Table and associated machine for turning oyster bags

Abstract

Oyster bag table (P) comprising feet (6, 7) with overlapping legs and a platform (10, 20) characterized in that the platform (10, 20) consists of two levels, an upper level (H, 10, 20) supported by longitudinal crossbeams and a lower level (B, 10, 20) supported by lateral crossbeams, the separation of a lower level from an upper level being achieved by raising the longitudinal crossbeams (20) by means of raising means (70) which are a brace made by means of a series of vertical bars which rest on transverse bars (10), flaps (28) lock the bags in the closed position, and are held hanging vertically by downward pulls (21) in the flap open position. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Table and associated machine for turning oyster bags

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved pocket table, known as a two-tier apron table, and its associated machine for automated turning of pockets as they pass through a turning machine.

[0002] The present invention relates particularly to the turning of oyster bags.

[0003] Oysters are raised at sea or in tanks for several years. During this rearing period, the oysters are stored in bags. The bags are placed on rearing tables. Various systems are known for securing the bags to these rearing tables to withstand the different forces exerted by water movement, currents, tides, waves, and wind. For example, patent FR2937834 describes a system of flap bars. This system is excellent for ensuring the bars remain securely in place, but it presents a difficulty for the operator during a particular stage of the rearing process: turning the bag. For proper oyster development, the bags must be turned regularly. Currently, this solution is laborious and difficult for the operator, who has poor access to the bag for turning when the flaps are in the lowered position.The invention therefore aims to exploit this system of folding bars described in FR2937834 by improving the table and associating it with a dedicated machine that also allows for easy automated turning.

[0004] There is currently no automated solution to allow the bags to be turned over by a machine

[0005] There is currently no folding table designed and adapted to allow easy exchange by an operator with easy access to pockets.

[0006] The invention therefore aims to provide a complete solution for turning oyster bags on oyster tables. This solution comprises a special table associated with a special machine.

[0007] A main object of the invention is to propose a functional solution that meets the economic profitability criteria for oyster farmers.

[0008] One object of the invention is to propose a solution that is solid, durable and of high quality.

[0009] One object of the invention is to propose a solution which facilitates the work of oyster farmers while improving the quality of oyster farming by increasing the turning cycle.

[0010] In a principal aspect, the invention proposes a so-called double-tiered table which allows maintaining the oyster bags on the second floor while lowering the overhang to prevent the flaps from overhanging when changing bags.

[0011] In one aspect, the invention proposes an automated bag turning machine which is a device whose wheels roll on either side of the tables and whose chassis rolls above the tables with bag turning means attached to the chassis which advance longitudinally in a row of tables and which pass for each table between the first table level and the second table level.

[0012] The invention will be better understood by reading the accompanying figures in which

[0013] [Fig.1] represents, according to the prior art, a table with its pocket in side view in longitudinal section.

[0014] [Fig.2] represents, according to the prior art, a table with its pocket in side view.

[0015] [Fig.3] represents, according to the prior art, a table with its pocket in top view.

[0016] I[Fig.4]] represents, according to the invention, a double-tiered table with its pocket in view side view in longitudinal section.

[0017] [Fig. 5] represents, according to the invention, a double-tiered table with its pocket in view perspective.

[0018] [Fig.6] represents, according to the invention, in top view, a row of double tables floor with the advance of the turning machine.

[0019] [Fig.7] represents, according to the invention, in side view, a double-tiered table with the advance of the turning machine.

[0020] [Fig.8] represents, according to the invention, a turning cycle of a pocket by the turning machine.

