Device for automatically milling the bristle-like material from the internal part of an artichoke bottom

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining artichoke hearts provided with a stem having a predetermined length.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a process according to which a whole artichoke is machined in different working stations of a semiautomatic machine and it is progressively peeled and turned for obtaining its heart or core, to which a stem is permanently connected, having a length of about 6-7 cm; this final product is then discharged into a discharging station for the following operations aiming to preserve it.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for obtaining artichoke bottoms.

According to such process a whole, medium to large sized artichoke is machined in different working stations of a semiautomatic machine and it is progressively peeled and turned for obtaining its bottom part, which is discharged into a discharging station for the following operations aiming to preserve it.

The present invention further relates to a semiautomatic device for carrying out such processes.

The present invention further relates to an instrument for milling the inner portion of artichoke bottoms and which may be used for carrying out said process.

The present invention may mainly be applied in the field of foodstuffs preparing, transforming and preserving industry.

According to a known process for obtaining artichoke hearts, a small to medium sized artichoke (i.e. having a diameter up to about 90 mm) undergoes various working steps in an automatic machine, its is progressively peeled and turned until its heart is obtained, which is then discharged into a discharging station.

This process and this machine are descrined in detail in italian patent n. 1.117.844, which constitutes the prior art underlying the present invention; the reader may refer to this document for a detailed description concerning how an artichoke is firstly clamped and then conveyed towards the different working stations.

The process according to italian patent n. 1.117.844 is carried out by means of an automatic machine having an intermittent reciprocating movement, in which the artochokes are firstly manually set between the jaws of a clamping device which firmly clamps each artichoke.

At the same time, the stem is placed into a bore of a positioning plate which is arranged under the jaws and which is movable together with said jaws according to a horizontal direction.

The artichoke is then horizontally translated by means of a gear provided with chains and crowns towards a first working station, in which the stem is shortened, a second working station, in which the leaves associated to the remaining stem portion are cutted away and the artichoke is placed at a predetermined height, a third station in which the stem is cut away in correspondence of the artichoke bottom, a fourth station in which the artichoke is deeply turned to obtain its central portion or heart, and in which the artichoke is topped, and a fifth, final station, in which the artichoke heart is discharged.

This process is quite efficient, and allows a high hour-production of artichoke hearts to be achieved; however, this process involves disadvantages and drawbacks, since it does not allow artichoke hearts to be produced, which are provided with a stem having a length of about 6-7 cm, as it is nowadays strongly required by the foodstuffs producing industry.

On the contrary, the process described in said italian patent intends to cut the artichoke stem at the height of the heart base in order to avoid that the artichoke is restrained, and consequently disintegrated, in the device for vertically positioning the artichoke which is provided in the machine for carrying out such process.

Furthermore, the machine for carrying out said process is not provided with a mechanism for obtaining, rather than the artichoke heart, the bottom portion of the artichoke, cleared from that bristle-like, hair shaped material which is always present in large-sized artichokes.

However, the foodstuffs producing industry strongly requires this specific part of the fruit.

The present invention aims to obviate to the disadvantages and drawbacks which are typical of the background art, and to provide for a process for obtaining artichoke hearts, starting from whole artichokes, said artichoke hearts being provided with a stem heving a predetermined height, which advantageously ranges between 6 and 7 cm, said process being relatively simple to be carried out and allowing a high hour-production of artichoke hearts to be achieved.

This is obtained by a process having the working steps described in claim 1.

Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide for a process for obtaining artichoke bottom portions, starting from whole artichokes, said process being relatively simple to be carried out and allowing a high hour-production of artichoke bottoms to be achieved.

This is obtained by means of a process having the working steps described in claim 2.

The dependent claims outline advantageous forms of embodiment of the process according to the invention.

The invention further aims to provide for a semiautomatic device for carrying out said processes.

This is obtained by a device having the features disclosed in claim 5.

