Method and apparatus for converting a printed web of paper into book blocks

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for converting printed paper webs into book modules, wherein printed paper webs (1) are processed, and continuous paper webs (1) have been printed in the transverse direction with multiple rows of pages of at least two books to be produced simultaneously. In this method, the paper webs (1) are cut into transverse strips (3) containing multiple rows of pages, and then the transverse strips (3) are collected and aligned to form a stack (6), the stack (6) being interconnected book modules, and then the stack (6) forming the interconnected book modules is cross-cut into individual book modules (2). During the processing of the transverse strips (3), these transverse strips (3) are glued together. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for implementing this method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The object of this invention is a method and apparatus for converting printed paper rolls into book modules. This solution is used for binding operations performed on an industrial scale. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, industrial binding is known for its methods and equipment used to process rolls of printed paper. A known method uses bookends, segmentation, where the printed paper web is stretched and rewound on rollers, and folded using a ploughing tool during this operation. The folded paper web is then cut transversely. This produces bookends, typically six or eight pages in the case of books, which are grouped into book modules. A known inconvenience associated with using this method is the presence of blank pages at the end of the book. It is also a labor-intensive method and generates a large amount of waste paper.

[0003] For example, EP2159070B2 discloses a method for manufacturing a book module in which a printed paper web is converted into a book module composed of book sheets, each book sheet comprising at least folded sheets of paper. In this method, the printed paper web is printed on both sides, wherein the paper web is printed with individual sheets of the book forming the layout of the book sheet pages. The printed paper web is thus advantageously perforated longitudinally at the very beginning of processing to weaken the paper web at the perforation points. Then, at a cross-cutting station, the paper web is cut transversely relative to the feed direction, separating the individual sheets from the paper web. These sheets are folded at least once along the perforation lines at a longitudinal folding station, wherein book sheets are formed after the sheets are folded. The book sheets are then moved to a stacking station, where the folded sheets are glued together at the folded edge regions. Adhesive is thus applied adjacent to the side edges located in the spine of the book module. The applied adhesive can be in the form of a continuous path or can be applied in points. The adhesive is applied before or during the stacking of the book sheets to form a book module when a group of book sheets is grouped. Adhesive is applied to the bookplates to form the same book module. Through this bonding, the folded sheets maintain their position in the stack during transport and processing. Once the stack is formed, the completed stack is received by a feed station and guided to an intermediate storage area or to a final binding machine, where the applied adhesive is removed during further processing of the book module, particularly through grinding during the processing of the book spine. Individually printed paper sheets can also be processed according to this method.

[0004] There are also known methods for processing printed paper rolls that do not use paper webs for folding and produce several books simultaneously. These are methods to reduce waste paper generation. Similar to the case where book sheets are used during processing, the printed paper roll is unfurled to form an endless paper web. Multiple sheets, which serve as book pages, are printed on such paper webs, with several book pages to be produced printed simultaneously in the transverse direction of the paper web. Typically, there are at least multiple pages for two books, and most commonly multiple pages for three or four books. In the longitudinal direction of the paper web, all pages of the produced books are printed sequentially.

[0005] In one such method, the printing web is first cut into longitudinal strips, the number of which corresponds to the number of sheets to be printed across the width of the paper web, and the width of which corresponds to the width of a single book. The longitudinal strips are then transversely cut into individual book sheets, which are then assembled to form book modules. This process produces books with a page count that is a multiple of 2. This results in each finished book having at most one blank page. Furthermore, the longitudinal and cross-cutting is performed with high precision, eliminating waste during book finishing. However, a drawback of this method is the relatively slow processing speed, as the individual sheets being processed are highly unstable and difficult to control, especially for thin paper. Additionally, the system must be stopped if the format changes during this process.

[0006] Conversely, DE102012103808A1 discloses a second method for producing book modules from printed paper webs and an apparatus suitable for this method. This method uses a printed paper web on which individual sheets, i.e., individual pages of the produced book, are printed in rows laterally. In the lateral direction of the paper web, rows of sheets are printed adjacent to each other, each row serving at least two purposes. In this method, the printed paper web is then laterally cut into individual lateral strips after each row of sheets. The lateral strips are then collected and stacked on top of each other from the first page to the last page of the book module. In the next stage, the collected lateral strips are again cut into individual book modules in their lateral direction. After this stage, the loosely stacked sheets of paper constituting the book module are assisted in gluing together, bringing the individual pages together to form a more stable book module, more suitable for further processing than a book module containing only folded individual sheets. After the gluing operation, the individual book modules are conveyed for further processing. To ensure the reliability of processing, the stack of lateral strips can also be assisted in gluing together. Then, bonding is optional and occurs at at least one edge of the strip; preferably, auxiliary bonding occurs on both long sides of the transverse strip. This method provides a faster book module production process compared to first performing longitudinal cutting, and also allows for high-speed production of book modules even when the book format is changed. Picking up transverse strips is easier than picking up individual sheets because they are heavier and therefore more stable, and the ability to process at higher speeds is also well-integrated by auxiliary bonding. The main inconvenience is that portions of the book modules that have been auxiliaryly bonded together must be removed during further processing, especially when auxiliary bonding occurs on both long sides of the transverse strip.

[0007] DE102012103808A1 also discloses an apparatus for producing book modules from printed paper webs containing multiple rows of printed book pages, with all pages of the produced book printed sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the paper web. The unit comprises the following components arranged in sequence: a device for transversely cutting the paper web, a stacking device for stacking the cut transverse paper strips, and a slitting device for cutting the transverse paper strips into book modules. The unit may also include a leveling station located behind the stacking device for stacking the cut transverse paper strips. Optionally, an auxiliary gluing device may be arranged in front of the slitting device for cross-cutting the paper strips into book modules. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to improve the efficiency of converting printed paper webs into book modules, and to this end, to provide an alternative for combining sheets to form book modules.

