DK2407063T3

DK2407063T3 - METHOD FOR USE OF A BELT AND A Room arrangement

Info

Publication number: DK2407063T3
Application number: DK11172792.1T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Jorma Soikkeli; Hanna Lankinen; Jaakko Lahti
Original assignee: Itab Pan Oston Oy
Priority date: 2010-07-13
Filing date: 2011-07-06
Publication date: 2015-12-14
Also published as: FI20105798A0; EP2407063A1; EP2407063B1; FI20105798A; FI123743B

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method for use of a conveyor line according to the preamble of claim 1 interconnecting a cashier counter and a bagging counter.

[0002] The invention relates also to a space arrangement according to the preamble of claims 10, which includes a cashier counter and a bagging counter, as well as a conveyor line between said cashier counter and bagging counter.

[0003] When dealing with large merchandise for example at a hardware store's checkout station, the reading of bar codes presents a problem when the merchandise is too large to fit on the conveyor belt. The problem has often been addressed by customers bringing large articles through on the other side of the conveyor line, i.e. on the cashier side, but this results in the cashier's working range increasing to 180 degrees as he/she will be forced to read bar codes from both sides of his/her workstation. Such work is ergonomically stressful. In addition, since customers have access to the cashier's area, there is always a higher risk of theft compared to the situation in which the reading of all bar codes can be conducted from the cashier counter side facing the cashier. Another way of addressing the problem has been to provide the cashier counter with a non-driven conveyor, such as a roller conveyor, which has then been lifted up for opening a passage for the cashier to what from the cashier station perspective is an opposite side of the conveyor line. A problem here is, however, that working with a non-driven roller conveyor is ergonomically stressful when dealing with fairly sizable merchandise, which is often the case in hardware stores. A method for use of a conveyor line and a space arrangement according to the preambles of claim 1 and 11 is known from US 4061205A. The invention is intended for eliminating the drawbacks existing in the presented prior art.

[0004] A principal object of the invention is to provide a conveyor line for a cashier counter, which enables reading bar codes on merchandise and receiving a payment only from a conveyor line side of the cashier station regardless of the size of merchandise being dealt with.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor line, which enables a space solution denying the customer any access to the cashier station.

[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a conveyor line, wherein the cashier counter conveyor and the bagging counter conveyor are both driven conveyors.

[0007] The conveyor line interconnects a cashier counter and a bagging counter. The conveyor line comprises a conveyor linked to a cashier counter and equipped with a motor driving the cashier counter's conveyor belt, and a conveyor linked to a bagging counter and equipped with a motor driving the bagging counter's conveyor belt. Either one of said conveyors is a folding conveyor and the conveyors define jointly a substantially continuous plane for the conveyor line, extending from the cashier counter to the bagging counter. The folding conveyor includes a pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame, winich is capable of being turned to an angle of about 45-140 degrees relative to the conveyor line's plane about a hinge point of the folding conveyor's frame while at least the motor driving the folding conveyor's conveyor belt is in operation. Thus, between the conveyor linked to the cashier counter and the conveyor linked to the bagging counter is established a gateway.

[0008] The above objects are achieved with a use of conveyor line of claim 1 and with a space arrangement of claims 10.

[0009] To be more accurate the method according to the invention relates to a method for use a conveyor line interconnecting a cashier counter and a bagging counter, which cashier counter comprises a countertop in an assembly with a part of or the whole frame of the conveyor and which bagging counter, comprises a countertop integrated therewith a part of the conveyor's frame, said conveyor line comprising a conveyor linked to the cashier counter and equipped with a motor driving the cashier counter's conveyor belt, and a conveyor linked to the bagging counter and equipped with a motor driving the bagging counter's conveyor belt, either one of said conveyors being a folding conveyor and said conveyors defining jointly a substantially continuous plane for the conveyor line? which plane extends from the cashier counter to the bagging counter, characterized in that the folding conveyor, which includes a pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame, • the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame adjacent to the gateway is turned to an angle of about 45-140; preferably to an angle of about 70-110 degrees, preferably to an angle of about 90 degrees, upward from the conveyor line's plane, by pivoting the folding conveyor's frame about the hinge point of the folding conveyor's frame while at least the motors driving motors driving the conveyor belts in operation, thereby establishing a gateway between the conveyor linked to the cashier counter and the conveyor linked to the bagging counter; • the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame adjacent to the gateway is turned from an angle of about 45-140 degrees, preferably from an angle of about 70-110 degrees., preferably from an angle of about 90 degrees, upward from the conveyor line's plane, to a parallel relationship with the conveyor line's plane about the hinge point of the folding conveyor's frame while at least the motors driving the mentioned conveyor belts (43,53) are in operation • the hinge point divides the folding conveyor in two segments, such that only the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame is pivoted.

