EP1622778B1 - Device for inserting sheets into an envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an apparatus for filling sheets in an envelope with an envelope holding means, transport means for feeding the sheets to be filled to the holding means, feeding means for feeding the envelope to the holding means along a feeding direction, and discharging means for discharging the filled envelope from the holding device, along a discharge direction, wherein the feed device and the discharge device are arranged with respect to the holding means such that a first angle between the feed direction and a major surface of the holding device and a second angle between the discharge direction and the main surface of the holding direction are fixed. The invention further relates to a method for filling sheets in an envelope.

State of the art

For mass mailing of printed matter, such. As brochures, advertising mail, invoices or account statements, a large number of sheets must be filled reliably in envelopes in the shortest possible time. In this case, both the amount and type of leaves to be filled and thus the thickness of a filled envelope and the format of the envelopes between different shipping orders vary.

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

That's how it shows EP 0 504 114 B1 (Kern AG) a device in which the flap of the envelope is opened by a rotating member and the envelope is fed by rotating members along a feeding direction of a packing pocket. In this case, a hold-down roller is lowered to open the envelope slightly, and the Einpacktasche pivoted counter to the envelope in the feed direction, so that the envelope can be at least partially mounted on the Einpacktasche. Then the leaves to be filled are conveyed by transport elements into the packing bag and thus into the envelope and then the packing bag is pivoted back in the discharge direction, so that the envelope can be pulled off the packing bag and transported further.

The pivoting movements of the packing bag, which are necessary to move the bag from the feed to the discharge direction, take a certain time and thus slow down the process. The swivel bag also tends to "flutter" at high processing speeds, making it more difficult to control and limiting maximum speed and performance. Finally, it requires a complicated mechanical construction of the device.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device belonging to the aforementioned technical field, which allows increased performance and has a simpler mechanical structure.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the discharge device is arranged with respect to the holding device such that the main surface of the holding device is permanently parallel to the discharge direction. This has the consequence that the filled envelope, which is due to its mass carrier and less flexible due to its thickness than the empty envelope, can be transported in a straight direction away from the holding device. By contrast, the flexible empty envelope is deflected by the feed direction in the direction of the holding device.

Preferably, the feed device comprises a guide element with a delivery point, wherein the guide element is convex at its delivery point. The supplied, empty envelope follows the guide element, ie it is conveyed along a convex path. Due to the convexity of the guide element, the empty envelope is bent away from the feed direction such that the part which leaves the guide element at the delivery point is aligned with the holding device. The filled envelope, which leaves the holding device again, comes in a straight direction to the discharge device and is not hindered by the convex guide element, because this is bent away from the straight direction.

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

Advantageously, the guide element is formed by a curved guide plate with a vacuum device. The vacuum device creates a negative pressure between the guide plate and the envelope. This causes the envelope, which rests on the guide plate, follows the bending of the guide plate. At the delivery point, the front edge of the envelope is no longer in the feed direction due to the convex bend but is directed towards the holding element.

Instead of a guide plate with a vacuum device, a rotatable vacuum drum can be used, which connects the guiding function and the supply of the envelope. Alternatively, curved guide rails or other types of guide elements can be provided, which guide the envelope on both sides and bend so that it is aligned with the holding element.

Preferably, the holding element is formed by a pocket, on which the envelope is aufziehbar. On the one hand, the bag holds the opened or stretched envelope, on the other hand can be achieved by appropriate shaping of the bag, that the front part and the back of the envelope are kept at a certain distance from each other, so that the leaves to be inserted unhindered and at high speed in the reared Envelope can be introduced. The bag can be formed in particular by two lateral profiled rails. A bag for holding the envelope has the advantage that no moving or intermittently actuated elements are required to raise the envelope, hold it in an open, suitable for filling position or to dissipate it again.

Alternatively, holding devices can be used which hold the envelope from the outside, for. B. lateral retaining rails. The envelope may be kept open by means of vacuum devices which are advantageously operated intermittently so as not to interfere with the delivery and discharge of the envelope.

Preferably, the discharge device comprises a first conveyor having a first, lower pressure roller and a second, upper pressure roller, wherein the second pressure roller is resiliently pressed against the first pressure roller. Depending on the number and type of filled sheets, the envelopes have different thicknesses after filling. The sprung upper pressure roller allows guided passage of both thinner and thicker filled envelopes without the need for readjustment. In addition, the envelope is safely guided by the two opposing rollers when transporting away from the holding device. A roller can also be separated by a plurality of spaced rotational bodies, for. B. roles, be formed.

Alternatively, the envelopes can also be conveyed by a discharge device, which acts only from below on the envelopes, such as. B. a conveyor belt or one-sided conveyor rollers or rollers. Finally, if the device is designed for a specific envelope thickness, fixed rollers can be used.

If the discharge device comprises two pressure rollers, the feed device is advantageously arranged below the discharge device and comprises a second conveyor with an upper pressure roller and a lower pressure roller, wherein the first pressure roller of the first conveyor simultaneously forms the upper pressure roller of the second conveyor. By this arrangement, components are saved, the synchronization between feeding and discharge of the envelopes to or from the holding device is ensured and an extremely compact construction of the device is made possible.

