EP2030922A2 - Method and device for transporting a flat object - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring thickness of a flat object. A gap is adjusted between a belt guide roller (VS1) and a continuous conveyor (F3) such that the gap is smaller than or equal to the measured thickness, and difference between the measured thickness and the gap is smaller than or equal to a preset limit. The flat object is jammed between the belt guide roller and the continuous conveyor, and the jammed flat object is transported over a conveying path (FS1). An independent claim is also included for a device for transporting a flat object over a conveying path.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting a flat object, in particular a mail item, over a conveyor line.

A sorting system sorts mailpieces depending on their respective destination address. Here, the sorting system transports a stream of mail by means of conveyor belts. The problem arises that the mailpieces of the stream can be different in thickness and the thicknesses can vary in unpredictable sequence and distribution.

In EP 1154944 B1 Flat postal items are transported upright. For transporting a mail item is temporarily clamped between two endless conveyor belts (reference numerals 4 and 5) and transported by the rotating conveyor belts. The conveyor belt 5 is in this case pressed by a plurality of elastically deformable rollers 6 against the conveyor belt 4. The rollers 6 are rotatably supported, on vertical shafts. Because the rollers 6 are deformable, the conveyor line can transport mailpieces of different thicknesses.

Also in US 3,951,257 a conveyor line is described which comprises two endless conveyor belts. These conveyor belts are guided around a plurality of roles around. Some rollers are spring loaded. As a result, a thick mail item can increase the gap between the conveyor belts. The spring reduces the gap again when the transport of the mail item over the conveyor line has ended.

In DE 19528828 C1 and DE 19753419 C1 It is proposed to vary the gap between two consecutive postal items depending on characteristics of the postal items. An unnecessarily large gap could significantly reduce the throughput of mail through a sorting system.

In DE 10319723 B3 is described a transport of objects in a conveyor channel variable width. Mail is transported upright through a conveyor channel while being aligned at its lower edges. They are conveyed by an underfloor conveyor belt. They run without clamping between two laterally mounted conveyor belts. Before a mail item reaches this conveyor channel, its thickness is measured. The distance between the lateral conveyor belts is changed depending on the measured thickness. The thicker a mailpiece is, the greater the distance between the lateral conveyor belts.

In DE 102004022027 B3 For example, a U-shaped transport channel is described for transporting flat, upright postal items. The side walls are formed by two endless conveyor belts 2, 3 and a narrow pressure belt 4. The distance between the two conveyor belts 2, 3 is significantly greater than the thickness of a transported mail item. The pressure belt 4 is located below the conveyor belt 3 and is pressed by two spring-mounted Andruckumlenkrollen 13, 16 against the conveyor belt 2. As a result, a mail item is clamped between the conveyor belt 2 and the pressure belt 4. The thickness of this mail piece is measured. An actuator moves the Andruckumlenkrollen 13, 16 in dependence on the measured thickness perpendicular to the transport direction such that the gap between the bands 2 and 4 is changed.

In US 4,973,039 a stack of sheets is transported lying on a conveyor belt (reference numeral 11). So that no transported leaves slide from the stack during transport, the stack is held by a further conveyor belt 13, which is located above the stack. Above the conveyor belt 11 is an endless conveyor belt 22, which is guided over a roller and is rotated by the transported stack when it passes through the gap between the conveyor belts 11 and 22.

A thickness sensor measures the height of the transported stack. The gap between these conveyor belts 11, 22 is changed so that the gap is slightly less than the measured height, preferably only a few hundredths of a millimeter lower.

In WO 2004/030835 A1 An apparatus is described which measures the bending stiffness of a flat postal item. The mail item is temporarily clamped between three endless conveyor belts 1, 2a, 2b. In this case, a gap occurs between the two conveyor belts 2a, 2b. The thickness of the mail piece is measured. A roller 5 is displaced perpendicular to the transport direction, so that the distance between the roller and a connecting line between the two conveyor belts 2a, 2b is approximately equal to the measured thickness. Subsequently, the mailpiece is transported. The roller 5 is pressed in such a way against the clamped mail item. The deflection of the mail piece that causes the roll 5 is measured.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for transporting a flat object over a conveyor line, in which the object is transported without the risk of congestion or slippage, the risk of damage to the transported object is reduced and useless gap changes are avoided ,

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The transport method and the transport device transport at least one flat article over a conveyor line. The transport device has two conveying elements, a thickness sensor and a gap changing device.

