EP0326056B1 - Universal folding device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to document folding machines which can be in the form of single or multiple sheets. It relates in particular to a folder for automatic folding of mail to be placed in envelopes.

Document folding machines are already widely used in the automatic processing of mail or newspapers. For automatic mail processing, they are generally of the so-called pocket type, for automatic newspaper processing, they are generally of the so-called knife type.

The known folding machines of the pocket type comprise for a first folding to produce three rollers and an associated chute or pocket, which is equipped with an adjustable stop. A first and a second of these rollers receive between them each sheet to be folded which they introduce into the pocket until the stop. The advance they continue to print on the sheet blocked by the stopper turns into a loop. The loop is taken and clamped between this same second roller and the third of the rollers to obtain the desired folding. To perform a second folding, these same folders include two additional rollers, associated with the aforementioned third roller, and an additional chute or pocket with stop.

The second folding, carried out by the third roller, the two additional rollers and the pocket associated with them, is obtained as the first folding.

The stops of each pocket are adjusted to the desired folding lengths. In use, obtaining a single fold with a folder with several pockets is made possible by closing off access to the successive pockets, except for one of them, or by replacing each unwanted pocket with a deflector. guide.

These pocket folder are generally very satisfactory in operation. However, they have the essential drawback of accepting multiple documents, to be folded simultaneously, only of the same format and only of a limited overall thickness, that is to say comprising only a reduced number of single sheets. identical. In addition the adaptation of these folders to the number of folds desired and at different folding lengths, carried out at the pockets, is an operation which, although easy, remains relatively long.

Knife type folding machines essentially comprise a blade, mounted on one side and in line with a feeding path for documents to be folded, on which each document is stopped, and a pair of ejection rollers associated with the blade and mounted on the other side. The blade is actuated transversely to the documents to be folded, when the documents are stopped, so that these documents are then taken up by the pair of ejection rollers associated with the blade (US-A-2414737). A second fold can be obtained in a similar manner on a second feed path coupled to the pair of document ejection rollers of the first path. A second blade is mounted to the right of this second path and a second pair of ejection rollers is associated with it.

These knife folders are also operating satisfactorily. They are generally used to fold multiple documents having a significant thickness, for example newspapers. By cons due to the shutdown of documents for each folding, they have rates that remain limited. They also have a large size. In addition, they make every folding compulsory for the ejection of documents.

Document US-A-4 179111 discloses a folding machine without a knife and in which a deflector flap on a substantially linear main path is associated with a pair of folding rollers and controlled to divert the documents to be folded out of the main path .

Document FR-A-2,424,354 also discloses a machine for folding laundry articles, such as tablecloths or sheets. The machine comprises pairs of belts, one long and the other short, for advancing and ejecting the articles, pivoting folding blades and deflector flaps associated with the blades. Each deflector flap deflects the article to be folded during its advance; the pivoting associated folding blade folds the deviated article. In this machine the direction of drive of one of the belts is reversed for the advance and deflection of the article and for its ejection.

This machine is bulky. It is moreover of complex control due to this reversal of the direction of drive of one of the belts during each folding.

Patent document DE-2,630,170 describes, for its part, a machine for folding linen, such as handkerchiefs, diapers, pillowcases, etc. in the context of cleaning machines. This machine includes a transfer conveyor, a receiving conveyor and a reversible roller adjacent to the conveyors, with an associated folding blade. A pivoting ramp on the axis of the roller guides the article, which the roller deflects, in front of the blade. The actuated blade folds the article and the roller driven in the opposite direction advances the folded article on the receiving conveyor.

In addition to the different technical field of this document, the means of advance and ejection are endless belts not suitable for processing documents on the fly.

Furthermore, the main path for guiding the articles is not linear and in the case of an adaptation to several successive folds, the machine would include a cascade of folding devices whose overall height would be detrimental. Finally, the reversible roller is driven in one direction or the other according to the folding phases, which makes the control machine complex and limits these capacities of reliability and speed.

The object of the present invention is to produce a new folder avoiding the drawbacks of the aforementioned known folders while benefiting from their advantages. In particular, the folder according to the invention, which processes documents, can accept multiple documents to be folded simultaneously, of different formats and of large or small overall thickness, operating with folding lengths and high rates which are easily and quickly adjustable; it also has small overall dimensions making it compact.

It relates to a universal folder for documents comprising, in a folding module, means for advancing and ejecting documents defining a main path, at least one folding blade in line with said main path, a deflector flap on said main path associated with each blade and controlled to deflect the documents to be folded out of the main path, and means for driving each blade transversely to the deflected document opposite it, for folding the deflected document, characterized in that said main path is substantially linear, and in that said advance and ejection means comprise a pair of feed rollers and a pair of ejection rollers for each blade, mounted on the main path, being of a side and the other of the blade considered and having their rollers driven for the advancement of documents on said main path, and in that it further comprises an associated guide flap also to each blade, mounted substantially transversely to the main path, between the blade concerned and the pair of ejection rollers for this blade, and coupled to the main path by said deflector flap in the deflected position, associated with the blade concerned, by defining a secondary document path for this blade, between it and the pair of ejection rollers associated therewith, said drive means of each blade driving the blade concerned substantially along the main path and at a speed known as substantially equal to longitudinal to the document advance, in order to fold the deflected document on the fly and engage it between the ejection rollers of this blade.

According to another characteristic, said universal folder has several folding blades at the right of the main path and with the pair of ejection rollers associated with each blade constituting the pair of feed rollers associated with the next blade.

According to another characteristic, said universal folder comprises individual means for actuating each folding blade and each deflector flap, coupled to a common microprocessor control circuit receiving on the one hand a clock signal from a wheel coder mounted on the common drive mechanism of said rollers and associated with a photodetector, for translating in successive steps the advance of documents from a defined point, and receiving on the other hand input data from a keyboard on which the positions of the folds to be produced by the successive folding blades are defined.

According to another characteristic, said common control circuit further comprises a fine clock of frequency higher than that of the clock signal from the encoder wheel to translate the fraction of advance step exceeding a determined maximum number of complete steps.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe de la plieuse universelle selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe à échelle agrandie du module de pliage proprement dit de la plieuse universelle selon la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale simplifiée de la plieuse, selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, montrant en particulier une partie de son mécanisme de commande et de son système d'entraînement,
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la plieuse, selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une autre vue en coupe longitudinale de la plieuse, selon la ligne V-V dela figure 1,
• la figure 6 est encore une autre vue en coupe longitudinale de la plieuse, selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1,
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en élévation de la plieuse selon la figure 1, montrant son organisation générale,
• les figures 8 et 9 illustrent les étapes principales de fonctionnement de la plieuse, pour deux modes différents de pliage,
• la figure 10 est un diagramme illustrant le fonctionnement de l'horloge du circuit de commande de la plieuse universelle, selon l'invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

• FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the universal folder according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the actual folding module of the universal folder according to FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the folder, along the line III-III of FIG. 1, showing in particular a part of its control mechanism and of its drive system,
• FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal section of the folder, along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 is another view in longitudinal section of the folder, along the line VV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 is yet another view in longitudinal section of the folder, along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7 is a schematic elevation view of the folder according to FIG. 1, showing its general organization,
• FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the main stages of operation of the folder, for two different modes of folding,
• FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the clock of the control circuit of the universal folder, according to the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the universal folder according to the invention can perform a folding or two successive folding of the documents it receives. It may also not fold. It is of the general type known as a knife for carrying out each folding, by controlling the blade of the knife.

