EP1494949B1

EP1494949B1 - Method and device for feeding a number of flat subproducts to a serial subsequent processing

Info

Publication number: EP1494949B1
Application number: EP03746153A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erwin Mueller
Original assignee: Ferag AG
Current assignee: Ferag AG
Priority date: 2002-04-18
Filing date: 2003-03-24
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-24
Also published as: AU2003209913B2; AU2003209913A1; DK1494949T3; US7431275B2; DE50310434D1; US20050139715A1; US7644913B2; US20080317576A1; EP1494949A1; ATE412602T1; ES2316785T3; WO2003086926A1

Abstract

For supplying individual quantities of flat and in particular diverse part products to a serial further processing, the part products are arranged in a row of part product groups (7) in a preparatory step carried out before the supply step (e.g. supplementation), and the row (2) is fashioned into a "first-in-last-out" storage formation, such as a roll (5). Within the row (2) the part products or the part product groups (7) overlap or are spaced from each other. For stabilizing the part product groups (7), adhesion between the part products within the groups may be enhanced; for stabilizing the storage formation, the part product groups (7) may be reversibly connected to each other. For supplying the groups to the serial further processing, which may succeed the preparatory step at any time or place, the storage formation is dissolved and the part product groups are supplied to the further processing directly from the storage formation. The preparatory step is completely uncoupled from the supply step, which simplifies the method and the installation for both, the supply and the further processing.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FEEDING EV

A NUMBER OF FLAT SUB PRODUCTS IN

SERIAL PROCESSING

The invention is in the field of further processing of printed products and relates to a method and a device according to the preambles of the corresponding independent claims. The method and device according to the invention are used to feed a plurality of in particular different, flat partial products for further serial processing; they serve in particular to complete printed products conveyed in a serial conveying stream by adding a plurality of partial products to each of the printed products.

Printed products such as newspapers or magazines are often completed by adding various sub-products, such as by adding inserts, brochures, individual supplementary sheets, smaller brochures, reply cards or even flat sample articles or sample bags. For this purpose, the printed products are usually conveyed along a completion line with a number of feed points, with a copy of a partial product type being added to each of the printed products at each feed point, for example by inserting the partial product into the printed product or placing it thereon. The completed printed products are then packaged, for example, in stacks or individually. The realization of the completion section, especially when high capacities are required, requires complex equipment such as an insertion drum with different feeds depending on the format and type of the partial product types, whereby the partial products in the feeds must in many cases be presented manually in the form of stacks , The greater the number of different partial products to be added to each printed product, the greater the number of feeds required and the larger or longer the completion device. If the number of sub-products varies in successive completion processes, the device must be dimensioned for the highest number to be expected and for this reason it is only used to a limited extent on average. If the partial product types differ greatly from one another in successive completion processes, feeds between such processes may have to be exchanged or adjusted accordingly.

The object of the invention is to create a method and a device for feeding a plurality of in particular different, flat partial products into serial further processing, in particular for completing serially conveyed printed products by adding a plurality of partial products to each printed product , The invention is intended to simplify such a feed in comparison to the prior art with comparable or higher capacities, particularly in terms of the device. Nevertheless, the method according to the invention should neither restrict the requirements for the partial products with regard to their properties as such or with regard to the diversity of these properties, nor the manner in which the partial products are to be produced.

This object is achieved by the method and the device as defined in the patent claims. The method and the device according to the invention are described below using the example of the completion of printed products with a plurality of partial products already mentioned above. However, this is in no way intended to limit the invention to such a completion. It can also be used, for example, for inserting a plurality of flat products into an envelope or for another type of packaging of a plurality of flat products, in particular printed products.

According to the invention, the partial products which are to be added to the printed products for completion are arranged into partial product groups in a step preparing the completion, each of the partial product groups comprising the partial products to be added to a printed product and the partial product groups being arranged in succession in a row formed into a storage formation. The series of sub-product groups is created in one of its longitudinal directions and formed into a bearing formation, and the bearing formation is dissolved again in the opposite direction, thus representing a so-called "first-in-last-out" memory. In the effective completion step, which is based on the preparatory step follows at any time interval, the storage formation for a supply of the sub-product groups to a print product stream is positioned and dissolved, with each print product one of the sub-product groups added directly from the storage formation in this single feed, for example inserted into the printed product.

