CH704967A1 - Method for attaching strip on planar product e.g. compact disk, involves moving selected edge of product past a specified point, to drive strip that is held ready at specific point of transporting path - Google Patents

Abstract

The selected edge (31) of the product (11a) is moved forward along a transporting path (12), and the strip (14a) is held ready at a specified point of the transporting path so as to intersect the transporting path. The selected edge of product is moved past the specified point, to drive the strip that is held ready. The strip is applied around a selected edge of the product in a perpendicular manner with respect to edge so as to rest against the product. An independent claim is included for enclosure element application device.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of processing of flat product compositions, as it is carried out for example in the print finishing. It relates to a method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements on a flat product combination according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a Umfassungselement application device for performing the method.

STATE OF THE ART

In the processing of stack-like product compositions of sheet products, such as occur in newspaper printing, there is often the desire to hold such product combinations together by attaching strips or to differentiate it from other product combinations.

Must be processed in this way per unit of time a large number of product combinations, that is equipped with such strips, the corresponding method should be easy to carry out, allow a high processing speed and beyond can be operated functionally reliable.

Document EP 0666 186 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for producing multipart printed product units, in which inserts are arranged in a folded newspaper serving as an outer part of the product unit. An adhesive tape section connects the two legs of the newspaper together to inhibit the inserts from sliding and to prevent them from falling out of the newspaper. The adhesive tape sections are thereby cut off before attaching an adhesive tape and then the individual sections transported by a separate transport device to the newspapers and placed, sitting in a drum with pocket-like receiving parts and are moved on a circular path. This type of application requires a high expenditure on equipment.

The document US 5,096,176 describes an apparatus and a method by which a stack of paper sheets is provided on one edge with a non-adhesive paper strip that several stacks are separated from each other safely. For this purpose, a paper strip in the transport path of the stack is advanced by a roller, so that the transported stack entrains the paper strip and at the same time past a subsequent knife such that of the paper strip, a strip portion is cut off. The stack with the trimmed strip portion is then passed between two parallel belts, the strip portion being folded around the front edge of the stack. Due to the distance between the position of the crossing strip and the following bands an application of adhesive tape sections is not possible.

Document DE 69 214 614 T2 discloses a method and apparatus for temporarily connecting a plurality of sheets of an information recording medium. For this purpose, adhesive connecting band segments are provided on opposite sides and hammered by means of movable impact means around an edge of a set set of piles. To cut and wrap the segments complicated, mechanically movable equipment are used, which are complex in construction and slow in the application and tend to malfunction due to the complexity.

From the document WO 2008/074 325 A1 a method for wrapping a stack of sheets, brochures or the like is known, in which the stacks are transported at a distance one behind the other on a transport path. By means of a special swivel wheel, a wrapping sheet is withdrawn from a prepared sheet supply, positioned vertically in a gap between two successive stacks and then folded by means of the swivel wheel around the stack moved past. The complicated movement of the swivel wheel prevents a high processing speed of the stack.

EP 1 409 347 B1 discloses a method for wrapping printed matters by arranging a film around the printed matter. In this case, the film is arranged on a first conveying device. The printed matter is then arranged partly on the top of the film, so that a front part of the film in the conveying direction is not covered by the printed matter. An upwardly directed air flow is then provided, thereby blowing the front portion of the film upwardly into a vertical position. The printed matter with the film is then conveyed under an upper belt, whereby the film is folded back along the top of the printed matter. The problem here is that the film must first be placed on the transport mechanism and positioned there, and then placed the printed matter on the film and also must be positioned. This requires equipment expense limits the speed of processing.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for applying Umfassungselementen to product compilations, which avoid the disadvantages of known solutions, work quickly and safely and are equally suitable for the application of adhesive and non-adhesive Umfassungselementen.

These and other objects are achieved by the features of claims 1 and 13.

The inventive method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements on a two-dimensional, in particular printed products, product combination, starting from a method in which a Umfassungselement given length provided and then perpendicular to a selected edge of the product composition around the edge around the product composition is applied adjacent. It is characterized in that the product combination is moved with the selected edge along a transport path with the surface substantially parallel to the transport path, that the Umfassungselement at a predetermined location of the transport path crossing the transport path and supported supported in the transport direction, and that the Product composition is moved past the selected edge at the predetermined location while taking with the selected edge, the ready held Umfassungselement.

An embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that the surrounding element is formed as a strip portion, and that the strip portion is separated when takeaway through the product combination of a provided strip, in particular cut off, is.

Another embodiment of the method is characterized in that for cutting off the strip portion of the provided strip is pressed by the past at the predetermined position product composition against a knife.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the strip is brought from below against the transport direction to the transport path, and that the knife is arranged at a distance below the transport path. Of course, in the context of the invention but also another, in particular an opposite, conveying direction of the strip possible.

Preferably, the strip is continuously, in particular at a constant speed, introduced.

Another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that brought to sever or cut the strip portion of the strip provided by a handling agent in a transport path crossing position and held there adjacent to a stop.

In particular, a correspondingly directed air jet from an air nozzle is used as the handling means. Of course, instead of air, another gas can also be directed out of the nozzle onto the strip section.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the product combination is moved with the entrained Umfassungselement or strip portion by a pressure means therethrough, which lying outside the edge regions of the Umfassungselements or strip portion lying parallel to the transport path Pressing side surfaces of the product composition.

A further embodiment of the method is characterized in that the pressure means the Umfassungselement or the strip portion with the pressing at the same time against the direction of movement of the product composition backwards strikes the product composition.

In particular, a parallel to the transport path extending upper Andruckbürste and a parallel to the transport path extending lower pressure brush are used as pressure means. In particular, the Andruckbürsten are stationary.

Preferably, the Umfassungselement or the strip or strip portion is provided on at least one side with an adhesive layer and the Umfassungselement or the strip portion is provided with the provided with an adhesive layer side of the incoming product combination ready.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that a surrounding element or strip and strip portion of paper or a plastic film or a metal, in particular also individual sheets of paper, is (are) used.

The Umfassungselement application device according to the invention comprises a transport device for horizontal transport of flat product compositions, which defines a running through an application unit transport path, wherein the application unit with means for keeping ready a Umfassungselements to be applied at a predetermined location of the transport path in a position crossing the transport path Is provided. It is characterized in that above and below the transport path with distance from one another stop means are provided, on which the Umfassungselement to be applied abutting the transport path and is supported in the transport direction such that transported on the transport path product compilations with entrainment of Umfassungselemente between the stop means therethrough are movable.

An embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device according to the invention is characterized in that the Umfassungselemente are formed as strip portions, and that the means for holding a strip portion to be applied first means for providing a strip and second means for cutting the strip portion to be applied by includes the provided strip.

In particular, the first means comprise a feed unit with at least one driven roller on which the strip is applied.

Another embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device is characterized in that the second means comprise a spaced parallel to the transport path lying, with the cutting edge directed against the transport direction, the knife.

Another embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device is characterized in that for erecting and applying the strip portion of the stop means, an air nozzle is provided. Instead of the air nozzle but also a gas nozzle can generally be provided.

A further embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device is characterized in that are arranged in the transport direction behind the abutment means pressure means which press the entrained strip portion to the lying parallel to the transport path side surfaces of the product composition.

In particular, the pressure means comprise a parallel to the transport path extending upper Andruckbürste and parallel to the transport path extending lower pressure brush.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the upper pressure brush has long, soft bristles which are bent when passing through a product assembly in the direction of movement and conform to the continuous product composition, and that the lower pressure brush short, hard bristles, the ends form a (fixed) section of the continuous transport path.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> in several schematic partial figures (FIGS. 1a-d) different steps in a method for attaching a strip section to a flat product combination according to an embodiment of the invention; <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> in a perspective side view a suitable for the inventive method application unit according to an embodiment of the invention; <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> the application unit of Fig. 2 seen from another side; and <Tb> FIG. 4 in a representation comparable to FIG. 1, an application unit in which the strip is advanced against the transport direction between two counter-rotating rollers.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In several schematic partial figures (FIGS. 1a-d), FIG. 1 shows various steps in a method for attaching a surrounding element in the form of a strip section to a flat product combination comprising several products according to an embodiment of the invention. By enclosing element is generally understood an element which may comprise the product combination from one side.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a Umfassungselement application device in the form of a strip application device 10, which comprises a horizontally extending in the example transport device or transport path 12, on the product sequence in time sequence product 11a, 11b are transported horizontally by a dashed framed application unit 30 , In the application unit 30, the product assemblies 11a, 11b delivered on the transport path 12 are successively provided at their front edge 31 with a strip section 14a which is laid perpendicular to the edge 31 around the edge 31 and at the upper and lower side surfaces of the product assemblies 11a , 11b, in particular adhesive or adhesive, rests (Fig. 1d).

The application unit 30 includes two Andruckbürsten 17 a and 17 b, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the transport path 12 so far apart that their bristles abut, for example, with the ends at the height of the transport path 12, and that one on the Transport path 12 through the application unit 30 transported product composition 11a, b between the upper pressure brush 17a and the lower pressure brush 17b can be moved through. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the upper Andruckbürste 17a long, soft bristles, which are aligned in the normal state perpendicular to the transport direction and bend when moving through a product combination 11a, b in the transport direction and create or nestle on the product assembly 11a, b and thereby different Thickness of product compositions 11a, b can compensate. In the example, the lower pressure brush 17b has short, hard bristles that are slightly inclined from the outset in the transport direction and that carry the product mixture 11a, b passed by without significant deformation and thus form a level-parallel section of the transport path 12.

In this way, the Andruckbürsten 17a, b ensure that the strip portion to be applied 14a closely to the product assembly 11a, b applies and at the same time to the rear of the product assembly 11a, b is painted tightening.

The upper pressure brush 17a has another important function in the example: Its rear edge in the transport direction is used together with an arranged underneath knife 15 whose cutting edge is in the vertical direction at the same height as a stop for the strip portion to be applied 14a , As can be seen in Fig. 1b, the strip 14, from which the strip portion 14a is cut off, takes a position perpendicular to the conveying path 12 by abutting against the front edge of the upper pressure brush 17a and the cutting edge of the knife 15. The lower pressure brush 17b, on the other hand, is set back slightly in the transport direction and plays no role as a stop.

This dual function of the upper pressure brush 17a is advantageous for the reliability of the device. As soon as a product combination 11a with its front edge 31 reaches and carries along the strip 14 crossing the transport path 12 on the upper pressure brush 17a and the knife 15, it is pressed against the product assembly 11a on the upper side and tightened from the front to the rear against the transport direction painted (Fig. 1c). In this way, on the one hand a secure, wrinkle-free contact of the strip 14 or strip portion 14a in the product combination 11 a is achieved. This is of particular importance when applying an adhesive layer provided with a strip or an adhesive tape. On the other hand, a tension is generated in the strip 14, which favors the cutting of the strip portion 14a from the strip 14 on the knife 15.

To bring the strip 14 and bring to the upper pressure brush 17a and the knife 15 perpendicular to the plant, a feed unit 13 is provided, which is symbolized in Fig. 1 simplified by a circle. The feed unit 13 pushes the strip 14, which is unrolled, for example, from a supply roll (not shown) via two co-rotating, driven rollers (26, 27 in Fig. 2) below the knife 15 continuously and at a constant speed against the transport direction parallel to Transport path 12 before (Fig. 1a). The feed unit 13 is designed so that the advanced strip 14 in the transverse direction undergoes a slight curvature, which stabilizes the (free) led forward strip 14 in the feed direction. The feed rate is adjusted to the transport speed of the product assemblies 11a, b on the transport path 12 so that the strip 14 advancing at a feed speed feed unit 13 in each gap between two successive product assemblies 11a, b always just a strip portion 14a of predetermined length can bring. The feed rate is usually smaller than the transport speed. In particular, the feed rate is continuous and preferably constant.

To bring the anti-parallel to the transport direction below the knife 15 advanced strip 14 to rest on the knife edge and the upper Andruckbürste 17a, at least one gas or air nozzle 16b is provided which generates an obliquely upward in the transport direction air jet ( Fig. 1b), which bends the strip 14 about the cutting edge of the knife 15 and applies to the front of the upper Andruckbürste 17 a. The directional change of the strip 14 caused by the air jet is influenced by the knife 15 which, as already mentioned above, is arranged substantially parallel to the pressure brushes 17a, b below the lower pressure brush 17b so that when the strip 14 is drawn in between the latter Andruckbürsten 17a, b (Fig. 1b-1c) is cut off by the product assembly 11a of the strip 14, a strip portion 14a. While, according to FIG. 1D, the product assembly 11a is transported with the strip section 14a lying around the leading edge between the brushes 17a, b, the feed unit 13 advances the strip 14 continuously in the opposite direction to the transport direction that in the next gap between the product assemblies 11a and 11b already again the next strip section is available.

