Device for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a conveying line of a sheet processing machine, and machine for processing substrate sheets with such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a conveying section – in particular a first conveying section of a sheet-preparing and / or processing machine – comprising a stop device which can be moved with one or more stop elements between a working position in which they are located in the transport path of the substrate sheets, into a release position which releases the transport path into the downstream conveying section, and with a one- or multi-part belt table arranged upstream of the stop device in the transport path, which comprises at least one conveyor belt conveying the substrate sheets.A blowing device is arranged above the transport path, which, with one or several blowing elements perpendicular to the transport direction, is directed entirely or at least partially towards an area of ​​the transport path that lies downstream of the at least one or last conveyor belt of the single or last belt table provided in front of the stop device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a conveying line of a sheet-preparing and / or processing machine, and to a machine for the preparation and / or processing of substrate sheets with such a device according to claims 1 and 10.

[0002] WO 2023 / 041262 A1 discloses a printing press in which sheets to be processed are conveyed along the transport path leading through the machine partly on a rotary conveying section formed by one or more rotating transport means and partly on a translational conveying section formed by one or more linear conveying segments. A non-impact printing unit is provided in the translational conveying section, enabling printing on one side of the sheets. Furthermore, a dryer and a cooling unit are located downstream of the printing unit in the translational conveying section. The cooling unit, located above the transport path, comprises blow boxes with round nozzles directed towards the transport path on their undersides.In addition to the round nozzles, Venturi nozzles can be provided, which are inclined to the side in the direction of transport in order to ensure a defined removal of the blown air from the blow nozzles.

[0003] DE 10 2021 100 500 B4 discloses a sheet-fed printing press into which sheets, fed from a stack at the inlet, are fed to a feeding unit where they are aligned and prepared for transfer to a transfer drum of a subsequent rotary conveying section. The feeding unit comprises a so-called feeding table to which the sheets are fed in a staggered manner via a belt table. Above the belt table is a blowing device whose nozzles, designed for a Bernoulli or Venturi effect, cause the trailing end of the sheet to lift, and, on the other hand, a blowing device that blows from behind the lifted trailing end to separate it.Furthermore, a blowing device can be provided with blowing elements arranged in the area of ​​the expected front corners of the bows in the table top, which are designed in the manner of blowing nozzles operating according to the Bernoulli effect in order to draw the approaching bows to the table top in the area of ​​their two front corners.

[0004] DE 40 16 304 A1 relates to a device for aligning sheet material conveyed in a scale-like, overlapped manner, comprising a belt table, a feed table downstream of the belt table, front marks acting as front stops, and a swinging pre-gripper, wherein a blowing or ionizing device is directed from above onto an area of ​​the feed table.

[0005] When using mechanical hold-down elements on freshly printed, otherwise processed, or otherwise sensitive surfaces during the transport of substrate sheets, the printed image or the sheet surface can easily be damaged, and the hold-down elements can become contaminated. Conversely, without holding the substrate sheets down in certain sections of the transport path, particularly before or in the vicinity of sheet feeders and / or sensors, faulty transport and / or inaccurate measurements can occur. Furthermore, the absence of a hold-down device in one location can cause the sheets to curl or deform, leading to malfunctions or damage elsewhere.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a device for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a conveying line of a sheet-preparing and / or processing machine, as well as a machine for the preparation and / or processing of substrate sheets with such a device.

[0007] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or 10.

[0008] A device relating to the subject matter of the invention for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a conveying section – in particular a first conveying section of a sheet-preparing and / or processing machine – comprises a stop device which can be moved with one or more stop elements between a working position in which they are located in the transport path of the substrate sheets, into a release position which releases the transport path into the downstream conveying section, and a one- or multi-part belt table arranged upstream of the stop device in the transport path with at least one conveyor belt conveying the substrate sheets.A blowing device is arranged above the transport path, which, with one or several blowing elements perpendicular to the transport direction, is directed entirely or at least partially towards an area of ​​the transport path, in particular towards at least an area of ​​a support surface arranged upstream of the stop device, which lies downstream of the at least one or last conveyor belt of the single or last belt table provided upstream of the stop device.

[0009] The advantages achievable with the invention lie particularly in the fact that the blowing device, which acts as a contactless hold-down device, ensures that the substrate sheets are securely positioned immediately before or during contact with the stop device, and this is achieved, in particular, without the need for mechanical hold-down devices that could potentially damage the surface or its pre-treatment. A central curvature of the substrate sheets can lead to inaccuracies or even machine stoppage during transfer and / or to sheet edges that "migrate" towards the center.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the blowing device with the blowing element(s) is directed at least partially towards a central area of ​​the transport path viewed transversely to the transport direction, and / or at least at one point towards the transport path located in a central area extending symmetrically to the center of the transport path and comprising half the transport path width. This ensures the flattest possible contact, especially in the central area. This is particularly advantageous in conjunction with a partial-width blowing device that may be positioned only slightly above the transport path at the edge. With a centrally curved sheet, a significant crown can still occur near the side edge, which could then come into contact with the partial-width blowing element.

[0011] Preferably, several blowing elements designed as fans are arranged next to each other transversely to the transport direction, in particular in or on a common carrier which is advantageously movable between a working and a maintenance position.

[0012] In an advantageous further development, the blowing device is directed at least partially towards a support surface arranged upstream of the stop device and having a plurality of Venturi nozzles spaced transversely to the transport direction and operating according to the Bernoulli effect, which supports the substrate arcs in the area of ​​their leading end during impact against the stop device from below.

[0013] Further advantageous designs and developments can be found in the following description, including figures and requirements.

[0014] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0015] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sheet processing and / or manufacturing machine with a conveyor section; Fig. 2 an example of a conveyor system with several linear conveyor sections; Fig. 3 a device with movable stops and a vibrating gripper for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a downstream conveying line; Fig. 4 a top view of a multi-part belt conveyor with a downstream curved system; Fig. 5 a schematic representation for the supply and control of blow nozzles of a blowing device provided in the area of ​​the berthing table; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a blowing device provided above the berthing table; Fig. 7 a side view of the blowing device provided above the loading table a) in working position and b) in maintenance position; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the blowing device provided above the docking table; Fig. 9 a perspective view of the blowing device from Fig. 8 from the bottom; Fig. 10 a device with a transport roller having a stop for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets into a downstream conveying line; Fig. 11 a side view of a blowing device provided above the transport roller; Fig. 12 a perspective view of the device from Fig. 10; Fig. 13 a detailed view showing a longitudinally cut hold-down of the blowing device provided above the transport roller; Fig. 14 a schematic representation of a partial-width blowing device with sensors provided at the edge of the transport track; Fig. 15 a side view of the partial-width blowing device made of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 a view of the edge-side blowing device from below through a substrate arc with indicated blowing openings; Fig. 17 a perspective view of the edge-side blowing device with the displacement indicated by dashed lines; Fig. 18 an arrangement of the partial width, in particular edge-side arranged blowing device in an area of ​​a device according to Fig. 3; Fig. 19 an arrangement of the partial width, in particular edge-side arranged blowing device in an area of ​​a device according to Fig. 10.

[0016] An example in Fig. The sheet-processing machine shown in Figure 1 comprises, for example, at least one first processing section with at least one processing unit 01; 02; 03, but advantageously with at least two processing units 01; 02; 03, by which sheet-shaped substrate B, hereinafter referred to as substrate sheet B, can be treated and / or processed. The term "first" processing section, used here in some instances, is not to be understood as referring to a spatial arrangement in the transport direction T, but rather, for better differentiation, as the first of potentially several processing sections provided in the machine. This "first" processing section can be the first of several processing sections mentioned here or the only processing section provided in the machine.

[0017] In the preferred case of a printing press, the first processing section comprises, for example, at least one printing unit 01 with a printing device 04 applying at least one printing ink to a sheet-shaped substrate B, hereinafter referred to as substrate sheet B, and preferably at least one further processing unit 02; 03, e.g., a downstream drying unit 02 with at least one dryer 06, e.g., a hot air dryer or radiation dryer with, for example, IR radiation or a combination thereof, and / or at least one cooling unit 03 with at least one cooling module 07, e.g., a blowbox directing ambient air or cooled air onto the substrate sheet B. Here, a printing press is understood to mean both a machine whose processing includes only printing and any necessary post-treatment such as drying and / or cooling, and a machine that, in addition to printing, also performs other processing processes, such as...This may include inline processing such as die-cutting, cutting, painting, laminating or possibly other further processing steps.

[0018] While the printing device 01 can in principle also be based on other printing processes with correspondingly designed printing devices 04, e.g. as an offset printing unit with at least one offset printing unit, preferably the printing device 01 here is designed as a printing device 01 operating according to a printing formless printing process, e.g. as a so-called non-impact printing device 01, in particular as an inkjet printing device 01, and preferably has several, e.g. four, independently controllable printing devices 04, in particular inkjet printing devices 04, e.g. inkjet printheads 04 or rows of inkjet printheads 04, arranged one after the other in the transport direction T.

