Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to a method and apparatus for
stacki,ng stackable material, in particular mineral fibre
boards or plates in a production line,
A number of stacking methods and stacking apparatuses
have become known in which the stack is made up from below in
that the partial stack formed is raised and a new layer is
introduced beneath the partial stack and laid at the bottom
thereof.
For example, French Patent No. 1,573,293 already dis-
closes a stacking apparatus in which fork-like support members
engage simultaneously from both sides between rollers of a
roller track forming the stack support surface beneath the layer
of articles disposed thereon and lift the layer to such an
extent that a new layer can run onto the stack support
surface and is then brought together with the raised layer to
form a partial stack.
The layers consist of packets. When the new packet
layer has run onto the stack support surface the raised partial
stack is lowered by the support members or by the associated
lifting means and the support elements on both sides move in
opposite directions towards both sides from beneath the
partial stack so that the latter comes to lie on the new layer.
Thereafter, the support members of the lifting means are moved
downwardly and again engage from both sides between the rollers
of the roller conveyor forming the stack support surface and
raise the new partial stack thus formed in order to again
provide room for a new layer, after the introduction of which
into the stack space the partial stack is again
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lowered onto the new layer.
This stacking method operates comparatively slowly.
The useful stroke for forming the stack resides only
in the travel of the fork-like support members with
which the partial stack is raised to prepare for intro-
duction of a new layer whilst the strokes of lowering
the partial stack onto the new layer - lateral withdrawal
of the support members - lowering of the support members
beneath the plane of the new layer - repeated lateral
moving in of the support members below the new layer -
result in idle times which do not contribute in any way
to the making up of the stack and during which a pre-
pared new layer must be stopped from entering the stacking
space. Since for reasons of mechanical loading the
velocity of the support members is limited a correspon-
dingly long time is required for stacking the individual
layers. Since the lifting movement in the useful stroke
can be carried out approximately just as quickly as the
lowering movement and considerably more quickly than the ~,
inward and outward movements with longer travel, the
high idle time compared with the time for the useful
stroke is inevitable.
To avoid such long system-inherent idle times it is known
from DE-AS 2,364,751 to work with two lifting means
whose likewise fork-like support members support the
partial stack and the new layer in each case over the
entire width. The partial stack is first raised by the
support members of the one lifting means so that a new
layer can be introduced into the stacking space. While
the support memhers of the one lifting means hold the
partial stack above the plane of the new layer the
support members of the other lifting means are beneath
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the plane of the new layer. By a horizolltal relative
movement between the stack and the lifting means thc
support men~ers of the one lifting means on the one
side beneath the partial stack are withdrawn and said
partial stack thus lowered onto the new layer whilst
simultaneously from the other side the support members
of the other lifting means engage beneath the new
layer. While the support members of the latter lifting
means raise the partial stack lowered onto the new
layer together with the latter the support members of
the other lifting means are again lowered and are
ready to engage beneath the next new layer when the
corresponding horizontal relative movement is executed.
Theoretically, this should reduce by about half the
amount of system-inherent idle times because the two
lifting means operate alternately and consequently in
a full cycle of a lifting means comprising the individual
strokes raising - withdrawal movement - lowering -
engagement movement in each case two new layers are
added to the partial stack. However, in practice no
reduction of the time required for the stacking of a
.new layer is achieved because firstly the lifting means
are much heavier because the support members of each
lifting means are subjected to the load of the entire
weight of the stack, in the case of example a package
stack, with great leverage, and secondly the travels
for the engagement movement and withdrawal movement of
the support members are more than twice as great com-
pared with the support members of a lifting means .
engaging from both sides. Consequently, on the whole
considerably greater masses must be accelerated and
longer travels covered so that the theoretical advantage
of the alternating mode of operation of two lifting
means is not realised in practice.
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DE-GbmS 7,220,758 or US-PS 3,~2,~00 discloscs a
further modification of such a s~acking method in
which the stackin~ support surface serves as ].ifting
platform and the respective lowermost layer of the
raised partial stack is engaged in the raised position
of the lifting platform by support mernbers of an upper
holding means which hold the partial stack in the
raised position wherea~ter the lif-ting platform can.be
relowered for the introduc-tion of a new layer. To .
avoid the lowermost layer being subjected to lateral
pressure during the supporting in the raised position,
which with the package layers stacked therein and in
most other cases is not permissible, the support members
of the holding means are also made fork-like and dis-
placeable horizontally in such a manner that they can
be moved out from the region beneath the previously
formed partial stack towards both sides. The lifting
platform must first lift the lowermost layer to such
an extent that it bears directly on the bottom of the
partial stack or the support members whereupon the
latter can be withdrawn to completely deposit the
partial stack on the new layer; a further lifting
movement of the lifting platform can then take place
until the new lowermost layer llas moved above the plane
of the support members so that the latter can be moved
in again and in the raised position can support the new
lowermost layer with the partial stack disposed there-
above o~ relo~ering oE the liftin~ platform.
Ilowever, such a vertically stationary holding means
also cannot increase the working speed compared with the
first stacking method mentioned accordin~ to FR-PS 1,573,293
because the raising and lowering movement of the support
members therein is merely replaced by the correspondin~
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raising and lowering movement of the lifting ~latform and the
idle time for the lateral moving in and withdrawal of the
support members remains unchanged. Also, a new layer cannot
be introduced until the lifting platform, which forms the stack
support surface, has returned to its lower position so that as
regards the time required for stacking a new layer the same
conditions apply as those explained above in conjunction with
the stacking method according to FR-PS 1,573,293.
The method according to the invention proceeds from
the method according to DE-GbmS 7,220,758 in which the new
layer is combined with the previously formed partial stack in
that the new layer is first applied with its top to the bottom
of the previously formed partial stack and the new layer then
raised together with the paxtial stack resting thereon via the
working stroke. This requires that the support members at the
bottom of the previously formed stack must be withdrawn from
between said stack and the new layer before the working stroke
can take place.
Furthermore, the invention proceeds from the apparatus
according to DE-AS 2,364,751 in which the stack support surface
is disposed stationary and instead two alternately operating
lifting means are provided. However, in spite of the alternating
mode of operation of two lifting means in practice, for the
reasons outlined in detail above, the time requirement is not
appreciably reduced because due to the considerably higher
mechanical load greater weights must be accelerated and
retarded and moreover greater distances must be covered.
Proceeding from the prior art outlined, as regards the
method and apparatus the invention is based on the problem of
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further developing the stacking method according to DE-GbmS
7,220,758 and the stacking apparatus according to DE-AS 2,364,751
so that in the simplest possible manner a considerably higher
stacking rate can be achieved which permits the use of the
method or apparatus according to the invention in particular
for stacking mineral fibre boards in a production line with
continuous and rapid succession of mineral fibre boards or
formations.
The above problem is solved in the present invention by
way of a method of stacking stackable material, in particular
mineral fibre boards in a production line, in superimposed
layers of one or more articles, wherein the articles forming
a new layer are introduced into a stacking space and there
brought together with the previously introduced layers already
forming a partial stack from the bottom thereof, the previous
formed partial stack being held spaced above the entrance plane
of the layers into the stacking space and after entering the
stacking space the respective new layer being raised at least a
height corresponding to the thickness of the layer to be stacked
and characterized in that the previously formed partial stack
is, at least at the beginning of the raising movement of the
new layer, kept supported independently of the new layer and
is also raised concurrently with the new layer so as to maintain
a vertical distance between the bottom of the partial skack and
the upper surface of the new layer.
Because the previously formed partial stack is raised
independently of the new layer it is not necessary to wait with
the useful stroke until the support elements have been withdrawn
from beneath the previously formed stack in order to be able to
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raise the partial stack together with the new layer. On the
contrary, the partial stack can be raised separately from the
new layer to a height permitting the lift movement thereof
in such a manner that the new layer can perform its entire
desired lift movement in one go. At the end of the lift
movement or even during said movement the lowering of the
partial stack onto the new layer by withdrawing the support
members can take place or at least begin. If the previously
formed partial stack is raised simultaneously with the new
layer but possibly by a smaller amount than the new layer a
soft placing of the previously formed partial stack on the new
layer is achieved with small drop height.
However, the lift movement of the partial stack can
take place for example also prior to the lift movement of the
new layer and/or to the same extent as the lift movement of
the new layer and any gap between the bottom of the partial
stack and the top of the new layer is bridged by a corresponding
lowering or drop movement of the partial stack.
