EP0415077A1 - Folding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved folder includes a first folder (72) which forms a first fold in sheet material along its path. A second folding device (78) forms a second fold in the sheet material, which extends transversely to its career. A third folding device (86) forms a third fold in the sheet material, the first and third fold now extending along its path through the third folding device and the second fold on a front edge part of the sheet material. While the three folds are being formed, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folding means without stopping. The third folding device (86) comprises an arrangement of upper and lower bands (124, 152). This arrangement of tapers tapers from a wide inlet part to an outlet part of the third folding device. The arrangement of upper and lower bands keeps areas on either side of the third fold flat on a horizontal plane while the sheet material is gripped by the bands. A stacking device (102) stacks the folded signatures obtained from the third folding device into a stack, the main part of the signature side surfaces being in an upright orientation and the third fold pointing downward against a supporting surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus which forms folds in sheet material.

It was obvious to use a folder in the U.S. Patent No. 2,039,335 to build the manner disclosed. This folder includes a sword folder. Through contact with a stopper, an arc is aligned in register with the sword folding device in relation to a movable knife. The folder is thus interrupted by the folder. Of course, an interrupted sheet run through the folder adversely affects the high operating speed of the folder.

It was also obvious to use a folder in the U.S. Patent No. 200,838 to build the manner disclosed. In this patent, sheet material coming from a printing machine is gripped by a gripper which is connected to a belt. As the sheet material is moved by the gripper, a folding knife contacts it and it is gripped by a folding roller. The folding roller interacts with another roller to fold the sheet material. The sheet material is folded again by moving it between bands between an inner and an outer plate.

A further suggestion for the construction of a folder is given in US Patent No. 4,747,817. In this patent, a shingled stream of signatures moves between upper and lower conveyor belts, which alternately accelerate each signature. As the signatures are moved by the conveyor belts, they are folded down by a nose or a funnel on the opposite sides of the conveyor belts. The folded copies then run into a gap between a second pair of conveyor belts, which further develop or crimp the fold and change the orientation of the signatures from a vertical to a horizontal direction. The signatures are ejected from the second set of tapes in a lapped stream, which is reoriented or turned away from the original conveying path of the sheet material by 90 degrees.

Summary of the present invention

The present invention provides a new and improved folder which can be operated at relatively high speed to form multiple folds in sheet material. The folds are formed by a series of folder components through which the sheet material travels at a relatively high speed. The folded sheet material is stacked on edge using a stacking device.

The folder comprises a first folder, which forms a fold in the sheet material in the direction of its career. A second folding device forms a fold in the sheet material transverse to its career. Finally, a third folding device forms a fold in the sheet material again in the direction of its career. While the sheet material is being folded by the folding devices, it moves through them continuously and without stopping.

When the sheet material exits the last folder, the major portion of the opposing side surfaces of the sheet material is in an upright orientation and in this orientation the folded sheet material is stacked by a stacker.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 ist eine Draufsicht eines einzelnen Materialbogens vor dem Falzen;
• Fig. 2 ist eine schematische Darstellung von der Bildung eines ersten Falzes in einer Bogenmaterialbahn in Richtung seiner Laufbahn durch eine erste Falzeinrichtung;
• Fig. 3 ist eine schematische Darstellung der Fig. 2 entlang der Linie 3-3, welche die Bildung des ersten Falzes in der Materialbahn zeigt;
• Fig. 4 ist eine schematische Darstellung, welche die Bildung eines Falzes quer zur Laufbahn des Bogenmaterials durch die zweite Falzeinrichtung zeigt, nachdem die Materialbahn zur Bildung einer Signatur geschnitten worden ist;
• Fig. 5 ist eine schematische Darstellung, welche das Falzen des Bogenmaterials durch die erste und zweite Falzeinrichtung zeigt;
• Fig. 6 ist eine fragmentarische schematische Darstellung, welche das Falzen des Bogenmaterials durch eine dritte Falzeinrichtung zeigt;
• Fig. 7 ist eine fragmentarische schematische Darstellung des oberen vorderen Endteils des gefalzten Bogenmaterials in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 ist eine schematische Darstellung, welche die Art und Weise des Stapeln in einer Auf-Kante-­Orientierung des gefalzten Bogenmaterials in Fig. 6 zeigt;
• Fig. 9 ist eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung des in Fig. 8 gezeigten Stapels von gefalztem Bogenmaterial in einer Auf-Kante-Orientierung;
• Fig. 10 ist ein schematisierter Aufriß eines nach der vorliegenden Erfindung gebauten Falzapparats;
• Fig. 11 ist eine Draufsicht, generell entlang der der Linie 11-11 der Fig. 10, welche das Verhältnis zwischen der dritten oder letzten Falzeinrichtung und einer Stapeleinrichtung in dem Falzapparat der Fig. 10 darstellt;
• Fig. 12 ist eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Teils des Falzapparats der Fig. 10 und zeigt das Verhältnis zwischen einer ersten Falzeinrichtung, welche einen Falz entlang der Laufrichtung der Bogenmaterialbahn bildet, einem Schneidezylinder und einer zweiten Falzeinrichtung, welche einen Falz quer zur Laufbahn des Bogenmaterials bildet;
• Fig. 13 ist eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Teils der Fig. 10 und zeigt einen Apparat zum Bewegen von Bogenmaterial zu der und halberwege durch die dritte Falzeinrichtung;
• Fig. 14 ist ein schematischer Aufriß einer dritten Falzeinrichtung, welcher diese mit schwarzen Linien in normaler Betriebsstellung und mit gestrichelten Linien in erhobener Betriebsstellung darstellt, um so die Auflösung eines Staus oder die Wartung zu erleichtern;
• Fig. 15 ist eine Draufsicht, generell entlang der Linie 15-15 der Fig. 14, welche den Aufbau der dritten Falzeinrichtung weiter darstellt;
• Fig. 16 ist eine Teilansicht, generell entlang der Linie 16-16 der Fig. 15, welche das Verhältnis zwischen den oberen und unteren Rillriemen, einer Anzahl Auslagebänder und den inneren und äußeren Falztrichterwänden an einem relativ breiten Einlaufteil der dritten Transporteinrichtung darstellt;
• Fig. 17 ist eine Teilansicht, generell entlang der Linie 17-17 der Fig. 15, welche das Verhältnis zwischen den oberen und unteren Rillriemen, Auslagebändern und den inneren und äußeren Falztrichterwänden an einer Stelle vor einem Auslageteil der dritten Falzeinrichtung darstellt;
• Fig. 18 ist eine Teilansicht, generell entlang der Linie 18-18 der Fig. 15, welche das Verhältnis zwischen den Rillriemen und den inneren und äußeren Falztrichterwänden im Auslageteil der dritten Falzeinrichtung darstellt;
• Fig. 19 ist eine vergrößerte weitere Darstellung des Auslageteils der dritten Falzeinrichtung;
• Fig. 20 ist eine Draufsicht, generell entlang der Linie 20-20 der Fig. 19, welche das Verhältnis zwischen dem Auslageteil der dritten Falzeinrichtung und einer Auslage- oder Rillwalzeneinrichtung darstellt;
• Fig. 21 ist eine Seitenansicht, generell entlang der Linie 21-21 der Fig. 11, welche das Verhältnis zwischen der Rillwalzeneinrichtung und einer Stapeleinrichtung darstellt;
• Fig. 22 ist eine Draufsicht, generell entlang der Linie 22-22 der Fig. 21, welche das Verhältnis zwischen der Rillwalzeneinrichtung und der Stapeleinrichtung weiter darstellt;
• Fig. 23 ist eine vergrößerte Draufsicht, ähnlich der Fig. 22, welche den Aufbau der Rillwalzeneinrichtung weiter darstellt;
• Fig. 24 ist eine schematische Darstellung einer in den Stapeleinrichtungen der Figuren 21 und 22 verwendeten Schaufelradscheibe zum Stapeln des Bogenmaterials in einer Auf-Kante- oder Aufrecht-Orientierung; und
• Fig. 25 ist eine Teilansicht, ähnlich der Fig. 17, welche eine zweite Ausführung der Erfindung darstellt, worin zwischen die inneren und äußeren Trichterwände der dritten Falzeinrichtung ein Luftstrom hindurchgeleitet wird, um die Bewegung des Bogenmaterials zwischen den Trichterwänden zu erleichtern.

