Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for sizing watermelons by weight in which a conveyor belt carries watermelons from a loading station to a weigh station and finally to a discharge station where they are directed to one of several bins depending on their weight.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/330,062, filed Oct. 15, 2001. 

   The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for sizing and sorting objects and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for sizing, counting and sorting watermelons and similar items. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Modern commercial distribution and retailing of watermelons more and more requires that the watermelons be accurately sized—by weight—before shipment to retail outlets where they are offered to consumers. Attempts to size watermelons manually have been unsuccessful, both in terms of accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Prior attempts to mechanize the process have also been unsuccessful due to a lack of accuracy and reliability. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a conveyor system in which watermelons are loaded at a loading station at one end of a conveyor belt, delivered to a weighing station and then directed to a discharge station that includes a plurality of collecting bins, each designated to receive watermelons within a specified weight range. The watermelons are transferred off of the conveyor belt into a collecting bin by pushing devices that are adjacent each bin on the opposite side of the conveyor belt. From the time a watermelon is loaded onto the conveyor belt until it is pushed off the conveyor belt into a collecting bin, it remains at the same location on the conveyor belt traveling at a constant speed. 
   A computer monitors and controls certain functions of the system, including the weighing process which achieves the required accuracy by accounting for the effects of adjacent watermelons on the weighing process. In addition, the computer keeps count of the number and weight of watermelons processed and, using that information, determines to which of the several collecting bins a watermelon is to be directed. The invention is described with reference to watermelons, although it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is useful with other objects such as cantaloupe and the like. 
   After a watermelon is loaded onto the conveyor belt, it is carried over a weigh station that underlies the conveyor belt. At the weigh station, a count signal is generated and transmitted to a computer signifying that a watermelon has passed the weigh station. In this way, the computer is able to count the watermelons and know where a watermelon is on the conveyor belt thereafter (based on the conveyor moving at a constant known speed). 
   A scale which forms part of the weigh station is activated by passing watermelons and generates a weight data signal proportional to the weight of the watermelon. This weight data signal is transmitted to a computer where it is stored. The weight data signal is influenced by other watermelons on the conveyor within a specified distance from the watermelon weighed. Thus, to get the true weight of a watermelon, the weight data signal must be corrected by taking into account the weight data signal from other watermelons on the conveyor belt. Once the corrected weight of a watermelon is calculated, the computer generates a signal that activates a pushing device that directs the watermelon into one of the several collecting bins designated to receive watermelons of that weight. 
   When the conveyor belt carries the watermelon to the determined collecting bin, the watermelon is pushed off of the belt into that bin. Before each run of watermelons, the computer is programmed to assign a weight range for each of the several collecting bins. Using the method of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the weight of each watermelon to an accuracy of±one-half pound. Thus, filling an order for watermelons of not less than 14 pounds and not more than 15 pounds can be readily achieved. 
   In addition to accurately calculating the weight of the objects, the present invention also provides a mechanism for moving the objects from the loading station, over the weigh station and to the discharge station and the collecting bins without damage to the objects and without having to transfer the objects off of the conveyor belt before discharging them into a collecting bin. The invention transports the objects without changing their location on the conveyor belt which assures that they will end up in the correct collecting bin. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for mechanically sizing, sorting and counting watermelons. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a conveyor system for mechanically transporting watermelons to selected bins according to their weight. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to weigh watermelons while they are moving on a conveyor belt. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to increase the accuracy of the weighing process by also taking into account the weight of other watermelons on the conveyor belt. 
   These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the conveyor system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a section view taken along the line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a section view taken along the line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a section view taken along the line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the bed that underlies and supports the conveyor belt of the conveyor system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the weighing, counting and sorting system  11  of the present invention includes a continuous single loop conveyor belt  12  that travels from a loading station  13  to a weigh station  14 , to a discharge section  16 , and back to the loading station  13 . 
   A motor  18  (preferably electric) drives a drum  17  which frictionally engages the conveyor belt  12  and drives it at a constant speed. The belt turns on an idler drum  19  at the loading station  13 . The conveyor belt  12  is supported along its length and width by slightly concave support beds  21  and  22  which extend in opposite directions from either end of a scale  24  at the weigh station  14 . Watermelons placed at one of the designated loading areas  46  on the belt  12  are carried along by the moving belt  12 . While it is not required that the objects be placed at uniform spacing on the belt  12 , it is advantageous to do so. The loading area indicators  46  permit the watermelons to be evenly spaced on the belt without the necessity of making measurements or “guesstimates.” 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , at the weigh station  14 , between support beds  21  and  22 , the belt  12  travels over the top surface  26  of scale  24 . A watermelon on the belt  12  over the scale  24  will push down on surface  26  and activate the scale. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , one of the features of the invention is the physical relationship between the belt  12  and support beds  21  and  22 . The beds  21  and  22  fully support the conveyor belt  12  across its width as it travels from the loading station  13  to the weigh station  14 , and from the weigh station  14  to the discharge station  16 . The support beds  21  and  22  can be formed from solid sheet metal or from sheets of material that have hole patterns to reduce their weight, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The beds  21  and  22  can also be constructed from separate attached members (not shown) so long as a bed is provided that supports the belt  12  along its width and length. In the preferred embodiment, the surface  30  over which the conveyor belt slides is slightly concave to prevent round objects, such as melons, from rolling off the conveyor belt. 
