EP0057810B1 - Device for feeding detached pieces of flat material - Google Patents

Device for feeding detached pieces of flat material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0057810B1
EP0057810B1 EP82100057A EP82100057A EP0057810B1 EP 0057810 B1 EP0057810 B1 EP 0057810B1 EP 82100057 A EP82100057 A EP 82100057A EP 82100057 A EP82100057 A EP 82100057A EP 0057810 B1 EP0057810 B1 EP 0057810B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveying
feed mechanism
conveyor
sensor
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP82100057A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0057810A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Haug
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Frama AG
Original Assignee
Frama AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frama AG filed Critical Frama AG
Priority to AT82100057T priority Critical patent/ATE12755T1/en
Publication of EP0057810A1 publication Critical patent/EP0057810A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0057810B1 publication Critical patent/EP0057810B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/063—Rollers or like rotary separators separating from the bottom of pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/02—Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M5/00—Devices for closing envelopes
    • B43M5/04—Devices for closing envelopes automatic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/68—Reducing the speed of articles as they advance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/18—Modifying or stopping actuation of separators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/51—Presence
    • B65H2511/514—Particular portion of element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/20—Acceleration or deceleration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/50—Timing
    • B65H2513/512—Starting; Stopping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a feed device for individual flat pieces of material from a stacking space to a subsequently arranged device for the individual treatment of the pieces of material, in particular for feeding envelopes to a franking machine, a conveyor track beginning in the stacking space and a retaining device for passing through each of them on the outlet side of the stacking space only a single piece of material is present, the conveyor track has at least two conveyor sections and there is an electrical connection between the subsequently arranged device and the feed device.
  • a feed device of this type is known in which the conveyance is interrupted intermittently by means of a cam control in order to adapt to the intermittent operation of the franking machine.
  • This mechanical control of the feed device makes it impossible to easily adapt to different lengths of work cycles of the franking machine, which result from envelopes of different lengths when franking.
  • the lack of adaptation means that franking is not always possible in the same place of different envelopes and double franking can occur even with particularly long envelopes, since the intermittent deactivation of the funding must be adapted to the smallest possible envelope.
  • the first conveyor section of this known feed device is located below the stacking space and extends into the effective range of the retention device.
  • this first conveyor section conveys the bottom envelope of a stack beyond the retention device, this can be pulled by frictional contact with an envelope lying above it, so that two or more envelopes in an overlapping arrangement simultaneously pass through the feed device, get into the subsequent franking machine and are incorrectly franked The result is.
  • the invention has for its object to improve a feed device of the type mentioned so that a uniform, controlled supply of pieces of material to a subsequently arranged device and thus its proper function is guaranteed.
  • a feed device of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed, which is characterized by two conveyor lines with drives which are independent of one another, the first conveyor line being limited to the stacking space, the second conveyor line beginning at the retaining device and a first sensor being arranged in the conveyor path , which generates a signal for switching off the drive of the first conveyor line when passing the front edge of a piece of material.
  • the feed device can advantageously be designed such that the first sensor, when passing the rear edge of the material piece, receives a signal for reducing the conveying speed generated the second conveyor line, and that a second sensor is provided, which is arranged in the conveyor path at a distance behind the first sensor and when passing the rear edge of the piece of material, a signal to switch off the conveyance of the second conveyor line and to switch on individual treatment of the subsequently arranged device generated.
  • this device After this device has carried out a single treatment, it returns a signal to the feed device by means of a known electrical connection to the feed device, by means of which the feed device starts the conveyance again. In this way it is achieved that the conveying speed of the feed device is exactly matched to the working speed of the subsequently arranged device and that it can work continuously intermittently.
  • a pressure roller driven by the drive of this conveyor line is provided at the end of the second conveyor line, which extends into the region of the subsequently arranged intermittently operating device, so that it is still in contact with the piece of material when this is already conveyed by the conveyor of this subsequently arranged device and the drive of the second conveyor section is switched off.
  • the pressure roller initially contributing to the conveyance then serves as a brake, so that further movement of the piece of material after the conveyance is switched off is prevented by inertial forces.
  • the drawing shows a schematic representation of a partially sectioned side view of a feed device 2 for envelopes, which is coupled to a franking machine 4.
  • connection between the feed device 2 and the franking machine 4 is made mechanically by means of a plug pin 6 running transversely to the conveying direction and electrically by means of an electrical plug connection 8. Since both plug parts of the plug connection 8 are firmly connected to the franking machine or the feed device, the electrical contact results Simultaneously with the establishment of the mechanical connection, in that the plug pin 6 ensures precise alignment and guidance until a latching takes place by means of a pawl 12 engaging in the plug pin 6.
  • the latching mechanism and the electrical connector part associated with the feed device are located in a common flat housing 14 at a distance below the table top 16 of the feed device 2. This distance gives a gap which serves to accommodate the laterally projecting table top 18 of the franking machine 4.
  • a part 19 of the lower wall of the flat housing 14 is pivotable about an axis 20 against the force of a tension spring 22.
  • the pawl 12 is fixedly connected to the wall part 19, so that the tension spring 22 holds the pawl 12 in engagement with a notch of the plug pin 6 which projects laterally from the housing wall 24 of the franking machine.
  • the coupling and detaching of the feed device 2 is very simple and fast possible by this advantageous latching device, since when the housing part 14 of the feeding device 2 protruding in the conveying direction is gripped, the fingertips of the left hand pivot the wall part 19 so that the latch is released and the decoupling can be done by lateral displacement of the feeder relative to the franking machine. Consequently, it is possible to use the franking machine both with and without a feed device.
  • a working cycle is triggered by a mechanical contact 26 which is located at the beginning of the table top 18 of the franking machine.
  • An envelope is placed on the table top 18 transversely to the conveying direction of the franking machine in such a way that it abuts the edge 28 of the table top at which the mechanical contact 26 is located.
  • the position of the mechanical contact 26 thus determines the starting position of an envelope when a franking machine work cycle has expired.
  • the feed movement takes place in the same direction instead of transversely to the conveying path of the franking machine, and the mechanical contact 26 cannot serve to trigger a working cycle of the franking machine 4.
  • the feed device therefore has a sensor 30, for. B. a photocell, which is approximately - based on the conveyor line - arranged in the same place as the mechanical contact 26 of the franking machine.
  • the conveyance of the feed device In order to prevent another envelope from being conveyed immediately before a work cycle of the postage meter machine has ended, the conveyance of the feed device must be interrupted if a work cycle of the postage meter machine 4 has been triggered by the sensor 30. Furthermore is. it is necessary for the reliable functioning of the franking machine that the supplied envelope comes to a standstill or at least is delayed at the beginning of the franking machine, since the subsequent conveying is to be carried out solely by the conveying device of the franking machine, unaffected by a kinetic energy which the envelope received in the feeding device .
