IL30843A - Improved method for printing bound,stapled or glued books and apparatus for carrying out this method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for printing bound, stapled or glued books, and more particularly cheque books and other stacked sheets, wherein a printing and stamping device and the stacked sheets carry out two reciprocating movements relative to each other and parallel and perpendicularly to a printing plane, and wherein the printing is effected in one of two end positions of the relative parallel movement, corresponding to one of the two end positions of the vertical relative movement, whilst in the zone of the other end position of the relative parallel movement the individual sheets are raised by suction after the printing and are then swivelled into a plane which is tilted against the printing plane, and retained in this position.

The invention also comprises an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Cheque books and other forms, issued by banks' to their customers, are usually provided with the account number of the customer, which is either stamped in by hand or else the whole cheque book is perforated with this account number by means of a suitable embossing device. This latter method is particularly advantageous because all individual cheques of the book can be marked with the account number in one process and need not he treated individually.

However, for the past year it has not been possible to dispatch such cheques with perforated numbers by post, because the vacuum operated detector and conveyor devices of the postal services cannot handle perforated sheets, This requires the past practice of perforating cheque books in one institutions have adopted the practice of stamping the account numbers manually on each cheque. It is also usual to print in the account numbers by means of carbon papers on four or five cheques simultaneously or to print the loose cheques first and to bind them afterwards.

Particularly the printing or stamping of the individual sheets with the account numbers has the great disadvantage of being wasteful in time and labour. The machine printing of loose cheques with subsequent stapling or binding is unsatisfactory, because it is much more desirable to fill in the account numbers in bound cheque books rather than on loose cheques. This is due mainly to the fact that the machine printing methods used for individual cheques are not really suitable for printing the very small numbers of sheets with the identification numbers of different customers and accounts. Although this drawback of very small numbers may be overcome by printing several cheque books, that is to say, a larger number at the same time, this has again the drawback of having to store them, and this is, in turn, again connected with additional expenditure.

Furthermore, there is also known a device which produces some savings compared with the manual overprinting of each individual sheet of a cheque book; here, the sheets need not be turned by hand after the number has been stamped on, and this movement is coupled with the upward movement of the printing mechanism. Nonetheless, there remains the drawback that the printing mechanism must be manually depressed for every operation, eo that the time consumed is very large also in this case.

The present invention has the object of eliminating these drawbacks and of providing an improved method and an apparatus for a stack, and more particularly of a cheque book, eliminating the manual work and making possible a fully automatic operation.

According to the invention, this object is realized in that the printing or stamping device and/or e stacked sheets carry out a further reciprocating relative movement parallel to the printing plane and in that the printing "is effected in one end position of the parallel reciprocating movement, corresponding to one end position of the perpendicular relative movement, whilst in the region of the other end position of the parallel relative rnove-ment, the individual sheets are, after the printing, raised by suction and pivoted into a plane inclined relative to the printing plane, and are retained in this position.

The method according to the invention eliminates all manual work, because the printing mechanism and the paper stack carry out two distinct relative movements, one of which is perpendicular to the printing plane and the other parallel thereto. The printing is effected in two corresponding end positions of the two relative movements. During the subsequent reversal of the two relative movements, the printing mechanism and the paper stack are disengaged and in the zone of the other end position, the printed sheet is swivelled by suction into a position which is inclined to the printing plane and retained in this position. Then the ne:ct printing starts. The raising of the printed sheet is effected usually just before, but preferably just after the other end position of the parallel relative movement has been reached.

For carrying out the perpendicular relative movement, either the printing or stamping device, or the stacked sheets, or both, are moved perpendicularly to the printing plane. For carrying out the parallel relative movement, ei.ther the printing or stamping device, or the stacked sheets, or both, are moved parallel to the printing In a preferred embodiment of the invention, only the printing or stamping mechanism carries out the perpendicular relative movement, whilst the stacked sheets are arranged stationarily perpendicularly to the printing or stamping device and carry out alone the parallel relative movement and the printing or stamping device is stationary parallel to the stacked sheets.

It may be of advantage to effect the parallel as well as the perpendicular relative movement only by means of the printing or stamping mechanism, in which case the stacked sheets are stationary with regard to both these directions„ Conveniently, the printing plane and the plane of the stacked unprinted sheets is a horizontal plane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the horizontal movement of the printing- or stamping mechanism is used for swivelling the individual sheets after the printing into a position, inclined at least at ½5° relative to the horizontal plane.

