GB2453763A - Roller conveyor diverter - Google Patents

Roller conveyor diverter Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2453763A
GB2453763A GB0720369A GB0720369A GB2453763A GB 2453763 A GB2453763 A GB 2453763A GB 0720369 A GB0720369 A GB 0720369A GB 0720369 A GB0720369 A GB 0720369A GB 2453763 A GB2453763 A GB 2453763A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
run
main
packages
main run
rollers
Prior art date
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0720369A
Other versions
GB0720369D0 (en
Inventor
Michael Toye
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Conveyor Units Ltd
Original Assignee
Conveyor Units Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Conveyor Units Ltd filed Critical Conveyor Units Ltd
Priority to GB0720369A priority Critical patent/GB2453763A/en
Publication of GB0720369D0 publication Critical patent/GB0720369D0/en
Publication of GB2453763A publication Critical patent/GB2453763A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G13/00—Roller-ways
    • B65G13/08—Roller-ways of curved form; with branch-offs
    • B65G13/10—Switching arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
    • B65G47/71—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged or distributed to several distinct separate conveyors or to a broader conveyor lane

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

A diverter 10 comprising a main run 11 and a side run 12, the side run 12 extending from a side of the main run 11, the main run 11 comprising a plurality of rollers, at least some of the rollers comprising driven rollers whereby packages are carried longitudinally of the main run, the rollers being disposed at an angle to the side of the main run 11 angled towards the side run 12, the diverter 10 further comprising a barrier 20 disposed at the side of the main run 11 between the main run 11 and the side run 12, whereby the barrier 20 is operable to permit packages to pass between the main run 11 and the side run 12 or retain packages on the main run 11.

