Machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic

Abstract

A machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1), comprising a motorized belt conveyor (2) with a frame (3), which integrates drums (drive and return) (4) and belts (6) driven by an electric motor (5) with a frequency inverter, characterized in that the present invention (1), at the beginning of its travel, is provided with a vibrating tray (23) that feeds garlic to an intake structure (11), which regulates the flow and positions the garlic during its passage in the space between two belts (6) to direct it towards the air knife (12), equipped with a centrifugal compressor-blower (13). The aforementioned air knife (12) generates localized air pressure that pushes the stem downwards in the space between two of the belts (6), positioning it vertically and thus the entire structure of the garlic, which then travels towards the root cutting device (17) installed on the upper part of the motorized belt conveyor (2). This device is capable, by means of the motor (18) that drives the blade (19), of cutting the garlic root, which is then moved, held in the space between two belts (6), towards the stem-cutting device (20), which comprises an electric motor (21) capable of driving blades (22) with a reciprocating motion.

Description

Machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic Object of the invention The present invention relates to a machine that, by means of a plurality of mechanisms installed on a motorized belt conveyor, is capable of handling garlic, cutting its stem and root in order to achieve a suitable commercial presentation. The present invention is also useful for other bulbs. Background of the invention. The task of handling garlic—cutting the stem to the appropriate length and cleaning the root—is usually carried out in the field, in the plot, after harvesting and after the garlic has been left outdoors for 4 to 10 days to dry or cure. This cleaning is typically done by a worker using specialized scissors. Handling garlic manually is hard and expensive work, which is why a variety of machines have been developed to perform this task. This method is known in the prior art, and several devices are commercially available for cleaning garlic by cutting the stem and root on an industrial scale, allowing for optimal handling for packaging and distribution. One such machine consists of a set of horizontally arranged blades inside a housing, where an operator inserts a garlic head positioned so that the two blades cut the stem on one side and the root on the other. This method is slow and lacks precision. Another innovation incorporates a complex apparatus where an operator feeds garlic, stem-side down, onto a screw conveyor. The garlic then passes through a series of mechanisms and blades that cut the stem and root. However, this innovation requires a very complex structure to operate. Regarding the state of the art, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of existing machines, with fast, safe, simple and economical operation, and can be scaled on demand, by means of a motorized belt conveyor that receives the garlic repeatedly, and through the intervention of a plurality of mechanisms allows it to be placed in a position that allows it to be manipulated to cut its root and stem continuously and precisely, depositing the already cleaned garlic into a container. Description of the invention The machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic that constitutes the object of the invention is determined from a motorized belt conveyor and specific mechanisms installed on it to handle the garlic. The motorized belt conveyor is integrated by a frame with its own elements and its respective drive and return drums, which move belts by means of an electric motor with frequency variator, which drives the aforementioned drive drum at a controlled speed. The motorized belt conveyor includes, for its efficient operation, a belt tensioner and cleaner that provides the appropriate tension and cleaning of the aforementioned belts. The bands of the present invention are arranged between the drive drum and the return drum at a width that allows them to hold the garlic head or bulb, while still permitting the downward movement of the stem by pushing without causing the bulb to fall. This feature enables the present invention to position the garlic vertically for subsequent handling. The size of the garlic stem and root cutting machine can be adjusted to suit its intended use. Similarly, the characteristics of the drive and return drums allow for adjusting the distance between the belts (PVC, polyurethane, etc.) to properly secure the garlic according to its size, from 35 to 70 mm. The belts are made of a non-slip material that increases the stability of the garlic during handling. In one embodiment, the bands incorporate reliefs in their structure in the area in contact with the garlic head to increase its grip. The motorized belt conveyor includes at the beginning of its path a vibrating tray, where the operator repeatedly places the garlic. The vibrating tray feeds the intake structure, doses and breaks up the stack of garlic, which then fits into the gap between each of the belts, held by the width of the space, which is less than the size of the garlic. The vibrating tray has channels or guides in its structure that facilitate the orientation of the garlic as it falls towards the intake structure. The garlic, held in place between the belts, moves towards an air blade that propels it at high pressure. Using air supplied by a centrifugal compressor-blower, the air pressure displaces the stem between two belts, rotating the garlic head 90 degrees and positioning it vertically. This allows it to be moved in this orientation, with the root at the top and the stem at the bottom, between the belts. The movement of the motorized conveyor belt allows it to pass to the next handling element, the root-cutting device, along the underside of which each clove moves. In one embodiment, the garlic is positioned vertically in the space between bands by means of push arms equipped with an electric motor and a sensor that identify the passage of the garlic to immediately push the stem into the gap between each two bands and thus achieve a position with the root at the top and the stem at the bottom. Positioned vertically between the two belts, the garlic is moved towards the root-cutting device located at the top. This root-cutting device operates independently for each clove of garlic passing through the space between the belts, allowing it to adjust to different bulb sizes and make the appropriate cut. The device comprises a root-cutting unit, an electric motor with a blade or other cutting element that removes the root, and a flexible structure that adjusts the cut to the size of the garlic bulb. The garlic root falls by gravity into a container or onto the ground. In one embodiment, the root cutting device is a blade along the entire width of the bands. Once the root has been cut, the garlic clove, located between two conveyor belts, moves toward the stem-cutting device at the bottom of the belt. This stem-cutting device consists of two sharp blades which, through a reciprocating motion powered by an electric motor similar to that used in hedge trimmers, cut the stem at the pre-set distance from the garlic bulb. The stem-cutting device is capable of adjusting its cutting distance by adjusting its height. In another embodiment, the stem cutting device consists of a plurality of blades or a cutting roller which, driven by an electric motor, performs the function of finishing cleaning the garlic for its proper presentation. The control panel comprising the present invention allows adjustment of the speed or flow rate of the garlic entering through the intake structure, or the automatic stop in case of any malfunction. These adjustments can also be managed by means of a control pedal, easily accessible to the operator of the garlic stem and root cutting machine. A weight sensor container located at the end of the garlic stem and root cutting machine collects the cleaned garlic, which falls repeatedly and reports the weight. With this described arrangement of the invention, garlic can be manipulated for a precise and rapid cutting of the root and stem using a reliable machine comprising a plurality of safe and economical mechanisms. The features of the present invention allow its use in the same plot where the garlic was harvested, powered by a generator or any other source, such as a tractor, photovoltaic panels, etc., increasing its versatility and efficiency. Description of the drawings To facilitate a detailed understanding of the description, it is accompanied by a figure with an illustrative character and not limiting the invention. Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of the garlic stem and root cutting machine. Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the garlic stem and root cutting machine. Figure 3 shows the push arms with the motor and sensor in a side elevation view. Figure 4 shows the side elevation of the root cutting device. Figure 5 shows the side elevation of the stem cutting device. Preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figures, the machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1) consists of a motorized belt conveyor (2) comprising a frame (3) with drums (drive, return) (4) which, driven by an electric motor (5) equipped with a frequency converter, move belts (6). The aforementioned belts (6) are spaced apart to hold the garlic head, preventing it from falling and allowing it to move along the present invention (1) for handling. A tensioner (7) and cleaner (8) allow for proper tensioning and cleaning of the bands (6). In one arrangement, the aforementioned bands can be adjusted to different distances to accommodate the various sizes of garlic depending on the variety, in order to ensure proper fixation in the space between two bands (6) of the bulb. At the beginning of the present invention (1), a vibrating tray (23) is located where an operator feeds and doses the garlic that slides towards the garlic intake structure (11) which is capable of regulating the appropriate flow of garlic that will subsequently be moved for handling through the machine for cutting the stem and root of the garlic (1). The garlic moves held in the space between two bands to the air blade (12) which, through the air provided by the centrifugal compressor-blower (13), allows a localized sheet of air to be projected at high pressure, thereby pushing the garlic stem into the space between two bands (6) and acquiring a vertical position with the stem downwards, the garlic head or bulb held by both bands (6) and the root at the top. In one embodiment, the mechanism that positions the garlic in a vertical position, in the space between two bands, consists of a push arm (14) that, moved by an electric motor (15), pushes the garlic stem downwards when a sensor (16) detects it, positioning it vertically. This configuration of the garlic in a vertical position and held between the two belts (6), moving along the motorized belt conveyor (2), allows its handling by means of the root cutting device (17) located at the top of the belts (6), which by means of blades (19) driven by an electric motor (18), cleans the garlic root, which falls through the space between the belts (6). Finally, the garlic, cleaned of the root, travels through the motorized belt conveyor (2) towards the stem cutting device (20) located at the bottom of the belts (6), which, through the blades (22) and the electric motor (21) that provides a reciprocating motion, cuts the stem of the garlic, completing its proper handling and preparation. In one embodiment, the stem cutting is performed by a blade located at the bottom of the bands (6) and rotating along the width of the frame (3). The garlic, now cleaned of the root and stem, falls to the end of the motorized belt conveyor (2) into the collection container with weight sensor (24). The control panel (9) comprising the present invention (1) allows for the management of speed, flow rate, and shutdown in the event of any anomaly detected during operation. The control pedal (10) enables the operator to have accessible and practical control of the machine's functions for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1). Reference list 1.- Machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic. 2.- Motorized belt conveyor. 3.- Frame. 4.- Drums (drive and return) . 5.- Electric motor. 6.- Bands. 7.- Tensioner. 8. Cleaner. 9.- Control panel. 10.- Control pedal. 11.- Admission structure. 12.- Air blade. 13.- Centrifugal compressor-blower. 14.- Pushing arms. 15.- Electric motor 16.- Sensor. 17.- Root cutting device. 18.- Electric motor. 19.- Blades. 20.- Stem cutting device. 21.- Electric motor. 22.- Blades. 23.- Vibrating tray. 24.- Collection container with weight sensor.

