Separating conveyor for stacked objects

US6582180B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Fritz Fochler · Senden, DE
• Andreas Kruger · Donaurieden, DE
• Wolfgang Rodi · Baustetten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 18, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 24, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 18, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G59/068
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An object-sorting system has a conveyor having a horizontally extending stretch, a plurality of pushers fixed on and spaced along the conveyor and extending upward from the stretch thereof, and an upright chute adapted to hold a stack of objects and having a downwardly open outlet spaced above an upstream end of the conveyor stretch. An elongated support surface extends horizontally above the stretch and has an upstream end below the outlet port. A drive advances the stretch and thereby displaces the pushers downstream past the outlet so that the pushers engage at least a lowermost object of the stack in the chute and move the engaged object(s) downstream along the support surface. The support surface can pivot about an axis at the support-surface downstream end and thereby change a vertical spacing between the support surface upstream end and the outlet port.