Abstract: A machine for palletizing substantially parallelepipedic objects such as packing cases, comprising a grouping station for forming objects into a group able to form a layer of a palletized load, which grouping station includes a fixed reference stop adapted to stop an object conveyed thereto by an abutment conveyor; a layer-forming surface extending laterally opposite to the reference stop; a motorized thruster adapted to displace the object located against the reference stop to a predetermined zone of the layer-forming surface corresponding to the position it is to occupy in the layer being formed; and an automatic control system adapted to control the drive means so as to position laterally opposite the reference stop a zone of the layer-forming surface which is to receive the object located against the reference stop, and to control of the thruster so as to displace the object onto that zone of the layer-forming surface.

Abstract: Device for separating the stalks of fruit such as cherries, grouped together in clusters, from one another at their joining point, includes at least one hydraulic circuit including a tank (1) receiving the fruit to be treated; a centrifugal pump (2) connected to the tank for sucking up the liquid and the fruit therefrom; and at least one filtration device (3) receiving the liquid and the fruit discharged by the pump and capable of separating the fruit from the liquid. The tank has a base (4) which converges downwards as far as a lower outlet orifice (5) of this tank. The pump includes a housing (7) and at least one pumping wheel (9) guided in rotation relative to the housing along an at least substantially vertical axis (10) of rotation, and the pump has an axial suction inlet (11) connected below the lower outlet orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating fruit of the type comprising at least one hydraulic circuit provided with at least one pump (2) sucking up a neutral liquid with fruit to be treated. According to the invention, at least one internal wall of a pump (2) of the circuit is covered by a non-metallic shock-resistant coating of lower hardness than a metal wall.

Abstract: Device for separating the stalks of fruit such as cherries, grouped together in clusters, from one another at their joining point, includes at least one hydraulic circuit including a tank (1) receiving the fruit to be treated; a centrifugal pump (2) connected to the tank for sucking up the liquid and the fruit therefrom; and at least one filtration device (3) receiving the liquid and the fruit discharged by the pump and capable of separating the fruit from the liquid. The tank has a base (4) which converges downwards as far as a lower outlet orifice (5) of this tank. The pump includes a housing (7) and at least one pumping wheel (9) guided in rotation relative to the housing along an at least substantially vertical axis (10) of rotation, and the pump has an axial suction inlet (11) connected below the lower outlet orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically analyzing products such as fruit for automatic sorting of the products, includes at least one conveying line (1, 2), a plurality of analysis stations, and a device for driving each product in rotation. The imaging devices (12 to 19) of the different analysis stations are arranged in two lateral series located on each side of the longitudinal vertical plane of each conveying line (1, 2).

Abstract: A unit for sorting and packaging products has a conveying line with an endless chain beneath which there are articulated about a vertical axis a plurality of coupling arms equipped with a coupling member for pulling plates equipped with a member for hooking on a product and deployed along a conveying track parallel to and below the conveying line. Along this conveying line there are distributed a plurality of work stations, each having a relief track to which the pulled plates are selectively directed by routing elements, and along which each of the plates is successively uncoupled by automatic pivoting of the coupling arms, is brought into a position of readiness for loading or unloading, and then is recoupled automatically to a coupling arm, and hence reintegrated along the conveying line.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device conveying products, in particular fruits, for feeding a unit sorting said products, comprising a conveyor including a plurality of rollers (5) consisting or two parallel disks (9, 10) having the same diameter, borne by a transverse shaft (8) mounted freely rotating about an axis of rotation (7). Said conveyor further comprises two fixed lateral rails (11, 12) symmetrically arranged on either side of the disks (9, 10), and sloping towards said disks at an angle (&agr;) relative to a plane (P) passing through the axis of rotation (7) of the rollers (5), said sliding rails being each arranged so as to present a lower edge (11a, 12a) extending in the proximity of the neighbouring disk (9, 10) and of each roller (5) transverse shaft (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying products, in particular fruit, which is designed to provide transport of the said products, and comprises a plurality of conveyor carrier arms (9, 10), which are articulated on supports (7) which are supported by a longitudinal endless chain (1). According to the invention, each conveyor carrier arm (9, 10) comprises a hollow body (24) which is delimited by a peripheral edge (25), inside which there extends a sleeve (31) which accommodates a longitudinal articulation shaft (33), which is integral with the support (7), the said sleeve being connected to the peripheral edge (25) by a flexible unit (32) which can be deformed during a force of raising of the conveyor carrier arm (9, 10).

Abstract: A feed device for a unit for sorting elongate items, particularly vegetables such as carrots, includes a slanted conveyor (23) with a plurality of freely rotatable transverse rollers (24) driven by two endless chains. The conveyor includes three longitudinal sections, i.e. a lower section (23a) having a device (30) for rotating the rollers (24) in the same direction as the forward direction of the conveyor (23), an intermediate section (23b) where the rollers (24) are freely rotatable, and an upper section (23c) having an element (33) for rotating the rollers (24) in the opposite direction to the forward direction of the conveyor. A unit for sorting elongate items is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating colorimetric data useful in the automatic colorimetric sorting of products, such as fruits or vegetables, each product is illuminated by means of a beam producing a succession of lines of light, the energy reflected by the product in preselected wavelengths is reconstituted for each point on each line of light, the light intensity of each point is measured, the measured values are converted so as to form a series of numerical data corresponding, for each wavelength, to the light intensity curves for each line of light, and the series of numerical data are processed, by computing, in accordance with programmed criteria based on a comparison of the values of the homologous points of said series, so as to generate usable colorimetric data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis device for the automatic grading of products, in particular of fruits or vegetables, comprising punctiform lighting means (4, 8, 12) capable of generating a polarised incident beam, means (19) for deflecting the polarised incident beam which are capable of forming a crosswise line of light, lateral reflection means (22, 23) capable of allowing the products to be lighted laterally, lower reflection means (28, 29) capable of allowing the lower face of the products to be lighted, and separation means (6, 10, 14) aligned on the optical axis of the polarised incident beam and suited to separating said incident beam and the backscattered depolarised light energy.

Abstract: An automatic packing device for the filling of containers with superimposed layers of products, in particular fruits such as oranges, comprises a transport device capable of dividing the flow of citrus fruits into two separate streams, two separate feed stations suited to arrange each stream of citrus fruits according to a predetermined distribution, a packing station, and gripping elements capable of gripping alternately a layer of citrus fruits square with each feed station, and of effecting their transfer towards the packing station. Each feed station comprises a conveyor belt (8, 9) extending along a descending slope, which is constructed to run in a longitudinal direction opposite to that in which the products are fed, and an interchangeable cradle (10, 11) whose form is suited to ensure that the products endowed with a rotating movement take up position inside the cradle.