LIME PACKING EQUIPMENT
The greater the accuracy of quality selection, the greater the future of your business.
Unisorting Limes Sort 3 technology, used in sorting and grading machines, enables you to select the desirable and undesirable characteristics of any kind of lime.
For each of these varieties of limes, Unisorting Limes Sort 3 technology can accurately select and classify the external and internal quality:
size, color and shape;
internal defects on fruit, i.e. flesh defects or damage;
external defects or peel defects;
internal and external valued characteristics of each fruit.
Unisorting Limes Sort 3 technology selects and classifies automatically, with extremely high reliability and efficiency standards.
Sorting, grading and processing machines designed and produced by Unisorting to sort and select limes, classify the different qualities of the fruits automatically with the utmost efficiency and with a considerable cost saving on the costs borne by Packing Houses for this sort of processing.
Unisorting Limes Sort 3 technology takes care of your limes and of your business.
Automating the entire process is the first step towards a great success.
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box and bin emptying.
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traceability.
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Respecting limes means respecting the future of your business.
In nature there are many varieties of limes with different shapes.
For each one, Unisorting automation technologies can offer results marked by high quality standards, at every stage of processing.
lime
Unisorting knows how to treat your limes and your business.
Unisorting designs and develops technologies capable of meeting any specific request in lime processing, including processing organic fruit or natural fruit with leaves or without leaves, to make them even more attractive to the consumer.
impianti arance
High-performance solutions to every single need.
Unisorting Limes Sort 3 technology accurately classifies the various qualities of each lime in order to allow the various valued characteristics for each type and variety to be divided precisely.
For every variety of lime, Unisorting has developed a completely dedicated and specialized software, in order to offer high-performance solutions to any need.
Unisorting.
Where traceability and reliability go hand in hand.
Unisorting systems and equipment can be provided with a traceability system, which interfaces with the Packing House management software.
The fruits can be traced from the feeding stage on the lines up to the packing stage, with packing and labeling of the packages that will be delivered to the market.
For traceability, ask Unisorting.
Doing things the right way always increases peace of mind and the growth of your business.
tracciabilità
Having Unisorting as your only supplier means being able to meet your Customers’ needs with reliability and top quality.
Unisorting designs and produces machines that carry out every stage of lime processing: emptying, washing, brushing, alignment, grading, sorting, internal and external quality selection, packing, palletization, pallet strapping and traceability.
The technologies are 100% Unisorting, that is, produced by Unisorting qualified team of designers and technicians, within Unisorting.
We like to take 101% responsibility. Our technologies are designed and produced exclusively by Unisorting and this allows our customers, in the event of market requirements or irregular production of fruit, to reprogram the systems and permit continued operation with perfect efficiency.
This is possible when customers trust Unisorting to be their only supplier for every system requirement.
This is the only way your business can safely proceed towards success.
LIME PACKING SYSTEMS
The lime, which belongs to the rue family (Rutaceae), comes originally from south-east Asia. Sour limes have a considerably greater share of the world market than sweet limes, with only sour limes being sold in Europe.
Like other citrus fruit, limes consist of three layers:
the outer peel (flavedo layer), the glands of which exude the essential oils, which produce the typical citrus odor
the whitish albedo layer (inner layer of the peel)
the flesh of the fruit, consisting of approx. 8 – 10 segments, which contains the juice sacs.
Limes are very similar to lemons in shape and appearance, but they generally have no apical nipple. The flavedo layer is initially dark green, but it changes in color through green to yellow as it ripens. If the lime is fully ripe, its peel becomes glossy. The greenish, generally seedless flesh is then very juicy and has a sour taste. Since the lime is more sensitive to cold than the other citrus fruits and its peel is thinner than that of the lemon, it is more problematic to transport.
Limes are subdivided into two groups of varieties:
„West Indian, Mexican or Key lime“: small, containing seeds
„Tahiti lime or Persian lime“: larger, seedless, less aromatic
According to [5], the change in the color of the peel is not a reliable measure of the ripeness of the fruit – it is peel gloss which indicates whether a fruit is ripe or not. Glossy limes are ripe, even if they are still green or have green spots. Another measure of ripeness is the Brix value, which determines the sugar/acid ratio of the juice.
