JP6901202B2 - Automatic feeder stack management system and method - Google Patents

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
The present application is entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOMATIC FEEDER STACK MANAGEMENT, US Patent Application No. 13 / 797,291 filed on March 12, 2013; SYSTEM AND METHOD OF UNLOADING A CONTAIN. US Patent Application No. 13 / 797,731 filed on March 12, 2013; US Patent Application No. 13,797,698 filed on March 12, 2013, entitled ARTICLE FEEDER WITH A RETRACTABLE PRODUCT GUIDE; ANTI -US Patent Application No. 13 / 801,749, filed March 13, 2013, entitled ROTATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE; and SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ARTICLE FEEDER OPERATION, March 14, 2013. Claims priority and interests in the filed US Patent Application No. 13 / 827,122.

The disclosure relates to areas where items are automatically delivered and sorted. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a retractable product guide capable of individualizing, individualizing and sorting articles obtained from mass stacks and / or containers. Regarding the automatic stack feeder.

Items such as mail items are often provided in bulk and must be sorted into individual items or items for processing or routing. This sorting, or individualization, of individual items can be done automatically by placing a large stack of items or articles in the feeder. However, often the goods to be sorted are thin and must be supported while in the feeder. If the article stack is not properly positioned in the feeder or collapses, it can slow down the personalization process or be hampered by errors such as picking more than one article at a time. Articles are often provided in bulky containers and their contents or the extent to which they are filled can be difficult to predict. When the container is unloaded into the sorting device, articles both on and in the sorting device may collapse, i.e., fall into a position that is not ideal for individualization. The container is placed on the conveyor belt of the automatic stack feeder and is aligned flush with the stack guide. The container has side walls of some thickness, and when the article stack is unloaded from the container, the article stack may not come into contact with the stack guide due to the thickness of the side wall of the container.

The individualized articles can be sorted into various sorting windows on the feeder. The sorter operates at high speed and produces a sorting window that can be used to insert articles at high speed. If the operation of the article feeder and the sorting machines are not synchronized with each other, the article feeder may not properly sort the articles into the various sorting windows. In addition, if the article feeder is not configured to operate at high speed, damage to the article and selection or stacking of two or more articles in the personalization process can occur.

In addition, during individualization or solidification, the feeder uses vacuum to apply force to the articles in the feeder. The article is then moved along the conveyor belt. This can cause problems when sorting articles with unbonded edges, as the vacuum and conveyor belts act to move different parts of the article in different directions.

Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods that automatically individualize, individualize and sort articles from large stacks of articles to maximize article feed rates and minimize damage and stacking. Once the article stack is unloaded from the container, it is possible to contact the stack guide, which needs to ensure that the article stack can be properly supported as it advances along the automatic stack feeder. There is also sex.

Some embodiments described herein are systems that manage articles in an automatic stack feeder, a frame configured to support the article stack; a perforated drive belt assembly: internally. Drive belt with openings; first and second ends, the first end of the perforated drive belt assembly is pivotally attached to the frame and the second end of the perforated drive belt assembly. Is pivotable around a axis of rotation defined by the attachment of the first end of the perforated drive belt assembly, the drive belt extends rotatably around the first and second ends, and the first Perforated drive belt assembly including one end and second end; conveyor connected to the frame and configured to move the article stack relative to the drive belt; close to the perforated drive belt assembly A sensor that is configured to detect the force exerted by an article stack on a portion of a perforated drive belt assembly; as well as being configured to receive input from the sensor and received. With respect to a system comprising a controller configured to control a conveyor based on input.

In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt assembly comprises a vacuum unit configured to exert a vacuum through an opening in the drive belt.

In some embodiments, the pivotable attachment of the perforated drive belt assembly comprises a spring configured to resist movement of the perforated drive belt assembly due to the force of the article stack.

In some embodiments, the sensor is configured to sense the pressure exerted by the article stack on the perforated drive belt assembly.

In some embodiments, the sensor senses the pressure exerted on the perforated drive belt assembly as the second end moves around the axis of rotation defined by the attachment of the first end. It is connected to the first end of the perforated drive belt assembly so that it does.

In some embodiments, the sensor is configured to sense the angular displacement of the perforated drive assembly with respect to the frame according to the force applied by the article stack.

In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a belt and a paddle, the belt and the paddle are independently movable, the paddle is configured to provide vertical support for the article stack, and the belt is the article. The stack is configured to be conveyed towards or away from the perforated drive belt assembly.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the adjustment of the paddle position or move the belt in response to an input received from the sensor.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a photoelectric sensor positioned to detect the angle of the article stack with respect to the frame.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive input from a photoelectric sensor.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are automatic feeder stack management methods, in which one or more articles are placed in contact with a conveyor; a drive belt assembly that includes a drive belt with an internal opening. The end of the drive belt assembly is pivotally attached to the frame and the free end of the drive belt assembly is rotatable about a axis of rotation defined by the attached end. That; sensing the force applied to the perforated drive assembly by one or more articles; and controlling the position of the conveyor based on the sensed force, thereby controlling the position of the article stack. With respect to methods, including controlling.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises individualizing the article from one or more articles using a vacuum acting on the perforated drive belt assembly.

In some embodiments, the pivotable attachment of the perforated drive belt comprises a spring that resists movement of the perforated drive belt assembly due to the force applied by one or more articles.

In some embodiments, sensing the force involves sensing the pressure exerted on the perforated drive belt assembly by one or more articles.

In some embodiments, sensing the pressure exerted on the perforated drive belt assembly by one or more articles is the movement of the perforated drive belt assembly around a rotation axis defined by the attachment of the attachment ends. Includes sensing the pressure applied to the perforated drive belt assembly according to.

In some embodiments, sensing the force comprises sensing the angular displacement of the free end of the perforated drive belt assembly relative to the frame according to the force applied by one or more articles.

In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises an independently movable belt and paddle, the belt transporting one or more articles towards or away from the perforated drive belt assembly. The paddle is configured to support the goods stack.

In some embodiments, controlling the conveyor involves moving at least one of the belts or paddles to adjust the position of one or more articles with respect to the perforated drive belt assembly.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises using a photoelectric sensor to sense the angle of one or more articles with respect to the frame.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises controlling the conveyor according to the perceived angle of one or more articles.

Some embodiments described herein are systems that personalize the article, a frame configured to support the article stack; a perforated drive belt assembly; a perforated drive belt assembly by the article stack. Means for sensing the pressure applied to a portion of the; Means for transporting the article stack towards or away from the perforated drive belt assembly; and based on the input received from the means for sensing the pressure. The present invention relates to a system including means for controlling means for transporting an article stack.

In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt assembly includes means of providing a vacuum force that attracts the leading article in the article stack towards the perforated drive belt assembly.

Some aspects of the disclosure are stack feeders, frames; singulators connected to one end of a frame; conveyors placed on the frame, configured to receive article stacks and containers. The article stack and the container are further configured to move towards the singer, the conveyor; the motor connected to the frame; the stack connected to the motor and positioned substantially parallel to the belt. It comprises a stack guide that is a guide and includes a continuous surface that is configured to contact the edge of the article stack, the motor moves the stack guide from the first position to the second position and the container on the conveyor. Includes a stack feeder that can operate to accommodate receiving.

In some embodiments, the stack feeder is a sensor configured to detect the presence of a container on the conveyor; and a controller that communicates with the sensor and motor to detect the presence of the container on the conveyor. Accordingly, it further comprises a controller configured to control the movement of the motor and move the stack guide between the first and second positions.

In some embodiments, the sensor is further configured to detect the absence of the container on the conveyor and the controller is between the second and first positions depending on the detection of the absence of the container. It is configured to control the movement of the stack guide in.

In some embodiments, the stack guide contacts the article stack when in the first position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide contacts the container and not the article stack when in the second position.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the movement of the stack guide from the first position to the second position when the presence of the container is detected.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the movement of the stack guide from the second position to the first position when the absence of the container is detected.

In some embodiments, the stack guide is movable in multiple positions between the first and second positions.

In another aspect, the container unloading system is a container configured to hold the article; an automatic stack feeder: a singulator; a first article stack and a conveyor configured to receive the container. There, the container has a second article stack inside, and the conveyor is further configured to move the first article stack and the container towards the singer, the conveyor; substantially relative to the conveyor. A stack guide aligned parallel to the first position, including a series of substantially vertical surfaces configured to contact the edges of the first and second article stacks. A stack guide that can be moved from to a second position; a sensor configured to detect the presence of a container on the conveyor; and a first position depending on the presence of the container on the conveyor while communicating with the sensor. It has an automatic stack feeder with a controller that is configured to control the movement of the stack guide between and the second position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide is configured to contact the first article stack when in the first position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide is configured to contact the container and not the first article stack when in the second position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide further comprises a motor that communicates with the controller, the motor being configured to move the stack guide between a first position and a second position.

In some embodiments, the sensor is further configured to detect the absence of the container on the conveyor and the controller is between the second and first positions depending on the absence of the container. It is configured to control the movement of the stack guide.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to move the stack guide from a first position to a second position when the presence of a container is detected.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to move the stack guide from a second position to a first position when the absence of a container is detected.

In some embodiments, the stack guide is movable in multiple positions between the first and second positions.

In another aspect, the method of sorting articles is to operate a stack feeder with a stack guide; receive a container with an internal first article stack on the conveyor of the automatic stack feeder; Detecting the presence; moving the stack guide according to the detected presence of the container; removing the first article stack from the container; detecting the absence of the container; and depending on the absence of the container Includes moving the stack guide.

In some embodiments, moving the stack guide according to the detected presence of the container comprises moving the stack guide from a first position to a second position.

In some embodiments, moving the stack guide in response to the absence of the container involves moving the stack guide from a second position to a first position.

In some embodiments, removing the second article stack from the container: moving the first article stack from the container onto the conveyor; moving the first article stack from the container to the second article already on the conveyor. Combining with a stack; and including removing the container from the conveyor.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting the stack guide with the combined first and second article stacks in the first position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide contacts the first article stack when in the first position, prior to detecting the presence of the container.

In some embodiments, the stack guide contacts the container and not the first article stack when in the second position.

In some embodiments, the stack guide is connected to a motor, which moves the stack guide from a first position to a second position and from a second position to a first position.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to automatic stack feeders. The automatic stack feeder is an individualizing device that is configured to receive an article stack and generate a positively stacked article stack, picking one or more articles from a positively stacked article stack. Together with a plurality of picking devices configured to produce one or more individualized articles, and one or more individualized articles configured to be sent out to one or more sorting windows. It can include one or more synchronization devices.

In some embodiments, the solidifying device is a bottom transport belt with a transport surface extending in the first direction; a shearing device; and a perforated belt with a surface extending in a second direction different from the first direction. Adjacent to the bottom transport belt, the bottom transport belt and the perforated belt are configured to move the article stack towards the shearing device, which applies a shearing force to a portion of the article stack. It comprises a perforated belt that is configured to grant and produce a positively stacked article stack. In some embodiments, the automatic stack feeder can include a vacuum system configured to apply suction through one or more openings in a perforated belt.

In some embodiments, the solidifying device is a plurality of bottom transport belts, each bottom transport belt having a transport surface extending in a first direction, a plurality of bottom transport belts; a shearing device; and a plurality. Perforated belts, each perforated belt has a surface extending in a second direction different from the first direction, adjacent to at least one of a plurality of bottom transport belts, and a plurality of bottoms. At least one of the transport belts and at least one of the plurality of perforated belts are configured to move the article stack towards the shearing device, which shears a portion of the article stack. It comprises a plurality of perforated belts that are configured to apply force and generate a positively stacked article stack.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of picking devices is a vertically oriented perforated belt having one or more openings on its surface, configured to be driven by a motor, vertical. Perforated belt in any orientation; vacuum manifold adjacent to the perforated belt; a vacuum unit configured to apply suction through the vacuum manifold, where the vacuum manifold is one or more openings on the surface of the perforated belt. It comprises a vacuum unit configured to provide suction through and a vacuum valve configured to control the amount of suction applied to the vacuum manifold by the vacuum unit. In some embodiments, each of the multiple picking devices is configured to pick articles from a positively stacked article stack, opening the vacuum valve and exposing the vacuum manifold to suction from the vacuum unit. Including that, the vacuum manifold applies suction through one or more openings in the perforated belt and attaches the article to the perforated belt; it is also configured to produce a personalized article and motors. It involves separating the article from the positively stacked article stack by driving the perforated belt forward with the attached article.

In some embodiments, multiple picking devices consist of rows and are substantially completely covered by a positively stacked article stack, the most downstream picking device in the row being positively stacked articles. It is configured to pick from the stack and produce personalized articles.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of picking devices is positioned on its own picking thorn, and each picking thorn comprises a picking device and a double prevention device facing the picking device to prevent double prevention. The device is configured to prevent two or more articles at a time from being picked from a positively stacked article stack. In some embodiments, the double prevention device is configured to detect the presence sensor, which is configured to detect the first article, positioned upstream of the presence sensor and to detect the edge of the second article. Edge detection sensor; and, during the period when the edge detector detects the edge of the second article, if the presence sensor detects the first article, it is configured to suck the second article. Includes a vacuum unit. In some embodiments, the presence sensor includes a photoelectric sensor. In some embodiments, the perforated belt is driven by a single servomotor.

In some embodiments, the one or more synchronizers include a group of paired pinch wheels driven by a pinch wheel motor at a variable speed.

In some embodiments, the automatic stack feeder synchronizes the first time point when each of one or more individualized articles reaches the exit point with the second time point when the sorting window reaches the exit point. , Further include a controller configured to control the movement of each article in the article stack. In some embodiments, the synchronization between the first and second time points is the position where the first article is picked by the first picking device, the speed of the first article, the position of the sorting window, the sorting window. Speed, the acceleration of each of the multiple perforated belts included in each of the multiple picking devices, the acceleration of one or more synchronous devices, the maximum permissible of each of the multiple perforated belts included in each of the multiple picking devices. Speed, maximum permissible speed of perforated belts included in the solidification device, maximum permissible speed of one or more synchronous devices, each length of multiple perforated belts included in each of the multiple picking devices, individualization device Based on one or more of the length of the perforated belts, the number of perforated belts, the length of one or more synchronous devices, and the number of one or more synchronous devices included in.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of managing articles in an article feeder. The method is to receive the article stack in the solidification device and generate a positively stacked article stack; while using one or more picking devices to pick one or more articles from the positively stacked article stack. It includes the step of producing one or more individualized articles; and the step of sending one or more individualized articles to one or more sorting windows using one or more synchronization devices.

In some embodiments, the step of producing a positively stacked article stack is the step of moving the article stack towards the shearing device using the bottom transport belt and the perforated belt of the solidifying device, which is the bottom. The transport belt has a transport surface that extends in the first direction, the perforated belt has a surface that extends in a second direction that is different from the first direction, a moving step; and using a shearing device into the article stack. Includes a step of applying shear force.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying suction through one or more openings in the perforated belt using a vacuum system.

In some embodiments, the step of picking one or more articles from a positively stacked article stack opens the vacuum valve of the first picking device and removes the vacuum manifold of the first picking device from the vacuum unit. Exposure to suction; Suction from the vacuum manifold through one or more openings in the perforated belt of the first picking device; and one using suction The step of attaching the article to the perforated belt through the above opening is included. In some embodiments, the steps of producing one or more individualized articles were positively stacked with articles by driving forward with a perforated belt attached article using a motor. Includes the step of separating from the article stack. In some embodiments, the individualized articles are picked and produced by the most downstream picking device in a row of picking devices that is substantially completely covered by a positively stacked article stack.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of preventing multiple articles from being picked at one time from a positively stacked article stack using double prevention devices located in individual picking zones. , Each individual picking zone includes an individual picking device. In some embodiments, the method is a step of detecting the first article using the presence sensor of the double prevention device and an edge detection sensor of the double prevention device, located upstream of the presence sensor. When the presence sensor detects the first article during the step of detecting the edge of the second article using the existing edge detection sensor and while the edge detector is detecting the edge of the second article. It further comprises the step of applying suction to the second article using a vacuum unit.

In some embodiments, the method synchronizes the first time point when each of one or more individualized articles reaches the exit point with the second time point when the sorting window reaches the exit point. It further includes a step of controlling the movement of each article in the stack. In some embodiments, the synchronization of the first and second time points is the position where the first article is picked by the first picking device, the speed of the first article, the position of the sorting window, the position of the sorting window. Speed, acceleration of each of the perforated belts included in each of the picking devices, acceleration of one or more synchronous devices, maximum permissible speed of each of the perforated belts included in each of the picking devices , Maximum permissible speed of perforated belts included in the solidification device, maximum permissible speed of one or more synchronous devices, each length of multiple perforated belts included in each of the multiple picking devices, It is based on one or more of the length of the perforated belts included, the number of perforated belts, the length of one or more synchronizers, and the number of one or more synchronizers.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to an automatic stack feeder having a sorting unit with a plurality of picking devices, at least one of the plurality of picking devices receiving an article stack and positively. Generate a stacked article stack; pick one or more articles from a positively stacked article stack to generate one or more personalized articles; one or more individualized articles It is configured to be sent to the above sorting window.

The present disclosure describes devices and methods used to reduce rotation of articles when individualizing large stacks of articles. In some embodiments, the devices and methods disclosed herein are for applying frictional forces to the back surface of an article while suction and acceleration forces are applied to the front surface of the article. In some such embodiments, the frictional force is for holding the articles together so that they can withstand tearing and move the articles as individual single articles. Some embodiments disclosed herein reduce the amount of bending, tearing, or other damage that an article receives during the article separation and sorting process.

Each of the embodiments disclosed herein has several innovative embodiments, any one of which alone does not carry the desired attributes of the invention. More prominent features are briefly disclosed herein without limiting the scope of the appended claims. By considering this discussion, it will be understood how the features of the various embodiments provide some advantages over conventional methods and devices of personalization.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for reducing rotation of articles when individualizing an article stack. In some embodiments, the device is a torsion element that is directly or indirectly connected to the base and that is rotatable around the inner axis of the torsion element, at least between the first and second positions. It includes a connected swivel member and a rotating member configured to rotate around a central axis extending at an angle with respect to the long axis of the swivel member and connected to the swivel member. At the first position of the swivel member, the outer surface of the rotating member is in contact with the drive belt. In the second position of the swivel member, the torsion element exerts torque on the swivel member and the rotating member, the outer surface of the rotating member contacts the back surface of the article and exerts a force, and the front surface of the article contacts the drive belt. There is.

In some embodiments, the torsion element is a torsion bar connected to the base. In another embodiment, the torsion element is a torsion coil spring located in or around the structural support member, the structural support member being connected to the base.

In various embodiments, the swivel member is configured to transition from a first position to a second position when the article is brought into contact with the rotating member by the drive belt. The swivel member of some embodiments is a lever arm.

In some embodiments, the central axis, which is configured to rotate around the rotating member, extends perpendicular to the major axis of the swivel member.

In some embodiments, the force exerted on the back surface of the article by the rotating member includes a frictional force.

The rotating member of some embodiments includes a plurality of wheels. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a shaft arranged along a central axis. The shaft is connected to a swivel member, the rotating member is arranged around the shaft and configured to rotate relative to it. In another embodiment, the rotating member has a shaft portion and an expansion wheel portion fixed to the shaft portion. The shaft portion and the expansion wheel portion are configured to rotate around a central axis, and the shaft portion is connected to a swivel member.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for personalizing an article stack while reducing damage to each article. Systems of various embodiments are laterally accelerated, with a conveyor belt configured to move the article stack in the forward direction and a drive belt configured to accelerate the article in the article stack laterally. It is provided with an anti-rotation device configured to give a frictional force to the back surface of the article to resist the upward movement of the back surface of the article. The anti-rotation device is a swivel member connected to the torsion element directly or indirectly to the base and to the torsion element so that it can swivel around the inner axis of the torsion element at least between the first and second positions. And a rotating member configured to rotate around a central axis extending at an angle with respect to the long axis of the swivel member and connected to the swivel member. At the first position of the swivel member, the outer surface of the rotating member is in contact with the drive belt. In the second position of the swivel member, the torsion element exerts torque on the swivel member and the rotating member. Further, in the second position, the outer surface of the rotating member is in contact with the back surface of the article and the front surface of the article is in contact with the drive belt.

In some such embodiments, the drive belt and the conveyor belt are arranged on separate planes that are non-parallel. The drive belts of some embodiments are perforated. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an air moving element configured to exert a suction force on the front surface of the article in order to link the lateral movement of the drive belt to the lateral movement of the article.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to another system for personalizing an article stack while reducing the damage suffered by each article. The system provides a means for moving the article stack in the forward direction, a means for separating the foremost article from the article stack and accelerating laterally, and an upward movement of the back of the article when accelerated laterally. It is provided with a means for applying friction to the back surface of the article to resist.