With the aid of the thickness sensor, the thickness of the object is measured before the object reaches the conveying path.

• die Lücke gleich der oder kleiner als die gemessene Dicke und
• die Differenz zwischen der gemessenen Dicke und der Lücke kleiner als eine vorgegebene Schranke ist.

With the help of the gap changing device, the gap between the two conveying elements is set to a calculated value. The value depends on the measured thickness. This adjustment causes after setting

• the gap is equal to or less than the measured thickness and
• the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is less than a predetermined barrier.

This adjustment is completed before the object reaches the conveyor line.

The transport device transports the flat object vertically standing over the conveyor line. Here, the two conveyor elements grasp the vertical object and temporarily clamp it between them. The two conveyor elements move at the same speed and transport the trapped object on the conveyor line.

Because the gap between the two conveyor elements is less than the thickness of the article, the conveyor elements grasp and clamp the article as it is being transported across the conveyor line. However, because the difference in thickness and gap is not greater than a predetermined barrier, damage to the article due to excessive lateral pressure is avoided. Because the two conveyor elements move at the same speed, buckling or shearing of the flat object is avoided.

Some processing plants process flat objects vertically. For example, a feeder pulls one flat object one at a time from a stack of upright flat objects one at a time Processing plant can be more easily combined with a transport device, although the transport device transported the flat object upright and the object does not have to be rotated first.

Preferably, the device successively transports several objects over the conveyor line. Before the first item is transported, the gap is set to a default value. This standard gap depends on a standard value for the thickness of the mailpieces to be transported. The gap is set to a different value only if the thickness of an article to be transported deviates from the standard thickness. In one embodiment, the gap is returned to the standard gap after the article has been transported across the conveyor line, unless the subsequent article also has a thickness that deviates from the standard thickness.

• Dann, wenn die aktuelle Lücke größer als die gemessene Dicke ist, die Lücke verringert.
• Dann, wenn die Differenz zwischen der gemessenen Dicke und der aktuellen Lücke größer als die vorgegebene Schranke ist, wird die Lücke vergrößert.
• Ansonsten bleibt die aktuelle Lücke unverändert.

In one embodiment, the old value to which the gap is stored is stored in a gap data memory. Initially, the gap is set to the default value and the default value is stored in the data memory. Whenever the gap is set to a new value depending on the measured thickness of an item to be transported, this value is stored in the gap data memory. If an object is to be transported again, the current gap is first determined by reading the data memory. Then one of the following three steps is performed:

• Then, if the current gap is greater than the measured thickness, the gap is reduced.
• Then, if the difference between the measured thickness and the current gap is greater than the predetermined barrier, the gap is increased.
• Otherwise, the current gap remains unchanged.

The current gap will only be changed if necessary.

• Als Lücke wird eine Standard-Lücke zwischen den beiden Förderelementen eingestellt. Diese Standard-Lücke hängt von einem Standard-Wert für die Dicke des zu transportierenden Gegenstands ab.
• Die Lücke wird dann verändert, wenn die gemessene Dicke des Gegenstands von der Standard-Lücke abweicht.
• Die Standard-Lücke wird wiederhergestellt, nachdem der Transport des Gegenstands über die Förderstrecke abgeschlossen ist.

In one embodiment, the gap is set as follows:

• As a gap, a standard gap between the two conveyor elements is set. This standard gap depends on a standard value for the thickness of the item to be transported.
• The gap is then changed when the measured thickness of the article deviates from the standard gap.
• The default gap is restored after the item has been transported across the conveyor.

Often, many items to be transported have a standard thickness. On average, fewer operations are required to change the gap, thanks to the solution-based method. Many items have a thickness that is not or only slightly different from the standard thickness. If a first article is first transported, then the gap is returned to the standard gap and then a second article is transported and if the second article is as thick as the standard thickness, the gap need not be changed.

Preferably, the gap is changed only if the thickness of the article to be transported deviates by more than a predetermined tolerance from the standard thickness.