In another preferred embodiment, after the printing, raising and swivelling, the individual sheets are retained in a vertical position.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the stacked sheets are firmly clamped down on the side opposite the printing or stamping mechanism.

An apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is characterized in that the printing or stamping mechanism and/or the stacked sheets are ..each adapted to carry out the said relative reciproc ating movements parallel and perpendicularly to the printing plane by means of slides or other devices; in that there is provided a control mechanism for controlling the two relative movements in such a manner that the printing is effected in one end position of ' the relative arallel movement corres ondin to the one end provided a suction device which raises the individual sheets after the printing in the zone of the other end position of the relative parallel movement; and comprising further a holding mechanism which holds the individual sheets after they have been lifted, in a position inclined relative to the printing plane „ For carrying out the perpendicular relative movement, either the carriage for the printing mechanism, or the carriage for the stacked sheets, or both carriages, are displaceable perpendicularly to the printing plane„ For carrying out the parallel relative movement, either the carriage for the printing mechanism, or the carriage for the stacked sheets, or both carriages, are displaceable parallel to the plane of printing* In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage of the printing mechanism is displaceable perpendicularly to the printing plane for carrying out the said perpendicular relative movement, and the carriage for the stacked sheets is displaceabi parallel to the printing plane for carrying out the said parallel relative movement.

In another preferred embodiment, two distinct carriages are associated with the printing or stamping mechanism, one being displaceable parallel to the printing plane and the other perpendicularly thereto.

Preferably, the carriage making the relative movement perpendicularly to the printing plane is vertically movable, and in this case the printing plane and the plane of the stacked sheets are horizontal.

In another preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, a housing wall of the printing or stamping mechanism, facing the stacked sheets, is provided with a stripper edge providing a mechanical support for the sheets raised by suction In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual sheets are retained, after the printing, raising and swivelling, in the vertical position by the holding device.

Preferably, the holding device cooperates with a clamping Mechanism, whereby the sheets are clamped down on the side opposite the printing or stamping mechanism* The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing preferred embodiments thereof, and in which :- Figure 1 is a diagrammatical side elevation of a first embodiment, wherein the printing or stamping mechanism is movable in a vertical plane and the paper stack (or cheque book) in a horizontal plane ; Figure 2 is a schematical side elevation of the Figure 1 arrangement, showing the position during the raising of a sheet by the suction device; Figure 3 is another schematical side elevation of the Figure 1 arrangement, with the cheque book in the printing mechanism and located in the zone of one end position of the parallel relative movement ; Figure is yet another schematical side elevation of the Figure 1 arrangement, showing the timing and positioning of the printing; Figure 5 is a further schematical side elevation of the Figure 1 arrangement in a position, in which the cheque book has been moved into the other end position of the parallel relative movement, outside the operating zone of the printing mechanism, and the topmost, last-printed sheet has been swivelled upwards into a substantially vertical position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the actuating and driving means of the arrangement according to Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the Figure 1 arrangement along the line VII-VII in Figure 8; Figure 8 is a croes-section of the Figure 1 arrangement along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a.-partial view of the Figure 1 arrangement in perspective and shows the suction device on an enlarged scale; Figure 10 is a partial view of the Figure 1 arrangement in perspective and shows the clamping device on an enlarged scale; Figure 11 shows, in longitudinal cross-section and partly broken away, a second preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the cheque book or paper stack is stationary and the printing mechanism is displaceable both horizontally and vertically.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the principle of the method according to the invention and the operation of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out this method, A frame 1 carries a printing and stamping mechanism 2 or carriage 3. This carriage 3, or moving table, supports a stack of sheets bound to form a book, such as a cheque book . The printing and stamping mechanism 2 has a bousing 5, the outer wall of which facing the cheque book , forms a guide face 6, Inside the housing, v/hich is firmly connected to the frame 1 , there is a printing plate 7, displaceable vertically relative to a horizontal printing plane, and effecting, during the vertical displacement, a reciproc ting movement relative to the horizontal plane. Under the plate 7, there is o color ribbon (e.g., a carbon ribbon) 8, passing over two spindles 9 and two further spindles 10, The table 3 carryingythe cheque book forms a carriage, and is displaceable in the horizontal plane, that is to say, parallel to the printing plane, so as to carry out the parallel relative movement. A suction device 11 is arranged in the zone of the be explained further below, the suction device is adapted to be pivoted and may be moved outside the region of the parallel movement of the table 3· A retaining device 12 is provided which holds the individual sheets after the printing in the vertical position.

