Abstract:
Apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to separators for separating agricultural products from spurious matter. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following US Patents of applicant/assignee and the publications referenced therein, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, are believed to represent the current state of the art: 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,744,470 and 4,375,853. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention seeks to provide an improved separator for separating agricultural products from spurious matter and particularly for separating potatoes from clods and stones. 
         [0005]    There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one intermediate metal support element has a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the curved impact portions. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly includes a circular cylindrical assembly. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the plurality of curved impact portions includes a plurality of helical rings. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of curved impact portions includes a coil. 
         [0009]    There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including providing a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods and causing the mixture to impinge on a separating apparatus including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support and separating at least part of the agricultural produce from the at least one of stones and clods. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes receiving the agricultural produce in at least one first bin and receiving at least one of the stones and the clods in at least one second bin. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes, following the separating, transferring a remaining mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of clods and stones to impinge on the separating apparatus. 
         [0012]    There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least a first and a second generally cylindrical separation assemblies arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, each of the at least first and second generally cylindrical separation assemblies including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support and a first conveyor configured to convey the mixture to impinge onto the first separation assembly and at least one second conveyor receiving a second mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods from the first separation assembly and being configured to convey the second mixture to impinge at least on the second separation assembly. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus also includes at least one first collection bin configured to collect the agricultural produce and at least one second collection bin configured to collect at least one of the stones and the clods. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus also includes at least one recycling conveyor adapted to receive a third mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods and to convey the third mixture to impinge on the first separation assembly. 
         [0015]    There is also provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a vehicle for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including a mounting vehicle and at least a first and a second generally cylindrical separation assemblies mounted onto the mounting vehicle and arranged to be impinged upon by a first mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, each of the at least first and second generally cylindrical separation assemblies including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support and a first conveyor configured to convey the mixture to impinge onto the first separation assembly and at least one second conveyor receiving a second mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods from the first separation assembly and being configured to convey the second mixture to impinge at least on the second separation assembly. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the vehicle also includes at least one first collection bin configured to collect the agricultural produce and at least one second collection bin configured to collect at least one of the stones and the clods. 
         [0017]    In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the vehicle also includes at least one recycling conveyor adapted to receive a third mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods and to convey the third mixture to impinge on the first separation assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle also includes a harvesting assembly adapted to harvest the first mixture. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a simplified exploded view illustration of a separation assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a simplified pictorial illustration of the separation assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are sectional illustrations of the separation assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken along respective section lines IIIA-IIIA and IIIB-IIIB in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a simplified exploded view illustration of a separation assembly constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a simplified pictorial illustration of the separation assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are sectional illustrations of the separation assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , taken along respective section lines VA-VA and VB-VB in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a stationary separator employing the separation assemblies of  FIGS. 1-6B ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a mobile separator employing the separation assemblies of  FIGS. 1-6B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1-3B , which illustrate a cylindrical separation assembly, particularly useful in separating potatoes from clods and stones, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The separation assembly preferably comprises a cylinder  10 , preferably formed of a plurality of flat steel rings  11 , preferably 1020 steel of 5 mm thickness and 60 mm width. Each ring  11  is preferably of 320 mm outside diameter. Alternatively, cylinder  10  may be formed as a coil of flat steel. 
         [0029]    Cylinder  10  is preferably supported on a longitudinal axle  12  by means of end plates  14  and  16 , each welded at its center to axle  12  and at its outer circumference to ends of cylinder  10 . 
         [0030]    Cylinder  10  is preferably also supported on axle  12  by a plurality of axially and radially extending vanes  18 , which are welded onto axle  12 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , the cylinder  10  is supported by four vanes  18 . Vanes  18  are preferably formed of steel, preferably  1020  steel of 5 mm thickness. 
         [0031]    At a radially outward facing edge  20  of each of vanes  18  there is welded an axial angled elongate connector element  22 , which is also preferably welded to a plurality of rings  11  of cylinder  10  at welding spots  24 . Connector elements  22  are preferably formed of steel, preferably 1020 steel of 2 mm thickness. 
         [0032]    It is appreciated that each of connector elements  22  may be welded to a different subset of rings  11  of cylinder  10 . 
