EP1568639B1 - Method and device for forming stacks of products lying next to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a deposit area (14) for the admission of the incoming paper sheets (13) and an accumulation area (11), and a separator (15) for each accumulation area for the formation of a gap between pile. Cavities are formed in the accumulation areas consisting individual components and assigned to each separator. Each separator is opposite different individual components (20). An independent claim is included for a method for forming several product accumulation areas from an incoming product paper sheets.

Description

The invention relates to a device for forming a plurality of product stacks arranged next to one another from an incoming product stream of paper sheets or the like, comprising a storage area for receiving the incoming paper sheets or the like and forming product stacks, at least one separating element for each product stack to form a gap between a respective product stack that can be removed and subsequently incoming paper sheets or the like, as well as means for squeezing air inclusions from the product stacks that can be removed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for forming a plurality of juxtaposed product stacks from an incoming product stream of paper sheets or the like, comprising the steps of: collecting and stacking the incoming paper sheets or the like in a storage area, wherein a plurality of product stacks are formed side by side at the same time, separating the product stacks that can be removed by incoming paper sheets or the like by forming a gap between a respective transportable product stack and subsequently incoming paper sheets or the like by means of separating elements, squeezing air inclusions from the product stowable product by suitable means.

Such devices and methods are used in particular in the production of stacks of paper, cardboard or other stackable materials, such as films. Such stacks are produced in usually mehmutzigen production machines. In such production machines, longitudinal and / or transverse cutting of material webs continuously forms so-called giants in the form of sheet layers or sheet stacks. In a mehmutzigen production machine several of these giant are close together and form a Riesstrang. This Riesstrang is stored in a collection station, for example, the storage area. By means of suitable means, expediently a tong system, the giant strand is pulled onto a device for conveying the giant transversely to its Antransportrichtung or deposited on this.

The individual leaves, which represent the incoming product flow, fall freely into the storage area, so that there are air or air pockets in each stack between the individual sheets. These air pockets lead to the further transport of the stack that individual sheets of a stack can slip, especially during acceleration of the stack.

In known devices, e.g. DE 35 40 203 A1, the stack venting takes place during the conveying process on intermediate conveyors. For this purpose, the device has, in addition to a clamping device, an air-spreading device for each conveying direction, which cooperates such that the stack held by the clamping device on the intermediate conveyor is moved under the corresponding air-spreading device pressing on the stack.

JP 07137921 deals with a device in which a vent roller, which is arranged on a support arm, can be lowered onto the stack to be vented. By moving the support arm relative to stack the latter is vented.

In order to avoid the effect of the air inclusions, it is known, for example from EP 0 751 086 A2, to squeeze the air inclusions out of the stacks. For this purpose, known devices have a single roller, which extends transversely to Antransportrichtung over all juxtaposed stack of a Rieserstranges located in the storage area. In other words, the roller presses simultaneously on all the stacks of a giant strand while the stacks are moved relative to the roller by means of the tongs system.

However, this known design has the disadvantage that it is structurally very complicated and therefore expensive. Another disadvantage is that the said devices or means for squeezing the air pockets difficult or impossible to retrofit to existing devices, as the often only a small amount of space for such means is insufficient.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easily manageable and compact device, on the one hand reliably ensures the squeezing of air bubbles from stacks of paper sheets or the like and on the other hand is inexpensive to produce. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive method for squeezing air inclusions from stacks of paper sheets or the like.

This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned above in that the means for squeezing air inclusions from the product stacks wegtransportfähigen consists of several individual elements, each separating element is associated with a single element. As a result, a particularly compact device is created, which is also easy to retrofit to existing devices. By dividing the agent into several individual components, a particularly reliable ventilation of all stacks of a giant strand is ensured, since each stack can be pressurized individually. Furthermore, the device according to the invention is particularly inexpensive to produce, since the dividers exist anyway with all the required degrees of freedom, namely rotation, pivot and movement axes in the device, so that a retrofit is particularly easy and inexpensive to implement.

