EP0911291A2 - Folding device in a high speed folding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Individual signatures are selectively manipulated by retardation mechanism (250) to form group. Folding knife (10) and folding mechanism (240) below it are positioned downstream to produce a longitudinal fold in signatures (400) of at least one group. The knife moves from a first position to a second in which is forces the signatures into the folding mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to printing presses and, more particularly, to a device for folding signatures in the folder of a printing press.

In the printing industry, the speed at which print copies are created is generated can be increased continuously. The printing, shaping, folding and cutting processes are often carried out by a machine in continuous operation, whereby a sheet of blank paper fed from a roll and a printed, cut and folded product, often referred to as a signature. For example, a web moves through the process to a finished product a number of processing units, such as u. a. through the printing units, the dryer, the cooling unit, the folder and the stacking device. One of these Processing units in the folder is a device for generating a second Longitudinal fold.

The generation of a second longitudinal fold in the web running direction takes place, for. B. after the Signature or the bow has been cut off from the web. So the signature can have already been folded before it receives the second longitudinal fold. Usually the second longitudinal fold performed by z. B. the signatures one after the other Folding mechanism are fed, which moves down to the respective signature and this drives through a slot and between ready rollers, which the Fold signature. Usually the signatures are made with a second longitudinal fold to be provided, presented in a 50% duty cycle, d. that is, one Signature of a specific length a distance of approximately the same length follows until the next signature appears. Thus the folding mechanism moves up Down signatures that are presented in half the time of the work cycle.

Mechanisms for producing a second longitudinal fold are known in the art known. For example, US 4,509,939, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a device for producing a second longitudinal fold with a longitudinal fold knife, which is arranged parallel to the transport direction of a signature and has the purpose of Introduce signature between two rotating cylinders, parallel to the Direction of transport to create the longitudinal fold in the signature. The second Longitudinal fold generating device is suspended on two drive cranks, which by means of two additional rotating cranks, each with a pivot one end of the drive cranks are connected in parallel in the same direction and with be rotated at the same speed. The drive cranks that the wear second longitudinal fold folding knife, move this vertically between a lower and an upper position. The signatures are in line with the Time of movement of the knife from top to bottom one after the other and periodically fed to the folding mechanism for the second longitudinal fold.

However, the process of creating a second longitudinal fold is relative to that Speed depending on the speeds at which the mechanisms and signatures are handled at a 50% duty cycle as mentioned above can. To achieve higher speeds, two separate ones Folding devices provided for the second longitudinal fold in a folder and z. B. be arranged so that each folding device folds every second signature. This concept However, it requires additional costs and more space, making it much smaller Printing machines is not feasible and limits their speed potential.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folder for the second Longitudinal fold and to create a method, being selected from a signature stream Signatures are delayed to include signature groups, such as B. to form signature pairs, which are then folded by a folding knife of the appropriate size, and the Speed at which the signatures are conveyed and the folding speed can be varied due to the formation of the signature groups.

Thus, according to the method and apparatus of the present invention, a achieved higher signature throughput performance because with a single device for Generate a second longitudinal fold only one fold cycle for several signatures is performed. The signatures are grouped into pairs, for example, then with a single folding knife of suitable length, e.g. B. an extended Folding knife, a second longitudinal fold is generated in the group of signatures. The Folding device according to the invention can thus signature pairs and thus a larger one Record number of signatures in a 50% duty cycle, with the Signature throughput is increased. The facility according to the present Invention can be used in folders or plano booms in which one Folding mechanism to create a cross fold in a sheet or signature.

The process of producing the second longitudinal fold according to the present invention includes e.g. B. delaying alternately moving signatures on their way to Device for the second longitudinal fold so that every second signature is moved back and a smaller space behind her and a larger space in front of her arises. This larger space allows a folding mechanism such. B. can maintain a 50% duty cycle while the number of Signatures that have a second longitudinal fold in a given period of time be increased, or while the folding speed is at the same number of reduced signatures to be folded in a given period of time or one A combination of both options is used. The signatures, which edited simultaneously, z. B. by a delay process to pairs brought together. A suitable signature delay mechanism can, however Group signatures as desired to put them on the process, with the second longitudinal fold to be provided.

