US 7,850,158 B2 · Method and device for supplying, opening and depositing folded printed products

Abstract

Folded printed products (6) are supplied with trailing fold-edges (6.3) from above towards a clamping gap (1) and are pushed out of the clamping gap (1), in order to be deposited on, for example, saddle-like supports (7). As soon as the leading edge of each printed product (6) exits from the clamping gap (1), the printed product (6) is opened by two printed product parts (6.1 and 6.2) being separated from each other, and the opened printed products are positioned above the support (7). Gripper elements (11) are provided for gripping the trailing fold-edge (6.3) of each printed product (6), before it exits the clamping gap (1), thus preventing a free fall of the printed products (6) onto the support (7) when the trailing fold-edge (6.3) exits the clamping gap (1). The gripper elements (11) grip and guide the printed products towards the support (7). If a plurality of supports (7) is provided, and these are conveyed continuously and in succession past, below the stationary clamping gap (1), the fold-edges (6.3) of the printed products (6) are moved by the gripper elements (11) to track the supports (7).

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for supplying, opening and depositing folded printed products (6) comprising two product parts (6.1, 6.2) being connected along a fold-line (6.3), the method comprising the steps of:

supplying the printed products (6) in succession from above, and with trailing fold-edges (6.3) between two press belts, and towards a clamping gap, wherein the printed products, including at the trailing fold-edges, are clamped by and between a combination of the press belts,
pushing the supplied printed products through a clamping gap (1), and opening each printed product being pushed through the clamping gap at least partly, by gripping at least one of the product parts (6.1, 6.2) having passed through the clamping gap,
gripping the trailing fold-edge (6.3) of each printed product (6) before and while being pushed through the clamping gap (1) and guiding this trailing fold-edge (6.3) from the clamping gap (1) towards a support (7) while still in a held manner, and
depositing each at least partly opened printed product on the support (7) by releasing the trailing fold-edge (6.2) from being gripped.

1 more element

A device for feeding, opening and depositing folded printed products (6) comprising two product parts (6.1, 6.2) being connected along a fold-line, the device comprising:

a supply device including two press belts (4 and 5) with a clamping gap (1) for clamping the printed products, including at the fold-line, between the press belts (4 and 5), and the supply device being equipped for supplying the printed products (6) in succession from above towards the clamping gap (1) and for pushing the printed products through the clamping gap (7),
a device for opening the printed products, the opening device being equipped for gripping at least one product part (6.1, 6.2) of each printed product being pushed through the clamping gap,
at least one support (7) being arranged below the clamping gap (1) and,
a plurality of revolving gripper elements (11) defining a circular path (11) being equipped for gripping the trailing fold-edge (6.3) of each printed product (6) before and while being pushed through the clamping gap (1), for guiding the trailing fold-edge (6.3) in a held manner from the clamping gap (1) towards the support (7), and for releasing the fold-edge (6.3) in the region of the support (7), wherein, in the region of the clamping gap (1), the circular path (11) of the revolving gripper elements (11) is adapted to a course of the supply means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for supplying, opening and depositing folded printed products

Life of this patent

Method and device for supplying, opening and depositing folded printed products

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14