FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the handling of materials in divided and/or particulate form.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to provide chutes for guiding material from a first level to a lower level.

It is known to use guide chutes for controlling the direction of an uncontrolled flow of materials in divided form, such as materials arising during building maintenance activities, from a first level to a lower level into, for example, a waste material receiving container.

It is also known to make use of material guide chutes for the purposes of handling materials such as root crops and/or tree grown fruit crops which are prone to being damaged during the course of handling.

Before discussing embodiments of apparatus incorporating the concepts of the invention particularly intended for use in the harvesting of root crops such as potatoes, carrots or other such crops and/or during the handling of fruit such as apples, pears, etc., it is convenient to note that whilst such crops are to all intents and purposes firm and solid physically to handle as compared with crops such as plums, etc., this can readily obscure the fact that the handling of firm and solid crops, in practice, invariably also carries the risk of bruising and other damage arising from items of a crop during handling excessively knocking one against the other or hitting a hard surface such as the bottom or side walls of a container into

which the crops are being introduced for what ever reason such as packing, transferring from one container to another such as a carrying bag and vice versa

With present day methods of commercial harvesting of a crop such as potatoes the commercial requirement is for large quantities of the crop to be rapidly harvested, and at the time of harvesting with the capability of feeding the harvested crop into a bulk container for onward transmission from the location of harvesting.

Historically, a conventional method of feeding large quantities of a crop such as potatoes into transport containers accepting a filling weight of, for example, one ton weight involves the use of an elevator/conveyer system which transfers the harvested potatoes from the delivery end of a potato harvesting machine which is caused travel simultaneously length ways of several rows of potato plants to lift and to remove the lifted potatoes from the unwanted material, namely any accompanying soil, leaves and stems, and then to feed the thus harvested potatoes separated from the unwanted material onto a conveyor Λvhich in turn lifts the potatoes above the side walls of a container, i.e., lorry/trailer which is moving along the field in synchronism with the advance of the potato harvester.

This conveyor conventionally is positioned so that its material delivery end clears the side walls of the container and as a result is positioned at such height that the potatoes need to free fall a considerable distance from the delivery end of the conveyor into the lorry trailer load receiving container etc. By reason of the extent of such free fall required to allow access to the interior of the container, the potatoes delivered at the start of a filling operation considerable free fall and are thus are thus likely to impact against the container floor and walls and also against previously deposited potatoes with considerable force thereby creating the real hazard of bruising the potatoes and/or otherwise damaging the potatoes.

As is well understood, such damage can lead to ingress of fungi spores etc, with the consequential enhanced risk of initiating conditions for subsequent rotting of the potatoes.

In our co-pending Application No 0419131.8 we have disclosed arrangements for reducing the effects of such free fall conditions when handling material in particulate and/or divided form from a supply position to a receiving container by a material delivery system by applying impact cushioning materials ,i.e., a plastics cellular sponge material to each rigid part of the apparatus likely to be contacted by falling material during the delivery thereof and additionally covering the impact cushioning material by a flexible covering material presenting a non-abrasive surface i.e., PVC plastics material to said cushioning material .

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to facilitate the avoidance of damage such as above mentioned.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide means for facilitating the avoidance of damage to a flow of produce, crops or the like through a delivery chute between the location of the delivery of the material to the chute and the material discharge outlet of the chute.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling the flow of material through a tubular chute including the step of varying at a predetermined location the available cross section available :for the passage of material required to travel through the chute.

A further aspect of the invention provides apparatus for controlling the flow of material through a tubular chute including means located externally of the chute adapted to vary at a predetermined location the cross sectional area of the chute available for the passage of material through the chute.

Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling the flow of material through a tubular chute including the step of exerting external closure pressure upon the chute in such manner as to selectively vary the cross-section of the chute available for material to travel through the chute. .

Broadly, in relation to the handling of material in particulate form such as a root crop there is provided a crop handling/cushioning unit incorporating a crop delivery chute that is located at a first level adapted to deliver crop at a crop receiving position located at a lower level than said first level, and means for varying the cross-sectional area of the chute available for material introduced into the chute.

