EP1196345B1 - Method and device for the overlapping arrangement of at least two sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for arranging at least two sheets in a shingled mode of arrangement, wherein a first sheet is moved in a paper travelling direction, and a second sheet is simultaneously moved in a direction at an angle relative to the paper travelling direction in such a way that the at least two sheets are slid one on top of the other. Alternatively, the first and the second sheet are moved in a first and in a second direction at respective different angles relative to a paper travelling direction. Another alternative is to move the two sheets in a first and in a second direction at different speeds but at identical angles relative to the paper travelling direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for shingled arrangement of at least two Scroll.

Methods and devices are already in the prior art known that used to overlay sheets be a cutting machine in two-up operation outputs.

DE 34 33 497 A1 describes a device in which side by side arranged sheets of paper in a collating station be guided in the transverse to a longitudinal axis of the A conveyor belt is provided, by means of which a Paper sheet conveyed transversely to the longitudinal plane of the device is pushed over the other sheet of paper.

DE 198 19 736 C1 discloses a device for superimposing one another of sheets of paper where the initially side by side arranged paper sheets over two levels by means of Vacuum conveyor belts are pushed over each other, what is achieved in that the vacuum conveyor belts with respect the paper feed direction are arranged obliquely.

US-A-3,178,170 discloses an apparatus for collecting of individual sheets, in which the sheets used in the device lie next to each other by means of diagonally arranged Transport rollers are pushed over each other, the Transport rollers are driven together.

GB 2 083 44B A discloses a cutting and collating device, by means of a plurality of isolated Scroll a stack of sheets on top of each other is produced.

US-A-4,674,375 relates to a collator of the three cut sheets in a previous section were cut, and parallel at the entrance of the machine be brought together in a stack, such that the individual sheets are arranged one above the other are. The sheets are pushed over each other, and only at the exit of the device is a stack arrangement provided by means of which the individual sheets to a corresponding Batches are merged. The single ones Sheets are moved by conveyor rollers that are driven together.

The systems described above, as from the state of the Technology is already known, is common to all that this just create the possibility of at least two sheets, which are fed to such a device, one above the other to be arranged, in this connection the orientation of the sheets that are pushed one on top of the other are always such that these form a stack in which the individual sheets are flush are arranged one above the other.

In applications where e.g. through the individual sheets corresponding cutting operations on known cutting machines were generated by those described above Devices are pushed together in stacks, and at which then require further processing of these elements is, e.g. B. grouping individual documents, the Inserting or similar, it is, if only for the sake of Space saving, required when transporting the arrange the leaves in individual scales in a shingled form, i.e. such that the sheets passed on with a slight longitudinal offset are arranged one above the other. Based to predetermined dimensions, this enables an increased Transport capacity compared to the transport capacity for the case that only single sheets are transported would.

The procedure described above, namely initially Sliding one on top of the other and stacked Leaves and the subsequent flaking of the same is required however, additional processing steps after each Sheets emerging from the gathering station (merger) emerge, first collected in a stack and then the sheets from the stack formed must be separated subtracted to create their scaled arrangement, which requires additional work steps and leads to a reduction in the operating speed because for example during a cycle e.g. For 200 ms is, only a single sheet can be peeled off, so that already 400 ms for the scaled creation of two sheets, So two cycles of the operating cycle are required.

DE 198 36 231 A1 relates to a device for Transporting documents from at least two separate ones Inputs to a common output with which it is possible to have a scaled at the common exit Arrangement of documents from the two separate entrances to achieve. In particular, a first transport route that leads from one entrance to the common exit, provided in a straight line, while another transport route, the leads from the other entrance to the common exit, runs diagonally to the first transport route. Also run the transport routes at different heights, so that the Length of the transport routes due to the sloping course the transport route and the different heights of the two transport routes is different. The speeds the transport facilities along the transport routes can be set independently, so that at the common exit a scaled one Arrangement can be achieved.

Based on this prior art, the present Invention based on the object, a method and a Device for shingled arrangement of at least two To create sheets that process quickly Enable scrolling in a paper handling system, and reduce the number of clock cycles required.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, and by a device according to Claim 7 solved.

The present invention provides a method for scaling Arranging at least two sheets in which a first Sheet of the at least two sheets in a paper travel direction is moved, and at the same time a second sheet of at least two leaves in one direction at an angle is moved with respect to the paper running direction so that the at least two sheets are pushed over one another.

