EP2399853A2 - Transport device for flat products - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a feeder (12) and a transporting unit (14) that includes a set of transporting elements (54, 56) that is parallely arranged in transporting direction. The transporting elements are attached to side edges (47, 49) of flat products (18) e.g. envelope, so that the flat products are gripped by the transporting elements and transported in the transporting direction. Another set of transporting elements (64, 66) is arranged parallel to the transporting direction and attached to side edges of the flat products, so that the flat products are transported in the transporting direction. An independent claim is also included for a method for transporting flat products e.g. envelope.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for transporting flat products, in particular flat products such as letter envelopes.

Such devices are used, for example, by larger companies with a high volume of correspondence. These companies include, for example, large telecommunications companies with a large number of invoices to be sent, insurance companies, large companies that have a high volume of mail to be sent, which is to be automatically created, enveloped and sent.

For this purpose, after the letters have been printed, they are automatically transferred into envelopes in a so-called inserter and then sealed. In this form, the envelopes come with different content, that is, both letters with a lot and with little pages, brochures with a thick seam and the like, from the inserter.

After that, the letters are usually already on a conveyor belt, after which they are manually recorded by standing on this conveyor belt people according to certain criteria and transferred to transport crates.

These transport boxes are then delivered to the respective letter carrier or delivery company, which then takes care of sending the corresponding letters. Thus, the effort is kept as low as possible at the appropriate letter carrier, is carried out by the aforementioned persons already pre-sorting in the corresponding transport baskets. This is done, as previously mentioned, according to appropriate criteria. These criteria may in particular be related to the address information, so that, for example, a pre-sorting according to postal code areas can already take place. This sorting can be designed differently differentiated, so that even a very fine sorting, depending on the size of the letter set, can take place.

In order to be able to carry out the division into, for example, corresponding postal code areas, in the simplest case the persons who perform the sorting proceed in such a way that they read off the corresponding postcodes on the enveloped letters. In order to facilitate this rather arduous and exhausting work, often corresponding markers are inserted in the address field of the letters, depending on the postal code areas. These markers can either then help the corresponding sorting person to more quickly recognize different zip code areas or be configured to be electronically recognized by a scanner. This then ensures through a separate unit that, for example, the letters in the continuous stream be transported with a slight offset on the tape, where a transition from the one to the next postal code area occurs. This offset can then be easily recognized by the sorting persons, so that they need to pick up the letters between one and the next offset, for example, without having to concentrate further on the respective address fields. In addition to the separate markings, such a scanner can of course also read the postal codes directly by means of character recognition.

Although this method has been established for years, it still has some errors and sources of error, which can be difficult to eliminate, especially in the process approach just described. So it is understandable that often occur by the corresponding sorting persons errors by misreading areas, misrecognized and therefore incorrectly sorted into the transport container. This then leads to increased expense for the mail-order companies, which is associated with either delay or higher costs for the shipping company. In addition to the error rate, which is introduced by the appropriate sorting persons in the system, through this necessary sorting forces and a steady cost associated with these letters sent.

Such transporting and sorting processes may also be necessary for other sheetlike products such as cartons, blanks, folding cartons, plates, separating plates, for example made of plastic, paper, cardboard or metal, if these are supplied in larger numbers from a preliminary station, but in different package sizes should be further processed.

All such flat products have, viewed over the surface, opposite side edges. These do not necessarily have to be rectilinear, but may also be curved.

The present invention therefore an object of the invention to develop a transport device to the effect that the sheet-like products are so tangible that they are transportable individually or in groups. For this purpose, a new method as well as a corresponding device for carrying out this method should be provided.

According to the invention, the object is achieved on the one hand by an initially mentioned device for transporting flat products with at least one feeder and a first transport unit having at least two transport elements which are arranged parallel to the transport direction and can be applied to mutually opposite side edges of the sheet-like products that the sheet-like products are held by the transport elements, held separately carrying and can be transported standing in the transport direction.

This device designed in this way makes it possible to pick up the corresponding flat products, which usually come horizontally or lying, for example, from an inserting machine, after transferring them into a standing position, that is to say essentially vertically, and transport them in succession. This vertical or standing alignment of the flat products already corresponds to the arrangement in which the products are also received in a corresponding transport container.

Holding on opposite side edges, that is, looking in the direction of transport, on the right and left edges of the sheet products, has the advantage that the sheet products are now held on the opposite sides so that they can not easily change their position relative to one another , As a result, among other things, a uniform distance from one to the next flat product can be guaranteed.

This is particularly advantageous if the products, either all or even individual, are made slightly thicker. This thickness can for Example, simply by a higher sheet circumference for the respective consignment come about or even occur when shipping brochures, which usually have a thicker folded edge.

Such non-uniformity of the flat products to be transported has hitherto led to a stack picked up by a sorting person being thicker on one side, for example the lower edge, than on the opposite side, for example due to the strongly one-sided application products the top edge. This unevenness can then easily lead to this stack tipping, slipping or even slipping the sorter, which confuses the entire sorting.

The holding on the opposite side edges prevents this by not the usual holding together seen in the transport direction foremost and Hinterstem product, but each sheet product is kept separate. Due to the variability of the transport elements even a respective distance of the products to each other depending on their thickness or thickness and their individual design is possible. The distance of the products is thus freely selectable. The minimum distance results from the product strength of the products.

Consequently, the entire stack of sheet products, which is transported within the transport unit, corresponding to parallel to each other and individually lined flat products.