  • a further sensor 32 is arranged in front of the sensor 30 on the conveying path of the feed device, which is referred to below as the first sensor, since it is first reached by the envelopes.
  • This first sensor emits a signal for slowing down the conveying speed, so that a standstill at an exactly predetermined point is possible after passing through the second sensor 30.
  • the first sensor 32 can advantageously also serve to switch off the drive M i of a first conveyor section 34 of the feed device 2 when the front edge of an envelope reaches it. This will surely prevent the bottom envelope of a stack of empty or filled envelopes, which is already in conveying contact with the lock roller 38, from being drawn into the stacking space 36 by frictional contact with the envelope lying above it. This frictional contact is greater, the higher the stack in the stacking space 36, whereby unevenness on the envelope could also cause it to be carried away.
  • the conveying members 39-41 of the first conveying section 34 can be switched off independently in various ways.
  • the feed device has two independently operating drive motors M i for the first conveying path and M 2 for the conveying path adjoining in the conveying direction.
  • the first conveyor section 34 is therefore switched off electrically by switching off the motor M i on the basis of a pulse from the sensor 32.
  • the drive connection between the motor M i and the drive rollers 39-41 is indicated schematically in the drawing by a chain line 42 and can be, for example, by a slip-free gear transmission.
  • the shafts of the motors M 1 , M 2 and the various drive rollers extend through the side housing wall 44 which is visible in the drawing and are mounted in it, so that the gears for the drive transmission are, for example, on the other side of the housing wall than the drive rollers.
  • the second bearing point of the rollers is located in a second wall, not visible in the drawing, which is fastened parallel to the housing wall 44 below the conveyor table plate 16.
  • the second conveyor line with the drive motor M z has four driven conveyor rollers 38, 45, 46 and 47, of which two rollers 46, 47 are arranged as pressure rollers above the conveyor table plate 16.
  • the drive connection from the motor M 2 to the rollers is also schematically indicated by a chain line 48.
  • the drive connection from motor Mz to the rollers arranged below the table top 16 takes place without gears via gearwheels, while the further drive connection to the rollers 46, 47 arranged above the table top 16 takes place starting from the roller 45 by means of endless drive belts, of which the drive belt 50 is between the rollers 46, 47 is visible in the drawing.
  • the drive belts allow slippage when overloaded, so they are preferable for safety reasons.
  • the stacking space 36 has a storage wall 52 in the conveying direction transverse to it, the lower edge 54 of which is located at a distance from the slightly inclined conveyor table plate 16, so that only the lower envelopes of a higher stack can move in the conveying direction to the retaining apron 56.
  • the restraint apron is made of a flexible material, e.g. B. made of rubber, and lies with a part on the top of the lock roller 38, which can be additionally pressed elastically to the roller 38 by means of a pressure plate 60 loaded by a spring 58.
  • the pressure plate 60 lies loosely on the bent apron part. In order to prevent the pressure plate 60 from sliding off this apron part, it has a bead 62 at its free end.
  • the width of the retaining apron 56 is, for example, 50 mm, and it is located, for example, at a distance of 8 mm from the housing wall 44 on the right in the conveying direction on which the envelopes are guided on the side.
  • a sliding apron 64 bears against the retaining apron 56.
  • This sliding apron 64 is at its upper end together with the retaining apron on a retaining web 66, e.g. B. by means of three screws arranged side by side, which are indicated by the chain line 68.
  • the holding web 66 forms part of a holding frame 70 which, for. B. is fixed by two screws 72 to the side housing wall 44.
  • the sliding apron 64 consists of a flexible film with a smooth surface, e.g. B. made of silicone paper, and has the task of leading the leading edge of the lower envelopes of a stack to the gap between the lock roller 38 and the adjacent retaining apron 56. Without this sliding apron 64, the front edge of the envelopes on the rubber material of the retaining apron 56 could be given a too high friction effect in order to ensure the further movement of the envelopes.
  • the axes 74, 76 of the two conveyor and pressure rollers 46, 47 arranged above the conveyor table plate 16 are each located at the end of a lever 78, 80 which can be pivoted about an axis 82, 84 fastened to the housing side wall 44.
  • a tension spring 86, 88 engages, which is attached with its upper end to the holding frame 70.
  • the second conveying and pressure roller 47 is located above the table top 18 of the franking machine 4, which is covered by the conveying table top 16 of the feeding device when the feeding device is coupled.
  • This arrangement of the second conveyor and pressure roller has the advantage that the conveyor path of the feed device with conveyor contact is extended to beyond the franking machine. In addition, this arrangement slows down the envelope after Ab switching of the drive M 2 of the second conveyor line in the starting position for a working cycle of the franking machine 4.
  • the conveying roller 92 of the franking machine rises and thus takes over the necessary further transport of the envelope, and since the last roller 47 of the feeding device in the conveying direction still holding the envelope, the conveyor roller 92 of the franking machine exerts a corresponding tensile force on the envelope so that the envelope is under tension or is stretched.
  • a stretching of the envelope which counteracts a compression or accumulation of the envelope, also results from the fact that the second conveying and pressing roller 47 in the conveying direction has a somewhat larger diameter than the first conveying and pressing roller 46, at the same rotational speed due to the drive coupling by means of the endless belt 50.
  • the mode of operation of the feed device in cooperation with the franking machine is explained in more detail below.
  • the envelopes to be fed to the franking machine are placed in the stacking space 36, and envelopes of various thicknesses and lengths can also be inserted in an irregular sequence.
  • the right-hand side edge of the envelopes in the conveying direction is guided through the housing wall 54, while a slide, not shown, is provided for the lateral guidance on the opposite longitudinal side and can be adjusted transversely to the conveying direction to the width of the envelopes.
  • a part of the envelopes lying above is also moved until it is held back with the front edges of the envelopes on the retaining apron 56 or the sliding apron 64.
  • the lock roller 38 arrives with its profiled adhesive surface, e.g. B. made of rubber, in frictional contact with the front edge and underside of the envelope 94 and pulls it into the gap between the lock roller 38 and the retaining apron 56.
  • the envelope 94 is reliably detected and attracted to the pair of conveyor rollers 45, 46. Before this conveyor roller pair 45, 46 is reached, the front edge of the envelope passes a photocell 32, which generates a signal for switching off the drive M i of the first conveyor section 34 and thus restraining the next and later to be conveyed envelope.
  • the upper conveyor roller 46 rises in accordance with the thickness of the envelope and causes a pressure against the lower conveyor roller 45.
  • the conveyance by the conveyor rollers 45, 46 is preferably carried out somewhat faster than through the lock roller 38, so that the envelopes are stretched or a jam is reliably prevented.
  • the second conveyor and pressure roller 47 detects the envelope, also preferably at a somewhat higher conveying speed, and conveys the envelope in the direction of the franking table 18.
  • the latter sends a signal to slow down the conveying speed in the second conveying path by acting on the associated drive M 2 .
  • This slowdown is necessary in order to achieve an immediate standstill in the following, taking into account the inertial forces of the drive system and the envelope being conveyed, when the rear edge of the envelope passes the second sensor 30.
  • this second sensor With its signal, this second sensor causes the motor M 2 to be braked quickly to a standstill by short-circuiting or a countercurrent.
  • a signal is sent to the franking machine 4 for triggering a franking cycle and finally a third signal for restarting the drive M i at a slower conveying speed.
  • the franking machine After the envelope has passed through a certain distance in the franking machine, the franking machine sends a signal via the line 96 indicated by dashed lines to the feed device or its drives M 1 and M 2 for switching on the drives of both conveyor lines to full power, so that the described conveying process repeated for the next envelope.
  • This signal can be generated by a cam-operated switch by the switching cam z. B. is firmly connected to the shaft of the franking head 98 and passes a fixed switch, not shown, when the franking head rotates.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)

