Device and method for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product formed with a flap fold or cover

Abstract

In a device for performing cutting operations on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product (A), the cutting station (2) that can be operated for front cutting is provided on the input side with an intermediate station which is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spreading (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) or a cover (AU) belonging to the printed product, wherein the first element (E1) has a design which, in conjunction with a translation (502) of the printed product, initiates the spreading of a flap fold or a cover and consolidates its opening, wherein the second element (E2) has a design in which the printed product with a spread flap fold or cover can be transported to the front cutting via a further translation (503).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for performing cutting operations on open format edges of at least one printed product, namely for trimming at least one head, front, and foot edge according to the embodiments of the application and also as variously known from the prior art. In the following, the device is also referred to as a "three-knife trimmer," which is commercially known by the applicant as "InfiniTrim."

[0002] The term "open format edges" refers to the head, front and foot sections (also called head edge, front edge, foot edge) of the printed product, regardless of whether it consists of individual pages or signatures, and also regardless of how the final finishing of such printed products was carried out.

[0003] For the industrial production of printed products, which are also called book blocks or brochures, in small or very small runs down to a print run of one, so-called three-knife trimmers are used, which are able to trim products with the same or variable formats and thicknesses one after the other at a high cycle rate and continuously in production with the highest cutting quality to the desired formats.

[0004] In a cutting system with three cutting stations, the printed products—usually book blocks or brochures—are cut to the final format at the head, foot, and front edges of a specified thickness. The printed products are bound as a single unit along the spine as intended. All common binding methods are possible, such as thread stitching, perfect binding, saddle stitching, etc.

[0005] Such a newer-generation three-knife trimmer can be used both as a stand-alone machine and as part of a line network with other production facilities or production lines. One example, among many others, is an adhesive binder. State of the art

[0006] The task of the device, also referred to as a "three-knife trimmer," is to trim the printed products, usually book blocks and / or brochures, also commonly referred to as printed products, along their three open edges. This is achieved by clamping the book block or brochure between pressing units, preferably press bars or press plates, immediately before the cutting operation. Afterward, they are trimmed to size in three cutting operations (head, front, and foot edges). The sequence of these cutting operations is not rigidly defined; it can also vary depending on the product.

[0007] Three-knife trimmers have also become known, in which the book blocks are pressed and held between press rams and cutting cassettes for the cutting operation. When the press ram is raised, the cut book block is conveyed out and a new printed product to be cut is inserted. The printed product is brought into position by a centering device and then clamped by the descending press ram. The knives move using an oscillating cut directed against the book, thus performing the cutting operation. Once all edges have been cut, the press ram is raised and the next work cycle can begin. However, this three-knife trimmer design is not suitable for rapid format changeovers. The press ram and the cutting cassette are tailored to the format to be processed and can only be replaced or changed by stopping the machine.

[0008] From EP 3 285 978 B1 a device for carrying out printed product-related cutting operations has become known, wherein this device basically has a feed device via which the printed product is transferred to the first cutting station, wherein the device also has an outfeed device via which the printed product is conveyed further after passing through the third cutting station, wherein the second cutting station, which carries out the front cut, is arranged in between.The printed product is therefore transported subsequently from one cutting station to the next in such a way that from the first cutting location, in which the cutting operation of the first format edge of the printed product takes place, be it as a head or foot cut, it is transferred to the second cutting location, in which the front cut takes place, then the printed product is transported to the third cutting location, in which the cutting operation for the third format edge takes place, be it as a foot or head cut, wherein it is transported from one cutting location to the next by means of at least one transport unit, and wherein the transport unit has at least one gripping means (gripper) with which the printed product is gripped force-fittingly on the back and is conveyed hanging from one cutting location to the next, which represents an essential characteristic of this device.

[0009] Furthermore, regarding the prior art, reference is made to EP 3 482 892 A2, which essentially forms the basis of the preceding EP 3 285 978 B1. This application has been further developed in such a way that the edge-related cutting operation is now performed at at least one cutting location, if necessary at all three cutting locations, by a cutting tool. After a first edge-related cutting operation, at least one second subsequent edge-related cutting operation can optionally be performed. Using the example of the second subsequent partial cut on the front part of the printed product, i.e., at the second cutting location, the procedure for achieving this additional partial cut is as follows: a) After the first partial cut has been carried out, the printed product is briefly clamped by a gripper belonging to the transport unit of the transport device, whereupon the clamping device acting on the printed product to carry out the cutting operation opens slightly, so that the printed product is no longer conditioned in terms of movement by this clamping device, iethe printed product is now held suspended by the gripper; b) Intermediately, the gripper belonging to the transport unit exerts a force on the printed product at the location, whereby the printed product then assumes an intertemporal local positioning when the clamping device is open; c) While the clamping device remains open, the transport unit belonging to the transport device shifts the clamped printed product downwards by an amount, precisely the amount that has been planned for the second partial cut, whereby the original plane of the knife remains unchanged for this subsequent cut as well.d) After the displacement by the cutting amount has taken place, the clamping units of the clamping device again exert a force connection on the printed product in synchronization with the gripper of the transport unit; e) Immediately before the start of the second partial cut, the printed product is pressed down again by a pressing unit that is preferably bar-shaped and related to the cutting location, which exerts the ultimate pressure on the printed product in the area of ​​the cutting plane; f) After the end of the second partial cut, the pressing unit moves back in synchronization with the cutting tool, the clamping jaws or pressure bars of the clamping device open, and the printed product is then conveyed on by the further transport unit of the transport device to the third cutting location.

[0010] To avoid unnecessary repetition of the process, the Figure 17 and their description in EP 3 482 892 A2. Description of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to create a device designed as a three-knife trimmer, which is based on the above-mentioned protective rights, but is inventively further developed in such a way that, in addition to the conventional operation, this device according to the invention is now able, if required - without cycle interruptions - to also process printed products which are extended with at least one flap fold or cover.

[0012] According to the invention, this concerns the cutting operation in the area of ​​the front cut, which, as already mentioned, can be carried out according to known operating procedures, but is also characterized by a cutting operation that newly involves the cyclical capture of printed products that are extended with a flap fold or cover, but which must remain intact in their original configuration during the front cut to be performed, i.e., they must not be trimmed, which would directly lead to their destruction. This is achieved by taking precautions before this front cut that are aimed at fully preserving the configuration of the underlying circumference of the flap fold or cover. The other cutting operations, i.e., head and foot cuts, remain unaffected; they can be carried out within the usual framework.

[0013] A flap fold or cover is a special design of the wrapping of the printed product, which has at least one formation implemented on the inside or outside of the printed product, whereby, when we talk about printed products, this also includes books, brochures, magazines, etc.

[0014] The present invention therefore proposes, on the one hand, that the cutting operation taking place, particularly during this front cut, is fundamentally carried out as before. On the other hand, the invention proposes a device and a method in which the flap folds or covers of the printed product are not affected by the front cut. This means that the cutting operation(s) during the front cut are carried out in such a way that the flap fold or cover, according to their original configuration, is not affected. This is achieved by initiating a predisposed and predominant opening (spreading) of the flap fold or cover prior to this cutting operation, the size of which is maintained at least until after the completion of this cutting operation.

[0015] The reason why spreading is also required in the case of a pure cover, i.e. without a flap fold, is that this can be configured with a specific dimension compared to the front trimmed edge, which could be destroyed by a cutting operation, for example in those cases where the cover is deliberately designed to be slightly recessed or slightly protruding from the trimmed edge.

[0016] The present invention is based on a three-knife trimmer and a method for operating the same, which, with high cutting performance and cutting quality, is capable of continuously processing printed products of the same or different formats and thicknesses—that is, by definition, trimming them to the format size—even when the printed products are designed with at least one flap fold or cover. These can also be designed differently, for example, if they are provided individually or on both sides and are arranged either inwardly or outwardly. Furthermore, further embodiments according to the invention are therefore encompassed, which involve the trimming of printed products with flap folds or covers.

[0017] By incorporating a process whereby the printed product is equipped with at least one flap or cover, various translations and precautions for the printed product are implemented in the front trim area, according to the invention. A key feature is the provision that the printed product (also called the book block) passes through an integrated intermediate station before the front trim. This intermediate station is equipped with elements that, on the one hand, initiate and consolidate the spreading of the flap or cover, and, on the other hand, further precautions are then provided that can maintain or reinforce the spreading until the front trim.

[0018] It is essential to the invention that the front cut can generally be carried out within the previously described framework, even if, according to the invention, at least one flap fold or cover is present. In such a case, the precautions taken should ensure that the cutting operation can take place while fully preserving the specified geometric configuration of the flap fold or cover. Accordingly, it should be ensured that the flap fold or cover remains untouched during this cutting operation, both in single-sided and double-sided versions, regardless of whether they are arranged on the inside and / or outside of the printed product in the case of the flap fold, i.e., the elements used according to the invention ensure that the implementation of the front cut remains limited to the body of the printed product, which is to be considered separately from a cover of the printed product, this can however only be reliably achieved if the spreading of the flap fold or the cover assumes and maintains an effective and sustainable opening throughout the entire duration of this cutting operation, whereby when forming this spreading it is important for quality reasons to ensure that the flap fold or cover does not experience any permanent creases or creases, i.e. the physically related spreading behaves in a form and structure reversible manner at any time after the front cut has been completed.

[0019] During the translation of the book block after the first cutting operation (head or foot edge) has been carried out, the printed product passes through an intermediate station, i.e. upstream of the cutting operation for the front cut, in which the flap fold or the cover is (experience) a flexible spreading due to the elements acting there, in such a way that the conditions are created that (co-)trimming of the flap fold or the cover is excluded during the front cut, whereby this opening as such consists in the end section of the flap fold or the cover being flexibly raised before the actual front cut, i.e. experiencing a spreading, but to such an extent that a permanent deformation of the structure of the flap fold or the cover is avoided, whereby the same also applies to the further transport of the flap fold or the cover within this cutting station.The aim of this procedure is to ensure that the original structure (elasticity) and quality of the flap fold or the cover remains undamaged during this spreading, i.e. that there will be absolutely no permanent deformation of the flap fold or the cover.

[0020] In a three-knife trimmer with a force-locking gripping of the printed product along a transfer path, i.e. from one cutting station to the next, basically adapted translations of the printed product are provided, which correspond maximally with the respective cutting operation, whereby in the present invention it is a matter of emphasizing those translations of the printed product which are in active connection with the front cut.

[0021] This first translation, which is focused here, concerns the transfer of the printed product from the preceding cutting station to the front cutting station, which can be carried out in various ways: a) On the one hand, this translation can be achieved through a staged procedure, in which the printed product initially travels a vertical or verticalized path from the location of the preceding cutting operation until the operating height of the intermediate station at the beginning of the cutting station for the front cut is reached. The printed product then subsequently travels horizontally, initially until it is transferred to the intermediate station equipped with elements that can initiate, consolidate, or reinforce the spreading of the flap fold or cover. This reinforcement of the spreading is intended for cases in which the resulting opening of the flap fold or cover may be insufficient to ensure the final purpose.b) On the other hand, such a translation can also be achieved by transferring the printed product, starting from the location of the previous cutting operation, to the intermediate station along a continuous inter-sectoral path, in the form of a transverse hyperbolic curve, whereupon the further course is then again determined according to a).

[0022] The elements of the intermediate station provided for this purpose therefore have the function of initiating precautions which essentially serve to fully preserve the integrity of the flap fold or the cover during the subsequent front-cutting-related cutting process, i.e. to secure both the flap fold and the cover by means of a suitable spreading to such an extent that the subsequent cutting operation can be carried out successfully under optimal conditions, in particular also taking into account the pressing precautions to ensure optimal pressing of the printed product before and during the front cut.