[0009] The essence of this invention The object of this invention is a method for converting a printing paper web into book modules, wherein the printing paper web is processed such that multiple rows of pages of at least two books to be produced simultaneously are printed on the paper web in the transverse direction, and all pages of these books are sequentially printed on the paper web in the longitudinal direction. In this method: a. Cut the paper web into horizontal strips containing multiple rows of pages. b. Gather the horizontal strips and align them to form a stack, which is a stack of interconnected book modules.

[0010] c. Then, the stack of interconnected book modules is cross-cut into individual book modules.

[0011] During the processing of the transverse strips, these transverse strips are bonded together. The essence of the invention is that, on one side corresponding to the spine of a future book module, near the axis along which these transverse strips will be cut into individual book modules, an adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the transverse strips, wherein the adhesive is applied immediately after the paper web is cut from the transverse strips and before the transverse strips are collected into a stack, thereby collecting the transverse strips into a stack after the adhesive is applied, and after the stack is formed, pressing the stack of these transverse strips along the adhesive axis.

[0012] Advantageously, the upper surface of the horizontal strip, which corresponds to the last page of the interconnected book modules, remains unbonded.

[0013] This is advantageous when using blade cutting or at least one saw blade to cross-cut the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules.

[0014] Then, two cross-cutting operations are performed during the processing of the paper web. In the first transverse cutting operation, the paper web is cut into transverse strips containing multiple rows of pages. Then, in a subsequent stage of this processing, once a stack of transverse strips is obtained, the stack of transverse strips is also cross-cut. This is the cutting direction resulting from the progress of the processing and related to the stack of the transverse strips. If the reference point is the paper web, it will be a longitudinal cut. This document describes an orientation that takes into account the progress of the processing, such that the paper web is transversely cut and the stack of transverse strips is transversely cut.

[0015] Preferably, one of the pages is printed on the paper web in the transverse direction of the page row with an orientation 180° opposite to that of the other pages in the page row, and furthermore, a cut-off area is planned on the paper web, and during further processing, the area is cut off to obtain the nominal width of the produced book. Thus, preferably, the stack of interconnected book modules is cross-cut into individual book modules, and the cut-off area is cut off using a single guillotine paper cutter, and the cutting is performed one by one.

[0016] Significantly, a star-shaped collecting wheel is used to collect transverse strips into a stack. The star-shaped collecting wheel has multiple evenly spaced blades on its periphery, which are adapted to receive continuous transverse strips and stack them into a stack.

[0017] A useful idea is to alternately guide the transverse strips to two separate star-shaped collection wheels, each stacking the transverse strips into a stack, and after the transverse strips have been collected into a stack, they are guided to a cross-cutting system to form individual book modules.

[0018] The present invention also aims to provide an apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules, the apparatus comprising a continuously arranged system: a transverse cutting system for cutting the paper web into transverse strips, a system for collecting and aligning the transverse strips into a stack, a cross-cutting system for cutting the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules, and an adhesive system. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the adhesive system is located between the cross-cutting system for cutting the paper web into transverse strips and the system for collecting the transverse strips into a stack, and is configured to apply adhesive to the upper surface of the transverse strips near the axis from which these transverse strips will be cut into individual book modules on one side corresponding to the spine of the future book module.

[0019] One useful concept is that the adhesive system includes an adhesive nozzle, which is advantageously adapted to apply multiple rows of adhesive points.

[0020] Advantageously, the system for collecting and aligning transverse strips includes at least one star-shaped collecting wheel having a plurality of evenly spaced blades on its periphery adapted to receive continuous transverse strips and stack them into a stack. The system for collecting transverse strips into a stack is provided with a collecting station including alignment elements.

[0021] Suitablely, the system for collection includes two star-shaped collection wheels positioned directly behind the adhesive system and preferably stacked on top of each other, with a collection station assigned to each star-shaped collection wheel behind it.

[0022] Preferably, preceding the cross-cutting system for cutting the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules, there is a station for aligning and positioning the stack of transverse strips. This station includes a roller conveyor, a fixed buffer and a pop-out buffer, as well as a movable pusher and a movable gripper slidably mounted in the space between the rollers of the roller conveyor and adapted to push the stack of transverse strips into the fixed buffer and the pop-out buffer. The movable gripper is also configured to convey the stack of transverse strips to the cross-cutting system for cutting the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules. The cross-cutting system includes a guillotine paper cutter having a cutting bar and a blade, and a pressure bar configured to press the stack of transverse strips being cut against the cutting bar. A book module receiving unit is arranged after the cross-cutting system.

[0023] Reasonably, the book module receiving unit includes a conveyor and, directly after the cross-cutting system, a movable trapdoor that can move between a first closed position and a second open position. In the first closed position, the trapdoor is part of the conveyor of the book module receiving unit, and in the second open position, the trapdoor is displaced relative to the plane of the conveyor of the book module receiving unit and opens a space that allows waste to be discharged from the cross-cutting system.

[0024] Alternatively, replacing the guillotine-type paper cutter, the cross-cutting system includes multiple longitudinal guides and at least one saw blade assembly, wherein each saw blade assembly includes a driven slider slidably mounted along the longitudinal guides and adapted to reciprocate along the longitudinal guides and has a pair of loading grippers, a circular saw, and a pair of unloading grippers sequentially attached, wherein the cross-cutting system includes multiple support platforms fixed to the longitudinal guides and supporting the transverse strip stack during the cutting operation, and the cross-cutting system includes a movable pressure beam adapted to press the transverse strip stack against the support platforms during the cross-cutting operation, and the pair of loading grippers and the pair of unloading grippers are also slidably fixed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the support platforms.

[0025] Recommendedly, the longitudinal guide is slidably mounted on the transverse guide, the transverse guide is oriented transversely to the processing movement direction of the transverse strip stack, and is provided with a driver that enables the longitudinal guide to reciprocate along the transverse guide.

