SE545722C2 - A system and a method for handling goods - Google Patents

A system and a method for handling goods

Info

Publication number
SE545722C2
SE545722C2 SE2251357A SE2251357A SE545722C2 SE 545722 C2 SE545722 C2 SE 545722C2 SE 2251357 A SE2251357 A SE 2251357A SE 2251357 A SE2251357 A SE 2251357A SE 545722 C2 SE545722 C2 SE 545722C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
goods item
goods
conveyor
trolley
item
Prior art date
Application number
SE2251357A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE2251357A1 (en
Inventor
Folke Sandvik
Original Assignee
Folke Sandvik AB
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 Folke Sandvik AB filed Critical Folke Sandvik AB
Priority to SE2251357A priority Critical patent/SE545722C2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2023/081801 priority patent/WO2024105059A1/en
Publication of SE2251357A1 publication Critical patent/SE2251357A1/en
Publication of SE545722C2 publication Critical patent/SE545722C2/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
    • B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
    • 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
    • B65G47/60—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/04—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
    • 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
    • B65G39/00—Rollers, e.g. drive rollers, or arrangements thereof incorporated in roller-ways or other types of mechanical conveyors 
    • B65G39/10—Arrangements of rollers
    • B65G39/12—Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework
    • B65G39/18—Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework for guiding loads
    • 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
    • B65G47/64—Switching conveyors
    • B65G47/641—Switching conveyors by a linear displacement of the switching conveyor
    • B65G47/642—Switching conveyors by a linear displacement of the switching conveyor in a horizontal plane
    • 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
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/88—Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers
    • B65G47/8807—Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers with one stop
    • B65G47/883—Fixed stop
    • 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
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/88—Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers
    • B65G47/8807—Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers with one stop
    • B65G47/883—Fixed stop
    • B65G47/8853—Fixed stop with conveyors, e.g. pivoting or rotating, to transfer the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
    • B62B2203/10—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects comprising lifting means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
    • B62B2203/70—Comprising means for facilitating loading or unloading
    • B62B2203/74—Comprising means for facilitating loading or unloading rolling means, e.g. rollers
    • 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
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0267—Pallets

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

The invention involves a system and method for handling a goods item (3, 301), comprising a conveyor (1) and a trolley (2),- wherein the conveyor (1) has a stop end (103) with a stop device (104) arranged to stop the goods item (3, 301),- wherein the trolley (2) has a support structure (200) with one or more driven rotating elements (211) at the receiving end of the trolley (2) adapted to support the goods item (3, 301),- wherein the one or more rotating elements (211) are arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item (3, 301), and by said contact, and while being driven, to lift the forward end of the goods item so that the forward end of the goods item loses the contact with the stop device (104), and to drive the goods item onto the trolley (2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a system for handling goods, comprising a conveyor and a trolley.
The invention also relates to a method for handling a goods item.
BACKGROUND The invention is advantageously used as part of a system for handling goods in a Warehouse, storage facility, a factory, or the like.
Trolleys are used e.g. Warehouses for moving goods from one place to another. For instance, trolleys are used for transferring goods to and from conveyors, such as stationary conveyors. In for instance a production site for assembly of products, goods are unloaded from trolleys onto a conveyor system and distributed to various Workstations.
It is known to use trolleys and conveyors in Which upper regions of structures thereof are provided With rollers. It is also known in the art to put a trolley next to a conveyor, in order to load and unload goods items to and from the trolley smoothly. An example is given in US20l92l0624Al.
There is nevertheless a desire to reduce risks of goods items falling to the floor, causing danger of injury to people and damage to equipment. There is also a desire to reduce manual actions for transferring goods items from conveyors to trolleys, so that the transfers may be easier. It is further a desire to provide goods handling systems With conveyors and trolleys that are relatively uncomplicated.
SUMMARY An object of the invention is reduce the risk of goods items falling to the floor When transferred from a conveyor to a trolley. It is also an object of the invention to maketransfer of goods items from conveyors to trolleys easier. It is further an object of the invention to provide goods handling systems with conveyors and trolleys that are relatively uncomplicated.
