AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE PROCESSOR

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a pair of associated chopper drums, including a top chopper drum and a lower chopper drum. The chopper drum defines an axial cylindrical bore having a rotational axis into which is mounted a drive shaft (not shown) that is keyed radially to drive the chopper drum. Radially spaced from the rotational axis are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses defined by walls of a body of the chopper drum. Each recess extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum end-end to provide a recess for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades. Each recess is defined by a longitudinally extending lower wall and an opposed and circumferentially spaced. The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum is generally consistent throughout its length and includes a plurality of ridges and troughs with the ridges built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by the troughs. A higher side wall provides support for the cutting blade and is inclined relative to a plane extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis. The opposed smaller side wall supports a wedge clamp.

Claims

1. An apparatus for chopping agricultural produce into billet lengths of between 70-350 mm in length, the apparatus comprising: at least one rotatable chopper drum to which a plurality of radially exposed cutting blades are mounted and interact to cut the produce into billets, each cutting blade mounted in a corresponding one of a plurality of recesses in the chopper drum and fixed securely in place in the recess by one or more clamps applying a substantially radially aligned inwardly directed force, the blade secured in the recess by the clamp without fasteners intersecting the blade, and each clamp correspondingly shaped relative to the recess to progressively tighten the cutting blade in the recess, each clamp correspondingly shaped relative to the recess to progressively tighten the cutting blade in the recess substantially radially inwardly relative to each drum's rotational axis, wherein each chopper drum comprises: a plurality of ridges that extend along the length of the chopper drum; a higher side wall providing support for the cutting blade at its rear face; and an opposed lower side wall supporting the one or more clamps.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rotatable chopper drum comprises two or more associated chopper drums, each chopper drum generally being about 600-1500 mm in length and counter rotated relative to each other by a drive source.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are longitudinally aligned, parallel relative to one another and follow a linear and axial path aligned parallel to the rotational axis and the drive shaft.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recesses have cross-sectional profiles that are generally channel or wedge-shaped throughout their length.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower side wall is a first side wall of the recess that extends at least a length corresponding to the length of a main body of a corresponding cutting blade.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first side wall and the higher side wall, being a second side wall of the recess, converge inwardly to form a wedged shaped recess.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamp is wedge-shaped to correspond to the recess profile and extends substantially the full length of the recess.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claim 1, wherein the clamp is wedge-shaped to progressively bear its walls substantially radially inwardly against the blade and the first wall of the recess.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radially inwardly directed clamping force is effected by fasteners extending substantially radially through the base of the recess and into a body of the chopper drum.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein respective coacting cutting blades of associated chopper drums are adapted to interact with a shearing action to cut and form the billets as they rotate into and out of a sliding relationship causing the shearing action with the continuous rotation of the associated chopper drums.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each chopper drum includes at least one conduit to project fluid substantially radially outwardly to urge extraneous matter amongst the cut produce away from the cutting blades.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the radially outwardly aligned portion of the conduit path is adapted to direct fluid outwardly to displace by force of the passage of the fluid the cut billets, trash and dirt, from the cutting blades as the chopper drum rotates.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chopper drum includes a main central body substantially star-shaped in cross-sectional profile in which the plurality of ridges extend along an outer periphery of the main central body and are built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by troughs.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wedge clamp is an elongate solid strip or beam that extends substantially the full length of the recess.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid conduits provide passageways for pressurized air to pass through to radially outwardly facing outlets extending through each of the wedge clamps.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the conduits include a longitudinally aligned radially inner array of conduits arranged substantially coaxial relative to the rotational axis and branch outwardly to the outlets.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the conduits include a longitudinally aligned radially outer array of conduits aligned close to or adjacent to each of the recesses that are in fluid communication with the outlets to deliver the fluid to the cutting zone.