Alternatively, the supply can be completely separate from the discharge, z. B. via a separate pair of rollers or rollers.

Advantageously, the device has a fuse for the envelope to prevent premature discharge of the envelope from the holding device. This ensures that the envelope is held when filling the leaves on the holding device. Premature removal of the envelope can, for. B. due to increased frictional resistance between the filled leaves and the envelope occur. This can lead to the elements for filling the leaves convey the envelope together with the (partially filled) sheets away from the holding device in the discharge direction. To prevent this, the fuse includes z. As a barrier, which is movable transversely to the discharge direction in front of the held in the holding device envelope and can be moved into the Abführungsweg inside.

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

Preferably, the discharge device comprises a take-off roll with a segment for detecting the filled-in envelope to be discharged. The segment engages the discharge plane for only part of the orbital period and is controlled to capture the envelope, when completely filled. As a result, a reliable discharge of the envelope from the bag is achieved.

Alternatively, the filled envelope can also be removed from the holding device by the envelope is conveyed by elements for filling the leaves further along the discharge direction after the filling of the sheets so that it from the discharge device, for. B. a suitably positioned pair of rollers, is detected.

Preferably, all the transport means for the envelopes are driven by a single motor. The transmission of the movement to the individual driven elements, for. As rollers or rollers, the transport facilities may, for. B. by means of chains, timing belts or gears, the transmission ratios can be specified mechanically. This simplifies the control, minimizes the cost of materials and further reduces the space requirement of the device.

Alternatively, different driven elements or groups of elements may be separately attached to motors, e.g. As servomotors, coupled.

The feeding device preferably has a segmented roller for pulling off the envelope from a stack, with a rolling-off segment for completely pressing on a flap of the envelope and a transport segment for transporting the envelope. The segment roller may extend throughout the entire width of the feeder, or it may be formed by a plurality of roller segments arranged along the width of the feeder. The rolling segment and the transport segment may be formed by respective sections of a single component or by separate components. It is important that the outer surface of the roller or the rollers acts only in segments on the envelope and has recesses along the remaining circumference. In these recesses, the envelope flap can be folded freely, so that it is fully pressed and flat, rests in a plane with the Kuvertvorderseite.

Alternatively, the envelope may be pressed by other means known in the art and transported through common conveying means.

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

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

Preferably, the rolling segment and the transport segment are formed by claws, which are arranged on a common axis of rotation. Each of these jaws is formed by a cantilever and a circle segment attached thereto. In this case, separate claws for the rolling segment and for the transport segment can be provided, but it is also possible to use combined claws, which cause no frictional connection with the envelope in a front region, so that first the envelope flap can be fully opened. In a rear area results -. B. due to another surface material - adhesion to the envelope so that it is transported. In order to improve the concentricity of the segment roller, additional counterweights are advantageously arranged on the axle.

An apparatus for opening an envelope flap for use with the device above comprises a blowing unit, wherein the blowing unit is arranged so that they can blow a bundled volume flow of air under the envelope flap. The volume flow pushes the envelope flap regardless of its shape, size and position. Adjustments, as they are necessary with purely mechanical devices, so unnecessary. In addition, an envelope can still be opened by the air flow, which is partially glued, z. B. due to storage at high humidity. The blowing unit can be combined with mechanical elements, eg. B. a segment roller as described above, which cause a complete opening of the envelope flap.

Preferably, the blowing unit comprises a nozzle having a nozzle channel, wherein the nozzle channel has an elongated shape with a length which corresponds substantially to the maximum length of the envelope flap, and wherein the nozzle channel is arranged substantially parallel to the envelope flap. As a result, the volume flow over the entire length of the openable envelope is distributed. The nozzle channel may comprise a single nozzle or a series of adjacent individual nozzles. The nozzle channel is aligned to the envelope position so that the air flow can reach under the flap even if it rests flat on the Kuückückseite. In general, the main direction of the flow will be at an acute angle with the back of the envelope.

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

A device for continuously feeding envelope stacks, which is arranged at the entrance of the above-described device for filling sheets into an envelope, can lift the envelope stacks in a stack area along a straight path. It comprises a first lift which is displaceable along a portion of the straight path and a second lift which is displaceable along the portion of the straight path. In this case, both lifts are independently displaceable along a whole length of the portion of the straight path. The second lift can be moved completely out of the stack area.

At the portion of the straight path, along which both lifts can be moved independently of each other, closes the feeder of the above

Device for filling envelopes. Due to the independent displacement of the two lifts and the fact that the second lift can be moved completely out of the stacking area, it is possible for envelope stacks to be fed automatically without feeding gaps. The change from one envelope stack to the next does not lead to an interruption of the filling process, which increases the capacity of the filling device.

Advantageously, the first lift and the second lift are designed so that they can reach through each other comb-like. Each of the lifts includes a plurality of fingers or prongs, with the fingers of each lift being moved together in a plane. If both lifts are moved to the same level, the fingers of the first and second lifts alternate. The comb-like arrangement allows a uniform support of the stack of envelopes to be lifted, regardless of whether the first lift, the second lift or both lifts are used together. In general, one of the lifts from one side will engage with its fingers in the stack area, while the fingers of the other lift are hinged from the opposite side.

