Apparatus for executing destacking and sorting of book block

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for individualizing printed products collected in a stack.SOLUTION: Conveyance means is linked with a sendable element, and the periodic individualization of printed products belonging to a stack can be executed by the use of the sendable element. The printed products are brought into an inclined position in a storage support, this inclined position causes the reduction of a load to the printed products to be destacked, a retainer and a support belonging to the storage support are set so as to have a clearance relative to a prescribed printed product thickness, the loosening of the multi-gripped printed products is maximized by the use of a servo shaft and an oscillator belonging to the storage support, and the servo shaft can retreat according to necessary by the separation of the printed products. In this way, the already progressed printed products can be detected and immediately picked up at that point, and the introduction of the printed products into the storage support and the subsequent destacking process are mutually separately operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for destacking and sorting book blocks. [Background technology]

[0002] In today's book production, direct needs increasingly call for orders for books with different bindings, which requires that production systems and machines be equipped with a high degree of digitization in order to be able to provide this from an economical point of view, i.e., that systems and machines execute digitized orders for small and very small batches and "books of one" directly and economically, so that they can execute incoming production orders directly in a fully automatic manner, i.e. without manual intervention.

[0003] To define the technical field in more detail, reference is made to Figure 1 of the present application, on which a possible arrangement of systems and machines for the production of book blocks, which may have different configurations, is based. This arrangement begins with a diagram of a printed paper web (A) which constitutes the starting position of the paper when producing book blocks.

[0004] The provision of the paper web (A) is followed by a production system (B), shown here by way of example in accordance with the applicant's high-performance system (Sigma Line), which ensures the basis for highly efficient production. It is clear that this production must be accompanied by downstream preventative measures. On the one hand, the book blocks are continuously consolidated into stacked units, and on the other hand, destacking devices 100, 200, etc., subsequently intervene, ensuring that the book blocks are then processed in a timely manner via the various downstream machines, such as the end sheet feeder C, the perfect binder D, and the three-knife trimmer E. The three-knife trimmer E finally ensures the final finishing of the book blocks F, which are delivered by the perfect binder, regardless of their thickness and size. A high yield via the aforementioned production system B can only be achieved efficiently if the stacking order constitutes strict specifications for the individual further processing of the book blocks, i.e. the destacking devices 100, 200,... must be configured in such a way that, starting from the bottom, the predetermined order of the book blocks in the stack is maintained, so that the destacking must always be such that the bottommost book block is discharged from the stack first, while continuously observing the underlying processing cycle at each of the next stations (C, D, E) and taking into account the different dimensions of the book blocks to be processed.

[0005] EP 1 801 050 A1 discloses an apparatus for destacking rectangular parallelepiped printed products 2, such as books, pamphlets, book blocks, etc., which comprises a singulating belt 6 operated by a controllable drive for periodically singulating each bottommost printed product 2 a from a stack 3 a, with size-adjustable lateral limiting means 8 a for positioning the stack 3 a on the singulating belt 6, height-adjustable holding elements 9 forming a passage for each printed product 2 a to be singulated, a support 10 in the inlet region of the singulating belt 6 for supporting the rear end of the next-to-lowest printed product 2 a during the singulation of the bottommost printed product 2 a, and a feed belt 5 arranged upstream of the singulating belt 6 for feeding the next stack 3 a into the singulation position.

[0006] In order to ensure a perfect separation of particularly thick small-sized book blocks from a high stack, the destacking device (1) comprises at least one support element (15a, b) arranged at a predetermined distance downstream of the stack (3a), which support element can be moved out of the transport path when the next stack (3b) is fed. The support element (15a, b) moves automatically onto the transport path when the next stack (3b) is fed.

[0007] The book block stack is on a conveyor belt and the down holders and retainers are fed, i.e. moved into position (step 1). The conveyor belt pulls the bottom product from the stack (step 2), and based on this, the stack drops onto the conveyor belt (step 3). The retainers then adjust to the next product thickness, which destacks the next product (step 4). This cycle is repeated until the stack is completely detacked.

[0008] Exceeding the production cycle required to continuously supply downstream high performance machines for partial or final processing of the product, the holding elements (9) and associated highly rated destacking devices resulting from the system reach their limits.

[0009] This is because, after the first product has been separated (step 3), the retainers do not have enough time to adjust to the next thickness, since the conveyor belts continue to operate as intended. For kinematic reasons, this configuration carries an inherent risk of two products being detacked, which are unsuitable for further processing. However, by utilizing all kinematic possibilities, this destacking device can easily be used with book blocks that always have the same product thickness, and even when the product thickness is continually increasing during the destacking process. However, what is needed today is to ensure the destacking of book blocks with continually changing thicknesses.

[0010] Furthermore, from the general prior art, a destacking system is known in which, in a dynamic process, book blocks are tilted on a tilt table arranged transversely to the production direction. This tilt table is equipped with a number of knobs by which the lower book block of the stack is held by pressure / friction, while the upper book block falls by gravity caused by the movement carried out. Due to its construction, this destacking system is designed for the separation (also called singulation) of two book blocks, and the holding by the underlying knobs does not allow for reliable destacking of thin products.

