EP2502862A1 - Device and method for processing sheets of different formats - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves feeding sheets (6a-1, 6a-2, 6b-1) of different lengths (y1, y2) in a feeding direction (F) one behind the other, and feeding the sheets at a certain feeding speed to collecting drums (2, 3), where the drums comprise cylindrical lateral surfaces. The sheets are connected with one another. The drums are driven around respective rotational axes (2a, 3a) at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the feeding speed of the sheets. The sheets are temporarily secured at one of the drums. The secured sheets are detached from the drum, and the detached sheets are processed. An independent claim is also included for a device for processing sheets of different formats.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing sheets of different formats according to claim 1 or claim 13.

Collection devices of this type are for example in the EP 1 471 022 A1 and the EP 1 857 390 A1 disclosed. In these known collection devices, a collecting drum which can be driven in rotation is present, to which the sheets to be processed are fed by means of a feed device and on which the sheets fed in succession are temporarily held and collected into sheet stacks. The retention of the bow on the periphery of the collecting drums is carried out by mechanical retaining means or by means of electrostatic attraction forces. In order to process sheets of different format, ie different format lengths, the peripheral speed of the collecting drum and / or the feeding speed of the feeding device must be changed and adapted to the changing format lengths. This requires a corresponding regulatory effort.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a method and an apparatus of the type mentioned, which or allows it to process sheets of different format, which occur in a row, without too much technical effort.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a method having the features of claim 1 or with a device having the features of claim 13.

The inventive concept involves the provision of at least two collecting drums, each of which serves to temporarily hold one or more sheets at its periphery. The collecting drums are driven at a peripheral speed corresponding to the feeding speed of the sheets. This makes it possible to continuously process sheets of different format or different format lengths, which occur consecutively in the feed direction, without having to regulate the peripheral speed of the collecting drums and / or the feeding speed of the sheets.

Preferred further developments of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the one collecting drum is arranged above the conveying path for the sheets and the other collecting drum which is determined by the feeding device below this conveying path. The collecting drums are driven in this case in opposite directions.

According to the inventive concept, newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like can be produced in a rational manner in particular, which consist of sheets printed on both sides, which are preferably printed in a digital printing machine. The individual sheets of newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like are usually printed with four text and / or image pages (hereinafter called double sheet) and are after folded on the collecting cylinders in the middle. Newspapers, in particular, may also contain sheets which, compared to the other sheets, have only half the format length and are printed with two text and / or image pages (referred to below as a single sheet). Such newspapers can be produced particularly easily with the aid of the method according to the invention or by means of the device according to the invention. This also applies to newspapers that contain a one-page or multi-page supplement. In this case, the sheets of the supplement can be collected on one collecting drum to a first sheet stack and the sheets of newspaper on the other collecting cylinder to a second stack of sheets. If a third collection drum is used, newspapers can be made, which consist of double and single sheets as described above and also contain a side dish. The sheets of the supplement are preferably collected on the third collection drum.

By means of the method according to the invention or by means of the device according to the invention, however, it is also possible to produce other products which consist of sheets printed in a digital printing press, such as e.g. Calendars, lottery tickets and the like. For calendars and lottery tickets, however, the sheets are only printed on one side

Fig. 1

in Seitenansicht eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Verarbeitungsvorrichtung mit einer vorgeschalteten Querschneidevorrichtung,

Fig. 2a-d

in perspektivischen Seitenansichten verschiedene Phasen einer ersten möglichen Arbeitsweise der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1,

Fig. 3a-d

in perspektivischen Seitenansichten verschiedene Phasen einer zweiten möglichen Arbeitsweise der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1,

Fig. 4a-f

in perspektivischen Seitenansichten verschiedene Phasen einer dritten möglichen Arbeitsweise der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht und in einer gegenüber der Fig. 1 vereinfachten Darstellung eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Verarbeitungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 6

in Seitensicht eine Phase einer möglichen Arbeitsweise der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 5, und

Fig. 7

in einer der Fig. 6 entsprechenden Seitenansicht eine dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Verarbeitungsvorrichtung.

