NL2011460C2 - A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module. - Google Patents

A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module. Download PDF

Info

Publication number
NL2011460C2
NL2011460C2 NL2011460A NL2011460A NL2011460C2 NL 2011460 C2 NL2011460 C2 NL 2011460C2 NL 2011460 A NL2011460 A NL 2011460A NL 2011460 A NL2011460 A NL 2011460A NL 2011460 C2 NL2011460 C2 NL 2011460C2
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
module
stream
sub
assembly
primary
Prior art date
Application number
NL2011460A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Jozef Gerhardus Henricus Maria Schenning
Original Assignee
Copal Dev B V
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Copal Dev B V filed Critical Copal Dev B V
Priority to NL2011460A priority Critical patent/NL2011460C2/en
Priority to PCT/NL2014/050641 priority patent/WO2015041527A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2011460C2 publication Critical patent/NL2011460C2/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/53—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices between conveyors which cross one another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
    • B65G57/02—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack
    • B65G57/16—Stacking of articles of particular shape
    • B65G57/20—Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical
    • B65G57/22—Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers each of predetermined arrangement
    • B65G57/24—Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers each of predetermined arrangement the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/30—Modular constructions

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A method for processing a stream of items (199) such as boxes into sub-streams using an assembly. According to the invention an assembly is used comprising a plurality of modules (120), and items (199) are moved across the modules (120) at a first level, while containers such as pallets onto which the items (199) are stacked are moved at a second lower level. Thus a flexible way of processing is provided because the number of modules (120) may be varied as desired, and floor space use is commensurate with the number of sub-streams. The invention also relates to an assembly (100) and a module (120) for said assembly (100).