The above-mentioned, preparatory step (series of sub-product groups and creating a storage formation from them) is completely decoupled in time and place from the effective completion step (add a sub-product group from the storage formation to each printed product). This means that the storage formations created in the preparatory step can be transported and stored and are usually transported and temporarily stored between their creation and their dissolution. Through this completely Ge decoupling, the completion service, which should advantageously be the same as the manufacturing output for the print products to be completed, is completely independent of the performance that can be achieved in the preparatory step. The partial products usually produced before the printed products to be completed can be assigned to the groups at any time and with any performance, that is, the devices to be used for this need not be high-performance devices. Only one feeder is to be used for the completion step for the addition of a plurality of partial product types, so that the completion device can be kept compact. Furthermore, no precautions need to be taken to prevent conflicts between partial products to be added in succession, which further simplifies the completion device.

According to the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing formation created in the preparatory step is a winding, that is to say a winding core, on which the row of the sub-product groups is wound with the aid of a winding tape.

The series of sub-product groups to be wound up is advantageously created by merging feed streams of the individual types of sub-products, the feed streams to be merged having the same speed and the same feed power (sub-products per unit of time) and the merging with respect to the position and phase of the feed streams in the manner of the separation the groups is coordinated when the storage formation and the group row are dissolved, in such a way that each sub-product group can be separated without the sub-products of the group having to be moved relative to one another and a subsequent group having to be moved. The feed streams are created for the merging of coils or other storage formations (stacks, bars, packages) and / or are, for example, online Printing press fed. The series of sub-product groups can also be created by collating, with the different types of sub-products being fed into the collating process, for example by investors.

In the wound-up row, the sub-product groups are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the sub-products of the foremost group in the unwinding direction (rearmost in the unwinding direction) are simple, that is to say, for example, can be gripped together with a gripper, or the adhesion between the sub-products is such in the groups (if necessary by additional group stabilization or transverse stabilization) that they can be introduced into the printed product as a stable group without having to be taken for it. To stabilize the winding, the sub-product groups are arranged in an overlapping manner in the row. If this is not the case, it is advantageous to releasably connect the successive groups to one another in order to stabilize the windings (row stabilization or longitudinal stabilization).

The method and the device according to the invention are described in detail in connection with the following figures. Show:

Figure 1 is a schematic of the inventive method;

Figures 2 and 3 show two exemplary embodiments of the series of sub-product groups and the separation of the groups from the series, the sub-products or groups overlapping in the series;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two further embodiments of the series of sub-product groups in which the groups overlap; FIGS. 6 and 7 show two further embodiments of the series of sub-product groups, the groups being arranged one behind the other and stabilized (transverse stabilization);

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the series of sub-product groups, the groups being arranged one behind the other and releasably connected to one another (longitudinal and transverse stabilization);

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the series of sub-product groups in which the individual sub-product types overlap one another and the series are stabilized longitudinally, for example by auxiliary belts.

Figure 1 shows in a very schematic manner the inventive method with a winding as a bearing formation. A plurality of, for example, three feed streams 1 with the same speed and the same output (supplied partial products per unit of time) are brought together in such a way that they form a row 2 of partial product groups. Exemplary embodiments of such series of partial products are shown in connection with the following figures. A storage formation is created on-line from the row 2 of sub-product groups, for which the row 2 is wound onto a winding core 4, for example with the aid of a winding tape 3 (on winding direction D).

Known winding stations are used to create the winding 5 and to dissolve it. The winding 5 can have a diameter of up to approximately two meters and a weight of up to two tons. The winding core 4 can be rotatably arranged on a movable winding stand, so that the winding 5 can be transported and manipulated together with and each held by a winding stand. The winding 5 can also be manipulated and transported as such or lying on a pallet. For the completion, the winding 5 is unwound (unwinding direction E), again creating the row 2 of sub-product groups, but moving in the opposite direction than was the case when winding. As a result, the trailing edges of the partial products during the winding or the leading sides of the partial product groups become the leading edges or sides during the unwinding. The unwound row 2 is shown in FIG. 1 immediately after the winding 5 parallel to the planar extent of the partial products, further away from the winding 5 with a view perpendicular to it. In a feed point 6, the foremost partial product group 7 is separated from the row 2 from the head end of the unwound row 2 and added to a printed product 8, which is conveyed past the feed point 6 in a serial printed product stream 9 parallel or transversely to the conveying direction.