With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the universal folder includes a folding module proper 1 with which is associated a turning module 2 for folded documents. The folding 1 and turning 2 modules are coupled to an input module 3 ensuring their supply of documents to be folded and to an output module 4 delivering the folded and possibly returned documents.

The input module 3 is as such known. It comprises a horizontal plate 5 on which the advance of the documents is ensured by protruding tabs 6. The cleats 6 are carried by an endless chain 6A ensuring their drive in a closed loop turning just upstream of the module 1, on a pinion 6B for the retracted return of the cleats towards the entry of the plate. The documents arrive from a destacker and / or a collator at the entrance to the tray 5.

The chain is intermittently driven for the transfer of the successive documents received to be folded, which are taken and pushed to the folding module by the protruding tabs above the plate 5. These arrangements which are as such known, are not no more fully specified.

In the input module 3, a photo-detector 7 ensures the detection of the passage of each document taken by one of the tabs and transferred to the folding module 1.

The output module 4, simply primed, is also as such known. It couples the folding 1 and turning 2 modules to a machine for inserting folds in envelopes to which it normally belongs. It defines the entry path for folded documents in the machine to be inserted. It comprises a plate 8 on which at least a pair of endless belts 9A, 9B are tensioned on their input pulley 9C or 9D; the belts provide between them the drive on the plate 8 of the folded documents to be placed in envelopes.

The folding module 1 to which the present invention essentially relates is described by first referring to FIG. 1 but also to FIG. 2. It comprises a main path 10 of documents, substantially horizontal. This main path is aligned with those defined by the plates 5 and 8 of the input module 3 and of the output module 4, which it couples. It consists of a plate designated by the same reference 10 with suitable windows, along which are mounted pairs of drive rollers specified below.

• une première et une deuxième lame de pliage 11 et 12, montées à la suite l'une de l'autre et s'étendant au dessus du chemin principal 10, sur sa largeur,
• deux paires de rouleaux 13A, 13B et 14A, 14B l'une en amont et l'autre en aval de la première lame de pliage 11, le long du chemin principal 10, associées à cette première lame de pliage et définissant une paire de rouleaux d'alimentation et une paire de rouleaux d'éjection pour cette première lame de pliage,
• deux paires de rouleaux le long du chemin principal 10 qui sont également associées à la deuxième lame de pliage 12, avec la paire de rouleaux amont 14A, 14B formée par la paire de rouleaux d'éjection pour la première lame de pliage et définissant une paire de rouleaux d'alimentation pour la deuxième de pliage 12 et celle aval 15A, 15B définissant une paire de rouleaux d'éjection pour cette deuxième lame de pliage,
• un premier volet déflecteur 16 associé à la première lame de pliage 11 et un deuxième volet déflecteur 17 associé à la deuxième lame de pliage 12, montés sous le chemin principal 10 le long duquel chacun d'eux s'étend en aval de sa lame de pliage mais reste en amont de la paire de rouleaux d'éjection pour la lame de pliage considérée,
• un premier volet de guidage 18 associé à la première lame de pliage 11 et un deuxième volet de guidage 19 associé à la deuxième lame de pliage 12, montés en s'étendant sensiblement verticalement au dessus du chemin principal 10, chacun juste en amont de la paire de rouleaux d'éjection pour la lame de pliage correspondante.

The folding module comprises, along the main path 10:

• first and second folding blades 11 and 12, mounted one after the other and extending above the main path 10, over its width,
• two pairs of rollers 13A, 13B and 14A, 14B one upstream and the other downstream of the first folding blade 11, along the main path 10, associated with this first folding blade and defining a pair of rollers feed and a pair of ejection rollers for this first folding blade,
• two pairs of rollers along the main path 10 which are also associated with the second folding blade 12, with the pair of upstream rollers 14A, 14B formed by the pair of ejection rollers for the first folding blade and defining a pair supply rollers for the second folding 12 and the downstream 15A, 15B defining a pair of ejection rollers for this second folding blade,
• a first deflector flap 16 associated with the first folding blade 11 and a second deflector flap 17 associated with the second folding blade 12, mounted under the main path 10 along which each of them extends downstream of its blade folding but remains upstream of the pair of ejection rollers for the folding blade in question,
• a first guide flap 18 associated with the first folding blade 11 and a second guide flap 19 associated with the second folding blade 12, mounted extending substantially vertically above the main path 10, each just upstream of the pair of ejection rollers for the corresponding folding blade.

A folder control circuit is carried by a control card 20 attached to one of the side flanges of the folding module (FIG. 3). It issues suitable control signals folding blades 11 and 12 and deflector flaps 16 and 17. Individual control mechanisms 21 and 22, for both of the folding blades 11 and 12, and 26 and 27 for both 'other of the deflector flaps 16 and 17 provide the corresponding commands from the control signals they receive. These individual control mechanisms are described below. For folding a document such as 30 by one or each of the folding blades 11 and 12 at which the document arrives, the deflector flap associated with the considered folding blade is controlled to intervene on the path main 10 and deflect the document passing under this folding blade against the guide flap also associated with this blade. This folding blade is then controlled transversely to the document deviated from the main path, according to a specific actuation mode giving it a speed, called longitudinal, parallel to the main path 10 and substantially equal to that of the document on the main path.

Photo-detectors ensure the detection of the passage of documents along the main path 10, in particular at the entrance to the folding module 1, at an intermediate point and at the exit. These photo-detectors are designated by the references 23 for that at the entry, 24 for that intermediate and 25 for that at the exit. Like the photo-detector 7 of module 3, they each consist of an emitting cell and a detecting cell distant from the relevant detection point to which they are coupled by optical fibers. These detection points along the path 10 are at known distances from the detection point defined by the photo-detector 7 which itself is at known distances from the various elements of the folder, along the main path 10, for the checking the operation of the folder.

In FIG. 1, the folding blades 11 and 12 are both shown in their so-called rest position, the deflector flaps 16 and 17 are shown in dotted lines in their so-called rest position for which they are outside the main path 10 and in solid lines in their so-called deflection position for which they are interposed on the main path. In FIG. 2, the deflector flaps 16 and 17 are only shown in their rest position, the folding blades 11 and 12 are on the other hand shown in solid lines in their rest position and in dotted lines in that of folding. It is further specified, opposite the blade 12 in its rest position, that FIG. 2 corresponds to an operating phase of the folder which directly precedes that illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this folding module 1, the rollers of the successive pairs of rollers are on either side of the main path 10 and come into pressure one against the other through the plate defining this main path. These pairs of rollers ensure the driving of each of the documents, for folding them or not as desired, and for their ejection. The pair of feed rollers for each folding blade defines, on the main path, a document feed path for that blade. The guide flap associated with each folding blade defines a secondary path for the folding blade in question on which the document to be folded is deflected by this blade. This secondary path is coupled to the main path 10, or more precisely to the document supply path for this folding blade, by the deflector flap associated with the folding blade considered, when the latter is interposed on the main path. The feed path and the secondary path, for each of the folding blades 11 and 12, are optionally designated below by the references of the pair of feed rollers and of the guide flap which define them, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 1, but more particularly to FIG. 2, where the folding module 1 is represented in a different operating phase, it can be seen that the first folding blade 11 is a simple blade whereas the second 12 is a so-called comparatively double blade which comprises a blade bearing this reference 12 which is identical to the folding blade 11 and a counter blade 32 whose profile matches that of the blade 12, for its abutment against the latter.