Description

A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module
The present invention relates to a method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams, the method comprising the steps of - supplying the stream of items to an assembly, and - distributing items of the stream of items into a plurality of sub-streams of items .
Methods for processing a stream of items is known in the art, for example at a distribution centre or a production facility. Typical items are for example parcels (boxes) and bags. After distribution into sub-streams, the individual sub-streams of items may be processed further or collected, for example stacked onto pallets. By way of example, it is known in the art (US5392927A) to pass a stream of items on an endless conveyor along a plurality of sub-stream receiving areas. The endless conveyor belt is slanted and there are moveable barrier elements distributed along the lower longitudinal side of the endless conveyor belt. Temporary removal of a barrier element, e.g. by moving it up or down, allows an item to be passed from the endless conveyor onto a particular sub-stream receiving area. A disadvantage of this method is that it is inflexible in that if at some point in time it is intended that distribution into fewer sub-streams is desirable, more space than necessary is occupied by the endless conveyor belt. Or if it is decided that the number of sub-streams needs to be increased, the existing endless conveyor belt may be unsuitable because it is too short.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing items with improved floor space usage flexibility.
To this end, a method according to the preamble is characterized in that the assembly comprises a plurality of modules, said plurality of modules comprising - at least one primary module, said primary module comprising - a first area for transport of an item, and - a receiving area, and - a secondary module, the secondary module comprising a receiving area; wherein the method comprises the steps of - supplying an item from the stream of items to the first area of a primary module, - moving said item from the first area of said primary module to one of i) the receiving area of said primary module forming a sub-stream of the plurality of sub-streams, and ii) either a) a first area of an adjacent primary module, or b) an adjacent secondary module also forming a sub-stream of the plurality of sub-streams.
Thus, the method according to the invention is flexible since the number of primary modules will be chosen and changed in accordance with the number of sub-streams desired. The floor space occupied changes correspondingly. The total number of modules of the plurality is at least two: the primary module and the secondary module, each of them comprising a receiving area for receiving a sub-stream of items. In practice, the items of the sub-stream will be subjected to further handling, such as being put onto pallets. The secondary module is conveniently the same as a primary module in order to avoid the relocation of the secondary module if another primary module is added or removed. The primary modules will in general be capable of moving an item either to an adjacent module (in a first direction) or to their respective receiving area (in a different, usually transverse, second direction). Here by the term "adjacent" it is meant that the modules are in contact with each other or, if there is a gap, the gap is small enough to allow the passage of an item from one module to the adjacent module, very close or even contiguous. The receiving area is preferably capable of transporting (using a further transferring means) the items to form a sub-stream. The items of the stream are in general supplied individually (piece-wise) to the first area of a first primary module of the plurality of modules. For moving the item across the first area, one or more transferring means are used. For example, the first area may comprise i) driven rollers capable of moving said item to a first area of a second primary module adjacent to the first primary module and ii) a pusher organ for pushing the item to the receiving area of said first primary module.
Alternatively, the first area of the primary module may comprise a system of driven rollers and driven belts placed alternately and between the driven rollers, the driven rollers and driven belts capable of being adjusted in height relative to each other to control the direction of transport of said item in the first area. This allows for movement in the first direction or second direction as desired.
According to a favourable embodiment, in the step of moving the item of the stream from the first area of a primary module to either the first area of an adjacent primary module or an adjacent secondary module, said primary modules and secondary module are arranged in such a way that i) the first areas of two adjacent primary modules are adjacent and ii) the receiving areas of either two adjacent primary modules or a primary module and a secondary module are also adjacent.
Thus the space required for processing the items into sub-streams is minimised. It is preferred that the receiving areas also comprise a stop to reduce the risk of the transfer of an item to an adjacent module .
According to a favourable embodiment, the stream comprises at least two types of items, and the step of moving one item of the stream from the first area of a primary module either to the receiving area of said primary module or to the adjacent module is performed dependent on the type of said item.
Thus, the items of the stream are classified, resulting in corresponding sub-streams depending on the types. The type may be the destination, priority, size, weight, etc, of said item. The selection step may be done using a processing unit in communication with i) a senso,r and ii) the transferring means for moving an item across the first areas, said processing unit i) processing data obtained using the sensor, ii) determining the type of said item based on said processed data, and iii) actuating the transferring means for transferring said item to the receiving area or to another module in dependence of the type as determined by the processing unit.
According to a favourable embodiment, the method further comprises a step of stacking items of a sub-stream received in the receiving area.
Thus, the method allows for processing items from a stream to get different sub-streams that are stacked for example onto pallets. This step can be done automatically, e.g. by using a robotic arm or a device comprising a suction cup capable of transferring the items from the receiving area to the pallet, reducing the time of said processing.
According to a favourable embodiment, at least one of the sub-stream of the plurality of sub-stream is transported at a first level and a container is moved from a first location to a second location at a second level below the first level, and the item of said sub-stream is stacked onto said supplied container at said second location .