The main directions of movement of the printing plate 7, of the cheque book and of the individual sheets after the printing are indicated by arrows.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention and illustrated in Figures I to 5 operates as follows:- In the Figure 1 position, the printing plate 7 and the cheque book with the carriage 3 are each in one of the two end positions of the two relative movements, i.e., the plate 7 is in the upper end ppsition (of the vertical relative movement), and the cheque book with the carriage 3 is in the right-hand end position (of the parallel relative movement) outside the operating range of the printing and stamping mechanism 2„ In the position illustrated in Figure 1, the topmost sheet of the cheque book , which has Just been printed by the printing plate 7, is gripped by the suction device I and raised, as shown in Figure 2„ During the raising, which may be effected in the right-hand end position of the cheque book, ar shortly after this position has been reached, the book '+ is displaced by the carriage 3 towards the printing mechanism 2„ During this horizontal movement parallel to the printing plane, the topmost sheet, provided with the imprint, is deflected towards the top by the right-hand outer wall of the housing 5, forming a guide face 6 and reaches finally the preferably U-shaped retaining'device 12 in a substantially vertical position, when the cheque book with the carriage 3 have fully entered the printing mechanism 2. During the movement of the cheque book k into the housing of the printing- arras, is swivelled upwardly and towards the side. At the end of this movement, the suction device 1 1 is outside the range of the parallel displacement and in the position shown in Figure 3- This pivoting of the suction device towards the top and side has 5 proved to be particularly convenient.

The printing is effected at the end of the relative parallel movement between the printing mechanism and the cheque book.

It should here be stressed that the printing takes place exactly in the reversing point of the horizontally reciprocating relative movement of the cheque book , because otherwise no perfect impression can be achieved. Preferably, the standstill time at the reversing point, which is infinitely short with a. continuous reciprocating movement, is extended, as described in greater detail further below. After the printing, the printing plate 7 is ^ 5 displaced upv/ardly and starts a part of its vertically reciprocating relative movement. This upward movement of the plate 7 releases the cheque book and the same is moved by the carriage 3 into its right-hand end position, as shown in Figure 5 » During this movement, the suction device 1 1 is swivelled back into a position above the end of the cheque book adjacent to the printing mechanism.

The operating position of Figure 5 is then again followed by the Figure 1 position, and the operating cycle is repeated until every individual cheque in the cheque book, which is bound at ^5 the end remote from the printing mechanism, has been provided with the desired imprint.

Figure 6 of the drawing shows the actuating, displacing and printing means of the arrangement according to Figures 1 to 5.

The whole apparatus is driven by a single motor 13 , the 3® power being transmitted via a gearing to a main shaft 15. The there are two sprockets, of which only on®, the sprocket 1 9, is ¾ shown in Figure 6. Both sprockets 1 9 are equipped With associated chain drives, of which again only one is shown in the drawing and described in the following.

The sprocket 1 9 carries an endless chain 20 which passes also over a second sprocket 21 . The chain 20, revolving in a vertical plane, has a horizontal follower pin 22 which engages into a slot 3 of a follower bracket 2^ . The bracket 2 is mounted on one of the longitudinal sides of the table 3 and causes thereby during the running of the chain 20 the displacement of the table 3 , i.e., a reciprocating movement thereof. As already mentioned, an identical drive mechanism is provided in symmetrical arrangement on the other long side of the table so that an eccentric point of attack of the driving effort is avoided. However, it is also possible within the frame of the invention to provide e single, center-mounted follower.

Between the two gears 1 6 and 19 , the shaft 15 has mounted thereon a ooupling 25 operating in conjunction with a quick-action stop for the carriage 3· The gear 16 meshes with a further gear 2<5 and drives ia a shaft 2? two crank wheels 28 · end 28" „ Two connecting rods 29' and 29" are eccentrically mounted on the crank wheels 28' and 23" and are articulately connected with a ireme 3°« Adjacent to the gear 26, there are two aotuable separating couplings, for example, electromagnetic couplings 31 , of which only one is shown in bh© drawing. When these couplings JJ1 are actuated, the two crank wheels.28' and 28» are disengaged from the motor 13, as described in detail further below, Two guide paHe 32 are arranged in t e frame 30 and the printing plate 7, equipped with a corres onding slot 33 , ca he fitted Into these rails,: Under the printing lat© 7 Is the Inking rollers 1 0 during the upward movement of the printing plate 7.

