EP0239499A1 - Conveyor with flat straps for transporting light objects - Google Patents

Conveyor with flat straps for transporting light objects Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0239499A1
EP0239499A1 EP87400688A EP87400688A EP0239499A1 EP 0239499 A1 EP0239499 A1 EP 0239499A1 EP 87400688 A EP87400688 A EP 87400688A EP 87400688 A EP87400688 A EP 87400688A EP 0239499 A1 EP0239499 A1 EP 0239499A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveyor
objects
ejection
belts
belt
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP87400688A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gérard Saland
Bernard Joulin
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Herve Et Fils SA SA
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Herve Et Fils SA SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Herve Et Fils SA SA filed Critical Herve Et Fils SA SA
Publication of EP0239499A1 publication Critical patent/EP0239499A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/18—Orientating articles other than in a stream, e.g. turning, deflecting or changing direction

Definitions

  • the invention relates to flat belt conveyors for transporting light objects of small thickness.
  • These objects can be, for example, postal envelopes or any other document designed for routing, but it should be understood that the invention can be applied regardless of the nature and structure of the flat objects transported, including in the 'food industry.
  • Such conveyors consist of a plurality of endless flat belts, the upper strands of which run on the upper face of a support table.
  • the support table is perforated and a lower suction plate objects on the belts.
  • the additional station (s) are supplied respectively by a lateral extraction device, hereinafter called “distributor”, the role of which consists in intercepting and gripping objects on the conveyor at a rate or a predetermined program to route them to the additional extension in question.
  • distributedor a lateral extraction device
  • Each distributor has a lifting device intended to lift the object in order to separate it from the conveyor belts against the effect of gravity and, possibly, that of the suction, to apply it under pressure against the lower strand of a flat conveyor belt, called the ejection belt, which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, at short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is a motor, respectively inside and outside relative to the conveyor, and which cooperates with a driving roller bearing against the underside of its lower strand.
  • the ejection belt which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, at short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is a motor, respectively inside and outside relative to the conveyor, and which cooperates with a driving roller bearing against the underside of its lower strand.
  • the lifting device is constituted by at least two rockers formed, each one, by a plate which is mounted oscillating around its upper edge, parallel to the belts of the conveyor, and which carries two arms extending opposite to the direction of ejection and between which a roller freely rotates, the upper generator of which is located, at rest, slightly below the plane of travel of the objects and opposite an interval separating two adjacent belts, the roller of the rocker located on the side of the ejection being arranged substantially vertically in line with the internal guide roller of the ejection belt, while the rockers are controlled simultaneously by the same rod passing through the plates with sufficient play and actuated by an electromagnet.
  • a conveyor 10 intended for transporting flat, light and thin objects 15, here postal folds, is arranged at the outlet of a machine 11 which generates the objects 15.
  • a machine 11 which generates the objects 15.
  • the conveyor 10 is constituted by a plurality of endless flat belts 12, the upper strands of which run on the upper face 13 of a support table.
  • a device receives the documents individually; it generally consists of rollers supported, respectively, on each of the conveyor belts or, at least, on some of them.
  • the dispenser comprises an elevating device responsible, in the working position, for lifting the object 15 which passes above it in order to separate it from the belts 12 against gravity and, possibly, suction to apply , under pressure, the part of the object 15 turned towards the franking machine against the lower strand of a conveyor belt 16 of ejection.
  • the belt 16 is a flat belt which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, a short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is powered, respectively exterior 17a and interior 17b by report to the conveyor.
  • the belt 16 cooperates with a driving roller 18 which bears against the underside of the lower strand of said belt.
  • the linear speed of the belt 16 must be greater than that of the belts 12.
  • the lifting device can be produced in various ways.
  • it comprises at least two rockers 19a, 19b.
  • Each rocker consists of a plate 22 mounted oscillating around an axis 26 (fig. 3) near its upper edge parallel to the belts 12.
  • the plate 22 carries at each of its ends an arm 23 extending opposite in the direction of ejection and between the two arms 23 freely spins a roller 24 whose upper generatrix is located, at rest, slightly below the plane of travel of the objects 15 and opposite an interval separating two neighboring belts, the rocker roller 19a located on the side of the ejection being disposed substantially in line with the inner roller 17b for guiding the ejection belt 16.
  • the rockers 19a, 19b are controlled simultaneously by the same rod 20 which passes through the plates 22 with sufficient play and on which are blocked the rings of stop 27 arranged, two by two, on either side of the lower part of each of the plates 22.
  • the rod 20 is connected to the plunger core of an electromagnet 21.
  • each of the lifting devices has two rockers, experience showing that one is not enough if we want to ensure good guidance of the objects 15 at the time of ejection, but in some cases, it it will be necessary to provide more than two rockers, in particular when the objects 15 have, in the transverse direction of the conveyor, a relatively large dimension and / or significant flexibility.
  • the spacing between the axis of rotation of the roller 18 and the lower strand of the belt 16 can be adjusted by means of an eccentric mounting.
  • the control of the electromagnets 21 can be programmed by means of an electromechanical or electronic assembly. It is thus possible, in the example shown (FIG. 1), to control the ejection to the franking machine 25a once every two times, or once out of three in the case of three dispensers. This is the simplest case and will be implemented when it is sought to distribute the objects between several workstations simply to ensure their flow. But control, especially if it is electronic, can be more complex. For example, it is possible to perform a sorting according to a selection code (bar code or other) carried on each of the objects 15 and picked up by a reader which sends a command pulse to the distributor concerned.
  • a selection code bar code or other
  • the conveyor includes electronic control
  • various security sensors and / or readers preventing access to the dispensers of non-conforming objects, in particular, in the example described, of empty envelopes (reading through the window ) which are then ejected at the end of the conveyor. This is particularly important when feeding franking machines at the outlet of an inserting machine, since any inserting machine produces at startup, before entering the continuous insertion cycle, a number of empty envelopes which varies depending on the format.

