Conveying apparatus for printed products

The conveying apparatus has a feed conveyor which is intended for conveying printed products against a stop. The printed products arrive at the conveying apparatus in an imbricated formation in which each printed product rests on the following printed product. The distance (A) between the stop and the directing member can be changed in time with the arriving printed products, with the result that, when the distance (A) is shortened, the directing member engages beneath the printed product respectively butting against the stop and directs it into the range of action of the removal conveyor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for, in particular, 
folded printed products that have a leading edge and a border region that 
is remote from the leading edge. The conveying apparatus includes a feed 
conveyor that conveys the printed products in an imbricated formation such 
that the leading edge contacts a stop. A removal conveyor and directing 
member are located a distance (A) upstream from the stop. The directing 
member function to direct the border region of a printed product that is 
abutting the stop to the removal conveyor. 
A conveying apparatus of this general type is disclosed in Austrian Patent 
Specification No. 240 266. This prior art device includes a feed conveyor 
that is designed as a belt conveyor and a removal conveyor that is 
likewise designed as a belt conveyor. The removal conveyor is located at a 
lower level than the feed conveyor and is driven in the opposite 
direction. The printed products, arrive at the feed conveyor in an 
imbricated formation in which each printed product rests on the preceding 
one and are fed to the removal conveyor at the end of the feed conveyor by 
said printed products being conveyed, by means of their leading edge, as 
seen in the conveying direction. When a printed product reaches the end of 
the feed conveyor it abuts against a stop that is secured to the removal 
conveyor. The printed product is directed to the removal conveyor by means 
of a brush roller which is arranged at the end of the feed conveyor. The 
brush roller acts through friction on the trailing edge of the printed 
product. The distance between the stop and the brush roller is constant 
and less than the dimension of the printed products measured from the 
leading edge to the trailing edge. 
In printing works and establishments which process printed products, there 
are situations in which the printed products arrive for further processing 
in an imbricated formation in which each printed product rests on the 
following printed product and a specific edge, for example the folded 
edge, is trailing, however the further-processing station requires that 
this specific edge be leading. A further-processing station of this type 
is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,894. The conveying 
apparatus disclosed in Austrian Patent Specification No. 240 266 is not 
suitable for processing printed products that arrive in such an imbricated 
formation. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,920 further disclose a conveying apparatus which is 
suitable for processing printed products which arrive in an imbricated 
formation in which each printed product rests on the following printed 
product. The printed products are, in this arrangement, conveyed against a 
stationary stop by means of the feed conveyor. The printed products are 
pushed downwards one after the other into an intermediate stack. The 
respectively uppermost printed product of the intermediate stack is 
gripped by a vacuum arrangement which causes the uppermost printed product 
to move, counter to the conveying direction of the feed conveyor, into the 
conveying region of the removal conveyor. A stationary, tongue-like 
directing member deflects the now leading edge of the printed product into 
the inlet of the conveying nip of the removal conveyor. This prior art 
conveying apparatus is used, in particular, for processing printed 
products that arrive in imbricated formation of different qualities, i.e. 
with widely varying distances between mutually corresponding edges. This 
prior art device then feeds the printed products to a further-processing 
station at the timing required by the latter. The timing of the removal 
operation is thus separate from the timing of the feed operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to develop a conveying apparatus 
of the type that it is suitable for processing printed products arriving 
in an imbricated formation in which each printed product rests on the 
following printed product. 
This object is achieved by an apparatus in which the removal conveyor and 
the directing member are arranged above the feed conveyor. The distance 
(A) between the stop and a point on the directing member diminishes in 
approximate timing with the arriving printed products. The distance (A) 
varies from a magnitude which corresponds to the dimension of the printed 
product, measured in the conveying direction, to a smaller dimension. The 
directing member engages beneath the printed product that is abutting the 
stop. 
According to the invention, the distance between the stop and the directing 
member is changed at least approximately in time with the arriving printed 
products. The timing at which the printed products are directed to the 
removal conveyor is thus linked with the timing at which the printed 
products arrive at the stop; and the formation of an intermediate stack is 
not necessary. The construction of the conveying apparatus is 
straightforward and compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The conveying apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a feed conveyor 10 which 
is designed as a belt conveyor and is driven in the conveying direction 
F.sub.1 at the speed v.sub.1. Arranged in a stationary manner adjacent to 
the end of the feed conveyor 10, on a machine framework 12, is a stop 14 
which projects into the conveying path of the feed conveyor 10. 
Upstream of the stop 14, as seen in the conveying direction F.sub.1, and 
above the essentially horizontal feed conveyor 10, a directing member 16 
is mounted, on a panel-like carrier element 18 which is arranged to the 
side of the feed conveyor 10 and is a part of the machine framework 12. 
