METHOD FOR SETTING UP AT LEAST ONE EQUIPMENT OF AN ENVELOPE DEVICE AND ENVELOPE DEVICE

Abstract

Method for setting at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) of an inserting device (105) which is set for processing envelopes (E) according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E), comprising the following steps: Measuring a plurality of envelopes (E) while the envelopes (E) are moved in order to obtain at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E); depending on a comparison of the obtained dimension with a set dimension and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions, adjusting the at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) of the inserting device (105) for processing the envelopes (E); and from a comparison of a plurality of obtained dimensions, recognizing whether the predetermined dimension of the envelopes (E) increases or decreases in order to identify a trend, where at least one facility is closed upon detection of the trend, wherein a plurality of envelopes (E) are provided to the inserting device (105), and where only a portion of the majority of provided envelopes (E) are measured.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting at least one device of an envelope inserting machine and to an envelope inserting machine such that the envelope inserting machine is adjusted for processing envelopes according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope.

[0002] Various approaches to envelope stuffing are known in the prior art. According to one approach, the envelope is stopped or held still during the stuffing process. The goods to be stuffed are then placed into the stopped envelope. According to another approach, both the envelope and the goods to be stuffed are moved during the stuffing process, with the goods and the envelope moving essentially in the same direction. For example, the envelope and the goods to be stuffed are moved towards each other at an angle during the stuffing process, as described, for instance, in WO 2002 / 096670 A1.Other envelope inserters are designed to move the goods to be enveloped and the envelopes overlapping along the same transport direction but at different speeds, with the envelope moving more slowly than the goods to be enveloped, so that the goods are placed into the envelope due to the speed difference, as described, for example, in WO 2011 / 138440 A1.

[0003] Inserting machines that operate according to the approaches described above, for example, comprise an envelope feeder and an inserting area, each with various devices for handling an envelope or the item to be inserted. The inserters are designed to process envelopes of different dimensions in different jobs. Before the start of job processing, the inserters are adjusted to the size of the envelopes to be processed to ensure proper and optimal handling of the items and the envelopes. In the envelope feeder, for example, the envelope take-off and any feed section are set so that an envelope being taken off arrives at the entrance of the inserting area with a predetermined orientation, such as being centered within the width of a transport area in the inserting area.Alternatively or additionally, various elements can be adjusted in the inserting area to optimally influence the provided envelope, for example the position of filling aids that engage with the envelope, the position of transport elements that move the envelope through the inserting area, elements for keeping the envelope open, for example a claw that moves at least partially with the envelope and keeps a first side of the envelope separate from a second side, the position of a blowing device to provide blown air for the initial opening of the envelope, the position of sealing elements, for example moisteners and sealing rollers, downstream of the inserting line.Furthermore, in the inserting area, elements of the material feed can also be adjusted so that a product is inserted into the centrally provided envelope. In the case of moving goods and moving envelopes, it may also be possible to adjust not only the position of the aforementioned elements but also the speed at which they are moved, depending on a dimension and / or orientation of the envelope, in order to ensure optimal processing, i.e., processing that produces at least a predetermined number of enveloped goods within a predetermined period of time.

[0004] As mentioned, the individual elements of the equipment are adjusted depending on one or more dimensions of the envelopes to be processed, for example, the envelope's width, length, flap dimensions, mouth depth, and / or the distance of an envelope window from the edge of the envelope body or flap. For this purpose, an envelope is measured before the job begins to obtain the relevant dimensions and to adjust the inserting device accordingly.

[0005] Various approaches are known in the prior art for recording the dimensions of goods or envelopes to be processed in a paper handling system, for example, in an inserting machine. Reference is made in this regard to DE 101 36 870 A1, DE 195 19 607 A1, US 6 293 076 B1, US 5 967 504 A, and US 7 896 335 B2. These publications describe approaches for measuring the goods / envelopes to be processed before they are processed, in order to adjust the inserting machine according to the obtained dimensions before the start of a job.

[0006] The envelopes are provided by envelope manufacturers, and the dimensions of the envelopes supplied can vary due to manufacturing tolerances. This means that envelopes from different batches may have different widths, lengths, or similar dimensions. While these variations may still be within the tolerances specified by the manufacturer and can still be processed by the inserting machine with its initial settings, these dimensional fluctuations lead to suboptimal envelope processing, especially when a deviation reaches a maximum tolerance.

