Sorting element

Abstract

A sorting element for acting mechanically on discrete products of a product stream, wherein the sorting element comprises a plate body which extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the plate body has an abutment side with which a product to be separated from the product stream can be acted on laterally with a pushing force in a targeted manner, and wherein a profile having at least one longitudinal groove is provided on the abutment side so that an edge region of the product, contacted by the abutment side during the mechanical action, can be engaged around with a form fit by means of the edge region engaging in the longitudinal groove.

Description

[0001] Sorting element

[0002] The present invention relates to a sorting element which is used to selectively sort out individual products from a product stream.

[0003] Such sorting elements are known in the art and are occasionally referred to as pushers or pusher plates. Such a sorting element is arranged laterally just above a conveyor level, on which the products are transported along a conveyor path in a conveying direction Xo. Typically, the products are transported by a conveyor belt, the upper side of which forms the conveyor level. Instead of a conveyor belt, a sliding plate—a surface on which the products slide—is also conceivable. In this case, the sliding plate forms the conveyor level.

[0004] To sort a product from the product stream, the sorting element is moved in a pulsed manner transversely to the conveying direction Xo into the product conveying path and towards the product in question using a pushing mechanism, in order to briefly apply a pulse or pushing force to it. This strongly accelerates the product in a sorting direction Yo running transversely to the conveying direction Xo and can thus be sorted out of the product stream and conveyed, for example, into a collecting container arranged next to the conveying plane or next to the conveyor belt. At the same time, the sorting element is quickly moved back and out of the conveying path of the following products in order to allow other products to pass through unhindered or to sort them out by repeating the process.

[0005] In practice, it has been shown that the movement of some products, for example pre-packaged food, is uncontrolled during and after loading. Such packaging is often relatively flat and has a flat edge that is more or less spaced from the base or is raised or laterally protruding, as is typically the case with plastic thermoformed packages. An example would be pre-packaged cheese or sausage slices with a flat tray and a laterally projecting edge above the tray base and with a film pulled up to the edge and closing the tray. When such products are loaded with a conventional sorting element, the products jump and are sometimes lifted off the conveyor level or roll over, which makes it difficult to transfer them precisely from the conveyor level and into a collecting container.Due to the often narrow contact surface between the sorting element and the edge of the product, only low friction forces arise between these two elements in order to sufficiently slow down the product, which initially moves in the conveying direction Xo, and to successfully redirect it into the sorting direction Yo.

[0006] The object of the invention was therefore to provide a sorting element to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by a sorting element according to claim 1 and a sorting device according to claim 6. Further advantageous embodiments are set out in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention is based on the finding that the uncontrolled movement behavior of the aforementioned products is related to their edges, which are more or less spaced from the ground or raised. If a sorting element of a known type is moved very quickly sideways against such an edge and subjected to a thrust force, this generally easily deformable edge tends to initially deform upwards in the first fractions of a second due to the inertia of the packaging, before the packaging is fully accelerated in the sorting direction Yo. This creates a force in the edge directed vertically upwards away from the conveying plane, which then lifts the packaging, hurls it away uncontrollably, and correspondingly complicates its targeted sorting or conveying into a collecting container.

[0008] A sorting element according to the invention achieves the aforementioned object. For this purpose, the sorting element comprises a flat plate body which extends mainly in a longitudinal direction X and a preferably vertical height direction Z which is orthogonal thereto. A preferably horizontal thickness direction Y extends orthogonally to the two directions X, Z. When the sorting element is arranged on a conveying plane or a conveyor belt, the longitudinal direction X of the sorting element preferably corresponds to the conveying direction Xo, and the thickness direction Y preferably corresponds to the sorting direction Yo. The plate body comprises a substantially flat stop side which runs in the height direction Z and in the longitudinal direction X. During operation, the stop side faces the products of the product stream and is intended to apply a lateral force to a product to be sorted out therefrom in the manner described above.