[0010] Preferably, the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame adjacent to the gateway is foldable to an angle of about 70-110 degrees, preferably to an angle of about 90 degrees, upward from the conveyor line's plane, by pivoting the folding conveyor's frame about the hinge point while both motors driving the conveyor belts (43, 53) are in operation.

[0011] US patent publications 4 182 433 and 4 265 336 disclose a slightly similar type conveyor line, in which, however, the entire section of the conveyor line leading to a bagging counter folds downward about its pivot point present at the rear end. Drive for the conveyor line section (conveyor) is stopped as the latter is turned downward. It is not the intention in these publications to establish a conveyor line, in which all products and commodities could be dealt with from the same side of the conveyor line from the cashier station perspective, but, instead, the purpose there is to provide two separate lines, in which is only employed either a conveyor present on the cashier counter or a conveyor both present on the cashier counter and leading to the bagging counter. Therefore, the conveyor leading to the bagging counter is stopped entirely as a line change is conducted. This type of conveyor line cannot be very lengthy, nor is it therefore applicable in connection with lengthy bagging counters, since it is necessary to pivot the entire conveyor line downward at its rear end adjacent to the bagging counter. As opposed to this, a folding conveyor according to the invention is easy to pivot, since the hinge point divides the folding conveyor in two segments, such that it is only the folding part (end) of the frame which is pivoted, nor does it limit the length of the frame's stationary segment leading to the cashier counter or the bagging counter.

[0012] In addition, such a conveyor line of the prior art, hinged at the rear end, is considerably slower to stop and start than a conveyor line implemented with one preferred embodiment of the invention, in vtfiich each driven segment of the conveyor line is a belt conveyor and the driven motion of a second belt conveyor, configured as a folding conveyor, is stoppable by pivoting one end of its frame about a hinge point. Such a belt-driven folding conveyor provides the advantage over conveyor arrangements known e g. from the above-cited US patent publications 4 182 433 and 4 265 336 that the folding conveyor need not be separately stopped and restarted when it is desirable to establish a gateway across the conveyor line. Drive for the conveyor line stops automatically as the folding conveyor's end is pivoted about the hinge point, because the endless belt slackens and the slackened belt is no longer driven by the motor. When the pivoting end of the folding conveyor is pressed back to its lower position, to flushness with the rest of the conveyor line, the drive returns to the belt extending by way of a motor and a second end roll, because the belt tightens.

[0013] In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame of a conveyor line's folding conveyor has the motion of its pivoting end lightened with a spring-loaded relief element, such as a gas spring. In addition, a lifting moment applied by the gas spring to an end of the folding conveyor is adjustable, such that the lifting moment is at its maximum as the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame is flush with the conveyor line, and the lifting moment decreases linearly as the folding conveyor's end is pivoted upwards from the plane of the conveyor line. A benefit gained thereby is that both turning the folding conveyor's end upward and lowering the same downward are effortless operations, because the lifting moment applied by a relief element to the conveyor line is at its minimum when the folding conveyor's end is in its top position.

[0014] On the other hand, the space arrangement according to the invention includes a cashier counter and a bagging counter, as well as a conveyor line between said cashier counter and bagging counter, said line including a conveyor linked to the cashier counter and equipped with a motor driving a conveyor belt, and a conveyor linked to the bagging counter and equipped wth a motor driving the bagging counter's conveyor belt, either one of said conveyors being a folding conveyor having a second end roll and said conveyors defining jointly a substantially continuous plane for the conveyor line, which plane extends from the cashier counter to the bagging counter. In this space arrangement • the space arrangement is provided with a gateway leading to the cashier counter by folding a pivoting end of the conveyor line's folding conveyor adjacent to the gateway to an angle of about 45-140 degrees preferably to an angle of about 70-110 degrees relative to the plane of the conveyor line about a hinge point of the folding conveyor's frame while at least the motors driving said conveyor belts (43,53) are in operation but the driven motion of the folding conveyor being stopped because of belt slackening, • the gateway is closed by turning the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame from an angle of about 45-140 degrees, preferably from an angle of about 70-110 degrees, to a parallel relationship with the conveyor line's plane about the hinge point of the folding conveyor's frame while at least the motors driving the conveyor belts are in operation while the drive returns to the belt extending by way of a motor and the second end roll, because the belt tightens, • the hinge point divides the folding conveyor in two segments, such that only the pivoting end of the folding conveyor's frame is pivoted.

