NL2003570C2

NL2003570C2 - Transfer apparatus for transferring an item.

Info

Publication number: NL2003570C2
Application number: NL2003570A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Albert Vliet
Original assignee: Sluis Cigar Machinery B V V D; Foxmotion
Priority date: 2009-09-29
Filing date: 2009-09-29
Publication date: 2011-03-30

Description

P29976NLOO/JKO/-

Korte aanduiding: Transfer apparatus for transferring an item 5

The invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transferring an item, specifically a small item like an tablet, pouch, package or the like, and more specifically a single item. The transfer apparatus comprises a rail forming an endless track along which the item is transferred, a transporter which is movable along the rail and comprises at least one gripper 10 for gripping the item, and a driver for moving the transporter along the rail.

Due to the fact that the rail forms an endless track, the rail comprises curved sections. A problem of the known transfer apparatus is that that the transporters have difficulties in travelling through the curved sections.

The transfer apparatus is used for grabbing the item of a first surface a releasing the 15 item on a second surface. The first and second surface may be moving. The know transfer apparatus has difficulties in synchronizing the movement of the grippers and the first and/or second surface.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer apparatus. This object is achieved by a transfer apparatus for transferring an item comprising; a rail forming an 20 endless track along which the item is transferred, a transporter which is movable along the rail and comprises at least one gripper for gripping the item, a driver for moving the transporter along the rail, wherein the transporter comprises at least two carriers engaging the rail and located at a distance from each other, neighbouring carriers are coupled to each other by a coupler, at least one coupler is carrying at least one gripper, the rail comprises a 25 first face and a second face, each carrier comprises a first engage member and a second engage member engaging the first face and a third engage member engaging the second face, the engage members of each carrier are positioned relative to each other such that said engage members form a triangle.

The specific configuration of the transporters allows them to travel more smoothly 30 through the curved sections. Furthermore, it allows an improved synchronization between the grippers and the first and/or second surface.

The rail may comprise at least one inwards curved section which in use is to be positioned adjacent to a rotary table and the rail may be constructed and arranged so that the gripper follows the rotary table.

35 The gripper may be configured for gripping the item located outside an area enclosed by the track.

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The engage members may form an isosceles triangle. The base of the triangle may extend between the first and second engage members.

The first and second face may be positioned at opposite sides of the rail. The first and second engage members may be located outside an area enclosed by the endless track 5 and the third engage member may located inside said area.

The rail may comprise a rail longitudinal axis and the engage members of the carrier may be configured to engage the rail such that rotation of the carrier around the rail longitudinal axis is prevented.

Each carrier may comprise a carrier body which is connected to the first, second and 10 third engage member and has a triangle-like form. The form of the triangle-like carrier body may correspond to the triangle formed by the engage members.

Each connection of the coupler to neighbouring carriers may comprise a coupler axis about which the coupler is pivotable relative to the carrier comprising said connection. The gripper may be located in the middle between the two coupler axes of neighbouring carriers. 15 The carrier may be configured to rotate about a carrier axis when being moved along curved sections of the rail. The carrier axis may substantially coincide with the coupler axis.

Two neighbouring couplers may be connected to the same carrier and share the same coupler axis.

The transporter may be formed by an endless chain of coupled carriers. The 20 transporter may extend along the entire rail.

The transporter may comprises at least one drive protrusion, the driver may comprise a screw-like surface winded around a screw axis and configured to move the transporter along the rail by engaging and pushing the drive protrusion when the screw-like surface is rotated around the screw axis.

25 The driver may comprise a cylindrical body comprising a cylinder housing and being rotatable around the cylinder longitudinal axis thereof, and the screw-like surface may be formed by a groove provided in the cylinder housing, said groove having a screw-like form winded around said cylinder longitudinal axis. The cylinder longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body and the screw axis may coincide.

30 The rail may comprise a rail longitudinal axis and screw axis of the screw-like surface extends substantially parallel to said rail longitudinal axis.

At least one drive protrusions may be connected to the carriers. Each carrier may comprise at least one drive protrusion.

The screw-like surface may simultaneously engage multiple, preferably three, drive 35 protrusions.

The driver may comprise several screw-like surfaces positioned along the track and at a distance from each other.

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The pitch of the screw-like surface may be constant. The driver may be configured to rotate the screw-like surface in opposite directions around the screw axis.

