EP0080089B1 - Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path - Google Patents

Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0080089B1
EP0080089B1 EP82110147A EP82110147A EP0080089B1 EP 0080089 B1 EP0080089 B1 EP 0080089B1 EP 82110147 A EP82110147 A EP 82110147A EP 82110147 A EP82110147 A EP 82110147A EP 0080089 B1 EP0080089 B1 EP 0080089B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensor
products
product
counting device
resilient
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
EP82110147A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0080089A1 (en
EP0080089B2 (en
Inventor
Werner Honegger
Hanspeter Bürgi
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.)
Ferag AG
Original Assignee
Ferag 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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=4321481&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0080089(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Ferag AG filed Critical Ferag AG
Priority to AT82110147T priority Critical patent/ATE30276T1/en
Publication of EP0080089A1 publication Critical patent/EP0080089A1/en
Publication of EP0080089B1 publication Critical patent/EP0080089B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0080089B2 publication Critical patent/EP0080089B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M7/00—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M7/08—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor wherein the direction of movement of the objects is changed at the station where they are sensed
    • G06M7/10—Counting of flat overlapped articles, e.g. of cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M2207/00—Indexing scheme relating to counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M2207/02—Counting of generally flat and overlapped articles, e.g. cards, newspapers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a counting device for counting flat products, preferably moving in a scale formation along a conveyor track, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the sensor is arranged between two load disks resting on the product stream and has a nose fastened to a spring-elastic deflectable support arm.
  • the nose In the rest position of the sensor, in which the support arm rests on an inductive proximity switch, the nose protrudes beyond its circumference at a point which is higher than the lowest point of the load washers.
  • the support arm is deflected elastically in the conveying direction of the same by the leading edge of the products abutting the nose.
  • this product is deflected downwards by these loading disks.
  • the nose can come loose from the product and the support arm can spring back into its rest position against the proximity switch.
  • the count signal generated is fed to a counter.
  • a counting device in which the sensor is arranged to be pivotable about an axis running parallel to the plane of the products and is deflected against the force of a spring by the leading edges of the products running towards it (CH-PS 382 477 and corresponding US-PS 3 219 829). During this pivoting of the sensor, the light beam from a light barrier is interrupted and a counting pulse is generated which is fed to a counter.
  • the relatively large inertia proves to be disadvantageous, which leads to incorrect counts, in particular in the case of products with a small mutual distance and / or high conveying speeds.
  • this counting device is only suitable for products the thickness of which is not less than a minimum. The swiveling-out movement of the sensor caused by, for example, one or two single sheets is in fact unable to interrupt the light beam of the light barrier with certainty and then to release this light beam again.
  • a sensor In the counting device described in CH-PS 600 446 or the corresponding US Pat. No. 4,139,765, a sensor is continuously pressed by spring force from below against the products, which lie on one another in scale formation so that each product rests on the preceding product. The trailing edges of the products are thus exposed on the underside of the product flow, which is sensed by the sensor.
  • a pressure roller must be provided opposite the sensor above the product flow in order to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the products.
  • the sensor is connected to a piezoelectric transducer, which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products.
  • a piezoelectric transducer which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products.
  • those signals are used which are generated by the sensor when the trailing edge of the products is passed and which are of greater amplitude than the other signals. The latter must be filtered out in order to obtain an unadulterated count of the products.
  • this counting device is not readily suitable for counting the products due to the step which is formed by the leading edges of the products, since these steps are relatively high, especially in the case of thick products, and have a steep increase .
  • This counting device can therefore not be arranged on the top of a shingled stream in which the leading edges of the products lie at the top, as is normally the case with printed products.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a counting device of the type mentioned, which is able to properly count products of different thicknesses, especially thin single sheets, even if these products with high speed and low mutual distance can be moved past.