[0019] The substrate sheets B to be processed and / or treated are preferably rectangular substrates, e.g., made of paper, but preferably of cardboard or corrugated board. Paper, cardboard, and corrugated board differ in their respective basis weight, i.e., the weight in grams per square meter of these substrate sheets B. Paper has a basis weight between 30 g / m². 2 and 150 g / m² 2 Cardboard has a basis weight between 150 g / m² 2 and 600 g / m² 2 and cardboard with a basis weight of more than 600 g / m² 2 Preferably, the substrate sheets B can also each be a substrate made of plastic and / or a thin sheet of metal. Preferably, the machine for processing and / or manufacturing substrate sheets B is made of cardboard and / or has a thickness of at least 0.2 mm and / or a basis weight of at least 150 g / m². 2and / or a bow width in the range of 450 to 800 mm and / or a bow length in the range of 700 mm to 1,100 mm, set up and / or designed.

[0020] A conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12 leading through the aforementioned first processing section conveys the substrate sheets B translationally or linearly, in particular continuously or sectionally in a straight line. For this purpose, it has a conveying device with one or preferably several linear conveying sections 08; 09; 11; 12, i.e., one or more conveying sections 08; 09; 11; 12 on which the substrate sheets B are conveyed along a linear, in particular straight, path.

[0021] Conveying or guiding "through" the processing line or the relevant processing device 01; 02; 03, in the sense of processing the substrate B by the relevant processing device 01; 02; 03, also includes conveying on a transport path that guides the substrate B below or above the processing means of the relevant processing device 01; 02; 03 acting on the substrate B.

[0022] On the input side of the conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12, which leads translationally through the aforementioned first processing section, a system 13, e.g., also referred to as a sheet feeder 13 or simply system 13, is preferably provided in the transport path for the indexing and / or register-accurate feeding of the substrate sheets B into the conveying section of the aforementioned first processing section. This system 13 allows substrate sheets B, brought upstream in the transport path – for example, from a substrate feeder 16, possibly via a further processing section upstream of the first processing section and / or, in particular, via a conveying section 17 immediately upstream of the first processing section – to be aligned with their leading edge and finally discharged, in such an aligned and indexed manner, to the subsequent conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12 or to the single or first conveying section 08 encompassed by it, and / or from this conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12, or...This conveying section 08 is taken over. The substrate feed 16 is designed, for example, as a sheet feeder 16, in which a stack of substrate sheets B to be processed and / or manufactured can be provided, and the substrate sheets B can be fed into the transport path leading through the machine in a known manner, e.g., by a sheet separator. The conveying section 17 upstream of the inlet-side system 13 is designed, for example, as a linear conveyor 17, in particular as a belt conveyor 17 with one or more circulating belts.

[0023] At the output side of the conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12, which leads translationally through the first processing section mentioned above, a feeding device 14, e.g., a sheet feeder 14 or simply system 14, is preferably provided for the indexing and / or register-accurate feeding of the substrate sheets B into a subsequent conveying section. Via this system 14, substrate sheets B, which are brought in the transport path from the conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12 leading through the first processing section, can be aligned with their leading edge and finally delivered to and / or received by a subsequent conveying section in this aligned and / or indexed manner. The downstream conveying section can lead directly into a delivery unit 18 or first through a further downstream processing section. The delivery unit 18 is, for example, designed as a stack delivery unit 18, in which the processed and / or finished substrate sheets B' are transferred via a transfer device 19, e.g.,a circulating gripper system 19, which can be laid out on one or possibly several stacks to be formed one after the other in the transport path.

[0024] In the case of multiple processing units 01; 02; 03, a separate, preferably independently driven, conveying section 08 is preferably provided at least for the pressure unit 01. For further processing units 02; 03, a common conveying section 09; 11 and / or drive can also be provided in pairs or for multiple units. In a preferred embodiment of the conveying unit leading through the processing section, each of the processing units 01; 02; 03 of the first processing section is assigned its own conveying sections 08; 09; 11. Additionally, further linear conveying sections 12 can also be included in the conveying section 08, 09, 11, 12 leading through the processing section, which are driven individually or jointly with one of the aforementioned conveying sections 08; 09; 11.

[0025] Downstream of the conveying section 11 assigned to the single or last of the processing devices 01; 02; 03 of the first processing section under consideration, at least one further linear conveying section 12, e.g. a so-called belt table 12, in particular a suction belt table 12, is provided, serving only the transport of the sheets, through which the substrate sheets B processed in the processing section are or can be conveyed to the above output-side sheet system 14.

[0026] The conveying sections 08, 09, 11, which lead through the processing devices 01, 02, 03 of the first processing section and preferably continue, are preferably designed as linear conveyors 08, 09, 11, 12, which convey the substrate B translationally or linearly, in particular in a straight line, and preferably independently driven of one another, advantageously as belt conveyors 08, 09, 11, 12, particularly in the design as single- or multi-strand suction belt conveyors with circulating suction belts guided over suction boxes. The conveyed substrate sheets B are transferred, for example, in a respective transfer area Ü1, Ü2, Ü3 located between the first and second, the second and optionally third, and the last and optionally the belt table 12.

[0027] Preferably, in the case of several processing units 01; 02; 03, at least two, in particular all, processing units 01; 02; 03 are each individually or possibly in pairs designed with their respective conveyor 08, 09; 11 as respective machine units, each preferably arranged in its own machine frame and thus each designed and mountable as an independent module.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, several or all of the conveying sections 08, 09, 11 assigned to the processing units 01, 02, 03 are mechanically driven independently of one another and / or reciprocally, and in particular with different conveying speeds. In the preferred embodiment here, at least the conveying section 08 assigned to the pressure unit 01 and the conveying section 09 assigned to the subsequent processing unit 02 are mechanically driven independently of one another by respective drive means 21, 22, 23, e.g., drive motors 21, 22, 23, in particular servo motors, and, for example, by the conveying section 17 upstream of the first processing section. Preferably, however, all conveying sections 08, 09, 11 assigned to the processing units 01, 02, 03 of the first processing section are driven independently of one another, in particular by the above.Conveyors 08, 09, and 11 are driven mechanically independently of each other by their own drive means 21, 22, and 23, and, for example, by the upstream conveyor section 17. A belt table 12, if provided, can also be assigned a drive that is mechanically independent of the preceding conveyor sections 08, 09, and 11 and, for example, of a downstream conveyor section.

[0029] The drive means 21; 22; 23 of the conveyor sections 08; 09; 11 assigned to the processing devices 01; 02; 03 are connected to each other via a so-called electronic shaft in the case of mechanically independent drives – in normal operation, in particular, synchronized and / or register-based. This electronic shaft, also referred to as an electronic guide axis, serves as a higher-level clock generator, on the basis of which the individual drive motors 21; 22; 23 are controlled and / or regulated by a higher-level drive control unit with regard to phase position and / or speed.

[0030] The mechanically independent drives allow two consecutive conveying sections to operate at different conveying speeds, thus making the effective geometric cycle length—i.e., the length between the leading edges of two consecutively conveyed substrate sheets B—variable to a certain extent. This cycle length can be adjusted by varying the relative speed of each successive conveying section. For example, the conveying speed of the section assigned to the printing device 01 is lower than that of the preceding and / or following conveying section 17; 09, in order to achieve the smallest possible sheet gap.

[0031] In a first embodiment of the machine, the transport path can lead from the sheet feeder 16 via the conveying section 17 upstream of the sheet system 13 to the sheet system 13 upstream of the inlet side of the first processing section, if necessary without further processing steps.

[0032] In a second embodiment, a further processing line upstream of the first processing line with one or more further processing devices 24; 26 and a further conveying line leading through this further processing line can be provided in the transport path between the arc feeder 16 and the system 13 upstream of the conveying line of the first processing line, the downstream end of which is formed, for example, by the conveying section 17 directly upstream of the inlet-side system 13.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment – ​​particularly in conjunction with a printing device 01 designed as an inkjet printing device 01 – a processing device 24, designed as an application device 24, is provided in this upstream processing section. This application device allows the substrate B to be treated with a conditioning fluid, e.g., a primer. The substrate sheets B are fed from the sheet feeder 16, e.g., via a feeding device 26, e.g., a sheet feeder 26, to the application device 24. The application device 24 is preferably designed as a rotary application unit 24, particularly as a flexographic printing or coating unit, in which the substrate sheet B is conveyed via a rotating transport cylinder 29 and simultaneously supplied with the fluid by a cylinder attached to it.The transport cylinder 29, which transports the substrate sheets B through the application device 24, forms a rotating conveying section 29. Alternatively, or in addition, a different type of processing device 24, e.g., a processing device for mechanical processing or printing, can be provided in the upstream processing line.

