WO1998056704A2

WO1998056704A2 - Method and device for arranging flat separating elements, and specially separating cardboard in a product pile

Info

Publication number: WO1998056704A2
Application number: PCT/DE1998/001567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Salm; Thomas MÜLLENDER
Original assignee: WINKLER + DüNNEBIER AG
Priority date: 1997-06-10
Filing date: 1998-06-09
Publication date: 1998-12-17
Also published as: DE29710087U1; WO1998056704A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for arranging separating elements (2) and/or intermediary filling inserts for piled interspaced products (4,10) made of paper, envelopes or the other flat objects which are further processed or packed. The invention provides for a space (1) or gap to be formed between products (4,10) and for at least one separating element to be arranged behind at least one of the products (10) or placed in the gap. The pile of products is completed simultaneously. Once the pile attains a given size it is further processed or packed.

Description

Method and device for arranging flat separating elements and in particular separating cardboards in a product stack

Description:

The invention relates to a method and a device for arranging flat separating elements and in particular separating cardboards and / or filling inserts at predetermined intervals in a product stack according to the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 6, the device being arranged in particular behind a manufacturing device producing the products is.

It is known to insert separating cardboards between stacked envelopes at predetermined intervals. The dimensions of the dividers are matched to those of the envelopes. For example, they are pushed between the envelopes from above. This is done on the one hand to define exact quantities and on the other hand to improve the stability of a complete packaging unit. It also allows the use of thinner packaging material. Since the arrangement of the separating cardboards between the envelopes was previously carried out by hand, the object of the invention is to insert or arrange such, generally flat separating elements and in particular separating cardboards and / or filling inserts at predetermined intervals when stacking products in particular To fully automate paper, envelopes or other flat objects that are then further processed and / or packaged. To achieve this object, the invention provides with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 that first a distance or a gap is formed between the products and that at least one separating element is then arranged behind at least one of the products or in the gap, wherein the product stack is completed at the same time and finally processed or packaged after reaching its target size.

The separating elements are arranged behind the last product placed in the stack or placed in a specifically created gap between two products. A turning and / or transfer device is used to form the distances, with the aid of which partial stacks of predetermined size are first created and then combined to form a product stack, while the gaps are generated with the aid of at least one separating sword. According to the invention, at least one stacking device for the separating elements and a feed device with a gripper and a deposit for receiving at least one separating element and for arranging the separating element behind the last product or in the respective gap of the product stack being formed are also provided.

Further features of the invention emerge from dependent claims in connection with the description and the drawing.

The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing. Show:

1: a schematic diagram of a combined stacking and feeding device for the separating elements; FIG. 2: a detail from FIG. 1 on a larger scale;

Fig. 3- is a schematic diagram of a top view of essential features of the device according to Fig. 1;

Fig.: On a smaller scale, a view as in Figure 1 after lifting a separating element from a stack consisting of separating elements.

Fig. 5- is a view as in Fig - after the take-over of the separating element by an offshoot, which transports the separating element to the storage location and arranges it there in the product stack;

FIG. 6: a view as in FIG. 5 to illustrate a buffer for the separating elements in the stacking device;

7 shows a top view of the device rotated by 90 degrees as in FIG. 3 together with further components and stations of the device for packaging products such as envelopes behind a production device;

FIG. 8: a plan view as in FIG. 7 of a modified embodiment;

9: on a larger scale a detail from FIG. 8 in a side view and partly in section; Fig. 10: a section along the line XX in Fig. 9 and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the detail of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12: an end view of the detail of Fig. 9-

A device 1 for arranging separating elements 2 at predetermined intervals in a product stack 3, which consists of products 4 such as envelopes, is arranged according to the exemplary embodiment directly behind a manufacturing device 5 producing the products 4 according to FIG. 7. The products / envelopes coming from the production device 5 are first stacked, for example, with the aid of a serrated lock washer 6 and then picked up in small, numerically defined partial stacks 7 by a turning and / or converting device 8 and at another point 9 at a distance from the last one, product 10 belonging to the previously formed product stack 3. The distance 11 between the offset partial stack 7 and the last product 10 of the product stack 3 can be as large as desired and is defined by the position of movable holding and gripping elements 12, 13 which initially hold the offset partial stack 7 at a distance from the product stack 3 until the separating element 2 is arranged behind the last product 10, whereupon the holding and gripping elements 12, 13 attach the partial stack 7 to the previously formed product stack 3 and to the separating element 2 created there.