The objects are reached by a system for handling goods according to claim l. Thus, the objects are reached with a system for handling goods, comprising a conveyor and a trolley, - wherein the conveyor is arranged to move a goods item to a stop end of the conveyor, - wherein the conveyor presents at the stop end a stop device arranged to stop the goods item by contacting a forward end of the goods item as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item, - wherein the trolley is adapted to be placed in a receiving position at the stop end of the conveyor with a receiving end of the trolley towards the stop end, and to receive the goods item, - wherein the trolley is provided with a support structure adapted to support the goods item, - wherein the support structure comprises one or more rotating elements which are located at, or extend to, the receiving end of the trolley and are arranged to be driven, - wherein the one or more rotating elements are arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item, and by said contact, and while being driven, to lift the forward end of the goods item so that the forward end of the goods item loses the contact with the stop device, and to drive the goods item onto the trolley.
The system, or at least the trolley, may be provided on a flat floor, e.g. in a building. The conveyor may be arranged to support and move the goods item by means of a conveying mechanism, which may consist of rollers, one or more belts, or one or more chains. The goods item may include a supporting structure, such as a pallet, for supporting goods. The stop device may be positioned so as to block the path of the goods item. The stop device may extend to a height which is above a top of the conveying mechanism of the conveyor, e.g. 2-40 mm, or 5-30 mm above the top of the conveying mechanism of the conveyor.This will prevent the goods item from falling to the floor before being transferred from the conveyor to the trolley.
The one or more rotating elements are arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item in the receiving position of the trolley. The one or more rotating elements are preferably arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item in the receiving position of the trolley, when the stop device contacts the forward end of the goods item. The rotating elements may form at least a part of an upper region of the support structure. The rotating elements may be arranged to be driven so as to rotate so that a top of a contact surface of each rotating element moves away from the stop end of the conveyor. The contact surface may be arranged to contact the goods item, e. g. the forward end of thereof The contact surface may be cylindrical.
The top of the contact surface of each rotating element may be located at a height above the floor which is larger than the height above the floor, at the stop end, of the top of the conveying mechanism of the conveyor. The difference in height may be e. g. 5-70 mm, or 10-50 mm. Thereby, the top of the contact surface of each rotating element may be at a height which is larger than the maximum height of the stop device. As exemplified below, while the forward end of the goods item is lifted by the rotating elements, the trolley may be biased towards the stop end of the conveyor. The rotating elements may be arranged to lift the forward end of the goods item above the stop device. The rotating elements may be arranged to drive the goods item onto the trolley subsequently to lifting the forward end of the goods item. As a result, the goods item will be supported only by the support structure of the trolley.
The invention will make the transfer of goods items from conveyors to trolleys easy, while keeping the system relatively uncomplicated. In principle, conceming the number of parts, the system according to the invention only requires, compared to known systems, a drive arrangement for the rotating elements.
In some embodiments, the one or more rotating elements are front rollers which are located at the receiving end of the trolley. Thereby, a solution which is simple toimplement is provided. However, in other embodiments, the one or more rotating elements may be one or more conveyor belts which extend to the receiving end of the trolley. The one or more conveyor belts may be arranged to extend around a respective set of belt rollers. One of the belt rollers may be driven so at to drive the respective belt.
Preferably, the trolley is adapted to be biased towards the conveyor, while the one or more rotating elements are driven to lift the forward end of the goods item. The trolley may be adapted to be biased towards the conveyor by being pushed or pulled, e.g. manually, or, in the case of the trolley being motorized as exemplified below, by being driven by one or more drive units, such as motors, of the trolley. Thereby, the forward end of the goods item can be lifted vertically to clear the stop device. In particular, since the trolley is biased towards the conveyor, a rotation centre of the rotating elements is moved towards the conveyor as one or more contact areas of the one or more rolling element to the goods item moves around the rotation centre. As a result, said contact areas may move substantially vertically upwards in relation to the conveyor. Thereby, if the stop device has a surface contacting the goods item, which surface is vertical, the goods item can be lifted along the stop device surface. In case of the rotating elements being conveyor belts, as exemplified above, the rotational centre thereof is, in this context, considered to be a rotational centre of one or more belt rollers which are, compared to other belt rollers, closest to the receiving end of the trolley.