In the following, various embodiments of the subject invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

in side view a first embodiment of an inventive Processing device with an upstream cross-cutting device,

Fig. 2a-d

in perspective side views of different phases of a first possible operation of the processing device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3a-d

in perspective side views different phases of a second possible operation of the processing device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4a-f

in perspective side views different phases of a third possible operation of the processing device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

in a perspective side view and in a relation to the Fig. 1 simplified representation of a second embodiment of a processing device according to the invention,

Fig. 6

in side view, a phase of a possible operation of the processing device according to Fig. 5 , and

Fig. 7

in one of the Fig. 6 corresponding side view of a third embodiment of a processing device according to the invention.

In the FIG. 1 purely schematically illustrated first embodiment of a sheet processing device 1 has two rotatably drivable collecting drums 2, 3, which have cylindrical lateral surfaces and whose axes of rotation are designated by 2 'and 3'. In this case, the collection drum 2 in the direction of the arrow A and the collecting drum 3 in the direction of the arrow B, that is driven in the opposite sense. In the present embodiment, the diameter d2 of the one collecting drum 2 is larger than the diameter d3 of the other collecting drum 3. The diameter d2 may for example be twice as large as the diameter d3. The collecting drums 2, 3 is preceded by a feed device 4, which defines a conveyor track 5 for sheet 6. The collection drums 2, 3 are located opposite to this conveyor track 5, wherein in the present embodiment, the collecting drum 2 is arranged with the larger diameter d2 below this conveyor track 5. But it is also possible to arrange the collecting drum 2 above and the collecting drum 3 below the conveyor track 5.

The feeding device 4 has a number of conveying roller pairs 7, which are driven in a manner known per se, in such a way that the sheets 6 are conveyed in succession at a specific, substantially constant feeding speed v in a feeding direction F to the collecting drums 2, 3 become. Instead of the conveying roller pairs 6, other suitable conveying means may be used, for example a conveyor belt provided with drivers or a vacuum belt. The collecting drums 2, 3 are by means of a only schematically shown drive assembly 8 driven such that the peripheral speed u each collection drum 2, 3 is substantially equal to the feed speed v. The drive arrangement 8 has a drive motor 9 which drives the lower collection drum 2 via a drive element 10 (for example drive belt or chain). The latter is drive-connected via a gear 11 to the upper collecting drum 3.

Along the conveying plane 5, a detection device 12 for detecting the passing sheet 6 is arranged, which scans, for example, the leading edge 6v of the sheet 6 or the sheet 6 applied in the feeding direction F. The detection device 12 is connected to a controller, not shown.

The sheets 6 are separated by means of a cross-cutting device 13, which is of known type, from a continuously fed material web 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet 6 are printed, wherein the printing of the sheet 6 and the web 14 is preferably carried out in a digital printing press. Form the sheet 6 part of a newspaper, magazine, booklet or the like, they are usually printed on both sides. If the sheets are processed into different types of products, they can only be printed on one side.

The two collecting cylinders 2, 3 are provided with retaining means, not shown, which hold the supplied sheet 6 temporarily on the circumference 2a, and 3a, the collecting drums 2, and 3, as in figure 1 is represented by the bends 6 'and 6 "The retaining means may, for example, be a mechanical retaining mechanism as shown in the EP 1 471 022 A1 be described, or by a working by mechanical means or with electrostatic charge arresting arrangement, as shown in the EP 1 857 390 A1 disclosed, be formed. For the description of the operation of these known retaining means is on the above-mentioned EP 1 471 022 A1 and EP 1 857 390 A1 directed. On the collecting drums 2, 3, the sheets 6 to sheet stacks, which consist of several superimposed sheets 6, are collected, as in the above-mentioned documents EP 1 471 022 A1 and EP 1 857 390 A1 is explained in more detail. However, the sheets 6 can also be temporarily held on the periphery 2a, 3a of the collecting drums 2, 3 with other than the above-mentioned retaining means.

To detach the sheet 6 and the sheet stack of the collecting drums 2 and 3, only schematically illustrated release elements 15 and 16 are provided, which can be spent independently and in a manner not shown from an inactive position to an active position and vice versa. In the active position, the detachment elements 15, 16 detach a sheet 6 or a stack of sheets from the associated collecting drum 2, 3 and guide the detached sheet 6 or the detached stack of sheets to a removal device 17 which, for example, is the same as the delivery device 4 may be and driven conveyor roller pairs 18 or other types of funding has.

