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
  • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
  • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
  • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
  • B65H3/0684—Rollers or like rotary separators on moving support, e.g. pivoting, for bringing the roller or like rotary separator into contact with the pile
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
  • B65H5/08—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers
  • B65H5/085—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers by combinations of endless conveyors and grippers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
  • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
  • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
  • B65H2301/423—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile
  • B65H2301/4232—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles
  • B65H2301/42324—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles from top of the pile
  • B65H2301/423245—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles from top of the pile the pile lying on a stationary support, i.e. the separator moving according to the decreasing height of the pile
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
  • B65H2404/10—Rollers
  • B65H2404/15—Roller assembly, particular roller arrangement
  • B65H2404/152—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
  • B65H2405/50—Gripping means
  • B65H2405/55—Rail guided gripping means running in closed loop, e.g. without permanent interconnecting means

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device and a method for dismantling a stack of flat objects according to claims 1 and 10, respectively.
• a device is known from WO 00/46135.
• a stack of flat objects, in particular printed products lies on a support surface and is removed from above by a separating device.
• the separating device is supported on the stack from above by means of a supporting structure, so that its vertical distance from the stack is always constant during the stack dismantling.
• Individual objects are separated from the stack by the separating device and transferred to a removal device in the form of a belt conveyor.
• the separating device holds a suction device which sucks the object lying on top of the stack at one end. The object is then gripped by a slide and pushed out of the stack to the conveyor.
• Periodic discarding of objects creates a stream of flakes from objects that partially overlap each other on the belt conveyor.
• the removal device can be pivoted in the manner of a rocker, so that the height of the area in which objects can be picked up can be adapted to the current stack height and the objects can be pushed onto the belt conveyor essentially in their plane.
• the removal device is connected to the separating device via the supporting structure, so that the height adjustment also done passively by scanning the current stack height.
• WO 00/46135 it is proposed to feed a further stack of flat objects to the area of the support from below, ie in the normal direction to the support surface, during or after the stack has been removed.
• the further stack is located on a further support which is aligned parallel to the first-mentioned support and which is moved in its normal direction.
• the support located between the two stacks must be removed in a suitable manner.
• WO 00/46135 proposes to feed individual products in a shingled stream in a plane running parallel to the support surface of the stack but below it. In this variant, too, the contact surface between the two partial stacks must be removed at the appropriate time. This can only be achieved with great design effort.
• DE 1947095 B2 discloses a device for dispensing flat objects, in which individual stacks are delivered on a conveyor belt and are removed from below. For this purpose, the stack is tilted in the dismantling position by a barrier inclined from the vertical and the bottom object of the stack is pulled out of the stack by a belt conveyor, while the objects above are held by the barrier.
• the problem here is that the entire weight of the stack always rests on the object to be removed, which is thereby mechanically stressed during removal.
• the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an apparatus and a method for dismantling a stack of flat objects, in which the stack dismantling follows from above in a manner which is gentle on the objects and the stack feed is simplified compared to the known apparatuses.
• the object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.
• the object is further achieved by a method having the features of claim 10.
• Advantageous developments of the device and the method are shown in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.
• a device of the generic type for dismantling a stack of flat objects with a support surface for the stack and a separating device according to the invention comprises a lifting device which is able to raise the separating device to a predetermined height after the stack has been dismantled.
• a further stack to be dismantled can be introduced into the gap thus created between the receiving surface and the separating device, in that it is fed in according to the invention in the feed plane defined by the support. This means that no complicated lifting mechanism is necessary for the stack itself.
• the feeding of a new stack can be realized with simple means, for example a belt conveyor. In the invention, the transition from one stack to the next is extremely easy.
• the invention is therefore used particularly advantageously in connection with a removal device in which the objects are moved with individually movable conveying means, so that the distances between two objects can be changed during removal and gaps in the product flow can be compensated for if desired.
• the device preferably comprises a conveying device which is mechanically coupled to the separating device and, together with it, is height-adjustable.
• the separating device can suck in the uppermost object by means of negative pressure and finally separate it out by means of a slide, as described, for example, in WO 00/46135.
• the uppermost object can be rotated out of the stack in its plane by means of a suitably designed separating element in the force or frictional connection, as described for example in CH 436-349.
• the uppermost object can be pushed with a corner against a stop with which the uppermost object slides past by bending, but objects located further down can be stopped.
• a corresponding separating device is described in the same patent application "Method and device for piecewise dismantling of a stack of flat objects" filed by the same applicant (attorney's file A 13947).
• a belt conveyor can be used in which accommodate the height 'in which it is capable of objects is variable.
• the construction described in WO 00/46135 is used.
• the separating device is mechanically coupled to the belt conveyor designed as a rocker by means of a supporting structure, so that the height of the separating device and the away conveyor is passively adapted to the height of the stack to be dismantled.
• a gripper conveyor can be used as the conveying device, as described for example in WO 99/33731 or WO 99/33734.
• the removal device preferably has a plurality of grippers which can be moved individually along a rail by means of conveying means.