The above and other features of the invention are further illustrated by the following description of the accompanying drawings:

• 1 is a top view of a single sheet of material prior to folding;
• Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the formation of a first fold in a sheet material web in the direction of its path by a first folding device;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of Fig. 2 along line 3-3, showing the formation of the first fold in the web of material;
• Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the formation of a fold across the sheet material path by the second folder after the material sheet has been cut to form a signature;
• Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration showing the folding of the sheet material by the first and second folding means;
• Fig. 6 is a fragmentary schematic diagram showing the folding of the sheet material by a third folder;
• Fig. 7 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the upper front end portion of the folded sheet material in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the manner of stacking in an on-edge orientation of the folded sheet material in Fig. 6;
• 9 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the stack of folded sheet material shown in FIG. 8 in an on-edge orientation;
• Figure 10 is a schematic elevation of a folder constructed in accordance with the present invention;
• Fig. 11 is a plan view, generally along line 11-11 of Fig. 10, illustrating the relationship between the third or last folder and a stacker in the folder of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic illustration of part of the folder of Fig. 10 and shows the relationship between a first folder which forms a fold along the direction of travel of the sheet material, a cutting cylinder and a second folder which forms a fold transverse to the path of the sheet material forms;
• Fig. 13 is an enlarged schematic illustration of a portion of Fig. 10, showing an apparatus for moving sheet material toward and halfway through the third folder;
• Fig. 14 is a schematic elevation of a third folder showing it with black lines in the normal operating position and with dashed lines in the raised operating position so as to facilitate congestion resolution or maintenance;
• Fig. 15 is a top view, generally along line 15-15 of Fig. 14, further illustrating the construction of the third folder;
• Fig. 16 is a partial view, generally along line 16-16 of Fig. 15, illustrating the relationship between the upper and lower creasing belts, a number of delivery belts, and the inner and outer former walls on a relatively wide infeed portion of the third conveyor;
• Fig. 17 is a partial view, generally along line 17-17 of Fig. 15, showing the relationship between the upper and lower creasing belts, delivery bands and the inner and outer Represents former walls at a location in front of a delivery part of the third folding device;
• Fig. 18 is a partial view, generally along line 18-18 of Fig. 15, illustrating the relationship between the creasing belts and the inner and outer former walls in the delivery portion of the third folder;
• Fig. 19 is an enlarged further illustration of the delivery part of the third folder;
• Fig. 20 is a plan view, generally along line 20-20 of Fig. 19, illustrating the relationship between the delivery portion of the third folder and a delivery or scoring roller;
• Fig. 21 is a side view, generally along line 21-21 of Fig. 11, illustrating the relationship between the creasing roller device and a stacking device;
• Fig. 22 is a plan view, generally along line 22-22 of Fig. 21, further illustrating the relationship between the creasing roller device and the stacking device;
• Fig. 23 is an enlarged plan view, similar to Fig. 22, further showing the structure of the creasing roller device;
• 24 is a schematic illustration of a paddle wheel disc used in the stacking devices of FIGS. 21 and 22 for stacking the sheet material in an up-edge or upright orientation; and
• Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 17, illustrating a second embodiment of the invention wherein air flow is passed between the inner and outer former walls of the third folder to effect the movement of sheet material between the former walls facilitate.

Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention general description

Sheet material 30 (FIG. 1) is folded along a first fold line (see dashed lines along 32 in FIG. 1) and then along a second fold line (see dashed lines along 34 in FIG. 2). The second fold line 34 runs perpendicular to the first fold line 32. Finally, the sheet material 30 is folded along a third fold line (see dashed lines along 36 and 38 in FIG. 1). The folded sheet material can be used as is or cut to form a booklet or part of a book.

To fold the first fold 32, a web 40 (or a plurality of webs) is moved in the direction of the arrow 42 (FIG. 2) along a folding former 44. As the web 40 moves past the nose of the former 44, the fold 32 is formed in the web 40. The fold 32 (Fig. 3) extends in the running direction of the web 40, i.e. in the direction of arrow 42 in FIG. 2.

After the fold 32 is formed in the web 40, the web 40 is cut to form a segment or signature 48 (FIG. 4). The signature 48 is formed from a piece of material the size of the sheet material 30 in Fig. 1. Of course, the fold 32 will have been formed in the signature 48. A folding knife cylinder 52 and a folding jaw cylinder 80 cooperate in a second folding device to form the second folding 34, which extends through the second folding device perpendicular to the path of the signature 48. The second fold 34 thus extends perpendicular to the first fold 32 (see FIG. 5).

After the second fold 34, the signature is folded a third time, namely two folds 36 and 38 are formed simultaneously. The fold 36 is located outside the signature 48 (see FIG. 6) while the fold 38 is located directly above and within the fold 36. During the simultaneous formation of the folds 36 and 38, the signature 48 moves through the third folding device in the direction of an arrow 56 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Now the second fold 34 is located in a front edge part and the fold 32 in an upper edge part of the signature 48. The edges 58 and 60 of the sheet material 30 (FIG. 1) are located next to the fold 32 (FIG. 7). The opposite side surfaces of a signature 48 are in an upright orientation with their main part.

The folded signatures 48 are arranged in a stack 64 (FIGS. 8 and 9) in an up-edge orientation. Thus, the side surfaces of the signature 48 with their main part are in an upright and side-by-side position. As the folds 32, 34, 36 and 38 are formed in the sheet material 30, it continuously moves through the folding devices without stopping until it is in the stack 64. Thus, the sheet material travels from the continuous web to stack 64 without stopping at any point on its path. As a result, the signatures 48 can be quickly formed and placed in the stack 64.

10, a folder 70 is shown, which was built according to the present invention. This folder 70 has a first folder 72 in which the folder 32 is formed in the web 40. A cutting cylinder 74 cooperates with a folding knife cylinder 52 to cut the folded web into a plurality of segments or signatures 48 (FIG. 4).

In addition to the folding knife cylinder 52, the second or folding jaw device 78 has a folding jaw cylinder with grippers or second folding cylinder 80 (FIG. 10). The second folding cylinder 80 cooperates with the folding knife cylinder 52 to form the fold 34.

The signatures 48 can be conveyed from the second folding device 78 either onto a shingled stream delivery belt 84 or into a third folding device 86, depending on the position of a deflection switch 88. In one position of the deflection switch 88, the signatures 48, in which only the folds 32 and 34 have been formed, passed into a delivery wheel 92. The double-folded signatures 48 are stored in a shingled stream on a transport belt 94 by the delivery wheel 92.

If the signatures 48 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 are to be formed, the deflection switch 88 (FIG. 10) is set such that the signatures are fed into the third folding device 86 (FIGS. 10 and 11). The third folding device 86 deflects the signature material 48 upwards from a horizontal plane, where the folds 36 and 38 (FIG. 6) are formed simultaneously. The signatures 48 move from the third folding device 86 into a delivery or creasing roller device 100, which creases the signatures for the further formation of the folds 32, 34, 36 and 38 therein. The folded signatures 48 are output by the creasing roller device 100 to a stacking device 102, in which they are stacked in an up-edge orientation (FIGS. 8 and 9).

First and second folding device

The first folding device 72 (FIG. 12) forms the fold 32 in the web 40. Thus, when the web 40 moves over a funnel plate 44 of the known design, the fold 32 is formed in the web 40 in a known manner. The folded web 40 passes through the nip between a pair of pinch rolls or press rolls 108 and 110 which press fold 32. Then the folded web 40 runs into the nip between a pair of transverse perforating rollers 112 and 114. The rollers 112 and 114 form perforations in the web at certain intervals, which are transverse to the web and perpendicular to the fold 32. The perforations cause air to escape from the web and relax the web to facilitate the subsequent formation of the fold 34 along the perforations.

After the web 40 has left the nip between the perforating rollers 112 and 114, it runs into the nip of a pair of creasing rollers 116 and 118. Then the web moves into a nip between the cutting cylinder 74 and the folding knife cylinder 52. The cutting cylinder 74 has one Pair of cutting elements that cut the web 40 twice with each revolution of the cutting cylinder 74. The cutting cylinder 74 cooperates with the folding knife cylinder 52 to cut the length of the web to form the signatures 48, in the middle between the transverse perforations formed by the perforating cylinders 112 and 114. At this time, a signature 48 formed by the interaction between the cutting cylinder 74 and folding knife cylinder 52 has only a single fold, i.e. the fold 32 formed in the first folding device 72.

The folding knife cylinder 52 has piercing ends which hold the front end portion of the web 40 before it is cut by the cylinder 74. On the folding knife cylinder 52 are cutting irons which cooperate with the knives on the cutting cylinder 74 for cutting the web, while the front end part of which is held by the pins on the folding knife cylinder 52.

The folding knife cylinder 52 cooperates with a folding jaw cylinder 80 to form the second fold 34. One fold is cut across the signature, i.e. formed perpendicular to the course of the signature around the folding knife cylinder 52. The second fold 34 is formed when a fold knife on the cylinder 52 presses the sheet material into an open jaw on the jaw cylinder 80. Although any number of sets of pins, dies, and folding knives can be provided on the folding knife cylinder 52, in a specific case, the cylinder 52 has been provided with five sets of pins, five dies, and five sets of folding knives. The jaw cylinder 80 is smaller than the folder knife cylinder 52 and has only four sets of jaws. Of course, the jaw cylinder 80 could be provided with any number of jaws.

The folding knife cylinder 52 and the folding jaw cylinder 80 cooperate to successively form the folds 34 in the web where it has been perforated by the transverse perforating cylinders 112 and 114. The manner in which the folds 34 are formed across the signature 48 by the interaction of the folding knife cylinder 52 and folding jaw cylinder 80 is well known and is not described in detail here in order to avoid lengthiness.

The signatures 48 are recorded continuously. Thus, a signature 48 with folds 32 and 34 formed therein is captured between the jaw cylinder 80 and a plurality of upper belts while still being controlled by the jaw cylinder 80. The front end of the signature 48 is then grasped between lower delivery belts 126 and a number of upper belts 124, while the rear end of the signature is still held between the belts 124 and the jaw cylinder 80.

When the deflection switch 88 is raised, the signatures 48 are guided by the belts 124 and 126 into a gap between the delivery belts 128 and a belt drum 130. The delivery belts 126 and 128 capture the signatures 48 and transport them downward (as shown in FIG. 13) to the paddle wheel 92. The delivery paddle wheel 92 rotates counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 13) and stores the signatures in a lapped stream on the belt conveyor 94. Although the alternative is to design the signatures with only the two folds 32 and 34 in a lobed flow on a belt conveyor 94, this type of function of the folder 70 is not in itself a feature of this invention.

Third folding device

In the third folding device 86 (FIG. 11), the folds 36 and 38 are formed in the signatures 48, while these move from a wide inlet part 134 to an outlet or delivery part 136 of the third folding device 86 mentioned. In order that the folds 36 and 38, which are to run in the signature in the direction of their passage through the folding device 86, can be formed accurately, a creasing roller 140 (FIG. 12) interacts with a folding jaw cylinder 80 in order to creasing the signatures in the positions, where the folds 36 and 38 are to be formed. A second creasing roller 142 cooperates with the belt drum 130 (FIG. 13) in order to creasing the signatures 48 again in the positions where the folds 36 and 38 are to be formed. Certainly one of the creasing rollers 140 or 142, or both, could be dispensed with if desired.

The third folder 86 includes an array 146 of tapes (Figures 14 and 15). This arrangement 146 of tapes extends from the jaw cylinder 80 (FIG. 13) through the relatively wide inlet part 134 to the relatively narrow outlet part 136 (FIG. 15) of the folding device 86.

The assembly 146 of tapers tapers from the wide inlet portion 134 to the narrow outlet portion 136 of the folder 86. It should be noted that some of the tapes in the upper and lower portions (as shown in FIG. 14) of the tape assembly 146 15 have been severed to highlight the components of the folder 86 more. However, in the third folding unit 86, the ribbons in the upper part of the ribbon assembly 146 (as shown in FIG. 14) are generally a mirror image of the ribbons in the lower part of the array.

