WO2010076821A1

WO2010076821A1 - Method for collecting objects of a batch in a conveyor, in a material handling system, and conveyor for the actuation of the method

Info

Publication number: WO2010076821A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Cavallo; Carlo Gallizia Di Vergano; Marco Carvelli
Original assignee: Dematic S.R.L.
Priority date: 2008-12-30
Filing date: 2008-12-30
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: ES2366254B1; ES2366254A1

Abstract

Method for collecting objects of a batch, in a conveyor (3), in a material handling system, on which an object path is defined. Advantageously, the method comprises the following steps: - forming a row of objects (RO), extending transversely with respect to said object path, and having a maximum length substantially equal to the width of said conveyor (3), causing the release of the entire row of objects (RO) along said conveyor (3), said steps being repeated up to exhaustion of objects (4) of said batch, by collecting said objects according to a column formation of rows (RO) on said conveyor (3), providing a better use of its surface.

Description

Method for collecting objects of a batch in a conveyor, in a material handling system, and conveyor for the actuation of the method.

DESCRIPTION Technical field The present invention generally refers to a method for collecting objects of a batch in a conveyor, in a material handling system.

The invention also refers to a conveyor for performing said method, said conveyor extending along a predetermined direction and having a predetermined width, wherein an object path is defined on said conveyor.

Prior art

As it is known, in the material handling sector, and in particular, for example, in object sorting systems, for objects like packages and similar, there is the need to collect all packages belonging to a batch with a specific destination in a specific conveyor, for instance a chute.

The known conveyors, although meeting various needs and being substantially able to execute such task, nonetheless have a known drawback, which has been forcedly accepted, up to now, which is evident, when the objects to be collected have a reduced size with respect to a typical maximum size. In fact, when the objects are of reduced size, the objects, which are released on the conveyor, naturally end up against its downstream sidewall, remain in its proximity and form a row or column along the same, so that the surface of the sliding plane of conveyor remains substantially empty and unused. This causes an inefficient use of the conveyor useful surface, and provides related drawbacks, like the need to provide a more frequent emptying of the same, or the need to provide the material handling system with a longer conveyor or more than a conveyor, with respect to objects with a specific destination, up to batch exhaustion. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a conveyor having structural and functional characteristics, such as to meet the above specified need, at the same time overcoming the drawback of known conveyors.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a method for collecting objects of a batch in a conveyor, in a material handling system, on which an object path is defined, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: forming a row of objects, extending transversely with respect to said object path, and having a maximum length which is substantially equal to the width of said conveyor, causing the release of an entire row of objects along said conveyor, said steps being repeated up to exhaustion of objects of said batch, by collecting said objects according to a column formation of rows on said conveyor, providing a better use of its surface.

Suitably, said step of forming the row of objects may be performed by providing a barrier which extends transversely with respect to said object path, on said conveyor, as well as transfer means, which are positioned upstream of said barrier and which act on said objects in order to move them towards a stop, until said maximum length is reached. Advantageously, according to the invention, the release of the entire row may be performed by removing said barrier.

Moreover, the method may comprise a step of sensing that the maximum length of the row of objects has been reached, by means of a sensor, as well as a step of emitting a corresponding signal by said sensor.

Suitably, said step of causing the release of the entire row of objects may be driven by the signal emitted by said sensor.

The present invention also provides a conveyor for objects of a batch in a material handling system, said conveyor extending along a predetermined direction and having a predetermined width, wherein an object path is provided on the same, characterized by comprising, along said object path, an object ordering device, which in turn comprises a transverse barrier, which is removably positioned along said object path, as well as transfer means, which are positioned upstream of said barrier, and acting on the objects in order to move them along said barrier towards a stop, by forming, starting from said stop, a row of objects, having a maximum length which is substantially equal to the width of said conveyor.

Advantageously, said object ordering device may also comprise a sensor for emitting a signal, when said maximum length of said row of objects is reached and motor means acting on the barrier, and driven by said signal.

Suitably, said transfer means may be comprised of an inclined smooth plane, which is inclined towards said stop.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said transfer means may also be comprised of a roller assembly of freewheeling or idle rollers, which extends transversely with respect to said conveyor, upstream of said barrier, and being mounted in a portion of the conveyor, which is inclined towards the stop.

Further advantageously, said transfer means may also be comprised of a roller assembly of motorized rollers, which extends transversely with respect to said conveyor, upstream of said barrier, said motorized rollers rotating towards the stop.

Moreover, advantageously, said transfer means may be comprised of a platform supporting said barrier and being angularly movable by means of said motor means, between a position, wherein it is inclined towards said stop, and a position, wherein it is substantially coplanar with respect to a sliding plane of the conveyor.

Advantageously, said barrier may be hinged to said platform, being angularly movable by said motor means between a coplanar position with respect to the platform along its extension, which is a release position of the objects, and a position which is substantially perpendicular with respect to said platform, for forming a barrier. In particular, said motor means may be comprised of a fluid-actuated cylinder-piston assembly, acting between a position on a housing of said conveyor and an end point of an actuation arm, extending, in a lower position, from said platform, in order to apply a torque about an oscillation axis of said platform.

Moreover, said motor means for angularly moving said barrier may comprise a fluid-actuated cylinder-piston assembly acting between a small bracket fixed, in a lower position, to said platform and an end point of an actuation arm extending from said barrier, in order to apply a torque about a rotational axis of said barrier.

In particular, said platform may be hinged to said housing by means of mount-pin assemblies defining a rotational axis which substantially extends along a diagonal of said platform.

Suitably, said diagonal extends between a vertex downstream of the upper side of said platform and a vertex upstream of the sliding plane of said conveyor.

In particular, said mount-pin assemblies may be positioned at said vertices along said diagonal of said platform.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said conveyor may also comprise release facilitating means for said row of objects along said conveyor.

Suitably, said release facilitating means may comprise a plurality of motorized belts, which may be moved between a retracted position and a protruding position, with respect to said conveyor, upstream of said barrier.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said conveyor may also comprise idle rolling elements, for reducing friction, which are provided along the barrier.

Conveniently, said idle rolling elements comprise a plurality of idle rollers.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said conveyor may comprise rolling elements, idle or motorized, which are associated to said sliding plane.

The present invention finally provides an object ordering device for a conveyor, wherein an object path is defined, characterized in that it comprises a transverse barrier, removably positioned along said object path, as well as transfer means, provided upstream of said barrier, and acting on said objects, in order to move them along said barrier, towards a stop, by formation, starting from said stop, a row of objects having a predetermined length. Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyor comprised of a chute of a material handling system, as a non limiting example, in particular a sorting system of objects, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the material handling system of Figure 1 , during another working phase of the conveyor according to the invention:

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the material handling system including a conveyor according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the material handling system of Figure 3, in a further working phase of the conveyor according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the material handling system of Figure 3, in a further working phase of the conveyor according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view, in a larger scale, of a detail of the material handling system of Figure 3, from another point of view;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a detail of the material handling system of Figure 3, in another working phase; Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 7, in a further working phase;

Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the material handling system of Figure 3, in yet another working phase; - Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of the material handling system of Figure 3 in yet another working phase;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a material handling system including the conveyor according to a third embodiment of the invention; -. Figure 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of the conveyor of Figure 11 in another working phase;

Figure 13 shows an enlarged perspective view, from below and rear, of the conveyor of Figure 11, during another working phase;

Figure 14 shows a front elevation view of the conveyor of Figure 11, during another working phase;

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the conveyor of Figure 1, during a further working phase;

Figure 16 shows an enlarged perspective view of the conveyor of Figure 15; - Figures 17 and 18 show enlarged perspective views of a further detail of the conveyor of Figure 11, during two successive working phases.

Detailed description of an embodiment

With reference to said figures, 1 globally indicates a material handling system, in particular a sortation system for packages and similar items, of the type comprising a closed loop sorting machine 2 comprised of sorter conveyors or carriers, as well as at least a conveyor 3, which is in particular, as a non limiting example, comprised of a chute. By the term objects, indicated with 4, generally elements capable of being manipulated and in particular transported in the material handling system are defined, for instance packages, boxes, packaged goods and non packaged goods, and so on.

In particular, the sorting machine 2 comprises a plurality of carriers 5, each for receiving a specific object 4, which continually moves at a predetermined speed according to a direction and sense of movement

XX along a guide positioned at predetermined height with respect to the floor. Each carrier 5 has a belt, which is movable perpendicularly to the movement direction XX or comprises a tray, which is per se laterally inclinable with respect to a horizontal position, in order to discharge the respective object 4 according to needs.

The conveyor 3 comprises a housing 6, standing on the floor, which supports a sliding plane 7, of predetermined width L, having an upper side 8 which is substantially at the height of the sorting machine 2 and forming an inlet of the conveyor 3 and a lower side 9, which is substantially at man's height, wherein the sliding plane 7 defines a direction and sense YY for sliding objects 4. In other words, the sliding direction YY corresponds to an object path PO defined in said conveyor 3. 7a indicates a joining and insertion plane between the sorting machine 2 and the conveyor 3. The sliding direction YY, which corresponds to the maximum inclination line of the sliding plane 7, is perpendicular to the movement direction XX of the sorting machine 2 and has an inclination α, i.e. the angle formed with an horizontal plane, of a predetermined value, sufficient to allow the object 4 descending along the same, for instance 45°. The conveyor 3 is also provided with a lateral sidewall 10, which is in a downstream position with respect to direction and sense of movement XX of the sorting machine 2 and the lateral sidewall 11 , which is in an upstream position with respect to the direction XX of movement of the sorting machine 2, such as to retain the objects 4 over the sliding plane 7 of the conveyor 3, as well as a transversal stop 12 which is positioned at the lower side 9, defining, with the lateral sidewalls 10 and 11, a collecting bay 13 for the objects 4 belonging to a batch.

With particular reference to Figure 1 , according to a first embodiment of the invention, the conveyor 3 comprises an object ordering device, which is generally indicated with DO, which is in turn comprised of a barrier BR, which extends transversally with respect to sliding direction YY and therefore is transversally positioned with respect to the path PO of objects 4. In particular, the barrier BR extends between the downstream sidewall 10 and the upstream sidewall 11, at a distance from the upper side 8, which is substantially at least equivalent to the major dimension of the object 4. The barrier BR is removably positioned along the sliding direction YY, in particular in such a way as to move between an working position, for intercepting objects 4 along the path PO of objects, and a retracted or hidden position.

In the example shown in figures, the barrier BR is removably hidden due to a vertical transversal displacement. It is clear that other methods may be applied for removing and hiding the barrier BR, such as for example a rotation of the barrier BR, around an upper or lower hinge axis or by other means.

The object ordering device DO also comprises transfer means MT, on the upstream side of the barrier BR, which act on the objects 4 in order to move them along the barrier, from the downstream sidewall 10 towards the upstream sidewall 11. In that way, the upstream sidewall 11 provides a stop for such objects 4, forming, starting from the stop, a row of objects RO, which increases up to reaching a maximum length, which is substantially equal to the width of the conveyor 2.

The object ordering device DO further comprises an object sensor SO for emitting a signal at reaching the maximum length of the object row RO, which is forming along the barrier BR, and motor means MM, which act on the same barrier BR, driven by said signal.

In the example shown in the Figure, the transfer means MT are comprised of a smooth inclined plane 14, which is inclined towards the upstream sidewall 11, forming a stop for the objects 4. Preferably, at the inclined plane a roller assembly 14a is provided, i.e. a plurality of free-wheeling or idle rollers 15, which extend transversely with respect to the conveyor 3, in an upstream position with respect to the barrier BR, and is supported in a portion 16 of said conveyor 3, which is inclined from said downstream sidewall 10 towards said upstream sidewall 11.

The working of the conveyor 3 is described in the following, with reference to Figure 1, wherein the barrier BR is in its working position. The objects 4 which are transported by the sorting machine 2, belonging to a specific batch, are discharged from the respective carrier 5 towards the conveyor 3, and, due to their speed component in the direction and sense of movement XX, they get stopped against the downstream sidewall 10, at the roller assembly 14a, against the barrier BR. Each object 4, due to the roller assembly 14a, which is inclined towards the upstream sidewall 11, is moved until it stops against the upstream sidewall 11, and progressively, all objects 4 which are successively discharged, form a line of objects, which extends transversally with respect to the conveyor 3, and has a maximum length which substantially equals the width L of the conveyor 3, forming in other words a row of objects RO, as shown in Figure 2.

Later on, when the row is completed, by activating the object sensor SO and consequently the motor means MM, the barrier BR is retracted and hidden, causing the release of the row of objects RO, so formed along the conveyor 3, until the collecting bay 13 is reached. The operation is repeated, until all objects 4 in the batch are processed, forming a column and row arrangement, substantially filling out the width L of the conveyor 3, for a length which is sufficient to receive the objects 4 of a predetermined batch.

With reference to Figures 3 and 10, a conveyor is described, according to the invention, according to a second embodiment, which is in particular comprised of a chute, as a non limiting example. The structurally and functionally equivalent elements corresponding to the conveyor 3, which is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, maintain the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be further described.

In this second embodiment, the conveyor 3 comprises transfer means MT, which are comprised of a roller assembly 17, formed by motorized rollers 18, which extends transversally with respect to the conveyor 3, in an upstream position of the barrier BR, having direction of rotation such as the objects 4 axe transferred from the downstream sidewall 10 towards the upstream sidewall 11.

The roller assembly 17 made of motorized rollers 18 is supported by a portion of the conveyor 3, which is disposed in a coplanar way with respect to the sliding plane 7. In this second embodiment, the sliding plane 7 and at least a portion of the joining and insertion plane 7a are advantageously provided with rolling, idle or motorized elements, in this example rollers 19, in order to facilitate the sliding of the objects 4 along the conveyor 3. It is to be noted that the barrier BR is also provided with idle roller elements, in this example rollers 20, in order to facilitate the rolling of the objects 4 along the barrier BR during the formation of the object row RO, as shown in Figure 6.

It is also to be noted that at the roller assembly 17, and more particularly, between each roller 18 of the rollers assembly 17, a plurality of belts 21 is provided, as releasing means of the object row

RO. In particular, the plurality of belts 21 is disposed on a movable frame, between a position, wherein the belts 21, and more in particular, their active track, protrudes with respect to the motorized rollers 18 and a retracted position, wherein the active tracks of the belts 21 are underneath the motorized rollers 18, as shown in Figures 8 and 7, respectively.

The working of the conveyor 3 according to said second embodiment is described in the following, with reference to Figure 3, wherein the barrier BR is in its working position, the belts 21 are retracted and motorized rollers 18 are rotating. The objects 4 transported by the sorting machine 2, relating to a specific batch, are discharged from the respective carrier 5 towards the conveyor 3, and due to their speed component in the direction and sense of movement XX, they stop against the downstream sidewall 10, at the roller assembly 17 and against the barrier BR, their sliding being facilitated by the idle or motorized rollers 19, of the joining and insertion plane 7a. Each object 4, due to the rotating motorized rollers 18, is transferred, until it stops against the upstream sidewall 11, as shown in Figure 4, their sliding being facilitated by the idle rollers 20 of the barrier BR, and gradually all objects 4 which are sequentially discharged, form a line of objects, which extends transversally with respect to the conveyor 3, having a maximum length substantially equal to the width L of the conveyor 3, at last forming a row of objects RO, as shown in Figure 5.