[0026] Advantageously, the support table has a slot for the circular saw, wherein the support table has a fixed position along the length of the longitudinal guide.

[0027] Advantages of the solution The main advantage of this invention is that adhesive is applied immediately to the upper surface of the transverse strips after the paper web is cut into transverse strips, resulting in book modules pre-bonded in the spine region and composed of paper sheets. This allows each book module to be transported in subsequent stages of the binding process without the risk of damage. Such book modules can be processed at high speeds, unlike book modules composed of loose sheets. Using the described bonding method eliminates the need for subsequent removal of fragments of the bonded sheets, allowing them to remain for almost the entire duration of the production process. Adhesive is applied in the region corresponding to the spine of the book, thus requiring application during the stage of attaching the book modules to the cover. By implementing this method and using the machine, the workload and waste paper generated when changing the book's format and / or the number of pages in the web width are also reduced. Changing these configurations does not require stopping processing and equipment; only appropriate modifications to the equipment setup are needed, including changing the position of the adhesive nozzles that apply adhesive to the top surface of the transverse strips, and changing the position of the equipment during the stage of cross-cutting the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules. Since no plow is needed, the methods and equipment used to convert paper webs into book modules reduce the size of the machine, especially its length.

[0028] By using an adhesive nozzle, the correct amount of adhesive can be precisely dispensed onto the top surface of the transverse sheet. Furthermore, the adhesive application process can be controlled and adjusted, for example, by selecting between strip or spot application.

[0029] Alternatively, several stacked book modules can be produced by omitting the final sheet to which adhesive is applied to the stack. With this adhesive, the individual book modules that make up the stack are not connected to each other, which simplifies further processing. Furthermore, obtaining a stack of book modules at the collection stage, rather than individual modules requiring adhesive bonding as in known solutions, makes it possible to cut higher stacks in subsequent stages and increase the efficiency of the process many times over.

[0030] On the other hand, the use of the star-shaped collection wheel prevents the disintegration of the adhesive on the transverse strips. In particular, it eliminates the disintegration and smearing of adhesive applied in the form of adhesive dots and lines during stacking by covering the transverse strips with sliding contact with the transverse strips already on the stack. Placing the transverse strips into the blades of the star-shaped collection wheel, moving it, and rotating it 180 degrees ensures that the transverse strips do not slide one by one, but only come into contact with each other when they are stacked on top of each other.

[0031] The use of two star-shaped collecting wheels with collection stations further improves production efficiency. This contrasts with the process of collecting transverse strips into stacks for high-speed transverse cutting of paper webs. The use of two star-shaped collecting wheels allows for continuous high-speed processing of paper webs, with transverse strips being collected into stacks without slowing down previous processing steps. In this configuration, the stacking of transverse strips alternates on the two star-shaped collecting wheels. While one star-shaped collecting wheel with a collection station collects and stacks the transverse strips, time is gained in the second star-shaped collecting wheel and collection station to clear the collected transverse strip stack from that station and redirect it to the next processing step without loss of productivity. Therefore, as subsequent transverse strips flow into the second star-shaped collecting wheel with a collection station, the collection station is emptied without stopping or slowing down the paper web.

[0032] Two alternative methods and their corresponding equipment can be used for cross-cutting of stacked strips. These cutting methods can be achieved using existing equipment, particularly guillotine paper cutters or circular saws. Furthermore, cross-cutting the stack into book modules using a guillotine paper cutter produces smooth cut edges on the book modules, which can serve as the final product. Cross-cutting transverse strips in this manner produces individual book modules, which contain neat cuts and a final finished book module edge opposite the spine of each book module.

[0033] The efficiency of the bookmaking process is significantly improved by using cross-cutting with a guillotine-type paper cutter, particularly by cutting sequentially one by one, and by using a paper web containing a single page rotated 180° relative to the other pages in the page row, especially when manufacturing books from paper webs containing page rows printed in the transverse direction (e.g., page rows of three, four, or five books). A neat cut is then made to produce three separate book modules with a final, finished book edge positioned opposite the spine. This is fundamentally important in the production of books with cover folds, as obtaining the spine-opposite cut and the final, finished edge of the book thus avoids the technical difficulty of cutting this edge after gluing it to the cover, which requires opening the cover before cutting to avoid cutting the cover fold. The final, spine-opposite finished edge of the book retained in the final product eliminates the need to trim the book modules on any side of the book other than the spine using a three-blade trimmer, as is present in methods using plows or circular saws. There is also no need for auxiliary gluing cuts of the book modules as in other methods known in the prior art. Cutting a single page on a guillotine paper cutter using a reverse orientation also ensures that far less paper deformation caused by the cutting force is transmitted to the spine of the book. This prevents the potential risk of warping and spine tearing, as most of the cutting is done with the previously glued spine of the resulting book located on the opposite side of the blade. The cutting is performed at the edge of the book opposite the spine. In this case, the striking surface of the blade is always on the unglued side of the book module, allowing the pages of the book module to slide safely away as the blade is inserted into the stack.

[0034] Simultaneously, when cross-cutting strips containing one side oriented 180° in the opposite direction to the other sides of the row, a guillotine-type paper cutter is used to remove the cut area. Therefore, it is important to remove waste from the cutting system, thus allowing only further processing of individual book modules. During cutting, especially when cutting sequentially one by one, this cut area must be removed after two individual book modules have already been cut from the stack of transverse strips. Once this area is removed, it is immediately discharged from the cutting system and from the book module collection unit conveyor, and, for example, into the waste paper bin.

