Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A banana cutting apparatus (100), the apparatus (100) comprising:
a banana holder (106) having a top surface to hold two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b);
a banana detection sensor (108) installed at the top surface of the banana holder (106), to detect a placement of the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b) on the banana holder (106);
a cutter blade (120) to be moved in an upward and/or downward direction to separate the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b) into a single layered banana bunch (102), wherein the cutter blade (120) comprises a position sensor (124) to sense a position of the cutter blade (120); and
a controller (112) connected to the banana detection sensor (108), wherein the controller (112) is configured to:
receive the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b) from the banana detection sensor (108);
actuate a hydraulic pump (116) to move a piston (122) of a hydraulic cylinder (118) in a downward direction based on the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b) such that movement of the piston (122) enables a movement of the cutter blade (120) in the downward direction in between the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b);
receive the sensed position of the cutter blade (120) from the position sensor (124);
compare the sensed position of the cutter blade (120) with pre-defined positions; and
enable the movement of the cutter blade (120) in an upward direction, when the sensed position of the cutter blade (120) is a bottom position of the top surface of the banana holder (106).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape of the top surface of the banana holder (106) is a curved U shape.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutter blade (120) is made up of a hardened stainless steel of 1 Millimeters (mm).
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cutter blade (120) is having a length of 500 mm and a width of 500 mm.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cutter guide (126) provided with the cutter blade (120), to adjust a spacing between the two layers of banana bunches (102a-102b).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single layered banana bunch (102) is placed on a sheet (128) of a pre-defined thickness.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet (128) is a perforated foam sheet.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single layered banana bunch (102) is packed in a ventilated Corrugated Fiber Box (CFB) (130).
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (112) is an ARDUINO development board.
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder (118) is a ram type hydraulic cylinder.
Date: 16th November, 2021
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

BANANA CUTTING APPARATUS

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: SR University
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: SR University, Ananthasagar, Warangal, Telangana, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a fruit cutter and particularly to a banana cutting apparatus for separating two layers of banana bunches into a single layered banana bunch.
Description of Related Art
[002] As everyone knows, bananas grow in bunches and they are generally marketed to public in clusters. Sometimes it is desired to sell individual bananas to a consumer. The separation of these individual bananas from the clusters in a cost-effective way, without damaging them, is not an easy problem. Also, upon separation, the bananas are handled in plastic crates or cardboard boxes. However, each bunch of bananas will have two rows of bananas having a quantity of 12 to 20 depending on cultivar and variety.
[003] When banana bunches are transported either in the crates or cardboard boxes, a weight of one layer of the bananas resting on other layer of the bananas will leave pressure marks on a bottom set of the bananas. After ripening, brown patches on outer skin will make few bananas unacceptable for eating. Moreover, an undesirable mechanical damage to the bananas cause irreversible damage. Sometimes few bananas from each bunch during consumption are disposed due to over softening, brown pulp and spoilage.
[004] There is thus a need for a banana cutting apparatus that separates the layers of the banana bunches in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a banana cutting apparatus. The apparatus comprises a banana holder having a top surface to hold two layers of banana bunches. The apparatus further comprises: a banana detection sensor installed at the top surface of the banana holder, to detect a placement of the two layers of banana bunches on the banana holder. The apparatus further comprises: a cutter blade to be moved in an upward and/or downward direction to separate the two layers of banana bunches into a single layered banana bunch. The cutter blade comprises a position sensor to sense a position of the cutter blade. The apparatus further comprises: a controller connected to the banana detection sensor. The controller is configured to: receive the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches from the banana detection sensor; actuate a hydraulic pump to move a piston of a hydraulic cylinder in a downward direction based on the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches such that the movement of the piston enables a movement of the cutter blade in the downward direction in between the two layers of banana bunches; receive the sensed position of the cutter blade from the position sensor; compare the sensed position of the cutter blade with pre-defined positions; and enable the movement of the cutter blade in an upward direction, when the sensed position of the cutter blade is a bottom position of the top surface of the banana holder.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a banana cutting apparatus that handles banana gently.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a banana cutting apparatus that works on a high speed, thereby suitable to export pack houses.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a banana cutting apparatus that reduces mechanical damages.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a banana cutting apparatus that is having a high customer acceptance.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a banana cutting apparatus that separates two layers of banana bunches to a single layered banana bunch that is less prone for stack weight damage.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a banana cutting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of a single layered banana bunch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the single layered banana bunch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a controller of the banana cutting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of separating two layers of banana bunches into the single layered banana bunch by the banana cutting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of packaging of the single layered banana bunch, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a banana cutting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The banana cutting apparatus 100 may be used to separate two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into a single layered banana bunch 102 (as shown in FIG. 1B) to avoid damage that may occur due to weight of top layer of bananas. The banana cutting apparatus 100 may comprise vertical supports 104a-104b (hereinafter referred to as the vertical supports 104) that may provide a vertical support to components of the banana cutting apparatus 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be, but not limited to, a banana holder 106, a banana detection sensor 108, a control panel 110, a controller 112, a hydraulic controller 114, a hydraulic pump 116, a hydraulic cylinder 118, a cutter blade 120, a piston 122, a position sensor 124, and a cutter guide 126.
[0025] The banana holder 106 may be capable to hold the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b, in an embodiment of the present invention. The banana holder 106 may be capable to hold the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b in a vertical position, in an embodiment of the present invention. The banana holder 106 may enable a user to place the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on a top surface of the banana holder 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the banana holder 106 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a curved V shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shape of the top surface of the banana holder 106 may be a curved U shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the top surface of the banana holder 106 that may avoid slipping of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b during cutting operation including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] The banana detection sensor 108 may be fixedly attached on the top surface of the banana holder 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the banana detection sensor 108 may be removably attached on the top surface of the banana holder 106. The banana detection sensor 108 may be configured to detect a placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106. The banana detection sensor 108 may be a position sensor such as, but not limited to, an ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the banana detection sensor 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] The control panel 110 may be attached to the banana detection sensor 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The control panel 110 may be configured to receive the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106. The control panel 110 may be provided with the controller 112 that may be configured to execute computer readable instructions stored in a memory (not shown) to generate an output based on the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller 112 may be an ARDUINO development board. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the controller 112 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory may be configured for storage and retrieval of data associated with the banana cutting apparatus 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory may be, but not limited to, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Programmable read-only memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM), an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] The hydraulic controller 114 may be activated and/or deactivated based on the output generated by the controller 112, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic controller 114 may be activated upon detection of placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic controller 114 may be configured to generate an output to activate and/or deactivate the motor (not shown) that may be configured to supply power to the hydraulic pump 116 for activating the hydraulic pump 116. According to embodiments of the present invention, the motor may be, for example, but not limited to, a servo motor, a direct current (DC) motor, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic pump 116 may be actuated to deliver hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 118 of the cutter blade 120 that may be located at a top of the banana cutting apparatus 100. The hydraulic pump 116 may be, but not limited to, a gear pump, a clutch pump, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic pump 116 may be a piston pump. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the hydraulic pump 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic cylinder 118 may comprise the piston 122 that may hold the cutter blade 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. The hydraulic cylinder 118 may enable a movement of the piston 122 in an upward direction and/or a downward direction through the hydraulic fluid. Further, the movement of the piston 122 may enable the movement of the cutter blade 120 in the upward direction and/or the downward direction to separate the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into the single layered banana bunch 102. The hydraulic cylinder 118 may be, but not limited to, a single acting cylinder, a double acting cylinder, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic cylinder 118 may be, a ram type hydraulic cylinder. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the hydraulic cylinder 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutter blade 120 may be moved in the downward direction in between the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b to separate the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into the single layered banana bunch 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutter blade 120 may gently pass through a stalk portion of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b, to separate the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b. The cutter blade 120 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, copper, iron, ceramic, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutter blade 120 may be made up of a material such as, a hardened stainless steel of 1 Millimeters (mm). In such embodiment of the present invention, the cutter blade 120 may be having a length of 500 mm and a width of 500 mm. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the cutter blade 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The cutter blade 120 may comprise the position sensor 124 that may be located at an edge of the cutter blade 120 to detect a position of the cutter blade 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. The position sensor 124 may detect whether the cutter blade 120 touches a bottom most portion of stem of the banana bunches, in an embodiment of the present invention. The position sensor 124 may transmit the sensed position of the cutter blade 120 to the control panel 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the cutter guide 126 may be provided with the cutter blade 120, to adjust a spacing between the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b. The cutter guide 126 may guide the cutter blade 120 with the piston 122 with accurate alignment, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the single layered banana bunch 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The single layered banana bunch 102 may be obtained from the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b (as shown in the FIG. 1A) by using the banana cutting apparatus 100 (as shown in the FIG. 1A), in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the single layered banana bunch 102 may be placed on a sheet 128 that may be a perforated foam sheet of a pre-defined thickness. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined thickness of the sheet 128 may be 1 mm. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sheet 128, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the single layered banana bunch 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The single layered banana bunch 102 may be packed in a ventilated Corrugated Fiber Box (CFB) 130, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the Corrugated Fiber Box (CFB) 130 may be sealed with a tape such as, but not limited to, an aluminium tape, a polyethylene tape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tape may be a Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) tape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the tape, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the controller 112 of the banana cutting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 112 may comprise a device configuration module 200, a data processing module 202, a pump control module 204, a piston control module 206, a sensing module 208, and a comparison module 210, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, a switch (not shown) may be configured to generate an activation signal when the user of the banana cutting apparatus 100 activates the switch. The activation signal may enable the device configuration module 200 that may be configured to activate the banana detection sensor 108. The banana detection sensor 108 may be configured to detect the placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106. Further, the device configuration module 200 may be configured to transmit the detected placement to the data processing module 202.
[0036] The data processing module 202 may be configured to determine if the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b is on the banana holder 106. The data processing module 202 may be configured to generate a pump activation signal when the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b is on the banana holder 106. The data processing module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated pump activation signal to the pump control module 204. The pump control module 204 may be configured to enable the hydraulic controller 114 to actuate the hydraulic pump 116 based on the received pump activation signal. The actuated hydraulic pump 116 may enable the piston control module 206 to move the piston 122 of the hydraulic cylinder 118 in the downward direction. Further, the movement of the piston 122 may enable the movement of the cutter blade 120 in the downward direction in between the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b to cut the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into the single layered banana bunch 102.
[0037] The sensing module 208 may be configured to enable the position sensor 124 to sense the position of the cutter blade 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. The sensing module 208 may be configured to transmit the sensed position of the cutter blade 120 to the comparison module 210. The comparison module 210 may be configured to compare the sensed position of the cutter blade 120 with pre-defined positions. The comparison module 210 may be configured to generate a cutting completion signal, when the sensed position is the bottom position of the top surface of the banana holder 106. The comparison module 210 may be configured to transmit the generated cutting completion signal to the piston control module 206.
[0038] The piston control module 206 may be configured to move the piston 122 in the upward direction based on the received cutting completion signal. The piston control module 206 may be configured to enable the cutter blade 120 to move in the upward direction based on the movement of the piston 122 in the upward direction.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for separating the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into the single layered banana bunch 102 by the banana cutting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] At step 302, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may receive the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106 in the vertical position.
[0041] At step 304, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may detect the placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b on the banana holder 106.
[0042] At step 306, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may actuate the hydraulic pump 116 when the detected placement of the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b is on the banana holder 106.
[0043] At step 308, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the cutter blade 120 in the downward direction to cut the two layers of banana bunches 102a-102b into the single layered banana bunch 102.
[0044] At step 310, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may enable the position sensor 124 to sense the position of the cutter blade 120.
[0045] At step 312, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may determine if the sensed position of the cutter blade 120 is the bottom position of the top surface of the banana holder 106. The method 300 may proceed to a step 314, when the sensed position of the cutter blade 120 is the bottom position. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 310.
[0046] At the step 314, the banana cutting apparatus 100 may enable the movement of the cutter blade 120 in the upward direction.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 of packaging of the single layered banana bunch 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] At step 402, the single layered banana bunch 102 may be carried out from the banana cutting apparatus 100.
[0049] At step 404, the single layered banana bunch 102 may be wrapped with the perforated foam sheet 128.
[0050] At step 406, the single layered banana bunch 102 may be packed in the ventilated CFB box 130.
[0051] At step 408, the ventilated CFB box 130 may be sealed with the BOPP tape.
[0052] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0053] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.