Apparatus and method for singulating stacked items

Abstract

The apparatus for singulating a stack (1) of articles, particularly cup-shaped capsules (1.1-1.n), in particular articles having a rim, comprises a separation element (2.1, 2.7) for interposing between adjacent articles (1.1, 1.2) in the stack (1). A plurality of these separation elements (2.1-2.12) are arranged around the periphery of the stack (1) to interpose with the stack (1), and the separation elements (2.1-2.12) are mounted so as to be radially movable. The separation elements (2.1-2.12) are each resiliently mounted (3.1-3.12), and the apparatus comprises a mechanism (5, 11.1, 11.2) for moving the separation elements (2.1-2.12) outward to a position where they do not interpose with the stack (1). The apparatus allows for the automatic singulation of stacked articles that are fragile but at the same time tightly fitted together, while still being irregular in terms of their alignment within the stack.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for singulating stacks of articles, in particular cup-shaped capsules, in particular stacks of articles with a rim, in which separating elements are provided for interposing between adjacent articles in the stack of articles, a plurality of these separating elements being arranged around the periphery of the stack and being mounted radially movable. [Background technology]

[0002] Such individualization is necessary, especially in manufacturing and processing processes, when certain types of articles are stored or temporarily stored in stacks, but a processing process is to be carried out that requires these articles to be individual. This can be, for example, the automatic filling of cup-shaped capsules that are initially in a stack after production. In this case, the production line needs to perform the individualization as reliably, quickly, cost-effectively, and with minimal maintenance as possible. This also necessitates a solution that can avoid complex control mechanisms and sensor systems.

[0003] Methods and devices for singulating stacked articles already exist. For example, EP 2 799 350 (ES Plastik GmbH) discloses a device for de-stacking nested trays, particularly those with peripheral edges, which comprises at least one shaft for receiving the tray stack and a movable lower separation knife, which is movable between a closed position in which it closes the shaft on the removal side and an open position in which it releases the lower tray to be removed, and vice versa. Furthermore, this invention also includes a movable separation blade that can enter the gap between the trays, thereby holding the stack in the shaft during the cutting process and thereby releasing the bottom tray.

[0004] Furthermore, the device comprises a driven, movable suction device having at least one suction element that abuts against the tray to be removed, which makes it possible to fix the tray to the suction device.

[0005] A drawback of this device appears when a stack of articles is to be singulated when there are irregular gap sizes around the stack between the individual articles in the stack, for example, due to the articles in the stack being seated at an angle to the axis of the stack. In this case, there is a risk that the separator blades will hit gaps between the articles that are not large enough for each blade to fit through. In that case, the separator blades may end up in a final position facing the stack despite the gap size being too small, thereby damaging, for example crushing, the articles in the stack. Alternatively, in this case, the separator blades may also be damaged, or the stack may not be effectively singulated.

[0006] China Patent Application Publication No. 111874643 (Chou Qian Vichi Light Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd.) discloses a separating device for stacked tray-like cans. It has an arcuate blade that can fit into the gap between the bottom can and its neighbor. To separate, a smaller separating blade integrated into the arcuate blade moves downward to push the bottom can out of the stack while the rest of the stack is held by the arcuate blade.

[0007] Again, the separation process for stacked cans only works if the gap between the cans allows for the blades to intervene in the stack.

[0008] China Utility Model No. 207121210 (Shanghai MaiKe Machinery Co., Ltd.) discloses an automatic cup dispenser for individually dispensing stacked paper cups. The device includes a guide for storing and holding a stack of cups, which includes a cup dispense hole through which a cup passes during dispense. It also includes multiple flexible tabs protruding into the cup dispense hole. These tabs are deformable to allow a cup to fall through the cup dispense hole, but in their relaxed form, the tabs prevent stacked cups from falling through. A cup holder below the cup dispense hole uses negative pressure to secure a cup and remove it from the stack. During this process, the tabs at the cup dispense hole deform sufficiently to allow the cup to pass through, but return to their relaxed form quickly enough to hold back the rest of the stack.

[0009] A drawback of this device is that the flexible tab must deform sufficiently to allow the cup to pass through during removal, while at the same time preventing the rest of the stack from passing through with its spring force. If the cup being removed is strongly bonded to its neighboring cups such that a force greater than the spring force of the tab is required to separate them, the device will not effectively separate the cups. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method belonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning, which allows stacked articles, in particular cup-shaped capsules, to be individually separated effectively without damaging the articles, even when the articles are tilted relative to the axis of the stack, and which has a simple and cost-effective structure.

[0011] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claims 1 and 12. In the device according to the invention, the separating elements are each resiliently mounted, and the device comprises a mechanism for moving the separating elements outwards into a position where they do not intervene in the stack.

[0012] In this case, a stack refers to a number of similar articles that are placed in contact with each other along the axis of the stack, in particular nested together. This means that the articles of the stack cannot be moved individually along the axis of the stack without moving the other stack articles along with them, except in the case of articles at the ends of the stack that can be removed from the stack along the axis of the stack. Singulating then refers to removing a stack article from the stack.

[0013] The articles can be, for example, open capsules with cup-shaped bodies fitted together. This method is particularly suitable for separating cup-shaped capsules made of fibrous material, which stack well but are fragile and therefore prone to damage during separation.

[0014] If the article has a periphery, this is the flat protruding projection of the article that is furthest from the axis of the stack of all areas of the article.

