VIBRATORY DEVICE

Abstract

Examples include a vibratory device that includes a pivotably arranged pile bearing device that defines a bearing plane, and that separates an upper half-space from a lower half-space. The vibratory device includes a front stop that can limit a pile forming region, a lateral stop, and a pile aeration device that includes a gas discharge device that is arrangeable relative to the pile bearing device. The gas discharge device is arranged to be transferrable between a lowered position and an aeration position. In the aeration position, the gas discharge device is at least partly arranged in the upper half-space, and when in the lowered position, the gas discharge device is arranged completely in the lower half-space. The pile aeration device may serve as a rear blower device and, based on a first transport direction, the pile forming region is arranged between the gas discharge device and the front stop.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A vibratory device (101) comprising: at least one pivotably arranged pile bearing device (106) by which a bearing plane (111) is defined, the position of which relative to the pile bearing device (106) is fixed; and the bearing plane (111) separating an upper half-space (H1) from a lower half-space (H2); and the vibratory device (101) having at least one first front stop (108) by which a pile forming region (102) is limited and/or can be limited in a first transport direction (T); and the vibratory device (101) having at least one first lateral stop (109) by which the pile forming region (102) is limited and/or can be limited in a transverse direction (A); and the vibratory device (101) comprising a pile aeration device (112); and the pile aeration device (112) comprising at least one gas discharge device (113) which can be arranged in various positions relative to the pile bearing device (106); and the at least one gas discharge device (113) being different for each front stop (108) and each lateral stop (109; 141), characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged so as to be transferrable between at least one respective lowered position and at least one respective aeration position, and that, when in the respective at least one aeration position, the at least one gas discharge device (113) is at least partly arranged in the upper half-space (H1) and that, when in the respective at least one lowered position, the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged completely in the lower or second half-space (H2), and that this pile aeration device (112) is designed as a rear blower device (112) and the pile forming region (102), based on the first transport direction (T), is arranged between the at least one gas discharge device (113) and the at least one front stop (108).

24. A vibratory device (101) comprising: at least one pivotably arranged pile bearing device (106) by which a bearing plane (111) is defined, the position of which relative to the pile bearing device (106) is fixed; and the vibratory device (101) having at least one first front stop (108) by which a pile forming region (102) is limited and/or can be limited in a first transport direction (T); and the vibratory device (101) having at least one first lateral stop (109) by which the pile forming region (102) is limited and/or can be limited in a transverse direction (A); and the vibratory device (101) comprising a pile aeration device (112); and the pile aeration device (112) comprising at least one gas discharge device (113) which can be arranged in various positions relative to the pile bearing device (106); and the at least one gas discharge device (113) being different for each front stop (108) and each lateral stop (109; 141); and the vibratory device (101) comprising at least one vibratory drive (122); and this vibratory drive (122) having a movable part; and the pile bearing device (106) being arranged so as to be connected to the movable part of the vibratory drive (122), characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) in each case has one discharge opening (114) or a plurality of discharge openings (114) and the one or more discharge openings (114) extend in total over at least 15 mm in the vertical direction (V), and that this pile aeration device (112) is designed as a rear blower device (112) and the pile forming region (102), based on the first transport direction (T), is arranged between the at least one gas discharge device (113) and at least one front stop (108).

25. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) in each case has one discharge opening (114) or a plurality of discharge openings (114), and the one or more discharge openings (114) extend in total over at least 15 mm in the vertical direction (V).

26. The vibratory device according to claim 24, characterized in that the bearing plane (111) separates an upper half-space (H1) from a lower half-space (H2), and that the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged so as to be transferrable between at least one respective lowered position and at least one respective aeration position, and that, when in the respective at least one aeration position, the at least one gas discharge device (113) is at least partly arranged in the upper half-space (H1) and that, when in the respective at least one lowered position, the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged completely in the lower half-space (H2).

27. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the vibratory device (101) comprises at least one upper pile limiter (116; 117; 118), which is and/or can be at least temporarily arranged above the pile forming region (102) and limits the pile forming region (102) toward the top.

28. The vibratory device according to claim 27, characterized in that the at least one upper pile limiter (116; 117; 118) can be moved between at least one upper limiting position and at least one lower limiting position, and that the at least one upper pile limiter (116; 117; 118) is arranged further toward the top, based on the vertical direction (V), when in the at least one upper limiting position thereof than when in the at least one lower limiting position.

29. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) in each case has at least two or at least three discharge openings (114), which are arranged on top of one another with respect to the vertical direction (V).

30. The vibratory device according to claim 24, characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) in each case has a plurality of discharge openings (114), and that a narrowest point of a bottommost gas feed line (119) leading to a bottommost of the plurality of discharge openings (114) of the respective gas discharge device (113) has a larger flow-through cross-sectional surface than a narrowest point of an uppermost gas feed line (121) leading to an uppermost of the plurality of discharge openings (114) of this particular gas discharge device (113).

31. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged so as to be decoupled from a movable part of a vibratory drive (122) of the vibratory device (101) and/or that the pile bearing device (106) is arranged so as to be pivotable independently of the at least one gas discharge device (113).

32. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the pile bearing device (106) has at least one receiving opening (123), and that the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged so as to be at least partly movable through a respective receiving opening (123) in order to be transferred between the at least one respective lowered position and the at least one respective aeration position.

33. The vibratory device according to claim 32, characterized in that the at least one receiving opening (123) extends in a displacement direction (S), and that the at least one gas discharge device (113) can be moved in the displacement direction (S), while protruding through the respective receiving opening (123) into the upper half-space (H1) and/or being arranged so as to be transferrable, based on the displacement direction (S), between at least one respective lowered position and at least one respective aeration position at different longitudinal positions.

34. The vibratory device according to claim 32, characterized in that the at least one receiving opening (123), at the end (128) thereof located opposite the respective discharge opening (114) in the displacement direction (S), has a respective gas conducting surface (124), the upper boundary (126) of which is located further away from the particular discharge opening (114) than the lower boundary thereof (127).

35. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that an upper surface (129) of the pile bearing device (106) has at least one bearing region (131) and at least one gas conducting region (132), and that the at least one bearing region (131) and the bearing plane (111) tangentially make contact with one another, and that the at least one gas conducting region (132) is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the bearing plane (111), based on the vertical direction (V).

36. The vibratory device according to claim 25, characterized in that the pile aeration device (112) comprises at least two gas discharge devices (113), which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction (A), and that these at least two gas discharge devices (113) each have one discharge opening (114) or a plurality of discharge openings (114).

37. The vibratory device according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device (113) is arranged so as to be movable independently of each front stop (108) and each lateral stop (109; 141).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in greater detail below. The drawings show:

[0030] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a vibratory device in a view obliquely from above, wherein an inner upper pile limiter is arranged in a parked position, and edge limiters and lateral stops are arranged in deactivated positions, and gas discharge devices are arranged in the lowered positions thereof;

[0031] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a vibratory device according to FIG. 1, wherein the inner upper pile limiter is arranged in an operating position, and an edge limiter is arranged in an activated position, and a lateral stop is arranged in a stop position, and gas discharge devices are arranged in the aeration positions thereof;

[0032] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a vibratory device according to FIG. 1, wherein a pile of sheets is arranged on a pile bearing device;

[0033] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a vibratory device according to FIG. 1, wherein edge limiters are arranged in a respective activated position, and lateral stops are arranged in a respective stop position, and gas discharge devices are arranged in the aeration positions thereof;

[0034] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a vibratory device according to FIG. 2, wherein a pile of sheets is arranged on a pile bearing device;

[0035] FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a region of the vibratory device in which receiving openings and gas discharge devices of a pile aeration device are shown;

[0036] FIG. 7 a schematic representation according to FIG. 6 with a pile of sheets placed on;

[0037] FIG. 8 a schematic representation of a pile forming region including devices for the limitation thereof;

[0038] FIG. 9 a schematic representation according to FIG. 8 from a direction orthogonal thereto;

[0039] FIG. 10 a schematic representation of a pile forming region with a roughly stacked sheet pile;

[0040] FIG. 11 a schematic representation of a pile forming region with a neatly stacked sheet pile;

[0041] FIG. 12 a schematic representation of a surface of a pile bearing device;

[0042] FIG. 13 a schematic representation of a surface of a pile bearing device and a sheet pile; and

[0043] FIG. 14 a schematic representation of an inner region and of outer edge regions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] A vibratory device 101 is preferably designed as a vibratory device 101 for arranging sheets 103 in a sheet pile 104, in particular as a vibratory device 101 for carrying out a vibratory operation for converting a roughly stacked sheet pile 104 into a neatly stacked sheet pile 104. The vibratory device 101 comprises at least one pivotably arranged pile bearing device 106. This pile bearing device 106 can, for example, be pivoted about at least two pivot axes, which are preferably oriented orthogonal to one another. A first such pivot axis extends in a first horizontal direction T, for example, which is also referred to as an in particular first transport direction T. A second such pivot axis extends in a second horizontal direction A, for example, which is also referred to as a transverse direction. A respective pivoting angle is preferably adjustable and ranges, for example, between 1 and 30, preferably between 5 and 20.

[0045] A bearing plane 111 is defined by the pile bearing device 106. A bearing plane 111 shall in particular be understood to mean a plane 111 that defines a lower boundary of an ideally cuboid sheet pile 104 located on the pile bearing device 106. The position of the bearing plane 111 relative to the pile bearing device 106 is fixed. This means that, when the pile bearing device 106 is pivoted, the bearing plane 111 is accordingly pivoted along. The pile bearing device 106, for example, essentially has a pile support surface 107 which, however, does not have to be planar, but, for example, has means that facilitate a displacement of sheets 103 on the pile support surface 107. Such means are, for example, orifices for discharging air and/or a surface structure having differing height levels.

[0046] The bearing plane 111 separates an upper half-space H1 from a lower half-space H2. A respective half-space H1; H2 shall be understood to mean a half-space H1; H2 in the mathematical sense. Regardless of a pivoted position of the pile bearing device 106, and thus of the position of the bearing plane 111 in space, a normal vector having a component that is upwardly oriented in the vertical direction V can be assigned to the bearing plane 111. Proceeding from the bearing plane 111, this normal vector points into the upper half-space H1.

[0047] The vibratory device 101 has at least one first front stop 108, by which a pile forming region 102 is limited and/or can be limited in the first transport direction T. The pile forming region 102 is preferably the spatial region 102 which is provided for being at least temporarily filled by the sheets 103 of a sheet pile 104 from the start of the vibratory operation until the end of this vibratory operation. The pile forming region 102 is thus the spatial region 102 which the sheets are at least temporarily allowed to take up during the vibratory operation, regardless of the desired positions thereof at the end of the vibratory operation. During this vibratory operation, the sheet pile 104 is preferably transferred from a roughly stacked sheet pile 104 into a neatly stacked sheet pile 104. In particular, this means that the sheet pile 104 is in a roughly stacked state at the start of the vibratory operation and in a neatly stacked state at the end of the vibratory operation. The pile forming region 102 is preferably at least partly limited by components 106; 108; 109; 116; 117; 118; 141 of the vibratory device 101. In particular, these components 106; 108; 109; 116; 117; 118; 141 of the vibratory device 101 preferably cause the sheets 103 of the sheet pile 104 to remain in the pile forming region 102 from the start of the vibratory operation until the end of the vibratory operation. These components 106; 108; 109; 116; 117; 118; 141 are, for example, the pile bearing device 106 and/or the at least one first front stop 107 and/or at least one lateral stop 109; 141 and/or at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118. The bearing plane 111 preferably forms a lower delimitation of the pile forming region 102. The pile forming region 102 can, for example, be dependent on the format of the sheets 103, for example when two lateral stops 109; 141 are used or upper pile limiters 116; 117; 118 are positioned based on the format. The pile forming region 102 is preferably arranged in the upper or first half-space H1. Due to the pivotability of the pile bearing device 106, the respective sheet pile 104 can be leaned against the at least one front stop 108 and/or the at least one lateral stop 109; 141. The pile forming region 102 is then likewise limited in the respective opposite direction due to gravity, and the corresponding boundary thereof is determined, for example, by the shape of the respective roughly stacked sheet pile 104.

[0048] The at least one front stop 108 is preferably arranged so as to be movable with respect to the vertical direction V and/or with respect to a direction of the normal vector of the support plane 111, and in particular is arranged so as to be switchable between a transfer position and a retaining position. When arranged in the retaining position, the front stop 108 preferably protrudes further into the upper or first half-space H1 than when the front stop 108 is arranged in the transfer position. More preferably, the at least one front stop 108 is located completely outside the upper or first half-space H1 when arranged in the transfer position. An in particular neatly stacked sheet pile 104, for example, can then be transported away via the at least one front stop 108 arranged in the transfer position thereof.

[0049] The vibratory device 101 comprises at least one first lateral stop 109. The pile forming region 102 is preferably limited and/or limitable in the transverse direction A by the at least one first lateral stop 109. The transverse direction A is preferably oriented orthogonal to the transverse direction T and/or orthogonal to the direction of the normal vector of the bearing plane 111. The vibratory device 101 preferably comprises at least one second lateral stop 141. The pile forming region 102 is preferably limited and/or limitable in or counter to the transverse direction A by the at least one second lateral stop 141. Based on the transverse direction A, the pile forming region 102 is preferably arranged between the at least one first lateral stop 109 and the at least one second lateral stop 141. The at least one lateral stop 109; 141 is preferably arranged so as to be movable with respect to the vertical direction V and/or with respect to a direction of the normal vector of the support plane 111, and in particular is arranged so as to be switchable between a stop position and a passing position. When arranged in the stop position, the lateral stop 109; 141 preferably protrudes further into the upper or first half-space H1 than when the lateral stop 109; 141 is arranged in the passing position. More preferably, the respective lateral stop 109; 141 is located completely outside the upper or first half-space H1 when arranged in the passing position. A roughly stacked sheet pile 104, for example, can then be moved away across the at least one lateral stop 109; 141 arranged the passing position thereof into the pile forming region. The at least one lateral stop 109; 141 is preferably pivotably arranged, in particular about an axis that is oriented parallel to the vertical direction V and/or parallel to the normal vector of the bearing plane 111. In this way, an adaptation to trapezoidal sheets 103 can be carried out, for example in the case of relatively long lateral stops.

[0050] The vibratory device 101 preferably comprises at least one vibratory drive 122. This vibratory drive 122, for example, comprises a stationary part which, for example, is designed as a stator or comprises a stator. This vibratory drive 122, for example, comprises a movable part which, for example, is designed as a rotor or comprises a rotor. The at least one front stop 108 and/or the at least one lateral stop 109 and/or, if present, the at least one second lateral stop 141 are preferably arranged so as to be connected to the movable part of the vibratory drive 122. The pile bearing device 106 is preferably arranged so as to be connected to the movable part of the vibratory drive 122.

[0051] The vibratory device 101 comprises a pile aeration device 112. This pile aeration device 112 is preferably designed as a rear blower device 112. The pile aeration device 112 comprises at least one gas discharge device 113, which can be arranged in various positions relative to the pile bearing device 106 and/or the pile support surface 107. Based on the first transport direction T, the pile forming region 102 is preferably arranged between the at least one gas discharge device 113 and the at least one front stop 108. Preferably, the at least one gas discharge device 113 is different for each front stop 108 and each lateral stop 109; 141.

[0052] The at least one gas discharge device 113 is preferably arranged so as to be movable independently of each front stop 108 and each lateral stop 109; 141.

[0053] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device 113 is arranged so as to be transferrable between at least one respective lowered position and at least one respective aeration position, in particular in the vertical direction V. When in the respective at least one aeration position, the at least one gas discharge device 113 is preferably at least partly arranged in the upper or first half-space H1 and, when in the respective at least one lowered position, the at least one gas discharge device 113 is arranged completely in the lower or second half-space H2.

[0054] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device 113 in each case has one discharge opening 114 or multiple discharge openings 114. This at least one discharge opening 114 is in particular designed as a gas discharge opening 114 and, for example, connected to a compressed air source. This one or these more discharge openings 114 extends or extend in total over at least 15 mm in the vertical direction V, more preferably over at least 20 mm, still more preferably over at least 25 mm, still more preferably over at least 35 mm, and still more preferably over at least 50 mm. In the respective aeration position, the respective at least one discharge opening 114 preferably extends over at least 15 mm into the upper or first half-space H1 and/or beyond the bearing plane 111, more preferably over at least 20 mm, still more preferably over at least 25 mm, still more preferably over at least 35 mm, and still more preferably over at least 50 mm.

[0055] For example, the respective discharge openings are at least 0.5 mm wide, more preferably at least 1 mm, based on the transverse direction A. For example, the respective discharge openings are no more than 10 mm wide, more preferably no more than 5 mm, and still more preferably no more than 2 mm, based on the transverse direction A.

[0056] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that a discharge direction B defined by the at least one gas discharge device 113 has at least one component that is oriented parallel to the first transport direction T, and more preferably that this discharge direction is oriented parallel to the first transport direction T.

[0057] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device 113 in each case has at least two or at least three discharge openings 114, which are arranged on top of one another with respect to the vertical direction V. In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the multiple gas discharge devices 113 each have at least two or at least three discharge openings 114, which are arranged on top of one another with respect to the vertical direction V. In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that all gas discharge devices 113 in each case have at least two or at least three discharge openings 114, which are arranged on top of one another with respect to the vertical direction V.

[0058] Preferably, all discharge openings 114 of a respective gas discharge device 113, and more preferably all discharge openings 114 of all gas discharge devices 113, are arranged so as to be connected, in terms of conduction, to a shared gas supply line 142. In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that a narrowest point of a bottommost gas feed line 119 leading to a bottommost of the multiple discharge openings 114 of a respective gas discharge device 113 has a larger flow-through cross-sectional surface than a narrowest point of an uppermost gas feed line 121 leading to an uppermost of the multiple discharge openings 114 of this particular gas discharge device 113. As a result, it can be ensured, despite the connection to the shared gas supply line 142, that gas or a gas mixture is discharged at a higher pressure from the bottommost discharge opening 114 than from the uppermost discharge opening 114. In this way, the amount of gas introduced into the sheet pile 104 can be influenced depending on the height level. For example, the corresponding cross-sectional surfaces can be adapted, in particular by insertion of a corresponding component having an accordingly large opening, in particular a respective diaphragm.

[0059] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device 113 is arranged so as to be decoupled from a movable part of a vibratory drive 122 and/or that the pile bearing device 106 is arranged so as to be pivotable independently of the at least one gas discharge device 113.

[0060] The pile bearing device 106 has at least one receiving opening 123, more preferably multiple receiving openings 123, which still more preferably are arranged next to one another in the transverse direction A as well as spaced apart from one another. The respective at least one gas discharge device 113 is preferably arranged so as to be at least partly movable through a respective receiving opening 123, in particular in order to be transferred between the at least one respective lowered position and the at least one respective aeration position. The at least one receiving opening 123 preferably extends in a displacement direction S. This displacement direction S is preferably oriented parallel to the discharge direction B and/or the first transport direction T.

[0061] The at least one gas discharge device 113 can preferably be moved in the displacement direction S, while protruding through the respective receiving opening 123 into the upper half-space H1. Based on the displacement direction S, the at least one gas discharge device 113 is preferably arranged at different longitudinal positions, which are in particular adapted to the format, so as to be transferable between at least one respective lowered position and at least one respective aeration position. The at least one gas discharge device 113 is accordingly preferably arranged so as to be freely movable within the particular receiving opening 123, both with respect to the vertical direction V and with respect to the displacement direction S. In this way, corresponding sheet piles 104 can be processed in an optimized manner by means of the vibratory device 101 in a way that is adapted to a particular format of the sheets 103 and/or to a particular pile height.

[0062] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one receiving opening 123, at the end 128 thereof located opposite the respective discharge opening 114 in the displacement direction S and/or the discharge direction B and/or the first transport direction T, has a respective gas conducting surface 124, the upper boundary 126 of which is located further away from the particular discharge opening 114 than the lower boundary 127 thereof. One example of such a gas conducting surface 124 is an obliquely oriented surface that is planar per se. Gas moving parallel to the bearing plane 111 can thus be diverted upwardly so as to lift a bottommost sheet 103 of a corresponding sheet pile 104.

