EP2108607B1 - Appareil de collecte de feuilles et procédé de collecte de feuilles dans ledit appareil - Google Patents

Appareil de collecte de feuilles et procédé de collecte de feuilles dans ledit appareil Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2108607B1
EP2108607B1 EP09157728.8A EP09157728A EP2108607B1 EP 2108607 B1 EP2108607 B1 EP 2108607B1 EP 09157728 A EP09157728 A EP 09157728A EP 2108607 B1 EP2108607 B1 EP 2108607B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
collating
sheet
sheets
sheet set
collated
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.)
Active
Application number
EP09157728.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2108607A3 (fr
EP2108607A2 (fr
Inventor
Christopher Hugh Williams
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.)
PFE International Ltd
Original Assignee
PFE International Ltd
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 PFE International Ltd filed Critical PFE International Ltd
Publication of EP2108607A2 publication Critical patent/EP2108607A2/fr
Publication of EP2108607A3 publication Critical patent/EP2108607A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2108607B1 publication Critical patent/EP2108607B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/26—Auxiliary devices for retaining articles in the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B65H29/14—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers and introducing into a pile
    • B65H29/145—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers and introducing into a pile the pile being formed between the two, or between the two sets of, tapes or bands or rollers
    • 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
    • B65H29/16—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact of one face only with moving tapes, bands, or chains
    • B65H29/18—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact of one face only with moving tapes, bands, or chains and introducing into a pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/02—Pile receivers with stationary end support against which pile accumulates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3027—Arrangements for removing completed piles by the nip between moving belts or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3081—Arrangements for removing completed piles by acting on edge of the pile for moving it along a surface, e.g. by pushing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
    • B65H31/36—Auxiliary devices for contacting each article with a front stop as it is piled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H39/00—Associating, collating, or gathering articles or webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H39/00—Associating, collating, or gathering articles or webs
    • B65H39/10—Associating articles from a single source, to form, e.g. a writing-pad
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4212—Forming a pile of articles substantially horizontal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4213—Forming a pile of a limited number of articles, e.g. buffering, forming bundles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4226—Delivering, advancing piles
    • B65H2301/42262—Delivering, advancing piles by acting on surface of outermost articles of the pile, e.g. in nip between pair of belts or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/60—Other elements in face contact with handled material
    • B65H2404/69—Other means designated for special purpose
    • B65H2404/696—Ball, sphere
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/43—Bar code reader
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/40—Increasing or maximizing
    • B65H2601/42—Increasing or maximizing entities relating to the handling machine
    • B65H2601/421—Capacity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/50—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing
    • B65H2601/52—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing entities relating to handling machine
    • B65H2601/523—Required space
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/66—Envelope filling machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus and a method for collating documents, for example for accumulating documents or sheets of paper for bulk mailings, such as when more than one sheet of paper is to be mailed in the same envelope.
  • a typical mailing system such as the Automailer 5 Plus TM manufactured by PFE International Limited, comprises multiple modules including a module for inserting paper into the system, a printing module, a cutting module, a collate module, a folding module, and a module for inserting the documents into envelopes.
  • each module would be able to receive the output from the upstream module as soon as it is made available, and provide input to the downstream module as soon as the downstream module is ready to receive.
