JP2003146452A - Method and device for loosening paper sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device reliably operating for various kinds of paper sheet at a high, paper-loosening speed. SOLUTION: The invention relates to a method and the device for loosening a paper sheet from a sheet stack 10. At least one squeezer 19 acts on the uppermost paper sheet 14 in the sheet stack, and the squeezer tenses or bends the uppermost paper sheet 14. An intermediate space is thereby formed between the uppermost paper sheet and the underlying, second paper sheet. A separation tongue 30 is inserted in the intermediate space, thereby enabling the uppermost sheet 14 to be drawn by a transport device 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating sheets from a stack. In particular, in the case of office machines such as printing machines, copiers, and other printing equipment, individual sheet paper, set sheet paper, film-like objects, etc.
It needs to be transported to the next process. In the following, the concept of "sheet paper" will be used for all of these various types of sheet-like planar materials.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many known methods for separating sheets from stacks. In some of these methods, operational reliability is limited to a relatively narrow range of sheet weight, sheet paper type, and sheet surface characteristics.
Especially for a wide range of sheets, that is, various sheet weights, types of sheet papers, sheet surfaces, films, etc., the method of squeezing the stacking paper is recognized as reliable. In this case, a strong action is applied to the topmost sheet of the stack in the direction in which the sheet of paper is conveyed. By this ironing action, the topmost sheet of the stack is displaced in a eccentric manner, so that the topmost sheet can be separated and carried out. However, this ironing method is too slow for many applications.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide the following method and apparatus for separating sheets from a stack.
That is, to show that it operates reliably and with a high paper handling speed for a wide variety of sheet papers.

[0004]

The present invention solves this problem by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 11. Advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the subclaims which are each associated with a superordinate claim.

The essential idea of the invention is to tension the uppermost sheet of paper in each case in order to obtain an intermediate space between the uppermost sheet of paper and the next sheet of paper, or It is to bend. In this case the stack can lie concave, convex or flat. The top sheet of paper is tensioned according to the invention when the stack is concave, and the top sheet of paper is curved when the stack lies convex or flat. By slightly bending or pulling the top sheet paper,
This sheet can be lifted from the second sheet below it and separated from the latter. To tension or bend the top sheet of paper, a force is applied to the surface of the top sheet of paper that is transverse to the central axis of the sheet of paper. In order to tension the top sheet of stack lying on the concave surface, this force shall be directed outwards. This force should be directed inward to cause the top sheet of paper to bend when the stack lies in a convex or planar manner. This force can be generated in various ways, for example by friction. Particularly advantageous is that this force is generated by ironing. This leaves paper handling largely independent of the properties of the paper sheet, so that the paper handling method can be successfully used for a wide variety of sheet papers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, equal force is applied to both sides of the sheet in a mirror symmetrical manner.
This causes the sheet of paper to be strained or curved symmetrically about the central axis, but does not move the stack to the left or right when tensioned.

In order to keep the uppermost sheet of paper lifted by tensioning or curving apart from the second sheet of paper following the stack, the separating means are, for example, in the form of separating tongues. Then, the top sheet paper and 2
The purpose is to insert it between the second sheets. It is preferable to insert this separating means in the central region of the sheet of paper where the distance between the top sheet of tensioned or curved sheet and the second sheet of paper is maximized.

The separating means separates and holds the topmost sheet of paper so that the topmost sheet of paper can be freely carried out from the stack of sheets.

The top sheet is carried out by the conveying means, which is tensioned or curved in the area of the top sheet and separated by the separating means. Acts on the retained area.
In this case, a separating means, for example a separating tongue, is used to press the top sheet of paper against the conveying means, which enables the conveying means to grasp and convey the top sheet of paper. . In this case, after the entire top sheet is unloaded from the stack, a means for tensioning or curving the next sheet to separate the sheets can be placed on the stack again.

In another embodiment, the sheet of paper is tensioned or curved at one end thereof and the transport means acts on the opposite end of the sheet of paper. Means for tensioning or curving the sheet of paper when the topmost sheet of paper is being carried out from below the means of tensioning or curving but has not yet been completely pulled out of the stack. Can be placed on the second sheet of stack. In this embodiment, when the uppermost sheet paper is carried out from the stack, it is separated and held from the second sheet paper as follows. That is, the separating means presses the second sheet of paper, fixes and holds it on the stack, and on the other hand, the topmost sheet of paper is carried out.