[0023] In particular, the initiation of this spreading action related to the flap fold or the cover (opening upon lifting and / or deflection) is intended to create the spatial conditions necessary for the cutting operation to be carried out with the best possible force-related pressure on the printed product, with a direct effect on the dynamics of the cutting device, which is preferably operated by at least one knife. For this purpose, the intermediate station consists of a body, preferably in the shape of an opening blade, over whose contour the printed product (book block) with flap fold or cover is transported. This opening blade penetrates the book block with its tip between the flap fold or cover and the printed product body, thus initiating the dynamics that lead to a spreading opening.This tip initially initiates a position-dependent opening, which creates the conditions for the flap fold or the cover to subsequently slide over the opening edge of the opening blade, thus initiating a certain spreading of the flap fold or the cover relative to the book block body, and thus fundamentally creating the conditions for the subsequent cutting operation to be carried out safely, independent of the dimensioning and configuration of the flap fold or the cover.

[0024] In our case, the wrapping of the printed product has various configurations, which are designed as a flap fold or cover. The flap fold itself can be arranged inward or outward from the book block, with such flap folds or covers being present on both sides of the book block. Regarding the spreading of a cover, reference is made to the explanations in paragraph

[0015] . The opening blade itself consists of: a) An initial opening edge positioned in the direction of flow, which runs horizontally, quasi-horizontally, or diagonally; b) An opening blade, which is located downstream of the opening edge and begins with an opening blade in the shape of a pointed edge. c) The opening point of the printed product is generally defined by the opening edge and opening blade in operative connection with each other. In particular, this opening point is reached when the printed product rests against the opening blade and the opening of the flap fold or cover begins or is initiated.

[0025] The translation for initiating and creating the opening of the flap fold or the cover can take place continuously, i.e. without stopping in front of the opening edge of the first element, or it can also take place by an intertemporal stop immediately in front of the said opening edge, thus creating the conditions for initiating the spreading of the flap fold or the cover to be effectively supported with a statically acting air jet, whereby this air jet can also be implemented during continuous transport of the printed product, i.e. without stopping in front of the opening edge, regardless of whether the cut or the not yet cut section of the printed product is running towards the opening edge.

[0026] In addition, the intermediate station with its first element in the form of the aforementioned opening blade, which serves to initiate and consolidate the spreading of the flap fold or the cover, is in operative connection with further elements, which preferably extend over the entire operative course of the cutting station intended for the execution of the front cut, and which, if necessary, serve to maintain and increase the initial spreading of the flap fold or the cover, i.e. the opening blade first directs the generated spreading to one or two rails running parallel to each other in the area of ​​the front cut, which, as already described, extend along the entire operative course of the cutting station, wherein these rails run parallel on both sides of the passage of the printed product, in such a way that printed products with two, ie, with double-sided or double flap folds or covers can be processed The spacing of the two parallel rails depends on the thickness of the respective printed product, whereby this spacing can be adjusted by controlled units, and whereby preferably only one rail implements the required spacing by means of a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical drive, however it is also possible for both rails to take over the necessary control to create a new spacing simultaneously or with a phase shift, whereby in the latter case it must also be taken into account that this could result in a lateral displacement of the pressure bars or pressure beams compared to the original cutting processes, which could be compensated for by these pressure bars or pressure beams.Press beams compensate for the displacement of the rails relative to each other, thereby defining a new, adjusted cutting plane of the printed product in such a way that such corrections can prevent suboptimal cutting qualities.

[0027] These rails are generally convex or quasi-convex in the form of grooves and have the task of continuously taking over the spreading indicated by the opening blade and at least maintaining its degree of opening up to the front cut, whereby the convexity or the inclination of the rails can also be designed in such a way that such a spreading can experience an increasing intensity up to the front cut.

[0028] A multiple cut in a printed product with a flap fold or cover is also intended to be part of the present subject matter of the invention, whereby it must be taken into account that, with regard to the two embodiments, an initial spreading of the flap fold or cover could possibly be dispensed with in a first partial cut, and only used in the subsequent further cut. However, for operational reasons, it will be easier to provide for the spreading of the flap fold or cover from the outset by means of a sufficiently strong spreading, whereby the infrastructure of the cutting operations would then have to be adapted accordingly during the process. Therefore, as a variant, it can be readily considered that after the first partial cut, the printed product is returned to the opening blade, where the spreading of the flap fold or cover is then carried out, as described in detail above.This process ensures that the physical integrity of the flap or cover is maintained.

[0029] The three-knife trimmer used here, which is to be integrated with a spreading of the flap fold or the cover according to the invention, allows new configurations of printed products (flap fold, cover) to be processed, whereby the operational implementation of the new types of printed products can also be realized for large and very small print runs, the latter down to a quantity of 1, so that this operation can be carried out consistently in cycles, without downtimes due to ongoing internal machine adjustments for different formats and thicknesses of the printed products, regardless of whether the cutting procedure is carried out mono or by partial cuts.

[0030] In summary, the invention can be characterized as follows, wherein the object is achieved by a device and a method in which cutting operations are carried out on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product. As far as the device is concerned, it has at least one feed device which is operatively connected to a first cutting station, at which at least one cutting operation takes place on a first format edge present there. Furthermore, the device has at least one discharge device which is operatively connected to a last cutting station, in which a cutting operation of the printed product directed towards a second format edge is carried out, wherein at least one further intermediate cutting station is arranged between the first and the last cutting operation, in which a cutting operation directed towards the front cut of the printed product takes place.

[0031] The printed product itself is gripped during the cutting operations by at least one clamping device, sometimes also called a pressing device, which exerts a pressing force in operative connection with a cutting device, wherein the printed product is conveyed in a suspended manner from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit with a force-exerting gripping means, wherein the cutting station operable for the front cut is equipped on the input side with at least one first element, the contour of which is such that it initiates a spreading on a flap fold or a cover of the printed product in the transport direction and, if necessary, also implements it in such a way that such a spreading is created at this location, the opening of which is such that the subsequent front cut can generally be carried out without restrictions, be it directly at the location of the spreading,or downstream at the location of the originally intended cutting operation. In this sense, if the front cut is performed directly at the cutting location where the spread is created, the cutting operation is brought forward compared to the original planning. This would offer the advantage that the spreading of the flap fold or the cover would no longer have to be carried out via additional planning.

[0032] However, starting from the three-knife trimmer extended according to the invention, the predetermined process is used for printed products with an implemented flap fold or cover, in that at least one second element is arranged immediately downstream of the first element, which at least takes over the spreading predetermined by the first element, maintains this size up to the front cut or increases this spreading in a regular or irregular course, with the final purpose that the front cutting operation is carried out with a sufficient safety distance from the flap fold or the cover.

[0033] Normally, the printed product has at least one flap fold or cover, whereby the flap fold can be configured inwards or outwards. If the printed product has two flap folds or covers arranged on the book side (see above under paragraph 0015), reliable spreading can only be carried out if the elements provided for this purpose are in use on both sides of the transported printed product. In such a case, which usually represents the basic design of the device according to the invention, two first and two second elements are provided, which are arranged at a distance from one another and guided parallel, whereby the degree of this spacing is controlled by mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means so that a distance corresponding to the respective thickness of the printed product is created, i.e.Such a mechanism allows printed products of varying thicknesses to be continuously fed to the front edge. Such a distance adjustment should preferably also be implemented for a single-sided flap or cover, providing the printed product with adequate lateral support during transport along the non-used second element toward the front edge.

[0034] Regarding the shape and operation of the opening body (configured as an opening blade), reference is made to paragraphs

[0023] -

[0029] to avoid unnecessary repetition. In detail, this basic description of the invention is therefore intended to explain that the opening blade has a deflecting opening blade which, at the beginning of the translation taking place there, penetrates into the printed product in the area of ​​the flap fold or the cover, thus initiating the causal spreading between the flap fold or cover and the printed product body. The further design of the opening blade has a flow-conforming contour which gradually increases in the transport direction and ensures that the spreading of the flap fold or cover is gently widened to a certain extent, up to an opening at which the front cut can be carried out without stress on the flap fold or cover.If this initial spread is to be maintained until the further downstream front cut within this cutting station, the aforementioned second element comes into play. This extends along the transport path and preferably has the shape of a convex or quasi-convex groove. This groove can have a regular course in the transport direction, whereby the spread created by the opening blade can be maintained until the effective front cut. However, this groove can also have a course designed to increase the spread, such that the initial spread in the transport direction experiences an increase in the opening in order to then have more free space compared to the flap fold or the cover during the front cut. Guide plates can also be provided to support the groove.

[0035] The clamping device arranged in the second cutting station for providing the contact pressure acts stationary on one side of the printed product, while on the other the clamping device acts in a feeding movement. However, it is also possible for the contact pressure to be applied on both sides of the printed product by a feeding movement. This clamping device consists, at least on the feeding side of the printed product, of individual vertically or quasi-vertically arranged pressure bars, which are only used individually during spreading. During the pressing of the printed product directly in the area of ​​the cutting operation, the fixed and / or movable pressure bars arranged below the spread flap fold or the cover act as part of the assembly and ultimately provide the ultimate pressing force for the cutting operation.

[0036] The device is further equipped with a feed device, which, as the name suggests, implements feed operations for receiving and aligning the incoming printed product. After alignment, the product is immediately fed to the first cutting operation located there. The feed device preferably consists of a rotatable, rake-like wheel that initially receives a printed product lying on its back, clamps it by applying force, and transfers it, through a corresponding partial rotation, into a hanging position with its back. In this position, the cutting operation is then performed. The printed product is then subsequently picked up by the transport unit and transferred to the next cutting operation.

[0037] The facility also consists of a discharge device, which operates in the vicinity of the third cutting operation and is operated according to the following criteria: a) The discharge device is operated via a multi-part wheel; b) The discharge device has a pressing device which consists of at least a first and at least one second pressing beam and at least one second pressing beam which exerts the pressing force for the cutting operation; c) After the cutting operation at this third cutting location, the multi-part wheel performs a partial rotation by which the printed product is transferred to a discharge position; d) At least one pressing beam is operated by a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electric drive.

[0038] The press force required to press the printed product to the cut and the cutting force required to operate the cutting device at the relevant cutting location can be provided by one and the same drive, regardless of whether the press beams operate directly or indirectly. However, it is also possible to generate both forces using separate drives, which then offers operational advantages, namely that each force can be applied individually.

[0039] According to the object, the invention is further achieved by a method for operating the device for carrying out cutting operations on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product, wherein the method also comprises at least one feed device which is operatively connected to a first cutting station, at which at least one cutting operation is carried out on a first format edge ready for cutting there. The device furthermore also has at least one discharge device which is operatively connected to a last cutting station, in which a cutting operation of the printed product directed towards a second format edge is carried out, wherein at least one intermediate cutting station is arranged between the first and the last cutting operation, in which cutting operation directed towards the front cut of the printed product is carried out.During the cutting operations, the printed product is generally gripped by at least one pressing device, which implements the application of the required pressing force for the operation of the cutting device. The printed product is transported from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit with integrated force-applying gripping means. The method further comprises the following process steps and configurations:

[0040] The cutting station operable for the front cut is supplemented on the input side with an intermediate station which consists of at least one first element, the contour of which is such that in the transport direction a spreading of the wrapping formed with a flap fold or an envelope of the printed product to be processed there takes place, wherein immediately downstream of the first element at least one second element is arranged, by which at least the spreading formed by the first element is taken over and forwards this to the front cut, wherein the degree of opening of this spreading is increased as required by the second element, be it by a regular or irregular course.

[0041] As far as the change in the spread of the flap fold or the cover injected by the first element is concerned, this predetermined spread is taken over by the second element, preferably in the form of a convex or quasi-convex groove, the spread is either secured unchanged up to the front cut, or it is preferably successively increased in the course of the further transport path to the front cut by designing the convexity of the groove accordingly, so that the printed product body is characterized by a larger free zone in the area of ​​the front cut compared to the spread of the flap fold or the cover.

