Conveyor line for laundry items, method for operating such a conveyor line and use of such a conveyor line

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveyor system for laundry items, comprising several conveying devices (2, 3) for conveying the laundry items with a directional component in the horizontal plane. According to the present invention, the conveyor system comprises at least one vertical conveying device (4) through which laundry items are transported in a vertical direction during operation of the vertical conveying device (4), such that the inclination of the conveying direction of the laundry items in the vertical conveying device (4) is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees. The vertical conveying device has (4) a circulating conveying element (12), wherein conveying positions on the conveying element (12) are defined by support surface elements (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601), at least a part of the support surface element (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601) extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the surface of the circulating conveying element.A transfer position is defined at the end of a first conveying unit (2) located in the conveying direction and at the area of ​​the vertical conveying unit (4) that adjoins this end of the first conveying unit (2). The vertical conveying unit (4) adjoins the first conveying unit (2) in the part where, during operation of the vertical conveying unit (4), the circulating conveying element (12) is moved vertically upwards. At least one sliding element (20, 21) is arranged in the area of ​​this transfer position, which is designed and configured such that the at least one sliding element (20, 21) can be controlled to perform a sliding movement and that, by means of this sliding movement, a laundry item located on the conveying unit (2) is conveyed in the direction of the vertical conveying unit (4).The present invention also relates to a method for operating the conveyor line and the use of the conveyor line for conveying laundry items.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor line for laundry items according to claim 1, a method for operating such a conveyor line according to claim 8 and the use of such a conveyor line according to claim 9.

[0002] Conveyor lines for laundry items are already known. These conveyor lines comprise multiple conveyors, each with a rotating conveyor element for conveying the laundry items with a directional component in the horizontal plane. These conveyors are, for example, conveyor belts on which the laundry items are placed for transport. The conveyor belts then serve as the rotating conveyor elements. Deflection rollers are located at both ends of the conveyors, so that the rotating conveyor element is "endless."

[0003] The laundry items are transferred several times along the conveyor line from one conveyor to another. This can happen, for example, if a conveyor runs through a sorting area or is part of a sorting area in which not all laundry items are collected in the collection openings. This can be because laundry items are also conveyed that do not meet the relevant sorting criteria. These laundry items are conveyed further and must be transferred to another conveyor at the end of the respective conveyor. Another reason for the transfer can be that the conveyors transport the laundry items in one direction and can only form curves to a limited extent. The halls in which these conveyor lines are installed are limited in size.This means that the laundry items must be relocated even if the length of a conveyor system is limited due to space constraints.

[0004] When the end of this conveyor is reached, the laundry items arriving there must be transferred to another conveyor that conveys in a different direction.

[0005] This poses the problem that the conveyors are arranged at increasing depths in the conveying direction, allowing the laundry items to be transferred from one conveyor to the next. If the laundry items are to be sorted according to specific criteria along the conveyor path, the further problem arises that the collection containers must have an opening at the top and extend downwards to accommodate the laundry items.

[0006] To solve the associated problems, according to the present invention, a conveyor line is proposed which is constructed as follows.

[0007] According to claim 1, the conveyor line comprises, in addition to several conveyor devices for conveying the laundry items with a directional component in the horizontal plane, at least one vertical conveyor device, through which laundry items are transported in a vertical direction during operation of the vertical conveyor device. The vertical conveyor device comprises a rotating conveyor element. Conveying positions on the conveyor element are defined by support surface elements. These support surface elements extend obliquely or perpendicularly from the direction of rotation of the rotating conveyor element.During operation of the vertical conveyor, laundry items are transported in a vertical direction in that the laundry items each rest on one of the support surface elements and in that the support surface elements are moved during operation of the vertical conveyor over a partial section in the vertical conveyor with an incline of the conveying direction in the vertical conveyor of between 45 degrees and 90 degrees. A transfer position within the meaning of this invention is defined at the end of a first conveyor located in the conveying direction and the region of the vertical conveyor which borders this end of the first conveyor with the feed side of the vertical conveyor. The vertical conveyor borders the first conveyor with the part in which the circulating conveyor element is moved upwards during operation of the vertical conveyor. At least one sliding element is arranged in the region of this transfer position.The at least one sliding element can be controlled to perform a sliding movement. This sliding movement conveys a laundry item located on the first conveyor in the direction of the vertical conveyor.