Fig. 1

die Transportvorrichtung des Ausführungsbeispiels in Draufsicht;

Fig. 2

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 1, in der eine dicke Postsendung die Verstellung eines Förderelements auslöst;

Fig. 3

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 1, in der die dicke Postsendung von Fig. 2 das verstellte Förderelement erreicht;

Fig. 4

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 1, in der die dicke Postsendung von Fig. 3 die Verstellung eines weiteren Förderelements auslöst;

Fig. 5

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 1, in der eine dünne Postsendung die Verstellung eines Förderelements auslöst;

Fig. 6

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 1, in der eine weitere dicke Postsendung keine Verstellung eines Förderelements auslöst.

Fig. 7

eine Transportvorrichtung, die die Steifigkeit einer Postsendung misst, beim Transport einer dünnen Postsendung;

Fig. 8

die Transportvorrichtung von Fig. 7 beim Transport einer dicken Postsendung.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment, show it

Fig. 1

the transport device of the embodiment in plan view;

Fig. 2

the transport device of Fig. 1 in which one thick mailpiece triggers the adjustment of a conveyor element;

Fig. 3

the transport device of Fig. 1 in which the thick mailing of Fig. 2 reaches the displaced conveyor element;

Fig. 4

the transport device of Fig. 1 in which the thick mailing of Fig. 3 the adjustment of another conveyor element triggers;

Fig. 5

the transport device of Fig. 1 in which a thin mail item triggers the adjustment of a conveying element;

Fig. 6

the transport device of Fig. 1 in which a further thick mail item does not trigger an adjustment of a conveying element.

Fig. 7

a transport device that measures the stiffness of a mailpiece when transporting a thin mailpiece;

Fig. 8

the transport device of Fig. 7 when transporting a thick mail item.

In the exemplary embodiment, the transport device according to the invention is used in a sorting system that sorts flat postal items. The sorting system has a reading device which reads the respective destination address of each mail item. A system of driven endless conveyor belts transports the mail items through the sorting system and discharges them into one of several sorting compartments, depending on the respective destination address.

On their way through the sorting system, each mail item should be clamped as much as necessary. Only then will it be ensured that the mail item is transported at the same speed with which the conveyor belts rotate, and thereby a given speed during the process Transportation is actually adhered to. The clamping is preferably effected in that the transported mail item deforms and / or deflects a conveyor belt of a conveyor track. The frictional force exerted by the conveyor belt depends on the restoring force that the deformed and / or deflected conveyor belt exerts on the mail item.

On the other hand, the mail item should not be damaged during transport, which is why excessive lateral pressure on the mail item is to be avoided.

• einen Dickensensor 10;
• eine Lichtschranke 11;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F1 mit einer angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 1;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F2 mit einer angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 2;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F3 mit einer angetriebenen Riemenscheibe VS2 und einer nicht angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 3;
• eine nicht angetriebene Riemenumlenkrolle VS1;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F4 mit einer angetriebenen Riemenscheibe VS4 und einer nicht angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 4;
• eine nicht angetriebene Riemenumlenkrolle VS3;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F5 mit einer nicht angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 6;
• ein Endlos-Förderband F7 mit einer nicht angetriebenen Riemenscheibe 7.

In Fig. 1 a section of this system of driven conveyor belts is shown. Mail items are transported in the conveying direction F from top to bottom. The section shown has the following components:

• a thickness sensor 10;
• a light barrier 11;
• an endless conveyor belt F1 with a driven pulley 1;
• an endless conveyor belt F2 with a driven pulley 2;
• an endless conveyor belt F3 having a driven pulley VS2 and a non-driven pulley 3;
• a non-driven belt pulley VS1;
• an endless conveyor belt F4 having a driven pulley VS4 and a non-driven pulley 4;
• a non-driven belt pulley VS3;
• an endless conveyor belt F5 with a non-driven pulley 6;
• an endless conveyor belt F7 with a non-driven pulley. 7

The endless conveyor belts are in the embodiment on the outside with an elastic layer, preferably made Rubber, provided. This layer has a high coefficient of friction. The pulleys and the belt pulleys are made of metal. The belt pulleys have a smooth surface.

The outer surfaces of the endless conveyor belts are perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1 , In one embodiment, each endless conveyor belt consists of two superposed individual endless conveyor belts.

VS2 and VS4 pulleys and VS1 and VS3 belt pulleys can be moved vertically. This will be in Fig. 1 indicated by the four dashed double arrows.

