US3297315A

US3297315A - Sheet stack folding machine

Info

Publication number: US3297315A
Application number: US433302A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kunz Jakob
Original assignee: TAGES ANZEIGER fur STADT und K
Current assignee: TAGES ANZEIGER fur STADT und K; Tages-Anzeiger fur Stadt und Kanton Zurich A-G
Priority date: 1964-02-20
Filing date: 1965-02-17
Publication date: 1967-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-10
Also published as: CH410997A; BE659961A; NL6501831A

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1965 Jan. 10, 1967 J. KUNZ SHEET STACK FOLDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17. 1965 United States Patent 3,297,315 SHEET STACK FOLDING MACHINE Jakob Kunz, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor to Tages- Anzeiger fur Stadt und Kanton Zurich A.-G., Zurich, Switzerland Filed Feb. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 433,302 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Feb. 20, 1964,

2,031/ 64 19 Claims. (Cl. 270-86) The present invention has reference to an improved folding machine for the folding of stacks of sheets, pages, or like articleshereinafter referred to simply. as stacks of sheetsparticularly newspapers, periodicals or the like.

A primary object of the present invention contemplates the provision of an improved folding machine which enables continuous, rapid and reliable. folding of relatively thick stacks of sheets.

Another important object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of folding machine for the folding of stacks of sheets or similar articles in a highly reliable and efiicient manner, the machine for carrying out such operation is of relatively simple and economical construction, easy to operate and service, and not readily subject to malfunctions.

Still a further important object of the present invention has reference to an improved folding machine for the folding of stacks of sheets or the like, incorporating means for continuously feeding individual stacks of such sheets through the machine, means for folding the stack of sheets, and means for applying an additional force for furtherpressing together the folded stack of sheets after the latter has left the conveying means.

Yet a further very considerable object. of the present invention is to provide an improved folding machine for the folding of stacks of sheets or the like incorporating means which safeguard against jamming of the machine in the event that two such stacks of sheets are simultaneously conveyed between at least one pair of fold rollers.

In order to implement these and still further objects of the invention which will become more readily appa rent as the description of a preferred embodiment is undertaken, it will be appreciated that in the first instance the inventive folding maclu'ne, according to one very important aspect thereof, contemplates the provision of at least two endless driven members, specifically belts, for instance, for fixedly clamping the stacks of sheets at their folding region or location, as Well as the provision of guide or deflector elements for the folding of the stack of sheets about one of the belts during such time as such stack of sheets is entrained and conveyed by the aforementioned two belt members.

Advantageously, the belt member about which the stacks of sheets are folded travels upon a row of fixedly mounted rollers. A second belt member travels over a row of roller mounted in a displaceable support or carrier member which is adjustable with respect to the first mentioned row of rollers. In so doing, in the depicted embodiment the first belt member about which the stack of pages or sheets are folded, is advantageously substantially circular in cross-section and the' second belt member possesses a substantially wedge-shaped crosssectional configuration.

It is further advantageous if at least one pair of rollers are arranged after the endless belt members and guide elements. This pair of rollers serves the purpose of additionally pressing together the folded stack of sheets after leaving the aforesaid belt members. According to a preferred constructional manifestation two pairs of rollers are arranged behind one another, the rearmost pair in ICC the zone of the fold line of the stack of sheets each possessing a stepped portion of larger diameter, in order to exert an increased terminal pressure at the fold location or line. Furthermore, the rollers of both pairs of rollers can be variably biased or loaded so that they selectively exert a greater or lesser folding force, whereby the adjustment means for such purpose are constructed in such manner that the rollers of both pairs of rollers can be selectively regulated such that both pairs of rollers are substantially similarly loaded to exert substantially the same folding effect upon the stacks of sheets, or that one pair of rollers exerts a smaller fold force and the other pair a larger foldforce. In order to attain a safety measure for the situation that unintentionally two stacks of sheets simultaneously arrive between the rollers safety or protection springs can act upon the rollers of the pair of rollers, whereby in the presence of undue pressure these rollers can effectively spread apart while compressing such springs, thereby preventing damage to the folding machine. Further, it is advantageous if the guide or deflector elements are formed from rods bent along the path of folding for the stacks of sheets in the manner of a substantially screw or helical line.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates a longitudinal sectional view through a preferred embodiment of inventive folding machine;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the folding machine of FIGURE 1, taken along the line II II thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the folding machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the mounting arrangement for the pairs of additional fold rollers, further showing details of the adjusting means therefor;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG- URE 4, with the aforementioned rollers under different loading and, therefore, shown in a different position; and.

