NL2018197B1 - Sorter for storage - Google Patents
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- NL2018197B1 NL2018197B1 NL2018197A NL2018197A NL2018197B1 NL 2018197 B1 NL2018197 B1 NL 2018197B1 NL 2018197 A NL2018197 A NL 2018197A NL 2018197 A NL2018197 A NL 2018197A NL 2018197 B1 NL2018197 B1 NL 2018197B1
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- sorter
- objects
- conveyor
- present
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
- B07C5/36—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
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- Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention is in the field of a sorter for storage, a method of sorting objects, and use of said sorter for storing garments for a period of 1 hour-7 days. Typically laundry may be sorted manually or batch- wise for a group of persons, typically using a sorting cabinet, equipped with a paternoster system to move the shelfs/positions up and down. Identification of the garments is done by barcode or RFID chip. After sorting batch is completed the cabinet is emptied manually. The present invention provides certain improvements.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a sorter for storage, a method of sorting objects, and use of said sorter for storing garments for a period of 1 hour-7 days.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a sorter for storing, especially for storing garments for a period of 1 hour-7 days.
Nowadays the private laundry in industrial laundry of nurseries and old folk's homes is sorted manually or batchwise for a group of persons, typically using a sorting cabinet, equipped with a paternoster system to move the shelfs/positions up and down. Identification of the garments is done by barcode or RFID chip. After sorting batch is completed the cabinet is emptied manually. Typically a maximum number of positions in such a cabinet is in the order of 140280, depending on the height and width. Hence a limited efficiency and a limited storage capacity is effected.
In a laundry for work wear to be treated or treated garments are sorted hanging on a hanger. These systems are extremely complex, with a lot of mechanical and electronical parts, which have to be maintained. It is noted that in order to handle typical volumes of large customers or delivery routes these systems may buffer 10.000-20.000 pieces of garment at any given moment. After sorting the garments may be delivered on a hanger or folded, packed and delivered as flat items. Identification of the garments is typically done by barcodes or chip codes, linked to a further barcode or chip code in the hanger.
So typically customer owned flat linen and/or folded garments are sorted by route, customer, department or user. Currently this is done by separating a batch of a given customer from others, and if necessary, manually sorting by department or user. Although a number of tools exist, such as sorting cabinets, the handling of the materials is typically still a manual operation. Automatic sorting devices have been developed for hanging material, including bags in which a folded or packed item can be inserted. However, inserting a folded item in a bag requires additional manual handling to put it in and take it out after sorting.
The present invention therefore relates to an improved sorter, which solve one or more of the above problems and drawbacks of the prior art, providing reliable results, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sorter for storage according to claim 1 which is much simpler and much more efficient than typical prior art sorters, and still having a large storage capacity. The sorter comprises a storage area 70 of limited, but not too limited, size. The sorter is especially intended for sorting and/or stacking garments and the like, but is equally applicable to sorting quantities of goods, such as packages. For entering objects into the sorter and especially the storage area a carrier 10 may be provided. For adapting e.g. to different types of carriers an interface may be provided at an input opening 80. In principle the carrier is equally suited to retract objects from the sorter; in an alternative a further carrier is provided to extract objects from the sorter. In the sorter objects are stored and tracked, typically temporarily stored. In the storage area a conveyor 21 is provided for transporting the object from the input opening 80 to a receptacle 40, and vice versa; in use the conveyor may receive the object from the carrier on a conveyor arm 22. The present conveyor may be movably attached to a frame. When the object is on the arm the conveyor arm typically is retracted partly or fully; with reference to a central point 21a of the conveyor the arm is capable of extending in two opposite directions, which may be regarded as backward and forward movements. The conveyor can rotate over a predetermined angle, from a position towards the carrier, to a position towards a receptacle; the extension of the conveyor arm and angle of rotation can be optimized such that a rotation over a limited angle is required in combination with an extension in a forward or backward direction, whichever is most suited. The conveyor is provided in a central space 35 of the storage area, implying that receptacles are located adjacent to the central space somewhat more to an outer side thereof.
