System and method for folding printed sheets

Abstract

An apparatus for folding of print sheets includes a compressed air device that comprises at least two segments with respectively at least one exit opening having a cross-sectional surface and directed toward a folding gap of two folding rollers. Each segment is connected to a compressed air source and a control unit, includes at least one control element and is embodied to be activated separately with compressed air.

Claims

1. An apparatus for folding of a print sheet, comprising: at least one first guide element defining a guide plane in which the print sheet is made available; at least two folding rollers, arranged on a first side of the guide plane and respectively provided with one rotational axis, the rotational axes being oriented parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the guide plane, wherein a folding gap is defined between the at least two folding rollers for the print sheet to be folded when the print sheet is in a folding position over the folding gap; a compressed air source; a control unit; and a compressed air device arranged in a region of the folding gap on a second side of the guide plane opposite the first side of the guide plane and essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, wherein the compressed air device includes at least two segments respectively connected with the compressed air source and the control unit, each segment has at least one exit opening with a cross-sectional surface for the compressed air focused onto the folding gap, each segment has at least one control element coupled to the control unit, and each segment is configured to be separately activated with compressed air; wherein the at least one control element of each segment of the compressed air device comprises at least one of: at least one first control element for changing a time interval during which the at least one exit opening is admitted with compressed air, at least one second control element for changing the cross-sectional surface of the at least one exit opening, and at least one third control element for changing the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the at least one exit opening.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a transport device to move the print sheet in one of a first feeding direction that extends essentially at a right angle to the rotational axes of the folding rollers or a second feeding direction that extends essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, and the segments of the compressed air device are arranged side-by-side in the first feeding direction or one behind the other in the second feeding direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second guide element for the print sheet arranged between the at least one first guide element and the compressed air device, wherein the second guide element extends just to a region of the exit openings of the segments.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the folding position comprises one first and one second folding position successively arranged spaced apart in the second feeding direction; and further including at least first and second removal sections arranged downstream of the folding rollers, wherein the first removal section is configured to accommodate at least one print sheet in the first folding position and the second removal section is operative to accommodate at least one print sheet provided in the second folding position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the folding position includes at least one first and one second folding position arranged successively in the guide plane in the second feeding direction, and overlapping each other; and further including a joint removal section arranged downstream of the folding rollers and operative to accommodate overlapping in the feeding direction at least one print sheet provided in the first folding position and at least one print sheet provided in the second folding position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one first and at least one second end stop arranged in the guide plane, wherein the second end stop is arranged in the second feeding direction, upstream of the first end stop, and each end stop is at least one of liftable above the guide plane and lowerable below the guide plane.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compressed air device has an orientation plane, extending parallel and at a distance to the guide plane, and is arranged to be at least one of displaced and pivoted in the orientation plane.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one control element of at least one of the segments of the compressed air device is activatable by the control unit so that at least one of a time interval during which the at least one exit opening of the segment is admitted with compressed air, a cross-sectional surface of the at least one exit opening, and a pressure of the compressed air supplied to the at least one exit opening, is changeable to adapt to properties of the print sheet.

9. An apparatus for folding of a print sheet, comprising: at least one first guide element defining a guide plane in which the print sheet is made available; at least two folding rollers, arranged on a first side of the guide plane and respectively provided with one rotational axis, wherein a folding gap is defined between the at least two folding rollers for the print sheet to be folded when in the folding position and the rotational axes are oriented parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the guide plane; a compressed air source; a control unit; and a compressed air device arranged in a region of the folding gap on a second side of the guide plane opposite the first side of the guide plane and essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, wherein the compressed air device includes at least two segments respectively connected with the compressed air source and the control unit, each segment has at least one exit opening with a cross-sectional surface for the compressed air focused onto the folding gap, each segment has at least one control element coupled to the control unit, and each segment is configured to be separately activated with compressed air, wherein at least one segment of the compressed air device comprises: at least two first exit openings with identical first cross-sectional surfaces and at least two second exit openings with identical second cross-sectional surfaces, wherein the first cross-sectional surfaces of the first exit openings differ in size from the second cross-sectional surfaces of the second exit openings; at least one control element and at least one other control element for changing the time interval during which the exit openings are admitted with compressed air and for changing the cross-sectional surfaces of the exit openings, respectively, wherein the first exit openings are connected to the one control element and the second exit openings are connected to the other control element; and at least one additional control element connected to the exit openings for changing the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the exit openings.

