EP1411011B1 - Device for transferring products to a conveying device - Google Patents

Device for transferring products to a conveying device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1411011B1
EP1411011B1 EP03015058A EP03015058A EP1411011B1 EP 1411011 B1 EP1411011 B1 EP 1411011B1 EP 03015058 A EP03015058 A EP 03015058A EP 03015058 A EP03015058 A EP 03015058A EP 1411011 B1 EP1411011 B1 EP 1411011B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
products
conveying
gripper
grippers
positive stop
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03015058A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1411011A1 (en
Inventor
Marcel Ramseier
Beat Studer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ferag AG
Original Assignee
Ferag AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ferag AG filed Critical Ferag AG
Publication of EP1411011A1 publication Critical patent/EP1411011A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1411011B1 publication Critical patent/EP1411011B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65H9/00—Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
    • B65H9/004—Deskewing sheet by abutting against a stop, i.e. producing a buckling of the sheet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/003—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by 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
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/66—Advancing articles in overlapping streams
    • B65H29/669—Advancing articles in overlapping streams ending an overlapping stream
    • 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
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/36—Positioning; Changing position
    • B65H2301/361—Positioning; Changing position during displacement
    • 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
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/447—Moving, forwarding, guiding material transferring material between transport devices
    • B65H2301/4471—Grippers, e.g. moved in paths enclosing an area
    • B65H2301/44712—Grippers, e.g. moved in paths enclosing an area carried by chains or bands
    • 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
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/447—Moving, forwarding, guiding material transferring material between transport devices
    • B65H2301/4474—Pair of cooperating moving elements as rollers, belts forming nip into which material is transported
    • 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
    • B65H2301/50—Auxiliary process performed during handling process
    • B65H2301/51—Modifying a characteristic of handled material
    • B65H2301/512—Changing form of handled material
    • B65H2301/5121—Bending, buckling, curling, bringing a curvature
    • B65H2301/51212—Bending, buckling, curling, bringing a curvature perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of handled material, e.g. forming a loop
    • B65H2301/512125—Bending, buckling, curling, bringing a curvature perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of handled material, e.g. forming a loop by abutting against a stop

