EP2346765B1 - Apparatus and method for compiling flat objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention is in the field of conveyor technology and relates to an apparatus and a method for collating flat objects. The invention is particularly applicable to the formation of stacks of stacked products; such stacking is, for example, a step in the manufacture of printed products made up of a plurality of partial printed products and other products such as e.g. CDs, sample and others, e.g. Newspapers, magazines, brochures, books and the like.

By gathering printed products the skilled person understands the stacking of different printed products into stacks. Usually, the same printed products are stacked in the same order in all stacks. However, if necessary, the stacks can also differ from one another in that individual individual products are missing in individual stacks. The printed products are for example individual, unfolded or folded sheets or multiply folded signatures. The printed products compiled into a stack differ from each other in terms of their printed content, but may additionally differ in their shape.

Known apparatus for collecting printed products have a plurality of conveyor compartments which are moved along a conveyor track. Along the conveyor track, a plurality of feed units are usually arranged along a collation line, which are equipped to supply printed products of a single type. The directed against the conveyor compartments outputs of the feed units are arranged substantially in a row one behind the other, whose direction corresponds to the conveying direction of the compartments along the gathering distance. During the feeding steps, one compartment each is aligned with one feed outlet each. The feed units are, for example, feeders, winding stations or on-line connections with devices in which the printed products to be collected are created or processed.

In collating devices in which the printed products are fed to the compartments substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, usually the compartments are stationary during the feeding steps and the printed products are pushed or thrown from the side into the compartments aligned with the supply exits. Between successive feed steps, the printed products are shifted with the compartments by the distance between successive feeders (or by an integer fraction of that distance) so that the compartments oriented to the outlets are replaced by successive compartments. The compartments of such devices are usually arranged such that the printed products lie horizontally or slightly downhill therein. Disadvantages are the necessarily intermittent stop-and-go operation of the conveyor for the compartments.

Collapsing devices with compartments moving substantially continuously in the collating direction do not have these disadvantages. For a trouble-free feeding of the printed products to continuously moving compartments, the printed products but with the collation direction must be substantially rectified and with the compartments exactly synchronized be pushed or thrown into the compartments, and their speed is adapted to the conveying speed of the compartments. The compartments are formed, for example, by a conveyor belt with transverse and optionally also along the strip length arranged partitions, each two adjacent transverse walls define a compartment. In these compartments, the supplied printed products are stacked lying on the conveyor belt. Other known collating devices with continuously conveyed compartments have V- or L-shaped compartments in which the supplied printed products stand on one edge and lean against a compartment wall leading or trailing in the collating direction as a support / support surface.

A collating device with longitudinal sections in the conveying direction L-shaped compartments, which are moved by a conveying member along a closed orbit through the collation area, is from the WO 2007/085101 known. The in the gathering region substantially horizontally oriented longer compartment wall serves as a support surface for the objects, and in the collapsing substantially vertically oriented shorter compartment wall serves as a stop on which the leading edges of the objects are aligned. The compartments are arranged pivotable relative to the conveying member. Its pivotal position is controlled so that the orientation of the support surface in the room remains constant, regardless of the shape of the conveyor track, with a slight inclination in the conveying direction. In this way it is possible for the stacks to remain resting on the bearing surfaces even if the conveying direction changes, for example in curved sections of the conveyor track, without being kept active.

From the WO 2008/058405 Another collating apparatus is known in which the walls of all compartments are defined by continuous belts running around deflecting means. By zigzag deflection along the conveyor belt, the bands span a plurality of sectionally L-shaped compartments, the immediately and without interruption. By changing the position of the deflection means (rollers, rods), the orientations of the side walls of adjacent compartments can be adjusted in dependence on each other. The long side wall, for example, inclined relative to the conveyor track or the conveying member and the short side wall is oriented substantially vertically, so that an inclined support surface and one of which projecting upwardly stop is formed. In an alternative configuration, the two side walls are oriented parallel to the conveyor track and can enclose the stack between them. This makes it possible to promote the stack with a steep or above the stack arranged support surface (ie upside down). However, the orientation of the side walls of adjacent compartments is not selectable independently of each other, since the bands run over said common deflection means, so that the inclination angle of the support surface and the opening angle between the side walls are coupled to each other.

