Apparatus and method for the simultaneous processing of book blocks

Abstract

Method for simultaneous multi-page processing of book blocks (20) using a device (1). Processing of a plurality of end faces (22) of at least one book block (20) simultaneously with very low personnel expenditure.The device (1) comprises: a receiving device (5) for receiving at least one book block (20) to be processed, a rotary frame (2) with at least one receiving plate (3), each with a plurality of mutually offset holding devices (4) for fixing the at least one book block (20), wherein each holding device (4) is spaced a distance a from a rotation axis x, wherein the rotary frame (2) is rotatably mounted for pivoting into a plurality of processing positions (8) about the rotation axis x, and which comprises at least one processing device (7) in at least one processing position (8) for processing the at least one book block (20) and a depositing device (9) for depositing the processed book blocks (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the simultaneous multi-page processing of book blocks comprising a receiving device for receiving at least one book block to be processed.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the simultaneous multi-page processing of book blocks with a device according to the invention.

[0003] When producing books or book blocks, depending on the preceding production processes or the appearance of the book, it may be necessary to process the end pages of the book block. A book block consists of the bound or pre-bound pages and includes a spine with the binding and / or spine of the cover, as well as the end pages that deviate from the spine. It may be necessary or even necessary to smooth and / or coat the end pages for aesthetic reasons, for example, with a so-called gilt edge.

[0004] There is also an increasing trend towards printing and / or coating and / or inking at least one end face or a majority of end faces of a book block so that additional information, decorations or graphics can be added to the end faces.

[0005] In the following description and in the claims, the term book block is used for reasons of simplicity and better understanding both for a book block in the sense of an intermediate product or a precursor product for a book and for a book, since a book includes a book block in addition to a cover or binding, especially since the use of the dual terminology of book block and book would have no additional benefit.

[0006] To do this, a book block (or an already finished book) must be processed on at least one end face, for example by printing it using an inkjet process.

[0007] Devices are known from the prior art in which, for example, a single book block is pressed together and is motor-guided on at least one relevant end face under a processing device designed as an inkjet printing device.

[0008] Furthermore, devices are known from the prior art in which at least one book block is clamped in a clamping device and pressed together. This clamping device, with an end face of the at least one book block to be processed, is guided past a processing device and is printed there, for example. After processing this first end face, the clamping device pivots about an axis located within the clamped book block, so that, if necessary, another end face of the at least one book block can be processed.

[0009] The devices and methods known from the prior art have in common that they require a very low degree of automation and thus a very high level of personnel effort to operate. Furthermore, the devices known from the prior art have in common that only one end face of at least one book block can be processed at a time, and that if multiple end faces are to be processed, the processing steps must be repeated accordingly often.

[0010] The aforementioned properties of the devices and methods known from the prior art result in only a small number of book blocks being able to be processed per unit of time, while at the same time requiring a high level of personnel expenditure, which leads to very high production costs for such processing steps.

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a solution which makes it possible to carry out the processing of a plurality of end pages of at least one book block simultaneously with very low personnel expenditure, so that the throughput of processed book blocks can be increased and the costs incurred for this can be reduced.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the device comprises a receiving device for receiving at least one book block to be processed, a rotary frame with at least one receiving plate, each with a plurality of mutually offset holding devices for fixing the at least one book block, wherein each holding device is spaced a distance a from a rotation axis x, wherein the rotary frame is rotatably mounted for pivoting into a plurality of processing positions about the rotation axis x, and the at least one processing device in at least one processing position for processing the at least one book block and a depositing device for depositing the processed book blocks.

[0013] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention by a method, wherein at least one book block is grasped and held by a receiving device of a first holding device located in a receiving position and arranged on a receiving plate of a bogie, wherein the bogie with the at least one book block grasped by the first holding device is pivoted about a rotation axis x into a first processing position, in which the at least one book block is processed by means of a first processing device arranged in this first processing position, wherein after the processing of the at least one book block, the bogie is pivoted about the rotation axis x into a second processing position, in which the at least one book block is processed by means of a second processing device arranged in this second processing position,wherein, directly or indirectly after the processing of the at least one book block, the rotary frame is pivoted into a depositing position in which the at least one book block is deposited in a depositing device, wherein the processing of at least one book block by the first processing device and the processing of at least one book block by the second processing device are carried out simultaneously by the plurality of holding devices arranged on the rotary frame.

