Method and a device for processing and separating an imbricate formation of flexible flat objects

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for processing and separating an imbricate formation of flexible, flat objects 10, in particular of folded printed products. The imbricate formation is influenced by way of a guide means 1 which at least in regions is inclined with respect to the horizontal such that the objects are differently inclined with respect to the vertical. The guide means 1 serve for reforming the flat objects of the imbricate flow in angle and alignment, wherein at its end there is effected a removal of individual or groups of flat objects. At the end of a guide surface 2 of the guide means 1 there is arranged a conveyor means 9 which serves for conveying away the isolated objects 10.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for processing and separating an imbricate formation of flexible, flat objects during product feed, the method comprising:
 continuously fluently feeding the objects to a transfer module in an essentially regular imbricate formation along a guide within the transfer module with each of the objects having a leading lower edge adjacent a surface of the guide and a trailing upper edge lying over the leading lower edge of a subsequent object;   erecting at least one of the fed objects during said product feed into an obliquely standing position;   separating, via separating means, the at least one of the fed objects erected into an obliquely standing position from remaining objects on the guide; and   conveying the separated object from the transfer module.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein during said continuously fluently feeding of the objects to the transfer module the objects are conveyed in a transport direction and with a first inclination relative to the transport direction and wherein after said separating, the separated object has an inclination opposite the first inclination. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the objects each comprise a folded sheet having a cut-edge side and a fold, with the fold of each folded sheet in a trailing manner lying over the respective subsequent folded sheet and the folded sheets which stand obliquely on erection stand on their cut-edge side. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the objects each comprise a folded sheet having a cut-edge side and a fold, with the fold of each folded sheet in a trailing manner lying over the respective subsequent folded sheet and the folded sheets which stand obliquely on erection stand on their cut-edge side. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the erecting of the objects is effected by active braking or acceleration of the objects by means of at least one conveyor. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the objects on separation are actively transferred into an obliquely standing position in the conveying direction by way of folding-over means. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the objects prior to said separating are displaced transversely to their main conveying direction. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus to process and separate an imbricate formation of flexible, flat objects during product feed, the apparatus comprising:
 a first conveyor element followed by a transfer module and with a second conveyor element for removal of the objects from the transfer module;   the transfer module comprising a first guide element having a first surface which at least in regions is inclined with respect to the horizontal, the first surface adjacent a lower edge of each of the objects; and   an abutment disposed at an end of the first surface proximal to the removal conveyor element.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first surface at least in regions is concave or convex. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first surface comprises at least two sections each with a different inclination. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first surface comprises an inclination of more than 30 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first surface additionally comprises secondary guide elements to regionally accelerate and/or brake transport of the objects along the first surface. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first surface additionally comprises secondary guide elements to regionally accelerate or brake transport of the objects along the first surface. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the abutment is movably arranged with respect to the first guide element. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , additionally comprising a separation element, disposed on a side of the first guide element proximal to the removal conveyor element, for separating individual objects or groups of objects. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the abutment comprises movable elements conveying the objects towards the second conveyor element. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein in the transfer module comprises a displacing element to transversely displace selected objects. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein above the guide element, are arranged retaining elements that act on a free upper edge of the objects.