The claims dependent on claim 5 outline advantageous forms of embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Anothe purpose of thge present invention is that of providing for a device allowing the bristle-like, hair shaped material which is present in the inner part of the bottom of medium to large sized artichokes to be automatically eliminated.

This is achieved by means of a device having the features disclosed in claim 26.

The claims dependent on claim 26 outline advantageous forms of embodiment of such device.

The process for obtaining artichoke hearts according to the present invention features some working steps which are similar to those which are disclosed in italian patent n. 1.117.844.

In fact, the artichoke is firstly manually placed between two jaws of a conveying gear, the stem being at the same time set into cooperation with a supporting and guiding surface belonging to a positioning plate.

According to the invention, said positioning plate comprises a first surface, suitable for supporting the artichoke body, said surface being placed on a substantially horizontal plane, and a second, vertically placed, surface which is suitable for guiding the artichoke stem, said second surface being constituted by a curved metallic sheet forming a notch having the approximate shape of a half of a vertically sectioned cylinder.

During the advancing movement, the artichoke stem is advantageously cutted at a predetermined height, in such a way as it has a length of, e.g., 6 to 7 cm, by means of a circular saw which acts in cooperation with a guiding surface causing the stem to stay in contact with the rotating blade of the saw and avoiding the stem to be broken.

Thereafter, the artichoke is turned at its stem and at its base in order to eliminate the largest leaves and, at the same time, it is definitely positioned in both the horizontal and vertival directions; then, the artichoke is topped in a further working station by means of a circular saw whose blade acts as an abutment against the movement accoding to a vertical direction which is carried out by a device for turning the base of the artichoke heart, the operation of said device keeping untouched the stem of the artichoke.

Once the turning operation is completed, the artichoke is further advanced to a a discharging station from which it is picked up for further treatments concerning the preservation and the storage of the same.

According to the invention, all the working steps described above, except the first positioning of the artichoke between the jaws, are carried out by means of a machine which carries out in a whole automatic fashion all the cutting, turning and milling operations, thus allowing a high hour-production to be achieved.

The process for obtaining artichoke bottoms also provides for some working steps similar to those which are disclosed in italian patent n. 1.117.844.

In fact, the artichoke is first manually placed between two jaws of a translating mechanism, the stem being at the same time inserted into a bore of a plate for vertically positioning the artichoke.

During the advancing movement, the artichoke stem is advantageously cut by means of a fixed saw, which prevents the stem to be engaged in the bore of the positioning plate.

Thereafter, the stem is again shortened by means of a circular saw, the leaves connected to the stem are cut and the artichoke is positioned at a predetermined height; finally, the artichoke is cut to size in correspondence of the end of the bottom, it is turned in order to give it a predetermined shape and cut in correspondence of the upper part of the bottom, thereby dropping into a collecting chute.

Here the artichoke bottom, which is still provided with a bristle-like, haar shaped material, is manually placed on a cup and is brought to a circular miller which eliminates said bristle-like material.

The artichoke bottom is then discharged for further preserving tratments.

According to the invention, all the working steps described above, except the first positioning of the artichoke between the jaws, and the positioning of the bottom on the cup, are carried out by means of a machine which carries out in a whole automatic fashion all the cutting, turning and milling operations, thus allowing a high hour-production to be achieved.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, of a form of embodiment of the invention, given as a non-limiting example, with the help of the figures shown in the attached drawings, in which:

• fig. 1 shows a schematical side view of a portion of a machine suitable for carrying out the processes according to the present invention;
• fig. 2 shows a schematical plan view of the different working stations of the machine of fig. 1;
• fig. 3 schematically shows the different working steps for obtaining an artichoke heart provided with its stem;
• fig. 4 shows a side view of a device suitable for turning the base of an artichoke provided with stem;
• fig. 5 shows a plan view of the device of fig. 4;
• fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an artichoke positioning plate according to the invention;
• fig. 7 shows a schematical side view of the machine of fig. 1, as adapted for carrying out the process for obtaining artichoke bottoms according to the present invention;
• fig. 8 shows a schematical side view of a device for milling the artichoke bottoms of the machine acccording to fig. 1;
• fig. 9 shows a schematical plan view of the different working stations of the machine of fig. 7;
• fig.10 schematically illustrates the different working steps for obtaining an artichoke bottom.

