NL2037029B1

NL2037029B1 - A device for processing bulbous plant products

Info

Publication number: NL2037029B1
Application number: NL2037029A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Hazenbosch Sven; Jozef Geertrudis Thijssen Jeroen
Original assignee: Sormac B V
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2024-02-15
Publication date: 2025-08-25
Also published as: WO2025174234A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for processing bulbous plant products such as for example onions. The device comprises at least one first stationary frame part and at least one second frame part which is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein at a distance of the rotation axis the at least one second frame part is provided with at least one clamping unit.

Description

Title: A device for processing bulbous plant products

Description:

The invention also relates to a method for processing bulbous plant products.

WO2011096797 discloses a device for processing bulbous products. The known device comprises a stationary frame part, i.e. a stationary shaft member, adapted for carrying a rotatable frame part comprising two wheel discs with clamping elements. To move the clamping elements towards and away from each other, between a clamping position and a non-clamping position a pneumatic cylinder is provided for each of the clamping elements. As a result of the relatively high number of linear and rotating movements for clamping and processing bulbous products a relatively high number of components is required in the known device for the pneumatic actuation of each clamping element such that the known device is relatively sensitive to malfunctions and failure.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved device that for example can be operated in a simple manner with a decreased risk of malfunctions and failure.

This object is achieved with the device as defined in claim 1.

The device for processing bulbous plant products comprises at least one first stationary frame part and at least one second frame part which is rotatable around a rotation axis. At a distance of the rotation axis the at least one second frame part is provided with at least one clamping unit. At least a portion of the clamping unit is adapted to be moved by means of at least one magnetic field between a first clamping position for clamping a bulbous plant product to be processed and a second non- clamping position. In the device of this disclosure, the at least one first stationary frame part comprises at least one first magnet and at least one opposite second magnet located closer to the rotation axis than the at least one first magnet, wherein between the at least one first magnet and the at least one opposite second magnet a magnetic field space is provided which is configured for moving at least the portion of the clamping unit between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position.

By means of the first and second magnets an improved device can be obtained that can be operated in a relatively simple and reliable manner. The stationary magnets and the rotating clamping unit are contactless and require no powered components for clamping and/or releasing the bulbous plant product. Further, the risk of malfunctions and failure is reduced in the device by means of the magnets. The magnets also provide a device which is relatively easy to clean.

The arrangement of the magnets with respect to the rotation axis and the rotating movement of the clamping unit provides a device in which the clamping unit or at least a portion thereof can be moved over a relatively large distance between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position. As a result of this relatively large distance, bulbous plant products with a wide range of sizes can be clamped and processed by the device of this disclosure. The device of this disclosure requires no or at least less pre-sorting operations by dimensions of the bulbous plant product to be processed, such that a relatively high throughput with the device can be obtained without requiring stops for size-related adjustment operations to the device.

Seen in the movement direction of at least the portion of the clamping unit between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position, the clamping unit may comprise a moveable end adapted for clamping a bulbous plant product, and a second opposite moveable end which may comprise a magnet and/or may be made of a material repelled or attracted by the first and second magnets.

Movement of the moveable second opposite end as a result of magnetic forces may result in a movement of the first end of the clamping unit. Independent of the rotating movement of the clamping unit, the movement direction of at least the portion of the clamping unit between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position can be seen as a linear movement. This linear movement may extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one second frame part.

In one aspect of the device, the magnetic field space is configured to attract at least the portion of the clamping unit to the second non-clamping position from the first clamping position. At the moment that the rotating clamping unit passes the magnetic field space, at least a portion of the clamping unit is adapted to be moved by means of the magnetic field space, i.e. at least a portion of the clamping unit is moved from the first clamping position to the second non-clamping position. This movement may happen gradually, for example in a step-wise manner. The clamping unit may further be provided with a mechanism adapted to hold the clamping unit in the first clamping position without magnetic forces or with magnetic forces below a predetermined threshold. This mechanism is for example a spring mechanism. The first and second magnets are adapted to overcome the force of the mechanism holding at least the portion of the clamping unit in the first clamping position. In other words, the interaction between the first and second magnets with the magnet of the clamping unit and/or with the second opposite end of the clamping unit made of a material repelled or attracted by the first and opposite second magnets causes the movement from the first clamping position to the second non-clamping position.

In the second non-clamping position a processed bulbous plant product can be released from the clamping unit and/or a bulbous plant product to be processed can be introduced in the clamping unit. The device may have processing members for processing the clamped bulbous plant product as disclosed in WO2011096797, such as blades and/or blow nozzles.

