FOLDING MACHINE, STITCHING OR BINDING MACHINE, SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A FOLDING AND STITCHING OR BINDING MACHINE, LIFTING MODULE FOR FOLDED SHEETS, MOBILE STORAGE MODULE FOR FOLDED SHEETS, AND PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

A folding machine includes a delivery arm, a lifting module and a mobile storage module movable horizontally relative to the lifting module. The lifting module is downstream of the delivery arm and includes a vertically positionable lifting level for folded sheets. During the delivery, the storage module is downstream of the lifting module and includes at least two vertically disposed storage levels drivable separately for putting a plurality of folded sheets into storage. A mobile storage module of a machine for folded sheets includes vertically disposed storage levels being driven separately for the storage of folded sheets. The storage levels include a driven second coupling element of a coupling device. A first coupling element of the coupling device is part of a lifting module. The machine improves workflow for post press processing. A production system for the graphic design industry in the post-production of printed products is also provided.

Claims

1. A machine for folding, the machine comprising: a delivery arm for delivering folded sheets; at least one lifting module disposed downstream of said delivery arm in a delivery direction, said at least one lifting module including a vertically positionable lifting level for vertically positioning a plurality of folded sheets; at least one mobile storage module movable horizontally toward said at least one lifting module and away from said at least one lifting module, said at least one storage module disposed downstream of said at least one lifting module during a delivery of folded sheets; and said at least one storage module including at least two storage levels disposed vertically on top of one another, said at least two storage levels being separately drivable for respectively putting a plurality of folded sheets into storage.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said vertically positionable lifting level has a conveying element for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage in a respective vertical position, and said vertically positionable lifting level has a drive for said conveying element.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least two storage levels each has a respective conveying element for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least two storage levels are each configured to be coupled to said vertically positionable lifting level, for separately driving said at least two storage levels.

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein said vertically positionable lifting level includes a driving first coupling element of a coupling device, and each of said at least two storage level includes one respective driven second coupling element of said coupling device.

6. A machine for stitching or binding, the machine comprising: a plurality of feeders for respectively feeding folded sheets; a plurality of lifting modules, each of said plurality of lifting modules being disposed upstream of a respective one of said plurality of feeders in a feed direction, each of said plurality of lifting modules including a vertically positionable lifting level for vertically positioning a plurality of folded sheets; at least one mobile storage module for each respective lifting module, said at least one mobile storage module disposed upstream of each respective lifting module during the feeding of folded sheets; said at least one mobile storage module being movable horizontally toward said plurality of lifting modules and away from said plurality of lifting modules; and said at least one mobile storage module including at least two storage levels disposed vertically on top of each other, and said at least two storage levels being separately drivable for respectively taking a plurality of folded sheets out of storage.

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said vertically positionable lifting level has a conveying element for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage in a respective vertical position, and said vertically positionable lifting level has a drive for said conveying element.

8. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said at least two storage levels each has a respective conveying element for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage.

9. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said at least two storage levels are each configured to be coupled to said vertically positionable lifting level, for separately driving said at least two storage levels.

10. The machine according to claim 9, wherein said vertically positionable lifting level includes a driving first coupling element of a coupling device, and each of said at least two storage level includes one respective driven second coupling element of said coupling device.