[0011]

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In order to supply the sheet paper to an office machine such as a printer or a copier, these sheet papers are stacked and prepared. The stack of sheet paper 10 is held in one container. In the illustrated embodiment, the container is formed as a stacking plate 12 on which the stack 10 is placed. The stacking plate 12 is folded with the direction of the central axis of the sheet of stacking paper as a fold line, which can be seen in the front view of FIG. This sheet paper is D
If the sheet of IN A4 is to be guided in the longitudinal direction of the sheet of this office machine, the fold line of the stacking plate 12 passes through the central axis of the stacking plate 12. The fold angle is about 160
From 175 ° to 175 °. Therefore, the stack of paper 10 placed on the stacking plate 12 is slightly concavely curved, and the curved axis of this curved surface is parallel to the central axis of the sheet.

In order to separate the top sheet 14 from the stack 10 and supply it to the office machine, the top sheet 14
Is tensioned in a direction crossing the concave bending axis by a method described later. Therefore, when the left and right vertical peripheral edges parallel to the bending axis of the sheet paper 14 are pulled outward, the uppermost sheet paper 14 is no longer curved and is tensioned. If the fold angle of the stacking plate 12 is set to 168 ° and the sheet paper of the stacking sheet 10 is a DIN A4 sheet paper,
Each of the left and right vertical edges of the topmost sheet paper 14 is about 0.
Pulling 45 mm outwards is sufficient to lift the central region of the top sheet of paper 14 about 1 cm above the second sheet of stack. If so small, 1
Obviously, the right and left edges of the uppermost sheet paper 14 can be moved very quickly. In this case, in particular, since ironing works reliably, it is possible to perform this slight movement stroke at a high speed. it can.

The present invention utilizes this mode of operation for separating sheet paper from the stack 10 in the following manner.

The carriage 16 approaches the front surface of the stack 10 lying on the concave surface. If there is only one stack 10, the carriage 16 may be placed in front of this stack and may be vertically movable. When a plurality of stacks 10 are provided, the carriage 16 may be movable in such a manner that the selected stack 10 is approached while being controlled in each case.

The carriage 16 has means for tensioning the uppermost sheet 14 of the stack 10. This means is formed so as to approach the surface of the sheet paper 14 on both the left and right sides of the central axis of the sheet and move the peripheral edge of the sheet outward from the central axis of the sheet. In this embodiment, the means for tensioning the uppermost sheet of paper 14 comprises two ironing devices 18, which are mounted on and approach the surface of the sheet of paper. Each of these ironing devices 18 is provided with one caterpillar belt 20 that rotates in a loop, and an ironing roller 22 is provided on the caterpillar belt. Caterpillar belt 20
The plane of rotation of is positioned perpendicular to the central axis of the sheet of paper, where the lower span of the caterpillar belt 20 rests on the top sheet of paper 14 and moves from the central axis of the sheet of paper in the circumferential direction of the sheet of paper. Each of these caterpillar belts 20 is driven by an electric motor 24 via a gear unit 26. The ironing device 18 is spring-supported by the carriage 16. This is preferably a bar spring 28, which is pivotally mounted at its center on the carriage 16 in a sideways-like manner and carries the squeezing device 18 at its free ends. And As a result, when the carriage 16 descends, the squeezing rollers 22 of the squeezing devices 18 on both sides are pressed to the surface of the top sheet of paper 14 symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the sheet of paper with exactly the same force. The paper 14 will be grasped. As a result, the ironing roller 22 irons the both side peripheral regions of the uppermost sheet of paper with exactly the same ironing action, and moves the both side peripheral edges of the sheet of paper to the outer side mirror-symmetrically. This prevents the topmost sheet paper 14 from protruding to one of the left and right sides.

In addition, a separating means is attached to the carriage 16. The separating means is used to separate and hold the sheet paper 14 that has been tensioned and lifted from the stack 10 by the above-described method from the second sheet of the stack. In the embodiment shown, the separating means comprises one separating tongue 30 which is passed from the front side of the stack 10 through the central area of the stack and is tensioned and lifted from the top of the stack. It can be inserted between the sheet of paper 14 and the second sheet of paper lying on the stack 10. The movement of the separating tongue 30 is performed by the electric motor 32 via the gear rack 34. With this drive,
The separating tongue 30 can be moved between the initial position shown in FIG. 2 and the insertion position shown in FIG. In the initial position this separating tongue 30 is outside the front of the stack 10 whereas in the insert position the free end of the separating tongue 30 is inserted into the stack 10.

Further, a carriage device 36 is attached to the carriage 16. This transport device is used to pull out the topmost sheet paper 14 that has been separated from the stack of paper 10 from the stack of paper 10 and supply it to the subsequent processing.

The conveyor 36 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a frictional conveyor belt 40, which is driven by an electric motor 38 to rotate.

The device described herein operates as follows. In the rest state, the device is in the initial position shown in FIG. Since the carriage 16 is lifted together with the ironing device 18, the ironing device 18
Does not come into contact with the uppermost sheet paper 14 of. Separation tongue 3
0 is outside the stack 10 in the initial position.

