DE102015220027A1 - Device and method for removing a passport bundle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for removing at least one document bundle (10) from a bundle magazine (4), the device (1) having at least one receiving device (5) for receiving the bundle magazine (4), at least one bundle. Transport device (11) and at least means for detecting a document bundle (10) in the bundle magazine (4), wherein by means of the bundle transport means (11) a document bundle (10) from a in the receiving device (5) arranged bundle magazine (4) can be removed is.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for removing a passport bundle from a bundle magazine.

In the production of security documents, in particular in the form of passbooks, several documents can be combined to form a bundle of documents. This can be done for example by one or more bands.

Further it is necessary to send the documents after the production. For this purpose, the documents produced or the document bundles can be transported by a transport device from the production device to a packaging and / or shipping device.

Documents can be produced in so-called batches. A batch can also be called a processing unit. For example, a batch can contain over 500 documents. Accordingly, a data set, e.g. used to control the production, data on all documents of this batch.

After production, the documents grouped in bundles of documents can be arranged in bundle magazines, wherein a bundle magazine can contain more than 50 documents. The bundle magazines can serve a transport from the production device to a transfer device, wherein document bundles can be removed from the bundle magazines by the transfer device and fed to a transport device for transport to the shipping and / or packaging device. The removal of bundles of documents from these bundle magazines in order to feed the document bundles to a shipping device is usually done manually.

Thus, there is the technical problem of providing a device and a method for removing at least one document bundle from a bundle magazine, which allow a reliable, temporally fast and damage-free removal of a document bundle.

The solution of the technical problem results from the objects with the features of claims 1 and 12. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

A device for removing at least one document bundle from a bundle magazine is proposed. In particular, the document may be a book-shaped document, for example a passport book.

The bundle magazine can be box-shaped. In particular, the bundle magazine can be a box open to one side, in particular to the top. In the bundle magazine several document bundles can be arranged. Depending on the size or thickness of the document bundles, for example, more than 50 document bundles can be arranged or arranged in the bundle magazine.

A bundle of documents may comprise several documents. For example, a bundle of documents may contain up to 6 documents. However, the term document bundle does not exclude that a bundle of documents comprises only one document.

On the one hand, the device can serve for removing at least one document bundle from the bundle magazine. Furthermore, the device can be used for positioning the extracted document bundle on a transport device, in particular a conveyor belt, wherein the transport device can transport the document bundle to a further device, for example a packaging and / or shipping device. The further device may be an existing device in the manufacturing and shipping process, which follows the manufacturing device in the process.

The device comprises at least one receiving device for receiving the bundle magazine. By means of the receiving device, the bundle magazine can be arranged stationary or substantially stationary. The receiving device prevents unwanted movement of the bundle magazine during removal. Further, the receiving device may be formed such that an unwanted falling out of a document bundle is prevented from the bundle magazine. For example, the receiving device may comprise or comprise at least one cover element, wherein the cover element is arranged and / or formed such that the open side of the bundle magazine arranged in the receiving device is at least partially covered by the cover element. This prevents falling out of bundles of documents from the bundle magazine.

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one bundle transport device. The bundle transport device is used to remove a document bundle from a bundle magazine. Furthermore, the bundle transport device can serve for transporting the removed document bundle. The bundle transport device can, as explained in more detail below, in particular be designed as a gripper device or comprise a gripper device.

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one device for detecting a document bundle in the bundle magazine. By means of the device for detection can be determined in particular whether document bundles are arranged in a bundle magazine. Furthermore, a position of a topmost document bundle in the bundle magazine can be determined.

It can e.g. hereinafter referred to a reference coordinate system. The reference coordinate system may comprise three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. A vertical direction can here be oriented parallel and opposite to a direction of a gravitational force. Directional indications, such as "Top" and "bottom" may refer to this vertical direction. Further, the reference coordinate system may include a longitudinal spatial direction and a lateral spatial direction.

In the bundle magazine, e.g. several document bundles can be stacked. In other words, these document bundles form a document bundle stack. A first or in relation to the vertical direction of the lower document bundle of the stack can in this case rest on or on a support surface of the bundle magazine or rest. The bearing surface can be provided from an inner side, in particular at an end face, of a housing of the bundle magazine. The uppermost or last document bundle of the document bundle stack in the vertical direction can thus designate the document bundle, which is arranged on an end of the document bundle stack opposite this first document bundle. The means for detection advantageously allows a level detection in the bundle magazine.