Thus, an embodiment of the present invention provides a folding knife Generation of a second longitudinal fold, which is approximately twice the length of a individual signature. By controlling the speed at which the Signature stream is fed to the folding knife, and by delaying certain signatures a grouping of signatures, e.g. B. a pair, formed, and both signatures are simultaneously provided with the second longitudinal fold by a single folding knife, without the folding speed of the folding knife increasing.

The device for producing a second longitudinal fold can also be a system for Compensation of dynamic forces include the movement of the folding knife arise, as is shown in US Patent No. 5,458,557.

The present invention will not be apparent in the following description of restrictive exemplary embodiments in connection with the attached, The drawings listed below are explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht einer Falzeinheit einer Druckmaschine mit einer Einrichtung zur Erzeugung eines zweiten Längsfalzes gemäß vorliegender Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine seitliche Teilansicht entlang einer senkrechten Linie der Längsfalz-Einrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Falzeinrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Ansicht eines Stromes von Signaturen, die darauf vorbereitet werden, einen zweiten Längsfalz gemäß vorliegender Erfindung zu erhalten;

Fig. 5

einen Signaturstrom, der an einen 67%igen Arbeitszyklus angepaßt ist;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Beispiels eines verzögernden Bandsystems gemäß vorliegender Erfindung;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht eines verzögernden Zylindersystems gemäß vorliegender Erfindung;

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht eines verzögernden Bandsystems für wechselweise Signaturablage gemäß vorliegender Erfindung; und

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils des verzögernden Bandsystems der Fig.8, in der eine wechselweise Gruppierung der Signaturen gezeigt ist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a folding unit of a printing press with a device for producing a second longitudinal fold according to the present invention;

Fig. 2

a partial side view along a vertical line of the longitudinal folding device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3

a plan view of the folding device shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 4

a schematic view of a stream of signatures being prepared to obtain a second longitudinal fold according to the present invention;

Fig. 5

a signature stream matched to a 67% duty cycle;

Fig. 6

a side view of an example of a retarding tape system according to the present invention;

Fig. 7

a side view of a decelerating cylinder system according to the present invention;

Fig. 8

a side view of a delaying tape system for alternate signature storage according to the present invention; and

Fig. 9

a side view of part of the delaying tape system of Figure 8, in which an alternate grouping of the signatures is shown.

Fig. 1 shows a hopper section of a printing press with a web 40 or Arrangement of several superimposed strands 40, which over the funnel plate 200th a folder is guided. The funnel plate 200 is generally triangular and has one Width that corresponds to the width of the web strands guided over the funnel plate 200. The triangular funnel plate 200 narrows to one on its downstream side Tip 201. The funnel plate 200 creates a longitudinal fold in the strands or the Path 40 approximately along its center line as it extends over tip 201 of the Move funnel plate 200. The strands or web 40 then move between Folding rollers 202 below the hopper plate 200 and on to cutting cylinders 210 where cut the continuous strands or web 40 into individual signatures 400 become.

The signatures 400 coming from the cutting cylinders 210 can e.g. B. by a Paddle wheel 220 braked and then onto a conveyor 300 for further processing be placed. The further processing of the signatures 400 often includes the process that these are provided with a second longitudinal fold. For this purpose the Signatures 400 from the conveyor 300 in succession into a folding device 240 for the transported second longitudinal fold. In Fig. 1, this folding device 240 with a Folding knife 10 and a folding mechanism, including cylinders 150 for Record each signature 400 from the folding knife 10 between the two cylinders 150 is driven, is shown. According to one embodiment of the present invention For example, a deceleration mechanism 250 between the paddle wheel 220 and the Folding device 240 for the second longitudinal fold may be arranged around the signatures 400 to be handled in front of the folder 240 as described below.