Preferably, the one or more rotating elements are arranged to contact one or more lower edges of the forward end of the goods item. Preferably, the one or more rotating elements are arranged to contact the one or more lower edges of the goods item within a circumferential region of the rotating elements which region extends from the top of the rotating elements and 90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, in a direction towards the stop end of the conveyor. Thereby, the tangent of the rotating element contact surface at the contact between the one or more rotating elements and the one or more lower edges of the goods item has a vertical component lifting the one or more lower edges and a horizontal component moving the one or more lower edges onto the support structure of the trolley.Preferably, the stop device is located so that a goods item on the conveyor extends past an end of a conveying mechanism of the conveyor when the goods item abuts the stop device. Thereby, the goods item may extend past the end of a conveying mechanism and towards the trolley. Thereby, the one or more lower edges of the goods item can be at a distance from the end of the conveying mechanism. Thereby, the one or more lower edges of the goods item are exposed to facilitate the contact of the trolley rotating elements with the one or more lower edges of the goods item.
In some embodiments, the trolley comprises two rotating elements. The rotating elements may be spaced apart laterally. I.e. the rotating elements may be spaced apart in a direction which is parallel to rotational axes of the rotating elements. The rotating elements may be two front rollers with coinciding rotational axes. Thereby, the trolley may be conf1gured to allow the stop device to be positioned between the rotating elements when the trolley is in the receiving position. Thereby, the one or more lower front edges of the goods item may be reached by the front rollers while the front end of the goods item, which front end may present the one or more lower front edges, is abutted against the stop device.
In altemative embodiments, the stop comprises two stop units separated in a lateral direction, i.e. a horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the goods item at the stop end of the conveyor. Thereby, the conveyor may comprise a single rotating element or more than one rotating element arranged to be placed between two the stop units.
Preferably, a contact surface of each rotating element is an engagement enhancing surface and/or is formed by a friction enhancing material. The engagement enhancing surface may be provided with impressions or a 3-D pattem, such as on a tyre. The friction enhancing material may be a rubber material which preferably is relatively soft.
Preferably, the trolley is conf1gured to, when driving the goods item onto the trolley, allow the goods item to tip over to become supported by the support structure of the trolley only. The goods item may have a flat lower surface. As suggested, the top of the rotating elements may be at a higher level that the top of the conveying mechanism of theconveyor. Thereby, when the front end of the goods item is supported by the rotating elements, and a back end of the goods item is supported by conveying mechanism, the goods item may be in a non-zero angle, preferably a small angle, to horizontal. As the goods item is driven onto the support structure by the rotating elements, and the centre of gravity of the goods item reaches the rotating elements, the goods item may tip over to become supported by the support structure only. Thereby, the goods item may become horizontally orientated.
In some embodiments, where the one or more rotating elements are formed by one or more front rollers, the support structure of the trolley comprises in addition to the one or more front rollers, back rollers which are, compared to the front rollers, located further from the receiving end of the trolley. The back rollers may be driven, or non-driven. The back and front rollers may form at least a part of an upper region of the support structure. The rollers may form two or more rows, each row comprising one, two, or more rollers. Where there are two or more rollers in a row, they have with coinciding rotational axes. The rows of rollers may have parallel horizontal rotational axes.
The diameter of the contact surface of each front roller, which contact surface is arranged to contact the goods item, may be at least 125 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, and more preferably at least 175 mm. Advantageously, the rollers may form three or more rows.
It should be noted that in some embodiments, where the one or more rotating elements are formed by one or more front rollers, the support structure of the trolley may form a flat surface behind front rollers, which surface is adapted to support the goods item.
Advantageously, where the one or more rotating elements are front rollers which are located at the receiving end of the trolley, the one or more front rollers comprise respective roller bodies. Thereby, the one or more front rollers may be provided with guiding flanges extending circumferentially and radially outwards from the respective roller bodies. Thereby, the flanges are located, where there is a single front roller, at ends of the front roller. Where there are two or more front rollers forrning a row of front rollers, the flanges are preferably located at ends of the row of front rollers. Preferably, the guiding flanges areprovided with respective bevelled surfaces which face partly radially outwards and partly away from the respective front roller ends or row ends.