Abstract

An article feed mechanism for use in association with a franking device which operates on mail, comprises a feeding mechanism which includes an article feed path which is oriented so that it may be connected over a feed path of the franking device and which includes two separately driven conveyor sections. The first conveyor is driven by a drive motor and comprises a plurality of drive rollers which operate on the articles which are arranged in a stack at a stacking area and delivers them one at a time to the second conveyor mechanism which includes a pressure drive roller acting to drive the lowermost one of the articles under a sliding apron and then for advancing it into association with a driven roller cooperating with another overhead roller. A first sensor is located between the pressure roller and the cooperating over and under rollers and it acts when an article is advanced to disconnect the drive motor for the first conveyor. After the article leaves the sensor the sensor acts on a second motor to slow down a second driving conveyor. A second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor and it acts when an article approaches it to rapidly decelerate the second drive motor for the second conveyor.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Zuführeinrichtung für einzelne flache Materialstücke aus einem Stapelraum an eine anschließend angeordnete Vorrichtung zur Einzelbehandlung der Materialstücke, insbesondere für die Zuführung von Briefumschlägen an eine Frankiermaschine, wobei im Stapelraum eine Förderbahn beginnt, an der Austrittsseite des Stapelraums eine Rückhalteeinrichtung zum Durchlassen von jeweils nur einem einzelnen Materialstück vorhanden ist, die Förderbahn mindestens zwei Förderstrecken aufweist und zwischen der anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung und der Zuführeinrichtung eine elektrische Verbindung besteht.The invention relates to a feed device for individual flat pieces of material from a stacking space to a subsequently arranged device for the individual treatment of the pieces of material, in particular for feeding envelopes to a franking machine, a conveyor track beginning in the stacking space and a retaining device for passing through each of them on the outlet side of the stacking space only a single piece of material is present, the conveyor track has at least two conveyor sections and there is an electrical connection between the subsequently arranged device and the feed device.

Durch die DE-B-1 247 902 ist eine Zuführeinrichtung dieser Art bekannt, bei der zur Anpassung an die intermittierende Arbeitsweise der Frankiermaschine die Förderung mittels einer Nockensteuerung intermittierend unterbrochen wird. Durch diese mechanische Steuerung der Zuführeinrichtung ist es nicht möglich, auf einfache Weise eine Anpassung an verschieden lange Arbeitstakte der Frankiermaschine vorzunehmen, die sich beim Frankieren von verschieden langen Briefumschlägen ergeben. Die fehlende Anpassung führt dazu, daß die Frankierung nicht stets an der gleichen Stelle verschiedener Briefumschläge möglich ist und sogar bei besonders langen Briefumschlägen eine Doppelfrankierung auftreten kann, da die intermittierende Abschaltung der Förderung auf den kleinsten möglichen Briefumschlag angepaßt sein muß. Die erste Förderstrecke dieser bekannten Zuführeinrichtung befindet sich unterhalb des Stapelraumes und erstreckt sich bis in den Wirkungsbereich der Rückhalteeinrichtung. Fördert diese erste Förderstrecke den untersten Briefumschlag eines Stapels über die Rückhalteeinrichtung hinaus, so kann durch Reibungskontakt mit einem darüber liegenden Umschlag dieser mitgezogen werden, so daß zwei oder auch mehrere Umschläge in überlappender Anordnung gleichzeitig die Zuführeinrichtung passieren, in die anschließende Frankiermaschine gelangen und ein Fehlfrankieren die Folge ist.From DE-B-1 247 902 a feed device of this type is known in which the conveyance is interrupted intermittently by means of a cam control in order to adapt to the intermittent operation of the franking machine. This mechanical control of the feed device makes it impossible to easily adapt to different lengths of work cycles of the franking machine, which result from envelopes of different lengths when franking. The lack of adaptation means that franking is not always possible in the same place of different envelopes and double franking can occur even with particularly long envelopes, since the intermittent deactivation of the funding must be adapted to the smallest possible envelope. The first conveyor section of this known feed device is located below the stacking space and extends into the effective range of the retention device. If this first conveyor section conveys the bottom envelope of a stack beyond the retention device, this can be pulled by frictional contact with an envelope lying above it, so that two or more envelopes in an overlapping arrangement simultaneously pass through the feed device, get into the subsequent franking machine and are incorrectly franked The result is.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Zuführeinrichtung der eingangs genannten Art so zu verbessern, daß eine gleichmäßige, geregelte Zufuhr von Materialstücken zu einer anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung und damit deren einwandfreie Funktion gewährleistet ist.The invention has for its object to improve a feed device of the type mentioned so that a uniform, controlled supply of pieces of material to a subsequently arranged device and thus its proper function is guaranteed.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird eine Zuführeinrichtung der eingangs genannten Art vorgeschlagen, die gekennzeichnet ist durch zwei Förderstrecken mit voneinander unabhängigen Antrieben, wobei die erste Förderstrecke auf den Stapelraum begrenzt ist, die zweite Förderstrekke an der Rückhalteeinrichtung beginnt und in der Förderbahn ein erster Sensor angeordnet ist, der beim Passieren der Vorderkante eines Materialstückes ein Signal zur Abschaltung des Antriebs der ersten Förderstrecke erzeugt.To solve this problem, a feed device of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed, which is characterized by two conveyor lines with drives which are independent of one another, the first conveyor line being limited to the stacking space, the second conveyor line beginning at the retaining device and a first sensor being arranged in the conveyor path , which generates a signal for switching off the drive of the first conveyor line when passing the front edge of a piece of material.

Dadurch, daß aufgrund der Erfindung der Antrieb der ersten Förderstrecke abgeschaltet wird, sobald diese ein Materialstück aus dem Stapelraum herausgefördert hat, ist sichergestellt, daß nicht durch Reibungskontakt ein darüberliegendes Materialstück mitgezogen wird. Die Förderung erfolgt in diesem Moment durch die zweite Förderstrecke, und ein Teil des darüberliegenden Materialstückes befindet sich bereits in Reibungskontakt mit der stillstehenden ersten Förderstrecke und wird somit zurückgehalten.The fact that the drive of the first conveyor line is switched off as soon as it has conveyed a piece of material out of the stacking space due to the invention ensures that an overlying piece of material is not pulled along by frictional contact. At this moment, the conveying takes place through the second conveying section, and a part of the material piece lying above it is already in frictional contact with the stationary first conveying section and is therefore retained.

Um die geregelte Zufuhr von Materialstücken zu der anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung noch derart zu verbessern, daß sich eine Übergabe an genau vorgegebener Position ergibt, kann die Zuführeinrichtung vorteilhaft so ausgeführt sein, daß der erste Sensor beim Passieren der Hinterkante des Materialstückes ein Signal zur Verringerung der Fördergeschwindigkeit der zweiten Förderstrecke erzeugt, und daß ein zweiter Sensor vorgesehen ist, der in der Förderbahn mit Abstand hinter dem ersten Sensor angeordnet ist und beim Passieren der Hinterkante des Materialstückes ein Signal zur Abschaltung der Förderung der zweiten Förderstrecke und zur Einschaltung einer Einzelbehandlung der anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung erzeugt. Durch die Verringerung der Fördergeschwindigkeit nach Passieren des ersten Sensors ist es möglich, daß trotz der bei einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine möglichen verhältnismäßig hohen Fördergeschwindigkeit und der entsprechenden Trägheitskräfte ein jeweiliges Materialstück an genau vorbestimmter Stelle nach Passieren des zweiten Sensors durch Abschaltung der Förderung gestoppt werden kann. Dies ist erforderlich, um für die anschließend angeordnete intermittierend arbeitende Vorrichtung die genau vorbestimmte Ausgangslage zu erhalten.In order to improve the controlled supply of material pieces to the subsequently arranged device in such a way that there is a transfer at a precisely predetermined position, the feed device can advantageously be designed such that the first sensor, when passing the rear edge of the material piece, receives a signal for reducing the conveying speed generated the second conveyor line, and that a second sensor is provided, which is arranged in the conveyor path at a distance behind the first sensor and when passing the rear edge of the piece of material, a signal to switch off the conveyance of the second conveyor line and to switch on individual treatment of the subsequently arranged device generated. By reducing the conveying speed after passing through the first sensor, it is possible that, despite the relatively high conveying speed possible with a machine according to the invention and the corresponding inertial forces, a respective piece of material can be stopped at a precisely predetermined location after passing the second sensor by switching off the conveying. This is necessary in order to obtain the exactly predetermined starting position for the subsequently arranged intermittently operating device.

