Sorting member and sorting device thereof

Abstract

A picking element for exerting a mechanical action on discrete products of a product flow, wherein the picking element comprises a plate body which extends in the longitudinal direction, wherein the plate body has a stop face against which a pushing force can be applied laterally to a product to be picked from the product flow, and wherein a groove structure comprising at least one longitudinal groove is provided on the stop face, such that an edge portion of a product which is contacted by the stop face during the exertion of the action is grasped in a form-fit manner by the edge portion inserting into the longitudinal groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a picking tool and a picking device for selectively picking individual products from a product flow. Background Technology

[0002] Such picking devices, sometimes referred to as pushers or push plates, are known in the prior art. These picking devices are arranged laterally adjacent to a conveyor plane above which multiple products are conveyed along a conveyor path in the conveying direction X0. Typically, product conveying is carried out by a conveyor belt, the top surface of which forms the conveyor plane. Alternatively, a slide plate, the surface on which products slide, can be considered instead of a conveyor belt. Thus, the slide plate constitutes the conveyor plane.

[0003] To pick products from the product flow, the picking device moves laterally into the product conveying path in an impact manner via a pushing mechanism, moving towards the relevant product to apply a brief impact or thrust. The product is thus strongly accelerated towards the picking direction Y0, which extends laterally to the conveying direction X0, and can thereby be picked from the product flow and, for example, fed into a collection container arranged beside the conveyor plane or conveyor belt. The picking device simultaneously returns quickly and leaves the conveying path of subsequent products to allow other products to pass unimpeded, or is picked by repeating the process.

[0004] In practice, it has been shown that certain products (such as finished food packaging) move in an uncontrolled manner during and after the application of force. Such packaging is typically relatively flat and has straight edges that are spaced apart from the bottom at varying degrees, or curve upwards or laterally protrude, as is often seen in deep-drawn plastic packaging. An example is finished packaging containing cheese or sausage slices, which has a flat shell and edges extending laterally above the bottom of the shell, as well as a film stretched to the edges and closing the shell. When such products are applied using conventional pickers, they bounce and are partially lifted off the conveyor plane or flip over, making it difficult to transfer them purposefully downwards from the conveyor plane and into the collection container. Furthermore, because there is typically only a narrow contact area between the picker and the product edge, only a small amount of friction is generated between these two components to adequately decelerate the product, which was originally moving in the conveyor direction X0, and successfully redirect it to the picking direction Y0. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a picking element to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. This objective is accomplished by a picking element for applying mechanical action to discrete products and a picking device including said picking element. Other advantageous embodiments are derived from other preferred embodiments of this invention.

[0006] This invention is based on the understanding that the uncontrolled movement of the aforementioned product is related to edges that are spaced apart or upturned at varying degrees at their relative bottoms. If a known type of picker moves rapidly laterally toward such an edge and applies a thrust, this normally deformable edge tends to deform upwards first due to the inertia of the packaging in the initial fraction of a second, before the packaging is fully accelerated in the picking direction Y0. This generates a force vertically upwards from the conveyor plane at the edge, which then lifts the packaging, causing it to be uncontrollably flung away and consequently making it difficult to pick or convey to the collection container in a targeted manner.

[0007] The above-mentioned task is accomplished by a picking device according to this invention. For this purpose, the picking device comprises a flat plate that extends primarily in the longitudinal direction X and a preferably vertical height direction Z orthogonal to it. A preferably horizontal thickness direction Y extends orthogonally to these two directions X and Z. When the picking device is placed on a conveyor plane or conveyor belt, the longitudinal direction X of the picking device preferably corresponds to the conveying direction X0, and the thickness direction Y preferably corresponds to the picking direction Y0.

[0008] The plate includes substantially flat stop surfaces extending in height Z and longitudinal direction X. During operation, the stop surfaces face the products in the product flow and are configured to laterally apply force to the products to be picked out from there, in the manner described above.

