EP1720786B1 - Longitudinal folding device provided with a braking distance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal folding device (01, 23) provided with a braking distance (24) wherein printed products (20, 22), which are to be folded, arriving with an inlet speed (V0) are slowed down. Said longitudinal folding device also comprises a folding blade and (03) which is used to push the printed products (02, 22) into a folding gap (06). A stop (13, 14) is displaced along the braking distance (24) of the printed products (02, 22).

Description

The invention relates to a longitudinal folding apparatus with a braking distance according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such longitudinal folders are used in the printing industry, especially in the final production of printed products, the printed products are pressed by the folding blade in the folding gap and folded in this longitudinally. Because the direction of entry of the printed products into the longitudinal folder is transverse to their subsequent movement through the nip, they must be decelerated before passing through the nip. For this purpose, in known Längsfalzapparaten brake brushes, which gradually decelerate the incoming printed products by friction, and fixed stops are known, against which the printed products abut and thereby abruptly decelerated. In order to avoid damage to the printed products at the stop, their speed must be reduced by the brushes to a low value, but this value must not be zero, because then the printed products do not reach the stop and it comes to a jam. The extent of slowing down by the brushes is determined by the frictional force exerted on the printed products, and ultimately by their position. If, while maintaining the brush position, printed products of different thickness should be folded, the friction with the thickness of the products increases sharply, so that a thick product may get stuck between the brushes and not reach the stop, while a thin at such a high speed the stop bounces that it is damaged. The position of the brushes must therefore be adapted to the thickness of the printed products.

The friction between printed products and brushes also depends on the Surface texture of the printed products. Smooth paper products can hit the fence too quickly, while equally thick and equally heavy products made from a rough paper may not reach the fence.

Another problem arises from the fact that the kinetic energy of the printed products dissipated at the brushes is given by the product of the frictional force and the length of the braking distance. It is independent of the input speed of the printed products. Changes in this input speed, whether intentional or unintentional, therefore strongly affect the impact speed of the printed products at the stop.

The position of the brushes must therefore be adapted to virtually every print job to ensure proper functioning of the Längsfalzapparats. Due to the variety of influencing parameters, adaptation can often only be done empirically, which involves a great deal of time and costs.

Another fundamental problem that occurs with high input speeds of the printed products, even if they are braked so far that there is no damage when hitting the stop, results from the fact that the printed products change their position and orientation during the braking process. In many cases, a printed product takes a twisted position in the longitudinal folder after braking, in which the leading edge of the printed product is no longer perpendicular to the folding nip. In the subsequent folding, in which the printed product is pressed by the folding blade in the folding nip, the printed product is therefore not as desired centered transverse, but has an oblique fold.

The GB 1 326 891 discloses a longitudinal folder with circumferential bands provided with stops to decelerate a product to be folded.

The invention has for its object to provide a longitudinal folder with a braking distance.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The achievable with the present invention consist in particular in that the longitudinal folder is caused by the movable stop a gentle deceleration of the products, eg. B. printed products is achieved because the kinetic energy with which the products encounter the current stop, compared to the kinetic energy that is set free in the impact against a fixed stop, is reduced. If the difference between the input speed of the products and the speed of the current stop is chosen to be sufficiently small, the said unwanted effects due to a released kinetic energy can even be completely avoided. In this case, the movable stop can also absorb very high input speeds of the products and gently slow down the products. With the movable stop independent of mass, thickness and surface finish of the incoming products braking effect can be achieved, so that different products can be processed without the Längsfalzapparat would have to be adjusted to this before.

Most preferably, the longitudinal folder comprises a control unit which controls a reduction in the speed of the stop on the braking distance. With the control unit targeted braking of the incoming products is possible so that they come to a predetermined certain position to a standstill and are optimally aligned for the subsequent folding, or that they are on a second, fixed stop, the desired position of the products for determines the subsequent folding operation, impinging at a low speed, at which no damage of the products is to be expected by the impact.

In particular, when the control unit has an input for a signal representative of the input speed of the products, the speed of the stop can be changed via the control unit Easily adjust the input speeds of the products.

