Unhooking station with hood deflector

Abstract

The invention relates to a station (10) for unhooking a hook (12) of a load carrier (14) from a receiving opening (16) of an overhead conveyor adapter (18), which preferably has at least one roller (32), in an overhead conveyor system, wherein the station (10) has: an adapter separating rail (22), in the interior of which the adapter (18) is moved along a conveying direction (25) parallel to a longitudinal extension of the separating rail (22), wherein the receiving opening (16) protrudes downward from the separating rail (22); and a load carrier discharge rail (23), which is provided separately from the separating rail (22) and which has an unhooking section (62), which is shaped and arranged relative to the separating rail (22) such that, during a downstream movement of the adapter (18), the unhooking section (62) dips from below into the still-suspended hook (12), such that the hook (12) is then lifted out of the receiving opening (16) during a continued downstream movement of the adapter (18) along a separating section (26) of the separating rail (22), and such that the hook (12) is moved horizontally laterally away from the separating rail (22) after a separation from the adapter (18); wherein the discharge rail (23) also has a deflection section (64) which is designed to deflect, in particular to press downwards and / or upstream, a part of the load carrier (14) which extends into a region of the still-suspended hook (12).

Description

[0001] WITTEWELLER.

[0002] Application deadline: November 27, 2025

[0003] SSI Schäfer Automation GmbH (AT) 4706P347WO - MW / MW

[0004] Fischeraustraße 27

[0005] A-8051 Graz

[0006] AUSTRIA

[0007] Display station with hood deflector

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a release station for releasing a hook from a suspended conveyor adapter and to a suspended conveyor system including a corresponding station.

[0009] The technical development underlying this disclosure is used particularly in the fashion industry, where garments are stored and transported (within the company) on hangers using overhead conveyors. In this context, the garments are also referred to as hanging goods. The transport of the hanging goods, i.e., the garments on hangers, is carried out using the overhead conveyors. There are different types of overhead conveyors.

[0010] In the first type, clothes hangers are pushed along a (first) guide rail (e.g., a bar) by driven carriers. These carriers are arranged separately above the guide rail and coupled to a drive chain of the overhead conveyor, which is located in a further, separate (second) guide rail above the guide rail. In the second type, so-called roller adapters are used. These adapters roll on and within the (single) guide rail and have an elongated body. When the guide rail is horizontal, this body is essentially vertically oriented and extends vertically downwards through a lower, centrally located slot in the guide rail, so that a lower part of the roller adapter protrudes downwards from the guide rail. This protruding lower section of the roller adapter has a receiving opening into which, for example, clothes hangers or transport bags can be hooked.The roller adapters are moved by a drive chain that couples to them from above. Preferably, in the second type, the roller adapters and the drive chain are arranged within the same rail (i.e., within the guide or transport rail), which is designed as a hollow profile. In this case, they are also referred to as internally running roller adapters, whose receiving openings, however, project from the rail vertically downwards, as will be explained in more detail below. The present disclosure relates to the second type of overhead conveyor.

[0011] Known roller adapters and overhead conveyors are described, for example, in documents DE 297 09 545 U1, DE 297 09 547 U1 and EP 1 462 393 B1.

[0012] Document DE 10 2018 116 420 A1 (SSI Schäfer) discloses a loading station for automatically loading roll adapters with clothes hangers. There, hook-shaped clothes hanger heads are moved horizontally and laterally into (self-contained) receiving openings of the roll adapters.

[0013] Another loading station is shown in document EP 1 914 182 A1 (DFT), where the roller adapters are received in a revolver-like wheel and oriented at an angle by rotating the wheel, so that the hooks can be dropped by gravity from vertical top to bottom into the slanted receiving opening of the roller adapter.

[0014] Document WO 1993 / 003 985 A1 discloses in its Figures 12 and 13 an unloading station, referred to therein as a detaching station, where the hooks of clothes hangers are automatically detached from roller adapters. These roller adapters each have an elongated body with a semi-open receiving opening in a lower region of the body. The receiving opening is designed to accommodate the hook of a clothes hanger and can be closed by a sleeve-shaped weight that is vertically movable on the roller adapter body for opening and closing the receiving opening. The semi-open design of the receiving opening necessitates numerous components on the roller adapter, particularly the movable weight, and the opening and closing of the receiving opening is technically complex and not process-reliable due to the required relative movement of the weight; that is, it does not always function reliably.

[0015] Furthermore, clothes hanger unloading stations for roller adapters are known, where the roller adapters, designed according to the aforementioned DE 10 2018 116 420 A1, are moved passively, i.e., without drive, by gravity, in an ordinary transport rail that is inclined downwards in the conveying direction, along a rod-shaped separating mandrel open at one end. The separating mandrel is arranged so close to the downward-sloping transport rail that it engages the hooks of the clothes hangers and lifts them out, while the roller adapters (latently rigid) slide through the downward-sloping, passively operated transport rail. In this configuration, it can happen that the roller adapters are not unloaded because they get stuck halfway along the track, thus causing an undesirable blockage. Protruding parts, e.g.Hoods of coats have proven to be particularly bothersome when unhooking clothes hangers, because the separating pin can get caught in the hood, which in the worst case leads to a jam when feeding the clothes hangers.

[0016] Another unloading station is shown in Fig. 12 of EP 4 382 456 B1. The unloading station is arranged below a horizontally oriented overhead conveyor and has an unloading contour or track, which essentially consists of an inlet incline, an outlet slope adjoining it in the transport direction X, and a guide track arranged essentially vertically and adjacent to the inlet incline and the outlet slope. The carriers, guided in the discharge track and loaded with coat hangers 401, are moved in the transport direction X towards the unloading station. As they pass through this station, the tips of the coat hanger hooks run onto the inlet incline and are pushed out of the carriers' carrying lugs vertically by the inlet incline and horizontally by the guide track.

