EP2552814B1 - Device and method for transferring flexible, flat articles - Google Patents

Description

• Fördern von Gegenständen mit dem ersten Förderer entlang einer ersten Förderbahn in einer Förderrichtung,
• Übergeben von Gegenständen vom ersten Förderer an Greifer des zweiten Förderers in einem Transferbereich durch Einführen der Gegenstände in offene Greifer und Schliessen der Greifer,
• Weiterfördern der Gegenständen durch die Greifer, welche durch den zweiten Greifer-Förderer entlang einer zweiten Förderbahn bewegt werden, wobei die Greifer jeweils eine Gegenstandskante der Gegenstände halten,

und wobei nur Gegenstände vom ersten Förderer an den zweiten Förderer übergeben werden, welche im Transferbereich jeweils leeren Greifern des zweiten Förderers zugeordnet sind, so dass die leeren Greifer des zweiten Förderers mit Gegenständen beschickt werden, und bereits mit Gegenständen bestückte, in den Transferbereich einlaufende Greifer nicht mit Gegenständen beschickt werden.The invention is in the field of conveyor technology and relates to a method for transferring flexible, flat objects, in particular printed products, between a first conveyor and a second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor is a gripper conveyor, comprising the following steps:

• Conveying objects with the first conveyor along a first conveyor track in a conveying direction,
• Transferring objects from the first conveyor to grippers of the second conveyor in a transfer area by inserting the objects into open grippers and closing the grippers,
• Conveying the objects through the grippers, which are moved by the second gripper conveyor along a second conveyor track, wherein the grippers each hold an object edge of the objects,

and wherein only objects are transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, which are each assigned in the transfer area empty grippers of the second conveyor, so that the empty gripper of the second conveyor are loaded with objects, and already stocked with objects, entering the transfer area gripper not be charged with items.

In this case, the transfer area defines those extended area around a transfer point in which the conveying elements of the two conveyors converge toward the transfer point and subsequently back to the transfer point diverge, wherein in the transfer area, among other things, the alignment of the subsidized objects in preparation for the transfer, the opening and closing of the gripper and the transfer of the items themselves takes place.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for transferring flexible, flat objects, in particular printed products, between a first conveyor and a second conveyor, in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the device comprises a first conveyor with a first conveyor element moved along a first conveyor track in a conveying direction for feeding the articles into a transfer area. Furthermore, the device comprises a second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor is a gripper conveyor with grippers moved along a second gripper conveyor track in a conveying direction, which are mounted on a continuously driven second conveyor member for receiving the objects by gripping an object edge.

In conveyor technology and in particular in the field of printing technology, it is often necessary to transfer objects from a first conveyor into grippers of a second gripper conveyor.

Such items may be, for example, end products such as newspapers, magazines or brochures, which, for. B. from several precursors and a main product in a plug-in device are combined to form a final product, the end products are passed over a first gripper conveyor in a transfer area a second gripper conveyor. The second gripper conveyor is designed as a concentricity, in which the gripper repeatedly, ie cyclically pass the transfer area and the transfer area subsequent, the second gripper conveyor associated dispensing device. The dispenser cooperates z. B. with a further processing device. At the dispenser the objects are delivered, wherein It may happen that individual items can not be delivered for various reasons and are returned to the transfer device via the second conveyor. Instead of simply removing the returned items, they are kept in circulation, with only the empty gripper in the transfer area of the product stream guided to the delivery device being completed again by charging.

Such a method is used, for example, in EP 1 302 418 A1 described. In order to prevent material congestion in the processing chain, gaps must be specifically generated in the processing process, which precedes the transfer area. These gaps then correspond in the transfer area with occupied grippers of the second gripper conveyor, which return products that have not been discharged. The gaps can be made according to the EP 1 302 418 A1 z. B. by discharging products in the upstream processing process or by the targeted control of a reservoir output are generated. The completion of a product flow of flexible, flat objects, which are held on grippers of a second gripper conveyor, however, is not without problems. So z. B. cover returned objects adjacent empty gripper or lie over this, so that not every empty gripper can be loaded with an object. For many subsequent processing, however, it is essential that the supplied product stream is complete.

The invention is therefore based on the object, an apparatus and a method for transferring individual flexible, flat objects from a first conveyor in empty gripper an incomplete product stream of a second gripper conveyor to complete the product flow of the second gripper conveyor to propose so produce seamless product flow on the second gripper conveyor. All empty grippers of the second gripper conveyor should be able to be loaded with one object at a time.

The object is achieved by a method which is characterized in that the objects supplied by the second gripper conveyor to the transfer area are supplied by the grippers to the transfer area over at least part of the way along a support means concentricity engaging in the transfer area, and the supplied, and preferably also the objects transferred from the first conveyor to the second gripper conveyor are supported at least in the transfer area via support means coupled to the support means concentricity so that in the transfer area objects of leading grippers do not run over grippers or objects of trailing grippers past leading grippers lay and cover these.

In the guided by grippers of the second gripper conveyor to the transfer area objects are in particular returned items, which z. B. could not be delivered to a transfer area downstream of the dispenser. However, the invention is also quite generally applicable to a patchy product stream supplied to the transfer area by the second gripper conveyor which contains articles which need not necessarily be part of a recirculation operation.

In this way it is achieved that each gripper of the second gripper conveyor is equipped after the transfer area with one object and the second gripper conveyor has a completed product flow.