[0014] Such a device and such a method combine the advantages of simultaneous processing of a plurality of end faces and a high degree of automation, which is why the number of book blocks processed per unit of time can be increased compared to the state of the art and at the same time the personnel capacity required to operate the device can be reduced, so that the economic efficiency for processing at least one end face of a book block can also be increased.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, each holding device on the rotary frame is designed to be movable radially and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis x. With such a configuration, the at least one book block to be processed can be removed from the receiving device and clamped by the holding device itself, so that the receiving device serves both for the correct positional alignment of the book blocks and as a reservoir for a plurality of book blocks to be processed. The reservoir can be loaded with a plurality of book blocks, thus eliminating the need for continuous manual refilling or insertion of book blocks to be processed.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a conveyor for moving at least one book block from the receiving device into a holding device located in a receiving position. Such a configuration has the advantage that the book blocks to be processed can be pressed against one another under pretension while still in the receiving device, so that, for example, the book block facing the at least one holding device can be pushed out of the stack of book blocks from below and conveyed into the holding device, where it can be picked up.

[0017] This allows them to remain aligned with each other, especially when multiple book blocks are to be processed simultaneously. Furthermore, the holding device can serve both for the correct alignment of the book blocks and as a reservoir for a large number of book blocks to be processed. It can be loaded with a large number of book blocks, eliminating the need for constant manual refilling or insertion of book blocks to be processed.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a removal device for removing the at least one book block from the holding device. With such a removal device, the entire process from loading and feeding the book blocks to removing the book blocks from the holding device and depositing them in the deposit device is automated, thus fundamentally enabling fully automated throughput and processing of the book blocks.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least three processing devices in at least three processing positions, wherein the processing positions are arranged offset from one another by a maximum of 90°. Such a configuration has the advantage that it enables the processing of all three end faces of at least one book block in a single operation. Furthermore, the arrangement of the processing positions at 90° to one another makes it possible for each of the three end faces to be aligned in a horizontal plane in a processing position, thus also enabling processing steps such as printing using an inkjet printing device, which requires a horizontal alignment of the surface to be printed.Thus, with such a design, it is possible to print all three end sides of a book block using the inkjet printing process, which allows for a highly variable variation of the print image, even up to the individualization of a conventionally produced book block.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one processing device is arranged perpendicular or parallel to a holding device. This has the advantage that processing steps which require a high degree of parallelism to an end face of a book block can be carried out very precisely. In particular, various processing steps require that these are carried out with the corresponding end face aligned horizontally, such as, for example, printing an end face using an inkjet printing process. In this case, it is advantageous if the holding device is aligned such that, in this working position, the corresponding end face of the at least one book block is aligned in a horizontal plane and that the corresponding processing device designed as an inkjet printing device is aligned parallel to the end face to be printed.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one processing device is suitable for printing and / or coating and / or machining at least one end face of at least one book block. Such an embodiment has the advantage that at least one end face of at least one book block can be printed and / or coated in at least one working position.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one processing device is an inkjet printing device or a flexographic printing device. Such a device enables printing on at least one front page. In the case of an inkjet printing device, the print image can be variably modified, and even personalization or individualization of a book is possible with extremely little effort. It should be noted that the effort required to individualize a book by individually printing a spine is significantly lower than if a page bound into a book block is individualized, since all previous logistics and work steps up to printing the front page can be carried out without considering individualization.It is also possible to enhance pre-made and stored books in a separate step by printing them with variable content or by customizing them.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving plate comprises at least four holding devices on one side or on both sides. The minimum number of four holding devices makes it possible to grip four book blocks or four stacks of book blocks and simultaneously deposit a finished book block or stack of book blocks, and to pick up an unprocessed book block or stack of unprocessed book blocks and simultaneously process the remaining three book blocks or the remaining three stacks of book blocks on all three end faces.

[0024] The variant in which at least four holding devices are arranged on both sides of the receiving plate has the advantage that book blocks can be grasped on both sides of a receiving plate by means of the holding devices and processed in the processing positions, so that the number of book blocks that can be processed simultaneously is doubled.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary frame comprises a plurality of receiving plates arranged one behind the other along the rotation axis x. With such a device configuration, either at least one receiving plate can have a plurality of holding devices on one side only and / or at least one receiving plate can have a plurality of holding devices on both sides. This arrangement of a plurality of receiving plates on a rotary frame allows the number of book blocks that can be processed simultaneously to be multiplied, which greatly increases throughput.