[0007] This problem will be discussed below using the following examples: Fig. 1 explained in more detail, whereby the Fig. Figures 1(a) to 1(d) depict different situations in which the dimensions of an envelope change. The upper part of each figure shows an initial envelope E1, whose dimensions were measured at the beginning of the job to adjust the inserter's settings, and the lower parts show envelopes E2, whose dimensions differ from the initial dimensions.

[0008] In Fig. Figure 1(a) shows a first envelope E1, which has a first width B1. The inserter or inserting device was set such that the envelope E1 is positioned centrally with respect to a transport path within the inserting area (see the dashed line Z). The envelope E1 comprises an envelope body K1, an envelope flap F1, and an envelope mouth M1. To fill the envelope with a Fig. 1(a) For the goods not shown, a filling aid with two filling elements 100a, 100b is provided, which are inserted into the envelope body K1 and serve to guide the goods to be inserted into the envelope E1 in such a way that they do not come into contact with the side edges R1 and R2 of the envelope E1. This ensures unimpeded filling of the envelope. The filling elements 100a, 100b are provided to assist in filling the envelope; they are not intended to transport the envelope, so the filling elements are arranged at a distance from the edges R1, R2. The in Fig. The arrangement of the filling elements 100a, 100b shown in 1(a) with respect to the envelope E1 enables optimal operation of the inserting device. If a dimension of the envelope changes, for example a width, this optimal processing may no longer be guaranteed. The envelope E1 has a width B1 and is centered with respect to this width (see the alignment of the dashed lines M and Z). If an envelope E2 is received which has a width B2 that is smaller than the width B1, but e.g.Since the deviation is still within the tolerance specified by the manufacturer, this results in the envelope feeder being fed in the same way as envelope E1, due to the settings in the envelope feeder. Therefore, envelope E2 is no longer aligned with the center of the transport (see the deviation of the dashed lines M and Z), as shown in the lower section. Fig. 1(a) is shown schematically. This means that while the filling elements 100a, 100b can still be inserted into the envelope E2, the filling element 100a contacts the edge R1 of the envelope E2, which can lead to problems, such as damage to the envelope in the edge area R1 or problems when removing the filled envelope, or similar issues, so that optimal enveloping is no longer guaranteed.

[0009] Fig. Figure 1(b) shows another problem that can arise when the envelope width changes. Fig. 1(b) shows a similar situation to that in Fig. 1(a), namely two envelopes E and E2 of different widths. In the case of envelope E1, its center line M coincides with a midpoint of the transport path in the envelope sender, and an envelope transporter keeps envelope E1 centered, as indicated by the arrow in the upper illustration in Fig. 1(b) is shown. If the width of the envelope changes, as is the case with envelope E2, the center line M of envelope E2 lies outside the transport path, so that the corresponding envelope transport also acts off-center, so that the torques acting on the envelope due to the different dimensions in width can lead to suboptimal transport of the envelope and to possible problems.

[0010] Based on the Fig. 1(c) presents another problem that can arise when processing envelopes with different dimensions. Fig. Figure 1(c) shows a first envelope E1, which has an envelope mouth M1 whose depth in the transport direction has a dimension L1. A claw 102 is shown schematically, which engages with the back of the envelope E1 and holds it separate from a lower front of the envelope E1, so that the envelope E1 is held open during an inserting process. If, due to tolerances, the size of the envelope mouth changes, as is the case in the lower area of ​​the Fig. As shown in 1(c), a situation may arise in which the claw 102 no longer engages with the back of the envelope, as shown in Fig. 1(c) is shown, namely when the depth of the envelope mouth of envelope E2 is greater than the depth of the envelope mouth of envelope E1.