The first conveyor may, for. B. be a feed conveyor in the form of a belt conveyor, in which the objects are fed on a conveyor belt to the second gripper conveyor and taken over by the second grippers. Such a feeder or such a device with a first conveyor in the form of a belt conveyor and a second gripper conveyor and with a transfer area between the first and second conveyor is for example in the WO 2009/065 242 described.

However, the first conveyor is preferably also a gripper conveyor. For this purpose, the first gripper conveyor has first grippers which require the objects along the gripper conveying path. The objects are held by the first gripper at a first edge of the item. The articles are preferably suspended by the first gripper conveyor in the transfer area. The objects are transferred in the transfer area corresponding to first grippers on grippers of the second gripper conveyor, hereinafter called second gripper. For the purpose of transferring the objects, the first grippers are opened, preferably as soon as they are held by the second grippers. The second grippers grasp the articles at a second edge of the article opposite the first edge of the article. The second gripper of the second gripper conveyor, which is conveyed to the transfer area, can, as already mentioned, be empty or equipped with an object. The first object edge may e.g. the federal government, i. a folded edge, and the second edge of the flower, i. correspond to the object opposite the collar. The arrangement can also be reversed.

The first and second grippers run clockwise in the transfer area toward each other, so that at the transfer point always a first and second gripper correspond to each other. The conveying speed of the first and second grippers may be the same or different.

The term "article" includes in the understanding of this invention, both individual, not further separable products, such as printed products, as well as a plurality of z. B. nested or assembled and separable products. Furthermore, the term "object" is also intended to mean foiled products, in particular foiled printed products, ie products or printed products wrapped in packaging film (eg made of plastic).

According to a first variant of the method according to the invention, only those grippers of the first gripper conveyor conveyed to the transfer area are loaded with an object which in the subsequent transfer area corresponds to or is associated with an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor. Grippers of the first gripper conveyor, which correspond in the subsequent transfer area with each already occupied by returning items gripper of the second gripper conveyor, however, are not loaded with an object and remain empty, so that in the transfer area only objects to the empty gripper of the second gripper Be handed over. It can be provided in particular that in that section of the processing plant, hereinafter referred to as a pre-section, which is associated with the first gripper conveyor and this promotes and transfers objects, objects from a feeder or from a storage medium in a further processing device, for. As a plug-in device, are selectively fed. The selective feeding of objects takes place in such a way that objects are provided for acceptance at the transfer point to the first gripper conveyor only for those first grippers which correspond to empty second grippers in the downstream transfer area.

According to a second variant, only those grippers of the first gripper conveyor are opened in the transfer area, thereby releasing objects for transfer to a second gripper, which respectively correspond to an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor, so that only objects to the empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor are handed over. First gripper, which correspond to second grippers, which are already equipped with a returning object, remain closed, however, and their object is not delivered. It can be provided that all first gripper with, respectively an object are fitted, or that they are selectively equipped according to the first variant. The method according to the second variant can be carried out in accordance with the method according to the first variant or in combination with the method according to the first variant.

According to a third variant of the method it can also be provided that all first grippers are loaded with an object and objects are selectively withdrawn from those first grippers via an additional ejection device, which in the subsequent transfer region correspond to a second gripper, which already has a gripper returned object is occupied.

The second gripper conveyor track expediently has a closed circulation path, a so-called concentricity, which repeatedly guides the grippers of the second gripper conveyor past the transfer area as well as on a transfer device connected downstream of the transfer device in a closed conveyor concentricity. At the dispenser each held by the second gripper objects are delivered to a coupled to the dispenser processing device.

• selektives Beschicken von ersten Greifern an einer Übergabeeinrichtung, derart dass nur jene erste Greifer mit einem Gegenstand beschickt werden, welche nachfolgend im Transferbereich mit einem leeren Greifer des zweiten Greifer-Förderers korrespondieren;
• selektives Öffnen von ersten Greifer im Transferbereich mittels eines Öffnungsapparates, derart dass nur jene erste Greifer zur Freigabe des in den ersten Greifern gehaltenen Gegenstandes geöffnet werden, welche im Transferbereich mit einem leeren Greifer des zweiten Greifer-Förderers korrespondieren;
• selektives Ausschleusen von Gegenständen mittels einer Ausschleus-Einrichtung von jenen ersten Greifern, welche im nachfolgenden Transferbereich mit einem zweiten Greifer korrespondieren, welcher bereits mit einem zurücklaufenden Gegenstand belegt ist.

In addition, a control device may be provided which, depending on whether an object is dispensed at the dispensing device or does not cause one, two or all of the following processes:

• selectively loading first grippers on a transfer device such that only those first grippers are loaded with an object which subsequently in the transfer area correspond to an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor;
• selective opening of the first gripper in the transfer area by means of an opening apparatus, such that only those first gripper for releasing the in the opened objects are opened, which correspond in the transfer area with an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor;
• selective ejection of objects by means of a discharge device of those first grippers, which correspond in the subsequent transfer area with a second gripper, which is already occupied by a returning object.

The control device is preferably connected both to the dispensing device and to the processing device coupled to the dispensing device. The control device continuously collects information about operating conditions in the processing device and controls the dispensing device based on the time-dependent determined operating states such that depending on the determined operating state in each case an object is delivered to the processing device or not.

