JPH0753072A - Device to separate flat article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To convey sheets at high accuracy with high throughput by arranging a vacuum conveying means in parallel to a lifting means in the conveying direction, and lifting and carrying a sheet with air fed to a lower side as an auxiliary means. CONSTITUTION: A vacuum conveying means 4 is arranged in an adjustably movable manner in the transverse direction parallel to at least one lifting means 5 which is adjustably movable in the transverse direction and in the conveying direction. The vacuum conveying means 4 comprises a perforated suction belt 7 which forms a lower chord surrounding three rollers 6 and smooth in its lower surface, and movable in an endless manner, a sheet 1 is vacuum-sucked through holes in the belt, and the sheet 1 is conveyed together with the movement of the suction belt 7. A spring suction device is used for the lifting means 5, and the highest sheet 1 is lifted to the level of the height of the lower side of the perforated belt 7. In addition, to support the separation of the sheet 1, a ventilation nozzle 21 is arranged on an edge part of a pile of the stacked sheets 1 on the side close to the lifting means 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to at least one vacuum conveying means capable of continuously applying a periodic vacuum action, which is preferably arranged on a portion of a stack of piles having edges transverse to the conveying direction. An apparatus for separating planar objects from the upper surface of a stack, in particular at least one sheet feeding device, comprising at least one lifting means capable of descending to the upper surface of the stack which is alternately subjected to this vacuum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a device of this type of technology currently in use,
A suction roller arranged at the front edge of the stacked mountain and a lifting suction device arranged in one row at the rear edge of the stacked mountain that interlocks with the lower surface ventilation device are provided. The uppermost sheet of the piles piled up in each case is lifted by the lifting suction device arranged at the trailing edge and ventilated on the lower surface, and as a result, the sheet is completely separated from the upper surface of the piled piles by the ventilation to form the suction roller. Be meshed.

[0003]

In this well-known arrangement, there is a risk that the sheet lifted by the lifting and sucking device at the trailing edge will flap its leading edge up and down due to the effect of ventilation. is doing. As a result, the distance from the suction roller always changes. This flapping movement is uncontrollable, so that the individual sheets can be moved farther away from the respective suction rollers, even by the vacuuming action of the respective associated suction roller. The length of time until the sheet is gripped by the suction roller and settled in the transport state each time is different accordingly. As a result, the distances between the sheets that follow each other will be different, which will result in undesirable misalignment.

From this comes the challenge to the existing technology of improving similar technology devices by simple and inexpensive means to ensure high accuracy while at the same time achieving high throughput.

[0005]

These problems can be solved by the present invention by the surprisingly simple method of arranging a continuously operable vacuum carrying means on the side of at least one lifting means.

The arrangement according to the invention ensures that the uppermost objects of the piles piled up in each case are reliably transported to the vacuum transport means at a determined position and that each object is transported under precise and repeatable conditions. It ensures delivery to further transport means. This makes it possible to achieve a strict and precise cyclical delivery to further distant transport means. In this way, high speed operation can be achieved in an advantageous manner without sacrificing accuracy. The arrangement according to the invention may maintain the advantages of an arrangement according to one concept in an advantageous manner, while avoiding its drawbacks. This arrangement also makes it possible in an advantageous manner to effectively provide a vacuum conveying means which is able to flexibly adjust the distance between the mutually continuous objects by simple adjustment of the vacuum control time and to move continuously without wear. A further advantage of the arrangement according to the invention lies in enabling the provision of a vacuum conveying means with two or more alternating side arrangements, which allows precise and random conveying due to the exact periodicity. To do.
In particular, limited rotation of the object grasped by the vacuum transfer means having variable side-by-side alternating arrangements, i.e. sheet adjustment control using the exemplary representation, is made possible due to the highly precise periodicity. There is. The arrangement according to the invention is suitable in an advantageous manner not only for the control of scale-free or front-to-back arrangement strip streams with mutual superposition, but also for non-overlapping transport streams. In either case, highly accurate periodicity is achieved. This in an advantageous way gives rise to a universal use of the sequences according to the invention. Advantageous developments and superior modifications to superior sequences are described below. It may be expedient when each vacuum transfer means is arranged between at least two laterally arranged lifting means. This provides a particularly reliable function and reliably delivers the object lifted by the lifting means to the associated vacuum conveying means.