[0017] It is therefore an objective of the present disclosure to provide a detaching station for roller adapters that operates with high process reliability, is automated, and as energy-efficient as possible. Preferably, few components should be required. In particular, the detaching station should be (seamlessly) integrable into a conveyor section of an overhead conveyor system. Even more preferably, the control effort for removing the hooks from the (fully enclosed) receiving openings of the roller adapters should be minimized.

[0018] This problem is solved by a station for unhooking a hook of a load carrier from a receiving opening of an overhead conveyor adapter, which preferably has at least one roller, in an overhead conveyor system, wherein the station comprises: an adapter separating rail, inside of which the adapter is moved along a conveying direction parallel to a longitudinal extension of the separating rail, wherein the receiving opening projects downwards from the separating rail;and a load carrier discharge rail, which is provided separately from the separating rail and which has a release section shaped and arranged relative to the separating rail such that, during a downstream movement of the adapter, the release section plunges from below into the still-engaged hook, the hook is subsequently lifted from the receiving opening during a continued downstream movement of the adapter along a separating section of the separating rail, and, after separation from the adapter, the hook is moved horizontally laterally away from the separating rail; wherein the discharge rail further comprises a deflecting section configured to deflect, in particular downwards and / or upwards, any part of the load carrier extending into an area of ​​the still-engaged hook.

[0019] The deflector section pushes protruding parts of the load carrier, such as the hood of a jacket or coat, backward and downward, preventing any collision with the unhooking mechanism. A separating pin no longer becomes entangled in the hood. The space in which the discharge rail engages the hook of the load carrier is free of obstructions. The adapter is provided with greater freedom of movement during the unhooking process, particularly perpendicular to the conveying direction, i.e., in a YZ plane when the adapter is moved along the X direction. The adapter is thus more laterally pivotable. The (effective) horizontal area of ​​the receiving opening is increased, which facilitates lifting vertically upward. The probability of the hook becoming stuck during upward movement is reduced. Blockage of the adapter in the station area is prevented.Process reliability during the separation of the load carrier from the adapter is increased. The error rate is practically zero. The swiveling mounting of the adapter allows for flexible adjustment of the conveying path and easier separation of the hook from the receiving opening, which improves handling and makes the system less prone to malfunctions.

[0020] A combination of a separating rail and a discharge rail enables targeted, controlled unhooking of the hook. This allows the process to be automated and refined, increasing the efficiency of the conveyor system.

[0021] Preferably, the deflection section is arranged upstream of the release section and extends in particular into an area of ​​the overhead conveyor system downstream in front of the separating rail.

[0022] This ensures that disruptive elements of the load carrier are deflected before the load carrier enters the discharge station.

[0023] In particular, the deflection section slopes downwards downstream.

[0024] The incline ensures a gentle repelling of obstructions. The repelling is not abrupt. The risk of a blockage is reduced. Obstructions are reliably repelled.

[0025] Preferably, the deflector section is inclined more steeply downwards than the separating rail.

[0026] The deflection movement is rapid. The deflection section can be kept short. In particular, the release section and the deflection section are directly connected.

[0027] The discharge rail can be manufactured in one piece. The rail can be made of a malleable material so that a technician can adapt its course to local conditions, particularly to ensure that the unhooking process is smooth and trouble-free.

[0028] Preferably, the separating rail has running and guide ribs in a lower area that define a slot between them, from which the receiving opening protrudes.

[0029] This simplifies the guidance of the roller adapters during the unhooking process.

[0030] Preferably, the separating rail further comprises a feed section which connects upstream to the separating section, wherein the running and guide webs along the feed section are arranged essentially at the same height, so that the roller adapter is essentially not pivotable about the conveying direction, i.e., it protrudes from the feed section without pivoting.

[0031] The adapter's pivot-free position in the feed section ensures stable downstream movement without unnecessary, especially lateral, motion. This improves alignment and prevents damage to the hook and / or the load. The load remains stable and does not sway. The positions of the hook and adapter are pre-set with a small margin of error, facilitating the insertion of the discharge rail.

[0032] In particular, the separating rail further comprises a discharge section that connects downstream to the separating section, with the running and guide ribs along the discharge section being arranged at essentially the same height, so that the roller adapter is essentially not pivotable about the conveying direction, i.e., it protrudes from the feed section without pivoting. The discharge section ensures that the adapter can be returned to a normal transport rail of the system without interference. The discharge section and the transport rail have nearly identical inner and outer contours.

[0033] Preferably, along the separation section, one running and guide rib is oriented horizontally and the other running and guide rib is inclined laterally perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0034] The lateral downward slope of the other web is a means of increasing lateral swivelling. Particularly when a pair of rollers is provided, the slope of one web facilitates the lateral tilting of the entire adapter.

[0035] Preferably, the running and guide webs each have a running surface and a transverse guide surface, which are adjacent to each other and, in particular, perpendicular to each other.

[0036] The transverse guide surface allows for better control of the adapter in the separating rail and minimizes unwanted lateral movement. This results in more stable and reliable guidance of the adapter.

[0037] In particular, the separating rail is oriented downwards in the conveying direction, i.e. downstream, (relative to the horizontal).

[0038] A sloping separating rail uses gravity to move the adapter, providing an energy-efficient solution as no additional drive force is required.

[0039] Preferably, the adapter, and in particular the hook separated from the adapter, are moved along the separating rail without a drive.

[0040] The unpowered movement, i.e., solely by gravity, along the separating rail reduces energy consumption and system complexity, and simplifies maintenance since no additional drive components are required. Investment costs are also reduced.

