[0001] The present invention relates to a system for sorting elongated products with a longitudinal
axis, for instance vegetables such as cucumbers, comprising:
- a detection system for detecting and/or defining at least one characteristic of each
product;
- an endless sorting conveyor with elongated carrier units, for conveying in a conveying
direction T the products with their longitudinal axis at right angles to the conveying
direction, wherein the carrier units are tiltable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal
axis, wherein carried along products are released downwards in accordance with the
characteristic mentioned,
- at least two discharge devices for discharging, in accordance with the characteristic
mentioned, the products released onto these discharge devices, and
- a control device for controlling the velocities of the sorting conveyor, the discharge
devices and releasing and collecting.
[0002] Such a system is known from, for instance,
EP810963. Herein, it is elucidated how such products, for instance carrots, are supplied in
bulk and are then distributed on a feed conveyor, and thereupon, on a sorting conveyor.
More particularly, singulation of these products is described while the cross rollers,
calculated over different paths in the conveying direction, are accordingly driven.
Upon release, the products conveyed in the cross direction, for instance vegetables
such as carrots, are collected in so-called V-troughs running underneath in which
the products are located one behind the other in longitudinal direction. Such a discharge
device not only has a complex structure, but also takes up much space.
[0003] Further, in this field of technology, discharge devices having the form of substantially
horizontally disposed turning tables are known. These turning tables turn with one
half under the sorting conveyor so that, at a particular moment in time, the products
released on these tables appear from under this sorting conveyor to, from thence,
be manually processed further. In particular with higher sorting speeds, this processing
requires many operators for rapid and accurate processing of the feed.
[0004] In order to remedy, or at least reduce, the above-mentioned shortcomings, the invention
provides a system of the type described in the preamble, comprising:
- collecting units provided in a discharge device mentioned, which collecting units
are configured for taking over and maintaining over at least a well defined path the
orientation and the order of the products in the sorting conveyor during collection
of the products after release from the carrier units.
[0005] In further elaborations, the system can be characterized in that:
a discharge device comprises an endless corrugated belt conveyor which is formed by
somewhat raised corrugations of a resilient material, wherein the collecting units
are formed by spaces between the raised corrugations;
a discharge device has a discharge conveying direction which corresponds with the
conveying direction T, so that upon said releasing, collecting and conveying of the
products, the collecting units are moved in the conveying direction T;
the corrugated belt conveyor is designed to convey the products, with this collecting
and conveying, over a distance of at least three collecting units in the conveying
direction T;
the corrugated belt conveyor is designed to convey the products, with this collecting
and conveying, in the conveying direction T during a period of time that elapses upon
movement of at least three collecting units along a particular position;
the sorting conveyor and the at least one discharge device are synchronized such that
products released from directly successive carrier units are collected in directly
successive collecting units of the at least one discharge device; and/or
each elongated carrier unit of the sorting conveyor comprises a cup tiltable about
its axis.
[0006] The present invention further relates to a corrugated belt conveyor for conveying
products in a conveying direction T, comprising:
- an endless belt with a forward part and a return part and with a particular width,
wherein the forward part defines a conveying face and, in use, travels in the conveying
direction T;
- collecting units defined by spaces between corrugations formed at regular intervals
in the endless belt which is manufactured from resilient material and which corrugations
extend at right angles to the conveying direction T.
[0007] Such a belt is known from, for instance,
JP2004075381.
[0008] More particularly, such a conveyor is used for bridging height differences. It is
not clear in any manner how, with this, a bend in a plane other than the vertical
plane shown can be traversed.
[0009] In order to solve this problem, the corrugated belt conveyor according to the present
invention comprises;
- an endless chain, whose length substantially corresponds with the length of the endless
belt and which runs parallel to the endless belt and is connected with the endless
belt approximately halfway the width thereof, while the endless chain is bendable
in at least two mutually perpendicular planes;
- an upstream part which extends in a first conveying direction T1;
- a downstream part which extends in a second conveying direction T2;
- a bend connecting the upstream part with the downstream part such that the first conveying
direction T1 includes an angle with the second conveying direction T2, while the bend
has a radius whose center is located in an imaginary plane in which also the conveying
face extends.
