IT201900013920A1 - DEVICE FOR THE SORTING OF PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

Description of Patent for Industrial Invention entitled:

"DEVICE FOR THE SORTING OF PRODUCTS".

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device for sorting products, in particular for sorting products of various shapes and sizes, for example light, at high speed.

Sorting devices are usually used in warehouses or industrial plants to distribute products based on gender, such as weight, shape, size, intended use, etc. They are generally equipped with addressing devices which convey the products, for example handled by conveyor belts, from an entrance area equipped with a single exit lane to an exit area equipped with several parallel product reception lanes.

In the particular sector of the sorting of light or unstable products, such as cans for containing food products, bottles for liquids, etc., the sorting devices are arranged downstream of the entrance area to convey the products towards the different aisles. reception by means of the presence of a mobile lane provided with two sides separated from each other by a distance substantially corresponding to the product to be conveyed.

The mobile aisle is usually positioned above the conveyor belt to selectively direct / route the products towards the receiving aisles. The movable lane is supported between a first and a second support frame oriented transversely to the belt and is extended along the longitudinal direction of advancement of the products. It is equipped with an inlet channel and an outlet channel and is supported by the first frame in a fixed way so that the inlet channel is always positioned in correspondence with the only exit lane of the products from the entrance area, while the second frame supports the output channel can move in a mobile way so that the latter can move transversely to the conveyor belt, for example by means of actuators, in order to direct the various products towards the various reception lanes of the output area.

Basically, the second frame, arranged proximal to the exit area, supports the moving lane so that the latter is able to rotate around an axis orthogonal to the belt to direct the products towards the various parallel reception lanes.

The addressing / routing of products is carried out according to two main known techniques.

A first technique involves the use of a braking side sorting device. In particular, in correspondence with the exit channel of the moving lane, sides are provided which allow the products to be sorted to be slowed down, stopped or allowed to flow before they are directed towards one of the reception lanes of the exit area. In particular, the brake sides have belts which, depending on the need, rotate idly or act to brake the products before they enter the reception aisles. In this way the products can slide in the moving lane or stop inside it by defining a sliding phase and a stop phase of the products inside it.

During the sliding phase, the output channel is always stationary and turned towards a specific reception lane of the output area and at the same time the mobile belts rotate idly so that the products can flow and cross the mobile aisle.

During the stopping phase, the belts resist the forward motion of the products by braking them inside the moving lane so that the latter can move towards another receiving lane. Once the exit channel has positioned itself in the desired receiving lane, the belts return to neutral allowing the products to pass to the exit area.

The second addressing technique involves the use of a tracking device for sorting banks. In particular, the follower sides are supported by the second movable frame positioned in correspondence with the outlet channel and are equipped with elements which can be extended along the longitudinal direction of advance of the belt. In detail, the transverse motion of the exit channel of the mobile aisle is followed by a simultaneous and progressive elongation of the following sides, achieved by the movement of the second frame along the longitudinal direction, so that the products can be accompanied towards the reception aisle. desired without braking them until reaching the exit area.

It should also be specified that the sorting devices are intended to convey products with different formats, in particular different widths from time to time.

For this purpose, an adjustment of the distance of the sides is foreseen both in correspondence with the inlet channel and in the output channel in order to increase or reduce the distance between the sides according to the width of the product and therefore allow the conveying of products of sizes different.

Generally, the adjustment of the distance can be carried out in different ways in the inlet and outlet channels according to the type of sorting device, its technical characteristics and the quantity of products of different kinds to be sorted. For example, in the case of frequent product format changes, it is preferable to use automatic adjustments. Otherwise, when the devices are dedicated for a long time to sorting products having the same format, it is sufficient to have manual adjustments.

Further, it should be emphasized that, since the entrance channel of the moving lane is supported by the first frame in a fixed way, the installation of automatic adjustments (even with the presence of servo drives or motorizations) in the first frame does not require particular technical difficulties. This is why it is often the use of automatic adjustments in the inlet channel installed in the first frame.