  • the sensor is deflected by the product attacking it not only in the direction of movement of this product, but also pushed upwards. This allows the sensor to detach itself from the leading edge of the product and spring back into its starting position, in which it is ready for the detection of the next product. Because the sensor is raised against the action of resilient forces, the sensor remains in contact with the products, so that the products jump off or even jump off Skipping the leading edge of a product is avoided.
  • the senor is designed as a leaf spring, which is connected to a support likewise formed by a leaf spring and which can be deflected perpendicularly to the plane of the products, a particularly low-inertia solution is obtained.
  • the sensor and the holder are preferably formed in one piece, the sensor and holder together forming an L-shaped component.
  • a belt conveyor 1 is shown only schematically, which forms a conveyor track for print products 3 occurring in scale formation 2 and moves these print products 3 in the direction of arrow A.
  • the printed products 3 lie on top of one another like roof tiles, the leading edge 3a of the printed products 3 being exposed.
  • a counter is arranged above the product stream 2.
  • This has a support element 5, which is formed by a spring leaf.
  • This support element 5 is connected to a clamping device 6, with which the support element 5 is clamped on a bolt 7 of a stationary holder 8.
  • the free end 5a of the support element 5 is bent in the manner of a runner and rests on the printed products 3.
  • Two holding elements 9 and 10 are fastened to the supporting element 5 and are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 11.
  • An L-shaped spring element 13 is fastened to the holding element 9 by means of a screw connection 12, which in its rest position rests with its one leg 14 on the connecting element 11 and with the other leg 15 on the holding element 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the leg 15 of the spring element 13 protrudes with its end 15a over the holding element 10 and the support element 5 and serves as a sensor for determining the individual printed products 3 moving past the counter 4 as a carrier of the sensor 15, which is also designed in the manner of a leaf spring.
  • An inductive proximity switch 16 which is of a known type, is held in the holding element 10.
  • the pulses generated by this proximity switch 16 in a manner yet to be described are fed via a connecting cable 17 to a counter (not shown in more detail) which is also of a known type.
  • the carrier 14 Since the sensor 15 is connected to a carrier 14 which is perpendicular to the plane of the printed products 3, i.e. is deflectable elastically in the direction of arrow B, the carrier 14 is bent out during this lifting of the sensor 15. After covering a certain deflection path, the sensor 15 detaches itself from the front edge 3a of the printed product 3 'and springs back into its starting position due to its resilient properties, in which it rests on the holding element 10. In Figure 2, the sensor 15 and the carrier 14 is shown in dashed lines during this spring back. When the metallic sensor 15 approaches the inductive proximity switch 16, the latter generates a counting signal which is fed to the counter for processing via the connecting cable 17. The sensor 15 in its starting position is now ready to count the next printed product 3, by which it is deflected again in the manner described.
  • the sensor 15 Since the sensor 15 is raised during its deflection against the spring action of the carrier 14, the sensor 15 remains in contact with this product 3 'even when it is released from the printed product 3'. A jumping off of the sensor 15 from the products 3 or even a skipping of the leading edge 3a of the next product 3 is effectively avoided in this way. For this reason it is possible to use the counter 4 described both thick and thin products, i.e. also single sheets, count properly.
  • the support element 5 As a result of the resilient properties of the support element 5, its front end 5a can follow the contour of the scale stream 2 without the printed products 3 being damaged. In addition, this supporting element 5, which rests on the printed products 3 with a certain pressure, prevents the printed product 3 ′ which bumps against the sensor 15 from bending out. By means of the clamping device 6, the inclination of the support element 5 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printed products 3 and the desired contact pressure.
  • the carrier 14 and the sensor 15 are formed from leaf springs and in one piece with one another makes a particularly simple one and low inertia construction. Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous to dampen the sensor 15 and / or the carrier 14. This can easily be done by sticking a suitable material, e.g. B. a foam plastic, on the sensor 15 or the carrier 14.
  • a suitable material e.g. B. a foam plastic
  • a differently designed support for the counter 4 on the printed products 3 can also be used. In certain cases it is even possible to dispense with supporting the counter 4 at all and to arrange it firmly above the product stream 2. However, such a solution requires a height adjustment of the counter 4 if the thickness of the products to be counted changes.

