FI66577B - UPPSAMLINGSANORDNING FOER FLATA FOEREMAOL SAERSKILT KORT - Google Patents

Description

IV-V- -Π, ν, „„ ANNOUNCEMENT s s r n n j $ jF & ^ ^ UTLÄCCNIncsskrift 6657 7 SS C (45) Patent syCrir.ötty 12 11 1904

Patent saddelat V ^ (51) KvJk? /Btt.CI.3 B 65 H 39/00 FINLAND — FINLAND (H) ν * «α * ιμι-μι * ^ μιι 793391 (22) - AmBknlngria (30.10.79 (Fl ) (23) Aikupihri — GlteigtMKsdif 30.10.79 (41) Tullut (ulklMfcsi - Blhrtt 04.05.80

Patent * and National Board of Registration / 44) Date of Nihtftvikaipanon | a kiraLfulkaiwn—

Patent · och reglef rityral — n 'AmbIcm uthgd «h vdjkrStM ptMfcmtf 31 · 0 7.84 (329 (33) (31) Requested« uoifcut B> | lrt prtortt * 03.11.78

Belgium-Belgium (BE) 0/191511 (71) Carta Mundi, Visbeekstraat, 22, Turnhout, Belgium-Belgium (BE) (72) Jean-Marie de Somer, Turnhout, Belgium-Belgium (BE) (74) Berggren This invention relates to a collecting device for flat objects, in particular cards, comprising an endless conveyor with at least one conveyor belt for objects and at least one collector part, the other end of the endless conveyor belt to assemble refillable articles fed along the top of the conveyor belt, the collecting member having a portion forming a barrier at least during the assembly of the articles and a portion connected to the previous portion and forming an angle at least during the assembly of the articles a free end located at a different level from the top surface, causing objects fed on the top surface to tilt about the axis i, located transversely to their direction of travel.

"Conveyor belt" is to be understood in this broadest sense so that it could hereinafter mean both torn and non-perforated belt or belt and one or more chains.

Such devices are used in particular for collecting playing cards. The cut playing cards are placed in one or more rows on the top of an endless conveyor belt.

The cards coming first from each row should be collected in groups and in the case of playing cards it is desirable that the cards collected are in the same order as where they were fed by the conveyor device. Known collecting devices of this type use disposable troughs with a structure such that the cards fed horizontally are tilted to a vertical position, whereby the different troughs open together so that the tilted cards in the different troughs are finally vertical to each other. The small packs thus formed are received on a strip which moves transversely to the troughs, the successive packs following each other vertically. In fact, those cards that are fed simultaneously into different rows are first collected together and later only the cards next in rows. Although this in itself is not a disadvantage, however, said known devices have the following drawbacks: the collection device does not make it possible to obtain constraints corresponding to one set of cards; a continuous row of vertically stacked cards is obtained, which must then be dealt by hand into a series of corresponding packs. Another disadvantage is that the filling takes place at a limited speed, so that the manufacturing speed is limited not only by a linear speed which cannot be exceeded during cutting, but also by the filling operation.

The object of the present invention is now to avoid these drawbacks and to provide a collection device for flat objects, in particular cards, which can operate very quickly and with which the objects are collected in small groups of a well-defined number and in a well-defined order.

To this end, the collecting device comprises a pressing mechanism for holding the objects at least temporarily against said angled part, so that the assembled objects can be turned in the pack by an angle greater than 90 ° to be delivered in a small numbered group in a given sequence.

3,66577

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism comprises a spring part mounted on one part and extending along the part which is on the part forming the barrier.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressing mechanism may comprise a resilient part mounted on the second part of the collector part and running along the part which is on the part forming the barrier.

Other details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a part of a collecting device for playing cards according to the invention, in which playing cards are shown.

Figure 2 is a side view of another part of the collection device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-section along the line III-III in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top view of a portion of the device shown in Figures 1-3.

In these different figures, the same reference numerals denote similar components.