Nachdem diese Vorrichtung eine Einzelbehandlung durchgeführt hat, gibt sie durch eine an sich bekannte elektrische Verbindung mit der Zuführeinrichtung ein Signal an die Zuführeinrichtung zurück, durch das diese die Förderung erneut beginnt. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, das die Fördergeschwindigkeit der Zuführeinrichtung genau der Arbeitsgeschwindigkeit der anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung angepaßt ist und diese fortlaufend intermittierend arbeiten kann.After this device has carried out a single treatment, it returns a signal to the feed device by means of a known electrical connection to the feed device, by means of which the feed device starts the conveyance again. In this way it is achieved that the conveying speed of the feed device is exactly matched to the working speed of the subsequently arranged device and that it can work continuously intermittently.

Das Anhalten von schnell bewegten Materialstücken mit vorheriger Abbremsung unter Verwendung eines Paares von in der Förderstrecke hintereinander angeordneten Sensoren ist für eine andersartige Fördervorrichtung durch die DE-B-1 220 650 an sich bekannt.The stopping of rapidly moving pieces of material with prior braking using a pair of sensors arranged one behind the other in the conveyor line is known per se for a different type of conveyor device from DE-B-1 220 650.

In weiterer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist am Ende der zweiten Förderstrecke eine mit dem Antrieb dieser Förderstrecke angetriebene Andruckwalze vorgesehen, die in den Bereich der anschließend angeordneten intermittierend arbeitenden Vorrichtung hineinreicht, so daß sie mit dem Materialstück noch in Kontakt ist, wenn dieses bereits durch die Fördereinrichtung dieser anschließend angeordneten Vorrichtung gefördert wird und der Antrieb der zweiten Förderstrecke abgeschaltet ist. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, daß die anfangs zur Förderung beitragende Andruckwalze anschließend als Bremse dient, so daß eine Weiterbewegung des Materialstückes nach Abschaltung der Förderung durch Trägheitskräfte verhindert wird.In a further embodiment of the invention, a pressure roller driven by the drive of this conveyor line is provided at the end of the second conveyor line, which extends into the region of the subsequently arranged intermittently operating device, so that it is still in contact with the piece of material when this is already conveyed by the conveyor of this subsequently arranged device and the drive of the second conveyor section is switched off. In this way it is achieved that the pressure roller initially contributing to the conveyance then serves as a brake, so that further movement of the piece of material after the conveyance is switched off is prevented by inertial forces.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen sind der folgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels anhand der Zeichnung entnehmbar.Further advantageous configurations can be found in the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing.

Die Zeichnung zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht einer Zuführeinrichtung 2 für Briefumschläge, die an eine Frankiermaschine 4 angekoppelt ist.The drawing shows a schematic representation of a partially sectioned side view of a feed device 2 for envelopes, which is coupled to a franking machine 4.

Die Verbindung zwischen der Zuführeinrichtung 2 und der Frankiermaschine 4 erfolgt mechanisch durch einen quer zur Förderrichtung verlaufenden Steckbolzen 6 und elektrisch durch eine elektrische Steckverbindung 8. Da beide Steckerteile der Steckverbindung 8 fest mit der Frankiermaschine bzw. der Zuführeinrichtung verbunden sind, ergibt sich der elektrische Kontakt gleichzeitig mit der Herstellung der mechanischen Verbindung, indem der Steckbolzen 6 dabei eine genaue Ausrichtung und Führung gewährleistet, bis eine Verklinkung mittels einer in dem Steckbolzen 6 eingreifenden Klinke 12 erfolgt.The connection between the feed device 2 and the franking machine 4 is made mechanically by means of a plug pin 6 running transversely to the conveying direction and electrically by means of an electrical plug connection 8. Since both plug parts of the plug connection 8 are firmly connected to the franking machine or the feed device, the electrical contact results Simultaneously with the establishment of the mechanical connection, in that the plug pin 6 ensures precise alignment and guidance until a latching takes place by means of a pawl 12 engaging in the plug pin 6.

Der Verklinkungsmechanismus sowie der der Zuführeinrichtung zugehörige elektrische Stekkerteil befinden sich in einem gemeinsamen flachen Gehäuse 14 mit Abstand unterhalb der Tischplatte 16 der Zuführeinrichtung 2. Durch diesen Abstand ist ein Spaltraum gegeben, der der Aufnahme der seitlich überstehenden Tischplatte 18 der Frankiermaschine 4 dient. Ein Teil 19 der unteren Wand des flachen Gehäuses 14 ist um eine Achse 20 entgegen der Kraft einer Zugfeder 22 schwenkbar. Die Sperrklinke 12 ist mit dem Wandteil 19 fest verbunden, so daß die Zugfeder 22 die Sperrklinke 12 in Eingriff mit einer Kerbe des Steckbolzens 6 hält, der seitlich von der Gehäusewand 24 der Frankiermaschine absteht.The latching mechanism and the electrical connector part associated with the feed device are located in a common flat housing 14 at a distance below the table top 16 of the feed device 2. This distance gives a gap which serves to accommodate the laterally projecting table top 18 of the franking machine 4. A part 19 of the lower wall of the flat housing 14 is pivotable about an axis 20 against the force of a tension spring 22. The pawl 12 is fixedly connected to the wall part 19, so that the tension spring 22 holds the pawl 12 in engagement with a notch of the plug pin 6 which projects laterally from the housing wall 24 of the franking machine.

Das Ankoppeln und Lösen der Zuführeinrichtung 2 ist durch diese vorteilhafte Verklinkungseinrichtung sehr einfach und schnell möglich, da beim Unterfassen des in Förderrichtung überstehenden Gehäuseteiles 14 der Zuführeinrichtung 2 die Fingerspitzen der linken Hand dabei den Wandteil 19 so verschwenken, daß sich die Verklinkung löst und die Entkopplung durch seitliche Verschiebung der Zuführeinrichtung gegenüber der Frankiermaschine erfolgen kann. Folglich ist es möglich, die Frankiermaschine sowohl mit als auch ohne Zuführeinrichtung zu verwenden. Bei ihrer Verwendung ohne Zuführeinrichtung wird ein Arbeitszyklus durch einen mechanischen Kontakt 26 ausgelöst, der sich am Anfang der Tischplatte 18 der Frankiermaschine befindet. Ein Briefumschlag wird dabei quer zur Förderrichtung der Frankiermaschine so auf die Tischplatte 18 aufgelegt, daß er an dem Rand 28 der Tischplatte anstößt, an dem sich der mechanische Kontakt 26 befindet. Die Position des mechanischen Kontaktes 26 bestimmt somit die Ausgangsposition eines Briefumschlages beim Ablauf eines Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine.The coupling and detaching of the feed device 2 is very simple and fast possible by this advantageous latching device, since when the housing part 14 of the feeding device 2 protruding in the conveying direction is gripped, the fingertips of the left hand pivot the wall part 19 so that the latch is released and the decoupling can be done by lateral displacement of the feeder relative to the franking machine. Consequently, it is possible to use the franking machine both with and without a feed device. When used without a feed device, a working cycle is triggered by a mechanical contact 26 which is located at the beginning of the table top 18 of the franking machine. An envelope is placed on the table top 18 transversely to the conveying direction of the franking machine in such a way that it abuts the edge 28 of the table top at which the mechanical contact 26 is located. The position of the mechanical contact 26 thus determines the starting position of an envelope when a franking machine work cycle has expired.

