EP2192067B1 - Stacking device for printed products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a stacking device for printed products, with a table on which the printed products are stackable and with at least two ejection elements, each of which can be applied to a stack forming on the table and with which the stack formed by the table is wegschiebbar, and drive members for moving the two ejection organs.

A stacking device of this kind is known in the art by the US 5,868,548 known. This has on a rotatable table two endless circulating chains, where each two finger-like upwardly projecting ejection elements are attached. By simultaneously moving a respective ejector of both chains, the stack can be pushed away from the table and ejected. Since the stack rests simultaneously on ejection two ejectors, twisting the stack on the table should be avoided. The two chains are driven by a common motor and move synchronously when ejected.

US 5,338,149 discloses a stacking device with only one ejection member acting on a stack, which is attached to two superimposed chains. Another stacking device, which also has only one acting on a stack ejection member which is mounted on two superimposed circulating chains, is from the US 4,103,785 known. Other stacking devices are from the EP-A-0 829 441 and EP-A-1 362 817 have become known to the applicant. However, these devices having a stack lift require manual intervention during the format change.

In known stacking devices, it is particularly disadvantageous that the back length of the printed products to be stacked, i. of the respective stack is limited by adjustable flaps that need to be opened and closed, which means on the one hand a high load and on the other hand, the cycle time extended.

The EP626330A2 discloses a printing product stacking apparatus wherein the printed products are stacked on a table, the table being a turntable. With two ejection organs, the finished stack is then pushed away from the table, the ejection means are equipped with separate drive elements and thus are independently movable.

The invention is based on the object to provide a stacking device of the type mentioned, which allows a shorter cycle time of the ejection process and a simpler adaptation to different formats of the printed products.

The problem is solved according to claim 1 in a generic stacking device by the feature of the characterizing part of claim 1. Since the two ejection elements are movable independently of one another, the distance between these ejection members can be adjusted continuously to adapt to different back lengths of the printed products. Since the two ejection elements are movable independently of each other, the ejector can be accelerated during ejection and thus faster than previously removed from its original position from the stack and placed in a new starting position, which corresponds to the original starting position of the ejection, trailing ejection member. In addition, an ejection in any direction but also an unplanned change of the ejector without lengthening the cycle time is possible.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the table is rotatable and that the two ejection elements are arranged rotatable with the table. This makes it possible to form a stack of several, each rotated by 180 ° to each other arranged layers of printed products. The advantages mentioned with regard to the shorter cycle time and the adaptation to different back lengths are retained here.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that both drive members are each driven by a separate motor. This allows an independent and safe control of both ejection organs. The two engines are for example Servo motors, each driving an endless drive member, such as a link chain. This allows for precise control and rapid changes of direction, so that the stack can also be pushed away from the table in opposite ejection directions.

A particularly short cycle time can be achieved if, according to a further development of the invention, a first ejection element is reversingly driven and a second ejection element is rotatably driven to displace a stack. The first ejection member is thus brought back to a starting position after the removal of the stack by reversing the direction of movement, which corresponds to the original starting position of the second ejection member. The second ejection member, which is removed from the stack when ejected, is guided around the stack and brought into the already described new starting position, which corresponds to the original starting position of the first ejection member. This can be significantly shortened for the first ejector the way to a new starting position, which is why both ejection organs are ready to expel faster. If the stack pushed away in the opposite ejection direction of the table, take over the two ejection organs each have the other function.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the two ejection organs serve to limit the back length of the stack. For format adaptation, the back length of the stack can be changed by appropriate positioning of the two ejection elements.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that in a recess of the table, a lift is arranged, with which a stack can be pressed off vertically against at least one press plate. Thus, the stack can be compressed and pressed at the individual printed products of a stack of rabbet, which is advantageous for further processing.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the table is format variable for adaptation to different format widths. This is done according to a development of the invention in that the table has two outer lift plates, which are adjustable transversely to the ejection direction. At these two outer lift plates each preferably a side wall is arranged as a limiting element. This allows adaptation to different format widths. The adaptation to different back lengths is done as mentioned by appropriate positioning of the two ejection elements.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the table has two inner, fixed lift plates, between which the two ejection elements are movable. This ensures a secure support of the stack and in particular a pressing of the stack. The division into inner and outer lift plates and the mobility of the outer lift plates has the consequence that when changing format advantageously no manual intervention is required.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that between the inner lift plates, a guide member is arranged, in which the ejection elements, at least in a section in which a stack is pushed, are guided substantially linear. This can be done by means of rollers or a sliding guide. In this way, advantageously a compact power transmission is realized without further components.