[0011] Another destacking system is known from the general prior art, in which the lower printed product (book block) is moved in the production direction in conjunction with a vacuum plate and a slider arranged at the rear. A retainer ensures that the upper products are not separated together. The book block is then transported by a transport roller to a subsequent transport belt. It has been found that with this arrangement, the full weight of the stack acts on the printed products to be separated due to their horizontally set position. This presupposes that the retainer provided therein must be adjusted very precisely to prevent thin products from slipping off, which is very difficult to achieve when operating a "book of one" since the exact thickness is unknown.

[0012] With regard to the configuration of the transport rollers, strict attention must also be paid to ensuring that they are precisely adjusted or fed in all respects, since inaccurate or poor positioning cannot guarantee sustainable separation of the products. On the other hand, the adjustment or feed of the transport rollers must not be adjusted too strongly, since this would have a negative effect on the roller movement of the printed products. Optimal compliance with these conditions is difficult to achieve, since clean separation of printed products of different thicknesses depends very much on whether these printed products tend to slide forward during the singulation process, thereby nullifying the function of the holding elements due to the resulting clamping action.

[0013] Based on this prior art discussed, EP 1 801 050 appears to be the closest prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1801050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] The present invention aims to improve this situation. The problem underlying the invention is to propose an apparatus and a method for its operation, as characterized in the claims, in which, regardless of whether a plurality of printed products are fed in stacks or whether the printed products are fed intermittently or individually, structured singulation and further transport should be ensured by the same apparatus in both cases, but at maximum cycle speed and ensuring reliable further transport regardless of the thickness and dimensions of the individual printed products (hereinafter also referred to as book blocks) fed in respectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] According to the present invention, two basic conceptual configurations based on stacked layers of printed products are protected, which are usually used separately, and which obviously have a common technological basis for supply. These concepts can also be connected in series or in parallel with one another, if necessary, or even carry out exchanges of relevant elements with one another, so that the requirements for uniformity are fully met in both concepts, and moreover, these concepts undoubtedly represent an improvement over the prior art.

[0017] In addition, the concept focused on here has the advantage that its operation can not only work on stacked printed products, but can also continuously accommodate production processes in which individual printed products are supplied in between, thereby maximizing the flexibility of the concept.

[0018] The first concept works as follows: a stack of printed products is first transported to the tilt table by a conveyor belt (steps 1-2), where a light barrier detects the beginning and end of the stack. The width of the stack can be determined by the predetermined, and therefore known, speed of the conveyor belt. Based on this width information, size adjustment can then be initiated by immediately extending the slider. In the next process (step 3), the slider moves upward at the rear of the stack. This allows the stack to be transported forward along the tilt table in the transport direction by this same slider to a vacuum position located at the end of the tilt table (step 4). At this vacuum position, the bottom product in the stack is held in place by the suction force acting on it, allowing the tilt table to regain its tilt. At the same time, the entire stack is held stable in this position by the vertically extending slider acting backward. From this position, the next operation is then performed by retracting the slider, thereby neatly returning the remaining stack to the tilted plane (step 5). Supporting the stack with a slider movable in the transport direction can advantageously be performed at all times to ensure the orderly state of the remaining stack. In addition, after step 5, another flap intermittently operable from below intervenes, directed toward the printed products ready for further transport, as long as it ensures that thicker, heavier products, in particular, cannot collapse immediately after the separation process. This separates the remaining stack with the printed products held in frictional engagement by vacuum action, making the remaining stack available for autonomous use. Between the two structures, the flap is moved upward (step 6), and simultaneously the vacuum is released on the bottommost printed product. This creates a stable, simultaneously transportable situation for the bottommost printed product, allowing the slider to return the stack to the vacuum position, while the bottommost printed product is further transported (step 7), leaving the remaining stack ready for the next destacking (steps 1-7).A light barrier on the slider detects whether there are still printed products in the stack, and after destacking is complete, a fresh supply of stacked printed products follows.

[0019] The advantages of this first concept are: a) No mechanical adjustments to the thickness of the printed products have to be made, and therefore it is possible to work with stacks having printed products of very different thicknesses (book of one). b) There is no need to have prior information about the stack configuration in terms of number of products, product thickness and size. c) The tilt reduces the load on the printed products to be destacking, which brings significant advantages to the destacking process itself.

[0020] To detect different sizes of printed products, the tilt table is designed according to the first concept above, so that the stack can slide from the feed structure onto the tilt table with minimal resistance. It is designed to allow printed products to pass through. Printed products between the minimum size (block height 120 mm / block width 100 mm) and the maximum size (block height 380 mm / block width 330 mm) can be passed through. Both the auxiliary elements attached to the tilt table and the plate positioned at the end side for generating the vacuum force applied to the printed products can detect at least the minimum and maximum sizes listed. Furthermore, the tilt table still has operational reserves that allow further minimization or maximization of sizes. The tilt table can also detect printed product thicknesses of at least 1.5 to 65 mm. A conventional cycle output across all dimensions of printed products can achieve a production of at least 4,000 units per hour. Even in "book of one" operation, i.e., when each printed product has a unique size and configuration, a cycle output of at least 2000 units / hour can be achieved, and it is therefore clear from these figures that the destacking of the present invention, with each concept described herein, represents a significant improvement over the prior art.

[0021] Another concept according to the invention for destacking stacks made up of printed products, whether as an autonomous device or in conjunction with the destacking concept described above, is a device used at particularly high cycle speeds, and it is easily conceivable to use a destacking device according to the first concept for the production of "books of one" and then operate the remaining production according to the second concept, in the latter case allowing the continuous production of larger batches. This combined operating mode should always be considered when these concepts exist in parallel and when the production of "books of one" is carried out intermittently but at a high cadence.