In some embodiments, the means for moving the article stack in the forward direction includes a first conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the means for separating the article from the article stack includes an air transfer device and a second conveyor belt having air holes. The air transfer device of some such embodiments includes a vacuum device, and in other embodiments, the air transfer device includes a forward blow fan. In some embodiments, the means for imparting friction includes a rotating member indirectly connected to a torsion element.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of personalizing an article stack, thereby reducing damage to the articles in the stack. In various embodiments, the method comprises moving the article stack in the forward direction, separating the foremost article from the article stack and accelerating it laterally, and moving the foremost article when accelerated laterally. Includes a step of applying force to the foremost article to resist the upward movement of the back surface. The force is applied to the back surface by a rotating member indirectly connected to the torsion element.

In some embodiments of the method, the force includes a frictional force. The frictional force of some such embodiments is such that the lever arm connected to the rotating member rotates from a first position to a second position around the longitudinal inner axis of the torsion element and is driven by the torsion element. When torque acts on the arm, it is applied by the rotating member. In some such embodiments, the torsion element is a torsion bar or torsion coil spring.

The above and other features of the present disclosure, in combination with the accompanying drawings, will become more fully apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims. By using the accompanying drawings, with the understanding that those drawings are merely representations of some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure and should not be considered to limit their scope. The present disclosure will be described in more detail and in detail.

It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of an automatic stack feeder and an individualizing apparatus. A perspective view of an embodiment of the lower paddle assembly of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the z-axis element of the lower paddle assembly of FIG. 2A. It is a perspective view of the lower paddle assembly and the conveyor of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. A side view of the lower tine and the upper tine of the automatic stack feeder is shown. A perspective view of an embodiment of a container for use in an automatic stack feeder is shown. A perspective view of an embodiment of the stack guide of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. 1 is shown. It is a top view of the article stack in the automatic stack feeder. It is a top view of the article stack and the container in the automatic stack feeder. It is a top view of the merged stack of articles after taking out the article stack from the container shown in FIG. 6B. A side view of a container on an automatic stack feeder with its door closed is shown. A side view of the container on the automatic stack feeder with its door open is shown. It is a schematic diagram of the connection of the controller to the component of the automatic stack feeder. It is a perspective view of the automatic stack feeder which shows the procedure of taking out from a container using the upper paddle and the lower paddle. It is a perspective view of the automatic stack feeder which shows the procedure of taking out from a container using the upper paddle and the lower paddle. It is a perspective view of the automatic stack feeder which shows the procedure of taking out from a container using the upper paddle and the lower paddle. It is a perspective view of the automatic stack feeder which shows the procedure of taking out from a container using the upper paddle and the lower paddle. It is a top view of the embodiment of the perforated drive belt assembly in the first position. A top view of an embodiment of a perforated drive belt assembly at the second position is shown. It is a side view of one Embodiment of an article stack and a perforated drive belt assembly. It is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the controller for use in an automatic stack feeder. It is a side view of the article stack in an automatic stack feeder. It is a side view of the article stack which shows the collapse in an automatic stack feeder. It is a side view of the article stack tilted forward in an automatic stack feeder. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the sorting part of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. A perspective view of an exemplary article stack is shown. A top view of an example of a post-individualized article stack in which one or more articles are positively stacked is shown. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of an individualization device. It is a perspective view of another embodiment of an individualization apparatus and a sorting part. It is a side view along the 18B-18B'line of FIG. 18A. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the sorting part including a picking device and a double prevention device. It is an enlarged part of the picking apparatus shown by the broken line 19B of FIG. 19A. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the sorting part including a picking zone group. It is a side view along the line 20B-20B'of FIG. 7A, and shows an example of detecting an individualized article stack or an attached article group approaching a picking zone. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of a synchronization apparatus. It is a side view of one Embodiment of the rotation prevention device. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the rotation prevention device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the force acting on an open article at the time of individualization when the rotation prevention device of one Embodiment is provided. It is a side view of one Embodiment of a torsion rod seen in the rotation prevention device of one Embodiment. It is a side view of one Embodiment of a torsion element. It is a top view of another embodiment of a torsion element. It is a side view of one Embodiment of the structure support member seen in the rotation prevention device of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which uses a movable stack guide. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the method for controlling the individualization in an automatic stack feeder. It is a top view of the sorting part which has a floating pick point. It is a top view which shows the exemplary sorting part which operates using a virtual window. It is a top view of the pulley system for driving a perforated belt of a picking device. It is a perspective view of the perforated timing belt. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the method of determining a speed or a moving profile. It is a side view of the sorting part which uses a virtual window for synchronization of an article and a sorting window. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the method of controlling a virtual axis. It is a side view of a sorting part, and shows an example of the method of synchronizing an article with a sorting window by using a picking zone operation. It is a side view of a sorting part, and shows an example of the method of adjusting the operation of a picking zone using a master axis and a slave axis in order to control picking of an article. It is a side view of the sorting part including a picking zone and a sensor. It is a side view of a sorting part, and shows an example of the method of variably controlling a picking zone vacuum system based on a sensor feedback. It is a side view of the sorting part which uses a picking zone operation for correction control. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the method of managing an article in an automatic stack feeder.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form part of this specification. In those drawings, similar symbols generally refer to similar components, unless otherwise specified in the context. Thus, in some embodiments, some numbers may be used for similar components in multiple drawings, or some numbers may vary from drawing to drawing. The detailed description, drawings, and exemplary embodiments described in the claims are not limited. Other embodiments may be adopted and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Aspects of the present disclosure, as outlined and even illustrated herein, can be arranged, replaced, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are clear. It will be readily understood that it is intended to form part of this disclosure.

As used herein, the term singulation means separating an article stack into individual articles into a line of individual articles that are transferred to a sorter or picking machine. obtain. The term singulation can mean separating articles from a large stack, but in this case those articles are not completely separated from the other articles in the stack. The individualized articles are partially overlapped with each other, similar to the overlapping pattern of roof shingles, and are transferred to a sorting machine or picking machine in a continuous row of overlapping articles. As used herein, a singulator can be both individualized and individualized in an article stack, and for convenience and simplicity of explanation, the term singulator. Describe both processes by using. As used herein, positively stacked or positively stacked can mean the organization of the positions of the front edges of the articles in the stack. More details on individualization and positive stacking will be described later. The term personalization as used herein may also mean picking articles from a positively stacked, individualized stack into individual articles.

The term motor is used herein to refer to any device that provides mechanical or electrical power to the components of an automatic high speed flat feeder. The motors described herein can be mechanically or electrically driven, or can be a pneumatic or hydraulic source, or any other type of motor. The systems described herein provide faster and more efficient retrieval from a container holding an article stack for the purpose of separating, individualizing, or individualizing large quantities of articles, such as mail. .. Articles such as mail, including magazines and catalogs, are too long on one side to be considered standard-sized letters and are often referred to as flats. Flats are often bendable and, in some cases, thin and fragile, which can cause problems during individualization or individualization in automated stack feeders. These articles or flats can be treated as a stack. As used herein, the term stack can refer to a single article, or one or more articles grouped together, and the term can be used in automatic stack feeders. Although this disclosure describes systems and devices for sorting and / or individualizing mail, catalogs, and magazines, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosures presented herein are not limited thereto. It will be clear. Goods or flats can be supplied in containers and must be removed from those containers into an automatic stack feeder for personalization. Proper stacking pressure must be maintained throughout the container removal process to ensure proper personalization or individualization. The embodiments described herein provide systems and methods that ensure that sufficient stacking pressure is maintained when the article is removed from the container.

As used herein, the terms horizontal and vertical are used with reference to the general layout of automatic stack feeders. The horizontal direction refers to a direction substantially parallel to the surface (eg, floor or ground) on which the automatic stack feeder is placed in its normal configuration. The horizontal direction is also called the x-axis. The direction or movement described as vertical is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal and does not have to be exactly perpendicular to the horizontal. The vertical direction can be a direction that extends approximately away from the horizontal plane of the automatic stack feeder, as described in more detail herein. The vertical direction is also called the z-axis.

As used herein, the term singulation means separating an article stack into individual articles into a line of individual articles that are transferred to a sorter or picking machine. obtain. The term singulation can mean separating articles from a large stack, but in this case those articles are not completely separated from the other articles in the stack. The individualized articles are partially overlapped with each other, similar to the overlapping pattern of roof planks, and are transferred to a sorting machine or picking machine in a continuous row of overlapping articles. As used herein, a singulator can be both individualized and individualized in an article stack, and for convenience and simplicity of explanation, the term singulator. Describe both processes by using.

Terms used to describe some relationship and directness are used to aid in the description of the devices and methods described herein. As used herein, "connected" and "connected" and their variants form continuously with respect to other elements, on other elements, within other elements, and so on. It includes not only direct connections such as being made or directly connected, but also indirect connections where one or more elements are placed between the connected elements. "Connected" and "connected" can mean a permanent or non-permanent (ie, removable) connection.

As used herein, "secured" and its variants are glued, screwed, or directly to other elements, on other elements, in other elements, and so on. Indirect means of placing one or more elements between the elements to be fixed and mounting the two elements to each other, as well as including methods of fixing the element directly to another element, such as other methods of fixing. Also includes.

The systems described herein provide faster and more efficient removal from a container holding an article stack, for example for the purpose of separating, individualizing, or individualizing mail items. Articles such as mail, including magazines and catalogs, are too long on one side to be considered standard-sized letters and are called flats. Flats are often bendable and, in some cases, thin and fragile, which can cause problems during individualization or individualization in automated stack feeders. These articles or flats can be treated as a stack. As used herein, the term stack can refer to a single article, or one or more articles grouped together, and the term can be used in automatic stack feeders. Articles such as flats can have a variety of different dimensions, including long or long sides, short or short sides, anterior and posterior sides. Generally, when processed by an automatic stack feeder, the long dimensions, which are often the binding edges of articles or flats in the stack, are arranged parallel to the floor, and the front of each article or flat is Arranged in the same direction, the individual articles in the stack are placed back and forth. When processed by an automatic stack feeder, the short sides are usually aligned by vertical walls or stack guides.

The systems described herein provide faster and more efficient separation or individualization of large quantities of goods, such as mail. Mail, such as magazines and catalogs, is too long on one side to be considered a standard size letter and is often referred to as flat. Flats are often bendable and, in some cases, thin and fragile, which can cause problems during personalization in automatic stack feeders. These articles or flats can be treated as a stack. As used herein, the term stack can refer to a single article, or one or more articles grouped together, and the term can be used in the automatic stack feeder 100. Although this disclosure describes systems and devices for sorting and / or individualizing mail, catalogs, and magazines, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosures presented herein are not limited thereto. It will be clear. For example, the developments described herein can be applied to a variety of manufacturing, assembling, or sorting applications.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the automatic stack feeder 100. The automatic stack feeder 100 includes a frame 110, a plurality of belts 120, a singer 140, a lower paddle assembly 150, an upper paddle assembly 160, a carrier 170, and a sorting unit 180.

The frame 110 provides support for the belt 120, the lower paddle assembly 150, and the singer 140. Generally, the frame 110 is of a substantially table shape that is lifted from the ground by a plurality of legs (not shown) or by other means well known in the art. The frame 110 has a first end 111 and a second end 112. The frame 110 supports a singer 140 connected to the second end 112 of the frame 110. The singer 140 has a vertical portion 142 mounted at right angles to a substantially flat horizontal plane of the frame 110. The singer 140 can be attached directly to the flat surface at the second end 112 of the frame 110. In some embodiments, the singer 140 is placed in the second of the frame 110 so that the second end 112 of the frame 110 is located near or in contact with the singer 140 within the range of the vertical portion 142. It can be placed close to the end 112. The main plane of the singer 140 is arranged substantially vertically at right angles to the substantially horizontal plane of the frame 110. The singulator 140 comprises a personalized belt 144 with perforations 145 disposed therein, which allows the personalized belt 144 to pass airflow while maintaining the structural integrity of the belt. It is possible. By applying a vacuum force through the perforated belt of the singer 140, the article placed on the belt 120 moves forward to the individualizing belt 144 when the vacuum force acts on the surface of the adjacent article. Contact. The vacuum force acting through the personalizing belt 144 is sufficient to attract the leading article in the article stack and keep the leading article in contact with the personalizing belt 144. The singer 140 can be arranged within the range of the vertical portion 142 so that the surface of the individualizing belt 144 is aligned with the surface of the vertical portion 142. The singer 140 is configured to perform individualization or individualization on demand. For simplicity of explanation, components that can be individualized and individualized are simply referred to as singulators. The process of individualization and individualization will be further described later.

The frame 110 further has a stack guide 130 mounted on one side of the frame so as to extend parallel to the belt 120, which aligns the article, goods, or container when placed on the belt 120. It has a smooth vertical surface 133 provided to guide the belt.

The belt 120 is a continuous loop arranged on rollers (not shown) located near the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the frame 110, which are rotatably attached to the frame 110. There is. The rollers are connected to a motor and configured to rotate, thereby moving the belt 120 in the same way as a standard conveyor belt. As shown in FIG. 1, the belts 120 are aligned substantially parallel to each other at a distance. The belt 120 extends in the length direction from the first end 111 to the second end 112 along the automatic stack feeder 100. Therefore, there may be an opening 122 between the belts 120 that corresponds to the gap between the belts 120. The belt 120 can be driven independently or together, for example. The upper surface 121 of the belt 120 is arranged in the same plane as the substantially horizontal flat surface of the frame 110.

The upper paddle assembly 160 has an upper paddle 161 and an upper tines 165, the upper tines are fixed to the upper paddle 161 at their upper part, and their lower part passes through the upper paddle 161. It extends downward toward the substantially flat horizontal plane of the frame 110. The upper paddle assembly 160 is connected to a track, cable, rail, or drive belt, which in turn is connected to an x-axis motor (not shown), all of which are approximately flat on the frame 110. It is located above the horizontal plane. When the motor is activated, the track or drive belt moves, which in turn moves the upper paddle assembly 160. The motor is configured to move the upper paddle assembly 160 horizontally so that it approaches or separates from the second end 112 of the frame 110. The upper paddle assembly 160 is movable along the length of the frame 110.

The upper paddle assembly 160 is also movable so that the vertical positions of the upper paddle 161 and the upper tine 165 can be adjusted. The upper paddle assembly 160 is connected to the z-axis motor via a slidable track, rail, or guide (not shown), thereby providing the upper paddle assembly 160, including the upper paddle 161 and the upper tine 165. It can be moved in the direction of approaching or separating from the upper surface 121 of the belt 120. The upper paddle assembly 160 is arranged such that the upper paddle 161 and the tine upper tine 165 are arranged at an angle with respect to the belt 120. The z-axis motor connected to the upper paddle assembly 160 is configured to extend the upper paddle 161 downward toward the upper surface 121 of the belt 120, whereby the upper tine 165 is placed on the belt 120. It can be positioned to provide vertical support for the article stack. The z-axis motor connected to the upper paddle assembly 160 is further configured to move the upper paddle 161 assembly and the upper tine 165 upwards away from the surface of the belt 120, thereby moving the upper tine 165. , Positioned so as not to hinder the movement of the article stack arranged on the belt 120.

The door opener 162 is connected to the rearward portion of the upper paddle assembly 160. The door opener 162 has a hook, latch, or other similar device that can be detachably engaged with the door of the container to open or disengage the door. The door opener 162 is connected to the upper paddle assembly 160 via a z-axis motor and a movable connection driven by a gear, cable, cord, pneumatic or hydraulic piston, or any other desirable mechanism. The door opener 162 is vertically movable so that the door opener 162 extends below the upper paddle 161 to engage the latch, hook, or receiver of the container door located on the belt 120. Then open the container by retracting the door vertically. This process will be described in more detail below.

The frame 110 further provides support for the carrier 170. The carrier 170 is attached to a movable linear guide (not shown) that extends parallel to the frame 110 and the belt 120 on one side and on the opposite side of the stack guide 130. The carrier 170 has a first surface 171 arranged substantially parallel to the belt 120 and a second surface 172 arranged perpendicular to and substantially perpendicular to the belt 120. The carrier 170 is attached to the frame 110 so that the carrier 170 does not come into contact with the belt 120. In some embodiments, there is a gap between the bottom and top 121 of the carrier 170. The carrier 170 is configured to accept a container (not shown). The container is placed on the first surface 1711 and abuts on the second surface 172 on the rear surface of the container. In this way, the container can be moved back and forth along the frame 110 by the carrier 170 independently of the movement of the belt 120.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the lower paddle assembly 150. The lower paddle assembly 150 has a support member 151 connected to the cross member 152. The cross member 152 has a roller 153 arranged at one end and is connected to the drive connector 155 at the other end. The roller 153 extends parallel to the belt below the belt 120 and is movably engaged with the rail 154 connected to the frame 110. The drive connector 155 is movably engaged with the drive member 156. The drive member 156 is supported by the frame 110. In some embodiments, the drive member 156 can be a belt, truck, cable, gear, pneumatic or hydraulic piston, or other similar device, to which the drive connector 155 is movably connected. can do. The drive member 156 is then connected to an x-axis motor (not shown). When the x-axis motor is activated, the drive member 156 is moved along tracks, belts, gears, cables, etc., thereby moving the entire lower paddle assembly 150 in the horizontal direction parallel to the path of the belt 120. Move to. The lower paddle assembly 150 is movable along the length of the frame 110. For simplicity, the lower paddle assembly 150, along with the belt 120, can be referred to as a conveyor.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the lower paddle assembly 150 further includes a z-axis member 157 movably connected to the support member 151. The z-axis member 157 can be movably connected to the support member 151 using a track, cable, gear, piston, or other similar connection method. The z-axis member is movably attached to the support member 151, and is connected to a z-axis motor (not shown) configured to move the z-axis member 157 up and down along the z-axis with respect to the horizontal plane of the frame 110. ing. A lower paddle 158 is attached to the z-axis member, and one or more lower tines 159 are attached to the lower paddle so as to extend upward from the lower paddle 158.

FIG. 2C shows the lower paddle assembly 150 disposed within the frame 110. As shown, the lower paddle assembly 150 is located approximately below the horizontal plane of the frame 110. The lower tine 159 projects upward through a gap or opening 122 between or around the belt 120.

As mentioned above, the lower paddle assembly 150 is movable in the horizontal or x-axis direction. That is, the lower paddle assembly is horizontally movable between the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the frame 110. An x-axis motor is actuated to move the lower paddle assembly 150 from the first end 111 to the second end 112 or from the second end 112 to the first end 111. The actuation of the x-axis motor drives a drive member 156 (eg, a drive belt, truck, gear, or other similar device) to which the drive connector 155 is connected. Therefore, when the motor operates, the drive connector 155 moves between the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the frame 110. Since the drive connector 155 is connected to the support member 151, when the motor is operated, the z-axis member 157, the lower paddle 158, and the lower tine 159 all move in the horizontal direction together. The motor is connected and configured to move the lower paddle assembly 150 in a direction that approaches or separates it from the second end 112 of the frame 110. Therefore, the lower paddle assembly 150 is movable along the length of the frame 110. The frame 110 has a gap or gap on its surface corresponding to an opening 122 arranged in or in the area around the belt 120. The lower tines 155 are aligned with their openings 122 so that the tines 155 can move within the openings 122 along the length of the frame 110 as the lower paddle assembly 150 moves. Generally, the lower paddle assembly 150 provides support to the article stack (not shown) to maintain sufficient stack pressure to ensure proper individualization or individualization of the frame 110. It is movable along the length of.

In addition to horizontal movement, the lower paddle 158 and lower tine 159 can move vertically when the z-axis motor is activated. As described herein, a z-axis member 157 is connected to a support member 151, which comprises a track, cable, belt, gear, pneumatic or hydraulic piston, or other similar device. Can be used to move vertically. When the z-axis motor is activated, the z-axis member 157 moves along the support member 151, thereby moving the lower paddle 158 and the lower tine 159 vertically. The z-axis member 157 allows the entire lower tine 159 to be located below the horizontal plane of the frame 110 in the first reach of the operation, and further the lower tine is an article on the upper surface 121 of the belt 120. The support member 151 is sized and at such a position to allow the lower tine 159 to vertically project through the opening 122 enough to provide front or rear support to the stack. It is connected to the.

The vertical movement of the z-axis member 157 does not have to be perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the frame 110. As mentioned above, the term vertical is used to indicate the horizontal movement of the lower paddle assembly 150 or the direction that is approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, not necessarily exactly vertical. Absent. In some embodiments, the z-axis member 157 can be connected to the support member 151 such that the z-axis member 157 and the lower paddle 158 are arranged at an angle other than perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the frame 110. For example, in some embodiments, the z-axis member 157 can be connected to the support member 151 at an angle θ (not shown) to the surface of the belt (s) 120. In some embodiments, the angle θ is greater than 90 °, such as 91 °, 92 °, 93 °, 94 °, 95 °, 100 °, 110 ° or more, or any angle between them. Can be an angle. In some embodiments, the z-axis member 157 and the lower paddle 158 move so that the angle θ remains constant.