A gripper steering may be provided with a first profile for cooperating with a first steering member provided to the gripper for opening and closing the gripper so as to grab or 5 release the item.

The gripper steering may be provided with a second profile for cooperating with a second steering member provided to the gripper for moving an item held by the gripper with respect to the transporter.

The gripper may be movable up and down by the second profile cooperating with the 10 second steering member of the gripper so as to move an item held by the gripper up after grabbing the item and moving the item held by the gripper down before releasing it.

The gripper may comprise an extendable arm which is extendable by the second profile cooperating with the second steering member of the gripper so as to extend the arm and move an item held by the gripper.

15 The gripper may comprise a pivoting axis so as to pivot the gripper around the pivoting axis by the second profile cooperating with a second steering member of the gripper.

By pivoting the gripper an item held by the gripper may be moveable up and down.

By pivoting the gripper an item held by the gripper may be pivotable.

20 The item held by the gripper may moveable by the gripper in a direction perpendicular to a rail longitudinal axis of the rail.

The gripper may comprise first and second gripper parts for grabbing an item in between the first and second gripper parts. The first and second gripper parts may be tiltable with respect to each other by the first steering member. One of the first and second gripper 25 parts may be moveable with respect to another of the first and second gripper part.

The invention further relates to a method of transferring an item with a transferring apparatus according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a use of a transferring apparatus according to the invention.

30 Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a transfer apparatus according the invention,

Figure 2 schematically shows a top view of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1,

Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a transfer apparatus according the invention, 35 Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of the transfer apparatus of fig. 3,

Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the driver of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1, -4 -

Figure 6 schematically shows a further perspective view of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1,

Figure 7 schematically shows a perspective view of the driver of the transfer apparatus of fig. 3, 5 Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the transporter of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1,

Figure 9 schematically shows a further perspective view of the transporter of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1,

Figure 10 schematically shows a perspective view of the carrier of the transfer 10 apparatus of fig. 3,

Figure 11 schematically shows a side view of the carrier of fig. 10,

Figure 12 schematically shows a top view of the carrier of fig. 10,

Figure 13 schematically shows a bottom view of the carrier of fig. 10,

Figure 14 schematically shows a perspective view of the coupler of the transfer 15 apparatus of fig. 3,

Figure 15 schematically shows a side view of the coupler of fig. 14,

Figure 16 schematically shows a top view of the coupler of fig. 14,

Figure 17 schematically shows a bottom view of the coupler of fig. 14,

Figure 18 schematically shows a side view of the carrier of fig. 10 engaging the rail, 20 and

Figure 19 schematically shows a perspective view of the carrier of fig. 10 engaging the rail.

In the abovementioned figures, corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features.

25 The figure 1 and 2 shows a perspective view and of an embodiment of a transfer apparatus according the invention. The transfer apparatus 1 is configured to transfer single items 100.

The items 100 are positioned on a first surface 101 formed by a rotary table 104. The rotary table 104 rotates around a table axis 107 as indicated by arrow 105. The transfer 30 apparatus 1 is configured to transfer the items 100 to a second surface 102 located at a distance from the first surface 101. The second surface 102 is formed by an endless belt 103 transporting the received items 100 in the direction indicated by arrow 106.

The transfer apparatus 1 comprises a rail 3 forming an endless track 4 along which the item 100 is transferred. The endless track 4 encloses an area 11. The endless track 4 35 comprises an inwards curved section 5 positioned adjacent to the rotary table 104. The rail 3 is constructed and arranged so the grippers 10 follow the rotary table 104. The part of the endless track 4 extending along the endless belt 103 follows a straight line.

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It will be clear that the second surface 102 also may be formed by a second rotary table is stead of the endless belt 103. For this the transfer apparatus 1 would require a second inwards curved section, as shown in fig. 3. The shape of an inwards curved section 5 of the transfer apparatus 1 corresponds to the circular dimensions of the rotary table 104 5 used.

The transfer apparatus 1 further comprises a first transporter 41 and a second transporter 42 which are movable along the rail 3 and a driver 7 (see fig. 5) for driving the transporters 41,42 along the rail 3. The transporters 41, 42 are interconnected such that both transporters 41,42 can be driven by one driver 7. For providing a clear view on the 10 construction of the transfer apparatus 1, said interconnection is left out.

