EP1622778A1 - Device for inserting sheets into an envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for inserting sheets into an envelope, comprising a holding device (11) for holding the envelope, transport means (15) for feeding the sheets to be inserted to the holding device (11), a feed device (7, 8, 9) for feeding the envelope to the holding device (11), along a feed direction, and a removal device (8, 22) for removing the filled envelope from the holding device (11), along a removal direction. The invention is characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) and the removal device (8, 22) are disposed relative to the holding device (11) in such a manner that a first angle between the feed device and a main surface of the holding device (11) and a second angle between the removal direction and the main surface of the holding device (11) are predetermined in a fixed manner and are different from each other. The invention allows to simplify the construction of the device, thereby reducing its technical complexity and failure proneness. The elimination of a swiveling movement results in a gain in time, thereby increasing the capacity of the device.

Description

 Device for filling sheets into an envelope

Technical field

The invention relates to a device for filling sheets into an envelope with a holding device for the envelope, transport members for feeding the sheets to be filled into the holding device, a feeding device for feeding the envelope to the holding device, along a feeding direction, and a discharge device for removing the filled envelope from the holding device, along a discharge direction. The invention further relates to a method for filling sheets into an envelope, an apparatus and a method for opening an envelope flap and an apparatus and a method for the continuous supply of envelopes. State of the art

When mass mailing printed matter such. B. brochures, advertising mailings, invoices or bank statements, a large number of sheets must be reliably filled in envelopes in the shortest possible time. The amount and type of sheets to be filled in, and thus the thickness of an inserted envelope, as well as the format of the envelopes can vary between different shipping orders.

Devices for the automatic filling of sheets in envelopes are already known from the prior art.

For example, EP 0 504 1 14 B1 (Kern AG) shows a device in which the flap of the envelope is opened by a rotating member and the envelope is fed by rotating members along a feed direction to a packing bag. In this case, a hold-down roller is lowered in order to open the envelope somewhat, and the packing bag is pivoted towards the envelope in the feed direction, so that the envelope can be at least partially pulled onto the packing bag. The sheets to be filled are then conveyed into the bag and thus into the envelope by means of transport elements, and the bag is then pivoted back in the discharge direction, so that the envelope can be removed from the bag and transported further.

The swiveling movements of the bag, which are necessary to move the bag from the feed direction to the discharge direction, require a certain time and thus slow down the process. The pivoting bag also tends to "flutter" at high processing speeds, which makes it difficult to control and in turn limits the maximum speed and thus the performance. Finally, it requires a complicated mechanical structure for the device. Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset which enables increased performance and has a simpler mechanical construction.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the feed device and the discharge device are arranged with respect to the holding device such that a first angle between the feed direction and a main surface of the holding device and a second angle between the discharge direction and the main surface of the holding device are fixed and different from one another.

The construction of the device is simplified by the fact that the angles between the holding device and the feed direction or the discharge direction are fixed. This reduces the manufacturing effort and the susceptibility to errors of the device. By saving a pivoting movement, time is saved, so that the performance of the device is increased.

The discharge device is advantageously arranged with respect to the holding device in such a way that the main surface of the holding device is permanently parallel to the discharge direction. The result of this is that the filled envelope, which is slower due to its mass and less flexible than the empty envelope due to its thickness, can be transported in a straight direction away from the holding device. The flexible empty envelope, on the other hand, is deflected from the feed direction in the direction of the holding device.

Alternatively, the holding device can be permanently aligned with the delivery point of the guide element. However, this requires a change of direction and possibly deformation of the filled envelope. This embodiment is less preferred for thicker envelopes. The feed device preferably comprises a guide element with a delivery point, the guide element being convex at its delivery point. The supplied, empty envelope follows the guide element, i.e. is conveyed along a convex path. Due to the convexity of the guide element, the empty envelope is bent away from the feed direction in such a way that the part which leaves the guide element at the delivery point is aligned with the holding device. The filled envelope, which leaves the holding device again, reaches the discharge device in a straight direction and is not hindered by the convex guide element because it is bent away from the straight direction.

Alternatively, a straight guide element with a separate bending element can also be provided, the bending element being e.g. B. is formed by a rotating segment roller which engages in sections in the conveying path of the envelope. The segment deflects that part of the envelope which leaves the guide element at its end in the direction of the holding device. The envelope is thus also conveyed along a convex path which is determined by the guide element and the bending element during the feeding. The segment roller or another bending element are designed and moved such that they do not hinder the removal of the envelope from the holding device.

The guide element is advantageously formed by a curved guide plate with a vacuum device. The vacuum device creates a vacuum between the guide plate and the envelope. This causes the envelope, which rests on the guide plate, to follow the curve of the guide plate. At the delivery point, the front edge of the envelope no longer points in the feed direction due to the convex curvature but is directed towards the holding element.

Instead of a guide plate with a vacuum device, a rotatable vacuum drum can be used, which connects the guide function and the feeding of the envelope. Alternatively, curved guide rails or other types of guide elements can be provided, which guide the envelope on both sides and bend it so that it is aligned with the holding element. The holding element is preferably formed by a pocket, onto which the envelope can be pulled open. On the one hand the bag holds the opened or stretched envelope, on the other hand it can be achieved by suitable shaping of the bag that the front part and the back part of the envelope are kept at a certain distance from each other, so that the sheets to be filled in unimpeded and at high speed the opened envelope can be inserted. The pocket can in particular be formed by two profiled rails on the side. A pocket for holding the envelope offers the advantage that no moving or intermittently actuated elements are required in order to open the envelope, to hold it in an open position which is suitable for filling or to remove it again.

Alternatively, holding devices can be used which hold the envelope from the outside, e.g. B. lateral support rails. The envelope can be kept open by means of vacuum devices, which are advantageously operated intermittently so as not to impair the feeding and removal of the envelope.