Another collector is from the DE-A 31 45 491 known. It comprises a plurality of grippers, wherein the support surface associated with a gripper for supporting the applied products is formed by the upwardly pointing gripper jaw of the gripper leading in the conveying direction. Thus, the inclination angle of the support surface and the opening angle of the gripper are also not independent of each other. The inclination is also opposite to the conveying direction.

The US 6,311,968 discloses conveying means in the form of pocket-shaped receptacles for insertion and support of printed products. The receptacles each have a receiving wall with a pivotable holding element arranged on it. The holding element is used for insertion and case-by-case holding of printed products between the holding element and the wall. The inclination of the pocket-shaped receptacles is adjustable along its conveyor track.

The US 2005/0116404 discloses a conveyor with pocket-shaped receptacles for insertion and support of supplements in a folded printed product. The conveyor further includes grippers, which are movable independently of the pocket-shaped receptacles along a separate conveyor track by means of an independent conveyor. In a plug-in area, the bag-shaped receptacles and the grippers are guided along a common conveyor track section. In this conveyor track section, the grippers are arranged in the bottom area of the pocket-shaped receptacle. Following the insertion process, the grippers grab the products together with inserts and move them out of the holders.

The US 5,269,504 describes a conveyor with pocket-shaped receptacles for inserting inserts in a folded product and guided independently of the recordings grippers. In a plug-in area, the pocket-shaped receptacles and the grippers are guided along a common conveyor track section. In this conveyor track section, the grippers are arranged in the bottom area of the receptacles. Following the insertion process, the grippers grab the products together with inserts and move them out of the holders.

The WO 2004/074153 describes a support element concentricity with a plurality of support elements, which is guided in a product delivery area with the grippers of a guided independently of the concentricity gripper conveyor along a common conveyor track section. The support elements serve to receive a continuously supplied bagging film and the formation of bag-shaped receptacles in the packaging film. In the pocket-shaped receptacles products are inserted in the product transfer area. Upon completion of the product dispensing, the individual pouches containing the inserted products are separated and sealed into independent packages. In the mentioned conveyor track section, the grippers are now arranged in the lower region of the support elements. The grippers seize the finished packaging units after the separation and welding process and move them out of the support element concentricity.

The invention has for its object to provide a collator and a corresponding method in which or in which the objects can be reliably recorded, aligned and conveyed, it being desirable that the collected objects as a stack regardless of the orientation of the To hold compartments.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a. A method with the features of claim 14. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The device according to the invention is used for collating flat objects, in particular printed products and other products, and for conveying the collated objects further as a stack. It comprises a plurality of receiving units which are movable in a conveying direction along a closed conveying path defined by a conveying member. In addition, a plurality of support elements is present, which define a support surface inclined in the conveying direction at least in a collating region of the conveying path, on which the objects can be stored and align themselves due to the inclination. The receiving units according to the invention comprise grippers with a first and second gripper jaw, which can assume a clamping position and an open position in a manner known per se. The grippers are arranged and moved relative to the support elements at least in the collation area so that they can hold stacks formed on the support elements by closing the grippers and can further convey them in the held state. Optionally, at least in the collating area, the grippers form a stop for the objects resting on the supporting surface, on which the objects are aligned, in particular due to gravity. The grippers and the support elements are controllable such that within a receiving unit, the orientation of the support surface relative to the conveyor track and / or an opening angle between the first and second gripper jaws is adjustable independently of adjacent receiving units. Preferably, the grippers are so connected to the conveying member and controllable such that their orientation relative to the conveying path and / or an opening angle between the first and second gripper jaw is independent of adjacent grippers adjustable.

The inventive method comprises the following steps: moving the receiving units in the conveying direction along the closed conveyor track; Feeding individual objects one behind the other to the receiving units in the collation area of the conveyor track; Placing the articles on the bearing surfaces on each other receiving units for forming stacks; Closing the gripper after formation of the stack and forwarding the stack by the gripper.