The interconnection may by formed by additional carriers 8 coupled to each other and to the transporters 41,42 by additional couplers 9. This way the first and second transporter 41,42 are integrated and form an endless chain of coupled carriers 8. Said endless transporter 41,42 extends along the entire rail 3. All or part of the couplers 9 may be 15 provided with a gripper 10.

The first transporter 41 comprises four carriers 8 engaging the rail 3 and located at a distance from each other. The second transporter 42 comprises five of such carriers 8. In each transporter 41,42, neighbouring carriers 8 are coupled to each other by a coupler 9 carrying a gripper 10 for gripping one of the items 100.

20 In use the transporters 41,42 are moved along the rail 3 as indicated by the arrows 46. The transfer apparatus 1 is configured such that the movement of the transporters 41,42 corresponds to the movement of the first surface 101 and to the movement of the second surface 102 when passing the rotary table 104 and the endless belt 103, respectively. When passing the inwards curved section 5, the grippers 10 are directed to a centre point 47. More 25 specifically, each gripper 10 comprises a gripper arm 18 which directs to the centre point 47 when passing the inwards curved section 5. Said centre point 47 coincides with the table axis 107.

The rotary table 104 comprises first item regions 108 positioned along the circumference of the rotary table 104. Each item 100 located on the first surface 101 is 30 positioned in a different first item region 108. When passing the first surface 101, the speed of the grippers 10 equals that of the first surface 101 and the gripper arms 18 are located above the first item regions 108. Each gripper arms 18 picks up an item 100 when passing the first surface 101. The transfer apparatus 1 is configured such that each gripper 10 picks up an item 100 when passing the same location 48 along the track 4. This means that there 35 is only one grabbing location 48 along the track 4 where the grippers 10 pick up an item 100 of the first surface 101. The transfer apparatus 1 may also be provided with further grabbing locations 48 along the same or further surfaces.

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After picking up an item 100, the grippers 10 holding the items 100 are moved along the track 4 towards the second surface 102. The second surface 102 is provided with second item regions 109. When moved along the second surface 102, the speed of the grippers 10 equals that of the second surface 102. At a specific releasing location 49 along 5 the track 4, the grippers 10 place the item 100 in a corresponding second item region 109. Each of the items 100 placed in a different second item region 109. The transfer apparatus 1 is configured such that each gripper 10 places down a held item 100 when passing the same location 49 along the track 4. This means that there is only one releasing location 49 along the track 4 where the grippers 10 place down an item 100. The transfer apparatus 1 may 10 also be provided with further releasing locations 49 along the same or further surfaces.

By gathering the data indicating in which item region 108, 109 each item 100 has been and are positioned, the transfer apparatus 1 comprises a tracking and tracing system of the individual items 100.

Figure 3 and 4 show a perspective view and top view of a second embodiment of a 15 transfer apparatus according the invention, respectively. The endless track 4 comprises two inwards curved sections 5. The transfer apparatus 1 comprises an endless transporter 41. For providing a clear sight on the construction of the transfer apparatus 1, only part of the transporter 41 is shown. The part of the endless transporter 41 shown comprises ten carriers 8. Neighbouring carriers 8 are connected by a coupler 9. The couplers 9 are configured to 20 carry a gripper 10. Only one gripper 10 is shown, but it will be clear the transporter 41 may be carrying additional grippers 10.

The rail 3 comprises a first face 12 and a second face 13. Each carrier 8 comprises a first engage member 14 and a second engage member 15 engaging the first face 12 and a third engage member 16 engaging the second face 13. The engage members 14, 15, 16 of 25 each carrier 8 are positioned relative to each other such that said engage members 14, 15, 16 form a triangle 35, more specifically an isosceles triangle. The base 38 of the triangle 35 extends between the first and second engage members 14 and 15.

Each engage member 14, 15, 16 is formed by a roller 36 rotatable about a roller axis 36. As indicated in fig. 4, each of the three roller axes 36 is positioned at a different vertex of 30 the triangle 35.

The first and second face 12, 13 are positioned at opposite sides of the rail 3. Each carrier 8 comprises a carrier body 20 which is connected to the three engage members 14, 15, 16 and has a triangle-like form. The first and second engage members 14, 15 are located outside the area 11 enclosed by the endless track 4 and the third engage member 35 16 is located inside said area 11. The form of the triangle-like carrier body 20 corresponds to the triangle 35 formed by the three engage members 14, 15, 16 and both triangles are oriented the same way.

