(19)
(11) EP 0 938 936 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
01.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/35

(21) Application number: 99103467.9

(22) Date of filing: 23.02.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6B07B 1/46, B07B 1/10, B07B 13/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 26.02.1998 IT PS980008 U

(71) Applicants:
  • Iacucci, Rita
    Fano (Pesaro) (IT)
  • Rosa, Umberto
    Fano (Pesaro) (IT)

(72) Inventors:
  • Iacucci, Rita
    Fano (Pesaro) (IT)
  • Rosa, Umberto
    Fano (Pesaro) (IT)

(74) Representative: Negrini, Elena 
Agazzani & Associati S.r.l. & Studio Ing. Giampaolo Agazzani, Via dell'Angelo Custode 11/6
40141 Bologna
40141 Bologna (IT)

   


(54) Articulated grate with calibrated holes for gauge band apparatus of fruit and vegetable or similar products


(57) An articulated grate with circular, or generally polygonal holes, for making sliding band sieves for gauge apparatus of fruit and vegetable or similar products, includes shaped elements or rods, first (1) and second (2), in such a way to form a series of half-rings alternated with linear pieces, expanding for the whole band width. The so obtained elements are joined two by two in mirrored displacement, by means of fastenings (3) allowing the articulation thereof. Each couple is linked with other similar couples, displaced in staggered position, so obtaining a plurality of approached and uniformly distributed grids.




Description


[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.


Claims

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.
 




Drawing