NL8501812A - Postal sorting office bag handling mechanism - has suspended coded or marked bags moving along endless transporter belt in front of operator with foot switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The suspended, clamped postal bags in a sorting office are moved by a chain transporter, and moved along a vertical positioned endless belt-transporter. The operator behind a counter, controls bag movement, to ensure that bags move in his field of vision, when e.g. a label or strip code on the bag top is visible to him/her. Postal bags (71) are secured by a clamp (73) to a chain transporter mechanism (74). Each bag has a label, which must be read by using e.g. a strip code reading pen when the bags are coded. In the case of printed labels, they are then checked by a keyboard (79) at the counter. Bags are moved along in front of the operator, who controls movement with a foot pedal switch, when the bags move along the vertical endless belt transporter (76).

Description

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Device for axially positioning objects moved by a means of transport.

A. Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for the axial positioning of objects rotated by a means of transport, about an axis, rotatable substantially transversely of the direction of movement, wherein the objects to be positioned are brought into contact with at least one located along a part of the means of transport extending gripping means.

2. State of the art

A device as indicated above is known from German patent application DT-OS 1761150, in which a labeling machine is described in which objects such as eg bottles are rotated about their axis such that the labels to be applied are always at a specific location relative to a mark on the round surface. The bottles are supplied to the machine by means of a conveyor belt, which opens onto a turntable 15 provided with recesses in which the supplied bottles are received. Around it part of the turntable is £ it * 2 * Λ

Cj *. A frictional stationary friction surface, with which the bottles come into contact, as a result of which they start to rotate. The turntable is provided with a number of photoelectric cells, one cell per recess, which are adjusted to the height of the mark on each of the bottles. The turntable is also equipped with a number of grippers, also a gripper per recess. After a bottle has been received from the conveyor belt through one of the recesses of the turntable and comes into contact with the friction surface, the bottle rotates on its axis.

As soon as the mark on the round surface of the bottle thus reaches the photocell, the relevant gripper is activated by means of a control circuit, whereby the rotation of the bottle is stopped. In this manner, each of the bottles obtains the same desired position relative to the turntable 15 and is thus suitable for labeling.

As an improvement on the above-described device, German patent application DT-OS-2740220 proposes to rotate the bottles by means of intermediate rollers on the one hand and on the other hand touching a friction surface. As soon as a bottle has obtained the desired axial position, the bottle is fixed by the gripper, while, moreover, said intermediate rollers are withdrawn from the bottle, so that no further torque is exerted on the bottle.

Both known devices have the drawback of being rather complicated, in particular by using a controllable gripper construction. Furthermore, the known devices are only suitable for axially positioning hard cylindrical objects with mutually equal, precisely determined diameter, i.e. bottles and the like.

B. Brief description of the invention

The invention provides a device of the type indicated in the preamble, which has the advantage of being considerably simpler to design, which is also advantageous in terms of setting up and maintenance of, in addition to the manufacturing costs, the institution.

A device according to the invention further provides the attractive possibility of being able to position objects of various nature and shape. Among other things, a device according to the invention can serve pre-eminently for positioning bags and the like with uneven contents. All this is achieved according to the invention in that the engaging means is movable in a direction, substantially parallel to the transport direction, at a speed which is variable with respect to the transport speed. By varying the speed of movement of the engaging means relative to the (usually constant) speed of the transport movement of the objects to be positioned, a great freedom is created in the rotatability of the objects. After all, the rotation direction and speed are the result of the transport direction and speed and the direction of movement and speed of the gripping means.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the direction and speed of movement of the gripping means is not equal to the direction and speed of the transport movement as long as the object to be positioned has not occupied the desired axial position, while the direction of movement and speed of the gripping means the direction and speed of the transport movement is equalized as soon as the desired axial position is reached. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the engaging means can consist of an endless belt which has sufficient friction with the objects to be positioned to be able to rotate them. Naturally, the rotational friction of the objects to be positioned plays a clear role in this, as does the shape of the objects. The endless belt serving as the gripping means 30 can, if desired, be provided with local elevations, the shape, size and distance of which must correspond to the shape and size of the objects to be positioned.

