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WO2011129810A1 - Système de transport de fruits et d'objets similaires - Google Patents

Système de transport de fruits et d'objets similaires Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011129810A1
WO2011129810A1 PCT/US2010/030776 US2010030776W WO2011129810A1 WO 2011129810 A1 WO2011129810 A1 WO 2011129810A1 US 2010030776 W US2010030776 W US 2010030776W WO 2011129810 A1 WO2011129810 A1 WO 2011129810A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tube
baffles
article
baffle
transported
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2010/030776
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Vincent E. Bryan, Jr.
John Ohrt
Randy Allard
Polly Allard
Gene Barrow
Pete Kunzler
Vincent E. Bryan
Alex E. Kunzler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Picker Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Picker Technologies LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Picker Technologies LLC filed Critical Picker Technologies LLC
Priority to PCT/US2010/030776 priority Critical patent/WO2011129810A1/fr
Publication of WO2011129810A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011129810A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00—Chutes
    • B65G11/20—Auxiliary devices, e.g. for deflecting, controlling speed of, or agitating articles or solids
    • B65G11/203—Auxiliary devices, e.g. for deflecting, controlling speed of, or agitating articles or solids for articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
    • B65G53/34—Details
    • B65G53/52—Adaptations of pipes or tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
    • B65G53/34—Details
    • B65G53/52—Adaptations of pipes or tubes
    • B65G53/54—Flexible pipes or tubes

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to systems for transporting small objects, and more particularly relates to pneumatic transport systems.
  • the picking operations must contend with the clipping of overly stiff or long stems; the gentle placement of the fruit into the picking bag to prevent bruising; and the transfer and delivery of the fruit to a larger size container better adapted for truck transport.
  • Fruit located on high limbs may require that the picker climb a ladder or stand on a scaffold to reach the fruit.
  • the fruit bins are usually placed in the row between tree lines, and the bins are spaced so that they can be filled by fruit transferred from the picker's bag within the shortest walking distance. The bins are then picked up by a fruit trailer pulled by a tractor and taken to a common holding site awaiting forklift placement onto a flatbed truck.
  • This fruit picking process results in about 30% of the picker's time actually picking fruit, with the remaining 70% of the time gently placing the fruit into bags or bins after having clipped the stems when required, moving and climbing up and down ladders, carrying fruit from one place to another, then walking to and carefully releasing the picker's bag load of apples into the collecting bin taking special care not to cause a blemish or bruise on the fruit by rough handling.
  • the picker's bag load may weigh 40 pounds or more leading to fatigue of the picker and a reduction in efficiency.
  • Figure 1 is an elevational view showing an exemplary apple picker who is picking apples from a tree and depositing the apples in a first embodiment of the invention for transport to an apple collection bin.
  • Figure 2 is an elevational view showing a tractor and trailer upon which are mounted apple picking stations being used by apple pickers who are depositing the picked apples in an embodiment of the invention for transport to an apple collection bin.
  • Figure 3 is an elevational view similar to Figure 1 but showing typical apple pickers and a trailer as they appear from the rear of the trailer.
  • Figure 3a is an elevational view showing a typical apple picker and his apple picking station, and suggesting how the station can be moved relative to the platform upon which the station is mounted.
  • Figure 4 is an elevational view of a typical baffle found within one embodiment of a transport tube.
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view of a typical transport tube and, mounted therein, the baffles of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of a typical transport tube similar to Figure 5 but showing resilient material mounted between the baffles.
  • Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 but showing a different form of resilient material mounted between the baffles
  • Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figures 5, 6 and 7 showing a typical conical or windsock-shaped baffle.
  • Figure 9 is an elevational view of the baffle shown in Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is an elevational view of an alternate form of a baffle.
  • Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary view showing, in section, an alternate arrangement of the tube and baffles shown in Figures 7 or 8 and 10.
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing in further detail the arrangement of a baffle and air holes shown in Figure 1 1.
  • Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention including an outer tube, an inner transport tube, air movement spaces between the tubes, and baffles.
  • Figure 14 is a sectional view of the tube and baffle arrangement shown in Figure
  • Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in partial section suggesting the movement of typical objects such as apples through the inventive tube and baffles.
  • Figure 16 is an elevational view showing a baffle of the type included in the tube shown in Figure 15.