[0021] [Fig. 1] represents a table with its pocket in a side view, shown in longitudinal section according to the prior art. The table comprises an apron (10, 20) and legs (6, 7). The apron (10, 20) is formed by welding longitudinal bars (20) and lateral bars (10) perpendicular to the longitudinal bars. Typically, a table apron consists of at least two lateral bars (10) at each end of the table, possibly, depending on the length of the apron, additional lateral bars (10) supporting the two end lateral bars (10), and three longitudinal bars (20), namely one on the first side of the apron, one in the center of the apron, and one on the second side of the apron. To provide a stable base for the table, the table legs (6, 7) are not vertical as on a traditional coffee table, but have a base with a seat that extends laterally.Typically, the overhang of each leg on each side of the table is approximately equal to the width of the tabletop. The height of the tabletop is also roughly equal to its width. This height corresponds approximately to hip height. These dimensions are approximate and depend on the placement of the legs. Tables are important because, depending on the location, currents, tides, and winds vary in strength. The challenge for a table is to provide excellent stability that will withstand currents, tides, and winds, ensuring the table won't tip over or shift under the forces of nature. To achieve this stability, the legs (6, 7) are typically made from a single bar, with a horizontal base segment (7) and a support segment (6) that has an offset angle to create the table's footprint. This offset angle is around 60°. To ensure consistency in defining the offset angle, which will be used later, a traditional table leg has an offset angle of 90°.In a preferred version, at each longitudinal end of the table, the two legs (6, 7) and the apron crossbar are actually segments of a single bar that has been bent into several segments, successively forming the following segments: a first table leg, a side bar, and a second table leg. A bag full of oysters (P) is placed on the apron (10, 20) and, in addition to being held against the apron by its weight, is held in place by flap bars (28) which exert their own weight on the bag and are further secured by pins in the bag (P). The figure shows, on the right, a flap bar in the bag-holding position (P), and on the left, a flap bar in the open position. It is clear how the flap bar (28) is held in place by fasteners (21), which can be pins or elastic bands, connecting the flap bar (28) to the outer longitudinal crossbar (20) of the apron (20, 10).These return links (21) are designed to simplify the operator's work by making the folding bar easily accessible and maneuverable. The problem, as we can see, is that this folding bar has a defect that is particularly noticeable at knee level, as it is offset from the table by the angle of the base, making it difficult to handle since the operator cannot get close to the table. The invention therefore aims to facilitate the operator's work if they need to manually operate the folding bar (28) by allowing them to get as close as possible to the edge of the table.

[0022] [Fig.2] represents, according to the prior art, a table with its pocket in side view with the position of the drop bar (28) substantially at knee level and that of the table apron at hip height.

[0023] [Fig.3] represents, according to the prior art, a table with its pocket in top view with the overhang of the feet which extends beyond the width of the apron (10, 20).

[0024] I[Fig.4]] represents, according to the invention, a double-tiered table with its pocket in view side view in longitudinal section. According to the invention, the deck (10,20) is currently made up of two levels, namely an upper level (H, 10, 20) formed by the longitudinal crossbeams and a lower level (B, 10, 20) formed by the lateral crossbeams. The lower level is positioned at mid-height of the upper deck. The separation from one level to the other This is achieved by raising the longitudinal crossbeams using lifting means (70). The lifting means (70) are a spacer made with a series of vertical bars. It appears that the folding bar, in its rest position, falls halfway to the level of the lower apron (B). The feet according to the invention support the lower apron (B, 10, 20), which means that the folding bar is no longer offset from the edge of the table by the overhang that would prevent it from remaining vertical on its support. It thus becomes clear how, in this version, the operator is no longer hindered from approaching the table and its apron to get close enough to sit with their pelvis.

[0025] [Fig. 5] represents, according to the invention, a double-tiered table with its pocket in view Perspective. It becomes clear how the raising of the longitudinal crossbeams by vertical braces leaves a free longitudinal passage between two braces, called the under-pocket access passage (100), located between the upper and lower decks and between the left and right lifting braces. This under-pocket access passage potentially allows a tool to move horizontally within this passage without encountering obstacles. It is the opening of this under-pocket access passage that enables the operation of an automated turning machine, which we will describe below. As shown in this figure, the presence of three braces to raise three transverse bars thus creates two longitudinal under-pocket access passages (100) which will allow the turning machine to automatically turn the pockets (P).

[0026] [Fig.6] represents, according to the invention, in top view, a row of tables according to The invention involves longitudinally aligned pouches placed on top of the turning machine, which has four wheels (200), two at the front and two at the rear, that pass on either side of the tables, outside the footprint of the legs. The machine's frame (210) is designed to pass over the table. Each of the machine's four wheels (200) is equipped with a motor, coordinated by a control unit, which prevents the wheels from hitting the tables. The frame (210), which holds the motors, follows the shape of the tables and passes over them. The turning machine has two different tools at the front. The first tool is a turning ramp (230), described later. The machine's movement is linear and follows the path of the tables. Each turning ramp (230) enters a sub-pouch picking passage (100).As the bags (P) pass through, they will turn these bags (P) over and place them back on the tables. A second tool is an opening key (220) for the flap bar (28). The machine includes an opening key (220) on its right and another on its left, positioned in line with the flap bar (28) locking mechanism. Passing the opening key (220) activates the unlocking of the flap bar (28), causing it to rotate 180°. This unlocking is achieved by mechanical means. mechanical mechanisms in cooperation with the locking method. Simple means are envisaged with a set of ramps which, by the forward movement of the machine, transforms a translation of the machine into a half-turn of the bar by pressing on the end of the flap bar, and other more elaborate ones with computer-controlled electromechanical means are possible which may be the subject of a patent application in the future.

