NL2014300B1

NL2014300B1 - Sorting apparatus.

Info

Publication number: NL2014300B1
Application number: NL2014300A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jasper Karsies Harold; Martijn Koers Ronald
Original assignee: Schouten Sorting Equipment B V
Priority date: 2015-02-17
Filing date: 2015-02-17
Publication date: 2016-10-13

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting apparatus and a method for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruits and/or vegetables, comprising a measurement section for detecting characteristics of the objects, a transport section with a transport conveyor for transporting the objects through the measurement section in a transport direction and a feeding section for feeding the objects to transport section, wherein the feeding section comprises a transfer conveyor that overlaps with the transport conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor, at the overlap, diverges in the transport direction to lower and transfer the objects onto the transport conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor, at the overlap, are arranged for at least momentarily simultaneously conveying the objects in the transport direction.

Description

Sorting apparatus BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a sorting apparatus for sorting horticultural objects, such as fruits and/or vegetables . A known sorting apparatus comprises a separation section for separating the fruits and/or vegetables, a measurement section for measuring characteristics of the separated fruits and/or vegetables and a discharge section for discharging the fruits and/or vegetables in accordance with certain criteria, such as shape or size, based on the measured characteristics. The fruits and/or vegetables are transferred from the separation section to the measurement section by dropping from one belt onto another belt. In practice, it regularly occurs that as a result of the transfer the transferred fruits and/or vegetables will tend to roll with respect to the belt. Their position and orientation therefore remains unstable while passing through the measurement section. Any measurements taken while the fruits and/or vegetables are still moving with respect to the belt are inaccurate, unreliable or even unusable. The subsequent discharge based on the measurements may be sub-optimal or incorrect. In some cases, the respective fruits and/or vegetables have to be returned from the discharge section to the separation section for another try, thereby reducing lowering the productivity of the sorting apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting apparatus for sorting horticultural objects which at least partially solves one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a sorting apparatus for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruits and/or vegetables, comprising a measurement section for detecting characteristics of the objects, a transport section with a transport conveyor for transporting the objects through the measurement section in a transport direction and a feeding section for feeding the objects to transport section, wherein the feeding section comprises a transfer conveyor that overlaps with the transport conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor, at the overlap, diverges in the transport direction to lower and transfer the objects onto the transport conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor, at the overlap, are arranged for at least momentarily simultaneously conveying the objects in the transport direction.

Due to the simultaneous conveying at the overlap between the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor, uncontrolled movements of the objects can be reduced. The objects can thus be securely and/or reliably transferred, thereby increasing the accuracy of the subsequent measurements .

In an embodiment the transport conveyor is arranged at a vertical distance below the transfer conveyor to allow for a direct transfer of the objects from the transfer conveyor onto the transport conveyor. An uncontrolled free fall of the objects onto the transport conveyor can thus be prevented.

In an embodiment the transport conveyor is arranged for supporting the objects at the overlap, prior to the transfer conveyor releasing the objects. Thus, it can be ensured that the objects are already stably supported on the transport conveyor, prior to completing the transfer.

In an embodiment the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor are arranged for conveying the objects at the same speed or substantially the same speed in the transport direction. This can reduce any impulses or relative movements with respect to the transport conveyor, imposed on the objects during transfer.

In an embodiment the transfer conveyor comprises a plurality of guide members which are arranged to guide the objects during the transfer. The guide members can improve the stability of the orientation of the objects during the transfer.

In an embodiment the plurality of guide members define a trough-like support for the objects extending along a transport path. Preferably, the plurality of guide members comprises a first guide member defining an inner corner of the trough-like support, a second guide member defining an outer edge of the trough-like support on the same side of the transport path as the first guide member, a third guide member extending on the opposite side with respect to the first guide member and defining an inner corner of the trough-like support and a fourth guide member defining an outer edge of the trough-like support on the same side of the transport path as the third guide member. A trough-like or open trapezoidal support has a shape that can reduce the risk of the objects falling off the side of the transfer conveyor. The aforementioned guide members can in combination form the aforementioned advantageous shape.

