Method and apparatus for forming advertising media compilations

A method and an apparatus for forming advertising media compilations respectively consisting of one envelope and a plurality of inserts. Each advertising medium suitable for use as an envelope for an advertising media compilation to be formed is recorded in a computer-aided machine control. For each recorded advertising medium, an offset value is defined which corresponds to the required projecting length, relative to the associated inserts, wherein this offset value is used for forming the required projecting length in case of a changeover from one advertising media compilation to another advertising media compilation having an envelope that differs from the first envelope. The apparatus is respectively provided for this with a separate drive unit, connected to the computer-aided machine control, for at least one of the separating out and feeding elements and to the conveying element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed herein to Swiss Application No. 00892/16, filed Jul. 13, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for forming advertising media compilations with respectively one envelope and a plurality of inserts constituting advertising media and a corresponding apparatus for forming advertising media compilations.

Swiss patent document CH 00073/15, with a filing date earlier than the above claimed priority date, discloses such a method and an apparatus for forming advertising media compilations. An advertisement medium is respectively used for the printed products to be combined into advertising media compilations, meaning the envelope as well as the inserts. To simplify the description, the respective advertising media are here either referred to as envelopes or inserts, depending on their use.

Corresponding to this method, the envelope and the inserts are respectively pulled by a separating or feeding element from a respective stack of advertising media in an area of a gathering section and are successively deposited separately, one on top of the other, onto a conveying element moving in a transporting direction. For this, a leading edge of the envelope is respectively deposited in the transporting direction offset to the leading edges of the inserts, to form a projecting length of the envelope, relative to the inserts. The inserts are deposited one on top of the other to form an insert stack, such that the leading edges of the inserts form at least approximately a joint folding edge, wherein the projecting length of the envelope resting flat on the conveying element is folded along the joint folding edge and at least partially around the stack of inserts to form the advertising media compilation which is then transported away for further processing. Thus, the projecting length is not fitted around the trailing region of the inserts for an advertising media compilation to be produced, nor around the side edges. Together with the same and other advertising media compilations, advertising media compilation is then generally distributed to a wholesale distributor and finally to the end customers. Of course, a direct sale to the end customers can also take place.

Depending on the advertising media compilation to be produced, meaning the required envelope for it, a different separating out and feeding element arranged in the region of the gathering section is used for feeding the envelope. In other words, it can happen that the first and additional separating out and feeding elements are not operated, so that the second separating out and feeding element in the transporting direction or a downstream arranged separating out and feeding element, for example, supplies the advertising medium used for the envelope. Supplying the envelope thus always occurs with the first separating out and feeding element that supplies the conveying element.

When changing the production from an advertising media compilation using a first envelope to one using a second envelope that differs from the first envelope, an optional, different separating out and feeding element can separate out an envelope from a corresponding stack of advertising media and transport it to the conveying element, wherein optional, different separating out and feeding elements can also supply inserts from other advertising media stacks.

However, it has proven a disadvantage that for such a change in the production the apparatus must be stopped and a different offset must be input for the leading edge of the new envelope, relative to the leading edges of the corresponding inserts of the second advertising media compilation, via an input means such as a human-machine interface. This has a negative effect of the processing capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention therefore is to provide a method and an apparatus for forming advertising media compilations, composed respectively of an envelope and several inserts, for which the changeover from an advertising media compilation with a first envelope to a following one with an envelope that differs from the first envelope is made possible without having to stop the apparatus and without manual input of the offset for the respectively used additional envelope, thus ensuring a higher processing capacity.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming advertising media compilations with respectively one envelope and a plurality of inserts each constituting advertising media which, in one embodiment, comprises: depositing the inserts individually and successively, one above the other, in a region of a gathering section onto a conveying element moving in a conveying direction; depositing a first envelope onto the conveying element with a leading edge of the first envelope in the conveying direction offset to leading edges of inserts associated with the first envelope to form a projecting length of the first envelope relative to the inserts, wherein the inserts are deposited to form an insert stack such that the leading edges of the inserts in the insert stack form at least approximately a joint folding edge; folding the projecting length of the first envelope along the joint folding edge of the inserts and subsequently folding the projecting lengths at least partially around the insert stack to form a first advertising media compilation; transporting the first media compilation away for further processing; subsequently forming a second advertising media compilation with a second envelope and inserts associated with the second envelope, wherein the second envelope differs from the first envelope and the second advertising media compilation is formed essentially in the same way as the first advertising media compilation; recording each envelope used for forming an advertising media compilation in a computer-aided machine control, including recording a defined offset value that corresponds to the projecting length relative to the inserts associated with each envelope to form the projecting length for each envelope; and using the offset value during a changeover from the first advertising media compilation to the subsequent second advertising media compilation having the envelope that differs from the first envelope.