[0015] A separating element is a member of a shape suitable for interposing itself in the gap between two items in a stack when separating the stack of items. In this case, the size of the separating element in the direction of the axis of the stack in the interposing area is selected to be smaller than the gap size between the items in the stack, unless these items are tilted relative to the axis of the stack. In this case, the gap size means the minimum size of the space in the direction of the axis of the stack that the separating element must enter in order to interpose itself between two items in the stack.

[0016] In this case, interposition can be understood as meaning that at least part of the corresponding separation element is located between each part of two adjacent articles in the stack relative to the axis of the stack, i.e. part of the separation element is located closer to the axis of the stack than the article parts above and below the separation element, which are the farthest from the axis of the stack, and the stack cannot move freely in any direction along the axis of the stack without these article parts coming into contact with the separation element.

[0017] By a plurality of separating elements is meant a total of more than one separating element, ie at least two separating elements, in particular more than two separating elements.

[0018] In this case, intervening in the stack refers to a state in which all of the plurality of separation elements intervene in or abut against the stack.

[0019] The arrangement of a plurality of separating elements around the stack is performed so that the stack of articles can be arranged such that a plurality of separating elements simultaneously intervening in the stack intervene between the same two articles in the stack.

[0020] In that case, the intervention of a plurality of separating elements in the stack between an article at the end of the stack and its adjacent article allows the outer article to leave the stack along the axis of the stack by a suitable process, while the remainder of the stack is prevented by one or more separating elements from following this article, whether by falling or by adhering to this article.

[0021] The movable mounting of the separating elements allows them to assume various radial positions relative to the stack, where the separating elements can be in positions both intervening or abutting the stack and not doing so and thus preventing movement of the entire stack along the stack axis.

[0022] The individual spring-loaded mounts push each separating element toward a position where it will intervene in the stack between two adjacent articles in the stack when a stack is present and the stack position is correct, unless the mechanism for moving the separating element outward is activated. The spring force is selected so that the separating element will abut against the stack without damaging the articles, even if it were to hit the stack to intervene where there is insufficient clearance between the articles.

[0023] The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the plurality of separation elements outward within their range of motion to a position that does not interfere with the stack. When the mechanism is activated, the plurality of separation elements move outward, away from the stack, against the spring force of the spring-loaded mount. Furthermore, the mechanism can hold the separation elements in a position that does not interfere with the stack during activation. Deactivation of the mechanism places the separation elements back under the spring force of the spring-loaded mount, and the separation elements intervene or abut against the stack, if a stack is present.

[0024] This mechanism allows the stack to be properly positioned relative to the separation element before each singulation. The separation element and stack can then be aligned so that when the mechanism is deactivated, the spring force pushes the separation element in the direction of the gap between the next item to be separated from the stack and its next adjacent item. For example, the design can be selected so that when the mechanism is activated, the stack drops onto the carrier, after which the gap between the next item to be singulated and the next item is exactly at the height of the separation element.

[0025] An advantage of the described device is that each individually selectively spring-loaded separating element intervenes in the stack without controlled intervention only when it finds a gap large enough between the articles to be separated. In this way, during each singulation process, the separating element intervenes sufficiently in the stack to separate the articles from the stack, even if the gaps between the articles to be separated and adjacent articles are irregularly sized along the circumference of the stack. The remaining separating elements then abut the stack without damaging the articles in the stack or being damaged themselves, and without interfering with the singulation process. Furthermore, if necessary, the separating elements and their spring-loaded mounts can be positioned so that the spring force does not act at least primarily in the direction of the stack axis. This prevents force components acting parallel to the stack axis and acting on the separating element from displacing it from its intervening position.

[0026] Preferably, the separation elements are resiliently mounted in such a way that they are pressed radially inwards onto the stack. This means that the separation elements are pressed in straight lines in the direction of the axis of the stack. In particular, these lines are substantially in the same plane and perpendicular to the axis of the stack for all separation elements. However, embodiments are also possible in which the radial movement is performed along lines inclined to the axis of the stack, or in which the separation elements move along a curved path with a radial component of movement.

[0027] This embodiment has the advantage that the shape of each separating element remains the same throughout its range of motion and it can cover a relatively small spatial area around the stack, thereby individually intervening in narrow gaps between the articles.

[0028] Alternatively, the radial movement of the separation elements is achieved by pivoting about an axis external to the stack, for example about an axis extending parallel to the axis of the stack.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of separating elements comprises at least three, in particular at least four, separating elements, and the maximum angular distance between adjacent separating elements is less than 180°, i.e. there are no consecutive angular regions along the circumference having a magnitude of 180° or greater that are free of separating elements.

[0030] This ensures that a sufficient number of separating elements intervene in the stack, regardless of their position in the stack, particularly in the case of articles which are themselves symmetrical relative to the axis of the stack.

[0031] Preferably, the device has guides on which the stack of articles to be singulated can be positioned, which prevents unintentional movement of the stack other than along its axis.

[0032] Alternatively, such guides can be omitted, although this may lead to the stack being more susceptible to breakage and uncontrollable fragmentation depending on the nature of the articles being separated.

[0033] The guide can consist of a tube, the inner diameter of which is selected so that the stack fits into the tube when the axis of the stack and the axis of symmetry of the tube coincide, or alternatively, a number of rods, for example extending parallel to the axis of the stack, can be arranged around the stack to guide the stack of articles.

[0034] Preferably, the separating elements are arranged at one end of the guide, as mentioned above, where end means the distal part of the guide in the direction of the axis of the stack.

[0035] This has the advantage that the separating element can hold the stack in the guide, while the articles to be separated can be grasped by another member, with the guide not limiting the space for this member.