[0008] By integrating the vertical conveyor device into the conveyor line and interacting with the conveyor device arranged upstream in relation to the conveying direction, it is advantageously achieved that the laundry items are conveyed upwards in a vertical direction along the conveyor line.

[0009] The receiving devices define the positions where the laundry items are located when they are conveyed upwards by the vertical conveyor. This makes it possible, in particular, to position the laundry items at identical intervals on a conveyor arranged behind them after they have been discharged from the vertical conveyor (or at intervals that correspond to an integer multiple of a minimum distance) by equidistantly mounting the receiving devices on the conveyor element of the vertical conveyor. The minimum distance is determined by: ➣ the distance between the receiving devices on the conveyor element, ➣ the speed at which the conveyor element is moved during operation of the vertical conveyor and ➣ the speed at which the laundry items are conveyed on the conveyor after these laundry items have been discharged from the vertical conveyor.

[0010] In an advantageous mode of operation, the laundry items are accelerated by the pusher from the conveyor located upstream of the vertical conveyor in the conveying direction toward the vertical conveyor. If the laundry items were conveyed more or less "spread out" on the conveyor located upstream of the vertical conveyor (relative to the conveying direction), they are "crumpled" by the acceleration in the conveying direction by the pusher.

[0011] This has advantages for process reliability during the transport of laundry items along the conveyor line. When the laundry items are compressed in this way, defined distances between them can be achieved, even at high conveying speeds. This supports the handling of the laundry items as individual items, as opposed to an arrangement in which the individual items are spread out more or less.

[0012] Acceleration also speeds up the loading of laundry items into the vertical conveyor system. This allows the cycle time for conveying laundry items along the conveyor line to be kept very short.

[0013] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 2, the tangential line(s) of the surfaces of the support surface elements extend in such a way that the support surface elements each form a channel whose longitudinal direction is oriented perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotating conveyor element.

[0014] This means that the support surface elements are designed in the form of a channel open at the top – provided the support surface elements are located on the side of the vertical conveyor where they are moved upwards. This advantageously ensures that the laundry items rest securely on the support surface element during vertical upward transport without falling off.

[0015] Depending on the design of the "side wall" of the support surface element, the previously described aspect of "scrunching up" the laundry items can be supported. This occurs when the side wall is slanted, so that a laundry item slides down this side wall and into a specific area of ​​the support surface element.

[0016] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 3, the upper edge of the wall of the respective channel located outside in the vertical conveyor device has a course such that a curve with several maxima and several minima results there.

[0017] The upper edge can, for example, be designed in the style of a “serrated edge”.

[0018] This design of the upper edge has the advantage that a piece of laundry that may not have been completely accommodated in the channel formed by the support surface element does not slip outwards over this upper edge.

[0019] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 4, the support surface element has lateral boundary walls.

[0020] The side walls can be slanted in such a way that these side walls also help a piece of laundry to “slide into” the receiving device.

[0021] This prevents laundry from falling down even more effectively.

[0022] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 5, the support surface elements in the vertical conveyor are guided in a shaft, at least in the part of the vertical conveyor in which the support surface elements are moved upwards. This shaft has side walls and is open to the feed side of the vertical conveyor.

[0023] The distance between the support surface elements and the side walls of the chute can be from one to several millimeters. This prevents laundry items from becoming trapped between the side walls of the chute and a support surface element.

[0024] The shape of a "channel" results when the support surface element has no lateral boundary walls according to claim 4, the shape of a "tub" results when it is designed with the lateral boundary walls according to claim 4.

