EP0645331A1 - Transport device for flat objects and separating apparatus for flat objects, provided with such a transport device - Google Patents

Transport device for flat objects and separating apparatus for flat objects, provided with such a transport device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0645331A1
EP0645331A1 EP94402121A EP94402121A EP0645331A1 EP 0645331 A1 EP0645331 A1 EP 0645331A1 EP 94402121 A EP94402121 A EP 94402121A EP 94402121 A EP94402121 A EP 94402121A EP 0645331 A1 EP0645331 A1 EP 0645331A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flat objects
transfer
flat
plane
unstacking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94402121A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0645331B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Martin
Jean-Marc Teluob
Jean-Luc Astier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solystic SAS
Original Assignee
Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme CGA HBS SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme CGA HBS SA filed Critical Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme CGA HBS SA
Publication of EP0645331A1 publication Critical patent/EP0645331A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0645331B1 publication Critical patent/EP0645331B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/52—Friction retainers acting on under or rear side of article being separated
    • B65H3/5246—Driven retainers, i.e. the motion thereof being provided by a dedicated drive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/02—Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
    • B07C1/025—Devices for the temporary stacking of objects provided with a stacking and destacking device (interstack device)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/02—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains
    • B65H5/021—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains by belts
    • B65H5/023—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains by belts between a pair of belts forming a transport nip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/22—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by air-blast or suction device
    • B65H5/222—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by air-blast or suction device by suction devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/20—Belts
    • B65H2404/26—Particular arrangement of belt, or belts
    • B65H2404/261—Arrangement of belts, or belt(s) / roller(s) facing each other for forming a transport nip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
    • B65H2406/30—Suction means
    • B65H2406/35—Other elements with suction surface, e.g. plate or wall
    • B65H2406/351—Other elements with suction surface, e.g. plate or wall facing the surface of the handled material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • the mail is placed on edge on a carpet, against a pallet. Thanks to a simultaneous motorization of the conveyor and the pallet, the mail advances towards the gripper.
  • the carpet leads to an abrupt change in level, called in the following fall, near the mail gripper.
  • the supply magazine located between this chute and the gripper, is designed to receive folds or flat objects awaiting unstacking.
  • the gripper includes vacuum zones in front of which a perforated belt passes.
  • the mail When leaving the gripper, the mail passes in front of the vacuum zone of the double outlet separator, located on the other side of the mail. This body retains the mail which would be driven by friction by the previous mail, so as to let go only one mail at a time.
  • the mail is taken up in a transfer device which provides the interface between the unstacking device and a sorting device.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a transfer device capable of stopping a flat object of "any" thickness and in particular large format at the output of a unstacking device, to deliver this flat object on demand to a device sorting and whose arrangement contributes to minimizing the dispersion of downtime of flat objects inside it.
  • a device for transferring flat objects for transferring to sorting means flat objects at the outlet of a device for unstacking flat objects, characterized in that it comprises means for pinch a flat object initially located in a transfer plane, these means being arranged to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the foreground and in that these pinch means are controlled to immobilize said flat object while awaiting authorization transfer to sorting means.
  • the pinching means comprise two pinching rollers comprising on their periphery a soft material and at least one of which is movable in a second plane of movement perpendicular to said first plane and, for each roller, a set of drive belts stretched around said roller and at least one return pulley disposed on either side of said roller.
  • the device for unstacking flat objects comprising means for supplying flat objects, gripping means, means for separating double sockets, and a device for transferring flat objects according to the invention is characterized in that the device for transferring flat objects comprises means for gripping a flat object previously driven by gripping means, these gripping means being controlled so that said flat object is transferred by said transfer device after reception a transfer authorization.