The contact pressure of the transport elements applied to the opposite side edges should be selected so that the flat products do not slip off, be it due to gravity or other factors such as insufficient bending stiffness of the products.

Relatively heavy products must have a correspondingly high flexural rigidity in order not to buckle and thereby slip away, since with heavy products the contact pressure must be correspondingly higher.

The investment in the opposite side edges can also be made selectively, so that, for example, a round sheet product such as a disc or a plate between the transport elements is durable.

The attack on opposite side edges and not on the upper or lower edge has the advantage that, for example, a downward discharge with the aid of gravity of the transport elements is not hindered.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device has at least a second transport unit, which has at least one transport element, through which the products in the transport direction can be further transported and released from the device, wherein the at least one transport element arranged parallel to the transport direction and at least an edge of the sheet-like products can be applied, so that the sheet-like products are held by the at least one transport element, separately supporting and transportable standing.

This embodiment has the advantage that a continuous operation of this device is made possible in a simple manner by this subdivision of the device into a first and second transport unit. This is because the first transport unit can be responsible, for example, for sorting, while the second transport unit, which can be controlled separately therefrom, can be designed, for example, for transferring the flat products into a transport container. This is particularly advantageous with respect to the last point, since a change in operation on the second transport unit, which is carried out for transferring the sheet-like products in a transport container, no effect on the transport and the flat products in the first transport unit has. By means of a correspondingly configured continuous transfer, the two-dimensional products can then be transferred, after appropriate sorting, into the second transport unit, from where the previously described transition into the transport containers can take place.

Although the foregoing has referred to a first and a second transport unit in the sense of two separate units and will also be referred to below, this means both structurally separate and uniform total transport units. This designation is merely intended to indicate that an entire transport section, which the device has, can be divided into two separately controllable transport units. Thus, it is conceivable within the scope of the present invention that the respective transport elements of the first and second transport unit are separate elements, but also that these transport elements have an entire transport element which is divided into different individual sections in accordance with the statements made above.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the second transport unit on two transport elements, which are mutually perpendicular to the transport direction variable in their distance.

This embodiment is advantageous in that the two-dimensional products can initially be continuously taken over by the two transport elements of the first transport unit. The variability of the distance of the transport elements of the second transport unit to each other has the advantage that the sheet-like products that are transported in this second transport unit and are held at opposite side edges as in the first transport unit. By simply moving apart the transport elements, the products can be brought out of the holding engagement with these. In principle, the flat products are thus by a change in the distance, namely a moving apart of the two transport elements of the second transport unit is released perpendicular to the transport direction. As a result, the sheet products can then be transferred either by gravity or by a separate mechanism in the corresponding transport container.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least the transport elements of the first transport unit on conveyor belts on which the side edges of the sheet-like products can be applied and handled by them.

This embodiment has the advantage that conveyor belts easily allow continuous transport operation. This makes it possible to transport the sheet-like products variably, that is, at any distance from one another, since there are no separate and predetermined receptacles for the respective sheet-like products, which specify the positions of the individual products along the transport element. At the same time, this design also allows each product to be individually durable. Thus, the products can be arranged independently of each other between the respective transport elements. It is therefore irrelevant for the arrangement of a respective sheet-like products as many flat products are arranged in the transport direction before this and how many follow.

By selecting a suitable coating of the conveyor belt, for example with a foam or pimples, friction-supporting holding or engagement with the flat products can take place with the lowest possible contact pressure. Another advantage of conveyor belts is that the transfer from the first transport unit into the second transport unit can be carried out continuously accordingly. This is for example possible by mutually offset in height in the transport direction but overlapping conveyor belts. Also conceivable is an arrangement in which the first and second transport unit are each a continuous transport element, that is to say a continuous one Conveyor belt, exhibit. This may for example be divided by corresponding deflection rollers which are arranged along the extension of the conveyor belt in the transport direction.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transport units each or together comprise at least one further transport element, which can be applied to further edges, in particular to the lower edges of the sheet-like products.

This embodiment is advantageous in that the flat products in a desired region of the transport device can be held or supported in addition to the holder at its side edges in addition to, for example, at the lower edge. This is particularly advantageous for very wide or extremely heavy sheet products. This advantage is also noticeable in lightweight products, when there is a high transport speed at which it has been shown that the sheet-like products tend to vibrate. This is reduced by the applicable to the lower edge of the sheet products further transport element. If conveyor belts are accelerated with products held therebetween, tilting movements can take place, in particular in the case of asymmetrical products, due to the inertial mass, which can thus be avoided.

Although in the foregoing has been spoken by a transportable to the lower edge transport element, transport elements are conceivable within the scope of this invention, which can be applied to the upper edge or to the upper edge and the lower edge of the sheet-like products.

The additional arrangement of an attachable to the lower edge further transport element is particularly advantageous for the first transport unit, but may also extend partially exclusively in the second transport unit, extend completely in this or only in the region of the second Transport unit, depending on the direction in which the products are to be stored.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises a slider which is movable at least perpendicular to the transport direction and arranged movable against an upper edge of the sheet-like products.

This embodiment has the advantage that the sheet-like products can be transferred by such a slide in the corresponding transport container. This preferably takes place after sorting. Furthermore, this slider is preferably arranged in the region of the second transport unit, if present. The slider can thereby transfer the flat products to be transferred solely by a movement in the direction of gravity, ie from top to bottom in the transport container or cooperate with the preferred embodiment of the mutually variable transport elements of the second transport unit. So can be achieved by a timed interaction that the sheet products are transferred as a coherent package in the transport container, instead of just falling out of the apart transporting elements of the second transport unit due to gravity. By the latter variant can occur by tilting the sheet products in or on the transport container, a mixing or tilting.