[0036] Alternatively, the separating elements can extend through recesses in the guide, but in that case other components, such as structures for gripping the articles to be singulated, must also be taken into account in the design of the guide.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for moving the separation elements comprises a sleeve whose movement along the axis of the stack causes radial movement of the separation elements, and whose shape, depending on its position along the axis of the stack, can press against spring-loaded mounts of the separation elements to prevent them from entering the stack in a direction opposite to their spring direction.

[0038] Alternatively, several pneumatically retractable levers, each individually pressing the connecting element of the separating element from a specific extension stage, may also be possible, although this may lead to a more complex structure.

[0039] Preferably, the plurality of separation elements are arranged transversely to the axis of the stack, circularly around the stack, and radially aligned.

[0040] By circular, it is meant that the separation elements lie on the circumference of a circle whose radius extends transversely to the axis of the stack and whose center point is located on the axis of the stack, so long as all separation elements occupy the same position within their respective ranges of motion.

[0041] The radius of this circle is also selected so that the separation element can assume the above positions within the above-mentioned range of motion.

[0042] Alternatively, the separating elements can be arranged at different heights relative to the axis of the stack, for example, and then interpose themselves in the stack transversely to the axis of the stack at different angles relative to a line intersecting the axis of the stack. However, this is more complicated to solve.

[0043] Radially aligned means that the separation elements are equally aligned with respect to the axis of the stack, insofar as they all have the same distance from each other to the axis of the stack. Particularly preferably, the separation elements are evenly distributed over the circumference described by their arrangement.

[0044] Preferably, the present invention is realized in such a way that an article to be separated from the stack can be temporarily fixed using a carrier that is movable along the axis of the stack. This allows the stacked articles to be separated by fixing the carrier and then moving it along with the article to be separated, while the separation element prevents the rest of the stack from following. The carrier can approach the article to be singulated along the axis of the stack so that the article can be fixed. When the article is fixed and the separation element intervenes, the carrier can move along the axis of the stack away from the stack and singulate the article. Once fixed, the singulated article can be removed from the carrier and supplied for further use.

[0045] Alternatively, a part of the separating element can be supported so as to be movable along the axis of the stack, so that after intervention in the stack, the articles can be separated from the stack by moving it along the axis of the stack, but this solution is more complex in terms of design technology.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier is provided with a suction device for generating a negative pressure between the wall of the article to be separated and the carrier, the negative pressure generated then fixing the article to the carrier.

[0047] Alternatively, the carrier can secure the articles by gripping or by means of an adhesive surface. An advantage of a suction device is the tolerance regarding the alignment of the articles being pulled off the stack. Furthermore, in that case, switching the suction device on and off can activate or release the fixation very precisely, and the negative pressure acts on a relatively large surface of the articles, which minimizes the effect of point forces and therefore damage to the articles.

[0048] Preferably, the carrier is provided with a flexible sealing ring that provides a seal between the carrier and the article being separated. A flexible, e.g., foam, sealing ring allows for the creation of negative pressure between the carrier and the article wall with greater tolerance than a non-flexible rubber seal for various article alignments. Experiments have shown that suction of articles tilted up to 30° relative to the stack axis can be achieved.

[0049] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is equipped with two suction devices designed as coaxially arranged bellows suction devices. In this case, the mouth of the inner bellows suction device is located further inside the carrier than the highly flexible mouth of the outer bellows suction device. The role of the inner bellows suction device is to sufficiently draw the article to be separated into the outer flexible bellows suction device to enable negative pressure between the outer bellows suction device and the article. As soon as the article is sufficiently tightly fitted to the outer bellows suction device, a stronger negative pressure from the outer suction device acts. This negative pressure then compresses the two bellows suction devices, causing the outer bellows suction device to rest on the carrier. By placing the outer bellows suction device on the carrier, it can no longer be compressed, and the article is aligned by the negative pressure in the carrier, so that, for example, the edge or part of the article abuts the mouth of the bellows suction device.

[0050] Alternatively, the carrier may only include a suction system, for example for creating a negative pressure, in which case the steps of creating a good seal between the articles and the carrier, aligning and fixing the articles on the carrier, and removing the articles from the stack by means of a suction device must be performed.

[0051] The method for singulating a stack of articles according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) providing a stack of articles; b) positioning the stack of articles such that the articles at the ends of the stack rest on a plurality of separation elements; c) separating the plurality of separation elements from the stack with a mechanism; d) rearranging the stack, in particular by dropping it onto the carrier, so that the separating element, in the position facing the stack in the range of movement of the separating element, interposes itself between the end-stacked article and the article adjacent to the end-stacked article; e) releasing the plurality of separation elements from a mechanism for disengaging the separation elements from the stack, wherein the plurality of separation elements are urged into engagement with the stack by a spring force; f) removing the articles located at the ends of the stack from the stack, in particular by fixing the articles by means of a mobile carrier and then removing them; g) repeating steps c to f until the desired degree of individualization is achieved or all the articles in the stack are individualized. Includes.

[0052] Preferably, during step d) of the above method, the stack is repositioned relative to the separation element after falling by stopping the fall with a member.

[0053] That is, after the separation element is moved out by activating the mechanism, the stack moves by gravity and then drops to a corresponding height and stops, allowing the separation element to intervene between the next item to be separated and the item next to it.

[0054] Instead of dropping, movable sliding elements can act on one or both ends of the stack to move it appropriately along its axis, which is of course more complicated than using gravity, but remains an option when dropping is not practical, for example for space reasons.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the articles of the stack to be singulated are brought into contact with a carrier before step e), in which case the carrier is a member capable of individually supporting the articles to be singulated and feeding them for further use.

