EP1254857B1 - Device for collating flat objects into stacks and for the further processing of the stacks - Google Patents

Abstract

Flat articles are gathered on stack supports (2) being conveyed past feed points substantially continuously and one after the other. After the gathering operation, bottom edge zones (13) of the gathered articles are exposed for a further processing operation. The corresponding device includes continuously conveyed stack supports (2) each with an inclined supporting surface (3) and a foot element (4) located in the bottom area of the supporting surface (3). The foot elements are actively connected with the supporting surfaces such that they are capable of being pressed against the supporting surface and of being spaced from the supporting surface. In an exposure zone downstream of the gathering zone (1), stack support structure, which are conveyed in synchronism with the stack supports (2) and substantially in the same direction, and a control device are provided. At the entrance to the exposure zone (1), the stack support structure is arranged so as to be positioned immediately underneath the stack supports and such that, further downstream, the stack support structure moves away from the stack supports (2) in a downwards direction. The control device acts on the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) conveyed through the exposure zone such that the foot elements are spaced from the supporting surfaces (3) at the entrance to the exposure zone for letting the stacks slide down onto the stack support device, and such that the stacks having slid down onto the stack support device (10) are clamped between the foot element and the supporting surface. The exposed edge zones (13) of the gathered articles can then be processed in a simple way and/or can be taken hold of by further conveying device.

Description

The invention is in the field of conveyor technology and relates to a device according to the preamble of the first claim. The device is used for continuous Gather flat objects for serial production of stacks and for further processing of the produced stacks.

It is especially known from the printing and bookbinding industry, stack sheets, folded sheets, signatures or other printed products, by providing a series of feed points by creating emerging ones Stack substantially continuously one behind the other along this row of Feed points are promoted and by each at each feed point Stack a printed product is added. The device for promotion the resulting stack has, for example, a plurality of successively arranged, essentially V-shaped pockets with upwards facing oneself substantially transversely to the conveying direction extending openings into which the Printed products are introduced with an edge in front. It already leans against in the bag, resulting stack against the one of the bag walls and is optionally pressed by suitable means to this wall, so that the zugebende Product can be safely and precisely added to the stack. At the same Purposes can also be arranged behind one another, L-shaped stack supports each a support surface and a foot element are provided, wherein the bearing surfaces also extend transversely to the conveying direction and with respect to the vertical are advantageously oriented obliquely. At these bearing surfaces are the supplied printed products advantageously guided at the leading edge applied, as for example in Swiss Patent Application No. 2525/00 (P1814) of the same Applicant.

It is also known that the stacks of compiled in the manner outlined briefly above, thereby removing flat objects from V-shaped pockets the pockets are opened at the bottom and the stacks are driven by gravity fall out of the pockets.

Publication EP-0908408 proposes such gathering bags, when the stack is finished formed therein, during a continuous further promotion open bottom, allowing the stack to fall into a lower pocket by gravity be moved, which lower bag connects to the gathering bag. The walls of the lower pockets are so movable that in such a Bag fallen pile can be clamped between these walls, so that when opening this bag, the bottom of the stack, or all lower edges the flat objects collected in the stack become freely accessible, while the pile is held in the bag. The so uncovered stack page can then, for example, roughened for a bond, cropped and / or with Adhesive treated. After this treatment, the stack of the bag walls released and deliberately dropped.

Also in the publication EP-0712736 is a collation of printed products described in essentially continuously funded pockets. The finished educated Stack is then pinched and held by the bag walls in such a way that the bag can be opened at the bottom and the position of the stack relative to the pocket walls remains unchanged. The bag used has one as Hollow bar designed base part, which moved away to open the bag down becomes. According to this publication too, the product edges thus exposed become which form the lower stacking side, for binding the stack or book block further dealt with what the stack including the pressing pocket walls in Collets is introduced.

