Apparatus for receiving and conveying sheet-like products

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving and conveying sheet-like products ( 28 ), in particular printed products. A plurality of grippers ( 12 ) which are moved along a gripper movement path and a plurality of separating elements ( 14 ), which are separate from the grippers, are moved along a separating element movement path. The separating elements ( 14 ) each comprise at least one paddle element ( 18 ) which, in a receiving region ( 66 ), is capable of engaging beneath, and raising, an edge ( 30 ) of a product ( 28 ) which rests, at least in part, on a further product or on a bearing surface ( 34 ). The product ( 28 ) can then be gripped by a gripper ( 14 ). The paddle elements ( 18 ) have the advantage that it is possible to dispense with conventional suction mechanisms for raising the products ( 28 ), the design of such a receiving apparatus being simplified as a result.

1 . An apparatus for receiving and conveying sheet-like products, comprising: 
 a plurality of grippers mounted for movement in a gripper movement direction along a gripper movement path,    a plurality of separating elements which are independent of the grippers and are mounted for movement in a separating element movement direction along a separating element movement path, and with the gripper movement path and the separating movement path extending through a receiving region,    wherein by means of the separating elements a product in the receiving region and below the gripper movement path and the separating movement path can be raised at least in part such that it can be gripped by a gripper, and    wherein the separating elements each comprise at least one paddle element which is configured to engage beneath and raise an edge of a product which at least in part rests on a further product or on a bearing surface.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the separating element movement path is formed, and/or the separating elements are configured to be moved relative to the separating element movement path, such that, in the receiving region, a leading edge of the paddle element, as seen in the separating element movement direction, is lowered rearward of an edge of a product which is to be gripped and is then moved more quickly than the product.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , which comprises a stop which, in the receiving region, forms a resistance for the leading product edge.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the separating elements each comprise a carrier unit which is stationary in relation to the separating element movement path, and wherein one of the paddle elements is mounted in a pivotable manner on each carrier unit.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the paddle element comprises a first leg which is connected in a rotatable manner to the carrier unit, and a second leg, which is connected rigidly to the first leg, the first leg being generally rectilinear in profile and the second leg being curved convexly in profile in relation to the separating element movement direction.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the grippers each have two gripper jaws, and wherein the paddle elements each define a supporting surface which is capable of supporting a product during the receiving process, and wherein in the receiving region, the supporting surface is arranged, at least in part, between the gripper jaws of an associated gripper.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, at least in the receiving region, the paddle elements can be pivoted relative to the separating element movement path by means of a separating element control arrangement.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the separating elements each comprise at least one guide element, and wherein the separating element control arrangement comprises a separating element guide track which interacts with the guide elements.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the position of the separating element guide track is movable relative to the separating element movement path, so that it is possible to vary, within the separating element movement path, the position in which the separating elements execute the movement necessary for lifting up a product.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a supply arrangement for the products which are to be received which defines a supply direction in the receiving region with the supply direction being generally parallel to the gripper movement direction and the separating element movement direction.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the grippers and the separating elements are arranged on a common transporting wheel, which can be displaced in or counter to the supply direction of the supply arrangement in order for it to be possible to compensate for irregularities in a formation of products transported to the receiving region by means of the supply arrangement.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a stop which is arranged in the receiving region so as to engage the products transported by the supply arrangement, the stop being displaceable together with the common transporting mechanism, and wherein the stop and the transporting mechanism are arranged on a common carriage.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for receiving and conveying sheet-like products, comprising 
 means for conveying a plurality of the sheet-like products in an incoming imbricated stream to a receiving region,    a transporting wheel mounted for rotation above the receiving region and mounting a plurality of grippers positioned in spaced relation about the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of separating elements mounted about the periphery of the transporting wheel adjacent respective ones of the grippers, and    means for controlling the operation of the grippers and the separating elements during rotation of the transporting wheel so as to form in a discharging region, an outgoing imbricated formation of the products in which the trailing and leading product edges have been reversed and wherein the initially upper trailing edge becomes a lower leading product edge.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the separating elements are each configured and controlled to raise the trailing edge of a product in the receiving region so that the trailing edge is gripped by the associated gripper.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the transporting wheel defines a removal arrangement on the side of the wheel generally opposite the receiving region and wherein the grippers release the products onto a belt conveyor.