EP1957287B1 - Gathering and stitching machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A new gathering and stitching machine (10) and a new method for operating a gathering and stitching machine (1) are proposed, which make it possible to drive in the staples (K) in a positionally correct manner and to close them satisfactorily even in the case of relatively short staple setting times. This is achieved by the novel control of the position of the staple heads (20) and the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) in the region of the interaction during stapling. It is an essential feature of the present invention that the staple head (20) and the support (2, 30, 40, 50) are pivoted towards one another in such a way that they come to lie within a common stapling plane (H). This means that the saddle plane which is defined by the pivoting axis (S) of the saddle-shaped support (2, 30, 40, 50) and the support edge (13) and the staple-head plane which is defined by the pivoting axis of the staple head (20) and the ram tip are superimposed on one another in the region of the interaction and for the duration of the interaction and define what is known as the stapling plane (H). Here, the stapling plane (H) is pivoted continuously, with the result that it stands orthogonally on the main conveying plane (X) only in a central position.

Description

The invention is in the field of collecting and processing of multipart folded printed products and relates to an apparatus and a method for collecting, transporting, processing and stapling of printed products, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and the features of the preamble of claim 13.

Saddle stitchers with endlessly revolving conveyor members comprising a plurality of pads are known in the art. Basically, saddle stitchers are used to produce booklets, magazines, brochures, etc. from printed and folded sheets. The signatures and the envelope are stacked, aligned and stapled in the desired order

From the EP0202507 a device for processing folded printed sheet is known in which a plurality of saddle-shaped deposits are provided for riding receiving the printed sheets along a conveying path with transverse to the conveying path aligned support edge. The endlessly circulating conveying member transports the saddle-shaped supports past a plurality of workstations, wherein at least one workstation is a stitching station with running stitching heads. In the area of the stitching station, a product to be stapled is lifted from the saddle by a separately driven anvil from below and synchronized stapling head stapled from above Anvil and stapling head are in stapling each in a vertical position with respect to the plane which is traversed by the abutment edges along the conveying path. In the area of interaction, the anvil is mounted vertically upwardly movable on its conveyor belt, while the stapling head is fixedly arranged in this spatial direction. In this orthogonal Guide the stapling head and saddle is the time that is available for stapling by the length of the area of interaction and the speed of the conveyor fixed predetermined. If the conveying speed is to be increased, it is imperative that the time available for stitching be shortened. Moreover, the lifting of the printed sheets from the saddle provided there is complicated and disadvantageous with regard to the precision of stitching.

In the DE 19638448 Another saddle stitcher is described, in which saddle-shaped supports are transported along at least one workstation along a conveying path with bearing edges aligned transversely to the conveying path. The saddle-shaped pads are movably mounted on their tension member, so that their support edges during the passage through the region of cooperation with the stationary workstation can travel through a movement path in the opposite direction to the transport movement, so that approximately a temporary standstill of the support edges relative to the fixed workstation, in particular a Product feeding station is reached. For stapling, it is again proposed to reduce the relative speed of the saddle-shaped supports, which relates to the stationary stapling apparatuses. This is done by two movement fixed arranged in phase driven crank drives slowing the parallel to the conveying direction directed component of the speed of the pads during transport to the stationary staplers in a first phase, then briefly hold close to zero and then accelerate again to the speed of the tension member. The saddle-shaped supports always remain orthogonal to the conveying path. With the conveyor speeds usual today in the medium to high-performance range, such a speed reduction and subsequent acceleration bring enormous loads on the components involved. The time of the interaction of stapling head and saddle-shaped support is again imperative by the speed of the conveyor specified. In addition, the change in the relative speed of the support to the workstation can be influenced solely by controlling the support.

From the P566531 a saddle stitcher is known in which the pads are fed to the feed end having a Umbieger having deflecting wheel. It is described that the supports in the deflection wheel come to rest on benders in the direction of staple movement. The benders and pads must be precisely superimposed to ensure a stable stapling position. At the combing of the conditions in the stapler drum special requirements are made. Since the supply of printed products to the guide wheel requires a lot of space, it is proposed to form the supports pivotable about an axis extending transversely to the conveying direction between the conveyor chains of the traction means, so that they can be rotated in the inlet section. For this purpose, a control cam is provided by which the supports can be forcibly swiveled. After combing into the deflection wheel, the supports are held in their predetermined radial position and rotate about the axis of the deflection wheel. It is disclosed that the stapling device comprises a plurality of rotary stapling heads, which are driven in the stapling operation in synchronism with the guide wheel on a parallel circular arc. A pivoting of the supports between the conveyor chains of the traction means is no longer possible in the stapling area.

From the EP546326 a device for stapling multi-part printed products on a collecting drum by means of a rotating stapling unit with a plurality of circular circumferential stapling heads is known. The likewise circularly circulating supports of the collecting drum urge the stitching heads in a region of interaction against the interior of their circular orbit so that a flattening of this circular path is effected in the stitching region. This has the consequence that the stitching heads can accompany the editions for a certain time. This will be an extension This helps to ensure that the staples are properly driven into the correct position and position in the printed products and can be bent well. Preferably, the stitching heads are held during the stapling process in an exactly aligned or approximately aligned position with the associated support, whereby the conditions under which the staples are set, be further improved. Since the supports in the drum are not pivotable, the compliance of the aligned position must be accomplished solely by the pivoting movement of the stitching heads.

US 2002/140155 also shows the state of the art.

The present invention is now based on the object to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned, with the or the disadvantages listed above are largely eliminated and in the or the time available for an optimal stapling result no longer This is to be made possible without having to compromise on the quality of the stapling result. It should also be possible at high operating speeds, a perfect and correct position stapling of printed products.