In response to an electronic start command, the carriage 16 first descends toward the stack 10 and, finally, the squeezing device 1 which receives progressive spring support.
8 is the ironing roller 22 which is the top sheet paper 14
It will be loaded with a little pressure on. As a result, the sensor is actuated and the sensor starts the electric motor 24 of the ironing device 18, so that the caterpillar belt 20 rotates and the ironing roller 22 acts on the peripheral edge of the uppermost sheet paper 14. At that time, the step motor for driving the carriage 16 moves the carriage 16 toward the stack 10 with progressively increasing force, so that the pressing force of the squeezing roller 22 against the top sheet 14 increases progressively. Then, finally, the uppermost sheet paper 14 is tensioned and lifted from the stack 10. Tensioning the top sheet 14 activates another sensor, which requires that the required intermediate space is the top sheet 1
Notify what happened between 4 and the second sheet of stack 10. This ironing direction is indicated by the arrow in FIG. Figure 4
Indicates that the uppermost sheet paper 14 has been lifted by this ironing.

The separating tongue 3 is activated by the sensor signal indicating that the top sheet 14 has been sufficiently strained.
0 is activated. This separating tongue moves from the initial position shown in FIG. 2 toward the front of the stack 10 and between the lifted top sheet 14 and the second sheet 10 of the stack 10. Although plugged in, FIGS. 5 and 6 show that condition. The inserted separating tongue 30 presses the uppermost sheet paper 14 against the conveyor belt 40 of the conveyor 36 here. Here, the carriage 16 is lifted under control. Along with this, the ironing device 18 is also 1
Since it is lifted from the topmost sheet paper 14, this sheet paper can be carried out. At this point, the conveyor belt 40 can be operated to carry out the sheet paper.

After the top sheet of paper 14 has been carried out, the apparatus is returned to the initial position shown in FIG. 2, and a start command for drawing the next sheet of paper is issued.

Since the operation of tensioning the uppermost sheet paper 14 by the ironing action of the ironing device 18 largely relieves the dependence on the characteristics of the sheet paper, this operation can be performed on sheet paper of various thicknesses and qualities. The paper handling method can be used in the same way. This tensioning operation requires only minimal movement of the peripheral edge of the uppermost sheet paper 14, so that the paper can be separated at a high speed.

In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 8 described above, the squeezing device 18 is used to separate the next sheet of paper.
Can be placed on the stack 10 only after the preceding sheet has been completely withdrawn from under the ironing device 18. In order to avoid this, in another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9, the conveying device for pulling out the top sheet of the sorted paper from the stack is arranged not at the front of the stack 10 on which the ironing device acts. , Placed on the front as seen from the opposite side.

In this embodiment, the top sheet paper 14 is
It cannot be lifted from the stack on the front side on which the transport device 36 acts. Therefore, the separating tongue 30 of this embodiment is
Is the top sheet of paper 14 that is tensioned and lifted
And after being inserted between the stack 10 and the next sheet of paper,
This second sheet of paper is lowered onto the stack and pressed against the stack of paper 10 which follows, when the topmost sheet of paper 14 is pulled out, the second sheet of paper is held stationary. The separating tongue 30 is therefore preferably provided on its underside with a friction lining.

In this embodiment, the carriage 16 along with the ironing device 18 and the separating tongue 30 together with the stack 1
It is suitable if tilting is possible around a horizontal axis 42 parallel to the front surface of 0. After the separating tongue 30 has been fed in, the carriage 16 is further lowered. At this time, the separating tongue 30 presses the second sheet of the stack with the projection 44 arranged on the lower side thereof. Carriage 16
Further lowering causes the carriage to tilt accordingly, so that the ironing device 18 is lifted from the top sheet. As a result, the first sheet of paper can be pulled out by the transport device 36, and the second sheet of paper can be reliably held.

The sheet of paper of this embodiment is withdrawn in the opposite direction from the stack, so that its front end is immediately withdrawn from underneath the ironing device 18. As a result, the ironing device 18 can be placed on the second succeeding sheet of paper again before the uppermost sheet of paper is completely withdrawn from the stack 10. As a result, it is possible to quickly separate the sheets from the stack.