18. A method for operating an apparatus for chopping agricultural produce into billet lengths of between 70-350 mm in length, the method including comprising: feeding raw or pre-prepared produce into an apparatus comprising at least one rotatable chopper drum to which a plurality of radially exposed cutting blades are mounted; mounting each cutting blade in a corresponding one of a plurality of recesses in the chopper drum, each recess including a first lower side wall and a second higher side wall; and clamping the cutting blade securely in place in the recess by one or more clamps applying a substantially radially aligned inwardly directed force, each clamp correspondingly shaped to progressively tighten the corresponding cutting blade in the respective recess radially relative to each drum's rotational axis, the higher side wall providing support for the cutting blade at its rear face.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method includes the step of initially cleaning the billets by exposure to the fluid egressed from a plurality of outlets into a plurality of cutting zones preparatory to their entry into a cleaning chamber.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the egressed fluid is effective to clean debris from the cutting blades to enable the apparatus to be operated at a high speed of rotation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] This disclosure may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1a is an end view of an apparatus for chopping of agricultural produce comprising a pair of associated chopper drums according to a first embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a pair of associated chopper drums according to the first embodiment with a drive wheel axially attached to the lower chopper drum;

[0040] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional end view of the upper chopper drum of the first embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 2c is a perspective sectional view of the first embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 3a is a front elevational view of a chopper drum according to a second embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the chopper drum according to the second embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 3c is a view of section A-A of the chopper drum according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3a;

[0045] FIG. 3d is an enlarged end view of the chopper drum shown in FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 4a is an end view of the pair of associated drums according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 without produce;

[0047] FIG. 4b is a front plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 5 is a similar end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4a with produce;

[0049] and

[0050] FIG. 6 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the clamps and bolts omitted to clearly illustrate blade receiving recesses;

[0051] FIG. 7a is an end view of an example of a pair of associated chopper drums whereby the blades are held in place by fasteners intersecting the blades;

[0052] FIG. 7b is an end view of a pair of associated chopper drums each having 6 pairs of blades according to a third embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a driven pair of associated chopper drums having helically-shaped blades according to a fourth embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 8b is an end view of the upper chopper drum shown in FIG. 8a;

[0055] FIG. 8c is a perspective view of the pair of associated chopper drums according to the fourth embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 9a is a front elevational view of a chopper drum according to a fifth embodiment;

[0057] FIG. 9b is an end sectional view of the chopper drum shown in FIG. 9a through Section A-A;

[0058] FIG. 9c is an enlarged view of portion B shown in FIG. 9b;

[0059] FIG. 9d is a perspective view of the chopper drum according to the fifth embodiment; and

[0060] FIG. 10 is a side view of a Wedge clamp according to the fifth embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Preferred features of the disclosure will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the disclosure.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 1a-6, there is shown an apparatus 10 comprising a pair of associated chopper drums (generally referred to by reference numeral 20), including a top chopper drum 21 and a lower chopper drum 22. Each chopper drum 20 defines an axial cylindrical bore 25 having a rotational axis 26 into which is mounted a drive mechanism 52 that drives the lower chopper drum 22.

[0063] The upper drum 21 is larger in diameter compared to the lower drum 22 as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The dimensions of the component parts of the associated pair of chopper drums 21, 22 are as follows: the upper chopper drum 21 sweep zone 54 (the volume swept by the rotating blades 35) is about 10-20%, and preferably about 15-16% greater than that of the lower chopper drum 22. However, the respective drums 21, 22 rotate at the same speed (rounds per minute), with opposed blades 35 of each drum meeting in a shearing action as the drums 20 rotate. The leading blade faces 30b of the lower drum 22 present an inclined surface, whereas the leading blade faces 30a of the upper drum 21 are shear and it is the rear face 30c of the blades 35 of the upper drum 21 that is inclined to slide passed the leading inclined face 30b to effect the shearing action of the opposed blades 35. This achieves an effective cutting action that is enhanced by the mounting of the blades 35 in the respective recesses 30. The blades 35 of each drum 21, 22 are substantially the same shape and dimensions and are held rigidly in the recesses 30.

