EP0762950B1 - Process and device for handling printed products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for performing an edge cut by means of a cutting apparatus Handling of printed matter in which the Printed products with along a first conveyor loop below Compliance with a mutual distance circumferential, in Area of an edge of the printed matter attacking and grippers carrying them along the first conveyor loop are supplied, and one for executing such Device that can be used in the method.

In known methods of this type, for example CH-PS-668 216 describes the printed matter to perform the edge cut from the along the first conveyor loop revolving grippers of a feed conveyor released and so from above in an endlessly driven Pockets fixed, open pockets thrown up. In the pockets they are then used to make the edge cut moved perpendicular to the drive direction, after which the thus aligned printed products with a second endlessly driven traction element, one of a strand runs parallel to a section of the first traction element, specified, mutually assigned knives trimmed will. After that, the printed products from while maintaining a mutual distance Gripping a conveyor and thus out of pockets removed and transported away.

To ensure reliable operation of a device that can be used to carry out such methods the conveyor speeds of the feed conveyor and the Conveyor exactly to the speed of the pockets be coordinated. Furthermore, the Circulation of the knives assigned to one another in pairs on the Circulation of the bags required. In particular, the vote between the circulation of the knives and that of the pockets not only in terms of the speed of circulation but also with respect to the circulation phase, because it already is inadequate phase adjustment the further workflow obstacle to the displacement of printed matter in the pockets if one of the two pairs assigned knife too early, i.e. before creating the appropriate one Counter knife, in a cutting engagement with the Printed product arrives.

Given the problems described in the State of the art, the object of the invention is to provide one the reliable execution of an edge cut permitting procedure for the handling of printed matter and one for carrying out such methods deployable device.

In procedural terms, this task does solved that the printed products from the grippers in one with the first conveyor loop along a common path of movement co-rotating second conveyor loop with at a distance the gripper arranged clamps inserted be, the clamps in the course of the common Path of movement with the free edge areas to be trimmed the one in the grippers of the first conveyor loop Printed products are brought into stabilizing engagement and in this state the edge cut from that to the common Movement path of fixed cutting device at the over the clamps to the cutting device protruding free edge areas of the printed matter is executed, and the trimmed printed matter connect the common path of movement lengthways in the grippers leave the first conveyor loop.

These procedures remain during and after the Execution of the edge cut the assignment between the Printed products and the grippers that feed them, so that neither for feeding the printed matter to Cutting device for removing the printed products after making the edge cut, a transfer of or to a gripper conveyor. The reliability such transfers that are known in the execution Procedures are necessary to ensure coordination the conveying speeds of different subsidies on each other is therefore in the execution of the method according to the invention not required.

By means of the stabilizing engagement of the clamps with the free edge areas of the in the grippers of the first conveyor loop lying printed products can also cause an undesirable shift in the Printed matter during the execution of the edge cut can be prevented even if a knife of the cutting apparatus is applied to the printed product too early. A Such an error then only has one that deviates from the target cut, however, generally still within permissible Tolerance edge cut result. Such deviations of the edge cut usually do not constitute a hindrance for further processing for the printed products Therefore, the stabilization of printed products contributes with the clamps significantly increasing the Reliability of handling printed matter during and after performing the edge cut at.

Finally takes place in the execution of the invention Procedures the supply and removal of the Printed products along a single conveyor loop rotating gripper, i.e. with a single gripper conveyor, while in the known known above Process two separate gripper conveyors for feeding and Removal must also be used exactly at least with regard to the conveying speed must be coordinated. This further increases the operational reliability in the execution of the Invention Procedure at.

One for carrying out the method according to the invention Applicable device for handling printed matter to perform an edge cut is essentially distinguished by a number along a common path of movement coinciding with the first conveyor loop second conveyor loop rotating, arranged at a distance from the grippers Clamps in which the printed products in the Course of the common path of movement can be introduced by the grippers and with which edge areas that cannot be trimmed of the printed products lying in the grippers can be stabilized are off, and in that the cutting apparatus for Execute the edge cut on the over the clamps towards the cutting device projecting free edge areas of the Printed matter fixed on the common path of movement is arranged and the printed matter in the terminal the common path of movement in the grippers along the first Conveyor loops can be removed.