The at least one first stationary frame part may further comprise a partially ring shaped element made of ferrous metal, preferably the partially ring shaped element is free of magnets. The partially ring shaped element may extend along a portion of the travelling path of the clamping unit. The partially ring shaped element may be configured to maintain/hold at least the portion of the clamping unit in the second non- clamping position. The partially ring shaped element made of ferrous metal requires no further magnets which is considered an advantage from a cost perspective.

In another aspect, the at least one clamping unit comprises a wheel adapted to follow an endless track of the first stationary frame part for rotatably driving at least the portion the clamping unit about its central axis. By means of this wheel- construction a relatively simple but robust device is provided which requires no own driving means like for example a motor, or a magnet, for rotating a clamped bulbous plant product around its axis for processing.

The device of this disclosure may be adapted as an industrial device. i.e. a device configured to process, such as for example peel, at least 60 bulbous plant products, such as for example onions, per minute, preferably at least 100 bulbous plant products per minute.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide an improved method. This object is achieved with the method claim as appended.

The method for processing bulbous plant products comprising the steps: - rotating at least one clamping unit around a rotation axis, wherein a distance is provided between the at least one clamping unit and the rotation axis; - clamping the bulbous plant product to be processed by means of the at least one clamping unit rotating around the rotation axis; - processing the clamped bulbous plant product; - releasing the processed bulbous plant product by means of a magnetic field provided between at least one first magnet and at least one opposite second magnet located closer to the rotation axis than the at least one first magnet.

By means of the first and second magnets an improved method can be obtained which is relatively simple and reliable. The method requires no powered components for clamping and/or releasing bulbous plant product from the at least one clamping unit. The arrangement of the magnets with respect to the rotation axis ensures that the clamping unit or at least a portion thereof can be moved over a relatively large distance. As a result of this relatively large distance, bulbous plant products with a wide range of sizes can be processed by the method of this disclosure. Rotating as indicated in the (above) method steps also includes displacing along an endless path, wherein the rotation axis may be provided by a central axis with the endless path around this central axis.

The device of this disclosure may be used to perform the above method steps, wherein steps to be performed by the device of this disclosure may be included in the method of this disclosure.

The above-described aspects will be explained below by means of an exemplary embodiment in combination with the figures. However, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below. Rather, a number of variants and modifications are possible which also use the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the possibility of combining the features/aspects which have only been mentioned in the description and/or been shown in the figures with the features of the claims, in so far as they are compatible, is mentioned. 5 Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a device for processing bulbous plant products;

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the device as shown in figure 1;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a clamping unit of the device as shown in figure 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of a stationary frame part and a parts of the clamping unit;

Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically a perspective view of details of the portion of a stationary frame part and the parts of the clamping unit shown in figure 4;

Fig. 6 shows the steps of a method for processing bulbous plant products

In the figures, similar components are denoted with the same reference signs.

Detailed description of the drawings

In the figures a device 1 is shown for processing bulbous plant products such as peeling onions. The device 1 may be part of a system (not shown) for processing bulbous plant products. Such a system may further comprise further devices such as a feed device for unprocessed or partially processed bulbous plant products, a discharge device for processed or partially processed bulbous plant products and/or a further device for processing bulbous plant products. Reference is for example made to WO2011096797.

The device 1 for processing bulbous plant products comprises at least one first stationary frame part 31 and at least one second frame part 33 which is rotatable around a rotation axis R1 (figure 2), for example clockwise, wherein at a radial distance of the rotation axis R1 the at least one second frame part is provided with at least one clamping unit 30.

The embodiment of device 1 shown in figures 1 and 2 comprises two first stationary frame parts 31, 31’, two second frame parts 33, 33' and each second frame parts 33, 33’ comprises multiple clamping units 30, 30’ provided at a radial distance of the rotation axis on the at least one second frame part. Each second frame parts 33, 33’ comprises six clamping units 30 which are spaced out evenly along the circumference of each disc-shaped second frame part 33, 33’. Each clamping unit 30 of the second frame part 33 is configured to cooperate with one of the clamping units 30 of the second frame part 33’ for clamping a bulbous plant product between the pair of clamping units 30, 30°. The device 1 comprises processing units 35 (figure 2) for processing bulbous plant products. The processing units 35 may for example comprise a cutter for cutting the clamped bulbous plant product and/or for example a blower for removing parts of the plant products. Disposed between the first stationary frame parts 31, 31" are the two second frame parts 33, 33’ which are rotatable about the rotation axis R1 in a clockwise direction. The two stationary frame parts 31, 31’ are mounted in a non-rotating manner in the device 1. The rotation of the two second frame parts 33, 33" about the rotation axis R1 is effected by driving a central shaft 3 by means of a motor (not shown).