[0011] Based on the Fig. 1(d) presents a further problem that can arise when processing envelopes with different dimensions, especially envelopes whose length varies within the tolerance range. Fig. Figure 1(d) shows the envelope E1 with length L1 in the transport direction in the upper area, with hatching indicating a good G1 placed inside the envelope E1, which is moved into the envelope E1 by good transport elements 104a, 104b. The envelope transport elements 104a and 104b are set to move in such a way as to ensure the complete insertion of the good G1 into the envelope E1, which depends on the length L1 of the envelope E1. If the length L1 now changes, for example in a way as occurs in Fig. As shown in 1(d), the length L2 of the envelope E2 is smaller than the length L1 of the envelope E1, resulting in the transport elements 104a, 104b no longer being able to fully insert a good G2 into the envelope E2, so that an area x protrudes from the envelope mouth, which can lead to problems in further enveloping, especially when closing the envelope.

[0012] The based on the Fig. The problems described in point 1 arise because the inserting device is set up at the beginning of an order to process envelope E1 with the corresponding dimensions. However, the dimensions of the envelope can change due to manufacturing tolerances in the manner described above, so that the operation of the inserting system may be disrupted, or at least no longer optimal. That is to say, compared to processing envelopes with dimensions corresponding to envelope E1, the number of envelopes that can be processed during a predetermined time will be reduced at least when dimensions change, because due to the suboptimal operation either the speeds have to be changed or interruptions due to errors become more frequent.

[0013] In the context of paper processing equipment, approaches are known for reacting to changes in inserts or a paper web. EP 1 942 464 B1 describes a method in which the feed of inserts onto a collating web is adjusted based on measured values. US 5 130 558 A describes a method in which goods are measured before being enveloped. DE 602 11 376 T2 describes the measurement of a moving paper web so that fluctuations in the paper web width can be addressed. Envelope inserters and changes in envelope dimensions are not discussed.

[0014] Insofar as the approaches described in the aforementioned publications concern the dimensions of envelopes, it should be noted that these only address the dimensions of an envelope before the inserting machine is put into operation, in order to adjust the inserting machine based on the envelope's dimensions. The problems described above, arising from changes in envelope dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances, are not mentioned there. Furthermore, the envelopes are measured while stationary.

[0015] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the present invention aims to create an approach that ensures reliable operation of an inserting device even with fluctuating envelope dimensions, for example due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0016] This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and by an inserting device according to claim 11.

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method for setting at least one device of an inserting machine, which is set for processing envelopes according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope, comprising the following steps: Measuring a plurality of envelopes while the envelopes are moved in order to obtain at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope; Depending on a comparison of the obtained dimension with the set dimension and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions, adjusting at least one setting of the inserting device for processing the envelopes.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an inserting device with at least one unit that is set for processing envelopes according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope, comprising: a measuring section configured to move the envelopes; a sensor arrangement configured to measure a plurality of envelopes transported along the measuring path while the envelopes are moved to obtain at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope; and at least one controller configured to generate a control signal for the at least one device, depending on a comparison of the obtained dimension with the set dimension and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions, in order to cause the at least one device of the inserting device to be set for the processing of the envelopes.

[0019] According to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of envelopes are provided to the inserting device, whereby only a portion of the plurality of envelopes provided is measured. Between two measured envelopes, a number of envelopes may remain unmeasured. The number of unmeasured envelopes can be fixed or variable.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments, the setting of the inserting device can comprise one or more elements configured to act on the envelope, wherein setting the setting of the device includes setting the element to a predetermined position and / or setting a position of the elements relative to each other, wherein the position or the position is selected depending on the comparison.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments, adjusting the device can include adjusting the speed at which the envelopes or goods to be enveloped are transported, with the speed being selected depending on the comparison.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments, the envelopes in the inserting device can have a predetermined orientation.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments, the device can be adjusted to maintain the predetermined orientation of the envelopes in the inserting machine. The envelope can be centered with respect to a width of one transport pass of the inserting machine. From the resulting dimensions, a trend can be detected as to whether at least one predetermined dimension of the envelopes is increasing or decreasing, and upon detection of such a trend, the device can be adjusted to maintain the alignment of the envelopes in the predetermined position. Alternatively, the envelope can be centered with respect to a width of the device, and upon detection of a deviation of the resulting dimension by a predetermined amount in one direction, the device can be adjusted to move the envelope by half the deviation in the opposite direction, thus maintaining its centered orientation.