Advantageously, each separating finger is formed as part of the separating element pivotable about an axis of rotation, wherein the separating finger is spring-loaded. This makes it possible in a particularly simple and reliable way to compensate for differences in height of juxtaposed and a giant strand belonging stack. This prevents slippage of individual sheets of a stack during acceleration on a lateral conveyor arranged downstream of the storage area.

In a preferred development of the invention, each individual element for pressing air inclusions perpendicular to the transport plane projects beyond the separating finger in the direction of the transport plane. This avoids that the separating finger rests in a lowered position on the uppermost sheet of a transportable stack and causes marks by rubbing. The quality of the removable stack is therefore improved.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method with the steps mentioned above in that the extrusion of the air pockets for each product stack by a consisting of several individual elements means in which each separating element is assigned a single element, is carried out separately. This individual bleeding of each individual stack of a giant strand slippage of individual sheets of a stack is particularly effective prevented.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung von Teilen der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1, nämlich den Trennfinger mit Einzelelement,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Trennelementes als Bestandteil der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 mit einem Einzelelement zum Auspressen von Lufteinschlüssen in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf das Trennelement gemäß Figur 3,

Fig. 5

einen Ausschnitt B gemäß Figur 3 in starker Vergrößerung,

Fig. 6 a bis f

eine Schrittfolge des Verfahrens zum Auspressen von Lufteinschlüssen aus einem Stapel aus Papierbögen oder dergleichen.

Further preferred features and embodiments as well as advantageous method steps emerge from the subclaims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment and the method principle are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

1 is a schematic representation of parts of the device according to FIG. 1, namely the separating finger with a single element,

Fig. 3

1 is a schematic representation of a separating element as a component of the device according to FIG. 1 with a single element for squeezing air inclusions in a side view;

Fig. 4

a top view of the separating element according to Figure 3,

Fig. 5

a section B according to FIG. 3 in high magnification,

Fig. 6 a to f

a sequence of steps of the method for squeezing air bubbles from a stack of paper sheets or the like.

The devices shown in the figures or the method described with reference to the figures are used for venting formed from individual sheets of paper or the like stacks.

FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for forming a plurality of juxtaposed product stacks 11 from an incoming product stream 12 of paper sheets 13 or the like. The preferably transported in a scale formation in a transport plane E paper sheets 13 run from a (not shown) multi-purpose production machine in Antransportrichtung (arrow A) in a storage area 14, where the incoming paper sheets 13 are stacked into a product stack 11. The device 10 further comprises at least one separating element 15, wherein the number of separating elements 15 corresponds at least to the number of product stacks 11 of a giant strand formed from a plurality of juxtaposed product stacks. In other words, at least one separating element 15 is assigned to each product stack 11. However, each product stack 11 can also be assigned two or more separating elements 15. Furthermore, a means 16 for squeezing of air inclusions from the transportable product stacks 11 part of the device 10th

Each separating element 15 is arranged above the transport plane E and has a support element 17, a separating lever 18 and a separating finger 19. At each separating element 15, preferably in the region of each separating finger 19, at least one individual element 20 is arranged directly and directly as a means 16 for squeezing air inclusions. The support member 17 is pivotally movable about an axis of rotation 21 and in and against the Antransportrichtung the product stream 12 according to arrow A. For this purpose, the support member 17 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 22, e.g. by means of a clamping or quick release, arranged, which in turn is driven in rotation by means of conventional drive means. Alternatively, the support element 17 itself can also be driven pivotably.

At a free end 23 of the support member 17 of the separating lever 18 is pivotally mounted about the axis of rotation 24. The release lever 18 is spring-loaded. In the Antransportrichtung in front of the axis of rotation 24, a spring element 25 is provided for this purpose, which is arranged on the one hand on the support member 17 or on a stationary part of the device 10 and on the other hand on the separating lever 18. By means of the spring element 25 of the separating lever 18 is pivotable counterclockwise about the axis of rotation 24, wherein the pivoting movement is limited by a stop 26. The stop 26 is arranged in the Antransportrichtung behind the rotation axis 24 and movable from a stop position to a release position and vice versa. As can be seen in particular from Figure 5, the release lever 18, preferably near the spring element 25, a bore 36 through which a (not shown) locking means can be guided. The locking means may e.g. a screw which is rotatable in a thread of the bore 36, such that the separating element 18 is fixed, ie without relative movement to the support member 17, arranged thereon.