The discharge device preferably comprises a first conveying device with a first, lower pressure roller and a second, upper pressure roller, the second pressure roller being resiliently pressed against the first pressure roller. Depending on the number and type of sheets, the envelopes have different thicknesses after being filled. The spring-loaded upper pressure roller allows guided passes through both thin and thick filled envelopes without the need for readjustment. Due to the two opposite rollers, the envelope is also safely guided when it is transported away from the holding device. A roller can also by several spaced rotating bodies, for. B. roles.

Alternatively, the envelopes can also be conveyed by a discharge device which only acts on the envelopes from below, such as, for. B. a conveyor belt or one-sided conveyor rollers or rollers. Finally, if the device is designed for a specific envelope thickness, firmly mounted rollers can be used. If the discharge device comprises two pressure rollers, the feed device is advantageously arranged below the discharge device and comprises a second conveyor device with an upper pressure roller and a lower pressure roller, the first pressure roller of the first conveyor device simultaneously forming the upper pressure roller of the second conveyor device. This arrangement saves components, the synchronization between feeding and discharging the envelopes to and from the holding device is ensured and an extremely compact construction of the device is made possible.

Alternatively, the feed can be completely separate from the discharge, e.g. B. via a separate pair of rollers.

The device advantageously has a securing device for the envelope to prevent the envelope from being removed prematurely from the holding device. This ensures that the envelope is held on the holding device when the sheets are filled. Premature removal of the envelope can e.g. B. occur due to increased frictional resistance between the filled sheets and the envelope. This can lead to the elements for filling the sheets conveying the envelope together with the (partially filled) sheets away from the holding device in the discharge direction. To prevent this, the fuse includes e.g. B. a barrier that can be moved in front of the envelope held in the holding device transversely to the discharge direction and can thus be moved into the discharge path.

Depending on the envelopes used, the material to be filled in and the design of the holding device and the discharge device, such a safety device can be dispensed with.

The discharge device preferably comprises a take-off roller with a segment for detecting the filled envelope to be removed. The segment only intervenes in the discharge level during part of the round-trip period and is controlled in such a way that it then reaches the envelope when it has been filled in completely. This ensures reliable removal of the envelope from the bag.

Alternatively, the filled-in envelope can also be removed from the holding device, in that after the sheets have been completely filled in, the envelope is conveyed further along the removal direction by elements for filling in the sheets, so that it is removed from the removal device, eg by B. a correspondingly positioned pair of rollers is detected.

All the transport devices for the envelopes are preferably driven by a single motor. The transmission of the movement to the individual driven elements, e.g. B. rollers or rolls, the transport devices can, for. B. by means of chains, toothed belts or gears, the gear ratios can be predetermined mechanically. This simplifies control, minimizes the cost of materials and further reduces the space requirement of the device.

Alternatively, different driven elements or groups of elements can be separately on motors, e.g. B. servo motors.

The feed device preferably has a segment roller for pulling off the envelope from a stack, with a rolling segment for completely pressing on a flap of the envelope and a transport segment for transporting the envelope. The segment roller can extend continuously over the entire width of the feed device, or it can be formed by a plurality of roller segments which are arranged along the width of the feed device. The rolling segment and the transport segment can be formed by corresponding sections of a single component or by separate components. It is important that the outer surface of the roller or rollers only acts on the envelope in segments and has recesses along the remaining circumference. In these recesses, the envelope flap can be folded over unhindered, so that it is fully pressed on and lies flat, in one plane with the front of the envelope. Alternatively, the envelope can be pressed on by other means known from the prior art and transported by means of conventional means of conveyance.

The segment roller is advantageously designed such that a first coefficient of friction of a surface of the rolling segment is smaller than a second coefficient of friction of a surface of the transport segment. Due to the lower coefficient of friction, the unwinding segment slides over the envelope surface and presses the envelope flap open completely without the envelope being transported at the same time. The transport segment then leads to a frictional connection with the envelope due to its higher coefficient of friction and conveys it along the feed direction. The rolling segment is therefore preferably arranged on the segment roller such that it comes into contact with the envelope or with the envelope flap in front of the transport roller. The corresponding phase angle to be selected is essentially determined by the height of the envelope flap.

Alternatively, instead of the friction coefficients, the pressure that the rolling segment exerts on the envelope or on its flap can be selected to be lower than the pressure with which the transport segment acts on the envelope, so that a frictional connection only results with the transport segment.

The rolling segment and the transport segment are preferably formed by claws which are arranged on a common axis of rotation. Each of these claws is formed by a boom and a circular segment attached to it. In this case, separate claws can be provided for the rolling segment and for the transport segment, but it is also possible to use combined claws which do not result in a non-positive connection with the envelope in a front area, so that the envelope flap can be opened completely first. In a rear area - z. B. due to a different surface material - frictional connection with the envelope so that it is transported. In order to improve the concentricity of the segment roller, counterweights are advantageously arranged on the axis.

A device for opening an envelope flap z. B. is suitable for use with the above device, comprises a blowing unit, the blowing unit being arranged in this way is that it can blow a bundled flow of air under the envelope flap. The volume flow opens the envelope flap regardless of its shape, size and position. Adjustments, as they are necessary with purely mechanical devices, are therefore unnecessary. In addition, the envelope can also be used to open an envelope that is partially glued, e.g. B. due to storage in high humidity. The blowing unit can be combined with mechanical elements, e.g. B. a segment roller as described above, which cause a full opening of the envelope flap.