Thus little space is occupied. The container is, for example, a pallet suitable for packaging and transporting the items of the sub-stream, or a crate or box having an open top. Empty pallets can be supplied at one side of the module relatively close to the first area (first location), and one of said empty pallets is transported to an area relatively close to the receiving area (second location) where the items are loaded onto said pallet. It is preferred that said transportation from the first location to the second location is done automatically. Removal of a loaded pallet from the second location, for example by using a forklift truck, may be detected automatically and an empty pallet is then moved in place at said second location for receiving subsequent items from the sub-stream.
According to a favourable embodiment, the first area of a primary module comprises a moveable stop that blocks the movement of said item to an adjacent module when said item is to be moved to the receiving area of said primary module.
Thus, the risk of transferring the item from a first area of a primary module to an adjacent module when said item is intended to be moved from said first area to the receiving area of the same primary module is reduced. An example of a moveable stop is a moveable wall or abutment that moves along the vertical emerging from the bottom of said first surface when the item is moved to the receiving area of said primary module. The moveable stop of a module may also be in line with a further stop that might be present at the receiving area of said module.
The present invention also relates to an assembly for processing items from a stream of items into sub-streams, wherein the assembly comprises - a plurality of modules comprising - at least one primary module, said primary module comprising - a first area comprising a transferring means for transferring of an item across said first area, and - a receiving area, and - a secondary module, the secondary module comprising a receiving area; - a sensor; and - a processing unit in communication with i) the sensor, and ii) the transferring means for transferring an item, said processing unit being capable of - processing data obtained using the sensor, - determining the type of said item based on said processed data, and - actuating the transferring means for transferring said item to the receiving area or to another module in dependence of the type as determined.
An assembly according to the invention allows for the selection and change of the number of sub-streams. Such an assembly may comprise a conveyor capable of moving the items forming a stream to a first area of a primary module of the plurality of modules. The receiving area of a module is preferably capable of transporting (using a further transferring means) the items forming a sub-stream to a location where, for example, said items are collected and/or stacked onto pallets.
The sensor is capable of detecting a parameter, such as a barcode present on the items or a physical parameter such as a dimension or the item's weight. Such a sensor is known in the art. The assembly allows for processing the stream of items according to a type, such as its destination, priority, size, etc, the items of the same type being moved by the receiving area of one of the modules of the plurality forming a sub-stream.
The primary module allows for the transfer of an item in two, in general transverse, directions. The transferring means may be a combination of a driven roller track (for transport in a first direction) and a pusher organ for pushing an item off the roller track (transport in a second direction different from the first direction).
According to a favourable embodiment, at least one primary module comprises a moveable stop capable of being - in a first position allowing the transfer of an item in a direction, and - in a second position blocking the transfer of said item in said direction .
This improves the reliability of the method when moving an item to the receiving area of said module. The stop is preferably capable of acting as a guide when the item is moved into a second direction that is transverse to said direction. It is preferred that all primary modules comprise such a moveable stop.
According to a favourable embodiment, the assembly comprises a conveyor for supplying a stream of items to be processed into sub-streams .
The conveyor comprises for example a conveyor belt. The conveyor may advantageously comprise a moveable stop as discussed above to improve the timing of the passage of an item from the stream to the first area of a primary module of the plurality of modules.
According to a favourable embodiment, the conveyor comprises a roller track and a guiding rail along the conveyor track, said conveyor track comprising rollers placed at an angle relative to the guiding rail for moving the items of the stream towards said guiding rail.
Thus, the orientation and location of the items, such as boxes, of the stream of items are more defined, facilitating passage to the first area of the first primary module. Advantageously the sensor is downstream of the angled rollers. This arrangement facilitates the detection of said items by the sensor.
According to a favourable embodiment, at least one of the modules of the plurality comprises - a control unit for designating an item on that module to a stacking layer of items, and - a turning organ for giving the item the desired orientation for said stacking layer.
This is for example done by detecting the orientation and if necessary the size of an item, designating the item to a stacking layer, for example based on a pre-determined stacking pattern, and orienting and/or translating the item to put it at a desired location for a group of items to form a stacking layer. The stacking layer may be created on top of a pallet or may be put onto a pallet.
According to a favourable embodiment, at least one module of the plurality of modules is capable of transporting a sub-stream of items at a first level, said module also comprising a second conveyor for transporting at a second level a container from a first location relatively close to its first area to a second location relatively close to its receiving area, the second level being below the first level.
This allows for a more efficient stacking of sub-stream items onto the pallet, in particular in an automated set-up. The module is preferably capable of moving the container, for example a pallet, below the first and receiving areas. The direction of transportation is preferably in a direction parallel to the direction from the first area to the receiving area. The conveyor is for example capable of moving the lowest of a stack of empty pallets form the first location near the first area to the second location near the receiving area.
According to a favourable embodiment, the at least one module of the plurality of modules comprises a lifting system capable of lifting a pile of pallets.