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for transferring along a feed path successive flat products to a conveyor with movable in the conveying direction, individually controllable grippers, which are designed to detect the products at its leading edge, wherein the feed section in its conveyor end portion facing a conveying gap in which the sheet-like products are at least partially held on both sides.
  • Such devices are used, for example, to transfer on a conveyor belt in imbricated formation printed products to another conveyor, which is capable of taking individual printed products, each with a gripper, whereby the held in the grippers printed products can be selectively fed to their further processing .
  • a device is known from the Swiss patent CH 630 583 A5.
  • printed products are fed via a conveyor belt to one of the deflection of the printed products serving conveying gap. After the printed products have left the conveying gap, they arrive in a transfer area in which they are gripped individually by controllable grippers at their leading edge.
  • a stop rail is provided for printed products entering the transfer area too early, which prevents these printed products from further movement, so as to ensure that printed products arriving too early are released from the gripper assigned to them can be taken at the right time without any problems.
  • a deflecting device is provided in the transfer area, which slightly raises the printed products in the region of their leading edge, so as to enable trouble-free gripping of the printed product by the gripper assigned to it.
  • the deflection device has, inter alia, also formed as a spring leaflets attacks for late arriving printed products, which cause these late arriving printed products are first deflected down to avoid damage to the printed products.
  • the described device according to the prior art is on the one hand with the disadvantage that the printed products at the moment of gripping by their associated gripper only rest on a conveyor, but there are fixed in any way, so that it is not ensured that the printed matter by the grippers can be taken each exact position.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above, which allows not only a positionally accurate acquisition of products by the gripper of the conveyor, to process products of different sizes, thickness and texture, without significant adjustment work on the device in a product change required are.
  • This object is achieved in that in the product receiving area of the gripper during each product transfer effective forced stop is provided for the leading edges of the products, wherein the distance between forced stop and conveying gap is selected such that the trailing edges of the products are still in the conveying gap, when the leading edges abut the forced stop.
  • the positive stop effective at each product transfer ensures that the relative position between product and gripper always remains constant from transfer to transfer, since the forced stop always positions the products in the same manner within the opened gripper. Furthermore, it is ensured by the inventively chosen distance between forced stop and conveying gap that the products are always defined and kept active during the entire product transfer process, as long as the gripper is opened by the conveying gap, then for a short period of time through the conveying gap and the closed gripper and after leaving the conveyor gap exclusively by the gripper. The products are therefore at no time during the product transfer process as in the prior art only on a subsidy, so that according to the invention, in contrast to the prior art ensures that no displacement or slippage of the products can take place. The resulting always the same and correct position of the products in all grippers allows an accurate further processing of the products.
  • the device according to the invention can be designed so that the distance between forced stop and conveying gap is adapted to the shortest possible product length, the device according to the invention can be used in this case without any problems for any larger product lengths without the need for adjustment work. Furthermore, the opening width of the gripper can be adjusted so that comparatively thick products can be accommodated. In this case, then thinner products can be detected by means of the gripper again without any adjustment work.
  • At least a part of the positive stop is designed to be movable, in particular synchronously movable, with a gripper located in the product transfer process. In this way it can be achieved that either the entire forced stop or movement of only part of the forced stop can run along its effective for the products area during the entire product transfer process with the respective gripper, so that the forced stop is constantly effective or the product constantly within the open gripper is positioned defined.
  • the positive stop can be formed in two parts, wherein the first part of the positive stop stationary and the second part is movable executable.
  • the two parts of the positive stop two angularly mutually extending abutment surfaces, the product is always applied to that portion of the positive stop on which the two surfaces intersect. If now one surface is stationary and the second surface is moved in synchronism with the gripper, the intersection of the two surfaces and thus the effective area of the forced stop moves with the gripper, so that the already mentioned correct positioning in the open gripper during the entire product takeover process inevitably results.
  • the movable part of the forced stop can be formed by an element of a gripper located in the product transfer process, for example by a leading leg of this gripper or a guide surface connected to this leg.
  • This coupling of the movable part of the positive stop with the gripper leads advantageously to the fact that no time-consuming devices must be provided between forced stop and gripper, which synchronize the movement of the positive stopper and gripper with each other. Due to the direct coupling of the movable part of the positive stop with the gripper, the said synchronization rather results automatically.
  • the movable part of the positive stop is formed by a guide surface connected to the leading leg of the gripper, it is advantageous if this guide surface is aligned in the closed state of the gripper at least substantially parallel to the product contact surface of the trailing gripper limb. In this way, the products are held reliably from both sides by means of a flat contact.
  • the gripper arms of the grippers are preferably individually and / or jointly pivotable about an axis of rotation moving in the conveying direction, wherein they are coupled in particular with an endlessly circulating transport chain or with individual carriages running in a guide, which can also circulate endlessly.
  • an endlessly circulating transport chain or with individual carriages running in a guide which can also circulate endlessly.
  • Verschwenkönkeit the gripper arms opening and closing movements of the gripper can be controlled very individually, so as to allow optimal product uptake or product delivery by the gripper. Due to the joint pivoting possibility of the particular closed gripper arms, it is possible, for example, always to keep products held in the grippers essentially vertically downwards, regardless of the respective gradient of the conveying direction.
  • each gripper limb in the region of the conveyor can be assigned its own control cam which controls the opening and closing movement of the respective gripper limbs.
  • the conveyor upstream of the feed line can be formed as a conveyor belt, in which the conveyor end portion facing a drivable in the speed of the conveyor belt, at least is provided in sections parallel to the conveyor belt extending pressure belt. Between the pressure belt and conveyor belt, the conveying gap according to the invention is then formed.
  • the pressure belt can be driven either actively by means of a drive roller or passively by means of an operative connection with the conveyor belt.
  • the conveying section upstream of the conveyor or the conveying gap can extend in its or its end region facing the conveyor in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal plane.
  • the conveying gap runs in a substantially vertical plane, so that the products conveyed through the conveying gap leave the latter upwards and, accordingly, can be grasped from above by means of a gripper.
  • the conveying movement through the conveying gap during the closing movement of each gripper receiving a product can take place continuously. This allows easy control of the feed line without changing speed.
  • the speed of the products in the conveying nip and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process can be at least substantially the same.
  • the speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process can be at least substantially constant, which in turn simplifies the control of the feed line and the conveyor.
  • the speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process are matched to one another such that the products resting on the positive stop are compressed before the grippers are completely closed or arrive in a bulged state. In this way, the products are safely with a certain bias on the positive stop, but without kinking of the products can take place.
  • the speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process are coordinated such that the products located in their front area of closed grippers and with their rear area still in the conveying gap, are stretched again, without a destructive tensile load being exerted on the products.
  • the described compression and stretching of the products during the transfer process can also be achieved by a corresponding orientation of the delivery gap and the transport direction of the grippers.
  • a corresponding orientation of the delivery gap and the transport direction of the grippers For example, in this context, it is possible to orient the conveying gap substantially vertically so that the products leave it upwards, whereas during the product transfer process, the grippers first move substantially perpendicular to the conveying gap and then increasingly in the direction of the conveying gap.
  • Such a movement path of the grippers can be realized, for example, by a deflection wheel, along the circumference of which the grippers move during the transfer process.
  • the closing movement of the grippers is preferably at least substantially completed, while the leading edges of the products bear against the positive stop. This ensures that the products in the gripper are precisely positioned until they close.
  • leading gripper legs provided with a guide surface of the type already described are, it is advantageous if this guide surface is aligned at least in a period immediately prior to completion of the closing movement of the gripper arms at least substantially parallel to the respective trailing gripper arms. This makes it possible to uniformly well, safely and on both sides grip products with widely varying thickness without any changes to the gripper.
  • Fig. 1 shows in its lower part a feed line 1, which is designed as an endlessly circulating conveyor belt 1 ', of which, however, in Fig. 1, only one end portion with a total of three deflection and guide rollers 2 is shown.
  • the conveyor belt 1 'initially runs in a substantially horizontal direction, whereupon it describes an upward-pointing quarter-circle path and then runs vertically upwards over a short area. In the upper end region, the conveyor belt 1 'is deflected by a deflection roller 2.
  • a pressure belt 3 is provided which endlessly circulates over two rollers 4, 4'.
  • the roller 4 of the pressure belt 3 rotates counterclockwise.
  • the grippers 9 move in the lower, U-shaped portion of the conveyor 7 on a semicircular path in the counterclockwise direction.
  • the products 6 are held over the entire length of the conveying gap 5 under bias between the conveyor belt 1 'and 3 ⁇ ndruckband and thus defined by the conveying gap 5 promoted.
  • the products 6 rest only with one side on the pressure belt 3, whereas the conveyor belt-side surface of the products 6 is exposed due to the already below conveyor belt 1 ', so that at the end of the conveying gap 5 in principle a deflection of the products 6 from the pressure belt 3 away on the side of the conveyor belt 1 'is possible.
  • the products 6 consequently leave the conveying gap in a vertically upwardly extending direction. They arrive in the area of a conveyor 7, which consists of a in Fig. 1 partially shown circulating conveyor chain 8 with it attached, successively arranged grippers 9.
  • the conveyor chain 8 describes in its lower, the feed section 1 end region facing a substantially U-shaped path, so that the grippers move 9 above the conveying gap 5 substantially on a semicircular path.
  • This semicircular path is arranged relative to the conveying gap 5 so that the horizontal component of movement of the gripper 9 directly above the conveying gap 5 is greater than the vertical component of movement, wherein in the course of further movement of the gripper 9, the horizontal Movement component decreases more and more until the grippers 9 ultimately move only vertically upwards.
  • Each gripper 9 consists of a leading leg 10 and a trailing leg 11, both of which can be pivoted independently about a common axis of rotation 12.
  • the leading gripper legs 10 are each associated with a first control roller 13 and the trailing gripper legs 11 each have a second control roller 14.
  • a possible construction of the drive mechanism for the grippers 9 can be found in the European patent application EP 0 600 183 A1 of the applicant.
  • each control link 15, 16 controls the movement of the leading and trailing legs 10, 11 of the grippers 9 individually and independently.
  • the leading gripper legs 10 of the grippers 9 are connected at their end facing away from the conveyor chain 8 with a guide surface 17 such that the leading leg 10 together with the guide surfaces 17 each have an open in the transport chain 8 V-shape. Accordingly, the distance between the guide surface 17 and leading leg 10, starting from the transport chain 8 facing away from the end of the leading leg 10 in the direction of the transport chain 8 to.
  • the described V-shape is chosen such that the Guide surface 17 in the closed state of the gripper 9 is aligned at least substantially parallel to the product contact surface of the trailing leg 11.
  • a stationary part 18 of a positive stop is arranged in the product transfer area.
  • This stationary part 18 extends above the roller 4 substantially horizontally, and then approximately obliquely upward above the conveying gap 5.
  • the thus formed inclined surface 19 intersects in its apparent from Fig. 1 projection, the guide surface 17 of a product 6 receiving gripper 9, so that said inclined surface 19 of the stationary part 18 together with the respective guide surface 17 of the gripper 9 is a substantially V-shaped , downwardly open stop for the leading edges of the products 6 form.
  • the leading edge 20 of a product 6 passes through the conveying gap 5 in the arrow direction in the opening portion of a gripper 9, specifically between the coupled with the leading leg 10 guide surface 17 and the trailing leg 11 of the gripper 9.
  • the conveying gap 5 abuts the leading edge 20 of the product 6 ultimately on the stationary part 18, in particular on the inclined surface 19, wherein the exact position of the leading edge 20 by the interaction of the stationary part 18 is defined with the moving guide surface 17.
  • the leading edge 20 of the product 6 is therefore always in the range of / from the Fig. 2 apparent intersection / cutting line between the guide surface 17 and inclined surface 19th
  • the horizontal, perpendicular to the conveying gap 5 movement component of the gripper 9 decreases after the closing of the respective gripper 9, while its vertical, parallel to the conveying gap 5 extending component of motion increases. Since the product 6, while it is held in its front region by the gripper 9, is still fixed with its rear portion in the conveying gap 5, thus results after bulging of the product 6 as shown in FIG. 3, a stretching movement of the product 6 the conveying speeds of the conveying gap 5 and the gripper 9 are coordinated such that a Damage to the products 6 is reliably avoided.
  • the product 6 is then completely moved out of the conveying gap 5 as shown in FIG. 5, so that its rear region hangs down freely due to gravity, while the front product region is held defined by the gripper 9.
  • Fig. 6 shows a gripper, as he can get used in a device according to FIGS. 1 to 5.
  • a product 6 is held by a gripper 9, of which in FIG. 6 the leading leg 10, which has a flat V-shape in its lower end region, is shown.
  • the leg 10 is connected to a control roller 13, which runs in a control link 15.
  • control roller 14 is shown for the trailing leg 11, which runs in a control link 16.
  • the gripper 9 with its two legs 10, 11 is held in total at a transport chain 8 not explained in detail at this point.
  • FIG. 6 also shows the two-part inclined surface 19 of the stationary part of the positive stop 17, 19 according to the invention.
  • This two-part inclined surface 19 extends below each of the control blocks 15, 16, and compared to these slightly offset to the outside.
  • the distance between these stationary, backdrop-like parts 18 with the inclined surfaces 19 ensures that the products 6 not only inside the same depth but also in a precisely defined rotational position - ie preferably with perpendicular to the conveying direction extending leading edge - are detected by the grippers 9.
  • FIG. 7 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, with the difference that the extent of the products 6 in the conveying direction is reduced compared to FIG. At the same time, the degree of overlapping of the products 6, which are conveyed in the form of flakes in the region of the feed section, is smaller, as shown in FIG. 7, than in FIG. 1.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates accordingly that the device according to the invention, the dimensions and settings are not changed compared to FIG. 1, regardless of the longitudinal extent of the products and also regardless of the degree of overlap of the imbricated formation works properly because due to the inventive arrangement of conveying gap 5 and conveyor 7th it can be ensured that the products 6 are reliably conveyed against the positive stop 17, 19, regardless of the variables mentioned. It only has to be ensured that the products 6 have certain minimum dimensions in the conveying direction, which ensure that the product is still held in the conveying gap 5 while it is already striking the positive stop 17, 19.
  • Fig. 7 the transfer of CDs is shown, which can be done with the same device as the transfer shown in Fig. 1 to 6 of larger format printed products such as Akzidenzien, newspapers, magazines or parts thereof.
  • the device can be arranged and operated in virtually all layers. This in particular because the products are forcibly conveyed and the distance between conveying gap 5 and conveyor 7 can be kept to a minimum.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Discharge By Other Means (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus has a conveying arrangement (7) with individually controllable grippers (9) moved in a conveying direction. A product receiving region of the grippers has a positive stop (17) which is active during each product (6) transfers. The spacing between a stop and conveying nip (5) is selected in a way that trailing edges (10) of products are still located in the nip when leading edges strike against the stop. An Independent claim is also included for a method of operating an apparatus.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur Übergabe von entlang einer Zuführstrecke aufeinander folgenden flächigen Produkten an eine Fördereinrichtung mit in Förderrichtung bewegbaren, einzeln steuerbaren Greifern, die zum Erfassen der Produkte an ihrer vorlaufenden Kante ausgelegt sind, wobei die Zuführstrecke in ihrem der Fördereinrichtung zugewandten Endbereich einen Förderspalt aufweist, in welchem die flächigen Produkte zumindest abschnittsweise beidseitig gehalten sind.The invention relates to a device for transferring along a feed path successive flat products to a conveyor with movable in the conveying direction, individually controllable grippers, which are designed to detect the products at its leading edge, wherein the feed section in its conveyor end portion facing a conveying gap in which the sheet-like products are at least partially held on both sides.

