EP0403901B2 - Sorting device for cut flat elements - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sorting device according to the Preamble of claim 1. The flat blanks can e.g. towards certain quality features or errors testing paper sheets, especially high quality papers, such as Art papers, security papers for checks, banknotes or the like.

In the sorting device according to GB-A-2 085 412 Funding changes are provided from a single one Strand of blanks individual blanks optionally to three Redirect target stations. A similar redirection to two Target stations are also the subject of PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vo 12, no. 81 (M-676) March 15, 1988, & JP-A-62 222 950 (NEC.CORP.) Provided September 30, 1987. EP-A-247 408 shows a clocking sorting device, at which stopped for the changeover to the funding and placed on a subsequent transport track. Out US 26 17 528 is a sorting device at the beginning Known type known, by means of a sorting switch faulty sheets of paper are sorted out while the flawless sheets are transported on a stacking tray will.

The invention is further based on the object of disadvantages known training to avoid and in particular a sorting device of the named or a similar To create a way that makes it easy to move in separate webs running cuts independently from each other according to predetermined criteria to discard.

The features are to solve this task of claim 1 provided. Such Sorting devices expediently have at least a movement distance for the isolated consecutive cuts that are made during of the run optically or otherwise according to certain Differentiated criteria and for example be separated so that blanks with certain Characteristics of at least one group, such Features does not have to be separated. For Increase the throughput of the sorting device the blanks are at least initially in at least moved two adjacent lanes, being side by side on all lanes can be sorted at the same time.

Sorting devices can have the disadvantage that adjacent blanks at the sorting point only moved on together, e.g. sorted out can be, even if only one Cutting contains the corresponding characteristic. Therefore the blanks sorted out in this way are retrospective manually sorted again to get a clear Achieve separation by categories. E.g. sorted by errors, so there are two dozen Working method for each sorting process then one order double the necessary increased committee, if only one cutting error per sorting process having. The mentioned sorting is complex, costly and error-prone because it is a requires high concentration.

According to the invention are in the area of the respective Sorting means are provided, which are reversible are that at least two of these blanks either in each other essentially be moved in the same location or in transferred a relative movement against each other through which a sorting process is brought about becomes. The sorting point is preferred by a mechanically guiding or deflecting the blanks Turnout formed, so is this sorting turnout in separate single switches for one of the above-mentioned cuts or multiple groups such blanks divided, the individual switches independently of each other in at least two switch positions are reversible. This allows the cuts mentioned accordingly the requirements either in the same Moved on or in accordance with a or several differentiators individually or be moved apart in groups. Serves sorting, for example, elimination of Committee, so only the faulty Cuts sorted out and separated from the error-free cuts are collected.

The training described can be the solution the object underlying the invention for yourself or additionally for another switch be advantageous, for example for a distribution switch, which the cutting current by reversing two or more advanced career sections can distribute. By dividing this distribution switch can in the described or a similar manner for example differences in the number of in the upstream section of the track next to each other moving streams of blanks so balanced be that at least in a continuing Career section the number of blanks independent in the adjacent tracks it is the same whether in front of the distribution switch the cuts in the careers in different or the same number arrive.

Furthermore, to solve the invention underlying task instead of the or in addition to the training described means be provided by which the blanks in the juxtaposed currents individually or in groups of adjacent blanks with different speeds for example can be moved so that a current stops, while the other stream is running. Is preferred this during mechanical transport achieved that the associated transport path in side by side Corresponding single transport lanes Width is divided, these individual transport lanes independently of each other or less quickly driven or stopped can be, although the two streams previously ran synchronously side by side.

To merge each based on of the mentioned criteria related blanks is expedient at least one collecting station provided in which the blanks for Example stacked in edge-flush stacks will. This assembly station or assembly stations are useful short in the direction of travel provided after the distribution switch, the respective Collection station advantageously immediately adjacent an overlap station upstream can be in which the distance initially blanks moved one after the other in Running towards each other with most of their associated extension overlapping scale-like be placed on top of each other. From this overlap station then the transfer takes place in the Collection station.

To solve the problem underlying the invention Task can be instead of or in addition to the training described means also provided be around in the side by side. the moving blanks independently or count separately from each other, the relaxive counting result of the counting as Signal for reversing the individual turnouts or used for driving the single transport lanes can be. Appropriately both according to the sorting switch in which each individual switch associated current as well as immediate before being placed in the collection station in each Electricity counted separately. This can determine between the one behind the other in the running direction Counting zones one or more blanks have been lost or removed were what especially in the case of processing of security papers can be important.