[0024] According to exemplary embodiments, the inserting device can comprise an inserting area and / or an envelope feeder, wherein the at least one device of the inserting device in the inserting area comprises one or more filling aids, one or more envelope guides, an envelope opener, an envelope sealer and / or a material transport system, and wherein the at least one device of the inserting device in the envelope feeder comprises an envelope take-off and / or an alignment section for the envelopes.

[0025] According to exemplary embodiments, a trend can be recognized from the obtained dimensions as to whether at least one predetermined dimension of the envelopes is increasing or decreasing, wherein the recognition of the trend comprises the following steps: Determining a number of consecutive envelopes for which the obtained dimensions steadily increase or decrease; and Detecting the trend when a certain number reaches a predetermined threshold.

[0026] According to exemplary embodiments, the envelope can be measured by optical signals.

[0027] According to exemplary embodiments, the predetermined dimension of the envelope can include at least one of the following: a width of the envelope perpendicular to a transport direction, a length of the envelope along the direction of transport, a dimension of the envelope flap, a depth of the envelope mouth, and a distance between the envelope window and an edge of the envelope body or envelope flap.

[0028] According to exemplary embodiments, measuring the envelope during its movement can further include obtaining another predetermined dimension of the envelope, and adjusting the device can further be based on a comparison of the obtained further dimension with another set dimension.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1(a) - 1(d) different situations in which different dimensions of an envelope change; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an inserting device with an envelope feeder and an inserting area; Fig. 3 an example of an alignment path which enables the control or tracking of an envelope transport within an inserting device; Fig. 4. An example of a continuously operating inserter in which the envelope and the goods to be inserted are continuously moved during the inserting process; and Fig. 5 a side view of the in Fig. 4 arrangement shown along the center line 2, 2' of the transport path through the inserting area in Fig. 4.

[0030] In the following description of preferred embodiments, identical or equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals, and the elements mentioned are not described more than once.

[0031] The inventive approach solves the problems described above by adjusting at least one setting of the inserting device during operation to maintain optimal performance. According to the invention, a plurality of envelopes are measured while they are being moved, for example, during feeding from the envelope feeder to the inserting area of ​​the inserting device. Measuring the plurality of envelopes results in obtaining at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope, such as a width dimension, a length dimension, a dimension of the envelope flap, a depth of the envelope mouth, or a distance of an envelope window from an envelope edge or from the envelope flap. According to exemplary embodiments, it is also possible to obtain multiple dimensions.

[0032] The dimensions obtained in this way are compared with the initially set dimensions and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions. Depending on this comparison, at least one component of the inserting device is then adjusted, for example, the elements of this component are readjusted, in order to maintain optimal operation of the inserting device.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an inserting device 105, which includes an envelope feeder 106 and an inserting area 108. The envelope feeder 106 includes, for example, an envelope holder, a measuring section, and an alignment section (in Fig. (2 not shown). In the envelope feeder, envelopes with the predetermined dimensions to which the inserting device is set are provided, dispensed, and conveyed via the measuring section and the optionally provided alignment section to the inserting area 108. The measuring section is designed to measure the dispensed envelopes during their movement along the measuring section, whereby in exemplary embodiments the measuring section can also be part of the alignment section. According to exemplary embodiments, the inserting area includes filling aids, envelope guides, envelope openers, envelope sealers, and a material transport system to insert the goods fed to the inserting area 108 into the envelopes fed to the inserting area 108. Fig. Figure 2 shows a paper processing plant which, in addition to the inserting device 105 consisting of the envelope feeder and the inserting area, includes a goods feeder 110 for providing the goods to be inserted, for example in the form of a gathering conveyor with insert feeders and the like, and an output channel 112 for processing the sealed envelopes, for example for sorting them, wherein the goods feeder 110 and the output channel 112 are independent devices in addition to the inserting device.

[0034] According to the invention, an envelope is measured along the measuring section to obtain one or more predetermined dimensions of the envelope. The inserting device 105 was set for the envelopes provided in the envelope feeder, and the measurement along the measuring section serves to detect deviations with respect to one or more predetermined dimensions of the envelope in order to enable readjustment or recalibration of the envelope device according to exemplary embodiments.More precisely, according to exemplary embodiments, it may be provided that, based on the measured dimensions along the measuring section, elements in the envelope feeder 106 and / or in the inserting area 108 can be adjusted. For example, it may be provided that the discharge from the envelope feeder is adjusted depending on the measured dimension, or that an alignment section, if provided, is adjusted to ensure the desired alignment of the envelope with respect to a transport device in the inserting area 108 at its entrance. In the inserting area, for example, the envelope transport provided there, the filling aids, or the opening devices for the envelope can be adjusted. Likewise, adjustments to elements in the envelope sealer or in the material transport can be provided to ensure optimal effect of the corresponding elements on the envelope.to ensure the product is in good condition in order to maintain optimal operation of the inserting device.