Each of the two first stationary frame parts 31, 31°, each of two second frame parts 33, 33’ and each clamping unit 30, 30’ has the same working principle as will be explained in more detail below. Hence, no reference will be made below to the further first stationary frame part 31’, the further second frame part 33’ and the further clamping unit 30°, unless required to explain the device 1.

In figures 3-5 the clamping unit 30 is shown. The clamping unit 30 comprises a moveable end 36 adapted for clamping a bulbous plant product, and a second opposite moveable end 38. The second moveable end 38 comprises a magnet 40 and/or the second end 38 is made of or comprises a material repelled/attracted by magnets, such as ferrous metal. The ends 36, 38 are together moveable in a linear direction indicated with double arrow P1. The clamping unit 30 comprises a housing part 42 which is substantially unmoveable in the direction indicated with double arrow P1. The housing part 42 comprises a connection portion 43 and portion with a wheel 44. The wheel 44 does not comprise a magnet. The connecting portion 43 of the housing part 42 is connected by three connecting means 71 (figure 1) to the rotatable second frame part 33. Mounted in the housing part 42 is a shaft mechanism having a hollow shaft 46.

The wheel 44 is mounted on the hollow shaft 46. Mounted in the hollow shaft is a shaft 51 which is slidable within the hollow shaft 46 in the direction indicated by the double- arrow P1. At an end located near the wheel 44, the shaft 51 is provided with the second moveable end 38. On the other end 36 the shaft 51 is provided with a clamp 65 for clamping a bulbous plant product to be processed in the device 1. The hollow shaft 46 is rotatable by means of the wheel 44 for rotating the shaft 51, the second moveable end 38 and the clamp 65, in the direction indicated by the rotation arrow R2 about the rotating axis 32. The rotation axis 32 coincides with the center axis of the clamping unit 30. The center of the magnet 40 also coincides with the rotation axis 32. The N pole of the magnet 40 is located relatively far away from the wheel 44, whilst the S pole is located closer to the wheel 44. Different configurations than shown are possible. In the figures, the S pole is indicated with the letter S and the N pole with the letter N. The wheel 44 of the clamping unit is adapted to follow an endless circular track 66 of the first stationary frame part 31 for rotatably driving at least a portion of the clamping unit about its central axis. By means of this construction a relatively simple but robust device is provided which requires no own driving means like for example a motor for rotating a clamped bulbous plant product around its axis for processing. During the rotation of each clamping unit 30 around the rotation axis R1, each wheel 44 of each clamping unit 30 is in contact with the circular track 66. The circular track 66 is a circumferential surface of the stationary frame part 31. The circular track 66 does not comprise magnets.

On sides of the stationary frame parts 31, 31’ that face away from each other, each stationary frame parts 31, 31’ is provided with a stationary (non-rotating around rotation axis R1) magnetic track 7, 7’ (figures 1 and 2). Each stationary magnetic track 7, 7’ is mounted with brackets 78, 78’ to each stationary frame part 31, 31’. The two stationary magnetic tracks 7, 7’ are designed identically and are aligned with respect to each other, such that the two stationary magnetic tracks 7, 7’ cover approximately 120 degrees of the 360 degrees ring-shape of each stationary frame parts 31, 31°.

Each pair of opposing clamping units 30, 30’ rotates synchronously about rotation axis

R1 passing the two stationary magnetic tracks 7, 7’. In the more detailed description below reference will be made only to magnetic track 7, but the described features/steps also apply to magnetic track 7°.

The partly circular shaped magnetic track 7 (figure 4) comprises an attraction section with magnet segments 8 and a holding section with a partially ring-shaped strip 11 made of ferrous metal. The partially ring shaped element 11 extends along a portion of a (circular) path travelled by the clamping unit 30. The strip 11 does not comprise magnets.