4,66577

The collecting device shown in the figures comprises an endless conveyor belt 1 consisting of various perforated suction belts 2 for refillable playing cards 3. The suction belts 2 run their upper part horizontally parallel to each other. The direction of travel of said upper part is indicated by arrow 8 in Figure 1. All the suction belts 2 pass over the wheels 4 at both ends of the conveyor device 1. At the outlet end of the feed conveyor 1, said wheels 4 of the suction belts 2 are each individually supported on their own additional frame 5. At the other end, the wheels 4 are arranged on one and the same shaft, which is preferably driven intermittently by a motor not shown in the figures. The upper part of each said suction wheel 2 passes through a tubular vacuum chamber 6. The various vacuum chambers 6 are connected via flexible hoses 7 to a vacuum pump, which is not shown in the figures. The vacuum chambers 6 are mounted on an additional frame 5 belonging to a corresponding suction belt 2. The complete vacuum feed conveyor 1 can be mounted in such a way that it can be moved vertically back and forth to the main frame, which is not shown in the drawings. This is the case, for example, when said feed conveyor 1 is part of a collecting and filling device associated with an unloading device which pushes the cards 3 from top to bottom through a frame, said unloading device in turn joining a Meis machine which cuts the cards 3 as a sheet. For unloading through the ejector and in the stage of stopping the slab in said device, the feed conveyor 1 is in its uppermost position and for the unloader so that the unloaded cards 3 are forced directly by the suction belts 2 and therefore assume a precisely defined position.

When the filling device is connected to the stamping machine and the unloading device, and when, for example, four sets of cards are printed in twelve rows, where one sheet has eighteen cards, the feed conveyor 1 comprises twelve suction belts. At each exit point, eighteen cards 3 are first assembled into a pack and later these twelve packs have to be collected in one or more larger packs.

For this purpose, the collecting device comprises three collector parts 9 towards the outlet end of each suction belt 2, which are rotatable. ; i 5 66577 about a horizontal geometric axis directed transversely to the direction of travel of the suction belts 2, as indicated by arrow 8. Said three collector parts 9 are fixed to a horizontal shaft 10, which thus moves in the direction of the axis of rotation. Said three collector parts 9 are evenly distributed on the circumference of said shaft 10 and are all in a plane directed at right angles to the axis of rotation. This shaft is common to all sets of three collector parts 9 facing different suction belts 2, so that said shaft 10 then extends over its entire width below the discharge end of the feed conveyor 1. Said shaft 10 is supported at smaller ends 11 in cross section by the above-mentioned main frame, which is not shown in the figures.

Each of said collector parts 9 comprises two bent L-shaped fingers 13, which are next to each other along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 10 at intervals somewhat larger than the width of the corresponding suction belt 2. However, said fingers 13 are arranged so that due to the rotation of the shaft 10, the direction of rotation of which is indicated by the arrow 12 in Figure 1, they move on each side of the respective suction belt 2 and consequently also the wheel 4 and the additional frame 5 supporting said belt at its outlet end.

It is clear that due to the fact that all the fingers 13 are attached to the same shaft 10 and thus move together, the two fingers 13 which are part of the two adjacent collecting parts 9 and move between the two adjacent suction belts 2 can join together into one finger. By means of the part 14, each of the two fingers 13 of the collecting part is eccentrically fixed to the shaft 10. The second part 15 at right angles to the above-mentioned arm of each finger 13 joins the other end of the part 14. All the collected all of the fingers 9, 13 of portions 15 have their free end in the same direction, ie. In the direction that is opposite to the direction of the arrow 12 indicated by the direction of rotation of the shaft 10. In fact, some kind of three-armed swastika is obtained, in which, however, the cross-prongs are not radially oriented with respect to its center.

The two L-shaped fingers 13 of each of the halves of the thus halved assembly 66577 protrude at such a distance and at such an angle outside the shaft 10 that they protrude on either side of the outlet end of the suction belt 2 of the part 15 above at least the upper part of the suction belt 2. in the position when the suction belt can be moved vertically.