Advantageously, a sensor for detecting incoming products is upstream of the braking path and coupled to the control unit, so that the control unit can synchronize the movement of the movable stop so that a detected incoming product hits at the beginning of the braking distance to the stop moving at approximately the input speed. The speed of the stop at the beginning of the braking distance may be less than the input speed, as long as the difference between the speeds is not so great that damage to the product seems possible. It can also be slightly larger; in this case, it comes only later on the braking distance when the stop has become slower than the product, the contact between the two.

The stop is arranged in an advantageous embodiment on a running endless belt having a portion parallel to the braking distance. With the help of the endless belt, the stop can be transported in a continuous movement, without reversing the drive direction, from the end of the braking distance back to the beginning, in order to be able to catch the next product there. In this case, the endless belt can either be provided as a retrofit module of the longitudinal folding apparatus via a folding table having the folding gap, or else the endless belt is arranged as a module permanently integrated in the longitudinal folding apparatus below the folding table. In a preferred embodiment, the endless belt is a toothed belt on which the stopper is welded.

The stop is formed in a second advantageous embodiment as a circumferential cam whose direction of movement crosses a braking distance of the product at least on a path section. Using a on a rotatable body, z. As a disc, a roller or an eccentric, arranged circumferential cam, the stop in a continuous movement, without reversing the drive direction of one end of the braking distance - ie an external contact with the product - back to its beginning - ie a Kontaktkontakt - be transported to catch the next product there can. In this case, the rotatable body can be provided either as a retrofit module of the longitudinal folding apparatus via a folding gap having the folding gap, or else the rotatable body having the cam is arranged as a module permanently integrated in the longitudinal folding apparatus below the folding table. In a preferred embodiment, the body is a plurality of disks arranged axially next to one another and each having at least one cam on its circumference.

Advantageously, on both sides of the seam gap at least one endless belt is arranged, each carrying synchronously moving stops. Preference is given in each case two endless belts per side of the folding gap. Thus, a proper alignment of the braked product is ensured and unwanted twisting of the product with respect to the folding gap is further complicated.

For driving the endless belts can be provided on both sides of the seam gap at least one motor. This engine is an electric motor. However, it is also an embodiment possible in which a single motor by means of a continuous shaft drives the endless belts on both sides of the folding gap.

Preferably, a velocity of the stop at the beginning of the braking distance of at least 90% of the input speed of the products, because then between the speed of the stop and the input speed is a sufficiently small difference, so that when the impact of the products to the stop little kinetic energy is released ,

It may be advantageous to provide in addition to the movable stop and brake brushes in Längsfalzapparat, with which continue the deceleration of the products can mitigate.

An embodiment is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

einen Längsfalzapparat in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

den Längsfalzapparat in Draufsicht;

Fig. 3

den Vorgang des Abbremsens eines Druckerzeugnisses a) bis d) in einer ersten Ausführung;

Fig. 4

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer ersten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates in einer ersten Ausführung;

Fig. 5

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer zweiten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates in einer ersten Ausführung;

Fig. 6

einen weiteren Längsfalzapparat in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

den Längsfalzapparat aus Fig. 6 in Draufsicht;

Fig. 8

einen Längsfalzapparat in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 9

den Längsfalzapparat in Draufsicht;

Fig. 10

den Vorgang des Abbremsens eines Druckerzeugnisses a) bis d) in einer zweiten Ausführung;

Fig. 11

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer ersten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates in einer zweiten Ausführung;

Fig. 12

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer zweiten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates in einer zweiten Ausführung;

Fig. 13

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Bremsvorrichtung mit bewegbaren Anschlag gemäß zweiter Ausführung;

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Bremsvorrichtung mit Falztisch und Gestell gemäß zweiter Ausführung des Anschlages.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a Längsfalzapparat in side view;

Fig. 2

the Längsfalzapparat in plan view;

Fig. 3

the process of braking a printed product a) to d) in a first embodiment;

Fig. 4

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a first mode of operation of the longitudinal folding apparatus in a first embodiment;

Fig. 5

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a second mode of operation of the longitudinal folding apparatus in a first embodiment;

Fig. 6

another longitudinal folder in side view;

Fig. 7

the longitudinal folder Fig. 6 in plan view;

Fig. 8

a Längsfalzapparat in side view;

Fig. 9

the Längsfalzapparat in plan view;

Fig. 10

the process of braking a printed product a) to d) in one second embodiment;

Fig. 11

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a first mode of operation of the longitudinal folding apparatus in a second embodiment;

Fig. 12

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a second mode of operation of the longitudinal folding apparatus in a second embodiment;

Fig. 13

a perspective view of a braking device with movable stop according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 14

a perspective view of a braking device with folding table and frame according to the second embodiment of the stop.

The Fig. 1 and 2 show a longitudinal folding apparatus 01, in particular in a web-fed rotary printing press, once from a lateral view ( Fig. 1 ) and once in plan view ( Fig. 2 ). At least one transverse folding device (eg with a folding blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder) and / or at least one longitudinal folding hopper is preferably arranged upstream of the longitudinal folding apparatus 01. The longitudinal folding apparatus 01 comprises a folding table 04, in which an elongate folding gap 06 is provided. Under the folding table 04 is at the level of the folding gap 06, a pair of collapsed folding rollers 07, of which in Fig. 1 only one is visible and the other is concealed, arranged such that they form a parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented and located directly below this gap. On the folding table 04 pivotable folding lever 21 are provided which hold a likewise parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented folding blade 03 above the folding gap 06. With pivoting of the folding lever 21, the folding blade 03 can penetrate into the folding gap 06. In an end region of the folding gap 06, an elongate stop 08 is arranged transversely to the folding gap 06 on the folding table 04. At the stop 08 the top of the folding table 04 facing brake brushes 09 are attached. On both sides of the folding gap 06 each runs a the folding gap 06 parallel timing belt 12 as an endless belt 12 via two rotatably mounted gears 11, z. B. pulleys. On the timing belt 12 are each two stops 13; 14, z. B. cams 13; 14 welded, starting from any of the cams 13; 14 a distance between the cams 13; 14 along the length of the toothed belt 12 is the same size. Two of the gears 11, which are located on different sides of the folding gap 06 are connected via a continuous shaft 17 with each other and with a angular position-controlled electric motor 16 and driven synchronously. In a variant, however, they can not be mechanically coupled with each other (corresponding to Fig. 9 ) may be driven by two motors 16. Preferably, the folding blade 03 is powered by its own engine, for. B. a angular position-controlled electric motor driven. This engine drives z. B. only the folding blade 03 and / or z. B. with the motor 16 of the stops 13; 14 synchronized (eg with respect to the angular position). A braking path 24 for printed products 02 is bounded on the one hand by the upper side of the folding table 04, on the other hand by a strand of the two toothed belts 12 facing this surface. The distance between the surface of the folding table 04 and the strands of the two toothed belts 12 is slightly smaller than the height of the cams 13, 14. As a variant, it is possible to guide the toothed belt 12 below the folding table 04, so that the cams 13; 14 from bottom to top through the folding table 04 protrude. The motor 16 is driven by a control unit 19, which is further connected to a sensor 18. The sensor 18 is for detecting at an input speed v ₀ ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in the limited by the timing belt 12 and the folding table 04 braking path 24 incoming products 02, z. B. printed products 02 upstream of the braking path 24 on the input side. The control unit 19 further has an input for a signal which specifies the speed v, enter the printed matter 02 in the braking path 24. This signal can z. B. derived from a web speed signal of the printed products 02 delivering web press or be provided by the control center of such a machine. But it is also possible, the speed v of each individual incoming printed product 02, z. B. with the help of two successively passed by the printed product sensors 18, to detect and supply the input of the control unit 19.