The flat and flexible objects are preferably supplied to the transfer region in a substantially suspended manner by the first gripper conveyor. The objects returned by the second gripper conveyor to the transfer area by means of second grippers are fed to the transfer area, preferably along a support center run in a curved path with a vertical component from below, ie with an upward component against the force of gravity. The second conveyor track can, but does not necessarily have to lead directly over the support center concentricity, but can also run independently of this. The second conveyor track does not necessarily have to be curved in the direction of the transfer area. So z. B. be provided that the first conveyor track curves into the transfer area, while the second conveyor track is substantially rectilinear. However, the support means concentricity extends to the transfer area also in this embodiment preferred in a curved path. The support means are fed in.einer curved path from bottom to top against gravity to the transfer area.

In order to transfer the objects in the transfer area, the first grippers are moved in a first conveying direction relative to the associated second grippers so that an object held by a respective first gripper is inserted into the open gripper mouth of the associated second gripper and gripped by the gripper first gripper is released. The first and second grippers are preferably guided at least in the transfer area isochronous to each other.

The objects are preferably supported in a development of the invention via coupled to the support center concentricity support means such that the objects have a substantially vertical orientation relative to the curved path. This prevents the flexible objects held in the second grippers from bending downwards due to the action of gravity and covering trailing grippers. This applies in particular to the returned items, which are conveyed via the support means concentricity along the curved path up to the transfer area and whose free, first edge of the article depends on gravity and covers one or more trailing second gripper. Covering the second gripper has the consequence that no objects can be delivered to covered, empty second gripper and thus individual gaps with empty grippers can not be loaded by new items from the first gripper conveyor.

The support means are expediently supporting elements which are designed and arranged such that the objects held by first grippers are guided in each case between two support elements or two support element pairs to the gripper mouth of the corresponding second gripper until the respective object is introduced into the associated gripper jaw and taken by subsequent closure of the gripper at its second edge object becomes. For this purpose, the support elements on the support center concentricity are preferably guided such that they are introduced to the transfer area continuously and in a controlled manner between the conveyed objects of the first gripper conveyor and intermesh and exit the transfer area also continuously and controlled from the product flow on the second gripper conveyor be led out. Furthermore, the support elements on the support center concentricity are preferably guided in such a way that they are introduced continuously and in a controlled manner into the stream of returned objects, in particular intermeshing between articles fed back one after the other. The insertion and removal is done expedient comparatively slowly.

According to a development of the invention, the first gripper conveyor track has a closed circulation path which repeatedly guides the grippers of the first gripper conveyor in a closed conveyor concentricity at the transfer area and at at least one transfer device upstream of the transfer area. The first grippers are loaded with objects at the transfer device. According to the first method variant, only those first grippers are provided with objects for transfer, which in the transfer area correspond to empty second grippers, whereas those first grippers which correspond to second grippers already equipped with returning products in the transfer area do not have any article ready for takeover is provided.

Another object of the present invention is a device, in particular for carrying out the inventive method, which is characterized in that the second gripper conveyor is associated with an engaging in the transfer area Stützmittel concentricity, and are coupled to the support means concentricity supporting elements, which together are designed and arranged with the support center concentricity such that the objects held in the grippers and supplied to the transfer area, and preferably also those of the first Conveyor transferred to the second gripper conveyor objects are supported at least in the transfer area, so that objects from leading grippers can not put on trailing grippers or objects of trailing grippers not over leading gripper.

As already explained, the first conveyor is also preferably a gripper conveyor with first grippers. The first grippers are mounted analogously to the grippers of the second gripper conveyor on the first conveying member. The latter is preferably driven continuously. The first gripper conveyor is associated with an opening apparatus for opening the first gripper in the transfer area. Furthermore, a transfer device is assigned to the first gripper conveyor, which is connected upstream of the transfer area in the conveying direction, and on which first gripper can be equipped with objects.

According to a first variant of the device according to the invention, the control system is in operative connection with the pre-section of the processing system upstream of the first gripper conveyor and acts on it so that only those first grippers are each loaded with an object at the transfer device, which in each case in the subsequent transfer area interacting with an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor corresponding. It can be provided in particular that, as already explained above in the pre-section on the control system, objects from a feeder or from a storage medium in a further processing device, for. As a plug-in device, are selectively fed.

According to a second variant of the device according to the invention, the control system is in operative connection with the opening apparatus and acts on it in such a way that in the transfer area only those first grippers are opened for the purpose of releasing the conveyed objects, which are each assigned to an empty gripper of the second gripper conveyor. The device according to the second Variant can be performed alternatively to the device according to the first variant or in combination with the device according to the first variant.

According to a third variant of the device according to the invention, the control system is in operative connection with an ejection device on the first gripper conveyor and acts on it in such a way that at the ejection device targeted by those first grippers which correspond to a second gripper in the subsequent transfer region, which is already occupied by a returning item, items are removed. The discharge device is arranged between the transfer device and the transfer area.

The second gripper conveyor further includes a closing device for closing the second gripper in the transfer area. The empty second grippers preferably already run open into the transfer area, while the loaded grippers are appropriately closed in the transfer area. The locking device is not switched and triggers a closing mechanism for all grippers, regardless of whether they are open or closed, and accordingly, only with the open grippers, a closing process effectively takes place. The returned items are therefore held in the transfer area consistently clamping and therefore can not change their position.

It can also be provided that the second grippers are opened in or in front of the transfer area by a corresponding actuating device, these being preferably selectively opened via the control device, i. only the empty second grippers are opened.

The second gripper conveyor is preferably associated with a support means concentricity, wherein the second gripper at least over a partial distance along the support center concentricity with wegweisendem from the support center concentricity gripper jaw the Transfer area can be fed. The support center concentricity are sweeping. Assigned supporting elements, which cause the objects held in the second grippers are supported such that objects of leading second grippers do not lie in the transfer area on trailing second gripper and make them inaccessible for the transfer of an object. The partial section can also correspond only to a tangential guidance of the second gripper conveyor track along the supporting means concentricity. The second grippers particularly preferably run at least over a partial section with outwardly facing gripper jaw in a curved conveying direction along the support means concentricity and are fed with a vertical component from below to the transfer area.