The invention is based on the approach of using a known gripper conveyor with grippers whose orientation and opening state can be controlled independently of one another, for collating flat objects or for stack formation and for subsequently conveying the stacks. This approach differs fundamentally from the known concepts described above in the field of gathering. In these always compartments with large contact surfaces and rigid or possibly variable in their orientation compartment walls are used. In contrast, the invention has the following advantages:

Known gripper conveyors can be used in principle, which are modified by suitable supporting elements, so that the objects in the collating area, in which the grippers are still open, are securely supported, in particular from below. The stack of objects can be reliably held after collation by closing the gripper and be promoted without displacements within the stack even over longer distances. Unlike the prior art, it is therefore not necessary to transfer the stack for forwarding in gripper. The stacks can be taken immediately at the place of their completion. Since the grippers are individually controllable, faulty stacks can be discharged in a simple manner, for example by the gripper is opened when conveying overhead. The stack transfer to an optionally existing removal device is extremely controlled, since the orientation of the gripper and the time of opening can be set exactly. As with the devices according to WO 2007/085101 or WO 2008/058405 can be realized even with a curved conveying path consistent orientations of the support surface in the gathering area, but in the present case much easier and with greater flexibility.

The support elements may be an integral part of the receiving units as in the prior art and therefore be moved along the entire conveyor track. Since according to the invention grippers are used as receiving units, the supporting elements can be an integral part of the gripper or with the gripper, for example. in the form of a rigid or flexible extension be firmly or hingedly connected. According to the invention, the support elements are each formed by one of the gripper jaws, which is extended relative to the other gripper jaw. The extended gripper jaw is then preferably arranged lying substantially in the gathering region, ie horizontal or with only a small inclination, and the other gripper jaw is preferably upwards. Simultaneously with the contact surface, the gripper thus forms a stop for the leading edge of the product.

However, the support elements can also be formed by separate elements that are moved synchronously with the grippers, for example, only in collating area and are removed again when the gripper securely hold the finished stack by transition into the clamping position and further promote. This has the advantage that a conventional gripper conveyor can be used, which is supplemented only in collating by a support element conveyor.

The grippers are controlled so that they are open in the gathering area and closed after completion of stacking. The support elements are like this arranged to receive the products lying essentially in the collation area. The gripper is arranged relative to the support member so that it can hold the products lying on the support surface by closing between its two gripper jaws. It also acts as an optional stop for aligning the products.

The gripper jaw can be made relatively narrow transversely to the conveying direction, i. e.g. narrower than the product width in the corresponding direction. This makes it possible to align the products laterally during the feeding, so that they are exactly aligned with respect to the support surface of the gripper. Corresponding straightening elements can be arranged at a distance from one another on both sides of the movement path of the grippers, wherein the grippers pass between the straightening elements. Such an arrangement of the straightening elements is not possible in the prior art for reasons of space, since the compartments are wider.

The realization of the receiving units by grippers has the further advantage that the conveyor track is not limited to straight lines in the plan, but that it may have a floor plan with changes in direction. For unlike the known from the prior art devices based on deflected bands (eg WO 2008/058405 ) or rigid compartments grippers can be stirred along any space curves, even those with a small radius of curvature. A floor plan with differently oriented and / or curved sections, eg U-shaped or L-shaped, has the advantage that the entire system can be adapted to existing factory buildings. More feeder stations (feeder) can be accommodated on existing space than on installations which are limited to a straight floor plan or straight collation area. There may also be two or more collating areas in which the conveying direction is different, for example antiparallel or extending at 90 ° to each other.

• Fig. 1 eine Zusammentragvorrichtung mit Stützelementen, die integraler Bestandteil der Greifer sind;
• Fig. 2 eine Variante der Zusammentragvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3+4 Details der Zusammentragvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 eine Zusammentragvorrichtung mit von den Greifern separaten Stützelementen;
• Fig. 6 eine Ansicht der Zusammentragvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 5 entlang der Linie A-A;
• Fig. 7a-c Teilansichten einer Zusammentragvorrichtung mit Stützelementen, die integraler Bestandteil der Greifer sind, in verschiedenen Momentaufnahmen bei der Produktübergabe an eine Wegfördereinrichtung;
• Fig. 8 eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 7b auf die Förderfläche der Wegfördereinrichtung
• Fig. 9+10 Aufsichten auf Zusammentragvorrichtungen mit nicht-linearem Grundriss.