[0035] The acquisition and processing of the dimensions and the generation of the required control signals for the corresponding elements in the envelope feeder 106 or in the inserting area 108 can be carried out by one or more controllers of the inserter (see Fig. 2) or by a central control system of a paper handling system.

[0036] According to exemplary embodiments, the system is designed to detect changes in envelope dimensions using the measured values. It is not necessary to measure every successive envelope; rather, after measuring the dimensions of the first envelope, it is sufficient to measure again only after a predetermined number of further envelopes have passed through the measuring section. This is useful, for example, when it is observed that new envelopes have been fed into the envelope feeder, whose dimensions may differ slightly from those previously measured due to manufacturing tolerances. This allows the inserting device to be readjusted to maintain its optimal operating point.

[0037] Furthermore, exemplary embodiments allow for the detection of a trend by comparing a plurality of dimensions measured along the measuring path to determine whether the relevant dimension of the envelopes is increasing or decreasing. For example, a number of consecutive envelopes can be identified for which the measured dimensions steadily increase or decrease, and a trend is detected when the identified number reaches a predetermined threshold.

[0038] This can be exemplified by the Fig. 1 explains, in the case of the Fig. 1(a) it is recognized that the envelope E2 has a smaller width B2 than the envelopes E1 transported so far. According to the invention, action is now taken on the devices of the inserting device 105, for example on an alignment section, which causes the envelope E2 to be aligned such that its center line M coincides with the center line Z, so that the Fig. The filling aids shown in Figure 1(a) are also arranged in envelope E2, similar to envelope E1, at a distance from the edges R1 and R2 of envelope E2. Alternatively (if no change in the alignment distance is desired or possible) or in the case of inserting devices that do not have an alignment distance, the filling elements 100a, 100b of the filling aid can instead be shifted (to the right in the figure), for example by half the distance by which the width B2 of envelope E2 differs from the width B1 of envelope E1, thereby achieving the same effect, namely that the filling element 100a no longer abuts the edge R1, but both filling elements, similar to envelope E1, have a distance (smaller than in envelope E1) from the edges R1, R2 of envelope E2, thus preventing contact of one or more of the filling elements 100a, 100b with the edges.

[0039] At the in Fig. In the case shown in 1(b), the alignment of the envelope E2 can be adjusted. Alternatively, the envelope transport can be shifted within the inserting area so that it engages the center M of the envelope E2.

[0040] In the cases that in Fig. As shown in 1(c) and (d), the speed of the claw 102 or the material transport elements 104a, 104b can be changed, so that in the case of the Fig. 1(c) The claw 102 is accelerated, for example, when a larger envelope opening is detected, so that it reaches the edge of the envelope opening in envelope E2, similar to envelope E1, and can separate the back of the envelope from the front. By accelerating the material transport elements 104a, 104b, it is ensured that even in a slightly shorter envelope E2, the contents are fully inserted.

[0041] The measures described above can of course also be taken in reverse to counteract changes in the dimensions of the envelopes in a direction other than that described above. Fig. To compensate for the direction described in point 1, for example, when increasing the width or decreasing the size of the envelope mouth or increasing the length of the envelope.

[0042] The measuring section is designed to obtain the dimensions of the envelope, for example by optical sensors or by ultrasonic sensors, such as a double-sheet sensor to detect the dimensions of the envelope mouth.