  • Figure 17 is a fragmentary view in sectional aspect showing conical or windsock baffles within the transport tube.
  • Figure 18 is an isometric view showing how one embodiment of the transport tube and baffles can be assembled.
  • Figure 18a is an isometric view showing the tube of Figure 18 in its assembled configuration.
  • Figure 19 is in isometric view similar to Figure 18 but showing how another embodiment of the transport tube and baffles can be assembled.
  • Figure 19a is an isometric view similar to Figure 19 but showing how yet another embodiment of the transport tube and baffles can be assembled.
  • Figure 20 is an isometric view similar to Figures 18 and 19 showing how still another embodiment of the transport tube and baffles can be assembled.
  • Figure 21 is an isometric view showing a spacer which can be positioned between adjacent baffles.
  • Figure 22 is an isometric view similar to Figure 21 but showing a spacer provided with two exhausts or viewing ports.
  • Figure 23 is an isometric view similar to Figure 22 but showing a spacer provided with multiple exhausts or viewing ports.
  • Figure 24 is an isometric exploded view showing the tube, spacers and baffles shown in Figures 19-23.
  • Figure 24a is an elevational view showing a combination spacer and baffle of the type shown in Figure 24.
  • Figure 25 is an isometric view of yet another spacer.
  • Figure 26 is isometric view showing still another spacer.
  • Figure 27 is a fragmentary sectional view suggesting a structural arrangement which can be used to interconnect various tube sections.
  • Figure 28 is an elevational view of an air exhaust venturi mechanism.
  • Figure 29 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of Figure 28.
  • Figure 30 is a sectional view of a disk-shaped baffle.
  • Figure 31 is a sectional views similar to Figure 30 but showing a conically shaped baffle.
  • Figure 32 is a sectional view similar to Figures 30 and 31 but showing another embodiment of the conical baffle.
  • Figure 33 is a sectional view similar to Figures 30-32 but showing yet another embodiment of the baffle.
  • Figure 34 is an elevational view of the baffle shown in Figure 33.
  • Figure 35 is a fragmentary elevational view showing yet another embodiment of the transport tube and an associated input device.
  • Figure 36 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention and another embodiment of a mobile platform with which the invention can be used.
  • Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the transport tube system and showing a generally spherical object such as an orange moving through the system.
  • Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the transport tube system similar to Figure 37 but showing a generally conical object such as an apple moving through the system.
  • Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the transport tube system similar to Figures 37 and 38 but showing an elongated object such as an adult fish moving through the system.
  • Figure 40 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the transport system similar to Figures 36, 37, 38 and 39, but showing an alternate form of the transport system.
  • Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view yet another embodiment of the transport system similar to Figure 40, but showing use of the system to transport a juvenile fish.
  • Figure 42 is an isometric view showing a transport tube module.
  • Figure 43 is a plan or elevational view of another embodiment of a baffle used with the tube portion of the invention.
  • Figure 44 is a fragmentary isometric view in partial section showing an embodiment of the invention comprising two modules and associated baffles.
  • Figure 45 is a fragmentary sectional view showing portions of the modular tube and associated baffles indicated in Figure 44.
  • Figure 46 is an isometric view showing a tube intake port mechanism.
  • Figure 47 is a plan or elevational view showing an initial or first baffle for use with the tube.
  • Figure 48 is an exploded view of the tube intake port mechanism shown in Figure 46.
  • the transport tube invention and its peripheral equipment act together to transport picked fruit gently yet quickly up and/or down and/or along a rigid or flexible tube pathway.
  • seal members affixed to the moving item. These seal members provide a pneumatic seal between the moving item and the interior surface of the tube.
  • the item to be transported (which may be of any shape) is placed within a canister of predetermined shape.
  • An exterior flange-like seal secured to the canister moves along with the canister through the tube.
  • the seal continuously engages the interior surface of the tube so as to provide an air seal.
  • This air seal permits the development of a pneumatic pressure differential in the tube between the upstream and downstream surfaces of the seal and capsule. The force of this air pressure differential propels the capsule and seal along the tube.
  • the object of this invention is to rapidly move items through a pneumatic tube independent of the items' shapes without having to place the items into a capsule or canister of fixed shape.
  • a means to create a seal sufficient to allow the pressurized system to advance the item through the tube is required.