Alternatively, the two lifts may each comprise an L-shaped element, the two L-shaped elements jointly covering an area substantially corresponding to the cross-section of the stacking area for the largest envelope size to be processed.

Preferably, the second lift is movably mounted along a substantially oval path. As a result, it can be moved out of the stack area. In addition, the lift can be continuously moved out of the area, back to an engagement position and further in the conveying direction until the renewed outward process.

Alternatively, the second lift z. B. be stored on a retractable or movable rail.

1. a) Zuführen des Kuverts entlang einer Zuführungsrichtung;
2. b) Biegen eines vorderen Teils des Kuverts, so dass der vordere Teil auf eine Halteeinrichtung ausgerichtet wird;
3. c) Aufziehen des Kuverts auf die Halteeinrichtung, wobei das Kuvert elastisch in eine ursprüngliche ebene Form zurückkehrt;
4. d) Einfüllen der Blätter in das Kuvert;
5. e) Abführen des eingefüllten Kuverts von der Halteeinrichtung, entlang einer Abführungsrichtung parallel zu einer Hauptfläche der Halteeinrichtung.

In a method for filling sheets in an envelope with an apparatus for filling sheets in envelopes as described above, the following steps are carried out:

1. a) feeding the envelope along a feed direction;
2. b) bending a front part of the envelope so that the front part is aligned with a holding device;
3. c) applying the envelope to the holding device, wherein the envelope returns elastically to an original planar shape;
4. d) filling the leaves into the envelope;
5. e) discharging the filled envelope from the holding device, along a discharge direction parallel to a main surface of the holding device.

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

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention result.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zum Einfüllen von Blättern in ein Kuvert in der Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der Vorrichtung von oben gesehen;

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung einer Segmentwalze der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung des Antriebs der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung auf der Motorseite;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung des Antriebs auf der dem Motor entgegengesetzten Seite;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Variante der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zum Einfüllen von Blättern in ein Kuvert;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Hohlwelle der Variante;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von Kuvertstapeln;

Fig. 9

eine Darstellung der Lifte der Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 10

eine Darstellung der Lifte der Vorrichtung in Frontansicht;

Fig. 11

eine Darstellung einer alternativen Konfiguration der Lifte;

Fig. 12A-I

eine schematische Darstellung der Verfahrensschritte eines bevorzugten Verfahrens zum Zuführen von Kuvertstapeln;

Fig. 13

eine Darstellung einer bevorzugten Vorrichtung zum Öffnen einer Kuvertklappe in Frontansicht;

Fig. 14

eine Darstellung der Vorrichtung in Draufsicht mit ihrer Anordnung bezüglich des zu öffnenden Kuverts;

Fig. 15

eine Darstellung der Vorrichtung in seitlicher Ansicht mit ihrer Anordnung bezüglich des zu öffnenden Kuverts.

The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an inventive device for filling sheets in an envelope in the side view;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the device seen from above;

Fig. 3

a representation of a segmented roller of the inventive device;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the drive of the inventive device on the motor side;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the drive on the opposite side of the engine;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a variant of the inventive device for filling sheets in an envelope;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a hollow shaft of the variant;

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of a preferred apparatus for feeding envelope stacks;

Fig. 9

an illustration of the lifts of the device in side view;

Fig. 10

an illustration of the lifts of the device in front view;

Fig. 11

a representation of an alternative configuration of the lifts;

Fig. 12A-I

a schematic representation of the method steps of a preferred method for feeding envelope stacks;

Fig. 13

an illustration of a preferred device for opening an envelope flap in front view;

Fig. 14

a representation of the device in plan view with its arrangement with respect to the openable envelope;

Fig. 15

a representation of the device in a side view with their arrangement with respect to the openable envelope.

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

Ways to carry out the invention

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

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

The length of the guide plane 5 is shorter than the smallest height of the envelopes to be processed, so that the envelopes are taken over at the end of the guide plane 5 by a pair of rollers with a lower roller 7 and an upper roller 8. For a short time, the envelope is conveyed by both the roller pair 7, 8 and the segment roller 3 and the counter roller 4. Again, the two rollers 7, 8 are driven so that they act on both sides of the envelope at the same speed, which corresponds to the speed of the segment roller 3. As a result, the envelope is transported flat along the guide plane 5.

At the end of the management level 5 includes a guide plate 9. This is bent downwards and thus forms a convex path for the conveyed envelopes. So that the envelopes follow the guide plate 9, it is provided with a vacuum device. This generates at a plurality of openings 10, which are arranged along the entire surface of the guide plate 9, a negative pressure, so that the envelope is sucked. The leading edge of the envelope bent through the guide plate 9 and the vacuum device leaves the guide plate 9 at a delivery point. The location of the delivery point is determined by the shape of the guide plate 9, the arrangement of the openings 10 and the prevailing negative pressure. It is chosen so that the leading edge of the envelope is aligned with a pocket 11, the pocket 11 being formed by two lateral profiles 12, 13. If envelopes of different nature are processed in the same device, the location of the delivery point without constructive changes, z. B. only by adjusting the negative pressure or the suction power of the vacuum device change.