[0043] According to exemplary embodiments, it may be provided to obtain an average value from a plurality of measurements, for example based on 10 subsequent measurements, and to compare this with the set values ​​or one or more previously obtained (and temporarily stored) average values, wherein the adjustment of the devices of the inserting device is preferably carried out via several stages or linearly increasing or linearly decreasing in order to avoid large jumps.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of an alignment section that enables the control and tracking of an envelope transport within the inserting device. The alignment section includes an adjustable stop 114 against which the envelopes E are moved, as indicated by the schematically shown drives 116a to 116c. The stop 114 is adjusted depending on the envelope width B of the envelopes E to be processed, such that the envelopes E are aligned centrally at the end of the alignment section with respect to a subsequent component of the inserting device, for example, centrally with respect to an envelope transport that moves an envelope from the alignment section to the inserting area, or centrally with respect to an input of the inserting area where the envelope is taken over by an envelope transport of the inserting area.Sensors S1 and S2, which can be optical sensors such as light barriers, are arranged along the alignment path. At the end of the alignment path, the centered position of the envelope E is checked. This is indicated by one of the two light barriers, S1 and S2, being activated while the other is unactivated. In this case, it is determined that the correct format width has been set. If neither light barrier is activated, the format is set too large. If both light barriers are activated, the format is set too small. These light barriers are adjusted symmetrically around the center of the alignment path via the adjustment axis.At the start of a job, the initial value is the format width of the envelope feed. This is achieved by measuring the first envelope E of the new job as it is fed and adjusting the alignment path accordingly, ensuring the envelope is centered with respect to the subsequent elements of the inserting device. During operation, the envelope width of one or more of the subsequently fed envelopes is measured. This measurement can be performed either on all envelopes or on a predetermined number, for example, every fifth, tenth, or hundredth envelope. If a deviation is detected, or if the envelopes are no longer centered, the alignment path is readjusted, for example, by adjusting the adjustable stop 114, thus ensuring centered alignment of the envelope in this embodiment.

[0045] Based on the Fig. Section 3 described an example of an inserting device which can be acted upon to compensate for variations or changes in a dimension, in the described case the width, of an envelope E by adjusting the alignment distance.

[0046] However, the present invention is not limited to such a design, but rather, as mentioned above, it is also possible to act on the elements interacting with the envelopes / goods in other areas of the inserting device in order to compensate for a change in the dimensions of the envelope.

[0047] Based on the Fig. Section 4 below describes an example of a continuously operating inserter in which the envelope and the goods to be inserted are continuously moved during the inserting process. The goods move faster than the envelopes, so that the goods are filled into the envelope due to the excess speed. According to this inserting principle, neither the goods nor the envelopes are stopped or paused during the inserting process.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic top view of such an inserter. The inserter comprises an envelope transport 130, which, according to exemplary embodiments, has a suction belt 132. The envelope transport 300 moves the envelopes E1 and E2 along an inserting path, which begins, for example, at the point where the envelope E1 and the goods G1 are initially arranged overlapping, and which ends when the goods are completely arranged inside the envelope E1. Fig. Figure 1 shows another envelope E3, which has already left the inserting path and contains goods G3. It also shows goods G4, which are shown from the left side. Fig. The items G1 are moved towards the inserter, for example by means of a feeder, and then placed into an envelope, which is subsequently fed into the inserting area after envelope E1. Envelope E1 is at the beginning of the inserting path, and the items G1 have already passed flap F1, so that the leading edge of the items is inside envelope E1. Due to the different speeds at which the envelope and the items move, the items are inserted into the envelope along the inserting path. In envelope E2, the items G2 are already mostly inside, and the trailing edge of the items has already passed the edge of flap F2. Envelope E3 is already filled, meaning that a leading edge of the items has already reached the bottom of the envelope.

[0049] The inserter further comprises a goods transport 140, which has the majority of goods transport elements 104a, 104b, which are described above based on the Fig. As explained in section 1, these elements can be sliding elements that engage with the goods G1 to G4 to move them at a speed higher than that of the envelope transport 130. The goods and the envelopes are moved in the same transport direction F, and the openings of the envelopes are arranged perpendicular or laterally to the transport direction F, so that the movement of the envelopes and the goods along the same direction F (overlapping with each other) results in the insertion of the goods into the envelopes. The goods transport elements 104a, 104b are arranged symmetrically to the center of the goods with respect to the rear edges of the goods. The goods transport 140 is longer than the envelope transport 100, and the goods transport 140 can be designed to eject the filled envelopes from the inserting path.