   Referring once again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the discharge station  16  includes a plurality of sorting bins  31   a – 31   e  adjacent the support bed  22  and conveyor belt  12 . Each of the bins  31   a – 31   e  is capable of receiving and holding a plurality of watermelons. 
   As more fully explained below, an accurate scale weight for a watermelon may depend on the scale weight of the watermelon that was weighed before it and the scale weight of the watermelon that will be weighed after it. Thus, it may be necessary to weigh the next watermelon before the computer can determine into which bin the weighed watermelon belongs. This dictates that the distance between the weigh station  14  and the first bin  31   a  be at least the distance between designated loading areas  46  on the conveyor belt, and preferably double that distance or more (as shown). 
   For each bin  31   a – 31   e , there is a corresponding watermelon pushing device  32   a – 32   e  on the opposite side of support bed  22  and belt  12 . Each of the pushing devices  32   a – 32   e  includes a piston-driven pusharm  33   a – 33   e , respectively, which, when actuated, extends partially across and above the belt  12 , pushing any watermelon in its path into one of the opposing bins  31   a – 31   e . Thus, a watermelon traveling on belt  12  will be directed into one of the bins  31   a – 31   e , depending on which of the pusharms  33   a – 33   e  is actuated and contacts the watermelon. 
   Each of the pushing devices  32   a – 32   e  receives its actuating signals from a computer  36  (either by connecting wires  34  or wirelessly, as is well known in the art). The computer  36  receives weight data signals and count signals from the weigh station  14 . The computer  36  also receives conveyor belt speed signals from roller  19  via transducer  20  and wire  25  (or wirelessly). These signals provide the computer with the data necessary to compute accurate weights for the watermelons and to compute and record the total number of watermelons weighed, the total number of watermelons weighed within a specified weight range, when a specified number of watermelons within a specified weight range have been weighed, how long it takes a watermelon to travel from the weigh station  14  to a bin  31   a – 31   e , as well as other calculations and counts as required. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a photocell  41  and a photodetector  42  provide the weigh station  14  with the ability to count watermelons, initiate transmission of weight data signals, and to track the location of a watermelon between the weigh station  14  and the discharge station  16  after it has been counted. The photocell  41  produces a beam of light  41   a  which is directed to the photodetector  42 . When an object, such as a watermelon, on conveyor belt  12  breaks the light beam between photocell  41  and photodetector  42 , a count signal is transmitted to computer  36  over lines  43  and  37  (or wirelessly, if preferred). It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the function of the photocell  41  and photodetector  42  could be performed by electromechanical devices, as well. 
   In general, the invention operates as follows. The motor  18  is activated and drives the friction drive drum  17 , which, in turn, drives the belt  12  so that the belt travels from the load station  13  toward the discharge station  16  at a constant speed made known to the computer  36  by transducer  20 . Watermelons are loaded at station  13  onto belt  12  at designated loading areas  46  and carried to weigh station  14  where they are weighed. The scale  24  generates a weight data signal which is transmitted to computer  36 . The photocell  41  and photodetector  42  are positioned adjacent the scale  24  so that when the light beam  41   a  is broken by a watermelon, the watermelon will activate the scale  24  which, in turn, will generate a weight data signal. The interrupted light beam  41   a  causes the weight data signal generated by the scale  24  to be transmitted to computer  36  where it is recorded. As more fully explained below, the scale weight of the watermelon is corrected to produce a “corrected” weight which the computer uses to determine into which of bins  31   a – 31   e  the watermelon will be directed. Once the computer has determined the correct weight, it knows in which of bins  31   a – 31   e  the watermelon belongs. By knowing the time that it will take for the watermelon to travel to a location adjacent the determined bin, the computer sends a signal to the pushing device at that location when the watermelon arrives, activating the associated pusharm, causing the watermelon to be directed into the correct bin. 
   Prior to commencing operations, each bin  31   a – 31   e  is assigned a weight range and the computer programmed to direct watermelons into the correct bins as described above. A look-up table can be programmed for each run by which watermelons of designated weights are directed to selected bins  31   a – 31   e.    
   The watermelons are carried by the belt  12  to the weigh station  14 , where the weight of the watermelon causes the belt and the watermelon to rest on the top surface  26  of the scale  24 , where the weight of the watermelon is translated into a digital weight data signal (although an analog signal could work, as well), which is transmitted to the computer  36 . 