In a preferred embodiment, the slider is additionally arranged movable in the transport direction.

This embodiment is advantageous in that the slider instead of simply just perform a vertical movement, in addition can still go with the flat products in the transport direction. As a result, on the one hand, an even more continuous transition of the flat products into the transport container allows. On the other hand, in a preferably present stop element that, seen in the transport direction, is arranged at the end of the transport container, a pushing or even compressing the sheet-like products are achieved before they are transferred vertically downwards into the transport container.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises a control unit, by which at least the transport units are controllable.

By controlling the transport units both the process of sorting and the transfer of the sheet products are coordinated in the transport container allows. Furthermore, this also preferably controls the feeding of the flat products into the first transport unit, the transition of the flat products from the first to the second transport unit and changing the transport elements of the second transport unit and the actuation of the slide for transferring the flat products into the transport containers. In addition, a control of the transport container, preferably their replacement, carried by the control unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control unit is designed to divide data from the feeder or from one of the feeder upstream or from a unit connected to it and, on the basis of this data, divide the products into separate groups of products in the device, spaced apart along the transport direction are separated.

This embodiment has the advantage that the device according to the invention can thus carry out the steps in an automatic manner, which were previously carried out by a sorting person mentioned at the outset, if necessary in cooperation with a marking by a separate machine with a scanner.

The control unit is thus able to obtain, by means of a scanner or a camera, data from either the inserter, the feeder, a unit present between inserter and feeder, or from the apparatus itself, and to pass on corresponding control commands to the transport units on the basis of these data. For this purpose, these data can either already be prepared accordingly or else be evaluated by the control unit itself.

For sorting the products within the first transport unit, according to the invention, provision is made for the products to be divided into separate groups. This can be done simply by varying the transport speed. If, for example, a desired number of products has been taken in succession, the transport speed can be increased for a short time, so that a distance to the next product is created. This always results in packages of sheet-like products, which can be transported further within the device and finally transferred to a respective transport container.

The subdivision into groups with interspaces or intervals arranged therebetween has the further advantage that a simultaneous transport of several groups or parcels within the first transport unit in the transport direction is possible, while only a single such parcel can be present in the second transport unit. This can then be converted into a respective transport container by corresponding changes to the second transport unit described above independently of the packages and groups in the first transport unit. This is preferably done with a previously described slide.

• Aufnahme der flächigen Produkte aus einer Zuführung in zumindest eine erste Transporteinheit, die zumindest zwei Transportelemente aufweist,
• Transportieren der flächigen Produkte innerhalb der ersten Transporteinheit in eine Transportrichtung, wobei die flächigen Produkte dabei von den Transportelementen an zueinander gegenüberliegenden Seitenkanten separat gehalten und stehend transportiert werden.

The object mentioned in the introduction is further achieved according to the invention by a method for transporting sheet-like products, in particular letter envelopes, comprising the following steps:

• Receiving the flat products from a feed in at least one first transport unit, which has at least two transport elements,
• Transporting the sheet-like products within the first transport unit in a transport direction, wherein the sheet-like products are held separately by the transport elements at opposite side edges and transported standing.

The advantages with respect to this method can be derived analogously from the previously made statements in connection with the device.

It should be emphasized here again, however, the advantageous transporting in a vertical orientation of the sheet-like products, so that they already occupy the orientation during transport, they must have later in the transport container. This simplifies the transfer into transport containers and thus the entire sorting considerably.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the delivery of the sheet-like products is carried out individually or in small packages and the sheet-like products in the transport unit are transported parallel to one another and arranged one behind the other at an arbitrary distance, as seen in the transport direction.

This embodiment has the advantage that, referring to the embodiment described in connection with the device, the flat products can already be transported individually or in small packages so that they can be easily transferred into a corresponding transport container in this arrangement. This is given by the parallel and seen in the transport direction successively arrangement. That's because the Transport containers are usually designed so that the corresponding flat products in the transport containers just just such an arrangement. The provision of transporting at any desired distance from one another has the advantage that the flat products can continue to be arranged evenly and parallel to one another between the transport elements during transport in the at least one transport unit, irrespective of whether they contain products which may carry heavy loads on one side. This means that, for example, regardless of whether letter envelopes with only one sheet or which are arranged with multiple sheets or brochures with a thick seam inside the envelopes, a distance can always be chosen according to any, so that in particular the criteria in parallel and behind each other can be met.

In the context of the present invention, with reference to small packages, it is meant that even small stacks of, for example, up to 15 sheet-like products can be fed all at once to the transport device and transported accordingly in it. This is understood, without being mentioned separately, for all previous and all following descriptions, in each of which usually only one single flat product is mentioned.

• Trennung der zugeführten flächigen Produkte in separate Gruppen von flächigen Produkten innerhalb der ersten Transporteinheit, durch Einfügen von Abständen entlang der Transportrichtung.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, this method has the following further step:

• Separation of the supplied flat products in separate groups of sheet products within the first transport unit, by inserting intervals along the transport direction.

As a result of this configuration, the advantage described above in connection with the device already arises that due to corresponding information, such as, for example, postal code areas, a separation of the flat products into individual groups or packages can take place. This is preferably done by the insertion of intervals along the transport direction within the first transport unit, so that always a group can be separated out separately in the corresponding transport container.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the insertion of the distances has a short-term increase in the transport speed of the transport elements between the reception of two flat products from the feed.