To support the antiparallel to the transport direction effected feed of the strip 14, a pneumatic working guide device 16a is arranged below the knife 15, at the parallel to the transport direction oriented underside a negative pressure is generated, which draws the advanced strip 14 to the underside. The negative pressure can be generated for example by an internal compressed air duct with a venturi or the like.

An exemplary application unit 30, with respect to FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, only the upper Andruckbürste 17 a is omitted, is shown in Figures 2 and 3 in a perspective side view from different directions. The application unit 30 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 is mounted on a central support profile 18. On the support profile 18, two parallel mounting plates 19 and 20 are mounted on opposite sides. In the two mounting plates 19, 20, a drive shaft 25 is rotatably mounted, which at one end, on the outside of the mounting plate 20, rotatably carries a drive wheel 24 that is designed for engagement with a driving toothed belt. At the other end, on the outside of the mounting plate 19, the drive shaft carries a transport roller 26 which forms the feed unit 13 together with a counter-roller 27 acting as a peel-off roller. Transport roller 26 and counter roller 27 are synchronized in their rotational movement via a gear transmission with each other so that they have the same direction of rotation (see rotation arrows in Fig. 1). The two rollers 26 and 27 are each constructed of spaced discs with knurled peripheral surface whose diameter and position along the axis is chosen so that the two rollers interlock with their discs mutually. The counter-roller 27 peels off the voltage applied to the transport roller strip 26 from this role. The construction of individual discs and the knurling of the outer surfaces of the risk of sticking is prevented when the strip 14 is provided on the rollers 26, 27 facing side with an adhesive or adhesive layer.

On the mounting plate 19 outside a two-piece knife holder 21 is fixed, in which a knife 15 is clamped, and on its upper side carries the (simplified as a block shown) lower pressure brush 17b. The knife holder 21 has on the side of a first compressed air connection 22, via which a compressed air in the lower part, on the underside of the knife holder 21 generating a negative pressure channel can be acted upon. A second compressed air connection 23 carries compressed air to the air nozzle 16b, where it exits through a nozzle gap to bring the strip 14 on the upper Andruckbürste 17a and the knife 15 to the plant. The air nozzle 16b is fastened by means of a nozzle carrier 28 on the outside of the mounting plate 19. An adjusting device 29 between the air nozzle 16 and nozzle carrier 28 ensures that the height and direction of the air nozzle 16b can be adjusted. The cutting edge of the blade 15 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a straight edge; but it can also be e.g. crescent-shaped bent to facilitate the truncation.

Instead of the two co-rotating rollers 26 and 27 as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, over which the strip 14 expires, according to Fig. 4, a pair of counter-rotating rollers are provided, between which the strip 14 is transported. On the underside of the knife holder 21 then a Umlenkkeil 32 is arranged, which deflects the emerging between the rollers strip 14 to the guide device 16a out. But it is also conceivable to provide only one transport roller 26, and for peeling the strip 14 of this role to use a stationary Abschälelement which engages with corresponding fingers in the gaps between the discs of the transport roller 26.

The applied strip 14 or strip portion 14a may consist of a single- or multi-ply paper and / or plastic film or a metal, which can be adapted to the task to be fulfilled by the material properties, the thickness and the width. The strip 14 may be printed with information tailored to the product composition 11a, b. The strip 14 may also be provided with other types of information carriers such as magnetic stripes or wirelessly readable data memories (e.g., RFIDs). Furthermore, the strip 14 may be color-coded. In the simplest case, the strip 14 is uncoated. But it can also be provided on at least one side with an adhesive or adhesive layer, which then faces when applying the approached product combination 11a, b. It is also conceivable to provide the fiber 14 with the strip 14 in order to make it particularly tear-resistant. Furthermore, the strip 14 may be provided with notches at the edges to facilitate subsequent separation of the attached strip portions 14a. Finally, it is also conceivable not to cut off the strip portion 14a from the strip 14, but otherwise to cut it off, e.g. by using a transversely perforated at appropriate locations strip 14. In the invention, instead of strip-shaped elements but also whole leaves can be used to encompass the product composition.

