Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Separation of zig-zag folded web into discrete lengths
The present invention relates to zig-zag folded webs. In
particular the invention relates to a device for separating of a
continuous zig-zag folded endless web delivered from a zig-zag
5 folding machine into discrete lengths.
Devices for separating zig-zag folded webs into discrete lengths
are known for example from DE-PS 30 13 865 and DE-OS 35 02 176. An
endless web, which is provided with perforations at set intervals
transverse to its direction of travel, is folded along the
10 transverse perforations by a zig-zag folding machine in such a
manner that the sections of web lying between the fold lines, i.e.
between the perforations, are stacked on top of one another in an
alternating manner. Thus what is known as a zig-zag stack is
formed. According to the disclosures of the prior documents
15 referred to above, a separating element is inserted between
adjacent sections of the stacked web to separate the web into
discrete lengths. l'he web deposited in a zig-zag stack may be
removed in order to run on to further printing apparatus. The
printing apparatus may consist, for example, of a fast printer
20 which prints the web with alphanumerical signs retrieved from a
data processing plant.
As a result of an increase in the quantity of data processing
equipment, in particular such equipment of relatively small size,
now being used, a need has arisen to be able to buy readily blank
25 zig-zag stacked paper web. This requires the stacks to be bought
to be sufficiently convenient that they can be quickly and easily
transported for everyday use. m us ~he demand for smaller stacks,
for example of about 500 or 1000 sections folded on top of one
another in a zig-zag fashion, arises.
. .
30 As apparent from the prior dbcuments referred to above, eforts
have already been made to separate relatively small zi ~ zag-folded
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stacks frcm relatively large stacks. However, this requires a very
expensive piece of apparatus, which makes the relatively small
stacks very expensive. The price of ~he small stacks can however
be consîderably reduced if the individual blank paper stacks can be
5 kept small in a single operation even during their manufacture
(e.g. by applying the perforations in the direction of travel of
the web and transverse to its direction of travel or by printing
the web as what is known as continuous blank paper.
Zig-zag-folding machines currently in common use are often
10 constructed in such a manner that the zig-zag-folded web to be
deposited in one stack first leaves the folding machine in
imbricated form, which is only altered in shape after advancing
onto the stack. In this manner, air between the individual
adjacent sections of a web stacked on top of one another, in
15 particular when the web to be folded is travelling at relatively
high ~peeds, has adequate time to flow away so that the sections of
the web may be stacked on tCQ of one another in the desired manner.
Zig-zag-folding machines in which the web to be deposited is
depo~ited direct on the zig-zag stack without the formation of an
20 imbrlcated web are often only reliable or effective when the web to
be processed is travelling at relatively low speeds.
An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which
permits small stacks to be separated directly from the zig-zag
folded web leaving a zig-zag-folding machine connected in series to
25 a blank paper printing machine and cooperating with the latter, the
web to be stacked first leaving the zig-zag-folding machine in an
imbricated formation.
Furthermore, the imbricated web should accumulate in such a manner
that a blade for separating a leading portion of web from a
30 trailing portion of the web can enter the imbricated web.
In accordance with a fir~t aspect of the present invention, there
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is provided a device for separating into discrete
lengths a continuous web delivered from a zig-zag
folding machine and having adjacent sections defined
between fold lines which are alternately folded in
opposite senses whereby the web is of zig-zag
co~f i~uration. The device comprises at least two
conveyor belt systems for supporting the web with
spaces defined between adjacent sections of the web
and for conveying the web aiong a predetermined path
with the folds of the web transverse of their
direction of conveyance. The folds are
substantially horizontal such that alternate folds
are at the top and bottom of the web being conveyed.
At least part of one of the conveyor systems is
raisable and lowerable relative to the other
conveyor system so that either conveying system can
selectively engage lengths of the web and the
conveyor systems have different speeds of travel
whereby such lengths can be spaced apart from each
other. A separating element having a cutting edge
is provided for cutting the web into the discrete
lengths. A guide device is provided for the
separating element and is mounted for pivotal
movement about an axis above and transverse to the
predetermined path. The guide device allows the
cutting edge of the separating element to follow a
non-rectilinear path to cut the web at selected
folds at the bottom of the web into the discrete
lengths. At least part of the path is between and
substantially tangential to two adjacent sections of
the web.
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In accordance with a second broad aspect of the
present invention, there iS provided a device for
separating into discrete lengths continuous web
delivered from a zig-zag folding machine and having
adjacent sections defined between fold lines which
are alternately folded in oppostie senses whereby
the web is of zig-zag configuration. The device
comprises at least two conveyor belt systems for
supporting the web with spaces defined between
adjacent sections of the web and conveying the web
along a predetermined path with the folds of the web
transverse of their direction of conveyance. The
folds are substantially horizontal such that
alternate folds are at the top and bottom of the web
being conveyed. At least part of one of the
conveyor systems is raisable and lowerable relative
to the other conveyor system so that either
conveying system can selectively engage lengths of
the web and the conveyor systems have different
speeds of travel whereby such lengths can be spaced
apart from each other. A separating element having
a cutting edge is provided for cutting the web into
the discrete lengths. A guide device is provided
for the separating element and for guiding the
cutting of the separating element along a path which
is rectilinear relative to the guide device and at
an acute angle to said predetermined path of the web
to cut the web at selected folds at the bottom of
the web into the discrete lengths. At least part of
the path is between and substantially tangential to
two
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adjacent sections of the web. The guide device is
mounted for displacement, in the direction of
advance of the web, along guide means substantially
parallel to the path of the web.
