A sorting table for elements comprising a sorting surface with at least one inclined portion

Abstract

Sorting table (1) for a mixture comprising items to be sorted and waste, the sorting table (1) comprising a sorting surface (2) extending longitudinally between a mixture inlet (3) and a waste outlet (4), the sorting surface (2) being formed of rollers (5) parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement (6) of the mixture on the sorting surface (2) from the mixture inlet (3) to the waste outlet (4), each roller (5) being motorized in rotation about an axis of rotation (7), the sorting being carried out by at least one gap (8) provided between two rollers (5), an inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) formed by at least three rollers (5) is sloping downwards from the mixture inlet (3) to the waste outlet (4). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Sorting table for elements comprising a sorting surface with at least one inclined portion

[0001] The present invention relates to the agri-food field. The invention relates to a sorting table for a mixture comprising items to be sorted and waste.

[0002] It relates, in particular, to a sorting table for a mixture comprising elements to be sorted and waste, the sorting table comprising a sorting surface extending longitudinally between an inlet of the mixture and an outlet for the waste disposal, the sorting surface being formed of rollers parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement of the mixture on the sorting surface from the inlet of the mixture towards the outlet, each roller being motorized in rotation around an axis of rotation, the sorting being carried out by at least one space provided between two rollers.

[0003] It should be noted that by "items to be sorted" we mean the part of the mixture intended to pass between the rollers and by "waste" we mean the part of the mixture intended to be separated from the items to be sorted.

[0004] After harvesting fruit, such as grapes, it is essential to sort the fruit to remove potential waste, such as plant matter, small animals, or other objects. Indeed, the presence of this waste can impair the quality of finished products, such as beverages, by introducing undesirable tastes that are difficult to correct.

[0005] In addition, this waste can cause malfunctions or breakdowns in the treatment equipment.

[0006] To perform this sorting, WO2018 / 8078229 is aware of using a sorting table consisting of a series of rollers installed parallel to each other, motorized in rotation, with the crop moving along an axis perpendicular to that of the rollers. The first rollers constitute an arrival zone for the crop to be processed, allowing it to be distributed across the usable width of the machine. The following rollers constitute a sorting zone and are shaped to allow the fruit to pass between the rollers and the waste to flow over the rollers as it passes from one to the next.

[0007] The shape of the rollers in the sorting zone is designed so that each roller fits into the preceding and following one. A channel is thus formed to ensure that long objects or objects with a shape too far removed from that of a fruit, in particular a grape, are oriented in the direction of travel and continue their trajectory until they exit the device.

[0008] The larger the volume of the harvest to be processed, the more rollers the sorting area must include, in order to ensure a ratio between the collected fruit and the fruit Acceptable sorting. However, the greater the number of rollers in the sorting area, the more the sorting quality degrades, as waste has more opportunities to pass into the channels dedicated to fruit between the rollers in the sorting area.

[0009] In addition, a significant amount of waste passes through the channels dedicated to fruit between the rollers at the junction between the arrival area and the sorting area.

[0010] There is a need to improve the sorting tables to have better separation between fruit and waste.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a sorting table for a mixture comprising elements to be sorted and waste, the sorting table comprising a sorting surface extending longitudinally between an inlet of the mixture and an outlet for the waste disposal, the sorting surface being formed of rollers parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement of the mixture on the sorting surface from the inlet of the mixture towards the outlet, each roller being motorized in rotation around an axis of rotation, the sorting being carried out by at least one space provided between two rollers, characterized in that at least a portion of the sorting surface is an inclined portion formed by at least three rollers, said inclined portion being on a downward slope from the inlet of the mixture towards the outlet for the waste disposal.

[0012] Thanks to the inclined portion of the sorting surface, the contribution of the weight of the waste to the friction force exerted by the waste on the rollers is increased at the inclined portion. Thus, the friction force on the rollers of the inclined portion is increased, which promotes adhesion and smooth movement of the waste on the sorting surface and limits the risk of waste passing through at least one gap between the rollers.

[0013] [According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one inclined portion of the sorting surface forms an angle with the horizontal of between 5° and 60° in the state when the sorting table is placed on a horizontal flat surface.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sorting table includes a means for adjusting the slope of said at least one inclined portion of the sorting surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment means includes feet of the sorting table, at least one foot of the sorting table being of adjustable length.