This embodiment is a preferred way how the separation can be made within the first transport unit.

By increasing the transport speed is a simple way of separation is given, which requires no further constructive measures apart from appropriate measures on the part of the control of the device. From the method, this step would then proceed in such a way that the flat products already accommodated in the first and second transport unit, which are generally always advanced with a slight feed in the transport direction when a new sheet product is picked up by the feeder, are present the picking up of a new sheet product are clearly moved away from this in the transport direction. This fast feed leads to a distance of preferably several centimeters. This makes it possible that a sufficient distance is available to weed out the correspondingly previously recorded in the device flat products without affecting the subsequent sheet products from the at least one transport unit in corresponding transport container.

• kontinuierliche Übergabe der flächigen Produkte aus der ersten Transporteinheit in zumindest eine zweite Transporteinheit, die zumindest ein Transportelement aufweist,
• Weitertransportieren der flächigen Produkte innerhalb der zweiten Transporteinheit in der Transportrichtung, wobei die flächigen Produkte dabei von dem Transportelement an zumindest einer Kante separat gehalten und stehend transportiert werden.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, this method has the following further steps:

• continuous transfer of the flat products from the first transport unit into at least one second transport unit, which has at least one transport element,
• Further transporting the sheet-like products within the second transport unit in the transport direction, wherein the sheet-like products are kept separately from the transport element on at least one edge and transported upright.

This embodiment essentially has the advantages already described above in connection with the second transport unit of the device.

The continuous transfer of the sheet-like products also has the advantage that no separate stopping and transferring of the flat products into the second transport unit or, for example, a transport container is necessary. By separate transport units, as already stated, such a separation is possible that both supply of the sheet products in the transport units and separating the sheet products in transport containers, preferably after the division into groups, take place without these two processes disturb or impair.

• Freigabe der flächigen Produkte aus der zweiten Transporteinheit und Überführen der flächigen Produkte in einen Transportbehälter.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, this method has the following further step:

• Release of the sheet-like products from the second transport unit and transfer of the sheet-like products into a transport container.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this method step represents the concluding step. In this case, the flat products have arrived in groups sorted in the second transport unit and are then separated into corresponding transport containers for further processing or forwarding, for example to the letter delivery company.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained not only in each of the specified Combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• Fig. 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 1a und 1b
  eine schematische Darstellung eines flächigen Produktes,
• Fig. 2 eine ausschnittsweise Draufsicht auf Zuführung und Transporteinheiten der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 eine ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht der Darstellung von Fig. 2,
• Fig. 4a bis 4c
  eine schrittweise schematische Darstellung der Übergabe von einer Gruppe von flächigen Produkten in einen Transportbehälter aus einer Transporteinheit bei einer durchgehend diagonalen Bewegung eines Schiebers,
• Fig. 5a bis 5d
  eine Darstellung entsprechend der Fig. 4a bis 4c mit einer Übergabe der flächigen Produkte in einen entsprechenden Transportbehälter durch eine senkrechte Bewegung des Schiebers,
• Fig. 6 eine Vorrichtung entsprechend Fig. 1 mit einer hier zusätzlich schematisch dargestellten Steuereinheit, und
• Fig. 7a bis 7f
• eine schematische Darstellung des Ablaufs der Trennung von flächigen Produkten in einzelne Gruppen oder Pakete in einer Draufsicht auf zwei zusammengehörige Transportelemente der ersten Transporteinheit, vergleichbar zu einer Darstellung der Fig. 2.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to selected embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and explained. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a device according to the invention in a side view,
• Fig. 1a and 1b
  a schematic representation of a sheet product,
• Fig. 2 a fragmentary plan view of the supply and transport units of the device Fig. 1 .
• Fig. 3 a fragmentary sectional view of the representation of Fig. 2 .
• Fig. 4a to 4c
  a stepwise schematic representation of the transfer of a group of flat products in a transport container from a transport unit in a continuous diagonal movement of a slider,
• Fig. 5a to 5d
  a representation according to the Fig. 4a to 4c with a transfer of the flat products in a corresponding transport container by a vertical movement of the slider,
• Fig. 6 a device accordingly Fig. 1 with a control unit additionally shown schematically here, and
• Fig. 7a to 7f
• a schematic representation of the process of separation of sheet products into individual groups or packages in a plan view of two associated transport elements of the first transport unit, comparable to a representation of Fig. 2 ,

One in the Fig. 1 to 7d illustrated device according to the invention is denoted by the reference numeral 10 below.

This device 10 has a feed 12, a first transport unit 14 and a second transport unit 16. This is especially the representations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 refer to.

The feeder 12 receives flat products 18 in the form of envelopes, as they are described in more detail in particular in connection with the following figures, from an inserter not shown here. Essentially, this inserting machine serves to transfer machine-printed letters into envelopes and to close them, and then generally delivers them lying horizontally on a conveyor belt as shown in FIG Fig. 1 out. So they get into the feeder 12 according to a feed direction shown there by an arrow 30.

The feeder 12 further comprises a conveyor belt 32. This conveyor belt 32 receives the sheet-like products 18 from the feed direction 30 and moves them according to his in Fig. 1 to be recognized curved course in a standing position. There they are received by a linear conveyor 34.

This linear conveyor 34 is also a component of the feed 12. The linear conveyor 34 ensures that the now existing sheet products 18 are transferred to the first transport unit 14. Corresponding the representation of Fig. 1 the sheet-like products 18 are preferably vertical.

