WO2021125938A1

WO2021125938A1 - Transfer device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2021125938A1
Application number: PCT/NL2020/050707
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cor POPPE
Original assignee: D. T. Dijkstra B.V.
Priority date: 2019-11-10
Filing date: 2020-11-10
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: NL2024205B1; NL2024205A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transfer device (1) for transfer of vulnerable products, such as tubers, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, in a downward direction over a height difference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a container, with a channel assembly (2) comprising: a transfer channel (7) at least partially bridging the height difference, for therethrough transferring of the products, a channel boundary member (5) forming a boundary of the channel (7) at one side thereof, at least one deceleration member (4), or a series thereof, for decelerating products during a downward movement, wherein the at least one deceleration member (4) is arranged on one side opposite to the channel boundary member (5) and the at least one deceleration member (4) is arranged and/or adapted to the product to be transferred in such a way that the at least one deceleration member (4)decelerates the products during downward movement.

Description

TRANSFER DEVICE AND METHOD

The present invention relates to a transfer device for transfer of vulnerable products, such as tubers, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, in a downward direc tion over a height difference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a container.

It is known to transfer products from a higher level to a lower level. When such transfer can be performed over a relatively large distance, it is common to use a conveyor with a thereto suitable slope. For example when sorting crops, such as bulbs or tubers, the crops are transferred to crates after sorting thereof. This often involves a sup ply flow of products or crops.

When transferring of crops from a higher conveyor to a lower crate two problems arise. The first problem is aimed at saving the products or crops in such a sense that the products or crops are not damaged during transfer to the lower level. The second problem is aimed at interrupt ing of the flow of products when the first crate is full and the second crate is to be placed at the location of the first crate. The present invention is for example conceived and applicable when filling of crates with potatoes with a content of about 2 m³ and about a filling weight of pota toes of 1200 kg.

In this context, goals of the present invention are firstly aimed at addressing the first problem and secondly aimed at addressing the second problem.

In order to achieve this, the present invention pro vides a transfer device for transfer of vulnerable prod ucts, such as tubers, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, in a downward direction over a height difference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a container, the transfer device comprising:

- a channel assembly comprising:

- a transfer channel at least partially bridging the height difference, for therethrough transferring of the products,

- a channel boundary member forming a boundary of the channel at one side thereof,

- at least one deceleration member, or a series thereof, for decelerating products during a downward move ment, wherein

- the at least one deceleration member is arranged on one side opposite to the general boundary member,

- the at least one deceleration member is arranged and/or adapted to the product to be transferred in such a way that the at least one deceleration member decelerates the products during downward movement.

An advantage of such a device according to the pre sent invention is that the products are decelerated by each of the at least one deceleration member during a downward movement, such as a falling movement, wherein the products are treated product friendly or product saving during the downward movement. The speed of the product is preferably decreased in such a way with each of the at least one de celeration member, that damage to the product is prevented, but also that contact between successive products is pre vented in such a way that substantially an earlier product passed the deceleration member before the second product reaches it. It will not be possible to fully prevent such contact for each instance of two successive products, but depending on product parameters, treatment parameters, such as pass-through speed, supply speed and characteristics of parts of the transfer device, such as characteristics of the deceleration member and the channel boundary member within the understanding of the present invention may be applied for a preferred result.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the decel eration member is arranged and/or adapted to the products to be transferred such that the deceleration member deforms on contact and/or passing of the product. A deceleration member is producible from a flexible material, or assem blies of flexible materials. A deceleration member is for example manufacturable from a rubber material or a rubber material with an enforcement incorporated therein. Within the understanding of the present invention, for each appli cation a suitable material may be determined. The decelera tion member is here with for example formed as a flap.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the de celeration member is divided in strips or tracks adjacently arranged, such as formed by means of incisions or punches. Advantages thereof is that in a for example with direction, a number of products can passed the deceleration member side-by-side with a time overlap in it. With this, mutual contact between the products is prevented because they can pass next to each other. During passage of a product, merely the flap or the flaps at the location of the product that are touched by the product deform. With this, the other strips or tracks of the deceleration member remain in the non-deformed position because of which these can also decelerate products while the earlier said product passes the deceleration member. This for example prevents a number of products that pass the deceleration member shortly after an earlier product from not experiencing the deceleration function by a the formation of the whole deceleration mem ber, and therefore passed the deceleration member without deceleration and/or with increasing speed before it had come back to the non-deformed state. Preferably, an end of an incision or punch is pro vided with means, such as and 'eye-cutout' for the purpose of preventing of wear to the deceleration member at the lo cation of an end of such an incision or cutout. As a fur ther advantage thereof, the deceleration function is pre dictable for a long service time.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the width of the strips or tracks of the deceleration member is dimensioned relative to an intended product such that the intended product touches a limited number of strips or tracks during passing of the deceleration member, such as up to two strips or tracks. With this, it is advantageously achieved that preferably the width of the number of strips or tracks that is touched by a product is minimized. With this, it is furthermore advantageously achieved that the deceleration force or deceleration effect is as predictable as possible. Furthermore, it is realized that other prod ucts are affected as little as possible of a slightly ear lier passing product.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the de celeration member is arranged and/or adapted to the product to be transferred that the speed of the products to be transferred decelerates to substantially half, preferably to substantially half to a third, preferably to substan tially a third to a fourth, further preferably to substan tially a fourth to a fifth, further preferably to substan tially a fifth to a fixed, further preferably tube substan tially a sixth to a seventh, further preferably substan tially a seventh to a tenth, further preferably to substan tially a tenth to five hundredths, further preferably to substantially five hundredths to one hundredth of the speed it had reaching the respective deceleration member. The pa rameters of the deceleration member leading to such a device and/or adaptation of the deceleration member may be chosen within the understanding of the present invention based on for example functional parameters as pass-through speed of the products, supply speed of the products or amount of product per time unit, further exemplary in de pendence of acceptable amounts of products that touch each other.

