EP1112861B1 - Method und device for attaching inserts to printed products - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus, which serves to join flat supplementary products provided with an adhesive to printed products, has n holding elements which are driven on a circulating path about a first axis, by means of which supplementary products are gripped individually at at least one pick-up point and, after an appropriate rotation about the first axis, can be joined to a printed product at a discharge point. As they are transported from the pick-up point to the discharge point, the holding elements, which are mounted such that they can rotate about a second axis running at least approximately parallel to the first axis, are rotated about the second axis and guided into the area of the printed products, which are conveyed in a suspended manner and on a second path at least approximately tangentially to the circulating path, after which, at the discharge point, a printed product, opened if appropriate, is supported laterally by means of a leading or trailing holding element and, by means of the leading or trailing holding element, is joined to a supplementary product at an envisaged point.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for bonding adhesives flat supplementary products with printed products according to the preamble of claim 1 or 7.

A method and an apparatus of this type are known from the Patent EP 0 675 062 B1 known. There is one in it Transport device described by the complementary products, such as labels, samples or "post-it" ® products can be linked to printed matter, which are stored in a processing device.

The supplementary products that are stacked are available to this from the transport device by means of support arms and Steering elements controllably attached transport brackets individually recorded, transported and on printed matter given up in the processing facility all around driven, stable wall elements astride collected or in rotating driven, stable Receiving parts are inserted. At the handover the supplementary products using the transport clips the printed matter held by the wall elements pressed and connected. So provided with adhesive Complementary products this way correctly with printed products can be connected is a skillful Control of the transport clamps necessary. The additional processing device required for the transport device is stable to build and with the transport device to synchronize. Within the processing flow the printed products also result two additional transitions between the processing device and transport devices by means of which the Processing device fed to printed products and be removed from it.

Another example of devices for connecting supplementary products to printed products is known from EP-A-0 570 339.

The present invention is therefore the object based on a method and a device for connecting of supplementary products with printed products create that is simple and promote the Print products allowed with little effort.

This task is accomplished with a method and an apparatus solved that specified in claim 1 and 7 respectively Features.

For connecting the supplementary products with the printed products is a number in orbit by one first axis driven holding members provided, by means of those supplied by a first conveyor or on a Stack of available supplementary products one at a time Admission point recorded and after a corresponding Rotation around the first axis at a delivery point Printed products are linked by one second conveyor can be transported hanging. A free hanging print product is for this by the Device according to the invention by means of a support member supported and by means of a with respect to the support member arranged on the other side of the printed product Holding member in a designated place with a Associated product.

It is essential that the holding of the printed product while connecting to a supplemental product not through the promotion of printed matter provided conveyor or one for intermediate storage of the Processing equipment provided for printed matter happens, but by supporting elements, preferably Holding members, the device according to the invention.

The device according to the invention can therefore be used in existing Conveyors are used in places where the printed matter hanging freely, without intermediate storage in a processing facility become. The device is therefore in existing or new plants flexible without additional investments used. Those for the application of the supplementary products the necessary counter support is provided by the support elements the device according to the invention.

In contrast to that known from EP 0 666 186 A1 Device by means of which the outer part was transported hanging Printed products facing each other lying edges connected with an adhesive and thereby can be completed, the inventive Device supplementary products, e.g. Samples, outside or within an open. Printing product anywhere.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung, mittels der Ergänzungsprodukte mit der nachlaufenden Seite von Druckereierzeugnissen verbunden werden,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1, während des Verbindens von Ergänzungsprodukten mit der vorlaufenden Seite von Druckereierzeugnissen,

Fig. 3

den Vorgang der Abgabe eines Ergänzungsproduktes an ein Druckereierzeugnis mittels eines das Ergänzungsprodukt tragenden, nachlaufenden Halteorgans und eines vorlaufenden, das Druckereierzeugnis stützenden Halteorgans, welches das Ergänzungsprodukt bereits an das vorlaufende Druckereierzeugnis abgegeben hat,

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1, während des Verbindens von Ergänzungsprodukten mit der vorlaufenden Seite eines nachlaufenden Schenkels eines geöffneten Druckereierzeugnisses,

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1, während des Verbindens von Ergänzungsprodukten mit der nachlaufenden Seite eines vorlaufenden Schenkels eines geöffneten Druckereierzeugnisses, und

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1 in einer vorzugsweisen Ausgestaltung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

a device according to the invention, by means of which supplementary products are connected to the trailing side of printed products,

Fig. 2

1 during the connection of supplementary products with the leading side of printed products,

Fig. 3

the process of delivering a supplementary product to a printed product by means of a trailing holding member carrying the supplementary product and a leading holding member supporting the printed product, which has already delivered the supplementary product to the preceding printed product,

Fig. 4

1 during the connection of supplementary products with the leading side of a trailing leg of an opened printed product,

Fig. 5

1 during the connection of supplementary products with the trailing side of a leading leg of an opened printed product, and

Fig. 6

1 in a preferred embodiment.