• the position in which the grippers close is preferably adapted to the current height of the stack to be dismantled.
• FIG. 1A-D show several snapshots of a device according to the invention in a side view when carrying out the method according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention in side view with a pivotably mounted conveyor designed as a belt conveyor;
• FIGS. 1A-D show a device 1 for stack removal in several stages when carrying out the method for stack removal.
• a first stack 2 is in the dismantling position on a support surface 4.
• the individual flat objects 16 are aligned with their surface parallel to the support surface 4.
• the support surface 4 is formed by the conveyor belt of a belt conveyor 10.
• Further stacks 2 ′, 2 ′′ are located on a further belt conveyor 9, which lies with the former belt conveyor 10 in a common plane, the feed plane E.
• Both belt conveyors 9, 10 convey in the same direction and form a feed device 5 for feeding from stacks 2, 2 ', 2 "to be dismantled to the dismantling device 1.
• the stacks 2, 2', 2" Before the stacks are dismantled, the stacks 2, 2', 2" have a maximum height H. The heights of the individual stacks 2, 2 ', 2 "' can also be different.
• the stack 2 lying on the support surface 4 is removed by means of a separating device 11, in that the uppermost object is pushed out of the outline of the stack by a separating element 12 and is thereby transferred to a conveying device 6.
• the separating element 12 is, for example, a roller with a non-slip surface. This rests on the stack 2 and thus removes the uppermost object from the stack 2.
• the separating element 12 is rigidly connected to the conveying device 6 at least in the vertical direction via a supporting structure 13.
• the removal device 6 is always kept at a height that is adapted to the current stack height.
• the removal device 6 comprises a belt conveyor 7 which can be pivoted about an axis 8 extending transversely to the removal direction in the manner of a seesaw.
• the belt conveyor 7 is on the support structure 13 and that also serves for height sensing Separating element 12 always moves such that its edge 7a facing the stack 2 to be dismantled is approximately at the level of the uppermost object.
• the separating device 11 further comprises a transport roller 14, which is also arranged on the support structure 13 and conveys the objects further by force or frictional engagement or by reaching behind their trailing edges onto the conveyor.
• the dismantling device 1 comprises a lifting device 3 with which the height of the separating device
• d. H. is changeable regardless of the stack to be dismantled.
• FIG. 1A The situation at the beginning of the dismantling of a stack 2 is shown in FIG. 1A.
• the end 7a of the conveyor 6 facing away from the stack 2 is at the height H of the stack 2 to be dismantled.
• the position of the conveyor 6 when the stack is completely removed is shown in broken lines.
• FIG. IB The situation with a completely dismantled stack or empty support surface 4 is shown in FIG. IB.
• the separator element 12, which is also used for height control, lies here on the support surface 4.
• the conveying device 6 is also positioned via the supporting structure 13 in such a way that its front end 7a lies approximately at the height of the support surface 4.
• the separating device 11 and the conveying device 6 are moved upwards by means of the lifting device 3, so that between the separating element
• a gap of height H for receiving another stack 2 ' is formed.
• the separating device 11 can now be lowered onto the stack again. A new dismantling cycle can begin.
• the lifting device 3 is deactivated, so that the position of the separating device 11 and the conveying device 6 automatically adapts to the height of the stack 2 'now to be removed.
• FIG. 2 shows a further view of a device according to the invention for dismantling stacks 2, 2 '.
• stacks 2, 2 ' are brought into the dismantling position on the support surface 4 with a feed device 5 consisting of two belt conveyors 9, 10 arranged one behind the other.
• the separating device 11 is rigidly connected to the front end 7a of the conveying device 6 via a supporting structure 13, consisting of individual structural elements 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. All elements of the support structure 13 are arranged on the side or above the feed device 5, so that they do not hinder the stack which is fed.
• the separating device 11 and the removal device 6 are described in detail in WO 00/46135. In addition to this, the device according to FIG.
• FIGS. 3A, 3B show a further device according to the invention with a gripper conveyor as a conveying device 6.
• a stack 2 brings a stack 2 into the dismantling position on a support surface 4, which is formed here by an end region of a belt conveyor.
• the uppermost objects 16 are pushed out of the stack 2 laterally with a separating device 11. They are gripped by grippers 17 at their end 16a protruding from the stack.
• the grippers are fastened to conveying means 18 which are moved along a rail 19.
• the funding 18 are individually movable.
• a certain number of conveying means 18 are guided past the stack 2 to be dismantled. These each take up an object until the stack 2 is dismantled.
• three empty grippers 17 are still approaching the transfer area, while further grippers 17 "are stopped by means of a blocking element 22. These further grippers 17" are only released when when the further stack 2 'has advanced into the dismantling position and the dismantling of objects is continued. Since the conveying means 18 can be moved individually along the rail 19, the gap in the product flow which arises in this way can be compensated for again. However, there is no need to break down stacks without interruption.
• the separating device 11 is connected to a closing link 20 via a support structure 13.
• the closing link 20 serves to close the grippers 17. It is arranged such that the closing takes place slightly above the level defined by the uppermost object in the stack.
• the separating element 12 or a pressure element 23, which is used for height sensing of the stack 2 the height relationships described are realized. With a lifting device 3, the separating device 11 and the closing link 20 can be brought back to a predetermined height after the stack has been dismantled.
• the grippers 17, 17 ' are transported closed and only opened in the vicinity of the transfer area by means of an opening link 21.
• the conveying means 18 are moved along the rail 19 by means of a drive 24.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
• De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
• Pile Receivers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=4475613

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (33)

• 2001
  • 2001-12-17 DE DE50106230T patent/DE50106230D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-12-17 EP EP01273709A patent/EP1360131B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-12-17 AU AU2002220430A patent/AU2002220430B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-12-17 AT AT01273709T patent/ATE295322T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-12-17 WO PCT/CH2001/000719 patent/WO2002064467A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-12-17 CA CA002435366A patent/CA2435366C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-08-14 US US10/641,384 patent/US6886826B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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