10. A method for folding print sheets using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising: making available a print sheet to the folding position; admitting the print sheet in the region of the folding gap with a compressed air blast from the second side of the guide plane with the compressed air device and the control unit, wherein the admitting step includes triggering, with the control unit, at least one of the first, second and third control elements, so that the compressed air blast is modified by changing at least one of (a) the time interval during which the at least one exit opening of the at least one segment of the compressed air device is admitted with compressed air, (b) the cross-sectional surface of the exit opening, and (c) the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the exit opening, in dependence of properties of the available print sheet supplied to the folding position, wherein the print sheet is transported under the effect of the compressed air blast, triggered by the control unit out of the guide plane to the rotating folding rollers; and folding the print sheet on the first side of the guide plane between at least the two rotating folding rollers.

11. The method according to claim 10, including supplying the print sheet in one of (a) a first feeding direction, essentially extending at a right angle to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, wherein the admitting step includes admitting the compressed air blast in a crosswise direction to the first feeding direction, or (b) in a second feeding direction which extends essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, wherein the admitting step includes admitting the compressed air blast long the second feeding direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method includes at least one of displacing the compressed air device parallel to the guide plane and pivoting the compressed air device to compensate for a print sheet that is supplied while displaced and/or twisted in the guide plane relative to the feeding direction.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the making available step includes making the print sheet available in one of at least two folding positions arranged one behind the other in the second feeding direction, the method further including selecting the respective folding position corresponding to a specified production order and directing the compressed air blast only toward the print sheet in the selected folding position, and accommodating the print sheet after the folding operation in one of at least two removal sections.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the making available step includes making at least two successively following, spaced apart print sheets available in respectively one of at least two folding positions, arranged successively and spaced-apart in the second feeding direction, and further including selecting the respective folding position based on a specified production order and directing the compressed air blast in each case only toward the print sheet available in the selected folding position and accommodating the print sheet after the folding operation in respectively one of at least two removal sections.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the making available step includes making at least two successively following print sheets available while positioned overlapping in respectively one of at least two folding positions arranged one behind the other in the second feeding direction, and further including selecting the respective folding position according to a specified production order and directing the compressed air blast only onto the print sheet in the folding position, and accommodating the print sheets after the folding operation overlapping in a joint removal section.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the admitting step includes directing at least a second blast of compressed air toward the same print sheet following the compressed air blast, wherein at least one of the pressure and time interval for the second compressed air blast are changed, relative to the first compressed air blast.

17. The method according to claim 10, further including suppressing the compressed air blast that is focused onto an available print sheet and conveying said print sheet out of the guide plane.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein: at least one segment of the compressed air device includes at least two first exit openings, having identically large cross-sectional surfaces, and at least two second exit openings with identically large cross-sectional surfaces that differ in size from the cross-sectional surfaces of the first exit openings; and the admitting step further includes: connecting said at least one segment to at least one control element and at least one other control element for changing the time interval during which the exit openings are admitted with compressed air and changing the cross-sectional surfaces of the exit openings, respectively, wherein the time interval for admitting the first and the second exit openings with compressed air are respectively changed by activating the first exit openings with the aid of the one control element and by activating the second exit openings with the aid of the other control element; and selectively changing the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the exit openings with at least one additional control element that is connected to the exit openings.

19. An apparatus for folding of a print sheet, comprising: at least one first guide element defining a guide plane in which the print sheet is made available; at least two folding rollers, arranged on a first side of the guide plane and respectively provided with one rotational axis, the rotational axes being oriented parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the guide plane, wherein a folding gap is defined between the at least two folding rollers for the print sheet to be folded when in a folding position over the folding gap; a compressed air source; a control unit; a compressed air device arranged in a region of the folding gap on a second side of the guide plane opposite the first side of the guide plane and essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, wherein the compressed air device includes at least two segments respectively connected with the compressed air source and the control unit, each segment has at least one exit opening with a cross-sectional surface for the compressed air focused onto the folding gap, each segment has at least one control element coupled to the control unit, and each segment is configured to be separately activated with compressed air; and a transport device to move the print sheet in a feeding direction that extends essentially parallel to the rotational axes of the folding rollers, and the segments of the compressed air device are arranged one behind the other in the feeding direction, wherein the folding position comprises one first and one second folding position successively arranged spaced apart in the feeding direction; and at least first and second removal sections arranged downstream of the folding rollers, wherein the first removal section is configured to accommodate at least one print sheet in the first folding position and the second removal section is operative to accommodate at least one print sheet provided in the second folding position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, which show in:

(2) FIG. 1 A schematic view from the front of a first embodiment of the inventive apparatus for print sheets to be folded crosswise to the feeding direction;

(3) FIG. 2 A schematic view from the front of a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus, for print sheets to be folded in a longitudinal direction;

(4) FIG. 3 A schematic view, seen from the side, of a portion of an apparatus similar to FIG. 2, but showing a different exemplary embodiment with three segments for the compressed air device and with a folding position for the print sheets;

(5) FIG. 4 An enlarged schematic representation of a section through one of the segments of the compressed air device, shown in FIG. 3, revealing several exit openings arranged in a row;

(6) FIG. 5a A schematic view from the side, showing portions of a similar apparatus as the one shown in FIG. 3, but showing an additional exemplary embodiment provided with six segments for the compressed air device and two spaced-apart folding positions for the print sheets during a first method step;

(7) FIG. 5b A view corresponding to FIG. 5a, but showing a second method step;

(8) FIG. 5c A view corresponding to FIG. 5a, but showing a different exemplary embodiment with two overlapping folding positions for the print sheets;

(9) FIG. 5d A view corresponding to FIG. 5c, but showing a second method step and additionally showing printed products, arranged overlapping, which are conveyed away in a first feeding direction;

(10) FIG. 6 A view from below of the compressed air device according to FIG. 3, with exit openings that are arranged in a single row and a print sheet to be folded that has been supplied in a twisted position;

(11) FIG. 7 A view of a different exemplary embodiment, functioning in a similar manner as the one according to FIG. 6, but with exit openings arranged in three rows on the compressed air device and a print sheet for folding, supplied in a twisted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) According to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 2 according to the invention, which is designed for the cross folding of a print sheet 1, comprising respectively at least two printed pages, is provided with a guide plane 3 in which respectively one print sheet 1 to be folded is supplied and from which the print sheet 1 can be conveyed further to the folding position. The guide plane 3 is shown extending horizontally herein, but can also extend in vertical direction or be arranged at any optional angle in space which makes possible a plurality of design options, depending on the specific conditions for use. Even though only a single print sheet 1 is described herein and also in the following text for reasons of simplicity and only a single print sheet 1 is shown, at least one print sheet 1 is referred to each time, meaning it can relate to a single sheet 1 or several sheets stacked one above the other.

(13) Two folding rollers 5 are arranged on a first side 4 of the guide plane 3 which, for drawing reasons, is shown in the first embodiment below the guide plane 3. The individual rollers are provided with a separate rotational axis 6 and form a folding gap 7 between them for folding the print sheet 1 along a predetermined or also not predetermined folding line 8. The rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5 are oriented parallel to each other as well as parallel to the guide plane 3. On a second side 9 which is shown above the guide plane 3 for the example in FIG. 1 and is located opposite the first side 4 of the guide plane 3, a compressed air device 10 is arranged in the region of the folding gap 7. The compressed air device 10 of the apparatus 2 has a segmented design. It comprises at least two, preferably more than two, segments 32 which are arranged side-by-side in a first feeding direction 26, extending essentially at a right angle to the rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5. Each segment 32 is provided with at least one, preferably several exit openings 11 for the compressed air 12, which are directed toward the folding gap 7, and is connected via a compressed air line 13 to a compressed air source 14 which, in turn, is connected via a control line 15 to a control unit 16 of the apparatus 2. Each segment 32 furthermore comprises a first control element 17, e.g. embodied as a magnetic valve, for changing the time interval during which the at least one exit opening 11 is admitted with compressed air 12, as well as a second control element 18, e.g. embodied herein as a slider, for changing a cross-sectional surface 19 of this exit opening 11, and a third control element 20 that is arranged in the compressed air line 13 and is embodied, for example, as pressure-reducing valve for changing the pressure of the compressed air 12 which can be supplied to this exit opening 11. The control elements 17, 18 and 20 are connected via separate control lines 15 to the control unit 16.

(14) Arranged essentially in the guide plane 3 of the apparatus 2 is a first guide element 21 for the print sheet 1 on which the available print sheet rests and which is provided in the region of the folding gap 7 with an opening 22 for the print sheet 1 and for the compressed air 12 blown out of the exit openings 11, respectively in the form of a blast of compressed air 12. In addition to the first guide element 21, a second guide element 23 is provided for the print sheet 1, which is arranged between the first guide element 21 and the compressed air device 10 and, if applicable, can operate jointly with the first guide element 21.

