Device and method for sorting products such as food products

Abstract

Device and method for sorting products such as food products. The device comprises: - multiple series of multiple individual product holders, wherein the multiple product holders of each of the multiple series are positioned in a row, wherein the multiple series are provided at different respective height levels, and wherein each product holder is arranged for holding one or more of the products, - at least one product supply device, arranged for supplying a product to a product holder, - multiple product discharge devices, each for receiving a product from a respective product holder at a height level below the series comprising the product holder to which the at least one product supply device is arranged for supplying the product, - respective actuators for actuating product holders between at least a first release position and a second release position, and - a control unit configured for controlling the actuator of a product holder in such a manner that the product holder takes the first or the second release position so that the product is transferred from said product holder of a higher series to one of two product holders of a lower series of the multiple series, wherein the control unit is arranged for sorting the product by controlling actuators such that the product is repetitively transferred.

Description

[0001] TITLE Device and method for sorting products such as food products

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a device for sorting products such as food products. The invention further relates to a method of sorting products such as food products. Food products may include fish products, meat products and poultry products, for example.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Known food product sorting devices, such as fish product sorting devices of which an example is described in WO 2010 / 142413 A1 , use a lot of floor space, since an extensive amount of equipment such as conveyors and merge and transfer devices is needed to be able to convey specific products to specific locations in the system. For example, fish products may be analysed and categorized regarding properties such as species, weight, colour, quality, and so on, and depending on said analysis, a fish product has to be transported to a specific location.

[0006] Known food product sorting devices typically operate in a linear fashion, meaning that the food products need to be sorted substantially in the same order as they enter the device. Food products are transported using a conveyor and pass multiple diverter means each of which can divert the food product onto a separate further conveyor, for instance based on size or weight. However, once a food product has been diverted onto one of the separate further conveyors, it can no longer be re-joined with food products on another separate further conveyor. This means that the flexibility of known food sorting devices is limited.

[0007] Furthermore, known food product sorting devices typically do not have a buffering or flexible batching capacity as they cannot hold a food product while subsequent food products overtake the food product that is being held. As a result, it is not possible to sort the food products into retail ready batches of a certain weight, for instance batches of 4 fish totalling 1 kg, without adding additional sorting steps. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sorting device. It is an object of the invention to provide a sorting device which uses only little floor space and by means of which food products may be effectively sorted such as batched. In addition it is an object of the invention to provide a more flexible sorting device that can sort in a linear and non-lineair fashion and that has buffering capacity.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] One or more of the above mentioned objects have been achieved by the sorting device and / or by the sorting method according to the present invention.

[0010] According to an aspect, the invention relates to a device for sorting products such as food products, the device comprising: multiple series of multiple individual product holders, wherein the multiple product holders of each of the multiple series are positioned next to each other in a row, wherein the multiple series are provided at different respective height levels above each other, and wherein each product holder is arranged for holding one or more of the products, at least one product supply device, arranged for supplying a product to a product holder, multiple product discharge devices, each for receiving a product from a respective product holder of a series of the multiple series provided at a height level below the series comprising the product holder to which the at least one product supply device is arranged for supplying the product, respective actuators for actuating product holders between at least a first release position and a second release position, and a control unit configured for controlling, during said use, the actuator of a product holder of a higher series of the multiple series in such a manner that the product holder takes the first or the second release position so that the product is transferred from said product holder of the higher series in the first release position thereof to one of two product holders of a lower series of the multiple series and so that the product is transferred from said product holder of the higher series in the second release position thereof to the other of the two product holders of the lower series of the multiple series, wherein the control unit is arranged for sorting the product by controlling actuators such that the product is repetitively transferred, under the influence of at least gravity, from a product holder of a respective higher series of the multiple series to a product holder of a respective lower series of the multiple series.

[0011] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of sorting products such as food products, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: a) supplying a product to a product holder of a higher series of the multiple series; and then b) transferring, using the control unit controlling the actuator of the product holder, the product from the product holder to a predetermined one of two accessible product holders of a lower series of the multiple series; c) repeating step b) until the product has been moved to a predetermined product holder of a series of the multiple series from which the product is to be discharged from the device; and then d) discharge the product from said predetermined product holder of step c.