Description

Title: Diverter
Description of Invention
This invention relates to a diverter.
Roller conveyors are generally known in which a plurality of aligned rollers provide a bearing surface along which items, herein generally called packages, can be conveyed, particularly where some or all of the rollers are driven. In many applications, it is desirable that packages can be selectively removed from the roller conveyor, onto another cOnveyor or receiving station or otherwise, for example in a distribution system. To allow packages to be appropriately directed, units, hereinafter called diverters, are provided which can divert a package from the roller conveyor. It is known to provide diverters in which, for example, rollers are pivotally mounted to divert a package on the roller conveyor, or where a separate unit is provided with wheels or rollers which have a first position in which packages are directed along the conveyor and a second position where the packages are diverted off the conveyor.
It is also known to provide other directing mechanical elements, such as arms or baffles, which physically divert conveyed packages from the roller conveyor.
A disadvantage of these solutions is that they tend to be mechanically complex, particularly diverters with pivotable wheels or rollers, and can be slow to switch. Clearly, if a diverter can only switch at a relatively low speed, packages on the roller must be spaced at sufficiently large intervals to allow the diverter to switch between its alternative directions, and this reduces the speed at which packages can be carried along the roller conveyer.
An aim of the invention is to provide a new or improved diverter.
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a diverter comprising a main run and a side run, the side run extending from a side of the main run, the main run comprising a plurality of rollers, at least some of the rollers comprising driven rollers whereby packages are carried longitudinally of the main run, the rollers being disposed at an angle to the side of the main run angled towards the side run, the diverter further comprising a barrier disposed at the side of the main run between the main run and the side run, whereby the barrier is operable to permit packages to pass between the main run and the side run or retain packages on the main run.
The side run may comprise a plurality of further rollers, at least some of the plurality of further rollers comprising driven rollers whereby packages are carried longitudinally of the side run.
The barrier may compnse a vertically moveable blade, the blade being moveable between a first position to permit packages to pass between the main run and the side run and a second position to retain packages on the main run.
The diverter may comprise a pneumatic actuator operable to move the blade between the first position and the second position.
The diverter may comprise a guard rail disposed along the side of the main run.
The guard rail may be in line with the barrier.
The side run may extend at an angle to the main run.
The side run may extend at an angle of about 30° to the main run.
The side run may comprise a tapered section adjacent the main run.
The tapered section may comprise a plurality of rollers, the axes of rotation of the rollers being generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the rollers of the main run.
The side run may comprise an accumulator barrier operable to prevent movement of packages along the side run.
The accumulator barrier may comprise a vertically moveable element, the element being moveable between a first position to permit packages to pass along the side run and a second position to prevent movement of packages along the side run.
The side run may comprises a straight section extending away from the tapered section, and the accumulation barrier may be disposed between the straight section and the tapered section.
The diverter may comprise a plurality of side runs, the side runs being disposed along the side of the main run.
The diverter may comprise a first main run and a second main run disposed adjacent one another, a first plurality of side runs disposed adjacent the first main run and a second plurality of side runs disposed adjacent the second main run.
The plurality of driven rollers of the main run may be drivable in a first dIrection such that packages are carried longitudinally of the main run and are urged to the side of the main run.
The further plurality of driven rollers of the side run may be drivable in a first direction, such that when the barrier is operated to permit packages to pass from the main run to the side run, the packages may be urged from the main run to the side run by the plurality of driven rollers and may then be carried longitudinally of the side run away from the main run.
The plurality of driven rollers of the main run and the further plurality of driven rollers of the side run may be drivable in a second direction such that packages are carried longitudinally of the side run towards the main run, and are received from the side run onto the main run.
The accumulator element may be operable to hold one or more packages on the side run, and operable to release the one or more packages to pass from the side run to the main run.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diverter embodying the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the diverter of Figure 1 in a second operating mode, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further diverter embodying the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1, a diverter unit is generally shown at 10 comprising a main run 11 and, in this example, a plurality of side runs 12. The side runs 12 are located adjacent to a side 1 la of the main run 11.
As seen in Figure 1, the main run 11 comprises a first longitudinal support 1 3 and a second longitudinal support 1 3b, which support a plurality of rollers 14.
Some or all of the rollers 14 are driven, such that packages supported on the rollers 14 may be conveyed in either direction longitudinally of the main run 11.
A guide wall 15 is located on the side I la of the main run 11, supported on longitudinal member 13a. The plurality of rollers 14 extend transversely along the longitudinal supporst 13a, 13b, but do not extend perpendicularly between the longitudinal supports 13a, 13b. Instead the rollers 14 are angled in a direction towards the side runs 12, such that when the plurality of rollers 14 are driven to convey packages in a direction longitudinally of the main run 11, the packages are urged to the left of the main run 11 in the direction of travel A such that packages are brought into contact with the guard rail 15.