Another object of the invention is to allow a change in the processing flow with relatively little effort.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 13

An essential feature of the invention is that stapling head and saddle-shaped support in the region of cooperation during stapling through a coordinated pivoting movement about a common pivot axis, wherein the pivoting of the stapling head and the Support must not necessarily take place about a common physical pivot axis, but can also be effected by appropriate motion controls, which brings about the desired pivoting about the pivot axis according to the invention. In order to drive the staples in the correct position even with short and very short Staple stapling times and close properly, it has proven to be advantageous during the Klammersetzvorgangs the stitching heads and the saddle-shaped pads to arrange in a common plane, so that the plunger of the stapling head the staples in the undercut Substantially exactly linearly to the assigned edition and their Umbieger aligned can drive. The angular position of the plunger relative to the Klammerumbiegers is therefore not changed during the interaction principle. This is achieved or sought in the case of the above-described known devices in that the parts of the device cooperating during stapling are aligned with one another in a plane arranged transversely to the conveying direction. In the devices and methods according to the present invention, although stapling head and saddle-shaped support continue to be held in the advantageous 180 ° angular position, in the so-called stapling level, both are, however, pivoted to each other while maintaining this angular position relative to the conveying plane. In the area of interaction, the two same-direction pivoting movements are coordinated so that they coincide in a plane and take place around a single common (theoretical) pivot axis.

In the invention, not only the usual in the known staplers rigid attachment of the saddle-shaped pads on the conveyor member is omitted, but it is complemented in a synergistic manner by the pivotally mounting the stitching heads along a circular orbit Since both the stitching heads and the saddle-shaped pads share have on the pivoting movement, the load distribution to the moving components designed much cheaper, since the pivotal movement is distributed to both parts of the device also results in a greater degree of freedom for the design the device and the mutual coordination of stapling head and pads, so that the quality of stapling can be improved.

This movable storage is such that the support edges of the saddle-shaped pads and the fronts of the stitching heads ("stapling heads") can be performed in the entire stapling area at a smaller, greater or equal speed compared to Förderorgangeschwindigkeit, the optimal alignment of the stitching heads and the Conditions in the stapling level are always guaranteed Particularly advantageous for a good quality stapling in conjunction with rotary staplers are solutions in which the speed of the pads in the stapling area is equal to or greater than the Förderorgangeschwindigkeit.

The advantages of the long time available for stapling in the optimal position as they come from EP546326 for stapling or collecting drums in combination with stapling heads are known to be moved along a circular orbit, can be transferred by the present invention, dispensing with the stapling drums with their high space and investment requirements for systems with more flexible and cost-effective "head circulation". A lead circulation of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of saddle-shaped pads which are passed by a conveying member along a main conveying direction in an upper run of the circulation at different processing stations.

Figur 1

einen Ausschnitt aus einem Sammelhefter im Bereich einer Heftvorrichtung gemäss dem Stand der Technik, bei dem die Heftköpfe verschwenkt, die sattel-

Figur 2 a-e

förmigen Auflagen aber nicht aus ihrer querstehenden Position verschwenkt werden können; je einen Ausschnitt aus einer Seitenansicht eines Sammelhefters im Bereich einer Heftvorrichtung gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wo- bei die Ausschnitte fünf aufeinander folgende Zeitpunkte des Heftvorgangs zei- gen;

Figur 3 a-e

je einen Ausschnitt aus einer Seitenansicht eines Sammelhefters im Bereich einer Heftvorrichtung gemäss einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei die Ausschnitte fünf aufeinander folgende Zeitpunkte des Heftvorgangs zeigen;

Figur 4 a-e

je einen Ausschnitt aus einer Seitenansicht eines Sammelhefters im Bereich einer Heftvorrichtung gemäss einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wo- bei die Ausschnitte fünf aufeinander folgende Zeitpunkte des Heftvorgangs zei- gen;

Figur 5

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Seitenansicht eines Sammelhefters im Bereich einer Heftvorrichtung gemäss einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei im Ausschnitt drei aufeinander folgende Zeitpunkte des Heftvorgangs gezeigt sind;

Figur 6

eine Umbiegereinheit, wie sie bevorzugterweise in den erfindungsgemässen Auflagen zum Einsatz kommt; und

Figur 7

eine Ausführungsform einer sattelförmigen Auflage, wie sie zum Beispiel in ei- nem Sammelhefter gemäss Figur 4 gezeigt sind, bei der die linken Anteile der Aufhängung nicht dargestellt sind.

In the following the invention with reference to the figures embodiments of the subject invention is explained in more detail. It shows

FIG. 1

1 a detail of a saddle stitcher in the region of a stapling device according to the prior art, in which the stapling heads are pivoted, the saddle

Figure 2 ae

shaped supports but can not be pivoted from their transverse position; each a detail from a side view of a saddle stitcher in the region of a stapling device according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the cutouts show five successive times of the stapling operation;

FIG. 3 ae

each a detail of a side view of a saddle stitcher in the region of a stapling device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the cutouts show five consecutive times of stapling;

Figure 4 ae

each a detail of a side view of a saddle stitcher in the region of a stapling device according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the cutouts show five successive times of the stapling operation;

FIG. 5

a section of a side view of a saddle stitcher in the region of a stapling device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein in the cutout three consecutive times of the stapling operation are shown;

FIG. 6

a Umbiegereinheit as it is preferably used in the inventive conditions; and

FIG. 7

an embodiment of a saddle-shaped pad, as for example in a saddle stitcher according to FIG. 4 are shown, in which the left parts of the suspension are not shown.

