Method and apparatus for the sorting of objects
AssigneeSandvik Aktiebolag
InventorAttilio Soldavini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An object-sorting system includes a plurality of conveyor platforms traveling along a travel path between a loading zone and an unloading zone. The unloading zone includes a plurality of exits spaced apart along the travel path for receiving respective ones of the objects. Each conveyor platform receives and unloads objects in a direction transverse to the travel path. Two objects are loaded onto each platform so that the first object to be unloaded is disposed closest to the side of the platform from which it is to be discharged. The loading station is arranged to load the two objects without stopping the conveyor platform. The loading station includes two loading conveyors arranged to load objects onto each platform at respective locations along the travel path.
Claims11
Method for sorting objects employing a plurality of conveyor belts arranged one after the other for travel along a path of travel extending between a loading zone and an unloading zone, the unloading zone comprising a plurality of exits arranged along the travel path, each conveyor belt arranged to unload the objects in a direction extending transversely of the travel path, the method comprising the steps of:
- loading a plurality of the objects sequentially onto one of the plurality of conveyor belts, wherein an object which is a first of the objects to be unloaded is situated closest to a side of the conveyor belt from which it is to be unloaded;
- and
- unloading the objects sequentially from the conveyor belt at respective ones of the exits.
An apparatus for sorting objects comprising:
- a loading zone for loading objects,
- an unloading zone including a plurality of exits spaced apart along a travel path;
- a plurality of conveyor platforms arranged one after the other for travel along the travel path between the loading zone and the unloading zone, each conveyor platform including a support surface for receiving a plurality of the objects and for discharging the objects in a direction oriented transversely of the travel path;
- the loading zone including a plurality of loading devices spaced along the travel path for loading respective objects onto each conveyor platform at locations spaced along the travel path;
- and
- a transfer device for receiving the objects and delivering the objects to selected ones of the loading devices.
Method for sorting objects employing a plurality of conveyor platforms arranged one after the other for travel along a path of travel extending between a loading zone and an unloading zone, the unloading zone comprising a plurality of exits arranged along the travel path, each conveyor platform arranged to unload the objects in a direction extending transversely of the travel path, the method comprising the steps of:
- loading a plurality of the objects sequentially onto a conveyor platform, whereby an object which is a first of the objects to be unloaded is situated closest to a side of the conveyor platform to which it is to be unloaded;
- and
- unloading the objects sequentially from the conveyor platform at respective ones of the exits;
- the loading step comprising advancing the plurality of objects along a conveyor onto a transfer device, and actuating the transfer device selectively in:
- a first mode wherein both objects are discharged from the transfer device along the same path and in the same order as received by the transfer device, and
- a second mode wherein the objects are discharged from the transfer device along respective paths and are loaded onto the conveyor platform in a reverse order than they were received by the transfer device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.