Patents by Inventor Luca Benedetti
Luca Benedetti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180257109Abstract: An assembly for processing fruit and vegetable products, includes a plurality of units for containing fruit and vegetable products (A), which can move in sequence along a conveyance line. The assembly includes at least one vision element, arranged along the line and intended at least to check the actual number (N) of containment units on which each product (A) lies and is conveyed along the line, with such actual number (N) being able to depend randomly or otherwise on the size, shape, arrangement and/or method of loading on the line of the respective product (A). Downstream of the element there are at least one first device for weighing a first predefined number (n1) of consecutive containment units and at least one second device for weighing a second predefined number (n2) of consecutive containment units.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20180148270Abstract: An apparatus for dividing horticultural products, propelled by a fluid for transport from an intake region connected to an upstream station to an evacuation region connected to a downstream station. The apparatus comprises includes a supporting frame for a contoured floor, which is arranged so that a first edge is at said intake region and is arranged so that a second edge, arranged opposite the first edge, is at the evacuation region. The contoured floor includes a plurality of lanes interposed in a parallel arrangement between the regions and have a substantially V-shaped transverse cross-section so as to produce the progressive conveyance and alignment of the horticultural products in transit along the bottom of each lane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20180133758Abstract: An apparatus for selecting horticultural products includes an intake section leading to at least one passage lane defined by a pair of mutually close stems rotatably supported by a support and movement assembly and are interposed longitudinally between the intake section and a discharge section. between the pair of stems, kept inclined downward from the intake section to the discharge section, a longitudinal slot is disposed that can be crossed exclusively by debris and horticultural products having dimensions that are smaller than the width of the slot. The assembly includes a drive unit meshing with an end portion of each stem proximate to the intake section and elements for the free support of an end portion of each stem proximate to the discharge section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170347690Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing mixed beverages obtained by mixing fresh vegetable products that were previously cut into small pieces, ground and frozen before being inserted into the apparatus and kept frozen until they are ready to be used. This apparatus comprises a beverage pickup compartment accessible from outside, a plurality of distinct and separate containers suitable to contain a specific quantity of frozen product, and to selectively distribute a definite quantity of the product contained therein in a mixing station, in which said containers are associated with a respective collecting means to containers toward a respective path that includes said mixing station and a thawing station; the latter is suitable to be positioned either upstream or downstream of said station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170247198Abstract: Method for the transportation and weighting of each of a continuous succession of agricultural products comprising a singling device with a plurality of pockets linearly arranged and on a rectilinear motion in translation along a parallel direction to the alignment line of the pockets, wherein the products are grasped in a drawing station by means of a first transferring means provided with gripping devices (grippers) opening downside and transferred to a release station wherein they are placed onto a second transferring means, wherein said gripping devices grasp in succession the products arranged on said singling device and wherein during the transportation onto the first transferring said products are singly weighed; said gripping means and the respective products are subjected to, in said first transferring means, a translation and to sequential and ordered distribution along two or more distinct and parallel alignment axes; said second transferring means comprises a plurality of movable conveyors paralleType: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: UNITEC S.p.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170240308Abstract: The object of the invention is to realize an apparatus for automatically and precisely filling single containers in succession with a pre-defined amount of products; each container is filled with two distinct loads of products, wherein the first load is determined according to its weight roughly measured, and the second load is determined numerically based on the difference between said first load and a pre-defined conventional weight; the apparatus comprises a first conveyor, a second conveyor loaded automatically with the products transported by the first conveyor, a third conveyor which is loaded with the agricultural products transported by the second conveyor and that transfers the products poured and present onto it inside a succession of single containers, weighing means able of weighing the total weight of the products on the whole present on the second conveyor, wherein the third conveyor is able of transferring the products poured and present on it in a succession of single containers; there is arraType: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: UNITEC S.p.