In any case, due to the step of a lift movement of the
partial stack controllable independently of the lift movement
of the new layer the useful stroke of the new layer can take
place in one go and at the same time the deposition of the
partial stack on the top of the new layer can possibly begin.
On the other hand, the present invention also relates
to apparatus for stacking stackable material, in particular
mineral fibre boards in a production line, in superimposed
layers of one or more articles, comprising a) a plurality of
lifting means for the layers of the articles for achieving the
vertical displacement of the layers in formation of the stack,
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b) a stationary ]ower stack support surface, c) a stop
disposed in the entrance direction of the layers behind the
stacking space for aligned stopping of the respective new
layer introduced and d) a conveying means for carrying away
the finished stack, wherein each lifting means comprises at
least one support member for the layers which is aligned at
least approximately parallel to the stack support surface and
which can be moved from the side beneath the stack and after
the completed lifting can be withdrawn again from the stacking
space, and which in the vertical direction is moveable
relatively to the support member of one of the other lifting
means, characterized in that the support members of one of
the lifting means are mounted relatively moveable in a
horizontal direction with respect to those of at least one of
the other lifting means, that the support members of each
lifting means during vertical movement pass through the support
members of another lifting means lying on the same side of the
stack space, and that the support members are formed as fork
arms, the fork arms being offset to an extent permitting
vertical mutual passage thereof with respect to the fork arms
of another lifting means lying on the same side of the stacking
space.
For solving the problem as regards the apparatus,
firstly use may be made o two lifting means which operate
alternately. It is however additionally achieved that such
an alternating mode of operation of two lifting means can take
place even when each lifting means comprises support members
known per se from FR-PS 1,573,~93 and adapted to be moved into
the stacking space and withdrawn therefrom on both sides so that
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there is no need to have recourse to the heavier construction
of the lifting means operating with longer engagement and with-
drawal travels according to DE~AS 2,364,751. Alternatively,
howe!ver, a construction of the lifting means and the support
members extending over the entire width of the stack according
to DE-AS 2,364,751 may be used but then at each side of the
stacking space of the apparatus two lifting means with support
members extending over the entire stack width are provided so
that one of the four sets of support members can perform a
working stroke while the remaining three sets of support
members run in the idle strokes withdrawal-lowering-engagement,
i.e. inward movement. The alternating mode of operation of
four lifting means mean that for a given working frequency or
stacking rate a lower absolute speed of the machine parts is
necessary. In any case, according to the invention the support
members of a lifting means are relatively moveable with respect
to those of at least one other lifting means not only in the
vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction and
an alternating operation of sets of support members disposed
on the same side of the stack is achieved in that the support
members of a lifting means during the vertical relative movement
pass through the support members of another lifting means
disposed on the same side of the stacking space so that for
~ example fork-like support members of different llfting means
.~ may be disposed alternately above and below each other.
In each case it is achieved with the stationary stack
; support surface compared with a construction of the stack
support surface as lifting platform in addition that immediately
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after raising the introduced new layer the stack support
surface is free for the run-in of the next layer.
Use of the method according to the invention results
in the important advantage that each new layer introduced
onto the stack support surface is lifted into a raised
position which permits the run-in of the next layer and
remains during the further operating steps in at least this
raised position. Thus, immediately after the raising of a
layer
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the stacking space is ~vailable for the introduction
of a new layer and the working strokes necessary for
preparing a raising of this new layer can be carried
out whilst the new layer runs into the stacking space.
With suitable design and control of the lifting means
the theoretically shortest possible interval between
successive layers entering the stacking space depends
on the tirne interval which is necessary to raise a
layer introduced into the stacking space from the
stacking support surface to such a height that a new
layer can enter beneath the pre~iously introduced
layer.
The.invention will be explained hereinafter with the
aid of examples of embodiment illustrated in the
drawings, wherein: :
Fig. 1 in two parts I and II on two sheets of drawings
shows diagrammatically simplified a plan view
of a production line for making mineral fibre
boards with stacking in an apparatus according
to the invention and subsequent packing,
Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically simplified a perspective
view of the essential parts of an apparatus
according to the invention and their mutual
positions, the upper lifting means with its
support members being shown removed upwardly
from the lower lifting means and the stack
support surface for clarity,
~ig. 3 shows in individual illustrations a) to d) a
schematic representation of a possible mode of
operation of the apparatus according to Fig. 2,
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Fig. 4 shows in individual illustrations a) to k)
a diagra~latic representation of another possible
mode of operation of the apparatus according to
Fig. 2 and in indi.vidual illustrations 1) to
v) a diagrammatic illustration of the st~cking
space seen from the side with the preceding
part of the production line, each of the
individual illustrations 1) to v) corresponding
to the positions of the apparatus according to
the invention acco.rding to the individual illus-
trations a) to k),
Fig. 5 shows in en].arged individual illustrations a)
to e) the posit~n of the support members in dot-
dash circles Va, Ve in Figs. 4c and d during
the passage through these positions and in
intermediate positions, and
Fig. 6 shows individual illustrations a) to k) a ~, .
d~grammatic representation of a mode of oper-
ation, corresponding substantially to the mode
of operation according to Fig. 4, of an embodi-
ment of the apparatus according to the invention
modified compared with the representation in
Fig. 2.
Although the invention is not restricted to the use for
stacking mineral fibre boards orjsimilar boards or
plates in a production line, hereinafter with the aid
of Fig. 1 firstly the makeup and mode o~ operation of
such a production line will be explained because the
method according to the invention and the apparatus
according to the invention are particularly suitable
for fulfilling the requirements encountered typically
in continuously operating production lines of this or
similar types.
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The mineral fibres prodllced by fibre producing heads
out of a melt in a known manner are suitably treated
with additives such as binders and are cont:inuously
deposited for further treatment, e.g. drying, on a
conveyor band, while forming a ~ibrous bonded web
on the conveyor, the end of which is generally shown
at 2 on the left hand end - or, with respect to the
direction of production according to arrow 1, the
upstream end - of figure 1. If mineral fibre boards
narrower than the production width, which is dependent
on the number and disposition of the fibre producing
heads, are to be produced the web may be cut into a
plurality of longitudinal strips 21a;21b in amannerknown
per se, for example by high-pressure water jets, whilst
being conveyed. At the end o~ the conveyor belt 2 there
is a saw 3 which in the manner of so called flying
shears cuts the fibre web transversely o~ the produc-
tion direction according to the arrow 1 to produce
the desired longitudinal extent of the mineral ~ibre
boards.
The boards emerging at the rear side of the saw 3 in
the production direction according to the arrow 1
are taken over by a belt 4 running with the same speed
as the conveyor belt 2 and, in case of the example shown,
supplied to a fulling means 5. The fulling means 5 is
followed by an accelerating belt 6 which accelerates
the boards leaving the fulling means 5 with respect
to thç speed on the conveyor belt 2 and the belt
and separates them in this manner`so that inter-
vals are formed between successive boards or board
rows. F`rom the accelerating belt 6 the boards thus
separated pass via an alignment belt 7 onto a retaining
belt 8 and pass preliminary and main alignment members
9a and 9b in the form of guide bars or rails which
align the boards arriving centrally with
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respect to the centre axis of the production line and
close gaps next to laterally adjacent boards. At the
end of the retaining belt 8 a retaining stop 10 is
provided substantially in the form of a row of re-
taining bolts with which the boards transferred with
the.speed of the accelerating belt 6 via the alignmen-t
belt 7 to the retaining belt 8 can be selectively
retarded.
Following the retaining stop 10 is a stacking apparatus
designated overall by 11, the construction and mode
of operation of which will be explained in detail herei.n-
after. In the stacking apparatus ll the boards .
entering are stacked on each other in layers until the
desired stack height is reached ~hereupon the finished
packet-like stack runs .in the production direction
according to the arrow 1 at the back of the stacking
apparatus 11 onto a discharge belt 20 and depending
upon the type of board or package is supplied to a
subsequent packing station 12, 13 or 14. For this
purpose the stacks pass from the discharge belt 20
firstly to an angle transfer station 15 from whence
they are transferred either on one side to conveyor belts
16 a and 16b or on the other side to a conveyor means
17 or, continuing in the production direction, to a
further angle transfer station 18; the angle transfer
station 18 transfers to a further angle transfer
station 19 in continuation of the conveyor means 17
at the entrance of the packing station 12. The packing
st.ation 12 can thus be reached from the angle transfer
station 15 either via the conveyor means 17, the stacks
being turned with respect to the alignment on the
discharge belt 20 by the curve of the conveyor means 17
~cf. Fig. 1) through 90, or alternatively via the
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angle transfer stations 18 and 19, between which
only a parallel displacement of the stacks takes
place so that their alignment with respect to the
alignment on the discharge belt 20 is not changed.