The means for detecting a document bundle may be e.g. enable optical detection of the document bundle / s in the bundle magazine.

In particular, the device for detecting a document bundle may comprise a distance sensor. This distance sensor can be moved along the open side of the bundle magazine and detect a distance in a direction oriented from the distance sensor toward the bundle magazine, in particular toward a bottom side of the bundle magazine. The distance detected by means of this distance sensor is in this case for a section of the bundle magazine in which document bundles are arranged smaller than a distance in a section of the bundle magazine in which no document bundle is arranged. If the distance sensor is moved along the open side of the bundle magazine, the distance in the region of the uppermost document bundle will increase or decrease depending on the direction of movement, in particular suddenly. Depending on this change in distance, the detection, in particular the position detection, of the uppermost document bundle is possible.

Further, by means of the bundle transport device, a document bundle can be removed from a bundle magazine arranged in the receiving device. In particular, the uppermost document bundle can be removed from the bundle magazine. For this purpose, the bundle transport device can be moved over the uppermost document bundle. Furthermore, the uppermost document bundle can be attached to the bundle transport device, for example gripped by the bundle transport device. Furthermore, the bundle of documents fastened to the bundle transport device can be moved out of the bundle magazine.

The bundle transport device can in this case perform a movement along at least one, preferably along at least three mutually different, spatial direction / s. Furthermore, the bundle of documents fastened to the bundle transport device can be deposited after removal from the bundle magazine, in particular on an intermediate conveyor belt explained in more detail below or on a further transport device.

A removal position of the bundle transport device can in this case be determined as a function of the position of the uppermost document bundle in the bundle magazine. In particular, the removal position may designate the position of the bundle transport device in which the respective uppermost document bundle may be fastened to the bundle transport device. For example, the removal position can be determined such that the bundle transport device can be positioned above the uppermost document bundle. The position of the uppermost document bundle can be determined by means of the detection device.

This results in an advantageous manner a reliable and timely removal of document bundles from the bundle magazine.

In a further embodiment, the device has at least one device for detecting an empty state of the bundle magazine.

This means for detecting the empty state may be different from the means for detecting a document bundle. However, the device for detecting the document bundle can also form the device for detecting the empty state. For example, an empty state can be detected if the means for detecting a document bundle does not detect a document bundle in the bundle magazine.

Preferably, however, the device for detecting an empty state of the bundle magazine is different from the device for detecting the document bundle. In this case, the means for detecting an empty state may be an apparatus for optically detecting the empty state. For example, the means for detecting the empty state may be formed as a light barrier or comprise elements of a light barrier. This can be arranged such that a light beam of the light barrier is interrupted when at least one document bundle is located in a bundle magazine, which is arranged in a receiving device of the device. The light barrier is thus not interrupted when in the bundle magazine no document bundle is arranged.

It is conceivable that a bundle magazine, in particular on end faces, has recesses or openings for the light beam of the light barrier.

If an empty state of the bundle magazine detected, so an empty state signal can be generated. Depending on the empty state signal, for example, an operator of the device can be informed that the corresponding bundle magazine is empty. This information can be generated, for example, optically or acoustically.

This results in an advantageous manner, an improved operation of the device, since an operator an empty state can be notified promptly.

In a further embodiment, the bundle magazine can be received edgewise in the receiving device. In this case, one end face of the bundle magazine rest on a bearing surface of the device. The support surface may hereby be oriented orthogonal to the vertical direction. In this state, a bundle of documents arranged in the bundle magazine may be stacked along the vertical direction.

In this case, by means of the bundle transport device in each case the uppermost document bundle in the vertical direction can be removed from the bundle magazine. If the bundle magazine is arranged edgewise in the receiving device, then the bundle magazine is open to one side and not upwards. Falling out of document bundles can, as previously explained, be prevented by at least one cover. Here, the cover can be arranged and / or formed such that the open side of the arranged in the receiving device bundle magazine is partially covered.

If the bundle magazine is arranged edgewise in the receiving device, then it results in an advantageous manner that the uppermost document bundle can be gripped in a simple manner in the region of the front or rear side of the document bundle by the bundle transport device. This means that there is a large contact area for establishing mechanical contact between the bundle transport device and the document bundle. As a result, the reliability of the removal is increased in an advantageous manner.