A more versatile arrangement consists in providing a number of lifting means which can be arranged laterally in a row. Allowing lateral placement allows for adjustment of the lifting means, which can be used in different situations, in the separation of the top faces of the stacks.

The vacuum carrying means may advantageously be shaped as a suction band with a smooth lower chord. This results in a large gripping surface such as a long flat haul road that advantageously develops polite operation and achievable accuracy.

The lifting means may be purposely formed as a spring adsorption device. The spring adsorber performs an axial lift under vacuum to bridge the distance between the tops of the stacks and the vacuum carrier, so that in this case only simple control is required.

A further purposeful arrangement consists in providing underside ventilation at the edges of the stacks associated with the vacuum transfer means. This arrangement here merely has the function of pulling the lifted sheets completely away from the top of the stack. The placement of the sheet on the vacuum carrying means is still done by lifting means rather than by ventilation. The draft flow can therefore only make seat adjustments in an advantageous manner.

Further advantageous developments and purposeful refinements of the superior arrangement are mentioned in the remaining dependent claims and consist of the examples described below.

[0012]

[Function] A sheet feeding device that sucks and lifts the uppermost sheet of a pile of stacked sheets, separates it from the pile of sheets and conveys it in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, usually uses vacuum to suck and release the sheets, Further, ventilation air is flowed to the lower surface of the lifting sheet to separate the sheet from the stack of sheets. In this case, the lifting means for adsorbing and lifting the sheet, the lower surface air blowing device for flowing the ventilation air to the lower surface of the sheet, and the vacuum transfer means for receiving the lifted sheet and transporting the sheet in a specified direction perform a connecting operation. In most cases, the sheet is delivered to a conveyance roller equipped to convey the sheet further away. At least one lifting means is provided, and the vacuum carrying means is arranged in parallel with the lifting means in the sheet carrying direction. There are various sequences in this arrangement. That is, an arrangement in which the vacuum conveying means is arranged on both sides so as to sandwich the lifting means existing on the center line in the sheet conveying direction, an arrangement in which the vacuum conveying means is arranged on the center line and the raising means is arranged on both sides thereof, There may be an arrangement or the like in which the vacuum transfer means is arranged so as to sandwich the lifting means on both sides of each lifting means. The lifting means and the vacuum transfer means are arranged so that adjustment movement in the lateral direction with respect to the center line, that is, adjustment of the arrangement position with respect to the center line is possible. The vacuum transfer means has driving rollers arranged at the positions of the vertices of a triangle whose bottom of the vertical section is parallel to the stacked sheets, and surrounds these three rollers to form a smooth lower chord on the lower surface. It has a perforated adsorption zone for vacuum action propagation that can move endlessly. Since the sheet is vacuum-sucked through the hole of this band, the sheet is also conveyed along with the endless suction band movement. For the lifting means, it is convenient to use a spring suction device whose structure is already well known, but with further improvement, the suction device tray can be tilted on all sides so that it can follow the corrugation of stacked sheets well. The adsorption device is equipped with a dish-carrying bellows. The lifting means allows adjustment movement in the direction of the center line and is arranged at the front edge portion or the rear edge portion of the stacked sheets, or the relative position to the vacuum transfer means is changed. And adjust the distance between the front and rear sheets on the transport roller as necessary.
That is, in order to realize a non-overlapping conveying flow, the lifting means, and therefore the sheet separating device, at the front edge of the stacked sheets, to realize a front-to-back arrangement strip-shaped flow having a scale flow, i.e., mutual superposition, are sheets. A separating device is arranged at the trailing edge of the stack of sheets. The part of the lower surface air blower having the greatest relation to the present invention is the ventilation nozzle, which may be arranged on the front side or the rear side of the stacked sheets. The nozzle is located near the lifting means. The ventilation direction is opposite to the transportation direction when the ventilation nozzle is on the front side, and is the same as the transportation direction when the ventilation nozzle is on the rear side. Then, an arrangement is adopted so that ventilation is even in the width direction of the sheet.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with the help of the drawings. The sheet feeding device according to FIGS. 1, 2 to 3 and 4 respectively comprises a stack 1 of sheets to be taken up in a lifting table, which can be driven in a well-known manner, not shown, and a stack 1 on top of it. And the sheet separating device 2 in different arrangements. This sheet feeding device is arranged at the front edge of the pile stacked on the front stopper 3 of the stacked sheets in FIGS. The sheets lifted from the stack 1 are delivered there one after the other without overlapping one another, to further distant transport means, such as transport rollers, not shown. In FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponding to one embodiment, the sheet separating device is located above the rear region of the stack. Such an arrangement allows the production of a scaly stream, i.e. the flow of sheets of one after the other with superposition of each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, centrally located sheet separators are provided. It is self-evident that more sheet separating devices can be provided in a symmetrical arrangement in the longitudinal midplane of the stack. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the sheet separating apparatus 2 is provided with one central vacuum conveying means 4 standing on the side surfaces of the two lifting means 5, respectively. The vacuum transfer means 4 is here formed as an adsorption zone. This vacuum carrying means comprises a perforated strip 7 which is passed over three rolls 6 which are driven in a well known manner and which are arranged in a triangular corner in a well known manner, the upper surface of its smooth lower chord. A vacuum action-applicable receiving trough 8 is arranged in close proximity to the vacuum chamber to open the vacuum chamber downward. This catch 8 is connected to a vacuum conduit 9 equipped with a vacuum pump 10. This vacuum conduit 9 can be controlled on and off by a control valve 11 which can be formed as a solenoid pilot valve.

