GB2226753A

GB2226753A - Machine for removing the tops from carrots

Info

Publication number: GB2226753A
Application number: GB8828440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Malcolm Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-06
Filing date: 1988-12-06
Publication date: 1990-07-11
Also published as: GB8828440D0

Abstract

Endless conveyor chains 4 carry a series of transverse channel-section segments 6 forming a series of transverse grooves 26 in which carrots deposited on the upper run of the conveyor are manually arranged so that their tops abut guide rails 10, 11 extending along both sides of the table. The tops are severed from the carrots by rotary cutting blades 20, 21 positioned downstream of the table whilst the carrots are held down by a set of wheels 14, 15, 16, 17. <IMAGE>

Description

MACHINE FOR REMOVING THE TOPS FROM VEGETABLES Some years ago a machine was manufactured in Denmark for removing the tops from carrots. This included a moving chain carrying a series of spaced cups into each of which a worker manually placed a carrot.

The handling rate of thi.s machine was very poor, and its usefulness was also limited by the fact that the cups were only able to hold carrots within a li.mited size range.

An object of the present invention is to provide a form of carrot topping machine which is capable of a much improved handling rate.

The present invention provides a machi.ne for removing the tops from carrots or similar elongate vegetables, comprising an endless loop, means for driving the loop, the loop including an upper extent which constitutes a movable vegetable processing table onto which the vegetables are deposited in use, the table including a series of vegetable-receiving grooves extending transverse to the direction of travel of the table into which an operative manually arranges the vegetables in use, guide means for assisting the operative in aligning the tops of the vegetables on a cutting axis extending parallel to the direction of travel of the table, and a rotary cutting blade disposed on the cutting axis downstream of the table for severi.ng the tops from the vegetables.

The vegetables can thus be deposited onto the moving table in bulk, e.g. from a discharge conveyor, so that the operative only has to rearrange the vegetables on the table rather than manually placing them in the grooves one at a time. This results in a considerable improvement in handling rate.

The table preferably comprises a plurality of segments each extending transversely of the table, which closely abut or overlap each other.

Each segment may comprise a channel portion Preferably one arm of the channel portion has an outwardly extending flange for overlapping with the other arm of the next adjacent segment.

The invention will now be exemplified in the following description to be read in conjunction wi.th the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side vi.ew of a carrot topping machine in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an end view of the machine looking from the right in Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a modified processing table of the machine.

The machine of Fig.s 1 and 2 comprises an elongate ractangular frame 1 having a pair of parallel drive shafts 2, 3 journalled in bearings at opposite ends of the frame. A pair of endless chains 4 and 5 (Fig. 2) are supported on the shafts 2 and 3 spaced apart transversely of the frame, and the chains are joined by a series of table segments 6 which extend transversely of the frame parallel with the shafts 2 and 3. The segments 6 secured to the upper extent of the chains 4 and 5 together constitute a vegetable processing table 7. One of the shafts 3 is rotatably driven from a motor 8 via a drive belt or chain 9 so that the table 7 moves continuously in direction A in use.

Along each side of the table there is an upstanding guide rail 10, 11 (Fig. 2) spaced a short distance from the respective end of the segments 6. These guide rails extend parallel with the direction of travel A of the table and their distance from the sides of the table 7 (i.e. from the ends of segments 6) is adjustable.

Towards the downstream end of the table four soft resilient wheels 14 to 17 disposed on parallel and substantially aligned axes are spaced transversely above the table 7. Each wheel is rotatably mounted between the ends of a pair of arms 18 whi.ch is pivoted upstream of the wheels so that the wheels each rest under gravity upon the upper surface of the table 7 and are capable of independent pivotal movement in an upward direction. A pair of circular cutting blades 20, 21 are mounted either side of the table on aligned axes with the wheels 14 to 17 between them. The blades 20, 21 extend slightly below the table 7 and, when viewed as in Fig. 2, are disposed between the ends of the table segments 6 and the guide rails 10, 11. Each blade is rotatably driven by a respective motor 22, 23, and a respective chute 24, 25 is disposed beneath each blade.

The construction of the table 7 will now be described in more detail. Each segment 6 is formed from a rectangular metal sheet and is generally of inverted-V shape in transverse section to define an upwardly facing channel or groove 26. The segments each comprise two arms 27, 28 which diverge from a short bridge section 29 by which the segment is secured to the chains 4 and 5. The segments may be spaced such that the free ends of the arms are closely abutting, but it is preferred to provide the free end of one of the arms with a short flange section 30 which overlaps with the free edge of an adjacent segment, as shown.

This ensures that there are no gaps between the segments. An even more preferable arrangement is shown in Fig. 3. Here the segments are inverted and are secured to the chains 4 and 5 by the flanges 30. This ensures that all the longitudinal edges of the segments are protected to prevent them from damaging the carrots. The upwardly facing grooves 26 are now formed between an adjacent pair of segments.

In use washed carrots are continuously discharge onto the table 6 in random orientations from a conveyor or other discharge means. One or more operatives standing on each side of the machine arrange the carrots into the grooves 26 with their tops abutting a respective guide rail 10, 11. Thus each groove can thus receive two carrots. As the table carries the carrots in a downstream direction they pass beneath the wheels 14 to 17 which hold them firmly in the grooves 26 whilst the cutting blades 20, 21 slice off the tops of the carrots. The severed tops pass down the chutes 24, 25 whilst the useable portions travel on to eventually be tipped off the end of the table onto a further conveyor or into a storage bin for example.

The spacing between each of the guide rails 10, 11 and the edge of the table can be adjusted to determine the amount taken off the tops of the carrots. Generally, the spacing would be increased for larger carrots and reduced for smaller carrots.

The machine is capable of handling carrots of a wide size range and at a high rate.

Claims

1. A machine for removing the tops from carrots or similar elongate vegetables, comprising an endless loop, means for driving the loop, the loop including an upper extent which constitutes a movable vegetable processing table onto which the vegetables are deposited in use, the table including a series of vegetable-receiving grooves extending transverse to the direction of travel of the table into which an operative manually arranges the vegetables in use, guide means for assisting the operative in aligning the tops of the vegetables on a cutting axis extending parallel to the direction of travel of the table, and a rotary cutting blade disposed on the cutting axis downstream of the table for severing the tops from the vegetables.

2. A machine according to Claim 1, in which the table comprises a plurality of segments each extending transversely of the table.

3. A machine according to Claim 2, in which each segment comprises a channel portion having a base wall and two side walls.

4. A machine according to Claim 3, in which the side walls of the channel portion diverge away from from the base wall.

5. A machine according to Claim 3 or 4, in which one side wall of the channel portion has an outwardly extending flange which overlaps the other side wall of the next adjacent segment.

6. A machine according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, in which the segments are secured to the endless loop by the base walls of the channel portions.

7. A machine according to Claim 5, in which the segments are secured to the endless loop by the outwardly extending flanges.

8. A machine for removing the tops from carrots or similar elongate vegetables, which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.