• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Device for individualizing bulk goods such as, for example, fruit, potatoes or eggs, more particularly non-round products, for example pears or peppers, comprising: an endless conveyor which is extends in a running direction (T), wherein the conveyor is provided with at least one row, extending in the direction of travel, of carriers (la) constituted so that between two successive carriers of the row one scroll position is formed for a product, wherein each carrier comprises at least one roller (4), arranged on a respective pivot, wherein at least one of said rollers (4) includes at least a first roller portion (21). and a second adjacent roll portion (22) having mutually different product contact properties, wherein at least two successive carriers (1a) of said carrier row include respective rolls which each take at least one first (21) and a second roller portion (22), wherein the second roller portions of the at least two successive carriers are located at mutually different axial positions.
    公开号:FR3029510A1
    申请号:FR1561798
    申请日:2015-12-03
    公开日:2016-06-10
    发明作者:Albertus Johannes Ruigrok
    申请人:Aweta G&P BV；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The present invention relates to a device for individualizing products, for example vegetables, fruits, or eggs, more particularly non-round products such as, for example, pears or peppers.
    [0002] WO2010 / 005309 discloses a device for individualizing products delivered in bulk, such as, for example, fruits, potatoes or eggs, more particularly non-round products, for example pears or peppers, comprising a conveyor without end which extends in a running direction, wherein the conveyor is provided with at least one row, extending in the direction of travel, carriers formed so that between two successive carriers of the row a position of scroll is formed for a product, with a first plane extending vertically and passing through the middle of the respective row of carriers. In the known device, each carrier comprises two substantially cylindrical rollers, one of which is arranged on a first associated pivot and the second on a second associated pivot, in which the first and the second pivot are each located in a second plane. and wherein the first pivot is located on a first side of the first plane and the second pivot is on a second side opposite the first plane side. The first and second pivots each form with the first plane a substantially equal acute angle and extend from the first plane slightly obliquely upward, the sum of the acute angles being less than 180 °. According to WO2010 / 005309, it has been found that the non-round products find their way immediately to a central position, the lower middle of the scrolling position without additional irregular rotation. The "doubles" located much higher, on the one hand because of their own unstable position near the top edge of the rollers and on the other hand because of the very stable position of the products that have already taken place, will try, as a result the rotation of the rollers, also immediately, to find a free running position upstream. In addition, the stable central location of the heavier part of the product which has found its place, for example the round part of a pear, makes it possible, with the help of sensors, to make a representative measurement, 3029510 2 for example a record to obtain a spectrum to determine a sugar content, a water content or an acid content. In a preferred embodiment of WO2010 / 005309, the rolls are made of brushes. With this particularity, damage to products such as fruits and vegetables, for example apples, tomatoes or peaches, can be largely avoided. However, the risks that products slip are relatively high in the case of the use of brushes, which negatively affect product rotation which may be desirable during the examination of the products. The present invention aims to improve the individualization device. In particular, the invention aims at providing a device that can individualize products very efficiently and reliably, in which the individualized products can also be reliably examined (for example, by a camera). . In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for individualizing bulk goods such as, for example, fruit, potatoes or eggs, more particularly non-round products, for example pears or peppers. , comprising: an endless conveyor which extends in a running direction, wherein the conveyor is provided with at least one row, extending in the direction of travel, of carriers formed such that between two successive carriers in the row a running position is formed for a product, wherein each carrier comprises at least one roller, arranged on a respective axis of rotation, wherein at least one of said rollers includes at least a first roll portion and an adjacent second roller portion having mutually different product contact properties, wherein at least two successive carriers of said carrier row respective rolls which each comprise at least a first and a second roll portion, wherein the second roll portions of the at least two successive carriers are located at mutually different axial positions.