Examples of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described below. It shows purely schematically:

• Fig. 1 a gathering device with supporting elements which are an integral part of the grippers;
• Fig. 2 a variant of the collating device according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 +4 Details of the collator according to Fig. 2 ;
• Fig. 5 a collator with separate from the grippers support elements;
• Fig. 6 a view of the collator according to Fig. 5 along the line AA;
• Fig. 7a-c Partial views of a collating device with support elements that are an integral part of the gripper, in various snapshots during product transfer to a removal device;
• Fig. 8 a view of the device Fig. 7b on the conveying surface of the removal device
• Fig. 9 +10 views on non-linear planters.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive collating device 1 with a plurality of receiving units 10, which are moved along a closed conveyor track U. The receiving units 10 are moved by a conveying member 2, here a chain, along the conveyor track U, which is defined by straight and curved channel pieces 3 and 4 deflections. The conveyor track U here has, for example, two parallel track pieces U1, U3, which are interconnected by circular transition pieces U2, U4. Products 100 and product stacks 110 are transported along the upper part of the track U1 and the deflection region U2 on the right in the drawing, while the lower part of the track U3 and the left reversal part U4 serve to return the empty receiving units 10 or grippers 12. Above a part of the upper web piece U1, feeders 30 for individual articles 100 are arranged. As a result, a collation Z of the conveyor track U is defined. In this, the outputs of the feeders 30 are in a row substantially parallel to the conveyor line U series. In the right-hand deflection area U2 there is a removal device 40 for stacks 110 and a transfer device 50, with which the stacks 110 are removed from the receiving units 10 and transferred to the removal device 40.

According to the invention, the collating device 1 is based on a gripper conveyor with a plurality of grippers 12, which represent the receiving units 10 here. The grippers 12 have two gripper jaws 14, 16 whose position relative to each other (open / clamping position) and their orientation in space or relative to the conveyor track U by suitable control means individually and independently of the neighbor gripper is adjustable. In the present case, the grippers are opened in front of the collation area Z at an opening point S1, in the open state moved by the collation Z and closed at the end of the collation Z at a closing point S2 again. In the collating area Z, individual products 100 are fed one after the other so that stacks 110 are formed and transported by the grippers 12. At a further opening point S3, the grippers 12 are opened to transfer the stack 110 to the transfer device 50 and then closed at a further closing point S4 to be moved in the closed empty state along the lower track piece U3. In addition, the gripper orientation is changed in the area around the opening / closing points Sol, S2.

In the example of Fig. 1 and 2 are the conveyor member 2 closer first gripper jaws 14 relative to the second gripper jaws 16 extended. Their length corresponds approximately to the maximum length of the supplied products 100 measured in the conveying direction F. The grippers 12 are oriented relative to the conveyor track U, that the extended gripper jaws 14 in the collation Z substantially horizontal or at an angle of about 30-40 ° are inclined in the conveying direction F. The shorter gripper jaws 16 protrude in the collation Z substantially vertically upwards. The extended gripper jaws 14 therefore define a substantially horizontal support surface 22 slightly inclined for alignment of the products 100 for the products 100 fed from the feeders 30. The shorter gripper jaws 16 are oriented so as not to block the product feed in the collation area Z; However, they can act as a stop for the leading edges of the product. The stop can, as shown here, also be realized by a suitable shape of the first gripper jaw 14 (stop edge 18).

The distance between two consecutive grippers 12, the length of the two gripper jaws 14, 16 and their orientations are selected in the present case such that the gripper jaws 14, 16 of adjacent grippers in the collation area Z in FIG essentially contiguous and define a quasi-continuous zigzag-shaped surface. This prevents products 100 from accidentally getting into gaps between grippers 12 and interfering with operation. Preferably, the distance of the gripper can be adapted to the size of the products. The long gripper jaw, for example, can be flexible in order to be able to compensate for changes in distance, for example by bending. Alternatively, the long gripper jaw or an attached element (eg, the one shown in FIG FIG. 8 shown second gripper part 14b) to be interchangeable.