[0056] Alternatively, the singulated articles can fall directly onto a conveyor belt in step f) from where they can be supplied for further use.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the articles to be separated are temporarily fixed by a carrier movable along the axis of the stack, and are removed from the stack by moving the carrier away from the stack within its range of motion while the articles are fixed to the carrier. In this case, the carrier can be moved before step f), particularly preferably before step e), so that it contacts and fixes the articles to be singulated. If the articles are fixed to the carrier, the carrier moves away from the stack during step f), thereby also removing the articles from the stack. In that case, releasing the fixation of the articles on the carrier allows for further use of the articles.

[0058] The advantage of this method is that after the articles have been singulated they are already seated on individually controllable members and can therefore be further used in an individually controlled manner, as opposed to, for example, being on a conveyor belt.

[0059] Alternatively, the articles can be released from the stack by other means, for example some of the separating elements can perform a movement along the axis of the stack after step e) to remove the articles to be singulated from the stack and drop them, for example onto a conveyor belt.

[0060] Preferably, in this method, the articles to be singulated are temporarily fixed to the carrier by negative pressure. In this case, after contact is made between the article and the carrier, a suction device is activated, generating negative pressure between the article wall and the carrier. As long as the suction device is activated, the articles are fixed to the carrier and can be singulated as described above. The advantage of this method is that the negative pressure securely fixes the articles compared to other methods, but the fixation can be quickly released again.

[0061] Alternatively, other techniques can be used to temporarily secure the article to the carrier, such as using gripping elements fixed to the carrier, although this depends on the shape of the article and may be more difficult to achieve.

[0062] Other advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the claims as a whole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0063] The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiments show: [Figure 1.1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a plane containing the axis of a stack of stacked articles. [Figure 1.2] FIG. 1 is an isometric plan view of a first embodiment. [Figure 1.3] FIG. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment. [Figure 2.1] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention with an alternative carrier. [Figure 2.2] An enlarged detail of the area around the separation element in Figure 2.1. [Figure 3.1] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plane containing the axis of the stack of stacked articles. [Figure 3.2] An enlarged detail of the area around the separation element in Figure 3.1. [Figure 3.3] FIG. 10 is an isometric plan view of the third embodiment. [Figure 3.4] FIG. 10 is a top view of the third embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views illustrating a capsule singulation method according to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which, in principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] Figures 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 show a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for singulating stacks of cup-shaped capsules made of textile material, with Figure 1.1 being a schematic cross-section and Figure 1.2 showing an isometric plan view from the outside of the device. The cutting plane selected for Figure 1.1 can be seen in Figure 1.2 as the dashed outline A.

[0065] The selected cut plane of Figure 1.1 includes a stack 1 of cup-shaped capsules 1.1-1.n made of fibrous material and an axis of symmetry, which also stands perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0066] The device comprises a guide 4 designed as a tube with a circular cross section whose axis of symmetry is colinear with the axis of symmetry of the stack 1 of cup-shaped capsules 1.1-1.n. In this case, the tube inner diameter is adapted to the outer diameter of the capsules 1.1-1.n to be accommodated, and the tube length is adapted to the maximum height of the stack to be processed, which is significantly shorter for the stack 1 shown. The wall thickness of the guide 4 is constant and amounts to approximately 5% of the inner diameter.

[0067] At the lower end of the guide 4 is the lowest capsule 1.1 of the stack 1 to be separated. Like all capsules 1.1 to 1.n of the stack 1, the cylindrically symmetric capsule 1.1 has a flat upper side and a conical, cup-shaped body that tapers downwards and ends in a flat lower side. In this case, the conical shape of the body of the capsule 1.1 has a smaller opening angle in the upper region over approximately one-third of its height than in the lower region of the body, and thus tapers downwards less. The lower side of the capsule 1.1 is significantly smaller than the upper side and is again perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the capsule 1.1.

[0068] At the top of the capsules, a lip projects beyond the body of capsule 1.1, away from the axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry of capsules 1.1 to 1.n coincides with the axis of symmetry of guide 4. Capsules 1.1 to 1.n are open at the top, so that when stacked, they fit together, and only a small part of capsule 1.2, including its protruding lip, projects from its respective lower neighbor, here capsule 1.1.

[0069] In that case, the capsule 1.1 is arranged so that the underside of its rim is flush with the underside of the guide 4 and the capsule body projects downwardly from the guide 4.

[0070] Figure 1.3 shows that twelve separation elements 2.1 to 2.12 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the lower end of the guide 4. The two separation elements 2.1 and 2.7 visible in cross section in Figure 1.1 are diametrically opposed to each other and extend from below the guide 4 to below the edge of the lowest capsule 1.1. The cross section has a rectangular shape with a length greater than the wall thickness of the guide 4. Furthermore, it can be seen in Figure 1.3 that the separation elements are rectangular in plan view, with a width corresponding to approximately half of their length.

[0071] The separating elements 2.1 to 2.12 are each connected to a leaf spring 3.1 to 3.12, which presses the respective separating element radially inwards in the direction of the stack 1. In Figure 1.2 leaf springs 3.1 and 3.2 to 3.6 are visible, whereas in Figure 1.1 only two leaf springs 3.1 and 3.7 are visible.

[0072] The leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12 are located outside the guide 4 and extend parallel to the guide from the suspension at the upper end of the guide 4 to the separating elements 2.1 to 2.12 at the lower end. The upper ends of the leaf springs are suspended on the flange-shaped upper part 12 of the guide 4.

[0073] The cross section of each leaf spring 3.1 to 3.12 has an elongated rectangular shape with a thickness comparable to the wall thickness of the guide 4 and a height comparable to the length of the guide 4 in the upper region extending over most of the length of the leaf spring 3.1 to 3.12.