As typically two or more layers, hence a stack of layers, are present, each layer comprising at least two receptacles 40 for receiving at least one object, the conveyor is adapted to move vertically from one layer 30 to the next as well as to the at least one carrier. In each layer receptacles are present for receiving and typically temporarily storing at least one object. Thereto each receptacle is accessible through a central space 35 by the conveyor. In each layer the receptacles are distributed horizontally over the layer, that is typically adjacent to one and another in a horizontal plane. In order to manage and monitor the sorter a tracking device 50 for tracking the object is provided. Such implies that each object per se is traceable and therefore trackable. In order to store data, such as that of the tracking device, a data recorder 60 is provided. For operating the present sorter a controller, such as a programmable logic controller, is typically provided. The controller addresses e.g. the present conveyer to move in a vertical direction and to rotate typically to specific coordinates. Typically the present sorter comprises a computer or the like, for instructing the controller. And advantage of the present sorter is that it is capable of sorting much quicker and in a more reliable manner than typically used sorters. In addition, which is especially relevant if objects of one client and likewise one supplier thereof travel different trajectories, that is are being separated when being processed, the present sorter is capable of regrouping objects in view of said client and supplier; there is therefore no or limited need to regroup objects when these are retracted from the sorter and are delivered.
The present sorter, which may be regarded as a flatsorter, is a versatile machine for handling items. In an example the machine may comprise a conveyor with 2 retractable belts plus 1 belt with a fixed length plus a circular racking system. The 3 belts are positioned in a row on a frame, the standard belt in the middle. The frame can be moved vertically and rotated by -90 till +90 degrees.
The present sorter is very flexible. For instance an in-/outlet can be positioned at any location (in height and in orientation) on a typically circular rack. Thereby the present sorter can be installed in a straight line, in a curve, and in a corner, and combinations thereof; an in- and outlet can also be located on a different heights (e.g. floor), such as an inlet at a bottom and an outlet at the top.
A capacity and a size of the sorter can be adapted easily to a specific application, such as by adapting a diameter of the sorter, by adapting a length of a central belt, adapting a number of trays, adapting a height of the sorter, applying multiple levels of trays, and spacing of the levels for single items or stacks. The present sorter is very suited for continuous operation; therein objects are entered into the system and retracted from the system (after being sorted) continuously. Therewith an unsorted stream of objects may enter the present sorter and a sorted stream of objects exits the sorter. In addition or as an alternative the objects may be stacked. As the present sorter is very versatile, such as in dimensioning and in functionality, it can be adapted to a given process. As sorting and temporarily storing can be performed at relatively high speed, the sorter can be relatively compact.
A typical size of the present sorter could be an outer diameter of 2.5 m and a height of 3 m, with an infeed/outfeed at 1.5 m. Such a system could contain in the order of 140 positions (receptacle) and may contain stacks with in total 1500+ items, depending on the item type. A typical sorting speed is in the order of 500-1000 pieces/hr., depending on configuration, type of items, type of feed system etc. Note that an infeed and outfeed can be positioned at any level (or height) in the system, and at any orientation, depending on space and geometry available.
The present sorter can be used for sorting flat linen and/or folded garments, for storing and retrieving items, as a garment issuing device (laundry staff or any other staff fills the sorter with garments of various specs. A user can order one or more items, by using a code or a badge, e.g. depending on his rights.), automatic mail sorting (letters/papers/small packages), warehousing & logistics (storing and retrieving any type of products (order picking). By using grippers instead of belts bins or boxes, containing multiple articles, could be stored and retrieved.).
In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method of sorting objects with the present sorter. Therein a number objects, such as washed garments, are provided. Typically said number is in the order of 100-10000. The objects are inserted into the sorter, typically one by one, and/or typically in a sequential order. The object are typically inserted through an input opening 80. The input opening 80 may also function as an output opening, especially if only one opening is provided. If the present sorter is for instance part of a logistic process the sorter may comprise at least one output 80. During the process of sorting and storing the objects are tracked, typically in a wireless mode and/or optically. The objects are then transported to a receptacle, typically a predetermined receptacle, such as in view of the tracking information.
In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of the present sorter for storing garments for a period of at least 10 seconds. So objects may be stored very shortly, and thereafter being resubmitted almost directly to a further process, and can be stored much longer, until it is required to retrieve the objects.
Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems and drawbacks. Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in a first aspect to a sorter according to claim 1.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the carrier (10) is selected from a transport band, a conveyer belt, a retractable belt, a series of rotating cylinders, a grasp, and combination thereof.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the conveyor comprises comprises at least one of a swivel element (26) for rotating, a conveyor arm support (24), and a vertically movable support (25).
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the conveyor arm comprises a central element (22a), one or two first extending elements (22b-c), and optionally two-four second extending elements (22d-e), wherein each second extending element is adapted to extend with respect to an adjacent first extending element, and wherein each first extending element is adapted to extend with respect to the central element. When positioning an object in a receptacle or retrieving it therefrom the conveyor arm may be extended by moving the extending element(s) away from the central point or towards said central point, respectively.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter each element of the conveyor arm comprises independently selected one or more of a transport band, a conveyer belt, a series of rotating cylinders.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the conveyor is adapted to move half a layer upwards and/or half a layer downwards and multitudes thereof. Typically the central layers of the stack of layers, or a bottom or top layer, are located half a layer above or below the carrier. Clearly a next layer is than located one layer higher or lower, respectively (see e.g. fig. 2). The conveyer typically moves towards a position slightly higher than a bottom level of a receptacle, such as 1 cm higher. In addition if the receptacle is partly filler the conveyor may move to a level slightly higher than the filled level. To that end the conveyor may comprise a photon generator, such as a LED, a photo cell for detecting reflected light, whereas the receptacle may have at in inner wall opposite to the central space an optical reflecting element. The conveyor typically moves in a step less manner. In an alternative a step motor is provided for precisely controlling vertical movement. In a further alternative the conveyor is moved by changing a magnetic field.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the stack of layers comprises 2-50 layers, preferably 3-30 layers, more preferably 4-20 layers, such as 5-10 layers.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter each layer comprises 3-50 receptacles, preferably 4-40 receptacles, more preferably 5-30 receptacles, even more preferably 6-25 receptacles, such as 10-20 receptacles.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the receptacles are evenly distributed horizontally around the central point. The receptacles may be located in a circular mode, in a multigonal mode, such as a hexagonal mode, a heptagonal mode, an octagonal mode, a nonagonal mode, a decagonal mode, an undecagonal mode, etc. The present storage area may as a consequence also be of multigonal or circular shape.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter each receptacle is adapted for storing 2-20 objects, preferably a stack of objects. Such is especially suited for storing relatively flat objects, such as linen and T-shirts. When all objects are similar or the same identification of the objects may be left out.
In an exemplary embodiment the present sorter comprises a wireless and/or optical identifier, preferably capable of identifying one or more of an RFID, a near field communicator, a near infrared communicator, a bar code, and a twodimensional code such as QR-code. As such objects entering or leaving the present sorter can be identified directly. In combination with tracking a location of the object can be established and is then known. Identification can be done manually, inserting information in a computer system, or automatically by barcode or chip reading or any other means.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the data recorder is one or more of a computer, a remote SDD, and a remote recorder.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the central space has a diameter of 0.3-7 m, preferably 1-5 m, such as 2-4 m.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the receptacle has an opening of 20-50 cm by 50-80 cm, such as 3040 cm by 60-70 cm.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present sorter the receptacle has depth of 20-100 cm, such as 30-60 cm.
In an exemplary embodiment the present sorter comprises at least one buffer for temporarily storing objects. The buffer may be located in the storage area or at a distance of said storage area. A buffer may be practical for improving logistics, such as a sequence, for addressing overflow, for emptying the buffer and storing when a flow of objects is relatively low, etc.
In an exemplary embodiment the present sorter comprises a locking system, which locking system can be opened by a user upon providing a key and/or code. As such the present sorter may be accessible by a user at any time during the day; a user may collect his/her items by providing a (user) code and/or by using a key; such may be in a wireless mode. The user may even access the present sorter from an outside.