The lifting means 5 is constructed as a so-called spring suction device having an arrangement with a vertical axis, and its suction tray 12 is lifted vertically by vacuum action, as indicated by the dotted line on the left side of FIG. To be The lifting means 5 comprises a vacuum conduit 1 with a vacuum pump 10 in which a control valve 14 is arranged.
Connected to 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet nozzle of the vacuum pump 10 is picked up by a cord leading to the vacuum conduits 9 to 13.

In the retracted position, the suction device tray 12 of the lifting means 5 has its lower surface substantially at the level of the lower surface of the smooth lower chord of the suction perforated strip 7 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. I put it. Therefore, with respect to the distance of the sheet separating device 2 from the upper surface of the stacked pile, even under the worst condition, it is sufficient to overcome the distance between the lower surface of the suction perforation strip 7 and the upper surface of the stacked pile. As described above, the lift of the lifting device 5 constructed as a spring adsorption device is selected. At the same time, this distance must be large enough to achieve the set sheet separation.

The sheet separating device 2 is mounted on a cross beam 15 whose ends are fixed to the side wall of the machine, not shown, as best seen in FIG. As already mentioned above, a plurality of sheet separating devices 2 arranged side by side or one centrally arranged sheet separating device 2 can be arranged on the cross beam 15. It is expedient to intend a movable arrangement so that each can occupy the desired position with high precision. The sheet separating device 2 has two side bearing brackets each having a support bushing through which the cross beam 15 penetrates and supporting the roll 6 for receiving the perforated strip 7 thereon. Adjustments to the width of the piles can be done manually. Horizontal beam 15
Clamping screws can simply be provided for the fixing on. The spring suction device forming the lifting means 5 can simply be fixed to the outer surfaces which are on the side facing away from the side bearing bracket 16, so that a symmetrical configuration of the sheet separating device 2 is created. . However, it is also possible to mount a lifting means 5 on the cross beam 15 which is independent of the vacuum transfer means 4 itself, which is configured as a suction band, in order to allow lateral adjustment, for example to account for the pulsation of the upper surface of the stacked piles. I can think of that. Similarly, it is also conceivable to provide lifting means mounted on the transverse beams 15 arranged in a line next to the lifting means fixed to the bearing bracket 16.