11. A system, comprising: a machine for folding and at least one machine for stitching or binding; said machine for folding including: a delivery arm for delivering folded sheets; at least one lifting module disposed downstream of said delivery arm in a delivery direction, said at least one lifting module including a vertically positionable lifting level for vertically positioning a plurality of folded sheets; at least one mobile storage module movable horizontally toward said at least one lifting module and away from said at least one lifting module, said at least one storage module disposed downstream of said at least one lifting module during a delivery of folded sheets; and said at least one storage module including at least two storage levels disposed vertically on top of one another, said at least two storage levels being separately drivable for respectively putting a plurality of folded sheets into storage; said at least one machine for stitching or binding including: a plurality of feeders for respectively feeding folded sheets; a plurality of lifting modules, each of said plurality of lifting modules being disposed upstream of a respective one of said plurality of feeders in a feed direction, each of said plurality of lifting modules including a vertically positionable lifting level for vertically positioning a plurality of folded sheets; at least one mobile storage module for each respective lifting module, said at least one mobile storage module disposed upstream of each respective lifting module during the feeding of folded sheets; said at least one mobile storage module being movable horizontally toward said plurality of lifting modules and away from said plurality of lifting modules; and said at least one mobile storage module including at least two storage levels disposed vertically on top of each other, and said at least two storage levels being separately drivable for respectively taking a plurality of folded sheets out of storage; a) said mobile storage modules, during the delivery, being successively coupled to said at least one lifting module of said folding machine, and each of said mobile storage modules receiving folded sheets from said at least one lifting module of said folding machine and storing the received folded sheets; then b) said mobile storage modules each being uncoupled from said at least one lifting module, and said mobile storage modules transporting the stored folded sheets from said machine for folding to said machine for stitching or binding; and then c) said mobile storage modules, during the feeding, being coupled to a respective one of said plurality of lifting modules of said machine for stitching or binding in parallel, and said mobile storage modules discharging the transported folded sheets to said respective lifting module of said machine for stitching or binding in parallel.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one lifting module of said machine for folding or each of said plurality of lifting modules of said at least one machine for stitching or binding, includes a vertically movable lifting level for vertically positioning a plurality of folded sheets, said vertically movable lifting level including a driving first coupling element of a coupling device.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said vertically movable lifting level includes a movable belt for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one mobile storage module for folded sheets includes at least two storage levels being vertically disposed on top of one another and being separately drivable, for a respective storage of a plurality of folded sheets, and said at least two storage levels each include one respective driven second coupling element of a coupling device.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one mobile storage module for folded sheets includes at least two storage levels being vertically disposed on top of one another and being separately drivable, for a respective storage of a plurality of folded sheets, and said at least two storage levels each include one respective driven second coupling element of a coupling device.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein said at least two storage levels each includes a movable belt for sheet conveyance when putting the folded sheets into storage or taking the folded sheets out of storage.

17. A production method for manufacturing post-processed printed products formed of folded sheets, the production method comprising: providing a plurality of said lifting modules and a plurality of said mobile storage modules according to claim 15; and using said coupling device to temporarily couple one respective lifting module and one respective mobile storage module together; said coupling device including said first coupling element of said lifting module and said second coupling element of said mobile storage module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic, longitudinal-sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention having a storage module, a lifting module and a folding machine or a delivery arm thereof and a diagrammatic illustration of the sequence of putting into storage during operation;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a further development of the invention having a storage module, a lifting module and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder or the feeder thereof and a diagrammatic illustration of the sequence of taking out of storage during operation;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment having a plurality of storage modules, a plurality of lifting modules and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder and a diagrammatic illustration of the sequence of taking out of storage during operation;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a plurality of storage modules, a plurality of lifting modules, a folding machine and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder and a diagrammatic illustration of the sequence of putting into storage and taking out of storage during operation; and

[0057] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a storage module, a lifting module and a folding machine or the delivery arm thereof and a diagrammatic illustration of the sequence of putting into storage during operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in which features which correspond to one another are provided with the same reference signs and repeated reference signs have been omitted in some cases for the sake of clarity, and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a diagrammatic representation of a sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a storage module, a lifting module and a folding machine or the delivery arm thereof and diagrammatically the sequence of putting into storage during operation. The putting into storage of the folded sheets 4 (from the machine 1 into one or more storage module(s) 40) takes place according to the sequence shown in FIG. 1. The machine 1 (folding machine; only shown partially) includes a delivery arm 2 (also only shown partially) with a preferably horizontal delivery direction 3 for folded sheets 4 or stacks of such folded sheets/folded sheet stacks 4 (flat delivery or flat storage). Such a machine 1 can be part of a system 20 formed of different machines 1 and 10.

[0059] The folded sheets 4 pass from the delivery arm 2 to a lifting module 30 or to the lifting level 32 thereof, which when actuating a drive 32a is movable in the direction 93 (up and down) and thus can be positioned in vertical positions 92.

[0060] The movable lifting level 32 includes a conveying element 33 which preferably can include a circulating belt 33a and rollers 33b for guiding the belt. The conveying element 33 is driven, i.e. a drive 34 is present, preferably a motor for one of the rollers 33b. Further below (in the description of the storage module) it is made clear that this drive 34 at the same time (in the coupling state) represents a drive of a coupling device.

[0061] The folded sheets 4 pass from the lifting module 30 to the storage module 40 (coupled in a docking region 53a). While the lifting module 30 is preferably fixedly disposed (in the delivery arm 2 or alternatively as part of the delivery arm 2) the storage module 40 is configured to be mobile, preferably by providing wheels 43 and a handle 44 in such a way that an operator can move the storage module 40 toward the lifting module 30 and away again (see double arrow direction 90).