[0064] Radially spaced from the rotational axis 26 are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses 30 (best seen in FIG. 6). Each of the recesses 30 are defined by walls of a body 28 of the chopper drum 20. Each recess 30 is generally channel or wedged shaped and extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum 20 end to end to provide the recess 30 for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades 35. Using, as an example, the recess 30a shown in FIG. 6, each recess 30 is defined by a longitudinally extending first lower wall 31 and an opposed and circumferentially spaced (assuming the chopper drum 20 to be generally cylindrical about its outer periphery 23) second higher side wall 32 (the upper and lower designation referring to the relative heights of each wall 31, 32 or the length of each wall from the recess base 33 closest to the rotational axis 26 to the outer periphery 23. The first wall 31 is more inclined relative to a radial plane 36a extending outwardly from the rotational axis 26 and intersecting a portion of the first wall 31 plane. The second Wall 32 is more closely aligned parallel to and therefore less inclined relative to at radial plane 36b extending outwardly from the rotational axis 26 and intersecting a portion of the first wall 32 plane. In any case, the first and second walls 31, 32 converge substantially radially inwardly to create the wedge shaped recess 30 when viewed end-on as in FIG. 6.

[0065] The recess 30 comprises a radially inward base 33 aligned in a plane generally parallel to the average tangent of the generally radially spaced outer periphery 23 of the drum 20. The first inclined wall 31, the second opposed wall 32 and the base 33 complete the generally channel-shaped recess 30 profile. In cross-section, the recess 30 may be considered to have an isosceles trapezoidal- or acute trapezoidal-shape. The clamp 40 is shaped like a wedge that is adapted to jam the blade 35 into the corresponding shaped recess 30 so that the greater the radially inward travel of the wedge clamp 40 as effected by the tightening of a faster or bolt 46, the tighter the blade 35 is secured against one side wall 32 of the recess 30. This construction achieves a very rigid clamping effect of the blade 35 which enhances the shear effectiveness of the blades 35 as they couple to cut the billets.

[0066] The blade 35 is secured in the recess 30 on the trailing side 32 of the recess 30 between the side wall 32 and the rear wall 47 of the clamp 40. The positioning of the blade 35 on the trailing side 32 of the recess 30 is advantageous as the side wall 32 is bulked up or higher due to a shoulder or ridge formation 24 than the leading side wall 31 to give greater support and rigidity to the main body 34 of the blade 35 that is trapped between the high rear wall 32 and the rear wall 47, whilst the exposed cutting blade tip 35a only marginally flexes and interacts with the similarly constructed blade 35 on a paired drum 20 to permit a scissor or shearing action to occur to cut the raw produce 60 into billets 61. The clamping structure holds the blade body 34 extremely rigidly in friction fit without the direct securing of the blade 35 with fasteners, the fastener 46 being applied to the clamp wedge 40.

[0067] The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum 20 is generally consistent throughout its length and may have a generally star-shaped cross-sectional profile as shown in FIG. 6. In profile, the chopper drum 20 includes a plurality of ridges 24 and troughs 27 that extend longitudinally along the length of the drum 20. The star-shaped profile may have 3 or more outer radial points corresponding to the number of ridges 24 and recesses 30 on each drum 20.

[0068] The ridges 24 extending along the outer periphery 23 are built up to define therein the recesses 30, the ridges 24 being interposed by the troughs 27. A higher side wall 32 provides support for the cutting blade 35. The higher side wall 32 is substantially parallel relative to a plane 36a extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis 26 and passing substantially centrally through the recess 30 in which the blade 35 is secured. The opposed smaller side wall 31 supports a wedge clamp 40 and is aligned in plane substantially parallel to a plane 36b extending radially outwardly and passing through the trough 27 immediately forward of the corresponding recess 30. Each wedge clamp 40 is generally sized so that its outer face 42 lies in a plane substantially normal or slightly inclined (between 1-15) to the normal relative to a radial plane extending from and parallel to the rotational axis 26.