After sorting, distributing or collecting the blanks are preferably stacked by suitable means transversely to the prevailing until then Direction of movement moved laterally outwards, so that they can easily be a continuation Transport device can be handed over, their transport direction preferably about parallel to the predominant running direction lies. In this transport device can Direction of transport the blanks one after the other or sheet stack of separate collection stations are introduced, these collecting stations from the common distribution switch with cuts be supplied.

The sorting device according to the invention is suitable is particularly suitable for so-called sorting cross cutters, where first one of a store in the longitudinal direction fed web to Subdivision of adjacent utility lines cut lengthways and possibly at their edges trimmed and then by cross cutting in the individual, adjacent blanks is divided. This cross cutting as well as a pulling apart of blanks one behind the other in the direction of travel can immediately before Sorting switches are made with their individual switches the cut to be discharged in each case out of the main track below can while the non-diverting Cuts essentially straight across the sorting gate keep running.

The test is carried out according to the criteria mentioned conveniently shortly before slitting, the material web on both sides of the respective Separation line defined by the longitudinal section is checked so that the features mentioned independent on both sides of the dividing line can be detected from each other. This is advantageous a web inspection system is provided that depending on the requirements works in reflected light, reflection or transmitted light and the one on either side of the respective dividing line Test cells influence a separate control unit. The single switches or the single transport tracks can directly through these control units automatically to achieve the described Effects are controlled. The single switches the distribution switch are appropriately over the separate counting devices of the above Counting zone controlled.

The training according to the invention only the sheet detected for errors in the Committee rejected. This ensures that the committee is actually only defective Sheets are located, so no more manual Re-sorting is required and therefore performance the facility increased significantly can be. The training according to the invention is also suitable for materials other than paper webs.

The device according to the invention can operate a process in which of at least two materials running side by side at least on at least one section of the individual career that of a common Incoming material flows differently, but running side by side, driven can be shared with these Sections of the material flows a branch with at least two more of the same kind Sections are assigned so that the material flows can be switched independently and at any time on one of the two branches Ways can be continued to make quantity differences, which is characterized by the different Run of the adjacent material flows result in balancing again. This allows at the ends of the respective branch resulting quantities of the concurrent Material flows independently can be influenced at will. The ends of the branches are then back to a common one Spout appropriately connected so that the material quantities or stacks in the respective Branch line from the respective material flow have been collected in a row be fed to the outlet. In this respect can in the case of a sorting device, two narrow, for example single-use, separate sorting facilities placed right next to each other and hers Overlapping or collecting stations over common Transverse transport devices and if necessary at least one lifting device on the common Outlet can be connected.

These and other features of preferred Further developments of the invention go out the claims from the description and the drawing, the individual features each individually or in groups Form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and beneficial as well can represent protective designs for protection is claimed here. An embodiment the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below.

The drawing shows an inventive Sorting device as part of a sorting cutter in a partially simplified perspective Presentation.

The subject of the invention has at the end first conveyor section of a conveyor track 3 Cutting device of a sorting cutter 2 a Sorting device 1 with which those blanks produced by the cutting device, recognized as a committee from which further processing and a Committee stacks are fed while the other blanks conveyed for further processing and initially in different Levels overlapped and in a number of Stacks are collected by an integer Many times greater than the number of Cutting device produced panel widths 4, 5 is.

In the illustrated embodiment, in soft the rotating conveyor belts, for example rollers horizontal conveyor track 3 in Direction of funding arrow 6 is initially one Test device 7 provided, for example, a test head lying above the conveyor track 3 at least one test unit 8 for each panel width 4, 5, so that on every width can be checked independently. On the Test device 7 follows arrow 6 in the conveying direction Slitter 9, which on the conveyor track 3rd running material or paper web 14 in the middle divides with a longitudinal section, so that two side by side running single tracks are formed. Are laterally adjacent to the slitter 9 expedient also not shown edge trimmer provided with which the paper web 14 on the longitudinal edges to the desired width is cut. On the slitter 9 and the edge trimmer follows one to Example of two superimposed transport rollers having web retraction device 10, with which the paper web 14 from a paper roll deducted and by the test device 7 or the cross cutter 9 is moved. In front of the cross cutter the conveyor track is not through conveyor belts, but through free-running rollers, support plates or the like educated.