In an embodiment the transfer conveyor comprises a plurality of pulleys for directing the plurality of guide members in endless loops, wherein the transfer conveyor further comprises deflectors for deflecting the plurality of guide members into a diverging orientation at the overlap. The diverging orientation of the guide members can facilitate the aforementioned lowering of the objects onto the transport conveyor.

In an embodiment the first guide member and the second guide member form an integral guide member and wherein the third guide member and the fourth guide member form an integral guide member, wherein each integral guide member is looped twice around the plurality of pulleys, once on the inside of the trough-like support with respect to the transport path and once on the outside of the trough-like support shape with respect to the transport path, wherein each integral guide member crosses over between each loop. The integration of the individual guide members into integral guide members can reduce the complexity of the sorting apparatus.

Preferably, for each integral guide member, out of the pulleys of the plurality of pulleys that are associated with the two loops of the respective integral guide member, one of the pulleys is a drive pulley, wherein the other pulleys are idler pulleys. The pulley diameters and/or the length of the loop are different for each loop. The speed of the integral guide member in the transport direction should however be the same for each loop, or otherwise a rotation would be imposed onto the objects. Thus, to ensure that the integral guide member runs at the same speed in the transport direction, regardless of the loop, only one of the loops is actively driven, such that the other loop can freely run at the same speed as the driven loop. This further reduces the complexity of the sorting apparatus, as each integral guide member can be driven by driving a single drive pulley, regardless of the pulley diameters and/or the lengths of the loops.

In an embodiment the drive pulleys of both integral guide members have the same diameter, wherein the transfer conveyor comprises a drive that is operationally coupled to both drive pulleys, wherein the drive is arranged for driving both drive pulleys simultaneously.

This even further reduces the complexity of the sorting apparatus, as both drive pulleys can be driven by a single drive at a single, equal speed.

In an embodiment the plurality of pulleys comprises tail pulleys and head pulleys, wherein the head pulleys are tilted with respect to the tail pulleys for crossing over the integral guide members. More preferably, the plurality of pulleys further comprises return rollers, wherein the return pulleys are tilted with respect to the head pulleys for crossing over the integral guide members. The tilting of the head pulleys and/or the return pulleys can facilitate the crossing over of the integral guide members for each loop.

In a preferred embodiment the plurality of guide members are wires, ropes, ribbons or strip-like belts. The transfer conveyor can thus be classified as a so-called 'wire conveyor'. The plurality of guide members can be individually routed and/or deflected into the diverging orientation as required by the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the transport conveyor comprises a flat, endless conveyor belt. The flat support surface of the endless conveyor belt can be used as a stable surface for receiving the objects from the transfer conveyor .

In another preferred embodiment the feeding section comprises separator stages for separating the objects in the transport direction, wherein the transfer conveyor forms one of the separator stages. The separator stages can increasingly accelerate the objects in the transport direction, thereby increasing the intermediate distance between subsequent objects. This can improve the operation of the subsequent measurement section and the ejection section as described below.

In a further embodiment the sorting apparatus comprises an ejection section downstream of the measurement section, wherein the transport conveyor is arranged for transporting the objects through the ejection section in the transport direction along a series of chutes, wherein the ejection section comprises groups of at least two ejection elements which are arranged to act simultaneously or consecutively on one of the objects for selectively ejecting the one object through a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measurement section. By using a group of at least two ejection element acting on a single object, larger and/or heavier objects can be ejected by ejection elements which -on their own - would not be able to eject said larger and/or heavier objects.

In a preferred embodiment thereof each ejection element comprises a nozzle for generating a jet of air arranged to act on the one object. Thus, at least two jets of air can be used to act on one object. The duration and/or intensity of the at least two jets of air can be adapted to the size and/or weight of the one object to effectively make the one object deviate from the transport direction into the selected chute.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a sorting apparatus for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruits and/or vegetables, comprising a measurement section for detecting characteristics of the objects, an ejection section downstream of the measurement section and a transport section with a transport conveyor for transporting the objects through the measurement section and the ejection section, wherein the transport conveyor is arranged for transporting the objects through the ejection section in the transport direction along a series of chutes, wherein the ejection section comprises groups of at least two ejection elements which are arranged to act simultaneously or consecutively on one of the objects for selectively ejecting the one object through a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measurement section.