The side runs 12 comprise a tapered section 16 adjacent the main run 11, and a straight section 17 extending from the tapered section 16. The side run 12 comprises a further plurality of rollers 18, again some of which are driven to convey packages along the side run 12, in either direction. As will be apparent from the figures, the plurality of rollers 18 provided in the tapered section 16 are of progressively shorter lengths to be accommodated within the taper.
Preferably the rollers 18 of the straight section 17 extend perpendicularly between the side supports 12a of the side run 12. In this example, the axes of rotation of the plurality of further rollers in the tapered section 1 6 are parallel to the axes of rotation of the plurality of rollers 14 of the main run 11. This is advantageous in that it permits the rollers of the tapered section 16 and of the main run 11 to be co-extensive, or indeed supported on common axles or even driven by a common drive if appropriate. In this configuration, it will be apparent that the angle of the plurality of rollers 14 on the main run 11 relative to the longitudinal supports 1 3, 1 3 will be the same as the angle at which the side run 12 joins the main run 11.
In this example, the angle between the side run 12 and the main run 11 is 300, although this may be set at any angle as desired for location or function within a plant and providing an appropriate switching speed.
Any drive means may be provided to drive the plurality of rollers 14 and the further plurality of rollers 18 in a desired manner, and the rollers may be driven in separate sections in known manner to control the passage of packages along the main run 11 and side run 12.
To permit packages to be directed along the main run 11 or side run 12, a barrier 19 is disposed between the side run 12 and the main run 11. The barrier 19 comprises a vertically movable blade 20, the blade 20 being moveable between a first, lowered position, whereby packages may pass between the main run 11, and the side run 12, and a raised position as shown in Figure 1. The barrier 19 and guard rail 15 are preferably in line, so that packages on the main run 11 being conveyed in the direction A are urged to the left of the main run 11 due to the angle of the plurality of rollers 14, and by virtue of the guard rail 15 and barrier 19, are held on and conveyed along the main run 11. It will be apparent that when it is desired to divert a package down a side run 12, it is necessary simply to lower the blade 20 as the package approaches that side run 12. The angle of the plurality of rollers 14 on the main run 11 will act to urge the package onto the tapered section 16 of the side run 12, and the driven rollers of the further plurality of rollers 18 will then act to draw the package away from the main run 11 and cause it to be transported longitudinally of the side run 12.
In the present example, the blade 20 is lowered rapidly by means of a suitable pneumatic actuator (not shown), thus providing quick switching of packages between the side run and the main run, thus permitting quicker operation of the main run and requiring smaller spaces in between packages.
Advantageously, the diverter unit 10 may also be used as a merge unit. As shown in Figure 2 in more detail, the side run 12 further comprises an accumulator barrier 21, in the present example disposed between the straight section 17 and the tapered section 16. The accumulator barrier 21 comprises a vertically moveable element, in this example a blade 22 similar to the blade which is moveable between a first, lowered position to permit packages to pass alongside the run, as illustrated in Figure 1, and a second, raised position to prevent movement of packages along the side run 12. Again, in this example the blade 22 is moved by a suitable pneumatic actuator (not shown) although any other suitable element, whether vertically moveable or otherwise, and actuator may be provided as desired.
In this operating mode, the plurality of driven rollers 14 of the main run 11 are operated to direct packages in the direction B longitudinally of the main run 11.
The further plurality of driven rollers 18 are operated in a similar direction, so that packages on the side runs 12 are directed towards the main run 11.
Operation of the accumulation barrier allows one or more packages to be held on the side run 12, and released onto the main run 11 at a desired time, for example for insertion into a particular sequence or group of packages, orto release a accumulated group of packages from the side run 12. During this operation, the diverter 19 is of course located in its lowered position.
Advantageously, it would be seen that the present diverter unit can r act as a merge unit, and so provide for bi-directional operation as part of a wider conveyer system. The diverter unit 10 is suitably flexible in that any number of side units can be provided as desired, and the diverter unit 10 can be integrated in a system made up of standard conveyor units without requiring modification or customisation. Accordingly, a diverter as embodied in the present invention provides a simple, cost effective and highly flexible way of providing a diverter and merge unit as part of a larger conveyer system.
A further application of a unit embodying the present invention is shown in Figure 3. In this example, a diverter unit is generally shown at 10, comprising a first main run 101 and second main run 102. Each of the main runs 101, 102 is operable in a similar manner to the main run 11 of Figures 1 and 2. A first plurality of side runs 112 are provided alongside the first main run 101, and a second plurality of side runs 113 are provided alongside the second main run 102. Again, the side runs 112, 113 are operable in like manner to the side run 12 of Figures 1 and 2. Such a configuration permits packages to be diverted to both sides of the diverter 10' and to receive and merge packages from both sets of side units 112, 113 when acting as a merge unit. Such a configuration can provide a system capable of sorting or merging a larger number of packages.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (19)

