EP2492107B1 - Thread sewing machine - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a thread stitching machine according to the preamble of claim 1. It also relates to a method for operating a thread stitching machine.

State of the art

Conventional thread stitching machines can only ever be set up in one format. This is done via mechanical connections, for example by the use of multi-tooth clutches and magnetic brakes, during the establishment of production. In the course of production, this system is not flexible adjustable. This leads to problems when book blocks with signatures, also called printed sheets, different arc length exist, for example, if they are designed as an art print or for creative reasons.

In particular, when signatures are transported on the foot side and queried on the head side or to be transported and handed over, this is due to the inflexible format setting not possible or only with restrictions, this being a reduction in production speed, a machine stop or the permanent placement of the signatures Hand pulls.

In the case of direct application of signatures of different sizes by hand on a stack of staples, as is currently practiced, dangerous safety-related processes, which are no longer permitted by the security authorities, arise. because for the operator of the machine so there is the immanent great danger that serious finger injuries are the result.

Purely for safety reasons, therefore, machines with auxiliary saddle pad would be preferable. A disadvantage of these machines is the recurrent monotonous movement of the operator when hanging up the individual manually opened signatures. Moreover, there is the danger that signatures can be confused, which can lead to a non-negligible reject rate. However, it is so that a manual application of format different signatures on the auxiliary saddle is only possible if the driver chain has no fixed position.

Another way to produce such a book with under-sized inserts is to divide this book into several parts and then thread them together. In such a process, all full signatures, which are also called normal-format signatures, are first stapled to the sub-format signature, then all of these sub-format signatures are processed following normal format signatures, and finally the under-format signatures are stapled. Lastly, a book with at least three thread-stitched book blocks is created, which can be glued together in the correct order.

Since the demand for such books, in which for design reasons at least a part is to be different from the rest in terms of format, is increasing, the known state of the art processes in thread sewing machines can no longer meet, because in all known techniques leaves can not realize an economically secure production.

In this context, and in view of the prior art which has become known, subsidiary to the document EP 2 184 177 A1 which describes a device for thread stitching of folded printed products. In this case, the individual printed products are stapled at their fold with a sewing machine and sewn together at their the fold having backs to a book block, the printed products in a swivel saddle on which they rest astride individually, the Sewing station to be supplied. document WO 94/21544 discloses a thread sewing machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention, as characterized in the claims, the object is to propose a delivery system for the signatures in a thread stitching machine and a method for operating a book sewing machine of the type mentioned before the sewing station, which is a holistic automated production of book blocks with different format signatures allows. In professional circles, such thread stitching machines are now also referred to as thread stitching machines.

According to the invention, a transport path for signatures is proposed, which is operated between an upstream opening system and a downstream sewing station. This transport route essentially consists of an auxiliary saddle and a secondary saddle 2. Auxiliary saddle and stitch saddle are designed as autonomously acting sub-transport routes, which, however, with respect to the transport of the signatures according to the invention have an operational interdependence. This mode of operation according to the invention is in itself independent of whether pure "normal-format" signatures are transported, or whether intermittent "under-format" signatures are processed.

The main advantage of the invention is the fact that the proposed delivery system is able to signatures different formats, respectively. different arc lengths within a uniform production of the sewing station safely, correctly positioned and without loss of production.

Thus, according to the present invention, the possibility is created of hiding sub-format signatures, special signatures or other insertions in a book or a book block without interrupting the stapling process or having to reassemble book parts.

According to the invention, the following precautions are taken resp. Interdependent implemented in the delivery system:

The drive of the carrier chain, which has hitherto been mechanical or rigidly adjusted by means of a multi-tooth clutch and a magnetic brake when setting to a specific format is preferably replaced by an asynchronous motor, which is controlled by a servo. This makes it possible to control the driver chain during production so that they can each set to the arc length of the currently located on the auxiliary saddle signature. This happens at full production speed, so that the hitherto used components, such as drive, multi-tooth clutch, magnetic brake, can be omitted.

It should be mentioned that a predefined sequence of the signatures to be processed entered into the central control is in the foreground. However, a superimposition of this process with punctual modifications or interventions is also possible. The sequence also provides for the control and introduction of the intermediate necessary empty cycles.

