Back to results
US 12,005,479 B2Granted
Sorting device and method
AssigneeTGW Logistics Group GmbH
InventorTimothy Lindley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a sorting method and a sorting device, articles are sorted and identified in multiple stages and are discharged from the sorting lines in a manner backed up in multiple sorting lines.
Claims12
A sorting device for sorting multiple articles, the device comprising:
- a controller;
- at least one first sorting stage with at least two first sorting lines, each having a first entrance upstream and a first exit downstream, wherein
- the first entrances of the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage are connected to a supply path for supplying the articles, and
- the first exits of the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage are connected to a first transport path for advancing the articles, and
- a first stopper is arranged at each of the first exits of the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage, wherein the first stopper comprises a first switching element, wherein the first switching element cooperates with the controller and is actuated by the controller in such a manner to discharge a group of articles from the respective first sorting line onto the first transport path, and
- a first apparatus for separating and identifying is arranged in the supply path upstream of the first sorting lines, and
- in each case, a second apparatus for separating and identifying is arranged in the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage and upstream of the corresponding first stopper;
- and
- at least one second sorting stage with at least two second sorting lines, each having a second entrance upstream and a second exit downstream, wherein
- the first exits of the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage are connected to the second entrances of the second sorting lines of the second sorting stage by means of the first transport path, so that articles can be transferred from one of the first sorting lines of the first sorting stage into one of the second sorting lines of the second sorting stage, and
- the second exits of the second sorting lines of the second sorting stage are connected to a second transport path for advancing the articles, and
- a second stopper is arranged at each of the second exits of the second sorting lines of the second sorting stage, wherein the second stopper comprises a second switching element, wherein the second switching element cooperates with the controller and is actuated by the controller in such a manner to discharge a group of articles from the respective second sorting line onto the second transport path, and
- a third apparatus for separating and identifying is arranged in the first transport path, and
- in each case, a fourth apparatus for separating and identifying is arranged in the second sorting lines of the second sorting stage and upstream of the corresponding second stopper;
- wherein the first, second, third, and fourth apparatuses for separating and identifying are connected to the controller.
12 more elements
A sorting method for articles, comprising the steps of:
- (S1) supplying articles on a supply path,
- (S2) a first identification and separation of the articles in the supply path,
- (S3) a first distribution of the articles based on the first identification and separation (S2), on at least two first sorting lines,
- (S4) a second identification and separation of the articles in the respective first sorting line,
- (S5) a first collecting of articles to form a first group of articles in the respective first sorting line,
- (S6) a first discharge of the first group of articles as a first sorting run from the first collecting of articles (S5) into a first transport path,
- (S7) a third identification and separation of the articles from the first group of articles in the first transport path,
- (S8) a second distribution of the articles from the first group of articles based on the third identification and separation (S7), on at least two second sorting lines,
- (S9) a fourth identification and separation of the articles in the respective second sorting line,
- (S10) a second collecting of articles to form a second group of articles in the respective second sorting line, and
- (S11) a second discharge of the second group of articles as a second sorting run from the second collecting of articles (S10) into a second transport path.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.