In a preferred construction the means for varying the cross sectional area of the chute includes means for externally pressing opposing walls of the chute relative to each other in such manner as correspondingly to vary the internal cross section of the chute available for the passage of material/crop.

Preferably the means for pressing includes at least one roll, roller, pad or other pressing means adapted to press against the external surface of the chute in such manner as to displace opposing sides of the chute relative to each other thereby to vary the cross sectional throughput area of the chute

Broadly, according to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a material guide chute unit adapted for operational mounting to the material

discharge region of an elevator/conveyor in such position as to cushion/constrain vertical displacement of a material delivery as it leaves contact with the elevator/conveyor for onward travel to a materia/crop receiving location at a level lower than the elevator/conveyor discharge region..

In a preferred arrangement a crop cushioning unit is mounted to the discharge region of a crop elevator/conveyor and is adapted prevent discharge of the crop following delivery from the elevator/conveyer until the amount of crop discharge attains a predetermined quantity.

Preferably the quantity is defined by crop weight or volume.

The apparatus incorporates for each such material receiving container a flexible guide in the form of a material delivery chute that serves to direct falling material by way its material discharge mouth to the receiving position.

Broadly, according to a still further aspect of the invention means are provided for selectively controlling the rate of discharge of material through a flexible guide in response to the presence of material introduced into the flexible guide whereby the risk of damage to a discharging crop is reduced.

1 i

Broadly according to a further aspect of the invention the control of the flow of material through the a flexible guide is in response to the weight of material delivered to the flexible guide, the arrangement being such that the material is constrained/prevented from being discharged from the flexible guide until the weight of the material attains a predetermined amount.

In a preferred construction means are provided for displacing opposed walls at a predetermined location thereof with respect to the inlet of the a flexible chute like guide towards each other sufficiently to prevent material passing through the . chute at said location, there being arrangements for enabling/allowing the said

opposed walls at said location to move apart when the amount of material delivered to the inlet of the chute attains a predetermined level.

Preferably, the arrangements for allowing the material to pass through the chute are arranged to be response to the weight of material accumulating within the chute at said location, the arrangement being such that when the weight of the material reaches a predetermined amount the material is enabled to travel past said location.

Broadly, according to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for controlling the movement of material through a material delivery chute, including means for moving opposed walls of the chute towards each other sufficiently to close the chute to material flow, and means responsive to a predetermined amount of material delivered to the chute to enable the walls to separate to allow passage of the material to the discharge end of the chute.

Preferably the means for moving the chute walls towards each other includes resiliency loaded pressure members that are caused to be displaced against the resilient loading thereof when the weight of the material introduced into the chute attains a predetermined weight.

In a preferred construction the means for moving the chute walls includes a pair of rolls/rollers arranged to bear upon said opposed walls.

In further construction the means for moving the chute walls can include resiliently loaded pressure pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic part front part side view from above of a trailer mounting a plurality of units incorporating the concepts of the invention;

Figure 2, is a similar view to that of Figure 1 but from a different angle;

Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 without parts of the trailer.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a unit mounted to the delivery end of a material conveying elevator or conveyor, the unit incorporating the concepts of the invention and serving as a combined material cushioning means and guide chute (only a part being shown) for material delivered from the elevator/conveyor;

Figure 5 is an oblique view similar to that of Figure 4 illustrating the unit with chute omitted when is in an opened setting to allow material flow there through ;

Figure 6 is an oblique view of the unit of Figure 4 illustrating the unit with chute omitted when in its closed setting in which flow of material is prevented;