Thus, with the method according to the invention for forming advertising media compilations, the envelopes and advertising media used as inserts are deposited separately and successively, one on top of the other, along a gathering section onto a conveying element moving in transporting direction. In the process, a leading edge of an envelope is deposited offset to the leading edges of the associated inserts, as seen in conveying direction, to form a projecting length of the envelope relative to the inserts. The inserts are deposited one above the other, such that they form a stack of inserts with an approximately joint folding edge, wherein the projecting length of the envelope resting flat on the conveying element is folded along the folding edge and then subsequently folded at least partially around the stack of inserts to form the advertising media compilation, which is then transported away for further processing. A following advertising media compilation with an envelope that differs from the first envelope and associated inserts is formed essentially in the same way as the previous advertising media compilation. Each advertising medium suitable for use as envelope for an advertising media compilation is recorded in a computer-aided machine control and an offset value is defined for each recorded advertising medium, which corresponds to the required projecting length, relative to the associated inserts. This offset value is used for a changeover from one advertising media compilation to a following advertising media compilation to be formed, which uses an envelope that differs from the first envelope to form the required projecting length.

Accordingly, when successively forming several advertising media compilations, a changeover can be made from a first advertising media compilation with a first envelope to a following advertising media compilation with an envelope that differs from the first envelope without having to stop the apparatus and without manual input of the offset value for the respectively required envelope. Corresponding to the following advertising media compilation to be formed, the additional envelope can thus automatically be made available with the required projecting length, relative to the associated inserts, and a higher processing capacity can be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the inventive method, the envelopes and the inserts are respectively separated out of a stack of advertising media, prior to being deposited on the conveying element, and are subsequently transported to the conveying element. In this way, the forming of the advertising media compilations can advantageously be uncoupled from the printing of the envelopes and the inserts. Advertising media produced at different times and on different printing presses and gathered into stacks can thus be used for the envelopes and inserts.

According to a different embodiment of the inventive method, the projecting length of the leading edge of an envelope, relative to the leading edges of the associated inserts, is formed during a separating out from a stack of the respective envelopes or a separating out from stacks of the associated inserts. Two alternatives are thus provided, which can be used according to the corresponding boundary conditions.

According to one alternative embodiment of the inventive method, the projecting length of the edge of an envelope, relative to the leading edges of the associated inserts, is formed while the respective envelope or the associated inserts are transported to the conveying element. Additional options are thus provided which can also be used depending on the specified boundary conditions.

Another alternative embodiment of the inventive method provides that the projecting length of the leading edge of an envelope, relative to the leading edges of the associated inserts, is formed during the transport of the respective envelope or the associated inserts on the conveying element. These alternative solutions provide further options for forming the projecting length, which can also be used depending on the prevailing conditions at the location.

According to a different embodiment of the inventive method, the projecting length of the leading edge of a different envelope, relative to the leading edges of the associated inserts, is formed by accelerating the envelope as compared to the first envelope, or by an earlier movement of the additional envelope during the separating out from the respective stack, or during the transport to the conveying element, or during the transport on the conveying element. Alternatively, this projecting length, as compared to the first envelope, results from a delay or from a later movement of the inserts belonging to the additional envelope during the separating out from the respective stack, or during the transport to the conveying element or during the transport on the conveying element. These alternative solutions create further additional options for forming the projecting length, which can be used depending on the prevailing conditions at the location.