Compression springs 3*+ are mounted at the top corners of the frame 30 and rest with their other, upper ends, on fixed abutments. Underneath the frame 30 there are, in the regions of the corners, four ratchet..pawls 36 (only one of which is shown); each pawl >6 is associated with a spring-loaded electromagnet 37.

A pin 35 is mounted on the top of the frame 30 and moves in its top dead centre position a ratchet pawl 35 ' so that a ratchet wheel 35" advances the shaft 1 0 and with it also the ribbon 8 by a small amount, so that the ribbon is continuously renewed,, The frame 30 cooperates with a microswitch 33 , the object of which will be explained further below and which releases the electromagnetic coupling 31 , v/hen the frame reaches its topmost position.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure S operates as follows :- Due to the continuously operating motor 13 , the gearing 1 , the shaft 15 and the gears mounted thereon, cause the chain 20 to revolve continuously. During each revolution, the pin 22 mounted on the chain 20 , carries a reciprocating to-and-fro movement which is transmitted to the carriage 3 with the cheque book, owing to the sliding engagement of the pin 22 in the slot 23 of the follower 2 „ Hence, the carriage 3 with the cheque book carries out a horizontally reciprocating movement parallel to the printing plane.

By means of the eccentric drive 28 ' , 28" , 29 ' , 29" , the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 is pushed into its topmost end position, causing the compression springs >k to be compressed.

When the upper end position has been reached, the frame 30 engages with its underside on the four spring-loaded ratchet pawls 26 , which then carry the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 and also take up the force exerted on the frame 30 by the compression springs 3^- ο V/hen the frame 30 and the printing plate 7 reach this upper electromagnetic couplings 31 to be released, breaking the positive connection between the eccentric drive of the frame 30 and the motor 13.

During the upward movement of the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 , the carriage 3 with the cheque book moves during its reciprocating movement into a position below the printing plate 7. When the carriage 3 with the cheque book has reached its left end position, in which it is momentarily stationary, a further microswitch 71 , controlled, for example, by the follower pin 22 , energizes the electromagnets 37 of each locking pawl 36 , causing these to be attracted and to be withdrawn from the locking position., Hence, the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 is suddenly released and forced downwards by the four compression springs J>k . The printing is effected in the bottom end position of the printing plate 7 , corresponding to the left end position of the horizontally reciprocating movement of the carriage 3 and cheque book As soon as the printing is effected, further microswitches, not shown, cause the two electromagnetic couplings to be energized, and the re-established driving connection with the motor 1 3 causes the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 again to be moved upwardly by the eccentric drive 28 ' , 28" , 29 ' , 29" . Simultaneously,, the carriage 3 with the cheque book is again moved into its right-hand end position, whilst the topmost, printed, sheet, passes outside the operating range of the printing mechanism and can then be swivelled out of the plane during the next leftward movement of the carriage 3.

Figure 6a shows another, particularky preferred construction of the eccentric drive for the vertically reciprocating movement of the frame 30 and pressure plate 7. In this construction, the two crank wheels 28· and 28" are replaced each by a cam plate 28a_.

The camjp of the cam plate 28a cause the displacement in an upward direction of the associated connecting rod 29 ' with its roller 29a and the frame 30 with the printing plate 7 is moved into its top end position, in which the four locking pawls 36 are in engagement. After the top end position has been reached, the cam plate 28a continues to revolve under the roller a without making contact therewith, so that the two electromagnetic couplings 31 and the microswitch 38 can be omitted.

The cam drive is so adjusted relative to the other actuating members that the cam plate 28a makes contact with the actuating rollers 29a_ only after the termination of the next printing cycle, i„e., that there is 110 contact between the roller 9 and tie cam plate 28a during the remaining period.

Further details of the arrangement shown in perspective in Figure 6 may be seen from Figure 8 , showing a cross-section, illustrating more particularly the symmetrical configuration of the drive mechanism for the carriage 3 and the printing plate 7.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the apparatus, shown partly diagrammatically. As shown, the right end of the carriage carries a clamping device 39 , whereby the back of the cheque book is clamped tight. Further details of the clamping device are shown in Figure 10 of the drawing.