[0035] Other advantages relate to cross-cutting using a circular saw, particularly to cross-cutting operations using a saw blade assembly with a pair of loading grippers, a circular saw, and a pair of unloading grippers mounted on a single slider. The saw blade assembly is then implemented as a single kinematic chain, resulting in significant efficiency and cost savings by allowing the slider and connecting components to be driven by a single motor. During one complete motion cycle of this saw blade assembly, several operations occur simultaneously: - Position the stack of transverse strips before loading them into the cutting unit, particularly by using a pair of loading grippers with integrated holding elements that fix the position of the stack of transverse strips; - Grasp the stack of transverse strips with a loading gripper and load them into the position for cutting; - While loading the stack of transverse strips, unload the individual book modules from the stack of previously cut transverse strips and push them out of the cutting system onto the output conveyor; - Cut the stack of transverse strips with a circular saw at the cutting position, while moving a pair of loading grippers to the loading position of another stack of transverse strips, and moving a pair of unloading grippers from the stack of transverse strips being cut to the unloading position of each book module.

[0036] Furthermore, the cutting unit's design, featuring a longitudinal guide that moves along the transverse guide, ensures that the saw blade assembly can be adjusted between stacks of consecutive book modules that cross-cut into the cutting unit. When changing the number of blades in the web width, requiring the introduction of another saw blade unit, or when changing the format of the book modules or the web width, the saw blade assembly needs adjustment; that is, its position in the transverse direction needs to be adjusted by changing its position relative to the paper web axis. Adjusting the position of the saw blade assembly accordingly to adapt to, for example, changing book formats does not require stopping the process and can be done automatically rather than manually. This solution enables uninterrupted production, avoiding productivity losses and paper waste caused by instrumentation during downtime, a drawback of many existing technological solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The invention is illustrated in the embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 - A first method for applying adhesive to transverse strips with cut lines. Figure 2 - A second scheme for applying adhesive to the transverse strips in a perspective view of the stacked transverse strips with cut lines. Figure 3 -A schematic perspective view of a device for converting printed paper webs into book modules in a first embodiment of a guillotine-type paper cutter. Figures 4.1-4.6 - A continuous view of the stack of transverse strips bonded together in the cutting system according to the second adhesive application scheme. Figure 5 - A schematic perspective view of a second embodiment with a circular saw shows a device for converting printed paper webs into book modules. Figure 6- A schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for converting printed paper webs into book modules, including a circular saw and a collection system comprising a star-shaped collecting wheel.

[0038] Figures 7.1-7.4 - A continuous view of the transverse strip stack in a cross-cutting system, where the circular saw is positioned to load the transverse strip stack into the cutting unit. Figure 7.1 ), move the horizontal strip stack to the cutting position ( Figure 7.2 Press the pressure beam against the stack in the cutting position and lower all grippers below the table surface. Figure 7.3 ), stacking of cutting transverse strips ( Figure 7.4 ). Detailed Implementation

[0039] In all the examples described, a method for converting a printing paper web 1 into a book module 2 is implemented, wherein the printing paper web 1 is processed. The paper web 1 has rows of pages of at least two books to be produced simultaneously, printed on both sides in the transverse direction, and has all the pages of these books printed continuously in the longitudinal direction. In several embodiments, the pages of three books already produced simultaneously are printed in rows on the paper web 1 in the transverse direction. Continuous pages of these books are printed along the longitudinal direction of the paper web 1.

[0040] In the first step of converting the printed paper web 1 into book modules 2, the printed paper web 1 is unrolled from the roll and cut into transverse strips 3 containing multiple rows of pages using known equipment. Immediately after cutting the paper web 1 into transverse strips 3, adhesive is applied to the upper surface of these transverse strips 3 near the axis from which these transverse strips will be cut into individual book modules 2, and on the side corresponding to the spine of the future book module 2. The adhesive is applied using an adhesive nozzle and in the form of rows of adhesive dots 4. Furthermore, the upper surface of the transverse strips 3, i.e., the transverse strips corresponding to the last pages of the interconnected book modules, remains unbonded.

[0041] Adhesive is applied using adhesive nozzle 5, allowing the correct amount of adhesive to be distributed onto the top surface of the transverse sheet, thereby creating multiple rows of adhesive dots 4. The multiple rows of adhesive dots 4 are sprayed from above through adhesive nozzle 5 onto the transverse strip 3, which is displaced below adhesive nozzle 5 and moves along the direction of movement P of the paper web 1.

[0042] The transverse strips 3 are then collected and aligned to form a stack 6 of transverse strips 3, which are three interconnected book modules 2. Since the last pages of the interconnected book modules remain unattached, a group of six unattached transverse strips 3 are collected and formed, each corresponding to a stack 6 of interconnected book modules 2. Once the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 is formed, the stack of transverse strips is pressed along the axis where adhesion is complete to ensure a good bond.

[0043] The stack 6 of transverse strips 3 is collected and aligned using existing methods and equipment. Additional transverse strips 3, containing multiple rows of adhesive dots 4 on their upper surface, are collected in a collection device surrounded by a buffer to allow for alignment of the collected stacks. The strips may be movable and may be vibrated to facilitate alignment of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3.

[0044] The stack of transverse strips collected thus is then cut into individual book modules using a blade or at least a saw.

[0045] In the method for converting printed paper webs into book modules, two adhesive application schemes are implemented. In both cases, the adhesive is applied in the form of multiple rows of adhesive dots 4.

[0046] In the first scheme of applying adhesive ( Figure 1 In this process, on a sheet of paper 1, the pages of three books are printed on the sheet and have the same orientation. Three rows of adhesive dots 4 are applied at the edges corresponding to the future spines. The stacked transverse strips 3 will form three book modules, thus two cutting lines I and II are planned.

[0047] In the second scheme of applying adhesive ( Figure 2 In this method, on paper web 1, in a horizontally printed row of pages, one page is printed with an orientation 180° to the other pages in that row. Therefore, one of the three printed pages in a row has an orientation rotated 180° compared to the other two. Furthermore, a cutting area 7 is designed on paper web 1, which is removed during further processing to obtain the nominal width of the produced book. As with the previous method, three rows of adhesive dots 4 are applied at the edges corresponding to the future spine. Three cutting lines I', II', and III' are planned to obtain three book modules 2 and the areas to be cut. In subsequent operations, to obtain the final cut of the edges opposite the spine of the book, it is advantageous to cut using a guillotine-type paper cutter and cut one by one.