[0025] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 6, a vertically oriented impact surface is arranged in the region of the upper end of the vertical conveyor on the side of the vertical conveyor on which the circulating conveyor element is moved downwards in a vertical direction during operation of the vertical conveyor.

[0026] The conveyor element of the vertical conveyor system is designed to be continuous. This means that this conveyor element is guided by a deflection roller at both the upper and lower ends of the vertical conveyor system.

[0027] As a result, the laundry items resting on the support surface elements are subjected to corresponding centrifugal forces when the respective support surface element passes over the upper deflection roller during operation of the vertical conveyor. If the support surface elements are moving at a sufficiently high speed during operation of the vertical conveyor, the laundry items are thrown off the upper deflection roller by this centrifugal force.

[0028] The impact surface proves advantageous here. The impact surface is positioned in such a way that the trajectory of the ejected laundry ends at this surface. The laundry items fall downwards along this surface.

[0029] In the conveyor line according to claim 7, a receiving position of a conveyor device for laundry items is located below the impact surface.

[0030] This conveyor system allows the laundry items to be transported further from there.

[0031] If the support surface elements are attached equidistantly to the conveyor element, the defined distances between the laundry items and the defined output position on the further conveyor device result in the laundry items being conveyed on this further conveyor device both "crumpled up" and at equal distances from one another.

[0032] In the design of the conveyor line according to claim 8, the course of the conveying surface of the conveyor device, which is arranged in the conveying direction in front of the feed side of the vertical conveyor, is sloping at the end of this conveyor device in front of the vertical conveyor compared to the course of the conveying surface of this conveyor device at a greater distance from the vertical conveyor.

[0033] This proves to be particularly advantageous when using a pusher in reversing operation in order to avoid a piece of laundry becoming trapped between the pusher and the conveying surface when the pusher moves backwards.

[0034] This drive in reversing mode means that the pushers can be driven in the conveying direction of the conveyor. This movement transports laundry items in the conveying direction. The pushers can also be driven against the conveying direction. This movement moves the pusher(s) against the conveying direction to pick up the next item of laundry and push it in the conveying direction when the pushers are moved back in the conveying direction. In reversing mode, switching occurs between the drive in the conveying direction and the drive against the conveying direction.

[0035] In contrast, the slides can also be driven in a rotating manner. In this case, the slides are guided at their upper edge, so that they move in the conveying direction. At the end of the path along which the slides are moved, the slides are deflected (for example, by a deflection roller). The slides are then moved back above the conveyor. At the beginning of the path along which the slides are moved in the conveying direction, another deflection occurs, so that the slides are then moved again in the conveying direction directly above the conveying surface.

[0036] Claim 9 relates to a method for conveying a piece of laundry into a support surface element of a vertical conveyor of a conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 8. In this embodiment, the laundry items are conveyed by the at least one pushing element in the direction of the vertical conveyor at a speed which is greater than the speed at which the laundry items are conveyed in the direction of the vertical conveyor by the conveying device which is located in front of the vertical conveyor with respect to the conveying direction.

[0037] With this method, as already described, the laundry items can be “crumpled up”.

[0038] Claim 10 relates to the use of a conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 8 for positioning laundry items on a conveyor device.

[0039] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a conveyor line, Fig. 2: the embodiment of a conveyor line according to Fig. 1 with a baffle, Fig. 3 to 6: Examples of design for support surface elements of the vertical conveyor, Fig. 7: a view of a part of a vertical conveyor and Fig. 8 a part of a conveyor device which is arranged in front of a vertical conveyor in the conveying direction.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a conveyor line 1. Of the conveyor line, a part of a first conveyor device 2, a part of a further conveying direction 3 and a vertical conveyor 4 are shown.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the first conveyor device 2 and the further conveyor device 3 are designed such that they each have a rotating conveyor element 5, 6. These conveyor elements 5, 6 are each guided over two deflection rollers, one of which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 1. For conveyor element 5, this is deflection roller 7, and for conveyor element 6, this is deflection roller 8. The conveyor elements 5, 6 can be conveyor belts. The running directions of the conveyor belts 5, 6 are indicated by arrows 9, 10, and 11.

