EP2841370A1

EP2841370A1 - Method and device for creating a product flow of product units in a predefined sequence

Info

Publication number: EP2841370A1
Application number: EP13714535.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Honegger
Original assignee: Ferag AG
Current assignee: Ferag AG
Priority date: 2012-04-25
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Also published as: US9290352B2; CH706437A1; US20150114797A1; WO2013159238A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for creating a product flow from product units (9) in a predefined sequence. The device contains a first conveying device (1) with a grouping section (G) for creating a clocked product flow of product units (9) from fed-in products (8) in a predefined sequence. The device further contains a discharge conveying device (3) for conveying the product units (9) away in the predefined sequence in a clocked product flow. According to the invention, the device (1) contains a bypass device (5) that is configured such that, by bypassing a conveying path section of the discharge conveying device (3), product units (9b) can be fed to the discharge conveying device (3) in a temporally subsequent manner and thus can be sorted into the predetermined sequence of product units (9).

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING EBNES PRODUCT UNIT TRANSMISSION IN THE PRESENTED SEQUENCE

The invention is in the field of conveying and processing technology of sheet-like products, in particular of printed products. It relates to a method and a device for creating a clocked product stream of product units in a predetermined sequence according to the preamble of the independent claims I and 10.

The creation of a product flow, also called a flow, of flat product units in a predetermined sequence or sequence serves in particular for the purpose of further processing in this predetermined order. A given sequence represents by definition a sorted sequence of product units.

A preferred application is in the mailroom department when assembling and optionally addressing product units in a predetermined order corresponding to a predetermined sequence of addresses, which corresponds, for example, to a delivery route. The additional route represents the route that a deliverer expires or departs when the product units are delivered.

In mail-order technology, various products must be sorted according to addressee and grouped together into what are known as product units. to get nabbed. Such product units can be present, for example, as small stacks or collections. The product units can therefore be product compositions. The background is that usually each addressee receives an individual compilation of different products, whereby also the different products of a product unit personify, z. B. can be addressed.

The products of a product unit may be in the form of letters or addressed printed products such as magazines, newspapers or advertising inserts. It may also also individual or all products, such. For example, letters, journals, cards or bookiets of a product unit destined for a particular addressee may be individualized prior to or during the compilation of a product unit with the particular address.

Furthermore, the product unit may also contain products that are not addressed, but are tailored to the personal preferences of the addressee. These can be newspapers, magazines or advertising supplements.

The addressees are of a delivery usually in a predetermined order, which z. B. the delivery route corresponds sought. Therefore, it is important that the product units are also provided in the order of the delivery route for delivery.

There is therefore a need for the entire product stream of product units, also referred to as the product stream, to be created already during the production of the product units in the prescribed sequence. This sequence should also be followed by subsequent broadcasting! and promotion steps are maintained.

Further processing may include the addressing of all or selected products or the addressing of an envelope summarizing the product unit be. Furthermore, the further processing may also include packaging of the product units, eg, in an envelope or in a plastic protective cover.

For example, the addresses are printed on the product units in a sequence according to the sequence in the conveying direction. The products can then also be promoted according to a predetermined delivery route (sequence of the recipients) to a delivery direction from which the product units are delivered. The above statements are to be regarded as part of the invention disclosure.

It may now happen that a product unit contrary to the specification is not or only formed incorrectly. For example, in a faulty product unit. Products missing, which were not delivered for various reasons. Furthermore, the product unit may also contain damaged products.

A missing or defective product unit must be subsequently corrected or recreated before it can be provided for delivery or further processing. Correcting the product unit means, among other things, that the product unit is completed by supplying the missing products that faulty products are replaced , or that surplus products are eliminated.

The subsequent creation or completion of the missing or defective product unit, however, means that it is no longer in the right place in the meantime erstiltten and in the orrichtung weitergeförderten sequence is arranged.

However, since you want to maintain the given sequence of product units in all circumstances, you must completion of the one. It stops the further promotion of the immediately correctly assembled product units of the sequence in the device and breaks the continuous creation of product units. The subsequently correctly created product unit is then inserted in the right place in the sequence. The further promotion of the sequence and thus the creation of further following product units: can then be resumed.

As an alternative to this method, the affected sequence stringing device can also be placed in a waiting loop and can only be returned to further conveyance after completion by the said product unit. Again, however, the creation of subsequent product units is interrupted until the relevant sequence section is completed and can be further promoted. Thus, EP 2 107 023 A1 describes a method and a device for completing a sequence of product units in the event of faulty product units. The solution to the problem described in this publication is based on returning the product sequence along a closed orbit to the grouping line where the product units were assembled and completing the defective product unit. Subsequently, the completed sequence of a transfer device for transfer to a removal device is supplied.

Although this method ensures the transfer of a predetermined sequence to a Wegfördereinrichiung, However, the production of subsequent product units in the Ansehiuss to the faulty product unit must be interrupted until the defective product unit was again guided and completed by the Gruppierungsstrecke. Therefore, the process described above leads to many interruptions in production, the performance of the device is considerably reduced e. In the worst case, the distance does not reach the required throughput of product units per unit of time

US 5,171,005, in turn, describes an apparatus and method for assembling newspapers. The device has a plurality of feed stations and a dispensing station, wherein the feed stations are each assigned a Fülisehaeht for receiving printed products as a stack. Receiving compartments arranged on a circular rotating device are guided along a closed circular track past the feed stations arranged circularly and sequentially along this circular path, as well as the dispensing station. The receiving compartments guided past the feed stations are supplied with newspaper compartments by the associated filling shafts. At the delivery station, the compiled newspapers are delivered from the receiving receiving compartments to a gripper conveyor.

In the case of an addition error, the turning device completes an additional unidirectional movement to return the receiving tray affected by the feeding error to the corresponding feeding station and to eliminate the feeding error. In this way, a sequence of different newspaper products predetermined for later shipping can be maintained.

Again, the production of subsequent product units must be interrupted until the run in the rotating device sequence is completed and can be fed to Wegewayereinriehtung.