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Each connection 39 of the coupler 9 to neighbouring carriers 8 comprises a coupler axis 21 about which the coupler 9 is pivotable relative to the carrier 8 comprising said connection 39. The carriers 8 are configured to rotate about a carrier axis 22 when being moved along curved sections 5 of the rail 3. The carrier axis 22 coincides with the coupler 5 axis 21. Neighbouring couplers 9 are connected to the same carrier 8 and share the same coupler axis 21. As shown in fig. 4, the gripper 10 is located in the middle between the two coupler axes 21 of neighbouring carriers 8.

The gripper 10 comprises a gripping member 55 for grabbing the item. The gripping member 55 comprises two gripping parts for grabbing the item between said gripping parts. 10 The gripper 10 comprises a pivot axis 56 about which the gripper 10 is pivotable for grabbing and releasing the item 100.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the driver of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1. Each of the transporters 41,42 comprise several drive protrusions 23. The drive protrusions 23 are connected to the carriers 8. More specifically, each carrier 8 comprises a drive 15 protrusion 23. It is also possible that only a part of the carriers 8 are provided with a drive protrusion 23.

The driver 7 comprises a screw-like surface 24 winded around a screw axis 25 and configured to move the transporters 41,42 along the rail by engaging and pushing the drive protrusions 23 when the screw-like surface 24 is rotated around the screw axis 25. Said 20 rotation of the screw-like surface 24 is indicated by arrow 45. The movement of the second transporter 42 is indicated by arrow 46.

The driver 7 comprises a cylindrical body 26 comprising a cylinder housing 27 and being rotatable around the longitudinal axis 28 thereof. The screw-like surface 24 is formed by a groove 29 provided in the cylinder housing 27. Said groove 29 has a screw-like form 25 winded around said longitudinal axis 28. As a result of this, the longitudinal axis 28 of the cylindrical body 26 and the screw axis 25 coincide. The rail 3 comprises a rail longitudinal axis and the screw axis 25 of the screw-like surface 24 extends substantially parallel to said rail longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis 28 of the cylindrical body 26 extends substantially parallel to said rail longitudinal axis.

30 The driver 7 may comprise several screw-like surfaces 24 positioned along the track 4 and at a distance from each other. This ensures that the transporters 41,42 are subjected to lower stress and strain.

The pitch of the screw-like surface 24 is constant. The driver 7 is configured to rotate the screw-like surface 24 in opposite directions around the screw axis 25. As a result of this, 35 the driver 7 is able to move the transporters 41,42 in opposite directions.

The drive protrusions 23 of the transporters 41,42 are directed downwards. As a result of this, the screw-like surface 24 is located under the transporters 41,42.

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Furthermore, a gripper steering 50 is provided to steer the grippers 10. The gripper steering 50 comprises a first profile 51 and a second profile 52 extending along the rail 3.

The profiles 51,52 extend parallel to the rail 3. The grippers 10 are configured to be in contact and to follow the profiles 51,52. The grippers 10 comprise first and second steering 5 members 53, 54 which are in contact and follow the profiles 51,52. The shape of the profiles 51,52 move the steering members 51,52 for steering the grippers 10. This way, the controller profiles 51,52 ensure that the grippers 10 grab an item 100 at the grabbing location 48 and release the item 10 at the releasing location 49. The behaviour of the grippers 10 is adjustable by adjusting the shape of the profiles 51,52. The profiles 51,52 10 are located in the area 11 enclosed by the endless track 4.

Figure 6 shows a further perspective view of the transfer apparatus of fig. 5. The first transporter 41 is located in the inwards curved section 5. The transporters 41,42 are configured such that the grippers 10 are directed towards a centre point 47 when positioned in said inwards curved section 5. As shown in fig. 1, in use said centre point 47 coincides 15 with the table axis 107 of the rotary table 104.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the driver of the transfer apparatus of fig. 3, wherein only part of the endless transporter 41 is shown. As shown in fig. 4, the drive protrusions 23 are directed outwards. The screw-like surface 24 is located at the side of the rail 3. The rail 3 comprises a rail longitudinal axis and the screw axis 25 of the screw-like 20 surface 24 extends substantially parallel to said rail longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis 28 of the cylindrical body 26 extends substantially parallel to said rail longitudinal axis.

The figures 8 and 9 show a perspective view of part of the transporter of the transfer apparatus of fig. 1. Each gripper 10 comprises a first protrusion 53 and a second protrusion 54.