The blowing unit preferably comprises a nozzle with a nozzle channel, the nozzle channel having an elongated shape with a length which essentially corresponds to the maximum length of the envelope flap, and the nozzle channel being arranged essentially parallel to the envelope flap. As a result, the volume flow is distributed over the entire length of the envelope to be opened. The nozzle channel can comprise a single nozzle or a row of adjacent individual nozzles. The nozzle channel is aligned to the envelope position so that the airflow can reach under the flap even if it lies flat on the back of the envelope. In general, the main direction of the volume flow will form an acute angle with the back of the envelope.

Alternatively, multiple nozzles can be spaced along the width of the feeder.

A device for the continuous feeding of stacks of envelopes z. B. at the entrance to the device for filling sheets into an envelope described above, the stack of envelopes can be lifted in a stacking area along a straight path. It includes a first lift that is slidable along a section of the straight track and a second lift that is slidable along the section of the straight track. Both lifts can be moved independently of one another along an entire length of the section of the straight track. The second lift can be moved completely out of the stacking area.

At the section of the straight path along which both lifts can be moved independently of one another is a device for further processing of the plastic. stacks or envelopes, e.g. B. the feeder of the device for filling envelopes shown above. The fact that the two lifts can be moved independently and that the second lift can be moved completely out of the stacking area makes it possible for stacked envelopes to be fed automatically without any gaps in the feed. The change from one stack of envelopes to the next does not lead to an interruption of the filling process, which increases the capacity of the filling device.

The first lift and the second lift are advantageously designed such that they can reach through one another like a comb. Each of the lifts comprises several fingers or tines, the fingers of each lift being moved together in one plane. If both lifts are moved to the same level, fingers of the first and second lifts alternate. The comb-like arrangement allows uniform support of the stack of envelopes to be lifted, regardless of whether the first lift, the second lift or both lifts are used together. As a rule, one of the lifts will reach into the stacking area with his fingers from one side, while the fingers of the other lift are articulated from the opposite side.

Alternatively, the two lifts can each comprise an L-shaped element, the two L-shaped elements jointly covering a surface which essentially corresponds to the cross section of the stacking area for the largest envelope size to be processed.

The second lift is preferably mounted such that it can be moved along an essentially oval track. This allows it to be moved out of the stacking area. Furthermore, the lift can be continuously moved out of the area, back to an engagement position and further in the conveying direction until it is moved out again.

Alternatively, the second lift can e.g. B. be stored on a retractable or movable rail.

In a method for filling sheets into an envelope, e.g. B. with a device for filling sheets in envelopes as described above, the following steps are carried out: a) feeding the envelope along a feed direction;

b) bending a front part of the envelope so that the front part is aligned with a holding device;

c) pulling the envelope onto the holding device, the envelope elastically returning to an original flat shape;

d) filling the sheets into the envelope;

e) discharging the filled envelope from the holding device, along a discharge direction parallel to a main surface of the holding device.

In a method for opening an envelope flap, e.g. B. with a device for opening an envelope flap as described above, a concentrated volume flow of air is blown under the envelope flap.

In a method for continuously feeding envelopes, the following steps, e.g. B. with a device for the continuous supply of envelopes as shown above:

a) picking up a first stack of envelopes by a first lift in a picking position,

b) lifting the first stack of envelopes by the first lift,

c) taking over the first stack of envelopes by a second lift in a takeover position,

d) returning the first lift to the pick-up position,

e) picking up a second stack of envelopes by the first lift,

f) lifting the second stack of envelopes by the first lift,

g) moving the second lift into the takeover position, h) Takeover of the second stack of envelopes by the second lift.

The process can be carried out cyclically without gaps occurring between subsequent stacks in the feeder.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the totality of the patent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive device for filling sheets in an envelope in side view.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device seen from above.

3 shows an illustration of a segment roller of the device according to the invention;

4 shows a schematic representation of the drive of the device according to the invention on the motor side;

5 shows a schematic illustration of the drive on the side opposite the motor;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a variant of the inventive

Device for filling sheets into an envelope;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a hollow shaft of the variant; Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an inventive device for

Feeding stacks of envelopes;

9 shows a side view of the lifts of the device;

10 shows a front view of the lifts of the device;

Figure 1 1 shows an alternative configuration of the lifts.

12A-I show a schematic illustration of the method steps of a method according to the invention for feeding stacked envelopes;

13 shows a device according to the invention for opening a

Envelope flap in front view;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the device with its arrangement with respect to the envelope to be opened;

15 shows a representation of the device in a side view with its arrangement with respect to the envelope to be opened.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a device according to the invention for filling sheets into an envelope in a side view. FIG. 2 shows the filling area of the device seen from above. The outline of the housing 1 of the device is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 for orientation. The side plates of the housing 1 contain in particular the bearings for supporting the axles for the rollers and rollers of the device and carry guide elements. The envelopes to be filled are stacked conveyed on a ramp 2, in particular by a device for continuous feeding as described below. The ramp 2 has an inclination of approximately 45 ° and the stack of envelopes are arranged on the ramp 2 in such a way that that edge of the envelope which is formed by the (closed) envelope flap lies on the oblique side. The envelope flap points towards the device. On the one hand, the incline ensures that the stack of envelopes is supported by the inclined plane and cannot tip over, as can happen with a vertical feed. On the other hand, gravity prevents the stacks from falling apart as with a horizontal feed.

At the upper end of ramp 2, the envelope flap of the uppermost envelope is opened by an opening device (not shown here), e.g. B. by the blowing unit shown below. The uppermost envelope is then taken over by the segment roller 3 with the envelope flap open. This is shown in detail below. To transport the envelope, a counter roller 4 interacts with the segment roller 3 below a horizontal guide plane 5. For this purpose, the guide level 5 has a recess in this area through which the counter roller 4 can pass. The segment roller 3 and the counter roller 4 act on both sides at the same speed on the envelope and thus transport it along the guide plane 5. The guide plane 5 is formed by a base plate and has guide plates 6 on both sides, under which the envelope is guided.