In addition, EP-A 0 51 1 159 describes a method and a corresponding device which serves to assemble complex product units by inserting partial products into a main product. It will be various products fed as continuous streams along at least one grouping section realized by a belt conveyor, grouped together Each group shall have a predetermined sequence of products. To avoid errors in the discharged product stream due to errors in the feed, it is proposed to buffer the products still in the feed streams before delivery to the grouping line, eg by means of corresponding intermediate conveyors. The delivery should only take place if there is a sufficient number of products in all buffers to create a complete group. If necessary, the creation of a group is delayed until this is the case.

However, this method only remedies one source of error, which leads to faulty product units. Basically, however, there are a number of reasons why a product unit is not put together or is only assembled incorrectly,

The US Pat. No. 5,547,175, in turn, describes a method for creating individualized products in a number of products which are each combined into a stack. The device includes two printing stations, which are controlled by a common control device. At a first printing station individual products can be personalized with messages and at a second printing station the product unit can be provided with a personal address. In said publication, however, no solution is described how sequences of product units with defective product units can be repaired without interrupting production and while maintaining the predetermined sequence.

The invention is based on the object of providing a method and a device for producing a product stream from a plurality of product units in a predetermined sequence, by means of soft defective ones Produkieiaheiten a sequence without production interruption and unier adherence to the given sequence can be corrected.

A sequence is to be understood as meaning a predetermined sequence of product units which, for B, are arranged in a specific sequence one behind the other along a conveyor line. The individual product units is thus given a specific place or a specific position in the sequence.

The sequence can be of any length. The sequence can consist of partial sequences which differ from other partial sequences by certain features, such as, for example, delivery region or delivery route.

The object is now achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of claim 10. Advantageous further applications and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The process for obtaining a pulsed product stream of product units in a given sequence includes the following steps:

- Supplies of products to the grouping line of a first conveyor;

- Initialise a pulsed product flow of product units from the supplied products along the Gruppierungsstrecke in a given

Sequence,

Transfer of the product units in the predetermined sequence to a removal device and removal of the product units in a pulsed product stream.

The product units may each be individual or several, in particular different, products which are combined to form the product unit are. The products may, for example, be bundled together in Stapein or be plugged into other products. A combination of these is also conceivable

The products are preferably flat products such as letters or printed products. Printed products can z. As newspapers, magazines, magazines, exercise books, books, advertising supplements or flyers.

The product units are preferably distinguishable from each other, individualized or person-identifiable. The product units can z. Example, by an addressing, marking or by a different composition of Unterseheidhar his be.

The product units are preferably individualized and assigned, for example, to a specific recipient or to a specific recipient address. Individualized product units should therefore be understood to mean product units which include recipient-specific features, such as address or products.

The individualized product units are identifiable by a control device of the device and assignable to the receiver.

Individual products of a product unit, such as letters, newspapers or magazines can be addressed separately. Other product unit products, such as advertising supplements, may be tailored to the recipient's personal needs. For this reason, the individual product units of a sequence can be differentiated not only in terms of Ernptanger address but also in terms of content,

The recipients of the product units may be, for example, persons. It is also conceivable that the recipient is merely a delivery address to a distribution point, from where then the products of the product units are further processed or distributed. According to the invention, a product gap in the product flow is now formed when a faulty or missing production occurs in the formed sequence at the point provided for the missing or defective product unit in the removal device.

The said conveying path section of the removal device is preferably arranged between a first and downstream in the conveying direction second transfer points on the removal device. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, all or only the correctly created product units are taken over by the removal device on the first take-over unit. The subsequently correctly created product announcements are from. the removal device taken on the second Ubemahmestile, or taken over again. The bridging device may, for example, be arranged between the first and second transfer points.

According to a preferred first development of the method according to the invention with regard to the transfer of defective product units, a defective production unit is not transferred to the removal device. This means that the product gap forming conveyor of the removal device is not filled with a product unit.,

Product gap means that a product unit is missing in a given sequence of product units because z, B, the remaining unit of product was withheld during further processing or was previously discharged. A sequence of product units may contain one or more, eg immediately consecutive, product gaps. In the case of the conveying means, the product is expressed by the fact that, with the conveying means which promote the product irom, one of the conveying means does not contain any product unit. In the conveying device, therefore, a product gap is formed in the product stream for the missing product unit. According to the first development of the method according to the invention, the conveying means provided for the missing product unit are left empty in the sequence when the product units are transferred to the removal device,

According to a second development of the method according to the invention with regard to the transfer of defective product units, a faulty product unit is indeed transferred to the removal device. The faulty product unit is, however, subsequently discharged from the product flow of the removal device for the purpose of forming a product gap by means of a discharge device.

It can also happen that a product stream has a plurality of product gaps directly one behind the other or spaced apart from one another. Correspondingly, a plurality of conveying means arranged directly one behind the other or spaced apart from each other can not contain any product units in the conveying device.

Missing or defective product unit can mean that the product unit is not formed at all or only incompletely formed. For example, one or more products may not be dispensed in the grouping section for different reasons and may be missing in the product unit accordingly. This can be z. B, happen if a gap occurs in the product feeder as a result of faulty processing.

Furthermore, it may also happen that one or more supplied products have damage or are not aligned correctly with each other and therefore either can not be supplied to the product unit or must be removed again from the product unit. Furthermore, it can also happen that one or more wrong products are supplied to a product unit, which must be removed from the product unit again.

The subsequent correction of the product unit may be that at a Ausschbleusstaiion individual products of the product unit or the whole defective product unit discharged, and the product unit is completed or completely rebuilt.

If only products in the product unit are missing, the incomplete product unit of the grouping line can be returned and completed.

The missing or defective product unit is therefore subsequently created correctly in the grouping route and then transferred to the removal facility. However, the said product unit is now supplied via a bridging device with the bridging of a conveying section of the conveying device in time following the product gap. In this way, the predetermined sequence of product units in the conveying direction is provided in a completely sorted sequence for further processing.