[0074] The lower region of each leaf spring 3.1-3.12, located directly above each separating element 2.1-2.12, has a thickened section on the side facing the stack 1 that increases in thickness toward the bottom. In this case, the leaf springs 3.1-3.12 are approximately twice as thick as their upper parts. The thickness of the leaf springs 3.1-3.12 remains constant for a short distance at the height of their maximum thickness, and then tapers downward again. Here, the leaf springs are thinner than their upper parts. The thinner lower region of each leaf spring 3.1-3.12 projects into a hole parallel to the plane of the drawing of the respective separating element 2.1-2.12, so that the spring force acts on the separating element 2.1-2.12 transversely to the axis of the respective stack. The depth of the leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12 can only be seen in Figure 1.2 and corresponds approximately to the thickness of the upper region of each leaf spring 3.1 to 3.12.

[0075] The leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12 are mounted in such a way that the area of ​​maximum thickness for the fully relaxed springs is inserted into the guide 4. As a result, the leaf springs are always under tension and abut against the guide 4, which also defines the stack-side end position of the range of motion of the separating elements 2.1 to 2.12.

[0076] In the isometric plan view according to Fig. 1.2, the guide 4 appears as a tube with a round opening pointing upward, standing upright in the plane of the drawing. The suspension 12 of leaf springs 3.1-3.12 rests on the upper end of the guide 4. The leaf springs 3.1-3.5 are located on the outside of the guide 4. They run parallel to the guide 4 and are evenly distributed around its circumference. The width of the leaf springs 3.1-3.12 is much less than one-twelfth of the circumference of the guide, i.e., there are relatively large gaps between the leaf springs 3.1-3.12.

[0077] Outside the guide 4 there is also a sleeve 5 for moving the separating element radially outwards.

[0078] The sleeve 5 has a tubular body 5b with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide 4. The wall thickness of the tubular part 5b is selected so that it fits between the guide 4 and the upper part of the leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12.

[0079] The tubular part 5b of the sleeve 5 shares the same axis of symmetry with the guide 4, is arranged axially displaceably on the guide 4 and is surrounded by the leaf springs 3.1-3.12. At the lower edge of the sleeve 5 there is a bead-shaped thickening point facing outwards in the direction of the leaf springs 3.1-3.12, where the wall thickness of the sleeve 5 approximately doubles.

[0080] Furthermore, the sleeve 5 has arms 5a.1 and 5a.2 extending radially outward from the sleeve body 5b, which are connected to lifting elements 11.1 and 11.2, and the arms 5a.1 and 5a.2 of the sleeve 5 grip the leaf springs 3.1 and 3.7, respectively (see Figure 1.2), so that the leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12 are gripped by the sleeve 5 only at their lower ends.

[0081] In this case, in FIG. 1.1, the sleeve 5 is arranged so as not to come into contact with the leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12.

[0082] In the upper region of the sleeve 5, on either side of the guide 4, at about half its height, two carrier members (5a.1 and 5a in Fig. 1.2) protrude horizontally radially outward, connected at their underside to lifting elements 11.1 and 11.2, respectively.

[0083] When the sleeve 5 is moved downwards using the lifting elements 11.1 and 11.2, the thickened portions on the lower side of the sleeve 5 are pressed against the thickened portions of the leaf springs 3.1 to 3.12, thereby pushing their lower regions away from the axis of the stack, which in turn moves the separating elements 2.1 to 2.12 away from the axis of the stack and out of the way of the stack.

[0084] Below the capsule 1.1 is a carrier 20 for securing the capsule to the stack and for removing it from the stack, which also consists of components 21 to 25. The carrier 20 is generally cylindrical, and its cylindrical axis is also aligned with the axis of symmetry of the guide 4. In this case, its outer diameter corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the guide 4, and its length is approximately half the length of the guide.

[0085] The largest part of the carrier 20 is the carrier base 21. In this case, the lower half 21a of this carrier base 21 is solid, while the upper half 21b is hollowed out by a recess coming from above to the extent that the carrier base 21 here only has a thin outer wall.

[0086] The lower portion 21a of the carrier base 21 is provided with two holes 24, 25. The first hole 25 is located on the axis of symmetry of the carrier base 21, passes completely through it and leads to the upper recess. The second hole 24 is located outside the axis of symmetry and also comes from above, extending approximately halfway down the solid portion 21a of the carrier base 21, from which it extends horizontally outwards and again passes completely through the carrier base 21.

[0087] The other two main parts of the carrier 20 are formed by two coaxial bellows 22, 23 arranged in an upper recess in the upper part of the carrier base 21a. The outer diameter of the lower region of the first bellows 22 is adapted to the inner diameter of the recess in the carrier base 21. In this case, its axis of symmetry is again on the same straight line as the axis of symmetry of the carrier base 21, the guide 4, and the stack 1. The length of the bellows 22 is such that about one-third of the bellows 22 protrudes above the wall region 21a of the carrier base 21, so that the upper end of the bellows 22 forms the highest point of the carrier 20. In this case, the outer diameter of the mouth of the bellows 22 located outside the carrier base 21 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the carrier base 21.

[0088] The bellows 22 is open at the top and has a mouth at this end that can be completely closed by the underside of the capsule. When the carrier 20 and the capsule 1.1 come into contact, a negative pressure is generated through holes 24 in the bellows 22, which fixes the capsule 1.1 to the carrier 20.