[0063] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that an upper surface 129 of the pile bearing device 106 has at least one bearing region 131 and at least one gas conducting region 132. The at least one bearing region 131 and the bearing plane 111 preferably tangentially make contact with one another, or the at least one bearing region 131 defines the bearing plane 111. The at least one gas conducting region 132 is preferably arranged so as to be spaced apart from the bearing plane 111, based on the vertical direction V, in particular lower and/or, based on the direction of the normal vector of the bearing plane 111, away from the bearing plane 111 and/or in the lower or second half-space H2. For example, the pile bearing device 106 is designed as a checker plate on the surface thereof or has a planar surface with air holes to which, for example, lowerable and/or spherical closures are assigned.

[0064] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one gas discharge device 113 has at least one deflection surface 133, which is arranged so as to be movable together with the respective at least one gas discharge device 113 and which, independently of the position of the respective at least one gas discharge device 113, is always arranged in the lower or second half-space H2, and the upper end 134 of which is arranged further away from the respective at least one discharge opening 114 of the at least one respective gas discharge device 113 than its lower end 136, at least based on the discharge direction B. In particular, this at least one deflection surface 133, viewed in the discharge direction B, is arranged downstream from the at least one discharge opening 114 of the particular gas discharge device 113. Such a deflection surface 133 allows an upwardly directed gas flow to be generated in the region of a start of a sheet pile 104, which advantageously conducts the gas into intermediate spaces between individual sheets 103 and/or between a bottommost sheet 103 of this sheet pile 104 and the pile bearing device 106.

[0065] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the pile aeration device 112 comprises at least two, more preferably at least three, still more preferably at least four, and still more preferably at least five gas discharge devices 113, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction A. These at least two and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least five gas discharge devices 113 preferably each have one discharge opening 114 or multiple discharge openings 114. More preferably, the one or more discharge openings 114 extend in total over at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, still more preferably at least 25 mm, still more preferably at least 35 mm, and still more preferably at least 50 mm in the vertical direction V. These at least two and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least five gas discharge devices 113 can preferably each be arranged in different positions relative to the pile bearing device 106 and/or the pile support surface 107.

[0066] In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 preferably comprises at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118. The at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 is preferably at least temporarily arranged and/or arrangeable above the pile forming region 102. In an alternative or additional refinement, the at least one vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 limits the pile forming region 102 toward the top. The at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 is preferably used to prevent sheets 103 of the sheet pile 104 from lifting up too far. This ensures that a neatly stacked sheet pile 104 can be generated, and sheets 103 do not drift too far, even when the sheet pile 104 has been extensively loosened by blown-in air.

[0067] The at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 can preferably be moved between at least one upper limiting position and at least one lower limiting position. As a result, the sheet pile 104 can be dynamically processed. Movements are introduced by the at least one movable upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 into the sheet pile 104 loosened by a gas flow, in particular in addition to the vibratory movements generated by the at least one vibratory drive 122. This not only drives the gas or gas mixture, in particular the air, out of the sheet pile 104, but also increases the movability of the sheets 103 so that these can glide against the at least one front stop 108 and the at least one lateral stop 109; 141, and a neatly stacked sheet pile 104 can thus be generated.

[0068] The at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 preferably limits the pile forming region 102 both in the upper limiting position thereof and in the lower limiting position thereof. The pile forming region 102 is thus preferably dynamic in terms of the extension thereof. The at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 is preferably arranged so as to be movable between the respective at least one upper limiting position and the respective at least one lower limiting position, independently of the at least one first front stop 108 and independently of the at least one first lateral stop 109.