The turning and converting device 8 has a double function. On the one hand, it is a device 8 for generating a distance 11 and can also turn the products 10 at the same time. It is not described in more detail in the context of the present invention, since together with the holding and gripping elements 12, 13 it is the subject of another patent application PCT / DE98 / 01310.

As soon as the product stack 3 has reached its desired size, it is further processed with the aid of components which are also not of interest here, or, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, is pushed into a packaging station 1 for packaging and packed there, for example in a packaging box 15. The packaged products 4 leave the packaging station 14, for example as a package 16.

The device 1 for arranging separating elements 2 in the product stack 3 comprises, in addition to the device 8 for generating the distance 11 between at least partially pre-stacked products 4, a stacking device 20 and a feed device 21 for the separating elements 2.

The stacking device 20 has separating elements 2 stacked in supply stacks 22, and the feed device 21 transports the separating elements 2 from the stacking device 20 to the already partially formed product stack 3 and deposits them there.

According to FIGS. 1 and 3, the stacking device 20 comprises a machine frame 24, in which four compartments 2 $ for separating element supply stacks 22 are arranged so as to be rotatable about an axis 26. The compartments 25 have adjustable side stops 27 for separating elements 2 of different sizes. The compartments 25 are arranged in a star shape or sy etrically to the axis 26 and together form a square or a square (FIG. 3). They can be moved relative to a lifting device 28.

The axis 26 is a centrally and vertically arranged axis of rotation 26 'which is mounted in the machine frame 24 in a suitable manner which is not of interest here and which can be moved by means of a rotary drive 29 and a belt 30. It is thus possible to pivot each of the four compartments 25 in such a way that the supply stacks 22 located in the compartments 25 can be refilled at an open location on the machine frame 24 and raised by the lifting device 28 provided only once.

The lifting device 28 engages under the storage stack 22 'located in its effective area with a carrying element 31 or, according to the exemplary embodiment, with a carrying fork and lifts the storage stack 22' in such a way that the uppermost separating elements 2 'are located in a buffer 32. There, the separating elements 2 'are held by laterally arranged brushes 33 (FIG. 6), this also particularly true if the supply stack has been reduced to the contents of the buffer 32 and the carrying element 31 of the lifting device 28 is lowered again, so that a another supply stack 22 ″ according to FIG. 6 can be moved or pivoted into the lifting device 28.

The lifting device 28 comprises a lifting drive 34 with a lifting spindle, not shown in a suitable manner, which is mounted in the machine frame 24 in order to lift the carrying element 31, so that movements of the carrying element 31 in both Directions of the double arrow 35 (Fig. 1) are possible. For this purpose, the axis 3 of the lifting spindle is also arranged vertically and parallel to the axis 26 of the structural unit (compartments 25) (rotating magazine).

Instead of the brushes 33 defining the buffer 32, pivotally mounted holding elements can also be provided, for example in the form of small wedges or the like.

The feed device 21, which is also used for separating, takes over the uppermost, exposed separating element 2 '' 'from the supply stack 22' raised by the lifting device 28 with the aid of a gripper 40 and then transports the separating element 2 '' 'to the latter with the aid of a movable deposit 41 Product stack 3 (Fig. 7).

The gripper 40 has a gripper element 4, which according to the exemplary embodiment is a suction cup. The gripper element 42 works with negative pressure.