[0027] [Fig.7] represents according to the invention, in side view, a double-deck table with the advance of the turning machine, it appears how in the trajectory of the machine are successively from top to bottom from the ground (S), the lower deck (B) of the apron, then the pocket turning ramps (230), then the upper deck, then the pocket (P), then in the closed position the flap bar (28) and at the same altitude the opening key (220) of the flap bar.

[0028] [Fig. 8] represents, according to the invention, a turning cycle of a pouch by the turning machine, with I - opening of the flap bar. II - gripping of the pouch (P) which is conveyed onto the turning ramp. III - turning of the pouch. IV - descent of the pouch which is conveyed onto the lower apron of the table. V - closing of the flap bar by reversing the function of the opening means used in step 1.

[0029] It is evident that outside the scope of the present, other equivalent means which are not described here but which correspond to the same family of inventive solutions may be deployed to address the problem posed by the invention, which is to find easy human or mechanical means to turn the bags over on a hinged oyster table.

[0030] The present invention therefore relates to an oyster bag table (P) comprising feet (6,7) with overlapping feet and an apron (10, 20), the bags (P) are placed on the apron (10, 20) characterized in that the apron (10,20) consists of two levels, an upper level (H, 10, 20) supported by longitudinal crossbeams and a lower level (B, 10, 20) supported by lateral crossbeams, the separation of a lower level from an upper level being achieved by raising longitudinal crossbeams (20) by means of raising means (70) which are a spacer made by means of a series of vertical bars which rest on transverse bars (10).

[0031] The present invention therefore relates to an oyster bag table (P) characterized in that flaps (28) block the bags (P) in the closed position, and are held hanging vertically above the lower tier (B 10, 20) by downward pulls (21) in the flap opening position.

[0032] The present invention therefore relates to an oyster bag table (P) characterized in that the feet (6,7) support the lower tier (B, 10, 20) of the apron, and that when placed on the ground, the overhang of the feet does not exceed the height of the lower tier (B, 10, 20).

[0033] A table-turning machine for pocket tables (P) characterized in that it comprises four wheels (200), two at the front and two at the rear, which pass on either side of the tables aligned longitudinally outside the footprint of the legs (6, 7). The movement of the turning machine is linear thanks to these wheels. The machine frame (210) passes over the table. The turning machine has a set of turning ramps (230) at the front. Each turning ramp (230) enters a pocket-gripping passage (100) formed by the space between the upper and lower aprons and between the left and right lifting braces. As the pockets (P) pass over the table, the turning ramps (230) turn the pockets (P) over to place them on the lower aprons (B, 10, 20).

[0034] Pocket table turning machine (P) characterized in that the turning machine includes at the front an opening key (220) on its right and another on its left positioned in the line of the flap bar locking (28), when the turning machine passes, the opening key (230) activates the unlocking of the flap bar (28), and makes it perform a half turn of 180°.

Claims

Demands

1. Oyster bag table (P) comprising feet (6, 7) with overlapping legs and a platform (10, 20), the bags (P) being placed on the platform (10, 20), characterized in that the platform (10, 20) consists of two tiers, an upper tier (H, 10, 20) supported by longitudinal crossbeams and a lower tier (B, 10, 20) supported by lateral crossbeams, the feet (6, 7) supporting the lower tier (B, 10, 20) of the platform, from the ground contact of the feet the lower tier (B, 10, 20) is positioned at mid-height of the height of the upper platform (H), the overhang of the feet on the ground does not exceed the height of the lower tier (B, 10, 20), the separation of a lower tier (B) from an upper tier (H) is achieved by a raised section longitudinal crossbeams (20) by means of raising (70) which are a crossbeam by means of a series of vertical bars which rest on transverse bars (10).

2. Pocket table (P) according to claim 1 characterized in that flaps (28) lock the pockets (P) in the closed position, and are held hanging vertically above the lower shelf (B 10, 20) by downward pulls (21) in the flap opening position.

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