The transport device further has a gap changing device, which in Fig. 1 not shown. This gap changing device is able to move each adjustable conveying element VS1, VS2, VS3, VS4 independently of the other conveying elements by a predetermined distance perpendicular to the conveying direction F to the left or right. The gap changing device has actuators and a controller that determines the distance and the direction in which the conveying element is to be adjusted depending on the measured thickness and the previous position of a conveying element. The actuators make this adjustment.

• für die Lücke zwischen VS1 und F3,
• für die Lücke zwischen VS2 und F4,
• für die Lücke zwischen VS3 und F4 und
• für die Lücke zwischen VS4 und F5.

The gap modifier includes a gap data memory to which the controller has read and write access. In this gap data memory, the respective value for the gap between an adjustable conveying element and the opposite conveying element is stored. Each time the gap modifier changes the gap, the old value in the gap data memory is overwritten. In the example of Fig. 1 four values for the following four gaps are stored in the gap data memory:

• for the gap between VS1 and F3,
• for the gap between VS2 and F4,
• for the gap between VS3 and F4 and
• for the gap between VS4 and F5.

At the beginning of the transport, a default value is stored in the gap data memory, which is explained below.

Instead of a value for the current gap can also be stored in each case a value that describes the current position of the adjustable conveyor element, for. B. the position on a coordinate axis perpendicular to the conveying direction.

The actuators of the gap changing device performs the adjustment of the conveying elements. Such an actuator is z. B. off DE 10319723 B4 known.

In one embodiment, the actuator system is designed so that the gap is infinitely variable. In particular, if the gap is to be adjusted within fractions of seconds, a stepless adjustment would often be too slow. In order to ensure a quick adjustment, the conveying element is always in a position different from N and is adjusted by being moved to another of these N different positions. For example, N = 8.

• auf der einen Seite von den Riemenscheiben 2 und 4 und der Riemenumlenkrolle VS 1 und
• auf der anderen Seite von demjenigen Abschnitt des Förderbands F3, der zwischen den Riemenscheiben 3 und VS2 liegt,

begrenzt. Die zweite Förderstrecke wird

• auf der einen Seite von der Riemenscheibe VS2, der Riemenumlenkrolle VS3 und der Riemenscheibe 6 und
• auf der anderen Seite von demjenigen Abschnitt des Förderbands F4, der zwischen den Riemenscheiben 4 und VS4 liegt, begrenzt.

In the exemplary embodiment, each mail item is transported, inter alia, via a first conveyor line FS1 and a second conveyor line. The first conveyor line FS1 becomes

• on the one side of the pulleys 2 and 4 and the belt pulley VS 1 and
• on the other side of that portion of the conveyor belt F3 which lies between the pulleys 3 and VS2,

limited. The second conveyor line is

• on one side of the pulley VS2, the belt pulley VS3 and the pulley 6 and
• on the other side of that portion of the conveyor belt F4 which lies between the pulleys 4 and VS4, limited.

Two opposing endless conveyor belts each have a mail item which stands upright, to pinch between them and to transport it by rotation at the same speed in the conveying direction F.

In the exemplary embodiment are below the conveyor belts F1, F2, F5 and F6 horizontal underfloor conveyor belts, but not under the conveyor belts F3 and F4.

A mail piece is transported through the system by conveyor belts and belt pulleys, thereby describing a meandering path. The conveyor belts wrap around a transported mail item with a wrap angle of 3 degrees to 5 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment, the speed of the mail item remains during transport through the arrangement of Fig. 1 constant and is known.

The mail item initially passes the thickness sensor 10 on its path. The thickness sensor 10 measures the maximum thickness of the mail item, measured as an extent perpendicular to the conveying direction F.

Subsequently, the mail item passes through a light barrier 11. This light barrier 11 is arranged such that a predefined distance lies between the light barrier 11 and the beginning of the first conveying path FS1, which covers the mailpiece. Because the speed is known and constant, it is clear how long the mailing takes to cover the path to the first conveyor line FS1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the gap changing device adjusts the gap that occurs between the two opposing conveying elements VS1 and F3 to a predetermined value. This value depends on the thickness that the thickness sensor 10 has measured. The change in the gap starts at a time ΔT after the leading edge of the mail has passed the light barrier 11. Because the transport speed of the mail item is known, is in the embodiment determines that after the expiration of ΔT, the mail item is only a predetermined distance from the beginning of the first conveyor line FS1 and also only a predetermined distance away from the adjustable conveyor element VS1.