[0022] Destacking according to this second concept operates in the following steps:

[0023] The stack is transported on a step-by-step belt that corresponds to the conveyor belt of the destacking concept according to the first aspect. The stack is first placed on an intermediate platform and then available for further transport. With such an intermediate stage, it is possible to stop the stack on the conveyor belt if the destacking concept according to the second aspect cannot accommodate the inflow of printed products.

[0024] The stack is then transferred to the portal transporter, which is then moved into a position relative to the transfer device, which then moves into a position for optimal stack transfer. Here, too, a light barrier (not shown in detail) is activated, which detects the width of the stack or the width of the printed products. The transfer device is kinematically configured so that a directly acting, movable receiving element of the same transfer device moves upwards towards the portal transporter (stack lift), aligns for transfer, and transfers the correspondingly supplied stack there. In continuous operation, for reasons of cycle compliance, it is also possible for the stack, or in general the printed products, respectively, to be introduced directly via the portal transporter into a receiving element fulfilling the function of stack lift, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0025] In a further step, the direct transfer of the stack supplied by the portal transporter is detected, which transfer must be adjusted taking into account the relative movement between the sender and receiver, an important transfer aid being that the receiving element, which is moved upward, has lateral guide and stabilizing walls via which the stack can be introduced so as to slide into the receiving element. The further loading of the stack gripped by the receiving element into the transfer device only takes place when the previously introduced book blocks have been transferred individually.

[0026] Intermediate starting positions are achieved by direct transfer by the portal transporter. The stack lift, by linear movement and rotation, moves the stack from the magazine to the transfer device's separation position, so that the stack lift can begin the separation process by moving upward to transfer the stack, allowing the next stack to be picked up directly from the portal transporter. The driver finger chain brings the separated products into a horizontal or quasi-horizontal position for transport. During the above-mentioned destacking of the stack, the stack is transferred to the separation position, and the previously separated printed products are transported onto a transfer belt by use of the above-mentioned driver finger chain, where they can subsequently be transferred to the subsequent transport belt.

[0027] The advantages of this second concept are seen in the following points: a) The tilt reduces the load on the printed products to be destacked, which is a great advantage for the separation process. b) Therefore, the retainer and support do not need to be adjusted to the exact thickness of the product. c) The separation by the servo axis allows for great flexibility of the system, which makes it possible to achieve shaking or double loosening of the printed product in complex forms. d) The printed products are completely separated by the servo axis, so that even when the axis is retracting, it can detect products that have already advanced and pick them up immediately at that point. e) Infeed and singulation are decoupled from each other. New stacks can be introduced during singulation, which has a positive effect on the output performance.

[0028] In summary, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for separating printed products, such as books, book blocks, or pamphlets, collected in a stack. The apparatus and method include a drive-operated conveyor for conveying the stack, the conveyor comprising at least one ejectable element, which is used to separate the printed products in the stack according to their period. During conveyance of the stack along the conveyor in the transport direction, at least one sensor detects the width of the stack or the width of each individual printed product. Depending on the width of the stack, a first element is ejected, which is used to support and / or guide the stack in the transport direction. The stack is guided along the conveyor to a terminally disposed position, where a suction force is applied to the bottom printed product in the stack. At this position, the conveyor is shifted to a vertical tilt, and after the tilt is complete, the first element is moved backward, incorporating the remaining stack, until the bottom printed product, held by the suction force, is released. The printed product is then supported by an intermittently operable flap, which simultaneously breaks the suction force while the printed product is transported further, and subsequent printed products in the stack are separated and transported further in the same manner, with the intermittently operable flap being aligned with the separated printed product for further transport, and the retracted flap being used to prevent thicker and heavier printed products from collapsing.

[0029] Similarly, to summarize the second concept, an apparatus and method for singulating printed products, such as books, book blocks, or pamphlets, collected in a stack comprises at least a conveying device and a destacking device, in which the cyclic singulation of the printed products is performed. The conveying device is designed to transfer stacks provided by a conveying belt and guides the stacks to the level of the destacking device, which is arranged below the conveying device. A light barrier in the area of ​​the conveying device detects the width of the stack and / or the width of the individual printed products and transmits this information to the destacking device. A receiving support associated with the destacking device moves upward from an operating position toward the conveying device until it reaches a position where the stack is transferred from the destacking device to the receiving support. The receiving support with the transferred stack returns to the operating position again, where the destacking process begins. Meanwhile, the conveying device returns to its starting position to transfer a stack to be provided later. At this operating position, at least one force-generating holding device intervenes, which applies a holding force to at least one printed product on the leading or trailing edge or on the bottommost printed product. The bottom printed product is gripped by a conveyor belt operating below the receiving support and transported further by driver fingers as part of a driver finger chain, while the remaining printed products are successively released from the holding device and then individually transported further in the same way.

