CN114466810A

CN114466810A - Bag transport and bag stacking device and method for transporting bags or bag stacks

Info

Publication number: CN114466810A
Application number: CN202080071242.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·杜文达格; G·蒂尔曼; T·哈维霍斯特
Original assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Current assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Priority date: 2019-10-11
Filing date: 2020-10-07
Publication date: 2022-05-10
Also published as: EP4041665B1; ES2962768T3; WO2021069476A1; EP4041665A1; DE102019215675A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag transport and bag stacking device (1) for transporting bags (11) or bag stacks and for providing the bag stacks for subsequent handling, comprising: a scale separation station (10) for dividing the scale-arranged bags into partial scale stacks (13) with a predetermined number of bags; a stacking station (30) for forming a stack of bags from the partially scaled bags; an inspection station (40) for inspecting the stack of bags and/or individual bags in the stack of bags; a turning station (30) for optionally turning the stack of bags; and a supply station (60) for supplying the stack of bags for subsequent processing. At least one dividing device (80) is provided, by means of which a sequence of bags, partial folds and/or a bag stack sequence arranged in a scale stack can be divided into at least two sequences of bags, partial folds and/or bag stack sequences arranged in a scale stack.

Description

Bag transport and bag stacking device and method for transporting bags or bag stacks

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bag transporting and bag stacking device (sackstartelenarichting) for transporting bags or bag stacks and for providing a bag stack for subsequent handling according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a bag manufacturing device for manufacturing bags according to the preamble of patent claim 11 and a method according to the preamble of patent claim 12.

Background

After the production of the unfilled (empty) bags, it is necessary to provide these bags also for subsequent processing. The individual finished bags are generally first arranged in a fold (Schuppe) so that they can be transported further in a shortened transport length. In the case of bags made of paper, the imbricated arrangement of the bags furthermore contributes to the compression of the bag after the application of the bag components, in particular the bottom cover. It is therefore necessary firstly to separate the bags arranged in a scale stack separating station, wherein the separation takes place after a predetermined number of bags. This is followed by a stacking station, in which the bags of the scale arrangement are conveyed, for example against obstacles, so that a stack of bags is formed from the so-called bag scale, which comprises exactly the number of bags previously transferred from the scale arrangement of bags into the partial scale. The stacking of the bags is characterized in that all the bags are substantially stacked on top of one another, i.e. have no or only a small deviation from one another in the direction in the plane of the bags.

After the stack of bags is created, it is necessary that the stack and/or each bag therein. The stack of bags is transported along a transport path before and after inspection. For self-checking, individual stacks of bags or even all stacks of bags are transferred out of the transport path and subsequently transferred in again. The stack of bags thus leaves the transport path for inspection purposes.

Depending on the type of subsequent handling of the bags, it may be necessary to turn the bags over. When, for example, the pockets of the bag (the area between the bottoms) are in a horizontal plane and the bottom of the bag is in another parallel horizontal plane, however above the pockets, it may be desirable to arrange the bag such that the bottom is below the pockets. For this purpose, a turning station can be provided, with which in particular a varying arrangement of the bags can be carried out. Such a turning station may be arranged at any position between the stacking station and the supply station described below within the transport path.

A supply station for supplying the stack of bags for subsequent processing is coupled to the end of the transport path. Such post-processing may be realignment of all bags with each other within the stack of bags. The post-processing is in particular the gripping of the bag stack by the gripping device and the storage of the gripped bag stack on a base frame (Palette) on which further bag stacks may already be present.

The described bag transport and bag stacking device is known in particular in the case of its arrangement in a bag manufacturing facility. In such a device, a stack of bags arranged in succession is continuously fed to a subsequent process, in particular palletizing (palletizing). In this case, the subsequent treatment is often carried out more slowly than the bag production to be achieved.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a bag transporting and bag stacking device and a related method, which enable a faster further processing.