Abstract

A product counter apparatus is disclosed comprising a support element which bears against the products, typically printed products, which are to be counted. A holder device is mounted at the support element. Secured to such holder device is a substantially L-shaped spring or resilient element containing two leg members. The one leg member of such resilient or spring element extends substantially transversely with respect to a predetermined conveying direction of the printed products and protrudes by means of its free end past the holder device. The other leg member of the resilient or spring element is clamped at its end, and thus, can be elastically deflected transversely to a plane containing the printed products. Retained in the holder device is an inductive proximity switch. The printed products moving past the counter apparatus impact at their leading edge at the end of the one leg member which serves as a feeler or sensor and deflect the latter in their product conveying direction. At the same time the feeler is raised while there is deflected the other leg member of the resilient or spring element. Consequently, it is possible for the feeler to be released from the printed product engaging thereat and to resiliently return back into its starting position. During approach of the feeler at the proximity switch the latter generates a counting signal which is inputted to a counter mechanism.

Description

Die vorligende Erfindung betrifft eine Zähleinrichtung zum Zählen von vorzugsweise in Schuppenformation längs einer Förderbahn bewegten flächigen Erzeugnissen gemäss Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1.The present invention relates to a counting device for counting flat products, preferably moving in a scale formation along a conveyor track, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bei einer derartigen, aus der DE-OS 2446 184 bekannten Zähleinrichtung ist der Fühler zwischen zwei auf dem Produktestrom aufliegenden Belastungsscheiben angeordnet und weist eine an einem federelastisch auslenkbaren Tragarm befestigte Nase auf. In der Ruhestellung des Fühlers, in der der Tragarm an einem induktiven Näherungsschalter anliegt, steht die Nase an einer Stelle, die höher liegt als der tiefste Punkt der Belastungsscheiben, über deren Umfang vor. Der Tragarm wird durch die mit ihrer vorlaufenden Kante an der Nase anstossenden Erzeugnisse in Förderrichtung derselben elastisch ausgelenkt. Sobald die Nase durch das an ihr angreifende Erzeugnis soweit zurückgestossen worden ist, dass sie zwischen den Belastungsscheiben verschwindet, wird dieses Erzeugnis durch diese Belastungsscheiben nach unten umgelenkt. Das hat zur Folge, dass sich die Nase vom Erzeugnis lösen und der Tragarm in seine Ruhelage gegen den Näherungsschalter zurückfedern kann. Das dabei erzeugte Zählsignal wird einem Zählwerk zugeführt.In such a counting device known from DE-OS 2446 184, the sensor is arranged between two load disks resting on the product stream and has a nose fastened to a spring-elastic deflectable support arm. In the rest position of the sensor, in which the support arm rests on an inductive proximity switch, the nose protrudes beyond its circumference at a point which is higher than the lowest point of the load washers. The support arm is deflected elastically in the conveying direction of the same by the leading edge of the products abutting the nose. As soon as the nose has been pushed back so far by the product attacking it that it disappears between the loading disks, this product is deflected downwards by these loading disks. As a result, the nose can come loose from the product and the support arm can spring back into its rest position against the proximity switch. The count signal generated is fed to a counter.

Bei dieser Zähleinrichtung ist somit eine Auslenkung der Erzeugnisse aus ihrer Förderebene nötig, um eine Freigabe der Nase zu bewirken und ein Rückstellen des Tragarmes zu ermöglichen. Neben dem hiefür erforderlichen konstruktiven Aufwand hat diese Lösung den weitern Nachteil, dass dieses Auslenken vor allem bei dünnen Erzeugnissen zu Beschädigungen derselben führen kann.With this counting device, a deflection of the products from their conveying plane is necessary in order to release the nose and to enable the support arm to be reset. In addition to the design effort required for this, this solution has the further disadvantage that this deflection, particularly in the case of thin products, can damage the same.

Daneben ist eine Zähleinrichtung bekannt, bei der der Fühler um eine parallel zur Ebene der Erzeugnisse verlaufende Achse schwenkbar angeordnet ist und durch die vorlaufenden Kanten der auf ihn zulaufenden Erzeugnisse entgegen der Kraft einer Feder ausgelenkt wird (CH-PS 382 477 und entsprechende US-PS 3 219 829). Bei diesem Verschwenken des Fühlers wird der Lichtstrahl einer Lichtschranke unterbrochen und so ein Zählimpuls erzeugt, der einem Zählwerk zugeleitet wird. Bei dieser Ausführung erweist sich ausser der unvermeidlichen Reibung im Lager des Fühlers vor allem die verhältnismässig grosse Trägheit als nachteilig, was insbesondere bei in geringem gegenseitigem Abstand anfallenden Erzeugnissen und/oder grossen Fördergeschwindigkeiten zu Fehlzählungen führt. Im weitern eignet sich diese Zähleinrichtung nur für Erzeugnisse, deren Dicke ein Mindestmass nicht unterschreitet. Die durch beispielsweise ein oder zwei Einzelblätter hervorgerufene Ausschwenkbewegung des Fühlers ist nämlich nicht im Stande, den Lichtstrahl der Lichtschranke mit Sicherheit zu unterbrechen und anschliessend diesen Lichtstrahl wieder freizugeben.In addition, a counting device is known in which the sensor is arranged to be pivotable about an axis running parallel to the plane of the products and is deflected against the force of a spring by the leading edges of the products running towards it (CH-PS 382 477 and corresponding US-PS 3 219 829). During this pivoting of the sensor, the light beam from a light barrier is interrupted and a counting pulse is generated which is fed to a counter. In this embodiment, in addition to the inevitable friction in the bearing of the sensor, the relatively large inertia proves to be disadvantageous, which leads to incorrect counts, in particular in the case of products with a small mutual distance and / or high conveying speeds. Furthermore, this counting device is only suitable for products the thickness of which is not less than a minimum. The swiveling-out movement of the sensor caused by, for example, one or two single sheets is in fact unable to interrupt the light beam of the light barrier with certainty and then to release this light beam again.

Bei der in der CH-PS 600 446 bzw. der entsprechenden US-PS 4 139 765 beschriebenen Zähleinrichtung wird ein Fühler durch Federkraft von unten dauernd gegen die Produkte gedrückt, die in Schuppenformation so aufeinander liegen, dass jedes Produkt auf dem vorangehenden Produkt aufliegt. Somit liegen an der vom Fühler abgetasteten Unterseite des Produktestromes die nachlaufenden Kanten der Produkte frei. Oberhalb des Produktestromes muss dem Fühler gegenüberliegend eine Anpressrolle vorgesehen werden, um ein einwandfreies Anliegen des Fühlers an den Produkten sicherzustellen.In the counting device described in CH-PS 600 446 or the corresponding US Pat. No. 4,139,765, a sensor is continuously pressed by spring force from below against the products, which lie on one another in scale formation so that each product rests on the preceding product. The trailing edges of the products are thus exposed on the underside of the product flow, which is sensed by the sensor. A pressure roller must be provided opposite the sensor above the product flow in order to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the products.