Figure 7 is a side view of the unit (chute omitted) as shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is an end view of the unit of Figure 6, the chute being omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before discussing the content of the drawings in detail it is convenient to note that two distinct applications of the concepts of the invention are discussed one in which each container intended to receive material by way of an elevator/conveyer is provided with its own guide chute and the other in which a single guide chute is positioned at the material delivery region of a material elevator/conveyor so that

a single chute becomes common, in usage to any container that is to receive material delivered by the elevator/conveyor.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, the apparatus incorporating the concepts of the present invention is intended amongst other possibilities to be usable in conjunction with a flat top trailer or the like as is commonly used for agricultural/horticultural purposes. Thus these Figures of the drawings very schematically show at 1 a trailer comprising a chassis 2 supporting a load receiving platform 3 and mounted from road running wheels 4. The chassis 2 is provided with appropriate towing bar or like facilities 5 for attachment to a towing vehicle (not shown). Conventionally such trailers 1 are constructed according to generally standard dimensions related to the primary intended usage function of the trailer and to the carrying capacity normally intended for such general use. In relation to trailers particularly suitable for transportation of harvested crops the load receiving platform 3 can be in the form of a flat top with shallow side rails and/or side panel facilities (not shown). The platform is dimensioned so as to be able to mount a plurality of standard sized individual containers 6. Two such containers 6 are shown in Figure 2 in dashed lines. In practice, depending upon trailer size two, four, six to eight or more separate containers 6 of a size or sizes as commonly utilised in the handing crops of the kind above mentioned may be provided.

In use, in the arrangement illustrated the containers 6 are required to be merely placed upon the trailer platform 3 for the purposes of filling and then to be subsequently transferred to a location at which the containers are removed from the trailer 1 for subsequent handling and to be replaced by a further batch of empty containers for subsequent filling.

Whilst apparatus of the invention embodiment illustrated is intended to be mountable to the trailer in the manner of an attachment for the trailer the apparatus of the invention can be used in conjunction with two or more trailers

and, for example, transferred from one trailer to another whilst the trailers are 'in the field' thereby allowing a continuous movement of trailers with filed containers from the filed whilst crop harvesting continues.

The apparatus 7 of the invention is very schematically illustrated in the Figures 1 and 2 when placed upon the flat top trailer 1 and in more detail in the Figure 3 The apparatus 7 includes a support frame section 8 that is intended to rest upon the trailer platform 3 and a schematically represented crop cushioning framework section 9 that is mounted from the support frame section 8 in such manner as to be vertically displaceable between a lowered position and a fully raised position as will be discussed hereinafter. For this purpose the section 8 has associated therewith a number of vertical posts 11 located one at each end of the corners of the apparatus In the Figures 1 to 3 there are four such posts illustrated. These posts 11 serve to mount means 12 for enabling the lifting and lowering of the cushioning framework section 9. The lifting and lowering arrangements can be mechanical or hydraulic. In the latter case the hydraulic power take off of a towing tractor may be utilised. The Figures illustrate a lowered setting for the cushioning framework section 9.

The cushioning framework section 9 incorporates longitudinally directed side rails 13 and a central longitudinal rail 14, together with end and intermediate transverse rails 15. These rails effectively define, depending upon the number of transverse rails 15, a number of rectangular frameworks (one for each container). All of these rails 13, 4 and 15 are covered with cushioning material whose purpose is to reduce as much as possible the risk of damage to any material i.e., root crop, from being damaged by falling material striking the cushioning framework section 9. The upper part of the cushioning framework section 9 is surrounded by a protective fencing/frame 16.

In addition, each such cushioned rectangular framework section 9 serves to mount a rectangular cross section material delivery chute 17 formed from a flexible plastics material . The Figures illustrate the provision of eight such chutes 17 .

As may be particularly seen from the right hand side of Figure 3 the inlet 18 to the chute 17 in practice connects with the associated rails of the cushioning framework section 9. The length of the chute is such that the discharge end 19 of chute 17 can reach down closely to the trailer floor and thus close to the bottom of any container 6.

