Abstract
In a method for producing a collection of pre-products by wrapping a second pre-product around a first pre-product, it is provided according to the invention that said method comprises a number of steps. In one step, a first pre-product is provided, which has an edge region. In another step, a second pre-product is provided. In a further step, the second pre-product is conveyed into a wrapping position. In a further step, the first pre-product is conveyed, with the edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position, as a result of which a wrapping operation is initiated on the second pre-product.
Claims
1. A device for carrying out a method for producing a collection of pre-products by wrapping a second pre-product around a first pre-product, comprising the steps: a. providing a first pre-product, which has an edge region; b. providing a second pre-product; c. conveying the second pre-product into a wrapping position; d. conveying the first pre-product, with the edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position, as a result of which a wrapping operation is initiated on the second pre-product; said device comprising: a first conveyor device for the second pre-product, which conveys the second pre-product into the wrapping position; and a second conveyor device for the first pre-product, wherein the second conveyor device includes a conveyor table which conveys the first pre-product, with an edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position in order to initiate the wrapping operation.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second conveyor device comprises at least two transport sections which are located in one plane and between which an at least temporary conveyor gap is left free, in which the second pre-product (6) is held in the wrapping position.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the wrapping position extends through the at least temporary conveyor gap.
4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the transport sections comprise belt conveyors.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the transport sections of the second conveyor device each have belt conveyor systems formed of two belt conveyors arranged at a distance from one another perpendicular to the one plane in which the transport sections of the second conveyor device are located, and the first and/or second pre-products are transported in a manner clamped between the belts of the two belt conveyors.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a pressing-together device, in which a first sub-area of an outer surface of the second pre-product and a first side of the first pre-product and a second sub-area of the outer surface of the second pre-product and a second side of the first pre-product, located opposite the first side, are pressed against one another.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing-together device comprises a roller pair which adjoins the at least temporary conveyor gap and which conveys the first and second pre-product in a temporarily clamped manner.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor table is connected to a drive which enables a recurring translational movement of the conveyor table in the conveying direction of the first pre-product.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor table has an edge which aids the operation of wrapping around the second pre-product.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first conveyor device is assigned a stop which temporarily holds the second pre-product in the wrapping position.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second pre-product is held in a wrapping position which is substantially perpendicular relative to the conveying plane of the first conveyor device.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a moistening device for at least partially moistening the second pre-product prior to the initiation of the wrapping operation.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a scoring device for scoring the second pre-product.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first conveyor device is assigned means for providing a paper or film web.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the first conveyor device is assigned a cutting device for cutting the second pre-product from the paper or film web.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device is arranged in such a way that the second pre-product is cut from the paper or film web before said second pre-product is located in the conveyor gap.
17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device is arranged in such a way that the second pre-product is cut from the paper or film web when said second pre-product is located at least partially in the conveyor gap.
18. A method for producing a collection of pre-products by wrapping a second pre-product around a first pre-product with the device of claim 1, comprising the steps: a. providing the first pre-product, which has the edge region; b. providing the second pre-product; c. conveying the second pre-product via the first conveyor device into the wrapping position; d. conveying the first pre-product, with the edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position via the second conveyor device, as a result of which a wrapping operation is initiated on the second pre-product.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first pre-product is conveyed, at least with a sub-area resting on the conveyor table, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the conveyor table actively aids the wrapping operation.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second pre-product is provided as a section of a paper or film web.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the paper or film web is unwound from a roll.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the paper or film web is processed between the roll and a site at which the second pre-product is located in the wrapping position.
24. The method according to claim 18, wherein, in an upstream method step, N individual printed products are provided, the first pre-product is formed of Nx (x=1, 2, 3 . . . ) of the N individual printed products and the second pre-product is formed of the x remaining individual printed products.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein x=1.
26. The method according to claim 18, wherein, after the initiation of the wrapping operation, the first pre-product and the second pre-product are moved through a pressing-together device, in which a first sub-area of an outer surface of the second pre-product and a first side of the first pre-product and a second sub-area of the outer surface of the second pre-product and a second side of the first pre-product are pressed against one another.
27. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first pre-product is conveyed in a conveying plane.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the second pre-product, at the time of initiation of the wrapping operation, is oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane of the first pre-product.
29. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second pre-product is scored prior to the wrapping operation in order to facilitate the wrapping operation.
30. The method according to claim 18, wherein at least part of an outer surface of the second pre-product is moistened prior to the wrapping operation in order to facilitate the wrapping operation.
31. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second pre-product is temporarily held in the wrapping position by a stop.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and in connection with the drawing, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic side view, a first exemplary embodiment of a wrapping device during operation, at a first point in time;
(3) FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a second consecutive point in time, after the first;
(4) FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a third consecutive point in time, after the second;
(5) FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a fourth consecutive point in time, after the third;
(6) FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a fifth consecutive point in time, after the fourth;
(7) FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a sixth consecutive point in time, after the fifth;
(8) FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of a wrapping device shown in FIG. 1, during operation, at a seventh consecutive point in time, after the sixth;
(9) FIG. 8 shows, in a schematic side view, a second exemplary embodiment of a wrapping device;
(10) FIG. 9 shows, in a schematic side view, a clamping operation carried out by a clamping device at the time of initiation of the wrapping operation;
(11) FIG. 10 shows, in a schematic side view, a further clamping operation carried out by a clamping device after the time of initiation of the wrapping operation;
(12) FIG. 11 shows, in a schematic side view, a further clamping operation carried out by a clamping device after the time of initiation of the wrapping operation;
(13) FIG. 12 shows, in a schematic side view, a further clamping operation carried out by a clamping device after the time of initiation of the wrapping operation;
(14) FIG. 13 shows, in a schematic side view, a further embodiment of a method according to the invention;
(15) FIG. 14 shows, in a schematic side view, a further embodiment of a method according to the invention;
(16) FIG. 15 shows, in a schematic side view, a further embodiment of a device for carrying out a method according to the invention;
(17) FIG. 16 shows, in a schematic side view, a further embodiment of a device for carrying out a method according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(18) FIGS. 1 to 7 show, in schematic diagrams, one embodiment of a device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention, at different points in time during the method. In the device shown, second pre-products 6 (illustrated by broken lines) are conveyed individually one after the other in a first conveyor device 17. The first conveyor device 17 comprises a plurality of belt conveyor systems formed of belt conveyors arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the second pre-products 6 are transported in a manner clamped between the belts of the belt conveyors. The second pre-products 6 are brought via a curve from a horizontal conveying direction into a vertical conveying direction (schematically illustrated by a curved arrow). In the method shown, the illustrated second pre-products 6 are folded printed products, the fold of which is parallel to the conveying direction (not shown in detail).
(19) In a second conveyor device 12, first pre-products 1 are likewise conveyed individually one after the other in a conveying plane 24. The first pre-products 1 are conveyed with an edge region 2 transverse to the conveying direction (schematically illustrated by an arrow). Like the first conveyor device 17, the second conveyor device 12 comprises a plurality of belt conveyor systems formed of belt conveyors 16a-d arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the first pre-products 1 are transported in a manner clamped between the belts 20a-d of the belt conveyors 16a-d. Located between a first transport section 13a formed of first belt conveyors 16a, 16b and a second transport section 13b formed of second belt conveyors 16c, 16d is an at least temporary conveyor gap 14, in which no continuous conveying of the first pre-products 1 takes place. Arranged in the region in front of the at least temporary conveyor gap 14 is a conveyor table 15 which in the illustrated embodiment adjoins the first transport section 13a.
(20) In the method state shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor table 15 is located in a set-back state, so that the second pre-product 6 can be conveyed vertically downward through the at least temporary conveyor gap 14 into a wrapping position oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane 24 of the first pre-product 1, said wrapping position being shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the device has a stop 11 which limits the downward conveying of the second pre-product 6 and thus temporarily holds the second pre-product 6 in the wrapping position. The stop 11 is displaceable (illustrated by a double-headed arrow) along the conveying direction of the second pre-product 6, so that different wrapping positions can thus be set.
(21) Also located in the region of the first transport section 13a is a glue application device 21 which if necessary can apply glue spots to the first pre-products 1.
(22) The conveyor table 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 has an edge 9 and is synchronized with the first and second conveyor sections 17, 12 in such a way that it carries out a translational movement in the conveying direction of the first pre-product 1 as soon as the edge region 2 of the first pre-product 1 along the conveying direction of the first pre-product 6 is approximately in the same position as the edge 9 (cf. FIG. 2). This translational movement corresponds substantially to the conveying speed of the first pre-product 1, as a result of which the latter and the conveyor table 15 move simultaneously in the conveying plane and simultaneously, with the edge region 2 and the edge 9 in front, press against the second pre-product 6 located in the wrapping position, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
(23) As shown in FIG. 3, a wrapping operation is thus initiated. Since the first pre-product 6 rests on the conveyor table 15, it is supported in the vertical direction in the region of the at least temporary conveyor gap 14. This therefore prevents any bending of the first pre-product 1 in the vertical direction due to the inherent weight thereof. The edge 9 pressing simultaneously with the edge region 2 against the second pre-product 6 likewise prevents the situation whereby the first pre-product 1 is crushed or buckles in the conveying direction. The edge 9 thus aids the operation of wrapping around the second pre-product 6.
