EP2484617A1 - Folding machine with a device for cutting fold edges and method for folding sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding machine (100) has folding stations (2,4) for forming a fold sequence with folds in paper sheets (201,204). A folded edge trimming device (30) is provided in the upstream of folding station (4), for removing the previously formed fold. The folded edge trimming device is equipped with a circular knife (31), paper cutter, unmoving knife edge, punching knife, fluid jet cutting head or laser cutting head. An independent claim is included for method for folding paper sheets.

Description

The invention relates to a folding machine for folding sheet-like elements, in particular sheets of paper, with the preamble features of claim 1 and a method for folding according to claim 8.

State of the art

Pocket folding machines and Schwertfalzmaschinen are known from the prior art. The combination of pocket folding machines with Schwertfalzmaschinen is common as Kombifalzmaschine. In this process, parallel folds are folded in pocket folders and cross breaks in the subsequent knife folders. The sheet passes through at least the following stations in the feed-through direction of the combination folding machine: feeder, transfer table, pocket folder, knife folder, delivery arm.

The construction of a Taschenfalzmaschine with a variety of Taschenfalzwerken goes out of the DE 10 2004 041 471 A1 out. A respective pocket folder consists of a folding pocket and three folding rollers, which are arranged in two pairs of folding rollers. From the DE 29 40 360 A1 is a single sword folding machine for folding of printed and pre-folded sheet known. Combination folding machines combine pocket folders and knife folders. Here are folded in a first folding station in Taschenfalzwerken parallel breaks and in a subsequent folding station in Schwertfalzwerken cross breaks. The DE 10 2006 055 301 A1 shows Kombifalzmaschinen with a plurality of Taschenfalzwerken and nachranging arranged Schwertfalzwerken.

The folded edges of parallel folds, which arise in a first folding station, stabilize the sheet along the fold and thus represent one or two stabilizing lines. Should in a subsequent further folding station cross breaks This is made more difficult by the stabilization lines: the arc can not fold more defined across the stabilization line or the stabilization lines. An additional difficulty arises when the sheet has a folded edge only on one side, on the other hand, has open, unfolded edges. For these reasons, there is the danger that the Kreuzbruchfalze not perpendicular to the previous parallel breaks and not done exactly at the intended places.

In order to prevent this, according to the prior art for seam preparation knife shaft pairs are used, which cause a perforation or grooves of the fold line. This is intended to simplify the folding of the crosscuts and to specify their position.

The EP 1 475 334 A1 shows a folding machine with such a pair of knife shafts. In order to be able to perforate or score folded paper sheets perpendicular to a folding line, ie in the direction of sheet travel, the folding rollers of a folding unit are preceded or arranged by pairs of cutter shafts. These are knife shaft pairs in which one blade shaft is equipped with tools and the other blade shaft with counter tools. Another method for seam preparation comes from the DE 327613 PS.

Frequently, however, there are interactions between the seam preparation of the knife shafts and the actual folding caused by a non-exact setting of the folding lengths, a shift of the folding lengths due to a change in machine speed, upstream folding errors with consequently incorrect seam preparation, etc. These interactions are visible in a deviation from created fold breakage and prepared fold line (scoring, perforation), ie in folded products of low quality.

task

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a folding machine and to describe a method for folding, which the problems described above and at least improve the production of high quality folded products.

This object is achieved by a folding machine for folding sheet-like elements with at least a first Taschenfalzstation and a second folding station, which is designed in particular as Taschenfalzstation, each forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break. According to the invention, the second folding station, e.g. in the inlet region of the folding station or in the region of a folding station upstream transfer table, ie between the first and second folding station, means for folding edge trimming provided for removing the previously formed in the first Taschenfalzstation at least one fold break, so that the signature generated in the first Taschenfalzstation before entering into the second folding station in a plurality of superimposed single sheet - hereinafter referred to as stack - is disassembled. This ensures that the at least one fold break, i. the at least one folded edge, which represents a stabilization line of the signature, is removed. In the second folding station, it is thus advantageously possible to fold stacks of single sheets, which makes it possible to produce folded products of high quality.