In the FIG. 1 is a section of a saddle stitcher in the region of a Heftkopfrades 21 shown in a schematic view from the side, rotate in the eight stapling heads 20 on Heftkopfrad 21 rotating about the axis A. Device and method according to the FIG. 1 do not correspond to the present invention, as essential inventive features are missing. In the comparative example of FIG. 1 stapling heads 20 and stapling head wheel 21 are shown in a highly schematic manner, and a wire-portion-donating unit is completely omitted. Of a conductor circulation, also called round 10, only a section is shown. The composite round 10 comprises a plurality of saddle-shaped supports 2, which are passed by a conveying member 11 along a main conveying direction F at different processing stations, wherein in the FIG. 1 in the form of the stitching station only one such processing station is shown. The drive means which move the saddle-shaped supports 2, which are arranged at approximately uniform intervals at right angles to the main conveying direction F, in the clockwise direction by means of at least one endlessly circulating conveying member 11 are in the FIG. 1 also not shown. In an upper run of the collecting run the saddle-shaped supports 2 are guided in an upright, orthogonal to the conveying direction F position on a plurality of Zuförderem where they get in a known manner sub-products that may include a folded sheet or entire frets, so that in This is an example. EP 095 603 appropriate loading can be done before they are in the FIG. 1 reach the illustrated stapling area. It is known that the feed conveyors in the region of the upper strand may preferably be preceded by stations in which the products to be supplied can be printed, for example, or covered with cards or so-called memo sticks.

The Indian FIG. 1 shown Rotationsheftapparat 9 is preferably arranged in a, related run the main conveying direction F, end portion of the upper run, so that the finished stapled products P can be removed from the saddle-shaped pads 2 and reached, for example, a cutting device before reaching the end of Trumendes.

In the FIG. 1 It is shown that the stitching heads 20 are articulated at their, to the central axis A of the Heftkopfrades facing ends by means of a bearing pin 23 pivotally mounted on a circular cylindrical hub 22. As can also be seen from the figure, the stitching heads 20 can be pivoted out of their radial angular positions about the bearing pins 23, which in the simplest case also define the stitching head pivot axis H. The need for pivoting control devices are known in the art and in the FIG. 1 not shown. An advantageous orientation of the stitching heads 20 on the, arranged on a conveying member in a fixed orthogonal position N, runs in the device according to FIG. 3 However, it does not become clear from the following description that stapling heads 20 and stapling head wheel 21 can be used with suitable selection of the control devices and corresponding control sequences in devices and methods according to the invention. The essential technical features of a stapling head wheel, which can be used in the present invention, the skilled person, for example, the EP 691 215 remove.

Another possible construction of a stapling head wheel and the stitching heads, as they can be used in the present invention is, for example, from EP546326 The applicant is known, and will therefore not be described in detail here. The bending of the wire sections into U-shaped clamps and driving them into the printed products is known, for example, from US Pat EP399322 known. These aspects of the stapler and the stapling process must therefore also not be described in detail, but reference is made in this regard to the detailed description of the construction and the function in the cited documents. In the EP546326 is, as mentioned above, already proposed to pivot the approximately perpendicular circumscribing stitching heads in the region of interaction with the circulating on a stitching drum circular supports such that they are set slightly oblique to the vertical. In the context of the present invention, such stapling devices can likewise be used. In order to achieve the best results when stapling on a circuit using the rotary head described above is according to the present invention for each of the saddle-shaped pads on the conveyor member 11 at least one pivot axis S (see. Fig. 2 ) is provided which is aligned substantially parallel to the support edge 13 and allows to bring the saddle-shaped support from a normal orthogonal position N, in which the saddle is substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane defined by the conveying member 11 X, in deviating pivot positions V, R. (also see Fig. 2 ). As will be explained in more detail below, the pivot axis S in one embodiment with the support edge 13 of the saddle-shaped support substantially coincide and in other embodiments, it is above or below the support edge 13. Physically formed is preferably not the entire pivot axis, but only two short lateral pins, stub axles or bearings 14 which lie on the pivot axis S and by means of which the saddle-shaped support is articulated on both sides on the conveyor member 11 directly or indirectly

In the FIG. 2a is a side view of a section of a Sammelrundlauf 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention shown the same section of the Sammelrundlaufs in the region of a stapling head wheel 21 is in the FIGS. 2b to 2e It is clear from the sequence of figures that not only the stapling head 20 but also the saddle-shaped supports 2, 2 ', 2 "are pivotably arranged ", 2, 2 'shown in the conveying direction leading support 2' carries an already stapled with a staple K print product P ', the middle edition carries in the process flow to be processed printed product P and the trailing rest 2" contributes to the next stapling cycle processing printed product P ". The control devices 14, 15, 16 for pivoting the supports 2, 2 ', 2 "are indicated only schematically in the figure and will be described below be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. In the devices according to the invention, preferably thrust elements are used as conveying elements which push the supports in the conveying direction. Should it be desired, it is also possible to use traction elements, such as those from the EPO95603 the applicant are known.