  • optimal performance is rarely possible due to a number of factors including the varying complexity of each module, the physical limitations of the technology used, and bottlenecks, delays or blockages in a module.
  • a simple collate module receives individual sheets of paper and stacks the sheets one by one in a collate pocket until a sheet set is complete. However, the collate module cannot transport the set from the collate pocket to the module output, until a downstream module, such as a folder module, is ready to accept the set.
  • an inherent problem of a simple collator is that it is not possible to start collating a second set until the first set is transported out of the collate pocket to a downstream module. This can cause a delay in the system when the downstream module is not able to receive the sheet set as soon as it completed, for example if there is a blockage downstream. When this occurs the completed sheet set must wait in the collate pocket until the downstream module is able to accept the set, and in the meantime the collate module is unable to begin collation of a second sheet set. Further delay occurs if the downstream device is ready to accept the second sheet set before the collate module has finished collating the second set.
  • US-A-5083769A addresses this problem using a dual collating machine having two separate collate pockets for collating sheet sets. Once a sheet set is completed in the first pocket, the apparatus diverts the incoming sheets belonging to the next set to a second pocket, allowing the second set to be collated before and/or during the transportation of the first set to the downstream device. Whilst such a machine reduces the delay in collating sets, the hardware required is in effect two separate collate modules in parallel, with additional hardware for diverting the incoming sheets and outgoing sets. Not only is such a machine more expensive to produce, but it is also a physically larger machine than a single collator. The dimensions, and in particular the footprint of the machine is important, especially in modular systems where it is usually a requirement that the module fits into the predetermined space available for the module.
  • an apparatus for collating sheets comprising: a collating station having a collating position limited at its downstream end by a stop member against which the sheets abut whilst they are being collated one above the other, means for conveying sheets to the collating position so as to form a collated sheet set comprising a predetermined number of stacked sheets; a collating station eject device for moving the collated sheet set away from the collating position to an exit position; means for conveying the collated sheet set from the exit position out of the apparatus to a downstream sheet handling device; wherein the collating station eject device comprises at least one movable pawl arranged to push the first collated sheet set away from the collating position to the exit position and wherein the apparatus is adapted to collate a second sheet set partially overlying the first sheet set pushed out of said collating position.
  • the invention allows the transportation out of the collating module of a first sheet set to be delayed without slowing or interrupting the accumulation of a second sheet set. Thus downstream delays or blockages can be accommodated without slowing down the overall processing speed.
  • the collating station eject device and the exit conveying means are operable independently of each other.
  • the exit conveying means preferably comprises a pair of holding rollers.
  • the pawl may be mounted on an outer surface of a belt which may be an endless belt driven cyclically.
  • the apparatus preferably comprises two pawls mounted at generally equidistantly spaced intervals on the belt.
  • the stop member is spring loaded and the location of the stop member and the collating station eject device is advantageously adjustable depending on the length of the sheets to be collated.
  • sensors may be arranged to detect the presence of a sheet at the collating position and / or at the holding rollers.
  • a scanner may be arranged to read machine control data printed on sheets entering the apparatus. This may be a bar code scanner, and OCR reader, a magnetic reader or any other reading device, e.g. for 2D data matrix marks, a camera and computer may be used to read marks. Alternatively data may be input directly to the system.
  • One or more hold points may be provided upstream of the collating station.
  • a method for collating sheets comprising:
  • the movement of sheet sets from the collating position to the exit position is independent of the movement of sheet sets from the exit position.
  • the method may also comprise sensing when a sheet is present at the collating position.