Claims (20)

1. A method for attaching at least one surrounding element (14a) to a flat product combination (11a, b) comprising, in particular, a surrounding element (14a) of predetermined length and then perpendicular to a selected edge (31) of the product composition (11a, b). 11a, b) is applied around the edge (31) on the product assembly (11a, b) adjacent, characterized in that the product assembly (11a, b) with the selected edge (31) along along a transport path (12) with the Surface is moved substantially parallel to the transport path (12) that the Umfassungselement (14 a) at a predetermined location of the transport path (12) crossing the transport path (12) and supported supported in the transport direction, and that the product combination (11 a, b) with the selected edge (31) is moved past the predetermined position and thereby with the selected edge (31) the ready held Umfassungselement (14 a) entrains. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surrounding element is formed as a strip section (14a), and in that the strip section (14a) when being taken away by the product assembly (11a, b) is separated from a provided strip (14), in particular cut off, becomes. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that for cutting off the strip portion (14a) of the provided strip (14) from the moved past at the predetermined point product combination (11 a, b) is pressed against a knife (15). 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the strip (14) is brought from below against the transport direction to the transport path (12), and that the knife (15) is arranged at a distance below the transport path (12). 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the strip (14) is continuously, in particular at a constant speed, introduced. 6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that for separating or cutting off the strip portion (14a) provided by the strip (14) by a handling means (16b) in a transport path (12) crossing position and there a stop (15, 17 a) is held fitting. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a correspondingly directed air jet from an air nozzle (16b) is used as the handling means. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the product combination (11a, b) with the entrained Umfassungselement or strip portion (14a) by a pressure means (17a, b) is moved through, which outside the edge ( 31) lying areas of the Umfassungselements or strip portion (14a) to the parallel to the transport path (12) lying side surfaces of the product combination (11a, b) presses. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the pressure means (17a, b) the Umfassungselement or the strip portion (14a) at the same time against the direction of movement of the product combination (11a, b) to the rear of the product assembly (11a, b ). 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that as pressure means a parallel to the transport path (12) extending upper Andruckbürste (17a) and a parallel to the transport path (12) extending lower Andruckbürste (17b) are used. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the Umfassungselement or the strip (14) or strip portion (14a) is provided on at least one side with an adhesive layer and that the Umfassungselement or the strip portion (14a) is provided with the adhesive layer side of the incoming product assembly (11a, b) facing. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that a Umfassungselement or strip (14) and strip portion (14a) made of paper or a plastic film or a metal is used. 13. Umfassungselement-application device (10) for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising a transport device (12) for horizontal transport of the flat product assemblies (11a, b), which defines a through an application unit (30) extending transport path, wherein the application unit (30) is provided with means (13, 15, 16, 17a) for holding a surrounding element (14a) to be applied at a predetermined location of the transport path (12) in a position crossing the transport path (12), characterized that stop means (15, 17a) are provided at a distance from one another above and below the transport track (12), on which the surrounding element (14a) to be applied abuts the transport track (12) and is supported in the transport direction in such a way that 12) transported product compilations (11a, b) with the entrainment of the enclosing elements (14a) between the A's stop means (15, 17a) are movable therethrough. 14. surrounding element application device according to claim 13, characterized in that the Umfassungselemente are formed as strip portions (14 a), and in that the means (13, 15, 16, 17 a) for holding ready to be applied strip portion (14 a) first means (13; 24-27) for providing a strip (14) and second means (15, 21) for cutting off the strip portion (14a) to be applied from the provided strip (14). 15. Surrounding element application device according to claim 14, characterized in that the first means comprise a feed unit (13) with at least one driven roller (26) on which the strip (14) rests. 16. Surrounding element application device according to claim Moder 15, characterized in that the second means comprise a distance parallel to the transport path (12) lying, with the cutting edge directed against the transport direction, knife (15). 17. surrounding element application device according to claim 16, characterized in that for erecting and applying the strip portion (14a) to the abutment means (15, 17a) an air nozzle (16b) is provided. 18. surrounding element application device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that in the transport direction behind the stop means pressure means (17a, b) are arranged, which the entrained strip portion (14a) to the parallel to the transport path (12) lying side surfaces of the product composition (11a , b) press. 19. surrounding element application device according to claim 18, characterized in that the pressure means comprise a parallel to the transport path (12) extending upper Andruckbürste (17a) and a parallel to the transport path (12) extending lower Andruckbürste (17b). 20. Umfassungselement-application device according to claim 19, characterized in that the upper pressure brush (17 a) has long, soft bristles which are bent in the direction of movement when passing through a product combination (11 a, b) and to the continuous product combination (11 a, b) cling, and that the lower pressure brush (17b) has short, hard bristles whose ends form a portion of the continuous transport path (12).