A device for perfect binding the main body.

Abstract

In a device for perfect binding books, comprising at least one processing station for processing the spine of the book and at least one other processing station for applying adhesive to the spine, the removal of the book from the transport clamp is improved. [Solution] The feeding device 15 has a first feeding means 17, which removes the processed body 100 from the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 in a controlled motion. A second feeding means 28 is positioned behind the first feeding means, which receives the processed body from the first feeding means and transfers it to a laterally positioned feeding element 16, moving it from at least a substantially vertical position to at least a substantially horizontal position. The second feeding means has a direction-changing element 27 and a pivotably driven support device 25.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for perfect binding of book blocks, comprising at least one processing station for processing the spine of the book block and at least one further processing station for applying adhesive to the spine, wherein the book blocks are conveyed through the apparatus by a book block conveying system, the book block conveying system has a receiving station for receiving unbound book blocks into conveying clamps and an ejection station for ejecting processed book blocks from the conveying clamps, the ejection of the processed book blocks from the conveying clamps is performed by a feeding device, which changes the orientation of the processed book block over a feeding section by direction changing means from an at least substantially vertical orientation to an at least substantially horizontal orientation, and the apparatus comprises an electronic control device for controlling the functions of the machine. [Background Art]

[0002] An apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset is known from DE 102012023370 A1. In an apparatus for performing perfect binding, collected book blocks are received in conveying clamps. When conveying the book block from the receiving station to the ejection station, the spine of the unbound book block is processed by milling the folds of the individual printed sheets. If desired, additional notching is also performed on the spine. Subsequently, adhesive (glue) is applied to the spine and the side edges of the book. Depending on the desired binding quality and the processing state of the spine, hot-melt adhesive or PUR adhesive may be used as the adhesive. Thereafter, a reinforcing back liner or a cover is attached to the book block. At the ejection station, the processed book block, which is fitted with the reinforcing liner and / or the cover, is ejected from the conveying clamp and fed out. The book block is then supplied to a further processing station. The ejection of the book block from the conveying clamp can be performed downwardly with the spine leading by gripper fingers, in particular when the book block is held upright (vertically oriented) in the conveying clamp and conveyed through the perfect binder.

[0003] When removing the booklet from the transport clamp, the adhesive used for binding may not yet be fully cured. Therefore, once the booklet is removed from the transport clamp, the paper inside may slip against each other. To avoid slipping, gripper fingers are attached to the booklet with relatively high pressure. However, the high pressure of the gripper fingers can leave marks on the booklet. When the booklet is laid horizontally after being removed from the transport chamber, the paper inside may also slip. Here, the booklet is no longer transported upright with its spine on the ground, but is laid horizontally with the spine facing forward and the flat surface as the ground to properly position the spine for subsequent processing. Horizontal placement can be achieved by a repositioning roller, which needs to have a relatively large diameter to prevent the paper from slipping and the booklet from deforming during the horizontal placement process. Finally, the technique of removing the booklet from the transport clamp also limits the overall working speed of the perfect binding machine. This is because the likelihood of the main body deforming increases, making it no longer possible to simply increase the operating speed of the extraction mechanism by increasing the movement speed of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102012023370 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The objective of this invention is to improve the removal of the main body from the transport clamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by having a device as described at the beginning, in which the feeding device has a first feeding means, the first feeding means removes the processed body from the transport clamp with controlled motion, a second feeding means is positioned behind the first feeding means, the second feeding means receives the processed body from the first feeding means and transfers it to the positioned feeding element by moving it horizontally from at least a substantially vertical position to at least a substantially horizontal position, and the second feeding means has a direction-changing element and a support device that is driven to be rotatable.

[0007] The apparatus has a first feeding means. The first feeding means removes the machined body from the conveyor clamp in a controlled motion. The first feeding means may consist of a plurality of mechanical elements, at least one of which is driven. The first feeding means may have a movable press jaw or gripper, which grips the body in a controlled feeding motion. The pressing force with which the feeding means holds the body is selected so as to ensure that the body is held securely and does not deform undesirably during the subsequent feeding motion. The feeding means is then moved along a feeding section by a driving means, in which case the body is fed out from the conveyor clamp.

[0008] A second feeding means is positioned behind a first feeding means, and the second feeding means receives the processed body from the first feeding means. The second feeding means is configured and positioned to securely grip the body fed by the first feeding means without deforming it, and to subsequently transport it. The movements of the first and second feeding means are coordinated with each other to match.

[0009] The second feed mechanism is configured appropriately. The second feed mechanism is composed of several mechanical elements, of which at least one mechanical element is driven. The second feed mechanism moves the machined body from at least a substantially vertical position to at least a substantially horizontal position and hands the body over to a subsequent feed element. The second feed mechanism is moved along a feed section by a drive mechanism for this purpose, and through the feed section the body is reoriented to a spatial position necessary to hand the body over to a subsequent feed mechanism or a subsequent machining station in the desired form.