Derartige Vorrichtungen werden beispielsweise eingesetzt, um auf einem Förderband in Schuppenformation transportierte Druckereierzeugnisse an eine weitere Fördereinrichtung zu übergeben, welche dazu in der Lage ist, einzelne Druckereierzeugnisse mit jeweils einem Greifer zu fassen, wodurch die in den Greifern gehaltenen Druckereierzeugnisse vereinzelt ihrer Weiterverarbeitung zugeführt werden können. Eine derartige Vorrichtung ist aus der Schweizer Patentschrift CH 630 583 A5 bekannt. Bei der dort offenbarten Vorrichtung werden Druckereierzeugnisse über ein Förderband einem der Umlenkung der Druckereierzeugnisse dienenden Förderspalt zugeführt. Nachdem die Druckereierzeugnisse den Förderspalt verlassen haben, gelangen sie in einen Übergabebereich, in dem sie einzeln von steuerbaren Greifern an ihrer vorlaufenden Kante ergriffen werden. Im Übergabebereich ist eine Anschlagschiene für zu früh in den Übergabebereich gelangende Druckereierzeugnisse vorgesehen, welche diese Druckereierzeugnisse an einer weiteren Bewegung hindert, um so sicherzustellen, dass zu früh eingetroffene Druckereierzeugnisse von dem ihnen zugeordneten Greifer zum richtigen Zeitpunkt problemlos ergriffen werden können. Ferner ist im Übergabebereich eine Auslenkeinrichtung vorgesehen, welche die Druckereierzeugnisse im Bereich ihrer vorlaufenden Kante leicht anhebt, um so ein problemloses Ergreifen des Druckereierzeugnisses durch den ihm zugeordneten Greifer zu ermöglichen. Die Auslenkeinrichtung weist dabei u.a. auch als Federblättchen ausgebildete Anschläge für verspätet eintreffende Druckereierzeugnisse auf, welche bewirken, dass diese verspätet eintreffenden Druckereierzeugnisse zunächst nach unten ausgelenkt werden, um eine Beschädigung der Druckereierzeugnisse zu vermeiden. Anschließend werden diese Druckereierzeugnisse dann durch die Auslenkeinrichtung zu demjenigen Zeitpunkt wieder angehoben, zu dem sie von dem für sie vorgesehenen Greifer ergriffen werden können. Sowohl die erwähnte Anschlagleiste als auch die als Federblättchen ausgebildeten Anschläge besitzen keinerlei Funktion, wenn ein zu übergebendes Druckereierzeugnis - was der Normalfall ist - zu dem dafür vorgesehenen Zeitpunkt im Übergabebereich eintrifft.Such devices are used, for example, to transfer on a conveyor belt in imbricated formation printed products to another conveyor, which is capable of taking individual printed products, each with a gripper, whereby the held in the grippers printed products can be selectively fed to their further processing , Such a device is known from the Swiss patent CH 630 583 A5. In the device disclosed therein printed products are fed via a conveyor belt to one of the deflection of the printed products serving conveying gap. After the printed products have left the conveying gap, they arrive in a transfer area in which they are gripped individually by controllable grippers at their leading edge. In the transfer area, a stop rail is provided for printed products entering the transfer area too early, which prevents these printed products from further movement, so as to ensure that printed products arriving too early are released from the gripper assigned to them can be taken at the right time without any problems. Furthermore, a deflecting device is provided in the transfer area, which slightly raises the printed products in the region of their leading edge, so as to enable trouble-free gripping of the printed product by the gripper assigned to it. The deflection device has, inter alia, also formed as a spring leaflets attacks for late arriving printed products, which cause these late arriving printed products are first deflected down to avoid damage to the printed products. Subsequently, these printed products are then raised again by the deflection device at the time at which they can be grasped by the gripper provided for them. Both the mentioned stop bar as well as the formed as a spring leaflets attacks have no function when a printed product to be submitted - which is the normal case - arrives at the designated time in the transfer area.

Die beschriebene Vorrichtung gemäß Stand der Technik ist einerseits mit dem Nachteil behaftet, dass die Druckereierzeugnisse im Moment des Ergreifens durch die ihnen zugeordneten Greifer lediglich auf einer Fördereinrichtung aufliegen, dort jedoch in keiner Weise fixiert sind, so dass nicht sichergestellt ist, dass die Druckereierzeugnisse durch die Greifer jeweils positionsgenau ergriffen werden können. Andererseits ist es bei der beschriebenen Vorrichtung auch von Nachteil, dass diese für Druckereierzeugnisse unterschiedlicher Größe, Beschaffenheit und/oder Dicke jeweils in einer an die jeweiligen Druckereierzeugnisse angepassten Art und Weise justiert werden muss.The described device according to the prior art is on the one hand with the disadvantage that the printed products at the moment of gripping by their associated gripper only rest on a conveyor, but there are fixed in any way, so that it is not ensured that the printed matter by the grippers can be taken each exact position. On the other hand, it is also disadvantageous in the case of the described device that they are used for printed products of different sizes, qualities and / or thicknesses, each in a manner adapted to the respective printed products needs to be adjusted.

Eine Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art bereitzustellen, die neben einer positionsgenauen Übernahme von Produkten durch die Greifer der Fördereinrichtung auch ermöglicht, Produkte unterschiedlicher Größe, Dicke und Beschaffenheit zu verarbeiten, ohne dass bei einem Produktwechsel nennenswerte Justagearbeiten an der Vorrichtung erforderlich sind.An object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above, which allows not only a positionally accurate acquisition of products by the gripper of the conveyor, to process products of different sizes, thickness and texture, without significant adjustment work on the device in a product change required are.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, dass im Produktaufnahmebereich der Greifer ein während jeder Produktübergabe wirksamer Zwangsanschlag für die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte vorgesehen ist, wobei der Abstand zwischen Zwangsanschlag und Förderspalt derart gewählt ist, dass sich die nachlaufenden Kanten der Produkte noch im Förderspalt befinden, wenn die vorlaufenden Kanten am Zwangsanschlag anstoßen.This object is achieved in that in the product receiving area of the gripper during each product transfer effective forced stop is provided for the leading edges of the products, wherein the distance between forced stop and conveying gap is selected such that the trailing edges of the products are still in the conveying gap, when the leading edges abut the forced stop.

Erfindungsgemäß wird somit durch den bei jeder Produktübergabe wirksamen Zwangsanschlag erreicht, dass die Relativposition zwischen Produkt und Greifer von Übergabe zu Übergabe immer konstant bleibt, da der Zwangsanschlag die Produkte innerhalb des geöffneten Greifers immer in gleicher Weise positioniert. Ferner wird durch den erfindungsgemäß gewählten Abstand zwischen Zwangsanschlag und Förderspalt sichergestellt, dass die Produkte während des gesamten Produktübernahmeprozesses immer definiert und aktiv gehalten werden, und zwar solange der Greifer geöffnet ist durch den Förderspalt, anschließend für eine kurze Zeitspanne durch den Förderspalt und den geschlossenen Greifer und nach Verlassen des Förderspalts ausschließlich durch den Greifer. Die Produkte liegen somit während des Produktübernahmeprozesses zu keinem Zeitpunkt wie beim Stand der Technik nur auf einem Fördermittel auf, so dass erfindungsgemäß im Gegensatz zum Stand der Technik sichergestellt wird, dass kein Verschieben oder Verrutschen der Produkte stattfinden kann. Die dadurch erzielte immer gleiche und korrekte Lage der Produkte in allen Greifern ermöglicht eine genaue Weiterverarbeitung der Produkte.Thus, according to the invention, the positive stop effective at each product transfer ensures that the relative position between product and gripper always remains constant from transfer to transfer, since the forced stop always positions the products in the same manner within the opened gripper. Furthermore, it is ensured by the inventively chosen distance between forced stop and conveying gap that the products are always defined and kept active during the entire product transfer process, as long as the gripper is opened by the conveying gap, then for a short period of time through the conveying gap and the closed gripper and after leaving the conveyor gap exclusively by the gripper. The products are therefore at no time during the product transfer process as in the prior art only on a subsidy, so that according to the invention, in contrast to the prior art ensures that no displacement or slippage of the products can take place. The resulting always the same and correct position of the products in all grippers allows an accurate further processing of the products.

Da die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung so ausgelegt werden kann, dass der Abstand zwischen Zwangsanschlag und Förderspalt an die kürzestmögliche Produktlänge angepasst ist, kann die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in diesem Fall problemlos auch für beliebige größere Produktlängen eingesetzt werden, ohne dass hierfür Justagearbeiten nötig wären. Weiterhin kann die Öffnungsweite der Greifer so eingestellt werden, dass vergleichsweise dicke Produkte aufgenommen werden können. In diesem Fall können dann wiederum ohne jegliche Justagearbeiten auch dünnere Produkte mittels der Greifer erfasst werden.Since the device according to the invention can be designed so that the distance between forced stop and conveying gap is adapted to the shortest possible product length, the device according to the invention can be used in this case without any problems for any larger product lengths without the need for adjustment work. Furthermore, the opening width of the gripper can be adjusted so that comparatively thick products can be accommodated. In this case, then thinner products can be detected by means of the gripper again without any adjustment work.

Von Vorteil ist es, wenn zumindest ein Teil des Zwangsanschlags beweglich, insbesondere synchron beweglich mit einem im Produktübernahmeprozess befindlichen Greifer ausgebildet ist. Auf diese Weise kann erreicht werden, dass entweder der gesamte Zwangsanschlag oder bei Bewegung nur eines Teils des Zwangsanschlags dessen für die Produkte wirksamer Bereich während des gesamten Produktübernahmeprozesses mit dem jeweiligen Greifer mitlaufen kann, so dass der Zwangsanschlag ständig wirksam ist bzw. das Produkt ständig innerhalb des geöffneten Greifers definiert positioniert ist.It is advantageous if at least a part of the positive stop is designed to be movable, in particular synchronously movable, with a gripper located in the product transfer process. In this way it can be achieved that either the entire forced stop or movement of only part of the forced stop can run along its effective for the products area during the entire product transfer process with the respective gripper, so that the forced stop is constantly effective or the product constantly within the open gripper is positioned defined.

