EP3830004A1

EP3830004A1 - Loading station for a pocket conveyor

Info

Publication number: EP3830004A1
Application number: EP19746451.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Udo HUBRICH; Ralf Ferdinand Schneuing
Original assignee: Vanderlande Industries BV
Current assignee: Vanderlande Industries BV
Priority date: 2018-07-27
Filing date: 2019-07-24
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Also published as: DE102018212591A1; WO2020020940A1; US11325792B2; US20210269254A1; CN112469643B; CN112469643A

Abstract

The invention relates to a loading station (1) for a pocket conveyor (2) comprising two conveying lines (21, 23). The loading station has a receiving section (101a, 101b) for receiving pockets (25) for each conveying line, a receiving section (103) for objects (27) with which the pockets (25) are to be loaded, a device (105, 106) for each conveying line (21, 23), into each of which an empty pocket (25) to be filled can be introduced. In addition, the loading station (1) has a moving unit for moving the devices (105, 106) from a receiving section (103) for objects (27) to one of the receiving sections (101a, 101b) for receiving pockets (25), and back again. The loading station (1) is designed to alternately load the pockets (25) of the first conveying line (21, 23) and the pockets (25) of the second conveying line (21, 23).

Description

LOADING STATION FOR A POCKET CONVEYOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a loading station for a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines and a method for loading pockets of a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines.

Description of the prior art

Hanging conveyors are known in the prior art, in which bags are conveyed hanging on rails for the transport of objects. To transport the items, it is necessary to load them into the bags so that the loaded bags are then transported and e.g. can be sorted. Filling or

Loaders used.

EP 3 305 689 discloses a transport device in the form of a overhead conveyor with a filling device for filling bags. The filling device is integrated in the conveyor line and interrupts this by first one

Conveyor line for feeding empty pockets is connected to a bridging transport device which moves the pockets laterally, so that the pockets are arranged in the open state before the end of a conveyor belt.

After the bags have been filled, they are conveyed further across the direction of transport and hung again in a laterally offset continuation of the conveyor line.

The present filling device has the disadvantage that on the one hand the conveyor line has to be interrupted in order to Allow loading / filling, and at the same time

Transport devices with more than one conveyor line, each conveyor line requires its own filling device, so that the feed conveyance is complicated because the conveyance of the parts to be loaded must be divided. In addition, the space requirement in this case is large because each

Filling device moves the conveyor line for filled bags laterally to the conveyor line for empty bags, maintenance costs and costs increase proportionally with each additional conveyor line. Another disadvantage of this

Filling device is that both the bags themselves and the opening and closing of the bags is complex, because to open the bag half of the bag has to be removed from an upper frame of the bag so that the removed half of the bag can be loaded

can be lowered. In addition, the bag must also be closed again actively by half of the

Pocket bag is hooked back into the upper frame. This requires precise alignment and precise

Positioning of the bag.

DE 10 2004 018 569 discloses a bag with an upper frame to which a pocket bag is attached and which has a hook rotatably attached to one side. The bag can be transported with the hook. In addition, the bag is in a closed state when it is hung on the hook because of the weight of the frame

Pocket bag and any content is pulled down so that a surface spanned by the frame is aligned almost parallel to one side of the bag. When the bag is pulled from the hook, the frame can be pulled against a guide so that the through the

Frame spanned area essentially in one

horizontal surface. In this state, the area spanned by the frame is exposed and the bag can be filled by the frame. If the bag is transported further and brought out of the guide, it closes independently due to the weight of the pocket bag and any content. This means that neither side of the

Pocket bags are removed from the upper frame or reinstalled.

EP 2 196 415 relates to a loading station for a

Overhead conveyor system in which a step is built into the conveyor line, whereby an empty pocket is moved from top to bottom to be opened at one end of a conveyor belt. In the open state, the bags are loaded and then the loaded bags are transported away again via the conveyor line which is offset downwards.

This loading station has the disadvantage that for each

Conveyor line an own loading station is necessary. One consequence of this is that a conveyor belt for feeding the goods to be loaded is also required for each conveyor line, so that the feed conveyance is complicated because the conveyance of the parts to be loaded has to be divided, and secondly maintenance costs and costs increase

proportional to each additional funding line.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Against the background of the prior art, the task arises to provide a loading station for a pocket conveyor with more than one conveyor line that it

enables loaded objects to be loaded efficiently into the pockets of both transport lines of a pocket conveyor without increasing the space requirement and the complexity of the

Increase feed promotion.