The envelope is aligned on the pocket 11 so that the underside of the envelope with the opened envelope flap under the profiles 12, 13 is guided during further transport. Due to the tapered shape of the profiles 12, 13 and the bending of the envelope along the guide plate 9, a distance between the front and the back of the envelope is created, so that the envelope easily on the pocket 11, or the profiles 12, 13 can be wound up. The mounting takes place through the pair of rollers 7,8, which postpone the envelope to the pocket 11. The profiles 12, 13 have a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the open side facing inwards, in the pocket space. The profiles 12, 13 thus form on their inner side in each case a groove. The winding is completed when the envelope has no contact with the pair of rollers 7, 8 and the guide plate 9 more. Due to its elasticity and the shape of the profiles 12, 13, the envelope returns to its original, planar shape at this point in time and is thus now in the plane corresponding to the main surface of the pocket 11.

In the pocket space between the side profiles 12, 13 engage transport fingers 14 of a conveyor 15 a. This conveyor device 15 is connected by two belts 16, 17 formed, which are guided in the filling device via rollers 18, 19. The rollers 18, 19 are mounted on an axle 20, which is arranged above the pocket 11 so that the lower part of the belts 16, 17 runs parallel to the pocket. The fingers 14 are formed as cross bars, which are perpendicular to the bands 16, 17 are attached. They convey the leaves to be filled into the envelope spanned on the pocket 11. The leaves are guided in the pocket plane, in the grooves of the profiles 12, 13 against the feeding direction of the envelopes.

Once the filled sheets are completely received in the envelope, the fingers 14 act on the leaves on the filled envelope so that it is pushed along the profiles 12, 13 of the bag 11 upwards. Since the envelope again has its original planar shape and is additionally stabilized by the filled leaves, it moves further along the plane 21 which is formed by the major surface of the pocket 11. The envelope no longer reaches the guide plate 9, which is arranged below this plane 21, but is detected by a pair of rollers, which is formed by an upper roller 22 and the roller 8. The roller 8 thus serves on the one hand in cooperation with the roller 7 for feeding the empty envelopes to the pocket 11 and on the other hand in cooperation with the roller 22 for conveying away the filled envelopes. This results in a more compact arrangement of the device and the synchronization of supply and routing is guaranteed.

The upper roller 22 is mounted on an axle 23. It is formed by two rollers 24, 25 and is driven by means of belts 26, 27 of drive rollers 28, 29. The drive rollers 28, 29 rotate with an axis 30 which is mounted in the housing 1. The axis 23 of the upper roller 22 is rotatably supported between two arms 31, 32, with the arms 31, 32 attached to the axle 30 of the drive rollers 28, 29 and sprung so that the upper roller 22 is vertically movable relative to the roller 8 , wherein for pressing apart of the rollers 22, 8, the spring force must be overcome. By this spring-loaded arrangement, a removal of differently filled envelopes is made possible without adjustments to the device are necessary.

The rollers 22, 8 capture the envelope and convey it, substantially further in a straight line, along the plane 21, toward the top edge of the segment roller 3. The filled envelope thus experiences no deformation during further transport. With the top of the segment roller 3, a further roller 33 cooperates, so that the envelope between these rollers 3, 33 can be removed. At the output of this pair of rollers 3, 33 it is from a Wegführeinrichtung known type (not shown), for. B. a conveyor belt, taken and further transported, z. B. to a device for gluing the envelopes.

The conveying movement along the conveying plane between the segmented roller and the curved guide plate may be assisted by a vacuum system instead of the long lateral guide plates, which creates a negative pressure to the conveyed envelope through openings in the conveying plane and thereby causes it to move flat along the conveying plane.

Instead of a curved guide plate for feeding the envelopes to the bag, a rotatable vacuum drum can be used. As a result, the envelopes are both bent and thus deflected in the direction of the bag as well as transported simultaneously. The pair of rollers at the entrance of the guide plate can thus be saved. Also, a desired convex bend of the envelope according trained vacuum belt can replace the convex guide plate.

Finally, all or individual conveying movements of the envelopes and the sheets to be filled with other, known per se, funding such as ribbons, rollers, rollers, fingers, trolleys, etc. are performed.

The FIG. 3 is an illustration of a segmented roller of the inventive device. The segment roller 3 serves on the one hand to supply the empty envelopes, wherein the already (partially) opened envelope flap is fully opened and the envelope is taken over by the segment roller 3 and further conveyed along a guide plane 5. On the other hand, the segment roller also serves to discharge the filled envelopes, z. B. on a conveyor belt or a lift.

The segment roller 3 comprises a plurality of roll-off segments 3.2 or transport segments 3.3 arranged along an axis 3.1 and one or more counterweights 3.4 for improving the concentricity of the segmented roll 3 by better balancing. The rolling or transport segments 3.2, 3.3 are each formed by a ring 3.5, which encloses the axis 3.1 and on which in each case a segment disc 3.6 is arranged. This is perforated several times to reduce weight. Along their circumference, the segment discs 3.6 on a race 3.7.