2 and 3 show an embodiment of a folding device 240, which in a Signature 400 or in a pairing of signatures 400 in the direction of Movement of the signatures 400 on a horizontal plane a second longitudinal fold generated (as indicated by arrow 21 in Fig. 3), the signatures in one Move the front end-to-back end arrangement with the open front end of the Signature follows the back of the signature. Folding devices for production of the second longitudinal fold are known in the prior art and can be measured the present invention also other conventional folding devices for the second Longitudinal fold, such as B. the device described in US 4,509,939 can be used.

The folder 240 includes e.g. B. attached in a vertical direction Frame 100 with two horizontal supports, both on the same level are located and have ball bearings 102, 102 'in which two central axes of rotation 20a, 30a are mounted perpendicular to the frame 100 and parallel to each other. The folding knife 10 is by articulated arms 25 and 35 with rotating bodies 20 and 30, each of which Rotate axes of rotation 20a and 30a, connected. The rotation of the rotating bodies 20 and 30 causes the folding knife 10 used for the folding process to move back and forth on a vertical path 22. When the razor 10 is in a raised position is located, the signatures 400 move under the folding knife 10 into position. Then the folding knife 10 moves down to the signatures and generates between them the cylinders 150 a longitudinal fold.

As shown in FIG. 3, the folding knife 10 extends to produce a second one Longitudinal fold horizontally and is parallel to the transport direction 21 of the signature 400 positioned, above the signature 400, the z. B. on a folding table 260 is placed, which has a fold slot that is parallel to the transport direction 21 of the Signature runs and is opposite the folding knife 10. The folding knife is on Pivots 11 and 12 located on opposite sides of the Folding knife 10 are rotatably connected to the articulated arms 25 and 35. The Rotary movement of the rotating body 20 and 30 is in a vertical back and forth Movement 22 of the folding knife 10 is transformed.

The folding device according to the present invention comprises a folding knife 10 of suitable length to group signatures such. B. two signatures that are in a front end-to-back end arrangement, with a second longitudinal fold Mistake. For example, two signatures 400 can enter the folding device 240 enter and by means of the folding knife 10 simultaneously with a second longitudinal fold be provided. The groupings can take place alternately and the length of the Folding knife 10 can be adjusted accordingly.

According to the present invention, signatures 400 are used in a folding device for the second longitudinal fold folded in groups, e.g. B. in pairs and not individually, like this is known in the art. The signatures 400 are usually e.g. B. from Cutting cylinders fed in an evenly spaced arrangement. As below described in more detail, the feed rate becomes that of the upstream Machined processing units to the folding device according to the invention Signatures 400 changed to multiple signatures at the same time the folding knife 10 to supply, the folding blade 10 maintaining or reducing its folding speed.

4 shows a schematic example of a signature display according to a Embodiment of the present invention which is fifteen time related Snapshots shows the positions of the signatures 400 as they are conveyed represent the folding device according to the invention over time. As from Fig. 4 as can be seen, the signatures 400 initially move in a 50% range Duty cycle. For example, the signature 2 has the position at the time interval T3 that the signature 1 had taken at time interval T1. Of the Time interval T2 required for signatures 1 and 2 to move, gives the 50% duty cycle. As shown, 400 follows each signature roughly the same space or space.

At time interval T5 there are still three signatures 400 (numbered 1, 2 and 3) at their original distance from each other. However, between time intervals T5 and T6 the signature 1 is delayed according to the present invention, so that z. B. with Signature 2 forms a signature pair. All signatures then move up to Time interval T9 continues. However, signature 3 becomes between the time intervals T9 and T10 delayed and another pair with signature 4 formed. 4 only pairs of Signatures are formed, it is also possible to group with several Form signatures, e.g. B. Groupings of three, with a second delay is used, for. B. Signature group 1, 2 and 3 and group 4, 5 and 6, etc. to form.