[0048] In other embodiments for collecting transverse strips 3 ( Figure 6A star-shaped collecting wheel 33 can be used, which includes a plurality of evenly spaced blades 34 on its periphery. These blades 34 are adapted to receive continuous transverse strips and stack them into a stack 6. A continuous, incoming transverse strip 3 with rows of adhesive dots 4 is first picked up by the blades 34 of the star-shaped collecting wheel 33 and then stacked into a stack 6 by the rotational movement of the star-shaped collecting wheel 33. Bringing the transverse strip 3 into the blades 34 of the star-shaped collecting wheel 33, transferring it, and rotating it 180 degrees ensures that the transverse strips 3 only contact each other when they are positioned overlapping each other.

[0049] Regardless of the adhesive application scheme implemented and the method of collecting the transverse strips 3 into a stack 6 when converting the printed paper web 1 into a book module 2, a conversion device using a guillotine paper cutter or a circular saw can be used.

[0050] The following example illustrates a second method for applying adhesives ( Figure 2 The cutting of paper using a guillotine-type paper cutter. A device used to convert printed paper webs 1 into book modules 2. Figure 3 The system includes the following systems arranged in sequence: a system for unrolling the paper web 1 from the roll, a system 8 for transversely cutting the paper web 1 into transverse strips 3, a system 9 for an adhesive device, a system 10 for collecting the transverse strips 3 into a stack 6, and a cross-cutting system 11 for cutting the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 2.

[0051] Following the transverse cutting system 8 is the adhesive system 9, which is configured to apply adhesive to the upper surface of the transverse strips 3 at the axis along which these transverse strips 3 will be cut into individual book modules 2, on one side corresponding to the spine of the future book module 2. The adhesive system 9 includes adhesive nozzles 5 adapted to apply multiple rows of adhesive dots 4.

[0052] The collection system 10 includes a station for collecting the transverse strips 3 in a stack 6 defined by a buffer to allow alignment of the collected stacks. The buffer may be movable and may be vibrated to facilitate alignment of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 with which it is attached. The collection system 10 is also attached with a movable pressure beam 12 for pressing the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 along the axis of the achieved adhesion and thus at the points where the rows of adhesive points 4 overlap.

[0053] A cross-cutting system 11 for cross-cutting a stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 2 includes an alignment and positioning station 13 for the stack 6 of transverse strips 3. The alignment and positioning station 13 has a roller conveyor 14, a fixed buffer 15, and a pop-out buffer 16, and a movable pusher 17 and a movable gripper 18 slidably mounted in the space between the rollers of the roller conveyor 14 and adapted to push the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 against the fixed buffer 15 and the pop-out buffer 16. The movable gripper 18 is configured to convey the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 to a cross-cutting device for cutting the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 3. The cross-cutting device 19 includes a guillotine-type paper cutter with a cutting bar 20 and a blade 21, and a movable pressure bar 12 configured to press the cut stack 6 of transverse strips 3 against the cutting bar 20. Behind the cross-cutting device 19 is a receiving unit 22 for the book modules 2.

[0054] The receiving unit 22 of the book module 2 (Figure 4) includes a roller conveyor 14' and a movable trapdoor 23, which is located directly behind the cross-cutting system 11 for forming the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into a single book module 2. The movable trapdoor 23 is hinged to a support and is in a first closed position via an actuator. Figure 4.1 ) and second open position ( Figure 4.4 The trapdoor moves between the receiving unit 22 and the roller conveyor 14'. In the first closed position, the trapdoor is part of the roller conveyor 14' of the receiving unit 22 of the book module 2. In the second open position, the trapdoor is displaced relative to the plane of the roller conveyor 14'. In this example, the trapdoor is raised to an inclined position by an actuator, thereby opening the space below the roller conveyor 14'. In this embodiment, this is the space where waste is discharged from the cross-cutting system 11 that laterally cuts the transverse stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 2, and where the waste paper tray is located. The movable and adaptable gripper 24 of the receiving unit is fixed in the receiving unit 22 between these rollers of the roller conveyor 14' and is adapted to achieve reciprocating motion. It allows the book modules exiting from the cross-cutting unit 19 to be captured and further conveyed along the roller conveyor 14'.

[0055] Using the equipment for converting printing paper web 1 into book module 2, perform the following operations: - Unfold the paper size 1, -Use the transverse cutting system 8 to transversely cut the paper web 1 into transverse strips 3. - While applying multiple rows of adhesive dots 4, a transverse strip 3 is conveyed below the adhesive nozzle 5, and the transverse strip 3 is collected into a stack 6 and aligned using the pressing system 10'. Then, the stack 6 of transverse strip 3 is pressed along the axis on which the multiple rows of adhesive dots 4 have been applied. The stack 6 of transverse strips 3 is conveyed to a cross-cutting system 11 that cross-cuts the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 2, wherein the positioning of the stack 6 is performed at an alignment and positioning station 13 prior to the cutting operation. The stack 6 of transverse strips 3 entering the roller conveyor 14 is held by a fixed buffer 15 and a pop-out buffer 16, the fixed buffer 15 being positioned along the future direction of movement of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3, and the pop-out buffer 16 being positioned across the future direction of movement of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3. Then, a movable pusher 17 pushes the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 toward the fixed buffer 15, and a movable gripper 18 pushes the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 toward the pop-out buffer 16. Once the stack 6 is stabilized in this way on both axes, the movable gripper 18 squeezes and grips the stack while the movable pusher 17 moves away from the stack 6 of transverse strips, and the pop-out buffer 16 retracts below the plane of the roller conveyor 14. Then, the movable gripper 18 moves the stack 6 of the held transverse strips toward the cross-cutting device 19 until the first cutting line I' is located in the area of ​​the blade 21.

