Device and method for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream

Abstract

The invention is related to a device and to a method for packaging flat articles ( 10 ) conveyed in a conveying stream, in particular printed products, with a packaging material. The device includes a conveying device ( 24 ) for conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction (F), as well as a processing means ( 16 ) for producing an at least partially closed envelope ( 20 ) out of packaging material. Apart from this, an onward conveying device ( 26 ) for conveying onwards articles ( 10 ) enveloped with envelopes ( 20 ) out of packaging material is present. Because as a result of errors in feeding-in, in particular gaps in the incoming conveying stream, it is possible that empty envelopes are produced, in accordance with the invention a transfer device ( 28 ) is arranged downstream of the processing means ( 16 ). This is capable of removing from the conveying stream empty envelopes ( 22 ) produced without the inclusion of an article ( 10 ).

1 . Device for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream, in particular printed products, with a packaging material, comprising:
 a conveying device for conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction;   a processing means for producing at least partially closed envelopes out of packaging material;   an onward conveying device for conveying onward articles enveloped by envelopes out of packaging material; and   
     further comprising a transfer device located downstream of the processing means, which is capable of removing from the conveying stream empty envelopes produced without the inclusion of an article. 
   
   
       2 . Device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an operating zone of the transfer device, that is capable of exerting an effect on the conveying stream, is arranged in the zone of the onward conveying device or between processing means and the onward conveying device. 
   
   
       3 . Device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the transfer device comprises at least one compressed air supply and one suction device, wherein the compressed air supply is capable of deflecting an empty envelope from the conveying stream by blowing in compressed air in such a manner that the deflected envelope renters an area of influence of the suction device and is sucked-off by the suction device. 
   
   
       4 . Device in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising a control device, with which the compressed air supply is capable of being controlled in such a manner, that compressed air is blown into the operating zone of the transfer device, when an empty envelope arrives. 
   
   
       5 . Device in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising an optical sensor, which is capable of detecting the presence of an empty envelope or of a gap in the conveying stream and of transmitting a corresponding signal to the control device. 
   
   
       6 . Device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the suction device operates continuously. 
   
   
       7 . Device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the suction device comprises a housing, which is essentially capable of being closed air-tight, an at least partially permeable to air catching basket arranged in the housing, a source of under-pressure connected to the housing or located in the housing and a suction tube leading into the catching basket. 
   
   
       8 . Device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the suction tube, source of under-pressure and the catching basket are arranged in such a manner relative to one another, that sucked-off empty envelopes are conducted into the catching basket. 
   
   
       9 . Device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the catching basket is impermeable to air in a first zone and is permeable to air in a second zone, wherein the suction tube leads in at the first zone and a connection to the housing of the source of under-pressure is located in the vicinity of the second zone. 
   
   
       10 . Device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the catching basket, at least in the zone of the connection of the source of under-pressure, is located at a distance from the housing. 
   
   
       11 . Method for the packaging of flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream, comprising the following steps:
 Conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction,   Arranging the flat articles in a packaging material web in such a manner that they are covered by the packaging material on both sides;   Producing at least partially closed envelopes out of packaging material;   conveying onward of articles enveloped by envelopes of packaging material; and   
     further comprising removing empty envelopes produced without the inclusion of an article from the conveying stream. 
   
   
       12 . Method in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising deflecting the empty envelopes from the conveying stream by means of compressed air and subsequently sucking-off the deflected empty envelopes. 
   
   
       13 . Method in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising controllably injecting compressed air, when an empty envelope arrives. 
   
   
       14 . Method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising, by means of a detection device, detecting the presence of an empty envelope or of a gap in the conveying stream, and generating a corresponding signal and transmitting it to a control device for controlling the compressed air supply. 
   
   
       15 . Method in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising sucking off the empty envelopes by means of a continuously operating suction device. 
   
   
       16 . Method in accordance with  claims 12 , further comprising collecting the empty envelopes in a catching basket. 
   
   
       17 . Method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising sucking off the empty envelopes by means of a continuously operating suction device.