Conveyor chute

Abstract

Conveyor chute (6) for a conveyor arrangement (1); the chute is adapted to - takeover of a conveyed object (9), in particular a postal parcel (9), at a takeover area (A1), in particular from an upstream sorter device (7); - handover the conveyed object (9) at a handover area (A3), in particular at a terminal destination (4); - transfer the conveyed object (9) in a chute area (A2) from the takeover position (A1) to the handover position (A3), wherein the chute (11) is inclined downwardly in the conveying direction (F) so that the conveyed object (9) is conveyed in a gravitationally sliding manner, wherein the chute area (A2) is formed by a - a plurality of standard modules (SMF) of fixed length (L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c); - at least one standard module of variable length (L62v,L63v).

Description

[0001] Conveyor chute

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a conveyor chute.

[0004] At the terminal destinations in a parcel distribution center, parcels are loaded into delivery trucks that are assigned to specific target regions. A sorter, for example a crossbelt sorter e.g. disclosed WO 2019 / 002048 A1, sorts the parcels and feeds them to the individual terminal destinations. To overcome height differences, inclined chutes are used between the sorter and the terminal destinations , in which the packages slide along due to gravity.

[0005] EP 1 868 923 B1 discloses an end point chute with two rollers running transversely to the conveying direction of the chute and driven in the conveying direction. The speed of one roller is selected to be higher than another roller the closer the respective roller is to the exit side.

[0006] CN 115 108 235 A discloses mine aggregate conveying system. A conveying arrangement comprises a chute which is followed by a energy absorbing device. CN 115 108235 A discloses an adjustable chute outlet.

[0007] US 4,403,686 A discloses a modular chute assembly for transportation and removal of parts and scrap in a manufacturing facility.

[0008] US 4,270,748 A discloses a playground slide for use on a incline.

[0009] US 6,347,696 B1 discloses a method for loading structured packing into a tower. A removeable slide is positioned in a manway opening, wherein the structure packing slides down to a bottom stage in a receiving area.

[0010] When planning chutes in a conveyor arrangement the chutes often fill gaps between predefined devices upstream and downstream of the chute. In particular where the chute connects a sorter with a terminal destination, due to the limited space, the chutes are designed in a way to fit between those devices. To make the chutes perfectly matching into the gap between those devices, conventionally such chutes are individually planned and for example systems are usually made to measure by a carpenter.

[0011] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved conveyor chute which is easy to place into each given and preset gap between the upstream and downstream device. This is solved by a device and a method according to the main claims; embodiments are the subject of the subclaims as well as the description. A suitable conveyed item, in particular a postal package, has a weight of 20kg, which does not exclude the use of lighter and heavier packages. In particular, the conveyor arrangement is set up to convey a conveyed item, in particular a postal package of 50 kg. In addition, it may also be possible to convey so-called polybags, i.e. conveyed goods that are packaged in a film, such as items of clothing.

[0012] The chute is in particular located between a sorter and a terminal destination.

[0013] A terminal destination is in particular an area where the object to be conveyed is stored, at least for a short time, in order to be transferred from there to a delivery truck, for example.

[0014] A particular advantage of the invention is that with the help on merely a small number different predefined parts a chute can be manufactured, the length of which is easily adapted so that the chute fits into any predefined and given gap between the upstream and downstream devices.

[0015] In particular the chute can be manufactured at first by any combination of standard modules of fixed length; the final adaption to the required chute length is then accomplished by suitably adapting the variable length of the module of variable length.

[0016] During manufacturing a planning step can be performed with the help of an IT planning tool such as a layouter. The IT planning tool provides representations of the standard modules and a representation of the upstream and downstream devices.

[0017] In an embodiment, the conveyor arrangement is a sorter conveyor arrangement. Here the upstream device is a sorter and the downstream device is a terminal destination. The position of the sorter is predefined and the position of the terminal destination. In particular the chute needs to fit into the space, which is given by the predefinition of the position sorter and the terminal destination.

[0018] The conveyor arrangement is in particular suitable to conveyor postal parcels.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures; herein show: figure 1 schematically a side view of an conveyor arrangement comprising a chute in two different embodiments; figure 2 schematically a cross-sectional view of an inventive chute of the conveyor arrangement along section lines ll-ll of figure 1b; figure 3 a partial side view of a chute made from standard modules for the conveyor arrangement of figure 1 ; figure 4 a perspective view of exemplary standard modules in the form of bottom parts of the conveyor arrangement of figure 1 ; figure 5 a perspective view of exemplary standard modules in the form of side walls of the conveyor arrangement of figure 1 ; figure 6 a perspective view of exemplary standard modules in the form of combined bottom parts and side walls of the conveyor arrangement of figure 1 ; figures 7 to 12 different situations during planning a conveyor arrangement of figure 1 supported by an IT planning tool.

[0020] Figure 1a shows a conventional conveyor arrangement 1. An object 9 to be conveyed, for example a postal package, is fed by a transferring device 7, e.g. a sorter 7, in particular a crossbelt sorter. From the transferring device 7 (in particular downstream a transfer bracket 71), the conveyed object 9 passes a conveyor chute 6, in each case to a downstream device 4 in particular a terminal destination 4. At the downstream device 4, the conveyed object 8 is stored temporarily in order to be transferred from there e.g. to a delivery truck 41.

[0021] Figure 1b shows a slight different configuration. Here the receiving device may comprise another takeaway conveyor, e.g. for conveying the objects directly into a delivery truck, e.g. a boom conveyor as disclosed in US 2009 / 0294246 A1.

[0022] The conveyor chute 6 comprises a takeover position A1, followed by a chute area A2. In the chute area A2, the conveyed object 9 slides downward at least in sections to reach a handover position A3, where to the object is handed over to the downstream device 4. In the chute area A2, very large height differences are overcome in some cases. Due to space optimization, the chute area A2 may be very steep.

[0023] A chute length L is defined by the distance between the takeover position A1 and the handover position A3. A inclination angle a may be defined bay an average gradient between the takeover position A1 and the handover position A3.

[0024] Reference is now made to figures 2 and 3. The chute area A2 is formed by a conveyor chute 6. The conveyor chute 6 comprises a plurality of standard modules SMV, SMF. In the present embodiment the standard modules SMV, SMF comprising a standard bottom part 62 and / or a sidewall 63, which may be separate to each other. In a different embodiment the bottom parts 62 and the side wall 63s of one standard module SMV, SMF may be made from one piece.

[0025] The bottom parts 62 and a plurality of side walls 63 are attached to each other. Longitudinal carriers 61 may be provided for attaching and carrying the side walls 63 and bottom parts 62. In a non shown embodiment the longitudinal carrier 61 may be omitted; instead the bottom parts and / or side wall may form a self carrying, monocoque arrangement.

[0026] Fixing the side wall 63 with the standard bottom part 62 and / or the carrier 61 together may be performed by screwed connections S, alternatively welded of riveted or similar.

[0027] Reference is now made to figure 4 to 6, each showing a set of different standard modules SMF, SMV suitable for building the conveyor chute 6 of the conveyor arrangement of figure 1 . It comprises a limited set of different standard modules SMF having an individual fixed length L62A, L62b, L62c; L63A, L63b, L63c. However it is not possible to build up a conveyor chute 6 of any chute length L by using solely a limited set of Standard modules of predefined fixed lengths.

[0028] To build a conveyor chute 6 of any chute length L the set of different standard modules SMF, SMV comprises a standard module SMV of variable length L62v. As an example the standard modules SMV of variable length can be telescoped, thereby comprising first and second elements 62v1 ,2; 63v1 ,2 which can be oriented relative to each other in different positions (see arrow P); said different positions define the differing variable length L62v;L63v.

[0029] The standard modules SMF, SMV may be formed by

[0030] - bottom parts 62, where bottom parts 62a, b,c, with fixed length L62a,b,c form the standard modules SMF with fixed length and bottom parts 62v with variable length L62v form the standard modules SMV with variable length (figure 4);

[0031] - side walls 63, where side walls 63a, b,c, with fixed length L63a,b,c form the standard modules SMF with fixed length and side walls 63v with variable length L63v form the standard modules SMV with variable length (figure 5);

[0032] - combined bottom parts 62 and side walls 63, where bottom parts 62a, b,c and side walls 63a, b,c, with fixed length L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c form the standard modules SMF with fixed length and combined bottom parts 62v and side walls 63v with variable length L62v; L63v form the standard modules SMV with variable length (figure 6); Starting from figure 7 the steps of planning a conveyor are illustrated, where planning is performed with the help of an IT planning tool 80, which is an application program running on a personal computer 89, where the term personal computer also includes tablet PC or similar devices. The IT planning tool 80 is herein also called the “layouter”.