[0010] By dividing the function of the feeding device, namely the function of removing the workpiece from the transport clamp and feeding it out, into multiple working mechanisms, particularly first and second feeding means, the process time for removing the workpiece from the transport clamp can be shortened. Since each feeding means only needs to perform a relatively short motion cycle, the process time for removing the workpiece from the transport clamp can theoretically be halved when the two feeding devices are optimally adjusted. Therefore, while the second feeding means is still feeding the workpiece that has been previously removed from the transport clamp towards the subsequent feeding element, the first feeding means can already return to its starting position to grasp a new workpiece. In particular, this shortens the overall cycle time of the perfect binding machine and increases its working speed, especially when the feeding device is a limiting factor in performance. In addition to shortening the cycle time, dividing the removal into two feeding means allows each feeding means to be better adapted to its respective transport purpose, thereby improving the working quality of the perfect binding machine.

[0011] Therefore, the first feed means can be optimized in particular for removing the body from the transport clamp, while the second feed means can be optimized in particular for horizontally positioning the body and for handing it over to a subsequent feed means or a subsequent processing station. The first feed means can be optimized, for example, by eliminating the need to consider the feed process covered by the second feed means in the working distance and feed motion configuration of the removal means, such as a pair of press jaws, and in the configuration of the feed means itself. Optimization of the second feed means can be achieved, for example, by accelerating or decelerating the movement speed of the body over the feed section of the second feed means, or by optimizing the movement trajectory and / or the second feed means itself to reduce the risk of undesirable deformation of the body or back during transport.

[0012] The first and second feed means may each have their own drive unit that enables various control times and rotational speeds for optimization. Various drive units may be used, such as servo motors, linear motors, adjustment cylinders, and the like. By disconnecting the drive unit, the feed means can perform process-optimized motion, and in doing so, without depending on the motion performed by the other feed means, the risk of the body with a newly bonded back (where the adhesive may not yet be fully cured) being undesirably deformed during motion is also reduced. The first feed means may be designed to perform only one motion, in which case the body is removed from the transport clamp in at least a nearly linear motion, while the second feed means may be designed to feed the body on a curved track to a later-positioned feed means or a later-positioned processing station, in which case the body may be further positioned laterally as needed. The second feed mechanism can move around a fixed center of rotation, but it can also be controlled via a forced guide to move along a predetermined trajectory that does not necessarily correspond to a circular orbit.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding device has, as a first feeding means, at least a pair of press jaws positioned on opposite sides of the machined body, and at least one of the press jaws is driven to move in a first direction, so that it is attached at the picking station, from a standby position, near the back, to the side of the machined body facing at least one press jaw, and the press jaw is positionable in a second direction by a position adjustment device, so that the body clamped and held by the press jaw is fed downstream from the transport clamp. The movement of one or more press jaws in the first direction is used for the purpose of gripping the body to be fed and fixing it between the press jaws. The first direction in which the press jaw is movable is in particular perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport clamp, and is directed at least substantially horizontally when the body is transported at least substantially vertically within the transport clamp. As a drive unit for positioning the press jaw, for example, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear motor, a rotary drive motor or an equivalent drive unit can be used. The main body is gripped and pressed by a feed motion driven by the drive unit. Press jaws can be attached to the front and back surfaces of the main body, particularly in the back region. To allow the press jaws to attach to the main body and to avoid obstructing the removal of the main body from the transport clamp, the transport clamp can be held for a short period of time in the area of ​​the removal station.

