EP0832837A1 - Apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines - Google Patents
Apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0832837A1 EP0832837A1 EP97202882A EP97202882A EP0832837A1 EP 0832837 A1 EP0832837 A1 EP 0832837A1 EP 97202882 A EP97202882 A EP 97202882A EP 97202882 A EP97202882 A EP 97202882A EP 0832837 A1 EP0832837 A1 EP 0832837A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- documents
- conveying
- document
- conveying track
- stack
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H39/00—Associating, collating, or gathering articles or webs
- B65H39/02—Associating,collating or gathering articles from several sources
Definitions
- the invention relates to an apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines and the like.
- the sorting section for forming sorted stacks from documents.
- the sorting section comprises a number of document feeders, a conveying track and a control.
- the document feeders are disposed relative to the conveying track so that documents fed by the document feeders end up on the conveying track.
- the conveying track comprises conveying means for moving the documents over the conveying track.
- a document-stack processing line connects to the conveying track, in which processing line the stacks of documents are further processed.
- EP-A-0 686 555 European patent application
- Such a construction has the drawback that after the formation of the sorted stacks, only one type of further processing is possible.
- This type of further processing is dictated by the type of packaging line that connects to the above-mentioned conveying track of the sorting section.
- Such a solution is costly on account of the necessary presence of the switch module.
- the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for processing documents wherein at least two different types of further processing after the formation of sorted stacks are possible without requiring the presence of a switch module.
- the apparatus for processing documents such as for instance letters, brochures and magazines and the like is characterized in that for forming sorted stacks from documents, this apparatus comprises a number of document feeders, a conveying track and a control, wherein the document feeders are positioned relative to the conveying track so that documents fed by the document feeders end up directly or indirectly on the conveying track, wherein the conveying track comprises conveying means for advancing the documents over the conveying track, wherein the conveying means and the control are designed to enable conveyance of the documents over the conveying track in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, wherein the conveying track in a first direction connects to, or continues in a first document-stack processing line and in the second direction connects to or continues in a second document-stack processing line.
- An apparatus of such design provides the possibility, in a very economical manner, of performing two types of document-stack processing with one and the same series of document feeders.
- An additional switch module for guiding the stacks of documents to one or the other document-stack processing line is not necessary and the number of components of the sorting section, which consists of the document feeders, the conveying track and the control, need not be extended. Only the drive of the conveying means and the control require at the most some adjustment to enable conveyance in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction. Wherever the user needed two separate apparatus for processing documents or an apparatus comprising a switch, it is now possible to perform two types of processing with one single apparatus.
- the document feeders 2,3,4,5 are disposed at a conveying track 12, with the document feeders 2,3,4,5 being positioned relative to the conveying track 12 so that documents fed by the document feeders end up on the conveying track 12.
- the conveying track 12 comprises conveying means for advancing the documents over the conveying track.
- the different document feeders 2,3,4,5 and the conveying means are controlled by a control not shown in the drawing. Henceforth, the document feeders 2,3,4,5 and the conveying track 12 will be referred to by the term 'sorting section'.
- Such a sorting section is known per se for assembling a stack of documents which, after assembly, are optionally packaged in film or paper and can be mailed as mail item or distributed otherwise.
- the different document feeders 2,3,4,5 generally contain different types of documents and a stack of documents to be formed by the sorting section contains a selection of a number of these documents, which selection is for instance determined by the wishes of a customer in question, which wishes are stored in the control.
- the particular feature of the present apparatus according to the invention is that the conveying means and the control are of such design that the conveyance of the documents in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction over the conveying track 12 is possible, wherein the conveying track 12 in a first direction connects to, or continues in a first document-stack processing line 6,7,8,9,10,13,14,11 and in the second direction connects to, or continues in a second document-stack processing line 1,11.
- the conveying means and the control are designed to enable conveyance of the documents in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction over the conveying track 12, the rather costly sorting section can essentially be used for two types of document-stack processing line. This use for two types of document-stack processing line is possible without necessitating costly switches or like provisions.
- Figs. 1 and 2 the sorting section 2,3,4,5,12 with the first document-stack processing line 6,7,8,9,10,13,14,11 connected thereto are shown in full lines, while the part of the second document-stack processing line 1 is shown in dotted lines.
- Figs. 3 and 4 the sorting section 2,3,4,5,12 and the second document-stack processing line 1,11 are shown in full lines, and the first document-stack processing line 6,7,8,9,10,13,14 is shown in dotted lines.