[0016] [According to one embodiment of the invention, the sorting surface comprises a depositing zone and a sorting zone, the depositing zone being located between the inlet of the mixture and the sorting zone.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one inclined portion of the sorting surface comprises the deposit area and the sorting area.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deposit area extends horizontally when the sorting table is placed on a horizontal flat surface.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the rollers in the deposit zone is greater than the diameter of the rollers in the sorting zone, the sorting surface includes an intermediate roller between the deposit zone and the sorting zone, the diameter of the intermediate roller being between the diameter of the rollers in the deposit zone and the diameter of the rollers in the sorting zone, the inclined portion of the sorting surface being formed by the intermediate roller, a roller in the deposit zone adjacent to the intermediate roller and a roller in the sorting zone adjacent to the intermediate roller.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the slope of said at least one inclined portion of the sorting surface is constant.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the space or at least one of the spaces between two rollers is laterally delimited by radial collars mounted on said rollers, said collars delimiting between themselves the space or at least one of the spaces.

[0022] The deposit area can include between 2 and 10 rollers.

[0023] The sorting area can include between 3 and 20 rollers. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] schematically represents, in side view, an example of a sorting table according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.2] represents, in side view, in isolation, the sorting surface of the sorting table of the [Fig.l],

[0027] [Fig.3] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] illustrating an effect of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.4] represents, in side view, in isolation, a variant of a sorting surface of a sorting table according to the invention, and

[0029] [Fig.5] represents, in side view, in isolation, another surface variant of sorting of a sorting table according to the invention.

[0030] In the following description, identical elements or elements with identical functions bear the same reference numeral. For the sake of brevity, they are not described opposite each figure; only the differences between the embodiments are described.

[0031] In the figures, the actual proportions have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of a sorting table 1 according to the invention for sorting a mixture comprising items E to be sorted and waste D. This mixture may, in particular, be composed of fruit, for example grapes, and waste, for example Examples include rachis, pieces of rachis, leaves, leaf stems, small animals, staples, wire, vine pieces, or stakes. Alternatively, the mixture can include fruits of different sizes to be sorted.

[0033] The sorting table 1 includes a sorting surface 2 over which the mixture can flow. The sorting surface 2 extends longitudinally between a mixture inlet 3 and a discharge outlet 4.

[0034] By "sorting surface", we mean the average plane formed by the bearing surface of the top of the rollers.

[0035] The sorting surface 2 is formed of rollers 5 parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement 6 of the elements E on the sorting surface 2 from the inlet 3 of the mixture towards the outlet 4. Each roller 5 is motorized in rotation around an axis of rotation 7 and in the same direction of rotation.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the sorting surface 2 comprises a depositing zone 14 and a sorting zone 15, the depositing zone 14 being located between the inlet 3 of the mixture and the sorting zone 15.

[0037] The depositing zone 14 is, for example, formed of rollers 5 of identical diameter arranged close together so as to prevent the mixture from passing between the rollers 5 at this point. In this example, the depositing zone 14 extends horizontally when the sorting table 1 is in its resting position on a horizontal flat surface.

[0038] The sorting zone 15 is formed of rollers 5 whose diameter is less than the diameter of the rollers 5 of the depositing zone 14. The rollers 5 of the sorting zone 15 are spaced from each other, for example by the same distance, so as to provide spaces 8 calibrated to allow the passage of the items E to be sorted, while limiting that of the waste D.

[0039] The space or at least one of the spaces 8 provided between two rollers 5 is delimited laterally by radial collars 17 mounted on said rollers 5, said collars 17 delimiting between themselves the space or at least one of the spaces 8.

[0040] Once the items E to be sorted have passed through one of the spaces 8, they are collected in a container 20 under the sorting surface 2.

[0041] In this example, the sorting zone 15 is inclined in its entirety with respect to the depositing surface 14, forming an inclined portion 9 of the sorting surface 2 with a downward slope from the inlet 3 of the mixture towards the outlet 4.

[0042] The inclined portion 9 of the sorting surface 2 forms, for example, a constant angle 10 with the horizontal between 5° and 60° in the state where the sorting table 1 is placed on a horizontal flat surface.

[0043] The angle 10 of the inclined surface 9 can be adjusted by means of adjustment 11. The means of adjustment 11 is for example on feet 12 of the sorting table 1 whose length is adjustable.