Paar" von Leerräumen liegt. Beim Zeitabstand T11 beginnt die Falzeinrichtung 240, in dem Paar 1-2 einen zweiten Längsfalz zu erzeugen, während das Paar 3-4 und die einzelnen Signaturen 5 und 6 sich weiterhin auf das Falzmesser 10 zu bewegen. Beim Zeitabstand T12 ist das Falzen des Signaturpaares 1-2 etwa zur Hälfte ausgeführt. Beim Zeitabstand T13 ist das Falzmesser 10 soweit angehoben, daß sich das Signaturpaar 3-4 nähern und sich somit der Signaturstrom fortsetzen kann, wie dies bei den Zeitabständen T14 und T15 dargestellt ist, usw. Wenn also bei ausgewählten Signaturen eine Verzögerung veranlaßt wird, wie das abwechselnde Verzögern der Signaturen 400 zur Bildung von Signaturpaaren, z. B. Signaturpaare 1-2, 3-4, usw., dann ist der Leerraum zwischen jedem Paar von Signaturen 400 nicht vorhanden oder minimal. Es gibt z. B. im wesentlichen keinen Leerraum zwischen den Signaturpaaren 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 usw. Die Signaturpaare werden jeweils der erfindungsgemäßen Falzeinrichtung unterbreitet, um zusammen, d. h. als Paare, einen zweiten Längsfalz zu erhalten.At the time interval T10, the signature pairs 1-2 and 3-4 are formed and are at a distance from one another in such a way that between two signature pairs

At the time interval T11, the folding device 240 begins to produce a second longitudinal fold in the pair 1-2, while the pair 3-4 and the individual signatures 5 and 6 continue to move onto the folding knife 10. At the time interval T12 is about half of the folding of signature pair 1-2 At the time interval T13, the folding knife 10 is raised to such an extent that the signature pair 3-4 approach and the signature stream can thus continue, as is shown at the time intervals T14 and T15 , etc. Thus, if a delay is caused on selected signatures, such as alternately delaying the signatures 400 to form signature pairs, e.g., signature pairs 1-2, 3-4, etc., then there is the space between each pair of signatures 400 nonexistent or minimal, for example there is essentially no space between signature pairs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 etc. The signature pairs each become the folding device according to the invention submitted to obtain a second longitudinal fold together, ie as pairs.

By delaying selected signatures 400 to group signatures such as e.g. B. There are several advantages to forming pairs. For example, if the Feeding speed of the signatures 400 to the folding device 240 kept constant and selected signatures 400 are delayed to form pairs Folding speed of the folding knife 10 according to the invention can be reduced by 50%, while the same throughput as a conventional folding knife for individual signatures persist. This is because signature pairs are in half the Frequency with which individual signatures 400 (before the delay) the Folding knife 10 for individual folding are submitted on the folding knife 10 arrive. Alternatively, the folding speed of the folding knife 10 can be maintained or partially reduced if this is done with a corresponding increase in Feeding speed of the signatures 400 goes hand in hand.

If e.g. B. the folding speed of the folding knife 10 is maintained and Signature pairs with a delay mechanism according to the present invention can be formed, the feed rate of the signatures 400 and thus the Throughput of the folding device 240 can be doubled. In such a case remains the folder 240 at a 50% duty cycle (i.e., the lengths of the Signature pairs equal lengths of spaces between the signature pairs Follow). According to the present invention can be selected by delaying Signatures 400 that are grouped and folded with a single folding movement actually any combination of feed rate increase for Signatures 400 and a corresponding reduction in the folding speed of the Folding knife 10 can be achieved. For example, an increase in Feed speed from 100% to 150% a reduction in the folding speed from 100% to 75% if the folding knife 10 in a 50% duty cycle is operated. It is also possible to work in a cycle other than 50% by changing the speeds of all signatures.

For example, if a signature stream with a pair of signatures that has a space of follows the length of a single signature, has a 67% duty cycle, so it folds Folding knife 10 has two signatures 400 in one third of the working cycle and is then turned around two thirds of the duty cycle is delayed while two more signatures 400 (i.e., a pair of signatures) in position under the folder 10.

Fig. 5 shows a signature stream z. B. adapted to a 67% duty cycle shall be. An impeller or delay drum 220 is conveyed Signatures 400 z. B. on a conveyor belt 300 with a distance between the Signatures 400 half a signature length. Delaying every second Signature 400 by half a signature length results in signature pairs with a single one Signature corresponding distance from each other. This determines a 67% Working cycle, with signatures to be processed in two thirds of the cycle and one Third of the cycle is white space.