The way conveyor may comprise a transfer conveyor as well as an intermediate conveyor. The transfer conveyor conveys the product units from the first conveyor to the intermediate conveyor. The to be bridged Förderstreckenabsehnitt and accordingly also the first and second takeover steep are formed in. The intermediate conveyor. According to a first development of the method according to the invention with regard to the transfer of subsequently correctly produced product units, the subsequently correctly produced product unit is transferred from the first conveying device, for B. transferred directly or indirectly via a transfer conveyor to a Überbrüekungseinrichtung and passed from the Überbrüekungseinrichtung for the first time to the way or intermediate conveyor and fed to the product gap in the product stream at the way or Zwischenfördereinriehiung.

According to a second development of the method according to the invention with regard to the transfer of subsequently correctly produced product units, the subsequently correctly produced product unit is transferred from the first conveying device, for B. passed directly or indirectly via a Transierfördereinrichtung to the way or intermediate conveyor and subsequently delivered from the way or intermediate conveyor to the Überbrüekungseinrichtung.

Said product unit is passed over the Überbrüekungseinrichtung Bridging a conveyor line section of the way or intermediate conveyor back to the way or intermediate conveyor and fed to the product gap in the product flow at the path or intermediate conveyor. The subsequently correctly created product unit is thus sorted into the previously formed sequence of product units.

This second development of the method has the advantage that both the first-time and later correctly created product units can be taken over by the removal device at a common first transfer point. The subsequently correctly created product units are subsequently removed from the removal device as described above and transferred to the bridging device. - i .3 -

The sequence is preferably forwarded before, during and / or after its completion in the removal device. This means that the sequence or partial sequence is in constant motion in the conveying direction along its conveying path. A shutdown of the device or individual devices of the device is not necessary.

The device contains for carrying out the inventive method:

a first conveyor having a grouping section for creating a pulsed product flow of product units from the supplied products in a predetermined sequence;

- A Wegifördereinriehtung for conveying away the Produktseinlieiten in the given sequence in a pulsed product stream.

By grouping route, it is intended to generally mean a zone in the first conveying device in which the product units are assembled in a predetermined sequence. Preferably, the grouping section includes a conveyor section in the first conveyor along which the product units are assembled. As already mentioned, the removal device may comprise a transfer conveyor and an intermediate conveyor.

The transfer conveyor arrangement serves to take over the product units from the first conveyor and transfer the product units to the intermediate conveyor. For this purpose, the product units are delivered to the transfer conveyor at a delivery point assigned to the first conveyor, and taken over from them at a transfer point assigned to the intermediate conveyor. For this purpose, the transfer conveyor preferably contains at least one intermediate conveyor, which conveys the product units from the dispensing stele of the first conveyor to the takeover point at the intermediate conveyor and optionally to a bridging device. The intermediate conveyor can z. B. be a belt conveyor or a gripper conveyor or a combination thereof, or this include.

The device according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that it contains a transmission device which is designed so that product units of the removal device, while bridging a conveying section, are subsequently fed to the conveying device and thus sorted into the previously formed product gap sequence of product units can be. The bridging device can also be described as a bypass, sorting or caster device. With the help of the bridging device, the conveying path of a product conveying unit which is subsequently supplied in time can be reduced by omitting conveying records. In this way, the product unit can still reach and be sorted into a previously-divided sequence of product units to which this product unit belongs.

For this purpose, a first and second transfer point are preferably provided on the removal device or intermediate transfer device, to which product units can be taken over by the removal device.

A first Übemalirnestelle is designed to pass the initially correctly assembled product units of a sequence to the removal device.

A second collection point, subordinate to the first takeover point in Fördemchiung, is designed to subse- quently create correctly created product units Bridging a conveyor section to pass to the removal device or the Zwischenfördereimichtung.

Between the first and second takeover berth lies the Überbrüekbave conveyor section. The Förderstreckenabsermiit has a plurality of funding, each associated with a conveyor cycle.

The bridgeable Fördererreckertabschnitt can, for. B. be designed as an open loop. This is distinguished by the fact that the direct distance between the two first and second transfer parts forming the runners is shorter, in particular substantially shorter, than the length of the conveyor run formed by the skein run,

If, therefore, a subsequently correctly produced product unit is fed to the second transfer film of the removal device, the delivery cycles in the intermediate conveying section are omitted. Since the product units of a sequence, which have been correctly assembled at the first takeover stage of the removal device, have to pass through this conveyor section, the product unit produced in the following time reaches the product gap that has formed in the product flow.

The additional time required for the subsequent creation of the product unit can be compensated for by the time it takes for the product units, which are correctly assembled right from the start, to pass through the said conveyor section.

If a transfer conveyor is provided, then these processing stations can be assigned which carry out processing steps on the product inserts during their conveyance through the transfer conveyor. So z. For example, a summarizing station can be provided, at which the loose products of the product units are combined into coherent product units. The summary station can, for. B. in the form of a Folierstation, where the product units are wrapped with a Plastikhülie,

Furthermore, a Besehriftungs- or printing station may be provided on which the product units are printed or label. So z. B. are applied to the product units addresses and / or other information. The first conveyor preferably includes a plurality of guided in a closed orbit conveyor, the funding, each associated with a conveyor cycle, each form a receiving portion for creating and receiving the product units. The receiving section may, for. As a bag, a compartment, a gripper with extended Greifersehenkel, a saddle, an incision a compartment, a depression, a hump or a sloping shelf with a stop.

The first conveyor preferably also includes means for clamping the product units on the conveyor means. Thus, the Aufhahmeabschnitte with a Abiageiläche cooperating grippers, clamps or hold-down, such as tapes or spring elements include. The spring elements are z. B. spring steel. The hold-downs may also be along the conveying direction arranged brush strips which press with their bristles against the product units. The receiving sections may be formed overlapping, scaled, staggered or arranged one behind the other,

Along the orbit a grouping line is provided, along which the products are transferred to the conveying means of the first conveyor via one or more door guides, forming products. The closed orbit now permits the return of the conveying means containing the missing or defective product units to the grouping section, in the grouping section, the product unit is subsequently correctly first or newly compiled and then, as before, the product units of the sequence of the conveying device correctly assembled immediately . Passed over a transfer conveyor a Zwischenförder- device. The apparatus is for this purpose controlled such that the product subsequently created einiieit on the Uberbrückungsemrichtung in the conveying device for this product unit in the way ^'resulting product gap is introduced in the product stream, the first conveyor is preferably part of a collating device for collating the product units in the form of collections along the grouping route. Such a collation device as can be used in the present invention is disclosed, for example, in EP 2 107 023 A1. The content of said publication with regard to the collating device and in particular with regard to the receiving compartments is hereby incorporated by reference and is considered part of the disclosure.

