EP1966070B1 - Method of, and apparatus for, producing a combined printed-product stream from two printed-product streams supplied - Google Patents

Description

The invention is in the field of conveyor technology and relates to a method and a device according to the preambles of the corresponding independent claims. Method and apparatus are used to create a combined print product stream of two supplied printed product streams (feed streams).

It is known to combine two supplied printed product streams, resulting for example in the separation of double benefits, to a single printed product stream by the supplied printed product streams are conveyed parallel to each other and side by side but at two different levels and by the printed products of the higher demanded stream for Association be pushed laterally on the printed products of the lower flow promoted. Devices with which supplied printed product streams are combined in the manner mentioned in a single printed product stream, for example, described in the publications GB 2025907 and EP-1277684 , According to GB 2025907 If the combined print product stream continues in a straight line to the lower demanded feed stream, further mergers follow on a first merge, with the print products of the further feed streams being displaced laterally over a further distance. According to EP-1277684 has the combined printed product stream a direction rotated by 90 ° relative to the supplied currents and the printed products of the feed streams are alternately and overlapping deposited on each other, such that the unified printed product stream is a scale flow. The advantage of print product stream merging by parallel feeding at different levels and by shifting laterally the higher level printed products is the simplicity of the devices needed. The disadvantage of this is that the printed products fall substantially unguided from the higher to the lower level and thereby no very precise alignment of the superimposed printed products in the combined printed product stream can be achieved. In the case of high demands on this accuracy, an additional alignment of the printed products following the union must therefore be provided.

In the publication EP-01277684 a device for combining two supplied printed product streams is described, with the higher accuracies with respect to alignment of the printed products in the combined printed product stream can be achieved. According to this publication, one of the feed streams is guided in a conveyor loop over the other feed stream and each printed product conveyed by the loop is deposited on a printed product transported underneath on the non-looped feed path. Compared with the devices for the method of unification by means of lateral displacement, as described above, the necessary for the loop method device is obviously much more complicated and thus consuming.

In the publication EP-155633 describes a method by which two supplied scale flows are combined into a single scale flow, wherein in the combined scale flow each scale consists of two superimposed printed products, one each of each supplied printed product stream. The supplied scale flows converge at an acute angle, so that the Products of the two streams meet each with a corner. In this case, the leading edge of the products of one stream and the edge following this corner is pressed down, so that the corner of the corresponding product of the other stream is introduced between the products of the one stream. Due to the acute-angled combination, the products of the two shingled streams are then pushed into one another and finally aligned with each other by lateral guides.

It is now the object of the invention to provide a method and a device for combining two supplied printed product streams, which are on the one hand very easy device particular, but on the other hand make it possible in the combined printed product stream without additional alignment high accuracy of mutual alignment To achieve printed products.

This object is achieved by methods and apparatus as defined in the claims.

According to the inventive method, the supplied printed product streams are fed parallel to each other in a main conveying direction and at the same level in a merging region, wherein the printed products are oriented such that run from the printed products of both streams two edges parallel to each other and parallel to the main conveying direction and the per inner ( oppositely directed) of each two edges are only slightly spaced from each other and wherein the printed products, for example, loosely conveyed on a conveyor surface lying. The printed products are conveyed substantially continuously into the union region and through the union region.

At the entrance of the merging area, the inner edge area of each printed product of the first feed stream is raised above the level of the conveying surface, while optionally the outer edge area is pressed onto the conveying surface to prevent displacement of the printed product. Then the printed product is conveyed on with the raised, inner edge region and at the same time pushed transversely to the main conveying direction against the second feed stream. Substantially simultaneously, a printed product of the second feed stream is also pushed transversely to the main conveying direction against the first feed stream, but the inner edge region of this printed product is not raised so that it is pushed by the transverse displacement under the raised inner edge region of the printed product of the first feed stream. Once the transverse displacement has progressed such that the two inner edge regions are superimposed, the raised inner edge region of the printed product of the first feed stream is lowered onto the inner edge region of the printed product of the second feed stream, the two printed products being further conveyed in the main conveying direction and further across Main conveyor direction are pushed against each other until, for example, they are completely on top of each other.

