[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2025068361A1 - Dispositif de changement de niveau dans des installations horticoles - Google Patents

Dispositif de changement de niveau dans des installations horticoles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2025068361A1
WO2025068361A1 PCT/EP2024/077044 EP2024077044W WO2025068361A1 WO 2025068361 A1 WO2025068361 A1 WO 2025068361A1 EP 2024077044 W EP2024077044 W EP 2024077044W WO 2025068361 A1 WO2025068361 A1 WO 2025068361A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fruit
flexible cover
level change
change device
installations
Prior art date
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.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/077044
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marcus John Davies
Hamish Kennedy
Carlos Muñoz Martínez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cla Sienz SA
Original Assignee
Cla Sienz SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cla Sienz SA filed Critical Cla Sienz SA
Publication of WO2025068361A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025068361A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00—Chutes
    • B65G11/20—Auxiliary devices, e.g. for deflecting, controlling speed of, or agitating articles or solids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00—Chutes
    • B65G11/10—Chutes flexible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00—Chutes
    • B65G11/18—Supports or mountings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
    • B65G47/16—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding materials in bulk
    • B65G47/18—Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes
    • B65G47/20—Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes the hoppers or chutes being movable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0202—Agricultural and processed food products
    • B65G2201/0211—Fruits and vegetables

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device configured for changing the level between different heights in fruit and vegetable processing plants.
  • the two most common methods of delivering fruit from the conveyor to the crossbelt are: (a) a one-piece chute spanning multiple conveyor lanes across the width of the sorter, and (b) multiple chutes arranged along the length of the sorter, one per lane.
  • ramp systems consist of two parts: a support structure and a cushioned region or area that may be covered by a hygienic material.
  • the support structure is configured to provide the shape and angle of the ramp down which the fruit falls to make the height change, and is made of rigid materials, usually folded sheet metal.
  • the cushioned region or area is made of a foam that cushions the fruit or vegetable as it falls.
  • the disadvantage of this system is that, to a greater or lesser extent, the product hits against a rigid element, which reduces the quality of the final product.
  • the cushions being made of foam and although they are covered, are a point of accumulation of dirt and/or bacteria, which is an obvious disadvantage in the agri-food sector that requires continuous cleaning of these areas.
  • fruit handling is compromised as the fruit tends to bounce as this is a limited damping effect
  • durability is limited as the flexible cover must be very flexible, so it is often not durable.
  • Hygiene is poor as the three components of the chute are glued together, so they cannot be removed from the sorter for cleaning.
  • Foam and casing by nature tend to harbour dirt, moisture and therefore bacteria.
  • Drop chutes can be of different types, such as chutes made of vinyl or injection moulded chutes. Because each lane requires a chute, it is difficult to make them flexible enough to absorb the kinetic energy of the fruit, so they tend to bounce. The chutes have more surfaces that can become contaminated than the chutes themselves. Finally, chutes have walls on both sides of the fruit path that block when too much fruit passes through the chute.
  • the object of the present invention is to solve the problems indicated in the prior art.
  • This object is achieved by the device of the claims accompanying the present specification.
  • the device of the invention comprises a support structure which gives shape and angle to the drop.
  • the ramp is made of a flexible material which, lacking a rigid structure underneath, allows the material itself to cushion the collision of the product, so it does not reduce its quality, as it falls on the canvas itself that forms the ramp, avoiding the use of cushioning materials.
  • the product during its fall, does not hit any rigid area, but falls on a flexible material, such as a tarpaulin, avoiding damage to the fruit and vegetable product; and (b) it is a hygienic device, easily configurable, with fewer limitations and which facilitates the replacement, maintenance and cleaning of the areas in contact with the product.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic of the level change device in horticultural installations according to the present invention.
  • the level change device 10 of the invention is coupled to a structure of a conveyor belt 20 by means of quick release systems on one of its sides, while on the opposite side a barrier 30 is shown for restraining the product falling through the device 10 and remaining on the conveyor belt 20.
  • the level change device 10 comprises a support structure 11 with an upper beam 11a, a lower beam 11 b and two side gussets 11c connecting the two beams 11 a- 11b.
  • the entire structure 11 is made of folded sheet metal and metal profiles.
  • the structure 11 includes one or more crosspieces 11 d joining the longitudinal members 11a-11b.
  • a flexible cover 12 such as a tarpaulin or similar, is provided over the structure 11 , between the longitudinal members 11 a- 11b.
  • Other suitable materials are synthetic or thermoplastic materials with adequate flexibility to cushion the impact of the product falling from an upper level (defined by the upper beam 11a) to a lower level, defined by the lower beam 11 b, forming an angle (a) of less than 45°.
  • the level change device 10 that is the subject of the present invention is formed by a structure 11 supporting a flexible cover 12, so it is a very simple construction.
  • the level change device 10 improves on the state of the art in three key elements: fruit handling, because it avoids bouncing; hygiene, because it is much easier to clean; and reliability, because the flexible cover 12 is much more durable than the foams used in current ramps. More specifically, it should be noted that the flexible cover 12 performs the function of both the cushioning foam and the cover, by means of a single element that is also durable and flexible. As the flexible cover 12 is free to move laterally on the supports, it provides significant cushioning to the fruit, reducing bounce.
  • the flexible cover 12 is secured in place by a quick release system to allow the cover to be easily removed for cleaning, with the option of being replaceable with a set of replacement flexible covers 12 to reduce downtime for cleaning.
  • a quick release system to allow the cover to be easily removed for cleaning, with the option of being replaceable with a set of replacement flexible covers 12 to reduce downtime for cleaning.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Greenhouses (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
  • Chutes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif (10) de changement de niveau dans des installations de fruits et légumes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une structure de support (11) et un couvercle souple (12), la structure de support (11) étant conçue pour définir la position angulaire du couvercle souple (12) entre un niveau supérieur et un niveau inférieur.
PCT/EP2024/077044 2023-09-26 2024-09-26 Dispositif de changement de niveau dans des installations horticoles Pending WO2025068361A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ESU202331702 2023-09-26
ES202331702U ES1304939Y (es) 2023-09-26 2023-09-26 Dispositivo de cambio de nivel en instalaciones hortofruticolas

