EP2462043B1 - Folding assembly and method for folding an overlapping stream of products - Google Patents

Folding assembly and method for folding an overlapping stream of products Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2462043B1
EP2462043B1 EP10734898.9A EP10734898A EP2462043B1 EP 2462043 B1 EP2462043 B1 EP 2462043B1 EP 10734898 A EP10734898 A EP 10734898A EP 2462043 B1 EP2462043 B1 EP 2462043B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
products
product
folding
folded
conveyance
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Not-in-force
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EP10734898.9A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2462043A1 (en
Inventor
Rudolf Infanger
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Ferag AG
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Ferag AG
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Publication of EP2462043A1 publication Critical patent/EP2462043A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/12—Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/22—Longitudinal folders, i.e. for folding moving sheet material parallel to the direction of movement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/66—Advancing articles in overlapping streams

Definitions

  • the invention is in the field of further processing of products, in particular flat and flexible products, and in particular printed products, such as newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like. It relates to a folding unit and a method for folding a scale flow of products in a folding direction according to the independent claims 1 and 9.
  • the folding of products is known per se.
  • the folding device typically attaches directly to a rotary printing machine and can process the products in the flow while they are being conveyed. From the rotary printing machine, the products are usually overlapping each other, ie as a scale formation, submitted.
  • the folding takes place in some folding devices after a separation of the products.
  • Other folding devices eg according to US 7,458,926 , are able to fold the products without separation in the shingled stream.
  • Known folding devices comprise an input conveyor, which is able to receive the products to be folded as a scale flow or individually and further conveyed in a conveying surface in a conveying direction. They further include a folder which is capable of folding the products from the input conveyor take over, continue to promote and fold the products in the shed stream or individually in a direction parallel to the conveying direction folding direction.
  • the folded products are transferred to a further processing station.
  • a further processing station for example, by separating and relocating the folded products, a new imbricated formation formed.
  • the system according to US 7,458,926 processes the products in the shingled stream without a previous separation.
  • the products are first conveyed in a horizontal conveying plane and then passed over a saddle-shaped former and thereby folded.
  • the guide surfaces of the former are facing down, ie the products pass through the saddle outside and their product parts on both sides of the future folded edge are bent downwards.
  • Aussentrichter Such an arrangement is therefore also referred to as Aussentrichter.
  • the incoming scale formation at the US 7,458,926 consists of products where the leading edges rest on the leading product.
  • the products are folded away from the following product by the down-facing former.
  • the former therefore only has to overcome the resistance of separate products.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object to avoid the disadvantages mentioned and in particular to provide a folding unit and a corresponding folding process available, which or which allows a folding directly from the output of the rotary printing press.
  • the folding unit comprises a conveying device for conveying the products to be folded as a scale flow in a conveying direction which corresponds to the folding direction, as well as a straightening unit for preparing the fold by moving toward one another and unfolding the product parts on both sides of the fold to be produced.
  • a pressing unit is provided which presses the product parts in the region of the fold to be produced against each other and fixes the previously produced fold to form the fold as it is traversed by the folded products.
  • the orientation of the guide surfaces of the erecting unit is adapted to the supplied flake formation such that the products, as they pass through the erecting unit, enclose the leading edges of the subsequent product between their product parts.
  • the products are each partially arranged in the leading product when passing through the press unit and after folding.
  • the invention thus provides for folding the products such that in each case the trailing products are partially arranged in the leading product.
  • a product therefore always follows the trailing one. It is folded in the direction of the side which is contacted flat by the subsequent product. It is therefore the side on which the following product rests or rests on the subsequent product.
  • this surface-contacting side is always inside the folded product after folding.
  • printed products they are bent towards the back so that they are inside and outside the cover after folding.
  • the resistance of the trailing products must be overcome in order to fold the product considered.
  • This one likes first appear disadvantageous, but has the advantage that scale flows can be processed directly from the output of the rotary printing press, without relocating them before.
  • the distance within which the bending / folding is performed over conventional systems preferably extends or reduces the slope of the guide surfaces in the conveying direction.
  • the change of the angle of the guide surfaces relative to a reference is preferably 50 to 100 ° / m, more preferably about 70 ° / m.
  • the products are thus brought over a distance of about 1-1.5 m from the lying position in the upright position (standing position).
  • the erecting unit preferably comprises two guide elements which are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a median plane and which form the guide surfaces.
  • the guide surfaces wind helically around a straight line, running parallel to the future folding edges.
  • the objects are fixed by a pressing device between mutually cooperating pressing elements.
  • the pressing elements are preferably also part of the conveyor and serve to drive in the conveying direction.
  • the pressing elements comprise, for example, at least one roller which presses the products in the region of the future folded edge against a counter element.
  • the counter element is, for example, a circumferentially driven belt.
  • the roller is for example arranged stationary, but rotatable about a transverse axis to the conveying direction.
  • the products prefolded in the erecting unit are subsequently fed to the press unit.
  • This consists of at least one press roller pair, by which the fold is fixed when passing.
  • the products in the folded formation are normally in a standing position (horizontal alignment of their surface normals).
  • a storage device they are preferably brought back into a lying position in the shingled stream.
  • the leaking imbricated formation is preferably transferred in such a way that the products are no longer arranged one inside the other, but at least partially rest on one another. This is preferably achieved by separating and rearranging the products. It can also be dispensed with a separation when the products are pushed away from each other by an impulse perpendicular to their major surfaces, so that they no longer lie in each other but on each other.
  • the products in the incoming formation are already uniformed, i. have a constant distance between their leading and trailing edges (scale spacing).
  • scale spacing i. have a constant distance between their leading and trailing edges.
  • This has the advantage that the imbricated formation can easily be folded, even if irregularities in the distance of the products have occurred in an upstream process, e.g. to a damming up. Any congestion that could lead to jamming of the products of the scale flow in the actual folding unit, thereby avoided.
  • there is an equalization device which is assigned to the conveyor device or to an input conveyor arranged in front of it.
  • the uniformization means a predetermined scale spacing is set.
  • the initially imposed clock is preferably also used when relocating the expiring scale formation, e.g. to individually accelerate the products individually.
  • Fig. 1a + b show an incoming scale formation S2 of superimposed products 10, which are preferably flat and flexible.
  • the products 10 are folded in the scale flow and form a leaking imbricated formation S3, which consists of nested products 10.
  • the conveying direction is designated F1.
  • the products have a front page T, a back R, a leading edge 13 and a trailing edge 11.
  • the product back (first fold or glued collar) with the leading edge 13 matches at Fig. 1a are the title pages T below on a conveyor not shown here.
  • the leading edges 13 are respectively on the leading product 10.
  • Fig. 1b are the backs R down on a conveyor pad, not shown here, and the title pages T point upward.
  • the trailing edges 11 are each on the trailing product 10.
  • the products 10 are bent so that their product parts 10a, 10b laterally of the fold 12 to be produced, the respective trailing product 10th lock in.
  • the product parts 10a, 10b are bent upwards.
  • the product parts 10a, 10b are bent downwards.
  • the following products 10 are thus "taken along" during bending / folding by the front product.
  • the advantage is that the title pages T point in both cases after folding to the outside, without a shuffle of the formation supplied by the printing machine is necessary before folding.
  • Fig. 2a + b, 3a + b and 4a + b show parts of a folding unit 200 according to the invention, which has a conveying device 202, a erecting unit 210 for bending / folding the products and a transfer unit 220 for stationary conveying of the products ( Fig. 2a + b), a pressing unit 230 ( Fig. 3a + b) and a transfer device 240 ( Fig. 4a + b).
  • a second part conveyor 222 is integrated into the transfer unit 220 for upright feeding and guiding of the pre-folded products. It comprises a plurality of rollers 221 deflected via rollers 223, which are driven in pairs in opposite directions. Between them, a vertical conveying gap is formed for the products. The rollers have a spring-loaded bearing 224 so that the conveying gap has a variable width.
  • the second part conveyor 222 is coupled via a coupling element 225, here another belt, to the drive for the first part conveyor 201.
  • the products are conveyed in a standing position by two pairs of counter-driven press rollers 231, 232, which act here as the third part conveyor 233.
  • the fourth part conveyor 241 conveys the products through the transfer device 240. It comprises two belts 242, 243, which are deflected over a plurality of rollers 244.
  • the belts 242, 243 extend parallel to one another at least in some areas and clamp the folded edges 12 between them in order to move the products further.
  • the rollers have different orientations and are arranged so that the belts twist so that the products grasped by the belts will be deposited laterally.
  • the erecting unit 210 comprises two flat guide elements 212 arranged laterally of the belt 204, of which only one is shown here.
  • the guide elements 212 are formed mirror-symmetrically to a vertical center plane M.
  • the guide elements 212 act together in the manner of a folder. They serve to bend the product halves 10a, 10b of a product 10 on both sides of the fold 12 to be produced to each other high.
  • At the entrance of the folding unit 200 are the guide surfaces 213 in the horizontal conveying plane and change in the course of their orientation by going up bulge and converge in a V-shape.
  • the guide surfaces 213 helically wind around a straight line which runs parallel to the future folded edge 12.
  • the product 10 unfolded at the exit of the erecting unit 210 is subsequently transferred to the transfer unit 220 and conveyed by the sub-conveyor 222 there in a vertical conveying plane (median plane M), i. standing, controlled further promoted. In a standing position, the products 10 are transferred in a controlled manner to the pressing unit 230 and taken over by it.
  • a vertical conveying plane median plane M
  • the pressing unit 230 comprises a first press roller pair 231 with a downwardly conically tapering shape of its lateral surfaces. It serves to press the product halves 10a, 10b against each other in the region above the fold 12 to be produced.
  • An adjoining second press roller pair 232 with a cylindrical shape presses the product halves in the region of the fold 12 against one another and thus embosses (fixes) the fold 12.
  • the two pairs of press rollers 231, 232 are sprung against each other and can therefore accommodate different thickness products 10 between them.
  • the folded products 10 are further conveyed by the transfer device 240 and brought back into a horizontal position from the standing position.
  • the folded formation S3 is therefore rotated by about 90 ° and placed laterally.
  • the transfer device has a guide surface 245 which, viewed in the conveying direction F1, initially has a substantially vertical orientation and then merges helically into the horizontal.
  • the belts 242, 243 of the fourth part conveyor 241 push the products in the folded scale formation against the guide surface 245.
  • the leaking scale formation consists of nested products 10, which are partially arranged in one another.
  • Fig. 5 schematically shows a possible application of the inventive folding unit 200 within a folding machine.
  • the overall system comprises as main components an input conveyor 100, the folding unit 200 and an output unit 300. These main components are traversed by products to be folded 10 in the conveying direction F1, which is approximately horizontal here.
  • the input conveyor 100 comprises in the conveying direction F1 a conveying device 110, a uniformizing device 120, aligning devices 130, 170, a station for pre-grooving 140, a stitching station 150 and feeding stations 160 for partial products 20.
  • the folding unit 200 has already been described with reference to FIG Fig. 2a + b, 3a + b, 4a + b.
  • the output unit 300 comprises a storage device 310 and a removal conveyor 320.
  • the conveyor 110 of the input conveyor 100 picks up products 10 and conveys them further.
  • the products 10 are placed on a horizontal conveying surface 112 in the form of a conveyor belt 113.
  • the products 10 are accelerated to the speed v1 of the conveyor belt 113 by an acceleration element 101, which is arranged at the entrance of the input conveyor 100, in relation to the original scale formation S1.
  • the uniformizer 120 includes a plurality of alignment members 122 arranged in two parallel rows. The directions of movement of the alignment members 122 and the conveyor belt 113 are the same.
  • the speed v2 of the alignment elements 122 is slightly greater than the speed v1 of the conveyor belt 113.
  • An imbricated formation S2 is formed, in which the scale spacing with respect to the incoming formation S 1 can be changed. Irregularities in the incoming formation S1 can be compensated. If individual products 10 are to be folded, for example, only every second alignment element 122 is covered with a product 10. This can be realized, for example, by adjusting the conveying speed in the feed or by removing each second aligning element 122.
  • the clock is detected by a sensor 127.
  • Corresponding control signals are forwarded to a control device 400.
  • the control device 400 can act by appropriate control signals to further processing stations (dashed lines), so that they process the products in the initially imposed clock.
  • the products 10 are directed by the aligning device 130 during clocking in the uniformizing device 120.
  • the straightening may additionally or alternatively also take place subsequent to this, eg at the exit of the input conveyor (alignment device 170).
  • the products 10 are intended to be longitudinal, i. be folded in the conveying direction F 1 centered. It comprises at least one roller 142 with a specific circumferential profile and a corresponding counter element 144.
  • the prerill station 140 acts continuously on the product stream S2.
  • a stitching station 150 is provided, with which the products 10 can be stapled in the area of the future fold 12.
  • the stitching station 150 works with the initially imposed clock.
  • the stations 160 for feeding additional products 20 are also optional. They serve to place additional products 20 on the products 10 before folding. The products 10, 20 are then folded together. The hang up can be done individually. Alternatively, the partial products 20 can be stored as a scale flow on the scale flow S2 or supplied from below.
  • the shingling unit 200 is now the shingled stream S2 fed as incoming scale formation.
  • the expiring scale formation is designated S3.
  • the output unit 300 comprises a storage device 310 and a removal conveyor 320, here a belt conveyor with a conveyor belt 323.
  • the storage device 310 comprises a conveyor 312 for further conveying the products 10 in a conveying direction F2, which may be the same as the conveying direction F1, here but at a small angle runs diagonally downwards.
  • the conveyor 312 here comprises oppositely driven pairs of belts 314, between which a tapered conveying gap is formed with a sloping downwardly extending conveying plane 313.
  • the conveyor 312 is preferably operated at a higher speed v3 than the input conveyor 100 and the conveying speed within the folding unit 200.
  • an acceleration element 315 is arranged at the entrance of the conveyor 312, which rotates about an axis A1 extending transversely to the conveying direction F2, acts on the product flow in a timed manner and accelerates individual products 10 in the conveying direction F2, eg around the scale flow to separate.
  • the acceleration element 315 also the initially imposed clock is used.
  • a further acceleration element 316 is arranged, which also rotates about an axis extending transversely to the conveying direction F2 axis A2. It serves to give the folded products 10 in the region of their trailing edges 11 of an impulse during their ungehanded transfer to the removal conveyor 320 down. As a result, the product layer is improved when depositing.
  • the positioning of the products 10 on the conveyor belt 323 is facilitated by guide elements in the form of obliquely arranged in the conveying direction F2 brush strips 324 and laterally on the conveyor belt 323 arranged conical rollers 325.
  • the further processing station can process an imbricated formation of products lying inside one another, it is possible to singulate in or at the exit the storage device can be dispensed with. In the case of transverse conveying a 90 ° deflection is sufficient. The result is an imbricated formation in which the folded edges run ahead and each of the subsequent product is partially in the leading product.