Falls die Zuführung der Briefumschläge mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführeinrichtung erfolgt, so erfolgt die Zuführbewegung statt quer zur Förderbahn der Frankiermaschine in deren gleichen Richtung, und der mechanische Kontakt 26 kann nicht dem Auslösen eines Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine 4 dienen. Die Zuführeinrichtung hat deshalb einen Sensor 30, z. B. eine Photozelle, die ungefähr - bezogen auf die Förderstrecke - an gleicher Stelle angeordnet ist wie der mechanische Kontakt 26 der Frankiermaschine. Wenn die Hinterkante eines von der Zuführeinrichtung 2 der Frankiermaschine 4 zugeführten Briefumschlages diesen Sensor 30 passiert, so gibt er ein Signal zur Auslösung eines Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine 4 ab, so daß er den mechanischen Kontakt 26 ersetzt.If the envelopes are fed by means of the feed device according to the invention, the feed movement takes place in the same direction instead of transversely to the conveying path of the franking machine, and the mechanical contact 26 cannot serve to trigger a working cycle of the franking machine 4. The feed device therefore has a sensor 30, for. B. a photocell, which is approximately - based on the conveyor line - arranged in the same place as the mechanical contact 26 of the franking machine. When the rear edge of an envelope fed by the feeding device 2 of the franking machine 4 passes this sensor 30, it emits a signal to trigger a working cycle of the franking machine 4, so that it replaces the mechanical contact 26.

Um ein sofortiges Nachfördern eines weiteren Briefumschlages zu verhindern, bevor ein Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine beendet ist, muß die Förderung der Zuführeinrichtung unterbrochen werden, wenn durch den Sensor 30 ein Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine 4 ausgelöst wurde. Weiterhin ist. es für die zuverlässige Funktion der Frankiermaschine erforderlich, daß der zugeführte Briefumschlag am Anfang der Frankiermaschine zum Stillstand kommt oder zumindest verzögert wird, da die anschließende Förderung allein durch die Fördereinrichtung der Frankiermaschine erfolgen soll, unbeeinflußt von einer Bewegungsenergie, die der Briefumschlag in der Zuführeinrichtung erhielt. Zu diesem Zweck ist, bezogen auf die Förderrichtung, vor dem Sensor 30 ein weiterer Sensor 32 an der Förderbahn der Zuführeinrichtung angeordnet, der im folgenden als erster Sensor bezeichnet wird, da er zuerst von den Briefumschlägen erreicht wird. Dieser erste Sensor gibt ein Signal zur Verlangsamung der Fördergeschwindigkeit ab, so daß ein Stillstand an exakt vorgegebener Stelle nach Passieren des zweiten Sensors 30 möglich ist.In order to prevent another envelope from being conveyed immediately before a work cycle of the postage meter machine has ended, the conveyance of the feed device must be interrupted if a work cycle of the postage meter machine 4 has been triggered by the sensor 30. Furthermore is. it is necessary for the reliable functioning of the franking machine that the supplied envelope comes to a standstill or at least is delayed at the beginning of the franking machine, since the subsequent conveying is to be carried out solely by the conveying device of the franking machine, unaffected by a kinetic energy which the envelope received in the feeding device . For this purpose, in relation to the conveying direction, a further sensor 32 is arranged in front of the sensor 30 on the conveying path of the feed device, which is referred to below as the first sensor, since it is first reached by the envelopes. This first sensor emits a signal for slowing down the conveying speed, so that a standstill at an exactly predetermined point is possible after passing through the second sensor 30.

Der erste Sensor 32 kann vorteilhaft zusätzlich dazu dienen, den Antrieb Mi einer ersten Förderstrecke 34 der Zuführeinrichtung 2 abzuschalten, wenn die Vorderkante eines Briefumschlages ihn erreicht. Dadurch wird sicher verhindert, daß der unterste Briefumschlag eines in dem Stapelraum 36 angeordneten Stapels von leeren oder auch verschieden dick gefüllten Briefumschlägen, der sich bereits in Förderkontakt mit der Schleusenwalze 38 befindet, durch Reibkontakt mit dem über ihm liegenden Briefumschlag diesen mitzieht. Dieser Reibkontakt ist umso größer, je höher der Stapel in dem Stapelraum 36 ist, wobei auch Unebenheiten an dem Briefumschlag ein Mitreißen verursachen könnten. Bei Stillstand der im Boden des Stapelraumes 36 angeordneten Förderwalze 39-41 der Förderstrecke 34 halten diese den folgenden, erst später zu fördernden Briefumschlag zurück, da dieser zumindest auf einer dieser Walzen aufliegt, abhängig von der Förderstrecke, die der sich in Förderung befindliche Briefumschlag bereits zurückgelegt hat, d. h. ein Kontakt mit dem nächstfolgenden Briefumschlag erfolgt nacheinander mit den dann stillstehenden Walzen41,40,39 der Förderstrecke 34.The first sensor 32 can advantageously also serve to switch off the drive M i of a first conveyor section 34 of the feed device 2 when the front edge of an envelope reaches it. This will surely prevent the bottom envelope of a stack of empty or filled envelopes, which is already in conveying contact with the lock roller 38, from being drawn into the stacking space 36 by frictional contact with the envelope lying above it. This frictional contact is greater, the higher the stack in the stacking space 36, whereby unevenness on the envelope could also cause it to be carried away. When the conveyor roller 39-41 of the conveyor section 34 hal arranged in the bottom of the stacking space 36 is at a standstill They returned the following envelope, which was to be conveyed later, since it rests on at least one of these rollers, depending on the conveying distance that the envelope being funded has already covered, i.e. contact with the next envelope is made one after the other with the stationary ones Rollers 41, 40, 39 of the conveyor section 34.

Es versteht sich, daß eine unabhängige Abschaltung der Förderorgane 39-41 der ersten Förderstrecke 34 auf verschiedene Weise möglich ist. Beim dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel hat jedoch zu diesem Zweck die Zuführeinrichtung zwei unabhängig arbeitende Antriebsmotoren Mi für die erste Förderstrecke und M2 für die sich in Förderrichtung anschließende Förderstrecke. Die Abschaltung der ersten Förderstrekke 34 erfolgt somit elektrisch durch Abschalten des Motors Mi aufgrund eines Impulses des Sensors 32. Die Antriebsverbindung zwischen dem Motor Mi und den Antriebswalzen 39-41 ist in der Zeichnung schematisch durch eine Strichpunktlinie 42 angedeutet und kann beispielsweise durch eine schlupffreie Zahnrad- übertragung erfolgen. Die Wellen der Motoren M 1, M2 sowie der verschiedenen Antriebswalzen erstrecken sich durch die in der Zeichnung sichtbare seitliche Gehäusewand 44 und sind in ihr gelagert, so daß die Zahnräder für die Antriebsübertragung sich beispielsweise auf der anderen Seite der Gehäusewand befinden als die Antriebswalzen. Die zweite Lagerstelle der Walzen befindet sich in einer in der Zeichnung nicht sichtbaren zweiten Wand, die parallel zu der Gehäusewand 44 unterhalb der Fördertischplatte 16 befestigt ist.It goes without saying that the conveying members 39-41 of the first conveying section 34 can be switched off independently in various ways. In the exemplary embodiment shown, however, for this purpose the feed device has two independently operating drive motors M i for the first conveying path and M 2 for the conveying path adjoining in the conveying direction. The first conveyor section 34 is therefore switched off electrically by switching off the motor M i on the basis of a pulse from the sensor 32. The drive connection between the motor M i and the drive rollers 39-41 is indicated schematically in the drawing by a chain line 42 and can be, for example, by a slip-free gear transmission. The shafts of the motors M 1 , M 2 and the various drive rollers extend through the side housing wall 44 which is visible in the drawing and are mounted in it, so that the gears for the drive transmission are, for example, on the other side of the housing wall than the drive rollers. The second bearing point of the rollers is located in a second wall, not visible in the drawing, which is fastened parallel to the housing wall 44 below the conveyor table plate 16.