[0042] As for the shape of the first element, it has the configuration of an opening blade. The opening blade, at the inlet side, is formed by an opening blade. At the beginning of the translation relative to the printed product, the opening blade penetrates between the flap fold or the cover relative to the printed product body, thereby initiating a spreading action. The further design of the opening blade has a gradually increasing contour in the transport direction. The flow-related configuration of the opening blade ensures that the spreading of the flap fold increases continuously and gently up to a certain degree of opening, such that at least the spreading is achieved at which the front cut can be carried out without stress.If this initial spread is intended to have sufficient opening to allow for an unloaded front cut, it is not further increased along the second element. However, if this spread from the first element has an insufficient opening, the second element intervenes, which is no longer designed solely to maintain the degree of opening but can also increase it. This can be achieved, for example, by flexible modifications to the convex or quasi-convex grooves and / or guide vanes.

[0043] The first element, as already explained above, has the form of an opening blade, which essentially consists of an opening blade formed on the input side, by whose penetration into the printed product in the area of ​​the flap fold or the cover during a first translation the spreading of the flap fold or cover-expanded wrapping of the printed product is initiated, which spreading can then be further increased by the further translation along the contour of this opening blade in that its contour is designed to increase in volume on the flank side.

[0044] If the flap folds or envelopes as well as the various dimensions of the printed products are to be captured and their synchronized processing is to be ensured, the method according to the invention, as already explained above with the device according to the invention, also comprises two first and two second elements on both sides of the printed product, which are coupled to at least one drive to precisely space them according to the thickness of the printed product to be processed. The gap thus created must correspond 100% to the thickness of the printed product, with a narrowly limited allowance, so that the first and second elements, in operative connection with one another, can ensure reliable spreading of the flap folds or envelopes.

[0045] In general, but particularly in the second cutting station for performing the front cut, the pressing devices arranged there for providing the contact pressure on the printed product should be stationary on one side, while on the other side the contact pressure can be applied by a feeding movement. However, it is also possible for the contact pressure to be implemented on both sides of the printed product by a feeding movement. This pressing device consists, at least on the feeding side of the printed product, of individual vertically or quasi-vertically arranged pressure bars. Before the cutting operation, it is important that only those pressure bars are used above the spreading device that ensure that the flap fold or the cover is not damaged.Sufficient space has now been created below the spread so that the printed product body is gripped on both sides directly in the area of ​​the front cut by at least one fixed and / or movable press bar for the application of the final pressing force, which then ensures safe operation for the front cut to be carried out.

[0046] According to the object, the invention is further implemented by a method for operating the device for performing cutting operations on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product, which method involves designing the transport with a further implementation according to the invention, bearing in mind that some aspects thereof can be adopted unchanged. The device underlying this invention has at least one feed device operatively connected to a first cutting station, at which at least one cutting operation is performed on a first format edge present there, and at least one discharge device operatively connected to a last cutting station, in which a cutting operation directed toward a second format edge of the printed product is performed.wherein between the first and the last cutting operation, at least one further intermediate cutting station is arranged, in which a cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product is carried out, wherein the printed product is gripped during the cutting operations by at least one pressing device, by which the pressing force is exerted on the printed product in operative connection with a cutting device, wherein the printed product is conveyed from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit with a force-exerting gripping means.

[0047] The cutting station operable for the front cut is equipped on the inlet side with at least one first element, the contour of which is designed such that, in the transport direction, a spreading of the wrapping formed by a flap fold or an envelope of the printed product introduced there is initiated. Immediately downstream of the first element, at least one second element is arranged, which takes over at least the spreading formed by the first element and conveys it further to the front cut, either maintaining the opening or reinforcing it, as already explained above. If the front cut is to be subjected to multiple cuts, one embodiment can provide for the spreading to be increased by the first and / or second element to such an extent that the front cut operation can be carried out immediately subsequently at the cutting location by adding the section to be trimmed.

[0048] In order to carry out multiple cuts on the front cut, starting from a device already described, it is possible to provide, as a further embodiment, that the first cutting operation is carried out without spreading the flap fold or the cover, i.e. as is conventionally the case; after this first cut, which can easily be supplemented by a subsequent one, the printed product is then returned to the intermediate station with the first and second element for carrying out the spreading, whereupon the final cutting operation of the front cut can then take place.

[0049] The device has several transport units which are guided along a circulating guide track, wherein each transport unit in the area of ​​the various cutting stations is individually loaded with at least one printed product for the respective cutting operation, wherein each transport unit, after leaving the last cutting station, is returned unloaded via a circulating track to the first cutting station in order to pick up a subsequently brought-in printed product before or after the first cutting operation and to guide it, at a certain cycle, to the remaining cutting stations for carrying out the upcoming cutting operations, wherein with such a transport configuration it can easily be provided that all cutting operations on the printed product can be carried out at a central cutting station in such a way that the printed product picked up in each case by the transport unit, even if such a unit is designed to be continuous,is fed directly to a central cutting station, where all cutting operations are carried out in such a way that the movement dynamics of the force-developing pressing elements and the cutting devices are coordinated with each other by non-colliding cutting processes.

[0050] This central cutting station also implements provisions aimed at spreading a flap fold or cover belonging to the printed product. The means for creating this spreading during the front cut, due to the centrally performed cutting operations, do not interfere with the entire cutting process, in such a way that these means either assume a specific location or can be temporarily switched on and off. It is obvious that with such a configuration, the spreading must directly create the opening at which the flap fold or cover remains completely unaffected in its structure by the front cut. Short description of the drawing

[0051] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures accompanying the drawings. All elements not essential for a direct understanding of the invention have been omitted. In the following, the printed product, also referred to as a book block, is referred to, although this also includes other types of printed products, such as brochures.

[0052] The drawing shows: Figure 1: Translation movements of the transport unit and grippers within the X and Y planes in a setup; Figure 2: An overall view of the three-knife trimmer, captured by a snapshot of the transport unit; Figure 3: Another view of the three-knife trimmer with another snapshot of the transport unit; Figure 4: Infeed device for the book blocks into the three-knife trimmer; Figure 5: An insertion wheel as a feed device; Figure 6: A transport clamp; Figure 7: A modular cutting device containing the three cutting stations; Figure 8: A snapshot showing the use of the pressure bars during front cutting; Figure 9: Another snapshot showing the operation of the pressure bars during front cutting; Figure 10: Another snapshot showing the operation of the pressure bars during the cutting operation on the front cutting; Figure 11: Various designs of flap fold and cover;Figure 12: Translations of the printed product via the intermediate station at the second cutting station, with the spreading-triggering elements; Figure 13: A configuration of the spreading-triggering elements in conjunction with one another; Figure 14: The dynamics of the spreading coupled with the pressing of the printed product; Figure 15: An overall view of the elements of the intermediate station, showing how the printed product is brought to the spreading of the flap fold or cover; Figure 16: A block diagram of the sequences during subsequent cutting operations at the cutting stations, with the sequences at the second cutting station for the front cut being highlighted; Figure 17: A rotatable four-clamp system as a clamping device and discharge device; Figure 18: The ultimate pressing of the book block during the cutting operation; Figure 19: The progression of the force development of various clamping elements during a cutting operation;Figure 20: a flush slider for applying vertical pressure to the printed product; Figure 21: a flush slider for applying horizontal pressure to the printed product; and Figure 22: another transport configuration of the transport units. Embodiments of the invention

[0053] Figure 1shows schematically the translational movements of a transport unit belonging to a three-knife trimmer 100, the movements of which are carried out by two printed product-related movable transport units 101, 102, wherein these transport units, as will be explained in more detail later in the description of the remaining figures, are operatively connected to one another. The transport units have printed product-related grippers 103, 104 with clamping jaws at the ends, which grip the printed product A to be trimmed (this is often referred to as a book block, but at the same time, other printed products, such as brochures, are also meant) on the spine side A R< sequentially and cyclically. The transport units themselves perform the following coordinated, control-supported translational movements relative to cutting locations 1, 2, and 3, also called cutting stations:

[0054] The first transport unit 101 actively receives the printed product A at the first cutting location 1 after the first cutting operation has been performed there. This printed product A is then transferred by the first transport unit to the second cutting location 2 and, after the printed product has been delivered, returns to the starting position at the first cutting location 1 in order to be available there for a renewed acceptance of a subsequently delivered printed product A after the first cutting operation has been performed at the first cutting location 1. In the meantime, the second transport unit 102 receives the printed product A immediately after the cutting operation has been completed at the second cutting location 2 and transfers it to the third cutting location 3, where the third cutting operation takes place.Thereafter, the second transport unit 102 returns to the second cutting location 2, where another printed product A, delivered by the first transport unit and already trimmed, is already ready for collection and transfer to the third cutting location 3.

[0055] The translational movements of the transport units 101, 102, with the integrated grippers 103, 104, encompass two or three levels of the system, respectively. The first level, X, is used to transfer the printed product from one cutting location to the next; the second level, Y, is used to load and unload the printed product at the respective cutting location. Optionally, a third level, Z (not shown in detail), is used, in which, as needed, a lateral adjustment (offset movement) relative to the printed product-related stationary clamping elements takes place at the respective cutting location of the three-knife trimmer 100.

[0056] In the following, the effect of the translational movements of the transport units is described using the grippers, as these best reflect the process flow of the three-knife trimmer.

[0057] Figures 2 and 3 show the three-knife trimmer 100 in a 3D representation. The book blocks A n< are fed lying down, with the book block spine first and at approximately equal intervals, via a conveyor belt 110 to the three-knife trimmer 100. The approximately uniform feeding of the book blocks is achieved either by a timed feeding of the book blocks to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer, or it is initiated by devices on the conveyor belt that are part of the state of the art.

[0058] In another embodiment not shown in detail, the book blocks are fed to the conveyor belt 110 of the three-knife trimmer 100 with an irregular pitch. A timing device ensures that minimum pitches (distance from a leading spine edge to the spine edge of the next book block) are not undercut.

[0059] A sensor (not shown in detail) detects the moment a book block arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. If the distance between the book blocks exceeds the minimum pitch, the control system reduces the speed of the three-knife trimmer's translational movements, whereupon the three-knife trimmer is synchronized to the cycle of the delivered book block. If the pitch exceeds a maximum value, the control system is programmed to generate idle cycles on the three-knife trimmer.

[0060] The book blocks A n< are aligned on the conveyor belt 110 by a fixed stop on the head or foot side. This can be achieved by a transport section with slightly slanted transport rollers, or by other measures known from the prior art. The remaining modules of the three-knife trimmer are arranged according to the illustrations in the Figures 2 and 3 are described in detail in the following figures.

[0061] A flush slide 125 (See the Figures 3 and 14 ) is operatively connected to the insertion wheel 120 (feed device) and is intended to complement the measures already explained in order to achieve a secure positioning of the book block relative to its stop surfaces.

[0062] On the one hand, a stop surface is used for single book blocks, stacked book blocks, or stacked brochures for aligning the spine of the printed products against a fixed support surface within the feed wheel 120. On the other hand, it must be ensured that the head and / or foot sides of the printed products are positioned downwards in the transport direction before the first cutting operation.

[0063] In the case of book blocks, this occurs insofar as the format-based transfer of one or more printed products from the feed wheel 120 to the transport clamping device 130 is controlled by a sensor that responds to the outer edge of the overhanging flap fold or the cover (wrapping) or the book block itself in the area of ​​the head and foot sections. This ensures that the edge zone trimmed there in the book block has a coordinated size.

[0064] In the case of a stacked package of individual brochures, lateral means should preferably be provided before the first cutting operation to ensure uniform alignment of the edges of this package on the cutting site side.