[0012] In accordance with the method, during the execution of step b), the predetermined one of the two product holders may thus be determined in dependence of a desired routing of the product from said product holder to which the product is supplied during step a) to said predetermined product holder of step c) from which the product is to be discharged.

[0013] An effect of the sorting device and method according to the invention, is that by providing the number of series of product holders above each other, wherein a product may follow a predetermined routing through the device by being repetitively transferred from a product holder of a higher series to one of two product holders of a lower series, a very large number of possible routes are available for each product being sorted by the device and in accordance with the method. This way, a sorting device is provided which only needs very little floor space but by means of which the sorting can be carried out very effectively. Also, because the number of product holders may easily be scaled up, many product holders may be available, and hence also many products, held by the product holders, to choose from during sorting. This makes a very effective and variable sorting possible.

[0014] Another effect is that the device is highly flexible as well as reliable, since for example if a single product holder would be inactive such as because of maintenance or failure, a product can simply take one of many other routes available avoiding that particular inactive product holder. Also, the device is easily scalable, simply by adding series, that means adding vertical levels, and / or by adding product holders to each series. Further, products can be reliably transferred from the one product holder to the next, making the device very reliable. Also, the device is easy to clean while minimizing downtime for example because individual product holders can be cleaned without interrupting the sorting actions since products can temporarily avoid the product holder concerned. Further, using the device, products may be singulated in a very efficient manner, wherein for example a distance between successive products on a discharge conveyor may be kept the same.

[0015] A further effect is that, since the device according to the invention allows food products to travel through the device using a multitude of paths, the device also allows products to overtake other food products such that their order of processing is changed. In addition, the device allows to keep certain food products in their respective holder for a controlled amount of time. The products that are held for a longer amount of time are effectively buffered and can be overtaken by an upstream product which follows a parallel path.

[0016] DEFINITIONS

[0017] ‘Sorting’ as used in the present description and claims is to be understood as a predefined routing, by a sorting device, of a product which is supplied to the sorting device by a product supply device, to a predetermined one of multiple product discharge devices each connected to the sorting device. ‘Singulation’ refers to the process of forming a single-line of non-overlapping products to be sorted, such as fish. Preferably the products in this line are periodic, meaning that there is approximately the same space between all the products in the line. In case the products to be sorted have an orientation, for instance if the products are fishes, preferably such products are also oriented in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction, i.e. the head-tail direction and / or the belly-back direction in case of fish.

[0018] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention is elucidated below with a detailed description. Unless otherwise defined or specified, all terms should be accorded a technical meaning consistent with the usual meaning in the art as understood by the skilled person.

[0020] In an embodiment, the lower series is provided directly below the higher series.

[0021] In an embodiment, the actuator of each product holder of each said higher series of the multiple series is arranged to individually tilt the product holder, about a tilt axis extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row, between a holding position for holding the product on the product holder, the first release position and the second release position, the holding position being between the first release position and the second release position. In case of circular endless rows, the tilt axes thus extend in radial direction. The tilt axes preferably extend horizontally. Providing such tiltable product holders provides a very simple though effective movement of the product holder between said holding and release positions. The actuator may in an embodiment be an electric motor such as a servomotor or stepper motor, a solenoid, a spindle, or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, for example.

[0022] In an embodiment, at least half of the number of rows, and preferably all of the rows, are curved over the entire length thereof, and more preferably at least half of the number of rows, and preferably all of the rows, are curved endless rows. Even more preferably, at least half of the number of rows, and preferably all of the rows, are circular endless rows. This makes the device even more compact. Also, if the rows are endless, the number of possible routes for products through the device significantly increase. Providing such endless rows also makes it possible, for example, to change the orientation of the product during sorting, in that sense that a direction of extension of the product changes while the product would move downwards and in circumferential direction through the device during sorting.

[0023] In an embodiment, each of the product holders has a shape which, seen in top view, tapers. This makes a compact device possible, in particular in case of circular endless rows, wherein the product holders are tapered outwards such that on an outside of the device the product holders are wider than on an inside of the device.