In a further embodiment, the bundle transport device comprises at least one gripper device. The gripper device may in particular be a vacuum gripper device. As a result, a document bundle can be attached to the bundle transport device by generating a corresponding vacuum. The gripper device may comprise, for example, at least one, preferably several, in particular up to four, Venturi nozzles.

Furthermore, the bundle transport device may comprise at least one adjusting device, wherein by means of the adjusting device, the at least one gripper device is movable along the at least one, preferably along the previously explained three, spatial direction (s). The adjusting device can be designed, in particular, as an x / y / z adjusting device.

For example, the adjusting device may comprise guide elements for linear guidance of movable parts of the bundle transport device. In this case, the bundle transport device may comprise at least one guide element for guiding and moving the gripper device along a vertical direction. This can also be referred to as a vertical guide element. Furthermore, the bundle transport device may comprise at least one guide element for guiding the movement of the vertical guide element. This guide element can be, for example, a guide element for guiding the movement along a longitudinal direction, that is to say a longitudinal guide element, and / or a guide element for guiding the movement along a lateral direction, that is to say a lateral guide element. For example, the movement of the vertical guide element can be guided by a lateral guide element, wherein the movement of the lateral Guiding element is guided by a longitudinal guide element.

The longitudinal guide element and the lateral guide element can in this case be arranged in the vertical direction over the vertical guide element. This results in an advantageous manner, a space-saving design of the bundle transport device.

In a further embodiment, at least one element of the device for detecting a document bundle is arranged on a movable part of the bundle transport device, in particular on the gripper device. In particular, the previously explained distance sensor can be arranged on the movable part.

Thus, the distance sensor can be moved along the open side of the bundle magazine by means of the bundle transport means. In particular, the distance sensor can be moved along the vertical direction.

This results in an advantageous manner that a space for the proposed device is reduced.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises at least one device for orientation determination of a document bundle removed from the bundle magazine. The removed document bundle can in particular be a document bundle fastened to the transport device or a bundle of documents gripped by the bundle transport device. As explained in more detail below, the removed document bundle can also be a document bundle arranged on an intermediate conveyor belt. In this case, the orientation determination device can also determine the orientation of a document bundle arranged on the intermediate conveyor belt. The orientation can be determined here in a reference coordinate system.

It may be necessary or desired to feed a bundle of documents in a desired orientation to another device, in particular the packaging and / or shipping device explained above. For example, it may be desired that a spine of a lowermost document of a document bundle is oriented in a desired direction. Thus, it may be desirable to move a document bundle removed from the bundle magazine into a desired orientation.

In particular, an orientation of a lowermost document in the extracted document bundle can be determined by means of the orientation determination device.

For example, the removed document bundle can be rotated to the desired position if the detected orientation deviates from the desired orientation.

The orientation determination device may in particular comprise an image capture device. Furthermore, the device for orientation determination may comprise an evaluation device. By means of the image capture device, the removed document bundle can be imaged. Furthermore, an orientation of the document bundle, in particular the lowest document in the document bundle, can be determined image-based.

By way of example, the image capture device can be arranged and / or designed such that it images either a spine side or a book front side opposite the spine side of a document bundle arranged in the detection region of the image capture device or a lowermost document of the document bundle.

This results in an advantageous manner a reliable and timely determination of the orientation.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a device for changing an orientation of a document bundle removed from the bundle magazine. The device for changing the orientation can hereby set an orientation of the document bundle. For example, the device can rotate the extracted document bundle, in particular about an axis of rotation which is oriented perpendicular to an upper or lower side of the withdrawn document bundle.

It is possible that the bundle transport means forms the means for changing the orientation. In this case, for example, the previously described gripper device can be rotated. For example, the gripper device can be rotated about at least one axis of rotation, which is oriented parallel to one of the previously explained spatial directions.

Preferably, however, the means for varying the orientation is formed as a device different from the bundle transport means. By means of the device for changing the orientation, the orientation of the document bundle can be set such that it corresponds to a desired orientation. In particular, a bottom document in the Document bundles are rotated in a desired orientation.