[0033] The layouter 80 provides a construction area 81 in which the planner can create a digital representation of a conveyor arrangement 1. The layouter 80 provides a selection area 82, in which components are provided for being selected by the planner. By a user interaction III, the planner can select a graphical representation 83 of a certain component and transfer the selected component via drag & drop into the construction area 81.

[0034] When planning a chute in a conveyor arrangement usually the chute has to fit in a predefined area e.g. between the sorter or any other transferring device 7 in front of the chute area A2 and the terminal destination or any other downstream device 4 behind the chute area A2. Therefore figure 7 illustrates a situation where the transferring device 7 and the downstream device 4 are shown in a given spatial relationship.

[0035] According to figure 8 the user defines the takeover position A1 and the handover position A3 by means of a user input III. The definition of the takeover position A1 and the handover position A3 defines the chute length L. In general the chute length is a mandatory dimension, which results from the given spatial relation of the transferring device 7 and the downstream device 4. The mandatory dimension of the chute length L is a main input for the following planning steps.

[0036] According to figure 9 the user selects a first one of the standard modules SMF with fixed length 62a, b,c from the selection area 82 and puts it via said drag and drop operation in place within the construction area 81 , thereby in particular attaching it to the takeover position A1. This step is repeated several times with additional standard modules SMF with fixed length from the selection area 82, so that a preliminary chute having a plurality of standard modules SMF is generated, as illustrated in figure 10.

[0037] After several steps a gap remains in the chute area A2, which can not be exactly filled by one standard modules SMF with fixed length, since a remaining length dL of the gap does not fit with the predefined fixed length L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c of one of said bottom parts with fixed length.

[0038] Now the user can select the standard module SMV of variable length to fill said gap in the chute area A2 and to complete the conveyor cute 6 (figure 11). The variable length L62v, L63v is thereby selected in a manner, so that it conforms to the above remaining length dL. The remaining length dL is thereby different to a fixed length of one of the standard modules SMF with fixed length or of any sum out any combinations of these fixed lengths.

[0039] The figures 6 to 11 show the above steps whereby the standard modules SMF, SMV are formed by bottom parts. In this case the same steps are also performed for the side walls as standard module parts SMF, SMF (see figure 12).

[0040] In case that the standard modules are formed by combined parts according to figure 5, no repetition is required.

[0041] List of reference signs

[0042] 1 (Sorter-) conveyor arrangement

[0043] 4 terminal destination, receiving device e.g. collecting box or takeaway conveyor

[0044] 41 delivery truck

[0045] 6 conveyor chute

[0046] 61 longitudinal carrier

[0047] 62 bottom

[0048] 62a, b,c standard bottom part of fixed length

[0049] 62v standard bottom part of variable length

[0050] 62v1 ,2 first, second bottom element

[0051] 63 side guide

[0052] 63a, b,c standard side wall of fixed length

[0053] 63v standard side wall of fixed length

[0054] 63v1 ,2 first, second wall element

[0055] 80 IT planning tool

[0056] 81 construction area

[0057] 82 selection area

[0058] 89 personal computer

[0059] 7 sorter I transferring device

[0060] 71 transfer bracket

[0061] 9 object (postal parcel)

