Separation device and separation method
By designing a separation device for picking up and placing containers at variable positions, the problems of shaking and space occupation caused by the speed difference between different conveyor belts in the filling equipment were solved, and the uniform movement and flexible separation of containers were achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-10
AI Technical Summary
In existing filling equipment, the speed needs to be adjusted when separating containers between conveyor belts of different quantities and speeds. This results in the equipment occupying a lot of space and the containers shaking, tipping over, or twisting, making it impossible to separate them flexibly and in a space-saving manner.
Design a separation device that can pick up and place containers and/or container bundles at variable positions in the conveying direction, compensate for the speed difference between conveyor belts, use clamps to fix the containers to prevent shaking and twisting, and combine with a robot motion mechanism to achieve flexible separation of containers.
It achieves uniform movement of containers and container bundles, avoiding shaking and tipping caused by speed differences, and improves the flexibility and efficiency of separation while saving space.
Smart Images
Figure CN121843882A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a separating device and a method for separating containers and / or container bundles.
[0002] In filling installations, in particular in beverage filling installations, production flows are distributed to parallel processing installations, which are then combined again. For this purpose, a plurality of parallel conveyor belts are usually used. If the production flow is distributed to a plurality of parallel conveyor belts, the conveying speed of the individual conveyor belts has to be adjusted in such a way that the conveyor belts located downstream have the same conveying capacity. In this way, for example, the number of containers and / or container bundles conveyed by one conveyor belt is the same as the number of containers and / or container bundles conveyed by two conveyor belts at half the speed.
[0003] From the prior art, devices are known in which containers are accelerated on additional material conveyors to the speed of the target conveyor belt.
[0004] In this case, however, a large amount of space is occupied in the production hall, since the speed adjustment is effected via different conveyor belts and conveying devices and, as a result, the containers are slightly accelerated each time a conveyor belt is changed. Furthermore, the device has to be designed depending on the geometry of the containers and the process stability or the conveyor belts have to be designed for the respective application case.
[0005] On the basis of this, the object of the invention is to propose a method and a device which make it possible to separate containers and / or container bundles in a space-saving and flexible manner between conveyor belts of different number and speed.
[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a separating device according to claim 1.
[0007] The separating device designed for picking up and placing containers and / or container bundles compensates for the speed difference between the conveyor belts by the features of claim 1. Here, the separating device can pick up and place the containers and / or container bundles in a variable position in the conveying direction.
[0008] The separating device according to the invention thus makes it possible to pick up containers and / or container bundles arriving in parallel one after the other and to accelerate them to the speed of the conveyor belts located downstream and to place them. By means of the variable picking-up and placing position of the containers and / or container bundles in the conveying direction, it is possible to compensate for the path moved by the containers and / or container bundles during the displacement of the containers and / or container bundles located in parallel. In this way, it is possible to separate the product flow (in the form of containers and / or container bundles) in a flexible and space-saving manner.
[0009] In another embodiment, the separating device may be designed such that the speed of the separating device is matched with the speed of the container to be picked up and / or the container bundle, or the separating device may be designed such that the speed of the container and / or container bundle before placement is matched with the speed of the corresponding conveyor belt on which the container and / or container bundle is placed.
[0010] This ensures a uniform flow of product or uniform movement of containers and / or container bundles. This prevents containers and / or container bundles from shaking, tipping over, or twisting due to sudden acceleration caused by speed differences during picking or placing.
[0011] In another embodiment, the separating device may have two-dimensionally variable pick-up and placement positions for picking up or releasing containers and / or container bundles. Therefore, containers and / or container bundles can be picked up and placed at various locations, thereby allowing for flexible spatial positioning of the conveyor belt.
[0012] In another embodiment, the maximum distance between the variable pick-up and placement positions of the separating device for picking up or releasing containers and / or container bundles in the conveying direction is at least 0.5m, and particularly at least 1m. Therefore, even at higher conveying speeds, containers being conveyed in parallel can be picked up sequentially or placed in parallel.
[0013] In another embodiment, the separation device may include clamps for guiding and securing the containers and / or container bundles to prevent them from twisting. Thus, the containers and / or container bundles can be clamped in such a way that they do not tip over or twist during acceleration.
[0014] This objective is also achieved by a system comprising a separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a plurality of conveyor belts, wherein the conveyor belt arranged downstream of the separation device has at least the same conveying capacity as the conveyor belt arranged upstream of the separation device.