Description

Die Erfindung liegt auf dem Gebiet der Weiterverarbeitung von Produkten, insbesondere flächigen und flexiblen Produkten, und insbesondere Druckereiprodukten, wie beispielsweise Zeitungen, Zeitschriften, Broschüren und dergleichen. Sie betrifft ein Falzaggregat und ein Verfahren zum Falzen eines Schuppenstroms von Produkten in einer Falzrichtung gemäss den unabhängigen Ansprüchen 1 und 9.The invention is in the field of further processing of products, in particular flat and flexible products, and in particular printed products, such as newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like. It relates to a folding unit and a method for folding a scale flow of products in a folding direction according to the independent claims 1 and 9.

Das Falzen von Produkten, insbesondere von einzelnen Bogen oder bereits gefalzten Produkten, ist an sich bekannt. Die Falzvorrichtung schliesst sich üblicherweise direkt an eine Rotationsdruckmaschine an und kann die Produkte im Fluss, während deren Förderung, verarbeiten. Von der Rotationsdruckmaschine werden die Produkte üblicherweise einander überlappend, d.h. als Schuppenformation, abgegeben. Das Falzen erfolgt bei einigen Falzvorrichtungen nach einer Vereinzelung der Produkte. Andere Falzvorrichtungen, z.B. gemäss US 7,458,926 , sind in der Lage, die Produkte ohne Vereinzelung im Schuppenstrom zu falzen.The folding of products, in particular of individual sheets or already folded products, is known per se. The folding device typically attaches directly to a rotary printing machine and can process the products in the flow while they are being conveyed. From the rotary printing machine, the products are usually overlapping each other, ie as a scale formation, submitted. The folding takes place in some folding devices after a separation of the products. Other folding devices, eg according to US 7,458,926 , are able to fold the products without separation in the shingled stream.

Bekannte Falzvorrichtungen umfassen einen Eingangsförderer, der in der Lage ist, die zu falzenden Produkte als Schuppenstrom oder einzeln aufzunehmen und in einer Förderfläche in einer Förderrichtung weiterzufördern. Sie umfassen weiterhin ein Falzaggregat, das in der Lage ist, die zu falzenden Produkte vom Eingangsförderer zu übernehmen, weiterzufördern und dabei die Produkte im Schuppenstrom oder einzeln in einer parallel zur Förderrichtung verlaufenden Falzrichtung zu falzen. Mit einem Ausgangsaggregat werden die gefalzten Produkte an eine weiterverarbeitende Station übergeben. Hier wird beispielsweise durch Vereinzeln und Umlagern der gefalzten Produkte eine neue Schuppenformation gebildet.Known folding devices comprise an input conveyor, which is able to receive the products to be folded as a scale flow or individually and further conveyed in a conveying surface in a conveying direction. They further include a folder which is capable of folding the products from the input conveyor take over, continue to promote and fold the products in the shed stream or individually in a direction parallel to the conveying direction folding direction. With a starting unit, the folded products are transferred to a further processing station. Here, for example, by separating and relocating the folded products, a new imbricated formation formed.

