US 5,295,679 A · Method and apparatus for conveying away flat products supplied in scale flow, particularly printed products

Abstract

A method for transforming a scale flow of printed products into a delivery flow of printed products in forced formation, typically a delivery flow in which each printed product is guided by a gripper, essentially comprises four method steps, namely a first deflection or reversal (1) through which a scale flow (B) with downwardly directed leading printed product edges is formed; a timing step (2) in which the spacings between the printed products are made uniform, increased; decreased and/or differentiated, a second deflection or reversal (3) in which a scale flow (D) with upwardly directed leading edges is produced; and an acceptance (4) in which the printed products are individually or groupwise taken over by grippers. The first and/or second deflection or reversal can be omitted. The apparatus for performing the method essentially comprises a supply belt conveyor (5) and a conveying away means (6), between which are arranged a timing element (21) and at least one intermediate belt conveyor. The timing element (21) has a stationary stop element (21.1), which individually or groupwise stops the printed products, and a movable conveyor element (21.2), which raises the printed products in timed individual or groupwise manner over the stop element (21.1).

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of product flow transformation of a delivery flow of printed products in a formation in which the relative positions of the products are not fixed into an acceptance flow of products in which the relative positions of the products are fixed comprising the steps of

conveying the delivery flow of products on a first conveyor to a timing location with leading edges of the products positioned downwardly,
at the timing location, engaging the products adjacent their leading edges and transferring the products of the delivery flow to a second conveyor while selectively accelerating or retarding the progress of the products in accordance with a predetermined rhythmic pattern to arrange the products in an acceptance flow of uniformly spaced units of one or more products per unit,
conveying the acceptance flow of units of products to an acceptance location, and gripping each unit with fixedly spaced grippers and removing the units of products from the second conveyor.

An apparatus for transforming a delivery flow of printed products in a formation in which the relative positions of the products are not fixed into an acceptance flow of products in which the relative positions of the products are fixed comprising the combination of

first conveying means for supplying said delivery flow to a timing location;
second conveying means for carrying products away from said timing location, said second conveying means having an inlet end adjacent said timing location and an outlet end;
timing means at said timing location for engaging leading edges of said products, for transferring said products from said first conveying means to said second conveying means, and for selectively accelerating or retarding said products during transfer, said timing means including a stationary stop element and a conveyor element acting alternately on said products, said conveyor element being rhythmically movable relative to said stop element to move said leading edges of said products and transfer said products past said stop element to said second conveying means;
and
gripping means adjacent said outlet end for gripping said products and conveying said products away from said second conveying means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for conveying away flat products supplied in scale flow, particularly printed products

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for conveying away flat products supplied in scale flow, particularly printed products

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18