Der Zwangsanschlag kann zweiteilig ausgebildet werden, wobei der erste Teil des Zwangsanschlags stationär und der zweite Teil beweglich ausführbar ist. In diesem Fall können die beiden Teile des Zwangsanschlags zwei winklig zueinander verlaufende Anschlagflächen bilden, wobei das Produkt immer an demjenigen Bereich des Zwangsanschlags anliegt, an dem sich die beiden Flächen schneiden. Wenn nun eine Fläche stationär und die zweite Fläche synchron zum Greifer bewegt ausgebildet ist, bewegt sich der Schnittpunkt der beiden Flächen und somit der wirksame Bereich des Zwangsanschlags mit dem Greifer mit, so dass sich die bereits erwähnte korrekte Positionierung im geöffneten Greifer während des gesamten Produktübernahmeprozesses zwangsläufig ergibt.The positive stop can be formed in two parts, wherein the first part of the positive stop stationary and the second part is movable executable. In this case, the two parts of the positive stop two angularly mutually extending abutment surfaces, the product is always applied to that portion of the positive stop on which the two surfaces intersect. If now one surface is stationary and the second surface is moved in synchronism with the gripper, the intersection of the two surfaces and thus the effective area of the forced stop moves with the gripper, so that the already mentioned correct positioning in the open gripper during the entire product takeover process inevitably results.

Der bewegliche Teil des Zwanganschlags kann von einem Element eines im Produktübergabeprozesses befindlichen Greifers gebildet sein, beispielsweise von einem vorlaufenden Schenkel dieses Greifers oder einer mit diesem Schenkel verbundenen Führungsfläche. Diese Kopplung des beweglichen Teils des Zwangsanschlags mit dem Greifer führt auf vorteilhafte Weise dazu, dass zwischen Zwangsanschlag und Greifer keine aufwändigen Vorrichtungen vorgesehen werden müssen, die die Bewegung von Zwangsanschlag und Greifer miteinander synchronisieren. Durch die direkte Kopplung des beweglichen Teils des Zwangsanschlags mit dem Greifer ergibt sich die genannte Synchronisierung vielmehr automatisch.The movable part of the forced stop can be formed by an element of a gripper located in the product transfer process, for example by a leading leg of this gripper or a guide surface connected to this leg. This coupling of the movable part of the positive stop with the gripper leads advantageously to the fact that no time-consuming devices must be provided between forced stop and gripper, which synchronize the movement of the positive stopper and gripper with each other. Due to the direct coupling of the movable part of the positive stop with the gripper, the said synchronization rather results automatically.

Sofern der bewegliche Teil des Zwangsanschlags von einer mit dem vorlaufenden Schenkel des Greifers verbundenen Führungsfläche gebildet wird, ist es vorteilhaft, wenn diese Führungsfläche im geschlossenen Zustand des Greifers zumindest im Wesentlichen parallel zur Produktanlagefläche des nachlaufenden Greiferschenkels ausgerichtet ist. Auf diese Weise werden die Produkte von beiden Seiten mittels einer flächigen Berührung zuverlässig gehalten.If the movable part of the positive stop is formed by a guide surface connected to the leading leg of the gripper, it is advantageous if this guide surface is aligned in the closed state of the gripper at least substantially parallel to the product contact surface of the trailing gripper limb. In this way, the products are held reliably from both sides by means of a flat contact.

Die Greiferschenkel der Greifer sind bevorzugt einzeln und/oder gemeinsam um eine sich in Förderrichtung bewegende Drehachse verschwenkbar, wobei sie insbesondere mit einer endlos umlaufenden Transportkette oder mit in einer Führung laufenden Einzelwagen gekoppelt sind, die ebenfalls endlos umlaufen können. Durch die einzeln und unabhängig voneinander gegebene Verschwenkmöglichkeit der Greiferschenkel können Öffnungs- und Schließbewegungen der Greifer sehr individuell gesteuert werden, um so eine optimale Produktaufnahme bzw. Produktabgabe durch die Greifer zu ermöglichen. Durch die gemeinsame Verschwenkmöglichkeit der insbesondere geschlossenen Greiferschenkel wird es beispielsweise möglich, in den Greifern gehaltene Produkte immer im Wesentlichen vertikal nach unten auszurichten und zwar unabhängig von der jeweiligen Steigung der Förderrichtung.The gripper arms of the grippers are preferably individually and / or jointly pivotable about an axis of rotation moving in the conveying direction, wherein they are coupled in particular with an endlessly circulating transport chain or with individual carriages running in a guide, which can also circulate endlessly. By individually and independently given Verschwenkmöglichkeit the gripper arms opening and closing movements of the gripper can be controlled very individually, so as to allow optimal product uptake or product delivery by the gripper. Due to the joint pivoting possibility of the particular closed gripper arms, it is possible, for example, always to keep products held in the grippers essentially vertically downwards, regardless of the respective gradient of the conveying direction.

Um die individuelle Verschwenkbarkeit der Greiferschenkel zu ermöglichen, kann jedem Greiferschenkel im Bereich der Fördereinrichtung eine eigene, die Öffnungs- und Schließbewegung der jeweiligen Greiferschenkel steuernde Steuerkulisse zugeordnet werden.In order to enable the individual pivotability of the gripper legs, each gripper limb in the region of the conveyor can be assigned its own control cam which controls the opening and closing movement of the respective gripper limbs.

Die der Fördereinrichtung vorgeschaltete Zuführstrecke kann als Förderband ausgebildet werden, in dessen der Fördereinrichtung zugewandten Endbereich ein in der Geschwindigkeit des Förderbandes antreibbares, zumindest abschnittsweise parallel zum Förderband verlaufendes Andruckband vorgesehen ist. Zwischen Andruckband und Förderband wird dann der erfindungsgemäße Förderspalt ausgebildet. Das Andruckband kann entweder aktiv mittels einer Antriebsrolle oder passiv mittels einer Wirkverbindung mit dem Förderband angetrieben werden.The conveyor upstream of the feed line can be formed as a conveyor belt, in which the conveyor end portion facing a drivable in the speed of the conveyor belt, at least is provided in sections parallel to the conveyor belt extending pressure belt. Between the pressure belt and conveyor belt, the conveying gap according to the invention is then formed. The pressure belt can be driven either actively by means of a drive roller or passively by means of an operative connection with the conveyor belt.

Die der Fördereinrichtung vorgeschaltete Zuführstrecke bzw. der Förderspalt kann in ihrem bzw. seinem der Fördereinrichtung zugewandten Endbereich in einer gegenüber der Horizontalen geneigten Ebene verlaufen. Insbesondere verläuft der Förderspalt in einer im Wesentlichen vertikalen Ebene, so dass die durch den Förderspalt geförderten Produkte diesen nach oben verlassen und dementsprechend von oben mittels eines Greifers erfasst werden können.The conveying section upstream of the conveyor or the conveying gap can extend in its or its end region facing the conveyor in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal plane. In particular, the conveying gap runs in a substantially vertical plane, so that the products conveyed through the conveying gap leave the latter upwards and, accordingly, can be grasped from above by means of a gripper.

Die Erfindung umfasst ferner ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Vorrichtung der beschriebenen Art, bei dem

  • die flächigen Produkte im der Fördereinrichtung zugewandten Endbereich der Zuführstrecke durch einen Förderspalt transportiert werden bis sie mit ihren vorlaufenden Kanten an dem im Produktaufnahmebereich der Greifer vorgesehenen Zwangsanschlag anliegen,
  • die Förderbewegung durch den Förderspalt fortgesetzt und eine Schließbewegung der Greifer eingeleitet wird, und
  • ein vollständiges Schließen der Greifer erfolgt, während sich die nachlaufenden Kanten der Produkte noch im Förderspalt befinden.
The invention further comprises a method for operating a device of the type described, in which
  • the flat products in the conveyor facing end portion of the feed line are transported through a conveying gap until they rest with their leading edges on the provided in the product receiving area of the gripper forced stop,
  • the conveying movement continues through the conveying gap and a closing movement of the gripper is initiated, and
  • a complete closing of the gripper takes place while the trailing edges of the products are still in the conveying gap.

Durch dieses Verfahren werden die eingangs bereits erläuterten Vorteile ebenfalls erzielt.By this method, the advantages already explained above are also achieved.

Die Förderbewegung durch den Förderspalt während der Schließbewegung der jeweils ein Produkt übernehmenden Greifer kann kontinuierlich erfolgen. Dies ermöglicht eine einfache Ansteuerung der Zuführstrecke ohne Geschwindigkeitswechsel.The conveying movement through the conveying gap during the closing movement of each gripper receiving a product can take place continuously. This allows easy control of the feed line without changing speed.

Die Geschwindigkeit der Produkte im Förderspalt und die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses können zumindest im Wesentlichen gleich groß sein. Ebenso ist es aber auch möglich, die Geschwindigkeit der Produkte im Förderspalt geringfügig größer zu wählen als die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses. In letztgenanntem Fall wird erreicht, dass die Produkte während des gesamten Übergabeprozesses aktiv gegen den Zwangsanschlag gefördert werden, da sie sich schneller bewegen als dieser.The speed of the products in the conveying nip and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process can be at least substantially the same. Likewise, it is also possible to choose the speed of the products in the conveying gap slightly larger than the transport speed of the gripper during the product transfer process. In the latter case, it is achieved that the products are actively promoted against the forced stop during the entire transfer process, since they move faster than this.

Die Geschwindigkeit der Produkte im Förderspalt und die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses können zumindest im Wesentlichen konstant sein, was wiederum die Ansteuerung der Zuführstrecke sowie der Fördereinrichtung vereinfacht.The speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process can be at least substantially constant, which in turn simplifies the control of the feed line and the conveyor.

