WO2013124716A1

WO2013124716A1 - Peeling and husking machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013124716A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/056477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriano Nalon
Original assignee: OMAS Srl
Current assignee: OMAS Srl
Priority date: 2012-02-23
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2013-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-23
Also published as: ITPD20120045A1

Description

PEELING AND HUSKING MACHINE

DESCRIPTION

The present patent concerns peeling and husking machines for grains or beans, and in particular it concerns a new improved and compact peeling and husking machine.

Machines are known that are used to peel and/or husk grains or beans in general, for example of cereals like corn, maize, barley, rice but also coffee beans and other types of grains or beans.

The machines of the known type comprise a machine body or casing that defines an operating chamber inside which there is a rotor, that is, a shaft that rotates around its longitudinal axis and is equipped with an external wall that is abrasive or provided with abrasive elements.

Said external wall of said shaft of the rotor is provided, for example, with blades or comb-shaped elements or projections in general that are suited to abrade the surface of the grains or beans that are introduced inside said casing, so that they are consequently peeled and/or husked.

Said casing is provided with an opening through which the grains or beans to be peeled and/or husked are loaded, wherein said grains or beans are conveyed towards an unloading mouth following the rotary movement of the rotor and/or following an air flow that is transported inside the casing.

Said air flow, for example, is conveyed inside the casing and inside the rotor shaft, which is usually hollow.

Therefore, the shafts of the known rotors have a rather large diameter, with the consequent drawbacks: they have considerable overall dimensions and weight; they need corresponding large-sized supports, actually increasing the overall dimensions of the machine.

Furthermore, machines are known that carry out the husking of beans or cereal grains thanks to the abrasive effect obtained by using grinding wheels in stone or sintered materials. For this reason, owing to the normal wear of the machine, fragments or pieces of foreign matter might be released in the mass of cereals being processed.

In order to overcome all the drawbacks mentioned above, a new type of improved and compact peeling and husking machine has been designed and constructed.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a machine with reduced weight and overall dimensions compared to the machines of known type, obtaining in any case an effective cleaning and peeling of the grains or beans processed. Thanks to the special solutions adopted, the diameter of the rotor shaft is reduced and consequently also the dimensions of the supports are reduced.

An advantage offered by the present invention lies in that it can be installed also in small spaces, thanks to its reduced overall dimensions. Furthermore, the new invention can be constructed and assembled so that it can be installed in horizontal or vertical position.

Another object of the present invention is to guarantee the uniform diffusion of the air flow, which is distributed over the entire length of the rotor, thanks to particular technical solutions that are described and claimed here below.

A further object of the present invention is to limit the wear of the abrasive parts of the rotor, consequently limiting also the release of fragments or pieces of foreign matter in the original mass of cereals.

A further object of the present invention is to allow any type of cereal to be processed, such as corn, maize, barley, rye, oats. Furthermore, it is possible to process even rice and, in conclusion, all types of cereals or similar products to be cleaned or peeled.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to process the cereals or grains or beans both dry and with different degrees of humidity. These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new type of improved and compact peeling and husking machine, comprising among its main parts:

• a machine body or main casing housing the components described below and defining an operating chamber in which the grains, beans or cereals in general to be processed are loaded;

• at least one rotor housed in said machine body and in turn comprising a shaft suited to rotate around its longitudinal axis, a hollow drum mounted on said shaft and suited to be rotated integrally with it, and abrasive elements mounted on the outside of said drum;

• at least one motor for the rotation of said rotor, suited to set said rotor shaft and consequently also said drum with abrasive elements rotating, and wherein, following the rotation of said rotor, said abrasive elements act on the beans or cereal grains introduced in said operating chamber, abrading the external surface of the cereal to remove peel or husks.

Each of said abrasive elements comprises a vane, preferably made of steel, constrained to the external surface of said drum and raised from the latter, for example orthogonally, the surface of said vane being completely or partially abrasive.

Said abrasive vanes have the function of facilitating the movement of the beans or grains or material to be processed and to abrade their surface, removing their peel or husks.

Said vanes or abrasive elements can be provided in any shape. In the preferred solution of the invention, said vanes feature an axially asymmetrical shape, for example they have a flattened cross section, elliptical or generically ovoid, and preferably they can be rotated axially in such a way as to be oriented in different ways, varying the cross section through which the grains or beans or the material to be processed pass, and thus accelerating, slowing down or even preventing the advance of the material.

According to the invention, a simple unscrewing or screwing action carried out on corresponding threaded or, however, shaped seats or holes provided in said drum of the rotor is sufficient to orient said vanes.