The pivot axes S of the arranged on the conveyor member 11 supports 2, 2 'and 2 "fall in the embodiment according to the FIG. 2 essentially together with the respective abutment edges 13. On the pivot axes S are in this embodiment, the bearing pin 17, by means of which the supports 2 engage the conveyor member 11. The conveying member 11 defines the main conveying plane X in which the bearing journals 17 of the supports 2 in the main conveying direction F are conveyed at an approximately constant speed. In the orthogonal normal position of the saddle-shaped pads, all portions of the pads 2 with the overlying printed product are moved in direction F at the same speed. This changes in the area of cooperation with the stapling head 20 and is in the FIG. 4 exemplified for edition 2 While in the FIG. 2a the support 2 is still in the orthogonal to the main conveyor plane X normal position N, the stapling head 20 is already in a deviating from the orthogonal angular position U pivoted in a following, in the FIG. 4b , Time shown, the receptacle 2 is pivoted in the direction W in a position V, and thereby aligned with the stapling head 20 that the shares directly involved in the stapling both come to lie in a staple plane H. In the period of time in the FIGS. 2b to 2d Although the position of stapling head 20 and rest 2 changes continuously relative to the main conveying plane X, their position relative to one another in the stapling plane H remains unchanged so that the punches, plungers and the cooperating folding unit remain in optimum alignment with one another for as long as possible being held. In the Figure 2c The stapling head and the rest are for a moment in the orthogonal position H / O, from which they but by the, the conveying movement in direction F, superimposed pivotal movement in the respective pivot positions Q and R are moved without leaving the staple level. This happens only after completion of the stapling process, if, as in the FIG. 2e illustrated, the contact between the stapling head 20 and support edge 13 of the support 2 is released and the support 2 is pivoted back into the orthogonal normal position. Since the support 2 has been continuously pivoted during the stapling process against the original pivoting direction W from the initial position V in the end position R, it must be pivoted to return to the normal position N in the direction W again. In this arrangement, the pivot axis essentially coincides with the support edge, so that in the stapling area the support and the respective stapling head and the conveying means have a substantially equal speed. The movement control of the stapling head is carried out by means not shown here in a manner according to EP546326 in such a way that it carries out the pivoting according to the invention about the pivot axis S of the supports.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as described in the FIG. 3 is shown, the pivot axes S 'of the pads 30 do not coincide with the support edges 13' together. The pivot axes S 'are in turn in the main conveying plane X, but the support edges 13' are arranged above the pivot axes S 'In order to move the pads 30, 30', 30 "in coinciding with the staple plane H position V, the support edge 13 ' Therefore, be pivoted against the main conveying direction F about the pivot axis S 'in the direction W', as shown in the Figures 3 a and b are indicated. The pivot axis is in turn in the main conveying plane X, so that all portions of the support 30, which lie above the main conveyor planes X are pivoted in the direction W 'and all shares of the support 30, which lie below the main conveyor planes X in the opposite direction. As for the embodiment of FIG. 2 described, stapling head 20 and support 30 remain during the entire stapling process in the staple plane H, so that after the stapling process, the pad must be pivoted back in the direction W 'in the normal position N.

In the FIG. 4 a further preferred embodiment is shown, in which the abutment edges 13 "of the supports 40, 40 ', 40" are arranged below the main conveyor plane X. The pivot axes S "are again in the main conveying plane X, but since the support edges 13" below the pivot axes S "are arranged, the supports 40, 40 ', 40" in the direction W "must be pivoted to them in coinciding with the staple level H. Position V to move, the support edge 13 "must therefore be pivoted against the main conveying direction F about the pivot axis S" in the direction W ". Together with the support edge 13 ", as it is in the FIGS. 4a and b indicated is all portions of the support 40 about the pivot axis S "in the direction W" pivoted, since all shares of the support 40 are below the main conveyor plane X. Stapling head 20 and support 40 in turn remain during the promotion during the entire stapling process in the staple level H, so that after the stapling process, the support 40 must be pivoted again in the direction W "in the normal position N.

In the three embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4 stapling head 20 and the saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40 during stapling in the staple plane H, each about a pivot axis S, S ', S "pivoted by the bearing means 17, 17', 17" of the pads 2, 30, Moreover, it can be seen that the pivot axes S of the supports are moved in a horizontal plane. In the FIG. 5 a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention is shown, which differs from the above-mentioned arrangements The pads 50 are moved out of the main conveyor plane X at least in the region of cooperation with the stitching heads 20 by means of a guide track 53, so that the abutment edges 13 "'briefly Circle sector L in the direction of the stapling head before being transported again in the main conveying plane X in the main conveying direction F. Since the pads 50, in spite of the superimposed radial movement along L in the area of cooperation with the stitching heads 20, again lie in the stapling plane H, then the pivot axis spaced from the Lagermitteln 51 on conveyor 11 'and guide track 53. The movement, respectively the control of the pads 50 from the main conveyor plane X out preferably takes place by a carriage guide system with at least two support points, a pendulum system with an additional control link or a pendulum system with temporary fixing of the support.

In the FIG. 5 are the support 50 and the stapling head 20 in the staple plane H, which coincides at the time shown with the orthogonal to the main conveyor plane X normal position N From this but they are moved by the, the conveyor movement superimposed, pivotal movement in the respective pivot positions Q and R, without that they leave the staple level. This happens only after completion of the stapling process when, as indicated by support 50 'and stapling head 20', the contact between stapling head 20 and support edge 13 "'of the support 50' is released and the support is pivoted back into the orthogonal normal position N (similar in FIG. 3a ). Since the support during the stapling operation is continuously pivoted against the original pivoting direction W "'from the initial position V to the end position R, it must be pivoted to return to the normal position N again in the direction W"'. Stapling head positions 20 "and 20 ', which are not shown to scale, represent the stapling head in the angular positions U, respectively Q, deviating from the orthogonal O. Accordingly, the receptacles 50" and 50' are shown pivoted into their positions V and R.

While stapling, in turn, the angular position of stapling head 20 and pad 50 changes continuously with respect to the main conveyor plane X. However, their position to each other in the staple level H remains unchanged, so that stamp, ram of the stapling head and the cooperating Umbiegereinheit the support in the desired Be kept in an optimal alignment with each other. The path of movement of the pivot axes of the pads of the preferred embodiment according FIG. 5 is increased in the stapling area over the main conveying plane X According to the solution according to FIG. 3a have the editions here (Together with the respective stapling head tip) on a greater speed than the conveyor, so that an optimal interaction with the rotary stapler shown can be done.

In the FIGS. 2 to 5 in each case only one stapling head is shown. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that each of the illustrated stapling heads 20 in the figures symbolizes a series of two, three or more stapling heads which are used in the inventive apparatus for simultaneously stapling each one printed product.