For shifting transversely to the main conveying direction, the printed products of both supply streams are detected in the region of their outer edges aligned parallel to the main conveying direction, so that the alignment of these edge regions is maintained and the position of the printed products during conveyance through the merging region and the simultaneous transverse displacement is precisely defined at all times , As soon as the printed products of the two feed streams are in the desired manner to each other, the transverse displacement and advantageously also the lateral detection and guidance stops and the unified printed products of the two Zufübrungsströme be transported as unified printed product stream in turn loosely on a conveyor surface lying away.

It is also possible to convey the printed products already held in the feed streams at the outer edge regions by grippers, for example, and then to move them transversely by means of these grippers. In such cases, the delivery surfaces for the feed streams have a supporting function or may be absent altogether. It is also possible to move the printed products with sliders, that is to say without grasping them, transversely, with the slides advantageously running in the main conveying direction with the printed products.

The device according to the invention thus comprises conveying surfaces or other suitable conveying means for conveying the feed streams into and through the merging region and for conveying away the combined printed product stream from the merging region, and a lifting means acting on inner edge regions of the printed products of the first feeding stream and one each on the printed products the first and the second feed stream acting Querschiebemittel.

As conveyor surfaces are advantageously arrangements of circumferentially driven belt or chains, the conveyor run parallel to the main conveying direction and at a common level, which are driven at the same speed and each form a conveying surface for the two feed streams, which is transverse to the main conveying direction, for example, narrower than that Width of the printed products to be handled transversely to the main conveying direction, such that the outer edge regions of the supplied printed products protrude beyond the conveying surfaces and are therefore detectable for the transverse displacement.

The lifting means is arranged at the entrance of the union region. It acts on the inner edge regions of the printed products of the first feed stream by more than the thickness of the printed products of the second feed stream raising. The lifting means is advantageously designed such that its effect ceases when the inner edge region of a printed product of the second feed stream is positioned below the raised edge region. The lifting means can act on the printed products from below or from above and mechanically or pneumatically lift the inner edge regions. An easy-to-implement lifting means is, for example, a wedge-shaped element rising laterally from the conveying surface for the first supply stream above the level of the conveying surface or a circumferential belt, the conveying strand of which rises above the level of the conveying surfaces and is driven in the main conveying direction at the same speed as the conveying surfaces becomes. It is also possible to arrange the conveying strand of the innermost conveyor belt higher in the corresponding area, so that this innermost conveyor belt can take over the function of the lifting means.

If the lifting means is to be separated from the conveyor in the manner mentioned from below on the inner edge regions of the printed products of the first Zuführstrommes, the conveying surface is to be formed at least for the first feed stream such that not only the outer but also the inner edge regions of the printed products protrude above it ,

The two transverse sliding means are arranged symmetrically to each other on each of the outer side of the conveying path of each supply stream and they are advantageously equipped for detecting the outer edge regions of the printed products, but can also act purely sliding on this. The transverse pushing means are arranged such that their transverse pushing action begins in the region of the lifting means. The transverse pushing means are equipped to convey the printed products in cooperation with the conveying surface in the main conveying direction through the merging region and at the same time to push them against one another or over one another transversely to the main conveying direction. Each Querschiebemittel has, for example, an upper and a lower, counter-rotating press belt, wherein the two press belts are pressed against each other by suitable means and wherein the press nip between the press belts is arranged substantially at the level of the conveying surfaces. The transverse pushing means could also be designed as revolving conveyors with grippers, wherein the conveyors are arranged, for example, parallel to the main conveying direction and the grippers are displaceable transversely to the main conveying direction. Such equipped Querschiebemittel can also be formed extended upstream and promote the printed products not only through the unification region but also the feed streams against the union region.

In the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the printed products conveyed in the two feed streams have the same format and are conveyed in succession (not overlapping one another). These are, for example, printed products which are produced by separation from double-use. Depending on a printed product of the first and a printed product of the second feed stream are aligned with each other in the main conveying direction, so that they are aligned with each other in the unified printed product stream in the main conveying direction, that is lie exactly on each other. Further, the printed products of the two feed streams are pushed so far against each other transversely to the main conveying direction, that they are aligned in the unified printed product stream also transversely to the main conveying direction to each other. In several joining regions which follow one another in the main conveying direction, it is also possible to combine more than two feed streams by the method according to the invention into a single printed product stream. In this way, for example, printed products which are produced by separation of multiple benefits can be stacked on top of each other in the simplest manner, wherein in each stack, for example, the products resulting from a single multiple use are combined.

