EP0773902B1 - Device for removing a stack of sheet-like products from a collection point - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP95/03099 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 31, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 31, 1997 PCT Filed Aug. 3, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/04194 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 15, 1996An apparatus for handling stacks of sheet-like products is provided and includes a rotary table on which gripper devices are mounted for linear shifting. The table has a central axis of rotation about which it is rotatable and includes linear carriage guides on which carriages of the devices can be shifted linearly. A linear drive propels the carriages and devices thereon in a linear direction along the guides between waiting and working positions. Each gripper device includes upper and lower gripper units with the lower gripper unit sliding beneath and out from under the product stack as the carriages are driven between the waiting and working positions depending on whether the units are to support a stack to be moved or are dropping it off at a station for further processing and/or transfer.

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling a Stacks of area-like products according to the preamble of claim 1 (see EP-A-0 057 894).

Such stacks of area-like products are usually if it is, for example, folded printed products acts on the stacking table from one ejector to one conveyor consisting of rollers or a conveyor belt encountered, which continues the stack. A such treatment, namely expulsion and that Subsequent transportation on a conveyor belt can be used for certain Stacking to shift the products in the stack lead so that there is a risk of the stack falling apart.

From EP-A-0 057 894 is a rotating table for stackers known for bookbinding workshops that have a diametrical Has slot in which a slide is arranged to be movable is. On the rotating table is inside four vertical Guides formed a stack that moved sideways the guides are ejected laterally through the slide becomes.

From WO-A-94 12 351 is a transfer device for one Known stack, which consists of folded continuous paper. This device has a transfer fork, the front and can be moved back and pivoted about an axis. For Handling a stack of paper becomes the transfer fork whose upper and lower fork elements rigidly arranged to each other are driven into a transfer unit and then pivoted about a horizontal axis by 180 °. Subsequently, a slide is actuated, which the stack of paper from the transfer fork and to another Handling unit passes.

The invention has for its object a device to improve the type mentioned so that according to high working speed the stacks created safely and removed without delay and to a processing station to get promoted.

This problem is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. By the invention contraption becomes secure gripping and removal of the stack from a Stacking point and a transport to the processing point at ensures high working speed of the production line, without the stack falling apart.

Advantageous measures are specified in the subclaims, each a favorable further development of the device specify.

In particular, the gripper device with the specially designed upper and lower gripper units represents one essential inventive measure. By the special Features of the upper gripper unit in the removal direction a trough or several waves in the stack of the gripper pushes in, due to the forked design of the lower gripper unit this single or multiple trough-shaped Structure over its entire stack height, experiences the stack has excellent stabilization so that none additional measures to fix or position the individual stacked printed products are required.

Fig. 1

eine Zusammenstellzeichnung der Vorrichtung zum Entnehmen eines Stapels in der Arbeitsposition unmittelbar an der Stapelstelle,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht auf die Vorrichtung zum Entnehmen aus Richtung des Pfeils II in Fig. 1, wobei beide Greifereinrichtungen dargestellt sind,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht einer Greifereinheit aus Richtung des Pfeils III in Fig. 1 unmittelbar nach dem Ergreifen eines Stapels,

Fig. 4a - c

jeweils Detaildarstellungen einer Schlittenführungs- sowie Antriebsanordnung einer Greifereinheit,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Dartellung einer Wellen-Stabilisierung durch Mehrfach-Stangen-Anordnungen,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Unterfahren, und

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung eines als Karussell ausgebildeten Drehtischs mit mehr als zwei Greifereinrichtungen.

The device is explained in more detail below with the aid of the exemplary embodiments shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

an assembly drawing of the device for removing a stack in the working position directly at the stacking point,

Fig. 2

2 shows a view of the device for removal from the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1, both gripper devices being shown,

Fig. 3

2 shows a view of a gripper unit from the direction of arrow III in FIG. 1 immediately after gripping a stack,

4a-c

detailed representations of a slide guide and drive arrangement of a gripper unit,

Fig. 5

1 shows a schematic representation of a shaft stabilization by means of multiple rod arrangements,

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a device for driving under, and

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a rotary table designed as a carousel with more than two gripper devices.

In Fig. 1 is a device for removing 1 a stack 12 from a collection point 2 in a stacking device.

The device has two gripper devices 3, 3 ', only the device 3 is shown in FIG. 1. The gripper device 3 is in the position in front of the collection point with a gripped stack 12 in solid lines and in the position moved into the collection point 2 as well as the collection point 2 in dashed lines shown.

The gripper device consists of an upper and a lower gripper unit 4 or 5, wherein in the illustrated Embodiment the upper gripper unit 8 by means of a Piston-cylinder device 21, 22 can be moved up and down. This vertical path of the upper gripper unit 4 is about controlled a sensor 20, which is any Sensor with suitable properties based on approximation can react, act. In the illustrated embodiment it is a compressed air sensor.