This results in an advantageous manner an improved supply of the removed document bundle to following in the process chain facilities, in particular the previously explained packaging and / or shipping device.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a conversion device. The transfer device may in this case comprise a further gripper device. Furthermore, the conversion device may comprise a further adjusting device. A movable part of the transfer device can, for example, be movable along at least one, preferably along two, spatial direction (s). Furthermore, a movable part of the conversion device can be rotatable, in particular about an axis of rotation which is oriented parallel to the vertical direction.

Preferably, a movable part of the conversion device is movable along the previously explained vertical spatial direction and along the previously described lateral spatial direction.

The conversion device can in this case form the device for changing the orientation.

The further gripper device can likewise be a vacuum gripper device. This may, according to the preceding explanations, also comprise at least one, preferably up to four Venturi nozzles. Further, by means of the further gripper device a removed document bundle can be fastened to the transfer device.

In this case, the conversion device can be designed as a device that is different from the bundle transport device. In particular, a document bundle removed from the bundle transport device and then deposited again can be confirmed or gripped by means of the transfer device, wherein the document bundle then attached to the transfer device can be further transported by means of the transfer device and possibly rotated. In particular, the conversion device serves to transport a document bundle deposited on an intermediate conveyor belt to a further conveyor belt, which feeds the document bundle to a device following in the process chain, for example the packaging and / or shipping device. Before, during or after transport from the intermediate conveyor belt to the further conveyor belt, the document bundle gripped by the transfer device can be rotated. This advantageously makes it possible for the document bundle to be deposited with a desired orientation on the further conveyor belt. The further conveyor belt can also be referred to as a final conveyor belt.

For example, the conversion device can be controlled as a function of the orientation of the document bundle determined by the orientation determination device.

The conversion device advantageously enables a supply to devices following in the process chain with a desired clock rate.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises an intermediate conveyor belt. In this case, the document bundle removed from the bundle magazine by the bundle transporting device can be deposited on the intermediate conveyor belt. Furthermore, the filed document bundle can be transported by the intermediate conveyor belt into a transfer position. In the transfer position, an orientation of the withdrawn document bundle can be determined by the orientation determination device. Then the document bundle can be transported from the transfer device from the transfer position to the further conveyor belt and deposited on this further conveyor belt. During transport to the further conveyor belt, an orientation of the document bundle can be changed such that the document bundle has a desired orientation when it is deposited on the further conveyor belt.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a device for detecting an occupancy state of a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may in particular be the intermediate conveyor belt or the final conveyor belt explained above. In this case, a document bundle removed from the bundle magazine can only be arranged on the conveyor belt if it is not occupied. Accordingly, a document bundle removed from the bundle magazine is not arranged on the conveyor belt when it is occupied. By means of the device for detecting an occupation state, it can be detected whether a predetermined deposition section is occupied in the region of the conveyor belt, in particular by another document bundle.

This results in an advantageous manner that document bundles can be reliably fed to a subsequent device in the process chain.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises at least one illumination device, wherein light can be generated in different spectral ranges by means of the illumination device is. The light generated by the illumination device can be generated state-dependent.

In this case, different states, in particular operating states, of the device can be assigned to different spectral ranges. For example, a normal operating state may be assigned a first spectral range. A reference travel operating state can be assigned to a further spectral range. An opened state of the device can be assigned to a further spectral range. An error state of the device can be assigned to a further spectral range.

The device may in this case comprise a housing, wherein at least the bundle transport device, the receiving device and the device for detecting a document bundle are arranged in an inner volume of the housing. For the arrangement of a bundle magazine in a receiving device, it may be necessary to open the housing. For this purpose, the housing may have doors. The housing may be at least partially formed by transparent elements, in particular slices.

A spectral range which is associated with the normal operation can be selected in particular in such a way that an image evaluation for the device for determining an orientation of a document bundle is simplified. For example, the spectral range can be selected in such a way that a picture with high contrasts takes place.

The illumination device can be designed in particular as a so-called RGB bar.

This results in an advantageous manner that an operator different states of the device can be visually displayed. The illumination device can in particular provide a backlight in the housing. In this case, a detection range of the image capture device can also be illuminated. It also results in an advantageous manner that in a normal operation, a particular image-based determination of the orientation of the document bundle is simplified.