The system may comprise a supporting structure of the goods item, such as a pallet, for supporting goods of the goods item. The rollers may have a width adapted to essentially correspond to a width of a respective foot portion of a pallet. The pallet may be a Euro pallet of a standard size. The pallet may have at least three elongated feet, wherein the rollers in separate ones of the rows of rollers are aligned so that, when the pallet feet extend perpendicularly to the rows of rollers, each pallet foot is supported by at least two rollers in separate rows.
The trolley may be adapted to be pushed or pulled manually. In some embodiments, the trolley is motorized. In further embodiments, the trolley is self-driving. For this, the trolley may comprise sensors to perceive its surroundings. Such sensor may include therrnographic cameras, radar, lidar, sonar, GPS, odometry and inertial measurement units. The trolley may comprise a control unit which is adapted to receive signals or data from the sensors, to identify obstacles and signage. The control unit may be adapted to control propulsion and steering functions of the trolley, in dependence on the signals or data from the sensors. Thereby, the control unit may determine appropriate control actions for movements of the trolley.
The objects are also reached by a method for handling a goods item, comprising - moving the goods item with a conveyor to a stop end of the conveyor, - stopping the goods item at the stop end by allowing a forward end of the goods item, as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item, to contact a stop device at the stop end, - placing a trolley in a receiving position at the stop end of the conveyor so that one or more rotating elements on the trolley contact the forward end of the goods item, - driving the rotating elements to lift, by the contact with the goods item, the forward end of the goods item so that the forward end of the goods item loses thecontact with the stop device, and to subsequently drive the goods item onto the trolley.
Preferably, the method comprises, when the step of driving the rotating elements to lift the forward end of the goods item is carried out, biasing the trolley towards the conveyor. Biasing the trolley may comprise pushing or pulling the trolley, e.g. manually, or driving trolley if it is motorised.
Placing the trolley so that the one or more the rotating elements contact the forward end of the goods item is preferably done when the forward end of the goods item contacts the stop device. Placing the trolley so that one or more the rotating elements contact the forward end of the goods item, may comprise placing the trolley so that the one or more rotating elements contact one or more lower edges of the forward end of the goods item.
Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which - f1g. l is a side view of a part of a conveyor, a trolley, and a goods item on the conveyor, - fig. 2 is a top view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in fig. 1, - fig. 3 is a side view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in fig. 1, with the goods item at an end of the conveyor, - fig. 3a and fig. 3b are a side view and a top view, respectively, of the part of the conveyor in fig. 3, with guide rails, - fig. 4 is a side view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in fig. 3, with the trolley in a receiving position, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines, - f1g. 4a shows details of f1g. 4, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines,- fig. 4b is a side view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in fig. 3, where a forward part of the goods item has been lifted, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines, - fig. 4c shows details of f1g. 4b, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines, - fig. 5 is a side view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in f1g. 4, with the goods item partially on the trolley, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines, - fig. 6 is a side view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in f1g. 5, with the goods item on the trolley, - f1g. 7 is a side view of a part of a conveyor, a trolley, and a goods item on the conveyor, in an altemative embodiment of the invention, - f1g. 8 is a top view of the conveyor part, trolley, and goods item in f1g. 7, - f1g. 9 is a flow diagram depicting steps in an embodiment of a method for handling a goods item, - fig. 10 is a side View of a conveyor part, a trolley, and a goods item in another embodiment of the invention, - f1g. 11 is a top view of a conveyor part, a trolley, and a goods item in a further altemative embodiment of the invention, and - f1g. 12 is a side view of a detail in the system shown in f1g. 11, with the trolley in a receiving position, where hidden parts are indicated with broken lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows parts of a system comprising a conveyor 1 and a trolley 2. The conveyor comprises a conveyor structure 100 supporting a conveying mechanism, in this example in the form of a plurality of rollers 101. The conveying mechanism is arranged to support and move a goods item 3, 301. The goods item includes a supporting structure 3, such as a pallet, for supporting goods 301. The rollers 101 have rotational axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the goods item. The rollers are distributed along the direction of movement of the goods item.