[0026] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Various embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1An exemplary representation of a book block for defining the end pages and the spine Fig. 2An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention Fig. 3A detailed view of a holding device arranged on a receiving plate Fig. 4A holding device arranged on a receiving plate when interacting with a conveyor device Fig. 5An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention with arranged processing devices.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary book block 20 in order to clearly define the required definitions of the end pages 22.

[0028] The Fig. 1 The book block 20 shown consists of a plurality of individual pages or booklets stapled and / or glued to a folded spine, which, however, are Fig. 1 are not shown separately. The book block 20 thus comprises a front side 23, a front side 23 opposite the front side, Fig. 1 unspecified back and a spine 21, which is shown in a rounded shape. At the spine 21, the individual pages are connected to each other by gluing and / or binding and / or stitching. In the case of a book, the spine 21, as well as the front 23 and the back, is connected by a Fig. 1 not covered by a cover or jacket shown.

[0029] The remaining pages of the book block 20 are referred to as end pages 22, such a book block 20 having a first end page 22-1, a second end page 22-2, which in the case of Fig. 1 used nomenclature is arranged opposite the fold spine and a third end face 22-3, which is opposite the first end face 22-1. It should be noted that the Fig. 1 used numbering sequence is completely arbitrary and is modified in the subsequent drawings and the description and claims or the terms "first", "second" and "third" can be used merely as a mere enumeration.

[0030] As from Fig. 1 visible, corresponds to the Fig. 1 The book block 20 shown corresponds to a book, wherein a book block 20 and a book essentially only differ by a cover, which is why only the term book block 20 is used below for both a book block 20 and a book in this description and in the claims, wherein a book is included here.

[0031] Such end faces 22 are increasingly processed for various reasons, such as printing, whether for optical design or to convey content or for reasons of individualizing a book, so that processing or printing is only possible after completion of at least the book block 20.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 which is designed for the simultaneous multi-page processing of book blocks 20.

[0033] The device 1 comprises a bogie 2, which is Fig. 2 only schematically and without the corresponding drives and bearings. The bogie 2 comprises at least one support plate 3, which in the case of the Fig. 2 shown example essentially has a cross-shaped contour and in which Fig. 2 shown example is designed to accommodate four mutually offset holding devices 4, so that the bogie 2 can consequently also accommodate the Fig. 2 exemplified holding devices 4. Each holding device 4 is spaced a distance a from the rotation axis x. The bogie 2 is mounted for rotation about the rotation axis x, so that the bogie 2 can be pivoted such that it can assume the various processing positions 8 with its holding devices 4.

[0034] In Fig. 2 The means for pivoting the bogie 2, the drives and bearings required for this purpose and any components required for positioning a respective holding device 4 in a desired processing position 8 are not shown. Fig. 2 In the example shown, the first holding device 4-1 with a first book block 20-1 fixed therein is in the first processing position 8-1, the second holding device 4-2 with a second book block 20-2 fixed therein is in the second processing position 8-2 and the third holding device 4-3 with a third book block 20-3 fixed therein is in a third processing position 8-3. In each holding device 4 is in the Fig. 2 In the example shown, each book block 20 is fixed in the holding device 4 in such a way that the Fig. 1 as a second end face 22-2 is arranged opposite the rotation axis x and points away from it.

[0035] The Fig. 2 The device 1 shown as an example further comprises a receiving device 5 for at least one book block 20 to be processed. Fig. 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the receiving device 5 is designed in such a way that it can receive a large number of book blocks 20 stacked one behind the other, so that a sufficiently large supply of book blocks 20 to be processed can be received there, wherein in the case of Fig. 2 In the exemplary configuration shown, the book blocks 20 with the Fig. 1 shown second end face 22-2 are arranged downwards, whereby of course any other orientation of the book blocks 20 can be selected.

[0036] Furthermore, the Fig. 2 The device 1 shown as an example comprises a storage device 9 in which the processed book blocks 20 can be stored. Fig. 2 In the example shown, both the receiving device 5 and the depositing device 9 are configured in such a way that both the feeding of book blocks 20 still to be processed from the receiving device 5 into a holding device 4 and the depositing of the processed book blocks 20 takes place from a common receiving position 6 and depositing position 10. In the case of the Fig. 2 In the example shown, the fourth holding device 4-4 is in the common receiving position 6, which is simultaneously the depositing position 10, in order to first deposit a processed book block 20 into the depositing device 9 in this position and then subsequently to receive a book block 20 to be processed.