Said vanes are preferably made of high-resistance, hardened steel and comprise abrasive cutting edges in various fmness according to the degree of husking to be obtained for the product. Furthermore, the vane shape is just one of the many shapes that it is possible to obtain, always according to the type of product to be processed, and to the intensity of the abrasive action to be exerted on the cereal. Inside said casing there is also at least one covering, comprising a net, preferably metallic and rigid or semi-rigid, substantially cylindrical or in any case enveloping said drum of the rotor over its entire length, defining an air space between said drum and said covering, and wherein said beans or cereal grains to be processed are introduced in said air space, where the abrasive action is performed by said abrasive elements.

Said covering is suited to hold said material being processed, meaning the grains or beans to be husked, while allowing the waste elements or fragments resulting from the abrading operation to pass therethrough.

Said covering is preferably interchangeable, for example in order to vary the size of the meshes of the net, depending on the type of product to be processed and on the degree of cleaning desired.

Thanks to the characteristics described above, the new machine is particularly suitable for processing any type of cereal, beans or grains in general.

The new machine comprises also a forced ventilation system for the introduction of pressurised air inside said machine body for aerating the cereal. Said ventilation system comprises a fan, for example a medium or high pressure fan, and an air delivery chamber or duct obtained, for example, inside said machine body. In particular, the air is introduced inside said hollow drum of the rotor, in order to create, inside said machine body, said operating chamber with a fluid bed that ensures better cleaning of the cereal and performs a cooling action.

Said drum of the rotor, in particular, comprises a plurality of holes or slits provided on the entirey or on part of the length of said drum, through which the air introduced from, the inside of said drum flows out of the drum and then spreads also inside said air space, between said drum and said covering.

Owing to the effect of the drum rotation, said abrasive elements, together with a series of plate-like elements directly connected to the shaft and properly oriented, perform a ventilating action that facilitates the uniform diffusion of the air over the entire length of the rotor.

Therefore, differently from what occurs in the known machines, the air inside the rotor is conveyed directly inside said drum of the rotor by means of a chamber provided on the structure, thus not through the shaft itself. In this way the need for large hollow shafts and corresponding large-sized supports has been avoided.

Furthermore, differently from what occurs in the known machines, the new machine minimises or even eliminates the release of foreign matter due to the wear of the machine. In fact, differently from the known machines, in which, as already explained, the cereal is husked using grinding wheels in stone or sintered materials, the shape of the vanes of the new machine and the hardness of the material of which they are made allow extended operating time with extremely reduced wear.

Said machine preferably comprises also an intake system for the dirty air being let out, in order to avoid the diffusion of dust in the surrounding environment and keep said external metal net covering clean.

The operation of the new machine includes a first installation step including the following operations: positioning of the machine, connection to the power mains, connection to the supply duct of beans or grains or material to be processed, connection to the husked material outlet duct, connection to the waste product discharge duct and connection to the dirty air intake system. Before starting the machine, it is necessary to proceed as follows:

• adjust the position of said vanes or abrasive elements, in such a way as to orient them correctly so as to make the material to be processed advance as desired;

• adjust the quantity of air to be blown in the rotor by changing the position of at least one door on the fan inlet mouth;

• adjust the peeled or husked grain discharge mouth by adjusting at least one gate-like device or sliding door on the motor discharge mouth, which makes it possible to define to what extent it is filled, thus varying the effect and intensity of the processing cycle to which the cereal is subjected; the discharge can thus be partialised, for example by limiting the opening of the lower part of the discharge, lowering said gate-like device, or increasing the product overflow level by lifting the gate-like device but keeping the lower part of the discharge closed;

• adjust the air intaken by the hopper that discharges the waste product. The characteristics of the new machine are highlighted in greater detail in the following description with reference to the drawings that are attached hereto by way of non-limiting examples.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of the new machine (1), while Figures la-a and lb-b show two cross sections with respect to the main operating direction of the machine (1).

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show three three-dimensional views of the new machine (1), wherein Figure 2a shows the motor (3) with belt drive system (31).

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the rotor (4) and an exploded view of the covering (6). Figures 4 and 4a respectively show a vane-shaped abrasive element (51) and a cross section of the same (53) according to an example of embodiment.

The invention is a peeling and husking machine (1) for beans, grains and cereals in general, like corn, maize, barley, rye, oats, rice and all types of cereals or similar products to be cleaned or peeled.

The new machine (1) comprises a machine body or main casing (2), in which the components are housed and in which it is possible to identify the operating chamber (21) in which the beans, grains or cereals in general to be processed are loaded.