1. a) bei einer transportierten unterformatigen Signatur wird eine intertemporäre Beschleunigung der Mitnehmerkette ausgelöst;
2. b) im Nachgang der unterformatigen Signatur wird ein Leertakt ohne Zustellung einer Signatur eingeschaltet;
3. c) bei einer dem Leertakt folgenden normalformatigen Signatur wird eine Verzögerung der Mitnehmerkette ausgelöst.

It is also possible to provide a further detecting means within the transport path belonging to the auxiliary caliper, which triggers the following control steps:

1. a) in a transported unterformatigen signature an intertemporäre acceleration of the carrier chain is triggered;
2. b) in the wake of the undersized signature, a blank cycle is switched on without delivery of a signature;
3. c) at a normal format signature following the idle cycle, a deceleration of the driving chain is triggered.

The further detecting means can be readily operated autonomously, or it can be switched in redundancy to the predetermined sequence of the signatures to be transported.

A book to be stapled consists of, for example, 10 signatures, it being assumed for the sake of explanation that 9 signatures are normal-sized, that is, they have the same format size, a signature is assumed to be under-format, which means a shorter arc length. In this initial situation, the pre-accession of all signatures is done according to uniform principles, ie either head or feet forward. If the magazines are loaded individually or if the filing takes place by hand by way of exception, the initially defined sequences must always be strictly adhered to.

The book sewing machine directs its production, i. their bars, in the largest format to stapling. The delivery system leads the signatures one after the other from the magazine via an opener system astride the auxiliary saddle, where the individual signatures are picked up by a driver element (driving finger) on the foot and transported on until they can be taken over by a stapling saddle belonging sheet feeding system, whereby the acquisition of the signatures happening here on the head. Immediately after this takeover, the signatures are transported along the saddle with the greatest acceleration. For the observer, this process seems to run as if the signatures were almost pulled away or shot away from the auxiliary saddle.

This procedure remains unchanged until the withdrawal of a sub-format signature from the magazine has been or has been done. In the subsequent process, a blank sheet is then produced, i. after the undersize signature, a blank cycle is switched on, in which no further signature is subtracted directly, so that a gap is created in the transport run. The circumstances of this gap will be discussed further below.

If now the sub-format signature in combination with the other signatures carries the number 5, this results in the following signature sequence: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 6, 7, 8, ..., where 0 here symbolizes the blank sheet. In the case of a blank sheet, the machine does not pull a sheet out of the magazine, so that a space or gap has arisen in the material flow of the machine, which is then already recognized in the stitching center of the sewing station and converted as an empty stitch.

The detection, resp. the predeterminant specification that a subformat signature arrives for transport, and then subsequently a space must be turned on, triggers various processes:

Upon entry into the sheet saddle belonging sheet insertion system, the signatures are preferably detected via a photocell head initially. At this time, the distance between the driver element and Bogeneinschubsystem corresponds exactly to the set arc length of normal format signatures. Now comes the sheet No. 5 with a Δ smaller arc length compared to that of the normal format signatures on the auxiliary saddle for transport, this sheet would be No. 5 in conventional format setting by a length amount Δ later on the saddle stitch, and therefore could no longer detected head side and on be transported. It would then inevitably lead to a collision with the already in stapling position moving saddle, which would then lead to a stop of the system.

The interception of these format differences is accomplished by the delivery system according to the invention in operative connection with a central control as follows:

The independently driven driving chain now pushes the signature on the associated driver element during the transport route on the auxiliary caliper to the Δ-length amount in the transport direction on. This is done by an intertemporal acceleration of the driver chain. As soon as the Δ-length amount is caught up, the carrier chain takes back its original transport speed. With this measure, it is thus ensured that the undersized signature edge, which is the head side of the signature, is at the same time on the saddle, as was the case earlier in the normal-format signature, whereby the detection occurring there confirms a proper production process.

