EP3527395B1 - Device and method for performing at least one cut process - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for carrying out at least one cutting process for the purpose of producing a book, a brochure or the like, in particular a book-like identification document such as a passport book.

A book has pages that are bound on a spine. In addition to the pages, a book can include a book cover that includes a cover. One of the final steps in the manufacture of the book is to bring the book to its final format by trimming the unbound pages of the book. This is necessary in order to be able to compensate for inaccuracies when cutting a printing sheet and to enable even edges of the book.

According to the prior art, books, in particular passport books, are fixed in a device suitable for the trimming before trimming, in particular by pressing the book between two clamps. As a result, the respective book is held in the correct position.

The spine is formed by a shaped element which connects the covers, which are arranged essentially parallel to one another, or the first and last pages of the book to one another. Such a back usually has a convex shape running between said covers or sides. It is therefore not held in the correct position by pressing the book on the covers or the first and last pages. When the book is trimmed, the spine can be deformed and consequently damaged, in particular in the form of slight tears at the side boundary of the back, especially at the point where the side boundary of the back into the side boundary edge of an attached cover or a cover page transforms. This damage occurs with various techniques for trimming, including cutting and milling. They reduce the visual impression of the book and should be prevented. The lateral delimitations of the back mean the areas which delimit the back on its opposite sides along its longitudinal extent.

Examples of conventional devices for performing a cutting operation are from DE1216240 B , DE1120423 B , DE1020080271131 A1 and DE2426599 A1 known. The document DE1216240 B relates to a book trimming machine with a conveyor for Advance Z of the fine book to a trimming station at which a knife and the book are used to trim the book along a line running across the spine of the book Counterblade supporting the cutting process are provided, claws being provided to hold the book on its back during the cutting process.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a corresponding method for carrying out a cutting process for the purpose of producing a book, which enable a cutting process on a book in a simple and high-quality manner.

This object is achieved by the device for carrying out at least one cutting process according to claim 1 and the method for carrying out at least one cutting process according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments of the device are specified in subclaims 2 to 6. Advantageous embodiments of the method are specified in the subclaims 8 to 10. These and other embodiments are described below.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device according to claim 1 for carrying out at least one cutting process for the purpose of producing a book which comprises book pages which are bound on a spine. The device has a receiving element for receiving the book in a first plane, as well as a cutting unit for applying a cutting force to the book essentially perpendicular to the plane. The device furthermore has at least one first support device with at least one first support element which is arranged or can be arranged to lie against at least one area of the back and thus essentially counteract at least one area of the back with one of the cutting force when the cutting force acts on the book directed support force, ie that the support element is designed to position a contact surface at an angle in relation to the plane above this, which can be applied to the spine of the book and the support device is pneumatically driven or drivable to the support element to at least part of the To put on the back.

A receiving element is to be understood, for example, as a die for the pressing and therefore fixing of the book during the cutting process.

This embodiment of the device is advantageous because it enables the back to be supported and thus the deformation of the back and the associated with it Counteracts damage in the form of slight tears in the area of the back.

According to a further embodiment, the device is set up such that the support element is set up and arranged or can be arranged in such a way that it is flush or with a minimum distance of a maximum of 1 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.5 mm, with a second plane in which the cutting force is applied to the book concludes.

In the plane in which the cutting force is applied to the book, the edge, which is produced by a cutting process, in particular by cutting or milling, runs. In other words, the distance between the support element and the cutting tool or its cutting edge when it performs the cutting process is meant.

In this embodiment it is particularly advantageous that the areas of the back are supported which are located in the vicinity of the edges or are delimited by the edges which are produced by the cutting process.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the device has a second support device configured in accordance with the first support device, the support elements of which are configured and arranged or can be arranged in such a way that at least these end regions can be supported by one support element in each case during cutting operations on the opposite end regions of the back are.

This means that at least two support elements are designed and arranged or can be arranged in such a way that at least these end regions can be supported by one support element each during cutting operations on the opposite end regions of the back, the support elements being arranged on a common support device or on separate support devices.

The end areas of the back designate the regions of the back that adjoin the edges that are produced by the cutting process.