[0030] Further, to summarize the second expanded concept, an apparatus and method for singulating printed products, such as books, book blocks, or pamphlets, collected in a stack comprises at least a conveying device and a destacking device, in which the cyclic singulation of the printed products is performed. The conveying device is designed to relay stacks provided by a conveying belt and guides the stacks to the level of the destacking device, which is arranged below the conveying device. A light barrier in the area of ​​the conveying device detects the width of the stack and / or the width of the individual printed products and transfers this information to the destacking device. A receiving support associated with the destacking device moves upward from an operating position toward the conveying device until it reaches a position where the stack can be transferred from the destacking device to the receiving support. The receiving support with the relayed stack returns to the operating position again, where the destacking process begins. Meanwhile, the conveying device returns to its starting position to relay a stack to be provided later. In this operating position, at least one force-supporting holding device intervenes, which applies a vacuum force to the respective bottommost printed product, which can be briefly interrupted during the further transport of this printed product and temporarily reactivated when the next printed product follows. After destacking, the respective bottommost printed product is directly transferred to a separate conveyor belt, which is coupled to a driver finger chain acting on the printed product, both of which are operated autonomously, so that the driver finger chain can ensure the cyclical further transport of the printed product. The remaining printed products are successively released from the holding device and individually transported further in the same way.

[0031] Basically, the destacking device according to the second concept can be operated in two ways (Concept 2 and Extended Concept 2): with reference to Figures 4.5 and 4.6, the destacking device is operated primarily through a destacking process based on guidance by a preferably mechanically operable retainer, i.e., the individualization and further transport of the respective bottommost printed product is ensured during this stage only by the use of this same retainer, which is opposed to the printed product above. Otherwise, the bottommost printed product is not restricted by any other precautions. If the destacking process is carried out according to Figures 5, 6a, 6b (see Figures 5, 6a, 6b to avoid unnecessary repetitions), the destacking device is operated differently, and this concept according to the invention (Extended Concept 2) simply stands out when it comes to ensuring production at high cycle rates even when the dimensions, thickness, and layout of the book blocks change rapidly.

[0032] In the following, the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings, in which all elements that are not essential for a direct understanding of the invention have been omitted, and the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] Possible sequences of systems and machines incorporating destacking devices for a better understanding of the present invention: [Figure 2] The first concept of such a destacking device is as follows: [Figure 3] Configuration of auxiliary elements for the destacking device according to FIG. 2 to accommodate different dimensions of book blocks [Figure 4.1] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.2] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.3] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.4] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.5] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.6] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.7] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.8] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.9] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 4.10] Process steps for operating a destacking device according to the second concept [Figure 5] Destacking device based on the expanded second concept [Figure 6a] Formation of a central element for secure destacking of book blocks, characterized by different configurations [Figure 6b] Formation of a central element for secure destacking of book blocks, characterized by different configurations DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] For a better understanding, FIG. 1 shows the environment of the present invention in the form of a possible arrangement of systems and machines for producing different types of book blocks. This configuration begins with a diagram of a printed paper web A, which constitutes the starting point of the paper during the production of the book block. The provision of the paper web A is followed by a production system B, illustrated here as an example by the applicant's high-performance system (Sigma Line), thereby ensuring the basis for a highly efficient production. It is clear that this production must be absorbed by downstream preventative measures. On the one hand, the book blocks are continuously consolidated into stacked units, and on the other hand, destacking devices 100, 200, etc., intervene, which ensure that the subsequent processing of the book blocks through the various downstream machines, such as an end sheet feeder C, a perfect binder D, and a three-knife trimmer E, finally achieves the final finishing of the book blocks F, which are provided by the perfect binder, regardless of their thickness and size. A high yield via the aforementioned production system B can only be achieved efficiently if the stacking order constitutes strict specifications for the individual further processing of the book blocks, i.e. the destacking devices 100, 200,... must be configured in such a way that, starting from the bottom, the predetermined order of the book blocks in the stack is maintained, so that the destacking must always be such that the bottommost book block is discharged from the stack first, while continuously observing the underlying processing cycle at each of the next stations (C, D, E) and taking into account the different dimensions of the book blocks to be processed.

[0035] 2 shows a first configuration of the destacking device 100, the sequence of which, as can be seen from steps 1 and 2 shown, consists in that a stack 101 of book blocks is first transported by a conveyor belt 102 to a tilt table 103 in a predetermined material flow direction 104 (steps 1-2). A light barrier 105 detects the beginning and end of the stack 101, and the width of the stack is determined by the simultaneously measured or predetermined speed of the stack in the material flow direction. Based on this determination across the stack, the delivery of the slider 106, which is initially stationary, can be recorded precisely in time. In the next process (step 3), the slider 106 moves upward behind the stack 101 and supports the stack during its further transport process, which is characterized by a retraction, so that the stack is not damaged by this guided movement. The aforementioned slider 106 provides the stack with additional, sustainable support during the further transport process, and this slider is either coupled to the transport movement of the tilt table 103 or supports the stack's advancement, within certain limits, by a separate drive. In the latter implementation, destacking can be maintained even if the motor of the tilt table 103 stops.