By means of the invention, it is no longer necessary
first to form relatively large stacks and then to
divide these into smaller stacks in a later
operation. Rather, small stacks may be formed
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wi~hout any further ado as the web leaves the folding machine
connected in series to a blank paper printing machine and in the
same operation in which the blank paper stack is manufactured
w}lilst the machine is running at a high speed. In particular, it
5 is not only possible to divide one stack or an eventual stack into
smaller stacks, but to carry out the dividing at as early a stage
as when the sheets of an eventual stack lie relatively close to one
another and still in the form of an imbricated web. The imbricated
web is thus divided at the desired place so that, at least in
10 preferred forms of the first aspect of the invention, stacks with a
precise number of zig-zag-folded sections stacked on top of or next
to one another can be produced.
In the second aspect of the invention, stacks may be formed having
a sufficiently precise number of sections for practical purposes.
15 Generally, this imbricated web is identical to the imbricated web
which leaves the zig-zag-folding machine of a blank paper printing
machine~ In this manner, the production costs for manufacturing
what will eventually be smaller zig-zag-folded stacks can be
considerably reduced even when, in the manufacture of the blank
20 papers, already available folding apparatus is fallen back on.
The invention is further described below by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows first apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows second apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows third apparatus according to the invention,
the view in this figure being in the direction of arrow III Ln
Figure 6, Figure 3 also illustrating the path of the imbricated web
to be separated;
Figure 4 shows a view of a detail of Figure 3 on a larger
30 æ ale;
Figure 5 shows a section along the line V-V of Figure 6,
illustrating the conveyor system;
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Figure 6 shows a section on line VI-VI of Figure 3; and
~igure 7 shows a detail at VII of Figure 4.
For the sake of clarity, the figures do not shcw parts of the
apparatus which are not essential to an understanding of the
S invention and are suffi~iently known to the person skilled in the
art.
Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus shown therein comprises a
frame having tWD mutually parallel side walls, one denoted by
reference numeral 8 and the cther not shcwn.
10 A web 1 of paper or plastic is continuously delivered from a
machine, for exa~ple, from a blank paper printing machine, the web
consisting of one or more layers, and enters a zig-zag-foldiny
machine 2. The web 1 is provi W ' with lines of perforations
transverse to its direction of travel and uniformly spaced apart in
15 its direction of ~ravel. The zig-zag-folding machine may comprise,
for example, channels 3 and 4, which may be made to oscillate in
the directions of the arrow 7 by eccentrically driven cranks 5 and 6.
~ ~hl~ en~, par~ ot t~e ~o~d~ng machine are rotatably or
pivotably suspended in the side wall 8 and the other side wall of
20 the ~rame.
As a result of the oscillation of the fold m g channels 3 and 4, the
web 1 is folded at the lines of perforations, the folding at each
line of perforations being in the opposite sense to the folding at
the preceding line of perforations. m e resulting fold lines which 5
25 are coincident with the lines of perforations are denoted initially
by reference nu~erals 9 and 10. The portions of the web adjoining
the fold lines 9 and 10 are then gripped by revDlving folding
spirals 11 and 12 and consequently creased cleanly along the fold
lines. A~cordingly a zig-zag-folded web 13, i.e. a web 6 wherein
30 adjacent sections are defined between successive fold lines, the
folding at the fold lines defLning each sectian being in mutually
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opposite senses, is delivered frcm between the folding spirals 9
and 10 and, as described below the web is arranged away from the
spirals in an imbricated configuration. m e folding spirals 11 and
12 are mounted on the side wall 8 or on cross-members, which
5 interconnect the side wall 8 and the other side walls. The folding
spirals can be adjusted in position to receive the web at the fold
lines 9 and 10.
The zig-zag-folded web 13 is transferred onto belts of conveyors
14, 15 and 16, which form a first conveyor belt system. Each of
10 the conveyors 14, 15 and 16 may comprise a plurality of mutually
parallel narrow conveyor belts disposed side-by-side, i.e. one
behind another as viewed in the drawing, a gap being left between
each tw~ respectively adjacent conveyor belts.
m e conveyor belt or belts 14 pass around guide rollers 17 and 18.
15 The conveyor belt or belts lS pass around the guide roller 18 and a
guide roller 19. At the roller 18 narrow belts of the conveyor 15
may project in a comb-like fashion into the gaps between the narrow
belts of the conveyor 14. The belt or belts of the conveyor 16
pass around the guide roller 19 and a guide roller 20 or a
20 plurality of coaxial guide rollers 20 disposed one behind another
as viewed in the drawing. At the roller 19 the narrow belts of the
conveyor belts of the conveyor 16 project into the gaps between the
narrow belt~ of the conv~yo~ 15.
The conveyors 14, 15 and 16 revolve at the speed which is generally
25 necessary to transport the imbricated web 13 away from the
zig-zag-folding machine to a st æ king site or station not shswn in
the drawing. A second conveyor system comprises a conveyor 21
having a plurality of conveyor belts disposed side-by-side i.e. one
behind another as viewed in the drawing. The belts of the conveyor
30 21 are disposed in the gaps between the belts of conveyor 16. me
belts of the conveyor 21 pass around guide rollers 22 and guide
rollers or pulleys 23. The guide rollers 22 are for example,
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disposed coaxially with the guide roller or rollers
20. The guide rollers or guide pulleys 23 are
rotatably mounted on a pivotable lever or levers 24.
The pivotal lever or lever 2~ can, for example, by
means of at least one pressure medium cylinder 25,
be pivoted about the axis of the guide roller 19.
The belt or belts of the conveyor 21 run at a
considerably slower speed than that of the belts of
the conveyors 14, 15 and 16.
The roller guide 20 may comprise a plurality of
coaxial individual sections.
Similarly the guide roller 19 may comprise a
plurality of coaxial sections arranged one behind
another as viewed in the drawing, the sections being
in the form of deviation discs or deviation wheels.