  • An embodiment of the new concept focuses on a sealing arrangement, but the seals do not move along through the tube. The sealing arrangement nevertheless can maintain a proper environment for effectively providing pneumatically induced movement of the item through the tube.
  • a series of sealing baffles are affixed to the interior wall of the tube and can accommodate items of different sizes and shapes while maintaining a series of pneumatic seals between the sealing baffles and the items moving down the tube.
  • this pneumatic tube system can be used by individual pickers P.
  • Each picker can have an input chute 35, which can be located and worn adjacent the picker's chest by a known and convenient harness means 503.
  • the chute 35 leads to a pneumatic tube 40 which transports the picked fruit to a bin 140 or other collection device.
  • the tube transport system and the pickers P can be mounted on a trailer 240 pulled by a tractor T as shown in Figure 2.
  • the systems and pickers can be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle as indicated in U.S. provisional patent application serial number 61/028,351 filed February 13, 2008, now copending utility application Serial No.
  • the pickers P can be provided with picking stations or platforms 340 as especially suggested in Figure 3 a.
  • the positions of these stations 340 can be adjusted by known hydraulic or other systems as suggested by the arrows in Figure 3 a.
  • one embodiment of the invention comprises a tube 40 which may be rigid or flexible and made of plastic, metal or other suitable material.
  • the tube can be of circular, and/or any convenient cross-sectional shape, as described below.
  • a series of sealing baffles are provided in accordance with the invention.
  • Each baffle is affixed to the interior of the tube 40, is aligned in a perpendicular fashion relative to the tube axis, and is made of a resilient smooth-surface material such as a silicon rubber or resilient plastic.
  • the spacing between the baffles 50 can be selected to be approximately the same as the minor dimension of the items to be moved through the transport tubes.
  • the system will perform but perhaps less effectively if the baffle-to-baffle distance is made to be substantially greater or less than this item's minor dimension.
  • the major dimensions of the article to be transported through that tube can be determined by measuring the article.
  • the spacing of the baffles within the tube can be provided or adjusted to be a distance approximately equal to the previously measured or determined dimension of the article to be transported.
  • the baffle spacing and the articles to be transported may show that effective transportation occurs if the baffles spacing is somewhat less than the major or minor dimension of the article to be transported or even somewhat greater than the major or minor dimension of the article to be transported.
  • baffles having two-inch diameter apertures may be spaced one inch apart.
  • baffle spacing is arranged to be substantially equal to or less than the effective dimension of the article to be transported, it is possible to inhibit or prohibit the object from ever engaging the inner surface of the transport tube as the object or article moves through the tube. Under these circumstances, object bruising or damage may be inhibited or prohibited.
  • groups of closely-spaced multiple baffles may be located at major intervals along the tube interior.
  • the baffles each define a central opening or hole 51.
  • the outer periphery of the baffle, and the periphery of the hole 51 can be of any convenient shape such as circular, oval, elliptical, quadrilateral, or other shape.
  • the central circular opening 51 is of such diameter that an item A which is greater in diameter than the hole 51 but lesser in diameter than the tube can pass through the tube because of the elasticity of the baffle 50.
  • the baffles 50 can be spaced apart from one another by a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the baffle aperture or hole 51.
  • the baffle 50 may have slits 52 extending from the central opening into the baffle material to facilitate its opening to accommodate a relatively loose item F passing through it. If small items A are to be moved, the slits 52 may not be needed.
  • the baffles 50 can be inflatable.
  • the material comprising the inflatable baffles can be shaped and arranged so that progressive inflation of the baffle will provide a progressively smaller opening 51 , or the shape of the opening 51 will be progressively changed in some other way.
  • the interior of the tube surface located between the resilient periodic baffle members 50 may be lined with a soft material 41 such as a soft rubber or resilient plastic.
  • a series of many soft cushions such as
  • balloon-like interior wall liner can be provided between the baffles as particularly
  • FIG. 8 An alternatively shaped baffle arrangement is shown in Figures 8, 9, and 1 -17.
  • conical or windsock-shaped baffles 43 are attached by a fixation device 44 on the interior surface of the tube.
  • the windsock baffles 43 can be made of a material which may be woven or formed of a resilient material such as rubber or resilient plastic. The material may be of such a nature that it may collapse onto the surface of the item being moved through it while at the same time allowing the item to advance with minimal impedance.
