EP1547950A1 - Method and device for stabilizing and positioning flat objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The stabilizing and positioning method involves localizing the position of the edge (20) of a product (16) in or counter to a conveying direction (F) so that the edge passes only into a receiving section (27) and not into an intermediate region (29) between two receiving sections. The edge of the product is delimited by delimiting components (24,26). The position of the edge of the product is localized, by moving a delimiting component into the conveying stream. The receiving section is formed between the delimiting components.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for stabilization and positioning of planar Articles, in particular printed products, during the Transport.

Flexible items, such as printed products, tend to be in a hanging position during transport especially at higher conveyor speeds due aerodynamic drag and possibly even fanning. To an uncontrolled bending or To prevent fanning of the product, it is known that Partially support products by a support on the the non-held edge slides along.

From EP-A 0 481 914 a generic method and a generic device known in or in which the bottom edge of the products moved along Guiding elements brought into a well-defined position becomes. This rod-shaped guide elements are transverse to Delivery direction between two products in the Flow introduced and with the products over a Stabilizing section of the conveyor line moved. The Guide elements are held close to the Product edge introduced and during the stabilization route down to the not held edge emotional. By guiding the guide along the product this is stabilized. The not held Edge finally occupies a position that is determined by the Position of the guide element is defined.

The known device is relatively inflexible, there with a change of the product length also the Trajectory of the guide elements must be adjusted.

The invention is based on the object, the well-known Method and the known device such to further develop that products different Formats stabilized without major structural adjustments can be.

The problem is solved by a method with the Features of claim 1 and by a device with the features of claim 8. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims, the Description and the drawings.

According to the invention, at least one leading and one Trailing limiting element exists in a Stabilization section of the conveyor line in the Flow are moved in. Under flow is the area of space understood by the products is swept over in their movement in the conveying direction. The stabilizing section is that section of the Conveyor line, in which at least one of the pros and Trailing limiting elements located in the flow. The leading or trailing limiting element limits the position of the not held second edge in or against the conveying direction. It is not necessary, but possible that the second edge of one or both boundary elements touched and thereby to be led. To make sure the second edge only in the recording between the leading or Trailing limiting element, but not in the Intermediate area passes between two shots, is according to the invention a further limiting element available. This is done before or in the beginning area of the Stabilization section moved into the flow.

Preferably, a plurality of forward and trailing boundary elements alternately one behind the other moving along a closed orbit, preferably at least partially parallel to Stabilization section runs. They are preferably located only in the region of the adjoining second edge of the Product. Such an arrangement is particularly easy to realize.

The further limiting element is preferably also moving along a closed orbit, for example, by placing it at the beginning of the Stabilization section arranged wheel is attached. Its movement is preferably with the movement of the foreground trailing boundary elements and the subsidized Synchronized products.

The leading and trailing boundary elements can also Part of a device to which the promoted Products should be handed over. For example, you can the leading and trailing boundary elements through the Baking be formed by grippers of a gripper conveyor. The further limiting element is also used here, the introducing a second edge well defined in the receptacle, which is formed in this case by the gripper.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemässe Stabilisierungsvorrichtung in Verbindung mit einer Fördereinrichtung und einer Andrückeinrichtung;

Fig. 2a-d

verschiedene Momentaufnahmen der Stabilisierungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einer Detailansicht im Anfangsbereich des Stabilisierungsabschnitts;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht der Stabilisierungsvorrichtung in Förderrichtung im Anfangsbereich des Stabilisierungsabschnitts;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht der Stabilisierungsvorrichtung in Förderrichtung im Endbereich des Stabilisierungsabschnitts;

Fig. 5

ein vor- und ein nachlaufendes Begrenzungselement in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 6

eine weitere erfindungsgemässe Stabilisierungsvorrichtung in Verbindung mit einer Fördereinrichtung und einem zum Wegtransport dienenden Greiferförderer.

Examples of the invention are shown in the drawings. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

a stabilizing device according to the invention in connection with a conveying device and a pressing device;

Fig. 2a-d

various snapshots of the stabilization device of Figure 1 in a detail view in the initial region of the stabilization section.