[0015] In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the gateway established by means of the space arrangement's folding conveyor leads to a cashier's workstation, which is on the one hand defined by a vwall(s) interconnecting the cashier counter and the bagging counter and on the other hand by said conveyor line. Preferably, into such a workstation extends just one gateway, which is established by turning a pivoting end of the frame of the conveyor line's folding conveyor to an angle from the conveyor line's plane.

[0016] The term wall is here used in reference to a temporary or stationary wall element, but also to movable sturdy space dividers.

[0017] The workstation in such a space arrangement is safe from the standpoint of a cashier, since customers have no access from anywhere else except from the conveyor line side. As an additional benefit, such a space arrangement provides a cashier counter-conveyor belt solution considerably more compact than before in a direction transverse to the conveyor line's longitudinal direction, wherein the cashier counter and the bagging counter can be brought, if desired, to attachment with the wall/walls.

[0018] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, which also disclose other benefits gained by the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view a cashier counter and a bagging counter, as well as a conveyor line therebetween, as viewed from an opposite, customer side of the conveyor line.

Fig. 2A shows in a perspective view the cashier counter and bagging counter of fig. 1, as well as the conveyor line therebetween, as viewed from an opposite, customer side of the conveyor line while one end of the conveyor line's folding conveyor is in an upturned position.

Fig. 2B shows in a perspective view the cashier counter of fig. 2A as viewed from a cashier's workstation side of the conveyor line. Fig. 3 visualizes a cashier counter and a bagging counter, as well as a conveyor line therebetween, in a view from above.

Figs. 4A and 4B show schematically, in side views, a reversing roll and a relief element used for pivoting the same.

Fig. 5 shows schematically, in a plan view, one space arrangement made possible by a conveyor line of the invention.

[0019] The following description relates first to specific features of the invention visualized by the figures and to structural aspects visible in the figures.

[0020] Figs. 1,2A-2B, and 3 serve to visualize from various perspectives a conveyor line 6 interconnecting a cashier counter 2 and a bagging counter 3, while a folding conveyor 9 is either in flushness wth a plane T of the conveyor line 6 (fig. 1 and fig. 3) or a pivoting end 9a of the folding conveyor is in an uplifted position (figs. 2Aand 2B). As visible from figs. 1-3, the conveyor line 6 comprises a driven conveyor 5 linked to the cashier counter 2 as well as a driven conveyor 4 linked to the bagging counter 3. Either one of these conveyors 4, 5 is a folding conveyor. Hence, the conveyors 4, 5 define jointly a substantially continuous plane T for the conveyor line 6, extending from the cashier counter 2 to the bagging counter 3. Between forward edges of the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3 is left a specific gap 70, having a width V in the direction of the conveyor line 6. The folding conveyor 9 includes a pivoting end 9a (of the frame), which is foldable to an angle N (upward) from the conveyor line's 6 plane T about a hinge point 9; 9c of the folding conveyor's 9 frame, such that between the driven conveyor 5 linked to the cahier counter 2 and the driven conveyor 4 linked to the bagging counter 3 is established a gateway 7, having a wdth V in the conveyor line direction. In this case, the distance between forward edges of the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3 refers to a distance between mutually closest frame elements or frame support elements (pedestal) of these particular counters 2, 3.

[0021] Consequently, the angle N is an angle formed between a plane defined by the surface of the folding conveyor's 9 pivoting end 9a and the surface of a stationary segment 9b of the folding conveyor's frame when the surface of the folding conveyor's stationary segment is in flushness with the conveyor line 6 (fig. 4).

[0022] The angle N is usually about 90 degrees, but can be for example within the range of 70-110 degrees or even 45-140 degrees. The deflection angle N depends also on whether the folding conveyor is made up by the cashier counter's conveyor 5 or the bagging counter's conveyor 4. If the folding conveyor is made up by the bagging counter's conveyor, the deflection angle will be restricted by merchandise on the bagging counter, because then a deflection angle between the folding conveyor's end and the rest of the frame must not be so small that the folding conveyor's pivoting end collides with merchandise present on the bagging counter.