25 Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the carrier of the transfer apparatus of fig. 3.

The figures 11-13 show a side view, a top view and a bottom view of the carrier of fig. 10, respectively. The triangle base 38 of the isosceles triangle 35 is formed by the first and second engage members 14, 15.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the coupler of the transfer apparatus of fig. 3. 30 The coupler 9 comprises a first coupling end 61 and a second coupling end 62, each to be coupled to a different one of two neighbouring carriers 8 such that the coupler 9 is pivotable relative to said carrier and about coupler axis 21. A gripper receiver 60 is provided for receiving a gripper 10.

The figure 15-17 shows a side view, top view and bottom view of the coupler of fig.

35 14, respectively.

Figure 18 and 19 show a side view and a perspective view of the carrier of fig. 10 engaging the rail, respectively. The rail 3 comprises a rail longitudinal axis 30 and the three -9- engage members 14, 15, 16 engage the rail 3 such that rotation of the carrier 8 around the rail longitudinal axis 30 is prevented. This provides stability which is specifically useful when a gripper 10 grabs or releases an item 100.

The invention further relates to a transfer apparatus or method as defined in any of 5 the following clauses.

1. Transfer apparatus (1) for transferring an item (100), comprising: a rail (3) forming a track (4); a transporter (41) which is moveable along the rail; 10 a driver (7) for moving the transporter along the rail; a gripper (10) for gripping the item and moveable by the transporter along the rail; wherein, a gripper steering (50) is provided with a first profile (51) for cooperating with a first steering member (53) provided to the gripper for opening and closing the gripper so as to 15 grab or release the item.

2. Transfer apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the track is an endless track comprising an inwards curved section (50) which in use is to be positioned adjacent to a rotary table (104) and the rail is constructed and arranged so that the gripper follows the 20 rotary table during grabbing or releasing the item.

3. Transfer apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the gripper steering is provided with a second profile (52) for cooperating with a second steering member (54) provided to the gripper for moving an item held by the gripper with respect to 25 the transporter.

4. Transfer apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the gripper is movable up and down by the second profile cooperating with the second steering member of the gripper so as to move an item held by the gripper up after grabbing the item and moving the item held 30 by the gripper down before releasing it.

5. Transfer apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the gripper comprises an extendable arm which is extendable by the second profile cooperating with the second steering member of the gripper so as to extend the arm and move an item held by the 35 gripper.

- 10- 6. Transfer apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the gripper comprises a pivoting axis (56) so as to pivot the gripper around the pivoting axis by the second profile cooperating with a second steering member of the gripper.

5 7. Transfer apparatus according to clause 6, wherein by pivoting the gripper an item held by the gripper is moveable up and down.

8. Transfer apparatus according to clause 6, wherein by pivoting the gripper an item held by the gripper is pivotable.

10 9. Transfer apparatus according to any of clauses 3 to 7, wherein the item held by the gripper is moveable by the gripper in a direction perpendicular to a rail longitudinal axis (30) of the rail (3).

15 10. Transfer apparatus according to any of the proceeding clauses, wherein the gripper comprises first and second gripper parts (55) for grabbing an item in between the first and second gripper parts.

11. Transfer apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the first and second gripper 20 parts are tiltable with respect to each other by the first steering member.

12. Transfer apparatus according to clause 10, wherein one of the first and second gripper parts is moveable with respect to another of the first and second gripper part.

25 13. Method of transferring an item comprising: moving a transporter along a track over a rail with a driver; opening a gripper moveable by the transporter along the rail by a first profile of a gripper steering cooperating with a first steering member; wherein the method comprises, grabbing the item by the gripper by 30 closing the gripper by the first profile of the rail cooperating with the first steering member.