[0050] The inserter further comprises the filling aid 150, which has a first conveyor 152, which in turn has a first, driven roller 154 and a second roller 156, over which a chain or belt 158 ​​extends. A plurality of filling elements 100a, for example so-called filling fingers, are arranged at predetermined positions along the chain 158. The first conveyor 152 is arranged such that the filling elements 100a are moved along the conveying direction F on one side of the conveyor opposite the envelope transport 100, and in the opposite direction on the side facing away from the transport 130. This means that the filling elements 100a are moved along the inserting path and are moved back from the end of the inserting path to its beginning.The filling aid 150 further comprises a second transport 162, which in turn includes a driven roller 164, another roller 166, and a chain or belt 168 extending around the rollers. The filling elements 100b are arranged along the chain 168 to be movable, similar to the filling elements 100a. The filling elements 100a and 100b are designed to be inserted into the envelopes E1 and E2 by a predetermined distance. According to the illustrated embodiment, they serve to guide the goods during filling in order to prevent collisions of the goods with the edges of the envelopes.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the filling elements 100a, 100b are provided solely to guide the goods to be inserted; the envelope is transported by means of the envelope transport 130. In other embodiments, the inserter may not have a transport 130; instead, the envelopes are moved along the inserting path by the filling elements 100a, 100b.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the filling elements 100a, 100b have a lower part 170a, 170b, an upper part 172a, 172b, and a vertical element 174a, 174b, which connects the upper and lower parts of the filling elements 100a, 100b. The lower and upper elements can be movable relative to each other, depending on the thickness of the goods to be enveloped.

[0053] The envelope inserter also includes several separating claws 180 which engage with a rear edge of the envelope mouth to keep the envelope open along the filling path, i.e. separating the two opposite sides, the front and the back of the envelope from each other, in order to avoid collisions between the goods and the top of the envelope.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a side view of the in Fig. 4 arrangement shown along the center line 2, 2' of the transport path through the inserting area. Fig. Figure 5 shows further details of the envelope transport, the goods transport, and a transport for the claws 180, each of which has belts extending around spaced-apart pairs of rollers. A pair of blow nozzles 190 is also shown, arranged at the beginning of the inserting path to direct air towards an envelope that has just been received, in order to assist in opening the envelope.

[0055] Based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the inserter shown in Figure 5, the envelope feeder can be located below the envelope transport unit 130. Along the envelope feeder, the alignment section described above can be provided, which transfers the envelopes with a desired orientation to a feeder conveyor, which then transfers the aligned envelopes to the envelope transport unit 130. In such a case, the alignment section is readjusted to maintain the central alignment of the fed envelopes.

[0056] In other embodiments, only the measuring section may be provided in the envelope feeder, and instead of an alignment section, it may be provided to act on the various elements in the inserting area or on elements in the envelope feeder in order to compensate for a deviation in the dimensions of the envelope due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0057] As described above, the filling elements 100a, 100b can, for example, be adjusted with respect to their distance from one another. Preferably, the entire arrangement 150, more precisely the belt drives 152, 162 on both sides of the envelope transport 130, are movable relative to each other in order to change the distance between the filling elements 100a, 100b when a deviation in the envelope width is detected that requires readjustment. Furthermore, the transport 130 can be designed to be displaceable transversely to the transport direction F in order to readjust it so that it is aligned with the center of the transported or fed envelopes. If it is detected that the length of the envelopes deviates in the transport direction F, the goods transport 140 can be accelerated or decelerated to ensure that the envelopes are completely filled with the goods.If it is determined that an envelope mouth has a dimension along the conveying direction F that deviates from the set deviation by a predetermined amount, the drive of the claw 180 can be accelerated or decelerated to ensure that, upon taking the envelope into the transport area, the claw engages with the top of the envelope to hold it open along the filling path. Furthermore, it may be possible to modify the position of the blowing air nozzle 190 along the conveying direction F to ensure that the discharged blowing air reaches the envelope in such a way as to assist in opening it, particularly when the length of the envelope along the conveying direction F deviates from the set length.

[0058] It should be noted that multiple dimensions of the envelope can also be recorded in order to perform one or more of the above-mentioned actions in response to corresponding deviations.