(24) The device shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 also has a pressing-together device 18 which comprises a pair of rollers 19a, 19b with axes of rotation arranged parallel to one another and parallel to the edge region 2. The two rollers 19, 19b have a region made of foam rubber with a plurality of relatively large internal cavities, as a result of which the stiffness thereof in the radial direction is relatively low, thereby making said rollers compressible in the radial direction. The rollers 19a, 19b moreover have a radius which is variable in the circumferential direction, as a result of which they could also be referred to as segment rollers. The upper illustrated roller 19a rotates in the anticlockwise direction, whereas the lower roller 19b rotates in the clockwise direction (illustrated in each case by curved arrows). These rotational movements are adapted to or synchronized with the movement of a first pre-product 1 located in the at least temporary conveyor gap 14, so that a first sub-area 7 of an outer surface of the second pre-product 6 and a first side 4 of the first pre-product 1 and a second sub-area 8 and a second side 5 of the first pre-product 1, located opposite the first side 4, are pressed against one another, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The rollers 19a, 19b are moreover designed in such a way that they can convey the first and second pre-product 1, 6 in a temporarily clamped manner, as also illustrated in FIG. 4. During this clamped conveying, the first and second pre-product 1, 6 are further pressed against one another, as shown schematically in FIGS. 5 to 7. The translational movement of the conveyor table 15 is thus adapted to the pressing-together device 18 so that said conveyor table does not become clamped between the rollers 19a, 19b, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor table 15 can still continue to temporarily support the first pre-product 1 in the vertical direction while the latter is being conveyed together with the second pre-product 6 in a clamped manner by the pressing-together device 18 to the second transport section 13b (illustrated schematically by the arrow). The conveyor table 15 meanwhile returns to the starting position shown in FIG. 5, counter to the conveying direction of the first pre-product 1, in order subsequently (cf. FIG. 7) to convey a subsequent further first pre-product 1 against a further second pre-product 6.
(25) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. Said device additionally has a scoring device 22 which is arranged in the region of the first conveyor device 17 and which in the illustrated embodiment consists essentially of two rolls rotating in opposite directions, as can be seen in the detail view of the scoring device 22 contained in FIG. 8. The axes of rotation of the two rolls are transverse to the conveying direction of the second pre-products 6, which are passed through between the rolls and are provided with a score by the latter. To this end, a strip-like raised area is arranged on the upper of the two illustrated rolls and a corresponding depression is arranged on the lower roll. The rolls could also be conversely constructed. Also shown in FIG. 8 is a pressing-together device 18 which, in a manner differing from FIGS. 1-7, comprises rollers 19a, 19b of constant radius. Instead of rollers 19a, 19b, rolls having such a constant radius may also be used. Such rollers (or rolls) can also be used in devices without a scoring device 22, for example in the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.
(26) FIGS. 9 to 12 schematically show an embodiment of a clamping device which can temporarily clamp the second pre-product 6 at a first and a second clamping region 25, 26 before and during the wrapping operation. As a result, it is possible if necessary to prevent the second pre-product 6 from sliding in an uncontrolled manner over the edge region 2 of the first pre-product 1 at the time of initiation of the wrapping operation, as a result of which the wrapping result would be impaired. Such a behavior, which is usually undesirable, may occur for example if a portion of the second pre-product is still being conveyed in a clamped manner by the first conveyor device 17 at the time of initiation of the wrapping operation, that is to say is restricted in its movement, and another part is free in the at least temporary conveyor gap 14. The illustrated embodiment of a clamping device comprises a clamping roller 27 which is connected to a brake roller 32 via a belt 29. The belt 29 is kept in the tensioned state by a tensioning roller 28. The clamping roller 27 is mounted by way of a pivoting arm 31 in such a way as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis 30, as illustrated by the curved arrows.