In the figures, reference sign 10 generally indicates a semiautomatic device for carrying out a process for obtaining artichoke hearts provided with a stem having a predetermined length, or for obtaining artichoke bottom parts according to the present invention.

Said device or machine comprises a gear for conveying the artichokes similar to the one described in italian patent n. 1.117.844; the reader may refer to this document in what concerns said gear.

We just point out that the machine comprises two pairs of toothed wheels 12 (one of which may be seen in fig. 1) supported on a fixed frame 11, the shaft of said wheels being intermittently rotatably driven by means of a motor acting through a helical gear and a reduction gear (not shown in fig. 1); a pair of stud chains 13 is connected to the pairs of motion trasmitting toothed wheels 12 and it carries a series of guides 14 (see also fig. 2) suitable for supporting pairs of artichoke clamping jaws 15, 16).

Furthermore, the same intermittent drive is transmitted to other two pairs of toothed wheels 17, connected to which by means of chains 18 is a series of supporting plates 19 provided with supporting and guiding surfaces 20.

The motion is transmitted from wheels 12 to wheels 17 through suitable means.

In operation, an artichoke is manually placed between jaws 15, 16, the artichoke base being positioned on the base of plate 19 and the stem contacting the curved vertical surface 20 (see fig. 6) of plate 19; thereafter, during the advancing movement, jaws 15, 16 firmly clamp the artichoke body due to the action of horizontal guides 21 which act on rollers 22 carried by jaws 15, 16, thereby causing said jaws to tightly clamp the artichoke, which is kept in an erected position thanks to the combined action of the jaws and of the supporting plate.

Similarly to the machine disclosed in said italian patent, machine 10 further comprises a second, partially movable, frame 23 which supports a tool 24 suitable for positioning the artichokes art a predetermined height and a tool 25 suitable for turning the bottom part of the artichokes.

Said second frame 23 imparts to tools 24, 25 (whose operation will be hereinafter described in detail) an intermittent reciprocating movement in a vertical direction by means of a cam (not shown) integral to the main driving shaft.

Thus, all the respective movements of:

• advancing the jaws 15, 16 and positioning plates 19;
• raising and lowering tools 24, 25

Specifically referring to figures 2 and 3, we shall now describe the first steps of the process for obtaining artichoke hearts provided with a stem having a predetermined length according to the present invention.

In a first step A-B an artichoke is placed between jaws 15, 16 and its stem in the notch 20 of a supporting plate 19.

During the intermittent advancing movement, the artichoke stem is brought close to a circular saw 26 which acts in cooperation with a fixed guide 27 (step C); said saw 26 is located in the position indicated by arrow X in fig. 1, and carries out a cut T1 of the artichoke stem in order to set its length to a value which is advantageously comprised between 6 and 7 cm.

Said saw 26 is anyway provided with means (not shown) through which its position may be vertically adjusted in such a way that a stem may be cut at any desired height.

Thereafter the artichoke further advances, and when supporting plates 29 revert their movement,the stem does not stay engaged in plates 19 since notch 20 is open allowing the artichoke to be translated by means of jaws 15, 16.

In a third step D the artichoke momentarily stops in correspondence of a tool 24 suitable for positioning it at a predetermined height and for unpeeling the stem.

Said tool 24 is constituted by a rotatable cup 29 provided with a stem-housing bore 30, said bore being on its turn provided with a blade 31 suitable for carrying out the unpeeling of the stem.