The present invention provides a method for scaling Arranging at least two sheets in which a first Sheet of at least two sheets in a first direction at a first angle with respect to a paper travel direction is moved, and a second sheet of at least two sheets in a second direction under a second Angle moved with respect to a paper running direction is that the at least two sheets are pushed over one another with the first and second angles being different are.

The present invention provides a method for scaling Arranging at least two sheets in which a first Sheet of at least two sheets in a first direction at a first angle with respect to the direction of paper travel is moved at a first speed, and a second sheet of at least two sheets in a second Direction at a second angle with respect to the paper travel direction so moved at a second speed is that the at least two sheets are pushed over one another where the first and second angles are the same, and wherein the first and second speeds are different are.

The present invention provides a device for scaling Arranging at least two sheets, with one first transport device that a first sheet of at least two sheets moved in a paper travel direction, and a second transport device that has a second sheet of at least two leaves in one direction under one Angle with respect to the paper running direction moved such that the at least two sheets are pushed over one another.

The present invention provides a device for scaling Arranging at least two sheets, with one first transport device which is a first sheet of at least two leaves in a first direction under one first angle with respect to a paper running direction, and a second transport device that has a second sheet of the at least two sheets in a second direction below a second angle with respect to the direction of paper travel moved that the at least two sheets pushed over one another with the first and second angles being different are.

The present invention provides a device for scaling Arranging at least two sheets, with one first transport device which is a first sheet of at least two leaves in a first direction under a first Angle with respect to a paper travel direction with a first one Speed moves, a second transport device, which is a second sheet of at least two sheets in a second direction and at a second angle the paper travel direction at a second speed so moved that the at least two sheets one above the other be pushed, taking the first and second angles are the same, and being the first and second speeds are different.

According to the present invention, the different Movements of the individual sheets (different Distances and / or different speeds) reached, that a first sheet is faster than a second Sheet, so that when the sheets are pushed one over the other Offset in the direction of the paper direction results in the individual Leaves are scaled.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the different speeds of the transport devices cause movement of the individual sheets such that a first sheet is faster than a second sheet, so that when the sheets are pushed one on top of the other, there is an offset in the direction of the paper travel, the individual sheets are scaled. The first speed v _{1 of} the first sheet is preferably in the range from 2 m / s to 5 m / s, and the second speed v _{2 of} the second sheet is preferably in the range from 1.05 xv ₁ to 1.2 xv ₁ , ie 5% to 20% higher than _v1 . The offset of the edges leading in the paper running direction is preferably in the range from 10 mm to 50 mm.

According to a further preferred exemplary embodiment, this is inventive method and the inventive device designed so that the leaves by half their format width in a direction perpendicular to the paper running direction be moved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention Device are the transport devices in a transfer station as inclined transport devices trained, the directions of transport each under acute Angle run obliquely to a longitudinal median plane.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport devices are through Vacuum transport units formed that are oblique to a paper travel direction are arranged and between which one Partition plate is arranged so that the conveyor belts of the vacuum transport units cross.

Preferred developments of the present invention are defined in the subclaims.

Fig. 1A - 1C

Prinzipdarstellungen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 2

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 3

einen Längsschnitt nach der Linie III-III der Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt nach der Linie IV-IV der Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt nach der Linie II-II der Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

einen Teillängsschnitt an der Stelle III der Fig. 6; und

Fig. 8 - 11

schematische Darstellungen verschiedener Betriebsweisen der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1A-1C

Basic representations of the method according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a longitudinal section along the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

a cross section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 6

a longitudinal section along the line II-II of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

a partial longitudinal section at point III of Fig. 6; and

Figures 8-11

schematic representations of different modes of operation of the device according to the second embodiment.

The present invention is based on the finding that that a scaled arrangement of at least two leaves in a gathering station (merger) in a simple way can be achieved, which is described below with reference to FIG. 1 illustrated three embodiments of the invention The method is described in more detail, the later devices to be described according to the invention following these procedures.

1A shows a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which a first sheet 10 and a second sheet 12 are to be arranged in shingled fashion. The two sheets 10 and 12 abut an initial position 14 and are moved from there in a paper running direction P, and are arranged in a shingled manner at a final position 16, as is shown in the right section of FIG. 1A. As can be seen, the two sheets 10 and 12 are arranged one above the other, an edge 18 of the first sheet 10 leading in the paper running direction P being offset by the distance X ₁ from an edge 20 leading in the paper running direction P of the second sheet 12. The same applies to the rear edges of the two sheets 10 and 12 in the paper running direction P. The rear edge 22 of the sheet 10 is offset from the rear edge 24 of the sheet 12 by the distance X ₂ .