The makeup of the end region of the produc-tion line
illustrated above in principle with the stackinq
apparatus 11 will be explained in detail with regard
to its mode of operation hereinafter with the aid of
a concrete embodiment. The production line illustrated
can be designed for producing mineral fibre boards
witli greatly varying dimensions, for example a length
of the boards between 330 and 3200 mrn, a width of
the boards between 250 and 1250 mm and a height of
the boards between 10 mm and 200 mm, and the fibre
web may ~e cut into parallel strips to produce up to
five boards of smaller width adjacent each other in
- the production direction according to the arrow 1 by
the saw 3. In the example it is assumed that the boards
are to be made with a length of 1500 mm and a width
of 600 mm and in Fig. 1 for this case in dot-dash line
the instantaneous arrangement of the individual mineral
fibre boards designated by 21 on the production line
is illustrated. The conveyor belt 2 of the production
line may have a speed of 30 m/min and supplies two
adjacent strips, designated by 21a and 21b, of the
fibre material to the saw 3. The saw 3 runs with a
frequency of 20 min 1, i.e. per minute executes 20 cuts
at equal intervals of time so that the strips 21a and
21b are given a transverse cut in the region of the
saw 3 at intervals of 1500 mm; in the illustration
chosen such a transverse cut is just being rnade in the
region of the saw 3. The mineral fibre boards 21
thUS formed and having a width of 600 mm, corresponding
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to the width of the strips 21a and 21b, and a length
of 1500 mm, run after the saw 3 substantially
without relative movement onto the belt 4 to the
fulling means 5. As soon as the trailing ends of
the mineral fibre boards 21 emerge from the engage-
ment region of the fulling means 5 the mineral fibre
boards 21 are accelerated, lying adjacent each other
in pairs, b~ the accelerating belt 6. Like the
alignment belt 7 and the retaining belt 8 as well
as the discharge belt 20 the accelerating belt 6
may run at a speed of about 90 m/min, that is about
3 times the speed of the conveyor belt 2 and the belt
4. The adjacent pairs of mineral fibre boards 21
are thereby separated so that between consecutive
board pairs intervals of the order of magnitude of
3000mm form which with the speed of the faster running
belts 6, 7 and 8 corresponds to a time interval of
about 2 s between the trailing edge of the leading
pair of mineral fibre boards 21 and the leading edge
of a following pair of mineral fibre boards 21.
A pair of mineral fibre boards 21 is just being retained
by the retaining stop 10 at the rear end of the re-
taining belt 8 and the following pair of mineral fibre
boards 21 is just about to strike the rear end of
retained pair. By a vibration pickup disposed in the
region of the retaining belt 8 but not illustrated the
shock occurring when a board pair strikes the retaining
stop 10 can be measured so that after a predetermined
number of shocks, after two shocks .in the case of the
example, the retaining stop 10 is removed from the
transport path for the time required by a stack layer
22 formed on the retaining belt 8 from a plurality of
successive arriving board formations to move over with
its rear end the region of the retaining stop 10.
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In the instantaneous illustration chosen the board
pair 21 trailing on the retaining belt strikes in
just under one second the trailing edge o the already
retained board pair 21 and thus produces a second
shock detected by the vibration picXup, whereupon for
example by means of a hydraulic control the retaining
bolts forming the retaining stop 10 can be lowered
for a time of about 3 s to allow the layer 22 formed on
the retainirlg belt 8 and comprising four mineral fibre
boards 21 to enter the stacking apparatus 11 without
further relative movement. Of course, the trailing
end of the board formation entering the stacking
apparatus 11 can also be detected by means of a
light barrier or the like, whereupon the retaining
stop 10 again moves to its stop position and again
stops the leading edge of the following pair of mineral
fibre boards 21.
In the region of the stacXing apparatus 11 there is
a stacking space 23 in which a plurality of layers
22 is stacked in the manner explained in detail herein-
after. In the case of the example it is assumed that
before the two board pairs 21 disposed in the region
of the retaining belt 8 a first layer 22 of a new
stack has just entered the stacking apparatus 10 and
in the region of the end of the discharge belt 20 just :-
before the angle transfer station 15 a finished stack
is shown comprising a plurality of stacked layers 22
which is to be supplied via the angle transfer stations
18 and 19 to the packing station 12.
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Thus, in the example chosen layers 22 formed contin-
uously in succession at intervals of about 6 s run
on the retaining belt 8 into the stacking space 23
of the stacking apparatus 11 so that the stacking of
the layers 22 and the stacking of the last layer 22
of the stack, including the discharge of the finished
stack, must take place wit}lin a time frequency of
about 6 s. As readily apparent the cycle time
available to the stacking apparatus 11 is still
smaller if with the same production rate of 30 m/min
corresponding to the speed of the conveyor belt 2
less favourable board lengths are to be stacked, for
example a board length of somewhat more than half
the utilisable length of the stacking space 23, in
the case of the example of more than 1600 mm, assuming
the utilisable length of the stacking space 23 to be
3200 mm. Formation of board arrays in the region of
the retaining belt 8 is then not possible and consequent-
ly the retaining stop 10 remains permanently lowered
and the boards or board pairs 21, to whose width the
adjustable alignment members 9a and 9b are set, enter
the stacking space 23 with a speed which is not dimin-
ished with respect to the speed of the belts 6, 7 and 8,
without stopping. As is readily apparent if the board
length is increased to 16~ mm from the 1500 mm assumed
in the example and the boards run directly individually
into the stacking space 23 for stacking the individual
layers 22 in the stacking apparatus 11 and for stacking
the last layer 22 of the stack, including dischar~e of
the finished stack, the time available is onl~ slightly
more than 3 s. The cycle time re~uired from the
stacking apparatus 10 of course becomes still smaller
in proportion to the increase of the production rate
i beyond 30 m/min so that with a predetermined cycle time
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of the stacking apparatus 11 of for example 2 s for
each particular board dimension and stack formation
to be produced a maximum permissible production rate
above about 30 m/min results whilst beneath a
production rate of about 30 m/min with a utilisable
length of the stacking space 23 of 32~ mm with a
cycle time of about 2 s any stackable board size
whatever can be stacked easily and for favourable
board dimensions without increasing the production
rate the stacking apparatus may be operated more
slowly than the maximum possible rate. Thus, in the
example of embodiment instead of a frequency of
30 min 1 corresponding to a cycle time of 2 s any
lower frequency down to about 4.5 min 1 may be set.
The basic construction of the stacking apparatus 11
will be explained in detail hereinafter with the
aid of Fig. 2. According to the latter a stacking
apparatus 11 corresponding to the present embodiment ;
comprises two lifting means 24 and 25, the lower li~ting
means 24 comprising two lifting tables 26 and 27 on
both sides of a stack support surface 30 defining the
bottom of the stacking space 23 and the upper lifting
means 25 comprising two correspondingly disposed lifting
tables 28 and 29. The lifting tables 26, 27 and 28,
29 are mounted movably up and down in a manner not
illustrated in detail on vertical guides of a machine
frame of the stacking apparatus 11 as indicated by-the
douhle arrows 31, for which purpose a great number of
construction alternatives is available. As lifting
drive for the lifting platforms or tables 26, 27 and
28, 29 in the case of the example hydraulic cylinders
may be used. The lifting tables 26 and 27 on the one
hand and 28 and 29 on the other, each forming part of
one of the lifting means 24 and 25, always move
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synchronously in the direction of the double arrows
31 and the driving hydraulic cylinders may be matched
in pairs in volume or alternatively for example a
mechanical synchronous control may be used as is known
per se. Since the lifting tables 26, 27 on the one
hand and 28, 29 on the other are always moved syn-
chronously up and down as unit they form together
in each case only one unitary lifting means 29 and 25
respectively.