Afterwards, when the row is completed, upon activation of the object sensor SO, and following activation of the motorized means MM, the barrier BR is retracted and hidden in order to cause the release of the object row RO, so formed, along the conveyor 3, until the collecting bay 13 is reached, wherein said release is eased by the plurality of belts 21, which are activated and rise after the removal of the barrier BR, optionally upon signalling of the same object sensor SO, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

This operation is repeated until all objects 4 in the batch are processed, forming a column by row arrangement, which substantially fills the whole width L of conveyor 3, along a length which depends on the number of objects in a batch, as shown in Figure 10.

It is to be noted that the use of the motorized rollers 18 and of the plurality of belts 21 allows the adoption of an inclination angle α of the sliding plane 7 of the conveyor 3, which is less than that of the first embodiment, which is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

It is also to be noted that the provision of the barrier BR with idle rolling elements, in particular rollers 20, is also advantageous in the case of the conveyor 3, according to the first embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

With reference to Figures 11 to 18, a conveyor according to a third embodiment of the invention is described, which is comprised, in a non limiting example, of a chute. The elements, which are structurally and functionally equivalent to those described for the conveyor of Figures 1 to 10 will retain the same numeral references and will not be further described.

In this third embodiment, the conveyor 3 comprises a platform 22, which extends from the upper side 8 of the conveyor 3 and has a length which is at least equal to the major dimension of the object 4, and carries the barrier BR at its lower side 23. The barrier BR is comprised of a flap 24, which is hinged to said lower side 23 and is angularly movable, by means of motor means 25, between a release position of the objects 4, wherein the flap 24 is substantially coplanar to the platform 22, along its extension, and an intercept position of the objects 4, wherein the flap 24 extends perpendicularly to the platform 22, in order to form a barrier.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the platform 22 is angularly movable, by means of motor means 26, between a position, wherein it is inclined towards the upstream sidewall 11 of the conveyor 3, and a position, wherein it is substantially coplanar to the bottom plane of the conveyor 3.

The platform 22 has a substantially rectangular shape, with long sides AB and CD respectively comprised of the lower side 23 and the upper side 8, wherein A, B, C and D are the vertices of the rectangle. A and D are positioned at the upstream sidewall 11 and B and C are positioned at the downstream sidewall 10. According to the invention, the platform

22 is angularly movable, by means of the motor means 26, around an oscillation axis aa, which is substantially corresponding to the diagonal

AC of the rectangle.

The angular displacement of the platform 22 takes place between an angular position, for releasing the objects 4, shown in Figures 14, 1 and 16, wherein it is coplanar to the sliding plane 7 of the conveyor 3, and a position, for intercepting the objects 4 from the sorting device 2, shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, wherein it is inclined towards the upstream sidewall 11. Due to this angular displacement, the platform 22 alternatively travels from the release position to the intercept position, wherein it is alternatively inclined according to the sliding direction YY or according to a sliding direction ZZ along the platform 22, which is at an angle with respect to the direction YY. Therefore, the platform 22 defines an inclined sliding plane inclined according to the sliding direction ZZ, when in its intercept position, thereby forming the transfer means MT which act upon the objects 4. It is to be noted that in the release position, the longer sides AB and CD of the platform 22 are horizontal and the shorter sides AD and BC are inclined along the direction YY. In the intercept position, the longer sides AB and CD are inclined along the direction ZZ, forming an angle with the direction YY.

It is also to be noted that a foil, not shown in the figures, for example made of plastic material, of substantially trapezoidal shape, may be fixed, as a bellows, between the lower side 23 of the platform 22 and the sliding plane 7 of the conveyor 3, for avoiding external bodies to penetrate into the space formed between said sides, when they are separated from each other, i.e. when the platform 22 is in the collecting position.