In the 3 a) to 3 d) the process of braking the incoming printed product 02 is shown, wherein the sake of clarity on a representation of the folding blade 03 and the folding rollers 07 has been omitted. The incoming with an input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 printed product 02 is in Fig. 3 a) detected by the sensor 18. Based on the voltage signal applied to the input of the control unit 19, the control unit 19 synchronizes the movement of the toothed belt 12 with that of the printed product 02 so that the printed product 02 at the entrance of the braking path 24 on a cam 13 or 14, in Fig. 3 b) the cam 14 hits, which moves at this time slightly slower than the printed matter 02 and this slows down without damaging it. During the passage of the cam 14 through the braking path 24 in Fig. 3 b) the control unit 19 continuously slows down the toothed belts 12 until the printed product 02 reaches the brake brushes 09 and is further decelerated by them and finally abuts against the stop 08 at a speed v at which it is not damaged by the impact. The Fig. 3c) shows the situation shortly before the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08, the Fig. 3 d) the situation shortly after the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08. Since the printed matter 02 in Fig. 3c) is slowed down by the brake brush 09, the cams 14 have detached from the printed product 02. At the same time, the toothed belt 12 is accelerated again so that the second cams 13 are in time for the arrival of a subsequent printed product 02 at the entrance of the braking path 24 and have a speed v suitable for braking this printed product 02.

In a simplified embodiment of the longitudinal folding apparatus 01, the brake brush 09 can be omitted. In this case, however, the cams 13; 14 are slowed down when passing stop 08 to a lower speed v as if the brake brushes 09 are present to prevent damage to the printed matter 02 at the stop 08 and rebounding. It is therefore a more powerful engine 16 needed.

In the subsequent folding step, the now stationary printed product 02 is pressed by the folding blade 03 in a known manner through the folding gap 06 in the gap between the two folding rollers 07 and thereby folded longitudinally. This is a well-known process, so that it will not be discussed in detail here at this point.

The Fig. 4 shows by way of example the time evolution (t) of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24.

The printed product 02 enters the longitudinal folding apparatus 01 at an input speed v ₀ . The cams 14 and 13 respectively precede the printed product 02 at a speed v ₁ which is preferably less than 95%, in particular 90%, of the input speed v ₀ . Upon impact of the printed product 02 on the cams 14 and 13 at the time t ₀ , the relative speed between the printed product 02 and the cams 14 and 13 is therefore one tenth of the input speed v ₀ . Because the relative velocity is quadratic in the kinetic energy, this means that upon impact of the printed product 02 on the cams 14 and 13 at time t ₀ only one hundredth of that kinetic energy is released, which at a collision of the printed product 02 with the unrestrained input speed v ₀ against the stop 08 would be released.

Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 enters the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed of the cams 14 is continuously reduced by the control unit 19. In the speed-time diagram, a falling straight line results between these times for the speed. From the Time t ₁ , the printed product 02 is additionally braked by the brake brush 09, so that the straight line between the times t ₁ and t _{2 has} a curvature. If the printed product 02 at the time t ₂ finally abuts the stop 08, being completely decelerated, it has the very low speed v ₂ compared to the input speed v ₀ . Thus, the impact of the printed matter 02 against the stopper 08 is very gentle, and little kinetic energy is released. From the time t ₁ , when the contact between the printed product 02 and the cam 14 is lost, the control unit 19, the timing belt 12 accelerate again to synchronize the cams 13 and 14 with the subsequent printed product 02.

Fig. 5 shows the development of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24 in a further simplified embodiment of the Längsfalzapparates 01. The printed product 02 runs here also with the input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 a. This time, 14 and 13 through the cam 02 the printed product advance at a reduced speed compared to the speed v ₁ v. ₃ At time t ₀ , the printed product 02 has caught up with the cams 14 and 13, respectively, and abuts them, reducing its velocity v from v ₀ to v ₃ , the speed of the cams 14 and 13, respectively. Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 enters the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed v _{3 of} the cams 14 and 13 and thus the speed v of the printed product 02 remains constant. From the brake brushes 09, the printed product 02 is further decelerated, which is noticeable in a curvature of the previously straight graph, while the cams 14 and 13 maintain their speed v ₃ and continue with this, whereby they separate again from the printed matter 02 , Finally, the printed product 02 comes at the time t ₂ at the speed v ₄ against the stop 08 and is completely decelerated.