By using a group of at least two ejection element acting on a single object, larger and/or heavier objects can be ejected by ejection elements which - on their own -would not be able to eject said larger and/or heavier objects .

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, each ejection element comprises a nozzle for generating a jet of air arranged to act on the one object. The duration and/or intensity of the at least two jets of air can be adapted to the size and/or weight of the one object to effectively make the one object deviate from the transport direction into the selected chute.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruits and/or vegetables, with the use of the sorting apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the step of transferring one of the objects from the transfer conveyor onto the transport conveyor by feeding the one object on the transfer conveyor in the transport direction towards the transport conveyor, allowing the one object to be lowered by the transfer conveyor onto the transport conveyor, at least momentarily conveying the one object in the transport direction simultaneously with the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor, releasing the one object from the transfer conveyor and conveying the one object further in the transport direction by the transport conveyor .

In an embodiment the step of transferring the one object comprises supporting the one object at the overlap, prior to the transfer conveyor releasing the one object. Thus, it can be ensured that the objects are already stably supported on the transport conveyor, prior to completing the transfer.

In an embodiment the step of transferring the one object further comprises conveying the object at the same speed or substantially the same speed on the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor. This can reduce any impulses or relative movements with respect to the transport conveyor, imposed on the objects during transfer.

In an embodiment the step of transferring the one object further comprises transferring the one object from the transfer conveyor onto the transport conveyor without the one object free falling. An uncontrolled free fall of the objects onto the transport conveyor can thus be prevented.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruits and/or vegetables, with the use of a sorting apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of detecting characteristics of one of the objects in the measurement section and selectively ejecting the one object through a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measurement section.

In an embodiment the step of ejecting comprises the step of operating the at least two ejection element of the group of ejection elements to act simultaneously or consecutively on the one object. The duration and/or intensity of the at least two jets of air can be adapted to the size and/or weight of the one object to effectively make the one object deviate from the transport direction into the selected chute.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which : figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sorting apparatus according to the invention, comprising a feeding section, a transport section and a discharge section; figure 2 shows a top view of the feeding section and a part of the transport section of the sorting apparatus according to figure 1; figure 3 shows isolated components of the feeding section and the transport section according to figure 2; figure 4 show a cross section of the feeding section according to the line IV-IV in figure 3; figures 5A, 5B and 5C show subsequent steps in the operation of the sorting apparatus, in cross section according to the line V-V in figure 3; and figure 6 shows a detail of the discharge section according to figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-6 show a sorting apparatus 1 according to the invention for sorting horticultural objects 9, in particular fruits, plants and/or vegetables. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the invention is used for sorting potatoes .

As shown in figure 1, the objects 9 are fed in two streams into the sorting apparatus 1 in a feeding direction, as schematically indicated with the arrows A. The sorting apparatus 1 comprises a feeding section B for feeding and separating the objects 9 in a transport direction T, a transport section C for receiving the separated objects 9 from the feeding section B and transporting the separated objects 9 further along a transport path P in the transport direction T, a measurement section D for measuring the separated objects 9 while they are transported in the transport direction T and finally a discharge or ejection section E for selectively discharging or ejecting the objects 9 based on the measurements from the measurement section D. The entire sorting apparatus 1 is set up with two parallel lines 11, 12, each comprising the aforementioned sections B, C, D, E to handle two streams of objects 9, thereby doubling the capacity with respect to a single line sorting apparatus (not shown). One skilled in the art will however appreciate that the principle of the invention can just as well be applied to a single line sorting apparatus.

The aforementioned sections B, C, D, E will be described hereafter with reference to figures 2-6.

Figure 2 shows the feeding section B and a part of the transport section C in more detail. The feeding section B comprises a first separator stage Bl, a second separator stage B2 and a transfer stage B3 arranged consecutively in the transport direction T to stepwise increase the transport velocity of the objects 9 in the transport direction T and thereby separating the objects 9. At the upstream end of the feeding section B with respect to the transport direction T, the feeding section B is provided with a hopper 2 for receiving the objects 9 in the feeding direction A and for directing the received objects 9 into the transport direction T onto the first separator stage Bl of the feeding section B. At the downstream end of the feeding section B, the transfer stage B3 partly overlaps with the transport section C over an overlap distance X for reliably transferring the objects 9 from the feeding section B to the transport section C.