The directions of movement of the support elements and the second gripper are preferably in a plane. The support elements move at least over a partial section in the transfer region preferably in the same direction and preferably also parallel to the second grippers. They also run with the second gripper preferably clock-synchronous. For this purpose, the rotary body is moved to the second conveyor member isochronous speed.

The support elements are preferably to a concentric member of the support center concentricity coupled support elements, which are arranged and aligned so that these and thus the supported objects relative to the conveyor track or curved path of the second gripper in the transfer region have a substantially radial, ie vertical orientation at least a portion of the mouth opening of the opened second gripper in the transfer area is in each case between two support panels in an open to the outside sector. The support elements thereby act as a transfer aid by the objects from the first gripper conveyor can be inserted into open sectors, each with empty second gripper.

The support elements are preferably sheet-like elements, such. B. Panels, which are able to support the objects surface. The support elements are guided by the concentricity member in a closed circulation track. The support elements or the concentricity member are preferably driven by the second drive, which also drives the second conveying member. The support elements or the concentricity member can also be driven indirectly, namely by the second conveyor organ itself. The support elements may be made of metal, in particular of light metal, such as. As aluminum, or plastic, in particular be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

The support elements are preferably attached to a circular conveyor or rotary body, over which at least partially the orbit of the second gripper leads. The support elements are on the circumference of the circular concentricity member, which z. B. in the form of a wheel or a disc can be mounted and are moved in a circular concentricity to the incoming into the transfer area second grippers and away from the expiring from the transfer area second gripper. The orientation of the support elements relative to the circular concentricity member is adjustable via a corresponding guide means, in particular via a slotted guide provided on the concentricity member or cooperating with the concentricity member, from a radial to an approximately or completely tangential orientation.

Since the second gripper conveying path leads away from the circular concentric member toward the end of the transfer region, the support panels must be guided towards the end of the transfer region, ie until after transfer of the objects from a radial to an increasingly tangential position on the rotary member, so that they are opposite the second conveyor track U2 maintain a substantially radial or vertical orientation. It is important that the support panels even further support the objects already handed over to the second gripper after the transfer over a defined distance, so that these items do not due to gravity, place the second trailing gripper at the transfer point:

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a support panel is provided on both sides of the gripper, which form a pair. The Stützpanelpaare can z. B. attached to two spaced and interconnected discs.

However, the concentricity of the support center concentricity need not be circular. The concentricity can z. B. also oval, elliptical, or kidney-shaped. In a non-circular concentricity, the support panels are preferably not on rigid conveyor organs, such as wheels or discs, but via flexible conveyor members, such as conveyor chains or conveyor belts, out. However, the flexible conveying member, on which the support panels are mounted, is preferably guided over circular deflecting members. Such a circular deflection member is z. B. arranged in the transfer area. About this is preferably also partially circumferentially guided the orbit of the second gripper.

The described embodiment of the support means concentricity is not necessarily limited to devices with a first gripper conveyor, but can also find use in devices which have differently designed first conveyor.

The transfer device on the first gripper conveyor can be assigned a plug-in device, in particular a plug-in drum. Thus, a main product and one or more precursors of storage media fed to the inserter and assembled into a final product. In the plug-in device, the main product is opened and the subsequently supplied precursors are inserted into the main product. By means of the transfer device the end products are subsequently transferred to first gripper of the first gripper conveyor.

The second gripper conveyor track expediently has a closed circulation path, wherein the grippers of the second gripper conveyor can be repeatedly guided past the transfer area as well as at a discharge device connected downstream of the transfer area in a closed conveyor concentricity. At the dispenser objects are issued by second grippers.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to continuously complete the product flow of a gripper conveyor with closed orbit so that all grippers are each covered with a product at a subsequent delivery device, a transfer area. If products are not delivered to the dispenser, they remain in a closed circuit and do not have to be sorted out as waste paper as in conventional devices and fed elsewhere in laborious manual work the processing plant.

Fig. 1:

eine Seitenansicht eines ersten und zweiten Greifer-Förderers im Transferbereich;

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten und zweiten Greifer-Förderers im Transferbereich gemäss Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

eine vergrösserte Seitenansicht des zweiten Greifer-Förderers im Transferbereich gemäss Fig. 1;

Fig. 4:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Verarbeitungsanlage mit einem ersten und einem zweiten Greifer-Förderer sowie einer Übergabe- und Abgabeeinrichtung.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and will be described in detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a side view of a first and second gripper conveyor in the transfer area;

Fig. 2:

a perspective view of the first and second gripper conveyor in the transfer area according to Fig. 1 ;

3:

an enlarged side view of the second gripper conveyor in the transfer area according to Fig. 1 ;

4:

a schematic representation of a processing plant with a first and a second gripper conveyor and a transfer and delivery device.

The device according to the FIGS. 1 . 2 . 3 and 4 comprises a, driven by a first drive 5, the first gripper conveyor 10 with first grippers 12, which at an in Fig. 2 sketched conveying member 16, here a conveyor chain, are mounted and moved in a conveying direction F1. By a guide member 17 (see Fig. 1 and 2 ), here a guide rail or a conveyor channel, the spatial position of the conveyor member 16 and thus the first gripper conveyor track U1 is defined.

