Sorting device

Abstract

The sorting apparatus (1) comprises a conveyor (3) for supporting and transporting articles in a conveying direction (X), an output system (10, 13) for selectively removing articles from the conveyor (3) at a predetermined position (A) in the conveying direction (X), and a number of receiving units (2) each having a respective inlet (6) for receiving the articles removed from the conveyor (3). The inlets (6) are arranged parallel to the conveyor (3) and spaced apart from it, behind one another, and each of the inlets (6) has an upstream end (7) and a downstream end (8) spaced apart in the conveying direction (X) from the upstream end (7). The sorting apparatus (1) comprises the output system (10, 13) and a displaceable guide (12, 12', 14, 14') cooperating with at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8) of the inlet (6) of each receiving unit (2). Each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') has a first position (12, 14) for guiding an outgoing article to an entrance (6) of a selected receiving unit (2), and in the first position (12, 14), the guide (12, 12', 14, 14') is disposed between the conveyor (3) and the entrance (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) at at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8), and the sorting device (1) has a second position (12', 14') for providing free passage of the outgoing article at at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8) to another entrance located adjacent to at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting device, the sorting device comprising a conveyor for supporting and conveying articles in a conveying direction, a discharging system for selectively discharging articles from the conveyor at a predetermined position in the conveying direction, and a plurality of receiving units each having an inlet for receiving discharged products from the conveyor, wherein the plurality of inlets are arranged parallel to the conveyor and spaced apart from each other at a position away from the conveyor, and each of the inlets has an upstream end and a downstream end located at a distance from the upstream end in the conveying direction. Standing behind each other arranged, and each of the inlets has an upstream end and a downstream end located at a distance from the upstream end in the conveying direction.

Background Art

[0002] Such sorting devices are known in the prior art. The known sorting devices are applied for sorting articles that have to be sent to different destinations. Each of the plurality of receiving units may correspond to a certain destination. In order to exhibit a high sorting capacity, the conveyor usually runs at a high speed. As a result, an article directed to one of the plurality of receiving units may already have been discharged by the discharging system at a position upstream of the upstream end of the inlet of the selected one receiving unit. After leaving the conveyor, the discharged article moves towards the inlet of the selected receiving unit in both the conveying direction and a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The length of each inlet in the conveying direction is based on the expected path traversed by each discharged article. Variations in parameters such as the size, shape, weight and center of gravity of the article, the position on the conveyor where the article is placed, the speed of the conveyor, and the speed of the article leaving the conveyor may cause significant variations in the paths traversed by different articles between the conveyor and the inlet, and thus, in the conveying direction, long inlets are required. This is undesirable from the perspective of the required floor area.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a compact sorting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] For this purpose, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a discharge system and a displaceable guide cooperating with at least one of the upstream or downstream ends of the entrance to each receiving unit, each guide having a first position for guiding discharge items to the entrance of a selected receiving unit, where, At the first position, Each guide connects the conveyor and the entrance of the selected receiving unit. Between, At least one of the upstream end and the downstream end in Each guide is positioned and extends to another entrance located adjacent to at least one of the upstream and downstream ends. transportation It has a second position that allows for the free passage of outgoing goods.

[0005] When an item is directed towards a selected receiving unit, the unloading system can initiate an unloading operation to unload the item from the conveyor. Simultaneously, the unloading system can also guide the unloaded item to the entrance of the selected receiving unit by positioning a guide at its first position in cooperation with at least one of the upstream and downstream ends of the entrance of the selected receiving unit.

[0006] The article is unloaded from the conveyor at a predetermined position in the transport direction and, upon relatively rapid exit from the conveyor, may enter the entrance of the selected receiving unit near its upstream end. The unloading operation of the article is initiated at the same position in the transport direction to reach the same receiving unit, but the article may exit the conveyor further downstream, for example, because it is located at a different position on the conveyor, and / or if the article moves relatively slowly from the conveyor toward the entrance in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the article may pass the downstream end of the entrance and tend to reach a downstream position of the downstream end of the entrance of the selected receiving unit, for example, a nearby entrance downstream of the entrance of the selected receiving unit. If the guide at the first position is located at the downstream end of the entrance of the selected receiving unit, the article may collide with the guide and, as a result, be forced to move toward the corresponding entrance of the selected receiving unit. At the second position of the guide, the guide provides free passage for the unloaded article to the nearest entrance located downstream of the downstream end, such that the guide does not form an obstruction to the article, and the article exits the conveyor early upstream of the nearest entrance in order to reach that entrance. In this case, the unloaded article can pass through the guide at its second position without obstruction.