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According to another exemplary embodiment, the engaging means may consist of a number of rollers placed next to each other in the direction of transport of the objects to be positioned, each about an axis movable substantially transversely of the direction of transport.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the engaging means consists of a movable cylinder or substantially cylindrical part, which is provided with or without elevations, around a shaft, substantially transverse to the direction of transport of the objects to be positioned. The device can be provided with one or two engaging means disposed on either side of the conveyor track of the objects to be positioned. This can improve the positioning speed and the stability of the objects. The engaging means may or may not be provided with its own drive means, such as, for example, an electric motor.

In any case, the gripping means must be provided with a preferably proportionally adjustable braking system, in order to make the speed of the gripping means lower than that of the transport means, as a result of which the object to be positioned will rotate. As soon as the object has reached the desired axial position, the braking of the engaging means is stopped, so that the rotation of the object also stops. The engaging means will preferably be provided with its own drive means, whether or not derived from the transport system. The advantage of an own driving means for the engaging means, whether or not combined, combined with a separate braking system, is that the speed of the engaging means can be controlled quickly and independently of the other parameters. For example, the engaging means can be given a higher speed than that of the transporting means, or, when two engaging means are used on either side of the conveyor track of the objects to be positioned, as mentioned above, the different engaging means can be given different speeds. .

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C. References DT - OS 1761150 ΏΤ - OS 2740220 D. Brief description of the figures 5 The invention will be explained in more detail below by describing some exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figures 1a and b schematically show a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the movable engaging means 10 consists of an endless conveyor belt extending along a part of the conveying path of the object to be positioned.

Figures 2a and b show two views of an embodiment of the transport means, namely an endless conveyor belt, which is placed obliquely in the vicinity of the engaging means.

Figures 3a and b show the two views of a second embodiment of the transport means, namely a transport chain with hooks.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the gripping means, consisting of an endless belt, provided with elevations and specially intended for objects that are difficult to rotate to be positioned.

Figure 5 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the engaging means, consisting of a number of juxtaposed, simultaneously movable rollers.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment, in which the device according to the invention is provided with two gripping means, on either side of the conveyor track of the objects to be positioned, both consisting of a rotatable cylinder.

Figure 7 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention for axially positioning mail bags, which are guided via a conveyor chain, provided with clamps, along an operating means which can be operated by an operator *: 1 ']')

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- 6 - running endless conveyor belt.

E. Description of the figures and exemplary embodiments

In figure 1 an object 1 to be positioned, which is rotatable about an axis 2 and is provided with a positioning characteristic 3, is transported in a direction indicated by arrow 4 by a means of transport not further indicated in this figure. It is assumed that the object 1 is intended to be rotated such that the mark 3 is located on the side of the object 3 directed upwards in the figure. An engaging means 5 is formed by an endless belt 6 which runs around rollers 7 rotatable about shafts 8 and which is partly supported by a supporting surface 9. When the feature 3 is not in the desired position during the supply of the object 1, care is taken that the endless belt 6 is stationary, as a result of which the object 6 starts to rotate around its axis 2, according to the arrow 10, since the transport movement 4 is maintained. As soon as, as shown in figure 16, the characteristic has come into the correct position due to the rotation, the belt 6 is set in motion in the direction indicated by arrows 11 by an unspecified drive on at least one of the rollers 7. at a speed equal to the transport speed indicated by arrows 4.

It is noted that the detection of the position of the feature 3 and the control of the drive of the belt 6 can take place automatically or by means of operating personnel. It is further noted that the engaging endless belt 6 during the operation of the device either normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrows, at a speed equal to the speed of the transport movement 4, and is stopped only temporarily to to rotate object 1 to be positioned until -30 that feature 3 has assumed the desired position, or is normally stationary and is only driven temporarily, namely 35ö12 Ik * r - 7 - from the moment feature 3 has assumed the desired position, until the positioned object 1 has passed the end of the engaging means 5. Whether one method or the other is preferred will depend on the practical conditions, such as the nature of the object 1, the speed 4 of the means of transport, the speed of reaction and the accuracy of the control and the like. However, these conditions do not affect the operation of the exemplary embodiment as described above. The comments made here also apply to the exemplary embodiments to be discussed below.

Figures 2a and b show an embodiment of the transporting means, consisting of a conveyor belt 13 running over rollers 12 about axes 12, the top side of which moves in the direction of the arrows 4. In the vicinity of the above-described engaging means 5 the rollers 14 and therewith the conveyor belt 33 are placed at an angle, whereby the object 1 to be positioned is held against the also means of engagement 5, which is also placed at an angle.