[0036] The stack is then guided to a set position 107 (step 3) at the end of the tilt table, where it is gripped in a frictional engagement manner by a controllable suction force (step 4), whereupon the suction force acting thereon applies a frictional engagement to the lowest book block 111, which frictional engagement remains until the controllable suction force is activated (see step 5). In this starting position, where the stack has been stabilized on the one hand by the use of slider 106 and on the other hand by the effective frictional engagement, a predefined upward inclination 108 of the tilt table can be reached, which is another starting position for destacking; in the case of step 4 of this figure, attention is drawn to stop 109, which intervenes intermittently and is associated with slider 106 (see step 7), which keeps the stack still stable, so that, as can be seen from step 4, there is no risk of the upper parts of the stack, beyond the lowest book block, sliding backwards. The next destacking operation is carried out through a suitable process, in which the aforementioned slider 106 performs a retraction 110 when the tilt table 103 is in the tilted position 108, which retraction affects the book blocks of the remaining stack, since, as can be seen in FIG. 5, they also follow the retraction of the slider. This clearly shows the technical relevance of the slider 106 in conjunction with the integrated flap 112, even if we assume that this destacking could also be used in the case of heavy book blocks, since the uncontrolled backward sliding of the book blocks of the remaining stack would make the next destacking significantly more difficult. In this situation, a different support is envisaged in connection with the further transport of the bottommost book block 111: here, a flap 112a, operable intermittently from below, intervenes (its movement is indicated by an arrow), which aligns itself supportively with this book block, thereby ensuring that particularly thick and heavy book blocks do not collapse after the separation process.After the separation of the partial stack 101a is complete, the flap 112 is moved upwards (step 6) between the front end of the remaining stack 101a and the rear end of the book block 111 frictionally gripped thereon, said flap being aligned with the position of the latter book block 111. There is therefore an effective separation between the remaining stack 101a and the frictionally gripped book block 111, which separation is also the starting point for another operation of the destacking, i.e. the suction force acting on the book block is interrupted so that the book block can be transported further, usually by activation according to the transport of the tilt table, and the flap 112 remains in its position until the remaining stack 101a abuts against it, so that the initiated further transport of the released book block 111 is not interfered with (step 7), this process also being monitored by another light barrier. After the flap 112 is retracted, further destacking operations begin (step 7), starting with the bottommost book block (steps 1-7), this subsequent movement of the stack being determined by the activated slider 109 depending on its position.

[0037] 3 shows in its upper part a stylized configuration of the tilt table 103 according to FIG. 2, while the lower part shows a plan view of the tabletop. The illustrated configuration of the tabletop should be configured so that stacks of book blocks (see FIG. 2) of different sizes (width / height) can be continuously processed. This FIG. 3 shows the design of rollers 151, here preferably configured as lift track rollers, which ensure a smooth gliding of the stack (see FIG. 2) from the feeder structure onto the tilt table 103. Furthermore, the rotation axis 150 of the tilt table 103 is implicitly shown here, which allows the tilting described in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the kinematic movements of the slider 106 and the flap 112 are indicated here by arrows, which, in conjunction with each other, allow for destacking when it is a question of gripping book blocks of different sizes. For this purpose, a series of spaced apart sliders / flaps 106 / 112 are arranged at the leading edge of the tilt table 103, which are movable between tracks defined by rollers 151. In a first variation, the entire group of sliders / flaps is controlled independently of the current size of the book block, while in another variation, the number of sliders / flaps activated independently depends on the current block width of the book block: in the case of the smallest size, for example, one or two sliders / flaps are used simultaneously, in the case of the largest size, the entire group.

[0038] A wide variety of book blocks can be processed, ranging from the smallest size 153 (block height 120 mm / block width 100 mm) to the largest size (block height 380 mm / block width 330 mm). Vacuum plates 107a (see Figure 2) of different sizes are located at the end of the tilt table, applying suction directly to the gripped book block. Also shown here is a light barrier 105 and its operation. In connection with the processing of different book block sizes, it should be noted that book block thicknesses between 1.5 and 65 mm can be processed without additional precautions, and any precautions are of a minor nature, making their implementation attractive. A conventional cycle output across all possible book block sizes can achieve a production rate of at least 4,000 units per hour. Even in "book of one" operation, i.e. when each book block is formed individually, a cycle output of at least 2000 units / hour can be achieved, and it is therefore clear from these figures that the destacking according to the present specification, with the individual concepts described herein (Figures 2, 3 and 4.1 to 4.10, 5 and 6a / 6b), represents a significant improvement over the prior art.

[0039] The dynamic implementation of the second destacking concept 200 according to Figures 4.1 to 4.10, which may essentially form the basis for the operation of the first destacking process 250a (see Figure 4.6) and the second destacking process 250b (see Figure 5), will be illustrated below by a structured sequence of individual steps, which are themselves shown in a single still image of the entire process, and the resulting entire sequence (Figures 4.1 to 4.10) reveals the continuous operation of this destacking. The order and numbering of the figures have been deliberately chosen so as to provide direct information about the individual steps of the process.

[0040] This destacking device 200 is preferably used at high cycle rates, whether as an autonomous device or in combination with the destacking device 100 of the previous concept according to Figures 2 and 3, and it is easily conceivable to use the destacking device 100 according to the first concept (Figures 2 and 3) for the production of "Book of One" and then operate the remaining production with the second concept (Figures 4.1 to 4.10 and 5, 6a / 6b), the latter being capable of being produced continuously for large batches. This combined operating mode should always be considered when there is the possibility of using both concepts 100, 200 simultaneously and when the production of "Book of One" is intermittent but nevertheless high frequency.