The trolley 2 comprises with a support structure 200 adapted to support the goods item. The trolley comprises a plurality of wheels 221 at a lower portion of the support structure, to allow the trolley to move on a floor F. The trolley may be motorized, but is in this example adapted to be moved manually by a handle The support structure comprises one or more, in this example two, rotating elements in the form of front rollers 211 which are located at a receiving end 210 of the trolley. The rotating elements 211 are arranged to be driven by a drive arrangement, e.g. in the form of one or more electric motors (not shown). The trolley may comprise a manoeuvring device (not shown) for an operator to control the rotating element drive arrangement.
The support structure of the trolley further comprises a plurality of back rollers 212 which are, compared to the front rollers 211, located further from the receiving end of the trolley.
The back rollers are in this example non-driven.
Reference is made also to fig. 2. The front rollers 211 have coinciding rotational axes. The front rollers 211 are rotatably mounted on a non-rotating shaft 2112. The shaft 2112 is formed so that between front rollers 211 it is behind the rotational axes of the front rollers 211. Thereby, the trolley is configured to allow the stop device 104 to be positioned between the front rollers 211 when the trolley is in a receiving position described below.
Each front roller 211 presents a contact surface 2111. The contact surfaces 2111 are provided on respective roller bodies 21 13 of the front rollers 21 1. Further, the front rollers 2111 are provided with guiding flanges 2114 extending circumferentially and radially outwards from the respective roller bodies. The flanges 2114 are located at ends of the row of front rollers. I.e., the flanges 2114 are located at outer ends of the front rollers. The guiding flanges 2114 are provided with respective bevelled surfaces 2115. The bevelled surfaces 2115 face partly radially outwards and partly away from the respective front roller row ends. I.e. the bevelled surfaces 2115 face partly inwards.
Preferably, the width W of the 3, 301 is adapted to the width of the support structure 200 of the trolley. More specif1cally, the distance between the guiding flanges 2114 onopposite sides of trolley is preferably the same or slightly larger than the width W of the goods item 3, 301. Thereby, when transferred to the trolley, as exemplified below, the guiding flanges 2114 can effectively control the lateral position of the goods item 3, Reference is made also to f1g. 3. The conveyor 1 presents at a stop end 103 of the conveyor a stop device 104 arranged to stop the goods item 3, 301 by contacting a forward end of the goods item as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item. In this example the stop device 104 is arranged to stop the goods item 3, 301 by contacting a forward end of the supporting structure 3 of the goods item.
Reference is made also to f1g. 3a and f1g. 3b. The conveyor 1 may comprise, at least at the stop end, guide elements 311 for the goods item, e.g. guide rails, to keep the forward end of the goods item 3, 301 perpendicular to the path of travel of the goods item. The guide elements may extend past ends of the rollers 101. In altemative embodiment, the guide elements 311 may comprise guide rollers.
The stop device 104 extends to a height which is above a top of the conveying mechanism 101 of the conveyor, e.g. 2-40 mm, or 5-30 mm above the top of the conveying mechanism of the conveyor.
The stop device 104 is located so that the goods item 3, 301 on the conveyor, when abutting the stop device, extends past an end of a conveying mechanism 101 of the conveyor.
Reference is made also to f1g. 4. Fig. 4 shows the trolley placed in a receiving position at the stop end of the conveyor with the receiving end of the trolley towards the stop end. In the receiving position the one or more rotating elements 211 are arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item 3, 301. In this example, the one or more rotating elements 211 are arranged to contact one or more lower edges 302 of the forward end of the goods item, more specifically of one or more lower edges 302 of the forward end of the supporting structure 3 of the goods item.Guide elements 311 on the conveyor 1, eg. as the ones shown in f1g. 3a and f1g. 3b, may be provided to position the goods item 3, 301 laterally so that it enters the trolley between the guiding flanges 2114 on opposite side of the trolley.
The rotating elements are arranged to be driven so as to rotate so that a top of the contact surface 2111 (see also f1g. 2) of each rotating element 211 moves away from the stop end of the conveyor. The top of the contact surface of each rotating element are located at a height above the floor F which is larger than the height above the floor, at the stop end, of the top of the conveying mechanism 101 of the conveyor. The difference in height may be e. g. 5-70 mm, or 10-50 mm. Thereby, the top of the contact surface 2111 of each rotating element is at a height which is larger than the maximum height of the stop device The contact surface 2111 of each rotating element 211 is an engagement enhancing surface by being provided with impressions or a 3-D pattem, or by being formed by a friction enhancing material. Thereby, it may be secured that the rotating elements 211 on opposite sides of the stop device 104 lift the goods item simultaneously.