[0010] Although from
DE3923442 it is known how granular material can be conveyed along paths having both height
differences and bends, it is not clear how elongated products, for instance vegetables
such as cucumbers, can be moved with such a conveyor.
[0011] In the following, the invention is elucidated further on the basis of a Figure, wherein
Fig. 1 gives an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the system according
to the invention, and
Fig. 2 gives an isometric view of a particular aspect of the system according to the
invention.
[0012] In the different Figures, the same parts or constituents have the same indications
or reference numerals.
[0013] In Fig. 1, elongated products P, for instance cucumbers, are conveyed with part of
a sorting conveyor 1 in a conveying direction T. More particularly, this sorting conveyor
1 comprises elongated carrier units 2, such as cups in the exemplary embodiment shown
also having a suitable elongated shape, and, further, tiltable about a shaft 3.
[0014] Such sorting conveyors 1 with cups are known from, for instance,
EP108445. Herein, it is described in detail in which manner the cups are constructed, are
provided in an endless conveyor having endless chains on both sides, are tiltable,
and are used in particular for weighing products carried along to thus classify the
products. Further, in this field of technology, variants with openwork cups are known
for optical classification. By tilting the cups in time, the products are released
at locations intended thereto to thus compose sortings of these products.
[0015] In Fig.1 is further represented a part of a discharge device 4 having collecting
units 5, also elongated, in which the products are collected after tilting of and
release from the cups 2. For this discharge device 4, directions D1 and D2 with a
bend B therebetween are indicated for an upstream part and a downstream part of the
discharge device 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the situation is represented in
which products P in successive cups 2 are released into collecting units 5 which are
also successive.
[0016] It will be clear to all skilled in the art that the movements of the sorting conveyor
1 on the one hand and of the discharge device 4 on the other hand are synchronized
for collecting the products P in a suitable manner at the location of a collecting
unit 5. This synchronisation depends on the distances and velocities and is set in
a known manner. Not only collecting in directly successive collecting units 5 can
be set, but also well-chosen intervals can be used. This may be of importance with
the further processing (not shown) of the products P, for instance with a robot, or
with a system of robots, which need a well-defined workspace. Furthermore, it can
be included the control that as not each successive carrier unit 2 of the sorting
conveyor 1 is loaded, upon loading, each time a successive collecting unit 5 of the
intended discharge device 4 is ready to be filled, while the control of the velocity
of the discharge device 4 will also comprise its halting and accelerating. In particular
this successive collecting and filling of the collecting units will be highly suitable
for the further processing of the products P, for instance batch-wise picking up and
then placing in boxes or crates. Such controls for gearing speeds and operations to
each other are generally known in the field of technology of sorting.
[0017] In the situation according to Fig. 1, the directions T and D1 are represented, each
located in an associated substantially horizontal plane, and mutually parallel in
one vertical plane. It will be clear that, with correct synchronization, a well-chosen
mutual angle in this vertical plane is also possible for maintaining the order and
orientation of the products P upon collection thereof. For the second conveying direction
D2, in a similar manner, a well defined angle can be selected in a vertical plane.
[0018] Furthermore, for the discharge device 4, a collecting path will be chosen that is
sufficiently long for maintaining orientation and order upon collection of the products
P, for instance over a distance of a few collecting units 5, or also during a particular
period of time at the velocities that will be used. Preferably, such a path will be
short to save space for a following discharge device 4 or even for one following that.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment shown according to Fig. 2, for the discharge device 4
a corrugated belt conveyor is shown which comprises,
inter alia, an endless belt of resilient material having corrugations 40 therein. Suitable resilient
materials for such a use are known. More particularly, an endless chain 41 is represented
which can be bent not only perpendicularly to the axis of the links, but also in a
plane at right angles thereto. The chain may be included in a curved guide. Such chains
are known per se. Thus, paths which are at angles to each other can be travelled,
represented in the Figures with the first conveying direction D1 and the second conveying
direction D2, with which, in a suitable manner, space can be saved and/or utilized.