A longitudinally directed central cushioning rail 20 is provided within each chute ^ 17. In practice this rail 20 serves to prevent a direct fall of material downwards of the chute by ensuring that the material entering the chute 17 is substantially directed towards adjacent the chute walls so as enable the material to trickle/run down the walls of the chute and thus to be guided by the chute towards the receiving container 6

5 Since it is required according to the invention to be able selectively to control flow of material through the chutes 17 provision is made for the cross sectional area of each chute to be reduced for the purposes of restricting material flow in a controlled manner. In the embodiment shown this is achieved by providing arrangements for enabling selective/restricted displacement of opposed walls of O each chute 17 towards and away from each other As will be understood the moving the chute walls closer to each other reduces the chute cross section available for the passage of crop material through the chute and by enabling the walls to move away from each other, i.e., return to their rest positions increases the cross sectional area, and thus crop throughput capability.

5 In the embodiment shown the longitudinally directed walls 21 and 22 of the chute 17 are arranged to be displaced relative to each other by means of cushioned rolls/rollers 23 that are carried by axles 24 that are supported at each end by one

end of an arm 25 whose other end 26 is pivotally mounted to the end 27 of a second arm 28 that is mounted to a support bracket 29.

These brackets 29 are connected to the cushioning frame section 9 by any convenient means. Conveniently they are located at a location where cushioned rails 20 that effectively act as fall breakers for material introduced into the mouth 18 of the chute have been installed within the chute

The left hand side of the Figure 3 illustrates the positions of the rolls/rollers when they have been moved to a position in which the chute walls 21 and 22 have been moved into contact with each other and thus effectively closing off the chute to the flow of any material there through.

It will be noted that with the arrangement illustrated that this displacement of the walls 21 and 22 effectively lifts the discharge end 19 of the chute 17 upwards.

The resilient loading of the rolls/rollers 23 is such that they are moved into a rest position/setting as is shown in the left hand side of the Figure 3 . That is to say the rest position of the rolls/rollers 23 is such as to prevent material introduced into the chute 15 from free fall through the chute 17 . In other words when the chute is empty the walls 21 and 22 are effectively closed together in a position just below the cushioning rail 20 whereby provides the above mentioned material, this latter can be regarded as serving a cushioned break fall rail function whereby any crop or other material fed into the chute 17 builds up at this point and travels outwardly to move into contact with the chute walls 21 and 22.

The resilient loading of the rolls 23 can be by way of torsion springs located at the pivotal connection of. the arms 28 and 26 or by any other convenient means of resiliently loading the roll/roller carrying arms.

In a further possibility not shown the positioning of the rolls/rollers can be by way of a hydraulic/pneumatic system involving appropriate rams to control the required settings of the rams selectively to vary the cross section of the chutes.

In use when material is introduced, by for example into a conveyor arrangement, into the chutes. The material falls into the upper part i.e., mouth region 18 of the chute 17 and in view of the rest setting of the rolls 23, 24 the chute 17 is initially closed to material travel through the chute. As material continues to fall into the chute inlet 18 it accumulates above the region of the roll/rollers 23 until a predetermined weight of the material has been deposited. A suitable weight of root crop can be 25 Kilos of weight. However, it will be appreciated that the weight value involved would be related, for example, to the nature of the crop involved and the specific requirements for rates of loading Once this weight has been reached the weight of deposited material/crop pushes the rolls 23 apart thereby enabling material in the chute to commence moving further down the chute. In practice as the rolls 23 start to move apart initially a trickle/flow of the crop passes through the rolls region of the chute and thus through the opening formed between the chute sides 21 and 22. to descend through the chute 17 into the associated container 6. In practice, it has been found that the material/crop tends to hug the side walls 21 and 22 of the chutes, material/crop flow continues so long as the crop weight remains above that at which the chute walls are caused to move away from each other.

By reason of the mode of closing the chute 17 the downward pressure exerted by the falling material will progressively open the lower regions of the chute i.e., beneath the rolls/rollers 23 whereby the material is gently delivered into the associated container 6.

Once the flow has started the ongoing steady delivery of material to the chute tends to maintain a steady crop material flow.

As more material enters the container a cone or pyramidal mound builds up towards/above the rolls region of the chute 17 .