In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method of claim 15. It is noted that if sorters are placed in series or in parallel inserting may also independently relate to stack of objects.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method the conveyor rotates clockwise or counter clockwise from 0-90 degrees. As such the construction of the conveyor and method of operating can be simplified, as rotation is always limited.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method for a receptacle located at an insert side (81) of the sorter the conveyor transports the object in a backwards motion into the receptacle. Likewise objects at the other side are transported in forward motion.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method two or more objects are stacked in one receptacle. Therewith object can be combined, such as objects belonging to a same person or company.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method objects are stacked in a receptacle in a predetermined order, and/or wherein objects are combined to a stack within one receptacle. For instance, a stack of linen can be combined and sorted in a practical order.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method objects are selected from garments, folded garments, flat linen, letters, papers, packages, medicine packages, and goods.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method objects originate from a multitude of sources, and wherein object enter the sorter unsorted.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method objects are of different type and/or nature, and wherein a stack of objects of different type/nature is provided.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present method objects are buffered in the sorter.
In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of the present sorter of claim 24. It is noted that if objects need not be sorter they may directly pass through the present sorter, hence a residence time in the sorter is limited, or skip the sorter all together. If stored, a storage time typically depends on other logistic factors, such as further objects to be optionally combined with, a scheduled delivery time, a scheduled further process step, etc.
The one or more of the above examples and embodiments may be combined, falling within the scope of the invention.
FIGURES
Figures la-y: Top views of a schematic layout of the present sorter .
Figures 2a-v: Side views of a schematic layout of the present sorter .
Figure 3: schematic top view of the present sorters in series and in parallel.
Figures 4a-c: show a schematic layout of an exemplary conveyor .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the figures:
100 sorter carrier conveyor
21a central point of conveyor conveyor arm
22a central element conveyor arm
22b-c first extending element conveyor arm
22d-e second and further extending element conveyor arm swivel conveyor arm support lifting element rotator stack of layers
| 35 | central space |
| 40 | receptacle |
| 50 | tracking device |
| 60 | data recorder |
| 70 | storage area |
| 80 | input opening; optional output opening |
| 81 | insert side |
| 90 | obj ect |
| Figures la-y: Top views of a schematic |
present shown .
One layout of the sorter. In figure la a number of receptacles 40 is
The present conveyor 21 comprising a conveyor arm can move objects 90 from a carrier 10 to the receptacle, object 90 is shown outside the present sorter. In figure the object 90 is entered into the sorter. A second object 90 already approaches the present sorter. The central point 21a of the conveyor, as well as first extending elements 22b,c, at a left and right side of the dicated is the central space transported and the conveyor 90 is moved into the present
22a of the conveyor arm is indicated. Of the stack of layers 30 one stack is visible, as the figure in this sense represent a cross/section of the sorter. In figure Id the conveyor is rotated. Also the storage area is indicated. When rotated over is entered into a receptacle by figure le. Also indicated side of the storage area, are indicated by a double lb conveyor arm, are shown. Also inthrough which the objects can be can move. In figure 2c the object sorter. Also the central element the required angle the object extending the conveyor arm in insert side 81 at an internal is an
In arrow.
figure If the rotation angles has now been entered, whereas a further oboutside the present sorter. The second obfigure lg and transferred into a receptacle present to a reA second object 90 ject 90 is waiting ject is rotated in in figure lh. A third object 90 is entered into the sorter (fig. li), rotated (fig. lj) and transferred ceptacle (fig. Ik). The conveyor is rotated back towards a neutral position, ready to receive a further object (fig.
11). In reverse operation the conveyor is rotated (fig. Im), an object is retracted from a receptacle (fig. In), the conveyor is rotated to its neutral position (fig. Io), and the object 90 is moved towards an output opening (fig. Ip). The object 90 is transferred to a further carrier 10 (fig. lq) and then transferred over the carrier (fig. lr). Also the conveyor is rotated towards a further object (fig. lq) and transferred to the conveyor arm (fig. lr). Also the further object 90 is now transferred to the further carries (figs, ls-lv). Finally the last object 90 is transferred from a receptacle towards the further carrier (figs, lu-ly). Figure 1 shows amongst others rotational aspects of the present sorter.