This provides an even more convenient manner of providing pallets at the second location.
According to a favourable embodiment, the secondary module is the same as a primary module.
Thus relocation of the secondary module is avoided if another primary module is added or removed when it is desired to change the number of sub-streams.
Finally, the present invention relates to a module for use in a method for processing a stream of items, wherein the module comprises - a first area comprising a transferring means for transferring of an item across said first area in a first direction and in a second direction, and - a receiving area; wherein the transferring means are capable of transferring the item in the second direction from the first area to the receiving area, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.
Such a module is suitable for use in the method according to the invention. The application also covers the embodiments and preferred embodiments of the modules, in any combination, discussed for the method and the assembly, in particular the moveable stop, the guiding rails, the turning organ and the pallet transporter, which embodiments are not repeated for the sake of brevity only.
The present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the drawing where
Fig. 1 shows a top view of an assembly for processing items according to the invention;
Fig. 2a shows a top view of one of a module comprised in the assembly shown in fig. 1;
Fig. 2b shows a lateral view of the module depicted in fig. 2a; and
Fig. 3 shows the a device for processing items according to the previous state of the art.
Fig. 1 depicts a top view of an assembly 100 for processing an item 199 of a stream of items. Said assembly 100 comprises a conveyor 110 and a plurality of modules 120 (two), in the embodiment shown a primary module 120' and a secondary module 120", although the assembly 100 according to the invention is not limited to only two modules 120.
The conveyor 110 comprises a conveyor track 111 which in turn comprises driven rollers 115 for moving a stream of items in a transport direction A. Part of the rollers (rollers 115a) are at a non-perpendicular angle to a guiding rail 113 parallel with the transport direction A, as a result of which the items of the stream will be pushed against the guiding rail 113 during transport in the general transport direction A. In this way, the items 199 of the stream of items are aligned against the guiding rail 113.
The secondary module 120" is conveniently identical to the primary module 120' for a reason that will be explained later, and both modules are adjacent (contiguous), comprising respectively a first area 121' and 121" and a receiving area 122' and 122". This makes the assembly 100 more flexible than a device according to the state of the art (which will be discussed with reference to fig. 3). The first area 121' and 121" comprise rollers 123 for the transportation of the item 199 in a first direction, here the same direction A of the conveyor track 111. In addition, the assembly 100 comprises pusher organs 150' and 150", each of them for moving items from the first area of a module to the receiving area of the same module in a direction transverse to the first direction. Thus items in the first area 121' may be moved as desired to the receiving area 122' of the same primary module 120', or to the first area 121" of the mutually adjacent secondary module 120". Thus, the assembly 100 allows to process the items 199 of the stream using the plurality of modules 120 into a series of sub-streams.
In the embodiment shown here, the receiving area 122' and 122" comprise respectively rollers 125' and 125" for further transportation of the items delivered in the receiving area 122 in a direction B that is transverse to the transport direction A and a guiding rail 113' and 113" as a guide as explained later.
To improve the reliability of processing the stream of items into desired sub-streams, the assembly 100 comprises moveable stops (e.g. 119 for allowing an item 199 to pass to the first area 121' of the first primary module 120' only at a desired moment, usually when another item 199 has been moved off said first area 121' of the first primary module 120') . Also, each of the first areas 121' and 121" comprises respectively a moveable stop 129' and 129". The moveable stops are capable of being in a first position below the level of the first areas 121 and in a second position protruding above the first areas 121. The moveable stop 129' and 129" help, together with guide rail 113' and 113" to reduce the number of possible orientations of the item 199 of a sub-stream. The moveable stops make it possible to keep the transporting organs such as conveyor track 111 and the rollers 123 going without increasing the risk that an item 199 ends up in the wrong sub-stream.
The moveable stops are under the control of a processing unit 140.
The assembly 100 also comprises a sensor 130 for detecting the type of a particular item 199 of the stream of items that moves in the transport direction A, for example a barcode. Said sensor 130 is in communication with a processing unit 140, and said processing unit 140 is in communication with the pusher organ 150 and 150', and with the moveable stops. The processing unit is capable of determining the type based on data from the sensor 130. According to its type, the detected item 199 is transferred to either the receiving area 122' of the primary module 120' to form a first sub-stream, or to the receiving area 122" of the secondary module 120" to form a second sub-stream. This is done by moving the item 199 from the conveyor track 111 to the first area 121'. If said item 199 is destined for the first sub-stream, it is pushed by the pusher organ 150' to the receiving area 122'. If not, a lowered moveable stop 129" allows it to be moved to the first area 121' of the secondary module 120" and pushed by the pusher organ 150" to the receiving area 122" of the secondary module 120". The moveable stop 129' at the first areas 121' operate in conjunction with the pusher organ 150' in such a way that if an item 199 in a first area is to be pushed by the pusher organ, the stop of said area emerges from the bottom to prevent said item 199 from being accidentally moved in a lateral direction when pushed by the pusher organ and thus, prevented from reaching an adjacent downstream module by mistake. Then, the selected item 199 is transported in the second transport direction B by the pusher organ.
Being the last module, the item 199 that is transferred to the secondary module 120" is moved to the receiving area 122", so there is no need of it comprising a first area 121". Nevertheless, if the secondary module 120" is the same as the primary module 120', a further module 120 can be added to the plurality adjacent to said secondary module 120" that is identical to a primary module 120' to increase the number of sub-streams without having to re-arrange or replace said secondary module 120" that is identical to a primary module 120'.
