Method for Operating a Supply Device, and Supply Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a supply device, comprising at least one feed conveyor, at least one intermediate conveyor, a discharge conveyor and at least one handling device, wherein individual products are continuously conveyed from the at least one feed conveyor to a work area of the at least one handling device; the products are displaced by the at least one handling device from the at least one feed conveyor onto the at least one continuously running intermediate conveyor for forming an article layer according to a placement pattern; the article layer is transferred from the at least one intermediate conveyor to the discharge conveyor, wherein during the formation of the article layer, the at least one intermediate conveyor runs at a transfer speed, during the transfer of the article layer, the at least one intermediate conveyor and the discharge conveyor run at an equal speed, and after the formation of the article layer, the discharge conveyor is accelerated to a discharge speed which is greater than the transfer speed. The invention relates to a supply device for forming an article layer from individual products and for transferring the article layer to a downstream device, comprising at least one feed conveyor, at least one intermediate conveyor, a discharge conveyor and at least one handling device, which is adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for operating a supply device (10), comprising at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20), at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26), a discharge conveyor (54) and at least one handling device (30, 32, 34), wherein individual products (12) are continuously conveyed from the at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20) to a work area (36, 38, 40) of the at least one handling device (30, 32, 34); the products (12) are displaced by the at least one handling device (30, 32, 34) from the at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20) onto the at least one continuously running intermediate conveyor (24, 26) for forming an article layer (14) according to a placement pattern (48); the article layer (14) is transferred from the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) to the discharge conveyor (54), characterized in that during the formation of the article layer (14), the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) runs at a transfer speed, in that during the transfer of the article layer (14), the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) and the discharge conveyor (54) run at an equal speed, in that after the formation of the article layer (14), the discharge conveyor (54) is accelerated to a discharge speed which is greater than the transfer speed, and in that the supply device (10) comprises a first feed conveyor (16) running at a first infeed speed and a second feed conveyor (18) running at a second infeed speed, wherein the at least one handling device (30, 32, 34) has an at least approximately circular work area (36, 38, 40) which extends in a transport direction (x) and in a transverse direction (y) over at least part of the at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20) and over at least part of the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that during the transfer of the article layer (14), the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) and the discharge conveyor (54) run at the transfer speed, and in that after the transfer of the article layer (14), the discharge conveyor (54) is accelerated to the discharge speed.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that during the transfer of the article layer (14), the discharge conveyor (54) and the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) are accelerated to the discharge speed.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the article layer (14) is transferred from the discharge conveyor (54) running at the discharge speed to a downstream device, and after the transfer of the article layer (14) to the downstream device, the discharge conveyor (54) is decelerated to the transfer speed.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first infeed speed is different from the second infeed speed.

6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supply device (10) comprises a third feed conveyor (20) running at a third infeed speed, wherein the third infeed speed is different from the first infeed speed and/or from the second infeed speed.

7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) is arranged in a transverse direction (y) between the first feed conveyor (16) and the second feed conveyor (18).

8. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply device (10) comprises a first intermediate conveyor (24) and a second intermediate conveyor (26) both running at the transfer speed, wherein the first intermediate conveyor (24) is arranged in a transport direction (x) between the second intermediate conveyor (26) and the discharge conveyor (54).

9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26) is arranged in a transport direction (x) between the at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20) and the discharge conveyor (54).

10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number of products (12) are rotated about an axis extending in the vertical direction (z) for forming the article layer (14) according to the placement pattern (48).

11. A supply device (10) for forming an article layer (14) from individual products (12) and for transferring the article layer (14) to a downstream device, comprising at least one feed conveyor (16, 18, 20), at least one intermediate conveyor (24, 26), a discharge conveyor (54) and at least one handling device (30, 32, 34), which is adapted for carrying out the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Description

FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to advantageous exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. The figures illustrate the subject matter of the invention only schematically. In the figures:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a supply device according to a first exemplary embodiment,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the supply device according to the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a supply device according to a second exemplary embodiment, and

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a placement pattern.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a supply device 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. By means of the supply device 10, individual products 12, not shown here, are put together to form an article layer 14, likewise not shown here. The article layer 14 is then transferred to a downstream device, for example a palletizing device, likewise not shown here.

[0038] The supply device 10 comprises a first feed conveyor 16, a second feed conveyor 18 and a third feed conveyor 20. The feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 are configured in the form of conveyor belts and convey the products 12 in a transport direction x.

[0039] The transport direction x runs horizontally and parallel to a floor on which the supply device 10 is positioned. A vertical direction z extends perpendicular to the floor and thus also perpendicular to the transport direction x. A transverse direction y extends perpendicular to the vertical direction z and perpendicular to the transport direction x. Thus, the transverse direction y also extends horizontally and parallel to the floor.

[0040] The first feed conveyor 16 runs at a first infeed speed. The second feed conveyor 18 runs at a second infeed speed. The third feed conveyor 20 runs at a third infeed speed. The first infeed speed can be different from the second infeed speed. The third infeed speed may be different from both the first infeed speed and the second infeed speed. Thus, the products 12 can be conveyed by the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 at different infeed speeds.