Die zweite Förderstrecke mit dem Antriebsmotor Mz hat vier angetriebene Förderwalzen 38, 45, 46 und 47, von denen zwei Walzen 46, 47 als Andruckwalzen oberhalb der Fördertischplatte 16 angeordnet sind. Die Antriebsverbindung von dem Motor M2 zu den Walzen ist ebenfalls durch eine Strichpunktlinie 48 schematisch angedeutet. Beispielsweise erfolgt die Antriebsverbindung von Motor Mz auf die unterhalb der Tischplatte 16 angeordneten Walzen schlupflos über Zahnräder, während die weitere Antriebsverbindung zu den oberhalb der Tischplatte 16 angeordneten Walzen 46, 47 ausgehend von der Walze 45 durch endlose Antriebsriemen erfolgt, von denen der Antriebsriemen 50 zwischen den Walzen 46, 47 in der Zeichnung sichtbar ist. Die Antriebsriemen lassen einen Schlupf bei Überlastung zu, so daß sie aus Sicherheitsgründen vorzuziehen sind.The second conveyor line with the drive motor M z has four driven conveyor rollers 38, 45, 46 and 47, of which two rollers 46, 47 are arranged as pressure rollers above the conveyor table plate 16. The drive connection from the motor M 2 to the rollers is also schematically indicated by a chain line 48. For example, the drive connection from motor Mz to the rollers arranged below the table top 16 takes place without gears via gearwheels, while the further drive connection to the rollers 46, 47 arranged above the table top 16 takes place starting from the roller 45 by means of endless drive belts, of which the drive belt 50 is between the rollers 46, 47 is visible in the drawing. The drive belts allow slippage when overloaded, so they are preferable for safety reasons.

Der Stapelraum 36 hat in Förderrichtung querzu ihr eine Stauwand 52, deren Unterkante 54 sich in Abstand von der leicht geneigten Fördertischplatte 16 befindet, so daß nur die unteren Briefumschläge eines höheren Stapels sich in Förderrichtung zu der Rückhalteschürze 56 hin verschieben können. Die Rückhalteschürze besteht aus einem biegsamen Material, z. B. aus Gummi, und liegt mit einem Teil auf der Oberseite der Schleusenwalze 38 auf, der mittels einer durch eine Feder 58 belasteten Andruckplatte 60 zusätzlich elastisch an die Walze 38 angedrückt sein kann. Dabei liegt die Andruckplatte 60 lose auf dem abgebogenen Schürzenteil auf. Um zu verhindern, daß die Andruckplatte 60 von diesem Schürzenteil abgleitet, hat dieser an seinem freien Ende einen Wulst 62. Die Breite der Rückhalteschürze 56 beträgt beispielsweise 50 mm, und sie befindet sich beispielsweise im Abstand von 8 mm von der in Förderrichtung rechten Gehäusewand 44, an der die Briefumschläge seitlich geführt sind.The stacking space 36 has a storage wall 52 in the conveying direction transverse to it, the lower edge 54 of which is located at a distance from the slightly inclined conveyor table plate 16, so that only the lower envelopes of a higher stack can move in the conveying direction to the retaining apron 56. The restraint apron is made of a flexible material, e.g. B. made of rubber, and lies with a part on the top of the lock roller 38, which can be additionally pressed elastically to the roller 38 by means of a pressure plate 60 loaded by a spring 58. The pressure plate 60 lies loosely on the bent apron part. In order to prevent the pressure plate 60 from sliding off this apron part, it has a bead 62 at its free end. The width of the retaining apron 56 is, for example, 50 mm, and it is located, for example, at a distance of 8 mm from the housing wall 44 on the right in the conveying direction on which the envelopes are guided on the side.

Auf der dem Stapelraum 36 zugekehrten Seite liegt an der Rückhalteschürze 56 eine Gleitschürze 64 an. Diese Gleitschürze 64 ist an ihrem oberen Ende zusammen mit der Rückhalteschürze an einem Haltesteg 66, z. B. mittels drei nebeneinander angeordneten Schrauben, befestigt, die durch die Strichpunktlinie 68 angedeutet sind. Der Haltesteg 66 bildet einen Teil eines Halterahmens 70, der z. B. durch zwei Schrauben 72 an der seitlichen Gehäusewand 44 befestigt ist. Die Gleitschürze 64 besteht aus einer flexiblen Folie mit einer glatten Oberfläche, z. B. aus Silikonpapier, und hat die Aufgabe, die Vorderkante der unteren Briefumschläge eines Stapels zu dem Spalt zwischen der Schleusenwalze 38 und der anliegenden Rückhalteschürze 56 zu führen. Ohne diese Gleitschürze 64 könnte die Vorderkante der Briefumschläge an dem Gummimaterial der Rückhalteschürze 56 eine zu hohe Reibwirkung erhalten, um die Weiterbewegung der Briefumschläge zu gewährleisten.On the side facing the stacking space 36, a sliding apron 64 bears against the retaining apron 56. This sliding apron 64 is at its upper end together with the retaining apron on a retaining web 66, e.g. B. by means of three screws arranged side by side, which are indicated by the chain line 68. The holding web 66 forms part of a holding frame 70 which, for. B. is fixed by two screws 72 to the side housing wall 44. The sliding apron 64 consists of a flexible film with a smooth surface, e.g. B. made of silicone paper, and has the task of leading the leading edge of the lower envelopes of a stack to the gap between the lock roller 38 and the adjacent retaining apron 56. Without this sliding apron 64, the front edge of the envelopes on the rubber material of the retaining apron 56 could be given a too high friction effect in order to ensure the further movement of the envelopes.

Die Achsen 74, 76 der beiden oberhalb der Fördertischplatte 16 angeordneten Förder- und Andruckwalzen 46, 47 befinden sich jeweils am Ende eines Hebels 78, 80, der um eine an der Gehäuseseitenwand 44 befestigte Achse 82, 84 schwenkbar ist. Am anderen Ende des jeweiligen Hebels 78, 80 greift eine Zugfeder 86, 88 an, die mit ihrem oberen Ende an dem Halterahmen 70 befestigt ist. Somit sind diese Vorder- und Andruckwalzen 46, 47 entsprechend der jeweiligen Dicke eines gefüllten oder leeren Briefumschlages nach oben auslenkbar, und sie werden durch die Zugkraft der Federn 86, 88 über die Hebelwirkung der Hebel 78, 80 an die Oberseite des geförderten Briefumschlages angedrückt. Die in Förderrichtung erste Förder- und Andruckwalze 46 hat eine ebenfalls angetriebene Gegenwalze 45, während unterhalb der zweiten Förder- und Andruckwalze 47 eine Gleitplatte 90 z. B. aus »Nylon«, »Teflon« o. dgl., vorgesehen sein kann.The axes 74, 76 of the two conveyor and pressure rollers 46, 47 arranged above the conveyor table plate 16 are each located at the end of a lever 78, 80 which can be pivoted about an axis 82, 84 fastened to the housing side wall 44. At the other end of the respective lever 78, 80, a tension spring 86, 88 engages, which is attached with its upper end to the holding frame 70. These front and pressure rollers 46, 47 can thus be deflected upwards in accordance with the respective thickness of a filled or empty envelope, and they are pressed against the top of the conveyed envelope by the tensile force of the springs 86, 88 via the lever action of the levers 78, 80. The first conveying and pressing roller 46 in the conveying direction has a counter-roller 45 which is also driven, while a sliding plate 90 z. B. from "nylon", "Teflon" or the like, can be provided.