The first gripper 12 are here conventional gripper with two approximately equally long gripper jaws 18, 19, which can assume an open position and a clamping position. However, another gripper design is also conceivable. The first grippers 12 are opened by an opening apparatus 15 at an opening position S1. The opening process of the gripper through the opening apparatus 15 can be carried out selectively via the control device 40 (second method variant, not shown). According to the in Fig. 4 However, shown in the first method variant can be dispensed with selective activation of the opening apparatus 15 and it can be provided that all first gripper 12 are opened.

The first gripper conveyor track U1 runs according to Fig. 1 mainly horizontally to the transfer area T out. Further, the conveyor track U1 extends with a directional component against the gravitational force G obliquely upward from the transfer area T addition. However, the first gripper conveyor track can also be guided from another direction into or out of the transfer area T. For example, the gripper conveyor track U1 can also lead obliquely downwards into the transfer area T.

The first grippers 12 convey articles 1 from an upstream process in a suspended position. The objects 1 are each at their held first object edge 3, and the opposite second object edges 4 point in the direction of gravity G down.

The apparatus further comprises a second gripper conveyor 20 with second grippers 22 mounted on an in-line gripper 22 Fig. 2 sketched second conveying member 26, here a conveyor chain, are mounted and moved in the conveying direction F2. By a guide member 27, here a guide rail or a conveyor channel, the spatial position of the conveying member 26 and thus the second gripper conveyor track U2 is defined. The second gripper 22 also have two gripper jaws 28, 29, the position of which can be changed relative to each other by means of a closing device 25 from an open position to a closed position. The empty second gripper 22 already open in the transfer area T, while the returning objects with 1 'equipped gripper 22 are closed. The gripper 22 can also be designed differently here. The closing apparatus 25 closes the previously open, empty and now an object receiving second gripper 22 at a closing point S2. On the already closed second gripper 22 of the closing apparatus 25 exerts no effect. The opening apparatus 15 is operated coordinated with the closing apparatus 25, so that a respective first gripper 12 is opened by the opening apparatus 15 only when the associated second gripper 22, which detects the object 1 from the first gripper 12 and takes over, by the second trigger apparatus 25th already closed.

The second gripper conveyor track U2 has, in the conveying direction F2, a curved path section K towards the transfer area T, with an upwardly directed movement component against the force of gravity G. Following the transfer area T, the second gripper conveyor track runs obliquely downward with a movement component Gravity direction G or horizontal.

The conveyor paths U1, U2 of the two gripper conveyors 10, 20 approach each other at the beginning of the transfer region T to each other so that one of a first gripper 12th An object 1 held on its first edge 3 can be gripped by a second gripper 22 corresponding to the first gripper 12 on its opposite second edge 4. In this way, a controlled transfer of the objects 1 takes place. For this purpose, the conveyor tracks U1, U2 run towards each other at the entrance of the transfer area T with decreasing distance and then run in the transfer area T over a certain distance section up to the closing point S2 of the second gripper 22, preferably substantially parallel to one another. Output of the transfer area T, the two conveyor tracks U1, U2 run apart again. The two gripper conveyors 10, 20 are here part of a higher-level processing plant (see also Fig. 4 ).

The second gripper conveyor 20 comprises a support means concentricity 50, by means of which the second grippers 22 in a curved, concave path section K are conveyed upwards towards the transfer region T, counter to the conveying path U1 of the first gripper conveyor 10 against the force of gravity G. , The support center concentricity contains a cross-sectionally circular concentric member 52, via which the second conveying member 26 or guide member 27 is guided at least partially. At the circular concentric member 52 are projecting or projecting from the periphery support panels 51 are movably mounted, which are guided on the rotary body 52 in a circular orbit W. For this purpose, the support panels 51 are rotatably mounted peripherally on the circumference of the circular concentricity member 52 via a rotation axis and via first, attached to the axis of rotation spring elements 57, z. B. torsion spring, biased in the direction of rotation. In this way, the support panels 51 can be moved from a radially oriented position to a nearly or completely tangential position relative to the circular concentric member 52. The rotary member 52 is rotatably supported about a central axis 70 and moves the support panels 51 in a circular concentric about the central axis 70th

On the axis of rotation 59 of the support panel 51, a lever arm 54 is fixed to the support panel 51, which is in operative connection with its free Hebelarmende 55 with respect to the rotating concentricity member 52 in regular operation stationary link guide 53. At said Hebelarmende 55 z. B. a guided over a slotted guide 53 roller 56 rotatably mounted. The slotted guide 53 causes depending on the desired orientation of the support panels in a certain position on the circumference of the concentricity member 52 raising and lowering the respective Hebelarmendes 55 when the support panels 51 and thus the lever arm 54 together with the circular concentricity member 52 is rotated about the axis 70 and about the slotted guide 53 are guided. By raising and lowering the Hebelarmenden 55 a rotation of the respective support panel 51 is carried out about its axis of rotation 59 against a force exerted by the spring member 57 restoring force and thus causes the alignment of the support panel 51 against the concentricity member 51 and the conveyor track U2.

