DEVICE FOR CONVEYING MUSHROOMS

Abstract

Device for conveying picked mushrooms (1), wherein this device comprises several openings (4) into which the mushrooms (1) are placeable, and comprises one or several displacement means configured to move these openings (4) from a picking zone to a removing zone where the mushrooms (1) placed into the openings (4) are removable, wherein this device comprises several conveying modules (5) which each comprise one or several said openings (4), and the displacement means at least comprise a first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) for moving the conveying modules (5) to an intermediate point, and a second conveying unit (7), which joins to the first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) at the location of the intermediate point, for moving the conveying modules (5) from the intermediate point to the removing zone.

Claims

1. A device for conveying picked mushrooms having a cap and a stem, such as champignon mushrooms, comprising: several openings through which a stem of a mushroom is placeable along a virtually downwardly directed receiving direction; one or several displacers means configured to move these openings from a picking zone, where the mushrooms are picked and placed into the openings, to a removing zone where the mushrooms placed into the openings are removable; and several conveying modules, each comprising one or several of said openings; wherein a said opening provides access to or forms part of a passage which extends through the respective conveying module along the receiving direction; wherein the displacers comprise at least a first conveying unit configured to move the conveying modules to an intermediate point, and a second conveying unit, which joins to the first conveying unit at the location of the intermediate point, configured to move the conveying modules from the intermediate point to the removing zone; wherein the first conveying unit is configured to be at least partly arranged in the picking zone.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit each comprise one or several conveyor belts for supporting and carrying along the conveying modules.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that a said conveyor belt of the first conveying unit is configured to be joined to a said conveyor belt of the second conveying unit at the location of the intermediate point in order to transfer the conveying modules between the first and the second conveying unit.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a said conveyor belt comprises at least one belt and a frame, wherein this one belt is arranged so as to be movable around the frame.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises at least two said first conveying units, each of which joins to the said second conveying unit at the location of their said intermediate point.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the openings extend along a plane and a maximum size of these openings is between 1.5 cm and 4.5 cm, so that, viewed along the receiving direction, the cap is configured to extend substantially on a top side of the opening.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises at least two types of conveying modules, wherein preferably the dimensions of the openings of these conveying modules differ from each other.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a cutting unit comprising one or several cutting elements for cutting a stem end which extends beyond a said passage, viewed along the receiving direction (A).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first conveying unit comprises a conveyor belt for supporting and carrying along the conveying modules, wherein this conveyor belt leaves access to the passages free.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the conveyor belt comprises at least two conveying strings which are spaced apart and arranged virtually parallel next to each other, wherein the conveying modules are configured to rest on both conveying strings.

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the conveyor belt (6a, 6b, 60b) comprises holes, wherein the passages of the conveying modules are configured to extend above these holes.

12. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or several cutting elements are intended to be arranged at a location of the first conveying unit in order to cut the stem ends which extend beyond the passages at the location of the first conveying unit.

13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a section of a said conveying module at right angles to the receiving direction is oval-shaped.

14. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacers comprise at least a third conveying unit for moving conveying modules from the removing zone back to a said picking zone.

15. A commercial site for growing mushrooms, such as champignon mushrooms, comprising a cap and a stem, wherein this commercial site comprises: the device according to claim 1; a first cultivation cell; and a separate collecting space; wherein this first cultivation cell comprises a said picking zone in which the mushrooms are picked; wherein the first conveying unit is configured to be at least partly arranged in said picking zone; and wherein said collecting space comprises a said removing zone.

16. The commercial site according to claim 15, characterized in that the said intermediate point is situated outside the first cultivation cell and the picked mushrooms are moved to the collecting space by the second conveying unit.

17. The commercial site according to claim 15, characterized in that the commercial site comprises several first cultivation cells in which picking takes place and the commercial site comprises at least one movable first conveying unit which is movable from one first cultivation cell to another first cultivation cell.