FIGURE 6 schematically illustrates a view through a folded stack of sheets, depicting details of a portion of the rear pair of fold rollers.

Describing now the drawings, the illustrated folding machine M embodies a supporting frame 1 at which there is mounted a lower row or set of carrier or support rollers 2. An endless belt member 3, which in the illustrated embodiment possesses a substantially circular cross-section, travels over the aforementioned row of support rollers 2. Furthermore, the belt member 3 is guided over deflecting rollers 4 and a drive roller 5. It will also be observed that a further set or row of upper support or carrier rollers 6 is mounted at a support rail 7 or the like. Larger deflecting rollers 8 are mounted at both ends of this support rail 7. Once again, an endless V-belt 9 shown to be of substantially wedge-shaped crosssection travels over the support rollers 6 and deflecting rollers 8. Hence, the sets of rollers 2 and 6 and their associated belts 3 and 9 respectively, provide means for fixedly clamping and continually conveying a stack of sheets 60 through the inventive folding machine M.

Considering further physical structure of the support or carrier rail 7 it will be seen that such is suspended at two threaded rods or shafts 1t] rotatably mounted in brackets or arms 11. These shafts 10 are capable of being actuated by hand-operated wheels 12 in order to elevationally displace the aforesaid support rail 7, to thereby regulate the spacing of the V-belt member 9 from the belt member 3.

By referring to FIGURE 3 it will be seen that a drive pulley or roller 13 is seated upon a shaft 8a of the lefthand deflecting roller 8. Moreover, a drive belt member 14 is trained about this drive pulley 13 and, additionally, is guided over an intermediate pulley or roller 15 rotatably mounted to the machine frame 1a. This intermediate pulley 15 is driven by a belt 16 through the agency of a pulley or roller 17 seated upon a shaft 18 which also drives the drive roller 5 by means of a further belt member 19. A V-belt pulley disk 20 is seated upon the shaft 18, and is driven by a V-belt pulley disk 22 through the agency of V-belt drive member 21. This pulley disk 22 is advantageously driven by a drive motor 23 with infinitely variable speed transmission. Drive motor 23 and pulley disk 22 are conveniently arranged upon balance or rocker means 24, capable of being adjusted via a threaded spindle 25 in order to maintain the V-belt member 21 in tensioned state.

A belt pulley 26 is driven from the shaft 18 through the agency of a non-illustrated miter-wheel gearing. The respective rotatable shaft members 29 of two pairs of additional fold or

folding rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 are driven by this belt pulley 26 via belt 27 and pulleys 28. In FIGURE 6 there is shown that the rearmost pair of

rollers

32, 33 incorporates a respective stepped upper portion 32a and 33a which is of larger diameter than the remaining body portion of the

relevant rollers

32, 33. The shafts 29 of these pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 are mounted in

journal boxes

34, 35, 36 and 37 respectively (FIGURE 4). A respective angle lever or

bell crank

38, 39, 40, 41, each of which is rockable about an associated pivot shaft 42 engages at one

respective arm

38a, 39a, 40a and 41a with the

journal boxes

34, 35, 36 and 37 respectively. The respective free arm 38b and 39b of both angle levers 38 and 39 respectively,-bears against a disk member 43 displaceably arranged upon a threaded bushing or socket 44. This threaded bushing 44 is seated upon a threaded portion 45 of a threaded spindle 46. Additionally, a sleeve member 70 provided with a groove or recess 71 for receiving the arms 38b and 39b is seated upon the bushing 44 and prevents rotation of the latter relative to threaded spindle 46.