[0024] In an embodiment, each of the product holders is elongate, extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row, preferably wherein each of the product holders has a concave cross section, such as a II- or V-shaped cross section, forming two opposite sides directed obliquely upward in opposite directions, preferably wherein the opposite sides are formed by plates and / or by a number of fingers defining a plane.

[0025] Such gutter-like product holders may be of simple construction though they can effectively hold and release products. Such concave cross section allows for a very compact design with only a small distance between series. The use of such fingers may reduce the contact area between the product holder and the product and may also be very easily cleanable. Also, two adjacent product holders, in one series or two series directly above one another, both having such fingers, may overlap if the fingers are provided in a staggered manner.

[0026] In an embodiment, in the first or the second release position, one of the opposite sides of the concave cross section is directed downwards. This provides for an easy release of the product during sorting.

[0027] In an embodiment, the highest series of the multiple series has the same or more product holders than any other of the multiple series, preferably wherein at least half of the series, further preferably all series of multiple individual product holders have the same number of product holders. This way, the device can be of simple construction.

[0028] In an embodiment, the number of series in the device is equal to at least half the number of product holders of the series having the highest number of product holders. This means that in case of a device having circular endless rows, a product may move through at least 180 degrees in circumferential direction while moving downwards through the device, thereby changing its orientation by at least 180 degrees as well. This means that without any further manipulation of the product, any changed orientation, for example a 180 degrees change in longitudinal orientation, may be obtained as a result of a predetermined routing of the product through the device.

[0029] In an embodiment, the number of product holders of the series having the highest number of product holders, preferably of all series, is at least 5, preferably at least 7, more preferably at least 10, and even more preferably at least 20. It is hereby understood that more product holders per series result in more available paths for the food objects to travel and therefore for additional flexibility.

[0030] In addition, having a higher number of product holders in the series means that the circumference of the device will increase. As the product holders form a cylindrical / conical shell or a similar shape, it also means that the volume inside the shell will increase which may be favourable as this allows for easy access from the inside for maintenance, for discharge devices located inside the device, for additional processing means inside the device, etc.

[0031] However, it may be that there are limits on the outer circumference of the device as the available floor space may be limited. Therefore, the number of product holders of the series having the highest number of product holders, preferably of all series, is at most 50, preferably at most 40, more preferably at most 35, and even more preferably at most 30.

[0032] It is also understood that the both the volume inside the Matrix as well as the available floor space are important. Therefore, the number of product holders of the series having the highest number of product holders, preferably of all series, is between 15 and 45, more preferably between 25 and 35.

[0033] The number of series is at least 5, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 20, even more preferably at least 25 and even more preferably at least 30. It is hereby understood that increasing the number of series will increase the number of available paths for the food objects to travel and therefore provides for additional flexibility. However, due to structural and / or height limitations the number of series is preferably at most 50, more preferably at most 40 and even more preferably at most 35. It is understood that in practice the number of series is preferably between 15 and 35, more preferably between 20 and 30.

[0034] In an embodiment, the product holders of the multiple series are arranged according to a pattern such that each of the product holders of a lower series is centred halfway between two product holders of the series directly above it, preferably wherein, seen in vertical cross-section, product holders of said higher series and of said lower series overlap in the holding positions thereof. This way, a product may be very effectively and reliably transferred from a product holder in a higher series to one of two product holders in a lower series as described above.

[0035] In an embodiment, the multiple product discharge devices comprise at least two product discharge devices arranged for receiving a product from a product holder of a lowermost series of the multiple series. Additionally, at least one discharge device may connect at an intermediate level so as to discharge products from that intermediate level in the device. In an embodiment, one discharge device may pass underneath the device and connect to two product holders opposite each other in the lowermost series, for example two product holders spaced over 180 degrees in a series as described above. In such a case, the same discharge device may receive products which are of different orientation, for example 180 degrees rotated in longitudinal orientation as described above.