[0041] In particular, the other running and guide rail is attached to the separating rail as a separate component.

[0042] Designing the other web as a separate component allows for easy replacement. For example, if it turns out in practice that the inclination of the other web is insufficient to guarantee 100% process reliability, this web can simply be replaced with another web with a different inclination until the desired process reliability is achieved.

[0043] The ability to attach one of the guide rails as a separate component facilitates maintenance and component replacement, thus improving the service life and ease of maintenance of the system.

[0044] Preferably, the station has at least one roller adapter.

[0045] Using a roller adapter reduces friction and increases smoothness of operation. This minimizes wear and extends the service life of the system.

[0046] In particular, the roller adapter further comprises a pair of support rollers which are attached below the pair of running rollers on the body of the roller adapter in order to limit rotation of the roller adapter about a horizontal axis transverse to the conveying direction by the support rollers bearing against the separating rail (and in particular against the transport rail) from the outside.

[0047] The support roller prevents unwanted rotation of the adapter and ensures controlled movement along the separating rail. This reduces the risk of damage and improves process stability. Preferably, the thickness of the running and guide ribs of the separating rail is less than the (especially standardized) thickness of the running and guide ribs of the transport rail.

[0048] The different thicknesses of the webs allow for greater pivoting of the adapter along the longitudinal direction of the separating rail.

[0049] In particular, the discharge rail has a release section along the separating rail, which is positioned vertically below the separating rail on the inlet side and whose distance to the separating rail increases downstream, perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0050] The release section ensures targeted guidance of the hook during the initial release process, thus reducing the risk of incorrect separations or damage to the hook and load carrier.

[0051] Preferably, the vertical distance of the release section of the discharge rail decreases downstream relative to the separation section of the separation rail, so that the hook is placed on the discharge rail from above while the hook is moved downstream.

[0052] Adjusting the vertical distance optimizes the transfer of the hook from the separating rail to the discharge rail, ensuring precise and smooth separation.

[0053] The discharge rail has a deflection section designed to deflect part of the load carrier and / or load that extends into an area of ​​the still-attached hook, particularly upstream and / or downwards.

[0054] The deflector section prevents parts of the load carrier from entering the area of ​​the hook and protects against blockages or malfunctions in the system, thus increasing the reliability of the unhooking process.

[0055] Furthermore, the task is solved by an overhead conveyor system comprising the station and transport rail described above. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of this concept.

[0056] Examples of the concept are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. They show:

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a station for unhooking clothes hangers from overhead conveyor adapters;

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a roller adapter;

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a (transparent) side view of the roller adapter of Fig. 2, which is positioned in an ordinary transport rail of the overhead conveyor system;

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view along a line I Vl V in Fig. 3;

[0061] Fig. 5 Side views of the station of Fig. 1 without discharge rail;

[0062] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view along a line VI-VI in Fig. 5A;

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view along a line VII-VII in Fig. 5B;

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view along a line VI 11-VI II in Fig. 5B;

[0065] Fig. 9 shows a top view of the station shown in Fig. 1;

[0066] Fig. 10 shows a side view of the station of Fig. 1, while a clothes hanger is entering, on which hangs a jacket with a bothersome, upward-protruding hood; and

[0067] Fig. 11 shows a sectional view along line XI-XI in Fig. 10. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a (unhooking) station 10 for the automated unhooking of a hook 12 from load carriers 14, such as (clothes) hangers or (overhead conveyor) bags (not illustrated, but see e.g. DE 10 2021 002 883 A1, 10 2021 003 096 A1, DE 10 2011 015 138 A1 or DE 10 2023 101 199 A1), which are transported in an (intralogistics) overhead conveyor system by means of roller adapters 18. The (intralogistics) overhead conveyor system can be used, for example, for picking customer orders in a distribution center or for sorting in a production plant.

[0068] The hook 12 can be engaged in a receiving opening 16 of a roller adapter 18 of the overhead conveyor system, which is only partially shown in Fig. 1 and is not further specified. The receiving opening 16 is preferably completely closed. The receiving opening 16 is provided in a lower part of a body 20 of the roller adapter 18, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0069] Figure 1 shows several load carriers 14 and roller adapters 18 in succession to illustrate a sequence in which the hook 12 is unhooked, i.e., separated, from the receiving opening 16 of the roller adapter 18 while the roller adapter 18 moves from right to left in Figure 1. In particular, various exemplary (longitudinal and / or transverse) deflections of the roller adapter 18 are illustrated, which are possible and may even be necessary during a corresponding unhooking or separation process. It is understood that the roller adapters 18 are usually moved one after the other through the station 10 to unhook the initially attached load carriers 14 during a single pass through the station.

[0070] Station 10 has a roller adapter separating rail 22 and a load carrier discharge rail 23. The separating rail 22 guides the roller adapters 18. The roller adapters 18 are moved through the separating rail 22 in a (main) conveying direction 25 (actively or passively). The conveying direction 25 preferably extends coaxially to the rails 22 and 24. In particular, the conveying direction 25 extends along a leftward extension of the separating rail 22, i.e., parallel to the X-direction of station 10 or the overhead conveyor system. The discharge rail 23 serves to unhook suspended load carriers 14 from the receiving openings 16 and to remove unhooked load carriers 14. The discharge rail 23 is positioned relative to the separating rail 22 as will be explained in more detail below.

[0071] The separating rail 22 can be (seamlessly) coupled to a (conventional) transport rail 24 of the overhead conveyor system on the input and / or output side. The transport rail 24 is only partially shown in Fig. 1 and will be described in more detail below. The separating rail 22 has a separating section 26. The separating rail 22 can also have a feed section 28 and / or a discharge section 30. The discharge section 30 on the output side can be arranged downstream of the separating section 26. The separating section 26 can be arranged downstream of the feed section 28 on the input side.