A pressure spring 48 providing a safety mechanism, as will be further explained hereinafter, is located between the plate or disk member 43 and afurther plate or disk member 47 rigidly mounted to the threaded bushing 44. In analogous manner, the respective free arms 40b and 41b of both angle levers 40 and 41 respectively, bear against a plate or disk member 49 displaceably arranged upon a further threaded bushing 50. The latter is seated upon a threaded portion 51 of the threaded spindle 46. Here again, a pressure spring 53, also providing a safety mechanism, is disposed between the disk member 49 and a further disk member 52 rigidly mounted upon the threaded bushing 50. Moreover, a further sleeve member 72 likewise provided with a groove or recess 73 for receiving the arms 40b and 41b is seated upon the bushing and prevents rotation of the latter, relative to threaded spindle 46.

This threaded spindle 46 is rotatably and displaceably mounted at its left end in a frame portion 54 and at its right end piercingly extends through a threaded bushing 55 rotatably mounted in a supporting frame 56. The bushing 55 possesses a hexagonal portion 57 which can be rotated by an appropriate tool member or key. Naturally, in lieu of the hexagonal portion 57 the threaded bushing 55 can also possess a tooth construction, so that it can be rotated by a transmission gear for instance. Further, the left end of the threaded spindle 46 possesses a square portion 58 which can cooperate with an appropriate key or hand-wheel for the purpose of rotating the aforesaid threaded spindle 46.

Due to the a-foredescribed construction of the adjustment means when the threaded spindle 46 is rotated in one or the other direction by means of the square portion 46 then, due to the opposite pitch of the threaded

portions

45 and 51, the fixedly mounted disks 47 and 52 respectively, are either advanced towards one another or away from one another in consequence of a corresponding axial shifting of the associated threaded bushings 44 and 50 respectively. As a result, the bias on the

springs

48 and 53 is either reduced or increased, so that both of the pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 which are correspondingly loaded or biased, can either be more easily moved away from one another .and, thus, exert a smaller folding force, or else have to be exposed to a large force in order to be displaced away from one another and, thus, exert a greater folding force. On the other hand, if the threaded bushing 55 is rotated in one or the other direction, then it is possible to individually and in opposite sense adjust the action of each pair of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 since, the spindle or shaft 46 can be displaced to the right or left of FIGURE 4. Assuming that the hexagonal portion 57 is turned such as to displace the threaded spindle 46 to the right in the direction of arrow D of FIGURES 4 and 5, then the bushing 44 and fixedly supported disk 47 as well as the bushing 50 and its fixedly supported disk 52 are likewise displaced in the direction of arrow D. Consequently, the spring 48 is relaxed while the spring 53 is further stressed, with the result that the pair of

rollers

30, 31 are less loaded and the other pair of

rollers

32, 33 more strongly loaded. Consequently,

rollers

30, 31 exert a smaller folding .force and rollers 32, 33 a greater one. Manipulation of the hexagonal portion 57 so as to displace the threaded spindle 46 opposite the direction of arrow D obviously etfectuates a reverse adjustment of the respective pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33.

Finally, by inspecting FIGURES 2 and 3 it will be recognized that guide or reffector rods 59 which bring about a bending of the stack of sheets 60 about the belt member 3 are connected with the machine frame In. It should be understood that these guide rods 59 lie in one substantially horizontal plane ZZ at their left end (FIGURE 3), are flexed along the path of folding for the sheets 60 in helical or screw line configuration, and terminate at their right end in two substantially vertical planes, schematically indicated in FIGURE 3 by lines XX and YY, respectively.