According to a further preferred embodiment, two or more deceleration members are arranged at a substantially equal distance from the channel boundary member. With this, the product is successively in repetition advantageously dishonorable. In case a product is decelerated more often, for instance of being decelerated is needs to be deceler ated less. With this, both the number of times a product blames onto a predecessor as a negative effect thereof is diminished. Within the understanding of the present inven tion an optimum number of deceleration members and material parameters thereof may be determined per kind of product and for example supply intensity thereof.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the transfer channel is arranged at an angle of tilt relative to gravity wherein the channel boundary member is inclined over the array of deceleration members. With this, it is advantageously realized that the products fall from a higher arranged deceleration member to a lower arranged de celeration member. With this, it is advantageously achieved that moving, such as scraping, against for example the channel boundary member is limited. To this end, an angle of arrangement of the at least one deceleration member is adjustable, preferably adjustable based on properties of the products to be transferred, such as average weight, av erage size, average humidity, etc.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a distance or pass-through distance between the at least one deceleration member and the general boundary member is ad justable, preferably adjustable based on properties of the products to be transferred, such as average weight, average size, average humidity, etc. with this, it is advanta geously achieved that is distance is adjustable to a smaller size for a relatively small product than for a rel atively large product.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the length of the channel boundary member is adjustable, pref erably wherein the length of the channel boundary member is adjustable during transfer of products. With this, the height can be adjusted to a filling height of products in the older when for example filling of a holder. With this, it is achieved that a holder can be filled wherein the av erage falling height of the product in the holder can con tinuously be optimized, such as minimized.

Further preferably, the transfer device comprises a frame for positioning of the channel assembly relative to a floor, the conveyor or product holder such as a case. De pending on the frame, the transfer device is configurable for a specific task.

Further preferably, the transfer device comprises transport means for moving of the general assembly relative to the frame, preferably by means of a translation motion, such as comprising a friction drive or rack drive. With this, the height of the device is for instance adjustable or the length of the transfer channel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the transfer device comprises a buffer folder that is arranged at the location of the lower level or the underside of the transfer channel, for buffering therein of products trans ferred via the transfer channel, such as prior to unloading of the products. Such a buffer holder is an important addi tion to the device in light of the second problem indicated in the preamble. When a constant flow of products is sup plied by means of a conveyor without a transfer device ac cording to the present invention or respective embodiments without the buffer holder, changing a discharge holder, such as a crate is a problem in the sense that the supply of the stream of products needs to be interrupted. A solu tion for this is providing of a second outlet location for a second discharge holder, such as the great, which puts demands on the conveyor and requires space for such a sec ond outlet location.

It is thus a separate advantage of a preferred embod iment with a buffer holder that products may be preferred in the buffer holder during exchanging of two successive discharge holders, such as a crate. With this, a complex solution is provided for continuously supplying of products while the discharge holder is changed.

