U.S. patent number 3,827,554 [Application Number 05/319,740] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-06 for bean sizer and broken bean eliminator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Conveyor Line Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jimmy W. Richard.
United States Patent |
3,827,554 |
Richard |
August 6, 1974 |
BEAN SIZER AND BROKEN BEAN ELIMINATOR
Abstract
A gravity separator having a cylinder formed by a first drum
arranged for forming a stream of articles fed into the separator,
and a second drum arranged for receiving articles from the first
drum and separating out articles having a dimension less than a
predetermined value for that dimension. The first drum is
constructed from a plurality of longitudinally extending and
longitudinally spaced members. These members and the gaps resulting
from the spacing between them form an article sorter which permits
undersized articles, such as pin beans, and foreign matter, such as
sand, rock pebbles, and the like, to fall out of the drum. The
longitudinal members advantageously have a V-shaped cross-section,
with the apex of the V arranged directed into the drum. The second
drum is provided with a plurality of internally opening,
circumferential recesses arranged for receiving articles from the
stream below a predetermined size for separating out undersized or
broken articles. Each of the recesses has a wall which converges on
itself as it extends away from an opening toward a bottom portion,
and rounded edges arranged between the opening and wall and between
the wall and bottom portion. An eliminator conveyor is arranged in
the second drum for receiving articles discharged from the recesses
by force of gravity when the recesses are elevated by rotation of
the cylinder.
Inventors: |
Richard; Jimmy W. (Homestead,
FL) |
Assignee: |
Conveyor Line Products, Inc.
(Princeton, FL)
|
Family
ID: |
23243467 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/319,740 |
Filed: |
December 29, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
209/44.3;
209/687 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B07B
13/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B07B
13/00 (20060101); B07B 13/02 (20060101); B07b
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;209/86,95,97,98 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schacher; Richard A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: O'Brien; Clarence Jacobson; Harvey
B.
Claims
What is claimed as new is as follows:
1. A separator, comprising, in combination:
a. means for forming articles into a stream and sorting the
articles by the size of a one dimension; and
b. means receiving articles from the stream forming means for
separating out of the stream articles having a predetermined
dimension less than a predetermined dimension for the articles
different from the one dimension, the receiving means including a
hollow drum provided with a circumferential recess arranged for
receiving an article to be separated out, the stream forming means
being a further hollow drum attached to said drum for rotation
therewith, the drums cooperating for forming a hollow cylinder
arranged sloping downwardly from an input end of the further drum
to an output end of said drum, the further hollow drum being
constructed from a plurality of longitudinally extending and
longitudinally spaced members, these members and the gaps resulting
from the spacing therebetween forming the article sorting means by
permitting undersized articles and foreign matter to fall out of
the further drum; and
c. means for rotating the hollow cylinder.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the hollow cylinder
rotating means includes a support frame, a plurality of wheels
mounted on the frame and arranged for cradling the cylinder, and
means for rotating at least one wheel and rotating the
cylinder.
3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein a conveyor is mounted
on the frame, and is arranged in said drum for receiving an article
discharged from the recess by the force of gravity when the recess
is elevated by the rotation of the cylinder and for conveying the
articles along a conveying path.
4. A structure as defined in claim 3, further including means
arranged adjacent a discharge end of the conveyor for receiving
separated articles from the conveyor and transporting the articles
along a conveying path transverse to the conveying path of said
conveyor.
5. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the members have a
V-shaped cross section with the apex of the V arranged directed
into the further drum.
6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the hollow cylinder
means includes a support frame, a plurality of wheels mounted on
the frame and arranged for cradling the cylinder, and means for
rotating at least one wheel and rotating the cylinder.
7. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including a hopper
having an upwardly inclined, moving bottom arranged for discharging
articles into the input end of the further drum.
8. A structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the members have a
V-shaped cross section with the apex of the V arranged directed
into the further drum.
9. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the hollow drum is
provided with a plurality of circumferential recesses, each recess
arranged for receiving an article to be separated out.
10. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the hollow drum is
provided with a plurality of circumferential recesses, each recess
arranged for receiving an article to be separated out.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a separator, and particularly
to a gravity separator especially suited for handling fragile
articles, such as snap beans, and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cylindrical separators are known in which the cylinder is provided
with one or more recesses dimensioned for receiving articles to be
separated out of a group of articles because of their size being
less than a predetermined size. Rotation of the cylinder elevates
the articles in the recess until they fall under the influence of
gravity onto a conveyor belt, and the like, and are removed from
the cylinder. An example of such a separator may be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,612,273. This type of separator is especially suited for
use in handling fragile articles, such as, snap beans, and the
like. The known device previously referred to, however, has been
found unsatisfactory for handling beans, and the like, in that it
is unable to sort out immature or pin beans, and the like, and in
that the particular construction of the drum and recesses
frequently damages the broken beans, and the like, which are to be
separated out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity
separator for snap beans, and the like, which will sort out the
immature or pin beans.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a gravity
separator for snap beans, and the like, which has a recess provided
drum for separating out broken beans, and the like, of improved
construction for reducing the possibility of damage to the articles
being separated out.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
cylindrical gravity separator having increased flexibility and
improved article handling properties when compared to known
separators of the same kind.
These and other objects are achieved according to the present
invention by providing a cylindrical gravity separator having a
cylinder formed from a drum arranged for forming a stream of
articles and for sorting out undersized articles, such as, immature
or pin beans, and the like, and a second drum arranged for
receiving articles from the first drum and separating out of the
stream articles below a predetermined minimum article
dimension.
The second drum is provided with a plurality of internally opening,
circumferential recesses. Each of these recesses has a wall which
converges on itself as it expands away from an opening of the
recess toward the bottom portion thereof, and rounded edges
arranged between the opening and wall and between the wall and
bottom portion. Advantageously, this drum is molded from a suitable
synthetic resin, such as fiber glass.
The first drum is preferably constructed from a plurality of
longitudinally extending and longitudinally spaced members. These
members and the gaps resulting from the spacing therebetween form
an article sorter by permitting undersized articles and foreign
matter, such as, sand, rock pebbles, and the like, to fall out of
the drum. Desirably, these longitudinal members have a V-shaped
cross-section with the apex of the V arranged directed into the
interior of the drum.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and
operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing a
cylindrical gravity separator according to the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the
line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 3--3 of
FIG. 1, and with some parts removed.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing a detail of the
drum shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the drum of FIGS.
2 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the drum of FIG.
3.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing a detail of the
drum of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the connection
between the two drums.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional, perspective view showing a
guide ring arranged about the drum of FIGS. 3 and 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings show a gravity separator 10 according
to the present invention. The separator 10 is of the cylindrical
type having a cylinder 12 formed from a pair of coaxial drums 14
and 16. Cylinder 12 is supported by a frame 18 provided with a
plurality of wheels 20 mounted thereon in a suitable manner. A
conventional motor 22, which may be, for example, a suitable
electric motor, drives selected ones of wheels 20 through a chain
and sprocket drive train 24 and a shaft 26. Those wheels 20 not
rotated by motor 22 are mounted on a shaft 27 for uniform rotation
therewith. As can best be seen from FIG. 1 of the drawings,
cylinder 12 is cradled on wheels 20 such that it slopes downwardly
from an input end 28 to an output end 30. Further, frame 18 may be
constructed in a conventional manner so as to be adjustable for
varying the slope of cylinder 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 of the drawings, drum 14 is
constructed from a plurality of longitudinally extending and
longitudinally spaced members 32 of V-shaped cross-section. These
members 32 and the gaps 34 resulting from the spacing therebetween
form an article sorter which permits undersized articles, such as,
pin beans, and foreign matter, such as, sand, rock pebbles, and the
like, to fall out of drum 14. Further, when used to sort and
separate longitudinally extending articles, such as beans, members
32 and gaps 34 will orient the articles along their longitudinal
axis. A pair of rings 36 and 37 formed from, for example, 4-inch
flanged channels, and the like, are connected to members 32 in a
conventional manner, for forming members 32 into drum 14. This
connection of members 32 to rings 36, 37 may be achieved as by, for
example, welding the ends of the legs of members 32 to rings 36,
37. This will cause the apex of the V-shaped cross-section to be
arranged directed into the interior of hollow drum 14. In this
manner, drum 14 will form a stream of articles fed thereinto, as
well as sort out undersized articles, such as pin beans.
As can best be seen from FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 of the drawings,
rotating hollow drum 16 is provided with a plurality of internally
opening, cup-like recesses 38 arranged about circumferential wall
39 defining hollow drum 16. Each recess 38 is frusto-conical and
has a wall 40 which converges on itself as it extends away from an
opening 42 toward a bottom wall portion 44, a rounded edge arranged
between the opening 42 and wall 40 and an also rounded edge,
designated 46, arranged between wall 40 and bottom portion 44.