In the embodiments shown, the pads are moved substantially along the horizontal main conveyor plane and linearly. In particular embodiments, it may be desirable for the pads to be moved in a path other than a linear path of travel lying in the main conveyor plane X. The concept of the invention also includes solutions in which the supports are not two-sided, but (like a strut) mounted on only one side pivotally mounted with printing sheet fed. In this case, an additional support of the free end of the support is preferably provided in the stapling area, which allows an additional force absorption.

Stitching heads with rams which push the staples through the paper of the products to be stapled are known from the prior art as mentioned above. A preferred embodiment of a Umbiegereinheit 19, which closes the piercing freely projecting downwardly from the paper clip ends by Umbiegeflügeln 26 and is pressed in the FIG. 6 When stapling a spring-loaded punch 27 of the bracket K is pressed upwards. The punch and the two Umbiegeflügel 26 are held between a first 31 and a second 32 bearing plate. By pressing on a vertically projecting nose 33 at the lower end of the punch 27, this can be pushed against the force of a return spring 37 upwards. The first bearing plate is opposite the second bearing plate 32 is shortened, so that the nose 33 is accessible from one side In the upper part of the Umbiegereinheit are the plates 31, 32 are approximately equal, so that they define a receiving gap for the umbiegende bracket K. An on the top of the stamp arranged anvil 28 engages on both sides in receiving grooves 29 of the Umbiegeflügel 26 a. The Umbiegeflügel 26 are pivoted about axes 36 and press with their upper bending balls 34 against the clip ends. In the spring-driven downward movement of the punch 27, the anvil cooperates with a return plate 35 of the Umbiegeflügels 26 and pivots it back to a lower position, as shown in the FIG. 6 is shown.

A saddle-shaped pad 40, as they are preferably in an embodiment of the invention according to the FIG. 4 is used in the FIG. 7 shown. The printed product P to be stapled rests with the gutter on the support edge 13 "for stapling In the illustrated embodiment, the support 40 comprises three bending units 19, 19 ', 19". The upper edges of the Umbiegereinheiten 19, 19 ', 19 "aligned with the support edge 13" or protrude slightly beyond this, so that they represent an actual functional support edge. The Umbiegereinheiten 19, 19 ', 19 "are actuated by a continuous control bar 25 which is provided on both sides with control rollers 66 The control bar 25 engages from below to the punch 27 of the Umbiegereinheiten 19, 19', 19", the purpose of the FIG. 7 shown, preferably equipped with the lugs 33. By means of a control link, again not shown in the figure, the control rollers 66 and thus the control bars 25 can be pushed upwards in the stapling area. This upward movement of the control bar 25 is transmitted to punch, anvil and Umbiegerflügel, which are moved against the force of the return spring 37 upwards. This upward movement is precisely coordinated with the stapling of the staple by the stapling head to achieve a quality stapling result.

The pivoting mobility of the support 40 about the pivot axis S is mediated by the suspension 14, which is shown only on the left in the conveying direction F side of the support. The support 40 is attached to two lateral pendulums 15 of the suspension 14, so that the support edge 13 "clearly spaced below the pivot axis S comes to rest The bearing pins 17 engage the conveying member, not shown, and define the pivot axis S. By a return spring 24 are the Pads 40 held relative to the conveying direction F in the orthogonal normal position N, as long as no force is exerted on the pivot axis opposite free end of the pendulum 15. There, a pendulum roller 16 is preferably seconded, which interacts with a control link during stapling and the pivoting movement of the saddle-shaped pad The pendulum roller 16 can also serve to additionally support the support during the stapling process.

It is obvious that the support 40 according to the FIG. 7 by changing the vertical mounting position on the pendulum 15 according to the editions of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be converted. After releasing the attachment between support 40 and pendulum 15, the support edge 13 "can move upwards to the pivot axis S out and beyond this axis parallel.

The edition according to FIG. 7 allows by their novel suspension the inventive interaction with the stapling head in the stapling area. It is an essential feature of the present invention that stapling head and pad are pivoted to each other so that they come to rest within a common staple level. This means that the saddle plane defined by the pivot axis or axes of the saddle-shaped support and the support edge and the stapling head plane defined by the pivot axis of the stapling head and the ram tip are superimposed in the region of and for the time of the interaction and define the so-called stapling plane. The stapling level is thereby continuously pivoted so that it is orthogonal to the main conveying plane at the desired location X stands. The pads can be passively aligned in preferred embodiments during the pivoting movement. By suitable choice and arrangement of the control means, the conditions can be purely passively controlled by the operative connection with the stapling device, which considerably simplifies the construction and considerably reduces the cost of the device.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 2 fall pivot axis S and contact edge 13 in the main conveying plane X together, so that there is no movement of the abutment edge 13 out of the plane X in the inventive pivoting out In contrast, in the embodiments according to the Figures 3 and 4 the contact edge is moved by pivoting the supports relative to the main conveyor plane, that is their vertical distance to the main conveyor plane changes. During product feeding on the pivoting saddle - shaped supports, as they are known from the DE 19638448 However, when stitching, direct knitting contact between the stapler and the support is essential and therefore this change in height can play a role and influence the quality of the work result. As already mentioned above, in the device according to the DE 19638448 when stitching just not swiveled. In further embodiments of the present invention is corrected for the, caused by the pivoting, height change of the support edges. This is preferably done by guide means, for example, guideways or control scenes, as in principle already for controlling the pivoting movement in the embodiment according to the FIG. 5 are described. It is actively or passively controlled to maintain the seat edges substantially in a plane parallel to the main conveyor plane X during engagement with the stitching heads From the above, it is clear that the inventive device 10 for collecting, transporting and stapling multi-part folded printed products at least one endless circulating conveyor member 11 having a plurality of saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40, 50 for riding recording the printed products along a Delivery path F with aligned transversely to the conveying path support edges 13 includes. The conveying member 11 conveys the saddle-shaped supports 2, 30, 40, 50 past at least one workstation, wherein at least one workstation comprises a stitching station 9 with at least one pivotably mounted stapling head 20. From the conveyor member 11, a main conveyor plane X is defined and the saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40, 50 are pivotally mounted on the conveyor member 11 each edition 2, 30, 40, 50 passes through in a region of cooperation during stitching, each with at least one stapling head 20 a coordinated Pivoting movement about a common pivot axis, so that the stapling head 20 and the saddle-shaped support 2, 30, 40, 50 while maintaining an advantageous 180 ° angular position, dwell in a stapling plane H, while they are pivoted relative to the main conveying plane X. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this 180 ° angular position for structural and / or kinematic reasons does not have to be maintained accurately and permanently, but that slight movement and / or booklet-dependent deviations from this 180 ° angular position may well occur.

In a preferred embodiment, the stapling device 9 is a stapling device having a plurality of stapling heads 20 pivotably mounted along a circular orbit.

Both in the general and in the preferred embodiment, the saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40, 50 and the endlessly circulating conveying members 11 form a collecting run.

The saddle-shaped supports 2, 2 ', 2 "are articulated in a preferred embodiment in the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveying member 11 pivotally on the conveyor member 11, wherein the pivot axis S is aligned coaxially to a support edge 13 so that the saddle-shaped support 2, 2' , 2 "from an orthogonal normal position N, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveying member 11, in deviating pivotal positions V, R can be brought, wherein they pivot together with pivoting positions V, R together with the stapling head 20th lies in the staple level H.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device is characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports 30, 30 ', 30 "in the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveying member 11 are pivotably articulated on the conveyor member 11, wherein the pivot axis S' parallel below a support edge 13 'so in that the saddle-shaped support 30, 30 ', 30 "can be brought into an orthogonal normal position N, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the main conveying plane X defined by the conveying member 11, into pivoting positions V, R deviating therefrom, wherein it pivots between pivoting positions when pivoting V, R is in each case together with the stapling head 20 in the staple level H. In this device, preferably, the support edge 13 'during pivoting of the pads 30, 30', 30 "in the staple plane H against the main conveying direction F about the pivot axis S 'in the direction W' is pivotally formed

In a further embodiment, the saddle-shaped supports 40, 40 ', 40 "in the main conveying plane X defined by the conveying member 11 pivotally hinged to the conveyor member 11, wherein in contrast to the two previously described embodiments, the pivot axis S" parallel above a support edge 13 "runs so that the saddle-shaped support 40, 40 ', 40 "from an orthogonal normal position N, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveyor member 11, in thereof deviating pivotal positions V, R can be brought, wherein it is in each case together with the stapling head 20 in the staple plane H in the pivoting between pivot positions V, R in these devices, together with the support edge 13 "preferably all shares of the support 40 below the main conveyor plane X arranged ,

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the saddle-shaped supports 50, 50 ', 50 "can be moved out of the main conveying plane X, at least in the region of cooperation with the stitching heads 20, so that the abutment edges 13"' briefly surround a circular sector L in FIG Describe direction towards the stapling head 20, wherein the pivot axis S "parallel to a support edge 13" 'runs so that the saddle-shaped pads 50, 50', 50 "from an orthogonal normal position N, in which they are substantially perpendicular to that of the conveyor member 11th defined pivotal positions V, R are in question, wherein they are each pivoting between pivot positions V, R together with the stapling head 20 in the staple plane H. The pivot axis of the saddle-shaped pads 50, 50 ', 50 "is preferably spaced from bearing means 51 and thus spaced from conveyor 11 'and guide track 53rd educated

The movable mounting of the saddle-shaped supports 2, 30, 40, 50 may be formed such that the support edges 13, 13 ', 13 ", 13"' of the saddle-shaped supports 2, 30, 40, 50 and the stitching edges of the stitching heads 20 throughout Stapling area with a smaller, greater or the same relative speed compared to the speed of the conveyor member 11 can be performed, the optimal alignment of the stitching heads 20 and the pads 2, 30, 40, 50 is always guaranteed in the staple level H.

Preferably, the upper edges of the Umbiegereinheiten 19, 19 ', 19 "aligned with the support edge 13, 13', 13", 13 "'or slightly protrude beyond this 19, 19 ', 19 "via a continuous in the support up and down movably mounted control bar 25 are actuated, which is provided on both sides with control rollers 66

In the devices according to the invention, a spring-loaded punch 27 of the folding units 19, 19 ', 19 "can have an anvil 28 arranged on the upper side, which engages in receiving grooves 29 of folding wings 26 on both sides, so that the folding wings 26 forcefully move the anvil up or down in pivoting movements Implemented 36 axles.

The inventive method for collecting, transporting and stapling multi-part folded printed products with a device 10 having at least one endless circulating conveyor 11, the plurality of saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40, 50 for riding receiving the printed products along a conveying path F with transverse to the conveyor aligned support edges 13 and the conveyor member 11, the saddle-shaped pads 2, 30, 40, 50 passes at least one workstation, wherein at least one workstation comprises a stitching station 9 with at least one pivotally mounted stapling head 20, wherein the conveying member 11 is a main conveying plane X defined characterized in that stapling head 20 and saddle-shaped pad 2, 30, 40, 50 in a region of cooperation during stapling a coordinated pivoting movement about a common pivot axis so that stapling head 20 and saddle-pad 2, 30, 40, 50 while maintaining a vo rteilhaften 180 ° angular position to each other, dwell in a staple level H, while they are pivoted relative to the main conveying plane X.