The slide guide 53 itself is on a corresponding second spring element 58, here one, on the slide guide 53 a restoring force exerting spring, spring mounted or suspended, such that an acting on the support panel 51 and transmitted via the lever arm 54 on the slide guide 53, excessive Force, z. As a shock or shock, for the purpose of protection of the mechanical components to evade the slide guide 53 leads. Such an excessive force on the support panels 51 and thus on the slotted guide 53 may be caused for example by a material accumulation occurring in the transfer area T. Such a jam occurs when, for example, more objects 1 are supplied by the first grippers 12 than can be removed by the second grippers 22, as is described, for example, in US Pat. B. occurs at a standstill of the second gripper conveyor 20. The items 1 delivered in the transfer area T by the first grippers 12 but not guided away by the second grippers 22 are deposited between the support panels 51 and exert increasing pressure on them. The support panels 51, which in their current position one through the Control linkage 53 have predetermined, basically immovable alignment, can now give thanks to the resilient mounting of the slotted guide 53 the pressure and dodge by the slide guide 53 is moved over the transmitted from the lever arm 54 pressure force from its Sollpoesition against the restoring force of the second spring element 58. As soon as the excessive force decreases, the restoring force exerted by the second spring element 58 ensures that the slide guide 53 and thus the support panels 51 are returned to their desired position. However, this evasive means on the control link 53 is not a mandatory feature of this embodiment.

As in Fig. 2 shown, the support center concentricity 50 on both sides of the second gripper conveyor track U2 each have a corresponding concentricity member 52 with pairwise support panels 51 which are connected to each other via a common axis 70 to the conveyor track U2 and the conveying direction F2. The two concentric members 52 preferably contain mirror-symmetrically formed discs and further each contain the same components, such as support panels 51, first and second spring elements 57, 58, lever arms 54 and a control link 53. The two concentric members 52 are rigidly connected to each other in the axial direction but rotatable together and are driven synchronously by the second drive 6 accordingly.

Instead of two, about a common axis of rotation 70 interconnected concentric members 52 may also be a circular cylindrical concentric member (not shown) may be provided, which extends transversely to the second conveyor track U2, and which at both ends, each side of the conveyor track U2 arranged in pairs extending supporting panels with corresponding Having facilities such as slotted guide, spring elements or lever arms as described above. The conveyor track U2 is here z. B. in the middle of the lateral surface of the cylindrical concentric member 52 is arranged.

The support panels 51 have according to the FIGS. 1 . 2 and 3 in each case a front, planar support surface 90 and a rear support surface 93, which are provided with one or more openings 91. The front support surfaces 90 are each reinforced on their back with a truss-like reinforcing structure 92, which z. B. has a curvature and a curved rear support surface 93 is formed. The reinforcing structure 92 serves to prevent the deflection of the support panels by the weight of the articles. Further, the domed reinforcing structure 92 serves as an insertion aid for inserting the articles 1 into the gripper jaw 23 of the second grippers 2. The truss-like structure of the reinforcing structure 92 and the front support surfaces 90 is based on weight and material optimization. The support panels described above can also be designed differently.

Furthermore, in the transfer region T, in particular at the point where the articles 1 are inserted with their second edges 4 in the gripper 22 of the second gripper conveyor 20, a stop guide 71 may be provided, which ensures that the objects 1 with their second edge 4 only a defined depth b in the mouth opening 23 of the second gripper 22 are inserted. The stop guide 71 may be a stationary guide plate arranged laterally of the conveyor track U2 or the second gripper 22 with a leading edge 72 directed against the free ends of the gripper jaws 28, 29 of the second gripper 22. It can also be provided that on both sides of the conveyor track U2 each such guide plate is attached.

The second gripper conveyor 20 may be further equipped with a lowering device 80, which allows the second gripper conveyor 20 at least in the transfer area T relative to the first gripper conveyor 10 in the direction of gravity G to lower. That is to say, the lowering device 80 permits, in particular, the lowering of the support means concentricity 50 and thus of the conveying member 26 guided in the transfer region T about the support means concentricity 50 with its second grippers 22 and the support panels 51. For this purpose, the lowering device 80, as in Fig. 1 and 2 shown, preferably in the vicinity of the support concentricity 50, and particularly preferably mounted on the support concentricity 50 itself. The second gripper conveyor 20 may, for. B. via the lowering device 80 hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically lowered and raised. For this purpose, the lowering device 80 has at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 81 and corresponding hydraulic or pneumatic lines. Preferably, the lowering device 80 on both sides of the second gripper conveyor track U2 each have a hydraulic or pneumatic unit with corresponding hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 81 which are transverse to the second conveyor track U2, z. B. are rigidly connected via corresponding struts. A mechanical lowering device can, for. B. a rotary spindle (not shown) provide, along which the lowering or lifting of the device takes place.

On the one hand, the lowering device 80 serves to adapt the transfer region T to different formats of the conveyed objects 1 (change of the distance between the first and second grippers 12, 22 in the transfer region). In addition, the lowering device 80 allows the decoupling of the product streams. This is useful when the promoted with the first gripper conveyor 10 items 1 z. B. a processing device other than the second gripper conveyor 20 must be passed. A decoupling of the product streams by means of lowering device 80 is also indicated when an accident occurs, in order to prevent a possible product accumulation and thereby avoid damage to the system.

The description of the support means concentricity with the associated support panels is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the figures, even if the associated explanations relate to the corresponding embodiments with the accompanying figures. The support means concentricity described finds particular application regardless of the in the figures described training of the first gripper conveyor, the second guide member and the second gripper, as well as independent of the presence of a lowering device, a stop guide or other constructive features shown in the drawings. The same applies to the lowering device, the stop guide and the concrete design of the support panels.