Die Anlage gemäss US 7,458,926 verarbeitet die Produkte im Schuppenstrom ohne eine vorhergehende Vereinzelung. Die Produkte werden zunächst in einer horizontalen Förderebene gefördert und dann über einen sattelförmigen Falztrichter geführt und dadurch gefaltet. Die Führungsflächen des Falztrichters weisen nach unten, d.h. die Produkte durchlaufen den Sattel aussen und ihre Produktteile zu beiden Seiten der zukünftigen Falzkante werden nach unten gebogen. Eine solche Anordnung wird daher auch als Aussentrichter bezeichnet.The system according to US 7,458,926 processes the products in the shingled stream without a previous separation. The products are first conveyed in a horizontal conveying plane and then passed over a saddle-shaped former and thereby folded. The guide surfaces of the former are facing down, ie the products pass through the saddle outside and their product parts on both sides of the future folded edge are bent downwards. Such an arrangement is therefore also referred to as Aussentrichter.

Die einlaufende Schuppenformation bei der US 7,458,926 besteht aus Produkten, bei denen jeweils die Vorlaufkanten auf dem vorlaufenden Produkt aufliegen. Durch den nach unten weisenden Falztrichter werden die Produkte vom nachfolgenden Produkt weg gefaltet. Der Falztrichter muss daher nur den Widerstand separater Produkte überwinden.The incoming scale formation at the US 7,458,926 consists of products where the leading edges rest on the leading product. The products are folded away from the following product by the down-facing former. The former therefore only has to overcome the resistance of separate products.

Die Anlage der US 7,458,926 hat jedoch folgenden Nachteil: Am Ausgang gängiger Rotationsdruckmaschinen wird eine Schuppenformation erzeugt, bei der jeweils die Vorlaufkanten auf dem vorlaufenden Produkt aufliegen und die Titelseiten nach unten weisen, d.h. auf der Förderebene aufliegen. Die Titelseiten sollen jedoch nach dem Falzen nach Aussen weisen. Durch das Falzen nach unten unmittelbar am Ausgang der Rotationsdruckmaschine würde sich die Titelseite im Inneren des gefalzten Produkts befinden. Bei der US 7,458,926 sind daher vor dem Falzen zusätzliche Umlagerungsschritte notwendig, um die einlaufende Formation so zu konfigurieren, dass die Produkte die richtige Lage für das Falzen haben.The plant of US 7,458,926 However, it has the following disadvantage: At the output of conventional rotary printing machines, an imbricated formation is produced, in each of which the leading edges rest on the leading product and the title pages face downwards, ie rest on the conveying plane. However, the title pages should point outward after folding. By folding down immediately at the exit of the rotary printing machine, the title page would be inside the folded product. In the US 7,458,926 are therefore before folding Additional relocation steps are necessary to configure the incoming formation so that the products are in the correct position for crimping.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, die erwähnten Nachteile zu vermeiden und insbesondere ein Falzaggregat und ein entsprechendes Falzverfahren zur Verfügung zu stellen, welche bzw. welches eines ein Falzen direkt ab Ausgang der Rotationsdruckmaschine ermöglicht.The invention is therefore based on the object to avoid the disadvantages mentioned and in particular to provide a folding unit and a corresponding folding process available, which or which allows a folding directly from the output of the rotary printing press.

Die Aufgabe wird gelöst durch ein Falzaggregat und ein Falzverfahren mit den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 1 bzw. 9. Vorteilhafte Weiterentwicklungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Ansprüchen, der Beschreibung und den Zeichnungen.The object is achieved by a folding unit and a folding method with the features of claims 1 and 9. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

Das erfindungsgemässe Falzaggregat umfasst eine Fördereinrichtung zum Fördern der zu falzenden Produkte als Schuppenstrom in einer Förderrichtung, die der Falzrichtung entspricht, sowie eine Aufrichteeinheit zum Vorbereiten des Falzes durch Aufeinanderzubewegen und Auffalten der Produktteile beidseitig des zu erzeugenden Falzes. Ausserdem ist eine Presseinheit vorhanden, die die Produktteile im Bereich des zu erzeugenden Falzes gegeneinander presst und die zuvor erzeugte Falte zur Bildung des Falzes fixiert, wenn sie von den gefalteten Produkten durchlaufen wird. Erfindungsgemäss ist die Orientierung der Führungsflächen der Aufrichteeinheit so an die zugeführte Schuppenformation angepasst ausgebildet, dass die Produkte beim Durchlaufen der Aufrichteeinheit die Vorlaufkanten des nachfolgenden Produkts zwischen ihren Produktteilen einschliessen. Damit sind die Produkte beim Durchlaufen der Presseinheit und nach dem Falzen jeweils teilweise im vorlaufenden Produkt angeordnet.The folding unit according to the invention comprises a conveying device for conveying the products to be folded as a scale flow in a conveying direction which corresponds to the folding direction, as well as a straightening unit for preparing the fold by moving toward one another and unfolding the product parts on both sides of the fold to be produced. In addition, a pressing unit is provided which presses the product parts in the region of the fold to be produced against each other and fixes the previously produced fold to form the fold as it is traversed by the folded products. According to the invention, the orientation of the guide surfaces of the erecting unit is adapted to the supplied flake formation such that the products, as they pass through the erecting unit, enclose the leading edges of the subsequent product between their product parts. Thus, the products are each partially arranged in the leading product when passing through the press unit and after folding.

Das Verfahren umfasst die folgenden Schritte:

  • Fördern der zu falzenden Produkte in einer einlaufenden Schuppenformation in einer Förderrichtung;
  • Falzen der Produkte im Schuppenstrom in einer parallel zur Förderrichtung verlaufenden Falzrichtung durch Aufeinanderzubewegen der Produktteile der Produkte beidseitig des zu erzeugenden Falzes sowie Gegeneinanderpressen der Produktteile im Bereich des zu erzeugenden Falzes, wobei die Produktteile zur Vorbereitung des Falzens so aufeinander zu bewegt werden, dass die Produkte die Vorlaufkanten des nachfolgenden Produkts zwischen sich einschliessen;
  • Weiterfördern einer auslaufenden Schuppenformation, bestehend aus gefalzten Produkten, die jeweils teilweise im vorlaufenden Produkt angeordnet sind.
The method comprises the following steps:
  • Conveying the products to be folded in an incoming scale formation in a conveying direction;
  • Folding the products in the scale flow in a direction parallel to the conveying direction folding direction by moving together the product parts of the products on both sides of the fold to be produced and pressing against each other of the product parts in the region of the fold to be produced, the product parts are moved towards each other to prepare the folding so that the products enclose the leading edges of the following product between them;
  • Advancing an outgoing scale formation, consisting of folded products, which are each partially arranged in the leading product.

Mit anderen Worten sieht die Erfindung also vor, die Produkte so zu falzen, dass jeweils die nachlaufenden Produkte teilweise im vorlaufenden Produkt angeordnet sind. Beim Umbiegen/Falten der Produkte nimmt ein Produkt daher jeweils das nachlaufende mit. Es wird in Richtung derjenigen Seite gefaltet, die durch das nachfolgende Produkt flächig berührt wird. Es handelt sich also um die Seite, auf der das nachfolgende Produkt aufliegt bzw. die auf dem nachfolgenden Produkt aufliegt. Diese Seite mit Flächenberührung befindet sich nach dem Falzen erfindungsgemäss stets im Inneren des gefalzten Produktes. Falls es sich um Druckereiprodukte handelt, werden diese zu ihrer Rückseite hin gebogen, so dass sich diese nach dem Falzen innen und die Titelseite aussen befindet. Anders als bei der Anlage gemäss US 7,458,926 muss der Widerstand der nachlaufenden Produkte daher mit überwunden werden, um das betrachtete Produkt zu falten. Dieses mag zunächst nachteilig erscheinen, hat aber den Vorteil, dass Schuppenströme direkt ab Ausgang der Rotationsdruckmaschine verarbeitet werden können, ohne sie zuvor umzulagern.In other words, the invention thus provides for folding the products such that in each case the trailing products are partially arranged in the leading product. When folding / folding the products, a product therefore always follows the trailing one. It is folded in the direction of the side which is contacted flat by the subsequent product. It is therefore the side on which the following product rests or rests on the subsequent product. According to the invention, this surface-contacting side is always inside the folded product after folding. In the case of printed products, they are bent towards the back so that they are inside and outside the cover after folding. Unlike the system according to US 7,458,926 Therefore, the resistance of the trailing products must be overcome in order to fold the product considered. This one likes first appear disadvantageous, but has the advantage that scale flows can be processed directly from the output of the rotary printing press, without relocating them before.