[0009] According to the invention, a profile with at least one longitudinal groove extending in the longitudinal direction X is provided on the stop side. Such a longitudinal groove preferably comprises a groove base extending in the longitudinal direction X and two flanks extending from this to the surface of the stop side. This longitudinal groove is provided to vertically stabilize an edge region of a product contacted by the stop side during application of pressure (vertical stabilization). This is achieved by the edge region protruding or engaging at least partially or even up to the groove base into the longitudinal groove or between the flanks of the groove during application. The edge region is overlapped in the height direction Z by the two flanks lying one above the other, in particular by the flank of the longitudinal groove lying directly above the edge region, so that this flank positively opposes any upward movement of the edge region.The sorting element itself is secured or guided against upward movement in the vertical direction Z. As a result, the edge region can no longer deform upward during the impact and is instead guided and held largely stable within the longitudinal groove until the product is fully accelerated or the feed movement of the sorting element has ended. During the entire time the product is impacted by the sorting element (preferably a few fractions of a second), the product is guided safely and in a controlled manner according to the invention via its edge region, which is guided and held in the longitudinal groove, without any vertical movement of the product occurring during the impact.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the profile of the stop side comprises a plurality of preferably parallel and preferably identical longitudinal grooves which are arranged one above the other in the height direction Z at uniform or varying distances. This means that one and the same sorting element can also be used for products whose edge regions are at different Z heights and can each engage in a longitudinal groove arranged at the corresponding height. For the effect according to the invention, it is sufficient if the respective longitudinal groove encompasses the edge region of the product, even if the groove base is not exactly at the same height as the edge region of the product. It is crucial that an unhindered upward movement of the edge region (and thus of the packaging) is reliably prevented by the positive contact between the edge region and the upper groove flank.

[0011] Preferably, the at least one longitudinal groove extends over the entire X-length of the stop side. This ensures that a product is guided within the profile of the stop side upon application while, due to its initial movement, it moves in the conveying direction Xo or along the stop side in its longitudinal direction X, whereby the edge portion can slide within the longitudinal groove.

[0012] Alternatively, individual longitudinal grooves can be designed at different heights, with different lengths or with interruptions in order to be able to fit precisely to different edge areas of different products.

[0013] The longitudinal groove can be formed substantially symmetrically in the YZ cross-section, which particularly simplifies its manufacture. However, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one longitudinal groove forms a sawtooth profile in a YZ cross-section. The sawtooth profile comprises an upper flank which, starting from the groove base, extends partially or exclusively in the thickness direction Y from the plate body K. An associated lower flank runs obliquely towards the groove base G with increasing Z height. Such a profile prevents a vertical upward movement of the edge region particularly well, in particular if the upper flank extends largely or exclusively in the horizontal or thickness direction Y. Other profiles, easily apparent to a person skilled in the art, which enable a positive connection in the vertical direction between the edge region of a product and the profile of the stop plate are also conceivable.

[0014] The geometry of the groove profile does not need to be constant across its entire length, but can be optimized for the specific product shape. For example, the depth of a groove can increase or decrease with increasing longitudinal direction X. It is also conceivable to arrange individual grooves at an angle to each other in order to guide the edge area of ​​a loaded product to a specific height level during its movement along the stop surface.

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

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal groove can also be designed as a step, with a preferably vertical lower flank and an adjoining upper flank extending preferably horizontally or in the thickness direction away from the plate body. Vertical guidance for the edge portion of a product is then provided exclusively by the upper flank, against the underside of which the edge region rests or is pressed upon application. Several such steps can be arranged one above the other in the vertical direction and each protrude beyond one another by the amount of an upper flank, so that the sorting element widens in the thickness direction as its height increases, like a staircase.This advantageously ensures that the edge of a product—should it not initially engage a lower step at its level—is gripped by another step above it even during a potentially occurring upward movement, thus stabilizing it against further upward movement. The aforementioned depth of the longitudinal groove would then correspond to the length of the upper or horizontal flank of the step.