At a free end 27 of the separating lever 18 of the separating finger 19 is arranged. The separating finger 19, in turn, is designed such that it can pivot about an axis of rotation 28 relative to the separating lever 18. The separating finger 19 is optionally also spring-loaded, wherein a spring element 29 on the one hand on the separating lever 18 and on the other hand on the separating finger 19th is fastened such that the separating finger 19 by means of the spring force counterclockwise about the rotation axis 28 is pivotable. However, the pivoting movement is limited by a stop 30, wherein the stopper 30 can be brought from a stop position into a release position and vice versa. The separating finger 19 is formed substantially L-shaped. On a long leg 31, the single element 20 is arranged. The short leg 32 is pointed toward the free end, so quasi ramped, shaped to facilitate the run-in or emergence of the incoming product stream 12.

Each of the individual elements 20 for squeezing air inclusions comprises at least one pressure roller and / or a brush element. However, the single element 20 can also consist of two or more identical or different elements for pressing or pressing. Also, a plurality of individual elements 20 may be associated with a separating element 15 or each separating finger 19. Other stationary or rotating pressing or pressing elements can also be used. In embodiments not shown, the individual elements 20 may be e.g. Also be designed as a plate-shaped pressure elements, each having a cavity. Such pressing elements can be acted upon in the cavity with compressed air. Through openings on the side facing the stack of the pressure element, the compressed air can escape, so that virtually contactless pressure on the stack can be applied to squeeze the air bubbles within the stack.

Each individual element 20 is firmly connected to the separating element 15 or more precisely to the separating finger 19. This means that each movement in the linear and rotating directions of the separating finger 19 is carried out in the same way by the single element 20. The single element 20 is preferably releasably secured in the region of the long leg 31 at this. The position or position of the individual element 20 to the long leg 31 is selected such that the individual element 20 extends perpendicular to the transport plane E (see Figures 3 and 4, plane E is spanned by the coordinates X and Z) in the direction of the same over the leg 31 , so that when lowering the separating element 15 on the product stack 11 to be transported away, the single element 20 is first placed on the product stack 11. In transport direction (Arrow A) of the product flow 12, the single element 20 is arranged behind the leg 31.

In a further embodiment not explicitly shown, the individual element 20 does not have to be arranged on the separating element 15 or on the separating finger 19. Rather, the single element 20 may be stored independently. For example, the individual element 20 may be pivotable about the rotation axis 21 on a separate lever (not shown) on the shaft 22. In this embodiment, then e.g. each separating element 15 adjacent to a lever associated with the individual element 20 disposed thereon. Each separating element 15 can also be assigned a plurality of individual elements 20, for example on both sides. The separation of separator 15 on the one hand and single element lever 20 on the other hand has the advantage that e.g. in the case of a defect, the replacement of the defective parts or the maintenance thereof is simplified. Furthermore, the contact pressure of the individual elements 20 can then be adjusted independently of the separating element 15.

In the following, the method is explained in more detail with reference to the sequence of figures 6 a to f. The paper sheets 13 cut from a material web are collected in the storage area 14, eg in a collection box. After gathering the previously defined count of usually 500 sheets is reached, the separating element 15 lowers, so that the short leg 32 of the separating finger 19 rests on the top sheet of the product stack 11 (see Figure 6a). At this time stands a gripping means, such as a forceps system 33 in front of the storage area 14. The individual elements 20 of each separating element 15 are in Antransportrichtung according to arrow A behind the product stack 11 to be transported over. In the next step according to FIG. 6b, the pliers system 33 grips the product stack 11 (also called a package). So that the clamp system 33 can grip reliably, the separating element 15 is raised for this purpose by pivoting, so that there is no contact between the separating element 15 and the product stack 11. Subsequently, the pliers system 33 pulls the product stack 11 from the storage area 14. The simultaneously and continuously incoming paper sheets 13 rest on the short leg 32 of the separating finger 19. While the product stack 11 is pulled out of the storage area 14, a rake 34 is simultaneously tracked at the same speed to the incoming and initially only on the separation finger 19 supported paper sheets to support 13 (see Figure 6c). When the product stack 11 is at least partially pulled out of the storage area 14, the separating element 15 lowers again, so that the individual element 20 projecting beyond the separating finger 19 touches the uppermost sheet of the product stack 11 (see FIG. 6d). The product stack 11 is further pulled away below the single element 20, whereby the air pockets located in the product stack 11 are squeezed out. The single element 20 prevents at the same time that the separating finger 19 itself rests on the product stack 11, so that chafing or the like is prevented by a gap 35 between separation finger 19 and product stack 11 is formed (see in particular Figure 2). In FIG. 6e, the rake 34 reaches its end position in front of the separating finger 19. After the product stack 11 has been completely pulled away below the individual element 20 (see FIG. 6f), the separating element 15 drops with its separating finger 19 to the level of the rake 34.

