Device for removing and disposing a stack of flat products

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for removing and disposing a stack of flat products from a stacking device into a bundling device, in particular, in a folding box manufacturing machine, wherein the stack is grasped in the stacking device by a gripper mounted to a robot arm, and is disposed in the bundling device, wherein the first stack grasped by the gripper and/or the subsequent second stack is/are rotated before being disposed in the bundling device.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . Device for removing a stack of flat products and folding boxes from a stacking mechanism and for disposing the stack in a bundling mechanism, the device structured and dimensioned for use in a folding box manufacturing machine, the device comprising: 
 a robot arm;    gripping means mounted to said robot arm for grasping the stack; and    means for rotating said gripping means, said rotating means structured and dimensioned for rotating at least one of a first and a second, subsequent stack prior to disposition of the first and second stacks in the bundling mechanism.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second, subsequent stack is disposed onto the first stack, and the first and/or second stack is rotated between being gripped and being disposed by said gripper of said robot arm, said gripper grasping stacked flat products in the stacking device and disposing them in the bundling device.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second, subsequent stack is disposed onto a previously deposited first stack.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first stack is rotated through +90° and the second stack is rotated through −90°.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second stack is rotated through 180°.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein removal, rotation and disposal is effected in planes which are parallel to each other.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second stack is rotated about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the stacking device has two removal planes for the stacks, and said gripper removes the stacks from both removal planes.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said robot arm performs a pivot motion through an angle different from 180° during transport of the stack from the stacking device to the bundling device.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said gripper disposes the grasped stack in the bundling device parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stacking device or next to the stacking device.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said robot arm receives said gripper, said gripper being adjusted to a format of said folding box.