Abstract

The invention relates to conveyors (10) with flat belts (12) for transporting light objects (15). According to the invention, the conveyor (10) comprises at least one distributor (14) intended to intercept and to grip the objects on the conveyor, in order to remove them laterally, in accordance with a predetermined programme, and comprising for this purpose a lifting device which raises the object (15) above the upper plane of the conveyor in order to apply it with pressure against the lower side of a flat transporting belt (16) which travels in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, at a small distance from the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which drives, an outer (17a) and an inner (17b) respectively with respect to the conveyor, and which interacts with a drive roll (18) bearing against the lower face of its lower side. <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention concerne les convoyeurs à courroies plates destinés au transport d'objets légers de faible épaisseur. Ces objets peuvent être, par exemple, des plis postaux ou tout autre document conçu pour le routage, mais il doit être bien compris que l'invention peut être appliquée quelles que soient la nature et la structure des objets plats transportés, y compris dans l'industrie alimentaire.The invention relates to flat belt conveyors for transporting light objects of small thickness. These objects can be, for example, postal envelopes or any other document designed for routing, but it should be understood that the invention can be applied regardless of the nature and structure of the flat objects transported, including in the 'food industry.

De tels convoyeurs sont constitués par une pluralité de courroies plates sans fin dont les brins supérieurs défilent sur la face supérieure d'une table support. Lorsqu'il s'agit de transporter des objets très légers (plis postaux par exemple), la table support est perforée et une aspiration inférieure plaque les objets sur les courroies.Such conveyors consist of a plurality of endless flat belts, the upper strands of which run on the upper face of a support table. When it comes to transporting very light objects (postal folds for example), the support table is perforated and a lower suction plate objects on the belts.

Ces convoyeurs sont destinés à transporter les objets d'un poste de transformation ou de façonnage à un autre ou d'une machine de production à un tel poste. Lorsque le travail à effectuer au poste ainsi alimenté n'est pas instantané et nécessite un fort ralentissement, voire une immobilisation de faible durée de chaque objet, l'alimentation ne peut se faire en bout du convoyeur sans risque de "bourrage", il faut prévoir au moins deux postes avec distribution alternée par le convoyeur. Le problème est le même lorsqu'il s'agit d'effectuer un triage, les postes de travail étant alors remplacés par des postes de réception.These conveyors are intended to transport objects from one processing or processing station to another or from a production machine to such a station. When the work to be done at the station thus fed is not instantaneous and requires a strong slowdown, or even a short immobilization of each object, the supply cannot be done at the end of the conveyor without risk of "jamming", it is necessary provide at least two stations with alternating distribution by the conveyor. The problem is the same when it comes to sorting, the workstations then being replaced by reception stations.