Der Fühler ist mit einem piezoelektrischen Wandler verbunden, welcher der Kontur des Produktestromes und den Unebenheiten der einzelnen Produkte entsprechend ein kontinuierliches Signal liefert. Zum Zählen der Produkte werden diejenigen Signale verwertet, die beim Überfahren der nachlaufenden Kante der Produkte durch den Fühler erzeugt werden und von grösserer Amplitude sind als die übrigen Signale. Letztere müssen ausfiltriert werden, um eine unverfälschte Zählung der Produkte zu erhalten.The sensor is connected to a piezoelectric transducer, which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products. To count the products, those signals are used which are generated by the sensor when the trailing edge of the products is passed and which are of greater amplitude than the other signals. The latter must be filtered out in order to obtain an unadulterated count of the products.

Wegen der in der Grösse begrenzten Auslenkamplitude des Fühlers eignet sich diese Zähleinrichtung nicht ohne weiteres zum Zählen der Produkte aufgrund der Stufe, welche durch die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte gebildet sind, da diese Stufen vor allem bei dicken Produkten verhältnismässig hoch sind und einen steilen Anstieg aufweisen. Diese Zähleinrichtung lässt sich somit nicht auf der Oberseite eines Schuppenstromes anordnen, in welchem die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte oben liegen, wie das bei Druckprodukten normalerweise der Fall ist.Because of the limited deflection amplitude of the sensor, this counting device is not readily suitable for counting the products due to the step which is formed by the leading edges of the products, since these steps are relatively high, especially in the case of thick products, and have a steep increase . This counting device can therefore not be arranged on the top of a shingled stream in which the leading edges of the products lie at the top, as is normally the case with printed products.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Zähleinrichtung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die in der Lage ist, Erzeugnisse unterschiedlicher Dicke, insbesondere auch dünne Einzelblätter, einwandfrei zu zählen, und zwar auch dann, wenn diese Erzeugnisse mit grosser Geschwindigkeit und geringem gegenseitigem Abstand vorbeibewegt werden.The present invention has for its object to provide a counting device of the type mentioned, which is able to properly count products of different thicknesses, especially thin single sheets, even if these products with high speed and low mutual distance can be moved past.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss durch die Merkmale des kennzeichnenden Teils des Anspruches 1 gelöst.According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Der Fühler wird jeweils durch das an ihm angreifende Erzeugnis nicht nur in der Bewegungsrichtung dieses Erzeugnisses ausgelenkt, sondern auch nach oben abgedrängt. Dadurch kann sich der Fühler von der vorlaufenden Kante des Erzeugnisses lösen und wieder in seine Ausgangsstellung zurückfedern, in der er zur Erfassung des nächsten Erzeugnisses bereit ist. Dadurch, dass das Anheben des Fühlers gegen die Wirkung von federelastischen Kräften erfolgt, bleibt der Fühler mit den Erzeugnissen in Berührung, so dass ein Abspringen von den Erzeugnissen oder gar ein Überspringen der vorlaufenden Kante eines Erzeugnisses vermieden wird.The sensor is deflected by the product attacking it not only in the direction of movement of this product, but also pushed upwards. This allows the sensor to detach itself from the leading edge of the product and spring back into its starting position, in which it is ready for the detection of the next product. Because the sensor is raised against the action of resilient forces, the sensor remains in contact with the products, so that the products jump off or even jump off Skipping the leading edge of a product is avoided.

Wird der Fühler als Blattfeder ausgebildet, welche mit einem ebenfalls durch eine Blattfeder gebildeten Träger verbunden ist, der senkrecht zur Ebene der Erzeugnisse auslenkbar ist, so wird eine besonders trägheitsarme Lösung erhalten. Vorzugsweise wird der Fühler und der Halter einstückig ausgebildet, wobei Fühler und Halter zusammen einen L-förmigen Bauteil bilden.If the sensor is designed as a leaf spring, which is connected to a support likewise formed by a leaf spring and which can be deflected perpendicularly to the plane of the products, a particularly low-inertia solution is obtained. The sensor and the holder are preferably formed in one piece, the sensor and holder together forming an L-shaped component.

Im Folgenden wird anhand der Zeichnung ein Ausführungsbeispiel des Erfindungsgegenstandes näher erläutert. Es zeigt rein schematisch und in Seitenansicht:

  • Figur 1 eine Zähleinrichtung, und
  • Figur 2 im gegenüber Figur 1 vergrössertem Massstab den vordern Teil der Zähleinrichtung gemäss Figur 1.
An exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows purely schematically and in side view:
  • Figure 1 is a counter, and
  • 2 shows the front part of the counting device according to FIG. 1 on a larger scale than FIG. 1.