[0007] The guide in the first position is positioned at the upstream end of the entrance of the selected receiving unit, so that if an article is moving relatively quickly out of the conveyor and / or moving quickly from the conveyor toward the entrance in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the article may collide with the guide, and as a result the article may be forced to move to the corresponding entrance of the selected receiving unit rather than to an upstream position of the upstream end of the entrance of the selected receiving unit, for example, a nearby entrance located upstream of the entrance of the selected receiving unit. In the second position of the guide, the guide provides free passage of the outgoing article to a nearby entrance located upstream of the upstream end, such that the guide does not form an obstacle to the article intended to reach its entrance.

[0008] Displaceable guides offer an opportunity to temporarily extend the range over which unloaded items are received and guided to a desired entrance. As a result, the distance between the upstream and downstream ends of each entrance can be minimized, and thus these entrances can be placed in close proximity to one another. This means that a relatively large number of entrances can be arranged along a given distance along the conveyor, and thus advantageously, the installation space can be used efficiently.

[0009] The guide in the first position may form an obstruction when an item being unloaded enters another entrance located adjacent to at least one of the upstream and downstream ends; therefore, the guide can be switched from the first position to the second position after the item has been delivered to the selected receiving unit. The unloading system may be configured not to unload an item heading to a nearby receiving unit as long as the guide is still in the first position when an item is heading to the selected receiving unit.

[0010] The guide may, at its first position, extend outward from at least one of the upstream and downstream ends of the entrance of the selected receiving unit, in the direction of transport. For example, the guide may extend from the upstream end in the direction opposite to the transport direction. In practice, this means that when the guide is in its first position, the entrance is lengthened in the transport direction.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the discharge system is adapted to selectively discharge articles from the conveyor in a lateral direction in the transport direction, wherein the sorting device has a sliding surface between the conveyor and the entrance, on which the discharged articles move situationBelow, the unloaded item moves from the conveyor to the entrance on the sliding surface, where, at the first position, a plurality of guides are positioned at the respective downstream ends, and each of the plurality of guides forms an obstacle above the sliding surface to guide the moving unloaded item on the sliding surface to the entrance of the selected receiving unit, where, at the second position, each of the plurality of guides provides free passage for the unloaded item on the sliding surface to another entrance located downstream of the downstream end. If, after the unloading operation has started, the unloaded item leaves the conveyor somewhat slowly, and / or if the unloaded item moves relatively slowly on the sliding surface in the lateral direction of transport, the item may collide with the guide cooperating with the entrance of the selected receiving unit when the guide is at its first position, and as a result the item is forced to move to the corresponding entrance of the selected receiving unit. After the article has been delivered to the selected receiving unit, the guide may be switched to the second position so that an article destined to reach a nearby entrance in the transport direction is not obstructed by the guide when it exits the conveyor prematurely at an upstream position of the guide.

[0012] Each of the plurality of guides may have an extension of its downstream end in the direction toward the conveyor at its first position. The guides may be aligned with their respective downstream ends at their first positions.

[0013] Each of the plurality of guides may be displaceable such that it protrudes above the sliding surface in the first position and is below the sliding surface or is coplanar with the sliding surface in the second position. This means that when the guide is in the second position, the article can efficiently utilize the sliding surface with respect to the guide.

[0014] In a simple embodiment, each of the plurality of guides is a plate, which is upright and extends laterally with respect to the transport direction at its first position.

[0015] The plate may be pivotable with respect to the sliding surface, wherein the plate has a larger angle with respect to the sliding surface in its first position than in its second position.

[0016] Alternatively, the guide may be able to move up and down through the opening in the sliding surface.