[0069] Trial results demonstrate a decrease of juice loss of the order of 30-50%, and more consistently 35-40% less juice loss, and a decrease of up to 10% in damaged billets in the use of the inventive chopping process, primarily it is believed due to the rigidity of the blades 35 and the clean billet cuts that are achieved. Moreover, the blade 35 rigidity enables faster drum rotation speeds to be run, thereby substantially allowing for an increase in rotational speeds of at least 10%, and corresponding productivity increases.

[0070] The wedge clamp 40 is an elongate solid strip or beam that extends substantially the full length of the recess 30, Cavities and pockets in the outer periphery 23 are minimized by shaping the outer face 42 to be substantially flush with the outer periphery 23, particularly the upper edge 37 of the lower side wall 31, whereby there is less opportunity for extraneous matter to collect and be undesirably trapped therein. The wedge clamp 40 comprises a plurality of apertures 29 equally spaced to receive a corresponding plurality of wedge bolts 46 adapted to threadably cooperate with corresponding threaded bores 29 in the body 28 of the chopper drum 20. The wedge clamp 40 is therefore secures in place the cutting blade 35. Longitudinally, the cutting blade is of similar length to its recess 30 and wedge clamp 40. The cutting blade 35 and the wedge clamp 40 extend substantially the full length of the recess 30 and terminates at or close to each end of the recess 30. The ends of each cutting blade 35 and wedge clamp 40 are flush with the respective ends of the recess 30, The recesses 30 may be co-terminal with the chopper drum 20. Alternatively, the recesses may be marginally inset Within the body 28 and marginally shorter in length longitudinally relative to the length of each chopper drum 20.

[0071] It can be seen that the wedge bolts 46 provide a radially directed force to progressively tighten the wedge clamp 40 into the correspondingly shaped wedge recess 30. The ridges 24 build up to provide a high recess wall that includes the high side wall 32. The high side wall 32 is between 0% and 50% higher than the lower side wall 31, preferably between 20-30%, and most preferably between 27-28%. The cutting blade 35 is therefore strongly supported at its rear face 38 by the high side wall 32, and at its front face 39 by the corresponding rear side wall 47 of the wedge clamp 40. For clarity it is noted that these recess side walls 31, 32 may be equal in height.

[0072] The chopper drum 20 includes conduits 50 that provide passageways for air or another suitable fluid. The conduits 50 provide for the passage of pressurized air through to radially outwardly facing outlets 51 extending through each of the wedge clamps 40. The pressurized air supply through the air conduits 50 facilitate the rapid displacement and separation of dirt, trash or any extraneous matter form the chopped billets 61. The effect of the pressurized air through the air conduit enhances the productivity of a cleaning chamber that may form part of the apparatus 10 and to which the billets 61 may be projected by the air blast from the outlets 5 1. The preliminary separation of extraneous matter 63 from the billets 61 increases productivity of the apparatus 10 by a substantial proportion; estimated to be about 38%. The removal of extraneous matter 63 from the cutting zone 53 permits faster rotational speeds of the chopper drums 20-22 while maintaining separation of extraneous matter 63 from the billets 61.

