AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE SLIDE RETRACT FOR CONVEYOR

• US 20140091013A1
• Filed: 10/01/2012
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Streufert, Brian P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,248,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/552
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/46 and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points in tube mail systems B65G51/36
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/95 adapted for longitudinal delivery

Abstract

A package handling device includes a conveyor, a sensor system and a reject system. The conveyor transports a product along a product handling line. The sensor system is proximate to the conveyor system to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison to product acceptance criteria. Failure of the product to meet product acceptance criteria generates a reject signal. The reject system directs the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via a movable assembly that moves a portion of the conveyor to create a gap in the product handling line. The reject system includes an adjustable retraction mechanism coupled to a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly. The adjustable refraction mechanism draws the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product.

Claims

1. A package handling device comprising:

a conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line;

a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria, wherein failure of the product to meet the product acceptance criteria results in generation of a reject signal;

a reject system configured to direct the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via operation of a movable assembly that moves at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line,

wherein the reject system comprises an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable retraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined automatically by the sensor system.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined based on operator input.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the operator input is received to define a package size of a series of products, the product being one package within the series.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the operator input is specifically received for the product to define a package size of the product.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism is configured to enable movement of the movable assembly over a range of distances, and wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism moves the movable assembly a selected distance that is determined based on the information indicative of the size of the product.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism comprises a continuously variable linear actuator including a worm drive, a synchro, a servo, or a lead screw.

8. A reject system for a package handling device that includes a conveyor and a sensor system, the reject system comprising:

a movable assembly disposed at a portion of a product handling line extending from a first end to a second end of the conveyor, the movable assembly moving at least a portion of the conveyor away from the second end to create a gap in the product handling line responsive to receipt of a reject signal from the sensor system, the reject signal being generated responsive to the sensor system determining that at least one characteristic of a product transported by the conveyor does not meet product acceptance criteria; and

an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable refraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define a size of the gap based on information indicative of a size of the product.

9. The reject system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined automatically by the sensor system.

10. The reject system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined based on operator input.

11. The reject system of claim 10, wherein the operator input is received to define a package size of a series of products, the product being one package within the series.

12. The reject system of claim 10, wherein the operator input is specifically received for the product to define a package size of the product.

13. The reject system of claim 8, wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism is configured to enable movement of the movable assembly over a range of distances, and wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism moves the movable assembly a selected distance that is determined based on the information indicative of the size of the product.

14. The reject system of claim 8, wherein the adjustable retraction mechanism comprises a continuously variable linear actuator including a worm drive, a synchro, a servo, or a lead screw.

15. A method of controlling a package handling device that includes a conveyor and a sensor system, the conveyor configured to transport a product from a first end of the conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor along a product handling line, the method comprising:

receiving, from a sensor system disposed proximate to the conveyor, information indicative of at least one characteristic of the product for comparison of the at least one characteristic to product acceptance criteria;

determining whether the product meets the product acceptance criteria;

generating a reject signal responsive to the product failing to meet the product acceptance criteria;

receiving information indicative of a size of the product;

determining, based on the information indicative of the product size, a gap size to be provided in the product handling line for rejection of the product responsive to receipt of the reject signal; and

directing a reject system to retract a movable assembly to form the determined gap size.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined automatically by the sensor system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the information indicative of the size of the product is determined based on operator input.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the reject system comprises an adjustable retraction mechanism operably coupled to a portion of a frame of the conveyor and to the movable assembly, the adjustable retraction mechanism drawing the movable assembly inwardly responsive to receipt of the reject signal to define the determined gap size.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein directing the reject system to retract the movable assembly to form the determined gap size comprises directing the adjustable retraction mechanism to move the movable assembly a selected distance that is determined based on the information indicative of the size of the product.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein directing the reject system to retract the movable assembly to form the determined gap size comprises directing a continuously variable linear actuator including a worm drive, a synchro, a servo, or a lead screw to move to form the determined gap size.