The separator stages Bi, B2, the transfer stage B3 and the transport section C are shown in more detail in figure 3. In the first separator stage Bl, each line 11, 12 comprises a first separator conveyor 31 for conveying the objects 9 at a first speed VI in the transport direction T. In the second separator stage B2, each line 11, 12 comprises a second separator conveyor 32 for conveying the objects 9 at a second speed V2, higher than the first speed VI, in the transport direction T. The first separator conveyor 31 and the second separator conveyor 32 are each provided with a plurality of endless guide members 34, 35, in this exemplary embodiment in the form of wires, ropes, ribbons or strip-like belts, forming an open trapezoidal or trough-like support for the objects 9 throughout the first separator stage Bl and the second separator stage B2. In particular, it is noted that the plurality of endless guide members 34, 35 in the first separator conveyor 31 and the second separator conveyor 32 extends parallel to or at a constant width from each other so as to support the objects 9 along at a substantially constant height with respect to the separator conveyors 31, 32.

At the transfer stage B3, for each line 11, 12, the sorting apparatus 1 comprises a third separator conveyor or transfer conveyor 4 for conveying the objects 9 at a third speed V3, higher than the second speed V2, in the transport direction T. The transfer conveyor 4 also comprises a plurality of guide members 40, in this exemplary embodiment in the form of wires, ropes, ribbons or strip-like belts, forming an open trapezoidal or troughlike support for the objects 9 in the upper run of the transfer conveyor 4. Unlike the endless guide members 34, 35 of the separator conveyors 31, 32, the guide members 40 of the transfer conveyor 4 are arranged to spread or diverge in the transport direction T, along at least a part of the transfer stage B3, in particular at the overlap X between the transfer stage B3 and the transport section C. At the divergence, the guide members 40 obliquely extend or deflect away from the transport path P in a transverse, lateral or widthwise direction W, transverse or perpendicular to the transport direction T in the horizontal plane, thereby effectively widening the troughlike support shape.

At the transport section C, for each line 11, 12 the sorting apparatus 1 comprises a transport conveyor 6 that extends closely or directly underneath the transfer conveyor 4 at the overlap X between the transfer stage B3 and the transport section C. The transport conveyor 6 is driven at the same or substantially the same speed as the transfer conveyor 4, thus at the third speed V3.

Referring to figure 3, it can be observed that the plurality of guide members 40 form the upper run and the return run of the transfer conveyor 4. At the upper run of the transfer conveyor 4, the plurality of guide members 40 comprises a first guide member 41 extending along the transport path P of the transport conveyor 6 and defining a lower inside or inside corner of the trough-like support, a second guide member 42 extending along the transport path P of the transport conveyor 6 on the same side as the first guide member 41 and defining an upper outside or outer edge of the trough-like support, a third guide member 43 extending on the opposite side of the transport path P of the transport conveyor 6 with respect to the first guide member 41 and defining a lower inside or inside corner of the trough-like support, and finally a fourth guide member 44 extending on the same side as the third guide member 43 and defining an upper outside or outer edge of the troughlike support. The third guide member 43 and the fourth guide member 44 are mirror symmetrical to the first guide member 41 and the second guide member 42 with respect to the transport path P in between.

At the transfer stage B3, for each line 11, 12, the transfer conveyor 4 is provided with a plurality of wheels or pulleys 50 with grooved rims for receiving and guiding one of the plurality of guide members 40. The plurality of pulleys 50 direct the plurality of guide members 40 in endless loops along the upper run and the return run of the transfer conveyor 4 to form the aforementioned open trapezoidal or trough-like support for the objects 9 along the transport path P. The plurality of pulleys 50 comprises a first set of tail pulleys 51, 52, 53, 54 at an upstream end of the transfer stage B3 and a second set of head pulleys 55, 56 at the downstream end of the transfer stage B3. The second set of head pulleys 55, 56 is placed out of line or at an offset with respect to the tail pulleys 51-54 in the widthwise direction W so as to force the plurality of guide members 40 running in between to diverge from the tail pulleys 51-54 towards the head pulleys 55, 56.

It is noted that the first guide member 41 and the third guide member 43 diverge at a different angle with respect to the second guide member 42 and the fourth guide member 44, because the first guide member 41 and the third guide member 43 are initially closer to the transport path P and have to diverge further or more rapidly in the widthwise direction W to arrive at the offset head pulleys 55, 56. This means that the first guide member 41 and the third guide member 43 will diverge more quickly from underneath the objects 9 as the objects 9 move in the transport direction T through the overlap X.

In this exemplary embodiment, the transfer conveyor 4 comprises a plurality of deflectors 48 which are placed between the tail pulleys 51-54 and the head pulleys 55, 56 at the upstream end of the transport conveyor 6 to deflect the plurality of guide members 40 into the diverging orientation. The deflectors 48 are placed in an intermediate position between the head pulleys 55, 56 and the tail pulleys 51-54 such that the plurality of guide members 40, between the deflectors 48 and the tail pulleys 51-54, run substantially parallel, and, from the deflectors 48 towards the head pulleys 55, 56, diverge. In this example, the deflectors 48 are fixed, grooved blocks. Alternatively, the deflectors 48 may be formed by further pulleys (not shown) or other suitable deflecting means. Optionally, the deflectors 48 are movable to change or control the divergence of the plurality of guide members 40.

As shown in figure 3, the head pulleys 55, 56 are tilted with respect to the tail pulleys 51-54 over an angle of approximately 90 degrees, such that their rotational axes extend in the vertical direction. The plurality of guide members 40 thus become slightly tilted at the head pulleys 55, 56 with respect to the tail pulleys 51-54. At the return run, the plurality of pulleys 50 further comprises a set of obliquely positioned return pulleys 57, 58, preferably tilted at approximately forty-five degrees with respect to the head pulleys 55, 56. The return pulleys 57, 58 therefore further tilt the plurality of guide members 40 during the return run of the transfer conveyor 4.

As shown in cross section in figure 4, the first set of tail pulleys 51-54 are coaxially placed on a shaft 50. At least some of the tail pulleys 51-54 are driven by a drive 59 that is operationally connected to the shaft 50. Interposed between the first set of tail pulleys 51-54 are auxiliary pulleys 36, 37, 38 which are shared with the second separator stage B2 to loop the plurality of endless guide members 35 of the second separator conveyor 32. These auxiliary pulleys 36, 37, 38 are free-running or idling to accommodate the speed difference between the second speed V2 of the second separator stage B2 and the third speed V3 in the transfer stage B3.

It would be possible to loop each of the guide members 41-44 around the plurality of pulleys 50 in individual loops. To prevent imposing rotations on the objects 9, all of the guide members 41-44 would have to run at exactly the same speed in the transport direction T, in this example at the third speed V3. However, because of the differences in pulley diameters, depending on the position of the respective guide member 41-44 within the trough-like support shape, the pulleys 51-58 would have to be driven at different speeds to maintain the same speed V3 for each of the guide members 41-44, thus requiring individual, complex and synchronized drive systems.

The applicant has gone one step further by integrating the first guide member 41 and the second guide member 42 into a first single, combined or integral guide member 45. Similarly, the third guide member 43 and the fourth guide member 44 are integrated into a second single, combined or integral guide member 46. Each integral guide member 45, 46 is endless and is looped twice around the plurality of pulleys 5, once on the inside of the troughlike support with respect to the transport path P and once on the outside of the trough-like support with respect to the transport path P. Hence, each integral guide member 45, 46 has to cross over between each loop.

In this example, the crossing over takes place at the tilted head pulleys 56 and the obliquely tilted return pulleys 57, 58. As best seen in figure 3, the head pulleys 56 and the oblique tilted return pulleys 57, 58 increasingly tilt and direct the inside guide members (the first guide member 41 and the third guide member 43 in the upper run of the transfer conveyor 4) to the outside pulleys 51, 54 in the return run. Similarly, the head pulleys 56 and oblique tilted return pulleys 57, 58 increasingly tilt and direct the outside wires (the second guide member 42 and the fourth guide member 44 in the upper run of the transfer conveyor 4) to the inside pulleys 52, 53 in the return run.