This object is achieved by a bag transport and bag stacking device according to the features of the preamble of the patent claims, which is additionally characterized in that at least one dividing device (aufteilerinichtung) is provided, with which a sequence of bags, partial folds and/or a bag stacking sequence arranged in a fold can be divided into at least two sequences of bags, partial folds and/or bag stacking sequences arranged in a fold.

With such a device it is thus possible for the bag stack formed to be divided into two bag sub-stack flows at the latest up to the supply station, so that the bag stack can be fed at least partially in parallel to the subsequent processing.

Particularly advantageously, the invention can be combined with a palletizing device comprising two gripping means in order to store stacks of bags at least partially simultaneously on one or on both base frames. In this way, the palletization of the stack of bags can be accelerated even when the power capacity of the bottom placement device is increased, without having to accelerate the operation of the necessary gripping devices. That is, this cannot be easily achieved without, for example, increasing the strength of the relevant component or taking into account process technical problems.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one elevation conveyor (also called a lift, i.e. a hoehenfoerder) is provided, with which partial stacks of shingles and/or bags can be conveyed at least partially in the vertical direction. In particular, such a level conveyor is directly preceded by a supply station. The elevation conveyor is advantageous when, in particular, all the above-mentioned stations are arranged on the same plane. In this case, it is advantageous to transport the stack of bags to a specific height, so that the bottom frames can also be stacked to a predetermined height, in particular to a permissible height. In a first embodiment, a single height conveyor can be provided, with which two stacks of parallel-transported bags can be received and transported at the same time at least partially in the vertical direction. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the divided stack of bags is separated horizontally transversely to its transport direction, but can be transported approximately in the same horizontal plane and likewise passes over a defined point in the transport direction at approximately the same time.

In an alternative embodiment, two separate height conveyors are provided, with which one bag stack can be conveyed in the vertical direction independently of the conveyance of the second bag stack. In this case, it is particularly possible to feed the bag stack alternately to the supply position in the supply device in each case, so that it can be fed to the aftertreatment in succession. In this case, in particular, stacks of bags which can be supplied to different supply locations can be stored in succession on the chassis. In this case in particular, a single gripping device may be sufficient. This applies in particular when further steps, such as alignment and/or lifting, are also performed at the provided position at the stack of bags in order to simplify the gripping.

The design independent of the elevation conveyor is particularly advantageous if the dividing device is arranged upstream of the elevation conveyor in the transport direction of the bag, partial bag and/or bag stack sequence arranged in a scale. In this case, the dividing device can be reached more easily for maintenance and also for checking the bag stack in the event of a disturbance. In principle, it is also possible to place the dividing device downstream of the elevation conveyor or the elevation conveyors and to integrate it, for example, in the supply device.

The dividing device can also be placed upstream of the scale separation station or integrated therein. Thus, for example, the dividing device can be integrated into a device for producing bags, which device for example alternately deposits the freshly produced bags onto different sequences of the bags arranged in a scale. If the dividing device is integrated in the stack separation station, a conveyor belt can be provided which can be swung in the horizontal and/or vertical direction and the partial stacks are alternately supplied to different bag stacking stations.

Obviously, the dividing means can be integrated in the stacking station. It is particularly feasible for the dividing device to be integrated into the stacking station, wherein a displacement device (Schiebeeinrichtung) is preferably provided, with which the bag stack can be displaced obliquely or perpendicularly or horizontally to its previous direction of movement. It can thus be provided that the formed stacks of bags are alternately supplied to different transport devices, which transport the stacks of bags to subsequent stations. For this purpose, at least one lifting device (hubvorrichtmng) can be provided in the stacking station, which separates two successive stacks of bags from one another in particular in the vertical direction. In addition or alternatively, a lateral transfer device can be provided, which separates two successive stacks of bags from one another in particular in the horizontal direction.

The dividing device can also follow the stacking station in the transport direction of the bag stack and it likewise comprises a transfer device for transferring the bag stack in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. The dividing device can be arranged upstream of the inspection station and/or the turning station.