During the operation of the automatic stack feeder 100, an article stack (not shown) is placed on the belt 120 and supported on the rearward side by either the upper tine 165, the lower tine 159, or both. .. The upper paddle 161 and the lower paddle 158 can move independently of each other and even independently of the belt 120. The belt 120 is configured to move the article stack in either direction to approach or separate from the singer 140, as required. Generally, the belt 120 advances the article stack toward the singer 140 so that the article at the head of the stack hits the singer 140. As the article stack is advanced towards the singer 140 by the belt 120, the upper paddle 161 or lower paddle 158 moves with the stack, thereby abutting the adjacent surfaces of the singer 140 to vertically support the article stack. And maintain stack pressure.

The article stack may consist of various articles or articles. For example, an article stack can consist of magazines, catalogs, mail, containers, tiles, boards, stackable components or materials, or other articles that require individualization or individualization. In some embodiments of the automatic stack feeder 100, the article stack can be positioned so that some articles in the article stack are closer to the singer 140 than others. In this case, the stack may include a leading article in the stack that is the article closest to the singer 140.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the lower tine 159 of the lower paddle 158 and the upper tine 165 of the upper paddle assembly 160. As shown, when the lower tine 159 and the upper tine 165 are in close contact with the stack guide 130 and the container 190 is placed on the carrier 170, the upper tine 165 is the container 190, as shown. It is configured and sized so that it does not extend beyond the sides and / or stack guide 130. In some embodiments, as shown, one or more of the lower tines 159 can be aligned vertically with one or more of the upper tines 165. In some embodiments, the lower tine 159 and the upper tine 165 of the upper paddle assembly 160 have the lower tine 159 and the upper tine 165 mutually so that the lower tine is aligned with the gap between the upper tine 165. It can be arranged so that it is offset and meshed. In some embodiments, the lower tine 159 and the upper tine 165 do not contact each other when the lower paddle 158 and the upper paddle assembly 160 move closer to each other.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container 190. The container 190 has an opening top 191 and a plurality of side surfaces 192, a bottom, and a door 195, which together enclose the article stack 196. In some embodiments, the container has a covered top on which a perforation or slot (not shown) corresponding to the location of the upper tine 165 can be placed. A perforation or slot at the top of the container 190 allows the upper tine 165 to be inserted into the container 190. The door 195 is located on one side of the container 190. The door 195 is a vertically removable component. In some embodiments, the door 195 has ridges, lips, or other protrusions located on at least two sides of the door 195, which are the corresponding slots, grooves, or the like on the side surface 192 of the container 190. Removably held in the recess of the door.

One of the side surfaces 192, specifically the side surface 192 opposite the door 195, has grooves or notches 193 located on that side surface, which are perpendicular downward from the top of the container 190. It is extending. The grooves or notches 193 do not extend over the entire vertical length of the side surface 192 in which they are placed. The notch is sized and positioned to align with the upper tine 165 so that the upper tine 165 moves through the groove or notch 193 and contacts the article stack 196 located within the container 190. It is possible.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the stack guide of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. The stack guide 130 is connected to the frame by a bearing and is arranged along substantially parallel to the belt 120. The stack guide 130 has a first end 131 that is generally located near the first end 111 of the frame 110 and a second end that is generally located near the second end 112 of the frame 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the stack guide 130 has a vertical plane 133 that extends substantially vertically from the horizontal plane of the frame 110 and belt 120. The stack guide 130 is configured to provide support for the edges of the article stack (not shown) when the article stack is placed on the belt 120 as processed by the automatic stack feeder 100. ..

The stack guide 130 has a vertical portion 510 configured to come into contact with the article stack. The stack guide 130 is configured to move the vertical portion 510 between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, the stack guide 130 is configured to move the vertical portion 510 between various positions. The vertical portion 510 has a back surface 512 to which one or more braces 520 are attached. The braces 520 are fixedly attached to the back surface 512 of the vertical portion 510 at intervals along the length of the vertical portion 510. The brace 520 is further connected to one or more bearings 530. In some embodiments, not all of those braces 520 are connected to bearing 530. Bearing 530 is connected to guide support 540. The guide support 540 is fixedly connected to the frame 110 (not shown) so as to be parallel along the belt 120. The bearing 530 is configured to allow the brace 520 to slide and move in a linear direction. When the brace 520 moves, the vertical portion 510 of the stack guide 130 also moves. In some embodiments, the direction of travel enabled by the bearing 530 is perpendicular to the length of the stack guide 130 and the frame 110, as described in more detail below.

The stack guide 130 further comprises a motor 550 configured to move the vertical portion 510 of the stack guide 130. The motor 550 is connected to the piston 260. The piston 560 is connected to the motor 550 so that the piston 560 moves when the motor 550 operates. In some embodiments, the motor 550 is a pneumatic cylinder powered by air supply that produces sufficient energy to move the piston 560 from a first position to a second position, or to any position in between. .. In some embodiments, the piston 560 extends vertically from the motor and engages the ring gear 570. In some embodiments, the piston 560 has, at one end, a tooth that engages the gear teeth of the ring gear 570. The ring gear 570 is then connected to the crankshaft 580. The crankshaft 580 is a cylindrical rod extending along the back surface 512 of the vertical portion 510 in a direction parallel to the vertical portion 510. The ring gear 570 surrounds the crankshaft 580 and, together with the piston 560, provides a mechanical link mechanism and / or a gear system, which causes the vertical linear motion of the piston 560 to the long axis of the crankshaft 580. It is converted into the rotational motion of the crankshaft 580 along the line.

The crankshaft 580 has one or more cams 590 attached to the ends of the crankshaft 580, which, in some embodiments, are spaced along the length of the crankshaft 580. ing. The crankshaft is supported by a housing 581 that supports the crankshaft 580 and has bearings that allow the crankshaft to rotate around its long axis. The housing 581 is attached to the guide support 540 and supports the crankshaft 580.

The cam 590 can be oval, oval, hourglass-shaped, can include a combination of various linkages, or can be of any other desired shape or type. The cam 590 may further include a tie rod 591 rotatably connected to the cam 590. The tie rod 591 is connected to the back surface 512 of the vertical portion 510. The cam 590 and the tie rod 591 are connected to each other and are connected to the vertical portion 510, whereby the rotational motion of the crankshaft 580 can be converted into the linear motion of the vertical portion 510.

For example, when removing a stack of goods from a container, it may be desirable to move the vertical portion 510 of the stack guide 130. The movement of the vertical portion 510 will be described below. The vertical portion 510 is in the original position or the first position, at which time the front side of the vertical portion 510 may come into contact with the edge of the article stack. A control signal is sent from the controller to the motor 550 to move the vertical portion 510. The control signal can be an electrical signal, a pneumatic signal, or any other desirable signal capable of initiating motor operation. In some embodiments, the motor is a pneumatic cylinder, so a pneumatic signal is sent to the motor 550. The pneumatic signal activates the motor 550, which in turn drives the piston 560. The piston 560 moves linearly upward. The gear teeth of the piston 560 mesh with the gear teeth of the ring gear 570. As the piston 560 moves upwards, the meshing gear teeth rotate the ring gear 570. The ring gear 570 then rotates the crankshaft 580, which causes the crankshaft to rotate around an axis that extends through the center of the crankshaft 580 and along the length of the crankshaft 580.

The rotation of the crankshaft 580 causes the cam 590 to rotate, and when the cam 590 rotates, the tie rod 291 moves. The tie rod 591 is connected to the vertical portion 510, so that the movement of the tie rod 591 causes the vertical portion 510 to be moved to the second position.

When the pneumatic signal is removed from the motor 550 or applied to another port of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston 560 moves downwards, and the process is repeated in the opposite direction so that the vertical portion 510 has its vertical section 510. It moves back to its original position.

The distance that the vertical portion 510 moves by the operation of the motor 550 can be made equal to the wall thickness of the container 190. In some embodiments, the motor is configured such that the vertical portion 510 can be positioned at multiple locations or positions. This can be realized by maintaining the position of the vertical portion 510 by moving the piston 560 by a predetermined amount and holding the position of the piston 560 by the operation of the motor 550. Having a plurality of possible positions allows the vertical portion 510 of the stack guide 130 to be used for various containers 190 with different wall thicknesses. In some embodiments, the distance traveled by the vertical portion 510 of the stack guide 130 is programmable using a controller described in more detail below.

It will be understood that the above description is merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that vertical movement can be achieved by other means, such as electric motors, different gear mechanisms, or any other desirable method.

In some embodiments, the stack guide 130 moves. In some embodiments, the entire stack guide 130 does not move, but some of the components of the stack guide 130, including the vertical portion 510, do.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of an embodiment of the automatic stack feeder 600, along with an article stack. A first article stack 670 is placed on the belt 620 and supported by a vertical support member 650 along a rearward facing surface, and further along one of the short sides or short dimensions, the stack guide 630. Is supported by. The paddle 650 is in contact with article 672 at the end of the first stack 670 and operates as described elsewhere herein. The first stack 670 is supported by the stack guide 630 at the edge 675. By keeping the edge 675 of the first stack 670 in contact with the stack guide 630, the edge 675 of the article in the stack when it reaches the singer 140 becomes uniform, thereby during personalization. Possibility of misfeeding, breakage, and other errors in goods is reduced.

The stack guide 630 is shown at the first position where the stack guide is in contact with the edge 675 of the first stack 670. The edges 675 of the first stack 670 are aligned in contact with the stack guide 630, and the first stack 670 is in flush contact with the stack guide 630. When the first stack 670 is moved towards the singer 640, the edge 675 is kept aligned by the stack guide 130.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of an embodiment of the automatic stack feeder of FIG. 6A with the addition of a container. The container 660 surrounds the second article stack 680. The second article stack 680 is generally arranged within the container 660 so that the shorter edge of the article contacts the container wall 665. The wall 665 placed with the stack 680 in contact is located on the side of the container that comes into contact with the stack guide 630 when the container 660 is placed on the belt 620.

The container 660 is placed on the carrier 665, which allows the stack 680 to be removed onto the belt 620 for personalization. In some embodiments, the article is removed through the open door 662 of the container 660 using a paddle (not shown) that pushes the stack 680 forward.

The container 660 comprises at least one wall 665 having a thickness D1. When the container 660 is placed on the belt 620, the stack guide 630 is moved to accept the thickness D1 of the wall 665. This ensures that the second stack 680 is aligned with the first stack 670 when the second stack 680 is removed from the container 660. FIG. 6B shows the stack guide 630 in the second position, which is moved to receive the container 660. The stack 680 is pushed out through the open door 662 as it is removed from the container 660. At this point, the stack 680 is not aligned with the stack guide 630 and is located away from the stack guide 630 at a distance equal to the thickness D1 of the wall 665.

FIG. 6C shows the automatic stack feeders of FIGS. 6A and 6B after removing the container 660. The stack guide 630 is shown in the first position moved after removing the container 660. The second stack 680, after being removed from the container 660, advances the second stack 680 until the first article on the second stack 680 contacts the last article 672 on the first stack 670. It is merged into the first stack 670, which forms the merged stack 685. When the stack guide 630 is initially in the second position, the merged stack 685 is not in flush contact with the stack guide 630. After removing the container from the belt 620, the stack guide 630 is moved back to its first position, and then the stack guide 630 contacts the merged stack 685 to provide support to it, thereby the merged stack. Helps ensure efficient and accurate individualization of the articles within the 685.

7A and 7B provide one option for removal from the container onto an automatic stack feeder as described herein, or as a process of removal from a container for use with an automatic stack feeder. Provided to illustrate. This description is merely provided as an example of removal from a container in automated stack feeder technology and should by no means be construed as limiting any of the disclosures contained herein.

With reference to FIG. 7A, the automatic stack feeder 700 is shown. The automatic stack feeder 700 has a first end 702 and a second end 704 and a belt 720. The second end 704 includes a singer 740. The automatic stack feeder 700 has a paddle 750 that supports the first article stack 741 and provides sufficient stack pressure for proper individualization or individualization of the first article stack 741. The stack pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the stack on the singer 740. If stack pressure is not properly maintained, the stack may collapse or fall forward or backward, which interferes with individualization and individualization. Maintaining proper stack pressure ensures sufficient surface area of the leading article in the stack in contact with the singer 740, ensuring efficient and accurate individualization or individualization of the stack. .. In the automatic stack feeder 700, the belt 720 moves the first article stack 721 towards the singer 740, and the paddle 750 provides vertical support to move with the first article stack 721 to increase stack pressure. maintain. If the first article stack 721 is not maintained on the singer 740 by sufficient pressure, the first article stack 721 may begin to collapse or collapse, which is an efficient personalization or individualization. It interferes with.

As the first article stack 121 is moved towards the singer 106 by the belt 140, the container 790 is received in the carrier (not shown) so that the container 790 is of the first article stack 121. Moved to the back position. The container 790 has a door 795 positioned behind the paddle 750. Container 790 contains a second article stack 742. As shown in FIG. 7A, the door 730 is closed when the container 790 is first placed on the belt 720.

FIG. 7B shows the automatic stack feeder 700 when the door 730 of the container 790 is opened. The paddle 750 opens the door 730 by vertically removing the door 795 from the container 790. The paddle 750 must move vertically with the door 795 to provide a path for the second article stack 742 to exit the container 790. If the paddle 750 moves vertically away from the first article stack 741 when opening the door 795, the first article stack 741 loses vertical support and the first article stack 741 becomes as shown. , Can collapse or collapse into the container 790, in which case sufficient stack pressure is not maintained. The operation of the paddle 750 will be described in more detail later.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the controller and its connection to various components of the automatic stack feeder 100. The automatic stack feeder 100 can include an automatic control system 800 directed by a processor-based controller 810. The controller can be controllably connected to the x-axis and z-axis motors described herein. The connection of the controller 810 to the various motors described herein is configured to be either electrical, wired or wireless, or to transmit control signals to and receive signals from the various components. It can be any other desired type of connection made. The controller 810 includes an x-axis motor 820 in the lower paddle assembly, a z-axis motor 830 in the lower paddle assembly, a belt motor 840, an x-axis motor 850 in the upper paddle, a z-axis motor 860 in the upper paddle, and a motor 870 in the door opener. And connected to the carrier motor 880. The controller is configured to coordinate various components and motors of the automatic stack feeder 100 in order to achieve removal from the container 190, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-D.

9A-9D illustrate side views of the stages of the container removal process showing the movement and position of the upper paddle 965 and lower paddle 959 during the container 990 removal process. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the automatic stack feeder 900 can hold the first article stack 915 on the belt 920, and those articles are individualized or solidified by the singer 940. Be made. During individualization or individualization, the article can be supported along the back of the article by either the lower tine 959 or the upper tine 965. When the article is individualized or individualized by the singer 940, the upper tine 965 or the lower tine 959 is the first article as the first article stack 915 moves towards the singer 940. Supports stack 915. The first article stack 915 can be moved towards the singer 940 by moving the belt 920.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the z-axis member 957 is vertically extended and the lower tine 959 is vertically extended between the belts 920 through the opening 922 before placing the container 990 on the carrier 970 in the automatic stack feeder 900. Make it stick out. The lower tine 959 supports the first article stack 915 and maintains the stack pressure by moving towards the singer 940 by the belt 920. The x-axis motor 820 operates under the direction of the controller 810. In some embodiments, the controller 810 adjusts the movement of the x-axis motor 820 by the belt motor 840 so that when the first article stack 915 moves towards the singer 940, the first article stack 915. Maintain the stacking pressure between and the lower tine 959. The controller 810 also coordinates the movement of the belt 920 and the lower paddle assembly 950 so that when the first article stack 915 moves towards the singer 940, the first article stack 915 is substantially relative to the belt 920. Try to keep it at the same angle.

The container 990 is placed on the carrier 970, the carrier 970 positions the container 990 at or near the first end 911, and the first article stack 915 is placed between the container 990 and the singer 940. To do so. When placed on the carrier 970, the container 990 is movable by the carrier 970 towards or away from the first stack.

Here, referring to FIG. 9B, the upper paddle 960 is positioned on the door 995 of the container 990. When the container 990 surrounding the second stack 916 is placed on the belt 920, the upper paddle 960 is moved to a position on the door 995 by the x-axis motor 850 attached to the upper paddle 960. In some embodiments, the container 990 and carrier 970 can be moved with or at the same speed as the belt. The controller 810 can synchronize the movement of the carrier 970 with the belt motor 840. To maintain the upper paddle 860 above the door 995, the controller 810 may synchronize the x-axis motor 850 and the carrier motor 850. This synchronization allows the paddle to remain in the correct position so that the carrier 970 moves the container 990 along it and opens the door 995. When the upper paddle 960 is in a position above the door 995, the controller signals the Z-axis motor 870 to extend the door opener 962 downwards and hooks, latches, or other similar on the door opener 962. Engage with door 995 via a mechanism. FIG. 9B illustrates a door opener 962 that is engaged with the door 995 and extends below the upper paddle 960 and the upper tine 965. The door opener 962 is then retracted vertically to remove the door 995 from the container 990. As described elsewhere herein, the term vertical does not necessarily require the door to be removed straight, eg, at an angle, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. May be removed with.

As mentioned above, when the container 990 is placed on the carrier 970, the first article stack 915 is supported by the lower tine 959. Since the first article stack 915 is supported by the lower tine 959 when the door 995 is opened or removed, the first article stack 915 does not collapse or fall into the open space of the container 990.

Referring here to FIG. 9C, after removing the door 995, the controller 810 signals the x-axis motor 850 to position the upper paddle 960 behind the container 990 and then the upper tine 965 behind the container 990. When a signal is sent to the x-axis motor 860 so as to extend downward to the position of, the upper tine 965 is closer to the first end 911 than the container 990. The x-axis motor 850 moves the upper tine 965 forward towards the second end 912, through which the upper tine 965 passes through a groove or notch in the container 930 similar to that described elsewhere herein. And enter the container 990. The upper tine 965 then contacts the last or last article in the second article stack 916. When the upper tine 965 comes into contact with the second article stack 916, the x-axis motor 850 moves the upper tine 965 forward until the upper tine 965 provides vertical support to the second article stack 916. The upper tine 965 is moved further forward in the container 990 towards the opening formed by removing the door 995. The upper tine 965 pushes the second article stack 916 forward and applies stack pressure to the second article stack 916 to bring the first article in the second article stack 916 into contact with the lower tine 959. The stacking pressure applied to the second article stack 916 by the upper tine 965 is sufficient to compress the second article stack 916, so when the lower tine 959 is then removed, the second article stack 916 becomes The expansion will fill the voids left by the lower tine 959, and the resulting stack pressure will be appropriate for the individualization or solidification operation after expansion of the second article stack 916. FIG. 9C illustrates this stage of the container removal process. Here, the second article stack 916 is supported by the upper tine 965 and comes into contact with both the upper tine 965 and the lower tine 959.

After the second article stack 916 contacts the lower tine 959 and the upper tine 965 exerts sufficient stacking pressure on the second article stack 916, the carrier 970 then moves away from the second article stack 916. To move backwards, the container 990 is then pulled out of the automatic feeder 900. When the container 990 is pulled out of the automatic feeder 900, the second article stack 916 comes into contact with the belt 920. The controller 810 sends a signal to the z-axis motor 830 to retract the lower tine 959 downward through the opening 922 of the belt 920. When the lower tine 959 is retracted, the stacking pressure applied to the second article stack 916 causes the second article stack 916 to expand into the voids left by the lower tine 959. The second article stack 916 and the first stack 915 are grouped together in a merged stack 917 that is vertically supported only by the upper tine 965, and the resulting stack pressure on the merged stack 917 is an efficient and precise personalization. Alternatively, the stack pressure is suitable for individualization. By combining the article stacks in this way, stack pressure is continuously maintained on the article stack throughout the container removal process. This is illustrated in FIG. 9D, which shows the lower tine 959 retracted below the horizontal surface of the belt 920. The second article stack 916 and the first article stack 915 are merged stacks 917 vertically supported by the upper tine 965.

To repeat the process, controller 810 signals the x-axis motor 820 to move the lower tine 959 behind the merged stack 917, and controller 810 signals the lower tine 959 through the opening 922 in the belt 920. A signal is sent to the z-axis motor 830 so as to extend. The z-axis motor 820 moves the lower tine 959 forward to contact the trailing article in the merged stack 917, which meshes with the upper tine 965 as described with reference to FIG. When the lower tine 959 provides vertical support to the merged stack 917 and is exerting stack pressure, the controller 810 signals the z-axis motor 860 to retract the upper tine 965 vertically. .. The container removal process can then be repeated.

FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a perforated drive belt assembly in a singer 140 or the like. The perforated drive belt assembly 1010 includes a first end 1011 and a second end 1012, and a perforated drive belt 1044. The first end 1011 includes the first spindle 1013 and the second end 1012 includes the second spindle 1014. The first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 are connected to each other via a connecting arm (not shown) to maintain a fixed distance between the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014. The first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 can rotate about a vertical axis passing through the center of the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014. The connecting arm, as well as the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014, provide a rigid form on which the perforated drive belt 1044 is placed.

A hole 1045 is arranged in the perforated drive belt 1044. As used herein, the term perforated drive belt may mean a drive belt with one or more openings so that airflow can pass through the drive belt. However, the perforated drive belt 1044 maintains its structural integrity. In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt 1044 has a plurality of small holes extending between the front and back surfaces, the holes being generally uniformly distributed on the surface of the perforated drive belt 1044. .. In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt 1044 may have one or more elongated holes arranged in a straight line parallel or perpendicular to the length of the perforated drive belt 1044. In some embodiments, the holes can have other suitable shapes. The holes 1045 may be concentrated in one region or area of the perforated drive belt 1044, or may be uniformly distributed on the surface of the perforated drive belt 1044.

The first end 1011 of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 is pivotally attached to the frame 110 such that the first end 1011 of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 is pivotally pivoted about an axis. The second end 1012 is not attached to the frame 110, but is connected to the first end via a connecting arm that connects the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 together. When the first end 1011 pivots about the vertical axis 1070, the second end 1014 moves in a bow around the axis 1070. The pivotable attachment mechanism of the first end 1011 can include a spring or similar device that applies a restoring force that resists rotational movement around the shaft 1070. This resistance prevents the free movement of the second end 1012 so that, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 is oriented in a predetermined orientation when no external force is applied. Force.

The perforated drive belt 1044 is a continuous annular belt arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014. The first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 are configured to rotate about an axis longitudinally passing through the center of the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014. In some embodiments, the first spindle 1013 is mechanically connected to a drive mechanism or motor (not shown) that rotates the first spindle 1013. The perforated drive belt 1044 contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 so as to sufficiently move the perforated drive belt 1044 when the first spindle 1013 is rotated by the drive mechanism or motor. This moves the perforated drive belt 1044. When the perforated drive belt 1044 is moved by the first spindle 1013, the second spindle 1014 is also moved by the movement of the perforated drive belt 1044.

As mentioned above, when the automatic stack feeder 100 is operating, the article stack is resting or resting on the belt 120. The weight sensor (not shown) can be attached to the frame 110 or to the belt 120 or its rollers. The weight sensor is located below the frame 110 and is attached to either the frame 110 or the rollers that operate the belt 140. The weight sensor is configured to sense the weight of the stack on the frame 110 or on the belt 120. The weight sensor may be one of many weight sensors known in the art. For example, the weight sensor may be a scale, load cell, force sensor, strain gauge, or any other known sensor capable of detecting weight or force and outputting an electrical signal. The weight sensor can sense the weight or force applied to the frame 110 or to the rollers connected to the belt 120. The weight sensor can indicate whether the stack is on the belt 120 or the frame 110.

Further, as described above, the lower paddle assembly 150 is attached to a track belt or drive belt attached to the frame 110. The paddle 150 is movable along the length of the frame 110 and is configured to vertically support the article stack as the stack moves towards the singer 140 and the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. .. In general, the belt 120 advances the article stack towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 so that the article at the head of the stack collides with the perforated drive belt 1044 and is individualized. The article at the head of the stack may be the article in the stack that is closest to the perforated drive belt assembly 1010.

When the stack collides with the perforated drive belt 1044, the stack exerts a force on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. This force is resisted by a spring in the attachment of the first end 1011 or a similar device. The spring, or other resistance force, calculates the pressure applied by the stack on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 based on the displacement of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 from its position when no force is applied. It can have a predetermined value that can be used.

Individualization is achieved as the stack pushed or pulled out by the belt 120 moves towards the perforated drive belt assembly. As will be described in more detail below, when the leading article of the stack collides with the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, the leading article is perforated by the vacuum force applied to the leading article through the holes in the perforated drive belt 1044. It is held on the surface of the drive belt 1044. Thus, the articles at the head of the stack, held against the perforated drive belt 1044, are moved in the direction of movement of the perforated drive belt 1044 to separate the individual articles from the mass stack.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the surface of the frame is in the plane of the surface of the perforated drive belt 1044 facing the article stack. The vertical portion of the frame includes the void or hole 1035, which is aligned so that the lower part of the void or hole 1035 is aligned with the generally flat horizontal plane of the frame 110. The gap or hole 1035 corresponds to the size of the perforated drive belt assembly 110.

The perforated drive belt assembly 1010 includes a vacuum unit 1018. The vacuum unit 1018 is located between the first spindle 1013 and the second spindle 1014 so that the inner surface of the perforated drive belt 1044 can be very close to or in direct contact with the vacuum unit 1018. Be placed. The vacuum unit 1018 creates a vacuum state in which a force directed towards the vacuum unit 1018 is applied. The vacuum unit 1018 provides a fixing force to the article in the stack, and by holding the adjacent surface of the article in the stack to the surface of the perforated drive belt 1044, the surface of the article is in good contact with the perforated drive belt 1044. The article can be held against the perforated drive belt 1044 by vacuum force, facilitating efficient individualization of the stack. More specifically, the vacuum unit 1018 provides the vacuum force transmitted through the perforated drive belt 1044 through the holes 1045. The vacuum unit 1018 develops a vacuum force acting through the holes in the perforated drive belt 1044 to attract air, articles or anything within the range of the vacuum force towards the perforated drive belt 1044.

As the stack moves towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, at least a portion of the leading article in the stack approaches or contacts the perforated drive belt 1044. When the leading article on the stack approaches or contacts the perforated drive belt 1044, the vacuum force generated by the vacuum unit 1018 pulls the leading article from the stack to the belt. The vacuum force acting through the hole 1045 holds the leading article in close contact with the outer surface of the perforated drive belt 1044.

Since the perforated drive belt 1044 moves in response to the rotation of the spindles 1013 and 1014, the article or flat held against the outer surface of the perforated drive belt 1044 is separated from the stack and conveyed away from the stack. .. In some embodiments, the article is transported to the sorting unit 180.

Perforated drive belt assembly 1010 includes sensor 1019. In some embodiments, the sensor 1019 is located in close proximity to the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. In some embodiments, the sensor 1019 is mechanically attached to the second end 1012 via a pushable link mechanism that is attached to the upper portion of the spindle 1014, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B. Be done. Sensor 1019 is configured to sense the force exerted by the stack on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. When the stack collides with the perforated drive belt 1044, the second end 1012 of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 is displaced and measured by pressing a pushable linkage as illustrated in FIG. 10B. It can generate possible forces. In some embodiments, the sensor 1019 can sense displacement by using a pushable link mechanism in conjunction with the spring assembly. When the pushable linkage is pushed against a spring in the sensor 1019, the push of the pushable linkage is measured and the push corresponds to the pressure exerted by the stack on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, electrically. Converted to a signal. Although one type of sensor is described here, other types of sensors configured to sense pressure or force are used in various configurations and hung by stacking on a perforated drive belt assembly 1010. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the purpose of perceiving the force to be exerted can be achieved.

For example, in some embodiments, the displacement can be sensed by a spring sensor 1017 attached to a spindle 1013 located at the first end 1011 via a displacement spring (not shown). In this case, when the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 is displaced and rotated about the shaft 1070, the spring in the spring sensor 1017 is compressed or expanded. The compression or expansion of this spring is measurable and can be electrically or electronically converted into a measured value of pressure. In some embodiments, the displacement of the pushable linkage and / or the compression or expansion of the spring is not electrically converted to pressure index. For example, in some embodiments, an electronic signal regarding the displacement of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 can be transmitted to the controller. In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 can have both a sensor 1019 and a spring sensor 1017. Having both the sensor 1019 and the spring sensor 1017 can provide redundant pressure readings or sensors, or increase the accuracy of pressure or force measurements.

In some embodiments, the sensor 1019 or spring sensor 1017 senses a change in the angular position of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 with respect to the frame 1010, which is shown as an angle ψ rather than a pressure. In these embodiments, rather than generating a pressure signal, the sensor 1019 and the spring sensor 1017 generate an electrical signal that corresponds to a change in angle ψ. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same functionality can be achieved by measuring either pressure or angle ψ. This functionality will be described later herein. 10A-10B illustrate the sensor 1019 and / or the spring sensor 1017 connected to the second end 1012, but the sensor 1019 and / or the spring sensor 1017 can be placed at various locations on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that it can be placed. For example, the sensor 1019 and / or the spring sensor 1017 can be attached to the first end 1011 or at any position between the first end 1011 and the second end 1012. The sensor 1019 and / or the spring sensor 1017 is configured to output a sensed amount, such as pressure, position, displacement, etc., for use in controlling the operation of the automatic stack feeder 100. The sensor 1019 and / or the spring sensor 1017 can be calibrated to output an appropriate or usable signal based on its position on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010.

With reference to FIG. 11, a side view of the article stack on the belt 120 near the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 of the automatic stack feeder 100 is illustrated. For optimal personalization of the stack 1060, the angle, indicated by θ, which is the angle between the plane of the belt 120 and the article in the stack 1060, must be maintained within the desired range. In some embodiments, the angle θ is maintained with a variation of 90 degrees to less than 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ is maintained below 100 degrees and above 90 degrees. The angle θ can be adjusted by moving the lower paddle assembly 150 towards or away from the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 while not moving the belt 120. The angle θ can also be adjusted by moving the belt 120 towards or away from the perforated drive assembly 1010 while not moving the lower paddle assembly 150. The angle θ also moves the belt 120 by moving the lower paddle assembly 150 in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the direction in which the lower paddle assembly 150 is moving. It is adjustable by.

In some embodiments, the paddle can maintain the stack 1060 at an angle θ slightly greater than 90 degrees. However, for example, if the angle θ is greater than 90 degrees, or if the stack tilts too far backwards, the front edge of the leading article in stack 1060 moves forward and contacts the lower part of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. Then, an inappropriate portion of the surface of the leading article is brought into contact with the surface of the perforated drive belt 1044, which hinders individualization. When the stack 1060 pushes the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 resists movement. The perforated drive belt assembly 1010 resists movement, but not overall, and may displace the second end 1012 if the stack 1060 collides with the perforated drive belt 1044. It should be noted.

By increasing the speed of travel of the lower paddle assembly 150 or belt 120 towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, the leading article and other articles in the stack 1060 can be further vertically positioned. If the angle θ is less than 90 degrees, or if the stack 1060 is tilted forward, when the front edge of the leading article in the stack 1060 moves forward and contacts the top of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, it is perforated. The drive belt assembly 1010 resists movement and can bring the leading article and the articles behind it in the stack 1060 into a further vertical position by accelerating or moving the lower paddle assembly 150. ..

In some embodiments, maintaining the position of the lower paddle assembly 1050 and away from the perforated belt assembly 1010 when the stack is tilted or collapsed significantly rearward of the lower paddle assembly 150. By moving the belt 120 in this way, the stack 1060 can be placed in a further vertical position. In some embodiments, by accelerating the movement of the lower paddle assembly 150 towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 and by decelerating the movement of the belt 120 towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. , The stack 1060 can be in a further vertical position. A speed mismatch between the lower paddle assembly 150 and the belt 120 may reorient the article in stack 1060. Using a similar method of changing the speed or direction of movement of the lower paddle assembly 150 and belt 120 with respect to each other, if they are significantly tilted forward or if the angle θ is less than about 90 degrees. The stack 1060 can be corrected.

In some embodiments, the singer 1040 has a photoelectric sensor 1090. The photoelectric sensor 1090 can be placed close to the frame 110 so that it has an angular field of view of the stack 1060. In some embodiments, the photoelectric sensor 1090 can be attached to the vertical portion 142 of the frame 110. The photoelectric sensor 1090 is positioned and configured to sense an angle θ indicating the position of the stack 1060 with respect to the belt 120 or the frame 110, or similar angles or margins. As described herein, the stack angle detected by the photoelectric sensor 1090 can be used as an input to control the automatic stack feeder 100.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the controller circuit of the automatic stack feeder 100. The controller 1200 can be part of the control system described with reference to FIG. 8 or can be part of a separate control system. The controller 1200 receives input from the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019. In some embodiments, the controller 1200 also receives input from the photoelectric sensor 1090. Used to receive input from the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 and / or the photoelectric sensor 1090 to evaluate the state of the stack 1060 in the automatic stack feeder 100 and to develop a control signal to the conveyor 130. Will be done. The controller 1200 can have a pre-built algorithm that determines how to adjust the position of the belt 120 and / or the lower paddle assembly 150 according to a particular input from the sensor 1019. When the control signal is developed, the controller 1200 can transmit the signal to the belt / paddle controller 1203. The belt / paddle controller 1203 may be similar to the controller described herein with reference to FIG.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the sensor 1019 may be configured to sense the pressure exerted by the stack 1060 on the perforated drive belt assembly 110. The controller 1200 can be configured to maintain the pressure exerted by the stack 1060 on the perforated drive belt 1044 within a specified range. For example, as the pressure sensed by the sensor 1019 increases, the controller 1200 slows down or stops the movement of either the belt 120 and / or the lower paddle assembly 150 of the stack 1060. The speed of advance can be slowed down or stopped. Conversely, when the pressure sensed by the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 decreases below the set point, the controller 1200 maintains the pressure sensed by the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 within the optimum band. , The speed of movement of the stack 1060 towards the perforated drive belt assembly 110 can be increased.

The controller 1200 can also receive input from the photoelectric sensor 1090. The photoelectric sensor 1090 determines the angle of the stack 1060 and uses that angle as an input to the controller. In response to inputs from the spring sensor 1017, sensor 1019 and / or photoelectric sensor 1090, the controller 1200 can generate a signal to control the speed or direction of the belt 120. In addition, the controller 1200 can generate a signal to control the movement or angle of the lower paddle assembly 150.

The controller 1200 can receive an input signal from the weight sensor 110 attached to the frame 110 or the belt 120. When the weight sensor 1201 senses the weight of the stack 1060 resting on the belt 120 or the frame 110, the weight sensor 1201 signals to the controller that the stack 1060 is present and the stack 1060 is not all individualized. When the weight sensor 1201 does not detect the presence of the stack 1060, the weight sensor 1201 sends this signal to the controller 1200. When the controller 1200 receives a signal that there is no stack on the frame 110 or the belt 120 in the automatic stack feeder 100, the controller 1200 sends a stop signal to the belt 120, the lower paddle assembly 150, or both. be able to.

In some embodiments, the vacuum unit 1018 includes a vacuum sensor 1202. The vacuum sensor 1202 is positioned in the airflow provided by the vacuum unit 1018 and is the speed, velocity, flow rate, or other suitable of the air flowing through the perforated drive belt 1044 through the holes in the vacuum unit 1018. Detects parameters. When the vacuum sensor 1202 senses that the airflow is obstructed or diminished, this indicates that the leading article on the stack 1060 is coplanar with the perforated drive belt 1044. When the vacuum sensor 1202 senses that the airflow or speed is unimpeded or at their highest value, this means that there are no articles that have been personalized, and that personalization has not yet begun. It may indicate that it is not, or that the stack 1060 is all individualized.

The vacuum sensor 1202 can input to the controller 1200. The controller 1200 may use this input alone, or in combination with other signals it receives, to determine if personalization is in progress or if the stack 1060 is all personalized. it can. With this information, the controller 1200 can send the appropriate control signals to operate the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 and / or other system components.

In the automatic stack feeder 100, it is possible to develop a state in which the stack is not aligned for optimal personalization. Typically, the articles in the stack 1060 are such that the longer dimension articles or flats are positioned approximately parallel to the belt 120, and the shorter dimensions are approximately perpendicular to the belt 120, and the perforated drive belt assembly. It is arranged so as to be positioned substantially parallel to 1010. Some examples of misalignment are shown in FIGS. 13A-13C. With reference to FIG. 13A, stack 1060 includes an article stack or flat. The stack 1060 leans against the lower paddle assembly 150 and rests on the belt 120. The belt 120 moves the stack 1060 towards the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 in the direction of the arrow. If the stack 1060 cannot maintain sufficient pressure on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, or if the belt 120 or lower paddle assembly 150 is moving too slowly to keep up with the individualization, the stack 1060 will begin to collapse. In some cases. When the stack 1060 collapses, the angle A may increase. As the angle A increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to bring the article into sufficient contact with the surface of the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. If the article is not sufficiently in contact with the perforated drive belt assembly, the vacuum state will not be able to attract and hold the leading article in the stack 1060 to the perforated drive belt 1044, thus hindering individualization. This can lead to misfeeding of the automatic stack feeder 100, improper individualization, or failure. Collapse in stack 1060 can also cause damage to the articles in stack 1060. In some embodiments, the stack 1060 may collapse if the angle A increases by 10 degrees from the vertical state.

The state of stack collapse shown in FIG. 13A can be detected by the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019. When either only the spring sensor 1017 or the sensor 1019, or in combination with a photoelectric sensor that senses the angle of the stack, senses a pressure below a certain threshold acting on the perforated drive belt assembly, the spring sensor 1017, sensor 1019 , And / or the photoelectric sensor 1090 can transmit the detected pressure or angle of deflection to the controller 1200. A set point in the control system to recognize that when pressure falls below a certain threshold, the belt 120, the lower paddle assembly 150, or both must be advanced to compensate for the collapsing stack. Can be set. With respect to the angle θ, this correction is achieved by the controlled movement of one or both of the belt 120 and the lower paddle assembly 150, as described above.

FIG. 13B shows a second type of collapse that can occur in an automatic stack feeder. Articles in stack 1060 may bend in stack 1060 if fragile, resulting in voids 1065. The vacuum force cannot hold the article against the perforated drive belt 1044 in order to facilitate individualization, as the bent article may not be in sufficient contact with the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. As mentioned above, improper stack alignment can result in damage to the article, misfeeding, improper individualization, or failure of the automatic stack feeder.

The collapsing stack 1060 with voids 1065 may apply pressure outside the preset threshold pressure to the perforated drive belt assembly 1010, as sensed by the spring sensor 1017 and / or sensor 1019. is there. The photoelectric sensor 1090 can also be used to detect a collapsing stack, as illustrated in FIG. 13B. When the stack collapses, the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 senses the pressure on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 and sends that pressure to the controller 1200, which sends the transmitted pressure to the automatic stack feeder 100. Compare with internally stored or preset set points or thresholds specified for the operation. If the pressure transmitted is other than a threshold or setpoint value, the controller 1200 signals to move the belt 120, the lower paddle assembly 150, or both for optimal personalization. Correct the crumbling stack 1060.

FIG. 13C illustrates a stack 1060 that is tilted forward and is no longer vertically supported by the lower paddle assembly 150. Again, the force generated by the vacuum unit 1018 causes the leading article in the stack 1060 to have a suitable surface with the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 in order to effectively hold the article in contact with the perforated drive belt 1044. Individualization cannot be achieved properly because they are not in contact.

The forward tilted stack 1060 can exert pressure on the perforated drive belt assembly 1010. The spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 is applied to the upper portion of the perforated drive belt assembly 110 and is greater than the threshold pressure and can sense pressure indicating that the stack 1060 is improperly positioned. The photoelectric sensor 1090 can also detect that the stack is tilted forward and can give the controller 1200 a stack angle signal indicating this state.

When the spring sensor 1017 and / or the sensor 1019 detects a pressure above or below the threshold pressure, the controller 1200 returns the stack 1060 to its optimal configuration for personalization, the belt 120, the lower paddle assembly 150. , Or both of them can be directed. In some embodiments, the controller receives inputs from spring sensor 1017 and / or sensor 1019, and photoelectric sensor 1090, and uses these inputs to belt 120, lower paddle assembly 150, or. Generate control signals for both of them.

In some embodiments, the perforated drive belt assembly 1010 can have two pressure sensors. One such sensor can be attached to the upper part of one of the spindles 1013 and 1014. The second sensor can be attached to the lower portion of one of the spindles 1013 and 1014. In this arrangement, the pair of pressure sensors can detect the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the perforated drive belt assembly.

If the stack 1060 is tilted forward, the pressure exerted by the stack 1060 can be applied to the upper part of the perforated drive belt assembly. In this embodiment, when the stack 1060 is tilted forward, a sensor mounted on the upper part of one of the spindles 1013 and 1014 senses more pressure than a sensor mounted on the lower part of the spindle 1013 or 1014. be able to. Therefore, if the pressure applied to the lower part of the perforated belt exceeds the threshold value, the controller 1200 confirms the problem and differentiates it from the case where the pressure applied to the upper part of the perforated drive belt exceeds the threshold value. Will be possible. In these two cases of poor stack alignment, different measures can be taken to compensate for the two different problems described above.