Selon l'invention, le ou les postes supplémentaires, sont alimentés respectivement par un dispositif d'extraction latérale, appelé ci-après "distributeur", dont le rôle consiste à intercepter et à saisir sur le convoyeur, les objets selon une cadence ou un programme prédéterminé pour les acheminer vers le poste supplémentaire considéré. Chaque distributeur comporte un dispositif élévateur destiné à soulever l'objet afin de le désolidariser des courroies du convoyeur à l'encontre de l'effet de la gravité et, éventuellement, de celui de l'aspiration, pour l'appliquer en pression contre le brin inférieur d'une courroie plate transporteuse, dite d'éjection, qui défile dans une direction perpendiculaire à celle du convoyeur, à faible distance au-dessus du plan supérieur de ce dernier, entre deux rouleaux de guidage dont l'un est moteur, respectivement intérieur et extérieur par rapport au convoyeur, et qui coopère avec un galet entraîneur s'appuyant contre la face inférieure de son brin inférieur.According to the invention, the additional station (s), are supplied respectively by a lateral extraction device, hereinafter called "distributor", the role of which consists in intercepting and gripping objects on the conveyor at a rate or a predetermined program to route them to the additional extension in question. Each distributor has a lifting device intended to lift the object in order to separate it from the conveyor belts against the effect of gravity and, possibly, that of the suction, to apply it under pressure against the lower strand of a flat conveyor belt, called the ejection belt, which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, at short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is a motor, respectively inside and outside relative to the conveyor, and which cooperates with a driving roller bearing against the underside of its lower strand.

Avantageusement, le dispositif élévateur est constitué par au moins deux basculeurs formés, chacun, par une plaquette qui est montée oscillante autour de son bord supérieur, parallèle aux courroies du convoyeur, et qui porte deux bras s'étendant à l'opposé du sens de l'éjection et entre lesquels tourillonne librement un rouleau dont la génératrice supérieure est située, au repos, légèrement au-dessous du plan de défilement des objets et en regard d'un intervalle séparant deux courroies voisines, le rouleau du basculeur situé du côté de l'éjection étant disposé sensiblement à l'aplomb du rouleau intérieur de guidage de la courroie d'éjection, tandis que les basculeurs sont commandés simultanément par une même tige traversant les plaquettes avec un jeu suffisant et actionnée par un électro-aimant.Advantageously, the lifting device is constituted by at least two rockers formed, each one, by a plate which is mounted oscillating around its upper edge, parallel to the belts of the conveyor, and which carries two arms extending opposite to the direction of ejection and between which a roller freely rotates, the upper generator of which is located, at rest, slightly below the plane of travel of the objects and opposite an interval separating two adjacent belts, the roller of the rocker located on the side of the ejection being arranged substantially vertically in line with the internal guide roller of the ejection belt, while the rockers are controlled simultaneously by the same rod passing through the plates with sufficient play and actuated by an electromagnet.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres caractéristiques apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre et qui se réfère aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • - la figure 1 est une perspective simplifiée d'ensemble d'un convoyeur selon l'invention, disposé à la sortie d'une machine de production,
  • - la figure 2 est une perspective schématique, à plus grand échelle, d'un distributeur,
  • - la figure 3 est une coupe, à plus grande échelle encore, du convoyeur, à hauteur d'un distributeur, montrant une réalisation du dispositif élévateur avec deux basculeurs.
The invention will be better understood and other characteristics will appear on reading the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified overall perspective of a conveyor according to the invention, arranged at the outlet of a production machine,
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective, on a larger scale, of a dispenser,
  • - Figure 3 is a section, on a still larger scale, of the conveyor, at the height of a distributor, showing an embodiment of the lifting device with two rockers.