This object is achieved by a loading station according to claim 1 and a method for loading bags according to claim 10. Advantageous refinements of the invention result from the subclaims. A loading station according to the invention for a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines has a receiving section

Receiving bags for each conveyor line; one

Receiving section for items to be loaded on the bags; a device for each conveyor line, into each of which an empty pocket to be filled can be inserted, and a movement unit for

Moving the devices from an article receiving section to one of the pocket receiving sections and back up. Furthermore, the loading station is designed to alternately load the pockets of the first conveyor line and the pockets of the second conveyor line.

This loading station can be used with just one

Receiving section for items to be loaded, two conveyor lines of a pocket conveyor can be loaded efficiently.

In the present context, the term means

"Alternately loading" means that first a bag on a first conveyor line and then a bag on a second conveyor line are loaded. These two loading processes can be done in this way

be carried out so that the first loading process is completed before the second is carried out. However, there may be an overlap in the movement of the devices into which the pockets can be placed before or after either of the loading operations. Preferably, the movement of the two devices takes place simultaneously, i.e.

while one device is at the article receiving section, the other device is positioned at a pocket receiving section and both devices simultaneously move to the other receiving section.

In the present context, the term describes

"Load" the placing of an object in a bag. In the present context, the term “receiving section for objects” describes a receiving section to which objects that are to be loaded into pockets are led. In this context, the pockets to be loaded are not to be understood as objects in the sense of the invention.

The loading station can be designed such that a bag can be loaded in one device while a loaded bag is removed from the other device. In addition, an empty pocket can also be inserted into the other device when loading the first pocket. If the other device is empty, an empty bag can instead be placed in the other device while a bag in one device is being loaded.

The devices are preferably designed such that a pocket inserted into the device is open. This simplifies the loading process because there is no additional one

Step to open the bag before loading is necessary.

For example, the frame of the bag disclosed in DE 10 2004 018 569 can simply be pulled over a guide so that the bag is opened when it is inserted into the device because its upper frame is rotated by the guide so that the bag passes through the frame can be filled.

The receiving section for items can be made from a

Conveyor belt may be formed, which is preferably inclined or at the end of which an inclined slide is arranged, so that the object to be loaded falls into the pocket. This allows items to be easily loaded into the bag. Preferably, the devices can be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the

Funding lines are moved. This allows the

loading station according to the invention can be placed between two conveyor lines in a simple and space-saving manner.

The devices can be mounted on a common frame. This enables the devices to be driven by a common motor, so that maintenance and

Operating costs can be reduced.

The loaded pockets are preferably transported away in a longitudinal direction of the loading station orthogonal to the direction of movement of the devices. This enables one

Continuation of the conveyor lines behind the loading station without a vertical or horizontal offset and one

space-saving arrangement of the loading station.

The devices preferably each have a suspension on which pockets can be hung into the devices. This enables the bags to be easily transferred from the conveyor line to the devices and allows the bags to be hung in the device in an open state.

The loading station preferably has a bar (guide bar) on at least one of the receiving sections for receiving bags, which is preferably horizontal

is aligned so that at least a section of a

Bag, slides over the bar when inserted into the loading station. In particular, the rod can be arranged such that a section of the pocket bag over the rod

slides when the bag is inserted into the receiving section.

A receiving section according to the invention for a

Loading station has a rod (guide rod) that is preferably aligned horizontally over the one

Section of an empty pocket can slide when inserted. In particular, the rod can be arranged such that a section of the pocket bag slides over the rod when the pocket is inserted into the receiving section.

When inserting the bag into the loading station

Rotational movements (torsional movements) are caused by braking and small changes in direction / corrections of the pocket in the receiving sections, which induce a torsional movement of the pocket. This can lead to the frame of a bag being twisted into the loading station.

So that the bag as described above through guides

the bag must be correctly aligned, otherwise the guide will not be able to turn the frame of the bag and the bag cannot be opened.

