GB221285A - An improved machine for sorting dried fruit and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

221,285. Blow, G. E. June 9, 1923. Separating by mechanical pickers.- A machine for separating stones, twigs and other hard impurities from dried fruits consists of a movable surface, such as an endless band 11 to which step-by-step feeding movements are imparted, and a series of spikes 2 on which the fruit is impaled and from which it is stripped to fall into a suitable receptacle, the spikes being moun. ted on a carrier 7 to which progressive movement is imparted transversely of the direction of movement of the surface 11. The movements of the parts are derived from the shaft 28 on which is fixed a wheel 27 having a cam groove 31 and teeth 53. The frame 7 is transversely reciprocated on guides 9 by a roller 32 engaging the groove 31. An arm 35 carried rotatably in a sleeve 33 is slidably and non-rotatably mounted on a shaft 50 driven by the gearing 52, 53 and drives the frame 3 carrying the spikes 2 by the link connection 39. A perforated plate 43 through which t'he spikes move detaches the fruit which falls into a hopper 42 and is delivered therefrom to any suitable receptacle. The band 11 has a series of short intermittent movements during the traverse of the spikes imparted by an eccentric on the shaft 50 which actuates a ratchet wheel 15<a> on the shaft, 17 of the band pulley 12 through the rod 18, swinging lever 16 and spring pawl 12<a>. At the end of the traverse of the spikes, the band is given a feed movement of greater amount so as to place a fresh part under the action of the spikes by means of a swinging arm 21 and pawl 20 actuating the ratchet wheel 15<a> and driven by a link 22. lever 23 and a face cam 25 on the wheel 27. The fruit is supplied to the band by a hopper 46 and may be subjected to a preliminary riddling and breaking up operation. Bars 49 disposed transversely above the band 11 serve to distribute the fruit evenly thereon.