At the bottom of the upper lifting tables 28 and 29
of the uppèr lifting means 25, which are shown in
Fig. 2 for clarity removed upwardly from the remaining
illustrated parts of the stacking apparatus 11, slides
35 and 36 horizontally movable as indicated by the
double arrows 32 are disposed whilst at the top of the
lower lifting tables 26 and 27 of the lower lifting
means 24 slides 33 and 34 likewise movable horizontally
as indicated by the double arrows 32 are disposed. At
the top of the lower slides 33 and 34 via spacers37 and
38 substantially horizontally aligned fork-like support
members 41, 42 are mounted spaced from the lifting tables
26 and 27 and the slides 33 and 34 whereas at the bottom
of the slides 35 and 36 via spacers39 and 40 fork-like
support members 43 and 44 are mounted vertically spaced
beneath the lifting tables 28 and 29 and the slides
35 and 36. The fork-like support members 41 and 43
together with the associated spacers 37 and 39 on one
side of the stack support surface 30 on the one hand
and the support members 42 and 44 together with the
spacers 38 and 40 on the opposite side of the stack
support surface 30 on the other are offset with respect
to each other in the production direction according
to the arrow 1 so that the support members 41 and 43
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lifting tables 26 and 28 and 27 and 29 respectively
are moved towards each other according to the double
arrows 31. The vertical free height of the spacers
37, 38, 39 and 40 is chosen so that with the narrowest
operational arrangement of the lifting tables 26, 27,
28 and 29 above each other the support members 43
and 44 on the upper lifting tables 2~ and 29 come
to lie at such a spacing beneath the support members
41 and 42 on the lower lifting tables 26 and 27 that
between the lower support members 41 and 42 and the
upper support members 43 and 44 and stack support
surace 30 a new layer 22 of mineral fibre boards 21
can be introduced onto the stack support surface 30.
Depending on the mode of operation of the stacking ~"
apparatus 11 chosen this maximum distance between
the lower support members 43 and 44 and upper support
members 41 and 42 can also be made greater without
difficulty by corresponding dimensioning of the
spacers 37, 38, 39 and 40 so that as a result: a
mutual penetration of the support members 41, 42 on
the one hand and 43, 44 on the other is achieved to
the extent necessary for the working position in
operation having the corresponding maximum spacing.
The support members 41 and 42 of the lifting means 24
and the support members 43 and 44 of the lifting means
25 are however, in the embodiment illustrated, not
aligned with the respective gap but lie in each oper-
ating position in alignment. In the illustration
shown in Fig. 2 the horizontally movable slides 33,
34, 35 and 36 are in each case in their 1nnermost
position adjacent the stack suppoxt surface 30, the
support members 41 and 42 on the one hand and 43 and
44 on the other of each lifting means 24 and 25
respectively lying with their tips a slight distance
apart. As indicated by the double arrGws 32 all the
19
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s].ides 33, 34, 35 and 36 may move outwardly out
of the position illustrated alony the lifting tables
26, 27, 2~ and 29 away from the stack support surface
30 into a position in which the facing ends of the
support members 41, 42 and 43, 44 have a distance
apart which is greater than the width measured trans-
versely of the production direction according to the
arrow 1 o~ the stack support surface 30 or the stack
to be formed thereon. In such an outer position the
support members 41, 42 and 43, 44 are withdrawn laterally
from a stack or partial stack formed on the stack
support surface 30 whilst in the illustration chosen
they are moved in and can lift a layer 22 on the
stack support surface 3~ from below and support said
layer above the stack support surface 30 in a raised
position. In the illustration according to Fig. 2
the support members 41 and 42 of the lower lifting
means 24 are moved in beneath the stack support surface
30 and could therefore lift a layer 22 lying on the
stack support surface off the latter whilst an already
formed partial stack could be held spaced above the
stack support surface 30 on the support members 43
and 44 of the upper lifting means 25.
The stack support surface 30 is formed by the upper
points of the rollers 45 of a roller conveyor. The
rollers 45 have a mutual spacing which permits a
simultaneous entrance of the support members 41, 42
on the one hand and 43, 44 on the other betweel1 the
rollers beneath the stack support surface 30 but are
otherwise as close together as possible to permit
as uniform as possible supportin~ of the layers 22
on the upper points of the rollers 45. To convey the
layers 22 in the production direction 1 on entry and
discharge thereof the rollers 45 can be driven as
indicated by the arrow 46 and are driven as required
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or continuously. Individual rol].ers 45 may be provided
with a rubber or other friction-increasing coating
to obtain desired accelerations of the layers 22, in
particular on discharge of the finished stack from
the stacking space 23. At the rear end of the stacking
space 23 or stack support surface 30, considered in
the production direction according to the arrow 1, a
retaining stop 47 is provided which consists in the
example of embodiment of a row of retaining bolts or
pins 48 which can be raised or lowered as indicated
by the do~lble arrow 49. In the raised position the
retaining pins 48 block the discharge of a layer 22
lying on the stack support surface 30 so that in spite
of the possibly permanently running rollers 45 said
layer remains stationary on the stack support surface
30 and can be lifted by the support members 41, 42 or
43, 40 without relative movement from the stack support
surface 30. After formation of the complete stack the
retaining pins 48 are for eY.ample hydraulically lowered
so that the finished stack, driven by the rollers 45,
can move in the production direction according to the
arrow 1 out o the stacking space 23 and onto the
discharge belt 20 which at least in its region adjoining
the stacking apparatus 11 can if necessary also be
formed by rollers which by provision of a rubber covering
or the like give rapid acceleration of the stack to
the running speed of the discharge belt 20.
In Fig. 3, which like the following Figs. 4 and 6
shows in still further diagrammatically simpli~ied
manner only the components of the stacking apparatus
necessary for understanding the mode of operation, a
possible mode of operation of the stacking apparatus 11
according to Fig. 2 is shown in detail. Fig, 3a shows
an instant in the course of the stacking operation which
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.
has already led to formation of a partial stack of
two layers 22 and in which the support members 41 and
42 of the lower lifting means 2~ are moved in beneath
the stack support surface 30 and ready to lift the
partial stack comprising the two layers 22 whilst
the support members 43 and 44 have just been withdrawn
from between the two layers 22 of the partial stack.
To prepare for the entry of the following layer 22
the support members 41 and 42 then lift the partial
stack comprising the two layers 22 into the position
according to Fig. 3b in which the new layer 22 is
shown already introduced onto the stack support surface
30. The introduction movement of the new layer 22
is terminated by the retaining stop 47 so that the
new layer 22 lies on the stack support surface 30
in alignment with the raised partial stack. Simultan-
eously, the support members 43 and 44 of the lifting
means 24 are moved downwardly into a plane beneath the
stack support surface 30 and in the manner clearly
shown in Fig. 3b they pass throuyh the plane of the
support members 41 and 42 of the lifting means 24 and
come to rest beneath the plane of the support members
41 and 42. The mutual interpassage of the support
members 41 and 42 and 43 and 44 respectively is made
possible by the spacers 37, 38 and 39, 40 as already
explained above in connection with Fig. 2 and by the
support members 41, 42 on the one hand and 43, 44 on
the other being offset with respect to each other in
the production direction according to the arrow 1,
i.e. being so to say in gap alignment and thus not
colliding during the interpassage in the vertical
direction.
- 22 -
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:
.
Once the new layer 22 has moved completely onto the
stack support surface 30 in accordance with Fig. 3b
by actuating the slides 33 and 34 the support men~ers
41 and 42 of the lower lifting means 24 according to
Fig. 3c are movea out of the gap between the new layer
22 an~ the previously formed partial stack, possibly
after a previous slight lowering movement for bringing
the bottom of the partial stack closer to the top of
the new layer 22 so that the partial stack is gently
lowered onto the new layer 22 lying on the stack
support surface 30. Simultaneously with the with-
drawal movement of the support members 41 and 42 of
the lifting means 24 the support members 43 and 44 of
the lifting means 25 move beneath the stack support sur-
face 30 and are now in turn ready to lift the partial
stack formed by the three layers 22 according to
Fig. 3c. In Fig. 3d the position of the support members
43 and 44 at the end of this lifting movement is shown
and a further layer 22 is shown already introduced onto
the stack support surface 30. Simultaneously with
the lifting movement of the lifting means 25 the
lowering of the lifting means 24 takes place into the
position according to Fig. 3d where the support members
41 and 42 of the lifting means 24 are ready to move
in beneath the stack support surface 30 into the position
according to Fig. 3a when the support members 43 and
44 of the lifting means 25 are again withdrawn into the
position according to Fig. 3a. Following the inward
and outward movement outlined of the support mem~ers
41, 42 and 43,44 respectively, proceeding from the
working position according to Fig. 3d thc working
position according to Fig. 3a is again assumed but with
the difference that there are now four layers 22 on
the stack support surface 30 instead of the two layers
22 according to Fig. 3a and the four layers 22 can
now be raised to permit introduction of a fifth layer
"1
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onto the stack support surface 30.