The invention now has the object, a device for continuous Gathering flat objects into stacks and for further processing the stack to create with which device excellent edges of the stacked, flat objects when stacking aligned and finished Stacks are made available for further processing and with which device the stacks with the exposed edge areas of a further processing be promoted. The device according to the invention is intended to be known Devices which serve the same purpose, in particular by distinguishing that it is more universally applicable and simpler and that it is significantly simpler various requirements for the exposure of the edge regions of the stacked, flat objects is customizable.

This object is achieved by the device as defined in the claims is defined.

The inventive device has a plurality in a conventional manner from one behind the other in the conveying direction substantially continuously conveyed Stacking pads on. These stack supports are conveyed essentially continuously, first for the formation of stacks by gathering along a Row of feeders, then through an exposure area and from there to a further processing.

The stack supports have aligned substantially transversely to the conveying direction, Support surfaces and at the lower end of the support surface depending on a foot element. The Foot element is operatively connected to the support surface, that it with a pressing force is pressed against this bearing surface and that it by means of suitable control means against the pressing force or after switching off the pressing force of the support surface is distanzierbar and from this distant position back into the pressing position can be dismissed.

During gathering, the flat objects will be at the in this Phase advantageously laid inclined surface and its lower edges be on each other by the foot element, which is pressed against the support surface aligned. Support surface and foot element carry together the resulting and the finished stack in a defined position.

The last feeding point is followed by an exposure area in the conveying direction, through the stack supports are conveyed substantially the same as along the row from feeding points. The exposure area also becomes pile support means promoted, synchronized with the stack supports and aligned with them, wherein the conveying path of the stack supports and the conveying path of the stack support means are designed such that the stack support means at the entrance of the exposure area are arranged directly under the stack supports and during the Promotion through the exposure area further and further down from the pile supports remove.

Furthermore, in this exposure area means for controlling the foot elements intended. By a first such control means, the foot elements are where the stack support means move directly under the stack supports, so on Entrance of the exposure area, distanced from the bearing surfaces, so that the on the bearing surfaces adjacent stack are released against the bottom and, always abutting the bearing surfaces, slip on the stack support means. The stacks become so long on the bearing surfaces fitting and by the stack support means Supported until they are due to the divergence of the conveyor paths of pile support and stack support means are slid so far that the lower edges of the stacked flat objects, the lower edges of the bearing surfaces by a predetermined Surpass the size. At this point, a second control means is provided, by the foot elements from their distance from the support surface position be released back to their pressing position. By slipping the stack is this now positioned between the support surface and the foot element, so that the foot element when released into the pressing position no longer directly against the support surface is pressed but against the stack, leaving this between Foot element and bearing surface pressed and thereby in its position relative to Support surface is fixed. Another slippage of the stack is therefore no longer possible.

With the stack clamped between the support surface and the foot element, the Pile supports further promoted, with their spatial position now also changeable is, for example by pivoting the stack supports relative to the conveyor or by deflection of the conveying path. Through such changes of spatial Location of the stack supports and thus the clamped therein stacks of flat Objects may be the bearing surfaces superior, aligned and originally against bottom edge portions for further processing optimally oriented.

For a release of the optionally in the areas of exposed edge areas machined, stacked flat objects from their clamped position The stack supports can easily between the support surface and foot element grasped projecting stack part with a suitable means and then for Stapelentlassung the foot element again in its distance from the support surface position to be brought.

Instead of L-shaped stack supports, as described above, the inventive Device also substantially transversely to the conveying direction extending, V-shaped gathering bags with two in the conveying direction each other have opposite pocket walls. The one of the bag walls then represents the bearing surface and the foot element closes the distance between the pocket walls against the bottom.

In the same way as with the inventive device stack of a Plurality of flat objects can be created and processed, Of course, individual objects can also be positioned by clamping held and processed in this position, so "stack", the only one to include a single flat object.