         [0033]    It is appreciated that the cylindrical separation assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3B  is arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and one or more of stones and clods. Additionally, connector elements  22  preferably have a greater resiliency than the resiliency of axle  12  and/or vanes  18 . 
         [0034]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4-6B , which illustrate a cylindrical separation assembly, particularly useful in separating potatoes from clods and stones, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    The separation assembly preferably comprises a cylinder  50 , preferably formed of a plurality of flat steel rings  51 , preferably 1020 steel of 5 mm thickness and 60 mm width. Each ring  51  is preferably of 320 mm outside diameter. Alternatively, cylinder  50  may be formed as a coil of flat steel. 
         [0036]    Cylinder  50  is preferably supported on a longitudinal axle  52  by means of end plates  54  and  56 , each welded at its center to axle  52  and at its outer circumference to ends of cylinder  50 . 
         [0037]    Cylinder  50  is preferably also supported on axle  52  by a plurality of axially and radially extending vanes  58 , which are welded onto axle  52 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 4-6B , the cylinder  50  is supported by four vanes  58 . Vanes  58  are preferably formed of steel, preferably  1020  steel of 5 mm thickness. 
         [0038]    At a radially outward facing edge  60  of each of vanes  58  there is welded an axial C-shaped elongate connector element  62 , edges of which are also preferably welded to a plurality of rings  51  of cylinder  50  at welding spots  64 . Connector elements  62  are preferably formed of steel, preferably 1020 steel of 2 mm thickness. 
         [0039]    It is appreciated that each of connector elements  62  may be welded to a different subset of rings  51  of cylinder  50 . 
         [0040]    It is appreciated that the cylindrical separation assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6B  is arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and one or more of stones and clods. Additionally, connector elements  62  preferably have a greater resiliency than the resiliency of axle  52  and/or vanes  58 . 
         [0041]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a static separator employing the separation assemblies of  FIGS. 1-6B . The separator  100  comprises a base  102  onto which is mounted a feeding conveyor  104 , which supplies a mixture of potatoes, clods and stones (and possibly other materials as well), so as to impinge on an impact surface of a cylindrical separation assembly  106 , also mounted on base  102 . Preferably, feeding conveyor  104  comprises a bar-type conveyor. 
         [0042]    Preferably the height from which the mixture is dropped onto the separation assembly  106  is limited to about 250 mm, so as to limit damage to the agricultural produce. The separation assembly  106  is typically of the type of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6B , described hereinabove and is arranged to be impinged at a surface thereof which is inclined between the horizontal and the vertical, typically having a tangent of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the separator assembly  106  is rotated about its cylindrical axis  108 , such that the location on the surface on which the mixture impacts has a horizontal component of motion, in a direction opposite to the horizontal component of motion of the mixture as it falls, which component of motion is imparted thereto by the horizontal component of motion of conveyor  104 . 
         [0043]    Alternatively the horizontal components of motion of the mixture and of the impact surface of the separator assembly  106  may be in the same direction. 
         [0044]    First and second collection zones are defined by a first collection conveyor (not shown) and a second collection conveyor  110 . The first collection conveyor, which is preferably near the separator assembly  106 , receives the stones and clods, and the second collection conveyor  110 , which is further from the separator assembly  106  receives the potatoes. Preferably, a divider element (not shown) separates the adjacent zones and ensures that material bounced from the separator assembly reaches one of the two conveyors depending on its precise position. 
         [0045]    The material, which mainly includes potatoes but may also include clods, stones and other material, reaches the second collection conveyor  110  travels therealong so as to impinge on an impact surface of a second cylindrical separation assembly  126 , also mounted on base  102 . 
         [0046]    Preferably the height from which the mixture is dropped onto the separation assembly  126  is limited to about 250 mm, so as to limit damage to the agricultural produce. The separation assembly  126  is typically of the type of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6B , described hereinabove and is arranged to be impinged at a surface thereof which is inclined between the horizontal and the vertical, typically having a tangent of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the separator assembly  126  is rotated about its cylindrical axis  128 , such that the location on the surface on which the mixture impacts has a horizontal component of motion, in a direction opposite to the horizontal component of motion of the mixture as it falls, which component of motion is imparted thereto by the horizontal component of motion of conveyor  110 . 