Claims

1. Transportinrichting voor het transporteren van een item omvattende; een rail welke een eindeloze baan vormt waarlangs het item wordt 5 getransporteerd, een transporteur welke langs de rail beweegbaar is en tenminste een grijper voor het grijpen van het item omvat, een aandrijver voor het langs de rail bewegen van de transporteur, waarbij - de transporteur tenminste twee dragers welke de rail aangrijpen en zich op 10 een afstand van elkaar bevinden omvat, naast elkaar gelegen dragers aan elkaar gekoppeld zijn door een koppelaar, - tenminste een koppelaar welke tenminste een grijper draagt, - de rail een eerste vlak en een tweede vlak omvat, - elke drager een eerste aangrijporgaan en een tweede aangrijporgaan welke 15 het eerste vlak aangrijpen een derde aangrijporgaan welke het tweede vlak aangrijpt omvat, - de aangrijporganen van elke drager zodanig ten opzichte van elkaar gepositioneerd zijn dat de aangrijporganen een driehoek vormen.A transport device for transporting an item comprising; a rail which forms an endless path along which the item is transported, a conveyor which is movable along the rail and comprises at least one gripper for gripping the item, a driver for moving the conveyor along the rail, wherein - the conveyor comprises at least two carriers which engage the rail and are spaced apart, adjacent carriers are coupled to each other by a coupler, - at least one coupler carrying at least one gripper, - the rail a first surface and a second surface - each carrier comprises a first engaging member and a second engaging member which engages the first surface comprises a third engaging member which engages the second surface, - the engaging members of each carrier are positioned relative to each other such that the engaging members form a triangle.

2. Transportinrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de rail tenminste een inwaarts gekromd deel welke in gebruik aangrenzend aan een rotatietafel wordt geplaatst omvat en de rail zodanig is geconstrueerd en opgesteld dat de grijper de rotatietafel volgt.Transporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail comprises at least one inwardly curved part which in use is placed adjacent to a rotary table and the rail is constructed and arranged such that the gripper follows the rotary table.

3. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1 of 2, waarbij de grijper is ingericht voor het grijpen van het item welke zich buiten een door de baan ingesloten gebied bevindt.3. Transporting device as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the gripper is arranged for gripping the item which is outside an area enclosed by the track.

4. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 3, waarbij de 30 aangrijporganen een gelijkzijdige driehoek vormen.4. Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein the engaging members form an equilateral triangle.

5. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 4, waarbij de basis van de driehoek zich tussen het eerste en tweede aangrijporgaan uitstrekt.Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the base of the triangle extends between the first and second engaging member.

6. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-5, waarbij het eerste en tweede vlak aan tegenoverstaande zijden van de rail zijn geplaatst.Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, wherein the first and second surface are placed on opposite sides of the rail.

7. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-6, waarbij het eerste en 5 tweede aangrijporgaan zich buiten een door de eindeloze baan ingesloten gebied bevinden en het derde aangrijporgaan zich in dat gebied bevindt.7. Transporting device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein the first and second engaging member are located outside an area enclosed by the endless path and the third engaging member is located in that area.

8. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-7, waarbij de rail een raillengteas omvat en de aangrijporganen van de drager zijn ingericht om de rail 10 zodanig aan te grijpen dat rotatie van de drager om de raillengteas wordt voorkomen.8. Transporting device as claimed in any of the claims 1-7, wherein the rail comprises a rail length axis and the engaging members of the carrier are adapted to engage the rail 10 such that rotation of the carrier about the rail length axis is prevented.

9. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-8, waarbij elke drager omvat een dragerlichaam welke is verbonden met het eerste, tweede en derde 15 aangrijporgaan en een driehoekachtige vorm bevat.9. Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, wherein each carrier comprises a carrier body which is connected to the first, second and third engaging member and which has a triangular shape.

10. Transportinrichting volgens conclusie 9, waarbij de vorm van de het driehoekachtige dragerlichaam correspondeert met de driehoek gevormd door de aangrijporganen. 20The transport device of claim 9, wherein the shape of the triangular-like carrier body corresponds to the triangle formed by the engaging members. 20

11. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-10, waarbij elke verbinding van de koppelaar met naast elkaar gelegen dragers een koppelaaras omvat waar rond de koppelaar zwenkbaar is ten opzichte van de drager die genoemde verbinding omvat. 2511. Conveying device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein each connection of the coupler with adjacent carriers comprises a coupler shaft around which the coupler is pivotable relative to the carrier comprising said connection. 25

12. Transportinrichting volgens conclusie 11, waarbij de grijper zich in het midden tussen de twee koppelaarassen van naast elkaar gelegen dragers bevindt.12. Transport device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the gripper is situated midway between the two coupling axes of adjacent carriers.

13. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-12, waarbij de drager is 30 ingericht om rond een drageras te roteren wanneer de drager langs een gekromd deel van de rail wordt bewogen.13. Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-12, wherein the carrier is adapted to rotate around a carrier axis when the carrier is moved along a curved part of the rail.