[0034] The processing unit 24, designed, for example, as a processing unit 24, is connected, for example, in the transport path to a transfer unit 27, e.g., a gripper system 27, by which the substrate sheets B are taken from the transport cylinder 29 or another transfer cylinder and can be fed to the aforementioned conveying section 17 upstream of the input-side system 13. The transfer unit 25 is designed, for example, as a circulating gripper system.

[0035] The substrate sheets B, e.g., via the sheeting system 13, can be fed individually and sequentially to the conveying device 08, 09, 11 leading through the processing line by means of the conveying section 17 upstream of the inlet system 13 at a conveying speed that is preferably greater than that of the conveying section 08 assigned to the printing device 01. A dryer 28 can be provided as a further processing device 28 of the upstream processing line in the transport path downstream of the processing device 24, e.g., on the transport path of the transfer device 27. The conveying path leading through the upstream processing line includes, e.g., the transport cylinder 29 assigned to the application device 24 and possibly further transport cylinders 29, as well as the transfer device 27.

[0036] In another embodiment or further development of the machine, a further processing line with at least one further processing unit 31 can be provided downstream of the first processing line, instead of or in addition to the further processing line upstream of the first processing line. This can, in principle, be one or more application units 31, e.g., in the form of one or more printing units – for example, designed as sheetfed offset printing units – and / or one or more coating units, one or more die-cutting units, one or more cutting units, one or more laminating units, or a combination of the aforementioned units.The at least one processing device 31 comprises, for the transport of the sheet, a rotating conveying section 32 formed by a transport cylinder 32, which conveys the substrate sheet B on a circular arc until it is transferred to a downstream conveying section.

[0037] In the advantageous example presented, at least one processing unit 31 or application unit 31, designed as a coating unit 31, e.g., as a so-called coating unit 31, is provided in the transport path of the further processing section downstream of the first processing section. The printed and, if necessary, dried and, if necessary, cooled substrate sheets B can be fed to this unit individually and successively via the sheet feeder 14 downstream of the first processing section. The coating unit 31 is preferably designed as a rotary application unit, in particular as a flexographic printing or coating unit 31, in which the substrate sheet B is conveyed via a rotating transport cylinder 32 and, during this process, is acted upon by a cylinder attached to it, e.g., a forming or application cylinder, with the fluid to be applied, e.g., coating. The substrate sheet B is then...Transport cylinder 32 is conveyed through the order device 31.

[0038] The order unit 31 can be followed in the transport path by a further processing unit 33, a dryer 33, which is, for example, arranged on the transport path of the transfer unit 19. The conveyor path leading through the further processing section includes, for example, the transport cylinder 32 assigned to the order unit 31 and possibly further transport cylinders 32 as well as the transfer unit 27.

[0039] In the conveying section downstream of the first processing section, which leads either directly or via a further processing section with at least one processing unit 31; 33 to the delivery point 18, a cycle length, i.e., a geometric distance between the leading ends of two substrate sheets B conveyed one after the other by the downstream conveying section, is geometrically determined and / or fixed. This cycle length is, for example, determined by the design and geometry of the conveying sections 32; 19 transporting the substrate sheets B, for instance by the distance between the trailing and leading ends of a single gripper channel 34 or two consecutive gripper channels 34 on the above or a further transport cylinder 32 of the downstream conveying section, and / or by the distance between two grippers 25 arranged one after the other on the transfer unit 19.

[0040] In the machine shown, the substar sheets are to be transferred to the linear and / or translational conveyor leading through the first processing section on the input and / or output side of the linear and / or translational conveyor section leading through the first processing section in a register- and / or clock-controlled manner, which is accomplished with the above-mentioned system equipment 13; 14, regardless of whether one or more processing devices 24; 28; 31; 33 are provided in the upstream and / or downstream conveying section or not, on the input and / or output side, which is accomplished with the above-mentioned system equipment 13; 14.

[0041] The system 13, which is provided, for example, in the transition from a linear, in particular straight, conveying section 12 of the conveying section leading through the first processing section, to a downstream conveying section with a rotating conveying section 29 that conveys the substrate sheet B on a circular arc, operates on the principle that substrate sheets B, brought by the belt conveyor 12 on a linear motion principle, are aligned with their leading edge against a stop device 37 brought into the motion path, this stop device 37 is removed from the transport path at intervals, and the aligned substrate sheet B is grasped by a transfer means 38, e.g., a so-called oscillating gripper 38, and—in particular with a pivoting movement about a pivot axis S along a circular arc—to a downstream rotating conveying section 39 that conveys the substrate sheet B on a circular arc, e.g.,A transfer drum 39 is transferred into the downstream conveying section. The system 14 could, in principle, be combined with the upstream belt conveyor 12 as a single unit, but, as shown here, it is advantageously designed as a separate unit downstream of the feeding device 12.

[0042] The feed table 12, designed as a belt table 12, has at least one circulating conveyor belt 42; 44, in particular a suction belt 42; 44. In the example, it is designed in two parts and has, in the transport direction T, a first linear conveyor 41, in particular formed by a belt table 41, with at least one first circulating conveyor belt 42, in particular a suction belt 42, and a second linear conveyor 43, in particular formed by a belt table 43, with at least one second circulating conveyor belt 44, in particular a suction belt 44, arranged one behind the other. Above the feed table 12, in particular the first belt table 41, a blowing device 46 can be arranged, which causes a trailing sheet end to lift off. This blowing device has blowing nozzles that act according to the Bernoulli principle and are directed against the transport direction T, and the resulting negative pressure lifts the sheet ends from the feed table 12.Furthermore, a blowing device 47 can be provided which blows under the bow end from behind in the transport direction T and thereby supports the undercut.

[0043] The stop device 37 preferably comprises a plurality of stop means 48 arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction T, e.g. individual stop elements 48, in particular so-called cover marks 48, which can be moved by means not shown from a working position, in which it is located with its stop surface in the transport path of the substrate sheet B and serves as a front stop for the conveyed substrate sheet B, into a release position, in which it releases the transport path for the transfer by the above transfer means 38.

[0044] In a transport path section directly upstream of the stop device 37, a support surface 49 is provided, directed towards the transport plane. This support surface 49 supports the conveyed substrate sheet B from below in a front substrate sheet section as it is conveyed towards and strikes the stop device 37. This support surface 49 extends, for example, at least partially or completely downstream of the downstream end of the single or downstream last conveyor belt 42; 44 of the single or multi-part belt table 12 and preferably reaches to the stop device 37. In this context, the downstream end of the respective conveyor belt 42; 44 is understood to be its effective end, i.e., the point at which, viewed in the transport direction T, the last effective contact between the conveyor belt 42; 44 and a substrate sheet to be conveyed no longer exists or can be established.

[0045] The term "transport plane" here and in the following refers to the plane that, at the relevant point on the transport path, is defined by the prevailing transport direction T and extends transversely in the direction of the transport path width. The transport path, for example, represents the track-like surface swept along the transport path by a substrate sheet B of a nominal or maximum sheet width specified and / or intended for the machine or the relevant conveying section. The transport path width is accordingly the width resulting from this specified nominal or maximum width.

[0046] The support surface 49, which supports the substrate sheet B in its front area during the stop, can in principle be formed by a surface section of a sheet support 51; 52, e.g., a table plate 51; 52, of the linear conveyor 12, in particular a feed table 12, which carries the substrate sheet B, and which is directly upstream of the stop device 37. In this case, the feed device 14 and the feed table 12 would form a single unit, at the downstream end of which the stop device 37 is arranged.The support surface 49 could, for example, be the surface of a section of the single or downstream last table plate 51; 52 of the feeding device 12, which is arranged at least partially or completely downstream of the downstream end of the single or downstream last conveyor belt 42; 44 of the single or multi-part belt table 12 and preferably extends to the stop device 37.

[0047] The support surface 49, which supports the substrate sheet B in the front area during the stopping process and preferably extends to the stop device 37, can, however, be advantageously encompassed by a feed device 14, in particular a sheet feed device 14, which is specifically provided here, e.g., in the form of a modular unit, and which is located downstream of the feed device 12. For example, it is encompassed by an upper surface facing the transport plane of a sheet support 53, also referred to as a feed table 53, which is encompassed by the feed device 14.

[0048] To ensure correct contact of the substrate arc B even in an area between the downstream effective end of the at least one conveyor belt 42; 44 of the single or downstream last belt table 41; 43 and the stop device 37 or its stop elements 48, one or more of the following described measures have been taken, for example.