At least a part of the stations downstream of the dividing device can be correspondingly dually arranged in order to be able to process the bag stack at the necessary increased speed as well. In this case, it is also possible to transport the bag stack to different stations at different speeds.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the dividing device is integrated into the inspection station, wherein the inspection station comprises a displacement device with which the stack of bags can be displaced from the initial transport path obliquely or perpendicularly to the initial direction of movement. As already described, the bag stack is turned out of the initial transport path in the inspection station. This is generally achieved with a slide, but any transfer means may be provided in the device according to the invention. In the inspection station of the device according to the invention, the stack of bags to be inspected is no longer moved back into the initial transport path, as is known from the prior art, but into a modified transport path, so that different stacks of bags can be associated with different transport paths after inspection. In this way, the necessary transfer of the stack of bags is utilized in a time-saving manner in order to distribute the stack of bags onto different transport paths.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can furthermore be provided that the dividing device comprises at least one lifting device with which at least two of the sequences of the bags, partial folds and/or stacks of bags arranged in a fold can be divided into different at least partially vertically spaced transport paths. Such a hoisting device is similar to an elevator that can handle different levels. The transport path of the stack of different bags can thus be branched in a simple and space-saving manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if at least a part of the stations downstream of the dividing device is arranged in duplicate, wherein the transport widths for the series of bags arranged in a shingled manner, partial shingles and/or the series of stacks of bags are correspondingly of the same size in these stations. Thus, any division of the bag stack or partial scaling onto the double-existing stations is possible.

In other embodiments, larger sized bags may be transported and stacked. The size of the bag depends on the specification range of the bag manufacturing apparatus. However, in the case of larger bags, fewer stacks of bags may be stored on a standard chassis. In this case, it is advantageous if at least a part of the stations downstream of the dividing device is provided in duplicate, wherein the transport widths for the series of the bags arranged in a shingled manner, the partial shingles and/or the bag stacking sequence have different dimensions in each case in these stations. In particular, larger transport widths and smaller transport widths are available, wherein the larger transport widths are compatible with the bag manufacturing installation and its maximum specification range. In the case of larger bags, the operation of the dividing device and the corresponding stations can therefore be dispensed with, which leads to greater efficiency. The dividing device and all the stations are operated only in the case of the production of bags with bag formats compatible with smaller transport widths.

The above object is additionally achieved by a bag manufacturing device for manufacturing bags from at least one paper web and optionally from at least one plastic web, with a bag manufacturing device

A hose forming device for forming a hose from a paper web and optionally a plastic web,

-a separating device for separating the tube into tube sections,

bottom placement means for molding at least one bottom to each hose section,

bag transport and bag stacking means for composing, transporting and providing bags and bag stacks,

a palletizing device for arranging the provided stacks of bags on a base frame,

characterized in that said bag making apparatus is constructed according to the bag transporting and bag stacking apparatus of the previously described invention. The same advantages that have been achieved in connection with the bag transport and bag stacking apparatus according to the invention are obtained with such a bag manufacturing apparatus.

Finally, the above mentioned objects are achieved by a method for transporting bags or stacks of bags and for providing a stack of bags for subsequent handling, wherein

Dividing the bags arranged in a scale stack into respective partial scale stacks with a predetermined number of bags by means of a scale stack separation station,

forming a stack of bags from the partially scaled stack of bags using a stacking station,

-inspecting the stack of bags and/or individual bags in the stack of bags in an inspection station,

optionally turning the stack of bags with a turning station,

-providing a stack of bags for subsequent processing using a providing station,

wherein a sequence of bags, partial folds and/or a bag stacking sequence in a scaled arrangement is divided into at least two sequences of bags, partial folds and/or bag stacking sequences in a scaled arrangement by means of at least one dividing device.