As more and more material is deposited into the chute the rolls/rollers 23 are progressively separated (in relation to crop material weight within the upper regions of the chutes) to increase the material flow path and the same time that the cushioning frame section 9 carrying the carried the chutes and rolls/rollers is raised vertically to lift the bottom 19 of the chute higher and higher with respect to the containers 6.

When the container has been sufficiently filled the supply of material from the elevator/conveyor is stopped whereby the rolls/rollers 23 will automatically return to the chute walls 21, 22 towards each other to their closing rest positions.

Whilst the forgoing description has disclosed the use of rolls/rollers it will be appreciated that other forms of means for controlling the movement of the chute walls relative to each other. For example, appropriately profiled pressure exerting boards, pads or the like could be used

As has been mentioned the apparatus of the invention can be used other than in relation to a trailer. On we such other use is in the material feed path from an material delivery elevator/conveyor feeding material into a required position that may be located out of doors or within a building. For example where it may be desired to form a clamp or like mode for bulk storage of the material.

Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention could form part of the discharge region of a fall breaker breaker system.

The apparatus as so far discussed has involved the provision of a chute and associated rolls/rollers for each container position provided upon a trailer or the ^e.

As an alternative proposal incorporating the concepts of the invention a single unit incorporating a chute and associated rolls/rollers is mounted to the delivery end of an elevator/conveyer in such manner that all material fed along the elevator/conveyer has to pass though a single chute. In trie use of the embodiment the containers to be filled are successively positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute.

This alternative proposal is illustrated in relation to Figures 4 to 8. Referring now to Figures 4 to 8 a unit 31 incorporating the concepts of the invention is schematically illustrated in Figure 4 as being mounted/attached to the discharge mouth region of an elevator/conveyor 32 (not actually shown in any detail in Figure 4.)

The mounting of the unit 31 which is essentially a combined material/crop cushioning and chute feed apparatus to the elevator/co>τweyor can be rigid or pivotal to allow the unit to swing relative to the elevator/conveyor so that movements of the elevator/conveyor can be accommodated in situations where the elevator/conveyer may be bodily moveable for example in a crop yielding field.

The cushioning part of the unit 31 includes a rectangular main frame 33 provided with mounting brackets 34 by means of which the unit 31 can be attached to the mouth region of the elevator/conveyor 32 the mounting brackets being mounted to the main frame 33 by means of connecting elements 35 upstanding from the main frame. The main frame 33 is conveniently formed from circular cross section tubing. A rectangular box structure 33A depends from the underside of the main

' frame this box structure includes walls 37 and side walls 38.

The end walls 37 are parallel to each other and are directed vertically downwards

from the main frame and thus perpendicular to the plane of the main frame 33 whilst the side walls 38 are inwardly inclined thereby the provide with the end walls a chute like formation.

A centrally located cushioned bridging member 39 bridges the side walls 38 whereby the latter are stiffened/braced by the bridging member 39. Λs may be noted from Figure 4 the bridging member 39 is located immediately beneath to point of the connection of the member to the elevator/conveyor mouth region.

In other words, the bridging member 39 is positioned immediately bererath the location at which load being transported by the elevator/conveyor will start to discharge from the elevator/conveyor.

The main frame 33 , the end walls 37, the side walls 38 and the bridging member 39 are covered by a crop cushioning layer if a soft material that offsets the risk of damage to any crop striking the layer. The material is arranged such trtat any part of the unit 31 that is likely to be contacted by material/crop deposited thereupon is covered by a layer of such cushioning material. Thus, the thickness of the cushioning layer is arranged to be of the appropriate thickness for its purpose and may thus vary in thickness.

The cushioning material on the main frame 33, the end walls 37, and the side walls 38 are covered by a layer of plastics material such as PVC which* is of such formation as to provide a cute that extends below the lower edges of trie side and end walls to form a crop delivery chute 40.

The plastics chute 40 can either be shaped as also to cover in the bridging member 39. Alternatively the bridging member can be mounted to the side walls 38 after the provision of the plastic covering chute, this latter method enabling a simpler construction to the chute 40. A pair of elongate gripper rolls 41 extend lengthways

of the side walls 38. The rolls are thus so positioned as to be able to press against the external longer walls of the chute 40 for the total side wall length thereof.

The grippers are carried by support arms 42 for pivotal movement with respect to the the ends of curved mounting bars 43 mounted to the end walls 37 of the unit 41, the curving of these bars being such as to reduce the separation between the pivot ends 44 of the support bars 43.

The pivotally mounted support arms 42 are resiliently loaded in such manner that the gripper rolls 41 are resiliently urged towards each other in such manner as to push from the outside the side walls of the chute 40 towards each other sufficiently to close off the lower end of the chute 40.

This resilient loading is conveniently by way of torsion springs 45 held in place by retaining nuts or the like 46 In other words the lower end of the chute is normally closed to prevent flow of 10 crop there through..

It will be appreciated that during the initial stages of delivery of a crop from an elevator discharge mouth of the elevator/conveyor 30 the crop free falls only a relatively short distance before contacting the cushioning of the box like structure unit 33A. Furthermore, the chute is effectively closed to he passage of material/crop whereby the initial falling crop drops though a relatively short distance onto the soft cushions of the unit. As material/crop continues to discharge from the elevator/conveyor the drop distance reduces overall whereby forces arising between falling material progressively reduces.

By reason of the resilient loading of the rolls 41 the interior of the unit and thus the upper part of the chute 40 fills with material/crop until the weight thereof causes the the roll/rollers 41 to move apart apart thereby to allow the crop to discharge from the unit by way of the chute 40. It will be appreciated that the

chute region downstream of the rolls/rollers tends still to provide a restricted passage for the discharging crop so that the latter is continuously prevented from undergoing any significant free fall on its passage to a container, trailer etc.

If at any time the elevator/conveyor ceases to discharge crop material the resilient loading of the rolls/rollers automatically acts so as to close-off the chute as soon as the material/crop weight above the rolls falls below the rolls operating weigh and remains closed until further crop is received from the elevator/conveyor.

In practice, since the elevator/conveyor is a separate unit from the crop receiving container any up and down movements of the elevator discharge mouth relative to a receiving container will not result in a undesired variations in the free fall of material/crop into the unit 31 of the invention.

It will be understood that whilst the specific description has been directed to an embodiment of apparatus incorporating the concepts of the invention the apparatus can take various forms in terms of the construction of the chute, its supporting arrangements and the mode of externally pressing the chute walls towards each other so as to reduce and/or shut off flow of material through the chute.

Whilst the above descried embodiments have involved the use of resiliently loaded gripper arrangements that rely upon response to the weight of material within a guide chute it will be understood that other means of controlling the operation of the gripper arrangements may be used.

For example, each gripper arrangement can be controlled by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic control system in which appropriate rams are used to displace the grippers in a required sense.

Whilst such arrangements can readily be arranged to respond to the weight of material within the guide chutes the use of such alternative systems makes it readily possible to provided for additional or alternative control operation facility. For example, the control system for a hydraulic/pneumatic system could be controlled from any convenient location. For instance in the case of the gripper arrangements disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, the controls for the hydraulic could be located within easy access of the driver of a vehicle, i.e., tractor and such that the grippers associated with the trailer could be separately operated and when required to be used..

In practice, he operation of such control arrangements can additionally involve a facility of visual examination of the content of material within a guide chute enabling an operator to actuate a gripper operating arrangement as and when considered necessary following a visual inspection.

In relation to the embodiment illustrate in the remaining Figures the control(s) for the hydraulic/pneumatic arrangements can be located in the vicinity of the controls associated with the operation of the elevator/conveyor.

Furthermore, in addition to or as alternatives to the reliance upon the weight of material present within the guide chute as a basis for controlling the operation operation of the grippers as has been discussed it will be appreciated other modes of monitoring the conditions within the guide chutes could be used. For example, detection of the level of material within a chute could be used.

A convenient mode of level detection could involve the use of optical sensors connected to operate the controls for actuating the arrangements for operating the grippers.