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US 6,746,202 B2Granted
Method and arrangement for the production of crossed stacks
AssigneeFerag AG
InventorsCarl Conrad Mader, Erwin Muller
Life of this patent
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AssigneeFerag AG
InventorsCarl Conrad Mader, Erwin Muller
Estimating the term…
Flat objects (7) to be stacked in a stacking device (2) are supplied serially, individually held and aligned with one another. Cross stacks (12) are produced by subjecting alternating groups (11, 11′) of the supplied objects (7) to one of two step sequences, wherein, in both step sequences, the objects of the groups are released from held conveyance and are, in at least one of the step sequences, brought to the stacking device lying on a conveying surface (10.1, 10.1′) in an imbricated formation. In the two step sequences, a rotation difference of 180° around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces is established between alternating groups (11, 11′). The objects (7) positioned in the stacking device in groups form a cross stack (12), without requiring the stacking device (2) or parts thereof to be rotated between groups of objects being positioned. This results in shorter cycle times and in a smaller number of moving parts. The stacking system is suitable in particular for producing cross stacks (12) made up of rectangular or square, folded printed products.
A method for producing cross stacks (12) from flat objects (7), wherein the objects (7) are supplied to be stacked being conveyed serially along a conveying track (3) individually held and aligned with one another and are stacked in stack sections rotated relative to one another by 180° around a stacking axis, and wherein, prior to being stacked, the objects (7) are subjected to one of a first step sequence or a second step sequence in alternating groups, wherein in both step sequences the objects (7) are released from held conveyance to be conveyed to the stacking, in at least one of the step sequences the objects are lying in an imbricated formation on a conveying surface and wherein the two step sequences together comprise at least one rotation step (A, B, C) such that there is a rotation difference of 180° around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces between the two step sequences, and wherein the objects (7) are stacked alternatingly in groups from the first and from the second step sequence.
An arrangement for producing cross stacks (12) from flat objects (7) being supplied serially and uniformly aligned, said arrangement comprising a supply system (1) and a stacking device (2), wherein, for supplying the objects serially, individually held and uniformly aligned along a conveying track (3) in a conveying direction (F), the supply system (1) is equipped with grippers (6) and comprises a first release point (E) with a first release means for releasing objects (7) from held conveyance in a controlled manner, wherein the supply system (1) further comprises a second release point (E′) situated at a distance downstream from the first release point (E) with a second release means for releasing objects (7), at least the first release means is controlled for releasing groups of objects and for passing other groups of objects, the arrangement further comprising at least one conveying device (10, 10′)with a conveying surface (10.1, 10.2, 10′.1, 10′.2) and being arranged between one of the release points (E or E′) and the stacking device (2), wherein the supply system (1) between the first and the second release point (E and E′) and/or the at least one conveying device (10, 10′) are arranged or are equipped with rotation means such that the objects (7), depending on their release at the first or at the second release point (E, E′), are rotated around an axis perpendicular to the object surfaces with a rotation difference of 180°.
An arrangement for producing cross stacks (12) from serially supplied, flat objects (7), said arrangement comprising a supply system (1) and a stacking device (2), wherein, for supplying the objects (7) serially, individually held and uniformly aligned along a conveying track (3) in a conveying direction (F), the supply system (1) is equipped with grippers (6) and comprises a first release point (E) having a first release means for releasing objects (7) from held conveyance in a controlled manner, wherein the conveying track (3) of the supply system (1) is arranged above a conveying surface (10.1) that is directed towards the stacking device (2) and the release point (E) is arranged above the conveying surface, and wherein the arrangement further comprises, at the release point (E) or upstream thereof, means for rotating alternating groups of the grippers (6) in opposite directions relative to the conveying track (3) and, in the area of the release point (E), means for depositing the alternating groups of objects (7) in opposite directions on the conveying surface (10.1).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.