Fig. 3

a view of the stabilizing device in the conveying direction in the initial region of the stabilizing section;

Fig. 4

a view of the stabilizing device in the conveying direction in the end region of the stabilizing section;

Fig. 5

a front and a trailing limiting element in side view;

Fig. 6

a further stabilizing device according to the invention in conjunction with a conveyor and a gripper conveyor serving for transporting away.

FIG. 1 shows a stabilizing device according to the invention 10 in conjunction with a conveyor 12 and a pressing device 22 Fig. 2a-d show various snapshots of the device in the Initial area of the stabilization section. Fig. 3 shows a view of the stabilizing device in Conveying direction in the beginning region of the stabilization section along the line A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a view of the stabilizing device in Conveying direction along the line B-B in Fig. 1, i. immediately before the action of the pressing device 22 on the positioned products 16.

The printed products 16 are from the conveyor 12 in a hanging position along a straight line here Conveyor 11 in a horizontal conveying direction here F promoted. A first edge 18 of the product 16 is with each a gripper 14 of the conveyor 12th resorted. The opposite of this edge 18 second Edge 20 becomes particularly at higher conveying speeds from the air resistance of their ideal position deflected, in which they are essentially below the first edge 18 is located. The stabilization device 10 serves to lower the edges 20 of printed products 16 to stabilize or their position in particular to bring them back to this ideal position bring to. This will allow in this case that the lower edge 20 by a pressing 22nd with a supplement 38, e.g. one Tape section, can be provided. The Pressing device 22 is not in detail in the previously published Swiss Patent Application No. 2003 1602/03 described, which is referred to here. Instead of the Pressing device 22 can also further further processing stations, e.g. Gripper conveyor, Cutting, labeling device be present.

The stabilization device 10 comprises a plurality of leading boundary elements 24 and trailing Limiting elements 26, which alternately in succession are arranged and along a common orbit U to be moved. In a stabilization section S of Conveyor of the conveyor 12 are the Limiting elements 24, 26 in the flow 54 of the Products 16 introduced. The orbit U has in the present case two elongated straight sections U2, U4, in the Stabilization section S parallel to the conveying direction F run through and semicircular end portions U1, U3 are connected. The upstream end portion U1 marks the start region S1 of the stabilization section S. The stabilization device 10 comprises two further delimiting elements 28, through two cams 31 of a arranged in the initial region S1 cam wheel 30th are formed.

In each case a leading boundary element 24 and a this subsequent trailing limiting element 26th form a receptacle 27 for the lower edge 20 of a Druckereiprodukts 16. The cams 31 and more Limiting elements 28 serve to the intermediate region 29 between each two shots 27 at least in Start region S1 of the stabilization section S such Cover the lower edge 20 of the printed product 16 regardless of their current location in only one shot 27, but can not get into the intermediate area 29.

In the present case, the limiting elements 24, 26 in the Side view wedge-shaped and have flat Limiting surfaces 44 and 42, at least in the course of the stabilizing section S parallel to the desired position of Products 16, i. are vertically oriented here. A another form of the limiting elements 24, 26 is possible. The leading or trailing boundary elements 24, 26th are each at regular intervals d1, d2 (see FIG. 2a) arranged on a conveying member 46 through which in essentially the orbit is defined. in the semicircular end portion U1 at the beginning of Stabilization section S approach the forward and trailing boundary elements 24, 26 from below the Flow 54. They sting from below between each two consecutive products 16 one finally in the straight section U1 with its boundary surfaces 42, 44 oriented parallel to the products 16.

The further limiting elements 28 are in the Movement of the cam wheel 30 along a circular Movement path K moves with an angle of 180 ° the end portion U1 of the movement path U of Limiting elements 24, 26 coincides or parallel to do this. The cams 31 each have the approximate Shape of a circular segment with two substantially radial oriented first and second flanks 31a, 31b with a Opening angle α of about 90 ° (see Fig. 2b). Instead of one Lateral surface 31c, which here like the shape of a Circular arc section has, the outer conclusion can also be shaped in another way. Furthermore, you can also only one or more than two cams are present.