[0049] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a device for the aligned feeding of material from the linear conveying section into a downstream conveying section having a rotating conveying section, the support surface 49 – initially regardless of whether it is part of the unit consisting of the feeding device 12 and the feed device 14 or the specially provided feed device 14 – has, as a measure above, a blowing device 61 with a plurality, e.g., a number of at least eight, in particular at least ten, blowing nozzles 54 spaced apart in a direction transverse to the transport direction T, operating according to the Bernoulli effect, often also referred to as Venturi nozzles 54, which have at least one directional component directed in the transport direction T (see e.g. Fig. 3 to Fig. 5) The blow nozzles 54, spaced transversely to the transport direction T, can all be aligned in the same direction transversely to the transport direction T, or partially offset from one another, e.g., alternately, in the transport direction T. Several such rows, each with a plurality of aligned or offset blow nozzles 54, can also be provided. The conveyed substrate sheets B are drawn to the support surface 49 by the negative pressure caused by the Bernoulli effect. The blow nozzles 54 are formed, for example, by openings in the support surface 49 with an opening profile that effects the Bernoulli effect. In an advantageous embodiment, the nozzles are located on both sides of the center of the transport path, i.e.,The blow nozzles 54, positioned transversely to the transport direction T of the center of the transport lane width intended and / or occupied for the sheet transport, are each inclined outwards towards the nearest edge of the transport lane relative to the transport direction T, so that they each have a flow component in the transport direction T as well as a flow component towards the nearest edge of the transport lane, thereby simultaneously spreading the incoming substrate sheet B across its width. Several rows, each with a plurality of blow nozzles 54, can be provided in the transport direction T.

[0050] The blow nozzles 54, arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction T and optionally one behind the other in the transport direction T, are not supplied with blowing air together, but individually or in groups. For this purpose, the blow nozzles 54 are connected individually or preferably in groups to switching valves 56, or valves 56 for short, assigned to the respective blow nozzles or groups. It is advantageous if the blow nozzles are grouped such that a number of adjacent blow nozzles and those optionally arranged behind them in the transport direction T are assigned to a valve 56, so that the activation of the blow nozzles can be carried out section by section when viewed transversely to the transport direction T, thus enabling, for example, adjustment to a substrate width and / or optimization of the suction effect.

[0051] The blow nozzles 54 are supplied with blowing air individually or in groups by the associated valves 56 in a first switching state of the respective switching valve 56; in a second switching state, the flow path to the associated blow nozzle(s) 54 is blocked.

[0052] This can, in principle, be achieved by completely blocking the airflow coming from the entrance, whereby the airflow then also comes to a standstill on the entrance side.

[0053] To prevent a sudden release of pressure and the associated pressure spike when the flow path to the connected blow nozzle 54 or group opens, the valves 56 preferably each have an outlet leading to the environment. In the second switching state, this outlet directs the blowing air supplied to the valve 56 at the inlet to the environment. The valves 56 thus act as a diverter, meaning the airflow is not interrupted but, after the blowing cycle, is routed to the outlet and into the open air in a bypass-like manner. In an advantageous embodiment, a silencer 57, which reduces the noise of the exiting blowing air, is located downstream of or associated with the outlet leading to the environment. The silencer 57 can have a sound-absorbing material and / or several channels with different path lengths to the outside for the sound waves.

[0054] Preferably the valves 56 are designed as quick-switching valves 56, in particular as quick-switching valves 56 with a switching time of at most 30 ms (milliseconds) - both for switching to the first and back to the second switching state.

[0055] The inlet supply of the valves 56 with compressed air can in principle be provided by any compressed air source such as a compressor, fan or compressed air reservoir (in Fig. 5 (only symbolically indicated). If necessary, this can instead be done by connecting to the central compressed air supply already present on the machine side, for example.

[0056] The switchable valves 56 are in signal connection to a control device 58, which - e.g. by a correspondingly programmed program routine and / or a correspondingly designed switching electronics - is set up to switch the valves or a - e.g. previously selected - part of the valves 56 in a clocked manner between the first and second switching state depending on information relating to the imminent arrival of a substrate arc B at the blow nozzles 54 to be actuated.

[0057] Such information can be provided to the control unit 58, for example, as information derived from the conveying cycle of the machine, which is provided or can be provided, for example, by the machine control or the drive control.

[0058] In an alternative advantageous embodiment, which is also insensitive to any deviations between the target and actual positions, information on the actual arrival is used. For this purpose, a sensor 59 that registers the entry and / or passage of a substrate sheet B is arranged on the transport path, e.g., at a point upstream of the blow nozzles 54 encompassed by the aforementioned support surface 49 – preferably, however, in the area of ​​the upstream last or only belt conveyor 43 and / or at a distance of no more than the maximum sheet length to be processed from the stop device 37. This sensor registers the entry and / or exit of a sheet edge and provides the control unit with information on the impending sheet arrival. This sensor 59 can, in principle, be part of a capacitive or sound wave sensor system, but in a preferred embodiment, it is a sensor 59 that detects electromagnetic waves, in particular a light-sensitive sensor 59.B. optically operating sensor technology, which detects light from a light source reflected in the transport plane through substrate arc B in the reflection method or preferably in the transmission method light passing through the transport plane into arc gaps.

[0059] The switching times of the airflow can therefore be controlled using sensor 59, depending on the actual arrival of the bow.

[0060] The support surface 49, which includes the blow nozzles 54, is preferably located entirely or at least partially within a transport path section downstream of a downstream end of the single or downstream last conveyor belt 42; 44. As already explained above for the support surface 49 itself, this can be a downstream surface section of the single or downstream last sheet support 51; 52 of the single or multi-part belt table 12, or alternatively, the surface of a sheet support 53 provided specifically downstream of the single or multi-part belt table 12, which is, for example, encompassed by a specifically provided system 14.

[0061] Instead, or preferably in addition to this, the support surface 49, which has the blow nozzles 54, is located in the transport path upstream of the stop device 37, spaced at a distance of less than half the cycle length of the downstream conveying section and / or less than half the maximum sheet length to be loaded and / or processed in the conveying section. Thus, the blow device 61, which attracts the substrate sheets B to the support surface 49, acts on a leading part of the substrate sheets B during the stop, but not on the sheet end.

[0062] By using valves 56 – in contrast to, for example, common mechanical switching elements such as a rotary valve – the switching times and / or active sections can be selected as required and adjusted to changes in process conditions. Furthermore, the arrangement of several valves 56 allows for a smaller distance to the blow nozzles 54, resulting in short pressure build-up and release times. The decentralized air supply via multiple valves 56 also makes it possible to switch the airflow to different working zones, i.e., active sections, thus enabling switching that is independent of each other in terms of timing and, if necessary, format.

[0063] The described blowing device 61, which is arranged upstream of the stop device 37 in the transport path and has blowing nozzles 54 operating according to the Bernoulli effect, is sometimes also referred to as "table air".

[0064] In an advantageous embodiment, instead of the blowing device 61 having the aforementioned Venturi nozzles 54 in the support surface 49, or advantageously in addition thereto, at least one blowing device 62; 63; 64 arranged above the transport path and directed towards the transport path is provided as a measure to support the support.

[0065] In particular, the aforementioned device for the aligned feeding of, for example, material from the linear conveying section into a downstream conveying section having a rotating conveying segment, has at least one blowing device 62; 64 arranged above the transport path. In its operational state, this blowing device is designed and arranged such that its airflow is directed, or can be directed, entirely or at least partially onto a region of the transport path, in particular at least a region or part of the support surface 49, which lies between the downstream end of the at least one or downstream last conveyor belt 42; 44 of the aforementioned single- or multi-part belt conveyor 12 and / or which is spaced less than half the cycle length of the downstream conveying section and / or less than half the maximum arc length to be loaded and / or processed upstream of the stop device 37 in the transport path.

[0066] Instead of the blowing device 61 having the aforementioned Venturi nozzles 54 in the support surface 49, or advantageously in addition thereto, the device for the aligned supply of the material from, for example, the linear conveying section into a subordinate conveying section having a rotating conveying section, in an advantageous embodiment, provides above the transport path a blowing device 62 which is operationally, i.e., in a ready-to-use state, directed with its blowing stream towards the transport path, at least in a central area of ​​the transport path, e.g., at least at one point in an area symmetrically located to the center of the transport path and half the width of the transport path, with its blowing stream directed towards the transport path (see, for example, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9) It can be designed and arranged in such a way that, viewed transversely to the transport direction T, it blows or can blow air onto the transport path at least partially or continuously over an effective width corresponding to this central area, and advantageously also over an effective width extending beyond this central area, possibly even reaching to the edge of the transport path.

[0067] Viewed in the transport direction T, it is designed and arranged such that, during operation, its airflow is directed entirely or at least partially onto an area of ​​the transport path that lies between the downstream end of the at least one or downstream last conveyor belt 42; 44 of the above one- or multi-part belt conveyor 12 and / or that lies less than half a cycle length of the downstream conveying section and / or less than half a maximum arc length to be loaded and / or processed upstream of the stop device 37 in the transport path.