The transfer device 50 in the form of a transfer wheel detects the product stacks 110 by means of transfer elements 52, e.g. Grippers, clamping elements, on the side edges and passes this to the removal device 40. This includes two counter-driven conveyor belts 42 which include a gap-shaped conveying channel 46. The stacks 110 approach from above to the transfer device 50 and are taken over by this tangential to the original conveyor track U and moved tangentially to the movement path of the transfer elements 52.

The collating device 1 according to Fig. 2 corresponds in its essential elements of the Fig. 1 , The two upper and lower track pieces U1, U3 are also parallel to each other and straight. The conveying direction F is in contrast to Fig. 1 counterclockwise. The track pieces U1, U2, U3, U4 are traversed in this order, ie the curved track U2 is left in the drawing and the further curved track U4, in the area of which the transfer device 50 is located, is on the right in the drawing. Accordingly, the grippers 12 to one Fig. 1 mirror image arrangement. The collation area Z is located as in Fig. 1 in the upper section of the track U1. The products 100 are combined here into stacks 110 and moved as a stack 110 almost along the entire conveyor track U to the transfer device 50. This arrangement has the advantage that more distance for the collation Z for Is available and that defective stack in the lower area U3 are promoted upside down and thus can be easily discharged by opening individual gripper 12.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 Collating devices 1 shown also allow a "repair" function, ie a repair of incorrectly assembled product stacks. In this case, individual stacks are not transferred to the transfer device 50 by selective non-opening of the grippers 12 and thus pass through the collation path Z again. Missing products can then be added. Such a repair run is initiated by a control device after a monitoring device has detected a faulty stack. Alternatively or additionally, a discharge device may be present which, in the event of a detected fault, ejects the defective stack, for example by opening the gripper.

3 and 4 show details of the orbit U of the device 1 from Fig. 2 in the range U1 ( Fig. 3 ) or U3 ( Fig. 4 ). In case of Fig. 3 the grippers 12 are opened and the products 100 rest on the support surface 22 formed by the extended gripper jaw 14. This gripper jaw 14 is inclined relative to the orbit U1 in the conveying direction F. Thus, the products 100 are aligned with their leading edges 102 on a stop 18, which is formed by the extended gripper jaw 14. As already described, the outer edges of the gripper jaws 14, 16 of adjacent grippers 12 adjoin one another, so that a quasi-continuous surface is formed in the collation area Z.

In Fig. 4 the grippers are closed and oriented so that the product stacks 110 are conveyed in a position in which the products 100 are largely oriented parallel to the orbit U. The products 100 are additionally from below through a Supporting device 60 is supported with a low-friction support surface 62 or running Stützbändem example.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment, which is not part of the invention, in which the bearing surfaces 22 are formed by separate from the grippers 12 separate support members 20. The grippers 12 are part of an example conventional gripper conveyor and here have two substantially equally long gripper jaws 14, 16. The opening state of the gripper 12 and its orientation relative to its conveyor track U is set by means not shown here control scenes. A part of the conveyor track U acts as a collation Z. The grippers are opened in front of it at an opening point S1 and then closed at a closing point S2.

The support elements 20 are part of an independent of gripper conveyor support element conveyor 70. This comprises a support element-conveying member 72, with which the support elements 20 are moved along a closed support element conveyor track U _S. The support element conveyor track U _S runs parallel to the conveyor track U of the grippers 12 at least in the collation area Z and is deflected by deflections 74, only one of which is shown here. The support members 20 have the shape of in side view L-shaped compartments, wherein the long leg 23 of the L consists of several movably interconnected segments. As a result, the support elements 20 can be guided around the deflections 74 to save space. The upper side of the long leg 23 acts as a support surface 22, and the region in which the two legs 23, 24 of the L-shaped support elements 20 meet, or the short leg 24 acts as a stop 18 for aligning the products 100th

The support elements 20 are moved synchronously to the grippers 12 in the collation Z. In this case, the stop 18 is arranged in alignment with the gripper mouth. In addition, the long leg 23 is inclined in the conveying direction. The products 100 are therefore aligned by the stop 18 on the gripper jaw and can be taken by closing the gripper 12. After the closing point S2, the product stacks 110 are held solely by the grippers 12, and the conveyor track US of the support elements 20 can take a different route than that of the gripper 12. In the present case, the free ends of the products 100 as in Fig. 2 is supported by a support device 60 with a parallel to the conveyor track U extending support surface 62, which is also arranged in the region of the left-hand turn 4.

