Search

EP-4442375-B1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SORTING OBJECTS

EP4442375B1EP 4442375 B1EP4442375 B1EP 4442375B1EP-4442375-B1

Inventors

  • BUTZER, Erich

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230404

Claims (13)

  1. An apparatus for sorting objects (1) comprising a feeding device (5, 8, 9), at least one transfer device (17), several target containers (12), wherein the feeding device (5, 8, 9) is configured to convey the objects (1) to the at least one transfer device (17), and wherein the transfer device (17) is configured to transfer the objects (1) to the target containers (12), and a sorting device (11) in which the target containers (12) can be moved such that the target containers (12) can be positioned either at a transfer position (23) assigned to the at least one transfer device (17) or at any one of a plurality of waiting positions (24), characterized in that the waiting positions (24) form an at least two-dimensional position grid (25).
  2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding device comprises a conveyor belt (5) or a roller conveyor for conveying the objects (1).
  3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feeding device comprises at least one pusher (8) that is configured to convey the objects (1) to the at least one transfer device (17).
  4. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one transfer device comprises a pusher, a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor, a flap (22) or a slide (17).
  5. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sorting device (11) for moving the target containers (12) comprises conveying and deflecting devices (13) in the form of conveyor belts, roller conveyors, cross tables or driverless transport vehicles.
  6. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sorting device (11) has at least one container carrier (35) on which a plurality of the target containers (12) are accommodated, and that the at least one container carrier (35) is movable in the sorting device (11) for moving the accommodated target containers (12) together.
  7. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sorting device (11) has at least one cross table (13) on which a container carrier (35) is arranged that can be moved in a plane by means of the cross table (13).
  8. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the positioning grid (25) is arranged at least partially below the feeding device (5, 8, 9) and/or below the transfer device (17).
  9. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the apparatus has a dispensing device (16) for further transportation of the target containers (12).
  10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the dispensing device (16) comprises a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor for conveying the objects (1).
  11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus has at least one gantry arm (15) with gripper (28), which is configured to move target containers (12) from the sorting device (11) to the dispensing device (16) and/or to insert empty target containers (12) into the sorting device (11).
  12. A method for sorting objects (1) with the following method steps: Conveying an object (1) to a transfer device (17) by means of a feeding device (5, 8, 9), Moving a target container (12) to a transfer position (23) assigned to the transfer device (17), and Transferring the object (1) from the transfer device (17) into the target container (12) by means of the transfer device (17), characterized by the process step: Moving the target container (12) to a waiting position (24) of an at least two-dimensional position grid (25) from waiting positions (24), to a further transfer position (23) or leaving the target container (12) at the assigned transfer position (23) to receive a further object (1).
  13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by the method steps: Identifying an identification feature (2) of the object (1), Assigning the object (1) to a specific target container (12) using the identification feature (2), Conveying the object (1) to an object-free transfer device (17) by means of the feeding device (5, 8, 9) and Moving the specific target container (12) to the transfer position (23) assigned to the object-free transfer device (17).

Description

The invention relates to a device for sorting objects having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for sorting objects having the features of the preamble of claim 12. Such a device and such a method are derived from the EP 3 978 149 A1 known. The sorting device serves to exchange the target containers, wherein the sorting device comprises a shaft which is rotatable about a first horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the shaft is provided with supports which are each designed to hold a container for packages and to carry it in vertical rotation about the first axis of rotation. A similar device shows US 2022/0168780 A1 , where the sorting device has linearly movable carriages to adjust the target containers linearly. A sorting system for flat mail items is being built in DE 10 2006 025 601 B3 As described, a series of pocket-shaped containers circulates relative to a multitude of intermediate trays. The containers, whose bottoms can be opened in a controlled manner, hold flat objects to be sorted in an upright position. The intermediate trays are fixed in a row below the container track. The objects can thus be transferred from the pocket-shaped containers into the intermediate trays in a controlled manner. Target receivers below the fixed intermediate trays are also moved relative to the intermediate trays. The transfer of the objects from the intermediate trays to the target receivers is then carried out. The process is identical to the transfer of items from the containers to the temporary storage area. In US 8 096 402 B2 Another sorting system is described, in which shipments are moved on a conveyor belt and then sorted into containers. The containers can occupy two positions. In one position, the containers are loaded with shipments. When the containers are no longer being filled, they can be moved to a staging area. The filled containers can also be transported onward via another conveyor belt. Another device for sorting objects shows US 2021/0362194 A1 . The object underlying the invention is to provide a device and a method for sorting objects that enables flexible, fast and space-saving sorting of objects. The problem is solved by a device for sorting objects having the features of claim 1. This device enables rapid sorting of objects, as the target containers move towards the objects sequentially, depending on the order in which they are fed by the feeder. After an object is transferred to the corresponding target container, it typically returns to its starting position or to another waiting position, thus freeing up the transfer position for other target containers. If another object is to be transferred to the same target container at the same transfer position, the target container can remain in its assigned position. This allows more target containers to be loaded with objects than there are transfer devices available. Furthermore, the sorting device is space-saving, as the target containers are transferred from waiting positions in a two- or three-dimensional grid pattern. The feeding device can include a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor to convey the objects. The feeding device can include at least one slide gate configured to convey the objects to at least one transfer device. It is also conceivable that the slide gates themselves constitute the transfer device. In this case, the objects are pushed directly from the feeding device into the target containers by the slide gates. It is also conceivable that the feeding device includes conveying and diverting devices with which the objects can be transported along a main conveying direction and, conversely, diverted from the main conveying direction for transfer to the target containers. Depending on the type, the target containers can be filled from the top or from the side. The feeding device can be designed as a linear conveyor belt or a linear roller conveyor. Alternatively, it can be a tray sorter or a rotating carousel conveyor. With a rotating carousel conveyor, the objects are continuously transported in a circle on the feeding device. Below the feeding device, the target containers are moved on the sorting device to sort the objects. If an object is located above the correct target container, a flap opens, for example, and the object falls into the target container due to gravity. The flap then closes again to allow a new object to be picked up. The transfer device, at least one of which may be a slide, conveyor belt, roller track, flap or a chute (which may be foldable), can be used to transfer an object to a destination container. The sorting device can include a conveying and diverting device for moving the target containers, for example in the form of conveyor belts, roller conveyors, or cross tables, which can move the target containers diagonally to allow movement in two perpendicular directions. It is also conceivable that the conveying and diverting devices are designed as driverle