Fig. 4 1 shows a processing system 2 with a device according to the invention comprising a first gripper conveyor 10 and a second gripper conveyor 20 adjoining the first gripper conveyor 10 and a transfer area T. The first gripper conveyor 10 is assigned a pre-section 7, which objects processed and passes over a transfer device 67 to the first gripper conveyor 10. The pre-section 7 is part of the processing unit 2 and contains, inter alia, a collection drum 60. The insertion drum 60 is transferred from a wound storage medium 62, a main product and opened. For this purpose, the main products are supplied from the storage medium 62 to a ply 63 and cyclically transferred to the insertion drum 60. From a further storage medium (not shown), a precursor of the insertion drum 60 is fed via a further layer actuator 61 and inserted into the main product. In principle, a plurality of such precursors can be fed to the insertion drum via respective respective position actuators and inserted into the respective main product (not shown). The Lagentakter 61, 63 have the task, if necessary, to separate from a memory supplied items or products and timed feed into the processing plant.

From the insertion drum 60, the articles 1, also called end products, formed from the intermediate product and the main product are transferred to the first grippers 12 of a first gripper conveyor 10 and conveyed in the conveying direction F1.

In the transfer area T, objects 1 are moved from first grippers 12 to second grippers (in FIG Fig. 4 not shown) of the second gripper conveyor 20 passed. For this an opening device 15 is provided, which causes the opening of first grippers 12. The first gripper conveyor 10 has a closed orbit, in which the grippers 12 are repeatedly guided past the transfer device 67 and the transfer area T. The objects 1 taken over by the second grippers 22 in the transfer region T are fed in the conveying direction F2 to a delivery device 30, which is arranged on the second gripper conveyor 20 and transferred to the same for further processing.

In the Fig. 4 shown embodiment of the support center concentricity 47 shows a non-circular orbit W. The support panels 51 are guided here via a flexible conveyor member 48, such as conveyor chain, in an approximately elliptical orbit W. The flexible conveyor member 48 itself, on which the support panels 51 are mounted, is guided over circular deflecting members 49a, 49b, of which one of these circular deflecting members 49a is arranged in the transfer region T. The circular form refers to a cross-sectional view through the concentricity or deflection element. The radial or tangential orientation of the support panels 51 relative to the deflecting member 49a, 49b or the conveying member 48 can also be controlled via a corresponding slotted guide. Of course, the processing plant 2 according Fig. 4 Instead of the support means concentricity 47 shown also a proppant concentricity according to Fig. 1 to 3 provide. That is, the formation of the Stützmittel concentricity can be considered regardless of the execution of the remaining device parts.

In the present example, a dispensing device 30 is provided, to which grippers of the second gripper conveyor 20 transfer articles 1. The dispensing device 30 cooperates with a processing device 31. The second gripper conveyor 20 likewise has a closed circulation path, in which the grippers 22 are repeatedly guided past the transfer region T and the delivery device 30. As already explained, it may happen that a gripper 22 of the second gripper conveyor 20 its object 1 on the dispenser 30th does not hand over or can not hand over, but continues to promote. The returned articles 1 'therefore pass through the transfer area T and are subsequently repeatedly supplied to the delivery device 30. This process is repeated until the object in question can be dispensed to the dispenser 30.

A controller 40 as part of the processing equipment 2 controls the dispensing of the articles at the dispenser 30. The controller 40 sends control signals via a communication line 64 to the dispenser 30 for the purpose of initiating dispensing or non-dispensing of the articles. In the latter case, the object 1 in question will be kept in the concentricity of the second gripper conveyor 20 and returned to the transfer area T. The control commands via a dispensing or non-dispensing of the articles 1 at the dispensing device 30 can be based on operating states which are determined at the processing plant 31 and transmitted to the control device 40 via a communication line 65.

If an object 1 is not dispensed at the dispensing device 30, then the control device 40 sends control signals via the communication lines 66a, 66b to the position actuators 61, 63, which cause no preproduct or main product to be fed into the conveying path at a specific point in time. This means that a gap is generated in the product flow. The termination of this gap is chosen so that that first gripper 12 of the first gripper conveyor 10 coincides in the transfer region of the insertion drum 60 with this gap (and therefore can not hold a final product), which coincides in the transfer area T with the occupied second gripper 22, which the undelivered main product 1 'promotes. Of course, the above-mentioned method can also be formulated positively in that the control device 40 uses corresponding control commands to ensure that when a final product 1 is delivered to the dispenser 30, the position actuators 61, 63 of the pre-section 7 arrive at a specific time Feed product into the processing system 2, such that those first gripper 12, which corresponds to the corresponding empty second gripper 22 in the transfer area T, is fed to the transfer device 67 with a new end product 1. The communication lines may be wired or wireless.

The first and second gripper conveyor 10, 20 and in particular the transfer area T according to Fig. 4 However, they can be different than in the FIGS. 1 . 2 and 3 be described described. Furthermore, the in Fig. 1 . 2 and 3 described gripper conveyor and the associated method in other processing plants than in Fig. 4 described use find.