In the area between the first position 14 and the second Position 16 the first sheet 10 is moved in a direction 26 which corresponds to the paper running direction P. The second Sheet 12 is moved in a second direction 28, the opposite the paper running direction P is inclined by an angle α. In a preferred embodiment of this method the first sheet 10 and the second sheet 12 with the same speed v moves, preferably in Range from 2 m / s to 5 m / s. Which is in the direction of the paper setting offset of the leading edges is more preferred wise in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. According to the invention this offset is achieved in that due to the longer The distance that sheet 12 has to travel, the sheet 10 is faster than sheet 12.

A next embodiment of the described method according to the invention, wherein the before Section 14 and the arrangement found after Section 16 of the leaves corresponds to that of Fig. 1A, so that this situation has not been described again.

The embodiment described in FIG. 1B takes place in the area between section 14 and section 16 a movement of the first sheet 10 in a direction 30, the inclined by the angle α1 with respect to the paper running direction P. is. The sheet 12 is moved in a second direction 32, that with respect to the paper running direction P by a second angle α2 is inclined. As can be seen, the angles are α1 and α2 different, so that when the leaves move 10 and 12 at the same speed, the invention scaled arrangement of the first and the second Leaf is reached.

A third preferred exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is described in more detail in the appendix of FIG. 1C, only the movement of the individual sheets 10 and 12 between the sections 14 and 16 being discussed in more detail. As can be seen, the first sheet 10 is moved in a first direction 34 which is inclined by an angle α1 with respect to the paper running direction P. Likewise, the second sheet 12 is moved in a direction 36 which is inclined at an angle α2 with respect to the paper running direction. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1C, the angles α1 and α2 are the same, and the individual sheets 10 and 12 are moved along the directions 34 and 36 at different speeds v ₁ and v ₂ , respectively, so that the scaled arrangement of the two sheets moves results as shown in Fig. 1C.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1C, the Arrangement preferably chosen such that each of the leaves by half of its format width in the vertical direction is shifted to the paper running direction P.

The first speed v ₁ at which the first sheet 10 is moved is preferably in the range from 2 m / s to 5 m / s. The second speed v ₂ at which the second sheet is moved is in the range from 1.05 xv ₁ to 1.2 xv ₁ , ie the second speed v ₂ is 5% to 20% higher than _v1 .

The offset of the leading edges is preferably in the range of 10 mm up to 50 mm.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present Invention, as can also be seen in Fig. 1, the flaking leaves 10 and 12 in the paper running direction P arranged side by side, and from position 16 the scaled leaves removed.

Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are described below with reference to the figures 2 to 11 described, the same in the individual figures or similar elements with the same reference numerals are.

2 is a first embodiment of the invention Device shown. A paper web, not shown is printed with form texts or similar and in a cutting machine, also not shown, initially lengthways and then across it into individual forms or split sheets of paper. In Fig. 2 are the sheets of paper 10 and 12 shown in a horizontal Paper run plane on both sides of a perpendicular to it Longitudinal median plane M-M arranged side by side are. The paper sheets 10, 12 are placed side by side in the paper running direction P into a gathering station ("MERGER") 100 moves in which the paper sheets 10, 12 initially take the fully extended position. From this Position of each of the two sheets of paper 10, 12 at the same time with the other sheet of paper at an angle to the median longitudinal plane M-M moved towards C1, C2. With this oblique movement The paper sheets 10, 12 are pushed one on top of the other in the direction C1 and C2. Each of the two sheets of paper 10, 12 is half of its format width B over the Longitudinal median plane M-M shifted towards the other side. The oblique movement of the paper sheets 10, 12 takes place preferably at opposite acute angles µ1 or µ2 of approximately 45 ° obliquely to the longitudinal median plane M-M. The operation of the illustrated embodiment is that described with reference to FIG. 1C. The first Paper sheet 10 and the second paper sheet 12 are different Speeds moved so that the two Sheets of paper 10, 12 are arranged in a shingled fashion are. Then the paper sheets 10, 12 in Direction of the longitudinal median plane M-M in the direction of arrow P in pairs (scaled) moved on.

The device according to the first embodiment exists from a left and a right unit that are symmetrical are arranged to the longitudinal center plane M-M and depending on the format are adjustable transversely to this median longitudinal plane M-M. each this unit comprises a longitudinal transport device L1, L2 (Fig. 2), with which the paper sheets lying side by side 10, 12 in the direction of the longitudinal median plane M-M in the gathering station 100 are movable. In the gathering station 100 is a separate one for each of the two paper sheets 10, 12 Inclined transport device S1 or S2 provided. The Transport directions C1, C2 of these inclined transport devices S1, S2 run at opposite acute angles µ1, µ2 obliquely towards the longitudinal median plane M-M. The top Angles µ1 or µ2 are preferably 45 °.