[0017] The plate body can be formed integrally with the profile. For example, a substantially flat, cuboid-shaped workpiece could be machined on one side surface (particularly by milling) to create the longitudinal grooves in the surface. Instead, the profile can also be created by embossing or pressing the desired stop surface. Alternatively, the plate body can also be a workpiece manufactured by injection molding, deep drawing, or 3D printing. Preferably, the plate body or at least its stop surface is made of an abrasion-resistant material, for example, POM (polyoxymethylene). The profile can also be produced by punching, upsetting, or other methods known to those skilled in the art for forming a profiled surface. Alternatively, the profile can also have one or more separate profile elements that can be detachably connected to the plate body and are modularly interchangeable depending on the application.

[0018] It is also conceivable to increase or decrease the thickness of the plate body with increasing longitudinal direction X, so that the plate body is wedge-shaped. Taking into account all relative movements of the product to the sorting element, this would make it particularly easy to ensure that the edge area engages the profile of the sorting element simultaneously over its entire length.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a stop element is arranged on the stop side of the sorting element, which stop element has a projection protruding from the stop surface in the thickness direction. According to the invention, this projection serves to definitively terminate the further movement of a loaded product along its original direction of movement, namely in the conveying direction Xo.

[0020] As a result, a product can be guided or acted upon in three mutually orthogonal directions using the sorting element and thus sorted out particularly reliably. When acted upon, the stop surface of the sorting element exerts a pushing force on the product in the sorting direction Yo. In the longitudinal direction X of the sorting element or in the conveying direction Xo of the product to be sorted out, the stop element according to the invention counteracts movement. Finally, the at least one longitudinal groove ensures that the product or its edge region is guided in the vertical direction Z. For this purpose, the stop element is preferably arranged at a rear end of the stop surface A, viewed in the longitudinal direction X or in the conveying direction Xo.

[0021] The stop element advantageously shortens the movement of the product in the longitudinal direction X or in the conveying direction Xo. Although each product is preferably subjected to impact orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Xo, due to the superposition of the product speeds in the longitudinal direction Xo and transverse to it, the product usually leaves the conveying plane after impact on a path that runs diagonally to the conveying direction Xo and is therefore not completely orthogonal to the conveying direction Xo. Accordingly, a collecting container for the product to be sorted out must be arranged slightly downstream and to the side of the conveying plane, which disadvantageously increases the overall length of the entire arrangement. With the help of the stop element, however, the movement component in the conveying direction Xo can be largely or completely eliminated, so that the impacted product then actually moves largely orthogonal to the conveying direction Xo.The collecting container can then be arranged in approximately the same position as the sorting element with respect to the conveying direction, which means that the entire arrangement requires less installation length.

[0022] A sorting device according to the invention comprises a conveyor belt forming a conveying plane for conveying discrete products on the conveying plane. Conveying occurs along a conveying path in a conveying stream and along the conveying direction Xo. At least one sorting element according to the invention of the type described above is provided, positioned laterally to the conveying path such that the plate body extends with its stop side substantially orthogonal to the conveying plane and preferably in the conveying direction Xo. The stop side faces the products moving on the conveyor belt.

[0023] Furthermore, a pusher mechanism coupled to the sorting element is provided, which drives the sorting element in a back-and-forth movement in order to selectively apply force to and sort out selected products conveyed on the conveyor belt. The pusher mechanism can be pneumatic or electromechanical, for example.

[0024] The direction of movement of the sorting element corresponds to a sorting direction Yo, which preferably runs parallel to the thickness direction Y of the plate body. The sorting element preferably moves a short distance above the conveyor belt to avoid friction with the conveyor belt while still being able to handle flat products.