Figuren 1 und 2 den Freilegungsbereich einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung in zwei Funktionsmodi;

Figuren 3 bis 5 die Funktion des Fusselementes illustriert im Detail an der Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 1 und 2;

Figuren 6 und 7 die Freilegungsbereiche von zwei weiteren, beispielhaften Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Figuren 8 bis 12 die Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung gemäss Figuren 1 und 2 in Bereichen der Weiterverarbeitung von zwischen Auflagefläche und Fusselement geklemmt festgehaltenen Stapeln

.Exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention will be described in more detail in connection with the following figures. Showing:

Figures 1 and 2, the exposure range of a first embodiment of the inventive device in two modes of operation;

Figures 3 to 5 the function of the foot member illustrated in detail on the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 6 and 7, the exposure ranges of two further exemplary embodiments of the inventive device;

Figures 8 to 12, the embodiment of the inventive device according to Figures 1 and 2 in areas of further processing of clamped between the support surface and foot element held piles

,

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the exposure area 1, through which the stack supports 2 move substantially continuously (conveying direction F), essentially in the same spatial position in which they were also conveyed along the row of feed points. The stack supports 2 each have a support surface 3 and a foot element 4. The stack supports 2 are for example, as shown, equidistantly coupled to a conveying member (dash-dotted line 5), but it can also be substantially independently of each other in the conveying direction F traversable elements. The support surfaces 3 of the stack supports 2 extend substantially transversely to the conveying direction F (perpendicular to the paper plane of the figure) and are arranged obliquely in the conveying direction, for example, such that their lower edges run after the upper edges.

The evacuation area 1 zugeförderten stack supports 2 each carry a stack 6, wherein the flat objects of the stack 6 before the promotion of the stack support through the exposure area 1 shown in FIG. 1 during the conveyance along a series of feed points in a conventional manner on the stack supports 2 were filed.

In the exposure area 1 are below the stack supports 2 in sync with the stack supports 2 and aligned to this movable through the exposure area Stack support means 10 provided such that they are at the entrance of the exposure area 1 are positioned immediately below the lower edges of the support surfaces 3 and during their promotion through the exposure area 1 at an acute angle to be moved away from them. The stack support means 10 consist for example from individual stack supports 11 which are closed on a conveyor member 12 with self-contained Orbit are coupled.

At the point marked A, which corresponds approximately to the point at which the Stacking supports 11 are arranged closest to the bearing surfaces 3, is a first Control means (not shown) effective, by the action of the foot elements 4th from passing through stack supports 2 in their distance from the support surface 3 Position be brought. As a result, slips on the bearing surface 3 fitting Stack 6 on the stack support 11 from.

During further promotion, the stack 6 slips due to the divergence of the conveying paths of stack supports 2 and stack supports 11 further down and extends beyond the support surface 3 more and more.

At the point marked B, which lies downstream of the point A, is a second control means (not shown) arranged by the action of the foot elements 4 of over conveyed stack supports 2 from their from the support surface 3 detached position to be released back into their pressing position to the over the support surface 3 slipped stack 6 to press against them and so in his to fix the bearing surface 3 superior position.

The stack supports 11 are in an area following the point B of the Stack supports 2 moves away, whereby the lower edge portions 13 of the stacked, flat objects that surmount the support surface 3 and foot element 4, for a Further processing of the stack are freely accessible.

It can be clearly seen from FIG. 1 that the stack supports 2 are very simple Device parts are very close to each other along the conveying path can be promoted. It can also be seen that the stack supports 2, if they keep a stack 6 clamped between bearing surfaces 3 and foot elements 4, for example, by pivoting parallel to the conveying path F and / or by deflection of the transport route can be brought into various spatial locations, whereby the exposed, originally lower edge regions 13 of the stacked, flat objects for example, for processing or for a transfer another conveyor can be made optimally accessible.

In particular, however, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that it is very simple to carry out the invention Device for various manipulations of different stacks adjust. It does not matter in the furthest limits, how big (even how different big), how thick (also how differently thick) and how numerous the stacked, flat objects are. As long as they are essentially straightforward Have edge area and as long as these edge portions of all objects to be stacked must be aligned with each other, the device is unchanged applicable. For a setting of the dimension around which the lower edge regions 13 in their projected state on the support surface 3 are projecting, is advantageously the point B or the second control means along the conveying path F moved (Arrows C). But it can also be the angle between the conveying path F of Stack supports 2 and the conveying path of the stack supports 11 can be adjusted.

The stack supports 11 shown in FIG. 1 extend parallel to the bearing surfaces 3 and the foot elements 4 substantially transversely to the conveying direction F. and have a bottom surface, which is advantageously perpendicular to the bearing surfaces 6 is aligned. With such stacking supports 11 can be ensured that the stack 6 is given a rectangular shape. In cases where such Squareness is not relevant, even a simple conveyor belt can Assume the function of the illustrated in Figure 1, individual stack supports 11.

FIG. 2 shows essentially the same device as FIG. 1. While the device according to FIG. 1 is operated in a mode in which the foot elements 4 of all the stack supports 2 conveyed are actuated at the point A, this is only suitable for selected stack supports according to FIG 2, for example, only for stack supports containing a defect-free stack 6. Unselected stack supports 2 are conveyed through the exposure area 1 in an unchanged state.

For the control of the operating mode according to FIG. 1, the control means may be, for example stationary Steuerkulissen be provided with the foot elements 4 of the stack supports 2 arranged control rollers cooperate. For the controller the operating mode according to Figure 2 are to provide active control means, the on the foot elements 4 selectively actuate acting controls.

Figures 3 to 5 show in more detail the operation of an exemplary embodiment of a stack support 2 in a device, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is more schematically. The bottom portions of stack supports 2 are shown in a configuration for gathering (Figure 3), for exposing the lower edge portions 13 of the stacked flat objects or for discharging a stack (Figure 4) and for further processing the stacks 6 and the exposed edge portions 13 (Figure 5).

Visible is in each case a lower part of the support surface 3, on both sides by side pieces 20 (one visible) is limited, and one adjacent to the support surface 3 Stack 6. The foot member 4 is pivotally attached to the side pieces 20 and is with a biased between side piece 20 and foot element 4 tension spring 21 driven against the support surface 3. The foot element 4 also has a Control roller 22, via which the foot member 4 by a control link 23 against the Spring force of the tension spring 21 in one of the support surface 3 more or less distanced Position can be brought and preserved in such a position. The control gate 23 is necessary in areas of the conveying path (Figure 4), in which the foot elements 4 are to be kept in a distance from the support surface 3 position. The control link 23 may be missing in regions of the conveying path (FIGS. 3 and 5), in FIG which the foot member 4 with full spring force against the support surface 3 and against a voltage applied to the support surface 3 stack 6 is to be pulled.

Figure 3 shows the foot member 4 in the collation configuration in which it is driven by the force of the tension spring 21 when no stack 6 is positioned between the support surface 3 and foot member 4. The foot element 4 closes in this position closely to the support surface 3, such that it can support flat objects applied to the support surface 3.

FIG. 4 shows the stack support 2 in the exposure or discharge configuration in which it is conveyed through the exposure area, ie in the areas of the conveying path between the points A and B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and through a discharge area in which a stack is released from its clamped between the support surface 3 and 4 foot element position. The foot member 4 is spaced from the support surface 3, such that the lower end of the support surface 3 is free and slipping on the support surface 3, flat objects slide on it or can be removed between support surface 3 and 4 foot element. The foot member 4 is guided in this position during the promotion by the control link 23 and pressed by the spring force of the tension spring 21 against this.

FIG. 5 shows the stack support 2 in the further processing configuration into which it is brought when the stack 6 resting on the support surface 3 and supported by the stack support means (not shown) slips over the support surface 3 by a predetermined amount (location B in FIGS Figures 1 and 2). The foot member 4 is pressed by the tension spring 21 against the stack 6 and holds it firmly.

Instead of the tension spring 21, other means may be used to the foot element 4 to press against the support surface. This feature can, for example also taken from the guide rollers 22 and a corresponding control link become. For the operating mode shown in Figure 2 are control blocks not as a tax. There are then active, for example, the tension spring 21st to provide selectively disengaging control means.

Figures 6 and 7 show two further exemplary embodiments of the inventive device.

The stack supports 2 according to Figure 6 have at support surface 3 and foot element 4 against down substantially mutually parallel extensions 30 and thus form a kind of flat-nose pliers, through which a stack 6 can be kept even better than this with the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 is the case.

FIG. 7 very schematically shows another exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which bearing surfaces 3 and foot elements 4 form parts of essentially V-shaped collapsing pockets 2 '. The foot elements 4 are hingedly hinged to one of the bearing surface 3 opposite pocket wall 31 and are driven with pressing means not shown in a "closed" position and controlled with suitable control means against the pressing force or after switching off the pressing force in an "open" position.

Figures 8 to 12 show the embodiment of the inventive device, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, in a conveying region downstream of the exposure area. In this area, the stacks 6 are attackingly attacked on the exposed edge regions 13 of the flat objects. This further processing is to be understood in a very broad sense of the word, it should not only include these edge area changing steps (for example, binding a stack of printed products) but also a pure handling (for example, a transfer to another conveyor) or both ,

FIG. 8 shows a stack handling, which essentially consists in reversing the exposure of the lower edge regions 13, if necessary after processing these edge regions 13. The stack supports 2 keep between the support surfaces 3 and foot elements 4 pressed stack 6 when they are fed to this area in which another stack support means 10 'is provided with parallel to the stack supports 2 funded stack supports 11'. These stack supports 11 'are adjustable in height relative to a conveying member 12' to an extent such that they can push back stack 6 on the support surface 3. For controlling the foot elements 4, a first control means are provided analogously to the release region at a point A, and a second control means at a point B, these control means, as already described in connection with FIG. 1, acting on the foot elements 4 of all stack supports 2 conveyed past or only on the foot elements 4 a selection of the stack supports 2 (as shown in Figure 8).

For further processing, as shown in FIG. 8, it is a prerequisite that stack supports 11 'and foot elements 4 are designed such that they can mesh. The stack supports 11 'thus have, for example, along their extent transverse to the conveying direction gaps or are narrower than the stacked Objects and the foot elements 4 consist of at least two foot element parts, aligned with these gaps or sideways from the stack supports 11 'are arranged.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show transfer areas in which stacks 6 held clamped between support surfaces 3 and foot elements 4 by stack supports 2 are transferred to a further conveyor 40. For this purpose, at a point A of the conveying path F, in turn, a first control means to be provided, with which the foot elements 4 are brought by conveyed over stack supports 2 in the distance from the support surface 3 position.

According to FIG. 9, the receiving conveying means 40 has grippers 41 which hold the uncovered Take edge portions 13 before the stack supports 2 through the point A be encouraged. According to FIG. 10, the receiving conveyor 40 has pockets 42, in which cover sheet 43 may be presented. The shared Edge portions 13 are inserted into these pockets as far as possible before the stack supports 2 pass the point A, where the stack 6 by the control the foot elements 4 are released and dropped into the pockets. For this Case, it is particularly advantageous if the stack 6 the bearing surfaces 3 so far dominate as much as possible, so that the free fall can be kept as short as possible.

According to FIG. 11, the exposure area 1 and the transfer area essentially fall together. The stack 6 are already in the exposure of the lower Edge regions 13 in the exposure area 1 when slipping over the support surfaces 3 in clamping means 50 of another conveyor 40 and introduced by these after the exposure area grabbed by clamping and then by dismiss the foot elements 4.

FIG. 12 shows a further processing in the areas of the exposed edge regions 13 of stacks 6 held clamped in stack supports 2. These stacks 6, which are directed against the bottom at least in the exposure area, are deflected 60 by the conveying path F of the stack supports 2 and by corresponding pivoting of the stack supports 2 brought relative to this conveying path in a vertical position, in which the exposed edge portions 13 are directed upwards. In this position of the stack 6, the stack supports 2 for further processing of the stacks 6 are conveyed through a processing area and a discharge area. In the discharge area, folded cover sheets 43 are opened and laid over the exposed edge areas. In the discharge area, the exposed edge regions 13 with the cover sheet 43 laid over are grasped by suitable grippers and released from the foot elements 4 (point A).