In this case, a folding knife 10 can be constructed which, for. B. the folding process by cycloidal motion well known in the art in less than 50% of the available work cycle. Thus, the conveyor belt 300 can Signature pair in the two thirds of the cycle, in which the knife above the signature lingers to transport a pair of signatures into their position under the folding knife 10, while the folding takes place in the remaining third of the cycle following signature pair approaches the folding knife 10.

As indicated above, processing a stream of signatures 400 in FIG Folding device for producing a second longitudinal fold according to the present invention delaying selected signatures 400, e.g. B. one Delay mechanism 250 (see FIG. 1) that is upstream of the Folding device 240 is arranged. It can also be any suitable one Delay mechanism can be used. For example, the delay a signature 400 on the tape, d. H. while the signature on the tape the folding knife 10 of the folding device 240 is moved. The signatures 400 can alternately delayed by z. B. on their transport to the folder stopped on the tape and started again. In the same way, the Delay of more than two signatures 400 can be achieved.

6 shows an example of an on-band delay mechanism. Below one Paddle wheel 220 or a delay device, not shown Conveyor belts 300 and 301 are arranged which by the paddle wheel or the Delay device record incoming signatures 400. The conveyor belts 300 and 301 convey the signatures 400 to the folding knife 10 of a folding device for the second longitudinal fold, which is arranged downstream of the conveyor belts. A Front stop 302 is located on conveyor belts 300 and 301, on one appropriate location between the upstream device, e.g. B. the paddle wheel or the delay drum 220 (see FIG. 1) and the downstream device, e.g. B. the folding device for the second longitudinal fold 240. The front stop 302 can For example, a pivotally mounted link that is between a raised Position 302.1 and a lowered position 302.2 moved back and forth. In the sublime Position 302.1 the front stop 302 brakes the movement of the signature 400 delay it until it is essentially next to the following signature 401. The front stop 302 can then pivot into the lowered position 302.2 in order to to stop the movement of the signature 400, so that the Signatures 400, 401 can move on as a pair of signatures. Through the back and forth Swinging the front stop 302 in the appropriate time cycle form the pairs of signatures 400 which are fed to the folding knife 10 according to the present invention become.

In addition to the front stop mechanism shown in Fig. 6, other types of on-band delay mechanisms can be used. For example, trailing edge grippers or other devices known in the art can be used to delay or control signatures 400 so that different space systems between the signatures 400 are created, such as e.g. B. a front end-to-back end arrangement, a grouping of three signatures, or the Mother-to-father "configuration in which two superimposed signatures are crimped so that one signature 400 is crimped into the other. Gripping mechanisms can also be used to locate the trailing edge of a signature 400 or a location between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the Take signature 400, for example to delay it on a conveyor, so that signature groups are formed, which are then fed to the folding knife.

7 shows a further delay mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, referred to as cylinder deceleration. As in Fig. 9 a first cylinder 501 has a plurality of grippers 503 (e.g. 503.1-503.6) on, which are arranged at a distance from each other around the cylinder circumference. Of the Cylinder 501 is arranged next to a conveyor belt 300, for example. The Grippers 503 grip signatures 400 using a conventional gripping mechanism from the conveyor belt 300. A second cylinder 502, for example another one Diameter than the first cylinder 501 also has several around its Unifang spaced grippers 504 (e.g. 504.1-504.2). The second Cylinder 502 is arranged substantially parallel to the first cylinder 501, specifically with a center-to-center distance which it the grippers 503 of the first cylinder 501 and allowing the grippers 504 of the second cylinder 502 to cooperate. The two Cylinders 501, 502 can be gripped with grippers 503, 504 known in the art be equipped, which are suitable, the signatures 400 from a cylinder to the to transfer another or from a cylinder to a conveyor belt.

