EP3147244B1 - Blattstapel- und verfahren zur bildung von versetzten stapelbündeln - Google Patents

Blattstapel- und verfahren zur bildung von versetzten stapelbündeln Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3147244B1
EP3147244B1 EP15186994.8A EP15186994A EP3147244B1 EP 3147244 B1 EP3147244 B1 EP 3147244B1 EP 15186994 A EP15186994 A EP 15186994A EP 3147244 B1 EP3147244 B1 EP 3147244B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stack
sheet
conveyor
stacker
sheets
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.)
Active
Application number
EP15186994.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3147244A1 (de
Inventor
Mauro Adami
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.)
Guangdong Fosber Intelligent Equipment Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Guangdong Fosber Intelligent Equipment Co Ltd
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 Guangdong Fosber Intelligent Equipment Co Ltd filed Critical Guangdong Fosber Intelligent Equipment Co Ltd
Priority to EP15186994.8A priority Critical patent/EP3147244B1/de
Priority to CN201510698679.0A priority patent/CN106553927A/zh
Priority to CN202011037063.6A priority patent/CN112141790B/zh
Publication of EP3147244A1 publication Critical patent/EP3147244A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3147244B1 publication Critical patent/EP3147244B1/de
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H33/00—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles
    • B65H33/06—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles by displacing articles to define batches
    • B65H33/08—Displacing whole batches, e.g. forming stepped piles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/08—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another
    • B65H31/10—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another and applied at the top of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3054—Arrangements for removing completed piles by moving the surface supporting the lowermost article of the pile, e.g. by using belts or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4219—Forming a pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other, e.g. forming stepped pile
    • B65H2301/42194—Forming a pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other, e.g. forming stepped pile forming a pile in which articles are offset from each other in the delivery direction
    • 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
    • B65H2404/70—Other elements in edge contact with handled material, e.g. registering, orientating, guiding devices
    • B65H2404/72—Stops, gauge pins, e.g. stationary
    • 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
    • B65H2404/70—Other elements in edge contact with handled material, e.g. registering, orientating, guiding devices
    • B65H2404/72—Stops, gauge pins, e.g. stationary
    • B65H2404/721—Stops, gauge pins, e.g. stationary adjustable
    • 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
    • B65H2701/17—Nature of material
    • B65H2701/176—Cardboard
    • 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
    • B65H2701/17—Nature of material
    • B65H2701/176—Cardboard
    • B65H2701/1762—Corrugated
    • 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
    • B65H2701/17—Nature of material
    • B65H2701/176—Cardboard
    • B65H2701/1764—Cut-out, single-layer, e.g. flat blanks for boxes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to sheet stacking devices and methods, useful for the formation of stacks of cardboard sheets, such as, but not limited to, corrugated cardboard sheets.
  • the invention concerns sheet stacking devices and methods for the production of stacks comprised of staggered bundles of sheets.
  • cardboard sheets are manufactured starting from a continuous web like cardboard material, which is slit longitudinally and divided into strips. Each strip is further divided transversely to generate a plurality of sheets of desired length. Sheets thus obtained are delivered to a so-called stacker or stacking apparatus, which forms stacks or bundles of sheets. The stacks are subsequently delivered to the final user, for example for the manufacturing of cardboard boxes or the like. Small bundles can be combined into larger stacks before shipping.
  • Known stacking apparatuses usually comprise a sheet conveyor arrangement which receives a substantially continuous flow of sheets which are shingled and delivered onto a stacking surface in a stacking bay.
  • each stack is formed by staggered bundles, each bundle containing a predetermined number of sheets.
  • TW-M 423688U , US2014/0353119 and US2009/0169351 disclose sheet stackers configured and controlled for forming stacks of mutually staggered bundles of cardboard sheets. In order to mutually stagger neighboring bundles of the stack, said stack is formed on a horizontally movable stacker platform.
  • the reciprocating staggering motion is in a direction substantially parallel to the feed direction of the cardboard sheets.
  • the stacker platform comprises a conveyor belt, forming a stacking surface.
  • the conveyor belt has a horizontal conveying motion, orthogonal to the reciprocating staggering motion of the stacker platform.
  • the conveyor belt is used to evacuate the formed stack from the stacking bay according to an evacuation direction which is substantially orthogonal to the direction of arrival of the cardboard sheets in the stacking bay.
  • Each bundle of a stack is formed against a single stop plate or a dual stop plate, which are arranged in two positions which are staggered along the direction of arrival of the cardboard sheets. Staggering of neighboring bundles is obtained by means of a reciprocating motion of the stacker platform in a horizontal direction. Moving the entire stacker platform is difficult and requires strong actuators and a particularly sturdy structure.