14. Transportinrichting volgens conclusie 13 in combinatie met conclusie 11 of 12, waarbij de drageras samenvalt met de koppelaaras.14. Transport device as claimed in claim 13 in combination with claim 11 or 12, wherein the carrier axis coincides with the coupling axle.

15. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 11 - 14, waarbij twee naast elkaar gelegen koppelaars aan dezelfde drager zijn verbonden en dezelfde koppelas delen. 5Transporting device as claimed in any of the claims 11-14, wherein two adjacent couplers are connected to the same carrier and share the same coupling shaft. 5

16. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-15, waarbij de transporteur is gevormd door een eindeloze keten van gekoppelde dragers.Transport device according to one of claims 1-15, wherein the conveyor is formed by an endless chain of coupled carriers.

17. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1-16, waarbij de transporteur 10 zich langs de gehele rail uitstrekt.17. Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 1-16, wherein the conveyor 10 extends along the entire rail.

18. Transporteur volgens een van de conclusies 1-17, waarbij - de transporteur tenminste een aandrijfuitsteeksel omvat, - de aandrijver een schroefachtig oppervlak welke rond een schroefas is 15 gewonden omvat en ingericht is om de transporteur langs de rail te bewegen door het aangrijpen en voortduwen van het aandrijfuitsteeksel wanneer het schroefvormige oppervlak rond de schroefas wordt geroteerd.18. Conveyor as claimed in any of the claims 1-17, wherein - the conveyor comprises at least one drive projection, - the driver comprises a screw-like surface which is wound around a screw shaft and is adapted to move the conveyor along the rail by engaging and pushing the drive protrusion when the helical surface is rotated around the propeller shaft.

19. Transportinrichting volgens conclusie 18, waarbij - de aandrijver een cilindrisch lichaam omvat welke een cilinderbehuizing omvat en roteerbaar rond de cilinderlengteas daarvan is, en - het schroefachtige oppervlak wordt gevormd door een in de cilinderbehuizing voorziene groef, waarbij die groef een schroefachtige 25 vorm omvat welke om de cilinderlengteas is gewonden.19. Transporting device as claimed in claim 18, wherein - the driver comprises a cylindrical body which comprises a cylinder housing and is rotatable about its cylinder length axis, and - the screw-like surface is formed by a groove provided in the cylinder housing, said groove comprising a screw-like shape which is wound around the cylinder length axis.

20. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18 of 19, waarbij de rail een raillengteas omvat en de schroefas van het schroefachtige oppervlak zich niet hoofdzaak parallel aan die raillengteas uitstekt. 30Transporting device as claimed in any of the claims 18 or 19, wherein the rail comprises a rail length axis and the screw axis of the screw-like surface does not extend substantially parallel to said rail length axis. 30

21. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18-20, waarbij het tenminste een aandrijfuitsteeksel met de dragers verbonden is.Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 18-20, wherein the at least one drive projection is connected to the carriers.

22. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18-21, waarbij elke drager tenminste een aandrijfuitsteeksel omvat.A transport device according to any of claims 18-21, wherein each carrier comprises at least one drive protrusion.

23. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18-22, waarbij in gebruik het 5 schroefachtige oppervlak simultaan meerdere, bij voorkeur drie, aandrijfuitsteeksel aangrijpt.23. Transport device as claimed in any of the claims 18-22, wherein in use the screw-like surface simultaneously engages several, preferably three, drive projections.

24. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18-23, waarbij de aandrijver omvat meerdere schroefachtige oppervlakken welke langs de baan 10 gepositioneerd zijn en zich op een afstand van elkaar bevinden.A conveying device according to any of claims 18-23, wherein the driver comprises a plurality of screw-like surfaces positioned along the path 10 and spaced apart.

25. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 18-24, waarbij de spoed van het schroefachtige oppervlak constant is.Transport device according to any of claims 18-24, wherein the pitch of the screw-like surface is constant.

26. Transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusie 18-25, waarbij de aandrijver is ingericht om het schroefachtige oppervlak in tegenovergestelde richtingen rond de schroefas te roteren.A conveyor device according to any of claims 18-25, wherein the driver is adapted to rotate the screw-like surface around the screw axis in opposite directions.

27. Werkwijze voor het transporteren van een item met een transportinrichting 20 volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 26.27. Method for transporting an item with a transport device 20 according to one of claims 1 to 26.

28. Gebruik van een transportinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 26.Use of a transport device according to one of claims 1 to 26.