Um die Kräfte zu reduzieren, die von den Führungsflächen zum Falten der Produkte ausgeübt werden müssen, ist die Strecke, innerhalb derer das Umbiegen/Falten durchgeführt wird, gegenüber herkömmlichen Anlagen vorzugsweise verlängert bzw. die Steigung der Führungsflächen in Förderrichtung vermindert. Die Änderung des Winkels der Führungsflächen relativ zu einer Referenz (z.B. zur Horizontalen) beträgt vorzugsweise 50 bis 100°/m, insbesondere etwa 70°/m. Die Produkte werden also über eine Strecke von ca. 1-1,5 m aus der liegenden Stellung in die aufgerichtete Lage (stehende Stellung) gebracht.In order to reduce the forces that must be exerted by the guide surfaces for folding the products, the distance within which the bending / folding is performed over conventional systems preferably extends or reduces the slope of the guide surfaces in the conveying direction. The change of the angle of the guide surfaces relative to a reference (e.g., to the horizontal) is preferably 50 to 100 ° / m, more preferably about 70 ° / m. The products are thus brought over a distance of about 1-1.5 m from the lying position in the upright position (standing position).

Bei der Erfindung treten daher zwei Fälle auf, sofern man von horizontaler Förderrichtung ausgeht (Abweichungen von der Horizontalen bis hin zur vertikalen Förderrichtung sind möglich; die Richtung des Umbiegens ist dabei mit anzupassen):

  1. 1. Fördern der Produkte in einer einlaufenden Schuppenformation, in der jeweils die vorlaufenden Produktkanten auf dem vorlaufenden Produkt aufliegen. Hier werden die Produktteile erfindungsgemäss nach oben gefaltet und in dieser Lage gefalzt. Die Führungsflächen der Aufrichteeinheit bilden eine Art Falztrichter, der von den zu falzenden Produkten an seiner Innenseite durchlaufen wird (Innentrichter). Diese einlaufende Formation entspricht der Formation am Ausgang einer Rotationsdruckmaschine: Der Titel befindet sich unten und ist nach dem Falzen an der Aussenseite des gefalzten Produkts angeordnet.
  2. 2. Fördern der Produkte in einer Schuppenformation, in der jeweils die nachlaufenden Produktkanten auf dem nachlaufenden Produkt aufliegen. Hier werden die Produktteile erfindungsgemäss nach unten gefaltet und in dieser Lage gefalzt. Die Führungsflächen der Aufrichteeinheit bilden eine Art Falztrichter, der von den zu falzenden Produkten an seiner Aussenseite durchlaufen wird (Aussentrichter).
In the case of the invention, therefore, two cases occur, provided that they start from the horizontal conveying direction (deviations from the horizontal up to the vertical conveying direction are possible, the direction of the bending is also to be adapted here):
  1. 1. conveying the products in an incoming scale formation, in each of which the leading edges of the product rest on the leading product. Here, the product parts according to the invention are folded upwards and folded in this position. The guide surfaces of the Aufrichteeinheit form a kind of former, which is traversed by the products to be folded on its inner side (inner funnel). This incoming formation corresponds to the formation at the exit of a rotary printing machine: the title is at the bottom and after folding is located on the outside of the folded product.
  2. 2. conveying the products in an imbricated formation, in each of which the trailing edges of the product rest on the trailing product. Here According to the invention, the product parts are folded downwards and folded in this position. The guide surfaces of the Aufrichteeinheit form a kind of former, which is traversed by the products to be folded on its outside (Aussigrichter).

Die Aufrichteeinheit umfasst vorzugsweise zwei spiegelsymmetrisch zu einer Mittelebene angeordnete Führungselemente, die die Führungsflächen ausbilden. Die Führungsflächen winden sich helixartig um eine Gerade, parallel zu den zukünftigen Falzkanten verläuft. Im Bereich der zukünftigen Falzkanten werden die Gegenstände durch eine Andrückvorrichung zwischen miteinander kooperierenden Andrückelementen fixiert. Die Andrückelemente sind vorzugsweise auch Teil der Fördereinrichtung und dienen zum Antrieb in Förderrichtung. Die Andrückelemente umfassen beispielsweise wenigstens eine Rolle, die die Produkte im Bereich der zukünftigen Falzkante gegen ein Gegenelement drückt. Das Gegenelement ist beispielsweise ein umlaufend angetriebener Riemen. Die Rolle ist beispielsweise stationär angeordnet, aber um eine quer zur Förderrichtung verlaufende Achse drehbar.The erecting unit preferably comprises two guide elements which are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a median plane and which form the guide surfaces. The guide surfaces wind helically around a straight line, running parallel to the future folding edges. In the area of the future folding edges, the objects are fixed by a pressing device between mutually cooperating pressing elements. The pressing elements are preferably also part of the conveyor and serve to drive in the conveying direction. The pressing elements comprise, for example, at least one roller which presses the products in the region of the future folded edge against a counter element. The counter element is, for example, a circumferentially driven belt. The roller is for example arranged stationary, but rotatable about a transverse axis to the conveying direction.

Die in der Aufrichteeinheit vorgefalteten Produkte werden anschliessend der Presseinheit zugeführt. Diese besteht aus wenigstens einem Pressrollenpaar, durch das der Falz beim Durchlaufen fixiert wird.The products prefolded in the erecting unit are subsequently fed to the press unit. This consists of at least one press roller pair, by which the fold is fixed when passing.

Nach dem Falzen befinden sich die Produkte in der gefalzten Formation normalerweise in einer stehenden Lage (horizontale Ausrichtung ihrer Flächennormalen). Durch eine Ablageeinrichtung werden sie im Schuppenstrom vorzugsweise wieder in eine liegende Lage gebracht.After folding, the products in the folded formation are normally in a standing position (horizontal alignment of their surface normals). By a storage device they are preferably brought back into a lying position in the shingled stream.

Nach dem Falzen wird die auslaufende Schuppenformation vorzugsweise derart umgelagert, dass die Produkte nicht mehr ineinander angeordnet sind, sondern wenigstens teilweise aufeinander aufliegen. Vorzugsweise wird dies durch Vereinzeln und neu Anordnen der Produkte erreicht. Es kann auch auf ein Vereinzeln verzichtet werden, wenn die Produkte durch einen Impuls senkrecht zu ihren Hauptflächen voneinander weggedrückt werden, so dass sie nicht mehr ineinander sondern aufeinander liegen.After folding, the leaking imbricated formation is preferably transferred in such a way that the products are no longer arranged one inside the other, but at least partially rest on one another. This is preferably achieved by separating and rearranging the products. It can also be dispensed with a separation when the products are pushed away from each other by an impulse perpendicular to their major surfaces, so that they no longer lie in each other but on each other.

Bevorzugt sind die Produkte in der einlaufenden Formation bereits vergleichmässigt, d.h. weisen einen konstanten Abstand ihrer Vor- bzw. Nachlaufkanten auf (Schuppenabstand). Dies hat den Vorteil, dass die Schuppenformation problemlos gefalzt werden kann, selbst wenn es in einem vorgelagerten Prozess zu Unregelmässigkeiten im Abstand der Produkte gekommen sein sollte, z.B. zu einem Aufstauen. Etwaige Stauungen, die zu einem Verklemmen der Produkte des Schuppenstroms in der eigentlichen Falzeinheit führen könnten, werden dadurch vermieden. Zum Vergleichmässigen ist beispielsweise eine Vergleichmässigungseinrichtung vorhanden, die der Fördereinrichtung oder einem davor angeordneten Eingangsförderer zugeordnet ist. Durch die Vergleichmässigungseinrichtung wird ein vorbestimmter Schuppenabstand eingestellt. Der eingangs auferlegte Takt wird vorzugsweise auch beim Umlagern der auslaufenden Schuppenformation genutzt, z.B. um die Produkte einzeln gezielt zu beschleunigen.Preferably, the products in the incoming formation are already uniformed, i. have a constant distance between their leading and trailing edges (scale spacing). This has the advantage that the imbricated formation can easily be folded, even if irregularities in the distance of the products have occurred in an upstream process, e.g. to a damming up. Any congestion that could lead to jamming of the products of the scale flow in the actual folding unit, thereby avoided. For comparison purposes, for example, there is an equalization device which is assigned to the conveyor device or to an input conveyor arranged in front of it. By the uniformization means a predetermined scale spacing is set. The initially imposed clock is preferably also used when relocating the expiring scale formation, e.g. to individually accelerate the products individually.