  • CN204057396U and CN203255778U disclose further embodiments of stackers designed and configured for producing stacks of sheets, each formed by a plurality of staggered bundles. Staggering is obtained by using two mutually spaced apart stop plates. The distance between the stop plates is equal to the staggering of neighboring bundles. In addition to moving the stop plates, the sheet discharge end of the sheet conveyor must also be reciprocatingly moved back and forth in a direction parallel to the feed direction, to achieve correct staggering of adjacent bundles.
  • a sheet stacker which comprises:
  • the stacker platform supports a stack conveyor movable in a direction parallel to a feed direction of the sheets in the stacking bay, configured and controlled to perform a reciprocating staggering motion to form staggered bundles of sheets, and to further perform an evacuation motion, to remove a completed stack from the stacking bay.
  • the evacuation motion is performed in a direction parallel to the staggering motion, i.e. in the same direction of the staggering motion, or in the opposite direction.
  • the stacker platform can be provided with a vertical lifting and lowering movement with respect to a stationary supporting structure, such that the sheet stacker will be a so-called down-stacker, i.e. a stacker where the stacks are formed by moving the stacker platform downwardly. Formation of the stacks is thus made easier and more regular. Also, a faster operation can be obtained.
  • a down-stacker i.e. a stacker where the stacks are formed by moving the stacker platform downwardly. Formation of the stacks is thus made easier and more regular. Also, a faster operation can be obtained.
  • a stop plate can be provided, which can be positioned in the stacking bay above the stacker platform, and can be arranged and configured for stopping the sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement to the stacking bay.
  • the stop plate can have a reciprocating vertical movement, which is synchronized with the formation of staggered bundles of sheets.
  • the sheet discharge end of the sheet conveyor arrangement can be combined with an actuator, which controls a lifting and lowering movement of the sheet discharge end, which movement is synchronized with the reciprocating staggering motion of the stack conveyor.
  • the evacuation motion of said stack conveyor is most advantageously oriented such that the completed stack is moved from the stacking bay under the sheet conveyor arrangement, where an evacuation conveyor can be arranged. A faster operation and a more compact system having a reduced footprint is thus obtained.
  • the stack conveyor can comprise a single conveyor member, e.g. an endless conveyor member.
  • the stack conveyor can comprise a first stack conveyor member and a second stack conveyor member, which are sequentially arranged one after the other in a direction parallel to the direction of the evacuation motion.
  • the first stack conveyor member and the second stack conveyor member can be arranged and controlled such that a stack is formed on the first stack conveyor member and, upon formation thereof, the completed stack is moved by the first stack conveyor member to the second stack conveyor member and sequentially by the second stack conveyor member outside the stacking bay.
  • the sheet discharge end can be combined with a bundle retaining device, which is configured and arranged for retaining the top-most bundle of the stack when the stack conveyor performs the staggering motion in a direction away from the sheet discharge end. Undesired displacements of the top-most sheet of a bundle upon starting formation of a subsequent, staggered bundle, are thus reduced or eliminated.
  • the bundle retaining device can comprise at least one resilient sheet braking member, arranged under the sheet discharge end, between the sheet discharge end and the stack being formed on the stacker platform.
  • the invention also concerns a method of forming sheet stacks on a stacking surface, comprising the following steps:
  • the method can further comprise a step of evacuating the stack from the stacking bay, upon completion of the stack, by moving the stack conveyor in an evacuation direction, parallel to the staggering motion thereof.
  • the evacuation direction can be preferably oriented such that the formed stacked is transferred under the sheet conveyor arrangement.
  • the method can be performed in a downstacker mode of operation, i.e. the step of moving the stacker platform and the sheet discharge end away from one another comprises the step of lowering the stacker platform with respect to a stationary supporting structure.
  • the method can further comprise the step of lifting the sheet discharge end from the top of the stack under formation on the stacker platform when the stack under formation is moved by the stack conveyor towards the sheet discharge end during the back-and-forth staggering motion of the stack conveyor.
  • the method can further comprise a step of abutting the sheets coming from the sheet conveyor arrangement against a stationary stop plate arranged above the stacker platform, to perform a better alignment of the sheets.
  • the stop plate can be reciprocatingly moved in a vertical direction in synchronism with the back-and-forth staggering motion of the stack conveyor.
  • the stack conveyor comprises a first stack conveyor member and a second stack conveyor member sequentially arranged along the direction of motion of the stack conveyor; the method can be such that:
  • the sheet stacker 1 comprises a sheet conveyor arrangement 3 and a stacking bay 5.
  • the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged sheet conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C, which define a sheet delivery path.