[0065] The function of the insertion wheel 120 is therefore to pivot a foldable, rake-like guide against the book block so that, after a 90° rotation when lying on its back, it cannot fan out or fall over or tip over. The rake-like guide is coupled to the clamping unit, which temporarily clamps the book block in a position lying on its back and is kinematically designed so that this rake-like guide can be transferred to a position dependent on the book thickness. The clamping unit then opens slightly again so that the book block, following gravity, corrects the position of its spine against the stop surface of the insertion wheel. The clamping unit then closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position.This optimized procedure ensures that the spine of the book block assumes a defined position, which is crucial for the subsequent cutting operations.

[0066] Notwithstanding this, it is correct from a qualitative point of view to provide for additional measures which can intervene in cases where, in various book block designs, the effect of gravity alone is no longer sufficient to ensure the desired defined position of the book block spine in relation to the corresponding stop surface.

[0067] In this context, it must be assumed that in most cases the book blocks are finished with a cover that has a relatively large overhang on all sides (head, foot, front) compared to the original book block body. In particular, trimming-related measures must be taken if the book blocks are fed in with finished flap folds or covers facing the front surface, i.e., if the aim is to ensure that these are not trimmed during the front trimming process. This overhang does not in itself restrict the cutting process, but could offer logistical advantages due to format standardization, in that a wide range of different book block formats can be accommodated with the same cover size. It can therefore be assumed that a relatively larger overhang will be used in the majority of cases.

[0068] In order to achieve a secure, defined position between the spine of the book block and the stop surface within the insertion wheel 120, even for covers with a large overhang in the area of ​​the head, foot and front sections, it is proposed to enrich the state of the art according to the invention to provide at least one flush slider 125, 126 of adequate shape during the short opening of the clamping unit in order to allow gravity to act on the book block (see Figures 14 , 15 ) will operate in such a way that the necessary pressure is exerted directly or indirectly on the book block via cover overhangs so that the spine of the book block rests securely on the corresponding stop surface or is aligned laterally.

[0069] For this purpose, the two front cover overhangs of the book block are removed in the pressure plane by the optimally angled brush combs (see Figures 14 , 15) or by other flexible mechanical or pneumatically controlled means, so that the resulting pressure force is transferred via cover overhangs to the body of the book block A, such that the latter then rests securely on the stop surface provided within the insertion wheel 120 or is otherwise positioned horizontally.

[0070] Using the example of a brush comb (see Figures 14 , 15 ), its material flexibility is achieved in such a way that the free resulting section of the brush comb between the two cover overhangs can also penetrate to the front part of the book block through the vertical or quasi-vertical pressure movement in order to be able to exert an additional or predominant pressure force there.

[0071] In principle, this pressure force can also be used when it is necessary to achieve a flush position by means of an additional flush slide 126 (see Figures 3 and15 ) to be able to exert a laterally directed pressure force on the head or foot section of the printed product, with the aim of achieving the formation of a uniform plane across all printed products in the package, so that its edge can then be reliably detected by a sensor in order to be able to create the optimal positioning within the transport clamp device 130 so that the subsequent cutting operations (head and foot cut) can be carried out accurately.

[0072] As can be seen from Figure 4 As can be seen, the book blocks are pressed against a fixed stop 111 by slightly inclined transport rollers 113 in the transport direction 112 and subsequently transported to the three-knife trimmer 100. The fixed stop 111 can be designed with a traveling belt (not shown in detail) or can simply be a fixed plate. The book blocks A n< then reach a transfer position from which they are lifted, for example, by a rotating insertion wheel 120 and brought into the operative position by rotation.

[0073] As can be seen from Figure 5This occurs during a first 90° rotation of the insertion wheel 120, which functions as a feed device for a subsequent operation. A foldable, rake-like guide 121 pivots against the book block A so that, after the 90° rotation, the book block lies on its spine and can no longer fan out or fall over. The rake-like guide 121 is coupled to a clamping unit 122, which briefly clamps the book block lying on its spine. The clamping unit is kinematically designed such that the book block can be transferred into a position dependent on the book thickness by the rake-like guide 121 belonging to the clamping unit. The clamping unit 122 then opens again a little so that the book block A or its spine, following the force of gravity, hits the stop surface 123 of the insertion wheel 120 and then aligns itself there.

[0074] The clamping unit 122 then closes again so that the book block is held in a defined position. The four-part insertion wheel 120 now rotates in two cycles of 90° each and transfers the printed product into a hanging position for further transport and processing. During this rotational movement, the first rake-like guide 121 and a second, also rake-like guide 124 operatively connected to it are pivoted slightly away from the book block so that the components of the book block hang vertically downwards by gravity alone, while the book block is held force-fittingly at the spine by the clamping unit 122. In this position, an open transport clamp (clearly visible in Figure 2 , Pos.130) moves horizontally in the direction of the spine over the book block and takes over a large area.

[0075] How detailed from Figure 6As can be seen, this transport clamp 130 consists of two clamping jaws 131, 132, which operate in such a way that one clamping jaw 131 performs no stroke, while the other clamping jaw 132 performs the entire stroke movement. Together, the two clamping jaws 131, 132 perform two different offset movements, which are related in terms of transport technology in terms of whether the printed product (book block, brochure, etc.) is then transported generally or makes an empty run. Optionally, for certain variable and / or inconsistent book block thicknesses, it can be provided that the stroke of the two clamping jaws 131, 132 is individually designed, thus traveling the same or different paths until the final pressing position is reached.

[0076] The transport clamp 130 can be moved horizontally by a linear motion device 133. A controlled drive (not shown in detail) moves the transport clamp 130 precisely relative to a transfer position that conforms to the book block. This always depends on the size of the cut that is made at the head or foot edge of the book block. Then, in the transfer position, the transport clamp 130 closes and clamps the book block between its front and back surfaces. Only the spine area and the respective section of the book block to be trimmed remain free. For this purpose, refer to the description of Figure 18 The clamping unit 122 (see Figure 5 ) now opens and releases the book block spine. The transport clamp 130 then moves horizontally and transports the book block to the first cutting position (see also Figure 1, Pos. 1), which consists of a modular multi-cutting device.

[0077] The two clamping jaws 131, 132 can also be operated according to the following criteria: Each clamping jaw is directly or indirectly operatively connected to a drive operating for the force-locking clamping action. The clamping jaws guided by the drives have adjustable and / or predictively controlled stroke and force-locking profiles for any format of the printed product presented, so that the force-locking grip of the printed product by the clamping jaws is designed for symmetrical or quasi-symmetrical positioning relative to its centerline. At least during the operative phase for exerting the clamping action on the printed product, the clamping jaws execute a mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform, or adaptive speed profile. This operation can be provided for all clamping jaws operatively connected to one another, which are components of the underlying device.

[0078] As can be seen from Figure 7 As can be seen, the modular cutting device 140 comprises three cutting stations, which consist of a first station 141 at the cutting location 1 (see Figure 1 ), a second cutting station 142 at cutting location 2 (see Figure 1 ) and a third cutting station 143 at cutting location 3 (see Figure 1 ). For each cutting operation, the book block is pressed by a pressing plate 145 and additionally by a pressing bar 144, such that it is clamped or pressed to the maximum extent by the aforementioned pressing elements 144, 145 in the area between the transport clamp and the cutting edge during the cutting operation. A knife 150b preferably moves along an oblique cut against a fixed, diametrically opposed cutting bar.

[0079] The respective press bar 144 is thus directly operatively connected to the respective cutting device 140, which is formed by the cutting blades 150a, 150b, 150c, wherein the press bar 144 ensures that the pressing force is exerted on the printed product which is indispensable for a clean cut.

[0080] Basically, there are two main variants for exerting the pressing force and operating the cutting device: a) Firstly, as stated in item 250 in Figure 7 There is a force coupling between the press beam and the cutting device, ie the press beam force has a fixed value, whereby the speed profile (pressing speed / acceleration) is then usually monotonous. b) Another variant, as shown in item 251 in Figure 7symbolizes, is to decouple the force exerted by the cutting blade and the press beam from each other, so that the press beam 144 is then operated autonomously according to the following criteria:

[0081] A specific force is generated on the press beam by generating a corresponding torque on the servo motor via a servo drive. Based on a thickness measurement, the optimal required press force on the printed product is determined, which can easily be done using stored control profiles. As a rule, a single calibration is sufficient to capture a specific thickness variability of the printed products, provided the underlying press force characteristic can be considered constant. This is because the differences in book block thicknesses within a job are relatively small.

[0082] However, it must be considered that optimizing the press stroke can significantly reduce the press speed and, above all, the acceleration, especially for stiff and / or thin printed products. The advantage of this concept is that, regardless of the production speed, the respective cutting device(s) always operate at maximum speed, which is not limited by the cutting speed but by the limits determined by the mechanical system. It is also important that at low machine speeds, an increased cycle time is available, especially with regard to operational transport, alignment, and pressing, since the cutting process always requires the same amount of time.

[0083] The remaining two cutting locations are operated by knives 150a and 150c, which essentially follow the same pressure and cutting philosophy as explained above. In the first cutting station, the head area of ​​the book block is cut (see also Figure 1 ). However, it is not impossible to start the first cutting operation with the foot area of ​​the book block; however, in certain configurations, this would require an adjustment of the location of the clamp and possibly of the cutting device 140, whereby the strength of the respective cuts would also have to be taken into account, all of this taking into account the type of spine clamping A R< (see Figure 1 ).

[0084] Returning to Figures 1 , 2, 3 , engages during the cutting operation both in the vertical (Y-plane, see Figure 1 ) as well as in the horizontal direction (X-plane, see Figure 1) a movable, open first gripper 103, which is directed vertically against the book block spine. After the first cut, the first gripper 103 takes over the book block from the spine, whereupon the transport clamp 130 opens. This then moves into the takeover position for the next book block. The first gripper 103 transports the book block from this first cutting operation ( Figure 1 , Pos. 1) vertically upwards (Y-plane) and then moves through a superimposed horizontal movement to the second cutting position ( Figure 1 , item 2).

[0085] The vertical movement of the first gripper 103 is controlled by the machine control system depending on the width of the book block cut. The horizontal movement of the gripper relative to the book block can also be individually controlled, for example, if a specific gripping position is desired. This is the case, for example, if the format and the sections to be cut require an asymmetrical or quasi-asymmetrical clamping action, or a clamping action based on a single center of gravity.

[0086] In the second cutting position ( Figure 1 , Pos. 2) the book block is held by a plurality of pressure bars, which form a pressure bar battery ( Fig. 8-10 , Pos. 200), with which the book blocks are clamped between the front and the back. Figure 10 shows the pressure bar battery in the closed state, while in the Figures 8,9The pressure bar battery is shown in a partially opened state.

[0087] As in the Figures 8 and 9 As can be seen, the individual pressure bars 200 1-n< close one after the other, starting at the top of the book block spine, so that this pressing process can simultaneously press out the air between the individual sheets to the cutting edge, and at the same time, a holistic smoothing of the printed product takes place. As can be seen from Figure 9 Furthermore, only as many pressure bars are used in the pressing process as are between the position of the gripper 103 with the respective clamping jaws 103a, 103b and the second cutting station 142 at the second cutting location 2 (see Figure 1 ) can be accommodated. The same clamping jaws 104a and 104b (not shown in detail) are assigned to the other gripper 104 (see Figure 1), which in turn allows for a large-area pressing of the book block. In the second cutting station 142, the front of the book block is now cut; this occurs in a similar manner to the first and third cutting stations 141, 143 for the head and foot edges, respectively.

[0088] After the pressure bars 200 1-n< of the pressure bar battery 200 have cut the book block in question at the second cutting location 2 (see Figure 1 , Pos. 2) have been clamped forcefully, as can be seen from Figure 10 emerges, the first gripper 103 can release the book block and move it to its takeover position (cutting location 1, Figure 1 ) for the transfer of the next book block.

[0089] Furthermore, Figure 10the ultimate force-related support of the book block A during the cutting operation, to ensure that the cut can be carried out with the help of the knife 150b shown. So, if the pressure bars 200 1-n< (see the Figures 8, 9 ) have taken over the book block A from the gripper 103, the pressing beams (item 144) engage, exerting the definitive pressing force on the book block in the immediate cutting area. This force must be predominant over other pressing forces so that the cut made by the knife 150b ensures a sharp, right-angled cutting edge. The device exerting the pressing force consists on the other side of the book block of a fixed stop 152, as a component of a pressing plate 145 (see also Figure 7), which is sometimes designed so that it can also perform a feeding movement, in the sense of the opposite movable press beam 144, the pressure of which on the book block is operated by a press bolt 151. This press bolt 151 can, for example, be driven by a motor, hydraulically, or pneumatically, and thus exert the predetermined pressing force on the book block.

[0090] In a further embodiment, the stop 152 can also be designed to be movable in order to detect the thickness and / or body consistency of the respective book block being fed. In other words, according to the intended purpose, the leading edges of the delivered book block will not experience any obstruction. This dynamic adjustment of the stop 152 can be accomplished by the aforementioned machine control system.

[0091] The other press beams work according to the same principle (see Figure 7, Item 144) at the remaining cutting locations 1 and 3, which now exert the pressing force in a vertical plane. Here, too, the aim is to ensure a right-angled, sharply cut cutting edge.

[0092] As soon as the book block has been pressed by the pressure bars 200 1-n<, the second cutting operation (front cut) can be carried out. After this cutting operation, a second gripper 104 (see Figure 1 ) is moved into position, which grips the book block, in a similar manner to the first gripper 103. The force-transmitting position of the second gripper 104 depends on the dimensions of the book block to be processed, and thus essentially also on the quality assurance of the cut to be made. The second gripper 104 is moved into a fixed gripping position so that for the subsequent third cutting operation (see Figure 1, Pos. 3) the specified height of the book block is determined.

[0093] The process described here at the second cutting location 2 is extended when it comes to performing the front cut taking into account a spread flap fold or a spread cover in the book block. For this purpose, the Figures 12 to 16 referred to.

[0094] After the second cutting operation (front cut) has been carried out, the pressure bars of the pressure bar battery 200 open, whereupon the second gripper 104 grasps the printed product (book block, brochure, etc.), first lifting it vertically from the cutting position, then transferring it into a horizontal translation, finally placing it in the plane of the next cutting position, in which the third trimming (normally the foot edge of the printed product) is carried out (see Figures 1 , 2), to lower vertically. During these vertical translations in the area of ​​at least one cutting position, the gripper loaded by at least one book block carries out, as required, a lateral position-necessary offset movement relative to a pressing surface of the clamping device.

[0095] Figure 11 shows the range of possible designs in the presence of a flap fold or an envelope, which can be detected by the device and the method according to the invention, so concerning the designs of the flap folds according to 401 a) - c) and 402 a) - c), and furthermore also the designs of the envelopes according to 403 a) - c), the following configurations: a) Flap inside 401: a) both sides; b) one-sided left; c) one-sided right. b) Flap outside 402: a) both sides; b) one-sided left; c) one-sided right. c) Cover only 403, i.e. without flap fold, but with the same basic configuration: a) both sides; b) one-sided left or c) right. For all designs considered here, the spread is based on the same principles, ensuring continuous operation even with constantly changing designs. Any combination of the designs listed here is possible at any time.

[0096] Figure 12shows the process flow for inserting a book block A formed with a flap fold AKF or a cover AU into the area of ​​the opening blade 530 for the purpose of performing a spreading SP, which is causally implemented to enable an unstressed front cut. The same procedure can be performed equally well with a flap fold or a cover. The following steps are used here: a) Using a curve-related translation 501, the book block A, which is cut by the edge at the first cutting location 1 (see Figure 1), via the underside of the opening blade 530 (to both elements, if this is applicable according to 401-403 a)) to the opening point 521, which is located at the end of a relatively short section formed as the opening edge 520. Thus, the flap fold AKF or the cover AU of the book block A is located in this position above the opening edge 520 and immediately in front of the opening blade 540. The book block body, with the flap fold or the cover formed on both sides, always remains guided between the opposite opening blades. b) By a further translation 502, the book block A is transported to the front cut at the second cutting location 2 (also called cutting station). While the book block body AK (see also Figure 14) of the book block A maintains its neutral position along the opening edge 520 with respect to the spreading process injected by the opening blade, the flap fold AKF or the cover is opened apart from the book block body by the opening blade 540, and the further transport of the book block along the contour of the opening blade 530 results in the formation of a true spread. c) When initiating this spreading with respect to the flap fold or cover in relation to the book block body AK, the opening process is supported, if required, by at least one air jet operated from below, with the aim of forming the spreading more sustainably, whereby the degree of this performance depends essentially on the internal configuration of the book block, ie whether the pages are compact or loose.d) Due to the further contour of the opening blade 530 in the transport direction, the flap fold or the cover is initially maximized in such a way that the resulting opening creates the prerequisite that the following cutting operation affects exclusively the book block body due to this spreading, ie the original configuration of the flap fold or the cover is accordingly 100% preserved.e) To ensure the dynamics of the spreading in relation to the flap fold, numerous sensors are arranged in this area which monitor whether there is a spreading according to predetermined criteria and if this is not the case, corrective action is taken during the further course of the translation and if such a remedy is not possible, the book block in question is initially rejected for quality reasons, although in most cases such a procedure will not occur because according to the invention the system has precautions which can be taken on the way to the front cut to increase the spreading (see explanations under point f) and . Figure 16). f) By means of a further translation 503, the book block is transported to the front cut at a predetermined spreading of the flap fold or the cover, wherein further guides 510 are provided downstream of the opening blade 530, which consist of convex or quasi-convex shaped grooves and / or guide plates, which ensure that the spreading created by the opening blade is at least maintained during the further transport process, or the said guides are designed such that the degree of spreading is increased as needed up to the front cut, wherein air jet injectors also act along these guides 510, which can contribute to a stabilizing, sustainable guidance of the spread flap fold or the spread cover. g) The pressing of the book block body in the area of ​​the front cut is carried out by at least a portion of the pressure bars 200 1-n< implemented, which in the Figures 8 to 10are shown. While only a portion of the pressure bars are used above the spread flap or the spread cover due to space constraints, at least one pressure bar 144 acts underneath the spread, exerting the ultimate pressure on the book block body, thus providing the cutting device with a clean cutting condition. The remaining processes of the pressure bars on both sides of the book block, even in the case of a cutting operation with a flap or cover, are based on the underlying dynamics according to the Figures 8 to 10This also applies to the operatively connected cutting device, particularly if a separation of the operational pressing forces between the press beam and the cutting device is provided. h) That the implemented spreading is designed in such a way that, after the front cut has been performed, 100% shape reversibility occurs, such that the original design of the flap fold and cover is restored undamaged.

[0097] Figure 13 shows the essential aspects regarding the implementation of the spread with regard to the flap fold AKF or the cover AU (see Figures 11 and 14 ), These are the elements from E1 and E2, (see Figure 12 ), which are figuratively recorded in the transport direction to the front cut. How detailed this Figure 13As can be seen, the oppositely arranged opening blades 530 form a spacing 560 from one another, the spacing of which ensures the unhindered passage of the transported book block, wherein this spacing can be changed by the delivery unit 550 according to the respective thickness of the book block, wherein in order to ensure the safe passage of the book block, an addition of the spacing of approximately 5% compared to the measured thickness is used, bearing in mind that the book block is not always present as a compact body.

[0098] This inherently narrow spacing allowance is always indicated or necessary when it comes to simultaneously detecting double flap folds or covers on the book block, i.e., initiating a spreading on both sides of the book block. The control-controlled feed unit 550 accesses both elements E1, E2 to change the spacing 560 (see Figure 12), namely on the opening blades 530 for forming the initial spread, and on the guides 510 provided for maintaining or increasing this spread. In relation to the spread flap fold AKF or the spread cover AU, the pressing of the book block A or the book block body AK is carried out by activating a certain number of pressure bars 200 1-n< , where in addition to the pressure bars also pressure beams (see the Figures 10 and 14 , Pos. 152 and 144) are used, which exert the ultimate pressure in the area of ​​the cutting operation.

[0099] The two opening blades 530 have a largely vertical surface 531 on the inside of the passage 560, which extends over the entire length of the blade-like body. This allows the book block A to be opened from below via the translation 501 (see Figure 12) continuously, and this kind of delivery can be carried out up to the opening points 521 of the two opening blades 530 (see Figure 12 ). Occasionally, the opening blade 540 may be provided with a slight lateral offset to initiate the spreading of certain book blocks, the penetration of which between the flap fold or cover and the book block body can be carried out more easily.

[0100] Figure 14 shows the state of the book block to be trimmed by trimming BS immediately before the cutting operation at the second cutting location 2 designed for carrying out the front cut, wherein the opening blade 530 is a component of the element E1 (see Figure 12) represents the initiation of the spreading of the flap fold AKF or the cover AU, whereby the representation of the spreading in this figure is made from a different projection compared to the, whereby this representation has been included only for reasons of understanding. Regarding the downstream element E2 with the guides 510, reference is made to the Figures 13 and 15 Essentially, this Figure 14 , as regards the pressing of the book block, according to the operational processes according to Figure 10 . However, an essential development of the subject matter of the invention relates to the new configuration of the book block with flap fold or cover, in which the front cut is only carried out for quality-preserving reasons if the opening of the spread has a sufficiently large margin so that the flap fold or cover is not affected by the cutting operation, ie is not trimmed.

[0101] It is obvious that the pressure bars 200 1-n< according to Figure 10 are designed to carry out a front cut of a standard book block; however, in the presence of a flap fold or a cover, these pressure bars can only be used partially, i.e. sector by sector, and therefore they can only develop their effective effect to the extent that the spreading of the flap fold AKF or the cover AU allows, so the spread flap fold and cover must not be affected by the cut BS of the book block body AK.

[0102] Regarding envelope AU, this Figure 14 It is further emphasized that it is shown with an angled shape, which is intended to represent the state when the grippers 103, 104 release the pressure on the book block or swing it away. Therefore, it is important to note that the reduced use of the pressure bars 200 1-n'< are only used above the spreading base of the flap fold AKF or the cover AU, so strictly speaking their effect only on the unloaded areas of the book block, as is the case in the Figure 14 This is demonstrated in detail. With such a configuration, it is advantageous if the pressure bars on both sides of the book block perform an active, dynamic feed so that the lateral clearance zones for the flap fold or cover spreads are maximized. This also applies to the cutting-relevant pressures in the cutting operation area by the cutting device (knife) 150b, the pressure bar 151, and the opposing stop 152, which itself is operated by an individual drive A3 during dynamic feed.

[0103] The pressing force provided by drive A1 at the second cutting location 2 for performing the front cut (also applies to the other cutting locations 1, 3 of the device) for the cut-compatible pressing of the printed product by the pressing beam 151 and the cutting force provided by drive A2 for performing the cutting operation by the cutting device 150b are provided by a common drive unit. Preferably, however, the pressing force provided by drive A1 for the cut-compatible pressing of the printed product and the cutting force provided by drive A2 for performing the cutting operation should be provided by individual drive units. The latter arrangement has the advantage that individual adjustments can be made before or continuously during operation.

[0104] Figure 15is a general view of the second cutting location 2, up to the front cut, from which figure the execution of the spreading in a book block A, which is gripped by gripper 103 (see Figure 1 ) is frictionally engaged and transferred to the opening blade 530 as a component of the first element E1 (see 12), whereby this only concerns the spreading of a flap fold AKF or a cover AU on one side of the book block. It is further shown that the arrangements are designed for a two-sided spreading. Also shown here is the point of action of the delivery unit 550, which determines the spacing of the opening blade 530 belonging to the first element E1 and the guides 510 belonging to the second element E2 (see Figure 12 ) takes over. For the operation of these elements E1, E2, rather than many, please refer to the explanations under Figure 12 For the operation of the pressure bars 200 1-n'< will, instead of many, on the Figures 8-10and 14. Furthermore, Figure 15 completely self-explanatory.