Claims

1. A machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1), comprising a motorized belt conveyor (2) with a frame (3), which integrates drums (drive and return) (4) and belts (6) driven by an electric motor (5) with a frequency inverter, characterized in that the present invention (1), at the beginning of its travel, is provided with a vibrating tray (23) that feeds garlic to an intake structure (11), which regulates the flow and positions the garlic during its passage in the space between two belts (6) to direct it towards the air knife (12), equipped with a centrifugal compressor-blower (13). The aforementioned air knife (12) generates localized air pressure that pushes the stem downwards in the space between two of the belts (6), positioning it vertically and thus the entire structure of the garlic, which then travels towards the root cutting device (17) installed on the upper part of the motorized belt conveyor (2).This device is capable, by means of the motor (18) that drives the blade (19), of cutting the garlic root, which is then moved, held in the space between two belts (6), towards the stem-cutting device (20), which comprises an electric motor (21) capable of driving blades (22) with a reciprocating motion.

2. Garlic stem and root cutting machine (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises pushing arms (14) which, driven by an electric motor (15), when a sensor (16) detects the passage of the garlic, push the stem through the space between the belts (6) so that the garlic assumes a vertical position.

3. Garlic stem and root cutting machine (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tensioner (7) and a cleaner (3) that provides tension and cleaning to the belts (6). 4.A machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a control panel (9) that allows the management of the functions and stopping of the present invention (1). A control pedal (10) facilitates the operator's control of the different operations.

5. A machine for cutting the stem and root of garlic (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a collection container with a weight sensor (24) at the end of the stroke.