The following will be on hand of the FIGS. 2 to 4 possible variants of the operation of the device according to FIG. 1 explained. In these FIGS. 2 to 4 the sheet processing apparatus 1 is shown in simplified form. For example, the drive assembly 8 for the collecting drums 2, 3 and the cross-cutting device 13 are omitted. Next, it is assumed that the sheets 6 are printed on both sides. But this is not absolutely necessary, because the sheet 6 can be printed only on one side or not at all.

At all in the FIGS. 2 to 4 In the variants shown, sheets 6a of a first format and sheets 6b of a second format different from the first format are processed. In this case, the width x of the sheets 6a, 6b running transversely to the feed direction F is the same, while the sheets 6a have a format length y1 extending in the feed direction F, which is greater than the format length y2 of the sheets 6b. In the variants shown, the format length y1 is about twice as large as the format length y2. The format width x and the format lengths y1 and y2 are representative of the remaining figures only in FIG. 2a entered. For the sake of simplicity, a sheet 2a will hereinafter be referred to as a "long sheet" and a sheet 2b as a "short sheet". Like from the FIGS. 2 to 4 As can be seen, the sheets 6a, 6b, viewed in the feed direction F, are successively fed to the collecting drums 2, 3.

In the in the FIGS. 2a to 2d illustrated, the first variant of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 1 are each two long sheet 6a and a short sheet 6b to a final or Intermediate brought together. The FIGS. 2a to 2d show temporally successive situations.

as the FIG. 2a shows, the short sheet 6b-1 is wound on the upper collecting drum 3 and held at the periphery. According to FIG. 2b the short sheet 6b-1 is completely wound on the collecting drum 3, while the subsequent long sheet 6a-1 is wound on the lower collecting drum 2 and held at the periphery thereof. As the Figure 2c shows, the second long arc 6a-2 is then passed between the collecting drums 2, 3 thereafter. This second long sheet 6a-2 is simultaneously brought together with the first long sheet 6a-1 and the short sheet 6b-1 so that the leading edges 6v of the three sheets 6a-1, 6a-2 and 6b-1 are aligned with each other. The sheets 6a-1 and 6b-1 are detached by means of the release elements 15 and 16 from the associated collection drum 2 and 3 respectively. In the Figure 2d It is shown how the product 19 formed from the sheets 6a-1, 6a-2 and 6b-1 is led away in the direction of the arrow W. The following sheets 6b-1, 6a-1 and 6a-2 now undergo the processing described above.

By folding the superimposed sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 along their transverse to the Wegführrichtung W center line, a product 19 can be obtained in which the short sheet 6b-1 between the folded long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2. Such a product 19 may be, for example, a newspaper or newspaper bundle, ie a part of a newspaper, in which the long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 are each provided with four text and / or Image pages and the short sheet 6b-1 are printed with two text and / or image pages.

In the FIGS. 3a to 3d a second variant of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 1 is shown, in which, as in the first variant according to the FIGS. 2a to 2d , a short arc 6b-1 and two long arc 6a-1 and 6a-2 are assembled to form a product 19, which, however, has a different structure.

The in the FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrated situations correspond to the hand of the FIGS. 2a and 2b explained situations. When in the FIG. 3b illustrated situation, the short bow 6b-1 is earlier than in the Fig. 2b shown detached from the collecting drum 3 and brought together with the subsequent long sheet 6a-1. Then, the second long sheet 6a-2 is brought together with the overlapping sheets 6a-1 and 6b-1 ( Fig. 3c ). The laying on of the sheets 6a-1, 6b-1 and 6a-2 also takes place so that their leading edges 6v are aligned with each other. The in the 3d figure shown situation corresponds to the situation according to Figure 2d with the exception that the product 19 is assembled differently and consists of the short sheet 6b-1 lying between the long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2.

In the in the FIGS. 4a to 4f illustrated, third variant of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 1 three short sheets 6b and two long sheets 6a, which are fed in the feed direction F successively the collecting drums 2, 3, brought together first to intermediate products and then to a final product. The FIGS. 4a to 4f demonstrate same as in the representations of FIGS. 2a to 2d and 3a to 3d temporally successive situations.

As the FIGS. 4a and 4b 5, the short sheets 6b-1 and 6b-2 are wound on the upper collecting drum 3 and held on the periphery thereof so that the sheets 6b-1, 6b-2 are aligned with their side edges. The first short arc 6b-1 makes more than one revolution of the collecting drum 3 with it. The third incoming short sheet 6b-3 is brought together with the now detached from the collecting drum 3 sheets 6b-1 and 6b-2, that all three short sheets 6b-1, 6b-2 and 6b-3 are aligned with their side edges ( FIG. 4b ).

