EP0583218B1 - Method and means for conveying tubular bundles of printed products and their assembling into shipping units - Google Patents

Abstract

Tubular bundles containing a wound imbricated formation of sheet-like products, in particular printed products, are conveyed via predeterminable conveying zones from at least one bundle-producing device (W.1, W.2) to at least one loading or intermediate storage station (A). For this purpose, the bundles, with axes aligned in the conveying direction, are conveyed away from the bundle-producing device (W.1, W.2) in a longitudinal conveying direction (FPl). Then, in a distribution station (VU) or deflection station (U) for distributing the bundles to various dispatch units and/or for merging the bundles to form identical dispatch units, the conveying direction of at least some of the bundles is changed by essentially 90 DEG in a transverse conveying direction (FPq) with their axial position remaining the same. Merged bundles can be pressed together in a merging station (ZU) and bound together with a wrapping means to form double or multiple bundles (PP). Individual, double or multiple bundles are tilted in the loading or intermediate storage station (A) such that they come to stand on their end faces. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention lies in the field of mailroom technology and relates to a method and a device according to the preambles of the corresponding independent claims, with which packages containing flat products, in particular printed products, such as newspapers or magazines, are conveyed and conveyed via predeterminable conveyor lines can be grouped into shipping units for loading or temporary storage.

According to the prior art, shipping units are created from printed products, such as newspapers and magazines, by stacking the printed products obtained as a scale formation, packing them in film or wrapping paper and tying them up into packages. The devices used for this are designed in such a way that the parcels have a standardized, maximum size or are smaller than this and that shipping units that exceed the maximum parcel size consist of two or more independent parcels (standard parcels and top parcel). Such parallel shipping units consisting of several packages created working machines with optimal utilization, it is not easy to eject the individual packages that belong to a shipping unit (e.g. with the same address) immediately behind or next to each other, so that they are usually stowed for an orderly loading and according to the address again need to be gathered together.

According to a recent development, flat products, in particular printed products, are now packaged into tubular packages instead of stacked packages. A method and an apparatus for producing such tubular packages are described, for example, in European Patent No. 474999 (F337) by the same applicant. The printed products are wound onto a mandrel as a scale formation of a certain length. In the same winding process, the tubular winding can be provided with an address sheet, covered with a protective cover, for example made of plastic film or strong paper, and / or tied with a cord or plastic tape. The finished, tubular package is then pushed off the winding mandrel in the axial direction.

Also in the production of tubular packages, it is advantageous to limit the size of the packages, that is, for large shipping units, to create several tubular packages with a diameter that corresponds to a standardized maximum value or is smaller than this.

It is the object of the invention to demonstrate a method and to provide a device with which tubular packages of flat products wound in scale formation, in particular of printed products, which have an arbitrary diameter up to a standardized maximum diameter, for loading into a transport vehicle or promoted for an intermediate storage in appropriate places and at the same time Shipping units can be grouped. The method and the corresponding device are intended to make it possible, with a corresponding control, to deliver the packages belonging to a shipping unit in a simple manner simultaneously or immediately one after the other for loading or intermediate storage, in such a way that the packages belonging to a shipping unit follow up with quasi-continuous conveyance are placed directly next to each other in a transport vehicle or in an interim storage facility. The device for carrying out the method according to the invention should be simple and space-saving.

Figur 1

ein Schema einer beispielhaften Anordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens, ausgehend von einer einzigen Paket-erzeugenden Vorrichtung, aus der Vogelschau;

Figur 2

ein Schema wie Figur 1 einer beispielhaften Anordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens, ausgehend von zwei Paket-erzeugenden Vorrichtungen;

Figur 3

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung für eine Zusammenführstelle, in schematischer, dreidimensionaler Darstellung;

Figur 4

eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform wie Figur 3, als Schnitt quer zur Längsförderrichtung;

Figuren 5 und 6

zwei beispielhafte Ausführungsformen einer Umschlingungsvorrichtung für eine Zusammenführstelle, als Schnitt quer zur Längsförderrichtung;

Figur 7

verschiedene Doppel- und Mehrfachpakete;

Figur 8

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung für eine Verteilstelle, senkrecht zur Längsförderrichtung geschnitten;

Figuren 9 und 10

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung für das Kippen der Pakete für den Verlad oder die Zwischenlagerung, mit Blick parallel zu Achsen der zugeförderten Pakete (Figur 9) und senkrecht zu diesen Achsen (Figur 10);

Figur 11

ein Beispiel eines Zwischenlagers von rohrförmigen Einzel-Doppel-und/oder Mehrfachpaketen.