1 shows a device 10 according to the invention, by means of the flat surface provided with an adhesive Complementary products 2 from a first conveyor 1 to one Acquisition point A1 taken along a first path B1 transported to a delivery point A2 and there with the trailing page 92 of printed matter 9 to be connected hanging from a second conveyor 100 are guided along a second path B2.

The device according to the invention has n holding elements 20 _1, 20 ₂ ,..., 20 _n driven in the first path B1 about a first axis x, by means of which the supplementary products 2 are detected individually at the receiving point A1 after a corresponding rotation about the first Axis x is guided into the area of the printed products 9 and is connected to a printed product 9 _m at the delivery point A2. For this purpose, the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,... 20 _n are arranged around an at least approximately parallel to the first axis x ^- second axis y ₁ ; y ₂ ; ...; y _n rotatably supported so that the holding elements 20 _1, 20 _2, ..., 20 _n in a form suitable for transfer or discharge the supplementary products 2 at the recording and the delivery point A1, A2 are able to rotate.

The holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _n are preferably provided with a suction head 201 (see, for example, FIG. 6), which is at least approximately parallel to the supplementary products 2 supplied at the receiving point A1 and at least approximately parallel at the dispensing point A2 is aligned to the printed products 9. If the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n are} equipped with a gripper, a clamp or the like, their alignment at the receiving and dispensing points A1, A2 must be adjusted accordingly.

The supplementary products 2 fed by the first conveyor 1 or, e.g. in EP 0 675 061 B1, Fig. 1, directly a stack taken from or, as in EP 0 666 186 A1, Fig. 5 or of WO 99/06285, Fig. 1, from a tape or Strips separated and ready for recording or to be handed over immediately. This tape can be a carrier tape be on which the supplementary products 2 adhere and be replaced during the funding process. The Stripes or the band can also be the basis of the Form supplementary products 2, cut off from the strip and, if not already available, with a Adhesive 3 are provided.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, supplementary products 2 are recorded at the receiving point A1, possibly at a further receiving point A1 ', during the transport to the delivery point A2 from the holding member 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20 _n trailing (see FIG. 1) or leading (see FIG. 2) vertically aligned, guided between the printed products 9 and connected to a printed product 9 _m at the delivery point A2.

The process of delivering a supplementary product 2 to a printed product 9 _m by means of a preceding and a trailing holding member 20 _n carrying the supplementary product; 20 _n-1 of FIG. 1 will be described in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 3a-3d, the holding member 20 _n-1 provided with the supplementary product 2 is guided from behind against the trailing side 92 of the printed product 9 _m , while the leading holding member 20 _{n is} guided with a support element 202 against the leading side 91 of the printed product is guided 9 _m until the supplementary product 2 with the adhesive layer 3 applied thereon is pressed firmly against the printed product 9 _m supported by the leading holding member 20 _n (see FIG. 3c). As shown in FIG. 3d, the printed product 9 _m provided with the supplementary product 2 is then released again. The holding member 20 _n-1 is guided back against the leading side 91 of the next printed product 9 _{m + 1} , on the trailing side 92 of which a supplementary product ₂ is now applied by means of the next trailing holding member 20 _n-2 .

Each of the holding members 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20 _n therefore has a double function. During a revolution around the axis x, a holding device 20 _{n-1 transfers} a supplementary product 2 from the receiving to the delivery point A1; A2 transported and delivered to a printed product 9 _m . In addition, an adjacent printed product 9 _{m + 1} or 9 _{m-1 is} supported at the delivery point A2, so that a supplementary product 2 by means of a leading or trailing holding member 20 _n ; 20 _{n-2 can} be attached to it. The support function can take place after the delivery of the supplementary product 2 (see FIG. 1) or before the delivery of the supplementary product 2 (see FIG. 2).