The support members 41,42 and ~3, 44 may be controlled
in the manner apparent from Figs. 3a to 3d 60 that
an opposite inward and withdrawal movement or lifting
movement always takes place simultaneously so that by
an exact anticyclic mode of operation of the support
members 41, 42 and 43, 44 respectively hardly any time
losses occur and the great advantage is achieved that
a mass balancing can be obtained between the moving
parts so that extremely short cycle times may be
obtained. In addition, of course, the control is
simplified so that for example the liting tables 26,
27 and 28, 29 can be positively connected for instance
via racks and gears.
f
However, the mode of operation of the stacking apparatus
11 illustrated in Fig. 3 has the disadvantage that
after the introduction of a new layer 22 onto the
stack support surface firstly the previously formed
partial stack must be lowered by lateral withdrawal of
the corresponding support members onto the top of the
new layer 22 and only thereafter can the new layer 22
be lifted together with the previously formed partial
stack deposited thereon before a new layer 22 can be
introduced onto the stack support surface 30. Ilowever,
it is precisely the interval in which a newly introduced
layer 22, stopped by the rear retaining stop 47, lies
~ on the stack support surface 30 before the lifting takes
I place which is critical in so far as it governs tl1e
magnitude of the necessary minimum distance between the
trailing edge of the layer 22 just introduced and the
leading edge of the following layer 22 on the retaining
belt 8 because these two edges of the successive layers
22 must not collide. Since each layer 22 usually has
at least a length corresponding to half the length of
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the stack support surface 30 said layer requires
for its introduction until reaclling the rear retain-
ing pins 48 a quite considerable time of about 2 s
in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and during this
time the support members lifting the partial stack
must remain in this position before the upper partial
stack can be lowered onto thc aligned stopped and
stationary new layer 22. Whereas the time required
for the actual lifting movement between Figs. 3a and
3b or 3c and 3d may be only about 0.2 s the stacking
apparatus 11 must therefore remain about two seconds
in the position reached in ~igs.3b or 3c to wait for
complete entry of the lower layer 22 before the support
members supporting the partial stack can be withdrawn
laterally therefrom and the partial stack deposited
on the new layer 22. ~ :
In the form of the mode of operation of the apparatus
according to Fig. 2 explained with the aid of Fig. 4
a solution has been found with which the necessary
minimum time interval between the trailing edge of
the preceding layer 22 and the leading edge of a
following layer 22 is substantial1y reduced to the .`
time which is actually required solely for carrying
out the li~ting movement of a layer 22 introduced onto
the stack support surface 30 and stopped by the rear
retaining stop 47.
To illustrate this in Fig. 4a firstly a startlng con-
dition is shown in which both lifting means 24 and
25 are in their lowered position so that all the
support members 41, 42, 43 and 44 lie beneath the
stack support surface 30 and ready for a lifting move-
ment. As Fig. 4l shows in another view a first layer
221 introduced onto the stack support surface 30 has
just been stopped by the retaining pins 48 of the
.
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retailling stop 47. As also illustrated in Fig. 41
the follo~ing second layer 222 is already jus~ in
front of the retaining stop 10 of ~lle retaininy belt
8 and is thus ready for introduction onto the stack
support surface 30. For simplification it ~lill be
assumed in the present example that one-piece board
lengths are to be stacked as layers 22 so that no
actuation of the retaining stop 10 is necessary for
forming a board array of a plurality of successively
acumulated mineral fibre boards 21.
From the position according to Fig. 4a the lifting
means 25 with the lifting tables 28 and 29 is first
actuated so that the support membexs 43 and 44 move
upwardly, passing through the stack support surface
30, through a height h1 (c~.Fig.4b;m) so that the new
layer 222 can be introduced onto the stack support surface.
As a comparison of the positions of the layer 222
in the associated Figs. 41 and 4m shows during this
short lifting movement, which can last for example
0.2 s, the layer 222 has been moved only a very small
distance onto the stacking apparatus 11. The height
h1 corresponds to the sum of the thickness of each
layer 22, a safety distance of or example 20 mm for
introduction of the layer 222 between the lower edge
of the support members 41, 42, 43 and 44 and the upper
edge of the layer 222 on the stack support surface 30,
plus the maximum vertical thickne~ss of the support
members 41, 42, 43 or 44 in the region of the width
of the layer 222, and plus a safety distance of for
example 5 mm between the lower edge of the layer 22
on the stack support surface 30 and the nearest upper
edge of the support members 41, 42, 43 or 44 disposed
in the region of the width of the layers 22.
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A~ter the lifting of the layer 221 according to
Fig. 4b and 4m by the lifting movement of the
support members 43 and 44 through the height h1 the
stack support surface 30 is free for the introduction
of the second layer 222 as apparent from Figs. 4c and
4n. As soon as the layer 222 has reached the retaining
stop 47 the support members 41 and 42 of the lifting
means 24 lift the layer 222 from the stack support
surface 30 through the height h1. Simultaneously, as
shown by Figs. 4d and 40, the layer 221 is lifted by
means of the support members 43 and 44 through an
additional height h2 which may correspond in magnitude
to the height h1 or be somewhat smaller. Simultaneously
with the further raising of the layer 222 the outward
movement of the support members 43 and 44 from the
yap between the layers 221 and 222 begins so that in
combination with the lifting movement of the support
members 43 and 44 through the height h2 providing
room for the outwardly moving layer 222 a gentle depos-
iting of the layer 221 on the layer 222 results whilst
the latter remains in the position raised throuyh the
height h1 to permit introduction of the following layer
223-
As apparent from Figs. 4e and 4p the already delivered
layer 223 can now run into the region beneath the raised
support members 41 and 42 onto the stack support surface
30 and is in turn stopped by the retaining stop 47.
During the introduction of the layer 223 the lifting
means 25 with the support members 43 and 44 is lowered
through the sum of the heightshl and h2 and the support
members 43 and q4 are moved towards each other by means
of the s~des 35 and 36 beneath the stac~ support surface
30 into the position according to Figs. 4e and 4p so
that they are ready for a repeated lifting movement.
This movement of the support members 43, 44 downwardly
- 27 -
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7~38
and inwardly out of the position according to Fig. 9d
into the position according to Fig. 4e requires for
example a time of just less than 2 s which corresponds
to the order of magnitude of the interval required by
the leading edge of the layer 223 to pass from the
leadin~ edge of the stack support surface 30 out to
the retaining stop 47. In this time the following
layer 224 moves in the manner shown in Fig. 4p with
the same speed and consequently, when the layer 223
reaches the retaining stop 47, is located with its
leading edge just before the start of the stack support
surface 30 as illustrated by Figs. 4f and 4q. As
a rule the support members 43 and 44 have reached
their'waiting position for the next stroke before the
entering layer 223 has reached the retaining stop 47,
substantially in the position thereof according to
Fig. 4p.
When the new layer 223 has reached the retaining stop
47 according to Figs. 4f and 4q a lifting mo~ment
of the support members 43 and 44 of the lifting means
25 again takes place through the height h1 together
with a simultaneous lifting movement through the
height h2 with simultaneous outward movement of the
support members 41, 42. This position is illustrated
in Figs. 4g and 4r and immediately after the completed
lifting movement of the support members 43 and 44 the
stack support surface 30 is free,for the entry of the
following layer 224 irrespective of whether or not
the support members 41 and 42 are already completely
withdrawn. Due to the greater travel the inward and
outward movement of the support members usually takes
considerably longer, for example 1.5 s, than the lifting
movement through the height h1 or h2, which can be
concluded in a time of the order of magnitude of 0.2 s,
.~
~ - 28 -
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Consequently, after conclusion of the lifting movement
of the support members 43 and 44 through thc hei~ht
h1 and the parallel liftin~ movement of the support
members 41 and 42 through the height h2 the withdrawal
movement of the support members 41 and 42 can be
concluded whilst the leading edge of the following layer
224 already enters the region of the stack support
surface 30.
Figs. 4h and 4s lllustrate -thc completed downward movemen~
of the support members in the uppermost position, in
the present case the support members 41 and 42, to below
the plane of the stack support surface 30 and the
moving in of the support members 41 and 42 in readiness
for the next lifting movement whilst the layer 224 is
still moving on the stack support surface 30 in the
direction towards the rear retaining stop 47. According
to Figs. 4i and 4t when the 'ayer 224 reaches the
retaining stop 47 the lower support members 41 and 42
have already in their readiness position for the next
lifting stroke for an appreciable time and if required
can immediately again raise the stopped layer 224 to
make room for the following layer 225.