In this embodiment according to the invention, it is advantageous that both end regions of the spine are supported at the same time and the trimming of both supported edges is possible without the book having to be moved.

The embodiment according to the invention, in which there are several support elements, enables several areas of the back to be effectively supported in one work step. The embodiment according to the invention, in which several support elements are arranged on separate support devices, enables a time-saving arrangement of the individual support elements with respect to the back.

According to a further embodiment of the devices, the support element is set up and arranged or can be arranged such that it encloses the entire back in a form-fitting manner in at least one respective end region of the back.

The entire spine enclosed here is described by the thickness of the book, which defines the extent of the spine between the covers or the first and last pages of the book.

In this embodiment according to the invention, it is advantageous that such a uniform pressure can be exerted on the entire spine and that the spine is fixed over the entire thickness of the book, so that tearing is prevented or reduced over the entire width of the spine.

In the embodiments of the device described so far, it is possible that a support element rests against a part of the back or is pressed. It is also possible that a support element or also several support elements are designed in such a way that it or they support or support the back over its entire length.

These embodiments have the advantage that there is support along the entire length of the back and thereby provides a particularly high level of stability.

The pneumatic drive of the supporting device of the device according to claim 1 has the advantage that in pneumatically operated systems the exhaust air can be released into the environment and therefore the device does not have to include any return lines. This facilitates the maintenance of the device. In addition, due to the programmatic drive, the pressure applied to the back can be set very precisely or overload can be avoided. Furthermore, due to the pneumatics used, there is no risk of contamination.

Another embodiment provides that the device according to the invention comprises at least one rotary joint on which the support element is rotatably mounted in order to apply the support element to at least part of the back.

This embodiment enables the support elements to be tilted in the direction of the back. If the device comprises more than one support element, the support elements can be arranged on a common connecting element that is rotatably mounted and enables the support elements to be tilted together.

In this embodiment it is advantageous that a movement of the support elements in the direction of the back is made possible with a relatively inexpensive device. The movement of the support elements in the direction of the back is made possible by tilting, which is brought about by a vertical movement of a piston.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for carrying out at least one cutting process according to claim 6 for the purpose of producing a book which comprises book pages which are bound to a spine, in which a book is fed to a device according to the invention, the book is received in or on the receiving element , the book is fixed in or on the receiving element and the support element of the support device pneumatically and the book are positioned in relation to each other in such a way that the support element rests against at least part of the back of the book.

At least one cutting force is applied to the book by means of the cutting unit, essentially perpendicular to the plane of the receiving element, the supporting element exerting a supporting force on at least one area of the back on the book counter to the effective direction of the cutting force.

A separation process, in particular cutting or milling, is carried out on at least one of the unbound pages of the book. In this case, a support force exerted by the support element acts with at least one component perpendicular to the first plane and thus also against at least one component of the cutting force.

According to the invention it is possible both for the support element to move in the direction of the book and for the book to be moved in the direction of the support element.

The advantage of this embodiment of the method according to the invention is that, before the cutting process, a support element and a back are positioned relative to one another in such a way that the support element rests against the back and causes a force that counteracts the cutting force and thus can counteract damage in the area of the back.

According to the method according to the invention, the support element is moved pneumatically and in this way a pressure force is exerted mechanically on at least one area of the back.

The pressing force caused by the support element counteracts the cutting force in a form-fitting manner or else with a component parallel to the plane of the receiving device for the purpose of non-positive fixing of the back area.

According to one embodiment of the method, the cutting process is implemented by a translatory movement of a cutting element or by a rotary movement of a milling cutter.

Damage to the back occurs both when trimmed by a cutting edge moving in a translatory manner and when trimmed by milling. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can counteract damage to the back, in particular with these two common techniques of trimming, and improve the visual impression of the book after trimming. This enables the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention to be used in a variety of ways.

According to a further embodiment of the method, a three-sided trimming is carried out with the cutting device.

This means that all three unbound pages of the book can be trimmed in the cutting device without having to change the positioning of the book between the individual cuts. This reduces the workload.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that it can also be used in cutting devices which do not allow three-sided trimming without relocating the book.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are industrially applicable in many ways. They can be used for trimming different types of books, brochures or the like. In particular, they can be used when trimming a book-like identification document such as a passport book.