This object is achieved by the method and the device according to the corresponding, independent patent claims. The method and device are to be described in detail using the following figures. Show:

Figure 1

a schematic of an exemplary arrangement for performing the method according to the invention, starting from a single packet-generating device, from a bird's eye view;

Figure 2

a diagram like Figure 1 of an exemplary arrangement for performing the inventive method, starting from two packet-generating devices;

Figure 3

an exemplary embodiment of a device for a junction, in a schematic, three-dimensional representation;

Figure 4

another exemplary embodiment as Figure 3, as a section transverse to the longitudinal conveying direction;

Figures 5 and 6

two exemplary embodiments of a wrapping device for a junction, as a section transverse to the longitudinal conveying direction;

Figure 7

various double and multiple packages;

Figure 8

an exemplary embodiment of a device for a distribution point, cut perpendicular to the longitudinal conveying direction;

Figures 9 and 10

an exemplary embodiment of a device for tilting the packages for loading or intermediate storage, with a view parallel to the axes of the supplied packages (Figure 9) and perpendicular to these axes (Figure 10);

Figure 11

an example of an intermediate storage of tubular single-double and / or multiple packages.

The process according to the invention is essentially the following:

The tubular packages are conveyed from a device producing them, for example a winding station, to a loading or intermediate storage location via conveyor lines, which may be predeterminable, passing through a merging point in which two or more packages with parallel axes are positioned next to one another and double - or multiple packages can be put together by pressing them together and wrapping them with a belt and holding them together. Furthermore, they can pass through one or more distribution points at which they are divided up for different loading or intermediate storage points.

The parcels are conveyed away from the winding station with axes aligned in the conveying direction (longitudinal conveying), the spatial position of the parcel axes at least immediately outside the parcel-producing device being the same as during the winding process itself. The parcels are conveyed to the loading or intermediate storage locations conveyed either with axes oriented in the conveying direction (longitudinal conveying) or with axes oriented transversely to the conveying direction (transverse conveying), whereby any number of transitions from one type of conveying to the other and vice versa can be made. Advantageously, the conveyor sections run as essentially straight-line sections connected by deflections by essentially 90 °, at which a change is made from one type of conveyor to the other. However, deflections with any deflection angle are also conceivable, in which the axis position is not changed relative to the conveying direction. Conveyor channels with a V-shaped cross section are advantageously used for longitudinal conveying. For example, conveyor belts or sloping rolling or gliding sections are used for cross-conveying.

For loading into a transport vehicle or for temporary storage, the packages can be rotated or tilted individually or in groups such that they come to rest on one of their end faces. For the tilting of the packages, these are conveyed, for example, via a rotating link or rotated with the help of a rotatable tilting device.

The method according to the invention allows the tubular packages ejected by one or more package-producing devices to be delivered in a predetermined sequence to one or more transport vehicles or intermediate storage facilities in a predetermined sequence, in such a way that the packages belonging to a shipping unit, so for example, the packets with the same address can be deposited directly next to each other.

The wrapped double or multiple packets are given a high degree of stability by the pressing, which leads to a flattening of the tubular packets at the contact points. They can easily be gripped on the wrapping means, for example with a hook or by hand, since there are always more or less large gaps between the wrapping means and the tubular packages.

Loading or intermediate storage formations with tubular packages standing on the end faces are very stable. This is particularly the case when very small packages (peaks) are combined in the manner already mentioned with a package of standard size to form a double or multiple package.

The advantages of the method according to the invention over corresponding methods for grouping stacked packages into shipping units are manifold. Since the tubular packages can be completed in one and the same device starting from a scale formation, intermediate conveyors with unstable formations, such as loose stacks or stacked top packages, are not required. Since the parcels can be delivered almost continuously for loading or intermediate storage in a predetermined order, there is no need for dust strips and manual control of the loading.