How this transmission from the linear conveyor 34 into the first transport unit 14 takes place is particularly evident from FIGS Fig. 2 and 3 seen.

Here is related to Fig. 2 to recognize that the linear conveyor 34 has two conveyor units 36 and 36 '.

These conveyor units 36 and 36 'themselves each have guide elements 38, wherein two opposing guide elements 38 and 38' form a pair of guide elements 40.

The according to the representation of Fig. 2 in the direction facing the viewer directional planar products 18 are now between two adjacent pairs of guide element 40 and 40 'is received and held between them.

The guide elements 38 are each arranged on a chain 42 or 42 '. This respective chain 42 passes through a respective movement, which is indicated by means of arrows 44, 46 and 48, 50. This movement causes the guide elements 38 from receiving a flat product 18 to move together with this in a transport direction 52.

As a result, the flat products are gradually moved by the linear conveyor 34 in the transport direction 52 to the first transport unit 14. Ultimately, they are thereby introduced into the transport unit 14 and recorded in this.

In the Fig. 1a and 1b one sees an exemplary sheet-like product 18. In this exemplary embodiment, this sheet-like product 18 is an envelope 20. This sheet has a front side 43 and a rear side 45. Furthermore, it has an upper edge 47 and a lower edge 49 and side edges 19 and 19 '.

It is understood that these terms are to be understood primarily as relative statements with reference to the usual use and the normal operation of a device according to the invention and the associated alignment of the sheet-like products 18. An alignment-independent determination of the designations shown for the envelope 20 is hereby not desired, but a corresponding adaptation of the designations, if the envelope 20 is present for example in a rotated by 180 ° alignment in the device, make. For example, the top edge shown here would then become the lower edge and vice versa.

If we refer to envelopes 20 in the preceding, it is understood that the statements relating to this term always apply to general flat products 18, unless otherwise stated.

The first transport unit 14 has two transport elements 54 and 56. These are aligned parallel to each other. Furthermore, they are also aligned parallel to the transport direction 52. They have such a distance 58 to each other that between them a flat product 18 with its side edges 19 and 19 'can be applied to the transport elements 54 and 56 applied.

In addition, the first transport unit 14 in this embodiment, yet another transport element 59 which is arranged so that it can be applied to the lower edges 49 of the sheet-like products 18. This transport element 59 is in particular in the Fig. 1 and 3 to recognize. It supports the surfaces of products 18 and envelopes 20 during transport in addition and thus reduces possible vibrations, especially during rapid transport or a fast feed can occur. Furthermore, it also prevents possibly not properly held flat products 18 can fall down. In addition, it also supports the transition from the first transport unit 14 to the second transport unit 16.

In the present embodiment, the transport elements 54 and 56 each have two conveyor belts 60, 60 'and 62, 62'. Regardless of the embodiment shown, it is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention that a respective transport element 54, 56 can be equipped with either a conveyor belt or else with more than two conveyor belts.

In order for the sheet-like products 18, in particular envelopes 20, to be supported by them after the transport elements 54 and 56 or the conveyor belts 60 to 62 'have been applied, the conveyor belts 60 to 62' in a preferred embodiment have holding materials on their surface on or are made of such materials. These materials may, for example, be foam-like materials, such as polyurethane foams, or else be in the form of studded ribbons.

In accordance with the statements made above, the sheet-like products 18 or envelopes 20 are brought to the transport elements 54 and 56 of the first transport unit 14 and supported by slight lateral pinching. This pinching is done by a contact pressure of the transport elements 54 and 56 when applied to the side edges 19 and 19 'of a sheet product 18 and envelopes 20th

If, before or below, the side edges 19 and 19 'of a flat product 18 or envelope 20 are mentioned, the right and left side edges of such a flat one present in relation to the upright transport of the flat products 18 in the present device 10 are herewith Product 18 meant, as already related to Fig. 1a and 1b was explained.

The envelope 20 thus received in the first transport unit 14 between the transport elements 54 and 56 is now moved in the direction 52 by continuous or stepwise transport of the transport elements 54 and 56. This transport or the movement of the transport elements 54 and 56 preferably takes place synchronously with the feeder 12 or is tuned to this.

In addition, however, an at least short-term separate actuation of the transport elements 54 and 56 relative to the feed 12 can be used to divide the envelopes 20 into groups or separate packages, as will be described in more detail below.

After passing through the first transport unit 14, the envelopes enter the second transport unit 16.

The second transport unit 16 also has two transport elements 64 and 66. These two transport elements 64 and 66 are also arranged parallel to each other. Furthermore, these transport elements 64 and 66 are also arranged parallel to the transport direction 52. In the present embodiment, the transport elements 64 and 66 each have a conveyor belt 68 and 70, respectively.

Regardless of the present embodiment is also conceivable here that the transport elements 64 and 66 of the second transport unit 16 may also each have two or more conveyor belts.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, in which the sheet-like products 18 and the envelopes 20 are held on opposite sides in the second transport unit 16, is also an embodiment conceivable in which the arrangement of the sheet-like products 18 or envelopes 20 takes place on only one side of a transport element. This side may be, for example, the upper edge 47 of an envelope 20 or of a flat product 18, so that the products 18 or envelopes 20 can be transported in a correspondingly suspended manner along the transport direction 52. Furthermore, in such an arrangement, but also in the previously described, it is conceivable that, in particular, the further transport within the second transport unit takes place deviating from the actual transport direction 52.