The same advantages are thus obtained as already described in connection with the bag transporting and bag stacking device according to the invention and the bag manufacturing device according to the invention.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which various embodiments are explained in detail with reference to the figures. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention on their own or in any combination of the features mentioned. Within the framework of the entire disclosure, the features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention are obviously equally applicable in connection with the bag transport and bag stacking device and/or the bag manufacturing device according to the invention and vice versa, so that the disclosure with respect to the various aspects with respect to the invention is always mutually referred to. Wherein:

figure 1 shows a bag transport and bag stacking apparatus according to the prior art,

figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention with a separate dividing device,

figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention with subsequent stations of the same width,

figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention with subsequent stations of different widths,

figure 5 shows another embodiment of the invention with a double embodiment of all subsequent stations,

figure 6 shows a bunch of scales separating station for dividing a portion of a bunch of scales,

figure 7 shows another bunch of scales separating station for dividing a portion of a bunch of scales,

fig. 8 shows an inspection station with an integrated dividing device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a bag transport and bag stacking apparatus 1 according to the prior art. A scale-separating device is shown symbolically by the delineation of the bags 11 arranged in a scale. The stacking station 20 is responsible for stacking the bags arranged in a scale, wherein in particular the bags are pushed together. This is illustrated by the arrow 21 and the obstacles 22 extending transversely thereto. The bag stack thus formed, which is not shown, is then guided to the turning station 30 and, if necessary, turned over. This is symbolized by an arrow 31. Here it is a turn around an axis lying in the plane of the pouch. In particular, the bag is oriented substantially horizontally with respect to the earth coordinates, so that the overturning axis is likewise oriented horizontally. Next follows an inspection station 40, in which the stack of bags is turned out of the transport path (shown by arrow 41) and, after inspection, turned in again (arrow 42). The optional elevation conveyor 50 is capable of conveying the stack of bags, which is conveyed generally horizontally, in a vertical direction so that the stack of bags can reach the elevated arrangement of the providing station 60. The conveying direction of the stack of bags in the level conveyor is indicated by arrow 60. In the providing station 60, the stack of bags is provided for further processing. The presentation is visualized by a circle 61. Especially when the further processing is palletizing of a stack of bags, the stack of bags may be aligned in the providing station 60 and may be lifted by the lifting device from a transport device provided within the providing device. In this case, the gripping of the bag stack by the gripping device can be realized without problems and in particular almost trouble-free.

Next to the station can be provided a further processing device 70, which is configured in particular as a palletization station. Such palletization stations comprise in the prior art gripping tools which can be moved into the area of the supply station in order to grip the individual stacks of bags. The stacks of bags are then stored according to the storage pattern stored in the associated control device.

In the following description of an embodiment according to the invention, reference is made to the features described above of fig. 1, provided that in the case of these features no deviations occur within the framework of the invention.

Fig. 2 now shows a first embodiment of the invention, in which not only the dividing device 80 is provided, but also the sequence of the work stations is partially changed. In detail, in this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the inspection station 40 is arranged along the transport path after the stacking station 20, directly following the inspection station being an optional height conveyor. Next to this, a dividing device 80 is provided, with which a continuous bag stack can be divided into two separate production paths, so that the bag stack can be operated at least partially in time parallel in subsequent stations. Two tipping stations 30 are therefore provided downstream of the dividing device 80, viewed in the transport direction. Here, for example, a stack of bags can already be turned over if the previously turned stack of bags has not yet left the turning station. Thus, the turning over time of the stack of bags is achieved at an accelerated rate. Accordingly, two supply devices 60 are provided next to each other, which in turn operate partially in parallel in time, in order to provide a bag stack for subsequent processing. The subsequent processing can in turn be effected in a further processing device 70. If the further processing device is again designed as a palletizer, it preferably comprises two gripping devices, so that here too palletizing can take place at increased speed. In order to be able to increase the capacity of the bag transport and bag stacking device 1 as a whole, it is advantageous, in addition to providing the dividing device 80, to operate the

work stations

10,20,40 and 50 at a higher operating speed than is the case in the prior art.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, each empty bag produced in the bag production device is associated with one of two rows of bags arranged in a scale independently of one another, so that two scale flows are present. Accordingly, two fold separation stations 10 and two stacking stations 20 are provided, which can be operated in parallel in terms of time. When parallel processing in time is to be carried out, it is sufficient to provide a single inversion station 30 which can simultaneously invert two stacks of bags arranged alongside one another. The same applies to the inspection station 40 and the elevation conveyor 50. In the supply station 60, the two bag stacks can, however, also be moved at different speeds, since simultaneous storage of the two bag stacks on the base frame should generally not be possible without taking into account the collision of the gripping devices. For this reason, two supply stations 60 are shown in fig. 3. The establishment of the speed differentiation can however also be brought about by the gripping device itself.