The gripper 40 is arranged with its gripper element 42 at a distance above and close to one of the edges 43 of the uppermost separating element 2 ″ ″ of the supply stack 22 ′. The supply stack 22 'is moved against the gripper 40 from below with the aid of the lifting device 28, whereupon the gripper element 42 or the suction bell takes over the separating element 2''' and pivots from a position lying horizontally, for example, into a vertical position according to FIG. 4. For this purpose, the gripper element can be moved about an axis 44 and with the aid of a piston-cylinder device 45. The piston-cylinder device 45 is supported at one end on a bracket 46. The movable branch 41 also has a gripper device 50. It takes over the separating element 2 '''which is lifted and pivoted from the supply stack 22' with the aid of gripper elements 51 and 52. According to the exemplary embodiment, one gripper element 51 is a rigidly arranged element or a stop, while the other gripper element 52 is movable. Together, the gripper elements 51 and 52 form a U-shaped cross section with a clear distance. The Grei erelement 52 is movable according to the embodiment with the aid of a piston-cylinder device 53 in the direction of the rigidly arranged gripper element 51, so that the separating element 2 '''between the gripper elements 51 and 52 can be held by pressure. The gripper elements 51 and 52 are gripper fingers, for example.

The deposit 41 or the gripper elements 51 and 52 can be moved together with the piston-cylinder device 53 by means of a cylinder 54 without a piston rod and by means of a rod-shaped support element 55 (FIG. 3) from the stacking device 20 to the product stack 3.

As soon as the movable coulter 4 has switched off the separating element 2 ' ¹ ' on the product stack 3 behind the last product 10 by opening the gripper elements 51 and 52, it returns to the gripper 40 in the open state, where that pivotable gripper element 42 has already raised the next separating element 2 '''and, as shown in FIG. 4, has pivoted it into a vertical or approximately vertical position. With its U-shaped cross section formed by the gripper elements 51 and 52 and open at the bottom, the cantilever 41 now moves over the separating element 2 ¹ '' held upright by the gripper 40 and takes it over, the separating element 2 '''already being in one spatial location is such that it is suitable for settling on the product stack 3.

A suitable number of supports 60 are located on the rear of the machine frame 24 and serve as supports for at least one support arm 61, on which in turn support elements 62 and 63 are arranged in accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. The support elements 62, 63, directed from top to bottom, hold and carry the feed device 21 or its gripper 40 and its support 41, which also acts as a displacement unit.

A modified embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the same or similar parts having the same reference numbers and additionally the letter index a as the first embodiment.

In the second exemplary embodiment too, the device 1a is located between the manufacturing device 5a producing the products 4a and a packaging station 14a. Likewise, the products a are initially placed as a stack by a serrated lock washer 6a and then taken over by the device 8a serving for turning and / or relocating as a partial stack 7a and placed again after formation to form a product stack 3a (FIG. 8). Behind The last product 10a facing the device 8a is inserted into the separating elements 2a in the direction of arrow 70a in FIG. 8. As soon as the product stack 3a consisting of products 10a or 4a and separating elements 2a has reached its desired size, it is pushed into the packaging station 14a and packed there in the same manner as in the exemplary embodiment described first.

The actual device 1a in turn comprises a stacking device 20a for separating elements 2a and a feed device 21a which also serves as a separating device, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12.

The separating elements 2a also form a supply stack 22a here, which, however, does not stand - as in the first exemplary embodiment, but lies on a floor 71a. Preferably two side walls 72a can delimit the bottom 71a and have a brush strip 73a. The bottom 71a and the side walls 72a form a channel-shaped or trough-shaped recess.

A thrust element 74a, for example in the form of a piston-cylinder unit, is arranged under the floor 71a and can be displaced along an axis 75a. A thrust finger 76a is connected to the thrust element or to the movable part of the piston-cylinder unit and extends through a longitudinal slot 77a in the base 71a and carries a pressure plate 78a. The pressure plate 78a is located above the bottom 71a and acts on the supply stack 22a, as shown in FIG. 9.