    [0003] It has been found that efficient and reliable individualization of the products can be achieved by using such a device. Particularly, it has been found that in this way it is possible to obtain improved product contact and a desired rapid orientation or reorientation of the product, as compared with, for example, the use of rolls only with brushes. Also, it has been found that in this way a very reliable rotation of the products could be effected after the products have been placed in one of the transport positions provided by the rolls (the rollers preferably being themselves driven by rotation during operation). As a result, virtually all sides of the individualized product can be examined for example by a camera or other visual inspection device. In addition, the second roller portions of said respective carriers are located at mutually different axial positions. In this way, it has been found that substantially improved product contact can be achieved in comparison with a system in which subsequent second roll portions would be at the same axial position (i.e. in line with each other in the direction of travel, it has been found that such a configuration could result in ejection or misplacement of the product). In the present invention, said roll may comprise a substantially cylindrical roll. The term "substantially cylindrical" should be interpreted broadly since it is not precisely limited to a roll having a constant diameter unless otherwise indicated. For example, said roller may also have a conical, frustoconical or diabolo shape, or another shape. Also, in another embodiment, said carrier may comprise a single roller, or at least two rollers, for example located on both sides of a central vertical plane. For example, said first roll portion may be a relatively soft roll portion for receiving and reorienting products without damaging the products. For example, a respective second adjacent roll portion may be relatively hard compared to that soft portion, for example, having an outer surface that is relatively firm or rigid compared to the outer surface of the first roll portion, allowing an improved rotation of the product. Mutually different properties of contact with the product of the roll parts can be obtained in various ways. According to a nonlimiting embodiment, said first portion of the roll may differ in at least one of the following properties with respect to said second adjacent portion of the roll: a mechanical property, hardness or compressibility or elasticity (measured radially inwardly, radial being defined with respect to the centerline / rotation axis of the roll), a material structure, a material composition and / or other property. According to another nonlimiting embodiment, at least the circumferential contact surfaces with the product of the first and the second part of the roll are different. It is preferred that the difference leads at least to contours of the first and second roller portions having a mutually different rolling resistance (in the case of the roll portion which rolls on a contact surface, the bearing involving rotation about the axis of rotation of the roll). For example, said second roll portion may provide greater rolling resistance (or "rolling friction," measured using the same test force and contact area) as rolling resistance provided by said rolling portion. first part of roll. Said first roll portion may be formed to provide a relatively low rolling resistance, for example, to provide product support as well as slip. Thus, improved local product drag forces and local slip portions can be achieved, leading to more reliable product rotation and orientation. As an example, to provide a relatively low engagement or slip, said first roll portion of the at least one roll may have a low friction outer surface, for example a surface containing or consisting of Teflon ( trademark). Similarly, this can be achieved by making a first brush roll portion.
    [0004] Thus, and in a preferred embodiment, said first roll portion of the at least one roll is a brush portion. In this way, product damage can be avoided or minimized during product entry or receipt. Said brush portion can be constituted in many different ways, depending for example on the type of product to be treated. For example, a brush portion may include a large number of flexible (elastic) brush strands - substantially loose / flexible or mutually pivotable - extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the respective roller, the outer ends of the bristles defining an annular shaped contour in the case where no product is in contact with the roll. The bristles may be evenly distributed, or in groups / bundles of bristles or differently, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. By way of example, said bundle of bristles may be a slightly tapered or conical bundle, with the center line of the bundle of bristles extending radially relative to the axis of rotation of the respective roll. According to one embodiment, the circumferential surface of the first roller portion of the at least one roller includes holes, preferably located between flexible members, for example, bristles or groups of bristles. In addition, according to one embodiment, said second roller portion of the at least one roller may include a substantially closed contour, for example an annular surface of a cylindrical body. By choosing an appropriate aperture of the outline, the respective properties of the roll portion can be determined, particularly so as to optimize the reception, orientation and subsequent rotation of a product. Further, it is preferred that in the case where said second roll portion has a higher rolling resistance (or "rolling friction", measured using the same test force and contact area) as the rolling resistance provided by said first roller portion, the second roller portion is located at or near an axially inward position of the roller (for example, at or near a position axially in the middle of the roller ). Particularly, this second roll portion may be spaced apart from the axial end faces of the roll. In this way, one can obtain good results of individualization of the products. Also, one aspect of the invention provides a method for individualizing products, including delivering the products to a device according to the invention, wherein the products are received by an upper portion of said endless conveyor, the conveyor being driven into a scrolling direction. In this way, one can obtain the advantages mentioned above.