This variant has the advantage that a conventional gripper conveyor can be used. This can also be part of a large conveyor system. Only in the gathering area an additional concentricity with the support elements 20 is provided. The gathering and conveying function can therefore be realized without great constructional overhead with existing systems.

Fig. 6 shows a view of the gathering device Fig. 5 along the line AA. It can be seen that the support element conveyor 70 comprises two parallel conveying elements 72 for supporting elements 20, which are each arranged laterally of the web plane E of the grippers 12. In each case two support elements 20 support the products 100 in the open grippers 12, therefore, in the region of their side edges.

Fig. 7a-c show a partial view of a collating device 1 in the region of product transfer to a removal device 40 at different times. Fig. 8 shows a view of the device in the in Fig. 7b with x marked direction.

The collating device 1 is in principle as in one of Fig. 1-4 The longer gripper jaw 14 serves as a support surface 22 for the products 100 or product stack 110. The shorter gripper jaw 16 serves to clamp the products 100 against the other gripper jaw 14. Here is schematically illustrated only a single product 100; but it could also be stack 110.

As Fig. 8 shows, the long gripper jaw 14 consists of two parts 14a, 14b. A generally rigid first part 14 a is pivotally connected to the other gripper jaw 16. At him, the stop 18 is formed. A second part 14b is arranged at the end remote from the joint of the first part 14a. The connection can be rigid or flexible. In the present case, the connection is rigid, but the second gripper part 14b is flat and flexible or flexible in itself. The two gripper parts 14a, 14b are interconnected only via a narrow material bridge 14c, so that two lateral recesses 15 are formed between the two gripper parts 14a, 14b, the function of which will be explained below. The angle between the two gripper parts 14a, 14b or the bend can also be varied controlled if necessary.

The grippers 12 run in the present case along an orbit U. They are connected by levers 19 with the along a parallel orbit U 'running conveyor member 2 at equal intervals. The levers 19 have the function of being able to change the distances of the grippers 12 in curved parts of the orbit U can. In the present case, the product delivery area is provided in the curved part of the orbit U. Successive products 100, which were still partially overlapping conveyed in the straight part of the web U, are therefore pulled apart by the path curvature without much effort.

In the straight track part, a support surface 62 oriented parallel to the orbit U is provided. Thanks to its flexibility, the second gripper part 14b adapts to the orientation of the support surface 62, so that the products 100 are guided or supported by the transfer from both sides.

The orbit U runs at an angle to the conveying plane of the removal device 40. The way conveyor 40 comprises as in Fig. 1 or 2 one or more conveyor belts 42, onto which the products 100 or stacks 110 are deposited and then released by opening the grippers 12. The deposited products 100 are then accelerated in the removal direction W by an acceleration element 44, for example a cam driven by a motor, and pressed against the support, here another conveyor belt, and transported away.

Complex formations are increasingly being created with the collating devices 1 described, for example product stacks 110 having a plurality of individual products 100, which may also include, for example, thicker printed products, samples, CDs or other non-printed products. In the case of such stacks 110, it is essential that the individual products 100 do not shift relative to one another during the transfer to the removal device 40. Because such shifts can interfere with the process in downstream stations, eg when filming. In the Fig. 1 and 2 shown transfer devices 50 grab a product stack 110 from two sides. However, the transfer takes place at one point, namely where the paths of the grippers 12 and the transfer elements 52 tangentially meet.