The folding blade 11 is profiled by presenting in general the shape of a golf club. It has a small bent lower leg 11A mounted on a handle 11B. The end portion of the small leg 11A extends, a short distance from the main path 10 and with a slight inclination on the main path, towards the pair of ejection rollers 14A, 14B. The handle 11B is straight, it extends slightly inclined on the vertical starting from the elbow of the small jamb. Opposite the small leg 11A, the folding blade has an upper end part 11C folded on the handle 11B and extending in the opposite direction from the end part of the small leg 11A. The concavity of the small lower leg of the folding blade 11 is turned towards the pair of ejection rollers 14A, 14B which is associated with this blade.

The folding blade 12 is identical to the folding blade 11. The counter blade 32 has a comparable profile, with a bent lower end portion, slightly shorter than that of the folding blade 12, and a folded upper end portion which s 'extends in opposite direction from the lower terminal part. Their parts have not been referenced.

The control mechanism 21 of the folding blade 11 comprises a cam 33, with a guide path 34, mounted on a control shaft 35. The cam 33 controls a pivoting lever 36 coupled to the folding blade 11.

This control mechanism 21 is specified with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Figure 3 shows that the aforementioned control cam is a double cam. It is formed by two discs 33A and 33B mounted eccentrically on a spacer shaft which is the control shaft 35. These discs are identical to each other and have the guide path 34 in their opposite faces.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that this guide path 34 is a groove looped on itself, which is eccentric on the control shaft 35. This groove defines two substantially circular opposite parts which are joined one to the other. 'other on each side, which are designated by the references 34A and 34B carried on the inner contour of the groove. Part 34A is centered on the control shaft; it corresponds substantially to a circular sector of 120 ° and defines the part for holding the folding blade 11 at rest. The part 34B has its center offset from the control shaft, on the side opposite to the part 34A. This part 34B corresponds to a circular sector of about 20 °. It defines the maximum advance position of the folding blade 11.

The parts 34A and 34B are joined by transitions 34C, which constitute the working parts of the cam, for putting the blade in the folding position and returning it to the rest position, produced at constant speed.

The grooves of the two discs 33A and 33B are identical; each of them ensures the guiding of a terminal roller 37 carried by the control lever 36. Like the cam 33, this lever 36 is double, it is constituted by two branches integral with the upper end part 11C of the folding blade , which extend transversely on either side of this upper end portion 11C, at one and the other of its ends. These two arms of the lever are identical to the only one visible in FIG. 2 which bears the reference 36 of the control lever. The end roller 37 carried by each branch is an idler roller held captive in the groove of the corresponding disc. Each of these branches is also, opposite the roller, mounted articulated about a fixed hinge pin 38.

The cam is rotatable in only one direction from its control shaft 35, when the latter is itself controlled. It then ensures in correspondence the maintenance at rest of the folding blade 11, by the part 34A of the groove 34, and the pivoting of the lever 36 and the actuation resulting from the folding blade 11, according to the opposite arrows 39A and 39B , by the parts 34C and 34B of the groove 34. Actuated according to arrow 39A the folding blade 11 passes from its rest position to that of folding, and according to arrow 39B from its folding position to that of rest.

The control mechanism 22 of the folding blade 12 proper is identical to the control mechanism 21 of the folding blade 11. This control mechanism 22 is therefore not described and its elements have not been referenced, in the except the control lever, identical to the control lever 36 for the folding blade 11, and its axis of articulation which are designated by the same references 36 and 38, respectively. The actuation of the folding blade 12 has also been illustrated by opposite arrows bearing the same references 39A and 39B as those illustrating the actuation of the folding blade 11.

The control of the control shaft 35 of the mechanism 21 is ensured through an individual clutch 40 coupling it to an individual drive pulley 41 (FIG. 3). The control of the control shaft 35 of the mechanism 22 for the blade 12 is ensured identically through another clutch. This other clutch, not shown, couples the shaft 35 of the mechanism 22 to its drive pulley 42 (FIG. 2). The pulleys 41 and 42, from which the drives for the folding blades 11 and 12 are provided, are coupled to each other by an endless toothed belt 43 for transmission. They belong with this toothed belt to the overall drive system of the various elements of the folder.

The control of each of the individual clutches such as 40 is ensured by the control circuit carried by the control card 20 (FIG. 3). Each command gives rise to a single rotation of the control shaft 35 concerned on itself.

For the desired convenient control of the counter blade 32 associated with the folding blade 12, a support 44 where the tab extends transversely on the upper end portion of the counter blade 32 at each of its ends and pivots around the hinge pin 38 of the control lever 36 of the folding blade 12. A spring 45 biases this support 44 for the application of the counter blade 32 against the folding blade 12, in particular when the latter is in its position rest and in the absence of a contrary order.

The counter blade 32 is actuated by the folding blade 12 which pushes it, when the folding blade 12 passes from its rest position to that of folding; the return of the counter blade 32 to the rest position is, on the other hand, deferred with respect to that of the folding blade 12.

The support 44 is coupled to a non-return mechanism of the counter blade 32 in its rest position, at the same time as the folding blade 12. This non-return mechanism, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a wheel 46 secured to the support 44 and centered on the hinge pin 38, which has a peripheral notch 46A, and a pawl 47 associated with the wheel. A spring 48 urges the pawl 47 to bear against the periphery of the wheel 46. The pawl 47 allows the free rotation of the wheel 46, anti-clockwise, during the passage of the counter blade 32, with the folding blade 12, from the rest position to the folding position. It engages in the notch 46A when the counter blade 32 arrives with the folding blade 12, in the folding position. On the other hand, it blocks the clockwise rotation of the wheel 46 and then opposes the action of the spring 45 to prevent the counter blade 32 from returning to the rest position at the same time as the folding blade. This deferred return of the counter blade 32 is shown in FIG. 2 in which the counter blade 32 is shown in solid lines in the folding position, where it has been placed by the folding blade 12, shown in dotted lines, and remains in this folding position then the folding blade 12, then in solid lines, has returned to rest; the counter blade is shown in dotted lines in its rest position against the folding blade 12 itself at rest, when its non-return mechanism has enabled it to return to the rest position.

This return of the counter blade 32 in the rest position, against the folding blade 12 already in this position, is triggered by a controlled electromagnet 49, the end piece of which is coupled to the pawl 47. This electromagnet 49 allows a pivoting of the pawl so that it escapes the notch 46A and allows rotation, clockwise, of the wheel 46. The control of the electromagnet is given by the control circuit carried by the card command 20 (figure 3).

This arrangement with a counter blade associated with the only second folding blade 12, serves to correctly maintain the document 30 having already received a possible first folding of the first folding blade 11, as is apparent from FIG. 2. It is not therefore in no way justified for the first blade.

The overall drive system for the various elements of the folding module 1 to which the pulleys 41 and 42 in particular belong and the toothed belt 43 for transmission which couples them is described with reference to this same figure 2. This system comprises, in addition, mounted on the same transmission shaft not referenced, a first transmission pulley 51, driving the belt 43, and a second pulley 52, driving the pulley 51. This second pulley 52 is coupled to pulleys 53A, 54A and 55A drive rollers 13A, 14A and 15A, located above the main path 10, by an endless belt 56A. A pair of pinions 57A and 57B meshed, mounted on the drive axes of the pair of rollers 13A and 13B, ensures the coupling of these two rollers located on either side of the main path 10. The pinion 57B is itself even driven by a pulley 53B on the same shaft as this pinion, and a driving belt 56B. The belt 56B couples the pulley 53B to analogous pulleys for driving the shafts of the rollers 14B and 15B. Tension pulleys not shown are associated with the belt 56A, as with the belt 56B.

Figure 7 shows that the belt 56B drives a pulley 58 and is driven by a drive pulley 59; the latter is itself driven by a motor not shown, mounted in the lower part of the folder or of the equipment. together, from which is obtained the drive of all the elements of the folder, according to their order. A pair of pinions, 58A on the shaft carrying the pulley 58, and 58B in engagement with the pinion 58A ensures the drive of the elements of the input module 3 from the aforementioned motor. Similarly, a pair of pinions, 59A, 59B, one coupled to the drive pulley 59 receiving belt 56B and the other in engagement with the pinion 59A, ensures the drive of the elements of the output module 4 and the machine to which it belongs with the elements of the folder. A second return pulley 56 receiving the belt 56B also allows the proper drive of the elements of the turning module.

The control mechanism 26 of the deflector flap 16 is described with reference to FIG. 1, in which it is shown in solid lines and in dotted lines for the rest and deflection positions of this deflector flap, respectively, and opposite the FIG. 2 in which it is shown for the sole rest position of the deflector flap 16.

The deflector flap 16 is carried by the shaft of the roller 13B. It has for this purpose two end tabs such as 60 ensuring keeping it free in rotation, on this shaft for its possible pivoting.

It is pivotally controlled by an electromagnet 61 and a control lever 62 coupled to the tip of the electromagnet. This control lever is articulated on a fixed axis 62A. It transmits the command it receives to the deflector flap 16 through an articulated link with a toggle joint, with lever 63 and coupling arm 64. The lever 63 has one of its ends articulated on the fixed axis 62A and is secured by this axis of the control lever 62, for the transmission of the command that the latter receives.

The other end of the lever 63 is articulated at 63A on one of the ends of the arm 64. The other end of the arm is articulated at 64A on a coupling tab 65 of the deflector flap 16, intermediate on this flap. Two stops 66 and 67 on either side of the arm 64 limit the movement of the arm 64 for setting and maintaining the deflector flap 16 in the rest position and in the deflection position. In FIG. 1, the control lever 62 has been shown in strong dotted lines, since offset from the lever 63 on the axis 62A, in the only position for which the deflector flap is in the deflection position; the lever 63 and the arm 64 are then in the position shown in solid lines, with the arm against the stop 66.

The electromagnet 61 is controlled or released, depending on whether the rest position or that of deflection of the deflector flap is the normal position chosen, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 61A. It then drives the levers 62 and 63 and the arm 64, as shown in FIG. 2, or shown in dotted lines for the single lever 63 and the arm 64 in FIG. 1. This electromagnet receives its command from the control circuit of the folder, carried by the card 20 (Figure 3).

The control mechanism 27 of the deflector flap 17 is identical to the control mechanism 26 of the deflector flap 16. It is therefore not described below and its elements are not referenced. The control of its electromagnet is also ensured by the control circuit of the folder.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is noted that the deflector flaps 16 and 17 which are identical and extend over the width of the main path 10, have a profile having several folds. Was carried in Figure 2, on the deflector flap 17 at rest, and in Figure 5 showing this deflector flap 17, the successive parts defined by the folds. This deflector flap 17 has a first part 17A, carrying on either side of it the hooking tab and the flap coupling tab, which extends along the main path 10 with a slight inclination, a second part 17B slightly folded down on the first towards the main path, a third part 17C and a fourth end part 17D slightly folded one on the other and having inclinations close to those of the first part and of the second, respectively.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the end portions 17D and 17C are made crenellated by a series of cutouts 17E. These are the only crenellated end portions 17D and 17C which are interposed through the main path 10, when the deflector flap is in the document deflection position.

These folds allow a deviation substantially at right angles to the document, from the main path to the secondary path, with an arcuate transition, of short length, on the document obtained by the two parts 17C and 17D of the deflector flap interposed through the main path. They also allow the deflector flap to travel between its rest and deflection positions in a small space in front of the pair of ejection rollers and contribute to the small footprint resulting from the folder.

The turning module 2 represented in FIG. 1 associated with the folding module proper 1, comprises, two pairs of belts 70 and 71 defining between them downstream of the roller 15A an arched path above the main path 10, for turning any folded documents.

A pair of rollers 72A and 72B on either side of the main path 10 feeds the turning path or the output module 4. A deflector flap 73 is mounted below the main path 10, and downstream of the rollers 72A and 72B . It is ordered by a control mechanism 74 between a rest position shown in dotted lines and a folded document reversal position, shown in solid lines. It leaves free passage to the folded document on the main path 10, downstream of the rollers 72A and 72B, in its rest position. By cons, it is interposed in the main path and forces the document from the rollers 72A and 72B in the turning path, in its turning position.

Belts 70 and 71 are endless belts. The two belts 70 are the innermost in the folder; they are stretched between the roller 72A, an input pulley 75 in the turning module 4, an upper pulley 76 mounted substantially in line with the pulley 75 and other tension pulleys shown but not referenced. The belts 71 are those outside in the folder and come opposite the belts 70; they are mounted tensioned between a lower pulley 77 downstream of the roller 72A, an upper pulley 78 which is above the pulley 75 and tension pulleys shown but not referenced.

The turning deflector flap 73 extends along the width of the main path. In section, its profile has a linear part 73A, which constitutes the support for the shutter, and an arcuate part 73B folded over the linear part on the side of the rollers 72A and 72B, which constitutes the shutter itself. The concavity of the arcuate part 73B faces the rollers 72A, 72B. It is pivotally mounted around a fixed articulation axis 80 by two end tabs 73C on its linear part 73A.

Its control mechanism 74 is shown in dotted lines and in solid lines, opposite the two positions it gives it. It comprises a control electromagnet 81, the endpiece of which is coupled to a control lever 82 shown in strong dotted lines for the sole reversal position of the flap 73. This control lever is articulated on a fixed axis 82A. It transmits the command it receives to the flap 73, by a toggle link, lever 83 and arm 84, which couples the return flap to the control lever 82.

The arm 84 is articulated on an intermediate point of the legs 73C and on the end of the lever 83, itself articulated with the control lever on the axis 82A. Two stops 86 and 87 limit the possible movement of the arm 84 on one side and the other.

The electromagnet 81 receives its command from the control circuit of the folder, the arrow 81A illustrates the command that it transmits to the lever 82 for putting the flap 73 from its rest position to that of turning. The operation of this mechanism is analogous to that of the control mechanisms 26 and 27.

When the deflector flap 73 is in the inversion position, its folded arcuate part 73B couples the main path to the inversion path. This arcuate part disappears below the main path 10 when the turning deflector flap 73 is in the rest position.

FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically the drive of the rollers 72A, 72B and of the belts 70 and 71, provided from the pulley 56. A controlled selective coupling shown diagrammatically by a link 79 and described with reference to FIG. 6 ensures the drive in a either direction of the roller 72B from the pulley 56. A coupling by a gear shown diagrammatically by a link 88 ensures the drive of the roller 72A and the belts 70 from the roller 72B; a chain coupling shown diagrammatically by a link 89 drives the belts 71 from the roller 72 B.

The drive system further comprises a coding wheel 50, also seen in FIG. 3, which is mounted on the shaft of the roller 14B. This coding wheel 50 is for example at 100 small regular peripheral openings, not shown, which are detected by photoelectric cells 50A giving the successive angular positions of the wheel and defining the synchronous main clock of the drive for the control circuit of the universal folder.

The overall arrangement of the folding and turning modules and also defined with reference to FIG. 7.