    [0005] The invention will be well understood and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following detailed description. The description refers to the following drawings, which are given by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 gives a perspective view of a portion of the device shown in Figure 1; Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2, showing another exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 3; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of an embodiment in which the carriers comprise a single roll. In the drawings, corresponding elements or the like are designated by corresponding marks or the like. FIG. 1 schematically represents a part of a device, including an endless conveyor 1 which extends in a traveling direction T. In this example, said running direction T forms a small angle 2 with a horizontal plane B. The conveyor is provided with at least one row (one, in this example), extending in the conveying direction T, of carriers 1a which are formed so that between two successive carriers of the row a scroll position for a product P is formed, with a first plane V1 extending vertically and passing through the middle of the respective row of carriers. Figure 1 shows only a portion of the carriers la; Figure 2 shows the carriers in greater detail. In particular the carriers are located along the endless conveyor 1, to thereby achieve an endless line of product scrolling positions (or "product receiving nests").
    [0006] The products to be individualized can be, for example, pears (one of which is shown in FIG. 2), or other products. The device can be used to treat non-round products (vegetables, fruits, eggs, pears or peppers, etc.) or practically round products (eg apples, oranges, etc.) .
    [0007] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the endless conveyor 1 with rollers for scrolling through the products P can be formed inter alia by at least one endless chain or another drive member. endlessly carried by end wheels 2 with shafts 3. One (or both) of the end wheels may be driven by a drive means M, for example a motor. The manner in which the conveyor drive for an endless conveyor can be made will be apparent to those skilled in the art, so that no further details are shown or described. In Fig. 1 there is shown a product feeder S, constituted to deliver products to the upper part of the endless conveyor 1. The product feeder S as such can be constituted in different ways, and can by for example include a product supply conveyor, product storage or buffer installation, a liquid or water container containing the products (for example, floating in liquid / water) or a robot or gallows product delivery, or a different means of delivering products. Usually, in operation, the products are delivered in bulk to the endless conveyor of individualization, for example in an unordered manner, by the product feeder S.
    [0008] Downstream from the product dispenser S, product examination means Q can be found to examine the passing products P, products P running along or through these examination means by means of the conveyor. endless 1 in operation. In a more particular embodiment, the product examination means 35 are constituted to examine all the external surfaces of each product P that passes. To assist the product examination means, preferably, the conveyor 1 is formed to rotate products passing the examination means. For this purpose, the conveyor carriers include rotary rollers, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figs. 2-4. The product examination means may comprise, for example, one or more photographic detectors, one or more cameras, and / or other image forming means, for example constituted to produce one or more images or other detection signals, which may for example be processed by means processing (for example a signal processor, a computer). The detection results following a processing of such images or signals may be used in further processing of the products, such as for product classification or sorting, for detecting and rejecting defective products, such as will include those skilled in the art. Referring to Figure 2, in operation, the products P scroll in scroll positions which are formed between successive pairs of carriers, the successive carriers located one after the other in the scroll direction forming said row. The conveyor 1 may be provided with a plurality of parallel rows of carriers extending in the traveling direction T. In Fig. 2, only one row is shown. Furthermore, in all the cases mentioned above, it is conventional that the products at the downstream end of the conveyor 1 are transferred to a next conveyor (not shown), most of the time a sorting unit from which the products are released for example on packaging lines. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, in this example, each of the carriers comprises two rollers 4a, 4b, the rollers being rotatable about respective pivots 5a, 5b defining respective axes of rotation. Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment, in which each carrier 101a comprises a single roll 104. In the present example, each carrier is formed by a first roll 4a and a second roll 4b. More particularly, these rollers 4a, 4b have a cylindrical shape. In this case, the cylindrical shape is a circular cylindrical shape, wherein the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder is constant (as viewed in the axial direction of the cylinder). In another embodiment, the rolls have different shapes, for example a conical, frustoconical or diabolo shape (see FIG. 5). In the illustrated example embodiment, a first roller 4a is mounted on a first associated pivot 5a defining a first axis of rotation and the second roller 4b is mounted on a second associated pivot 5b defining a second axis of rotation. Pivots 5a, 5b may be connected to a conveyor drive means in a variety of ways. In the example, the pivots 5a, 5b are arranged on connecting elements of the endless drive member 2 (for example, a chain), in particular on pivot fixing elements 7 which, moreover, are in turn connected on both sides to conventional links 6. For those skilled in the art, it will be evident that the dimensioning of the parts 4a, 4b, 6 and 7 determines the size of the scrolling positions, or also the not, and therefore determines the size of the products P to scroll. The two pivots 5a, 5b are situated on opposite sides of the row, more precisely opposite sides of a first vertically extending plane V1 which passes through the middle of the respective row of carriers, in the scrolling direction. T. In addition, in the embodiment these pivots 5a, 5b of a carrier la can also be located in a second plane V2 which is perpendicular to the first plane Vi. In most cases this second plane V2 is also perpendicular to the running direction T. As indicated in FIG. 2, the pivots 5a, 5b, and therefore also the rollers 4a, 4b, are respectively oriented at angles a and p with respect to the first plane Vi. As shown in the drawing, in the first embodiment, the first 5a and the second pivot 5b each respectively form an acute angle α and f3 with the first plane V1 and extend from the first plane V1 slightly obliquely towards the high, the sum of said acute angles a, 3 being less than 180 °. In one embodiment, the acute angles a, R that form with the first plane V1 respectively the first pivot 5a and the second pivot 5b can be substantially equal.
    [0009] In addition, the pivots 5a, 5b, seen from the first plane V1, extend obliquely upwards, so that the angles formed with the plane V1 are acute, that is to say less than 90 °. Depending on the products to be treated, these acute angles have a value between 60 ° and 90 ° mentioned above.
    [0010] A preferred value for such an angle is 75 °. What is achieved by such a choice for the location of the pivots 5a, 5b is that the transport positions include a recessed portion as with trays or cups. These angles may be adjustable, so that small differences on the opposite sides of the first plane V1 are also possible, thereby obtaining more specific motions. It should be noted that, in another embodiment (see for example Figure 5), pivots 105 of the rollers defining axes of rotation R of the rollers may extend perpendicular to said first plane V1 (i.e. that is, the angle formed by the roll pins with the plane V1 is 90 °). In addition, the rollers 4a, 4b can rotate, for example by passing them on a drive track 8 (shown in Figure 2), or in a different manner. Such drive tracks 8 are known in this field of the art. The tracks 8 may be driven, or remain stationary, by being pressed against the rollers 4a, 4b and causing the rollers 4a, 4b to frictionally rotate between the track surfaces and the roll surfaces. With combinations of the speeds of the chain 2 and the track 8, with additional left and right combinations, i.e. rollers 4a and rollers 4b separately, all possible motions can be obtained. This scrolling can be done in a substantially horizontal plane, but in an alternative embodiment it is possible that the scrolling is done with a slight rise (as in Figure 1). What is thus obtained is that in a situation where a few products are in the same scrolling position, a rollback is encouraged in the upstream direction. Preferably, the pivots 5a, Sb are situated in a plane perpendicular to the running direction T. This simplifies the assembly of the parts and the positioning of the drive tracks 8.
    [0011] Furthermore, for particular applications, the rollers 4a, 4b may each be driven separately, for example for the purpose, in the case of delicate products, to drive only those rollers where this is necessary, so that the other products remain alone.
    [0012] In a known embodiment of the device, which embodiment is not part of the present invention, the rollers 4a, 4b are constituted by brushes. With this particularity, one can largely avoid damage to products like fruits and vegetables, for example apples, tomatoes or peaches.