For each integral guide member 45, 46, at least one or only one of the pulleys 51, 54 associated with one of the two loops is a drive pulley or an actively driven pulley, while the other pulleys 52, 53, 55-58, and in particular the other pulleys 52, 53 associated with the other of the two loops, are idler pulleys or freewheeling, free running, idling pulleys. The aforementioned integration significantly reduces the complexity of the drive system, as for each side of the transport path P, only one pulleys 51, 54 is actively driven. Preferably, as in this exemplary embodiment, the actively driven pulleys 51, 54 are of the same diameter, thereby allowing them to be mounted to the same shaft and to be driven by the same, single drive 59.

As shown in figure 1, the transport conveyor 6 of the transport section C extends through the measurement section D and the ejection section E. In this exemplary embodiment, the transport conveyor 6 comprises two flat endless conveyor belts 61, 62, one for each line 11, 12, with a support surface that is arranged to receive the objects 9. Optionally, the conveyor belts 61, 62 may be integrated into one single conveyor belt 61, 62 running at a single speed. Preferably, the support surface of the conveyor belts 61, 62 is provided with a surface texture, coating or treatment (not shown but known per se) , to enhance the grip on the objects 9. Additionally or alternatively, the conveyor belts 61, 62 can be provided with upright longitudinal edges to prevent the objects 9 from falling off.

As further shown in figure 1, the measurement section D comprises optical equipment 7 to optically detect, process and/or determine characteristics of relating to the shape, size and/or quality of the objects 9 passing through. The optical equipment 7 is only schematically shown as a box or housing 70. A non-limitative list of suitable optical equipment includes optical equipment based on optical imaging

As shown in figures 1 and 6, the discharge or ejection section E comprises a plurality of ejection elements 81, 82, 85, 86 for selectively ejecting the objects 9 out of the sorting apparatus 1 through respective chutes 87, 88 based on the detected characteristics of the objects 9 from the measurement section D. The chutes 87, 88 are arranged at the side of the transport conveyor 6 opposite to the ejection elements 81-84. The ejection elements 81, 82, 85, 86 are each provided with an ejection nozzle or spout 83, 84 that is arranged to generate a burst or jet of air PI, P2, P3, P4 directed at and acting on the object 9 as it passes by the ejection elements 81, 82, 85, 86 on the transport conveyor 6 . In this exemplary embodiment, the ejection elements 81, 82, 85, 86 are arranged in groups of at least two ejection elements 81, 82; 85, 86.

The operation of the sorting apparatus 1, and in particular the transfer of the objects 9 from the feeding section B to the transport section C, will be described hereafter in more detail.

The objects 9 are introduced into the sorting apparatus 1 in the feeding direction A, as shown in figure 1, and are subsequently separated by the increasingly higher speeds VI, V2, V3 of the subsequent stages BI, B2, B3 in the feeding section B. The objects 9 are transferred from the feeding section B onto the transport section C at the transfer stage B3. The spreading or divergence between the guide members 40, as shown in figures 2, 3 and 5A-5C, effectively allows the objects 9 to be gradually lowered between or to gradually sink through the guide members 40 under the influence of gravity, as schematically shown in three stills in figures 5A, 5B and 5C. The transport conveyor 6 is arranged at a vertical distance below the transfer conveyor 4 such that the objects 9 can be transferred directly from the transfer conveyor 4 onto the transport conveyor 6, e.g. without causing the objects 9 to freefall from the transfer conveyor 4 onto the transport conveyor 6.