If you look for easier estimation once on the influence of the brake brush 09 on the Speed v of the printed matter 02 from assuming that no brake brush 09 would be present, and it is further assumed that the speed v _{3 of} the cam 14 is half as large as the input speed v _{0 of} the printed product 02, so at the impact of Print product 02 to the cams 14 and 13 and the collision of the printed product 02 to the stop 08 each have the same kinetic energy freely because in both collisions in each case the same relative speed between the printed product 02 and the cam 14 and 13 is the stop 08 , This means that in each case only one quarter of the kinetic energy which would be released when the printed product 02 would hit the fixed stop 08 with the unrestrained input speed v ₀ is released in both impacts. Are braking brushes 09 are present, may v _3> v _0/2 and v _4> v are _0/2 is selected, and both shocks are alleviated. This can also be transferred to the version with "Disk 15" (see below).

An alternative embodiment of a longitudinal folding apparatus 23 shows the Fig. 6 in the side view while Fig. 7 shows the longitudinal folder 23 in plan view. With respect to folding table 04, folding rollers 07, folding lever 21 and folding blade 03 of the longitudinal folder 23 is identical to the previously described longitudinal folding apparatus 01 of Fig. 1 and 2 , In contrast to the longitudinal folder 01, however, the toothed belt 12 together with gears 11, shaft 17 (not visible) and motor 16 are arranged below the folding table 04 in the longitudinal folder. The folding table 04 has, apart from the folding gap 06 on both sides thereof each an additional parallel gap through which the cams 13, 14 can reach through the folding table 04. It is in this Längsfalzapparat 23 of the braking distance 24 for the products 22, z. B. printed products 22 is not limited by the timing belt 12, because the timing belt 12 are arranged below the folding table 04. Nevertheless, the printed product 22 abuts against the cams 13; 14 and is braked by these along the braking distance 24, since the cams 13; 14 protrude from the folding table 04.

The following FIGS. 8 to 14 show the Längsfalzapparat in an alternative, second advantageous embodiment.

The 8 and 9 the processing stage 01 in the second embodiment shown as a longitudinal folder 01 shows once from the side view ( Fig. 8 ) and once in plan view ( Fig. 9 ). The longitudinal folding apparatus 01 comprises a folding table 04, in which an elongate folding gap 06 is provided. Under the folding table 04 is at the level of the folding gap 06, a pair of collapsed folding rollers 07, of which in Fig. 8 only one is visible and the other is concealed, arranged such that they form a parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented and located directly below this gap. On the folding table 04 pivotable folding lever 21 are provided which hold a likewise parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented folding blade 03 above the folding gap 06. With pivoting of the folding lever 21, the folding blade 03 can penetrate into the folding gap 06. In an end region of the folding gap 06, an elongate stop 08 is arranged transversely to the folding gap 06 on the folding table 04. At the stop 08 the top of the folding table 04 facing brake brushes 09 are attached. The folding blade 03 is - in contrast to a rotating knife - preferably designed in the manner of a. With respect to the folding table 04 pivotable, ie relative to the folding table 04 up and down movable knife 03. The knife 03 is z. B. mounted on levers 43, which in turn. With respect. The folding table 04 pivotally about an axis 44 (FIG. Fig. 14 ) are stored. In another embodiment, however, the knife may also be arranged as eccentrically on a continuously rotating body of revolution. It may also be arranged eccentrically on a revolving planetary gear. In an advantageous embodiment, a mechanically independent drive (see below) is provided.

In a preferred embodiment - in Fig. 8 indicated only by dashed lines - the folding blade 03 is assigned its own, mechanically independent of transport or production equipment drive 05. This drive 05 may for example be designed as a motor 05, which via a transmission, for. B. an eccentric or a crank mechanism, the folding blade 03 clocked to the position of a product 02 on the folding table 04 lowers or raises. The control of the drive 05 is effected, for example, by a control device 10 shown by dashed lines, which either via information about the speed of a transport system conveying the product 02 or via a signal of a sensor upstream of the folding gap 06 and detecting the product 02 (eg sensor mentioned below 18) synchronizes the movement of the folding blade 03 with the product flow.