[0062] The storage module 40 preferably includes a plurality of storage levels 41 disposed one on top of the other for storing folded sheets 4, wherein each of these levels includes a conveying element 42, preferably a circulating belt 42a and rollers 42b, for guiding the belt. Since the lifting level 32 can be driven to different positions 92, it is possible to supply the folded sheets 4 to the different storage levels 41 via the lifting level 32. The supply is carried out in the direction 91. This preferably takes place in a controlled manner, i.e. a computer, for example the computer 70 shown in FIG. 4, controls the putting into storage of the folded sheets 4 according to the number of folded sheet stacks 4 to be stored and the storage capacity of the storage modules 40 being used. Preferably, the storage modules are completely filled; when changing jobs, however, it can also arise that a storage module is only partially filled.

[0063] A (multipart) coupling device 50 is present for producing a coupling between a storage module 40 and a lifting module 30. The coupling device 50 includes a first coupling element 51 and a second coupling element 52. The first coupling element 51 is part of the lifting module 30; the second coupling element 52 is part of the storage module 40. The two coupling elements can be configured, for example, as gearwheels which mesh when the two modules 30 and 40 are coupled. On the side of the storage module 40, each storage level 41 can include a second coupling element 52, i.e. the second coupling element can itself be in multiple parts, for example it can include a plurality of gearwheels. The lifting level 32 can preferably be coupled in each of its vertical positions 92 to a storage level 41; thus, for example, it can be provided that a gearwheel of the lifting level is coupled to one respective gearwheel of the storage level. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 such gearwheels are represented as filled circles.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a storage module, a lifting module and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder or the feeder thereof and diagrammatically the sequence of taking out of storage during operation. The machine 10 (saddle stitcher, adhesive binder or thread binder; only partially shown) includes a feeder 11 (also only partially shown) with a preferably horizontal feed direction 12 for folded sheets 4 or stacks of such folded sheets/folded sheet stacks 4. The folded sheets 4 are taken out of storage (from one or more storage module(s) 40 in the machine 10) according to the sequence shown in FIG. 2; this sequence is carried out substantially in the reverse sequence and in the reverse directions to putting into storage.

[0065] An at least partially loaded storage module 40 can be decoupled by the operator and moved from the machine 1 (folding machine) to the machine 10 (saddle stitcher, adhesive binder or thread binder) and coupled there (docking region 53b). The uncoupling is preferably carried out simply by removing the storage module 40 from a predetermined position, for example away from a stop of the lifting module 30 of the machine 1; the coupling is carried out by moving into a predetermined position in the lifting module 31, for example toward a stop of the lifting module 31 of the machine 10.

[0066] One respective folded sheet stack 4 which has been put into storage is moved by using the relevant conveying element 42 of the storage module 40 and the correspondingly vertically positioned and coupled conveying element 33 of the lifting module 31 to the lifting level 32; this then moves upwardly with the stack 4; then the stack 4 is moved onto the feeder 11 (alternative term: feed module or insert module) or the conveying element 60 thereof and finally into the machine 10 for post processing therein. The conveying element 60 can be configured to be extendable, for example as a circulating belt 61. Successive stacks 4 can be moved apart on the feeder 11 if the individual folded sheets are pulled downwardly.

[0067] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a plurality of storage modules, a plurality of lifting modules and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder and diagrammatically the sequence of taking out of storage during operation.

[0068] It can be identified that a plurality of storage modules 40 can be coupled (docked) to the feeder 11 of the machine 10: to this end the feeder 11 includes a collation section 13 known per se which guides the folded sheets 5 taken out of storage and collated from the storage modules 40 to a post processing station 14 (movement directions 91). It can also be identified that the feeder 11 and the lifting modules 31 can preferably be moved in a direction 94, whereby it is easier for the operator to access the machine 10 or the collating section 13 thereof, for example in the case of a malfunction.

[0069] It is preferably provided that each storage module 40 includes one respective first monitoring element 45a and each lifting module 30 or 31 includes one respective second monitoring element 45b of a monitoring device 45. The monitoring elements 45a and 45b can communicate via contacts or preferably contactlessly (for example via RFID; remotely) with one another and/or with a computer, for example the computer 70, wherein for example it is identified which storage module is to be placed on which lifting module; the placing can be prevented if it is identified that a storage module would not be placed on the correct lifting modulefor the production process. The prevention can include a warning (acoustic and/or visual). The prevention can include a mechanical solution, for example a lock (not shown) which blocks the docking. The warning and lock can also be combined together.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a plurality of storage modules, a plurality of lifting modules, a folding machine and a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder and diagrammatically the sequence of putting into storage and taking out of storage during operation.