Directing member 16 is rotated about a axis 20 which extends parallel to 
the conveying plane 10' determined by the feed conveyor 10 and is at right 
angles with respect to the conveying direction F.sub.1. The directing 
member 16 has a solid-wheel-like mounting element 22 which, with respect 
to the feed conveyor 10, is located to the side and outside of the 
conveying region. The three web-like lifting elements 24 extend from the 
mounting element 22 and are distributed uniformly in the circumferential 
direction thereof such that they are located above the conveying region of 
feed conveyor 10. The mounting element 22 with the lifting elements 24 
resemble a cup or a drum with recesses which run in the axial direction 
from the free end of the lifting elements 24 to the counting element 22. 
The recesses are of a width, as measured in the circumferential direction, 
are approximately equal to the width of the lifting elements 24. As is 
indicated by the broken line 26, the directing member 16 is connected to a 
drive and is driven in the direction of rotation D at a circumferential 
speed v.sub.u. The direction of rotation D is selected such that the 
distance A between the stop 14 and the leading edge of lifting elements 24 
decreases as the lifting elements 24 move through the lower half of their 
circular movement path 28. During this movement, through the lower half of 
their circular path, at least one component of movement of lifting element 
24 is in the conveying direction F.sub.1. 
An elastomeric pressure-exerting belt 30 interacts with the lifting 
elements 24 in order to form a conveying nip 32. On the side of the 
directing member 16 that is closes to stop 14, the pressure-exerting belt 
30 is guided around a deflection roller 34. The diameter of roller 34 is 
smaller than the diameter of the directing member 16 and its rotary 
spindle is located approximately at the same level as the rotary axis 20. 
Beyond the first deflection roller 34, the active strand 30' of the 
pressure-exerting belt 30 extends over the top of the directing member 16 
at an angle of approximately 90.degree. and then extends, approximately 
parallel to the conveying plane 10', to a second deflection roller 36. A 
chain drive 38, which is indicated by broken lines, connects the directing 
member 16 to the second deflection roller 36 and thus to the 
pressure-exerting belt 30. A slip clutch or a friction bearing is 
preferably provided between the chain drive 38 and the pressure-exerting 
belt 30. The slip clutch attempts to drive the pressure-exerting belt 30 
at a greater velocity than it is being circulated as a result of the 
friction with the printed products. As a result buckling of the 
elastomeric pressure-exerting belt 30 in the section of the active strand 
30' between the directing member 16 and the deflection roller 36 is 
avoided. It is also contemplated that the pressure-exerting belt 30 could 
circulate freely rather than being driven. 
Counter to the conveying direction F.sub.1, the directing member 16 is 
adjoined by a removal conveyor 40 which is likewise designed as a belt 
conveyor and is driven, counter to the conveying direction F.sub.1, in the 
direction F.sub.2. An imaginary extension of the upper active strand 40' 
of said removal conveyor 40 extends above the rotary axis 20 and beneath 
the highest point of the movement path 28 of the lifting elements 24. A 
further-processing station 44, which is indicated by an arrow, is arranged 
at the end 42 of the removal conveyor 40. The conveying speed v.sub.2 of 
the removal conveyor 40 corresponds at least approximately to that 
(v.sub.1) of the feed conveyor 10. 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a freely rotating roller 46 is 
mounted on the carrier element 18 between the directing member 16 and the 
stop 14. More precisely, roller 46 is located between the directing member 
16 and the first deflection roller 34, and, in the conveying region of the 
feed conveyor 10. Also a segment of roller 46 projects above the conveying 
plane 10'. 
The feed conveyor 10 is intended for conveying, in particular, folded 
printed products 48 in an imbricated formation S.sub.1 in which each 
printed product 48 rests on the following printed product 48, as seen in 
the conveying direction F.sub.1. The respectively leading edge 50, as seen 
in the conveying direction F.sub.1, of the printed products 48 is thus 
located at the bottom and is overlapped by an intermediate portion of the 
preceding printed product 48. The trailing edge 52 of the preceding 
printed product 48 rests on the following printed product 48 and is 
accessible from above. In the example shown, the trailing edge 52 is the 
folded edge and the leading edge 50 is the cut edge. As seen in the 
conveying direction F.sub.1, the relative position of the directing member 
16 with respect to the stop 14 is selected such that the trailing edge 52 
of the printed product 48 is located approximately vertically beneath the 
rotary axis 20 and its leading edge 50 is butting against the stop 14. The 
distance of the directing member 16 from the conveying plane 10 is such 
that a lifting element 24 can engage beneath the trailing edge 52 of a 
printed product 48 the leading edge of which is butting against the stop 
and, as rotation continues, a border region 54 adjoining the edge 52 is 
lifted and is moved into the conveying nip 32. 
