EP1568638B1 - Apparatus for bundling stacks of flat materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A band guide is formed on a respective stacking shaft (2) while a secondary band guide is disposed in banding or banderoling station. The band guides form an approximately intrinsically closed guide path.

Description

One out EP 0 640 529 B1 known device for banding of stacks of flat workpieces comprises a fixed stacking shaft with a raised and lowered shaft bottom, a the stacking shaft with copies of printed products filling belt conveyor, one before and behind the stacking shaft arranged tape supply roll whose bands in the stacking shaft and welded together thus are performed in one piece from the one tape supply roll on the shaft bottom to the other tape supply roll. The shaft bottom is lowered as the height of a pile building thereupon increases. In this case, the belt located with a portion below the stack and on the shaft bottom abuts a downstream with respect to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and to an upstream facing end face of the building stack. After reaching the intended height of the stack, a temporarily receiving the stacking tray supplied copies auxiliary support device is placed in the stack forming area and pushed the tape from the upstream facing and from the downstream facing end face of the stack forth by means of a welding punch so far over the top of the stack until this is strapped. In this case, two sections of the belt are in mutual contact under the action of a respective one of the welding dies and are welded together in this position by means of the welding dies. A now present two-ply welded portion of the tape is severed in such a way that the stack is strapped by means of a closed band and the remaining band in turn runs in one piece from one to the other band-supply roll.

During the strapping of the stack provided with the intended height, the welding of the banderole and the removal of the strapped stack from the shaft bottom, the auxiliary support device temporarily placed in the stacking area takes over the function of the shaft bottom and transfers the part of the next formed during said operations and received by the auxiliary support device to be formed stack and the underlying section of the tape back to the again positioned in its altitude shaft bottom.

It takes some time to transfer the said auxiliary support device into the stack formation area. The resulting during this time flat workpieces are temporarily dammed in the known device on said belt conveyor.

The known device needs to complete a banded stack a time that is composed of the time to stack a stack of a certain number of copies and the time for banding the stack.

On the other hand, a shortened time is needed with a packet delivery system which the Applicant has sold under the type designation PAS 66. This has a stacking station, a banding station and provided with stacking shafts, cyclically conveying endless conveyor. A strip supply extends integrally (after welding) from a first to a second supply roll, and this in contrast to the EP 0 640 529 B1 known device in such a way that a unwound belt section extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying plane of the endless conveyor plane.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for banding of stacks of flat workpieces with an alternative tape guide and a cycle time, which exceeds the stacking time at most insignificant.

To solve this problem, a device for forming stacks of flat workpiece and for banding the stack with a stacking station, a banding station and a provided with stacking shafts, cyclically conveying endless conveyor equipped with a respective formed on a respective one of the stacking shafts first banding guide and in the Banderolierstation arranged second band guide, which forms a substantially self-contained guideway together with the respective first banding guide.

With a pertinent further development that a temporary auxiliary carrier which can be brought over a respective one of the stacking shafts is provided temporarily between two successive flat workpieces, a cycle time is obtained which is essentially limited to the stacking time.

The same applies to the case that instead of a certain number of continuously accumulating flat workpieces are dammed analogously to the known device described above temporarily on a the device proposed with these workpieces feeding conveyor.

The features of the subject invention and embodiments thereof can be taken from the accompanying drawings and the subsequent explanations taken to the following.

Fig. 1

Stapelschächte, die aufeinanderfolgend an einem strichpunktiert angedeuteten, taktweise umlaufenden Endlosförderer angeordnet sind,

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter Darstellung einen Abschnitt des mit Stapelschächten ausgestatteten Endlosförderers, eine Antriebseinrichtung hierfür, eine Vorrichtung zur Beschickung eines Stapelschachtes in einer Stapelstation mit flächigen Werkstücken und eine einer Banderolierstation zugeordnete Einschießvorrichtung zum Einschießen eines Abschnittes eines Bandes in einen jeweiligen in der Banderolierstation befindlichen Stapelschacht,

Fig. 3

einen in der Banderolierstation befindlichen Stapelschacht, eine hierin ausgebildete erste Banderolenführung und eine ortsfeste zweite Banderolenführung, die gemeinsam mit der ersten eine in sich geschlossene Führungsbahn einer ersten Ausgestaltung bilden, und eine der Banderolierstation zugeordnete Schweiß- und Schneidstation,

Fig. 4a bis 4f

Momentanbilder aus dem Ablauf eines Banderoliervorganges,

Fig. 5

eine zweite Ausgestaltung einer in sich geschlossenen Führungsbahn.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