As the Figure 4c shows, the superimposed, forming a first sheet stack S1 short sheet 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3 led away in the direction of arrow W, while the long sheet 6a-1 wound on the lower collection drum 2 and held at the periphery becomes. The next incoming long sheet 6a-2 is brought together with the detached from the collection drum 2 sheets 6a-1 so that the two long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 are aligned with their side edges to each other. The short sheets 6b-1, 6b-2 and 6c-3 of the first sheet stack S1 can be joined together at the longitudinal edge indicated by L, preferably by means of an adhesive which, for example, during the collection of the sheets 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b -3 has been applied to the collecting drum 3 on this sheet. In the production of newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like. The sheets are 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3 of the sheet stack S1 usually but along the later fold line 21, the extends in the direction of the Wegführrichtung W, connected to each other.

When in the FIG. 4d The first sheet stack S1 formed from the short sheets 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3 along the fold line 21 (see FIG Figure 4c ) has been folded. In this FIG. 4d is the folded edge formed at 21a and the folded partial product denoted by 20a. As the FIG. 4d Further, the collected on the collecting drum 2 to a second sheet stack S2, long sheets 2a-1 and 2a-2 have been detached from the collecting drum 2 and form a second partial product 20b. The superimposed and aligned sheets 2a-1 and 2a-2 are along a first fold line 22 (see FIG. 4d ), which is transverse to the Wegführrichtung W, folded a first time, as in Figure 4e is shown, in which the folded edge formed is designated 22a.

At a later stage, the folded partial product 20b is folded a second time along a second fold line 23 (see FIG Figure 4e ) which is perpendicular to the first folded edge 22a. The twice-folded partial product 20b is placed over the other, one-folded partial product 20a, as on the left side of the FIG. 4f is shown. In this FIG. 4f the final product formed is designated 19 and the second folded edge of the partial product 20b is designated 23a.

As the FIGS. 4c to 4f The following sheets 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3, 6a-1 and 6b-2 are processed in the manner described above to the next partial products 20a and 20b and then to the next final product 19. In of the FIG. 4f representing the representation of Figure 4c corresponds, the first sheet stack S1 'for the next partial product 20a is shown.

That in the FIG. 4f shown end product 19 may be a newspaper, which consists of a supplement (booklet, booklet or the like), which is inserted in the actual newspaper. The partial product 20a forms the supplement and the partial product 20b the actual newspaper. Both the sheets 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3 of the partial product 20a (supplement) as well as the sheets 6a-1, 6a-2 of the other partial product 20b (newspaper) are printed with four text and / or image pages.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also possible not to fold the partial product 20a during further processing of the sheet stacks S1 and S2, to fold the other partial product 20b only once around the fold line 22 and to unfold the unfolded partial product 20a, ie the sheet stack S1 (FIG. Fig. 4c ), in the once folded partial product 20b (see Fig. 4e ) insert or insert.

In the FIG. 5 is in a perspective side view (corresponding to the representations in the FIGS. 2 to 4 ) shows a second embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus 1 'according to the invention. In this case, the sheet processing device 1 'in this FIG. 5 in comparison to the presentation of the FIG. 1 simplified shown. This sheet processing apparatus 1 'according to FIG. 5 corresponds with the exception of the diameter d2, d3 of the collecting drums 2, 3 in the FIG. 1 shown sheet processing apparatus 1, wherein in FIG. 5 certain components, such as the drive assembly 8, the Detecting device 12 and the cross-cutting device 13, are omitted. For themselves corresponding parts are in the FIGS. 1 and 5 the same reference numerals used.

As explained above, the difference in the FIG. 5 illustrated sheet processing device 1 'of the sheet processing apparatus 1 according to FIG. 1 by a different ratio of the sizes of collecting drum diameter d2 and d3. Thus, in the sheet processing apparatus 1 'shown in FIG. 2, the two collecting drum diameters d2 and d3 are the same size. As a result, the application possibilities of the sheet processing device 1 'are increased because the incoming sheets 6 can be supplied regardless of their format of the lower collecting drum 2 or the upper collecting drum 3.