[0041] This de-stacking 200 according to the second concept according to Figures 4.1 to 4.10, with the addition of the individual key steps of the de-stacking shown in Figures 5, 6a, 6b, proceeds as follows:

[0042] FIG. 4.1 shows step 1, in which a stack 201 is transported on a step-by-step belt 202a that corresponds to the conveying belt of the destacking device 100 (FIGS. 2 and 3). It is clear that in this starting position, the next stack 201a is already in position for the next destacking cycle. This stack 201 offered for destacking is first transferred to the intermediate platform 202 and then, by means of another coordinated transport step, to the actual destacking that takes place in the destacking device 250. The inclusion of the intermediate platform 202 as a buffer zone is always advantageous when the destacking device 250 is temporarily unable to process the incoming stack 201 directly. Furthermore, this figure reveals the waiting position of the portal transporter 203, whose task, as will be explained in more detail in the following figures, is to position the waiting stack 201 across the expanse of the portal infrastructure 203a so that the destacking device 250 can operate and operate properly.

[0043] Figure 4.2 shows another process of destacking, in which the portal transporter 203 relays the stack 201 by a handover procedure, so that the stack is transferred to an optimal position relative to the destacking device 250, i.e., this position is characterized in that the receiving support 251 associated with the destacking device 250 occupies a position indicating the subsequent relay of the stack 201. The net vertical movement of the receiving support 251 towards the portal transporter 203, where the stack 201 is positioned for relaying, is achieved by the lifting of the carrier 252 of the receiving support 251 along an inclined guide, whereby this inclination sets the angular inclination of the stack during the destacking process. This starting position can well be used to determine the width of the stack or of the book block by means of a light barrier (see Figure 3), not shown in detail; this determination can also be made upstream. The next step involves gripping the stack 201 by further raising the storage support 251, which fulfills the function of a stack lift during the further process of destacking, as illustrated in more detail by FIG. 4.3.

[0044] 4.3 shows the immediate transfer of the stack 201 from the portal transporter 203 to the receiving support 251, which during this transfer, by a partial rotation taking into account the relative movement of the two elements of the cycle operation, namely the receiving support 251 / portal transporter 203, moves into a position horizontal to the plane below the stack 201, so that the guide wall 253 arranged laterally, for example by the lifting device 254, is also aligned in a vertical plane, whereby the guide wall constitutes a stop wall for the received stack. The receiving support 251 including the guide wall 253 therefore assumes a configuration which results in maximum stabilization of the stack 201 on its further path to the actual destacking.

[0045] Figure 4.4 shows another position of the stack 201 in the destacking device 250, where it is moved downwards on a path towards a transport level 255 for further transport of book blocks (201) to be subsequently destacking, the technical process of destacking itself being shown and explained in the following figures. Following this, the next stack 201a is shown already in position to be relayed by the portal transporter 203 for a further destacking cycle.

[0046] Figure 4.5 shows the direct continuation of the stack delivery according to Figure 4.4, whereby the stack, guided by the receiving supports 251 and the guide walls 253, has reached its final position from which the actual destacking (separation) of the book blocks begins. This separation is first initiated by activating the retainer 256, which stabilizes the second-lowest book block B by counterforce for the further transport of the lowest book block A, so that the latter book block is available for further use and can then be transported further via the operation of the conveyor belt 257, which operates in continuous operation (see Figure 4.9) and is simultaneously associated with the driver finger chain 259 and the driver finger 258, which transports the book blocks individually while observing a predetermined cycle.

[0047] Figure 4.6 shows the start of the actual destacking (separation) of the individual book blocks A, B from each stack after they have been lowered from the base side by the receiving support 251 and set off to relay the next stack 201a in the process according to Figure 4.1 described. The destacking 250b process that starts here will be explained in detail in the following figures, and the main components of the second concept will be explained in detail in Figures 5 and 6.

[0048] Basically, the destacking device 250 of the second concept can be operated in two ways: on the one hand, by the destacking process 250a illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4.5 and 4.6, and on the other hand, by a differently configured destacking process 250b according to FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b. The destacking process 250a is primarily based on operation by a preferably mechanically operable retainer 256, i.e., the singulation and further transport of the respective bottom book block is only ensured during this process step by the use of this same retainer 256, which mechanically opposes the product still located above the bottom book block. The released bottom book block is not restricted by other precautions. If the destacking process 250b according to FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b (which will be explained in more detail below and should be referred to in order to avoid unnecessary repetition) is used, the destacking device 250 is operated differently. This destacking process 250b also stands out simply for the sake of maximum completeness in the prior art, especially since it can guarantee high cycle speed production even when the book block dimensions, thickness and layout change rapidly. The remaining processes of the destacking device 250 related to the latter destacking process 250b can also be basically explained by referring to Figures 4.1 to 4.10, the only difference being that the original individualizations of the book blocks (250a vs. 250b) are formed differently and are operated differently, with the final purpose of both coinciding with each other.

[0049] 4.7 shows that essentially the separation of book blocks A and B belonging to the stack has taken place, which are then transported further individually and one after the other on the conveyor belt 257 by means of one driver finger 258 of each of the driver finger chains 259. It is also clear that in this sub-process the receiving support 251 is about to receive the next stack 201a, which explains the position already illustrated in FIG. 4.2. In this starting position, the retainer 256 occupies a neutral position, so that the first waiting book block can be transported freely first via the transition section 257b and then via the normal conveyor belt 257, where it is gripped synchronously by the next arranged driver finger 258 of the driver finger chain 259. The following is the basis: both the conveyor belt 257 and the driver finger chain 259 are operated independently. The driver finger chain 259 relays the product from the de-stack and brings the product to a horizontal position where it is relayed by a subsequent conveyor belt, which is also independently operated.