1. A diverter comprising a main run and a side run, the side run extending from a side of the main run, the main run comprising a plurality of rollers, at least some of the rollers comprising driven rollers whereby packages are carried longitudinally of the main run, the rollers being disposed at an angle to the side of the main run angled towards the side run, the diverter further comprising a barrier disposed at the side of the main run between the main run and the side run, whereby the barrier is operable to permit packages to pass between the main run and the side run or retain packages on the main run.
2. A diverter according to claim 1 wherein the side run comprises a plurality of further rollers, at least some of the plurality of further rollers comprising driven rollers whereby packages are carried longitudinally of the side run.
3. A diverter according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the barrier comprises a vertically moveable blade, the blade being moveable between a first position to permit packages to pass between the main run and the side run and a second position to retain packages on the main run.
4. A diverter according to claim 3 comprising a pneumatic actuator operable to move the blade between the first position and the second position.
5. A diverter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a guard rail disposed along the side of the main run.
6. A diverter according to claim 5 wherein the guard rail is in line with the barrier.
7. A diverter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side run extends at an angle to the main run.
8. A diverter according to claim 7 wherein the side run extends at an angle of about 30° to the main run.
7. A diverter according to wherein the side run comprises a tapered section adjacent the main run.
8. A diverter according to claim 7 wherein the tapered section comprises a plurality of rollers, the axes of rotation of the rollers being generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the rollers of the main run.
9. A diverter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side run comprises an accumulator barrier operable to prevent movement of packages along the side run.
10. A diverter according to claim 9 wherein the accumulator barrier comprises a vertically moveable element, the element being moveable between a first position to permit packages to pass along the side run and a second position to prevent movement of packages along the side run.
11. A diverter according to claim 10 where dependent directly or indirectly on claim 7, wherein the side run comprises a straight section extending away from the tapered section, wherein the accumulation barrier is disposed between the straight section and the tapered section.
12. A diverter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of side runs, the side runs being disposed along the side of the main run.
13. A diverter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a first main run and a second main run disposed adjacent one another, a first plurality of side runs disposed adjacent the first main run and a second plurality of side runs disposed adjacent the second main run.
14. A diverter according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 13 where dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2, wherein the plurality of driven rollers of the main run are drivable in a first direction such that packages are carried longitudinally of the main run and are urged to the side of the main run.
15. A diverter according to claim 14 wherein the further plurality of driven rollers of the side run are drivable in a first direction, such that when the the barrier is operated to permit packages to pass from the main run to the side run, the packages are urged from the main run to the side run by the plurality of driven rollers and are then carried longitudinally of the side run away from the main run.
16. A diverter according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the plurality of driven rollers of the main run and the further plurality of driven rollers of the side run are drivable in a second direction such that packages are carried longitudinally of the side run towards the main run, and are received from the side run onto the main run.
17. A diverter according to claim 16 where dependent directly or indirectly on claim 9, wherein the accumulator element is operable to hold one or more packages on the side run, and operable to release the one or more packages to pass from the side run to the main run.
18. A diverter substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. Any novel feature or combination of features substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0720369A 2007-10-18 2007-10-18 Roller conveyor diverter Withdrawn GB2453763A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0720369A GB2453763A (en) 2007-10-18 2007-10-18 Roller conveyor diverter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0720369A GB2453763A (en) 2007-10-18 2007-10-18 Roller conveyor diverter

Publications (2)

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GB0720369D0 GB0720369D0 (en) 2007-11-28
GB2453763A true GB2453763A (en) 2009-04-22

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3484655A (en) * 1966-10-07 1969-12-16 William J Peltier Apparatus for controlling conveying systems and the like
DE3826638A1 (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-12-28 Neckermann Versand Ag Apparatus for transporting goods
JP2005187142A (en) * 2003-12-25 2005-07-14 Nihon Medi Physics Co Ltd Conveying direction converting apparatus and roller conveying system using it

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3484655A (en) * 1966-10-07 1969-12-16 William J Peltier Apparatus for controlling conveying systems and the like
DE3826638A1 (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-12-28 Neckermann Versand Ag Apparatus for transporting goods
JP2005187142A (en) * 2003-12-25 2005-07-14 Nihon Medi Physics Co Ltd Conveying direction converting apparatus and roller conveying system using it

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Publication number Publication date
GB0720369D0 (en) 2007-11-28

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