Said machine body (2) comprises a loading mouth (24) for the introduction of the material to be processed inside said operating chamber, at least one unloading mouth (25) suited to unload the husked, that is, processed beans or grains, and at least one discharge mouth (26) for waste material, fragments, husks, bran etc.

Said machine body (2) comprises panels, protection casings, guards and doors that make it possible to separate the moving parts of the machine (1 ), making its operation safe during the processing stage.

Said machine body (2) preferably comprises also rear (22) and front (23) supports or supporting legs suited to support it when it rests on the ground, wherein said front legs, in addition to supporting the machine, serve also the function of supporting a motor (3) and the corresponding drive system (31). Said operating chamber (21) defined by said machine body (2) has a mainly longitudinal development in a direction (X).

In said machine body (2), inside said operating chamber (21), there is a rotor (4) comprising a rotation shaft (41) and. suited to rotate around its longitudinal axis (X), arranged substantially parallel to said direction (X) of development of the operating chamber (21), and a drum (42) mounted on said shaft (41) and suited to be rotated integrally with it. The new machine (1) comprises also said motor (3) suited to transmit said axial rotary motion to said shaft (41) of the rotor (4) and consequently also to said drum (42).

Said drum (42) is hollow, that is, it comprises a substantially cylindrical or generically tubular surface (43) enveloping said shaft (41), to which it is constrained by means of spacers or supports (44).

Said drum (42) is externally provided with a plurality of said abrasive elements (5), distributed homogeneously on said drum (42) and arranged, for example, radially. Each one of said abrasive elements (5) comprises a vane (51) shown in detail in Figures 4 and 4a.

Said vane (51) is preferably made of high-resistance hardened steel and is constrained to the outside of said drum (42).

Each vane has a completely or partially abrasive surface (52) and a generically flattened cross section (53), meaning that it is not axially symmetrical, for example elliptical or ovoid or in a similar shape.

Said vane (51) is suited to be constrained to the drum (42), being suited, for example, to be screwed/unscrewed or however to be engaged in a corresponding seat or hole, for example a threaded or, however, shaped hole made in said drum (42). Each one of said vanes (51) can thus be rotated axially so that it can be oriented in different directions.

Said abrasive vanes (51), rotating integrally with said drum (42), have the function of facilitating the movement of the beans or grains or material to be processed introduced in said operating chamber, causing it to advance towards said unloading mouth (25), in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. A gate-like device or sliding door is mounted on said processed material unloading mouth (25), wherein said gate-like device or sliding door makes it possible to define the degree of filling of the machine, thus varying the effect and intensity of the processing cycle to which the cereals are subjected. Said abrasive vanes (51) perform also the function of abrading the surface of said beans, grains or cereals in general, removing husks or peel, which instead are discharged through said waste material discharge mouth (26).

Inside said machine body (2), in said operating chamber (21), there is also a covering (6) comprising a preferably metallic and rigid or semi-rigid net (61) suited to envelop said drum (42) of the rotor (4) over its entire length, thus defining, between said drum (42) and said covering (6), an air space (7) in which the material to be processed, meaning grains, beans or cereals in general, is introduced.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, said covering (6) is constituted by two or more elements (62), for example semi-cylindrical, suited to be mutually assembled in such a way as to form a substantially cylindrical surface enveloping said drum (42). Said elements (62) making up said covering (6) comprise a reinforcing frame (63) and said net (61).

Said covering (6) is suited to hold the product being processed that has been introduced in said air space (7), meaning the grains or beans to be peeled, while allowing the waste elements and fragments resulting from the abrasion process to pass through said net (61), and wherein said fragments fall due to gravity and are then discharged through said waste material discharge mouth (26).

The new machine (1) comprises also a forced ventilation system (8) for the introduction of pressurised air inside said machine body in order to aerate the cereal, and in particular inside said operating chamber (21).

Said ventilation system (8) comprises a fan (81) and an air supply chamber or duct (82) obtained, for example, inside said machine body (2). In particular, the air flow (W) is introduced inside said hollow drum (42) of the rotor (4).

The quantity of air introduced in the drum (42) of the rotor (4) is set by adjusting the position of at least one door in said air supply chamber or duct

(82). Said drum (42) of the rotor (4) comprises a plurality of holes or slits (45) made on the entirety or part of the length of said drum (42), through which the air introduced from the inside of said drum (42) is then diffused also in said air space (7) between said rotor (42) and said covering (6), thus facilitating the movement and aeration of the material to be processed.