[0023] As visible from figs. 1-3, the folding conveyor in this case is the conveyor 4 linked to the bagging counter 3, but just as well the folding conveyor could also be the conveyor 5 linked to the cashier counter 2.

[0024] Both the driven conveyor 5 linked to the cashier counter 2 and the driven conveyor 4 linked to the bagging counter 3 are each belt conveyors. They comprise a conveyor frame 51 partly integrated with the cashier counter 2 and a conveyor frame 41 partly integrated with the bagging counter 3, respectively. The structure of the cashier counter 2 and the belt conveyor 5 linked thereto is as such conventional, and so is that of the bagging counter 3 and, regarding modifications of these elements, reference is indeed made to prior art engineering, wfnich discloses a variety of options for implementing a cashier counter, a bagging counter, and a belt conveyor linked to a cashier counter or a bagging counter. The belt conveyor 4 linked to the bagging counter 3 is configured as a folding conveyor 9, including an end 9a pivoting around a hinge point 9; 9c present in the frame. The pivoting end 9a of the folding conveyor's frame is lightened with a relief element 8, wfnich in this case is a gas spring. Turning the pivoting end 9a of the folding conveyor's frame around the hinge point enables establishing a gateway 7 as described later. Figs. 4A and 4B serve to visualize operation of the gas spring 8 as the pivoting end 9a of the folding conveyor's 9 frame is being turned upward from the conveyor line's plane and, in addition, fig. 4A visualizes how the hinge point of the folding conveyor's 9 frame lies above a straight line L extending between the axle mounting points of a drum motor 41; 41 b of the conveyor 9 and a folding roll 41,41 a present at the end to facilitate locking of the folding conveyor in its lower position.

[0025] Fig. 5 serves to visualize how the conveyor line provided with a folding conveyor of the invention enables placing a cashier counter and a bagging counter in the attachment with or in the intimate vicinity of a wall/walls 13.

[0026] The invention will now be given more detailed look with reference to the description of figs. 1-5 presented above in general sense.

[0027] The cashier counter 2 comprises a countertop 21 in an assembly with a part of or the whole frame 51 of the belt conveyor 5. The countertop 21 is propped on a foundation, such as a shop floor, by means of a pedestal 25. In a plan view, the cashier counter's countertop 21 has a generally more or less rectangular shape and is topped by a fence 22 extending around the countertop 21 on three sides. The bagging counter 3, on the other hand, comprises a countertop 31 of the bagging counter, having integrated therewith a part of the belt conveyor's 4 frame. The bagging counter's countertop 31 is propped on the foundation by way of a pedestal 35. In a plan view, the bagging counter 3 is more or less square-shaped, and it is wider than the cashier counter in lateral direction, i.e. in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line 6. The countertop 31 of the bagging counter 3 is topped by a fence 32 circling around it on three sides. In addition, figs. 1,2Aand 2B depict a few conventional cashier counter and bagging counter accessories, such as flat shelves 23 under the cashier counter, a bagging counter extension ledge 34, and a countertop divider 33 for the bagging counter. The belt conveyor 5 integrated with the cashier counter's countertop 21 is conventional as such. The belt conveyor features an endless belt 53 and a frame 51, the latter being partly integrated with structural elements of the cashier counter's countertop 21. To the frame 51 are coupled a drum motor (not shown in the figures) concealed under a rear section 21 b of the cashier counter's countertop 21, and a reversing roll 51; 51 a located in a forward section 21 a of the cashier counter. The drum motor drives the endless belt 53, which is running around the reversing roll 51; 51 a operating in the countertop's forward section 21a. In this case, the rear section 21 b of the cashier counter's countertop 21 refers to a far end of the cashier counter's countertop as viewed from the bagging counter, and the forward section 21 a of the cashier counter 21 in turn refers to a near end of the cashier counter's countertop as viewed from the bagging counter 3. Running and stopping of the belt 53 can be controlled by means of per se conventional control means, which have not been shown in order to simplify the figures. Such control means include e.g. optical and mechanical relays.

[0028] The belt conveyor 4, which is partly integrated with the countertop 31 of the bagging counter 3, also comprises an endless belt 43 and a frame 41, the latter being partly integrated with structural elements of the countertop 31. To the belt conveyor's 4 frame 41 is coupled a drum motor 41; 41 b (shown in figure 4A) concealed under a rear section 31 b of the bagging counter's countertop 31. A reversing roll 41 a of the belt conveyor 4 has been taken to the proximity of the belt conveyor's 5 reversing roll 51 a located in the forward section of the cashier counter's countertop (cf. fig. 4A). With the drum motor 41; 41 b driving the endless belt 43, vtfiich is running around the reversing roll 41; 41 b located close to a forward edge of the cashier counter and back to the drum motor 41b, the surface of the endless belt 43 establishes a first segment of the conveyor line 6.