The abovementioned features of the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention (exact alignment of the printed products lying on top of each other in the combined print product flow in the main conveying direction and transversely thereto) are not a condition for the method according to the invention. The printed products of the two supplied printed product streams can be slightly staggered in the main conveying direction, can only be partially overlaid by the transverse displacement and / or can have different formats from each other. The printed products can also be conveyed overlapping each other in the feed streams.

Figur 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zur Durchführung der bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figuren 2 und 3

schematische Seitenansichten der Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 1, wobei in Figur 2 insbesondere die Druckprodukte und in Figur 3 insbesondere die Vorrichtungsteile dargestellt sind;

Figuren 4 bis 7

Schemata weiterer beispielhafter Ausführungsformen des erfmdungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figur 8

das Schema einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens mit zwei Vereinigungsbereichen bzw. zur Vereinigung von drei Zuführungsströmen zu einem vereinten Druckproduktestrom.

The method and exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device for carrying out the preferred embodiment of the inventive method;

FIGS. 2 and 3

schematic side views of the device according to FIG. 1 , where in FIG. 2 in particular the printed products and in FIG. 3 in particular, the device parts are shown;

FIGS. 4 to 7

Schemes of further exemplary embodiments of the inventive method;

FIG. 8

the diagram of an embodiment of the inventive method with two unification areas or for the union of three supply streams to a unified printed product stream.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device with which the preferred embodiment of the inventive method is feasible. This method consists in feeding in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 equal-sized printed products P successively in pairs of two parallel to a main conveying direction F printed products and to unite the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 such that the two printed products of each pair in the unified printed product stream 2 are exactly on each other.

The feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 are conveyed loosely on one conveying surface 3.1 and 3.2, wherein the conveying surfaces are advantageously made of a plurality, for example of three mutually parallel conveyor belts 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3. or conveyor chains are formed. The conveying runs of the conveyor belts all run parallel to the main conveying direction F at a common level, and the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2 formed thereby are, for example, narrower than the width of the printed products P transverse to the main conveying direction F, both inside (on the side against the other feeding stream Side) and outside (on the side facing away from the other supply flow side) protrude over the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2.

At the entrance of the union region V, a mechanical lifting means 5 acting from below is arranged on the inner side of the conveying surface 3.1 for the first supply stream 1.1. This feed stream is conveyed on the conveying surface 3.1 such that the inner edge regions of the printed products project beyond the inner edge of the conveying surface into the region of the lifting means 5.

Since such a mechanical, from below lifting means 5 is an obstacle to the transverse displacement of the printed products of the second feed stream 1.2, it is to be arranged and its extension parallel to the main conveying direction F so limited or vote on the arrangement of the transverse pushing means such that a Print product of the first feed stream is safely raised when the inner edge region of the printed product of the second feed stream is pushed underneath, but it does not stand in the way of further push-pushing.

When the lifting means acts from above, for example, a suction wheel, the printed products of the first supply stream 1.1 need not protrude above the conveying surface and the area of action of the lifting means need not be limited in the above-mentioned manner, because such lifting means comes with the printed products of the second Supply current 1.2 in the transverse displacement does not conflict.

So that a printed product of the first supply stream is not displaced by raising its inner edge region on the conveying surface 3.1, it may be advantageous to press the corresponding printed product in the region of its outer edge against the conveying surface, for which example, press rollers 7 are provided by suitable means be pressed against the conveying surface 3.1.

The transverse pushing means 6.1 and 6.2 extend symmetrically to one another on the respective outer side of the two conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2 over the entire length of the joining region V. They run in the main conveying direction against each other and the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2 are narrower and unite against the output of the merging region V. to the conveyor surface 3.3 for the unified printed product flow 2. This is realized, for example, by the fact that the outer Conveyor belt 4.3 and 4.2 in the union region V from the outside stop staggered against inside and only the two innermost conveyor belt 4.1 through the union area V and continue to extend, as in the FIG. 1 is shown.

In particular, for the handling of less rigid printed products P, it may be advantageous to arrange between the inner conveyor belt 4.1 in the union region V another, central conveyor belt 4.4, which supports the inner edge region of the printed products P of the second feed stream 1.2 during the transverse displacement such that it without Problems on the inner conveyor belt 4.1 of the conveyor surface 3.1 for the first flow 1.1 can be pushed. It is also possible to arrange the conveying surface 3.2 of the second feed stream 1.2 such that the inner edge regions of the printed products fed in this stream do not protrude beyond the conveying surface, so that these inner edge regions only move over a very small distance (approx Lifting means) between the conveying surface 3.2 for the second feed stream 1.2 and the conveying surface 3.1 for the first feed stream 1.1 must be pushed. The conveying surfaces are to be designed in such a way that the printed products can be pushed over them with little resistance and nevertheless safely guided.