The device may comprise at least one control and evaluation device. This can in particular comprise at least one microcontroller. By means of the control and evaluation device, in particular the bundle transport device, the device for changing the orientation and the intermediate and final conveyor belt can be controlled. Furthermore, by means of the at least one control and evaluation device output signals of the device for detecting a document bundle, the device for detecting an empty state, the device for orientation determination and the device for detecting an occupancy state can be evaluated. Also, the control and evaluation can form part of these facilities.

Further proposed is a method for removing at least one document bundle from a bundle magazine. In this case, the method can be carried out by means of a device according to an embodiment described in this disclosure. Thus, the device is designed such that a method according to one of the embodiments described in this disclosure by means of the device is feasible.

In the method, a document bundle is detected in a bundle magazine, wherein the bundle magazine is arranged in a receiving device for receiving the bundle magazine. In particular, as explained above, the uppermost document bundle can be detected in a bundle of documents. Furthermore, a position of the uppermost document bundle can be determined. Furthermore, the detected document bundle is removed from the bundle magazine by means of a bundle transport device.

For example, the uppermost document bundle may be detected by moving a distance sensor along an open side of the bundle magazine, the distance sensor sensing a distance in a direction oriented from the open side toward a bottom surface of the bundle magazine. This has been explained previously. Furthermore, the bundle transport device can be arranged above the uppermost document bundle. Furthermore, the uppermost document bundle can be fastened to the bundle transport device. For example, for this purpose a gripper device of the bundle transport device can grip the uppermost document bundle. If the gripper device is a vacuum gripper device, a vacuum can be generated for gripping the uppermost document bundle, by means of which the document bundle is fastened to the bundle transport device. After that, the bundle transport device can remove the document bundle gripped in this way from the bundle magazine. For this purpose, the bundle transport device, in particular a movable part, perform a corresponding movement. This results in an advantageous manner a reliable removal of a document bundle from the bundle magazine.

In a further embodiment, the removed document bundle is deposited on an intermediate conveyor belt. Furthermore, the stored document bundle can be moved by the intermediate conveyor belt into a transfer position. In the transfer position, the document bundle can be arranged in a transfer section of the intermediate conveyor belt. This results in an advantageous manner that the extracted document bundle can be moved quickly out of a range of the bundle magazine in order to change, for example, an orientation of the document bundle before being fed to downstream devices in the process chain.

In a further embodiment, the document bundle is transported by a transfer device from the intermediate conveyor belt to an end conveyor belt. The transport from the intermediate conveyor belt to the final conveyor belt can only take place here if a storage section of the final conveyor belt is not occupied. Before, during or after transport onto the final conveyor belt, an orientation of the document bundle can be changed, for example by means of the conversion device. The resulting benefits have been explained above.

In a further embodiment, a current orientation of a withdrawn document bundle is determined. Furthermore, a desired orientation of the document bundle is set if the current orientation of the document bundle deviates from the desired orientation. This has been explained previously. In particular, the orientation can be determined when the document bundle is in the transfer section of the intermediate conveyor belt. The resulting benefits have been explained above.

In a further embodiment, a spectral range of an illumination of the device, in particular a backlight, is changed. The spectral range can be changed depending on the state. The spectral range here denotes a spectral range of light which can be generated by means of a lighting device of the device. In this case, light can be generated from a blue spectral range in a normal operating state of the device.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. The figures show:

1 a schematic plan view of a device according to the invention,

2 a perspective view of a bundle magazine and

3 a schematic longitudinal section through a device according to the invention.

Hereinafter, like reference numerals designate elements having the same or similar technical features.

In 1 is a schematic plan view of a device according to the invention 1 shown. This includes a housing 2 , At least a part of a housing wall can be made of transparent, ie translucent, material. The housing 2 has doors 3 on. In an open state of the doors 3 can bundle magazines 4 in reception facilities 5 for these bundle magazines 4 be introduced or arranged therein. Here are the bundle magazines 4 upright in the recording devices 5 arranged. This means that an outer face 6 (please refer 2 ) on a base plate 7 the recording devices 4 is arranged. Thus, an open page 9 of the bundle magazine 4 (please refer 2 ) oriented to the side and the edgewise arranged bundle magazine 4 opened to the side.

It is further shown that the receiving devices 5 diaphragm elements 8th include. These include a bundle magazine 4 in the upright state arranged such that an open side 9 (please refer 2 ) of the bundle magazine 4 partly from the aperture elements 8th is covered. This advantageously prevents document bundles 10 (please refer 2 ) in the upright state from the bundle magazine 4 can fall out.