[0072] Before details of the separating rail 22 are explained in more detail, a general structure of the roller adapter 18 and a general structure of the transport rail 24 will be briefly described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Subsequently, specific differences between the roller adapter separating rail 22 of station 10 and the transport rail 24 of the rest of the overhead conveyor system will be described, and the associated effects will be shown. The separating rail 22 and the transport rail 24 can be designed to be almost identical, particularly with regard to a cross-section. However, a different configuration of the separating rail 22 in the area of ​​the roller adapter guide means that the hooks 12 of the load carriers 14 can be unhooked from the receiving openings 16 of the roller adapters 18 with almost 100% process reliability, i.e., reliably, without any blockage (e.g., due to obstruction).(Congestion) of the roller adapter 18 occurs, while the roller adapters 18 are preferably moved passively through the station 10. In the event of a blockage, the roller adapter 18 can become stuck in the separating rail 22. Passive movement is understood below to mean movement without a drive, which is caused, for example, solely by gravity. Active movement involves an (external) drive that causes the movement by supplying external energy.

[0073] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the roller adapter 18. The roller adapter 18 can be used in the (unhooking) station 10 of Fig. 1. It is understood that the roller adapter 18 can also be designed differently. Hereinafter, only the roller adapter 18 of Fig. 2 will be discussed as the preferred embodiment of the roller adapter 18. Furthermore, it is understood that the roller adapter 18 can also be implemented by other (in particular rolling) overhead conveyor adapters that are movable by sliding or rolling motion in the transport rail 24. In general, an adapter is a device that makes it possible to connect two otherwise incompatible systems, devices, or components. The present overhead conveyor adapter serves as an intermediary that adapts different standards (e.g., overhead conveyor carriers and clothes hangers) to each other so that they can work together.In the present disclosure, the adapter enables the transport of the load carrier 14 in the overhead conveyor system. In particular, the adapter establishes a connection between a drive chain of the overhead conveyor and the load carrier 14 by engaging the drive chain (e.g. a roller chain with pins protruding from the chain, cf. EP 1 690 811 B1) with a head section of the adapter in order to push the adapter through the transport rail 24.

[0074] In the following, only the roller adapter 18 will be considered as the adapter, which is characterized by one or more rollers 32, as will be described in more detail below. It should be understood that the adapter can also be designed without rollers 32 by providing suitable sliding elements (e.g., skids or similar) that support the adapter, particularly laterally, in the rails 22 and 24, so that the adapter slides through the rails 22 and 24 instead of rolling.

[0075] The (rolling) adapter 18 comprises the body 20, which in its normal transport position (see Figs. 3 and 4) is essentially oriented in the vertical XY plane. Naturally, the body 20 also has an extension in the transverse direction Z, which is neglected for this consideration. In this case, the longitudinal extent of the body 20 is oriented parallel to the (vertical) direction Y. The body 20 preferably has the receiving opening 16 in its lower section. The receiving opening 16 is, in particular, completely enclosed, i.e., entirely surrounded by the body 20. The receiving opening 16 is configured to receive the hook 12 of the load carrier 14 (see Fig. 1) by moving a tip of a head section of the load carrier 14, which is at least partially open, (laterally) through the receiving opening 16. In the normal transport position of the roller adapter 18, the receiving opening 16 lies essentially in the vertical XY plane.

[0076] The roller adapter 18 can have at least one running roller 32, and preferably a pair of running rollers 32, and optionally at least one support roller 34, and in particular a pair of support rollers 34. The running roller(s) 32 and the support roller(s) 34 can be mounted laterally on the body 20, so that the rollers 32 and 34 rotate about a pivot axis 36 and 38, respectively, which (in the transport position) are preferably oriented parallel to the Z-direction. Preferably, one of the rollers 32 or 34 is arranged on each side of the body 20 in the transverse direction Z. The rollers 32 can be arranged above the rollers 34. In the transport position, the running rollers 32 are located within the separating rail 22 (see Figs. 3 and 4) or transport rail 24 (see Figs. 3 and 4).

[0077] Above the rollers 32, a web-like drive section 39 of the body 20 can extend. The web-like drive section 39 can be formed from a head web 40 and an (optional) drive web 42. The head web 58 extends substantially in the vertical direction Y, whereas the drive web 60 extends substantially parallel to the transverse direction Z.

[0078] The roll adapter 18 can also accommodate or have attached an identification device 44 (e.g. an RFID tag or similar) in its lower section in order to be able to securely identify the corresponding roll adapter 18.

[0079] Fig. 3 shows a (semi-transparent) side view of a typical conveyor section of the overhead conveyor system. The conveyor section can essentially be formed by one or more of the transport rails 24. In the illustration of Fig. 3, the transport rail 24 is shown such that its interior is visible. The transport rail 24 is preferably implemented in a base section by means of a hollow profile with a through-slot through which the roller adapter 18 protrudes (at least partially) from the rail 24.

[0080] Inside the rail 24, a drive chain 46 of the overhead conveyor can be guided and moved. The drive chain 46 can have running and / or support rollers 49 to be movably mounted within the rail 24. Comb-like drive elements 50 can be provided in a lower section of the chain links 48. The drive elements 50 are coupled to the chain 46 and extend substantially in the longitudinal direction X. The drive elements 50 can be designed with one or more prongs 52, which extend substantially in the vertical direction Y and are arranged at an angle to each other in the longitudinal direction X. These prongs 52 mesh with the drive sections 39 of the roller adapters 18 to move, i.e., push, the roller adapters 18 in the conveying direction 25.