Bevorzugt ist es, wenn die Geschwindigkeit der Produkte im Förderspalt und die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses derart aufeinander abgestimmt werden, dass die am Zwangsanschlag anliegenden Produkte vor dem vollständigen Schließen der Greifer gestaucht werden bzw. in einem ausgebauchten Zustand gelangen. Auf diese Weise liegen die Produkte mit einer gewissen Vorspannung sicher am Zwangsanschlag an, ohne dass jedoch ein Knicken der Produkte erfolgen kann. In diesem Fall ist es besonders bevorzugt, wenn die Geschwindigkeit der Produkte im Förderspalt und die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses derart aufeinander abgestimmt sind, dass die in ihrem vorderen Bereich von geschlossenen Greifern und mit ihrem hinteren Bereich noch im Förderspalt befindlichen Produkte wieder gestreckt werden, ohne dass auf die Produkte eine zerstörerische Zugbelastung ausgeübt wird.It is preferred if the speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process are matched to one another such that the products resting on the positive stop are compressed before the grippers are completely closed or arrive in a bulged state. In this way, the products are safely with a certain bias on the positive stop, but without kinking of the products can take place. In In this case, it is particularly preferred if the speed of the products in the conveying gap and the transport speed of the grippers during the product transfer process are coordinated such that the products located in their front area of closed grippers and with their rear area still in the conveying gap, are stretched again, without a destructive tensile load being exerted on the products.

Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann die beschriebene Stauchung und Streckung der Produkte während des Übergabeprozesses auch durch eine entsprechende Orientierung des Förderspalts und der Transportrichtung der Greifer erreicht werden. Beispielsweise ist es in diesem Zusammenhang möglich, den Förderspalt im Wesentlichen vertikal auszurichten, so dass ihn die Produkte nach oben verlassen, während sich die Greifer während des Produktübergabeprozesses zuerst im Wesentlichen senkrecht zum Förderspalt und anschließend dann zunehmend in Richtung des Förderspalts bewegen. Eine derartige Bewegungsbahn der Greifer lässt sich beispielsweise durch ein Umlenkrad realisieren, entlang dessen Umfang sich die Greifer während des Übergabeprozesses bewegen.Alternatively or additionally, the described compression and stretching of the products during the transfer process can also be achieved by a corresponding orientation of the delivery gap and the transport direction of the grippers. For example, in this context, it is possible to orient the conveying gap substantially vertically so that the products leave it upwards, whereas during the product transfer process, the grippers first move substantially perpendicular to the conveying gap and then increasingly in the direction of the conveying gap. Such a movement path of the grippers can be realized, for example, by a deflection wheel, along the circumference of which the grippers move during the transfer process.

Die Schließbewegung der Greifer wird bevorzugt zumindest im Wesentlichen abgeschlossen, während die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte am Zwangsanschlag anliegen. So wird sichergestellt, dass die Produkte im Greifer bis zum Schließen desselben genau positioniert sind.The closing movement of the grippers is preferably at least substantially completed, while the leading edges of the products bear against the positive stop. This ensures that the products in the gripper are precisely positioned until they close.

Sofern die vorlaufenden Greiferschenkel mit einer Führungsfläche der bereits beschriebenen Art versehen sind, ist es vorteilhaft, wenn diese Führungsfläche zumindest in einem Zeitabschnitt unmittelbar vor Beendigung der Schließbewegung der Greiferschenkel zumindest im wesentlichen parallel zum jeweils nachlaufenden Greiferschenkel ausgerichtet ist. Dadurch wird es möglich, Produkte mit stark variierenden Dicken ohne irgendwelche Veränderungen am Greifer gleichmäßig gut, sicher und von beiden Seiten flächig zu greifen.If the leading gripper legs provided with a guide surface of the type already described are, it is advantageous if this guide surface is aligned at least in a period immediately prior to completion of the closing movement of the gripper arms at least substantially parallel to the respective trailing gripper arms. This makes it possible to uniformly well, safely and on both sides grip products with widely varying thickness without any changes to the gripper.

Im Rahmen der Erfindung können die Produkte der Fördereinrichtung über die Zuführstrecke in regel- oder unregelmäßiger Schuppenformation oder auch voneinander beabstandet zugeführt werden. Eventuell gegebene, kleinere Unregelmäßigkeiten werden automatisch dadurch ausgeglichen, dass die Produkte während des Übergabeprozesses durch den Förderspalt aktiv gegen den Zwangsanschlag gefördert werden.In the context of the invention, the products of the conveyor over the feed line in regular or irregular scale formation or can be supplied spaced from each other. Possibly given, smaller irregularities are automatically compensated by the fact that the products are actively promoted during the transfer process through the conveying gap against the forced stop.

Weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsformen sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen erwähnt.Further preferred embodiments are mentioned in the dependent claims.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen beschrieben; in diesen zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine schematisierte Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Zuführstrecke und einer mehrere umlaufende Greifer aufweisenden Fördereinrichtung,
Fig. 2 bis 5
eine Detailansicht des Produktübergabebereichs zwischen Zuführstrecke und Fördereinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in vier, zeitlich aufeinanderfolgenden Verfahrensstadien,
Fig. 6
eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß zum Einsatz gelangenden Greifers, welcher ein Produkt hält, und
Fig. 7
eine Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1 mit gegenüber Fig. 1 unterschiedlichen Produktgrößen.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings; in these show:
Fig. 1
a schematic side view of a device according to the invention with a feed path and a plurality of rotating gripper having conveyor,
Fig. 2 to 5
a detailed view of the product transfer area between feed line and conveyor 1 in four successive stages of the process,
Fig. 6
a partially sectioned view of an inventively used gripper, which holds a product, and
Fig. 7
a representation of FIG. 1 with respect to FIG. 1 different product sizes.

Fig. 1 zeigt in ihrem unteren Bereich eine Zuführstrecke 1, welche als endlos umlaufendes Förderband 1' ausgebildet ist, von dem jedoch in Fig. 1 nur ein Endbereich mit insgesamt drei Umlenk- und Führungsrollen 2 dargestellt ist. Das Förderband 1' verläuft zunächst in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Richtung, woraufhin es eine nach oben weisende Viertelkreisbahn beschreibt und anschließend über einen kurzen Bereich vertikal nach oben verläuft. Im oberen Endbereich ist das Förderband 1' über eine Umlenkrolle 2 umgelenkt.Fig. 1 shows in its lower part a feed line 1, which is designed as an endlessly circulating conveyor belt 1 ', of which, however, in Fig. 1, only one end portion with a total of three deflection and guide rollers 2 is shown. The conveyor belt 1 'initially runs in a substantially horizontal direction, whereupon it describes an upward-pointing quarter-circle path and then runs vertically upwards over a short area. In the upper end region, the conveyor belt 1 'is deflected by a deflection roller 2.

Im Bereich der genannten Viertelkreis-Bahn sowie im Bereich der Vertikalerstreckung des Förderbands 1' ist ein Andruckband 3 vorgesehen, welches über zwei Rollen 4, 4' endlos umläuft.In the area of said quadrant track and in the region of the vertical extent of the conveyor belt 1 ', a pressure belt 3 is provided which endlessly circulates over two rollers 4, 4'.

Die Rolle 4 des Andruckbandes 3 rotiert entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn. Die Greifer 9 bewegen sich im unteren, U-förmigen Abschnitt der Fördereinrichtung 7 auf einer Halbkreisbahn entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn.The roller 4 of the pressure belt 3 rotates counterclockwise. The grippers 9 move in the lower, U-shaped portion of the conveyor 7 on a semicircular path in the counterclockwise direction.

Über das Förderband 1' werden ausgehend von z.B. einer Wickelstation oder einer Anlegestation beispielsweise als Druckereierzeugnisse ausgebildete Produkte 6 in horizontaler Richtung bis zum Bereich des Förderspalts 5 transportiert, wo sie dann zwischen Förderband 1' und Andruckband 3 in den Förderspalt 5 gelangen. Im Förderspalt 5 werden die Produkte 6 über die gesamte Länge des Förderspalts 5 unter Vorspannung zwischen Förderband 1' und Ändruckband 3 gehalten und somit definiert durch den Förderspalt 5 gefördert. Am Ende des Förderspalts 5 liegen die Produkte 6 nur noch mit einer Seite am Andruckband 3 an, wohingegen die förderbandseitige Fläche der Produkte 6 aufgrund des bereits weiter unten endenden Förderbands 1' frei liegt, so dass am Ende des Förderspalts 5 grundsätzlich eine Auslenkung der Produkte 6 vom Andruckband 3 weg auf die Seite des Förderbands 1' möglich ist.About the conveyor belt 1 'are starting from eg one Wrapping station or a docking station, for example, designed as printed products products 6 transported in the horizontal direction to the region of the conveying gap 5, where they then get between conveyor belt 1 'and pressure belt 3 in the conveying gap 5. In the conveying nip 5, the products 6 are held over the entire length of the conveying gap 5 under bias between the conveyor belt 1 'and 3 Ändruckband and thus defined by the conveying gap 5 promoted. At the end of the conveying gap 5, the products 6 rest only with one side on the pressure belt 3, whereas the conveyor belt-side surface of the products 6 is exposed due to the already below conveyor belt 1 ', so that at the end of the conveying gap 5 in principle a deflection of the products 6 from the pressure belt 3 away on the side of the conveyor belt 1 'is possible.