According to another embodiment of the inventive method, the projecting length of an envelope may be transported with the conveying element into the region where a deflection chamber is located where it is admitted by a pneumatic or mechanical deflection element and deflected into the deflection chamber. During the further transport of the envelope in the transporting direction, the projecting length of the envelope is turned over counter to the transporting direction, but only along the folding edge of the insert stack, so that the projecting length comes to rest against the insert stack. While the solution with the pneumatic deflection element does not have a mechanical jamming source and is less subject to malfunctions, the use of a mechanical deflection element may be used for multi-page, rigid envelopes.

According to yet another embodiment of the inventive method, the envelope is deposited on the conveying element prior to depositing the inserts for the advertising media compilation. With this method, the envelope advantageously forms the base for depositing the inserts.

As an alternative, the envelope can also be deposited after the inserts for the advertising media compilation have been deposited on the conveying element. A method of this type is relatively independent of the type and manner of gathering the inserts. For example, these can be gathered ahead of time in a separate process before being deposited jointly on the conveying element and provided with the envelope.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for forming advertising media compilations composed of respectively one envelope and a plurality of inserts which, in one embodiment, comprises: a gathering section; a conveying element moving in a conveying direction; separating out and feeding elements arranged successively along the gathering section to gather advertising media for use for envelopes or for respectively associated inserts, wherein the separating out and feeding elements are operative for depositing the inserts one above the other to form an insert stack so that leading edges of the inserts in the conveying direction form at least approximately a joint folding edge, the separating out and feeding elements being further operative to deposit an envelope so that a leading edge of the envelope is offset in the conveying direction with respect to the leading edges of the respectively associated inserts to form a projecting length of the envelope relative to the inserts; a deflection chamber arranged downstream of the gathering section and a deflection device for inserting the projecting length of the envelope into the deflection chamber, wherein the conveying element is structured at least in a region of the deflection chamber so that the envelope and the inserts rest flat on the conveying element, and wherein the deflection device is operative to fold the projecting length of the envelope along the folding edge; a folding device arranged downstream of the deflection chamber to further fold the projection length at least partially around the insert stack to form the advertising media compilation; a conveying device arranged downstream of the folding device to carry away the advertising media compilation for further processing; a computer-aided machine control; and at least one individual drive unit for at least one of the separating out and feeding elements and the conveying element, each individual drive unit being connected to the computer-aided machine control.

Thus, the apparatus according to the invention for forming advertising media compilations comprises a gathering section with a conveying element movable in a transporting direction. Several separating out and feeding elements for advertising media usable as envelopes or associated inserts are arranged successively along the gathering section. The separating out and feeding elements are embodied such that the inserts can be deposited one above the other to form a stack, so that the leading edges of the inserts form at least approximately a joint folding edge and the leading edge of the envelope can be deposited in conveying direction offset to the leading edges of the respective inserts, such that a projecting length of the envelope is formed relative to the inserts. A deflection chamber and a deflection device which inserts the projecting length of the envelope into the deflection chamber are arranged downstream of the gathering section. At least in the region of the deflection chamber, the conveying element is embodied such that the envelope as well as the inserts rest flat on the conveying element. The deflection device is operative to fold the projecting length of the envelope along the folding edge. Downstream of the deflection chamber, a folding device is arranged to further fold the projecting length at least partially around the insert stack to form the advertising media compilation, which is then transported away by a conveying device for further processing. A computer-aided machine control and respectively at least one thereto connected individual drive unit are provided for the separating out and feeding elements and/or for the conveying element.