Sur les figures, un convoyeur 10, destiné à transporter des objets plats 15, légers et minces, ici des plis postaux, est disposé à la sortie d'une machine 11 qui génère les objets 15. Dans l'exemple représenté, il s'agit d'une assembleuse conforme à celle faisant l'objet du brevet FR-2466339 au nom du même déposant, qui plie, insère, assemble et scelle des documents pour constituer un ensemble continu de plis postaux qui, à la sortie, sont mis et distribués à l'unité. Le convoyeur 10 est constitué par une pluralité de courroies plates 12 sans fin dont les brins supérieurs défilent sur la face supérieure 13 d'une table support. Lorsque les objets sont très légers, comme c'est le cas pour des plis postaux, la table est perforée et une dépression est créée par un alignement de petits aspirateurs (non représentés). De façon connue, la vitesse de défilement des courroies 12 est nettement supérieure à celle de la machine 11, de manière à ménager un espacement suffisant entre deux objets 15 successifs, comme cela est représenté sur les figures 1 et 2. A l'extrémité amont du convoyeur, un dispositif, non représenté, réceptionne les documents à l'unité; il est constitué généralement par des molettes appuyées, respectivement, sur chacune des courroies du convoyeur ou, au moins, sur certaines d'entre elles.In the figures, a conveyor 10, intended for transporting flat, light and thin objects 15, here postal folds, is arranged at the outlet of a machine 11 which generates the objects 15. In the example shown, it is a collator conforming to that which is the subject of patent FR-2466339 in the name of the same applicant, which folds, inserts, assembles and seals documents to constitute a continuous set of postal folds which, at the exit, are put and distributed to the unit. The conveyor 10 is constituted by a plurality of endless flat belts 12, the upper strands of which run on the upper face 13 of a support table. When the objects are very light, as is the case with postal envelopes, the table is perforated and a depression is created by an alignment of small vacuum cleaners (not shown). In known manner, the running speed of the belts 12 is significantly higher than that of the machine 11, so as to provide sufficient spacing between two successive objects 15, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. At the upstream end from the conveyor, a device, not shown, receives the documents individually; it generally consists of rollers supported, respectively, on each of the conveyor belts or, at least, on some of them.

Dans l'exemple représenté, il s'agit d'effectuer l'affranchissement des plis postaux 15, à grand vitesse, de façon à suivre la cadence de production élevée de la machine 11 et l'on a prévu pour cela, deux distributeurs 14 et deux machines à affranchir 25a et 25b. Dans toutes les affranchisseuses, le pli à affranchir doit être taqué par son bord droit. Dans cet exemple, les plis 15 défilant avec leur bord inférieur en avant, les deux machines à affranchir 25a et 25b dont disposées sur la rive gauche du convoyeur, mais bien évidemment l'éjection pourrait s'effectuer sur l'autre rive et, pour d'autres applications, de part et d'autre du convoyeur. De même, il est possible de prévoir un nombre quelconque de distributeurs, par exemple lorsqu'il s'agit de réaliser un tri. Il est encore possible d'imaginer une pluralité de dérivations: par exemple l'un des postes 24a ou 25b est remplacé par un autre convoyeur sur lequel sont disposés au moins deux distributeurs dont l'un alimente un troisième convoyeur et ainssi de suite.In the example shown, it is a question of franking the postal envelopes 15, at high speed, so as to follow the high production rate of the machine 11 and two distributors 14 have been provided for this. and two franking machines 25a and 25b. In all franking machines, the franking fold must be tacked by its straight edge. In this example, the folds 15 scrolling with their lower edge forward, the two franking machines 25a and 25b which are arranged on the left bank of the conveyor, but obviously the ejection could be carried out on the other bank and, for other applications on either side of the conveyor. Similarly, it is possible to provide any number of distributors, for example when it comes to sorting. It is also possible to imagine a plurality of branches: for example one of the stations 24a or 25b is replaced by another conveyor on which are arranged at least two distributors, one of which feeds a third conveyor and so on.

L'on voit immédiatement que le nombre de combinaisons possibles est très grand et que tout dépend de l'efficacité des distributeurs et de leurs moyens de commande.We can immediately see that the number of combinations potential is very large and that everything depends on the efficiency of the distributors and their means of control.

Le schéma de fonctionnement d'un distributeur est représenté à la figure 2 et le détail de sa structure mécanique à la figure 3.The operating diagram of a dispenser is shown in Figure 2 and the detail of its mechanical structure in Figure 3.