  • These interior windsocks 43 can be spaced apart from one another such that the item, on leaving one windsock baffle 43, will at that moment be delivered into the next overlapping windsock baffle 43 in the series as particularly suggested in Figure 8, thus maintaining a substantially continuous seal as the item moves down the tub.
  • these conical or windsock-shaped baffles 43 may inhibit the fish's nose from becoming lodged at the intersection of the tube inner surface and the baffle, thereby encouraging the fish to journey smoothly down the tube.
  • the baffles 50 may have a disc shape as suggested in Figure 30, or it may have a generally conical shape, as suggested in Figure 31. This conical shape will help orient the moving object in the central axis of the tube and baffle.
  • the baffles 50 may have a modified conical shape as suggested in Figure 32. This shape may provide a venturi-like effect to the airflow passing through the baffles 50.
  • the disc 50 may have guide plates 54 as suggested in Figures 33 and 34.
  • the tubes 40 illustrated here can comprise an outer tube 45 and a coaxial inner tube 46 having apertures 47 therein.
  • This tube arrangement permits the creation of an air flow liner 46 thereby facilitating the maintenance of the object moving through the tube in a more central position in the tube 40, while at the same time placing an axially extending air space 48 between individual objects F which may be moving through the tube 40 at the same time. Additionally this arrangement will allow for the effect of either vacuum or positive air pressure applied to the tube to reach more than one item moving through the tube at the same time.
  • a retainer ring 60 is shown in Figures 10 and 11, wherein the retainer ring 60 is perforated by peripheral holes 66 which may be of different diameters and either perpendicular to or angled in any direction with relationship to the surfaces of the retainer ring 60. These holes 66 allow for the passage of air from one inter-baffle space to another. As suggested above, modified airflow and air pressures within the tubes can be provided by an arrangement of a coaxially aligned outer tube 45 and an inner tube 46 ( Figures 10-14). The toridal-shaped space 48 between the tubes 45 and 46 allows air to be exhausted along the entire length of a tube line.
  • Portals 47 can be provided to inject or exhaust air so as to provide the desired positive or negative pressures for urging the objects F along the tubes in accordance with the invention.
  • These passages 47 can be formed so as to provide a helical air flow as suggested especially in Figure 14. This helical air flow may discourage the moving objects F from violently impacting the inner tube sides and consequently suffering bruising or other damage.
  • Tube halves 140, 142 can be formed with mating corrugated shapes 143, and the baffles 50 can be nested at desired spacing within the corrugations as suggested in Figure 18.
  • the tube halves can then be assembled and locked together with suitable clamp locks 145 as suggested in Figure 18a.
  • unitary tubes 40 can be provided with a spiral corrugation 146 as shown in Figure 19, and the spacers 50 can be mounted within the tube by a helical, screwing-like motion.
  • Locking tabs 150 can be provided on the baffles 50 to mate with recesses (not shown) within the tube 40 as suggested in Figure 19a.
  • the tube 40 can be provided with an extended series of threads 155, and the baffles 50 can be provided with mating threads 156, as suggested in Figure 20.
  • Spacers 80 can be made of soft material and can be located between the baffles 50. These spacers 80 can be provided with ports 82 ( Figures 22 and 23). If the tube 40 is made of transparent material such as plastic, these ports 82 can be used to view and inspect the interior of the tube system. Alternatively, these ports 82 can provide the desired airflow if the tube system is provided with the coaxial tube arrangement described above. See Figure 24. If desired, these spacers and baffles can be made as a single unit. See Figure 24a. To mate with a helically corrugated tube, this spacer may be provided with a spring-like helix member 85 as suggested in Figure 25. An alternatively designed spacer 87 is shown in Figure 26. This spacer is formed of soft, pliable material which will conform to the inner surface of a tube, whether
  • Spaced apart arms 88 prevent the transported object from colliding with the rigid tube wall, but the spacing between these items 88 minimizes impedance to object travel.
  • Figures 27 - 29 suggest one of several known arrangements for interconnecting tube length modules.
  • the tube sections can be snapped together by hand or with tools to form a flexible tube assembly.
  • the joints 90 are self-sealing but slide to provide
  • a series of transport tubes can be carried within a relatively large
  • conduit 400 as suggested in Figure 35.