[0089] A second bellows 23 extends coaxially with the bellows 22 and is arranged therein with a smaller diameter. This bellows is also attached below to the carrier base 21 and has an upper open mouth facing the underside of the capsule 1.1. However, in this case, its length is shorter than that of the bellows 22 and its upper mouth is approximately at the level of the upper edge of the carrier base 21.

[0090] The volume within the bellows 23 can be evacuated via the holes 25 when the capsule wall (for example of the capsule 1.1) closes the bellows above.

[0091] Figure 2.1 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, similar to Figure 1.1, again in cross section. The structure of this device differs from that of Figures 1.1 and 1.2 in that the carrier now has a different shape consisting only of a carrier base 121 with a hole 125. The reference numbers of the parts that remain unchanged from the shape shown in Figure 1.1 have been retained.

[0092] The carrier base 121 has a similar shape and the same arrangement as the carrier base 21 of FIG. 1.1 and is cylindrically symmetric. In the upper region 121b, the carrier base 121 is tubular and open towards the top, this region being somewhat smaller than half of the carrier base 121 along its axis of symmetry. The inner diameter of the tubular region 121b is selected so that the carrier base 121 together with the edge of the capsule 101.1 can be completely covered by the bottom wall, while at the same time allowing the capsule to enter the upper region 121b of the carrier base 121 up to its edge. In that case, the inner diameter of the upper region 121b of the carrier base 121 tapers slightly from above, which improves the fit of the capsule 101.1 onto the carrier base 121.

[0093] It also becomes clear that the inner diameter of the tubular region 121b is smaller than the inner diameter d4 of the guide 4. The outer diameter of the region 121b corresponds approximately to the inner diameter d4 of the guide 4. The lower region 121a, which forms the remainder of the carrier base 121, is cylindrical and solid, and its outer diameter corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the region 121b. The two regions 121a and 121b are directly connected, and the lower side of the tubular region 121b is completely closed by the upper side of the cylindrical region 121a. On the axis of symmetry of the carrier base 121, a hole 125 is provided that completely penetrates the lower region 121a of the carrier base 121. When a capsule is seated on the carrier base 121, the volume in the tubular region 121b and below the capsule can be evacuated through this hole, thereby fixing the capsule on the carrier base 121. The main difference with the carrier in Figure 1.1 is the absence of concentric bellows (22 and 23 in Figure 1.1) and the presence of two separately ventable regions within the bellows.

[0094] Figure 2.1 shows capsule 101.1, which has the same shape as capsule 1.1 in Figure 1.1. In this capsule 101.1, the body is thicker towards the bottom and has a bell shape. In this configuration, the inner diameter d4 of guide 4 is 61 mm.

[0095] Figure 2.2 shows an enlarged view of the circular cross section of Figure 2.1, with the area in the middle where the separating element 2.1 grips under the edge of the capsule 101.1. The thickness (Dicke) s2 of the separating elements 2.1 to 2.12 is 0.5 mm.

[0096] Figure 3.1 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, again in cross section. This embodiment is also suitable for separating stacks 201 of cup-shaped capsules. For simplicity's sake, a device for separating the capsules from the stack is not shown. For this purpose, for example, the carrier 21 shown in Figure 1.1 or the carrier 121 of Figure 2.1 can be used. Figure 3.1 shows the device in a schematic cross section, the cross section of which includes the axis of the stack 201. Figure 3.2 shows an enlarged cross section of Figure 3.1, Figure 3.3 shows the same device in an isometric plan view, and Figure 3.4 shows the device in a top view, where the cross section A2 of the cross section of Figure 3.1 is shown.

[0097] The orientation of Figure 3.1 is similar to Figure 1.1, with the stack axis standing upright in the plane of the drawing and the capsule belly pointing downwards. Stack 201 is tubular and contained within guide 204, whose axis of symmetry coincides with the stack axis. Figure 3.1 also shows an alternative capsule shape to those seen in Figures 1.1-2.2. Capsule 201.1 of stack 201 also has a body that tapers conically downwards, but with a uniform opening angle throughout the capsule body. In contrast to capsule 1.1 in Figure 1.1, the underside of capsule 201.1 is curved downwards and is not flat.

[0098] Guide 204 has two distinct regions with constant inner diameters over its length, with the inner diameter of the lower region roughly corresponding to the outer diameter of stack 201 and the inner diameter of the upper region being somewhat larger, where the lower region is approximately one-tenth of the total length of guide 204. The inner diameter changes linearly from the first region to the second region, also approximately one-tenth of the total length of guide 204.

[0099] In that case, the length of guide 204 is approximately twice its smallest inner diameter. The outer diameter of guide 204 also varies, with the outer diameter of the top half of guide 204 being somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the bottom half, with the larger outer diameter being approximately 15% larger than the inner diameter of guide 204 and the smaller outer diameter being approximately 7% larger.

[0100] The lower end of the guide terminates in a flange on which a retaining ring 213 is attached, the retaining ring also including recesses on its upper side which contact the underside of the flange of the guide, in which the separating elements 202.1 to 202.12 are placed, which can move radially relative to the axis of the stack.

[0101] Diametrically opposite separating elements 202.1 and 202.7 below guide 204 are located in the plane of the drawing, but separating elements 202.1 to 202.12 extend from the outside of guide 204 in the direction of the stack axis, so that the stack cannot leave guide 204 at this end. They have a length approximately twice the wall thickness of guide 204.