• Die beiden ersten kurzen Bogen 6b-1 und 6b-2 werden auf den Umfang der oberen Sammeltrommel 3 aufgewickelt, während der erste ankommende lange Bogen 6a-1 auf den Umfang der unteren Sammeltrommel 2 aufgewickelt wird. Beim Durchlaufen des zweiten langen Bogens 6a-2 zwischen den Sammeltrommeln 2, 3 hindurch werden der erste kurze Bogen 6b-1 von der Sammeltrommel 3 und der erste lange Bogen 6a-1 von der Sammeltrommel 2 abgelöst und mit dem zweiten langen Bogen 6a-2 zusammengebracht. Dabei wird der kurze Bogen 6b-1 so von oben auf den langen Bogen 6a-2 aufgelegt und der lange Bogen 6a-1 so von unten an den langen Bogen 6a-2 angelegt, dass die Bogen 6b-1, 6a-2 und 6a-1 mit ihren vorlaufenden Kanten aufeinander ausgerichtet sind.
• Auf entsprechende Weise werden aus dem kurzen Bogen 6b-2 und den nachfolgend zugeführten langen Bogen 6a-3 und 6a-4 ein Produkt 19' hergestellt, bei dem der kurze Bogen 6b-3 auf dem langen Bogen 6a-4 aufliegt, der seinerseits auf dem anderen langen Bogen 6a-3 aufliegt (siehe auch Figur 6, die zur Verdeutlichung dieser Arbeitsweise dient). Zur Herstellung dieses Produktes wird der kurze Bogen 6b-2 zuerst vorübergehend auf der oberen Sammeltrommel 3 gehalten und dann auf den langen Bogen 6a-4 aufgelegt, während der andere lange Bogen 6a-3, der zuerst vorübergehend auf der unteren Sammeltrommel gehalten wird, von unten an den Bogen 6a-4 angelegt wird. Der dritte kurze Bogen 6b-3 wird vorübergehend am Umfang der oberen Sammeltrommel 3 festgehalten.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 a variant of the many possible operations of the sheet processing apparatus 1 'is shown. In this variant shown, the sheets are fed by the feeder 4 to the collecting drums 2, 3 in the following order: at the beginning of the processing, two short sheets 6b-1 and 6b-2 followed by two long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 and then in each case a short arc 6b-3 and again two long arc 6a-3 and 6a-4. When in the FIG. 5 In the situation shown, a product 19 has been made, consisting of the superimposed long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 and the first incoming short sheet 6b-1. That is, this product 19 is formed from sheets 6a, 6b, which are not fed directly to each other the collecting drums 2, 3. A prerequisite for the production of such a product 19 is that the Length of the circumference of the collecting drums 2, 3 is equal to or greater than twice the format length y2 (see FIG. 2a ) of short sheets 6b-1, 6b-2, 6b-3. The processing of the sheets 6a, 6b fed by the feeder 4 proceeds as follows:

• The first two short sheets 6b-1 and 6b-2 are wound on the circumference of the upper collecting drum 3 while the first incoming long sheet 6a-1 is wound on the circumference of the lower collecting drum 2. When passing through the second long sheet 6a-2 between the collecting drums 2, 3, the first short sheet 6b-1 is detached from the collecting drum 3 and the first long sheet 6a-1 is detached from the collecting drum 2 and the second long sheet 6a-2 brought together. In this case, the short sheet 6b-1 is placed from above onto the long sheet 6a-2 and the long sheet 6a-1 is applied from below to the long sheet 6a-2 such that the sheets 6b-1, 6a-2 and 6a -1 are aligned with their leading edges to each other.
• In a corresponding manner, a product 19 'is produced from the short sheet 6b-2 and the subsequently fed long sheets 6a-3 and 6a-4, in which the short sheet 6b-3 rests on the long sheet 6a-4, which in turn rests on the other long bow 6a-3 rests (see also FIG. 6 which serves to illustrate this mode of operation). For making this product, the short sheet 6b-2 is first temporarily held on the upper collecting drum 3 and then laid on the long sheet 6a-4, while the other long sheet 6a-3, which is first temporarily held on the lower collecting drum, of is applied to the bottom of the bow 6a-4. The third Short sheet 6b-3 is temporarily held on the circumference of the upper collecting drum 3.