According to a development of the invention, the two ejection elements are each fastened to an endless drive element, for example a link chain, which are guided around the stack to be ejected, preferably in a semicircular segment in a common and substantially horizontal plane. The ejection elements can each be attached to two or more than two superimposed drive members. Each ejection member preferably has an ejection finger.

In principle, the two ejection elements can also each have more than one, for example two ejection fingers.

The stacking device according to the invention is preferably provided for a stacker. But there are also other applications conceivable here. Further advantageous features emerge from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

Figur 1

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Stapelvorrichtung,

Figur 2

ein vertikaler Schnitt durch die Stapelvorrichtung gemäss Figur 1, jedoch von hinten betrachtet, und

Figuren 3a - 3d

schematisch einzelnen Phasen beim Ausstossen eines Stapels.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

3 is a schematic view of a stacking device according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a vertical section through the stacking device according to FIG. 1 but viewed from the rear, and

FIGS. 3a-3d

schematically individual phases when ejecting a stack.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown stacking device 1 has a frame 2, which has a substantially horizontal table 3, on which two endless drive members 4, 5 are mounted. In a recess 35 of the table 3, a lift 12 is arranged, which has two inner lift plates 13 and two outer lift plates 14. On this lift 12 can be in the FIGS. 3a to 3d schematically shown stack 8 of printed products 9 are formed, the lift 12 allows a reduction in the drop height of the printed products 9. The stack 8 may consist of several layers of printed products 9, which are each rotated by 180 ° to each other. For stacking the table 3 can be rotated by means of an actuating cylinder 11 about a vertical axis. This is called so-called crosslapping and is well known to those skilled in the art.

A stack formed in this way 8 can be pressed by a lift of the lift 12 against pressing flaps 20, that is compacted. In the FIG. 2 are two on or swing at serving for format setting of the stack 8 limiting elements 19 arranged press flaps 20 shown. To clarify the operation of a pivoted on the limiting element 19 hinge 41, inactive and on the right side of the drawing a pivoted, active position is shown on the left side of the drawing. For pressing the press flaps 20 are pivoted by means of actuating cylinder 21 in the direction of the arrow 23, respectively. The actuating cylinder 21 engage with retractable piston rods 22 each on a compression flap 20. In the pivoted-in position, each press flap 20 protrudes inward with a press plate 24 via the respective limiting element 19, so that the stack 8 to be squeezed out can be applied against the two press plates 24 by appropriately raising the lift 12. After pressing the lift 12 is again in the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Shut down rest position shown.

The two inner lift plates 13 are arranged at a distance from one another, so that there is a linear passage 33 between them. These inner lift plates 13 are respectively arranged on vertically extending plates 37, which are connected to a driver 15. The outer lift plates 14 also have downwardly extending plates 36 which are slidably mounted on a horizontally extending guide 16 and a vertically extending guide 17. The inner lift plates 13 can only be moved vertically, while the outer lift plates 14 can be moved both vertically and horizontally. The horizontal movement makes it possible to change the distance indicated by double arrows 18 between the two outer lift plates 14. By adjusting the outer lift plates 14 at the same time attached to this limiting elements 19 are adjusted. These limiting elements 19 are plate-shaped and extend beyond the table 3 also upwards. They are also aligned parallel to each other. By adjusting the outer lift plates 14 and the limiting elements 19, the in FIG. 1 indicated format width 26 are set. In a production change, in which the format width 26 changes, the outer lift plates 14 are adjusted together with the limiting elements 19 accordingly. The adjustment can take place via actuators, not shown here and by means of a control, not shown here.