[0042] Laundry items resting on the upper part of the respective conveyor element 5, 6 (the part that is moved to the right in the drawing) are conveyed by the conveyor element 5, 6.

[0043] In the Fig. 1 also shows a vertical conveyor 4. This vertical conveyor 4 also has a rotating conveyor element 12, which is guided over two deflection rollers 13 and 14. The running direction of the conveyor element 12 is indicated by the arrow 19. Support surface elements 15, 16, 17, and 18 are attached to this conveyor element 12. These are moved along with the rotating conveyor element 12, so that in the drawing, the support surface elements 15 and 16 are moved upwards, and the support surface elements 17 and 18 are moved downwards.

[0044] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 also shows that several sliding elements 20, 21 are present. These two sliding elements 20, 21 are used to convey laundry items that are conveyed by the conveyor device 2 toward the vertical conveyor 4, so that these laundry items rest on one of the support surface elements 15, 16, 17, 18.

[0045] Advantageously, the speed at which the sliding elements 20, 21 are moved is so high that the laundry items are “balled together” when they rest on one of the support surface elements 15, 16, 17, 18.

[0046] Advantageously, the speeds of the slides 20, 21, the conveying element 5 of the first conveying device 2, the conveying element 12 of the vertical conveying device 4 and the conveying element 6 of the further conveying device 3 are coordinated with one another.

[0047] The two sliding elements 20 and 21 are also attached to a conveyor element 25, which is guided by two deflection rollers 23 and 24. The running direction of the conveyor element 25 is indicated by the arrows 26.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of a conveyor line according to Fig. 1 with a baffle 201. It can be seen that the further conveying element (here with the reference number 203) is different from the illustration in the Fig. 2 is offset downwards.

[0049] If the rotational speed of the conveyor element 12 of the vertical conveyor 4 is sufficiently high, the laundry items located on the support surface elements 15, 16, 17, 18 are spun to the right in the drawing due to the change in direction of the support surface elements on the deflection roller 14.

[0050] It is advantageous if these laundry items are thrown against the impact surface 201 and fall vertically downwards. From there, the laundry items fall onto the conveying element of the conveyor device 203. This is different from the illustration of the Fig. 1 is moved downwards so that the laundry items can be conveyed further to the right in the drawing by the further conveying device 203 under the impact surface 201.

[0051] Alternatively, it is also possible for the conveying direction of the additional conveyor element to run into or out of the plane of the drawing. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a vertical distance between the impact surface 201 and the additional conveyor device 203. With this change, the laundry items are moved upwards along the conveyor path. Furthermore, the conveying direction is reversed.

[0052] Alternatively, it is also possible for a receiving volume to be located below the impact surface 201, with the base designed as a lid. By opening the lid, laundry items collected in the receiving volume can be discharged downwards. These laundry items can then be conveyed further.

[0053] The Fig. 3 to 6 show examples of support surface elements of the vertical conveyor.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a support surface element 301 consisting of two parts 302 and 303 which are connected to each other in the middle by a bend.

[0055] It can be seen that the edge 304 of the support surface element 301 is rounded. This can help a laundry item that partially hangs over this edge 304 to slide away over this edge. This is beneficial for the ongoing process as long as the laundry item slides completely onto the support surface element 301. However, this proves to be disadvantageous if the laundry item slides off the support surface element 301 over this edge 304. It may therefore be more advantageous not to round this edge, but to leave it as an edge—without rounding. A laundry item that partially hangs over the edge is then held by the friction with this edge and remains in the position in which the laundry item partially hangs over this edge.

[0056] The bend creates the shape of a channel, so that the laundry items slide down on the receiving device 301 towards the lowest point.