In the same way as for the corresponding method, the apparatus permits the changeover from an advertising media compilation using a first envelope to one that uses a different, second envelope without stopping of the apparatus and without manual input of the offset for the respectively needed envelope. Owing to the arrangement of the individual drive units, the projecting length of the leading edge of a different envelope, relative to the leading edges of the associated inserts, can be formed during the separating out of the respective envelope from the stack, or the separating out of the individual inserts from the stacks, or alternatively also automatically while positioned on the conveying element. A higher capacity can thus be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the separating out and feeding elements are respectively provided with a device for accommodating a stack of advertising media that can be used as envelopes or inserts. Alternatively, a device of this type is arranged upstream of the separating out and feeding elements. By using a corresponding device, forming the advertising media compilations can be uncoupled from the printing of the envelopes and inserts. Stacked envelopes and inserts can thus be used which are produced at different points in time and on different printing presses.

According to a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus, respectively one guide member is positioned between the separating out and feeding elements and the conveying element. Each guide member is drive-connected to the individual drive unit of the respective separating out and feeding element or is provided with a separate individual drive unit that is connected to the machine control. With this embodiment, the projecting length can be formed with the guide members, so that forming the projecting length during the separating out operation can be dispensed with.

According to yet another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the conveying element is provided with several successively arranged conveying sections, and each conveying section comprises an individual drive unit that is connected to the machine control. With this embodiment, the projecting length can be formed advantageously on the conveying sections of the conveying element and need not be formed during the separating out or conveying with the guide members.

In one embodiment, the deflection device includes a pneumatic or a mechanical deflection element. Whereas a pneumatic deflection element does not cause any jams and is thus more tolerant to defects, a mechanical deflection element is may be used for multi-page, rigid envelopes.

According to a further embodiment of the inventive apparatus, a separating out and feeding element for an envelope is first arranged along the gathering section and separating out and feeding elements for inserts are arranged in the transporting direction downstream. If the envelope is supplied first and then the inserts, based on this embodiment of the gathering section, the latter can be deposited on the envelope.

A different embodiment of the inventive apparatus provides that the separating out and feeding elements for advertising media used for the inserts are first arranged along the gathering section and are followed by a separating out and feeding element for an advertising medium usable as envelope. An alternative technical solution is thus offered which can be advantageous technically and/or economically, depending on the specific requirements of the producer of the advertising media compilation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an apparatus40for combining an envelope1with several advertising media embodied as inserts2,3,4to form an advertising media compilation5. Apparatus40comprises a gathering section6, with separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D arranged along the gathering section, above a conveying element9, embodied as a conveying element guided in a transporting direction7around deflection rolls8. Downstream of the gathering section6, a folding device10is arranged for the envelope1of the advertising media compilation5and even further downstream, a conveying away device11for the advertising media compilation5.

The separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D include respectively one device A′, B′, C′, and D′, for example embodied as a stacking magazine, for respectively accommodating a stack a, b, c, d of advertising media that can be used as the envelope1or as the inserts2,3,4. Alternatively, a device A′, B′, C′ and D′ (not shown herein) can be arranged upstream of the separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D.

The apparatus40also comprises a computer-aided machine control29and, connected thereto, an individual drive unit30for each of the separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D. A separate drive unit31for the conveying element9is also provided alternatively or additionally.

Respectively one guide member A″, B″, C″, D″ for supplying the advertising media to the conveying element9is arranged between the separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D and the conveying element9. Each guide member A″, B″, C″, D″ is drive-connected either to the individual drive unit30of the respective separating out and feeding element A, B, C, D or comprises a separate individual drive30″ (shown with dashed lines) that is connected to the machine control29. Of course, an apparatus embodied without a guide member A″, B″, C″ D″ can also be used, for which the advertising media are moved by the separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D directly to the conveying element9.

As shown in the enlarged representation inFIG. 2, a second conveying element13that circulates around deflection rolls12and is embodied as a conveying belt is arranged at a distance above the first conveying element9, downstream of the gathering section6, and a third conveying element15adjoins the second conveying element13in the transporting direction7, which is also embodied as conveying belt, is arranged at a distance above the first conveying element9, and circulates around deflection rolls14. The conveying elements9,13,15can comprise respectively a single conveying belt or several conveying belts with intermediate spaces. Of course, chains, toothed belts or similar conveying means can also be used for the conveying elements9,13,15.