In an advantageous development of the folding machine according to the invention, this has at least one further folding station, which is also designed in particular as a pocket folding station. This serves to form a fold sequence with at least one fold break. In each case upstream of the at least one further folding station, a device for folding edge trimming is provided for removing the previously formed at least one fold break, whereby the subsequent processing is simplified. In other words, each additional folding station is assigned a slotting device.

In an advantageous development, a respective device for Falzkantenbeschnitt on a trimming member, which can be designed as a circular blade, Papierfräser, unmoved blade cutting, punching knife, fluid jet cutting head or laser cutting head. Come as cutting organs circular knives are used, so can be stored on the known knife shafts. This embodiment is thus characterized by a simple realization.

Advantageously, the at least one trimming member is displaceable transversely to the transport direction of the arcuate elements, since thus an adjustment of the at least one trimming member to the position of the at least one rebate break is made possible depending on the sheet format.

In a particularly advantageous and therefore preferred development of the folding machine according to the invention, the device for folding edge trimming has a fixing device for the defined transporting of the arcuate elements during the removal of the previously formed at least one fold break and during running into the subsequent folding station. The fixing device may comprise, for example, hold-down balls, guide rollers or suction-air-supported guide elements.

In an advantageous development, the folding machine has a suction device for removing sections of the sheet-like elements, which are produced by the device for folding edge trimming. for safe removal of waste. This will ensure that neither the sections nor the paper dust generated during cutting will contaminate transport devices of the folding machine or folding stations. Instead of the suction device can also be used focused blown air alternatively.

In one embodiment, servomotors are provided for adapting folding lengths and / or folding roller distances of the pocket folding stations. The servomotors are connected to a central machine control, so that folding lengths and / or folding roller distances can be adjusted automatically based on stored setting data. This causes a significant time savings when setting the machine. Since in the folding stations according to the invention only single sheets are folded, often enough such automatic presetting and time-consuming, gradual readjustment of attacks and folding rollers by the machine operator is no longer required.

The invention also provides a method for folding sheet-like elements of a first format, in particular in a folding machine as described above. In a first step, a first folded product, a so-called signature, is produced in a first pocket folding station by forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break. In a second step, the at least one fold break is removed so as to produce a plurality of superimposed arcuate elements of a second, smaller format. This plurality of superimposed single sheet is referred to below as a stack. In a next step, this stack of sheet-shaped elements is transported on to a second folding station, which can be designed in particular as a pocket folding station. In this folding station, a second folded product is then produced by forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break, i. a signature of smaller format. The at least one fold break is a so-called cross-break, i. the at least one fold break is orthogonal to the at least one fold break produced in the first pocket folder station.

If this signature is to be processed even further, then according to an advantageous development of the method in a next step, the previously formed at least one fold break can also be removed to form a stack of arcuate elements of another smaller format, whereupon the stack of arcuate elements to at least one other Folder is transported on. In this, a further folded product can then be produced by forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break, wherein the at least one fold break is orthogonal to the at least one fold break produced in the preceding folding station.

Advantageously, the inventive method can be supplemented by a further step, namely the binding of the sheet-like elements to a brochure, for example by adhesive binding, block stitching, spiral binding, saddle stitching, etc. Optionally, it may be necessary to remove the previously formed at least one fold break , The removal of this at least one fold break can take place before or after the binding of the sheet-shaped elements to a brochure.

In an advantageous development of the folding machine according to the invention, at least one folding station is preceded by a device for applying adhesive to the products or integrated in the folding station. In a further advantageous Ausftihrungsform at least one folding station downstream of a device for trimming the products. By the device for applying adhesive and the device for trimming the products, it is possible in an advantageous manner to produce small books, so-called booklets, from the sheets.

In an advantageous development of the folding machine according to the invention, at least one folding station is arranged downstream of a device for pressing the products. By squeezing the products can be prevented bulging of the products in an advantageous manner.

The described invention and the described advantageous developments of the invention are also in any combination with each other advantageous developments of the invention.