    [0013] Figures 3 and 4 show a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at least one of said substantially cylindrical form rolls 4 (and in this example each of the rollers 4a, 4b) includes at least a first roll portion 21 and an adjacent second roll portion 22 having mutually different properties of product contact. In this way, it is possible to obtain improved contact with the product, particularly to rotate the products P which are transported by the rollers 4a, 4b (rotating, in use, around their pivot).
    [0014] In a preferred embodiment, each first roll portion 21 of the at least one substantially cylindrical shaped roll 4 is a relatively soft and / or compressible portion of the roll. Preferably, the first roller portion 21 may consist of a brush portion. As mentioned above, such a brush 21 may include flexible (elastic) brush bristles (not shown in the schematic drawings), extending radially with respect to the pivots 5a, 5b of the respective roll 4a, 4b, the outer ends of the bristles defining for example an annular shaped contour in the case where no product is in contact with the roller (see Figures 3, 4).
    [0015] The bristles may be evenly distributed, or in groups / bundles of bristles or differently, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a bundle of bristles may be a slightly tapered or conical bundle, with a center line of the bundle of bristles extending radially relative to the pivot of the respective roll.
    [0016] In this example, each of said second roller portions 22 of the at least one substantially cylindrical shaped roll 4 may comprise a substantially closed contour, for example an annular shaped surface of a cylindrical body 22 (e.g. , a solid cylindrical body, solid or hollow). On the other hand, the circumferential surface of the first roller portion 21 of the at least one substantially cylindrical shaped roll 4 may be of a relatively open structure, for example including holes, preferably located between the flexible elements, for example, said bristles or said groups of bristles. Also, in a preferred embodiment, providing good product contact with relatively little risk of P product damage, the circumferential surface of said first roll portion 21 of the at least one substantially cylindrical shaped roll 4a. , 4b may have radial compressibility greater than the radial compressibility of the circumferential surface of the second adjacent roller portion 22 of the respective roller 4. As shown in the drawing (see Fig. 4), said second roll portion 22 of the roll 4a, 4b may be located at or near an axially inward (proximal) position of the roll, or at the or near the respective foreground V1. A product P being received in a nest, defined by two successive carriers, may be supported at least on said second roller portion 22 of the respective rollers 4a, 4b, i.e. at a relatively low location in the nest. The second roller portions 22 (preferably four) can provide good rolling contact with a product P supported in this way, to rotate the product P during travel (for example, along said detection means Q). By using relatively narrow second roller portions 22 (extending only over a portion of the width of the respective rolls 4a, 4b), the remaining first roll portions 21 may be available to provide the product with a relatively soft support, particularly assisting with the orientation and the individualization of the product P during the capture or sampling from the product feeder S. Thus, optimized individualisation and rotation of the product can be obtained without or substantially less damage (crush) products. In another advantageous embodiment, to obtain said difference in product contact, the first and second roller portions 21, 22 may be made of a different material (for example, the first roll parts 21 are made of a first material or a first compound, and the second roll parts 22 are made of a second material or a second compound which differs from said first material or said first compound). Also, it is preferred that the contours of the first and second roller portions 21, 22 have mutually different rolling resistance. To achieve improved product contact, for example, the outer circumferential surface of each of said second roller portions 22 may be a rubber surface or a rubber-like material. For example, said second roll portion 22 may be entirely made of such material, or it may comprise one or more outer layers of such material. More particularly, each of said second roller portions 22 is not a brush portion, i.e. it does not consist of brush bristles. In the present example, each of the rollers 4 comprises two mutually different parts 