Thus, it can be achieved that the sheet insertion system of the saddle stitch can work independently of format by first a detection of the leading edge of the signature and then a detection of the trailing edge is made, the respective confirmation that the trailing edge of the signature the transition between Auxiliary saddle and saddle has passed in time, warranty means that both under-format and normal format signatures are accurately and holistically guided on the saddle.

During the following empty cycle 0, after the lower format sheet, the carrier chain automatically resets to the original length of the normal format signature due to a negative acceleration (deceleration). The Δ length amount is now retrieved by the now faster running signature transport, so that the delivery system is again in the original state relative to the full format signatures.

If now follow several signatures 5 consecutively, then the negative accelerations are initially off, and the reference to the number of consecutive signatures 5 empty cycles 0 initially also fall away.

If successive under-format signatures have different arc lengths relative to one another, a production can still be made continuously if appropriate empty cycles are then switched on, in which a respective acceleration / deceleration of the carrier chain is carried out in relation to the arc lengths of the signatures. Incidentally, it is always possible to catch the Zustellsystems by the intervention of empty bars.

The delivery system according to the invention furthermore has the following advantages:

In principle, the operator's manual activities can be completely suppressed with the subject according to the invention; at most, they tend towards zero. On the one hand, this ensures that the safety regulations against accidents can be complied with. On the other hand, it is ensured that by carelessness of the operator not incorrectly composed book blocks are produced.

If, however, the possibility of manual intervention can not be completely dispensed with, it must be provided for this purpose that the driver element, or the driver elements, in the case of complementary driver chains, by Protected profile parts, so that the operator of the machine during manual operation of these driver elements can not be detected.

For certain print runs, it may make sense to place certain underscored signatures on the auxiliary saddle by hand. When driving in this mode, the previously set cycle sequence of the thread-sewing machine intervenes by the machine turning on a stop to deposit such a signature. After the signature has been inserted, the machine resumes its original production. Since the auxiliary saddle of the thread stitching machine can be adequately secured, for example, by a protective door with a circuit breaker and acknowledgment, the operator is never at risk.

The predeterminierte input of the signature sequence to be carried out in the central control ensures that again comes after the manual insertion of a unterformatigen signature turn to an idle, the subsequent production in the processing of normal format signatures then properly until a next stop of the machine ,

It is therefore easily possible that the flow of the machine in the delivery of normal format and undersize signatures fully automatically maintained as described above continuously, and only occasionally comes to a stop of the machine when it comes to, for example, the manual filing of a special Signature to make. Also, such processes are advantageously predefined entered into the central control.

The delivery system described here in connection with a book sewing machine can also be applied to pure saddle stitchers, where it is not a matter of producing a printed product with signatures or other supplements with different format lengths thread-stitched, but to transport on the foot side and on the head side to transport exact position further.

A format change can be performed automatically at full machine speed within a production, regardless of whether it is smaller or larger formats.

Advantageous and expedient developments of the inventive task solution are characterized in the further dependent claims.

Brief description of the figures

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. All features that are immaterial to the instant understanding of the invention have been omitted. Identical features are provided in the various figures with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

die miteinander in Transportrichtung der Signaturen in Wirkverbindung stehenden Hilfssattel und Heftsattel, wobei sich auf dem Hilfssattel eine normalformatige und nachfolgend eine unterformatige Signatur befinden,

Fig. 2

eine Transportsituation, bei welcher sich die normalformatige Signatur auf dem Heftsattel befindet, während die unterformatige Signatur auf dem Hilfssattel transportiert wird,

Fig. 3

eine nachfolgende weitere Transportsituation, bei welcher die normalformatige Signatur die Endposition auf dem Heftsattel erreicht hat, während die unterformatige Signatur eine Beschleunigungsphase auf dem Hilfssattel erfährt, wobei der Heftsattel jetzt in Heftposition fährt,

Fig. 4

eine nachfolgende weitere Transportsituation, bei welche die unterformatige Signatur das Ende des Hilfssattels erreicht hat, und der Heftsattel seine angestammte Beladeposition wieder eingenommen hat,

Fig. 5

eine nachfolgende weitere Transportposition, bei welcher die unterformatige Signatur dem Heftsattel übergeben worden ist, wobei der folgende Ablauf darin besteht, dass der Heftsattel nunmehr wieder gemäss Fig. 3 fährt, sobald die unterformatige Signatur ihre Endposition auf dem Heftsattel erreicht hat.