While in FIG. 1 the supplementary products 2 are fastened to the trailing side 92 of the printed products 9, in FIG. 2 they are fastened to the leading side 91 of the printed products 9. Each holding member 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20 _n is therefore in FIG. 2 after the inclusion of a supplementary product 2 about the axis y ₁ ; y ₂ ; ...; y _n rotated that the supplementary product 2 at the delivery point A2 the holding member 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20 _{n runs} and, like the printed products 9, is oriented at least approximately vertically.

The function of the device elements serving to move (rotation about the second axis y and inclination about a third axis z) of the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,... 20 _n , which are shown in detail in FIG. 2, is described below with reference on Fig. 6 explained in more detail.

From FIG. 4 it can be seen that supplementary products 2 can also be attached to printed products 9 which have several legs 93, 94 by means of the device according to the invention. If the legs 93, 94 are open, supplementary products 2 can also be attached to their inner sides 932, 941 in the manner described above. 4 shows the holding members 20 _n , 20 _{n-1 of} the device 10 during the connection of a supplementary product 2 to the leading side 941 of a trailing leg 94 of a printed product 9. It can be seen that the support function takes place before the supplementary product 2 is dispensed.

5 shows the holding members 20 _n , 20 _{n-1 of} the device 10 during the connection of a supplementary product 2 to the trailing side 932 of a leading leg 93 of a printed product 9, which is opened upstream by means of measures known, for example, from published patent application EP 0 564 812 A1 has been.

6 shows the device 10 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment with a holding member 20 ₁ which is fixedly connected to a shaft 21 which can be rotated about the second axis y ₁ . The shaft 21 is rotatably supported on both sides in levers 22, 22 ', which are rotatably connected to support elements 25, 25' by means of shafts 23, 23 'aligned along a third axis z ₁ , which are arranged along a longitudinal axis by means of flange hubs 27, 27' the first axis x aligned drive shaft 11 are attached.

As in FIG. 6, the lever 22 is cut out shown, with a spaced apart from the third axis z1 Wheel 26 provided, which during the preferably with constant Angular velocity rotation of the Support element 25 about the first axis x in a third Path B3 is guided in a parallel to the support element 25 aligned, non-rotating backdrop 40 as Guide groove 41 is incorporated.

The distance of the third path B3 from the first axis x runs as a function of the angle of rotation around the first Axis x such that, in particular, on the recording and Delivery point A1; A2 the for the admission or delivery of the Supplementary products 2 required swiveling or inclination of the lever 22 is achieved.

The shaft 21 is further in the preferred embodiment on both sides with a drive wheel 31; 31 'provided which via a first drive belt 32; 32 'with one at least approximately coaxial to the third axis zl; z1 ' aligned clutch wheel 33; 33 ', which via a second drive belt 34; 34 'with an am Support element 25; 25 'attached steering wheel 35; 35 ' connected is. The steering wheel 35; 35 'is as in FIG. 2 shown, via a control lever 36 with a wheel 37 connected, the 25 during rotation of the support member the first axis x is guided in a fourth path B4, which are incorporated in the backdrop 40 as a guide groove 42 is.

The distance of the fourth path B4 from the first axis x is selected as a function of the angle of rotation about the first axis x such that in particular at the pick-up and discharge point A1; A2 a rotation of the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,..., 20 _n about the second axis y1 required for receiving and delivering the supplementary products 2; y2; ...; yn is achieved.

Instead of the drive device described with Drive wheel 31; 31 ', clutch wheel 33; 33 'and steering wheel 35, 35 'over the first and second drive belts 32; 32 'and 34; 34 'are connected to one another any other suitable drive means, such as gears, Chains, etc. used to control the position of the shaft 21 become.

For gripping and holding supplementary products 2, the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,..., 20 _{n are provided} with a suction head 201, which is connected to a compressed air device 15 via an ejector 203 serving as a jet pump with suction effect.

The compressed air device 15 consists of a rotary valve 152 seated on the shaft 11, the rotor of which is each connected via a line 153 to an ejector 203 and is rotatably supported by means of a bearing in a stator connected to a compressed air line 151 in such a way that in the rotary valve 152 for each Holding member 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20n an air duct is formed. The air pressure (vacuum) within the suction member 201 is controlled depending on the position of the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _n , so that a supplementary product 2 is sucked in at the receiving point A1 and again after the transport at the delivery point A2 is released. Instead of the compressed air device 15 described, by means of which the necessary suction effect is generated by increasing the flow velocity in the ejectors 203, a vacuum system can also be used, through which the air is sucked out of the channels of the suction head 201 if necessary.