[0105] Figure 16shows, in block diagram form, the process sequences for carrying out a conventional individual cut at each cutting location 1, 2, 3, as well as those sequences which involve the implementation of a second, or possibly further, subsequent partial cut. As already partially explained above, the incoming printed product A is aligned in the feed wheel 120 for the immediately following cutting operation, such that the first one of the transport unit 101 grasps it on the spine side for further transport after this first cutting operation. At the first cutting location 1, the top edge of the printed product is generally processed, but it is not excluded that this first cutting operation could affect the foot edge. For this first cutting operation, the clamping device 130 and the pressure beam 144 are generally activated, with the cutting knife 150a carrying out the cutting operation.Regarding the processes taking place within this first cutting location 1, reference is made to the explanations in the previous figures.

[0106] Already with this first cut T 1-1 A quality inspection 400 is carried out, which, on the one hand, focuses on the cutting quality and, on the other, checks whether the thickness of the cut section corresponds to the predefined values. At the same time, the integrity of the spine of the book block is also checked. The equipment used for these inspections includes, on the one hand, contact-based and contactless sensors, which integrally record the actual condition of the printed product (book block, brochure, etc.) after each cutting operation and forward the derived information to the control unit. On the other hand, newer-generation sensors ensure sensor-supported production by being able to control, regulate, and optimize the quality-focused processes.These sensors must provide excellent data quality for the underlying quality tests, and they are preferably based on inductive and photoelectric technologies. In general, the measured value is converted into an internal signal using the physical measuring principle of the sensor element. If necessary, individual electronic processing is then provided, providing a measured value at the output as an electrically and / or electronically usable signal.

[0107] As far as the control at this first cutting location 1 is set to a second partial cut T 1 - 2 has been recognized, a process-related repetition of the first cut T 1-1 , i.e., the necessary pressing of the printed product is performed using the same means 130 and 144, and the cutting operation is carried out using the same cutting blade 150a. What is additionally included is a coordinated kinematic procedure, which ensures that the additional section of the head edge of book block A to be trimmed is pushed forward relative to the fixed cutting blade 150a.

[0108] Accordingly, after the first partial cut T 1-1 The book block A is briefly clamped by the clamping jaws of the gripper 103 of the transport unit 101 of the transport unit, whereupon the clamping jaws 131, 132 belonging to a clamping device 130, also called transport clamp, open slightly, so that the book block A is positioned pressure-free relative to the aforementioned clamping jaws 131, 132. The clamping jaws belonging to the gripper 103 of the transport unit 101 of the transport device now exert an intermediate force at the location of the first partial cut T 1-1 a force connection to the book block A, which clamping jaws, in operative connection with this transport unit, provide the book block A with an intertemporal local positioning when the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 are open. During this interval, the open clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 move backwards relative to the cutting blade 150a by a certain length, whereby this length corresponds to the width of the second partial cut T 1 - 2. At the end of the traveled length, the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130, with the coordinated opening of the clamping jaws of the gripper 103 of the transport unit 101, exert a force connection on the book block A again. These clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 now displace the clamped printed product A by the respective length for the second partial cut T 1-2 forward, in such a way that the book block A is thereby moved back into the cutting position.

[0109] This is followed immediately before the start of the second section T 1-2 a pressing of the book block A by the cutting location-related press bar 144, which exerts the ultimate pressing force on the book block. After completion of the second partial cut T 1-2 The press beam 144 retracts in time with the cutting blade 150a, whereupon the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 open, and the book block A is then conveyed further by the transport unit 101 of the transport device. Even during and after the completion of this cutting operation, the quality-checking sensors 400 remain in operation until they take over the quality check via sensors at the next cutting station, thus ensuring that the quality is carried out according to uniform criteria across all cutting operations. The cutting operations concerning the third cutting location 3 (T 3-1 , T 3-2 , etc.), as can be seen from the block diagram according to Figure 16 emerges.

[0110] In addition, in the case of a book block with a flap fold or a cover, the following procedure is followed at the second cutting location 2, if the cutting operation is to be carried out over several partial cuts: a) The initial spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU) over the elements (E1, E2) is carried out from the beginning with an enlarged opening, so that the subsequent cutting operations can be carried out without interference on the flap fold or cover, as follows: After the first partial cut T 2-1 the book block A is briefly clamped by the gripper 103 of the transport unit 101, whereupon the pressure bars 200 1-n'< (see Figure 14 ) slightly so that the book block is positioned pressure-free relative to the pressure bars. The gripper 103 belonging to the support 101 now exerts an intermediate pressure at the location of the previously performed first partial cut T 2-1 a force connection on the book block, which gives it an intertemporal local positioning when the pressure bars are open. During this interval, the transport unit 101 then moves the book block downwards in a guided movement, the amount of which is determined by the next partial cut T 2-2 b) Or, the first partial cut is carried out according to the conventional procedure, ie the book block is cut without forming a spread by the elements E1, E2 (see Figure 13 ) directly to the cutting location where the first partial cut takes place. This is possible because the cutting device operates at a sufficiently large distance from the end of the flap fold or the cover, so that these formations are not affected; and moreover, such an operation also results in all pressure bars 200 1-n< (see Figure 10) can be used. For the implementation of a subsequent multiple cut, the book block is then returned to the intermediate station E1, E2, whereupon, as described several times above, the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU) is spread, thus creating the conditions according to the inventive process. This return is carried out in Figure 16 through the loop S with reference to the Figures 13, 14 shown.

[0111] If the cutting operation is at the third cutting location 3 (see Figure 1 ), the rotating discharge device (four-clamp system) 160 and thus also the clamp 161 with the book block move orthogonally to the knife movement away from the cutting device. The rotating four-clamp system 160 rotates by 90° during each cycle (see Figure 17 ).

[0112] The Figure 17In this context, the four-clamp system 160 shown shows the position of the clamp 161 in the cutting position 162, in which a movable jaw 163 is still open. Another clamp acts within the discharge position 164. In this position, the book block A can be removed. The functioning of the four-clamp system 160 ensures that the book block A is held during the cutting process at the third cutting location 3 (see Figures 1 , 7) and the rotational movement of the four-clamp system, the clamp 161 is pressed continuously between the movable jaw 163 and the fixed jaw 165. Furthermore, within each quadrant, two states exist with respect to the clamp 161: a fully closed state 166 and a fully open state 167, as can be seen from the intermediate position. One or the other of these conditions can be specifically considered within this quadrant, depending on the available space during rotation.

[0113] The removal device can be, for example, a conveyor belt equipped with movable rollers for conveying the book block. Other devices known from the prior art can also be provided.

[0114] Out of Figure 18During the cutting operation, the ultimate pressure of the book block is exerted by the press beam 144. The effect of such pressure corresponds to that which occurs under Figure 10 The feed direction is marked with item 170.

[0115] Figure 19shows the effect of the various pressure elements (clamping devices) on the printed product, which, with respect to cutting location 2, is exerted by the various clamping devices 103, 200, 144, whereby at this cutting location, one clamping device consists of a pressure bar battery 200. The pressure forces shown in the diagram within the various clamping devices must also be understood only as a qualitative representation. The clamping force of the gripper 103, which is provided for the transport 210 of the printed product from one cutting location to the next, is in itself smaller than the cutting location-specific clamping forces 200 and 144, since this is only a single force that must be sufficient for the secure clamping of the book block during transport. At cutting location 2, the clamping force of the pressure bars 200 belonging to the pressure bar battery then builds up. 1-n< simultaneously or subsequently, so that the clamping force of the gripper 103 immediately decreases 211 (reduction point) as soon as the final clamping force of the pressure bars on the book block is reached. The extent to which the clamping force of the gripper on the book block decreases is individually adjusted and also depends on the weight of the respective book block. The final clamping force on the book block, which is important for the cutting quality, is then exerted by the aforementioned pressure bar 144, which assumes its position parallel to the plane of the cutting knife. As can be seen from the force diagram according to Figure 19As can be seen, the press beam 144 preferably exerts its greatest pressing force in operative connection with the cutting operation, which occurs variably and phase-shifted 212 (engagement plane) relative to the other clamping devices, as can be seen from the parallel interruption lines 212a, 212b (phase shift interval). As soon as the pressing force from the press beam 144 is available, the knife performs the cutting operation 213. The press beam 144 then remains briefly in the cutting plane 215 until the clamping force of the gripper has built up to such an extent that reliable further transport 214 of the book block is ensured. After that, the pressing forces of the other elements 144, 200 decrease subsequently according to a specific decrease curve 217, so that the further transport plane 216 is open again with the book block fully gripped by the gripper 103. This dynamic also applies to the second transport unit 102 (see Figure 1) belonging gripper 104 in operative connection with the clamping devices operating there.

[0116] Furthermore, all pressure elements 103, 104, 144, 200, etc. operating within the device, whether they act directly or indirectly on the printed product or the book block, are supplemented with built-in hydraulically and / or pneumatically operated additional elements that support their opening and closing. This means that the normally operating closing and opening mechanisms of the device's pressure elements are permanently or optionally supplemented with additional pneumatically and / or hydraulically operated additional elements capable of implementing maximum acceleration of the respective movement of the pressure elements in both directions, i.e., both during closing and opening, regardless of the frictional connection implemented there. This involves a uniform or exponential acceleration.As a result, these accelerations all lead to a sustained shortening of the cycle intervals at the individual cutting stations. This implemented acceleration has a particularly positive impact on the grippers used to transport the printed products, where the plane of force application to the printed product for the opening and closing movements differs in distance from the plane of force transmission, resulting in a system-specific, accommodating force development.

[0117] Furthermore, these Figure 19shows symbolically how the mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform or adaptive speed and / or movement profile of both pressing elements of a clamping device can also be designed for a one-sided pressing force application of the pressing beam 144, in that the force provision for the knife 150b is no longer coupled with that for the pressing beam 144, but rather the latter exerts its pressing force autonomously on the book block, as is symbolized by position 251 (see also Figure 7). The pressing force exerted by the pressing beam on the book block can then be specified according to individual criteria. The speed profile of the pressing beam 144 can be converted into a different mode immediately after the first contact with the book block. This also applies to the force development on the book block itself, which can be successively monotonous, increasing or decreasing depending on the specifications. If, for example, a certain flexion is required when developing the force of the pressing beam 144 towards the end of the pressing in order to prevent damage to the possibly slightly thickened spine of the book block due to printing marks, this can be achieved by activating a corresponding control profile according to which, for example, the monotonically increasing force development is shaped according to the curve during the charging of a capacitor.Accordingly, it is then easily possible to provide for an exponential force development, which can be used intermediately or across the board.

[0118] Furthermore, the document EP 1 647 373 A1 is intended to be an integral part of this description, in particular when it comes to showing how the coordination of the drives for providing the pressing force can be carried out in operative connection with the process dynamics in the cutting device and knife dynamics.

[0119] Figure 20 shows the configuration of a flush slide 125 (See also Figure 3). This consists of a receiving plate 180 acting from above, which carries brush bodies 181, 182 on the printed product side, which exert pressure on the front cover ends 183 protruding above the printed product A so that the spine of the printed product aligns with the support surface within the insertion wheel 120. Since the cover ends 184 are in the same alignment plane on the front, they can be seen more easily under positions 185 and 186 (head or foot side of the printed product A). Both brush bodies 181 and 182 each consist of two partial brush bodies 181a, 181b; 182a, 182b, which are angled to one another in such a way that the respective cover end is gripped in a wedge shape and pressed downwards accordingly, parallel to the cover end, whereby the cover ends do not experience any harmful bulging.