18. The commercial site according to claim 15, characterized in that the commercial site comprises several first cultivation cells in which picking takes place and the commercial site comprises one first conveying unit for each first cultivation cell and the commercial site comprises one central second conveying unit to which the said first conveying units join or are joinable.

19. The commercial site according to claim 15, characterized in that the commercial site comprises a central corridor which provides access to two or several said first cultivation cells and which provides access to the collecting space.

20. The commercial site according to claim 19, characterized in that the first conveying unit ends in the corridor, the second conveying unit comprises a conveyor belt which is at least partly arranged in the corridor and the first conveying unit joins to the second conveying unit at a location of the corridor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The present invention will now be explained in more detail by means of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention. The sole aim of this description is to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and features and can therefore by no means be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights defined in the claims.

[0051] In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a commercial site comprising a device for moving picked champignon mushrooms, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a commercial site comprising a device for moving picked champignon mushrooms, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a conveying module according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a conveying module according to the invention;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a section of the conveying module illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows the section from FIG. 5, in which a small champignon mushroom is placed into the opening;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows the section from FIG. 5, in which a large champignon mushroom is placed into the opening;

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of a top view of a first embodiment of a cutting unit according to the invention, in which the direction of rotation is illustrated by arrows;

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of a top view of a second embodiment of a cutting unit according to the invention, in which the direction of rotation is illustrated by arrows;

[0061] FIG. 10 shows a section of the conveying module illustrated in FIG. 4 at the location of a cutting unit, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the conveying module is supported by two conveying strings of the first conveying unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic representations of a part of a commercial site where champignon mushrooms (1) are grown. Champignon mushrooms (1) comprise a cap (2) and a stem (3). These commercial sites comprise a device for conveying champignon mushrooms (1) according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a first embodiment of such a device. FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a second embodiment of such a device.

[0063] On these commercial sites, the cultivation of champignon mushrooms (1) takes place by means of beds (17) in which colonized substrate and casing soil are placed. To this end, these commercial sites comprise several cultivation cells (18) which contain beds (17). The figures in each case show two cultivation cells (18) in which champignon mushrooms (1) are picked. In all likelihood, picking is not taking place in all cultivation cells (18). In some cultivation cells (18), for example, only preparatory stages take place, such as the mycelium stage and/or the button stage. In those cases, use is made of pulling systems in order to move the crop between at least two cultivation cells (18).

[0064] The commercial sites illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are constructed in the same way. Thus, they each comprise a central corridor and cultivation cells (18) which end in the corridor via a closeable opening. These openings are at least partly open when picking takes place in the cultivation cells (18). In addition, the commercial site comprises a collecting space (12) which is linked to the corridor. In other words, the corridor can be brought into contact with the cultivation cells (18) and with the collecting space (12).

[0065] Both devices illustrated here each comprise the following elements: [0066] several conveying modules (5) which each comprise one or several openings (4), through which the stem (3) of a champignon mushroom (1) is placeable along a virtually downwardly directed receiving direction (A), [0067] a first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) comprising a first (6a, 60a) and a second conveyor belt (6b, 60b) which join to each other, for moving the conveying modules (5) to an intermediate point, wherein the conveying modules (5) are configured to rest on the conveyor belts (6a, 6b, 60a, 60b), [0068] a second conveying unit (7) comprising one conveyor belt (7) which joins to each second conveyor belt (6b, 60b) of each first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) at the location of the said intermediate point, for moving the conveying modules (5) from the intermediate point to a removing zone, wherein the conveying modules (5) are configured to rest on the conveyor belt (7); [0069] a third conveying unit (11a, 11b) comprising a feed conveyor belt (11a) which joins to the removing zone for moving the conveying modules (5) from the removing zone in the direction of the cultivation cells (18) and a distributor conveyor belt (lib) for each cultivation cell (18) which joins to the feed conveyor belt (11a) for taking the conveying modules (5) from the feed conveyor belt (11a) into the respective cultivation cell (18), wherein the conveying modules (5) are configured to rest on these conveyor belts (11a, 11b). These distributor conveyor belts (11b) are each joined to the first conveyor belt (6a, 60a) of the respective first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b); [0070] a cutting unit (9) in each cultivation cell (18) to cut the stem ends of the champignon mushrooms (1) which are furthest from the cap (2) and extend beyond the conveying modules (5).