The drive member 4 is driven by an engine 10 via a transmission 38. The engagement on the drive member 4 takes place for example via a in Fig. 3a indicated drive wheel 30. This is stored in table 3. The drive member 5 is driven by a further motor, not shown here, which, like the engine 10, has a transmission. The engagement also preferably takes place via a drive wheel 30. The two drive elements 4, 5 are designed as link chains, but other endless drive elements are also conceivable here. Both drive elements 4, 5 are each a deflection wheel 29 ( Fig. 3a ) and form in plan view essentially a semicircle segment.

On, drive member 5, a first ejection member 6 is fixed, which is rod-shaped or finger-shaped and protrudes vertically from the table 3 upwards. On the drive member 4, a second ejection member 7 is fixed, which is formed substantially the same as the ejection member 6. The distance between the two ejection members 6, 7 determines the in FIG. 1 indicated back length 25 of a stack to be ejected 8. Since the two drive members 4, 5 are driven independently of each other, the distance between the two ejection members 6, 7 can be adjusted continuously. The adjustment takes place via the two aforementioned motors 10 which are connected to a controller, not shown here. The passage 33 between the two inner lift plates 13 is so far that the two ejection elements 6, 7 can pass through this passage 33. Here are the two ejection organs 6, 7 according to FIG. 2 each guided with a sliding guide 28 linearly in a guide rail 27 formed as a guide rail, which extends horizontally and rectilinearly in the plane of the table 3. However, it is also a guide by other means, for example, not shown here with rollers or the like possible. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which the ejection elements 6, 7 are each attached to two or more superposed drive members. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which the two ejection elements 6, 7 each have not one, but two or more than two upwardly projecting rods or fingers or in which more than one ejection member to a drive member 4, 5 is fixed. If the table 3 is rotated about a vertical axis by 180 °, as mentioned above, then the ejection elements 6, 7 rotate accordingly.

With the two ejection elements 6, 7, a stack 8 formed on the lift 12 and, if required, can be ejected and fed to a further processing. The ejection is described below on the basis of FIGS. 3a to 3d explained in more detail.

The FIG. 3a schematically shows a plan view of the table 3 on which a stack 8 is formed. This stack 8 is located between two limiting elements 19 and between the first ejection element 6 and the second ejection element 7. The distances between the two limiting elements 19 and between the two ejection elements 6, 7 correspond to the format of the stack 8 or its back length 25 and format width 26 Double arrows 34 indicate the adjustability of the limiting elements 19. The first ejection member 6 is connected to the drive member 5 and the second ejection member 7 to the drive member 4. These drive members 4, 5 are arranged as shown approximately semicircular segmented and each have a substantial straight track section 31 and a curved track section 32. The straight track sections 31 form the passage 33. Of course, the curved track sections 32 may also have a different shape to the ejected stack 8 running around, for example, formed with rounded corners rectangular or elliptical path.

In the in FIG. 3a shown starting position, the two ejection elements 6, 7 are within the passage 33 and the stack 8 is ready for ejection. The lift 12 is located in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown lower position. To the stack 8 in FIG. 3a ejection to the left, the first ejection member 7 limiting the back length 25 of the stack 8, with the drive member 4 is removed from the stack 8, as shown drives out of the passage 33 and is laterally guided in the curved path portion 32 of the drive member 4. Essentially, at the same time, the first ejection element 6 starts the stack 8 in an ejection direction 39, ie to eject to the left and is thus in the FIG. 3b moved to the left. The second ejection member 7 is located on the curved path section 32, for example in the in Figure 3c shown position. Meanwhile, the first ejector 6, the stack 8 according to Figure 3c already largely expelled. In this ejection movement of the stack 8 is guided between the two limiting elements 19. The first ejection member 6 moves from the illustration in FIG Figure 3c even further to the left and pushes the stack 8 in the ejection direction 39 completely from the table 3, so that the stack 8 can be taken for example by a transport device, not shown here. The second ejection member 7 is now in the in 3d figure shown position, which that of the first ejection member 6 according to FIG. 3a equivalent. The first ejection member 6 is by reversing its direction of movement by the drive member 5 in the in 3d figure shown position. This position corresponds to that of the second ejection member 7 according to FIG. 3a , To move the first ejection member 6 in the in 3d figure shown position, the drive member 5 is thus driven reversing. When ejecting the drive member 4 is always moved in the same direction. The drive member 5, however, is first moved counterclockwise in the clockwise direction and after the ejection of the stack 8.