In the transfer station is in the area of the inclined transport devices S1 or S2 for the respective paper sheet 10, 12 each a guide plate 102, 104 is provided. Each of the two Guide plates 102, 104 extend from one Side of the median longitudinal plane M-M from to the other side the same. The two guide plates 102, 104 are transverse to the longitudinal median plane M-M adjustable and thus to the respective Format width adjustable. Furthermore, in the area of A longitudinal transfer plane for each sheet of paper has a discharge conveyor 106 provided, only the lower one in FIG Delivery transport device is shown. Each of these delivery transporters 106 includes an endless conveyor belt 108, which via a drive shaft 110 and a Tensioning roller, not shown, runs. Furthermore, the conveyor belt 108 assigned three pressure rollers 112.

In Fig. 3, the inclined transport device S1 and Longitudinal transport device L1 shown in more detail. The Inclined transport device S1 comprises several pairs of rollers 114, 116, the upper roller 114 made of rubber and the lower roller 116 can be made of steel. The axes of rotation these rollers 114, 116 are at an acute angle of 45 ° arranged inclined to the longitudinal center plane M-M. The top Rollers 114 are each mounted in angle levers 118 which are in turn connected to an actuating rod 120. By moving the operating rod 120 back and forth, the upper roller 114 pressed against the lower roller 116 this lifted off and thus the inclined transport device S1 be engaged or disengaged.

The longitudinal transport device L1 comprises a first roller 122, which can be driven by a motor, not shown and a second roller 124 that is against the first roller 122 is biased. In front of the longitudinal transport device L1 a stop unit 126 is arranged, which a of an electromagnet 128 rubber buffers movable upwards 130 includes. If a sheet of paper like this when changing groups must be stopped for a long time until the paper sheet next to it, that belongs to the predecessor group, is spent, then by switching on the relevant electromagnet 128 the assigned rubber buffers 130 pushed up and the paper sheet above is held. The Inclined transport device S2 and the longitudinal transport device L2 have the same structure as that described above Inclined transport device S1 and the longitudinal transport device L2.

4, the two inclined transport devices are S1 and S2 shown, the inclined transport device S2 comprises a plurality of pairs of rollers 132, 134. Furthermore, the guide plates 102, 104 shown, each on a long side a section 102a or 104a bent over by 180 ° have, so that between the respective guide plate 102nd and the bent portion 102a or the guide plate 104 and its bent portion 104a a guide shaft 136, 138 is formed. The inside 102b or 104b of the bending area forms a parallel to the longitudinal center plane M-M extending stop. The three pressure rollers 112 of the conveyor belt 108 of the delivery conveyor 106 are in by means of a common push rod 140 Movable towards the associated guide plate 102, 104, so that the respective conveyor belt 108 to the associated Guide plate is pressed. A sheet of paper in between is then transported on.

The mode of operation of the device is described below of Figures 2 to 4 explained in more detail.

The longitudinal transport devices L1, L2 are at a conveying speed driven, which is slightly larger than that maximum cutting machine output speed. The Longitudinal transport devices L1, L2 pull the two sheets of paper 10, 12 in the gathering station 100, the upper rollers 114, 132 of the inclined transport devices S1, S2 are first lifted off the lower rollers 116, 134. Once each sheet of paper 10, 12 is almost completely in the Gathering station 100 is pulled, the top Rollers 114, 132 on the lower rollers 116, 134 of the inclined transport devices S1, S2 pressed and thereby the paper sheet 10 in the direction C1 obliquely to the longitudinal center plane M-M moved while the paper sheet 12 is slanted towards C2 is shifted towards the longitudinal median plane M-M. The conveyor belts 108 of the delivery device 106 are of the associated guide plates 102, 104 lifted off. The paper sheet 10 is shifted obliquely to the right according to FIGS. 2 and 4 and enters the guide shaft 138 until it comes to rest against the stop 104b. The paper sheet 12 is pushed diagonally to the left into the shaft 136 and finally comes to rest against the stop 102b. The Inclined conveyors S1, S2 are of the respective format width adjusted so that the rollers 114, 116 and 132, 134 out of engagement with the respective paper sheet 10, 12 come when the longitudinal edges of the paper sheets 10, 12 the Reach stops 102b or 104b. If this is the case, the conveyor belts 108 by means of the pressure rollers 112 to the respective paper sheets and the associated guide plates 102, 104 pressed and thereby the two stacked sheets of paper 10, 12 in the direction of F moved on and handed over. The inclined transport devices S1 and S2 cause the blades 10 and 10 to move 12 at a first speed and one of the first Speed different speed like this was described above.