Figure 7 also illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment of the follower 23 , wherein the slot 2 has a center section 2^a of arcuate configuration. With the cheque book in the left-hand end position, i.e. , in the printing position, the follower pin 22 is substantially in the center of the arcuate section 2 a„ In this way, the infinitely short period of time, during which the carriage remains in the left dead center position, and is thus stationary, is increased to a finite value during which the printing to increase the standstill period of the carriage in the left ( reversing point to such an extent that the printing is not impaired and a clean imprint may be guaranteed.

When, during the further movement of the wheel 1 9 , the pin 22 passes from the arcuate section in the adjacent straight section, the follower 23 and the carriage 3 are again entrained and displaced towards the right-hand end position. However, prior to th.t, the printing plate 7 has already been lifted off the cheque book so that its movement is not restricted by the printing plate.

¾Jhen the carriage 3 with the cheque book is moved from the right-hand end position into the left-hand end position according to Figure 7 , the sheet imprinted immediately before is gradually raised by the wall of the housing 5 of the printing mechanism 2 , acting as deflector guide 6 until it reaches a substantially vertical position. Preferably, the horizontal relative movement parallel to the printing pla.ne is used for deflecting the printed sheets. Then, the printed sheets are held by the retaining device 12 in a substantially vertical position; to this end, two legs are provided which hold the sheets on both sides.

Figure 9 shows the suction device 1 1 in perspective and on an enlarged scale. This device 1 1 consists substantially of two suction arms arranged symmetrd cally relative to the cheque book and the carriage 3 - The suction arm is adapted to pivot about on axis '\ and carries at its end remote from the axis of rotation -1 a vertically displaceable suction pipe 2 with a rubber suction cup ^3. e upper end of the suction pipe k-2 is connected to a hose , leading to a suction pump, not shown in the drawing.

A vertically displaceable plunger '+5 extends through a hole in the suction arm 0. The lower end of the plunger ^5 rests on a sliding track ' of arcuate configuration and curved towards the The upper end of the plunger 4 is articulately connected with two levers 7 which are hinged at one end to a vertical column 48 , firmly connected to the arm 40 on its upper surface.

The other ends of the two levers 47 rest loosely on the upper edge of the suction pipe 42 which is vertically displaceable in a hole in the arm 40.

The carriage 3 has a horizontal follower pin 49 , cooperating with a further follower 50 and causing the arm 40 to pivot about its axis 41 , when the carriage is moved. This leftward pivoting takes place against the action of a helical spring 5 .

The suBtion device just described operates as follows: - When the carriage 3 with the cheque book 4 is in the right-hand end position, the topmost sheet just printed is gripped, at the start of the movement, by the tv/o suction cups 43 and retained.

During the further movement of the carriage 3 towards the left, the arm 40 is pivoted about its axis 41 by the followers 49 and 50. The lower end of the plunger 4 slides along the track 46 , causing the plunger to be pushed up. This causes the lever 47 to pivot and the suction pipe to move vertically upwardly. Thus, the two suction cups 43 and ' carry out a spiral, upwardly directed movement, during which the retainedi printed, topmost sheet is raised and finally erected by the wall of the housing 5 of the printing mechanism into a substantially vertical position. Prior to this positioning in the vertical position, the two suction cups 43 and 43 ' have left the sheet during their spiral movement and assumed the Figure 3 position.

By way of modification of Figure 9 , the suction pipes may also operate without pivoting movement; in this case, the right outer housing wall is preferably provided with a horizontal guide plate projecting therefrom, which mechanicall supports the topmost sheet, after the same has been lifted by suction. stacked sheets, e.g., near the suction device, for counting the raised sheets, and this may also be used for counting banknotes.

Figure 10 shows the clamping and retaining device in perspective and on an enlarged scale.

The clamping device 39 is equipped with a U-shaped member 52. A centre part 53 of a T-shaped member 5^ is vertically movably guided in a horizontal web of the member . Between the ends of the T-member 5^ and the U-member 5 , there are strong compression springs 55 , whereby the T-member 5*+ is pressed with its underside against the back of the cheque book * and damps the same dov/n. By means of an eccentric lever 56 , articulated' to the centre part 53 , the T-member may be pulled in an upward direction against the force of the springs 55 , releasing the cheque book and enabling a new book to be inserted.