When the pressure medium cylinder 25 is actuated,
the upper run of the second conveyor 21 is raised
above the upper run of the conveyors 16 since the
guide pulleys 23 are pivoted in an anti-clockwise
direction, by means of the pivoting lever 24, about
the axis of the guide roller 19. In this manner, as
the imbricated web advances at least one portion of
the web 13 can be supported by the more slowly
revolving belt or belts of the conveyor 21. As the
web further advances in the direction of arrow 26 it
returns onto the conveyor belts of the more quickly
revolving first conveyor system.
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Cross-members 27 and 28 are mounted between the side
walls o~ the zig-~ag ~olding machine. The cross-
members 27 and 28 are parallel to one another and
their geometric axes rest vertically on the side
walls. The members 27 and 28 extend through at
least one auxiliary side plate or wall 29 which is
displaceable along the members 27 and 28. A
plurality of such auxiliary side plates 29 may be
provided on the members 27 and 28. There may be two
or any other number of the auxiliary side plates. In
general such auxiliary
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side plates are provided in pairs. The auxiliary side plates are,
hcwever, substantially idbntical to one another. Accordingly only
one of the auxiliary side plates need be described in more detail
below.
5 Shafts 30 and 31 are mounted in the auxiliary side plate 29, at
least one of the shafts being driven. An associated drive motor
is also mounted on the auxiliary side plate 29. A chain ~sprocket)
wheel 32 is mounted on the shaft 30, and a chain (sprocket) wheel
33 is mounted on the shaft 31. The chain wheels 32 and 33 revolve
10 in a different plane from that in which the auxiliary side wall 29
is disposed. As viewed in the drawing, the plane in which the
chain wheels 32 and 33 revolve is, for example, in front of the
plane of the auxiliary side wall 29 and parallel to the latter.
The chain wheels 32 and 33 are spanned by an endless chain 34 and,
15 as can be seen, the chain 34 and the chain wheels 32 and 33 lie in
a common plane. In addition to the chain wheels 32 and 33, further
chain wheels for guiding the chain 34, for example a chain wheel
35, can cptionally be mounted on the auxiliary side plate 29. At
least one link of the revolving chain 34 is provided with a pin 36.
20 The pin 36 is mounted on the chain 34 and a flap 37 is pivotably
mounted on the pin. The flap 37 is thus held by the chain 34 and
the pin 36. The flap 37 has a first lever arm 38 and a second
lever arm 39. A cam roller, a slide ring or the like 40 is mounted
on ~h~ s-oon~ l~v~r anm 3~. ~ho cam roller 40, rotably mount-~ on
25 the arm 39, cooperates with a cam 41 which may be rigidly mounted
on the auxiliary side plate 29. For example, a grooved cam may be
machined into the auxiliary side wall 29. However, any other form
of stationary or revolving cam disc is possible. The cam 41 may be
enclosed, as shown by d~t-dash lines in the drawing, or may be non-
30 enclosed~ as shown in dashed lines. In the latter case, it isadvantageous that the chain 34 revolves in a clockwise direction as
viewed in the drawing, so that the lGwer portion of the length of
the chain moves in the same direction as the imbricated web 13.
The cam 41 ends approxlmately below the shaft 31 and is provided
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with a collecting funnel 42 below and to the right (as viewed in
the drawing) of the shaft 30. ~he funnel serves to trap the cam
roller 40 after its movement unconstrained by the cam 41, from the
end of the cam below the shaft 31. The chain 34 may take a
5 co~pletely different path during its revolution than the course of
the cam 41, i.e. the contour Of the cam 41 is different from the
path of the chain 34. m e pivoting movement for the flap 37 may be
optionally selected from a wide range if the chain 34 is driven by
a suitable drive.
10 A further cross-member 43 is mounted between the side walls of the
frame. At least one mounting or holding support 44 can be
displaced along the member 43. A plurality of mounting supports
may be mounted on the member 43 so that preferably two of these
mounting supports c~operate with one another. However, more than
15 two holding supports can be mounted on the cross-member 43. These
holding supports are substantially identical to one another, so
that only one of them need be described in further detail.
A spiked conveyor belt 45, known as a tractor, is mounted rotatably
on the support 44. The tractor 45 can revolve in a known manner in
20 the direction of the arrow 46 with the aid of a drive mounted, for
example, on the support 44. The spikes 47 of the tractor 45 engages in
perforations in a flexible and pliable separating element 48 of
metal or plastic and having a cutting edge 52. In order that the
separating element 48 is held securely on the spikes 41, a cover 49
25 i~ provided to prevent the separating element 48 from jumping off
the spikes while the spiked conveyor 45 is revolving in the
direction of an arrow 46. The cover 49 and the spiked belt 45
together ~onm a guide device which is pivotable about the
cross-member 43 and is thus ad~ustable, o that it is po~sible to
30 ensure that the separating element 48, and in particular its
cutting ed~e, move along a particular path.
While the folding channels 3 and 4 are oscillating, the number of
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oscillations which have occurred are recorded by a counter, (not
sho~). When this counter has reached a prescribed number, the
chain 34 is set in motion by means of a drive in such a manner that
the first lever arm 38 of the flap 37 on the zig-zag-folding
5 machine falls into a particular empty triangular or wedge-shaped
space 50 defined bet~ccn successive sections of the imbricated web
being formed. In this manner, an eventual termina~ sheet of a
discrete length of the imbricated web is determuned. The
successive following sections of the ~eb 1, obtained by folding,
10 first of all come to rest on the flap 37 after the latter has
fallen in the space 50. As the chain 34 revolves further and due
to the shape of the cam 41, the flap 37 moves along with the
imbricated web, while remaining penetrating between t~ successive
sections of the web and the space 50 decreases in size to becoTe a
15 small triangular space 51 as shchn in the drawing. When the
imbricated web 13 has travelled sufficiently far in the direction
of the arrow 26, the separating element 48 is inserted into the
space 51 by the revolving of the spiked conveyor 45, the element 48
advancing almost tangentially to the first lever arm 38 of the flap
20 37 and downwardly and towards the left as viewed in the drawing.