On the other hand, since the exit channel of the moving lane is supported by the second frame so that it can move transversely, having automatic adjustments is complicated since the second frame already provides different motorizations and automatisms necessary to move the channel transversely to and from the different reception lanes of the exit area. It follows that the adjustments of the distance between the banks in correspondence with the second frame are almost always manual.

The Applicant has ascertained that the manual adjustment of the distance of the outgoing sides requires an interruption of activities with the device turned off to allow an operator to set the distance. It follows that the working times are enormously lengthened with consequent losses in terms of productivity.

The Applicant has thus thought of developing actuation means that are able to move the mobile lane transversely and at the same time are able to adjust the distance between the sides, in correspondence with the exit channel, automatically, so as to realize a device for sorting which allows to speed up production while keeping the manufacturing costs of the device itself low.

The present invention therefore relates to a product sorting device in accordance with claim 1 having structural and functional characteristics such as to satisfy the aforesaid requirements and at the same time to obviate the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the known art.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a device for sorting products, illustrated by way of indication, but not of limitation, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sorting device according to the invention;

- figures 2 and 3 are perspective views in detail of the moving lane of the device of figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view in detail of the front frame supporting the mobile lane according to the invention;

- figure 5 is a sectional perspective view of the frame of figure 4;

- Figures 6 and 7 are schematic top views of the lane of the device of Figure 1 in transverse movement;

- Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the sorting device according to a further embodiment. With particular reference to these figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for sorting products, preferably light, and adapted to be installed in a warehouse or industrial plant between an entrance area A and an exit area B to distribute and targeting products of various kinds between these areas.

In the following description and in the subsequent claims, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "vertically", "horizontally", "left" or "right" must be understood with reference to the directions indicated in the drawings, but they must not be considered as limiting to particular specific directions, but used only for descriptive convenience.

In the following of the present description and in the subsequent claims, "light products" are intended, indicatively, products with a weight that can vary from a few grams (for example boxes of handkerchiefs) up to 5/6 kg (such as bottles of wine) and over and overall dimensions between 30 mm and 500 mm.

As can be seen from the figures, the sorting device 1 comprises a first 3 and a second 4 frame installed above a product feed platform P, the latter being substantially extended horizontally with respect to the ground. The frames 3,4 are adapted to support a movable lane 2 for addressing the products between the inlet area A and the outlet area B. As illustrated in the example of Figure 7, the feed platform P preferably comprises one or several conveyor belts for the transport / handling of one or more products to be sorted along a direction of advancement X-X from the entrance area A to the exit area B by means of the mobile aisle 2.

There are therefore substantially three zones on the feed platform P: the entrance zone A, the exit zone B and a sorting zone C between zones A and B, as indicated in figures 6 and 7.

Preferably, the entrance area A can include a single exit lane a1 along which the products P advance towards the sorting area C.

In an alternative embodiment, such as the one illustrated in the examples of Figures 8 and 9 and described in greater detail below, the entrance area A can comprise two or more exit lanes a1, a2, ..., an, along which the P products advance towards sorting area C.

Preferably, the exit area B can comprise a plurality of reception lanes b1, b2, ..., bn each equipped with inlet doors g1, g2, ..., gn parallel to each other to receive the products P from the sorting area C.

As will be described in detail later in this description, the moving lane 2 is intended to direct the products coming from the exit lane a1 of the entrance area A towards one of the reception lanes b1, b2, ..., bn of the exit area B.

The mobile lane 2, in use, is supported by the frames 3,4 installed above the feed platform P and extends in length between the entry area A and the exit area B for approximately the entire length of the feed platform P, and therefore for the whole sorting area C.

Preferably, the first frame 3 is positioned in correspondence with the inlet zone A and the second frame 4 is positioned in correspondence with the outlet zone B.

With reference to the example illustrated in figures 2 and 6, preferably, the moving lane 2 is equipped with two sides 21,22 between which an inlet channel 2a, facing towards the inlet area A, and an outlet channel are identified. 2b facing the exit area B. The moving lane 2 directs the products between the exit lane a1 of the entry area A towards one of the reception lanes b1, b2, ..., bn thanks to the alignment of the exit channel 2b with one of the entrance doors g1, g2,…, gn.

