| Pneumatic feed and separation system, substrate handling system, method for pneumatic feeding and separation of flat substrates, computer program product, memory medium -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Pneumatic feed and separation system, substrate handling system, method for pneumatic feeding and separation of flat substrates, computer program product, memory mediumUSPTO Application #: 20080012202Title: Pneumatic feed and separation system, substrate handling system, method for pneumatic feeding and separation of flat substrates, computer program product, memory medium Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic feed and separation system (1) for flat substrates (3) such as papers and the like in a stack (5, 5′, 5″), and to a corresponding method. The system has: a rear edge separating apparatus (10) for separation of a top substrate (3) from the stack (5, 5′, 5″) in the area of the rear edge (9) of the stack (5, 5′, 5″) in the transport direction (7), a transport apparatus (20) for the top substrate (3) in the area of the front edge (8) of the stack (5, 5′, 5″) in the transport direction (7), and a control unit (30). In order to ensure automatic adjustment of the system, in particular automatically optimized operation of the system, the invention provides that the rear edge apparatus (10) and/or the transport apparatus (20) comprise/comprises an automatically controllable pneumatic system—in particular with a compressed-air-based separating unit and a suction-air-based separating unit, in particular an automatically controllable separating mechanism with a restraint function for substrates below the top substrate (3), in particular a suction-air-based transport unit—and an automatically controllable motor system. The control unit (30) is designed for automatic presetting of substrate-dependent parameter information—in particular at least for the compressed-air-based separating unit, for the suction-air-based separating unit, for the separating mechanism, for the separating motor system and for the transport unit—and the associated pneumatic system and/or motor system are/is designed for automatic adjustment thereof on the basis of the parameter information. (end of abstract) Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C. - New Haven, CT, US Inventors: Werner Hubl, Harald Mayer USPTO Applicaton #: 20080012202 - Class: 271098000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Sheet Feeding Or Delivering, Feeding, Separators, Pneumatic, Sheet Removal By Pressurized Gas, And Suction Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080012202. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to a pneumatic feed and separation system for flat substrates such as papers and the like in a stack, having: a rear edge separating apparatus for separation of a top substrate from the stack in the area of the rear edge of the stack in the transport direction, a transport apparatus for the top substrate in the area of the front edge of the stack in the transport direction, a control unit. The invention also relates to a method for pneumatic feeding and separation of flat substrates such as papers and the like from a stack using a pneumatic feed and separation system, in particular having a feed and separation system, as mentioned above, with a top substrate being separated from the stack in the area of the rear edge of the stack in the transport direction, and the top substrate being transported in the area of the front edge of the stack in the transport direction. The invention also relates to a computer program product and a memory medium. [0002] Pneumatic feed and separation systems of the type mentioned initially have been found to be advantageous in particular in the high-speed feed and separation area, in particular for rectangular substrates in the form of sheets. These make it possible to feed and separate sheet thicknesses of between 0.06 mm and 0.4 mm and with a weight between about 40 and 360 gr/m.sup.2 and format sizes of 11.5''.times.12'' (US letter size) up to 350 mm.times.508 mm (BB format) at a throughput rate of up to 20 000 substrates or sheets per hour. These are used in all substrate handling areas, for example for copying, printing or scanning systems. The substrates are normally stored in the form of a stack with a height of up to several tens of centimeters, are fed to the feed and separation system, and are then transported to a subsequent substrate handling appliance. [0003] A pneumatic feed and separation system of the type mentioned initially is disclosed in DE 34 47 331. This achieves the throughput rates mentioned initially with a quite satisfactory quality, in its own right. However, the system must be manually set to a specific substrate type before operation and, depending on the environmental conditions, must be set to the characteristic of a specific substrate. This has been found to be time-consuming and possibly susceptible to errors since a not inconsiderable number of adjustment parameters must be adjusted manually. This relates in particular to the rear edge separating apparatus. [0004] It is known from US 2002/0140157 for the height of a paper stack relative to a separating pneumatic system to be monitored with a sensor. In principle, this makes it easier to adjust a system of the type mentioned initially. Further improvement beyond this in the pneumatic feed and separation system mentioned initially is, nevertheless, desirable. [0005] This is the point of the invention, whose object is to provide an apparatus, in particular a pneumatic feed and separation system, for flat substrates such as papers and the like from a stack, which is advantageously also suitable for the high-speed range and the substrates mentioned initially, and in which adjustment is simplified, in particular with initial adjustment prior to operation being simplified, and with the operation being optimized. A further object of the invention is to simplify a method for pneumatic feeding and separation of flat substrates such as papers and the like from a stack using a pneumatic feed and separation system, in particular relating to adjustment, preferably simplification of initial adjustment before operation, and/or optimization of operation. A further aim is to specify an appropriately improved substrate handling system. [0006] With regard to the method, the object is achieved by the invention by means of a method of the type