Patent ID: 7278814
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for emptying containers of fruit and vegetable produce, the apparatus comprising: a tipping device for tipping at least one container and movable between a first operating position to load said container, and a second operating position to unload the container; and a conveying device having an input station for receiving the container from the tipping device, and an emptying station for emptying the container, the conveying device feeding the container in a given first direction and along a path extending between said input and emptying stations; and wherein said path is of a length, measured parallel to said first direction, at least equal to a length of said container, also measured parallel to said first direction; and wherein the emptying of the container commences after the container has been entirely unloaded from the tipping device and moved along said path; and wherein the conveying device comprises first and second conveying means arranged in series along said path; and an ejecting device for transferring said container from the tipping device to said first conveying means at a first traveling speed; and actuating means for so controlling said second conveying means as to feed the container through said emptying station at a second traveling speed lower than said first traveling speed, and for so controlling said first conveying means as to selectively feed the container at said first traveling speed when transferring the container from the tipping device to the first conveying means, and at said second traveling speed during at least part of the transfer of the container from the first to the second conveying means.