[0014] After the press jaws are attached to the main body, the transport clamp can be released, and the press jaws are then moved in a second direction by a position adjustment device, at which point the main body held by the press jaws is released from the transport clamp. During this feeding motion, the opened transport clamp has already begun to move again and can return to the area of ​​the receiving station, where a new main body is received.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure applied to the side of the processed body facing the at least one press jaw by a movable-driven press jaw is selectively settable and / or adjustable during the feed motion. Depending on the thickness of the body and the paper used for the body, it may be advantageous to apply relatively high or low pressure to the body via the press jaw. The pressure should not be too high so as not to leave any marks on the body. However, if the pressure is too low, the body may be displaced relative to the press jaw, potentially deforming or completely collapsing during removal. Therefore, the pressure should not be too low either. The required pressure may change during the removal process. Having variable pressure throughout the work cycle makes it possible to control the pressing force as required, while keeping it as low as possible.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the press jaw has a length that extends over the entire length of the spine of the processed book. In this embodiment, the book can be pressed uniformly over the entire length of its spine. Interacting with the adhesive applied to the spine, a straight edge shape of the book is obtained in the spine region without the spine being deformed into a corrugated shape by the pressed and pressed portions. The relatively large surface area over which the press pressure applied to the book by the press jaw is distributed also reduces the likelihood that the press jaw will leave marks on the front and / or back surfaces of the book. The press jaw has a length at least equal to the maximum spine length of a book that can be processed by the perfect binding device.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the position adjustment device is formed as a vertically adjustable table to which press jaws are rigidly coupled. The table can be easily height-adjusted via a corresponding drive unit to reciprocate between an upper receiving position and a lower handover position, thereby feeding the body held by the press jaws downward from the transport clamp. A pneumatic cylinder, spindle drive, linear motor, rotary motor, or similar drive unit may be used as the drive unit. At the same time, the table also provides a good choice of mounting for the press jaws and their drive unit, in which case they move together when the height position of the table is adjusted.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the table has guide elements supported on guide rails supported by a machine frame. The guide rails set up a position adjustment path along which the table can move. The guide elements move the table up and down along this position adjustment path. The table and its guide elements are driven by a drive motor. The drive motor may be connected to an electronic control device, which, through appropriate software, gives the drive motor commands for the movements to be performed each time.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the direction-changing element is formed as an arch-shaped slider, which transitions from at least a substantially vertical extension to at least a substantially horizontal extension when viewed in the feed direction. The slider has, on its upper side facing the main body, a surface made of a material having low frictional resistance, thereby preventing the main body from being deformed by braking resistance. Braking resistance arises from the friction of the main body on the side facing the slider when the main body slides along the slider. The slider may be, for example, a block of metal, a series of web-like members spaced apart and parallel to each other, a roller conveyor, or an air table. The arch shape of the slider should have a radius of at least 250 mm so that the main body does not deform as it passes through the slider such that its back is no longer perpendicular to the sides afterward. The slider's arch shape may, for example, occupy at least approximately a quarter circle, thereby bringing the workpiece from a vertical spatial orientation to a horizontal orientation where its flat surface is positioned. The slider guides the workpiece back-first in the feed direction as it passes through the feed section occupied by the second feed means. The workpiece, transferred from the first feed means to the second feed means, can move across the slider in a smooth motion, further away from the transport clamp and toward a rear-positioned processing station, following gravity and the slider's arch shape. After the first feed means releases the workpiece at the end of the feed section occupied by the first feed means and transfers it to the second feed means, the first feed means may be returned to the starting position of the work cycle, where the subsequent workpiece is removed from the transport clamp in the next work cycle.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pivotally driven support device has a support surface which, in one work cycle, performs a pivoting motion that follows the extended portion of the slide, and the pivoting motion causes the processed spine of the main body to rest on or contact the support surface at least temporarily as it passes through the second feeding means. When the processed and bonded spine, which has not yet fully cured adhesive, is passed from the first feeding means to the second feeding means in at least a substantially vertical orientation and is supported on the support surface, the sheets of paper in the main body maintain their relative orientation to each other even after the main body is released by the first feeding means. This is because the sheets of paper in the main body are prevented from moving relative to each other by the support surface. This is because the sheets of paper in the main body are held uniformly pressed against the support surface of the support device by gravity, so that no vertical relative force can be generated between the individual sheets of paper in the main body by the support surface of the support device during the transport of the main body. The planar contact between the adhesive-coated back and the support surface accelerates the cooling and curing of the adhesive in this region. This is because the material of the support surface absorbs heat from the adhesive, thereby cooling the adhesive and causing it to cure more quickly. As a result, the body obtains a sufficiently rigid shape more quickly that can no longer be altered by the feeding means and the feeding process. Where "eine" (one) support device is mentioned here, this "eine" should not be interpreted as a numeral but as an indefinite article. The aforementioned functions of the support device may be fulfilled by a plurality of support devices positioned side by side or consecutively across the feeding section, and the support devices may have a common or individual drive unit.

[0021] Furthermore, the support device performs a rotational motion that follows the movement of the slider. Even during this rotational motion, the support device prevents deformation of the main body with its support surface. Throughout the rotational motion of the support device and the arching feed of the main body, the paper of the main body continues to be supported by the support surface. This is because, during the rotational motion, the support surface remains at least substantially parallel to the spine surface, precisely due to the rotational motion. It is advantageous that the arching shape of the slider and the rotational motion of the support surface are configured such that the support surface follows, at least roughly, the arching movement of the slider during the rotational motion. If the support surface maintains at least substantially constant distance from the slider during the rotational motion, relative movement between the main body guided by the slider and the spine supported by the support surface is avoided. This allows the polymer of the adhesive to crosslink without interference in the region of the second feed means when the adhesive cools, without generating undesirable stress on the material. Advantageously, the rotational motion of the support surface is configured such that the spine of the main body is supported planarly by the support surface as it passes through the feed section occupied by the second feed mechanism during the rotational motion. The parallel orientation of the support surface and the spine, maintained during the rotational motion along the feed section of the second feed mechanism, also avoids stress in the form of shear stress between the sheets of paper in the main body. This can occur if the main body is in contact with the support surface over only a portion of its width. The parallel guidance of the support surface to the movement of the slider prevents the generation of shear stress in the main body, thereby avoiding undesirable deformation of the main body during passage through the feed section occupied by the second feed mechanism, even when the orientation of the main body changes from portrait to landscape during passage through the feed section occupied by the second feed mechanism.