Such a corrugated belt conveyor can also be used for just conveying, while the space
between two neighbouring corrugations 40 can be indicated with the term conveying
unit instead of collecting unit.
[0020] In Fig. 2, it is further indicated how such a chain 41 is connected, approximately
in the middle, with the corrugated belt, for instance at the location of cross strips
which are secured at their centers M to the chain and which furthermore, over the
width of the corrugated belt at the location of the bottom of the collecting units,
or, as the case may be, conveying units, are connected to this corrugated belt, for
instance by means of screws or, also, glue.
[0021] It will be clear to the skilled person that further possibilities and modifications
can be indicated in this exemplary embodiment. For instance, the ends of the collecting
units, or, in case of just conveying, the conveying units, can be provided with protrusions,
for instance also from resilient material, to prevent the products P from falling
from the units. Even several protrusions can be attached to the bottom part of the
collecting units, or conveying units, to thus effect a division into sections. In
another embodiment, the corrugated belt can be used having a surface of brushes, a
corrugated mat can for instance be considered here.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, several discharge conveyors can be provided side by side,
while they are mutually provided such that in cross direction, side by side, alternately,
a corrugation and a collecting unit are located, whereby side by side sections are
obtained. Although the described use is directed towards elongated objects, with this,
also differently formed products such as apples, paprikas or still other products
can be processed.
[0023] Further minor changes and variations are understood to fall within the protective
scope of the appended claims.
1. A system for sorting elongated products with a longitudinal axis, for instance vegetables
such as cucumbers, comprising:
- a detection system for detecting and/or defining at least one characteristic of
each product,
- an endless sorting conveyor with elongated carrier units, for conveying in a conveying
direction T the products with their longitudinal axis at right angles to the conveying
direction, wherein the carrier units are tiltable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal
axis, wherein carried along products are released downwards in accordance with the
characteristic mentioned,
- at least two discharge devices for discharging, in accordance with the characteristic
mentioned, the products released onto these discharge devices, and
- a control device for controlling the velocities of said sorting conveyor, said discharge
devices and said releasing and collecting,
- collecting units provided in said discharge device, which collecting units are configured
for taking over and at least maintaining over a well defined path the orientation
and the order of the products in the sorting conveyor during collection of the products
after release from the carrier units.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein a said discharge device comprises an endless
corrugated belt conveyor which is formed by somewhat raised corrugations of a resilient
material, wherein the collecting units are formed by spaces between the raised corrugations.
3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a said discharge device has a discharge
conveying direction which corresponds with said conveying direction T, such that upon
said releasing, collecting and conveying of the products, the collecting units are
moved in said conveying direction T.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the corrugated belt conveyor is designed to
convey products, with said collecting and conveying, over a distance of at least three
collecting units in the said conveying direction T.
5. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the corrugated belt conveyor is designed
to convey the products, with said collecting and conveying, in said conveying direction
T during a period of time that elapses upon movement of at least three collecting
units along a particular position.
6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sorting conveyor
and said at least one discharge device are synchronized such that products, released
from directly successive carrier units are collected in directly successive collecting
units of said at least one discharge device.
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elongated carrier
unit of the sorting conveyor comprises a cup tiltable about an axis.
8. A corrugated belt conveyor for conveying products in a conveying direction, comprising:
- an endless belt with a forward part and a return part and with a particular width,
wherein the forward part defines a conveying face and, in use, travels in the conveying
direction T;
- collecting units defined by spaces between corrugations formed at regular intervals
in the endless belt which is manufactured from resilient material and which corrugations
extend at right angles to the conveying direction;
- an endless chain whose length substantially corresponds with the length of the endless
belt and which runs parallel to the endless belt and is connected to the endless belt
approximately halfway the width thereof, wherein the endless chain is bendable in
at least two mutually perpendicular planes;
- an upstream part which extends in a first conveying direction D1;
- a downstream part which extends in a second conveying direction D2;
- a bend which connects the upstream part with the downstream part such that the first
conveying direction D1 includes an angle with the second conveying direction D2, wherein
the bend has a radius whose center is located in an imaginary plane in which also
the conveying face extends.