It should be noted that for the last sub-substream, the stop 129" of the secondary module 120" doesn't have to be moveable or under the control of the processing unit 140.
Fig. 1 also shows that the rollers 115a are up-stream with respect to the sensor 130, Since the item 199 of the stream of items is pushed against the guiding rail 113 by the rollers 115a, the resulting alignment makes it easier to determine a dimension of the item 199 as a parameter with a sensor 130 for processing by the processing unit 140.
Fig. 2a shows a top view of an embodiment of a module 120 suitable for use in the assembly 100 depicted in Fig. 1, which module 120 may be used as a primary module 120' or secondary module 120". The first area 121 comprises rollers 123 alternating with belts 250 as transporting means for transport in two transverse directions. This allows an item 199 on the first area 121 to be transported as desired for said item 199 either in a first direction using driven rollers 123 or in a further direction B transverse to said first direction A using driven belts 250. To this latter end, the belts 250 may be raised relative to the rollers 123. Devices comprising an area with both rollers and belts are known in the art and do not require further elucidation.
Some of the rollers 125 may be at an angle to a fixed barrier 113 and guide the item 199 against said fixed barrier 213. This will help to orient the item 199. The item 199 may be prevented from inadvertently leaving the receiving area 122 by an abutment 214.
Fig. 2b depicts a lateral view of the first (primary) module 120 shown in Fig. 2a. It shows a second conveyor 240, for example a chain conveyor (not shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a), that is parallel to the (second) direction B of said first module 120 and below the rollers 123, 125 of these areas. The second conveyor 240 transports a pallet 298 from a stack of empty pallets at a first location 241 near the first area 121 to a second location 242 beyond the receiving area 122, at which second location 242 the layer of items is stacked onto the pallet 298'. This allows for automatic or semi-automatic placement of an empty pallet 298 at the second location 242, speeding up the process of processing the stream of items 199. This can be achieved for example by a lifting system 290 that cooperates with the second conveyor 240 in the transportation of a pallet 298 from the first location 241 to the second location 242. In the embodiment shown, the lifting system 290 comprises a first arm 291, a second arm 292 and a fork 293. The first arm 291 is slidably connected to the module 120. The second arm 292 is transversely and slidably connected to a movable part of the first arm 291. Last, the fork 293 is transversely connected to a movable part of the second arm 292. This can be achieved for example by using hydraulic cylinders for the arms. Thus, the fork 293 can be inserted into the stack of pallets at a height corresponding to the second pallet from the bottom of said stack. The second arm 292 is actuated, lifting the top of the stack of pallets. Thus, the pallet 298 at the bottom is free to be transported by the second conveyor 240 from the first location 241 to the second location 242. Then, the fork 293 deposits the stack of pallets back to the first location 241, gets out said stack and is inserted again into said stack at the height to repeat the operation, for example once the pallet 298 gets to the second location 242, or when the conveyor 240 transports a series of pallets (as shown in Fig. 2) and a pallet 298' is removed from the second location 242.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, items 199 of a sub-stream are collected onto the pallet 298'. To this end, the item 199 will be gathered to form a layer 299 and moved onto said pallet 298' using a head 260 comprising suction cups 261. The head 260 will for example move up to lift the layer 299 above the abutment 214, translate horizontally until it is above the pallet 298', and move down so as to deposit the layer 299 by releasing the vacuum in the suction cups 261, e.g. on a previous layer 299'.
This method is known in itself and other methods may equally be used, for example a method involving individual placement of items onto layer 299' to form layer 299.
To create layer 299, it may be necessary to rotate the item 199 using a turning organ 270, which turning organ 270 may comprise one or more suction cups 261'. The turning organ 270 can be rotated about a vertical axis. It can pick up said item 199, lift it and rotate it over 90°. The turning organ 270 may also be translated in a direction parallel to the first direction so as to move the item 199 to a pre-determined location of a stacking pattern under control of a control unit 280 that cooperates with the head 260 and the turning organ 270 .
As soon as the pallet 298' is full it can be moved in the usual way, in particular using a forklift truck.
Thus the module 120 of this embodiment allows to form stably stacked pallets, the items having been stacked overlappingly. The control unit 280 chooses or calculates stacking patterns based on the size of the items that are moved to the first module 120, and the size of the pallet 298' that is used, wherein, if possible each time, alternating stacking patterns are chosen for the successive pallet layers, such that items of adjacent pallet layers are stacked overlapping each other. Creating stacking patterns is in itself known in the art and does not need further elucidation.
The present invention can be varied within the scope of the claims in various ways. For example, the second conveyor 240 may be similar to the first area of a primary module, in that it can transport in two transverse directions, for example using rollers and belts as discussed above, in which case a single stack of empty pallets may be provided, and these pallets are delivered at the desired module by adjacent second conveyors 240 of adjacent modules. This saves more floor space.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment comprising a device 300 for processing items according to the state of the art. The device 300 comprises a primary conveyor 310 that provides a stream of items moving in a transport direction A. Along the length of said primary conveyor 310 there are four receiving conveyors 311, 312, 313, and 314. There are barriers 321, 322, 323, and 324 that can be lowered to pass an item 199 from the primary conveyor 310 which is slanted to a receiving conveyor .
If it is desired to reduce the number of sub-streams to two, by removing the receiving conveyors 313 and 314, then the distal end of the primary conveyor 310 wastes space.
If, in contrast, it is desired to increase the number of sub-streams, the primary conveyor 310 is not capable of accommodating for extra modules 315, 316.

