Method and apparatus for sorting closing elements with a transport system having movable holding elements

A sorting method for sorting closing elements for closing containers, comprising:

• transporting a plurality of closing elements, arranged randomly on an input conveyor plane;
• picking up a plurality of the closing elements arranged randomly on the input conveyor plane by means of one or more pick and place devices and positioning the picked-up closing elements with a predefined position and/or orientation in a positioning zone of a transport system for transporting closing elements, where they are received by a respective holding element of a plurality of holding elements for holding a closing element;
• transporting the closing elements held by the holding elements to an exit part of the transport system;
• wherein the transport system comprises a plurality of support elements which each have a plurality of said holding elements, mounted on the support element and arranged at predetermined intervals along at least one side of the support element;
• wherein the support elements and the holding elements move along an oval circuit between the positioning zone and the exit part
• wherein each support element comprises a plurality of holding elements arranged at predetermined intervals on two opposite sides, wherein, during use, one of the opposite sides is operative and the other one is on standby.

A sorting apparatus for sorting closing elements, comprising:

• an input conveyor plane for transporting a plurality of closing elements arranged randomly on the conveyor plane;
• a transport system for transporting closing elements, comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding a closing element, movable between a positioning zone, where they receive a closing element positioned with a predefined position and/or orientation, and an exit part for extraction of the closing elements;
• one or more pick and place devices, arranged and controllable so as to pick up a closing element arranged randomly on the input conveyor plane and to position it with a predefined position and/or orientation in the positioning zone of the transport system, where it is received by one of the holding elements;
• a control unit;
• wherein the holding elements move along an oval circuit between the positioning zone and the exit part;
• and wherein the transport system comprises a plurality of support elements movable along said oval circuit between the positioning zone and the exit part, wherein each holding element is mounted on one of said supports and each support has a plurality of said holding elements, arranged at predetermined intervals along a side thereof
• wherein—each support element comprises a plurality of holding elements arranged at predetermined intervals on two opposite sides, wherein, during use, one of the opposite sides is operative and the other one is on standby.

A transport system for transporting closing elements for an apparatus for sorting closing elements, comprising a plurality of holding elements for holding a closing element, movable between a positioning zone, where they receive a closing element positioned in a predefined position and/or with a predefined orientation, and an exit part for extraction of the closing elements;

• wherein the holding elements move along an oval circuit between the positioning zone and the exit part;
• the transport system further comprising a plurality of support elements, in particular support plates, movable along said circuit between the positioning zone and the exit part,
• wherein each holding element is mounted on one of said supports and each support has a plurality of said holding elements, arranged at predetermined intervals along one side thereof,
• and wherein a plurality of the holding elements for holding the closing elements are arranged in the manner of at least a first series and a second series of holding elements, with the holding elements of the second series being adapted to hold closing elements of a different format from that of the holding elements of the first series, and
• wherein each support element comprises a plurality of holding elements arranged at predetermined intervals on two opposite sides, wherein, during use, one of the opposite sides is operative and the other one is on standby.