Im oberen Endbereich des Förderspalts 5 verlassen die Produkte 6 demzufolge den Förderspalt in einer sich vertikal nach oben erstreckenden Richtung. Dabei gelangen sie in den Bereich einer Fördereinrichtung 7, die aus einer in Fig. 1 abschnittsweise dargestellten umlaufenden Transportkette 8 mit daran befestigten, hintereinander angeordneten Greifern 9 besteht. Die Transportkette 8 beschreibt in ihrem unteren, der Zuführstrecke 1 zugewandten Endbereich eine im Wesentlichen U-förmige Bahn, so dass sich die Greifer 9 oberhalb des Förderspalts 5 im Wesentlichen auf einer Halbkreisbahn bewegen. Diese Halbkreisbahn ist relativ zum Förderspalt 5 so angeordnet, dass die horizontale Bewegungskomponente der Greifer 9 direkt oberhalb des Förderspalts 5 größer ist als deren vertikale Bewegungskomponente, wobei im Laufe des weiteren Bewegungsweges der Greifer 9 die horizontale Bewegungskomponente immer mehr abnimmt, bis sich die Greifer 9 letztlich nur noch vertikal nach oben bewegen.In the upper end region of the conveying gap 5, the products 6 consequently leave the conveying gap in a vertically upwardly extending direction. They arrive in the area of a conveyor 7, which consists of a in Fig. 1 partially shown circulating conveyor chain 8 with it attached, successively arranged grippers 9. The conveyor chain 8 describes in its lower, the feed section 1 end region facing a substantially U-shaped path, so that the grippers move 9 above the conveying gap 5 substantially on a semicircular path. This semicircular path is arranged relative to the conveying gap 5 so that the horizontal component of movement of the gripper 9 directly above the conveying gap 5 is greater than the vertical component of movement, wherein in the course of further movement of the gripper 9, the horizontal Movement component decreases more and more until the grippers 9 ultimately move only vertically upwards.

Jeder Greifer 9 besteht aus einem vorlaufenden Schenkel 10 und einem nachlaufenden Schenkel 11, die beide unabhängig voneinander um eine gemeinsame Drehachse 12 verschwenkt werden können.Each gripper 9 consists of a leading leg 10 and a trailing leg 11, both of which can be pivoted independently about a common axis of rotation 12.

Die vorlaufenden Greiferschenkel 10 sind jeweils einer ersten Steuerrolle 13 und die nachlaufenden Greiferschenkel 11 jeweils einer zweiten Steuerrolle 14 zugeordnet. Ein möglicher Aufbau der Ansteuerungsmechanik für die Greifer 9 kann der europäischen Patentanmeldung EP 0 600 183 A1 der Anmelderin entnommen werden.The leading gripper legs 10 are each associated with a first control roller 13 and the trailing gripper legs 11 each have a second control roller 14. A possible construction of the drive mechanism for the grippers 9 can be found in the European patent application EP 0 600 183 A1 of the applicant.

Die ersten Steuerrollen 13 laufen in einer diesen Steuerrollen 13 zugeordneten ersten Steuerkulisse 15, wohingegen die Steuerrollen 14 in einer weiteren, diesen zweiten Steuerrollen 14 zugeordneten zweiten Steuerkulisse 16 laufen. Somit steuert jede Steuerkulisse 15, 16 die Bewegung der vorlaufenden und nachlaufenden Schenkel 10, 11 der Greifer 9 individuell und unabhängig voneinander.
Die vorlaufenden Greiferschenkel 10 der Greifer 9 sind an ihrem der Transportkette 8 abgewandten Ende mit einer Führungsfläche 17 derart verbunden, dass die vorlaufenden Schenkel 10 gemeinsam mit den Führungsflächen 17 jeweils eine in Richtung der Transportkette 8 geöffnete V-Form aufweisen. Dementsprechend nimmt der Abstand zwischen Führungsfläche 17 und vorlaufendem Schenkel 10 ausgehend vom der Transportkette 8 abgewandten Ende des vorlaufenden Schenkels 10 in Richtung der Transportkette 8 zu.The first control rollers 13 run in a first control link 15 assigned to these control rollers 13, whereas the control rollers 14 run in a further second control link 16 assigned to these second control rollers 14. Thus, each control link 15, 16 controls the movement of the leading and trailing legs 10, 11 of the grippers 9 individually and independently.
The leading gripper legs 10 of the grippers 9 are connected at their end facing away from the conveyor chain 8 with a guide surface 17 such that the leading leg 10 together with the guide surfaces 17 each have an open in the transport chain 8 V-shape. Accordingly, the distance between the guide surface 17 and leading leg 10, starting from the transport chain 8 facing away from the end of the leading leg 10 in the direction of the transport chain 8 to.

Die beschriebene V-Form ist dabei derart gewählt, dass die Führungsfläche 17 im geschlossenen Zustand der Greifer 9 zumindest im Wesentlichen parallel zur Produktanlagefläche des nachlaufenden Schenkels 11 ausgerichtet ist.The described V-shape is chosen such that the Guide surface 17 in the closed state of the gripper 9 is aligned at least substantially parallel to the product contact surface of the trailing leg 11.

Im unteren, der Zuführstrecke 1 zugewandten Ende der Fördereinrichtung 7 ist im Produktübergabebereich ein stationäres Teil 18 eines Zwangsanschlags angeordnet. Dieses stationäre Teil 18 erstreckt sich oberhalb der Rolle 4 im Wesentlichen horizontal, um dann ungefähr oberhalb des Förderspalts 5 schräg nach oben zu verlaufen. Die so gebildete Schrägfläche 19 schneidet in ihrer aus Fig. 1 ersichtlichen Projektion die Führungsfläche 17 eines ein Produkt 6 aufnehmenden Greifers 9, so dass die genannte Schrägfläche 19 des stationären Teils 18 gemeinsam mit der jeweiligen Führungsfläche 17 der Greifer 9 einen im wesentlichen V-förmigen, nach unten geöffneten Anschlag für die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte 6 bilden.In the lower, the feed section 1 facing the end of the conveyor 7, a stationary part 18 of a positive stop is arranged in the product transfer area. This stationary part 18 extends above the roller 4 substantially horizontally, and then approximately obliquely upward above the conveying gap 5. The thus formed inclined surface 19 intersects in its apparent from Fig. 1 projection, the guide surface 17 of a product 6 receiving gripper 9, so that said inclined surface 19 of the stationary part 18 together with the respective guide surface 17 of the gripper 9 is a substantially V-shaped , downwardly open stop for the leading edges of the products 6 form.

Nachfolgend wird anhand der Fig. 2 bis 5 der Ablauf einer Produktübergabe von der Zuführstrecke zur Fördereinrichtung erläutert:The sequence of a product transfer from the supply line to the conveyor is explained below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5:

Gemäß Fig. 2 gelangt die vorlaufende Kante 20 eines Produktes 6 durch den Förderspalt 5 in Pfeilrichtung in den Öffnungsbereich eines Greifers 9, konkret zwischen die mit dem vorlaufenden Schenkel 10 gekoppelte Führungsfläche 17 und den nachlaufenden Schenkel 11 des Greifers 9. Durch die kontinuierliche Förderung des Produktes 6 durch den Förderspalt 5 stößt die vorlaufende Kante 20 des Produktes 6 letztlich an dem stationären Teil 18, insbesondere an dessen Schrägfläche 19 an, wobei die genaue Position der vorlaufenden Kante 20 durch das Zusammenwirken des stationären Teils 18 mit der bewegten Führungsfläche 17 definiert wird. Die vorlaufende Kante 20 des Produktes 6 liegt somit immer im Bereich des/der aus Fig. 2 ersichtlichen Schnittpunkts/Schnittlinie zwischen Führungsfläche 17 und Schrägfläche 19.According to Fig. 2, the leading edge 20 of a product 6 passes through the conveying gap 5 in the arrow direction in the opening portion of a gripper 9, specifically between the coupled with the leading leg 10 guide surface 17 and the trailing leg 11 of the gripper 9. By the continuous promotion of Product 6 through the conveying gap 5 abuts the leading edge 20 of the product 6 ultimately on the stationary part 18, in particular on the inclined surface 19, wherein the exact position of the leading edge 20 by the interaction of the stationary part 18 is defined with the moving guide surface 17. The leading edge 20 of the product 6 is therefore always in the range of / from the Fig. 2 apparent intersection / cutting line between the guide surface 17 and inclined surface 19th

Bei einer weiteren Bewegung des Greifers 9 entlang seiner Transportbahn wandert der/die beschriebene Schnittpunkt/Schnittlinie mit dem Greifer 9 mit, wodurch sich der wirksame Bereich des aus Führungsfläche 17 und Schrägfläche 19 gebildeten Zwangsanschlags vom Ende des Förderspalts 5 gemeinsam mit dem Greifer 9 nach rechts oben weg bewegt.In a further movement of the gripper 9 along its transport path moves the described intersection / cutting line with the gripper 9, whereby the effective range of the guide surface formed from 17 and inclined surface 19 forced stop from the end of the conveying gap 5 together with the gripper 9 to the right moved up away.

