TEMPORARY STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE

• US 20180297789A1
• Filed: 10/13/2016
• Published: 10/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Finatec Holding AG
• Original Assignee: Finatec Holding AG
• Inventors: Maibach, Fridolin, Hermle, Matthias, Kubalek, Bernhard, Gerber, Martin, Graser, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 10,442,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 29/00 Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones mechanical projectors B65G31/00; screw or rotary spiral conveyors B65G33/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 29/02 for inclined or vertical transit
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/24 orientating the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/5136 using rotary conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/80 Turntables carrying articles or materials to be transferred, e.g. combined with ploughs or scrapers

Abstract

An interim storage device (1) for separated and oriented objects (2) includes an object inlet (3), a rotating turntable (4), a spiral-shaped object path (5), and an object outlet (6). Either the object inlet (5) or the object outlet (6) is in line with the spiral origin (7) while the other is in line with the spiral end (8). The spiral-shaped object path (5) features a fixed spiral (9) which is placed above the turntable (4) without making contact.

Claims

1. An interim storage device (1) for separated and oriented objects (2), the interim storage device comprising:

an object inlet (3),

a rotating turntable (4),

a spiral-shaped object path (5), and

an object outlet (6),

wherein one of the object inlet (3) or the object outlet (6) is in line with the spiral origin (7), while the other one of the object inlet (3) or the object outlet (6) is in line with the spiral end (8), wherein the spiral-shaped object path (5) includes a fixed spiral (9) which is placed above the turntable (4) without making contact.

2. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distance of the spiral (9) in relation to the turntable (4) is adjustable, specifically between 0.25 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 2 mm, specifically between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

3. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spiral (9) is an Archimedian spiral and is preferably fabricated from a solid plastic or aluminum body.

4. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the turntable (4) comprises a flat and/or smooth surface, and/or is designed to rotate at a constant angular velocity.

5. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a mechanism (11) for injecting a directed gas stream (12).

6. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 5, wherein the mechanism (11) for injecting a directed gas stream (12) includes three to 16 arms (13) radiating outward from the center of the spiral (7), wherein each arm (13) includes two or more outlet ports (14), specifically outlet ports (14) not orthogonally positioned in relation to the surface of the turntable (10).

7. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the arms have a curving progression, specifically that they extend in a circular arc.

8. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 5, wherein the mechanism (11) for injecting a directed gas stream (12) comprises one or more gas reservoirs (19), which in turn have one or more gas outlets (20), specifically in the form of slots (21).

9. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 5, wherein the turntable (4) had an angular velocity and the gas stream has an outflow velocity, wherein the angular velocity of the turntable (4) differs from the outflow velocity of the gas stream.

10. The interim storage device (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the object inlet (3) is located on a side of the turntable (4) facing away from the spiral (9).

11. A method for interim storage of oriented objects between two processing operations, the method comprising the following steps:

introducing oriented objects into the interim storage device according to claim 1;

moving the oriented objects along a spiral-shaped path by means of a rotating turntable at a first speed;

superimposing the first speed with a second, higher speed created by injection of gas; and

removing the oriented objects from the interim storage unit.