  • the unstacking device 10 comprises a movable belt 14 on which the mail is placed on edge, a supply store 13, a gripper for flat objects 16, a separator for double sockets 11 and a device for transferring flat objects 20 according to the invention.
  • the gripper 16 comprises a perforated belt 15 moving in front of a depression zone 12.
  • the flat objects placed on the mat 14 reach the edge of this mat, they are entrained in the supply store 13.
  • the first flat object is attracted by the gripper 16 due to the vacuum generated at the vacuum zone through the perforations of the belt 15.
  • the latter drives this flat object in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the belt 14, towards the double tap separator 11.
  • This separator comprises a vacuum zone and has the function of retain a flat object that may have been frictionally driven by a previous flat object.
  • the flat object 1, placed on edge on a substantially horizontal plane 31 is then driven in a substantially vertical transfer plane P between two pinch rollers 21, 22 mounted opposite to the plane P.
  • Each pinch roller 21, 22 is arranged between two pulleys 23 and 24, respectively 25 and 35.
  • pulleys 23, 24, respectively 25, 35 are mounted in an alignment parallel to the plane P so that the pulleys 23 and 25, respectively 24 and 35 are made face with respect to the plane P and define a passage for a fold extending in the plane P.
  • Two belts 27, 30 engage the roller 21 and the pulleys 23 and 24 on two levels and two belts 28, 29 engage the roller 22 and pulleys 24 and 35 on two levels facing belts 27 and 30 respectively with respect to the plane P.
  • the pinch rollers 21, 22 preferably have on their periphery a crown made of soft material 21a, 22a which makes it possible to eliminate any risk of rebound of the mail and contributes to obtaining an almost immediate stop of a pinched ply between the two rollers.
  • These pinch rollers have a sufficiently large diameter to promote the penetration of thick folds between them.
  • the diameter of the rollers 21 and 22 is larger than that of the pulleys 23, 24, 25, 35 so that the belts 28, 29 only come into contact with the belts 27, 30 respectively at a pinch point located between the axes of the two rollers and indicated by the point of intersection between plane P and plane D in Figure 2.
  • the motorization of the transfer device 20 can be ensured either at the level of the pinch rollers 21, 22, or at the level of the pulleys 23, 24, 25, 35.
  • the two pinch rollers 21, 22 can move freely in a displacement plane D perpendicular to the plane of transfer of the folds.
  • only one of the pinch rollers is mobile, the other remaining fixed.
  • the movable roller (s) in the plane D disappears before a fold which enters the passage between the pulleys 24 and 35 and the belts 27 to 30 kept tensioned, act to bring the two rollers 21, 22 together one against the other in such a way as to pinch the fold.
  • the transfer device 20 is preferably placed as close as possible to the gripper 16 and has a transfer plane P which is preferably parallel to the gripping plane. Furthermore, the double tap separator 11 is preferably placed between the two belt levels 28, 29 and upstream of the pinch rollers 21, 22, with reference to FIG. 3.
  • the pinch rollers 21, 22 have the function of immobilizing each flat object while awaiting an authorization for transfer to sorting buckets (not shown). This transfer authorization can be issued by control and processing means associated with the sorting means. To maintain an acceptable flow, the pinch rollers are placed immediately after the double tap separator 11.
  • a transfer device therefore makes it possible to ensure an almost immediate stop of each fold taken into account whatever its thickness and its shape and therefore contributes to considerably reducing the dispersion generally observed in the stop of the folds.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Transport device for flat objects (20), for transferring, towards means for sorting flat objects, particularly flat objects of variable thickness, exiting an apparatus for separating flat objects (10). This transport device comprises means (21, 22) for pinching a flat object (1) initially located in a transfer plane (P), these means being arranged so as to be displaced in a direction (D) substantially perpendicular to the transfer plane. The pinching means (21, 22) are controlled in order to immobilise the said flat object (1) to await an authorisation for transfer towards the sorting means. Use for automatic sorting of mail. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats. Elle vise également un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats équipé de ce dispositif de transfert.The present invention relates to a device for transferring flat objects. It also relates to a device for unstacking flat objects equipped with this transfer device.