Reference is made also to f1g. 4a. The one or more rotating elements 211 are arranged to contact the one or more lower edges 302 of the goods item within a circumferential region CR of the rotating elements 211. This region CR extends from the top of the rotating elements and 90 degrees in a direction towards the stop end of the conveyor. In this example, the areas of contact between the rotating elements 211 and the lower edge 302 of the goods item is 62 degrees from the top of the rotating elements. Thereby, a tangent T of the rotating element contact surfaces 2111 at the contact between the one or more rotating elements and the one or more lower edges of the goods item has a vertical component lifting the one or more lower edges and a horizontal component moving the one or more lower edges onto the support structure of the trolley.
Reference is made also to f1g. 4b and f1g. 4c. By said contact, and while being driven, the rotating elements 211 lift the forward end of the goods item 3, 301. At the same time, the trolley 2 is biased, e.g. by being pushed by a person, towards the conveyor 1. Thus, while the forward end of the goods item 3, 301 is lifted by the rotating elements 211, the trolleyis biased towards the stop end 103 of the conveyor. Thereby, the trolley moves towards the conveyor, so that a rotation centre 2116 of the rotating elements is moved towards the conveyor 1 while contact areas CA of the rolling elements to the goods item moves around the rotation centre. As a result, said contact areas CA may move substantially vertically upwards in relation to the conveyor 1. Thereby, if, as in this example, the stop device 104 has a surface contacting the goods item 3, which surface is vertical, the goods item can be lifted along the stop device surface. Thereby, the forward end of the goods item can be lifted vertically to clear the stop device.
The rotating elements are arranged to lift the forward end of the goods item above the stop device 104. Thereby, when the front end of the goods item 3, 301 is supported by the rotating elements 211, and a back end of the goods item is supported by conveying mechanism 101, the goods item is in a non-zero angle to horizontal.
Reference is made also to f1g. 5. When the rotating elements 211 have lifted the forward end of the goods item above the stop device 104, the rotating elements 211 drive the goods item onto the trolley.
Reference is made also to fig. 6. The rotating elements 211 are arranged to drive the goods item 3, 301 onto the trolley 2 subsequently to lifting the forward end of the goods item. As the goods item is driven onto the support structure by the rotating elements, and the centre of gravity of the goods item reaches the rotating elements, the goods item will tip over to become supported by the rollers 211, 212 only. Thereby, the goods item becomes horizontally orientated.
Fig. 7 and f1g. 8 show parts of a system according to an altemative embodiment of the invention. The embodiment is similar to the one described with reference to f1g. 1 - f1g. 6, except for differences as follows.
The support structure comprises one or more, in this example two, rotating elements in the form of conveyor belts 211 which are located at a receiving end 210 of the trolley. Theconveyor belts are arranged to extend around a respective set of belt rollers 2116. One of the belt rollers is driven, eg. by an electric motor, so at to drive the respective belt.
Each conveyor belt 211 presents a contact surface 2111. Similar to the front rollers described above, the conveyor belts 211 are arranged to contact one or more lower edges 302 of the goods item within a circumferential region of the conveyor belts 211. This region extends from the top of the conveyor belts and 90 degrees in a direction towards the stop end of the conveyor. By said contact, and while being driven, the conveyor belts 211 lift the forward end of the goods item 301 so as for the forward end of the goods item to lose the contact with the stop device 104, and drive the goods item onto the trolley. It is noted that in this example, the goods item does not include a supporting structure.
Reference is made to f1g. 9, depicting steps in an embodiment of a method for handling a goods item. The method comprises moving S1 the goods item with a conveyor to a stop end of the conveyor. The method further comprises stopping S2 the goods item at the stop end by allowing a forward end of the goods item, as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item, to contact a stop device at the stop end. The method further comprises placing S3 a trolley in a receiving position at the stop end of the conveyor so that one or more rotating elements on the trolley contact one or more lower edges of the forward end of the goods item. The method further comprises driving the rotating elements while in contact with said lower edges of the goods item to lift S4 the forward end of the goods item so as for the forward end of the goods item to lose the contact with the stop device. Simultaneously the trolley is biased S4a towards the conveyor. The method further comprises subsequently driving S5 the goods item onto the trolley by means of the driven rotating elements.
