Patent GB-1258512-A (GB)
IPC: A23N15/04
Filed: 1969-02-17
Abstract: 1,258,512. Conveyers. J. P. COX. 17 Feb., 1969 [21 Feb., 1968], No. 8461/69. Heading B8A. [Also in Division A4] A machine for trimming projections from globular articles comprises a guideway having a longitudinal slot, means for effecting relative movement between an article engaging means and the guideway for moving the articles along the guideway and simultaneously swinging the article projections transversely of the length of the slot into registry with the slot to extend therethrough, and means for trimming the projections from the articles as the projections are caused to extend through the slot. Articles such as Brussels sprouts, are removed from a hopper 2 by conveyer belts 3 and are transferred via conveyer belts 7 on to guide rails 11. Each belt 3 has an associated pair of belts 7 which are spaced to provide a slot 10 between them. The slots 9 are generally aligned with slots 10 between the guide rails 11 which are generally horizontal and have a transverse cross-section tapering upwards, Fig. 5 (not shown), their feed ends being tapered in horizontal cross-section, Fig. 4 (not shown). Rails 11 may be arranged in two groups of six. Discharge ends of rails 11 are mounted on pivots 12. Their feed ends are mounted on pivots 14, 16 connected to rods 13, 15 respectively, one rod for each group. The rods are transverse to the rails 11 and are reciprocated longitudinally. The articles are conveyed along rails 11 by engagement with the readily deformable, resilient foam, outer layer 22 of endless belts 21, Fig. 5 (not shown), having V- belts 27 secured to their inner surfaces engaging in grooves in their supporting rollers (23), 24 to preserve alignment. A framework supporting the belts 21 and their drive means over rails 11 is pivoted about horizontal pins 33 parallel to the rails. The combined motion of belts 21 and rails 11 causes the articles to roll along rails 11 and to rotate about an axis transverse to the axis about which they roll resulting in sporadic extension of the article projections through the slots 10, rotating blades 35 under the rails 11 cutting off the projections. The articles are discharged from the machine on to a conveyer 10<SP>1</SP> transverse to rails 11. In a second embodiment, Figs 6-15 (not shown), the guide rails (60), Figs. 11, 12, are stationary and above each slot (61) are a pair of conveyer belts (64) running parallel to the slot at different speeds and engaging opposite parts of the upper article surfaces. These belts may be made of a sponge plastics material having cord, fabric web, wire or cable core reinforcement. The articles are fed to the rails (60) from a vertically divided hopper (54), Figs. 6, 7, by conveyer belts (55), one belt passing through the bottom of each hopper section. Two sets of guideways etc. may be used in tandem with intermediate transfer belts (74). A common power source may be located between the two sets, the components of which are driven via a system of belts and pulleys, and sprockets and chains. A third embodiment, Figs. 16-18 (not shown), comprises a feed funnel (96) and a vertical feed tube (97) centred over a generally circular horizontal table (104) formed with generally spiral slots (107), (109), (111). The tube (97) is adjustable in height and is rotated by a motor (117). A circular disc (113) having a central aperture and carrying a resilient foam article-engaging layer (115), is mounted on the lower end of tube (97) and causes articles to move along the slots. The articles emerge from the machine on to a conveyer (119) and the cutoff projections are collected in a hopper (125) from which they may be removed by air suction.