Method and device for putting rows in intermediate storage and making them available

Abstract

A method and a device for putting flat, stacked objects, particularly envelopes, packaging bags, and the like, in intermediate storage and making them available. The flat objects coming out of a production machine are set down onto a stacking surface with one of their edges, and subsequently transported to a transfer location by a device for forming and making available defined rows. From there, the rows are pushed to a storage location or the issuance location, using a transport device that is driven independently of the machine cycle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 shows a sketch of the storage device, in a top view;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the storage device with pushing device;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the storage device with pushing device and tilting device; and

FIG. 4 shows a top view of two parallel production machines that are operated by one operator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples, in connection with the production of envelopes.

However, other application cases are possible within the framework of the present invention, such as, for example, in connection with the production of bottle labels or folded box cutouts for medication boxes.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a top view of the storage device with the defined issuance point at the issuance location A. All of the devices shown in FIG. 1-4 are fundamentally known machine parts.

The products, which arrive continuously, are set down on the stacking surface 4 at the exit of the production machine 3, with one edge. A device such as the one known from German Patent No. DE 41 17 434 A1 then makes a row 1 available at the collection region 18. From there, this row is pushed to the transfer location A by means of a longitudinal pushing device 5, and held by means of the holding supports 17 or another movable holding device long enough until the pushing device 6 has pushed the row 1 sufficiently far into the guide 10 that the row 1 is held by the latter.

The pushing device 6 then pushes the row 1 farther up to the issuance location B, or also to the next closest free storage location C, seen from the issuance location B.

The particularly advantageous working sequence for the operator can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, among other things.

The rows 1 made available at the issuance location B are picked up by the operator 12 and pushed into the packaging carton that has been made available, which is subsequently set down onto a conveyor belt 11 for further transport. In order for the operator 12 to be able to pick up the rows 1 easily and securely, it is necessary for the edge orientation to be selected in such a manner that when the row 1 is picked up, it does not fall apart, as would be the case, for example, if all of the closure flaps of envelopes point downward, and therefore the row 1 is wider at the bottom than at the top. The edge orientation can be optimized by means of a turning device, as described in European Patent No. EP 0981 480 B1, for example, between the exit of the production machine 3 and the transfer location A.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. Here, the rows 1 are made available by means of a tilting device, which picks up a row 1 from the issuance location B and tilts it about the axle (14), preferably by 90°. As a result, the operator no longer has to pick up the row 1, but rather can simply push the packaging carton over the row 1. Thus, all of the rows 1 with non-turned envelopes can be securely packaged.

FIG. 4 shows two parallel production machines followed by a device according to the invention, in each instance, in a mirror-image embodiment, which is then operated by one operator. In the case of this arrangement, only one conveyor belt 11 for transporting away the packaged rows 9 is required for two production machines, for example.

However, in place of the operator, a robot can also be used, which can perform other activities during the time the storage area is filled, such as preparing a new pallet, for example.

From the exemplary embodiments described above, the following advantages are obtained, in particular, as compared with the state of the art:

The operator or a supplemental automation component no longer has to work within the cycle.

Ergonomic workplace design with a reduction in work stress.

Avoidance of unnecessary machine stops, therefore greater efficiency (less scrap).

The operator has time for other activities.

Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

• 1 row
• 2 stack
• 3 exit of production machine
• 4 stacking surface/deposit surface
• 5 longitudinal pushing device
• 6 pushing device
• 7 holding finger
• 8 separating finger
• 9 packaged row
• 10 guide
• 11 conveyor belt
• 12 operator
• 13 tilting device
• 14 tilting axle
• 15 packaging carton
• 16 side guide
• 17 holding support
• 18 collection region
• A transfer location
• B issuance location
• C storage location
• a, b row dimensions
• x spacing

Claims

1. A method for putting rows of flat, stacked objects in intermediate storage and making them available, comprising the following steps: making said rows available at a transfer location in a cycled manner, in a correct number, and with a desired orientation of their edges;transporting the rows in the transfer location directly or by way of at least one storage location to an issuance location;wherein a row is moved from the transfer location or from a storage location, independent of a machine cycle, by at least one row width in a direction of the issuance location, as soon as there is no longer any row at the issuance location or a new row stands available at the transfer location, andwherein if there is a spacing of more than one row width between the transfer location and the issuance location, the row or rows situated in front of the spacing, viewed in a transport direction, is/are moved farther using the row last finished.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the issuance location or the storage locations lie crosswise to a direction of stack formation.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a new row on the transfer location is moved first to an empty storage location.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein each row is tilted at the issuance location about an axle that runs parallel to the row formation.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein a row is removed from the issuance location while a new row is moved in a direction of the issuance location or storage location.

6. A device for putting flat, stacked objects in intermediate storage and making them available, comprising; a stacking surface for receiving edges of the flat objects coming out of a production machine, said stacking surface consisting of a device for forming and making available defined rows on a transfer location;a transport device for transporting the rows to an issuance location, said transport device having a drive assigned to it, said drive moving the transport device independent of the machine cycle.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the transport device is a pushing device that pushes the rows crosswise to a stack formation direction.

8. A device according to claim 7, further comprising a tilting device disposed at the issuance location, said tilting device adapted to be tilted about an axle that runs parallel to the row formation.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the tilting device is driven independently of the machine cycle and of the pushing device.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the pushing device can move to any position between the transfer location and issuance location.