Method of conveying articles hanging on hangers and devices for use in the method

US5971131A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Durkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Blattner · Bielefeld, DE
• Thomas Diekmann · Bad Salzuflen, DE
• Siegfried Goldbeck · Gütersloh, DE
• Paul Janzen · Bielefeld, DE
• Frank Kuhnt · Bielefeld, DE
• Martin Luke · Aschendorf, DE
• Dirk Kuhlemann · Bielefeld, DE
• Uwe Petermeier · Steinhagen, DE
• Thomas Zahn · Bielefeld, DE
• Klaus Niesen · Bielefeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 27, 1996
• Grant date: Oct 26, 1999
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2016

Classification

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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conveying material hanging on hangers. The material is transported from a loading region to a conveyance region, and then to a delivery region. Grip units of various lengths are formed by combining individual materials into groups. A theoretical maximum length for a grip unit is established. Clock pulses are produced in the conveyance region and are counted. Grip units stowed in the loading region are individualized to form well-defined spaces between the materials. Individualized grip units fed to the conveyance region are switched into the conveyance region when a gap sufficiently large to accommodate the grip unit is present in the conveyance region, determined by the maximum length established and counting of the clock pulses. The distance to be moved by the grip unit in the conveyance region to reach its destination is established, and progress of the grip unit is tracked. The grip unit is switched out to the delivery region, the switch-out mechanism remaining in effect to accommodate the length of the grip unit.