[0081] The rollers 32 of the roller adapters 18 are arranged inside the rails 22 and 24, respectively, whereas the optional support rollers 34 are positioned outside and below the rails 22 and 24. The roller adapters 18 are internally mounted. The roller adapters 18 are supported by their rollers 32 on lower running and guide ribs 54 of the rail 22 and 24, with the lower section of the roller adapter 18 projecting out of the bottom of the rail 22 and 24. In particular, the receiving opening 16 projects out of the bottom of the rail 22 and 24.

[0082] Fig. 4 shows a (schematic) view along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-section of the hollow profile transport rail 24 and in particular the two running and guide webs 54-1 and 54-2.

[0083] The webs 54-1 and 54-2 are arranged in a lower region of the transport rail 24 and define a (guide) slot 56 in the underside of the rail 24 between them. The webs 54-1 and 54-2 are arranged at an angle to each other in the transverse direction Z to define the slot 56, which is preferably located centrally. The distance between the webs 54-1 and 54-2 in the transverse direction Z is selected such that the body 20 of the roller adapter 18 fits through just enough to prevent the roller adapter 18 from pivoting laterally. This means that the roller adapter 18 is almost impossible to rotate about the axis of the conveying direction 25, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, the slot 56 can also contribute to the (lateral) positive guidance of the roller adapter 18. The webs 54-1 and 54-2 can positively engage the rollers 32 (see Fig. 4) to guide the roller adapter 18 in the transverse direction Z and in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in Fig.As illustrated in Figure 4, the webs 54 can be L-shaped in cross-section, with horizontal legs facing each other and defining the slot 56.

[0084] The roller adapter 18 protrudes downwards through the slot 56 from the rail 24 with its receiving opening 16. The vertical extension of the webs 54 determines how far the roller adapter 18 protrudes from the rail 24. In Fig. 4, the vertical extension is shown as minimal. The vertical extension of the webs 54 can also influence the pivotability of the roller adapters 18 about the axis of rotation 36 (see Fig. 2) of the roller(s) 32, i.e., in the XY plane or along the conveying direction 25. This (longitudinal) pivotability is illustrated in Fig. 3 by arrows 58, shown by dashed lines. In the example of Fig. 3, this longitudinal pivoting capability is limited with respect to an angular range by the support roller(s) 34, which abuts or abuts the underside of the rail 24 (cf. support rollers 34' shown with dashed lines).The corresponding (longitudinal) swivel angle can also be influenced by the (vertical) distance between the axes of rotation 36 and 38. The smaller this distance, the smaller the corresponding swivel angle. Without support roller(s) 34, the swivel angle can be limited by the hook 12 of a load carrier 14, which in this case may abut the underside of the rail 24.

[0085] As further illustrated in Fig. 4, one or more additional (horizontally oriented) limiting webs 60 can be provided above the running and guide webs 54. In the example of Fig. 4, the transport rail 24 has two limiting webs 60-1 and 60-2, which are directed inwards towards each other in the Z-direction such that at least the drive section 39 of the roller adapter 18 can extend between them to engage with the drive chain 46 or the drive elements 50. The webs 60 can define a space at the top within which the rollers 32 of the roller adapters 18 can be positioned. Further (horizontal) running webs can be provided inside the transport rail 24, for example, for the rollers 49 of the drive chain 46.

[0086] Fig. 5 shows station 10 of Fig. 1 in two side views, with the load carrier discharge rail 23 omitted for the sake of simplicity. Fig. 5A illustrates in particular the (large) longitudinal pivoting range 58 of the roller adapter 18 along the separating section 26 of the separating rail 22. Fig. 5B illustrates the (smaller) longitudinal pivoting range 58' of the roller adapter 18 along the feed section 28 of the separating rail 22. Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the roller adapter separating rail 22 along line VI-VI in Fig. 5A. Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the separating rail 22 along line VII-VII in Fig. 5B. Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the separating rail 22 along line VI11-VI11 in Fig. 5B. The separating rail 22 and the transport rail 24 are preferably dimensioned identically to ensure a smooth transition of the roller adapters 18 between the rails 22 and 24.The roller adapters 18 are preferably actively moved in the rail 24 and passively moved in the rail 22. In this case, the drive chain 46 is not present within the separating rail 22, so that an upper (inner) area of ​​the separating rail 22 may be designed differently from an upper area of ​​the transport rail 24. However, in the transition areas between the rails 22 and 24, the running and guide webs 54 of the rails 22 and 24 are preferably designed and positioned identically.

[0087] In the separating section 26 of the separating rail 22, the running and guide webs 54 of the separating rail 22 are designed and / or positioned differently than the running and guide webs 54 in the transport rail 24. One of the webs 54 is arranged lower than the other web 54. This applies in particular to the second (right) running and guide web 54-2, which is arranged (vertically) lower than the first (left) running and guide web 54-1 in the separating section 26, see Fig. 6. The lower arrangement can be achieved in various ways. Factors influencing the lower arrangement include: the orientation of the running surfaces on which the rollers 32 sit and roll; the orientation of the webs 54 (individually and relative to each other); the cross-sectional shape of the webs 54; and the horizontal distance between the outer edges of the webs 54. and / or a vertical distance between the outer edges of the webs 54.

[0088] One or both of the webs 54 can be provided as separate components. In Fig. 6, the second web 54-2 is provided as a separate component from the hollow profile. The second web 54-2 can be detachably attached to the rest of the hollow profile. This makes it possible, for example, to stock the second web 54-2 with differently inclined running surfaces and to replace it if necessary, should it turn out in practice that a current inclination of the running surface does not achieve the desired effect, which is described in more detail below.