[0009] According to this invention, a grooved structure is provided on the stop surface, including at least one longitudinal groove extending along the longitudinal direction X. This longitudinal groove preferably includes a groove bottom extending in the longitudinal direction X and two sidewalls extending therefrom toward the surface of the stop surface. The longitudinal groove is configured to vertically stabilize (vertically stabilize) the edge portion of the product that is contacted by the stop surface during the application of force. This is achieved by the edge portion protruding or inserting at least partially, and even up to the groove bottom, into the longitudinal groove or between the groove sidewalls during the application of force. Here, the edge portion is held in the height direction Z by the two vertically arranged sidewalls of the longitudinal groove, particularly by the sidewall located directly above the edge portion, such that the sidewalls resist upward movement of the edge portion in a form-fitting manner. The picking item itself is fixed or guided to prevent upward movement in the height direction Z. Therefore, the edge portion is no longer able to deform upward during the application of force; instead, it is guided and held substantially stably within the longitudinal groove until the product is fully accelerated or the forward movement of the picking item ends. Throughout the entire period (preferably a fraction of a second) during which the picking device applies force to the product, the product is reliably and controllably guided by its edge portion, which is guided and held in the longitudinal groove, so that no vertical movement of the product occurs during the application of force.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the groove structure of the stop surface includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves, preferably parallel to each other and preferably of the same type, arranged vertically at uniform or varying intervals in the height direction Z. Thus, the same picker can be used for products whose edges are located at different Z heights and can be inserted into the longitudinal grooves arranged at corresponding heights. Here, for the effect of the present invention, it is sufficient for the corresponding longitudinal grooves to grip the product edge, even when the bottom of the groove is not exactly at the same height as the product edge. Importantly, the "unimpeded upward movement of the edge (and therefore the packaging)" is reliably prevented by the form-fitting contact between the edge and the upper groove sidewall.

[0011] Preferably, the at least one longitudinal groove extends through the entire X length of the stop surface. This ensures that the product is already guided within the grooved structure of the stop surface when action is applied, while it moves in the conveying direction X0 or along its longitudinal direction X at the stop surface due to its original motion, wherein the edge portion can slide within the longitudinal groove.

[0012] Alternatively, these longitudinal grooves at different heights can be formed or designed with notches of varying lengths to precisely fit the different edges of different products.

[0013] The longitudinal groove can be designed to be substantially symmetrical in the YZ cross section, which particularly simplifies its manufacturing. However, according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the at least one longitudinal groove forms a serrated profile in the YZ cross section. The serrated profile includes an upper sidewall extending partially or completely from the bottom of the groove in the thickness direction Y from the plate body K. The corresponding lower sidewall extends obliquely towards the bottom of the groove G as the Z height increases. This grooved structure particularly effectively prevents vertical upward movement of the edge, especially when the upper sidewall extends substantially or completely in the horizontal or thickness direction Y. Other profiles that are obvious to those skilled in the art are also conceivable, which allow for a form fit between the product edge and the stop profile in the vertical direction.

[0014] The geometry of the groove profile is not necessarily constant along its entire length, but can be optimized for the shape of the individual product. For example, the depth of the groove can increase or decrease as the longitudinal direction X increases. It is also conceivable to set the individual grooves at an angle to each other so that the edges of the product being acted upon are guided to a certain height level as it moves along the stop surface.

[0015] The depth of the longitudinal groove, measured in the thickness direction, can be, for example, from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and is preferably from 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm. The plate can have, for example, a length of 120 mm, a height of 60 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal groove can also be designed as a step, having a preferably vertical lower sidewall and an adjacent, preferably horizontal, or thickness-extending upper sidewall. Vertical guidance of the product edge is thus achieved solely through the upper sidewall, which, upon application, abuts against or is pressed against the lower side of the upper sidewall. Multiple such steps can be arranged vertically in the height direction, each exceeding the dimension of its respective upper sidewall, i.e., the pick widens in a stepped manner in the thickness direction with increasing height. This advantageously allows the product edge, if initially not inserted into the step lower in its height, to be held and stabilized by the step above it during any possible upward movement, preventing further upward movement. The aforementioned depth of the longitudinal groove corresponds to the length of the upper or horizontal sidewall of the step.