(15) A guide table can be used, for example, as the first guide element 21. Of course, several small and spaced-apart guide elements can also be arranged side-by-side and/or one behind the other instead of a single guide table. As shown in FIG. 1, the first guide element 21 can be extended in the region of its opening 22 from the guide plane 3 to near the region of the folding rollers 5, so as to ensure a better guidance of the print sheet 1 toward the folding rollers 5, wherein a stationary element can also be used for the second guide element 23, such as a sheet-metal guide. The second guide element 23 extends up to the immediate region of the exit openings 11 in the segments 32, so that the two trailing ends of the print sheet 1 which is conveyed into the folding gap 7 between the folding rollers 5, can advantageously also be subjected to a defined guidance by the second guide element 23. Of course, the second guide element 23 can also consist of several small individual elements which are arranged spaced-apart, either side-by-side and/or one behind the other. In the same way as the guide plane 3 of the apparatus 2, the first and the second guide elements 21, 23 can also be arranged horizontally, vertically or at any optional angle in space, depending on the specific use requirements.

(16) The apparatus 2 finally also comprises a transport unit 24, consisting of an upper transport belt 25 and two circulating lower transport belts 25, 25 which are intended to supply the print sheets 1 in a first feeding direction 26 that extends substantially at a right angle to the rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5. The apparatus 2 can thus be used for the cross-folding of print sheets 1.

(17) Corresponding to a second exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, an inventive apparatus 2, designed for the longitudinal folding of print sheets 1 that contain respectively at least two printed pages, is provided with a second feeding device 26 for the print sheet 1 which extends parallel to the rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5 and, accordingly, also comprises a second transporting unit 24 that extends parallel to the rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5 and is provided with upper and lower transport belts 27, 27. The remaining components of the apparatus 2 for the most part correspond to those described for the apparatus 2 of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10 are arranged one behind the other in the second feeding direction 26 for the print sheet 1.

(18) During the operation of the apparatuses 2, 2, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 16 respectively transmits a pulse to the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10, for triggering a blast of compressed air 12 that is directed via the at least one exit opening 11 onto the folding line 8 of the respective print sheet 1. With the aid of the control unit 16, the time interval is changed during which the at least one exit opening 11 of the segments 32 is admitted with compressed air 12, and/or a cross-sectional surface 19 of this exit opening 11 is changed, and/or the pressure of the compressed air 12 supplied to this exit opening 11 is changed, so as to adapt to the properties of the supplied print sheet 1. The properties of the supplied print sheets 1 are known ahead of time to the control unit 16 which activates the first control element 17 and/or the second control element 18 and/or the third control element 20 if a change occurs in the properties of the print sheet 1 to be folded. In the process, the time interval during which the at least one exit opening 11 of the segments 32 is admitted with compressed air 12 is changed by activating the first control element 17. The cross-sectional surface 19 of this exit opening 11 is respectively changed by activating the second control element 18. The pressure of the compressed air 12 that can be supplied to this exit opening 11 is changed by activating the third control element 20.

(19) The blast of compressed air 12 can thus be triggered corresponding to the feeding speed of a print sheet 1, which is respectively known to the control unit 16, wherein the time until the compressed air 12 hits the folding line 8 of the print sheet 1 must be factored in. Of course, the compressed air blast 12 can also be triggered based on an actual position of the print sheet 1, e.g. detected with a sensor that is not shown. The instant of triggering the compressed air blast 12 can furthermore also be varied. Successive print sheets 1 can thus be made available in different folding positions, so that the folded print sheets 1 overlap each other in the first or in the second feeding direction 26, 26 and, if necessary, can be separated again for the further processing at the locations where they overlap.

(20) Under the effect of the administered compressed air blast 12, the print sheet 1 is guided along its folding line 8 into the folding gap 7 between the folding rollers 5 where it is folded in cross direction (FIG. 1) or in longitudinal direction (FIG. 2). The folding rollers 5 subsequently transport the folded print sheet 1 to a removal section 28, which is not shown in further detail herein.

(21) A sensor, not shown herein, can be arranged downstream of the folding rollers 5 to detect dog ears, incorrectly folded areas and the like, wherein this sensor can transmit corresponding signals to the connected control unit 16. Following an automatic evaluation of this information, the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10 and/or the respective blast of compressed air 12 can be activated accordingly to avoid future quality deficiencies of this type. The compressed air device 10 and thus also the complete apparatus 2, 2 are consequently embodied self-teaching.

(22) If a print sheet 1 which does not meet quality requirements is made available in the apparatus 2, 2 and this is detected, for example with a non-depicted sensor, the control unit 16 can suppress the pulse for triggering a compressed air blast 12, so that this print sheet 1 is transported further to a removal section 29 (FIG. 1), not shown in further detail herein, with the aid of the respective transport unit 24, 24 in the guide plane 3 and can be removed from the apparatus 2, 2. A corresponding diverter function of an upstream-arranged or a downstream-arranged device can thus advantageously be omitted.