The printed products are in the Only roughly aligned grippers. Furthermore the grippers of an ordinary gripper conveyor and therefore also the printed products carried with it usually subjected to significant vibrations or even deflections. To ensure an accurate edge cut is it is therefore expedient if the grippers in the course of the common Path of movement from the printed products contained therein solved and only after making the edge cut again to be applied to the printed matter.

The grippers of the device according to the invention are closed this purpose in the course of the common path of movement of one Closed position adjustable in a release position.

After loosening the grippers, the printed products can without giving up the assignment to the feeding gripper alone from the corresponding clamp. Since the Clamps only in the course of the comparatively short common path of movement are required second conveyor loop much shorter than the first conveyor loop be carried out. That allows a vibration and deflection-free guidance of the clamps along the second Conveyor loop with reasonable design effort. The use of the clamps therefore opens up an inexpensive one Possibility of performing an exact edge cut.

To improve the rough orientation of the in the printed products lying on the grippers are intended the printed products after loosening the grippers Alignment in an edge cut position perpendicular to the conveying direction to postpone.

The clamps and the are expedient second conveyor loop formed so that the printed products while moving on a jaw of the Place the clamps and only after moving them vertically to the direction of conveyance by applying another jaw the clamp can be stabilized. The clamps the device according to the invention are expedient for this between a clamping position and an open position adjustable and each have a jaw, to which the printed products in the open position in Course of the common path of movement can be put on and on which the printed matter by means of an alignment device are perpendicular to the direction of conveyance, and another after alignment to adjust the clamps in the clamping position and to stabilize the Further jaws that can be applied to printed products.

To adapt the clamps to different ones Printed product formats can be provided that at least one of their jaws at least two perpendicular to the conveying direction has mutually displaceable jaw parts.

The printed products can be moved lengthways of the common path of movement in a grinding system be brought to a guide rail. This grinding plant However, it can damage printed products to lead. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if for Move at least along part of the common path of movement rams moving with the printed matter with free marginal areas of the printed products in the system to be brought. These plungers can be attached to your printed products opposite side, for example, rotatable thereon fixed roles lie on guide rails and thus be moved perpendicular to the conveying direction.

In general, the second conveyor loop can be any Have shape and formed, for example, circular be. However, it is particularly advantageous if the second Conveyor loop two over semicircular loop sections connected straight sections running parallel to each other having. If the common path of movement in such Execution of the second conveyor loop at least partially can run at least along part of the straight sections an edge cut in the course of this straight line section respectively.

Since the stabilized with the clamps for Cutting apparatus protruding free edge areas along the Straight section an unaccelerated, uniform movement can increase reliability during execution of the edge cut can be achieved. Furthermore, by this course of the second conveyor loop is the common path of movement without impairing vibration and fluctuation stability the clamps extended to simple will. This opens up the possibility along the common path of movement multiple cutting devices in a space-saving manner to be arranged in a row.

To achieve this preferred course of the the second conveyor loop, the clamps are expedient on one rotating along the second conveyor loop Tension member set that via a drive roller and one in a guide roller arranged at a distance therefrom is guided.

To reduce the need for one to carry out the invention Procedure required device required Footprint are the straight sections running parallel to each other expediently arranged one above the other. Alignment that in the grippers and on a jaw of the clamps overlying printed products can then be special simply done when the printed matter is after Insert into the clamps and before executing the Edge cut one of the semicircular loop sections run through. In the course of this semicircular loop section are the printed products after loosening the grippers on one jaw of the clamps and can when the clamps are in the open position are easily aligned. For Realization of the course of the second described above Conveyor loops have the drive roller and the deflection roller the device according to the invention advantageously roller axes lying in a common horizontal plane on.

The edge section expediently takes place lengthways of the lower straight section to the one below the gripper funded printed matter. The cutting waste can then without loading the grippers or the clamps fall down and be carried away. That carries on on the operational reliability of the method according to the invention at.

The edge cut on the stabilized with the clamps free edge areas of the printed products can especially when trimming thin printed products under Use a just a knife to run the Cutting apparatus using edge cutting. To the Catch the cutting pressure and increase accuracy however, it is special when making the edge cut advantageous if the cutting apparatus at least one knife and has at least one counter knife interacting with it, the counter knife in the course of the common path of movement to a rear side in the conveying direction of the cutting apparatus towards the free edge area projecting and the knife to make the edge cut on the front attacks from it.

The knife is expediently in one of the Direction of conveyance moves in the opposite direction.