With regard to further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

embodiment

• Fig. 1: eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Falzmaschine mit Einrichtung zum Falzkantenbeschnitt
• Fig. 2 eine Detailansicht der Beschnitteinrichtung
• Fig. 3 a einen Falzbogen
• Fig. 3b eine Darstellung des Beschnittvorgangs des Falzbogens aus Fig. 3a
• Fig. 4a einen zickzackgefalzten Falzbogen
• Fig. 4b eine Darstellung des Beschnittvorgangs des Falzbogens aus Fig. 4a
• Fig. 4c das Ergebnis des Beschnittvorgangs aus Fig. 4b
• Fig. 4d eine Weiterverarbeitung zu einer Broschur
• Fig. 4e eine Weiterverarbeitung zu einem Heft
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Falzmaschine mit drei Taschenfalzwerken und einem nachgeordneten letzten Transporttisch
• Fig. 6 eine Darstellung einer automatisierten Taschenfalzstation mit vorgeordneter Laser-Beschnitteinrichtung
• Fig. 7 eine Falzmaschine mit Klebstoffauftragseinrichtung in der Taschenfalzstation

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. In a schematic representation:

• Fig. 1 : A plan view of a folding machine according to the invention with means for folding edge trimming
• Fig. 2 a detailed view of the trimming device
• Fig. 3 a folded sheet
• Fig. 3b an illustration of the trimming process of the signature Fig. 3a
• Fig. 4a a zigzag folded signature
• Fig. 4b an illustration of the trimming process of the signature Fig. 4a
• Fig. 4c the result of the trimming process Fig. 4b
• Fig. 4d a further processing to a brochure
• Fig. 4e a further processing to a booklet
• Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a folding machine with three Taschenfalzwerken and a downstream last transport table
• Fig. 6 a representation of an automated Taschenfalzstation with upstream laser-Beschnitteinrichtung
• Fig. 7 a folding machine with adhesive applicator in the Taschenfalzstation

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a schematic representation of a folding machine 100. This has a sheet feeder 1, through which sheets 201 are fed in a transport direction T1 of a first Taschenfalzstation 2. In the first pocket folding station 2, the sheet 201 is zigzag-folded three times, so that a signature 202 is produced as the folded product. This signature 202 is fed via a transport table 3 in a second transport direction T2 (which is perpendicular to the first transport direction T1), a second Taschenfalzstation 4, in which the signature 202 can be folded even further. The transport table 3 has an alignment ruler 11. Before the second folding unit 4, a device for trimming the folding edges 30 is arranged. This ensures that the folded product 202 is again divided into four consecutive single sheets. Of course, the number of folds performed is only an example and can be varied as desired.

To adapt to the format of the folded product 202, the alignment ruler 11 is displaceable transversely to the transport direction T2, as indicated by the double arrow a. The device for trimming 30 is also displaceable in the direction a. The device 30 may be coupled to the ruler 11, for example.

The device for trimming 30 has according to the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, two mutually parallel cutting members 31, which may be embodied, for example, as a pair of circular blades 31. As in Fig. 1 1, the left pair of knives 31 has been set to the left edge of the folded product 202 seen in the direction of transport T2, and the right pair of knives 31 has been set to the right edge. By means of the trim members 31, the fold edges previously produced in the first folding station 2 can thus be removed. Thus, in the subsequent second folding station 4 only superimposed single sheets must be folded, ie there is a folding of a stack or block.

In Fig. 2 is a possible Beschnitteinrichtung 30 shown in more detail. The device has a pair of knife shafts 31 with an upper knife 31.1 and a counter knife 31.2. At least one of the blades 31.1 and 31.2 has a cutting edge. The blades 31.1 and 31.2 can be driven in opposite directions. A respective folded product 202 is moved in transport plane E of the transport table 3 in the transport direction T2 between the blades 31.1 and 31.2. In this case, the folded product 202 undergoes a trimming of its previously produced folded edges. The trimming and possibly accumulating dust is safely disposed of by a suction device 40.