Sur ces figures, le carter qui recouvre le distributeur à la figure 1 est retiré. Le distributeur comporte un dispositif élévateur chargé, en position de travail, de soulever l'objet 15 qui passe au-dessus de lui afin de le désolidariser des courroies 12 à l'encontre de la gravité et, éventuellement, de l'aspiration pour appliquer, en pression, la partie de l'objet 15 tournée vers la machine à affranchir contre le brin inférieur d'une courroie transporteuse 16 d'éjection. La courroie 16 est une courroie plate qui défile dans une direction perpendiculaire à celle du convoyeur, à faible distance au-dessus du plan supérieur de ce dernier, entre deux rouleaux de guidage dont l'un est moteur, respectivement extérieur 17a et intérieur 17b par rapport au convoyeur. La courroie 16 coopère avec un galet entraîneur 18 qui s'appuie contre la face inférieure du brin inférieur de ladite courroie. Ici encore, la vitesse linéaire de la courroie 16 devra être supérieure à celle des courroies 12.In these figures, the casing which covers the distributor in FIG. 1 is removed. The dispenser comprises an elevating device responsible, in the working position, for lifting the object 15 which passes above it in order to separate it from the belts 12 against gravity and, possibly, suction to apply , under pressure, the part of the object 15 turned towards the franking machine against the lower strand of a conveyor belt 16 of ejection. The belt 16 is a flat belt which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor, a short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is powered, respectively exterior 17a and interior 17b by report to the conveyor. The belt 16 cooperates with a driving roller 18 which bears against the underside of the lower strand of said belt. Here again, the linear speed of the belt 16 must be greater than that of the belts 12.

Le dispositif élévateur peut être réalisé de diverses façons. Avantageusement, il comprend au moins deux basculeurs 19a, 19b. Chaque basculeur est constitué par une plaquette 22 montée oscillante autour d'un axe 26 (fig. 3) voisin de son bord supérieure parallèle aux courroies 12. La plaquette 22 porte à chacune de ses extrémités un bras 23 s'étendant à l'opposé du sens de l'éjection et entre les deux bras 23 tourillonne librement un rouleau 24 dont la génératrice supérieure est située, au repos, légèrement au-dessous du plan de défilement des objets 15 et en regard d'un intervalle séparant deux courroies voisines, le rouleau du basculeur 19a situé du côté de l'éjection étant disposé sensiblement à l'aplomb du rouleau intérieur 17b de guidage de la courroie d'éjection 16. Les basculeurs 19a, 19b sont commandés simultanément par une même tige 20 qui traverse les plaquettes 22 avec un jeu suffisant et sur laquelle sont bloqués des anneaux de butée 27 disposés, deux à deux, de part et d'autre de la partie inférieure de chacune des plaquettes 22. La tige 20 est reliée au noyau plongeur d'un électro-aimant 21.The lifting device can be produced in various ways. Advantageously, it comprises at least two rockers 19a, 19b. Each rocker consists of a plate 22 mounted oscillating around an axis 26 (fig. 3) near its upper edge parallel to the belts 12. The plate 22 carries at each of its ends an arm 23 extending opposite in the direction of ejection and between the two arms 23 freely spins a roller 24 whose upper generatrix is located, at rest, slightly below the plane of travel of the objects 15 and opposite an interval separating two neighboring belts, the rocker roller 19a located on the side of the ejection being disposed substantially in line with the inner roller 17b for guiding the ejection belt 16. The rockers 19a, 19b are controlled simultaneously by the same rod 20 which passes through the plates 22 with sufficient play and on which are blocked the rings of stop 27 arranged, two by two, on either side of the lower part of each of the plates 22. The rod 20 is connected to the plunger core of an electromagnet 21.

Dans l'exemple représenté, chacun des dispositifs élévateurs comporte deux basculeurs, l'expérience montrant qu'un seul ne suffit pas si l'on veut assurer un bon guidage des objets 15 au moment de l'éjection, mais dans certains cas, il faudra prévoir plus de deux basculeurs, notamment lorsque les objets 15 présentent, dans le sens transversal du convoyeur, une dimension relativement grande et/ou une flexibilité importante.In the example shown, each of the lifting devices has two rockers, experience showing that one is not enough if we want to ensure good guidance of the objects 15 at the time of ejection, but in some cases, it it will be necessary to provide more than two rockers, in particular when the objects 15 have, in the transverse direction of the conveyor, a relatively large dimension and / or significant flexibility.