The Zusanm entrageinrichtung distinguished in particular by an orbit of the conveyor, which contains two sections. The two subregions are arranged one above the other, the grouping path being formed in an upper subregion of the revolving path. The orbit runs in the subregions preferably horizontally or substantially horizontally. Arranged along the grouping box is one or a plurality of supply devices, via which the products are delivered to the conveying means moved along the grouping section. The lower part region forms a return region. The upper and lower part regions are connected to one another via a front and rear deflection viewed in the conveying direction along the group path. In the two deflections, the conveying means are deflected from the upper portion into the lower portion and vice versa.

The product units are, as shown in the following exemplary embodiments, preferably delivered at a deflection to the removal device or to a transfer conveyor. WO 2010/051651 A2 describes a particular embodiment of the above-described gathering device, as it can also be found in the present invention application. The content of the above publication relating to the collating apparatus, and in particular to the storage compartments, is hereby incorporated by reference and is considered part of the disclosure.

The Zusammeninmentrriection according to the cited publication is characterized in particular by the fact that the funding is formed as Aufnahmeeini pages with a, in particular obliquely inclined bearing surface for the products. The receiving units also include grippers with a first and second gripper jaw, by means of which the product units can be gripped and held.

A comparable compilation also describes the EP 2 383 214 AI. The content of the cited publication concerning the compilation direction, and in particular as regards the recipient, is hereby incorporated by reference and is considered part of the disclosure.

The conveying means designed as a lifting unit according to the abovementioned embodiments are each moved along the orbit via a conveyor chain.

The way conveyor mrichümg or, the intermediate conveyor preferably also includes a plurality of funding, wherein for a product unit preferably a respective funding is provided. Each subsidy is assigned a funding cycle. The removal device or intermediate conveyor may, for. B. include a gripper conveyor. The Fordermiitei correspond in this Fal l the individually in succession along a conveyor line conveyed grippers. According to a further development of the invention, the number of conveying strokes predetermined by the conveying means in the conveying line separation of the conveying device or intermediate conveying device corresponds at least to the number of conveying cycles along the closed orbit of the first conveying device. According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the removal device comprises, as already explained above, a transfer conveyor device and an intermediate conveyor device. The Überrückungseinrichtung is arranged downstream of the transfer conveyor in the process direction. Further, a switch device is provided, which allows either the right time correctly assembled product units of a sequence of the first takeover point and there pass the Zwischenforderereinrierieht and subsequently supplied correctly created Produktinlieiten over the Uberbrückungseinrichtung the second Uhernahrnestelle and there pass the intermediate conveyor. The term "switch device" is to be construed broadly and is intended to encompass any type of device which allows a product unit detected by the transfer conveyor device to be fed optionally to a first or second transfer point of the intermediate conveyor device. The switch device can be controlled via a corresponding control device.

The intermediate conveyor device as well as the downstream bridging device including switch device can be designed according to the transfer device disclosed in WO 2 09/065242 A1. The content of said publication concerning the transfer device is hereby incorporated by reference and is considered part of the disclosure.

According to the publication mentioned above, the grippers of the intermediate conveyor device are deflected in a preferably downwardly directed articulation. The deflection can z. B. a deflection of the conveyor track to. 90 ° (degrees) or more, in particular u n 180 ° include.

The deflection has z. B. the task feed the product stream in a Förderwegsehlaufe or out of this.

The funding, such. B. gripper, are preferably conveyed in the deflection in an arc. This leads to the effect that the distances of the radially outside lying Produktionskißabschnitie, like gripper tine, the funding increases in the deflection.

An intermediate conveyor of the transfer conveyor, which in particular is a belt conveyor, now supplies all product units delivered by the first conveyor to the deflection of the intermediate conveyor. The grippers contain via a control device between an open and closed position relative to each other pivotable gripper legs. Furthermore, preferential example, the gripper on the Steuerangseinrichtung swiveled. The pivoting of the gripper and the gripper parts can be done, for example via Steuerkulissen. By Stel development of the gripper arms relative to each other and / or by the pivoting of the gripper, now the gripper or the gripper legs can be placed on the first transfer parts in a position in which they accept or reject a supplied from the intermediate conveyor Frodukteinheit rejected product units are supplied to the downstream Überbrüekungsemrich- device, in particular a belt conveyor the Überbrüekungseinrichtung

The feeding of the product units to the conveying means, in particular to the Greiiem the Zwischenfördereimichtung on the second transfer parts can be done by a double belt conveyor, as besclii'ieben example, in EP 1 41 1 01 1 B l. The content of said publication concerning the double hand conveyor is hereby incorporated by reference and is considered part of the disclosure. Again, the grippers are deflected at a preferably downwardly directed deflection. The deflection can z. B, a deflection of the conveyor track by 90 ° (Winkeigrade) or more, in particular by 180 ° include.

The product units are conveyed via the double belt conveyor from bottom to top to the rotating around the deflection grippers and handed over to this.

The product units are supplied to the Doppeibandfordereinrichtung isolated, z. B. via a belt conveyor, and deflected by the Doppeibandfordereinrichtung about 90 ° in a vertical orientation upwards. The time of the product delivery can be controlled by the drive of the double hand conveyer device. The product units can thus be retained in the double-belt conveyor until the product gap has arrived. Accordingly, the double belt conveyor is also controlled by the control device,

According to a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the bridging device is arranged between a delivery area on the first conveying device and the second transfer point of the removal device.