  • the collating position is movable relative to the exit position which may be defined by a pair of holding rollers.
  • Sensors are advantageously provided to detect the presence or absence of sheets at various positions in the path of the apparatus and if delays occur then the sheets will be held at suitable hold points.
  • the sheets may also be scanned for machine control data prior to transportation to the collating station.
  • Figure 1 shows a known apparatus for collating sheets.
  • a sheet feeder 1 is arranged to deliver sheets of paper one by one, in the direction of arrow F, to a collator 2.
  • a barcode scanner 3 is positioned to scan each sheet as they travel from the feeder 1 to the collator 2. This reads a barcode on each sheet which determines the number of sheets to be collated together, for example the number of sheets in a bank statement for a particular recipient.
  • Each sheet is transported along the collator 2 by frictional contact between an upper conveyor transport belt 4 and a lower conveyor transport belt 5 which are driven by an input conveyor drive 6.
  • a first hold point sensor 7 Downstream of the feeder 1 a first hold point sensor 7 is arranged to identify the presence and/or absence of a sheet at a point on the conveyor 5 and a first hold point drive 8 controls the transportation of sheets to a first hold point 9 downstream of the first hold point sensor 7.
  • a second hold point sensor 10 there is a second hold point sensor 10, a second hold point drive 11 and a second hold point 12 downstream of the first hold point 9.
  • a collate pocket 13 is provided downstream of the second hold point 12 which comprises a collate pocket stop 14 against which sheets can be collated one on top of each other, and a collate pocket sensor 15 for detecting the presence and/or absence of sheets in the collate pocket 13.
  • An output conveyor transport belt 16 driven by an output conveyor drive 17 is arranged to transport the collated sheet set passed a movable bounce stop 18 to a pair of output rollers 19, which are in turn arranged to deliver each collated sheet set to a downstream device for further processing, for example for folding and/or insertion into an envelope.
  • An output sensor 20 is provided to identify the presence and/or absence of a sheet set at the output of the collator 2.
  • a sheet set can comprise any number of sheets and each consecutive sheet set can comprise the same or a different number of sheets.
  • the operation of the apparatus will now be described using the example of collating two 3-sheet sets, the sheets being labelled sheet A1, A2, A3 and B1, B2, B3.
  • Sheet A1 is held at the output of the feeder 1 until the first hold point sensor 7 indicates that there is no earlier sheet blocking the downstream path. Sheet A1 is then transported by the conveyor transport belts 4, 5 to the first hold point 9. Prior to arriving at the first hold point 9, sheet A1 is scanned for machine control data by the barcode reader 3. This scanning process identifies which sheet set sheet A1 belongs to, and in particular is used to identify the first and/or last sheet in a sheet set.
  • the second hold point sensor 10 is then checked and if there is no earlier sheet blocking the downstream path sheet A1 is transported to the second hold point 12.
  • the first hold point sensor 9 is also checked and if the path is clear sheet A2 is scanned by the barcode reader 3 and transported from the feeder 1 to the first hold point 9.
  • the purpose of the two hold points 9, 12 is to maintain only a minimal distance between the consecutive sheets in the collator 2 thus speeding up the sheet flow.
  • the collate pocket sensor 15 is checked to ensure that no earlier sheets are present in the collate pocket 13. If an earlier sheet set is still located in the collate pocket 13 then the collator 1 must wait until the earlier sheet set has been moved out of the collate pocket 13 before advancing sheet A1. When the collate pocket 13 is clear sheet A1 is fed into the collate pocket 13 and forms the first sheet in sheet set A.
  • the collate pocket stop 14 acts as a paperweight to retain the sheets and the bounce stop 18 further assists in preventing the sheets from bouncing out of the collate pocket 13.
  • the second hold point sensor 10 is checked and if the path is clear sheet A2 is transported to the second hold point 12, and likewise the first hold point sensor 7 is checked and if clear sheet A3 is scanned and transported from the feeder 1 to the first hold point 9.
  • This cycle continues, one step at a time, for each of sheets B1, B2 and B3 until they reach the collate pocket 13.
  • the further description only refers to the steps from the second hold point 12 for each sheet.