In one embodiment, the gap is adjusted so that the difference between the thickness of the mail piece and the gap is always in the same predetermined range. For example, the difference is always between 0 mm and 8 mm. In one embodiment, the following gap is set as a function of the thickness of the mail item: Thickness of the mailing Gap between the conveyor elements <8 mm The conveying elements are pressed against each other 8 mm - 10 mm The conveying elements touch each other without contact pressure 10 mm - 12 mm 2 mm > 12 mm 4 mm

A default thickness for mailings, z. B. 12 mm. Depending on this standard thickness, the adjustable conveyor elements are initially adjusted so that a standard gap is created, for. B. one of 4 mm. This standard gap is set, for example, when the sorting system starts its operation. In Fig. 1 the transport device is shown prior to transporting with the standard gaps.

To adjust the gap, the gap modifier determines the old value of the gap, e.g. B. by reading the gap data memory and / or queries a position sensor for the adjustable conveyor element. The gap varying means calculates a new value for the gap and then from the old actual value and the new target value the distance and direction by which the adjustable conveying element is to be displaced.

In a further training, the gap is additionally adjusted depending on the respective weight of the item of mail. Under conveyor belts F3 and F4 there is no underfloor conveyor belt. The transport of the mail item is effected solely by the fact that the conveying elements of the two conveyor lines clamp the mail item between them. Therefore, it is caused that the clamping conveyor elements exert a contact pressure and thus a frictional force on the clamped mail item, which compensates for the weight. The contact pressure depends on the restoring force that exerts the deflected conveying element on the mailpiece.

In one embodiment, the transport device additionally has a scale which measures the weight of each continuous mail item. Such a scale is often already installed in the sorting system, z. Because the weight is being measured to check the fare. A scale that measures postal items in the movement is z. B. off EP 881956 B1 and from EP 1400790 B1 known.

In another embodiment, in addition to the thickness, the length of the mail item (the extent in the conveying direction F) and the height of the mail item (the extent perpendicular to the conveying direction F in the vertical direction) are measured. In experiments, an average specific weight of a mail item is determined and stored in a data memory of the transport device. The volume is calculated from the thickness, length and height of each mail item. The weight is calculated from the volume and the average specific gravity.

Each adjustable conveyor element is adjusted so that the larger the weight, the lower the gap. Heavy postal items are thereby subjected to a higher contact pressure than to light postal items.

Fig. 2 shows the transport device of Fig. 1 in which a thick mail item Ps1 triggers the adjustment of a conveying element. In the example of Fig. 2 the thick mail item Ps1 has reached the pulley 1. At this moment, the process becomes triggered that the controlled actuator of the gap changing means the belt deflection roller VS1 shifts to the left, thereby increasing the gap between VS1 and F3. The shift is indicated by a dashed arrow. This adjusts the gap to the thickness of Ps1.

The conveyor belts F2 and F3 transport the mail item Ps1 from the position in Fig. 2 to the position in Fig. 3 , During this transport, the belt pulley VS1 is adjusted by moving it to the left.

Fig. 3 shows the transport device of Fig. 1 in the situation where the thick mailing of Fig. 2 the adjusted belt pulley VS1 reached. The gap between VS1 and F3 is adapted to the thickness of the mail piece Ps1. The belt deflection roller VS1 presses the mail item Ps1 to the conveyor belt F3, and the conveyor belt F3 further transports the mail item Ps1 in the conveying direction F.

Fig. 4 shows the transport device of Fig. 1 in which the thick mail item Ps1 of Fig. 3 the adjustment of a further conveying element triggers, namely the driven pulley VS2. The pulley VS2 is displaced by being shifted to the right, which increases the gap between the conveyor belts F3 and F4.

The adjustment of VS2 is started the moment that the mail item Ps1 in the Fig. 4 reached shown position. This is accomplished by starting the shift a predetermined amount of time after the leading edge of the mailpiece Ps1 has passed the photocell 22.