Specific problems that may arise with respect to stack 1060 are described here, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the problems described are exemplary. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be configured to address the problem of poor stack alignment, in addition to those specifically described. Methods for controlling stack collapse are described in more detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the automatic stack feeder 100 includes a sorting unit 180. Articles can be individualized for processing or routing, and this processing or routing is automatically done by placing the article stack in an article feeder that can route articles to various sorting windows. Can be done. The sorting unit operates at high speed and presents an available sorting window for inserting articles at a high rate. An error may occur if the article feeder operation and sorting section are not synchronized with each other. For example, the automatic stack feeder 100 may not be able to properly sort articles into various sorting windows, or the windows may be completely missed. Also, if the article feeder is not properly configured to operate at a high rate, damage to the article and / or selection of two or more articles in the personalization process, or stacking may occur. Therefore, systems and methods for automatic individualization, individualization, and sorting of goods from a mass stack of goods, including synchronization of goods feeder operations, will be described. For example, articles from a mass stack of articles can be individualized and these articles can be delivered to individual cells by synchronizing the movement of the individualized articles.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the sorting unit 180 of FIG. 1 for use in the automatic stack feeder of FIG. As mentioned above, the automatic stack feeder includes a plurality of belts 1420. These belts are similar to those described elsewhere herein. For simplicity of illustration, only a single belt is illustrated in FIG. 14, where the description of the other components of the automatic stack feeder 100 is omitted. The sorting unit includes a picking device 1410, a double prevention device 1422, one or more rotation prevention devices 1418, and a synchronization device 1424. The sorting section 1480 has a first end 1412 and a second end 1413.

As described elsewhere herein, the belt 1420 is configured to move in the direction 1426 towards the singer 1440. The singer 1440 is arranged approximately perpendicular to the belt 1420. Different embodiments of singer 1440 will be described in more detail below.

One or more rotation prevention devices 1418, picking device 1410, and double prevention device 1422 are located downstream of the singer 1440. As used herein, the term downstream can indicate the direction from the first end 1412 to the second end 1413 of the sorting section. The various sensors can also be located in close proximity to the double protection device described in more detail below. The picking device 1410, the double prevention device 1424, the sensor, and / or the rotation prevention device 1418 can be collectively referred to as a picking zone in the present specification. One or more anti-rotation devices 1418 can be located adjacent to the first two picking devices 1410. The double prevention device 1422 can be located downstream of the rotation prevention device 1418 and can be adjacent to the remaining three picking devices 1410. Although five picking devices are shown in FIG. 14, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any other number of picking devices can be included as part of the sorting unit 1480. Different embodiments of the picking zone will be described in more detail below.

The synchronization device 1424 is located downstream of the picking device 1410. The synchronous device 1424 includes one or more paired pinch wheels. The synchronization device 1424 will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the article stack 1502. Each article in stack 1502 includes a front side, a back side, two side parts, an upper part, and a lower part. The article stack 1502 can be placed on the belt 1420 so that the lower part of each article is in contact with the belt 1420 and the front side of each article is positioned to move in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Each article in stack 1502 includes a coupling state 1504 along the bottom of each article that is positioned substantially parallel to the belt 1420. The front side of each article is aligned substantially parallel to each of the other articles in stack 1502, and the front side of each article is aligned so as to face in the same direction. The front and back sides of each article are aligned substantially perpendicular to the belt 1420. In some embodiments, the article stack 1502 may be angled with respect to the belt 1420 at any suitable angle. For example, the stack 1502 may be positioned at an angle of 0-10 degrees with respect to the conveyor. The articles in stack 1502 are also aligned from front to back, in stack 1502 where each article is in contact with and supports adjacent articles.

The different components of the sorting unit 1480 are used to individualize, personalize, and synchronize stack 1502. In some embodiments, the singer 1440 is configured to individualize the stack 1502. As used herein, the term solidification can refer to the process of extruding a stack 1502 and traveling towards a group of picking devices 1410, resulting in a positively stacked article stack. As used herein, reliable stacking can indicate the formation of the position of the front edge of the article in stack 1502. For example, FIG. 16 shows an individualized article stack 1502 with one or more positively stacked articles 1604 including the anterior edge of each article located downstream with respect to the anterior edge of an adjacent article. Is shown. As the articles in stack 1520 travel in direction 1606 towards the singer 1440, the articles are solidified by the singer 1440 to produce a positively stacked article stack 1602. After being individualized, the positively stacked article stack 1502 travels in the direction 1608 towards the picking device 1410 group.

FIG. 17 shows an example of singulator 1440. As the belt 1420 moves, the article stack 1502 travels along the belt 1420 in the direction 1426 towards the singer 1440. As noted above, the support structure or arm can provide support for the stack 1502 as the stack 1502 travels along the belt 1420. The singer 1440 receives the stack 1502 and operates to individualize the articles in order to generate a positively stacked article stack 1502.

The singulator 1440 includes a bottom transport belt 1704, a shearing device 1708, and a perforated belt 1706. The bottom transport belt 1704 has a transport surface that extends in the first direction. The first direction may be substantially horizontal. The bottom transport belt 1704 is configured to use one or more belt drives 1710 to move downstream towards the shearing device 1708. In some embodiments, the shearing device 1708 is a loaded spring. Perforated belt 1706 includes one or more openings. In some embodiments, the one or more openings include a plurality of small holes that are distributed substantially uniformly over the surface of the perforated belt 1706. In some embodiments, the one or more openings include one or more elongated holes arranged in a straight line parallel or perpendicular to the length of the perforated belt 1706. In some embodiments, the opening may have other suitable shapes. The openings may be concentrated in one region or area of the perforated belt 1706, or may be evenly distributed over the surface of the perforated belt 1706. Perforated belt 1706 further includes a surface extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom transport belt 1704. For example, the perforated belt 1706 may be perpendicular to the substantially horizontal direction of the bottom transport belt 1704. The perforated belt 1706 is adjacent to the bottom transport belt 1704 and is configured to use one or more belt drives 1710 to move downstream towards the shearing device 1708.

The singulator 1440 further includes a vacuum system similar to that described elsewhere herein. The vacuum force holding the article against the perforated belt 1706 causes the bottom transport belt 1704 and the perforated belt 1706 to move the stack 1502 downstream towards the shearing device 1708. The shearing device 1708 is configured to apply a shearing force to a portion of the article stack to generate a positively stacked article stack 1604. The stack 1502 rests on the lower belt 404 and is connected to the perforated belt 1706 by suction provided through one or more openings. For example, as described above, the article is held against the surface of the perforated belt 404 by a vacuum force applied to the article through one or more openings in the perforated belt 404. Therefore, the stack 1502, which is held against the perforated belt 1706 and rests on the bottom transport belt 1704, moves in the downstream direction. As these belts move forward and downstream, the stack 1502 is pressed against the shearing device 1708, which exerts a shearing force on the stack 1502. For example, the shearing device 1708 can apply a shearing force to the stack 1502 by applying a constant pressure to the stack 1502 and pushing only a part of the stack 1502 when entering the first picking point 1722. In some embodiments, the shearing device 1708 is a loaded spring, and the spring can be used to apply pressure to the stack 1502 to apply shear forces. By applying a shearing force to the stack 1502, the shearing device 1708 effectively extrudes to result in a positively stacked configuration of the stack 1502, resulting in a positively stacked, individualized article stack 1604. Occurs.

The singer 1440 delivers a positively stacked article stack at a system rate up to the first picking point 1722, which is the point at which the articles begin the transition from the individualized state to the individualized state. It may be configured as follows. In some embodiments, the bottom transport belt 1704 and the perforated belt 1706 can move at a slower and more continuous rate with respect to the belt of the picking device 1410, which will be described later. In some embodiments, the individualized belts may not start and stop with the picked article, respectively. In some embodiments, the bottom transfer belt 1704 and the perforated belt 1706 of the singer 1440 may be automatically turned off when there is no article within a certain distance from the belt. When the stack 1502 comes into contact with or within a certain distance from the bottom transport belts 1704 and / or the perforated belts 1706, these belts are automatically turned on in preparation for the solidification of the stack 1502. You may. The stack 1502 may be sensed by a sensor such as an infrared, phototube, or proximity sensor.

FIG. 18A shows another example of singer 1440. The singulator 1440 includes bottom transport belts 1804 and 1806. Each of the transport belts 1804 and 1806 has a transport surface that extends in a first direction, such as in a substantially horizontal direction. The sorting unit 1480 further comprises a plurality of perforated belts 1808, each of which perforated belts include one or more openings similar to those described elsewhere herein. Each of the perforated belts 1808 has a surface that extends in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom transport belts 1804 and 1806. For example, the perforated belt 1808 may be perpendicular to the substantially horizontal direction of the bottom transport belts 1804 and 1806. The plurality of perforated belts 1808 are adjacent to at least one of the plurality of bottom transport belts 1804 and 1806. The sorting unit 1480 further includes a shearing device 1810 used to apply shear forces to the stack 1502. As the belt 1420 moves forward, the stack 1502 rests on the bottom transport belts 1804 and 1806, and the article in the stack 1502 is also present by suction provided through one or more openings in each perforated belt 1808. It is connected to each of the hole belts. As the bottom transport belt 1804 and the first two perforated belts move forward, the stack 1502 is pressed against the shearing device 1810, resulting in a positively stacked configuration of the stack 1502.

FIG. 18B shows another embodiment of the sorting unit 1480, showing a side view at line 18B-18B'in FIG. 5A. The sorting unit 1480 includes a perforated belt 1808A located in the solidification zone and a perforated belt 1808B located in the intermediate zone. The bottom transport belt 1804 shown in FIG. 18A may be located in the solidification zone along with the perforated belt 1808A. The bottom transport belt 1806 shown in FIG. 18A may be located in the intermediate zone along with the perforated belt 1808B. In some embodiments, the bottom transport belt 1804, the perforated belt 1808A, and / or the corresponding vacuum state (s) are automatically turned off when there is no article within a certain distance from the belt. Good. When the stack 1502 comes into contact with or within a certain distance from the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A, the belt and vacuum state (s) are automatically prepared for the individualization of the stack 1502. May be turned on. The stack 1502 may be sensed by a sensor such as an infrared, phototube, or proximity sensor located at the starting point of the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A.

In some embodiments, the bottom transfer belt 1804, the perforated belt 1808A, and the corresponding vacuum state are variably controlled to control the flow of articles with respect to the perforated belt 1808B and the bottom transfer belt 1806. can do. For example, at the first time depending on the number of articles located in the intermediate zone, the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A may be started or stopped, or the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or 1808A. The speed may be increased or decreased. For example, the thickness sensor 1814 can determine the thickness of the article stack in the intermediate zone. For example, the thickness sensor 1814 may be a scale, a load cell, a force sensor, a strain gauge, or any other known sensor capable of detecting force or weight and outputting an electrical signal. Accordingly, the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A can be controlled based on the perceived thickness (eg, start, stop, slow down, speed up, etc.). For example, if the thickness sensor 1814 indicates that there are too many articles located in the intermediate zone as determined by the thickness threshold, then the bottom transport belt 1804, the perforated belt 1808A, and / or the corresponding vacuum state (s) The bottom transport belt 1806 and the perforated belt 1808B in the intermediate zone may be stopped so that the amount of article in the intermediate zone can be reduced by passing the article through the picking devices 1812 and 1816. After the amount of article has been reduced below the threshold level, the belts 1804 and 1808A, as well as the vacuum state (s) may be restarted. In some embodiments, the sensor 1818 may be located at the first picking device 1812 and may be used to determine the speed at which the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A is operated. For example, if there is no article detected by the sensor 1818, the speed of the bottom transport belt 1804 and / or the perforated belt 1808A may be increased until the article is detected. The sensor 1818 can be configured to detect the front edge of the article and can include any suitable sensor such as an infrared, phototube, or proximity sensor.

In some embodiments, the bottom transfer belt 1806, the perforated belt 1808B, and the corresponding vacuum state (s) are variable to control the flow of goods with respect to the picking device 1812 and / or 1816. Can be controlled. For example, if there is no article sensed by the sensor 1818, it indicates that there is no article located at the first picking device 1812, and the first picking device 1812, the bottom transport belt 1806, and / or the perforated belt 1808B. It may be started and / or speeded up. If one or more articles are sensed by the sensor 1818, the intermediate perforated belt 1808B may be stopped or slowed down until the sensor is clear. The vacuum state (s) can be started or stopped by the belt depending on the result of the sensor 1818.

In some embodiments, the sensor 1818 may be configured to count the number of articles detected. The bottom transport belt 1806, the perforated belt 1808B, and / or the corresponding vacuum state (s) may be variably controlled according to the number of articles sensed. In some embodiments, a controller, processor, and / or memory can be coupled to the sensor 1818 and used to count the number of articles detected or sensed by the sensor 1818. .. For example, if the sensor 1818 indicates that one article has been detected, an intermediate zone vacuum state (not shown) may be turned on, similar to the bottom transport belt 1806 and the perforated belt 1808B. Similarly, if the sensor 1818 indicates that there are no articles to be detected, the intermediate zone vacuum state, belts 1806 and 1808B can be turned on. On the other hand, for example, if the sensor 1818 indicates that two or more articles are detected, the intermediate zone vacuum state can be turned off and the bottom transport belt 1806 and the perforated belt 1808B stopped. it can. Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations. The memory includes a random access memory (RAM) circuit, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), an integrated circuit for a specific application (ASIC), and a magnetic disk. , Optical disks, and / or other types of memory well known in the art.

By variably controlling the belt and vacuum state (s), the singer 1440 is the first picking point where the transition from the individualized state to the individualized state of the article begins. The article stack in a positively stacked configuration can be configured to be delivered to device 1812 at a system rate.

With reference to FIG. 14, each of the picking devices 1410 is configured to individualize one or more of the articles from the individualized article stack 1052. Here, personalization can indicate picking articles from a positively stacked, individualized stack 1604 to produce individual articles. One or more of the picking devices 1410 may include a rotation prevention device 1418 or a double prevention device 1422. The anti-rotation device 1418 can be ensured that the article stacks remain stacked and do not sink during individualization and / or sorting. FIG. 19A shows another example of a sorting unit 1480 including a picking device 1910 and a double prevention device 1922. The double prevention device 1922 includes an edge detection sensor 1911 and an presence sensor 1912. Details of the double prevention device 1922, the edge detection sensor 1911, and the presence sensor 1912 are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B.

FIG. 19B shows an enlarged portion of the picking device 1910 as shown by the dashed line 19B of FIG. 19A. The picking device 1910 includes a perforated belt 1906, a perforated belt drive pulley 1914, a vacuum manifold 1908 located adjacent to the perforated belt 1906, a vacuum unit (not shown), and a vacuum valve 1916. The bottom transport belt 1904 may be located adjacent to the picking device 1910 to support the article in motion. In some embodiments, the bottom transport belt 1904 may be the same as the bottom transport belt 1704 shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the sorting device 1480 does not include the bottom transport belt 1904 located adjacent to the picking device 1910, so only the perforated belt 1906 is included to transport the article downstream. In some embodiments, the picking device 1910 is configured in a row and is substantially completely covered by a positively stacked article stack. The most downstream picking device in that row is the article from the positively stacked article stack. It is configured to pick and bring personalized articles. As used herein, being substantially completely covered can indicate that a picking device with a particular number of sensors is blocked by one or more articles. For example, if each picking device contains four sensors (eg, photoelectric sensor, proximity sensor, infrared sensor, and optical sensor, etc.) and three of the four sensors are blocked by one or more articles. The picking zone may be considered to be virtually completely covered. As another example, a picking device is substantially completely covered if all the sensors for the picking device are blocked by one or more articles.

The perforated belt 1906 may be oriented vertically and may have one or more openings on its surface, through which a vacuum source can be applied. As used herein, being oriented vertically can indicate a substantial vertical angle. As another example, being oriented vertically can indicate any other suitable angle, such as an angle of approximately 50-60 degrees (eg, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees). The perforated belt 1906 is moved or transferred using the perforated belt drive pulley 1914. The perforated belt drive pulley 1914 may be driven by a motor such as a single servomotor. The vacuum unit can be configured to apply suction through the vacuum manifold 1908, and the vacuum manifold 1908 can be configured to apply suction through one or more openings in the surface of the perforated belt 1906. The vacuum valve 1916 can be configured to control the amount of suction given to the vacuum manifold 1908 by the vacuum unit.

Individualization or picking is achievable as the stack 1502 moves towards the perforated belt 1906 by opening the vacuum valve 1916 and exposing the vacuum manifold 1908 to vacuum forces. The vacuum force allows the leading article of the stack 1502 to be pulled out of one or more openings in the perforated belt 1906 to effectively connect the leading article to the perforated belt 1906. The first article is the article in stack 1502, which is located closest to the perforated belt 1906. Thus, when the head article of the stack 1502 collides with the surface of the perforated belt 1906, the vacuum valve 1916 can expose the vacuum manifold 1908 to vacuum force (if not yet given). The leading article is held on the surface of the perforated belt 1906 by a vacuum force applied to the leading article 0 through one or more holes in the perforated belt 1906. Therefore, the leading article held against the perforated belt 1906 was moved in the direction of movement of the perforated belt 1906 using the perforated belt drive pulley 1914, whereby the leading article was individualized. , Separate from the positively stacked stack 1604.

A plurality of picking devices 1910 can be used, each including a perforated belt, a perforated belt drive pulley, a vacuum manifold, a vacuum valve, and a vacuum unit, as described herein. For example, five picking devices can be used to personalize the article stack 1502. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the objective of individualizing the stack 1502 can be achieved using any other number of picking devices.

The picking device allows the individual articles to be individualized from the stack 1502 and the flow of the individualized articles to be affected by the double prevention device 1422. The double prevention device 1422 helps ensure the fidelity of the individualized flow of goods. For example, when an article is picked by one of the picking devices, it can be brought into close contact with each other for a variety of reasons, and attaching only one side of an article to a perforated belt can cause another article. It may not prevent it from sticking to the other side of the attached article on the opposite side of the perforated belt 1906. When one or more articles are picked from stack 1502 at the same time, the double prevention device 1422 can be used to allow articles attached to other sides of the desired article to be acted upon by a vacuum source. The vacuum source given to the attached article is used to separate the attached article from the desired article.

FIG. 20A shows an example of the sorting unit 1480 including the picking zone 2004 group. The picking zone 2004 includes the double prevention devices 2022A and 2022B, as well as the picking device 2010. The double prevention devices 2022A and 2022B include an edge detection sensor and presence sensor (not shown in FIG. 20A) similar to the edge detection sensor 1911 and presence sensor 1912 shown in FIG. 19A. The edge detection sensor 1910 can be positioned upstream of the presence sensor 1912 and can be configured to detect the edge of the article. In some embodiments, the presence sensor 1912 includes a photoelectric sensor or an optical sensor. Although this specification describes one type of sensor, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other suitable types of sensors can be used in various configurations to achieve the purpose of sensing the presence of an article. Let's do it.

Three double prevention devices 2022A and 2022B can be used to ensure that the picking device 1410 properly separates the article from the stack 302. In some embodiments, certain combinations of double prevention devices 1422A and / or 112B have a low level of constantity to facilitate individualization of the article before being individualized by one of the picking devices. Will have a vacuum state of. For example, if the sorting unit 1480 does not include a dedicated singer 1440, the first two double prevention devices 2022A may always have a constant level of vacuum in order to effectively solidify the stack 1502. it can. As another example, even if the sorting unit 1480 includes a dedicated singer 1440, the picking zone 2004 can be used to reindividualize the article stack if the article shifts during transport. A constant level of vacuum pressure is measurable and can be used to ensure that the article is not damaged when it is solidified.

In some embodiments, the first two double prevention devices 2022A detect the presence of an individualized article stack or an article attached to the desired article to be individualized (not shown). ) It can be operated by one or more edge detection sensors. When one or more edge detectors indicate that the individualized stack or attached article is located in a particular picking zone, the double prevention device 2022A and / or 2022B is personalized with a high vacuum level. Attempts can be made to retain other articles in the solidified stack, or attached articles, from the desired article. FIG. 20B shows an example of a double prevention device 1422 that detects an individualized article stack or attached articles group approaching a picking zone. At time 1 (T1), the first article 2002 traverses the edge detection sensor 1910. Determine that the edge is found accordingly. For example, the controller or processor can receive an indication that the edge is detected by the edge detection sensor 1910. Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations. At T1, the presence sensor 1912 is not blocked. Therefore, it is determined that only the first edge has been detected, indicating that only a single article is present in the picking zone. As a result, the vacuum pressure cannot be increased to a high vacuum state at T1.

