BIDIRECTIONAL TRAVELLING DEVICE FOR THE SIDE-SORTING OF ARTICLES IN FLEXIBLE PATH TRANSPORTING SYSTEMS

Abstract: The device consists of a U-shaped support (1) fastenable to the guided tow element (12) of the system. The support houses two fork-shaped elements (2,2a) pivoted thereto, which elements, being provided at their opposite ends with cams (4,4a) effective to engage during motion with respective energized actuators (10, 10a), swivel thus discharging laterally the carried article (13). The reset is actuated by gravity.

Description: The invention relates to a bidirectional travelling device for side-sorting of articles in flexible path transporting systems. Such a device is of the type comprising a swivelling member, on which the article to be sorted is loaded, arranged on a support festened to the guided tow element (belt or chain) of the system and which is tilted transversally in both directions by actuating means and then reset after the article has been discharged (see DE-A-3 024 699). Bidirectional sorting devices of above referred type are already known in which the swivelling member consists of a flat connected to the support through a spring and toggle lever device or, like in the "gull-wing" type, the swivelling member consists of two independent flat elements, operated by springs which, in the loading position, assume a V-configuration whereas, during the discharge, one of the two-flat elements is turned down and the article discharged laterally. These known devices have some drawbacks. Firstly, they require a reset at the end cycle. Secondly, the presence of springs and snap devices makes the sorting devices dangerous for the operator, whereby the plant must be provided with protection shields which increase the costs. Moreover, these known devices are heavy and noisy. Therefore, the object of the present invention is so to design a device of the type mentioned at the outset as to be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and free from above mentioned drawbacks. This object is achieved by a bidirectional travelling device for the side sorting of articles in flexible path transporting systems having the features set forth in the characterizing portion of claim 1. The invention will be clearly understood from the following description, given as an indicative but not limitative example, in conjunction with the attached drawing in which: Fig.1 shows schematically, in a perspective view, the sorting device according to the invention, and Fig.2 illustrates, in a cross-section view, the device of Fig.1 while side discharging the carried article. Referring now more particularly to said figures, the device consists of a U-shaped support (channel iron) 1 in which the two branches 1a,1b represent the side boards provided for separating the articles and supporting two fork-shaped elements 2,2a pivoted thereto by means of the pivots 5. The pivots 5 carry a C-shaped support 8,8a fastened to the elements 2,2a by means of rivets or screws 9,9a. The fork-shaped elements 2,2a are each provided with a longer end whose fingers 6,6a interpenetrate and abut on ribs 7 formed on the bottom of support 1 so as to define, in the rest position, an horizontal bearing plane for the article 14 to be sorted. The position of pivot 5,5a and the sizing of fork-shaped elements 2,2a are such that, thanks to gravity, the rest position is a stable equilibrium condition for the fork-shaped elements. The opposite ends 3,3a of the fork-shaped elements are bent downwards and provided with cam elements 4,4a suitably shaped and designed to be actuated during the motion, by respective actuators 10, 10a provided at the discharge points. The sorting device is mounted on a guided tow element 12, slidable in a guide II of the system. After what has been described in a mainly structural meaning the operation of the sorting device according to the invention is the following. The device is so mounted on the tow element that the side boards 1a, 1b are arranged transversally with respect to the motion direction indicated by the arrow M. When the sorting device reaches the discharge point, the respective actuator (10a in case of Fig.2) is energized in a conventional way and engages with the corresponding cam-shaped element (4a) thus causing a rotation of the corresponding fork-shaped element (2a), whereby the object (14) is ejected into the corresponding container (not shown), through a chute (13) if necessary. As soon as the cam 4,4a overcomes the actuator 10,10a, the fork element is restored to the rest position by gravity. The invention fully achieves the prefixed object. Indeed, thanks to this solution, there is provided a bidirectional travelling device for the side-sorting of articles in flexible path transporting systems, which is very simple to be worked in massproduction and at very low costs. It may be, for instance, simply formed from a metal sheet by shearing and bending. Furthermore, the device according to the invention is very easy to assemble, disassemble and replace, as well as light and modular. The gravity reset allows to eliminate springs, toggles and other snap mechanisms which make devices, of the type mentioned at the outset, noisy and very dangerous for the operator, particularly at high sorting rates. Still more, the device according to the invention is reliable, from the point of view of article separation, owing to the presence of side boards. Finally, using sorting devices of equal or different length, on a flexible path transporting system, a synchronous sorting system is obtained, as the carried articles are so positioned that their presence is assured at any time. It is understood the above embodiment has been described by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. Particularly, the cam element may be formed by suitably shaping the end 3 of the fork-shaped elements. Besides, the materials and sizes may vary according to manufacturing requirements and contingencies, always observing the illustrated, described and herebelow claimed features.

Claims: A bidirectional travelling device for the side-sorting of articles in flexible path transporting systems, of the type comprising: a swivelling member on which the article to be sorted is loaded, a support (1) for said swivelling member, fastened to the guided tow element (12) of the system, and - actuating and reset means for said swivelling member, characterized in that said swivelling member consists of two fork-shaped complementary elements (2, 2a) which, by interpenetrating, create a supporting plane for the article to be sorted, said support consists of a channel iron, arranged transversally with respect to the motion and housing inside itself said fork-shaped elements pivoted on side boards thereof and in such a position for which, due to gravity, said elements are held in a horizontal position and in a stable equilibrium condition to define said support plane; and said actuating and reset means consist of two cam elements (4, 4a), respectively fastened at the opposite and bent ends of said fork-shaped elements and designed to engage, during the motion, with respective actuators (10, 10a) electrically operated and suitably located at discharge points, whereby each of said fork-shaped elements can be rotated and, moving to its raised position, causes downward left or right discharge of the article respectively, and afterward, returns to the rest position because of gravity, thus performing the reset. A sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said cam elements can be embodied by suitably shaping the opposite ends of said fork-shaped elements.

Inventors: SCATA, MARIO
Applicants: ALCATEL ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65G47
IPC codes: B65G47