METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HONEYCOMBS FOR BEEKEEPING

• US 20010002611A1
• Filed: 06/25/1998
• Published: 06/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Breat SL
• Original Assignee: Breat SL
• Inventors: FERRER VIDAL, CARLOS
• Granted Patent: US 6,358,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/245
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 47/04 Artificial honeycombs
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/222 characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/241 Moulding wax

Abstract

The method comprises a first step of applying liquid wax to a mold formed by a plurality of projections conjugate with the cells of the honeycomb in a manner such that the filling of the spaces of the mold with molten wax is complemented by the formation of an upper plate interconnecting the various cells, then proceeding with the molding of the half honeycomb and subsequent cooling to enable the half honeycomb to be removed from the mold. The apparatus has two parallel, endless belts separated by a space slightly larger than the height of a half honeycomb and driven in a manner such that the adjacent passes have the same speed and direction of movement, a mold constituted by a plurality of rows of silicone projections of a shape conjugate with the cells being fitted on one of the belts.

Claims

1. A method for the production of half honeycombs for beekeeping, characterized in that it comprises a first step of applying liquid wax to a mould formed by a plurality of projections of a shape conjugate with the cells of the honeycomb in a manner such that the filling of the spaces of the mould with molten wax is complemented by the formation of an upper plate interconnecting the various cells, then proceeding with the moulding of the base portion of the half honeycomb and subsequent cooling to enable the half honeycomb to be removed from the mould by virtue of the resilience of the projections of the mould.

2. A method and apparatus for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping according to

claim 1

, characterized by the addition to the molten wax of a small proportion of water which is replaced periodically as it is used up.

3. A method and apparatus for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping according to

claim 1

, characterized in that, upon completion of the moulding and cooling step, the plate or base of the half honeycomb is heated locally to promote its separation.

4. A method and apparatus for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping according to

claim 1

, characterized by a final step of the production of the honeycomb by the coupling of two half honeycombs, two of which are fitted back-to-back to form a single honeycomb with the cells extending in opposite directions.

5. Apparatus for the production of half honeycombs for beekeeping in accordance with the method of

claims 1

to

4

, characterized by the arrangement of two endless belts parallel to one another, separated by a space slightly larger than the height of a half honeycomb, and driven in a manner such that the adjacent runs have the same speed and direction of movement, there being fitted on one of the endless belts a mould constituted by a plurality of rows of silicone projections of a shape conjugate with the cells of the honeycomb for receiving molten wax before passing to the region in which the belts are parallel to one another, in which the moulding and cooling of the half honeycomb are carried out, means for the detachment of the moulded and solidified half honeycomb being arranged at the end of the travel of the two parallel runs of the belts.

6. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized in that both endless conveyor belts are made of steel and are arranged at a slight inclination to the horizontal.

7. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the belt carrying the mould for forming the cells of the half honeycomb is the lower belt.

8. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the upper belt is slightly longer than the lower belt, giving rise to a projecting region at the output of the half honeycomb produced.

9. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized by the arrangement, in the region of curvature of the lower belt carrying the mould, of a device for metering molten wax, for filling the spaces between silicone projections of the mould, associated with a bar which interferes with the ends of the projections to open them out in order to achieve a greater filling of the cells which corresponds to the volume necessary for the region between the cells and for the plate connecting the cells.

10. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the means for detaching the half honeycomb produced comprise a source of heat which acts on the upper belt in the vicinity of the output of the half honeycomb in order to bring about local softening of the rear portion of the half honeycomb to facilitate its detachment.

11. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized by the provision of a transverse wire arranged substantially touching the upper belt carrying the half honeycomb produced in order to facilitate the detachment thereof.

12. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized by the provision of an auxiliary roller for guiding the lower endless belt, arranged in the vicinity of the guide roller of the said belt at the end for the output of the half honeycomb, for favouring the smooth extraction of the half honeycombs, particularly if they have very thin walls.

13. Apparatus according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the belt carrying the mould formed by a plurality of rows of projections of a shape conjugate with the cells of the honeycomb is covered with the said rows of projections throughout its length without a break, receiving a continuous supply of wax and continuously moulding a linear element of indeterminate length, which is cut into sections at the output of the unit comprising the two belts.

14. Apparatus according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the device for cutting the continuously moulded element is adjustable in order to vary the length of the half honeycombs produced.