Wie der Zeichnung zu entnehmen ist, befindet sich die zweite Förder- und Andruckwalze 47 oberhalb der Tischplatte 18 der Frankiermaschine 4, die bei angekoppelter Zuführeinrichtung von der Fördertischplatte 16 der Zuführeinrichtung überdeckt ist. Diese Anordnung der zweiten Förder- und Andruckwalze hat den Vorteil, daß die Förderstrecke der Zuführeinrichtung mit Förderkontakt bis über die Frankiermaschine verlängert ist. Außerdem bewirkt diese Anordnung eine Abbremsung des Briefumschlages nach Abschaltung des Antriebes M2 der zweiten Förderstrecke in der Ausgangsposition für einen Arbeitszyklus der Frankiermaschine 4. Zu Beginn dieses Arbeitszyklus hebt sich die Förderwalze 92 der Frankiermaschine und übernimmt so den dabei erforderlichen Weitertransport des Briefumschlages, und da die in Förderrichtung letzte Walze 47 der Zuführeinrichtung dabei den Briefumschlag noch hält, übt die Förderwalze 92 der Frankiermaschine auf den Briefumschlag eine entsprechende Zugkraft aus, so daß sich der Briefumschlag unter Zugspannung befindet bzw. gestreckt wird. Eine Streckung des Briefumschlages, die einem Stauchen bzw. Aufstau des Briefumschlages entgegenwirkt, ergibt sich auch dadurch, daß die in Förderrichtung zweite Förder- und Andruckwalze 47 einen etwas größeren Durchmesser hat als die erste Förder- und Andruckwalze 46, bei gleicher Drehgeschwindigkeit aufgrund der Antriebskopplung mittels des Endlosriemens 50.As can be seen in the drawing, the second conveying and pressure roller 47 is located above the table top 18 of the franking machine 4, which is covered by the conveying table top 16 of the feeding device when the feeding device is coupled. This arrangement of the second conveyor and pressure roller has the advantage that the conveyor path of the feed device with conveyor contact is extended to beyond the franking machine. In addition, this arrangement slows down the envelope after Ab switching of the drive M 2 of the second conveyor line in the starting position for a working cycle of the franking machine 4. At the beginning of this working cycle, the conveying roller 92 of the franking machine rises and thus takes over the necessary further transport of the envelope, and since the last roller 47 of the feeding device in the conveying direction still holding the envelope, the conveyor roller 92 of the franking machine exerts a corresponding tensile force on the envelope so that the envelope is under tension or is stretched. A stretching of the envelope, which counteracts a compression or accumulation of the envelope, also results from the fact that the second conveying and pressing roller 47 in the conveying direction has a somewhat larger diameter than the first conveying and pressing roller 46, at the same rotational speed due to the drive coupling by means of the endless belt 50.

Im folgenden wird die Arbeitsweise der Zuführeinrichtung in Zusammenwirkung mit der Frankiermaschine näher erläutert. Die der Frankiermaschine zuzuführenden Briefumschläge werden in den Stapelraum 36 eingelegt, wobei auch in unregelmäßiger Folge Briefumschläge verschiedener Dicke und Länge eingelegt werden können. Die in Förderrichtung rechte Seitenkante der Briefumschläge wird dabei durch die Gehäusewand 54 geführt, während für die seitliche Führung auf der gegenüberliegenden Längsseite ein nicht dargestellter Schieber vorgesehen ist, der sich quer zur Förderrichtung auf die Breite der Briefumschläge einstellen läßt. Nach Betätigung eines an der, Zuführeinrichtung angebrachten, nicht dargestellten Schalters, der sich beispielsweise an der seitlichen Abschlußwand des flachen Gehäuses 14 befindet, schalten sich beide Antriebe Mi und M2 ein, so daß der unterste, durch Strichlinien angedeutete Briefumschlag, der auf den Förderwalzen 39-41 der ersten Förderstrecke 34 aufliegt, zu der Schleusenwalze 38 hin gefördert wird. Ein Teil der darüberliegenden Briefumschläge wird dabei mitbewegt, bis er mit den Vorderkanten der Briefumschläge an der Rückhalteschürze 56 bzw. der Gleitschürze 64 zurückgehalten wird. Die Schleusenwalze 38 gelangt mit ihrer profilierten Haftoberfläche, z. B. aus Gummi, in Reibungskontakt mit der Vorderkante und Unterseite des Briefumschlages 94 und zieht ihn in den Spaltraum zwischen der Schleusenwalze 38 und der Rückhalteschürze 56. Durch den Andruck der Rückhalteschürze 56 in Richtung zu der Schleusenwalze 38 wird dabei der Briefumschlag 94 sicher erfaßt und zu dem Förderwalzenpaar45, 46 hingezogen. Vor Erreichen dieses Förderwalzenpaares 45, 46 passiert die Vorderkante des Briefumschlages eine Photozelle 32, die ein Signal erzeugt zur Abschaltung des Antriebs Mi der ersten Förderstrecke 34 und damit Zurückhaltung des nächsten und später zu fördernden Briefumschlages.The mode of operation of the feed device in cooperation with the franking machine is explained in more detail below. The envelopes to be fed to the franking machine are placed in the stacking space 36, and envelopes of various thicknesses and lengths can also be inserted in an irregular sequence. The right-hand side edge of the envelopes in the conveying direction is guided through the housing wall 54, while a slide, not shown, is provided for the lateral guidance on the opposite longitudinal side and can be adjusted transversely to the conveying direction to the width of the envelopes. After actuation of a switch attached to the feed device, not shown, which is located, for example, on the side end wall of the flat housing 14, both drives M i and M 2 turn on, so that the bottom envelope, indicated by dashed lines, points to the Conveyor rollers 39-41 of the first conveyor section 34 rests to which the lock roller 38 is conveyed. A part of the envelopes lying above is also moved until it is held back with the front edges of the envelopes on the retaining apron 56 or the sliding apron 64. The lock roller 38 arrives with its profiled adhesive surface, e.g. B. made of rubber, in frictional contact with the front edge and underside of the envelope 94 and pulls it into the gap between the lock roller 38 and the retaining apron 56. By pressing the retaining apron 56 towards the lock roller 38, the envelope 94 is reliably detected and attracted to the pair of conveyor rollers 45, 46. Before this conveyor roller pair 45, 46 is reached, the front edge of the envelope passes a photocell 32, which generates a signal for switching off the drive M i of the first conveyor section 34 and thus restraining the next and later to be conveyed envelope.