  • Each sheet conveyor 3A-3C can be comprised of one or more endless flexible members, such as belts or the like, which are entrained around idle and motor-driven rollers to advance the sheets towards the stacking bay 5.
  • the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can be supported by a stationary supporting structure comprised of uprights 7, 9.
  • the stationary supporting structure can further include uprights 11 and a cross member 13 surrounding the stacking bay 5.
  • the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 has a sheet inlet side 15 and a sheet discharge end 17. Sheets, e.g. corrugated cardboard sheets coming from a slitter-scorer or other upstream section (not shown) of the manufacturing line, enter the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 at the sheet inlet side 15 and are advanced according to a feeding direction F towards the sheet discharge end 17, where the sheets are discharged in the stacking bay 5 to form stacks of sheets as will be described later on.
  • Sheets e.g. corrugated cardboard sheets coming from a slitter-scorer or other upstream section (not shown) of the manufacturing line
  • the stacking bay 5 comprises a stacker platform 19 which can move vertically up and down according to arrow f19, e.g. by means of an electric motor (not shown).
  • the stacker platform 19 can be supported by chains 20, or other lifting members, which are acted upon by an electric motor 22 to move the stacker platform 19 in a vertical up-and-down direction according to double arrow f19.
  • the stacker platform 19 can be vertically guided by guides 21, 23 formed on uprights 9, 11.
  • the stacker platform 19 supports a stack conveyor 25.
  • the latter can be comprised of one or more endless flexible members entrained around rollers 27, 29, one of which at least is motor-driven, while the other can be idle.
  • the stack conveyor 25 is controlled to move back-and-forth in a substantially horizontal direction f25, parallel to the stacker platform 19 and approximately parallel to a feed direction F according to which the sheets enter the stacking bay 5.
  • the actual feed direction F of the sheets upon leaving the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can be inclined to some extent with respect to the horizontal direction, such that the sheet feeding direction F can have an upwardly or downwardly oriented speed component when the sheets first enter the stacking bay 5.
  • the sheets enter the stacking bay 5 according to a direction F which lays in a vertical plane parallel to Figs 1 and 2 and thus parallel to the direction of motion of the stack conveyor 25.
  • the sheets will be stacked, i.e. piled up on the stacker platform 19 in a horizontal direction.
  • the feeding direction of the sheets in the final portion of the feeding path is generally horizontal and generally parallel to the direction of motion f25 of the stack conveyor 25.
  • a carriage 31 can be slidingly mounted.
  • the carriage 31 can move along guides 33 according to double arrow f31 under the control of a motor 35, e.g. through a rack-and-pinion transmission system or the like.
  • the carriage 31 supports a stop plate 37 which can extend in a general vertical direction.
  • the stop plate 37 can move vertically up and down according to double arrow f37 under the control of a suitable actuator, such as a cylinder-piston actuator 38, an electric or hydraulic motor, or the like.
  • the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can comprise, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, a bottom roller 41 and a top roller 45, which define in combination a sheet discharge nip, where through the sheets conveyed by the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 are discharged in the stacking bay 5.
  • the bottom roller 41 can be a motorized roller which controls the movement of the most downstream conveyor 3C of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • Reference number 47 designates by way of example an electric motor which controls the motion of the most downstream conveyor 3C through rotation of the bottom roller 41.
  • the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can be movable in a vertical direction according to double arrow f17, e.g. under the control of a linear actuator, such as a cylinder-piston actuator schematically shown at 51, for the purpose which will become clear from the description of the sequence of operations shown in Figs. 4(A)-4(I) .
  • a linear actuator such as a cylinder-piston actuator schematically shown at 51
  • an evacuation conveyor 53 can be arranged, which can be positioned near the ground level G.
  • the sheet stacker 1 is configured and controlled to produce stacks S of cardboard sheets C, wherein each stack S is in turn divided into bundles B, each bundle comprising a certain number of cardboard sheets C.
  • the number of sheets of each bundle B of a stack S can be constant.
  • the cardboard sheets C advance in a shingled arrangement along the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 and are individually fed through the nip 45 into the stacking bay 5.
  • a stack S is being formed on the horizontal surface defined by the stack conveyor 25 supported on the stacker platform 19.
  • the bundles B of sheets which form the stack S are staggered by a pitch P.
  • the number of sheets per bundle B, the number of bundles B per stack S and the staggering pitch P can be set by the user, e.g. through an interface of a control unit, not shown.
  • the bundles B are staggered in the direction F of feed of the cardboard sheets C in the stacking bay 5, i.e. in the direction of motion f25 of the stack conveyor 25.