Each magnet segment 8 comprises magnets 9 as shown in figure 5, i.e. the outer magnet segment 8 comprises four magnets 9 and the inner magnet segment 8 comprises three magnets 9. It is noted that different configurations with respect to the magnets 9 than shown are possible. The polarity N, S of the magnets 9 of the magnet segments 8 is shown in figure 5, wherein the magnets 9 of the magnetic track 7 have the same polarity with respect to each other, i.e. a side of the first or opposite second magnet 9 has a polarity and an opposite side of the first or opposite second magnet 9 has an opposite polarity, wherein the sides of the first and second opposite magnets 9 facing each other have the same polarity (N-N or S-S). Adjacent magnets 9 in each magnet segment 8 have identically oriented poles (figure 5). The elongate magnets 9 have a beam shape. Other shapes of the magnets 9 are possible, preferable the largest dimension extends parallel to the rotation axis R1, such that a longitudinal center line of the first outer (four) magnet(s) 9 and a longitudinal center line of the opposite inner (three) second magnet(s) 9 as shown in figure 5 extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis R1. The distance between the second end 38 of the clamping unit 30 and the magnet segments 8 is constant while passing. This distance defines an constant air gap seen in a radial direction from the rotation axis 32 between the second end 38 of the clamping unit 30 and the magnet segments 8. In other words, there is no contact between magnet segments 8 and the clamping unit 30, thus no wear during use of the device 1.

Between the magnet segments 8 at least a portion 36, 38, 51 of the clamping unit 30 is adapted to be moved by means of at least one magnetic field between a first clamping position for clamping a bulbous plant product to be processed and a second non-clamping position. This movement is a linear movement indicated by double arrow

P1 (figure 3). In the device 1 the movement direction P1 extends parallel to the rotation axis R1. The at least one first stationary frame part 31 comprises at least one first magnet 9 and at least one opposite second magnet 9 located closer to the rotation axis R1 than the at least one first magnet 9. Between the magnets 9 a magnetic field space 70 (figures 4 and 5) is provided which is configured for moving at least the portion 36, 38, 51 of the clamping unit 30 between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position. The clamping unit 30 travels through the circular path around the rotation axis R1 clockwise, wherein the first magnet 9 is arranged on an outer side of the circular path and the opposite second magnet 9 is arranged on an inner side of the circular path. The magnetic field space 70 is configured to attract at least the portion 36, 38, 51 of the clamping unit 30 to the second non-clamping position from the first clamping position.

In the attraction section, at least the portion 36, 38, 51 of the clamping unit 30 is moved toward an open position such that for example an agricultural bulbous product clamped by means of the clamping unit 30 will be released. By further rotating the clamping unit 30 around the rotation axis R, the opened clamping unit 30 passes the holding section with the partially ring-shaped strip 11 made of ferrous metal. The interaction between the strip 11 and a magnet of the clamping unit 30 holds the clamping devices 1 in an open state. After passing the stationary magnetic track 7, in particular the holding section, a mechanism 12 of the clamping device, such as a spring mechanism 12, will move at least the portion 36, 38, 51 of the clamping unit 30 to the first clamping position for clamping a bulbous plant product to be processed. As indicated above, the agricultural product clamped between by the clamp unit 30 may for example be cut by a cutter 35 (Fig. 2).

A revolution of the clamping unit 30 around the rotation axis R1 comprises: - at least a first revolution section configured to move at least the portion of the clamping unit to the second non-clamping position by means of the magnetic field space 70, - at least a second revolution section configured to hold the portion of the clamping unit in the second non-clamping position for example by means of the strip 11, and - at least a third revolution section configured to move at least the portion of the clamping unit to the first clamping position for example by means of mechanism 12, preferably the third revolution section is further configured to maintain the portion of the clamping unit in the first clamping position for example by mechanism 12. As shown in figure 1, the third revolution section is equal to or larger than the first and second sections combined. The third revolution section as shown in the figures covers approximately 240 degrees of the circular path travelled by the clamping unit 30. Seen in the rotation direction around the rotation axis R1 and as shown in figure 1, the first revolution section {magnetic space 70) is (directly) followed by the second revolution section (strip 11) which is followed by the third revolution section, wherein after the third revolution section a new revolution starts in the first section.

Although not shown in the figures 1-2, it is possible that in a different embodiment of the device (not shown), the clamping unit 30 as shown in for example figure 3 clamps a bulbous plant product in a different manner than using two clamping units 30, 30" as shown in figures 1 and 2. The device for processing bulbous plant products of this disclosure may for example comprise a holding member (not shown) cooperating with the clamping unit 30 for clamping a bulbous plant product between the clamping unit 30 and the holding member. The second frame part 33 may comprise the holding member (not shown).

The device 1 of this disclosure does not use powered components to clamp and release a bulbous plant product by means of the clamping unit 30. In addition, the device 1 uses a minimal number of magnets 9, 40 for operating the clamping unit 30, such that the device can be built in a cost effective manner. The magnets 9, 40 used in the device 1 of this disclosure are permanent magnets.