The envelopes 20, which are now preferably in a group 71 of envelopes 20 within the second transport unit and thereby separated from the other envelopes 20 within the first transport unit 14, are next transferred to a transport container 74. This transport container 74 is used to transfer the corresponding envelope 20 to any postal delivery company.

The transport container 74 is in particular in Fig. 1 to see. There it can be seen that this according to the representation of Fig. 1 is arranged below the second transport unit 16.

He is here, for example, on rails 76, which are perpendicular to the plane of the Fig. 1 extend, slidably arranged, so that here also any replacement of the transport container 74 can take place against other transport containers. This exchange can also take place automatically. Further, in addition to an arrangement on rails 76 and an arrangement not shown here, for example, conveyor belts or other a person skilled in the art as commonly known means conceivable.

Furthermore, in the region of the second transport unit 16, a slider 78 is also arranged. This slide 78 is according to the illustration of Fig. 1 disposed above the second transport unit 16 and thus located on the opposite side of the transport container 74th

The transfer of the group 71 of envelopes 20 from the second transport unit 16 into the transport container 74 can take place in different ways.

As a simple variant of the process here would be a simple out of contact Bring the transport elements 64 and 66 with the envelopes 20 of the group 71 to call.

For this purpose, the transport elements 64 and 66 are arranged perpendicular to the transport direction 52 at a distance from each other changeable. This is, for example, in connection with the presentation of Fig. 2 to see. In this case, an arrow 80 for the transport element 64 and an arrow 82 for the transport element 66 indicates the respective movements that they perform in order to release the group 71 of envelopes 20.

After such release, these envelopes 20 of group 71 fall due to gravity as shown in FIG Fig. 1 vertically down into the transport container 74 located below them.

However, since depending on the size of the group 71 of envelopes 20, a mixing and tilting of the envelopes 20 can occur in this case, the slider 78 can be used in addition to the dropping.

The slider 78 is arranged so that it is movable perpendicular to the transport direction. This mobility is in the representation of Fig. 1 indicated by the double arrow 84.

To now transfer the group 71 of envelopes 20 in the form in which it is present in the second transport unit 16 in the transport container 74, the slider 78 is shown in the representation of Fig. 1 down to this moves and thus forms an abutment on the upper edge 47 of the envelopes 20 of the group 71 element. In this case, the slider 78 presses essentially from the moment on the envelopes 20 of the group 71 from which the transport elements 64 and 66 release them. The further movement of the slider 78 as shown by Fig. 1 down then takes place so that this at least slightly faster accelerates the corresponding envelopes 20, as would happen by the gravitational acceleration. It is thereby achieved that no indiscriminate twisting or tilting of the individual envelopes 20 within the group 71 can occur due to the abutment formed by the slider 78.

In an alternative embodiment, the slider 78 alone, by its pressure against the upper edge 47 of the envelopes 20 of the group 71, brings them out of holding engagement with the transport elements 64 and 66. This means that in such an embodiment there is no lateral spacing of the transport elements 64 and 66 from each other, as previously related to the presentation of Fig. 2 indicated by the arrows 80 and 82, is needed.

Now that the group 71 of the envelopes 20 has been arranged in the transport container 74, this can be replaced by another transport container 74 ', not shown here, in which a new group 71' of envelopes 20 can then be inserted.

In addition to the related Fig. 1 shown slidable arrangement of the slider 78 corresponding to the double arrow 84, it is also conceivable that this slider can additionally undergo a movement in the direction of transport direction 52.

This results in preferred embodiments for a transfer of a group 71 of envelopes 20 in a transport container 74, as in connection with the Fig. 4a to 4c and 5a to 5d are shown.

In the Fig. 4a to 4c For example, one embodiment of a transfer method is shown in which the slider undergoes a diagonal movement. The slider 78 'shown here, in contrast to the slider 78 of the Fig. 1 a stop 86. This stop 86 is as shown by Fig. 4a to 4c and 5a to 5d arranged at the rear end of the slider 78 'seen in the transport direction 52.

In addition, the device 10 in these embodiments, the Fig. 4a to 5d also a stop 88. This stop 88 is arranged so that it is arranged seen in the transport direction at the front and at the end of the second transport unit 16. He stands at least temporarily in the transport container 74 inside. Further, it is arranged so that the transported in the second transport unit 16 envelopes 20 can ultimately meet with continuous transport to this stop 88.

In the presentation of Fig. 4a to 4c For example, the slider 78 'in this embodiment is simultaneously moved according to the direction of the double arrow 84 and in the direction of the transporting direction 52. This results in an oblique or diagonal movement corresponding to the direction of the arrow 90.

The group 71 of envelopes 20 can thus be delivered in a continuous oblique movement of the slider 78 'in the transport container 74. For this purpose, the stop 86 comes first with the rear envelopes seen in the transport direction 52 as the first in contact. In this case, this stop 86 by the further movement a slight contact pressure against this group 71 in the transport direction 52. As soon as the group 71 of envelopes 20 is released from the transport elements 64 and 66 in accordance with the statements made above, At the same time the further movement of the slider 78 'in the direction of the arrow 90, wherein the group 71 of envelopes 20 can be additionally pressed against the stop 88. Thus, this group 71 can still be compressed a little further and ultimately accurately transferred to the transport container 74.

The exchange of the now filled transport container 74 takes place, for example, by moving out of the stop 88 and then lateral method according to the illustration of Fig. 1 and the description made above. Alternatively, an exchange by lowering the transport container 74 as shown by Fig. 4b and 4c take place, which is then moved according to the direction of the arrow 92 down. This can then be done again a method in the direction of the viewer, as in connection with the transport container 74 of Fig. 1 was explained.