Figures 2a-v: Side views of a schematic layout of the present sorter. Figure 2 shows amongst others vertical aspects of the present sorter. In figure 2a the present sorter is shown. An input opening 80 and an output opening 80 are shown; through the input opening an object 90 enters the sorter. A conveyor 21 in a central space, as well as a number of receptacles 40 are shown. In figure 2b the object 90 is in the input opening. The central space 35 is indicated as well as the stack of layers (in this case 6, three above and three below the conveyor) and the storage area 70. In addition the carrier 10 both at a left and right side of the sorter is shown. In figure 2c also a tracking device 50 and a data recorder 60 are shown; the data recorder can be located close to or in the sorter, or can be in connection with the sorter. The object 90 has now entered the sorter. Also the stack of layers 30, i.e. in cross-section the right side thereof, is shown. In figure 2d the object 90 is lifted by the conveyor to a height if a first stack layer above the level of the carrier. The object is then transferred into a receptacle in fig. 2e. In fig. 2f a second object 90 enters the sorter and is transferred to the conveyor in fig. 2g. The second object 90 is lifter in fig. 2h and placed on the first object in the receptacle in fig. 2i. In fig. 2j a third object enters the present sorter, which is moved to the conveyor, lifted and transferred to a receptacle (figs. 2j-k). The first two objects are then moved to the conveyor and transferred to the receptacle of the third object and stacked on the first object (figs. 21-p). When required the three objects are then transferred to the conveyor and moved to the output where the (further) carrier transport the stack of objects to a further location.
Figure 3: schematic top view of the present sorters 100 in series and in parallel. At a left hand side a single sorter is shown which is in logistic connection with four further sorters which are located in parallel. Figure 3 schematically shows that the present sorter can form part of a logistic chain, wherein further sorters as well as other logistic elements may be present, such as carriers, washing equipment, lining equipment, intake and output elements. Such a system incorporates sorters, which may handle single items, give an output of stacks, which may be the input for a next sorter, e.g. to sort a stack sequence. A capacity may be increased by operating in series and can further be increased by adding sorters for handling single items (modular design). Assuming an average stack height of 4 items, the sorter in series could handle the output from 4 single item sorters.
Figures 4a-c show a schematic layout of an exemplary conveyor. In fig. 4a a side view of a conveyor arm with a central element 22a and two first extending elements 22b,c, a support 24 for the conveyor arm, a rotator 26, and a lift 25 are shown. The rotator may be a swivel. The lift may be a cylindrical beam which can move step less in a vertical direction. Fig. 4b shows a top view of fig. 4b. Fig. 4c shows second extending elements 22d-e of the conveyor arm.
EXAMPLE
The invention is further detailed by the accompanying example, which is exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.
Example
At a given receptacle- or tray-size (55 cmx35cm) a ring contains 14 trays. A diameter of the system is 270 cm. By extending a central conveyor belt length from 55 cm to 100 cm the number of trays increases to 18. At a standard height per level or layer of 30 cm, 10 levels can be accommodated in a system with a height of 350 cm, resulting in 140 positions (or 180 respectively). By reducing the spacing to 15 cm, a number of layers can be increased to 20, resulting in a total of 280 positions (or 360 respectively).
In the following sections a number of applications are given. Although the examples are especially suited for a laundry environment, applications are not limited to the laundry. With minor modifications the same system can be used in various industries and logistics applications.
Buffering items
In its simplest form the sorter can be used in a 2 dimensional configuration for vertically buffering items in a line between further machines, for instance between a folding and sealing/packing machine. Nowadays a machine line may stop, such as when there is a disturbance in the folding or packing machine, or when a new reel of foil has to be put in. By installing the vertical buffer a number of items can be buffered to overcome smaller disturbances. For a garment folding machine with an output of 900 pcs/hr. and a maximum height of the folded garment of about 10 cm, a buffer with a height of
3.5 m can accommodate 60 items or equivalently buffer for 4 minutes. A capacity can be increased by adding a threedimensional configuration comprising of a limited sorter with a width of 1.5 m and 6 positions per level, which constitutes 180 items or a buffer capacity of 12 minutes. With a full circular system, 280 items can be buffered.
Another position in the laundry line could be for making packages of different types of items coming from different machines: such as when creating packages of bedsheets, pillowcases and towels for a hospitality market. In such a case the operation of the different ironers might need to be synchronized. By application of a buffer the load can be balanced .