[0037] Although Fig. 1 a bogie 2 which comprises four holding devices 4, it is also possible to use a different number of holding devices. The number of selected holding devices 4 per receiving plate 3 depends both on the number of processing steps to be performed and on the number of end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 to be processed. If all three end faces 22 are to be processed with at least one processing step, but one end face 22, for example, twice, then at least four processing positions and at least one receiving position 6, which can also be used as a storage position 10, would be required for simultaneous execution of the processing steps.

[0038] The Fig. 2 The mounting plate 3 shown only shows a purely constructive example, whereby it should be noted that a non-planar design of this component, for example in the form of a support structure, also falls within the scope of protection.

[0039] Although not in Fig. 2 As shown, it is possible for each holding device 4 on the rotary frame 2 to be movable in a radial direction and thus in the distance a and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis x. Due to this movability of a holding device 4 in the radial direction, it is possible for a holding device 4, which is located in the receiving position 6, to be extended in the radial direction in order to grasp the at least one book block 20 to be processed. Furthermore, it is thus possible to deposit the at least one processed book block 20 in the depositing device 9. In addition, in Fig. 2 Processing devices 7, not shown, are arranged radially offset from the distance a, since the end face 22 of a book block 20 to be processed can nevertheless be brought into a distance required for the corresponding processing step or into contact with the processing device 7 by extending the holding device 4.

[0040] In the Fig. 2 In the example shown, at least one book block 20 to be processed is fed by means of a schematically illustrated conveyor device 11, which is designed such that it conveys the at least one book block 20 to be processed from the receiving device 5 into the holding device 4-4 located in the receiving position 6.

[0041] Furthermore, the Fig. 2 The device 1 shown by way of example comprises a removal device 12 for removing the at least one processed book block 20 from the holding device 4-4 located in the deposit position 10, wherein it is noted that the removal device 12 is only schematically shown and not completely shown for the sake of clarity. Fig. 2 The schematically illustrated removal device 12 is designed to ensure a common position, which is simultaneously the receiving position 6 and the deposit position 10, is designed as a cylinder, for example, which pushes the at least one processed book block 20 laterally out of the holding device 4 and the at least one book block 20 into a Fig. 2 not shown transport system, which transports the at least one book block 20 into the storage device 9.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a holding device 4, which in the schematic representation comprises a holding plate 13 and a clamping device 14, with which the holding plate 13 is clamped against the three book blocks 20 arranged next to one another and picked up at the same time, so that the exemplary in Fig. 3 The three book blocks 20 shown are clamped in the holding device 4 on the receiving plate 3.

[0043] The number of book blocks 20 that can be accommodated simultaneously depends, on the one hand, on the thickness of the book blocks 20, and, on the other hand, on the maximum working width of the corresponding processing device 7. Depending on the working width of the processing device 7 and the thickness of the book blocks 20, it is possible to process the relevant end faces 22 of several adjacent book blocks 20, provided they are all flush with one another. However, due to the frequently protruding covers of finished books, generally only one book can be processed per processing device 7.

[0044] As in Fig. 3 As shown, the front edge of the holding device 4 has a defined distance a from the rotation axis x. Thus, the book blocks 20 are preferably always clamped into the holding device 4 with the same projection b, so that the same distance of the projecting end face 22-2 to a Fig. 3 This constant projection b can be achieved, for example, by placing the book blocks 20 to be processed with the Fig. 1 the end face 22, designated as the second end face 22-2, is arranged downwards in the receiving device 5, and by means of a Fig. 4 shown and explained conveyor device 11 into the corresponding holding device 4. Thus, this forms Fig. 1 The end face 22 designated as the second end face 22-2 is always the reference edge, so that the dimension of the book block 20 in the extension perpendicular to the spine 21 has no influence on the position of the second end face 22-2 in the holding device 4, which in Fig. 3 on the dashed fictitious spine 21* of a book block 20 with a different dimension.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows the holding device 4 together with a section of the mounting plate 3 from Fig. 3 , but in an open state to accommodate the three book blocks 20 shown as examples. Fig. 4 illustrates how the book blocks 20 are transported by means of the conveyor device 11 from the Fig. 4 not shown receiving device 5 into the holding device 4. By using the second end face 22-2 of the book blocks 20, the conveying device 11 can always be moved into the same position regardless of the dimensions of the book blocks 20, so that regardless of the dimensions of the book blocks 20, an identical projection b of the second end face 22-2 from the holding device 4 and thus always the same distance between the end face 22 to be processed and a processing device 7 is ensured. In addition, this procedure avoids the need to adjust the holding devices 4 and / or the processing devices 7 and / or the conveying device 11 when the dimensions of the book blocks 20 change.