At the end of the supply stack 22a facing away from the pressure plate 78a there is also the direction serving feed device 21a and comprises a flat, for example plate-shaped contact element 79a against which the supply stack 22a can be pressed with the aid of the push element 74a.

An opening 80a for a suction head 81a is located in the contact element 79a. The suction head is connected to a control valve and a vacuum source in a manner not of interest here and can be ventilated.

The suction head 81a is also fastened to a drivable carriage 82a which can be moved back and forth parallel to the axis 75a of the thrust element 76a. The opening plane of the suction head 81a also forms a contact surface. If the carriage 82a is pushed against the supply stack 22a and this is first pressed against it by the push element 74a, after the push element 74a has been depressurized, the separating element 2a which is in contact with the suction head 81a and is held by negative pressure can be pulled to the contact element 79a by a small amount and thus from the supply stack 22a can be removed and separated. A prerequisite for this is that the suction head 81a can protrude through the opening 80a.

It is further understood that two side walls 72a with brush strips 73a or equivalent holding elements must be provided on both sides of the supply stack 22a so that the separating elements 2a located in the supply stack 22a are held when a separating element is separated by means of the suction head 81a and when the pushing element 74a is depressurized at the same time become. This creates a defined gap between the plane of the contact element 79a and the end of the supply stack 22a. The separating and feeding device 21a further comprises a removal element 83a in the form of an arm which can be pivoted with the aid of a swivel drive 84a in the plane of the separating element separated from the supply stack 22a with the aid of the suction head 81a (FIG. 11). The removal element 83a has a catch cam 85a at its free end and can be moved along a gap 86a, which can be seen in FIG. 11 (the removal element 83a is not shown there).

The gap 86a has a sliding surface 87a on the bottom. As soon as the suction head 81a has detached and released an isolated separating element from the supply stack 22a, it falls onto the sliding surface 87a. It lies in or somewhat above the level on which the product stack 3a (FIG. 8) is formed. The removal element 83a is pivoted for inserting or pushing in a separated separating element, the driver cam 85a pressing on the rear edge of the separating element.

Instead of a swivel arm, a slide that can be moved back and forth can also be used as the removal element, or the suction head can be attached to a swivel arm, so that the suction head transports a separating element from the supply stack directly into the product stack.

The prerequisite in all cases is that the clock frequencies of the various elements are matched to one another.

In principle, other types of components can also be provided to open the product stack so that a separating element can be inserted or inserted. For this it is also possible to use a separating sword which can be moved back and forth and which is designed as a slide, which may consist of two partial sheets or partial fingers. They can be spread apart with the aid of a suitable drive, so that a gap or a gap opens in the product stack, into which the separating element is then inserted.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the separating elements are inserted or inserted from the side or along a curve piece behind one of the products or into a gap. Basically, this can also be done from above. The invention is therefore not limited to the specifically described exemplary embodiments; rather, further changes and additions are possible without deviating from the basic inventive idea. This also means that filling inserts are used as separating elements instead of separating cardboard if this is necessary in individual cases.

Claims

Expectations

1. Method for arranging separating elements (2), in particular separating cardboards and / or filling inserts at predetermined intervals when stacking, in particular products (4, 10) made of paper, envelopes or other flat objects, which are then further processed and / or packaged become,

characterized in that initially a distance (11) or a gap is formed between the products (4, 10),

that at least one separating element (2) is then arranged behind at least one of the products (10) or in a gap and

that the product stack (3) is at the same time further completed and finally processed or packaged after reaching its desired size.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating element (2) from the side and / or along a curve piece behind one of the products (10) or inserted or inserted into the gap.

3. The method according to at least one of claims 1 and / or 2, characterized in that the distance (11) / the gap is created with the aid of a turning and / or converting device (8), the partial stack consisting of products (4) (7) raises a predetermined size and sets it down again at another point (9).

4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stacked separating element (2) is detected and raised and pivoted and moved to the product stack to be formed (3) and behind the last product belonging to the prepared product stack (3) (10) is discontinued or inserted into the gap between two products (10).