Belt assembly 146 includes a number of upper belts 124 and a number of lower belts 152 (Figures 13 and 14). The upper bands 124 capture the signatures 48 on the jaw cylinder 80 (FIG. 13). The upper belts 124 cooperate with the delivery belts 126 to securely grip the signatures 48 before they leave the jaw cylinder 80. While the signatures 48 move past the deflection switch 88 and these are still held between the bands 124 and 126, the bands 124 and 152 record the signatures.

The tapes 124 and 152 have the signatures 48 firmly under control during their movement to the inlet part 134 of the folding device 86. The tapes 124 and 152 grasp the signatures as they move to the exit portion 136 of the folder 86.

The upper bands 124 extend from the jaw cylinder 80 (Fig. 10) to the central portion of the third folder 86 so that they can remain in contact with the signatures 48 continuously. The lower belts 152 extend from a belt roll 156 (FIG. 13) into the third folding device 86 (FIG. 14), so that the devices are guided downwards to the delivery transport wheel 92 and belt transport 94 on the deflection switch 88 can. However, the conveyor belts 126 (FIG. 13) cooperate with the upper belts 124 to alternately securely grip the front end portion of each signature 48 while the rear end portion is held firmly against the jaw cylinder 80 by the upper belts 124. Thus, the upper belts 124 cooperate with the jaw cylinder 80, the conveyor belts 126 and the lower belts 152 to have a continuous firm grip on each signature from a position in the second folder 78 to the central part of the third folder 86. This ensures that the signatures 48 move in a controlled manner between the second folding device 78 and the third folding device 86.

In the third folder 86, the upper bands 124 (Fig. 14) cooperate with the lower bands 152 to form a flat base. Bands 124 and 152 keep the portion of signatures 48 between the upper and lower bands 124 and 152 flat on a horizontal plane. As the assembly 146 of upper and lower belts 124 and 152 tapers along the third folder 86 (Fig. 15), the flat, horizontal area of a signature that extends beyond a longitudinal centerline of the conveyor 86 decreases as it extends between the belt assembly 146 moved. Although the area of contact of the tapered assembly 146 of upper and lower tapes with the opposing major portions of the signature side faces 48 along the path of the signatures 48 through the third folder 86 is reduced, the portion of the signatures is still in contact with the tapered tape assembly 146 firmly grips the cooperating upper and lower straps 124 and 152 and is held flat by them on a horizontal plane

A pair of former hoppers 162 and 164 (FIG. 15) are arranged on the sides opposite the longitudinal centerline of the former 86. The fold formers 162 and 164 deflect parts of the signatures 48 upward on the sides opposite the fold lines 36 and 38. The folding formers 162 and 164 extend from the relatively wide inlet part 134 to the narrow outlet part 136 of the third folding device 86.

As a signature 48 is moved from left to right through the folder 86 (as shown in FIG. 15) and the area of the base formed by the belt assembly 146 is reduced, the formers 162 and 164 contact an ever increasing area of the signature. While the area of a signature 48 contacted by the fold formers 162 and 164 increases, the fold formers on the sides opposite the fold lines 36 and 38 gently deflect the signature upward.

When a signature 48 is moved from the upper and lower belts 124 and 152 (FIG. 14) into the relatively wide entry portion 134 (FIG. 15) of the third folder 86, the signature lies flat on a horizontal plane. The fold 34 forms the leading edge of the signature. The fold 32 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the third folding device 86 and in the direction of the signature through the third folding device.

As the upper and lower bands 124 and 152 move a signature to the right of the inlet 134 toward the third folder 86 (as shown in Fig. 15), the opposite outer edges of the signature come into contact with the former formers 162 and 164, which upwardly turn without permanently deforming the signature. As the signatures 48 move into the third folding device 86, the oblique course decreases the tapered array 146 of upper and lower bands 124 and 152, and the signatures come more and more into contact with the former formers 162 and 164 as the opposite sides of the signatures at the folds 36 and 38 are moved towards each other. The folds 36 and 38 are finally formed when the signatures 48 have moved through the third folding device and have left the outlet part 136.

At or shortly after the entry portion 134 of the third folder 86, upper and lower creasing belts 168 and 170 (Figures 14 and 16) come into contact with the opposite sides of the signature in the positions where the folds 36 and 38 are to be formed. The creasing belts 168 and 170 extend along the central axis of the folding device 86, from its inlet part 134 to its outlet part 136. The upper and lower creasing belts 168 and 170 maintain a firm grip on the folds 36 and 38 on the opposite sides of each signature 48 , before and after it moves past the end of the tapered assembly 146 of upper and lower belts 124 and 152. This results in the signatures moving in a controlled manner through the folding device 86, first under the influence of the belts 124 and 152 and then under the influence of the creased belts 168 and 170.

In addition to conveying the signatures 48 through the folder 86 in a controlled manner, the creasing belts 168 and 170 crease the signatures to be sure that the third folds 36 and 38 are formed at the desired location in the signature. To this end, the upper creasing belt 168 has a tapered nose 174 (Fig. 16) which cooperates with a groove 176 extending lengthwise in the lower creasing belt 170 to maintain a groove in the signature in a position where the folds 36 and 38 are to be formed, and around the Signature 48 to be prevented from a deviating movement with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the folding device 86.

The upper ribbons 124 have lower, horizontal surfaces forming strips which come into contact with the upper side surface of a signature in the third folding device 86. Likewise, the lower bands 152 have upper, horizontal surface band runs which come into contact with the lower side surface of a signature in the third folder 86, each against an upper band (Fig. 16). Thus, the signature is firmly captured between the horizontal lower runs of the upper bands 124 and the horizontal upper runs of the lower bands 152.

The upper belts 124 include a pair of belts 180 and 182 which extend around an upper roller 184 (FIG. 15). Likewise, a lower pair of belts 188 (FIG. 13) arranged opposite and aligned with the upper belts 180 and 182 extend around a lower roller 190.

A second upper pair of belts 194 and 196 (FIGS. 13 and 15) extend around an upper roller 198. Although the belts 194 and 196 extend across the roller 184 to the roller 198 (FIG. 15), an upper surface of the lower The belts of the belts 194 and 196 are contacted by the cylindrical outer surface of the roller 184 and the belts are positioned in the process. A lower pair of belts 200 (FIG. 13) cooperates with the upper pair of belts 194, 196, and both pairs extend around a lower roller 202 (FIGS. 13 and 15).

A third upper pair of belts 206 and 208 extends around a roller 210 and has a horizontal run which interacts with the run of a lower pair of belts 212 extending around a lower roller 216. At long last a middle pair 220 and 222 (FIGS. 13 and 15) of upper belts extends around a roller 224 which cooperates with a pair of lower belts 226 (FIG. 13). These lower belts 226 extend around a lower roller 228 (FIG. 13). The horizontal lower runs of belts 220 and 222 are positioned by the cylindrical surfaces of each of rollers 210, 198 and 184 in relation to the horizontal upper runs of lower belts 226. Likewise, the horizontal run of the lower pair of belts 226 is positioned in relation to the upper belts 220 and 222 by the rollers 216, 202 and 190.

The top creasing belt 168 (FIGS. 14 and 16) extends across the top rollers 198, 210 and 224. Therefore, these rollers are each provided with a central ring groove to receive the upper creasing belt 168, as shown in FIG. 17 for the roller 224. Likewise, the lower creasing belt 170 extends across the rollers 202, 216 and 228 (FIG. 13). Therefore, each of these rollers is also provided with a central annular groove 236 to receive the lower creasing belt 170, as shown in FIG. 17.

The two funnels 162 and 164 (FIG. 15) come into contact with the areas of the signature located on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the folding device 86. The contact of the funnels 162 and 164 with the material of the signatures increases as the contact of the tapered array 146 of tapes with the signatures decreases. The funnel 162 has an inner funnel wall 240 and an outer funnel wall 242. Between the inner and the outer funnel wall 240 and 242 there is a space 244 extending in length (FIG. 16). During the operation of the folding device 86, part of the signatures 48 moves through this space 244.

Inner funnel wall 240 has a vertical side portion 246 (FIG. 16) and a precisely curved lower portion 248. Similarly, outer funnel wall 242 has a vertical side portion 252 and a precisely curved lower portion 254. Vertical side portion 252 of outer funnel wall 242 extends parallel to the side portion 246 of the inner funnel wall 240. The curved lower portions 248 and 254 of the funnel walls 240 and 242 have different curvature diameters. Thus, the space 244 for receiving the signatures tapers from a relatively wide entrance between the lower side sections 248 and 254 into the relatively narrow space between the vertical side sections 246 and 252.

The funnel 164 has a configuration that is a mirror image of the funnel 162. Thus, the funnel 164 has inner and outer side walls 258 and 260, and a space 262 therebetween for receiving a portion of a signature.

As the two hoppers 162 and 164 converge along the longitudinal axis of the folder 86, the portion of a signature entering spaces 244 and 262 between the former sidewalls increases. As the funnel walls converge, their curved lower sections approach and merge into the vertical wall sections before they meet.

Merging the domed lower portions of the hopper walls 240, 258 and 260 with their vertical side portions causes the domed lower portions of the walls to have temporary conical shapes which are between the round configurations of Fig. 16 and a perfectly straight, vertical configuration in the outlet 136 extend from the former. Consequently the curved lower portion 248 of the inner sidewall 240 has a configuration in a region adjacent to the inlet portion 134 of the folder 86 (FIG. 16) which corresponds to a quarter of a circle. A connecting area, which forms a quarter of a cone, extends from an area immediately in front of the outlet part 136 (FIG. 17) into the outlet part of the folding device (FIG. 18). When the lower section 248 of the funnel wall 240 merges into the upper section 246, the lower section 248 of the inner side wall becomes vertically oriented (FIG. 18).

The configuration of the outer sidewall 242 of the funnel 162 changes in the same manner as the configuration of the inner sidewall 240 (FIGS. 16, 17 and 18). Thus, in the outlet from the funnel 162, the inner sidewall 240 is vertical and extends parallel to the outer sidewall 242. The smooth transition of the lower portions 248 and 254 of the inner and outer sidewalls 240 and 254 into a vertical orientation causes one part a signature in the funnel 162 is gently rolled into a vertical orientation. Once this is done, the inner sidewall 240 ends.

The lower portions of the sidewalls 258 and 260 of the former 164 merge with the upper portions in the same manner as the lower portions of the side walls 240 and 242 of the former 162. Thus, part of a signature in the former 164 is also gently rolled into a vertical orientation . Once this is done, the inner sidewall 258 ends.

The continuous top creasing belt 168 extends forward over a rear pulley or chain idler 268 (Figures 14, 15 and 16) over a lower front pulley or chain idler 270 (Figures 14 and 18). The upper creasing belt 168 then runs around an upper chain idler 272 back to the rear chain idler 268. It should be noted that, although the chain idlers 268 and 272 have been shown in FIG. 15, the top crease belt 168 has not been shown in favor of a detailed illustration of the components of the folder 86.

The upper chain idler 272 is driven by a motor 274 (FIGS. 15 and 18) to actuate the upper crease belt 168. The inner hopper side walls 240 and 258 (FIG. 18) abut supports 278 and 280, on which the lower, front grooved belt roller 270 is supported. This causes the portions of a signature 48 located on both sides of the fold 36 in the portions of the hoppers 162 and 164 adjacent to the forward creasing roller 270 to move as close as possible to one another.

The continuous lower creasing belt 170 is supported and driven in the same manner as the upper creasing belt 168. Thus, the lower creasing belt 170 runs forward about a rear pulley or chain idler 283 (FIG. 14) around an upper front chain idler 284, then around a lower chain idler 285 and back to the rear chain idler 283. This is driven by a motor (not shown) in the same manner as the chain idler 272 by the motor 274.

As best shown in FIG. 19, the inner wall 258 of the funnel 164 ends just behind the foremost part of the roller 270 and the creasing belt 168. The inner wall 240 of the opposite funnel 162 also ends next to the forward parts of the creasing belt rollers 270 and 272 (Fig. 20). While the inner hopper walls 240 and 258 terminate opposite the creasing belt rollers 270 and 272, the outer hopper walls 242 and 260 continue to extend forward past the rollers 270 and 272 (Fig. 20) to form an outlet opening 284 through which the folded ones Signatures 48 are expelled from the third folding unit 86.

Immediately in front of the lower grooved belt roller 270, a scraper or scraper device 288 (FIG. 19) is provided. This stripping device 288 has a center plate 292 (FIG. 20) attached to the longitudinal axis of the folding device 86 with a relatively long, vertically extending part 294 (FIG. 19) and a relatively short rear, horizontally extending part 296.

A pair of lower wipers 298, only one of which is shown in Figure 19, are attached to the sides opposite the center plate 292 and overlap the opposite sides of the creasing belt 168. The wipers 298 cooperate with the creasing belt and engage the interior of each Signature to detach it from the creased belt. A second pair of wipers or mounting plates 302 and 304 (Figs. 19 and 20) are mounted between the center plate 292 and the inner hopper walls 240 and 258 to cover the space between the outer ends of the inner hopper walls 240 and 258 and the vertically extending barrel of the Block creasing belt 168 (Fig. 19). It is contemplated that stripper 288 will contact the inner side surfaces of the signatures, thereby forming folds 36 and 38. In addition, the stripping device 288 detaches the signatures from the creasing belt 168.

