# US 11,307,188 B2 · Device and method for crumbling root crops and for determining components in root crops > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,188 B2 - Document ID: US11307188B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/104,174 - Filed: 2020-11-25 - Published: 2021-05-20 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-07 - Assignees: KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA - Applicants: Kws Saat SE & Co. Kgaa - Inventors: Elke Hilscher; Frank Friedhoff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307188B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/025: {Fruits or vegetables} - G01N 1/286: {involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising (microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F)} - G01N 21/3563: for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor - G01N 21/3581: using far infrared light; using Terahertz radiation - G01N 21/359: using near infrared light - G01N 21/85: Investigating moving fluids or granular solids - G01N 2001/2866: {Grinding or homogeneising} - G01N 2021/845: {Objects on a conveyor} - G01N 2021/8466: {Investigation of vegetal material, e.g. leaves, plants, fruits} - G01N 2021/8592: {Grain or other flowing solid samples} - G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for crumbling root crops into substantially equal sized pieces, comprising: a main frame having an inlet side and an outlet side; a root crop supply at the inlet side; at least one crumbling shaft rotatable supported in the main frame, the crumbling shaft being provided with a plurality of curved hooks, which are curved into a direction of rotation of the crumbling shaft; and a non-rotating cutting rake having a plurality of protrusions and recesses and forming a counter blade for the hooks, wherein the hooks are arranged for interlaced movement with said recesses of the non-rotating rake. The invention moreover concerns a system and a corresponding method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for crumbling root crops, preferably into substantially equal sized pieces, comprising: a main frame having an inlet side and an outlet side; at least one crumbling shaft rotatable supported in the main frame, the crumbling shaft being provided with a plurality of curved hooks, preferably curved into a direction of rotation of the crumbling shaft; a non-rotating cutting rake having a plurality of protrusions and recesses arranged for interlaced movement with the hooks; and a cleaning rake adjacent to or opposite the cutting rake for stripping off root crop pieces from the hooks, wherein the cutting rake is adjustable in height for adjusting a vertical distance to said crumbling shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks comprise a sharp edge at the tip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a back face of the curved hooks is curved about an angle of 45° to 90° from a base portion of the hook to a terminal end of the hook. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks are displaced to each other provided about the circumference of the crumbling shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks taper towards the tip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks have a length in a range of 20 mm to 80 mm, measured along a center line of the hooks. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks have a cross section in a range of 100 mm2, measured at a foot portion and/or in a middle portion of the hooks. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks are axially offset to each other by a value in the range of 10 mm to 100 mm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the curved hooks are removably fixed to the crumbling shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the crumbling shaft is connected to a drive for driving the crumbling shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a de-clogging device for de-clogging clogged root crops from the rake. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the de-clogging device comprises a first de-clogging element for the cutting rake. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the first de-clogging element is in the form of a bar with a longitudinal extension parallel to said crumbling shaft and movable upwardly for raising clogged root crops or root crop pieces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the de-clogging device comprises a second de-clogging element for the cleaning rake. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the second de-clogging element is in the form of a bar with a longitudinal extension parallel to said crumbling shaft and movable upwardly for raising clogged root crops or root crop pieces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the first de-clogging element is connected to a drive for intermittently driving the first de-clogging element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the second de-clogging elements is connected to a drive for intermittently driving the second de-clogging element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a set of first and second crumbling shafts supported in said frame, which are arranged for counter-rotating, wherein one rake is provided between the shafts having opposingly arranged protrusions and recesses. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the shafts are formed identical to each other. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, comprising a second set of third and fourth crumbling shafts. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A device for determining components in root crops, comprising: the device for crumbling root crops according to claim 1 for providing a stream of root crop crumbles; a transport device for transporting the stream of root crop crumbles; an equalizing roller for homogenizing the stream of root crop crumbles; and a measuring device for identification and quantification of ingredients. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method for crumbling root crops into substantially equal sized pieces, comprising: crumbling the root crops into substantially equal sized fine pieces using a device according to claim 1. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) A method for determining components in root crops, comprising the following sequence of steps: crumbling the root crops into substantially equal sized fine pieces using a device according to claim 1; generating a stream of fine pieces of root crop, and transporting the fine pieces of root crop with the aid of a transport device; homogenizing or evenly distributing the fine pieces of root crop in the stream; irradiating the stream of fine pieces of root crop with light of the near infrared range; recording the reflected and/or absorbed radiation; converting radiation into a spectral signal; and processing of the spectral signal for determination of the components. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a front face of the curved hooks is curved about an angle of 30° to 80° from a base portion of the hook to a small protrusion of the hook.