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

Thus, if an envelope is conveyed with (partially) opened flap, in a first step, the flap is completely opened by the upstream rolling segment 3.2 in that the running ring 3.7 presses the flap flat onto the conveying plane 5. The envelope is not yet moved. After a further rotation of the segment roller 3 to the phase lead φ reach the transport segments 3.3 the envelope and promote this due to their gripping surface 3.8 in the direction of rotation along the conveying plane 5 on. The conveying movement is assisted by a counter-roller which has a roller opposite each transport segment 3.3.

Characterized in that the segment roller 3 has only partially contact with the envelopes along its circumference, the continuous movement of the roller is converted in a simple manner in a discontinuous conveying movement of the envelopes. Namely, a certain distance must be maintained between two subsequent envelopes, which corresponds to the length of time required to put an envelope on the bag, to fill it and to transport it away from the bag again. Only then may the leading edge of the next envelope be allowed Leave the convex guide plate at its delivery point and start pulling on the next envelope.

The arrangement of the individual rolling or transport segments 3.2, 3.3 can be chosen differently. Thus, a single roll-off segment 3.2 for completely opening the envelope flap in the middle of the segment roller 3 may be mounted and two transport segments 3.3 for transporting the envelope at the edge of the segment roller 3. It is also possible to provide only a single segment 3.3 for transporting or one larger number of rolling or transport segments 3.2, 3.3. Instead of individual segments, the segment roller 3 may also be formed continuously.

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

Finally, the imbalance of the segment roller can be further reduced by a larger number or a different shape of the counterweights. As a result, the life of the bearings for the axis of the segment roller can be increased.

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

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

On the opposite side of the motor 50 of the housing 1, the remaining drive axles of the device are driven by a single toothed belt 57, wherein the drive of the toothed belt 57 via a pulley 58 which is rotatably connected to the axis of the segment roller 3, on the opposite Side of the device is driven by the motor 50. Starting from this pulley 58 follow the pulley 59 in a clockwise direction, which is non-rotatably connected to the counter roller 4 to the segment roller 3, the pulley 60 which drives the lower roller 7 for conveying the envelopes, the pulley 61 for driving the upper roller. 8 Then, the pulley 62 on the axis 30 for driving the uppermost roller 22 via belt, thereon two deflection pulleys 63, 64 and finally a belt tensioner 65. The pulleys 61, 63 rotate like the segment roller 3 in a clockwise direction, the remaining pulleys and pulleys rotate in the counterclockwise direction. The belt tensioner 65 is slidable in a horizontal guide and clamps, z. B. by means of a spring, the timing belt so that it is tightly guided between the pulleys.

The diameters of the pulleys are selected and adapted to the diameters of the respective driven rollers, that all conveying elements of the device for feeding and discharging the envelopes and the conveying device for the sheets to be filled are mechanically synchronized with each other.

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

The FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a variant of the inventive device for filling sheets in an envelope. It is different from the one in the Figures 1-5 illustrated device through the supply and the discharge device. The Conveying device 15 'is set back slightly along the pocket 11, but otherwise constructed the same as the conveying device 15 of the device shown above. The removal of the filled envelope from the pocket 11 is supported by an additional take-off roller 66. This is arranged above the plane 21, in which the envelope is transported away and comprises transversely to the discharge direction, along its axis a plurality of parallel segments arranged at an angle of approximately 90 °. The movement of the segments is synchronized with the rest of the transport elements, that the take-off roller 66 detects the envelope after filling and further promotes the pair of rollers 8 ', 22', which is compared to the device shown above slightly shifted along the plane 21 upwards. In addition to a further increase in the reliability of the device, especially for thick and heavy envelopes, the take-off roller 66 leads to a discharge of the conveyor 15 '.

Cooperating with the segment roller 66 is a hollow shaft 68 which comprises an inner shaft 68a and outer shafts 68b, 68c rotatably mounted on the inner shaft 68a. The hollow shaft 68 is in FIG. 7 shown schematically. During feeding, the envelope is transported between the inner shaft 68a and rollers 7 'along the guide plate 9 to the pocket 11. As the envelope is removed from the pocket 11, the envelope is transported between the segments of the take-off roll 66 and the outer shafts 68b, 68c along the plane 21. In order for the filled envelope to be guided between the segments and the outer shafts 68b, 68c, the outer shafts 68b, 68c have an enlarged diameter in the regions opposite the segments. The outer shafts 68b, 68c are driven independently of the inner shaft 68a, e.g. B. by different engines. This allows for increased flexibility in adapting the device to different tasks to be performed. Advantageously, the outer shafts 68b, 68c have a higher speed than the inner shaft 68a. As a result, the removal of the filled envelope can be accelerated.