Regarding the motor means 26 of the platform 22, they may be selected according to their availability. In the illustrated example, with reference to Figure 13, the motor means 26 comprise a fluid- actuated cylinder- piston assembly, which acts between a point on the housing and an end point of an actuating arm, extending in a lower position from the platform 22, in order to apply a torque about the oscillation axis aa of the platform 22. In particular, the platform 22 is hinged to housing 6, by means of mount-pin assemblies 28 and 29, which are positioned at the vertices A and C of the rectangle, and which define the oscillation axis aa, which substantially corresponds to the diagonal AC, as shown in Figure 13.

Regarding the motor means 25 of the flap 24, they comprise a fluid- actuated cylinder-piston assembly, which acts between a bracket fixed, in a lower position, to the platform 22 and an end point of an actuating arm extending from the flap 24, so as to apply a torque about the rotation axis of the flap 24.

It is to be noted that the sliding plane 7 is conveniently shaped with steps 7' and 7", as shown for example in Figure 1 and Figure 17.

According to a preferred embodiment, a transversal diaphragm 27, which is parallel to the transversal stop 12, is provided in a position between two successive steps, for instance 7' and 7", and may be displaced between an inactive position, shown in Figure 17, wherein it is retracted and hidden and an active position, shown in Figure 18, wherein it protrudes from the sliding plane 7, in order to define in the conveyor 3 two separate zones 30a and 30b, for collecting objects 4, belonging to two distinct batches, for or towards two distinct destinations.

The conveyor 3 comprises a suitable electric and fluid system for energizing the motor means.

The operation of conveyor 3 according to the third embodiment is described in the following with reference to an initial condition, shown in Figure 11 , wherein the platform 22 is in the intercept position, being inclined with respect to the sliding plane 7 and the flap 24 is in its working position, perpendicular to the platform 22.

In that way, the conveyor 3 is ready for receiving objects 4 coming from the sorting machine 2.

At this point, objects 4 discharged by carriers 5 of the sorting machine 2 get stopped against the downstream sidewall 10 and slide along the platform 22 in the direction ZZ, towards the upstream sidewall 11. In such a way, a line of objects 4 is formed, which extends along the direction ZZ, transversally with respect to the direction YY on the platform 22.

When the line of objects 4 has reached a length which is substantially equal to the width L of the platform 22, forming a row of objects RO, upon signalling by the sensor SO, for example a photocell, the platform 22 is angularly moved until it reaches a release position, i.e. being coplanar to the sliding plane 7 of the conveyor 3.

Due to this rotation, the row of objects RO perfectly aligns along the flap 24, which acts as a barrier BR. At this point, the flap 24 is angularly moved in the release position, in particular in an extended position of the platform 22, bridging the gap between the lower side 23 of the platform 22 and the sliding plane 7, in order to ensure a continuation of the sliding plane itself. The row of objects RO is now able to slide along the sliding plane 7 up to the collecting bay 13.

The operation is repeated until all the objects 4, row after row, have been collected into the conveyor 3, using up all the available space of the conveyor 3, along its width and according to a length depending on the number of objects in a batch.

Due to the configuration with steps 7' and 7" of the sliding plane 7, the rows of objects RO coming from the platform 22 may be also regularly placed over, row after row. If the number of objects 4 in a batch for a specific collecting destination is not able to saturate the entire capacity of the conveyor 3, the transversal diaphragm 27 is actuated, in order to collect the objects 4 of another batch for a different destination in a separate collecting zone, for instance the zone 30b. The present invention also refers to an object ordering device, generally indicated by DO, which is particularly suitable for a conveyor 3 with an object path defined therein, as schematically shown in Figures 1, 3 and 11.

The object ordering device DO comprises the barrier BR as well as the transfer means MT, which are provided upstream of the barrier BR and act on the objects in order to displace them towards the stop 1 1.

Suitably, the object ordering device DO comprises also at least a sensor for emitting a signal, at reaching the maximum length of the object row RO and motor means MM, which act upon the barrier BR, and are driven by that signal.