[0017] The plate may be coplanar with the sliding surface at its second position. This allows for the formation of a substantially continuous sliding surface at the second position.

[0018] The unloading system may be provided at least partially on the conveyor. This means that at least a portion of the unloading system moves with the conveyor. It is possible to stationary a portion of the unloading system and drive another portion of the unloading system on the conveyor when it is necessary to unload items.

[0019] In a practical embodiment, the conveyor comprises a plurality of carriers, which are rotatably connected to one another and which follow a closed loop including a curved section, at least horizontally. The carriers are also capable of moving vertically.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the conveyor and the unloading system are formed by a well-known sliding shoe sorter.

[0021] If the discharge system is provided at least partially on the conveyor, the discharge system may include a discharge mechanism on each of the carriers.

[0022] There are various feasibility requirements for the unloading mechanism. For example, the carrier may be equipped with a tray for supporting articles, the tray being tiltable by the unloading mechanism for unloading articles from the tray, or the carrier may be equipped with a tiltable tray for supporting articles, the tiltable tray having a door at its lower end that can be opened by the unloading mechanism for unloading articles from the tray, or the carrier may be equipped with a tray for supporting articles, the unloading mechanism being equipped with a pressing element for pushing the articles out of the tray, or the carrier may be equipped with a cross belt for supporting articles, the cross belt being driveable by the unloading mechanism, or the carrier may be equipped with a tiltable tray having a closed position for supporting articles and an open position for unloading articles, the tray being pivotable by the unloading mechanism around a pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the transport direction, such as in a so-called Bombay sorter. The unloading mechanism may be driven at a fixed position in the transport direction, where this fixed position corresponds to the entrance of each receiving unit. For example, the unloading system may include controllable guides attached to a frame on which the carriers travel, and each of the carriers may have an engaging element that cooperates with one of the controllable guides to selectively drive the unloading mechanism.

[0023] The sliding surface may be inclined downward in the direction from the conveyor to the entrance in order to push the article downward after it leaves the conveyor. The article may be moved at a speed laterally in the direction of transport, and as a result may follow a curved path on the sliding surface.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, at the first position, the guides are arranged at the respective upstream ends, and the inlet of the receiving unit is arranged below the conveyor. In this case, the article drops from the conveyor without hindrance. If the article exits the conveyor relatively early after heading towards and starting the unloading operation to a selected receiving unit, the article may collide with the guide suitable for guiding the article to the inlet of the selected receiving unit at the first position of the guide.

[0025] The guide may be arranged at its first position so as to at least partially obstruct the nearby inlets located upstream of the upstream end, and at its second position, may be arranged to provide free passage for the unloaded article up to the nearby inlet located upstream of the upstream end. In this case, the guide may extend from the upstream end in a direction opposite to the conveying direction at its first position, which actually means that the inlets can be temporarily lengthened at their upstream ends. The guide may be a swing member or a swing plate that extends from the upstream end in a direction opposite to the conveying direction at the first position and extends vertically from the upstream end at the second position.

[0026] The conveyor may comprise a series of carrier rows, and each carrier is provided with an inclined tray having a closed position for supporting the article and an open position for unloading the article, such as a so-called Bombay sorter conveyor, where the tray is pivotable around a pivot axis extending transversely to the conveying direction.

[0027] adjacent multiple Preferably, the upstream end and the downstream end of the adjacent inlets coincide, which also leads to an efficient use of space.

[0028] In practice, the receiving units may each comprise a chute.

[0029] Hereinafter, by way of example, the present invention will be described with reference to schematic diagrams showing embodiments of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a sorting device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram similar to Figure 1, but shows a magnified view of a part of the sorting device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, but viewed from a different angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the section shown in Figure 4, and shows the guide at the first position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but shows the guide at the second position. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sorting device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is similar to Figure 9, but it shows a different situation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a sorting device 1 according to the present invention, and Figures 2 to 8 show its detailed parts. The sorting device 1 includes a receiving unit 2 and is suitable for sorting items by destination and distributing items to various destinations via the receiving unit 2 in a controlled manner. The sorting device 1 includes a conveyor 3 suitable for supporting items and transporting them in the transport direction X. The conveyor 3 includes a plurality of separate carriers 4 that run on a frame 5. The carriers 4 are interconnected via pivoting links, and thus, situationBelow, an endless row of carriers 4 is formed, running along the closed track. The closed track has a horizontally curved section. As can be seen in Figure 1, the carriers 4 spread out at intervals in the curved section and then come together again in the straight section of the track beyond the curved section.