By the FIGS. 3a and 3b and the FIGS. 4a and 4b the operation of the trimming device 30 is illustrated. In Fig. 3a an arc 201 is shown, which is folded once centrally along a fold line 203. This results in a folded product 202, as in Fig. 3b is shown. The folding edge 204 produced during folding lies on the alignment ruler 11 of the transport table 3 during further transport in the direction T2 of the folded product 202. The device for folding edge trimming 30 is arranged so that the cutting members 31 act just next to the folding edge 204 and cause a cutting of this folded edge 204. As indicated by the hatching 205, the area of the folded product 202 which is removed is limited to the fold edge 204 and the immediately adjacent area of the folded product 202. By means of this trimming, overlapping single sheets are produced.

Fig. 4a shows a folded product 202 with a plurality of fold breaks. The fold breaks or folding edges 204 lie one above the other. Such folds are commonly referred to as Zickzackfalz or accordion fold. In order to be able to trim such a folded product 202 in the region of the folded edges 204, a

Folding machine configuration can be used, as well as in Fig. 1 is shown. As can be seen from the detailed sketch of Fig. 4b results, a device is used for Falzkantenbeschnitt 30, which has two mutually parallel cutting members 31. The right-hand trimming member 31, as seen in the transporting direction T2, acts on the right-hand folded edge 204, as already described above. In order to also be able to cut off the left folded edge 204 as seen in the transport direction T2, the left-hand trim member 31 has been adjusted to the left outer edge of the folded product 202. The folded product 202 has thus trim-experiencing areas 205, which each include the folding edges 204 and immediately adjacent thereto area.

In Fig. 4c the result of the cut is shown: the folded product 202 consists of 5 superimposed single sheets.

In the Figures 4d and 4e possible further processing of the folded products 202 are shown. These may, for example, be further processed by applying an adhesive or adhesive strip 206 to a bonded booklet 208. Alternatively, another fold may be performed and then tied using staples 207.

In Fig. 5 a folding machine configuration of a folding machine 100 is outlined, which has three Taschenfalzstationen 2, 4, 5. Between the first Taschenfalzstation 2 and the second Taschenfalzstation 4, a first transport table 3 is arranged. Between the second Taschenfalzstation and the third Taschenfalzstation 5, a second transport table 3.1 is arranged. Subsequent to the third Taschenfalzstation 5 and thus last Taschenfalzstation a last transport table 3.2 is arranged as a product display (eg Schuppenbogenauslage). The transport direction in the region of a respective transport table 3, 3.1, 3.2 is in each case perpendicular to the transport direction in the preceding Taschenfalzstation 2, 4, 5. The transport tables 3, 3.1 and 3.2 each have means for trimming 30, as described above were.

By using the facilities for folding edge trimming 30, which is arranged in each case before the second folding station 4 and the third folding station 5, only folds of stacked individual sheets must be made in the folding stations 4, 5.

In Fig. 6 is shown how sheet 202 coming from a first Taschenfalzstation 2 coming via a feed table with conveyor belt 3 in the transport direction T2 of the Taschenfalzstation 4 are supplied. In this case, the processing takes place by means of the trimming device 30, shown here as a laser unit or alternatively by a fluid jet unit. A subsequent fixing device 320 ensures safe onward transport. The stacked sheets 202 have already been transported past the first upper folding pocket 311 into the second folding pocket 311 located below. A sheet diverter 313 prevents the entry into the first folding pocket 311. The pocket stop 319 of the folding pockets 311 represents a leading edge stop and was set to the entry length (folding length) 314. As the sheets 202 abut with their leading edge on the leading edge stop 319, the sheets 202 are decelerated. Subsequently, the sheets bulge 202 and are folded by the folding rollers 315.316 before entering the subsequent folding pocket 311 and undergo a further folding. As indicated, the effective folding length 314 of the folding pockets 311 can be adjusted by means of adjusting motors 317. The adjusting motors 317 are advantageously connected to a machine control 321, in which setting data are stored. Also, the distance 318 between the respective rollers 315, 316 may be adjustable by motor. As a result, an automation of adjustments is possible.