[0015] This system allows for the transport and / or separation of containers and / or container bundles in a space-saving and flexible manner, as it can compensate for differences in position and speed.
[0016] In another embodiment, the number of conveyor belts downstream of the separating device can be less than the number of conveyor belts upstream of the separating device. This allows containers and / or container bundles to be placed and transported on fewer conveyor belts in an energy- and space-saving manner.
[0017] In another embodiment, the number of conveyor belts upstream of the separating device may be less than the number of conveyor belts downstream of the separating device. This allows containers and / or container bundles to be placed and transported on different conveyor belts for processing, such as labeling or filling.
[0018] This objective is also achieved by a method according to claim 10.
[0019] In another embodiment, the system may have a separation device with at least two robotic motion mechanisms, and specifically at least two conveyor belts located upstream of the separation device (10) and at least three conveyor belts located downstream of the separation device. This can increase the container throughput of the system.
[0020] The features of claim 10 provide for compensating for speed differences between conveyor belts during the picking and placing of containers and / or container bundles, wherein the containers and / or container bundles are picked and placed at variable positions in the conveying direction.
[0021] Therefore, the method according to the invention makes it possible to sequentially pick up containers and / or bundles of containers arriving in parallel, then accelerate them to the speed of a downstream conveyor belt and place them. The variable pick-up and placement positions of the containers and / or bundles in the conveying direction can compensate for the path traveled by the containers and / or bundles during the displacement of parallel-positioned containers and / or bundles. Thus, product flows (in the form of containers and / or bundles) can be separated in a flexible and space-saving manner.
[0022] In another embodiment, the speed at which containers and / or container bundles are picked up can be matched with the speed at which containers and / or container bundles are to be picked up, or the speed at which containers and / or container bundles are placed can be matched with the speed of the conveyor belt on which containers and / or container bundles should be placed.
[0023] Therefore, it ensures a uniform flow of product or uniform movement of containers and / or container bundles. It prevents containers and / or container bundles from shaking, tipping over, or twisting due to sudden acceleration caused by speed differences during the picking or placing process.
[0024] In another embodiment, the positions for picking up and placing containers can be two-dimensionally variable. This allows containers and / or bundles of containers to be picked up and placed at various locations, thereby enabling flexible spatial positioning of the conveyor belt.
[0025] In another embodiment, containers and / or container bundles can be picked up or placed within a variable range of at least 0.5m, particularly at least 1m. This allows for the sequential picking or parallel placement of containers being conveyed in parallel, even at higher conveying speeds.
[0026] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Figure 1A shows the separation device at a first time point according to the first embodiment.
[0028] Figure 1B shows the separation device at a second time point according to the first embodiment.
[0029] Figure 2A shows the separation device at a first time point according to the second embodiment.
[0030] Figure 2B shows the separation device at a second time point according to the second embodiment.
[0031] In the following text, the conveyor belt located upstream of the separation device is also called the feed conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt located downstream of the separation device is also called the discharge conveyor belt.
[0032] Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of the separation device 1 and a feed conveyor belt 2 that transports containers 3 to the separation device 1 in the form of container bundles 5, each containing four containers 3. However, such an embodiment is also feasible, in which containers 3 are picked up individually or different numbers of containers 3 are combined into container bundles 5.
[0033] The separating device 1 picks up the container bundles 5 at once and distributes them onto the discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E. Multiple discharge and / or feed conveyor belts, such as up to nine, are also conceivable. Specifically, the speed of the discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E is 20% of the speed of the feed conveyor belt 2. Therefore, the cumulative conveying capacity of the five discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E is equivalent to the conveying capacity of the feed conveyor belt 2. However, it is also conceivable that the sum of the conveying capacities of the discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E exceeds the conveying capacity of the feed conveyor belt 2. Similarly, it is feasible to have different speeds for each individual discharge conveyor belt 4A to 4E. Furthermore, combinations of multiple feed conveyor belts and multiple discharge conveyor belts are conceivable depending on the different requirements of the production equipment.