[0036] In an embodiment, product holders of one or more of said lower series, such as the lowest series, are larger than product holders of one or more of said higher series. This way, it is possible to receive for example two products in one and the same such larger product holder. An overall design of the product holder preferably remains the same for all product holders in the device. That means, the larger product holders are simply scaled-up. In an embodiment, in case of a device having circular endless rows, a virtual diameter of such circular endless rows is larger for the lowermost series than for a higher series. This means that the device, in a side-view, may for example have an overall truncated cone shape instead of a cylindrical shape. As a result, product holders of such a lowermost series may be larger while still the number of product holders in that lowermost series remains the same.

[0037] In an embodiment, each product holder is provided in a removable manner on the device. This may for example be achieved by a snap or single screw connection, or via a latch. The provision of such removable product holders makes maintenance much easier. An advantage of the device in this regard is that in use, such a removed product holder may simply be circumvented by products by slightly changing their routing through the device.

[0038] In an embodiment, for the purpose of steps a and b, exactly one product is supplied to the product holder of the higher series and is transferred from said product holder to said one of two accessible product holders of the lower series.

[0039] In an embodiment, for the purpose of performing a processing action on a product, the product is removed from a product holder, preferably in a series not being the lowermost series, it is then processed, after which it is placed back into the same product holder or into another product holder, which is preferably on a series at a lower height level. For example, a product may be taken out, be subjected to some cutting action, for example, and be placed back into the same or another product holder.

[0040] In an embodiment, a routing of a product through product holders of series of the multiple series during execution of steps b and c is selected for the purpose of sorting of the product by a parameter thereof such as size, weight and / or quality. In an embodiment, a routing of a product through product holders of series of the multiple series during execution of one of the methods of the invention, for the purpose of obtaining an absolute orientation of the product in a predetermined product holder, is selected such that the absolute orientation of the product is changed as a result of the product being transferred in circumferential direction through successive series in a downward direction. As already explained above, in this manner a product may be reoriented over 180 degrees in longitudinal orientation, for example.

[0041] In an embodiment, the method comprises after step b) the step of keeping the product in the predetermined one of two accessible product holders for a predetermined amount of time and another product overtaking the product during the predetermined amount of time. Such method in particular may be advantageous in case the sorting involves batching of products.

[0042] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying highly schematic drawings in which embodiments of the present invention are shown and in which like reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements.

[0044] Figure 1 shows, in 3-dimensional view, an example of a part of a sorting device according to the invention in which multiple product discharge devices are shown;

[0045] Figure 2 shows, in 3-dimensional view, an example of a part of a sorting device according to the invention, which may be the same sorting device as shown in figure 1 , in which multiple supply devices are shown;

[0046] Figure 3 shows, in front view, an example of a part of a sorting device according to the invention in which multiple product discharge devices connected at intermediate levels are shown;

[0047] Figure 4 shows, in front view, an example of a part of a sorting device according to the invention in which a lowermost series has larger baskets; Figures 5A, 5B and 5C respectively show a holding position, a first release position, and a second release position, of an exemplary product holder of an example of a sorting device according to the invention;

[0048] Figure 6A and 6B shows the product holder of figure 5A in cross section and in top view, respectively;

[0049] Figure 7 shows a cross section of another example of a product holder of a sorting device according to the invention; and

[0050] Figure 8 shows schematically a layout, in vertical cross section, of an example of a sorting device according to the invention.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 shows a device 1 , or at least a part thereof, for sorting products such as food products such as fish 2. The device comprises multiple, in this example 15, series of multiple, in this example 14, individual product holders 3, wherein the multiple product holders 3 of each of the multiple series are positioned next to each other in a row. The multiple series are provided at different respective height levels above each other. Each product holder 3 is arranged for holding one or more of the products 2. Each product holder 3 is provided in a removable manner on the device 1. This may for example be achieved by a snap or single screw connection, or via a latch. The provision of such removable product holders 3 makes maintenance much easier. In the present example, all of the rows are curved over the entire length thereof, wherein they each form a circular endless row. In an embodiment, each of the product holders has a shape which, seen in top view, tapers. This makes a compact device possible, in particular in case of circular endless rows, wherein the product holders are tapered inwards such that on an outside of the device the product holders are wider than on an inside of the device.

