Eliminator for detecting and removing products such as vegetables and fruit singulator and sorting system provided therewith as well method therefor

Abstract

An eliminator for detecting and removing products, such as vegetables and fruit, which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, and a singulator and sorting system provided therewith, and a method therefor. The eliminator comprises a feed system for supplying products, a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products, a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in a sorting device, and a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device.

Claims

1. An eliminator for detecting and removing products, which are oversized and/or have undesired properties, prior to sorting of the products with a sorting device, wherein the eliminator comprises: a feed system for supplying products; a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products; a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of the determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in the sorting device; and a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device, wherein the remover comprises a knock-out element and is provided with an arm arranged rotatably around a pivot shaft of the remover and/or the eliminator such that a rotation movement can be performed by the knock-out element in a direction substantially at a right angle in a lateral direction to a regular supply direction of the products.

2. The eliminator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a camera.

3. The eliminator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knock-out element comprises a pneumatic control therefor.

4. The eliminator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a discharge conveyor for discharging products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties which have been separated from products suitable for processing in the sorting device.

5. The eliminator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the knock-out element comprises a pneumatic control therefor.

6. The eliminator as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a discharge conveyor for discharging products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties which have been separated from products suitable for processing in the sorting device.

7. A sorting system for sorting products the sorting system comprising: an eliminator, wherein the eliminator comprises: a feed system for supplying products; a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products; a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of the determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in a sorting device; and a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device; and the sorting device provided with a measuring system, wherein the sorting device is configured to sort on the basis of product measurements performed by the measuring system products deemed suitable by the eliminator to be processed in the sorting device, wherein the remover comprises a knock-out element and is provided with an arm arranged rotatably around a pivot shaft of the remover and/or the eliminator such that a rotation movement can be performed by the knock-out element in a direction substantially at a right angle in a lateral direction to a regular supply direction of the products.

8. The sorting system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a singulator comprising the eliminator, and further comprising a discharge conveyor for discharging products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, wherein the discharge conveyor extends at least partially under a transport device of the singulator, such that products removed laterally from the singulator are received thereby.

9. The sorting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the feed system comprises a diabolo bed.

10. The sorting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the eliminator is arranged in a product flow upstream of the measuring system of the sorting system and a transfer unit configured to place products deemed suitable for sorting in carriers of the sorting device.

11. The sorting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the remover is arranged between the measuring system and a transfer unit configured to place products deemed suitable for sorting in carriers of the sorting device.

12. The sorting system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the eliminator is arranged in a product flow upstream of the measuring system of the sorting system and a transfer unit configured to place products deemed suitable for sorting in carriers of the sorting device.

13. The sorting system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the remover is arranged between the measuring system and a transfer unit configured to place products deemed suitable for sorting in carriers of the sorting device.

14. A method for detecting and removing products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, prior to the sorting of the products with a sorting device, the method comprising: providing an eliminator; wherein the eliminator comprises: a feed system for supplying products; a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products; a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of the determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in the sorting device; and a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device; supplying the products to the eliminator with the feed system; determining dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products using the detector; determining by the controller which is operatively connected to the detector and on the basis of determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in the sorting device; and separating products unsuitable for processing in the sorting device from the products deemed suitable for the sorting device using the remover, wherein the remover comprises a knock-out element and is provided with an arm arranged rotatably around a pivot shaft of the remover and/or the eliminator such that a rotation movement can be performed by the knock-out element in a direction substantially at a right angle in a lateral direction to a regular supply direction of the products.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising transferring products suitable for processing in the sorting device from a singulator to a carrier of the sorting device using a transfer unit, and further comprising sorting the products which have been deemed suitable using the sorting device.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the products unsuitable for processing in the sorting device are removed in-line, immediately before products are carried into the sorting device using the transfer unit.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising setting the remover on the basis of a pitch chosen for the sorting device.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising setting the remover on the basis of a pitch chosen for the sorting device.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising setting the remover on the basis of a pitch chosen for the sorting device.

Description

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are further elucidated below on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a view of a sorting system, wherein sorting channels are omitted for the sake of clarity;

(3) FIGS. 1B and 1C show views of the eliminator according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 2A shows a view of an alternative sorting system with integrated eliminator according to the invention; and

(5) FIGS. 2B-C show views of the eliminator of the sorting system of FIG. 2A.