Preferably, the input channel 2a and the output channel 2b of the moving lane 2 are connected by a central channel 2c.

Preferably, the movable lane 2 is fixedly supported by the first frame 3 so that the inlet channel 2a is substantially aligned with the outlet lane a1 of the inlet area A. In this way, the products moving from the inlet area A leave the latter to enter the moving lane 2 from the input channel 2a.

On the other hand, the outlet channel 2b is supported in a mobile way by the second frame 4 to move along the Y-Y direction, orthogonal to the X-X direction of advancement on the platform 2.

With reference to figures 2 and 3, the sides 21,22 of lane 2 are arranged parallel to each other and at a predetermined distance L for the passage of the various products. As will be seen below, this distance L can be set automatically according to the size of the products to be sorted, for example in the case of bottles, according to the width of the latter.

In detail, each side 21,22 comprises a central section 23,24 which extends in length for substantially the entire length of the central channel 2c. Two extensions 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b are connected to the opposite ends of each section 23, 24b, respectively, for each side of the lane 2, by means of hinges 9. In particular, a pair of rear extensions 23a, 24a and a pair of front extensions 23b, 24b, the functions of which will be described in detail in the following of the present description, which are positioned respectively in correspondence with the inlet 2a and outlet 2b channels of the moving lane 2.

Usefully, it is possible to provide barriers B1, B2 fixed in correspondence with the respective edge 21, 22 and inside the lane 2 and intended to act as guides for the products. Each barrier B1, B2 is preferably mounted to cover the central section 23, 24, the rear extensions 23a, 23b, the hinges 9 and at least partially to cover the front extensions 23b, 24b.

Preferably, the barriers B1, B2 are made of elastic material (for example rubber) in such a way as to be able to bend during the transverse movement and alignment of the lane 2 towards one of the entrance doors g1, g2, ..., gn of the reception b1, b2,…, bn in order to maintain a harmonious curvilinear profile to the lane itself. In this way, the passage of the products along the entire path of advancement between the inlet area A and the outlet area B can be carried out without jolts and / or jolts even at high speeds.

As illustrated in the example of Figure 3, the first frame 3, which can be supported by an upper structure (not shown) of the type, for example, an overhead crane, is equipped with a subframe 30, preferably in the shape of an inverted U, for slidingly supporting two rear forks 31,32 connected respectively to the rear extensions 23a, 24a of the sides 21,22. In particular, the upper portion of each rear fork 31,32 is supported by means of a prismatic (or helical) pair in order to make the rear extensions 23a, 24a of the lane 2 move towards and / or away from each other so as to be able to adjust the distance between the sides 21,22 according to the size of the products to be received.

In accordance with an embodiment not shown, the adjustment of the distance of the rear extensions 23a, 24a can be carried out by means of suitable motorized means to speed up the approach and / or removal operations of the sides 21, 22.

Preferably, the connection between the rear forks 31, 32 and the rear extensions 23a, 24a of the side panels 21, 22 is made by means of respective linear guides G idle to allow sliding along the X-X direction to the side panels 21, 22, as will be explained in detail. afterwards.

As shown in the example of Figure 4, the second frame 4, which can also be supported by an upper structure (not shown) of the type, for example, overhead crane, comprises a crosspiece 40 which supports two front forks 41,42 at the bottom and slidingly connected respectively to the front extensions 23b, 24b of the sides 21,22. In particular, with reference to the example of figures 4 and 6, the first front fork 41 is conventionally identified as the fork between the two furthest to the right with respect to an observer's point of view. Similarly, the first anterior extension 23b is conventionally identified as the extension between the two extensions further to the right with respect to an observer's point of view.

