Device and method for reliable delivery of compliant stopper elements
AssigneeSidel Engineering & Conveying Solutions
InventorEmmanuel Roth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Device for delivery of sorted elements for feeding a downstream work station that includes a downward drop that brings the elements, a one-at-a-time processor that receives the elements from the drop, an upward conveyor branch that extends from the processor and that receives the elements therefrom, and an ejector that is located in the area of the upward conveyor branch. The device includes at least one viewing unit that is positioned to monitor the elements in the area of the processor, such as a camera.
Claims20
Device (1) for delivery of sorted elements (2) for feeding a downstream work station, with said device comprising:
- a vertically downward drop (3) that orientates the elements into a single-line column,
- a processing moans (4) that receives the single-line column of elements from the drop one element at a time,
- an upward conveyor branch (5) that extends from the processing means and that receives the elements (2) therefrom,
- an ejector (6) comprising an actuator, the ejector (6) being located in the area of the upward conveyor branch, and
- a viewing means (7) that is positioned to monitor the elements in the area of the processing means (4), wherein the viewing means (7) configured to communicate with a control unit when a fault is detected and the actuator is configured to engage when the fault is detected by the viewing (7).
Method for delivery of sorted elements (2) to feed a downstream work station, with said method comprising:
- orienting the elements (2) into a single-line column, using a vertical downward drop, toward a processing means (4),
- conveying the single-line column of elements through a processing means (4),
- lifting the elements one at a time in an upward conveyor branch (5), and
- monitoring the elements by at least one viewing means (7) in the area of the processing means (4), wherein the viewing means (7) is configured to communicate with a control unit when a fault is detected and an actuator of an ejector located in the area of the upward conveyor branch (5) is configured to engage when the fault is detected by the viewing means (7).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.