Pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and its separation method

Abstract

This invention includes a body, a lower securing portion, an upper slidable portion, a central driving portion, and a clamping driving portion. The body contains a base, a supporting frame and two sliding rods that are disposed between the base and the supporting frame. The lower securing portion is secured on the sliding rods and has a first conical portion and a first opening. The upper slidable portion is slidably secured on the sliding rods and has a second conical portion and second opening. The central driving portion is fixed on the supporting frame and has a central pushing rod that is able to push a stem guiding portion downwards among a top position, a second-top position and a low position. The clamping driving portion is fixed on the supporting frame and has one or more clamping rods for moving the upper slidable portion between a lift-up position and a push-down position. This invention has an excellent claiming effect for the leaves. It can guide a tilted stem into a correct position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and a separation method, and in particular to a pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and a separation method that have excellent leaf clamping effects and can straighten crooked stems. Prior Art

[0002] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a conventional pineapple plant stem and leaf separator (e.g., "Pineapple Plant Stem and Leaf Separator" in Republic of China Patent No. M665811) comprises a body 81 with a central workspace M. A first drive cylinder 82 (e.g., an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, ..., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.) is disposed above the workspace M, which is capable of pushing a pressure rod 821 downward from the top. Two horizontally movable second drive cylinders 83 (e.g., an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, ..., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.) are disposed on either side of the workspace M, which are capable of extending a roller 831 toward the center to clamp a plurality of leaf portions 912 of a workpiece 91. Furthermore, a circular tube 84 is disposed within the workspace M for inserting a stem portion 911 of the workpiece 91.

[0003] The operation is as follows: the stem portion 911 of the workpiece 91 is inserted into the circular tube 84; the two second driving cylinders 83 on both sides extend the rollers 831 respectively to clamp the plurality of blades 912; then the first driving cylinder 82 is activated to extend the pressing rod 821 to force the stem portion 911 of the workpiece 91 downward to pass through the circular tube 84. During the passing process, the circular tube 84 forces the plurality of blades 912 to separate from the stem portion 911, thereby achieving the purpose of separating the stem and leaves.

[0004] However, it has the following disadvantages:

[0005] [1] The rollers tend to slip when clamping the leaves. Since plants grow naturally, their stems and leaves have different shapes. Specifically, the diameter of each stem varies (the diameter of the tube is fixed, and a stem that is too thick may even get stuck in the tube), and the thickness and length of each leaf vary. Therefore, the traditional method of using rollers to clamp the leaves is not very effective.

[0006] [2] If the stem is tilted or misaligned when placed, it will not be able to be pushed down. Since the traditional method does not have a mechanism to correct the tilted or misaligned state of the stem to be completely aligned with the axis directly below the first drive cylinder, once the stem is tilted or misaligned when placed, it is easy to fail to push down.

[0007] In view of this, it is necessary to develop a technology that can solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of difficult to align pipe connections. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and method, which combine the advantages of effectively clamping the leaves and straightening tilted stems. Specifically, the present invention addresses the problems of rollers easily slipping when clamping leaves and failing to press down on tilted or misaligned stems.

[0009] The technical means to solve the above problems is to provide a pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and separation method, and the separation device includes:

[0010] A machine body having a bottom, a support frame, and a plurality of vertical slide bars; the plurality of vertical slide bars are interposed between the bottom and the support frame and are integrally connected to each other;

[0011] A lower fixing member is fixed between the plurality of vertical slide bars; a working height is defined between the lower fixing member and the bottom portion, and the lower fixing member has a first tapered portion and a first hole portion;

[0012] An upper sliding member is disposed between the plurality of vertical sliding rods and between the support frame and the lower fixed member; the upper sliding member has a second tapered portion, a second hole portion, and a plurality of sliding ears; the plurality of sliding ears are configured to allow the upper sliding member to slide between the plurality of vertical sliding rods;

[0013] A central driving member is mounted on the support frame, and the central driving member is provided with a central push rod and a stem guide element in the direction of the upper sliding member. The stem guide element is from the end of the central push rod toward the direction of the upper sliding member and has an inner concave space; and

[0014] At least one clamping drive member is mounted on the support frame, and the at least one clamping drive member is provided with a clamping push rod toward the upper sliding member, the clamping push rod fixes the upper sliding member and can control the lifting and lowering of the upper sliding member;

[0015] Wherein, the upper sliding member can be moved to a rising position and a falling position; and

[0016] The stem guide element can be moved to a highest position, a lower position and a lowest position.