  • the collator 2 From the barcode reading, the collator 2 knows that sheet A2 is part of sheet set A and so in the next cycle sheet A2 is transported from the second hold point 12 to the collate pocket 13, on top of Sheet A1. Likewise, in the following cycle, Sheet A3 is fed from the second hold point 12 to the collate pocket 13, on top of Sheet A2, thereby completing sheet set A.
  • the collator 2 Since the collator 2 knows that the next sheet held at the second hold point 12, sheet B1, is the first sheet in a new sheet set, the collator 2 must wait until sheet set A is transported to a downstream device by the output conveyor transport belt 16 and through the output rollers 19 before allowing sheet B1 to be fed into the collate pocket 13. Since the collator 2 will only begin transportation of sheet set A when confirmation is received that the receiving downstream device is clear, the collator 2 is forced to stop collating sheets until the downstream device accepts sheet set A.
  • sheet B1 is transported to the collate pocket 13, and in subsequent cycles sheets B2 and B3 are stacked in top of sheet B1 to complete sheet set B, which is then ready for transportation to the downstream device.
  • Figure 2 shows an apparatus adapted according to the present invention which reduces the problem described above by providing a buffer for completed sheet sets in the collator without increasing the footprint of the apparatus. Similar features are labelled with like-numbered reference numerals.
  • a sheet feeder 1 delivers consecutive sheets of paper to the collator 21 and a barcode scanner 3 is positioned to scan each sheet as it travels from the feeder to the collator 21.
  • An upper conveyor transport belt 4 and a lower conveyor transport belt 5 are arranged to transport the sheets to a first hold point 9, having an associated first hold point sensor 7 and first hold point drive 8, and a second hold point 12, having an associated second hold point sensor 10 and second hold point drive 11 as described with reference to Figure 1 .
  • a collate pocket 13, a spring loaded collate pocket stop 14 and a collate pocket sensor 15 are located downstream of the second hold point 12.
  • a pair of output rollers 19 and an output sensor 20 are located downstream of the collate pocket 13.
  • a first collate pocket eject pawl 22a is positioned at one end of the collate pocket 13. The leading edge of each sheet fed into the collate pocket 13 is stopped against a spring stop 14.
  • the first collate pocket eject pawl 22a is part of a movable collate pocket eject device 23 which also comprises a second collate pocket eject pawl 22b spaced equidistant from the first eject pawl 22a on an outer surface of a collate pocket conveyor belt 24, which is driven by a collate pocket drive 25.
  • the collate pocket conveyor belt 24 performs a half revolution which causes the first collate pocket eject pawl 22a to travel substantially in the direction of the output rollers 19, thereby pushing the collated sheet set towards the output.
  • the second pawl 22b will be located in the same position as the first pawl 22a prior to the cycle, ready to drive out the next document sheet set.
  • the collator 21 is designed to accept sheets of different lengths. Typically, the minimum document length accepted is approximately 89mm and the maximum is approximately 406mm.
  • the collate pocket eject device 23 is adjustable along the plane of the conveyor belts to accommodate different paper lengths. The eject stroke of the collate pocket pawl belt 24 always moves the same amount to drive the sheet set to the output rollers 19. As little as 20-30mm clearance between the sets of documents is necessary.
  • stepper motor allows more accurate positioning of the pawls and of conveyor belts and more accurate prediction of the position of trailing and leading edges of sheets.
  • Sheet A1 is held at the second hold point 12. Since sheet A1 has been identified by the barcode reader 3 as the first sheet in a set, the collate pocket sensor 15 is checked to ensure that no earlier sheet set is located above the collate pocket conveyor belt 24 in the collate pocket 13. When the collate pocket sensor 15 indicates that the downstream path is clear sheet A1 is fed into the collate pocket 13 and is stacked against the stop unit 14 to form the first sheet in sheet set A. In the next cycle sheet A2 is transported from the second hold point 12 to sheet set A and in the following cycle sheet A3 is transported to the collate pocket 13, thereby completing sheet set A.
  • collator 21 checks the status of the output sensor 20 to ensure that no earlier sheet set is waiting at the output. If the output is clear the collate pocket eject device 23 performs one cycle. During the cycle, the first collate pocket eject pawl 22a pushes sheet set A downstream a distance less than the length of a sheet in the set, but far enough so that the leading edge of the sheet set engages the output rollers 19. Then a check is made to determine if the receiving device downstream of the collator 21 is ready to accept sheet set A, and if so the apparatus activates the output rollers 19 to transport sheet set A to the downstream device. If the downstream device is not ready to accept sheet set A then the set is held in position by the output rollers 19 until the downstream device is ready, at which time sheet set A is transported to the downstream device by the output rollers 19.
