Cover Sheet Folding Device for Adhesive-Bound Printed Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for producing perfect-bound books with folded-in cover flaps face limitations in high production rate and accuracy during small and very small runs, due to the need for format changes and the tendency of flap corners to protrude, as well as intermittent transport and alignment issues.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a continuous roll of envelopes, a cross-cutting and longitudinal cutting system, a pocket or knife folding device for accurate flap production without creasing, and a magazine for buffering, allowing for continuous operation and high positioning accuracy of folded edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If fold formers are extended in the transport direction to achieve even flap closure, then fold quality is improved, but several envelopes must be processed simultaneously which limits productivity during format changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefold qualityVSAvoidproduction rate during format changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding process is segmented into discrete stations (first folding station and second folding station) that process envelopes sequentially rather than simultaneously. This allows single-envelope processing while maintaining high fold quality, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity during format changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flap joints are produced in advance by grooves before the actual folding operation. This preliminary creasing enables precise and gentle folding without requiring extended fold formers, thereby maintaining both high fold quality and productivity during format changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If synchronous folding over the entire length of the cover is implemented, then flap closure evenness is improved, but corner protrusion occurs and several envelopes must be processed simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap closure evennessVSAvoidcorner protrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The folding operation is divided into two separate stations: the first station produces flap joints by grooves, and the second station performs the actual folding. This segmentation allows precise control of the folding process without corner protrusion while maintaining even flap closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flap joints are prepared in advance by grooves at the first folding station before the actual folding at the second station. This preliminary action ensures precise folding without corner protrusion and eliminates the need for simultaneous processing of multiple envelopes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If intermittent transport with corner deflection is used for flap folding, then positioning accuracy is improved, but transport speed is limited and realignment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtransport speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables continuous transport of envelopes through the folding process without intermittent stopping or corner deflection. The first and second folding stations operate continuously, maintaining high transport speed while achieving precise positioning through the groove-based joint production method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If joint production by groove is performed before flap folding, then positioning accuracy is improved, but additional processing time is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolded edge positioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The joint production by grooves and the flap folding operations are merged into a continuous two-station process. The first station produces grooves while the envelope continues moving, and the second station performs folding without stopping the transport, thereby achieving high positioning accuracy without significant time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3059092B1Device for producing adhesive bonded printed products
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 MULLER MARTINI HLDG
  • EP3059092B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for producing adhesive-bound books, brochures, magazines or similar printed products, wherein the feed of the covers (2) has two conveying sections (15, 16) with different orientations of the covers (2) or cover sheets (3) to the respective transport direction, of which the conveying section facing away from the adhesive binder includes a device (10) for folding the cover sheets (3) transversely to the transport direction.