Figures 1 and 2 show schematically two exemplary, typical applications of the method according to the invention from a bird's eye view.

FIG. 1 relates to an exemplary application starting from a single package-producing device, for example a winding station W. A shingled stream S enters the winding station W. Tubular packets P are conveyed from the winding station W transverse to the conveying direction FS of the shingled stream S. The package axes are parallel to the conveying direction FP ₁ (longitudinal conveying). The parcels P are led from the winding station W into a merging point Z, at which a parcel can wait for one or more subsequent parcels, whereupon the individual parcels are combined to form a double or multiple parcel PP by pressing and wrapping with a wrapping means. Single, double or multiple packets P / PP are conveyed in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ from the merging point Z to a distribution point VU. For a distribution of the parcels to different shipping units or for the delivery of different transport vehicles or different interim storage facilities, at least some of the parcels at this distribution point VU with an essentially constant axis position are diverted by approx. 90 ° to a cross conveying with conveying direction FP _q and to a loading -, or intermediate storage point A promoted. There the packages are tilted in such a way that they come to rest on one of their end faces.

Exemplary embodiments of devices for merging points Z or distribution points VU will be described in connection with FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8 to 10.

• dass die Verteilstelle VU fehlt, sodass die Einzel-, Doppel- oder Mehrfachpakete P/PP von der Zusammenführstelle Z zu einer einzigen Verlade-oder Zwischenlagerstelle A gefördert werden,
• dass die Zusammenführstelle Z und die Verteilstelle VU in umgekehrter Reihenfolge angeordnet sind, wobei Pakete von der Verteilstelle VU zu anderen Zusammenführstellen oder zu anderen Verlade- oder Zwischenlagerstellen A gefördert werden,
• dass in Förderrichtung vor und nach der Zusammenführstelle Z eine Verteilstelle VU angeordnet ist,
• dass die Zusammenführstelle Z und die Verteilstelle VU fehlen, sodass die Einzelpakete direkt von der Wickelstation W in Längsförderrichtung FP₁ zu einer einzigen Verlade- oder Zwischenlagerstelle gefördert werden,
• dass die Pakete P/PP für den Verlad oder die Zwischenlagerung nicht gekippt, sondern mit im wesentlichen waagrechten Achsen verladen oder gelagert werden.

Further process variants based on the process variant shown in FIG. 1 consist in

• that the distribution point VU is missing, so that the single, double or multiple packages P / PP are conveyed from the merging point Z to a single loading or intermediate storage point A,
• that the junction point Z and the distribution point VU are arranged in reverse order, packages being conveyed from the distribution point VU to other junction points or to other loading or intermediate storage points A,
• that a distribution point VU is arranged in the conveying direction before and after the junction point Z,
• that the junction point Z and the distribution point VU are missing, so that the individual packages are conveyed directly from the winding station W in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ to a single loading or intermediate storage point,
• that the P / PP packages are not tipped for loading or intermediate storage, but are loaded or stored with essentially horizontal axes.

FIG. 2 shows a further method variant based on two packet-generating devices W.1 and W.2. Since the process diagram does not differ in principle from the diagram of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used for elements with the same function.

A shingled stream S enters two winding stations W.1 and W.2, the winding stations functioning, for example, in such a way that the shingled stream is wound up in one station, while a package is completed and ejected in the other station. Packages P are conveyed away from the two stations in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ .

At a deflection point U, which can also be designed as a distribution point VU, at least some of the packages are deflected by essentially 90 ° while the axis position remains the same and conveyed to one or more junction points CLOSED or CLOSED 'so that they belong to the same shipping unit Packets from the same or the other packet-generating device are merged and combined by wrapping. Parcels can also be conveyed directly in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ into the joining points ZU, ZU ', a variant which is not shown in FIG. 2.