  • the collate pocket conveyor belt 24 is free to eject the set being collated in the pocket and even while the last sheet of the set is arriving in the pocket, the collate pocket 13 is ready to accept the first sheet of sheet set B, even though sheet set A may still be partially or completely located in the collate pocket 13.
  • Sheet B1 is transported from the second hold point 12 to the collate pocket 13 and arrives at the spring stop 14 just after the trailing edge of sheet set A has moved forward under the action of the pawl.
  • sheet set A is still located at the output of the collator when sheet B1 arrives at the collate pocket 13 then it is possible that sheet B1 will partially overlay sheet set A. This does not cause a problem because the movement of sheet set A is controlled by the output rollers 19 and the resistive force exerted by the collate pocket stop 14 prevents sheet set B from moving out of the collate pocket 13 when sheet set A is transported downstream.
  • the collate pocket stop 14 may comprise a spring loaded ball as shown more clearly in Figure 3 . This holds sheets in the collating position even when a previous sheet set is moving out of the collating position and might tend to displace the subsequent sheets by friction and allows closer tolerances and more overlap thus reducing the time intervals occurring between sheet sets being collated. It also prevents bounce back of sheets.
  • Sheets B2 and B3 are sequentially stacked in the collate pocket 13, thereby completing sheet set B. If, in the time it takes to collate sheet set B, the downstream device has accepted sheet set A, then the output sensor 20 will indicate that the output is empty and sheet set B will be advanced to the output rollers 19 by cycling the collate pocket eject device 23. Alternatively, if the downstream device has not accepted sheet set A by the time sheet set B is complete then the collator 21 will wait until sheet set A is accepted and transported out of the collator 21, after which sheet set B will be advanced to the output rollers 19 ready for transporting to the downstream device.
  • Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the collate pocket eject device 23 and shows a top sheet A3 of a first sheet set partially overlaid with the first sheet B of a second sheet set just after the first sheet A has been moved out of the collating position by the first eject pawl 22b.
  • the sheet A1 is held in the collating position by the stop 14 which comprises a spring loaded ball 32 biasing the sheets toward the conveyor belt 24 of the eject device 23.
  • the second eject pawl 22a is located behind the stop unit 14.
  • the pawls (and belt 24) are generally stationary but when the last sheet of the second sheet set B is being fed into the collating position the eject device begins to move conveyor belt 24 and thus move pawl 22a toward the stop unit 14 and subsequently past the back stop to push sheet set B away from the collating position.
  • This timing can be controlled by a collating position sensor 15 detecting the presence or absence of sheets at the collating position.
  • the timing of the movement of the pawl 22a can be controlled predictively by calculating when the last sheet will hit the back stop of stop unit 14 using information from the sheet scanner 3 about the number of sheets to be collated in each set and the speed of the collator at any time. This allows the pawl to be accelerated to reach full speed earlier and to eject the sheet sets more quickly than otherwise. The exit holding rollers will accelerate the sheet set away to allow the pawl to turn the corner as the eject device cycles.
  • the eject device belt is driven by stepper motor 43 via drive belt 44.
  • the first sheet of any sheet set can be allowed to enter the collating position as soon as the pawl (22a or b) moving the previous sheet set out of the collating position has cleared the horizontal position, i.e. gone below the level of the belt. This reduces the delay between each collation and speeds up the process.
  • Sensors and detectors can be arranged along the belts or in relevant positions to determine the length of the sheet, and a control system can be incorporated, for example to control the position of the collate pocket eject device in relation to the output rollers.
  • the document length information may be incorporated into the machine control data on each sheet which is read by the barcode scanner.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)