In Fig. 7 a folding machine 100 is shown, in whose first Taschenfalzstation 2 an adhesive applicator 322 is provided. By the adhesive applicator 322 adhesive is applied to the sheet parts during folding. Even after the removal of the fold breaks by the device for trimming 30, the individual sheets then present are still connected to one another by the adhesive, which simplifies subsequent transport and processing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

investor

2

First pocket folder

3

transport table

3.1

Second transport table

3.2

Last transport table

4

Second pocket folder

5

Third pocket folder

11

aligning gauge

30

Beschnitteinrichtung

31

Trimming member (e.g., pair of knife shafts)

31.1

upper knife

31.2

lower counter knife

40

suction

100

folding machine

201

Bow / bow-shaped element

202

Folded product / signature / curved element

203

fold line

204

fold edge

205

Cut strip

206

adhesive

207

staple

208

Paperback

300

Taschenfalzstation

311

folding pocket

313

switch

314

adjustable folding length

315

folding roller

316

folding roller

317

adjusting

318

Falzwalzenabstand

319

pocket stop

320

fixing

321

machine control

322

Adhesive application device

a

displacement movement

T1

First transport direction

T2

Second transport direction

e

Transport level in the transport table

Claims (10)

Folding machine (100) for folding sheet-like elements (201, 202) with at least one first pocket folding station (2) and a second folding station (4), in particular pocket folding station, for respectively forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break (204),
characterized,
in that, upstream of the second folding station (4), means are provided for the folded edge trim (30) for removing the previously formed at least one fold break (204). Folding machine according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the folding machine (100) has at least one further folding station (5), in particular a pocket folding station, for forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break (204) and that upstream of the at least one further folding station (5) is a device for folding edge trim (30). is provided for removing the previously formed at least one fold break (204). Folding machine according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized,
in that a respective device for the folded edge trimming (30) has at least one trimming member (31), which is designed in particular as a circular knife, paper cutter, stationary knife edge, punching knife, fluid jet cutting head or laser cutting head. Folding machine according to claim 3,
characterized,
the at least one Beschnittorgan (31) transversely to the conveying direction (T2) is displaceable the arcuate elements. Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the device for the folded edge trimming (30) has a fixing device for the defined transporting of the arched elements (202) during the removal of the previously formed at least one fold break (204) and / or during the feeding of the arched elements (202) to the subsequent folding station (4, 5). Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the folding machine (100) has a suction device (40) for removing sections (205) of the arcuate elements (202) produced by the device to the folded edge trimming (30). Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that adjusting motors (317) are provided for adapting folding lengths (314) and folding roller spacings (318) of folding units of at least one of the pocket folding stations (2, 4, 5). Method for folding sheet-like elements (201) of a first format, in particular in a folding machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following steps: a) producing a first folded product (202) by forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break (204) in a first pocket folding station b) removing the at least one fold break (204) to form a stack of arcuate elements of a second format c) further transport of the stack of arcuate elements to a second folding station (4), in particular Taschenfalzstation d) producing a second folded product (202) by forming a folding sequence with at least one second fold break (204) in the second folding station (4), wherein the at least one second fold break (204) is orthogonal to the at least one fold break produced in the first pocket folding station ( 204). A method of folding arched elements (202) according to claim 8, comprising the additional steps of: e) removing the previously formed at least one fold break (204) to form a stack of arcuate elements of a further smaller format f) further transport of the stack of arcuate elements to at least one further folding station (5), in particular Taschenfalzstation g) producing a further folded product (202) by forming a folding sequence with at least one fold break (204) in the at least one further folding station (5), wherein the at least one fold break is orthogonal to the at least one fold break produced in the preceding folding station. Method of folding sheet-like elements according to one of claims 8 or 9, with the additional steps: h) optionally removing at least one previously formed at least one fold break (204) to form a stack of arcuate elements, followed by i) binding the bow-shaped elements to a brochure (207) or in reverse order.

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