In order to ensure reliable vacuum closure of the adsorber dish 12 against the top of the undulating pile, all sides of the adsorber dish are tiltable as shown on the right side of FIG. Can be done. The adsorber dish 12, on the other hand, can be stretched by a bellows which is movable on all sides.

The control valves 11, 14 which can be embodied as electromagnetic pilot control valves are controlled on and off by an electric or electronic control unit 20 via the associated signal lines 18, 19. As a general rule, the control procedure is selected as follows. That is, the lifting means 5 and the vacuum action-applicable sinks 8 are alternately and alternately applied with a vacuum action, in which each of the vacuum actions of the lifting means 5 and the vacuum action-applicable sinks 8 is included. The presence of an intermediate space, which depends on the length of the sheet, during the working cycle is enabled. First, the lifting means 5 is subjected to a vacuum action. As a result, the lifting means 5 grasps the uppermost sheet of the pile 1 piled up each time, and the bottom surface height of the continuously driven perforated strip 7 of the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the suction strip. Lift this sheet to the level of. In many cases, it may be expedient for the lifting position of the lifting means 5 to be adjusted so as to allow the perforated strip 7 to pass through the installed seat portion in a non-contact state. At the same time, in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the purpose of implementation, the stacked sheet stopper 3 on the front side is turned off so as to open the sheet path in the conveying direction. Although it is possible to do the same in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose of implementation, it is not always necessary. The lifting means 5 grips the uppermost sheet of the piles 1 piled up at each time only at the edge of the sheet. The sheets are ventilated on the underside in order to separate the entire lengthwise and widthwise sheets from the top of the stack. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose of implementation, here, a ventilation nozzle 21 is arranged at the front end edge of the piles and blows air in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.
Is provided with a sheet separating device 2 arranged on the front end edge of the stacked piles, and this ventilation nozzle performs lower ventilation of the sheet whose front end is lifted by the lifting means 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the purpose of implementation, a ventilation nozzle 2 for ventilation in the transport direction, which is arranged at the rear end edge of the stacked mountain.
1 is provided, and the ventilation nozzle carries out the lower ventilation of the sheet whose rear end is lifted by the lifting means 5. The ventilation nozzle 21 can send ventilation air permanently. However, it is also conceivable to activate the ventilation nozzle 21 together with the lifting means 5 or slightly ahead of or behind the lifting means. The ventilation nozzles 21 are evenly distributed with respect to the width of the piles, so that the sheet is entirely ventilated on the lower surface.

After the uppermost sheet is lifted, the vacuum-action-bearing sinker 8 is subjected to a vacuum action at a desired time,
As a result, the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the adsorption zone is activated. At the same time, the vacuum action of the lifting means 5 is released. The sheet lifted by the lifting means is received by the vacuum conveying means 4 formed in the corresponding suction zone, and is sent in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow in FIGS. The sheet received by the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the adsorption zone each time reaches a prescribed height without fluttering.
Since it is preferably already held on the underside of the suction zone of the vacuum transfer means, an accurate repeatable situation, and thus a high degree of accuracy, is ensured in an advantageous manner. This makes it possible to feed the succeeding sheets to a remote conveying means such as a starting roll at an accurate cycle so that the sheets can be held at the same and accurate sheet intervals. As soon as the front edge of the pile of sheets conveyed to the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the suction zone is grasped by the remote transfer means, the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the suction zone is activated, The sheet separating device 2 can be driven for the next working cycle. Here, it may be provided with an edge detection sensor 22 in front of or behind the seat whose signal propagates via the control device 20. The spacing between successive sheets is provided by the controller 20.
Therefore, only the control unit 20 is adjusted to change the distance. As already considered, the ventilation nozzle 21 can be activated and deactivated together with the sheet separating device 2. In many cases, a side ventilation device may be arranged in addition to the ventilation nozzle 21. This side ventilation device can also be activated or deactivated, like the ventilation nozzle 21, or can be permanently loaded with ventilation air.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting means 5 is present in the latter half of the smooth lower chord of the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the suction zone. By a slight movement of the central axis of the suction zone in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, it is possible to easily transfer one sheet from the lifting means 5 to the vacuum transfer means 4 formed in the suction zone.