[0053] The sorting device 1 further comprises respective actuators 5 (figures 5A to 5C) for actuating product holders 2 between at least a first release position (figure 5B) and a second release position (figure 5C). The actuator 5 of each product holder 3 of each said higher series of the multiple series is arranged to individually tilt the product holder 3, about a tilt axis 6 extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row, between a holding position (figure 5A) for holding the product 2 on the product holder 3, the first release position and the second release position, the holding position being between the first release position and the second release position. In case of circular endless rows, the tilt axes 6 thus extend in radial direction. The tilt axes 6 extend horizontally. Providing such tiltable product holders 3 provides a very simple yet effective movement of the product holder 3 between said holding and two release positions. The actuator 5 is formed by a servomotor but may alternatively comprise a stepper motor, a solenoid, a spindle, or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, for example.

[0054] The device 1 also comprises a control unit configured for controlling, during said use, the actuator 5 of a product holder 3 of a higher series of the multiple series in such a manner that the product holder 3 takes the holding position for holding or receiving a product or the first or second release position so that the product is transferred from said product holder 3 of the higher series in the first release position thereof to one of two product holders 3 of a lower series of the multiple series and so that the product 2 is transferred from said product holder 3 of the higher series in the second release position thereof to the other of the two product holders 3 of the lower series of the multiple series. The control unit is arranged for sorting the product 2 by controlling actuators 5 such that the product 2 is repetitively transferred, under the influence of at least gravity, from a product holder 3 of a respective higher series of the multiple series to a product holder 3 of a respective lower series of the multiple series. In an embodiment, the lower series is provided directly below the higher series.

[0055] Each of the product holders 3 is elongate, extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row. Each of the product holders 3 has a concave cross section, at least in the present example a V-shaped cross section (see also cross section of figure 6A), forming two opposite sides 7a, 7b which, in the holding position, are directed obliquely upward in opposite directions. The opposite sides are formed by plates. Such gutter-like product holders may be of simple construction though they can effectively hold and release products. Such concave cross sections allow for a very compact design with only a small distance between series. In the first and in the second release position, one of the opposite sides 7a, 7b of the concave cross section is directed downwards. This provides for an easy release of the product during sorting. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a product holder 12 having a curved bottom 13 causing the product holder 12 to also have a concave cross section.

[0056] The product holders 3 of the multiple series are arranged according to a pattern such that each of the product holders 3 of a lower series is centred halfway between two product holders 3 of the series directly above it. Seen in vertical cross-section, product holders 3 of said higher series and of said lower series overlap in the holding positions thereof. This way, a product 2 may be very effectively and reliably transferred from a product holder 3 in a higher series to one of two product holders 3 in a lower series as described above.

[0057] The device 1 further comprises three product supply devices each in this example embodied as supply belts 21 (figure 2), arranged for supplying a product 2 to a product holder 3 of the highest series of the multiple series. The device 1 also comprises multiple product discharge devices 22, 23, each for receiving a product 2 from a respective product holder 3 of the lowermost series of the multiple series. Each of the discharge devices 22 comprises a combination of a chute 22a and a discharge conveyor belt 22b. Each chute 22a is arranged, seen in top view, between two adjacent product holders 3 of the lowermost series of the multiple series and as such arranged for receiving products 2 from each of those two product holders 3. Each chute 22a is further arranged for delivering products 2 to the discharge conveyor belt 22b at the end of the associated chute 22a.

[0058] Discharge device 23 is arranged as a single discharge conveyor belt which runs from left to right in figure 1 and passes centrally below the lowermost series of the multiple series and as such is arranged for receiving products 2 from product holders 3 arranged at least partly straight above the discharge conveyor belt 23 at two opposite sides of the circular endless row of product holders 3 of the lowermost series of the multiple series. Discharge conveyor belt 23 may receive products 2 which are of different orientation, for example since they extend in opposite directions Additionally, at least one discharge device, for instance similar to discharge devices 22, may connect at an intermediate level so as to discharge products 2 from product holders 3 of that intermediate level in the device. In figure 3 the chutes 24b of such discharge devices are shown. Each of those chutes 24b takes the position of a product holder 3 in said intermediate level and, seen in top view, is positioned between two adjacent product holders 3 of the series of the level directly above said intermediate level. Likewise, the device may comprise a supply device which connects at an intermediate level so as to supply products 2 to one or more product holders 3 of that intermediate level in the device. Such supply device may for instance comprise a chute which extends radially at the outside of a product holder 3 and is arranged for dropping from its end a product 2 in said product holder 3.