The device may also include a transfer conveyor here, which takes over the product units, which are correctly assembled right from the start, at a first delivery point from the first conveyor and transfers them to a first transfer part of a intermediate conveyor unit. The bridging device adopts the subsequently correctly created product units on the first or on a second delivery parts from the first conveyor and transfers them to a second transfer point of the intermediate conveyor unit. The bridging device preferably comprises an intermediate conveyor. The intermediate conveyor conveys the production units from the first or second discharge points of the first conveying device to the second transfer point on the intermediate conveyor device. B, a belt conveyor or a gripper conveyor or a combination thereof, or this include.

Between the first and second Übemahmestelle also here is a bridgeable conveyor section. The conveyor section, has a plurality of funding, each associated with a conveyor cycle. The bridgeable conveyor section can also here z. B. be designed as an open loop of already much-desired type. According to a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, the bridging device is arranged between a first and second overlay parts on the path or intermediate conveying device. Between the two transfer stations, the conveyor section of the removal device to be bridged wins. The first transfer template is designed for the transfer of later correctly created product units from the intermediate conveying device to the bridging device. The second transfer point is designed to deliver the subsequently correctly created product units to the way or Zwischenfördereinriehtung and sorting the same in the product gap. This embodiment is used in the method according to the second development with respect to the transfer of subsequently correctly created product units application.

The bridging means may include means for buffering the product units. These means may for example comprise a double belt conveyor. The device preferably also contains a control device for controlling the method steps according to the invention. These process steps are z, B .; ·· creating product units in a given sequence and the

Transfer of the product units to the removal device;

- the subsequent creation of product units,

- Generating product gaps in the product flow of the Wegfördereinrichtung, and

· ^■ the isochronous feeding subsequently created product units in product gaps at the removal arrangement. The preparation of the product units as well as the formation of the product stream formed from successive product units are preferably monitored by the control equipment. For this purpose, a digital Taktabbiid the device is preferably generated in the Steuerseinriehtung. Thanks to this monitoring, it is possible to selectively sort subsequently correctly produced product units into the intended product gaps of a product stream in the path filter. The timing diagram permits the assignment of the product units to the conveying means and the tracking of the product units conveyed by the conveying means along the conveying path.

The speeds of the individual delivery schedules (including intermediate requestors) and any buffering of the subsequently produced product units can be controlled in such a way that the subsequently produced product unit is supplied at the time at which the product gap passes the second takeover.

For example, it may also be provided that the subsequently produced product unit is fed to the Überbrückun.gseinrichtung and retained by the Pufferungsrni tel so long in this, until the Produktlüeke reached the second Übernahmestelie.

The device preferably includes for controlling the processes sensors, which z. B. record product-specific information or detect irregularities in product processing and forward it to the controller. The sensor information may concern, for example, an incorrect address or a damaged product. On the basis of the evaluated sensor information, the control device initiates the necessary method steps for the subsequent completion or creation of a product inluence that has not been successfully produced.

The method according to the invention and the associated device have the advantage that defective or missing product units are subsequently completed. However, the subsequent completion of product units of an already produced and the Weglordereinrichtung passed sequential section does not block the continuous creation of further product units subsequent successive or subsequent production at the right place in the already delivered to the Wegfördereinrichtung sequence of product units Sequence sections. The device may optionally continue to operate even at maximum operating speed, regardless of whether erroneous Produktirüieiten must be corrected later.

During the passage of subsequently completed product units through the bridging device, it may indeed be that a product gap is formed at the first transfer point which moves on through the removal device. However, this product gap is meaningless for subsequent processing steps. The decisive factor is that the prescribed Sequenzabfoige can be met,

The device according to the invention for carrying out the method also has the advantage that it can implement the invention with little design effort. For example, existing devices can also be retrofitted. Moreover, the control technology implementation of the invention is relatively simple. The control of the device remains simple and manageable even with the erfxndungsgemässen method.

Due to the comparatively low complexity of Erflndungsgemässen device and the associated method are also less manual rework such B, manual sorting and placement of aachproduced product units in the product gaps of previously produced sequences of production units necessary.

The erfmdungsgernässe device has a compact design and takes up relatively little space.

Another advantage lies in the fact that the method according to the invention, including the controller and the associated device, is easy to understand and understand even for less-trained personnel. This allows safe operation of the device.

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each show schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIGS. 2a-2e: side views of sections of the first overhang location according to FIG

FIG. 3;

3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures,

The two embodiments of a device 1, 51 according to the invention each contain a collating device with a first conveying device 2, 52 for collating products 8 into product units 9. The first conveying device 2, 52 comprises a plurality of conveyor means 12 arranged one behind the other in the form of receiving sections Conveying means 12 are enüang a closed conveyor track W guided circumferentially. The conveying means 12 may be guided over a conveyor chain (not shown) z, B, for example. The receiving sections 12 each comprise a support surface and a hold-down cooperating with the support surface, by means of which the product unit 9 can be held on the 5 support surfaces.

The circulation tap W forms an upper and lower partial area. In the upper part of a Gruppierungsstreeke G is formed. Arranged along the grouping stand G are a plurality of supply units 7a-7f, 56a-56e, which are arranged to deliver products 8 to the intake lanes 12 required along the grouping gate G. For this purpose, the receiving sections 12 are conveyed along the grouping path G past the feed units 7a-7f ₅ 56a ~ 56e.

! S The product units 9 that have been created are deflected into the lower subarea after connection to the grouping route G via a front circumference viewed in the conveying direction F along the grouping path G, and are required for a rear deflection of the conveyor device 2, 52. The product units 9 are thereby transferred to a delivery conveyor 19, 69, 70 of a transfer conveyor 4, 54, 60 downstream of one of the grouping columns in the conveying direction F.

The empty receiving sections 12 are redirected via the rear circulation and returned to the upper section, where they are then moved again along the Gruppierungsstreeke G for the purpose of creating additional product units 9 5.