The manner of operation of the described folding ma- I chine is as follows and will no be explicitly considered:

Flat stacks of sheets 60 or the like, such as typically encountered in the newspaper art for instance, are delivered to the inventive folding machine M such that the regions R of such stack of sheets 60 which are to be folded arrive between both of the belt members 3 and 9 which successively seize and fixedly clamp such stacks of sheets 60 at the aforesaid fold region R. Due to revolving of the belt members 3 and 9 the stacks of sheets 60 are entrained from the left to the right of the folding machine M. During this time the guide or deflector rods 59 act from above upon the stacks of sheets 60 in such a manner as to gradually bend these from the flat position A (FIGURE 2), in the direction of the arrow E, about the belt member 3 into the position B shown in full lines and, thereafter, are folded at the ends 59a of the guide rods 59 into the folded position C.

Upon leaving the conveying belt members 3 and 9 the now folded stack of sheets 60 are further passed between the pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 whereby the folded stack of sheets 60 are pressed together such as to thereafter be folded so strongly that they do not of themselves tend to open. Depending upon the thickness'of the stack of sheets 60 it is possible to regulate the position of the support or carrier rail 7 by means of the hand-operated wheels 12. Further, it should be recalled that the pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 can be selectively loaded or biased. For instance, and as was explained, by rotating the threaded spindle 46 via the square portion 58 the rollers of both roller pairs can be substantially similarly biased or loaded via the

springs

48, 53 in the same sense and by virtue of the opposite pitch of the threaded

portions

45 and 51, whereas by rotating the threaded bushing 55 the rollers of both aforesaid roller pairs 30, 31 and 32, 33 can be loaded or biased in opposite sense with respect to one another in order to adjust their folding action upon the folded stack of sheets 60. I

As best realized by inspecting FIGURE 6, the stack of sheets 60 are additionally pressed together at their fold line or region R by means of the stepped roller portions 32a and 33a of the rearmost or downstream pair of

rollers

32, 33. This is done in order to positively safeguard against a subsequent opening of the folded stack of sheets 60. Moreover, as previously explained the

springs

48 and 53 provide a safety means in the event that two stacks of sheets should simultaneously unintentionally arrive between the mentioned pairs of

rollers

30, 31 and 32, 33 since these springs will yield under the force of such sheets to enable these rollers to move apart, and, therefore, prevent damage to the folding machine.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, comprising at least two endless, driven belt members for fixedly clamping the stack of sheets to be folded at their region to be folded, and guide elements positioned to fold said stack of sheets about one of said belt members during such time as said stack of sheets are entrained by said two belt members, a row of stationarily mounted rollers over which travels said one belt member about which said stack of sheets are folded, a further row of rollers cooperating with said row of stationarily mounted rollers, support means mounted to be displaceable with respect to said row of stationarily mounted rollers, said further row of rollers being carried by said support means, the other of said belt members being trained about said further row of rollers.

2. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 1 wherein said one belt member possesses a substantially circular crosssectional configuration, said other belt member possess- 1ng a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

3. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 1 further including at least one pair of rollers arranged after said endless belt members and said guide elements in the direction of travel of said stack of sheets for additionally pressing together said stack of sheets after the latter has departed from between said belt members.

4. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 3 including two pairs of rollers arranged behind one another in the di rection of travel of said stack of sheets for additionally pressing together said stack of sheets after the latter has departed from between said belt members, the rearmost pair of rollers each including a stepped portion of larger diameter than the remainder of the corresponding roller, said stepped portion of each roller of said rearmost pair of rollers being arranged in the folding zone for said stack of sheets in order to exert an increased terminal pressure at said region of said stack of sheets to be folded.

5. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 4 further including adjustment means for regulating said two pairs of rollers such that each pair of rollers exerts substantially the same folding force upon said stack of sheets.

6. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 5 wherein said adjustment means include means for selectively regulating each pair of rollers such that one pair of rollers exerts a greater folding force than the other pair of rollers upon said stack of sheets.

