Apparatus and method for the unpacking and feeding of file mechanisms

摘要

With the apparatus and the method, it is possible to automatically unpack file mechanisms packed in rows and nested into each other in pairs in cardboard boxes and to feed them to an automatic file-assembling machine. With a generally known handling arrangement controlled in two axes, file mechanisms nested into one another in pairs and in rows can be removed from a cardboard box put into an unpacking position. The gripping head has several tongues which sit on a common slide and are pushed by the slide under the straps of the file mechanisms. Holding-down devices located above them press the straps of the file mechanisms against the tongues. The file mechanisms thereby retain their mutual positions when being lifted out of the cardboard box. The holding-down devices are put into their initial position via a tilting strip under which a conveyor belt runs in each case on the left and right. The file mechanisms can thereby be tilted downwards about the tongues. When the slide is also put into its initial position, the file mechanisms, guided on the tilting strip, drop onto the left-hand and right-hand conveyor belt. The file mechanisms denested in this way can be fed into an automatic file-assembling machine by generally known singularising devices and handling units. The invention is used for unpacking and feeding file mechanisms in particular in the automatic production of files. <IMAGE>