The rotation of the shaft 10 is achieved intermittently by means of a motor not shown in the figures, whereby during filling one collector part for each suction belt 2 is at all times in a position in which the parts 15 of its fingers 13 assume the position described above.

The parts 15 of both fingers 13 leaving the collector part are in the latter position, in which case they are thus above the other end of the associated suction belt 2 at a certain angle to the upper part of said suction belt 2. Said parts 15 run downwards from said end. The above-mentioned position, whereby the collecting member 9 stands still for three cards in assembling this time, the head 15 of said part that is furthest from the portion 14 will still remain a certain distance above the top side of suction belt 2.

The first card 3, which is fed by the suction belt 2 after the collecting part 9 has reached its position, comes into contact with the parts 15 of both fingers 13 leaving the collecting part 9 belonging to the tensioning belt and said parts 15 force it to make an angle above the suction belt 2. Said card is moved upwards against parts 14, the part of which protruding outside the shaft 10 forms a stop. The arrangement of both parts 14 exiting the collecting part 9 on the shaft 10 and the position of said shaft 10 with respect to the feed conveyor 1 are such that in the above-mentioned position where the part 9 collects cards, the part forming the barrier part is at a distance from the end of the suction belt 2. as measured in the direction of arrow 8 in such a way that the card 3 as it engages portions 14, still resting on the part of the head of the suction belt 2 and the sections 14 is farthest from the head is tilted upward and rises above the suction belt 2 from the top portion. The next card 3, which is fed by the suction belt 2, automatically slides under the latter card 3, after which this card 3 is also forced by means of the parts 15 of the part 9 to take an inclined position and rest against the previous card 3. In this way, a series of cards 3 fed by one suction belt 2 are successively stacked into a small deck so that each time the next card is slid under the previous card.

It is clear that in order to be able to cooperate with both fingers 13 leaving the collector part 9, the cards 3 fed by the relevant suction belt 2 must protrude on both sides outside said suction belt 2. A suction belt 2 has consequently a width which is substantially smaller than the size of the cards 3 as measured at right angles to the direction of the arrow 8.

The cards 3 are most often placed in their transverse direction along the direction of travel of the suction belt 3.

In this way, a small deck of playing cards 3 is stacked at an angle formed between the guide-forming parts 15 and the seal-forming parts 14 of both fingers 13 of the collector part 9 opposite each suction belt 2.

In order to avoid falling of said stack due in particular to rotation of the shaft 10 and the collector 9, each collector 9 further comprises a clamping mechanism generally shown at 16. Said clamping mechanism comprises a collar 9 for each finger 13 attached to the part 14 and running along the finger 13 15.

When a sufficiently large number of cards 3 fed by each suction belt 2 are stacked under the collector 9 belonging to each suction belt 2, the shaft 10 rotates at such an angle that the next collector 9 takes the position of the previous part and stacks the second set of cards 3 as described above.

While this is happening, the card stacks 3 remain on the former collector parts 9 due to the compression mechanism 16.

When the second set of collectors 9 has also stacked enough cards 3, the shaft 10 rotates again, whereby now the third set of collectors 9 is positioned towards the outlet end of the suction belts 2.

β 66577

A second endless conveyor 17 is arranged below the whole set of collector parts 9. Said conveyor 17 comprises a pair of endless chains 18 for each suction belt 2 of the feed conveyor 1, between which small boxes are formed, consisting of a base 20 and two walls 21 standing thereon. are directed outwards with respect to the conveyor 17 and stand transversely to the endless chains 18. The boxes 20, 21 are thus open at the sides in the longitudinal direction of the chains 18. The boxes 20, 21 are attached from their bottom 20 via hinges 19 to the loops of the chains 18. Both said endless chains 18 from each pair pass at both ends of the conveyor 17 over a sprocket 22 fixed by locking rings 23 to a shaft 24. Said shaft 24, on which all sprockets 22 at one end of the conveyor 17 are mounted, is supported at both ends by a frame 25 which can itself in fact be part of the above-mentioned main frame (not shown) on which the shaft 10 is supported. A shaft 24 at each end of the conveyor 17 runs parallel to said shaft 10 with the second shaft 24 located below said shaft 10. The upper part of the chains 18 moves horizontally away from the latter shaft 24 in the same direction as the upper part of the suction belt 2. The direction of travel of the chains 18 and thus also of the boxes 20, 21 mounted on them in Figure 2 is indicated by the arrow 26.