The stapling device 9 preferably comprises a stapling device with stitching heads 20 pivotably mounted along a circular orbit, so that during stapling Circumferences about a rotational axis A of the stapling device portions of the stitching heads, in particular a stapling edge do not rotate in a circular path.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the saddle-shaped supports 2, 2 ', 2 "in the main conveying plane X defined by the conveying member 11 are pivotably articulated on the conveying member 11, wherein the pivot axis S' is arranged coaxially with a supporting edge 13 'so that the saddle-shaped Pad 2, 2 ', 2 "from an orthogonal normal position N, in which they are substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveyor member 11 are brought at the beginning of the stapling operation in a different pivotal positions V, in which they together with the stapling head 20 are in the staple level H and then be pivoted while maintaining the 180 ° angular position with the stapling head 20 in the staple level H to a pivotal positions R. In this method, the support edges 13 of the saddle-shaped supports 2, 2 ', 2 "and the stitching edges of the stitching heads 20 in the entire stapling area are preferably performed at the same relative speed compared to the speed of the conveying member 11, wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads 20 and the Pads 2, 2 ', 2 "in the staple level H is always guaranteed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the saddle-shaped supports 30, 30 ', 30 "are pivotably articulated on the conveyor element 11 in the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveyor element 11, but the pivot axis S' runs parallel below a support edge 13 ', so that the saddle-shaped Pads 30, 30 ', 30 "at the beginning of the stapling process from a normal orthogonal position N, in which they are substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane defined by the conveying member 11 X, are brought into a deviating pivotal positions V, in which they together with the stapling head 20 lie in the staple plane H and then pivoted while maintaining the 180 ° angular position with the stapling head 20 in the staple plane H up to a pivotal positions R. become. In this method, the support edges 13 'of the saddle-shaped pads 30, 30', 30 "and the stitching edges of the stitching heads 20 in the entire stapling area preferably performed with a relative to the speed of the conveying member 11 higher relative speed, the optimal alignment of the stapling heads 20 and Pads 30, 30 ', 30 "in the staple level H is always guaranteed.

In a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, the saddle-shaped supports 40, 40 ', 40 "are pivotably articulated on the conveyor 11 in the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveyor 11, but the pivot axis S' runs parallel above a support edge 13 ', so that the saddle-shaped Pads 40, 40 ', 40' at the beginning of the stapling process from a normal orthogonal position N, in which they are substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane defined by the conveying member 11 X, are brought into a deviating pivotal positions V, in which they together with the stapling head 20 lie in the stapling plane H and are then pivoted while maintaining the 180 ° angular position with the stapling head 20 in the staple plane H up to a pivot position R. In this method, the support edges 13 of the saddle-shaped pads 40, 40 ', 40 "and the stitching edges the stapling heads 20 preferably in the entire stapling area with a compared to the speed igkeit of the conveying member 11 lower the relative speed out, with the optimal alignment of the stitching heads 20 and the pads 40, 40 ', 40 "in the staple level H is always guaranteed.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the saddle-shaped supports 50, 50 ', 50 "are moved out of the main conveying plane X in the direction of the stapling head 20, at least in the region of cooperation with the stapling heads 20, so that the abutment edges 13'" are momentarily moved describe a circular sector L in the direction of the stapling head 20, wherein the pivot axis S "parallel to a support edge 13"'so that, the saddle-shaped pads 50, 50', 50 "at the beginning the stapling process from an orthogonal normal position. N, in which they are substantially perpendicular to the main conveyor plane X defined by the conveying member 11, are brought into a different pivotal positions V, in which they lie together with the stapling head 20 in the stapling plane H and then while maintaining the 180 ° angular position with the Stapling head 20 are pivoted in the staple level H up to a pivot positions R. In this method, the support edges 13 '"of the saddle-shaped pads 50, 50', 50" and the stitching edges of the stitching heads 20 preferably in the entire stapling area at a relative speed compared to the speed of the conveying member 11 higher relative speed out, with the optimal orientation of the tacks 20th and the pads 50, 50 ', 50 "in the staple level H is always guaranteed.

The support edges 13, 13 ', 13 ", 13"' of the saddle-shaped supports 2, 30, 40, 50 and the stitching edges of the stitching heads 20 can be performed in the entire stapling area with a smaller, greater or the same relative speed compared to the speed of the conveyor member 11 , wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads 20 and the pads 2, 30, 40, 50 is always guaranteed in the staple level H.

Claims (23)