The device additionally comprises a Kuvertsicherung 67. This includes a barrier which is arranged approximately opposite the hollow shaft 68 and perpendicular to the envelope-Abführ direction in the plane 21 in and out of this is displaceable. She can do such a thing Prevent premature removal of the envelope, as long as it is not completely filled. The barrier is operated by means of a lifting magnet and is then moved into the plane 21 when the envelope is mounted on the bag and has returned to its original planar shape. Before the envelope is detected by the take-off roll 66 for further transport, the solenoid is actuated, thereby moving the barrier out of the plane.

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

The FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a preferred device for feeding envelope stacks. The stacks are fed by a conveyor 101 horizontally to a lifting device 102. The lifting device 102 raises the stack of envelopes along an inclined plane 103, at the upper end of the envelopes for further processing, for. B. by the segment roller of the device for filling of envelopes as shown above, taken over.

The conveyor 101 is constructed in a conventional manner. The envelope stacks are applied to an inclined plane whose inclination corresponds to the inclined plane 103 of the lifting device 102. The inclined plane of the conveyor 101 is designed as a conveyor belt 104, wherein at equal intervals conveyor beam 105 are arranged transversely to the conveyor. In each case, an envelope stack is accommodated between two conveyor bars 105, which is pushed in the direction of the lifting device 102 during the movement of the conveyor belt 104 by the conveyor bar arranged behind it.

The lifting device 102 comprises at the lower end of the inclined plane 103, along a line transverse to the inclined plane 103, three spaced rollers 106 on which the envelope stacks can be pushed with little friction to a stop 107 in the lifting device 102. The stop 107 runs along the entire inclined plane 103 and serves to guide the envelope stack laterally. At its lower end, the lifting device 102 further comprises a conveyor plate 108 with a plasticized surface, which is movable on rails 109 transversely to the inclined plane 103.

Furthermore, the lifting device 102 has two lifts movable along the inclined plane 103. The first lift 110 comprises a carriage 111, which is movable on a rail 112 along the entire inclined plane 103. On the carriage 111, a boom 113 is arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The boom 113 has, perpendicular to the inclined plane 103 directed downwards, comb-like a plurality of tines 114. These are arranged such that the first lift 110 can also be moved behind the line defined by the rollers 106 by the tines 114 fit exactly into the distances between the rollers 105 inside. The first lift 110 is driven by a motor 115, which is arranged laterally on the lifting device 102.

The second lift 116 is movable along an upper portion of the inclined plane 103. It is formed by three tines 118 projecting vertically through slots 117 in the inclined plane 103. These are rigidly connected to each other below the inclined plane 103, so that all tines 118 are always at the same height of the inclined plane 103. The tines 118 are realized so that they can be moved between the tines 114 of the first lift 110 therethrough. Along the upper portion of the inclined plane 103 thus the two lifts 110 and 116 are independently movable independently. The second lift 116 can also be sunk below the inclined plane 103 and moved completely below the inclined plane 103 from its front to its rear position (and vice versa). In this case, the lift 116 is thus completely outside the stack area, ie that area in which the envelope stacks are moved along the inclined plane 103. The second lift 116 is driven by a further motor (not shown), which is arranged below the inclined plane 103.

The FIG. 9 is an illustration of the lifts of the device in side view. The first lift 110 is movably mounted on the rail 112 by means of its carriage 111. Between the rail 112 and the stacking area, the stop 107 is arranged. The first lift 110 engages by means of its arm 113 in the stack area. The second lift 116 engages with its prongs 118 through slots 117 in the inclined plane 103 in the upper portion of the stacking area. The tines 118 are mounted on two conveyor belts 119, 120 arranged below and parallel to the inclined plane 103 and can follow their movements along a substantially oval path. The tips of the prongs 118 can therefore be displaced along an oval path, the prongs 118 being sunk completely below the inclined plane 103 when the attachment points of the prongs 118 are moved synchronously into the lower section of the conveyor belts 119, 120.

The FIG. 10 shows a representation of the lifts of the device in front view, as seen from the lower end of the inclined plane 103. The lifts occupy the same position with respect to the inclined plane 103, ie are moved in the same plane. The carriage 111 of the first lift 110 is movable on the rail 112. Its arm 113 has perpendicular to the inclined plane 103 four tines 114, which extend to a small distance to the inclined plane 103. The three prongs 118 of the second, lower lift 116 engage through slots 117 in the inclined plane 103 into the stack area and fill up the gaps between the four prongs 114 of the first, upper lift 110 up to certain safety distances. Below the slots 117, the three prongs 118 of the second lift 116 are rigidly connected to one another by means of a bar 121. The beam 121 is fixed by brackets 122 about its axis rotatably on the upper conveyor belt 119. Within the individual bands of the upper conveyor belt 119 vertical support rods 123 are rigidly connected to the beam 121 on both sides. The support rods 123 are below the upper conveyor belt 119 for stabilization in turn connected rigidly by a beam 124. The lower beam 124 is rotatably mounted by means of brackets 125 on the lower conveyor belt 120.