The upper part of the endless conveyor thus consists of as many rows of boxes 20, 21 moving in the direction of travel of the chains 18 as there are suction belts 2, so that each row is below the suction belt 2 and continues in the same direction as the suction belt 2. When the filling device comprises 12 suction belts 2, actually also contains twelve rows of small boxes 20, 21. Said boxes 20, 21 of adjacent rows are also directly next to each other so as to form rows. The number of rows, i.e. the number of boxes 20, 21 in one row, which is at the top of the pair of completely endless chains 18, is equal to the number of rows. When the filling device is operating, with each rotation of the shaft 10, the deck of cards 3 coming from the collector 9 is collected in each box 20, 21 of its row of boxes located at the end below the shaft 10 of the upper part of the endless conveyor 17 66577. During this collection, the conveyor 17 is in place. For both fingers 13 leaving the collector section 9, the deck of cards is pushed out through the wall 21 of the box 20, 21, which is suitable during the rotation of the collector unit. The length of the wall 21 is always approximately the same as the width of the suction belt 2 and, as a result, can fit exactly between the two fingers 13 leaving the part 9. It is clear from Figures 1 and 2 that the part 15 leaving the collector part 9 is located in its lowest position below the lower edge of the rear wall 21 of the box 20, 21, which is exactly below said collector part 9 on the upper surface of the conveyor 17. In this way, when the filling device is fully operational, with each rotation of the shaft 10 and the associated collecting parts between the two stops, the deck of cards already assembled for the collecting part 9 is pushed into the box 20, 21.

As soon as each of said boxes 20, 21 has received a deck of cards, the conveyor is moved a short distance so that the new row will now be in place of the previous row. The decks of cards from the first row are now brought together gradually between each movement of the endless conveyor 17.

Said alignment takes place by means of fingers 27 fixed to the support plate 28. Said support plate 28 runs parallel to the upper part of the endless conveyor 17 and is alternately displaceable directly at an angle to the direction of travel of said upper part indicated by the arrow 26. Said support plate 28 rests on both sides are oriented at a right angle to its direction of travel, slidably with two shafts 29, thus oriented along the direction of travel of the support plate 28 and thus running parallel to the shafts 24. Said shafts 29 are fixed to the frame 25. The alternating sliding of the support plate 28 can be achieved in any suitable way. For example, the support plate 28 may be attached to a tube fitting over a rotating shaft provided with a sinusoidal groove while the pin passes through the tube and presses from one end into said groove, thus following the course of the groove during rotation of said shaft.

10 66577

The number of fingers 27 attached to the underside of the support plate 28 is equal to the number of rows of small boxes 20, 21. All the fingers 27 are in one row, located diagonally above the upper part of the endless conveyor 17. In the rest position, the finger rests exactly next to the box which, in the next position, is viewed along the direction of travel of the box on the outer row of boxes and the top of the next row of boxes 20, 21 directly next to the third box 20, 21 of the latter row. The next third finger rests between the latter row and the third row of boxes 20, 21, exactly next to the fourth box 20, 21 belonging to the latter row, etc. The alternating movement of the support plate 28 and the fingers 27 is exactly equal to the width of the row of boxes. That is, during the forward movement, the finger 27 can push the deck of cards from the box 20, 21 from the first row towards the adjacent box belonging to the second row. Nothing happens during the return movement. The ability of the fingers 27 to push the stacks of cards out of the boxes 20, 21 results from the fact that said boxes are open in the direction of travel of said fingers 27, thus along the width direction of the endless conveyor 17, and from said fingers extending all the way to the bottom 20 of the box. Said box bottom 20 is provided for this purpose with a groove 30 which extends in the direction of travel of the fingers so that the lowest end of the finger passing therethrough can surely reach always below the said bottom 20 resting on the underside of a deck of cards.