The friction between the underside of the object 1 and the conveyor belt 13 must of course be sufficiently small.

Figure 2a is a schematic transverse view, Figure 2b a view in the direction of arrow 19.

Figures 3a and b show another means of transport of the objects 1, namely in the form of a conveyor chain, the links of which 25 are provided with wheels 17 driving through a permanently suspended conveyor chute 18, on whose common axis a hook rotatable about its longitudinal axis 16 has been confirmed. The conveyor chain and hence the wheels 17 and the hook 16 are pulled through the conveyor chute 18 in a direction indicated by the arrows 4. Each of the objects 1 to be positioned is provided with a suspension eye 15, from which the object 1 is suspended from the hook 16. Each of the objects 1 is brought into contact by the advancing hook 16 with the above-described engaging means 5, wherein the object passes through. ... ; k

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- the means of the rotatable hook 16 is rotatable about its axis 2. It is noted that the suspension eye 15 can be fixedly connected to the object 1, or by other detachable means such as for instance a sling. Instead of the hook 16, use can also be made, for instance, of a clamp rotatable about its axis.

Figure 4 shows another elaboration of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1. In this figure, an engaging means 25 is formed by endless belt 26 rotating and drivable about shafts 29, which belt is provided with elevations 27, partly supported by a support surface 30. The object 21 to be rotated, for instance a crate, is rotatable around the axis 22 and is provided with a mark 23, such as for example an inscription label. As long as the engaging means 25 is stationary, the side of the object 21 facing the engaging means 25 hooks behind one of the elevations 27 of the belt 26 and travels along with the transport means, for example a conveyor chain as described above and shown in figure 3, rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 20; the direction of the transport movement is indicated by the arrows 24. As soon as the object 21 has reached the position in which the mark 23 has assumed the desired position, namely in the figure 4 on the side facing the belt, the belt becomes 26 set in motion, corresponding to the movement 24 of the transport means. The guide surface 32 is added at the end of the engaging means 25 to ensure that the object 21 maintains its preferred position.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the object 31, drawn in this figure 5 as a bag or the like, 2Q is moved in the direction 34 by a transport means, such as for example the one shown in figure 3, which object 31 is shaft 32 is rotatable and is provided with a mark 33, for example a label. For example, a label. The gripping means 35 is formed in a number around the respective axes. 36, simultaneously movable and drivable rollers 37, each of which is provided with a coating 38 with a relatively high coefficient of friction The object 31 to be positioned is moved by the transport means in the direction indicated by the arrows 34 and thereby touches the outside with the first rollers 37. When the feature 33 applied to the object 31 does not have the desired location, the rollers 37 are stopped or held still, so that the object 31 under the influence of the rollers 37 produced by the stationary rollers, in particular of their coating 38, friction exerted on the object 31 and of the continuous transport movement 34 will rotate. After the feature 33 has been brought into the correct position by the rotation of the object 31, the rollers 37 are moved in a direction indicated by an arrow 39, whereby the object 31 stops rotating and continues in the last assumed position. is being transported.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention which is provided with two engagement means, namely about their respective axes 47 and 50 rotatable cylinders 48 and 51, each of which is provided with a coating 49 and 52 with a high coefficient of friction. The pivot axis 50 of the cylinder 51 is mounted on an arm 55 movable about a pivot 54. The spring 55 normally holds the arm 55 in the position indicated by solid lines by means of a spring (not shown). By means of an unspecified transport means, an object 41 to be positioned is guided in the direction of the arrows 44 against the two mentioned cylinders 48 and 51. The cylinder 51 rotates in the direction of the drive by means of a drive (not shown). arrow 57. If the feature 43 applied to the object 41 is not found in the desired location, 30. the cylinder 48 is driven in the same direction of rotation as the other cylinder 51. As a result, the object 41 will rotate about its axis 42 in a direction indicated by the arrow 60. As soon as the attribute · - ·; - · * 4;> ».4 r,," i J "* -» - 10 - 43 has reached the correct position, the drive of the cylinder 48 is reversed, indicated by the arrow 59 whereby the rotation of the object 41 stops and the object 41 moves under the influence of the movements of the two cylinders 48 and 51 in the direction of the arrows 44. In order to let the object 41 pass through, the cylinder 51 and the arm 55 temporarily outwards, in the direction indicated by the arrow 53, and then returns to the old position under the influence of the spring force. The swung-out position of the cylinder 51 and the arm 55 is shown in dotted lines in the figure.