[0062] L62a,b,c fixed length of standard bottom part

[0063] L62v variable length of variable bottom part

[0064] L63a,b,c fixed length of side wall

[0065] L63v variable length of variable side wall dL remaining length

[0066] L chute length

[0067] SMF standard module of fixed length

[0068] SMV standard module of variable length A1 takeover position

[0069] A2 chute area

[0070] A3 transfer position

[0071] F conveying direction a inclination angle

[0072] S screwed connection

Claims

Claims1. Conveyor chute (6) for a conveyor arrangement (1); the chute is adapted to- takeover of a conveyed object (9), in particular a postal parcel (9), at a takeover area (A1), in particular from an upstream sorter device (7);- handover the conveyed object (9) at a handover area (A3), in particular at a terminal destination (4);- transfer the conveyed object (9) in a chute area (A2) from the takeover position (A1) to the handover position (A3), wherein the chute (11) is inclined downwardly in the conveying direction (F) so that the conveyed object (9) is conveyed in a gravitationally sliding manner, characterized in that the chute area (A2) is formed by a- a plurality of standard modules (SMF) of fixed length (L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c);- in particular at least one standard module of variable length (L62v,L63v).

2. Conveyor chute (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the set of standard modules (SMF, SMV) comprises bottom parts (62a, b,c, v) forming a part of a bottom of the chute.

3. Conveyor chute (6) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of standard modules (SMF, SMV) comprises side walls (63a, b,c, v) forming a part of a side wall of the conveyor chute (6).

4. Conveyor chute (6) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the standard modules (SMF, SMV) extend over a chute length (L), where the length is different to a sum of the standard modules (SMF) of fixed length; in particular the chute length (L) is defined by a distance between the takeover position (A1) and the handover position (A3).

5. Method of manufacturing a chute (6), the chute is adapted to- takeover of a conveyed object (9), in particular a postal parcel (9), at a takeover area (A1), in particular from an upstream sorter device (7);- handover the conveyed object (9) at a handover area (A3), in particular at a terminal destination (4);- transfer the conveyed object (9) in a chute area (A2) from the takeover position (A1) to the handover position (A3), wherein the chute (11) is inclined downwardly in the conveying direction (F) so that the conveyed object (9) is conveyed in a gravitationally sliding manner, the method comprising the following steps:- based on the chute length (L) providing at least one bottom part and / or side wall forming part of the chute area (A2); characterized by the steps of- defining a chute length (L);- providing a set of standard modules (SMF, SMV);- based on the defined chute length (L), selecting one or a plurality of standard modules out of said set to form the chute area (A2).

6. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the set of standard modules comprises standard modules (SMF) of fixed length (L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c); wherein the chute length (L) is different to any sum of the fixed lengths (L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c) of said standard modules (SMF) achievable by any combination of said standard modules (SMF).

7. Method according to any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the set of standard modules comprises a least one standard module (SMV) of variable length (L62v; L63v);8. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the method comprising the step of adapting the variable length (L62v; L63v) of said standard module (SMV) with variable length in a manner so that a sum of said length of said selected standard modules (SMV, SMF) conforms to the chute length (L).

9. Method according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein- a sum of the lengths (L62a,b,c; L63a,b,c) of said standard modules (SMF) of fixed length,- added with the length (62v, L63v) of said standard module (SMV) of variable length conforms to the chute length (L).

10. Method according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the chute length (L) is predefined and depending by a given distance between a upstream device (7) located upstream of the conveyor chute (6) and a downstream device (4), located downstream of the conveyor chute (6).

11. Method according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the method comprises the step of planning the conveyor chute (6) with the help of an IT planning tool (80), wherein initially in a construction area (81) of said IT planning tool (80) a spatial relation between an upstream device (7) and a downstream device (4) is defined, wherein said defined spatial relation serves as an input for determining a chute length (L) of the conveyor chute (6), wherein a user of the IT planning tool selects out of a predefined set standard modules (SMF, SMV) a plurality of standard modules to design the chute in a manner, so that the designed chute conforms to the defined chute length (L).

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, which is a method for planning a sorter conveyor arrangement, the sorter arrangement comprises- a sorter (7) located, in particular as an upstream device, wherein the sorter (7) is positioned at a predefined position, and- a terminal destination (4), in particular as an downstream device, wherein terminal destination (4) is positioned at a predefined position.

13. Conveyor arrangement (1), in particular sorter conveyor arrangement, comprising a conveyor chute according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein an upstream device (7) is located upstream of the conveyor chute (6), and a downstream device (4) is located downstream of the conveyor chute (6).

14. Conveyor arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the upstream device is a sorter (7).

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