[0022] In this case, the function of the support surface must be considered in relation to the function of the direction-changing element. The support device and the direction-changing element advantageously complement each other's functions. The direction-changing element positions the main body laterally from at least a nearly vertical orientation to at least a nearly horizontal orientation midway through the transport section, so only the direction-changing element is given the function of changing the direction of motion of the main body from at least a nearly vertical downward direction to at least a nearly horizontal direction of motion. In this case, the support element is given only the function of supporting the main body in the feeding direction midway through the feeding section of the second feeding means, orienting it with respect to the feeding direction, and controlling and uniformizing the movement of the main body in the process.

[0023] The first feeding means releases the body, which has been fed out of the conveyor clamp by the first feeding means, when the body reaches the support device with its back. At this time, the movement of the first feeding means and the support device can be configured by an electronic control device so that the first feeding means and the support device move in the same direction and at the same speed during the short transfer moment. However, depending on the configuration of the machine, it is also possible that the first feeding means moves in the feeding direction earlier or later than the support device at the moment the first feeding means releases the body.

[0024] The advantage of the support device that performs a pivoting movement is that the support device does not need to physically grip the workpiece in order to control and homogenize its movement. The workpiece falls from the first feeding means onto the support surface substantially only by the action of gravity and / or the movement impulse that the workpiece receives from the first feeding means, whereby the support surface properly aligns the workpiece in the feeding direction by its shape and spatial posture at the time of initial contact. When the workpiece abuts against the support surface, it is achieved that both flat sides of the workpiece are oriented or maintained perpendicular to the back surface. Separate driven and controlled grippers or press jaws may be omitted in the support device. This simplifies the adjustment of the perfect binder to different book sizes, since no size adaptation is required therefor, and the production cost of the perfect binder is kept low. As a result, the support device is also particularly lightweight, whereby the acceleration moments and braking moments generated when the support device moves during machine operation remain within a controllable range even when the support device moves extremely quickly. The low weight allows the drive parts and support parts to be constructed relatively small and at relatively low cost.

[0025] The pivoting movement along the slider forms only a part of the movement track along which the support device moves during a working cycle. When the workpiece reaches the end of the feeding section occupied by the second feeding means, the support device is returned to the starting position of the working cycle by a return movement, so as to receive the next workpiece from the first feeding means in the next working cycle there. At the end of the feeding section occupied by the second feeding means, the movement speed of the support surface is accelerated towards the end of the feeding section, and / or the radius of the pivoting movement of the support surface decreases inward, and / or the radius of the arch along which the slider extends increases towards the end of the feeding section, whereby the support surface can be spaced apart from the workpiece.