[0120] Figure 21 shows the configuration of another flush slide 126 (see also Figure 3). This consists of a receiving plate 190 acting on the head or foot side, which carries brush bodies 191, 192 on the printed product side, which exert pressure on the head or foot side of the cover ends 184, 185 projecting beyond the printed product A, so that the printed product A is positioned accordingly for the cutting operations. The overhanging cover ends can be seen here in relation to the spine 193 of the printed product A. Both brush bodies 191 and 192 each consist of two partial brush bodies 191a, 191b; 192a, 192b, which are angled to one another in such a way that the respective cover end is gripped by the brush bodies in a wedge shape and the entire printed product body assumes a lateral positioning so that the cover ends do not experience any harmful bulging.

[0121] Figure 22shows a further transport device 300 of the printed products from one cutting location 1 to the next 2 and from there to a third 3. The cutting operations carried out at these cutting locations are the same as those under Figure 1 are described.

[0122] The main difference compared to the transport dynamics according to Figure 1consists in the fact that at least three transport units with the respective grippers 101 / 103 are operatively deployed along a substantially elliptical path 301, wherein this functional circumferential path consists of a front track 303 and a substantially parallel rear track 304, wherein the two tracks merge into one another via a circumferential curve 305, 306. The front track serves to guide the transport units following one another in a cycle in a straight line or quasi-straight line along the cutting locations 1, 2, 3. The number of transport units along the path depends on the maximum permissible cycle rate, i.e., each transport unit takes the lead in handling a printed product and guides the printed product one after the other and without transfer over the three underlying cutting locations 1, 2, 3.To maximize production, the cycle is designed so that the transport units follow one another closely, and their spacing depends on the time required for the individual cutting operations, meaning that more than three transport units can generally be used. A reduction in the number of transport units can be achieved, for example, if they are subjected to acceleration along the rear path 304 between the last cutting location 3 and the first cutting location 1.

[0123] Thus, with such a precaution, the intermediate cutting-location-specific deliveries and receipts of the printed product through back and forth movements of the transport units can be avoided (see Figure 1 ). On the other hand, in order to maintain high production, a larger number of circulating transport units 302a-302f must generally be provided, since these require time to travel along the rear track 304.

[0124] For better understanding, the transport units in operational use are shown hatched, while the other transport units are unloaded, i.e. they move downstream of the discharge device 160, i.e. they are each on their way to the delivery device 120 for the renewed acceptance of a printed product.

[0125] Such a transport variant, characterized by an elliptical path 301, is well-suited for centralized trimming of printed products, i.e., when the three cutting operations are to be performed at a single cutting location, i.e., when the print product is picked up, fed to the central cutting location, and subsequently delivered by one and the same transport unit. Such central trimming could advantageously be performed within the second cutting station 2 described above. Advantageously, the transport units in use should then not return to the feed device 120 via the front path 303, but rather move along the rear path 304, so as not to hinder the production flow.

[0126] It is obvious that, in the case of a central cutting location for trimming all format edges of the printed product, precautions must be taken to ensure that the movement of the side knives and the associated press beams are designed to be phase-shifted with respect to the movement of the front knife and the associated press beam in order to avoid a collision between the pressures and the dynamics of the cutting devices.

[0127] If the printed product is designed with a flap fold or an envelope, opening means are arranged in the area of ​​the front cut to capture the flap fold or envelope to create a spread, which opening means do not hinder the entire cutting process across all edges of the printed product, in such a way that these opening means either operate from a fixed local positioning or are switched on and off intertemporarily.

[0128] The described three-knife trimmer 100 according to the invention has the following advantages over known three-knife trimmers: During the cutting process, the book block is pressed almost over its entire surface by clamps or pressure bar batteries. Only in one area of ​​the spine does the book block have an open area M1, which serves to grip the book block itself. This is not critical in itself because the bound book block holds together sufficiently in this area, and in the cutting area, the pressure bars within the respective cutting station of the cutting devices support the book block. The full-surface pressing of the book block leads to high cutting quality.

[0129] Full-surface pressing is achieved in a simple manner. No need to adjust any webs, support elements, or support bars depending on the format. This allows for a high cycle rate and thus high performance of the three-knife trimmer.

[0130] Since with the three-knife trimmer according to the invention the book block is suspended and fed to the individual cutting stations 141, 142, 143 (see Figure 7 ), no provisions are necessary to support the pages of the book block at the transfer points in the transport system. Since the book blocks are not transported lying down, the book pages do not bend if the support surfaces are not fully supported between the support points, preventing them from sagging at the transfer points.

[0131] The three cutting stations 141, 142, 143 of the cutting device are arranged in a U-shape with the open side of the U facing downwards. The section of book blocks to be cut is operatively connected to the press beams 144 in all three cutting operations (see Figure 7 , and in particular Figure 10) against the interior of the U-shape. This makes it possible to successfully "remove" all three cut sections with a single section disposal device located underneath. These sections fall downwards by gravity without the need for additional tools, where they can then be easily collected. This suspended transport position proves optimal when it comes to spreading the flap fold or the cover at the second cutting station.

[0132] Effective trim disposal, regardless of whether it's book blocks or brochures, is crucial because, in the industrial production of individual books, the different formats are often first created on the three-knife trimmer. The book blocks and their covers are preferably tailored to the largest final format, which logically leads to significant trimming waste for smaller final formats.

[0133] For three-knife trimmers with cutting cassettes and press dies, it is common practice to align the printed product using two perpendicular stops in the corners of the spine to the head and spine to the foot, as well as a stop on the front of the book block. When producing variable-format books, brochures, etc., covers of the same size are usually used for a specific format range. If the thickness of the book block varies and the books are produced by binding machines, which usually have a strong fixed edge finish, it is also possible to adjust the cover accordingly to the actual book block.

[0134] If the dimensions of the book block vary, the cover protrudes more or less from it. Book blocks are typically produced with a fixed cover overhang on one side and a variable overhang on the other. With the three-knife trimmer according to the invention, the untrimmed book block or untrimmed brochures are aligned along the foot or head edge and the finished spine edge. Thus, the variable cover overhangs play no role in the book block height and book width.

[0135] For each book block or brochure to be trimmed, the product data of the three-knife trimmer control system must be known. From this, the necessary movements of the transport elements can be calculated to ensure that the final trimmed book meets the desired format dimensions. This data can be transmitted to the control system in a variety of ways.

[0136] Below are some examples of common options. Each book block or brochure is marked with an identification feature. A feature reader at the entrance to the three-knife trimmer reads the identification feature (e.g., one- or two-dimensional barcode, RFID chip, character, image, etc.) and transmits the captured information to the control system, which determines the machine cycle allocation. The captured information can, for example, map the cut printed product dimensions or simultaneously detect a missing allocation, which automatically accesses stored profiles in the database.

[0137] In another system, the book blocks are fed to the three-knife trimmer in a timed fashion. With each cycle, the three-knife trimmer control system receives the information necessary to trim the book block to the correct dimensions. Here, too, the data supplied with the book block can be compared with the database.

[0138] Another possibility is to feed the three-knife trimmer with data that records the order of the incoming book blocks. The three-knife trimmer processes the incoming book blocks in the specified order, with any deviations from this sequence being simultaneously recorded and implemented accordingly in the control system. This is especially true if the entire system is operated according to digitization principles, i.e., if different book block types are to be consistently trimmed to different dimensions.

[0139] Dimensional deviations can occur during the production of covers with flap folds. As a result, the distance between the front edge of the trimmed book block and the edge of the cover can vary in the finished printed products. It is therefore also conceivable for the covers connected to the book block to be measured using sensors before or in the three-knife trimmer. By measuring the width of the cover, which corresponds to the distance from the spine to the edge of the cover running parallel to the spine, the book block can be positioned and cut according to the measured cover width during the front trim. The width of the trimmed book block can therefore deviate from the target value stored in the control system, but the cover protrudes the same amount beyond the book block at the front trim on all finished books or is flush with it.

Claims

1. A device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device comprises at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1), in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3), in which at least one further edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged between the first and the last cutting process, in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein the printed product has at least one pressing device for carrying out the respective cutting operations, by means of which at least one pressing force can be exerted on the printed product in operative connection with a cutting device,wherein the printed product can be transported from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a friction-acting gripping means (103, 104, ....), characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) operable to carry out the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side, which intermediate station is extended with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the spreading can be carried out, firstly, by a first translation (502) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of a first element (E1), and secondly, by a further translation (503) of the printed product in the transport direction along a second element (E2), that the spread (SP) produced by the first element (E1) can be transported along the second element (E2) to the front cut of the second cutting station (2), and that the front cut can be carried out on the printed product body (AK) of the printed product (A) exposed below the spread.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in thatimmediately downstream of the first element (E1) at least the second element (E2) is arranged, which maintains the spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU) up to the front cut (2) carried out by the first element (E1), or the second element (E2) is suitable and designed to maintain or reinforce the spreading produced by the first element up to the front cut.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe intermediate station serving to spread (SP) the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU) consists of at least two first and at least two second elements (E1, E2) which are arranged opposite one another and spaced from one another and extend parallel along the second cutting station (2), that the spacing of the elements from one another depends on the thickness of the printed product being passed through, that this spacing of the elements (E1, E2) from one another can be varied by a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical drive, and that the spacing of the elements can be achieved by a drive which can be operated on one or more sides to achieve a spacing which conforms to the printed product.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe first element (E1) is designed as an opening body, which essentially has the shape of an opening sword (530), which essentially consists of an opening edge (520) on the input side and a downstream opening blade (540), which opening blade (540) initially penetrates between the printed product body (AK) and the flap fold (AKF) or cover (AU) in the course of a second translation (502), thus forming a spread, the opening of which is designed in the further course of the translation (502) in such a way that the opening is suitable for implementing the front cut on the printed product body (AK).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe design of the opening body (530) is constructed as follows: a) the opening body consists entirely of an opening blade (530), which initially consists in the transport direction of an opening edge (520) which runs horizontally or quasi-horizontally; b) the opening blade further consists of an opening blade (540), which is arranged downstream of the opening edge (520) in the transport direction and which is suitable and designed such that, during the translation of the printed product (A), it penetrates between the printed product body (AK) and the flap fold or cover; c) that the spreading of the flap fold or the cover relative to the printed product body (AK) initiated by the designs according to a) and b) can be initiated, on the one hand, by the penetration of the opening blade (540) into the printed product, and, on the other hand, the consolidation of the spreading takes place through the subsequent translation of the printed product over the physical contour of the opening blade.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second element (E2), which is arranged downstream of the first element (E1), extends at least as far as the front cut is carried out at the second cutting station (2), and that the second element (E2) consists of at least one convex or quasi-convex, regularly or irregularly extending groove and / or of associated guide plates.

7. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pressing device acting in the cutting station (2) to carry out the front cut, consisting of individual pressure bars (200 1-n' ), by means of which a pressing force can be exerted on both sides of the printed product, which pressing bars are arranged vertically or quasi-vertically on at least one side of the printed product and are arranged downstream, that at least one fixed and / or movable pressing bar exerts the pressing forces required for the process on the printed product (A), on the one hand above the spread itself and on the other hand below the spread on the printed product body (AK), and that for the ultimate provision of the pressing force in the area of the cutting operation at least one pressing bar (144) is effective, which is in operative connection with an opposing stop (152).

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the printed product (A) can be transported in a hanging position from one cutting station (1, 2, 3) to the next in order to carry out the cutting operations.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe cutting location-related pressing device has the form of at least one pressing bar (144) by means of which a pressing force can be exerted directly on the printed product (A) or the printed product body (AK), and that the pressing force can be provided by means of a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical drive.