The transport of the paper sheets 10, 12 is not shown Light barriers monitored, the light barriers Control electromagnets, not shown, on the Actuating rod 120 of the inclined transport devices S1, S2 or on the pressure rollers 112 of the discharge transport device 106 act.

A second exemplary embodiment is now shown in FIGS. 5 to 11 shown the device according to the invention. Not one illustrated, printed paper web is in a not shown Cutting machine first lengthwise and then also transversely divided into individual sheets of paper 10, 12. The paper sheets 10, 12 are in two to each other parallel rows R1 and R2 in a horizontal paper plane E-E side by side and are represented by a not shown Transport device in the paper running direction to the gathering station 200 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 advanced. The paper running direction P runs in the direction of the R1 and R2 series.

At the entrance to this gathering station 200 there are feed transport rollers 202 continuously by a motor M1 are driven (Fig. 6). With the feed transport rollers 202 are rollers with a smooth surface, on which the paper sheets 10, 12 by means of pressure rollers 204 are pressed in a known manner. At the exit the gathering station 200 are two of the same type Output transport rollers 206 provided by a Motor M2 can be driven continuously. The drive of the Infeed transport rollers 202 and the output transport rollers 206 can also be interposed by a common motor by timing belts.

The device according to the invention has at least one lower one Vacuum transport unit 208. However, it is useful two lower vacuum transport units arranged parallel to each other 208 to provide, as this makes the operating accuracy and operational reliability of the device is further improved can be. The two lower vacuum transport units 208 are below the paper run plane E-E (Fig. 6) arranged and each one of the two rows of paper sheets Assigned to R1 or R2. Each of these vacuum transport units 208 has an endless conveyor belt 210 which is provided with perforations 212. The conveyor belt 210 is guided over two pulleys 214, 216, of which the deflecting roller 214 via the schematically indicated motor M3 is drivable. The motor M3 can also be used to drive the deflection roller 214 of the second lower vacuum transport unit 208 serve. The deflection rollers 214, 216 are on opposite ends of a carrier 218 arranged. Between the two deflection rollers 214, 216 is also one Vacuum chamber 220 is provided, which in the embodiment shown is integrated in the carrier 218. This vacuum chamber 220 is to the upper working section 210a of the Conveyor belt 210 open. The upper working section 210a borders on the paper run level E-E and is only slightly Distance arranged below this paper path level.

The vacuum chamber 220 is adapted to the device different format heights are appropriate in their longitudinal direction divided into individual chambers 220a, 220b, 220c, which are optional can be connected to a vacuum source 222. Only that middle single chamber 220d can be continuously connected to the Vacuum source 222 may be connected. Each of the individual chambers 220a-220d has an opening towards the work strand 210a Longitudinal section 224a - 224d.

Instead of dividing the vacuum chamber 220 into individual chambers could also be a single continuous vacuum chamber be provided, which are open towards the working strand 210a Has longitudinal section. By not shown slider the end portions of the slot could then be more predetermined Length depending on the format height of the one to be stacked Paper sheets can be closed.

As further shown in Fig. 5, the two ends are 218a and 218b of the carrier 218 offset in the paper running direction P. arranged to each other. With one adjustment device each 236 and 238, which are appropriate as being perpendicular to Paper direction P and parallel to the paper plane E-E extending screw is formed, the Ends 218a, 218b can be adjusted independently of one another. The adjustment devices 236, 238 can be driven by hand or using a stepper motor.

For the second row of paper sheets R2, at least one is above the upper vacuum transport unit arranged on the paper run plane E-E 208 'is provided. Again, it is useful the paper sheet row R2 two arranged parallel to each other Assign vacuum transport units 208 '. The upper vacuum transport units 208 'are of the same design as that lower vacuum transport units 208, which is why the upper Vacuum transport units 208 ', their components and those with components interacting with them with the same reference numerals are designated like the vacuum transport units 208 and their parts, only with the addition of an index line. The previous description of the lower vacuum transport units 208 accordingly also applies to the upper ones Vacuum transport units 208 'too. The upper vacuum transport units 208 'only differ from the lower ones in that in the upper vacuum transport units 208 'each the lower run 210'a of the conveyor belt 210' the working strand forms and accordingly the vacuum chambers 220 'are open at the bottom. The lower working strand 210'a is adjacent to the paper running plane E-E with a small distance arranged by this.