  • staggering of mutually superposed bundles B is obtained by means of a back-and-forth, i.e. a reciprocating staggering motion of the stack conveyor 25 according to double arrow f25.
  • the stop plate 37 is located at a distance from the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3, which is determined by the dimension of the cardboard sheets C in the direction F. In this way, each cardboard sheet C delivered into the stacking bay 5 will advance until reaching the stop plate 37, and all the sheets C will thus be aligned with their most advanced edges abutting against the stop plate 37.
  • the stack conveyor 25 moves by a pitch P alternatively towards the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 and away therefrom.
  • the stack S under formation is moved on the left according to arrow fx, such that the stack S moves slightly underneath the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • Fig.4(B) shows the stack S in the new position, after the staggering movement according to fx has been performed.
  • the stacker platform 19 can be lowered, or the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can be lifted, or a combination of the two movements can be performed.
  • the sheet discharge end 17 is lifted (arrow f17, Fig. 4(B) ) by means of the actuator 51 and then lowered again (arrow f17, Fig. 4(C) ).
  • This movement can be quicker than a lowering movement involving the stacker platform 19, as the sheet discharge end is lighter than the stacker platform 19, which also supports the weight of the stack S under formation.
  • the stop plate 37 can remain stationary in this step of the stacking process, such that when formation of the subsequent bundle B2 starts, the most advance, i.e. the leading edges of the cardboard sheets C will advance until the stop plate 37, thus reaching the same position with respect to the stacking bay 5. Since the stack S has been shifted (arrow fx) towards the left by a pitch P, the next bundle B2 will be staggered by a distance P along direction F with respect to the previously formed bundle B1.
  • Fig.4(C) shows the initial phase of formation of the next bundle B2
  • Fig.4(D) shows the subsequent phase, where the next bundle B2 has been completed.
  • a new bundle B3 which is staggered by a pitch P with respect to bundle B2 and aligned with the bundle B1 must be formed.
  • the stack conveyor 25 is actuated and moves the stack S under formation according to arrow fy ( Fig.4(E) ) from the left to the right by a pitch P.
  • the most downstream edge (i.e. the leading edge) of the bundle B2 just formed must move horizontally beyond the stop plate 37.
  • the cylinder-piston actuator 38 thus lifts the stop plate 37 in order to allow the bundle B2 to move there under.
  • the stacker platform 19 gradually lowers to accommodate the stack S on top of the stack conveyor 25, such that the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 can remain substantially at the same height, except for the small up and down stroke according to arrow f17, which is performed by the sheet discharge end 17 each time the stack S is moved according to arrow fx to displace the trailing edge of the top-most bundle under the sheet discharge end 17.
  • the sheet stacker is thus configured as a so-called down-stacker, i.e. the stack is formed by lowering the stack such that the upper surface thereof remains substantially around a constant position.
  • a gap in the flow of cardboard sheets 3 on the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 must be generated, which separates the last cardboard sheet C of one bundle from the first cardboard sheet C of the next bundle.
  • the gap can be created in anyone of the know methods used to create gaps in the flow of cardboard sheets C.
  • the dimension of the gap can be controlled on the basis of several operation parameters of the stacker 1, for instance the speed of advance of the cardboard sheets C, their length and so on.
  • the gap can be formed e.g. acting upon the speed of the various conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C forming the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • the number of cardboard sheets C per bundle B can be counted in a rotary shear used to cut a continuous longitudinal cardboard web, each cut corresponding to one sheet.
  • the last sheet of a bundle is then tracked by means of suitable encoders, for instance, along the path up to the stacking bay 5.
  • the stack S must be evacuated from the stacking bay 5.
  • the evacuation step is illustrated in Figs 4(H) to 4(I) .
  • the flow of incoming cardboard sheets C from the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 is interrupted by creating therein a gap in any one of different possible ways, known to those skilled in the art.
  • the formed stack S is moved downwards by lowering the stacker platform 19, as shown in Fig.4(H) , until the upper surface of the stack conveyor 25 is substantially at the same level as the evacuation conveyor 53, while the stack conveyor 25 can remain inoperative, such that the stack S only moves vertically.
  • the stack conveyor 25 can be activated again, to perform an evacuation motion and displace the stack S towards the evacuation conveyor 53, as shown in Fig. 4(I) .
  • the stack S As soon as the stack S has cleared off the stacker platform 19, the latter can be lifted again, in the initial position where the formation of a new stack can start, as shown in Fig. 4(I) .
  • the time required for evacuating the stack S is extremely short, since the distance the stack S must travel substantially corresponds to the dimension of the stack in the direction F.