10. Device according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the provision of the required pressing force acting on the printed product and the provision of the required cutting force to carry out the cutting operation at the relevant cutting station (2) can be carried out by one and the same drive.

11. Device according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the provision of the required pressing force acting on the printed product and the provision of the required cutting force to carry out the cutting operation at the relevant cutting station (2) can be carried out by individual drives (A1, A2, A3).

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting operations that can be carried out on the printed product can be controlled in such a way that identical or variable format dimensions with identical or different thicknesses can be produced continuously and in sync until a single printed product is ejected.

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting station (1) concerns the head section, the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting station (2) concerns the front section, and the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting station (3) concerns the foot section of the printed product, or that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting station (1) concerns the foot section, the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting station (2) concerns the front section, and the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting station (3) concerns the head section of the printed product.

14. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the pressing elements or clamping devices (103, 104, 144, 200, .....) of the device are equipped with optional additional hydraulically and / or pneumatically operated additional elements, such that the additional elements are installed and operative in such a way that they cause a uniform or exponential acceleration of the movements implemented by these pressing elements or clamping devices on the printed product both during the closing and the opening process, at least while maintaining the original pressing force for implementing the required force connection on the printed product.

15. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1), in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3), in which at least one further edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein between the first and the last cutting operation at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged, in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein the printed product has at least one pressing device for carrying out the cutting operations,by means of which, in operative connection with a cutting device, at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product, wherein the printed product is transported in a suspended manner from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a force-locking gripping means (103, 104, ....), characterized in that the cutting station (2) operable for the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side, which is equipped with at least one element (E1) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the formation of the spread is carried out by at least one translation (502) of the printed product along the contour of the element (E1), and that the front-cut cutting operation is carried out on the released printed product body (AK) of the printed product (A) directly at the point where the spread is formed.

16. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1) in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3) in which at least one second edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein between the first and the last cutting operation at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein the printed product has at least one pressing device for carrying out the cutting operations,by means of which, in operative connection with a cutting device, at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product, wherein the printed product is transported in a suspended manner from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a force-locking gripping means (103, 104, ....), characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) operable to carry out the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side which is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the spreading is carried out firstly by a first translation (502) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of a first element (E1), and secondly by a further translation (503) of the printed product in the transport direction along a second element (E2), that the spreading (SP) produced by the first element (E1) is guided along the second element (E2) to the front cut along the second cutting station (2), and that the front cut is carried out on the printed product body (AK) of the printed product (A) which is exposed below the spread.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in thatthe spreading of the flap fold or the cover is carried out as follows: a) via a first translation (501), the printed product (A) is guided from the first cutting station (1) to a first element (E1) of the intermediate station, that the first element (E1) is essentially formed by an opening body designed to form a spread and in the form of an opening sword (530), that the printed product is guided over an opening edge (520) to an opening point (521) arranged at the end of the same, which opening point merges into an opening blade (540) in the transport direction;b) By means of a further subsequent translation (502), the printed product (A) is guided over the contour of the entire opening body (530) in such a way that, in a first step, the opening blade (540) penetrates between the flap fold (AKF) or cover (AU) and the printed product body (AK) in a spreading manner, whereby the spreading (SP) between the said parts (AKF, AU, AK) of the printed product (A) is established; c) By means of the continuation of the translation (502) according to b), the printed product (A) is guided over the further contour of the opening body (530), thus consolidating the degree of spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or cover (AU) relative to the printed product body (AK), so that the spreading achieved thereby fulfils the requirement that the front cut (BS) is carried out without cutting-operational interference on the flap fold or cover;d) After the printed product has been transported over the opening body (530), the printed product is guided to the front cut with the previously generated spreading by means of a further translation (503), such that the spreading thus initiated is in operative connection with the second element (E2) belonging to the intermediate station during the further transfer for carrying out the front cut, such that the original spreading along the second element (E2) is at least maintained or reinforced; e) That the second element (E2) is formed at least from convex or quasi-convex, regularly or irregularly running grooves and / or associated guide plates; f) That the implemented spreading is designed such that 100% shape reversibility occurs after the front cut has been carried out, such that the flap fold and cover return to their original shapes.

18. Method according to claim 16, characterized in thatfor spreading the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU), the first and second elements (E1, E2) are present at least in pairs within the intermediate station, such that they are arranged opposite each other on each side of the passage (560) and run parallel to each other along the intermediate station up to the front cut at the second cutting station (2), that the spacing of the elements from one another, which is determined by the passage (560), corresponds in each case to the thickness of the printed product (A) being passed through, that the adjustable spacing of the elements (E1, E2) from one another is generated by a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical drive, and that the drive (550) for implementing the spacing is coupled to the first (E1) and / or second element (E2).

19. Method according to claim 16, characterized in thatthe printed product brought forward by the translation (501) is temporarily stopped or transported through as it passes through the first element (E1) to create the spreading of the flap fold or the cover, and in both cases the initiated and / or continued spreading is stabilized by at least one air jet.

20. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that by forming the second element (E2) up to the front cut, the degree of spreading of the flap fold or the cover formed in the first element (E1) is maintained or increased.

21. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) by which the printed product is prepared for further transport, wherein after the last cutting operation has been carried out, an outfeed device (160) is present by which the trimmed printed product is discharged, wherein the device has a plurality of transport units which are guided in a cyclical manner along a closed, circumferential guide path (301), wherein each transport unit is individually loaded with at least one printed product which is guided by the same transport unit from one to the next cutting station (1, 2, 3),wherein each transport unit, after the last cutting station and the delivery of the trimmed printed product, is returned unloaded via a closed circulating guide path (301) to the first cutting station for receiving a subsequently delivered printed product, characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) operable to carry out the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side which is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the spreading is carried out in a first step by a first translation (502) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of a first element (E1), and in a second step by a further translation (503) of the printed product in the transport direction along a second element (E2), that the spread (SP) produced by the first element (E1) is transported along the second element (E2) to the front cut of the second cutting station (2), and that the front cut is carried out on the printed product body (AK) of the printed product (A) which is exposed on the underside of the spread.

22. Method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one delivery device (120) by which the printed product is prepared for further transport, wherein after the last cutting operation has been carried out, an outfeed device (160) is provided by which the trimmed printed product is discharged, wherein the device has at least one transport unit which is guided along a closed or open guide path in a synchronized manner, characterized in thatthe transport unit loaded with at least one printed product is transferred directly to a central cutting station in which all cutting processes on the printed product are carried out, in such a way that the product-related pressing elements (144, 152) and cutting devices (150 ac) are coordinated in such a way that the processes carried out are kinematically coordinated with one another.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the printed product is extended by a flap fold or a cover, in which a spreading of the same is created for the implementation of the front cut, that the implementation of this spreading is carried out by at least one opening element (E1, E2) directly in the vicinity of the central cutting station, that by intertemporarily switching on or off at least one opening element (E1, E2) the implementation of the remaining cutting operations at this central cutting station is carried out unhindered.

24. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1) in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3) in which at least one second edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein between the first and the last cutting operation at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein the printed product has at least one pressing device for carrying out the respective cutting operations,by means of which, in operative connection with a cutting device, at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product, wherein the printed product is transported from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a friction-transforming gripping means (103, 104, ....), characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) for the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side, which is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of a cover (AU) belonging to the printed product, wherein the elements (E1, E2) serve to initiate, create, maintain or reinforce the spread of the flap fold or the cover, which are carried out by the following process steps: a) Via a first translation (501), the printed product (A) is guided from the first cutting station (1) to a first element (E1) within the second cutting station (2), which element essentially has the shape of an opening body (530) designed to form a spread, wherein the printed product is guided over an opening edge (520) belonging to the opening body to an opening point (521) arranged at the end of the same,wherein the opening point (521) merges into an opening blade (540); b) By means of a further subsequent translation (502), the printed product (A) is guided over the contour of the entire opening body (530), such that in a first step, the opening blade (540) belonging to the opening body penetrates into the space between the flap fold (AKF) or cover (AU) and the printed product body (AK) in a spreading manner, thereby initiating the spreading (SP); c) By means of the continuation of the translation (502) under b), the printed product is guided over the further contour of the opening body (530), whereby the degree of spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or cover (AU) relative to the printed product body (AK) undergoes a consolidation, wherein the spreading achieved thereby has an opening,by which a trimming of the front cut (BS) is performed without interference with the flap fold or cover; d) After the completed translation (502) over the opening body (530), the printed product is guided to the front cut with the previously performed spreading by means of a further translation (503) over a second element (E2), wherein the opening of the spreading is at least maintained or reinforced during this transfer. e) That the implemented spreading is designed such that 100% shape reversibility occurs after the front cut has been performed, such that the original shape of the flap fold and cover is restored.

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the initiation and continuation of the spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU) in the region of the opening body (530) belonging to the first element (E1) is supported by at least one air jet.

26. Method according to claim 24, characterized in thatthe spreading along the guides (510) belonging to the second element (E2) is supported by at least one further air jet to maintain or strengthen the predetermined opening.

27. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that For quality assurance of the spreading of the flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU), local sensors operate which monitor the necessary degree of spreading until the front cut has been made.

28. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the pressing of the printed product (A) in the area of the front cut by at least some of the pressure bars 200 operating at this cutting station (2) 1-n' is implemented, the retrieval of which is coordinated in such a way that they start in the area above the spread flap fold (AKF) or the cover (AU), that the pressing of the printed product body (AK) is implemented on the underside of the flap fold or the cover by movable or fixed pressing beams (144, 152) which carry out the ultimate pressing of the printed product body (AK) for carrying out the front cut at the cutting station (2), that the pressing forces or cutting forces introduced onto the pressing beams and the cutting device are implemented by a single drive or by separate drives.

29. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1), in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3), in which at least one second edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged between the first and the last cutting operation, in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein at least one pressing device is used to carry out the cutting operations, by means of which at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product,wherein the printed product is transported from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a force-locking gripping means (103, 104, ....), characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) operable to carry out the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side, which intermediate station is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the spread is carried out firstly by a first translation (502) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of the first element (E1), and secondly by a second translation (503) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of the second element (E2), that the degree of opening of the spread along the second element (E2) is maintained or increased, wherein at the end of the second element (E2) the front cut is carried out on the free-standing printed product body (AK), that in a subsequent multiple cut the initial spread of the flap fold or the envelope is initially increased to such an extent,and that several free cutting operations are carried out one after the other at the same cutting station 2., 30. A method for operating a device for carrying out cutting operations on format edges of at least one printed product (A), wherein the device has at least one feed device (120) which is operatively connected to a first cutting station (1), in which at least one first edge-related cutting operation takes place, at least one discharge device (160) which is operatively connected to a last cutting station (3), in which at least one second edge-related cutting operation takes place, wherein at least one further cutting station (2) is arranged between the first and the last cutting operation, in which at least one cutting operation directed at the front cut of the printed product takes place, wherein at least one pressing device is used to carry out the cutting operations, by means of which at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product,wherein the printed product is transported from one cutting station to the next by at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....) with a force-locking gripper (103, 104, ....), characterized in thatthe cutting station (2) operable to carry out the front cut has an intermediate station on the input side, which intermediate station is equipped with elements (E1, E2) for forming a spread (SP) of a flap fold (AKF) belonging to the printed product or of an envelope (AU) belonging to the printed product, that the spreading is carried out firstly by a first translation (502) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of the first element (E1), and secondly by a second translation (503) of the printed product in the transport direction along the contour of the second element (E2), that the degree of opening of the spread is maintained or increased along the second element (E2), that at the end of the second element (E2) the front cut takes place on the now free-standing printed product body (AK), and that in a subsequent multiple cut, a first cutting operation is carried out directly without initiating a spread,whereupon the printed product is returned to the intermediate station, in which the spreading of the flap fold or the cover is initiated by using said elements (E1, E2) for at least one subsequent cutting operation.

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