[0026] The supporting device may be driven at a movement speed which is kept constant during the pivoting movement, but the movement speed of the supporting device may also vary depending on the time it itself takes to pass through the feed section occupied by the second feed means. Therefore, the supporting device can, for example, first travel at a lower speed in the middle of the pivoting movement, whereby it itself is placed with its spine onto the supporting surface, and is then slightly accelerated, so that the movement speed of the supporting device itself along the slider is adapted to the feed speed of a downstream feed element, and is then strongly accelerated, whereby the supporting surface is lifted from the spine at the end of the feed section occupied by the second feed means. The supporting device remains in the reversed position until it itself is removed from the movement area of the supporting device by the downstream feed element. The movement speed of the supporting device can be controlled in closed-loop and open-loop for each job or each individual workpiece via appropriate software by an electronic control device.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the press jaw in the second direction is controlled by a control device, the press jaw lowers the processed workpiece onto the supporting surface of the supporting device, and when the processed workpiece is lowered onto the supporting surface by the press jaw, the supporting surface of the supporting device is oriented parallel to the spine surface of the processed workpiece. As mentioned above, this embodiment of the device protects the workpiece from undesired deformation when it is transferred from the first feed means to the second feed means even if the adhesive has not yet cured.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the press jaw in the second direction is controlled by a control device, and the spine of the processed workpiece is placed onto the supporting surface in abutment. By placing the workpiece on the supporting surface in abutment, the sheets of the workpiece can be oriented such that the squareness of the spine is improved even when the adhesive has not yet fully cured.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support device is connected to the rotation center point via a pivot arm, and the support surface performs an arc-shaped pivoting motion. The rotational motion of the support device around the rotation center point enables quiet operation of the drive unit without relatively large acceleration and braking moments. Relative motion between the main body and the support surface is also avoided as much as possible during the arc-shaped motion.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a drive unit assigned to the support device is configured to move the support surface at the end of the slider located in the feed direction at a speed corresponding to at least the feed speed of a feed element positioned behind the slider in the feed direction. When the main body is passed to the subsequent feed element at a feed speed at least approximately corresponding to the speed at which the subsequent feed element moves, sudden movement of the main body at the time of transfer is avoided. As a result, the adhesive-coated main body maintains its angular shape and orientation in the transport direction even when it is passed from the second feed means to the subsequent feed element. If the feed speeds differ significantly at the time of transfer, the different relative relationship between the main body and the feed element will cause the main body to rotate unfavorably, and the leading spine will no longer be precisely aligned laterally with respect to the transport direction.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit assigned to the support surface is configured to accelerate the motion speed of the support surface in the feed direction to a value higher than the motion speed of the feed element located behind the feed element in the transition region from the end of the slider located in the feed direction to the feed element located behind it in the feed direction. The acceleration of the support surface in the transfer region lifts the support surface from the back, and at that time, the uniform motion of the main body is not hindered in the transfer region.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening of the transport clamp in the area of ​​the extraction station and the movement of the first feed means and support device are time-coordinated by a control device, so that the transport clamp opens only after the first feed means is attached to the processed body, the processed body is fed downstream by the first feed means only after the transport clamp has opened, and the first feed means moves away from the processed body only after the body has been lowered onto the support device. This control of the movement of the feed means results in smooth movement of the body without rattling, and the perpendicularity of the body is maintained as it is fed, even though the applied adhesive has not yet fully hardened.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor located in the area of ​​the retrieval station is connected to a control device, which monitors the retrieval of the main body from the transport clamp, and the control device switches to “trouble” mode when the sensor detects a retrieval containing an error and notifies the control device. The sensor may be configured to verify whether the transport clamp has received the main body in the first place. When a retrieval contains an error, the main body or part thereof that should be retrieved may still be inside the transport clamp. To prevent the main body or the remaining part still inside the transport clamp from colliding with the next main body that is to be received from the transport clamp at the receiving station, the main body transport system may be automatically stopped in trouble mode. In this case, the operator can check the transport clamp and, if necessary, retrieve the troublesome remaining part from the transport clamp.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor is connected to the control device, located in the transition area of ​​a direction-changing element from the end located in the feed direction to a feed element located behind it in the feed direction, or in the area of ​​the feed element located behind it in the feed direction, and the sensor monitors the feed of each processed body, and when the sensor indicates a feed containing an error, the control device switches the device to "trouble". To prevent the body or its remaining portion, still located in the area of ​​the first or second feed means, from colliding with the next body to be fed by the first or second feed means, the drive units for the first and / or second feed means and, if necessary, the body transport system can also be automatically stopped in trouble mode. In this case, the operator can check the feed path in the areas of the first and second feed means and, if necessary, remove the remaining portion that is causing trouble from the feed path. The sensor may be designed, or additionally designed, to measure whether the body is passing the sensor at the expected time. Depending on its design, the sensor may also be designed to check the shape and / or orientation of the body placed on the rearward transport element. If the sensor determines a deviation from the expected target value, this can be evaluated by the control unit as an indication of contamination of the slider and / or support device or support surface with adhesive as the cause of the identified trouble.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device is programmed such that after the first feeding means lowers the workpiece onto the support device and separates it from the processed workpiece, the first feeding means is returned to a standby position by a position adjustment device. The standby position is the position occupied by the first feeding means and the position adjustment device so that they can grasp a new workpiece within the transport clamp and feed it out from there. The required control flow ensures that the first feeding means operates at the precise timing.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device is programmed so that the support device returns to its starting position after the processed main body has been transferred to a feed element positioned behind a second feed means. The feed element positioned behind may be configured as a single conveyor belt or a plurality of conveyor belts arranged in a row, as a roller table with driven rollers, or as a feed element with a connecting body or gripper. This control flow allows the support device to operate with precise timing.

[0037] Further advantages and details are evident from the dependent claims and the illustrated further examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the device viewed from above. [Figure 2] This is another schematic diagram showing the device from the side. [Figure 3] This is a time / distance diagram showing the motion of the individual operating mechanisms of the first and second feeding means. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] The drawings substantially relate to specific embodiments. In contrast, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and may be modified in a specialized manner to suit specific applications.

[0040] Where useful, the same reference numeral is used for corresponding components in all drawings. However, for the sake of clarity, a reference numeral is not always used when a component appears multiple times.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a top view of a perfect binding machine according to the present invention, suitable for manufacturing the bodies of softcover or hardcover books, as apparatus 1. Apparatus 1 has a body transport system 2 equipped with a closed guide track 3, on which three transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 are moved by guide units through processing stations 5, which are attached to the machine frame 29 of apparatus 1 and arranged along the guide track 3. Examples of such processing stations 5 include, hereby, a body introduction station, a spine processing station (spine cutter), a spine hardening device, an adhesive application control, a cover sheet feeder and / or spine gluing station, a cover crimping station and / or spine crimping station, a discharge station, and a drying station.

[0042] Furthermore, the device 1 has multiple drive units 58, where the first drive unit is assigned to the first transport clamp 11, the second drive unit is assigned to the second transport clamp 12, and the third drive unit is assigned to the third transport clamp 13. Each drive unit 58 has drive chains 55, 56, and 57, to which the assigned transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 are attached, and the drive chains 55, 56, and 57 are driven by their respective drive motors via sprockets 4. In this case, the drive motors are controlled by the control device 6 of the device 1. Since the control device 6 stores speed profiles, the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 can each be moved along the guide track 3 with their own speed profiles. Of course, a main transport system 2 may be used with only two or more transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 and a corresponding number of drive units.