  • the stack S has not been properly cleared off the stacker platform, e.g. if a part thereof remains on the stacker platform 19, when the latter is lifted, the remaining sheets which are still erroneously placed on the stacker platform 19 will cause an unexpected lifting movement of the sheet discharge end 17 of the conveyor 3C.
  • This unexpected movement can be detected by a sensor, e.g. a micro-switch, which can trigger an alarm.
  • a bundle retaining device in order to ensure a correct piling up of the cardboard sheets C and of the bundles B, can be arranged at the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate details of the bundle retaining device, globally labeled 60.
  • the bundle retaining device 60 comprises one or preferably a plurality of resilient leaf blades 61, e.g. made of metal.
  • the resilient leaf blades 61 form a sheet braking member, which prevents or reduces undesired displacements of the cardboard sheets of the last formed bundle.
  • the resilient leaf blades 61 may each have a terminal bent appendage 61X, which form a surface facing the bundles B being formed.
  • the appendages 61X can be housed in indentations 63 formed in a transverse bar 65, which can be arranged adjacent the bottom roller 41, around which the most downstream sheet conveyor 3C is entrained.
  • the bottom of each resilient leaf blade 61 can be provided with a high-friction pad 67, e.g. made of natural or synthetic rubber, plastic material, synthetic foam material, or any other material suitable to apply a grip against the upper surface of the top-most bundle B, when the trailing edge thereof is moved under the bottom roller 41, i.e. under the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • the operation of the bundle retaining device 60 can be best understood looking at Figs. 5 and 6 with continuing reference to the sequence of Figs. 4(A)-4(I) .
  • Fig.5 the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 has been lifted (arrow fl7, Fig. 5 ) in the lifted position, in order to allow the stack under formation to move according to arrow fx, such that the last-formed bundle B1 is moved with the trailing edge thereof under the sheet discharge end 17.
  • the resilient leaf blades 61 project under the bar 65.
  • the trailing edge of the bundle B1 is under the sheet discharge end 17, the latter can be lowered according to arrow f17 in Fig.6 , such that the high-friction pads 67 are pressed against the upper surface of the last sheet forming the bundle B1. Formation of the next bundle B2 can start, as shown in Fig. 6 , with the trailing edges of the cardboard sheets C, and thus the trailing edge of the bundle B2, abutting against the bar 65.
  • the cardboard sheets C are fed according to arrow F and slide along the upper surface of the previously formed bundle B1. Friction between the cardboard sheets C and the underneath bundle B1 could cause an undesired displacement of the last cardboard sheets C of bundle B1 in direction F, dragged by the next cardboard sheets C belonging to the next bundle B2.
  • the pressure applied by the resilient laminar leafs 61 prevent the top cardboard sheet of bundle B1 from moving in direction F.
  • the lifting movement (arrow f17, Fig.5 ) of the sheet discharging end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 releases the bundle B1, allowing the stack S to move according to fx or fy as required.
  • the same sheet stacker can also produce smooth stacks S, i.e. formed by smoothly aligned cardboard sheets C, rather than staggered bundles.
  • Figs. 7(A)-7(C) illustrate the final phase of formation of a smooth stack S.
  • the stack conveyor 25 remains stationary for the time required to pile up the desired total number of cardboard sheets C forming the stack S on the stacker platform 19, such that no staggering is provided between adjacent sheets.
  • Fig. 7(A) shows a step in which the last cardboard sheets C are placed on top of the almost completed stack S. Since during the whole stacking process the stack conveyor 25 remained stationary, all the cardboard sheets C have been aligned against the stop plate 37, and are thus ordered to form a smooth stack S.
  • a gap is formed in the sheet flow along the sheet conveyor arrangement 3 and the stacker platform 19 is lowered, see Fig. 7(B) , arrow f19. The lowering motion brings the stacking surface, defined by the upper branch of the stack conveyor 25, in alignment with the evacuation conveyor 53.
  • the stack conveyor 25 can be activated to perform an evacuation motion, moving the stack S in an evacuation direction fE, see Fig. 7(C) , thus transferring the stack S onto the evacuation conveyor 53 and clearing the stacker platform 19. This latter can be lifted again (arrow f19, Fig.7(C) ), at the level of the sheet discharge end 17 of the sheet conveyor arrangement 3, to start the formation of a new stack S.
  • the evacuation conveyor 53 can be designed in a known manner, such that evacuation of the stack S therefrom can be in a direction orthogonal to the direction F.
  • conveyor rollers can be arranged with their rotation axes orthogonal to direction F, to move the stack under the conveyor 3C, while endless belts can be arranged between pairs of adjacent rollers, the endless belts being designed to move the stacks in a horizontal direction orthogonal to arrow fE.