• Figur 1A zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Stützvorrichtung mit Stützelementen in einer Ausgangsposition.
• Figur 1B zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Stützvorrichtung mit gekippten Stützelementen.
• Figur 2 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts einer erfindungsgemäßen Schnittvorrichtung, mit einer unteren Einspannung in einer Ausgangsposition.
• Figur 3 zeigt eine perspektivische, teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Schnittvorrichtung, mit einer unteren Einspannung in einer Ausgangsposition.
• Figur 4 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts einer Schnittvorrichtung, mit einer unteren Einspannung in einer Position, in der ein Buch zwischen Einspannungen spannbar ist.
• Figur 5 zeigt eine teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Schnittvorrichtung, wobei die untere Einspannung sich in einer derartigen Position befindet, dass ein Buch zwischen Einspannungen verspannt ist.
• Figur 6 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts einer Schnittvorrichtung, mit einer unteren Einspannung in einer Position, in der ein Buch zwischen den Einspannungen spannbar ist, wobei die Stützelemente an dem Rücken des Buches anliegen.
• Figur 7 zeigt eine perspektivische, teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Schnittvorrichtung, wobei sich die untere Einspannung in einer derartigen Position befindet, dass ein Buch zwischen den Einspannungen verspannt ist, wobei die Stützelemente an dem Rücken des Buches anliegen.
• Figur 8 zeigt eine Vergrößerung eines Ausschnittes der Fig. 7, in der die Wirkweise der Erfindung dargestellt ist.

In the following, further aspects of the invention are described with reference to figures, from which further embodiments and advantages can be derived.

• Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a support device with support elements in an initial position.
• Figure 1B shows a perspective view of a support device with tilted support elements.
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section of a cutting device according to the invention, with a lower clamping in a starting position.
• Figure 3 shows a perspective, partially cut-open view of a detail of a cutting device, with a lower clamping in an initial position.
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a section of a cutting device, with a lower clamp in a position in which a book can be clamped between clamps.
• Figure 5 FIG. 13 shows a partially cut-away view of a section of a cutting device, the lower clamp being in such a position that a book is clamped between clamps.
• Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a section of a cutting device, with a lower clamp in a position in which a book can be clamped between the clamps, the support elements resting against the back of the book.
• Figure 7 shows a perspective, partially cut-open view of a section of a cutting device, the lower clamp being in such a position that a book is clamped between the clamps, the support elements resting against the spine of the book.
• Figure 8 shows an enlargement of a section of Fig. 7 , in which the mode of operation of the invention is shown.

To describe the figures and explain the method, the figures and the applications are only described using a book. However, the invention also relates to the production of a brochure or the like, so that the descriptions are not restricted to the production of a book but also apply accordingly to the production of a brochure or the like.

With the aid of a transfer device, the book 30 is positioned precisely on an upper receiving element 13 below the fixed upper clamp 14 and held there. Subsequently, the movable lower clamping 16 is pneumatically moved vertically upwards. The book 30 is pressed between the upper clamping 14 and the lower clamping 16 in a precisely positioned manner. The support device 20 is pneumatically operated in such a way that the support elements 24 of the support device are placed against the spine 34 of the book and / or press against it. If the book 30 is so clamped, the cutting process, in particular the milling, of the unbound pages 36 of the book takes place.

The Figures 1A and 1B show a detailed perspective illustration of a support device 20 for supporting a back 34 of a book during a cutting process for producing the book 30. The support device 20 comprises two support elements 24 which are arranged individually on a common connecting element 22. The connecting element 22 is pivotably connected to a part of a movable lower restraint 17 via a first rotary joint 19. The connecting element 22 is pivotably connected to a first piston 42 via a further, second rotary joint 18. The first piston 42 is arranged in a first cylinder 46 and can be driven pneumatically. This configuration according to the invention enables part of the support device 20, in particular the connecting element 22 and consequently the support elements 24, to be tilted about the first rotary joint 19. The Figure 1A shows an embodiment according to the invention with the first piston 42 retracted, which means that the first piston 42 is located in the first cylinder 46 in the retracted position. The support elements 24 are in their starting position. The Figure 1B shows an embodiment according to the invention with the first piston 42 extended, which means that the first piston 42 has been moved upwards within the first cylinder 46. This leads to the connecting element 22 being pivoted on the first rotary joint 19 and thus being tilted. As a result, the support elements 24 are tilted compared to the starting position, so that, as will be explained below, they can be placed or pressed against the spine 34 of a book.