- the first document-stack processing line comprises an addressing station 6 where a stack of documents can be provided with the address to which the stack is to be mailed.
- a feed-in module 13 which is for instance described in European patent application EP-A-0 685 417, the subject matter of which publication is hereby understood to be incorporated herein by reference.
- the feed-in module 13 is followed by a packaging module 7 in which the stacks of documents are optionally packaged in film or paper. After all, for some applications, the packaging of the stacks of documents, which stacks may also be formed by a single document, is not necessary.
- the packaging module for instance contains a folding element as described in EP-A-0 686 555, whose subject matter is understood to be incorporated herein by reference.
- the film or paper web in which the stack of documents is packaged in the packaging station 7 is unrolled in an unrolling station 8 and guided from this unrolling station to the folding element of the packaging module 7.
- the packaging module 7 also comprises a separator in which the stacks of documents packaged in the paper or film web are separated from one another. Such separator is for instance described EP-A-o 689 994, whose subject matter is understood to be incorporated herein by reference.
- the thus packaged stacks of documents are guided to an ejecting station 9, which guides the packaged mail items that are suitable for mailing to a stacker 10 and ejects the mail items that fall short.
- the mail items are stacked and next, via a conveyor 14, fed to a strapping module 11 for bundling the stack of mail items by means of a band or strap.
- the first document-stack processing line 6,13,7,8,9,10,14,11 may also be of an entirely different construction and for instance only comprise the packaging module 7 and the associated unrolling station 8.
- This second document-stack processing line comprises a stack-takeover station 1 and a stack packaging station 11 that is designed as a strapping module 11 for bundling a stack of documents by means of a band or strap.
- the same strapping station can be used that forms, in Figs. 1 and 2, the final part of the first document-processing line. In this manner, a single strapping station 11 may suffice.
- the strapping station 11 be readily displaceable, for instance in that it is provided with wheels.
- the document feeders 2,3,4,5 in this exemplary embodiment are positioned higher than in the application as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Hence, at least the outlets of the document feeders can be brought into an elevated position for forming higher stacks.
- the second document-processing line 1,11 can for instance be used for forming sorted stacks of magazines intended for different kiosks or bookshops. In this manner, for each kiosk a packet of magazines can be assembled that contains the desired number of each type of magazine.
- the stacks are typically considerably higher than is conventional for mail items, it is necessary that at least the outlets of the document feeders 2,3,4,5 can be brought into an elevated position.
- the conveying track 12 comprises a conveying surface on which the documents rest, with the conveying means comprising a drivable conveying chain or conveying belt which extends below the conveying face and is provided with projections that project from the conveying surface through slots in the conveying surface, and are adapted to push on the stacks of documents over the conveying surface.
- the reversal of the conveying direction can readily be effected by driving the conveying chain or conveying belt by means of a motor whose direction of rotation is reversible.
- the design of the projections should of course be suitable for pushing on a stack with one side thereof as well as with the opposite side thereof.
- the control should be capable of realizing such reversal of the direction of rotation of the drive motor.
- detecting means such as, for instance, angle encoders are present, so that the position of the different projections is known to the control.
- the projections can be provided with projection-extension parts.
- projection-extension parts prevent the upper documents of a stack from sliding from the stack during conveyance because they were not pushed on by the projection.
- the conveying means are driven continuously in the case where the first document-stack processing line is active and driven intermittently in the case where the second document-stack processing line is active.
- the second document-stack processing line could be a line of the type described hereinabove with reference to the first document-stack processing line, wherein, however, the first document-stack processing line for instance packages with paper and the second document-stack processing line packages with film.
- the second document-stack processing line could for instance also be designed as an enveloping line for inserting stacks of documents into envelopes. For the enveloping line, a continuous drive of the conveying means is desired.
- the strapping station could be replaced by a device for providing and shrinking film around a stack of documents.
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
- An apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines and the like, wherein for forming sorted stacks from documents, the apparatus comprises a number of document feeders (2,3,4,5), a conveying track (12) and a control, wherein the document feeders (2,3,4,5) are positioned relative to the conveying track (12) so that documents fed by the document feeders (2,3,4,5) end up directly or indirectly on the conveying track (12), wherein the conveying track (12) ccmprises conveying means for advancing the documents over the conveying track (12), wherein the conveying means and the control are designed to enable conveyance of the documents over the conveying track (12) in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, wherein the conveying track in the first direction connects to, or continues in a first document-stack processing line (6,7,8,9,10,11,13,14) and in the second direction connects to, or continues in a second document-stack processing line (1,11).