The device 1, 51 further includes a removal device. The Wegforderereinrichtung includes, inter alia, a Zwischenf rdereinrichtung 3. 53 in the form of a gripper conveyor with a plurality of grippers 13. The Zwisehenförder- Device 3, 53 conveys the product units 9 from the first conveyor 2, 52 to a further processing,

The takeover of the production units 9 by the Zwischenfikdereinrichtung 3, 53 at the takeover points 17, 18; 67, 68 takes place in each case by Sehiiessen the gripper 13. This process is controlled by appropriate slide guides. The slotted guides are in turn controlled by a Steuerungseim chiung 6, 55. The device 1, 51 further includes a central control device 6, 55, by means of which unier other Zufulireinheiten 7a-7, 56a-56e, further processing stations, such. B. a summarizing station 15, 65 and a labeling station 16, 62. the delivery of the product units 9 at the delivery parts 19, 69. 70, the acquisition of the units 9 at the takeover points 17, 18; 67, 68, including the switch device 20, as well as the discharge station 14 can be controlled coordinated.

Control device 6, 55 maintains a digital clock image of the device .1, 51. This allows the allocation of the production units 9 to the individual conveying means 12, 13, such as grippers, as well as the tracking of the product parts 9 required by the conveying means 12, 13 along the conveying path. The control device 6, 55 therefore knows z, 8. the state of the gripper 13 of the intermediate conveyor 3, 53, ie whether they are empty or occupied with product parts 9. The product units are preferably individualized.

According to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the product units 9 of the first conveyor 2 at the delivery point 19 are delivered in isolated form to a belt conveyor 10 of the transfer conveyor device 4, which is also part of the removal device. The discharge parts 19 is arranged in the lower part of the orbit W ending in the rear deflection. Along the belt conveyor 10 processing stations are arranged, on which the product units 9 are conveyed past. A first processing station comprises a summarizing station 1 5, at which the loose products 8 of the products 9 are combined to form coherent product units 9. At a subsequent reading station 16, the product units 9 are addressed and / or provided with other information.

Subsequently, the product units 9 are transferred to the grippers 13 of an intermediate conveyor device 3 at a first transfer point 17. The exact sequence of the takeover of the product units 9 by the intermediate conveyor device 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c.

If the control device 6 now determines that a receiving section 12 of the first conveyor contains a faulty product unit 9c or if it is completely missing, then the relevant receiving section 12 is conveyed back to the grouping path G without delivery of the defective product unit to the delivery section 19. A faulty product unit 9c may optionally be automatically discharged from the processing process at a discharge station 14 located in the lower portion of the orbit W.

The gripper 13 provided on the intermediate conveyor device 3 for gripping the product unit 9c which has been found to be faulty remains empty during the takeover of the product units 9a which have been assembled correctly right from the start and forms a product gap L.

The faulty product unit 9c is now subsequently completed or recreated. For example, the still missing products 8 are fed to the receiving section 12, which contains the faulty product unit 9c, in the grouping path G. Is said Aufnakrneabsebnitt 12 at its return empty because z. B, contrary to the default no product unit 9 was created before, or because the faulty product unit 9c was discharged at the return of the Aurhahnieabschnitts 12 at the discharge station 14, the product unit 9b is formed in said receiving section 12 when passing through the grouping G completely new.

Alternatively, in the latter case, the subsequently-divided product unit 9b can be created in any but empty receiving section 12. This means that the subsequent creation of the product unit 9b does not have to happen in that receiving section 12 to which the rejected or missing product unit was assigned. Incidentally, these two alternative approaches are not limited to the present exemplary embodiment but apply in general terms.

The subsequently produced product unit 9b is now also transferred to the belt conveyor 10 of the transfer conveyor 4 at the same delivery point 19, and, as previously, the other product units 9 of the relevant sequence are combined and labeled to form coherent product units 9b.

The intermediate feeder device 3 is now in the region of the first Übergabestei le 17 associated with a switch device 20, by means of which the position of the gripper 13 and the position of the gripper jaws 21, 21b relative to each other can be controlled so that the gripper 13 via the belt conveyor 10 supplied product units 9 take either with their gripper jaws 21 a, 21 b and take or laterally reject and do not take.

The retrofitted product unit 9h is also fed to the belt conveyor 10 of the first takeover point 17. The switch device 20 is now over the control device 6 is controlled in such a way that the gripper 13 arriving simultaneously in the conveying cycle of the subsequently produced product unit 9b rejects the product unit 9b by means of a pivoting movement and does not take over the product unit 9b.

The said product line 9b is thereby directed to a further belt conveyor I 1a of the bridging device 5. In this way, the product unit 9b is deflected in a vertical direction by bridging a conveyor section of the intermediate conveyor device 3 by means of a double belt conveyor 1b following the belt conveyor 11a and fed from below to a second transfer section 18 on the intermediate conveyor device 3.

The bridging device 5 furthermore also contains means 24 for buffering, that is to say for retaining the product units 9b until the time of delivery in the form of a double-band folder.

The second transfer part 18 is arranged in conveying direction F of the intermediate conveying device 3 of the first transferring parts 17. Between the first and second transfer point, a conveying path section is formed, which contains a plurality of grippers 13, each associated with a delivery cycle. The post-produced product unit 9b now precedes the product units 9a conveyed in the conveyor section section.

The product unit 9b is now inserted into the empty gripper 13. The empty gripper was previously formed by the non-delivery of the defective product 9c.

Of course, the belt conveyor I Ib, the product units 9b deflect only at an angle of up to 30 ° to a vertical. The conveying path section formed between the two transfer points 17, 18 is designed as an open conveying path loop 23. That is, the length of the conveyor section is substantially greater than the distance between the two Übemahmestellen 17, 18th

The intermediate conveyor 3 forms at the two Übemahmestellen 17, 18 each have a downwardly facing Umienkung around which the grippers 13 are guided by 180 °. The grippers 13, which are preferably guided on a conveyor chain (not shown), are thus conveyed from top to bottom to the Umienkung, deflected and again promoted from bottom to top. The orbit U of the gripper 13 forms a U-shaped conveyor section.