[0017] The separation method includes the following steps in sequence:

[0018] An initial step;

[0019] A stem guiding step;

[0020] A blade portion clamping step;

[0021] a stem squeezing step; and

[0022] A regression step.

[0023] The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the selected embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The present invention is described in detail with reference to the following embodiments and accompanying drawings: Simple diagram description

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the device of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the first use process of the present invention.

[0027] FIG2B is a schematic diagram of the second use process of the present invention.

[0028] FIG2C is a schematic diagram of the third use process of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2D is a schematic diagram of the fourth usage process of the present invention.

[0030] FIG3A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG2A.

[0031] Figure 3B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 2B.

[0032] Figure 3C is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view (reference) of Figure 2D.

[0033] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the partial device of FIG. 1 .

[0034] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4A after the operation from another angle.

[0035] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the separation method of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a conventional device before stem and leaf separation.

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the conventional device after the stem and leaves are separated. Implementation Method

[0038] Referring to Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, and 3C, the present invention is a pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device and separation method. The separation device includes:

[0039] A machine body 10 has a bottom 11, a support frame 12 and a plurality of vertical slide bars 13. The plurality of vertical slide bars 13 are located between the bottom 11 and the support frame 12 and are connected to each other as a whole.

[0040] A lower fixing member 20 is fixed between the plurality of vertical slide bars 13 ; a working height L is defined between the lower fixing member 20 and the bottom 11 ; the lower fixing member 20 has a first conical portion 21 and a first hole portion 22 .

[0041] An upper sliding member 30 is disposed between the plurality of vertical sliding bars 13 and between the support frame 12 and the lower fixed member 20. The upper sliding member 30 has a second tapered portion 31, a second hole 32, and a plurality of sliding ears 33. The plurality of sliding ears 33 allow the upper sliding member 30 to be slidably disposed between the plurality of vertical sliding bars 13.

[0042] A central driving member 40 is mounted on the support frame 12. The central driving member 40 (such as an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, ..., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.) is provided with a central push rod 41 and a stem guide element 42 toward the upper sliding member 30. The stem guide element 42 extends from the end of the central push rod 41 toward the upper sliding member 30 and has a concave space 421 (or a concave semicircular space, a concave conical space).

[0043] At least one clamping drive component 50 is mounted on the support frame 12. The at least one clamping drive component 50 (such as an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, ..., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.) is provided with a clamping push rod 51 toward the direction of the upper sliding member 30. The clamping push rod 51 fixes the upper sliding member 30 and can control the lifting and lowering of the upper sliding member 30.

[0044] The upper sliding member 30 can be moved to an ascending position P1 and a descending position P2.

[0045] The stem guide element 42 can be moved to a highest position PA (see Figures 2A and 3A), a secondary high position PB (see Figures 2B, 2C and 3B) and a lowest position PC (see Figures 2D and 3C).

[0046] In practice, the first conical portion 21 and the second conical portion 31 are corresponding conical structures.

[0047] The stem guide element 42 may be a bowl-shaped shell (corresponding to the concave space 421 or a concave semicircular space).

[0048] 4A and 4B , the lower fixing member 20 may further include a blade upward guiding portion 23 .