[0044] Thanks to this inclined portion 9, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the weight FP of the waste D passing from one roller 5 to another will exert pressure on the next roller 5. This pressure generates a reaction force Fr of the roller 5, which contributes to increasing the friction force Ff of the roller 5 on the waste D. This friction force Ff, in combination with the rotation R of the roller 5, reduces the risk of the waste D passing into the gap 8.

[0045] Fig. 4 illustrates a variant arrangement of the sorting surface 2. In this variant, the depositing zone 14 is also inclined at the same angle 10 as the sorting zone 15. Thus, the inclined portion 9 extends over the entire sorting surface 2.

[0046] Figure 5 illustrates another variant. In this one, the rollers of the sorting surface 2 are aligned horizontally.

[0047] The sorting surface 2 includes an intermediate roller 16 between the depositing zone 14 and the sorting zone 15. This intermediate roller 16 has a diameter intermediate between the diameter of the rollers 5 of the depositing zone 14 and the rollers 5 of the sorting zone 15.

[0048] For example, the rollers 5 of the depositing zone 14 have a diameter of 47 mm, the rollers 5 of the sorting zone 15 have a diameter of 34 mm and the intermediate roller 16 has a diameter of 40.5 mm.

[0049] In particular, the diameter and position of the intermediate roller 16 are determined so as to form an inclined portion 9 of constant slope extending from the top of the deposit zone roller 5a 14 adjacent to the intermediate roller 16 to the top of the sorting zone roller 5b 15 adjacent to the intermediate roller 16, passing through the top of the intermediate roller 16.

[0050] This particular configuration makes it possible to improve the transition of waste D between the deposit area 14 and the sorting area 5, by directing the approach of waste D in the sorting area 2. This approach makes it possible, thanks to the increased friction of waste D due to its weight, to avoid sorting errors.

[0051] A space 21 is formed between the intermediate roller 16 and the roller 5a of the depositing area 14. This space is nevertheless sufficiently narrow to prevent the passage of the mixture to be sorted.

Claims

Demands

1. A sorting table (1) for a mixture comprising items to be sorted and waste, the sorting table (1) comprising a sorting surface (2) extending longitudinally between an inlet (3) of the mixture and a discharge outlet (4) of the waste, the sorting surface (2) being formed of rollers (5) parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement (6) of the mixture on the sorting surface (2) from the inlet (3) of the mixture towards the discharge outlet (4), each roller (5) being motorized in rotation about an axis of rotation (7), the sorting being carried out by at least one space (8) provided between two rollers (5), characterized in that the sorting surface (2) comprises a depositing zone (14) and a sorting zone (15), the depositing zone (14) being located between the inlet (3) of the mixture and the sorting zone (15), in that at least a portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) is an inclined portion formed by at least three rollers (5),said inclined portion being on a downward slope from the inlet (3) of the mixture towards the outlet (4) of the waste, in that the diameter of the rollers (5) of the deposit zone (14) is greater than the diameter of the rollers (5) of the sorting zone (15), and in that the sorting surface (2) includes an intermediate roller (16) between the deposit zone (14) and the sorting zone (15), the diameter of the intermediate roller (16) being between the diameter of the rollers (5) of the deposit zone (14) and the diameter of the rollers (5) of the sorting zone (15), the inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) being formed by the intermediate roller (16), a roller (5) of the deposit zone (14) adjacent to the intermediate roller (16) and a roller (5) of the sorting zone (15) adjacent to the intermediate roller (16).

2. Sorting table (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least an inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) forms an angle (10) with the horizontal of between 5° and 60° in the state where the sorting table (1) is placed on a horizontal flat surface.

3. Sorting table (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a means for adjusting (11) the slope of said at least an inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2).

4. Sorting table (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment means (11) comprises feet (12) of the table sorting (1), at least one foot (12) of the sorting table (1) being of adjustable length.

5. Sorting table (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) comprises the depositing area (14) and the sorting area (15).

6. Sorting table (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the depositing zone (14) extends horizontally in the placed state of the sorting table (1) on a horizontal flat surface.

7. Sorting table (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rollers 5 of the depositing zone 14 have a diameter of 47 mm, the rollers 5 of the sorting zone 15 have a diameter of 34 mm and the intermediate roller 16 has a diameter of 40.5 mm.

8. Sorting table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slope of said at least one inclined portion (9) of the sorting surface (2) is constant.

9. Sorting table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least one of the spaces (8) provided between two rollers (5) is delimited laterally by radial collars (17) mounted on said rollers (5), said collars (17) delimiting between themselves the or at least one of the spaces (8).