As in the method according to FIG. 1, the individual or combined packets P / PP are conveyed in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ from the merging point ZU to a further distribution point VU and there are at least partly redirected again by essentially 90 ° in order to be conveyed to different loading or intermediate storage points A. to become. There the packages P / PP are tilted in the manner already described and placed on one of their end faces.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 and the process variants mentioned in connection therewith and from FIG. 2, winding stations W, merging points Z / ZU, deflection points U and distribution points VU can be combined in many variations to form meaningful devices. Approaches to this are indicated in FIG. 2 with dashed arrows and further junction points Z / ZU, deflection or distribution points U / VU placed in brackets. Each conveyor line ends at a loading or intermediate storage point A, at which the single, double or multiple packages P / PP can be tilted into a position with a vertical axis. The loading points are advantageously arranged in such a way that a transport vehicle can drive under them such that the packages are tipped directly onto the loading bridge or onto a pallet laid out thereon. Also designed as intermediate storage locations are suitable pallets on which the packages can be temporarily stored in the manner indicated in FIG .

In the two Figures 1 and 2, all parts of the conveyor lines are shown in a straight line. As already mentioned at the beginning, this straight-line course is not mandatory. Curves can also be provided, adapted to the location, on which the relative position of the package axes to the conveying direction is essentially not changed.

FIG. 3 shows schematically, as an exemplary device for the merging point Z according to FIG. 1, two sections of V-shaped conveying channels for longitudinal conveying with conveying direction FP ₁ , which together form the merging point Z. The walls of such conveyor channels are advantageously provided with conveyor rollers (not shown). For sloping conveyor lines, the conveyor rollers can rotate freely and the packages are conveyed by their own gravity. If the conveyor channel runs horizontally or slightly, the conveyor rollers must be driven.

The junction point Z can, as shown, be formed by a step-like arrangement of two V-shaped conveyor channels, the packages falling from a feed channel 31 into a discharge channel 32. The conveyance in the first part of the discharge channel 32 can be controlled in such a way by, for example, controllable conveyor rollers or by braking means (not shown) that packages can wait there for further packages. Furthermore, at this point of the discharge channel 32, a belt device (not shown) is provided, the function of which will be discussed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.

Instead of the packets simply falling from a feed channel, which ends at the junction point Z, into a discharge channel, as shown in FIG. 3, the feed channel can also be provided with a flap that can be controlled, for example be provided, which opens in a controlled manner when a package to be fed into the assembly point is fed. Other packages can be conveyed further in the longitudinal conveying direction via the closed flap. The function of the controllable flap can also be taken over by a corresponding lifting table that lifts the packages to be brought together into a higher discharge channel. The discharge channel does not necessarily have to start at the junction point Z, as shown in FIG. 3. It is also conceivable that some of the packages are conveyed via the discharge channel into the merging point Z, where they are then connected to packages from the supply channel to form double or multiple packages.

FIG. 4 shows schematically, as a cross-section to a longitudinal conveying direction FP _1, an exemplary embodiment of a device for an assembly point ZU according to FIG. 2. The assembly point ZU differs from the assembly point Z (FIGS. 1 and 3) in that the packages are fed in the transverse conveying direction FP _q happens while the discharge also takes place in the longitudinal conveying direction FP ₁ . The packages are therefore also redirected with the merge.

Individual packets P are conveyed into the V-shaped discharge channel 32 in the transverse conveying direction FP _q by two transverse conveying means, for example conveyor belts 40 or sloping roller tracks. The discharge channel 32 is equipped in the same way as described in connection with FIG. 3 for the merging, pressing and wrapping of the packages into double or multiple packages PP.

Figures 5 and 6 now show schematically (section transverse to the longitudinal conveying direction) two exemplary embodiments for belt devices, such as those in the discharge channel (32 in Figures 3 and 4) of merging points are provided. As already mentioned, the individual packages brought together in the junction point are first pressed together and then wrapped around, so that two or more individual packages form a double or multiple package in which the packages are flattened at the contact surfaces and are therefore very stable in their mutual position.

FIG. 5 shows a device, for example, for creating packages of three. In order to press the three packages against one another, a concavely curved press beam 50 is moved from a rest position shown in dash-dotted lines in the direction of the arrow against the discharge channel 32 into a press position shown in solid lines. The packages lying in the channel 32 are pressed against one another between the discharge channel 32 and the press bar 50 and in this state are wrapped around at least once by the wrap means 51, for example a cord or plastic band. Devices for attaching the wrapping means 51 are known from wrapping stacked packages. For this reason, a representation of a corresponding device and an associated description will be omitted here.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a device for creating double or multiple packages. This has two essentially flat press bars 61 and 62, one (61) having the function of stabilizing the packets in the position shown and the other (62) having the actual press function in the position of the individual packs shown. It is also quite conceivable that the two press bars 61 and 62 are joined together to form an angled single press bar. For the pressing process, as already described in connection with FIG. 5, the two pressing beams 61 and 62 are also moved from a rest position (shown in broken lines) to a pressing position (shown in solid lines).