[0089] In Fig. 6, the outer edges (of the running surfaces) of the webs 54-1 and 54-2, for example, have a vertical distance AH from each other that is greater than zero. The upper running surface of the second web 54-2 can also be inclined outwards, whereas the running surface of the first web 54-1 can remain horizontally oriented. In particular, the web 54-2 facing away from the open side of the hook opening is inclined. In the case of an inclined web, it is possible that the opposing outer edges of the running surfaces are at the same height and that the second web 54-2 is arranged "lower" than the first web 54-1 due to its inclined running surface. It is understood that the running surfaces of both ribs 54-1 and 54-2 can alternatively both remain horizontally oriented, with the second rib 54-2 then being vertically deeper than the first rib 54-1 over the entire width of its running surface.It is also possible for both webs 54-1 and 54-2 to be inclined at the same angle. Furthermore, it is understood that the first web 54-1 can also be positioned lower than the second web 54-2, which only affects the direction of any increased (lateral) pivoting capability. Additionally, the effective width B of the slot 56 in the separating section 26 (see B2 in Fig. 6), which corresponds to the horizontal distance between the outer edges of the running surfaces, can be larger than in the feed section 28 (see B1 in Fig. 7, where B1 < B2), in the discharge section 30, and / or in the transport rail 24. These measures (alone or together) allow the roller adapter 18 to be pivoted or deflected further in the transverse plane YZ in the separating section 26 than in its normal transport position (see Fig. 4).

[0090] The lower position of, for example, the second web 54-2 thus allows for an increase in the lateral inclination α of the roller adapter 18, which corresponds to an angle between the vertical, i.e., the Y-direction, and the longitudinal extent of the body 20 of the roller adapter 18, cf. Fig. 6. In other words, this means that the roller adapter 18 can be pivoted at the angle α about the conveying direction 25, which extends parallel to the X-direction in Fig. 6. In the transport rail 24 (cf. Fig. 4) and in the feed section 28 (cf. Figs. 7 and 8), the roller adapter 18 can hardly be pivoted laterally at all. This is also undesirable in these areas of the overhead conveyor system. In these areas, the roller adapter 18 should be oriented as vertically as possible, i.e., perpendicular, in order to be able to predict and plan its trajectory through space—and thus also the trajectory of the goods suspended from it (e.g., clothes)—as accurately as possible.

[0091] The transverse inclination a allows the (passage) surface of the (not shown) receiving opening 16 of the roller adapter 18 to be rotated from the vertical XY plane, in which the receiving opening 16 lies in the usual transport position (see Fig. 4), to an obliquely oriented position with a portion of its surface area in the horizontal XZ plane. This horizontal surface area enables the (vertical) lifting of the (not shown) hook 12 from the receiving opening 16. In the transport position of Fig. 4, the hook 12 cannot be lifted vertically. The larger this horizontal surface area of ​​the receiving opening 16, the easier it is to lift the hook 12 vertically. This, in turn, increases process reliability because the hook 12 cannot become stuck in the receiving opening 16, which could lead to a blockage of the roller adapter 18 during its transport along the separating rail 22.

[0092] This process of lifting the hook 12 out of the receiving opening 16 is illustrated in the side view of Fig. 1 and will be described below.

[0093] The roller adapter 18, loaded with a clothes hanger as an example, is moved from right to left through Fig. 1. The loaded roller adapter 18 is supplied to station 10 via the standard transport rail 24, which is coupled at its inlet to the feed section 28 of the separating rail 22. The loaded roller adapter 18 is actively moved in the transport rail 24 and can be transferred to the separating rail 22 at the end of the transport rail 24. As explained above, the separating rail 22 is preferably operated passively, i.e., the loaded roller adapter 18 slides by gravity along the slope of the separating rail 22.

[0094] The discharge rail 23 is positioned below the separating rail 22 on the inlet side, as illustrated in Fig. 9, which shows a top view of Fig. 1. The discharge rail 23 extends along the longitudinal extent of the separating rail 22, which is parallel to the X-direction. The discharge rail 23 can extend over the entire length of the separating rail 22. The discharge rail 23 can be longer, so that it partially overlaps the inlet-side transport rail 24-1 and / or partially overlaps the outlet-side transport rail 24-2.

[0095] Viewed vertically, the inlet-side discharge rail 23 is positioned (directly) below the separating rail 22, so that the discharge rail 23 can enter the hook 12 from below while the loaded roller adapter 18 is moved through the feed section 28 of the separating rail 22. Within the feed section 28, the roller adapter 18 is guided tightly in the transverse direction Z by the slot 56 in the base of the separating rail 22. The slot 56 can be designed so that the roller adapter 18 has virtually no play in the transverse direction Z. The (spatial) path of the discharge rail 23 is selected such that the discharge rail 23, in particular with its release section 62 (see Fig. 1), enters the half-open hook opening vertically upwards in the transverse direction Z between the roller adapter 18 and the downward-leading section of the hook 12.Once the rail 23 (vertically) is securely immersed in the hook opening, the vertical distance between the discharge rail 23 and the separating rail 22 is reduced, so that the hooked hook 12 rests on top of the discharge rail 23 (see Fig. 1), while the still-loaded roller adapter 18 continues to slide downwards under the influence of gravity. As soon as the hook 12 rests on top of the discharge rail 23, the separating section 26 can begin – viewed in the conveying direction 25.