The lower gripper device 5 moves in on the stacking table Corresponding grooves 37 into the device 13 are trained to drive under. The device 13 for underrun is suitably arranged on the stacking table 11.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4, the Gripper devices 3, 4 arranged on a carriage 7, in a horizontal slide guide 8 of a turntable 6 can be moved back and forth. More details will be explained in more detail below. The upper gripper unit 4 can be moved up and down on its own slide guide 10. The slide guide 10 is in a gripper frame 9 arranged, which can be moved back and forth on the carriage 7 is.

The upper and lower gripper units 4 and 5 can be adjustable with respect to the gripper length a. This setting is required to make the different Being able to grasp printed products optimally at all times.

The lower gripper unit 5 consists, in particular, of Fig. 3 can be seen from a rod arrangement 14 with two rods 15 and 15 'arranged in a holder 38. The length of these rods can be adjusted in the holder 38.

The distance between the two rods 15, 15 'is selected such that each batch of printed products between the two through the Pole-shaped support lines sag in a concave groove. This sagging is supported by the upper one Gripper unit 4, which has a molded part 16. The molding 16 is convexly bent downward, so that the upper region of a stack 12 forms a stack channel 17. The Molded part 16 is placed on a rod arrangement 18, which is held adjustable on the vertical slide.

The bulge 19 of the molded part 16 is in the plane of the drawing of Figure 3 clearly visible. The length of the molded part, that the formation of those extending in the removal direction The gutter supports is roughly dimensioned so that it is stretched into about half of the stack. The However, gripper units 4, 5 only travel as far above or below the stack that an area remains free for strapping of the stack is necessary.

The vertical slide guide arrangement 10 acts with a formed as a slide plate 23 together. The Carriage guide assembly 10 consists of cylindrical Guide rods 21, 22 by corresponding ball sleeves 21 ', 22' are surrounded. These ball sleeves for guidance are attached to the lifting plate 23 in the usual manner.

The lifting plate or the carriage 23 is with a piston rod 24 connected to a piston-cylinder arrangement 25, the is held on the gripper frame. The gripper frame 9 is on a base plate 28 formed as a slide on the Turntable 6 put on. The movement of the base plate 28 having carriage 7 is effected by a linear drive. This linear drive can be a toothed belt drive , but it can also be the entire arrangement as a linear motor arrangement be trained. After all, there is one Propulsion movement by means of a spindle drive or hydraulic / pneumatic piston / cylinder arrangement possible.

The turntable 6 has a base plate 30 on or on the linear drive may be arranged with a drive motor 31 is. The base plate 30 is in turn on a table support 32 arranged. In the illustrated embodiment the table support 32 is tubular and has in the lower Area a bearing ring assembly 33, which over a Drive 34 with a motor for the purpose of rotating the Table carrier and thus the entire turntable 6 cooperates.

A gear transmission or a toothed belt drive can be used as the drive or any other swivel drive can be provided.

The lower counterpart to the bearing ring arrangement 33 is on a stationary frame 36 is provided, which also the engine to twist the table.

Both gripper devices 3, 3 ′ are on the base plate 30 arranged, these two gripper devices alternating work. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, are both gripper devices in parallel in opposite directions Direction arranged. If so the gripper device 3 is directed to the stacking point is in contrast the gripper device 3 'of the next treatment station facing.

5 is a schematic representation of a stabilization represented by a multiple wave. At a such stabilization is the molding of the upper Gripper unit from the rods 18, 18 ', while the lower one Gripper unit - a bar arrangement of 3 individual stands 15, 15 ', 15 ". The rods of the upper gripper unit are arranged so that they are essentially exactly in the space are between the rods 15, 15 'or 15' and 15 ". This arrangement creates a smooth wave in the Product stack trained.

Stabilization using a wave described above is particularly cheap for printed products that are highly slippery are, but at the same time not to a large stack height can be piled up. However, it can also be beneficial be that the rods 18, 18 'of the upper gripper unit not exactly in the middle of the space between the lower ones Rods 15, 15 'or 15', 15 "protrude. One at certain Products better clamping effect can be achieved if the rods 18, 18 'closer to the outer rods 15 and 15 " the lower gripper unit are moved.

6 is a schematic representation of a device shown below, as when using a lifting plate in the truck can be realized can. The lifting plate rotates together with the turntable the stacking point in order to pick up the stacks offset. In the lifting plate are opposite each other Grooves 40 formed into the rods 15, 15 'and optionally 15 "can drive in so that they are below the on the lifting plate 40 stack collected grab this.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a carousel trained rotary table 6 with three gripper devices 3, 3 'and 3 ". The slide guides of these gripper devices are arranged in a star shape, the Path of movement of each gripper device from a waiting position 43 in the center of the rotary table 6 to a working position 44 on the outer circumference of the turntable is sufficient.