[0068] The blowing device 62, arranged and designed in this manner and directed at least in a central area towards the transport track, ensures that the substrate sheet B – in particular at least the first incoming sheet – with its leading area, rests centrally on the support surface 49 during its approach to the stop device 37, and counteracts any risk of warping, which could lead to problems during transfer to the following conveying section and / or to damage to the sheet surface caused by devices arranged close to the top of the transport track, e.g., a sensor device comprising a sensor 71; 72, as described in more detail below, and / or an associated partial-width blowing device 64, if provided.

[0069] The contactless holding down of the substrate sheet B, even in the central area, is particularly advantageous, especially in conjunction with upstream processing of the substrate sheet B, and in particular with prior printing by a printing device 01. In conjunction with a blowing device 61 having blow nozzles 54 in the support surface 49, the blowing device 62, acting from above at least centrally, can help to hold the substrate sheet B, and in particular at least the substrate sheet B that enters first during production start-up or resumption, within the effective range of the Bernoulli effect, even in the central area.

[0070] In principle, the blowing device 62 could be designed with a number of blowing elements 65 that act only at specific points or locally, e.g. blowing nozzles or fans 65, but is preferably designed in such a way that it applies a flat cushion of air to the transport track across its effective width.

[0071] For this purpose, the blowing device 62, which acts at least centrally, preferably comprises one or more blowing elements 65, including one or more rotating fans 65 arranged side by side, e.g., four to eight, which are arranged above the transport plane and move air from above towards the transport path, i.e., onto the top side of conveyed substrate sheets B. In an advantageous embodiment, the blowing capacity of the fans 65, i.e., the resulting airflow, can be regulated – e.g., according to the process requirements.

[0072] The fans 65 can, in principle, be attached individually or in groups to a machine frame. Preferably, however, they are all arranged in or on a common support 66, e.g. in the form of a support frame 66 or housing 66, and together with the support 66 form, for example, a so-called fan cassette 62.

[0073] In a particularly advantageous configuration, the common support 66 can be moved between an operational working position A62 and a maintenance position W62. This allows for better accessibility of the blowing device 62 and / or the underlying transport track. A locking device – possibly separate – can be provided in working position A62 and / or maintenance position W62 to hold or secure the blowing device 62 in its position.

[0074] A displacement can generally be achieved by pivoting the carrier 66 about a pivot axis at an end that is forward or rearward in the transport direction T, possibly via a lever arm, e.g., attached to a frame-mounted bracket, with the opposite end following a circular path when pivoting. In a preferred embodiment, however, the carrier 66, which carries the blowing elements 65, is pivotable via a linkage mechanism, in particular a four-bar linkage, wherein, for example, the carrier 66 itself forms the linkage rotatably connected between two rocker arms 67; 68 via spaced-apart pivot axes S3; S2. The rocker arms 67; 68, which engage the carrier 66 at a distance from each other, are in turn rotatably attached to the machine frame or a bracket 69 provided on it about respective pivot axes S1; S4. The rocker arms 67, 68 can be formed by connecting strips.However, the swing arm 67, which extends further upstream, can instead be formed, for example, by a pivoting guard that prevents interference with the plant equipment 14 during operation.

[0075] In an advantageous embodiment of the blowing device 62, which acts from above and at least in a central area, this blowing device 62 as a whole and / or its blowing elements 65 are arranged and aligned in the carrier 66 in such a way that the blowing air or the blowing jet, i.e., in the case of a planar and / or diverging blowing jet profile of the individual or respective blowing element 65, its central jet, i.e., the jet running in the axis of symmetry in the e.g. cylindrical or conical blowing jet profile, is not directed exactly perpendicular to the transport plane of the substrate arcs B, but - e.g., at least slightly, for example by an angle γ of 2° to 20°, preferably 2° to 10° - is inclined to the vertical standing on the transport plane in the direction of transport T.This means that, by means of the blowing air jet inclined in the direction of transport T as described above, in addition to securely holding the substrate arc B down on the support surface 49, the risk of the arc leading edge and the approaching substrate arc B being blown under is reduced or even prevented.

[0076] Instead of the blowing direction inclined in the transport direction T, or preferably in addition to this, in an advantageous embodiment the blowing device 62 as a whole and / or its blowing elements 65 can be arranged and oriented in the carrier 66 such that the blowing air or the blowing jet is inclined towards the perpendicular on the transport plane in the direction of the nearest edge of the transport path – e.g., at least slightly, for example, 2° to 20°, preferably 5° to 15°. This ensures that the transported substrate sheets B are smoothed out on both sides towards their outer edges by the airflow with a component transverse to the transport direction T.

[0077] In an advantageous further development, the individual fans 65 can be partially switched off and / or adjusted in or on the carrier 66 transversely to the transport direction T. This allows, for example, the effective width of the blowing device 62 to be adapted to the sheet width and thus the processing width.

[0078] In an advantageous embodiment with a blowing direction inclined in the transport direction T and / or to the side, any inclination of the blowing device 62 and / or the individual blowing elements 65 in the carrier 66 towards the transport direction T and / or an inclination of the individual blowing elements 65 in or on the carrier 66 to the side can be adjustable.

[0079] To ensure an aligned and / or synchronized feed of substrate sheets B into, for example, a transfer area Ü0 into the first or only linear conveying section 08 of the conveying section that leads translationally through the first processing section, the substrate sheets B are aligned and / or synchronized at the system device 13 upstream of the first or only conveying section 08 before being transferred into the conveying section 08. This is achieved via a preferably single-motor-driven transport means 76, e.g., a single-motor-driven transport roller 76, which has one or more stop elements 79 on its outer circumference against which the substrate sheets B are conveyed from the upstream, in particular also linear, conveying section 17. The transport roller 76 can, in principle, be designed as a single piece with a roller body extending across the width of the conveying path or as a multi-part roller in the axial direction.The multi-part transport roller can have several roller sections 77, which, for example, continue seamlessly in the outer surface via filler pieces, or, as is preferred here, several roller sections 77 arranged on the same shaft and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction without continuation of the outer surface. The single- or preferably multi-part transport roller 76 is arranged on the transport path such that a tangent formed at the highest point of the roller outer surface effective for transport coincides essentially, i.e., exactly or with a slight upward offset of, for example, up to 5 mm, preferably up to 1 mm, with the transport plane of a sheet support 92 directly in front of the transport roller 76, so that the transport roller 76 with its outer surface effective for transport just touches the transport plane or dips slightly upwards into the transport plane.The arch support 92 can be preceded in the transport path by a guide plate 93, e.g. a ramped ramp guide plate 93, and a guide plate 94 which continues the transport path and may partially engage the ramp plate.

[0080] Preferably, the transport roller 76 has a longitudinal row of several stop elements 79, which are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the transport roller 76 and spaced apart from each other axially. These stop elements 79, in particular, project outwards beyond the outer surface used for sheet transport, serve as front stops for the approaching substrate sheet B. With a correspondingly larger roller diameter, several stop elements 79 or rows can also be provided. In the case of a single-sized transport roller 76 with only one stop or row in the direction of rotation, the cycle length of the substrate sheets B to be conveyed by the transport roller 76 is determined by the roller circumference, especially in the case of a continuous circumferential speed. In the case of a multi-sized transport roller 76 with several stops or rows in the direction of rotation, the cycle length is determined by the roller circumference.The distance between the contact surfaces of two stops 79 arranged consecutively in the circumferential direction determines the cycle length for transport over the transport roller 76. With only one contact element 79 or one row in the circumferential direction, this cycle length is determined by the roller circumference. With multiple contact elements 79 or rows arranged consecutively, it is determined by the circumferential length between the contact surfaces of two consecutive stops 79. This cycle length, defined by the circumference or the contact elements 79, represents the maximum cycle length in the case of a transport roller 76 that is or can be operated discontinuously with respect to its circumferential speed. This maximum cycle length is required, for example, for the greatest possible sheet length, but can be shortened for shorter sheet lengths by intermediate acceleration.

[0081] The upstream conveying section 17 preferably has a higher transport speed than the peripheral speed of the transport roller 76 and / or the downstream linear conveying section 08. This ensures reliable contact with the stops 79.