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025068361A1 true WO2025068361A1 (fr) 2025-04-03

Family

ID=89473451

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2024/077044 Pending WO2025068361A1 (fr) 2023-09-26 2024-09-26 Dispositif de changement de niveau dans des installations horticoles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
ES (1) ES1304939Y (fr)
WO (1) WO2025068361A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732961A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-05-15 Sunkist Growers Inc Device for collecting fruit
NZ239835A (en) * 1991-09-17 1996-05-28 Univ Massey Cushioning device for protection of fruit or like horticultural produce falling onto it; fluid-filled envelope
WO2012047119A1 (fr) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-12 Compac Technologies Limited Configurations pour le transfert d'articles
GB2572787A (en) * 2018-04-10 2019-10-16 Tickhill Engineering Company Ltd A chute and a conveyor system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732961A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-05-15 Sunkist Growers Inc Device for collecting fruit
NZ239835A (en) * 1991-09-17 1996-05-28 Univ Massey Cushioning device for protection of fruit or like horticultural produce falling onto it; fluid-filled envelope
WO2012047119A1 (fr) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-12 Compac Technologies Limited Configurations pour le transfert d'articles
GB2572787A (en) * 2018-04-10 2019-10-16 Tickhill Engineering Company Ltd A chute and a conveyor system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES1304939Y (es) 2024-04-05
ES1304939U (es) 2024-01-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7430947B2 (en) Proportional length food slicing system
US11130643B2 (en) Modular sortation units, systems, and methods
US3491873A (en) Sanitary conveyor construction and guide rail
US12290838B2 (en) Piler conveyor system
US3221877A (en) Bar screen
KR102099329B1 (ko) 복수의 전자저울을 이용한 중량 선별 장치
KR102127507B1 (ko) 전복치패 자동 계수장치
CA2148184C (fr) Distributeur vibratoire pour articles en vrac
US20030000968A1 (en) Apparatus for delivering substantially spherical products into a substantially rectangular container
US3650371A (en) Accumulator table for a conveying system
US3469672A (en) Vibratory grouping apparatus
AU619471B2 (en) Improvements in and relating to hooper assemblies
WO2025068361A1 (fr) Dispositif de changement de niveau dans des installations horticoles
ES2898087T3 (es) Tolva de carga con rascador
US7882959B1 (en) Method and apparatus for scalping food pieces
US20110024265A1 (en) Receiving and Conveying Device
US3386563A (en) Machine for the sortation of mail and other packages
WO2025068367A1 (fr) Barrière de décélération de produit souple dans des installations de traitement de fruits et légumes
US3157271A (en) Egg collection device
US4561509A (en) Combination weighing machine
NZ248938A (en) Vibratory conveyor, two or more conveyors reciprocate relative to one another
US4290724A (en) Conveyor pan immobilizing assembly
JP7766987B2 (ja) 組合せ秤
GB2279883A (en) Horse jump
US20100018837A1 (en) Flat bottom silo for storing and conveying light and empty containers in bulk

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 24782805

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1