Claims (18)

  1. Appareil d'assemblage de feuilles, l'appareil étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend:
    un poste d'assemblage (13) ayant une position d'assemblage limitée à son extrémité aval par un élément de butée chargé par ressort (14) contre lequel les feuilles viennent en butée pendant qu'elles sont assemblées les unes au-dessus des autres;
    des moyens (4, 5, 6) pour transporter des feuilles à la position d'assemblage de manière à former un jeu de feuilles assemblées comprenant un nombre prédéterminé de feuilles empilées;
    un dispositif d'éjection du poste d'assemblage pour éloigner le jeu de feuilles assemblées de la position d'assemblage à une position de sortie;
    et
    des moyens de transport de sortie (19) pour transporter le jeu de feuilles assemblées hors de l'appareil, de la position de sortie à un dispositif de manipulation de feuilles en aval;
    dans lequel le dispositif d'éjection du poste d'assemblage comprend au moins un cliquet mobile (22a, 22b) agencé pour pousser un premier jeu de feuilles assemblées loin de la position d'assemblage à la position de sortie et dans lequel l'appareil est adapté pour assembler un second jeu de feuilles recouvrant partiellement le premier jeu de feuilles poussé loin de ladite position d'assemblage.
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif d'éjection du poste d'assemblage et les moyens de transport de sortie peuvent être actionnés indépendamment l'un de l'autre.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les moyens de transport de sortie comprend une paire de rouleaux de maintien (19).
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le cliquet (22a, 22b) est monté sur une surface extérieure d'une courroie (24), et comprenant en outre des moyens (25) pour entraîner la courroie (24).
  5. Appareil selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la courroie (24) est une courroie sans fin.
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 5, comprenant deux cliquets (22a, 22b) montés à des intervalles espacés généralement de manière équidistante sur la courroie (24).
  7. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de butée chargé par ressort (12) comprend une bille à ressort (32).
  8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel l'emplacement de l'élément de butée chargé par ressort (12) et le dispositif d'éjection du poste d'assemblage est réglable en fonction de la longueur des feuilles devant être assemblées.
  9. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, comprenant en outre un capteur (15) agencé pour détecter la présence d'une feuille à la position d'assemblage.
  10. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, comprenant en outre un capteur (20) agencé pour détecter la présence d'une feuille fixée à la position de sortie.
  11. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un dispositif de numérisation (3) agencé pour lire des données de commande de machine imprimées sur les feuilles entrant dans le dispositif.
  12. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre au moins un point de maintien (9, 12) en amont du poste d'assemblage.
  13. Une méthode pour assembler des feuilles dans l'appareil de la revendication 1, la méthode comprenant:
    transporter des feuilles à une position d'assemblage dans un poste d'assemblage (13) de manière à former un premier jeu de feuilles assemblées (A) comprenant un nombre prédéterminé de feuilles empilées;
    éjecter le premier jeu de feuilles assemblées (A) à partir de la position d'assemblage à l'aide d'un cliquet (22a, 22b) pour le pousser de la position d'assemblage à une position de sortie ; au moins commencer à former un second jeu de feuilles assemblées (B) mis dans la position d'assemblage recouvrant partiellement le premier jeu de feuilles assemblées (A) dans la position de sortie; et
    transmettre par la suite le premier jeu de feuilles assemblées (A) au-delà de la position de sortie à un dispositif de manipulation de feuilles en aval de l'appareil lorsque ce dispositif en aval est prêt.
  14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le mouvement de jeux de feuilles de la position d'assemblage à la position de sortie est indépendant du mouvement des jeux de feuilles à partir de la position de sortie.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 14 ou 13, comprenant la détection lorsqu'une feuille est présente à la position d'assemblage.
  16. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 15, dans lequel au moins la première feuille (B1) du second jeu de feuilles (B) est agencée de façon à chevaucher au moins partiellement le premier jeu de feuilles dans la position d'assemblage.
  17. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 16, dans lequel la position d'assemblage est mobile par rapport à la position de sortie pour recevoir différentes tailles de feuilles.
  18. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 17, comprenant la numérisation des feuilles de données de commande de la machine avant de transporter les feuilles vers le poste d'assemblage.
EP09157728.8A 2008-04-10 2009-04-09 Appareil de collecte de feuilles et procédé de collecte de feuilles dans ledit appareil Active EP2108607B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0806494A GB2459113A (en) 2008-04-10 2008-04-10 Document collating apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2108607A2 EP2108607A2 (fr) 2009-10-14
EP2108607A3 EP2108607A3 (fr) 2014-09-17
EP2108607B1 true EP2108607B1 (fr) 2015-03-18