In the in Fig. 5 As shown, a thin mail item Ps2 is transported after the thick mail item Ps1. At the moment when the thin mail item Ps2 reaches the pulley 1, an adjustment of the belt deflection roller VS1 is triggered. Because the subsequent mail item Ps2 is thinner than the leading mail item Ps1, the gap becomes decreased again between VS1 and F3. This is caused by a shift from VS1 to the right.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative to Fig. 5 : In the example of Fig. 6 The thick mail item Ps1 is followed by another thick mail item Ps3. In this situation, the adjustable belt pulley VS1 remains in the previous position. The adjustment of the belt pulley is thus in the example of Fig. 6 suppressed.

In a further training, in addition to the thickness, the stiffness of each postal item is additionally measured before it reaches the first conveyor line. A method to measure the stiffness of a mailpiece is over WO 2004/030835 A1 known.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the postal item whose stiffness is to be measured is fixed in two places so that it can not be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction at these locations. At a third contact point, which lies between the two fixing points, a predetermined force is exerted on the mail item perpendicular to the transport direction. This force bends the mailpiece and the mailpiece exerts a restoring force on the acting element. It is measured how long the distance around which the mail item is bent at the point of action at which the force is exerted. The longer the distance, the lower the stiffness.

In a modification, the mail item is bent so far that the deflection at the point of action is equal to a predetermined path. It is measured how big then the restoring force that exerts the mailing. The greater the restoring force, the greater the rigidity.

From the stiffness depends on the time at which the adjustment of the conveying element is started. A mail item with high rigidity can only be bent slightly transversely to the transport direction. Therefore, the adjustment of the conveyor element is started late.

• ein Endlos-Förderband F10, das um eine verstellbare Riemenscheibe VS8 herum geführt ist,
• ein Endlos-Förderband F11, das um eine Riemenscheibe 21 herum geführt ist,
• ein Endlos-Förderband F12, das um eine Riemenscheibe 23 herum geführt ist, und
• eine nicht verstellbare Riemenumlenkrolle 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a transport device that adjusts the gap in dependence on the rigidity of a transported mail item. This transport device comprises

• an endless conveyor belt F10, which is guided around an adjustable pulley VS8,
• an endless conveyor belt F11, which is guided around a pulley 21,
• an endless conveyor belt F12, which is guided around a pulley 23, and
• a non-adjustable belt pulley 22.

As well in Fig. 7 as well as in Fig. 8 the gap between the conveyor belts F10 and F12 is too large, because previously a thicker mail item was transported, and is to be downsized. The reduction is achieved by moving the VS8 adjustable pulley to the right. This is indicated by a dashed arrow.

As well in Fig. 7 as well as in Fig. 8 In each case, the situation is shown in the moment in which the adjustment of VS8 begins. The mailing Ps5 of Fig. 7 and the mailing Ps6 of Fig. 8 are the same size. However, the mail item Ps5 of Fig. 7 low rigidity and is flexible. The mailing Ps6 of Fig. 8 has a high stiffness and is quite rigid.

As you can see, the example starts with Fig. 7 the displacement already before the flexible mail item Ps5 has reached the Riemenumlenkrolle 22. The flexible mail item Ps5 can be adapted to the conveyor belt F10. In the example of Fig. 8 The shift begins only after the leading edge of the rigid mail item Ps6 has passed the belt deflection roller 22. The rigid mail item Ps6 can hardly adapt to the conveyor belt F10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

reference numeral importance 1 driven pulley from F1 2 driven pulley from F2 3 non-driven pulley from F3 4 driven pulley from F2 6 non-driven pulley from F5 7 non-driven pulley from F6 10 thickness sensor 11 photocell 21 Pulley from F11 22 Riemenumlenkrolle 23 Pulley of F12 F1 Endless conveyor belt with the pulley 1 F2 Endless conveyor belt with pulley 2 F3 Endless conveyor belt with pulleys 3 and VS2 F4 Endless conveyor belt with pulleys 4 and VS4 F5 Endless conveyor belt with the pulley 6 F6 Endless conveyor belt with the pulley 7 F10 Continuous conveyor belt with the sliding pulley VS8 F11 Endless conveyor belt with the pulley 21 F12 Endless conveyor belt with the pulley 23 FS1 first conveyor line ps1 thick mailing ps2 thin mailing ps3 another thick mailing Ps5 flexible mailing ps6 rigid mailing VS1 non-driven and sliding belt pulley VS2 driven pulley of F3 VS3 non-driven and sliding belt pulley VS4 driven and displaceable pulley of F4 VS8 sliding pulley from F10