The separating element 48 bends as it enters further into the space
51 and its cutting edge 52 follows a non-l~ear path. When the
separating element 48 has penetrated sufficiently far into the
space 51 its cutting edge 52 meets the fold line between the tw~
25 sections of the web on either side of the space 51. As the spiked
conveyor 45 revolves further the web 1 is cut by the cutting edge
between the perforations along the fold lines. Since the mounting
support 44 is pivoted about the member 43, for example, and the
s~parating element 48 is flexible and c~n bend, the sqparating
30 element 48 follows the course of the imbricated web 13 for a
certain time and at least a portion of its length is inserted
tangentially between tw~ sections of the web 1 formed by the fold
lines 9 and 10. m e path of m~tion 55 of the cutting eBge 52 of
the sep2rating element is thus non-linear. When the cutting edge
35 52 of the sqparating element 48 has re~ched the perpendicular as
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indicated by line 53, for example, the pressure medium cylinder 25
is actuated, so that the more slowly revolving second conveyor
system 21 raises at least a portion of the imbricated ~eb 13,
supporting it from below. The thus supported sections of the
S imbricated web 13 accumulate on the second conveyor system. The
left hand portion 54, as viewed in the drawing, of the imbricated
web 13 lies on the more rapidly revolving conveyor 16 of the first
conveyor sy~tem, in spite of the actuation of the pressure medium
cylinder 25, and the portion 54 is conveyed relatively rapidUy
10 tcwards the left as viewed in the drawing, to the depositing
position or station. In this manner, the d~r~ete lengths or portions
of the imbricated web 13 are cut from the advancinq weh by the
separating element 48, making it possible to convey a plurality of
separated portions or discrete lengths of imbricated web to the
15 depositing position.
The discrete lengths of imbricated web reach the depositing station
at tLme intervals which are sufficiently long that the individual
portion or discrete lengths of imbricated web are deposited
separately from one another.
20 The cam 41 is interrupted or has a gap in the region which is
represented by a dot-dash line in the drawing, i.e. the cam extends
only in the region represented by a broXen line in the drawing.
Thus the can roller 40 is not constrained to foliow the cam 41 in
the for..~r region when the cam roller 40 is not following the cam
25 41 the 1ap 37 can pivot through a very large angle. Thus it is
possible for the flap 37 to fGllow closely the i~bricated web 13 3nd,
throughc~t such m~vement of the web, for the space 51 to be kept
sufficiently clear for the separating element 48 to plunge into the
spaC2. When, as the chain 34 revolves further, the cam roller 40
30 enters the collecting funnel 42, thereafter to follow the cam 41
again, the flap 37 is brought into position of readiness, from
which, when signalled ~o do so by the counter, cocperating with the
oscillating channels 3 and 4, it can fall into another wedge 50
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(the initially fallen flap 37 being in the position represented by
solid dashes).
Various modifications to the apparatus described above are
possible. For example, the flap 37 may be pivotably mounted on
5 rotatable revolver. In addition, instead of the separating element
48 being moved by the spiked conveyor 45, the separating element
may be suspended on a distant point of rotation by means of a ~ever
anm so that the cutting edge of the separating element can be ved
on a, for example cruciform, path.
10 The apparatus may further comprise appropriate control means for
the conveyor systems, their speed of rotation, raising and lowering
of the second conveyor system, stopping, revolving and controlling
the speed of the chain 34, the spiked conveyor or spiked conveyors
45 and/or counting of the fold lines of the web 1 or oscillating
15 strokes of the folding channels 3 and 4.
Various other embodiments of the strip lines, conveyor belt guides
and belt systems required to carry away the folded discrete lengths
or sheets or of the folded web leaving the zig-zag-folding machine
are possible.
20 Reference numerals which are common to Figures 1 and 2 represent
like parts. Except as described below or shown in the drawings,
the apparatus of Figure 2 i6 smaller in construction and operation
to that of Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 2, the conveyor belt 14 of the first conveyor
25 system additionally passes around and is guided by a guide roller
60. The conveyor belt or belts of the conveyor 15 pass around the
guide rollers 61 to 64. The first conveyor system consists only of
the conveyors 14 and 15.
B The pivot lever 24, together with the guide roller 23 pivots, when
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the pressure medium cylinder 25 is actuated, about a pin 65 secured
in a saddle, sliding carriage or the like 66. The saddle 66 can be
displaced along a guide 67 by means of a drive. The guide 67 is
secured in the side wall 8 or in a part thereof. The guide 67 is
5 preferably parallel to the upper run or runs of belt or belts of
the conveyor 15. By means of a suitable drive, such as for example
a spindle or similar traction means, which is mounted parallel to
the guide 67 and is rotatable by means of a motor, the sliding
carriage or saddle 66 can be displaced along the guide 67 at a
10 selected speed.