An essentially identical vertical distance16exists between the second conveying element13and the first conveying element9and/or between the third conveying element15and the first conveying element9, wherein this distance corresponds to the thickness of the advertising media compilation5and can be adapted automatically to the thickness of an advertising media compilation5that differs from a following production order by correspondingly lowering or raising the first conveying element9.

The folding device10, arranged downstream of the gathering section6, comprises the third conveying element15, which circulates around the deflection rolls14and adjoins the second conveying element13in the transporting direction7, as well as the portion of the first conveying element9which is arranged below the third conveying element15.

A deflection chamber20is positioned between the gathering section6and the folding device10, more precisely between the downstream deflection roll12of the second conveying element13and the upstream-arranged deflection roll14of the third conveying element15, and is therefore arranged above the conveying element9. A deflection device17is arranged in the region of the first conveying element9which comprises a pneumatic deflection element in the form of a compressed-air nozzle that is connected to a non-depicted compressed-air source and has at least one discharge opening18. For triggering the compressed-air jet18′ coming from the at least one discharge opening18, a magnetic valve can be positioned inside a compressed-air line, not show herein, which is connected to the compressed-air source and the compressed-air nozzle and can be connected to the machine control29(seeFIG. 1). The at least one discharge opening18and thus the compressed-air jet18′ is focused in this case onto the deflection chamber20, arranged above the deflection device17. Below the upstream-arranged deflection roll14of the third conveying element15, a pressing roll21can also be arranged which cooperates with the deflection roll14for compressing the advertising media compilation5.

The device11for transporting away the advertising media compilation5is formed by the first conveying element9and the third conveying element15and/or their downstream arranged deflection rolls8,14, respectively. A diverter, not shown herein, for removing incomplete or defective advertising media compilations5can be arranged downstream of the transporting away device11.

During the operation of the apparatus40, an envelope1is first separated out with the aid of a separating out and feeding element A from a stack a of advertising media used as envelopes and is transported along a single guide member A″ indicted inFIG. 1or between two guide members A″ (not shown), to the first conveying element9where it is deposited in a defined position with at least approximately the same speed as the movement speed of the first conveying element9.

In a following step, the second separating out and feeding element B is used to separate out a first insert2from a stack b of advertising media used as first inserts2and is transported along a single guide element indicated inFIG. 1, or between two guide members B″ (not shown), to the first conveying element9where it is deposited offset, counter to the transporting direction7, on the envelope1already positioned on the conveying element9and moving in the transporting direction7, such that a leading edge22of the envelope1has a projecting length24, relative to a leading edge23of the first insert2, as seen in the transporting direction7. This offset of the envelope1and/or the first insert2is realized by correspondingly triggering the respective individual drive30.

In a further step, the third separating out and feeding element C separates out a second insert3from a stack c of advertising media used as second inserts3and transports it along a single guide member C″ indicated inFIG. 1or between two guide members C″ (not shown) to the first conveying element9and deposits this insert on the envelope1, already positioned on the first conveying element9and conveyed in the transporting direction7, as well as on the first insert2, positioned offset from the envelope, to form an insert stack39(FIG. 2). The leading edge23of the first insert2and a leading edge25of the second insert3are aligned essentially flush in the transporting direction7.

In a following step, a third insert4is separated out via the fourth separating out and feeding element D from a stack d of advertising media used as third inserts4and transported along a single guide member D″ indicated inFIG. 1, or between two non-depicted guide members, to the first conveying element9, is deposited on the envelope already positioned on the first conveying element9and transported in transporting direction7, as well as on the first and second inserts2,3previously positioned offset from the envelope to form an insert stack39, such that the leading edge23of the first insert2, the leading edge25of the second insert3and a leading edge26of the third insert4are aligned essentially flush in the conveying direction7.