So that the working strands 210a and 210'a as close as possible below or can be arranged above the paper path level and the paper sheets 10, 12 as little as possible from this Must be deflected, it is advisable between the lower vacuum transport units 208 and the upper vacuum transport units 208 'a thin, located in the paper running plane extending partition plate 230 to provide. By this partition plate 230 becomes the two to be placed one on top of the other Sheets of paper 10, 12 separated during stacking from each other and, above all, it prevents that the top paper sheet from the bottom vacuum transport units 208 and the lower sheet of paper from the upper vacuum transport units 208 'is sucked. The Partition plate 230 can also be made of transparent material, such as e.g. Acrylic plastic or glass, which is why in Fig. 5th also those below the transparent partition plate 230 Vacuum transport units 208 and those interacting with them Components are recognizable.

To ensure that the respective paper sheet corresponds to the associated one Vacuum transport units is supplied before Separating plate 230 a guide device for each row of paper sheets R1, R2 232, 232 'are provided. To the device different The ability to adapt operating modes is the end of the line 232a or 232'a of each guide device 232, 232 'adjustable in height. The two control devices 232, 232 'are expedient trained in the manner of a switch tongue and independent from each other by one in the paper path E-E and vertically Swiveling axis A extending to the paper running direction. In this way, one of the rows of paper sheets R1 or R2 originating paper sheets optionally to the upper one or to the bottom of the divider and the paper sheets of the another row of paper sheets to the opposite bottom or upper side of the partition plate 230 are passed. If e.g. the paper sheets 10 originating from the row of paper sheets R1 moved by the lower vacuum transport units 208 then the guide device 232, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown, folded up. This will the paper sheets 10 of the paper sheet row R1 to the working strands of the lower vacuum transport units 208. The guide device is then used for the paper sheet row R2 232 'with its inlet end 232'a folded down and the Paper sheets 12 thus become the working strands 212'a upper vacuum transport units 208 'out.

To ensure precise operation of the device, it is also an advantage if the driven Deflection rollers 214, 214 'with projections 234, 234' are, which in corresponding recesses in the associated Intervene conveyor belt 210, 210 '. The recesses can thereby, as in the embodiment shown, by the Perforations 212, 212 'of the conveyor belt 210, 210' are formed his. However, the conveyor belts can also be used according to Art be formed of a toothed belt and the driven pulleys then show a corresponding on their circumference Toothing on.

The operation of the device according to the invention will now first described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. At this Operating mode will be from the two rows of paper sheets R1, R2 originating paper sheets 10, 12 alternately shingled superimposed. This is in the direction of the paper right paper sheet 12 each over the left paper sheet 10 be placed. Furthermore, the paper sheets are symmetrical are superimposed on the longitudinal median plane of the device, what is called "center symmetrical processing" becomes. For this purpose the lower vacuum transport units 208 to transport the from the left row of paper sheets R1 originating paper sheets 10 and the upper vacuum transport units 208 'for transporting from the right row of paper sheets R2 originating paper sheets 12 used. The Guide devices 232, 232 'are set as it is shown in Fig. 7. The lower vacuum transport units 208 are with their outlet ends The longitudinal median plane is inclined, as are the upper ones Vacuum transport units 208 'in the opposite direction also with their outlet-side ends to the longitudinal center plane are set obliquely inclined, as in FIG. 5 and 8 is shown.

The paper sheets 10, 12 are through the transport rollers 202 of the feed transport in the paper direction P promoted. Here, the paper sheet 10 is guided by the guide device 232 to the work line 210a of the lower vacuum transport units 208 passed and the paper sheet 12 through the guide 232 'to the working section 210'a of the upper vacuum transport units 208 '. The paper sheet 10 is by the in the Vacuum chamber 220 prevailing vacuum, which first through slot 224a and later also through slots 224b, 224c and 224d and the perforations 212 through it is sucked into the working strand 210a and from which continuously running conveyor belt 210 taken over. Through the The conveyor belt is inclined relative to the longitudinal center plane the paper sheet 10 is simultaneously in the paper running direction P and also moved on to the median longitudinal plane. Similarly, the paper sheet 12 is removed from the work strand 210'a of the conveyor belt 210 'of the upper vacuum transport units 208 'taken over and in the opposite direction laterally offset with a of the speed, which is different from the speed, with which the first sheet is moved. each Paper sheet is only half the width of the paper sheet added. The two sheets of paper are on the exit side the device is shingled.