The belt or belts of the conveyor 21 pass a guide roller 68 and a
guide roller 69 or around coaxial guide rollers or guide pulleys 68
and coaxial guide rollers or pulleys 69 arranged one behind another
as viewed in Figure 2. The guide roller or rollers 68 are so
15 unted in the frame, for example in the side wall 8, as to rotate
about a fixed axis. The guide roller or guide pulleys 69 can
either also be rotatably mounted in the machine frame so as to
rotate about a fixed axis or, as shown in Figure 2, may be mounted
in a mounting support 70 which can be displaced in the directions
20 of the arrow 72 by means of a pre~sure medium cylindbr 71. An
additional guide roller 73 is mounted in the sliding carriage or
saddle 66 and is at least partly encompassed by the belt or belts
of the conveyor 21. As in the apparatus of Figure 1, the speeds at
which the conveyor belts of the first conveyor system and those of
25 the second conveyor system revolve are different from one another.
Preferably the belts of the second conveyor system revolve more
slowly than the belts 14 and 15 of the first co~veyor system. A
reversal of the speed ratio is, however, alternatively possible.
By means of the pressure medium cylinders 71 and 25, at least one
30 part of the path traversed by the belt or belts 21 as they revolve
can be raised sufficiently that the upper run of the belt or belts
of the conveyor 21, is disposed above the upper run of the belt or
belts of the conveyor 15, the belts of the conveyor 21 passing
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through gaps ~etween the belts of the conveyor 15. In order th~t
the sliding carrlage or saddle 66 ca" be displaced along the guide
67, tswards the left for example as viewed in Figure ~, tbe
Upper~ost run of the belts of the conveyor 21 extends a~ far as ths
5 ca~riage 66 travels to the left. m is makes it possible to s ~
by means of the ~ore slo~ly-revolving second conveyor system a
longe~ or shorte~ section of the imbricated web 13, as ~equire4
In this ~anner the imbricated web 13 can accumulate andJor be
partly erected in a part of its path as it advances or travels in
10 the direction of the arrow 26. This permits t~e separating ele~ent
48 to plunge more easily between two sections, formed by the fold
linAs of the Lmbricated zig-zag-folded web.
Since the separating element 48 is flexible or pliable and provi~ded
with transporting holes along its edges, like endless blank ~ ,
15 it can be wound up to a selected extent by means of spikes 47
disposed on a roller 74. The rear end of the separating element 48
is secured to the roller 74. The roller 74 can be rotated in a
desired manner, for example with the aid of a stepping motor and a
corresponding control device, so that the separating element 48 can
20 be wound onto or o~f the roller 74.
The roller 74 and its drive are secured in a mDunting support 75.
The mounting support 75 is pivotally mounted in a window~ or
door-like holding device 77 by means of a pin 76. The mounting 75
can be pivoted about the pin 76 by means of a pressure medium
25 cylinder 78 and a control for the pressure medium cylinder.
The holding device 77 can be pivoted in the directions of the arrow
81 about an axis 83 which is subtantially vertical or lies at an
acute angle 82 with respeot to the vertical by means of hinges 79
and 80 mounted on the machine frame.
30 In order to guide the separating element 48 along set paths of
mLtion, such as, path, 84 Gr 85, a first channel-like part 86 of a
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guide device 87 is mounted on the mounting support 75. The part 86
has a left hand and a right hand cover~ for example, as shown in
Figure 2, which surround the separating element 48 in such a manner
that the separating element can run between the tWD covers. A
5 second part of the guide device ccmprises a flap 88 which can be
pivoted about an axis 90 by means of a pressure medium cylinder 89.
~y means of apprCpriate control neans for the pressure medium
cylinders 78 and 89, the path of motion of the separating element
48 can be adjusted and selected to a~y desired setting within wide
10 limits. m is ensures that in operation the separating element
enters between a pair of adjacent successive sections of the
imbricated web 13, i.e. of the zig-zag-folded web 1, substantially
tangentially and follows the course of the imbricated web 13 as it
advances or travels in the direction of the arrow 26 and remains
15 tangential to said sections even when the separating element 48 has
been extensively unw~und from the roller 74 and has plunged deeply
between said sections. m is advantage is further strengthened by
the flexibility of the separating element 48. Since the separating
element 48 is flexible and can be wound on and off the roller 74,
20 the channel-like part 86 of the guide device is preferably linear.
The separating element 48, which i8 largely unwound from the
roller, bends, due to its flexibility, approximately where it
plunges in the unwound state into the imbricated web 13 and follows
the course of the imbricated web 13 as it advances in the direction
25 of the arrow 26 for a predetermined distance. Simultaneously the
separat~ng element 48 is also pivoted about the pin 76. Conse-
quently, the cutting edge 57 of the separating element 48 follows a
non-linear path of ~ntion.
The separating element 48 is secured to the roller 74 by its re æ
30 end and thereby is retracted from the imbricated web 13 when that
part of the imbricated web into which the separating element 48 has
been inserted has passed through the part of the path of the
imbricated web indicatea by the paths of movement 84 and 85. This
takes place particularly when the cutting edge 52 of the separating
..
1 7
,,,
element 48 has been plunged deeply ~etween adjacent sections of the
imbricated web 13 in such a m~umer that it has been able to
separate these sections from one another so as to form a discrete
leading length of the imbricated web (in advance of the separating
5 element) and a discrete trailing section of the imbricated web
(rearwardly of the separating element).
A door-like pivotable holdinq device 77 is advantageous in ~hat t
optionally facilitates access to the folding spirals 11 and 12.
The holding device for the roller 74 and the separating element 48
10 may alternatively, however, be provided in another form known to
the person skilled in the art if this seens advantageous.
Furthermore, the saddle or sliding carriage 66 and the path of the
conveyor belts 21 may be for~ed differently within the scope of
technological feasibility from the example described. Instead of a
15 single m~unting support 75, a plurality of such mounting supports,
for example tw~, may be mo~nted parallel to one another on the
holding device 77 in an advantageous manner if required.