Claims (15)

1. Werkwijze voor het verwerken van een stroom van voorwerpen tot sub-stromen, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van - het toevoeren van de stroom van voorwerpen aan een samenstel, en - het verdelen van voorwerpen van de stroom van voorwerpen in een veelheid van sub-stromen van voorwerpen, met het kenmerk, dat het samenstel een veelheid van modules (120) omvat, waarbij de genoemde veelheid van modules (120) ten minste omvat - een primaire module (120'), waarbij de genoemde primaire module (120') het volgende omvat - een eerste gebied (121') voor het transport van een voorwerp (199), en - een ontvangend gebied (122'), en - een secundaire module (120"), waarbij de secundaire module (120") een ontvangend gebied (122") omvat; waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van - het toevoeren van een voorwerp (199) van de stroom van voorwerpen aan het eerste gebied (121') van een primaire module (120'), - het bewegen van het genoemde voorwerp (199) van het eerste gebied (121') van de genoemde primaire module (120') naar één van i) het ontvangende gebied (122') van de genoemde primaire module (120') onder vorming van een sub-stroom van de veelheid van sub-stromen, en ii) hetzij a) een eerste gebied (121') van een aanliggende primaire module (120'), of b) een aanliggende secundaire module (120") qq waarbij ook een sub-stroom van de veelheid van sub-stromen wordt gevormd.A method of processing a stream of articles into sub-streams, the method comprising the steps of - applying the stream of articles to an assembly, and - dividing articles of the stream of articles into a plurality of subflows of objects, characterized in that the assembly comprises a plurality of modules (120), said plurality of modules (120) comprising at least - a primary module (120 '), said primary module (120) ') comprises - a first area (121') for transporting an item (199), and - a receiving area (122 '), and - a secondary module (120 "), the secondary module (120 " ) includes a receiving area (122 "); the method comprising the steps of - supplying an object (199) of the flow of objects to the first region (121 ') of a primary module (120'), - moving said object (199) from the first region (121 ') of said primary module (120') to one of i) the receiving region (122 ') of said primary module (120') to form a sub-stream of the plurality of sub-streams and ii) either a) a first region (121 ') of an adjacent primary module (120'), or b) an adjacent secondary module (120 ") qq where also a sub-stream of the plurality of sub-streams is formed. 2. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarbij bij de stap van het bewegen van het voorwerp (199) van de stroom van het eerste gebied (121') van een primaire module (120') naar hetzij het eerste gebied (121') van een aanliggende primaire module of een aanliggende secundaire module (120"), de genoemde primaire modules en secundaire module zodanig zijn opgesteld dat i) de eerste gebieden (121') van twee aanliggende primaire modules (120') aanliggend zijn en ii) de ontvangende gebieden (122') van hetzij twee aanliggende primaire modules (120') of een primaire module en een secundaire module ook aanliggend zijn.The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of moving the object (199) of the current from the first region (121 ') of a primary module (120') to either the first region (121 ') of a adjacent primary module or an adjacent secondary module (120 "), said primary modules and secondary module are arranged such that i) the first regions (121 ') of two adjacent primary modules (120') are adjacent and ii) the receiving regions (122 ') of either two adjacent primary modules (120') or a primary module and a secondary module are also contiguous. 3. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de stroom ten minste twee soorten voorwerpen omvat, en de stap van het bewegen van één voorwerp (199) van de stroom van het eerste gebied (121') van een primaire module (120') hetzij naar het ontvangende gebied (122) van de genoemde primaire module (120') of naar de aanliggende module (120) wordt uitgevoerd afhankelijk van het soort genoemde voorwerp (199).The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the stream comprises at least two kinds of objects, and the step of moving one object (199) of the stream from the first region (121 ') of a primary module (120') either to the receiving area (122) of said primary module (120 ') or to the adjacent module (120) is output depending on the type of said object (199). 4. Werkwijze volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze verder een stap omvat van het stapelen van voorwerpen van een sub-stroom ontvangen in het ontvangende gebied (122) .The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step of stacking objects from a sub-stream received in the receiving area (122). 5. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 4, waarbij ten minste één van de qq sub-stromen van de veelheid van sub-stromen op een eerste niveau wordt getransporteerd en een houder (298) van een eerste locatie (241) naar een tweede locatie (242) wordt bewogen op een tweede niveau onder het eerste niveau, en het voorwerp (199) van de genoemde sub-stroom op de genoemde toegevoerde houder (298) op de genoemde tweede locatie wordt gestapeld.The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of the qq sub-streams of the plurality of sub-streams is transported at a first level and a container (298) from a first location (241) to a second location (242) is moved at a second level below the first level, and the object (199) of said sub-stream is stacked on said supplied container (298) at said second location. 6. Werkwijze volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het eerste gebied (121') van een primaire module (120') een beweegbare aanslag (129) omvat die de beweging van het genoemde voorwerp (199) naar een aanliggende module (120) blokkeert wanneer het genoemde voorwerp (199) naar het ontvangende gebied (122') van de genoemde primaire module (120') moet worden bewogen.The method of any preceding claim, wherein the first region (121 ') of a primary module (120') comprises a movable stop (129) that blocks the movement of said object (199) to an adjacent module (120) when said object (199) is to be moved to the receiving area (122 ') of said primary module (120'). 