The superimposed sheets of paper 10, 12 are then captured by the transport rollers 206 of the discharge transport and transported.

if the left sheet of paper in a similar mode of operation 10 should be placed over the right sheet of paper, then the vacuum transport units via adjustment devices 236, 238 set according to FIG. 9. The control systems too 232, 232 'are changed accordingly. In this Fall then take over the upper vacuum transport devices 208 'the transport of the left paper sheet 10 and the lower vacuum transport devices 208 the transport the right paper sheet 12.

The operation of the device according to the invention will now further described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. From the Fig. 10 can be seen as by adjusting the lower vacuum transport units 208 parallel to the direction of paper travel P and the upper vacuum transport units 208 'obliquely to Direction of paper travel P from the right row of paper sheets R2 coming sheets of paper 12 can be shifted to the left, while those coming from the left row of paper R1 Paper sheets 10 can only be moved straight ahead. In this way, paper processing with "fixed edge left" respectively.

With the opposite inclination (Fig. 11) of the upper Vacuum transport units 208 'can process paper with "Fixed Edge Right". In the case of FIGS. 10 and 11 Examples shown are the leaves at the same speed emotional.

The device can either be from tape or by means of a preprogrammed control, which acts on motors, connected to the screw spindles 236, 236 'and 238, 238' are operated.

The subdivision of the vacuum chambers 220 and 220 'into several Single chambers or the cover of the end areas of the Slot of a continuous vacuum chamber is required to adapt the device to different format heights. With the smallest format height of e.g. 75 mm (3rd Inches) are all single chambers 220a - 220d or 220'a - 220'd connected to vacuum source 222. When using In this case, the longitudinal section of the continuous must slide The vacuum chamber must be open to its full length. If however, paper sheets with a larger format height are processed then it must be ensured that these sheets of paper only then to the conveyor belts 210, 210 'of the vacuum transport units 208, 208' are sucked in, if the trailing edge of the respective paper sheet is the just leaves the last transport roller of the infeed transport. On the outlet side of the device, the respective Paper sheets to the conveyor belts 210, 210 'only as long remain sucked until the front edge of the respective paper sheet from the first transport roller of the output transport is detected. To ensure this, at the Entry side and on the exit side of the vacuum transport units 208, 208 'depending on the format height of the paper sheets a more or less large number of feed chambers 220a, 220b, 220c or 220'a, 220'b, 220'c from vacuum source 222 turned off or the end portions of the slot a continuous Vacuum chambers get bigger or smaller Length closed by slider.

Although only the scaled in the previous description Arranging two sheets has been described, it is clear that more than two sheets are also brought together can, leading to a corresponding increase in the number of Components described above leads.

With the arrangements described above, the speed difference between the two sheets by the different Speeds of the inclined transport devices (Figures 2 to 4) or the vacuum transport units (Figures 5 to 7) reached. Instead of this solution, the required difference in running of the blades is achieved be that the individual sheets at the inlet of the gathering station be delayed differently. You can do this e.g. the stop points described in Figures 2 to 4 used are then also in the arrangement according to figures 5 to 7 are provided. During the feeding e.g. the first sheet is not delayed and the second sheet is through the stopping point stopped briefly, i.e. with a time delay. In In this case, the transport units can run at the same speed run because the required offset by the inlet-side time delay of at least one sheet is achieved. By stopping at least one Blade performance losses are small and lead no lasting influence on the overall behavior the machine.

Claims (17)

1. A method of arranging in a shingled mode of arrangement at least two sheets (10, 12), which are arranged side by side in a sheet travelling plane at an initial position, along a paper travelling direction (P) at a final position, said method comprising the following steps:

   moving a first sheet (10) of the at least two sheets (10, 12) from said initial position in the sheet travelling plane in a first direction (30) at a first acute angle (α1) relative to the paper travelling direction (P) at a first speed to said final position; and

   moving a second sheet (12) of the at least two sheets (10,12) from said initial position substantially in the sheet travelling plane in a second direction (32) at a second acute angle (α2) relative to the paper travelling direction (P) at a second speed to said final position, wherein said first and second angles (α1, α2) are not equal to zero, and wherein either the first speed is different from the second speed and the first angle is opposed and equal in value to the second angle, or the first speed is equal to the second speed and the first angle is different from the second acute angle, in such a way that the final position is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper travelling direction (P) between the initial positions of the at least two sheets (10, 12); and

   guiding the first sheet (10) and the second sheet (12) by a guide means (102, 104; 230) when the sheets are being slid on top of one another, said guide means (102, 104; 230) separating the sheets at least partially,