Further preferably, the buffer holder comprises a pass-through opening for passage of the products while the buffer is not being used. Further preferably, the the pass through opening is closable by means of a closing hatch during use of the buffer. By means of such variants, the device with buffer holder is usable with or without utiliz ing the capacity of the buffer holder.

For the purpose of generating of a for controlling usable sensor signal, the device according to a further preferred embodiment comprises a distance sensor or level sensor for determining of a distance of the underside of the device to a drop surface, such as formed by a bottom of a holder such as a case, a loading level of products in the holder, or a conveyor surface of a discharge conveyor. With this, it is advantageously achieved that with utilization of such a sensor signal, the transfer device is controlla ble in preferably automatic manner. For example, this keeps the device within predetermined height margins above a bot tom or feeding level during operation thereof such that products are kept leaving the underside of the transfer channel within such margins. With this, such a drop can preferably be kept limited within limits that are also de termined for a drop between successive deceleration mem bers.

Furthermore, the device preferably comprises a buffer content sensor for determining of the content of the buffer, preferably comprising means for providing a level signal and/or a warning signal. Based on sensor information of the buffer content sensor, it can be indicated within how much time a discharge holder or create is to be re placed. Also, a stop or emergency stop can be provided to the supply of products, or is a delay in the supply adjust able, in dependence of further predetermined control param eters.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the transfer device comprises a control unit for controlling of the closing hatch and/or the transport means based on man ual control or sensor signals. With this, operation is con trollable in manual manner or by means of an automated pro gram and/or based on the said sensor information.

Further preferably, the transfer device comprises a bottom deceleration member or a buffer deceleration member, such as for the purpose of providing of a deceleration at the location of an exit opening and/or a deceleration of a product at the location of movement out of the channel.

With this, a controlled discharge of products is advanta geously achieved and also the discharge opening is there with shielded during closing of the closing hatch of the buffer which prevents damage to products during such clos ing.

Further preferably, the transfer channel has a sub stantially elongated, such as rectangular shape with the deceleration members at a long side and the channel limit ing member at a second long side. With this, a large capac ity of the deceleration channels is achieved.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of transferring of vulnerable products, such as ju bilance, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, to be transferred in downward direction over a height difference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a holder, wherein the method comprises steps of:

- providing of a transferring device suitable for transferring of the vulnerable products over the height difference from the higher level to the lower level,

- supplying of the products to the transfer device, and

- allowing the products to move through the transfer device or a transfer channel thereof.

By means of such an aspect, advantages are achieved as described in relation to the above aspects.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the method comprises steps of varying the length of the transfer chan nel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the method comprises steps of moving the underside of the transfer channel in height.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the method comprises steps of receiving products in a buffer at the underside of the transfer channel.

Further preferably, the method comprises steps of:

- bringing the underside of the transfer channel to an open state,

- switching of a full discharge holder with an empty discharge holder,

- transferring of the buffer in the empty discharge holder, preferably to a predetermined height therein,

- opening of the preferred for the purpose of filling of the empty discharge holder.

Further advantages, features and details of the pre sent invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more preferred embodiments with ref erence to the accompanying figures. Similar yet not neces sarily identical parts of different preferred embodiments may be indicated with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 relates to a side view of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 relates to a partially exploded view in per spective of the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 relates to a further body exploded view in perspective of the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1 from a another perspective.

Fig. 4 relates to a representation in perspective of two devices according to substantially the preferred embod iment according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 relates to two representations in side view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, each in a position of a functional working height.

Fig. 6 relates to two representations in perspective of the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 5 on a func tional working height according to Fig. 5 B.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) according to the present invention relates to a transfer device 1, such as usable as a crate filler for filling of a crate with products supplied from a supply conveyor that supplies the products. The device comprises a channel assembly 2, a be low that arranged buffer holder 3, as well as a frame for arranging thereof to a conveyor. The buffer holder 3 is an optional unit relative to the channel assembly. The frame 6 is furthermore optional as the general assembly, such as according to claim 1, is directly mountable to for example a said conveyor according to another preferred embodiment.

The transfer channel 7 is shaped by two elongated sides, an array of deceleration members 4 and a channel boundary member 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the channel assembly 2 comprises lateral elongated support ele ments 11, 12 that form sides of the transfer channel in be tween which four deceleration members 4 are arranged. Each deceleration member 4 is mounted to a connecting support 16 with which the support elements 11, 12 are mounted and con nected at a mutual distance. Furthermore, a further connec tion between the support elements 11, 12 is created by means of support beam 17. The channel is preferably shaped such that the width of the support element is larger than the depth of the channel. With this, the capacity of the channel is relatively large because therewith several prod ucts can simultaneously next to each other pass the same deceleration members.