It shows:

Fig. 1

the auxiliary saddle and stitching saddle, which are in operative connection with each other in the transporting direction of the signatures, whereby a normal-format and subsequently a sub-format signature are located on the auxiliary saddle,

Fig. 2

a transport situation in which the normal format signature is on the saddle, while the undersized signature is transported on the auxiliary saddle,

Fig. 3

a subsequent further transport situation in which the normal format signature has reached the end position on the saddle, while the undersized signature undergoes an acceleration phase on the auxiliary saddle, the saddle now in stapling position,

Fig. 4

a subsequent further transport situation, in which the undersized signature has reached the end of the auxiliary caliper, and the saddle has taken his usual loading position again,

Fig. 5

a subsequent further transport position, in which the undersized signature has been handed over to the stitching saddle, wherein the following procedure consists in that the stitching saddle now again according to Fig. 3 moves as soon as the undersized signature has reached its final position on the saddle.

Ways to carry out the invention, industrial usability

Fig. 1 shows a transport path for signatures, which is located between a not shown opening system and a sewing station also not shown in detail. 2. Auxiliary saddle 1 and saddle 2 are autonomously acting partial transport sections, but they have a compelling interdependence on each other for the transport of the signatures, ie they are in operative connection with one another. This starting position is in itself independent of the sequence, whether pure "normal format" signatures 100 or whether intermittently "undersized" signatures 200 are transported.

However, the terminology chosen for "normal-format" and "under-format" states nothing else than that the normal format signatures have a uniform dimensioning, which then determine the actual size of the book block. The under-format signatures are those which have a smaller dimension compared to the normal format signatures. In principle, the sub-format signatures may have deviations both in terms of their length of the sheet and in terms of their sheet width, the sheet width here not being used in the transport according to the invention.

It is therefore a matter of superficially processing signatures with different arc lengths, which generally occur intermittently, without stopping the transport system or incorporating other measures. In the present transport system, it is irrelevant which cadence is used, and after which intermittent the different signatures to each other consequences. In principle, therefore, the sub-format signatures can be distributed over the entire book or printed product, or form a coherent package.

The Fig. 1 represents what matters here when transporting astride-positioned signatures with different arc lengths. First, it can be seen in the figure that the auxiliary caliper 1 has an autonomous promotion of the signatures 100, 200, which ensures the positionally appropriate further promotion sustainable by a motor with rotary encoder and sprocket 3. The initial transport of a coming from a breaker system 4 not shown signature 100, 200 is initially carried out via a conveyor belt, not shown, which detects the signature non-positively and further promotes. If then the signature is advanced at least over its entire arc length on the auxiliary saddle, engages for further position-stable promotion of the signature driven by said motor 3 rotating cam follower chain 5, which is called with spaced apart entrainment elements 6, also driving finger equipped.

Characterized in that the signatures are astride the auxiliary saddle, their detection by the driver elements 6 can easily accomplish, since each driver element 6 per se, only one signature, laterally and below the back of the arch, must capture. The driver element 6 pushes the clockwise recorded signature along the auxiliary caliper 1 in the direction of stitch saddle 2.

Here shows the Fig. 1 flash-like a position of the transported normal format signature 100, which at the end of the auxiliary caliper 1 resp. immediately before the saddle 2 is located. In this position, the signature 100 is thus at the beginning of a book saddle 2 belonging Bogeneinschubsystems 7. The signature 100 is thus first pushed by the driver element 6 direction Bogeneinschubsystem 7, where it is then taken over by this Bogeneinschubsystem 7 on the head side and further promoted. The saddle 2 is during this carried out by the Bogeneinschubsystem 7 transport process in a loading position.

It should be noted that the saddle 2 has a lower side Vorsattel 8, which basically performs the vertical movement of the saddle 2, the final pivotable movement of the saddle 2 loaded with the signature to the sewing station 300, not shown in more detail, is usually carried out by a top 10 belonging to the saddle. This means that the saddle 2 performs a vertical / schwenkare signaturbringende movement to the sewing station 300 from its loading position.