[0057] In the presentation of the Fig. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of part 303 of the support surface element 301. It can be seen that this part can be conceptually broken down into a first component 305, which runs horizontally, and a component 306, which extends in the direction of the conveying element 12—specifically, in the conveying direction of the conveying element 12.

[0058] This part 303 and in particular the component 306 advantageously ensures that a laundry item does not fall out of the vertical conveyor 4, but rests securely on the support surface element 301. This path begins at a distance d from the conveyor element 12 of the vertical conveyor. This distance d is in the Fig. 1 marked.

[0059] Fig. Figure 4 shows a support surface element 401 consisting of two parts 402 and 403. Part 402 forms the base, while wall 403 extends directly in the conveying direction of the conveying element 12.

[0060] It can be seen that the edge 404 of the support surface element 401 is rounded. Regarding the rounding of this edge, please refer to the explanations regarding the edge 304 in connection with the Fig. 3.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a support surface element 501 which is designed as a semicircular channel in the shape of a semicircle.

[0062] It can be seen that the edge 504 of the support surface element 501 is rounded. Regarding the rounding of this edge, please refer to the explanations regarding the edge 304 in connection with the Fig. 3.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows a support surface element 601, which is also designed as a semicircular channel, but only as a circular segment.

[0064] It can be seen that the edge 604 of the support surface element 601 is rounded. Regarding the rounding of this edge, please refer to the explanations regarding the edge 304 in connection with the Fig. 3.

[0065] The support surface elements 15, 16, 17, 18, 301, 401, 501, 601 can also have side walls (not shown here) that run perpendicular to the drawing plane such that one side wall runs in front of the drawing plane and the other side wall runs behind the drawing plane. These side walls do not have to run parallel to the drawing plane, but can also run at an angle such that a laundry item slides off this side wall toward the lowest point of the support surface elements 15, 16, 17, 18, 301, 401, 501, 601.

[0066] Fig. 7 shows a view of a part of a vertical conveyor 701. It can be seen that at least on the side of the vertical conveyor 701 on which the support surface elements (shown here is a support surface element 702) are conveyed upwards, the support surface elements 702 are guided in a shaft which is open to the feed side.

[0067] The shaft has a rear wall 703 and two side walls 704 and 705. The feed side is the side of the shaft which is shown in the perspective view of the Fig. 7 is oriented diagonally to the front left.

[0068] The support surface elements 702 can be designed such that they do not have side walls. The falling of laundry items while they are being conveyed upward is prevented by the side walls 704 and 705 of the chute. These side walls 704 and 705 are spaced from the support surface elements 702 by a distance of one mm to several mm.

[0069] The support surface element 702 has a front wall 706, which closes off the support surface element 702 to the feed side of the vertical conveyor device 701. The support surface element 702 is L-shaped, so that this support surface element 702 in the Fig. 7 is open at the top.

[0070] It can also be seen that the upper edge 707 of the front wall 706 has several minima and maxima. In the illustrated embodiment, the profile of this upper edge 707 is designed in the form of a serrated edge. This further prevents a laundry item that partially overhangs this upper edge 707 from slipping outward off the support surface element 702.

[0071] Fig. Figure 8 shows a conveyor device 801 arranged upstream of a vertical conveyor 802 in the conveying direction. The conveying direction of the conveyor device 801 is from left to right in the drawing. It can be seen that the contour of the conveying surface (803, 804) of this conveyor device 801 at the end (804) of the conveyor device 801 upstream of the vertical conveyor 802 slopes downwards (803→804) compared to the contour of the conveying surface (803, 804) of the conveyor device 801 at a greater distance (803) from the vertical conveyor 802.

[0072] This allows, in particular with a reversing slide 805 (as shown in the Fig.8) prevent a laundry item from becoming trapped between the slider 805 and the conveying surface 804 of the conveyor device 801 during a backward movement of the slider 805 and thus not being properly introduced into the vertical conveyor 802. The reversing movement of the slider 805 is represented by the arrow 806, which points in the forward and backward directions.

