EP0521394B1

EP0521394B1 - Sorting device in particular for systems using sorting pockets

Info

Publication number: EP0521394B1
Application number: EP19920110728
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adolfo Passero
Original assignee: Alcatel Italia SpA
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent Italia SpA
Priority date: 1991-07-04
Filing date: 1992-06-25
Publication date: 1996-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-25
Also published as: EP0521394A2; ITMI910611V0; EP0521394A3; IT222662Z2; DK0521394T3; ITMI910611U1

Description

The present invention relates generally to a sorting device for sorting systems and in particular for system of the type comprising sorting pockets or cells designed for sorting flat objects.
A known solution for a sorting device for old glass recycling is disclosed in EP-A-0328126.
This device includes an input container containing old glass which has previously been sorted according to size, a plurality of U-shaped chutes each having a plate-shaped flap member located at an intermediate position of the chute, and a plurality of output containers arranged horizontally for receiving the sorted glass from the assigned chute.
The glass to be sorted is moved by vibrations, and its colour is discriminated by discriminating means driving the opening and closing of the flap members, so the old glass, falls vertically downwards by gravity through the opened flaps and stops as it reaches the first closed flap, and then slides on the assigned chute toward the output container.
This device is however not suitable for sorting flat objects whose orientation could be lost and which could be damaged when falling into the output container.
Other systems generally comprise a plurality of pigeon holes compartments called sorting cells or pockets, sliding along an aerial monorail and each containing the object or cover to be sorted.
The cells are automatically emptied out when arrive above the sorting station contemplated in the coded address.
The emptying out of the pockets can be accomplished in several ways e.g. by opening the bottom of the compartments as described in the U.S. Patent 4,310,276, or by means of an ejection device as described in the Italian Patent n.1217391 (M.Scata'69) assigned to the applicant.
Sorting systems of this kind are generally effective and have excellent performances.
However, when it is desired to increase (e.g. to double) the number of outputs, while maintaining a simple structure, limitations in costs and overall dimensions arise.
In fact, the sorting devices up to now conceived to double the outputs in sorting systems consist essentially of a flat element that by having a stroke that runs from a first to a second position is able to selectively convey the outgoing object towards one of two lateral containers or belt conveyors through respective chutes.
Such a device is disclosed e.g. in the German Patent n.487641. In it the flat element, disposed at the fork point of a fork chute located at the output of a belt conveyor, has a stroke revolving about a vertical axis thus selectively diverting the outgoing object towards the left branch chute or the right one.
Another sorting device is disclosed e.g. in the US Patent 4,804,078 (M.Scata' 63) assigned to the applicant. In it the flat element, disposed at the output of a belt conveyor, has a stroke revolving about a pivot which is forwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane thus selectively diverting the outgoing object toward the left or right containers through respective chutes.
These known devices are however too bulky since they work horizontally and therefore chutes and collecting containers need large room which means also an increase of the cost/number of destinations ratio.
The technical task of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a sorting device in particular for systems of the sorting pocket type which is simple and not too expensive.
Within said task, the main object of the present invention is to provide a device of the kind referred above and having two outputs, whose overall dimensions are less than any other known device at parity of outputs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device of the kind referred above which can be easily used in combination with sorting systems already in use.
These and other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a sorting device, in particular for pocket sorting systems, having the characteristics set forth in claim 1. Advantageous aspects are set forth in the subclaims.
Further characteristics of the invention will result from the following description, taken in conjunction with the drawings attached merely by may of a not limitative example in which :