[0096] Particularly in the separating section 26, the vertical distance between the rails 22 and 23 can be further reduced downstream, causing the hook 12 to lift vertically out of the opening 16. During this phase of the (still shared) movement, the weight of the load carrier 14 is increasingly borne by the discharge rail 23. Meanwhile, the downward force acting on the roller adapter 18 decreases accordingly. Simultaneously, the horizontal distance in the transverse direction Z between the separating rail 22 and the discharge rail 23 downstream can increase (see Fig. 9). This increase in the corresponding transverse distance causes the lateral deflection of the (still loaded) roller adapter 18, illustrated in Fig. 6, which is what makes the vertical lifting of the hook 12 out of the opening 16 possible in the first place.However, it is not possible for the hook 12 and / or the still-loaded roller adapter 18 to prevent the other from sliding further downstream. The roller adapter 18 is provided with a sufficiently large range of motion to initially move along with the hook 12, which is mounted on the discharge rail 23, and then to detach from it. Once the separation is complete, the separation section 26 can end, and the unloaded roller adapter 18 can be transferred to the optional discharge section 30 or directly to the outbound transport rail 24-2. The load carrier 14, separated from the roller adapter 18 and mounted with its hook 12 on the discharge rail 23, can be transported downstream to any location within the overhead conveyor system at the end of the discharge rail (not illustrated).

[0097] In addition to increasing the movement range of the roller adapter 18 along the transverse direction Z or in the transverse plane YZ, the lifting of the hook 12 from the opening 16 can also be increased by increasing the movement range along the longitudinal direction X or in the longitudinal plane XZ, for example by increasing the effective distance between the rollers 32 and 34. This will be explained below by way of example with reference to Figures 6 and 7. These figures illustrate that the thickness of the webs 54 (extending perpendicular to the running surface) is reduced, particularly in the separating section 26, compared to the thickness of the webs 54 in the feed section 28 and / or in the transport rail 24, with the area along the thickness of the web 54 defining a guide surface in the transverse direction Z (transverse guide surface). This effect is also shown in Figure 6.Figure 1 visualizes where the roller adapter 18 has less longitudinal pivoting capability in the feed section 28 than in the separation section 26. This increased pivoting capability in the transverse direction Z (here about the axis of rotation 36 of the rollers 32) allows the roller adapter 18 to move ahead of the still-attached hook 12, or vice versa. This also helps prevent the roller adapter 18 from stopping during the separation process. The roller adapter 18 and the hook 12 can move relatively freely and independently of each other as they pass through station 10. Undesired rocking movements of the load carrier 14 during the separation process can thus be better compensated for and do not result in an unwanted blockage.

[0098] Various configurations of the discharge rail 23 will be explained below, in particular with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 illustrates, on the one hand, the relative positioning of the discharge rail 23 relative to the rails 22 and / or 24, and on the other hand, various functional sections of the discharge rail 23.

[0099] The discharge rail 23 has (functionally) a disengagement section 62 and may further have an additional deflection section 64. The deflection section 64 is designed to deflect one or more parts (e.g., a hood) of the load carrier 14 (e.g., a coat on a hanger) that extend into the area of ​​the hook 12. In this example, the section 64 serves to deflect the hood—positioned upstream—which extends vertically upwards into the area of ​​the hook 12 and may abut the hook 12 (interfering with the intended disengagement), so that the hook 12 is clear. The section 64 pushes the hood backwards, i.e., upstream, and vertically downwards, so that the hook 12 is free of interfering contours.

[0100] The release section 62 can extend along the separation section 26 and the feed section 28 of the separation rail 22. The deflection section 64 is arranged upstream of the release section 62 and can connect directly to it. It is understood that the separation process described above can also be caused solely by the release section 62. In this case, the discharge rail 23 can be designed like a pin, open on one side, to penetrate the space between the hook 12 and the loaded roller adapter 18, as described above.

[0101] If the deflection section 64 is provided, as illustrated in Fig. 1, it is preferably arranged sufficiently upstream of the release section 62. The deflection section 64 can begin as early as the area of ​​the inlet-side transport rail 24-1. The deflection section 64 can be attached laterally to the inlet-side transport rail 24-1. Fixed attachment to the overhead conveyor system ensures sufficient positioning accuracy. The deflection section 64 can begin on a side of the separating rail 22 that is opposite the deflection section 64 in the transverse direction Z. Providing the deflection section 64 early ensures that the hook 12 of the loaded roller adapter 18 is transferred alone into the feed section 28 of the separating rail 22. In this case, there are no interfering contours that could prevent or impede the insertion of the release section 62.The tight guidance of the roller adapter 18 in the feed section 28 further supports the trouble-free immersion of the attachment section 62.

[0102] The deflector section 64 can have an inclination angle 01 on the inlet side in the XY plane, which is preferably greater than an inclination angle 02 of the separating rail 22 in the same plane, cf. Fig. 1. Preferably, the deflector section 64 is oriented vertically downwards in the conveying direction 25 in order to serve as a stop for pressing down the hood.

[0103] Figure 10 illustrates a (suspended) load carrier 14, which includes, for example, a clothes hanger and a jacket 66 with a hood 68 suspended from it. In the area of ​​the inlet-side transport rail 24, the jacket 66 is (preferably) still actively conveyed. The hood 68 abuts the deflector section 64 and is pushed backward (upstream) and downward by the continued (active) conveying. The drive must be designed to be correspondingly powerful. After the jacket 66 has passed this area and subsequently enters the feed section 28 of the separating rail 22, the hood 68 is reliably and securely located outside the area where the rail 23 engages the hook 12. The hood 68 can no longer interfere with the lifting of the hanger from the roller adapter 18.