[0056] - Cutting is performed using a cross-cutting device 19, wherein the cuts in cutting lines I' and II' follow the same sequence of events, wherein the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 is pressed against the cutting bar 20 by a movable pressure bar 12 and then cut with a blade 21. With the movable trapdoor 23 in the first closed position, the cut book module 2 is conveyed in the receiving unit 22.

[0057] - The cross-cutting device 19 is used to cut the cutting line III', wherein the trapdoor 23 is first set to the second open position, and then the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 is moved to the position where the cutting line III' is located in the area of ​​the blade 21. Then the cutting process is carried out, wherein the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 is pressed against the cutting bar 20 by the movable pressure bar 12 and then cut by the blade 21. Then the area to be cut off is removed, which falls as waste paper into the space created when the trapdoor 23 is raised to the second open position by gravity. Subsequently, the trapdoor 23 is aligned with the first closed position, and the remaining portion of the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 that forms the book module 2 at this stage is conveyed in the receiving unit 22.

[0058] The cuts along cutting lines II' and III' are made on opposite sides of the book's spine. This reduces the transmission of paper deformation caused by the cutting force to the spine. This prevents warping and potential tearing of the book's spine.

[0059] After the stacking of the cutting transverse strips 3, the individual book modules 2 that arrive are fed into the receiving unit using the receiving unit's gripper 24 and then conveyed by the roller conveyor 14' until they are guided out of the machine.

[0060] The following embodiment illustrates cutting using a circular saw, which is applied to a first scheme for applying adhesive. Figure 1 ). A device for converting printing paper web 1 into book module 2 ( Figure 5 The system includes a continuously arranged system: a system for unwinding the paper web 1 from the roll, a transverse cutting system 8 for cutting the paper web 1 into transverse strips 3, a bonding system 9, and a system for collecting the transverse strips 3 into a stack 6, as implemented in the previous example.

[0061] This distinction relates to a cross-cutting system 11' for cutting a stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into individual book modules 2, which includes at least one saw blade assembly 25. The cross-cutting system 11' includes two longitudinal guides 26 and two saw blade assemblies 25 connected to them, namely, a first saw blade assembly 25' and a second saw blade assembly 25'. Additionally, the cross-cutting system 11' includes a support platform 32 that supports the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 during the cutting operation. The first saw blade assembly 25' is the basic component and is designed to cut the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into a minimum number of book modules 2, i.e., two book modules 2. The first saw blade assembly 25' includes a driven slide 27 slidably mounted along the longitudinal guides 26 and adapted to reciprocate along the longitudinal guides 26. A pair of loading grippers 28, a circular saw 29, and a pair of unloading grippers 30 are sequentially connected to the slide 27. In each pair of loading grippers 28 and unloading grippers 30, the individual gripper is arranged on either side of the circular saw 29. The paired loading grippers 28 and unloading grippers 30 are also slidably mounted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the support platform 32, allowing them to be lowered below the stack 6 of the cut transverse strips 3. The paired loading grippers 28 and unloading grippers 30 are used to first grip the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 located in the section corresponding to each book module 2, and after the cutting operation, they are used to grip each individual book module 2. The second saw blade assembly 25" has a design similar to the first saw blade assembly, but serves as an additional component designed to cut the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into continuous book modules (such as three book modules 2 in this example). Therefore, it has a loading gripper 28, a circular saw 29, and an unloading gripper 30. The loading gripper 28 and the unloading gripper 30 are located on one side of the saw blade and are used initially to grip the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 located in the portion corresponding to the next book module 2, and to grip the cut book module 2 after the cutting operation. The individual loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are also slidably mounted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal guide 26, so that they can be lowered below the cut stack 6 of transverse strips 3 during cutting.

[0062] The longitudinal guide 26 is driven and slidably mounted on the transverse guide 31, which is oriented transversely to the processing motion direction P of the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3. A drive in the form of a helical gearbox performs the reciprocating motion of the longitudinal guide 26 along the transverse guide 31.

[0063] The movement of each saw blade assembly 25 along the longitudinal guide 26 is a machining movement, and the following operations are performed during one complete motion cycle of the saw blade assembly 25: - Before being loaded into the cross-cutting system 11', the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 is positioned using a pair of loading grippers 28 with integrated holding elements that fix the position of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3. Each loading gripper 28 has a vertical support that acts as a holding element and two jaws, namely an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which move along the vertical support and are able to clamp onto the stack 6 of transverse strips 3; - Use 3 loading grippers 28 to grip the stack 6 of transverse strips and load them into the position for cutting; - While loading the stack 6 of transverse strips 3, unload the individual book modules 2 formed by the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 that were previously cut in the earlier moving cycle; - Push the book module 2, which was previously unloaded from the cross-cutting system 11', onto the output conveyor outside the cross-cutting system 11; - Use a circular saw 29 to cut the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 at the cutting position, while moving a pair of loading grippers 28 to the loading position of another stack 6 of transverse strips 3, and moving a pair of unloading grippers 30 from the stack 6 of the cut transverse strips 3 to the unloading position of each book module 2.

[0064] The movement of each saw blade unit 25 along the longitudinal guide 26 is achieved by a single drive unit equipped with a stepper motor and a belt drive mechanism, wherein a slider is fixed to a fixed point on the belt. For this purpose, other gears, such as chains, helical gears, or rack and pinion gears, can also be used.

[0065] On the other hand, the movement of the longitudinal guide 26 and the slider 27 along the transverse guide 31 allows the saw blade assembly 25 to be set. When it is necessary to introduce another saw blade assembly 25 to change the number of sheets or printed pages on the paper web width, or to change the format of the book module 2 or the paper web width, the saw blade assembly 25 needs to be adjusted, i.e., its position in the transverse direction is changed by changing its position relative to the paper web axis. The saw blade setting must correspond to the planned cutting line.

