Sorting apparatus
OwnerAlbertus Ruigrokinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a combination of an endless feed conveyor, typically a roller conveyor, and an endless sorting conveyor in line with it, viz. a cup sorter. The conveying directions of the successive conveyors are along the top and along the bottom. For the cup sorter, provisions have been made for the cups that project when they pass through the bend in the transfer zone to be kept in the proper product conveying position. Through this configuration, during conveyance and transfer, the products follow a continuous flowing movement by which injuries to the products, for instance fruits, can be prevented to a considerable extent.
Claims19
A sorting apparatus for sorting products, in particular delicate products such as fruit, the sorting apparatus comprising., at least one endless feed, conveyor and at least one endless sorting conveyor, the sorting conveyor being provided with carriers, for instance hand-shaped carriers and/or cups for each product separately, to carry the products and the feed conveyor being configured to feed the products, and to transfer the products to the sorting conveyor, in particular such that the products can roll off the feed conveyor and can be received by the carriers, characterized in that the feed conveyor and sorting conveyor are configured such that the products to upon transfer between the conveyors undergo only a substantially gradual change in velocity.
A method for conveying products, in particular delicate products such as fruit, comprising:
- feeding the products via an upper part of a first conveyor;
- transferring the products by an end part of the first conveyor to an opposite end part of a second conveyor;
- and
- passing the products on via a lower part of the second conveyor, while the products during the transfer between said end parts have at least a velocity component vertically downwards, and preferably undergo a substantially gradual change in velocity, and in particular make a falling movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.