[0032] The sorting device 1 is provided with a drive means (not shown) for driving the row of carriers 4. The drive means may include a drivable roller arranged along the track and engaging with and driving one or more passing carriers 4 via friction between the roller and one or more carriers 4, but a number of alternative means for driving a row of carriers 4 can also be envisioned. For example, the carriers 4 may be connected to each other via a drivable belt or chain. Each carrier 4 can receive articles and selectively discharge articles at an intended position.

[0033] The sorting device 1 may include one or more loading stations (not shown) where items to be sorted are optionally manually placed on the carrier 4. The receiving unit 2 includes chutes and boxes to which the unloaded items arrive. The boxes may also be replaced by other types of containers, such as bags. Each of the receiving units 2 has an entrance 6 for receiving unloaded items from the carrier 4. The entrances 6 are arranged in a line along the track, and each entrance 6 has an upstream end 7 and a downstream end 8 located at a distance from the upstream end 7 in the transport direction X. In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end 7 and downstream end 8 of adjacent entrances 6 coincide, forming an upright wall between the adjacent entrances 6.

[0034] Each of the carriers 4 comprises a tray 9 for supporting articles and an unloading mechanism in the form of a pressing element 10 for pushing articles out of the tray 9. The pressing element 10 is part of an unloading system for selectively unloading articles from the carrier 4 laterally in the transport direction X at predetermined positions along the track in the transport direction X. The pressing element 10 can be driven at predetermined positions along the track corresponding to each receiving unit 2. Two of these positions are indicated by the letter A in Figure 2. At these positions A, the pressing element 10 of the carrier 4 begins to move. The unloading system may further comprise a guiding system mounted on the lower frame 5 of the row of carriers 4, which can selectively drive and guide the pressing element 10 of the carrier 4 as the carrier 4 passes through one of the positions A, i.e., as the carrier 4 approaches the entrance 6 of a desired receiving unit 2 from which articles on the carrier 4 need to be unloaded. Figure 2 shows that position A is located upstream of the upstream end 7 of the entrance 6 that corresponds to the entrance to which the article is to reach.

[0035] Furthermore, in the alternative conveyor, the start of the unloading operation and the speed at which the goods are removed from the carrier may be adjustable.

[0036] The sorting device 1 further includes a sliding surface 11 located between the conveyor 3 and the inlet 6. The sliding surface 11 is inclined downward in the direction from the conveyor 3 to the inlet 6. In this case, the sliding surface 11 is the upper surface of a flat plate, which is also located in the chute of the receiving unit 2.

[0037] operation situationWhen an item exits one of the carriers 4 below, the item slides downward on the sliding surface 11 toward the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2. Due to the speed of the carrier 4 in the transport direction X and the speed of the item on the tray 9 in the lateral direction, resulting from the pressing element 10 and the inclined sliding surface 11, the item may follow a curved path on the sliding surface 11. After the pressing element 10 is driven, the item may exit the carrier 4 relatively quickly and / or, if moving at high speed laterally in the transport direction X, may enter the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2 around the point where it has passed the upstream end 7 of the entrance 6 in the transport direction X. After the pressing element 10 is driven, the item may exit the carrier 4 relatively slowly and / or, if moving at low speed laterally in the transport direction X, may tend to pass the downstream end 8 of the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2 in the transport direction X.

[0038] The latter situation is avoided by displaceable guides in the form of swivelable plates 12, 12' on the sliding surface 11, which cooperate with the downstream ends 8 of the unloading system and the respective inlet 6. Each plate has a first position indicated by reference numeral 12 and a second position indicated by reference numeral 12'. In the first position, plate 12 is upright and extends laterally with respect to the transport direction X, forming an obstacle above the sliding surface 11 at the downstream end 8 of the inlet 6 of the selected receiving unit 2, thereby allowing unloaded items moving on the sliding surface 11 to advance to the selected inlet 6. In the second position, plate 12' provides free passage for unloaded items on the sliding surface 11. In the latter situation, plate 12' is coplanar with the sliding surface 11.