Unlike many other citrus fruits, the peel of the lime is not chemically treated. The reason for this is that the peel is often used together with the pulp, and treated peel is toxic and flavor-impairing and therefore not suitable for eating.
Quality / Duration of storage
The fruit must not be overripe, as this limits its transport and storage life considerably. In addition, limes should not be completely yellow in color on dispatch.
Moldy fruit must be discarded, as contact with other fruit may result in cross-infection.
Various sources state maximum duration of storage as follows:
Temperature Relative humidity Maximum duration of storage Source
11.5°C 85 – 90% 4 – 6 weeks [1]
10°C 90% 6 – 8 weeks [3]
8 – 12°C 85 – 90% 6 – 8 weeks [5]
Where controlled atmosphere transport is used, transport and storage duration may be extended. The following parameters apply in such a case [16]:
Temperature Rel. humidity O2 CO2 Suitability for controlled atmosphere
11.1 – 12.8°C 85 – 90% 5% 0 – 10% good
Intended use
Limes are used to garnish cold drinks and season food. They are also frequently used to produce juice concentrates.
Figure
(Click on the Figure to enlarge it.)
Photo, limes
Figure 1
Countries of origin
This Table shows only a selection of the most important countries of origin and should not be thought of as exhaustive.
Europe
Africa Kenya, Egypt, South Africa
Asia Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Israel
America USA (Florida, California), Mexico, Dominican Republic, Caribbean, Brazil, Ecuador
Australia
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Packaging
Limes are transported in crates, fruit crates and cartons.
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Cargo securing
Because of its considerable impact- and pressure-sensitivity, packages of this cargo must be secured in such a way that they are prevented from damaging each other. Spaces between packages or pallets must be filled, to prevent slippage or tipping. By selecting the correct packaging size or cargo unit (area module or area module multiple), holds can be tightly loaded (without spaces).
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Risk factors and loss prevention
RF Temperature
Limes require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
A written cooling order must be obtained from the consignor before loading is begun. This order must always be complied with during the entire transport chain.
The following Table merely constitutes an estimate of appropriate temperature ranges. Temperatures may deviate from these values, depending on the particular transport conditions.
Designation Temperature range Source
Travel temperature 11.5°C [1]
10°C [3]
8 – 12°C [5]
Supply air 11°C [1]
Depending on the variety, the chilling damage temperature for limes is 5 – 12°C.
To ensure maximum transport and storage life, the fruit should be cooled immediately postharvest, as limes, like other citrus fruit, are susceptible to mold.
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RF Humidity/Moisture
Limes require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
Designation Humidity/water content Source
Relative humidity 85 – 90% [1]
90% [3]
85 – 90% [5]
Water content 83 – 89% [1]
Maximum equilibrium moisture content 80% [1]
Limes must be protected from all forms of moisture (seawater, rain and condensation water), to prevent premature spoilage (mold damage).
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RF Ventilation
Limes require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 60 – 80 circulations/hour with continuous supply of fresh air, to prevent excessive concentrations of CO2, ethylene and other gases.
The circulation fans must where possible be set to full power for the entire duration of transport. After the reduction period, it is essential to supply fresh air to keep the CO2 content below 0.2 vol.%.
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RF Biotic activity
Limes display 2nd order biotic activity.
They are living organs in which respiration processes predominate, because their supply of new nutrients has been cut off by separation from the parent plant.
Care of the cargo during the voyage must be aimed at controlling respiration processes (release of CO2, water vapor, ethylene and heat) in such a way that the cargo is at the desired stage of ripeness on reaching its destination. Inadequate ventilation may result in fermentation and rotting of the cargo as a result of increased CO2 levels and inadequate supply of atmospheric oxygen (see Ventilation).
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RF Gases
CO2 evolution CO2 evolution at 11°C: 13 mg/kg*h
Upper limit of permissible CO2 content 0.2 vol.%
Ethylene evolution
Active behavior The rate of ethylene production is very low, being below 0.1 µl/kg*h [16].
Passive behavior Limes are moderately sensitive to ethylene [16] (allelopathy).