The length of the guide level 5 is shorter than the lowest height of the envelopes to be processed, so that the envelopes at the end of the guide level 5 are taken over by a pair of rollers with a lower roller 7 and an upper roller 8. The envelope is briefly conveyed by the pair of rollers 7, 8 as well as the segment roller 3 and the counter roller 4. Again, the two rollers 7, 8 are driven such that they act on both sides of the envelope at the same speed which corresponds to the speed of the segment roller 3. As a result, the envelope is transported flat along the guide plane 5. A guide plate 9 is connected to the end of the guide level 5. This is bent downwards and thus forms a convex path for the envelopes being conveyed. So that the envelopes follow the guide plate 9, it is provided with a vacuum device. With a plurality of openings 10, which are arranged along the entire surface of the guide plate 9, this creates a negative pressure, so that the envelope is sucked in. The front edge of the envelope bent by the guide plate 9 and the vacuum device leaves the guide plate 9 at a delivery point. The location of the delivery point is determined by the shape of the guide plate 9, the arrangement of the openings 10 and the prevailing negative pressure. It is chosen so that the front edge of the envelope is aligned with a pocket 11, the pocket 11 being formed by two lateral profiles 12, 13. If envelopes of different types are to be processed in the same device, the location of the delivery point can be changed without design changes, e.g. B. change only by adjusting the vacuum or suction power of the vacuum device.

The envelope is aligned with the pocket 11 in such a way that the underside of the envelope with the open envelope flap is guided under the profiles 12, 13 during further transport. The tapered shape of the profiles 12, 13 and the bending of the envelope along the guide plate 9 create a distance between the front and the back of the envelope, so that the envelope easily fits onto the pocket 11 or the profiles 12 , 13 can be raised. The winding is carried out by the pair of rollers 7,8, which push the envelope onto the pocket 1 1. The profiles 12, 13 have a U-shaped cross section, the open side pointing inwards into the pocket space. The profiles 12, 13 each form a groove on their inside. The opening is complete when the envelope is no longer in contact with the pair of rollers 7, 8 and the guide plate 9. Due to its elasticity and the shape of the profiles 12, 13, the envelope returns to its original, flat shape at this time and is now in the plane which corresponds to the main surface of the pocket 11.

Transport fingers 14 of a conveying device 15 engage in the pocket space between the lateral profiles 12, 13. This conveyor 15 is by two belts 16, 17th formed, which are guided in the filling device on rollers 18, 19. The rollers 18, 19 are mounted on an axis 20 which is arranged above the pocket 11 so that the lower part of the belts 16, 17 runs parallel to the pocket. The fingers 14 are designed as crossbeams which are fastened perpendicularly to the bands 16, 17. They convey the sheets to be filled into the envelope stretched on the bag 1 1. The sheets are guided in the pocket plane, in the grooves of the profiles 12, 13 against the feed direction of the envelopes.

As soon as the filled-in sheets are completely received in the envelope, the fingers 14 act on the filled-in envelope via the sheets, so that the latter is pushed upwards along the profiles 12, 13 from the pocket 11. Since the envelope has its original flat shape again and is additionally stabilized by the filled-in leaves, it continues to move along the plane 21, which is formed by the main surface of the pocket 11. The envelope no longer reaches the guide plate 9, which is arranged below this level 21, but is gripped by a pair of rollers, which is formed by an upper roller 22 and the roller 8. The roller 8 thus serves on the one hand in cooperation with the roller 7 for conveying the empty envelopes to the pocket 11 and on the other hand in cooperation with the roller 22 for conveying away the filled envelopes. This results in a more compact arrangement of the device and the synchronization of feed and exit is guaranteed.

The upper roller 22 is mounted on an axis 23. It is formed by two rollers 24, 25 and is driven by drive rollers 28, 29 by means of belts 26, 27. The drive rollers 28, 29 rotate with an axis 30 which is mounted in the housing 1. The axis 23 of the upper roller 22 is rotatably held between two arms 31, 32, the arms 31, 32 being attached and sprung on the axis 30 of the drive rollers 28, 29, so that the upper roller 22 is vertically movable relative to the roller 8 , wherein the spring force must be overcome to push the rollers 22, 8 apart. This sprung arrangement enables differently filled envelopes to be transported away without adjustments to the device being necessary. The rollers 22, 8 grip the envelope and convey it, essentially further in a straight direction, along the plane 21, in the direction of the upper edge of the segment roller 3. The filled envelope therefore does not undergo any deformation during further transport. Another roller 33 interacts with the top of the segment roller 3, so that the envelope between these rollers 3, 33 can be removed. At the exit of this pair of rollers 3, 33 it is from a known removal device (not shown), for. B. a conveyor belt, taken over and transported, z. B. to a device for sealing the envelopes.

The conveyor movement along the conveyor plane between the segment roller and the curved guide plate can be supported instead of the long side guide plates by a vacuum system, which creates a vacuum to the conveyed envelope through openings in the conveyor plane and thereby causes it to move flat along the conveyor plane ,

Instead of a curved guide plate for feeding the envelopes to the bag, a rotating vacuum drum can be used. As a result, the envelopes are both bent and thus deflected in the direction of the pocket, and at the same time transported further. The pair of rollers at the entrance of the guide plate can thus be saved. A convex guide plate can also replace a vacuum band which is designed in accordance with the desired convex bending of the envelope.