At time 2 (T2), the first article 2002 traverses the presence sensor 1912. Since the second edge is not reported by the edge detection sensor 1910 at T2, the vacuum pressure does not increase at T2. At time 3 (T3), the second article 2004 breaks the plane of the edge detection sensor 1910, and the edge detection sensor 1910 reports the edge of the second article 2004 to the controller or processor. At time T3, the presence sensor 1912 is also blocked by the first article 2002. As a result, it is determined that there are two or more articles, one of which requires strong double protection to properly individualize the desired article. Therefore, the double prevention device 2022 is turned on to a complete vacuum state in order to separate any article from the desired article individualized by the picking zone. For example, when two or more articles are separated from the solidified stack at the same time, the double prevention device 2022 can be put into a complete vacuum state to separate the desired article from the other articles. As shown in FIG. 20B, the downstream edge 2006 of the double prevention device 2022 body is located just downstream of the edge detection sensor 1910, so that the sensor 1910 acts only on the second article 2004. known.

With reference to FIG. 14 again, the sorting unit 1480 further includes a synchronization device 1424. FIG. 21 shows an example of a synchronous device 1424 including a pair of pinch wheels 2104. The synchronization device 1424 may be located downstream of the last picking zone 2106. The pinch wheel 2104 may be driven at a variable speed by one or more pinch wheel motors (not shown). The pinch wheel motor can include a servomotor for driving the pinch wheel or any other suitable motor. Although a number of pinch wheel pairs are shown in FIG. 21, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other number of pinch wheels can be used to achieve the purpose of transporting goods from sorting unit 1480 to contact point 1416. Will recognize. The contact point 1416 may also be referred to herein as an exit point. The contact point 1416 is a point at which the sorting unit 1480 is separated in order to place the article in the sorting window of the sorting device. This process will be described in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 14, the sorting unit 1480 includes an anti-rotation device 1418. FIG. 22 shows a side plan view of an embodiment of the rotation prevention device 2200. In some embodiments, the anti-rotation device 2200 includes a torsion element such as, for example, a torsion bar 2210. The torsion bar 2210 is connected to the base 2205. Base 2205 may be any auxiliary component or surface of the stack feeder. In some embodiments, the torsion bar 2210 is pivotally connected to a base 405 so that the torsion bar 2210 is pivoted about a rotation axis 2212 that passes through the center of the torsion bar 2210. It is a material. In some embodiments, the torsion bar 2210 is made of an elastic material that allows the torsion bar 2210 to be flexible or elastic during rotation. The pivotable connection between the torsion bar 2210 and the base 2205 allows pivoting between at least one loose position and a second twist position where torque is applied to at least a portion of the torsion bar 2210. Become. At the second skew position, potential energy is stored in the torsion bar 2210 that attempts to return the torsion bar 2210 to the first configuration. In some embodiments, the torsion bar comprises a rotational resistance member or, in other cases, is configured to resist rotational movement, as described in more detail below.

The anti-rotation device of some embodiments includes a rotatable member such as, for example, a lever arm 2220. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever arm 2220 has a threaded through hole 222 on a close portion of the lever arm 2220. The thread of the through hole is centered on a (invisible) complementary thread located on at least a portion of the outer surface of the torsion bar 2210 and is configured to engage securely. In some embodiments, the lever arm 2220 can be mounted on the torsion bar 2210 by utilizing any other suitable engaging mechanism known to those of skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, snap fitting, rivets, screws, friction fitting, or permanent coupling or welding, or any other desired engagement mechanism can be used. In some embodiments, the torsion bar 2210 and lever arm 2220 may be different parts of the same single object and, as a non-limiting example, are integrally molded by injection molding. When the lever arm 2220 is attached to the torsion bar 2210, the lever arm 2220 is rotatable about at least 2212 rotation shafts of the torsion bar 2210 between the first position and the second position. The anti-rotation device 2200 of FIG. 22 is shown in the first non-rotational position. In some embodiments, the degree of rotation between the first and second positions is less than a few degrees. In other embodiments, the degree of rotation between the first and second positions may be 5 degrees, 15 degrees, or any value between them. In some embodiments, the range of rotation between the first and second positions may exceed 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the lever arm 2220 rotates about a rotation shaft 2212 of the torsion bar 2210 in a surface of revolution that is substantially parallel to the base 2205.

Some embodiments of the anti-rotation device include a swivel member connected to the distal portion of the lever arm 2220. For example, the anti-rotation device 2200 includes a plurality of wheels 2240 connected to the distal portion of the lever arm 2220. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels 2240 are connected to the distal portion of the lever arm 2220 by a wheel shaft 2230. The wheels 2240 are centered around the wheel shaft 2230 and rotate relative to the wheel shaft 2230 via low friction bearings spaced apart on the wheel shaft 2230.

The wheel shaft 2230 is connected to the distal portion of the lever arm 2220 via a (invisible) thread located on the lower end of the outer surface of the wheel shaft. The threads are configured to securely engage complementary threads centered around a through hole 424 in the distal portion of the lever arm 2220. In other embodiments, the wheel shaft 2230 can be secured to the lever arm 2220 using other suitable engaging mechanisms known to those of skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, snap fitting, rivets, screws, friction fitting, or permanent coupling or welding, or any other desired engagement mechanism can be used. In some embodiments, the wheel shaft 2230 and lever arm 2220 may be different parts of the same single object.

In some embodiments, the wheel 2240 is fixed relative to the wheel shaft 2230 so that it does not move, and the wheel shaft 2230 is connected to the lever arm 2220 via a low friction bearing. In such an embodiment, the wheel shaft 2230 is configured to rotate relative to the lever arm 2220 and further to rotate the wheel 2240. In some embodiments, the rotary cylinder or other swivel member can be connected to the lever arm 2220 via a wheel bracket extending from one end of the swivel member or via a shaft portion. In various embodiments, the swivel member spins about an axis that extends at an angle to the major axis of the rotatable member.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of wheels 2240 has an equal diameter and shares a rotating shaft 2445. The wheel 2240 spins around the wheel shaft 2230 around a rotating shaft 2245 positioned perpendicular to the long axis 426 of the lever arm 2220.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the rotation prevention device 2300 shown at the first position. The anti-rotation device 2300 may be similar to the anti-rotation device described with respect to FIG. As described above, the anti-rotation device 2300 can be configured to rotate at least between the first and second positions. In the first position, the torsion bar 2310 is in the initial state. The torsion bar 2310 is pivotally coupled to the base 2305 and the pivotable connection is located near the drive belt 2350. The lever arm 2320 extends from the torsion bar 2310 at an angle at which the outer surface 2342 of the wheel 2340 that comes into contact with the drive belt 2350 is located. The wheel 2340 is rotatably connected to the wheel shaft 2330. The proximity of the pivotable connection between the torsion bar 2310 and the base 2305 allows the wheel 2340 to be placed in contact with the drive belt 2350 without causing significant loss of energy in the drive belt 2350 due to friction. ..

The outer surface 2342 of the wheel 2340 is configured to rotate. Thus, when the drive belt 2350 moves, the wheel 2340 rotates around the wheel shaft 2330 due to friction between the outer surface 2342 of the wheel 2340 and the drive belt 2350. As mentioned above, the drive belt 2350 can be used to personalize the article using the vacuum force applied through one or more openings in the drive belt 2350.

As mentioned above, the drive belt 2350 laterally moves the article 2360, eg, an open article such as a magazine, catalog, or any other article, into the stack feeder as part of the personalization process. It is configured as follows. When the drive belt 2350 moves the article 2360, the article 2360 comes into contact with a portion of the outer surface 2342 of the wheel 2340, which exerts a force on the lever arm 2320, which causes the torsion bar 2310 to rotate. The rotation of the torsion bar 2310 causes the wheel 2340 to move away from the belt 2350 and onto the outer back cover of the article 2360. The lever arm 2320 is pushed into a second position by the laterally moving mail 2360, thereby leaving space for the article 2360 and passing between the drive belt 2350 and the outer surface 2342 of the wheel 2340. .. By pushing out of the moving mail 2360, the lever arm 2320 rotates at an angle in its rotating surface parallel to the base 2305 and the floor. This rotation of the lever arm 2320 applies torque to a portion of the torsion bar 2310, which causes the torsion bar 2310 to twist or rotate about an axis. As described below, the torsion bar 2310 is configured to resist such movements, and twisting creates tension or potential energy in the torsion bar 2310. Due to the tension, the torsion bar 2310 applies a reverse torque to the lever arm 2320, thereby resisting rotation and urging the lever arm 2320 to return to its first position. Due to the rotation, tension, reverse torque, and resulting force generated by the torsion bar 2310, the wheel 2340 exerts a force on the article 2360, thereby efficiently pushing the article 2360 into the drive belt 2350 and , Push the back cover 2362 toward the front cover of the mail 2360.

FIG. 24 illustrates at least a portion of the force acting on the article 2400 when an anti-rotation device 2440 with wheels 2440 is present on the stack feeder. In various embodiments, each wheel 2440 has a high friction outer surface 2442, which resists any ascending movement of the back cover 2402 of the article 2400 due to the force applied to the front cover. Specifically, the lateral acceleration force 2410 is applied to the front cover of the article 2400, and the inertial force 2412 acts on the back cover 2402 in the opposite direction when the article is individualized or individualized. The interaction of these forces causes the back cover 2402 to pivot around the upstream corner 2406 of the coupled state 2404. To react this pivot, the wheel 2440 exerts a reverse force on the back cover 2402 of the article 2400, thereby preventing twisting of the coupled state 2404. By holding both the front cover and the back cover 2402 of the mail 2400 and providing the back cover 2402 with a downward reaction force 2416, the anti-rotation device provides a lateral acceleration force over both the front cover and the back cover. The torque 614 generated by the 2410 and the inertial force 2412 is distributed to reduce the shear stress applied to the coupling state 2404 of the article 2400.

Further, by using the wheel 2440 and the resistance of the torsion bar to push the back cover 2402 toward the front cover, friction is caused in the article 2400 between the covers, and the friction is caused by one of the covers. Acts to resist the inertial shear force generated in. Thus, the anti-rotation devices of various embodiments allow the acceleration force 610 to be applied to the article 2400 without damaging the coupling state 2404, front cover or back cover 2402. Further, the wheel 2440 rotates freely around the wheel shaft 2430 via the low friction wheel bearing, so that the presence of the wheel 2440 does not apply any new and outstanding shear force to the article 2400.

FIG. 25 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of the anti-rotation device 2500. In FIG. 25, the torsion bar 2510 and a part of the lever arm 2520 are in the second position. As shown, the torsion bar 2510 is twisted by rotating the lever arm 2520 from a first position to a second position at an angle of 2502. As described in detail above, twisting produces reaction torque in the torsion bar 2510, which causes the torsion bar 2510 and the connected lever arm 2520 to return towards the first position. The torsion bar 2510 can be formed of any suitable elastic material known to those of skill in the art. In some embodiments of the anti-rotation device, the torsion bar may be at least partially configured by a spiral torsion spring. In other embodiments, any other torsion element known to those of skill in the art can be used.

An embodiment of a torsion element, specifically a spiral torsion spring 2600, is illustrated in FIGS. 26A and 26B. As shown in FIG. 26A, the spiral torsion spring 2600 is a coiled rod or made of any suitable elastic material known to those skilled in the art, such as metal, steel, plastic, or any other desired material. Formed from wire 2602. The torsion spring 2600 includes an upper end portion 2604, a lower end portion 2608, and a plurality of coils 2606. As shown in FIG. 26B, when a lateral force, also called a bending moment or torque, is applied to the upper end 2604, the upper end 2604 rotates inward from, for example, the first position 2600a to the second position 2600b, and a plurality. Coil 2606 wraps tighter. The rotation creates a reaction torque in the torsion spring 2600, which causes the torsion spring 2600 and the connected lever arm 2620 (shown in FIG. 26C) to return towards the first position 2600a.

For example, in an embodiment of an anti-rotation device having a torsion spring 2600, such as the anti-rotation device partially illustrated in FIG. 26C, the torsion spring 2600 is located in or around the structural support member 2610. The structural support member 2610 is immovably connected to the base 2605. In some embodiments, a torsion spring 2600 with an upper end 2604 protruding from the structural support member 2610 and integrated with the lever arm 2620 is at least partially disposed within the structural support member 2610. In some embodiments, the top end 2604 can be embedded in the lever arm 2620 or tightened by mechanical means such as welds, brackets, screws, rivets, or any other suitable tightening mechanism. is there. The lower end 2608 of the torsion spring 2608 can be fixedly attached to the base or the non-moving torsion bar 2610.

During operation, the article exerts a force acting on the lever arm, and the movement of the lever arm 2620 causes the upper end 2604 of the torsion spring 2600 to move. The lower end 2608 does not move because it is fixed and attached. The movement of the upper end 2604 compresses the tension spring and stores potential mechanical energy in the torsion spring 2608 to resist the movement of the lever arm 2620. In some embodiments, the torsion spring 2600 is fixed to and around the structural support member 2610 in a bearing surrounding the structural support member 2610. In such an embodiment, the upper end portion 2604 of the torsion spring 2600 is again integrated with or connected to the lever arm 2620 by moving the lever arm 2620 from the first position 2600a to the second position 2600b. The upper end 2604 of the torsion bar 2600 moves accordingly. Due to such movement, tension is generated in the torsion spring 2600, and the torsion spring 2600 applies a force to the lever arm 2620 to resist the rotational movement of the lever arm 2620.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for controlling the position of the stack guide 130. Process 2700 starts at block 2702. In process 2700, the position of the container is received, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. If a container is present, process 2700 moves to block 2704, where the stack guide is moved away from the article stack or from position 1 to position 2. Moving the stack guide 130 away from the article stack, process 2700 moves to block 2706, where the container is removed. The controller 810 coordinates the movement of the belt motor 840, the lower paddle assembly x-axis motor 820, the lower paddle assembly z-axis motor 830, and the carrier motor 880, as described elsewhere herein. And the removal of the container can be achieved.

Process 2700 then moves to decision state 2708, where it is determined whether the container has been removed. This determination may be made as described above. If it is determined that the container 190 has not been removed from the belt 120, the process waits until the container 190 is removed. If the container 190 has been removed, process 2700 moves to block 2710, where the stack guide 130 is moved back to its original position in contact with the article stack.

Process 2700 then proceeds to decision state 2712, where it is determined if there is another container 290 to be removed. This determination may be made based on a predetermined number of containers taken out entered into the controller 810, and the controller 810 can count the number of containers 190 taken out. In some embodiments, this determination can be based on sensor input, manual input, or receipt of any other desired input after removal of each container 190. If another container 190 is removed, process 2700 returns to block 2702. If there are no more containers 190 to be removed, process 2700 ends at block 2714.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an embodiment of process 2800 for controlling the automatic stack feeder 100. Process 2800 can be started when the article stack is placed on the automatic stack feeder 100. Process 2800 proceeds to block 2802, where the individualization of the article stack begins. Individualization as described herein uses vacuum force to attract and hold the article to the perforated drive belt 144, which transports a single article along the sorting section 180. To do. During personalization, both the belt 120 and the lower paddle assembly 150 can move independently or in unison to advance the stack for personalization.

At block 2804, the pressure exerted on the perforated drive belt assembly by the article stack is sensed. As described herein with respect to FIGS. 10A-10B, pressure is perceptible by the spring sensor 1017 and / or sensor 1019 connected to the perforated drive belt assembly 1044. The sensed pressure is transmitted to the controller 1200. In the determination block 2806, it is determined whether the sensed pressure is within a certain range, or above or below the designated threshold. If the pressure is within a specified range and / or threshold, this can indicate that the stack is properly aligned and does not require adjustment. If, in decision state 2806, it is determined that the perceived pressure is out of the specified range, or above or below a given threshold, this is a problem with the stack, its location, or the individualization process. May be shown.

If the answer to decision block 2806 is no, process 2800 proceeds to block 2810, where controller 2800 positions the lower paddle assembly 150, belt 120, or both to correct the position of the stack. Generates a signal that adjusts the speed. These adjustments may be similar to those described elsewhere herein. If the answer to decision block 2806 is yes, process 2800 proceeds to block 2808, where no adjustment is required and the belts and paddles continue without changing their behavior.

From block 2808, process 2800 proceeds to block 2812, where the photoelectric sensor 1090 senses the angular position of the stack 1060. The angular position is transmitted to the controller 1200. Process 2800 then proceeds to decision block 2814, where it is determined whether the angle of stack 1060 is above or below a specified range or a certain threshold. If the sensed angular position is not within the specified range or threshold, process 2800 proceeds from blocks 2814 to 2810 as shown above.

If the sensed angular position is within a specified threshold, process 2800 proceeds from block 2814 to block 2816, where stack individualization continues unadjusted.

Process 2800 proceeds from either block 2810 or 2816 to determination block 2818, where it is determined whether stack 1060 is fully individualized. This determination can be achieved depending on the weight sensor 1201 that senses the weight of the stack 1060 on the belt 120. Alternatively, the vacuum sensor 1202 can be used to determine if the vacuum airflow is not obstructed by any article to determine that there is no stack 1060. These methods described herein are merely exemplary for detecting whether the stack is fully individualized. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other ways to sense if the stack is fully individualized. For example, sensing whether the stack is completely individualized can be done by an optical sensor, a timing circuit, a counter, or any other desired method.

If stack 1060 is not fully individualized, process 2800 returns from block 2818 to block 2804 and the process is repeated. This loop can be continued until all stacks 1060 have been individualized so that process 2800 can continuously control the rates and positions of the belts and paddles throughout the individualization process. When the stack is fully individualized and there are no more articles left, the process proceeds from block 2818 to block 2820, where the individualization process ends.

Processes 2700 and 2800 do not need to be performed in the specified exact order, and some blocks of processes 2700 and 2800 can be omitted or perform other steps in addition to those described. Those skilled in the art will recognize that they can.

The operation of the sorting unit 180 will be described here. Referring again to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the picking zone synchronizes the various articles with the sorting window as the articles are picked and transported between the picking zones by the synchronization device 1424. Can be achieved. In some embodiments, synchronization can be achieved using only the picking zone, as described further below. For proper synchronization, the front edge of the article must be delivered to contact point 1416 at a line speed within a small timing window into the sorting device. For example, the line speed may be 3.15 m / s and the sorting window may be ± 15 ms. In some embodiments, when the article is delivered to the contact point 1416 in the timing window, the velocity of the article is the rest of the process as the article is transported to and guided into the sorting window of the sorting device. It can remain constant throughout. When the systems are synchronized, the article and the sorting window are connected to each other so that the article is precisely placed in the window. The synchronization of the article and the sorting window can allow precise processing of the article at the desired rate. For example, synchronization can allow processing of articles at a rate of 6 or more articles per second. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other rates can be achieved using the sorter and synchronization process as desired for a particular application.

The flow of the individualized article stack should be adapted to the output rate of the system in order to achieve proper synchronization. Controlling the feed rate of an individualized article stack can be difficult due to the positively stacked composition of the articles. This difficulty is the fact that the feed rate can be determined in the same way as used for individualized articles, using the speed of article flow and the distance between the anterior edges of the article. It is due to. In the case of an individualized article stream, the front edge can be easily identified using a sensor (eg, a photoelectric sensor) due to the gaps between the articles. In the case of an individualized article stack, there are no gaps because the articles are reliably stacked. The amount of stacking of articles determines the distance between the front parts, and when the articles move downstream, this amount of stacking fluctuates from beginning to end.

To overcome this control problem, the sorting unit 1480 may allow the picking point to flow or fluctuate. As used herein, the term picking point can indicate a point at which a positively stacked article stack 1502 transitions from an individualized state to an individualized state. The picking point can be varied by allowing all picking devices 1410 to operate in both individualized and picking (individualized) and synchronous capacities. In some embodiments, only the picking device 1410 and / or using a picking zone in which individualization, picking (individualization), and synchronization are performed without the use of an individualization device or a synchronization device. Synchronization of goods and sorting windows can be achieved.

FIG. 29A shows a top view of a portion of the sorting section 1480 that allows the picking points to flow and allows continuous synchronization of each article with the desired sorting window. In some embodiments, the automatic stack feeder 100 may not include a dedicated individualization device 1440 or a dedicated synchronization device 1424, as shown in FIG. In these embodiments, a picking zone that includes a picking device 1410 and a double prevention device 1422 can be used to individualize, pick, individualize, and synchronize articles during downstream transport. it can. Therefore, when an article is picked and individualized by a picking device, the individualized feed point and the picking point will be changed to the picking device, and thus will flow or fluctuate. In some embodiments, the rate of the solidification device may be delayed as each article is picked and individualized from a picking device downstream of the previous article (eg, bottom transport belt and / or present). The speed of the hole belt may decrease). In some embodiments, the rate of the solidification device can be increased when the article is picked from a picking device upstream of the previous article. As a result, the picking point will flow or fluctuate based on where the previous article was picked. The nominal picking point may be located in a picking device located in the middle of the picking device. Details regarding FIG. 29A will be described in more detail later.