[0073] The conduits 50 comprise a longitudinally aligned radially inner array of conduits 54, the inner array 54 arranged substantially coaxial relative to the rotational axis 26, a longitudinally aligned radially outer array 55 of conduits aligned close to or adjacent to each of the recesses 30 and a plurality of radially aligned feeder conduits continuous with conduits extending radially through wedge clamps 40 and that communicate with the outlets 51 to deliver the fluid to the cutting zone 53.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the upper and lower chopper drums 21, 22 are counter rotated with the upper chopper drum 21 rotating in an anti-clockwise direction A and the lower chopper drum 22 rotating in a clockwise direction C. This achieves the chopping of the raw material, such as sugar cane 60, into billets 61 of desirable lengths, such as 150 mm. The outlets 51 blast or deliver a stream of outwardly directed fluid such as air into the cutting zone 53 to achieve three advanced outcomes: [0075] 1. The initial cleaning of the billets 61 preparatory to their entry into the cleaning chamber; [0076] 2. The cleaning of debris from the blades 35 to extend the usage time of each blade 35 to reduce maintenance, repair and downtime costs; and [0077] 3. Clear the cleaning zone 53 of debris and billets 61 to enable the apparatus 10 to be operated at a significantly higher speed relative to the prior art apparatus for significantly greater productivity.

[0078] In FIGS. 2a-2c, the primary air feed 70 passes through the drive mechanism 52 and into a fixed position blast shroud 71. The pressurized air or other fluid travels from the blast shroud 71 via a central fixed position blast tube 73 into a plurality of radially aligned blast ports 72. Air is forced down the blast tube 73, through the blast shroud 71, and as the chopper drum 20 rotates, the blast port 72 passes over the blast shroud 71 communicating a blast of air out of the lower chopper drum 22 blast ports 72 and through the outlets 51.

[0079] FIGS. 3a-3d show a detailed view of the upper drum 21, including the wedge-shaped clamps 40 that secure, in rigid friction lit, the blades 35. Each end of the drum 21 is capped by an end cap 66 to longitudinally trap the wedge 40 and blades in the recesses.

[0080] FIG. 7a shows a pair of rotor drums 80 as an example of blades secured in a shallow recess and clamped by a block 81 and fasteners 82 extending through the blades 83. This arrangement is inferior to the arrangements 10 of the disclosure in that the fastening of the blade 83 by extension directly through the body of the blade constitutes a weaker structure whereby the blades 83 flex and become lose in their mounting with the vigorous and harsh wear associated with the billeting process, In contrast, the blades 35 of the disclosure are securely fixed by a broad surface of the wedge 40 tightened to an optimum level by the fasteners 46 in the wedge shaped recesses 30. The blades 35 remain rigid for longer and permit faster rotational drum 20 speeds for greater productivity.

[0081] FIG. 7b shows an apparatus 100 that is variation of the first embodiment 10 in that each recess comprises a pair of blades 135 either side of the clamp 140. Again, the upper drum 121 is marginally larger in general diameter or swept volume compared to the lower drum 122. Shorter billet lengths are achievable with this apparatus 100 compared to the one blade per recess arrangement 10.

[0082] FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate a drum pairing 221, 222 in which like features 21, 22, 35, 40, 52, and 70-73 are referenced with like features 221, 222, 235, 240, 252, and 270-273, respectively. The apparatus 200 includes helically shaped recesses 230 and corresponding blades 235 to produce an aggressive cutting apparatus 200 in which the blades 235 are clamped rigidly in place by helical anvil Wedges 240. The smaller, lower spiral drum 222 comprises six blades 235, whereas the larger upper drum 221 comprises five equally spaced outer blades 235. The air blaster 70, 270 is supplied to the lower smaller drum 22, 222 to effect preliminary separation of some extraneous matter 63 from the billets 61 as they are delivered to the cleaning chamber.

[0083] FIGS. 9a, b and d illustrate an upper drum apparatus 321 having four radially positioned blades 335 and demonstrate an alternative Wedge 340 shape adapted to trap the blade 335 in a drum recess 330, The wedge 340 comprises one right angled corner edge 341 and one opposed, inclined clamping face 342.

[0084] Throughout the specification and claims the Word comprise and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word comprise and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0085] In the present specification, terms such as apparatus, means, device and member may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an apparatus, means, device or member or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an apparatus, assembly, means, device or member is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0086] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the top chopper drum 21 uppermost. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the disclosure described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.