In the conveying direction arrow 6 follows after the web feed device 10 a cross cutter 11, the expediently two cutting tools one above the other has, preferably one of which especially the lower one, for example fixed, strip-shaped lower knife 13 and the other is designed as a cutting roller 12. The passing through between the cutting tools longitudinally divided paper web 14 is by the Cross cutter 11 each in two aligned, equally large blanks 15, 16 cross-sectioned by appropriate acceleration hurrying ahead after the cross cutting to be moved in a row Blank pairs separated without contact are a short distance apart.

Immediately following the cross cutter 11 or to the device for pulling apart of the blank pairs closes the full web width conveyor track 3 working in the same way a sorting switch 17 for each of the two side-by-side synchronized cutting streams a separate and separately reversible Single switch 18, 19 has. The two essentially same single switches 18, 19 are so trained to be any one Cut 15 or 16 of the respective current across to the level of the conveyor track 3 either down redirect to a committee collector 20 or about in the direction of arrow 6 to one above and lying approximately in the plane of the conveyor track 3 Can convey conveyor 21. The sponsor 21 also works expediently across all widths of use 4, 5 acting synchronously.

Connects to the conveyor 21 in the conveying direction a distribution switch 22 with which the juxtaposed Material flows either in Delivery direction arrow 6 to a subsequent and approximately in the level of the conveyor track 3 or Conveyor 21 lying transport path 23 forwarded or across this level for example redirected below to a branch transport track 24 can be. The distribution switch 22 has also a separate one for each width 4 or 5 Single switch 25 or 26, so that everyone single incoming cut either either can be forwarded or redirected. The identically trained single switches 24, 25 can for example as a movable guide or switch body an acute-angled, have a wedge profile lying transversely to the conveying direction, its adjoining the conveyor 21 Wedge tip directed approximately against the direction of conveyance is. The wedge tip lies in a switch position approximately in the conveyor plane, so that the upper wedge flank forwards the respective cut and in the the other course is the wedge tip over the Conveyor level raised so that the respective cut runs onto the lower wedge flank and after is diverted to the transport track 24 below. The switch bodies are around a common, approximately parallel to the conveying plane and to the conveying direction right-angled axis swiveling in the area the wedge edge facing away from the wedge tip is immediately adjacent to the transport track 23. Although shown differently in the drawing, are expediently the individual switches of the sorting switch 17 and the distribution switch 22 are identical. In the drawing is the arrow 6 in the conveying direction right single switch 18 of sorting switch 17 see above shown that the associated blank 15 on the conveyor 21 is handed over and the left one Single switch 19 is shown so that an associated Blank 16 'is deflected downwards. From the distribution switch 22 is the right single switch 25 shown so that the associated blank 15th is diverted downwards, while the left single switch 26 forwards the associated blank. The two transport tracks 23, 24 give way to the height up and down about that same measure of the funding level of the sponsor 21 from, which is approximately in a middle level between the transport routes 23, 24.

Immediately follows the distribution switch 22 in Direction of conveyance approximately in the level of the conveyor track 3 lying overlap station 31, in which the cuts of each of the two side by side Cutting streams with separate Overlap units by suitable acceleration or delay stacked on top of one another can be. A corresponding, transversely to the level 3, however, in the height direction offset or underlying overlap station 32 is also the transport track 24 assigned and is expedient to the Overlap station 31 in or against the conveying direction offset by at least one useful length or vertically above it. The, also separate, adjacent overlap units having and parallel to the overlap station 31 or horizontally arranged overlap station 32 is over a height difference inclined intermediate transport route with the distribution switch 22 connected. On this transport route can cut the two side by side Material flows independently be moved from each other. Usually the intermediate transport route a powered conveyor, so this is expediently independent of one another drivable, adjacent individual conveyors educated.

In the conveying direction immediately after each overlap station 31 and 32 is a collection station 33 and 34 provided to which the overlapped blanks of each blanking stream handed over independently and in separate, edge-flush stacking independently of each other be piled up so that each collecting station 33 or 34 side by side, separately and working independently Has collection units for the blanking streams.

Each overlap unit and the associated one Collection unit form at least one separately drivable and controllable single conveyor track 27, 28 or 29, 30 of the associated transport path 23 or 24. Also useful are those in the conveying direction successive, the respective overlap unit and the subsequent collection unit associated transport sections by separately controllable or drivable individual conveyor formed. The individual conveyors next to each other the overlap station 31 have separate drives 35, 36 on, while the side by side Single conveyor of the collecting station 33 separate Have drives 37, 38. Appropriate, Separate drives, not shown also point out the individual conveyors of the overlap station 32 and the collecting station 34. The side by side Overlap units and / or the adjacent individual conveyors or their drives are expedient a clutch 39 can be coupled rigidly to one another, so that they are also driven exactly synchronously can be. This will in certain cases achieved higher working accuracy. For example can the sorting device 1 or the sorting snow of the 2 can also be operated with one use, i.e. that there is no longitudinal cut, but the slitter 9 is out of order without the danger exists that the respective, then of two adjacent Single conveyors to be moved wider cutting due to this inaccuracies two individual conveyors inclined in the Overlap distance runs in.