If there is a jam at the outlet part 136 of the folding device 86, the folding device can be pivoted upwards by a pivot connection 308 (FIG. 14) and from a normal operating position (see the solid lines in FIG. 14) to a raised position (see the dashed lines in Fig. 14) are moved. When the folder 86 is in a raised position is located, the outlet or ejection part 136 is easily accessible for clearing a traffic jam. A piston and cylinder motor 312 is provided for moving the folder between the lowered position (see solid lines in Fig. 14) and a raised position (see dashed lines in Fig. 14).

Creasing roller and stacking devices

After the folded signatures 48 have left the third folding device, they move into a creasing roller device 310 (FIGS. 21, 22 and 23). This device 310 comprises a plurality of pairs of creasing rollers which come into contact with opposite sides of a folded signature 48, press against the folds and form these definitely in the signature.

A first pair of creasing rollers 312 and 314 (FIG. 20) extend through recesses in the outer former walls 242 and 260. These creasing rollers 312 and 314 have a relatively short axial range, approximately 2.5 cm, and only arrive with the signature 48 a location next to the folds 36 and 38 (Fig. 6) in contact. This is because the fold 36 is still formed in the rear part of the signature 48 while its front end or its fold edge 34 moves into the gap between the creasing rollers mentioned. Therefore, the fold 34 does not extend exactly vertically upwards from the fold 36 at the front end of the signature. Here, the fold 34 is slightly beveled to the rear, so that the upper end of the fold 34 remains a little behind its lower end.

A second pair of creasing rollers 316 and 318 (FIG. 23) also have a relatively short axial range and come into contact with the front part of the signatures at locations next to the fold 36. At the time that the leading edge or fold 34 of a signature into a third pair of creasing rollers 320 and 322 (Fig. 23) is moved, the folds 36 and 38 are formed more completely. Creasing rollers 320 and 322 have an axial reach at least as long as the length of the signature leading edge or fold 34. Thus, creasing rollers 320 and 322 are able to press against folds 34 and signatures 48 as they move through the nip to groove one after the other. Now the fold 34 will be almost exactly vertical since most of the folds 36 and 38 will be formed.

A fourth and last pair of creasing rollers 324 and 326 also have an axial length corresponding to the length of the folded leading edge 34 of a signature. The creasing rollers 312, 316, 320 and 324 can either be moved towards or away from the creasing rollers 314, 318, 322 and 326 to adapt to different signature thicknesses and / or paper thicknesses. The creasing rollers of each pair are connected to each other so that both move together towards or away from the center line along which the signatures move while maintaining symmetry. Thus, when the creasing roller 312 moves away from the center line, then the creasing roller 314 also moves away from the center line. Likewise, the creasing roller 312 moves toward the center line as the creasing roller 314 moves toward it.

So that the folding devices 72, 78 and 86 (FIG. 10) can be actuated at a relatively high speed, the stacking device 102 stacks the signatures 48 in an up-to-edge orientation. Thus, the signatures 48 leave the third folding device 86 in an upright orientation and with downward folds 36 and 38. The stacking device 102 stacks the signatures in a side-by-side relationship, with the main part of the signature side surfaces in an upright and folds 36 and 38 in a downward orientation.

When the fold 36 is formed in the third folder 86, it extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the third folder. However, the stacking device 102 can stack the signatures 48 with the fold 36 in a plurality of orientations transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the third folding device 86. Although with the stacking device 102 the folded signatures 48 can be stacked in any orientation within the selected orientation range, the main parts of the side surfaces of the folded signatures are always upright and in abutting contact with one another. In addition, the signatures always rest on the outer fold 36.

The stacking device 102 comprises a paddle wheel device 332 (FIGS. 21 and 22). The paddle wheel device 332 receives the signatures 48 ejected from the folding device 86 and conveys them, with the main part of the signature side faces in an upright orientation, to a signature stack which is located on a storage belt 334. The paddle wheel device 332 presses the side surfaces of each signature successively against a signature stack located on the storage belt 334, the signatures 48 being in an up-edge position in a stack 64 (FIG. 8). Since the signatures 48 come from the folding device 86 in an up-edge orientation and are placed in a stack in this position, the stacking device 102 can stack the signatures quickly. If the orientation of the signatures were changed, e.g. if the signatures were deposited to form a shingled signature stream, the speed at which the stacker 102 would stack the signatures would be compromised.

The paddle wheel device 332 comprises a plurality of slotted disks 338 (FIG. 21) which are driven by a drive shaft 342 are rotated about a vertical axis 340. The disks 338 are fixedly connected to the drive shaft 342, but separated from one another at a sufficiently large axial distance so that wiping fingers 346 can enter the spaces between the disks 338. The wiping fingers 346 are attached to a vertically extending support arm 350. This vertical support arm 350 is connected to a horizontal bearing arm 352 (FIG. 22), which is rotatable about the central axis 340 of the drive shaft 342 in order to regulate the position of the wiper fingers 346 in relation to the paddle wheel disks 338.

Each paddle wheel disc 338 is provided with a plurality of involute slots 356 (FIG. 24) which extend axially through the disc. These slots 356, which are arranged vertically next to one another in the disks 338, form signature receiving pockets. When a signature leaves the creasing roller device 310 (FIG. 22), it moves with a fold 34 (FIG. 6) as a front end part into one of these pockets. The fold 36 on the lower signature part rests on a solid, round support plate 360 (FIG. 21) which is connected to the drive shaft 342 and rotates with the disks 338.

When a signature 48 is fed with the major portion of its side surfaces in an upright orientation into a pocket formed by a slot 356, the fold 34 at the front signature end moves into the radially innermost end portion of the pocket and the paddle wheel means 338 then rotates further counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 24. The signatures maintain the vertical orientation of the major portion of their side surfaces that they had when they left the third folder 86.

As the paddle wheel disks 338 rotate, the fold 34 comes along at the front end of a signature 48 the wiper fingers 346, which are located between the impeller disks. By contacting the front end 34 of the signature with the wiping fingers 346 while the paddle wheel assembly continues to rotate counterclockwise (as shown in Figure 24), the signature is gradually pushed out of the pocket. The rear end of the signature then comes into contact with a brush roller 364 (FIG. 22) and is deflected toward the periphery of the paddle wheel disc 338.

The continuous rotation of the paddle wheel disk 338 (FIG. 24) and the contact of the folded end part 34 of a signature 46 with the stripping fingers 346 completely push the signature out of the pocket formed by the slot 356 and press it against the signature stack by the rotating paddle wheel disk. As the signature stack 64 grows, a spring-loaded press arm (not shown) is moved away from the stacking device 102. The signatures 48 are then moved away from the stack 64 and bundled or otherwise processed.

A spring loaded back support 372 (Fig. 22) is attached close to the peripheral surface of the paddle wheel means 332 to guide the movement of the signatures into the paddle wheel means and to support the rear end portion of the signatures next to the paddle wheel means as they come into contact with the brush roller 364 . A congestion detector switch 376 is connected to the back support 372, which outputs a signal if signatures should back up against the back support 372.