According to the presentation of the Fig. 5a to 5d Transfer of the group 71 of envelopes 20 is also conceivable in a sequential method of the slide 78 '.

For this purpose, the slider 78 'as shown by Fig. 5a to Fig. 5b with its stop 86 initially moved perpendicular to the group 71 of envelopes 20. In this case, the slider 78 'is applied to the upper edge 47 of the envelopes 20. Next, this slider 78 ', as related to the Fig. 5b and 5c is shown, are moved in the transport direction 52. The envelopes 20 of the group 71 are pushed against the stop 88. This is preferably done after the holding contact between the transport elements 64 and 66 and the envelopes 20 of the group 71 has been removed, as has already been described in more detail above.

After the envelopes 20 have now been pressed against the stop 88 and thus held between stop 88 and stop 86 of the slider 78 ', the slider, as in the transition of Fig. 5c to 5d can be seen in a vertical movement, as indicated by a double arrow 84, moved down. The envelopes 20 of the group 71 are taken and transferred to the transport box 74.

This previously described method of Fig. 5a to 5d is particularly well suited for the case that the group 71 of the envelopes 20 of the length exceeds that of the transport container 74. This is because the envelopes 20 at the step in the transition from Fig. 5b to Fig. 5c additionally be compressed in the transport direction 52.

According to the presentation of Fig. 5a in transition to Fig. 5b It is also possible that by this method, a division of envelopes 20, which are lined up within a transport unit 14, 16, can be performed in groups. For this purpose, the stop 86 is moved in a vertical movement corresponding to the double arrow 84 between two envelopes 20, between which the separation is to take place. Thus, this method is also suitable for devices which have, for example, only one transport unit 14, 16, or generally no separation into groups 71, as will be described in more detail below.

According to the presentation of Fig. 6 The device 10 additionally has a control unit 100 in this embodiment.

This control unit 100 is used to control in particular the transport units 14 and 16, but preferably also of the entire device 10. This is indicated by an arrow 102.

The control unit 100 controls, for example, the separation of envelopes 20 into different groups 72, as will be described below in more detail in connection with FIGS Fig. 7a to 7f is described.

The control unit 100 receives data from any unit 104 for this purpose. This unit 104 can itself be part of the device 10. Furthermore, it is conceivable that this is a component of a machine 10 upstream of the machine, which is not shown here, is. This can be, for example, the inserting machine mentioned above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the unit 104 includes a data acquisition device 106, which may be, for example, a camera or scanner not shown in detail herein.

This data acquisition device 106 transmits the acquired data to the unit 104, which then forwards this data to the control unit 100 itself. This is illustrated by arrows 108 and 110. Alternatively, the data may also be forwarded directly from the data acquisition device 106 to the control unit 100, which is indicated here by an arrow 112.

The data thus transmitted in each case can reach the control unit 100 as raw data, which then converts these into corresponding control data or else is previously converted into corresponding data to be used by the control unit 100 either in the unit 104 or also in the data acquisition device 106.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the transport unit 14 and preferably also the transport unit 16 in such a way that it controls the transport speed of the transport elements 54 and 56 or 54, 56, 64 and 66.

This division of the envelopes 20 into arbitrary groups 71 will now be described below with reference to FIGS Fig. 7a to 7f be explained in more detail.

In Fig. 7a an initial situation is shown in which four envelopes 21 to 24 are already accommodated at their side edges 19 and 19 'by transport elements 54' and 56 ', shown schematically here, in a transport unit 14'. Another envelope 25 is still here in the feed 12 'and is, as determined by the transition from Fig. 7a 7b is also received in the transport unit 14 'between the transport elements 54' and 56 '. Thereupon another envelope 26 moves into the feed 12 '. Also this envelope 26 is received in the transport unit 14 ', as determined by the transition of Fig. 7b to 7c, whereupon another envelope 27 follows. This sequence of receptacles in the transport unit 14 'represents the normal case for receiving envelopes in a transport unit 14, 14' according to the present invention.

This now in the Fig. 7c illustrated envelopes 21 to 26 should form a separate group 72 ', which should be transported spaced from the envelope 27 and all subsequent envelopes.

For this purpose, the transport elements 54 'and 56' are briefly moved faster in the direction of transport direction 52. This takes place before the envelope 27, which is no longer part of the group 72 ', is received in the transport unit 14', that is to say between the transport elements 54 'and 56'.

This faster movement, or acceleration, of the transport elements 54 'and 56' can be initiated by the control unit 100, for example. This has, for example, from the data acquisition device 106 or the unit 104 according to the previously made statements information or data obtained that cause a separation between the envelope 26 and envelope 27. This data may be, for example, information about postal code areas, such that, for example, between envelopes 26 and 27 there is a change in the postal code areas. The division into these separate postal code areas is due to specific Specifications or agreements between the letter-sender and the mail-order company.

Returning to the Fig. 7c and 7d one sees now in the Fig. 7d in that, as a result of the faster movement in the direction of the transport direction 52, the group 72 'of the envelopes 21 to 26 is now further spaced from the envelope 27.

In the next step, which through the transition of Fig. 7d to Fig. 7e is shown, the still existing in the feed 12 'envelope 27 is now between the transport elements 54' and 56 'added to the transport unit 14'. In this case, another envelope 28 then likewise moves in the feed 12 ', as shown in FIG Fig. 7e you can see. It can now further be seen here that the envelope 27 and the envelopes 21 to 26 of the group 72 'are arranged at a distance 114 spaced from one another in the transport unit 14' and are thus transported further along the transport direction 52.

