Method and apparatus for producing a booklet

Abstract

Method for producing a booklet (1) comprising a cover sheet (3) and an inner part (4) containing at least one further sheet, wherein, after the booklet (1) is provided, its cover sheet (1) and its inner part (4) are folded away from each other for processing of the cover sheet (3) and / or inner part (4) and are brought together again after processing, characterized in that, after the booklet (1) is provided, its cover sheet (3) is held in the provision plane and its inner part (4) is folded downwards against it, wherein the cover sheet (3) is trimmed when the inner part (4) is folded downwards.

Description

[0001] According to a first inventive concept, the invention relates to a method for producing a booklet comprising a cover sheet and an inner part containing at least one further sheet, wherein, after the booklet has been provided, its cover sheet and its inner part are folded away from each other for processing of the cover sheet and / or the inner part and are brought together again after processing.

[0002] Another inventive concept relates to a device for carrying out this method.

[0003] A method of the aforementioned type is known from EP 2 604 439 B1. In this known proposal, after the booklet has been provided, its cover is folded upwards away from the inner part to allow for trimming of the inner part. The cover is then folded back down and trimmed itself. When the cover is folded upwards, it is creased relatively sharply. This can lead to the cover repeatedly unfolding even after processing due to an unavoidable memory effect, which can make handling the booklet difficult and is therefore undesirable. In the known proposal, the cover is trimmed using a laser beam in such a way that the cover protrudes beyond the inner part. Accordingly, only booklets with an oversized cover are provided here. However, booklets whose cover does not protrude beyond the inner part are also frequently required.This need cannot be met with the known proposal, as the laser beam would damage the inner part when trimming a non-protruding cover sheet.

[0004] EP 1745941A2 shows a three-knife trimmer for trimming flap brochures consisting of an inner section and a cover flap. The entire block is first trimmed in a top and bottom trimming station and then in a front trimming station. In the front trimming station, the edges of the cover are lifted upwards and downwards and pushed into clearance channels before the front of the inner section is trimmed. The block is then retracted, with the covers being pulled out of the clearance channels and placed back onto the block. Separate trimming of the cover flap is not provided for here and would not be possible with the known three-knife trimmer.

[0005] Based on this, the object of the present invention is therefore to improve a method of the type mentioned above, avoiding the disadvantages described above, using simple and cost-effective means, so that not only can booklets with any desired cover size be produced, but it is also ensured that the cover sheet is not creased during the execution of the method.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a simple device for carrying out the method.

[0007] The problem directed towards the method is solved according to the invention by holding the cover sheet in the provisioning plane after the booklet has been provided and folding its inner part downwards, whereby the cover sheet is trimmed when the inner part is folded downwards.

[0008] This ensures that the cover sheet remains flat against the spine during processing and therefore stays that way after the booklet is finished, preventing any unwanted lifting of the cover sheet. While the inner part does experience a slight bend when folded downwards, this occurs with a comparatively large radius and is therefore crease-free, eliminating any risk of a memory effect. The size of the cover sheet trim is advantageously freely selectable. This allows for the production of booklets where the cover sheet is smaller than, the same size as, or larger than the respective inner part. The measures according to the invention thus offer a high degree of versatility with regard to the size of the cover sheet.

[0009] The solution to the above problem, based on the device according to the invention, comprises a transport table suitable for transporting the booklets, which has a provision section on the inlet side with a width corresponding at least to the width of the booklets and is subsequently provided with an interruption that releases the booklet placed on it downwards at least over part of its width, above which a suction device for holding the cover sheet is provided.

[0010] The interruption automatically causes the inner part to be guided downwards, while the cover sheet is held flat against the fold line by the associated suction device in the supply level.

[0011] Advantageous designs and appropriate further developments of the overarching measures are specified in the subclaims.

[0012] As mentioned above, the inner part can be trimmed, but it doesn't have to be. If the inner part is trimmed, this is done with the cover folded downwards and the cover held in the presenting plane, thus avoiding any interference. It is advantageous to trim the inner part using a knife with an adjustable cutting angle. Adjusting the cutting angle allows for the compensation of various shortening factors that may occur, for example, when the booklet is glued to a cylindrical surface. It is also advantageous to schedule the trimming of the inner part after the trimming of the cover, so that the cover can be omitted if desired.

[0013] Another useful measure is to trim the outer layer with a knife cut using a cutting device. This ensures that damage to the inner part from burning, etc., is completely ruled out.

[0014] The device according to the invention is advantageously further developed by designing the cutting unit for trimming the cover sheet as a rotary cutting unit comprising a punching cylinder with a hardened Schmitz ring and a hardened counter-punching cylinder. The Schmitz ring allows for precise gap adjustment and thus a clean trim of the cover sheet.