Finally, all or individual conveying movements of the envelopes and the sheets to be filled in can be carried out using other conveying means known per se, such as belts, rollers, rollers, fingers, carriages, slides, etc.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a segment roller of the device according to the invention. The segment roller 3 serves on the one hand to feed the empty envelopes, the already (partially) opened envelope flap being opened completely and the envelope being taken over by the segment roller 3 and being conveyed further along a guide plane 5. On the other hand, the segment roller also serves to discharge the filled envelopes, e.g. B. on a conveyor belt or a lift. The segment roller 3 comprises a plurality of rolling segments 3.2 or transport segments 3.3 arranged along an axis 3.1 and one or more counterweights 3.4 to improve the concentricity of the segment roller 3 by means of better balancing. The rolling or transport segments 3.2, 3.3 are each formed by a ring 3.5, which rather encloses the axis 3.1 and on each of which a segment disk 3.6 is arranged. This is perforated several times to reduce weight. The segment disks 3.6 have a race 3.7 along their circumference.

The rolling segment 3.2 (shown in dashed lines) is arranged in the center of the axis 3.1 and has a certain phase advance φ with respect to the transport segments 3.3 arranged on the outside. Its race 3.7 has a smooth surface which can slide over the envelope material. The race 3.7 of the transport segments 3.3, however, has a rubberized gripping surface 3.8, which prevents slippage between the transport segments 3.3 and the envelope.

If an envelope with a (partially) open flap is thus conveyed, the flap segment 3.2 opens the flap completely in a first step by the race 3.7 pressing the flap flat onto the conveying plane 5. The envelope is not yet moved. After a further rotation of the segment roller 3 about the phase advance φ, the transport segments 3.3 reach the envelope and convey it further in the direction of rotation along the conveying plane 5 due to its gripping surface 3.8. The conveying movement is supported by a counter roller which has a roller opposite each transport segment 3.3.

Because the segment roller 3 has only partial contact with the envelopes along its circumference, the continuous movement of the roller is converted in a simple manner into a discontinuous conveying movement of the envelopes. A certain distance must be maintained between two subsequent envelopes, which corresponds to the time required to pull an envelope onto the bag, to fill it and to transport it away from the bag. Only then can the front edge of the next customer leave the convex guide plate at its delivery point and begin opening the next envelope.

The arrangement of the individual rolling or transport segments 3.2, 3.3 can be selected differently. For example, a single rolling segment 3.2 for fully opening the envelope flap can be attached in the middle of the segment roller 3 and two transport segments 3.3 for transporting the envelope at the edge of the segment roller 3. It is also possible to provide only a single segment 3.3 for transportation or one Larger number of unwinding or transport segments 3.2, 3.3. Instead of individual segments, the segment roller 3 can also be formed continuously.

It is also possible to carry out both the opening function and the transport function with a single segment. For this purpose, the segment has a race, which slides on the envelope at its front end and after the selected phase advance φ, z. B. due to another surface or due to its shape, frictional engagement with the envelope and initiates the transport.

Finally, the unbalance of the segment roller can be further reduced by a larger number or a different shape of the counterweights. This can increase the service life of the bearings for the axis of the segment roller.

The device for filling envelopes, including the conveying device for feeding and filling the sheets, is driven by a single motor. FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the drive of the device according to the invention on the motor side; FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the drive on the side opposite the motor.

The motor 50 is attached laterally on a carrier plate 51 on the housing 1. It has a pulley 52, via which a first toothed belt 53 interacts with a pulley 54, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the axis 20 and thus drives the conveying device 15 for conveying the sheets into the pocket 11. A second toothed belt 55 interacts with the pulley 56, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the axis which carries the segment roller 3 for conveying the envelopes.

On the side of the housing 1 opposite the motor 50, the remaining drive axes of the device are driven by a single toothed belt 57, the toothed belt 57 being driven by a pulley 58 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the axis of the segment roller 3, which is on the opposite side Side of the device is driven by the motor 50. Starting from this pulley 58, the pulley 59, which is connected non-rotatably via an axis to the mating roller 4 to the segment roller 3, followed by the pulley 60 which drives the lower roller 7 to request the envelopes, the pulley 61 to drive the upper roller 8 , then the pulley 62 on the axis 30 for driving the top roller 22 via belts, thereon two deflection pulleys 63, 64 and finally a belt tensioner 65. The pulleys 61, 63 rotate like the segment roller 3 clockwise, the remaining pulleys and deflection pulleys rotate counterclockwise. The belt tensioner 65 is displaceable in a horizontal guide and tensions, for. B. by means of a spring, the toothed belt so that it is guided taut between the pulleys.

The diameters of the belt pulleys are selected and adapted to the diameters of the respective driven rollers so that all the conveying elements of the device for feeding and removing the envelopes and the conveying device for the sheets to be filled are mechanically synchronized with one another.

Instead of a single motor, different axes or groups of axes can be individually controlled by motors. In this case, the motors are synchronized with each other, preferably by an electronic control, based on the measurements of individual speed and position sensors.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a variant of the device according to the invention for filling sheets into an envelope. It differs from the device shown in FIGS. 1-5 by the feed and discharge device. The Conveying device 15 'is set back somewhat along the pocket 11, but is otherwise constructed in the same way as the conveying device 15 of the device shown above. The removal of the filled envelope from the pocket 11 is supported by an additional take-off roller 66. This is arranged above level 21, in which the envelope is transported away, and comprises, across its direction of discharge, a plurality of segments arranged in parallel along its axis at an angle of approximately 90 °. The movement of the segments is synchronized with the remaining transport elements in such a way that the take-off roller 66 grips the envelope after it has been filled in and conveys it further to the pair of rollers 8 ', 22' which, compared to the device shown further above, is shifted somewhat upwards along plane 21 is. In addition to a further increase in the reliability of the device, in particular for thick and heavy envelopes, the take-off roller 66 relieves the load on the conveying device 15 '.