(23) According to the additional exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 2, shown in FIG. 3, the compressed air device 10 and the folding rollers 5 are essentially embodied to have the same longitudinal extension a, b which, of course, can also be embodied differently. The segmented compressed air device 10 of the apparatus 2 comprises three segments 32 which are arranged one behind the other in the second feeding direction 26 of the apparatus 2. Of course, compressed air devices 10 having only two or more than three segments 32 can also be used. Each segment 32 of the compressed air device 10 is embodied to be activated separately with compressed air 12 and comprises an exit opening 11 for the compressed air 12. Of course, each segment 32 can also be provided with several exit openings 11 which are arranged in at least one row 31 (FIG. 4).

(24) A shown in FIG. 3, the segments 32 are connected, for example, to the compressed air source 14 by means of a separate first control element 17, also embodied as a magnetic valve, as well as respectively one compressed air line 13. In addition, the segments 32 also comprise respectively a second control element 18, e.g. embodied as a slider, and respectively a third control element 20 that is embodied as a pressure-relief valve. For reasons of clarity, all control lines 15 from the control unit 16 to the first control elements 17 and/or to the compressed air source 14 are shown, whereas only one control line 15 leading to the second and to the third control elements 18, 20 is respectively shown in the exemplary embodiment. Of course, a single compressed air line 13 for all segments 32 can also be used instead of a separate compressed air line 13 for each segment 32, or the segments 32 can be combined into groups and several segments 32 can be supplied via a joint compressed air line 13. In that case, correspondingly arranged control elements, not shown herein, ensure that the segments 32 and/or their exit openings 11 are admitted with compressed air 12.

(25) The exit openings 11 of the segments 32 each have a cross-sectional surface 19, wherein the size of the cross-sectional surfaces 19 can be changed, for example through using correspondingly adjustable apertures, not shown herein, which are controlled by the second control element 18. The shape of the cross-sectional surfaces 19 is freely selectable, meaning the cross-sectional surfaces 19 can have a circular, semi-circular or elliptical shape, but can also have a rectangular, triangular or gap-type shape. As an alternative to changing the size of the cross-sectional surfaces 19, the pressure of the compressed air 12 supplied to the exit openings 11 can also be varied by correspondingly triggering the third control element 20 with the aid of the control unit 16. Finally, the time interval for admitting the segments 32, and thus also the exit openings 11, with the compressed air 12 can alternatively or additionally also be changed.

(26) To generate a longitudinal fold in a print sheet 1 with the aid of the apparatus 2, shown in FIG. 3, the respective print sheet 1 is supplied in a clocked operation in the second feeding direction 26 while positioned in the center and parallel to the rotational axes 6 of the folding roller 5, thus also parallel to the compressed air device 10, and is made available in a folding position 33 for the folding operation. Accordingly, the control unit 16 triggers via the control lines 15 that are connected to the first control element 17 a blast of compressed air 12, which is emitted through the exit openings 11 of the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10, as soon as the respective print sheet 1 has reached the folding position 33. In dependence on the properties of the print sheet 1 which are known to the control unit 16, such as the format, the grammage, and the speed, the control unit 16 determines the pressure required for generating the compressed air blast 12 and, if applicable, correspondingly adjusts or re-adjusts this compressed air blast with the aid of the third control element 20. In addition or alternatively thereto, the cross-sectional surfaces 19 of the exit openings 11 can also be adjusted via the control unit 16 and the second control element 18, and/or the time interval for admitting the individual segments 32 and thus the duration of the compressed air blast 12 can be adjusted via the first control elements 17. The average duration of a compressed air blast 12 is approximately 5 to 10 milliseconds (ms) while the pressure used is in the range of approximately 300 to 800 kPA (3 to 8 Bar). Owing to the power exerted by the compressed air blast 12, the print sheet 1 which for the most part is multi-layered is transported out of the guide plane 3 to the rotating folding rollers 5, meaning the sheet is pressed nearly planar against the folding rollers 5. In the process, the print sheet 1 is pulled first in the region of the folding line 8, leading because of the impact of the compressed air 12, and finally completely between the folding rollers 5, meaning into the folding gap 7, is then pressed along the folding line 8 and is subsequently transported further in downward direction to the removal section 28, which is not shown in further detail herein.

(27) Owing to the fact that the cross-sectional surfaces 19 can be changed and owing to the additionally or alternatively supplied compressed air 12, supplied with a different pressure and/or time duration to the exit openings 11, the apparatus 2 can be adjusted or re-adjusted relatively easily and quickly to match the properties of the respective print sheet 1, as well as to adapt it to the requirements of a current production order.