The apparatus further comprises a control for all movable parts and
by an appropriate drive. Instead of the counter connected to the
20 oscillating channel, other markings may be used to indicate the
place or time respectively for the separating element 48 to plunge
into the passing imbricated web 13. For example, coloured markings
may also ke used, such as, for example, coloured stripes applied to
the imbricated web or the intended positions of the fold lines.
25 Instead of a pivotable mounting for the mounting Q ort supporting
the separating el } nt, there may be provided another mounting,
provided that this permits the positions at which the separating
element 48 plunges into the imbricated web to cut the web to be
adjusted as desired. For example, this is also possible with a
30 linear guide.
The apparatus of Figures 3 to 7 is similar to the apyaratus of
...
- 17 -
Figures 1 and 2 except as ~escribed below and shown in the
drawings.
Referring to Figures 3 to 7, the apparatus shown therein comprises
a frame 100 including side frames lOOa and lOOb. The apparatus
5 further comprises a first conveyor belt system consisting of belts
or groups of belts 91, 92 and 93. In each case, a plurality of
conveyor belts may be arranged side-by-side, one behind another as
viewed in Figure 3, for example the group of belts 93 may comprise
belts 93a, 93_, 93c, 93d and 93e. The conveyor belts revolve
10 around the rollers 94 to 98 guiding them at a speed which
corresponds to the speed of travel of a zig-zag-folded imbricated
web 99.
The rollers 94 to 98 can either be mounted directly in a frame 100
of the apparatus or indirectly through the intermediary of a slide
15 ring 101, as indicated next to the roller 9S. The use of the slide
ring has the advantage that the respective belt can be tensioned.
For tensioning the belts, however, it can also be advantageous to
unt at least one of the rollers, e.g. roller 96, in a pair of
pivot levers 102 and to pivot the pivot lever or levers 102 about a
20 point 104 on the machine frame 100 with the aid of a screw 103, the
screw or screws 103 being supported on the machine frame 100 by
means of a bearing 105.
A second conveyor belt system (Figure 5) comprises revolving belts
106a , 106b, 106c and 106d. All the belts 106 pass around guide
25 rollers or guide pulleys 107 to 111. The rollers 107, 110 and 111
are mounted in the machine frame 100, one thereof, for example, the
roller 111, being mounted in such a manner that the belts 106 can
be re-tensioned. T~ this end, for example, at least one spring 112
is provided, the spring being mounted on a cross-member 113 of the
30 machine fra~e 100.
The roller 108 may comprise individual pulleys 108a, to 108d. ~rh
-- 18 --
of these pulleys is mounted cn a shaft 115 by means of associated
pivot lever5 114. me shaft 115 itself is rotatably unted m
auxiliary side walls or plates 116 and 117. A pressure medium
cylinder 118 is connected to one of the pivot levers at 119 and to
5 the respective auxiliary side plate at 120 in such a manner that
the respective pivot lever 114 and hence the pulleys 108 can be
pivoted if pressure medium is introduced into the pressure medium
cylinder 118. m e guide roller 109 is mounted in the auxiliary
side plates 116 and 117. me corresponding bearings for the guide
10 roller 109 are indicated as 121 and 122. These bearings may be
omitted, however, if instead of the guide roller 109 a stationary
guide rod for the belts 106 of the second conveyor belt system is
provided. The auxiliary side plate 116 is mounted on a guide 123
and the auxiliary side plate 117 is mounted on a guide 124. The
15 guide 123 is preferably a circular guide. The guide 124 is
preferably a flat guide. ~oth guides are parallel to one another
and extend, as Figure 5 shows, substantially p æ allel with the
upper run of the conveyor belts 93 of the first conveyor belt
system, i.e. substantially parallel to a part of the path traversed
20 by the imbricated web 99 of the zig-zag-folded web during the
depositing process. me guide 123 is connected to the side frame
lOOa and the guide 124 to the side frame lOOb of the machine frame
100 .
The auxiliary side wall 116 is rigidly connected to a chain 125 at
25 the pivotal points 126 and 127. The chain 125 is mounted
advantageously in the side frame lOOa of the machine frame 100 with
the aid of chain wheels ~sprockets) 128 and 129. At least one of
the chain wheels can be driven in a desired manner by means of an
appropriate motor 130, for example a digitally-controlled stepping
30 motor. According to the drive, i.e. the modus erandi of the
tor 130, the chain 125 can be displaced in either direction of
the arrow 131. mis displacement results in a corresponding
displacement of the auxiliary side plates 116 and 117 and of all
machine parts unted thereon, since the auxiliary side plates 116
1, ... .
-- 19 --
and 117 move along the guides 123 and 124 in the manner of a
sliding carriage. If, during the displacement, pressure medium is
additionally introduced into the pressure medium cylinder 118, then
the guide pulleys 108 can, for example, be pivoted in an anti-
5 clockwise direction about the centre of the axle 115. Such arotation causes the upper runs of the belts 106 as shown in Figure
5 to penetrate between the upper runs of the belts of the conveyor
belts 93, thus lifting the imbricated web 99 lying on the belts 93.
Since the guide roller 110 in Figure 5 lies substantially lower
10 than the guide roller 107, the amount by which the imbricated web
99 is lifted above the upper run of the conveyor belt group 93 i5
decreased when the motor 130 is set in motion and the sliding
carriage-like auxiliary side plates 116 and 117 in Figure 5 travel
from right to left. If the motor 130 is driven at a speed
15 corresponding to the speed of travel (advance) of the
zig-zag-folded imbricated web 99 and if the belts 106 of the second
conveyor belt system revolve substantially more slowly than the
conveyor belts 93 of the first conveyor belt system, the imbricated
web to be deposited accunulates in such a manner that favourable
20 conditions are produced for the insertion of a separating device
into the zig-zag-folded web. In this case, the point at which the
imbricated web accumulates travels in the same direction as the
imbricated web being guided to its final depositing position.