[0082] In an advantageous embodiment of the inlet-side arc system 13, for example in order to counteract any curling of the substrate arc B caused by the speed difference as contactlessly as possible, a blowing device 63 is provided in the area of ​​the system 13 provided above the transport path in the inlet-side of the conveying section leading translationally through the first processing section and having, for example, a conveyor belt 74, in particular a suction belt 74, to hold down conveyed substrate arcs B, e.g.a blow-air operated hold-down device 63, arranged with at least one hold-down device 81 serving to hold down the substrate sheets B, which - in its operational position - is directed with at least one blow nozzle 83; 84 wholly or at least partly towards at least one point in a transport path section, which extends upstream from the highest point of the transport roller 76 at most over the length of half, advantageously a third, of the cycle length of the transport roller 76 (see e.g. . Fig. 10 to Fig. 13) Preferably, the hold-down device 81, hereinafter also referred to as the blowing element 81, with its at least one blowing nozzle 83; 84, is directed entirely or at least partially towards at least one point in a transport path section that, viewed vertically or in projection, lies above the upstream half of the roller diameter, or in other words, in a transport path section that extends upstream from the highest point of the transport roller 76 by the length of the roller radius. This allows an approaching substrate sheet B to be held down against curling, for example, at a point in the region of its leading half, particularly in the area of ​​entry into an entry gusset formed between the transport roller 76 and the hold-down device 81. Preferably, the sheet support 92, e.g., a so-called feed table 92, arranged upstream of the transport roller 76 in the transport path, lies entirely or at least partially within the aforementioned, transport path section located within half a cycle length or, in particular, above the upstream half of the roller diameter.

[0083] The transport roller 76 is preferably designed as a suction roller 76, also referred to as a suction drum 76, and has suction openings 78 in the area of ​​its outer surface which interacts with the substrate sheet B. In the multi-part case, for example, at least one outer surface section with suction openings is provided on each of the roller sections 77, which are then also referred to as suction rings 77, for example, via filler pieces or preferably spaced-apart roller sections 77. This outer surface section extends over the entire circumference or preferably only over a circumferential section corresponding to a transport length.

[0084] In principle, only one hold-down device 81 can be provided above the transport path. However, in an advantageous embodiment, several such hold-down devices 81, each having at least one blow nozzle 83; 84, are arranged side by side in the axial direction, e.g., at least one hold-down device 81 for each axially provided stop 79 and / or each suction ring 77. Viewed in the axial direction, this hold-down device 81 is located adjacent to the orbit of the respective stop 79 and / or the suction ring 77 when viewed in projection onto the transport plane, and in particular, closer to the next stop 79 in the series and / or to the next suction ring 77. Preferably, two hold-down devices 81 are provided for each stop 79, adjacent to the orbit in the above sense on both sides.

[0085] The hold-down device(s) 81 receive the blowing air via appropriate supply lines from a blowing air source, in particular a compressed air source, not shown here, for example from a compressor or compressed air reservoir, advantageously from a central compressed air supply.

[0086] The at least one blow nozzle 83; 84 of the respective hold-down device 81 can, as a blow nozzle 83 of the first type, be directed perpendicularly to the transport plane in the aforementioned transport path section with its blowing direction – i.e., in the case of a planar and / or diverging blow jet profile as described above, the direction of the central jet – or preferably inclined towards the vertical in the direction of transport T. In the latter case, a "stripping" in the transport direction T is supported and at the same time, underblowing of the leading edge is prevented.

[0087] In an advantageous embodiment, the respective hold-down device 81 has several blow nozzles 83; 84 arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the substrate arc B, which are supplied with blowing air, for example, via one or more internal flow channels 88. Several, e.g., three, blow nozzles 83 of the first type, arranged in the same direction (i.e., with a parallel blowing direction), can be provided, which are directed vertically or, preferably, inclined in the transport direction T towards the transport plane in the aforementioned transport path section.

[0088] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one blow nozzle 84 of the second type can be provided downstream of one or more blow nozzles 83 of the first type, the blowing direction of which is inclined upwards with respect to the perpendicular formed on the transport plane, i.e., directed towards the transport plane against the transport direction T. Such a blow nozzle 84 of the second type is, for example, the last blow nozzle 84 in the transport direction T and / or is directed towards a point in the transport path that lies over a range of ± 10°, advantageously ± 5°, downstream or preferably upstream of the highest point of the transport roller 76. In this range, there may be a particularly high risk of warping, which is counteracted by the counterflow.Furthermore, such a counter-directed blowing nozzle 84 of the second type counteracts the outflow of blowing air from the blowing nozzle(s) 83 of the first type and therefore inhibits the risk of underblowing the trailing edge of the bow.

[0089] The hold-down devices 81, which have one or more blow nozzles 83; 84, form an air cushion between their underside and the substrate sheet B, thereby ensuring good contact on the sheet support 92 and / or on the lifting devices 79. The latter ensures in particular a flat substrate sheet B with a straight leading edge on the lifting devices 79 and therefore a good fit.

[0090] To facilitate, for example, the gentlest possible "capturing" of the sheet leading edge in the case of a raised sheet edge, the hold-down device 81 has a shape on its underside facing the transport plane during operation. This shape continuously reduces the distance between the underside and the transport plane on at least one section of the transport path between the upstream end of the hold-down device 81 and the point above the highest point of the transport roller 76, thereby forming, for example, a kind of inlet funnel. For instance, such a section with an underside that slopes downwards towards the transport plane or is preferably convexly curved extends from the upstream end to a point in the transport path closest to the transport plane and located above the highest point of the transport roller 76, or even downstream of it.

[0091] The hold-down device(s) 81 can, in an advantageous embodiment, be mounted in the device so that their operationally assumed or to be assumed distance to the transport plane and / or their inclination to the transport plane are adjustable, in particular being adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the strength, in particular the overpressure, of the compressed air supplied to the inlet side of the hold-down device(s) 81 via the supply line can be adjusted, e.g., via controllable or adjustable pressure valves.

[0092] In an advantageous embodiment, the hold-down device(s) 81 can be moved individually or all together from an operational working position to at least one position, in particular pivoted, in which the hold-down device(s) 81 are moved to a position further away from the transport plane, in which they are, for example, inactive, accessible for maintenance, or even removable in their entirety. Preferably, the blowing device 63 comprising the hold-down device(s) 81 can be moved, in particular pivoted, as a whole from such a working position A63 to a position P63; W63 further away from the hold-down device(s) 81. As, for example, in Fig. As indicated in Figure 12, the blowing device 63 can be moved or relocated from the working position A63 either to a parking position P63 or to a more distant maintenance position W63, in the latter of which it can be removed entirely from the frame parts 86 supporting the blowing device 63.

[0093] In order to be able to influence the application and transfer process in a targeted manner, for example in the case of changing requirements such as different substrates or dimensions, a flexible mounting system for attaching the hold-down devices 81, e.g. via a suitable plug-in system, is advantageous, which allows differently designed hold-down devices 81 to be interchanged without great assembly effort.

[0094] In an advantageous embodiment of the blowing device 63 – not only, but among other things, with regard to the above requirement for ease of assembly – the adjacently arranged hold-downs 81 are arranged on or attached to a crossbeam 82, which is pivotably mounted at its end face – for example, via lever arms 91 – in frame components 86. The crossbeam 82 has, for example, nozzles 87 onto or into which the hold-downs 81 can be mounted or inserted and, if necessary, fixed by means of fasteners 89, e.g., screws 89. Preferably, the crossbeam 82 is designed as a hollow body, e.g., as a tube 82, which, in the case of pivotability, forms a hollow shaft. The nozzles 87 are, for example, also tubular in shape, the cavity of which is connected on one side to the cavity of the tubular crossbeam 82 and, in the assembled state, on the other hand to the cavity of the, for example,The blowing nozzles 83; 84 formed by blowing openings inside the hold-down device 81 are connected to the flow channel 88, which supplies blowing air. This allows, for example, a straightforward replacement of the hold-down devices 81 without affecting the air supply.

[0095] Features for the design of differently shaped and possibly interchangeable hold-down devices 81 can include a different inclination of one or more of the blow nozzles 83; 84, a variation in the number or cross-section of the acting blow nozzles 83; 84, and / or, for example, a different shape of the underside forming the inlet funnel. This can, for example, influence the intensity and / or direction of action of the hold-down devices 81.

[0096] Not only, but especially in connection with differently designed and preferably interchangeable hold-down devices 81, the hold-down devices 81 are advantageously made of a material suitable for processing in a 3D printer, e.g., a polymer, in particular a photopolymer, and / or manufactured by means of 3D printing. This allows for the simple and / or cost-effective production of diverse shapes in the outer contour as well as the distribution and design of the blow-out air openings, including internal flow channels, for example, with seamless curved surfaces and one or more blow-out nozzles 83; 84 with their blow-out openings and supply channels, designed as required.

[0097] The blowing device 63 shown, which is directed towards the transport path within half a cycle length or in particular above the one- or multi-part transport roller 76 of the inlet-side sheet system 13 with one or more hold-down devices, can be combined with one or more of the blowing devices 61; 62 assigned to the outlet side of the translational conveying section for an overall gentle and safe conveyance of the substrate sheets B.