In the transition from the Fig. 7e to Fig. 7f is further illustrated the case that, for example, also based on data that had received the control unit 100, the envelope 27 should form its own group 72 ".

This is done again in the transition from Fig. 7e to Fig. 7f a short acceleration, or faster transport movement of the transport elements 54 'and 56' in the direction of the transport direction 52. Thereafter, also between envelope 27 and envelope 28, a greater distance 114 'before. The envelope 27 thus forms its own group 72 '.

Within the transport unit 14 'are thus now, with reference to the representation of Fig. 7f transporting groups 72 'and 72 ". Between these two groups is the in Figs. 7e and 7f shown distance 114, 114 'present. Accordingly, there is also between the envelope 27, and the group 72 ", and the subsequent envelope 28, which belongs to its own not further shown here group of envelopes, a further distance 114 'before.

These distances between the groups, here 72 'and 72 "and the envelope 28, designated by reference numerals 114 and 114', may be identical or different, depending on the desires and configurations of the device 10 and preferably the control unit 100 ,

The further transport of the groups 72 ', 72 ", etc., now takes place in accordance with the statements made above and leads according to the method and the previous description of a first transport unit 14 in preferably a second transport unit 16. From then on, for example, the first Group 72 'are transferred by releasing the envelopes 21 to 26 of the transport elements 64 and 66 in a transport container 74 and would thus correspond to the previously described group 71. This is done without affecting the subsequent groups 72 ", etc., preferably still in a first Transport unit 14 and 14 'are located.

Furthermore, the transfer into the transport container 74 preferably takes place by means of a slide 78, 78 'in accordance with the statements made above.

Although in the Fig. 7a to 7f In particular, groups 71 ', 71 ", etc. described above are shown as small groups of six or fewer envelopes, and this is especially to be applied to larger quantities of envelopes as will occur in normal use of the device 10. The smaller amounts shown here are only too dense In the usual use of the device 10 according to the invention, however, envelope quantities of 20 or more envelopes are generally assigned to a respective group as a rule.

Claims (15)

Device for transporting flat products (18), comprising at least one feed (12) and a first transport unit (14), which has at least two transport elements (54, 56) arranged parallel to the transport direction (52) and to opposite side edges (19, 19 ') of the sheet-like products (18) can be applied, so that the sheet-like products (18) by the transport elements (54, 56) can be grabbed, held separately carrying and standing in the transport direction (52) are transportable. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises at least a second transport unit (16) having at least one transport element (64, 66) through which the products (18) in the transport direction (52) further transportable and out of the device wherein the at least one transport element (64, 66) is arranged parallel to the transport direction (52) and can be applied to at least one edge (19, 19 ', 47, 49) of the flat products (18), so that the flat products ( 18) are gripped by the at least one transport element (64, 66), held separately carrying and standing transportable. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second transport unit (16) has two transport elements (64, 66) which are mutually perpendicular to the transport direction (52) variable in their distance (58). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least the transport elements (54, 56) of the first transport unit (14) conveyor belts (60, 62) on which the side edges (19, 19 ') of the sheet-like products (18 ) and can be gripped by these. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transport units (14, 16) in each case or together have at least one further transport element (59), which at further edges, in particular at the lower edges (49) of the sheet-like products (18). can be applied. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device further comprises a slide (78, 78 '), at least perpendicular to the transport direction (52) movable and arranged against an upper edge (47) of the sheet products (18) movable is. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (78, 78 ') is additionally arranged movable in the transport direction (52). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device further comprises a control unit (100) through which at least the transport units (14, 16) are controllable. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the control unit (100) is configured to receive data from the feeder (12) or from one of the feeder upstream or from a unit (104, 106) connected thereto and from these data the products (18) into separate groups (71, 72, 72 ', 72 ") of products (18) in the device separated by spaces (114, 114') along the transport direction. Method for transporting flat products (18), in particular letter envelopes (20-28), comprising the following steps: - Receiving the sheet-like products (18) from a feed (12) in at least a first transport unit (14) having at least two transport elements (54, 56), - Transporting the sheet-like products (18) within the first transport unit (14) in a transport direction (52), wherein the sheet-like products (18) of the transport elements (54, 56) at opposite side edges (19, 19 ') kept separate and be transported standing. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the delivery of the flat products (18) takes place individually or in small packages and the sheet products (18) in the transport unit (14) parallel to each other and in the transport direction (52) seen one behind the other at any distance ( 114, 114 ') are arranged to one another. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the following further step: - Separation of the supplied sheet products (18) into separate groups (71, 72, 72 ', 72 ") of sheet products (18) within the first transport unit (14), by inserting distances (114, 114') along the transport direction (52). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the insertion of the distances (114, 114 ') has a short-term increase in the transport speed of the transport elements (14, 16) between the recording of two flat products (18) from the feed (12). Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the following further steps: continuous transfer of the sheet-like products (18) from the first transport unit (14) into at least one second transport unit (16) which has at least one transport element (64, 66), - Further transporting the sheet-like products (18) within the second transport unit (16) in the transport direction (52), wherein the flat Products (18) are held separately by the transport element (64, 66) on at least one edge (19, 19 ', 47, 49) and transported vertically. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by the following further step: - Release of the sheet products (18) from the second transport unit (16) and transferring the sheet-like products (18) in a transport container (74, 74 ').

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