From this figure 7 we see that the folding module 1 and the turning module 2 are one like the other opening to allow free access to the main path or the turning path and remove any jams that may occur there.

The folding module 1 is formed by an upper part 1A and a lower part 1B. To the upper part belong the upper rollers 13A, 14A and 15B, the folding blades, their control mechanisms and the part of the corresponding drive system which have not been referenced. To the lower part belong the main path and the elements located under the main path, their control mechanisms and the corresponding part of the drive system. The upper part 1A is pivotally mounted around the axis of the roller 13A, to pivot from its normal position in which it is designated by 1A to an open position denoted 1A ′. Its opening is illustrated by the arrow 1C. The lower part 1B is fixed, as well as the main path not visible.

The turning module 2 is formed by an upper part 2A and a lower part 2B separated by the main path belonging to the lower part. This lower part 2B is fixed with the fixed part 1B of the module 1. The upper part 1A is partially opening according to arrow 2C; it is organized in a 2D fixed part to which the belt 70 of the turning path belongs, the innermost in the folder, the pulleys 75 and 76 and the roller 72A on which it is mounted, and in an opening part designated by 2E to which belong the other belt 71 of the turning path and its pulleys. This opening part is denoted 2E ′ in its open position, which is obtained by pivoting around the axis of the pulley 77 of the arm carrying the other pulleys relating to this belt 71. As a variant, the opening part may relate only to the upper part of the belt 71; its opening is then made by pivoting about the axis of the intermediate external pulley between the lower 77 and the upper 78. The opening according to this variant is sufficient for clearing the turning path, if necessary.

The assembly of the various elements, their control mechanisms and the drive system is specified with further reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Figures 3 and 4 in particular taken opposite the figures 1 and 7, show, or make it understood, that the elements belonging to the fixed parts of the modules 1 and 2 and their control mechanisms are mounted between two fixed flanges, one 90 said front and the other 91 said rear interior.

These flanges 90 and 91 are in L-shaped lying, the small legs of which are vertical, over the height of the turning module 2. They carry between them, by non-referenced ball bearings, the shafts of the different rollers of the fixed parts.

These shafts are fixed and designated by the numerical reference of the roller concerned accompanied by the letter F, with the exception of the shaft of the roller 72A designated by 72M, which is said to be mobile and has with its ball bearing vertical play possible in the flanges 90, 91. The elements belonging to the pivoting upper part of the module 1 are mounted between two upper flanges, one 92 before like the flange 90 the other inner rear 93 like the flange 91, to which they correspond when coming s 'recessed in their L-shaped profile. They bear between themselves by ball bearings not referenced the shafts of the rollers 13A, 14A and 15A concerned, as well as the control shafts of the folding blades. The shafts of these latter rollers are also mobile, with their ball bearings, to present a possible vertical clearance on the flanges 92 and 93, and are designated by the references 13M, 14M and 15M, respectively. The mounting of these movable shafts is carried out identically at each of their ends using an element forming a cage 94 containing the ball bearing elastically urged by a spring 95 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). This arrangement allows the rollers of each pair, the upper roller of which is movable while the lower roller is stationary, to be pressed against each other, while accepting between them different successive multiple documents, folded or not according to the case, which have widely varying overall thicknesses.

The main path 10 defined by a plate is carried by the fixed flanges 90 and 91. It has series of windows such as 10A into which the terminal parts of the different deflector flaps concerned are inserted when these are ordered.

The rollers mounted between these flanges 90 and 91 or 92 and 93 are with alternating smooth and striated strips, for the rollers 14A, 14B and 15A and 15B. The rollers 72A and 72B are on the other hand smooth, they receive slightly recessed on their periphery the belts 70. The rollers 13A and 13B, at the input of the module 1, are not strictly speaking rollers, they are formed simply by two pairs pebbles on the 13M and 13F shafts.

The folder drive system is mounted between the flange 91, or a small fixed flange 96 and an outer fixed flange 97, for the fixed part of the folding module and for the turning module. It is mounted between two other movable flanges 98 and 99, similar to the flange 93 on which they are secured at the rear by spacers 98A, for the movable part of the folding module. The aforementioned small fixed flange 96 corresponds substantially to the only small vertical leg of the L-shaped profile of the flange 91, to which it is secured by spacers 96A; the fixed flange 97 is L-shaped with its small vertical truncated leg.

These flanges 96 and 97 on the one hand and 98 and 99 on the other hand carry between them fixed shafts noted 13E, 14E, 15E and 72E for the rollers 13A, 14A, 15A and 72A whose shafts with possible vertical clearance are movable . These drive shafts and the movable shafts 13M, 14M, 15M and 72M are connected for each pair of shafts, through a permanent coupling element 100, allowing the two shafts connected a latitude of misalignment. Such an element is for example that known under the name of seal "OLDHAM", having two tongue hubs, mounted on the shafts to be connected and a central coupling disc with groove on each face, perpendicular from one face to the other. .

The flange 91 or the flanges 91 and 97 carry the fixed shafts of the rotating elements such as the rollers 13B, 14B and 72B and the pulleys 75 and 77 in particular.

In one and / or the other of these Figures 3 and 4, we see the pinions 57A and 57B of the folder drive system, which are mounted on the shafts 13E and 13F and ensure the coupling of rollers 13A and 13B. We also see the pulleys 53A, 54A, 55A on the shafts 13E, 14E and 15E which ensure by the belt 56A the coupling of the rollers 13A, 14A and 15A. A pinion 88A, which belongs to the coupling shown diagrammatically by the connection 88 of FIG. 7, is carried by the shaft 72E for the roller 72A. Another pinion 77A is carried by the fixed shaft 77F of the pulleys 77, and receives a chain 89A, which belongs to the coupling shown diagrammatically by the link 89 in FIG. 7.

The part of the drive system comprising the pulleys, such as the pulley 41 visible in FIG. 3, driven by the belt 43, which is assigned to the drive of the cam control shafts 33, is mounted between the movable flanges 99 and 93, with individual clutches such as 40.

These same Figures 3 and 4 also show that the rear movable flanges 93, 98 and 99 are mounted directly pivoting about the axis of the fixed drive shaft 13E relating to the roller 13A. A connecting finger 13D is mounted between a support flange 92A secured to the front movable flange 92 and a lug 90A secured to the fixed front flange 90 and extending opposite the support flange 92A. This finger 13D is aligned with the shaft 13E with which it defines the axis of rotation for the pivoting of the upper part of the folding module.

The front fixed flange 90 further carries, at its upper part, a keyboard 120. This keyboard allows the operator to define the positions of the desired folds and thereby the mode of folding, zigzag or rolled, of the documents. It is coupled, like the various detection cells, to the control circuit of the folder, for the entry of these positions in the control circuit.

In FIG. 3, the coding wheel 50 further driven with the drive system of the folder has been shown. It is mounted at the end of the fixed shaft 14F of the roller 14B, at the front of the front fixed flange 90, so as to be between this flange and the card 20 carrying the control circuit. The detection cells 50A associated with this coding wheel are coupled to the control circuit of the card 20.

It is specified, although not illustrated that the coding wheel is at a given number, chosen equal to 100 for example, small peripheral openings equidistant from each other whose detection translates the successive angular positions of the wheel and defines a main clock H Of course, a higher number of openings can be chosen, but advantageously this number remains limited to a relatively low value to avoid an excessively high production cost.

The selective coupling produced between the pulley 56 and the roller 72B, shown diagrammatically by the link 79 in FIG. 7 is described with reference to FIG. 6. It is of the switch type produced through two disc clutches 101 and 102, the one or the other allows the drive in one direction or the other of the roller 72B.

The shaft 56C of the pulley 56 driven by the belt 56B is carried by the fixed rear flanges 91 and 97 and the fixed front flange 90. It constitutes the control shaft for the roller 72B. It carries on the one hand one of the clutches, 101, which ensures its coupling to a first pinion 103, and on the other hand a second pinion 104 which it drives directly. The shaft of the roller 72B carries in correspondence a first pinion 105 integral with this shaft and the second clutch 102 which ensures its coupling to a second pinion 106. The second pinions 104 and 106 are directly engaged. The first pinions 103 and 105 are engaged by an intermediate pinion 107. The clutch disc 101 has a stop notch 108 with which a rotation stop 109 cooperates. In a comparable manner on the clutch disc 102 a notch 110 cooperates with a rotation stop 111.

Clutches 101 and 102 are magnetic clutches. They are both controlled by the folder control circuit. The clutch 101 being controlled, the coupling between the shaft 56C and that 72F of the roller 72B is carried out through the three pinions 103, 107 and 105, the shaft of the roller 72B is then driven in the same direction as the shaft 56C. The clutch 102 being the only one controlled, the drive of the shaft of the roller 72B is carried out through the two pinions 104 and 106 and its rotation is in direction opposite to that of tree 56C.

The notches 108 and 110 with their rotation stop 109 and 111 allow the immobilization of the winding part of the clutches.

In Figure 6, we also see on the shaft 72F of the roller 72B, a pinion 88B engaging the pinion 88A (Figure 4) and defining with it the coupling between the rollers 72B and 72A. We also see a pinion 77B receiving the chain 89A (FIG. 4) and ensuring the coupling between this roller 72B and the pulleys 77 for driving the belts 71.

The control circuit of the universal folder according to the invention, carried by the control card 20 (Figure 3) is specified below. It has not been illustrated because it is essentially built around a control microprocessor coupled to memories and counters with which a processing unit is associated. The memories are themselves coupled to the input keyboard 120 shown in FIG. 3, to receive the input data defining the desired folding mode, in zigzag or rolled, for the documents to be processed. The counters are triggered by the photodetector 7 (FIG. 1) of the input module 3 and are incremented or decremented by a clock H synchronous with the advance of the documents and essentially originating from the coding wheel 50 (FIG. 7).

The states of the counters detected and compared with stored reference values trigger the appropriate commands of the folder.

The organization of this control circuit is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and in FIG. 10 described below.

Figures 8 and 9 are given with reference to Figure 1 to illustrate the essential stages of operation of the universal folder, for a zigzag document folding mode and a rolled folding mode.

In these two figures, the main path 10 of the folding and turning-over modules 2 is illustrated at a, to which the path 5 of the input module 3 and the path 8 of the output module 4 are coupled. On these paths we have shown, substantially at their respective positions marked in millimeters for a preferred embodiment, the four pairs of rollers simply denoted 13, 14, 15 and 72 on path 10 and the photodetectors 7, 23, 24 and 25 along the paths. The deflector and turning flaps and the first and second folding blades have not, however, been shown. The positions of the lower ends of the folding blades facing the main path 10 have also been identified, they are designated by the references 11 and 12 of the blades and noted on the path 10 for their rest position.

In a, paths 5, 10 and 8 are shown free of any document and the rollers already driven. We are in an initial stage of operation from which the actual stages of operation are given.

The step illustrated in b, shows a document 30 received on path 5 of the input module 3. In this document, P1 has designated the position of the first desired folding and P2 that of the second desired folding, which were previously defined and entered by the keyboard in the memories of the folder control circuit, and by 30A the upper edge of the document and 30B the lower edge. The document 30 received is detected by the photodetector 7 which authorizes its advance provided by the cleat 6 hitherto awaiting document transfer; We are at the time noted TO at the start of the folding cycle of this document; from TO are defined in time expressed in milliseconds and for a rate of 5000 documents per hour, the following stages of this cycle and successive cycles such as T1 for the following document.

It is noted, from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, opposite the positions of the first and second folds indicated on the document in step b, that these positions are reversed depending on whether the desired fold is zigzag or rolled.

The step illustrated in c translates the detection of passage of the lower edge 30B of the document pushed by the stopper 6, which is carried out by the photodetector 7. This detection is taken into account by the counters of the control circuit, for their triggering. In this step c, the upper edge of the document is already engaged on the main path 10 whose deflector flaps are in the deflection position.

The step illustrated in d shows that the position P1 of the first desired folding is opposite the lower end portion of the first folding blade 11. Under these conditions, the part of the document between position P1 and its lower edge 30B is on the main path 10, the other part of the primed document is deflected into the secondary path associated with the first blade. This step d gives the start of the control of the first folding blade while the first deflector flap associated with it is in the process of passing to its rest position.

Step d of FIG. 8 also shows that the document, which is almost entirely in the folding module 1, is no longer advanced by the cleat 6 already stopped upstream of this module 1.

The step illustrated in e shows that the position P1 of the first folding has advanced and is between the pair of ejection rollers 14 associated with the first folding blade. Under these conditions, the lower end portion of this first folding blade, controlled with a longitudinal advance speed substantially equal to that of the document on path 10, advanced at the same time as the document. It is in the folding position from which it returns without waiting in the rest position.

The step illustrated in f translates that the first folding was carried out by the first blade, in position P1, and that the document in double thickness at the head, on P1, advanced beyond the ejection rollers 14 for the first folding and feeding blade for the second, and is already deflected by the second deflector flap in the secondary path for this second folding blade. After taking the document in double thickness on the first folding P1, the first deflector flap returns more or less early to the deflection position depending on the length of document remaining on the path 10. In step f shown, the position P2 of the second folding simultaneously advances towards the end portion of the second folding blade in the rest position, the second deflector flap associated with this second folding blade passing from its deflection position to its rest position.

Step f of FIG. 9 also shows that the cleat 6 is no longer driven and has stopped its action in advance of the document.

The step illustrated in g translates that the position P2 of the second folding is under the end portion of the second folding blade 12 still at rest. It is the beginning of the command of this second folding blade towards its folding position and of its advance, with the document and therefore the position P2 on the document, up to this folding position.

The step illustrated in h shows that the position P2 of the second folding is under the lower end portion of the second blade which has reached the folding position. The blade inserts, with position P2 at the head, the document under the ejection rollers 15 and returns to its rest position. The part of the document already folded in position P1 and which is in double thickness in the secondary path will substantially fold over P2.

The step illustrated in i translates the ejection by the rollers 15 of the document folded in a zigzag according to FIG. 8 or rolled according to FIG. 9. During this step i, the second folding blade is in the rest position; on the other hand, its counter-blade whose return to rest is deferred remains temporarily in the folding position and maintains the part already in double thickness in the secondary path of the second blade, to avoid its yawning and to ensure its certain grip and without false fold by the rollers 15.

At the end of step i, the folded document is delivered to the output module 4, either directly or after turning over in the module 2 suitably controlled by the circuit described with reference to FIG. 6.