Un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprend quatre organes principaux:

  • un magasin d'approvisionnement du courrier,
  • un préhenseur de courrier,
  • un séparateur de prises doubles,
  • un dispositif de transfert ou évacuateur.
A device for unstacking flat objects comprises four main organs:
  • a mail supply store,
  • a mail gripper,
  • a double outlet separator,
  • a transfer device or spillway.

Le courrier est posé sur chant sur un tapis, adossé à une palette. Grâce à une motorisation simultanée du tapis et de la palette, le courrier avance vers le préhenseur. Le tapis débouche sur un brusque changement de niveau, appelé dans la suite chute, à proximité du préhenseur de courrier. Le magasin d'approvisionnement, disposé entre cette chute et le préhenseur, est prévu pour recevoir les plis ou objets plats en attente de dépilage. Le préhenseur comprend des zones de dépression devant lesquelles passe une courroie perforée.The mail is placed on edge on a carpet, against a pallet. Thanks to a simultaneous motorization of the conveyor and the pallet, the mail advances towards the gripper. The carpet leads to an abrupt change in level, called in the following fall, near the mail gripper. The supply magazine, located between this chute and the gripper, is designed to receive folds or flat objects awaiting unstacking. The gripper includes vacuum zones in front of which a perforated belt passes.

Au sortir du préhenseur, le courrier passe devant la zone à dépression du séparateur de prises doubles, situé sur l'autre face du courrier. Cet organe retient les courriers qui seraient entraînés par friction par le courrier précédent, de façon à ne laisser partir qu'un seul courrier à la fois.When leaving the gripper, the mail passes in front of the vacuum zone of the double outlet separator, located on the other side of the mail. This body retains the mail which would be driven by friction by the previous mail, so as to let go only one mail at a time.

En sortie du séparateur de prises doubles, le courrier est pris en charge dans un dispositif de transfert qui assure l'interface entre le dispositif de dépilage et un dispositif de tri.At the output of the double outlet separator, the mail is taken up in a transfer device which provides the interface between the unstacking device and a sorting device.

Le tri des courriers grand format s'effectuant par insertion dans des godets, le dépilage doit se faire à la demande et non en continu.The sorting of large format mail is done by insertion into buckets, unstacking must be done on demand and not continuously.

Il est également nécessaire de stopper le courrier presque immédiatement après son entrée dans le dispositif de transfert. Or les moyens traditionnels donnent une grande dispersion sur l'arrêt du courrier à cause de rebonds importants lors du passage de courriers épais, conduisant alors à une perte de contact avec le pli alors qu'il est temps de l'arrêter.It is also necessary to stop mail almost immediately after entering the forwarding device. However, the traditional means give a great dispersion on the stopping of the mail because of significant rebounds during the passage of thick mail, then leading to a loss of contact with the fold when it is time to stop it.

On connaît déjà par la demande de brevet français n°9109431 du 25 Juillet 1991 au nom de la Demanderesse un dispositif de dépilage de plis de courrier comprenant à sa sortie des moyens de transfert des plis constitués de deux courroies associées pour agir par pincement. Mais ces moyens de transfert ne peuvent assurer le transfert d'objets d'épaisseur variable, et fonctionnent en permanence.Already known from French patent application No. 9109431 of July 25, 1991 in the name of the Applicant, a device for unstacking mail folds comprising at its outlet means for transferring folds consisting of two belts associated to act by pinching. However, these transfer means cannot transfer objects of variable thickness, and operate continuously.

Le but de l'invention est de proposer un dispositif de transfert apte à arrêter un objet plat d'épaisseur "quelconque" et notamment de grand format en sortie d'un dispositif de dépilage, à délivrer cet objet plat à la demande à un dispositif de tri et dont l'agencement contribue à minimiser la dispersion des temps d'arrêt des objets plats à l'intérieur de celui-ci.The object of the invention is to provide a transfer device capable of stopping a flat object of "any" thickness and in particular large format at the output of a unstacking device, to deliver this flat object on demand to a device sorting and whose arrangement contributes to minimizing the dispersion of downtime of flat objects inside it.

Selon l'invention, il est proposé un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats, pour transférer vers des moyens de tri des objets plats en sortie d'un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour pincer un objet plat initialement situé dans un plan de transfert, ces moyens étant agencés pour se déplacer dans une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au premier plan et en ce que ces moyens de pincement sont commandés pour immobiliser ledit objet plat dans l'attente d'une autorisation de transfert vers les moyens de tri.According to the invention, there is proposed a device for transferring flat objects, for transferring to sorting means flat objects at the outlet of a device for unstacking flat objects, characterized in that it comprises means for pinch a flat object initially located in a transfer plane, these means being arranged to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the foreground and in that these pinch means are controlled to immobilize said flat object while awaiting authorization transfer to sorting means.