mentioned initially in which, according to the invention, the top substrate is separated and/or transported pneumatically, preferably on the basis of compressed air and suction air. Substrates below the top substrate are preferably restrained. The stated method steps are carried out automatically and by motor control. For this purpose, substrate-dependent parameter information is predetermined at least for the pneumatic, preferably compressed-air-based and suction-air-based, separation and preferably for the restraint, and the pneumatic feed and separation system is automatically adjusted, by motor control, on the basis of the parameter information. [0007] With regard to the apparatus, the object is achieved by the invention by means of a pneumatic feed and separation system as mentioned initially in which, according to the invention, the rear edge separating apparatus and/or the transport apparatus comprise/comprises an automatically controllable pneumatic system--preferably a separating pneumatic system with a compressed-air-based separating unit and a suction-air-based separating unit, and preferably an automatically controllable separating mechanism with a restraint function for substrates below the top substrate--and an automatically controllable motor system. Furthermore, the control unit is designed for automatic presetting of substrate-dependent parameter information for the pneumatic system and the motor system, preferably at least for the compressed-air-based separating unit, for the suction-air-based separating unit, for the separating mechanism and for the separating motor system. The associated pneumatic system and/or the motor system are/is designed for automatic adjustment at least thereof, that is to say preferably of at least the compressed-air-based separating unit, of the suction-air-based separating unit, of the separating mechanism and of the separating motor system, on the basis of the parameter information. [0008] The invention also leads to a substrate handling system, in particular a deformation system, a copying and/or printing and/or scanning system, having a feed and separation system according to the invention. A deformation, cutting and stamping system relates in particular to a system (creasing system) for controlled bending or creasing of substrates, in particular at their edges. It is also possible to deliberately shape substrates, including three-dimensional shaping, for example in order to produce book jackets or folding bags. [0009] The invention is based on the idea that a major simplification in the adjustment process for a system of the type mentioned initially can be achieved by automatic adjustment of it. In this case, the invention has identified that, for effective simplification of the adjustment process and at the same time in order to achieve a state in which the feed and separation system is in practice ready to operate, it is possible in a surprising manner to design the pneumatic system and/or the motor system such that it can be controlled automatically for the rear edge separating apparatus and/or the transport apparatus. In particular, the pneumatic system can be provided with an automatically controllable compressed-air-based separating unit and with an automatically controllable suction-air-based separating unit, and an automatically controllable separating mechanism can be provided with a restraint function for substrates under the top substrate, and an automatically controllable separating motor system. This concept for the invention ensures that the system is ready for operation after the adjustment process, depending on the available substrate or paper. For this purpose, according to the concept of the invention, the control unit is able to preset substrate-dependent, in particular paper-dependent, parameter information for the pneumatic system and the motor system, in particular at least for the compressed-air-based separating unit, for the suction-air-based separating unit, for the separating mechanism and for the separating motor system. The parameter information can for this purpose be stored in the system, or can be loaded in the system, for example in the form of a selection table, in which a specific substrate or paper type is associated with corresponding parameter information in the form of a set of adjustment parameters for the units mentioned above. According to the concept of the invention, the pneumatic system and the motor system for the system itself are at least partially designed for automatic adjustment on the basis of the parameter information. In particular, at least the compressed-air-based separating unit, the suction-air-based separating unit, the separating mechanism and the separating motor system are designed for automatic adjustment on the basis of the parameter information. [0010] The concept of the invention has the major advantage that an adjustment process for the system is very considerably simplified. In particular, the concept of the invention means that there is in practice no need for any prior adjustment process for the system. For example, after selection of a specific substrate type or paper type, the entire initial adjustment of the rear edge separating apparatus is virtually completely automated. Instead of the adjustment processes which normally have to be carried out manually, the pneumatic system and the motor system of the system itself based on the concept of the invention are designed for automatic adjustment on the basis of the parameter information. In other words, the system can be booted and/or started and preset, according to the concept of the invention, on a substrate-dependent, in particular paper-dependent basis, and is then in a ready-to-operate state in which virtually no further manual adjustment processes need preferably be carried out. In an exceptional situation or other situations, the system advantageously nevertheless ensures a manual adjustment capability. [0011] Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and specify, in detail, advantageous options for implementation of the concept explained above for the purposes of this object, as well as further advantages relating to it. [0012] According to one preferred development of the invention, the transport apparatus has an automatically controllable transport pneumatic system with a suction-air-based transport unit for the top substrate. This allows the transport apparatus to be adjusted automatically, in addition to the rear edge separating apparatus. The suction-air-based transport unit preferably has a suction drum and/or some other suction-air-powered transport pneumatic system. The transport pneumatic system is preferably associated with a motor system, which can likewise be adjusted in an automated form. Furthermore, a transport motor system which can additionally be controlled automatically can advantageously be provided, for example so-called extraction rollers. [0013] The compressed-air-based separating unit preferably has at least one, that is to say a number of loosening nozzles, and/or at least one, that is to say a number of separating nozzles. Separation of the top substrate can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner by fitting a separating nozzle above one or the number of loosening nozzles. A separating nozzle makes it possible to ensure that an air cushion is produced between the top substrate, which has been loosened by a loosening nozzle, on the one hand and the substrates located underneath it, on the other hand. [0014] The suction-air-based separating unit which, in particular, has a lifting function, preferably has at least one, that is to say a number of suction cups or suction caps, and/or other suction means which, in particular, are in the form of pans. The top substrate can therefore advantageously be raised in order to separate it from the stack. A separating unit is preferably in each case associated with a corresponding mechanism and/or motor system for controllable adjustment and further operation in an automated form. [0015] The separating mechanism preferably has at least one sprung separating element, preferably a leaf spring, which is able to restrain the further substrates once the top substrate has been raised beyond the resistance of the leaf spring. This makes it possible to prevent so-called multiple feeds. [0016] The stack is preferably arranged on a lifting table. [0017] For transmission of the parameter information for the initial adjustment at least to the compressed-air-based separating unit, to the suction-air-based separating unit, to the separating mechanism and to the separating motor system, the feed and separation system has control lines which are connected in particular to the control unit and are preferably part of a bus system. For this purpose, the control unit, the pneumatic system and the motor system have appropriate interfaces for coupling of a control line. This allows data transmission in an effective expedient manner, matched to the requirement, between the control unit and the pneumatic system and motor system to be controlled. [0018] The parameter information is preferably stored in a memory module. In particular, this is variable parameter information which is stored in an accessible memory module. This has the advantage that parameter information can be adapted and changed in the memory module depending on the environmental conditions, for example during operation. [0019] The feed and separation system preferably has an operator unit, which in particular is connected to the control unit, in particular for selection and/or variation of the substrate type, in particular of the paper type, and/or of the parameter information. This has the advantage that this allows selection of, modification to or addition to parameter information both manually and by the control unit, for example the addition of new substrate types or the like. For example, the parameter information can be made available at the operator unit as a selection table. [0020] The feed and separation system preferably has a monitoring sensor system which is connected in particular to the control unit, in particular a substrate path sensor and/or a multiple pulling-in sensor. This is preferably used for monitoring of the feed and/or separation operation. In principle, one development of the invention provides for the capability for feed and/or separation operation to be controlled specifically, to be precise by parameter information being adapted for example by feeding the values determined by the monitoring sensor system to the control unit, for example in such a way that the throughput of the feed and separation system is increased. If required, the throughput can also be reduced, for example in a situation in which the aim is matching to handling systems which have a lower throughput. By way of example, this may be a printer or the like. [0021] In one particularly preferred development of the invention, the substrate-dependent, in particular paper-dependent, parameter information is based on the substrate type, in particular paper type. In the simplest case, this means that specific parameter information for adjustment of the system can be made available by the control unit relating to the selection of a substrate, in particular a paper type, defined, for example, by the manufacturer. For example, parameter information associated with a specific substrate type or paper type can be stored in a selection table. [0022] Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous for the substrate-dependent, in particular paper-dependent, parameter information to be based on the substrate characteristic, in particular the paper characteristic, that is to say in addition to or as an alternative to parameter information which, for example, is stored in a selection table and is associated with a specific substrate type, or paper type, it is also possible to provide parameter information relating to the substrate characteristic, in particular the paper characteristic. This allows the system to be adjusted such that it is matched to the specific environmental conditions. Preferred characteristics of the substrate or of the paper are selected from the group comprising: weight, in particular weight per unit area (g/m.sup.2), thickness, in particular paper thickness, bending strength, surface roughness, ripple, static and/or dynamic friction values, length, width, temperature, moisture. [0023] In one particularly preferred development of the invention, the feed and separation system has a corresponding sensor system for recording of one or more parameters relating to the characteristics of the substrate. [0024] For the purposes of one particularly preferred development, the parameter information comprises adjustment parameters which are selected from the group comprising: Continue reading... 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