By providing such a (guide) rod, a rotational movement of the bag about its vertical axis is slowed down when it is inserted, by a portion of the bag sliding over the bar. When at least a part of a pocket bag slides, it hugs the bar because it is flexible, and a part below the bar can swing even further than the bar in the direction of transport. This part swings back (against the direction of transport) or is pulled back over the bar (against the direction of transport) because the bag is transported further on the frame and the bag is thus pulled further over the bar. The part of the bag above the bar is in

Direction of transport pulled causing part of the bag

below the rod, which is wider than the rod in

Transport direction is swinging, first back (against the transport direction) and then moved around the bar in the transport direction again. As a result, part of the pocket bag is braked or even has one

Speed component of the direction of transport

opposite to. This part is covered by the Further transport accelerated again in the transport direction, causing the bag to be pulled "smooth".

A method according to the invention for loading pockets of a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines comprises the following steps:

Insert an empty bag into a first one

Device located at the first conveyor line

Moving the first and second devices so that the first device moves to a receiving section for

Objects are moved and the second device is moved to the second conveyor line, loading the empty bag in the first device, inserting an empty bag into the second device; Moving the first device back to the first conveyor line and moving the second device to the article receiving section, loading the bag in the second device, and inserting an empty bag into the first device.

With this method of loading, two conveyor lines of a pocket conveyor can be loaded efficiently.

The method preferably also comprises a step for removing a loaded bag from one of the devices.

The first and second devices are further preferably moved together.

Furthermore, the step of loading the bag into one of the first or second devices may coincide with one

Step of removing a loaded bag from the other of the first or second devices and / or inserting an empty bag into the other of the first or second

Device are carried out.

By performing these steps simultaneously, while a bag is loading, another bag becomes one prepared for next loading. This will make one more

allows more efficient loading of the bags.

The pockets are preferably hung into the devices in the steps of introducing the bags into the devices. This enables easy loading of the bags.

Further advantages of the invention result from the

The entirety of the claims and the following

Figure description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loading station for a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines and a portion of the pocket conveyor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the loading station and a portion of the pocket conveyor illustrating a state of the loading station during its operation.

Figure 3 is a view of the loading station from the same perspective as in Figure 2, which is another

Represents the operating status of the loading station.

Figure 4 is a view of the loading station from the same perspective as in Figure 2, which is another

Represents the operating status of the loading station.

Figure 5 is a view of the loading station from the same perspective as in Figure 2, which is another

Represents the operating status of the loading station. Figure 6 is a view of the loading station from the same perspective as in Figure 2, which is another

Represents the operating status of the loading station.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the loading station and a portion of a pocket conveyor with two

Conveyor lines from the feed side of the bags and the items to be loaded.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following is a loading station for one

Pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines according to the present invention described with reference to the accompanying figures. A method for loading pockets of a pocket conveyor with two conveyor lines is also described below. Same elements or features of the

loading station according to the invention are the same

Reference numerals and a repeated description of this device and features are omitted. Instead, reference is made to the description of the previous figure.

Figures 1 to 7 represent a loading station 1 for one

Pocket conveyor 2 with two conveyor lines 21 and 23. The pocket conveyor 2 has two conveyor lines 21 and 23. Bags 25, 26 can be arranged on these conveyor lines 21 and 23

be transported. In this preferred embodiment, empty pockets 25 are in front of the loading station 1

arranged / transported and full / loaded pockets 26 are / are behind the loading station

arranged / transported. The loading station 1 has a frame 110 on which devices 105, 106, into each of which an empty pocket 25 which is to be filled, can be inserted, are mounted such that they

sideways, essentially transverse to the conveying direction of the

Pocket conveyor 2, can be moved. In the preferred embodiment, devices 105 and 106 are formed from two side walls 105a and 105b or 106a and 106b and an underside. This

The arrangement is shown in Figure 5 due to the position of the

Devices 105, 106 can be seen particularly clearly relative to the frame 110. A carrier or holder 115 is located on at least one of the side walls 105a, 105b, 106a, 106b

attached, in which the bag 25 can be hung.

However, the devices 105 and 106 do not have to be designed in this form and instead can take any shape as long as the pockets 25, 26 can be introduced into these devices 105 and 106 in an open state. For example, devices 105 and 106 may be formed from boxes that have only one opening, and the pockets are inserted into these boxes from above.

On the other hand, the device can also consist only of a holder 115, which carries the pockets 25, 26 in such a way that they are in an open state, and neither side walls nor an underside has to be provided. The devices 105 and 106 only have to be designed such that empty pockets 25 can be hung in, the empty pockets 25 can be filled, and the pockets 25, 26 can be moved laterally both in the empty and in the filled state.