FIG. 2 shows in more detail than FIG. 1 a first, exemplary embodiment for a row 2 of sub-product groups 7, each of which comprises a sub-product of types A, B and C. The row 2 shown in FIG. 2 is suitable for separating the groups by gripping them from the side, that is to say by gripping edge regions parallel to the direction E.

Row 2 is created by merging the feed streams 1.1 (sub-product type A), 1.2 (sub-product type B) and 1.3 (sub-product type C), the feed streams shown being all scale streams in which the leading edges lie at the top. For the merging, all feed streams have the same speed and the same conveying capacity, that is to say the distances between the same locations of successive partial products are the same in each of the feed streams. The row is created in the direction shown by arrow D and resolved in the direction shown by arrow E for completion. The part of row 2 shown is thus the tail end when it is created, but the head end from which groups 7 are separated in the case of dissolution. For the lateral gripping to separate the groups (arrow F, perpendicular to D and E) when the row is dissolved, one longitudinal edge of the feed streams is aligned with one another during the merge and the phase differences between the feed streams are selected such that all sub-products A, B and C of the group to be separated protrude at the head of row 2 to be resolved over the sub-products of the following group. The separation takes place by gripping in the edge region designated 10, for example by means of a gripper, which separates the gripped group from row 2, for example in direction F, and then passes it on directly to the printed product. The seized group can also be separated in the direction E from the head end of the row, whereby it must be accelerated with respect to the head end.

For gripping the sub-product groups on edges that run transversely to the conveying direction E, the trailing edges of the sub-products of each group would advantageously be aligned with one another and, for example, the feed streams must be brought together in such a way that the center lines of the sub-products of the different feed streams meet one another are aligned.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that it is of little relevance whether the leading edges in the scale streams serving as feed streams 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are at the top or bottom. It can also be seen that in a feed stream with very small partial products or possibly in all feed streams, the partial products cannot overlap one another but can be arranged one behind the other, that is, they do not form a shingled stream. As already mentioned further above, the row 2 of sub-product groups 7 shown in FIG. 2 can be created by merging the feed streams 1.1 to 1.3 or the sub-products can be brought together. FIG. 3 shows, in essentially the same manner of illustration as FIG. 2, a further row 2 of sub-product groups 7 and a sub-product group 7 separated from row 2. In row 2 the sub-products are arranged essentially diagonally and aligned with one another with respect to a corner. Some of the partial products overlap one another in row 2, the overlap being able to relate to the whole groups (as shown) or to the individual partial product types (analogous to FIG. 2). This row 2 is also suitable for a lateral grip and in the area of the corners of the sub-products aligned with one another. The groups seized are separated, for example, in a direction indicated by the arrow F.

FIG. 4 shows the creation of a further row 2 of sub-product groups 7. In a preliminary row 2 ', the leading edges of the sub-products of each group are aligned with one another. The sub-product groups are separated from this preliminary row 2 'and, for example, rotated by 180 ° with a cell wheel and placed in row 2 overlapping one another. This row, in which the sub-products of each type do not overlap but in which the entire groups overlap and in which the aligned edges of the sub-products in each group are trailing, is wound up into a roll 5 (on winding direction D) and at Use again unwound (unwinding direction E), whereby the groups for the separation from the row on their leading side, on which the edges of the partial products contained therein are aligned, can be detected.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a row 2 of partial product groups 7, which is wound up into a roll 5 in a step preparing for completion. In this row, it is again the sub-product groups 7 that overlap one another, the sub-products of each group along a longitudinal edge are aligned with one another and the groups for the separation are advantageously gripped laterally.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a row 2 of sub-product groups 1; whereby these do not overlap in the row but are arranged one behind the other at a distance from one another. Such a row is particularly suitable for an unhealthy separation and feeding of the sub-product groups, that is, without grasping the foremost sub-product group after the winding 5 has been unwound. In order for the sub-product groups to remain stable in themselves in the event of such an inadequate separation and feeding, it is advantageous to stabilize them (cross-stabilization). For this purpose, a stabilizing agent 20 is provided with which, for example, the adhesion between the sub-products in each group is increased, e.g. by the action of ultrasonic waves or by static electricity.

