Method and corresponding apparatus for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping

• US 6,340,324 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Breat SL
• Original Assignee: Breat SL
• Inventors: Ferrer Vidal, Carlos
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US09/618,833
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 449/2, 449/44, 449/60, 449/61, 425/440, 264/177.12, 264/310
• US Class Current: 449/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 47/04 Artificial honeycombs

Abstract

Molding both faces of a honeycomb simultaneously by the action of respective belts carrying cores having resilience properties and, after cooling of the honeycomb, subjecting it to compression on both faces to separate the cores from the walls of the cells. The apparatus comprises two endless belts which are arranged opposite one another and are mounted between respective pairs of guide drums and both of which are provided with resilient cores of a shape complementary to that of the cells to be produced, the last pair of drums being capable of exerting a compression force against both faces of the honeycomb produced in order to detach it from the cores.

Claims

1. A method for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping which comprises molding a mass of hot wax by the action of cores of an endless belt, the cores being of a shape complementary to that of the cells, characterized in that both faces of the honeycomb are moulded simultaneously by the action of respective belts carrying cores having resilience properties, and after the honeycomb has cooled, compressing it on both faces to allow the cores to be separated from the walls of the cells, taking advantage of the resilience of the cores and their ability to regain their shape and of the plasticity of the cells and the permanent deformation brought about therein.

2. A method for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping according to claim 1, characterized in that the wax is supplied by being projected over the cores with a certain pressure by means of ducts directed towards the cores in the input region, means at the same time being available for allowing the surplus wax to return to the reservoir.

3. Apparatus for the production of honeycombs for beekeeping in accordance with the method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two endless belts which are arranged opposite one another and are mounted between respective pairs of guide drums, and both of which are provided with resilient cores of a shape complementary to the cells to be produced, the cores extending over the entire outer surface of the conveyor belts, which are arranged close together and parallel to one another, moving in the same direction and in a manner such that the last pair of drums can exert a compression force against both faces of the honeycomb produced in order to bring about its detachment from the cores.

4. Apparatus for the manufacture of honeycombs for beekeeping in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the terminal drums of the endless belts carrying the cores have a capability for moving away from the honeycomb to prevent compression forces on the cores in the rest position.

5. Apparatus for the manufacture of honeycombs for beekeeping in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the provision of a pair of rollers which are situated at the output of the drums for compressing the honeycomb, and which can keep the honeycomb in position at the output of the belts, upstream of a device for cutting a continuous honeycomb to length.

6. Apparatus for the manufacture of honeycombs for beekeeping in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the guide drums of the endless belts situated at a wax input have a considerably smaller diameter than the drums for the output of the shaped honeycombs, to facilitate the penetration of liquid wax.