A roller 46, is shown in FIG. 2, that functions to bend the printed 
products 48, such that a gap 56 opens between the border region 54 of the 
printed product 48 that abuts against the stop 14 and the following 
printed product 48. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the distance 
between the conveying plane 10 and the directing member 16 may be selected 
to be somewhat greater than if there is no roller 46 present. In other 
embodiments of the invention the gap can be formed by other means, for 
example a suction arrangement acting on the printed product. 
The printed products 48 are arranged in the imbricated formation S.sub.1 
such that the distance between the trailing edges 52 of successive printed 
products 48 is at least approximately equal. This distance, between 
successive trailing edges, in conjunction with the conveying speed 
v.sub.1, determines the timing at which the printed products 48 arrive. 
The rotating speed of directing member 16 is coordinated with the arrival 
time of the printed products 48, with the result that in each case one 
lifting element 24 acts on each printed product 48. 
The mode of functioning of the conveying apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 
is as follows. The feed conveyor 10 conveys the printed products 48 in the 
conveying direction F.sub.1 such that they butt against the stop 14 one 
after the other. The distance A is reduced, as a result of the leading 
edge 50 of a printed product 48 against the stop 14 and the relevant 
lifting element 24 engaging beneath its trailing edge 52. As the directing 
member 16 continues to rotate, the work product 48 is bent in the upwards 
direction along its border region 54 and moved into the conveying nip 32. 
The printed product 48 that is retained in the conveying nip 32 between 
the relevant lifting element 24 and the pressure-exerting belt 30 is drawn 
away from the stop 14 in the direction F.sub.2 which is counter to the 
conveying direction F.sub.1. The work product 48 then moves into the range 
of action of the removal conveyor 40. The border region 54 of the 
respectively following printed product 48 is laid against the preceding 
printed product from beneath, this forming an imbricated formation S.sub.2 
in which, once again, each printed product 48 rests on the following 
printed product, but the edge which was previously located at the top and 
trailing is now located at the bottom and leading. In this imbricated 
formation S.sub.2, the printed products 48 are transported away by the 
removal conveyor 40. 
The embodiment of the conveying apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is similar 
to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the exception that the stop 
14 is fastened on the carrier element 18 which can be moved. In this 
embodiment the carrier element 18 moves, in the manner of a carriage, by 
means of a drive 60 along guide rails 58 in and counter to the conveying 
direction F.sub.1. Since deflection roller 34, of the removal conveyor 40, 
is also mounted on the carrier element 18, the length of the conveying 
section of the removal conveyor 40 changes when the carrier element 18 
moves. The roller arranged at the end 42 is mounted in a stationary 
manner. This change in length is compensated for by a length-compensating 
device 62 in the return strand. Since the stop 14 moves together with the 
carrier element 18, the length of the conveying section of the feed 
conveyor 10 also changes in the same direction as that of the removal 
conveyor 40. 
That embodiment of the conveying apparatus which is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 
operates as follows. If there are no gaps in the incoming imbricated 
formation S.sub.1, i.e. no printed products 48 are missing from said 
formation, the printed products 48 are processed while the carrier element 
18 is at a standstill in precisely the same manner as has been described 
above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. If, however, there is a gap in the 
imbricated formation S.sub.1, i.e. one or more printed products 48 are 
missing from said formation, as shown in FIG. 3, this is detected by a 
detector (not shown), which results in the directing member 16 being 
brought to a standstill as soon as the printed product 48 directly 
preceding the gap butts against the stop 14 and has the relevant lifting 
element 24 engaged beneath it. At the same time, the carrier element 18 is 
then displaced, by the drive 60, counter to the conveying direction 
F.sub.1 at the speed v.sub.2 of the removal conveyor 40, to be precise 
until the printed product 48 directly following the gap butts against the 
stop 14, FIG. 4. At this point in time, the drive 60 is stopped and the 
carrier element 18 is brought to a standstill and the directing member 16 
is once again driven in time with the arriving printed products 48. As can 
be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gap has been closed and there is thus no 
longer a gap in the imbricated formation S.sub.2. The carrier element 18 
may then be moved back in the conveying direction F.sub.1 into the initial 
position, by means of the drive 60, at a speed which is considerably lower 
than the conveying speed v.sub.1, as is indicated in FIG. 5. 
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, can also function to form gaps in the 
imbricated stream. If it is desired to create a gap, the directing member 
16 is brought to a standstill and the carrier element 18 is moved in the 
conveying direction F.sub.1 at the speed v.sub.1 until the desired gap 
size has been achieved. The carrier element 18 is then brought to a 
standstill and the directing member 16 is driven once again in time with 
the arriving printed products 48. 