[0015] Another useful measure is to provide the counter-die cylinder with at least one suction bore that terminates circumferentially in the area corresponding to the die-cutting remnant to be separated. This reliably secures the die-cutting remnant separated from the cover sheet, thus preventing any resulting malfunctions.

[0016] Advantageously, the die-cutting cylinder can have a magnetic surface for receiving at least one flexible, preferably etched, cutting foil. This allows for easy fixation of an etched, flexible cutting foil and thus reduces setup times.

[0017] Further development of the overarching measures can involve equipping the cutting unit with a servo drive featuring 360° register control. This enables simple, precise trimming of the cover leaf.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a booklet during provision, Fig. 2 a schematic top view of a transport table for providing the booklet, Fig. 3 the booklet with the cover sheet held in the provisioning plane and the inner part leading downwards, Fig. 4. The booklet during the trimming of the cover page, Fig. 5. The booklet during the trimming of the inner part, Fig. 6 the finished booklet with raised inner part, Fig. 7 A view of the booklet with the cover overhanging Fig. 8 a variant to Fig. 7 with a non-protruding cover sheet.

[0019] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a multi-page booklet 1 being placed on a transport table 2. The booklet 1 has a top cover 3 and an inner section 4 containing at least one further page, here several further pages. The pages of the booklet 1 are bound together at a lateral folded or glued spine 5. For placement, consecutive booklets 1 are gripped at their spines 5 and moved forward on the transport table 2. For this purpose, a transport device 6 is provided, which is guided over the transport table 2 and can be designed as a gripper chain, belt guide, or the like.

[0020] The transport table 2 has, as in Fig. As indicated in Figure 2, an input-side provision section 7, the width of which corresponds at least to the width of the booklet 1, is provided so that the booklets 1, brought in by means of the transport device 6, are supported downwards across their entire width. The provision of the booklets 1 is followed by their processing, whereby at least a part of the booklet 1, i.e., either its cover 3 or, as in the present case, its cover 3 and inner part 4, is trimmed at the edge opposite the spine 5.

[0021] To carry out this processing, the cover sheet 3 and the inner part 4 are folded away from each other. In this case, the following are used for this purpose: Fig. As shown in section 3, the cover sheet 3 is held in the provisioning plane, i.e., flat against the spine 5, and the inner part 4 is folded downwards. To accomplish this, the transport table 2 is used, as shown in the diagram. Fig. As can be further seen, following the provision section 7, the booklet 1 is provided with a gap 8 that releases the booklet 1 laterally from the transport device 6 and thus laterally from the spine 5, at least on part of its side adjoining the spine 5. Above this, a suction device 9, which may be designed as a suction belt or as a number of suction wheels, etc., is provided.

[0022] The suction device 9 draws in the cover sheet 3 and thus holds it in its original, horizontal position, i.e., in the supply plane, while the inner part 4, no longer supported from below, can fold downwards. Due to the thickness of the inner part 4, this results in a comparatively large bending radius. To further support this, the transport table 2 can, as Fig. 3 further reveals that in the area of ​​the interruption 8 there is a rounded or beveled side flank 10.

[0023] Then, according to Fig. 4. First, the cover sheet 3, held in the provisioning plane, is trimmed laterally with the inner part 4 folded downwards. This can be done in different ways. Here, the cover sheet 3 is trimmed mechanically by a knife or die cut. For this purpose, according to Fig. 4. A rotary cutting unit 11 is provided, comprising an upper punching cylinder 12 and an associated lower counter-punching cylinder 13, which form a cutting gap through which the cover sheet 3, with its edge area to be trimmed opposite the spine 5, is passed. A servo drive 14 with a 360° register locking mechanism can be provided to drive the cutting unit 11, in order to enable precise trimming of successive booklets.

[0024] The punching cylinder 12 is provided with a laterally arranged, hardened Schmitz ring 15, which rolls on the counter-punching cylinder 13, which may have a hardened outer surface. Knife-like cutting tools 16 are mounted on the punching cylinder 12. These can be circumferentially stretched, flexible cutting foils provided with etched cutting edges. These edges can have any desired contour, as shown in Fig. 4 is indicated by a meandering course. The cutting tools 16, formed here by flexible cutting foils, are clamped onto the punching cylinder 12 by suitable means. In the example shown, this is to be done magnetically. For this purpose, the punching cylinder 12 is therefore provided with a magnetic surface on its side next to the Schmitz ring 15.