  • the conduit 400 can be equipped with a delivery chute 35 so that the picker can place objects of varying sizes in tubes of appropriate and corresponding diameter.
  • Figure 36 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention and associated equipment.
  • the pneumatic tube system can be used by individual pickers.
  • the picker P can be mounted on a platform 644 if desired.
  • Picked fruit can be deposited into a tube 640 which transports that picked fruit to a receiving decelerator 642.
  • the fruit can be withdrawn from the decelerator by an extraction conveyor 650 and deposited upon a cross- conveyor 652 which transports the fruit or other objects past an inspection subsystem 660.
  • the inspected fruit or other objects can then be gently lowered, as by a download conveyor 670, into a receiving bin N.
  • Vehicle mobility can be provided by a prime mover and track system 680.
  • the bin can be dropped from the system along conveyor forks 680, 690 for subsequent pickup by a collection truck or other operation.
  • an alternate embodiment of the transport system 700 includes a bi-ended tube member 701, which can have a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the tube 701 can be triangular with rounded corners, or trilobular.
  • the noncircular cross-sectional shape of the tube can be oval, rhomboid, quadrilateral or of other convenient shape.
  • Within the tube 701 is a plurality of apertured, deformable baffles 710 secured at axially spaced apart locations throughout the length of the tube.
  • baffles are sized and shaped and otherwise adapted to at least partly engage the surface of an article A being transported through the tube so as to encourage the development of at least a momentary pressure differential across the article being transported as the article moves through the tube, and to thereby advance the object to each baffle and along the tube to the next baffle.
  • the baffles can be spaced apart from one another so that the distance between adjacent baffles is such that the object being transported is in substantial engagement, and in substantially continuous engagement, with at least one baffle at all times as the object being transported moves through the tubes. In these circumstances, the article being transported through the tube experiences a substantially continuous front-to-rear pressure differential across the article as the article moves through the tube, so as to advance the article through the baffles and along the tube.
  • the baffles may be provided with generally radially extending slits as suggested in Figure 4. If extensive baffle deformation is not necessary or desired, the baffles can be unslitted and unslotted as suggested in Figures 9, 10, 14 and 37a.
  • the shape of the baffle apertures 712 can be trilobular, oval, rhomboid, quadrilateral, or other convenient shape. If the cross-sectional shape of the object being transported is irregular, the size and shape of the baffle aperture 712 can be made to approximate the cross-sectional shape of the object being transported through the tube.
  • Triangular or non-circular orifice opening in the aligned baffles provides more effective transport than circular or random pattern orifice. This is most apparent for smaller objects on the order of 2.25 to 3-inch diameter.
  • the smaller object may tend to oscillate or vibrate within the transport tube because generally round objects can be influenced more by a generally round orifice so that the object will tend to spiral in a helical centrifugal fashion. Side to side oscillations may also occur because a round object is more readily captured or contained within a generally round orifice.
  • Aligned triangular or non-circular orifices will tend to guide or dampen side to side motion of the transported object and provide more effective transport.
  • the triple walls of the Triangular orifice also tend to guide the object in a 3 -point manner to the center with limited friction when compared to a fully circumferential contact of the same aspect.
  • Elongated articles can be transported by the system.
  • fish F have been successfully transported by the system.
  • this fish F is engaged by a relatively great plurality of baffles 710 and, indeed, the weight of the fish is supported by these baffles so that the fish is maintained in a position within the tube 701 substantially separated from any contact with tube interior surface, thereby avoiding damage or injury to the fish.
  • Juvenile fish J of various sizes can also be transported by the system as suggested in Figure 41. To decrease injury, trauma and mortality, it may be prudent to encapsulate these fish J in a transparent water-filled sphere 801 and then transport the spheres through the baffles 710 and tube 701.
  • the baffles can be constructed in a laminate form. Forward or upstream portion of the baffle laminate can be formed from or contain a low-friction material such as Teflon, while the rear portion of the baffle can be formed of Kevlar or other suitable material. Teflon is a polytetrafluoroethylene material and Kevlar is a para-aramid material; both materials are available from the EI Du Pont de Nemours Corporation of Wilmington Delaware.
  • the baffle portions may act independently of one another and may or may not be affixed to one another or to any third or fourth layer.