[0017] The sheet body can have an integrally formed grooved structure. For example, a generally flat square workpiece can be machined (especially milled) on one side to create longitudinal grooves on that surface. Alternatively, the grooved structure can also be created by embossing or stamping the required stop surfaces. Alternatively, the sheet body can also be a workpiece manufactured by injection molding, deep drawing, or 3D printing. Preferably, the sheet body, or at least its stop surfaces, is made of a wear-resistant material such as POM (polyoxymethylene). The grooved structure can also be produced by stamping, upsetting, or other methods known to those skilled in the art for forming grooved surfaces.

[0018] Alternatively, the grooved structure may also include one or more individual molded parts that are detachably connected to the plate and can be modularly replaced depending on the application.

[0019] It is also conceivable that the thickness of the plate increases or decreases with the increase of the longitudinal direction X, making the plate designed as a wedge. Taking into account all the relative movements of the product with respect to the picking piece, it is thus easy to achieve that the edge is simultaneously inserted into the grooved structure of the picking piece along its entire length.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a stop member is provided on the stop surface of the picking item, which has a protrusion extending from the stop surface in the thickness direction. This protrusion, according to the present invention, is used to terminate the continued movement of the product under action along its initial direction of movement, i.e., the conveying direction X0, as specified in the present invention.

[0021] Thus, products can be guided or acted upon in three mutually orthogonal directions by means of the picking element, and thereby be picked out reliably. During action, the stop surface of the picking element applies a pushing force to the product in the picking direction Y0. A stop according to this invention impedes movement in the longitudinal direction X of the picking element or in the conveying direction X0 of the product to be picked. Finally, the at least one longitudinal groove is used to guide the product or its edge in the height direction Z. Preferably, the stop is thus positioned at the rear end of the stop surface A viewed along the longitudinal direction X or the conveying direction X0.

[0022] The stop advantageously shortens the movement of the product in the longitudinal direction X or the conveying direction X0. Specifically, each product is preferably acted upon orthogonally to the longitudinal direction X0. Due to the superposition of the product's velocity in the longitudinal direction X0 and its transverse direction, the product typically leaves the conveying plane along a trajectory that extends obliquely relative to the conveying direction X0 after being acted upon; therefore, the trajectory is not perfectly orthogonal to the conveying direction X0. Accordingly, the collection container for receiving the product to be picked must be arranged slightly downstream and to the side of the conveying plane, which disadvantageously increases the construction length of the overall arrangement. With the help of the stop, the motion component in the conveying direction X0 can be substantially or completely eliminated, so that the acted product subsequently moves substantially orthogonally to the conveying direction X0. Thus, the collection container can be positioned approximately in the same location as the picking item with respect to the conveying direction, resulting in a smaller construction length for the entire arrangement.

[0023] The picking device according to this invention includes a conveyor belt forming a conveying plane for conveying discrete products on the conveying plane. Conveying occurs along a conveying path in a conveying flow and along the conveying direction X0. At least one picking element of the aforementioned type according to this invention is provided, wherein the picking element is located beside the conveying path such that the plate body extends substantially orthogonal to the conveying plane with its stop surface, preferably extending in the conveying direction X0. The stop surface here faces the products moving on the conveyor belt.

[0024] Additionally, a push mechanism connected to the picking item is provided, which drives the picking item to reciprocate, so as to apply force and pick up targeted products conveyed on the conveyor belt. The push mechanism can be designed, for example, to be pneumatic or electromechanical.

[0025] The direction of movement of the picking component corresponds to the picking direction Y0, which preferably extends parallel to the thickness direction Y of the plate. Preferably, the picking component moves above the conveyor belt at small intervals to avoid friction with the conveyor belt while still being able to apply force to flat products.

[0026] The picking device can move the picking piece towards the product to be picked in the product flow by means of a pushing mechanism until the stop surface applies a pushing force to the product in the picking direction Y0 and at the same time the edge of the product is inserted into at least one longitudinal slot of the picking piece in a form-fitting manner.

[0027] The picking element according to this invention can also be used in an ejector that does not reciprocate laterally in the conveying direction via a reciprocating drive mechanism. An arm (flipping arm) that can swing into or out of the conveying path about a vertical axis is also conceivable, carrying the picking element such that the stop surface faces the product flow or the product to be picked. Curved or straight guides movable into the conveying path, along which the selected product is guided out of the conveying flow along the conveying plane, may also have the picking element according to this invention or its grooved stop surface on one side of the product guiding it. Finally, the picking element or its grooved stop surface may also be fixed to a separate, preferably flat, guide or pusher that can selectively or segmentally flip into or out of the conveying path from above or sideways. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 The picking component according to the present invention is shown in perspective view. Figure 2 A side view showing the picked item interacting with the product. Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the interlocking of the product and the grooved structure of the picking part. Figure 4 A variation of the stepped longitudinal groove is shown.

[0029] Figure Labels A stop surface The edge of product E G-groove bottom K-plate M-Propelling Organization N conveyor plane Product P R longitudinal groove S Picking T-stop X-picking item longitudinal direction X0 conveying direction Y-axis of the thickness of the picked item Y0 Picking direction Z-axis Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details one embodiment of this utility model, wherein: Figure 1A simplified perspective view shows the picking device S according to the present invention. The picking device includes a generally rectangular flat plate K extending in the longitudinal direction X, the height direction Z, and the thickness direction Y. A stop surface A facing the observer has a plurality of identical longitudinal grooves R in the longitudinal direction X, which in this embodiment are stacked at equal intervals in the height direction Z and extend along the entire length of the plate K in the longitudinal direction X.

[0031] In the end region of the plate K viewed with respect to the longitudinal direction X, a stop T is arranged on the stop surface A. The stop T is formed as a protrusion extending from the stop surface A in the thickness direction Y. The stop is used to prevent the product from continuing to move along the stop surface A in the longitudinal direction X and to fix the product accordingly.

[0032] Figure 2 The illustration shows a picking element S that interacts with product P according to the present invention, wherein a stop element T is not shown in this illustration. Product P is a finished food package manufactured using a plastic deep-drawing process. In the case shown, it is a tray with a laterally projecting edge that terminates at edge E.

[0033] Product P is conveyed on a simplified conveyor plane N, which is formed by a conveyor belt, wherein the conveying direction X0 extends perpendicular to the plane and toward the observer in the illustration. A slide plate may also be used instead of the conveyor belt, on which the product slides or slides along the conveying direction X0, for example due to inclination. According to the present invention, a picking device S is arranged beside the product flow, and the stop surface A of the picking device is orthogonal to the conveyor plane N or extends in the conveying direction X0 and the height direction Z and toward the product P conveyed on the conveyor plane N.

[0034] The picking item S is connected to the pushing mechanism M, which is designed to make the picking item S reciprocate along or against the picking direction Y0, thereby applying an impact to the product P conveyed on the conveying plane N laterally with the stop surface A, and being able to push it downward from the conveying plane N in the picking direction Y0.

[0035] Figure 2 The image shows the moment when the picking piece S reaches the edge E of the product P during its lateral movement. Here, the edge E is inserted into a longitudinal groove R formed on the stop surface A, such that at least the upward movement of the edge E is prevented by a form fit during the application of force to the product.

[0036] Figure 3 A simplified enlarged view shows the edge portion E inserted into the longitudinal groove R. Each longitudinal groove R is designed with a serrated profile, wherein, starting from the groove bottom G extending deeper within the plate body K, the upper sidewall extends substantially horizontally in the thickness direction Y, while the lower sidewall slopes upward toward the groove bottom G as the height direction Z increases. The upper sidewall here grips the edge portion E of the product P, preventing its undesirable upward movement in a form-fit manner.

[0037] Figure 4 A simplified illustration shows a variation of an implementation in which the longitudinal grooves R have a stepped shape and widen the plate K from bottom to top with edges or steps.