Since the different cards must be stacked with the fingers 27 in the correct order and thus one deck must fall evenly on top of the other, the top of the base 20 in all boxes 20, 21 spends the fingers 27 in the direction of travel, except for the slot 30 upwards in the direction of the fingers 27.

The movement of the support plate 28 together with the fingers 27 takes place each time the endless conveyor 17 stands still. At the first stop of the endless conveyor 17, all the boxes 20, 21 in the row at the end of the device assemble the deck of cards. At the next stop, the deck of cards inside the box 20, 21 located at the end of said displaced array 11 66577 is moved by one finger over one row so that said deck falls on the deck already present in the box originating from said array in the second row. . At the next stop of the endless conveyor 17, the same operation takes place due to the next finger 27. Both of the latter stacks of cards, already placed inside the box 20, 21 in the second row, are placed with the fingers on the stack already inside its box 20, 21. located in the third row.

It is clear that at the outlet end of the endless conveyor 17 in this way all the stacks of cards which were assembled in one row of small boxes 20, 21, i.e. all those cards which are, for example, cut from one sheet, are assembled in one large package.

It is also clear that by appropriate selection of the number and position of the fingers 27, it is also possible to fill all the packages assembled in one row of boxes 20, 21 into several small packages instead of one large package. For example, when dealing without a finger 27 between the third and fourth rows of boxes, only those stacks of cards from the boxes 20, 21 which are in one row and also in the first four rows are assembled and a package is obtained at the outlet end of the endless conveyor 17. the future small packs have formed in the fourth row.

Thus, by suitable selection of the order in which the cards are fed by the suction belts 2 and depending on, for example, the way in which the cards are printed on the stamped sheet, it is possible to obtain small stacks of only one set of playing cards in the desired order. The operation is always such that all the cards fed by one suction belt 2 are first stacked in a well-defined order and then the packs already stacked by all the suction belts 2 are assembled by the endless conveyor 17 and the fingers 27 also in a well-defined order.

12 66577

It is to be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments and that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of this patent.

For example, the collection device does not necessarily have to fill playing cards, it can also be used to fill beer glass trays or other flat objects.

The number of gripping parts mounted on the shaft does not necessarily have to be three for each suction belt. One part is already enough.

The collector parts also do not necessarily have to be mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis. They could also be rotatable about a vertical axis and could also be completely non-rotatable. In the event that the collector parts are fixed, other devices must, of course, be connected to the device in order to push the objects collected by the collector part out of it instead of the replaced device. This ejection can be performed, for example, with a movable punch.

When the collector parts are stationary, rotatable only at a limited angle about the horizontal axis, or rotatable about a vertical axis, they do not necessarily have to be divided into two parts, namely two fingers.

Also, the part of the collector parts which causes the collector parts to tilt does not necessarily have to travel downwards from the feed conveyor. Said part could also be spent in the other direction.

Claims (3)

13 66577 A collection device for flat objects, in particular cards, comprising an endless conveyor with at least one conveyor belt (1). at least one collecting part (9) mounted towards the other end of the endless conveyor belt to assemble the inflatable objects (3) fed along the top of the conveyor belt, the collecting part having a part (14) forming a barrier at least during the assembly of the objects , and a part (15) connected to the previous part and forming an angle at least during the assembly of the objects with respect to the upper surface of the corresponding conveyor belt and having a free end located at a different level from the upper surface, causing the upper-fed objects to tilt about an axis transverse to their direction of travel, characterized in that the collecting part comprises a pressing mechanism (16) for holding the objects at least temporarily against said angled part (15), so that the assembled objects can be turned frost by an angle greater than 90 ° to be delivered in a small numbered group in a certain sequence. A collecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing mechanism (16) comprises a spring part mounted on one part (14) and extends along the part (15) on the part forming the closure. A collecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing mechanism (16) comprises a resilient part mounted on the second part of the collector part and running along the part (15) which is on the part forming the barrier.