[0041] The first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18 are arranged offset parallel to each other in the transverse direction y. The third feed conveyor 20 is arranged in the transverse direction y between the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18. In the present case, the third feed conveyor 20 is arranged offset from the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18 in the transport direction x.

[0042] A first pre-conveyor 56, which is configured in the form of a conveyor belt, is arranged upstream of the first feed conveyor 16 in the transport direction x. The products 12 are transferred from the first pre-conveyor 56 to the first feed conveyor 16. A second pre-conveyor 58, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt, is arranged upstream of the second feed conveyor 18 in the transport direction x. The products 12 are transferred from the second pre-conveyor 58 to the second feed conveyor 18.

[0043] The supply device 10 further comprises a first intermediate conveyor 24, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt. The first intermediate conveyor 24 is arranged in the transverse direction y between the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18. The first intermediate conveyor 24 is arranged offset from the third feed conveyor 20 in the transport direction x.

[0044] The supply device 10 further comprises a discharge conveyor 54, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt. The discharge conveyor 54 is used to transfer the finished article layer 14 to the downstream device, in particular a palletizing device. The first intermediate conveyor 24 is arranged in the transport direction x between the third feed conveyor 20 and the discharge conveyor 54.

[0045] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a first handling device 30, which is not shown here. The first handling device 30 has a circular first work area 36 which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the first feed conveyor 16 and over part of the first intermediate conveyor 24.

[0046] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a second handling device 32, which is not shown here. The second handling device 32 comprises a circular second work area 38, which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the second feed conveyor 18 and over part of the first intermediate conveyor 24.

[0047] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a third handling device 34, which is not shown here. The third handling device 34 has a circular third work area 40 which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the third feed conveyor 20, over part of the second feed conveyor 18 and over part of the first intermediate conveyor 24.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the supply device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The first handling device 30, the second handling device 32 and the third handling device 34 are configured here as robots, for example in the form of delta robots or hexapods.

[0049] During operation of the supply device 10, the individual products 12 are continuously conveyed from the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 to the work areas 36, 38, 40 of the handling devices 30, 32, 34. The products 12 are then displaced by the handling devices 30, 32, 34 from the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 onto the continuously running first intermediate conveyor 24 to form an article layer 14 according to a placement pattern 48. In doing so, a number of products 12 are rotated about an axis extending in a vertical direction z to form the article layer 14 according to the placement pattern 48.

[0050] The article layer 14 is then transferred from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54. During the transfer of the article layer 14 from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54, the first intermediate conveyor 24 and the discharge conveyor 54 run at an equal transfer speed. After the transfer of the article layer 14 from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54, the discharge conveyor 54 is accelerated to a discharge speed that is greater than the transfer speed.

[0051] In the illustration shown here, an article layer 14 has just been transferred to the discharge conveyor 54 and is still there. The article layer 14 is transferred from the discharge conveyor 54 running at the discharge speed to a downstream device, in particular to a palletizing device. After the transfer of the article layer 14 to the downstream device, the discharge conveyor 54 is then decelerated again to the transfer speed before another article layer 14 is transferred from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a supply device 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment. By means of the supply device 10, the individual products 12 are put together to form an article layer 14. The article layer 14 is then transferred to a downstream device, for example a palletizing device, which is not shown here.

[0053] The supply device 10 comprises a first feed conveyor 16, a second feed conveyor 18 and a third feed conveyor 20. The feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 are configured in the form of conveyor belts and convey the products 12 in a transport direction x.

[0054] The first feed conveyor 16 runs at a first infeed speed. The second feed conveyor 18 runs at a second infeed speed. The third feed conveyor 20 runs at a third infeed speed. The first infeed speed can be different from the second infeed speed. The third infeed speed can be different from both the first infeed speed and the second infeed speed. Thus, the products 12 can be conveyed by the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 at different infeed speeds.

[0055] The first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18 are arranged offset parallel to each other in the transverse direction y. The third feed conveyor 20 is arranged between the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18 in the transverse direction y. In the present case, the third feed conveyor 20 is arranged offset from the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18 in the transport direction x.

[0056] A first pre-conveyor 56 configured in the form of a conveyor belt is arranged upstream of the first feed conveyor 16 in the transport direction x. The products 12 are transferred from the first pre-conveyor 56 to the first feed conveyor 16. A second pre-conveyor 58, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt, is arranged upstream of the second feed conveyor 18 in the transport direction x. The products 12 are transferred from the second pre-conveyor 58 to the second feed conveyor 18. A third pre-conveyor 60, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt, is arranged upstream of the third feed conveyor 20 in the transport direction x. The products 12 are transferred from the third pre-conveyor 60 to the third feed conveyor 20.

[0057] The supply device 10 comprises a first intermediate conveyor 24, which is configured in the form of a conveyor belt, and a second intermediate conveyor 26, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt. The two intermediate conveyors 24, 26 run at the transfer speed, thus at an equal speed.