The present invention also refers to a method for collecting objects 4 of a batch in a conveyor 3, in a material handling system 1, upon which an object path is defined.

Said method comprises the following steps: - forming a row RO of objects, which extends transversely with respect to the object path and has a maximum length which is substantially equal to the width L of the conveyor 3, causing the release of the entire row RO of objects along the conveyor 3, said steps being repeated until all objects 4 of the batch have been processed, by collecting the same according to a column by row arrangement on the conveyor 3, providing a better use of its surface.

Preferably, the step of forming the row RO of objects is performed by providing a barrier BR, which extends transversely with respect to the object path, as well as transfer means MT, upstream of the barrier BR, acting on the objects 4 in order to move them towards a stop 11 until the maximum length is reached.

The release of the entire row RO is performed by removing the barrier BR.

The method also comprises a step of sensing that the maximum length of the row RO of objects has been reached, by means of a sensor SO, as well as an emission step of a respective signal by said sensor SO.

Preferably, the step of causing the release of the entire row RO of objects is driven by the signal emitted by the sensor SO.

The primary advantage of the conveyor according to the invention is its uncommon efficiency, i.e. the achievement of the maximum filling ratio of the conveyor. In fact, it practically allows an homogenous use of the entire usable surface of the conveyor, with all corresponding advantages, such as a reduced frequency of manual unloading operations or the reduction of the number of conveyors to be used for collecting objects from a same batch, for objects of any size. In other words, the conveyor according to the invention is suitable for a wide dimensional range of objects, starting from the smaller sizes.

In essence, thanks to the invention, a high performance conveyor is provided, also for small sized objects. It is to be noted that the conveyor according to the invention is advantageously suitable for manipulating small sized objects, with a full occupation of the available surface, while maintaining the ability to manipulate bigger objects, obviously up to the conveyor width. In fact, each row of objects contains a number of objects which depends on their size, ranging from a multitude of small sized objects up to only one big object, in a fully automatic way.

Due to its uncommon efficiency, the conveyor according to the invention is even suitable, in certain circumstances, for collecting objects, which are subdivided, along the conveyor, according to two or more destinations, entailing, as an evident consequence, the activation, within the material handling system, of only a minimum number of conveyors.

A further advantage of the conveyor according to the invention is its structural simplicity, which should provide working reliability and a long and unproblematic working life, as well as the possibility to apply the invention for conveyors of existing material handling systems.

Finally it is to be noted, that the conveyor according to the invention should exhibit a favourable behaviour with respect to the working security.

Obviously, the skilled in the art, in order to fulfil particular and contingent needs, may introduce various modifications and variants to the above described conveyor, which are all contained within the protection scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Method for collecting objects (4) of a batch, in a conveyor (3), in a material handling system (1), on which an object path is defined, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - forming a row of objects (RO), extending transversely with respect to said object path, and having a maximum length which is substantially equal to the width (L) of said conveyor (3), causing the release of an entire row (RO) of objects along said conveyor (3), said steps being repeated up to exhaustion of objects (4) of said batch, by collecting said objects (4) according to a column formation of rows (RO) on said conveyor (3), providing a better use of its surface.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of forming the row of objects (RO) is performed by providing a barrier (BR) extending transversely with respect to said object path on said conveyor (2), as well as transfer means (MT), which are positioned upstream of said barrier (BR) and which act upon said objects (4) for moving them towards a stop (11), until said maximum length is reached.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the release of the entire row (RO) is performed by removing said barrier (BR).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of sensing that the maximum length of the row of objects (RO) has been reached, by means of a sensor (SO), as well as a step of emitting a corresponding signal by said sensor (SO).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said step of causing the release of the entire row of objects (RO) is driven by the signal emitted by said sensor (SO).