The counter knife is expediently placed on consecutively stabilized with the clamps free edge areas for rotating one perpendicular to the conveying direction running revolving axis can be driven. The movement of the Knife in the conveying direction of the printed products opposite direction can then be done particularly easily, if the knife rotates in one of the revolving axes Direction of rotation of the counter knife opposite direction is.

Although the inventive method also under Use of only one counter knife and only one knife Cutting apparatus is executable, the processing speed while avoiding an undesirably high Wear of the cutting apparatus can be increased if the Cutting device several each at a distance from the gripper to the axis of rotation revolving counter knife and / or knife.

As already in connection with the preferred arrangement The second funding loop is also addressed intended for trimming several with the clamps stabilized, protruding edge areas of a printed product a corresponding number of cutters lengthways to arrange the common path of movement.

The invention will now be described with reference to FIG the drawing on which all essential to the invention, details not specified in the description is expressly referred to.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2a

eine, Ansicht einer Einspannklammer der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Vorrichtung in einer ersten Stellung und

Fig. 2b

eine Ansicht der in Fig. 2a dargestellten Einspannklammer in einer zweiten Stellung.

The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a side view of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2a

a, view of a clamp of the device shown in Fig. 1 in a first position and

Fig. 2b

a view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2a in a second position.

With the device shown in Fig. 1 Printed products 10 with mutual compliance Distance a first conveyor loop 20 rotating grippers 22 promoted along the first conveyor loop 20. The Grippers 22 grip the back of the printed products 10 on.

In the course of the first conveyor loop 20, the from the grippers 22 conveyed printed products 10 in lengthways a second conveyor loop 30 at a distance between the grippers on a rotating one Tension member attached Clamps 40 inserted. The second conveyor loop 30 has two straight sections arranged one above the other 32 and 34 on that over semicircular sections 36 and 38 are interconnected. The clamps 40 are on one in the region of the semicircular section 36 by means of a drive roller in the direction indicated by the arrow 31 Direction driven and in the area of the semicircular Section 38 by means of a deflection roller deflected conveyor chain fixed.

To insert the grippers 22 along the first Conveyor loop 20 funded printed products 10 are the Clamps 40 in the area of the lower straight section 32 placed in an open position. In this open position can the printed products 10 together with the grippers 22 between a first jaw 42 and a second Jaw 44 of the clamps 40 are engaged.

After completing the indentation at the end of the lower straight section 32, the clamps 40 along one the semicircular section 38 and part of the upper Straight section 34 of the second conveyor loop 30 extending common movement path in sync with the grippers 22 funded. At the top of the semicircular section 38 are the printed products lying in the grippers 22 10 on the jaw 42 of the clamp 40 on.

After moving the grippers 22 into a release position in the course of the upper region 39 of the semicircular Section 38 are those lying on the jaw 42 Printed products 10 by means of one of their edges Tappet (not shown) for alignment in one precise edge cutting position allowing vertical edge cutting shifted to conveying direction 31.

After the alignment is complete, the second jaw 44 to stabilize the edge area to be trimmed in the course of the upper straight section 34 to the printed products 10 created. After this adjustment of the clamps 40 the one to be cut is in a clamping position Edge area of the printed products 10 via the clamp 40 before. The edge cut can now be made in this position respectively. The grippers 22 can continue in the Release position remain.

The execution of the edge cut is shown using the example of Trimming the front of the printed matter explained. For this purpose, there is a cutting device 50 on the common path of movement fixed, towards which the front of the printed matter 10 protrudes over the clamps 40. Of the Cutting device 50 has a number one perpendicular to the conveying direction 31 circumferential axis 52 running in an arrow 55 designated direction revolving counter knife 54. The Counter knives 54 are spaced along the orbit of the grippers 22 or the clamps 40 are arranged. The Orbital speed of the counter knife 54 corresponds to that Conveying speed of the grippers 22 or the clamps 40. In the course of the orbit, the counter knife 54 to the in the conveying direction of the rear side with the clamps 40 stabilized front of the printed products 10 created.

To perform the edge cut, the cutter includes 50 further a number through the circumferential axis 52 in one Knives 56 rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 57. Also the knives 56 are spaced along the orbit of the grippers 22 or the clamps 40 are arranged. The one in the front the front of the printed products 10 attacking knives 56 are also at a conveying speed the gripper 22 or the clamps 40 corresponding Revolving speed driven. This ensures that with continuous execution of the edge cut on one after the other to the cutting apparatus 50 conveyed printed products 10 a specific counter knife 54 always with the same Knife 56 cooperates.