A crosshead guide 132 is mounted on the first frame lOOa. m e
25 crosshead guide 132 also extends parallel to the path of travel of
the imbricated web 99 and thus substantially parallel to the upper
run of the conveyor belts 93 of the first conveyor belt system, as
shown in Figure 3. The crosshead guide 132 is preferably a flat
guide on which pulleys 134 and 135 mounted on a holding device 133
30 may rest. A further, eccentrically mounted pulley 136 abuts
against the lower side of the crosshead guide 132. By means of the
eccentric mounting, play which may exist between the holding device
133 and the crosshead guide 132 may be emphasised. The holding
device 133 (Figure 6) comprises tWD parallel side walls 133a and
` 1 7 7
- 20 -
133b. ~rhe side wall 133a abuts the crosshead guide 132 and the
side wall 133b abuts a corresponding guide 137 dispos d parallel to
the crosshead guide 132 and mounted on the side frame lOOb. The
guide 137 may preferably be a guide rail and coqperate with an
5 appropriate supplementary part 138 mounted on the side wall 133b of
the holding device 133. The guide 137 and the complementary part
138 can, for example, be parts of what is known as a Star-rail
guide by the Deutsch Star Kugelhalter GmbH of D-8720 Schweinfurt,
Federal Republic of Germany. This ensures that the holding device
10 133 can follow a path with the minimum play which is parallel to
the path of the imbricated web 99 at least for part of the path of
travel of the latter. In order to permit a corresponding movement
of the holding device 133 along the guide 132 and 137, the side
walls 133a and 133_ are each connected to a chain 139. m e chains
15 139 are mounted in the machine frame by means of chain wheels
(sprockets) 140, 141 and 142. At least one of the chain wheels
for each chain for example the chain wheel 142, can be displaceably
mounted in order that the chain 139 may be tensioned. Furthermore,
at least one of the chain wheels involved can be driven, for
20 example by a stepping motor 143. If the motor 143 can be driven in
a corresponding manner, then the holding device 133 can follow the
imbricated web 99.
Each of the side walls 133a and 133b is provided with slots 144 and
145 tFig~re 4). & rews 146 and 147 engage through these slots in
25 order to support the side walls 148 and 149 of the ~ounting support
150 for the separating element in such a manner that the height of
m~unting support 150 can be adjusted relative to the side walls
133a and 133_. It is possible to adjust the mounting support 150
with respect to the holding device 133 by means of an adjusting
30 screw 151, the adjusting screw 151 abutting the side walls 148/149
and cross-member 152 connecting the side walls 133a and 133b
together. Instead of a single adjusting screw 151, a plurality of
such adjusting screws can be provided. The side walls 148 and 149
are connected together with the aid of a circular cross-member 153.
- 21 -
E~ ther auxiliary side walls or plates 154 and 155 (Figure 6) are
mounted on the circular cross-member 153. m e auxiliary side walls
154 and 155 are connected together by guides 156 and 157. The side
walls 158 and 159 can be moved along the guides 156 and 157 and be
S selectively fixed at any position with respect to the guides 156
and 157. Tractors or the like 160 and 161 are mounted on the side
walls 158 and 159.
The tractors 160 can be driven in a desired manner by motors so
that they thereby move the separating element 162 in the directions
10 of the arrow 163 (Figure 4). m e side walls 148 and 149 of the
mounting support 150 can optionally be pivoted about the central
point of the circular cross-me~ber 153 by means of at least one
pressure medium cylinder 164. EbrthermDre, the mounting support
150 comprises the guides 165 to 168, by means of which a desired
lS direction of travel is imposed on the separating element 162.
A gripping device consisting of an upper gripping member 170
(Figure 7) and a lower gripping member 171 is pivotably mounted on
the right hand end, as viewed in Figure 4, of the mounting support
150 by means of a hinge bearing 169. A pressure medium cylinder
20 172 is connected to the mounting support 150 by means of a hinge
173, and to a holding plate 175 for the upper and lower gripping
members 170 and 171 by means of a hinge 174. The lower gripping
device 171 can be brought near to or moved away from the upper
gripping device 170 as required, by means of a cam 176 and a
25 motorized adjusting device connected thereto. The upper and lower
gripping members can grip at least one fold of the zig-zag-folded
web, i.e. can selectively secure one layer of web 99 in order to
create some resistance to the penetration of the separating element
162 into the imbricated web 99. In this manner, the separating
30 element 162 can separate the imbricated web 99 more effectively
than if no resistance were pr w ided by the gripping members 170 and
171.
.. ..
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1 7 r~7 7 7
. ., I
- 22 -
Since the mounting support 150 can be pivoted about the circular
cross-memker 153 acting as a hinge, in the manner of a windcw, by
means of the pressure medium cylinder or cylinders 164, and since
also, the guides 165 to 168 are mounted on the mounting support 150
5 and the mounting support can furthermore be adjusted in height by
means of the adjusting screws lSl, all these devices are mounted on
the holding device 133 in the form of a sliding carriage and the
holdlng device can be moved along the guides 132 and 137 by means
of the chains 139, in operation the separating element 162
10 penetrate æ desired between two zig-zag-folded layers of the
imbricated web substantially tangentially to the latter and travels
together with the imhricated web 99 along part of the path of the
latter. In the course of this ~oint travelling, the imbricated web
can be separated at a desired place by means of the separating
lS element 162 in such a manner that any or virtually any selected
number of zig-zag-stacked sections of the folded web may be
separated so that, at a further stage in the depositing process of
the imbricated web, stacks with a desired number of stacked
sections, i.e. of layers of the zig-zag-folded web, and hence
20 stacks of a desired height and having a desired number of sheets
æ e obtained. In this case, the speeds of the first and second
conveyor belt systems are different from one another so that the
imbricated web 99 can accumulate in such a manner that the flexible
separating element can enter safely and without problems between
25 two layers of the imbrlcated web at the desired place, can travel a
certaln distance together with the latter and can separate the
latter whilst travelling.