The cam 30 and the conveying member 46 for the pros and trailing boundary elements 24, 26 are connected via a Drive device 40, which via a drive element 41st is coupled to the pressing device 22, driven. As shown in Fig. 3, the driving element 41, the conveying member 46 and the cam wheel 30 on a common shaft 48 are arranged and therefore synchronous emotional. Also shown in Fig. 3 is a preferred embodiment, in the mirror-symmetrical to a vertical, running in the conveying direction plane two rounds with limiting elements 24, 26, 28th available. Between these grip the holding elements 32 of the pressing device 22 and approximately centrally to the Products 16, as explained below.

As shown in Fig. 2a-d, the distance d1 are between in each case one leading and one trailing limiting element 24, 26 and the distance d2 between each one nach- and a leading boundary element 26, 24th and the angle α between the flanks 31a, 31b of the Cam wheel 30 and the rotational speeds of the Conveyor 46 and the cam wheel 30 in such a way adjusted that the following is achieved: The im Start region S1 downstream intermediate region 29 between two shots 27 is approaching a Product 16 to the stabilizing section S by the Cam 31 covered (see Fig. 2a and 2b). This can do that Product 16 entering the stabilizing section S not gotten into this intermediate area 29. in the further course is a recording 27 from below to the Product 16 introduced (Fig. 2c). The second flank 31b of the cam 31 is opposite to the conveyor or Direction of rotation in front of the boundary surface 44 of the leading limiting element 24 before. Fig. 2d shows the State in which the further limiting element 28, i. the cam 31, by the leading limiting element 24th is replaced. This is aligned transversely to the conveying direction F. seen the rearward second edge 31 b of the Cam 31 with the also backward Boundary surface 44 of the leading boundary element 24. The position of the newly entered product 16 in Conveying direction F is thus by the leading Limiting element 24 limited. Now pierce from below Trailing limiting element 26 in the flow 54th It is followed by another limiting element 28 in the form of second cam 31, so that an entry of the edge 20 in the upstream subsequent intermediate region 29th is prevented. The second cam 31 reaches the beginning the stabilizing portion S a position in which its first flank 31a with the boundary surface 42 of the now vertically oriented trailing Limiting element 26 is aligned. That way the lower edges 20 of the products 16 gentle in the Shots 27 passed and the intermediate areas 29 reliably closed. The lateral surface 31c urges that Product 16 from the intermediate area 29.

The cam wheel 30 has the advantage that it is in the critical Start area S1 of the stabilization path S on easy way of penetration of product parts in the Intermediate 29 prevents, but only rotates and not moved over the entire stabilization path S. must become. It is easy to produce and requires little effort drive.

As shown in Fig. 1, the products 16 on the Stabilization section S of the leading and trailing Limiting elements 24, 26 at the same speed accompanied, so that the position of the lower edge 20 well is defined. A touch can but does not have to occur.

In the example shown, the stabilizing device works 10 with a pressing device 22 according to the CH patent application No. 2003 1602/03 together. This one has on a wheel arranged holding elements 32, each one pivotable support member 34 and a sliding Biegeelement 36 include. Just before the end area S2 of the Stabilization section S, the holding elements 32 of brought down to the products 16 and grab, across to the conveying direction laterally offset from the Limiting elements 24, 26, at the lower edge 20 at.

This situation is in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 4 in a View in the conveying direction F shown. At the end area S2 of Stabilization path S become the limiting elements 24, 26 when passing through the curved portion U3 removed again from the flow 54. The products 16 are now performed solely by the support members 32. By Moving towards each other by two holding elements 32nd the supplementary products 38 are around the lower edge 20 wrapped. The conveying member 46 is guided by guide means 52 supported and guided.

In an alternative embodiment, the trailing boundary elements 26 with a Swing mechanism be equipped so that the lower Edge 20 between the limiting elements 24, 26 fixed can be. This is shown in Fig. 5: The trailing boundary elements 26 are in one after front inclined position (shown with solid Lines). By means of a slide control 50 they are tilted into a vertical position (openwork Lines). It follows that the Stabilization device also a gripper conveyor may include, the gripper by two each Delimiting elements 24, 26 are formed. Through this fixed product position can be exact Processing operations follow.