FIG. 7 shows some examples of double or multiple packages which are formed by combining two or more single packages with the aid of a belt means 51. At the points marked B, the flattened contact areas between the individual packages are visible. The wrapping means does not lie on the packages at the points labeled C, so that the package can be grasped and lifted at these points with a hook or by hand.

Figure 8 shows schematically a device for a distribution point VU. It is a cut perpendicular to the longitudinal conveying direction. The figure shows a V-shaped conveying channel 80 in which packets P are conveyed into the distribution point in the longitudinal conveying direction (perpendicular to the paper plane). The conveyor channel 80 can be, for example, an exit channel from a package-producing device, a discharge channel of a merging point (32, FIG. 3) or the extension of the supply channel of a merging point (31, FIG. 3). Likewise, the conveying channel 80, which is continued from the distribution point VU, can again lead into a merging point (Z / ZU) or into a further deflection point or distribution point (U / VU).

At the distribution point VU, the conveyor channel 80 has, for example, a wall part 81.1 and 81.2 that can be folded down on both sides (shown in dash-dot lines in the folded position), which allows a package to be laterally placed on a transverse conveyor (conveying direction FP _q ), for example on a conveyor belt 40 or an equivalent to roll sloping taxiway.

For a pure deflection point U, the wall of the conveying channel 80 is closed on one side, permanently open on the other side, and only on this latter side is a transverse conveying means connected.

The parcels are led from the cross-conveying means adjoining a distribution or deflection point to an assembly point ZU (see FIGS. 2 and 4) or to a loading or intermediate storage point.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, the conveyor belts 40 can also be missing as cross-conveying means, so that the folded-down wall parts 81.1 and 82.2 (shown in dash-dotted lines) of the deflection or distribution points represent the only cross-conveying means to which a junction point ZU or loading is directly - or connect intermediate storage point.

FIGS. 9 and 10 now show an exemplary embodiment of a device 90 for tilting packages into a position standing on an end face, as can be done according to the method according to the invention for loading or intermediate storage. The device is shown in FIG. 9 with a viewing angle perpendicular to the transverse conveying direction FP _q , in FIG. 10 perpendicular to the transverse conveying direction FP _q . The device is used for tipping packages occurring in the transverse conveying direction FP _q , that is to say on a transverse conveying means or directly from a deflection point U or distribution point VU (as shown). These roll or slide out of the V-shaped channel 80 of the deflection or distribution point U / VU or from a cross conveyor into a frame that can be rotated step by step about an axis of rotation X, for example with four pairs of support surfaces 91/92 arranged radially to the axis, each essentially are arranged perpendicular to each other. The packages roll or slide onto one of the support surfaces and, when the frame is rotated (arrow M), are tilted from the support surface 91.1 / 2/3/4 to the corresponding other support surface 92.1 / 2/3/4, on which they then stand on a face.

To tilt packets delivered in the longitudinal conveying direction, they can simply be conveyed using appropriate tilting templates, by means of which they are brought into a position with a vertical axis.

As already mentioned, FIG. 11 shows tubular single / double and / or multiple packages P / PP which are temporarily stored on a pallet or stacked for transport. Such formations are very stable, even if they sometimes contain packets with small diameters, but which are integrated in a double or multiple pack.