[0102] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.1, the leaf springs 203.1-203.12 run along the outside of the guide 204, from its top to its bottom. However, in this embodiment, the leaf springs 203.1-203.12 have a different shape. They have the same thickness throughout their length, which is very small relative to their length. This allows them to curve. The top end of each leaf spring is screwed to a flange-like structure 212. From this attachment, each leaf spring initially extends downward, parallel to the guide 204. Within the lower third of each leaf spring, the leaf springs 203.1-203.12 bend toward the stack 201 and then extend diagonally inward toward the guide 204. Just above the end of the guide 204, the leaf springs 203.1-203.12 bend back and extend outward again, away from the guide 204. The leaf springs are flush with the top of the guide 204 just before their lower end, then extend further down again parallel to the top, slightly beyond the end of the guide 204. Due to the mounting of the leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12, they are not able to relax completely within the device, but rather abut with a bias on the outside of the guide 204 at their radially innermost extent. The lower regions of the leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12 again extend into recesses in the separation elements 202.1 to 202.12, thereby transmitting the spring force to the separation elements 202.1 to 202.12.

[0103] The mechanism for separating the separation element from the stack is realized by a sleeve 205 with a tubular body 205b. The inner radius of the body 205b is slightly larger than the outer radius of the guide 204. The body 205b is arranged coaxially with the guide 204 and axially displaceable, and is located between the guide 204 and the leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12. The length of the sleeve 205 corresponds to approximately one-quarter of the length of the guide 204, and it is located at the height of the lower region of the guide 204, where the outer diameter is reduced. The outer diameter of the sleeve body 205b allows the sleeve 205 to assume a position where it does not contact the leaf springs. The sleeve body 205b itself has two approximately equal-sized regions with different outer diameters, the upper region being larger than the lower region. Furthermore, the lower outer edge of the sleeve body 205b is rounded. The connecting elements 205a.1 and 205a.2, which project radially from the guide 204 and beyond the leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12, rest on the upper region of the sleeve body 205b. The connecting elements have an approximately square cross section, the side length of which is approximately half the length of the sleeve body 205b, so that they are located only on the region of the sleeve body 205b with a larger outer diameter.

[0104] Figure 3.2 shows an enlarged cross section of Figure 3.1, and like Figure 2.2, the area around the separation element can be better appreciated.

[0105] Figure 3.3 shows the same embodiment of the invention as in Figures 3.1 and 3.2, but this time in an isometric plan view. The structure is established by a guide 204, to whose upper edge twelve leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12 are attached with screws, with leaf springs 203.1 to 203.5 being shown in Figure 3.3. Leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12 have a maximum width of approximately 1 / 24 of the guide circumference at the point of attachment and taper linearly to approximately 1 / 4 of their original width in their lower region until the first bend. From here, their width remains constant until the second bend, then increases again until the third bend. The width of the lower region of the leaf springs, which also fit into the recesses of the separating elements 202.1 to 202.12, is smaller than the width of their suspension. Sleeve connecting elements 205a.1 and 205a.2 are located in the region of leaf springs 203.1 and 203.7. Each connecting element 205a.1 and 205a.2 itself consists of two connecting pieces on either side of the respective leaf spring 203.1 and 203.7, which are attached to a tubular sleeve body and project outwards transversely to the axis of the stack between the leaf springs 203.1 and 203.7, each connecting piece being substantially die-shaped, with the two connecting pieces having flush outer faces on one side of the guide 205 and connected to the sleeve body 205b over its entire width.

[0106] Furthermore, Figure 3.3 shows the shape of the twelve recesses in the retaining ring 213, which are selected in their upper region to accommodate the separation elements 202.1 to 202.12 and to hold the upper side of the separation elements flush with the lower side of the guide 204. Within the recesses that hold the separation elements 202.1 to 202.12, there are additional grooves that are slightly thinner but deeper than the recesses for the separation elements. These grooves accommodate the ends of the leaf springs 203.1 to 203.12 that protrude below beyond the separation elements 202.1 to 202.12.

[0107] Figure 3.4 shows a top view of the embodiment according to Figures 3.1 to 3.3, where the axis of symmetry of the guide 204 forms the center point of the drawing and itself passes through the plane of the drawing. The cutting plane A2 in Figures 3.1 and 3.2 is horizontal in the plane of the drawing. The shape of the separating elements 202.1 to 202.12 corresponds to a rectangle with slightly rounded corners, their width being slightly greater than one-twelfth of the guide circumference and their length corresponding to approximately twice the wall thickness of the guide 204. The separating elements are evenly distributed over the circumference of the guide 204 (Figures 3.1 to 3.3).

[0108] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method for separating a stack of cup-shaped capsules based on the cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention in Figure 1.1. In the description, the reference numerals of Figures 1.1 to 1.3 are used, since they refer to the same device. Of the separating elements 2.1 to 2.12, only separating elements 2.1 and 2.7 are shown, as in Figure 1.1. Similarly, only leaf springs 3.1 and 3.7 are shown. Whenever separating elements or leaf springs are mentioned in the following description, all 12 are meant, even if only the reference numerals of the respective illustrated components are used.

[0109] FIG. 4 includes steps 1 to 6 and illustrates the individualization of the capsules 1.1 of the stack 1 based on these steps.

[0110] 1. At the start of the singulation process, the stack 1 of cup-shaped capsules 1.1 to 1.n rests on the separation elements 2.1, 2.7, where the bottom capsule 1.1 is drawn obliquely to the axis of symmetry of the guide 4 to show the inventive alignment of the capsules 1.1 to 1.n during singulation.

[0111] 2. By moving the sleeve 5 downwards, the leaf springs 3.1, 3.7 are pushed out of the guide 4 and the separating elements 2.1, 2.7 are pulled out of the stack 1. This causes the stack 1 to fall into the carrier 20. The negative pressure of the inner bellows aspirator 23 acts on the carrier 20, so that the capsules 1.1 are completely drawn into the outer bellows aspirator 22.