This segment 43 of the conveyor line extends from the bagging counter 3 to the vicinity of the cashier counter 2, crossing at the same time an opening 70, which is present between the forward edges of the bagging counter and the cashier counter and which has a width V in the direction of the conveyor line. On the other hand, a second segment of the conveyor line 6 is established by the surface of the belt conveyor 53 running on top of the cashier counter. When both segments of the conveyor line are in operation, in other words the respective endless belt 53, 43 of each belt conveyor 5, 4 is driven by a motor, the surfaces of the endless belts 43 and 53 essentially establish a plane T for the conveyor line 6, said plane coinciding wth the surface level of the endless belts 53 and 43.

[0029] As for its segment closer to the cashier counter, the frame 41 of the bagging counter's 3 belt conveyor 4 has now been made foldable upwards by providing said frame 41 with a hinge 41; 41 c (9; 9c). The hinge 41 is positioned slightly beyond a forward edge of the bagging counter 3, in other words slightly away from the bagging counter's forward edge towards the cashier counter in the direction of the conveyor line. Consequently, the belt conveyor 4, which is configured as a folding conveyor, has its frame 41 consisting of a stationary segment 411 of said frame 41, which is integrated with the bagging counter 4, as well as a pivoting segment 412 of the frame 41, which lies on top of the opening 70 between the bagging counter 3 and the cashier counter. Turning the pivoting segment 412 of the conveyor's frame 41 to an angle of about 90 degrees upward from the conveyor line's plane T enables establishing a gateway 7, whose width V in the direction of the conveyor line depends on how far the hinge 41 c is located from the forward edge of the bagging counter 3 towards the cashier counter 2.

[0030] The pivoting segment 41 of the conveyor's frame is not necessarily deflected to an angle of exactly 90 degrees relative to the conveyor line's plane T as the gateway 7 is established across the conveyor line between the cashier counter and the bagging counter, but this deflection angle can be for example 45-140 degrees, preferably 70-110 degrees.

[0031] Since the cashier counter's belt conveyor 5 can also be configured in a respective manner as a folding conveyor, it is subsequently intended that the folding conveyor 9 refers to a driven conveyor, which is similar to the bagging counter's belt conveyor 4 and which has its frame consisting of a stationary segment 9b located on the bagging or cashier counter and of a pivoting end 9a located at least partially in the opening 70 between the bagging counter and the cashier counter, as well as of a hinge 9c present between the pivoting end 9a and the stationary segment 9b. As visible in fig. 2B, the opening between the bagging counter 3 and the cashier counter 2 is fitted with a door 70, which is co-directional with the conveyor line 6 and which opens into the cashier's station.

[0032] More specific operation of the folding conveyor 9, as well as a more detailed construction of the folding conveyor, is best depicted in figs. 2A-2B as well as 4A-4B. As visible e.g. in fig. 2B, the belt conveyor 4 used as the folding conveyor 9 has the pivoting segment 412 of its frame fitted with a grip handle 11. In addition, said pivoting segment 412 is provided with a relief element 8, which is shown more specifically in figs. 4Aand 4B. The relief element 8 has its rear end located below the conveyor line 6 bearing on a forward edge of the bagging counter (in other words, on the bagging counter's structural elements or pedestal, not shown in the figures) and its forward end coupled with the pivoting segment 412 of the belt conveyor's 4 frame. In this case, the relief element is a gas spring, but equally usable is some other device with the same features. Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a hinge point 41 c (9c) for the frame of the belt conveyor 4 used as the folding conveyor 9, said hinge point being between the stationary frame segment 41b (9b) and the pivoting frame segment 41 a (9a). As visible in fig. 4A, the hinge point 41 c (9c) of the belt conveyor's frame 41 is located above a straight line L interconnecting the axles of the motor 41 b and the reversing roll 41 a. A benefit gained this way is that the relative position of the folding conveyor's 4 frame's 41 stationary segment 411 and pivoting segment 412 can be locked more securely in a lower position of the segments, when the hinge 41 c therebetween is positioned above the straight line L. Fig. 4B depicts operation of the relief element 8 as turning the pivoting segment 412 of the folding conveyor's 4 frame is started from the plane T of the conveyor line 6 to an angle (upward). In the figure is sketched a moment of force Μ; M1, Μ; M2 and Μ; M3 applied by the relief element 8 to the pivoting segment 412 of the belt conveyor's 4 frame while said pivoting segment 412 is turning from the conveyor line's plane (moment of force is Μ; M1) to an angle of about 45 degrees from the conveyor line (M=M2) and to an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the conveyor line's plane (M=M3). The moment of force M depends on a distance between a straight line co-directional with the relief element's longitudinal axis and the hinge point 9c and, as depicted in fig. 4B, the distance (A, B or C) is at its maximum at the start of the motion when the direction of the gas spring's longitudinal axis deviates most from the direction of the belt conveyor's pivoting segment 412, diminishing as the direction of the relief element's 8 longitudinal axis approaches the direction of the pivoting frame segment 412, whereby the frame has been turned 90 degrees relative to the conveyor line's plane T. Another benefit gained thereby is that the resistance of a gas spring in the process of pushing the pivoting frame segment downward is at its minimum as the pivoting frame segment 412 is at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane T of the conveyor line 6.