[0071] One of the said two conveyor belts (6a, 60b) of the first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) is placed at the location of the bed/the beds (17) where picking takes place, i.e. is placed at the location of the said picking zone. When conveying modules (5) are moved by means of this conveyor belt (6a, 60b), champignon mushrooms (1) are placed in the openings (4).

[0072] By means of this device, the conveying modules (5) are thus moved from a picking zone to the removing zone and then back to a picking zone. By means of this device, it is possible to pick continuously.

In this case, the removing zone is arranged in the collecting space (12). This is one space (12) where all the picked champignon mushrooms (1) are gathered together. This means that it is easy to mechanize the removal of the champignon mushrooms (1) from the conveying modules (5), as only one machine/robot has to be provided here which removes the picked champignon mushrooms (1). This also means that sorting the champignon mushrooms (1) with regard to size and quality is easier and quicker.

[0073] Each cutting unit (9) is arranged at the location of the second conveyor belt (6b, 60b) of the first conveying unit (6a, 6b), (60a, 60b) between the picking zone and the intermediate point.

[0074] As is illustrated in FIG. 1, each first conveying unit (6a, 6b) comprises a first conveyor belt (6a) which joins to the respective distributor conveyor belt (11b) of the third conveying unit (11a, 11b) and extends across the two beds (17). This first conveyor belt (6a) is movable along a length direction of these beds (17), so that this can be moved to the zone of the beds (17) where picking takes place, i.e. to the picking zone. At the location of the first conveyor belt (6a), the picked champignon mushrooms (1) are placed into the conveying modules (5) and these conveying modules (5) are moved along in the direction of the second conveyor belt (6b). The first conveyor belt (6a) joins to the second conveyor belt (6b) of the first conveying unit (6a, 6b). From the first conveyor belt (6a), the conveying modules (5) are then transferred to the second conveyor belt (6b) which moves the conveying modules (5) to the respective intermediate point. The cutting unit (9) is arranged in such a way at this second conveyor belt (6b) that the stem ends are cut when these are conveyed by the second conveyor belt (6b). Since, with both conveyor belts (6a, 6b) of the first conveying unit (6a, 6b), the stems (3) go beyond the conveying modules (5), viewed along the receiving direction (A) (see below), each of these conveyor belts (6a, 6b) is made up of two conveying strings (20) which extend parallel to and at a distance from each other. Thus, the conveying modules (5) rest on these conveying strings (20) while they are being moved by these conveying strings (20) in such a way that the openings (4) extend between these two conveying strings (20), so that the stems (3) can extend between these conveying strings (20).

[0075] As is illustrated in FIG. 2, each first conveying unit (60a, 60b) comprises a first conveyor belt (60a) which joins to the respective distributor conveyor belt (11b) of the third conveying unit (11a, 11b) and extends next to both of the two beds (17). This first conveyor belt (60a) joins to a second conveyor belt (60b) of the first conveying unit (60a, 60b), wherein this second conveyor belt (60b) extends at the location of a bed (17), viewed along the length direction of the beds (17), and is also movable at right angles to this length direction, so that this second conveyor belt (60b) can be moved to the zone of the beds (17) where picking takes place, i.e. to the picking zone. At the location of the second conveyor belt (60b), the picked champignon mushrooms (1) are placed in the conveying modules (5). With this second conveyor belt (60b), the cutting unit (9) is arranged in such a way that the stem ends are cut when these are conveyed by the second conveyor belt (60b). Since, with the second conveyor belt (60b) of the first conveying unit (60a, 60b), the stems (3) go beyond the conveying modules (5), viewed along the receiving direction (A) (see below), this conveyor belt (60b) consists of two conveying strings (20) which extend parallel to and at a distance from each other. Thus, the conveying modules (5) rest on these conveying strings (20) while they are being moved by this second conveyor belt (60b) in such a way that the openings (4) extend between these two conveying strings (20), so that the stems (3) can extend between these conveying strings (20).