Fig. 6 shows another example of an inventive Stabilizing device 10. This serves a reliable handover of products 16 from one Conveying device 12, in which they by gripper 14th held and in a hanging position in conveying direction F be promoted, to another gripper conveyor 56 to enable. The stabilization device 10 includes as in the example of Fig. 1-5 leading and trailing Limiting elements 24, 26, in the course of the Stabilization section S, the position of the lower Product edge 20 in or against the conveying direction F limit. The limiting elements 24, 26 are as in above example by a circulating conveyor member 46th moved along a closed orbit U. These continues in the conveying direction as in the example above oriented straight sections U2, U4 and Circular sections U1, U3 together. The trailing ones Limiting elements 26 are wedge-shaped and radially to Oriented outside. The leading boundary elements 24 are also wedge-shaped. They are one across her Movement direction or to the conveying direction F extending Swivel axis 60 from one in sections U4 and U1 oriented tangentially or secantially to the orbit U Position in the course of the section U2 radially outward oriented position swiveling. The pivoting serves in addition, in the initial region S1 of the stabilization section S initially under the narrowing edge 20 drive through and during the stabilization section S when folding up any in conveying direction F to narrow front bent product parts. To counter to limit the direction of conveyance F curved product parts, act before and at the beginning area S1 more Limiting elements 28 on the products 16 a. she pierce from below into the flow 54 and accompany a product 16 over part of its way with preferably the same web speed, wherein a forwardly facing guide surface 31a, preferably oriented approximately parallel to the product 16. It is also possible that the further limiting element 28 in a distance from the ideal position of the product in the Feed flow 54 punctures and the product until Starting area S1 catches up and thus in the ideal position brings.

In the initial area S1 overlap the movement paths U, U ' the leading or trailing and the other boundary elements 24, 26, 28. Here is the further limiting element 28 functionally of a trailing Delimiting element 26 detached. It is in alignment with one certain point in time, the front bounding surface 42 with the guide surface 31a. As soon as that Trailing limiting element 26, the product position 16th limited, the further limiting element 28 is from the Flow 54 removed. This is preferably done by means of a mechanical link control with a Control link 50. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 5, is the further limiting element 28 in a tangential to held in its orbit U 'running position and is brought by the control link 50 in a position in the it is oriented radially to the orbit. The influence of Control link 50 ends in the starting area S1.

Approach the end area S2 of the stabilization section S. open gripper 58 the products 16. These attack the Products 16 in the now narrowed lower edge 20. Subsequently, the gripper 14 of the Conveyor 12 is opened and the products to the Gripper conveyor 56 passed.

The limiting elements 24, 26, 28 and the gripper conveyor 56 are preferably driven synchronously, in particular with the same drive device (not shown).

The further limiting element 28 according to FIG. 6 can also instead of the cam wheel 30 in the arrangement according to FIG. 1 are used and vice versa.

The combination of leading and trailing Limiting elements 24, 26 with another Limiting element 28 has the advantage that the pros and trailing boundary elements 24, 26 proportionally can be made simple and compact. By adding to positioning edge 20 through the other Limiting element 28 already before or at the beginning of the Stabilization section S is prepositioned, must the leading and trailing boundary elements 24, 26th Do not travel long distances yourself Capture product parts and bring them to their ideal position. A simple rod or wedge shape of the forward and trailing boundary elements 24, 26 whose dimensions just a fraction of the product length it needs to be therefore sufficient. It is sufficient that the Limiting elements only affect the second edge to take; on a ride along the entire product can be waived.

Claims (15)

