EP1188702A2 - Device with individually adjustable pockets for transporting sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The conveyor has a number of pouches (10) into which the sheet material (7) is fed by means of a feeder (2,3). Each pouch has an adjustment ) for adjusting the height of the pouches when stationary, and restoring unit (5) for automatically returning the pouches to the height set. The sheets are taken out of the pouches by a release unit. The restoring unit has a ramp (25) and a locking mechanism (35).

Description

The present invention relates generally to a transport device for sheet material, for example for conveying newspapers, and in particular a transport device for Sheet material with pockets moving along a path. The present The invention further relates to such bags and a method for transporting of such bags.

US 5,911,416 describes a transport device for sheet material that has a variety of pockets which can be moved along a path and which serve to store sheet material from Take sheet material feeders. These bags make it possible for example, that a first outer part of a newspaper through a first sheet material feeder first put in the pockets and then an inner one Part of the newspaper is inserted between the folds of the first outer part of the newspaper.

The device described in the cited document uses a lifting cam to move one semicircular actuator to move a drive shaft in such a way Rotational movements are offset that a height for the feet of the bag on the rack is set. A locking mechanism prevents the pockets from opening. After that the sheet material can be picked up and placed in the pockets.

In order to deliver the sheet material, the locking mechanism can then be switched by a cam be solved. The rack is moved to a lower position by a pre-tension spring lowered so that the feet are released by a driver cam. So that can Sheet material in the pockets can be taken from these on the bottom, then on to be transported or stacked.

No. 5,251,888 describes pockets which can be moved along an endless path. Every bag comes with two vertically adjustable stops provided on a bag carrying device are slidably attached. It is stated that a guide element can be adjusted in this way is that it can adjust the stops vertically when the pockets are along the Endless track to be moved.

These patents do not include adjustment devices provided directly on the pockets to set the bags in their idle state.

The object of the present invention is to create the possibility to put the bags in adjust their idle state to a desired height.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of claims 1 and 6 and solved by a method with the features of claim 9.

A transport device for sheet material according to the invention thus comprises one Large number of pockets, each pocket having an adjusting device for adjusting the Has the height of the pockets when at rest. With that a Setting height can be defined. Furthermore, a feed device for introducing the Sheet material in the pockets, a release station for dispensing the sheet material out of the pockets and a return station to return the pockets to the set height provided.

The present invention enables the bags to be held in a resting state Adjust the setting height and work continuously at this setting height. If the Pocket height is to be changed, the device is stopped and the Adjustments are set to a new height for each pocket. The The reset station can include a movable ascending return ramp, which then is also set to a new height and also a locking device having.

Each bag contains a locking device provided for the setting device, the comprises a locking ring with a single tooth ratchet (single tooth and pawl), that cooperates with the locking ring.

The adjuster preferably includes one on a semicircular gear or reset gear attached level indicator, the reset gear on one Reset cam follower is attached. A gear knob has an outer one Tooth area that engages with the semicircular gear and on a shaft is rotatably attached, the shaft can adjust the height of the pockets. The locking ring surrounds the shaft, the gear knob by axial displacement of the gear knob in relation to the shaft can optionally engage the locking ring. When the locking ring engages the gear knob, both elements lead one common rotary motion. If the gear knob from the locking ring z. B. by manual shifting of the gear knob is released, the locking ring is free around the The shaft can be rotated, whereas the gear knob remains rotatable with respect to the shaft.

The semicircular gear is preferably spring loaded in one direction, what causes the fingers to fall to the bottom of the bag and trigger a release. The Opening the locking device in the release station causes the release in this way of the sheet material in the pocket through the fingers.

A sheet material bag according to the invention comprises a first wall and one of these spaced apart second wall, which together is a receiving area for sheet material define at least one finger movable with respect to the first wall, the one Defines pocket bottom, wherein the at least one finger for opening the pocket bottom is releasable, a wave that is used to move the at least one finger with this is connected, a gear knob that is rotatable and axial with respect to the shaft is slidable, and a locking ring, which optionally engages with the gear knob is feasible.

• individuelles Einstellen der Höhe jeder Tasche einer Vielzahl von Taschen unter Verwendung einer an jeder der Taschen vorgesehenen Einstellvorrichtung, um eine gemeinsame Einstellhöhe zu definieren,
• Arretieren der an jeder der Taschen vorgesehenen Einstellvorrichtung unter Verwendung eines Einzahngesperres, und
• Bewegen der Taschen in einer Schleife.

A method according to the invention for adjusting the height of a large number of pockets comprises the following steps:

• individually adjusting the height of each pocket of a plurality of pockets using an adjustment device provided on each of the pockets to define a common height of adjustment,
• Locking the adjusting device provided on each of the pockets using a one-tooth ratchet, and
• Moving the bags in a loop.

The method preferably includes entering a first set of sheet material into the bags in motion and then entering a second one Sheet material set in the pockets.

The method can advantageously also comprise the step of emptying the pockets, so that the sheet material z. B. can be transferred to a delivery station.

To force a downward movement and the release of the fingers, the stands Adjustment device preferably under spring tension, so that an adjustment that one Upward movement of the bag bottom causes against the spring tension.

The method can further include adjusting the height of a reset ramp, so that it matches the common setting height and a reset cam follower the adjusting device cooperates with the return ramp in such a way that the fingers are brought back to the common setting height. A Locking device can then lock the fingers in position. The step of Setting the height of the return ramp to the common setting height is special advantageous, otherwise the locking device will strike against the one-tooth ratchet or this can damage; it may even be that the pockets are at the wrong height be reset.

The present invention provides a simple method and an uncomplicated one Device for resetting the pocket height and enables manual resetting a pocket height.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the present invention are Subject of the figures shown below and their descriptions.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Transporteinrichtung für Bogenmaterial gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Fig. 2

einen Teil einer Tasche gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in Seitenansicht, wobei bestimmte Elemente aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit weggelassen wurden,

Fig. 3

einen Teil einer Tasche gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei bestimmte Elemente aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit weg gelassen wurden,

Fig. 4

einen Teil einer Tasche gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer weiteren perspektivischen Darstellung, wobei bestimmte Elemente aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit weg gelassen wurden,

Fig. 5 und 6

die Einstellvorrichtung zum Einstellen der Fingerhöhe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in detaillierterer Darstellung,

Fig. 7

eine Detailansicht der Arretiervorrichtung nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 8

eine Detailansicht der Freigabestation nach Fig. 1, und

Fig. 9

eine Detailansicht der Rückstellstation nach Fig. 1.

Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic illustration of a transport device for sheet material according to the present invention,

Fig. 2

a part of a bag according to the present invention in side view, certain elements have been omitted for reasons of clarity,

Fig. 3

a part of a bag according to the present invention in perspective, certain elements have been omitted for reasons of clarity,

Fig. 4

a part of a bag according to the present invention in a further perspective view, certain elements being omitted for reasons of clarity,

5 and 6

the adjusting device for adjusting the finger height according to the present invention in more detail,

Fig. 7

2 shows a detailed view of the locking device according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 8

a detailed view of the release station of FIG. 1, and

Fig. 9

a detailed view of the reset station of FIG. 1st

1 shows a schematic illustration of a transport device 100 for Sheet material with an endless web 101 for conveying a plurality of pockets 10 in one direction 17. Each pocket 10 contains fingers 90 which determine the height of the pocket, a height adjustment device 8 and provided for the individual adjustment of the height a releasable locking device 9 provided for the height adjustment device 8.

In a setting area 1, each pocket 10 can be adjusted by means of the setting device 8 Example can be set manually, the fingers 90 for receiving folded For example, products of 26.5 cm (10.5 inches) are moved to a desired height become. During the adjustment process, the pockets 10 are in the quiescent state, whereby the setting can also take place outside the setting range 1, for example, by Operating personnel moving along path 101. Another option is there in driving the bags into the adjustment range, stopping the device and each Adjust bag.

After a bag has been set to a desired height, the Locking device 8 locked by the locking device 9, whereby the setting of the Pocket height is complete. Then when all pockets are set, the Bags 10 set in motion and guided under a first feed device 2, where to Example a folded sheet 6, a newspaper or other printed matter in the Pockets 10 is entered. In a second, freely selectable input station 3, a second sheet part can be entered in the envelope 6 to make the final To produce printed product 7.

The pockets 10 can then be passed into a release station 4, which the Locking device 9 releases. The spring-loaded adjusting device 8 gives then the fingers 90 free so that the bottom of the pockets 10 opens and the products 7 for example on a conveyor belt 11.

After the pockets 10 have left the release station 4, they pass through one Reset station 5, which contains a movable ascending reset ramp 25 with a reset cam follower 156 of the adjusting device 8 and the Locking device 35 cooperates to lock the locking device 9. The pockets 10, which are preferably all set to the same height, are through the return ramp 25 is reset to this same height and in this position the locking device 9 triggered by the locking device 35 is locked.

2, 3 and 4, the pocket 10 is shown in more detail. The pocket 10 has one upper rear wall 54, an upper front wall 52 and a side wall 44, wherein an opening 56 between the upper rear wall 54 and the upper front wall 52 located, which is used to hold sheet material. The bag 10 can still be a have lower rear wall 64 and a lower front wall 62. A rack 80 on the fingers 90 are mounted, is displaceable relative to the wall 52. The fingers 90 are on the rack 80 by means of a fixed to a first part 92 of the finger 90 Pivot pin 96 mounted. A second part 94 of the finger 90 serves one Define pocket bottom when fingers 90 are in the closed position are located. The rack 80 includes a toothing 82 (Fig. 4) with a gear 122 of a pinion 120 (Figs. 3 and 4) is engaged, which also a release cam 130. The pinions 120 are rotatably supported in the walls 44 and 46 Shaft 110 arranged. With the wall 46 (in FIG. 4 for the sake of a better one Clarity not fully shown) forms an end 111 of the shaft 110 Connection to an adjustment gear knob 140. The adjustment gear knob 140 has one Inner surface that ensures that the adjustment gear knob 140 rotates on the shaft 110 is arranged. However, the adjustment gear knob 140 is axial with respect to the shaft 110 slidable so that it is mutually locked with a locking ring 160 (visible inside the gear 140 and only in Fig. 4) is optionally engaged, the locking ring 160 part of the Locking device 9 is. The locking device 9 also comprises a pawl 209, which cooperates with a single tooth on the outside of the ring 160. The gear knob 140 is only partially shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, with a button which serves the Turning and pulling the gear manually is not shown. The details of the Gear knob 140 and its interaction with the locking ring 160 continue Described in more detail below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

Fig. 3 shows how fingers 90 reach through the front wall. The enable cam 130 is set up so that it interacts with a release surface 102 (FIG. 4) of the fingers 90. The release surface 102 is arranged in an opening 86 between the teeth 82, when the fingers 90 are fully lowered so that the fingers are off the back wall pivoted away and so the products located in the pockets 10 are released. The release of the fingers 90 is similar to the release of the feet in US 5,911,416.

Fig. 2 shows the gear knob 140, the one with a display 19 for the Pocket height provided semi-circular adjusting gear 150 is engaged stands, the display 19 in addition to the markings shown numbers or others May have identification data. On one side of the semicircular gear 150, a reset cam follower 156 is rotatably mounted on an axis 154.

A marking 18 provided on the wall 46 provides a fixed reference point for the display 19. In Fig. 2 is the highest possible position for the pocket setting shown. By in Fig. 2 the button 140 with the locking device 9 in Rotates counterclockwise, an operator can lower pocket fingers 90 because of the shaft 110 is also rotated. As a result, the semicircular gear 150 and the Display 19 also rotated about axis 152, thus the height of the fingers and consequently indicate the setting of the pockets.

As shown in Fig. 4, the semicircular gear 150 is attached to a spring 158, so that the gear 150 is biased in a direction 151, which is also the case in FIG. 2 is shown.

An operator selects the correct setting by following the gear knob 140 pulls outside and so the locking ring 160 and the gear knob 140 out of their mutual The connection is released, the gear knob 140 being non-rotatable with respect to the shaft 110. The Locking ring 160 is held in position by pawl 209 so that shaft 110 is freely rotatable with respect to the locking ring 160. The pawl 209 is in the after blocking position directed upwards, with a single tooth of the blocking ring 160 in Intervention stands. After the fingers are released by turning the lock ring 160 Gear knob 140 have been moved to the desired position, the operator go the gear knob 140 so that this z. B. back through a star gear Locking ring 160 engages. The bag is now set to a new height.

5 shows an exploded view of a detail of the gear knob 140. The end 111 the shaft 110 fits into the internally toothed bore 147 of the Gear knob 140. The shaft 110 is fastened to a screw 145 which extends over a Spring 146 is supported against the gear knob 140. Thus, the gear knob 140 can counter the force of the spring 146 are pulled in the direction of the arrow 240, whereby the Gear knob 140 is axially displaceable with respect to shaft 110, but always remains rotatably connected to the shaft 110.

Relative to the shaft end 111, the locking ring 160 is located inside the gear knob 140, the locking ring 160 via an inner star wheel 163 with an outer star wheel 143 of the Gear knob 140 cooperates firmly when the gear knob 140 is not in axial Direction is pulled against the spring force of the spring 146. But if the gear knob 140 axially pulled against the spring force (i.e. to the left in Fig. 5), this releases from the locking ring 160, so that the latter due to a smooth lying on the shaft 110 Inner surface area 162 is freely rotatable about the shaft 110.

Gear knob 140 has a knob portion 142 that allows an operator to firmly grasp the gear knob 140 to pull or rotate the gear 140. The teeth 141 of an external toothing act with the semicircular gear 150 (Fig. 2) together. So when the gear knob 140 is turned, it does so Rotate the semicircular gear 150.

The locking ring 160 has on its outer surface a single tooth 164, which with the Pawl 209 can cooperate, as shown in Fig. 7. A projection 210 extends outward from the pawl 209 so that the pawl 209 between one upper and a lower position is movable. The pawl can do this with a spring be biased so that it preferably occupies a position or in one of the two Positions jumps.

8 shows the release station 4, which detects the pawl 209 of the locking device 9 Moved down to an unlocked position when a pocket moved station 4 into the Direction 17 (Fig. 1) passes. By interacting with a projection 210 pushing downward rising surface of station 4, the pawl 209 of the Tooth 164 moved away. As the pawl 209 moves down, it moves Locking ring 160 counterclockwise (Fig. 7). This counter clockwise movement occurs in the direction of 151 as a result of the spring preload of the semicircular gear 150 a (Fig. 2), whereby the gear knob 140 is rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 2). Since the shaft lock ring 160, the gear knob 140 and the shaft 110 in the Release station are all rotatable, they rotate together. As a result, the shaft 110 moves the fingers 90 down using the gear 122 and the rack 80 until the cams 130 cause the fingers to open, causing the sheet material in the pocket 10 will release.

After release, the pockets are in position A, as shown in FIG. 9 is, the reset cam follower 156 is in its upper position. If the pocket 10 moves past the reset station 5, the reset cam follower 156 down the ascending ramp 25 into the original set position B pressed. Because the return ramp 25 to the right height is set, the single tooth 164 of the locking ring 160 is in the correct position at the bottom of the ramp 25, so that a locking device 35 the projection 210 of the Pawl 209 moves upward and engages tooth 164. Thus the pockets are 10 has been correctly reset so that further continuous operation along the Lane 101 can be carried out without any further stop or standstill is required.

The return ramp 25 should preferably be that of the common pocket height of all Bags set the appropriate height. The reset ramp 25 can be done in increments be moved. In this way, the return ramp 25 can be brought into a position be, which corresponds to a newly set pocket height for all pockets 10. The Dashed line in Fig. 9 shows an average position of the return ramp, that of a new one Bag height corresponds. In this case, the reset cam follower 156 is not complete so far down that the fingers are not raised so far, which increases the pocket height (depth) so that, for example, folded products from 30.4 cm (12 inches) instead of the previous 26.5 cm (10.5 inch) folded products can be included.

If the ramp is not set to the correct reset height, the pawl engages 209 not directly on the single tooth. Thus the ring turns until the pawl attacks the single tooth. This rotation can damage the locking ring 160 (if the ramp is set too low).

The functional sequence of the device 100 can be summarized as follows: If If the system is at a standstill, the gear knob 140 can be in each pocket 10 pulled out and released from the locking ring 160. After that, he is turned to the display 19 to set the desired pocket height for the fingers 90, the Pawl 209 is in an engaged position. The height of each pocket should be 10 be equal. The gear knob 140 is then released, so that the locking ring 160 again is rotationally fixed with respect to the gear knob 140 and the shaft 110. That way all pockets 10 locked in the desired set height. The rising ramp 25 is then set so that its height corresponds to the common height of the bags.

The pockets 10 then take up the sheet material from the input stations 2 and 3. To release the pockets 10 pass through the release station 4, which causes the pawl 209 loosens, so that the fingers move downward and thus the orderly or release assembled sheet material 7.

The pockets are then at the reset station 5 by the reset cam follower 156 by moving down along ramp 25 around the fingers 90 to bring to the correct height. The locking device 35 then performs the Pawl 209 back to lock the lock ring 160 and your fingers in the correct one Lock height.

This allows the device to continue operating at the set height. If a new setting height is required, the system is stopped and for everyone Pockets 10 and the rising ramp 25 set the new height.

The term "ramp" is defined here so that it can include all cams that so are designed to move a cam follower in a desired direction. The The term "tooth ratchet" or "single tooth" is defined here to mean any type of Stop for a jack or a jack-like device may include.

List of reference numbers

1

Adjustment

2, 3

input station

4

release station

5

Reset Station

6

envelope

7

Sheet material / printed product

8th

adjustment

9

locking device

10

Bags

11

conveyor belt

17

movement direction

18

mark

19

display

25

Reset ramp

35

locking device

44

Side wall

46

Side wall

52

front wall

54

rear wall

56

opening

62

lower front wall

64

lower back wall

80

rack

82

gearing

86

opening

90

finger

92

first part of a finger

94

second part of a finger

96

pivot pin

100

transport device

101

train

102

contact surface

110

wave

111

End (of shaft 110)

120

pinion

122

gear

130

releasing cam

140

gear knob

141

Teeth (an external toothing)

142

Knob part (from 140)

143

outer star wheel

145

screw

146

feather

147

Bore (in 140)

150

semicircular gear

151

direction

152

axis

154

axis

156

cam follower

158

feather

160

lock ring

162

smooth inner surface area

163

inner star wheel

164

Single tooth of the locking ring

209

pawl

210

head Start

240

arrow

Claims (11)

Transport device for sheet material with a plurality of pockets (10), a feed device (2, 3) for introducing sheet material (7) into the pockets (10), a release station (4) for discharging the sheet material (7) from the pockets (10 )
characterized in that for each pocket (10) there is provided an adjusting device (8) for adjusting the height of the pockets (10) which are in the quiescent state and a return station (5) for automatically returning the pockets (10) to the set height. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the resetting station (5) has a movable, ascending resetting ramp (25) and a locking device (35). Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that each pocket (10) contains a locking device (9) provided for the adjusting device (8). Device according to claim 3,
characterized in that the locking device (9) contains a locking ring (160) with a one-tooth tooth ratchet and a pawl (209) which interacts with the locking ring (160). Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the adjusting device (8) comprises an adjusting gear (150) and a height indicator (19) attached to it. Sheet material pocket with a first wall (52), a second wall (54) spaced from the first wall, the area between the walls defining a receiving area for sheet material (7), at least one finger (90) which is movable with respect to the first wall (52) and which defines a pocket bottom, the at least one finger (90) being detachable so that the pocket bottom can be opened characterized in that a gear knob (140) for moving the at least one finger (90) and a locking ring (160) are provided, the latter being selectively engageable with the gear knob (140). Sheet material bag according to claim 6,
characterized in that the locking ring (160) has a single tooth (164) on its outer surface. Sheet material bag according to claim 6 or 7,
characterized in that the locking ring (160) is freely rotatable about a shaft (110) when it is not in engagement with the gear knob (140). Method for adjusting the height of a plurality of pockets that are moved in an endless loop
marked by
the following steps: individually adjusting the height of each individual pocket (10) from a plurality of pockets (10) using an adjustment device (8) provided on each of the pockets (10) in order to define a common adjustment height, Locking the adjusting device (8) provided on each of the pockets (10) using a one-tooth ratchet. Method according to claim 9
characterized in that the height is adjusted using a reset ramp (25), which corresponds to the common adjustment height, a reset cam tappet (156) of the adjustment device (8) interacting with the reset ramp (25) in such a way that the fingers ( 90) can be reduced to the common setting height. Method according to claim 9
marked by
manually turning a locking ring (160) provided with a one-tooth tooth ratchet.

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