Device and method for removing objects from a moving transport device

Abstract

A device and a method for removing objects ( 12 ) froth a moving transport device ( 14 ) having objects ( 12 ) standing in a row thereon, including a removing device ( 20 ) for pushing and thus removing selected objects ( 12 ) at a right angle or any other angle with respect to the direction of travel of the transport device ( 14 ). The removing device ( 20 ) is formed by a position-controlled linear actuator ( 22 ).

1 . A device for removing objects from a moving transport device having objects standing in a row thereon, comprising:
 a removing device for pushing and thus removing selected objects at a right angle or any other angle with respect to a direction of travel of the transport device, the removing device including a position-controlled linear actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator includes a position-controlled electric linear motor. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator is coupled to a controller allowing presetting of various movement parameters of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the controller controls total travel, speed of travel and/or acceleration of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the controller varies the movement parameters of the linear actuator during movement of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a sensor coupled to the controller, the sensor for detecting parameters concerning weight and/or center of gravity of the objects. 
     
     
         7 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator is initializable prior to start-up and/or on the fly. 
     
     
         8 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein a following error of the linear actuator is detectable. 
     
     
         9 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein a position of the linear actuator is adjustable during operation. 
     
     
         10 . The device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the positional adjustment is controllable by a controller, depending on detected sensor values with respect to parameters of the objects depending on weight and/or center of gravity and/or size. 
     
     
         11 . The device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the objects comprise beverage containers and/or bottles pushable in a lateral direction from the transport device, the transport device being a conveyorm, onto one or more removing lines by the position-controlled linear actuator, the linear actuator being designed as pusher. 
     
     
         12 . A method for removing objects from a moving transport device having objects standing in a row thereon by a removing device for pushing and thus removing selected objects at a right angle or any other angle with respect to the direction of travel of the transport device, comprising:
 removing the objects with assistance of a position-controlled linear actuator.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the linear actuator is controlled by a controller for presetting various movement parameters of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the control means controls total travel, speed of travel and/or acceleration of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13  wherein the movement parameters are varied during the movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13  wherein the linear actuator is driven depending on parameters concerning weight and/or center of gravity of the objects. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the linear actuator is initialized prior to start-up and/or on the fly. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 12  further comprising detecting a following error of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein a positional adjustment of the linear actuator is performed by a controller, depending on detected sensor values, with respect to parameters of the objects depending on weight and/or center of gravity and/or size. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the objects comprise beverage containers and/or bottles pushable in a lateral direction from the transport device, the transport device being a conveyor, onto one or more removing lines by the position-controlled linear actuator, the linear actuator being designed as pusher.