Codable adapter for use with a hanging conveyor system

US5799769A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Durkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Werner Heer · Oerlinghausen, DE
• Rainer Brannahl · Bielefeld, DE
• Thomas Zahn · Bielefeld, DE
• Paul Janzen · Bielefeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 1996
• Grant date: Sep 1, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2201/0229
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An adapter for use with a hanging conveyor system in which articles hanging on hangers and particularly articles of clothing, are transported for sorting or ordering by means of a conveyor along a transport path. The adapter is codable with data concerning the articles. The adapter is insertable between each article hanger provided with a hanger hook and the conveyor means. The adapter has a hook-shaped head region and a receiving region located below the head region. The receiving region has at least one section having a U-shaped cross section formed by an upward-extending arm. The receiving region contacts the hanger hook over such a region that the hanger hook, once inserted, will not twist in the receiving region. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving region is made up of two sections that are adjacent to each other, forming between them an intermediate space. Methods and arrangements for automatically loading hangers into and unloading hangers from the adapters also are provided.