7. A folding machine for "folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 3 including protective spring means effective at said pair of rollers for protecting the rollers against undue forces exerted by said stack of sheets.

8. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 1, wherein said guide elements comprise rod members which are bent in substantially screw-line configuration along the path of folding for said stack of sheets.

9. A fol-ding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, comprising a first row of stationarily mounted rollers, a second row of rollers positioned to cooperate with said first row of rollers, support means for carrying said second row of rollers, said support means being mounted to be displaceable with respect to said first row of rollers in order to vary the spacing between said first and second row of rollers to accommodate for different thicknesses of the stacks of sheets, a respective belt member trained about each row of rollers, drive means for revolving said belt members in order to feed the stacks of sheets when disposed between said first and second row of rollers, and means positioned to fold said stacks of sheets located between said first and second row of rollers about the belt member trained about said first row of rollers.

10. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 9 wherein said belt member trained about said first row of rollers possesses a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration.

11. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, comprising a first set of stationarily mounted rollers, a second set of rollers positioned to cooperate with said first set of rollers, support means for carrying said second set of rollers, said support means being mounted to be displaoeable with respect to said first set of rollers in order to vary the spacing between said first and second set of rollers to accommodate for different thicknesses of the stacks of sheets, a respective belt member trained about each set of rollers, drive means for revolving said belt members in order to feed the stacks of sheets when disposed between said first and second set of rollers along a folding path, means positioned at opposite sides of said first and second set of rollers for folding said stacks of sheets positioned between said first and second row of rollers about the belt member trained about said first set of rollers, at least one pair of folding rollers arranged at the downstream side of said first and second set of rollers along said folding path for exerting an additional folding force upon said stacks of sheets.

12. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 11 wherein said first and second set of rollers include an inlet end and a discharge end for said stack of sheets, said folding means incorporating individual rod members flexed along a substantially helical line from said inlet end towards said discharge end, said rod members being disposed in substantially a single plane at the region of said inlet end and at the region of said discharge end being disposed in two substantially parallel planes located to opposite sides of said first and second set of rollers.

13. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 11 wherein two pairs of folding rollers are arranged at the downstream side of said first and second set of rollers along said folding path for exerting an additional folding force upon said stack of sheets, and adjustment means for regulating the folding action exerted upon said stack of sheets by each pair of folding rollers.

14. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 13 wherein said adjustment means incorporates mechanism for regulating each pair of folding rollers to carry out substantially the same folding action upon said stack of sheets and mechanism for regulating each pair of folding rollers to carry out a different folding action upon said stack of sheets.

15. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets,

particularly newspapers, according to claim 13 wherein said adjustment means incorporates a threaded spindle having a respective threaded portion for each pair of folding rollers of opposite pitch, a threaded bushing mounted on each threaded portion and cooperating with an associated pair of folding rollers, a respective first disk member provided for each threaded bushing and slidable therealong, a respective second disk member fixedly connected to each threaded bushing, and a respective spring member disposed between each fixed and slidable disk members of each threaded bushing.

16. A folding machine "for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 15 wherein said adjustment means further includes means enabling rotation of said threaded spindle to axially advance said threaded 'bushings along said threaded spindle in opposite directions so as to bias each of said spring members in the same sense, and means for axially displacing said threaded spindle in order to bias said spring members in opposite sense.

17. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 16 wherein said respective second disk members confront one another.

18. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 17 further including lever means arranged to cooperate with each roller of said two pairs of folding rollers and said respective spring members.

19. A folding machine for folding stacks of sheets, particularly newspapers, according to claim 15 wherein said respective spring members provide safety means which compensate for undue forces exerted upon said two pairs of folding rollers. 3

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 331,281 12/1885 Crowell 27086 589,083 8/1897 Hart 27086 3,127,165 3/1964 St. Denny et a1 270-66 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.