When the folding device is operated, a signature 400 is generated by the first Cylinder 501 of upstream processing units in a conventional manner is taken over, for example from the gripper 503.1 to the gripper 504.1 of the second Transfer cylinder 502. The circumferences of the cylinders 501, 502 are corresponding Dimension so that e.g. B. in successive revolutions, the gripper 503 first cylinder 501 with another gripper 504 of the second cylinder 502 cooperate, as is the case with the known gripper-to-gripper transfer method Case is. The gripper 504.1 of the second cylinder 502 thus transfers the signature to the Gripper 503.2 of the first cylinder 501. Then the first cylinder 501 can have two Place signatures on the conveyor 300 in a front end-back end arrangement, d. that is, with substantially no space between the open front end of one Signature 400 and the back end of a previous signature 400. Die Signatures 400 thus enter the folding device 240 in order to collectively according to the present invention to be provided with the second longitudinal fold.

The first cylinder 501 or the second cylinder 502 can e.g. B. also a small one Have rotational eccentricity, so that when the signature is transferred from one Cylinder on top of the other the gripper on the cylinder to which the signature is transferred is moving faster than the gripper on the cylinder from which the signature is removed. For example, the signature moves from Gripper 503.4 on gripper 504.2 the gripper 504.2 somewhat faster than the gripper 503.4.

Fig. 8 shows a retarding band system according to the present invention, in which, for. B. every second signature 400 detached from one signature product stream and onto another Belt system with different path lengths are conveyed to the folding device can. 8 shows a conventional folding cylinder 601, which is arranged essentially perpendicular to the signature path and signatures of upstream processing units of the printing press. The cylinder 601 has several grippers 602.1, 602.2 arranged distributed around its circumference. Next The cylinder 601 has two belt paths 610 and 620. The belt path 610 is from a belt 611 rotating around rollers 612 and from a belt 614 rotating belt 613 formed. A second tape path 620 is surrounded by one Rolls 622 rotating belt 621 and one rotating around rolls 624 Band 623 formed. The tape paths 610 and 620 ultimately merge. In Fig. 8 form the band paths 610 and 620 z. B. a third band path 630 leading to a Folding knife 10 leads, which produces a second longitudinal fold. Alternatively, you can use the Belt paths 610 and 620 signatures 400 on an independent conveyor, not shown are placed immediately downstream of the belt paths 610 and 620 and which then conveys the signatures to the folding knife 10.

When operating the retarding tape system shown in Fig. 8, the Signatures 400 fed in a front-to-back end arrangement and z. B. alternately directed into different band paths. The gripper 602.1 gives a first one Signature 401 in the first tape path 610 free. Then the gripper 602.2 gives a second one Signature 402 in the second tape path 620 free. The length of the paths and the The speed of the tapes are coordinated so that the signatures 401 and 402 in a front-to-back-end arrangement to form a pair in the common path 630 can be transported. The signature pair 401, 402 is then transported to the folding knife 10, which is used to produce the second longitudinal fold moved back and forth on a vertical path 22.

9 shows an alternate display of the signatures 400 over different tape paths. Here, the signatures 400 and 401 are stored on the common tape path 630, one on top of the other and not in the front-to-back end arrangement. This is advantageous because when two signatures are folded, the signatures lie one inside the other, which is also called one Mom-dad "arrangement is known. This Mama-Papa "arrangement can also be achieved with other delay mechanisms described above.

The throughput of a printing press can be further improved by e.g. B. a signature stream either before or after the formation of those described above Groups of signatures 400 is divided and each of the divided signature streams in a separate folding device 240 according to the invention for producing a second one Longitudinal fold is processed. Thus, the folding speed z. B. quadrupled if the signature stream is shared and a pair of each stream Signature grouping is fed to a separate folding knife 10, each of the two folding knives 10 with the folding speed, as before the delay prevailed, is operated.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 - 6