In the following the method according to the invention and in this Connection also the functioning of the above described Device set out in more detail.

If there is a sufficient number of stacked products in collection point 2 have been collected into a pile the gripper device 3 (first gripper device) in the open position Condition, i.e. with the upper gripper unit moved upwards, into the collection point. The gripper units are adjusted in length so that they are in the middle of the Stack a winding area 27 free.

By a limit switch 39 at the end of the slide guide 8 the control for the gripper device is acted upon in such a way that the upper gripper unit 4 moved down becomes. As soon as the sensor 20 at the end of the molded part 16 is close to the trigger has reached over the stack, using a corresponding signal, the upper gripper unit still in this way controlled that the molded part 16 presses into the stack. At the same time, the stacking table 11 is lowered so that the Stack 12 now on the rods 15, 15 'of the lower one Gripping unit 5 comes to rest. Due to the dead weight, as well as due to the pressure of the molded part 16 of the upper one Gripper unit 4, stack 12 becomes a trough-shaped configuration awarded, i.e. the middle area is in and out the side area pushed up so that the middle Area between the lower bars 15 and 15 'depending on the product type is more or less arched. By this gutter-like shape stabilizes the stack and he can now from the collection point 2 by driving back the Carriage 7 from the collection point without the risk of falling apart be removed. After the stack the Has left collection point 2, the turntable is over a Signal generator 39 'at the rear end of the slide guide 8 rotated by the desired number of degrees. In the present embodiment a rotation of 180 ° is assumed. After The first gripper device 4 is virtually rotating with his back to collection point 2 and after the turn according to the control program again using the slide direction forward to one opposite the collection point another processing or treatment station hazards. After reaching the corresponding issue position becomes a corresponding one according to the signal generator setting Signal triggered.

The gripper unit then opens, causing the stack is placed at the desired location. While shooting and the handover procedure has the collection point again filled with a new stack 12, which is described in the Detected by the second gripper device and from the Collection point 2 is driven. During this removal process the first gripper device moves back again, so that they turn back after the turntable 6 is in the starting position in which it is ready again drive into the collection point.

In the case of using a turntable with several gripper devices, a procedure similar to that described above takes place. As soon as a gripper device, for example gripper device 3 "has gripped a stack in the stacking position, it moves back to its waiting position 43. The rotary table is then rotated further through 120 ° and the empty neighboring gripper device is moved from the waiting position 43 into the working position 44. In time , in which the latter picks up the next stack from the stacking position, the gripper device 3 "moves again from its waiting position into the working position and transfers the stack to another processing station. Then it either returns empty to its waiting position, or it can feed the stack to a third station, where another processing operation takes place.
If required, a carousel with more than two gripping devices can also be provided.

The described device and the described method are not in the described and illustrated forms of training bound or limited to. For example the gripper device with respect to the lower one Gripper unit to be designed so that they drive after entering in the collection point 2 the stack 12 lifts a little and from the collection point 2 without the stacking table 11 must be lowered. That way it is not necessary to intervene in the control process of the collection point, in such a case one can check the presence of the gripper device in the collection point via appropriate signal transmitters the sequence of the batch program.

The slide arrangements of both the horizontal and the vertical slide are also responsible for the mode of operation and the functioning of the device according to the invention is not necessarily bound to the described embodiments. If e.g. a linear motor arrangement is used, so can other than the versions described make more sense. There is also an opening and closing movement the gripper units conceivable by means of an eccentric gear, this via a corresponding piston-cylinder arrangement is applied.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for the handling of a stack (12) of sheet-like products comprising a rotary table (6), characterised in that

   at least two gripper devices (3, 3', 3") are arranged on the rotary table (6), which have an upper and a lower gripper unit (4, 5), wherein

   each gripper device (3, 3', 3") is movable forwards and backwards on a carriage (7) in a horizontal carriage guide (8) of the rotary table (6).
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the gripper unit (4, 5) can be moved up and down.
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterised in that the gripper device (3, 3', 3") has at least one carriage guide (10), on which the upper gripper unit (4) can be moved up and down.
4. Apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gripper unit (4, 5) has at least two bars (15, 15'; 18, 18', 18") arranged at a distance from one another.
5. Apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper gripper unit (4) has a downwardly arched shaped part (16).
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the shaped part (16) is mounted on a bar arrangement (18).
7. Apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a sensor (21') for limiting the path of the upper gripper unit (4) is arranged in the shaped part (16).
8. Apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two gripper devices are arranged parallel to one another and oppositely directed to each other.
9. Apparatus in accordance with at least one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that three or more gripper units (3, 3', 3") are arranged on the rotary table (6) and are moveable from a waiting position (43) into a working piston (44) at the outer periphery of the rotary table (6).
10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that the waiting position (43) is located in the region of the centre of the rotary table (6) and the working position at its outer periphery.

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