Method for stabilizing and positioning flat objects (16), in particular printed products, which are held by a conveying device (12) in the region of a first edge (18) and conveyed along a conveying path (11) in a conveying direction (F), wherein via a Stabilization section (S) of the conveyor line (11) limiting elements (24, 26) introduced into the flow (54) and in the conveying direction (F) are moved, which limit the position of the articles (16) at least one point of the stabilization section (S), characterized in that the position of one of the first edge (18) opposite the second edge (20) against the conveying direction (F) by a trailing limiting element (26) is limited, that the position of the second edge (20) in the conveying direction (F) a leading limiting element (24) is limited, wherein between each one leading and one in the conveying direction (F) trailing Limiting element (24, 26) a receptacle (27) for the second edge (20) is formed, and that by moving in at least one further limiting element (28) before or in the initial region (S1) of the stabilizing section (S) in the flow (54) the position of the second edge (20) in and / or against the conveying direction (F) is limited such that the second edge (20) only in the receptacle (27), but not in the intermediate region (29) between two receptacles (27 ). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the further limiting element (28) in the course of the stabilization section (S) is again removed from the flow (54), preferably already in the initial region (S1). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of trailing and leading boundary elements (24, 26) are moved alternately one behind the other along a closed orbit (U), at least partially substantially parallel to the stabilization section (S) of the conveyor line (11 ) runs. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leading and trailing boundary elements (24, 26) each have a boundary surface (42, 44) facing at least over a part of the stabilizing portion (S) the objects (16) and preferably in is oriented substantially parallel to the objects (16). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region (29) between two receptacles (27) before and / or in the initial region (S1) of the stabilization section (S) with the further limiting element (28) is covered, so that the second edge (20) of the article (16) can only get into a receptacle (27). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leading boundary elements (24) in the course of the stabilization section (S) from a position in which they do not protrude into the flow (54), in particular a substantially tangential or senkantial to its orbit (U) extending position, in a position in which they protrude into the flow (54) are moved, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the orbit (U) extending position to be pivoted. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one further limiting element (28) along a closed orbit (U ') is moved, which before the stabilizing portion (S) of the conveying path (11) at least partially in the conveying direction (F), and the further limiting element (28) is introduced into the delivery stream (54) before the start of the stabilization section (S) and is removed from the delivery stream (54) in the initial region (S1) of the stabilization section (S) in such a way that it no longer has any limiting effect. Device for stabilizing and positioning flat objects (16), in particular printed products, which are held by a conveying device (12) in the region of a first edge (18) and conveyed along a conveying path (11) in a conveying direction (F), with a plurality delimiting elements (24, 26), which can be introduced into the conveying flow (54) in a stabilizing section (S) of the conveying path (11) and can be moved along with them, characterized by : at least one trailing limiting element (26) which is capable of limiting the position of a second edge (20) opposite the first edge (18) against the conveying direction (F); at least one leading delimiting element (24), which is able to delimit the position of the second edge (20) in the conveying direction (F), wherein between each one leading and one in the conveying direction (F) trailing limiting element (24, 26) at least in the course of Stabilization section (S) is formed a receptacle (27) for the second edge (20); at least one further delimiting element (28), which is capable of confining the position of the second edge (20) in and / or opposite to the conveying direction (F); drive means (40) for moving the leading and trailing limit members (24, 26) along a closed orbit (U); a drive device (40) for moving the further limiting element (28), wherein the limiting elements (24, 26, 28) are shaped and driven such that the second edge (20) only in the receptacle (27), but not in the intermediate region (29) passes between two receptacles (27). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the orbit (U) of the leading and trailing boundary elements (24, 26) in the stabilizing section (S) of the conveying path (11) extends substantially parallel to the conveying path (11) Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by a cam wheel (30) having at least one cam (31) which is rotatably arranged at the beginning of the stabilizing portion (S), wherein the further limiting element (28) by the at least one cam (31) is. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one cam (31) has substantially radially aligned first and second flanks (31a, 31b) and a circumferentially extending therebetween circumferential surface (31c). Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the cam wheel (30) and the leading and trailing boundary elements (24, 26) are shaped and driven synchronized such that the second flank (31b) with the leading boundary element (24) and the first flank (31a) is aligned with the trailing limiting element (26) at least at one point of the stabilizing path (S), preferably in each case in the initial region of the stabilizing path (S). Device according to one of claims 11-12, characterized in that the intermediate region (29) between two receptacles (27) at least in the initial region (S1) of the stabilizing section (S) is covered by the lateral surface (31c). Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the leading boundary elements (24) between a position in which they do not protrude into the flow (54), in particular a substantially tangential or senkantial to its orbit (U) extending position, and a position in which they protrude into the delivery flow (54), in particular in a perpendicular to the circulation path (U) extending position, are movable, in particular are pivotable. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the trailing and the further limiting element (26, 28) are shaped and driven synchronized such that the trailing and the further limiting element (26, 28) at least at one point of the stabilizing path (S) with each other aligned, preferably in each case in the initial region (S1) of the stabilization path (S).

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