초록 ▼

A method and device for picking up stacks of blanks, arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet having a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the layer; the stacks are removed successively by a pickup member, a free end of which is pressed onto the separating sheet in a position facin

A method and device for picking up stacks of blanks, arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet having a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the layer; the stacks are removed successively by a pickup member, a free end of which is pressed onto the separating sheet in a position facing a stack for removal, and is then slid in a given pickup direction, and in contact with the separating sheet, beneath the stack for removal. A portion, crosswise to the pickup direction and facing the pickup member, of the peripheral portion of the separating sheet is blocked in position both crosswise to its plane and in the pickup direction by a gripping device before and during removal of the stacks.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of picking up stacks of blanks, said stacks being arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet which has a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the periphery of the layer of stacks; the method comprising a pickup step wherein said stacks are picked up su

What is claimed is: 1. A method of picking up stacks of blanks, said stacks being arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet which has a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the periphery of the layer of stacks; the method comprising a pickup step wherein said stacks are picked up successively by a pickup member, which is pressed onto said separating sheet in a position facing a said stack for removal, and is then slid in a given pickup direction, and in contact with said separating sheet, beneath said stack for removing only the stack without the separating sheet; and a supporting and blocking step wherein said separating sheet is stiffened both crosswise to its plane and in said pickup direction while the pickup member is inserted between the stack and the separating sheet; wherein during said supporting and blocking step and while the pickup member is inserted between the stack and the separating sheet, said peripheral portion of the separating sheet is supported and retained from underneath by a bottom supporting member. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting and blocking step commences prior to performance of said pickup step, and continues throughout performance of said pickup step. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separating sheet includes a peripheral portion projecting outwards of said layer at least towards said pickup member and crosswise to said pickup direction; said supporting and blocking step including blocking said peripheral portion in position both in a vertical direction and in said pickup direction. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, during said supporting and blocking step, said peripheral portion is gripped by a gripping device including the bottom supporting member for supporting said peripheral portion, and a top jaw movable, with respect to said bottom supporting member, between an open position and a blocking position blocking said peripheral portion against the bottom supporting member. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said supporting and blocking step includes the substeps of positioning said gripping device, in the open position, alongside said layer and facing said peripheral portion; moving said layer and the relative said separating sheet to a level higher than said bottom supporting member; moving said gripping device towards said peripheral portion to position said bottom supporting member directly beneath the peripheral portion; moving said layer and the relative separating sheet so that said peripheral portion contacts said bottom supporting member; and moving said top jaw into said blocking position. 6. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, during said supporting and blocking step, said peripheral portion is supported and retained from underneath by suction by supporting and blocking element including a supporting member for supporting said peripheral portion; said supporting member having a top surface for supporting and blocking said peripheral portion from underneath. 7. A device for picking up stacks of blanks arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet which has a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the periphery of the aver of stacks, the device comprising a pickup member movable to and from said layer; an actuating device for moving said pickup member onto said separating sheet in a position facing a said stack for removal, and for sliding the pickup member in a given pickup direction, and in contact with said separating sheet, beneath said stack for removing only the stack without the separating sheet; and supporting and blocking element for stiffening said separating sheet both crosswise to its plane and in said pickup direction while the pickup member is inserted between the stack and the separating sheet; wherein said supporting and blocking element comprises a bottom supporting member to support and retain from underneath said peripheral portion of the separating sheet while the pickup member is inserted between the stack and the separating sheet. 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said separating sheet includes a peripheral portion projecting outwards of said layer at least towards said pickup member and crosswise to said pickup direction; said supporting and blocking element including a gripping device, in turn including the bottom supporting member for supporting said peripheral portion, and a top jaw movable, with respect to said bottom supporting member, between an open position and a blocking position blocking said peripheral portion against the bottom supporting member. 9. A device as claimed in claim 8, and also including supporting element for supporting said gripping device; first actuating device for imparting to said layer a first movement in a vertical direction in respect to said gripping device; second actuating device for imparting to said layer and to said gripping device a second relative, lateral approach and parting, movement substantially crosswise to said first relative movement; and third actuating device for moving said top jaw between said open position and said blocking position. 10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first actuating device support said layer. 11. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first actuating device includes a platform movable vertically and supporting said layer and said separating sheet. 12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said supporting element is located alongside said first actuating device and between said first actuating device and said pickup member, and includes a rocker arm positioned substantially vertically to oscillate about a substantially horizontal first axis, said rocker arm including a top arm and a bottom arm; and a head fitted to said top arm and supporting said gripping device. 13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said head is connected to said top arm to rotate idly, with respect to said top arm, about a second axis crosswise to said first axis. 14. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second actuating device is connected to said bottom arm and activated to withdraw said gripping device from said layer in opposition to elastic element. 15. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said bottom supporting member of said gripping device includes feeler element for controlling the position of said gripping device with respect to said peripheral portion of said separating sheet; said feeler element controlling said first actuating means. 16. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said top jaw includes at least one fork member facing in said pickup direction and including two arms spaced sufficiently far apart to permit passage, between the two arms, of said pickup member. 17. A device for picking up stacks of blanks arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet, the device comprising a pickup member movable to and from said layer; including a peripheral portion projecting outwards of said layer at least towards said pickup member and crosswise to said pickup direction actuating means for moving said pickup member onto said separating sheet in a position facing a said stack for removal, and for sliding the pickup member in a given pickup direction, and in contact with said separating sheet, beneath said stack for removal; and supporting and blocking element for stiffening said separating sheet both crosswise to its plane and in said pickup direction; wherein said separating sheet; said supporting and blocking means including a gripping device, in turn including the bottom supporting member for supporting said peripheral portion, and a top jaw movable, with respect to said bottom supporting member, between an open position and a blocking position blocking said peripheral portion against the bottom supporting member; wherein said top jaw comprises at least one fork member facing in said pickup direction and including two arms spaced sufficiently far apart to permit passage, between the two arms, of said pickup member. 18. A device as claimed in claim 17, and also including supporting element for supporting said gripping device; first actuating device for imparting to said layer a first movement in a vertical direction in respect to said gripping device; second actuating device for imparting to said layer and to said gripping device a second relative, lateral approach and parting, movement substantially crosswise to said first relative movement; and third actuating device for moving said top jaw between said open position and said blocking position. 19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first actuating device support said layer. 20. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first actuating device comprise a platform movable vertically and supporting said layer and said separating sheet. 21. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said supporting element is located alongside said first actuating device and between said first actuating device and said pickup member, and includes a rocker arm positioned substantially vertically to oscillate about a substantially horizontal first axis, said rocker arm including a top arm and a bottom arm; and a head fitted to said top arm and supporting said gripping device. 22. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said head is connected to said top arm to rotate idly, with respect to said top arm, about a second axis crosswise to said first axis. 23. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said second actuating device are connected to said bottom arm and activated to withdraw said gripping device from said layer in opposition to elastic element. 24. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said bottom supporting member of said gripping device comprises feeler element for controlling the position of said gripping device with respect to said peripheral portion of said separating sheet; said feeler element controlling said first actuating device.