Closes at each collecting station 33 or 34 directly on a cross conveyor 40 or 41 on which is the stack of blanks next to each other Collection units by their single sponsors passed independently and then across or perpendicular to the conveying direction Arrow 6, but parallel to the level of the conveyor track can be moved. The two superimposed Cross conveyor 40, 41 of the two Transport tracks 23, 24 convey in the same transverse direction, are useful in the direction of conveyance Arrow 6 offset from each other as shown the overlapping stations 31, 32 and the collecting stations 33, 34 described, where appropriate to achieve the offset between one Overlap station and the associated collecting station a correspondingly extended intermediate route is provided. The upper cross conveyor 40 opens laterally adjacent to the transport track 24 or to the overlap station 32 in a lifting device 42, for example a scissor lift table, with which the associated blank stacks of the level of the cross conveyor 40 to the level of the cross conveyor 41 can be lowered. The lowered stacks are placed on an intermediate conveyor 44 in the transverse conveying direction to one Transfer device 43 which the Stacks or sheet packs approximately parallel to the conveying direction Arrow 6 leads to further processing. The transport device 43 is expediently in Height of the collecting station 34 or the cross conveyor 41, which the stack fed him immediately to the transport device 43 at one point passes in the direction of conveyance opposite the Transfer point through the intermediate conveyor 44 is offset.

According to the invention are further for those running side by side Cut streams separate, counting devices working independently of each other 45, 46 and 47, 48 provided. Appropriately is immediate for the cuts of each stream after sorting switch 17 in the area of the conveyor 21 each have a counting device 45 or 46 intended. Corresponding separate counting devices 47, 48 of another counting system work before storing the overlapped blanks in the respective collecting station 33 or 34, so that each collection unit has a separate counting device assigned. Corresponding separate Counting devices can also be in the range between the sorting switch 17 and the reject collector 20 may be provided.

Should, as shown in the drawing, in left web strand of paper web 14 an error have found, this will be after its detection electronically by the associated test unit 8 processed so that the associated single switch 19 of the sorting switch 17 depending on the cutting length, the conveying speed and the distance of the test device 7 from the sorting switch 17 reversed so that exactly on arrival of the blank 16 'having the error the individual switch 19 changed over to the discharge position and this blank 16 'is the reject stack is fed. The other single switch 18 in this case it remains in its normal position, in which is the corresponding cut of the overlap and then fed to the collection station.

For this reason come in the overlap units the overlap station 31 blanks with different intervals what interfere with the overlap process could. In the case described, therefore a corresponding coupling of the drive 36 left overlap line temporarily stopped, around the by ejecting the blank 16 'increased distance between successive Blanks 16 to compensate. The two individual stacks of the respective collection station 33 and 34 can by the discharge individual cuts not at the same time, but only their predefined one after the other in time Number of cuts, for example 500 Reach pieces, so that they only time accordingly successively to the associated cross conveyor 40 or 41 can be transferred. This is due to the separately driven individual conveyors of the collecting stations 33, 34 possible.

Is a counter 45 or 46 of the first counting system found that for a Stack passed through certain number of blanks and therefore the associated collection unit is fed to the collecting station 33, then The last cut is run through the associated one Single switch 25 or 26 of the distribution switch 22 this single switch so that the others Blanks diverted onto the conveyor track 24 and thus the associated collection unit of the others Collection station 34 are supplied. Meanwhile can the stack above the collecting station 33 to the associated cross conveyor 40 passed and via the lifting device 42 continued to the transport device 43 will. Because it is therefore independent on both sides of the railway the cuts in front of the distribution switch 22 or the overlap and collecting station can continue to run while a stack fully completed and by the associated Collection unit is delivered is an uninterrupted Working at very high working speeds guaranteed. The invention Setup is very safe in operation and can simply manufactured and designed to save space will.