Opposite the fastening of the deceleration member, the channel is closed by means of a channel boundary member 5. The channel boundary member substantially reaches the support elements 11, 12 at both sides. At the underside, the channel boundary member is fastened to a fastening sup port 14 that substantially extends over the width of the channel boundary member from substantially the support ele ment 11 to substantially the support element 12.

At the upper side, the channel boundary member 5 is arranged in the shape of a roll around the rollbar 15, at least for the purpose of the preferred embodiment in which the length of the channel boundary member varies. Prefera bly, the channel boundary member is herewith kept under bias. The rollbar 15 is fastened on both sides to the re spective support elements 11, 12 in case of a fixed embodi ment or to the frame 6 in case of a height variable embodi ments.

The deceleration member 4 is divided in strips 4 such that when passing of a product only the strips touched by the product deform. Preferably, the deceleration member is divided in layers of material and is the deformability in the direction of the length of the strips variable. It is also provided to attach a second strip of material at the underside of the deceleration member for over a part of the length of the strips or the part of the deceleration member above the strips. With this, the beginning of the strips is relatively more resilient for the purpose of for example relatively heavy products.

The operation of such a height variable embodiment, in the variants with buffer, is preferably explained in re lation to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In Fig. 5 A, the transfer de vice is shown in a high position. In this position, the channel boundary number 5 is relatively short between the fastening 14 thereof and the rollbar 15 thereof. In this state, the device is used to store fed through products in the buffer 6, while the hatch of the buffer is closed. To this end, the hatch 21 of the buffer is closed.

In Fig. 5 B, the transfer device is shown in a low position. In this position, the channel boundary member is relatively long between the fastening 14 thereof and the rollbar 15 thereof. The rollbar still is at the same height as in the position of Fig. 5 A. The channel boundary member now bounds a larger part of the space between the support elements 11 and 12 and is arranged opposite a larger part of the number of deceleration members 4. With this, the transfer channel of the device is longer in this position and the products that fall through are more often deceler ated by a deceleration member 4. In such a low position, the hatch 21 of the buffer member may be opened to the po sition 21'.

The motor 41 that is arranged at the frame 6 serve to upwardly and downwardly moving of the general assembly 2 from a high position, with a short channel and a short channel boundary member to a low position with a long chan nel and a long channel boundary member. To this frame 6, also a guiding plate 42 is arranged that guides products over the rollbar 15 and the channel boundary member 5 that is rolled up around it.

The buffer 3 is a space formed by plates that are ar ranged at the underside of the transfer channel the buffer has a discharge opening 33 to which the products roll via a guide plate 34. A substantially vertically hanging deceler ation member 4" serves the purpose of decelerating of the products at the location of the opening. This has as an auxiliary advantage that during closing of the hatch, or moving of the hatch from the position adjacent to the plate 34 to in front of opening 33 is sufficiently decelerated to be protected against damage by the closing hatch, as the products roll with the closing hatch and are thereby decel erated by the deceleration member 4" until the hatch is closed.

Furthermore, a buffer sensor 51 is provided for sens ing of a number of products in the buffer. In the buffer becomes filled, the buffer sensor 51 provides a feedback for controlling of the supply or controlling of switching off a discharge holder 9. In Fig. 4, an example of an application of the trans fer device with a conveyor 4 potatoes is shown. A frame 6 is arranged for placement of the transfer device relative to the conveyor. The potatoes are urged towards the trans fer channel 7 from the conveyor band of the conveyor wherein the potatoes and up in the buffer 3 of the device as long as the transfer device is in the high position.

When an empty discharge holder 9 is arranged under the transfer device, the general assembly is lowered together with the buffer to near the bottom of discharge holder 9 such that potatoes can be unloaded in it.

An important advantage thereby is that by the pres ence of the buffer, a single place for a discharge holder can suffice while the throughput of the products can con tinue. The machine does not have to be stopped for changing of the discharge holder, such as the great.