[0098] In an advantageous embodiment for a conveying section with translational transport of the substrate sheets B, a partially wide blowing device 64, acting as a hold-down device 64, with at least one blowing nozzle 97 directed towards the transport path, is provided, for example, in or adjacent to a special area where the secure support of the sheet must be ensured (see, for example, Figure 1). Fig. 14 to Fig. 19). The term "partially wide" refers to a transport lane width that is significantly smaller than the nominal or maximum lane width, i.e., at most half the width or less. On the side of the transport lane opposite the blowing device 64, a support is preferably provided for the transported substrate sheet B in this area, at least partially, by means of a feed table 92, a guide plate 93; 94, or a specially provided abutment 92; 93; 94, 102, e.g., a separately provided partial-width sheet support 102. This special area can, in principle, be any area of ​​the transport lane where an exact, especially vertical, position of the substrate sheet B is of great importance, as may be the case, for example, with distance-critical measuring or processing operations that are partially directed onto the transport lane.The blowing device 64, which has one or more blowing nozzles 97 and acts as a hold-down device 64, forms an air cushion between its underside and the substrate arc B and thus ensures good contact on the abutment 92; 93; 94, 102.

[0099] These special areas or measuring or processing operations – in contrast to, for example, measuring or processing areas extending almost across the entire width of the sheet or transport track – are in particular partial areas, only partially wide compared to the transport track width or sheet width given by the nominal or maximum width for web transport on the conveyor line. This means they extend only over a portion of the transport track width or sheet width, for example, at most one-fifth, and in particular at most one-tenth, of the transport track width, i.e., the nominal or maximum width. In contrast to blowing devices extending across the entire width, it is then advantageous to provide only partial-width blowing devices 64 or hold-down devices 64, whose width extends only over a portion, in particular, for example,at most one quarter, in particular at most one eighth, of the transport track width given by the nominal or maximum width for rail transport on the conveyor line and / or have one or more blow nozzles 97 directed towards the transport plane only on a width of at most one fifth, in particular one tenth, of the transport track width and / or a width of at most 100 mm.

[0100] To achieve the desired effect as a hold-down device 64 as close as possible to the measuring or processing area, the blowing device 64 with at least one blowing nozzle 97 is directed at at least one point on the transport path that is adjacent to, i.e., in particular, spaced at a distance of no more than one-tenth of the transport path width and / or 50 mm in the transport direction T and / or transversely to the transport direction T, the partial or partial-width measuring or working area of ​​the sensor or processing device. Furthermore, several blowing nozzles 97 spaced in this manner, or one or more spaced further apart, may be provided.

[0101] A device directed only partially or across a portion of the transport path can, for example, be used for partial coating or printing in only a specific section, e.g., for a personalized or identifying imprint. This could be, for example, a printing device that prints in a partial-width printing area, such as a printhead of an inkjet printer positioned above this area. In a preferred alternative embodiment of such a device, shown here – which, for example, places increased demands on a defined position – this is provided, for example, by a sensor device comprising a sensor 71; 72 directed at at least one point in the aforementioned area of ​​the transport path, for example, at least one point in a measuring field considered in the transport plane.Depending on local conditions and / or technical requirements, the sensor 71; 72 can be directed towards the transport level from above or from below.

[0102] In its configuration as a sensor device, a sheet edge sensor 71; 72 can be provided on the conveyor line as a sensor 71, 72. Such a sensor is directed, for example, towards a measuring area whose measuring field encompasses the edge of the conveyor belt for the substrate format being conveyed, in order to monitor the lateral position of the sheet edge. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor device can also include a camera 71; 72, e.g., in the form of a line or area camera, which is directed, for example, towards a measuring field located, for example, no more than 100 mm from the sheet edge. Such print marks can serve to check color, registration, or quality and / or are, for example, positioned in an edge area of ​​the substrate sheets B.

[0103] Regardless of the specific device partially directed onto the transport path, but advantageously in conjunction with a sensor device as described above, the partial-width blowing device 64 with the at least one blowing nozzle 97 is directed at a point in an off-center area of ​​the transport path, in particular at an area that includes the edge of a substrate sheet guided or to be guided over the conveying path. The blowing device 64 with the at least one blowing nozzle 97 is, for example, directed at a point on the transport path that is at most one-fifth of the transport path width and / or at most 100 mm away from the edge of the transport path of the substrate format currently being conveyed.

[0104] In an advantageous embodiment, the blowing device 64 has at least one blowing nozzle 97 directed upstream of the measuring or working area in the transport direction T and / or at least one blowing nozzle 97 directed downstream of the measuring or working area in the transport direction T. Alternatively or additionally, it has one or more blowing nozzles 97 located closer to the center of the transport path relative to the measuring or working area, of which, for example, one or more blowing nozzles 97 are located upstream of the measuring or working area in the transport direction T and / or one or more are located at the level of the measuring or working area and / or one or more are located downstream of the measuring or working area.

[0105] The relevant or respective blow nozzle 97 is preferably designed as a blow opening 97 in the underside of a nozzle head 96 encompassed by the blowing device 64, which is directed towards the transport plane, and is supplied with blowing air of overpressure from an inlet-side blowing air supply 98 via internal flow channels 106.

[0106] In an upstream region, the blowing device 64 or its nozzle head 96 advantageously has an underside with an inlet ramp 99 that opens in one or more sections towards the transport plane in the opposite direction of transport T. This forces any upwardly bent substrate sheets B with their leading edge downwards towards the transport plane and directs them into the influence area of ​​the blowing nozzles 97 and / or enables gentle feeding even without blowing air.

[0107] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the blowing device 64, viewed in projection onto the transport plane, has a recess 101 which is bounded on at least the side facing in the transport direction T, the side facing towards the center of the transport path, and the side facing away from the transport direction T by walls of the blowing device 64 or the nozzle head 96 encompassed by it, and preferably has at least one blowing nozzle 97 directed towards the transport plane in each of the parts bounding the recess 101 in the transport direction T, and / or the parts bounding away from the transport direction T, and / or the parts bounding towards the center of the transport path of the blowing device 64 or the nozzle head 96. In an advantageous embodiment, for example, shown, the recess 101 can be bounded on all sides, including the side facing outwards, by the blowing device 64 or the nozzle head 96.whose nozzle head 96 is enclosed, and in an embodiment in which the measuring or working area is, for example, spaced away from the edge of the arc, it also has one or more blow nozzles 97 on this side. Instead of, or preferably in addition to, the placement of blow nozzles 97 in the areas located before or after the recess 101 with respect to the transport direction T, an intensification of the blowing effect or the air cushion can be achieved through these areas – possibly even without nozzles – by reducing the flow cross-section and thus a lower pressure loss through the surfaces facing the transport path in this area.

[0108] The blowing device 64, or its nozzle head 96, is positioned with its recess 101 above the transport plane in such a way that, in projection onto the transport plane, it encompasses at least part of the measuring or working area or even completely encloses it. In the case of a sensor device, a measuring beam, e.g., in the case of a recess 101 completely enclosed by the blowing device, or in the case of a recess 101 open on one side, at least part of it, passes through the recess 101. In the case of a sensor device with a sensor 71; 72 arranged on one side of the transport plane, e.g., an ultrasonic receiver or preferably an electromagnetically sensitive sensor 71; 72, and a transmitter 103 arranged on the other side, e.g., a transducer, the following applies:In the case of an ultrasound source or preferably a radiation source 103, in particular a light source 103, the abutment 92; 93; 94; 102 also has a correspondingly positioned recess 104 so that the measuring beam can pass through unhindered in the area of ​​the desired measuring location or measuring field. In an advantageous embodiment not shown here, the abutment 92; 93; 94; 102, in the case of an optical sensor, has on its side facing the transport path a cover layer that is transparent for a wavelength used by the sensor and completely covers the underlying recess 104, e.g. a glass, plexiglass or plastic cover, which also supports the substrate sheets above the recess 104, but is transparent to the sensor.

[0109] In an advantageous embodiment, one or more of the blowing openings 97 encompassed by the blowing device 64 are inclined with the blow jet towards the vertical on the transport plane in the transport direction T and / or towards the nearest edge of the transport path. The former has the effect that the substrate sheet B is acted upon in the transport direction T and that blowing underneath the leading edge is avoided. The latter can cause the substrate sheet B to be "swept outwards" towards the side edge and, if necessary, also counteract blowing underneath from the side.

[0110] In the case of multiple air nozzles 97, these are arranged in ring or polygonal configurations or form rows of air nozzles directed in the same direction. However, they can also be combined from the above possibilities to provide parallel or opposing air streams.

[0111] In a further development, the blowing device 64 – e.g., depending on the sheet thickness – is adjustable in the distance of its underside to the transport plane, in particular by means of an adjustable mounting. Alternatively or additionally, it is adjustable transversely to the transport direction T in the direction of the transport path width – particularly in the case of sensors directed towards the side edge or an area near the side edge – in particular by means of an adjustable mounting.