The method has been described using the example of a single product stack 11 with a single separator 15. In practice, however, there are several product stacks 11 next to each other, each product stack 11 then being assigned one or more separating elements 15.

The devices and the method have been described using the example of the venting of product stacks of paper sheets. However, any type of stackable products, such as piles of cardboard sheets, foils, or the like, are to be vented with the apparatus and method.

Claims (13)

1. Device for forming a plurality of product stacks (11) arranged next to each other from an arriving product stream (12) of paper sheets (13) or the like, comprising a deposit area (14) for receiving the arriving paper sheets (13) or the like and forming discharge-transportable product stacks (11), at least one separating element (15) for each product stack (11) for forming a gap between a respectively discharge-transportable product stack (11) and subsequently arriving paper sheets (13) or the like, and means (16) for pressing out air inclusions from the discharge-transportable product stacks (11),
   characterised in that the means (16) for pressing out air inclusions from the discharge-transportable product stacks (11) comprises a plurality of individual elements (20), an individual element (20) being assigned to each separating element (15).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that an individual element (20) independent of other individual elements (20) is arranged on each separating element (15).
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each separating element (15) is arranged above the transporting plane (E) of the product stream (12) and comprises essentially a supporting element (17), a separating lever (18) and a separating finger (19).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the supporting element (17) is designed to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (21) and to be movable in and counter to the feed-transporting direction (A) of the product stream (12).
5. Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the separating lever (18) is designed to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (24), the separating lever (18) being spring-loadable.
6. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 5,
   characterised in that the separating finger (19) is designed to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (28), the separating finger (19) being spring-loadable.
7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that each individual element (20) for pressing out air inclusions comprises at least one pressure-applying roller and/or a brush element.
8. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 7,
   characterised in that each individual element (20) is fixedly connected to the separating finger (19) such that any movement of the separating finger (19) is necessarily performed by the individual element (20) synchronously.
9. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that each individual element (20) for pressing out air inclusions projects perpendicularly to the transporting plane (E) in the direction of the transporting plane (E) beyond the separating finger (19).
10. Method for forming a plurality of product stacks (11) arranged next to each other from an arriving product stream (12) of paper sheets (13) or the like, comprising the steps of:

    - collecting and stacking the arriving paper sheets (13) or the like in a deposit area (14), a plurality of product stacks (11) being formed next to each other simultaneously,

    - separating the discharge-transportable product stacks (11) from arriving paper sheets (13) or the like by forming a gap between a respectively discharge-transportable product stack (11) and subsequently arriving paper sheets (13) or the like by means of separating elements (15),

    - pressing out air inclusions from the discharge-transportable product stacks (11) by means of suitable means (16),

    characterised in that the pressing-out of the air inclusions is effected separately for each product stack (11) by a means which comprises a plurality of individual elements and in the case of which an individual element is assigned to each separating element.
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterised in that an individual pressure for pressing out the air inclusions is exerted on each product stack (11).
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterised in that height differences of the product stacks (11) of a ream line situated in the deposit area (14) and consisting of a plurality of product stacks (11) are compensated for.
13. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12,
    characterised in that the separating elements (15) are lifted during the pressing-out of the air inclusions, so that a gap results between the uppermost sheet of a discharge-transportable product stack (11) and the separating element (115).

Images