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170233201Abstract: The object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of an apparatus for palletizing which serves a plurality of conveyors transporting respective successions of cases, realising a storage means on the unloading area of each conveyor, so that during the period of storage of the cases coming from the same conveyor, the palletizer is transferred in correspondence of another conveyor wherein the respective storage has already been completed, so as to use a sole palletizer for a plurality of distinct conveyors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2015Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170188619Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft having a plurality of rotating blades in fixed position along its length, said shafts being parallel to each other and mounted above conveying means suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward said rotating blades, a plurality of positioning ramps mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade and having a shape elongated in the direction of movement of said conveying means and almost flattened and oriented vertically, the elongate upper edge of which is oriented downward toward said conveying means with an inclination such that the height of said edges increases in the feeding direction of the conveying means, so that the clusters of products placed on said conveying means are carried toward said ramps, the respective upper edge of which determines the point of intersection of thType: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Publication number: 20170121042Abstract: A filling machine (M) for filling containers (1) with fruit or vegetables products, comprising transportation means (2) for the step-by-step conveying the said containers (1) to be filled along a horizontal determined direction (D1); primary plain belt conveyor means (3,4) for products feeding parallel to said horizontal direction (D1) and adapted to realize a main bulk filling of the said containers (1); secondary belt conveyor means (5,6) for singles products feeding parallel to said horizontal direction (D1) and adapted to cooperate simultaneously with said primary belt conveyor means (3,4) so as to complete the whole final filling of the said containers (1); motion means (7) applied to both said principal (3,4) and secondary (5,6) belt conveyor means for reciprocating moving said primary (3,4) and secondary (5,6) belt conveyor means in a direction (D2) parallel to said horizontal direction (D1); and at least a weighing station (8,9) for constant weighing the containers (1) during said filling steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventor: LUCA BENEDETTI
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Patent number: 9630733Abstract: A plant for manual packaging of crates with fruit and vegetable products includes a first mobile horizontal belt conveyor on which products are placed and a second mobile conveyor on which are placed a plurality of crates. The two conveyors are arranged on parallel horizontal planes. The upper surface of the second conveyor is arranged at least partially overlying the position of the first conveyor. A return conveyor is arranged on the same horizontal plane as the first mobile conveyor, and moving in a direction opposite to the first conveyor. A third mobile conveyor may be provided, similar to the first conveyor, moving in the same direction as the first conveyor and arranged, with respect to a median vertical plane of the return conveyor, in a position opposite and preferably symmetrical to said first conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20160318642Abstract: Apparatus to move automatically and in a continuous sequence a plurality of crates in succession, preferably of orthi-cultural products, and vertically laid one on the other so as to form a related stack, able of carrying out the transfer of a first stack to a first loading station, of opening the related crates and of forming a first stack of opened crates; it comprises a first loading conveyor provided with a first loading end, first support means adjacent to said first end and supporting a pallet on which a stack of closed crates is deposed, a first pushing means, placed externally with respect to the vertical projection of said first support means and at a level slightly higher than the level of said first conveyor, in order to transfer, with a translatory and orderly motion, one or more stacks from the pallet to the first loading end.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Patent number: 9442055Abstract: Method for measuring the hardness of agricultural products includes: implementing a test program suitable for identifying and selecting one or more indices (S3, S4) which can be measured with a non-destructive test on a respective product/fruit, correlated with the hardness (Du) of the same product/fruit, measured by a respective penetration test; and calculating the coefficients that define the straight line representative of the linear correlation between said indices and the hardness for the respective product. The method is implemented with the operations of: applying on the product a dynamic force, preferably of impulsive type; detecting the mechanical reaction through at least a piezoelectric transducer capable of generating an electric signal based on the application or transmission of said dynamic force through the respective kiwi fruit; and analyzing said electric signal relative to the fruit.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventors: Luca Benedetti, Enrico Macrelli, Aldo Romani, Rudi Paolo Paganelli
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Patent number: 9415429Abstract: A bin cleaning plant includes a bin destacking and overturning station, a plurality of bin washing stations, the whole being connected to a conveyor that transfers the bins in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner through the stations; and means that sense and measure the level of dirt present in each of said bins and that modify the washing process selectively for each of said bins according to the level of dirtiness detected. Preferably, the measurement and control means are connected to optical devices oriented toward the internal surfaces of the bins, and detect the optical/luminous/chromatic image reflected from their internal surfaces. The image is converted into one or more electrical signals with representative characteristics, which signals are compared with corresponding levels selectively predetermined and previously memorized. The measuring and control means control actuators suitable to control/drive one or more of the operating parameters of the washing station.