[0066] In addition to the support platform 32 that supports the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 during the cutting operation, the cross-cutting system 11' also includes a movable pressure beam 12 adapted to press the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 against the support platform 32 during the transverse cutting operation. The support platform 32 is fixed to the longitudinal guide 26 and has a slot for the circular saw blade 29. The support platform 32 associated with the longitudinal guide 26 can be relatively narrow and performs transverse movement together with the longitudinal guide 26. The space between the platforms 26 can be used to support the stack 6 of transverse strips 3, and then to support the stack of book modules 2, particularly for the production of book modules 2 with basic specifications. In this case, the space between the platforms can have a support structure made of thin steel flat bars connected by a honeycomb principle, or parallel bars suspended on horizontal bars with springs in the space between the flat bars.

[0067] During the processing movement of the saw blade assembly 25, the loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 take the following positions: - The loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are raised to the open position, wherein the loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are raised above the stage 32, with their lower jaws positioned just below the surface of the stage 32: from -1 to -3 mm, and the upper jaws open to their maximum. In this position, positioning is performed, and the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 is loaded into the cutting position, and the individual book modules 2 produced by cutting the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3 are ejected.

[0068] - The loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are in the closed, raised position, wherein the loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are raised above the table 32, with their lower jaws positioned slightly above the surface of the table 32 by +0.5 to +3 mm, and their upper jaws pressing against the stack 6 of transverse strips 3. In this position, loading of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 and unloading of the individual book modules 2 produced by cutting the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 are performed.

[0069] - The loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are lowered to a closed position, wherein the loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 are lowered below the table 32. In this position, cutting is performed using a circular saw 29, and during the cutting, the loading gripper 28 and unloading gripper 30 located below the table 32 allow the material being cut on the table (the stack 6 of the transverse strips 3) to pass through.

[0070] When changing the width of the paper web 1, the cutting unit can contain any suitable number of saw blade assemblies 25. Specifically, it can be: - A saw blade assembly 25 for cutting the transverse strip 3 into two book modules, thus for use with paper web 1 having two sheets printed in rows. - Two saw blade assemblies 25 are used to cut the transverse strip 3 into three book modules, thus for use on a paper web 1 with three sheets printed in rows. - Three saw blade assemblies 25 are used to cut the transverse strip 3 into four book modules, which are then used for paper webs 1 with four sheets printed in rows, etc.

[0071] Changes to the settings of the cross-cutting system 11 with saw blade assemblies 25 can be made automatically without stopping other systems; simply moving the saw blade assemblies 25 is sufficient. For example, when changing the number of sheets on the paper web from 3 to 2, the cutting operation is performed by two saw blade assemblies 25, cutting the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 into two book modules 2. Bringing one saw blade assembly 25 to the side of the machine, beyond the width of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3, and positioning the main saw blade assembly 25 at the center of the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 along the cutting line allows the stack 6 of transverse strips 3 to be cut into two book modules 2.

[0072] Control of the various systems and the equipment that make them up is achieved by reading control marks printed on the edge of the paper web using optical sensors. This includes the height of the produced book module 2, the length of the multi-row adhesive dots 4, the presence of adhesive applied to the transverse strips 3, the number of transverse strips 3 in a single stack 6, the number of saw cuts and their positions on the width of the transverse strips 3, which are then trimmed in a further stage of the binding process.

[0073] Another embodiment ( Figure 6 Similar to the embodiments described above, the difference lies in that the system 10 for collecting transverse strips 3 into a stack 6 includes a star-shaped collecting wheel 33, which is equipped with a plurality of evenly spaced blades 34 around its periphery. The blades 34 are adapted to receive continuous transverse strips 3 and stack them into a stack 6. For this purpose, the blades 34 take the form of four rods that support and carry a single transverse strip 3.

[0074] In another embodiment (not shown), a system for collecting transverse strips 3 into stacks 6 is formed, comprising two systems for collecting transverse strips 3 into stacks 6. They are arranged stacked on top of each other, or alternatively, one following the other. Each collection system includes a star-shaped collection wheel 33 for collecting transverse strips 3 into stacks 6. In this example, the two star-shaped collection wheels 33 are arranged directly behind the adhesive system 9 and are arranged stacked on top of each other. The adhesive system includes a conveyor with adhesive nozzles located above it, and the conveyor alternately guides the incoming transverse strips 3 to one of the two star-shaped collection wheels. A separate switch is located in front of the collection system, which guides the incoming sheet to one collection system or the other. To maintain a high processing speed of the paper web 1, the transverse strips 3 are alternately collected into stacks 6 by each star-shaped collection wheel 33. Thus, at this stage, the processing of the paper web 1 is divided into two independent production streams in which the transverse strips 3 are collected into stacks 6. Then, the transverse strips 3, collected and stacked 6 on the two collection systems, are guided by a set of conveyors to a single cross-cutting system 11, thus merging the two production streams and allowing for further processing in a single production stream. By dividing the collection of the transverse strips 3 into two collection systems, the overall processing can be significantly improved by accelerating the operations performed in the collection systems.

Claims

1. A method for converting printed paper webs into book modules, wherein, The printing paper web (1) is processed, wherein the paper web (1) has been printed with multiple rows of pages of at least two books to be produced simultaneously in the transverse direction, and in the longitudinal direction, the paper web (1) has been sequentially printed with all the pages of these books, wherein: a. Cut the paper web (1) into horizontal strips (3) containing multiple rows of pages. b. The transverse strips (3) are collected and aligned to form a stack (6), the stack being interconnected book modules. c. Then the stack of interconnected book modules (6) is cross-cut into individual book modules (2). During the processing of the transverse strips (3), these transverse strips (3) are bonded together, characterized in that, on the side corresponding to the spine of the future book module, near the axis of the future cutting of these transverse strips (3) into individual book modules (2), an adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the transverse strips (3), wherein the adhesive is applied immediately after the paper web (1) is cut on the transverse strips (3) and before the transverse strips (3) are collected into a stack (6), thereby the transverse strips (3) are collected into a stack (6) after the adhesive is applied, and after the stack (6) is formed, these stacks (6) of transverse strips are pressed on the adhesive axis.