The edges are cut in a similar way Head and foot areas of the printed products 10 by means of a fixed in the further course of the straight section 34 arranged cutting apparatus 60. After leaving the cutting apparatus 60 the clamps 40 are in the open position adjusted. At the same time, the grippers 22 become new Detect the spine of the printed products 10 in the Closed position adjusted and now again by the grippers 22 carried along printed products 10 leave the common Path of movement along the first conveyor loop.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the clamping jaws are 42 and 44 of the clamps 40 are made in two parts. Of the Gap between the jaw parts 44a and 44b is used thereby to pick up the gripper 22 along the common path of movement. As can be seen from the comparison of FIGS. 2a and 2b are the jaw parts 44a and 44b and 42a and 42b displaceable relative to one another perpendicular to the conveying direction. This allows the clamps 40 to different Printed product formats can be adapted. In the in Fig. 2a position shown have the outer edges of the jaw parts 44a and 44b, for example, a distance of 400 mm, while in the position shown in Fig. 2b a distance of only 200 mm to each other.

The invention is not based on the drawing explained embodiment limited. For example the edge cut also along the lower straight section 32 done when the printed matter along the top Straight section 34 or semicircular section 36 are inserted into the clamps 40. This can be achieved be that the cutting waste neither the grippers 22 nor the clamps 40 acted upon. Hence the execution of the edge cut at below the gripper 22 or the Clamp 40 hanging printed products into one further operational reliability of the device according to the invention. It is also thought to align the Printed matter before making the edge cut by means of backdrops which can be applied to the printed products.

Claims (30)