Beispiele der Erfindung sind in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und anschliessend beschrieben. Es zeigen rein schematisch:

Fig. 1a+b
das erfindungsgemässe Falzen im Schuppenstrom;
Fig. 2a+b
die Aufrichteeinheit des Falzaggregats in einer Ansicht quer zur Förderrichtung bzw. in perspektivischer Ansicht;
Fig. 3a+b
die Presseinrichtung des Falzaggregats in perspektivischer Ansicht bzw. in einer Ansicht quer zur Förderrichtung;
Fig. 4a+b
eine Einrichtung zum seitlichen Ablegen des gefalzten Schuppenstroms.
Fig. 5
eine Übersichtsdarstellung einer Falzvorrichtung mit einem erfindungsgemässen Falzaggregat.
Examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and described below. It shows purely schematically:
Fig. 1a + b
the inventive folding in the scale flow;
Fig. 2a + b
the erection unit of the folding unit in a view transverse to the conveying direction or in a perspective view;
Fig. 3a + b
the pressing device of the folding unit in a perspective view or in a view transverse to the conveying direction;
Fig. 4a + b
means for laterally depositing the folded shingled stream.
Fig. 5
an overview of a folding device with a folding unit according to the invention.

Fig. 1a+b zeigen eine einlaufende Schuppenformation S2 aus aufeinanderliegenden Produkten 10, die vorzugsweise flächig und flexibel sind. Die Produkte 10 werden im Schuppenstrom gefalzt und bilden eine auslaufende Schuppenformation S3, die aus ineinander gefalzten Produkten 10 besteht. Die Förderrichtung ist mit F1 bezeichnet. Die Produkte haben eine Titelseite T, eine Rückseite R, eine Vorlaufkante 13 und eine Nachlaufkante 11. Vorliegend handelt es sich um bereits gefalzte oder geklebte Produkte 10, wobei der Produktrücken (erster Falz oder geklebter Bund) mit der Vorlaufkante 13 übereinstimmt. Bei Fig. 1a befinden sich die Titelseiten T unten auf einer hier nicht gezeigten Förderauflage. Die Vorlaufkanten 13 liegen jeweils auf dem vorlaufenden Produkt 10 auf. Bei Fig. 1b befinden sich die Rückseiten R unten auf einer hier nicht gezeigten Förderauflage, und die Titelseiten T weisen nach oben. Die Nachlaufkanten 11 liegen jeweils auf dem nachlaufenden Produkt 10 auf. Fig. 1a + b show an incoming scale formation S2 of superimposed products 10, which are preferably flat and flexible. The products 10 are folded in the scale flow and form a leaking imbricated formation S3, which consists of nested products 10. The conveying direction is designated F1. The products have a front page T, a back R, a leading edge 13 and a trailing edge 11. In the present case are already folded or glued products 10, wherein the product back (first fold or glued collar) with the leading edge 13 matches. at Fig. 1a are the title pages T below on a conveyor not shown here. The leading edges 13 are respectively on the leading product 10. at Fig. 1b are the backs R down on a conveyor pad, not shown here, and the title pages T point upward. The trailing edges 11 are each on the trailing product 10.

Erfindungsgemäss werden die Produkte 10 so gebogen, dass ihre Produktteile 10a, 10b seitlich des zu erzeugenden Falzes 12 das jeweils nachlaufende Produkt 10 einschliessen. Bei Fig. 1a werden die Produktteile 10a, 10b nach oben gebogen. Bei Fig. 1b werden die Produktteile 10a, 10b nach unten gebogen. In beiden Fällen werden die nachfolgenden Produkte 10 beim Umbiegen/Falten also vom vorderen Produkt "mitgenommen". Der Vorteil ist, dass die Titelseiten T in beiden Fällen nach dem Falzen nach aussen weisen, ohne dass vor dem Falzen ein Umschuppen der von der Druckmaschine gelieferten Formation notwendig ist.According to the invention, the products 10 are bent so that their product parts 10a, 10b laterally of the fold 12 to be produced, the respective trailing product 10th lock in. at Fig. 1a the product parts 10a, 10b are bent upwards. at Fig. 1b the product parts 10a, 10b are bent downwards. In both cases, the following products 10 are thus "taken along" during bending / folding by the front product. The advantage is that the title pages T point in both cases after folding to the outside, without a shuffle of the formation supplied by the printing machine is necessary before folding.

Fig. 2a+b, 3a+b und 4a+b zeigen Teile eines erfindungsgemässen Falzaggregats 200, welches eine Fördereinrichtung 202, eine Aufrichteeinheit 210 zum Umbiegen/Falten der Produkte und eine Übergabeeinheit 220 zum stehenden Fördern der Produkte (Fig. 2a+b), eine Presseinheit 230 (Fig. 3a+b) und eine Umlegeeinrichtung 240 (Fig. 4a+b) umfasst. Fig. 2a + b, 3a + b and 4a + b show parts of a folding unit 200 according to the invention, which has a conveying device 202, a erecting unit 210 for bending / folding the products and a transfer unit 220 for stationary conveying of the products ( Fig. 2a + b), a pressing unit 230 ( Fig. 3a + b) and a transfer device 240 ( Fig. 4a + b).

Die Fördereinrichtung 202 dient zum Durchfördern der zu falzenden Produkte durch das Falzaggregat 200. Sie umfasst mehrere Teil-Förderer:

  • Ein erster Teil-Förderer 201 umfasst einen angetriebenen Riemen 204, der über mehrere Rollen 203 umgelenkt ist. Das aktive Trum des Riemens 204 definiert eine schmale Förderfläche, auf der die Produkte im Bereich ihrer zukünftigen Falzkanten aufliegen und in Förderrichtung F1 bewegt werden. Die Produkte werden durch mehrere Paare von Anpressrollen 214 gegen den Riemen 204 gedrückt. Dieser ist dazu von unten durch weitere Rollen 206 stabilisiert. Riemen 204, Rollen 206 und
  • Anpressrollen 214 bilden eine Andrückvorrichtung 207 zum Fixieren der zukünftigen Falzkanten. Die Anpressrollen 214 sind um quer zur Förderrichtung F1 verlaufende Achsen 215 an Halteelementen 216 gelagert. Sie haben vorzugsweise verschiedene Profile, um den Falzbereich in definierter Weise vorzufalten, z.B. wie in der DE-C 28 42 226 beschrieben.
The conveyor 202 serves for conveying the products to be folded by the folding unit 200. It comprises several sub-conveyor:
  • A first part conveyor 201 comprises a driven belt 204, which is deflected over a plurality of rollers 203. The active strand of the belt 204 defines a narrow conveying surface on which the products rest in the region of their future folding edges and are moved in the conveying direction F1. The products are pressed against the belt 204 by a plurality of pairs of pressure rollers 214. This is stabilized from below by other rollers 206. Belt 204, rollers 206 and
  • Press rollers 214 form a pressing device 207 for fixing the future folding edges. The pressure rollers 214 are mounted on holding elements 216 transversely to the conveying direction F1 extending axes 215. They preferably have different profiles to prefold the fold area in a defined manner, eg as in the DE-C 28 42 226 described.

Ein zweiter Teil-Förderer 222 ist in die Übergabeeinheit 220 zum stehenden Fördern und Führen der vorgefalteten Produkte integriert. Er umfasst mehrere über Rollen 223 umgelenkte Riemen 221, die paarweise gegenläufig angetrieben sind. Zwischen diesen wird ein vertikaler Förderspalt für die Produkte ausgebildet. Die Rollen haben eine gefederte Lagerung 224, so dass der Förderspalt eine variable Breite hat. Der zweite Teil-Förderer 222 ist über ein Kopplungselement 225, hier ein weiterer Riemen, mit dem Antrieb für den ersten Teil-Förderer 201 gekoppelt.A second part conveyor 222 is integrated into the transfer unit 220 for upright feeding and guiding of the pre-folded products. It comprises a plurality of rollers 221 deflected via rollers 223, which are driven in pairs in opposite directions. Between them, a vertical conveying gap is formed for the products. The rollers have a spring-loaded bearing 224 so that the conveying gap has a variable width. The second part conveyor 222 is coupled via a coupling element 225, here another belt, to the drive for the first part conveyor 201.

Innerhalb der Presseinheit 230 werden die Produkte in stehender Lage durch zwei Paare von gegenläufig angetriebenen Pressrollen 231, 232 gefördert, die hier als dritter Teil-Förderer 233 fungieren.Within the press unit 230, the products are conveyed in a standing position by two pairs of counter-driven press rollers 231, 232, which act here as the third part conveyor 233.