As can be seen in the example of figure 5, the second fork 42 is supported by the crosspiece 40 by means of a shoe 46 sliding below the crosspiece 40 for shape coupling to the latter and intended to be moved by respective actuators as will be explained in detail below. of this description. Similar considerations can be made with reference to the further support shoe 45 for the first fork 41. For descriptive convenience, the first shoe will be indicated below with 45 and the second shoe with 46.

Preferably, each profile 23,24 is connected integrally to the respective front fork 41,42 by means of the relative hinge 9. According to one version, each hinge 9 is connected to the respective front fork 41,42 by means of a connection plate 43,44, preferably as an upside-down "L".

Usefully, as illustrated in the example of Figure 2, the elastic barriers B1, B2 are fixed at the outlet channel 2b, in particular to the hinge 9 and the plate 43,44.

Advantageously, a plurality of linear guides are obtained on the crosspiece 40 at the bottom to allow each front fork 41,42 to slide independently along the orthogonal direction Y-Y, and therefore the relative sides 21,22. For this purpose, a movement unit M is provided comprising two motorized actuators 5,6 connected kinematically and respectively to the forks 41,42 by means of the shoes 45,46. In particular, the motorized actuators 5,6 are mounted at an end 40a of the crosspiece 40 to impart motion to the forks 41, 42 so that the latter can be moved along the crosspiece 40 itself.

Preferably, each actuator 5,6 comprises a motor whose shaft rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X. The connection between the actuators 5,6 and the shoes 45,46 of the forks 41,42 can be made by means of belts 10,11 intended to slide between the shaft of each actuator 5,6 and a pulley (not shown) arranged at the end 40b of the crosspiece 40 on suitable tracks 12, 13 obtained in the crosspiece 40 itself. In particular, each track 12,13 defines, respectively, a sliding path for the left belt 10 and a sliding path for the right belt 11 (with reference to the point of view of figure 5) which wind the crosspiece 40 longitudinally . Preferably, the tracks 12,13 of the belts 10,11 are arranged one above the other. In particular, the upper track 12 includes a through tunnel obtained in the crosspiece 40 and extended longitudinally along the latter. The lower track 13, on the other hand, is defined in a space comprised between the crosspiece 40 and the shoes 45, 46. Conveniently, the belts 10, 11 are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the axial median of the crosspiece 40 and side by side. Basically, the left belt 10 is intended for the movement of the second shoe 46 (figure 5) while the right belt 11 is intended for the movement of the first shoe 45 (figure 4).

Preferably, the second shoe 46 is configured to be connected only to the left belt 10 and therefore to be able to be moved autonomously by the relative actuator 6. Similarly, the first shoe 45 is configured to be connected only to the right belt 11 and can therefore be moved autonomously by the relative actuator 5.

This configuration advantageously allows to obtain an autonomous movement of each shoe. It follows that the movement of the belt 10 affects the movement of only the second shoe 46 without affecting / hindering the movement of the first shoe 45. Similar considerations can be made with reference to the first shoe 45 and to the belt 11. In practice, when it is necessary moving the sides 21,22 of the device 1 to orient the movable lane 2, it is possible to selectively, individually and / or simultaneously move the respective skids 45,46 thanks to the particular configuration and arrangement of the skids themselves, the belts 10, 11, the crosspiece 40 and the handling group M.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the front extensions 23b, 24b of the sides 23, 24 are preferably of the braking type. In particular, each front extension 23b, 24b comprises a braking unit equipped with a belt 7,8 rotating around a vertical axis Z-Z orthogonal to the platform 2 and supported by the front fork 41,42.

Preferably, each belt 7,8 can rotate in an idle way or be moved by an actuator 71,81 whose shaft is configured to impart a rotary motion to the belts 7,8 opposite to each other. In particular, with reference to the example of Figure 2, the belt 7 of the right extension 23b rotates clockwise with respect to its axis of rotation while the belt 8 of the left extension 24b rotates counterclockwise with respect to its axis of rotation.