[0025] The sorting element of the sorting device can be moved, with the aid of the pusher mechanism, toward a product in the product stream to be sorted out until the stop side applies a pushing force to the product in the sorting direction Yo and, at the same time, an edge portion of the product positively engages at least one longitudinal groove of the sorting element. The sorting element according to the invention can also be used for ejectors that are not moved back and forth transversely to the conveying direction by means of a pusher drive. Also conceivable is an arm (flipper arm) that can be pivoted into or out of the conveying path about a vertical axis and that supports the sorting element such that the stop side faces the product stream or the product to be sorted out.A curved or straight guide element that can be moved into the conveyor path and along which a selected product is guided out of the conveyor flow along the conveyor plane can also have a sorting element according to the invention or its profiled stop side on its product-guiding side. Finally, the sorting element or its profiled stop side can also be attached to individual, preferably flat guide or push elements that can be folded into or out of the conveyor path selectively or segmentally from above or laterally.

[0026] In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail using exemplary figures.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a sorting element according to the invention in perspective view

[0028] Figure 2 is a side view of the sorting element in interaction with a product,

[0029] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the product engaging with the profile of the sorting element, and

[0030] Figure 4 shows a modified form of step-like longitudinal grooves.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a sorting element S according to the invention. The sorting element comprises a substantially rectangular, flat plate body K which extends in a longitudinal direction X, a height direction Z and a thickness direction Y. A stop side A facing the viewer is provided in the longitudinal direction X with a plurality of identical longitudinal grooves R which, in this embodiment, are evenly spaced one above the other in the height direction Z and extend over the entire length of the plate body K in the longitudinal direction X.

[0032] At an end region of the plate body K viewed with respect to the longitudinal direction X, a stop element T is arranged on the stop side A, which forms a projection projecting from the stop side A in the thickness direction Y. The stop element serves to prevent the further movement of a product moving along the stop surface A in the longitudinal direction X and to fix the product in this regard.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a sorting element S according to the invention in interaction with a product P, with the stop element T not shown in this illustration. The product P is a finished food package produced using a plastic thermoforming process. In the case shown, it is a tray with a laterally projecting edge ending in an edge region E.

[0034] The product P is conveyed on a conveying plane N formed by a conveyor belt, shown in simplified form, wherein the conveying direction Xo in this illustration extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and faces the viewer. Instead of a conveyor belt, a sliding plate can also be provided, on which the products slide or slide along in the conveying direction Xo, for example due to a gradient. Arranged laterally next to the product stream is a sorting element S according to the invention, the stop side A of which extends orthogonal to the conveying plane N or in the conveying direction Xo and in the height direction Z and faces the products P conveyed on the conveying plane N.

[0035] The sorting element S is coupled to a pushing mechanism M which is designed to move the sorting element S back and forth in or against the sorting direction Yo in order to be able to apply a shock-like action to a product P conveyed on the conveying plane N with the stop side A and to push it down from the conveying plane N in the sorting direction Yo.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the moment at which the sorting element S reaches the edge region E of the product P in its lateral movement. The edge region E engages in a longitudinal groove R formed on the stop side A in such a way that at least an upward movement of the edge region E is positively prevented during the loading of the product.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the engagement of the edge region E in the longitudinal groove R in a simplified, enlarged view. Each longitudinal groove R is designed as a sawtooth profile, with an upper flank extending largely horizontally in the thickness direction Y from a groove base G running deeper in the plate body K, while a lower flank extends upwards at an angle to the groove base G with increasing height direction Z. The upper flank engages over the edge region E of the product P, so that this is positively blocked against unwanted upward movement. Figure 4 shows a simplified view of a modified embodiment in which the individual longitudinal grooves R have a step shape and widen the plate body K from bottom to top with edges or steps.