1. Process for handling printed products (10) serving to perform an edge cut by means of a cutting apparatus, in which the printed products (10) are fed by means of grippers (22) circulating along a first conveyor loop (20) while maintaining their mutual spacing, gripping in the region of one edge of the printed products (10) and thereby carrying them along the first conveyor loop (20), characterised in that the printed products (10) are introduced by means of the grippers (22) into a second conveyor loop (30) turning synchronously with the first conveyor loop (20) along a common path of motion and having clamps (40) arranged at a distance from the grippers (22), the clamps (40) being brought into engagement in a stabilising manner with the free edge regions of the printed products (10) situated in the grippers (22) of the first conveyor loop (20) in the course of the common path of motion and the edge cut being carried out in this state by the cutting apparatus (50) fixedly arranged on the common path of motion at the free edge regions of the printed products (10) projecting beyond the clamps (40) towards the cutting apparatus (50), and the cut printed products (10) then leaving the common path of motion in the grippers (22) along the first conveyor loop (20).
2. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the grippers (22) are released from the printed products (10) situated therein in the course of the common path of motion and are not applied to the printed products (10) again until after the edge cut has been carried out.
3. Process according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that, after the release of the grippers (22), the printed products (10) are displaced perpendicularly to the conveying direction for alignment into an edge cutting position.
4. Process according to claim 3, characterised in that the printed products (10) are situated on a clamping jaw (42) of the clamps (40) during the displacement and are stabilized by the application of another clamping jaw (44) of the clamps (40) after the alignment.
5. Process according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that tappets running along the common path of motion together with the printed products (10) are brought to bear against the edge regions of the printed products (10) opposite the free edge regions to be cut for the displacement.
6. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second conveyor loop (30) has two parallel straight portions (32, 34) connected together by means of semi-circular loop portions (36, 38) and the common path of motion extends at least partly along part of one of the straight portions (32, 34) and effects at least one edge cut in the course of this straight portion (32, 34).
7. Process according to claim 6, characterised in that the straight portions (32, 34) are arranged one above the other.
8. Process according to claim 7, characterised in that the edge cut is effected along the lower straight portion (32) on the printed products (10) conveyed there below the grippers (22).
9. Process according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that the printed products (10) pass through one of the semi-circular loop portions (36) after being introduced into the clamps (40) and before the edge cut is carried out.
10. Process according to claim 9, characterised in that the alignment is effected in the course of the semi-circular loop portion (38).
11. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cutting apparatus (50) has a knife (56) and a counter-knife (54) cooperating therewith, the counter-knife (54) being applied to the rear side of the projecting free edge region in the conveying direction in order to carry out the edge cut and the knife (56) cooperating with the counter-knife (54) engaging with the front side of the printed products (10) in order to carry out the edge cut.
12. Process according to claim 11, characterised in that the knife (56) is moved in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the printed products (10).
13. Process according to claim 12, characterised in that the counter-knife (54) rotates about an axis (52) extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the printed products (10).
14. Process according to claim 13, characterised in that the knife (56) rotates about the axis of rotation (52) in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the counter-knife (54).
15. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of edge cuts are carried out along the common path of motion at different free regions of the printed products (10) projecting beyond the clamps (40) towards corresponding cutting apparatus (60).
16. Device for handling printed products (10) for performing an edge cut, comprising a first conveyor means having a number of mutually spaced grippers (22) circulating along a first conveyor loop (20) and serving to grip the printed products (10) in the region of one of their edges and to feed the printed products along the first conveyor loop (20), and a cutting apparatus (50, 60) for carrying out the edge cut, characterised by a number of clamps (40) arranged at a distance from the grippers (22) and circulating around a second conveyor loop (30) running synchronously with the first conveyor loop (20) along a common path of motion, into which the printed products (10) can be introduced by the grippers (22) in the course of the common path of motion and by means of which the edge regions of the printed products (10) situated in the grippers (22) to be cut can be stabilized, wherein the cutting apparatus (50, 60) for carrying out the edge cut at the free edge regions of the printed products (10) projecting beyond the clamps (40) towards the cutting apparatus (50, 60) is fixedly arranged on the common path of motion and, after the common path of motion, the printed products (10) can be transported away in the grippers (22) along the first conveyor loop (20).
17. Device according to claim 16, characterised in that the grippers (22) can be adjusted from a closed position to a release position in the course of the common path of motion in order to release the printed products (10) situated therein.
18. Device according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterised in that the clamps (40) can be adjusted between a clamping position and an open position and each have a clamping jaw (42) on which the printed products (10) can be placed in the open position in the course of the common path of motion and on which the printed products (10) can be displaced perpendicularly to the conveying direction (31) by means of an alignment means, and another clamping jaw (44) which can be applied to the printed products (10) after the alignment for adjustment into the clamping position and for stabilising.
19. Device according to claim 18, characterised in that at least one of the clamping jaws (42, 44) has at least two clamping jaw parts (42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) which can be displaced relative to one another perpendicularly to the conveying direction.
20. Device according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterised in that the alignment means has tappets running along the common path of motion together with the printed products (10) which can be applied to free edge regions of the printed products (10).
21. Device according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterised in that the clamps (40) are secured to a tension member circulating along the second conveyor loop (30).
22. Device according to claim 21, characterised in that the tension member is guided by means of a drive roller and a deflecting roller arranged at a distance therefrom.
23. Device according to claim 22, characterised in that the drive roller and the deflecting roller each have a roller axis situated in one common horizontal plane.
24. Device according to claim 23, characterised in that the common path of motion extends at least partly below the tension member and the edge cut can be carried out in the course of this part of the path of motion.
25. Device according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterised in that the alignment of the printed products (10) can be carried out in the region of the drive roller and/or deflecting roller.
26. Device according to one of claims 16 to 25, characterised in that the cutting apparatus has at least one knife (56) and at least one counter-knife (54) cooperating therewith, wherein the counter-knife (54) can be applied to a rear side of the free edge region projecting towards the cutting apparatus in the conveying direction (31) in the course of the common path of motion and the knife (56) engages with the front side thereof in order to carry out the edge cut.
27. Device according to claim 26, characterised in that the counter-knife (54) can be driven to rotate about an axis of rotation (52) extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction (31).
28. Device according to claim 27, characterised in that the knife (56) can be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation (52) in the opposite direction (57) to the direction of rotation (55) of the counter-knife (54).
29. Device according to claim 27 or claim 28, characterised in that the cutting apparatus (50, 60) has a plurality of counter-knives (54) and/or knives (56) rotating about the axis of rotation (52) at a distance from the grippers (22).
30. Device according to one of claims 16 to 29, characterised in that, in order to cut a plurality of free edge regions of a printed product (10) projecting beyond the clamps (40), a corresponding number of cutting apparatus (50, 60) are arranged along the common path of motion.

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