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the sorting device according to the present invention; and
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the sorting device in fig.1, showing an additional chute.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, 1 stands for a pocket of the sorting system which is loaded with an object or cover to be conveyed to the sorting station where the subject sorting device is located.
Reference numeral 4 indicates a first flat chute arranged along an upper inclined surface and having its output end which leads to a first container 5.
Parallelly thereto, arranged along a lower inclined surface, is a first arm 6a of a second chute 6 having its longitudinal cross section (see fig.2) so shaped to form an obtuse angle whose concavity is upward.
Upstream of the first chute 4 is located a flap member 3 rotatably mounted on a pivot 8 which is located at the inlet edge of the first chute 4 and extending parallelly thereto.
The flap member 3 has a longitudinal cross section which is preferably nearly triangular whose longest side is straight, while the other two sides are curvilinear and radiused each other.
At its straight side the flap member presents a substantially flat upper surface, whilst at its curvilinear sides it has a surface so shaped to form a swelling in the area of the pivot 8 and a tapering at the inlet end of the flap member itself.
The flap member through actuating means (not shown) is able to assume two positions : a first (or rest) position 3a in which it is lowered in such a way as to have the flat surface substantially aligned with the first chute 4 and a second (actuated) position 3b in which the flap makes an acute angle alpha (preferably about 30 degrees) and with the inlet end raised with respect to the inclined surface on which the first chute 4 lies.
The second arm 6b of the second chute 6 extends with its free end up to minimally upstream of the inlet end of the flap member 3 in its lowered position.
Located at the downstream ends of said first (4) and second (6) chutes are two respective containers 5,7, one over the other, capable of receiving objects coming from chutes 4 and 6 respectively.
Said downstream ends of chutes 4 and 6 are suitably radiused to pull up the objects at the end section of their trajectory for a better arrangement of the objects in the container.
Similarly, all other ends of chutes are suitably radiused in order to make regular the object's run towards the container.
The operation of the device according to the invention is very simple : when a cover is released from pocket 1, if the destination contemplated by the coded address is the upper container 5 the flap member 3 stays in its lowered position 3a and the cover falling on it will continue on its run, because of gravity, towards the container. If, on the other hand, the destination for the cover is the lower container 7, then the flap member 3, operated by actuating means (not shown and not described, because known per se and anyway not relevant for the objects of the present invention), on command from electronic means also known and conventional, is moved to its raised position 3b and the cover falls on second chute 6 and continues its run towards the lower container 7.
The special shape of the lower surface of flap member 3 allows to maintain the orientation of the cover during its run toward the container.
The invention thus achieves all the above-mentioned objects.
In fact, the sorting device according to the present invention has a very simple structure, requires less room with respect to other known systems having the same number of outputs, as it works vertically, and moreover it is versatile since it can be used easily with other sorting systems.
The invention as conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations all falling within the scope of the inventive concept and all details can be replaced by technical equivalent elements.
In particular, a third chute 2 could be arranged upstream of and substantially in alignment with flap member 3 in its lowered position 3a (see fig.2).
In this instance, first chute 4, flap member 3 in its lowered position 3a and third chute 2 are arranged consecutive each other and preferably they are minimally stepped in a direction perpendicular to their surface.

Claims

Sorting device in particular for sorting systems comprising a plurality of sorting pockets (1) designed to discharge, upon command, at a sorting station, an object loaded thereon, said device being of the type comprising a first and a second chute (4, 6) designed to convey by gravity the sorted object to respective underlaying containers (5, 7) and a flap member (3) designed to selectively divert the object to one chute or to the other, wherein:
- said first chute (4) lies on an upper inclined surface:

- said flap member (3) is rotatably mounted on a pivot (8) extending in parallel to said first chute (4), and is rotatably movable from a lowered position in which its upper surface is substantially aligned with said upper inclined surface of the first chute (4) to a raised position (3b) in which it makes an acute angle with said inclined surface,
characterized in that
- said first chute (4) is plate-shaped,

- said second chute (6) has a longitudinal cross section shaped as to form an obtuse angle whose concavity is upward, one arm (6a) thereof extending along a lower inclined surface beneath said first chute (4) and parallel thereto, whilst the other arm (6b) extends with its free end minimally upstream of the inlet edge of said flap member (3) in its lowered position (3a), and

- said flap member (3) is located at the inlet of said first chute (4).
Sorting device according to claim 1, further comprising a third chute (2) designed to receive objects, in particular covers, discharged by said sorting pockets (1) and arranged upstream of, and substantially aligned with, said flap member (3) in its lowered position (3a) and extending with its outlet end minimally downstream of said free end of said second chute (6).
Sorting device according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said first chute (4), said flap element (3) in its lowered position (3a), and said third chute (2) are arranged consecutively to each other and minimally stepped in a direction perpendicular to their surface.
Sorting device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the inlet and outlet edges of said chutes are slightly bent upward.
Sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flap member (3) has a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface which is curvilinear, tapered towards the inlet edge and so shaped to form a swelling in the area of said pivot (8).