A hollow shaft 68 acts together with the segment roller 66, which comprises an inner shaft 68a and outer shafts 68b, 68c which are rotatably mounted on the inner shaft 68a. The hollow shaft 68 is shown schematically in FIG. 7. During feeding, the envelope is transported between the inner shaft 68a and rollers 7 'along the guide plate 9 to the pocket 11. When the envelope is removed from the pocket 11, the envelope is transported between the segments of the take-off roller 66 and the outer shafts 68b, 68c along the plane 21. So that the filled envelope is guided between the segments and the outer shafts 68b, 68c, the outer shafts 68b, 68c have an enlarged diameter in the regions opposite the segments. The outer shafts 68b, 68c are driven independently of the inner shaft 68a, e.g. B. by different motors. This enables increased flexibility in adapting the device to different tasks to be performed. The outer shafts 68b, 68c advantageously have a higher speed than the inner shaft 68a. This can accelerate the removal of the filled envelope.

The device additionally comprises an envelope securing device 67. This includes a barrier which is arranged approximately opposite the hollow shaft 68 and which can be displaced into and out of the plane 21 perpendicular to the envelope discharge direction. She can do one Prevent the envelope from being removed prematurely as long as it has not been filled in completely. The barrier is actuated by means of a lifting magnet and is then moved into level 21 when the envelope has been pulled onto the pocket and has returned to its original flat shape. Before the envelope is picked up by the take-off roller 66 for further transport, the lifting magnet is actuated and the barrier is thereby moved out of the plane.

The envelope securing device, which prevents the envelope from being transported away prematurely, can also be provided in the first device according to the invention described above. The barrier can instead of a solenoid by other suitable means such. B. a rotary magnet can be operated. The take-off roller can also interact with conventional rollers or rollers instead of the hollow shaft. The considerations regarding the segment roller for fully opening and feeding the empty envelopes can also largely be transferred to the take-off roller.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for feeding stack of envelopes. The stacks are fed horizontally to a lifting device 102 by a conveyor 101. The lifting device 102 lifts the stack of envelopes along an inclined plane 103, at the upper end of which the envelopes for further processing, e.g. B. by the segment roller of the device for filling envelopes as shown above.

The conveyor 101 is constructed in a manner known per se. The stack of envelopes is placed on an inclined plane, the inclination of which corresponds to the inclined plane 103 of the lifting device 102. The inclined plane of the conveyor device 101 is designed as a conveyor belt 104, conveyor bars 105 being arranged at regular intervals transversely to the conveyor device. Between two conveyor beams 105 there is space for an envelope, which is pushed in the direction of the lifting device 102 when the conveyor belt 104 moves from the conveyor beam arranged behind it.

The lifting device 102 comprises at the lower end of the inclined plane 103, along a line transverse to the inclined plane 103, three spaced-apart sliding rollers 106 on which the cushions stack with low friction can be pushed into the lifting device 102 up to a stop 107. The stop 107 runs along the entire inclined plane 103 and serves to guide the stack of envelopes laterally. At its lower end, the lifting device 102 also has a conveyor plate 108 with a plasticized surface, which can be moved on rails 109 transversely to the inclined plane 103.

Furthermore, the lifting device 102 has two lifts that can be moved along the inclined plane 103. The first lift 1 10 comprises a carriage 1 1 1, which can be moved along a rail 1 12 along the entire inclined plane 103. On the carriage 1 1 1 a boom 1 13 is arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The boom 1 13, directed vertically downwards to the inclined plane 103, has a number of tines 1 14 in the manner of a comb. These are arranged in such a way that the first lift 110 can also be moved behind the line defined by the sliding rollers 106, in that the tines 114 exactly fit into the distances between the sliding rollers 105. The first lift 1 10 is driven by a motor 1 15, which is arranged on the side of the lifting device 102.

The second lift 116 can be moved along an upper region of the inclined plane 103. It is formed by three tines 1 18 emerging vertically through slots 11 in the inclined plane 103. These are rigidly connected to one another below the inclined plane 103, so that all the tines 118 are always at the same height of the inclined plane 103. The tines 1 18 are realized in such a way that they can be moved between the tines 1 14 of the first lift 1 10. Along the upper section of the inclined plane 103, the two lifts 1 10 and 1 16 can thus be moved independently of one another. The second lift 116 can also be sunk under the inclined plane 103 and can be moved completely below the inclined plane 103 from its front to its rear position (and vice versa). The lift 116 is therefore completely outside the stacking area, ie the area in which the envelope stacks are moved along the inclined plane 103. The second lift 116 is driven by a further motor (not shown), which is arranged below the inclined plane 103. FIG. 9 is a side view of the lifts of the device. The first lift 1 10 is movably supported on the rail 1 12 by means of its carriage 1 1 1. The stop 107 is arranged between the rail 112 and the stacking area. The first lift 1 10 engages in the stacking area by means of its extension 1 13. The second lift 1 16 engages with its tines 1 18 through slots 11 in the inclined plane 103 in the upper section of the stacking area. The tines 118 are mounted on two conveyor belts 119, 120 arranged below and parallel to the inclined plane 103 and can follow their movements along an essentially oval path. The tips of the tines 118 can thus be moved along an oval path, the tines 118 being completely sunk below the inclined plane 103 when the attachment points of the tines 118 move synchronously into the lower section of the conveyor belts 119, 120 become.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the lifts of the device, seen from the lower end of the inclined plane 103. The lifts assume the same position with respect to the inclined plane 103, that is to say they are moved in the same plane. The carriage 1 1 1 of the first lift 1 10 is movable on the rail 1 12. Its boom 1 13 has four tines 1 14 perpendicular to the inclined plane 103, which extend up to a short distance up to the inclined plane 103. The three tines 1 18 of the second, lower lift 1 16 reach through slots 11 in the inclined plane 103 into the stacking area and fill in the gaps between the four tines 114 of the first, upper lift 110 except for certain safety distances. Below the slots 11 17, the three prongs 118 of the second lift 116 are rigidly connected to one another by means of a bar 121. The beam 121 is fixed to the upper conveyor belt 19 by brackets 122 about its axis. Vertical holding rods 123 are rigidly connected to the beam 121 on both sides within the individual belts of the upper conveyor belt 119. The holding rods 123 are rigidly connected to each other below the upper conveyor belt 119 for stabilization by a bar 124. The lower beam 124 is rotatably attached to the lower conveyor belt 120 by means of brackets 125.