The FIG. 1 shows further that the next signature 200 with a sub-format sheet length coming from the opener system 4 has already reached the auxiliary caliper 1, this signature 200 is also detected and transported in the same manner as the previous normal format signature 100 by a next following entrainment element 6. First of all, however, the leading standard-format signature 100 must have been handed over to the saddle 2 in conformity with the clock.

For this purpose, a control function is provided, which consists of a photocell 9 detecting at the end of the auxiliary caliper 1, in such a way that first the leading edge of the signature 100 is detected in order to determine whether it is in the right place at the right time at the right time. If the detection confirms that both parameters have been complied with, then this signature 100 can be properly transferred to the saddle 2 located in the loading position. The signature 100 recorded on the head end by the sheet insertion system 7 is now drawn or shot on the saddle 2 by implementing a strong acceleration, and is conveyed until it reaches an end position, from where the signature is subsequently fed to the sewing station 300. The same photocell also continuously detects that the foot edge of the signature 100 has passed the location in a clock-conforming manner FIG. 2 even closer to the explanation will come.

The example shown here FIG. 1 assumes that the signatures 100, 200 are pushed along the auxiliary saddle on the foot side by the driver elements 6, and are then detected by the sheet insertion system 7 of the saddle 2 at the top. However, such a position specification is not necessarily to be understood, because the signatures could be delivered by the opener system 4 rotated by 180 °, then the effected by the driver elements 6 sliding along the auxiliary caliper 2 would be done on the head side, and the signatures would then logically foot detected by the sheet insertion system 7 and transported along the saddle stitch.

FIG. 2 now shows how the normal format signature 100 is now fully on the saddle 2. Once this signature 100 is detected by the sheet insertion system 7, it is greatly accelerated by this system in a first transport phase, so that it is literally pulled away from the auxiliary saddle 1 on the saddle 2 or shot. This also goes from the FIG. 2 Of course, it can be seen from there that the original driver element 6 of this signature is still in the transport area along the auxiliary caliper 1, while the signature, due to the acceleration injected by the sheet insertion system 7, is already completely on the saddle 2.

During this transient transport progression regarding the signature 100, it already detects FIG. 1 acknowledged photocell 9 on the one hand, that the signature 100 has completely left the auxiliary caliper 1. Thus, the photocell 9 initially has the function of ensuring that the subsequent preprogrammed movement of the binding saddle 2 to the sewing station 300 will take place in a clock-regular manner. On the other hand, this emanating from the photocell 9 detection ensures that the transport of located on the auxiliary caliper 1 undersized signature 200 is programmatically acted as follows.

Since the lower format signature 200 has a Δ smaller arc length compared to the normal format signature 100, the next driver element 6a is too far away from the undersized signature 200 by said amount because this driver element 6a is still set to the normal format of the preceding signature 100 , So that now the driver element 6a can catch the leading unterformatige signature 200, which emanates from the photocell 9 signal also ensures that the driver chain 5 by the motor 3, which may also be an asynchronous motor, is correspondingly accelerated, ie, it is through the intertemporal acceleration made up for an extra path by the Δ amount over engine speed. As a result, the undersize signature 200 located on the auxiliary caliper 1 becomes an additional Δ-path in the direction of the sheet insertion system 7 further pushed, this Δ-amount corresponds to the arc length difference of the two signatures 100, 200. As a result, the position of the lower format signature 200 integrally shifts by the difference Δ, which represents the arc length difference between the two signatures 100 and 200.

FIG. 3 now shows the under FIG. 2 As a result of the acceleration transmitted by the motor 3 to the carrier chain 5, the driver element 6a acquires the sheet length difference by the difference Δ, and then continues at the original machine speed. Thus, it is achieved by this intertemporal acceleration that the driver element 6a can selectively catch up with the lower-format signature 200. The dashed line X indicates where the sub-format signature 200 would be without acceleration taken place.