A software program or controller can be used to determine if the picked article can be synchronized to the next available sorting window based on various criteria. Criteria that can be considered are the current position of the article being picked by the picking device, the current speed of the picked article, the position of the sorting window to which the article is synchronized, the speed of the sorting window, the picking device and / or the individual. The possible design acceleration rate of the perforated belt of the computer, the possible design acceleration rate of the synchronous device, the maximum permissible speed of the perforated belt of the picking device and / or the solidifying device, and the maximum permissible rate of the synchronous device. Including, but not limited to, speed. In some embodiments, the speed of the sorting window may be constant. Other constraints include a variety of sorters, such as the length of the perforated belts of the picking and / or solidification device, the number of perforated belts, the length of the synchronizer, and the number of pinch wheels in the synchronizer. The design geometry of the component can be included. Trajectory calculation can be used to ensure thorough synchronization between the article and the sorting device. For example, the following standard linear motion with uniform acceleration / deceleration can be used to determine whether articles can be synchronized, assuming various initial conditions.
Distance = speed x time (Equation 1)
Distance = time x (Vfinal + Vinyl) / 2 (Equation 2)
Time (Vfinal-Vinal) / Acceleration (Equation 3)

Equations 1 to 3 can be extended as follows to develop a velocity or roaming profile for the article based on the initial conditions of the sorting section.
Dw = Vw × Trp (Equation 4)
Dm = [Tap × {(Vfap + Vipa) / 2)] + [Tdp × {(Vfpd + Vidp) / 2}] + [Tc × Vc] + [Tas × {(Vfas + Vias) / 2}] + [Tds × {(Vfds + Vids) ) / 2}] (Equation 5)
Dw + Dm = dP (Equation 6)
Tap = (Vfap-Viap) / ap (Equation 7)
Tdp = (Vfdp + Vidp) / dp (Equation 8)
Tas = (Vfas + Vias) / as (Equation 9)
Tds = (Vfds + Vids) / ds (Equation 10)
During the ceremony
Dw = distance from sorting window to contact point Vw = may be constant in some embodiments, sorting window speed Trp = time to contact point for sorting window and article Dm = article to contact point Distance Tap = Time for the article to accelerate in the picking zone Tdp = Time for the article to decelerate in the picking zone Tc = Time for the article to travel at a constant speed in the picking zone or synchronous device Tas = Time for the article to accelerate in the synchronous device Tds = Time for the article to decelerate with the synchronous device Trp = Time for the article to reach the contact point (Trp = Tap + Tdp + Tc + Tas + Tds)
Vfap = Final speed after acceleration movement in picking zone Viap = Initial speed before acceleration movement in picking zone Vfdp = Final speed after deceleration movement in picking zone Vipd = Initial speed before deceleration movement in picking zone Vc = Picking zone or synchronization Constant speed of the article in any of the devices Vfas = Final speed after acceleration movement in the synchronous device Vias = Initial speed before acceleration movement in the synchronous device Vfds = Final speed after deceleration movement in the synchronous device Vids = Before deceleration movement in the synchronous device Initial speed dP = Distance between article and sorting window ap = Acceleration rate in picking zone as = Acceleration rate in synchronous device dp = Deceleration rate in picking zone ds = Deceleration rate in synchronous device

The above equation can be solved, for example, using a controller or processor to determine if the goods can be assigned to the sorting window, that is, if the goods can be synchronized to the sorting window based on initial conditions. it can. Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations. If the initial conditions do not allow the article to be synchronized with the currently available sorting window, the article may wait for the next available window, or the article may be too close to the end of the sorting section. In some cases it may be rejected. If it is determined that the article is in sync with the sorting window, the velocity profile is determined. The above set of extended equations (Equations 4-10) can be solved to determine the velocity profile required for the articles to be synchronized based on the initial conditions. The traveling time for the sorting window and the article to reach the contact point is the traveling time starting from the initial condition. The mileage of the sorting window and the article will fluctuate based on the initial conditions.

The system can adjust the velocity profile of each article by scanning the control logic respectively as the conditions change. For example, an extended set of equations (Equations 4-10) can be used to adjust the velocity profile of an article as it travels downstream based on sensor feedback. The sensor can include an edge detection sensor such as a photoelectric or phototube sensor or a proximity sensor. Since the motivation of the article is not positive, the article may slide as it moves towards the exit of the sorting section. Since the sensor can be positioned along the article path, the front edge position of each article can be determined and / or determined. This position feedback ensures a high degree of synchronization accuracy between the article and the sorting window. Therefore, synchronization can be based on article position feedback from sensors located along the article flow path, which can sense the position of the article as it is transported downstream by the picking zone and synchronization device. .. Thus, the velocity profile of the article can be adjusted based on the position of the article through the picking zone and the synchronization device (if any).

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of Method 3000 for determining speed or roaming profile. At block 3002, the next controller scan is started. In each scan of the control logic, the method continues to block 3004 and solves Equation 4 of Trp to obtain Equation Trp = Dw / Vw. As noted above, Trp is the time the article reaches the contact point, Dw is the distance from the next sorting window to the contact point, and Vw is constant, at the speed of the next sorting window. is there. Dw and Vw are known and are used to calculate Trp.

In block 306, Equation 5 can be solved for Vfap, Vfpd, Vc, Vfas, Vfds, Tap, Tdp, Tc, Tas, and Tds. Equation 5 defines the velocity or motion profile of the article at any given point. Equation 5 can be solved for these variables using Equations 6-10. Dm is the distance from the article to the point of contact and is known, for example, based on one or more sensors located close to the picking zone along the article flow path. The acceleration rate (ap) in a given picking zone, the distance between the article and the next sorting window (dp), the acceleration rate (as) in the synchronous device, and the deceleration rate (ds) in the synchronous device are all known. And all are constants. Trp is known from block 3004. Further, Trp = Tap + Tdp + Tc + Tas + Tds is known. Tap is the time for the article to accelerate in the picking zone, Tdp is the time for the article to decelerate in the picking zone, and Tc is the time for the article to travel at a constant rate in either the picking zone or the synchronizer. Tas is the time the article accelerates in the synchronous device, and Tds is the time the article decelerates in the synchronous device. The initial velocity conditions Viap, Vipd, Vias and Vids are also known. Viap is the initial velocity before being accelerated in the picking zone, Vipd is the initial velocity before being decelerated in the picking zone, Vids is the initial velocity before being decelerated in the synchronous device, and Vias is. , The initial speed before acceleration in the synchronous device.

In block 3008, Equation 5 can be used to determine and / or adjust the velocity or motion profile of the article at any given point using these known constants and variables. In particular, using Equation 5, the final velocity of the article after being accelerated in the picking zone (Vfap), the final velocity of the article after being decelerated in the picking zone (Vfdp), in either the picking zone or the synchronizer. Constant velocity of the article (Vc), final velocity of the article after being accelerated in the synchronous device (Vfas), final velocity of the article after being decelerated in the synchronous device (Vfds), time for the article to accelerate in the picking zone (Tap) ), The time the article decelerates in the picking zone (Tdp), the time the article travels at a constant rate in either the picking zone or the synchronous device (Tc), the time the article accelerates in the synchronous device (Tas), and , The velocity or motion profile of the article can be determined and / or adjusted by solving the time (Tds) at which the article decelerates in the synchronous device.

From block 3008, process 3000 returns to block 3002 when the next controller scan begins. For example, the method can adjust the velocity or roaming profile of each article by performing each scan of the control logic as conditions change, thus locating the article through a picking zone or synchronization device (if any). The velocity profile of the article can be adjusted based on.

Returning to FIG. 29A, the sorting unit 1480 allows for flow or variable picking points and also allows continuous synchronization of each article with the desired sorting window based on feedback from sensors 2912, 2914 and 2920. To. Sensors can include proximity sensors such as photoelectric sensors, phototube sensors, infrared sensors, and optical sensors or edge detection sensors. Sorting unit 1480 includes a belt carrying stack 1502 moving in the direction of arrow 1426. The stack 1502 is at a distance of 2908 from the article guide. The sorting unit 1480 includes a plurality of picking devices 1410 including picking devices S1 to S5. Each of the picking devices S1 to S5 includes a perforated belt 606 and a vacuum system 2916 including the vacuum systems V1 to V5. Each of the vacuum systems V1 to V5 includes a vacuum unit, a vacuum manifold 1908, and a vacuum valve 1916, as shown in FIG. 19A. Each of the picking devices can further include a vacuum unit and a vacuum valve, as described above. For example, sensors 2912, 2914 and 2920 can be used to provide feedback. For example, sensor 2912 can be used to detect the front edge of stack 1502. The remaining sensors 2914 and 2920 can be used to continuously indicate the position of the stack 1502 and / or the position of the individualized article picked by one of the picking devices S1-S5.

In some embodiments, the picking devices S1-S5 are capable of parallel individualization, individualization, and / or synchronization, and one or more located opposite one or more picking devices. Allows double protection using the double protection device 1422. In some embodiments, the sorting unit 1480 can include both a dedicated individualization device and a dedicated synchronization device to support the same individualization and synchronization as shown in FIG.

In some embodiments, virtual windows can be used to synchronize each item with the sorting window. FIG. 29B shows an example of a sorting unit 1480 that operates using a virtual window. The sorting unit 1480 includes picking zones P1 to P5, sensors 2904, and virtual windows 2902 and 2906. Each of the sensors 2904 can correspond to any of the sensors 2914, 2920 and 2912 of FIG. 29A. Each of the picking zones P1 to P5 can include a vacuum system 2916 including V1 to V5. Each of the vacuum systems V1 to V5 can include a vacuum unit, a vacuum manifold 1908, and a vacuum valve 1916, as shown in FIG. 19B. Each of the vacuum zones P1 to P5 also includes a picking device as described above with respect to FIGS. 19B and / or 29A. One or more of the picking zones P1 to P5 may include a double prevention device on the opposite side of the picking device. As mentioned above with respect to FIGS. 20A-20B, some combinations of double prevention devices can have a low level of constant vacuum to facilitate the solidification of the article. For example, the picking devices S1 and S2 of FIG. 29A can have a low level constant vacuum power supply for the individualization of the article. When the edge detection sensor 1910 and the presence sensor 1912 detect two or more articles (for example, when an undesired article adheres to the desired article after picking and individualization), one of the picking devices S3 to S5 is used. The associated double protection device can be turned on to full vacuum to separate any article from the desired article to be individualized by the picking zone.

Each of the picking devices further includes a perforated belt 1906 (not shown in FIG. 29B). Each of the perforated belts 1906 can be driven using a dedicated motor and / or gearbox (not shown). For example, servomotors such as the KollMorgen C042B high torque, low speed, bearingless, direct drive cartridge motor, or the KollMorgen C041B motor can be used. FIG. 29C shows an example of a pulley system for driving the perforated belt 1906 of the picking device 1410. Each belt 1906 of the picking device to coordinate the movement of the articles group using a drive pulley 2922, a tensioner pulley 2924, and two front idler pulleys 926 under the control of a controller or processor (not shown). Can be driven. Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations.

In some embodiments, a flat belt can be used as the perforated belt 1906. Perforated belt 1906 does not include any tracking or teeth along the center of the belt. In some embodiments, the perforated timing belt can be used as the perforated belt 1906. The perforated timing belt is easy to pull, does not slide on the drive pulley 2922, has a built-in tracking function, and does not require a take-up pulley. FIG. 29D shows an example of a perforated timing belt 2928. The built-in tracking function 2930 along the center of the timing belt can eliminate the need for a crown pulley that can reduce the cost of the system. The built-in tracking function 2930 may include timing teeth to allow the use of flat metal drive pulleys rather than lagging pulleys. In some embodiments, flat ribs can be used on the timing belt 2928 instead of timing teeth, which can provide better tracking functionality at the expense of the pulley grip. Most of the tension in the timing belt 2928 is transmitted through the timed central built-in tracking function 2930. Therefore, the rest of the timing belt 2928 may contain larger holes because this portion of the perforated timing belt 2928 is not initially used to move the belt.

With reference to FIG. 29B, each of the virtual windows 2902 and 2906 positions on the sorting unit 1480 where the front edge of the article should be located in order to place the article (eg, article 2910) in the corresponding sorting window. Including. A controller or processor can be programmed using Equations 1-10 above to cause the sorting unit 1480 to align the front edge of each article with a virtual window that is not currently reserved in advance. Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations. The picking process can start from a standstill in any given picking zone and stay in sync with the virtual window 2902 and / or 2906. The system provides continuous synchronization with the virtual windows 2902 and / or 2906 to allow efficient and continuous delivery of goods. For example, each picking zone P1 to P5 can monitor the next unpreserved virtual window position associated with its own position along the article picking route. The picking zones P1 to P5 can be configured to coordinate movements synchronized with each other in order to translate the articles so that the front edge of each article is one of the virtual windows 2902 and / or 2906. It is accurate by. The speed profile described above can be used to adjust the synchronized movement of the picking zone components. The sensor 2904 along the article travel path can provide feedback on the exact position of the front edge of each article at a given point in time. The front edge feedback position can be compared to the position where the article must be associated with the corresponding virtual window 2902 or 2906. This data can be used to modify the current velocity profile of the article to reposition and resynchronize the article with the virtual window.

FIG. 31 shows an example of a sorting section 1480 that can be used to properly synchronize each of the articles with the sorting window using the virtual window. The sorting unit 1480 includes a picking zone operation 3104 for controlling the picking zone 3108 including the picking zones 1 to 5. The picking zone operation 3104 includes vacuum control, correction control, overlap detection, and error monitoring. Sorting unit 1480 further includes virtual window detection and virtual axis manager 3106. The picking zone operation 3104 and the virtual window detection and virtual axis manager 3106 can be implemented using a controller or processor (not shown). Controllers or processors are general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, dedicated hardware. It can be implemented by a ware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations. For example, one or more software or computer programs can be developed to have the controller or processor implement the picking zone operation 3104 and the virtual window detection and virtual axis manager 3106.

FIG. 32A shows an example of controlling the virtual axis by using the virtual window detection and the virtual axis manager 3106. The master virtual axis 3202 may be a reference point on which the virtual windows 3204-3208 are based. For example, the virtual window (VW) pulses 1-3 for each of the virtual windows 3204-3208 use the master virtual axis 3202 as a reference point at fixed intervals of line velocity rate (eg 3.15 m / s). It can be generated. Based on the master virtual axis 3202, all components of the sorting section described above can be controlled to synchronize each article with the sorting window by aligning the front edge of each article with the corresponding virtual window. is there.

FIG. 32B shows an example in which the picking zone operation 3204 is used to synchronize the first article 3210 with the sorting window. When the process of picking one or more articles from stack 1502 begins, the sorting unit 1480 is initiated and the first article 3210 is ready to be picked. When the system is started, the virtual axis is error-free, moving at a line speed rate (eg 3.15 m / s) and the virtual window is detected. Downstream picking zones, vacuum systems 2916 (eg, vacuum units, vacuum manifolds, and vacuum valves), belts, and (if any) synchronizers (s) are okay and ready to go live. There is.

After the picking process has begun, picking and individualization of each article is done on a zone-available basis so that the most downstream picking zone available for picking the article is selected. The next available virtual window is assigned to the farthest upstream article to be picked, thereby aligning the front edge of the article with the virtual window. The position of each of the articles is known based on feedback from the sensor. One or more of the picking zones collaborate in the synchronization process. Although each of the picking zones operates independently of each other, it may be a motor command simultaneously inherited by the picking zone operation 3104 to achieve synchronization between the picking zones. The picking zone operation 3104 commands one or more of the picking zones to turn on and control the speed at which each of the picking zones operates in order to align the front edge of the article 3210 with the virtual window 3204. For example, the picking zone operation 3204 can instruct the picking zone to operate in a specific gear ratio between each of the master axis and the slave axis forward from the synchronization point. The gear ratio can accelerate and decelerate the perforated belt of each picking device so that the article 3210 speeds up and slows down as it crosses the picking zone. FIG. 32C shows an example in which the operation of the picking zone is adjusted by the master axis and the slave axis in order to control the picking of the article 3210. The master sync position 3212, master start distance 3214, slave start distance 3216, and acceleration and speed limits command the slave axis for each particular picking zone according to the final gear ratio determined for the picking zone. It defines how to move at master speed. The picking zone operates by detecting the front edge of the next picked article based on the sensor located in each picking zone. The available picking zones available to join the synchronization are determined along with the start distance and synchronization position parameters. Once the available picking zones and parameters have been determined, the picking zone operation 3104 commands the available picking zones to translate the picked article 3210 in synchronization with the assigned virtual window. The virtual window 3204 and / or article 3210 passing through the picking zone can disengage and stop the gear and turn off the vacuum system 2916 when there is no hindrance through the picking zone. When a picking zone is selected for picking and synchronizing an article with its virtual window, the picking zone prepares for the next virtual window.

The vacuum system 2916 for each picking zone may be variably controlled by the picking zone operation 3104 according to the position of the article sensed by various sensors in each picking zone.

FIG. 33A shows the picking zone 3304 and the sensor 3306. Sensor 3306 can include proximity sensors or edge detection sensors such as photoelectric sensors, phototube sensors, infrared sensors, and optical sensors, as described elsewhere herein. Each of the sensors 3306 can correspond to any of the sensors 2914, 2920 and 2912 of FIG. 29A and / or the sensor 2904 of FIG. 29b. As shown in FIG. 33A, four sensors are provided for each picking zone. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that sensors can be included to some extent if desired. The vacuum system 2916 operates to hold the article against the perforated drive belt during synchronization as the picked article is transferred downstream along the sorting section. A third downstream sensor in each picking zone operates to initiate a vacuum state in each zone. As a result, the picking zone cannot turn on control of the article until the third sensor in the picking zone is blocked by the article. For example, the picking zone can be activated when the front edge of the article blocks the third downstream sensor of the picking zone. The picking zone cannot relinquish control of the article until the fourth downstream sensor of the next picking zone is blocked. The vacuum valve output and the travel path sensor input can be controlled and monitored via high speed inputs / outputs.

FIG. 33B shows an exemplary process of variably controlling the vacuum system 2916 in the picking zone based on sensor feedback to move the article 3308 downstream along the sorting section 1480. As noted above, each of the vacuum systems 2916 can include a vacuum unit, a vacuum manifold, and a vacuum valve. At time 1 (T1), article 3308 crosses and blocks sensor 3, which is the third downstream sensor of picking zone 1. Therefore, the sensor 3 operates so as to start the vacuum state of the picking zone 1. Since the picking zone 1 is the first picking zone, the system waits for the next approaching virtual window and gives the picking zone 1 a response notification time cycle to develop a vacuum state. During the response notification time cycle, the vacuum state of picking zone 1 is valid and develops to sufficient vacuum strength. When developed to sufficient vacuum strength, picking zone 1 controls article 3308. Each picking zone can include a picking device and can also include a double prevention device. As mentioned above with respect to FIG. 19B, the picking device can include a perforated belt, a perforated belt drive pulley, and a vacuum system. As article 3308 moves towards the perforated belt, the vacuum valve is opened to develop sufficient vacuum strength, exposing the vacuum manifold to vacuum forces. Vacuum force is used to pull the article 3308 out of the article stack through one or more openings in the perforated belt (if not yet individualized) and effectively connect the article 3308 to the perforated belt. Article 3308 is held against the surface of the perforated belt by a vacuum force applied to the article through one or more holes in the perforated belt and is accelerated forward by a certain amount of acceleration. In some embodiments, the picking zone operation 3104 can instruct the picking zone 1 to slow down to synchronize the article 3308 with the virtual window.

At time 2 (T2), article 3308 crosses sensor 7, which is the third downstream sensor of picking zone 2. At this point, the vacuum system in picking zone 2 is started. However, picking zone 1 still controls article 3308. Therefore, the vacuum state of the picking zone 2 is started before the picking zone 2 controls the article 3308 from the picking zone 1. The time cycle from the time when the picking zone 1 controls the article 3308 to the time when the picking zone 1 gives up control over the picking zone 2 is a picking zone for developing a sufficient vacuum strength to drive the article 3308 downstream. Give time to the vacuum state of 2.

As noted above, picking zone 1 cannot relinquish control of article 3308 until the fourth downstream sensor of the next picking zone (picking zone 2) is blocked. At time 3 (T3), article 3308 crosses sensor 8, which is the fourth downstream sensor of picking zone 2. When the sensor 8 is blocked, the picking zone 1 can give up control of the article 3308 with respect to the picking zone 2. At this point, the vacuum state of picking zone 1 is turned off. In some embodiments, the remaining components of picking zone 1 can be turned off, including the perforated belt and the pulleys and gears that drive the double prevention device (if present in picking zone 1). In T3, since the vacuum state of the picking zone 2 is sufficiently strong, the picking zone 2 is responsible for sufficiently controlling and driving the article 3308 downstream.

At time 4 (T4), article 3308 blocks across sensor 11. Since the sensor 11 is the third downstream sensor of the picking zone 3, the vacuum state of the picking zone 3 is started so as to give a sufficient time to the vacuum state, and a sufficient vacuum force is developed to control the article 3308. Let me. The picking zone 2 still controls the article 3308 sufficiently, and the picking zone 3 cannot take over the control until the fourth downstream sensor of the picking zone 3 is blocked.