In a variant of the above-described operation, the collection drums 2, 3 are always fed with two short sheets 6b-1 and 6b-2 followed by two long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2 and products 19, 19 'are produced in which, as shown, respectively two long sheets 6a-1, 6a-2 and 6a-3, 6a-4 and a short sheet 6b-1 and 6b-2 are superimposed. In this variant, the first short sheet 6b-1 as described is brought together with the subsequent long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2, while the second short sheet 6b-2 is held on the upper collecting drum 3 until it is with the next arriving long bows 6a-3 and 6a-4.

How the hand of the FIGS. 5 and 6 explained application example, can be with the sheet processing device 1 'according to FIG. 5 Produce products that consist of sheets 6a, 6b, which are not directly behind each other in the collecting drums 2, 3 supplied sheet flow. This is of course also with a sheet processing device 1 according FIG. 1 possible.

Based on FIG. 7 , which from the representation ago the FIG. 6 corresponds, a third embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus 1 "according to the invention will be described below. This sheet processing apparatus 1 '' is compared to in the FIG. 1 shown sheet processing device 1 is simplified and different from this in that in addition a third collection drum 25 is provided, which has a substantially cylindrical lateral surface and which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. Incidentally, the sheet processing apparatus 1 "corresponds to the sheet processing apparatus 1 according to FIG FIG. 1 , For themselves corresponding parts are in the FIG. 7 the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 6 , The diameter of the third collecting drum 25 may be the same or different as compared with the diameters d2, d3 of the collecting drums 2, 3. With the provision of a third collecting drum 25, it is possible to produce end products which differ from the end products 19, which by means of the in the FIGS. 1 to 5 can be produced. The following is with reference to the FIG. 7 a possible operation of the sheet processing apparatus 1 '' described.

As the FIG. 7 1, three sheets 6c-1, 6c-2 and 6c-3 of a third format are fed to collecting drums 2, 3, 25 first, which are referred to below as "supplementary sheets" for the sake of simplicity. These supplementary sheets 6c differ in format from the formats of the long sheets 6a and 6b of the short sheets. In the collecting drums 2, 3, 25 supplied sheet flow to the additional sheets 6c-1, 6c-2 and 6c-3 is followed by a short arc 6b-1 and two long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2.

• Die Zusatzbogen 6c-1 und 6c-2 werden auf die anhand der Figuren 2 bis 6 bereits beschriebene Weise auf die dritte Sammeltrommel 25 aufgewickelt und vorübergehend an deren Umfang festgehalten. Anschliessend werden die Zusatzbogen 6c-1, 6c-2 von der Sammeltrommel 25 abgelöst und auf den an der dritten Sammeltrommel 25 vorbei bewegten, dritten Zusatzbogen 6c-3 aufgelegt. Der auf diese Weise gebildete Bogenstapel wird zwischen den Sammeltrommeln 2, 3 hindurchgeführt und zur Weiterverarbeitung weggeführt. Dieser Bogenstapel ist auf der linken Seite der Figur 7 dargestellt und mit S2 bezeichnet. In diesem Bogenstapel S2 liegen die Zusatzbogen 6c-3, 6c-2 und 6c-1 in dieser Reihenfolge derart übereinander, so dass sie mit ihren Seitenkanten aufeinander ausgerichtet sind. Die nachfolgenden Bogen 6b-1, 6a-1, 6a-2 werden an der dritten Sammeltrommel 25 vorbei geführt. Der kurze Bogen 6b-1 wird auf die obere Sammeltrommel 3 und der nachfolgende erste lange Bogen 6a-1 wird auf die untere Sammeltrommel 2 aufgewickelt. Der zweite lange Bogen 6a-2 wird zwischen den Sammeltrommeln 2, 3 hindurchgeführt und gleichzeitig mit dem von der Sammeltrommel 3 abgelösten kurzen Bogen 6b-1 und dem ersten langen Bogen 6a-1, der von der andern Sammeltrommel 2 abgelöst wird, zusammengebracht, wie das anhand der Figur 2 ausführlicher erläutert wurde. Dabei wird der kurze Bogen 6b-1 von oben und der erste lange Bogen 6a-1 von unten an den zweiten langen Bogen 6a-2 angelegt. Der auf diese Weise gebildete Bogenstapel wird zur Weiterverarbeitung weggeführt. Dieser Bogenstapel ist auf der linken Seite der Figur 7 dargestellt und mit S1 bezeichnet. In diesem Bogenstapel S1 liegen die Bogen 6a-1, 6a-2 und 6b-1 in dieser Reihenfolge derart übereinander, so dass sie mit ihren Seitenkanten aufeinander ausgerichtet sind.