However, in the present case it will be assum~ that only
four layers 22 are to form a completed stack. The
; lowered support members 41 and 42 then remain in the
position according to Figs. 4i and 4t and only the
support members 43 and 44, possibly after a slight
downward movement, move laterally out of the gap between
the layer 223 and 224 so that the previously formed
partial stack comprising three layers can be deposited
on the layer 224 resting on the stack support surface.
Thus, in the manner shown in Figs. 4j and 4u the finished
,:
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stack of four layers 22 is on the stack support surface
30 and the retaining stop 47 is lowered as apparent
from Fi~. 4u. The driven rollers 45 then accelerate
the stack via the lowermost layer 224 thereof past
the rear end of the stack support surface 30 onto which
the next layer 225 is already moving (Fig. 4v). Since be-
tween the stopping of the layer 224 at the retaining stop
47 and the lowering thereof for discharging the stack
formed it is only necessary to withdraw the support
members 43 and 44 laterally the new layer 225 remains
a distance behind the stack moving out which permits
the retaining pins 48 to be moved up again behind the
discharged stack to enable the board 225 to replace
the board 221 according to Figs. 4a a~ 41 as new
first layer of a further stack. During the discharge
of the stack from the stack support surface 30 sufficient
time remains for the laterally withdrawn support members
43 and 44 to execute the loering and inward movement
so that the lifting tables 26, 27 and 28, 29 and the
slides 33, 34 and 35, 36 with the support members 41,
42, 43 and 44 have again reached the starting position
according to Fig. 4a when the layer 225 strikes the
again extended retaining pins 48. The cycle illustrated
in Fig. 4 for the layers 221 to 224 is then repeated
for the layers 225 to 228.
Thus, with the mode of operation according to Fig. 4
after introduction of a layer 22 the stack support
surface 30 is freed in the quickest possible manner,
i.e. by immediate lifting of the stopped layer 22
through the height h1, for the next layer 22 whilst
the time required by the next layer 22 to pass from
the start of the stack support surface 30 over the
rear retaining stop 47 is utilised to move the other
pair of support members 41, 42 or 43, 44, not required
for supporting the layer 22 just lifted, to the
readiness position for the next lifting movement of
the new layer 22 beneath the stack support surface 30.
.
,
~7~8
Thus, the unavoidable time required by each L~er 22
for the inward movement, during which ~ecause of the
motion of the moving-in layer 22 the latter cannot
be lifted, is utilised optimally whereas in the
embodiment according to Fig. 3 this time is idle time.
With the aid of the illustration of Fig. S it will be
explained in detail hereinafter how a layer 22 is
deposited on a raised following layer 22, choosing as
example the bringing together of the layers 221 and
222 according to Figs. 4c and 4d, corresponding of
course to Figs. 4n and 40, the riyht half of the
diagrammatic views in Figs. 4c and 4d being shown,
corresponding to the dot-dash circles V~ and Ve therein,
to a larger scale in Fig.5 ~ith further details. Fig. 5a
corresponds to the starting position for the converging
according to Fig. 4c and Fig. 5e corresponds ~o the
comp~eted depositing of the layer 221 on the layer 222
according to Fig. 4d.
In the example of embodiment of Fig. 5 it will be
assumed that each layer 22 consists of three ad~acent
mineral fibre boards 21 each extending over a third
of the width of the layer 22. As apparent from Fig. 5a
the support members 42 and 44 are so constructed that
in the completely inwardly moved condition they extend
into a region of the centre mineral fibre board 21
which gives adequate support in the lifting movement.
The support members 41, 42, 43 and 44 are made tapered
towards their free adjacent ends, the lower edge being
substantially hori20ntal so that the upper edge of
the support members 41, 42, 43 and 44 slopes downwardly
slightly from the ou-tside to the centre of the stack
support surface 30. In the iilustration of Fig. 5a
the upper support member 44 is at the heiyht h1 above
the upper edge of the lower support member 42, reckoned
.
:: ~
in each case from upper edqe to upper edge of the
support members 42 and 44 in the untapered lateral
outer region. The construction on the other side,
i.e. the left side according to Fig. 5, of the
stac~ing apparatus 11 is of course completely
symmetrical.
In accordance with Fig. 5b the lower support men~er
42 first raises the layer 222 newly introduced onto
the stack support surface 30 through the height h1
whilst the upper support member 44 with the layer 22
supported thereon moves upwardly through the smaller
height h2. The travel h1 may for example be 90 mm
whilst the travel h2 is only 50 mm. In this manner,
during the common lifting movement of the support
members 42 and 44 the layers 221 and 222 are already
brought together as far as possible. The lateral
withdrawal movement of the support member 44 may be
started at this stage but this is not absolutely
essential because the liftiny movement requires only
a very small time of for example 0.2 s, comparatively
negligible compared with the time of for example 1.5 s
required for the withdrawal movement, and consequently
the time required for the lifting movement need not
always be utilised for the initiation of the withdrawal
movement as well.
However, the withdrawal movement starts in any case
following the lifting movement into the position
according to Fig. 5b and is shown in detail in Figs. 5c,
d and e. In the withdrawal movement the tip of the
support member 44 first frees the laterally outer edqe
of the centre mineral fibre board 21 of the layer 22'
so that the la~er can drop onto the corresponding
minexal fibre board 21 of the lower layer 222. The
laterally outer mineral fibre hoard 21 of the layer 222
, ' ' ,.
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is held by a lateral stop 50 to be certain of pre-
venting entrainmel~t thereo~ by friction at the
support member 44.
In the course of the further withdrawal movement of
the support member 44 the latter moves outwardly
beyond the lonyitudinal centre of gravity of the
mineral fibre board 21 so that the latter tilts
inwardly downwardly according to the illustration
of Fig. 5d and comes to bear with its inner edge on
the corresponding mineral fibre board 21 of the lower
layer 222. With the illustrated very thin mineral
fibre boards 21 there is a dan~er that for instance
by springing back at the stop 50 the inner ed~e of
the laterally outer mineral fibre board 21 of the
layer 221 could move over the outer edge of the
centre mineral fibre board 21 of the layer 221 so
that these two mineral fibre boards 21 wo~ld come to
lie in the stack with their edges over each other.
This danger is however ~iminated because due to the
tapered construction of the support member 42 (and
of course the other support members) the inner tip
of the support member 44 comes to lie at an appreciable
distance above the inner area of the layer 222 disposed
therebelow so that the laterally outer, upper mineral
fibre board 21 executes a pronounced tilting ~ovem~nt in
accordance with Fig. 5d. Since also during the
tilting movement the mineral fibre board 21 is also
drawn by friction by the support member 44 against
the stop 50 the lateral outer mineral fibre board ~1
moves into the position according to Fig. Sd in which
the outer edge thereof is raised and said board is
drawn away from the centre board 21. Even with narrow
tolerances in this manner a gap is formed between the
adjacent edges of the mineral fibre boards 21 of the
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7~S~3
layer 221 illustrated and this gap ensures that the
inner edge of the outer mineral fibre board 21 drops
down adjacent the outer edge of the centre mineral
fibre board 21 and does not come to lie on said edge
even if due to the small height or thickness of the
layer 222 such a sliding over of the edges of the
mineral fibre boards 21 were conceivable.
In the illustration of Fig. 5e the support member
44 is withdrawn in the manner also apparent from
Fig. 4d laterally completely out of the stacking
space 23 limited laterally by the stops 50. Due
to the vibrations occurring the laterally outer
mineral fibre board 21 can now bear flush against
the centre mineral fibre board 21 or also remain
in sliding contact with the stop 50.
In Fig. 6 a mode of operation corresponding in
principle to Fig. 4 is illustrated of an embodiment
of a stacking apparatus according to the invention
modified compared with the embodiment according to
Fig. 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 four
lifting means 26a, 27a, 28a and 29a are provided
in the form of lifting tables similar to the lifting
tables 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Fig. 2 but these
lifting tables form in each their own lifting means
26a, 27a, 28a and 29a because they are movakle up
and down independently of each o~her. At the top of
the lifting tables of the lower liting means 26 a
and 27a slides 33a and 34a are again mounted with
vertical spacers 37a and 38a on which fork-like support
members 41a and 42a are mounted. Correspondingly,
on the lifting tables of the upper lifting means 28a
and 29a slides 35a and 36a are movable on which via
- 3~ -
.