(28) In a schematic representation that is essentially identical to the one shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a segment 32 of the compressed air device 10. The segment 32 of this additional variant comprises two separate compressed air lines 13,13 which are connected to the compressed air source 14, and are provided with control elements 17, 17 also embodied as magnetic valves, designed for changing the time interval during which the exit openings 11, 11 are admitted with compressed air 12, as well as to change the cross-sectional surfaces 19, 19 of the exit openings 11, 11. The segment 32 furthermore comprises respectively one distribution line 30, 30 that is connected to the compressed air lines 13, 13 and is arranged on the inside of the segment 32, for respectively four first and/or four second exit openings 11, 11, wherein the first exit openings 11 are connected to the one control element 17 and the second exit openings 11 are connected to the other control element 17. Of course, it is also possible to have two, three, or more exit openings which are connected to the distribution line 30 and/or the distribution line 30 in place of the respectively four exit openings 11, 11, shown herein. The cross-sectional surfaces 19, 19 of the exit openings 11, 11 belonging to the same distribution line 30, 30 are embodied identically in size, wherein the size differs from the size of the four exit openings 11, 11 belonging to the respectively other distribution line 30, 30, such that the four first exit openings 11 are each embodied with a larger cross-sectional surface 19 and the four second exit openings 11 are embodied with a smaller cross-sectional surface 19.

(29) This variant permits a relatively simple metering out of the blast of compressed air 12 coming from the segment 32. The pressure of the compressed air 12 in the segment 32 is high, for example, if both control elements 17, 17 are opened, meaning it results in a relatively strong compressed air blast 12. On the other hand, if the two control elements 17, 17 are closed then the segment 32 is inactive. A weak blast of compressed air 12 results if only the control element 17 is opened which is connected to the exit openings 11 having a small cross-sectional surface 19. A medium-strong compressed air blast 12 is generated by opening only the control element 17 that is connected to the exit openings 11 which have a larger cross-sectional surface 19. By opening or closing the two control elements 17, 17, the time interval during which the segment 32 is admitted with compressed air 12 is additionally changed. The compressed air 12 can furthermore be supplied with different pressures to the exit openings 11, 11 of the segment 32 by correspondingly triggering via the non-depicted control unit 16 an additional control element 20, e.g. embodied as pressure-relief valve and arranged in the compressed air line 13 leading to the compressed air source 14. The dash-dot lines in FIG. 4 indicate that the two compressed air lines 13, 13 are combined in this case to form the compressed air line 13.

(30) During the operation of the apparatus 2, several exit openings 11, 11 of a segment 32 which are respectively connected to the same control element 17, 17 are thus activated simultaneously with compressed air 12. By correspondingly triggering the control elements 17, 17 20, the blast of compressed air 12 from a single segment 32, from several segments, or from all segments 32 can thus be metered out easily and quickly, in accordance with the properties of the print sheet 1 that is made available in the folding position 33.

(31) Of course, the cross-sectional surfaces 19, 19 of the first and the second exit openings 11, 11 in the segment 32 of the compressed air device 10 can also be embodied identically. However, this results in only a slight gradation of the metered out compressed air blast 12, as compared to the use of the previously described, differently large cross-sectional surfaces 19, 19. In the same way, the cross-sectional surfaces 19, 19, 19 of the exit openings 11, 11, 11 in different segments 32 can be embodied to be different in size and/or the compressed air 12 to the exit openings 11, 11, 11 of different segments 32 can be supplied with compressed air having different pressures, and/or the time interval during which the different segments 32 are admitted with compressed air 12 can be selected to be different.

(32) Identical or differently strong blasts of compressed air 12 can advantageously be triggered by the segments 32, using at least one of these measures. As a result, the folding process can be adapted optimally to the aforementioned properties of a print sheet 1 ready for folding, such as grammage, format, frictional value, porosity, color assignment and the like, thus making it possible to achieve a constant and good folding quality. By using at least one of these measures, a deviation from the folding position 33 of the print sheet ready for folding can furthermore be corrected at least in part. During the cross-folding, asymmetrically folded print sheets 1, for example having different page numbers distributed over the print sheet 1, can be admitted with different blasts of compressed air 12. That is to say, locations with smaller sheet thickness are admitted with compressed air blasts 12 from the at least one exit opening 11 with a smaller cross-sectional surface 19, and/or blasts with a lower pressure, and/or blasts administered over a shorter time interval than locations having a larger sheet thickness.

(33) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the exit openings 11, 11, 11 of the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10 are arranged in a row 31, formed in a plane that is not shown herein and which extends essentially perpendicular through the guide plane 3. As a result, a print sheet 1 that is supplied in the correct position to the apparatus 2, 2, in the first or second feeding direction 26, 26, can thus be conveyed with the aid of the generated blast of compressed air 12 precisely and securely to the folding rollers 5 and can be folded therein with high quality.