Before laying the cover sheet 43, the exposed edge areas may optionally roughened or trimmed and treated with glue after hanging up the cover sheet 43 are pressed accordingly. It is also conceivable, more than a cover sheet 43 hang up and the majority of cover sheet before discharge to hog the stack 6 together.

Claims (15)

1. Device for gathering flat articles into stacks (6) and for further processing the stacks (6), which device comprises a plurality of stack supports (2) and means for continuously conveying the stack supports (2) one behind the other along a conveying path (F), wherein the conveying path (F), for gathering the articles in a gathering zone leads past a row of feed points and for further processing leads through a processing zone and wherein, for carrying a stack of the articles, each one of the stack supports (2) comprises a supporting surface (3) extending substantially transverse to the conveying path and a foot element (4) arranged in the bottom zone of the supporting surface (3), characterized in that the foot elements (4) are designed and actively connected to the supporting surfaces (3) to be capable of being pressed against the supporting surfaces (3) and of being distanced from the supporting surfaces (3), that in an exposure zone (1) between the gathering zone and the processing zone, stack support means (10) being capable of moving in synchronism and substantially in the same direction with the stack supports (2) are provided, wherein, at the entrance to the exposure zone (1), the stack support means (10) are positioned immediately underneath the stack supports (2) and further downstream move away from the stack supports (2) in a downwards direction, and that in the exposure zone (1), control means are provided for bringing the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) being conveyed past the entrance of the exposure zone (1) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position distanced from the supporting surface (3) and, further downstream, back into their position pressed against the supporting surface (3).
2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the foot elements (4) are mounted on the supporting surfaces (3) in a swivelling manner.
3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a tension spring (21) is arranged between the foot element (4) and the supporting surface (3).
4. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the stack supports are components of substantially V-shaped gathering pockets (2'), wherein the supporting surface (3) forms one of two pocket walls situated opposite one another and the foot element (4) closes off the distance between the pocket walls towards the bottom.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stack support means (10) comprise individual stack support bases (11), which are coupled to a circulating conveying organ (12).
6. Device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the stack support bases (11) comprise supporting surfaces oriented vertically to the supporting surfaces (3).
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control means for driving the foot elements (4) comprise cam surfaces (23) cooperating with guide rollers (22) arranged on the foot elements (4).
8. Device in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control means comprise active components for activating selected ones of the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the processing zone, further control means and further stack support means (10') with stack support bases (11') moving in the conveying direction and against the stack supports (2) are provided for bringing the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) conveyed past from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) to their position at a distance from the stack support (3) and further downstream back into their position pressed against the supporting surface (3), and that the foot elements (4) and the further stack support bases (11') are designed in such a manner, that they are able to mesh with one another.
10. Device in accordance with one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that downstream of the exposure zone (1) means for changing the spatial orientation of the stack supports (2) are provided.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the direction of the conveying path (F) of the stack supports (2) is changed downstream of the exposure zone (1).
12. Device in accordance with one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that downstream of the exposure zone (1) means for swivelling the stack supports (2) relative to the conveying path (F) are provided.
13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that in the processing zone, a means for laying a covering sheet (43) onto the exposed edge zones (13) is provided.
14. Device in accordance with one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the further processing zone a further conveying means (40) with grippers (41) is arranged in such a manner, that the grippers take hold of the exposed edge zones (13) and thereupon are capable of being closed, and that for releasing the stacks (6), a further control means is provided for bringing the foot elements (4) after the stacks have been taken hold of by the grippers (41) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position at a distance from the supporting surface (3).
15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the processing zone, a further conveying means (40) with pockets (42) is arranged in such a manner, that the exposed edge zones (13) are capable of being inserted into the pockets (42), and that for the release of the stacks (6) a further control means is provided for bringing the foot elements (4) following insertion of the exposed edge zones (13) into the pockets (42) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position at a distance from the supporting surface (3).

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