Le fonctionnement est clair. Lorsque l'électro-aimant 21 est sollicité, la tringle 20 se déplace dans le sens opposé à celui de l'éjection, les basculeurs 19a et 19b pivotent autour de leur axe respectif 26 et les rouleaux 24 sont soulevés au-dessus du plan des courroies 12 et entraînent dans ce mouvement l'objet 15 qui était au-dessus d'eux. Le rouleau 24 du basculeur 19a applique l'objet 15 contre la face inférieure du brin inférieur de la courroie d'éjection 16 et le presse contre le rouleau de guidage 17b. L'objet 15 est ainsi intercepté et entraîné dans une direction perpendiculaire à son cheminement initial. Son extrémité est saisie entre la courroie 16 et le galet 18 et cet objet est ainsi amené à l'entrée d'un poste de travail (machine à affranchir ou autre), en dehors de la trajectoire des courroies 12, et les basculeurs sont alors ramenés à leur position initiale par le déplacement du noyau de l'électro-aimant 21.The operation is clear. When the electromagnet 21 is biased, the rod 20 moves in the opposite direction to that of the ejection, the rockers 19a and 19b pivot around their respective axes 26 and the rollers 24 are lifted above the plane of the belts 12 and carry in this movement the object 15 which was above them. The roller 24 of the rocker 19a applies the object 15 against the underside of the lower strand of the ejection belt 16 and presses it against the guide roller 17b. The object 15 is thus intercepted and driven in a direction perpendicular to its initial path. Its end is gripped between the belt 16 and the roller 18 and this object is thus brought to the entrance of a work station (postage meter or other), outside the path of the belts 12, and the rockers are then returned to their initial position by the displacement of the core of the electromagnet 21.

Il faut noter qu'afin de permettre d'adapter le dispositif à des objets 15 dont l'épaisseur peut varier d'une série à l'autre, l'espacement entre l'axe de rotation du galet 18 et le brin inférieur de la courroie 16 peut être réglé grâce à un montage à excentrique.It should be noted that in order to allow the device to be adapted to objects 15 the thickness of which may vary from one series to another, the spacing between the axis of rotation of the roller 18 and the lower strand of the belt 16 can be adjusted by means of an eccentric mounting.

La commande des électro-aimants 21 peut être programmée grâce à un montage électromécanique ou électronique. On peut ainsi, dans l'exemple représenté (figure 1), commander l'éjection vers la machine à affranchir 25a une fois sur deux, ou une fois sur trois dans le cas de trois distributeurs. C'est le cas le plus simple et qui sera mis en oeuvre lorsqu'il est recherché de répartir les objets entre plusieurs postes de travail simplement pour en assurer l'écoulement. Mais le pilotage, surtout s'il est électronique, peut être plus complexe. Par exemple, il est possible d'effectuer un triage en fonction d'un code de sélection (code barre ou autre) porté sur chacun des objets 15 et capté par un lecteur qui envoie une impulsion de commande au distributeur concerné. Dans tous les cas, afin d'être certain du bon positionnement de l'objet 15 au moment où il sera saisi par le distributeur, il est prévu de temporiser la commande par impulsion et de disposer, en aval de l'axe de chaque distributeur, un capteur 28 (figure 2) photoélectrique qui valide l'impulsion de commande de l'électro-aimant 21 à l'instant où il décèle le passage à la verticale du bord avant de l'objet 15. Naturellement, l'espacement entre l'axe du distributeur et l'axe du capteur 28 doit être réglé en fonction du format des objets 15 et, pour cela, le capteur 28 est monté coulissant, parallèlement aux courroies 12, avec commande manuelle par crémaillère.The control of the electromagnets 21 can be programmed by means of an electromechanical or electronic assembly. It is thus possible, in the example shown (FIG. 1), to control the ejection to the franking machine 25a once every two times, or once out of three in the case of three dispensers. This is the simplest case and will be implemented when it is sought to distribute the objects between several workstations simply to ensure their flow. But control, especially if it is electronic, can be more complex. For example, it is possible to perform a sorting according to a selection code (bar code or other) carried on each of the objects 15 and picked up by a reader which sends a command pulse to the distributor concerned. In all cases, in order to be certain of the correct positioning of the object 15 when it is picked up by the distributor, it is planned to delay the command by impulse and to have, downstream of the axis of each distributor , a photoelectric sensor 28 (FIG. 2) which validates the control pulse of the electromagnet 21 at the moment when it detects the vertical passage of the front edge of the object 15. Naturally, the spacing between the axis of the distributor and the axis of the sensor 28 must be adjusted according to the format of the objects 15 and, for this, the sensor 28 is slidably mounted, parallel to the belts 12, with manual control by rack.