[0039] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the function of sorting device 1. Each figure shows a series of travel steps of conveyor 3 in a single drawing. These figures illustrate two different situations in two different receiving units 2. In both situations, the pressing element 10 of the carrier 4 is driven at the same position A, upstream of each upstream end 7 of the inlet 6 corresponding to the receiving unit 2 selected as the unit to which the discharged item is to be reached. In the situation on the left in Figure 2, the item leaves the carrier 4 earlier than in the situation on the right and moves at a faster speed toward the destination inlet 6. The situation on the left is shown by a virtual path B of the item, and the situation on the right is shown by a virtual path C of the item. The length of the inlet 6 in the transport direction X can also be relatively shortened so that the item following the virtual path C can also reach the destination receiving unit 2. Note that the situation on the left in Figure 2 indicates that the items are similar in size and shape, and the situation on the right also indicates that the items are similar in size and shape, but in reality, it may be a mixture of all kinds of items.

[0040] When a plate 12' is positioned at the upstream end 7 of each target inlet 6, the plates 12' are coplanar with the sliding surface 11 at their second positions so that the articles can pass through these plates 12' without obstruction in both situations. This allows the unloading system to unload the articles from the conveyor earlier, before they reach the inlet 6 of the selected receiving unit 2. The second positions of the plates 12' are shown, for example, in Figures 6 and 7.

[0041] When plate 12 is positioned at the downstream end 8 of the target entrance 6, plate 12 stands upright and forms an obstacle to the approaching article, allowing the article to enter the target entrance 6. This first position of plate 12' is shown, for example, in Figures 5 and 8. After guiding the article to the target entrance 6, plate 12 can be returned to its second position. Figures 1 to 4 show that in the first position, plate 12 is aligned with the corresponding downstream end 8, and in this case, it is also aligned with the upstream end 7 so that the upstream end 7 and the downstream end 8 of two adjacent entrances 6 coincide.

[0042] When the plate 12 at the downstream end 8 of the inlet 6 of the selected receiving unit 2 is in the first position, the unloading system avoids unloading articles that are directed toward the nearby inlet 6 in the transport direction X.

[0043] The transport system operates situation Below, the movement of plates 12, 12' from the second position to the first position may be adapted to be synchronized with the start of movement of the pressing element 10 of the carrier 4, which supports the articles to be delivered to the entrance 6 where plates 12, 12' are located at their downstream end 8. Similarly, the unloading system may be adapted to operate situation Below, the movement of plates 12, 12' from the first position to the second position may be adapted to be synchronized with the start of movement of the pressing element 10 of the carrier 4, which delivers the article to the inlet 6 located at its downstream end 8. However, the movement of plates 12, 12' from the first position to the second position may be performed at a faster speed, for example, immediately after it is detected that the article has entered the inlet 6 of the selected receiving unit.

[0044] In alternative embodiments, each carrier may be equipped with a tray that can be tilted about an axis extending in the transport direction by an unloading mechanism for unloading articles from itself, or each carrier may be equipped with a cross belt for supporting articles, wherein the cross belt is driveable by the unloading mechanism. In these embodiments, the position of an article laterally in the transport direction X can be greatly influenced by where along the track the article exits the carrier after the unloading operation has started at the same position along the track of the conveyor.

[0045] Figures 9 and 10 show alternative embodiments of the sorting device according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8. Each figure shows a series of travel steps of the conveyor 3 in a single drawing. In this case, the carrier 4 of the conveyor 3 also operates situationAn endless row is formed below, traveling along a closed track. Each of the carriers 4 has a tiltable tray 13 that is pivotable around its respective pivot axis, which extends laterally with respect to the transport direction X. When the tray 13 is in the closed position, it forms a support surface for supporting articles. When the tray 13 is opened, the articles on the tray 13 are unloaded. The unloading system may include a guide system that allows the tray 13 of the carrier 4 to be selectively opened and closed when passing through one of the positions A, i.e., when the carrier 4 approaches the entrance 6 of a receiving unit 2, which has been selected as the unit to which the articles on the carrier 4 are to reach. Such conveyors are typically used in the well-known Bombay sorter.