[0043] The device 1 has several stop positions, at which the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 can be stopped by drive units assigned to them, respectively. For example, there is a first stop position at the receiving station 51 for introducing a loose book body 100, a second stop position 52 for pressing a cover (not shown) onto the book body 100, and a third stop position at the removal station 53 for discharging the book body 100 with a processed spine 101. If there is a processing station 5 configured as a spine-binding station for attaching spine-binding strips, further stop positions are provided in the area of ​​the processing station 5. The control device 6 may store stop times of various lengths for stop positions 51, 52, and 53.

[0044] Figure 2 shows another schematic diagram of the apparatus 1. This diagram shows the main body 100 held in a transport clamp 11 in a vertical orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the transport clamp 11 has a movable clamp portion 14, and the direction of movement of the movable clamp portion 14 is indicated by double arrows 60 drawn next to the transport clamp 11. When the movable clamp portion 14 is separated from the main body 100, the main body 100 can be removed from the transport clamp 11 downward with its downward-facing back 101 forward. To feed the main body 100 out of the transport clamp 11, the apparatus 1 has a feed device 15, by which the main body 100 is fed from the transport clamp 11 to a feed element 16 located behind it.

[0045] Apparatus 1 has a first feed means 17. The first feed means 17 removes the processed body 100 from the transport clamp 11 in a controlled motion. For this purpose, the first feed means 17 has a pair of press jaws 18, 18a, which can be attached to the body 100 in the area of ​​the back 101 by an actuating element 19. At least the press jaws 18a are driven movably in the direction of both arrows 62 by the actuating element 19 in the first direction, and in the embodiment, both press jaws 18, 18a are each driven by the actuating element 19. In the position shown in Figure 2, the press jaws 18, 18a are in a standby position. To grip the body 100, the press jaws 18, 18a are attached to the front and back sides of the body 100 from the side. As soon as the press jaws 18 and 18a apply pressure to the back 101 and grip the back 101, the transport clamp 11 opens. The press jaws 18 and 18a are firmly coupled to the table 20, which is vertically height-adjustable via a position adjustment device 30, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a spindle drive, as indicated by double arrows 61 drawn next to the table 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the press jaws 18 and 18a are position-adjustable in a second direction together with the table 20. The press jaws 18 and 18a and the table 20, together with the position adjustment device 30, form the first feed means 17 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0046] The table 20 has a guide element 31. The guide element 31 is supported by a guide rail 32 which is supported by the machine frame 29. When the table 20 moves downward, the press jaws 18, 18a also move downward. The press jaws 18, 18a hold the main body 100 which is clamped therein. In this way, the main body 100 is removed downward from the transport clamp 11. The clamp portion 22 of the transport clamp 11, which is fixed in a position laterally relative to the removal direction, defines a fixing edge 23 that is independent of the thickness of the main body, and along the fixing edge 23, the main body 100 is pulled out from the transport clamp 11.

[0047] As it moves downward, the table 20 reaches a position where its back 101 collides with the support surface 24. The support surface 24 is rigidly connected to the support device 25. This position may be the lower end position to which the table 20 can move. The support device 25 is configured as a swivel arm and is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotatably around a fixed rotation center point 26. When the press jaws 18, 18a are almost separated from the main body 100, the support device 25, driven by the drive unit 32, swivels downward in a clockwise direction around the rotation center point 26. At this time, the main body 100 remains on the support surface 24 by gravity, with its back 101 following the swivel motion of the support device 25. At this time, the main body 100 is also supported laterally by a slider that extends in an arch shape. Moreover, the slider also guides the main body 100 laterally along its arch-shaped extension. In this case, the slider forms a direction-changing element 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the support device 25 and the slider thus together form a second feeding means 28.

[0048] The support device 25 rotates approximately 1 / 4 turn on its support surface 24 until the main body 100, which rests on the support surface 24 in the illustrated embodiment, reaches the rear-positioned feed element 16. The slider also traces a quarter circle of approximately 90° on its arched extension. In the extension of the feed section through which the main body 100 passes within the domain of the second feed means 28, the second feed means 28 is rotated from at least a substantially vertical position to at least a substantially horizontal position.

[0049] The drive unit 59 assigned to the support device 25 is designed to move the support surface 24 in the feed direction at a speed at which the feed velocity of the feed element 16 located behind the feed element 16 in the feed direction of the slider is at least equivalent to the feed velocity of the feed element 16 located behind the feed element 16 of the slider at the feed-direction end 38 of the slider. When the main body 100 reaches the end 38 of the slider and then the transition region to the feed element 16, the support device 25 can accelerate and continue to rotate in the feed direction, thereby allowing the main body 100 to be fed out below and over the support device 25 without colliding with the support device 25. In this case, the drive unit 59 assigned to the support surface 24 is designed to accelerate the speed of the support surface 24 in the feed direction to a value higher than the speed of the feed element 16 located behind the feed element 16 in the feed direction at the transition region from the end 38 of the slider located in the feed direction to the feed element 16 located behind the feed element 16 in the feed direction.