7. Samenstel (100) voor het verwerken van voorwerpen van een stroom van voorwerpen tot sub-stromen met het kenmerk, dat het samenstel (100) het volgende omvat - een veelheid van modules (120) die omvat - ten minste één primaire module (120'), waarbij de genoemde primaire module (120') omvat - een eerste gebied (121') dat een transportmiddel omvat voor het transporteren van een voorwerp (199) over het genoemde eerste gebied (121'), en - een ontvangend gebied (122'), en - een secundaire module (120"); waarbij de secundaire module (120") een ontvangend gebied (122") omvat; - een sensor (130); en - een verwerkingseenheid (140) in communicatie met i) de sensor (130), en ii) het transportmiddel voor het transporteren van een voorwerp (199), waarbij de genoemde verwerkingseenheid (140) in staat is om - gegevens te verwerken die zijn verkregen onder gebruikmaking van de sensor (130), - het bepalen van het soort genoemde voorwerp (199) op basis de genoemde verwerkte gegevens, en - het aandrijven van het transportmiddel voor het transporteren van het genoemde voorwerp (199) naar het ontvangende gebied (122) of naar een andere module (120) afhankelijk van het soort zoals bepaald.An assembly (100) for processing articles from a stream of articles into sub-streams, characterized in that the assembly (100) comprises - a plurality of modules (120) comprising - at least one primary module ( 120 '), said primary module (120') comprising - a first area (121 ') comprising a transport means for transporting an object (199) over said first area (121'), and - a receiving area (122 '), and - a secondary module (120 "); wherein the secondary module (120 ") comprises a receiving area (122 "); - a sensor (130); and - a processing unit (140) in communication with i) the sensor (130), and ii) the conveying means for transporting an object (199), said processing unit (140) being able to - process data that is obtained using the sensor (130), - determining the type of said object (199) based on said processed data, and - driving the transport means for transporting said object (199) to the receiving area ( 122) or to another module (120) depending on the type as determined. 8. Samenstel (100) volgens conclusie 7, waarbij ten minste één primaire module (120') een beweegbare aanslag (129) omvat die in staat is om - zich in een eerste positie te bevinden die het transport van een voorwerp (199) in een richting toelaat, en - zich in een tweede positie te bevinden die het transport van het genoemde voorwerp (199) in de genoemde richting blokkeert.The assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein at least one primary module (120 ') comprises a movable stop (129) capable of being in a first position that controls the transport of an object (199) allows one direction, and - to be in a second position that blocks the transport of said object (199) in said direction. 9. Samenstel (100) volgens een van de conclusies 7 of 8, waarbij het samenstel (100) een transportinrichting (110) omvat voor het toevoeren van een stroom van voorwerpen die tot sub-stromen moeten worden verwerkt.An assembly (100) according to any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the assembly (100) comprises a conveying device (110) for supplying a stream of articles to be processed into sub-streams. 10. Samenstel (100) volgens conclusie 9, waarbij de transportinrichting (110) een rollenband (111) en een geleidingsrail (113) langs de transportinrichting (111) omvat, waarbij de genoemde transportinrichting (111) rollen omvat die in een hoek ten opzichte van de geleidingsrail (113) zijn geplaatst voor het bewegen van de voorwerpen van de stroom naar de genoemde geleidingsrail (113) .An assembly (100) according to claim 9, wherein the conveying device (110) comprises a roller conveyor (111) and a guide rail (113) along the conveying device (111), said conveying device (111) comprising rollers angled to of the guide rail (113) for moving the objects of the flow to said guide rail (113). 11. Samenstel (100) volgens een van de conclusies 7 tot 10, waarbij ten minste één van de modules (120) van de veelheid - een regeleenheid (280) omvat voor het toewijzen van een voorwerp (199) op die module (120)aan een stapel-laag (299) van voorwerpen, en - een draai-orgaan (270) om het voorwerp (199) de gewenste oriëntatie te geven voor de genoemde stapel-laag (299).An assembly (100) according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein at least one of the modules (120) of the plurality - comprises a control unit (280) for assigning an object (199) to said module (120) to a stacking layer (299) of objects, and - a rotary member (270) to give the object (199) the desired orientation for said stacking layer (299). 12. Samenstel (100) volgens een van de conclusies 7 tot 11, waarbij ten minste één module (120) van de veelheid van modules (120) in staat is om een sub-stroom van voorwerpen op een eerste niveau te transporteren, waarbij de genoemde module ook een tweede transportinrichting (240) omvat voor het transporteren op een tweede niveau van een houder (298) van een eerste locatie (241) relatief dichtbij het eerste gebied ervan naar een tweede locatie (242) relatief dichtbij het ontvangende gebied ervan, waarbij het tweede niveau onder het eerste niveau ligt.The assembly (100) of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein at least one module (120) of the plurality of modules (120) is capable of transporting a sub-stream of objects at a first level, the said module also comprises a second transport device (240) for transporting at a second level a holder (298) from a first location (241) relatively close to its first area to a second location (242) relatively close to its receiving area, the second level being below the first level. 13. Samenstel (100) volgens conclusie 12, waarbij de ten minste ene module (120) van de veelheid van modules (120) een hefsysteem (290) omvat dat in staat is om een stapel pallets (298) te heffen.The assembly (100) of claim 12, wherein the at least one module (120) of the plurality of modules (120) comprises a lifting system (290) capable of lifting a stack of pallets (298). 14. Samenstel (100) volgens een van de conclusies 7 tot 13, waarbij de secundaire module (120") hetzelfde is als een primaire module (120').An assembly (100) according to any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the secondary module (120 ") is the same as a primary module (120 '). 15. Module (120') voor gebruik in een werkwijze voor het verwerken van een stroom van voorwerpen, waarbij de module (120') het volgende omvat - een eerste gebied (121') met een transportmiddel voor het transporteren van een voorwerp (199) over het genoemde eerste gebied (121') in een eerste richting en in een tweede richting, en - een ontvangend gebied (122); waarbij het transportmiddel in staat is om het voorwerp (199) in de tweede richting van het eerste gebied (121') naar het ontvangende gebied (122) te transporteren, waarbij de tweede richting dwars op de eerste richting staat.A module (120 ') for use in a method for processing a stream of objects, the module (120') comprising - a first area (121 ') with a transport means for transporting an object (199) over said first area (121 ') in a first direction and in a second direction, and - a receiving area (122); wherein the transport means is capable of transporting the object (199) in the second direction from the first region (121 ') to the receiving region (122), the second direction being transverse to the first direction.
NL2011460A 2013-09-18 2013-09-18 A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module. NL2011460C2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2011460A NL2011460C2 (en) 2013-09-18 2013-09-18 A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module.
PCT/NL2014/050641 WO2015041527A1 (en) 2013-09-18 2014-09-18 A method and and an assembly for processing a stream of items into sub-streams and stacking the items; and a module