By means of the device according to the invention, the supplementary products 2 can be attached to the printed products 9 at any desired locations. For this purpose, the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n are} attached to the associated shafts 21 at correspondingly selected positions. Furthermore, two or more holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n can be} arranged on each shaft 21. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pick-up points A1, A1 'can also be provided, at which supplementary products 2 delivered by consecutive or side by side first conveyors 1, 1' are taken over. As indicated in the drawing in Fig. 6, the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n are} aligned on the shaft 21 according to the position of the first conveyor 1, 1 '.

The holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,..., 20 _{n can} preferably be controlled individually or in groups in such a way that supplementary products 2 at the first or a further receiving point A1, A1 'are either taken over by a first conveyor 1, 1' or by a stack can be.

The shafts 21 provided with the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _n are, as described above, preferably held on both sides by support elements 25, 25 'and levers 22, 22' and by means of links 40, 40 'and drive means, for example, the belt drive 30, 30 'shown in FIG. 6 controlled. However, a holder and / or control provided on one side is also possible.

Although the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n are} preferably provided with suction heads, the use of gripping tools, such as clips, is also possible. The number of holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _n and shafts 21 is preferably selected such that the supplementary products 2 can be transferred smoothly at the receiving and dispensing point A1, A2.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-6, the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _{n have} a double function, wherein they are provided for holding a supplementary product 2 and for supporting a printed product 9. It is now also possible to use holding and supporting members which are provided alternately in the device and are easier to control due to the reduced functionality, so that their movement relative to the printed products 9 can also be effected by other means. The holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ , ..., 20 _n shown in FIG. 1, in this case, are alternately equipped only with suction heads 201 or support elements 202.

Unless other means for moving the suction heads 201 and Support elements 202 are provided, can rotate about the second and / or third axis y; z if necessary to be dispensed with. A deflection of the suction heads 201 and Support elements 202 can e.g. also pneumatic, mechanical, done electrically or magnetically in another way.

The course of the first and second path B1; B2 in which the supplementary products 2 or the printed products 9 transported, runs in the area of the delivery point A2 preferably concentric or coaxial to the axis x, so that the transfer can be carried out more easily and precisely.

Although in the devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the supplementary products 2 from below in the area of the printed products 9 is one Introduction from the side or from above is also possible.

Furthermore, the support and holding members can run in separate paths. The movement in the first path B1 from the pick-up point A1 to the delivery point A2 is of course only necessary for the holding members 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ,..., 20 _n serving to transport the supplementary products 2. The support members can also be provided in a reduced number. Necessary is at least one support member, each on the support member 20 ₁ ; 20 ₂ ; ...; 20 _n opposite side 91; 92 of the printed product 9 is provided for supporting the same.

Claims (18)