Dadurch, dass sich das Andruckband 3 weiter nach oben erstreckt als das Förderband 1 wird sichergestellt, dass sich das am Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 anliegende Produkt 6 nur in einer Richtung vom Andruckband 3 weg ausbauchen kann. Eine derartige Ausbauchung 21 ist aus Fig. 3 ersichtlich, gemäß der sich der Greifer 9 gegenüber Fig. 2 in seiner Transportrichtung so weit bewegt hat, dass das dem vorlaufenden Schenkel 10 des Greifers 9 abgewandte Ende der Führungsfläche 17 im Bereich des Endes der Schrägfläche 19 zu liegen kommt. In dieser Position ist die vorlaufende Kante 20 des Produktes 6 weiterhin noch durch den Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 definiert gehalten, nun hat sich die Position dieses Zwangsanschlags 17, 19 gegenüber Fig. 2 entlang der Schrägfläche 19 nach rechts oben verschoben.Because the pressure belt 3 extends further upwards than the conveyor belt 1, it is ensured that the product 6 abutting the positive stop 17, 19 can only bulge away from the pressure belt 3 in one direction. Such a bulge 21 can be seen from FIG. 3, according to which the gripper 9 has moved so far in relation to FIG. 2 in its transport direction that the end of the guide surface 17 facing away from the leading leg 10 of the gripper 9 is in the region of the end of the inclined surface 19 to come to rest. In this position, the leading edge 20 of the product 6 is still held defined by the positive stop 17, 19, now the position of this positive stop 17, 19 has moved relative to FIG. 2 along the inclined surface 19 to the top right.

Durch das kontinuierliche Fördern des Produktes 6 durch den Förderspalt 5 und aufgrund der Tatsache, dass sich der Greifer 9 zwischen den Positionen gemäß den Fig. 2 und 3 überwiegend senkrecht und nicht parallel zum Förderspalt 5 bewegt, entsteht die erwähnte Ausbauchung 21 des Produktes 6. Durch diese Ausbauchung 21 liegt das Produkt 6 mit seiner vorlaufenden Kante 20 gewissermaßen unter Vorspannung am Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 an. Dadurch, dass das Förderband 1 weiter unten endet als das Andruckband 3 wird dabei sichergestellt, dass das Produkt 6 lediglich ausgebaucht und nicht geknickt wird.By continuously conveying the product 6 through the conveying gap 5 and due to the fact that the gripper 9 between the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 predominantly perpendicular and not parallel to the conveying gap. 5 moves the resulting bulge 21 of the product 6. By this bulge 21 is the product 6 with its leading edge 20 to a certain extent under bias on the positive stop 17, 19 at. The fact that the conveyor belt 1 ends lower than the pressure belt 3 is thereby ensured that the product 6 is only bulged and not kinked.

Unmittelbar nach der in Fig. 3 dargestellten Position wird der Greifer 9 vollständig geschlossen, so dass das Produkt 6 mit seinem vorderen Bereich zwischen der Führungsfläche 17 und dem nachlaufenden Schenkel 11 des Greifers 9 zu liegen kommt, wie dies in Fig. 4 dargestellt ist. Fig. 4 kann entnommen werden, dass im geschlossenen Zustand des Greifers 9 die Führungsfläche 17 sowie die Produktanlagefläche des nachlaufenden Schenkels 11 parallel zueinander ausgerichtet sind, so dass sich eine vollflächige Anlage dieser Elemente an beiden Seiten des Produktes 6 ergibt.Immediately after the position shown in Fig. 3, the gripper 9 is completely closed, so that the product 6 comes to lie with its front portion between the guide surface 17 and the trailing leg 11 of the gripper 9, as shown in Fig. 4. 4 it can be seen that in the closed state of the gripper 9, the guide surface 17 and the product contact surface of the trailing leg 11 are aligned parallel to each other, so that there is a full-surface conditioning of these elements on both sides of the product 6.

Aufgrund der U-förmigen Bewegungsbahn der Greifer 9 im Produktübergabebereich nimmt die horizontale, senkrecht zum Förderspalt 5 verlaufende Bewegungskomponente der Greifer 9 nach dem Schließen des jeweiligen Greifers 9 ab, während seine vertikale, parallel zum Förderspalt 5 verlaufende Bewegungskomponente zunimmt. Da das Produkt 6, während es in seinem vorderen Bereich vom Greifer 9 gehalten wird, mit seinem hinteren Bereich immer noch im Förderspalt 5 fixiert ist, ergibt sich so nach dem Ausbauchen des Produktes 6 gemäß Fig. 3 eine Streckbewegung des Produktes 6. Dabei sind die Fördergeschwindigkeiten des Förderspalts 5 sowie der Greifer 9 derart aufeinander abgestimmt, dass eine Beschädigung der Produkte 6 zuverlässig vermieden wird.Due to the U-shaped movement path of the gripper 9 in the product transfer area, the horizontal, perpendicular to the conveying gap 5 movement component of the gripper 9 decreases after the closing of the respective gripper 9, while its vertical, parallel to the conveying gap 5 extending component of motion increases. Since the product 6, while it is held in its front region by the gripper 9, is still fixed with its rear portion in the conveying gap 5, thus results after bulging of the product 6 as shown in FIG. 3, a stretching movement of the product 6 the conveying speeds of the conveying gap 5 and the gripper 9 are coordinated such that a Damage to the products 6 is reliably avoided.

Nach dem beschriebenen Streckvorgang wird das Produkt 6 dann gemäß Fig. 5 vollständig aus dem Förderspalt 5 herausbewegt, so dass sein hinterer Bereich schwerkraftbedingt frei nach unten hängt, während der vordere Produktbereich durch den Greifer 9 definiert gehalten ist.After the described stretching operation, the product 6 is then completely moved out of the conveying gap 5 as shown in FIG. 5, so that its rear region hangs down freely due to gravity, while the front product region is held defined by the gripper 9.

Der in Verbindung mit den Fig. 2 bis 5 beschriebene Ablauf einer Produktübergabe von einer Zuführstrecke 1 zu einer Fördereinrichtung 7 macht deutlich, dass der Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 sicherstellt, dass jedes von einem Greifer 9 ergriffene Produkt 6 sich immer genau gleich tief in den zwischen Führungsfläche 17 und nachlaufendem Schenkel 11 ausgebildeten Greiferbereich hinein erstreckt, und zwar unabhängig von der Dicke und/oder Größe des jeweiligen Produktes. Hierdurch wird eine exakte Weiterverarbeitung der Produkte ermöglicht, da die Relativposition zwischen Greifer und Produkt unveränderlich ist.The procedure described in connection with FIGS. 2 to 5 of a product transfer from a feed line 1 to a conveyor 7 makes it clear that the positive stop 17, 19 ensures that each gripped by a gripper 9 product 6 is always exactly the same depth in between Guide surface 17 and trailing leg 11 formed gripper area extends, regardless of the thickness and / or size of the respective product. As a result, an exact further processing of the products is made possible because the relative position between gripper and product is immutable.

Ferner wird durch die nach unten, in Richtung des Förderspalts 5 offene V-Form des Zwangsanschlags 17, 19 erreicht, dass die Produkte 6 unabhängig von ihrer Dicke immer korrekt in den wirksamen Bereich dieses Zwangsanschlags 17, 19 gelangen und dabei mit ihrem vorderen Bereich im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Schrägfläche 19 ausgerichtet sind.Furthermore, it is achieved by the open downward, in the direction of the conveying gap 5 V-shape of the positive stop 17, 19, that the products 6 regardless of their thickness always correctly in the effective range of this forced stop 17, 19 arrive and thereby with its front portion in Aligned substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface 19.

Wie dies aus der Zusammenschau der Fig. 3 und 4 hervorgeht, bilden die Führungsfläche 17 und der nachlaufende Schenkel 11 eines Greifers 9 beim Schliessvorgang einen annähernd parallelen Führungsspalt für das betreffende Produkt 6, welcher annähernd rechtwinklig zur Schrägfläche 19 verläuft.As can be seen from the synopsis of Figs. 3 and 4, the guide surface 17 and the trailing leg 11 of a gripper 9 during closing an approximately parallel guide gap for the product in question 6, which approximately at right angles to Sloping surface 19 extends.

Fig. 6 zeigt einen Greifer, wie er bei einer Vorrichtung gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 5 zur Anwendung gelangen kann.Fig. 6 shows a gripper, as he can get used in a device according to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Gemäß Fig. 6 wird ein Produkt 6 von einem Greifer 9 gehalten, von dem in Fig. 6 der vorlaufende Schenkel 10, der in seinem unteren Endbereich eine flache V-Form aufweist, gezeigt ist. Der Schenkel 10 ist mit einer Steuerrolle 13 verbunden, welche in einer Steuerkulisse 15 läuft.6, a product 6 is held by a gripper 9, of which in FIG. 6 the leading leg 10, which has a flat V-shape in its lower end region, is shown. The leg 10 is connected to a control roller 13, which runs in a control link 15.

Ferner ist in Fig. 6 auch die Steuerrolle 14 für den nachlaufenden Schenkel 11 gezeigt, welche in einer Steuerkulisse 16 läuft. Der Greifer 9 mit seinen beiden Schenkeln 10, 11 ist insgesamt an einer an dieser Stelle nicht näher erläuterten Transportkette 8 gehalten.Further, in Fig. 6, the control roller 14 is shown for the trailing leg 11, which runs in a control link 16. The gripper 9 with its two legs 10, 11 is held in total at a transport chain 8 not explained in detail at this point.

Am vorlaufenden Schenkel 10 des Greifers 9 ist eine im Wesentlichen rechteckige Führungsfläche 17, beispielsweise aus Federstahlblech, angebracht, welche sich in Querrichtung beidseitig über den Schenkel 10 hinaus erstreckt und eine Produktanlagefläche des vorlaufenden Schenkels 10 bildet.At the leading leg 10 of the gripper 9, a substantially rectangular guide surface 17, for example made of spring steel sheet, attached, which extends on both sides in the transverse direction beyond the leg 10 and forms a product contact surface of the leading leg 10.