On both sides of the folding gap 06 is in each case one with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the folding gap 06 extending rotatable body 15, z. As discs 15, arranged. At the periphery of the discs 15 are each two stops 13; 14, z. B. cams 13; 14 arranged, z. B. welded, starting from any of the cams 13; 14 a distance between the cams 13; 14 is preferably the same length along the length of the toothed belt 12. The two discs 15, which are located on different sides of the folding gap 06, each with a motor 16, z. B. connected to a angular position-controlled electric motor 16 and preferably driven synchronously. In a variant, not shown, the two discs 15 are connected to each other via a continuous shaft 17 and driven by a common motor 16 (see above to Fig. 2 ). A braking path 24 for printed products 02 is bounded on the one hand by the upper side of the folding table 04, on the other hand by a lateral surface of the two disks 15 facing this surface. The distance between the surface of the folding table 04 and the lateral surfaces of the discs 15 is smaller than the height of the cams 13, 14. The motors 16 are controlled by a control unit 19 or control device 19, which is further connected to a sensor 18. The sensor 18 is for detecting at an input speed v ₀ ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) in the limited by the timing belt 12 and the folding table 04 braking path 24 incoming products 02, z. B. printed products 02 upstream of the braking path 24 on the input side. The control unit 19 further has an input for a signal, which specifies the speed v, with the printed matter 02 in the braking path 24 enter. This signal can z. B. derived from a web speed signal of the printed products 02 delivering web press or be provided by the control center of such a machine. But it is also possible, the speed v of each individual incoming printed product 02, z. B. by means of two successively passed by the printed product sensors 18, and to supply the input of the control unit 19.

The discs 15 may be arranged in a non-illustrated embodiment on the printed product 02 side facing away from the folding table 04, wherein the cams 13; 14 must pass through the folding table 04 in such a way that they protrude from the printed product 02 facing surface at least in a path portion as a movable stop for the printed product.

In the Fig. 10 a) to 10 d) the process of braking the incoming printed product 02 is shown using the example of the rotatable body 15, wherein for the sake of clarity, a representation of the folding blade 03 and the folding rollers 07 has been dispensed with.

The incoming with an input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 printed product 02 is in Fig. 10 a) detected by the sensor 18. On the basis of the present at the input of the control unit 19 signal (time of product detection and / or speed signal), the control unit 19 synchronizes the movement of the discs 15 with that of the printed product 02 so that the printed product 02 at the entrance of the braking path 24 to a cam 13 or 14, in Fig. 10b) The cam 13, which moves at this time slightly slower than the printed matter 02 and this slows down without damaging it. During the passage of the cam 13 through the braking path 24 in Fig. 10b) slows the control unit 19 in a first mode continuously the rotational movement of the discs until the printed product 02 z. B. reaches the brake brush 09 and is further braked by this and finally at a speed v abuts against the stop 08, where it is not damaged by the impact. In the event that the brake brushes 09 are arranged only behind the point at which the printed product 02 disengages from the cam 13, however, the printed product 02 initially moves uniformly at a reduced speed until it encounters the brushes. The Fig. 10c) shows the situation shortly before the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08, the Fig. 10d) the situation shortly after the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08. Once cam 13 and printed matter 02 are disengaged, the disc 15 can be accelerated again, so that the second cam 14 in time for the arrival of a subsequent printed product 02 at the entrance of the braking distance 24 and have a speed v suitable for braking this printed product 02.

In a simplified embodiment of the longitudinal folding apparatus 01, the brake brushes 09 can again be omitted (see above).

In the subsequent folding step the now stationary printed product 02 is again pressed by the folding blade 03 in a known manner through the folding gap 06 in the gap between the two folding rollers 07 and thereby folded longitudinally. This is a well-known process, so that it will not be discussed in detail here at this point.

The Fig. 11 shows by way of example the time evolution (t) of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24.

The printed product 02 enters the longitudinal folding apparatus 01 at an input speed v ₀ . The cams 14 and 13 respectively precede the printed product 02 at a speed v ₁ which is preferably less than 95%, in particular 90%, of the input speed v ₀ . When shock of the printed product 02 to the cams 14 and 13 at time t ₀ , the relative speed between the printed product 02 and the cams 14 and 13 is therefore one tenth of the input speed v ₀ . Because the relative velocity is quadratic in the kinetic energy, this means that upon impact of the printed product 02 on the cams 14 and 13 at time t ₀ only one hundredth of that kinetic energy is released, which at a collision of the printed product 02 with the unrestrained input speed v ₀ against the stop 08 would be released.

Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 enters the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed of the cams 14 is continuously reduced by the control unit 19. In the speed-time diagram, a falling straight line results between these times for the speed. The deceleration by the control unit 19 may also follow a different waveform. From the time t ₁ , the printed product 02 is additionally braked by the brake brushes 09, so that the straight line between the times t ₁ and t _{2 has} a curvature. If the printed product 02 at the time t ₂ finally abuts the stop 08, being completely decelerated, it has the very low speed v ₂ compared to the input speed v ₀ . Thus, the impact of the printed matter 02 against the stopper 08 is very gentle, and little kinetic energy is released. From the time t ₁ , when the contact between the printed product 02 and the cam 14 is lost, the control unit 19, the timing belt 12 accelerate again to synchronize the cams 13 and 14 with the subsequent printed product 02.

Fig. 12 shows the development of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24 in a further simplified embodiment of the Längsfalzapparates 01, wherein the cam 13; 14 supporting disc 15 is driven at a uniform speed. The printed product 02 runs here also with the input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 a. This time running the cams 14 and 13 the printed matter 02 with a reduced speed compared to the speed v ₁ v ₃ advance. At time t ₀ , the printed product 02 has caught up with the cams 14 and 13, respectively, and abuts them, reducing its velocity v from v ₀ to v ₃ , the speed of the cams 14 and 13, respectively. Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 reaches the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed v _{3 of} the cams 14 or 13 and thus the speed v of the printed product 02 remains approximately constant. However, in the case of the disc 15, this only applies to a contact area within a small angle of rotation - z. B. smaller 20 ° approximate. After the vertex of the cam 13, ie at the location of the shortest distance to the folding table 04, which is characterized in that the center of the disc 11 is connected to the front edge of the cam 13 line perpendicular to the plane of the folding table 04, the cam 13 runs at constant rotational speed of the decelerated printed matter 02 in the plane of the folding table 04 slightly thereof (is not in Fig. 11 shown).

From the brake brushes 09, the printed product 02 is further decelerated, which is noticeable in a curvature of the previously straight graph, while the cams 14 and 13 continue to run, whereby they separate from the printed matter 02 again. Finally, the printed product 02 comes at the time t ₂ at the speed v ₄ against the stop 08 and is completely decelerated.

In an advantageous embodiment with the disk 15, the impact point is located in front of the vertex of the cam 13, d. H. before the location of the shortest distance to the folding table 04, which is characterized in that the line connecting the center of the disc 11 with the front edge of the cam 13 is perpendicular to the plane of the folding table 04.

Fig. 13 shows an advantageous embodiment of a movable stop 13; 14 It has on both sides of the folding gap 06 a group of several, here four, discs 15, which each carry a cam 13 on the circumference, and each group is driven by a motor 16. In principle, this device could be detachable or non-detachable with a frame 27 or frame 27 or the folding table 04 (FIG. Fig. 14 ). In an advantageous embodiment, however, the braking device 26 is designed as a module 26 which is arranged so movable relative to the frame 27, that the space directly above the folding table 04 is releasable. For this purpose, the braking device is mounted pivotably with respect to the frame 27. The braking device has the groups of discs 15 receiving carrier 29, which are either rotatable about a frame-fixed axis 28 or rotationally fixed about an axis rotatably mounted on the frame 27 28 pivotally. The pivoting can either manually, or as shown with drive means 31, z. B. by one or more acted upon by pressure cylinders, done. For this example, the cylinder is fixed to the frame and the piston end hinged to the carriers 29 or vice versa. Fixed to the frame in this case includes that the bearing of the axis 28 and the cylinder can be connected via other, arranged in fixed orientation to the frame 27 and the folding table 04 components. If now the folding table 04 or the folding blade 03 are made accessible, the brake device is swiveled off via actuation of the drive means 31 (or manually). The module 26 - whether arranged movable or fixed to the frame - is suitable in a particularly simple manner for retrofitting conventional Längsfalzapparate 01.