21, 22. Which is however not essential. In another embodiment, a relatively large number of rolls 4 (e.g., at least half of the substantially cylindrical rolls 4) may comprise the at least two adjacent roll portions 21, 22 having mutually different properties of contact with the product. In yet another embodiment, for each of the product receiving nests, at least one of the rolls 4a, 4b defining said nest comprises the two mutually different portions 21, 22. It is preferred that at least two successive carriers One row of carriers comprises rollers each of which includes at least a first 21 and a second roller portion 22, the second roller portions 22 of the at least two successive carriers being located at mutually different axial positions. This is clearly seen in FIG. 4: the two second roller portions 22 of a first carrier la (1) are located at axial positions (i.e., a short distance from the proximal inner end of the respective rollers 4a, 4b) different from the axial positions of the two second roll portions 22 5 of the second carrier la (2) which follows in the running direction. Similarly, the two second roller portions 22 of this second carrier (2) are located at axial positions (i.e., against the proximal inner end of the respective rolls 4a, 4b) different from the axial positions of the two second portions. in the present example, the second roller portions 22 of the carriers 1a are located at mutually stepped axial positions, viewed along the direction of travel T , so that these second roll parts 22 of neighboring carriers do not overlap. It has been found that this can give excellent contact with the product, particularly in comparison with an embodiment in which these second roll parts 22 of adjacent carriers overlap it completely (i.e. are all located at the same axial positions). In this latter embodiment, contact with the product was found to be too good contact, leading to an undesirable misplacement of the product or even ejection of the product. By using mutually different axial positions of second follower roller portions 22, this can be avoided. In the example, the second roller portions 22 of the rollers 4a, 4b of each carrier 1a are arranged at the same axial position (i.e., measured parallel to the central axes of rotation of the respective rolls). This is a preferred embodiment, but it is not an essential feature. As seen from the drawing, some of the rollers may include only two first roll portions 21 and only one second roll portion 22. Particularly, in these two carrier rolls, the first portions 21 are located at the distal ends and the second portions 22 at the proximal (inward) portions of the roll.
    [0017] Also, in the example, a number of rollers 4a, 4b have a single second roll portion 22 located between two first roll portions 21. In these rollers, particularly, one of the first roll portions 21 separates the second respective roll portions 22 of the axially inner end of the roll 4a, 4b. In the example, the total width of the at least one first roll portion 21 of the at least one of said rolls is greater than the total width of the at least one second adjacent roll portion 22 of that roll. 4, said widths being measured in the axial direction. For example, the width of said second roll portion 22 is smaller than half of the total width of the respective roll 4a, 4b, especially smaller than 25% of that total width, for example in the range of about 10 to 20% of said total width. Thus, relatively narrow second portions 22 can be used, providing good contact with the product with a reduced change in the overall inconvenience of individualizing the products. In operation, the conveyor 1 is driven, leading to scroll the carriers la in the direction of travel T and to rotate the rollers 4a, 4b. P products are received by an upper portion of the endless conveyor 1, to be individualized in the nests that are defined by the carriers. The optional examination means can examine the individualized products downstream of the product feeder S reliably due to the improved individualization and rotation of the products. FIG. 5 shows a variant configuration of a row of carriers (only part of the row being shown), in which each carrier 101a is a single roll 104. In this case, each roll 104 has a substantially diabolo shape. having a reduced diameter in the middle of the axial length with respect to the roll diameters at the opposite ends (facing outward of each roll). The roller 104 may also be of different shape. In this example, the axes of rotation R of the rollers 104 extend perpendicular to a common direction of travel T, said axes of rotation being parallel to each other.