Claims

[1] Conveyor line for laundry items, > wherein the conveying path comprises a plurality of conveying devices (2, 3; 801) for conveying the laundry items with a directional component in the horizontal plane, characterized by , ➣ that the conveyor line has at least one vertical conveyor device (4; 802), ➣ that the vertical conveying device (4; 802) has a rotating conveying element (12), wherein conveying positions on the conveying element (12) are defined by support surface elements (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601; 702), of which at least a part of the support surface element (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601; 702) extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the direction of rotation of the rotating conveying element, ➣ that laundry items are transported in a vertical direction when the vertical conveyor device (4) is in operation, ➣ by placing the laundry items on one of the support surface elements (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601; 702) and ➣ in that the support surface elements (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601; 702) are moved during operation of the vertical conveyor device (4) over a partial section in the vertical conveyor device with an incline of the conveying direction in the vertical conveyor device (4) between 45 degrees and 90 degrees, ➣ that a transfer position is defined at the end of a first conveyor device (2) located in the conveying direction and the area of the vertical conveyor device (4) which borders this end of the first conveyor device (2) with the feed side of the vertical conveyor device (4), ➣ wherein the vertical conveyor device (4) is adjacent to the first conveyor device (2; 801) with the part in which the circulating conveyor element (12) is moved upwards during operation of the vertical conveyor device (4), ➣ wherein in the region of this transfer position at least one sliding element (20, 21; 805) is arranged, which is designed and configured in such a way, ➣ that the at least one sliding element can be controlled to (20, 21; 805) carry out a sliding movement, ➣ that by the sliding movement a laundry item located on the first conveyor device (2; 801) is conveyed in the direction of the vertical conveyor device (4). [2] Conveyor line according to claim 1, characterized by that the surfaces (302, 303; 402, 403; 502; 602) of the support surface elements (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601) extend in such a way that the support surface elements each form a channel whose longitudinal direction is oriented perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotating conveyor element. [3] Conveyor line according to claim 2, characterized bythat the upper edge (707) of the wall (706) of the respective channel located outside in the vertical conveying device has a course such that a curve with several maxima and several minima results there. [4] Conveyor line according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support surface element (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601; 702) has lateral boundary walls. [5] Conveyor line according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support surface elements in the vertical conveyor device, at least in the part of the vertical conveyor device in which the support surface elements are moved upwards, are guided in a shaft which has side walls and is open to the feed side of the vertical conveyor device (4). [6] Conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat in the region of the upper end of the vertical conveyor (4) on the side of the vertical conveyor (4) on which the circulating conveyor element (12) is moved downwards in a vertical direction during operation of the vertical conveyor (4), a baffle surface (201) which is vertically oriented is arranged. [7] Conveyor line according to claim 6, characterized by that a receiving position of a conveyor device (203) for laundry items is located below the impact surface (201). [8] Conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the course of the conveying surface (803, 804) of the conveying device (801), which is arranged in the conveying direction in front of the feed side of the vertical conveyor (802), at the end (804) of this conveying device (801) in front of the vertical conveyor (802) is sloping (803→804) compared to the course of the conveying surface (803, 804) of this conveying device at a greater distance (803) from the vertical conveyor (802). [9] Method for conveying a laundry item into a support surface element (15, 16, 17, 18; 301; 401; 501; 601) of a vertical conveyor (4) of a conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the laundry items are conveyed by the at least one pushing element (20, 21) at a speed in the direction of the vertical conveyor (4) which is greater than the speed at which the laundry items are conveyed in the direction of the vertical conveyor (4) by the conveying device (2) which is located in front of the vertical conveyor (4) with respect to the conveying direction. [10] Use of the conveyor line according to one of claims 1 to 8 for positioning laundry items on a conveyor device.

Images