The device 1 further comprises a bundle transport device 11 , The bundle transport device 11 in this case comprises adjustment devices, not shown, with which a gripper device 12 along a longitudinal spatial direction x, a lateral spatial direction y and a vertical spatial direction z (see FIG 3 ) can be moved. The spatial directions x, y, z are each oriented orthogonal to one another and form a Cartesian coordinate system. This coordinate system can form a reference coordinate system. The gripper device 12 is designed as a vacuum gripper device and has, for example, four Venturi nozzles. On or at the gripper device 12 is a distance sensor 13 arranged. The distance sensor 13 in this case forms a device for detecting a document bundle 10 in the bundle magazine 4 or part of such a facility. By means of the transport device 11 can the distance sensor 13 in a detection step along the vertical spatial direction z at the open side 9 a bundle magazine 4 to be moved along. In this case, the distance sensor detects 13 a distance along the lateral spatial direction y to an object which is closest in this lateral spatial direction y.

The aperture elements 8th are arranged such that between two aperture elements 8th a recording device 4 a slot 14 is trained. The distance sensor 13 this is in front of the slot 14 along or along the slot 14 emotional. Through the slots 14 becomes an optical distance detection by the aperture elements 8th through it.

Will the distance sensor 13 along an area of the bundle magazine 4 moves in the document bundle 10 are arranged, the distance from the sensor 13 detected distance smaller than in an area of the bundle magazine 4 in which no document bundle 10 are arranged. In the area of the bundle magazine 4 in which no document bundle 10 are arranged, the distance sensor detects 13 a distance of a base page 15 of the bundle magazine 4 from the distance sensor 13 ,

So is the distance sensor 13 along the vertical spatial direction z moves to a position which is higher than the top of the uppermost document bundle 10 which is in the corresponding bundle magazine 4 is arranged, the detected distance, in particular jump, increase. If this increase in distance is detected, then a position of the uppermost document bundle 10 in the bundle magazine 4 be determined, in particular depending on the spatial position of the gripper device 12 , This can also be called a detection step. Depending on this position of the topmost document bundle 10 then can the bundle transport device 11 be controlled so that the gripper device 12 over the top of the topmost document bundle 10 is positioned and the topmost document bundle 10 can suck.

By suction, the uppermost document bundle 10 at the gripper device 12 attached. After that, the bundle transport device 11 be controlled so that the document bundle 10 from the bundle magazine 4 taken and on an intermediate conveyor belt 16 is arranged. This can also be referred to as a removal section. The intermediate conveyor belt 16 is movable along the longitudinal spatial direction x. The removed and on the intermediate conveyor belt 16 filed document bundles 10 can from the intermediate conveyor belt 16 into a transfer area or transfer section 17 be transported. After the filing of the document bundle 10 on the intermediate conveyor belt 16 a next detection step and a next extraction step can be performed.

The device 1 further comprises an image capture device 18 , By means of the image capture device 18 is an image of one in the transfer area 17 arranged document bundle 10 produced. This image can then be from an evaluation device, such as a control and evaluation 19 , be evaluated. A document bundle 10 can use several individual documents 20 include (see 2 ). Is such a single document 20 formed as a passport book, so has such a passport book spine page. The extracted document bundle 10 is in this case on the intermediate conveyor belt 16 arranged that either a spine side of a lowest individual document 20 of the document bundle 10 or the spine side of the single document 20 opposite book front of the image capture device 18 is facing.

By means of appropriate image evaluation methods, for example, contrast-based, it can be determined whether the image capture device 18 the spine side or the book spine side opposite book front page of a selected individual document 20 of a document bundle 10 , in particular the lowest individual document 20 , facing. This allows an orientation of the document bundle 10 are determined, in particular in the reference coordinate system formed by the spatial directions x, y, z.

For example, it may be desirable to have a document bundle removed 10 such on a final conveyor belt 21 arrange a spine page of the lowest single document 20 at a front side of the document bundle along the lateral spatial direction y 10 on the final conveyor belt 21 forms.

Is detected, for example, that the spine side of the bottom single document 20 in the transfer area 17 the image capture device 18 is facing, so is a twist of the document bundle 10 180 ° about an axis of rotation parallel to the vertical spatial direction z, necessary to the document bundle 10 with the desired orientation on the end conveyor belt 21 store.

