Selection Packaging
The Evyan citrus packing line is a complex, automated system designed to prepare fruits such as oranges, lemons, and persimmons for distribution and sale. The processes vary slightly, but generally follow a series of key steps:
1. Reception and Pre-treatment
- Fruit emptying: The fruit is received, often in bins (large containers), and dumped onto the line, which can be dry or in water treatment tanks (with or without fungicides).
- Lifting and feeding: The fruit is transported to the next stage using elevators and belts.
2. Preparation and Quality
- Washing and disinfection: The fruit is carefully washed to remove dirt and residue, and disinfected to reduce microorganisms (sometimes using special solutions or cleaning and drying tunnels).
- Brushing and Drying: The fruit is brushed and then dried, often with drying tunnels.
- Waxing: A layer of wax is applied, usually to protect the fruit, reduce moisture loss and improve its appearance.
- Selection and Calibration: This is a critical stage.
- Selection: Using artificial vision systems (which sometimes include ultraviolet light) or manually, fruit that does not meet the standards (due to size, color, or visible/invisible damage) is discarded.
- Calibration: The fruit is sorted by size (diameter) and sometimes by quality (external and internal) to ensure uniformity in the packaging.
3. Packaging (Preparation)
The sorted fruit is directed to the packaging machines, where it is packed according to the required format (mesh, bag, box, etc.).
- Weighing/Dispensing: Weighers (often linear associative with multiple heads) are used to ensure that each container holds the exact weight.
- Filling/Packaging: The machinery fills the containers automatically (e.g., mesh packaging machines, rollstock bag filling machines, or chain trolleys for case packing).
- Common Formats: Fruit can be packaged in net bags, polyethylene bags, cardboard boxes, or trays, among others.
4. End of Line
- Weight Control: A final check of the weight of the filled containers is carried out.
- Labeling: The product label is applied, which may include nutritional information, barcode and date (sometimes including the front and back label).
- Palletizing: The finished packages are grouped into boxes or palletized (stacked on pallets) using palletizing machines for storage and transport. Wrapping machines and slip-sheet dispensers are often used at this stage.
Key Machinery
The line uses a wide variety of machinery, including:
- Bin Emptyers and Elevators
- Washing Machines, Planers, Polishers and Drying Tunnels
- Electronic Calibrators (with vision systems)
- Associative Linear Weighers
- Specific packaging machines (for nets, bags, trays, etc.)
- Conveyor belts and sorting systems.
- Labelers
- Palletizers and Wrappers