The photodetectors 23, 24 and 25 mounted along the main path are used essentially in the control circuit for safe operation of the folder. In particular, they authorize the command of the controlled element, which is located directly downstream of them, only when a document presence is detected at their level; they block this command and stop the folder when a document is not detected. The photodetector 25 and / or other photodetectors in the turning module and the output module not shown, can be used to order a temporary stop of the documents, in order to adapt the rate of the folder to that of the downstream machine, if needed.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the progress of the successive steps b to i ensured by the control circuit has been identified over time in milliseconds. In practice, their progress is made synchronous with the real advance of the documents in the modules 1 to 4 and is controlled by the main clock H synchronous with this real advance, which is constituted by the aforementioned coding wheel 50 and the associated photodetector 50A ( Figures 7 and 3) and an auxiliary precision clock, denoted h, allowing a precision in the execution of the desired foldings significantly greater than that obtained by the only main clock H.

The progress of the successive steps, from step c to d for the first folding blade or from step c to g for the second folding blade is under the control of the main clock H originating from the coding wheel 50 ( Figures 7 and 3) and the auxiliary precision clock or associated quartz clock h, as shown in Figure 10 given opposite the control of only one of these folding blades.

In this FIG. 10, the clock signal H has been illustrated at a, the clock H delivers for example 100 pulses per revolution of rotation of the coding wheel 50, each pulse H corresponds to a constant document advance or not, by example of 1.13 mm. In b, the precision clock signal h is illustrated; its frequency is of the order of 10 times that of the signal H, this signal h is therefore illustrated by simple rods. In c, the signal for detecting the rear edge of the document has been illustrated by the photodetector 7 corresponding to step c of FIGS. 8 and 9. In d there has been illustrated the control signal for one of the folding blades, by example the first folding blade, according to step d of Figures 8 and 9. In e we illustrated the control of establishment of the control signal of the folding blade from clocks H and h, in the control circuit of the folding machine to obtain high bending precision by the folding blade which is controlled, for example a folding to 1 mm near the desired folding position. This control is carried out in three successive phases 1, 2 and 3 giving rise to the control signal for the folding blade. They are explained below:

- phase 1: called document detection phase.

This phase 1 is triggered by the detection of the rear edge of the document by the photodetector 7, which sets the counters for the clock H and the clock h to zero.

During this phase 1, h1 clock signals h are counted until the appearance of the first signal H1 of the clock H, then h2 clock signals h between H1 and the second signal H2 of the clock H The values h1 and h2 are memorized. The second value h2 corresponds to a step p of advance of the document. The second signal H2 of the clock H triggers phase 2.

- phase 2: said phase of downcounting of clock signals H.

de pas exécutée en phase 1 et une fraction restante à déterminer de pas à exécuter en phase 3, la somme de ces fractions de pas pouvant ou non excéder un pas complet.This phase is performed by counting down, at the rate H of the counter of H loaded for this phase 2 at a determined value P. This value P is established from the whole number Q of step ahead of the document over the known distance D separating the photodetector 7 of the end of the folding blade to be controlled.
This number Q corresponds to the equation:
D = Qp + R, where R is the remainder of the division performed.
The value of P is close to the value Q and deduced from Q according to:
P = Q - C where C is a constant, taking the value 2 or 3, translating on the one hand the complete step executed in phase 1 and a complete step planned for phase 3 and on the other hand the fraction $$\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}$$

of steps executed in phase 1 and a fraction remaining to be determined of steps to be executed in phase 3, the sum of these fractions of steps may or may not exceed one complete step.

- phase 3: so-called triggering phase of the folding blade control.

This phase 3 is triggered when the clock counter H loaded at P for phase 2 is reset to zero.

It is executed by counting a number h3 of clock signals h until the appearance of the first clock signal H3 in this phase 3, then by counting from H3 a calculated number h4 of clock signals h.

soit : $$\text{h4 = (}\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{) h3}$$

Lorsque $$\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}$$

est supérieur ou égal à o, alors C = 2
et h4 = h3 $$\text{(}\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{)}$$

Lorsque $$\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}$$

est négatif, alors C = 3 et
h4 = h3 $$\text{(}\frac{\text{p + R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{)}$$

soit : h4 = h3

This number h4, as well as the value 2 or 3 of C are determined by the processing unit of the control circuit, knowing that $$\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{=}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{+}\frac{\text{h4}}{\text{h3}}$$

is : $$\text{h4 = (}\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{) h3}$$

When $$\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}$$

is greater than or equal to o, then C = 2
and h4 = h3 $$\text{((}\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{)}$$

When $$\frac{\text{R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}$$

is negative, then C = 3 and
h4 = h3 $$\text{((}\frac{\text{p + R}}{\text{p}}\text{-}\frac{\text{h1}}{\text{h2}}\text{)}$$

either: h4 = h3

The detection of the number h4 of signals from the clock h triggers the control of the folding blade which is concerned. This control of the instant of triggering of the command makes it possible to obtain a folding precision of the order of a millimeter.

• la fiabilité de son fonctionnement,
• ses petites dimensions, 340 x 470 x 335 mm, sensiblement, pour les modules de pliage et de retournement rendus très compacts.
• la grande souplesse d'utilisation, avec un réglage par le clavier du mode de pliage ou de l'absence de pliage souhaité et des positions des pliages.

The universal folder according to the invention, described above has many advantages, among which, in addition to the high precision obtained, there may be mentioned:

• the reliability of its operation,
• its small dimensions, 340 x 470 x 335 mm, appreciably, for the folding and turning modules made very compact.
• the great flexibility of use, with an adjustment by the keyboard of the mode of folding or of the absence of desired folding and of the positions of the folds.

In addition, the universal folder according to the invention has the advantage accept multiple documents, regardless of the number of sheets making up successive documents, their dimensions and grammages, sheets of different formats and different grammages can be mixed to be folded together.

The universal folder according to the invention has been described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that one can, without departing from the scope of the present invention, make detailed modifications to it and / or replace certain means by other equivalent means.

Claims (24)