6. Conveyor (3) of objects (4) of a batch in a material handling system (1), said conveyor (3) extending along a predetermined direction and having a predetermined width, an object path being defined on the same, characterized in that it comprises, along said object path, an object ordering device (DO), which in turn comprises a transversal barrier (BR), which is removably positioned along said object path, as well as transfer means (MT), which are positioned upstream of said barrier (BR), and act on the objects (4) in order to move them along said barrier (BR) towards a stop (11), by forming, starting from said stop (11), a row of objects (RO) having a maximum length which is substantially equal to the width of said conveyor (3) .

7. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said object ordering device (DO) also comprises a sensor (SO) for emitting a signal, when said maximum length of said row of objects (RO) is reached, and motor means (MM) acting on the barrier (BR), driven by said signal.

8. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said transfer means (MT) are comprised of an inclined smooth plane (14), which is inclined towards said stop (11).

9. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said transfer means (MT) are comprised of a roller assembly (14a) of idle rollers (15), which extends transversally with respect to said conveyor (3), upstream of said barrier (BR), which is supported on a portion (16) of the conveyor (3), which is inclined towards the stop (11).

10. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said transfer means (MT) are comprised of a roller assembly (17) of motorized rollers (18), which extends transversally with respect to said conveyor (3), upstream of said barrier (BR), said motorized rollers (18) rotating towards the stop (11).

11. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said transfer means (MT) are comprised of a platform (22) supporting said barrier (BR) and angularly movable, by means of said motor means (26) between a position, wherein it is inclined towards said stop (11) and a position, wherein it is substantially coplanar with respect to a sliding plane (7) of the conveyor (3).

12. Conveyor (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that said barrier (BR) is hinged to said platform (22), which is angularly movable by means of said motor means (25) between a position coplanar with respect to the platform (22) along its extension, which is a release position of the objects (4), and a position, which is substantially perpendicular to said platform (22), for forming a barrier.

13. Conveyor (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that said motor means (26) are comprised of a fluid-actuated cylinder-piston assembly, which acts between a point on a housing (6) of said conveyor (3) and an end point of an actuating arm extending, in a lower position, from said platform (22), in order to apply a torque about an oscillation axis (aa) of said platform (22).

14. Conveyor (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that said motor means (25) for angularly moving said barrier (BR) comprise a fluid-actuated cylinder-piston assembly, acting between a small bracket fixed, in a lower position, to said platform (22) and an end point of an actuating arm extending from said barrier (BR), in order to apply a torque about a rotational axis of said barrier (BR) .

15. Conveyor (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that said platform (22) is hinged to said housing (6) by means of mount-pin assemblies (28, 29) which define a rotational axis (aa) which substantially extends along a diagonal (AC) of said platform (22).

16. Conveyor (3) according to claim 15, characterized in that said diagonal (AC) extends between a vertex (C) downstream of the upper side (8) of said platform (22) and a vertex (A) upstream of the sliding plane (7) of said conveyor (3).

17. Conveyor (3) according to claim 16, characterized in that said mount-pin assemblies are positioned at said vertices (A, C) along said diagonal (AC) of said platform (22).

18. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that it also comprises release facilitating means (21), for said row (RO) of objects (4) along said conveyor (3).

19. Conveyor (3) according to claim 18, characterized in that said release facilitating means comprise a plurality of motorized belts (21), which are movable between a retracted position and a protruding position with respect to said conveyor (3), upstream of said barrier (BR).

20. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that it also comprises idle rolling elements (20), for reducing friction along said barrier (BR).

21. Conveyor (3) according to claim 20, characterized in that said idle rolling elements comprise a plurality of idle rollers (20).

22. Conveyor (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises rolling idle or motorized elements (19), which are associated to said sliding plane (7).

23. Object ordering device (DO) for a conveyor (3), wherein an object path is defined, characterized in that it comprises a transversal barrier (BR), which is removably positioned along said object path, as well as transfer means (MT), which are provided upstream of said barrier (BR), and which act on said objects (4), in order to move them along said barrier (BR), towards a stop (11), forming, starting from said stop (11), a row of objects having a predetermined length.