   In addition to initiating recordation of the scale weight of the watermelon in the computer  36 , the interruption of the light beam  41   a  also starts a countdown clock in the computer  36  for the particular watermelon which caused the light beam  41   a  to be broken. Because the conveyor belt  12  moves at a constant speed known to the computer  36 , the computer  36  can calculate how long it will take the watermelon to travel from the photodetector  42  to any one of the watermelon pushing devices  32   a – 32   e . By sending a signal to one of the pushing devices at the time when the watermelon will be adjacent that device, the computer can cause the watermelon to go into any of bins  31   a – 31   e.    
   Because the watermelons do not leave the conveyor belt  12  when being weighed, the weight recorded by the scale can be more than the actual weight of the watermelon by an amount dependant on the weight of an adjacent preceding or an adjacent succeeding watermelon (or both) on the conveyor belt  12 , if the adjacent watermelon is within approximately 36 inches of the watermelon being weighed. These adjacent watermelons assert a downward force on the scale through the belt  12 , even when not directly over the scale  24 . If the adjacent watermelon is more than approximately 36 inches away from the scale, this downward force is negligible and can be ignored. In the preferred embodiment, the spacing between designated loading areas  46  is less than 36 inches and, thus, the weight of watermelons at adjacent designated loading areas  46  must be taken into account. The correct weight of a watermelon is calculated by the computer after the computer receives a scale weight data signal for the watermelon being weighed, the watermelon (if any) at the preceding designated loading area  46 , and the watermelon (if any) at the succeeding designated loading area  46 . The calculation made by the computer factors in the characteristics of the conveyor belt  12  and the distance between designated watermelon locations  46  on the conveyor belt. Those skilled in the art will know how to program the computer to compute a corrected weight, taking into account the influencing factors mentioned above. One approach is to use empirical data to derive a correction factor as a function of weight and distance and use that data to create a look-up table. 
   Once a corrected weight is calculated for a watermelon, the computer can determine into which of the bins  31   a – 31   e  the watermelon should be directed. The distance between the weigh station  14  and the first pushing device  32   a  must be greater than the distance between designated loading spaces  46  to permit the succeeding watermelon to be weighed in order for the corrected weight of a watermelon to be determined before the watermelon arrives adjacent bin  31   a . In this way, if the watermelon&#39;s corrected weight is within the range of weights assigned to bin  31   a , the pushing device  32   a  can be activated by the computer in time to push the watermelon into bin  31   a.    
   In those instances where there is no watermelon on the conveyor belt  12  within 36 inches of the watermelon being weighed, the scale weight will be the corrected weight. 
   In addition to controlling the sorting of watermelons by weight into various bins, the computer also keeps track of the number of watermelons weighed (by the number of times the light beam  41   a  is broken), the number of watermelons weighed for each defined weight category, and the total weight of watermelons weighed, as well as the total weight of watermelons weighed for each weight category. This data is very useful in the sorting process. 
   In order for the process to be reliable and accurate, and not be subject to human errors in counting, those responsible for loading the watermelons onto the conveyor belt  12  and unloading the watermelons into boxes (not shown) from the bins  31   a – 31   e  must be relieved of the responsibility of counting watermelons. 
   A typical function to be performed by the invention is to provide a customer with a given count of watermelons within a given size (weight range), but with a minimum overall weight. For example, a customer might order boxes of 50 watermelons with each watermelon having a weight not less than 14 pounds and not more than 16 pounds, and with each box having a minimum of 750 pounds of watermelons. 
   The present invention accomplishes this task without any human counting or calculations. The computer is programmed to deliver, as described above, to bins  31   c  and  31   d  watermelons within the selected weight range. It is further programmed to deliver the first 50 watermelons within the weight range to bin  31   c ; the next 50 watermelons within the weight range to bin  31   d ; the next 50 back to  31   c ; and so on. If, however, after counting 50 watermelons to bin  31   c , for example, the total weight of those 50 watermelons is below 750 pounds, the computer continues to direct watermelons to bin  31   c  until 750 pounds is reached (this will usually involve one or two watermelons at the most). When the watermelons start being directed to bin  31   d , the person unloading the watermelons from bin  31   c  knows that the box is complete and a new box needs to be started. The unloader does not have to count the watermelons and does not have to calculate weights. 
   Watermelons outside a customer&#39;s designated weight range can all be delivered to one or more of the other bins and/or sorted by weight within different weight ranges. 
   Because a purchaser can reject watermelons that do not meet its weight and count criteria, it is essential that the count and weight be accurate. By using the methods, machinery and weight correction factor described above, rejections of deliveries are avoided. 
   In the specialized situation where there is a single weight range, only one collection bin is to be used and all other objects are to be collected together, the invention can operate with a single pushing device  32   a . All objects within the weight range are directed to bin  31   a , and all other objects are allowed to travel to and fall off the end of the conveyor belt where a collection bin can be located. 
   Other protocols for using the weight and count data collected by the computer to perform specific tasks will occur to those skilled in the art. 
   Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.