   said first sheet (10) and said second sheet (12) being moved in such a way that their edges are superimposed along the paper travelling direction at the final position.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first angle (α1) and the second angle (α2) are opposed and equal in value, and wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the sheets (10, 12) is displaced by half its format width in a direction perpendicular to the paper travelling direction (P).
4. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the first speed (v₁) is in the range of from 2 m/s to 5 m/s, and the second speed (v₂) is in the range of from 1.05 x v₁ to 1.2 x v₁.
5. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the displacement (X1) of the edges (18, 20) representing the leading edges in the paper travelling direction is in the range of from 10 mm to 50 mm.
6. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, comprising the following steps:

   providing the sheets (10, 12) which are to be arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement, said sheets (10, 12) being arranged side by side in the paper travelling direction (P); and

   transporting the shingled sheets away.
7. A device for arranging in a shingled mode of arrangement at least two sheets (10, 12), which are arranged side by side in a sheet travelling plane at an initial position, along a paper travelling direction (P) at a final position, said device comprising:

   a first transport means moving a first sheet (10) of the at least two sheets (10, 12) from said initial position substantially in the sheet travelling plane in a first direction (30) at a first acute angle (α1) relative to a paper travelling direction (P) at a first speed to said final position;

   a second transport means moving a second sheet (12) of the at least two sheets (10,12) from said initial position substantially in the sheet travelling plane in a second direction (32) at a second acute angle (α2) relative to the paper travelling direction (P) at a second speed to said final position, wherein said first and second angles (α1, α2) are not equal to zero, and wherein either the first speed is different from the second speed and the first angle is opposed and equal in value to the second angle, or the first speed is equal to the second speed and the first angle is different from the second acute angle, in such a way that the final position is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper travelling direction (P) between the initial positions of the at least two sheets (10, 12);

   a guide means (102, 104; 230) which separates the first sheet (10) and the second sheet (12) at least partially and which serves to guide said first sheet and said second sheet when said sheets are being slid on top of one another by the first and second transport means; and

   said first sheet (10) and said second sheet (12) being moved in such a way that their edges are superimposed along the paper travelling direction at the final position.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the first angle (α1) and the second angle (α2) are opposed and equal in value, and wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first and second transport means displace each of the first and second sheets (10, 12) by half the sheet format width in a direction perpendicular to the paper travelling direction (P).
10. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the first speed (v₁) is in the range of from 2 m/s to 5 m/s, and the second speed (v₂) is in the range of from 1.05 x v₁ to 1.2 x v₁.
11. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 10, wherein the displacement (X1) of the edges (18, 20) representing the leading edges in the paper travelling direction is in the range of from 10 mm to 50 mm.
12. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 11, comprising
    reception means receiving the sheets (10, 12), which are arranged side by side in the paper travelling direction (P) and which are to be arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement, and transferring them to the transport means; and
    a discharge transport means used for transporting away the shingled sheets.
13. A device according to one of the claims 7 to 12, wherein the transport means are implemented as oblique transport means (S1, S2) whose respective transport directions (C1, C2) extend obliquely at an acute angle (α1, α2) relative to a longitudinal centre plane (M-M), and wherein a separate oblique transport means (S1, S2) is provided for each of the two sheets (10, 12), the transport directions (C1, C2) of these oblique transport means extending obliquely at opposed acute angles (α1, α2) towards the longitudinal centre plane (M-M) so as to slide the two paper sheets (10, 12) at an oblique angle towards the longitudinal centre plane and one on top of the other.
14. A device according to claim 13, wherein each of the oblique transport means (S1, S2) comprises a plurality of pairs of rolls (114, 116; 132, 134), the upper rolls (114, 132) being adapted to be raised from the lower rolls (116, 134).
15. A device according to claim 13 or 14, comprising in addition first and second stop means (102b, 104b) which extend parallel to the longitudinal centre plane (M-M), the distance between each of said stop means (102b, 104b) and the longitudinal centre plane (M-M) corresponding approximately to half the format width of the paper sheets (10, 12).
16. A device according to one of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the guide means includes a respective guide plate (102, 104) for each of the sheets (10, 12) between the oblique transport means (S1, S2), said respective guide plate extending parallel to the paper travelling plane from one side of the longitudinal centre plane (M-M) up to the stop means (102b, 104b) arranged on the other side of said longitudinal centre plane (M-M).
17. A device according to claim 16, comprising in addition stop means (102b, 104b) which are implemented as a bent portion of the guide plates (102, 104), said guide plates (102, 104) being adapted to be displaced transversely to the paper travelling direction (P) so as to be adjustable to the format width of the sheets (10, 12).

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