Claims (18)

1. Method for conveying tubular packs, which contain flat products, particularly printed products, in the form of a wound scale formation, from at least one pack-producing apparatus (W), in which the tubular packs (P) are produced by winding the scale formation (FS) and are ejected in the axial direction, to a station (A) selected from a plurality of loading or intermediate storage stations (A) and for grouping the packs into dispatch units comprising one or more packs, characterized in that

   each of the packs (P) from the at least one pack-producing apparatus (W) is conveyed away in the longitudinal conveying direction (FP₁), i.e. with the axis oriented in the conveying direction,

   the pack (P) is conveyed by at least one distributing station (VU) and by at least one merging station (Z/ZU) to the chosen loading or intermediate storage station (A),

   the pack being combinable at the merging station (Z/ZU) with one or more other packs (P) to form a double or multiple pack (PP), in that the packs (P) are positioned side by side with parallel axes, are pressed together and wrapped with a wrapping medium and
   the pack (P) or the double or multiple pack (PP) is conveyed between the distributing station (VU), merging station (Z/ZU) and loading or intermediate storage station (A) in the longitudinal conveying direction, i.e. with the axis oriented in the conveying direction, or in the transverse conveying direction (FP_q), i.e. with the axis oriented at right angles to the conveying direction and the conveying mode can be modified at the distributing stations (VU) and/or merging stations (Z/ZU).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the juxtaposed packs (P) in the merging stations (Z/ZU) are pressed together prior to wrapping, so that their common contact faces in the double or multiple pack (PP) are flattened.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pack (P) or double or multiple pack (PP) is additionally conveyed through a deflecting station (U), being deflected by substantially 90° in the case of a constant axial position and consequently transferred from longitudinal conveying (FP₁) to transverse conveying (FP_q).
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pack (P) or double or multiple pack (PP) for a loading or intermediate storage are tilted at a loading or intermediate storage station (A) in such a way that it comes to rest on one of its ends.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the pack (P) or the double or multiple pack (PP) is conveyed in the longitudinal conveying direction (FP₁) to the loading or intermediate storage station (A) and that individual tilting takes place at this station.
6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the pack (P) or the double or multiple pack (PP) is conveyed in the transverse conveying direction (FP_q) to the loading or intermediate storage station (A) and that at said station individually or together with other packs or double or multiple packs is groupwise tilted.
7. Apparatus for performing the method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that there are longitudinal conveying means (31, 32, 80) for conveying away packs from at least one pack-producing apparatus (W), at least one controllable distributing station (VU) for supplying each pack or double or multiple pack to a specific loading or intermediate storage station (A) and at least one controllable merging station (Z/ZU) for combining several packs (P) into double or multiple packs (PP), and at said station are provided means for positioning a plurality of packs with parallel axes, means (50, 61/62) for pressing together the packs (P) and means for wrapping the packs with a wrapping medium (51) and that there are longitudinal conveying means (31, 32, 80) and transverse conveying means (40) linking loading or intermediate storage stations (A), distributing stations (VU) and merging stations (Z/ZU).
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal conveying means are V-shaped conveying channels (31, 32, 80).
9. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one merging station (Z/ZU) has controllable conveying means or braking means.
10. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the merging station (Z/ZU) has pressing means.
11. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that at least one deflecting station (U) linking a longitudinal conveying means and a transverse conveying means is provided.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the longitudinal conveying means is a V-shaped channel and that as the deflecting station (U) is provided a wall opening at the end of the V-shaped channel.
13. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 12, characterized in that as the transverse conveying means are provided conveyor belts (40) or rolling or sliding surfaces directed downwards in the conveying direction.
14. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 13, characterized in that at least one distributing station (VU) is connected to a longitudinal conveying means in the form of a V-shaped conveying channel (31, 32, 80) and comprises at least one tiltable wall part (81.1, 81.2) at the end of said V-shaped conveying channel, the tiltable wall part being so positioned that in the tilted down position it is connected to a further longitudinal or transverse conveying means or leads into a loading or intermediate storage station (A).
15. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7 to 14, characterized in that said apparatus has tilting means in the loading or intermediate storage stations (A).
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the tilting means is a tilting template or a tilting device (90) rotatable about an axis (X).
17. Dispatch unit comprising a plurality of tubular packs containing flat products, particularly printed products, in the form of a wound scale formation, said unit being produced according to the method of one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dispatch unit has at least one double or multiple pack comprising two or more tubular packs (P) with parallel axes, said packs being wrapped at least once with a wrapping medium (51) and whose contact faces (B) are flattened.
18. Dispatch unit according to claim 17, characterized in that the packs or double or multiple packs stand on their end faces.

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