The rotating movement of cup 29 of tool 24 is given by a motor (not shown) through a belt-and-pulleys drive.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned, tool 24 may be raised and lowered together with second frame 23; thus, once the artichoke arrives in correspondence of tool 24, the latter is automatically raised and exerts on the artichoke bottom a thrust in a vertical direction in such a way as to place it at a predetermined height.

Said predetermined height may be defined by using suitable washers acting at the base of tool 24.

At the same time the stem is unpeeled.

Once this operation has been completed, tool 24 is lowered and the artichoke further advances towards another working station in which the fourth step E of the process is carried out.

This fourth step E consists in the contemporary operations of topping and turning the artichoke; the topping operation is carried out by means of a circular saw 32 operated by a motor 33 (see figures 1 and 3), which carries out a cut T2, while the turning operation is carried out by tool 25, which is provided with a pair of rotating blades 34, 35, and which is raised together with frame 23.

While the artichoke body is being turned, there is no possibility for the artichoke to loose its position relative to the vertical alignment, since the circular saw 32 acts as a supporting and abuting base for the portion of artichoke that is being topped.

As it may be remarked by examining figures 4 and 5, tool 25 comprises a substantially U-shaped body 36, on whose arms are assembled blades 34, 35.

Furthermore, the U-shaped body 36 defines, in its internal portion, a cylinder which is delimited by a pair of curved walls 37, 38, said cylinder being suitable for housing the artichoke stem.

Finally, body 36 is provided with a pair of vertical flanges 39, 40, which are located close to the ends of each arm, said flanges being suitable for laterally guiding and supporting the artichoke stem.

Once the turning operation is completed, frame 23 is driven back to its lower, starting position, and the artichoke is advanced to a discharging station in which jaws 15, 16 are opened and it falls on a chute 41 in order to be successively picked up ind sent to further working and preserving operating stations.

By way of example, the machine may be provided, downstream of chute 41, with unpeeling rolls or cylinders.

In order to carry out the process for obtaining artichoke bottom portions, an artichoke is set between jaws 15, 16 and its stem is positioned into bore 20; thereafter, during the advancing movement, jaws 15, 16 compress the artichoke body due to the action of horizontal guides 21 which act on rollers 22 carried by the jaws 15, 16, causing the latter to clamp the artichoke body which, thanks to the combined action of the jaws and of bore 20 of the supporting plate, is therefore kept in an erect position.

The machine has the same structure of the already described one.

Specifically referring to figures 9 and 10, we shall now describe the first steps of the process for obtaining artichoke bottom portions according to the present invention.

In a first step A′, an artichoke is set between jaws 15, 16 and its stem is placed into the bore 20 of a supporting plate 19.

During the intermittent advancing movement, the artichoke stem arrives close to a first fixed saw 26′, which cooperates with a fihed guide 27 (step B′); said saw 26′ is located in the position indicated by arrow X in fig. 7, and carries out a first cut T1 of the artichoke stem, in such a way as said stem may not remain engaged in bore 20 when supporting plates 19 revert their movement.

In a third step C′, the artichoke arrives in proximity of a second, circular, saw 28, which carries out a second cut T2 of the artichoke stem in order to facilitate the following positioning operation performed by tool 24.

Said second saw 28 is located in the position indicated by arrow Y in fig. 7; its rotating movement is given by a motor (not illustrated) by means of a belt and pulleys drive.

In a fourth step D′, the artichoke momentarily stops in correspondence of tool 24, which is suitable for positioning it at a predetermined height and for unpeeling the stem, and whose operating way has been already described in detail.

In a fifth step E′, the artichoke is brought close to a third, circular saw 32, which is also driven by a motor (not shown in the figures) through a belt and pulleys drive.

Said third saw 32 carrier out a final cut T3 of the stem in correspondence of the bottom portion of the artichoke body.

Thereafter, in a sixth step F′, the artichoke is brought to a position in which it may cooperate with tool 25, which is suitable for turning the bottom portion of the artichoke.