[0050] The electronic control device 6 controls not only the drive unit 59 of the support device 25, but also the movement of the actuation elements 19 for the press jaws 18 and 18a, the position adjustment device 30 for moving the table 20, and the drive units 58 of the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13. The opening and closing of the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13 can be performed by cam control or by actuation devices (not shown) similarly connected to the control device 6. The control device 6 has software which, by means of the software, coordinates the position and / or opening of the transport clamps 11, 12, 13 in the area of ​​the extraction station 53 with the movement of the support devices 25 for the first feed means 17 and the second feed means 28 in a timely manner, such that the transport clamps 11, 12, 13 open only after the first feed means 17 makes contact with the processed body 100, the downstream feeding of the processed body 100 by the first feed means 17 occurs only after the transport clamps 11, 12, 13 have opened, and the first feed means 17 moves away from the processed body 100 only after the body 100 has been lowered onto the support device 25.

[0051] One option for controlling the time course of these operating mechanisms can be seen from the time / distance diagram shown in Figure 3. In the time / distance diagram, line 33 (a dashed line) shows the position adjustment distance of the press jaws 18 and 18a. Line 34 shows the position adjustment distance of the table 20, and line 35 (a dashed line) shows the position adjustment distance of the support device 30 during the machine's work cycle T.

[0052] At position I, marked on the X-axis, the press jaws 18 and 18a are in the open standby position, and the table 20 and support device 30 are in their uppermost positions.

[0053] In position II, as the starting point of the work cycle, the press jaws 18 and 18a begin to close until they reach the position in which they press and hold the main body 100 in position III.

[0054] Subsequently, in position IV, the table 20 begins a downward movement that guides the press jaws 18, 18a and the main body 100 held within the press jaws 18, 18a downward. The movable clamping portions 14 of the transport clamps 11, 12, 13 are open between position III and position IV to allow the table 20 to guide the main body 100 downward.

[0055] Before the table 20 reaches its lowest position in position VI, the press beams 18, 18a begin to open again from position V, thereby gradually relaxing the grippers (by which the body 100 is held by the press jaws 18, 18a). At position VI, when the table 20 reaches its lowest position, the support device 25 simultaneously begins to pivot downward. At this position VI, the back 101 comes into contact with the support surface 24 of the support device 25. The support device 25 then receives the body 100, released from the press jaws 18, 18a, and pushes the body 100 downward. The identical gradients of lines 34, 35 in the region of position VI indicate that the table 20 and the support device 30 are moving at the same speed, thereby enabling a smooth transition of the body 100.

[0056] At position VII, as the support device 25 continues its downward pivoting motion, the press jaws 18, 18a reach their maximum opening. Immediately thereafter, at position VIII, the table 20 begins to return to its starting position again by the position adjustment device 30. The control device 6 is thus programmed so that after the first feed means 17 lowers the main body 100 onto the support device 25 and separates it from the machined main body 100, the first transport unit 17 returns to the standby position by the position adjustment device 30. Almost simultaneously with the table 20 beginning to return to its starting position, the support device 25 also reaches its outermost pivoting position. As can be seen in the bend of line 35 between position VII and position IX, the pivoting motion of the support device 25 accelerates toward its end before the support device 25 reaches its outermost pivoting position at position IX. Almost in the region of position IX, the table 20 returns to its starting position again.

[0057] The support device 25 remains in the outermost pivot position 40 shown in Figure 2 for the remainder of the work cycle so that the main body 100 can be fed out of its range of motion by the rear-positioned feed element. The press jaws 18, 18a also remain in their fully open position as a standby position until a new work cycle begins at position X and the press jaws 18, 18a begin to close again. The new work cycle from position X starts the aforementioned motion flow anew, however, the support device 25 pivots back to its starting position between position XI and position XII. Therefore, the control device 6 is programmed so that the support device 25 pivots back to its starting position after the processed main body 100 has been transferred to the rear-positioned feed element 16 of the second feed means 28.

[0058] As can be seen from Figure 2, a sensor 36 located in the area of ​​the extraction station 53 is connected to the control device 6. The sensor 36 monitors the extraction of the main body 100 from the transport clamps 11, 12, and 13. If the sensor 36 notifies of an extraction error, the control device 6 can switch the device 1 to "trouble". Another sensor 37 is connected to the control device 6, located in the area of ​​the feed element 16 which is positioned behind in the feed direction. The other sensor 37 monitors the feeding of each processed main body 100, and if the sensor 37 notifies of a feeding error, the control device 6 switches the device 1 to "trouble". A feeding error may be due to the main body entering the sensor 37 too late. If the sensor 37 is configured to also check the orientation of the main body, the tilt state of the main body placed on the feed element will similarly result in a feeding error.