2. The method for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the horizontal strip (3), which corresponds to the last page of the interconnected book modules, remains unattached.

3. The method for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) is cross-cut into individual book modules (2) using a blade cutter or at least one saw blade cutter.

4. The method for converting a printed paper web into a book module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, On the paper web (1), in the transverse direction of a row of pages, one of the pages is printed with an orientation 180° opposite to the other pages in the row, and furthermore, on the paper web, a cut-off area (7) is planned, and during further processing, the cut-off area (7) is cut off, and the nominal width of the produced book is obtained, thereby advantageously, the stack (6) forming the interconnected book modules is cross-cut into individual book modules (2), and the cut-off area (7) is cut off using a guillotine paper cutter, and the cutting is performed one by one.

5. The method for converting a printed paper web into a book module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The transverse strips (3) are collected into a stack using a star-shaped collecting wheel (33), the star-shaped collecting wheel (33) having a plurality of evenly spaced blades (34) on its periphery, the blades (34) being adapted to receive the continuous transverse strips (3) and stack them into a stack (6).

6. The method for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transverse strips (3) are alternately guided to two separate star-shaped collection wheels (33), each star-shaped collection wheel (33) stacking the transverse strips into a stack (6), and after the transverse strips (3) have been collected into the stack (6), the transverse strips (3) are guided to the cross-cutting device to become individual book modules.

7. An apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules, comprising a continuously arranged system: a transverse cutting system for converting the paper webs into transverse strips, a system for collecting and aligning the transverse strips into a stack, a cross-cutting system for cutting the stack of transverse strips into individual book modules, and further comprising an adhesive system, characterized in that, The adhesive system (9) is located between the transverse cutting system (8) that turns the paper web (1) into transverse strips (3) and the system (10) that collects the transverse strips into stacks (6). The adhesive system (9) is configured to apply the adhesive to the upper surface of the transverse strips (3) on one side corresponding to the spine of the future book module, near the axis where these transverse strips will be cut into individual book modules in the future.

8. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 7, characterized in that, The adhesive system (9) includes an adhesive nozzle (5) which is advantageously adapted to apply multiple rows of adhesive points (4).

9. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The system (10) for collecting and aligning transverse strips (3) into a stack (6) includes at least one star-shaped collecting wheel (33) having a plurality of evenly spaced blades (34) on its outer periphery, the blades (34) being adapted to receive continuous transverse strips (3) and stack them into a stack (6), and the system (10) for collecting transverse strips (3) into a stack (6) is provided with a collecting station including an alignment element.

10. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 9, characterized in that, The system (10) for collection includes two star-shaped collection wheels (33) positioned directly behind the adhesive system (9) and preferably stacked on top of each other, with a collection station assigned to each star-shaped collection wheel (33) behind it.

11. The apparatus for converting a printed paper web into a book module according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, Prior to the cross-cutting system (11, 11') that transforms the stack (6) of transverse strips (3) into individual book modules, there is a station for aligning and positioning the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3), the station comprising a roller conveyor (14), a fixed buffer (15) and a pop-out buffer (16), and a movable pusher (17) and a movable gripper (18), the movable pusher and the movable gripper being slidably mounted in the space between the rollers of the roller conveyor (14) and adapted to push the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) against the fixed buffer (15) and the pop-out buffer (18). The buffer (16) is therein, and the movable gripper (18) is also configured to convey the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) to the cross-cutting device (19) to cut the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) into individual book modules (2), and the cross-cutting device (19) includes a guillotine paper cutter with a cutting bar (20) and a blade (21), and has a movable pressure bar (12) configured to press the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) being cut against the cutting bar (20), and the book module receiving unit is arranged after the cross-cutting device (19).

12. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 11, characterized in that, The book module receiving unit (22) includes a conveyor (14') and a movable trapdoor (23) directly after the cross-cutting system. The movable trapdoor is movable between a first closed position and a second open position. In the first closed position, the trapdoor is part of the conveyor (14') of the book module (2) receiving unit (22). In the second open position, the trapdoor is displaced relative to the plane of the conveyor (14') of the book module (2) receiving unit (22) and opens a space to allow waste to be discharged from the cross-cutting system (11).

13. The apparatus for converting a printed paper web into a book module according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The cross-cutting system (11') includes a longitudinal guide (26) and at least one saw blade assembly (25), wherein each saw blade assembly (25) includes a driven slider (27) slidably mounted along the longitudinal guide (26) and adapted to reciprocate along the longitudinal guide (26), and has a pair of loading grippers (28), a circular saw (29), and a pair of unloading grippers (30) attached sequentially, wherein the cross-cutting system (11') includes a support platform (3 2) The support platform (32) is attached to the longitudinal guide (26) and supports the stack (6) of transverse strips (3) during the cutting operation, and the cross-cutting system (11') includes a movable pressure beam (12) adapted to press the stack (6) of the transverse strips (3) against the support platform (32) during the transverse cutting operation, wherein a pair of loading grippers (28) and a pair of unloading grippers (30) are also movably fixed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the support platform (32).

14. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 13, characterized in that, The longitudinal guide (26) is slidably mounted on a transverse guide (31) oriented in the direction of processing movement (P) of the stack (6) of the transverse strips (6), and is provided with a driver that enables the longitudinal guide (26) to reciprocate along the transverse guide (31).

15. The apparatus for converting printed paper webs into book modules according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The support platform (32) has a slot for the circular saw (29), wherein the support platform (32) has a fixed position along the length of the longitudinal guide (26).

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