The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 likewise has a feed 
conveyor 10 which is designed as a belt conveyor and is driven in the 
conveying direction F.sub.1 at the conveying speed v.sub.1. Provided at 
the end region of the feed conveyor 10 is a stop 14 which projects into 
the conveying path. The removal conveyor 40, arranged above the feed 
conveyor 10, is likewise designed as a belt conveyor and is driven in the 
counter circulation direction to the conveying direction F.sub.1 in the 
direction F.sub.2. The removal conveyor includes a directing member 160 
which is in the form of a tongue and, as seen in the conveying direction 
F.sub.2, is arranged directly upstream of the conveying belt 40. A 
pressure roller 64 interacts with the printed product 48 in the region at 
the beginning of the removal conveyor 40. The distance between the stop 14 
and the free end of the directing member 160 which faces said stop is 
designated by A. With respect to the conveying direction F.sub.1, said 
directing member 160 is located upstream of the stop 14. 
As is indicated in FIG. 6 by the double arrow 14', the stop 14 is driven 
such that it moves back and forth in time with the arriving printed 
products 48 in and counter to the conveying direction F.sub.1. The 
distance A being at least equal to, but preferably somewhat greater than, 
the dimension of the printed products 48 measured in the conveying 
direction F.sub.1 when the stop 14 is located, in the direction of the 
dashed arrow, in its end position with the distance A at a maximum. In 
this end position, of stop 14, which is indicated by the solid arrow and 
where the distance A is at a minimum, said distance is smaller than the 
dimension of the printed products 48. The removal conveyor 40 and thus the 
directing member 160 are arranged in a stationary manner. 
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the stop 14 is arranged in a fixed 
manner, whereas the tongue-like directing member 160, together with the 
adjacent deflection roller, of the removal conveyor 40, are driven such 
that they can be moved back and forth in the direction of the double arrow 
66. The tongue-like directing member 160 and the adjacent deflector rotor 
move in time with the arriving printed products 48. In that end position, 
which is indicated by the dashed arrow and, where the distance A is at a 
maximum, said distance corresponds at least to the dimension of the 
printed products 48 measured in the conveying direction F.sub.1. The 
distance A is smaller than this dimension when the directing member 160 is 
located in its end position designated by the solid arrow. A 
length-compensating device 62, is located in the return strand of the 
removal conveyor 40, for compensating for the change in length of the 
conveying section of the removal conveyor 40. 
The feed conveyors 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are also intended for 
conveying printed products 48 in an imbricated formation S.sub.1 in which 
each printed product rests on the following printed product, as seen in 
the conveying direction F.sub.1. Here too, the leading edge 50 is 
overlapped by the preceding printed product 48, the trailing edge 52 rests 
on the following printed product 48 and is accessible from above. The 
movement back and forth of the stop 14 or of the directing member 160 is 
synchronized with the timing of the arriving printed products 48 such that 
the foremost printed product 48 of the imbricated formation S.sub.1 butts, 
by means of its leading edge 50, against the stop 14 when the distance A 
is at a maximum. The subsequent reduction in this distance A means that 
the printed product 48 butting against the stop 14 is pushed, counter to 
the conveying direction F.sub.1, onto the directing member 160 in its 
border region 54. The previously trailing edge 52 now becoming the leading 
edge (FIG. 6). The free end of directing member 160 is inserted, between 
the printed product 48 butting against the stop 14 and the printed product 
following that is butting against the stop 14. Consequently, the border 
region 54, of the printed product is directed to the removal conveyor 40. 
The printed products 48 are then removed, in an imbricated formation 
S.sub.2 in which, once again, each printed product 48 rests on the 
following printed product, but the edge 52 which was previously located at 
the top and trailing is now located at the bottom and leading. For the 
sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the deflection roller at 
the end 42 of the removal conveyor 40 is driven, with the result that the 
movement back and forth of the directing member 160 and the adjacent 
deflection roller does not influence the removal of the printed products 
48. 
An embodiment of the invention is also contemplated in which the stop 14 
and the directing member 16 are both moved in time with the arriving 
printed products, equally and in opposite directions, towards one another 
and away from one another. This embodiment also includes a 
length-compensating device 62, as is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 6. 
Furthermore, the tongue-like directing member 16 could also be arranged in 
a pivotable manner, with the result that its free end always rests on the 
printed products 48. 
It should be noted that the distance between the directing member 16, in 
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the 
conveying plane 10' could be adjustable so that it is possible to process 
printed products 48 of different thicknesses.