[0001] The present invention concerns an articulated grate with round, or polygonal holes,
for carrying out sieves with sliding band, to be applied to fruit and vegetable or
similar products.
[0002] To select the fruit and vegetable products based on their sizes, gauge machines are
commonly used having a series of conveyors with articulated grid of different sizes
in which the first band grid has the smallest holes, while the following bands have
holes of progressively increasing sizes. The products passing through the band grid
fall onto an underlying conveyor, transversally placed, and transporting the products
into the related containers.
[0003] The articulated grates with circular grid, made with difficulty, are used to select
the more regular shaped products, such as, for instance, peaches, apples, plums, apricots,
garlic, onion, etc. In fact, these grates are currently carried out by joining two
opposed half-rings by means of fastenings applied on refolded diametrical parts. Each
single grid, so obtained, must be joined to the other adjacent grids of the same line
and the following rows.
[0004] The main drawback is that the realization of a whole band is particularly long, especially
when the grids are of small size. Moreover the high number of weldings increases the
possibility of constructive defects and breakings.
[0005] The main object of the invention is to simplifying construction of the grate and
to make it more homogeneous and more resistant to stresses applied during operation.
[0006] The grate in object is composed by rods shaped in such a way to form - series of
half-rings, alternated by linear pieces, expanding along the whole band width. The
so obtained elements are joined two by two in a mirroring position, by means of fastenings
allowing the articulation thereof. Every couple is connected with other similar couples,
[0007] placed in staggered position, so obtaining a band with a plurality of approached
grids, uniformly distributed.
[0008] The characteristics of the invention are underlined in the following with particular
reference to the enclosed drawings in which:
- Figure 1 shows two shaped faced elements of the grate including a series of half-rings,
before their joining;
- Figure 2 shows the coupled elements of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 shows two further shaped faced and divided elements, longer than the elements
of Figure 1, each having a series of half-rings and refolded ends;
- Figure 4 shows the two elements of Figure 3 mirroring coupled;
- Figure 5 shows a portion of the articulated grate made joining at the tangential points
the couples of elements of Figure 2 with those of Figure 4.
[0009] With reference to figures 1-5, the grate is constituted by first shaped elements
1 or shorter rods 1 (Figures 1 and 2), shaped with a series of half-rings, alternated
by linear pieces, and by second shaped elements 2 or longer rods (figures 3 and 4),
shaped with half-rings joined to linear pieces and with refolded ends.
[0010] For every couple of shaped elements, first 1 and second 2, the two equal rods are
joined faced, as in Figures 2 and 4, by means of fastenings 3, so allowing the articulation
thereof.
[0011] For a better mechanical resistance, the fastening ends 3 are welded after their closing.
Moreover, the faced ends of the two second shaped adjacent elements 2 are mutually
fixed for instance by means of a fastening 3.
[0012] The grate of Figure 5 is then obtained approaching alternatively at least a couple
of the first shaped elements 1 with at least a couple of the second shaped elements
2 and joining their tangential points. In such way the grate forms a band screen,
articulated in correspondence of the linking fastenings 3.
[0013] The use of shaped rods with different half-rings, having an equal length of the band,
allows a considerable time saving and a more uniform and more resistant grid in comparison
with the known grids, constituted by single half-rings.
[0014] The calibrated holes of the grids can generally have different sizes and circular,
hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal forms.
[0015] A variant of the invention is to use a single fastening of bigger dimensions instead
of a couple of fastening per segment.
1. Articulated grate with calibrated holes for gauge band apparatus of fruit and vegetable
products or similar
characterized in that it includes:
- at least a couple of first faced shaped elements (1), each including a series of
half-rings, alternated with linear pieces, expanding for the whole width of said grate
and in correspondence of which are joined by means of fastenings (3) allowing the
articulation thereof;
- at least a couple of second faced shaped elements (2), similar to said first elements
(1) and staggered with this latters, in such a way that said grate has a plurality
of approached and uniformly spread grids.
2. Grate according to claim 1 characterized in that said couples of shaped elements, first (1) and second (2), differ for a grid.
3. Grate according to claim 1 characterized in that said second elements (2) have refolded ends.
4. Grate according to claim 3 characterized in that said refolded ends of two adjacent couples of said second elements (2) are mutually
linked by means of a further fastening (3).
5. Grate according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said calibrated holes of the grids are generally circular, hexagonal, octagonal,
or polygonal.