  • the low friction composite layer also limits the contact time of the fruit on the surface of the rear portion or rear laminate thereby eliminating any natural frequencies or oscillations of the fruit during transport. If the object being transported begins to oscillate, it will undergo greater object/baffle friction and slower transport times.
  • Transport tube 701 can be formed as a single element or it can be assembled from a series of interconnected modules 721, 722, 723 as shown in Figures 37, 38 and elsewhere. Interlock mechanisms 728 shown in Figures 44, 45 and elsewhere permit the tube modules 721, 722 and
  • a system portal intake device 850 is shown in Figure 46 and 48. This device permits fruit or other objects to be introduced to the transport system with minimal likelihood of damage to the object and minimal likelihood of clogging of the tube.
  • a conical receiving bowl 852 is located above an introductory baffle 854. As shown in Figure 47 and 48, this baffle 854 can be provided with an aperture 856 to center the object being transported upon the central axis of the transport tube. To encourage this centering action, radially extending slits 860 of slightly diverging profile are formed in an intake baffle 854, thus creating a series of centering fingers 858.
  • This device also dampens object rotation and kinetic energy induced aberrant movement of the object. Excessive kinetic energy exhibit exhibited by the transported object can cause unwanted vibrations or oscillations of the object during object transport. These oscillations can hamper the speed of object transport or lessen the pneumatic potential of the transported object.
  • Interconnectors, seal rings and other structures are attached, as by bolts or other known mechanisms 872, 874, to a mounting plate 878 for attachment of the portal intake device 850 to the vehicle in positions convenient to the pickers P.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Harvesting Machines For Specific Crops (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif de transport d'articles. Dans le mode de réalisation illustré et décrit de l'invention, les articles sont des fruits, tels que des pommes, et les articles peuvent être transportés d'un lieu de récolte sur un arbre fruitier à un bac de collecte ou un autre site. Le dispositif comprend un élément de tube apte à recevoir et à transporter les articles, et une pluralité de chicanes déformables à des emplacements espacés les uns des autres à l'intérieur du tube. Chaque chicane définit une ouverture qui permet à l'article d'entrer en prise avec la chicane et l'ouverture et de les déformer de façon à créer au moins un joint d'étanchéité momentané partiel pour encourager le déplacement de l'article à travers l'ouverture et en bas du tube. L'article est pressé à travers le tube par un différentiel de pression créé à travers l'article. Dans le mode de réalisation décrit et illustré de l'invention, ce différentiel de pression est un différentiel de pression pneumatique. Le tube et les ouvertures de chicane peuvent avoir des formes transversales non circulaires.
PCT/US2010/030776 2010-04-12 2010-04-12 Système de transport de fruits et d'objets similaires Ceased WO2011129810A1 (fr)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2010/030776 WO2011129810A1 (fr) 2010-04-12 2010-04-12 Système de transport de fruits et d'objets similaires

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2010/030776 WO2011129810A1 (fr) 2010-04-12 2010-04-12 Système de transport de fruits et d'objets similaires

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107995904A (zh) * 2015-05-28 2018-05-04 尤尼泰克公司 用于将园艺产品分开的装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3473312A (en) * 1967-01-18 1969-10-21 Frank W Holt Fruit picker
US4388798A (en) * 1981-06-09 1983-06-21 Gerber Curtis E Fruit harvesting machine
US5878562A (en) * 1994-12-16 1999-03-09 Cernusco; Lawrence Ronald Apparatus for use in picking fruit
US20080279640A1 (en) * 2007-03-26 2008-11-13 Picker Technologies Llc Transport system for fruit and like objects

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3473312A (en) * 1967-01-18 1969-10-21 Frank W Holt Fruit picker
US4388798A (en) * 1981-06-09 1983-06-21 Gerber Curtis E Fruit harvesting machine
US5878562A (en) * 1994-12-16 1999-03-09 Cernusco; Lawrence Ronald Apparatus for use in picking fruit
US20080279640A1 (en) * 2007-03-26 2008-11-13 Picker Technologies Llc Transport system for fruit and like objects

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107995904A (zh) * 2015-05-28 2018-05-04 尤尼泰克公司 用于将园艺产品分开的装置
US10392200B2 (en) 2015-05-28 2019-08-27 Unitec S.P.A. Apparatus for dividing horticultural products

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