In another embodiment of the invention not shown here, the stacks are arranged in a convex or flat state and only one ironing unit is provided. The ironing unit pushes the top sheet of paper towards a fixed side stopper, which is provided anyway for stacking the sheets. This causes the top sheet to bend and is lifted from the sheet following the stack.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a stack that holds a sheet of paper in a concave surface.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the central axis of the sheet when the apparatus is in the initial position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus at the start of paper separation.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the device during paper sorting.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus when finishing the paper sorting and carrying out the uppermost sheet paper.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device in the position of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view when carrying out the top sheet of paper.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the device in the position of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a second embodiment of the device in a position corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 stacks 12 loading plates 14 Top sheet paper 16 carriage 18 Ironing device 20 caterpillar belt 22 Ironing roller 24 electric motor 26 gear unit 28 bar spring 30 Separation tongue 32 electric motor 34 gear rack 36 Conveyor 38 electric motor 40 conveyor belt 42 Tilt axis 44 protrusions

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Helmut Steinhillbar             Switzerland, 6052 Hargiswil, Sonnen             Bergstraße 40 F-term (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB05 FC01 GA01                       GB01 HD02 JA19 JC10 JC12                       LB01

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A method for separating sheet paper and the like from a stack of paper, wherein the top sheet of the stack is grasped on its surface,
Tension or create a curve transverse to the central axis of the sheet, which lifts this sheet from the second sheet of the stack and places the top sheet and the following second sheet, The above method in which the uppermost sheet paper is carried out from the stack and separated and held in the central area where the above-mentioned spacing is generated. 2. The stack is held in a concave surface with a curved axis parallel to the central axis of the sheet, and the uppermost sheet is mirror-symmetric with respect to the central axis of the sheet, and The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is tensioned by an outward force from the shaft. 3. The stack is held on a convex surface or a plane with a bending axis parallel to the central axis of the sheet, and the topmost sheet is bent by an ironing motion toward the central axis of the sheet. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that 4. The force according to claim 3, characterized in that the force of pushing the uppermost sheet of paper towards the fixed lateral stopper and thereby bending this sheet of paper acts on this sheet of paper. The method described. 5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the topmost sheet is bent by a mirror-symmetrical force towards the central axis of the sheet. 6. The squeezing movement causes the force acting on the uppermost sheet of paper to occur.
The method described in any one of. 7. The top sheet of paper separated from the second sheet of paper is lifted from the stack and held for transport. the method of. 8. The one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second top sheet of paper is fixedly held on the top of the stack in order to convey the separated top sheet of paper from the stack of sheets. The method described. 9. The uppermost sheet of the stack is grasped by the progressively increasing contact pressure until the uppermost sheet of the stack is lifted from the second sheet of paper. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The contact pressure starts at a low value and increases until the sensor detects that the top sheet has been lifted from the second sheet. 9. The method according to 9. 11. A device for separating sheets from a stack and means for tensioning or curving the top sheet (14) of the stack (10).
8), which means acts on the surface of the uppermost sheet of paper (14) and exerts a force acting in a direction transverse to the central axis of the sheet of paper on the periphery of the sheet of paper (10). Second sheet of paper and the top sheet of paper lifted from this second sheet (1
4) a separating means (30) which can move between the first sheet and the first sheet (1) separated from the second sheet.
4) The above-mentioned device, which comprises a transport means (36) for unloading the stack (10). 12. Housing (1) for a stack (10).
Device according to claim 11, characterized in that 2) holds the stack (10) on a curved axis parallel to the central axis of the sheet. 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the means for tensioning or curving the uppermost sheet (14) comprises an ironing device (18). 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the two ironing devices (18) are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the paper sheet and are spring-supported with equal contact pressure. 15. Caterpillar belt (2) in which an ironing device (18) is equipped with an ironing roller (22) and rotates.
0) is provided.
The device according to. 16. The contact pressure when the means (18) for tensioning or bending the uppermost sheet paper (14) is placed on the uppermost sheet paper (14) is low to the highest. Device according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the sheet of paper (14) is progressively increased until it is lifted from the second sheet of stack. 17. A sensor detects that the uppermost sheet (14) has been lifted,
The device according to claim 16. 18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the contact pressure is increased by a step motor. 19. Separation tongue (30), wherein said separating means is a separating tongue (30).
A tongue, which is movable between an initial position located in front of the front of the stack (10) and a position inserted in the stack. The device according to any one of 1. 20. Means (18) for tensioning or curving the uppermost sheet (14) are mounted on a carriage (16) accessible to the stack (10), Device according to any of claims 11 to 19. 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the separating means (30) are mounted on the carriage (16). 22. Conveying means (36) is arranged in front of the stack (10), and the frontmost sheet (1
22. Device according to any of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that means (18) for tensioning or bending 4) are arranged. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the separating means (30) holds the uppermost separated sheet paper (14) during the action of the conveying means (36). apparatus. 24. A transport means (36) is arranged in front of the stack (10) and a means (18) for tensioning or curving the uppermost sheet (14) is located on the opposite side. Device according to any of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that 25. Separation means (30) moved between the top sheet (14) and the second sheet of stack (10) causes the second sheet to stack (10). )
Pushing towards and holding, while the transport means (36)
25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that it acts on the uppermost sheet (14).