Although the delivery belt or table 334 is shown extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the third folder 86, the delivery belt could be moved relative to the paddle wheel device 332 to allow the signatures to stack so that the central longitudinal axis of the signature stack is inclined relative to the central longitudinal axis of the third folding device 86. Thus, the deposit belt 334 could be counter-clockwise displaced from the position shown in FIG. 22 so that the signatures stack up and right in FIG. 22.

Folder - second version

There are concerns that during the high speed operation of the folder 86, the signatures 46 on the walls of the hoppers 162 and 164 will slow down. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 25, compressed air is directed into the space between the funnel walls to prevent the signatures on the funnel walls from being delayed and to minimize friction between the signatures and the funnel walls. Since the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 25 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 10-24, the same reference numerals are used for the same components and the letter "a" is appended to the numerals in Fig. 25 to avoid confusion .

A number of lines 382 are connected to the outer wall 242a of a funnel 162a. Likewise, a number of conduits 384 are connected to the inner wall 240a of the funnel 162a. Compressed air is conducted through these lines 382 and 384 into the space between the inner and outer walls 240a and 242a of the funnel 162a. This airflow cushions the signatures and reduces frictional or drag forces between the signature and the inner side surfaces of the hopper walls 240a and 242a.

A number of lines 386 are connected to the outer hopper wall 260a. Likewise, a number of lines 388 are connected to the inner hopper wall 258a. The through lines 386 and 388 into space 262a between Air carried in the funnel walls 258a and 260a cushions a signature and reduces frictional forces between the signature and the inner side surfaces of the funnel walls.

Enough

The present invention provides a new and improved folder 70 which can be operated at a relatively high speed to form a number of folds 32, 34, 36 and 38 in sheet material. The folds are formed by a series of folding devices 72, 78 and 86, through which the sheet material moves continuously at a relatively high speed. The folded sheet material is stacked "on edge" by a stacking device 102.

The folder comprises a first folder 72 which forms a fold 32 in the sheet material along its path. A second folding device forms a fold 34 in the sheet material transverse to its career. Finally, a third folding device 86 forms folds 36 and 38 in the sheet material along its path. During folding, the sheet material moves continuously and without stopping through the three folding devices 72, 78 and 86.

When sheet material 48 exits the third folder, the majority of the opposite side surfaces of the sheet material are in an upright orientation. A stacking device 102 stacks the folded sheet material 48, the main part of the side surfaces being in the same upright orientation in which it left the third folding device (FIG. 8).

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the funnels 162 and 164 deflect the signature 48 upward to form the folds 36 and 38 at the lower end of the signature. However, it is contemplated that the funnels 162 and 164 have the Signature 48 could deflect down instead of up. This would result in folds 36 and 38 being at the top rather than the bottom of the signature. It is preferred to have the folds 36 and 38 at the lower end of the signature so that the stacker 102 stacks the signatures on the fold 36 rather than on their cut edges 58 and 60 (Figs. 8 and 9). If desired, the signatures 48 could also be stacked with the fold 36 facing up.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the first folding device 72 is a known type which uses a funnel plate 44 to form a fold in the web 40. The second folding device 78 is a known type which forms a fold due to the interaction between a folding knife cylinder 52 and a folding jaw cylinder 80. It is contemplated that, under certain conditions, it may be desirable to replace the illustrated folders 72 and 78 with other types of folders. If this were the case, it is recommended that these folders be constructed so that the sheet material moves through the folders without stopping so as to maximize production.

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the stacking device 102 stacks the signatures 48 “on edge”, with the main part standing up from their side faces. It is believed that when the signatures are stacked in this orientation, the stacker 102 can stack in accordance with the high operating speed of the folder 72, 78 and 86. However, other types of stackers can be used if desired.

Claims (18)