    [0018] Here again, each of the rollers 104 includes a plurality of adjacent roll portions 121, 122, the portions 121, 122 having mutually different product contact properties (as in the embodiments above). For example, each roll 104 may include a single second roll portion 122 which is enclosed between two first roll portions 121. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more rolls 104 may include at least two second roll portions 122 which are separated (spaced) by first roll portions 121. As seen in FIG. 5, each second roll portion 122 of a (first) wearer is located at an axial position different from the axial position of the second roller portion 22 of the (second) carrier that follows in the scrolling direction. In other words, the second roll portions 22 of the carriers 1a are located at mutually stepped axial positions, viewed in the running direction T, so that these second roll portions 22 of adjacent carriers 1a do not overlap. . Thus, one can obtain the advantages mentioned above. Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or object of the invention as defined in the claims. It should be understood that in the present application the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Also, each of the terms "one" and "one" does not exclude a plurality. None of the references in the claims shall be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. For example, all the first portions 21 and all the second 30 parts 22 of each of said substantially cylindrical shaped rolls 4a, 4b may have circular cylindrical symmetry (with fixed diameters). In another embodiment, the rollers (and respective roll portions 21, 22) may have other shapes, for example conical or slightly conical (with variable diameter). For example, said first portions 21 of a roll 4a, 4b may be conical, or O-shaped, or have another shape. For example, said second portions 22 of a roll 4a, 4b may be tapered, or O-shaped (with a curved outer annular surface), or have another shape. Also, for example, a first 21 and a second portion 22 of the same roll 4a, 4b may have the same shape (and the same width or different width), but this is not necessary. Beside that, a roller, or a respective roller part, may have rotational symmetry, but it is not essential. For example, the outer surface of a roll, or part of a roll, may be irregular, angled, ovoid or different, cross-sectional (perpendicular to a respective roll axis of rotation).
    权利要求:
    Claims (21)
    [0001]
    REVENDICATIONS1. Apparatus for individualizing bulk goods such as, for example, fruit, potatoes or eggs, particularly non-round products, for example pears or peppers, comprising: an endless conveyor which is extends in a running direction (T), wherein the conveyor is provided with at least one row, extending in the direction of travel, of carriers (la; 101a) constituted so that between two successive carriers of the row a scrolling position is formed for a product, wherein each carrier comprises at least one roller (4; 104), arranged on a respective axis of rotation (5a, 5b; R), characterized in that at least one one of said rollers (4; 104) includes at least a first roller portion (21; 121) and an adjacent second roller portion (22; 122) having mutually different contact properties with the product; at least two successive carriers of the said Angular carriers include respective rollers each of which comprises at least one first (21; 121) and a second roller portion (22; 122), and in that the second roller portions (22; 122) of the at least two successive carriers are located at mutually different axial positions.
    [0002]
    2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first roller portion (21; 121) of the at least one roller (4; 104) is a brush portion.
    [0003]
    Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second roller portion (22; 122) of the at least one roller (4; 104) includes a substantially closed contour, for example a ring-shaped surface of a cylindrical body.
    [0004]
    4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circumferential surface of the first roller portion (21; 121) of the at least one roller (4; 104) includes holes, preferably located between flexible elements, for example brush bristles or groups of bristles.
    [0005]
    Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circumferential surface of the first roller portion (21; 121) of the at least one roller (4; 104) has a greater radial compressibility than the radial compressibility of the circumferential surface of the adjacent second roller portion (22; 122) of the respective roller (4; 104).
    [0006]
    Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second roll portion (22; 122) of the roll (4; 104) is located at or near a position axially inward of the roller.
    [0007]
    Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer circumferential surface of each of said second roller portions (22; 122) is a rubber surface or a rubber-like material.
    [0008]
    8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the rollers (4; 104), for example each of the rollers (4a; 4b), has a circular cylindrical shape, the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder being constant.
    [0009]
    9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the rollers (104), for example each of the rollers (104), has a variable outside diameter, for example a surface of a roll. shaped diabolo.
    [0010]
    10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first roller portion (21; 121) of the at least one roller (4; 104) has an outer surface with a low coefficient of friction, for example a surface containing or consisting of Teflon (trade mark).
    [0011]
    Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least half of the substantially cylindrical rolls (4; 104) comprise at least two adjacent roller parts having mutually different properties of contact with the product. . 302 9 5 10 20
    [0012]
    12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each carrier comprises two rollers, a first is arranged on a first axis of rotation associated (5a) and a second on a second axis of rotation associated (5b) a first plane (V1) extends vertically and passing through the middle of the respective row of carriers, said first axis of rotation (5a) and the second axis of rotation (5b) are each located in a second plane ( V2) associated with the respective carrier and the first axis of rotation (5a) is located on a first side of the first plane (V1) and the second axis of rotation (5b) 10 is located on a second opposite side of the first plane (V1), in that the first (5a) and the second axis of rotation (5b) each form an acute angle (a and 5, respectively) with the first plane (V1) and extend from the first plane (V1) slightly obliquely upwards, the sum of said acute angles (oc, 5) being less than 180 °. 15
    [0013]
    13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said rollers includes only a first roll portion (21) and only a second roll portion (22).