The device 1 further comprises a conversion device 22 , This conversion device 22 comprises a further gripper device 23 , which can also be designed as a vacuum gripper device. Furthermore, the conversion device comprises 22 not shown adjustment means by which the further gripper device 23 along the lateral spatial direction y and along the vertical spatial direction z, but not along the longitudinal spatial direction x, can be moved. Next, by means of adjusting the gripper device 23 be rotated about an axis of rotation, which is oriented parallel to the vertical spatial direction z.

By means of the further gripper device 23 can one in the transfer area 17 of the intermediate conveyor belt 16 arranged document bundle 10 be sucked. Then the document bundle 10 from the conversion device 22 in a storage area 24 of the final conveyor belt 21 be filed. Here, the sucked document bundle 10 during transport from the transfer area 17 in the storage area 24 be twisted, in particular by 180 °. The twisting can, as previously explained, occur when the document bundle 10 in the transfer area 17 does not have the desired orientation.

Furthermore, the device comprises 1 An institution 25 for detecting an occupancy state of the storage area 24 of the final conveyor belt 21 , Is in this storage area 24 already a document bundle 10 arranged, so no further document bundle 10 by means of the conversion device 22 transported to the storage area. The device 25 for detection of an occupancy state, for example, may be formed as a distance sensor or comprise a distance sensor. This may be a distance between the distance sensor in a direction towards a surface of the end conveyor belt 21 to capture. If this distance is less than a predetermined threshold, it can be detected that the storage section is occupied.

The final conveyor belt 21 this can be a document bundle arranged thereon 10 along the longitudinal spatial direction x transport. The final conveyor belt 21 serves in particular the supply of the document bundle 10 to further downstream in the process chain facilities, such as a packaging and / or shipping facility.

Furthermore, the device comprises a display device 30 , By means of the display device desired information can be displayed to an operator. For example, the number of document bundles already removed 10 are displayed. Further, as explained in more detail below, an empty state can be displayed.

In 2 is a perspective view of a bundle magazine 4 shown. In the document bundle 4 here are three document bundles 10 arranged, each containing several individual documents 20 include. For the sake of clarity, this is only a single document 20 provided with a reference numeral. The bundle magazine 4 is box-shaped and has an open side 9 on. Further illustrated are an end face 6 and a bottom side 15 of the bundle magazine 4 , At upper edges of the end faces, the bundle magazine has recesses 26 on. These serve, as explained in more detail below, a detection of an empty state of a bundle magazine 4 ,

The document bundles 10 can do this by up to six individual documents 20 are formed, which are summarized for example by one or more band / n, in particular a Kreuzbanderole.

In 3 is a schematic longitudinal section through a device according to the invention 1 shown. Schematically represented are the recording devices 5 for bundle magazines 4 , In 3 is shown that only in three of the recording devices 5 bundle Magazine 4 are arranged. Next is shown that only in two of the bundle magazines 4 documents bundle 10 are arranged.

It is further shown that the aperture elements 8th are arranged and designed such that they have a slot 14 form, by which a distance from the distance sensor 13 towards the bottom side 15 the upright arranged bundle magazines 4 (please refer 1 ) can be detected. It is further shown that the aperture elements 8th not along the entire height and width of an upright bundle magazine 4 extend. Thus, the open side 9 a bundle magazine not along the entire height and the entire width through the aperture elements 8th covered.

Also shown is the intermediate conveyor belt 16 (see also 1 ). Also shown are light emitter / receiver 27 and reflectors 28 that form a photocell. Along a vertical spatial direction z are the light emitter / receiver 27 over the reception facilities 5 arranged. The reflectors 28 are along the vertical spatial direction z under the receiving devices 5 arranged. One of a light emitter / receivers 27 emitted light beam is only from that this light emitter / receiver 27 associated reflector 28 reflected when in the receiving device 5 no or empty bundle magazine 4 is arranged. Is an empty bundle magazine 4 in the receiving device 5 arranged so radiates from the light emitter / receiver 27 emitted light beam through the recesses 26 at the upper edges of the front side 6 of the bundle magazine (see 2 ). Is one with at least one document bundle 10 filled bundle magazine 4 in the receiving device 5 arranged, that of the light transmitter / receiver 27 emitted light beam not from the reflector 28 reflected.