Stacking shafts, which are arranged successively at a dash-dotted line, cyclically rotating endless conveyor,

Fig. 2

in a simplified representation a portion of the endless conveyor equipped with stacking shafts, a drive device therefor, a device for feeding a stacking shaft in a stacking station with flat workpieces and a Einschießvorrichtung associated with a banding station for injecting a portion of a strip in a respective located in the banding stacking shaft,

Fig. 3

a stacking shaft located in the banding station, a first banding guide formed therein and a stationary second banding guide, which together with the first form a self-contained guide track of a first embodiment, and a welding and cutting station assigned to the banding station,

Fig. 4a to 4f

Instantaneous images from the course of a banding process,

Fig. 5

a second embodiment of a self-contained guideway.

As in Fig. 1 recognizable, the proposed device for banding flat workpieces 2 'comprises an endless conveyor 1, which preferably has a first Zugmittelpaar 1.1 and a second Zugmittelpaar 1.2, in the present embodiment in the form of a first and a second pair of endless roller chains, with suitable sprockets 1.5 form a multiple chain drive. The two pairs of traction means 1.1 and 1.2 form a conveying section 1.3 from mutually parallel conveyor runs, which preferably lie in a single area and move in a cyclic manner in a direction indicated by the arrow 1.4 conveying direction.

At the endless conveyor 1 stacking shafts 2 are arranged along the same successive. A respectively trailing with respect to the conveying direction boundary of the stack shafts 2 is formed by rear stops 2.1 and 2.2 and a respective anticipatory limitation of the stacking shafts 2 of front stops 2.3 and 2.4. The rear stops 2.1 and 2.2 are attached to the first Zugmittelpaar 1.1, in such a way that they are transverse to the conveying direction and in the conveying direction preferably follow one another at equal intervals, which then determine the largest possible format of the stackable flat workpieces. The mutual position of the rear stops 2.1 with respect to the rear stops 2.2 is also adjustable by the mutual phase position of the traction means of the first pair of traction means 1.1.

In an analogous manner, the front stops 2.3 and 2.4 are attached to the second Zugmittelpaar 1.2.

By adjusting certain mutual phase positions on the one hand of the first and second of Zugmittelpaares 1.1 and 1.2, the stacking shafts 2 on certain formats of the flat workpieces 2 'adjustable. By means of an in Fig. 2 schematically indicated drive means 3 are said multiple chain drives and thus the stacking wells 2 intermittently in the conveying direction indicated by arrow 1.4 in Fig. 1 movable. This advantageously results in the possibility of carrying out the operations of stacking and banding at different locations so that these operations can take place simultaneously after the formation of a first stack 2 ". For this purpose, the endless conveyor 1 feeds a respective one of the stack shafts 2 into operation in cycles a stacking station P and then in a conveying direction according to arrow 1.4 in an in Fig. 2 only roughly indicated banding station B. A respective stack 2 "built up in the stacking station P is supported by a support 2 '''formed by, for example, circumferential ribbons or fixed guides, which are spaced apart from each other transversely to the conveying direction 1.4 (see Figures 3 and 5 ).

It is understood that the stacking shafts 2 are only then transported from the stacking station P into the banding station B, when in the stacking station P a stack 2 "is stacked, which has a certain number of flat workpieces 2 ', if subsequent accumulation of the flat workpieces 2 'temporarily intercepted and the stack has 2 "with its bottom contact with the endless conveyor. Such contact may be canceled during stacking when stack 2 ", as preferred provided on a raised and lowered stacking table 2 '''' (see Fig. 1 ) is piled up.

The Fig. 3 With the omission of the endless conveyor 1, one of the stacking shafts 2 is in a position thereof in the banding station B again. The representation corresponds to a guided between the roller chains of the first Zugmittelpaares 1.1 section in a transverse to the axes of the sprockets 1.5 (see Fig. 2 ) vertical plane and leaves among other things - as well as in Fig. 1 can be seen - recognize a formed on the stacking shafts 2 first banding guide 2.10 and arranged in the Banderolenstation B second banding guide 2.11, which is aligned substantially in or against the conveying direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first banding guide 2.10 comprises a first guide section 2.5 and a second guide section 2.6. These are oriented substantially vertically and arranged such that in each case in the region of one and the same rear stop 2.1 and / or 2.2, a first guide section 2.5 and a second guide section 2.6, wherein the first guide section 2.5 pointing in the conveying direction according to arrow 1.4 and the second guide section 2.6 has a counter to the conveying direction facing guide surface. In any case, the guide surface pointing in the direction of conveyance is set back relative to a stop surface formed on the rear stops 2.1 and 2.2 for aligning the stack 2 ".