[0050] Figure 4.8 shows the continuous continuation of the separation of book blocks A and B after the illustration of Figure 4.7, with the first book block being forced into contact by driver fingers 258, which ensures its rhythmic further transport via conveyor belt 257. At the same time, receiving support 251 is just about to relay the next stack 201a to be fed. Here, there are more book blocks for destacking than in the previous stack 201, but this does not change the destacking process itself, according to the previous figures. This can also be seen from Figures 5 and 6.

[0051] Figure 4.9 shows a schematic indication of a continuous conveyor belt 257a for the further transport of the initially separated book block A and the complete relay of the subsequent stack, and a path 259a associated with the conveyor belt 257 and simultaneously associated with the driver finger chain 259, the conveyor belt 257 and the driver finger chain 259 being operated autonomously.

[0052] Figure 4.10 shows the further process of separation of book blocks A and B, from which it can be seen that the last book block B of the first stack 201 is on its way out of the destacking device 250, so that the incoming new stack 201a can be introduced without interruption for separation according to the previous figure.

[0053] For practical considerations, Figures 5, 6a and 6b will be described together. Figure 5 shows a book block destacking process 250b, which, as illustrated in particular in Figures 4.5 and 4.6, offers a broader inventive result than the previous destacking process 250a, and the extended configuration (250b) of the extended second concept also relies on the relevant processes of Figures 4.1 to 4.10 when it comes to ensuring the transport and placement of the printed products, so that these aspects do not need to be described again here.

[0054] Here, the stack according to FIG. 5 consists of three book blocks C, D, and E, corresponding to stack 201a in the previous figure; the number of book blocks can always be significantly greater. According to the underlying separation process (destacking), the entire stack is tilted to reduce the frictional forces acting on the book blocks to be separated. The lowest book block C in the stack is held by a crowned vacuum plate 270 and separated from the stack by a servo shaft 271, which allows a shaking motion that means double loosening. Supports 272 ensure that the products are not damaged during this process; in practice, it has been found that supports are necessary for book block thicknesses of approximately 30 mm. Retainers 273 ensure that products D and E located above the lowest book block C cannot be caught or dragged during the destacking process 250b.

[0055] The stopper 275, which works in conjunction with the vibrator 274, loosens the stack and also ensures that the desired alignment of the book blocks is supported. Furthermore, the shape of the variable-thickness retainer 273 allows its chamfer 276 to be used in the singulation direction, intervening in the event of any inaccuracies in the book block thickness, thereby ensuring that such inaccuracies do not unduly restrict further operation. Limits to this absorption may arise in the case of a series of book blocks with extreme thicknesses. To ensure that these book blocks can also be continuously captured, the retainer 273 according to FIG. 6a is supplemented by the already-mentioned chamfer 276, which is set slightly lower than the book block thickness, so that the book block can be pushed under the retainer 273 and thus thin products positioned thereon can be held. Conversely, if the retainer 273 were set slightly higher according to FIG. 6b, the risk of thin products slipping increases. Thus, on the side facing the stack, there are through-flow openings 277a, 277b through which air jets 278a, 278b acting on the stack or book block are supplied in order to unload the stack or book block, thereby making it possible to sustainably absorb thickness variations in the book blocks of the different stacks 201, 201a. The process flow is essentially based on the process as described by the first or second concept (see in order to avoid unnecessary repetition), with this second concept incorporating other elements such as the oscillator 274, thickness information via the BC reader 279, crowning of the lift table 270 and its suction introduction 280, which qualitatively improve the separation process.

[0056] Furthermore, the destacking process according to the extended second concept according to Figures 4.1 to 4.10, 5, 6a, 6b can be carried out by means of a configuration for applying a vacuum force to the bottom book block according to the description according to Figures 2 and 3, using the retainer according to the reference numeral 273 in Figure 5 or the reference numeral 256 in Figure 4.5 as needed.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for singulating printed products, such as books, book blocks, pamphlets, etc., collected in a stack, the apparatus comprising at least one conveying means operable by a drive for conveying the stack, the conveying means being associated with at least one deliverable element, by means of which a periodic singulation of the printed products belonging to the stack can be carried out, During the transport of the stack (101) in the transport direction (104) along the transport means (103), the width of the stack or of the individual printed products (101a, 101b, 101c) can be detected by at least one sensor (105), and depending on the width of the stack, a first element (106) used for supporting and / or guiding the stack in the transport direction can be delivered, so that the stack can be transported along the transport means to a position (107) arranged at the end, at which position a suction force can be applied to the lowest printed product (111) in the stack. and in this position the conveying means can be shifted to a vertical tilt (108), and after the tilting is complete the first element (106) can be moved backwards (110) while integrating the remaining stack until the lowest printed product (111) fixed by suction is released, which printed product can be supported by an intermittently operable flap (112a), which printed product (111) can be further conveyed while simultaneously interrupting the suction, and subsequent printed products in the stack (101) can be separated and further conveyed in the same way.

2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means is formed as a tilt table (103).

3. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermittently operable flap (112a) is aligned with the separated printed product (111) for further transport, and the advanced flap (112a) prevents thick and heavy printed products from collapsing.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the individual printed products can then be fed to a subsequent processing machine via a separate transport belt associated with an autonomously operable driver finger chain.