Will a reflected light beam through the light transmitter / receiver 27 detected, an empty state signal can be generated, which encodes that in the receiving device 5 no or an empty bundle magazine is arranged. Depending on this empty state signal, for example, an operator of the device 1 be informed, for example, acoustically or visually. The information can, for example, via the display device 30 respectively.

Also shown is a lighting device 29 which provides a backlight of an internal volume of the housing 2 (please refer 1 ). A spectral range of the of the illumination device 29 emitted light can be changed here. In particular, the spectral range can be changed state-dependent. For example, in a normal operation blue light from the illumination device 29 be generated. This blue light can, in particular, be a high-contrast image of one in the transfer area 17 (please refer 1 ) arranged document bundle 10 through the image capture device 18 enable.

Further, for example, white light through the illumination device 29 be generated when a door 3 of the housing 2 is open. Furthermore, yellow light can be generated if a reference travel of the bundle transport device 11 and / or the conversion device 22 is carried out. For example, red light can be generated in the event of an error.

The proposed device 1 can advantageously on the final conveyor belt 21 be put on. This means that existing equipment with the proposed device 1 can be retrofitted for removal. It is not necessary to use an already existing conveyor belt 21 to modify the supply of document bundles to other facilities.

Further elements of the device 1 , For example, electronic, pneumatic and other elements, this can be on or on an upper side of the housing 2 to be ordered.

This advantageously results in a simple retrofitting of existing systems.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

casing

3

door

4

bundle Magazine

5

recording device

6

front

7

floor area

8th

diaphragm element

9

open side

10

documents bundle

11

Bunch transport means

12

Gripper device

13

distance sensor

14

slot

15

bottom side

16

Between the conveyor belt

17

Transfer area

18

Image capture device

19

Control and evaluation device

20

Single document

21

Endtransportband

22

Transcriber

23

further gripper device

24

storage area

25

Device for detecting an occupancy state

26

recess

27

photocell

28

reflector

29

lighting device

30

display

x

longitudinal spatial direction

y

lateral spatial direction

z

vertical spatial direction

Claims (16)

Device for extracting at least one document bundle ( 10 ) from a bundle magazine ( 4 ), the device ( 1 ) at least one receiving device ( 5 ) for receiving the bundle magazine, at least one bundle transport device ( 11 ) and at least one device for detecting a document bundle ( 10 ) in the bundle magazine ( 4 ), wherein by means of the bundle transport device a document bundle ( 10 ) from one in the receiving device ( 5 ) arranged bundle magazine ( 4 ) is removable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) at least one device for detecting an empty state of the bundle magazine ( 4 ) having. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bundle magazine ( 4 ) upright in the receiving device ( 5 ) is receivable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bundle transport device ( 11 ) at least one gripper device ( 12 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one element of the device for detecting a document bundle ( 10 ) at a movable part of the bundle transport device ( 11 ) is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) at least one device for orientation determination of a bundle magazine ( 4 ) extracted document bundle ( 10 ) having. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) means for changing an orientation of one of the bundle magazine ( 4 ) extracted document bundle ( 10 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) a conversion device ( 22 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises an intermediate conveyor belt ( 16 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) means for detecting an occupancy state of a conveyor belt ( 16 . 21 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) at least one illumination device ( 29 ), wherein by means of the illumination device ( 29 ) Light in different spectral ranges can be generated. Method for extracting at least one document bundle ( 10 ) from a bundle magazine ( 4 ), whereby a document bundle ( 10 ) in a bundle magazine ( 4 ) is detected, wherein the bundle magazine ( 4 ) in a receiving device ( 5 ) for receiving the bundle magazine ( 4 ), wherein a detected document bundle ( 10 ) by means of a bundle transport device ( 11 ) from the bundle magazine ( 4 ) is taken. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the extracted document bundle ( 10 ) on an intermediate conveyor belt ( 16 ) is stored. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the document bundle ( 10 ) from a converting device ( 22 ) from the intermediate conveyor belt ( 16 ) on a final conveyor belt ( 21 ) is transported. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a current orientation of a withdrawn document bundle ( 10 ), whereby a desired orientation of the document bundle ( 10 ), if the current orientation of the document bundle ( 10 ) deviates from the desired orientation. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that a spectral range of illumination of the device ( 1 ) is changed.

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