Reference is made to fig. 10, showing parts of a system which is similar to the one described above with reference to f1g. 1 - fig. 6, but with differences as indicated here. In this embodiment, the one or more rotating elements 211 are arranged to contact a vertical surface on the goods item 3, 301. Contact surfaces of the rotating element and the goods item are preferably formed by a high friction material, or present a 3D-pattem, such as toothing. When the rotating elements 211 lift the forward end of the goods item, the trolley 2 is biased towards the conveyor To prevent a movement of the goods item away from the stop device 104, the conveyor comprises a locking mechanism 105. The locking mechanism comprises a locking device 1051, in this example in the form of a lock lug. The locking device 1051 is located at a distance from the stop device 104, which distance is approximately the same as the length of the goods item in the direction of movement on the conveyor. The locking device 105 is spring loaded so at so partly extend into the path of the goods item on the conveyor. As the goods item passes the locking device 1051 on its movement towards the stop device 104, the locking device is moved away from the path by its contact with the goods item. This movement of the locking device 1051 is against the spring force acting on the locking device. When the goods item has passed, the locking device 1051 is, by the spring force, moved back so as to extend into the path of the goods item. Thereby, the locking device is adapted to block a movement of the goods item away from the stop device 104, e. g. caused by the trolley being biased towards the goods item.
It should be noted that a locking mechanism 105, such as the one described above, may also be provided in embodiments, such as the one described with reference to f1g. 1 - fig. 6, in which the rotating elements of the trolley are adapted to contact one or more lower edges of the front end of the goods item.
Reference is made to f1g. 11 and f1g. 12, showing parts of a system which is similar to the one described above with reference to f1g. 1 - fig. 6, but with differences as indicated here. The stop device 104 is relatively wide. The stop device 104 may have a width WS that is at least 50% of the width W of the goods item 3, 301. Thereby, the area of contact between the stop device 104 and the goods item 3, 301 may have a relatively large extension transversely to the goods item movement direction. Thereby, the height of the stop device 104 above a lower front edge of the goods item may be relatively small. Thereby, the lift of the goods item front end by the rotating element 211 over the stop device 104 is facilitated. This illustrated in f1g. 12. In this example, areas of contact CA between the rotating elements 211 and the lower edge 302 of the goods item is 28 degrees from the topof the rotating elements in a direction towards the stop end 103 of the conveyor Preferably, more generally, the one or more rotating elements 211 are arranged to contact the one or more lower edges 302 of the goods item within a circumferential region CR of the rotating elements 211 which region extends from the top of the rotating elements and no more than 45 degrees in a direction towards the stop end 103 of the conveyor As exemplified in f1g. 11, the system may comprise one or more guide devices GD to guide the trolley to the receiving position. The guide devices may be provided in the form of guide rails which are fixed in relation to the conveyor 1 Altematively, guide rollers may be used. The guide devices may be arranged to position the trolley in a desired lateral position in relation to the stop end 103 of the conveyor 1. The guide devices GD may also be arranged to position the trolley straight in relation to the stop end 103 of the conveyor. In altemative embodiments, one or more guide devices are provided on the trolley. Thereby the guide devices may be arranged to engage one or more guide devices which are fixed in relation to the conveyor. In some examples, the stop device 104 may form such a guide device.

Claims (4)

1. A system for handling goods, comprising a conveyor (1) and a tro11ey (2), - characterised in that the conveyor (1) is arranged to move a goods item (3, 301) to a stop end (103) of the conveyorjgíïg, - wherein the conveyor (1) presents at the stop end (103) a stop device (104) arranged to stop the goods item (3, 301) by contacting a forward end of the goods item__=;fl§_.__ as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item__§;¿§_.,__;š__{_§_§.__}~_, - wherein the tro11ey (2) is adapted to be p1aced in a receiving position at the stop end (103) of the conveyor (1) with a receiving end of the tro11ey (Qfytowards the stop end__§_§ and to receive the goods item (3, 301), - wherein the tro11ey (2) is provided with a support structure (200) adapted to support the goods item (3, 301), - wherein the support structure comprises one or more rotating elements (211) which are 1ocated at, or extend to, the receiving end of the tro11ey (2) and are arranged to be driven, - wherein the one or more rotating e1ements (211) are arranged to contact the forward end of the goods item (3, 301), and by said contact, and whi1e being driven, to 1ift the forward end of the goods itemgítšg so that the forward end of the goods itemngfš 1oses the contact with the stop device (104), and to drive the goods itemglgï» onto the tro11ey (2).