[0046] Each receiving unit 2 is equipped with an inlet 6 for receiving items discharged from the conveyor 3. In this case, the inlets 6 are positioned below the conveyor 3, as the items fall downward without obstruction after being dropped. The upstream and downstream ends 8 of two adjacent inlets 6 coincide. The embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 has displaceable guides in the form of swing members 14, 14' that cooperate with the discharge system and the upstream ends 7 of the inlets 6 of each receiving unit 2. The swing members 14, 14' are pivotable about an axis that extends horizontally and vertically with respect to the transport direction (X).

[0047] Each rocking member has a first position, indicated by 14 in Figures 9 and 10, and a second position, indicated by 14' in Figures 9 and 10. In the first position, the rocking member 14 is positioned between the conveyor 3 and the upstream end 7 of the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2 so as to be able to guide the articles being delivered to the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2. In the situation shown in Figures 9 and 10, the rocking member 14 is oriented in its first position to partially obstruct the nearest entrance 6, which is located adjacent to the upstream end 7 of the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2, to which the articles are delivered. After the articles have been delivered, the rocking member 14 can return to the second position 14', which allows the unloaded articles to pass freely to the nearest entrance 6, which is located adjacent to the upstream end 7.

[0048] In Figures 9 and 10, the start of the unloading operation is indicated at position A. Figure 9 shows the situation when a small item is unloaded, and Figure 10 shows the situation when a large item is unloaded. It can be seen that the small item leaves the conveyor 3 earlier than the large item. Because the oscillating members 14 and 14' are in the first position, the small item is prevented from being delivered to the entrance 6 located upstream of the entrance 6 of the selected receiving unit 2.

[0049] The transport system operates situation Below, the movement of the rocking members 14, 14' from the second position to the first position may be adapted to synchronize with the opening of the tray 13 of the carrier 4, which supports the articles to be delivered to the entrance 6 located at its upstream end 7. Similarly, the unloading system may be operated situation Below, the movement of the rocking members 14, 14' from the first position to the second position may be adapted to synchronize with the start of the closing of the tray 13 of the carrier 4, which is delivering the articles to the inlet 6 located at its upstream end 7.