Recesses 38 are arranged for receiving articles to be separated out
of a stream of articles formed in drum 14. Those articles separated
will have a predetermined dimension, such as longitudinal length,
less than a predetermined minimum value for that article.
FIG. 8 of the drawings shows the connection of drum 14 to drum 16.
An adaptor block 48, which may be constructed from, for example,
fiber glass, and the like, is attached to wall 39 and ring 36 as by
a fastener 50. This fastener 50 may be a bolt and nut, as
illustrated, a rivet, or any other suitable, known fastener. As
mentioned previously, members 32 may be attached to ring 36 in any
suitable, known manner. Block 48 is advantageously ground off to
form a taper adjacent members 32 which provides a transitional area
between drum 14 and drum 16.
Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a ring 52, similar to
rings 36 and 37, may be arranged about recesses 38 so as to provide
a guide rail for those wheels 20 engaging drum 16. A broken bean 54
is shown arranged in the broken-away recess 38 to illustrate the
manner in which such an article is received in the recesses 38.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, an eliminator
conveyor 56 is mounted on frame 18, and is arranged in drum 16 for
receiving articles discharged from recesses 38 by the force of
gravity when recesses 38 are elevated by the rotation of cylinder
12. This conveyor 56 which is mounted at one end by a dual,
adjustable convertible support 58, conveys the articles separated
out of the main stream along a conveying path. A pair of trough
portions 60 and 62 form a trough which cooperates with conveyor 56
to guide the articles along the aforementioned conveying path. A
length of tubing 64 is connected in a known manner to the other end
of conveyor 56 and to a support 66, the purpose of which will be
discussed below, to cooperate with support 58 in supporting
conveyor 56. A run-out conveyor 68, which may be a conventional
belt conveyor, is arranged adjacent the discharge end of drum 16,
which is output end 30 of conveyor 56, for receiving the separated
articles from conveyor 56 and transporting these articles along a
conveying path transverse to the conveying path of conveyor 56. An
adjustable stand 70 cooperates with support 58 for adjustably
supporting conveyor 68. A drive train 71 (FIG. 1) of conventional
construction transmit power from shaft 26 to conveyor 68. A hopper
72 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having an upwardly inclined moving bottom formed
by a belt 74 is advantageously arranged for discharging articles
into the input end 28 of cylinder 12. A pair of parallel, spaced
side walls 76 mount the pulleys that guide belt 74 and act as
side-guides for the articles.
In operation, a plurality of generally uniform articles, which are
not shown but may be beans similar to bean 54 (FIG. 9) are dumped
onto the lower end (not shown) of belt 74 and are conveyed by belt
74 into input end 28 of cylinder 12. This is also the input end of
drum 14. Cylinder 12 is being rotated in a known manner by rotation
of wheels 20 upon which cylinder 12 is cradled. Since drum 14 forms
part of cylinder 12 and rotates therewith, the articles will be
tumbled into the bottom of drum 14 and, assuming the articles have
longitudinal extents, will become longitudinally oriented in gaps
34 formed by members 32. The configuration of members 32
facilitates the orientation. Accordingly, a stream of articles will
be formed in the bottom of drum 14. Those articles having an extent
transverse to the longitudinal extent less than gaps 34 will fall
through the gaps 34 and be sorted from the incoming articles. The
stream of articles thus formed passes from drum 14 into drum 16,
where any articles having, for example, a longitudinal extent less
than a predetermined extent, which is used to dimension recesses
38, will fall into recesses 38 and be carried thereby up above
conveyor 56. Force of gravity will then cause the broken or
otherwise undersized articles to be discharged from recesses 38
onto conveyor 56 and discharged as by conveyor 68. For snap beans,
dimension for recesses 38 of 3 inches diameter at opening 42 and
23/4 inches diameter at bottom portion 44 have been found
satisfactory. Cylinder 12 may be, for example, 48 inches in
diameter, and conveyor 56 may be, for example, 8 inches wide. The
particular construction and configuration of drum 16, including
recesses 38, will assure a minimum of breakage of fragile articles,
permitting larger diameter cylinders to be used, with resulting
higher speed and volume range. A washer system (not shown) may be
added to permit cleaning-in-place of cylinder 12. In this manner,
the various kinds of articles are sorted and separated within FDA
requirements, and can be packaged for separate marketing.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *