Pineapple peeling and cutting machine

Abstract

A pineapple peeling and cutting machine includes a crown and base cutting system (6), a peeling system (7), and a final processing and delivery mechanism (8). The crown and base cutting system (6) comprises a clamping device (9) and a crown cutting blade (10) and a base cutting blade (10 ') of the pineapple (1). Clamping means (9) are used to hold and move the pineapple (1) during cutting and to guide it to the peeling system (7). The gripping device (9) in turn comprises a pneumatic gripper (11) and a pneumatic linear actuator (14) for moving the pneumatic gripper (11). The pneumatic gripper (11) has two arms (12) opening in parallel and a "V"-shaped jaw (13) on each arm (12), the two jaws (13) facing each other to hold the pineapple (1) therebetween. Both the crown cutting blade (10) and the base cutting blade (10 ') are horizontal and adjustable in height.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of the agri-food industry, in particular to the technical field of machinery for handling and processing fruit in a natural way. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pineapple peeling and cutting machine having a crown and base cutting system, a peeling system arranged downstream of the crown and base cutting system, and a final processing and delivery device arranged downstream of the peeling system. Background Art

[0002] Various machines for handling and processing fruit in a natural manner, such as automatic fruit juicers, are known in the prior art, mainly for oranges but also for other fruits.

[0003] However, for the market of pineapple processing machines, there is no alternative that can operate automatically, thereby maximizing yields and maximizing efficiency in peeling, cutting and slicing the pineapple and delivering it to the user, ready for direct consumption.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a pineapple peeling and cutting machine that can fully automatically peel, cut and slice pineapples and deliver them directly to the user in an efficient manner and ready to eat. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a pineapple peeling and cutting machine having: a door leading to the interior of the machine; a feeder for conveying pineapples to a crown and base cutting system; a peeling system arranged downstream of the crown and base cutting system; and finally a final processing and delivery mechanism arranged downstream of the peeling system. In addition, the machine has a control system that controls the drive and movement of the crown and base cutting system, the peeling system, and the final processing and delivery mechanism through a set of sensors and control electronics.

[0006] The design, construction and positioning of the doors facilitate cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the different systems inside the machine.

[0007] The outer structure of the machine will have controls and buttons for handling the different functions, with a simple interface for the user to interact with the machine, allowing the user to obtain a peeled and sliced ​​pineapple in a fast, intuitive and simple manner.

[0008] In the present invention, the crown and base cutting system has movable gripping devices for holding and moving the pineapples from the feeder in a linear cutting path to cut the crown and base of the pineapples and then send the pineapples to the peeling system. These gripping devices specifically include pneumatic grippers, which in turn have two arms that open in parallel and a "V"-shaped clamping jaw attached to the end of each arm. The two jaws face each other so that the pineapple can be held firmly and gently between them. The system provides a wide opening range, covering a range of different specifications, to allow all types of pineapples to be processed. In addition, the "V" shape of the jaws and the designed support geometry allow for a better grip of the pineapple, firmly but without excessive pressure, thereby avoiding unnecessary extraction of juice from the fruit. This means that the grip is more secure and the force is more concentrated on the pineapple during the cycle.

[0009] In addition to the pneumatic gripper, the gripping device also has a pneumatic linear actuator to which the pneumatic gripper is fixed so that the pneumatic gripper can be moved along a linear cutting path to cut the crown and the base.

[0010] In addition to the movable gripper, the crown and base cutting system has a crown cutting blade and a base cutting blade for the pineapple, both blades being horizontal and arranged in the cutting path of the gripper, both blades being adjustable in height so as to be able to process pineapples of different sizes and being logically always separated from each other by a distance to allow the pneumatic gripper to pass between the two blades in its linear cutting path and being able to perform said crown and base cutting by means of the linear cutting path of the gripper passing between said horizontal blades. Thanks to the adjustable height of the blades, it is possible to fully adapt to all specification ranges, thus maximizing performance without wasting the part of the pineapple being processed.

[0011] Preferably, the crown cutting blade and the base cutting blade are both "V" shaped. With this type of blade, a progressive cutting is achieved, tearing and fiber breakage are avoided, thereby improving the cutting result.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the crown and base cutting system has a pneumatic ejection cylinder that can be moved perpendicularly to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device and the peeling system, so that after the crown cutting has been carried out, during the movement of the pneumatic ejection cylinder, it removes the crown that remains on the crown cutting blade. In this way, there is an absolute control over the desired crown expulsion time. By this expulsion movement, it is avoided that the crown hooks other movable or fixed elements of the machine.

[0013] In particular, the pineapple feeder is constituted by a first guide hole formed in the internal part of the door and a second guide hole formed in the internal structure of the machine, so that the two guide holes face each other and form a guide or path to hold and guide the pineapple from the pineapple insertion point to the supporting base or plate of the crown and base cutting system, which is considered the cycle start position. This way of feeding is much simpler, avoids moving mechanisms that could get stuck, and is more ergonomic for the user. Thus, with this feeder, the user manually introduces the pineapple into the machine through a feed gate arranged in the door of the machine towards the feeder.

[0014] According to different specific embodiments of the present invention, the peeling system has a vertically arranged cylindrical cutting tube, which is used to vertically hold the pineapple, which has been positioned in the peeling system by a movable clamping device, and the cutting tube is also used to cut or peel the outer skin of the pineapple, and to properly slice the pineapple by the pressure applied by a vertical cylindrical pusher, which is arranged above the cylindrical cutting tube and the pineapple and moves vertically along the cylindrical cutting tube to push the pineapple. Once the pineapple is cut or peeled by the pressure of the vertical cylindrical pusher, the cylindrical cutting tube contains the pineapple pieces with the outer skin peeled off.

[0015] Thus, once the pineapple has been positioned on the peeling system, i.e. directly on the cylindrical cutting tube, the jaws of the clamping device open and release the pineapple, and then the vertical cylindrical pusher applies pressure to the pineapple on the cylindrical cutting tube, thereby removing all the outer contour or skin of the pineapple and leaving a perfectly peeled pineapple piece in the cylindrical cutting tube, ready for the next stage.

[0016] Preferably, the end of the cylindrical pusher is adapted to the overall shape of the cylindrical cutting tube so that the cylindrical pusher can be introduced into said cylindrical cutting tube to cause the pineapple to travel along said cylindrical cutting tube during peeling.

[0017] According to different specific embodiments, the peeling system can have different elements to improve the overall processing of pineapples.

[0018] First, the peeling system may have at least one inner tubular blade, which is concentrically arranged inside the main cylindrical cutting tube to properly perform the cutting and removal of the pineapple core during the peeling movement. In addition to this inner tubular blade, the peeling system also has at least one inner radial blade radially arranged inside the cylindrical cutting tube to perform radial cutting and slicing of the resulting pineapple chunks during peeling or cutting of its outer skin, and for fixing the inner tubular blade to the cylindrical cutting tube.

[0019] Further, the peeling system may have at least one outer radial blade arranged radially outside the cylindrical cutting tube to perform radial cutting of the skin during peeling and to facilitate detachment and exit of the skin from the peeling system.

[0020] Preferably, the peeling system may also be provided with a deflector on the outside of the bottom of the cylindrical cutting tube, which deflects the skin at the end of peeling to facilitate discharge of the skin from the peeling system.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the final processing and delivery mechanism is capable of moving perpendicular to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device and the peeling system so that after peeling or cutting the skin, if necessary, the peeled and sliced ​​pineapple pieces are moved to a collection bucket for ready consumption.

[0022] According to the above embodiment, and in particular, the final processing and delivery mechanism can be provided with a horizontal layered blade that reciprocates horizontally to cut the pineapple chunks into slices and place the cut pineapple slices in a collection bucket. Thus, when the slicing blade slices from the bottom of the pineapple chunks through its reciprocating horizontal motion, the remaining pineapple chunks fall down, and the horizontal layered blade continues to slice from the pineapple chunks.

[0023] Alternatively, the final processing and delivery mechanism of the pineapple may have a fixed first body and a second body that can be moved horizontally. The first body has horizontal layered blades stacked vertically and spaced apart, the free ends of which form a cutting edge or front edge. The second body has slots that are spaced apart and aligned with the horizontal layered blades of the first body. With this configuration, the pineapple chunks are located between the first and second bodies of the final processing and delivery mechanism after passing through the peeling system, and the second body pushes the pineapple chunks against the first body, so that the horizontal layered blades of the first body are introduced into the slots of the second body, and the cutting edge performs the slicing of the pineapple chunks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Next, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to a series of drawings by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0025] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of the machine that is the subject of the present invention, with the door closed.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An external perspective view of the machine with the doors open to show its main elements.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A detailed perspective view of a part of the machine in which some elements of the machine are shown in detail.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the crown and base cutting system of the machine that is the subject of the invention, including a pineapple to be processed.

[0029] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 An embodiment of a clamping device for the crown and base cutting system in.

[0030] Figure 6 Shown in detail Figure 5 An embodiment of a pneumatic clamper of the clamping device.

[0031] Figure 7 A linear cutting path from the clamping device to the peeling system according to an embodiment of a pineapple peeling and cutting machine is shown.

[0032] Figure 8 A specific embodiment of a "V" shaped crown cutting blade is shown.

[0033] Fig. 9 An embodiment of a pineapple peeling and cutting machine is shown. Fig. 9 The shape of the adjustable cutting blade is shown, wherein the space for placing the crown once it has been cut is shown, and the pneumatic discharge cylinder of the crown is shown.

[0034] Fig.10 A specific embodiment of a debarking system having four inner tubular blades and four outer radial blades and a deflector is shown.

[0035] Fig.11a , Fig.11b and Fig.11c Three plan views of cuts produced in a pineapple chunk by a peeling system having one, four and six internal tubular blades, respectively, are shown as examples.

[0036] Fig.12 An embodiment of a cylindrical pusher end is shown, the shape of which mimics the shape of an integral embodiment of a cylindrical cutting tube.

[0037] Fig.13 An embodiment of a final processing and delivery mechanism with horizontal laminar blades is shown.

[0038] Fig.14 A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the final processing and delivery mechanism is shown, wherein the blocks and slots of the horizontal laminar blades are arranged downstream of the debarking system.

[0039] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A side perspective view of an embodiment of a body block having slots therein for a final processing and delivery mechanism in FIG.

[0040] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 A perspective view of an embodiment of a blade body block of a final processing and delivery mechanism in which the cutting edge is inclined relative to the vertical direction and the top of the cutting edge is forward.

[0041] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a blade body block in FIG. 1 , wherein the cutting edge is inclined relative to the vertical direction and the bottom of the cutting edge is forward.

[0042] In these figures, reference is made to a group of elements which are:

[0043] 1. Pineapple;

[0044] 2: The door of the machine;

[0045] 3: Feed gate for pineapples;

[0046] 4: A first guide hole on the inner part of the door of the machine;

[0047] 5: A second guide hole in the internal structure of the machine;

[0048] 6: Crown and base cutting system for pineapples;

[0049] 7: Pineapple peeling system;

[0050] 8: Final processing and delivery facility for pineapples;

[0051] 9: Pineapple holding device;

[0052] 10: Crown cutting blade;

[0053] 10': base cutting blade;

[0054] 11: Pneumatic clamp of the clamping device;

[0055] 12: Arm of the pneumatic gripper;

[0056] 13: The jaws of the pneumatic gripper;

[0057] 14: Pneumatic linear actuator for the clamping device;

[0058] 15: Cylindrical cutting tube for peeling system;

[0059] 16: Cylindrical pusher for the peeling system;

[0060] 17: Exit channel for pineapple chunks;

[0061] 18: Internal tubular blade of the peeling system;

[0062] 19: External radial blades of the stripping system;

[0063] 20: Internal radial blades of the peeling system;

[0064] 21: Deflection element of the peeling system;

[0065] 22: horizontal lamellar blade;

[0066] 23: Support base for pineapple of crown and base cutting system;

[0067] 24: Pneumatic discharge cylinder;

[0068] 25: The first body of the final processing and delivery mechanism for pineapples;

[0069] 26: The second body of the final processing and delivery mechanism for the pineapples;

[0070] 27: Slots of the second body of the final processing and delivery mechanism for the pineapple;

[0071] 28: The leading edge formed by the ends of the horizontal lamellar blades of the first body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The object of the invention is a pineapple peeling and cutting machine.

[0073] As shown in the figures, the machine has: a door 2, which leads to the inside of the machine; a feeder for conveying pineapples 1 from a feed gate 3 arranged in the door 2 to a crown and base cutting system 6; a peeling system 7, which is arranged downstream of the crown and base cutting system 6; and finally a final processing and delivery mechanism 8, which is arranged downstream of the peeling system 7, and which delivers the properly treated pineapple pieces 1 to a collection bucket, which is placed in an outlet channel 17 arranged in the door 2 of the machine. In addition, the machine has a control system, which controls the drive and movement of the crown and base cutting system 6, the peeling system 7, and the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 through a set of sensors and control electronics.

[0074] like Figure 2 shown and in Figures 3 to 9 As shown in detail in FIG. 1 , the crown and base cutting system 6 has movable gripping devices 9 for gripping the pineapples 1 coming from the feeder and moving the pineapples 1 along a linear cutting path to cut the crown and base of the pineapples 1 and then delivering the pineapples 1 to the peeling system 7. These gripping devices 9 include a pneumatic gripper 11 which in turn has two arms 12 (such as Figure 5 and Figure 6The pineapple 1 is firmly and steadily held between the two arms 12 and the pineapple 1. The specific geometry of the "V" shaped jaws allows the pressure applied to the pineapple 1 to be more evenly distributed and firmly holds the pineapple 1, but does not apply too much pressure to cause juice loss, thereby causing a loss of yield during the machine process.

[0075] Furthermore, the gripping device 9 has a pneumatic linear actuator 14 on which the pneumatic gripper 11 is fixed so that the pneumatic gripper 11 can be moved along a linear cutting path in order to cut the crown and the base of the pineapple 1 .

[0076] In addition to these movable gripping devices 9, the crown and base cutting system 6 also has a crown cutting blade 10 and a base cutting blade 10' of the pineapple 1, the two blades 10, 10' being horizontal and arranged in the cutting path of the gripping device 9, the two blades 10, 10' being adjustable in height so as to be able to process pineapples 1 of different sizes. In particular, the height of the two blades 10, 10' is adjustable, but according to a particular simpler realization in practice, the base cutting blade 10' will remain fixed and the distance will be adjusted by adjusting the height of the crown cutting blade 10. The two blades 10, 10' are logically always separated from each other by a distance in order to allow the pneumatic gripper 11 to pass between the two blades 10, 10' along its linear cutting path, so that the two blades 10, 10' can make the crown and base cutting by allowing the pneumatic gripper 11 with the pineapple 1 to pass between said horizontal blades 10, 10' by means of the linear cutting path of the gripping device 9.

[0077] Alternatively, the base cutting blade 10' may be fixed to the machine and the only height adjustable be the crown cutting blade 10, which is adjusted in the conventional manner by a set of detents and knobs. This also allows all pineapple sizes to be processed using a single set of moving elements.

[0078] Preferably, if Figure 8 As shown, the crown cutting blade 10 and the base cutting blade 10' are both "V" shaped.

[0079] according to Fig. 9 In the particular embodiment of the invention shown, the crown and base cutting system 6 has a pneumatic discharge cylinder 24 which, in use, moves perpendicularly to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device 9 and the peeling system 7, so that after said crown cutting has been carried out, during the movement of the pneumatic discharge cylinder 24, the pneumatic discharge cylinder 24 discharges towards the waste bin of the machine the crown remaining on the crown cutting blade 10. In this case, and thanks to this additional function, the crown cutting blade 10 will have a larger surface area than the base cutting blade 10' of the pineapple 1.

[0080] In particular, the pineapple feeder is formed by a first guide hole 4 formed in an internal part or internal streamlined cover of the door 2, and a second guide hole 5 formed in the internal structure or internal streamlined cover of the machine, so that the two guide holes 4, 5 face each other and form a guide or path for holding and guiding the pineapple 1 from the introduction point of the pineapple 1 to the supporting base 23 or plate of the crown and base cutting system 6, wherein the pineapple 1 is arranged to be clamped by the clamping device 9. Figure 3 These guide holes 4, 5, respectively arranged in the door 2 and on the internal structure of the machine, are shown in detail. This way of feeding is very simple, avoids moving mechanisms that could cause jamming, and is more ergonomic for the user. Thus, with this feeder, the user manually puts the pineapple 1 into the machine through the feed gate 3 arranged in the door 2 of the machine towards the feeder.

[0081] According to different specific embodiments of the present invention shown in the figures, the peeling system 7 has a vertically arranged cylindrical cutting tube 15, which is used to vertically hold the pineapple 1 and cut or peel the outer skin of the pineapple 1 by the pressure applied by the vertical cylindrical pusher 16. The pineapple 1 has been positioned in the peeling system 7 by the movable clamping device 9, and its top and base have been removed. The vertical cylindrical pusher 16 is arranged on the cylindrical cutting tube 15 and the pineapple 1, and performs a vertical movement to push the pineapple 1 along the cylindrical cutting tube 15. Once the pineapple is cut or peeled by the pressure of the vertical cylindrical pusher 16, the cylindrical cutting tube 15 contains the pineapple pieces 1 with the peeled outer skin inside it.