Der vierte Teil-Förderer 241 fördert die Produkte durch die Umlegeeinrichtung 240. Er umfasst zwei Riemen 242, 243, die über mehrere Rollen 244 umgelenkt sind. Die Riemen 242, 243 verlaufen wenigstens bereichsweise parallel zueinander und nehmen die Falzkanten 12 klemmend zwischen sich auf, um die Produkte weiterzubewegen. Die Rollen haben unterschiedliche Orientierungen und sind derart angeordnet, dass sich die Riemen so verwinden, dass die von den Riemen gefassten Produkte 10 seitlich abgelegt werden werden.The fourth part conveyor 241 conveys the products through the transfer device 240. It comprises two belts 242, 243, which are deflected over a plurality of rollers 244. The belts 242, 243 extend parallel to one another at least in some areas and clamp the folded edges 12 between them in order to move the products further. The rollers have different orientations and are arranged so that the belts twist so that the products grasped by the belts will be deposited laterally.

Die Aufrichteeinheit 210 umfasst zwei seitlich des Riemens 204 angeordnete flächige Führungselemente 212, von denen hier nur eines dargestellt ist. Die Führungselemente 212 sind spiegelsymmetrisch zu einer vertikalen Mittelebene M ausgebildet. Die Führungselemente 212 wirken nach Art eines Falztrichters zusammen. Sie dienen dazu, die Produkthälften 10a, 10b eines Produkts 10 beidseitig des zu erzeugenden Falzes 12 zueinander hoch zu biegen. Am Eingang des Falzaggregats 200 liegen die Führungsflächen 213 in der horizontalen Förderebene und ändern im weiteren Verlauf ihre Ausrichtung, indem sie sich nach oben aufwölben und V-förmig aufeinander zulaufen. Die Führungsflächen 213 winden sich helixartig um eine Gerade, die parallel zur zukünftigen Falzkante 12 verläuft.The erecting unit 210 comprises two flat guide elements 212 arranged laterally of the belt 204, of which only one is shown here. The guide elements 212 are formed mirror-symmetrically to a vertical center plane M. The guide elements 212 act together in the manner of a folder. They serve to bend the product halves 10a, 10b of a product 10 on both sides of the fold 12 to be produced to each other high. At the entrance of the folding unit 200 are the guide surfaces 213 in the horizontal conveying plane and change in the course of their orientation by going up bulge and converge in a V-shape. The guide surfaces 213 helically wind around a straight line which runs parallel to the future folded edge 12.

Zwischen den beiden Führungselementen 212 ist ein Spalt, in dem die oben beschriebene Andrückvorrichtung 207 bzw. der erste Teil-Förderer 201 wirkt.Between the two guide elements 212 is a gap in which the above-described pressing device 207 and the first part-conveyor 201 acts.

Das am Ausgang der Aufrichteeinheit 210 aufgefaltete Produkt 10 wird anschliessend an die Übergabeeinheit 220 übergeben und von dem dortigen Teil-Förderer 222 in einer vertikalen Förderebene (Mittelebene M), d.h. stehend, kontrolliert weitergefördert. In stehender Position werden die Produkte 10 kontrolliert an die Presseinheit 230 übergeben bzw. von dieser übernommen.The product 10 unfolded at the exit of the erecting unit 210 is subsequently transferred to the transfer unit 220 and conveyed by the sub-conveyor 222 there in a vertical conveying plane (median plane M), i. standing, controlled further promoted. In a standing position, the products 10 are transferred in a controlled manner to the pressing unit 230 and taken over by it.

Die Presseinheit 230 umfasst ein erstes Pressrollenpaar 231 mit sich nach unten konisch verjüngender Form seiner Mantelflächen. Es dient dazu, die Produkthälften 10a, 10b im Bereich oberhalb des zu erzeugenden Falzes 12 gegeneinander zu pressen. Ein sich daran anschliessendes zweites Pressrollenpaar 232 mit zylindrischer Form presst die Produkthälften im Bereich des Falzes 12 gegeneinander und prägt (fixiert) den Falz 12 somit. Die beiden Pressrollenpaare 231, 232 sind gegeneinander gefedert und können daher unterschiedlich dicke Produkte 10 zwischen sich aufnehmen.The pressing unit 230 comprises a first press roller pair 231 with a downwardly conically tapering shape of its lateral surfaces. It serves to press the product halves 10a, 10b against each other in the region above the fold 12 to be produced. An adjoining second press roller pair 232 with a cylindrical shape presses the product halves in the region of the fold 12 against one another and thus embosses (fixes) the fold 12. The two pairs of press rollers 231, 232 are sprung against each other and can therefore accommodate different thickness products 10 between them.

Anschliessend an den Pressvorgang werden die gefalzten Produkte 10 durch die Umlegeeinrichtung 240 weitergefördert und dabei aus der stehenden Position wieder in eine liegende Lage gebracht. Die gefalzte Formation S3 wird daher um ca. 90° gedreht und seitlich abgelegt. Die Umlegeeinrichtung hat eine Führungsfläche 245, die in Förderrichtung F1 gesehen zunächst eine im Wesentlichen vertikale Ausrichtung hat und dann helixartig in die Horizontale übergeht. Die Riemen 242, 243 des vierten Teil-Förderers 241 drücken die Produkte in der gefalzten Schuppenformation gegen die Führungsfläche 245. Die auslaufende Schuppenformation besteht aus ineinander gefalzten Produkten 10, die teilweise ineinander angeordnet sind.Subsequent to the pressing process, the folded products 10 are further conveyed by the transfer device 240 and brought back into a horizontal position from the standing position. The folded formation S3 is therefore rotated by about 90 ° and placed laterally. The transfer device has a guide surface 245 which, viewed in the conveying direction F1, initially has a substantially vertical orientation and then merges helically into the horizontal. The belts 242, 243 of the fourth part conveyor 241 push the products in the folded scale formation against the guide surface 245. The leaking scale formation consists of nested products 10, which are partially arranged in one another.

Fig. 5 zeigt schematisch eine mögliche Anwendung des erfindungsgemässen Falzaggregats 200 innerhalb einer Falzanlage. Die Gesamtanlage umfasst als Hauptkomponenten einen Eingangsförderer 100, das Falzaggregat 200 und ein Ausgangsaggregat 300. Diese Hauptkomponenten werden von zu falzenden Produkten 10 in Förderrichtung F1, die hier etwa horizontal ist, durchlaufen. Der Eingangsförderer 100 umfasst in Förderrichtung F1 gesehen eine Fördervorrichtung 110, eine Vergleichmässigungseinrichtung 120, Ausrichtevorrichtungen 130, 170, eine Station zum Vorrillen 140, eine Heftstation 150 sowie Zuführstationen 160 für Teilprodukte 20. Das Falzaggregat 200 wurde bereits mit Bezug auf Fig. 2a+b, 3a+b, 4a+b beschrieben. Das Ausgangsaggregat 300 umfasst eine Ablagevorrichtung 310 sowie einen Wegförderer 320. Fig. 5 schematically shows a possible application of the inventive folding unit 200 within a folding machine. The overall system comprises as main components an input conveyor 100, the folding unit 200 and an output unit 300. These main components are traversed by products to be folded 10 in the conveying direction F1, which is approximately horizontal here. The input conveyor 100 comprises in the conveying direction F1 a conveying device 110, a uniformizing device 120, aligning devices 130, 170, a station for pre-grooving 140, a stitching station 150 and feeding stations 160 for partial products 20. The folding unit 200 has already been described with reference to FIG Fig. 2a + b, 3a + b, 4a + b. The output unit 300 comprises a storage device 310 and a removal conveyor 320.

Dem Eingangsförderer 100 werden zu falzende Produkte 10 in Förderrichtung F1 als Schuppenformation S1 oder auch einzeln (hier nicht gezeigt) zugeführt, vorzugsweise direkt ab der Druckmaschine oder aus einem Speicher für Produkte. Die Fördervorrichtung 110 des Eingangsförderers 100 nimmt Produkte 10 auf und fördert sie weiter. Vorliegend werden die Produkte 10 auf eine horizontale Förderfläche 112 in Form eines Förderbandes 113 aufgelegt.The input conveyor 100 to be folded products 10 in the conveying direction F1 as a scale formation S1 or individually (not shown here) supplied, preferably directly from the printing press or from a memory for products. The conveyor 110 of the input conveyor 100 picks up products 10 and conveys them further. In the present case, the products 10 are placed on a horizontal conveying surface 112 in the form of a conveyor belt 113.

Die Produkte 10 werden durch ein Beschleunigungselement 101, das am Eingang des Eingangsförderers 100 angeordnet ist, gegenüber der ursprünglichen Schuppenformation S1 auf die Geschwindigkeit v1 des Förderbandes 113 beschleunigt.The products 10 are accelerated to the speed v1 of the conveyor belt 113 by an acceleration element 101, which is arranged at the entrance of the input conveyor 100, in relation to the original scale formation S1.