Schließlich ist in Fig. 6 auch noch die zweiteilig ausgebildete Schrägfläche 19 des stationären Teils des erfindungsgemäßen Zwangsanschlags 17, 19 dargestellt. Diese zweiteilige Schrägfläche 19 erstreckt sich jeweils unterhalb der Steuerkulissen 15, 16, und zwar gegenüber diesen geringfügig nach außen versetzt. Der Abstand dieser stationären, kulissenartigen Teile 18 mit den Schrägflächen 19 gewährleistet, dass die Produkte 6 nicht nur innen gleich tief sondern auch in genau definierter Drehposition - d.h. vorzugsweise mit rechtwinklig zur Förderrichtung verlaufender vorauslaufender Kante - von den Greifern 9 erfasst werden.Finally, FIG. 6 also shows the two-part inclined surface 19 of the stationary part of the positive stop 17, 19 according to the invention. This two-part inclined surface 19 extends below each of the control blocks 15, 16, and compared to these slightly offset to the outside. The distance between these stationary, backdrop-like parts 18 with the inclined surfaces 19 ensures that the products 6 not only inside the same depth but also in a precisely defined rotational position - ie preferably with perpendicular to the conveying direction extending leading edge - are detected by the grippers 9.

Fig. 7 zeigt eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 1 mit dem Unterschied, dass die Erstreckung der Produkte 6 in Förderrichtung gegenüber Fig. 1 verringert ist. Gleichzeitig ist auch der Überlappungsgrad der im Bereich der Zuführstrecke schuppenförmig geförderten Produkte 6 gemäß Fig. 7 geringer als gemäß Fig. 1.FIG. 7 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, with the difference that the extent of the products 6 in the conveying direction is reduced compared to FIG. At the same time, the degree of overlapping of the products 6, which are conveyed in the form of flakes in the region of the feed section, is smaller, as shown in FIG. 7, than in FIG. 1.

Fig. 7 veranschaulicht dementsprechend, dass die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung, deren Dimensionen und Einstellungen gegenüber Fig. 1 nicht verändert sind, unabhängig von der Längserstreckung der Produkte und auch unabhängig vom Überlappungsgrad der Schuppenformation einwandfrei funktioniert, da aufgrund der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung von Förderspalt 5 und Fördereinrichtung 7 sichergestellt werden kann, dass die Produkte 6 unabhängig von den genannten Größen zuverlässig gegen den Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 gefördert werden. Es muss lediglich sichergestellt sein, dass die Produkte 6 in Förderrichtung gewisse Mindestabmessungen aufweisen, welche gewährleisten, dass das Produkt noch im Förderspalt 5 gehalten ist, während es bereits am Zwangsanschlag 17, 19 anschlägt.Fig. 7 illustrates accordingly that the device according to the invention, the dimensions and settings are not changed compared to FIG. 1, regardless of the longitudinal extent of the products and also regardless of the degree of overlap of the imbricated formation works properly because due to the inventive arrangement of conveying gap 5 and conveyor 7th it can be ensured that the products 6 are reliably conveyed against the positive stop 17, 19, regardless of the variables mentioned. It only has to be ensured that the products 6 have certain minimum dimensions in the conveying direction, which ensure that the product is still held in the conveying gap 5 while it is already striking the positive stop 17, 19.

In Fig. 7 ist die Übergabe von CD's gezeigt, die mit der gleichen Vorrichtung erfolgen kann, wie die in Fig. 1 bis 6 gezeigte Übergabe von grösserformatigen Druckereiprodukten wie Akzidenzien, Zeitungen, Zeitschriften oder Teilen davon.In Fig. 7 the transfer of CDs is shown, which can be done with the same device as the transfer shown in Fig. 1 to 6 of larger format printed products such as Akzidenzien, newspapers, magazines or parts thereof.

Die Vorrichtung kann in praktisch allen Lagen angeordnet und betrieben werden. Dies insbesondere, weil die Produkte zwangsgefördert werden und der Abstand zwischen Förderspalt 5 und Fördereinrichtung 7 minimal gehalten werden kann.The device can be arranged and operated in virtually all layers. This in particular because the products are forcibly conveyed and the distance between conveying gap 5 and conveyor 7 can be kept to a minimum.

Claims (17)

  1. Device for transferring flat products (6) following one another along a feed section (1) to a conveying arrangement (7) with grippers (9) which can be moved in the conveying direction, can be individually controlled and are designed for taking hold of the products (6) at their leading edge (20), the feed section having in its end region facing the conveying direction (7) a conveying gap (5) in which the flat products (6) are held on both sides at least in portions, a positive stop (17, 19) for the leading edges (20) of the products (6) being provided in the conveying region of the grippers (9), which positive stop (17, 19) is formed by a stationary part (19) arranged as a stop for the leading edges (20) of the products (6) and a movable part (17) serving for guiding the leading edges (20) of the products (6) towards the stationary part (19), characterized in that the distance between the conveying gap (5) and the stationary part (19) of the positive stop (17, 19) is selected in such a way that the trailing edges of the products (6) are still located in the conveying gap (5) when the leading edges (20) of the products (6) come up against the stationary part (19) of the positive stop (17, 19), and the positive stop (17, 19) is active on every product transfer.
  2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (17) of the positive stop (17, 19) is designed to be synchronously movable with a gripper (9) performing the product take-over process.
  3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable part (17) of the positive stop (17, 19) is formed by an element of a gripper (9) performing the product transfer process.
  4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the movable part (17) of the positive stop (17, 19) is formed by an in particular leading leg (10) or a guide surface connected to this leg (10) of a gripper (9) performing the product transfer process.
  5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the guide surface of the movable part (17) is in the closed state of the gripper (9) aligned at least essentially parallel to the product contact surface of the trailing gripper leg (11).
  6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper legs (10, 11) are pivotable individually and/or together about a spindle (12) moving in the conveying direction and are in particular coupled to a conveyor chain (8) or to individual carriages.
  7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each gripper leg (10, 11) is in the region of the conveying arrangement (7) assigned its own control guide .(15, 16) controlling the opening and closing movement of the gripper legs (10, 11) concerned.
  8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed section (1) is designed as a conveyor belt (1'), in the end region of which facing the conveying arrangement (7) a pressure belt (3) which can be driven at the speed of the conveyor belt (1') and runs parallel to the conveyor belt (1') at least in portions is provided for producing the conveying gap (5).
  9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed section (1) runs in a plane inclined in relation to the horizontal, in particular in an essentially vertical plane, in its end region facing the conveying arrangement (7).
  10. Method for operating a device according to one of the preceding claims, in which
    - the flat products (6) are in the end region of the feed section (1) facing the conveying arrangement (7) transported through the conveying gap (5) until they rest with their leading edges (20) against the stationary part (19) of the positive stop (17, 19) provided in the product take-up region of the grippers (9), the leading edges (20) of the products (6) being guided to the stationary part (19) of the positive stop (17, 19) by the movable part (17),
    - the conveying movement through the conveying gap (5) is continued and a closing movement of the grippers (9) is initiated, and
    - complete closing of the grippers (9) takes place while the trailing edges of the products (6) are still located in the conveying gap (5).
  11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the conveying movement through the conveying gap (5) takes place continuously during the closing movement of the grippers (9) in each case taking over a product (6).
  12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the speed of the products (6) in the conveying gap (5) and the transport speed of the grippers (9) during the product transfer process are at least essentially constant.
  13. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the speed of the products (6) in the conveying gap (5) and the transport speed of the grippers (9) during the product transfer process are coordinated with one another in such a way that the products (6) resting against the positive stop (17, 19) are compressed or pass into a bellied state before complete closing of the grippers (9).
  14. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the speed of the products (6) in the conveying gap (5) and the transport speed of the grippers (9) during the product transfer process are coordinated with one another in such a way that the products (6) held in their front region by closed grippers (9) and still located with their rear region in the conveying gap are stretched again without a destructive tensile load being applied to the products (6).
  15. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the closing movement of the grippers (9) is at least essentially completed while the leading edges (20) of the products (6) rest against the positive stop (17, 19).
  16. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the guide surface of the movable part (17) according to Claim 5 is aligned at least essentially parallel to the trailing gripper leg (11) in each case at least in a time period immediately before completion of the closing movement of the gripper legs (10, 11).
  17. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the products (6) are fed to the conveying arrangement (7) in a regular or irregular imbricate formation or at a spacing from one another.
EP03015058A 2002-09-30 2003-07-03 Device for transferring products to a conveying device Expired - Lifetime EP1411011B1 (en)

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CH16342002 2002-09-30

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EP (1) EP1411011B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE346816T1 (en)
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EP1050499B1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2003-08-20 Ferag AG Device for feeding flat objects to a processing apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013159238A1 (en) 2012-04-25 2013-10-31 Ferag Ag Method and device for creating a product flow of product units in a predefined sequence

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ES2274144T3 (en) 2007-05-16
AU2003236442A1 (en) 2004-04-22
US7360759B2 (en) 2008-04-22
CA2437019C (en) 2011-11-15
EP1411011A1 (en) 2004-04-21
DE50305823D1 (en) 2007-01-11
CA2437019A1 (en) 2004-03-30
US20040061276A1 (en) 2004-04-01
DK1411011T3 (en) 2007-02-19
ATE346816T1 (en) 2006-12-15

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