Abstract
The invention relates to a device for the flexible distribution of packages, comprising at least one conveyor belt for transporting the packages along a transport direction, and at least one distributing device for moving the packages relative to the conveyor belt, wherein the distributing device has a plurality of sliding elements which are mounted movably on the distributing device, and wherein the sliding elements can be driven independently of each other. In order to achieve a reliable movement of individual packages of different sizes at individual speeds, it is proposed that the sliding elements respectively have two contact surfaces which are arranged at an angle to each other.
Claims
1. A device for the flexible distribution of packages, comprising: at least one conveyor belt for transporting the packages along a transport direction, and at least one distributing device that runs obliquely to the transport direction for laterally displacing the packages relative to the conveyor belt, wherein the distributing device has a plurality of sliding elements which are mounted movably on the distributing device, wherein the sliding elements can be driven independently, and wherein the sliding elements respectively have two contact surfaces, which are arranged at an angle to each other and serve to contact and move the packages, characterised in that the sliding elements are pivotably mounted relative to the distributing device, and the contact surfaces of the sliding elements are each unbounded on one side.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding elements are designed approximately L-shaped.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the contact surfaces have a width in the range between 20 mm and 60 mm.
4. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the distributing device has a circulating track for guiding the sliding elements.
5. The device according to claim 4, characterised in that the track runs above the conveyor belt at least in sections.
6. A method for the flexible distribution of packages, comprising the following steps: a) providing a device for the flexible distribution of packages and providing a plurality of packages, b) moving the packages on a conveyor belt along a transport direction, c) moving the packages along a distribution direction by means of a sliding element of a distributing device, wherein the packages are contacted on two respectively adjacent side surfaces by two contact surfaces of a sliding element arranged at an angle to each other, characterised in that the sliding elements are pivotably mounted relative to the distributing device, the contact surfaces of the sliding elements are each unbounded on one side, and the distribution direction is oblique to the transport direction.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the packages are made of a composite material.
8. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the packages are approximately cuboid.
9. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the packages have different dimensions.
10. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the sliding elements are driven independently of each other.
11. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the sliding elements are driven by an electromagnetic drive.
12. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that the contact surfaces have a width in the range between 30 mm and 50 mm.
13. The method according to claim 11, characterised in that the sliding elements are driven by an electromagnetic linear drive.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred embodiment. In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a plan view, and
(3) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention in a plan view, and
(4) FIG. 3 shows the region of the device labelled III in FIG. 2 in an enlarged view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(5) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in a plan view. The device 1 comprises a conveyor belt 2 for transporting packages 3 along a transport direction T. The device 1 also comprises a distributing device 4 for moving the packages 3 relative to the conveyor belt 2. The distributing device 4 has a plurality of sliding elements 5, which are mounted movably on the distributing device 4. In the device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and thus preferred, the sliding elements 5 are driven by an electromagnetic linear drive and can be moved independently of each other. The sliding elements respectively have exactly two contact surfaces 6A, 6B, which are arranged at an angle to each other. The design and function of the two contact surfaces 6A, 6B will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 3. The sliding elements 5 are mounted pivotably relative to the distributing device 4 and can be folded over in order to avoid unintentional collisions with packages 3.
(6) In the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the distributing device 4 has a circulating track 7 for guiding the sliding elements 5. Due to the circulating design of the track 7, a continuous and closed circulation system for the sliding elements 5 is achieved. The track 7 preferably runs straight in sections. It may, for example, have a forwards run 7A and a backwards run 7B (movement direction in FIG. 1 respectively marked with arrows. The track 7 preferably runs at least in sections above the conveyor belt 2. In particular, the forwards run 7A of the track 7 can run above the conveyor belt 2. In the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the track 7 even runs completely above the conveyor belt 2, wherein the backwards run 7B is arranged above the forwards run 7A. Alternatively (and in contrast to that shown in FIG. 1), it can be provided that the track 7 runs at least in sections below the conveyor belt 2. In particular, the backwards run 7B of the track 7 can run below the conveyor belt 2. The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a feed 8, which is designed to have a single track. Only on the conveyor belt 2 are the packages 3 arranged by the distributing device 4 in a multi-track configuration (six tracks) next to each other. The track 7 of the distributing device 4 runs obliquely to the transport direction T and encloses an angle α with the conveyor belt 2 which is preferably in the range between 40° and 50°.
