Method and device for supplying, discharging and transferring of objects, like fruits

Apparatus for transporting and/or classifying objects such as fruits, comprising:

• a supply conveyor, having a first longitudinal axis, for supplying the objects at a relatively small pitch relative to the first longitudinal axis;
• a transferring device for transferring the objects from the first conveyor, said transferring device comprising a first reversing wheel at a distal end of the transferring device and gripper members arranged in pairs for gripping the objects;
• and
• a discharge conveyor, having a second longitudinal axis, for classifying, such as weighing, and for discharging the objects at a relatively large pitch relative to the second longitudinal axis, the large pitch of the discharge conveyor greater than the small pitch of the supply conveyor, said discharge conveyor having a second reversing wheel at a proximal end of the discharge conveyor, said supply conveyor, transferring device, and discharge conveyor being arranged at substantially the same horizontal level,
• wherein the speed of the forward movement of the transferring device is synchronized with the speed of the discharge conveyor and of the supply conveyor so that the objects are transferred into the discharge conveyor from the transferring device at or near the respective first and second reversing wheels of the respective transferring device and discharge conveyor and so that discharged objects are spaced apart by the large pitch.