Buffer device

• US 10,144,595 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2016
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rotzinger AG
• Original Assignee: Rotzinger AG
• Inventors: Philipp, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, KEITH
• Application Number:
  US15/562,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20180105370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 1983471, 198435
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/04 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/127 the circuit being confined in a vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0202 Agricultural and processed food products
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/5109 first In - First Out systems: FIFO
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/5113 using endless conveyors B65G47/5145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/57 for articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/643 in a vertical plane

Abstract

A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveying system includes a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end and outlet end, and an elevator system for placing product holders in a conveying plane of the conveying system and vertically moving the product holders. The elevator system preferably includes a chain loop at the inlet end and a chain loop at the outlet end, both of which are equipped all around with product holders, and the chain loops can move in opposite directions.

Claims

1. A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveyor system, comprising:

a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end of the buffer device and an outlet end of the buffer device, and

an elevator system to place the plurality of vertically movable product holders in a conveying plane of the product conveyor system and vertically moving the plurality of vertically movable product holders, wherein

the elevator system comprises a chain loop at the inlet end of the buffer device and a chain loop at the outlet end of the buffer device, equipped all around with the plurality of vertically movable product holders, and wherein the two chain loops are movable in opposite directions, and

the plurality of vertically movable product holders are constructed as conveyors.

2. The buffer device according to claim 1, wherein fix-positioned drive devices which drive the plurality of vertically movable product holders are situated in the conveying plane.

3. The buffer device according to claim 1, further comprising a centrally arranged and vertically movable drive device implements product transfer inside the buffer device.

4. The buffer device according to claim 3, wherein the centrally arranged and vertically movable drive device comprises a coupling that provides centering and positive torque transmission.

5. The buffer device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertically movable product holders at the inlet end of the buffer device and the outlet end of the buffer device are respectively inlet and outlet conveyors that are each designed as stationary roller tracks with overhung rollers.

6. The buffer device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of vertically movable product holders are designed as racks.

7. The buffer device according to claim 6, further comprising another rack which is movable in three dimensions, and which performs product transfer inside the buffer device.

8. The buffer device according to claim 6, further comprising a multi-strand belt conveyor which is movable in three dimensions, which performs product transfer inside the buffer device and also allows a variable allocation of products between product lines.

9. The buffer device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of chain loops equipped with the plurality of vertically movable product holders are arranged on the inlet end of the buffer device or on the outlet end of the buffer device.

10. The buffer device according to claim 1, wherein inlet and outlet of product occurs with a relative angular offset.

11. A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveyor system, comprising:

a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end of the buffer device and an outlet end of the buffer device,

an elevator system to place the plurality of vertically movable product holders in a conveying plane of the product conveyor system and vertically moving the plurality of vertically movable product holders, and

a multi-strand belt conveyor which is movable in three dimensions, which performs product transfer inside the buffer device and also allows a variable allocation of products between product lines.