  • the stack conveyor 25 is formed by an endless conveyor member, which extends along the entire length of the stacking bay 5, between the two opposed rollers 27, 29.
  • a single actuator e.g. a single electric motor can be used to control the movement of the stack conveyor 25.
  • a different configuration of the stack conveyor 25 can be provided, e.g. the stack conveyor 25 can be comprised of sequentially arranged stack conveyor members, at least some of which are controlled by separate actuators, e.g. separate electric motors.
  • Fig.8 schematically illustrates an embodiment wherein the stack conveyor 25 is comprised of a first stack conveyor member 25A and a second conveyor member 25B, arranged in sequence in the direction of the evacuation motion. The remaining parts, elements and components of the sheet stacker 1 of Fig.8 can be the same as described above and shown in Figs. 1-7 , and will thus not be described again.
  • an auxiliary conveyor 71 is arranged on the side of the stacking bay 5 opposite the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • the auxiliary conveyor 71 can be used as an evacuation conveyor, or as an additional conveyor, e.g. to deliver stacking pallets or the like on the stacker platform 19.
  • a pallet is any means whereon the stack S of cardboard sheets C can be formed, e.g. for transportation purposes, or for other logistic reasons whatsoever.
  • Fig. 8 this latter mode of operation is shown.
  • Single pallets 73 are fed according to arrow f73 on the second stack conveyor member 25B, while the first stack conveyor member 25A is operated in quite the same way as described above, to produce stacks S of staggered bundles B ( Figs. 4(A)-4(I) ), or alternatively smooth stacks S ( Figs. 5 , 6 ).
  • the first stack conveyor member 25A performs an evacuation motion, thus transferring the stack S on the evacuation conveyor 53.
  • the pallet 73 which is waiting on the second stack conveyor member 25B, can be transferred from the latter on the first conveyor member 25A.
  • Lifting of the stacker platform 19 can start as soon as the stack S has been cleared off the first stack conveyor member 25A and/or a new pallet 73 has been transferred from the auxiliary conveyor 71 on the second stack conveyor member 25B.
  • the stacks S are cleared off the stacker platform 19 by means of a clearing movement according to a direction fE which is opposite the direction F of arrival of the cardboard sheets C in the stacking bay 5, such that the stacks S are moved on the evacuation conveyor 53, which is located under the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • this is particularly advantageous since it reduces the time needed to clear the stacker platform 19, thus improving the overall production rate of the sheet stacker 1.
  • the evacuation conveyor 53 is arranged under the sheet conveyor arrangement 3, the overall footprint of the sheet stacker 1 is reduced.
  • the sheet stacker 1 of Fig. 8 can also operate in a different mode, by evacuating the stacks S from the stacking bay 5 onto the auxiliary conveyor 71, which thus performs the function of an evacuation conveyor.
  • This mode of operation is schematically shown in Fig. 9 .
  • a completely formed stack S is shown in three subsequent positions, labeled S1, S2 and S3, respectively. It shall be noted that the above situation does normally not arise and is provided only for the sake of explanation of this mode of operation, since when a stack S is present in position S2, on the second stack conveyor member 25B, the first conveyor member 25A is cleared off.
  • the first stack conveyor member 25A and second stack conveyor member 25B can be acted upon to evacuate the stack S, moving the latter sequentially from position S1 to position S2 (arrow fS1) and from position S2 to position S3 (arrow fS2).
  • the stacker platform 19 can be lifted again, to start the formation of the next stack.
  • the time required for clearing off the stacker platform 19 is longer than in the previously described modes of operation, since the stroke which the stack S has to travel is longer.
  • the stacks S are formed by a plurality of superimposed and mutually staggered bundles B. It shall be understood, however, that the sheet stacker of this embodiment can be controlled to produce smooth stacks as well.
  • the sheet stacker 1 can be configured as shown in Figs 8 and 9 , i.e. with an auxiliary conveyor 71 possibly operating as an evacuation conveyor arranged on the side opposite the sheet conveyor arrangement, but having a stack conveyor formed by a single conveyor member 25, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 .
  • the sheet stacker 1 is provided with the evacuation conveyor 53 arranged under the sheet conveyor arrangement 1, such that the sheet stacker 1 can operate also according to any one of the mode of operations described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7 . In other embodiments, however, the evacuation conveyor 53 can be omitted.
  • Fig.10 illustrates a further embodiment of a sheet stacker according to the present invention.
  • the same reference number designate the same or equivalent parts, elements or components as already described in connection with the remaining figures and which will not be described again.
  • the sheet stacker 1 of Fig. 10 comprises an auxiliary conveyor 81 arranged on the side of the stacking bay 5 opposite the sheet conveyor arrangement 3.