In den Figuren 1 und 2 ist nur schematisch ein Bandförderer 1 dargestellt, der eine Förderbahn für in Schuppenformation 2 anfallende Druckprodukte 3 bildet und diese Druckprodukte 3 in Richtung des Pfeiles A bewegt. Die Druckprodukte 3 liegen dachziegelartig aufeinander, wobei die vorlaufende Kante 3a der Druckprodukte 3 frei liegt.In FIGS. 1 and 2, a belt conveyor 1 is shown only schematically, which forms a conveyor track for print products 3 occurring in scale formation 2 and moves these print products 3 in the direction of arrow A. The printed products 3 lie on top of one another like roof tiles, the leading edge 3a of the printed products 3 being exposed.

Oberhalb des Produktestromes 2 ist ein allgemein mit 4 bezeichneter Zähler angeordnet. Dieser weist ein Abstützelement 5 auf, das durch ein Federblatt gebildet ist. Dieses Abstützelement 5 ist mit einer Klemmvorrichtung 6 verbunden, mit welcher das Abstützelement 5 auf einem Bolzen 7 einer ortsfesten Halterung 8 festgeklemmt ist. Das freie Ende 5a des Abstützelementes 5 ist in der Art einer Kufe abgebogen und liegt auf den Druckprodukten 3 auf. Am Abstützelement 5 sind zwei Halteelemente 9 und 10 befestigt, die mittels eines Verbindungselementes 11 miteinander verbunden sind. Am Halteelement 9 ist mittels einer Schraubverbindung 12 ein L-förmiges Federelement 13 befestigt, das in seiner Ruhestellung mit seinem einen Schenkel 14 am Verbindungselement 11 und mit dem andern Schenkel 15 am Halteelement 10 anliegt, wie das die Figur 1 zeigt. Der Schenkel 15 des Federelementes 13 steht mit seinem Ende 15a über das Halteelement 10 und das Abstützelement 5 vor und dient als Fühler zum Feststellen der einzelnen am Zähler 4 vorbeibewegten Druckprodukte 3. Der in der Art einer einseitig eingespannten Blattfeder wirkende Schenkel 14 des Federelementes 13 dient als Träger des Fühlers 15, der ebenfalls in der Art einer Blattfeder ausgebildet ist.A counter, generally designated 4, is arranged above the product stream 2. This has a support element 5, which is formed by a spring leaf. This support element 5 is connected to a clamping device 6, with which the support element 5 is clamped on a bolt 7 of a stationary holder 8. The free end 5a of the support element 5 is bent in the manner of a runner and rests on the printed products 3. Two holding elements 9 and 10 are fastened to the supporting element 5 and are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 11. An L-shaped spring element 13 is fastened to the holding element 9 by means of a screw connection 12, which in its rest position rests with its one leg 14 on the connecting element 11 and with the other leg 15 on the holding element 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The leg 15 of the spring element 13 protrudes with its end 15a over the holding element 10 and the support element 5 and serves as a sensor for determining the individual printed products 3 moving past the counter 4 as a carrier of the sensor 15, which is also designed in the manner of a leaf spring.

Im Halteelement 10 ist ein induktiver Näherungsschalter 16 gehalten, der von bekannter Bauart ist. Die auf noch zu beschreibende Weise durch diesen Näherungsschalter 16 erzeugten Impulse werden über ein Verbindungskabel 17 einem nicht näher dargestellten Zählwerk zugeführt, das ebenfalls bekannter Bauart ist.An inductive proximity switch 16, which is of a known type, is held in the holding element 10. The pulses generated by this proximity switch 16 in a manner yet to be described are fed via a connecting cable 17 to a counter (not shown in more detail) which is also of a known type.

Die Wirkungsweise des Zählers 4 ist wie folgt:The operation of counter 4 is as follows:

Die am Zähler 4 in Richtung des Pfeiles A vorbeibewegten Druckprodukte 3 stossen mit ihrer vorlaufenden Kante 3a am Ende 15a des Fühlers an, wie das in den Figuren anhand des mit 3' bezeichneten Produktes dargestellt ist. Dieses Ende 15a des Fühlers 15, das in Ruhestellung des letzteren eetwa rechtwinklig zur Ebene der Produkte 3 steht, wird durch das an ihm angreifende Druckprodukt 3' mitgenommen, was eine Auslenkung des Fühlers 15 in Bewegungsrichtung A der Druckprodukte 3 zur Folge hat, wie das aus Figur 2 hervorgeht. Dabei verkleinert sich der Winkel a zwischen dem Fühlerende 15a und der Ebene des Produktes 3, d.h. dieser Winkel a wird kleiner als 90°. Auf den Fühler 15 wirkt somit nun eine nach oben gerichtete Kraftkomponente, durch welche der Fühler 15 nach oben angehoben wird. Da der Fühler 15 mit einem Träger 14 verbunden ist, der senkrecht zur Ebene der Druckprodukte 3, d.h. in Richtung des Pfeiles B, elastisch auslenkbar ist, wird der Träger 14 bei diesem Anheben des Fühlers 15 ausgebogen. Nach Zurücklegung eines bestimmten Auslenkweges löst sich der Fühler 15 von der Vorderkante 3a des Druckproduktes 3' und federt infolge seiner federelastischen Eigenschaften in seine Ausgangslage zurück, in der er am Halteelement 10 anliegt. In Figur 2 ist gestrichelt der Fühler 15 und der Träger 14 während dieses Zurückfederns dargestellt. Bei der Annäherung des metallischen Fühlers 15 an den induktiven Näherungsschalter 16 erzeugt dieser ein Zählsignal, das über das Verbindungskabel 17 dem Zählwerk zur Verarbeitung zugeführt wird. Der sich in seiner Ausgangsstellung befindliche Fühler 15 ist nun zur Zählung des nächsten Druckproduktes 3 bereit, durch welches er auf die beschriebene Weise erneut ausgelenkt wird.The printed products 3 moved past the counter 4 in the direction of the arrow A abut with their leading edge 3a at the end 15a of the sensor, as is shown in the figures with the product denoted by 3 '. This end 15a of the sensor 15, which in the rest position of the latter is approximately at right angles to the level of the products 3, is carried along by the printed product 3 'engaging on it, which results in a deflection of the sensor 15 in the direction of movement A of the printed products 3, such as that emerges from Figure 2. The angle a between the sensor end 15a and the plane of the product 3 decreases, i.e. this angle a becomes less than 90 °. An upward force component thus acts on the sensor 15, by means of which the sensor 15 is raised upwards. Since the sensor 15 is connected to a carrier 14 which is perpendicular to the plane of the printed products 3, i.e. is deflectable elastically in the direction of arrow B, the carrier 14 is bent out during this lifting of the sensor 15. After covering a certain deflection path, the sensor 15 detaches itself from the front edge 3a of the printed product 3 'and springs back into its starting position due to its resilient properties, in which it rests on the holding element 10. In Figure 2, the sensor 15 and the carrier 14 is shown in dashed lines during this spring back. When the metallic sensor 15 approaches the inductive proximity switch 16, the latter generates a counting signal which is fed to the counter for processing via the connecting cable 17. The sensor 15 in its starting position is now ready to count the next printed product 3, by which it is deflected again in the manner described.

Da der Fühler 15 während seiner Auslenkung entgegen der Federwirkung des Trägers 14 angehoben wird, bleibt der Fühler 15 auch während seines Lösens vom Druckprodukt 3' mit diesem Produkt 3' in Berührung. Ein Abspringen des Fühlers 15 von den Produkten 3 oder gar ein Überspringen der vorlaufenden Kante 3a des nächstfolgenden Produktes 3 wird auf diese Weise wirkungsvoll vermieden. Aus diesem Grunde ist es möglich, mit dem beschriebenen Zähler 4 sowohl dicke wie auch dünne Produkte, d.h. auch Einzelblätter, einwandfrei zu zählen.Since the sensor 15 is raised during its deflection against the spring action of the carrier 14, the sensor 15 remains in contact with this product 3 'even when it is released from the printed product 3'. A jumping off of the sensor 15 from the products 3 or even a skipping of the leading edge 3a of the next product 3 is effectively avoided in this way. For this reason it is possible to use the counter 4 described both thick and thin products, i.e. also single sheets, count properly.

Infolge der federelastischen Eigenschaften des Abstützelements 5 kann dessen vorderes Ende 5a der Kontur des Schuppenstromes 2 folgen, ohne dass die Druckprodukte 3 beschädigt werden. Zudem verhindert dieses mit einem gewissen Druck auf den Druckprodukten 3 aufliegende Abstützelement 5 ein Ausbiegen des an den Fühler 15 anstossenden Druckproduktes 3'. Mittels der Klemmvorrichtung 6 kann die Neigung des Abstützelementes 5 der Dicke der Druckprodukte 3 und dem gewünschten Auflagedruck entsprechend eingestellt werden.As a result of the resilient properties of the support element 5, its front end 5a can follow the contour of the scale stream 2 without the printed products 3 being damaged. In addition, this supporting element 5, which rests on the printed products 3 with a certain pressure, prevents the printed product 3 ′ which bumps against the sensor 15 from bending out. By means of the clamping device 6, the inclination of the support element 5 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printed products 3 and the desired contact pressure.

Dadurch, dass der Träger 14 und der Fühler 15 aus Blattfedern und miteinander einstückig ausgebildet sind, wird eine besonders einfache und trägheitsarme Konstruktion erhalten. Unter Umständen kann es von Vorteil sein, den Fühler 15 und/oder den Träger 14 zu dämpfen. Dies kann auf einfache Weise durch Aufkleben eines geeigneten Werkstoffes, z. B. eines Schaumkunststoffes, auf den Fühler 15 bzw. den Träger 14 erfolgen.The fact that the carrier 14 and the sensor 15 are formed from leaf springs and in one piece with one another makes a particularly simple one and low inertia construction. Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous to dampen the sensor 15 and / or the carrier 14. This can easily be done by sticking a suitable material, e.g. B. a foam plastic, on the sensor 15 or the carrier 14.