(27) As soon as the second pre-product 6 is located in the wrapping position (cf. FIG. 10), the pivot arm 31 is rotated about the pivot axis in the anticlockwise direction, as a result of which the clamping roller 27 presses the second pre-product 6 in a second clamping region 26 against a counter-bearing 34 and thus clamps the second pre-product 6. At the same time, the second pre-product 6 is clamped in a first clamping region 25 before the first conveyor device 17. By virtue of the clamping in the first and second clamping region 25, 26, both the part of the second pre-product 6 located above the edge region 2 and the part thereof located below said edge region are held with a certain force. As a result, a sliding of the second pre-product 6 over the edge region 2 of the first pre-product 1 during the initiation of the wrapping operation shown in FIG. 11 is prevented.
(28) As soon as the first and second pre-product 1, 6 are clamped by the rollers 19a, 19b of the pressing-together device 18 (cf. FIG. 12), the pivot arm 31 with the clamping roller 27 pivots back in the clockwise direction away from the second clamping region 26, as a result of which the second pre-product 6 is no longer clamped there. A sliding movement between the first and second pre-product 1, 6 is at this point in time prevented by the pressing-together device 18.
(29) FIGS. 13 and 14 show a device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention using first pre-products 1, 1 which are in each case stacks of different printed products 35, 35, 35.
(30) The (leading) stacked first pre-product 1 shown on the right in FIG. 13 is formed of a lower large printed product 35 and an upper medium-sized printed product 35. The printed products 35, 35 each have a fold (or spine) 2, 2 and are arranged in a stacked manner in such a way that the folds/spines 2, 2 thereof form a stack edge which represents the edge region 2, 2. The middle stacked first pre-product 1 shown in FIG. 13 is formed of a lower large printed product 35, a middle medium-sized printed product 35 and an upper small printed product 35. The printed products 35, 35, 35 each have a fold (or spine) 2, 2, 2 and are likewise arranged in a stacked manner in such a way that the spines 2, 2, 2 thereof form a stack edge which represents the edge region 2, 2, 2. The stacked first pre-product 1 shown on the left in FIG. 13 is constructed in the same way as the first pre-product 1 shown on the right. Pre-products 1, 1, 1 constructed as shown in FIG. 13 enable a secure wrapping of a second pre-product 6 around in each case all of the printed products 35, 35, 35 to be wrapped. As a result, it is possible to avoid the situation whereby individual printed products 35, 35, 35 fall out of the collection when a resulting collection is gripped by hand.
(31) The (leading) stacked first pre-product 1 shown on the right in FIG. 14 is likewise formed of a lower large printed product 35 and an upper medium-sized printed product 35. The printed products 35, 35 likewise each have a fold (or spine) 2, 2, but are arranged in a stacked manner in such a way that the flowers thereof form a stack edge. The edge region 2 is formed by the spine 2 of the lower printed product 35. The illustrated middle stacked first pre-product 1 is likewise formed of a lower large printed product 35, a middle medium-sized printed product 35 and an upper small printed product 35. Here, too, the printed products 35, 35, 35 are arranged in a stacked manner in such a way that the flowers thereof form a stack edge. However, the edge region 2 is formed by the spine 2 of the lower printed product 35. The stacked first pre-product 1 shown on the left in FIG. 14 is once again constructed in the same way as the first pre-product 1 shown on the right. A method using such stacked first pre-products 1, 1, 1 (as shown in FIG. 14) may be advantageous in order to be able to wrap pre-products 1, 1, 1 having a relatively large total thickness (or large maximum stack height). Since such first pre-products 1, 1, 1 have a reduced thickness (or height) in the edge region 2, wrapping is simplified. Moreover, second pre-products 6 which have been wrapped around thus remain better in the wrapped-around state (not shown). At the same time, such collections can have a precisely defined external shape due to the stack edge, which is formed of the flowers, and the wrapped-around second pre-product.
(32) FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention. The second pre-products 6 are in this case provided as sections of a web 25. This web 25 has been printed in an earlier printing process (not shown) and then wound onto a roll 26. In the illustrated device, this roll 26 is assigned to the first conveyor section 17. The web 25 is unwound from the roll 26, and then the second pre-products 3 are cut from the web 25 by a cutting device 27 and conveyed via the conveyor section 17 into the wrapping position.
(33) FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention, in which the second pre-products 6, as in the device shown in FIG. 15, are likewise provided as sections of a web 25 on a roll 26. In contrast to the device shown in FIG. 15, however, here the second pre-products 6 are cut from the web 25 by a cutting device 27 only when they are already in the wrapping position or are located at least partially in the conveyor gap 14.