[0033] Now, when it is desirable to provide the conveyor line 6 with a gateway 7, the pivoting segment 412 of the frame 41 of the folding conveyor 4, which lies on top of the opening 70 between the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3 of the conveyor line 6, will be turned. Said frame segment 412 is turned by means of the grip handle 11 and the relief element 8 from the hinge point 41 c upwards. When the pivoting segment 412 of the folding conveyor's 4 frame starts to turn, the endless belt 43 of the folding conveyor 4 slackens at the same time, nor does the driving power of the drum motor 41 b transmit any longer to the belt 43. Once the pivoting segment 412 of the frame 41 is at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the conveyor line's plane T, the opening has become the gateway 7 whose width in the direction of the conveyor line 6 is approximately equal to the distance of the folding belt's hinge 41 c from the forward edge of the cashier counter 2. The conveyor line 6 is activated in a reverse order by pressing the pivoting segment 41 a of the frame 41 to flushness with the conveyor line's plane T, whereby the endless belt 43 tightens and the driving power of the motor 41 b is again transmitted to the belt 43. It should be noted here that at least the drum motor 41 b of the folding conveyor is running all the time while making the opening 7 in the conveyor line by folding the pivoting segment 412 of the folding conveyor's 4 frame upward from the conveyor line's plane T. The conveyor line motor is also running all the time while closing the opening 7 in the conveyor line by folding the pivoting segment 412 of the folding conveyor's 4 frame back to a parallel relationship with the conveyor line's plane T.

[0034] For a section of the conveyor line 6, which leads to the cashier counter 2, in other words for the conveyor 5 associated with the cashier counter, the drum motor driving the conveyor belt 53 is usually kept running while making the opening 7 in the conveyor line. Operation of the conveyor belt is monitored with a separate sensor (not shown in the figures); once the merchandise present on the conveyor belt has arrived in a suitable position on the conveyor belt, for example in an end section of the conveyor belt 53 adjacent to the opening 7, the conveyor belt will be stopped by switching off said drum motor.

[0035] There is still illustrated in fig. 5 how the invention enables the establishment of a compact space arrangement 1. The figure shows a cashier counter 2 and a bagging counter 3, as well as a conveyor line 6 interconnecting the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3, wherein a belt conveyor on top of the cashier counter 2 or the bagging counter 3 is the above-described folding conveyor 9. Between the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3 exists an opening 70, having a specific width in the direction of the conveyor line 6. The opening 70 is convertible into a gateway 7 by turning a pivoting end 9a of the frame of the folding conveyor 9, as described above. Acashier's station 12 has been defined by permanent and temporary walls 13; 13a, 13b and 13c, such that the customer has no access to the cashier's side of the conveyor line. The cashier's station is in this case defined on the one hand by the conveyor line 6 and on the other hand by the walls 13; 13a, 13b, 13c interconnecting the cashier counter 2 and the bagging counter 3 in an arc. Thus, the only access to the cashier's station 12 is provided by the gateway 7 to be established in the conveyor line 6. Such a space arrangement 1 also enables for example the permanent wall 13 to be brought to the intimate proximity of or even to the attachment with the cashier counter and the bagging counter, in which case the cashier's station 12 will be defined by said walls, the conveyor line, the cashier counter and the bagging counter.