Fig. 7a-c and 8th show a variant of a transfer device 50, which acts in the transfer area acting as deflection 4 of the conveying member 2 for the gripper 12th is integrated and allows a very reliable transfer even complex product stack 110. It comprises a plurality of transfer elements 52 which are moved along a circular path U _T running parallel to the conveyor track U. The transfer elements 52 pivotally connected to a drive means, such as a wheel, hinged lever 53 having a perpendicular to the orbit U _T oriented cross bar 54 at its free end. As Fig. 8 The transfer device 50 here comprises two drive means arranged transversely to the plane E and transfer elements 52 attached thereto. The transverse bars 54 of respectively two transfer elements 52 lying opposite each other are moved between the two gripper parts 14a, 14b before and during product transfer through the cutouts 15. They press the product 100 or the product stack 110 before, during and after the opening of the gripper against the conveyor support of the removal device 40. After detecting the products 100 by the accelerator 44, the lever 53 is pivoted upwards. This transfer device 50 has the advantage that the position of the products 100 or the stack 110 at any time either by the gripper 12 in connection with the support surface 62 and / or by the crossbars 54 in connection with the conveyor support and / or by the removal device 40 are held and secured against displacement. The transfer elements 52 accompany the products 100 during the transfer over a certain distance and hold them together. It thus succeeds in a reliable transfer of the products 100.

The transfer elements 52 can preferably also be deactivated in a controlled manner. This is important in a repair cycle, for example, if the products 100 are not to be dispensed from the grippers 12.

The processes and functions described are monitored and controlled by a control unit not shown here. The control unit can in addition to a corresponding sensor / electronics stationary and / or variable Control gates and / or trigger elements comprise, which cooperate with corresponding controls on the moving components (grippers, support elements, transfer elements). In addition, for example, suitable drives are present, which are controlled by the control unit.

Fig. 9 and 10 show two examples of gathering devices 1 with a non-linear plan view. The conveyor track U has in the case of Fig. 9 a U-shaped floor plan, at Fig. 10 the floor plan is L-shaped. In side view, the trajectory as in Fig. 1 or 2 be designed, ie the receiving compartments 10 are moved in the upper part of the conveyor track U in the direction of arrow (conveying direction F1, F2, F3) and in the lower part opposite to the arrow. Both arrangements allow to accommodate a large amount of feed stations 30 in a limited space.

In the example of Fig. 9 the conveyor track U has a U-shaped floor plan with a first linear area U1 with a conveying direction F1, a second linear area U5 with a conveying direction F2 and a third linear area U7 with a conveying direction F3. The conveying directions F1 and F3 are opposite to each other; the conveying direction F2 runs perpendicular thereto. The linear regions are connected to each other by curved sections U4 and U6. In the first and third linear regions U1 and U7, respectively, first and second collating regions Z1, Z2, each having a plurality of delivery devices 30, are realized. The removal device 40, optionally with additional transfer device 50, is located at the outermost end of the left leg. It is reached after complete passage through the areas U1, U4-U7 and the corresponding, not visible here rear portions of the conveyor track.

The grippers are opened before entering the first collation area Z1. Before the first curved portion U4 they are preferably closed, so that the collected objects 100 or article stack 110 does not move by centrifugal forces. At the latest before entry into the second collating area Z2 they are reopened and closed at the end before passing through the rear conveyor track area.

The plant off Fig. 10 has two linear conveyor track sections U1, U5 which are interconnected by a curved section U4. The conveying directions F1, F2 in the linear regions U1, U5 are offset by 90 ° to one another. In the first and second linear regions U1 and U5, first and second collating regions Z1, Z2 are each realized with a plurality of feeders 30.

Claims (16)

1. A device (1) for collating two-dimensional, flat objects (100), in particular printed products, and for the further conveying of the collated objects (100) as stacks (110), with

   - a plurality of support elements (20) which at least in a collation region (Z) of the conveying path (U), in each case define a rest surface (22) which is inclined in the conveying direction and onto which the objects (100) can be deposited,

   - a plurality of receiver units (10) which are movable in a conveying direction (F) along a closed conveying path (U) defined by a conveyor member (2), wherein the receiver units (10) comprise grippers (12) with a first and second gripper jaw (14, 16) and the grippers (12) can assume a clamping position and an open position, and are capable of firmly holding the objects (100) lying on the rest surface (22), between their gripper jaws (14, 16), by way of transition from the open position into the clamping position
   characterised by the following features:

   - the support elements (20) are designed as an integral constituent of the grippers (12), by way of the first gripper jaw (14) being extended with respect to the second gripper jaw (16) and at least in the open position forming a rest surface (22) for the objects (100);