[0104] Fig. 11 shows a sectional view along line XI-XI in Fig. 10, looking downstream from the inlet-side transport rail 24 along the conveying direction 25 to the separating rail 22. The deflector section 64 is preferably attached to the transport rail 24, particularly on the side opposite the release section 62. The hood 68 is not shown in Fig. 11 to better visualize the course of the rail 23. Between the release section 62 and the deflector section 64, the rail 23 can have a horizontal transition section 70, which can extend substantially in the transverse direction Z.

[0105] For clarification, it should be noted that the term "load carrier" in the context of this disclosure does not merely refer to the clothes hanger or the carrier itself. As expressly disclosed in the description in connection with Fig. 10 (see above: "... load carrier 14, which, for example, comprises a clothes hanger and a jacket 66 with a hood 68 suspended on it"), the load carrier rather includes the clothes hanger and the hanging garment, such as a piece of clothing. The load carrier is thus to be understood as the entire transported assembly of the carrier and the garment attached to it. This corresponds to the technical function of station 10, in which not only the clothes hanger but also the hanging parts of the garment—for example, a hood—are included in the unhooking process.In particular, the deflection section 64 acts on such protruding parts of the hanging goods to ensure a safe and trouble-free separation of the load carrier from the adapter.

[0106] Reference symbol list

[0107] 10 stations

[0108] 12 hooks

[0109] 14 load carriers

[0110] 16 Intake opening

[0111] 18 roller adapters

[0112] 20 bodies out of 18

[0113] 22 (Roll adapter) separating rail

[0114] 23 (Load carrier) discharge rail

[0115] 24 Transport rail

[0116] 25 funding directions

[0117] 26 T separation section of 22

[0118] 28 Feed section of 22

[0119] 30 Discharge section

[0120] 32 rollers out of 18

[0121] 34 support rollers out of 18

[0122] 36 Rotation axis

[0123] 38 Rotary axis

[0124] 39 Drive section

[0125] 40 Head bridge 42 Drive bridge

[0126] 44 Identification device

[0127] 46 Drive chain

[0128] 48 chain link 49 running and / or support roller of 46

[0129] 50 drive element

[0130] 52 prongs

[0131] 54 walkway and guideway

[0132] 56 (guide) slots in 24 B width of 56

[0133] 58 Longitudinal swivel range of 18

[0134] 60 Boundary walkway

[0135] 62 Display section

[0136] 64 Rejection section 66 Jacket

[0137] 68 Hood

[0138] 70 Transition section

Claims

Patent claims 1. Station (10) for unhooking a hook (12) of a load carrier (14) from a receiving opening (16) of an overhead conveyor adapter (18), which preferably has at least one roller (32), in an overhead conveyor system, wherein the station (10) comprises: an adapter separating rail (22), inside of which the adapter (18) is moved along a conveying direction (25) parallel to a longitudinal extension of the adapter separating rail (22), wherein the receiving opening (16) projects downwards from the adapter separating rail (22);and a load carrier discharge rail (23) which is provided separately from the adapter separating rail (22) and which has a release section (62) which is shaped and arranged relative to the adapter separating rail (22) such that the release section (62) dips into the still-attached hook (12) from below during a downstream movement of the adapter (18), the hook (12) is subsequently lifted out of the receiving opening (16) during a continued downstream movement of the adapter (18) along a separating section (26) of the adapter separating rail (22), and the hook (12) is moved horizontally laterally away from the adapter separating rail (22) after separation from the adapter (18);wherein the load carrier discharge rail (23) further comprises a deflection section (64) which is configured to deflect a part of the load carrier (14) which extends into an area of ​​the still-attached hook (12), and wherein the deflection section (64) is arranged upstream of the release section (62).

2. Station according to claim 1, wherein the deflecting section (64) is configured to push downwards and / or upwards the part of the load carrier (14) which extends into an area of ​​the still attached hook (12), and in particular extends into an area of ​​the overhead conveyor system which, in the conveying direction (25), lies in front of the adapter separating rail (22).

3. Station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflector section (64) is inclined downwards.

4. Station according to claim 3, wherein the deflector section (64) is inclined downwards more steeply than the adapter separating rail (22).

5. Station according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the release section (62) and the deflection section (64) are connected, in particular directly, to each other.

6. Station according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter separating rail (22) has in a lower area running and guide webs (54) which define a slot (56) between them, from which the receiving opening (16) protrudes.

7. Station according to claim 6, wherein, along a separating section (26) of the adapter separating rail (22), one of the running and guide webs (54-2) is arranged lower than the other of the running and guide webs (54-1), so that the adapter (18) is pivotably mounted in the separating rail (22) about the conveying direction (25), in particular beyond a normal vertical transport position.

8. Station according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the separating rail (22) further comprises a feed section (28) which connects upstream to the separating section (26), wherein the running and guide webs (54) along the feed section (28) are arranged at substantially the same height (Y), so that the adapter (18) projects from the feed section (28) in a substantially pivot-free manner, i.e., it is not pivotable about the conveying direction (25) beyond a tolerance range.

9. Station according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, along the separating section (26), a running and guide platform (54-1) is horizontally oriented and the other running and guide rail (54-2) is inclined downwards in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction (25).

10. Station according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adapter separating rail (22) is oriented downwards in the conveying direction (25), i.e. downstream.

11. Station according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the adapter (18), and in particular the hook (12) separated from the adapter (18), is moved without drive along the adapter separating rail (22) and / or the load carrier discharge rail (23).

12. Station according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one of the adapters (18), which is preferably designed as a roller adapter (18).

13. Station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load carrier (14) comprises a clothes hanger and a garment suspended thereon.

14. Overhead conveyor system comprising: the station (10) according to any of the preceding claims; and at least one transport rail (24).

15. Overhead conveyor system according to claim 14, wherein the transport rail connects directly to the adapter separating rail (22) upstream and / or downstream.

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