[0082] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control system for actuation and movement allows the peeling system 7 to repeat the movement for peeling as many times as needed through sensors and control electronics until peeling is achieved. That is, if the pineapple 1 is very hard and the cylindrical cutting tube 15 cannot cut or peel the skin at the first attempt, the cylindrical cutting tube 15 will perform a certain number of movements again until peeling is achieved or failure is determined. This is achieved in particular by a pair of magnetic sensors or detectors arranged in the cylindrical cutting tube 15, which act as Hall sensors to determine their position by measuring the magnetic field.

[0083] Preferably, a positioning pivot is provided on the cylindrical pusher 16 so as to be mounted on the vertical cylinder of the machine. The cylindrical pusher 16 also has an anti-rotation system to prevent the cylindrical pusher 16 from rotating during the process of cutting the pineapple 1 skin.

[0084] Preferably, if Fig.12As shown, the end of the cylindrical pusher 16 follows the shape of the cylindrical cutting tube 15 assembly so that the cylindrical pusher 16 can be introduced into the cylindrical cutting tube 15 during peeling so that the pineapple 1 moves along the cylindrical cutting tube 15.

[0085] According to different specific embodiments, the peeling system 7 can have different elements to improve the overall processing of the pineapple 1 .

[0086] First, the peeling system 7 may have at least one internal tubular blade 18, which is concentrically arranged in the main cylindrical cutting tube 15. In this way, the internal tubular blade 18 performs the operation of cutting and removing the core from the pineapple chunk 1 during the peeling movement of the outer skin. The core falls through the internal tubular blade 18 into the waste bucket of the machine. Fig.10 The inner tubular blade 18 is shown. In addition to the inner tubular blade 18, the peeling system 7 has at least one inner radial blade 20 arranged radially inside the cylindrical cutting tube 15. The inner radial blade 20 is used to radially cut and chop the resulting pineapple chunk 1 into a number of portions corresponding to the number of the inner radial blades 20 during peeling or cutting of the outer skin, and to fix the inner tubular blade 18 to the cylindrical cutting tube 15. Fig.10 The case where four inner radial blades 20 are arranged is shown, in which case the pineapple chunk 1 will be cut into four portions. Alternatively, a different number of inner radial blades 20 may be used, which will determine the number of portions of the pineapple chunk 1. Figures 11a to 11c Schematically shows three plan views of the sliced ​​result produced on the pineapple chunk 1 by the peeling system 7, wherein the peeling system 7 has an inner radial blade 20 to cut the pineapple chunk 1 into two parts ( Fig.11a ); the peeling system 7 has four internal radial blades 20 to cut the pineapple chunks 1 into four portions ( Fig.11b ); and the peeling system 7 has six internal tubular blades 20 to cut the pineapple chunks 1 into six portions ( Fig.11c ).

[0087] Furthermore, the peeling system 7 may be provided with at least one external radial blade 19 arranged radially outside the cylindrical cutting tube 15 to perform radial cutting of the husk during peeling and to facilitate detachment and exit of the husk from the peeling system 7 . Fig.10 An embodiment is shown in which the peeling system 7 has four outer radial blades 19, however alternatively in other embodiments there may be a different number of outer radial blades 19, which will affect the number of portions into which the peel is divided during peeling.

[0088] Preferably, if Fig.10As shown in the embodiment of , the peeling system 7 can also be provided with a deflector 21 on the outside of the bottom of the cylindrical cutting tube 15, which deflects the skin at the end of peeling to facilitate discharge of the skin from the peeling system 7 into the waste bucket of the machine.

[0089] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 is capable of moving perpendicularly to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device and the peeling system, so that after peeling or cutting the skin, if necessary, the peeled and sliced ​​pineapple pieces are moved to a collection bucket for ready consumption.