[0050] From the above, it is clear that the present invention provides an opportunity to provide an entrance that is relatively short in the direction of transport.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above, and may be modified in different ways within the scope of the claims and technical equivalents. In one embodiment, the present invention may be configured as follows. [Section 1] A sorting device (1) comprises a conveyor (3) for supporting and transporting articles in the transport direction (X), an unloading system (10, 13) for selectively unloading articles from the conveyor (3) at a predetermined position (A) in the transport direction (X), and a plurality of receiving units (2) each having an entrance (6) for receiving articles unloaded from the conveyor (3), wherein the plurality of entrances (6) are arranged in a front-to-back direction parallel to the conveyor (3) and away from the conveyor (3), and each of the plurality of entrances (6) has an upstream end (7) and a downstream end (8) located at a distance from the upstream end (7) in the transport direction (X), wherein the sorting device (1) comprises the unloading system (10, 13) and the upstream end (7) and downstream end (8) of the entrance (6) of each receiving unit (2) A sorting device (1) comprising displaceable guides (12, 12', 14, 14') cooperating with at least one of the following, wherein each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') has a first position (12, 14) for guiding the unloaded items to the entrance (6) of a selected receiving unit (2), and in the first position (12, 14), each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') is positioned between the conveyor (3) and the entrance (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) at at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8), and each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') has a second position (12', 14') for providing the unloaded items free passage to another entrance located adjacent to at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8). [Section 2] The sorting device (1) according to item 1, wherein the guide (14) extends outward from at least one of the upstream end (7) and downstream end (8) of the inlet (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) in the transport direction (X) at its first position. [Section 3] The unloading system (10) is adapted to selectively unload articles from a conveyor (3) in a lateral direction in the transport direction (X), wherein the sorting device (1) comprises a sliding surface (11) between the conveyor (3) and an inlet (6), on which the unloaded articles move from the conveyor (3) to the inlet (6) in operation, wherein, in the first position, a plurality of guides (12) are positioned at the respective downstream ends (8), and each of the plurality of guides (12) forms an obstacle above the sliding surface (11) to guide the moving unloaded articles on the sliding surface (11) to the inlet (6) of the selected receiving unit (2), wherein, in the second position, each of the plurality of guides (12') provides free passage for the unloaded articles on the sliding surface (11) to another inlet located downstream of the downstream end (8), as described in subparagraph 1 or 2. [Section 4] The sorting device (1) according to item 3, wherein each of the plurality of guides (12, 12') is displaceable such that it protrudes above the sliding surface (11) in its first position and is below the sliding surface (11) or is coplanar with the sliding surface (11) in its second position. [Section 5] The sorting device (1) according to item 3 or 4, wherein each of the plurality of guides is a plate (12, 12'), and the plate (12, 12') is upright and extends laterally with respect to the transport direction (X) at its first position. [Section 6] The sorting device (1) according to item 5, wherein the plate (12, 12') is pivotable relative to the sliding surface (11), and the plate (12, 12') has a larger angle with respect to the sliding surface (11) at its first position than at its second position. [Section 7] The sorting device (1) according to item 6, wherein the plate (12, 12') is coplanar with the sliding surface (11) at its second position. [Section 8] The sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the discharge system (10) is provided at least partially on the conveyor (3). [Section 9] A sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveyor (3) comprises a plurality of carriers (4) which are rotatably connected to one another and which follow a closed loop including a curved section in at least the horizontal direction. [Section 10] The sorting device (1) according to paragraphs 8 and 9, wherein the unloading system is provided with an unloading mechanism in each of the carriers (4). [Section 11] The sorting device (1) according to item 10, wherein the carrier (4) comprises a tray for supporting articles, the tray being tiltable by the unloading mechanism for unloading articles from the tray, or the carrier (4) comprises a tray (9) for supporting articles, the unloading mechanism comprising a pressing element (10) for pushing articles out of the tray (9), or the carrier comprises a cross belt for supporting articles, the cross belt being driveable by the unloading mechanism, or the carrier (4) comprises a tiltable tray (13) having a closed position for supporting articles and an open position for unloading articles, the tray (13) being pivotable by the unloading mechanism around a pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the transport direction (X). [Section 12] A sorting device (1) according to any one of items 1 to 11 and item 3, wherein the sliding surface (11) is inclined downward in the direction from the conveyor to the entrance (6). [Section 13] A sorting device (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein in the first position, guides (12) are positioned at each upstream end (7), and the entrance (6) of the receiving unit is positioned below the conveyor (3), where the guides in the first position may be positioned to at least partially obstruct the nearby entrance (6) located upstream of the upstream end (7), and in the second position, they may be positioned to allow the free passage of the unloaded goods to the nearby entrance (6) located upstream of the upstream end (7). [Section 14] The sorting device (1) according to item 13, wherein the conveyor comprises a series of carriers (4), each carrier (4) having a tiltable tray (13) having a closed position for supporting articles and an open position for unloading articles, wherein the tray (13) is rotatable around a pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the transport direction (X). [Section 15] A sorting device (1) according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the upstream end (7) and downstream end (8) of a plurality of adjacent inlets (6) coincide.