[0036] Described above, by means of the figures, is just one preferred embodiment for a conveyor line and a space arrangement according to the invention, and it is obvious for a skilled artisan that there are a multitude of other possibilities of implementing the invention within the scope of the inventive concept presented in the claims.

[0037] Hence, for example a door 14, shown in the figures as opening into the cashier's station 12, is not necessarily present in all space arrangements.

List of reference numerals [0038]

Space arrangement 1

Cashier counter 2

Cashier counter's countertop 21

Countertop's rear end 21b

Countertop's forward end 21a

Cashier counter's fence 22

Cashier counter's shelf 23

Cashier counter's pedestal 25

Bagging counter 3

Bagging counter's countertop 31

Countertop's rear section 31b

Bagging counter's fence 32

Bagging counter's divider 33

Bagging counter's extension ledge 34

Bagging counter's pedestal 35

Conveyor linked to bagging counter 4

Conveyor frame 41

Reversing roll for conveyor frame 41a

Drum motor 41b

Conveyor frame hinge 41c

Stationary segment of conveyor frame 411

Pivoting segment of conveyor frame 412

Conveyor belt (endless belt) 43

Conveyor linked to cashier counter 5

Conveyor frame 51

Reversing roll for conveyor frame 51a

Conveyor belt (endless belt) 53

Conveyor line 6

Gateway 7

Opening between cashier counter 2 and bagging counter 70

Relief element 8

Folding conveyor 9

Pivoting end of folding conveyor frame 9a

Stationary segment of folding conveyor frame 9b

Folding conveyor hinge, hinge point 9c

Grip handle 11

Cashier's station 12

Wall 13

Door 14

Straight line between center points of roll and drum motor L

Lifting moment M

Deflection angle for folding conveyor's pivoting end N

Distance of cashier counter from bagging counter V

Conveyor line's plane T

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • US4182433A [00111 [00121 • US4265336A 1001.1.1 fOOlZ]

Claims

A method of using a tape line (6) for connecting a box station (2) and a packing station (3), wherein the box station (2) comprises a countertop (21) in a structure with part or all of the frame of a conveyor (5), and wherein the packing station (3) comprises a packing plate (31) integrated with a portion of the frame of a conveyor (4), the band line (6) comprising the conveyor (5) coupled to the checkout station (2). ) and is provided with a motor which drives the conveyor belt (53) of the box station (2), as well as a conveyor (4) coupled to the packing station (3) and equipped with a motor (41b) which drives the conveyor belt of the packing station (3). (43), wherein one of the conveyors (4, 5) is a foldable conveyor (9) with a second end roller (41a, 51a) and the conveyors (4, 5) jointly define a continuous plane (T) for the conveyor line (6). ), which plane extends from the box station (2) to the packing station (3), characterized in that the folding conveyor (9) about a pivotable end (9a) of the foldable conveyor frame, thereby rotating the pivotal end (9a) of the foldable frame (9) close to a passageway (7) to an angle (N) of approx. 45-140 degrees, about 70-110 degrees, and preferably at an angle (N) of about 90 degrees, upward from the plane of the transport line (T), by pivoting the frame of the folding conveyor (9) around the hinge point (9; 9c) of the folding conveyor ( 9) while at least the motors driving the belts (43, 53) are in operation, the drive movement of the folding conveyor is stopped due to belt leakage, thereby forming a passage (7) between the conveyor (5) which is coupled to the box station (2) and the conveyor (4) coupled to the packing station (3) - the pivotable end (9a) of the foldable conveyor (9) frame close to the passage (7) is turned from an angle (N) of approx. 45-140 degrees, preferably from an angle (N) of approx. 70-110 degrees, preferably from an angle (N) of about 90 degrees, upward from the plane (T) of the conveyor line to a position parallel to the plane (T) of the conveyor line (6), around the hinge point (9; 9c) of the foldable conveyor (9) frame while at least the motors pulling the conveyor belts (43, 53) are in operation while the drive returns to the belt and extends it by means of a motor and another end roller (41a, 51a) because the tape is tightened; - the hinge point (9, 9c) divides the foldable conveyor (9) into two segments so that only the pivotable end (9c) is pivoted.

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the end (9a) of the folding conveyor (9) is connected close to the passage (7) to a relief element (8) for rotating the folding conveyor (9) of the folding frame (9). end (9a) at an angle to the plane (T) of the conveyor line.