[0034] The separating device 1 may include grippers (not shown) for picking up container bundles 5. The grippers may be specifically designed so that the container 3 or container bundle 5 does not twist, and clamp the container 3 and / or container bundle 5 in such a way that the acceleration of the separating device 1 can be transmitted to the container 3 and / or container bundle 5. For this purpose, the grippers are designed to have one or more elastic elements, preferably made of rubber. When clamping the container, these elastic elements are compressed and conform to the container contour, thereby increasing the contact surface and thus increasing friction. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 3 and / or container bundle 5 are variably positioned on the discharge conveyors 4A to 4E toward the conveying direction X and toward the direction perpendicular to it Y. However, it is also conceivable that the individual discharge conveyors 4A to 4E are not positioned in the Y direction, but rather arranged back and forth in the X direction. The robotic motion mechanism of the separating device may be designed as a triangular robot, also known as a tripod robot (not shown). Due to its high dynamics, the triangular robot makes it possible to accelerate or synchronize to the corresponding speeds of the feed and discharge conveyors. Furthermore, it enables fast cycle sequences (short cycle times) at high belt speeds. Additionally, it allows for coverage of a larger working area.
[0035] Using the separation device, the method can be performed as follows:
[0036] Containers 3 and / or bundles 5 are conveyed on feed conveyor belt 2 to separation device 1. Separation device 1 picks up the fed containers 3 and / or bundles 5 and accelerates them to the speed of their respective discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E. Specifically, separation device 1 can accelerate the bundles 5 to the speed of the corresponding discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E. Then, separation device 1 places the bundles 5 onto the corresponding conveyor belts 4A to 4E at the corresponding conveying speeds of the respective conveyor belts 4A to 4E. Furthermore, by means of the variable positioning of the bundles 5 in the conveying direction X, it is feasible to sequentially distribute individual bundles 5 onto individual discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E, such that the bundles are still conveyed parallel to each other on individual conveyor belts 4A to 4E. However, in one embodiment, it is also feasible to deactivate individual conveyor belts. For example, containers are actively supplied to 4A, 4B, and 4E, but not to 4C and 4D. In addition, multiple discharge and / or feed conveyor belts, such as up to nine, are also conceivable.
[0037] Figure 1B illustrates the separation device 1 according to a first embodiment, which differs from the illustration in Figure 1A by a time difference. During the picking and placing process of container bundles 5, the remaining container bundles 5 continue to move a path distance ∆s1 on the discharge conveyors 4A to 4E. By the variable positioning of the containers and / or container bundles 3 in the direction of movement X, the distance difference ∆s1 caused by the time difference can now be compensated, so that container bundles 5 placed on the parallel discharge conveyor 4A at a later time can also be placed parallel to the other container bundles 5.
[0038] In particular, by using the separation device 1, which can place the container bundles 5 within a variable range of at least 0.5m (especially at least 1m), it is feasible to ensure the flexible and parallel positioning of the container bundles 5 on the discharge conveyor belts 4A to 4E, even when the conveying speed of a single conveyor belt is high.
[0039] Additionally, the container bundles 5 can also be moved in the Y direction by the separating device 1 and placed on the corresponding target conveyor belt. However, it is also conceivable that the departing conveyor belts 4A to 4E are arranged back and forth in the X direction. This can further improve the flexibility during separation. This is particularly advantageous in production equipment with different containers 3 and / or container bundles 5, for example, these containers / container bundles are processed by different labeling or filling equipment.
[0040] Figures 1A and 1B show the container bundles 5 being picked up sequentially (from top to bottom). However, it is not necessary to pick up the parallel modules of the container bundles 5 one after another; they can be picked up in any order.
[0041] Figures 2A and 2B show the separation device 10 according to the second embodiment. There is a time difference between the illustrations in Figures 2A and 2B.
[0042] The discharge conveyor belt 14 can have a conveying capacity at least equal to the sum of the conveying capacities of the individual feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E. Therefore, the conveying speed of the discharge conveyor belt 14 is at least the sum of the speeds of the individual feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E. It is also conceivable that the conveying speed of the discharge conveyor belt 14 exceeds the sum of the individual conveying speeds of the individual feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E. Similarly, it is also possible that the conveying speeds of the individual feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E are different.
[0043] Feed conveyors 14A to 14E transport containers 13 and / or container bundles 15 to the separation device 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the container bundle 15 consists of four containers 13. However, such implementations are also feasible, wherein containers 13 are picked up individually or different numbers of containers 13 are combined into container bundles 15.
