Bulb positioning method during removal of bulb from stem, especially for tulips, comprises orienting bulb nose towards first guide and bottom of bulb to movable second guide

摘要

The bulb crop (22) is positioned whilst it is moving by contacting the bulb (24) with a guide system so that as the crop moves the nose of the bulb is oriented towards a first guide (42) and the bottom of the bulb is oriented towards at least one second guide (56) movable in the length direction of the stem (26). An independent claim is also included for the following positioning apparatus (10), comprising a conveyor (16) for transporting the bulb crop in the machine direction, a device (40) with the above first and second guides for orienting the bulbs into position whilst they are travelling on the conveyor and a device (329 for removing the bulb from the stem. The second guide comprises components movable at right angles to the machine direction. The first guide is a driven cord (44) extending around guide rolls (48). The second guide is an endless belt (60) with elastic brushes.