: 1 !. ' . :
,
vertical spacers 39a and 40a spaced beneath the
lifting tables and the sl..ides 35a and 36a fork-like
support members 43a and 49a are mounted. The support
members 41a, 42a, 43a and 44a extend like the support
members 41, 42, 43 and 44 in tile horizontal direction
from each of the associated slides 33a, 34a, 35a and
36a in the direction towards the stack support surface
30 but whereas the support members 41, 42, 43 and 44
extend at the most over just less than half the width
of the stack support surface 30, thus engaging below
the layers 22 in pairs, the support men~ers 41a,42a,
43a, and 44a each have a length extending at least
approximately over the entire width of the stack
support surface so that a single support member 41a,
42a, 43a or 44a can lift a layer 22. The spacers
37a, 38a, 39a and 40a permit, like the spacers 37, 38,
39 and 40 according to Fig. 2, mutual interpassage of ~-
the support members 41a and 43a and 42a and 44a, in
gap alignment, on one side of the gap support surface.
Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 as
well associated support members on both sides of the
stack support surface 30 may be in alignment which in
the embodiment according to Fig. 6 is the case with
regard to the support members 41a and 44a on the one
hand and 43a and 42a Oll the other. Whereas however in
the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the aligning support
members-41 and 42 and 43 and 44 respectively are
relatively movable in the horizontal direction and
for this reason do not come into contact because in
their closest position a space remains between their
tips, such a mutual contacting of the possibly aligning
support members 41a and 44a and 43a and 42a is impossible
because they are an invariable horizontal distance
apart, i.e. are moved synchronously in the same sense
in the horizontal direction Because of the greater
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length of the support members 41a, ~2a, 43a and ~4a
the travels for the inward movement and withdrawal
are of course correspondingly greater than in the
case of the support members 41, 42, 43 and 44 which
in production lines with a standard programme of
relatively large widths may be made comparatively
short because they need only project into the stacking
space 23 enough to support the large-area mineral fibre
boards 21 adequately and consequently particularly
small inward and withdrawal travels result with a
corresponding saving in time. In contrast, however,
the embodiment of Fig. 6 has the advantage that a
total of four lifting means 26a, 27a, 28a and 29a
operate alternately and produce useful lifting movements
so that the apparatus as a whole can run slower to
obtain a desired cycle fre~uency.
In the illustration of Fig. 6a a first layer 221 has
just run onto the stack support surface 30 and stopped
by the rear retaining stop 47, not illustrated in detail.
All the support members 41a, 42a, 43a and 44a in this
starting position are disposed at a vertical levei
immediately beneath the stack support surface 30, the
support members 41a and 42a being in the inward position
beneath the stack support surface 30. This position
corresponds substantially to the starting position as
illustrated for the embodiment of the stacking apparatus
11 according to Fig. 2 in Figs. Qa and 41.
.
From the position according to Fig. 6a the layer 221
just entered is raised by the support member 41a into
the position according to Fig. 6b through h1 50 that
the stack support surface 30 is free for introduction
of the next layer 222. In Fig. 6b the layer 222 is
- 36 -
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illustratcd in its introduction position onto the
stack support surface 30. This position corresponds
substantially to the position according to Fig. 4c
ancl 4n for the emho~ment of the stacking apparatus 11
according to Fig. 2.
In Fig. 6c an intermediate position during the
subsequent lifting movement is illustrated in which
the support member 42a is again raised by the amount
h1 and thereby lifts the new layer 222 whilst the
support member 41a thereabove with the layer 221 disposed
thereon moves upwardly through the height h2 and
laterally out of the gap between the layers 221 and 222
so that the layer 221 is deposited on the layer 222. -
In Fig. 6c, as in the following Figs. 6e, 6g and 6i,
the support member being withdrawn is shown already
considerably retracted for clarity although in the
course of the short lifting movement, even if the
withdrawal movement begins then, only a short initial
part of the considerably longer travel compared with
the lifting travel is covered. The position according
to Fig. 6c corresponds substantially to an intermediate
position between Figs. 4c and 4d or 4n and 40 for the
embodiment according to Fig. 2.
In the position according to Fig. 6d the lifting and
withdrawal movements explained above in conjunction with
Fig. 6c are concluded so that the support member 42a
is at the height h1 above the stack support surface
30 whilst the support member 41a is laterally withdrawn
from the gap between the layers 221 and 222 and is
at the height h1 plus h2 above the stack support surface
30. During the withdrawal movement of the support
member 41a in the manner apparent from Figs. 6a and 6c
the support member moving horizontally synchronously
therewith has moved into the region beneath the stack
.
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support surface 30. In the position according to
Fig. 6d the stack support surfacc 30 is free for
the entry of the following layer 223 which in Fig. 6b
is shown already on the stack support surface 30.
The position according to Fig. 6d thus corresponds
to the position according to Figs. 4e and 4b of the
embodiment according to Fig. 2.
Fig. 6e again shows an intermediate position during
the lifting movement which then follows of the support
member 44a for lifting the newly introduced layer
223 and the withdrawal movement of the support member
42a from the gap between the layer 223 and the partial
stack comprising the layers 221 and 222, and in the
course of the withdrawal movement of the support
member 42a the support member 43a running in the
horizontal direction synchronously therewith moves
beneath the stack support surface. This time is then
available to the support member 41a which according
to Fig. 6d is moved laterally out of the region of
the stack support surface 30 for lowering through
the height h1 plus h2 in preparation for the inward
movement thereof beneath the stack support surface 30.
The position according to Fig. 6g corresponds substan-
tially to an intermediate position between the Figs.
4f and 4g of the embodiment according to Fig. 2. The
position corresponding to Fig. 4g is reached in Fig. 6f
in which the support member 44a has reached the lift
height h1 and supports the partial stack comprising the
layers 221, 222 and 223 whilst the new layer 224 corres-
ponding to the position according to Figs. 4h and 4s
according to Fig. 2 is already running onto the stack
support surface 30. The support member 42a is withdrawn
laterally completely from the region of the stack sup-
port surface 30 and the gap above the layer 223 and has
;.
38
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deposited the layers 221 anc1 222 0l1 the layer 223.
Synchronously with the withdrawal mov~ment of the
support member 42a the support member 43a is moved
beneath the stack support surface 30 and is avail-
able for the lifting of the new layer 224 as soon
as the latter has been stopped at the rear retaining
stop 47. The support member 41a has reached its
lower end position in the plane beneath the stack
support surface 30 and is ready to be moved beneath
the stack support surface 30.
Fig. 6g again shows an intermediate position in which
the new layer 224 is being lifted by the support mem-
ber 43a while the support member 44a moves upwardly
and is thereby withdrawn laterally from the gap beneath
the new layer 224. In the course of the lateral with-
drawal movement of the support member 44a the horizon-
tally synchronously running support member 41a moves
beneath the stack support surface 30. According to
Fig. 6h the end position of the movement illustrated
in Fig. 6g has been reached, the support member 44a
being completely withdrawn from the region of the
stack support surface 30 and at the height h1+h2 while
the support member 43a has lifted the new layer 22
through the height h1 50 that the stack support surface
30 is again free for the introduction of a new layer
225 which in Fig. 6h is shown already running on to the
stack support surface 30. The sup~port member 41a has
heen moved completely beneath the stack support surface
30 and is available for a liftin~ of the incoming new
layer 225 as soon as the latter has stopped at the rear
retainin~ stop 47. Corres~ondingly, the support member
44a running synchronously in the horizontal direction
- 39 -
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has been removed completely laterally from the stack
region and is at the heic3l1t h1~h2.
The lifting movement of the new layer 225 now takes
place according to Fig. 6i by raising the sup~ort mem-
ber 41a while the support member 43a supporting the
previously formed partial stack moves upwardly and is
withdrawn laterally from the stack. In the course of
this lateral witharawal movement of the support mem-
ber 43a the support member 42a moves beneath the stack
support surface 30 and the support member 44a has been
Iowëred by the height h1-~h2 beneath the plane of the
stack support sur~ace 30.
In the position according to Fig. 6j the layer 225 is
raised through the height h1 so that the stack support
surface 30 is again free for the entrance of the next
layer 226 which is already running on to the stack i~
support surface 30. The support member 43a has been com-
pletely withdrawn from the stack and correspondingly
the support member 42a completely moved beneath the
stack support surface 30.