More in particular, it can be observed in figure 3 that the objects 9 are initially supported on the plurality of endless guide members 35 of the second separator conveyor 32 in the second separator stage B2. This situation is shown in cross section in figure 5A. The objects 9 are supported at a first height or clearance HI above the support surface 61, 62 of the transport conveyor 6. Subseguently, the objects 9 travel in the transport direction T onto the transfer conveyor 4, where they are supported on the plurality of guide members 40 of the transfer conveyor 4, as shown in figure 5B. The height or clearance with respect to the support surface 61, 62 of the transport conveyor 6 is reduced to a second, smaller height H2. As the objects 9 travel further in the transport direction T, onto the part of the transfer conveyor 4 where the plurality of guide members 40 start diverging, the objects 9 are gradually lowered onto the support surface 61, 62 of the transport conveyor 6, thereby reducing the clearance or height with respect to the support surface 61, 62 to zero (the third height H3).

The guide members 40 of the transfer conveyor 4 are arranged to at least partially and preferably fully guide the object 9 during the transfer until the latter is in direct and/or stable contact with the transport conveyor 6. The object 9 is subsequently release from the transfer conveyor 4. Thus, the object 9 can be gently lowered from the transfer conveyor 4 onto the transport conveyor 6 in the overlap X between the transfer stage B3 and the transport section C. The transfer conveyor 4 and the transport conveyor 6 are arranged for at least momentarily simultaneously conveying the object 9, before completely transferring the object 9 from the transfer conveyor 4 to the transport conveyor 6. The object 9 is thus in continuous or uninterrupted contact with either the transfer conveyor 4, the transport conveyor 6 or both during the transfer. This reduces, minimizes and/or eliminates uncontrolled movements of the objects 9 during transfer and improves stability of the objects 9 along the transport path P on the transport conveyor 6 for the subsequent measurement in the measurement section D (see figure 1).

Preferably, the transfer conveyor 4 is arranged for transferring the objects 9 onto the transport conveyor 6 in the same or substantially the same orientation as the orientation directly prior to the transfer, thus without imposing any significant impulses onto the objects 9, such as a relative rotation or a relative translation with respect to the transport conveyor 6.

After transfer of the objects 9 from the feeding section B onto the transport section C, the transfer conveyor 6 transports the objects 9 further in the transport direction T. First, the objects 9 pass through the measurement section D as shown in figure 1. The optical equipment 7 measures the characteristics of the objects 9 passing through and compares the characteristics to sorting criteria. For each object 9 a chute 87, 88 is selected through which the object 9 is to be ejected from the sorting apparatus 1. Based on the measurements from the measurement section D, the ejection elements 81, 82, 85, 86 of the ejection section E are operated to eject the objects 9 through the selected chute 87, 88, in accordance with the sorting criteria. Small or light-weight objects 9 can be ejected using only one of the at least two ejection elements 81, 82; 85, 86 within a group. However, when a larger or heavier object 9 is detected in the measurement section D, the group of ejection elements 81, 82; 85, 86 can provide at least two simultaneous or consecutive bursts or jets of air PI, P2, P3, P4 directed at the same object 9. The duration or intensity of the bursts may even be adapted to the size and/or weight of the object 9. In this manner, both small and large or both light-weight and heavy objects 9 can be accurately and reliably made to deviate from the transport direction T into the chutes 87, 88.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A sorting device for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruit and / or vegetables, comprising a measuring part for detecting characteristics of the objects, a transport part with a transport conveyor for transporting the objects in a transport direction through the measuring section and a feeding section for supplying the objects to the conveying section, wherein the feeding section comprises a transfer conveyor that overlaps with the transport conveyor, the transfer conveyor, at the overlap, diverging in the transport direction to lower and transfer the objects. placing on the transport conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor, at the overlap, are arranged for simultaneously conveying the objects in the transport direction at least for a short time.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport conveyor is arranged at a vertical distance below the transfer conveyor to allow a direct transfer of the objects from the transfer conveyor to the transport conveyor.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport conveyor is adapted to support the objects at the overlap, prior to releasing the objects by transfer conveyor.

A sorting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor are adapted to transport the objects in the conveying direction at the same speed or substantially the same speed.

A sorting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer conveyor comprises a plurality of guide parts which are arranged to guide the objects during the transfer.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of guide members define a trough-shaped support for the objects that extends along a conveyor track.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of guide members comprises a first guide member defining an inner corner of the trough-shaped support, a second guide member defining an outer edge of the trough-shaped support on the same side of the conveyor track as the first guide member, a third guide member extending on the opposite side with respect to the first guide member and defining an inner angle of the trough-shaped support and a fourth guide member defining an outer edge of the trough-shaped support on the same side of the conveyor track as the third guide member.

A sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the transfer conveyor comprises a plurality of running wheels for aligning the plurality of guide members in endless loops, the transfer conveyor further comprising deflectors for deflecting the plurality of guide members in a divergent orientation at the overlap.

A sorting apparatus according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the first guide part and the second guide part form an integral guide part and wherein the third guide part and the fourth guide part form an integral guide part, wherein each integral guide part is looped twice around the plurality of running wheels, once on the inside of the trough-shaped support with respect to the conveyor track and once on the outside of the trough-shaped support with respect to the conveyor track, wherein each integral guide part crosses once per loop.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein for each integral guide part, one of the running wheels of the running wheels of the plurality of running wheels involved in the two loops of the respective integral running part is a driven running wheel, the other running wheels running free running wheels to be.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the driven running wheels of both integral guide parts have the same diameter, wherein the transfer conveyor comprises a drive operatively coupled to both driven running wheels, the drive being adapted to drive both driven running wheels simultaneously.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plurality of running wheels comprises tail running wheels and main running wheels, wherein the main running wheels are tilted relative to the tail running wheels for crossing the integral guide members.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of running wheels further comprises return running wheels, wherein the return running wheels are tilted with respect to the main running wheels for crossing the integral guide members.

A sorting device according to any one of claims 5-13, wherein the plurality of guide members are wires, ropes, strips or strip-like bands.

A sorting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor conveyor comprises a flat, endless conveyor belt.

A sorting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply section comprises single-stage steps for single-stage objects in the conveying direction, the transfer conveyor forming one of the single-stage stages.

A sorting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sorting device comprises an ejection section downstream of the measuring section, wherein the transport conveyor is adapted to transport the objects through the ejection section in the conveying direction along a series of chutes, the ejection section groups of at least comprises two ejecting elements which are arranged to act simultaneously or sequentially on one of the objects for selectively ejecting the one object by a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measuring section.

A sorting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each ejector element comprises a nozzle for generating a stream of air adapted to operate on the one object.

A sorting device for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruit and / or vegetables, comprising a measuring part for detecting characteristics of the objects, an ejection part downstream of the measuring part and a transport part with a transport conveyor for transporting the objects through the measuring section and the ejection section, wherein the conveyor conveyor is adapted to transport the objects through the ejection section in the conveying direction along a series of chutes, the ejection section comprising groups of at least two ejector elements which are arranged to simultaneously or sequentially operating one of the objects for selectively ejecting the one object through a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measuring section.

The sorting apparatus of claim 19, wherein each ejector element comprises a nozzle for generating an air stream adapted to operate on the one object.

A method for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruit and / or vegetables, using a sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of transferring one of the objects from the transfer conveyor to the transport conveyor by supplying the one object to the transfer conveyor in the direction of transport in the direction of the transport conveyor, allowing the one object to be lowered by the transfer conveyor onto the transport conveyor, transporting the one object at least for a short time in the conveying direction by simultaneously transferring the conveyor and the conveying conveyor, releasing the one object from the transfer conveyor and further conveying the one object in the conveying direction by the conveying conveyor.

The method of claim 21, wherein the step of transferring the one object comprises supporting the one object at the overlap prior to releasing the one object by the transfer conveyor.

The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the step of transferring the one object further comprises transporting the object at the same speed or substantially the same speed on the transfer conveyor and the transport conveyor.

The method of any one of claims 21-23, wherein the step of transferring the one object further comprises transferring the one object from the transfer conveyor to the transport conveyor without the one object falling into free fall.

A method for sorting horticultural objects, in particular plants, fruit and / or vegetables, using a sorting device according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises the steps of detecting characteristics of one of the objects in the measuring section and selectively ejecting the one object from a selected chute based on the detected characteristics of the one object from the measuring section.

The method of claim 25, wherein the ejecting step comprises the step of operating the at least two ejecting elements of the ejecting element group to act on the one object simultaneously or sequentially.