[0069] The vibratory device 101 preferably comprises multiple upper pile limiters 116; 117; 118. In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the vibratory device 101 comprises at least one inner upper pile limiter 116, which limits the pile forming region 102 toward the top in at least one inner region 137. Based on each horizontal direction A; B; S; T, this at least one inner region 137 is spaced at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, still more preferably at least 50 mm, still more preferably at least 100 mm, and still more preferably at least 200 mm apart from each edge 138 of the pile forming region 102. It is also possible for inner regions 137 to be present in which no inner upper pile limiter 116 limits the pile forming region 102 directly toward the top. The at least one inner upper pile limiter 116 is preferably arranged so as to be movable with respect to a horizontal direction B, S, T. For example, the at least one inner upper pile limiter 116 is arranged so as to be movable between at least one parked position and at least one operating position, in particular with respect to the transport direction T. The at least one inner upper pile limiter 116 can preferably be arranged in different operating positions that are adapted based on the at least one horizontal direction B, S, T. This allows an adaptation to sheets 103 having different formats. For example, the at least one inner upper pile limiter 116 is designed as an air removal element 116, in particular as an air removal roller 116. This air removal roller, in addition to the function as an upper pile limiter 116, can be used to apply a force from above onto the sheet pile 104 at the end of the vibratory operation and be linearly moved in the process. As a result, air still present in the sheet pile 104 between the sheets 103 can be driven out of the sheet pile 104, whereby the sheet pile 104 can be stabilized. As an alternative to an air removal roller 116, a sliding, non-rolling component can also be used.

[0070] The vibratory device 101 preferably comprises multiple upper pile limiters 116; 117; 118. In an alternative or additional refinement, the vibratory device 101 is preferably characterized in that the vibratory device 101 comprises at least one upper pile limiter 117; 118 designed as an edge limiter 117; 118, which limits the pile forming region 102 toward the top in at least one edge region 139. The at least one upper pile limiter 117; 118 designed as an edge limiter 117; 118 limits the pile forming region 102 toward the top in at least one edge region 139, which, based on at least one horizontal direction A; B; S; T, is spaced no more than 50 mm, more preferably no more than 20 mm, still more preferably no more than 10 mm, and still more preferably no more than 5 mm apart from an edge 138 of the pile forming region 102. This distance with respect to an edge is to be measured, for example, in a horizontal direction A; B. It is also possible for edge regions 139 to be present in which no edge limiter 116 limits the pile forming region 102 directly toward the top.

[0071] For example, the upper pile limiters 116; 117; 118 can be at least partly lowered to such an extent that these are only arranged within the lower or second half-space H2. A sheet pile 104 can then be transported thereacross unimpaired. As an alternative, the upper pile limiters 116; 117; 118 can be removed toward the top from an intended transport path of a sheet pile 104. For example, at least one front edge limiter 118 is arranged, in particularly in the region of the front stop 108, and/or at least one lateral edge limiter 117 is arranged, in particular in the region of a lateral stop 109; 141, and/or at least two lateral edge limiters 117 are arranged, in particular on both sides of the pile forming region 102, based on the transverse direction A, in particular in the region of at least one or preferably each lateral stop 109; 141.

[0072] This vibratory device 101 is suitable for a preferred method for operating a vibratory device 101. In such a method, a, for example, roughly stacked sheet pile 104 is arranged on a pile bearing device 106. In one embodiment, the pile bearing device 106 is pivoted about at least one pivot axis, more preferably about two pivot axes. During a vibratory operation, the sheet pile 104 is preferably made to move by means of at least one vibratory drive 122. During the vibratory operation, at least one gas or gas mixture, in particular air, is blown between sheets 103 of this sheet pile 104 by means of a pile aeration device 112. During the vibratory operation, additionally at least one gas or gas mixture, in particular air, is preferably blown between a bottommost sheet 103 of this sheet pile 104 and the pile bearing device 106 by means of the pile aeration device 112.

[0073] Preferably, at least one upper pile limiter 116; 117; 118 is alternately moved up and down during the vibratory operation, whereby a force is repeatedly exerted at least on an uppermost sheet 103 of the sheet pile 104. In an alternative or additional refinement, the method is preferably characterized in that, prior to the vibratory operation or during the vibratory operation, at least one gas discharge device 113 is transferred from a lowered position into an aeration position, and that, during the vibratory operation or after the vibratory operation, this at least one gas discharge device 113 is transferred from the aeration position thereof into the lowered position. The vibratory device 101 that is preferably used for the method has a pile aeration device 112 designed as a rear blower device 112 and the pile forming region 102, based on the first transport direction T, is arranged between at least one gas discharge device 113 and at least one front stop 108.

[0074] Although the disclosure herein has been described in language specific to examples of structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described in the examples. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed merely as example forms of implementing the claims.