It is assumed that in the present case six layers 22
are to form a finished stack. The illustration of Fig.
6j then corresponds to that according to Fiy. 4h and 4s
or 4i and 4t of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 with
the difference that the previously formed partial stack
supported by the raised suppor-t member 41a includes
five layers 22 and not three. If then according to
Fiy. 6k the liftinq movement of the support member 42a
actually ready for lifting the layer 226 does not take
place and only the support member 41a beneath the pre-
viously formed partial stack of five layers 22 is
.
- 40 -
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withdrawl1 laterally and deposi~ said ]ayers on the
new layer 22G, the support member ~4a necessarily
also being moved beneath thc stack support face 30,
then according to the illustration of Figs. 4j and
4u for the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the
finished stack consisting of six layers 22 in this
case lies on the stack support surface 30 and after
lowering of the rear retaining stop 47 can run onto
the discharge belt 20 to make room for the next
layer(227)not illustrated in detail which like the
layer 221 according to Fig. 6a forms the first layer
for a new stack oE six layers 22 and strikes the
again raised retaining stop 47 after the finished
stack has been discharged. Simultaneously with the
withdrawal. movement of the support member 41a the
lowering of the support member 43a previously with-
drawn according to Fig. 6i takes place into ~a~'`pIane
beneath the stack support surface 30 so that after the
discharge of the stack comprising six layers 22 and
resting on the stack support surface 30 according to
Fig. 6k the two support members 42a and 44a are beneath
the stack support surface 30 and ready for lifting
whilst after the lowering of the support member 41a
taking place substantially simultaneously with the
: next lifting movement the two support members 41a and
43a are adjacent the stack support surface 30 but also
beneath the plane thereof. This is a position of the
support members again corresponding to Fi~. 6a from
which in a readily apparent manner the working step
sequence according to Fig. 6a to 6k can be carried out
to form the next step. When the first layer (227)o~the
following stack is raised by the support member 42a,
if desired synchronously a horizontal movement of the
horizon~ally synchronously running support members 41a
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and 44a can take p]ace in the illustration according
to Fig. 6k to the right in order to reach the start-
ing position according to Fig. 6a again. Alterna~ ;
tively, however, instead of the startinq position
corresponding to Fig. 6a a starting position corres-
ponding to Fig. 6k may be chosen because in each
case two suppor~ members ,41a and 42a in the case
according to the position of Fig. 6a and 42a and 44a
in the case of the position according to Fig. 6k,
are beneath the stack support surface 30 ready for
a lifting movement and can thus immediately raise
the first two layers (227) and (228) of the following
stack. Since this is the only criterion for the
starting position the positions according to Figs.
6a and 6k are equivalent as starting positions.
As the above explanations show in all the embodiments
of the stacking apparatus 11 explained a cycle time
of less than 2 s can be achieved as is necessary in
accordance with the explanations with regard to Fig. 1
in order to continuously stack the mineral fibreboards
21 or their sheet arrays delivered on the production
line therein. With the mode of operation according to
Fig. 4 or 6 still shorter cycle times are possible
because in advantageous manner each newly introduced
layer 22 after meeting the rear retaining stop 47 can
be lifted immediately with a time requirement of only
about 0.2 s and the stack support surface 30 is then
immediately available for entrance of a following
layer 22 which can thus enter at a time interval of
only slightly more than 0.2 s while the unavoidable
time requirement for a complete introduction of the
new layer 22 until the rear retaining stop 47 is
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reached is used to prepare the support members of
the stacking apparatus 11 for the lifting of the
new layer 22 enterin~.
At least the individual fork-like support members
41, 42, 43 and 44 or 41a, 42a, 43a and 44a lying
the greater distance in front of the retaining
stop 47 can be detachably mounted on the correspon-
ding slides 33, 34, 35 and 36 or 33a, 34a, 35a and
36a so that for a continuous production the front
support members which are not required for suppor-
ting the respective layer 22 over the length there-
of can be removed. Apart from the saving in weight
of the moving parts such front support members can
also then not collide with the leading edge of a
following new layer 22 so that the latter can enter
the stacking apparatus 11 with the time interval
actually required for the lifting movement after the
rear edge of the preceding layer 22. Conversely, for
a large-area longer mineral fibre plates 21 the
utilizable stack length can be increased in that the
rear edge projects somewhat opposite to the production
direction according to the arrow 1 beyond the front
side of the foremost supporting members as long as it
is ensured that the supporting at the foremost support
members in the production direction is in front of
the centre of gravity of the rearmost- mineral fibre-
board 21 of the array. In addition, for standard pro-
grammes of large-area mineral fibreboards 21 the length
of the support members 41, 42, 4~ and 44 as well as
41a, 42a, 43a and 44a can be shortened to a minimum
ensuring a supporting of the centres of gravity of
the mineral fibreboards 21 and with this shortening
of the support members the .inward and withdrawal
travels and thus the time required can also be reduced.
- 43 -
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7~
Due to the minimum drop of ~he individual layers 22
when they are united with an introduced new layer 22
the stacking apparatus according to the invention
achieves a controlled and trouble-free careful depo-
siting of the previously formed partial stack on the
new layer 22. By corresponding formation of the sup-
port members ~1, 42, ~3 and 44 or 41a, 42a, 43a and
44a substantially according to the illustration of
Figs. 2 to 6 excellent support of the individual
layers is also ensured so that even mineral fibre-
boards 21 of soft and thin material are not liable
to be damaged in any way. In cooperation with the
retaining belt 8 the stacking apparatus 11 according
to the invention also ensures a maximum stacking
capacity for individual mineral fibreboards 21 and
board arrays previously ~ormed on the retaining
belt 8. This ensures high productivity o~ the pro-
duction line and in the manner outlined an infinitely
variable adaptation can be made to different lengths
of the mineral fibreboards 21. The aligned charging
and discharging of the stacking space 23 of the
stacking apparatus 11 ensures that not only in the
course of formation of a stack but also after forma-
tion of a finished stack no resetting time or the
like is required which would lead to problems with a
continuously operating production line and make neces-
sary for instance a previous intermediate storing of
the irst layers of a new stack. On the contrary,
according to the invention the discharge of the
finished stack takes place substantially in time with
the cycle so that independently of the stack position
reached each layer 22 can move onto the stack support
surface 30 with the same ~requency and either be
stacked on the previously formed partial stack or form
- - 44 -
.
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the first layer of a new stack. Since no slidinq
mov~ment at al]. occurs between the layers 22
during the staekiny the apparatus 11 is particu-
larly suitable for boards with poor sliding and
stability properties. Furthermore, b~ards oE low
density and porous or fibrous structure, in par-
tieular mineral fibreboards 21, may be stacked
without any problems because they are supported
gently from below and no suckers or the like are
required for the staeking. Moreovèr, the small
drops permit rapid staeking of light layers parti-
cularly since the greater part of the movement
necessary for bringing the layers together is
aehieved by a lifting movement and not by a drop-
ping movement.
Finally, a particular advantage results from the
fact that the retaining belt 8, the staek support J
surfaee 30 and the diseharge belt 20 are not only
in alignment with eaeh other but also lie in a
plane so that in the ease of failure of the staeking
apparatus 11 the mineral fibreboards 21, possibly
after previous array formation on the retaining belt
8, ean pass through the stationary s-taeking apparatus
11 without obstruetion and eonsequently a stacking
apparatus 11 stationary in the case of trouble need
not necessarily mean produetion stoppage; on the
contrary, during sueh a failure the stac~ing can be
conducted in emergency operation'by hand or the un-
stac~ed boards may be intermediately stored in some
other manner. This is of particular signifieanee for
instance in the production of mineral fibreboards 21
whieh requires a eontinuous operation of the melting
trough and eonsequently produetion interruptions ean
result in high losses.
,
- 45 -
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As the above description shows the invention is
not restricted to the embodiments illustrated, many
modifications being possib]e without leaving the
scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the sup-
port members 41, 42, 43 and 44 as well as 41a, 42a,
43a and 44a may be given a different construction
to obtain an optimum area support of the layers 22.
Also, details of the movement control of the support
elements may differ provided the desired aim is still
achieved. In this connection, for example, the syn-
chronous control of the horizontal movement of the
support members 41a and 44a on the one hand and 42a
and 43a on the other hand may he dispensed with and
all four sets of support members 41a, 42a, 43a and
44a according to Fig. 6 moved independently of each
other if the support members 41a and 42a and 43a res-
pectively are also offset with respect to each other.
46
: .
