Device for gathering flat articles into stacks and for further processing the stacks

• US 20020159874A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ferag AG (WRH Walter Reist Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Ferag AG (WRH Walter Reist Holding AG)
• Inventors: Honegger, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 6,708,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/788.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/02 indicating an entity which is controlled, adjusted or changed by a control process, i.e. output
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4321 and dropping material through bottom of the pocket
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4433 by means holding the material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/44712 carried by chains or bands
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4476 Endless transport devices with compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/50 Gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/28 from mechanical grippers grippers engaging the leading edge only B65H29/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 39/06 from delivery streams

Abstract

Flat articles are gathered on stack supports (2) being conveyed past feed points substantially continuously and one after the other. After the gathering operation, bottom edge zones (13) of the gathered articles are exposed for a further processing operation. The corresponding device comprises continuously conveyed stack supports (2) each with an inclined supporting surface (3) and a foot element (4) located in the bottom area of the supporting surface (3). The foot elements are actively connected with the supporting surfaces in such a manner, that they are capable of being pressed against the supporting surface and of being distanced from the supporting surface. In an exposure zone downstream of the gathering zone (1), stack support means (10) being conveyed in synchronism with the stack supports (2) and substantially in the same direction and control means are provided. The stack support means are arranged in such a manner, that at the entrance to the exposure zone (1) they are positioned immediately underneath the stack supports and that further downstream they move away from the stack supports (2) in a downwards direction. The control means act on the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) conveyed through the exposure zone in such a manner, that these are distanced from the supporting surfaces (3) at the entrance to the exposure zone for letting the stacks slide down onto the stack support means, and that the stacks having slid down onto the stack support means (10) are clamped between the foot element and the supporting surface. The exposed edge zones (13) of the gathered articles can then be processed in a simple way and/or can be taken hold of by further conveying means. The device is simple and is capable of being adjusted to suit various applications.

Claims

1. Device for gathering flat articles into stacks (6) and for further processing the stacks (6), the device comprising:

a plurality of stack supports (2) and means for continuously conveying the stack supports (2) one behind the other along a conveying path (F),

wherein the conveying path (F), for gathering the articles in a gathering zone leads past a row of feed points and for further processing leads through a processing zone and

wherein, for carrying a stack of the articles, each one of the stack supports (2) comprises a supporting surface (3) extending substantially transverse to the conveying path and a foot element (4) arranged in the bottom zone of the supporting surface (3), the foot elements (4) being designed and actively connected to the supporting surfaces (3) to be capable of being pressed against the supporting surfaces (3) and of being distanced from the supporting surfaces (3),

wherein in an exposure zone (1) between the gathering zone and the processing zone, stack support means (10) being capable of moving in synchronism and substantially in the same direction with the stack supports (2) are provided, said stack support means (10), at the entrance to the exposure zone (1), being positioned immediately underneath the stack supports (2) and further downstream moving away from the stack supports (2) in a downwards direction, and

wherein, in the exposure zone (1), control means are provided for bringing the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) being conveyed past the entrance of the exposure zone (1) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position distanced from the supporting surface (3) and, further downstream, back into their position pressed against the supporting surface (3).

2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the foot elements (4) are mounted on the supporting surfaces (3) in a swivelling manner.

3. Device according to one of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a tension spring (21) is arranged between the foot element (4) and the supporting surface (3).

4. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the stack supports are components of substantially V-shaped gathering pockets (2′

), wherein the supporting surface (3) forms one of two pocket walls situated opposite one another and the foot element (4) closes off the distance between the pocket walls towards the bottom.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stack support means (10) comprise individual stack support bases (11), which are coupled to a circulating conveying organ (12).

6. Device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the stack support bases (11) comprise supporting surfaces oriented vertically to the supporting surfaces (3).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means for driving the foot elements (4) comprise cam surfaces (23) co-operating with guide rollers (22) arranged on the foot elements (4).

8. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the control means comprise active components for activating selected ones of the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the processing zone, further control means and further stack support means (10′

) with stack support bases (11′

) moving in the conveying direction and against the stack supports (2) are provided for bringing the foot elements (4) of stack supports (2) conveyed past from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) to their position at a distance from the stack support (3) and further downstream back into their position pressed against the supporting surface (3), and that the foot elements (4) and the further stack support bases (11′

) are designed in such a manner, that they are able to mesh with one another.

10. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that downstream of the exposure zone (1) means for changing the spatial orientation of the stack supports (3) are provided.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the direction of the conveying path (F) of the stack supports (2) is changed downstream of the exposure zone (1).

12. Device in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that downstream of the exposure zone (1) means for swivelling the stack supports (2) relative to the conveying path (F) are provided.

13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that in the processing zone, a means for laying a covering sheet (43) onto the exposed edge zones (13) is provided.

14. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that in the further processing zone a further conveying means (40) with grippers (41) is arranged in such a manner, that the grippers take hold of the exposed edge zones (13) and thereupon are capable of being closed, and that for releasing the stacks (6), a further control means is provided for bringing the foot elements (4) after the stacks have been taken hold of by the grippers (41) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position at a distance from the supporting surface (3).

15. Device according to claims 1, characterized in that in the processing zone, a further conveying means (40) with pockets (42) is arranged in such a manner, that the exposed edge zones (13) are capable of being inserted into the pockets (42), and that for the release of the stacks (6) a further control means is provided for bringing the foot elements (4) following insertion of the exposed edge zones (13) into the pockets (42) from their position pressed against the supporting surface (3) into their position at a distance from the supporting surface (3).