At time 5 (T5), the article 3308 crosses the sensor 12 thereby causing the picking zone 2 to give up control of the article 3308 over the picking zone 3. At this point, the vacuum state of the picking zone 2 is turned off. The remaining components of picking zone 2 can also be turned off, including the perforated belt and the pulleys and gears that drive the double prevention device (if present in picking zone 2). At T5, the vacuum state of the picking zone 3 is strong enough to allow the picking zone 3 to have full control over the article 3308. At this point, the picking zone 3 is responsible for driving the article 3308 downstream to the next picking zone.

The process of variably controlling the vacuum system in the picking zone continues until article 3308 reaches the most downstream picking zone. For example, if there are five picking zones, the process continues through the picking zones 5 until the article 3308 transitions to either the sorting window or the synchronizer pinch wheel (if present in the sorting section).

The picking zone operation 3104 further performs correction control in order to ensure that the article is synchronized with the virtual window. The movement of the picking zone perforated belt 1906 using the motor and gear ratio is precisely controllable using the virtual window detection and virtual axis manager 3106, so the belt 1906 remains in sync with the virtual window. However, the position of the article on the perforated belt 1906 cannot be guaranteed due to various effects of the article moving along the belt 1906, such as sliding of the article, gusts of air, and collapse.

FIG. 34 shows an example of using the picking zone operation 3104 for correction control. The sensor 3306 can be used to detect the position of the article 3404 as the article 3404 is synchronized through the sorting section 1480. The sensor 3306 can include proximity sensors or edge detection sensors such as photoelectric sensors, phototube sensors, infrared sensors, and optical sensors. When the position of the article 3404 is detected by one or more of the sensors 3306, it can be compared with the corresponding virtual window position when each sensor is activated to determine an absolute error in the position of the article 3404. This error value can be sent to the picking zone controller or processor (not shown) so that the picking zone operation 3104 can position and retrack the article 3404, whereby the article 3404 is resynchronized with the corresponding virtual window. Will be done. For example, the picking zone operation 3104 can instruct one or more picking zones to accelerate or decelerate the article 3404, as described above to resynchronize the article 3404 and the virtual window accordingly. In addition, the vacuum state can be controlled. Picking zone controllers or processors are general purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, It can be implemented by a dedicated hardware finite state machine, or any combination of any other suitable entity capable of computing information or performing other operations.

The absolute error is updated by the picking zone operation 3104 in each cycle of the activated sensor and can be stored in a specific value. Each of the picking zones participating in the synchronization motion to synchronize the article 3404 with the virtual window can receive an equivalence that stores an absolute error. The added picking zone can use that value to offset the article 3404 back to match and synchronize with the virtual window. In some embodiments, the maximum error limit can be determined based on the position of article 3404 and the corresponding error with respect to the virtual window. If an absolute error, such as that detected by the sensor 3306, indicates that this maximum error limit has been exceeded, the picking zone operation 3104 determines that the article 3404 needs to be abandoned on the current virtual window. And the article 3404 can be assigned to the next available window.

By performing the correction control, the sorting unit 1480 can perform real-time error compensation at high speed by using the feedback from the sensor 3306, thereby compensating for the positive shift and the negative shift of the article 3404.

In some embodiments, the sensor 3306 can be used to aid in double prevention. For example, the sensor 3306 may detect whether the article appears to be elongated, or whether the article attached to the desired article appears to turn into two articles during travel. it can. A double protection device can be used to separate the attached article and assign it to the next available virtual window.

In some embodiments, roaming profiles can be generated to reduce acceleration damage to the article as it is moved along the sort section described above. In some embodiments, the roaming profile may be the same as the velocity profile described above and may be calculated using equations 1-10 described above and / or according to FIG. For example, if an article is accelerated and / or decelerated along an individualizing device and / or a picking device, the article may be damaged. Mail with a cover that is less structurally complete, for example, a mail with thin glossy staples that join the covers, may break more easily. As another example, open mail may be more easily damaged than mail in an envelope. As used herein, open mail refers to articles that are joined along only one edge and open along the other three edges (eg, periodicals, magazines, etc.). As mentioned above, the article is accelerated from the article stack to the speed required to synchronize with the sorting window (eg, using a virtual window). As the processing rate and length of goods increase, design acceleration and deceleration need to be increased. The perforated belt of the picking device translates the article by accelerating and decelerating the article from one side of the article, and a high acceleration or deceleration rate may produce a high inertial force. These inertial forces are proportional to the acceleration and deceleration rates. As the article is accelerated or decelerated, the inertial force generated in the body of the article resists changes in velocity. This resistance exerts shear and torque on the sides translated by the picking device, which can damage the article.

Roaming profiles can be designed to allow the sorting unit to operate at the lowest possible constant acceleration and deceleration rates so that the system can match the entire desired design rate to the longest article. To reduce the effective acceleration and / or deceleration experienced when an article is picked and individualized, the moving profile stops the perforated belt for each picking and opens the vacuum valve to vacuum. The picked article can be accelerated at the lowest possible acceleration rate while waiting for the condition to develop and assuming that the longest possible article is being picked. By gradually increasing the speed of the perforated belt in a controlled manner, the article is accelerated at the lowest possible acceleration rate. If the vacuum state does not develop quickly enough, the vacuum state will not be pressurized when the belt is accelerated, as effective acceleration may be greater than the rate performed by the motor of the perforated belt. Rather, the acceleration does not increase until the vacuum state develops. After the valve is pressurized, the system can sense the vacuum level in the manifold. Feedback on the vacuum level can be generated using a spool sensor and / or a valve with a vacuum gauge. Once the vacuum state is established, the motor can perform roaming profiles. The longest design article and design processing rate determine the lowest acceleration, which determines the rate at which the article is individualized from the article stack. If a dedicated synchronous device is present, the article can be more aggressively accelerated in the synchronous device because it is stabilized by pushing and driving the article together on both sides with a pinch wheel. Therefore, in some embodiments, roaming profiles may only be used by solidifying and picking devices.

By using roaming profiles, there may be less damage to the article. Roaming profiles can also allow the vacuum system to be used more efficiently, allowing for more precise article movement along the sorting section. A more precise movement of the article along the system may help in synchronizing the article with the sorting window.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the process 1400 for managing articles in the sorting unit 1480. Process 3500 can be started when the stack 1502 is placed on the belt 1420. Process 3500 proceeds to block 3502, stack 1502 is received by solidification device 1440, and a positively stacked article stack 1604 is generated. Stack 1502 is individualized to provide a positively stacked article stack 1604. The article stack can be individualized using any of the embodiments of the individualization device 108 described above. As used herein, the term shingulate or shingulation can indicate the process of pushing stack 1502 to produce a positively stacked article stack 1604. .. At block 3504, one or more picking devices 1410 are used to pick one or more articles from the positively stacked article stack 1502, resulting in one or more individualized articles. Articles can be picked and personalized from stack 1502 using any of the personalization devices disclosed herein. Personalization, as used herein, uses vacuum force to pull and hold the article to the perforated belt, which transports a single article downstream along the article feeder. .. At block 3506, one or more synchronization devices 1424 are used to deliver one or more individualized articles to one or more sorting windows. The synchronization device 1424 described above can be used to deliver the individualized article to the sorting window.

In some embodiments, providing a positively stacked article stack 1604 uses the bottom transport belt 1704 and the perforated belt 1706 of the solidifying device 1440 to move the stack 1502 towards the shearing device 1708. This includes applying a shearing force to the article stack using a shearing device 1708. The bottom transport belt 1704 has a transport surface that extends in the first direction, and the perforated belt 1706 has a surface that extends in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The first direction may be substantially horizontal and the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom transport belt. For example, the perforated belt 1706 may be perpendicular to the substantially horizontal direction of the bottom transport belt 1704. The perforated belt 1706 is adjacent to the bottom transport belt 1704 and can be configured to move downstream towards the shearing device 1708 using one or more belt drive 1710s.

In some embodiments, the process 3500 further comprises using a vacuum system to apply suction through one or more openings in the perforated belt 1706. For example, one or more articles can be held on the surface of the perforated belt 1706 by a vacuum force applied to the articles through one or more openings in the perforated belt 1706. The stack 1502 is held against the perforated belt and rests on the bottom transport belt and can move downstream towards the shearing device 1708.

In some embodiments, picking one or more articles from the positively stacked article stack 1604 opens the vacuum valve 1916 of the first picking device 1410 and the vacuum manifold of the first picking device 1410. Exposing the 1908 to suction from the vacuum unit and sucking from the vacuum manifold 1908 to one of one or more articles through one or more openings in the perforated belt 1906 of the first picking device 1410. Includes applying and attaching the article to the perforated belt 1906 using suction through one or more openings. In some embodiments, producing one or more individualized articles can positively stack the articles by driving the perforated belt 1906 forward with the attached articles using a motor. Includes separation from the article stack 1604. In some embodiments, the individualized articles are picked and produced by the most downstream picking device in a row of picking devices that is substantially completely covered by a positively stacked article stack.

In some embodiments, process 3500 uses a double prevention device 1422 located in the corresponding picking zone to prevent two or more articles from being picked at once from the positively stacked article stack 1502. Including what to do. Each corresponding picking zone includes a corresponding picking device 1410 and a double prevention device 1422. The double prevention device 112 as described above can be used to prevent two or more articles from being picked at once, eg, using the process described above with respect to FIG. 20B. For example, process 3500 uses the presence sensor 1912 of the double prevention device to detect the first article and the edge detection sensor 1910 of the double prevention device to detect the edge of the second article. That is, the edge detection sensor 1910 is positioned upstream of the presence sensor 1912, during the detection and time when the edge detection sensor 1910 detects the edge of the second article, the presence sensor 1912 is the first article. The detection can further include applying suction to the second article using the vacuum unit of the double prevention device 1422.

In some embodiments, process 3500 synchronizes the first point in time when each of the one or more individualized articles reaches the exit point with the second point in time when the sorting window reaches the exit point. Further includes controlling the movement of each of the articles. The exit point corresponds to the contact point 1416 described above. For example, the virtual window described above can be used to synchronize the article with the sorting window. In some embodiments, the synchronization between the first and second time points is the position of the first article picked by the first picking device, the speed of the first article, the position of the sorting window, the speed of the sorting window. , The acceleration rate of each of the plurality of perforated belts included in each of the plurality of picking devices, the acceleration rate of one or more synchronous devices, the maximum allowable of each of the plurality of perforated belts included in each of the plurality of picking devices. Speed, maximum permissible speed of perforated belts included in the solidifying device, maximum permissible speed of one or more synchronous devices, each length of multiple perforated belts included in each of the multiple picking devices, individualizing device It is based on one or more of the length of the perforated belts, the number of perforated belts, the length of one or more synchronous devices, and the number of one or more synchronous devices included in the above.

In some embodiments, process 3500 individualization, picking and individualization, and synchronization are only for picking zones that include picking device 1410, double prevention device 1422, edge detection sensor 1911, and / or presence sensor 1912. Is achievable using. For example, as described above, the sorter transitions the article stack from an individualized state to an individualized state and uses a variably controlled picking zone to move or fluctuate picking points. Can be made possible.

Many other general purpose or special purpose computing system environment or configuration technologies are operational. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and / or configurations that may be suitable for use according to the present invention are personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable homes. It includes, but is not limited to, electrical appliances, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments including any of the above systems or devices.

As used herein, instructions indicate computer implementation steps for processing information in a system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware and include any type of programmed step performed by a component of the system.

The microprocessor can be any Pentium® processor, Pentium® Proprocessor, 8051 processor, MIPS® processor, Power PC® processor, or Alpha® processor. It may be a conventional general purpose single or multi-chip microprocessor. Further, the microprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor. A microprocessor typically has a conventional address line, a conventional data line, and one or more conventional control lines.

You can use systems connected to various operating systems such as Linux®, Unix®, or Microsoft Windows®.

System control can be written in any conventional programming language such as C, C ++, Basic, Pascal, or Java and can be operated under a conventional operating system. C, C ++, Basic, Pascal, Java®, and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages that allow you to write executable code using many commercial compilers. You can also write system controls using an interpreted language such as Perl, Python, or Ruby.

The various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are stored in electronic hardware, computer readable media, and can be executed by a processor. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that they can be implemented as software, or a combination of both. To articulate this compatibility of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described above with respect to their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the design constraints imposed on the particular application and the entire system. One of ordinary skill in the art can implement the functionality described in various ways for each particular application, but decisions by such embodiments shall be construed as causing deviations from the scope of the invention. Should not be done.

The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein include general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and so on. In a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, individual gate or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. It can be implemented or executed. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but instead, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Processors are also implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of DSP and microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Can be done.

When implemented in software, a function may be stored or transmitted on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. The steps of the method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented in a processor executable software module that may be on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and computer communication media, including any medium that can allow the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible by the computer. By way of example, but not by limitation, such computer-readable media are RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any desired form of instruction or data structure. It can include any other medium used to store the program code and accessible by a computer. Moreover, any connection can be properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. Discs and discs as used herein include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy discs, and Blu-ray discs. (Disc) usually reproduces the data magnetically, and the disc (disk) optically reproduces the data with a laser. The above combinations should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Further, the operation of the method or algorithm may be one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on machine-readable and computer-readable media, which can be incorporated into computer program products.

Although the above description details the systems, devices, and certain embodiments disclosed herein, in many ways, no matter how detailed the description is in the text, the system. , Devices, and methods can be practiced. Also, as mentioned above, the use of certain terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention includes any particular property of the technical features or aspects to which the terminology is associated. It should be noted that, as limited, it should not be taken as suggesting that it has been redefined herein.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the techniques described. Such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the embodiment. In addition, a part included in one embodiment is compatible with other embodiments, and a part or a plurality of parts of the illustrated embodiment can be included in other illustrated embodiments in any combination. , Will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, any of the various components described herein and / or shown in the figure may be combined with, compatible with, or excluded from other embodiments.

For the use of virtually any plural and / or singular term herein, those skilled in the art may from plural to singular and / or singular as appropriate to the situation and / or use. It can be converted from form to plural. The various singular / plural replacements can be clearly described herein for clarity.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in general, the terms used herein are generally intended as "open" terms (eg, the term "contains" is "contains". It should be interpreted as "but not limited to", the term "have" should be interpreted as "at least have", and the term "include" should be interpreted as "include but not limited to". Should be, etc.). If a specific number is intended to be stated in the claims to be introduced, such intent will be explicitly stated in the claim, and if there is no such statement, such intent Will be further understood by those skilled in the art that does not exist. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may include introducing the claims statement using the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more". However, the use of such phrases is such even if the same claims include the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an". An implementation in which the introduction of a claim statement by the indefinite article "a" or "an" comprises any particular claim comprising the claim statement so introduced, and merely one such statement. It should not be construed as suggesting that it is limited to a form (eg, "a" and / or "an" are typically "at least one" or "one or more". Should be interpreted to mean). The same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claims. Also, even if a specific number is explicitly stated in the claims to be introduced, such a statement should typically be construed to mean at least the stated number. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art (eg, a mere description of "two statements" without other modifiers typically means at least two statements, or two or more statements. To do). Moreover, in cases where an idiomatic expression similar to "at least one of A, B, C, etc." is used, such syntax generally means that one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the idiomatic expression. (For example, a "system having at least one of A, B, and C" is intended for A only, B only, C only, both A and B, both A and C, and B and C. Includes, but is not limited to, systems having both and / or both A, B, and C, and the like). In cases where an idiomatic expression similar to "at least one such as A, B, C, etc." is used, such syntax generally means that one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the idiomatic expression. Intended (eg, a "system having at least one of A, B, or C" is A only, B only, C only, both A and B, both A and C, and both B and C. , And / or systems having, but not limited to, both A, B, and C). Virtually any clitic and / or phrase that presents two or more alternative terms, anywhere in the specification, claims, or drawings, one of the terms, the term. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that it should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including either or both terms. For example, it will be understood that the phrase "A or B" includes the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. To the extent that the publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosures contained herein, the specification supersedes and / or supersedes any such inconsistencies. Is intended to be.

As used herein, the term "comprising" is synonymous with "inclusion," "contains," or "characterized by," and is comprehensive or open-ended. Do not exclude further unexplained elements or method steps.

It should be understood that all numbers representing the components, reaction conditions, and other quantities used in the specification and claims are modified by the term "about" in all cases. Thus, unless the opposite is indicated, the numerical parameters described in the specification and the appended claims may vary depending on the desired properties that the present invention seeks to obtain. At the very least, each numerical parameter should be interpreted in consideration of the number of significant figures and the usual rounding method, not as an attempt to limit the application of the principles equivalent to the claims.

The above description discloses some methods and materials of the present invention. The present invention is not only susceptible to modification in terms of method and substance, but also susceptible to modification in terms of manufacturing method and equipment. Such amendments will become apparent to those skilled in the art by considering this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and the invention is the true scope of the invention embodied in the appended claims. And is intended to include any modifications and alternatives that fall within the scope of the intent.

Claims (7)

A method of managing goods in the goods feeder
A step of receiving the article stack in the individualizing device and generating a positively stacked article stack in which the front edge of each article is located downstream of the adjacent article front edge.
A step of picking one or more articles from a positively stacked article stack using one or more picking devices.
The step of opening the vacuum valve of the first picking device and exposing the vacuum manifold of the first picking device to suction from the vacuum unit,
A step of suctioning one or more articles from a vacuum manifold through one or more openings in a perforated belt of a first picking device,
And the step of attaching the article to the perforated belt through one or more openings using suction.
Picking steps and
A step of producing one or more individualized articles by using a motor to drive the perforated belt forward with the attached articles to separate the articles from the positively stacked article stack.
It is a step to prevent multiple articles from being picked at once from a positively stacked article stack by using a double prevention device arranged in each individual picking zone, and each individual picking zone is an individual. The steps to prevent multiple articles from being picked at once, including picking devices, are :
Steps for detecting the first article using a presence sensor dual prevention device,
A edge detection sensor dual prevention device, steps of detecting the second article of the edge using the edge detecting sensor disposed upstream of the presence sensor,
Existence during the period when the edge detection sensor is detecting the edge of the second article When the sensor detects the first article, a double prevention device to expose the second article to suction from the vacuum unit. including the steps, to open the vacuum valve,
Steps to prevent multiple items from being picked at once,
The one or more personalized articles are delivered to the exit point at an appropriate first time for transferring the one or more personalized articles to the sorting unit using one or more synchronous devices. Steps and
How to include. The step of generating a positively stacked article stack in which the anterior edge of each article is located downstream with respect to the anterior edge of an adjacent article
In the step of moving the article stack toward the shearing device using the bottom transport belt and the perforated belt of the individualizing device, the bottom transport belt has a transport surface extending in the first direction, and the perforated belt is the first. A moving step with a surface extending in a second direction that is different from one direction,
The step of applying shearing force to the article stack using a shearing device,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of applying suction through one or more openings of the perforated belt of the individualizing device using a vacuum system. The most downstream of the picking device of the at least Lupi Kkingu device having a predetermined number of sensors covered Ri by the object product stack, a picking device for picking articles individualized, according to claim 1 Method. Claim 1 further comprises a step of controlling the movement of each article in the article stack so that the first time point at which each of the one or more individualized articles reaches the exit point is synchronized with a predetermined time point. The method described. The synchronization of the first time point and the predetermined time point is the position where the first article is picked by the first picking device, the speed of the first article, and the plurality of perforated belts included in each of the plurality of picking devices. Each acceleration, the acceleration of one or more synchronous devices, the maximum permissible speed of each of the plurality of perforated belts included in each of the plurality of picking devices, the maximum permissible speed of the perforated belts included in the individualizing device, one. Maximum permissible speed of the above synchronous device, length of each of the plurality of perforated belts included in each of the plurality of picking devices, length of the perforated belt included in the individualizing device, number of perforated belts, one. The method of claim 5, which is based on one or more of the length of the above synchronization devices and the number of one or more synchronization devices. An article feeder system that includes a personalization device configured to receive an article stack and generate a positively stacked article stack with the anterior edge of each article located downstream with respect to the anterior edge of an adjacent article. The personalized device is
A plurality of bottom transport belts, each of which has a transport surface extending in a first direction, and a plurality of bottom transport belts.
Shearing device and
A plurality of perforated belts, each of which has a surface extending in a second direction different from the first direction, adjacent to at least one of the plurality of bottom transport belts, and a plurality of perforated belts. At least one of the bottom transport belts and at least one of the plurality of perforated belts are configured to move the article stack towards the shearing device, which is part of the article stack. With multiple perforated belts configured to apply shear and create a positively stacked article stack,
Multiple picking devices configured to pick up one or more articles from a positively stacked article stack to produce one or more individualized articles.
One or more synchronous devices that deliver the one or more individualized articles to the exit point in a suitable first time for transferring the one or more individualized articles to the sorting unit.
The system.

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