[0076] The junction between two joined conveyor belts (6a, 6b, 60a, 60b, 7, 11a, 11b) may be optimized by means of pushing elements and/or guide elements which conduct the conveying modules (5) during the transition between two conveyor belts (6a, 6b, 60a, 60b, 7, 11a, 11b).

[0077] FIGS. 8 and 9 show two possible embodiments of cutting units (9). FIG. 8 shows a cutting unit (9) comprising two rotating small discs (9a) which each rotate about a rotation axle which extends along the receiving direction (A) and these small discs (9a) partly overlap each other. FIG. 10 shows a conveying module (5) at the location of this cutting unit (9). As is illustrated in FIG. 10, this cutting unit (9) comprises additional guide wheels (19) which rotate about a rotation axle which extends virtually along the receiving direction (A) and which guide the conveying modules (5) along the small discs (9a). FIG. 8 shows a cutting unit (9) comprising two metal strings (9b) which are each driven by two wheels which rotate about a rotation axle which extends along the receiving direction (A).

[0078] There are different types of conveying modules (5). Each type of conveying module (5) may also be provided with the desired dimensions. The conveying modules (5) illustrated here are small blocks having a top side (15) and a flat bottom side (14), each comprising one or several passages (8) which extend through the conveying modules (5) from the top side (15) to the bottom side (14) and extend along the receiving direction (A). These passages (8) comprise the said openings (4). Each passage (8) consists of a cap space (10) which, viewed along the receiving direction (A), extends above the opening (4) and a stem space (13) which extends below the opening (4). The dimensions of the conveying modules (5) are adapted to the dimensions of the champignon mushrooms (1) which are picked and are configured to be placed in these conveying modules (5) in such a way that the cap (2) cannot move beyond the opening (4) and only a stem (3) is placeable into the opening (4) and is furthermore such that a stem (3) virtually always extends beyond the conveying module (5), viewed along the receiving direction (A). The cap space (10) has a frustoconical shape whose dimensions decrease in the direction of the opening (4) and the adjoining stem space (13) has a cylindrical stem space (13). Due to the shape of the cap space (10), the cap space (10) has a slope (16) on which the champignon mushrooms (1) can rest and each champignon mushroom (1), irrespective of its size, will extend virtually to the same degree beyond the bottom side (14) of the conveying modules (5) so that the cut stem end is not too large.

[0079] Due to the fact that the bottom side (14) of each conveying module (5) is flat, a conveying module (5) van very easily be moved, when there are no champignon mushrooms (1) in the one or several openings (4) or when the stem end has already been cut by the cutting unit (9), using full, uninterrupted conveyor belts, being a conveyor belt without holes and conveyor belts which only comprise 1 belt. The reason for this is that, in this case, the flat bottom side (14) can rest securely on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belts of the second conveying unit (7) and the third conveying unit (11a, 11b) are therefore preferably always full conveyor belts (7, 11a, 11b).

[0080] The conveying module (5) illustrated in FIG. 3 is an oval-shaped small disc having two openings (4) and thus two passages (8). The conveying module (5) illustrated in FIG. 4 is a small circular disc having 1 central passage (8) with the said opening (4). FIG. 5 shows a section of the conveying module (5) illustrated in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 6 and 7 this section is illustrated with a champignon mushroom (1) placed into this conveying module (5) and before the stem end is cut which extends beyond the passage (8).

[0081] If the sensors (3) are correctly adjusted, it is possible in this case to increase the weight efficiency of the picked mushrooms by more than 5% or even more than 10 or 15%, compared to existing removing devices.