At the same time the shows FIG. 3 also that during this acceleration phase, resp. at the end of the same, the saddle 2 is integrally, ie, including its elements, driven by a vertical / pivoting movement to the sewing station 300. Here it becomes clear which eminently important function the photocell 9 fulfills for the entire transport process, in that the operational release of the saddle 2 takes place only when the foot-side edge of the respective signature has been fully pushed onto the saddle 2.

The acceleration triggered by the sheet insertion system 7 and acting on the signatures acceleration is preferably accomplished by a drive not shown in detail, which goes directly to highest acceleration after detection of the signature. Towards the end of the transport path determined on the saddle 2, a delay occurs so that the edges of the transported signatures do not hit too hard against a stop provided there. This stop serves as a head-side alignment of all incoming signatures before they are the sewing station 300 supplied. If small differences can be tolerated in the alignment of the signatures, it is also possible to work without the use of a stop, which can preferably be taken into consideration when using thin paper signatures.

If the lower format signatures do not correspond to the alignment of the remaining normal-format signatures, for example by the undersized signatures being aligned or placed on the intermediary, this can be achieved by achieving the predetermined position either solely by controlling the drive, or by the stop for capturing the sub-format signatures is shifted singularly by the corresponding amount. It is also possible to provide an interdependent coordination between drive and stop.

The FIG. 4 shows the transport state in which the lower format signature 200 is now at the inlet of the Bogeneinschubsystems at the same time by the acceleration of the drive chain described in the preceding figures, as has been the case before in the normal format signature 100. In this way, the detection of the head-side edge of the lower-format signature by the photocell 9 can take place according to the same criteria. After a lower format signature 200, an idle clock is turned on, ie it follows immediately after the last signature no new signature after. This then leads to the following driver element 6 will not lead to a new signature, this in contrast to FIG. 1 where a new signature has already been delivered.

Fig. 5 now shows the already under FIG. 4 indicated state in connection with the already mentioned empty cycle. As soon as the undersized signature 200 has left the area of action of the auxiliary caliper 1, and the photocell 9 has confirmed this, the motor 3 will delay the carrier chain 5. As a result, this, resp. the now to an idling become driver element 6b, overtaken by the machine again to compensate for the sheet length difference between the just-transported under-format signature 200 and a subsequent normal format signature 100 again.

Since there is no signature on the auxiliary caliper 1 at this time because of the scheduled empty cycle, there is no collision with the following signatures. After completion of this speed adjustment, the system is back in Initial state, ie the promotion of normal format signatures can be handled monotonically again.

The system is also suitable for providing that the auxiliary saddle 1 can be equipped with two independently operating driving chains, one driving chain operating exclusively for the normal-format signatures, while the newly provided driving chain specifically transports the under-format signatures, and consequently only intervenes, when it comes to conveying under-format signatures. Of course, the first carrier chain then has to be in active contact with the second in terms of the clock, so that the saddle is not overwhelmed by too fast a delivery of signatures.

Claims (23)