[0059] The number of series in the device 1 is more than half the number of product holders 3 of the series having the highest number of product holders 3. This means that a product 2 may move through at least 180 degrees in circumferential direction while moving downwards through the device 1 , thereby changing its longitudinal orientation by at least 180 degrees as well. This means that without any further manipulation of the product 2, a changed orientation may be obtained as a result of a predetermined routing of the product 2 through the device 1 .

[0060] In other examples, shown in figures 4 and 8, product holders 33; 43 of one or more of the lower series so series below the highest series, such as the lowest series, are larger than product holders of one or more of the higher series 34; 44. This way, it is possible to receive for example two products in one and the same such larger product holder 33; 43 from product holders 34; 44 which are arranged for (temporarily) holding only a single product. An overall design of the product holder preferably remains the same for all product holders in the device. That means, the larger product holders are simply scaled-up.

[0061] In the example of figure 8, a virtual diameter of such circular endless rows is larger for the lowermost series than for a higher series. This means that the device may for example have an overall truncated cone shape instead of a cylindrical shape. As a result, product holders 43 of such a lowermost series may be larger while still the number of product holders in that lowermost series remains the same.

[0062] In an embodiment which shows similarities with the embodiment of figure 8 the product holders 43, 44 are aligned above each other such that the inner ends of each of the product holders 43, 44 are in a view according to figure 8 aligned along a vertical line instead of according to a sloping line. Such embodiment could be more suitable for sorting relatively small products of which the product holders can hold for instance dozens (for instance in the case of small fish or chicken parts) to hundreds (for instance in the case of shrimps or anchovies) of such products and would reduce the risk of product falling outside a lower product holder when the product is transferred from a higher product holder. The outer ends of each of the product holders 43, 44, or at least of part of those product holders 43, 44, may be aligned along a sloping line such as shown in figure 8 which would mean that the size of at least some of the product holders 44 increases going downward in the device in question.

[0063] In an example of a method of sorting products such as food products, an abovedescribed device 1 is used. The method comprises: a) supplying a product 2 to a product holder 3 of a higher series of the multiple series; and then b) transferring, using the control unit controlling the actuator 5 of the product holder 3, the product 2 from the product holder 3 to a predetermined one of two accessible product holders 3 of a lower series of the multiple series; c) repeating step b) until the product 2 has been moved to a predetermined product holder 3 of a series of the multiple series from which the product 2 is to be discharged from the device 1 ; and then d) discharge the product 2 from said predetermined product holder 3 of step c.

[0064] During the execution of step b), the predetermined one of the two product holders 3 may thus be determined in dependence of a desired routing of the product 2 from said product holder 3 to which the product 2 is supplied during step a) to said predetermined product holder 3 of step c) from which the product 2 is to be discharged. For the purpose of steps a and b, exactly one product 2 is supplied to the product holder 3 of the higher series and is transferred from said product holder 3 to said one of two accessible product holders 3 of the lower series. According to an alternative method it may also be that more than one product, for instance dozens or hundreds, are transferred from a product holder to said one of two accessible product holders 3 of the lower series.

[0065] In an example, for the purpose of performing a processing action on a product 2, the product 2 is removed from a product holder 3, preferably in a series not being the lowermost series, it is then processed, after which it is placed back into the same product holder 3 or into a product holder 3 of a series at a lower or higher height level. For example, a product 2 may be taken out, be subjected to some cutting action, for example, and be placed back in the same or another holder 3.

[0066] A routing of a product 2 through product holders 3 of series of the multiple series during execution of steps b and c is selected for the purpose of sorting of the product 2 by a parameter thereof such as size, weight and / or quality.