Figure 1 1 shows an illustration of an alternative configuration of two lifts. The first lift 150 in turn comprises a carriage 151 which is carried on a first rail 152. can be moved along the inclined plane 153. A boom 154 is arranged on the carriage 151, which is E-shaped and is arranged vertically to the inclined plane 153. Similar to the first lift, the second lift 155 is mounted on a second rail 156, which is arranged on the opposite side of the inclined plane 153, and is movable thereon along the inclined plane 153. The second lift 155 also has a carriage 157 and an E-shaped bracket 158. This boom 158 complements the shape of the boom 154 of the first lift 150, so that both lifts 150, 155 essentially cover the cross section of the stacking area when they are moved into the same plane. The rail 156 of the second lift 155, together with the second lift 155, can be moved laterally out of the stacking area.

The boom can also have a different shape, e.g. B. L-shaped, d. H. each include two mutually perpendicular legs. In this case, they are preferably designed such that the first leg extends along a large part of that side of the stacking area on which the corresponding carriage is arranged. The second leg extends to the opposite side of the stacking area. The cantilevers are in turn advantageously shaped in such a way that they essentially cover the entire stack area when they have moved into the same plane.

FIGS. 12A-I serve to schematically illustrate the method steps of a method according to the invention for feeding stack of envelopes using the described lifting device with two lifts, the second elevator reaching up through slots in the inclined plane. The method can be carried out in an analogous manner, but also by means of other devices, e.g. B. by using two lifts with laterally hinged L-shaped brackets (see Figure 9).

FIG. 12A shows the situation in which a first envelope stack 201 has just been transported from the conveying device onto the inclined plane 103 and is now held by the slide rollers 106. The first lift 1 10 is in its lowest position, behind the sliding rollers 106. The second lift 1 16 is sunk under the inclined plane 103, so it does not reach into the stacking area. The first lift 110 is now moved upwards along the inclined plane 103. As soon as it passes the line of the sliding rollers 106, it grips the envelope stack 201 and transports it upwards. The situation shown in FIG. 12B results. After the first lift 110 has been raised further, the upper end of the stack of envelopes 201 reaches the upper edge of the inclined plane 103, whereupon the processing of the envelopes can begin. The uppermost envelope is pulled off the envelope stack 201 and the first lift 110 is slowly moved upward, so that an envelope is always provided for the subsequent processing. The control of the conveying movement of the lift 1 10 can, for. B. take place via a photocell, which detects whether an envelope is provided at the upper end of the inclined plane 103. As soon as the first lift 110 with the stack of envelopes 201 has passed the rear end of the slots 11 in the inclined plane 103, the tines 118 of the second lift 116 at the rear end of the slots 117 are upward through the inclined plane 103 outward, so that the situation shown in FIG. 12C results.

Now the second lift 11 16 is moved upwards along the inclined plane 103 until it lies in one plane with the first lift 110. At this moment, the envelope stack 201 is held by both lifts 110, 116. Now the first lift 110 can be moved down along the inclined plane 103. At the same time, the conveyor plate 108 is moved into its position adjacent to the device for requesting new stack of envelopes, so that the situation shown in FIG. 12D results. The further stacking of the envelope stack 201 is now carried out by the second lift 116.

After the first lift 110 has again been moved behind the sliding rollers 106, the device for requesting new stack of envelopes pushes a second stack of envelopes 202 onto the conveyor plate 108. As soon as the stack of envelopes 202 is no longer pushed through this device in the direction of the stop 107 of the inclined plane 103 the conveyor plate 108 moves in the direction of the stop 107, so that the envelope stack is pressed against the stop 107 along its entire height. The situation shown in FIG. 12E results. Furthermore, the second stack of envelopes 202 is raised by the first lift 110 along the inclined plane 103 (FIG. 12F) until the second stack of envelopes 202 adjoins the second lift 1 16 at the rear (FIG. 12G). As soon as the second lift 11 16 has reached the upper end of the slots 11 17, it is sunk under the inclined plane 103 and thus moved away from the stack area. As a result, the first stack of envelopes 201 and the second stack of envelopes 202 form a new stack which is held by the first lift 110, as shown in FIG. 12H.

Finally, the second lift 1 16 is moved below the inclined plane 103 to the rear end of the slots 1 17, raised there and moved up in the stacking area in order to detach the first lift 1 10. This in turn moves all the way back, behind the sliding rollers 106, and with the aid of the conveyor plate 108, a stack of envelopes 203 is again picked up by the device. This situation is shown in FIG. 121 and corresponds to the process status in FIG. 12E. The lifting device according to the invention thus allows a continuous supply of envelopes. There are no interruptions between two subsequent stacks and the feeding is fully automatic.