1. A general purpose document folding machine comprising in a folding module (1) means for advancing and ejecting documents and defining a main path (10), at least one folding blade (11, 12) on said main path, and means for actuating each blade transversely to a diverted document placed in front of it in order to fold the diverted document, characterized in that said main path (10) is a substantially linear one, with a deflector flap (16, 17) disposed on the main path and associated with each blade (11, 12) and actuated to move the documents to be folded out of the main path; and in that said advancing and ejecting means comprise a pair of feed rollers (13A, 13B; 14A, 14B) and a pair of ejector rollers (14A, 14B; 15A, 15B) for each blade (11, 12) mounted on the main path and being disposed on either side of the considered blade and having their rollers driven to advance documents along said main path; and in that it further comprises a guide flap (18, 19) also associated with each blade, mounted substantially transversely to the main path between the concerned blade and the pair of ejector rollers of said blade and coupled to the main path by said deflector flap (16, 17) associated with the concerned blade, when occupying the diversion position, thereby defining a secondary document path for said blade between the latter and the pair of ejector rollers which are associated with said blade, said actuating means (21, 22) of each blade being adapted to entrain the concerned blade substantially along the main path and at a speed referred to as longitudinal speed, which is substantially equal to the advance speed of the documents, in order to perform the folding of the diverted but still moving document and to insert it between the ejector rollers of this blade.
2. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of folding blades on said main path referred to as first and last folding blades disposed at the ends thereof, characterized in that the pair of ejector rollers (14A, 14B) associated with each folding blade (11), excepting the pair (15A, 15B) associated with the last folding blade (12), constitutes a pair of feed rollers for the folding blade that follows the concerned one.
3. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that each folding blade (11) extends transversely above said main path (11) according to the width of the latter, and has a golfclub-shaped profile in section comprising a curved shorter leg (11A) near and substantially parallel to said main path with its concave side facing towards the downstream end of the main path and being mounted on a substantially linear shaft (11B).
4. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said actuating means (21, 22) for each folding blade include a cam (33) mounted excentrically on a control shaft (35) and being coupled to a lever (36) which pivots on a fixed axis (38) which is in turn coupled to the considered folding blade for its control, said means further including a command coupling (40) coupling said control shaft to a drive mechanism (41, 42, 43) which is common to said folding blades.
5. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said profile of each folding blade (11) includes at the end opposite to the curved shorter leg (11A) an end portion (11C) bent relative to the shaft (11B) in the opposite direction to the curved shorter leg, to which said control lever (36) is coupled.
6. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said cam (33) is a grooved cam (34) defining a guide path for an idler roller (37) carried by said control lever (36).
7. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said cam (33) is a duplicated cam (33A, 33B) coupled to the control lever (36), which is also duplicated.
8. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said folding blades, except the first blade (11), are duplicated blades, each being constituted of a folding blade (12) and an associated folding counter blade (32).
9. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 8, characterized in that for each double blade the counter blade (32) has a profile substantially identical to that of the associated folding blade, for mating woth the concave side of said blade and being mounted pivotably on the articulation axis (38) of the corresponding folding blade via a support lug (44) and being coupled to said folding blade (12) in order to be actuated with said folding blade from its rest position to the folding position.
10. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises an individual mechanism (44-49) coupled to each counter blade for blocking the concerned folding counter blade in the folding position, which mechanism is actuated for unblocking but opposes to the returning of the counter blade into its rest position in the absence of an unblocking command.
11. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said blocking mechanism of the folding counter-blade (32) comprises a wheel (46) having peripheral notches (46A) and being fastened to said counter-blade (32) and free to rotate on said articulation axis (38), a pawl (47) locked in the notch (46A) when the folding blade and the counter-blade occupy the folding position to prevent said counter-blade from returning to its rest position, and a controlled solenoid (49) coupled to said pawl (47) for unlocking the wheel (46).
12. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the means (26, 27) for actuating each of the deflector flaps (16, 17) comprise a solenoid (61) for actuating said concerned deflector flap and being coupled to an actuator lever (62, 64) for said deflector flap, with the lever being in turn coupled to said deflector flap via a knuckle joint linkage (64, 66, 67) which defines the limiting rest and diversion positions of the deflector flap.
13. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said deflector flap (16, 17) is mounted pivotably via a terminal lug (60) at one of its ends on the axis of the corresponding roller which belongs to the pair of feed rollers (13A, 13B, 14A, 14B) of the respective folding blade (11, 12) downstream of which it extends beneath the main path, and that at least the terminal portion (17C, 17B) of its opposite end is bent towards said main path.
14. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the folded and terminal portion (17C, 17B) of said deflector flap has cut-outs (17E) making the flaps crenelated, and said main path (10) has windows (10A) in front of the terminal crenelated portion of each deflector flap, and disposed in a staggered manner relative to said cutouts (17E).
15. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 4 to 14, characterized in that it further includes a module (2) for turning over the documents and coupled to said pair of ejector rollers (15A, 15B) of the last folding blade (12), comprising a pair of feed rollers (72A, 72B) mounted on each side of the main path, an arcuate overturning path fitted with means (70, 71) for entraining the documents and extending above the main path and downstream of said pair of feed rollers (72A, 72B), and an overturning flap (73) actuated by an associated mechanism (74) between a diversion position and a rest position in interposing itself to this effect on the main path (10), or not, and in linking the main path up with the overturn path, or not.
16. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the actuating mechanism of the overturn flap comprises a solenoid (81) coupled to an actuating lever (82, 83) which in turn is coupled via a knuckle joint linkage (84, 86, 87) to said overturning flap while extending downstream of the pair of feed rollers (72A, 72B) of said overturning module (2) and being mounted pivotably under the main path (10).
17. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the shafts (13A, 14A, 15A, 72A) located on a same side of the main path (10) are mounted in leaving an elastic play relative to the shafts of the rollers (13B, 14B, 15B, 72B) located at the other side of said principal path, with the shafts being referred to as movable shafts (13M 14M, 15M, 72M) and fixed shafts (13F, 14F, 15F, 72F), respectively.
18. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 17, characterized in that said movable shafts (13M, 14M, 15M, 72M) of the rollers are coupled by the intermediary of permanent coupling joints (100) to fixed individual drive shafts (13E, 14E, 15E, 72E) which in turn are coupled to one another and to the fixed shafts (13F, 14F, 15F, 72F) of the rollers by the intermediary of a common drive mechanism (56A, 56B, 56, 59) for all of said roller pairs.
19. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a control device for selecting the direction in which said pair of feed rollers (72A, 72B) of said overturning module is rotated by said common drive mechanism (56A, 56B, 56, 59), and including two controlled couplings (101, 102) adapted to couple, via an even number of pinions (104, 106) as to one of the clutches, and via an odd number of pinions (103, 105, 106) as to the other one, the fixed shaft (72F) of the roller of said pair of feed rollers of the overturning module to the drive shaft (56C) of said common drive mechanism.
20. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that said folding module (1) is constituted on either side of said main path of a fixed lower part (1B) comprising said main path (10) and one roller of each pair of rollers, and an upper part (1A) mounted pivotably about the drive shaft (13E) of the other roller of the first pair of rollers on said main path, and in that said overturning module (2) comprises a pair of belts (70, 71) defining said arcuate overturning path, at least one (71) of said belts being at least partially pivotable to open said overturning path.
21. A general purpose folding machine according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a control circuit including a microprocessor implemented on a control circuit board (20) and, on the one hand, connected to a data access keyboard (120) defining the folding positions to be occupied by the successive folding blades, and on the other hand connected to the individual command clutches (40) of said folding blades (11, 12), to the individual command solenoids (61, 81) of said deflecting flaps (16, 17) and to said overturning flap (73) for their respective controls, said control circuit being driven by a first photosensor (50A) coupled to an encoder disk (50) fastened to said common drive mechanism (56A, 56B, 56, 59) of the roller pairs and defining a first clock (H) synchronized to said common drive mechanism representing successive steps of advance of the documents along the main path, and by a second photosensor (7) located at a particular point on an entry path (5) to said folding module (1) to detect the passage of said documents at said point by triggering the counting of a number P of signals of said first clock (H) representing substantially in terms of steps of advance the distance between said point and each of the said folding blades.
22. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 21, characterized in that said number P is chosen to be at least one less than a maximum number Q of advance steps of said documents from said point to each folding blade.
23. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 22, characterized in that said control circuit further comprises a second clock (h) at a frequency higher than that of said first clock (H), whose counting of signals is triggered on the one hand by said second photosensor (7) and runs at least until the occurence of the first signal from the first detected clock (H) and gives rise to the detection of a first number h1 of signals from said second clock (h), and is triggered, on the other hand, by the detection of P signals from the first clock H delivered until the occurence of a second number h4 of signals from said second clock, the sum of numbers h1 and h4 representing the fraction of advance steps but one of said documents which exceed the maximum number Q and expressed by the second clock (h) relative to the first clock (H).
24. A general purpose folding machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said control circuit further ensures the counting of signals from the second clock (h), on the one hand, occuring between said first signal and the next one of said first clock (H), and between the P^th signal and the next one of said first clock (H), on the other hand, giving rise to the detection of a third number h2 and of a fourth number h3 of signals from the second clock (h), respectively, said fourth number h3 being detected before said second number h4, the counting of which is delayed by a signal of the clock (H) starting from said P signals, the sum h1/h2 + h3/h4 representing to the nearest unit said fraction of advance steps of said document.

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