1. Method of joining flat supplementary products (2) provided with an adhesive (3) to printed products (9), having a number of holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n) which are driven on a circulating path (B1) around a first axis (x), by means of which supplementary products (2) are gripped individually at at least one pick-up point (A1) and, after an appropriate rotation about the first axis (x), are joined to a printed product (9) at a discharge point (A2), wherein the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n), as they are transported from the pick-up point to the discharge point (A1; A2), are guided into the area of the printed products (9), which are conveyed in a suspended manner and on a second path (B2) at least approximately tangentially to the circulating path (B1), characterized in that, at the discharge point (A2), a printed product (9), opened if appropriate, is supported on the appropriate side by means of a supporting element and, by means of a holding element (20₁; 20₂; ..., 20_n) arranged on the opposite side of the printed product (9) to the supporting element, is joined to a supplementary product (2) at an envisaged point.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element is guided on the circulating path (B1) and/or in that the printed product (9) is supported by a holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) acting as supporting element.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during the transfer between the pick-up point and the discharge point (A1; A2), the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n), which are mounted such that they can rotate about a second axis (y₁; y₂; ...; y_n) running at least approximately parallel to the first axis (x), are rotated about the second axis (y₁; y₂; ...; y_n) into a position suitable for the pick-up and/or discharge.
4. Method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) is moved around the first axis (x) by means of a carrying element (25) arranged on a shaft (11) and, by means of a lever (22) that is pivotably connected to the carrying element (25), is inclined forwards or backwards, in the direction of circulation, about a third axis (z₁; z₂; ...; z_n) aligned parallel to the first axis (x), in order, at the discharge point (A2), to support a printed product (9) or to join it to a supplementary product (2).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) has a suction head (201) which serves to pick up supplementary products (2), is connected to a vacuum device or, via an ejector (203) serving as a jet pump with a suction action, to a compressed-air device (15), and which can pick up a supplementary product (2) by suction at the pick-up point (A1) and release it again at the discharge point (A2).
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed products (9), which are conveyed tangentially along the second path (B2), preferably longitudinally or transversely with respect to the first path (B1), are aligned at least approximately transversely with respect to the direction of circulation of the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n).
7. Apparatus for implementing the method according to Claim 1, having a number of holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n) which are driven on a circulating path (B1) around a first axis (x), by means of which flat supplementary products (2) provided with an adhesive (3) can be gripped individually at at least one pick-up point (A1) and, after an appropriate rotation about the first axis (x), can be joined to a printed product (9) at a discharge point (A2), wherein, as they are transported from the pick-up point to the discharge point (A1; A2), the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n), which are mounted such that they can rotate about a second axis (y₁; y₂; ...; y_n) running at least approximately parallel to the first axis (x), can be guided into the area of the printed products (9), which are conveyed in a suspended manner and on a second path (B2) at least approximately tangentially to the circulating path (B1), characterized in that, at the discharge point (A2), a printed product (9), opened if appropriate, is supported on an appropriate side by means of a supporting element and, by means of a holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) arranged on the opposite side of the printed product (9) to the supporting element, can be joined to a supplementary product (2) at an envisaged point.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the supporting element is guided on the circulating path (B1) and/or in that at least one holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) acts as supporting element.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of the holding elements (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) is connected to a shaft (21) which is aligned along the second axis (y₁; y₂; ...; y_n) and is rotatably mounted in a lever (22), which is preferably fixed, such that it can be pivoted about a third axis (z₁; z₂; ...; z_n) aligned parallel to the first axis (x), to a carrying element (25) driven by a drive shaft (11) aligned along the first axis (x).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the lever (22) is provided with a wheel (26) which is spaced apart from the third axis (z₁; z₂; ...; z_n) and, during the rotation of the carrying element (25), is guided around the first axis (x) on a third path (B3), which is machined into a slotted guide (40), preferably as a guide groove (41).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the distance of the third path (B3) from the first axis (x) is selected as a function of the angle of rotation, on the basis of the rotation of the carrying element (25) about the first axis (x), in such a way that, in particular at the pick-up and discharge points (A1; A2), the pivoting of the lever (22) needed to pick up and discharge the supplementary products (2) is achieved.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shaft (21) is connected by form-fitting drive means (30, 30') to a guide element, preferably a wheel (37), which, during the rotation of the carrying element (25), is guided around the first axis (x) on a fourth path (B4), which is machined into the slotted guide (40), preferably as a guide groove (42).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that the shaft (21) is provided with a drive wheel (31), which is connected via a first drive belt (32) to a coupling wheel (33) which is aligned at least approximately coaxially with the third axis (z₁; z₂; ...; z_n), and which is connected via a second drive belt (34) to a control wheel (35) which is fixed to the carrying element (25) and which is connected via a control lever (36) to the wheel (37).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the distance of the fourth path (B4) from the first axis (x) is selected on the basis of the rotation of the carrying element (25) about the first axis (x) in such a way that, in particular at the pick-up and discharge points (A1; A2), a rotation of the holding elements (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) about the second axis (y₁; y₂; ...; y_n), needed to pick up and discharge the supplementary products (2), is achieved.
15. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7-14, characterized in that each holding element (20₁; 20₂; ...; 20_n) has a suction head (201) which serves to pick up supplementary products (2) and is connected to a vacuum device or, via an ejector (203) serving as a jet pump with a suction action, to a compressed-air device (15).
16. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7-15, characterized in that the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n) can be fixed on the associated shafts (21) at optionally defined positions, and/or in that two or more holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n) are arranged on one or more shafts (21).
17. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7-16, characterized in that the holding elements (20₁, 20₂, ..., 20_n) can be controlled individually or in groups in such a way that supplementary products (2) can be accepted at the first or a further pick-up point (A1, A1').
18. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7-17, characterized in that the shafts (21) are held at both ends by carrying elements (25, 25') and levers (22, 22'), and are controlled by means of slotted guides (40, 40') and drive means (30, 30').

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