[0046] Although not in Fig. 4 This procedure is also applicable to the lateral alignment of at least one end face 22, for example the first end face 22-1 from Fig. 1 possible. By aligning an end face 22 adjacent to the book spine 21 with a stop not shown in the drawing, it is possible to always position at least one end face 22 adjacent to the book spine 21 in the same way, regardless of the dimensions of the book block 20, and to arrange it in the holding device 4, so that the corresponding at least one processing device 7 does not need to be readjusted even for an end face 22 adjacent to the book spine 21.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows the device 1 from Fig. 2 , where Fig. 5 The processing devices 7, which are arranged essentially stationary relative to the bogie 2, are also shown. The term "essentially" here means that, unlike the bogie 2 and the components mounted thereon, the processing devices 7 do not perform any rotary movements, but rather remain in the same position at least during the processing of the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 of the same dimensions. Depending on the design of the bogie and the dimensions of the book blocks 20, it may be necessary for the processing devices 7 to be parked, pivoted away, or otherwise moved out of the envelope described by the outer contour for the duration of a pivoting movement of the bogie 2.

[0048] For example, the Fig. 5 The device 1 shown as an example comprises a first processing device 7-1, a second processing device 7-2 and a third processing device 7-3.

[0049] Because the Fig. 5 Since the device 1 shown thus comprises at least three processing devices 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3 in at least three processing positions 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3, simultaneous processing of all three end faces 22 of the different book blocks 20 is possible.

[0050] Because the three machining positions 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 are arranged offset from one another by a maximum of 90°, there is the greatest possible distance between them, so that in relation to the distance a between the rotation axis x and the holding devices 4, the most installation space is available for the machining devices 7.

[0051] If, as in the case of Fig. 5 While in the example shown the processing positions are arranged offset by 90° to one another, the processing devices 7 can also be arranged parallel or perpendicular to each holding device 4, so that the processing devices 7 are always parallel to an end face 22 of a book block 20. Thus, a horizontal alignment of the processing devices 7 is possible, which is particularly advantageous if all three end faces 22 of a book block 20 are to be printed using an inkjet printing process, since this process requires an essentially horizontal alignment of the surface to be printed.

[0052] The Fig. 5 The schematically illustrated processing devices 7 can be designed as devices for printing and / or coating and / or machining at least one end face 22 of at least one book block 20. An inkjet printing device or a flexographic printing device, for example, is suitable as a device for printing at least one end face 22 of a book block 20. An inkjet printing device has the advantage that it allows for variable print content, thus also permitting individualization of print content.

[0053] By arranging the four holding devices 4 at 90° to each other and by arranging the processing positions 8 in a 90° arrangement and in alignment with a horizontal and a vertical plane, it is thus achieved that each of the three end faces 22 of a book block 20 assumes a horizontal position, which faces a processing device 7 arranged above. Thus, with the Fig. 5 The arrangement shown makes it possible to print all three end faces 22 of three different book blocks 20 or of several book blocks arranged side by side in the holding device 4 simultaneously using the inkjet printing process, so that a high degree of automation and a high throughput can be achieved.

[0054] Although not in Fig. 5 As shown, it is also possible to attach holding devices 4 and processing devices 7 on both sides of the receiving plate 3, so that book blocks 20 can be processed on both sides of a receiving plate 3.

[0055] Although not in Fig. 5 As shown, it is also possible for the bogie 2 to have a plurality of mounting plates 3 arranged one behind the other in the extension of the rotation axis x.

[0056] With the Fig. 5 A method can thus be carried out using the device 1 shown. The method is described in Fig. 5 described initial situation, that is, the cycle described below in the Fig. 5 In this method, at least one book block 20 is moved from the receiving device 5, in which preferably a plurality of book blocks 20 to be processed are stored, into a fourth holding device 4-4 located in the receiving position 6 by means of a conveyor device 11 and is fixed there, or is grasped by the fourth holding device 4-4, which is movable in the radial direction, and then fixed.