A strong angle profile SO, with two strong horizontal guide bars 60 , is firmly connected with the main frame 1 . These retain the U-shaped mebiber 52 and guide the same horizontally displaceably. Thus, the entire clamping device can be shifted longitudinally of the carriage 3 and be adapted thereby to different sizes of cheque books or the like.

Preferably, the center web of the U-shaped member 5 has a lug 61 in sliding engagement with an angle member 62 or the like, 60 mounted on the angle profile This increases the stability of the clamping device and enables large clampin forces to be applied. By means of the clamping device shown in Figure 10 , large clamping forcesmay be applied to the cheque book, supporting the easy running of the printing mechanism. The clamping device may be connected to the carriage by any means known in the art so that the cheque book remains reliably fixed during the whole duration of the printing process.

Two le s 7 are mounted horizontall ivotabl at the u er for the printing and raised sheets.

A soft tension spring 58 is mounted between the two lege 7, pulling these two legs together with a certain small tension, enabling the holding of the raised sheets to be improved. The left ends of the legs 57 have barbed points 59, preventing in a very simple manner the raised, sheets from dropping from the vertical position.

Figure 11 of the drawing shows a. second preferred embodiment of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention, in which both the perpendicular and the ; parallel movements are effected by the printing mechanism. Here, the cheque book k with the clamping and retaining devices are mounted stationarily on the frame 1 , whilst the housing 5 is moved reciprocatingly in the horizontal plane „ The printing plate 7 is mounted within the housing vertically displaceably for carrying out the vertical relative movement, as described above.

T e printing rate of the fully automatic apparatus according to the invention is about 00 sheets per. minute.

The method and apparatus according to the invention have the following substantial advantage.

In future, cheque and account numbers v/ill be applied generally in coded lettering, e.g., in the so-called OCRA lettering, wherein the evaluation of cheques will be effected by automatic readout devices, operating preferably on an optical basis. In this automatic readout, it is important that every individual coding sign occupies an exact, predetermined position on the cheque.

This accuracy cannot be achieved if the coding is applied manually and is possible only by means of the automatic printing system according to the invention.

Since future, automatic readout devices will preferably fully by manual overstamping. Of special importance is that, according to the invention, a special carbon ribbon is used; these ribbons are known to supply a higher contrast than can be achieved with manual stamping, using a pad. Another advantage is that he ribbon is advanced after every printing cycle through a certain amount so that always new parts of the ribbon are used, whilst the used parts are discarded.

In connection with the requirement of good lettering contrast, also the printing pressure is important, because the contrast improves with the printing pressure. Whilst, with manual operation, there are natural limits in the magnitude of the printing pressure, the required pressure can be easily supplied by the automatic operation according to the invention.

A further advantage is the closed box or casette supplied for the loose cheques, and open, towards the top for the action of the clamping device„ In this way, a stack of loose, unbound cheques may be placed into the casette, whilst the individual cheques are well guided, and the coding symbols are always printed in the same, correct, position. V/orking with these loose cheques is important, particularly in future in view of the automatic readout devices which will be used in the near future.

Claims (11)

1. WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A method for printing bound, stapled or glued books, and more particularly cheque books, wherein the individual sheets are successively printed in one end position of a reciprocating relative movement of a -printing and stamping mechanism and/or the stack of paper perpendicularly to the printing plane and are then turned into a position inclined relative to the printing plane, characterized in that the printing and stamping mechanism and or the stacked sheets carry out a further relative reciprocating movement parallel to the printing plane and in that the printing is effected in one end position of the parallel relative movement, corresponding to the end position of the perpendicular relative movement, whilst in the zone of the other end position of the parallel relative movement the individual sheets are, after the printing, raised by suction and turned into a position inclined to the printing plane, and retained in this position,

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that for carrying out the perpendicular relative movement, either the printing and stamping mechanism, or the stacked sheets, or both, are moved perpendicular ...y to the printing piiane.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 and 2, characterized in that, for carrying out the parallel relative movement, either the printing and stamping mechanism, or the stacked sheets, or both, are moved parallel to the printing plane.