Like FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows a row 2 of partial product groups 7 arranged one behind the other, which are stabilized in themselves (transverse stabilization). The partial products are single sheets which are connected to one another via folding edges, which may be perforated, so that each group has the form of a single-lane or multi-lane folding stack. It is also conceivable to connect or have the bottom or top sheet of each folding-stack-like sub-product group 7 connected to the bottom or top sheet of the adjacent groups (longitudinal stabilization). The folding stacks are then arranged analogously to the groups shown in FIG. 6, but with no significant distance between them, as row 2 and separated from one another at the top end of row 2, that is to say immediately before addition to the printed products. Folded stacks which are not connected to one another can also be arranged as a scale formation, analogously to FIG. 5. FIG. 8 also shows a row 2 of sub-product groups 7 which are connected to one another in a row, the connecting means not only stabilizing the winding by connecting the groups to one another but also connecting the sub-products in the groups (longitudinal and transverse stabilization). A row of sub-product groups 7, for example created by collating, is guided onto a quasi-endless film web 30 and this is placed around the groups 7 with suitable means and closed over the groups, as is the case in sections I and II (cutting planes transverse to Longitude of the row 2) is shown. Then the film web 30 is welded between the sub-product groups 7 (welding means 31), so that the groups in the row 2 successive groups represent interconnected packages. The row 2 stabilized in this way is wound up into the roll 5 and, if necessary, unwound again and dissolved for completion, the packages being separated from the head end of the row 2 and being added to the printed products as such.

FIG. 9 shows a further type of longitudinal stabilization of row 2 of sub-product groups 7. Auxiliary tapes 3.1 and 3.2, auxiliary foils or auxiliary cords, which extend between feed streams 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, as used for example in connection, are used here as stabilizing means were described with Figures 1 and 2 are positioned. The auxiliary belts may or may not be tensioned in the winding. They are advantageously narrower than at least some of the partial products, such that, for example, longitudinal edges of the partial products that are aligned with one another can be detected for the separation of the groups without the auxiliary belts being detected, so that groups thus detected are deducted from the auxiliary belts 3.1 and 3.2 can. The auxiliary tapes, films or cords are advantageously wound up again when the roll is released and used again for a next roll, as is also the case for the winding tape.

Claims

1. A method for feeding a plurality of flat and in particular different partial products into serial further processing, characterized in that in a preparatory step partial product groups (7), each consisting of the said plurality of different partial products, in a row (2) arranged and the row (2) is formed into a bearing formation in a first direction (D) and that the bearing formation is dissolved in a second direction (E) opposite the first direction (D) in a feed step which is separated at any time and location from the preparatory step and from the top of the one restored by the dissolution

Row (2) successively separated sub-product groups (7) and fed directly to further processing.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the further processing is a completion of printed products (8), the printed products (8) being conveyed in a serial printed product stream (9) and each conveyed product (8) during the conveyance Sub-product group (7) is added.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing formation is a winding (5) in which the row (2) of the sub-product groups (7) is wound onto a winding core (4) with the aid of a winding tape (3).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the series (2) of sub-product groups (7) by combining feed streams (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) each of a type (A, B, C) of sub-products with the feed streams to be combined having the same speeds and the same feed powers.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the row (2) of sub-product groups (7) is created by collating.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the row (2) is created in such a way that the partial product groups (7) overlap one another or that the partial products overlap one another.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the row (2) is created in such a way that the partial products of each partial product group (7) each have an aligned edge or corner and that the partial product groups (7) for the separation of the row (2) in the areas (10) of these mutually aligned edges or corners.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the mutually aligned edges are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the row (2).

A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the aligned edges are leading or trailing in the row.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the row (2) is created such that the sub-product groups (7) in the row are spaced apart.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the partial products within the partial product groups (7) are stabilized by increasing the adhesion between the partial products.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the sub-product groups (7) in the row (2) are detachably connected to each other.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that for connecting the partial product groups (7) a film web (30) is wrapped around the row (2) of partial product groups (7).

14. Device for the serial supply of a plurality of flat and in particular different partial products for serial further processing, characterized in that the device provides a means for creating a row (2) of partial product groups (7) each consisting of the said plurality of different partial products. , a means for forming a "first-in-last-out" bearing formation from the row (2), a means for forming the

Formation of the storage formation at any time and at any time separately recreating the row (2) from the storage formation and a means for separating partial product groups (7) from the head end of the row (2) and for direct feeding for further processing.

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for forming the “fist-in-last-out” bearing formation and the means for restoring the row (2) are winding stations.

16. Device according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the means for separating and direct feeding comprises grippers.

17. Device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the means for creating the series (2) means for stabilizing the partial products in the partial product groups (7) and / or a means for connecting the partial product groups (7) in the Row (2) has.