[0112] In a further development, the blowing air pressure applied on the input side of the blowing device 64 can be adjusted to control the pressing force.

[0113] To be able to selectively influence the application and transfer process in the event of changing requirements, e.g., due to different substrates or dimensions, a flexible mounting system for attaching the blowing devices 64, in particular the nozzle heads 96, is advantageous, e.g., via a suitable plug-in system. This allows differently designed blowing devices 64 or nozzle heads 96 to be interchanged without significant assembly effort. This is achieved, for example, by providing a detachable plug connection – e.g., via a bayonet coupling – in the area of ​​the inlet-side blowing air supply 98 between the inlet to the nozzle head 96 and the line carrying the blowing air.

[0114] Not only, but especially in connection with differently designed and preferably interchangeable blowing devices 64 or nozzle heads 96, the blowing device 64, or in particular the nozzle head 96, is, for example, formed as a one-piece blowing body 96 in an advantageous embodiment from a material suitable for processing in a 3D printer, e.g., from a polymer, in particular a photopolymer, and / or manufactured by means of 3D printing. This allows for the simple and / or cost-effective production of a wide variety of shapes in the outer contour as well as the distribution and shape of the blowing air openings, including internal flow channels, for example, with seamless curved surfaces and one or more blowing nozzles 97, designed as required, with their blowing openings and feed channels.

[0115] In an advantageous embodiment of the blowing device 64, it is displaceably mounted on a frame of the conveyor line between a first position I, in which it is operationally directed with the blowing nozzle(s) 97 towards the transport track, and a second position II, in which it is further spaced away from the transport track with the blowing nozzle(s) 97 and the side having them.

[0116] Preferably, such a movable blowing device 64 can be moved between the two positions I; II in operation by means of a suitable drive means. This allows, for example, a collision of a substrate sheet B with the underside of the blowing device 64 to be prevented by temporary pivoting if a conveyed substrate sheet B should experience a bulge when approaching the lifting means 48; 79 and / or if a rear end of the sheet lifts up when the substrate sheet B is taken up in a sheeting system 13; 14.

[0117] In principle, a described partial-width hold-down device 64, formed by a blowing device 64, can be arranged anywhere on the transport path where particularly good and secure support is required. In an advantageous embodiment—especially in conjunction with the design of the device, which is only partially directed towards the transport path, as a sensor device having a sheet edge sensor—such a hold-down device 64 is arranged in a transport path section that is upstream of a feed device 13; 14; 26 as described above, which has stop elements 48; 79 that interact with the sheet leading edge and by which substrate sheets B brought along a conveyor section are indexed and / or aligned before being transferred to a subsequent conveyor section. This blowing device 64 is then preferably arranged on the transport path such that at least one of its blowing nozzles 97—e.g.,B. in the manner described above - is directed at a point on the transport path adjacent to the measuring field of the sensor device, in particular the arc edge sensor 71; 72, in the sense described above. The blowing device 64 can be arranged upstream of a system device 13 described above or provided at the beginning of the machine, which is intended for the timed and / or aligned transfer of the substrate sheets B between a linear conveying section 12 and a conveying section with a rotating conveying section 29; 32; 39, and / or upstream of a system device 13 which serves the timed and / or aligned transfer of the substrate sheets B between a linear conveying section 17 and a linear conveying section 08 of a downstream conveying section.

[0118] Preferably, the hold-down device 64 is arranged in a transport path section located between a point where, by means of appropriate geometric and / or structural design, initial contact of the lifting means 48; 79 with the leading edge of a substrate sheet B to be conveyed in the transport plane is provided and / or expected, and an upstream point which is located, for example, at most one, preferably at most half, of the nominal or minimum sheet length provided or specified for the conveying path and / or at most 800 mm, preferably 400 mm, upstream of the first-mentioned point of initial contact with the lifting means.Instead or in addition to this, the hold-down device 64 is preferably arranged in a transport path section that is located downstream of the at least one or last conveyor belt 42; 44; 73 of the single or last linear conveyor 17; 12; 43 upstream of the system 13; 14; 26 in the conveying path and upstream of the point of initial contact of the lifting devices 48; 79 with the substrate arcs B and / or upstream of the loading table 53; 92 directly upstream of the lifting devices 48; 79, i.e. without any further intervening guide elements.

[0119] Although in Fig.3, as shown in all, the device described for the system 14, located in the transition between the first processing section and a subsequent conveying section, for the aligned and / or timed feeding of substrate sheets, can have only one, but advantageously also several or all of the blowing devices 61; 62; 63; 64 described above, and is in principle also applicable to other applications of sheet transport in sheet-processing and / or processing machines for the transport of substrate sheets B, where a transition from a linear to a rotating conveying section is to take place in the transport path, for example also to a system 26 located downstream of the inlet-side sheet feeder 16 and upstream of the first processing unit 24.

[0120] It is also advantageous – particularly in connection with the transport section described here, which leads through the first processing section with pressure device 01 and involves translational, and especially at least in conveying sections linear, sheet transport – to provide both an input-side system 13 of the translational conveying section as described, with one or more of the blowing devices 63; 64 described in this context, and also to provide the system 14 described above with one, several or all of the blowing devices 61; 62; 64 described in this context, on the output side of this translational conveying section. Reference symbol list 01 Processing unit, printing unit, non-impact printing unit 02 Processing equipment, drying equipment 03 Processing equipment, cooling equipment 04 Printing device, inkjet printing device, inkjet printhead 05 - 06 Dryer 07 Cooling module 08 Conveyor section, first, conveyor, linear conveyor, belt conveyor 09 Conveyor section, second, conveyor, linear conveyor, belt conveyor 10 - 11 Conveyor section, third, conveyor, linear conveyor, belt conveyor 12 Conveyor section, linear conveyor, belt table, suction belt table, feeding device, feed table 13 Plant equipment, arch plant, plant 14 Plant equipment, arch plant, plant 15 - 16 Substrate feed, arch feeder 17 Conveyor section, linear conveyor, belt conveyor 18 Display, stack display 19 Transfer device, gripper system 20 - 21 Drive means, drive motor 22 Drive means, drive motor 23 Drive means, drive motor 24 Processing unit, order unit, order work 25 grippers 26 Processing equipment, plant equipment, arch plant 27 Transfer device, gripper system 28 processing equipment, dryers 29 transport cylinders, conveying section 30 - 31 Processing equipment, order processing equipment, painting equipment, painting plant 32 transport cylinders, conveying section 33 Processing equipment, dryer 34 Gripper channel 35 - 36 grippers 37 Anchor device 38 Transfer agents, vibrating grippers 39 Conveyor section, transfer drum 40 - 41 Belt table, first 42 Conveyor belt, suction belt 43 Belt table, second, linear conveyor 44 Conveyor belt, suction belt 45 - 46 Blowing device 47 Blowing device 48 Lifting equipment, lifting element, cover mark 49 contact area 50 - 51 Bow support, table plate 52 sheet support, table plate 53 Bow rest, laying table 54 Blow nozzle, Venturi nozzle 55 - 56 Switching valve, valve 57 silencers 58 Control unit 59 Sensor 60 - 61 Blowing device, 62 Blowing device, fan cassette 63 Blowing device, hold-down device 64 Blowing device, hold-down device 65 blowing element, fan 66 supports, frames, housings 67 Swing arm 68 Swingarm 69 bracket 70 - 71 Sensor, arc edge sensor, camera (sensor assembly) 72 Sensor, arc edge sensor, camera (sensor assembly) 73 Conveyor belt, suction belt 74 Conveyor belt, suction belt 75 - 76 Transport devices, rotating, transport roller, suction roller, suction drum 77 Roller section, suction ring 78 Suction opening 79 Lifting equipment, lifting 80 - 81 Hold-down device, blowing element 82 Traverse, pipe 83 Blower nozzle, first 84 Blower nozzle, second 85 - 86 Frame part 87 nozzles, pipe nozzles 88 Flow channel 89 Fasteners, screws 90 - 91 Lever arm 92 Bow support, laying table, abutment 93 Guide plate, thrust plate, abutment 94 Guide plate, abutment 95 - 96 nozzle head, blower body 97 Blow nozzle, blow opening 98 Air blower 99 Inlet slope 100 - 101 recess 102 abutments, arch support 103 Transmitter, radiation source, light source 104 recess 105 - 106 Flow channel B Substrate, arc-shaped, substrate arc (to be processed) B' Substrate, arc-shaped, substrate arc (processed) S swivel axis S1 swivel axis S2 swivel axis S3 swivel axis S4 swivel axis T Transport direction Ü0 transfer area Ü1 handover area Ü2 handover area Ü3 handover area I position, first Second position, second A62 working position W62 Maintenance Position A63 working position P63 Location, Parking position W63 location, maintenance location γ angle

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