5. The method according to at least one of claims 1 and / or 2, characterized in that the gap is generated with the aid of at least one separating sword.

6. Device for arranging at least one separating element (2), in particular of a separating cardboard and / or of filling inserts at a predetermined distance (11) in a product stack (3) of products (4, 10) made of paper which are preferably to be stacked, of envelopes or other flat objects, characterized by

a) a device (8) for generating a distance (11) / a gap between at least partially pre-stacked products (4, 10),

b) a stacking device (20) for at least one supply stack (22) consisting of separating elements (2) or filling inserts and

c) a feed device (21) for receiving at least one separating element (2) / a filling insert and for arranging the separating element (2) / the filling insert in the gap or behind the last product (10) of the partially formed product stack (3).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the means (8) for generating a distance (11) / a gap between at least partially pre-stacked products (4 _10?) A turn - comprises and / or conversion device (8), with their Aid of products (4, 10) consisting of partial stacks (7) of predetermined size can be raised and placed at another location (9).

8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that with the aid of the feed device (21) at least one separating element (2) from a supply stack (22) can be removed, lifted, pivoted and then behind the last product (10) and / or in the Gap in the product stack (3) can be inserted.

9. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the feed device (21) comprises a gripper (40) and an offshoot (41).

10. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the gripper (40) for receiving a horizontally arranged separating element (2 '' ') and for pivoting the separating element (2' '') is provided in a vertical position.

11. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that provided for receiving the separating element (2 ' ¹ ') Gripper (40) is arranged at a distance above the supply stack (22 ') consisting of separating elements (2) and with a gripper element / suction bell (42) close to the edge (43) of the stacked separating element (2'' ^! ).

12. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the offshoot (41) gripper elements (51, 52) for taking over the separating element (2 ''') from the gripper (40) and for transporting the separating element (2' ¹ ') to the product stack (3) to be formed and for arranging the separating element (2' ¹ ') behind the last product (10) of the product stack (3) to be formed or in the gap.

13- Device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the deposit (41) can be moved from the gripper (40) on the stacking device (20) to the depositing point (9) on the product stack (3).

14- Device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the stacking device (20) for the separating elements (2) has a plurality of compartments (25) arranged in a star shape for supply stacks (22).

15. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the stacking device (20) has a lifting device (28) for each one of separating elements (2) existing stock stack (22).

16. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the lifting device (28) comprises a lifting drive (34) with a vertically arranged axis (36) and a support element (31) for the separating elements (2).

17. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the stacking device (20) each has compartments (25) with adjustable side stops (27) for different sized separating elements (2).

18. The device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the compartments (25) are movable relative to the lifting device (28).

19- Device according to at least one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the stacking device (20) has a centrally arranged axis of rotation (26 ').

20.Device for arranging separating elements (2a) and / or filling inserts at predetermined intervals in a product stack (3a) consisting of pre-stacked products (4a, 10a), in particular of flat paper products such as envelopes or other objects, which in particular to a packaging station ( 14a) is movable, with a stacking device (20a) for receiving a supply stack (22a) of separating elements (2a), in particular separating cardboards, with a drivable push element (74a) acting on one end of the supply stack (22a), with another on the other The end of the supply stack (22a) arranged contact element (79a), to which a feed device (21a), which is also used for separating, is assigned, as well as a removal element (83a) for a separated separating element (2a), which can be moved transversely to the axis of the stacking device (20a).

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the stacking device (20a) is channel-shaped or trough-shaped.

22. The device according to at least one of the device claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the thrust element (74a) is connected to a piston-cylinder unit which can be acted upon with a pressure medium, preferably air.

23. The device according to at least one of the device claims, characterized in that an element acting on the product stack for opening the product stack and for forming a gap is assigned to the feed device.

24- Device according to at least one of the device claims, characterized in that a separating sword is provided as an element for opening the product stack.

25. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filling insert is provided instead of a separating element.