[0025] To fix the die-cutting remnant separated during the die-cutting process, the counter-die cylinder 13 is provided with circumferentially terminating suction bores 17 beyond the cutting area, i.e., beyond the area where the cutting edges engage. These can be controlled such that the die-cutting remnant is fixed during the trimming of the cover sheet 3 and subsequently transferred to a discharge device.

[0026] In many cases, the inner part 4 is also trimmed laterally. If such a trim is planned, it can conveniently be carried out after the cover sheet 3 has been trimmed. The inner part 4 is then, as Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the inner part 4 is trimmed in the downward-folded state, with the cover sheet 3 held horizontally in the supply plane by the suction device 9. Advantageously, the inner part 4 is also trimmed mechanically by means of a suitable cutting device 18. This can advantageously be designed such that the cutting angle s is adjustable, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. 5 is indicated by an adjustment arrow. This allows for a high degree of variability in the design of the booklet edge opposite the spine 5.

[0027] After all desired processing operations have been carried out, in this case after trimming the cover sheet 3 and the inner part 4, the cover sheet 3 and inner part 4 are rejoined. For this purpose, the cover sheet 3 can be lowered onto the inner part 4. In the example shown, the inner part 4 is, as Fig. As can be seen from Figure 6, the horizontal cover sheet 3, which is still located at the provisioning level, is brought from below. A suitable lifting device 19 can be provided for this purpose, which may be designed as a lifting belt or ramp or the like. Fig. Figure 6 indicates a lifting wheel for this purpose. The booklet 1, thus returned to its original position, can then be transported on the transport table 2 to further stations, such as a shipping station, etc.

[0028] The present invention allows for complete freedom in trimming the cover sheet 3 and shaping its side edge. The trimmed edge 20 of the cover sheet 3 can therefore be positioned more or less far inwards or outwards, as shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is indicated. In the Fig. In the booklet 1 shown in Figure 7, the trimmed edge 20 of the cover 3 is positioned so far out that it extends beyond the side edge 21 of the inner part 4, which is also trimmed. In the version shown in Figure 7, the trimmed edge 20 of the cover 3 is positioned so far out that it protrudes beyond the side edge 21 of the inner part 4, which is also trimmed. Fig. 8. The trimming of the cover sheet 3 is such that the trimmed edge 20 of the cover sheet 3 lies far enough inside that it does not protrude beyond the edge 21 of the inner part 4. By appropriately designing the cutting tools 16, virtually any desired shape can be achieved in shaping the trimmed edge 20 of the cover sheet 3. In the example shown, a serrated shape with rectangular cutouts is provided, which facilitates the inclusion of a register. It is advantageous that the edge 21 of the inner part 4 is trimmed by appropriately adjusting the cutting angle s so that the lower sides furthest from the cover sheet 3 project laterally beyond the sides above them.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the example described above. Rather, a number of possibilities are available to the person skilled in the art to adapt the general idea of ​​the invention to the circumstances of the individual case.

Claims

[1] Method for producing a booklet (1) which has a cover sheet (3) and an inner part (4) containing at least one further sheet, in which, after the booklet (1) has been provided, its cover sheet (1) and its inner part (4) are folded away from each other for processing the cover sheet (3) and / or the inner part (4) and are brought together again after processing, characterized by that after the booklet (1) is made available, its cover sheet (3) is held in the preparation plane and its inner part (4) is folded downwards against it, the cover sheet (3) being trimmed when the inner part (4) is folded downwards. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover sheet (3) is trimmed first and then the inner part (4). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the inner part (4) is trimmed when folded downwards away from the cover sheet (3). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover sheet (3) is trimmed by a knife cut carried out by means of a cutting device (11). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the inner part (4) is trimmed by means of a knife cut with an adjustable cutting angle (s). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the inner part (4) is brought from below to the cover sheet (3) held in the preparation level after processing. [7] Device for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, with a transport table (2) suitable for transporting the booklet (1), which has a supply section (7) on the input side with a width corresponding at least to the width of the booklet (1) and is subsequently provided with an interruption (8) which releases the lying booklet (1) downwards over at least part of its width, above which a suction device (9) for holding the cover sheet (3) is provided. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by that the cutting unit (11) for trimming the cover sheet (3) is designed as a rotary cutting unit which has a punching cylinder (12) with a hardened bearer ring (15) and a hardened counter-punching cylinder (13). [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized bythat the counter-punching cylinder (13) is provided with at least one suction bore (17) ending circumferentially in the area assigned to the punching residue to be separated from the cover sheet (3). [10] Device according to one of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterized by that the punching cylinder (12) has a magnetic outer surface for receiving at least one flexible cutting film (16). [11] Device according to one of the preceding claims 8-10, characterized by that the cutting unit (11) for trimming the cover sheet (3) is assigned a servo drive (14) with a 360° register control.

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