Ainsi, il devient possible d'arrêter des objets d'épaisseur variable et de réaliser leur transfert vers un dispositif de tri conçu pour traiter chaque objet l'un après l'autre.Thus, it becomes possible to stop objects of variable thickness and carry out their transfer to a sorting device designed to process each object one after the other.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, les moyens pinceurs comprennent deux rouleaux pinceurs comportant sur leur périphérie un matériau mou et dont au moins l'un des deux est mobile dans un second plan de déplacement perpendiculaire audit premier plan et, pour chaque rouleau, un ensemble de courroies d'entraînement tendues autour dudit rouleau et d'au moins une poulie de renvoi disposée de part et d'autre dudit rouleau.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pinching means comprise two pinching rollers comprising on their periphery a soft material and at least one of which is movable in a second plane of movement perpendicular to said first plane and, for each roller, a set of drive belts stretched around said roller and at least one return pulley disposed on either side of said roller.

Suivant un autre aspect de l'invention, le dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant des moyens d'approvisionnement en objets plats, des moyens préhenseurs, des moyens séparateurs de prises doubles, et un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats selon l'invention, est caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert d'objets plats comprend des moyens pour pincer un objet plat préalablement entraîné par des moyens préhenseurs, ces moyens pinceurs étant commandés de sorte que ledit objet plat est transféré par ledit dispositif de transfert après réception d'une autorisation de transfert.According to another aspect of the invention, the device for unstacking flat objects comprising means for supplying flat objects, gripping means, means for separating double sockets, and a device for transferring flat objects according to the invention is characterized in that the device for transferring flat objects comprises means for gripping a flat object previously driven by gripping means, these gripping means being controlled so that said flat object is transferred by said transfer device after reception a transfer authorization.

D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront encore dans la description ci-après. Aux dessins annexés donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs :

  • la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble d'un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats ou évacuateur selon l'invention ; et
  • la figure 3 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats selon l'invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below. In the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples:
  • Figure 1 is an overall view of a device for unstacking flat objects according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a top view of a device for transferring flat objects or spillway according to the invention; and
  • Figure 3 is a side view of a device for transferring flat objects according to the invention.

On va maintenant décrire un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats équipé d'un dispositif de transfert selon l'invention, en même temps que le fonctionnement de ce dispositif de transfert, en référence aux figures 1 à 3.We will now describe a device for unstacking flat objects equipped with a transfer device. according to the invention, at the same time as the operation of this transfer device, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Le dispositif de dépilage 10 comprend un tapis mobile 14 sur lequel le courrier est posé à chant, un magasin d'approvisionnement 13, un préhenseur d'objets plats 16, un séparateur de prises doubles 11 et un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats 20 selon l'invention. Le préhenseur 16 comprend une courroie perforée 15 se déplaçant devant une zone de dépression 12.The unstacking device 10 comprises a movable belt 14 on which the mail is placed on edge, a supply store 13, a gripper for flat objects 16, a separator for double sockets 11 and a device for transferring flat objects 20 according to the invention. The gripper 16 comprises a perforated belt 15 moving in front of a depression zone 12.

Lorsque les objets plats posés sur le tapis 14 atteignent le bord de ce tapis, ils sont entraînés dans la magasin d'approvisionnement 13. Le premier objet plat est attiré par le préhenseur 16 du fait de la dépression générée au niveau de la zone de dépression à travers les perforations de la courroie 15. Celle-ci entraîne alors cet objet plat dans une direction perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement du tapis 14, vers le séparateur de prises doubles 11. Ce séparateur comprend une zone de dépression et a pour fonction de retenir un objet plat qui aurait été éventuellement entraîné par friction par un objet plat précédent. L'objet plat 1, posé sur chant sur un plan sensiblement horizontal 31, est ensuite entraîné dans un plan de transfert P sensiblement vertical entre deux rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22 montés en vis à vis par rapport au plan P. Chaque rouleau pinceur 21, 22 est disposé entre deux poulies 23 et 24, respectivement 25 et 35. Ces poulies 23, 24, respectivement 25, 35 sont montées selon un alignement parallèle au plan P de telle façon que les poulies 23 et 25, respectivement 24 et 35 se font face par rapport au plan P et définissent un passage pour un pli s'étendant dans le plan P. Deux courroies 27, 30 engagent le rouleau 21 et les poulies 23 et 24 sur deux niveaux et deux courroies 28, 29 engagent le rouleau 22 et les poulies 24 et 35 sur deux niveaux en faisant face respectivement aux courroies 27 et 30 par rapport au plan P.When the flat objects placed on the mat 14 reach the edge of this mat, they are entrained in the supply store 13. The first flat object is attracted by the gripper 16 due to the vacuum generated at the vacuum zone through the perforations of the belt 15. The latter then drives this flat object in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the belt 14, towards the double tap separator 11. This separator comprises a vacuum zone and has the function of retain a flat object that may have been frictionally driven by a previous flat object. The flat object 1, placed on edge on a substantially horizontal plane 31, is then driven in a substantially vertical transfer plane P between two pinch rollers 21, 22 mounted opposite to the plane P. Each pinch roller 21, 22 is arranged between two pulleys 23 and 24, respectively 25 and 35. These pulleys 23, 24, respectively 25, 35 are mounted in an alignment parallel to the plane P so that the pulleys 23 and 25, respectively 24 and 35 are made face with respect to the plane P and define a passage for a fold extending in the plane P. Two belts 27, 30 engage the roller 21 and the pulleys 23 and 24 on two levels and two belts 28, 29 engage the roller 22 and pulleys 24 and 35 on two levels facing belts 27 and 30 respectively with respect to the plane P.

Les rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22 comportent de préférence sur leur périphérie une couronne en matériau mou 21a, 22a qui permet de supprimer tout risque de rebond du courrier et contribue à l'obtention d'un arrêt quasi-immédiat d'un pli pincé entre les deux rouleaux. Ces rouleaux pinceurs ont un diamètre suffisamment important pour favoriser la pénétration des plis épais entre eux. Le diamètre des rouleaux 21 et 22 est plus grand que celui des poulies 23, 24, 25, 35 de sorte que les courroies 28, 29 viennent seulement en contact avec les courroies 27, 30 respectivement en un point de pincement situé entre les axes des deux rouleaux et indiqué par le point d'intersection entre le plan P et le plan D sur la figure 2.The pinch rollers 21, 22 preferably have on their periphery a crown made of soft material 21a, 22a which makes it possible to eliminate any risk of rebound of the mail and contributes to obtaining an almost immediate stop of a pinched ply between the two rollers. These pinch rollers have a sufficiently large diameter to promote the penetration of thick folds between them. The diameter of the rollers 21 and 22 is larger than that of the pulleys 23, 24, 25, 35 so that the belts 28, 29 only come into contact with the belts 27, 30 respectively at a pinch point located between the axes of the two rollers and indicated by the point of intersection between plane P and plane D in Figure 2.

La motorisation du dispositif de transfert 20 peut être assurée soit au niveau des rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22, soit au niveau des poulies 23, 24, 25, 35. Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, les deux rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22 peuvent se déplacer librement dans un plan de déplacement D perpendiculaire au plan de transfert des plis. Dans un second mode de réalisation, seul un des rouleaux pinceurs est mobile, l'autre restant fixe. Le ou les rouleaux mobile(s) dans le plan D s'efface(nt) devant un pli qui pénètre dans le passage entre les poulies 24 et 35 et les courroies 27 à 30 maintenues tendues, agissent pour rapprocher les deux rouleaux 21, 22 l'un contre l'autre de telle façon à pincer le pli. Le dispositif de transfert 20 est de préférence placé le plus près possible du préhenseur 16 et possède un plan de transfert P qui est de préférence parallèle au plan de préhension. Par ailleurs, le séparateur de prises doubles 11 est de préférence placé entre les deux niveaux de courroie 28, 29 et en amont des rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22, en référence à la figure 3.The motorization of the transfer device 20 can be ensured either at the level of the pinch rollers 21, 22, or at the level of the pulleys 23, 24, 25, 35. In a preferred embodiment, the two pinch rollers 21, 22 can move freely in a displacement plane D perpendicular to the plane of transfer of the folds. In a second embodiment, only one of the pinch rollers is mobile, the other remaining fixed. The movable roller (s) in the plane D disappears before a fold which enters the passage between the pulleys 24 and 35 and the belts 27 to 30 kept tensioned, act to bring the two rollers 21, 22 together one against the other in such a way as to pinch the fold. The transfer device 20 is preferably placed as close as possible to the gripper 16 and has a transfer plane P which is preferably parallel to the gripping plane. Furthermore, the double tap separator 11 is preferably placed between the two belt levels 28, 29 and upstream of the pinch rollers 21, 22, with reference to FIG. 3.