Claims

1. A sorting device (1) comprises a conveyor (3) for supporting and transporting articles in the transport direction (X), an unloading system (10, 13) for selectively unloading articles from the conveyor (3) at a predetermined position (A) in the transport direction (X), and a plurality of receiving units (2) each having an entrance (6) for receiving articles unloaded from the conveyor (3), wherein the plurality of entrances (6) are arranged in a front-to-back direction parallel to the conveyor (3) and away from the conveyor (3), and each of the plurality of entrances (6) has an upstream end (7) and a downstream end (8) located at a distance from the upstream end (7) in the transport direction (X), wherein the sorting device (1) comprises the unloading system (10, 13) and a plurality of the upstream end (7) and downstream end (8) of the entrance (6) of each receiving unit (2) A sorting device (1) is provided with displaceable guides (12, 12', 14, 14') that cooperate with at least one of the conveyors (3), wherein each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') has a first position (12, 14) for guiding the unloaded items to the entrance (6) of a selected receiving unit (2), and at the first position (12, 14), each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') is positioned between the conveyor (3) and the entrance (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) at at least one of its upstream end (7) and downstream end (8), and each guide (12, 12', 14, 14') has a second position (12', 14') for providing the unloaded items free passage to another entrance located adjacent to at least one of its upstream end (7) and downstream end (8).

2. The sorting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide (14) extends from at least one of the upstream end (7) and the downstream end (8) of the inlet (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) at its first position, and extends outward from the inlet (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) when viewed in the transport direction (X).

3. The unloading system (10) is adapted to selectively unload articles from a conveyor (3) in a lateral direction in the transport direction (X), wherein the sorting device (1) comprises a sliding surface (11) between the conveyor (3) and an entrance (6), on which the unloaded articles move from the conveyor (3) to the entrance (6) in operation, wherein, in the first position, a plurality of guides (12) are positioned at the respective downstream ends (8), and each of the plurality of guides (12) forms an obstacle above the sliding surface (11) to guide the moving unloaded articles on the sliding surface (11) to the entrance (6) of the selected receiving unit (2), wherein, in the second position, each of the plurality of guides (12') provides free passage for the unloaded articles on the sliding surface (11) to another entrance located downstream of the downstream end (8), the sorting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sorting device (1) according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of guides (12, 12') is displaceable such that it protrudes above the sliding surface (11) in its first position and is below the sliding surface (11) or is coplanar with the sliding surface (11) in its second position.

5. The sorting device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the plurality of guides is a plate (12, 12'), and the plate (12, 12') is upright and extends laterally with respect to the transport direction (X) at its first position.

6. The sorting device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the plate (12, 12') is pivotable with respect to the sliding surface (11), and the plate (12, 12') has a larger angle with respect to the sliding surface (11) at its first position than at its second position.

7. The sorting device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the plate (12, 12') is coplanar with the sliding surface (11) at its second position.

8. The sorting apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the discharge system (10) is provided at least partially on the conveyor (3).

9. A sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveyor (3) comprises a plurality of carriers (4), the plurality of carriers (4) are connected to each other so as to be rotatable, and follow a closed loop including a curved portion in at least the horizontal direction.

10. The sorting device (1) according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the unloading system is provided with an unloading mechanism in each of the carriers (4).

11. A sorting device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the carrier (4) is equipped with a tray for supporting articles, the tray being tiltable by the unloading mechanism for unloading articles from the tray, or the carrier (4) is equipped with a tray (9) for supporting articles, the unloading mechanism being equipped with a pressing element (10) for pushing the articles out of the tray (9), or the carrier is equipped with a cross belt for supporting articles, the cross belt being driveable by the unloading mechanism, or the carrier (4) is equipped with a tiltable tray (13) having a closed position for supporting articles and an open position for unloading articles, the tray (13) being pivotable by the unloading mechanism around a pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the transport direction (X).

12. The sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the sliding surface (11) is inclined downward in the direction from the conveyor to the entrance (6).

13. The sorting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first position, guides (14) are positioned at each upstream end (7), and the entrance (6) of the receiving unit is positioned below the conveyor (3), where the guides may be positioned in the first position to at least partially obstruct the nearby entrance (6) located upstream of the upstream end (7), and in the second position to allow the free passage of the unloaded items to the nearby entrance (6) located upstream of the upstream end (7).

14. The sorting device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the conveyor comprises a series of carriers (4), each carrier (4) provided with a tiltable tray (13) having a closed position for supporting articles and an open position for unloading articles, and the tray (13) is rotatable around a pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the transport direction (X).

15. A sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the upstream end (7) and downstream end (8) of a plurality of adjacent inlets (6) coincide.

Images