Die Vergleichmässigungseinrichtung 120 umfasst mehrere in zwei parallelen Reihen angeordnete Ausrichteelemente 122. Die Bewegungsrichtungen der Ausrichteelemente 122 und des Förderbandes 113 sind gleich. Die Geschwindigkeit v2 der Ausrichteelemente 122 ist etwas grösser als die Geschwindigkeit v1 des Förderbandes 113. Hierdurch werden die nachlaufenden Kanten 11 der Produkte 10 von den Ausrichteelementen 122 eingeholt und im Abstand d der Ausrichteelemente 122 voneinander ausgerichtet. Es wird eine Schuppenformation S2 gebildet, bei der der Schuppenabstand gegenüber der einlaufenden Formation S 1 verändert sein kann. Unregelmässigkeiten in der einlaufenden Formation S1 können ausgeglichen werden. Wenn einzelne Produkte 10 gefalzt werden sollen, wird beispielsweise nur jedes zweite Ausrichteelement 122 mit einem Produkt 10 belegt. Dies kann beispielsweise durch Anpassung der Fördergeschwindigkeit in der Zuführung oder durch Entfernen jedes zweiten Ausrichteelements 122 realisiert werden.The uniformizer 120 includes a plurality of alignment members 122 arranged in two parallel rows. The directions of movement of the alignment members 122 and the conveyor belt 113 are the same. The speed v2 of the alignment elements 122 is slightly greater than the speed v1 of the conveyor belt 113. As a result, the trailing edges 11 of the products 10 are overtaken by the alignment elements 122 and aligned at a distance d of the alignment elements 122 from each other. An imbricated formation S2 is formed, in which the scale spacing with respect to the incoming formation S 1 can be changed. Irregularities in the incoming formation S1 can be compensated. If individual products 10 are to be folded, for example, only every second alignment element 122 is covered with a product 10. This can be realized, for example, by adjusting the conveying speed in the feed or by removing each second aligning element 122.

Der Takt wird durch einen Sensor 127 detektiert. Entsprechende Steuersignale werden an eine Steuereinrichtung 400 weitergeleitet. Die Steuereinrichtung 400 kann durch geeignete Steuersignale auf weitere Verarbeitungsstationen einwirken (gestrichelte Linien), damit diese die Produkte im eingangs auferlegten Takt bearbeiten.The clock is detected by a sensor 127. Corresponding control signals are forwarded to a control device 400. The control device 400 can act by appropriate control signals to further processing stations (dashed lines), so that they process the products in the initially imposed clock.

Optional werden die Produkte 10 beim Eintakten in der Vergleichmässigungseinrichtung 120 durch die Ausrichtevorrichtung 130 gerichtet. Hierzu dienen seitliche Führungsflächen 132, die parallel zur Förderrichtung F1 orientiert sind und die Produkte quer zur Förderrichtung F1 richten. Falls weitere Stationen 150, 160 vorhanden sind, kann das Richten zusätzlich oder alternativ auch im Anschluss an diese erfolgen, z.B. am Ausgang des Eingangsförderers (Ausrichtevorrichtung 170).Optionally, the products 10 are directed by the aligning device 130 during clocking in the uniformizing device 120. For this purpose serve lateral guide surfaces 132 which are oriented parallel to the conveying direction F1 and direct the products transversely to the conveying direction F1. If additional stations 150, 160 are present, the straightening may additionally or alternatively also take place subsequent to this, eg at the exit of the input conveyor (alignment device 170).

Vorliegend sollen die Produkte 10 in Längsrichtung, d.h. in Förderrichtung F 1 mittig gefalzt werden. Um den Falzvorgang vorzubereiten, dient die vorzugsweise vorhandene Vorrill-Station 140. Sie umfasst wenigstens eine Rolle 142 mit einem bestimmten umlaufenden Profil und ein entsprechendes Gegenelement 144. Hiermit werden wenigstens einzelne der Blätter der Produkte 10 im Bereich des zu erzeugenden Falzes 12 mit wenigstens einem Knick zu versehen. Die Produkte 10 werden jedoch weiterhin liegend gefördert. Die Vorrill-Station 140 wirkt kontinuierlich auf den Produktestrom S2.In the present case, the products 10 are intended to be longitudinal, i. be folded in the conveying direction F 1 centered. It comprises at least one roller 142 with a specific circumferential profile and a corresponding counter element 144. Hereby, at least some of the sheets of products 10 in the region of the fold 12 to be produced with at least one To provide kink. The products 10, however, continue to be transported horizontally. The prerill station 140 acts continuously on the product stream S2.

Optional ist eine Heftstation 150 vorhanden, mit der die Produkte 10 im Bereich des zukünftigen Falzes 12 geheftet werden können. Die Heftstation 150 arbeitet mit dem eingangs aufgezwungenen Takt.Optionally, a stitching station 150 is provided, with which the products 10 can be stapled in the area of the future fold 12. The stitching station 150 works with the initially imposed clock.

Die Stationen 160 zum Zuführen weiterer Produkte 20 sind ebenfalls optional. Sie dienen dazu, weitere Produkte 20 vor dem Falzen auf die Produkte 10 aufzulegen. Die Produkte 10, 20 werden dann gemeinsam gefalzt. Das Auflegen kann einzeln erfolgen. Alternativ können die Teilprodukte 20 als Schuppenstrom auf den Schuppenstrom S2 abgelegt oder von unten zugeführt werden.The stations 160 for feeding additional products 20 are also optional. They serve to place additional products 20 on the products 10 before folding. The products 10, 20 are then folded together. The hang up can be done individually. Alternatively, the partial products 20 can be stored as a scale flow on the scale flow S2 or supplied from below.

Dem Falzaggregat 200 wird nun der Schuppenstrom S2 als einlaufende Schuppenformation zugeführt. Die auslaufende Schuppenformation ist mit S3 bezeichnet.The shingling unit 200 is now the shingled stream S2 fed as incoming scale formation. The expiring scale formation is designated S3.

Das Ausgangsaggregat 300 umfasst eine Ablagevorrichtung 310 und einen Wegförderer 320, hier ein Bandförderer mit einem Förderband 323. Die Ablagevorrichtung 310 umfasst einen Förderer 312 zum Weiterfördern der Produkte 10 in einer Förderrichtung F2, die gleich sein kann wie die Förderrichtung F1, hier aber unter einem kleinen Winkel schräg nach unten verläuft. Der Förderer 312 umfasst hier gegenläufig angetriebene Riemenpaare 314, zwischen denen ein sich verjüngender Förderspalt mit einer schräg nach unten verlaufenden Förderebene 313 ausgebildet wird. Der Förderer 312 wird vorzugsweise mit grösserer Geschwindigkeit v3 als der Eingangsförderer 100 und die Fördergeschwindigkeit innerhalb des Falzaggregats 200 betrieben. Um die gefalzten Produkte 10 zu beschleunigen ist am Eingang des Förderers 312 ein Beschleunigungselement 315 angeordnet, welches um eine quer zur Förderrichtung F2 verlaufende Achse A1 umläuft, getaktet auf den Produktestrom einwirkt und einzelne Produkte 10 in Förderrichtung F2 beschleunigt, z.B. um diese aus dem Schuppenstrom zu vereinzeln. Zum Antrieb des Beschleunigungselements 315 wird ebenfalls der eingangs auferlegte Takt verwendet. Am Ausgang des Förderers 312 ist ein weiteres Beschleunigungselement 316 angeordnet, welches ebenfalls um eine quer zur Förderrichtung F2 verlaufende Achse A2 umläuft. Es dient dazu, die gefalzten Produkte 10 im Bereich ihrer Nachlaufkanten 11 der während ihrer ungeführten Übergabe an den Wegförderer 320 einen Impuls nach unten zu geben. Hierdurch wird die Produktlage beim Ablegen verbessert.The output unit 300 comprises a storage device 310 and a removal conveyor 320, here a belt conveyor with a conveyor belt 323. The storage device 310 comprises a conveyor 312 for further conveying the products 10 in a conveying direction F2, which may be the same as the conveying direction F1, here but at a small angle runs diagonally downwards. The conveyor 312 here comprises oppositely driven pairs of belts 314, between which a tapered conveying gap is formed with a sloping downwardly extending conveying plane 313. The conveyor 312 is preferably operated at a higher speed v3 than the input conveyor 100 and the conveying speed within the folding unit 200. In order to accelerate the folded products 10, an acceleration element 315 is arranged at the entrance of the conveyor 312, which rotates about an axis A1 extending transversely to the conveying direction F2, acts on the product flow in a timed manner and accelerates individual products 10 in the conveying direction F2, eg around the scale flow to separate. To drive the acceleration element 315 also the initially imposed clock is used. At the output of the conveyor 312, a further acceleration element 316 is arranged, which also rotates about an axis extending transversely to the conveying direction F2 axis A2. It serves to give the folded products 10 in the region of their trailing edges 11 of an impulse during their ungehanded transfer to the removal conveyor 320 down. As a result, the product layer is improved when depositing.