Claims (15)

Method for transporting a flat object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) via a conveyor line (FS1),
in which - measured the thickness of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) and a gap between two conveying elements (F3, VS1) is set to a value which depends on the measured thickness, before the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) reaches the conveyor line (FS1),
wherein the gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) is adjusted such that after adjustment the gap is equal to or less than the measured thickness and the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is equal to or less than a predetermined barrier, the flat object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is transported vertically above the conveying path (FS1),
the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) - Grasp the vertical object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) and temporarily pinch between them, - move at the same speed and - Transport the trapped object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) on the conveyor line (FS1). Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the gap is changed so
that for each measured thickness, the difference between the thickness and the gap is in the same predetermined range. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
characterized in that
when the measured thickness is below a predetermined thickness barrier,
the gap between the two conveyor elements (F3, VS1) is adjusted such that after adjustment, the two conveyor elements (F3, VS1) touch each other and are pressed against each other with a predetermined contact pressure. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
determining which value the gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) has before setting, and if the gap is greater than the measured thickness, the gap is reduced, when the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is greater than the predetermined barrier, the gap is increased, and - otherwise the gap is left unchanged. Method according to claim 4,
characterized in that in dependence on a predetermined standard thickness, a gap is set between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) as a gap, the value for the standard gap is stored in a gap data memory, - whenever the gap is set to a new value, this value is stored in the gap data memory and - The determination of which value the gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) before setting comprises the step that the value in the gap data memory is read out. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that in dependence on a predetermined standard thickness, a gap is set between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) as a gap, - the gap is changed when the measured thickness of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) deviates from the standard gap, and - the default gap is restored after the transport of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) over the conveyor line (FS1) is completed. Method according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) after the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) transport a subsequent object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) via the conveying path (FS1),
as a further thickness, the thickness of the subsequent object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is measured before the subsequent object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) reaches the conveying path (FS1), and
when the further thickness also deviates from the standard thickness, - the setting of the standard gap is prevented and - The gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) is adjusted such that after adjusting the gap is equal to or smaller than the further thickness and the difference between the further thickness and the gap is smaller than the predetermined barrier. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that
the gap is changed by
in that at least one of the conveying elements (F3, VS1) is displaced in a displacement direction which is perpendicular or oblique to the direction (F) in which the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is transported. Method according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the at least one displaced conveying element comprises an endless conveyor belt (FS3) guided around a pulley (VS2),
and moving the conveyor element (FS3) comprises the step of displacing the pulley (VS2) in the shift direction. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that
the clamping of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) causes a deformation of at least one of the two conveying elements (F3, VS1). Method according to one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that
thickness as the maximum thickness of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is measured perpendicular to the conveyor line (FS1). Method according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that
in addition, the rigidity of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is measured before the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) reaches the conveying distance (FS1), and
the greater the stiffness, the later the change in the gap is completed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that
in addition, the weight of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) is measured before the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) reaches the conveying distance (FS1), and
the gap is changed so that the larger the measured weight, the smaller it is. Transport device for transporting a flat object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) via a conveyor line (FS1), wherein the transport device two conveying elements (F3, VS1), - A thickness sensor (10) and a gap changing device
having,
the thickness sensor (10) is adapted to measure the thickness of the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) before the object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) reaches the conveying path (FS1), the gap changing device is configured to to set a gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) to a value dependent on the measured thickness before the object (Ps1, Ps2,...) reaches the conveying path (FS1), wherein
the gap changing device is configured to adjust the gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) in such a way that after adjustment - the gap is smaller than the measured thickness and the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is smaller than a predetermined barrier,
the transport device is designed to transport the article (Ps1, Ps2,...) perpendicularly over the conveying path (FS1), wherein
the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) are designed to to grasp the perpendicular object (Ps1, Ps2,...) and temporarily pinch it between them, - to move at the same speed and - To transport the trapped object (Ps1, Ps2, ...) on the conveyor line (FS1). Transport device according to claim 14,
characterized in that
the gap changing device has read and write access to a gap data memory,
in which a value for the gap between the two conveying elements (F3, VS1) can be stored, and
the gap changing device is additionally designed to to read out the previous value of the gap from the gap data memory for setting the gap and - Save the set value for the gap in the gap data memory.

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