(7) FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a device 1′ according to the invention. Those areas of the device 1′ which have already been described in connection with the device 1 from FIG. 1, are provided with corresponding reference signs in FIG. 2. The second embodiment of the device 1′ (FIG. 2) differs in particular from the first embodiment of the device 1 (FIG. 1) in that the device 1′ has two feeds 8A, 8B. It is therefore a two-track feed. On the conveyor belt 2, the packages 3 are arranged in multiple tracks (six tracks) next to one another by the distributing device 4.
(8) FIG. 3 finally shows the region of the device, labelled with III in FIG. 2, in an enlarged view. Those regions of the device 1′ which have already been described in connection with the device 1 from FIG. 1 and the device 1′ from FIG. 2 are provided with corresponding reference signs in FIG. 3. The area represented in an enlarged view shows, in particular, a package 3 and a sliding element 5, which shifts the package 3 in a distribution direction V. The resulting movement direction of the package 3 therefore results from the superimposition of the transport direction T to the package 3 and the distribution direction V to the distributing device 4.
(9) The package 3 shown in FIG. 3 is an approximately cuboid composite packaging for foodstuffs. The composite material of the package may comprise a plurality of thin layers of paper, cardboard, plastic or metal. The package 3 illustrated in FIG. 3 and thus preferred has four side surfaces, of which two wide side surfaces A, C are arranged opposite and parallel to each other and of which two narrow side surfaces B, D are also arranged opposite and parallel to each other. The package 3 has a centre of gravity S, which has a distance S.sub.A to the two narrow side surfaces B, D and which has a distance S.sub.B to the two wide side surfaces A, C.
(10) The sliding element 5 shown in FIG. 3 has two contact surfaces 6A, 6B, which are arranged at an angle to each other and enclose an angle β. The angle β is preferably in the range between 80° and 100°, in particular is approx. 90°. The sliding element 5 is therefore designed approximately L-shaped, wherein the two contact surfaces 6A, 6B form the two legs of the “L”. The package 3 shown in FIG. 3 is a package with a volume of approx. 1000 ml, in which the two wide side surfaces A, C have a width of approx. 95 mm and in which the two narrow side surfaces B, D have a width of approx. 63 mm. With a central arrangement of the centre of gravity S, therefore, the distance S.sub.A between the centre of gravity S and the side surfaces B, D is approx. 47.5 mm and the distance S.sub.B between the centre of gravity S and the side surfaces A, C is approx. 31.5 mm. The two contact surfaces 6A, 6B of the sliding element 5 have larger widths, so that they extend from their common corner to beyond the centre of gravity S. In the sliding element 5 shown in FIG. 3, the wider contact surface 6A has a width L.sub.A of approx. 60 mm and the narrower contact surface 6B has a width L.sub.B of approx. 40 mm. As a result of this design of the sliding element 5 and its contact surfaces 6A, 6B, it is achieved that the package 3 is securely held in the sliding element 5. The values for S.sub.A, S.sub.B, L.sub.A, L.sub.B are measured in a horizontal direction, i.e. parallel to the surface of the conveyor belt 2 and parallel to the bottom of the package 3.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(11) 1, 1′: Device 2: Conveyor belt 3: Package 4: Distributing device 5: Sliding element 6A, 6B: Contact surface 7: Track 7A: Forwards run (of the track 7) 7B: Backwards run (of the track 7) 8, 8A, 8B: Feed α: Angle (between transport direction T and distributing device 4) β: Angle (between the contact surfaces 6A, 6B) A, B, C, D: Side surface (of the package 3) L.sub.A, L.sub.B: Width (of the contact surfaces 6A, 6B) S: Centre of gravity (of the package 3) S.sub.A, S.sub.B: Distance (between centre of gravity S and side surface A, B, C, D) T: Transport direction V: Distribution direction