[0057] After grasping and clamping the at least one book block 20 in the fourth holding device 4-4 and after completion of the simultaneous processing of the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 already located in the first holding device 4-1, in the second holding device 4-2 and in the third holding device 4-3, the rotary frame 2 with the receiving plate 3 and the holding devices 4 mounted thereon is pivoted about the rotation axis x, in which Fig. 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the swiveling is 90°. Fig. 5 The fourth holding device 4-4 shown in the drawing enters the first processing position 8-1 and the Fig. 5 The third holding device 4-3 shown takes up the storage position 10, which in the Fig. 5 illustrated example is identical to the receiving position 6, so that this at least one book block 20 can be conveyed into the depositing device 9 by means of the removal device 12. At the same time, the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 located in the remaining holding devices 4, which end faces are facing the processing devices 7, are processed by the first processing device 7-1, by the second processing device 7-2 and by the third processing device 7-3, since the remaining holding devices 4 are located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3. Fig. 5 In the arrangement shown, each of the three end faces 22 of a book block 20 is in a horizontal orientation below a processing device 7 and can thus be printed, for example, using the inkjet printing process.

[0058] If the corresponding processing steps of the book blocks 20 located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3 are completed and the at least one processed book block 20 is deposited in the depositing device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed is picked up by the holding device 4 located in the receiving position 6, the rotary frame 2 with the receiving plate 3 and the holding devices 4 mounted thereon is again pivoted by 90° about the rotation axis x, so that the Fig. 5 illustrated fourth holding device 4-4 is in the second processing position 8-2. After pivoting, the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 located in the holding devices 4 facing the processing devices 7 are processed simultaneously by the first processing device 7-1, by the second processing device 7-2 and by the third processing device 7-3, since the remaining holding devices 4 are in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3. After the second pivoting, the Fig. 5 in the second processing position 8-2, the second holding device 4-2 is in the receiving position 6, which is identical to the deposit position 10, so that the processed book block 20 located in this second holding device 4-2 can be deposited in the deposit device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed can be received.

[0059] If the corresponding processing steps of the book blocks 20 located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3 are completed and the at least one processed book block 20 is deposited in the depositing device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed is picked up by the holding device 4 located in the receiving position 6, the rotary frame 2 with the receiving plate 3 and the holding devices 4 mounted thereon is again pivoted by 90° about the rotation axis x, so that the Fig. 5 The fourth holding device 4-4 shown is in the third processing position 8-3.

[0060] After pivoting, the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 located in the holding devices 4 facing the processing devices 7 are processed simultaneously by the first processing device 7-1, by the second processing device 7-2 and by the third processing device 7-3, since the remaining holding devices 4 are located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3. After the third pivoting, the Fig. 5 in the first processing position 8-1 shown first holding device 4-1 in the receiving position 6, which is identical to the deposit position 10, so that the at least one processed book block 20 located in this first holding device 4-1 is deposited in the deposit device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed is received.

[0061] If the corresponding processing steps of the book blocks 20 located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3 are completed and the at least one processed book block 20 is deposited in the depositing device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed is picked up by the holding device 4 located in the receiving position 6, the rotary frame 2 with the receiving plate 3 and the holding devices 4 mounted thereon is again pivoted by 90° about the rotation axis x, so that the Fig. 5 shown fourth holding device 4-4 again in the storage position 10, which in the Fig. 5 In the example shown, this is identical to the recording position 6.

[0062] After pivoting, the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 located in the holding devices 4 facing the processing devices 7 are processed by the first processing device 7-1, by the second processing device 7-2 and by the third processing device 7-3, since the remaining holding devices 4 are located in the first processing position 8-1, in the second processing position 8-2 and in the third processing position 8-3. After the fourth pivoting, the Fig. 5 in the receiving position 6 shown fourth holding device 4-4 again in the receiving position 6, which in the Fig. 5 illustrated example is identical to the deposit position 10, so that at least one processed book block 20 located in this fourth holding device 4-4 can be deposited in the deposit device 9 and at least one book block 20 to be processed can be received.

[0063] This method thus enables a simultaneous and thus simultaneous processing of the end faces 22 of the book blocks 20 clamped in the holding devices 4 located in the processing positions 8, while simultaneously the processed book blocks 20 are brought into the depositing device 9 and the book blocks 20 to be processed are picked up from the receiving device 5 by the corresponding holding device 4.