La mise en oeuvre de deux niveaux de courroies de part et d'autre du séparateur de prises doubles 11 présente l'intérêt de contribuer à la création d'une résultante de forces de contact qui est située au voisinage immédiat du séparateur 11. Un seul niveau de courroies aurait pour effet d'entraîner la création d'un mouvement qui provoquerait des plis, et par conséquent un changement d'inclinaison des plis.The use of two levels of belts on either side of the double tap separator 11 has the advantage of contributing to the creation of a result of contact forces which is located in the immediate vicinity of the separator 11. A single level of belts would have the effect of creating a movement that would cause folds, and therefore a change in the inclination of the folds.

Les rouleaux pinceurs 21, 22 ont pour fonction d'immobiliser chaque objet plat en attendant une autorisation de transfert vers des godets de tri (non représentés). Cette autorisation de transfert peut être émise par des moyens de contrôle et de traitement associés aux moyens de tri. Pour conserver un débit acceptable, les rouleaux pinceurs sont placés immédiatement après le séparateur de prises doubles 11.The pinch rollers 21, 22 have the function of immobilizing each flat object while awaiting an authorization for transfer to sorting buckets (not shown). This transfer authorization can be issued by control and processing means associated with the sorting means. To maintain an acceptable flow, the pinch rollers are placed immediately after the double tap separator 11.

Un dispositif de transfert selon l'invention permet donc d'assurer un arrêt quasi-immédiat de chaque pli pris en compte quelle que soit son épaisseur et sa forme et contribue donc à réduire considérablement la dispersion observée généralement dans l'arrêt des plis.A transfer device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to ensure an almost immediate stop of each fold taken into account whatever its thickness and its shape and therefore contributes to considerably reducing the dispersion generally observed in the stop of the folds.

Bien sûr, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples qui viennent d'être décrits et de nombreux aménagements peuvent être apportés à ces exemples sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. Ainsi, on peut prévoir de nombreux types de motorisation des rouleaux pinceurs ainsi que des procédures de contrôle du fonctionnement du dispositif de transfert prenant en compte les spécificités du dispositif de tri situé en aval du dispositif de dépilage. On peut également envisager un nombre de courroies différent de deux et un autre agencement des poulies associées aux courroies.Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, many types of motorization of the pinch rollers can be provided as well as procedures for controlling the operation of the transfer device taking into account the specificities of the sorting device located downstream of the unstacking device. One can also consider a number of belts other than two and another arrangement of the pulleys associated with the belts.

Claims (6)