[0071] The exemplary system 20 shown includes a folding machine 1 with a delivery arm 2, and a delivery direction 3, a lifting module 30 and preferably with a sensor 73 for detecting folded sheet stacks 4 passing through and with a counter 74 for counting the stacks. The counting can serve to identify when a docked storage module is fully loaded or when a further storage module has to be loaded.

[0072] The system 20 also includes a machine 10, for example a saddle stitcher, an adhesive binder or a thread binder with a plurality of lifting modules 31, a plurality of feeders 11 with feed directions 12 and preferably with a collating section 13.

[0073] The system finally includes a pool of storage modules 40 which can be moved back and forth between the two machines 1 and 10 as a function of the production. The operation of the system 20 or the production can be monitored and controlled by the computer 70: the computer 70 is connected to both machines 1 and 10 via respective connections 71 and 72, preferably wirelessly. The computer 70 also identifies the loading state of the individual storage modules 40, i.e. which folded sheets 4 are put into storage in which modules 40. The computer can display to the operator which module 40 (these can be numbered consecutively, for example, or coded in a different manner by known measures) has to be docked at which time on which module 30; this can take place, for example, via display devices on the modules 30. If the modules 40 are optionally configured as DTVs (driverless transport vehicles) the control of the production can also take place autonomously, i.e. without the operator.

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of a sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment with a storage module, a lifting module and a folding machine or the delivery arm thereof and diagrammatically the sequence of putting into storage during operation. While in FIG. 1 the storage is flat, in FIG. 5 the storage is upright.

[0075] The upright storage can be expedient if the machine 1 located upstream itself includes a delivery arm for upright folded sheets 4 and the machine 10 located downstream permits the arrangement of folding sheets 4 stored upright.

[0076] The upright storage of folded sheets 4, i.e. of folded sheets which are not located substantially vertically on top of one another (are disposed as vertical stacks) but substantially horizontally, optionally with an incline adjacent to one another (are disposed as horizontal stacks) can be advantageous since optionally more folded sheets 4 per module 40 can be put into storage. The usual conveying elements 42, however, optionally have to be additionally provided with (front and optionally end) supports for the row of upright folded sheets 4; the supports can be adjustable, for example, in order to permit putting into storage and taking out of storage.

[0077] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0078] 1 Machine for folding or folding machine [0079] 2 Delivery arm [0080] 3 Delivery direction [0081] 4 Folded sheets or folded sheet stack (flat) [0082] 5 Folded sheets [0083] 6 Folded sheets or folded sheet stack (upright) [0084] 10 Machine for stitching or binding (saddle stitcher/adhesive binder/thread binder) [0085] 11 Feeder [0086] 12 Feed direction [0087] 13 Collating section [0088] 14 Post processing station (stitching or adhesive binding) [0089] 20 System formed of folding machine and saddle stitcher/adhesive binder/thread binder [0090] 30 Lifting module(s) of folding machine [0091] 31 Lifting module(s) of saddle stitcher/adhesive binder/thread binder [0092] 32 Lifting plane(s) [0093] 32a Drive of lifting level [0094] 33 Conveying element [0095] 33a Circulating belt, circulating belts [0096] 33b Rollers [0097] 34 Drive of conveying element [0098] 35 Drive of coupling device [0099] 40 Storage module(s) [0100] 41 Storage level(s) [0101] 42 Conveying element(s) [0102] 42a Circulating belt, circulating belts [0103] 42b Rollers [0104] 43 Wheels [0105] 44 Handle [0106] 45 Monitoring device [0107] 45a First monitoring element [0108] 45b Second monitoring element [0109] 50 Coupling device [0110] 51 First coupling element [0111] 52 Second coupling element [0112] 53a Docking region in folding machine [0113] 53b Docking region in saddle stitcher/adhesive binder/thread binder [0114] 60 Extendable conveying element [0115] 61 Circulating (extendable) belt [0116] 70 Computer [0117] 71 Connection to folding machine [0118] 72 Connection to saddle stitcher/adhesive binder/thread binder [0119] 73 Sensor [0120] 74 Counter [0121] 90 Movement direction storage module [0122] 91 Movement directions folded sheets/stack [0123] 92 Vertical position [0124] 93 Movement direction lifting level(s) [0125] 94 Movement direction lifting module and feeder (in the case of servicing)