5. 1. An apparatus for singulating printed products, such as books, book blocks, pamphlets, etc., collected in stacks, comprising at least one conveying device and one destacking device capable of carrying out a periodic singulation of the printed products, A device characterized in that it comprises the following elements: a) a conveying device (203) designed to relay the stack (201) provided by the conveyor belt (202), said conveying device guiding the stack to the level of a destacking device (250) arranged below the conveying device; b) a light barrier or a sensor in the area of ​​the transport device detects the width of the stack and / or the width of the individual printed products and transfers this information to the destacking device; c) the receiving support (251) associated with the destacking device (250) moves vertically or quasi-vertically from the operating position towards the conveying device (203) until it reaches a position where the transfer of the stack (201) from the destacking device to the receiving support can be carried out; d) the receiving support with the relayed stack returns again to the operating position, in which the destacking process (250a) can begin; e) Meanwhile, the transport device (203) returns to the starting position to transfer the stack (201a) to be provided later; f) in this operating position, in order to carry out the destacking process (250a), at least one mechanically driven holding device (256) intervenes, by means of which a force can be applied to at least one printed product (B) above the lowermost printed product (A) at the appropriate position, by means of which the lowermost printed product can then be transported further without hindrance; g) the bottom most printed product (A) can then be grasped by a conveyor belt (257) operating under the receiving support and can be further transported by a driver finger chain (259) with driver fingers (258); h) The remaining printed products (A, . . . ) are successively released from the holding device (256) and can be transported further individually in the same way.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conveyor belt and the driver finger chain are autonomously operable.

7. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport device is designed as a portal transporter (203).

8. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving support (251) for the stack (201, 201a) is supplemented by laterally arranged guide walls (253), by means of which the stack is fixed against slipping during its further transport to the position of the destacking process (250a).

9. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the receiving support (251) has a pivoted position when the stack is relayed by the transport device, and the receiving support with the stack can be transported to the position of the destacking process via an angled guide, the angled guide having an inclination corresponding to the position of the stack before the start of the destacking process.

10. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the inclination of the printed products attached to the stack is aligned parallel to the conveyor belt (257).

11. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding device (256) acting on the printed products above the lowermost printed product is driven by mechanical, electrical or hydraulic forces.

12. 1. An apparatus for singulating printed products, such as books, book blocks, pamphlets, etc., collected in stacks, comprising at least one conveying device and one destacking device capable of carrying out a periodic singulation of the printed products, A device characterized in that it comprises the following elements: a) the conveying device (203) is designed to relay the stack (201) provided by the conveying belt, the stack being transportable by the conveying device to the level of the destacking device (250) arranged below the conveying device; b) the receiving support (251 a) associated with the destacking device (250) can be fed to the conveying device (203) in a vertical or quasi-vertical direction from the operating position until it can reach a position where the stack (201) can be transferred from the destacking device to the receiving support (251 a); c) the receiving support with the relayed stack returns again to the operating position, in which the destacking process (205b) can begin; d) Meanwhile, the transport device returns to the starting position to transfer the stack (201a) to be provided later; e) in this operating position, at least one force-exerting element (270) is interposed, by means of which a vacuum force (280) can be generated which is applied to the bottommost printed product (C), which force can be intermittently interrupted during the further transport of the printed product and temporarily reactivated when the next printed product (D, E) follows; f) the bottommost printed product (C) can be fed to a conveyor belt operable thereunder under the force application element (270), and the printed product can be further transported by a driver finger chain (259) operable in conjunction with the conveyor belt; g) The remaining printed products (D, E) can be released in turn by intermittently stopping the force application element (270) and then individually transported further in the same way.

13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that a light barrier or a sensor in the area of ​​the transport device detects the width of the stack and / or the width of the individual printed products, and this information is transferred to a destacking device.

14. 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the force application element is constituted by a vacuum plate (270) by means of which a vacuum force can be generated and by means of which a holding force can be applied to the directly gripped printed product.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vacuum plate (270) has a crowned shape, which allows for a maximized loosening behavior and high stability of the printed product.

16. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vacuum plate (270) is associated with an adjustable retainer (273).

17. The apparatus described in claim 16, characterized in that the terminal end of the retainer (273) has a chamfered portion (276) at least on the side of the printed product (C, D, E) to be destacked, and the bottom end of this chamfered portion can be set lower or higher compared to the thickness of the waiting printed product to be destacked.

18. 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the receiving support (251a) is provided with a vibrator (274) for the destacking process (250b).

19. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the receiving support (251a) is provided with a reader (279) for detecting the thickness of the printed product.

20. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the vacuum force applied to the vacuum plate (270) can be operated by a supply element (280) in the receiving support (251a).

21. 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the end of the retainer (273) attached to the receiving support (251a) is provided with a chamfer (276) at least on the side of the printed products (C, D, E) to be destacked, the lowest end of which can be set lower or higher compared to the thickness of the waiting printed products to be destacked, and by this setting the following operating states can be realized: a) if the chamfer (276) of the retainer (273) is positioned lower than the thickness i of the printed products, further transport of the printed products (201, 201a) to be destacked is possible only in a limited manner due to the reduction of the through-opening that is achieved; b) if the chamfer (276) of the retainer (273) is positioned higher than the thickness i of the printed product, further transport of the printed product to be destacked is free to proceed; c) In operating state b), the retainer (273) has at least one through-flow opening (277a, 277b) through which air (278a, 278b) can flow in to unload and / or release the stack in order to prevent slippage of waiting thin printed products and to absorb variations in the thickness of the printed products.

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