[0112] 3. The capsule 1.1 rests completely on the mouth of the outer bellows aspirator 22. This generates a negative pressure, which leads to the compression of the bellows aspirator 22. The outer bellows aspirator 22 contracts until its mouth rests on the carrier base 21. The capsule 1.1 is drawn up to its edge into the carrier 20 by the bellows aspirator 22, and with the bellows mouth resting on the carrier base 21, it is aligned in the carrier 20 so that its axis of symmetry coincides with the axis of symmetry of the guide 4. Furthermore, the negative pressure between the capsule 1.1 and the carrier 20 fixes the capsule 1.1 to the carrier 20.

[0113] 4. The sleeve 5 then moves upwards again, whereby the leaf springs 3.1, 3.7 push the separating elements 2.1, 2.7 towards the stack 1. The separating elements 2.1, 2.7 intervene between the edges of the two lower capsules 1.1, 1.2 of the stack.

[0114] 5. The carrier 20 is then removed from the stack, with the capsule 1.1 still fixed, allowing the capsule 1.1 to be provided for further use. After the bellows aspirators 22 and 23 have been ventilated, the capsule 1.1 can be removed from the carrier 20 without the application of force.

[0115] 6. After the singulated capsules 1.1 have been removed from the carrier 20, the carrier 20 can be moved to its initial position, allowing for the next singulation step.

[0116] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above: in particular, components such as separation elements can have different shapes depending on the specific geometry of the stacked articles to be singulated.

[0117] For example, it is conceivable that the separating elements are designed to be much thinner or that, for example, the front ends of the separating elements have a rounding adapted to the shape of the articles to be singulated. The number and arrangement of separating elements around the stack can also differ from the example shown.

[0118] The guides can be of a different shape or even omitted. For articles where the stack is rectangular when viewed from above, guides with a rectangular basic shape can be used instead of tubes.

[0119] Furthermore, different shapes of carriers can be used, or even a carrier can be dispensed with, and other solutions can be found for separating the capsules from the stack.

[0120] The spring-loaded mounting of the separation elements can be solved differently with the same function, for example a spiral spring can press on the side of each separation element opposite the stack.

[0121] The illustrated capsules should be understood as merely examples of stacked articles that can be separated by the present invention. For example, capsules can have other object shapes, such as being completely convexly curved or bell-shaped. Articles other than capsules, such as prismatic packaging elements with a rectangular base, can also be separated by the device or method according to the present invention.

[0122] In summary, an apparatus having a plurality of separating elements, each resiliently mounted, in cooperation with a mechanism capable of moving the separating elements to a position where they do not intervene in the stack, can enable stacked articles, in particular cup-shaped capsules, to be effectively separated without damaging the articles, even when the articles are tilted relative to the axis of the stack, and the apparatus has a simple and cost-effective structure.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for singulating a stack of articles, in particular cup-shaped capsules, in particular articles having a rim, comprising: a separation element is provided for interposing between adjacent articles in the stack of articles; a plurality of these separation elements are interposed in the stack and arranged around the stack, an apparatus, wherein the plurality of separation elements are mounted so as to be radially movable; each of the plurality of separation elements being resiliently mounted; The apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving the plurality of separation elements outward to a position where they do not intervene in the stack.

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separation elements are resiliently mounted to be forced radially inwardly against the stack.

3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality comprises at least three, in particular at least four, separating elements, the maximum angular distance between adjacent separating elements being less than 180°.

4. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a guide is provided, in which the stack of articles to be singulated can be placed.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of separation elements are disposed at one end of the guide.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for moving the separation elements comprises a sleeve, and movement of the sleeve along the axis of the stack causes radial movement of the plurality of separation elements.

7. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separation elements are arranged transversely to the axis of the stack, circularly around the stack and radially aligned.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articles to be detached from the stack can be temporarily fixed by means of a carrier movable along the axis of the stack.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the carrier comprises a suction device for creating a negative pressure between the wall of the article to be separated and the carrier.

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a flexible sealing ring is disposed on the carrier for sealing between the carrier and the article to be separated.

11. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the carrier comprises two suction devices, in particular designed as coaxially arranged bellows suction devices.

12. 1. A method for singulating a stack of articles, in particular cup-shaped capsules, in particular articles having a rim, comprising the following steps: a) providing a stack of said articles; b) positioning the stack of articles such that articles at the ends of the stack rest on a plurality of separation elements; c) separating the plurality of separation elements from the stack by a mechanism; d) a step of rearranging the plurality of separating elements relative to the stack, in particular by dropping the stack onto a carrier, so that the separating elements can intervene between the article stacked at the end and an article adjacent to the article stacked at the end, in a position facing the stack in the movable range of the separating elements; e) releasing the plurality of separation elements from the mechanism for separating the separation elements from the stack, wherein the plurality of separation elements are urged into engagement with the stack by a spring force; f) removing the articles located at the end of the stack from the stack, in particular by fixing and removing the articles by means of a mobile carrier; g) repeating steps c to f until the desired degree of individualization is achieved or all the articles in the stack are individualized. A method comprising:

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that during step d), the stack, after falling, is repositioned relative to the separation element by stopping the fall by a member.

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the articles to be singulated of the stack are brought into contact with a carrier before step e).

15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the articles to be separated are temporarily fixed by a carrier movable along the axis of the stack, and the articles are detached from the stack by moving the carrier away from the stack within the range of movement of the carrier while the articles are fixed to the carrier.

16. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the articles separated from the stack are temporarily secured to the carrier by negative pressure.

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