In the discharge path after the respective individual switch 18 or 19 of the sorting switch 17 can Blank shredder for the discharged blanks be provided, for example this Blanks as they pass through the associated Single switch or immediately after it Leaving for example cut into strips so that misuse of removed in an advantageous manner Cutting is prevented. The one with 20 designated component can be a device for further Shredding or destruction of these strips be.

Claims (11)

1. Sorting apparatus (1) for flat blanks (15, 16, 16'), particularly paper sheets, with at least one conveyor for moving the blanks (15, 16, 16') in at least one conveying direction (6) and with at least one conveying diverter (17) for guiding the blanks (15, 16, 16') on different conveying paths in a continuous manner, with at least one conveyor (3) being provided for at least two blanks (15, 16, 16') in useful widths (4, 5) juxtaposed transversely to the conveying direction and at least one conveying diverter (17) is constructed as a sorting gate (17)through which the blanks (15, 16, 16') of at least two useful widths can be continuously transferred to different conveying paths with a reciprocal relative movement, of which one is intended for sorted blanks and one for a main material flow, characterized in that downstream of the conveying diverter (17) in the conveying path for the main material flow is provided a distributing gate (22) subdivided into independently reversible individual gates (25, 26) in the same widths as the conveying diverter (17) and reversible on at least two separate, following conveying paths (23, 24).
2. Sorting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sorting gate (17) has at least two separate individual gates (18, 19) for in each case at least one useful width (4 or 5) and the individual gates (18, 19) are reversible independently of one another and that preferably blanks (16') can be discharged out of the conveyor (3) in a conveying direction (arrow 6) in the vicinity of one sorting gate (17).
3. Sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying paths (23, 24) are superimposed and have essentially the same conveying direction as the conveyor (3).
4. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying diverter (17), particularly the distributing gate (22) is followed by at least one blank collecting station (33 or 34), that preferably upstream of each collecting station (33 or 34), following the distributing gate (22) is provided a blank overlapping station (31 or 32) and that in particular the collecting station (33 or 34) is formed by the associated conveying path (23 or 24).
5. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one conveying path (23 or 24) following at least one split gate, particularly the distributing gate (22) is split corresponding to the division of this gate into separate individual conveying paths (27, 28 or 29, 30) forming extensions of the individual gates (18, 19 or 25, 26) and which can be operated independently of one another, preferably the blank overlapping station (31) and the associated blank collecting station (33 or 34) having in the conveying direction connected, separately operable individual conveying paths (27, 28 or 29, 30).
6. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with at least one gate are associated separate blank counting devices (45, 46 or 47, 48) for at least two juxtaposed useful widths (4, 5), that in particular counting devices (45, 46 or 47, 48) are in each case associated with the sorting gate (17) and the distributing gate (22), that preferably the particular counting device (45, 46 or 47, 48) follows the associated gate (17, 22) and that in particular counting devices (47, 48) following the distributing gate (22) are provided directly upstream of the particular blank collecting station (33 or 34).
7. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are at least two separate stack conveying paths (23, 24) connected to the conveyor (3) for the alternating removal of the stacks from associated collecting stations (33, 34), that in particular the stack conveying paths (23, 24) are recombined following the separate collecting stations (33, 34) and that preferably the stack conveying paths (23, 24) are connected to a common blank conveying means (43).
8. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one conveying path (23 or 24) connected to the conveyor (3) is connected to a blank transverse conveying means (40 or 41), that the conveying path (23 or 24) is connected in particular directly following an associated blank collecting station (33 or 34) and that preferably the transverse conveying means of the conveying paths (23, 24) separately connected to the conveyor (3) issue in reciprocally displaced manner into the blank conveying means (43) in the conveying direction thereof.
9. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two separate conveying paths (23, 24) connected to the conveyor (3) issue at roughly the same height into a common blank conveying means (43) and that preferably between the transverse conveying means (40) of a conveying path (23) and the conveying means (43) is provided a blank lifting device (42).
10. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two juxtaposed individual conveying paths (27, 28 or 29, 30) for the blanks can be coupled together in drive-fixed manner and/or that upstream of the conveying diverter (17) is provided a path transverse cutter (11) and upstream of the latter is preferably at least one path longitudinal cutter (9).
11. Sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a testing device (7) with separate testing units (8) for at least two useful widths (4, 5), that the testing device (7) is in particular located upstream of a longitudinal cutter (9) and that preferably the individual gates (18, 19) of the sorting gate (17) are controlled by the testing units (8) and/or the individual gates (25, 26) of the distributing gate (22) by separate blank counting devices (45, 46) connected upstream of the distributing gate.

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