Nachdem die Vorderkante des Briefumschlages in den Walzenspalt zwischen den Förderwalzen 45, 46 hineingelangt ist, hebt sich die obere Förderwalze 46 entsprechend der Dicke des Briefumschlages an und bewirkt einen Andruck gegen die untere Förderwalze 45. Die Förderung durch die Förderwalzen 45, 46 erfolgt vorzugsweise etwas schneller als durch die Schleusenwalze 38, so daß die Briefumschläge gestreckt werden bzw. ein Aufstauen sicher verhindert wird. Anschließend erfaßt die zweite Förder- und Andruckwalze 47 den Briefumschlag mit ebenfalls vorzugsweise etwas größerer Fördergeschwindigkeit und fördert den Briefumschlag in Richtung auf den Frankiertisch 18.After the front edge of the envelope has entered the nip between the conveyor rollers 45, 46, the upper conveyor roller 46 rises in accordance with the thickness of the envelope and causes a pressure against the lower conveyor roller 45. The conveyance by the conveyor rollers 45, 46 is preferably carried out somewhat faster than through the lock roller 38, so that the envelopes are stretched or a jam is reliably prevented. Subsequently, the second conveyor and pressure roller 47 detects the envelope, also preferably at a somewhat higher conveying speed, and conveys the envelope in the direction of the franking table 18.

Passiert dabei die Hinterkante des Briefumschlages den ersten Sensor 32, so gibt dieser ein Signal zur Verlangsamung der Fördergeschwindigkeit in der zweiten Förderstrecke durch Einwirkung auf den zugehörigen Antrieb M2. Diese Verlangsamung ist erforderlich, um unter Berücksichtigung der Trägheitskräfte des Antriebssystems sowie des geförderten Umschlages im folgenden einen sofortigen Stillstand zu erreichen, wenn die Hinterkante des Briefumschlages den zweiten Sensor 30 passiert. Dieser zweite Sensor bewirkt durch sein Signal, daß der Motor M2 durch Kurzschließung oder einen Gegenstrom bis zum Stillstand schnell abgebremst wird. Außerdem wird ein Signal an die Frankiermaschine 4 zur Auslösung eines Frankierzyklus abgegeben und schließlich ein drittes Signal zur Wiedereinschaltung des Antriebs Mi mit langsamerer Fördergeschwindigkeit. Durch die Wiedereinschaltung des Antriebs Mi wird ein folgender Briefumschlag nachgefördert, während der vorangehende Briefumschlag frankiert wird.If the rear edge of the envelope passes the first sensor 32, the latter sends a signal to slow down the conveying speed in the second conveying path by acting on the associated drive M 2 . This slowdown is necessary in order to achieve an immediate standstill in the following, taking into account the inertial forces of the drive system and the envelope being conveyed, when the rear edge of the envelope passes the second sensor 30. With its signal, this second sensor causes the motor M 2 to be braked quickly to a standstill by short-circuiting or a countercurrent. In addition, a signal is sent to the franking machine 4 for triggering a franking cycle and finally a third signal for restarting the drive M i at a slower conveying speed. When the drive M i is switched on again, a following envelope is replenished, while the preceding envelope is franked.

Nachdem der Briefumschlag in der Frankiermaschine eine bestimmte Strecke durchlaufen hat, gibt die Frankiermaschine über die durch Strichlinien angedeutete Leitung 96 an die Zuführeinrichtung bzw. deren Antriebe M1 und M2 ein Signalab zur Einschaltung der Antriebe beider Förderstrecken auf volle Leistung, so daß sich der beschriebene Fördervorgang für den nächsten Briefumschlag wiederholt.After the envelope has passed through a certain distance in the franking machine, the franking machine sends a signal via the line 96 indicated by dashed lines to the feed device or its drives M 1 and M 2 for switching on the drives of both conveyor lines to full power, so that the described conveying process repeated for the next envelope.

Dieses Signal kann durch einen nockenbetätigten Schalter erzeugt werden, indem der Schaltnocken z. B. fest mit der Welle des Frankierkopfes 98 verbunden ist und an einem feststehenden, nicht dargestellten Schalter vorbeiläuft, wenn sich der Frankierkopf dreht.This signal can be generated by a cam-operated switch by the switching cam z. B. is firmly connected to the shaft of the franking head 98 and passes a fixed switch, not shown, when the franking head rotates.

Claims (7)

1. A feed mechanism for individual flat articles (94), which serves to feed the latter from a stacking area (36) to a subsequently arranged apparatus (4) for the individual processing of the said articles, particularly for feeding envelopes to a franking machine, whereby a conveying path (34) commences in the stacking area (36), at the outlet side of the stacking area there is a hold-back device (56,38) for permitting the passage of only a single article on each occasion, the conveying path has at least two conveying sections (34; 38, 45, 47) and between the subsequently arranged apparatus (4) and the feed mechanism (2) an electrical connection (96) is provided, . characterized in that two conveying sections (34; 38,45-47) are provided with independent drives (Mi, M2), whereby the first conveying section (34) is limited to the stacking area, the second conveying section (38, 45, 47) commences at the hold-back device and a first sensor (32) is arranged in the conveying path, which produces a signal for disconnecting the drive (Mi) of the first conveying section (34) when the leading edge of an article passes it.
2. A feed mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the trailing edge of an article passes the first sensor (32) it produces a signal for reducing the conveying speed of the second conveying section (38, 45, 47) and in that a second sensor (30) is arranged in the conveying path with distance behind said first sensor (32) for producing a signal for disconnecting the conveying of the second conveying section and for starting individual processing through the subsequently arranged apparatus when the trailing edge of the article passes it.
3. A feed mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that a signal connection (96) is provided between the subsequently arranged individual processing apparatus (4) and the feed mechanism (2) for the reconnection of the drives (Mi and M2) of both conveying sections of the feed mechanism.
. 4. A feed mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the second conveying section has a plurality of conveying members (38, 45, 47) successively arranged in the conveying direction, which come into synchronous contact with the article and have an increasing conveying speed in the conveying direction.
5. A feed mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that a feed roller (47) is provided at the end of the second conveying section which is driven by the drive (Mz) of the latter and extends into the vicinity of the subsequently arranged, intermittently operating apparatus (4), so that it is still in contact with the article when the latter is already conveyed by the conveying mechanism of said subsequently arranged apparatus (4) and the feed mechanism drive is disconnected.
6. A feed mechanism according to claim 2, caracterized in that the feed mechanism (2) has a portion which projects over the table plate (18) of the subsequently arranged apparatus (4) and under which is spacedly arranged a housing (14), which encloses mechanical coupling parts (12) for connecting with the apparatus (4) and a fixed plug unit (8), so that there is a slot-like receiving area for part of the table plate (18) of the following apparatus.
7. A feed mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that part (19) of the lower wall of the housing (14) is constructed as an actuator for a latch (12) of the coupling mechanism, so that said wall part (19) can be operated by the carrying hand during the coupling of the feed mechanism (2) to the apparatus (4).
EP82100057A 1981-02-10 1982-01-07 Device for feeding detached pieces of flat material Expired EP0057810B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82100057T ATE12755T1 (en) 1981-02-10 1982-01-07 FEED DEVICE FOR INDIVIDUAL FLAT PIECES OF MATERIAL.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH883/81A CH650995A5 (en) 1981-02-10 1981-02-10 FEEDING DEVICE FOR SINGLE FLAT MATERIAL PIECES.
CH883/81 1981-02-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0057810A1 EP0057810A1 (en) 1982-08-18
EP0057810B1 true EP0057810B1 (en) 1985-04-17

Family

ID=4197395

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82100057A Expired EP0057810B1 (en) 1981-02-10 1982-01-07 Device for feeding detached pieces of flat material

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US (1) US4573673A (en)
EP (1) EP0057810B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE12755T1 (en)
CH (1) CH650995A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3263049D1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0057810A1 (en) 1982-08-18
ATE12755T1 (en) 1985-05-15
US4573673A (en) 1986-03-04
DE3263049D1 (en) 1985-05-23
CH650995A5 (en) 1985-08-30

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