  • the auxiliary conveyor 81 can be hinged at one end around a horizontal pivoting axis 83, which is substantially orthogonal to the direction F along which the cardboard sheets are delivered in the stacking bay 5, such that the auxiliary conveyor can pivot according to double arrow f81.
  • the stack conveyor 25 is divided into first stack conveyor member 25A and second stack conveyor member 25B.
  • the stack conveyor 25 can be a one-piece stack conveyor as shown e.g. in Figs. 1-3 .
  • the sheet stacker of Fig. 10 is configured to produce bundles B1, B2, B of cardboard sheets C, which are individually downloaded from the stacking bay 5 on the auxiliary conveyor 81, which operates as an evacuation conveyor.
  • the pivoting movement according to f81 of the auxiliary conveyor 81 allows the upstream end thereof, i.e. the end arranged near the stacking bay 5 and opposite the end pivoted at 83, to follow the upwards and downwards movement of the stack conveyor 25, such that processing of the bundles B1, B2 becomes faster.
  • Formation of a new bundle on the first stack conveyor member 25A can start as soon as the last formed bundle B2 has cleared off the first stack conveyor member 25A and has moved on the second stack conveyor member 25B. Therefrom, the last bundle B2 can subsequently be moved onto the auxiliary conveyor 81, the upstream end whereof follows the up and down movement performed by the stack conveyor 25 to allow the next bundle to grow on the first stack conveyor member 25A.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Forming Counted Batches (AREA)

Claims (18)

  1. Blattstapler mit: einer Blattförderanordnung (3), die zur Förderung einer Anzahl von Blättern in Folge in einer Blattförderrichtung ausgebildet ist, wobei die Blattförderanordnung ein Blatt-Abgabeende (17) aufweist, einem Stapelgestell (5), wobei Blätter, die von der Blattförderanordnung an ihrem Abgabeende geliefert werden, in Stapel geformt werden, wobei das Stapelgestell eine Stapelplattform (19) aufweist, wobei das Blatt-Abgabeende und die Stapelplattform mit einer gegenseitigen Annäherungs- und Entfernungsbewegung versehen sind,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stapelplattform einen Stapelförderer (22) aufweist, der in einer Richtung parallel zu einer Förderrichtung der Blätter in dem Stapelgestell bewegbar ist, ausgebildet und gesteuert wird, um eine hin- und hergehende Versatzbewegung durchzuführen, um versetzte Bündel von Blättern zu bilden und ferner um eine Räumbewegung durchzuführen, um einen vervollständigten Stapel von dem Stapelgestell zu entfernen.
  2. Blattstapler nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Stapelplattform mit einer vertikalen Hub- und Senkbewegung mit Bezug auf eine stationäre Trägerstruktur versehen ist.
  3. Blattstapler nach Anspruch 1 oder 2 mit ferner einer Anschlagplatte (37), die in dem Stapelgestell oberhalb der Stapelplattform positioniert ist, angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, um die Blätter, die von der Blattförderanordnung zu dem Stapelgestell geliefert werden, anzuhalten.
  4. Blattstapler nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Anschlagplatte eine Hin- und hergehende Vertikalbewegung hat, die mit der Bildung der versetzten Bündel von Blättern synchronisiert ist.
  5. Blattstapler nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Blatt-Abgabeende der Blattförderanordnung mit einem Betätigungsglied kombiniert ist, das eine Hub- und Senkbewegung des Blatt-Abgabeendes steuert, die mit der hin- und hergehenden Versatzbewegung des Stapelförderers synchronisiert ist.
  6. Blattstapler nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Räumbewegung des Stapelförderers so orientiert ist, dass der vervollständigt Stapel von dem Stapelgestell unter der Blattförderanordnung bewegt wird.
  7. Blattstapler nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Stapelförderer ein erstes Stapel-Förderelement und ein zweites Stapel-Förderelement aufweist, die aufeinanderfolgend hintereinander in einer Richtung parallel zu der Richtung der Räumbewegung angeordnet sind.
  8. Blattstapler nach Anspruch 7, wobei das erste Stapel-Förderelement und das zweite Stapel-Förderelement so angeordnet und gesteuert sind, dass ein Stapel aus dem ersten Stapel-Förderelement gebildet wird und, bei seiner Ausbildung, der vervollständigte Stapel von dem ersten Stapel-Förderelement auf das zweite Stapel-Förderelement bewegt wird und anschließend durch das zweite Stapel-Förderelement außerhalb des Stapelgestells bewegt wird.