The FIG. 11 shows a representation of an alternative configuration of two lifts. The first lift 150 in turn comprises a carriage 151 which runs along a first rail 152 the inclined plane 153 is movable. On the carriage 151, a boom 154 is arranged, which is E-shaped and is arranged vertically to the inclined plane 153. The second lift 155, similar to the first lift, is supported on a second rail 156, which is disposed on the opposite side of the inclined plane 153, and movable along the inclined plane 153 thereon. Also, the second lift 155 has a carriage 157 and an E-shaped boom 158. This boom 158 complements the shape of the boom 154 of the first lift 150 so that both lifts 150, 155 substantially cover the cross-section of the stack area when they are moved to the same plane. The rail 156 of the second lift 155 can be moved laterally out of the stacking area together with the second lift 155.

The booms may also have a different shape, for. B. be L-shaped, d. H. each comprise two mutually perpendicular legs. In this case, they are preferably formed so that the first leg extends along a major part of the side of the stacking area where the corresponding carriage is located. The second leg extends to the opposite side of the stacking area. Again, the cantilevers are advantageously shaped so as to cover substantially the entire stack area when moved to the same plane.

The FIGS. 12A-I serve to schematically illustrate the method steps of a preferred method for feeding envelopes stack using the described lift with two lifts, the second lift up through slots in the inclined plane. The method can be carried out in an analogous manner but also by means of other devices, for. B. by two lifts with laterally hinged L-shaped arms (see FIG. 9 ) are used.

The FIG. 12A shows the situation in which a first envelope stack 201 has just been transported from the conveyor to the inclined plane 103 and is now held by the rollers 106. The first lift 110 is located in its lowest position, behind the casters 106. The second lift 116 is sunk below the inclined plane 103, thus does not engage in the stacking area.

Now the first lift 110 is moved upwards along the inclined plane 103. As soon as he passes the line of rollers 106, he detects the envelope stack 201 and transported him up with. It turns out in the FIG. 12B illustrated situation. After further lifting of the first lift 110, the upper end of the envelope stack 201 reaches the upper edge of the inclined plane 103, whereupon the processing of the envelopes can begin. From the envelope stack 201, the uppermost envelope is drawn off and the first lift 110 is moved slowly upwards, so that an envelope is always provided for subsequent processing. The control of the conveying movement of the lift 110 may, for. B. via a photocell, which detects whether at the upper end of the inclined plane 103, an envelope is provided. As soon as the first lift 110 with the stack of envelopes 201 has passed the rear end of the slots 117 in the inclined plane 103, the tines 118 of the second lift 116 are moved upwards at the rear end of the slots 117, through the inclined plane 103 that in the FIG. 12C situation shown results.

Now the second lift 116 is moved upwards along the inclined plane 103 until it lies in a plane with the first lift 110. At this moment, the envelope stack 201 is held by both lifts 110, 116. Now the first lift 110 can be moved downwards along the inclined plane 103. At the same time, the conveyor plate 108 is moved into its adjacent to the device for conveying new envelope stack position, so that in the FIG. 12D shown situation. The further promotion of the envelope stack 201 upwards now takes place through the second lift 116.

After the first lift 110 has again been moved behind the sliding rollers 106, the device for conveying new envelope stack pushes a second envelope stack 202 on the conveyor plate 108. As soon as the envelope stack 202 is no longer pushed by this device in the direction of the stop 107 of the inclined plane 103 , the conveyor plate 108 moves in the direction of the stop 107, so that the envelope stack is pressed against the stop 107 along its entire height. It turns out in the Figure 12E illustrated situation.

Furthermore, the second envelope stack 202 is lifted by the first lift 110 along the inclined plane 103 ( Figure 12F ) until the second envelope stack 202 connects to the rear of the second lift 116 ( Figure 12G ). As soon as the second lift 116 has reached the upper end of the slots 117, it is sunk below the inclined plane 103 and thus moved away from the stacking area. As a result, the first envelope stack 201 and the second envelope stack 202 join together to form a new stack which is held by the first lift 110, as in FIG Figure 12H shown.

Finally, the second lift 116 is moved below the inclined plane 103 to the rear end of the slots 117, raised there and moved up in the stacking area to replace the first lift 110. This again moves completely behind the rollers 106, and with the aid of the conveyor plate 108, an envelope stack 203 is again received by the device. This situation is in the FIG. 12I shown and corresponds to the state of the process in the Figure 12E , The lifting device according to the invention therefore permits a continuous supply of envelope stacks. There are no interruptions between two subsequent stacks, and the delivery is fully automatic.

The FIGS. 13-15 show illustration of a preferred device for opening an envelope flap. This device is particularly suitable for use with the above-described device for filling envelopes. In this case, it is placed immediately in front of the segment roller, which completely presses the already opened envelope flap.

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

The FIGS. 14 and 15 show the blow unit 301 in plan view and side view, and their arrangement with respect to an openable envelope 305. The row of nozzles 303 is parallel to the envelope flap 306, which is to be opened, arranged. The length of the nozzle row corresponds approximately to the extent of the envelope flap 306. The nozzles 303 is arranged parallel to the envelope flap 306 which is to be opened. The length of the nozzle row corresponds approximately to the extent of the envelope flap 306. The nozzles 303 are slightly inclined relative to the plane of the envelope, so that the discharged compressed air can be blown under the flap 306 and this is pressed. The vertical distance of the blowing unit 301 from the envelope 305 is advantageously chosen as low as possible, ie, so that the envelope 305 can be fed just below the blowing unit 301 therethrough. Thereby, the pressure loss between the nozzles 303 and the envelope flap 306 can be minimized. At the same time, the compressed air still exerts a noteworthy force on the envelope flap 306 when it is already almost completely bent over.