Lorsque le convoyeur comporte un pilotage électronique, il est possible de prévoir divers capteurs et/ou lecteurs de sécurité interdisant l'accès aux distributeurs d'objets non conformes, notamment, dans l'exemple décrit, des enveloppes vides (lecture à travers la fenêtre) qui sont alors éjectées en bout du convoyeur. Ceci est particulièrement important lorsqu'il s'agit d'alimenter des machines à affranchir à la sortie d'une machine à insérer, puisque toute machine à insérer produit au démarrage, avant d'entrer dans le cycle d'insertion en continu, un certain nombre d'enveloppes vides qui varie d'ailleurs en fonction du format.When the conveyor includes electronic control, it is possible to provide various security sensors and / or readers preventing access to the dispensers of non-conforming objects, in particular, in the example described, of empty envelopes (reading through the window ) which are then ejected at the end of the conveyor. This is particularly important when feeding franking machines at the outlet of an inserting machine, since any inserting machine produces at startup, before entering the continuous insertion cycle, a number of empty envelopes which varies depending on the format.

Claims (6)

1) Convoyeur (10) pour objets légers (15) de faible épaisseur, constitué par une pluralité de courroies plates (12) sans fin, dont les brins supérieurs défilent sur la face supérieure d'une table support, et comportant au moins un dispositif, appelé distributeur (14), destiné à intercepter et à saisir sur le convoyeur, selon un programme prédéterminé, les objets (15), pour les évacuer latéralement, caractérisé en ce que chaque distributeur (14) comprend un dispositif élévateur qui soulève l'objet (15) au-dessus de la table support pour l'appliquer en pression contre le brin inférieur d'une courroie plate transporteuse (16), dite d'éjection, qui défile dans une direction perpendiculaire à celle du convoyeur (10), à faible distance au-dessus du plan supérieur de ce dernier, entre deux rouleaux de guidage dont l'un est moteur, respectivement extérieur (17a) et intérieur (17b) par rapport au convoyeur et qui coopère avec un galet entraîneur (18) s'appuyant contre la face inférieure de son brin inférieur.1) Conveyor (10) for light objects (15) of small thickness, constituted by a plurality of endless flat belts (12), the upper strands of which run on the upper face of a support table, and comprising at least one device , called distributor (14), intended to intercept and seize on the conveyor, according to a predetermined program, the objects (15), to evacuate them laterally, characterized in that each distributor (14) comprises a lifting device which lifts the object (15) above the support table to apply it under pressure against the lower strand of a flat conveyor belt (16), called the ejection belt, which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the conveyor (10), a short distance above the upper plane of the latter, between two guide rollers, one of which is motor, respectively exterior (17a) and interior (17b) relative to the conveyor and which cooperates with a driving roller (18) s pressing against the underside of his lower strand. 2) Convoyeur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif élévateur de chaque distributeur (14) comporte au moins deux basculeurs (19a,19b) constitués chacun par une plaquette (22) montée oscillante autour d'un axe (26) voisin de son bord supérieur parallèle aux courroies (12) et qui porte deux bras (23) disposés respectivement à chacune de ses extrémités, s'étendant à l'opposé du sens de l'éjection, entre lesquels tourillonne librement un rouleau (24) dont la génératrice supérieure est située, au repos, légèrement au-dessous du plan de défilement des objets (15) et en regard d'un intervalle séparant deux courroies (12) voisines, le rouleau du basculeur (19a) situé du côté de l'éjection étant disposé sensiblement à l'aplomb du rouleau intérieur (17b) de guidage de la courroie d'éjection (16), tandis que les basculeurs (19a,19b) sont commandés simultanément par une même tige (20) qui traverse les plaquettes (22) avec un jeu suffisant et qui est asservie à un électro-aimant (21).2) Conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device of each distributor (14) comprises at least two rockers (19a, 19b) each constituted by a plate (22) mounted oscillating around a neighboring axis (26) from its upper edge parallel to the belts (12) and which carries two arms (23) disposed respectively at each of its ends, extending opposite to the direction of ejection, between which a roller (24) freely pivots whose the upper generator is located, at rest, slightly below the plane of travel of the objects (15) and opposite an interval separating two adjacent belts (12), the roll of the rocker (19a) located on the side of the ejection being arranged substantially in line with the inner roller (17b) for guiding the ejection belt (16), while the rockers (19a, 19b) are controlled simultaneously by the same rod (20) which passes through the plates ( 22) with sufficient play and which is controlled by an electromagnet ant (21). 3) Convoyeur selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que l'espacement compris entre l'axe de rotation du galet entraîneur (18) et le brin inférieur de la courroie d'éjection (16) est réglable, en fonction de l'épaisseur des objets (15), grâce à un montage à excentrique.3) Conveyor according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the spacing between the axis of rotation of the driving roller (18) and the lower strand of the ejection belt (16) is adjustable, depending on the thickness of the objects (15), thanks to eccentric mounting. 4) Convoyeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les électro-aimants (21) des distributeurs (14) sont asservis à un pilotage électromécanique ou électronique qui les sollicite, en fonction du défilement des objets (15), une fois sur une plus n, n étant le nombre des distributeurs situés en aval de celui considéré.4) Conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electromagnets (21) of the distributors (14) are slaved to an electromechanical or electronic control which solicits them, according to the movement of the objects (15 ), once on a plus n , n being the number of distributors located downstream from that considered. 5) Convoyeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les électro-aimants (21) des distributeurs (14) sont asservis à un pilotage électronique qui les sollicite, de manière sélective, par les signaux émis par un lecteur de codes en fonction des indications codées portées par chacun des objets (15).5) Conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electromagnets (21) of the distributors (14) are slaved to an electronic control which solicits them, selectively, by the signals emitted by a code reader according to the coded indications carried by each of the objects (15). 6) Convoyeur selon l'une des revendications 4 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la commande des électro-aimants (21) est temporisée pour être validée par le signal émis par un capteur (28) lorsqu'il décèle le passage, à la verticale, du bord avant de l'objet (15).6) Conveyor according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the control of the electromagnets (21) is timed to be validated by the signal emitted by a sensor (28) when it detects the passage, at the vertical, from the front edge of the object (15).
EP87400688A 1986-03-26 1987-03-26 Conveyor with flat straps for transporting light objects Withdrawn EP0239499A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8604391 1986-03-26
FR8604391A FR2596370B1 (en) 1986-03-26 1986-03-26 CONVEYOR WITH FLAT BELTS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF LIGHT OBJECTS