The processing of the incoming sheets 6c, 6b, 6a proceeds as follows:

• The additional sheets 6c-1 and 6c-2 are based on the FIGS. 2 to 6 already described way to the third Collecting drum 25 wound and temporarily held at the periphery. Subsequently, the additional sheets 6c-1, 6c-2 are detached from the collecting drum 25 and placed on the third collecting sheet 25 moved past, third supplementary sheet 6c-3. The sheet stack formed in this way is passed between the collecting drums 2, 3 and led away for further processing. This sheet pile is on the left side of the FIG. 7 represented and designated S2. In this sheet stack S2, the additional sheets 6c-3, 6c-2 and 6c-1 are superimposed in this order, so that they are aligned with each other with their side edges. The following sheets 6b-1, 6a-1, 6a-2 are guided past the third collecting drum 25. The short sheet 6b-1 is wound on the upper collecting drum 3 and the subsequent first long sheet 6a-1 is wound on the lower collecting drum 2. The second long sheet 6a-2 is passed between the collecting drums 2, 3 and simultaneously brought together with the short sheet 6b-1 detached from the collecting drum 3 and the first long sheet 6a-1 detached from the other collecting drum 2, such as that on the basis of FIG. 2 was explained in more detail. In this case, the short sheet 6b-1 from above and the first long sheet 6a-1 from below are applied to the second long sheet 6a-2. The sheet stack formed in this way is led away for further processing. This sheet pile is on the left side of the FIG. 7 represented and designated S1. In this sheet stack S1, the sheets 6a-1, 6a-2 and 6b-1 are superimposed in this order, so that they are aligned with each other with their side edges.

In a preferred application example, the intermediate product 26 formed by the sheet stack S1 is a newspaper consisting of two double pages, ie the long sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2, and a single half-size sheet, ie the short sheet 6b-1. The double pages (sheets 6a-1 and 6a-2) are printed with four, the single page (sheet 6b-1) with two text and / or image pages. The other intermediate 27 formed by the stack of sheets S2 is a leaflet (magazine or booklet), which is preferably a tabloid. By inserting the intermediate product 27 (supplement) in the (as shown by the FIG. 4d described) once folded intermediate 26 (newspaper) a final product is obtained.

In addition to the abovementioned advantages and preferred variants of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention, reference is made below to further particular aspects of the present invention.

On each of the collecting drums 2, 3, 25 either only a single sheet 6 or more superimposed sheets 6, which form a sheet stack S, can be held (collected). In this case, a sheet stack S can be formed from sheet 6 of the same format or from sheet 6 of different format. If the circumferential length permits, two or more sheets 6 or sheet stacks S can be held at the same time on the circumference of a collection drum 2, 3, 25, as shown in FIG FIG. 5 is shown at the collecting drum 3.

In the case of the FIGS. 2 to 7 described embodiments, the arc 6 so brought together that in the resulting product 19, the sheet 6 are aligned with their leading edge 6v each other. However, it is also possible for the sheets 6 to align with one another when brought into contact with their trailing, rear edge or with one of their side edges which extend in the feed direction F. In addition, of course, can be dispensed with a mutual alignment of the sheet 6.

From the sheets 6 supplied in a stream to the collecting drums 2, 3, 25, products 19 can also be produced one after the other which differ in composition from one another, e.g. in terms of the number of sheets 6 or the combination of sheets 6 with different formats.

The sheet 6 can be held either on one or the other collection drum 2, 3, 25. It will not necessarily all the sheets 6 wound on the circumference of the collecting drums 2, 3, 25, because certain sheets 6 are passed between the collecting drums 2, 3 and past the collecting drum 25, as the hand on the Figures 2 . 3 and 5 and 7 has been explained.

The collecting drums 2, 3, 25 supplied sheet 6 may also have more than two or three different formats. The sheets 6 of different format may have the same width b and different format lengths y or the same format length y and different widths b.

Instead of printing on a web of material 14 as described in a digital printing press, from which then the Sheet 6 are separated, it is also possible to print the sheets directly in the digital press.