The devices are preferably moved by a common motor (not shown). However, they can

Devices 105 and 106 can also be moved separately from one another by individual drive sources.

The devices 105 and 106 can be between one

Receiving section 101a and 101b for receiving pockets 25 and receiving section 103 for an object 27

(Receiving section 103 for objects 27) can be moved back and forth. Behind the positions of the devices 105 and 106 below the conveyor lines 21 and 23 (that is to say at the receiving sections 101a and 101b for receiving bags), guides 112 are fitted to guide the bags 26 out of the

Simplify devices 105 and 106.

Figure 7 shows the loading station 1 from the feed side of the empty pockets 25. In particular, here are the

Receiving sections 101a and 101b for receiving bags 25 and receiving section 103 for articles 27 are shown. The rod 102 _{Z is} seen in the receiving section 101a for receiving bags 25. In the other receiving section 101b for receiving pockets 25, the rod 102 is covered by a pocket 25. The conveyor belt 28 is on the

Receiving section 103 for items 27 is inclined downward, so that the items 27 easily into the pockets

can slide / fall.

The receiving sections 101a and 101b for receiving

Bags 25 are equipped with lateral guides, so that bags 25, which are fed via the conveyor lines 21 and 23, if they have a movement component transverse to

Have conveying direction without this movement component can be introduced into the device 105 and 106. Guides in the receiving sections 101a and 101b also serve to open the pockets by sliding a frame in the upper end of the pockets over the guides and thereby rotating them so that they are substantially parallel to a horizontal surface and open the pocket.

In the present embodiment, the device 105 can be reciprocated between the receiving position 103 for items 27 and the receiving section 101a below the conveying line 21. The device 106 can be located between the receiving section 103 for items 27 and one

Receiving section 101b for receiving pockets 25 are moved back and forth below the conveyor line 23. An operation of the loading station will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 2 shows an operating state of the loading station 1, in which an empty pocket 25 is inserted in both devices 105 and 106. In this preferred

In the embodiment, the pockets 25, 26 are suspended in the devices 105 and 106. The device 105 is located at the receiving section 103 for articles 27. The article 27 is conveyed to the loading station 1 via the conveyor belt 28

fed. The receiving section 103 for items 27 in the present embodiment is midway between the

Conveying lines 21 and 23 arranged. However, can

Receiving section 103 for objects 27 is also different

be arranged and the objects 27 can be fed from above.

In the present condition, the pocket 25 is in device

105 not yet filled. The package 27 is fed in Figure 2 through the inclined conveyor belt 28 and then falls into the pocket 25 in device 105, whereby it is loaded.

When the bag 25 is loaded in the device 105, the device 105 is moved to a position on the receiving section 101a for receiving bags, and the device 106 with an inserted empty bag 25 is placed in the bag

present embodiment simultaneously with the

Receiving section 103 for items 27 brought. This movement is shown in FIG. 3 and is described below.

In contrast to that shown in FIG. 3, the movement does not have to take place simultaneously and the devices 105 and 106 can be controlled and moved separately. In the

preferred embodiment are devices 105 and

106 are mounted on a common frame 110 and are moved simultaneously. FIG. 3 shows an operating state in which the filled pocket 26, which is introduced into device 105, is in a position between the receiving section 101 for receiving pockets and the receiving section 103 for

Items 27 is located and pocket 25, which in

Device 106 is inserted, located in a position between a receiving section 101b for receiving pockets 25 and a receiving section 103 for objects 27. In this state, an empty pocket 25 is installed in the device 106.

Thereafter, the devices 105 and 106 are moved further so that the device 105 is located at a receiving section 101a for receiving bags 25 and the device 106 with the inserted empty bag 25 is located at the receiving section 103 for articles 27. This state is shown in Figure 4. Now the filled pocket 26 is removed from the device 105 and is carried out in the same direction as that into which the pocket was inserted, via the conveyor line 21. After the filled pocket 26 has been carried out, an empty pocket is introduced into the device 105. Meanwhile, an object 27 as before in the conveyor belt 28

Described in connection with device 105 in the empty pocket 25, which is inserted into device 106, loaded.

Thus, the device 105 is provided with an empty pocket 25 and the device 106 is provided with a loaded pocket 26.