The Figures 2 to 7 each show a representation, partly in a perspective embodiment, partly as a cut-away view, of a section of a cutting device 10, which means a device for performing at least one cutting process for the purpose of producing a book 30. The cutting device 10 comprises a housing 1. The Figures 2 and 3 show the device 10 according to the invention with a book 30 that is positioned on the upper clamp 14 and with a movable lower clamp 16 that is in the starting position. The book 30 can be held on the upper clamp 14 here, for example, due to a pneumatically generated negative pressure. The Figures 4 and 5 illustrate that the movable lower clamp 16 has been raised and the book 30 is being pressed. The Figures 6 and 7th show how the support members 24 are positioned on the spine 34 of the book. For the sake of clarity, the Figures 2 , 4th and 6th the fixed upper restraint 14 is not shown.

In the Figures 2 and 3 the book 30 has already been placed precisely on the upper clamp 14 and is held in this position. The movable lower clamp 16 is in its starting position, the second piston 40 being in the retracted position in the second cylinder 44. The movable lower clamp 16 comprises the receiving element 12. The support device 20 is arranged on the movable lower clamp 16 so that it is also in the lower position. The support device 20 is in its starting position, in which the first piston 42 is in the retracted position in the first cylinder 46.

The position of the first piston 42 and the second piston 40 is shown in the partially sectioned illustration of the device in FIG Fig. 3 shown. In Fig. 2 the arrangement of the first piston 42, connecting element 22 and the supporting elements 24 is illustrated particularly well.

The Figures 4 and 5 show that the movable lower clamping 16 was pneumatically moved up to the book 30 and this is pressing. The second piston 40 is no longer in the retracted position in the second cylinder 44, but has been moved upwards. The book 30 is pressed in a precisely positioned position between the upper clamping 14 and the lower clamping 16 and is thus clamped. The support device 20 is arranged on the lower fixture 16 and moved together with the lower fixture 16. The first piston 42 has not been moved and is still in the retracted position in the first cylinder 46. The support device 20 is in its starting position. The position of the first piston 42 and the second piston 40 is in particular in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated.

The Figures 6 and 7th show how, starting from the position, the Figures 4 and 5 , the first piston 42 has been moved vertically upwards and, as a result, the support elements Place 24 of the support device 20 against the spine 34 of the pressed book 30 or press it against it.

The connecting element 22 is arranged in such a way that it is connected to the first piston 42 by means of the second rotary joint 18. Furthermore, the connecting element 22 is pivotably connected to the lower restraint 16 by means of the first rotary joint 19. With this arrangement, the connecting element 22 can be tilted. If the first piston 42 is moved vertically upwards, that part of the connecting element 22 which is connected to the first piston 42 via the second rotary joint 18 is also moved upwards. The connecting element 22 is pivoted about the first rotary joint 19. This has the consequence that the connecting element 22 is tilted, that is to say moves from its original position with respect to the receiving element 12 and the book 30. This leads to the fact that the support elements 24 change their position with respect to the back 34 of the book and are placed against it and / or press against it. In the embodiment according to the invention, the two support elements 24 each lie against one end region of the back 34 and / or are pressed against these regions. The support elements 24 are designed in such a way that they can each rest against the back 34 over its entire thickness and / or are pressed. This is especially true in Fig. 7 illustrated. This embodiment of the invention must not be viewed as a restriction of the invention to this form. The invention also comprises embodiments of the support elements 24 which only lie against part of the back 34 of the book and / or are pressed against it, preferably on the side of the book 30 facing away from the introduction of a cutting force F1.