[0059] Exemplary embodiments of the invention were demonstrated using an inserting principle as described in Fig. 4 and Fig.The principles explained in section 5 are not limited to this inserting principle. Rather, the inventive approach is applicable to any type of inserting device, including those operating in start / stop mode where an envelope must be positioned at the inserting point with a predetermined orientation at the time of insertion, which, however, can vary depending on dimensional deviations. Here, too, the desired orientation can be maintained in the event of deviations from the preset dimensions in a similar manner to that described above, for example, by influencing the envelope transport. The inventive approach is also applicable to inserting devices that move the envelope and the item to be inserted towards each other.

[0060] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding process, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding process step or as a feature of a process step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a process step also constitute a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device.

[0061] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be obvious to other people skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of protection set forth in the following claims and not by the specific details presented herein by way of description and explanation of the embodiments.

Claims

[1] Method for setting at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) of an inserting device (105) which is set for processing envelopes (E) according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E), comprising the following steps: Measuring a plurality of envelopes (E) while the envelopes (E) are moved in order to obtain at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E); depending on a comparison of the obtained dimension with a set dimension and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions, adjusting the at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) of the inserting device (105) for processing the envelopes (E); and from a comparison of a plurality of obtained dimensions, recognizing whether the predetermined dimension of the envelopes (E) increases or decreases in order to identify a trend, where at least one facility is closed upon detection of the trend, wherein a plurality of envelopes (E) are provided to the inserting device (105), and where only a portion of the majority of provided envelopes (E) are measured. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) of the inserting device (105) comprises one or more elements configured to act on the envelope, wherein the setting of the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) comprises setting the element to a predetermined position and / or setting a position of the elements relative to each other, wherein the position or the position is selected depending on the comparison. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting of the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180) comprises setting the speed at which the envelopes (E) or goods to be enveloped are transported, the speed being selected depending on the comparison. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the envelopes (E) in the inserting device (105) have a predetermined orientation, and wherein the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) is adjusted to maintain the predetermined orientation of the envelopes (E) in the inserting device (105). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the envelope is aligned centrally with respect to a width of a transport of the inserting device (105). [6] Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, upon detection of the trend, the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) is adjusted to maintain the alignment of the envelopes (E) to the predetermined position. [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inserting device (105) comprises an inserting area and / or an envelope feeder, wherein at least one device of the inserting device (105) in the inserting area comprises one or more filling aids (150), one or more envelope guides (180), an envelope opener (190), an envelope sealer and / or a material transport (140), and wherein at least one device of the inserting device (105) in the envelope feeder comprises an envelope take-off (106) and / or an alignment section for the envelopes (E). [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the trend detection comprises the following steps: Determining a number of consecutive envelopes (E) for which the obtained dimensions steadily increase or decrease; and Detecting the trend when a certain number reaches a predetermined threshold. [9] A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined dimension of the envelope (E) comprises at least one of the following: a width of the envelope (E) perpendicular to a transport direction, a length of the envelope (E) along the transport direction, a dimension of an envelope flap, a depth of an envelope mouth, and a distance of an envelope window from an edge of an envelope body or the envelope flap. [10] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the measuring of the envelope (E) during its movement further comprises obtaining a further predetermined dimension of the envelope (E), and wherein the setting of the device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) is further based on a comparison of the further dimension obtained with a further set dimension. [11] Enveloping device (105) with at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) which is set for processing envelopes (E) according to at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E), comprising: a measuring section configured to move the envelopes (E); a sensor arrangement configured to measure a plurality of envelopes (E) transported along the measuring path while the envelopes (E) are moved to obtain at least one predetermined dimension of the envelope (E); and at least one controller configured to generate a control signal for the at least one device (106, 108, 130, 140, 150, 180, 190) depending on a comparison of the obtained dimension with the set dimension and / or with one or more previously obtained dimensions, in order to effect a setting of the at least one device of the inserting device (105) for the processing of the envelopes (E), where at least one control is configured to detect, from a comparison of a plurality of obtained dimensions, whether the predetermined dimension of the envelopes is increasing or decreasing, in order to detect a trend, wherein at least one control is configured to cause the adjustment of at least one setting of the inserting device (105) when the trend is detected, and wherein a plurality of envelopes (E) are provided to the inserting device (105), and the sensor arrangement is configured to measure only a part of the plurality of envelopes (E) provided.

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