Guiding, distributing and filling device, and method for use thereof

1. A method for uniformly filling a relatively large container with relatively delicate products using a filling device, comprising:

supplying the products at a first level via a feed conveyor;

transferring the products in a restrained manner from the first level to a second level via a guiding device of the filling device, wherein the guiding device comprises at least one transfer member for receiving the products at a speed adjustable to a speed of the feed conveyer during use, wherein at least one transfer member has a substantially cylindrical form and comprises a plurality of bristles having a first length and a plurality of bristles having a second length;

releasing the products at the second level into a distributing device; and

distributing the products into the container.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guiding device further comprises:

a guide member, the guide member being arranged substantially along a part of the outside of the transfer member for guiding the products in the transfer member during use.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guiding device further comprises a flap extending at least partly along the surface of the transfer member.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guiding device further comprises a cleaning member comprising teeth, the teeth extending in at least a portion of the bristles during use.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributing device comprises:

a first rotating distributor comprising flaps for carrying the products during use, wherein the first rotating distributor comprises more flaps on the outer side than on the inner side; and

a second distributor arranged below the first rotating distributor and comprising at least one opening for passage of the products.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first rotating distributor comprises pins extending substantially as a spoke of the first rotating distributor, and distributing pins extending from the outside to the inside over a part of the first rotating distributor, wherein the flaps can be fixed to these pins.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the distributing pins are coupled resiliently to the first rotating distributor or take a resilient form.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the filling device further comprises height-adjusting means for setting the height of the filling device relative to the container.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the height-adjusting means comprises:

a container displaceable in height, and

a height detector for signaling the correct height-adjustment of the container relative to the underside of the distributing device during use.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second distributor comprises a distributing flap for distributing the products uniformly and in a gentle manner over the container.

11. The method of claim 5 , wherein the filling device further comprises height-adjusting means for setting the height of the container relative to the filling device subject to the level of filling of the container.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the height-adjusting means comprises means for adjusting the transport angle of the feed conveyor relative to the guiding device.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filling device further comprises lifting means for lifting the container.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filling device further comprises rotating means for rotating the container.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guiding device comprises a long distributing flap.

16. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

stopping at least the second distributor during the filling of the container if there is no supply of fruits.

17. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

varying the speed of at least the second distributor depending on the level of filling of the container.

18. The method of claim 5 , wherein supplying the feed conveyor with products comprises filling the feed conveyor gradually or step-wise with a batch of products.