Said spacers or supports (44) of the covering (6) comprise a plurality of platelike elements (441) directly connected to said shaft (41) of the rotor (4), wherein said plate-like elements (441), properly oriented and due to the rotation of the shaft (41), perform a ventilating action that contributes to distributing the air uniformly.

Said machine preferably comprises also an intake system for the dirty air being let out, in order to avoid the diffusion of dust in the surrounding environment, said intake system being connected to said waste material discharge mouth (26) and ensuring also the continuous cleaning of the net covering.

The new machine can be constructed and installed both with a mainly horizontal configuration with respect to the plane on which it lies and with a vertical configuration.

The figures show the machine in its horizontal configuration.

In the case of the vertical configuration, said motor (3) and the respective drive system (31) are mounted on the upper or lower part of the machine, while the material to be processed is introduced in the air space (7) created between the rotor (42) and the external covering (6) with the possibility to adjust the extent to which it is filled.

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Peeling and husking machine (1) for grains, beans and cereals in general, like corn, maize, barley, rye, oats, rice and all types of cereals or the like to be cleaned or peeled, comprising a machine body or main casing (2) defining an operating chamber (21) in which the grains, beans or cereals in general to be processed are loaded through at least one loading mouth (24), at least one rotor (4) housed in said operating chamber (21) and suited to be rotated around its longitudinal axis (X), abrasive elements (5) mounted on the outside of said rotor (4), and a motor (3) for the rotation of said rotor (4), characterized in that said rotor (4) in turn comprises:

at least one rotation shaft (41) suited to rotate around its longitudinal axis (X); at least one drum (42) mounted on said shaft (41) and suited to be rotated integrally with it;

said abrasive elements (5) that are mounted on the outside of said drum (42) and, thanks to the rotation of said rotor (4), act on the beans or cereal grains introduced in said operating chamber (21), abrading the external surface of the cereal grain in order to remove its peel or husk, and facilitate the movement of the grains or beans or material to be processed,

and wherein said drum (42) is hollow, meaning that it comprises a substantially tubular surface (43) enveloping said shaft (41) and spaced from it.

2. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises also a forced ventilation system (8) for the introduction of an air flow (W) inside said hollow drum. (42) of the rotor (4), said drum (42) in turn comprising a plurality of holes or slits (45) provided on the entirety or on part of the length of said drum, through which the air exits, contributing also to moving and aerating the material to be processed.

3. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one covering (6) comprising a net (61) or in any case a perforated surface that envelops said drum (42) of the rotor (4) over its entire length, defining an air space (7) between said drum (42) and said covering (6), in which said beans or cereal grains to be processed are introduced and in which they are abraded by said abrasive elements (5), and wherein said covering (6) is suited to hold said material to be processed while allowing the waste elements and fragments resulting from the abrasion process to pass through the meshes or holes of said net (61), so that they can successively be conveyed towards a waste material discharge mouth (26).

4. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said covering (6) is interchangeable in order to vary the size of the meshes or holes of said net (61), according to the type of product to be processed and to the degree of cleanliness desired.

5. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of plate-like elements (441) connected to said shaft (41) of the rotor (4), and wherein said plate-like elements (441), properly oriented and owing to the rotation of the shaft (41), carry out a ventilating action that contributes to the uniform diffusion of the air along said rotor (4).

6. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one door mounted on a chamber or duct (82) for conveying the air introduced in said drum (42) of the rotor (4), and wherein the position of said door can be adjusted in order to regulate the quantity of air introduced.

7. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that during their rotation said abrasive elements (5) facilitate the movement of the grains or beans or material to be processed, causing them/it to advance towards at least one unloading mouth (25).

8. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a gate-like device or a sliding door mounted on said processed material unloading mouth (25).

9. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said abrasive elements (5) are made of high- resistance hardened steel.

10. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said abrasive elements (5) comprises a vane (51) constrained to the external surface of said drum (42) and raised from the latter, said vane (51) having a surface (52) that is entirely or partially abrasive and an elongated or flattened, elliptical or generically ovoid cross section (53), and wherein said vanes (51) can be rotated axially in such a way as to be oriented in different directions, varying the cross section through which the grains or beans or material to be processed pass, and thus accelerating, slowing down or even preventing the advance of the material.

11. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises an intake system for the dirty air being let out that is connected to said waste material discharge mouth (26).

12. Peeling and husking machine (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotor (4) is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the plane where the machine lies, that is, horizontally, or substantially orthogonal to the plane where the machine lies, that is, vertically.