Claims

1. A picking device (S) for applying mechanical action to discrete products (P) conveyed in a product flow along a conveying path in a conveying direction (X0), wherein, The applied action is performed to laterally remove a single product (P) from the product flow in the picking direction (Y0) of the conveying path, wherein the picking direction (Y0) has at least a directional component orthogonal to the conveying direction (X0), and a) Wherein, the picking item (S) includes a plate (K) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and a height direction (Z) orthogonal to it, and in a thickness direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X) and the height direction (Z), wherein the longitudinal direction (X) and / or the thickness direction (Y) correspond to the conveying direction (X0) or the picking direction (Y0), respectively. b) wherein the plate (K) has a stop surface (A) extending in the height direction (Z) and longitudinal direction (X), by means of the stop surface (A), a targeted lateral thrust can be applied to the products (P) to be picked in the product flow. Its characteristics are, c) The stop surface (A) is provided with a groove structure, including at least one longitudinal groove (R) extending in the longitudinal direction (X), such that the edge (E) of the product (P) that is contacted by the stop surface (A) during the application of the action is inserted into the longitudinal groove (R) through the edge (E) and is held in a form-fitting manner in the height direction (Z) at least on one side, thereby reducing or preventing the movement of the edge (E) relative to the stop surface (A) in the height direction (Z) during the application of the action.

2. The picking item (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying direction (X0) is horizontal.

3. The picking item (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The picking direction (Y0) is horizontal.

4. The picking item (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height direction (Z) is the vertical direction, and the thickness direction (Y) is the horizontal direction.

5. The picking item (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The groove structure includes multiple parallel longitudinal grooves (R) of the same type, which are arranged vertically in the height direction (Z) so that their respective edges (E) can be inserted into different longitudinal grooves (R) to vertically stabilize products (P) of different heights when applied.

6. The picking item (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, a) At least one longitudinal groove (R) extends through the entire longitudinal (X) length of the stop surface (A), and / or b) At least one longitudinal groove (R) forms a serrated profile in a cross-section in the thickness direction (Y) - height direction (Z), the serrated profile having an upper sidewall extending partially or completely from the plate body (K) in the thickness direction (Y) from the bottom of the groove (G) and a lower sidewall extending obliquely toward the bottom of the groove (G) as the height in the height direction (Z) increases, and / or c) The plate (K) is integrally formed with the at least one longitudinal groove (R), and / or d) At least one longitudinal groove (R) is formed in the following manner: d1) A cutting or forming process or an injection molding process performed on the plate (K) as a blank, or d2) At least one molded part placed on the plate (K).

7. The picking item (S) according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one longitudinal groove (R) is formed by at least one molded part disposed on the plate (K) in a detachably fixed manner.

8. The picking item (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a stop (T) that forms a protrusion extending from the stop surface (A) in the thickness direction (Y) to prevent the product (P) reaching the stop (T) from continuing to move along the stop surface (A) in the conveying direction (X0) or longitudinal direction (X).

9. The picking item (S) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The stop (T) is arranged at the rear end of the stop surface (A) in the longitudinal (X) or conveying direction (X0) so as to simultaneously fix the product (P) in the longitudinal (X) direction and apply force to and move it in the thickness direction (Y) or picking direction (Y0).

10. A picking device, characterized in that, include: a) A conveyor belt or slide plate forming a conveying plane (N) for conveying discrete products (P) along the conveying path in the conveying flow and in the conveying direction (X0) on the conveying plane (N). b) At least one picking piece (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the picking piece (S) being located beside the conveyor path such that the stop surface (A) of the picking piece (S) faces the product (P) moving on the conveyor belt or the slide, and c) A pushing mechanism (M) is designed to move the picking piece (S) toward the product (P) to be picked until the stop surface (A) applies a pushing force to the product (P) in the picking direction (Y0), and at the same time the edge (E) of the product (P) is inserted into at least one longitudinal slot (R) of the picking piece (S) in a form-fitting manner so as to laterally remove the product (P) from the product flow by the applied force.

11. The picking device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The plate (K) of the picking item (S) is orthogonal to the conveying plane (N) with its stop surface (A).

12. The picking device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The plate (K) of the picking item (S) extends in the conveying direction (X0).

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