[0044] As previously mentioned, the speed of the discharge conveyor belt 14 is increased relative to the speed of the individual feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E. Therefore, the container bundle 15 is accelerated by the separating device 10 before being placed on the discharge conveyor belt 14. This prevents the container bundle 15 from tipping over or shaking. As shown in Embodiment 2, containers can be conveyed to the separating device 10 in single parallel groups on the feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E.
[0045] During the transfer of container bundles 15 onto discharge conveyor belts 14, feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E continue to move, thereby further conveying container bundles 15 toward the separating device 10. Figures 12A to 12E show the conveying path of feed conveyor belts 12A to 12E between the respective pick-up (clamping) times of container bundles 15. Because the separating device 10 is designed in such a way that it is feasible to pick up container bundles 15 at variable conveying positions X, individual container bundles 15 can be picked up at different X positions before and after a single feed conveyor belt 12A to 12E, and placed onto discharge conveyor belt 14 after the container bundle is accelerated to the corresponding target speed.
[0046] Multiple feed conveyors 12A to 12E are combined into a single discharge conveyor 14, suitable for packaging different containers 13 into mixed container bundles 15 and / or suitable for packaging containers 13 after individual process steps, each performed on a single feed conveyor 12A to 12E. The separation device 10 can also be designed such that the container bundles 15 can be moved laterally in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction X. This further enhances separation flexibility, allowing the separation device 10 to be easily integrated into complex production equipment.
[0047] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the parallel modules of container bundle 15 do not need to be picked up one after another, but can be picked up in any order.
Claims
1. A separating device, which is connected between different numbers and speeds of conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14) for conveying containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) in a conveying direction (X), for picking up and placing the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15), wherein the separating device (1, 10) compensates for speed differences of the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) in the conveying direction (X) between the conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14), which are arranged downstream and upstream of the separating device (1, 10), and the separating device (1, 10) has at least variable pick-up and placement positions in the conveying direction for picking up or releasing containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15).
2. The separation device of claim 1, wherein, The separating device (1, 10) is designed such that the speeds of the separating device (1, 10) each match the speed of the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) to be picked up.
3. The separation device of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The separating device (1, 10) is designed such that the speed of the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) before placement matches the speed of the respective conveyor belt (4A-4E, 14) on which the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are placed.
4. The separation device of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The separating device (1, 10) has two-dimensionally variable pick-up and placement positions for picking up or releasing containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15).
5. The separation device of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The maximum distance between the variable pick-up and placement positions of the separating device (1, 10) in the conveying direction (X) for picking up or releasing containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) is at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m.
6. The separation device of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The separating device (1, 10) comprises clamps for guiding and securing the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) against twisting.
7. A system comprising a separating device according to any of the preceding claims and a plurality of conveyor belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14), wherein, The conveyor belts (4A-4E, 14) arranged downstream of the separating device (1, 10) have at least the same conveying capacity as the conveyor belts (2, 12A-12E) arranged upstream of the separating device (1, 10).
8. The system of claim 7, wherein, The number of conveyor belts (14) located downstream of the separating device (10) is less than the number of conveyor belts (12A-12B) located upstream of the separating device (10).
9. The system of claim 7, wherein, The number of conveyor belts (2) located upstream of the separating device (1) is less than the number of conveyor belts (4A-4E) located downstream of the separating device (1).
10. System according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a separating device (10) having at least two robot kinematics and in particular at least two conveying belts upstream of the separating device (10) and at least three conveying belts downstream of the separating device.
11. A method for separating containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) provided on a conveyor belt (2, 12A-12E), the number and the conveying speed of which differ from the conveyor belt (4A-4E, 14) from which the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are to be removed, wherein The method comprises: - picking up the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) from a provided conveying belt (2, 12A-12E) at variable positions in the conveying direction (X), - placing the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) on a removed conveying belt (4A-4E, 14) at variable positions in the conveying direction (X), - compensating for a speed difference between the provided and the removed conveying belts (2, 4A-4E, 12A-12E, 14).
12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The speed at which the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are picked up matches the speed of the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) to be picked up.
13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The speed at which the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are placed matches the speed of the conveying belt (4A-4E, 14) on which the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are to be placed.
14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The positions for picking up and placing the containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are two-dimensionally variable.
15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, The containers (3, 13) and / or container bundles (5, 15) are picked up or placed over a variable range of at least 0.5 m, in particular at least 1 m.