[0064] With the Figuren 2 and 5In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is thus possible for a first end face 22-1 of at least one book block 20 to be processed in the first processing position 8-1 and for a second end face 22-2 of at least one book block 20 to be processed in the second processing position 8-2. In this case, the at least one end face 22 of a book block 20 can be printed or coated, for example.

[0065] The at least one book block 20 can be picked up from the picking device 5 by extending a holding device 4 located in the picking position 6 in a radial direction and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis x towards the at least one book block 20 located in the picking device 5 and / or by conveying the at least one book block 20 into the holding device 4 located in the picking position 6 by means of a conveying device 11.

[0066] The depositing of the at least one processed book block 20 into the depositing device 9 can be carried out by depositing the at least one processed book block 20 in the depositing device 9 by radially extending the relevant holding device 4 and / or by means of a removal device 12. List of reference symbols

[0067] 1Device 2Bogie 3Receiving plate 4Holding device 5Receiving device 6Receiving position 7Processing device 8Processing position 9Deposit device 10Deposit position 11Conveyor device 12Removal device 13Holding plate 14Clamping device 20Book block 21Spine 22Front 23Front xRotation axis aDistance bProtrusion

Claims

1. Device (1) for the simultaneous multi-sided processing of book blocks (20), comprising a receiving device (5) for receiving at least one book block (20) to be processed, a rotary frame (2) with at least one receiving plate (3), each with a plurality of mutually offset holding devices (4) for fixing the at least one book block (20), wherein each holding device (4) is spaced a distance a from a rotation axis x, wherein the rotary frame (2) is rotatably mounted for pivoting into a plurality of processing positions (8) about the rotation axis x, at least one processing device (7) in at least one processing position (8) for processing the at least one book block (20) and a depositing device (9) for depositing the processed book blocks (20).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thateach holding device (4) on the bogie (2) is designed to be movable in a radial direction and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis x.

3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a conveying device (11) for moving at least one book block (20) from the receiving device (5) into a holding device (4) located in a receiving position (6).

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a removal device (12) for removing the at least one book block (20) from the holding device (4).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (1) comprises at least three processing devices (7) in at least three processing positions (8), wherein the processing positions (8) are arranged offset from one another by a maximum of 90°.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one processing device (7) is arranged perpendicular or parallel to a holding device (4).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one processing device (7) is suitable for printing and / or coating and / or machining at least one end face (22) of at least one book block (20).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one processing device (7) is an inkjet printing device or a flexographic printing device.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receiving plate (3) comprises at least four holding devices (4) on one side or on both sides.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in thatthe bogie (2) comprises a plurality of receiving plates (3) arranged one behind the other in the extension of the rotation axis x.

11. Method for the simultaneous multi-page processing of book blocks (20) with a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one book block (20) is grasped and held by a receiving device (5) of a first holding device (4) located in a receiving position (6) and arranged on a receiving plate (3) of a bogie (2), characterized in thatthe rotary frame (2) with the at least one book block (20) grasped by the first holding device (4-1) is pivoted about a rotation axis x into a first processing position (8-1), in which the at least one book block (20) is processed by means of a first processing device (7-1) arranged in this first processing position (8-1), wherein after the at least one book block (20) has been processed, the rotary frame (2) is pivoted about the rotation axis x into a second processing position (8-2), in which the at least one book block (20) is processed by means of a second processing device (7-2) arranged in this second processing position (8-2), wherein directly or indirectly after the at least one book block (20) has been processed, the rotary frame (2) is pivoted into a depositing position (10), in which the at least one book block (20) is deposited in a depositing device (9),wherein the processing of at least one book block (20) by the first processing device (7-1) and the processing of at least one book block (20) by the second processing device (7-2) are carried out simultaneously by the plurality of holding devices (4) arranged on the bogie (2).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first processing position (8-1) a first end face (22-1) of at least one book block (20) is processed and in the second processing position (8-2) a second end face (22-2) of at least one book block (20) is processed.

13. Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in thatin order to receive the at least one book block (20), a holding device (4) located in the receiving position (6) is extended in a radial direction and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis x towards the at least one book block (20) located in the receiving device (5) and / or that the at least one book block (20) is conveyed by means of a conveying device (11) into the holding device (4) located in the receiving position (7).

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that at least one end face (22) of at least one book block (20) is printed or coated.

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the at least one processed book block (20) is deposited in the depositing device (9) by radially extending the relevant holding device (4) and / or by means of a removal device (12).

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