[0090] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, and in particular, the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 can be provided with a horizontal laminar blade 22, such as Fig.13 As shown. According to this embodiment, the horizontal layer blade 22 of the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 has an alternating horizontal movement, either "forward and backward" or "forward and reverse", so as to cut the pineapple chunks 1 into slices and place the cut pineapple slices in a collection bucket ready for delivery to the user. In this way, when the horizontal layer blade 22 slices from the bottom of the pineapple chunk 1 according to its reciprocating horizontal movement, the pineapple chunk 1 drops and the horizontal layer blade 22 continues to slice from the pineapple chunk 1. The number of alternating horizontal movements or repetitions of the horizontal layer blade 22 will be the number of horizontal cuts or slices of the pineapple chunk 1. Thus, in the forward or forward movement, the horizontal layer blade 22 will cut the slices, and in the return or reverse movement, the horizontal layer blade 22 will deliver the slices to the collection bucket. The advantage of cutting one slice at a time by reciprocating horizontal movement is that during the slicing process, the fiber damage is less, and therefore the extraction of the pineapple 1 juice is also less. In this way, by cutting one slice at a time, the cutting is cleaner, wherein less pineapple chunks 1 are squeezed and broken, so the fibers are better processed and less juice is removed.

[0091] Preferably, the horizontal laminar blade 22 is in a "V" shape, which improves the cutting of the sheet, providing better parallelism for the cutting of said sheet.

[0092] According to the above alternative embodiment, the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 of the pineapple can have a fixed first block 25 and a second block 26 that can be moved horizontally. The first block 25 has a plurality of horizontal layered blades 22 stacked vertically and spaced apart, the free ends of which form cutting edges 28. The second block 26 has slots 27 that are spaced apart and aligned with or correspond to the horizontal layered blades 22 of the first block 5. According to this arrangement, the pineapple chunks 1 are located between the first block 25 and the second block 26 of the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 after passing through the peeling system 7, and the second block 26 pushes the pineapple chunks 1 against the first block 25 during its horizontal displacement, so that the horizontal layered blades 22 of the first block 25 are inserted into the slots 27 of the second block 26, and the cutting edges 28 cut the pineapple chunks 1 into slices. This embodiment provides the advantage that all the desired slices are obtained simultaneously in a single horizontal movement.

[0093] According to the particular configuration of the aforementioned embodiment, the configuration of the horizontal lamellar blades 22 is such that they form a cutting edge 28 or a vertical leading edge, which means that in the horizontal displacement of the second body 26, the cutting of all the slices of the pineapple chunk 1 is carried out simultaneously. This is achieved by the horizontal lamellar blades 22 being of equal length and aligned vertically.

[0094] Alternatively, the horizontal laminar blades 22 are constructed so that they form a cutting edge 28 that is inclined relative to the vertical, which means that in the horizontal displacement of the second body 26, not all slices of the pineapple chunk 1 are cut simultaneously. If the inclination is such that the top of the cutting edge 28 is forward relative to the bottom of said cutting edge 28, the top of the pineapple chunk 1 is cut first and the bottom is cut last. On the contrary, if the inclination is such that the bottom of the cutting edge 28 is forward relative to the top of the cutting edge 28, the bottom of the pineapple chunk 1 is cut first and the top is cut last. This inclination can be achieved with horizontal laminar blades 22 of different lengths or by arranging the ends of the horizontal laminar blades 22 so as not to be vertically aligned. The advantage of either of these two embodiments is that, in addition to obtaining all the slices in a single horizontal movement, by first making some cuts and then making other cuts (depending on the forward area of ​​the cutting edge), a continuous number of slice-by-slice cuts are made, which squeeze and crush the pineapple chunk 1 less, which means less damage to the fibers during processing and therefore less extraction of pineapple juice.

[0095] Alternatively, if the final processing and delivery mechanism 8 does not have any blades, it will deliver the pineapple chunks 1 in a single horizontal movement without dividing them into pieces into a collection bucket, although the pineapple chunks 1 can be appropriately divided according to the portions previously made by the internal radial blades 20.

Claims

1. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine comprising: - a door (2) which leads to the interior of the machine; - Crown and base cutting system (6); - a feeder configured to convey pineapples (1) to said crown and base cutting system (6); - a peeling system (7) arranged downstream of said crown and base cutting system (6); - a final processing and delivery mechanism (8) arranged downstream of said peeling system (7); and - a control system configured to control the drive and movement of the crown and base cutting system (6), the peeling system (7), and the final processing and delivery mechanism (8), Characterized in that the crown and base cutting system (6) comprises: - a movable gripping device (9) configured to hold and move the pineapple (1) in a linear cutting path to cut the crown and base of the pineapple (1) and to guide the pineapple (1) to the peeling system (7), the gripping device (9) comprising: - a pneumatic gripper (11) comprising two arms (12) opened in parallel and a "V"-shaped jaw (13) attached to the end of each arm (12), the two jaws (13) facing each other and configured to hold the pineapple (1) therebetween; and a pneumatic linear actuator (14) to which the pneumatic gripper (11) is fixed, the pneumatic linear actuator (14) being configured to move the pneumatic gripper (11) in the linear cutting path, and - a crown cutting blade (10) and a base cutting blade (10') of the pineapple (1), the crown cutting blade (10) and the base cutting blade (10') being horizontal, arranged in the cutting path of the clamping device (9), being adjustable in height and being separated from each other by a distance configured to allow the pneumatic clamp (11) to pass between the crown cutting blade (10) and the base cutting blade (10') in its linear cutting path.

2. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein the pineapple feeder (1) comprises a first guide hole (4) located in the internal part of the door (2) and a second guide hole (5) located in the internal structure of the machine, the first guide hole (4) and the second guide hole (5) facing each other and being configured to accommodate each other and guide the pineapple (1) to the crown and base cutting system (6).

3. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crown cutting blade (10) and the base cutting blade (10') are both "V" shaped.

4. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peeling system (7) comprises: - a vertically arranged cylindrical cutting tube (15) configured to vertically hold the pineapple (1) conveyed by the movable gripping device (9) and to peel off the skin of the pineapple (1) by means of pressure exerted by a vertical cylindrical pusher (16); and - a vertical cylindrical pusher (16) configured to push the pineapple (1) along the cylindrical cutting tube (15), The cylindrical cutting tube (15) is configured to receive the peeled pineapple pieces (1) inside once the pineapple (1) has been cut.

5. The pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 4, wherein the peeling system (7) comprises: - at least one internal tubular blade (18) arranged concentrically within said cylindrical cutting tube (15) and configured to cut and remove the core of said pineapple (1) during peeling of said rind of said pineapple (1); and - at least one internal radial blade (20) radially arranged inside the cylindrical cutting tube (15) and configured for radially slicing the pineapple chunk (1) during peeling of the outer skin of the pineapple chunk (1), and for securing the internal tubular blade (18) to the cylindrical cutting tube (15).

6. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein: The peeling system (7) comprises at least one outer radial blade (19) arranged radially outside the cylindrical cutting tube (15), the outer radial blade (19) being configured to radially cut the outer skin during peeling.

7. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The peeling system (7) comprises a deflector (21) arranged on the outside of the bottom of the cylindrical cutting tube (15), and the deflector (21) is configured to deflect the outer skin at the end of peeling.

8. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The end of the cylindrical pusher (16) follows the shape of the cylindrical cutting tube assembly (15), and the end of the cylindrical pusher (16) is configured to enter the cylindrical cutting tube (15) during peeling of the outer skin.

9. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the final processing and delivery mechanism (8) moves perpendicularly to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device (9) and the peeling system (7), and the final processing and delivery mechanism (8) is configured to place the pineapple pieces (1) in a collecting bucket after peeling the outer skin of the pineapple (1).

10. The pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 9, wherein the final processing and delivery mechanism (8) comprises a horizontal lamellar blade (22) having a reciprocating horizontal movement, the horizontal lamellar blade (22) being configured to cut the pineapple chunks (1) into slices and place the slices in the collection bucket.

11. The pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 9, wherein said final processing and delivery mechanism (8) of said pineapple comprises: - a fixed first body (25) comprising a plurality of horizontal laminar blades (22) stacked vertically and spaced apart, the free ends of the horizontal laminar blades (22) forming cutting edges (28); and - a second body (26) capable of horizontal movement, comprising a plurality of slots spaced apart and aligned with the horizontal laminar blade (22) of the first body (25), the second body (26) being configured to push the pineapple chunk (1) against the first body (25) and to cut the pineapple chunk (1) into slices through the leading edge (28) by introducing the horizontal laminar blade (22) into the slot (27).

12. Pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 11, wherein said horizontal lamellar blades (22) are arranged in said first body (25) forming a vertical cutting edge (28).

13. The pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal lamellar blade (22) is arranged to form a cutting edge (28) inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

14. A pineapple peeling and cutting machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crown and base cutting system (6) comprises a pneumatic ejection cylinder (24) which is movable perpendicularly to the linear cutting path of the movable clamping device (9) and the peeling system (7), and which is configured to remove the crown remaining on the crown cutting blade (10) after cutting the crown.

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