Next, as shown in Figure 5, the

Devices 105 and 106 moved back. In FIG. 5, the device 105, into which an empty pocket 25 is inserted, is in a position between one

Receiving section 101a for receiving bags and a receiving section 103 for articles 27. The device 106 is in a position between the receiving section 101b for receiving bags and the receiving section 103 for articles 27 with a pocket 26 inserted into the device and loaded with the article 27.

The movement is continued and finally, as shown in FIG. 6, there is an empty pocket 25, which is introduced into device 105, at the receiving section 103 for objects 27, so that an object is in the pocket 26, which is introduced into device 105 , can be loaded, and the device 106 with the bag 26 that was loaded in the previous step is on the

Receiving section 101b for receiving bags so that the loaded bag 26 can be removed from the device 106 and can be carried out from the loading device via the conveyor line 23. In addition, an empty pocket is introduced into the device 106 from the conveyor line 23.

Consequently, there is again a loaded pocket 26 in device 105 and an empty pocket 25 in device 106, so that the method for alternately loading pockets can start again.

Claims

PATENTAN'S SAYING

1. Loading station (1) for a pocket conveyor (2) with two conveyor lines (21, 23)

a receiving section (101a, 101b) for receiving bags (25) for each conveyor line;

a receiving section (103) for items (27) with which the bags (25) are to be loaded;

a device (105, 106) for each conveyor line (21, 23) into which an empty pocket (25) to be filled can be inserted,

a moving unit for moving the devices (105, 106) from a receiving section (103) for objects (27) to one of the receiving sections (101a, 101b) for

Receiving bags (25) and back,

characterized in that

the loading station (1) is designed to alternately load the pockets (25) of the first conveyor line (21, 23) and the pockets (25) of the second conveyor line (21, 23).

2. loading station (1) according to claim 1, wherein the

Loading station (1) is designed such that a pocket (25) in one device (105, 106) can be loaded while a loaded pocket (26) is removed from the other device (105, 106) and / or an empty pocket (25) is introduced into the other device (105, 106).

3. Loading station (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the devices (105, 106) are designed such that an inserted pocket (25, 26) is open.

4. Loading station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving section (103) for objects (27) from a conveyor belt (28) is formed.

5. Loading station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the devices (105, 106) orthogonal or in

Essentially orthogonal to the direction of conveyance

Conveyor lines (21, 23) can be moved.

6. loading station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the devices (105, 106) on a common

Frame (110) are mounted.

7. Loading station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein guides (112) aligned with outer ends (105a,

105b, 106a, 106b) of the devices (105, 106) are formed when the devices (105, 106) are in a position in which loaded pockets (26) are removed or empty

Bags (25) are introduced.

8. loading station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the loaded pockets (26) are transported in a longitudinal direction of the loading station (1) orthogonal to the direction of movement of the devices (105, 106).

9. loading station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the devices (105, 106) have a suspension (115) on which the pockets (25, 26) in the devices (105, 106) can be hung.

10. Loading station (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein at least one of the receiving sections (101a, 101b) for receiving bags (25) is provided with a rod (102) over which a section of an empty bag (25) can slide.

11. receiving section (101a, 101b) for a loading station (1) having a rod (102) over which a section of an empty pocket (25) can slide.

12. A method for loading pockets (25) of a pocket conveyor (2) with two conveyor lines (21, 23), comprising the following steps:

Inserting an empty pocket (25) into a first one

Device (105, 106) located on the first conveyor line (21)

Moving the first and a second device (105, 106) such that the first device (105) becomes one

Receiving section (103) for objects (27) is moved and the second device (106) is moved to the second conveyor line (23),

Loading the empty pocket (25) in the first device

(105),

Insert an empty pocket (25) in the second

Device (106),

Moving the first device (105) back to the first conveyor line (21) and moving the second device

(106) to the receiving section (103) for objects (27), and

Loading the bag (25) in the second device

(106),

Insert an empty pocket (25) into the first

Device (105).

The method of claim 12, the method further including a step of removing a loaded bag (26) from one of the devices (105, 106).

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the first and second devices (105, 106) are moved together.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the step of loading the bag is carried out in one of the first or second devices (105, 106), while a step of removing a loaded bag (26) from the other of the first or second device (105, 106) and / or inserting an empty pocket (25) into the other of the first or second device (105, 106).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein in the steps of inserting the pockets (25) in the

Devices (105, 106) the bags are hung in the devices.