(6) Sorting system 2 (FIG. 1A) comprises sorting device 4 and feed system 6 provided with singulator 8. Sorting system 2 is in the shown embodiment further provided with a measuring system in the form of measuring or classification system 10, and transfer device 12 whereby products P are placed in a bed of transport holders of sorting device 4. Sorting device 4 further comprises a large number of sorting channels 14. The outlet of sorting channels 14 is operatively connected to a discharge system. Sorting channels 14 can thus for instance be provided with water channels, and the discharge system can be provided with a number of crates fillers and crate stackers.

(7) Transfer eliminator 16 is situated upstream of measuring system 10 in sorting system 2, as seen in the direction of usual product flow A. Eliminator 16 (FIG. 1B) is provided with measuring system 18, wherein use is made of measuring control 20 and camera 22. It will be apparent that other types of sensor can also be applied according to the invention in measuring system 18. A product P is supplied via diabolo bed 24 in direction A. Control 20 is connected via connection 26 to remover 28.

(8) Remover 28 comprises a number of knock-out elements 30 (FIG. 1C) which are activated on the basis of product information obtained with measuring system 18. In the shown embodiment products P are knocked off diabolo bed 24 and received by conveyor 32 which discharges products in transport direction B. In the shown embodiment discharge direction B is transverse of supply direction A.

(9) In the shown embodiment knock-out element 30 with arm 34 is arranged rotatably around pivot shaft 36 of attachment 38 of remover 28. A rotation movement can hereby be performed in simple manner by activation of knock-out element 30, whereby knock-out element 30 pushes an oversized and/or diseased product P laterally off conveyor 24. It will be apparent that other embodiments are also possible for remover 28.

(10) In an alternative embodiment sorting system 102 (FIG. 2A) is likewise provided with sorting device 104 and feed system 106 with singulator 108. Measuring system 110 performs one or more measurements on products P of the product flow, after which transfer unit 112 places the products in the carriers or holders of sorting device 104, whereby products P are transported to sorting outlets 114.

(11) Sorting system 102 is further provided with eliminator 116 (FIG. 2B) whose measuring system is combined with measuring system 110. In this integrated embodiment measuring system 110 also comprises a camera 122 and control 120 whereby a detection of oversized dimensions and/or detection of undesired properties such as rot can also take place, in addition to a classification of products P. Eliminator 116 further comprises remover 128 provided with knock-out elements 130 and discharge conveyor 132. Remover 128 is in this embodiment provided in-line, downstream of measuring system 110 and upstream of transfer unit 112.

(12) The operative connection 126 between control 120 and remover 128 enables product P, which is oversized and/or has undesired properties, to be removed from diabolo bed 124 at the correct moment by knock-out element 130. Discharge conveyor 132 discharges products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, such as rot, for further processing.

(13) Products P of a product flow which is supplied in a direction A toward sorting system 2, 102 have a relatively great variety of dimensions, for instance product diameter. Products P can also have undesired product properties, including rot. This is particularly the case in a product flow consisting of fresh products, such as vegetables and fruit. In order to prevent problems during processing, a detection of products P having excessive dimensions and/or undesired product properties is performed with eliminator 16, 116. This detection takes place before products reach sorting device 4, 104. This means that eliminator 16, 116 is provided upstream of products reaching transfer unit 12, 112. The most optimal possible pitch of the holders or carriers of sorting device 4, 104 can in this way be chosen in a possible embodiment. Infection of other products and/or sorting device 4, 104 can alternatively or additionally be prevented.

(14) In the different embodiments the eliminator is placed upstream of measuring system 10, 110 of sorting system 2, 102, downstream of measuring system 10, 110, or can be fully or partially integrated therewith. This integration for instance relates to the measuring part of the sorting system and the eliminator.

(15) Products which are detected by measuring system 18, 110 as products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties are removed from conveyor 24 of singulator 8, 108 by remover 28, 128. Removed products which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties are preferably received by discharge conveyor 32, 132 and optionally further processed. Products which are not removed are then sorted on sorting device 4, 104 and carried to the correct sorting channels 14, 114 on the basis of classification determined by measuring system 10, 110. This reduces the number of disruptions in sorting system 2, 102.

(16) The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.