Since the separating element, and thus the path of m~tion of the
separating element can be adjusted extensively, the possibilities
30 of processing the widest variety of materials, for example thick or
thin papers, or plastics foils are wide-ranging. By virtue of the
fact that all cooperating parts are connected to one another with
the minimum amount of play, it is ensured that all the necessary
operations of separating the imbricated web to be dbposited can
B
1' ; ;7
also be carried out with the necessary precision.
me apparatus further comprises a control device for the various
motors and pressure medium cylinders, the central device ensuring
that all operations can be synchronised exactly and can be carried
S out to the required degree. miS control device can be a computer,
for example, or may also comprise what is known as a microprocessor
and appropriate auxiliary apparatus.
The front edge of the separating element is preferably inclined so
that at least one point or cutting edge is formed for separating
10 the imbricated web or webs. However, it is also possible to
provide a plurality of blade-like points on the cutting edge of the
separating element, more particularly when, as viewed in Figures 1
to 3, a plurality of imbricated sections lie simultaneously one
behind another. In addition, it is also possible optionally to
15 combine features of the third apparatus with those of the first and
second apparatus.
7 ;-'
- 24 -
Given below is a concordance of reference numerals used in this
specif lcation and the drawings and the parts or features indicated
by the reference numerals.
1 Conveyor 31 Shaft
5 2 Zig-zag-folding machine 32 Chain (sprocket) wheel
3 Channel 33 Chain (sprocket) wheel
Ch~nnel 34 Chaln
5 Crank 35 Chain (sprocket) wheel
6 Crank 36 Pin
10 7 Arrow 37 Flap
8 Side wall 38 First lever arm
9 Fold line 39 Second lever anm
10 Fold line 40 Cam roller
11 Folding spiral 41 Can.
15 12 Folding spiral 42 Collecting funnel
13 Imbricated ~*~b 43 Cross-member
14 Conveyor 44 Mounting support
15 Conveyor 45 Spiked conveyor ~elt
16 Conveyor 46 Arrow
20 17 Guide roller 47 Spikes
18 Guide roller 48 Separating element
19 Guide roller 49 Cover
20 Guide roller 50 Wedge
21 Conveyor 51 Empty space
25 22 Guide roller 52 Cutting edge
23 Guide roller 53 Vertical
24 Pivotal lever 54 Part
25 Prèssure medium cylinder 55 Path of motion
26 Arrow
30 27 Cross-member Second apparatus
28 Cross-mamber ~
29 A~xiliary side wall or 60 Guide rDller ~ .
plate 61 Guide roller '~
30 Shaft 62 Guide roller
7 ~~
- 25 -
63 Guide roller 93 Conveyor belt group
64 Guide roller 94 Roller
65 Pin 95 Roller
66 Sliding carriage, saddle 96 Roller
or the like 97 Roller
67 Guide 98 Roller
68 Guide roller, guide pulley 99 Imbricated web
69 Guide roller, guide pulley t.
70 Mounting support 100 Frame
10 71 Pressure medium cylinder lOOa Side frame
72 Arrow lOOb Side frame
73 Guide roller 101 Slide ring
74 Roller 102 Pivoting lever
75 Mbunting support 103 & rew
15 76 Pin 104 PoLnt
77 Holding device 105 Bearing
78 Pressure medium cylinder 106 Conveyor ~elts
79 Hinge 107 Guide roller/guide pulley
80 Hinge 108 Guide roller/guide pulley
20 81 Arrow 109 Guide roller/guide pulley
~2 Angle 110 Guide roller/guide pulley
83 Axle 111 Guide roller/guide pulley
84 Path of motion 112 Spring
85 Path of motion 113 Cross-member
25 86 First part of the guide 114 Pivotal lever
device 115 Axle
87 Guide device 11~ Auxiliary side wall or plate
88 Flap 117 Auxiliary side wall or plate
89 Pressure medium cylinder 118 Pressure medium cylinder
30 90 Point 119 Pivotal point
m ird apparatus 120 Pivokal point
91 Conveyor belt group 121 ~earing
92 Conveyor belt group 122 Bearing
~.
,~".
1 -~ '' '' ? -'7
1.. ,
- 26 -
123 Guide 151 Adjusting screw
124 Guide 152 Cross-member
125 Chain 153 Circular cross-member
126 Pivotal point 154 Further auxiliary side wall
127 Pivotal point or plate
5 128 Chain wheel 155 Further auxiliary side wall
130 Mbtor or plate
131 Arrcw 156 Guide
132 Crosshead guide 157 Guide
133 Holding device 158 Side wall
10 133a Side wall of the holding 159 Side wall
device 160 Tractor
133b Side wall of the holding 161 Tractor
device 162 Separating element
134 Rollers 163 Arrow
15 135 Rollers 164 Pressure medium cylinder
136 Eccentrically mounted 165 Guide
roller 166 Guide
137 Guide 167 Guide
138 Complementary part 168 Guide
20 139 Chain 169 Hinge
140 Chain wheel 170 ~pper gripping member
141 Chain wheel 171 Lower gripping mEmber
142 Chain wheel 172 Pressure medium cylinder
143 Stepping motor 173 Hinge
25 144 Slot 174 Hinge
145 Slot 175 Holding plate
146 Screw 176 Cam
147 Screw
148 Side wall
30 149 side wall
150 Mbunting support (for the
separating element)