Publications (1)

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EP0239499A1 true EP0239499A1 (en) 1987-09-30

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EP87400688A Withdrawn EP0239499A1 (en) 1986-03-26 1987-03-26 Conveyor with flat straps for transporting light objects

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EP (1) EP0239499A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2596370B1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2651696A1 (en) * 1989-09-12 1991-03-15 Hobart Corp Machine for the automatic sorting of objects, especially pieces of washing-up
US5018336A (en) * 1988-11-28 1991-05-28 Umberto Bastianello System and process for producing or treating cylindrical articles and apparatus employable therein
DE4243986C2 (en) * 1992-12-23 2001-09-13 Gao Ges Automation Org Device for changing the direction of movement of flat, rectangular sheet material
EP1447363A1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-08-18 Siemens Schweiz AG Apparatus for 90 degree change of direction of flat mail items

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR895188A (en) * 1942-06-03 1945-01-17 Mix & Genest Ag Sorting device for letters and similar objects in large dispatching offices
FR1471484A (en) * 1966-03-15 1967-03-03 Post Office Postal object transport device
US3806115A (en) * 1972-10-30 1974-04-23 Burroughs Corp Document direction-changing device
FR2201789A5 (en) * 1972-09-29 1974-04-26 Siemens Ag

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR895188A (en) * 1942-06-03 1945-01-17 Mix & Genest Ag Sorting device for letters and similar objects in large dispatching offices
FR1471484A (en) * 1966-03-15 1967-03-03 Post Office Postal object transport device
FR2201789A5 (en) * 1972-09-29 1974-04-26 Siemens Ag
US3806115A (en) * 1972-10-30 1974-04-23 Burroughs Corp Document direction-changing device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5018336A (en) * 1988-11-28 1991-05-28 Umberto Bastianello System and process for producing or treating cylindrical articles and apparatus employable therein
FR2651696A1 (en) * 1989-09-12 1991-03-15 Hobart Corp Machine for the automatic sorting of objects, especially pieces of washing-up
DE4243986C2 (en) * 1992-12-23 2001-09-13 Gao Ges Automation Org Device for changing the direction of movement of flat, rectangular sheet material
EP1447363A1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-08-18 Siemens Schweiz AG Apparatus for 90 degree change of direction of flat mail items
WO2004071919A1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-08-26 Siemens Schweiz Ag Device for turning flat mailing items through 90°

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2596370B1 (en) 1991-03-22
FR2596370A1 (en) 1987-10-02

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