1. A thread sewing machine for the processing of signatures to form book blocks, the thread sewing machine essentially comprising a conveyor system for the signatures and a sewing station located downstream thereof, the conveyor system essentially consisting of a conveyor section, on which the signatures, in a straddled position, can be fed to the sewing station, the conveyor section for the signatures (100, 200) comprising at least one auxiliary saddle (1) and a sewing saddle (2) located directly downstream thereof, the auxiliary saddle being equipped with at least one driven, continuously running carrier chain (5) provided with spaced integrated carrier elements (6, 6a, 6b), and the sewing saddle having its own conveyor device (7) for the signatures, said device (7) being operated by a drive, characterized in that the sewing saddle can move freely relative to the auxiliary saddle, and in that, at the boundary between auxiliary saddle (1) and sewing saddle (2), at least one device (9) is provided for detecting the local position of the signature and the time it passes that point, and in that the carrier chain can be operated with a variation of the speed as a function of the direct sequence of different sheet lengths of the signatures (100, 200).
2. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sequence of the signatures (100, 200) is predetermined, or can be altered during the course of the process.
3. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device (9) for detecting the position of the signatures is a photocell, and in that the detected signals are responsible for the direct operation of the thread sewing machine.
4. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element takes the form of a carrier finger.
5. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the variation in speed of the carrier chain (5) consists of an acceleration or deceleration.
6. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sewing saddle (2) executes a substantially vertical movement for feeding the signature (100, 200) to the sewing station (300).
7. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the movement of the sewing saddle (2) is made up of a combined vertical/swinging translation.
8. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive of the conveyor device (7) within the sewing saddle (2) applies a strong acceleration to the signature arriving from the auxiliary saddle (1).
9. A thread sewing machine according to Claim 8, characterized in that the conveyor device (7) is driven by a motor or by an interleaving roller.
10. A thread sewing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sewing saddle (2) has a stationary or movable stop at the end, for aligning the signature arriving there.
11. A thread sewing machine according to one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the auxiliary saddle is equipped with two carrier chains, in that the first carrier chain transports the standard-format signatures, and in that the second carrier chain is responsible for the subformat signatures.
12. A method of operating a thread sewing machine for the processing of signatures to form book blocks, the thread sewing machine essentially being operated by a conveyor system for the signatures and a sewing station located downstream thereof, the conveyor system essentially consisting of a conveyor section, on which the signatures, in a straddled position, are fed to the sewing station, the conveyor section for the signatures (100, 200) being operated by at least one auxiliary saddle (1) and a sewing saddle (2), which is located directly downstream thereof and is freely movable relative to said auxiliary saddle, the signatures being conveyed along the auxiliary saddle by at least one continuously running carrier chain (5) having carrier elements (6, 6a, 6b) spaced at intervals therein, and a carrier element pushing each signature forwards, until this is seized at its opposite edge by a conveying device forming part of the sewing saddle and is carried away from the auxiliary saddle by a resultant acceleration of a drive associated with the conveying device.
13. A method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the carrier chain is subjected to at least one change in speed as a function of the sequence of the differently formatted signatures, this resulting in an acceleration of the subformat signature (200) intermediately transported along the auxiliary saddle, and resulting in a deceleration when transport of a standard-format signature (100) resumes.
14. A method according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a first subformat signature (200) is followed by at least one empty cycle.
15. A method according to Claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the deceleration of the carrier chain whilst the standard-format signature is being transported over the auxiliary saddle occurs after the empty cycle.
16. A method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, at the boundary between auxiliary saddle (1) and sewing saddle (2), the local position of the signature (100, 200) and the time of its passing that point is detected by at least one device (9), and in that the signals emitted by said signature-detecting device (9) affect the operation of the thread sewing machine.
17. A method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the signals confirm a continuing operation of the thread sewing machine or, in the event of problems arising in the transport of the signatures, they trigger a shutdown of the thread sewing machine.
18. A method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 17, characterized in that an additional detecting device within the conveyor section associated with the auxiliary saddle performs the following control functions:

    a) when a subformat signature (200) is being transported, an intertemporal acceleration of the carrier chain is triggered,

    b) following the subformat signature, an empty cycle is added in without a signature being advanced,

    c) when a standard-format signature (100) follows the empty cycle, a deceleration of the carrier chain is triggered.
19. A method according to one of Claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the acceleration and deceleration of the carrier chain are such that, within the extent of the auxiliary saddle, the differences in sheet length between a standard-format and a subformat or alternatively between a subformat and a standard-format signature are detected in such a way that at least the edge of the signature to the rear in direction of travel passes the boundary area between auxiliary saddle and sewing saddle at the correct time relative to the preset cycle of the sewing saddle.
20. A method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 19, characterized in that, each time a subformat signature has been transported along the auxiliary saddle, at least one empty cycle is added in before the subsequent transport of a standard-format signature.
21. A method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the subformat signatures are positioned relative to the standard-format signatures so as to lie flush at the top end, flush at the bottom end or flush between the top and bottom of said standard-format signatures.
22. A method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the auxiliary saddle is operated with two carrier chains, in that the first carrier chain is used for transporting the standard-format signatures, and in that the second is used for transporting the subformat signatures.
23. A method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 22, characterized in that, when a signature is placed on the auxiliary saddle by hand, the thread sewing machine comes to a halt in accordance with a predetermined control sequence and starts up again when the operative has completed the operation.

Images