In this way, as will be seen below, the products leaving the moving lane 2 can be slowed down by setting a suitable rotation speed of the belts lower than the advancement speed of the belt 2 so that the products can be slowed down and / or braked before moving. of the exit channel 2b of lane 2 towards the various entrance doors g1, g2,…, gn of the reception lanes b1, b2,…, bn.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the front extensions 23b, 24b of the sides 23, 24 are preferably of the following type.

With reference to the examples illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, since the movable lane 2 is supported by the second frame 4 in such a way that the outlet channel 2b only moves transversely along Y-Y, it is necessary that the inlet channel 2a can slide longitudinally along X-X during the movement of the banks 21,22. For this purpose, as anticipated above, the presence of the idle linear guides G allows the rear extensions 23a, 24a to slide along X-X so as to allow movement of the sections 23,24 towards the entrance area A.

When it is necessary to move the output channel 2b to change the addressing of the products from one input port to the other, it is sufficient to simultaneously activate the actuators 5,6 to make the shoes 45,46 move together in order to move the side panels 21,22 simultaneously transversely along Y-Y (and in particular the front extensions 23b, 24b) so that the output channel 2b is aligned with one of the entrance doors g1, g2, ..., gn of the reception lanes b1, b2 ,…, Bn. On the other hand, when it is necessary to move the front extensions 23b, 24b of the sides 21,22 to adjust the distance L according to the size of the products, it is sufficient to individually activate the actuators 5,6 to make the shoes 45,46 move independently to move the sides 21,22 transversely along Y-Y away from and / or towards each other.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the examples of figures 8 and 9, it is possible to have one (or even more) additional mobile lane 2 'arranged alongside the main mobile lane 2 and structurally substantially similar to the latter. In this way, it is possible to receive and convey the sliding products on the feed platform P if there are several exit lanes a1, a2,…, an in the entrance area A to sort products of different sizes and types.

Advantageously, the front extensions of both lanes 2,2 'are supported by the same crosspiece 40. In particular, in order to move the additional lane 2', an additional handling unit M 'equipped with relative additional motorized actuators is provided. 5 ', 6' (quite similar to the actuators 5,6) for the transversal movement of the front extensions of the additional mobile lane 2 '. Preferably, the additional movement unit M 'is associated with the crosspiece 40 on the opposite side with respect to the position of the movement unit M. In particular, the motorized actuators 5', 6 'are mounted at the terminal end 40b opposite to the terminal end 40a of the crosspiece 40 to impart motion to the additional lane 2 'by means of the same crosspiece 40.

Also in this further embodiment the additional handling unit M 'is intended to simultaneously move each edge of the additional moving lane 2' so that the exit channel can align itself with one of the reception lanes of the exit area B. Furthermore, the unit of additional movement M 'is designed to independently move each edge of the additional mobile lane 2' so that they can approach and move away from each other in order to modify their mutual distance according to the size of the products to be sorted.

With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 9, preferably, the forks 41'42 'intended to support the relative sides 21', 22 'of the additional lane 2' have runners 45 ', 46' arranged above the crosspiece 40 (instead of below as in the case described with reference to the main lane 2). For this purpose, the crosspiece 40 is configured in such a way as to have relative sliding tracks 12 ', 13' obtained in the crosspiece 40 itself to define independent sliding paths for the belts 10 ', 11' which by connecting to the shoes 45 ' , 46 'are intended for the transverse movement of the additional lane 2'.

Preferably, the sliding tracks 12 ', 13' are arranged above the sliding tracks 12,13 for the belts 10,11 and the operation is completely similar to that described with reference to the example illustrated in figure 5.

As it has been possible to verify from the present description, it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed purposes and in particular it is emphasized that by means of the sorting device it is possible to move both simultaneously and independently the sides of the moving lane in order to align the latter to one or more reception lanes present in the exit area and in order to modify their mutual distance according to the size of the products to be sorted. It has also been found that the sorting device according to the invention can have even more mobile lanes supported downstream by the same crossbar capable, with appropriate motorized handling units, to move all the sides of the lanes simultaneously and / or independently. In this way, the manufacturing costs of the device can be contained even if the products to be sorted are received from several entry areas.

