Patent ID: 8118155
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: B07C,B65G

Abstract:
1. A panel sorting method for a panel sorting apparatus which sorts and transfers workpieces in the form of a panel, the panel sorting apparatus comprising (i) a transfer conveyor disposed at a downstream side of a conveying direction of workpieces in a form of a panel relative to a press machine, wherein the transfer conveyor receives the workpieces transferred from the press machine and transfers the workpieces in the workpiece conveying direction, and (ii) a cross shuttle adapted to move to a first side in a direction orthogonal to the workpiece conveying direction and to a second side in the direction orthogonal to the workpiece conveying direction, the cross shuttle comprising a middle conveyor belt, a first side conveyor belt positioned on the first side in the direction orthogonal to the workpiece conveying direction relative to the middle conveyor belt, and a second side conveyor belt positioned on the second side in the direction orthogonal to the workpiece conveying direction relative to the middle conveyor belt, each of the middle conveyor belt, the first side conveyor belt, and the second side conveyor belt having a width approximately half of a width of the workpieces, wherein a sum of the width of the middle conveyor belt and the width of the first side conveyor belt is approximately equal to a width of a transfer conveyor belt of the transfer conveyor, and wherein a sum of the width of the middle conveyor belt and the width of the second side conveyor belt is approximately equal to the width of the transfer conveyor belt, the panel sorting method comprising: sorting the workpieces in the direction orthogonal to the workpiece conveying direction, the workpieces being conveyed in the workpiece conveying direction; and transferring the sorted workpieces; wherein the sorting includes: