Abstract:
An apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material includes a base frame with a table movably mounted thereon for vibratory motion. A rear stop is positioned along a rear portion of the table. First and second lateral stops are positioned along a side portion of the table. The first lateral stop is disposed adjacent the rear stop to contact the adjacent edges of the sheet material stack when the table is vibrated and is inclined toward the rear and first stops. The second stop is movable between a stop position and a non-stop position. The table includes a main table portion and a movable table portion disposed along a forward portion of the table that shifts between a support position and a non-support position for the sheet material stack.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    Applicant hereby claims the priority benefits under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119, basing said claim of priority on European Patent Application Serial No. 07 021 781.5, filed Nov. 9, 2007. In accordance with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119 and Rule 55(b), a certified copy of the above-listed European patent application will be filed before grant of a patent. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material having a table which is mounted on a base frame for receiving the material, a rear stop, and at least one lateral stop disposed adjacent to two adjacent sides of the table, wherein the lateral stop is movable between a stop position for contacting the material, and a non-stop position for not contacting the material, and the table can be set in a vibrating movement when inclined in the direction of the stops. 
         [0003]    In an apparatus of the type described above, which is also called a vibrating table, the inclination or tilting of the table in the direction of the rear stop and the lateral stop serves the purpose of accurately aligning the edge of the individual sheets which lie on the table along the stops. The sheets may be made from paper, film or the like. So that the sheets can be easily displaced with respect to one another, the material is typically vented or aerated before shaking by a separate apparatus. After, shaking, the air which is situated between the individual sheets is removed or smoothed out by a separate air smoothing device. After the air in the stack has been evacuated, the stack presents itself as a compact block, which can be fed to a subsequent cutting station, or the like. Normally, the material is shaken by the inclined table being set in a vibratory motion or movement. The air is usually expelled or smoothed out of the material stack by a roll, which is lowered onto the material resting on the table, and then rolled over the material stack, thereby pressing the air out of the stack. A rear clamping strip fixes or retains the material stack while the air is being smoothed out. The functions of shaking, clamping and smoothing out are realized as a rule in one apparatus, which is normally the vibrating table. 
         [0004]    Preferably, the apparatus for shaking the material should be suitable and correspondingly designed for both aligning large stack formats and for aligning relatively small stack formats. 
         [0005]    An apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material of the type described above is known from EP 0 739 842 A2. In this prior device, the table has a stationary rear stop in the region of its rear long side and one lateral stop which can be folded in the region of one of the short sides which adjoins the long side. The respective lateral stop extends over the entire length of that side of the table on which it is disposed. In the non-stop position, in which the lateral stop is coplanar with the table, ergonomically favorable pushing of the material to be shaken from a side table onto the table and vice versa is possible. In the stop position, the lateral stop is situated perpendicularly with respect to the table surface, and the material stack is aligned along said lateral stop and the rear stop. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, an apparatus for shaking stacks of sheet material is known from DE 88 16 488 U1. In this prior apparatus, in order to align a material stack having a relatively small format, an intermediate stop is placed on the table parallel to the rear stop and perpendicularly with respect to the lateral stop, and both the rear clamping strip and the roll for pressing out air are moved to the position of the intermediate stop. Accordingly, only stacks having a large format are aligned on the rear stop and the lateral stop. For material stacks having a relatively small format, in contrast, the alignment takes place preferably on the intermediate stop and the lateral stop. Consequently, the operator does not have to bend forward too far. The operation is substantially more comfortable. 
         [0007]    One drawback associated with this prior apparatus is that the standardized alignment of the material to be shaken (on the rear stop and on the lateral stop) can no longer be carried out because of the intermediate stop which is used. The material stack is therefore shaken at a spaced apart distance from the rear stop, thereby requiring the attachment of peripheral units which are less favorable for shaking the material. If, for example, in relation to a horizontal initial position of the apparatus table, a feed table is arranged laterally adjacent on one side thereof, and a discharge table is arranged on the other side, unimpeded feeding of the stack from the feed table to the table of the apparatus is not possible because of the coordinated arrangement of the table and the rear stop of the apparatus, owing to the intermediate stop which is then provided. The arrangement of the intermediate stop therefore causes disadvantages for the operator from an ergonomic aspect, and is secondly disadvantageous with regard to the general method sequence during processing of stacked material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to develop an apparatus of the type discussed above, configured so that, if the material to be shaken is aligned on the rear stop and the lateral stop, in order to maintain the standardized alignment, the apparatus nevertheless ensures ergonomically favorable working conditions, even when the shaken sheet material has a relatively small stack format. 
         [0009]    This object is achieved by providing at least two lateral stops arranged on one side of the table, wherein the lateral stop which faces away from the rear stop is movable with respect to the table, between a stop position for contacting the material and a non-stop position for not contacting the material, and also that the table has a movable table part on its side which faces away from the rear stop, which table part is movable relative to the remaining main table part, between a supporting position for the material and a non-supporting position for the material. 
         [0010]    It is of particular significance that at least two lateral stops are provided and arranged on one side of the table. In relation to their longitudinal extent in the stop position, the lateral stops are arranged behind one another. 
         [0011]    The lateral stop disposed adjacent to the rear stop is also preferably adjustable relative to the table. The respective lateral stop can assume a stop position for the material and a non-stop position for the material. The “non-stop position” can be achieved in different ways. For instance, the non-stop position can be achieved by removing the movable lateral stop from the table, or the lateral stop can be displaced, in particular, can be lowered downward or moved horizontally relative to the table. Furthermore, it is conceivable, and is considered advantageous, to arrange the movable lateral stop such that it can be folded away from the table. 
         [0012]    In the foldable mounting of the movable lateral stop, it is considered advantageous that the movable lateral stop is folded about an axis, which is arranged adjacent to the table, and disposed perpendicularly with respect to the lateral stop position, and that the stop plane of the lateral stop in the non-stop position is coplanar with the material supporting plane of the table. It is therefore possible to transfer the material to be shaken onto the table or to remove it from the table via the movable lateral stop when the same is folded away, and is disposed coplanar with the supporting plane of the table. This is a substantial advantage for the operator when processing material stacks having both large formats and relatively small formats. Accordingly, even if the material stacks having large formats are to be shaken, the movable lateral stop or guide which faces away from the rear stop can be folded away into the non-stop position during loading of the table. This is true both in the case of a horizontally disposed table, and in the case of a table which has already been inclined in the direction of the stops. In order to simplify the movement of the respective movable lateral stop, an actuator means can be provided for moving the lateral stop between the stop position and the non-stop position. 
         [0013]    The lateral stop disposed adjacent the rear stop can certainly be stationary. 
         [0014]    In the present invention, it is also significant that on that side of the table which faces away from the rear stop, the table has a movable table part, which is movable relative to the remaining main part, between a supporting position for the material and a non-supporting position for the material. 
         [0015]    The “non-supporting position” can be achieved in different ways. For instance, the movable table part can be shifted into its non-supporting position by being separated completely from the main table part, such as being dismantled or removed, and laid to the side. Alternatively, this non-supporting position can be achieved by displacing the movable table part parallel to the supporting plane of the main table part, or by the movable table part being folded away relative to the main table part. In each of the cases, a cutout is produced in the table, whereby only the remaining surface of the main table part supports the material stack, and the operator can position himself within the cutout, closer to the rear stop, and can therefore process material stacks having small formats from the side table in a more favorably ergonomic manner, and can move the material stacks into the region of the corner of the rear stop and the lateral stop which adjoins the latter. 
         [0016]    The apparatus according to the invention can include a variety of advantageous features, as set forth below. 
         [0017]    For instance, the stops may be plate-shaped in configuration. 
         [0018]    The lateral stop which is remote from the rear stop is advantageously arranged in its stop position, adjacent to the movable table part. This lateral stop is preferably always in its non-stop position whenever the movable table part is in it non-supporting position. Since an excessively large surface area of the table is not required for transferring a small format stack from one of the side table onto the apparatus table, it is sufficient if the length of the lateral stop disposed adjacent the movable tale part is smaller in length than the length of the lateral stop disposed adjacent to the rear stop. 
         [0019]    In particular, the cutout for the movable table part, which is situated in the main table part in the supporting position, is preferably positioned along the forward side of the main table part, opposite the rear stop. 
         [0020]    The movable table part can be expediently folded about an axis in the main table part, and preferably can be folded about an axis which is arranged parallel to the rear stop. It is considered particularly advantageous if the movable table part is folded downward in its non-supporting position for the material. Elements can be provided for locking the movable table part in its supporting position. Furthermore, locking elements can be provided for locking the movable lateral stop in its stop position and in its non-stop position. 
         [0021]    Depending on the degree of automation desired, the apparatus can be configured with an actuator for moving the respective movable lateral stop and/or the movable table part. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the invention, the table has a rectangular receiving plane for the material, the cutout in the main table part is rectangular, and the movable table part, which is adapted into the cutout in the supporting position, is rectangular. As to the movable table part, only a very small gap may remain between the main table part and the movable table part. 
         [0023]    It is to be understood that the table can have at least one further stationary or movable lateral stop on the other side of the table, i.e., on that side of the table which is opposite to the above-described lateral stop. If the stops are arranged on three sides of the table (rear stop, lateral stops on one side, lateral stops on the other side), universal loading of the table from both sides is possible, independently of the respective format of the stack. 
         [0024]    Further features of the invention are shown in the sub-claims, the description of the figures and in the figures themselves, wherein it is noted that all the individual features and all the combinations of individual features are essential to the invention. 
         [0025]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention is shown, for example, using one embodiment, without being restricted thereto, in the figures, in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of the apparatus according to the invention for shaking material which is present in sheet layers (vibrating table), as illustrated in its basic position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the vibrating table which is shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the vibrating table which is shown in  FIG. 1 , loaded in its shaking position, but illustrated in simplified form in the case of a table which is only tilted to the side and is also tilted to the rear in a manner which is superimposed in the shaking position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the vibrating table in its shaking position which is shown in  FIG. 3 , in a plan view; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the loaded vibrating table in its basic position according to  FIG. 1 , in the folded position during the pressing out of air; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the vibrating table which is illustrated in the folded position during the pressing out of air; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows the vibrating table in its basic position, but loaded with a stack which has a large format and is aligned on the lateral stop and on the rear stop, in a side view; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  shows the vibrating table which is loaded with the stack having a large format, according to the arrangement in  FIG. 4 , illustrated in a plan view; and 
           [0035]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the side view and the plan view of the vibrating table for the state according to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , but for the purpose of shaking the stacks having small formats. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0037]    Reference is first made to the illustration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein a vibrating table  1  is shown, which serves to shake one or more stacks of sheet material, for example stack  29  which is formed from paper sheets or layers. 
         [0038]    The vibrating table  1  has a base frame  2 , which movably supports thereon a table  3  mounted via a pivoting device  4  for vibrating table  1  relative to base frame  2  by a vibrator device. The pivoting device  4  makes it possible to pivot the table  3  about an axis which extends perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the sheet of the drawing and, also, about an axis which extends parallel to the surface  6  of the table  3 , and is arranged in the plane of the sheet of the drawing. The table  3  can therefore be pivoted about two axes, and accordingly can be inclined, in particular in the direction of the left rear corner  7  or the right rear corner  8  of table  1 . For reasons of drawing simplification, in the side views of the vibrating table  1 , in which the latter is shown inclined from the horizontal, inclination only with regard to the axis  5  is illustrated, and not inclination with regard to the other axis. This mounting of table  3 , which permits it to be pivoted about two axes, is discussed in the Background of the Invention portion of the application and explained therein. 
         [0039]    The illustrated table  3  is configured as a plate, and has a rectangular surface  6 . In detail, the table  3  comprises a main table part  9 , which in the region of its longitudinal side facing the operator of the vibrating table  1 , has a rectangular cutout  10  (see  FIG. 10 ) for receiving a movable table part  11  having a rectangular surface. The movable table part  11  is mounted along the main table part  9 , such that it can be pivoted about an axis  12 , wherein axis  12  extends parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal side of the table  3  which faces the operator. The movable table part  11  can be folded from its horizontal position into a vertical position manually, or by a separate actuator. Locking elements (not shown) can be provided, which in the case of a horizontal table part  11 , are active between the main table part  9  and the movable table part  11 , and serve to hold the movable table part  11  in a horizontal position. In the horizontal position of the movable table part  11 , its upper surface is generally coplanar with the upper surface of the main table part  9  that forms surface  6  of table  3 . 
         [0040]    When movable table part  11  is folded downwardly, the operator can advance as far as the region of the pivot axis of the movable table part  11  in the main table part  9 , and is therefore situated within the cutout  10 . 
         [0041]    A rear stop  13  is connected to the table  3  in the rearward region or side of the table  3  which faces away from and is disposed opposite the movable table part  11 . In the illustrated example, the rear stop  13  is formed by two stop plates which project at the top beyond the surface  6  of the table  3 , wherein the stop face is perpendicular with respect to the surface  6  of the table  3 . 
         [0042]    Arranged in line behind one another in the longitudinal direction of the respective narrow side are two lateral stops arranged on one of the two narrow sides of the table  3 . In the illustrated example, lateral stops  14  and  15  and/or  16  and  17  are assigned to the respective side of table  3 , and can be pivoted about an axis  18  which is parallel to the narrow side of the table  3  and parallel to table surface  6 . The axis  18  is mounted in or along the table. The respective lateral stop or stops  14 ,  15  can be pivoted by an actuating means  19 , in particular a pneumatic cylinder, from the basic non-stop position, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the stop plane  20  of the lateral stop or stops  14 ,  15  is coplanar with the surface  6  of the table  3 , to an upward stop position ( FIG. 6 ), in which the stop plane  20  is positioned perpendicular with respect to the surface  6 . In this vertical position ( FIG. 6 ), the lateral stop or stops  14 ,  15 ,  16  or  17  assume a stop position, whereas the first mentioned position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) represents a non-stop position. 
         [0043]    The length of the respective lateral stop  14  or  16  is preferably somewhat greater than the length of the respective lateral stop  15  or  17 . 
         [0044]    A table frame  21 , with guides  22  for an upper frame  23 , is disposed below table  3 . The upper frame  23  receives an apparatus  24  for expelling or pressing out air from the material stack, and has a freely rotatable roll  25 . The table frame  21  receives a clamping apparatus  26  for clamping the material stack between itself and the surface  6  of the table  3  in the region of the rear stop  13 . 
         [0045]    Clamping apparatus  26  has a clamping plate  27 , which can be moved parallel to the surface  6  of the table  3  by means of an actuator  28 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show the vibrating table  1  in its basic position. The table  3  is oriented horizontally, and the lateral stops  14  to  17  are situated in their horizontal non-stop positions. A vented stack  29 , which is formed from sheet layers, and is to be shaken, can be pushed horizontally onto the table  3  from a side table, positioned laterally next to the apparatus table  3 , by shifting the material stack either over the lateral stops  14  and  15  on one side of apparatus table  3 , or over the lateral stops  16  and  17  on the other side of apparatus table  3 . If stack  29  has a large format, the movable table part  11  is situated in its horizontal support position, which in one example, is folded upwardly. 
         [0047]    In this basic position of the vibrating table  1 , the stack  29  is pushed onto the table  3  from a side table. When shaking into corner  7  is to take place, the lateral stop  14  is folded upwardly to the stop position, while the other lateral stops  15 ,  16  and  17  remain in their downwardly folded non-stop positions. This situation is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this position of the table  3 , with the rearward inclination about the other axis also achieved, the material is shaken by a device (not illustrated in greater detail), by means of which the table  3  is set in a vibrating movement. 
         [0048]    In practice, a sheet material stack having a maximum height is not shaken as a whole, but is rather shaken in several thinner stacks, onto which other thinner stacks are then placed, until the entire stack is formed with continuous shaking. Consequently, the lateral stop  15 , which is still folded away in the non-stop position, makes it possible for the thinner partial stacks to be pushed and/or pulled onto the table  3  in an ergonomically favorable manner. 
         [0049]    When the stack has been shaken sufficiently, the sheet layers are aligned accurately with the edges on the rear stop  13  and the lateral stop  14 . The stack is then clamped by clamping apparatus  26 , and the stack  29  is traversed by apparatus  24  to expel or press out air, wherein the roll  25  rolls on the top of the stack  29 . This movement can take place with table  3  inclined, or when the table is situated in the horizontal position. During movement of the apparatus  24  for pressing out air, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , all of the lateral stops  14  to  17  are folded upward to the stop position, such that the movement space becomes free or available for moving the apparatus  24 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the situation during shaking of the stack  29  into the corner  7 , wherein the stack has a relatively large plan size or format. As has been explained above, only the lateral stop  14  is folded up to the stop position during shaking, and the other lateral stops  15  to  17  are in the non-stop position. Furthermore, the movable table part  11  is folded up to the support position. In principle, the lateral stop  15  could also be folded up. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the situation during shaking of stacks  29  having a relatively small plan size or format. The difference with respect to shaking of stacks having large formats is to be seen in that the movable table part  11  is folded downward to the non-stop position, so that the operator can position himself in the region of the cutout  10  adjacent to axis  12 . Hence, irrespective of the considerably smaller format of the stack  29 , the handling of the stack in the region of corner  7  is possible in an uncomplicated or simple way. During shaking of stacks  29  having a small format, the lateral stop  15  is not folded up. 
         [0052]    If, instead a stack  29  is to be shaken in the region of the corner  8 , the lateral stops are positioned symmetrically, that is to say the lateral stop  16  is preferably folded upwardly to the stop position, and the other lateral stops  14 ,  16  and  17  are folded downwardly to the non-stop position. 
         [0053]    In principle, there is also the possibility of configuring the lateral stops  14  and  16  as stationary stops, and arranging only the lateral stops  15  and  17  such that they can be folded or shifted between the stop and non-stop positions. 
         [0054]    In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.