   - the first gripper jaw (14) designed as a support element (20) comprises a rigid first gripper part (14a) which cooperates with the second gripper jaw (16) for firmly holding the objects (100), as well as a second gripper part (14b) which is inherently flexible or flexibly or articulately connected to the first gripper part (14a) and which is capable of supporting the objects (100) in their region which is away from the connection region between the two gripper jaws (14, 16);

   - the grippers (12) and their support elements (20) are connected to the conveying member (2) and controllable, in a manner such that within a receiver unit (10), the orientation of the rest surface (22) relative to the conveying path (U) and/or an opening angle between the first and second gripper jaw (14, 16) can be set independently of adjacent receiver units (10).
2. A device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that an angle between the rest surface (22) and the conveying path (U) can be set by way of the gripper (12) as a whole or the first gripper jaw (14) being pivotable relative to the conveying path (U).
3. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grippers (12) at least in the collation region (Z) each form an abutment (18) for the objects (100) lying on the respective rest surface (22), in particular by way of the connection region between the two gripper jaws (14, 16).
4. A device (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the rest surfaces (22) at least in the collation region (Z) are inclined relative to the conveying direction (F) in a manner such that the objects (100) are aligned on the abutment (18) on account of gravity
5. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an angle between the support elements (20) and the conveying path (U) can be set, in particular in a manner such that the orientation of the rest surfaces (22) is kept constant at least in the collation region (Z).
6. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a control device which controls the grippers (12), preferably by way of at least one control cam and/or at least one activation element, in a manner such that they are opened at an opening location (S1) lying in front of the collation region (Z) in the conveying direction (F) and are closed at a closure location (S2) lying after the collation region (Z) in the conveying direction (F).
7. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a plurality of feed devices (30) for individual objects (100) to be collated, whose exits in the collation region (Z) lie one after the other in a row which is essentially parallel to the conveying path (U), wherein preferably aligning elements for laterally aligning the objects (100) before or during the release to the receiver units (10) are present.
8. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one transfer device (50) with a plurality of transfer elements (52) which in a transfer region of the conveying path (U) is capable of cooperating with the receiver units (10) in a manner such that stacks which are held by the receiver units (10) are moved out of the receiver units (10) after opening the grippers (12).
9. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one conveying-away device (40) which in particular comprises at least one belt conveyor which is capable of taking over stacks (110) of objects (100), in particular from a transfer region of the conveying path (U) or from a transfer device (50).
10. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by an ejection device which in the conveying direction (F) is arranged in front of a transfer region of the conveying path and which is capable of selectively bringing the grippers (12) into the open position, in order to remove defect stacks of objects out of the grippers (12).
11. A device (1) according to claim 10, characterised by a monitoring device which, with a defect on feeding the objects or with a stack formation, sends a control signal to the ejection device, which initiates this into ejecting the defect stack, or initiates a repair run-through.
12. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveying path (U) has a plan view with direction changes, preferably is designed in a U-shaped or L-shaped manner in a plan view.
13. A device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveying path (U) comprises at least two collation regions (Z), through which the objects (100) run with a different conveying direction.
14. A method for collating two-dimensional, flat objects (100), in particular printed products, and for the further conveying of the collated objects (100) as stacks (110), with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

    - moving the receiver units (10) in the conveying direction (F) along the closed conveying path (U);

    - feeding objects (100) one after the other to the receiver units (10) in the collation region (Z) of the conveying path (U);

    - laying the objects (100) onto the rest surfaces (22) of the receiver units (10), for forming stacks (110),

    - closing the grippers (12) after formation of the stacks and further conveying the stacks by way of the grippers (12).
15. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the opening condition of the grippers (12) and the orientation of the rest surface (22) within a receiver unit (10) is set independently of the opening condition of the grippers (12) and independently of the orientation of the rest surface (22) within an adjacent receiver unit (10).
16. A method according to one of the claims 14 to 15, characterised in that the stacks (110) of objects (100) during the transfer to a conveying-away device (40) are secured at every point in time against displacement within the stack, in particular by way of transfer elements (52) which are co-moved with the stack (100).

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