In the Umienkung each takeover of the product units 9 takes place. In this Förderabsclinitt the Aufnaiimebereiche Greiier 13 are moved apart by the arcuate Umienkung, so that between the receiving areas of the individual grippers 13 larger distances arise that allow safe transfer of the product units 9. This also applies to the transfer points 67, 68 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. While now the product units 9 are conveyed horizontally and tangentially to the transferring position to the first transfer parts 1 7 at the first pick-up pile 17, the product units 9 b are fed vertically from below at the second pick-up pile 18. In this type of feed, it is advantageous if the product units 9 are clamped between the two belts of the double-belt conveyor unit 1 1b and fed to the grippers 13.

The product units 9 can be supplied at a delivery point from the intermediate conveyor 3 for further processing. Thus, the product units 9 can deliver to a belt conveyor 30 and on the belt conveyor 30 one behind the other or in a Sehuppenstrom, but still in the predetermined sequence, a Stapelertiricb.tung 3 1 are supplied. The products are 9 in the Stapeleinriehtung 3! z. B. combined into batches or packages and bound.

Figures 2a to 2c show detailed sections of the first transfer parts 17. The intermediate conveyor 3 includes before the first transfer parts 17 an opening unit 22 for opening the gripper 13, the opening unit 22 ensures that the gripper 13 open run into the Überalimestelle 17.

Furthermore, the intermediate conveyor 3 in the region of the first tube estelfe 17 also contains a controllable ulissenführung 20, by means of which the pivot angle of the gripper 13 and the closing of the gripper 13 can be controlled. The Sehwenkwinkef of the gripper 13 on the transfer parts 17 is mitentscheidend whether the Frodukteinl is 9 introduced into the open Greifermaui 13 or by the pivoting of the gripper arms 21 a, 21 b and the iehtsehliessen the gripper 13 is not included. Accordingly, said slide guide is part of a switch device 20.

If the product unit 9b is rejected by the gripper 13, then it is conveyed by the belt conveyor 10 of the intermediate conveyor device 4 in the conveying direction F to the belt conveyor I Ia of the bridging device 5 located deeper or at the same level. The belt conveyor I Ia promotes the product unit 9b of the second transfer parts 8. The product units 9 are conveyed on the belt conveyors 10. Ha each isolated. Of course, the said belt conveyor can also be an inclination of z. B. up to 30 °.

As already explained above, the second embodiment of a device 51 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 also comprises a gathering device with a first conveyor 52. In contrast to the first embodiment, this embodiment, viewed in the conveying direction F along the grouping path G, has, in addition to a transfer conveyor 54 arranged on the rear transmission of the first conveyor 52, a bridging device 60 arranged on the front transmission.

The transfer conveyor 54 is designed to receive the initially correctly assembled product units 9 of a sequence at a first delivery part 69 from the first conveyor 52 and to transfer them at a first transfer point 67 to the Zw.Lichtsfördereinrichtung 53.

For this purpose, the product units 9 are delivered by the first conveyor 52 at the first delivery point 69 to a belt conveyor 59a of the transfer conveyor 54. The first discharge point 69 is disposed in the lower portion of the orbit W entering the rear transmission.

The product units 9a are conveyed past the belt conveyor 59a of a gathering station i5, at which the loose products 8 of the product units 9a are combined into coherent product units 9a. A double-belt conveyor 59b, which deflects the product units 9a upwards from a horizontal position into a vertical position and feeds and transfers the gripper 13 to the intermediate conveyor 53 from below, is also connected to the belt conveyor 59a. The bridging device 60 also contains means 64 for buffering ie for retaining the product units 9b until the delivery time in the form of a double belt conveyor,

The bridging means 60 is adapted to retrieve the subsequently created product units 9b of a sequence at a second delivery location 70 from the first Receiving conveyor 52 and transfer them to a second Überaahme- point 68 of the intermediate conveyor 53.

The second transfer destination 68 is downstream of the first transfer line 67 in the conveying direction F of the intermediate conveying device 53. Between the first and second transfer parts 67. 68, a conveying path section is formed which includes a plurality of grippers 13, each associated with a conveying cycle

The .Förderstreckenabschnitt 10 formed between the two transfer points 67, 68 is also formed here as an open Förderwegschlaufe 63. That is, the length of the conveyor section is substantially greater than the distance between the two transfer points 67, 68. In this case, the bridging device can be operated at the same speed as the transfer conveyor.

The subsequently produced product units 9b are now delivered from the first conveyor 52 on the second delivery slide 70 to a belt conveyor 61a of the bridging device 60. The second discharge part 70 is arranged in the beginning in the front deflection lower portion of the orbit W.

0

Attached to the belt conveyor 61a is a double-belt conveyor 61b, which deflects the product units 9b upward into a vertical position.

The loose products 8 of the product units 9b are likewise joined together at a combination station station 65 to coherent product units 9b and subsequently supplied from bottom to top to the grippers 13 of the intermediate order device 53 and transferred to or taken over by them.

The intermediate conveyor 53 also forms here at the two Ubernahmestellen 0 67, 68 each have a downwardly facing deflection, around which the gripper 13th are guided by 180 °. The grippers 13, which are preferably guided on a conveyor chain (not shown), are thus conveyed from top to bottom to the Umienkung, deflected and again promoted from bottom to top. The orbit U of the gripper 13 thus forms a kind of U-shaped Förderab section in the deflection takes place in each case the acquisition of the product units 9.

The additional time required for the postproduction or for the subsequent completion of the faulty product unit 9e is also made up here, inter alia, by the bridging over of a conveyor section at the intermediate conveyor 53.

Since the second discharge point 70, viewed in the conveying direction F, is located in front of the first delivery point 69, a portion of the additionally required time is also due to the earlier delivery of the subsequently divided product units 9b by the bridging of the conveying path section between the two delivery points 69, 70 on the first conveyor 52 caught up.

The intermediate conveyor 53 is further associated with a labeling station 62. The labeling station 62 is viewed downstream of the second transfer parts 68 in the conveying direction F of the intermediate conveying device 53. As a result, all product units 9 are felt past a common labeling station 62 and labeled with the address and / or other information.

Of course, the said belt conveyors 59a, 61a and an inclination of z. B. up to 30 °. Furthermore, the double belt conveyors 59b, 61b can also deflect the product units only at an angle of up to 30 ° to a vertical,

The product units 9 can be supplied at a delivery point from the intermediate conveyor 53 for further processing. So the produc- 9 deliver to a belt conveyor 80 and on the belt conveyor 80 in succession or in a Schuppenstro, but continue to be supplied in the predetermined sequence, a Stapeieinrichiung 81-. The product units 9 are in the Stapeieinrichiung 81 z. B. to Stapein or packages zusarnmengefasst and bound.

Claims

Method of creating a timed product flow of product units

(9) in a given sequence, comprising the following steps:

- feeding products (8) to the grouping stage (G) of a first conveyor (2, 52);

- creating a pulsed product flow of product units (9) from the supplied products (8) along the grouping path (G) in a predetermined sequence;

Transferring the product units (9) in the predetermined sequence to a removal device and conveying away the product units (9) in a timed product stream, thereby detecting a faulty or missing product unit in the formed sequence of product units (9) in the recycling device A product gap (L) in the product stream is formed at the point provided for the missing or defective product unit (9c), and the defective or missing product unit (9c) is subsequently corrected or post-produced along the grouping path (G) and via a bridging device (5, 60) is supplied to the product gap (L) while bypassing a conveyor section of the removal device and thus sorted into the previously formed sequence of product units (9).

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a defective product unit (9c) is not transferred to the removal device, forming a product gap (L).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying path section of the Wegfördereinrichiung between a first and downstream in the conveying direction second Überahrnestelle is arranged on the removal device, wherein the correctly created product units (9a) are taken over at the first takeover nestelle of the Wegfordereinrichtung and the subsequently correctly created product units (9b) are taken over by the removal facility at the second transfer point.

A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the product units (9) are conveyed to the first transfer parts, and the correctly created product units (9a) are taken over by the removal device at the first pickup point, and the subsequently correctly created product units (9b) have an interim The first and second transfer point arranged bridging device required for the second transfer point and be taken over by the way or intermediate conveyor.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the removal device comprises a transfer conveyor (4) and the Überbrückungsek direction (5) of the transfer conveyor (4) is arranged downstream, and the product units (9) of the transfer conveyor (4) passed and a first transfer point (17) are supplied, wherein a switch device (20) is provided, by means of which subsequently created product units (9b) of the first transfer parts (17) via the bridging means (5) a second Überahrnestelle (18) of the Wegfördereinrichiung be supplied.

Method according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that the product units (9a) created correctly right away are dispensed at a first delivery location of the first delivery device and at a first delivery location Transferring parts of the removal device are passed, and the subsequently correctly created ProduktInlieiten (9b) on the first or on a second delivery parts on the first conveyor, issued a bridging device and conveyed to a second transfer parts and handed over the Wegfordereinrichtung.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first conveyor (L 51) in a closed orbit (W) guided conveying means (12) for .Erstellung and recording of the product units (9) contains, and the conveying means (12) , which contains the missing or defective product unit (9c), returned to the grouping line (G) and the product unit subsequently created correctly and then the transfer device is handed over.

Method according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that a defective product unit, in particular at a first transfer point, is transferred to the removal device, and the defective product unit is subsequently discharged from the product flow in the removal device for the purpose of forming a product gap.

Verfaliren according to one of. Claims 1, 2, 3 or 7, characterized in that the subsequently correctly created product unit:

- The Wegfördereinrichtung, in particular at the first transfer parts, passed;

- Is delivered by the Wegfördereinrichtung to a Brückungseinriehtung;

- Bridging a conveyor line section of the Wegfördereinxich- direction of the bridging device, in particular at the second takeover parts, passed back to the Wegfördereinrichtung and sorted into the Produktiüeke in the Forderstrom. Device for facilitating a Produktiroms of product units (9), in particular according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising

- A first conveyor (2, 52) with a grouping line (G) for creating a pulsed product flow of product units (9) from supplied products (8) in a predetermined sequence;

- a Wegfiirdereinrichtung for Wegfördem the product units (9) in the predetermined sequence in a pulsed product stream .; characterized in that the device (1, 51) includes a bridging device (5, 60) which is designed so that subsequently produced product units (9b) are subsequently fed into the directional access device, thus bridging a conveyor section (23, 63) the previously formed and product gap (L) having sequence of product units (9) can be sorted.

A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the removal device comprises a first transfer point for receiving the product units (9a) created correctly right from the start and a second transfer order subordinate to the first transfer point for receiving the later correctly created product units (9b) and the Conveyor section is arranged between the first and second transfer rule.

12, device according to claim 10 or I L characterized in that the bridging means is arranged between the first and second transfer parts.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 (5 to 12, characterized in that the Wegfördereinrichtung a transfer conveyor (4) and a Z. Ordering (3) and the bridging means (5) of the transfer conveyor (4) is arranged downstream, and a switch means (20) is provided, which zuli to supply optional products (9) of a first transfer parts (17) and the Zwischenforderereüirichtung (3) to pass or over the Berhrü cungsemrichtung (5) a second Überabrnestelle (18) and supply the intermediate conveyor (3).

Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the bridging device (60) between a AbgabestelJe on the first conveyor (52) and the second Ubemahmestelie (68) of the Wegtordereinriehtung is arranged.

An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the transfer conveyor means (4, 54, 60) comprises an intermediate conveyor (10, 59a, 61a) adapted to store the products! nl eiten (9) from a first delivery point (19, 69, 70) on the first conveyor (2, 52) to a first takeover üe (17, 67, 68) at the intermediate conveyor device (3, 53) or optionally to a bridging device (5) to promote.

Device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the transfer conveyor device (4, 54) and / or the bridging device (5.60) comprises means (24, 64) for buffering the products in the lateral (9).

Device according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the Wegfördereinxiehtung, in particular the intermediate conveyor device (3,

53) comprises a gripper conveyor with a plurality of grippers (13) guided in succession along a conveyor line.

18. Device according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the first conveyor (2. 52) is part of a collating device for collating product units (9) in the form of collections of products (8) along the Gruppierungssirecke (G),

19. Device according to one of claims 10 to 18, comprising a control device (6, 55) for controlling the Verfalirensschritte according to claims 1 to 10.