The sheets 6 may be made of paper, plastic, a textile material or any other suitable material.

A preferred field of application of the method according to the invention and the sheet processing device according to the invention is the production of newspapers, magazines, brochures and the like from sheets of different format printed in a digital printing machine. By means of the method according to the invention or by means of the device according to the invention, however, other products which consist of sheets printed in a digital printing machine can also be produced, e.g. Calendar, lottery tickets and the like

Claims (15)

Method for processing sheets of different formats, characterized by the following steps: Supplying sheets (6) of different format in a feed direction (F) in succession and at a certain feed rate (v) to at least two collecting drums (2, 3) which have substantially cylindrical lateral surfaces, Driving each collecting drum (2, 3) about an axis of rotation (2a, 3a) at a peripheral speed (u) which substantially corresponds to the feeding speed (v) of the sheets (6), Temporarily retaining at least a portion of the sheets (6) on each one of the collecting drums (2, 3), and Detaching the retained sheets (6) from the first and second collecting drums (2, 3) and further processing the detached sheets (6). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least on one of the collecting drums (2, 3) in each case a plurality of sheets (6) are collected to a sheet stack (S) and that the sheet stack (S) from the associated collecting drum (2, 3) detached and is led away for further processing. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sheets (6a) of the one, first format on the first of the collecting drums (2, 3) and the sheets (6b) of the other, second format on the other, second collecting drum (2, 3) are held. Method according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that in each case a plurality of sheets (6b) of the first format on the first collecting drum (2, 3) to a first sheet stack (S1) and a plurality of sheets (6a) of the second format on the second Collecting drum (2, 3) to a second sheet stack (S2) are collected and that the first and second sheet stacks (S1, S2) detached from the associated collecting drum (2, 3) and led away for further processing. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sheets (6) or sheet stacks (S) detached from one collecting drum (2, 3) are replaced by the sheets (6) detached from the other collecting drum (2, 3). or sheet stack (S) are brought together, wherein preferably the one collecting drum (2, 3) detached sheet (6) or sheet stack (S) on the other collection drum (2, 3) detached sheet (6) or Sheet pile (S) are placed. Method according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that at least the sheets (6), which are collected on one of the collecting drums (2, 3) to form a sheet stack (S), are joined together. Method according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that one of the one collecting drum (2, 3) detached sheet stack (S1), the interconnected sheet (6b) of a smaller Formats is formed inside a folded sheet stack (S2), which has been detached from the other collection drum (2, 3) and from sheets (6a) of a larger, preferably twice as large format is formed is inserted. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one sheet (6b) of a smaller format detached from the one collecting drum (2, 3) penetrates into the interior of a folded stack of sheets (S) from the other collecting drum (2, 3) ) has been detached and from sheets (6a) of a larger, preferably twice as large, format is formed, is inserted. Method according to one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that on the collecting drum (2, 3) on which a plurality of sheets (6) are collected, the sheet (6) with one of their transverse to the feed direction (F) extending edges (6v ) aligned on the collecting drum (2, 3) are held. Method according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that at least on one of the collecting drums (2, 3) each sheet (6a, 6b) of different format are collected. Method according to one of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that on a third collecting drum (25) wound with a substantially cylindrical lateral surface sheet of a further format and temporarily held on the periphery of this collecting drum (25). Method according to one of claims 1 - 11, characterized in that it serves for holding and collecting printed, in particular by means of a digital printing machine printed sheet (6), which are preferably part of a newspaper, magazine, booklet or the like. Apparatus for processing sheets of different formats, characterized by : a feed device (4) for feeding sheets (6) of different format in a feed direction (F) one behind the other and at a certain conveying speed (v), at least two collecting drums (2, 3) connected downstream of the feed device (4) and having essentially cylindrical lateral surfaces which are rotatable about an axis of rotation (2a, 3a), Retaining means for temporarily retaining supplied sheets (6) on the circumference of the collecting drums (2, 3), and drive means (8) for rotationally driving the collecting drums (2, 3) at a peripheral speed (u) substantially equal to the feeding speed (v) of the feeding means (4). Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized by a third of the feed device (4) downstream collection drum (25) having a substantially cylindrical surface, is rotatable about a rotation axis and retaining means for temporary Holding supplied sheet (6) at its periphery. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the retaining means are mechanically operating or by means of electrostatic forces acting holding devices.

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