The present invention provides an economically interesting device 10 and a corresponding method for performing a cutting process for the purpose of producing a book 30, which enables a cutting process that does not result in damage to the spine 34 of the book. In particular, but not limited to this, this device 10 is designed for the production of a book-like identification document such as a passport book. When a book 30 is trimmed, incorrect cutting results can occur, particularly in the area of the spine 34. Although the book 30 is fixed in position by pressing between the upper clamping 14 and the lower clamping 16, the spine 34 of the book retains play because the clamps do not support this area. During the cutting process, a force F1 is exerted on the spine 34 of the book. This ensures a deformation of the back 34. The trimming takes place on the deformed back, so that incorrect cutting results, in particular tears and / or fraying in the area of the back 34, can occur.

In the Figure 8 a mode of operation of the invention is illustrated. A cutting force F1 acts vertically from above on the book 30. The support elements 24 support the spine 34. They cause a counterforce F2, which acts from the support element 24 from below on the spine of the book 30, counter to the cutting force F1. By means of the support elements 24 according to the invention, the back 34 remains dimensionally stable during the cutting process and there are no incorrect cutting results in the area of the back 34, in particular tears and / or fraying.

List of reference symbols

1 casing 10 Cutting device 12th lower receiving element 13th upper receiving element 14th upper restraint 16 lower restraint 17th Part of the lower restraint 18th second rotary joint 19th first rotary joint 20th Support device 22nd Connecting element 24 Support element 30th book 32 cover 34 move 36 unbound side 40 second piston 42 first piston 44 second cylinder 46 first cylinder F1 Cutting force F2 Counterforce

Claims (9)

1. A device for performing at least one cutting operation (10) for producing a book (30), a brochure or the like, in particular a book-like identification document such as a passport comprising book pages which are bound to a spine (34), wherein the device has a receiving element (12, 13) for receiving the book (30) in a first plane as well as a cutting unit for applying a cutting force to the book substantially perpendicularly to the plane,
   wherein the device (10) further has at least one first supporting device (20) with at least one first supporting (24) element which is arranged or arrangeable to lie against at least one region of the spine (34) and, when the cutting force (F1) is applied to the book (30), to rest on at least a region of the spine (34) with a bearing force (F2) substantially opposite the cutting force, i.e. the support element (24) is formed to position a contact surface at an angle relative to the plane which is placeable at the spine (34) of the book,
   characterized in that the supporting device (20) is pneumatically driven or drivable in order to place the supporting element (24) against at least a part of the spine (34).
2. The device for performing at least one cutting operation (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support element (24) is installed and arranged or arrangeable to lie flush with or with a minimal space of a maximum of 1 mm, in particular a maximum of 0.5 mm, from a second plane in which the cutting force (F1) is applied to the book (30).
3. The device for performing at least one cutting operation (10) according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the device has a second support device (20) configured to correspond to the first support device (20), the support elements (24) of said second support device being configured and arranged or arrangeable such that, therewith, for cutting procedures at the opposing end regions of the spine (34), at least these end regions are each supportable by a support element (24).
4. The device for performing at least one cutting operation (10) according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the support element (24) is installed and arranged or arrangeable to interlockingly enclose the entire spine (34) in at least one respective end region of the spine (34).
5. The device for performing at least one cutting operation (10) according to any one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that it comprises at least one rotation joint (19) at which the support element (24) is rotarily mounted in order to place the support element (19) against at least a part of the spine (34).
6. A method for performing at least one cutting operation for producing a book (30), a brochure or the like, in particular a book-like identification document such as a passport comprising book pages which are bound to a spine (34), wherein

   - a book (30) is supplied to a device (10) according to at least one of Claims 1-5,

   - the book (30) is received in or on the receiving element (12, 13),

   - the book (30) is fixed in or on the receiving element (12, 13),

   - the support element (24) of the support device (20) is pneumatically positioned relative to the book (30) such that the support element (24) lies against at least a part of the spine (34) of the book,

   - the book (30) is subjected to at least one cutting force (F1) substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the receiving element (12, 13) by means of the cutting unit, wherein the support element (24) applies a bearing force (F2) to the book opposite the effective direction of the cutting force (F1) to at least one region of the spine (34).
7. The method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the support element (24) is pneumatically moved and thus mechanically causes a pressing force on at least one region of the spine (34).
8. The method according to one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the cutting operation is realized by a translational movement of a cutting element or by a rotary movement of a mill.
9. The method according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that trilateral trimming is performed with the cutting device (10).

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