If ventilation has been inadequate (frost) or has failed owing to a defect, life-threatening CO2 concentrations or O2 shortages may arise. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold, it must be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out. The TLV for CO2 concentration is 0.49 vol.%.
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RF Self-heating / Spontaneous combustion
No risk.
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RF Odor
Active behavior Limes have a strong, pleasant odor.
Passive behavior The cargo is highly odor-sensitive and must therefore not be stored together with odor-emitting products.
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RF Contamination
Active behavior Limes do not cause contamination.
Passive behavior The cargo is sensitive to dirt, fats and oils. The holds or containers must accordingly be clean and in a thoroughly hygienic condition before loading.
RF Mechanical influences
Because of its high impact- and pressure-sensitivity, the fruit must be treated with great care during cargo handling, transport and storage, since otherwise it will spoil prematurely.
RF Toxicity / Hazards to health
If ventilation has been inadequate (frost) or has failed owing to a defect, life-threatening CO2 concentrations or O2 shortages may arise. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold, it must be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out. The TLV for CO2 concentration is 0.49 vol.%.
RF Shrinkage/Shortage
The normal weight loss due to a reduction in the moisture content of the product is approx. 1 – 2% [1].
RF Insect infestation / Diseases
Blue mold rot or storage rot is the most feared storage disease of citrus fruits and is caused by two species of mold: green mold (Penicillium digitatum), which is of an olive-green color, and blue mold (Penicillium italicum), which is of a blue-green color. The fungal spores mainly penetrate through small injuries. Development is optimal at 20 – 27°C; growth still flourishes at 10°C and comes to a standstill only at 4°C. Blue mold is transferred from fruit to fruit by contact.
Seawater, rain and condensation water promote green and blue mold growth.
The quarantine regulations of the country of destination must be complied with and a phytosanitary certificate may have to be enclosed with the shipping documents. Information may be obtained from the phytosanitary authorities of the countries concerned.
Chilling damage is manifested in citrus fruits in particular by spots on the peel (brown dots on the peel), accompanied by a bitter taste and unpleasant odor, rot and cell wall collapse. The glossiness of the peel is lost and the albedo layer (inner layer of the peel), which is normally white, turns a dark color. When the fruit is divided up, the segments, which have a low juice content, break up and the whole fruit is glassy and soft. The severity of the chilling damage is determined not only by the extent to which the temperature has fallen beneath the limit, but also by the length of exposure to this temperature.
AUTOMATED LIME PACKINGCOST-EFFECTIVE AUTOMATIZATION CONCEPT DEVELOPED
High efficiency of the packing area is of great importance for profit-making operation of a sand lime bricks plant. The experts of WKB Systems worked out a special automatization concept that was successfully implemented on the production facilities of a large-scale German manufacturer of sand lime products. It is based on the usage of innovative facilities to boost the packing process flow, such as state-of-the-art machinery, robots, manipulators, gripping facilities, etc.
Our solution: Cost-effective automatization concept for a perfectly optimised packing process
Based on their long-term experience in the automatization and modernisation of sand lime bricks plants the engineers of WKB Systems came up to a decision to use two gripping facilities, one robot and a specially developed moving device for empty hardening trolleys taking into consideration a very compact ground area available.
AUTOMATED PACKING LINE
The operating cycle starts with the feeding of three types of wooden pallets via roller conveyors to the robot with a special gripper. It picks up two interlaced pallets and places one of them on a chain conveyor. Then the robot turns the gripper with another pallet by 180° and places it also on the chain conveyor. Thanks to the robot’s high flexibility it is possible to separate and precisely position wooden pallets of up to 25 kg each on the conveyer in an efficient way.
On the other side of the packing area the hardening trolleys loaded with sand lime bricks are forwarded to the portal gripping facility. It pushes the bricks together on the trolley to eliminate the spaces between them, takes and places them on two empty pallets prepared on the chain conveyor. So, one load of bricks on one trolley results in two packing units of height 800-1,300 mm and weight 2,200 kg.
After being strapped and stretched the brick packets are joined to one load and picked up with another portal gripping facility. It brings the load to an empty trolley to put it down. The whole cycle takes 40 seconds per packing unit.