2. A system according to c1aim 1, wherein the one or more rotating e1ements (211) are front ro11ers (211) which are 1ocated at the receiving end of the tro11ey (2).
3. A system according to any one of the preceding c1aims, wherein the tro11ey__=;'f§§.__f§ is adapted to be biased towards the conveyor__=;'_};__§, whi1e the one or more rotating e1ements t\ (211) are driven to 1ift the forward end of the goods itemgïèttiåktišgšfgégg s.
4. A system according to any one of the preceding c1aims, wherein the one or more rotating e1ements (211) are arranged to contact one or more 1ower edges (302) of the forward end of the goods item (3, 301).. A system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more rotating elements (211) are .'\ »^\ \ arranged to contact the one or more lower edgeS .= -\_«~\< “Mïšä of the goods item__=§_jf«; within a circumferential region (CR) of the rotating elements (211) which region extends from the top of the rotating elements (211) and 90 degrees, preferablydegrees, in a direction towards the stop end (103) of the conveyor (1). A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop device (104) is located so that a goods item (3, 301) on the conveyor (1) extends past an end of a conveying mechanismj of the conveyor _j.__§_when the goods item_§_§_.__§§É_š_}__--abuts the stop device__=§_š_ A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trolley (2) comprises two rotating elements (211), wherein the trolley__=_;'f§§:__ɧ is configured to allow the stop device (104) to be positioned between the rotating elementsgiïigšgšgj; when the \ trolley_§;§§_. .= is in the receiving position. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a contact surface (2111) of each rotating element (211) is an engagement enhancing surface and/or is formed by a friction enhancing material. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trolley (2) is configured to, when driving the goods item (3, 301) onto the trolley__{_§§_ allow the goods item * jggggto tip over to become supported by the support structure» only A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more rotating elements__sfQ§§._ are front rollers (211) which are located at the receiving end of the trolley (2), wherein the one or more front rollers (211) comprise respective roller bodies (2113), wherein the one or more front rollers are provided with guiding flanges (2114) extending circumferentially and radially outwards from the respective roller bodies (2113), which flanges (2114) are located, where there is a single front roller at ends of the front roller, or where there are two or more front rollers forrning a row of front rollers, at ends of the row of front rollers.11. A system according to c1aim 10, wherein the guiding flanges (2114) are provided with respective beve11ed surfaces (2115) which face partly radia11y outwards and partly away from the respective front ro11er ends or row ends. 12. A system according to any one of the preceding c1aims, wherein the system comprises a supporting structure of the goods item (3, 301), such as a pa11et, for supporting goods of the goods item. 13. A method for hand1ing a goods item (3, 301), - characterised by moving the goods item__g§;§__ with a conveyor (1) to a stop end (103) of the conveyorijgfg, - stopping the goods item (3, 301) at the stop end (103) by a11owing a forward end of the goods item, as seen in the direction of movement of the goods item, to contact a stop device (104) at the stop end__=;fl_“= - p1acing a tro11ey (2) in a receiving position at the stop end (103) of the conveyor (1) so that one or more rotating e1ements (211) on the tro11ey__=;'f§§.__f§ contact the forward end of the goods item (3, 301), - driving the rotating e1ements (211) to 1ift, by the contact with the goods item (3, 301), the forward end of the goods item so that the forward end of the goods item §f¿_1oses the contact with the stop device (104), and to subsequently drive the goods item onto the tro11ey (2). 14. A method according to c1aim 13, wherein the method comprises, when the step of driving the rotating e1ements (211) to 1ift the forward end of the goods item“§\§ carried out, biasing the tro11ey_ towards the conveyor__:f§_.ä__;¿.
SE2251357A 2022-11-18 2022-11-18 A system and a method for handling goods SE545722C2 (en)

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