Dispositif de transfert d'objets plats (20), pour transférer vers des moyens de tri des objets plats en sortie d'un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats (10), caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens (21, 22) pour pincer un objet plat (1) initialement situé dans un plan de transfert (P), ces moyens (21, 22) comprenant deux rouleaux pinceurs (21, 22) comportant sur leur périphérie (21a, 22a) un matériau mou et dont au moins l'un des deux est mobile dans un plan de déplacement (D) perpendiculaire audit plan de transfert (P) et, pour chaque rouleau (21, 22), un ensemble de courroies d'entraînement (27, 30 ; 28, 29) tendues autour dudit rouleau (21, 22) et de deux poulies de renvoi (23, 24, 25, 35) disposées de part et d'autre dudit rouleau (21, 22) et en ce que ces moyens de pincement (21, 22) sont commandés pour immobiliser ledit objet plat (1) dans l'attente d'une autorisation de transfert vers les moyens de tri.Device for transferring flat objects (20), for transferring flat objects to sorting means at the outlet of a device for unstacking flat objects (10), characterized in that it comprises means (21, 22 ) to pinch a flat object (1) initially located in a transfer plane (P), these means (21, 22) comprising two pinch rollers (21, 22) comprising on their periphery (21a, 22a) a soft material and of which at least one of the two is mobile in a displacement plane (D) perpendicular to said transfer plane (P) and, for each roller (21, 22), a set of drive belts (27, 30; 28, 29) stretched around said roller (21, 22) and two deflection pulleys (23, 24, 25, 35) arranged on either side of said roller (21, 22) and in that these gripping means (21 , 22) are ordered to immobilize said flat object (1) pending authorization for transfer to the sorting means. Dispositif de transfert (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est associé à des moyens (11) pour séparer des prises doubles, ces moyens séparateurs (11) étant disposés entre deux niveaux de courroies des rouleaux pinceurs (21, 22).Transfer device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is associated with means (11) for separating double sockets, these separating means (11) being arranged between two levels of belts of the pinch rollers (21, 22). Dispositif de transfert (20) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de motorisation pour entraîner les rouleaux pinceurs (21, 22), ces moyens de motorisation étant commandés pour immobiliser un objet plat (1) dans l'attente d'une autorisation de transfert, et pour entraîner et transférer cet objet plat (1) après réception de cette autorisation.Transfer device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises motorization means for driving the pinch rollers (21, 22), these motorization means being controlled to immobilize a flat object (1) in the waiting for a transfer authorization, and to drive and transfer this flat object (1) after receipt of this authorization. Dispositif (10) de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant des moyens d'approvisionnement en objets plats (13), des moyens préhenseurs (16), des moyens séparateurs de prises doubles (11), et un dispositif de transfert d'objets plats (20) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert d'objets plats (20) comprend des moyens (21, 22) pour pincer un objet plat (1) préalablement entraîné par les moyens préhenseurs (16), ces moyens pinceurs (21, 22) étant commandés de sorte que ledit objet plat (1) est transféré par ledit dispositif de transfert après réception d'une autorisation de transfert.Device (10) for unstacking flat objects comprising means for supplying flat objects (13), gripping means (16), means for separating double sockets (11), and a device for transferring flat objects ( 20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for transferring flat objects (20) comprises means (21, 22) for gripping a flat object (1) previously driven by the gripping means (16), these gripping means (21 , 22) being controlled so that said flat object (1) is transferred by said transfer device after receipt of a transfer authorization. Dispositif de dépilage (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les moyens séparateurs de prises doubles (11) sont placés à proximité immédiate et en amont des rouleaux pinceurs (21, 22).Unstacking device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for separating double sockets (11) are placed in the immediate vicinity and upstream of the pinch rollers (21, 22). Dispositif de dépilage (10) selon l'une des revendications 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert (20) présente un plan de transfert des objets plats sensiblement parallèle au plan de préhension des moyens préhenseurs (16).Unstacking device (10) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the transfer device (20) has a plane for transferring flat objects substantially parallel to the gripping plane of the gripping means (16).
EP94402121A 1993-09-27 1994-09-23 Transport device for flat objects and separating apparatus for flat objects, provided with such a transport device Expired - Lifetime EP0645331B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9311456A FR2710626B1 (en) 1993-09-27 1993-09-27 Device for transferring flat objects and unstacking device equipped with this transfer device.
FR9311456 1993-09-27

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EP0645331A1 true EP0645331A1 (en) 1995-03-29
EP0645331B1 EP0645331B1 (en) 1998-07-08

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EP94402121A Expired - Lifetime EP0645331B1 (en) 1993-09-27 1994-09-23 Transport device for flat objects and separating apparatus for flat objects, provided with such a transport device

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US (1) US5507479A (en)
EP (1) EP0645331B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2132802C (en)
DE (1) DE69411482T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2710626B1 (en)

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FR2379459A1 (en) * 1977-02-08 1978-09-01 Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme Sheet feeder with separator for double fed sheet - has vacuum pad to hold top sheet and endless belt to continue transport of lower sheet
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2132802A1 (en) 1995-03-28
EP0645331B1 (en) 1998-07-08
DE69411482D1 (en) 1998-08-13
CA2132802C (en) 2004-09-14
DE69411482T2 (en) 1998-11-26
FR2710626A1 (en) 1995-04-07
FR2710626B1 (en) 1995-11-10
US5507479A (en) 1996-04-16

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