Es ist denkbar, den Träger 14 anders als wie gezeigt auszubilden, um den Finger 15 in Richtung des Pfeiles B elastisch bewegbar zu halten. Solche Lösungen hätten jedoch gegenüber der gezeigten Ausführungsform den Nachteil einer aufwendigeren Konstruktion, die unter Umständen auch eine grössere Trägheit aufweist, was an sich nicht erwünscht ist.It is conceivable to design the carrier 14 differently than shown in order to keep the finger 15 elastically movable in the direction of the arrow B. However, compared to the embodiment shown, such solutions would have the disadvantage of a more complex construction, which under certain circumstances also has a greater inertia, which in itself is not desirable.

Anstelle des Abstützelementes 5 kann auch eine anders ausgebildete Abstützung für den Zähler 4 auf den Druckprodukten 3 verwendet werden. In gewissen Fällen ist es sogar möglich, auf eine solche Abstützung des Zählers 4 überhaupt zu verzichten und diesen fest oberhalb des Produktestromes 2 anzuordnen. Eine derartige Lösung verlangt jedoch eine Höhenanpassung des Zählers 4, falls sich die Dicke der zu zählenden Produkte ändert.Instead of the support element 5, a differently designed support for the counter 4 on the printed products 3 can also be used. In certain cases it is even possible to dispense with supporting the counter 4 at all and to arrange it firmly above the product stream 2. However, such a solution requires a height adjustment of the counter 4 if the thickness of the products to be counted changes.

Es versteht sich, dass mit dem beschriebenen Zähler 4 auch andere flächige Erzeugnisse als Druckprodukte gezählt werden können. Im weitern ist es nicht unbedingt erforderlich, dass die zu zählenden Produkte in Schuppenformation 2 am Zähler 4 vorbeigeführt werden.It goes without saying that with the counter 4 described, other flat products can also be counted as printed products. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the products to be counted to be passed past counter 4 in scale formation 2.

Claims (7)

1. A counting device for counting flat products (3), particularly printed products, moved along a conveyor track (1) preferably in overlapping formation (2), having a single sensor (15), which is secured, via a resilient carrier (14), to a holding means (9, 10, 11) and can be entrained, in the conveying direction (A) of the products (3), by their leading end (3a) and which cooperates with an electrical signal transmitter (16) responding to its deflection, sensor and signal transmitter (16) being connected to a supporting device (5) which comes to rest on the products (3) and the free end (15a) of the sensor (15) projecting, in its undeflected position, into the plane of the leading edges (3a) of the products (3), characterised in that the sensor (15) formed by a single flexibly resilient element is constructed or arranged in such a manner that after an entrainment by a product (3), the angle (a) between the end (15a) of the deflected sensor (15), which end is caught by this product (3), and the plane of this product (3) is smaller than 90°. this end (15a) of the sensor (15) being able to be forced back resiliently perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor track (1).
2. A counting device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the carrier (14) is constructed in the form of a flexible spring which can be deflected perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor track (1).
3. A counting device as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the carrier (14) is constructed in the form of a leaf spring gripped at one side.
4. A counting device as claimed in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sensor (15) is constructed in the form of a leaf spring.
5. A counting device as claimed in Claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the sensor (15) and the carrier (14) each form one arm of an L-shaped spring element (13).
6. A counting device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the supporting device is constructed in the form of a gripped spring element (5) which is secured to a support (8) at its one end and comes to rest on the products (3) at the other end.
7. A counting device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the signal transmitter (16) is constructed in the form of an inductive proximity switch.
EP82110147A 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path Expired - Lifetime EP0080089B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82110147T ATE30276T1 (en) 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 COUNTING DEVICE FOR COUNTING FLAT PRODUCTS MOVED ALONG A CONVEYOR.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH7203/81A CH652993A5 (en) 1981-11-10 1981-11-10 COUNTING DEVICE FOR NUMBERING LENGTHS OF A FLAT MOVING PRODUCTS.
CH7203/81 1981-11-10

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0080089A1 EP0080089A1 (en) 1983-06-01
EP0080089B1 true EP0080089B1 (en) 1987-10-14
EP0080089B2 EP0080089B2 (en) 1992-01-08