(34) The additional exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b represents a schematic view from the side of an apparatus 2 for the longitudinal folding of print sheets 1, 1, wherein the control elements previously shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 have been omitted for reasons of clarity. The compressed air device 10 for this apparatus 2 is provided with three downstream arranged segments 32, as well as with three upstream arranged segments 32, and comprises two folding positions 33, 33, arranged successively in feeding direction 26 in which the print sheets 1, 1 are supplied with the second transporting unit 24, only indicated herein, and made available on the first guide element 21. To support a print sheet 1 that is made available in the first folding position 33, the apparatus 2 is provided with a first end stop 35, arranged in the guide plane 3 at the downstream end 34 of the apparatus 2. To support a print sheet 1 that is made available in the second folding position 33, at least one additional end stop 35 is arranged upstream of the at least one first end stop 35 and is positioned at a distance to the first end stop 35 which exceeds the format. Both end stops 35 and 35 are embodied such that they can be lifted up above the guide plane 3 and/or lowered below the guide plane 3. As compared to the apparatuses 2, 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 2 comprises two removal sections 28, 28 for folded print sheets 1, 1. Analogous to the apparatus 2, a first print sheet 1 is supplied in a clocked operation in the second feeding direction 26, centered and parallel to the rotational axes 6 of the folding rollers 5, meaning the print sheet is made available for the folding. However, the sheet here is made available only in one of at least two folding positions 33, 33, provided successively in feeding direction 26. The respective folding position 33, 33 is selected based on a specified production order and the blast of compressed air 12 is respectively directed only toward the print sheets 1, 1 located in the folding position 33, 33. Accordingly, the control unit 16 triggers a compressed air blast 12 via the first control element 17 which is emitted through the exit openings 11 of the segments 32 of the compressed air device 10 as soon as the print sheet 1 has reached the desired folding position 33. In the same way as for the apparatuses 2, 2, a print sheet 1, 1 that does not meet quality requirements can be conveyed further with the transport unit 24 in the guide plane 3 to the removal section 29 and can thus be removed from the apparatus 2. The first end stop 35 is thus either raised above the guide plane 3 or lowered below the guide plane. A corresponding diverter function of an upstream-arranged or downstream-arranged device can therefore be omitted with this exemplary embodiment as well.

(35) In FIG. 5a, the apparatus 2 is shown during a first method step in which initially the first print sheet 1, supplied in the guide plane 3, has arrived at the first end stop 35 and is available in the first folding position 33. At that point in time, the following second print sheet 1 has already entered at least partially the apparatus 2. In order to trigger a compressed air blast 12 and thus supply the first print sheet 1 to the folding rollers 5, only the three downstream segments 32 of the compressed air device 10, as seen in feeding direction 26, are admitted with compressed air 12 by correspondingly activating the first control elements 17, while the three upstream arranged segments 32 are deactivated. The folded first print sheet 1 is subsequently transported further with the aid of the folding rollers 5 to the first removal section 28.

(36) As a result of embodying the apparatus 2 with two folding positions 33, 33 and two removal sections 28, 28, as well as owing to the segment-by-segment admitting with compressed air from the compressed air device 10, the following print sheet 1 can advantageously already be conveyed into the apparatus 2 while the preceding print sheet 1 has not yet reached its folding position 33.

(37) The following print sheet 1 can then either be conveyed to the same folding position 33 at the first end stop 35 or, as shown in FIG. 5b for the second method step, can be made available in the second folding position 33 which is located further upstream, once the second end stop 35 has been raised up into the guide plane 3 of the apparatus 2. By correspondingly activating only the upstream-arranged segments 32 of the compressed air device 10, this print sheet 1 is subsequently also conveyed to the folding rollers 5, is folded there, and is then transferred to the second removal section 28. By dividing the print sheets 1 into two separate production flows, to be folded separately and conveyed to the separate removal sections 28, 28, the print sheets 1, 1 in the apparatus 2 can already be separated into print sheets 1, 1 belonging to the same book block to be formed later on. Based on the current production order, the apparatus 2 can thus be operated with the aid of the control unit 16 in such a way that the print sheets 1, 1 are respectively made available alternately in one of the two folding positions 33, 33 and are thus supplied to the corresponding removal section 28, 28. In addition to the previously described removal of non-folded print sheets 1, 1 with the aid of the removal section 29, it is also possible to remove folded print sheets 1, 1 that do not meet quality requirements with the aid of one of the removal sections 28, 28 while the production continues with the aid of the other removal section 28, 28.