  9. Blattstapler nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Blatt-Abgabeende mit einer Bündel-Haltevorrichtung kombiniert ist, die ausgebildet und angeordnet ist, um das oberste Bündel des Stapels zu halten, wenn der Stapelförderer die Versatzbewegung in einer Richtung weg von dem Blatt-Abgabeende durchführt.
  10. Blattstapler nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Bündel-Haltevorrichtung mindestens ein nachgiebiges Blatt-Bremselement aufweist, das unter dem Blatt-Abgabeende zwischen dem Blatt-Abgabeende und dem Stapel, der auf der Stapelplattform gebildet wird, angeordnet ist.
  11. Verfahren der Ausbildung von Blattstapeln auf einer Stapelfläche mit den folgenden Schritten:
    Fördern einer Anzahl von Blättern entlang einer Blattförderanordnung (3) zu einem Stapelgestell (5),
    wobei die Blattförderanordnung ein Blatt-Abgabeende (17) aufweist, von dem Blätter in das Stapelgestell abgegeben werden und in Stapel auf einem Stapelförderer (25) geformt werden, der von einer Stapelplattform (19) getragen wird, die in dem Stapelgestell angeordnet ist,
    Bewegen der Stapelplattform und des Blatt-Abgabeendes der Blattförderanordnung voneinander weg, während der Blattstapel graduell auf der Stapelfläche wächst,
    gekennzeichnet durch
    während der Ausbildung des Stapels, Aufteilen des Stapels in gegenseitig überlagerte und versetzte Bündel von Blättern durch hin- und hergehende Bewegung des Stapelförderers (24) entsprechend einer vor- und zurückgehenden Versatzbewegung in einer Richtung parallel zu einer Förderrichtung der Blätter in dem Stapelgestell.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 mit ferner dem Schritt des Räumens des Stapels aus dem Stapelgestell bei Vervollständigung des Stapels durch Bewegen des Stapelförderers in einer Räumrichtung, parallel zu seiner Versatzbewegung.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Räumrichtung so orientiert ist, dass der gebildete Stapel unter die Blattförderanordnung übertragen wird.
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei der Schritt des Bewegens der Stapelplattform und des Blatt-Abgabeendes weg voneinander den Schritt des Absenkens der Stapelplattform mit Bezug auf eine stationäre Trägerstruktur umfasst.
  15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 14 mit ferner dem Schritt des Anhebens des Blatt-Abgabeendes von der Oberseite des Stapels, der auf der Stapelplattform gebildet wird, wenn der Stapel, der gebildet wird, durch den Stapelförderer zu dem Blatt-Abgabeende während der vor- und zurückgehenden Versatzbewegung des Stapelförderers bewegt wird.
  16. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 15 mit ferner dem Schritt des Anstoßens der Blätter, die von der Blattförderanordnung kommen, gegen eine stationäre Anschlagplatte, die oberhalb der Stapelplattform angeordnet ist.
  17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16 mit ferner dem Schritt des hin- und hergehenden Bewegens der Anschlagplatte in einer Vertikalrichtung synchron mit der vor- und zurückgehenden Versatzbewegung des Stapelförderers.
  18. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 17, wobei der Stapelförderer ein erstes Stapel-Förderelement (25A) und ein zweites Stapel-Förderelement (25B) aufweist, die aufeinanderfolgend entlang der Richtung der Bewegung des Stapelförderers angeordnet sind, und wobei:
    ein erster Blattstapel mit versetzten Bündeln auf dem ersten Stapel-Förderelement gebildet wird,
    bei Vervollständigung dessen, der erste Stapel von dem ersten Stapel-Förderelement zu dem zweiten Stapel-Förderelement bewegt wird,
    der erste Stapel von dem Stapelgestell durch das zweite Stapel-Förderelement geräumt wird und die Ausbildung eines zweiten Stapels von versetzten Bündeln auf dem ersten Stapel-Förderelement beginnt.
EP15186994.8A 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Blattstapel- und verfahren zur bildung von versetzten stapelbündeln Active EP3147244B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

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EP15186994.8A EP3147244B1 (de) 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Blattstapel- und verfahren zur bildung von versetzten stapelbündeln
CN201510698679.0A CN106553927A (zh) 2015-09-25 2015-10-22 用于形成由交错的捆组成的堆的片材堆垛机和方法
CN202011037063.6A CN112141790B (zh) 2015-09-25 2015-10-22 用于形成由交错的捆组成的堆的片材堆垛机和方法

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US20240124256A1 (en) 2022-10-17 2024-04-18 Fosber S.P.A. Stacker for stacking sheets, and related method

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EP3147244A1 (de) 2017-03-29
CN112141790A (zh) 2020-12-29
CN112141790B (zh) 2022-09-09

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