The type of structural combinations of the sorting device in accordance with the present invention and its embodiments are potentially infinite and obviously a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, can make numerous modifications and variations to the examples of embodiments described above, all however contained within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1) Device for the sorting (1) of products, comprising: a mobile lane (2) equipped with a pair of sides (21,22) separated from each other by a distance (L) such as to receive and convey sliding products on a forward platform (P) between an entrance area (A) and one or more reception lanes (b1, b2, ..., bn) of an exit area (B) along a direction of travel (X-X), where in the moving lane (2) you can identify an entrance channel (2a), facing the entrance area (A), and an exit channel (2b) facing the exit area (B), a first frame (3) positioned substantially in correspondence with the entrance area (A) and configured to support the entrance channel (2a) of the mobile lane (2) above the forward platform (P), a second frame (4) positioned substantially in correspondence with the exit area (B) and configured to support the exit channel (2b) of the moving lane (2) above the advance platform (P), characterized in that the second frame (4) comprises at least one group of handling (M) intended to handle: - simultaneously each side panel (21,22) along a direction (Y-Y) transversal with respect to the forward direction (X-X) so that the output channel (2b) can align itself with one of the reception lanes (b1, b2, ..., bn) for selectively sorting the products towards the exit area (B), e - independently each side (21,22) so that they can approach and move away from each other in order to modify their mutual distance (L) according to the size of the products to be sorted. 2) Sorting device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the handling unit (M) comprises a first (5) and a second motorized actuator (6) in which the first actuator (5) is kinetically connected to the first side (23) and the second actuator (6) is kinetically connected to the second side (24). 3) Sorting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each side panel (21,22) comprises a profile (23,24) at the opposite ends of which a rear extension (23a, 23b) and an extension are connected front (24a, 24b), and in which the extensions (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) are connected by respective hinges (C) to the profile (23,24) in order to be able to rotate with respect to the latter around an axis (Z-Z ) orthogonal to the feed platform (P). 4) Sorting device (1) according to the preceding claim, the second frame (4) comprising a crosspiece (40) which slidably supports two front forks (41, 42) respectively connected to the front extensions (23b, 24b) of the banks (21,22). 5) Sorting device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the front extensions (23b, 24b) of the sides (23,24) are preferably of the braking type. 6) Sorting device (1) according to claim 3, in which the front extensions (23b, 24b) of the sides (23,24) are of the following type. 7) Sorting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein the first frame (3) comprises a subframe (30) for slidingly supporting two rear forks (31,32) connected respectively to the rear extensions (23a, 24a) of the banks (21,22). 8) Sorting device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the rear forks (31,32) are connected respectively to the rear extensions (23a, 24a) of the sides (21,22) by means of linear guides (G) idle to allow the rear extensions (23a, 24a) themselves to slide along the direction of advancement (X-X) so as to allow movement of the profiles (23,24) towards the entrance area (A) during the alignment of the sides (21 , 22) to one of the reception lanes (b1, b2,…, bn). 9) Sorting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional mobile lane (2 '), arranged alongside said mobile lane (2) and substantially similar to the latter, to receive and convey the products sliding on the advancement platform (P) between several exit lanes (a1, a2, ..., an) of the entrance area (A) and one or more reception lanes (b1, b2, ..., bn) of the exit area (B), characterized by the fact that the second frame (4) includes an additional handling unit (M ') intended to handle: - simultaneously each edge (21 ', 22') of said additional moving lane (2 ') along the direction (Y-Y) so that the output channel (2b') can align itself with one of the reception lanes (b1, b2, ..., bn) to selectively sort the products towards the exit area (B), e - independently each side (21 ', 22') so that they can approach and move away from each other in order to change their mutual distance (L) according to the size of the products to be sorted. 10) Sorting device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the handling unit (M) of the mobile lane (2) is mounted in correspondence with an end end (40a) of the crosspiece (40) and the additional movement (M ') of the additional mobile lane (2') is mounted on the same crosspiece (40) and arranged on the opposite side with respect to the terminal end (40a).