Family

ID=39433399

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09157728.8A Active EP2108607B1 (fr) 2008-04-10 2009-04-09 Appareil de collecte de feuilles et procédé de collecte de feuilles dans ledit appareil

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20090278299A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2108607B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2459113A (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8746688B2 (en) * 2011-12-30 2014-06-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Accumulator for a sheet handling system
EP4108615B1 (fr) 2021-06-25 2024-08-07 Quadient Technologies France Assembleuse de feuilles et machine plieuse inséreuse correspondante

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964598A (en) * 1974-04-19 1976-06-22 Strachan & Henshaw Limited Stacking mechanism and method
FR2283843A1 (fr) * 1974-09-06 1976-04-02 Holweg Const Mec Procede d'ejection pour sacs ou feuilles en papier, ou matieres analogues, et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
CA1100433A (fr) * 1977-12-01 1981-05-05 Richard A. Lamos Traduction non-disponible
DE3444576A1 (de) * 1984-12-06 1986-06-12 BIP Industrie-Planungs-Gesellschaft mbH, 4830 Gütersloh Verfahren und vorrichtung zur herstellung von buechern, insbesondere taschenbuechern, broschueren und zeitschriften
US5083769A (en) * 1990-05-04 1992-01-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Dual collating machine
US5342038A (en) * 1992-05-15 1994-08-30 Walter Suter Apparatus for gathering individual sheets into a bundle
US5364085A (en) * 1993-03-22 1994-11-15 Gbr Systems Corporation Accumulator with "first page holder" feature
US5484255A (en) * 1994-04-18 1996-01-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. High capacity, high speed document accumulator
US20030012635A1 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-01-16 Gbr Systems Corporation Sheet feeding mechanism
DE19944166A1 (de) * 1999-09-15 2001-03-22 Baeuerle Gmbh Mathias Verfahren zum Transportieren von Blättern sowie Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens
DE10019699A1 (de) * 2000-04-20 2001-10-31 Boewe Systec Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bilden von Blattgruppen aus einem oder mehreren Blättern
US6863273B2 (en) * 2002-02-12 2005-03-08 Bowe Bell & Howell Company Document handling apparatus with dynamic infeed mechanism and related method
JP4071642B2 (ja) * 2002-03-25 2008-04-02 株式会社リコー 用紙処理装置及び画像形成システム
JP4298360B2 (ja) * 2003-03-07 2009-07-15 キヤノンファインテック株式会社 シート処理装置及び該装置を備えた画像形成装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2108607A3 (fr) 2014-09-17
GB0806494D0 (en) 2008-05-14
US20090278299A1 (en) 2009-11-12
GB2459113A (en) 2009-10-14
EP2108607A2 (fr) 2009-10-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5125214A (en) Inserter station for envelope inserting
US5029832A (en) In-line rotary inserter
US7828279B2 (en) Document transport apparatus
US6398204B1 (en) On-edge stacking apparatus
JP2013166612A (ja) 後処理装置および画像形成装置
JP2000327208A (ja) シート処理装置
US6915184B2 (en) Collator
EP2108607B1 (fr) Appareil de collecte de feuilles et procédé de collecte de feuilles dans ledit appareil
US6338479B1 (en) In-line processing of flat objects
US8939447B2 (en) Item collating system and method
US6682067B1 (en) Offset device for an on-edge stacking apparatus
EP1623944B1 (fr) Dispositif d'empilage à disque pour empiler à partir du bas d'une pile
US8632067B2 (en) Post-processing device and image forming apparatus
US7527262B2 (en) Offsetting device for mail stackers
US20130237397A1 (en) Device and method for buffering a plurality of goods or groups of goods and paper handling system comprising same
JP4881058B2 (ja) シート処理装置及び画像形成システム
EP1493700B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour l'accumulation de feuilles de papier
JP3943861B2 (ja) 用紙処理装置
JP2012041166A (ja) シート処理装置及び画像形成装置
JP3652469B2 (ja) 単片用紙のスタッカ装置
GB2201403A (en) Buffering feeding system for envelope inserting machine
JP2707987B2 (ja) 紙葉類並べ替え装置および方法
JPH10250911A (ja) 用紙後処理装置
CN112758751A (zh) 堆叠装置以及区分方法
US20070108691A1 (en) Accumulation system for processing media items of various sizes and types

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA RS

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B65H 29/14 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 31/36 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 31/26 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 31/02 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 29/18 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 39/10 20060101ALI20140812BHEP

Ipc: B65H 31/30 20060101AFI20140812BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140910

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20141021

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 716410

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602009030003

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150618

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 716410

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150619

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150720

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150718

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602009030003

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150430

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150430

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20151221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150409

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20090409

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150409

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602009030003

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: CBDL PATENTANWAELTE GBR, DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240418

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240418

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240426

Year of fee payment: 16