The ejection of the stack 8 thus takes place according to the FIGS. 3a to 3c from right to left. But it is also possible to eject from left to right, in which case the ejection organs 6, 7 each take over the other function. In 3d figure the possible ejection directions 39, 40 are shown, It is essential as can be seen that the two drive members 4, 5 can be moved independently controlled. Each of the two ejection elements 6, 7 can thus be moved at different speeds and also the direction of movement can be changed at any time. Accordingly, the distance between the two ejection elements 6, 7 can be adjusted by appropriate movements of the drive members 4, 5. The main advantages here are a shorter cycle time when ejecting and the possible adaptation to different back lengths by appropriately adjusting the two ejection elements 6, 7. The above-mentioned pressing of the stack 8 by a stroke of the lift 12 and the crosswise formation of a stack by rotational movements of the table 3 can be done as known per se. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the table 3 is not rotatable and / or in which a pressing of the stack 8 is not provided.

Claims (15)

1. Stacking apparatus for printed products (9), with a table (3) on which the printed products (9) can be stacked and with at least two ejector elements (6, 7) which can each be applied to a stack (8) being formed on the table (3) and by means of which the formed stack (8) can be pushed away from the table (3) as well as drive elements (4, 5) for moving the two ejector elements (6, 7), wherein the two ejector elements (6, 7) can be moved independently of one another, characterised in that at least one ejector element (6, 7) can be moved along a path, preferably in the form of a semicircular segment, running around the stack (8).
2. Stacking apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the table (3) is rotatable and that the two ejector elements (6, 7) are arranged so as to be rotatable along with the table (3).
3. Stacking apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the two drive elements (4, 5) are each driven by their own motor (10).
4. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a stack (8) can be pushed away from the table (3), selectively, in opposite ejection directions (39, 40).
5. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, as a stack (8) is being pushed away, a first ejector element (6) is driven in reverse direction and a second ejector element (7) is driven circumferentially.
6. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the two ejector elements (6, 7) can be adjusted to adapt to the spine length (25) of the stacks (8) which are to be ejected.
7. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the drive elements (4, 5) are of endless design, and at least one ejector element (6, 7) is fixed to each drive element (4, 5).
8. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a cut-out (35) is provided in the table (3) and a lift (12) is arranged in the cut-out (35) by means of which the stack (8) can be pressed vertically upwards against at least one press clamp (20).
9. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it possesses two opposing limiting elements (19) projecting upwards from the table (3), the distance between which is adjustable for adaptation to a format width (26) of the stacks (8) which are to be formed.
10. Stacking apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that on each limiting element (19) at least one press clamp (20) can be swivelled in and out, and the limiting element (19) is arranged so as to project inwards when swivelled in.
11. Stacking apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the two limiting elements (19) together with the press clamp (20) are adjustable transversely to the direction of ejection (39, 40).
12. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the lift (12) possesses two inner lift plates (13) between which the two ejector elements (6, 7) can be moved.
13. Stacking apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that a guide element (27) is arranged between the inner lift plates (13) within which the ejector elements (6, 7) can be guided in a substantially linear manner, at least in a section in which a stack (8) is pushed.
14. Stacking apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the lift (12) possesses two outer lift plates (14) which are adjustable transversely to the direction of ejection (39, 40).
15. Stacking apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it is intended for use with a compensating stacker.

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