1. Apparatus (10) for gathering, transporting and stitching multipart folded print products, having at least one endlessly circulating conveying member (11), which comprises a plurality of saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) for the straddling reception of the print products along a path of conveyance having support edges (13) aligned transversely to the path of conveyance and the conveying member (11) conveys the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) past at least one work station, wherein at least one work station comprises a stitching station (9) having at least one stitching head (20), mounted in a pivotably movable manner, and wherein a principal plane of conveyance (X) is defined by the conveying member (11), characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) are disposed in a pivotably movable manner on the conveying member (11), and each support (2, 30, 40, 50), in a region of the interaction, during stitching, with respectively at least one stitching head (20), performs a coordinated pivoting motion about a common pivot axis, so that the stitching head (20) and the saddle-shaped support (2, 30, 40, 50), while maintaining an advantageous 180° angular position, stay in a stitching plane (H), whilst they are pivoted in relation to the principal plane of conveyance (X).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stitching apparatus (9) comprises a rotary stitching apparatus having a plurality of stitching heads (20) mounted in a pivotably movable manner along a circular circulatory path.
3. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (2, 2', 2"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S) is aligned coaxially to a support edge (13), so that the saddle-shaped support (2, 2', 2") can be brought out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which it stands substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into pivot positions (V, R) deviating therefrom, and wherein, when pivoted between pivot positions (V, R), it lies respectively together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H).
4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (30, 30', 30"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S') runs parallel beneath a support edge (13'), so that the saddle-shaped support (30, 30', 30") can be brought out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which it stands substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into pivot positions (V, R) deviating therefrom, and wherein, when pivoted between pivot positions (V, R), it lies respectively together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H).
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that, when the supports (30, 30', 30") are pivoted into the stitching plane (H), the support edge (13') is configured such that it is pivotable about the pivot axis (S'), counter to the principal direction of conveyance (F), in the direction (W').
6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (40, 40', 40"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S") runs parallel above a support edge (13"), so that the saddle-shaped support (40, 40', 40") can be brought out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which it stands substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into pivot positions (V, R) deviating therefrom, and wherein, when pivoted between pivot positions (V, R), it lies respectively together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that, together with the support edge (13"), all portions of the support (40) are disposed beneath the principal plane of conveyance (X).
8. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50"), at least in the region of the interaction with the stitching heads (20), can be moved out of the principal plane of conveyance (X) by a control system (53), so that the support edges (13"') briefly describe a circular sector (L) in the direction of the stitching head (20), wherein the pivot axis (S") runs parallel beneath a support edge (13"'), so that the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50") can be brought out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which they stand substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into pivot positions (V, R) deviating therefrom, and wherein, when pivoted between pivot positions (V, R), they lie respectively together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H).
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the pivot axes of the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50") are configured at a distance from the bearing means (51) and thus at a distance from the conveying means (11') and the guide (53).
10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the movable mounting of the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) is configured such that the support edges (13, 13', 13", 13"') of the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50), and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, can be guided at a lesser, greater or same relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (2, 30, 40, 50) in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.
11. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that top edges of bender units (19, 19', 19") lie flush with the support edge (13, 13', 13", 13"') or project slightly beyond it.
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a springloaded punch (27) of the bender units (19, 19', 19") has an anvil (28) disposed on the top side, which anvil engages on both sides in receiving grooves (29) of bending blades (26), so that the bending blades (26) forcibly convert up and down motions of the anvil into pivoting motions about axes (36).
13. Method for gathering, transporting and stitching multipart folded print products, having an apparatus (1) having at least one endlessly circulating conveying member (11), which comprises a plurality of saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) for the straddling reception of the print products along a path of conveyance having support edges (13) aligned transversely to the path of conveyance and the conveying member (11) conveys the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) past at least one work station, wherein at least one work station comprises a stitching station (9) having at least one stitching head (20), mounted in a pivotably movable manner, and wherein a principal plane of conveyance (X) is defined by the conveying member (11), characterized in that the stitching head (20) and the saddle-shaped support (2, 30, 40, 50), in a region of the interaction during stitching, perform a coordinated pivoting motion about a common pivot axis, so that the stitching head (20) and the saddle-shaped support (2, 30, 40, 50), while maintaining an advantageous 180° angular position relative to each other, stay in a stitching plane (H), whilst they are pivoted in relation to the principal plane of conveyance (X).
14. Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the stitching apparatus (9) comprises a rotary stitching apparatus having stitching heads (20) mounted in a pivotably movable manner along a circular circulatory path, so that, during circulation about a rotational axis (A) of the stitching apparatus, portions of the stitching heads, in particular a stitching edge, do not circulate in a circular path.
15. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (2, 2', 2"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S') is aligned coaxially with a support edge (13'), so that the saddle-shaped supports (2, 2', 2") can be brought at the start of the stitching operation out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which they stand substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into a pivot position (V) deviating therefrom, in which they lie together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H), and then, while maintaining the 180° angular position, are pivoted with the stitching head (20), in the stitching plane (H), into a pivot position (R).
16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the support edges (13) of the saddle-shaped supports (2, 2', 2") and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, are guided at the same relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (2, 2', 2") in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.
17. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (30, 30', 30"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S') runs parallel beneath a support edge (13'), so that the saddle-shaped supports (30, 30', 30") are brought at the start of the stitching operation out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which they stand substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into a pivot position (V) deviating therefrom, in which they lie together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H), and then, while maintaining the 180° angular position, are pivoted with the stitching head (20), in the stitching plane (H), into a pivot position (R).
18. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the support edges (13') of the saddle-shaped supports (30, 30', 30"), and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, are guided at a higher relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (30, 30', 30") in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.
19. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (40, 40', 40"), in the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), are attached in a pivotably movable manner to the conveying member (11), wherein the pivot axis (S') runs parallel above a support edge (13'), so that the saddle-shaped supports (40, 40', 40") are brought at the start of the stitching operation out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which they stand substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into a pivot position (V) deviating therefrom, in which they lie together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H), and then, while maintaining the 180° angular position, are pivoted with the stitching head (20), in the stitching plane (H), into a pivot position (R).
20. Method according to Claim 18, characterized in that the support edges (13) of the saddle-shaped supports (40, 40', 40"), and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, are guided at a lower relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (40, 40', 40") in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.
21. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50"), at least in the region of the interaction with the stitching heads (20), are moved by a guide track (53) out of the principal plane of conveyance (X) in the direction of the stitching head (20), so that the support edges (13"') briefly describe a circular sector (L) in the direction of the stitching head (20), wherein the pivot axis (S") runs parallel beneath a support edge (13"'), so that the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50") are brought at the start of the stitching operation out of an orthogonal normal position (N), in which they stand substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of conveyance (X) defined by the conveying member (11), into a pivot position (V) deviating therefrom, in which they lie together with the stitching head (20) in the stitching plane (H), and then, while maintaining the 180° angular position, are pivoted with the stitching head (20), in the stitching plane (H), into a pivot position (R).
22. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the support edges (13') of the saddle-shaped supports (50, 50', 50"), and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, are guided at a higher relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (50, 50', 50") in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.
23. Method according to one of Claims 13 to 21, characterized in that the support edges (13, 13', 13", 13"') of the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) and the stitching edges of the stitching heads (20), in the whole of the stitching region, can be guided at a lesser, greater or same relative speed in comparison to the speed of the conveying member (11), wherein the optimal alignment of the stitching heads (20) and of the supports (2, 30, 40, 50) in the stitching plane (H) is constantly ensured.

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