Transport system for packages and apparatus for handling packages using such a transport system

摘要

An apparatus for transporting packages from an inlet to an outlet includes a closed transport path having a package transport route and a puck return transport route, an inlet, an outlet, transport elements that are rotatable in a circulation direction and that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction of the packages, and pucks for carrying a package from the inlet to the outlet. After release of the packages at the outlet, the pucks return to the inlet via the puck return transport route. The puck return transport route and the package transport route are in transport planes offset from each other in a vertical direction. The two transports are formed by common transport elements.

主权项

1. An apparatus for transporting packages from a package inlet to a package outlet, said apparatus comprising
a closed transport path comprising a package transport route and a puck return transport route, a package inlet on said closed transport path, a package outlet on said closed transport path, said package outlet being displaced from said package inlet in a transport direction for packages, first and second transport elements that are rotatable in a circulation direction and that are adjacent to each other in said transport direction of said packages, and pucks, each of which is adapted to pick up a package at said package inlet and to carry said package along said package transport route as far as said package outlet, wherein after release of said packages at said package outlet, said pucks return to said package inlet by way of said puck return transport route, wherein said puck return transport route is provided in a first transport plane, wherein said package transport is provided in a second transport plane, wherein said first and second transport planes are offset from each other in a vertical direction, wherein said first and second transport planes are selected from the group consisting of an upper plane and a lower plane, and wherein said package transport route and said puck return transport route are formed by common transport elements.