Said tool 25 comprises a rotatable body 50 to which a pair of arcuate blades 51, 52 are fixed; furthermore, said tool comprises two elements 53, 54 which are fixed at both sides of the body and which are suitable for rotating and supporting the bottom portion of the artichoke.

As it has previously been mentioned, tool 25 may be raised and lowered together with second frame 23, and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by means of a motor (not shown in the figures) acting through a belt and pulleys drive.

Thus, once the artichoke is positioned in correspondence of tool 25, the latter is raised and blades 51, 52 give the bottom portion a predetermined shape.

Finally, in a seventh working step G′, the artichoke is cut (T4) just beneath the jaws 15, 16 by means of a fourth, circular saw 55 which is driven by a motor (not shown in the figures) through a belt and pulleys drive.

At this point the artichoke bottom portion, which is still provided, in its internal part, with a bristle-like, hair shaped material, drops into a chute 56 and is then manually placed on a cup 60 of a device 61 for milling the internal part of the artichoke bottom portion.

Said device 61 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 8.

Cups 60 are connected to a pair of chains 62 which advance with an alternate intermittent movement thanks to a drive formed by two toothed wheels 63, 64 which are, on their turn, driven by the main driving shaft of device 10.

During the movement, each cup 60, which carries an artichoke bottom portion, is brought in proximity of a tool 65 suitable for milling the internal part of said bottom portion.

Said tool 65 comprises a fixed upright 66 which is integral to the main frame of the machine, said upright forming a vertical guide for a cylinder 67 belonging to a frame 68 which is vertically movable with an alternate and intermittent motion given by the main motor of the machine through a chain drive 69.

Said drive acts in a way which is coordinated with the movement of the cups 60, and is suitable for lowering a mandrel 70, whose head is provided with a milling cutter 71, in the moment of time when a cup 60 is aligned to the mandrel axis.

Furthermore, the frame 68 is provided with a body 72 which is placed around the rotating mandrel 70, and a pair of uprights 73, 74 is connected to said body 72; said uprights 73, 74 act as a guide for a ring-shaped device 75 suitable for pressing the periphery of the artichoke bottom portion and to firmly hold it during the operation of the miller 71.

Said device 75 exerts a resilient pressing action on the artichoke bottom portion, thanks to the presence of compressing springs 76, 77 which are placed around said uprights 76, 77, thereby carrying out a centering action of the artichoke bottom portion relative to the cup 60.

Finally, the rotating movement of mandrel 70 is given by a rotor 81 by means of a belt 78 and pullys 79, 80 drive.

The bottom portion of the artichoke, as cleaned of the bristle-like material, drops the into a chute 82 (see fig. 7) and is thereafter evacuated towards other stations (not illustrated) for further treatments and preservation.

The invention has been described with reference to an advantageous form of embodiment.

However, the invention comprises several variants which fall within its scope; by way of example, the invention comprises forms of embodiment according to which the configuration of the jaws may differ from the one which has been described; according to other forms of embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the artichokes is placed on a horizontal plane during the movement of the artichokes themselves, whereby the saws act on the artichokes according to a vertical direction.

The machine may be provided with a continuous, rather than alternate, movement.

In this case tool 24, suitable for vertically positioning the artichoke, and tool 25, suitable for turning the base and the stem, are provided with an intermittent and alternate movement, in order to follow the artichokes during their countinuous movement.

According to another form of embodiment of the invention, the device for milling the internal part of the artichoke bottom part is assembled on a machine provided with a continuous movement, rather than on a machine provided with an alternate intermittent movement as the one which has been previously described.

In this latter case tool 24, suitable for vertically positioning the artichoke, tool 25, suitable for turning the base and the stem, as well as tool 65, suitable for milling the internal part of artichoke bottom portion, are provided with an intermittent and alternate movement, in order to follow the artichokes during their countinuous movement.