         [0047]    Alternatively the horizontal components of motion of the mixture and of the impact surface of the separator assembly  126  may be in the same direction. 
         [0048]    Potatoes or other agricultural produce, which bounce relatively far from the impact surface of the separator assembly  126 , impinge on a slide portion (not shown) and are directed into a collection bin  130 . The stones and clods, which bounce to a region relatively near to the impact surface of the separator assembly  126  impinge on an additional slide portion and are directed into a separate collection bin (not shown). 
         [0049]    Intermediate the separating slide portions there is provided a gap (not shown) which permits the unseparated mixture of stones, clods and potatoes bounced thereto to fall on a conveyor  132 , which carries them to a raising conveyor  134 , which supplies that mixture, via a slide  136  to side conveyor area  138  for a single recycle through the separation apparatus. 
         [0050]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a mobile separator employing the separation assemblies of  FIGS. 1-6B . The separator  200  comprises a base  202  mounted onto a vehicle  203 , onto which is mounted a feeding conveyor  204 , which supplies a mixture of potatoes, clods and stones (and possibly other materials as well), so as to impinge on an impact surface of a cylindrical separation assembly  206 , also mounted on base  202 . Preferably, feeding conveyor  204  comprises a bar-type conveyor. 
         [0051]    Preferably the height from which the mixture is dropped onto the separation assembly  206  is limited to about 250 mm, so as to limit damage to the agricultural produce. The separation assembly  206  is typically of the type of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6B , described hereinabove and is arranged to be impinged at a surface thereof which is inclined between the horizontal and the vertical, typically having a tangent of  45  degrees with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the separator assembly  206  is rotated about its cylindrical axis  208 , such that the location on the surface on which the mixture impacts has a horizontal component of motion, in a direction opposite to the horizontal component of motion of the mixture as it falls, which component of motion is imparted thereto by the horizontal component of motion of conveyor  204 . 
         [0052]    Alternatively the horizontal components of motion of the mixture and of the impact surface of the separator assembly  206  may be in the same direction. 
         [0053]    First and second collection zones are defined by a first collection conveyor (not shown) and a second collection conveyor  210 . The first collection conveyor, which is preferably near the separator assembly  206 , receives the stones and clods, and the second collection conveyor  210 , which is further from the separator assembly  206  receives the potatoes. Preferably, a divider element (not shown) separates the adjacent zones and ensures that material bounced from the separator assembly reaches one of the two conveyors depending on its precise position. 
         [0054]    The material, which mainly includes potatoes but may also include clods, stones and other material, reaches the second collection conveyor  210  travels therealong so as to impinge on an impact surface of a second cylindrical separation assembly  226 , also mounted on base  202 . 
         [0055]    Preferably the height from which the mixture is dropped onto the separation assembly  226  is limited to about  250  mm, so as to limit damage to the agricultural produce. The separation assembly  226  is typically of the type of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6B , described hereinabove and is arranged to be impinged at a surface thereof which is inclined between the horizontal and the vertical, typically having a tangent of  45  degrees with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the separator assembly  226  is rotated about its cylindrical axis  228 , such that the location on the surface on which the mixture impacts has a horizontal component of motion, in a direction opposite to the horizontal component of motion of the mixture as it falls, which component of motion is imparted thereto by the horizontal component of motion of conveyor  210 . 
         [0056]    Alternatively the horizontal components of motion of the mixture and of the impact surface of the separator assembly  226  may be in the same direction. 
         [0057]    Potatoes or other agricultural produce, which bounce relatively far from the impact surface of the separator assembly  226 , impinge on a slide portion (not shown) and are directed into a collection bin  230 . The stones and clods, which bounce to a region relatively near to the impact surface of the separator assembly  226  impinge on an additional slide portion and are directed into a separate collection bin (not shown). 
         [0058]    Intermediate the separating slide portions there is provided a gap (not shown) which permits the unseparated mixture of stones, clods and potatoes bounced thereto to fall on a conveyor  232 , which carries them to a raising conveyor  234 , which supplies that mixture, via a slide  236  to side conveyor area  238  for a single recycle through the separation apparatus. 
         [0059]    It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of features described and shown hereinabove as well as variations thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon seeing the foregoing description and drawings and which are not in the prior art.