- An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first document-stack processing line comprises at least a packaging module (7) and an unrolling module (8), wherein the packaging module is adapted to package the fed stacks of documents in film or paper to form separate packets.
- An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second document-stack processing line comprises a stack-takeover station (1) and a stack-packaging station (11).
- An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the stack-packaging station (11) is a so-called strapper (11) for bundling a stack of documents by means of a band, strap or film.
- An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least the outlets of the document feeders (2,3,4,5) can be brought into an elevated position relative to the conveying track (12) for forming higher stacks.
- An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying track (12) comprises a conveying surface on which the documents rest, wherein the conveying means comprise a drivable conveying chain or conveying belt which extends below the conveying surface and is provided with projections that project from the conveying surface through at least one slot in the conveying surface and are adapted to push on the stacks of documents over the conveying surface.
- An apparatus according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that for pushing on higher stacks, the projections can be provided with projection-extension parts.
- An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second document-stack processing line is an enveloping line for inserting stacks of documents into envelopes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL1004085A NL1004085C2 (en) | 1996-09-20 | 1996-09-20 | Device for processing documents, such as, for example, letters, brochures, magazines. |
NL1004085 | 1996-09-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0832837A1 true EP0832837A1 (en) | 1998-04-01 |
Family
ID=19763546
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97202882A Withdrawn EP0832837A1 (en) | 1996-09-20 | 1997-09-19 | Apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0832837A1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL1004085C2 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4790119A (en) * | 1987-08-10 | 1988-12-13 | World Color Press, Inc. | Machine and process for organizing publications for distribution in a postal system |
DE9412677U1 (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1994-11-03 | Boewe Systec Ag | Paper handling system |
-
1996
- 1996-09-20 NL NL1004085A patent/NL1004085C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1997
- 1997-09-19 EP EP97202882A patent/EP0832837A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4790119A (en) * | 1987-08-10 | 1988-12-13 | World Color Press, Inc. | Machine and process for organizing publications for distribution in a postal system |
DE9412677U1 (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1994-11-03 | Boewe Systec Ag | Paper handling system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL1004085C2 (en) | 1998-03-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0455494B1 (en) | Dual collating machine | |
CA2062602C (en) | Enveloping device | |
US5129641A (en) | Multiple stage dispenser | |
CA2142593C (en) | Ramp-up lateral accelerator in a flat-article feed and shingling device | |
US4805891A (en) | Standard and reverse collator | |
US20020033570A1 (en) | System and method for supplying stacked material to a utilization device | |
JP2997550B2 (en) | Transport and collection system | |
US20110139582A1 (en) | System and method for transporting variable-sized media | |
US6868653B2 (en) | Aligning device and method for feeding products into an automatic packaging machine | |
US6689040B2 (en) | Right angle turning device for an inserter system and corresponding method | |
EP0832837A1 (en) | Apparatus for processing documents, such as for instance letters, brochures, magazines | |
AU759655B2 (en) | Method and device for applying a protective coating to stacks of printed products | |
WO1994005574A1 (en) | Segmented transport section having accelerated take-away belts | |
EP1429985A1 (en) | Stacker | |
US4736571A (en) | Envelope stacker | |
US6135703A (en) | Device and a method for orienting sheets or groups of sheets, in particular banknotes | |
EP0343001B1 (en) | Multiple stage dispenser | |
JP3652469B2 (en) | Single piece paper stacker | |
GB2324521A (en) | Stacker with endless belt having flexible blades | |
JP2589192Y2 (en) | Pool unit in fully automatic mail processing system | |
EP2937289B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for packaging signature bundles in paper or plastic film in a single stream of a conveyor | |
US6658826B2 (en) | Assembly for packaging a discontinuously supplied stream of products | |
JPS62153051A (en) | Collecting mechanism for paper sheet and the like | |
JPH02204232A (en) | One by one transfer method and apparatus of stacked folded-paper | |
IE74692B1 (en) | Manufacturing paperboard blanks |
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 |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;RO;SI |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19981001 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Free format text: AT |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT |
|
RAX | Requested extension states of the european patent have changed |
Free format text: AL PAYMENT 981001;LT PAYMENT 981001;LV PAYMENT 981001;RO PAYMENT 981001;SI PAYMENT 981001 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8566 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20001219 |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20021126 |