The combined printed product stream 2, in which successively conveyed pairs of two precisely superimposed printed products, is conveyed away on the two inner conveyor belt 4.1 from the unification region V and can be passed, for example, by transfer to a somewhat deeper lying and correspondingly slower moving conveyor belt 10 that the pairs overlap on the further conveyor belt 10, that is, form a scale flow. As already mentioned above, in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2, the resulting from the separation of double benefits printed products are promoted, the two conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2 advantageously connect directly to the cutting device. It is advantageous to align the printed products on the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2, before they are guided into the union region V. The alignment in the main conveying direction F takes place, for example, in a manner known per se by means of alignment cams 11, which protrude beyond the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2 and are conveyed faster than the printed products in such a way that they catch them in an alignment region and push them lightly. The alignment transversely to the main conveying direction takes place, for example, in a conventional manner by lateral Ausrichtbleche (shown by dotted lines 12) against which the printed products from the center by counter plates (dash-dotted lines 13) are pushed. At the same time, the lateral distance between printed products aligned in the main conveying direction F is slightly increased, whereby an effect of the lifting means 5 on the printed products of the second supply stream 1.2 is reliably prevented.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the device according to FIG. 1 , wherein in Figure 2, in particular the printed products P are shown and in the FIG. 3 the device parts. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 illustrates in particular the raising of the inner edge regions of the printed products of the first feed stream 1.1 more than the thickness of the printed products of the second feed stream 1.2 at the entrance of the unification region V, the deposition of these edge regions on the printed products of the second feed stream 1.2 and the creation of a scale flow from the out of the Unification area V outgoing, combined print product stream 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in particular, the lifting means 5 configured as a circumferential belt, the transverse pushing means 6.1 and 6.2, the pressing rollers 7 and the staggered belts Ends of the conveyor belts (corresponding guide rollers 20.1, 20.2 and 20.3 for conveyor belts 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3). The transverse pushing means 6.1 and 6.2 each have two pressing belts which can be pressed against one another, rotating around, the press nip formed between the pressing belts being arranged at the level of the conveying surfaces 3.1 and 3.2.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are schemas (top view like FIG. 1 ) Further, exemplary embodiments of the inventive method, in each case only the printed products and hinted the conveyor belts are shown.

According to FIG. 4 If the printed products supplied in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 have the same formats, they are conveyed one behind the other and are aligned with one another in the main conveying direction F. In the union area V, the printed products are shifted only so far transversely that they do not completely lie in the combined printed product stream 2.

According to FIG. 5 If the printed products supplied in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 have the same formats, they are conveyed in succession, but are slightly staggered in the main conveying direction F. They are pushed completely towards one another in the union region V, so that they are staggered in the combined pressure product flow in the main conveying direction F and aligned transversely to one another. The staggering in the main conveying direction F can not be greater than the distance between the required in the feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 printed products.

According to FIG. 6 the printed products fed in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 have different formats, are conveyed in succession and their trailing edges are aligned in the main conveying direction F.

In the unified printed product stream 2, one corner of the trailing edges is aligned with one another in the successively conveyed pairs of printed products

According to FIG. 7 If the printed products supplied in the two feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 have the same formats, they are conveyed overlapping each other and are aligned with one another in the main conveying direction F. Due to the transverse displacement, they are pushed completely over one another, so that they are aligned with one another in the combined print product flow. The combined pressure product stream 2 according to FIG. 7 consists of two superimposed scale flows, the printed products of an aligned pair of printed products between and under the printed products of the sequence pair. From such a combined printed product stream 2, the pairs of printed products can be separated by detecting the ever foremost pair at the leading edge and accelerated relative to the combined printed product stream 2.

FIG. 8 shows an association according to the inventive method, in which two supply streams 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are combined to form a combined printed product stream 2.2 in two successive union areas V.1 and V.2. The printed products conveyed in the feed streams 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 originate, for example, from correspondingly divided triple benefits. In the first merging area V.1, the feed streams 1.1 and 1.2 are combined to the first combined printed product stream 2.1, as for example in the FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown. In the second merging region V.2, the feed stream 1.3 is combined with the first combined pressure product stream 2.1 to form the second combined product stream 2.2, in turn, for example as described in US Pat FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown.