The embodiment according to fig. 4 is similar to the embodiment of fig. 3, wherein the

stations

10,20 and 60, however, which are present in duplicate, have dimensions compatible with different bag sizes. The respective smaller station can therefore be coordinated with the standard bag format as the majority of the production, so that bags of this format can be processed accordingly by two of the dual-existing stations. Bags of larger bag sizes generally cannot be palletized as quickly as smaller bags. It is therefore sufficient in this case to operate only the larger of the double-existing stations accordingly.

Fig. 5 likewise shows an exemplary embodiment, which is based on the embodiment of fig. 3. The difference here is that station 30 and/or station 40 and/or station 50 are also duplicated for independent handling of the stacks of bags. The stack of bags can be processed in the two transport paths at different speeds, so that various arrival points of the initially at least partially simultaneously produced stack of bags can be produced at the supply device 60. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if only a part of the bag stack has to be turned so that the bag stack that does not have to be turned can be easily transported through the relevant turning station, which can be done more quickly because the time necessary for turning is saved.

In fig. 6, a fold separating station 10 is shown, which is able to divide the bags arranged in a fold into two transport paths. First, bags 11 arranged in a scale are supplied to the station 10 via at least one conveyor belt 12. After the separation of the partial scale 13, it reaches a further conveyor belt 14. Above this conveyor belt 14, a further boundary belt 15 is arranged, which can circulate around two rollers 17, 17'. The axes of rotation of these rollers 17, 17' are arranged orthogonally to the face of the conveyor belt 14 and in particular vertically. Additionally, the boundary belt is supported so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 16, which is parallel to or preferably lies on the pivot axis of the roller 17. In this way, the partial scale stack can be guided, for example, in its initial transport direction further to the stacking station 30 (without the boundary strip swinging) or in a changed transport direction to the second stacking station. In the latter case, the boundary strip is swung by an angle a. This division of the partial scaling onto the different transport paths is illustrated by the arrows 18 diverging from one another.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the scale separating station 10. It is provided with two conveyor belts 14 and 14' which can be jointly moved relative to the plane of the conveyor belts, preferably transversely relative thereto (double arrow 19). In this case, each conveyor belt is positioned such that the partial scale packet can be transported further in its transport direction. If the partial scale fully reaches the conveyor belts 14 or 14', both conveyor belts are moved so that the other conveyor belt takes the position of the first conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can now receive a subsequent partial scale stack, while the first conveyor belt supplies the partial scale stack to the stacking station. When the other conveyor belt has completely received the partial scale stack and one of the conveyor belts has supplied the partial scale stack to the stacking station, these conveyor belts can be moved back together again, repeating the described process.

The scale separating station 10 according to fig. 6 and 7 can be combined, for example, with the embodiments of the invention according to fig. 3,4 and 5, in which case it then replaces the double scale separating station 10.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the dividing device is integrated in the inspection station 40. In such an inspection station, transfer means are provided for transferring the stack of bags from the initial transport path, which is indicated by curved arrows 41, 41'. After inspection of the stack of bags, the transfer device transfers the stack of bags onto a transport path different from the initial transport path using the same or another transfer device. In particular, the stack of bags transferred according to arrow 41 is then transferred onto the first transport path (arrow 42), whereas the stack of bags transferred according to arrow 41 'is then transferred onto the second transport path (arrow 42'). Two separate elevation conveyors and two separate supply stations can follow, as is shown in fig. 8.

The embodiments or details of the invention which are described correspondingly in connection with one figure or a plurality of figures can also be combined with the embodiments and details of the invention which are described in connection with other figures. The embodiments and details described in the general description are equally applicable.