[0038] Reference symbol

[0039] A stop side

[0040] E Edge area of ​​the product

[0041] G groove base

[0042] K plate body

[0043] M push mechanism

[0044] N conveyor level

[0045] P Product

[0046] R longitudinal groove

[0047] S sorting element

[0048] T stop element

[0049] X Longitudinal direction of the sorting element

[0050] Xo conveying direction

[0051] Y Thickness direction of the sorting element

[0052] Yo sorting direction

[0053] Z Altitude direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Sorting element (S) for the mechanical loading of discrete products (P) which are conveyed in a product stream along a conveying path in a preferably horizontal conveying direction (Xo), wherein the loading is carried out in order to move individual products (P) from the product stream laterally out of the conveying path in a preferably horizontal sorting direction (Yo), wherein the sorting direction (Yo) has at least one directional component orthogonal to the conveying direction (Xo) and a) wherein the sorting element (S) comprises a plate body (K) which extends in a longitudinal direction (X) and a preferably vertical height direction (Z) orthogonal thereto, as well as in a preferably horizontal thickness direction (Y) orthogonal to both directions (X, Z), wherein the longitudinal direction (X) and / or the thickness direction (Y) preferably correspond to the conveying direction (Xo) orcorresponds to the sorting direction (Yo), b) and wherein the plate body (K) has a stop side (A) running in the height direction (Z) and in the longitudinal direction (X), with which a product (P) to be sorted out of the product stream can be subjected to a targeted laterally thrust force, characterized c) in that a profile with at least one longitudinal groove (R) is provided on the stop side (A), which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) in order to positively engage around an edge region (E) of a product (P) contacted by the stop side (A) during the application of the force by engagement of the edge region (E) in the longitudinal groove (R) at least on one side in the height direction (Z) (vertical stabilization) and thereby to reduce or prevent a movement of the edge region (E) relative to the stop side (A) in the height direction (Z) during the application of the force.

2. Sorting element (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile comprises a plurality of mutually parallel and identical longitudinal grooves (R) which are arranged one above the other in the height direction (Z) in order to be able to vertically stabilize products (P) of different heights when subjected to impact at their respective edge regions (E) by engaging in different longitudinal grooves (R).

3. Sorting element (S) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a) at least one longitudinal groove (R) extends over the entire X-length of the stop side (A), and / or b) at least one longitudinal groove (R) forms a sawtooth profile in a YZ cross-section with an upper flank which extends from a groove base (G) partially or exclusively in the thickness direction (Y) away from the plate body (K), and with a lower flank which runs obliquely to the groove base (G) with increasing Z-height, and / or c) the plate body is formed integrally with the at least one longitudinal groove (R), and / or d) at least one longitudinal groove (R) is formed d1) by a machining or forming process carried out on the plate body (K) as a blank, or an injection molding process, or d2) by at least one arranged on the plate body, preferably detachably fastened Profile element.

4. Sorting element (S) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop element (T) which forms a projection projecting from the stop surface (A) in the thickness direction (Y) in order to block the further movement of a product (P) reaching the stop element (T) in the conveying direction (Xo) or in the longitudinal direction (X) along the stop surface (A).

5. Sorting element (S) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stop element (T) is arranged at a rear end of the stop surface (A) seen in the longitudinal direction (X) or in the conveying direction (Xo) in order to simultaneously to be able to fix in the X direction and to load and move in the thickness direction (Y) or in the sorting direction (Yo).

6. Sorting device, comprising a) a conveyor belt or sliding plate forming a conveying plane (N) for conveying discrete products (P) on the conveying plane (N) along a conveying path in a conveying flow and along a conveying direction (Xo), b) and at least one sorting element (S) according to one of the preceding claims, which is positioned laterally to the conveying path such that the plate body (K) extends with its stop side (A) substantially orthogonal to the conveying plane (N) and preferably in the conveying direction (Xo), so that the stop side (A) faces the products (P) moved on the conveyor belt, c) and a pushing mechanism (M) which is designed to move the sorting element (S) towards a product (P) to be sorted out,until the stop side (A) applies a thrust force to the product (P) in the sorting direction (Y) and at the same time an edge portion (E) of the product (P) engages positively in at least one longitudinal groove (R) of the sorting element (S) in order to move the product laterally out of the product stream due to the force applied.

Images