[0067] In an example, a routing of a product 2 through product holders 3 of series of the multiple series during execution of steps b and c, for the purpose of obtaining an absolute orientation of the product 2 on said predetermined product holder of step c), is selected such that the absolute orientation of the product 2 is changed as a result of the product being transferred in circumferential direction through successive series in a downward direction. As already explained above, in this manner a product 2 may be reoriented over 180 degrees, for example.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for sorting products such as food products, the device comprising: multiple series of multiple individual product holders, wherein the multiple product holders of each of the multiple series are positioned next to each other in a row, wherein the multiple series are provided at different respective height levels above each other, and wherein each product holder is arranged for holding one or more of the products, at least one product supply device, arranged for supplying a product to a product holder, multiple product discharge devices, each for receiving a product from a respective product holder of a series of the multiple series provided at a height level below the series comprising the product holder to which the at least one product supply device is arranged for supplying the product, respective actuators for actuating product holders between at least a first release position and a second release position, and a control unit configured for controlling, during said use, the actuator of a product holder of a higher series of the multiple series in such a manner that the product holder takes the first or the second release position so that the product is transferred from said product holder of the higher series in the first release position thereof to one of two product holders of a lower series of the multiple series and so that the product is transferred from said product holder of the higher series in the second release position thereof to the other of the two product holders of the lower series of the multiple series , wherein the control unit is arranged for sorting the product by controlling actuators such that the product is repetitively transferred, under the influence of at least gravity, from a product holder of a respective higher series of the multiple series to a product holder of a respective lower series of the multiple series.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator of each product holder of each said higher series of the multiple series is arranged to individually tiltthe product holder, about a tilt axis extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row, between a holding position for holding the product on the product holder, the first release position and the second release position, the holding position being between the first release position and the second release position.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least half of the number of rows, and preferably all of the rows, are endless and curved over the entire length thereof, and preferably wherein they each form a circular endless row.

4. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the product holders has a shape which, seen in top view, tapers.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the product holders is elongate, extending transverse to a direction of extension of the row, preferably wherein each of the product holders has a concave cross section, forming two opposite sides directed obliquely upward in opposite directions, preferably wherein the opposite sides are formed by plates and / or by a number of fingers defining a plane.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, in the first or the second release position, one of the opposite sides of the concave cross section is directed downwards.

7. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the highest series of the multiple series has the same or more product holders than any other of the multiple series, preferably wherein at least half of the series, further preferably all series of multiple individual product holders have the same number of product holders.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of series in the device is equal to at least half the number of product holders of the series having the highest number of product holders.

9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product holders of the multiple series are arranged according to a pattern such that each of the product holders of a lower series is centred halfway between two product holders of the series directly above it, preferably wherein, seen in vertical cross-section, product holders of said higher series and of said lower series overlap in the holding positions thereof.

10. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple product discharge devices comprise at least two product discharge devices arranged for receiving a product from a product holder of a lowermost series of the multiple series.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein product holders of one or more of said lower series, such as the lowest series, are larger than product holders of one or more of said higher series.

12. A method of sorting products such as food products, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: a) supplying a product to a product holder of a higher series of the multiple series; and then b) transferring, using the control unit controlling the actuator of the product holder, the product from the product holder to a predetermined one of two accessible product holders of a lower series of the multiple series; c) repeating step b) until the product has been moved to a predetermined product holder of a series of the multiple series from which the product is to be discharged from the device; and then d) discharge the product from said predetermined product holder of step c.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, for the purpose of steps a and b, exactly one product is supplied to the product holder of the higher series and is transferred from said product holder to said one of two accessible product holders of the lower series.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, for the purpose of performing a processing action on a product, the product is removed from a product holder, it is then processed, after which it is placed back into the same product holder or into a product holder of a series at a lower height level.

15. The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein a routing of a product through product holders of series of the multiple series during execution of steps b and c is selected for the purpose of sorting of the product by a parameter thereof such as size, weight and / or quality.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein a routing of a product through product holders of series of the multiple series during execution of steps b and c, for the purpose of obtaining an absolute orientation of the product on said predetermined product holder of step c), is selected such that the absolute orientation of the product is changed as a result of the product being transferred in circumferential direction through successive series in a downward direction.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding method claims, comprising after step b) the step of keeping the product in the predetermined one of two accessible product holders for a predetermined amount of time and another product overtaking the product during the predetermined amount of time.

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