Claims (14)

1. A method for transferring flexible, flat objects (1), in particular printed products, between a first conveyor (10) and a second conveyor (20), wherein the second conveyor is a gripper conveyor (20), with the following steps:

   - conveying objects (1) with the first conveyor (10) along a first conveying path (U1) in a conveying direction (F1),

   - transferring objects (1) from the first conveyor (10) to grippers (22) of the second conveyor (20) in a transfer region (T) by way of introducing the objects (1) into open grippers (22) and closing the grippers (22),

   - further conveying of the objects (1) by the grippers (22) which are moved by the second conveyor (20) along a second conveying path (U2), wherein the grippers (22) in each case hold an object edge (4) of the objects (1),

   and wherein only objects (1) which in the transfer region (T) in each case are assigned to empty grippers (22) of the second conveyor (20) are transferred from the first conveyor (10) to the second conveyor (20), so that the empty grippers (22) of the second conveyor (20) are charged with objects (1), and grippers (22) already charged with objects (1') and running into the transfer region (T) are not charged with objects (1),
   characterised in that
   the objects (1') which are fed to the transfer region (T) by the second conveyor (20) are led by the grippers (22) at least over a part section along a support means revolver (50) engaging into the transfer region (T), and the objects (1, 1') which are fed and preferably also those which are transferred from the first conveyor (10) to the second conveyor (20), at least in the transfer region (T) are supported via support means (51) coupled onto the support means revolver (50), in a manner such that in the transfer region (T), objects (1, 1') of grippers (22) running in front cannot come to lie over grippers (22) running behind, or objects (1, 1') of grippers (22) running behind cannot come to lie over grippers (22) of the second conveyor (20) which run in front.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the objects (1, 1') are supported via the support means (51) in a manner such that the objects (1, 1') relative to the second conveying path (U2) in the transfer region (T) have an alignment which is essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction (F2).
3. A method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the first conveyor (10) is a gripper conveyor (10) with first grippers (12), and the objects are fed from the first gripper conveyor (10) preferably in an essentially hanging manner to the transfer region (T) and are transferred to second grippers (22) of the second gripper conveyor (20).
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the first gripper conveying path (U1) has a closed revolving path which repeatedly leads the grippers (12) of the first gripper conveyor (10) past the transfer region (T) as well as past a transfer device (67) arranged upstream of the transfer region (T) in the conveying direction (F1), wherein first grippers (12) are charged with objects (1) at the transfer device (67).
5. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the support means (51) towards the transfer region (T) are introduced in a continuous and controlled manner between the objects (1, 1') on the second conveyor which are conveyed into the transfer region (T), and are led out of the product stream on the second conveyor (20) in a continuous and controlled manner at the exit of the transfer region (T).
6. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the support elements (51) at least over a part section in the transfer region (T) move cyclically synchronously to the second grippers (22) in the conveying direction (F2).
7. A device for transferring flexible, flat objects (1), in particular printed products, between a first conveyor (10) and a second conveyor (20), in particular for carrying out the method according to claims 1 to 6, comprising a first conveyor (10) with a first conveying element (16) which is moved along a first conveying path (U1) in a conveying direction (F1), for feeding objects (1) into a transfer region (T), further comprising a second conveyor (20), wherein the second conveyor (20) is a gripper conveyor (20) with grippers (22) which are moved along a second conveying path (U2) in a conveying direction (F2) and which are attached on a continuously driven second conveying element (26), for receiving objects (1) by way of gripping an object edge (4), further comprising a control device (40) which is designed in a manner such that only objects (1) which in the transfer region (T) are in each case assigned to an empty gripper (22) of the second conveyor (20) are transferred from the first conveyor (10) to the second conveyor (20),
   characterised in that
   a support means revolver (50) engaging into the transfer region (T) is assigned to the second conveyor (20), and support elements (51) are coupled to the support means revolver (50) and these together with the support means revolver (50) are designed and arranged in a manner such that the objects (1') which are held in the grippers (22) and are led to the transfer region (T), and preferably also the objects (1) transferred from the first conveyor (1) to the second conveyor (20), at least in the transfer region (T) are supported in a manner such that objects (1, 1') of grippers (22) running in front cannot come to lie over grippers (22) running behind, or objects (1, 1') of grippers (22) running behind cannot come to lie over grippers (22) of the second conveyor (20) which run in front.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the support elements (51) in the transfer region (T) are arranged in a projecting manner, and with respect to the second conveying path (U2) preferably have an alignment which is essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction.
9. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 8, wherein the support elements (51) are designed in a multi-part manner, and via which the objects (1, 1') can be supported in an extensive manner.
10. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the support elements (51) are attached on a circular revolving element, along which at least in a partially peripheral manner the revolving path of the second grippers (22) leads.
11. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 10, wherein the alignment of the support elements (51) with respect to the revolving element (52) can be set from a perpendicular up to an approximate or completely tangential alignment via guide means, in particular via a cam guide (53) cooperating with the revolving element (52).
12. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 11, wherein the first conveyor (10) is a gripper conveyor (10) with first grippers (12) which are movable along a first conveying path (U1) in a conveying direction (F1) and are attached on the first conveying element (16), wherein the first and the second gripper conveyors (10, 20) are preferably designed and arranged in a manner such that the objects (1) can be fed into the transfer region (T) in a hanging manner and transferred to second grippers (22) of the second gripper conveyor (20).
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein a transfer device (67) which is arranged upstream of the transfer region (T) in the conveying direction (F1) is assigned to the first gripper conveyor (10), at which transfer device first grippers (12) can be charged with objects (1), wherein the control device (40) is actively connected to a section (7) of the device (2) which is arranged upstream of the first gripper conveyor (10), in a manner such that at the transfer device (67), only those first grippers (12) which in the subsequent transfer region (T) in each case correspondingly cooperate with an empty gripper (22) of the second gripper conveyor (20), are charged with an object (1).
14. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 13, wherein the second conveying path (U2) has a closed revolving path, and the grippers (2) of the second conveyor (20) in a closed conveying revolving run can be repeatedly led past the transfer region (T) as well as a release device (50) arranged downstream of the transfer region (T).

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