Advantageously, a segment roller directly adjoins the device for opening the envelope flap as shown above. This detects with the first segment, the partially opened envelope flap and presses it completely, before the other segments initiate the advance of the envelope.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention provides an apparatus for filling sheets in an envelope, which enables increased performance and has a simpler mechanical structure.

Claims (21)

1. A device for inserting sheets into an envelope, comprising

   a) a holding device (11) for the envelope;

   b) transport members (15) for feeding the sheets to be inserted to the holding device (11);

   c) a feed device (7, 8, 9) for feeding the envelope to the holding device (11), along a feed direction; and

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

   e) whereas the feed device (7, 8, 9) and the removal device (8, 22) are arranged relative to the holding device (11) in such a manner that a first angle between the feed direction and a main surface of the holding device (11) and a second angle between the removal direction and the main surface of the holding device (11) are predetermined in a fixed manner;
   characterized in that

   f) the feed device (7, 8, 9) is constructed in such a way that the envelope to be filled is deflected from the feed direction in the direction of the holding device (11); and that

   g) the removal device (8, 22) is arranged relative to the holding device (11) in such a manner that the main surface of the holding device (11) is permanently parallel to the removal direction, such that the filled envelope can be transported away from the holding device (11) in a straight direction.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) comprises a guide element (9) with a discharge point, the guide element (9) being convex at its discharge point.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the guide element (9) is formed by a curved guide plate with a vacuum device.
4. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding element (11) is formed by a pocket onto which the envelope can be pulled.
5. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the removal device (8, 22) comprises a first conveying device with a first, lower pressing roll (8) and a second, upper pressing roll (22), the second pressing roll (22) being pressed resiliently against the first pressing roll (8).
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) is arranged below the removal device (8, 22), and in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) comprises a second conveying device with an upper pressing roll (8) and a lower pressing roll (9), the first pressing roll (8) of the first conveying device at the same time forming the upper pressing roll (8) of the second conveying device.
7. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a safeguard (67) for the envelope, for preventing a premature removal of the envelope from the holding device (11).
8. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the removal device (8', 22') comprises a take-off roll (66) with a segment for grasping the filled envelope which is to be removed.
9. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that all of the transport elements (3, 4, 7, 8, 22) for the envelopes are driven by a single motor (50).
10. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the feed device (7, 8, 9) has a segment roll (3) for pulling the envelope off from a stack, with a rolling segment (3.2) for fully pressing open a flap of the envelope, and a transport segment (3.3) for transporting the envelope.
11. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the segment roll (3) is designed in such a manner that a first coefficient of friction of a surface of the rolling segment (3.2) is smaller than a second coefficient of friction of a surface of the transport segment (3.3).
12. The device as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the rolling segment (3.2) and the transport segment (3.3) are formed by claws which are arranged on a common rotational axle (3.1).
13. A device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12 with a device for opening an envelope flap with a blowing unit (301), the blowing unit (301) being arranged in such a manner that it can blow a focused volumetric flow of air under the envelope flap.
14. The device as claimed in claim 13, the blowing unit (301) comprising a nozzle (303) with a nozzle duct, the nozzle duct having a long-drawn-out shape with a length which corresponds essentially to the maximum length of the envelope flap, and the nozzle duct being arranged essentially parallel to the envelope flap.
15. A device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14 with a device for the continuous feeding of stacks of envelopes, which device can lift the stacks of envelopes in a stacking region along a straight path (103), with a first lift (110), which can be displaced along a section of the straight path (103), and a second lift (116), which can be displaced along the section of the straight path (103), it being possible for both lifts (110, 116) to be displaced independently of each other along an entire length of the section of the straight path (103), and it being possible for the second lift (116) to be completely moved away from the stacking region.
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the first lift (110) and the second lift (116) are designed in such a manner that they can extend in a comb-like manner through each other.
17. The device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the second lift (116) is mounted in a manner such that it can move along an essentially oval path.
18. A method for inserting sheets into an envelope, having the following steps:

    a) feeding the envelope along a feed direction;

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

    c) pulling the envelope onto the holding device (11), the envelope returning elastically into an original, flat form;

    d) inserting the sheets into the envelope;

    e) removing the filled envelope from the holding device (11), along a removal direction parallel to a main surface of the holding device (11).
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that, for the bending, the front part of the envelope is sucked by means of negative pressure onto a convex surface (9).
20. The method as claimed in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, for the feeding, the envelope is pulled off from a stack, with a flap of the envelope first of all being fully pressed open and the envelope then being grasped and transported.
21. A method as claimed in claim 18, whereas in a preceding step for opening an envelope flap, a focused volumetric flow of air is blown under the envelope flap.

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