Claims (15)

1. A method for the unification of a first and a second feed flow (1.1 and 1.2) of printed products, said feed flows being conveyed parallel to one another and next to one another in a main conveyor direction (F) into a unification region (V), wherein inner and outer edges of the printed products (P) of both feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) are aligned parallel to the main conveyor direction (F) and inner edge regions are directed towards one another, and wherein the printed products of the two feed flows (1.1, 1.2) in the unification region (V) are pushed onto one another by way of a displacement transversely to the main conveyor direction (F), characterised in that the feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) are conveyed at a same level, that during the conveying into the unification region (V), the inner edge region of each printed product of the first feed flow (1.1) is lifted, and that during the conveying through the unification region (V), the printed products of both feed flows (1.1 and 1.2), whilst retaining the alignment of the outer edges, are pushed transversely to the main conveyor direction (F) and towards one another, in a manner such that in each case an inner edge region of a printed product of the second feed flow (1.2) is pushed below the lifted inner edge region of the printed product of the first feed flow (1.1).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner edge region of each printed product of the first feed flow (1.1) is mechanically lifted from below, and that the lifted inner edge region is lowered onto the inner edge region of the printed product of the second feed flow (1.2), as soon as the two inner edge regions are positioned above one another.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the printed products (P) in the feed flows (1.1, 1.2) are conveyed lying loosely on conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2).
4. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that outer edge regions of the printed products conveyed in the feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) project laterally beyond the conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2), and that these edge regions are contacted for the displacement transversely to the main conveyor direction (F).
5. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each printed product conveyed in the first feed flow (1.1) in the main conveyor direction (F) is aligned to a printed product conveyed in the second feed flow (1.2).
6. A method according to one of the claim 1 to 4, characterised in that the printed products conveyed in the two feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) have the same formats and that they are displaced transversely to the main conveyor direction (F), in a manner such that they lie completely on one another in the unified printed product flow (2), wherein the printed products conveyed in the two feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) are parts of a two-up or of a multiple-up.
7. A method according to claim 6, characterised in that the printed products conveyed in the two feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) are aligned in the main conveyor direction (F) and transversely thereto, in front of the unification region (V).
8. A device for the unification of a first and a second feed flow (1.1 and 1.2) of printed products (P), said device for conveying the feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) comprising two conveyor means, which are designed for a conveying of the feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) parallel to one another and next to one another in a main conveyor direction (F) towards a unification region (V) and through this, and said device further comprising transverse pushing means arranged in the unification region (V), characterised in that the two conveyor means have a same level, that the device further comprises a lifting means (5) arranged at the entry of the unification region (V), which is designed for lifting the inner edge regions of the printed products conveyed in the first feed flow (1.1), and that two transverse pushing means (6.1 and 6.2) are provided, which in the unification region (V) are arranged symmetrically to one another in each case on the outer side of the conveyor means (3.1 and 3.2), and taper to one another in the main conveyor direction (F).
9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the conveyor means are conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2) and that these become narrower in the unification region (V).
10. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the lifting means (5) is arranged between the two conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2) and is a wedge-like element rising above the conveyor surfaces, or a revolving belt.
11. A device according to claim 8 to 10, characterised in that the two transverse pushing means (6.1 and 6.2) are designed for contacting outer edge regions of the printed products.
12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that the transverse pushing means (6.1 and 6.2) are pairs of revolving pressing belts which may be pressed against one another, wherein a press gap is arranged between the pressing belts at the level of the conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2).
13. A device according to one of the claim 9 to 12, characterised in that the conveyor surfaces (3.1 and 3.2) in each case comprise a plurality of parallel running conveyor belts (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), wherein the conveyor belts (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) in the unification region (V) in the main conveyor direction (F) are staggered from the outside to the inside.
14. A device according to claim 13, characterised in that the innermost conveyor belts (4.1) extend through the whole unification region (V) and at its exit form a conveyor surface (3.3) for the unified printed product flow (2).
15. A device according to one of the claims 8 to 14, characterised in that alignment means for aligning the printed products conveyed in the feed flows (1.1 and 1.2) in the main conveyor direction (F) and/or transversely thereto are provided in front of the unification region (V) in the main conveyor direction (F).

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