Claims

1. A device (1) for perfect binding the main body (100), The apparatus (1) comprises at least one processing station (5) for processing the spine (101) of the main body (100), and at least one other processing station (5) for applying adhesive to the spine. The main body (100) is transported through the device (1) by a main body transport system (2), the main body transport system (2) has a receiving station (51) for receiving main bodies (100) that are not bound to transport clamps (11, 12, 13), and a removal station (53) for removing processed main bodies (100) from the transport clamps (11, 12, 13), the removal of processed main bodies (100) from the transport clamps (11, 12, 13) is performed by a feeding device (15), the feeding device (15) changes the orientation of the processed main body (100) from at least a substantially vertical orientation to at least a substantially horizontal orientation over the feeding section by means of a direction changing means, the device (1) has an electronic control device (6) for controlling the functions of the machine, in the device (1), The device (1) is characterized in that the feeding device (15) has a first feeding means (17) which removes the processed body (100) from the transport clamps (11, 12, 13) in a controlled motion, and a second feeding means (28) is positioned behind the first feeding means (17) which receives the processed body (100) from the first feeding means (17) and transfers it to a laterally positioned feeding element (16) from at least a substantially vertical position to at least a substantially horizontal position, and the second feeding means (28) has a direction changing element (27) and a support device (25) that is driven to be rotatable.

2. The feeding device (15) has, as a first feeding means (17), at least a pair of press jaws (18, 18a) positioned on opposite sides of the processed body (100), and at least one of the press jaws (18a) is driven to move in a first direction, thereby being attached to the side of the processed body (100) facing the at least one press jaw (18a) from a standby position at the pick-up station (53), near the back, and the press jaws (18, 18a) are adjustable in a second direction by a position adjustment device (30), thereby allowing the body (100) clamped and held by the press jaws (18, 18a) to be fed downstream from the transport clamps (11, 12, 13), as described in claim 1 (device (1).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure applied to the side of the processed body (100) facing the at least one press jaw (18a) by the movable-driven press jaw (18a) is selectively settable and / or adjustable during the feed motion.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the press jaws (18, 18a) have a length that extends over the entire length of the spine of the processed body (100).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the position adjustment device (30) is formed as a table (20) that can be positioned vertically, and press jaws (18, 18a) are firmly bonded to the table (20).

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the table (20) has a guide element (31) supported on a guide rail (32) supported on a machine frame (29).

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the direction changing element (27) is formed as an arch-shaped slider, and the slider transitions from at least a substantially vertical extension to at least a substantially horizontal extension when viewed in the feeding direction.

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pivotally driven support device (25) has a support surface (24), the support surface (24) performs a pivoting motion in one work cycle to follow the extended portion of the slide, and the pivoting motion causes the back (101) of the processed body (100) to be supported and held at least temporarily while passing through the second feeding means (28).

9. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the prior claims including claims 2 and 8, characterized in that the movement of the press jaws (18, 18a) in a second direction is controlled by a control device (6), the press jaws (18, 18a) lower the processed body (100) onto the support surface (24) of the support device (25), and when the processed body (100) is lowered onto the support surface (24) by the press jaws (18, 18a), the support surface (24) of the support device (25) is oriented parallel to the surface of the back (101) of the processed body (100).

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the movement of the press jaws (18, 18a) in the second direction is controlled by a control device (6), and the back (101) of the processed body (100) is attached to the support surface (24) while in contact with it.

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the support device (25) is connected to the rotation center point (26) via a swivel arm, and the support surface (24) performs an arc-shaped swivel motion.

12. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the drive unit (32) assigned to the support device (25) is configured to move the support surface (24) at the end of the slider located in the feed direction at a motion speed corresponding to the feed speed of the feed element (16) located at least behind the feed direction of the slider.

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the drive unit (32) assigned to the support surface (24) is configured to accelerate the motion speed of the support surface (24) in the feed direction to a value higher than the motion speed of the feed element (16) located behind the feed direction in the transition region of the slider from the end located in the feed direction to the feed element (16) located behind the feed direction.

14. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the opening of the transport clamps (11, 12, 13) in the area of ​​the extraction station (53) and the movement of the first feeding means (17) and the support device (25) are time-coordinated with each other by the control device (6), the transport clamps (11, 12, 13) open only after the first feeding means (17) is attached to the processed body (100), the processed body (100) is fed downstream by the first feeding means (17) only after the transport clamps (11, 12, 13) are opened, and the first feeding means (17) moves away from the processed body (100) only after the body (100) has been lowered onto the support device (25).

15. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a sensor (36) located in the area of ​​the extraction station (53) is connected to a control device (6), the sensor (36) monitors the extraction of the main body (100) from the transport clamps (11, 12, 13), and when the control device (6) detects an extraction that includes an error, it switches the apparatus (1) to "trouble".

16. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein a sensor (37) is connected to the control device (6) in the transition area from the end of the direction changing element (27) located in the feed direction to the feed element (16) located behind it in the feed direction, or in the area of ​​the feed element (16) located behind it in the feed direction, and the sensor (37) monitors the feeding of each processed body (100), and when the sensor (37) notifies of a feeding that includes an error, the control device (6) switches the apparatus (1) to "trouble".

17. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the control device (6) is programmed so that after the first feeding means (17) lowers the main body (100) onto the support device (25) and separates it from the processed main body (100), the first feeding means (17) is returned to the standby position by the position adjustment device (30).

18. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the control device (6) is programmed so that the support device (25) is returned to the starting position after the processed main body (100) has been delivered to the feed element (16) positioned behind the second feed means (28).

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