Solid material comminution or disintegration – Processes – Miscellaneous
Patent
1994-10-21
1996-11-19
Husar, John M.
Solid material comminution or disintegration
Processes
Miscellaneous
2411855, 241200, B02C 1806, B02C 1912
Patent
active
055754279
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on PCT/AU94/00079 filed Feb. 23, 1994 based on Australian application PL7530 filed Feb. 26, 1993.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the handling of quantities of elements which are inherently discrete but prone to consolidate into a mass or a number of masses during bulk storage. Compressible elements with surface characteristics tending to stickiness fall into the above category and a prime example is the dried grape product known as sultanas.
After sultanas are initially processed they are stored in bulk prior to packaging for supermarket and other sales outlets. The storage of sultanas in bulk in a holding container, which is commonly 1.2 meters cube, almost always results in the sultanas consolidating into a mass within the container. The nature of the mass can vary from container to container. In one container the mass may be comprised of a single block of sultanas adhering to each other whilst in other container the mass may be comprised of a number of lumps each made up of many sultanas adhering to each other. Removing the sultanas mass from the container and breaking it up, preferably into individual fruits which will flow readily in the packaging process, whilst causing as little damage as possible to the individual fruits is a major problem in the dried fruit industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has as its object the alleviation of the above problem.
In broad terms the invention can be said to provide a primary product mass comprised of normally discrete elements which superficially surface adhere to each other when bulk stored to individual elements, said method including the steps of directing the product mass against a stationary breaking means in the form of an apertured area to randomly disassociate the adhered elements comprising said primary mass and thereby product elements and secondary masses the elements of a size able to pass through said apertures, holding the elements and secondary masses after passing through the stationary breaking means in a manner presenting an extended surface of product in adjacent relationship to moving breaking means, and repeatedly impacting the extended surface with said moving breaking means to reduce said secondary masses to individual elements.
The invention further provides and apparatus to carry out a method of converting a primary product mass comprised of normally discrete elements, which superficially surface adhere to each other when bulk stored, to individual elements, the method including the steps of directing the primary product mass against a stationary breaking means to produce elements and secondary masses of the elements of a size able to pass through the stationary breaking means and exposing an extended surface of the product discharged from the stationary breaking means to repeated impact delivered by a moving breaking means to thereby reduce the secondary masses to individual elements, the apparatus including an inclined chute with a bottom and sides and a discharge end stationary breaking means obstructing the free flow of product down said chute and located adjacent said discharge end, a product holding zone in the chute beyond the stationary breaking means where product after passing through the secondary breaking means is presented as an extended surface, a moving breaking means including a conveyor surface with strikers upstanding from said surface to impact against product in the product holding zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
FIG. 1 is a side view in section of the apparatus of the invention with a container in the initial position prior to commencement of a discharge operation and as it would appear when empty and about to be removed from the apparatus,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the container support means of the apparatus without a container mounted therein,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged se
REFERENCES:
patent: 3208491 (1965-09-01), Bliss
patent: 3733033 (1973-05-01), Cobey
patent: 4034920 (1977-07-01), Bradley
patent: 4511302 (1985-04-01), Moore
patent: 4961542 (1990-10-01), Den Besten et al.
patent: 5025992 (1991-06-01), Niebur
patent: 5033683 (1991-07-01), Taylor
patent: 5197684 (1993-03-01), Bihlet et al.
patent: 5217174 (1993-06-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5282713 (1994-02-01), Lande
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