In this case no identification of items would be required .
Storage system
The sorter can be used to store items. Items may need to be identified by barcode or RFID-chip. At the inlet of the machine, an item will be identified and fully automatically stored and retrieved. Storage in the stack of layers and racks or receptacles could be randomly or according to preset load ing rules. By selecting an article or barcode the item can be retrieved.
In such an application the footprint could be up to 5x5 m, and a height maximized to the height of the building (6 m). At a standard tray size, on 1 level may comprise 35 trays, with a working height of 15 cm per level, and the total number of receptacle then is 1400.
In such a case identification of items could be required .
Vending machine
A variation on a storage system is a vending machine. In this case the sorter is filled by an operator and a client can retrieve a garment by using a badge or log-in code and selecting the required item.
In such a case identification of items typically is required.
Such an application may be considered as an alternative for hospital garments: these are currently delivered as hanging garments, inserted in a carousel vending machine in the hospitals. Transporting hanging garments is considered an inefficient way of transport. Savings in handling and logistics can be obtained by folding and by automatically packing garments in trolleys. Automatic unloading of trolleys to feed the vending machine is another feature which increases productivity .
Batch sorting
The present sorter can fully automatically perform loading, sorting and unloading of the garments of a batch.
Continuous sorting
The present sorter is a simple alternative for the complex and expensive prior art systems. To meet the capacity requirements in terms of number of items to be sorted per hour and to cover the spread in residence time it may be required to operate with multiple sorter units.
Parallel operation
Sorting can be done according to any required sorting key. To manage larger volumes a capacity therefore can be matched by operating various sorter units in parallel.
Cascade operation
When sorting on parameters as customer and route it is also possible to operate sorter systems in series: in a first stage items are sorted on wearer/lockers/article/size level in stacks, while in a second stage the stacks of the first stage are sorted into to be followed routes. As the load of the second stage may depend on stack height a fraction of the first stage, can be fed to multiple units in a second stage for sorting on customer/route level.
Thus, a combination of parallel and series operation may be considered. For example, at an average stack height of 4 pieces a typical configuration for a large volume operation could be 4 parallel units, sorting on wearer/locker/article/size, and 1 unit in series to all 4 of the parallel units, to sort the stacks into the right customers/routes.
For the purpose of searching prior art the following section is added, representing a translation of the last section in English:
1. Sorter (100) for storage comprising at least one input opening (80), a storage area (70), in the storage area a conveyor (21) for transporting the object from at least one carrier to a receptacle (40) and vice versa, wherein the conveyor has a central point (21a) and wherein a conveyor arm (22) is adapted to extend from the central point in two opposite directions, wherein the conveyor is provided in a central space (35) of the storage area, wherein the conveyor is adapted to move vertically, and wherein the conveyor is adapted to rotate preferably around the central point, a stack of layers (30), each layer comprising at least two receptacles (40) for receiving at least one object, wherein the at least two receptacles are distributed horizontally over the layer, wherein each receptacle is accessible through the central space (25) by the conveyor, a tracking device (50) for tracking the object, and a data recorder (60).
2. Sorter according to embodiment 1, comprising at least one carrier (10) adapted to insert an object (90) into the sorter, wherein the carrier (10) is selected from a transport band, a conveyer belt, a retractable belt, a series of rotating cylinders, a grasp, and combination thereof .
3. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the conveyor comprises at least one of a swivel element (26) for rotating, a conveyor arm support (24), and a vertically movable support (25).
4. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the conveyor arm comprises a central element (22a), one or two first extending elements (22c-d), and optionally two-four second extending elements (22d-e), wherein each second extending element is adapted to extend with respect to an adjacent first extending element, and wherein each first extending element is adapted to extend with respect to the central element, and/or wherein each element of the conveyor arm comprises independently selected one or more of a transport band, a conveyer belt, and a series of rotating cylinders.
5. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the conveyor is adapted to move half a layer upwards and/or half a layer downwards and multitudes thereof .
6. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the stack of layers comprises 2-50 layers, preferably 3-30 layers, more preferably 4-20 layers, such as 510 layers.
7. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein each layer comprises 3-50 receptacles, preferably 4-40 receptacles, more preferably 5-30 receptacles, even more preferably 6-25 receptacles, such as 10-20 receptacles .
8. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receptacles are evenly distributed horizontally around the central point.
9. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein each receptacle is adapted for storing 2-20 objects, preferably a stack of objects.
10. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a wireless and/or optical identifier, preferably capable of identifying one or more of an RFID, a near field communicator, a near infrared communicator, a bar code, and a two-dimensional code such as QR-code.
11. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the data recorder is one or more of a computer, a remote SDD, and a remote recorder.
12. Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the central space has a diameter of 0.3-7 m, preferably 2-5 m, and/or wherein the receptacle has an opening of 20-50 cm by 50-80 cm, and/or wherein the receptacle has
13.
.
15.
depth of 20-100 cm.
Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sorter comprises at least one buffer for temporarily storing objects.
Sorter according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sorter comprises a locking system, which locking system can be opened by a user upon providing a key and/or Method code .
of the obj ects, one by one into the sorter, and
16.
.
of sorting objects with a sorter according to any preceding embodiments, comprising providing a number of inserting the objects tracking the objects, transporting each object to a receptacle.
Method according to embodiment 15, wherein the conveyor rotates clockwise or counter clockwise from 0-90 degrees. Method according to ceptacle located at conveyor transports the receptacle.
Method according to or more objects are
Method according to jects are stacked in a receptacle in a predetermined or embodiment 15 or 16, wherein for a rean insert side (81) of the sorter the the object in a backwards motion into any of embodiments 15-17, wherein two stacked in one receptacle.
any of embodiments 15-18, wherein ob19.
der, and/or wherein objects are combined to a stack within one receptacle.
20. Method according to any of embodiments 15-19, wherein objects are selected from garments, folded garments, flat linen, letters, papers, packages, medicine packages, and goods .
21. Method according to any of embodiments 15-20, wherein objects originate from a multitude of sources, and wherein object enter the sorter unsorted.
22. Method according to any of embodiments 15-21, wherein objects are of different type and/or nature, and wherein a stack of objects of different type/nature is provided.
23. Method according to any of embodiments 15-22, wherein objects are buffered in the sorter.
24. Use of at least one sorter of embodiments 1-14, optionally in parallel and/or in series, for storing objects for a period of more than 10 sec.
25. Use of at least one sorter of embodiments 1-14, optionally in parallel and/or in series, for sorting high volume of objects at high capacity (>1000 pcs/hr.).
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2018197A NL2018197B1 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2017-01-19 | Sorter for storage |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2018197A NL2018197B1 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2017-01-19 | Sorter for storage |
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| NL2018197B1 true NL2018197B1 (en) | 2018-07-30 |
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| NL2018197A NL2018197B1 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2017-01-19 | Sorter for storage |
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| NL (1) | NL2018197B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4194109A1 (en) * | 2021-12-13 | 2023-06-14 | Körber Supply Chain Logistics GmbH | Sorting installation and method for piece goods with cylindrical end point device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3302804A (en) * | 1963-03-05 | 1967-02-07 | Short Brothers & Harland Ltd | Apparatus for classifying and otherwise handling articles |
| JPS5316274A (en) * | 1976-07-29 | 1978-02-15 | Takenaka Komuten Co Ltd | Three-dimensional warehouse |
| US6212832B1 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2001-04-10 | Zhuangmei Gao | Silo structure of vehicle parking system |
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2017
- 2017-01-19 NL NL2018197A patent/NL2018197B1/en active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3302804A (en) * | 1963-03-05 | 1967-02-07 | Short Brothers & Harland Ltd | Apparatus for classifying and otherwise handling articles |
| JPS5316274A (en) * | 1976-07-29 | 1978-02-15 | Takenaka Komuten Co Ltd | Three-dimensional warehouse |
| US6212832B1 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2001-04-10 | Zhuangmei Gao | Silo structure of vehicle parking system |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4194109A1 (en) * | 2021-12-13 | 2023-06-14 | Körber Supply Chain Logistics GmbH | Sorting installation and method for piece goods with cylindrical end point device |
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