The longitudinal folder 01 with arranged below the folding table 04 discs 15 and endless belts 12 is particularly preferred when the discs 15 and timing belt 12 together with gears 11 and the motor 16 / motors 16 are provided fixedly installed in this, while the longitudinal folder 01 with arranged above the folding table 04 discs 15 and endless belts 12 in practice is then preferred when the timing belt 12 with the gears 11 and the motor 16 to be designed as removable modules.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Longitudinal folder, processing stage

02

Product, printed matter

03

folding blade

04

folding table

05

Drive, engine

06

folding gap

07

folding roller

08

attack

09

brake brush

10

control device

11

gear

12

Timing belt, endless belt

13

Stop, cam

14

Stop, cam

15

Body, disc

16

Engine, electric motor

17

wave

18

sensor

19

control unit

20

-

21

seam lever

22

Product, printed matter

23

longitudinal folder

24

stopping distance

25

-

26

Brake device, module

27

Frame, frame

28

axis

29

carrier

30

-

31

drive means

32

-

33

-

34

-

35

-

36

-

37

-

38

-

39

-

40

-

41

-

42

-

43

lever

44

axis

t

Development, in time

to

time

t ₁

time

t ₂

time

v

speed

v ₀

Input speed (02)

v ₁

Speed (14; 13)

v ₂

Speed (02)

v ₃

Speed (02)

v ₄

Speed (02)

Claims (19)

1. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) with a braking path (24), in which printed products (02; 22) to be folded and running in at an entry speed (v₀) are retarded, and with a folding blade (03) for pressing the printed products (02; 22) into a folding gap (06), wherein a stop (13; 14) is moved along the braking path (24) of the printed products (02; 22), characterized in that at least one motor (16) is provided in order to drive the stop (13; 14), and the motor (16) is constructed in the form of an electric motor (16) regulated with respect to its angular position.
2. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stop (13; 14) is moved at a speed (v) lower than the entry speed (v₀).
3. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stop (13; 14) is moved in a retarding manner on the braking path (24).
4. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by a control unit (19) which controls the speed (v) of the stop (13; 14) on the braking path (24).
5. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (19) has an input for a signal representative of the entry speed (v₀) and is set up in order to control the speed (v) of the stop (13; 14) with reference to the said entry speed (v₀).
6. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control unit (19) is attached to a sensor (18) arranged upstream of the braking path (24) in order to detect a printed product (02; 22) approaching the braking path (24) and is set up in order to position the stop (13; 14) at a speed (v) substantially corresponding to the entry speed (V₀), at the same time as encountering the printed product (02; 22) at the start of the braking path (24).
7. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the movable stop (13; 14) is arranged on a running endless belt (12), which has a portion parallel to the braking path (24).
8. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 7, characterized in that at least one endless belt (12) is arranged on both sides of the folding gap (06).
9. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 1, characterized in that two motors (16) are provided in order to drive two stops (13; 14).
10. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the movable stop (13; 14) is arranged on a rotating body (15) in such a way that its direction of movement on one path portion crosses the braking path (24).
11. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one rotating body (15) is arranged on both sides of the folding gap (06).
12. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 8 or 11, characterized in that at least one motor (16) is provided on both sides of the folding gap (06) in order to drive the endless belts (12) or the rotating bodies (15) respectively.
13. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 12, characterized in that one motor (16) is provided in each case on both sides of the folding gap (06) in order to drive the endless belts (12) or the rotating bodies (15) respectively.
14. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a speed (v) of the stop (13; 14) at the start of the braking path (24) is lower than 95% of the entry speed (v₀) of the printed product (02; 22).
15. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that at least one slow-down brush (09) is provided.
16. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a stationary second stop (08) is attached to the folding gap (06).
17. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a motor is provided in order to drive the folding blade (03).
18. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the two motors (16) of the stop (13; 14) and the folding blade (03) have no positively locking connexion.
19. A longitudinal folder (01; 23) according to any one of Claims 9, 12, 13, and 17, characterized in that the two motors (16) are synchronized electrically.

Images