The lower guide sections 2.7 and 2.8 and an upper guide section 2.9 having second band guide 2.11 forms together with the first band guide 2.10 a substantially closed guideway. In particular, also on the upper guide section 2.9 of the guideway are explained in more detail later pertinent provisions made that a shot in the banding B in a stacking shaft 2 end portion of a belt 6 initially applies to all guide sections 2.5 to 2.9. In that regard, a respective stack is 2 "by shooting a band portion of always the same length measured on conventional dimensions of the stack 2" strapped from the end portion of the belt 6 at first broadly. The said length is dimensioned such that the leading end of the inserted end section reaches a clamping, welding and cutting station 4 (see FIG Fig. 3 and 5 ). The shooting takes place by means of a reversible, the Banderolierstation B associated Einschießvorrichtung 5, which in the present embodiment preferably a belt drive 5 'and cooperating with this Andrückrollen includes (see Fig. 3 and 5 ).

The injected end portion is a free end of a wound up tape supply, not shown here.

For insertion of the tape drive 5 'runs in the present embodiment in a clockwise direction and located between a conveying strand of the belt drive 5' and the said pressure rollers belt 6 is injected through a gap between the lower guide sections 2.7 and 2.8 in the interior of the stacking shaft 2. In this case, the inlet direction of the conveying direction according to arrow 1.4 is opposite in the present embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment, a Einschießvorrichtung is provided, which engages the tape 6, for example, under clamping between upper and lower bands of a tape drive assembly in the stacking shaft 2.

The FIGS. 4a to 4f show individual phases of the banding process and each represent the clamping, welding and cutting station 4. In this is for the banding process transverse to the conveying direction according to arrow 1.4 (see Fig. 1 and 3 ) below the support 2 '''anvil 4.1 inserted, which is withdrawn after completion of Banderoliervorganges again from the welding and cutting station 4.

The said, always constant length of the shot end portion of the belt 6 is further dimensioned so that the leading end of the belt 6 extends at least substantially over the cross-sectional width of the anvil 4.1. During the Einschießvorganges the band 6 is guided through an opening 4.2 'in a plunger 4.2 (see Fig. 4b ), which applies the reaching under the anvil 4.1 leading end of the shot end portion of the belt 6 to the underside of the anvil 4.1 applies (see Fig. 4c ). The anvil 4.1 thus forms together with the plunger 4.2 a clamping device for the leading end of the shot end portion of the belt 6.

After clamping the leading end of the shot end portion of the belt 6, the drive of the insertion device 5 is reversed and thus the stack 2 'initially broadly strapping band 6 tightened so that it conforms to the strapped surfaces of the stack 2 ".

If this state is reached, the reversed belt drive stops 5 'and a welding punch 4.3 moves in the direction of the underside of the anvil 4.1 and welded now on the part of the welding punch 4.3 to the anvil 4.1 pressed portions of the belt 6 (see Fig. 4d ).

After welding the pressed onto the anvil 4.1 sections of the belt 6 moves a blade 4.4 toward the bottom of the anvil 4.1 and separates a now closed, the stack 2 "wrap around band 6 'from the tape supply (see Fig. 4e ).

Once this process is completed, the plunger 4.2, the welding punch 4.3 and the blade 4.4 return to initial positions. The separated from the closed band 6 'free end of the tape stock remains for the next cycle in the opening 4.2' of the plunger 4.2.

After the banding is further the anvil 4.1 withdrawn again from the clamping, welding and cutting station 4, a next batch 2 "by temporary drive of the endless conveyor 1 from the stacking station P in the banding B and the banded stack 2 'from the banding station After that, the anvil 4.1 is again pushed into the banding station B, so that a state is determined according to FIG Fig. 4a results.

The stated means and procedures for creating a stack 2 'provided with a band 6', moreover, advantageously result in the bands 6 'having only a single weld seam.

The Fig. 3 is a first alternative of the previously indicated and now explained arrangements again, which are made to safely secure a stack 2 "in the banding B with the injected into this end portion of the belt 6, although this much of this end portion above of the stack 2 "must be performed. This alternative provides for the formation of the already mentioned upper guide section 2.9 of the second band guide 2.11 a Pressure chamber 7 before. This forms with a substantially downwardly facing chamber wall 7.1 of the upper guide section 2.9. In the chamber wall 7.1 blowing nozzles 7.2 are provided from which operationally blowing air flows with a directional component, which points in the direction in which the injected end portion of the belt 6, the chamber wall 7.1 passes. The blast nozzles 7.2 are formed, for example, as slit nozzles and form in their entirety a floating nozzle arrangement 7.3, which holds the chamber wall 7.1 passing part of the injected portion of the belt 6 under the action of the aerodynamic paradox in a floating position against the chamber wall 7.1.