FIGS. 13-15 show a device according to the invention for opening an envelope flap. This device is particularly suitable for use with the device for filling envelopes shown above. In this case, it is arranged directly in front of the segment roller, which fully presses open the envelope flap that has already been opened.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the blow unit of the device. The blowing unit 301 is supplied with compressed air via a hose 302, which is generated by a source known per se. The blowing unit 301 comprises a series of individual nozzles 303 with a round cross section, which are arranged directly adjacent to one another. In order to achieve a uniform pressure distribution, the volume of the nozzle antechamber 304 decreases with increasing distance from the compressed air supply.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the blowing unit 301 in a top view and a side view, as well as their arrangement with respect to an envelope 305 to be opened. The row of nozzles 303 is arranged parallel to the envelope flap 306, which is to be opened. The length of the row of nozzles corresponds approximately to the extent of the envelope flap 306. The nozzles 303 are slightly inclined relative to the plane of the envelope, so that the compressed air discharged can be blown under the flap 306 and this is pressed open. The vertical distance between the blowing unit 301 and the envelope 305 is advantageously chosen to be as small as possible, ie in such a way that the envelope 305 can just be fed in under the blowing unit 301. The pressure loss between the nozzles 303 and the envelope flap 306 can thereby be minimized. At the same time, the compressed air still exerts a significant force on the envelope flap 306 when the latter is almost completely bent over.

A segment roller as shown above advantageously adjoins the device for opening the envelope flap. With the first segment, this detects the partially open envelope flap and presses it open completely before the other segments initiate the feeding of the envelope.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention provides a device for filling sheets into an envelope, which enables increased performance and has a simpler mechanical construction.

Claims

claims

1. Device for filling sheets in an envelope with

a) a holding device (1 1) for the envelope;

b) transport members (15) for feeding the sheets to be filled to the holding device (1 1);

c) a feed device (7, 8, 9) for feeding the envelope to the holding device, (1 1) along a feed direction; and

d) a discharge device (8, 22) for discharging the filled envelope from the holding device (11), along a discharge direction;

characterized in that

e) the feed device (7, 8, 9) and the discharge device (8, 22) with respect to the holding device (11) are arranged such that a first angle between the feeding direction and a main surface of the holding device (11) and a second angle between the discharge direction and the main surface of the holding device (1 1) are fixed and different from each other.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge device (8, 22) with respect to the holding device (1 1) is arranged such that the main surface of the holding device (1 1) is permanently parallel to the discharge direction.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) comprises a guide element (9) with a delivery point, the guide element (9) being convex at its delivery point.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide element (9) is formed by a curved guide plate with a vacuum device.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding element (1 1) is formed by a pocket on which the envelope can be pulled open.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the discharge device (8, 22) comprises a first conveyor with a first, lower pressure roller (8) and a second, upper pressure roller (22), the second pressure roller ( 22) is pressed resiliently against the first pressure roller (8).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) is arranged below the discharge device (8, 22) and that the feed device (7, 8, 9) has a second conveyor device with an upper pressure roller (8 ) and a lower pressure roller (9), the first pressure roller (8) of the first conveyor simultaneously forming the upper pressure roller (8) of the second conveyor.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a fuse (67) for the envelope, to prevent premature removal of the envelope from the holding device (1 1).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the discharge device (8 ', 22') comprises a take-off roller (66) with a segment for detecting the filled envelope to be removed.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that all transport elements (3, 4, 7, 8, 22) for the envelopes are driven by a single motor (50).

1 1. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) has a segment roller (3) for pulling the envelope from a stack, with a rolling segment (3.2) for completely pressing a flap of the envelope and a transport segment (3.3) for transporting the envelope.

12. The device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the segment roller (3) is designed such that a first coefficient of friction of a surface of the rolling segment (3.2) is smaller than a second coefficient of friction of a surface of the transport segment (3.3).

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the rolling segment (3.2) and the transport segment (3.3) are formed by claws which are arranged on a common axis of rotation (3.1).

14. Device for opening an envelope flap with a blower unit (301), the blower unit (301) being arranged such that it can blow a bundled volume flow of air under the envelope flap.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blowing unit (301) comprises a nozzle (303) with a nozzle channel, the nozzle channel having an elongated shape with a length which corresponds substantially to the maximum length of the envelope flap, and wherein the nozzle channel substantially is arranged parallel to the envelope flap.

16. Device for the continuous supply of envelope stacks, which can lift the stack of envelopes in a stacking area along a straight path (103), with a first lift (1 10) which is displaceable along a section of the straight path (103) and a second lift (1 16), which is displaceable along the section of the straight track (103), wherein both lifts (1 10, 1 16) independently of one another along one The entire length of the section of the straight path (103) can be moved, and the second lift (116) can be moved completely out of the stacking area.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the first lift (1 10) and the second lift (1 16) are designed such that they can reach through one another like a comb.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the second lift (1 16) is mounted to be movable along an essentially oval path.

19. Procedure for filling sheets in an envelope with the following steps:

a) feeding the envelope along a feed direction;

b) bending a front part of the envelope so that the front part is aligned with a holding device (11);

c) pulling the envelope onto the holding device (1 1), the envelope elastically returning to an original flat shape;

d) filling the sheets into the envelope;

e) discharging the filled envelope from the holding device (1 1), along a

Direction of discharge parallel to a main surface of the holding device (1 1).

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that for bending the front part of the envelope is sucked onto a convex surface (9) by means of negative pressure.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the envelope is withdrawn from a stack for feeding, wherein first a flap of the envelope is completely pressed open and then the envelope is grasped and transported.

22. Method for opening an envelope flap, whereby a bundled volume flow of air is blown under the envelope flap.

23. A method for continuously feeding stack of envelopes, comprising the following steps:

a) picking up a first stack of envelopes by a first lift (110) in a picking position,

b) lifting the first stack of envelopes by the first lift (1 10),

c) taking over the first stack of envelopes by a second lift (116) in a takeover position,

d) moving the first lift (1 10) back into the receiving position,

e) picking up a second stack of envelopes by the first lift (1 10),

f) lifting the second stack of envelopes by the first lift (1 10),

g) moving the second lift (1 16) into the takeover position,

h) Takeover of the second stack of envelopes by the second lift (116).