4. o A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only the printing and stamping mechanism carries out the perpendicular relative movement, whilst only the stacked sheets carry out the relative parallel movement„

5. „ A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing plane, and the plane of the

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal movement of the printing and stamping mechanism is used for turning the individual sheets after the printing into a position inclined at least through 5° relativ to the horizontal plane.

7. O A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in jfcjhat the individual sheets are retained, after the printing, raising and turning, in a substantially vertical position.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stacked sheets are firmly fixed on the side remote from the printing or stamping mechanism.

9. An apparatus for carrying out the method claimed in any one claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the printing or stamping mechanism and/or the stacked sheets are movable parallel and perpendicularly to the printing plane by means of a carriage or other device for carrying out the reciprocating relative movements in that there is provided a control device so controlling the two relative movements that the printing is effected in one end position of the parallel relative movement, corresponding to one end positiin of the perpendicular relative movement, in that there is provided a suction device raising the individual printed sheets after the printing in the other end position of the parallel relative movement, and comprising further a retaining device whereby the individual sheets are retained after the raising in a position inclined to the printing plane.

10. An .·. Ap ara us as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, for carrying out the perpendicular' relative movement, either the printing or stamping mechanism, or the stacked sheets, or both are movable perpendicularly to the printing plane .

11. 1 1 . An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or in claim 1 0 , characterized in that, for carrying out the parallel relative movement, either the printing or stamping mechanism, or the stacked sheets, or both, are movable parallel to the printing plame.

1 2 „ An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 , characterized in that, for carrying out the perpendicular relative movement, only the printing or stamping device is movable in the direction perpendicular to the printing plane, and for carrying out the parallel relative movement, only the stacked sheets are movable parallel to the printing plane.

13 - An a.pparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that for carrying out the perpendicular and parallel relative movements, only the printing or stamping

mechanism is adapted to move parallel and perpendicula.rly to the printing plane.

1 ^ . An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 3 , characterized in that for carrying out the parallel relative movement there is provided a carriage carrying the stacked sheets and adapted to move in the horizontal plane,

1 5 · An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to I , characterized in that the printing mechanism has a housing, the outer wall of which, facing the stacked sheets, forms a guide whereby the printed sheet is, during the horizontal relative movement, inserted into the retaining device and turned into a substantially vertical position.

1 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 5 , characterized in that a clamping device is provided, whereby the stacked sheets are firmly, fixed on theside remote from the

printing or stamping medhaniem.

1 7. An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 6 , characterized in that the printing plate is mounted exchangeably in., a frame.

18„ An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 1 7 , characterized in that the frame with the printing plate is adapted to be moved vertically upwardly by an eccentric drive or a cam drive,

1 9. An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 18 , characterized in that the frame is retained in its upper end position of the vertical relative movement by means of locking pawls„

20„ An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 9 , characterized in that, for carrying out the printing movement of the frame with the printing plate, there are provided compression springs above the frame which, after the release of the locking pawls, cause the frame with the printing plate to be pushed downwards onto the topmost sheet of the paper stack, carrying along the inking ribbon„

21 . An appaxatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 20 , characterized in that, for carrying out the reciprocating, horizontal movement parallel to the printing plane, of the carriage carrying the stack of paper to be printed, there is provided an endless, revolving chain, carrying a follower pin which engages into a slot of a follower mounted on the slide,

22 „ An apparatus as claimed in cla im 21 , characterized in that the slot in the follower has an arcuate centre portion.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 22 , characterized in that the suction device comprises two pivotable arms, each with a suction pipe which, during the movement of the carriage are, by means of a follower pin mounted ^hereon, moved

2k„ An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 23, characterized in that the champing device has a vertically movable T-rnember, pressed by compression springs against the back of the stack of paper and fixing the same thereby, and comprising an eccentric lever, whereby the T-member nay be withdrawn against the action of the compression spring to release the paper stack.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2k, characterized in that the clamping device is movable in the direction of movement of the carriage and relative thereto, to adapt it to different lengths of cheque books to be printed.

26. An apparatus as claimed in any one claim 9 to 25, characterized in that the retaining device has two legs extending in the longitudinal direction of the paper stack.

27. A method, substantially as hereinbefore described.

28. An apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore

described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawing.

29» An apparatus, substantially as herein before

described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure

11 of the accompanying drawing.

COHEN ZEDEK & SPISBACH

P. 0. B ox 1 1 69 , ΊΌ Ι - Λ ν Ι v

Attorneys for Applicant