Grouping signatures

10th

Folding knife

11

pivot point

12th

pivot point

20th

Rotating body

20a

Axis of rotation

21

Direction of transport

22

Vertical movement / path of the folding knife 10

25th

Articulated arm

30th

Rotating body

30a

Axis of rotation

35

Articulated arm

40

Web / strand

100

frame

102

ball-bearing

102 '

ball-bearing

150

Folding cylinder

200

Funnel plate

201

Top of the funnel plate

202

Folding roller

210

Cutting cylinder

220

Paddle wheel / deceleration drum

240

Folding device for producing the second longitudinal fold

250

Delay mechanism

260

Folding table

300

Conveyor belt

301

Conveyor belt

302

Front stop

302.1

raised position of the front stop 302

302.2

lowered position of the front stop 302

400

signature

401-402

following signatures / signature pair

501

first cylinder (Fig. 7)

502

second cylinder (Fig. 7)

503.1 - 503.6

Gripper (Fig. 7)

504

Gripper (Fig. 7)

504.1 - 504.2

Gripper (Fig. 7)

601

Folding cylinder

602.1 - 602.2

Gripper

610

Tape path

611

tape

612

Rollers

613

tape

614

Rollers

620

Tape path

621

tape

622

Rollers

623

tape

624

Rollers

630

Tape path

Claims (9)

Device for producing a longitudinal fold in signatures transported by a conveyor system, the device comprising the following features: a delay mechanism (250) for selectively handling individual signatures (400) to form at least one signature grouping; a folding knife (10) which is arranged downstream of the delay mechanism (250) and parallel to the transport direction (21) of the at least one signature grouping; and a folding mechanism (240), which is located below the folding knife (10) and receives the signatures (400) of the at least one signature group and generates a longitudinal fold in the signatures (400) of the at least one signature group, the folding knife (10) between a first and a second position is moved and in the second position this drives the signatures (400) of the at least one signature group into the folding mechanism (240). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the at least one group of signatures on which the folding knife (10) acts is a pair of signatures which follow one another in a front-to-back-end arrangement. Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the delay mechanism (250) comprises a front stop (302) which is mounted on the conveyor system and can be moved between a first and a second position (302.1, 302.2), so that in the first position (302.1) of the front stop (302) the movement is at least one of the signatures (400) is delayed and in the second position (302.2) of the front stop (302) the movement of at least one of the signatures (400) is not delayed. Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the delay mechanism (250) comprises a gripper mechanism (503, 504) arranged next to the conveyor system (300), by which a signature (400) is taken from the stream of signatures conveyed by the conveyor system (300) and the speed of the taken signature (400) is relative to the conveyor system (300) is changed so as to change the space between the signature (400) taken relative to the next signature (401). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the delay mechanism is a cylinder delay mechanism comprising a first cylinder (501) having a plurality of first grippers (503.1-503.6) arranged on its surface, which are provided with the individual signatures (400) of the conveying system (300) transported signature stream are in contact; and comprising a second cylinder (502) disposed adjacent to the first cylinder (501) and having a plurality of second grippers (504.1, 504.2) disposed on its surface which are in contact with the first grippers (503.1-503.6) , wherein the first cylinder (501) transmits a selected signature (400) to the second cylinder (502) and the second cylinder (502) transmits the selected signature (400) back to the first cylinder (501) so that the position of the selected signature (400) is changed relative to a next signature (400) in order to form a signature grouping for downstream processing by the folding knife (10). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the delay mechanism includes a first tape path (610) that receives a first signature (401) from the signature stream and a second tape path (620) that receives a second signature (402) from the product stream, and that the first tape path (610 ) and the second tape path (620) each release the first signature (401) and the second signature (402), so that the first and the second signature form the at least one signature group, which is processed downstream by the folding knife (10). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the folding mechanism (240) comprises a first cylinder (150) which is arranged opposite a second cylinder (150) so that the first and the second cylinder (150) form a gap into which the at least one signature grouping is driven to to be folded. Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the folding knife (10) has a length adapted to the length of the at least one signature grouping. Method for generating a second longitudinal fold in signatures, comprising the following steps: supplying a stream of signatures from an upstream unit of a printing press; delaying signatures selected from the signature stream to form at least one signature grouping; conveying the at least one signature grouping into a device for generating a second longitudinal fold; and generating a second longitudinal fold in the at least one signature grouping.

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