List of reference numerals:

1 bag transport and bag stacking device

10 scale stack separating station

11 bag

12 conveying belt

13 part scale stack

14, 14' conveyer belt

15 boundary zone

16 axis of oscillation

17, 17' roller

18 arrow head

19 double arrow

20 stacking stations

21 arrow head

22 obstacle

30 turning station

31 arrow head

40 inspection station

Arrow 41.41

42.42' arrow

50-height conveyor

60 supply station

61 circle

70 further processing device

The device is divided by 80.

Claims

1. A bag transporting and bag stacking apparatus for transporting bags or bag stacks and for providing a bag stack for subsequent handling, with

A scale separating station for dividing the scale-arranged bags into respective partial scale stacks with a predetermined number of bags,

a stacking station for forming a stack of bags from the partially scaled bags,

an inspection station for inspecting the stack of bags and/or individual bags in the stack of bags,

-a turning station for optionally turning the stack of bags,

-a supply station for supplying a stack of bags for subsequent processing,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least one dividing device is provided, by means of which a sequence of bags, partial folds and/or a bag stack sequence arranged in a scaled stack can be divided into at least two sequences of bags, partial folds and/or bag stack sequences arranged in a scaled stack.

2. Bag transporting and bag stacking device according to claim 1, wherein at least one elevation conveyor is provided, with which a partial overlap and/or bag stack can be conveyed at least partially in a vertical direction.

3. Bag transport and bag stacking device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the dividing device is preceded or integrated in at least one of the following stations:

-a scale stack separating station

-a stacking station

Inspection station

-a flipping station

-a level conveyor

-providing a workstation.

4. Bag transporting and bag stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing unit is integrated in the scale separation station, wherein partial scales alternately arranged on different transport paths can be produced.

5. Bag transport and bag stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing unit is integrated in the inspection station, wherein the inspection station comprises a push-through device with which the bag stack can be moved from an initial transport path obliquely or perpendicularly to an initial movement direction.

6. Bag transporting and bag stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing device is integrated in the stacking station, wherein preferably a push-through device is provided with which the bag stack can be moved obliquely or perpendicularly or horizontally to its previous direction of movement.

7. Bag transporting and bag stacking apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing apparatus comprises a lifting device with which at least two of the sequences of bags, partial scales and/or bags stacks arranged in a scale can be divided onto different at least partially vertically spaced transport paths.

8. Bag transport and bag stacking apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing apparatus comprises a lifting device with which at least two of the sequences of bags, partial scales and/or bags stacks arranged in a scale can be divided onto different at least partially horizontally spaced transport paths.

9. Bag transporting and bag stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least a part of the stations downstream of the dividing device are provided doubly, wherein the transport width for a sequence of bags arranged in a scale, partial scales and/or bag stacking sequences respectively has the same dimensions in these stations.

10. Bag transporting and bag stacking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least a part of the stations downstream of the dividing device are provided doubly, wherein the transport width for a sequence of bags arranged in a scale, partial scales and/or bag stacking sequences has correspondingly different dimensions in these stations.

11. A bag-making device for making bags from at least one paper web and optionally from at least one plastic web, with

-a hose forming device for forming a hose from the paper web and optionally the plastic web,

-a dividing device for dividing the hose into hose sections,

bottom placement means for molding at least one bottom to each hose section,

-a bag transport and bag stacking device for composing, transporting and providing bags and bag stacks,

a palletizing device for arranging the provided stacks of bags on a base frame,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the bag transport and bag stacking apparatus is constructed in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for transporting bags or stacks of bags and for providing a stack of bags for subsequent processing, wherein,

-dividing the bags arranged in a scale stack into respective partial scale stacks with a predetermined number of bags by means of a scale stack separation station,

-forming a stack of bags from the partially scaled bags by means of a stacking station,

-optionally turning the stack of bags with a turning station,

-providing a stack of bags for subsequent processing by means of a providing station,

characterized in that one sequence of bags, partial folds and/or bag stacks of the scaled arrangement is divided into at least two sequences of bags, partial folds and/or bag stacks of the scaled arrangement by means of at least one dividing device.