Das Positionieren der Produkte 10 auf dem Förderband 323 wird durch Führungselemente in Form von schräg in Förderrichtung F2 angeordneter Bürstenleisten 324 sowie seitlich am Förderband 323 angeordneter konischer Rollen 325 erleichtert.The positioning of the products 10 on the conveyor belt 323 is facilitated by guide elements in the form of obliquely arranged in the conveying direction F2 brush strips 324 and laterally on the conveyor belt 323 arranged conical rollers 325.

Auf dem Förderband 323 wird eine Schuppenformation S4 aus aufeinanderliegenden gefalzten Produkten mit obenliegender vorlaufender Falzkante 12 erstellt.On the conveyor belt 323, an imbricated formation S4 of superimposed folded products with an overhead leading folded edge 12 is created.

Falls die weiterverarbeitende Station eine Schuppenformation aus ineinander liegenden Produkten verarbeiten kann, kann auf das Vereinzeln in oder am Ausgang der Ablagevorrichtung verzichtet werden. Im Fall der Querförderung reicht eine 90° Umlenkung. Es entsteht eine Schuppenformation, bei der die Falzkanten voraus laufen und sich jeweils das nachfolgende Produkt teilweise im vorlaufenden Produkt befindet.If the further processing station can process an imbricated formation of products lying inside one another, it is possible to singulate in or at the exit the storage device can be dispensed with. In the case of transverse conveying a 90 ° deflection is sufficient. The result is an imbricated formation in which the folded edges run ahead and each of the subsequent product is partially in the leading product.

Claims (14)

  1. A folding assembly (200) for folding an overlapping stream (S2) of products (10), in particular planar and flexible products (10), and in particular printed products, along its direction of conveyance (F1), with:
    - a conveyor device (202) for conveying the products (10) to be folded as a overlapping stream (S2) in the direction of conveyance (F1);
    - an alignment unit (210) with guide faces (213) for moving product parts (10a, 10b) of the products (10) toward one another on either side of a fold (12) that will be made;
    - a pressing unit (230), arranged after the alignment unit (210), that is capable of pressing the product parts (10a, 10b) against one another in the area of the fold (12) that will be formed;
    characterized in that
    - the orientation of the guide faces (213) of the alignment unit (210) is situated with respect to the incoming overlapping formation (S2), in such a way that as the products (10) run through the alignment unit (210), they enclose leading edges (13) ofthe subsequent product (10) between their product parts (10a, 10b), such that after folding the products (10) are each partially arranged in the preceding product (10),
    - and that the pressing unit (230) consists of at least one pair of pressing rollers (231, 232), by means of which the fold (12) is fixed during its passage.
  2. The folding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide faces (213) of the alignment unit (210) work together in the manner of a funnel former, through the inside of which the products to be folded pass.
  3. The folding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide faces (213) of the alignment unlit (210) work together in the manner of a funnel former, on the outside of which the products to be folded pass.
  4. The folding assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of conveyance (F1) is substantially horizontal.
  5. The folding assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pressure device (207) with pressure elements (204, 206, 214) that work together, which each are arranged between the lateral guide faces (213) and are capable of engaging the products (10) between them in the area of the fold (12) that will be formed and conveying the products (10) in the direction of conveyance (F1).
  6. The folding assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that a first pressure element is a roller (214), that can rotate about an axle (215) that is arranged perpendicular to the direction of conveyance, and that a second pressure element is a conveyor component of the conveyor device (202), e.g. a belt (204).
  7. The folding assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an input conveyor (100) arranged before the conveyor device (202), where the input conveyor (100) comprises a management unit (120) for producing a uniform product spacing of the incoming overlapping formation (S2).
  8. The folding assembly according to one ofthe preceding claims, characterized by a turning unit (240), arranged after the pressing unit (230) in the direction of conveyance (F1), that is capable of turning the folded products (10) about an axis that runs parallel to the direction of conveyance, preferably by at least approximately 90°.
  9. A method for folding a overlapping stream of products (10), in particular planar and flexible products (10), and in particular printed products, along its direction of conveyance (F1), featuring the following steps:
    - Conveyance of the products to be folded (10) in an incoming overlapping formation (S2) in the direction of conveyance (F1);
    - Folding of the products (10) in the overlapping stream by moving product parts (10a, 10b) of the products (10) toward one another on either side of the fold (12) that will be made as well as pressing together ofthe product parts (10a, 10b) in the area of the fold (12) that will be made;
    - Further conveyance of an outgoing overlapping formation (S3), consisting of folded products (10);
    characterized in that
    - in preparation for folding the product parts (10a, 10b) are moved toward one another in such a way that the products (10) each enclose the leading edges (13) of the trailing product (10), whereby the folded products (10) in the outgoing overlapping formation (S3) are each arranged partly in the preceding product (10).
    - and that the fold (12) is fixed by at least one pressing roller pair (231, 232) during passage through the pressing unit (230).
  10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the products (10) in the incoming overlapping formation (S2) are conveyed in a horizontal conveyor surface, wherein each leading edge (13) of a product (10) lies upon the preceding product, and that the product halves (10a, 10b) of a product (10) curve upwards on either side of the fold (12) that will be made.
  11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the products (10) are at least single-folded and feature a product spine, a title side (T) and a back side (R), wherein the products (10) in the incoming overlapping formation (52) lie with their product spines as leading edges (13) upon the preceding product (10) and have their title sides (T) pointing downwards, whereby the title sides (T) face outwards in the outgoing overlapping formation (S3).
  12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the incoming overlapping formation (S2) comes directly from a rotary printing press.
  13. The method according to one of the claims 9-12, characterized by management of the products (10) to be folded in the incoming overlapping formation (S2), whereby the products (10) comprise a uniform product spacing when folded.
  14. The method according to one of the claims 9-13, characterized by depositing the outgoing overlapping formation (S3) for additional conveyance, preferably by rotating up to 90° about an axis that runs parallel to the direction of conveyance (F2).
EP10734898.9A 2009-08-03 2010-07-14 Folding assembly and method for folding an overlapping stream of products Not-in-force EP2462043B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH01212/09A CH701622A1 (en) 2009-08-03 2009-08-03 Folding machine and process for folding a shingled stream of products.
PCT/CH2010/000182 WO2011014968A1 (en) 2009-08-03 2010-07-14 Folding assembly and method for folding an overlapping stream of products

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2462043A1 EP2462043A1 (en) 2012-06-13
EP2462043B1 true EP2462043B1 (en) 2013-08-14

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ID=41181123

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10734898.9A Not-in-force EP2462043B1 (en) 2009-08-03 2010-07-14 Folding assembly and method for folding an overlapping stream of products

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2462043B1 (en)
CH (1) CH701622A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2011014968A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202016102121U1 (en) 2015-06-30 2016-05-09 Ferag Ag Apparatus for producing collections of printed products
EP3109191A1 (en) 2015-06-24 2016-12-28 Ferag AG Method for producing collections of different printed products and device for carrying out the method

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH705358A1 (en) 2011-08-15 2013-02-15 Ferag Ag Apparatus and method for processing sheets of paper or other flexible material.
CH709674A1 (en) 2014-05-20 2015-11-30 Ferag Ag A process for preparing collections of a plurality of different printing products, and device for carrying out the method.
DE102015101832A1 (en) * 2015-02-09 2016-08-11 Manroland Web Systems Gmbh Device for discharging bows
CH711260A1 (en) * 2015-06-30 2016-12-30 Ferag Ag A method for producing collections of printed products and a device for carrying out said method.

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH623289A5 (en) 1977-10-24 1981-05-29 Ferag Ag
US4898373A (en) * 1986-07-03 1990-02-06 Newsome John R High speed signature manipulating apparatus
AT406256B (en) * 1998-06-16 2000-03-27 Rota Schneider Produktions Akt DEVICE FOR FOLDING PRINTED OR PAPER PRODUCTS
US7458926B2 (en) * 2005-09-06 2008-12-02 George Lovaghy Quarter folder apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3109191A1 (en) 2015-06-24 2016-12-28 Ferag AG Method for producing collections of different printed products and device for carrying out the method
DE202016102121U1 (en) 2015-06-30 2016-05-09 Ferag Ag Apparatus for producing collections of printed products

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011014968A1 (en) 2011-02-10
CH701622A1 (en) 2011-02-15
EP2462043A1 (en) 2012-06-13

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