    [0014]
    Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said rolls includes only two first roll portions (21; 121) and only a second roll portion (22; 122).
    [0015]
    15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total width of the at least one first roll portion (21; 121) of the at least one of said rollers is greater than the total width. at least one second adjacent roll portion (22; 122) of said roll (4; 104), said widths being measured in the axial direction.
    [0016]
    16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said carriers comprises two rollers (4a, 4b), the two rollers of this carrier each including a second roll portion (22). the second roller portions (22) of the two rollers (4a, 4b) being both at or near an axially proximal position of the respective roller. 302 95 10 21
    [0017]
    17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second roller parts (21, 22; 121, 122) are made of a different material.
    [0018]
    18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contours of the first and second roller parts (21, 22; 121, 122) have a mutually different resistance to rolling.
    [0019]
    Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of said second roll portion (22; 122) is smaller than half of the total width of the respective roll, particularly smaller than 25 % of the total width, for example in the range of about 10 to 20% of said total width.
    [0020]
    20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that substantially each of said rollers comprises at least one said second roll portion (22; 122).
    [0021]
    21. A method of individualizing products, including the delivery of the products to a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the products are received by an upper part of said endless conveyor, the conveyor being driven into a scroll direction (T).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BE1023524A9|2020-01-13|
    BE1023524B9|2020-01-13|
    US9670006B2|2017-06-06|
    ITUB20156077A1|2017-06-02|
    FR3029510B1|2020-03-27|
    US20160159580A1|2016-06-09|
    NL2013911B1|2016-10-11|
    BE1023524B1|2017-04-19|
    BE1023524A1|2017-04-19|
    引用文献:
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    DE4118602A1|1991-06-06|1992-12-10|Frans Popma|CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR COMPACT-SHAPED OBJECTS|
    US20050205391A1|2002-06-14|2005-09-22|De Greef Jacob H|Supporting body, conveyor comprising a number of supporting bodies and method for transversally aligning objects|
    WO2010005309A1|2008-07-10|2010-01-14|Fps Food Processing Systems B.V.|Singulator|
    US3120889A|1960-10-18|1964-02-11|Seymour Foods Inc|Egg handling apparatus|
    US3147844A|1963-04-17|1964-09-08|Lathan Mfg Company|Object conveying and positioning apparatus|
    US3216549A|1963-06-28|1965-11-09|Otto C Niederer|Egg supporting means|
    US3252561A|1963-08-16|1966-05-24|Durand Machinery Inc|Feeder device|
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    NL1009569C2|1998-07-06|2000-01-10|Food Processing Systems|Endless conveyor.|DE102015205984A1|2015-04-02|2016-10-06|Krones Aktiengesellschaft|Method and guide system for the transport of containers or container components in industrial plants for container production and / or product filling|
    US9927377B2|2016-07-27|2018-03-27|Daniel G. Mills|Agricultural sizer with item stabilizer belt|
    US10858198B1|2019-10-02|2020-12-08|Intelligrated Headquarters, Llc|Singulation conveyor system with rollers of different roller cross-sectional profiles|
    法律状态:
    2016-09-23| PLSC| Publication of the preliminary search report|Effective date: 20160923 |
    2016-12-22| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2017-12-21| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2018-12-19| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2019-12-19| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 5 |
    2020-01-10| CA| Change of address|Effective date: 20191202 |
    2020-12-23| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 6 |
    2021-12-24| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 7 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    NL2013911|2014-12-03|
    NL2013911A|NL2013911B1|2014-12-03|2014-12-03|Apparatus for singulating products.|
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