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2011460A NL2011460C2 (en) 2013-09-18 2013-09-18 A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module.
NL2011460 2013-09-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
NL2011460C2 true NL2011460C2 (en) 2015-03-19

Family

ID=49775688

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
NL2011460A NL2011460C2 (en) 2013-09-18 2013-09-18 A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module.

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NL (1) NL2011460C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2015041527A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0438667A2 (en) * 1989-12-01 1991-07-31 ALCATEL ITALIA S.p.A. Modular sorting unit for belt conveyor installations and the like
US5205026A (en) * 1989-04-04 1993-04-27 Walter Sticht Production installation
US20040079619A1 (en) * 1997-11-14 2004-04-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Manufacturing system
US20090255784A1 (en) * 2008-04-10 2009-10-15 Fki Logistex, Inc. Modular Conveyor Transfer Systems and Methods
EP2511204A1 (en) * 2011-04-14 2012-10-17 recop electronic GmbH Palletising assembly for drink crates comprising at least one conveyor belt

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4708564A (en) * 1986-07-07 1987-11-24 Master Conveyor Corporation Palletizing apparatus
DE3779966T2 (en) * 1986-07-24 1992-12-10 Kao Corp METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING GOODS.
IT1241129B (en) * 1990-04-20 1993-12-29 Italo Meneghetti MACHINE FOR THE PACKAGING OF CARDBOARD PACKAGES AND SIMILAR OBJECTS
NL9102147A (en) 1991-12-20 1993-07-16 Promech Sorting Syst SORTING DEVICE FOR CD, MC AND VIDEO TAPE OR SIMILAR ITEM.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5205026A (en) * 1989-04-04 1993-04-27 Walter Sticht Production installation
EP0438667A2 (en) * 1989-12-01 1991-07-31 ALCATEL ITALIA S.p.A. Modular sorting unit for belt conveyor installations and the like
US20040079619A1 (en) * 1997-11-14 2004-04-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Manufacturing system
US20090255784A1 (en) * 2008-04-10 2009-10-15 Fki Logistex, Inc. Modular Conveyor Transfer Systems and Methods
EP2511204A1 (en) * 2011-04-14 2012-10-17 recop electronic GmbH Palletising assembly for drink crates comprising at least one conveyor belt

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2015041527A1 (en) 2015-03-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11724890B2 (en) Pickface builder for storage and retrieval systems
CN108146948B (en) Method for depositing and removing objects and storage system for carrying out the method
US9371183B2 (en) Multilevel vertical conveyor platform guides
US9452894B2 (en) Storage and order-picking system for the fully-automated identification and picking of articles
US20180155129A1 (en) System for management of packing
US20180154398A1 (en) Sortation systems and related methods
US7047710B2 (en) Apparatus for depositing a packing unit at a desired position on a load carrier
US8147177B2 (en) Apparatus and method for economically forming layers of packing units
US9950878B2 (en) Case manipulator for a palletizer system
US11180327B2 (en) Method for automatically stacking packages in layers on a support
FI109588B (en) Processing arrangements for commodity units and procedure for processing commodity units
US20120097064A1 (en) Method and loading system for order-picking articles onto destination load carriers
EP2686256A1 (en) Method of transporting and sorting and system for exercising the method
KR20220139295A (en) Case Reorientation System and Method
CN112896900A (en) Container transferring system and method, container transferring device and robot
EP0634348A1 (en) Method and apparatus for loading layers of articles
NL2011460C2 (en) A method for processing a stream of items into sub-streams; an assembly; and a module.
US11814211B1 (en) Coil packaging line and method
CN211687205U (en) Device for processing groups of articles and/or layers of articles
JP4090319B2 (en) Package conversion method and package conversion equipment
JP2019127347A (en) Case transfer system and case transfer method
JP6275974B2 (en) Product filling equipment
JP4151364B2 (en) Case body storage method and case body storage equipment

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
HC Change of name(s) of proprietor(s)

Owner name: COPAL HOLDING B.V.; NL

Free format text: DETAILS ASSIGNMENT: VERANDERING VAN EIGENAAR(S), VERANDERING VAN NAAM VAN DE EIGENAAR(S); FORMER OWNER NAME: COPAL DEVELOPMENT B.V.

Effective date: 20160720

MM Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20171001