[0058] The second intermediate conveyor 26 is arranged in the transport direction x between the third feed conveyor 20 and the first intermediate conveyor 24. The second intermediate conveyor 26 is arranged in the transverse direction y between the first feed conveyor 16 and the second feed conveyor 18.

[0059] The supply device 10 further comprises a discharge conveyor 54, which is also configured in the form of a conveyor belt. The discharge conveyor 54 is used to transfer the finished article layer 14 to the downstream device, in particular a palletizing device.

[0060] The first intermediate conveyor 24 is arranged in the transport direction x between the second intermediate conveyor 26 and the discharge conveyor 54. The second intermediate conveyor 26, the first intermediate conveyor 24 and the discharge conveyor 54 are thus arranged one behind the other in the transport direction x.

[0061] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a first handling device 30. The first handling device 30 has a circular first work area 36 which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the first feed conveyor 16, part of the first intermediate conveyor 24 and over part of the second intermediate conveyor 26.

[0062] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a second handling device 32. The second handling device 32 has a circular second work area 38 which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the second feed conveyor 18, part of the first intermediate conveyor 24 and over part of the second intermediate conveyor 26.

[0063] Furthermore, the supply device 10 comprises a third handling device 34. The third handling device 34 has a circular third work area 40 which extends in the transport direction x and in the transverse direction y over part of the third feed conveyor 20, over part of the first feed conveyor 16, over part of the second feed conveyor 18 and over part of the second intermediate conveyor 26.

[0064] Here, the first handling device 30, the second handling device 32 and the third handling device 34 are configured as robots, for example in the form of delta robots or hexapods.

[0065] During operation of the supply device 10, the individual products 12 are continuously conveyed from the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 to the work areas 36, 38, 40 of the handling devices 30, 32, 34. The products 12 are then displaced by the handling devices 30, 32, 34 from the feed conveyors 16, 18, 20 to the continuously running intermediate conveyors 24, 26 to form an article layer 14 according to a placement pattern 48. In doing so, a number of products 12 are rotated about an axis extending in the vertical direction z to form the article layer 14 according to the placement pattern 48.

[0066] The article layer 14 is then transferred from the intermediate conveyors 24, 26 to the discharge conveyor 54. During the transfer of the article layer 14 from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54, the first intermediate conveyor 24 and the discharge conveyor 54 run at an equal transfer speed. After the transfer of the article layer 14 from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54, the discharge conveyor 54 is accelerated to a discharge speed that is greater than the transfer speed.

[0067] In the illustration shown here, an article layer 14 has just been transferred to the discharge conveyor 54 and is still there. The article layer 14 is transferred from the discharge conveyor 54 running at the discharge speed to a downstream device, in particular to a palletizing device. After the transfer of the article layer 14 to the downstream device, the discharge conveyor 54 is then decelerated again to the transfer speed before another article layer 14 is transferred from the first intermediate conveyor 24 to the discharge conveyor 54.

[0068] In the illustration shown here, further products 12 have already been displaced from the handling devices 30, 32, 34 onto the first intermediate conveyor 24 and onto the second intermediate conveyor 26 in order to form a further article layer 14.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary placement pattern 48 of an article layer 14. Of course, differently designed placement patterns 48 of article layers 14 are conceivable, which can also be created by means of a supply device 10 according to both the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment.

[0070] In the present case, the products 12 each have a cylindrical shape with an approximately rectangular but not square footprint. Edges of the products 12 extending in the vertical direction z are rounded. The products 12 thus have a length L which is different from a width B. In particular, the products 12 are not rotationally symmetrical.

[0071] In the placement pattern 48 shown here, some products 12 are arranged in such a manner that their length L is oriented parallel to the transport direction x and their width B is oriented parallel to the transverse direction y. Other products 12 are arranged in such a manner that their width B is oriented parallel to the transport direction x and their length L is oriented parallel to the transverse direction y.

[0072] In particular, rotationally symmetrical products 12 or buckets can also be handled with this device, since the products 12 are gripped and displaced only once and are not displaced with classical pushing devices or railings, in which case they could become twisted.

[0073] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein and the aspects emphasized therein. Rather, within the scope specified by the claims, a variety of modifications is possible, all of which lie within the common knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

REFERENCE LIST

[0074] 10 supply device [0075] 12 product [0076] 14 article layer [0077] 16 first feed conveyor [0078] 18 second feed conveyor [0079] 20 third feed conveyor [0080] 24 first intermediate conveyor [0081] 26 second intermediate conveyor [0082] 30 first handling device [0083] 32 second handling device [0084] 34 third handling device [0085] 36 first work area [0086] 38 second work area [0087] 40 third work area [0088] 48 placement pattern [0089] 54 discharge conveyor [0090] 56 first pre-conveyor [0091] 58 second pre-conveyor [0092] 60 third pre-conveyor [0093] L length [0094] B width [0095] x transport direction [0096] y transverse direction [0097] z vertical direction