The method steps for processing bulbous plant products are shown in figure 6:

Step | rotating at least one clamping unit around a rotation axis, wherein a distance is provided between the at least one clamping unit and the rotation axis;

Step II - clamping the bulbous plant product to be processed by means of the at least one clamping unit rotating around the rotation axis;

Step lI - processing the clamped bulbous plant product;;

Step IV - releasing the processed bulbous plant product by means of a magnetic field provided between at least one first magnet and at least one opposite second magnet located closer to the rotation axis than the at least one first magnet.

In figure 6 also an optional step or steps are shown as step V, wherein step V refers to a step or steps mentioned with regard to the device of this disclosure or derivable from this disclosure. For example, step V may include providing a (new) bulbous plant product the at least one clamping unit rotating around the rotation axis.

At least one second frame part with the clamping unit which is rotatable around a rotation axis also includes, according to this disclosure, a second frame part rotating/moving in and endless manner around a rotation or central axis of the device of this disclosure, wherein the travelling path of the clamping unit provided on the second frame part may comprise non-circular path sections, such as linear path sections.

The first and second magnet as defined in claim 1 may also be provided along anon-circular path section, such as a linear path section, to provide the magnetic field space as claimed in claim 1.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. Apparatus for processing spherical plant products, comprising at least a first stationary frame part and at least a second frame part rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein at a distance from the axis of rotation the at least one second frame part is provided with at least one clamping unit, characterized in that at least a part of the clamping unit is adapted to be moved by means of at least a magnetic field between a first clamping position for clamping a spherical plant product to be processed and a second non-clamping position, wherein the at least one first stationary frame part is provided with at least a first magnet and at least one opposite second magnet located closer to the axis of rotation than the at least one first magnet, wherein a magnetic field space is provided between the at least one first magnet and the at least one opposite second magnet configured to move at least the part of the clamping unit between the first clamping position and the second non-clamping position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one clamping unit moves through a path around the rotational axis, the first magnet being disposed on an outer side of the path and the second magnet being disposed on an inner side of the path.

The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic field space is configured to attract at least the portion of the clamping unit to the second non-clamping position from the first clamping position.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first stationary frame part is further provided with a partially annular element made of ferrous metal, preferably the partially annular element is free of magnets.

5. Device according to claim 2 and 4, wherein the partially annular element extends along a part of the path.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein the part-ring-shaped element is configured to retain at least the portion of the clamping unit in the second non-clamping position.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a revolution of the clamping unit about the rotational axis comprises: - at least a first revolution section configured to move at least the portion of the clamping unit to the second non-clamping position by means of the magnetic field space; - at least a second revolution section configured to retain the portion of the clamping unit in the second non-clamping position; and - at least a third revolution section configured to move at least the portion of the clamping unit to the first clamping position, preferably the third revolution section is further configured to retain the portion of the clamping unit in the first clamping position.

8. Device according to claim 4 and 7, wherein the second revolution section is provided by the partially annular element.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the third revolution section is equal to or greater than the first and second sections combined.

10. Device according to claim 7, 8 and 9, wherein, viewed in the direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, the first revolution section is followed by the second revolution section which is followed by the third revolution section, wherein after the third revolution section a new revolution starts in the first section.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a centre line of the first magnet(s) and/or a centre line of the opposing second magnet(s) extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein one side of the first or second magnet has one polarity and an opposite side of the first or second magnet has an opposite polarity, the sides of the first and opposite second magnets facing each other having the same polarity.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in the direction of movement of at least the part of the clamping unit, the clamping unit comprises a movable end adapted for clamping a spherical plant product, and a second opposite movable end comprising a magnet and/or made of a material that is repelled or attracted by the first and second magnets.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of first stationary frame parts and a pair of rotatable second frame parts, wherein a spherical plant product can be clamped between a pair of clamping units of the pair of rotatable second frame parts.

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one clamping unit includes a wheel adapted to follow a path of the first stationary frame member for rotationally driving at least a portion of the clamping unit about a central axis thereof.

16. Method for processing spherical plant products, preferably by using the apparatus as defined in at least one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the steps of: - rotating at least one clamping unit about an axis of rotation, a distance being provided between the at least one clamping unit and the axis of rotation; - clamping the spherical plant product to be processed using the at least one clamping unit rotating about the axis of rotation; - processing the spherical plant product; - releasing the spherical plant product by means of a magnetic field provided between a first magnet and at least one opposing second magnet located closer to the axis of rotation than the at least one first magnet.