Family

ID=4321481

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82110147A Expired - Lifetime EP0080089B2 (en) 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4539470A (en)
EP (1) EP0080089B2 (en)
JP (1) JPS5887684A (en)
AT (1) ATE30276T1 (en)
CH (1) CH652993A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3277474D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH661810A5 (en) * 1984-10-12 1987-08-14 Bobst Sa DEVICE FOR COUNTING FLAT OBJECTS ARRANGED IN TABLECLOTH.
AU599655B2 (en) * 1986-06-20 1990-07-26 Eds Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting and counting articles
US4974237A (en) * 1989-03-13 1990-11-27 Hall Processing Systems Contact type paper counter
GB2233484B (en) * 1989-06-23 1993-08-25 Tokai Carbon Kk Device for counting small projections or depressions on surfaces of objects
US5084906A (en) * 1989-07-10 1992-01-28 Ferag Ag Process and apparatus for counting printed products
DE4125450C2 (en) * 1991-08-01 1995-08-10 Kodak Ag Device for determining the thickness of sheets of paper
US5864070A (en) * 1996-03-12 1999-01-26 Kira; Alan K. Apparatus and method for detecting sizing or marginal gradation changes of a controlled or random sized product on a conveying medium
ATE373283T1 (en) * 1999-01-05 2007-09-15 Ferag Ag DETECTION DEVICE
CN112140721A (en) * 2020-09-27 2020-12-29 湖北泰友纸业有限公司 Printing quantity self-adjusting counting system for corrugated board printing

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH382477A (en) * 1961-03-30 1964-09-30 Ferag Ag Counting device
CH439341A (en) * 1966-06-15 1967-07-15 Ferag Ag Counting device for folded sheets of paper, in particular folded newspapers
US3577955A (en) * 1968-06-19 1971-05-11 Charles G Palmer Discontinuity sensor
US3702925A (en) * 1971-07-01 1972-11-14 Electronic Design & Services I Signature counter
DE2446184C3 (en) * 1974-09-27 1979-12-13 Guenther Dr.-Ing. 4800 Bielefeld Schick Scanning device for counting material transported like scales
US4091269A (en) * 1976-02-17 1978-05-23 Gunther Schick Sensing device for counting workpieces transported in stepped formation
JPS5850458Y2 (en) * 1976-08-20 1983-11-17 株式会社池貝 counting device
CH600446A5 (en) * 1976-10-28 1978-06-15 Ferag Ag
US4148393A (en) * 1977-05-27 1979-04-10 Wiseman Raymond L Sensing device and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE30276T1 (en) 1987-10-15
EP0080089A1 (en) 1983-06-01
JPH0445876B2 (en) 1992-07-28
DE3277474D1 (en) 1987-11-19
JPS5887684A (en) 1983-05-25
EP0080089B2 (en) 1992-01-08
US4539470A (en) 1985-09-03
CH652993A5 (en) 1985-12-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0080089B1 (en) Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path
CH641118A5 (en) BRANCHING DEVICE FOR A SHED FLOW.
CH382477A (en) Counting device
DE3419436C2 (en)
DE2516847A1 (en) DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING, COUNTING AND / OR VALIDATING ADMISSION TICKETS OR THE LIKE.
CH650601A5 (en) DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING A DATA CARRIER IN A DATA RECOGNITION DEVICE.
DE3224315A1 (en) PAPER GUIDE FOR AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPIER
DE2724617A1 (en) ROUND STACK SHEET FEEDER
EP0277155B1 (en) Device for separating items flowing in an overlapping arrangement
DE3024036C2 (en)
DE10223349B4 (en) Method and device for stacking flat items
DE10152111A1 (en) retraction device
DE3917373A1 (en) DEVICE FOR DEPOSITING LEAVES
EP3489177A1 (en) Device for the separation of mail items fed by a franking machine on a processing line
DE2317807A1 (en) TRANSFER DEVICE FOR BATTERY DOUBLE PLATES
DE1119167B (en) Plant for stacking sheets
DE3310839A1 (en) LABELING DEVICE
DE1549981C3 (en)
DE2446184A1 (en) Counting sensor for moving stacked sheets - with switch actuator positively displaced by steps between staggered sheets
DE2950616C2 (en)
CH677480A5 (en) Counting of printed sheets - using data on edges of sheets accessible by change in feed direction of sheets on conveyor
DE1187246B (en) Device for separating flat mail items such as letters
DE2952258C2 (en) Sorting device for the automatic selection and supply of bodies properly assembled from mechanical parts
DE2219912A1 (en) DEVICE FOR HORIZONTAL DETAILING OF RECORDING MEDIA
EP0890536A1 (en) Device for preventing double feeds

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19830429

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: FUMERO BREVETTI S.N.C.

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 30276

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19871015

Kind code of ref document: T

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3277474

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19871119

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)
PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: JAGENBERG AG

Effective date: 19880702

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: JAGENBERG AG

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: FUMERO BREVETTI S.N.C.

PUAH Patent maintained in amended form

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED

27A Patent maintained in amended form

Effective date: 19920108

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

Designated state(s): AT BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

ET3 Fr: translation filed ** decision concerning opposition
GBTA Gb: translation of amended ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(b)/1977)
NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
NLR3 Nl: receipt of modified translations in the netherlands language after an opposition procedure
ITTA It: last paid annual fee
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19931018

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19931019

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19931021

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19931029

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19931130

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19941013

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19941104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19941105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19941130

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 82110147.4

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: FERAG A.G.

Effective date: 19941130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19950601

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19950731

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 82110147.4

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19951020

Year of fee payment: 14

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19951104

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19951104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19970801