Book Block Destacking Assembly for High-Speed Damage-Free Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for destacking pre-glued book blocks in industrial bookbinding processes risk damaging the blocks due to their small integrity and lack of covers, leading to deformation and rupture, especially at high processing speeds.

Innovation Solution

A destacking and dispensing device using a multi-row narrow belt conveyor with a reciprocating ejector and retaining element, allowing precise separation of pre-glued book blocks without frictional damage, and incorporating sensors and code readers for efficient, automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high processing speeds are used in industrial bookbinding processes, then productivity is improved, but pre-glued book blocks are damaged due to their small integrity and lack of covers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidintegrity of pre-glued book blocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A destacking assembly with a multi-row narrow belt conveyor and reciprocating ejector is introduced as an intermediary device between the stacker and the binding machine. This intermediary system carefully separates book blocks one by one using controlled ejection forces, preventing damage while maintaining high throughput speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The destacking process is segmented into discrete operations: the multi-row narrow belt conveyor divides the stack into individual rows, and the reciprocating ejector separates blocks one by one from each row. This segmentation allows precise control over the separation process, preventing damage to the fragile pre-glued book blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If stacks of pre-glued book blocks are collected to maintain high processing speeds, then productivity is improved, but the blocks require subsequent destacking which risks damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddamage to pre-glued book blocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The destacking operation is performed in advance, immediately after stacking and before the book blocks enter the binding machine. The destacking assembly prepares the blocks by separating them one by one in a controlled manner, eliminating the need for rushed or forceful separation later that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating ejector dynamically adjusts its motion to match the stacking speed and book block characteristics. The multi-row narrow belt conveyor provides dynamic separation, allowing the system to handle varying stack heights and block sizes without causing damage, while maintaining continuous high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4685088A1Destacking and dispensing device for books and pre-glued book blocks
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 BOOKS FACTORY SP ZOO
  • EP4685088A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685088A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685088A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is a destacking and dispensing device for stacks of books and pre-glued book blocks, comprising in the following sequence: a feeder (12), a destacking assembly, and a receiving mechanism. The destacking assembly comprises a destacking assembly transporter in the form of a multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3), and a retaining element (7) placed above the multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3) and slidably fixed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3), as well as a driven ejector (6) fixed between the narrow belts of the multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3). The object of the invention is also a method for separating stacks of books and pre-glued book blocks, in which the position of the retaining element (7) is set in the destacking assembly and a destacking window is formed, and subsequently stacks of books or pre-glued book blocks are fed to the destacking assembly and transported by the multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3) until the stack stops on the retaining element (7). Subsequently, the multi-row narrow belt conveyor (3) is stopped, following which the ejector (6) is calibrated so as to be positioned behind the stack of books or pre-glued book blocks, and the ejector (6) is raised to a destacking height resulting from the height of at least one product to be separated. Afterwards, the ejector (6), the multi-row narrow belt transporter (3) and the receiving mechanism are activated at the same time in the same processing direction, and the books or pre-glued book blocks forming the stack are separated by pushing out the books or pre-glued book blocks lying at the bottom of the stack through the destacking window.