In Fig. 5 2, a second alternative band guide 2.11 'is provided, which forms an upper guide section 2.12 by means of a suction belt drive 8.1, which is located in a vacuum chamber Depending on its design, the suction belt drive 8.1 comprises, for example, one or more perforated belts or a certain number of round belts which in each case form a conveying strand, which in the present case is the direction of entry of the Bandes 6 in the interior of the respective stacking shaft 2 operatively moved substantially in the conveying direction according to arrow 1.4.

The arrangement of the perforated belts or round belts and the design of the insertion device 5 and optionally the welding and cutting station 4 and the first banding guide 2.10 depend on the number of the respective stacking shaft 2 supplied benefits.

In the event that the second banding guide 2.11 comprises the previously mentioned floating nozzle arrangement 7.3, the arrangement of the blowing nozzles thereof may also be adapted to the number of uses supplied to the respective stacking shaft 2.

As in Fig. 2 indicated, the device explained so far in a preferred embodiment on a temporarily over a respective of the stacking shafts 2 movable auxiliary stack carrier 9. This allows an uninterrupted loading of the device with the flat workpieces 2 ', which takes place in the present embodiment by means of a Zuführbandanordnung 10.

Depending on its design, the auxiliary stack carrier 9 is inserted manually or automatically between a last "flat piece 2" to be deposited on the stack 2 and a subsequent flat workpiece 2 'and temporarily stores the flat workpieces 2' to the last following (referred to in FIG Fig. 2 ) only hinted and incomplete reproduced endless conveyor 1 has spent the finished stack 2 "from the stacking station P in the banding station B, so that in the stacking station P is again an empty stacking shaft 2.

After this state is reached, the auxiliary pile carrier 9 are again removed from the stack forming area and the accumulated on the auxiliary pile carrier 9 flat workpieces 2 'to the stacking table 2 "" (see Fig. 1 ) to hand over.

A temporary backflow of the flat workpieces 2 'on the feed belt arrangement 10 that is required without the auxiliary stack carrier 9 can thus be avoided.

The cycle time of the device set forth so far results essentially from the time required for stacking up a respective stack 2 ", for which only the time required for displacing a respective stacking shaft 2 from the stacking station P into the banding station B is obtained a certain number of flat workpieces 2 'per stack 2 ", namely, the time required for banding is shorter than that for stacking a respective stack 2".

As in Fig. 2 further indicated, in the stacking station P, a stop 11 is provided for the leading edges of the flat workpieces 2 'conveyed into the stacking station P. In a preferred embodiment, the stop 11 comprises one or more such circumferential bands or belts that the descending edges of the flat workpieces 2 'downwardly moved dreams facing.

As shown only symbolically, the stop 11 is adjustable to the format of the supplied flat workpieces 2 'and for this purpose, for example by means of a chain 11.1 adjustable.

The circulating as shown bands or belts of the stop 11 support advantageously the lowering of the arriving in the stacking station P flat workpieces 2 '.

The lowering of the arrived flat workpieces 2 'is further facilitated by an effective at the trailing edge, also moved down the run of the Zuführbandanordnung 10th

Claims (7)

1. Device for forming stacks (2") of flat workpieces (2') and for banding the stacks (2"), including a stacking station (P) and a banding station (B) and an endless conveyor (1) that is provided with stacking shafts (2) and conveys in a cyclical manner,
   characterized by
   a respective first band guide (2.10) formed on a respective one of the stacking shafts (2) and by a second band guide (2.11; 2.11') that is arranged in the banding station (B) and form a substantially intrinsically closed guide path together with a respective first band guide (2.10).
2. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized by
   a reversible injection device (5) that is associated with the banding station (B) and, during operation, injects an end section of a band (6) into a respective stacking shaft (2) present in the banding station.
3. Device according to Claim 2,
   characterized by
   a clamping, welding and cutting station (4) that is associated with the banding station (B) and into which the free end of the injected end section of the band 6 is clampable for the reversed operation of the injection device (5).
4. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the second band guide (2.11; 2.11') is substantially oriented in the conveying direction (arrow 1.4).
5. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the second band guide (2.11) comprises a floating nozzle configuration (7.3).
6. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the second band guide (2.11') comprises a suction belt drive (8.1).
7. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized by
   an auxiliary stack carrier (9) that is capable of being at least temporarily moved above a respective on of the stacking shafts (2).

Images