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5 , regarding the separation method, the pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device is applicable. The separation method may include the following steps in sequence:

[0050] In an initial step S1, referring to Figures 2A and 3A, the upper slide 30 is located at the raised position P1, the stem guide element 42 is located at the highest position PA, and the separation device is used to place a workpiece 91 to be processed between the lower fixed member 20 and the upper slide 30. The workpiece 91 has a stem 911 and a plurality of blades 912, which are connected to each other. The stem 911 corresponds to (passes through) the first hole 22 and the second hole 32, and the plurality of blades 912 are distributed between the lower fixed member 20 and the upper slide 30.

[0051] In a stem guiding step S2, referring to Figures 2B and 3B, the upper slide 30 is still located at the raised position P1, and the central push rod 41 is extended a certain distance to move the stem guiding element 42 from the highest position PA to the second highest position PB. At this time, the stem 911 is against the concave space 421 and is guided.

[0052] In a blade portion clamping step S3, referring to FIG. 2C , the upper sliding member 30 moves downward from the ascending position P1 to the descending position P2, so that the upper sliding member 30 presses down the plurality of blade portions 912 and fixes them between the upper sliding member 30 and the lower fixing member 20.

[0053] In a stem squeezing-out step S4, referring to FIG. 2D (and FIG. 3C ), the stem guide element 42 is moved from the second highest position PB to the lowest position PC. At this time, the stem 911 is pushed downward and falls, and the plurality of blades 912 are separated from the stem 911.

[0054] More specifically, the first tapered portion 21 and the second tapered portion 31 are used to bend and clamp the plurality of blades 912. During the stem-extrusion step S4, the stem guide element 42 moves from the second-highest position PB to the lowest position PC, forcing the plurality of blades 912 to peel off from the stem 911 at the weak point between the stem and the leaves, causing the stem 911 to separate and fall downward.

[0055] In a return step S5, the upper slide 30 moves from the descending position P2 to the ascending position P1, and the stem guide element 42 returns from the lowest position PC to the highest position PA, completing a cycle.

[0056] 4A and 4B , the lower fixing member 20 may further include a blade upward guide portion 23 for guiding the plurality of blade portions 912 to bend upward and be clamped between the upper sliding member 30 , the lower fixing member 20 and the blade upward guide portion 23 , thereby significantly increasing the friction force of the clamping.

[0057] This case has the following two key points:

[0058] [a] Excellent clamping effect: It is known in the relevant industry that the multiple blades 912 of the workpiece 91 (such as a pineapple plant) are irregularly spread out and difficult to secure. This invention utilizes the large, annular shape of the upper sliding member 30 and the lower fixing member 20 to effectively clamp the multiple blades 912. The clamping is precise and stable, facilitating subsequent processing steps.

[0059] [b] Good guiding effect: This invention has a unique stem guiding element 42, which is a downward-facing bowl-shaped shell, so that the stem 911 can be guided (coaxial with the central driving member 40), thereby solving the problem of conventional stem skewness or deviation.

[0060] The advantages and effects of the present invention can be summarized as follows:

[0061] [1] The blades have an excellent clamping effect. The upper sliding member and the lower fixing member of this case are of a correspondingly large-area, annular structure, which can accurately and firmly clamp the irregularly diffused blades. Even during the step of squeezing out the stem, the blades hardly come off, which is beneficial for subsequent processing. Therefore, the blades have an excellent clamping effect.

[0062] [2] It can straighten the skewed stem. It is known in the industry that the stem of a pineapple plant is not linear in principle (it may be skewed or offset). This invention provides a unique stem straightening element. The element is a downward-facing bowl-shaped shell that covers the top of the stem and straightens it (coaxial with the central drive element). This solves the problem of skewed or offset stems in traditional methods and facilitates the stem extrusion process. Therefore, it can straighten the skewed stem.