1. Folding apparatus for continuously transporting sheet material while it is being folded first along its path, then across its path and again along its path, with a first folding means for forming a first fold in the sheet material along its path through said first folding means, with a second fold means for forming a second fold in the sheet material transverse to its path through said second fold means, the first fold extending along the path of the sheet material through said second fold means and with a third fold means for forming a third fold in the sheet material, wherein the first and the third fold extend along the path of the sheet material through said third folding means and the second fold is located in the front edge part of the sheet material, characterized in that
that said first, second and third folding means include drive means for continuously transporting the sheet material through said first, second and third folding means without stopping while forming said first, second and third folds. 2. folder according to claim 1,
characterized by
that said third folding means includes upper and lower hoppers which cooperate to at least partially determine a path along which the sheet material between said upper and lower hoppers extends from the infeed to the infeed The exit portion of said third folding means moves, and said third folding means includes a support means which is at least the width of the second fold at the entry portion of said third folding means and cooperates with said upper and lower funnels to define part of the track ,
that said base means decreases in width from the inlet to the outlet part of said third folding means, said upper hopper has a pair of side parts which are connected to the opposite, longitudinally extending edge parts of said support means and from the inlet part to converge towards the outlet part of said third folding means, each of said side parts of said top former at the outlet part of said third folding means having a width of at least half the length of the second fold,
that said lower former has a pair of side parts which are connected to opposite, longitudinally extending edge parts of said supporting means and converge from the inlet part to the outlet part of said third folding means, each of said side parts of said lower former at the outlet part of said crimping means has a width of at least half the length of said second crimp and each of said side parts of said lower former is arranged in a side-by-side relationship with a side part of the upper former. 3. folder according to claim 2,
characterized by
that said drive means include means for moving the sheet material away from the infeed portion of said third folding means, a large portion of which of the sheet material between said support means and a small part between said side parts of said upper and lower funnel, and means for moving the sheet material into the outlet part of said third folding means, a large part of the sheet material being between the side parts of said upper and lower funnel and a small part between the said support means. 4. folder according to claim 2,
characterized by
that said drive means include a number of belts which at least partially form said support means. 5. folder according to claim 1,
characterized by
that it includes a stacking device for receiving folded sheet material from said third folding means and for stacking the same on edge, the main part of the side surfaces of the folded sheet material being in an upright orientation. 6. Folding apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized by
that said third folding means includes a delivery section where, when the sheet material is moved through the third folding means, a first orientation, in which the second fold runs obliquely relative to the sheet material path, is changed to a second orientation, in which the second fold is perpendicular to the sheet material path extends, and said drive means include means located in said delivery section for gripping the sheet material near the third fold so that during the completion of the third fold by the third fold means can be moved forward from the third fold. 7. Folding apparatus for forming a fold along a fold line predetermined in the sheet material, comprising the following features:
an arrangement of upper and lower bands which taper from a first width in a wide inlet part of said folder to a second width which is narrower than the first width in a narrow end part of the arrangement between the inlet and outlet parts of said folder , Means located on the surface of the array of upper and lower ribbons for gripping the opposite sides of the sheet material and keeping them flat on both sides of the fold line in areas where their distance from the fold line in the transverse direction decreases as the sheet material passes through the said folder is moved,
a first deflection means, which is attached to a first side of said arrangement of upper and lower bands and extends from the inlet to the outlet part of said folder, for deflecting the sheet material extending from a flat area on a first side of the fold line into a first Direction as it is moved from the inlet to the outlet part of said folder, a second deflection means which is attached to a second side of said arrangement of upper and lower belts and extends from the inlet to the outlet part of said folder, for deflecting the sheet material extending from a flat area on a second side of the fold line in the first direction while it is being moved from the inlet to the outlet part of said folder, said first and second deflecting means Have deflecting surfaces which receive increasing areas of the sheet material while the flat area of the sheet material becomes smaller in contact with said arrangement of upper and lower belts, and drive means for moving the upper and lower belts of said arrangement to remove the sheet material from the To convey the inlet to the outlet part of said folder, while the sheet material areas on both sides of the folding line are kept flat and on the same level. 8. folder according to claim 7,
characterized by
that a creasing means extends from the narrow end portion of said upper and lower belt assembly to the outlet portion of said folder for pressing against opposite sides of the sheet material along the fold line after it comes out of contact with said upper and lower belt assembly has moved out and is deflected by said first and second deflection means. 9. folder according to claim 7,
characterized by
that said arrangement of upper and lower bands includes a first upper band and a first lower band for engaging a portion of the flat portion of the sheet material on a first side along the fold line, and a second upper and a second lower band for engaging a portion of the flat area of the sheet material on a second side along the fold line, the first and second upper and lower bands being arranged at least partially on opposite edge parts and on a wide part of the arrangement of upper and lower bands mentioned, in order to grasp the sheet material at its flat sections at a distance from the fold line, the first and second upper and lower belts extend from the inlet part to certain positions in a first part of said folder, the arrangement of upper and lower belts a third upper and third lower bands include for grasping a portion of the flat portion of the sheet material on the first side along the fold line and closer to the fold line than the portion of the flat portion of the sheet material which is covered by said first upper and lower straps Arrangement of upper and lower bands includes a fourth upper band and a fourth lower band for engaging a portion of the flat area of the sheet material which is on the second side along the fold line and closer to the fold line than that of said second upper and lower band Part of the flat area, said third and fourth upper and lower bands being at least partially disposed on opposite edge portions of said arrangement of upper and lower bands and extending to certain positions in a second part of said folder, said second part of said folder further away from said infeed portion of said folder as said first portion, said upper and lower strap arrangement includes a fifth upper strap and a fifth lower strap for grasping a portion of the flat area of the sheet material that extends along the first side of the fold line and closer to the fold line than that part of the flat area covered by said third upper and lower bands, said arrangement of upper and lower bands includes a sixth upper band and a sixth lower band for engaging a part of the flat n range of the sheet material which is located on the second side along the fold line and closer to the fold line than that part of the flat area covered by said fourth upper and lower bands, said fifth and sixth upper and lower bands being at least partially in a central part of the said arrangement of upper and lower belts and extend to certain positions in a third part of said folder and said third part is further away from said inlet part than said second part of said folder. 10. folder according to claim 9,
characterized by
that an upper and a lower creasing belt for creasing the sheet material along the fold line are at least partially arranged between the third part and the outlet part of said folder to grasp the sheet material along the fold line after it is out of contact with the fifth and sixth upper and moved out the lower bands. 11. Folding apparatus according to claim 10,
characterized by
that at least parts of the upper and lower creasing belts come into contact with the sheet material along the fold line in positions between said first and second upper and lower bands. 12. Folding apparatus according to claim 7,
characterized by
that said arrangement of upper and lower ribbons includes upper ribbons which come into contact with a first side of the sheet material and lower ribbons which come into contact with a second side of the sheet material come into contact, and said folder includes a stripping means arranged in its outlet part for contact with one side of said sheet material, said first and second deflection means being able to be brought into contact with one side opposite said one side of said sheet material, to press this side against the mentioned stripping agent. 13. Device for the continuous folding and stacking of a large number of signatures, consisting of the following features:
a folding device for forming a fold in the respective signature, the fold extending along the signature path through the said folding device, and the said folding device having bending means for forming a fold in it by bending a signature and the large part of the signature side surfaces opposite the fold to move from an initial orientation to one another in an upright orientation, delivery means for the continuous ejection of the folded signatures from said folding device, the main parts of the signature side surfaces being in an upright orientation,
and a stacking means for stacking the folded signatures, which come pre-stacked and upright from said folding device, said stacking means including signature conveying means which capture the front part of a respective signature, while the rear signature part is located on said delivery means in said folding device, and for moving a respective signature away from said folding device towards the signature stack while the main part of the signature side surfaces is in an upright orientation. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13,
characterized by
that said signature conveyance means comprise a wheel having a plurality of pockets for sequentially receiving the signatures from said folder, means for rotating said wheel about a standing axis to move the pockets along an arcuate track, the front end portion of a respective signature is received in the inner part of a respective pocket on the axis of rotation of said wheel and the rear end part is then in the outer part of the pocket near the peripheral surface of said wheel, and deflection means for contact with the front end part of a signature in the inner part of a Pocket, and to deflect the front end portion of the signature away from the axis of rotation of said wheel toward the signature stack where the majority of the signature side surfaces are in an upright orientation. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14,
characterized by
that said wheel includes a plurality of sidewalls which at least partially form the pockets, said sidewalls having slider surface means for contacting the rear end portion of a signature on the outer portion of a pocket and pushing the rear end portion of the signature to one Signature stack while the majority of the signature side faces are in an upright orientation. 16. The apparatus of claim 15,
characterized by
that the surface means include a means whereby the movement of the rear end portion after a signature outside and away from the peripheral surface of said wheel during its rotation and the contact of said deflection surface means with the front end part of a signature is blocked. 17. The apparatus according to claim 14,
characterized by
that said wheel includes upward support surface means which at least partially forms a lower end portion of a respective pocket and sequentially contacts the fold in each signature to at least partially support the signatures in the pockets; Has side walls which extend upwards from the support surface and further shape the pockets. 18. The apparatus according to claim 13,
characterized by
that said folding device includes an arrangement of upper and lower bands which is located in a central part of said deflecting means and tapers from a first width at a wide inlet part of said folding device to a second width which is narrower than the first width, that said arrangement of upper and lower bands has surface means for gripping the opposite sides of the signatures and for keeping the signatures flat on both sides of the folding line as they move through said folding device, that said deflection means with the area of the signatures located on both sides of the folding line come into contact, this area becoming larger, while the flat area of the signatures in contact with said arrangement of upper and lower bands becomes smaller.

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