FIG. 7 finally shows an elaboration of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3, in which the objects to be positioned consist of mail bags 71. Figure 7 shows that such a mail bag 71 is connected by a clamp 73 to a conveyor chain system 74. Each of the mail bags 71 is provided with a label 72, 15 of which the inscription must be read by an operator 78. The inscription of the label 72 may be in bar code or in normal legible writing. In one case, the inscription must be read using a bar code reader or gun, in the other case, the inscription is normally read and the read information is then entered into an information processing system via a keyboard 79. The mail bags 71 are conveyed by the conveyor chain system 74 in a direction indicated by the arrow 75 to the operator 78. This operator 78 can drive a pair of endless movable rollers 77 by means of a foot switch, not shown. belt 76 can be switched on and off by these rollers 77. It has been found in practice to be favorable that the drive of the belt 76 is normally engaged, whereby the belt 76 moves in the direction of the arrow 80, the speed of this movement corresponding to the speed of the arrow 75 indicated transport movement of the mail bags 71. At the moment when the operator 78 detects that the label 72 is adhering to an inscription for reading the inscription. Λ »1 * ii.-U i n

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- 11 - the favorable side of the mail bag 71 and this mail bag 71 is already with its side in contact with the part of the conveyor belt 76 which acts as an engagement means, the operator 78 stops the movement by pressing the said foot switch. went in the direction of the arrow 80 of the belt 76, causing the mail bag 71 to rotate around its suspension, thus putting the label 72 in a readable position. As soon as this label 72 "has reached this favorable position, the drive of the belt 76 is reactivated by the operator 78, so that the mail bag 71 maintains its position and the operator 78 displays the label of the label, either via a barcode reader or entered into the information processing system via the keyboard 79. In the meantime, the mail bag 71 is continuously fed through the conveyor chain system 74.

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Claims (13)

1. Device for the axial positioning of rotatable objects moved by a means of transport, about an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein the objects to be positioned are brought into contact with at least one, extending along a part of the transport path engaging means characterized in that the engaging means (5, 25, 35, 45) is movable in a direction (11, 39, 56, 57, 59, 80) substantially parallel to the transport direction at a speed relative to the transport speed variable speed. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device is provided with control means co-acting with a detector, characterized in that the control means (77, 78) make the speed of the engaging means unequal to the transport speed if and as long as it contacts the engaging means the object (1, 21, 31, 41, 71) does not, respectively, equal the transport speed if or as soon as the object does have the desired axial position. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the engaging means (5, 35) is an endless belt (6, 26). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the engaging means (35, 45) consists of one or more movable, wholly or completely about an axis (36, 47) substantially transverse to the last-mentioned direction. partially cylindrical parts (37, 48). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the engaging means (35) consists of a number of rollers (37) placed side by side in the direction of the transport movement (34). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device is provided with two engaging means (45, 46) placed opposite each other relative to the conveying path of the objects to be positioned (41). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that both engagement means (45, 46) have the same shape. 8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the two engaging means (45, 46) are mounted resiliently relative to each other. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the engaging means (25), respectively, one or each of the engaging means (5, 25, 35, 45, 46) is provided with local elevations 5 (27) . Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the engaging means or one or each of the engaging means (5, 25, 35, 45, 46) is provided with a controllable drive means. 10 Π. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the engaging means or one or each of the engaging means (5, 25, 35, 45, 46) is provided with a controllable braking means. 12. Device for axially positioning said objects (1, etc.) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for the purpose of reading information on or on objects (1, 21, 31, 41, 71). Apparatus for rotating the labels (72) associated with bags (71) for reading the inscription of these bags (71) according to claim 12. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the bags (71) connected to a conveyor chain system (74) by means of a clamp (73) are advanced (75) and fed to a place where the inscriptions of the relevant labels ( 72) are read and entered into an information processing system, the bags (71) being contacted laterally at the location of said location with an endless belt (80) corresponding to the transport speed (75) 76) with a high friction relative to the pockets (71), which belt (76) is stopped by an operator (78) if the label (72) is on an unfavorable side 30 while the operator (78) ) the belt starts moving again as soon as the bag (71) has been rotated such that the label (72) is on the side of the bag (72) favorable for reading the inscription, after which the operator (78) ) be n entered. • r ·! 3 1 2