[0063] The above is merely a detailed description of the present invention through preferred embodiments. Any simple modifications and changes made to the embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0064] 10, 81: Body 11: Bottom 12: Frame 13: Vertical slider 20: Lower fixing piece 21: First tapered portion 22: First hole 23: Blade upward guide 30: Upper sliding part 31: Second tapered portion 32: Second hole 33: Sliding ears 40: Central drive 41: Center putter 42: Stem guide element 421: Concave Space 50: Clamping drive 51: Clamping push rod 82: First drive cylinder 821:Press rod 83: Second drive cylinder 831: Roller 84: Round tube 91: Work 911: Stem 912: Blade M: Workspace L: Working height P1: rising position P2: descending position PA: Highest position PB: Second highest position PC: lowest position S1: Initial Step S2: Stem correction step S3: Blade clamping step S4: Stem Squeezing Step S5: Regression step

Claims

1. A pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device, comprising: A machine body having a bottom, a support frame, and a plurality of vertical slide bars; the plurality of vertical slide bars are interposed between the bottom and the support frame and are integrally connected to each other; a lower fixing member is fixed between the plurality of vertical slide bars; a working height is defined between the lower fixing member and the bottom, the lower fixing member having a first tapered portion and a first hole; an upper sliding member is disposed between the plurality of vertical slide bars and interposed between the support frame and the lower fixing member; the upper sliding member has a second tapered portion, a second hole, and a plurality of sliding ears; the plurality of sliding ears are provided between the plurality of vertical slide bars to allow the upper sliding member to slide; A central driving member is mounted on the support frame, and the central driving member is provided with a central push rod and a stem guiding element toward the direction of the upper sliding member, and the stem guiding element is from the end of the central push rod toward the direction of the upper sliding member and has an inner concave space; and at least one clamping driving member is mounted on the support frame, and the at least one clamping driving member is provided with a clamping push rod toward the direction of the upper sliding member, and the clamping push rod fixes the upper sliding member and can control the lifting and lowering of the upper sliding member; wherein, the upper sliding member can be moved to an ascending position and a descending position; and the stem guiding element can be moved to a highest position, a second highest position and a lowest position.

2. The pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device as described in claim 1, wherein: The first cone portion and the second cone portion are in corresponding cone structures.

3. The pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device as described in claim 1, wherein: The stem guide element is a bowl-shaped housing.

4. The pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device as described in claim 1, wherein: The lower fixing member further includes a blade upward guiding portion.

5. A method for separating pineapple plant stems and leaves, suitable for use with the pineapple plant stem and leaf separation device of claim 1, comprising the following steps: an initial step, wherein the upper slide is located in the raised position, the stem guide element is located in the highest position, and the separation device is used to place a workpiece to be processed between the lower fixed member and the upper slide, the workpiece having a stem and a plurality of leaf portions connected to each other; the stem portion corresponds to the first hole portion and the second hole portion, and the plurality of leaf portions are distributed between the lower fixed member and the upper slide; a stem guide step, wherein the upper slide is still located in the raised position, the central push rod is extended a distance, and the stem guide element is moved from the highest position to the second highest position, at which point the stem abuts against the concave space and is guided; a blade clamping step, in which the upper sliding member moves downward from the ascending position to the descending position, so that the upper sliding member presses down the plurality of blades and is fixed between the upper sliding member and the lower fixing member; a stem squeezing step, in which the stem guiding element moves from the second highest position to the lowest position, at which time the stem is pushed downward and falls, thereby achieving the effect of separating the plurality of blades from the stem; and a return step, in which the upper sliding member moves upward from the descending position to the ascending position, and the stem guiding element returns from the lowest position to the highest position, completing a cycle.

6. The method for separating pineapple plant stems and leaves as described in claim 5, wherein: The first cone portion and the second cone portion are in corresponding cone structures.

7. The method for separating pineapple plant stems and leaves as described in claim 5, wherein: The stem guide element is a bowl-shaped housing.

8. The method for separating pineapple plant stems and leaves as described in claim 5, wherein: The lower fixing member further includes a blade upward guiding portion, which is used to guide the plurality of blades to bend upward and be clamped between the upper sliding member, the lower fixing member and the blade upward guiding portion, thereby greatly increasing the clamping friction.

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