts, or components, such as cams, at the underside of the cups 28. Such details or parts of such a load cell, weighing cell, or weighbridge, are not shown in these Figures.

In FIG. 3 a detail of the apparatus according to FIG. 1 is shown. In particular, FIG. 3 represents the attachment of the connecting arm 24 to, on the one hand, a carrier support 27 via the connecting arm pivot 23 and, on the other hand, the tilting pin 26 whose vertical movement is limited in the tilting pin slot 26a. The further connection of this tilting pin 26 with the carrier support 27, in the present exemplary embodiment at the depicted end of the tilting pin 26, is not represented.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 another part of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention is represented. More particularly, it concerns the other part of the tipping device, viz., a pusher 3, fixedly arranged on the frame 30, adjacent a receiving unit where the products are discharged and received for further processing, for example, packaging. In FIG. 4 an isometric elevational view of the pusher is shown, while in FIG. 5 a top plan thereof is shown. In FIG. 5 the conveying direction T is indicated again.

More in detail, guide plates 31 are shown, with 31a, 31b shown in detail in FIG. 5, between which the rudder 29a is guided so that the rudder 29a in vertical position can be pushed-on by a steer with steering blades 34a, 34b, also called switches or switching blades. During passage of the rudder, the steer can turn the rudder from an initial rudder position (shown in FIG. 2A), in particular, to a carrier tilting position. In case at the location of the steer no product needs to be delivered or discharged, the steer lets the rudder 29a pass unengaged, and the rudder 29a proceeds straight on and the carrier 2 remains in the conveying position as represented in FIG. 2A.

In the example, each pusher 3 comprises two rudder guide curves 33a, 33b, extending opposite to each other, arranged to engage a rudder 29a of an approaching carrier 2, brought in a suitable carrier tilting position. Each rudder guide curve 33a, 33b ascends, viewed in the conveying direction T, for the purpose of pushing up the rudder 29a brought into the carrier tilting position, during passage of the associated carrier 2.

In the case of discharge, either steering blade 34a or steering blade

34b can respectively guide the rudder 29a to a first rudder guide curve 33b or a second rudder guide curve 33a. By following such a curve 33, for instance a position is obtained as represented in FIG. 2B, where, more particularly, steering blade 34a has been energized, and rudder 29a, viewed in the conveying direction T, has been pushed to the left to proceed to follow the first rudder guide curve 33b. Because the two rudder guide curves 33a, 33b, are fixedly connected with the frame 30, in this manner a pushing force is exerted via the rudder 29a on the connecting arm 24 and on the carrier supports 27, whereby tilting about the tilting pin 26 is obtained. It is precisely the fixed connection with the frame 30 that makes it possible to exert large pushing forces in case of large weights or masses of large products such as melons. Energization of the steering blades 34a, 34b takes place in a known manner with electromagnets, the steering blades 34a, 34b rotating about steering blade pivots in steering blade pivot holes 32a, 32b. In FIG. 4 only these pivot holes 32 are shown to make the relief of the curves 33 more visible.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a housing or frame 30 is identified. Conventionally, this is understood to mean a system or array of struts, shores and beams in which inter alia the parts of such a conveyor are arranged, suspended and included.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that many variants and modifications are possible. For example, it is possible to use a rudder which in the conveying position extends from the carrier vertically downwards and is then rotatable about this vertical direction, while just under the insertion- rotation point a sideward bend is provided. Turning against the bend part and pushing against the end of the bend part provides a similar manner of tilting, and hence delivery and discharge of a product.

Furthermore, in respect of the present exemplary embodiment, mention is made of a tilting pin 26a in the connecting arm 24, these components forming part of a hinge device. Such hinge devices may be implemented in multiple generally known ways. Also, instead of choosing pivots extending in the conveying direction T, other directions and transmissions may be chosen.

A further important use may involve the choice of the materials of the parts. Such choices also are generally known to those skilled in the art and are determined by requirements inter alia in the area of friction, climate, and operating conditions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the rudder 29a may be so designed that a small guide wheel of suitable material is mounted at the lower end of the rudder 29a to thereby obtain suitable guiding over such a rudder guide curve 33.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that small changes, deviations, or variants of the apparatus as described above are understood to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sorting products labeled according to a grading regulation, wherein the products are conveyed in a conveying direction T, comprising:

- for conveying the products, at least a single row of carriers (2) tiltable to two sides, with fixed intermediate distances or pitch distances,

wherein each carrier (2) is connected to a carrier connecting piece (20) through a hinge device (23, 24, 26),

wherein the carrier connecting piece (20) is connected to two parallel endless conveyors (la, lb) which are housed in a frame (30);

- a drive unit for driving said conveyors (la, lb);

- receiving units, arranged substantially under said conveyors for receiving said labeled products after discharge from the carriers (2); and

- a tipping device comprising at least one steer (34a, 34b), arranged adjacent a said receiving unit, substantially between and slightly below said parallel conveyors (la, lb),

wherein the tipping device comprises:

- a rudder (29a), pivotable about a rudder pivot (29b) arranged in a carrier support (27) of the carrier, the rudder being operable by a said steer (34a, 34b), and

- a pusher (3), for pushing via the rudder (29a) against the carrier for tilting the carrier about a tilting pin.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the rudder pivot (29b) is parallel to the conveying direction.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the rudder pivot (29b) is perpendicular to the conveying direction.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pusher (3) comprises at least one guide curve (33) fixed to the frame (30).

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier support (27) and the carrier connecting pieces (20) are each pivotably connected with a connecting arm (24), with respective pivots (23, 26) substantially parallel to the conveying direction T.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the arm (24) is movable between a conveying position and a weighing position.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rudder (29a) is suspended at the underside of the carrier supports (27), in particular in an initial vertical position in a condition not engaged by the pusher.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tilting pin slot (26a) is provided in each connecting piece (27) to guide a vertical movement thereof, in particular via a tilting pin (26) connected to the connecting piece (27).

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (2) is bringable from a conveying position to a weighing position.

10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said steer (34a, 34b) is arranged to pivot the rudder (29a) from an initial position to a carrier tilting position, in which carrier tilting position the rudder is engageable by the pusher for the purpose of tilting the carrier (2).

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pusher (3) comprises at least one rudder guide curve (33a, 33b) to engage a rudder (29a) brought into a carrier tilting position, wherein the rudder guide curve (33a, 33b) ascends, viewed in the conveying direction T, for the purpose of pushing up the rudder (29a) brought into the carrier tilting position.