(38) FIGS. 5c and 5d show another and similar exemplary embodiment, comprising an apparatus 2, embodied with two overlapping folding positions 36, 36 in the second feeding direction 26 and a joint removal section 37 for the overlapping print sheets 1, 1 instead of the spaced apart folding positions 33, 33 shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The two end stops 35, 35 are thus arranged spaced apart by a measure that is below the format dimensions. Depending on the further processing, a product flow 38 of folded print sheets 1, 1 which partially overlap in the second feeding direction 26 can thus be generated in the joint removal section 37, wherein these print sheets later on form a joint book block or can also be separated again. Of course, a non-depicted second product flow of print sheets 1, 1 that partially overlap in the second feeding direction 26 can also be generated with this apparatus 2 by repeatedly supplying successive print sheets 1 in the first folding position 36 and/or by repeatedly and successively supplying print sheets 1 in the second folding position 36. With this second product flow, several successively following print sheets 1 and/or several successively following print sheets 1 can furthermore partially overlap crosswise to the second feeding direction 26.

(39) With the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, as well as in FIGS. 5c and 5d, the compressed air blast 12 can also be triggered prior to reaching the respective folding position 33, 33, 33, 36, 36, so as to reinforce the print sheet 1, 1 with a deformation thus occurring crosswise to the feeding direction 26, such that the danger of a deformation in feeding direction 26, resulting from the impacting of the print sheet 1, 1 with the end stops 35,35, can be excluded.

(40) With a corresponding design for the second transport unit 24, for example comprising upper and lower transport belts 25, 25, 25, the apparatus 2 (FIGS. 5a and 5b) as well as the apparatus 2 (FIGS. 5c and 5d) can, of course, also be operated without the end stops 35, 35. In that case, the print sheets 1, 1 are supplied exclusively with the aid of the second transport unit 24 and the guide elements 21, 23 to the respective folding position 33, 33, 36, 36. The end stops 35 and 35 can then optionally function to help make available the print sheets 1, 1.

(41) As indicated by double arrows in FIG. 6, the compressed air device 10 that is also divided into three segments 32 is embodied, for example, so as to be displaceable with the aid of a motor and/or pivoting in an orientation plane 39 which extends parallel and at a distance to the guide plane 3, not shown herein, of the apparatus 2. As a result, a print sheet 1 that is supplied while somewhat displaced or unaligned, relative to the apparatus 2, meaning the folding line 8 deviates from the row 31 of exit openings 11, can be admitted precisely with compressed air 12 along the folding line 8 and can thus be conveyed into the folding gap 7 between the folding rollers 5, which is not shown herein. The respective offset, meaning the absolute amount for the offset or misalignment of the print sheet 1 in the guide plane 3 is detected with sensors that are not shown herein and is transmitted further to the control unit 16. Following this, the control unit 16 activates a servomotor, also not shown herein, which displaces and/or pivots the compressed air device 10 in the orientation plane 39, thereby compensating for the offset of the print sheet 1.

(42) Alternative to the solution presented in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows a different exemplary embodiment having a compressed air device 10 that is also provided with three segments 32, for which the exit openings 11 are arranged in three rows 31, 31 31 that extend parallel to the folding gap 7. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, if an offset of the print sheet 1 to be folded in the guide plane 3 is detected with the aid of sensors, not shown herein, the compressed air device 10 need not be displaced and/or pivoted in an orientation plane 39 for adapting the position of the exit openings 11. Rather, it is sufficient for correcting said offset to correspondingly trigger the exit openings 11 in the respective rows 31, 31, 31, which are admitted segment-by-segment and parallel to the folding gap 7 with compressed air 12. For correcting the offset of the print sheet 1 that is shown in FIG. 7, for example, the exit openings 11 in the first row 31 of the upstream arranged segment 32, the exit openings 11 arranged in the second row 31 of the center segment 32, and the exit openings 11 in the third row 31 of the downstream arranged segment 32 could be triggered with the aid of compressed air 12. To realize this solution, the exit openings 11 in the compressed air device 10 could, of course, also be arranged in two rows 31 or in more than three rows, which are respectively oriented parallel to the folding gap 7, and could also be arranged in more than three segments 32.

(43) For all exemplary embodiments and to improve the folding quality, in particular to avoid dog ears in the folded print sheets 1, 1, 1 as a result of the compressed air blast 12, at least one second compressed air blast 12 can be directed toward the same print sheet 1 (see FIGS. 1 to 5c), for which the pressure and/or the time interval is preferably selected to be different as compared to the first compressed air blast. As a result, the folding quality of the print sheet can be improved further.

(44) It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.