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to claim 2, characterized in that a gripping handle (11) for rotating the pivotal conveyor (9a) around the hinge point is coupled to the pivotal end (9a) of the conveyor line (6) (9; 9c).

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the relief element (8) is a spring-loaded relief element, such as a gas spring applied to its lifting torque (M) at the pivotal end (9a) of the folding conveyor. maximum, each time the pivotal end (9a) of the folding conveyor (9) lies approximately coaxially with the plane of the conveyor line (T), and decreases as the pivotal end (9a) of the pivotal line (6) is rotated to obtain an increased angle relative to the plane of the conveyor line (T) .

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that both the driven conveyors (4, 5) are belt conveyors, each having an endless belt (43, 53) which can be driven by a motor. , such as a drum motor located at one end of the belt conveyor and each conveyor (4, 5) having its longitudinal end, opposite to the motor, provided with a by-pass roller (41a, 51a), the endless belt being capable of to stretch.

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to claim 5, characterized in that the belt conveyor (4) is configured together with the packing station (3) as a folding conveyor (9) by having its end closest to the checkout station provided. with a hinge point (9; 9c), about which the pivotable end (9a) of the folding conveyor frame can be folded to an angle (N) relative to the plane of the conveying line (T).

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to claim 6, characterized in that at the end (9a) of the folding conveyor (9), close to the passage (7), a relief element (8) is coupled to pivot the folding conveyor (9). pivotable end (9a) around the hinge point (9; 9c) whereby the slack belt (43 or 53) is not driven by the motor.

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to any of claims 5-7, characterized in that the movement of a belt conveyor (4 or 5) configured as the fold conveyor (9) can be stopped by turning the pivotal end of its frame ( 9a) around the hinge point (9; 9c) of the frame whereby the slack belt (43 or 53) is not driven by the motor.

Method for using the conveyor line (6) according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that the hinge point (9; 9c) is placed on the frame of a belt conveyor (4 or 5) configured as the fold conveyor (9). a straight line (L) drawn between shaft mounting points of the belt conveyor motor (41; 41b) and by-pass roller (41; 41a).

A space device (1) including a checkout station (2) and a packing station (3), as well as a transport line (6) between the checkout station (2) and the packing station (3), which line includes a conveyor (5) coupled to the checkout station (2) and equipped with a motor (43b) for driving a conveyor belt (53), and a conveyor (4) coupled to the packing station (3) and equipped with a motor (41b) driving the packing station (3) conveyor belts (43), each of these conveyors (4, 5) being a fold conveyor (9) having a second end roller (41a, 51a) and conveyors (4, 5) jointly defining a substantially continuous plane (T) for the conveyor line (6), which plane extends the box station (2) to the packing station (3), the space device (1) having a passage (7) leading to the box station, which passage (7) is made by the folding conveyor, wherein the hinge point ( 9; 9c) divides the fold conveyor (9) into two segments such that only the pivotable end (9) c) of the frame of the folding conveyor (9) is pivotable, characterized in that in the passage, the pivotable end (9a) of the folding conveyor (9) of the conveying line (6) forms close to the passage (7) an angle (N) of approx. 45-140 degrees, preferably an angle (N) of approx. 70-110 degrees relative to the plane (T) of the conveyor line (6) from the hinge point (9; 9c) of the folding conveyor frame and at least the motors driving the conveyor belts (43, 53) are in operation, but the folding motion of the folding conveyor is stopped because the belt is extinguished, the passage (7) of the room device (1) can be closed by turning the pivotable end (9a) of the folding conveyor frame from an angle (N) of approx. 45-140 degrees, preferably from an angle (N) of approx. 70-110 degrees, to a parallel position relative to the plane (T) of the conveyor line (6) around the hinge point (9; 9c) of the frame of the folding conveyor (9), while at least the motors driving the conveyor belts (43, 53) are in the operation while the drive returns to the belt extending by means of a motor and the other end roller (41a, 51a) because the belt is tightened.

A space device (1) according to claim 10, further comprising, on the side of a checkout station (8), of the conveyor line (6) a wall / walls (13) connecting the checkout station (2) and the packing station (3), where these walls define together with the checkout station and the packing station as well as the transport line connecting the checkout station and the packing station, a workstation (12) with a corresponding passage provided by the passage (7).

Space device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that there is one passage (8) to and from the workstation.

Space device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the pivotable end (9a) of the folding conveyor frame forms an angle (N) of approx. 90 degrees with the plane (T) of the transport line (6) in the space division with an intermediate (7).