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20160200469Abstract: Apparatus for opening in an automatic mode and in a continuous sequence the closed side walls of a plurality of crates, preferably for horticultural products, and preferably lying vertically one on another so as to form a relative first stack, suitable for carrying out the operations for carrying a first stack to a first arrival and loading station, lifting vertically said two pairs of opposite walls, transferring said open crates to a second stack, and subsequently carrying said stack outside the apparatus; the apparatus includes command and control means suitable to store the parameters that correspond to a plurality of types of crates having different dimensions, enter into said command and control means a coded instruction representative of a particular type of crate, and automatically make it so that said command and control means process and transmit to the controls, structures, operating bodies, devices, actuators present in the apparatus appropriate signals that are suitable to determine therein the cType: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Patent number: 9357799Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft having a plurality of rotating blades in fixed position along its length, the shafts being parallel to each other and mounted above conveying elements suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward the rotating blades, a plurality of positioning ramps mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade and having a shape elongated in the direction of movement of the conveying elements and almost flattened and oriented vertically, the elongate upper edge of which is oriented downward toward the conveying elements with an inclination such that the height of the edges increases in the feeding direction of the conveying elements, so that the clusters of products placed on the conveying elements are carried toward the ramps.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20160107777Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products, built and operating in such a manner as to utilize at least one horizontal transporting conveyor, a moving structure arranged at the output edge of said conveyor and provided with displacement and engagement means to incline said containers, through a partial rotation, from a first inclined position with respect to the horizontal plane, in which the mouth of the container remains contiguous with the output edge of the conveyor, and subsequent working positions in which the same container moves progressively through less inclined positions until it returns to the normal horizontal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca BENEDETTI
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Patent number: 9186705Abstract: Plant for the selection of crates, in particular for vegetable products, comprising: transferring means, preferably a continuous conveyor suitable for suitable for transferring said crates in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner, a station for measuring the degree of cleanliness of said crates, comprising measurement and control means suitable to detect the cleanliness degree of said crates, and arranged in an intermediate position in the path of said transferring means. Loading means are provided suitable to reassemble said crates in respective stacks based on their degree of cleanliness measured on each of them, wherein said loading means are arranged downstream of said measuring station and wherein said transfer means supply said loading means, without intermediate stations or processes. In addition, the plant includes a station for aligning the crates on said transfer means in a position stacked upstream of said measuring station.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20150246358Abstract: Apparatus for emptying containers filled with horticultural products and comprising a basin with an open top side and filled with water, operating means of the containers, and arranged at a level higher than the top liquid level in the basin, in order to move the containers over a defined area and to rotate them to offload its content, collecting means placed in the lower part of the basin and partially outside of it, and that collect the horticultural products from the bottom of the basin and lift them up to an emersion level, and that uses means apt to deviate the leaves from the central surface of the liquid towards a surface area adjacent to a definite wall of the basin, and to remove them from that area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20150150299Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft (32A, 32B, 32C, . . . ) having a plurality of rotating blades (11,12,13, . . . ) in fixed position along its length, said shafts (32A, 32B, 32C, . . . ) being parallel to each other and mounted GP above conveying means suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward said rotating blades (11,12,13, . . . ), a plurality of positioning ramps (11-1,12-1,13-1, . . . ) mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade (11,12,13, . . .Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti
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Publication number: 20140190123Abstract: Plant for manual packaging of crates with fruit and vegetable products includes a first mobile horizontal belt conveyor on which products are placed, and which moves with a controllable motion and a second mobile conveyor on which is placed a plurality of crates. The two conveyors are arranged on parallel and horizontal but planes. The upper surface of the second conveyor is arranged at least partially overlying the position of the first conveyor. A return conveyor is arranged on the same horizontal plane as the first mobile conveyor, and moving in a direction opposite to the same. A third mobile conveyor may be provided, similar to the first conveyor, oriented and provided with a movement like the first conveyor and arranged, with respect to a median vertical plane of the upper belt of said return conveyor, in a position opposite and preferably symmetrical to said first conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: UNITEC S.P.A.Inventor: Luca Benedetti