[0022]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By arranging the vacuum conveying means in parallel with the lifting means with respect to the conveying direction and lifting and conveying the sheet by using the lower surface air blowing, the sheet can be conveyed with high accuracy and high throughput. It has become possible to achieve.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sheet feeding device having a sheet separating device arranged at a front edge portion of a stacked pile.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device for FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sheet feeding device having a sheet separating device arranged at a trailing edge of a stack of piles.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device for FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged front view of the sheet separating device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 pile of stacked sheets 2 sheet separating device 4 vacuum conveying means 5 lifting means 7 perforated belt 12 adsorption device tray 17 all side movable bellows 21 ventilation nozzle

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 22, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 11

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0018] In order also to ensure the vacuum closure trusted adsorber disc 12 relative to the product seen heavy proof mountain face hit the waves, the entire side surface of the adsorber disc, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5 inclinable Can be located at. The adsorber dish 12 for this purpose can be stretched by a bellows 17 which is movable on all sides.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. At least one vacuum-transporting means (4) capable of exerting a periodic vacuum action, preferably arranged in a part of the pile which has edges transverse to the transport direction, and said vacuum. Device for separating planar objects from the upper surface of a stack (1), in particular a sheet feeding device, comprising at least one lifting means (5) capable of descending to the upper surface of the stack, which in turn is subjected to a vacuum action. Vacuum transfer means (4) capable of continuous operation in each
A device for separating a planar object from the upper surface of a stack of piles (1), which is located on the side of at least one lifting means (5). 2. Stacked pile (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the respectively continuously operable vacuum transfer means (4) are arranged between at least two lifting means (5) on either side. A device that separates planar objects from the upper surface of the. 3. Plane from the top of a stack (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a number of lifting means (5) arranged in a row at least partially movable laterally. A device for separating objects. 4. A device for separating a planar object from the upper surface of a pile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum transfer means (4) is formed in an adsorption zone having a smooth lower chord. 5. A device for separating a planar object from the upper surface of a pile (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting means are formed in a spring adsorption device. 6. Stacked pile (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft associated with the vacuum transfer means (4) of the lifting means (5) is moved in the transfer direction. A device for separating a planar object from the upper surface of. 7. The planar object from the top of the pile (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lifting means (5) is arranged in the latter half of the adsorption zone which acts as a vacuum transfer means (4). Device for separating. 8. An underside blower at the edge of the stack corresponding to the separating device (2) formed by the vacuum conveying means (4) and the lifting device (5) associated with the vacuum conveying means. Apparatus for separating planar objects from the upper surface of a stack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising (21). 9. Stacked pile (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting means (5) comprises a transporting bellows (17) of an adsorber dish (12) of said lifting means. A device that separates planar objects from the top surface. 10. Plane from the top of a stack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a separating device (2) is arranged at the front edge of the stack for a non-overlapping transport flow. A device for separating objects. 11. Stack according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a separating device (2) is arranged at the trailing edge of the stacked piles for the realization of a scale flow, ie a front-to-back arrangement of strip-shaped flows. A device for separating a planar object from the upper surface of the mountain (1).