The alternative of two places for such a discharge holder requires considerably more space.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are expressly considered disclosed in combination with each other and in all combinations that on the basis of this document, when read by a skilled person of the area of skill, fall within the scope of the inven tion or are deemed to be read with the disclosure of this document. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims. kkkkk

Claims

1. Transfer device for transfer of vulnerable prod ucts, such as tubers, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, in a downward direction over a height difference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a container, the transfer device comprising:

- a channel assembly comprising:

- the at least one deceleration member is arranged on one side opposite to the channel boundary member,

2. Transfer device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one deceleration member is arranged and/or adapted to the products to be transferred such that the decelera tion member deforms on contact and/or passing of the prod uct.

3. Transfer device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the deceleration member is substantially formed as a flap.

4. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the deceleration member is divided in strips or tracks adjacently arranged, such as formed by means of incisions or punches.

5. Transfer device according to claim 4 wherein the width of the strips or tracks of the deceleration member is dimensioned relative to an intended product such that the intended product touches a limited number of strips or tracks during passing of the deceleration member, such as up to two strips or tracks.

6. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein a deceleration member is arranged and/or adapted to the product to be transferred that the speed of the products to be transferred decelerates to sub stantially half, preferably to substantially half to a third, preferably to substantially a third to a fourth, further preferably to substantially a fourth to a fifth, further preferably to substantially a fifth to a fixed, further preferably tube substantially a 6 to a seventh, further preferably substantially a seventh to a tenth, fur ther preferably to substantially a tenth to five hun dredths, further preferably to substantially five hun dredths to one hundredth of the speed it had reaching the respective deceleration member.

7. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein two or more deceleration members are arranged at a substantially equal distance from the channel boundary member.

8. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the transfer channel is arranged at an angle of tilt relative to gravity wherein the channel boundary member is inclined over the array of deceleration members.

9. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein an angle of arrangement of the at least one deceleration member is adjustable, preferably ad justable based on properties of the products to be trans ferred, such as average weight, average size, average hu midity, etc.

10. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein a distance or pass-through dis tance between the at least one deceleration member and the general boundary member is adjustable, preferably adjusta ble based on properties of the products to be transferred, such as average weight, average size, average humidity, etc.

11. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the length of the channel boundary member is adjustable, preferably wherein the length of the channel boundary member is adjustable during transfer of products.

12. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising a frame for positioning of the channel assembly relative to a floor, the conveyor or prod uct holder such as a case.

13. Transfer device according to claim 12 comprising transport means for moving of the general assembly relative to the frame, preferably by means of a translation motion, such as comprising a friction drive or rack drive.

14. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising a buffer folder that is ar ranged at the location of the lower level or the underside of the transfer channel, for buffering therein of products transferred via the transfer channel, such as prior to un loading of the products.

15. Transfer device according to claim 14 wherein the buffer holder comprises a pass-through opening for passage of the products while the buffer is not being used.

16. Transfer device according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the pass-through opening is closable by means of a closing hatch during use of the buffer.

17. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims 14-16 comprising a distance sensor or level sensor for determining of a distance of the underside of the device to a drop surface, such as formed by a bottom of a holder such as a case, a loading level of products in the holder, or a conveyor surface of a discharge conveyor.

18. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims 14-17 comprising a buffer content sensor for determining of the content of the buffer, preferably comprising means for providing a level signal and/or a warning signal.

19. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit for controlling of the closing hatch and/or the transport means based on manual control or sensor signals.

20. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising a bottom deceleration member or a buffer deceleration member, such as for the purpose of providing of a deceleration at the location of an exit opening and/or a deceleration of a product at the location of movement out of the channel.

21. Transfer device according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein in top view in the transfer chan nel has a substantially elongated, such as rectangular shape with the deceleration members at a long side and the channel limiting member at a second long side.

22. Method of transferring of vulnerable products, such as tubers, such as potatoes, or bulbs, such as onions, to be transferred in downward direction over a height dif ference from a higher level, such as a conveyor, to a lower level, such as a holder, wherein the method comprises steps of:

- supplying of the products to the transfer device, and

23. Method according to claim 22 comprising steps of varying the length of the transfer channel.

24. Method according to claim 22 or 23 comprising steps of moving the underside of the transfer channel in height.

25. Method according to claim 22, 23 or 24 comprising steps of receiving products in a buffer at the underside of the transfer channel.

26. Method according to claim 25 comprising steps of:

- bringing the underside of the transfer channel to an open state,

- switching of a full discharge holder with an empty discharge holder,

- transferring of the buffer in the empty discharge holder, preferably to a predetermined height therein, - opening of the preferred for the purpose of filling of the empty discharge holder. kkkkk