The essentially flush aligned, leading edges23,25,26of the first, the second and third inserts2,3,4, which are offset relative to the leading edge of the envelope1, form at least approximately a folding edge27around which the projecting length24of the envelope1is folded in a following operational step in the folding device10. In the process, the leading projecting length24of the envelope1is first admitted downstream of the gathering section6and is deflected upward with the compressed air jet18′ into the region of the deflection chamber20between the downstream deflection roll12of the second conveying element13and the upstream deflection roll14of the third conveying element15(FIG. 2). During the further transport in the transporting direction7of the envelope1and the inserts2,3,4, deposited offset thereon, the folding edge27of the inserts2,3,4which is formed by the leading edges23,25,26is pressed against the lower region of the projecting length24of the envelope1which is deflected upward, so that the projecting length24is then folded around this joint folding edge27, as well as in part around the insert stack39, because of the effect of the deflection roll14of the third conveying element15. The advertising media compilation5, formed in this way with the envelope1and thereon positioned inserts2,3,4, is conveyed further in the transporting direction7between the first conveying element9and the third conveying element15, is further folded along the folding edge27in the process, and is finally discharged in the region of the device11for the further processing.

The further processing can involve, for example, covering the individual advertising media compilations5with foil, or forming a joint stack of several advertising media compilations5with or without subsequent foil covering, but can also involve simply the transport to an intermediate storage area. For this, the advertising media compilation5can initially be provided, via an inkjet printer, with machine-readable and/or person readable information, for example information relating to the further processing, the delivery, or the recipient and can furthermore be personalized or regionalized. In addition, the advertising media compilation5can also be electrostatically blocked to prevent a displacement of the inserts2,3,4during a subsequent processing step.

FIG. 3shows an alternative for deflecting the projecting length24of the envelope1into the deflection chamber20. Instead of the pneumatic deflection element19according toFIG. 2, which releases a compressed air jet18′, the deflection device17in this case can be a mechanical deflection element19′ in the form of a bent metal sheet and can be swiveled or moved as needed into the conveying path of the envelope1on the first conveying element9.

Of course, the gathering section6is not restricted to the previously described number of advertising media separated out by a separating out and feeding element A for use as an envelope1and three separating out and feeding elements B, C, D for the inserts2,3,4, but can have an optional number of separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D for the advertising media used as envelope and inserts, depending on the order spectrum of the producer of advertising media compilations5. The same advertising media can additionally be used either for the envelope1or for the inserts2,3,4, depending on the advertising media compilation to be produced.

FIG. 4shows how different advertising media compilations5′ can be produced successively with the apparatus40as compared with the advertising media compilations5shown inFIG. 1. In the process, the advertising media compilation5′, using an envelope1′, which differs from a first envelope1, and the associated inserts2′,3′, is essentially produced in the same way as the previous advertising media compilation5. Since each stack a, b, c, d contains respectively the same advertising media, but the different stacks a, b, c, d among themselves contain different advertising media, which are additionally used either for the envelope1,1′ or the inserts2,3,4,2′,3′, depending on the advertising media compilation5,5′ to be formed, the respective operational sequence differs in detail.

For example, if a first advertising media compilation5was initially formed according toFIG. 1, then a following advertising media compilation5′ can be produced according toFIG. 4by not operating the first separating out and feeding element A and, instead, using the second separating out and feeding element B the in transporting direction7to supply an advertising medium used as envelope1′ that differs from the envelope1and using the separating out and feeding elements C, D to supply advertising media which are used for the inserts2′,3′. Because inFIG. 4, only two inserts2′,3′ are combined to form an insert stack39′ and the advertising media compilation5′ to be formed has a folding edge27′ that is composed only of the leading edges23′,25′ of the inserts2′,3′, and is thus thinner than the previously formed advertising media compilation5, a smaller projecting length24′ has proven sufficient. In addition to the thickness of the advertising media5,5′ to be formed, the necessary projecting length24,24′ also depends on the format and the material of the advertising media used for the envelope or inserts.

To produce different advertising media compilations5,5′ with the above-described apparatus40, each advertising medium suitable for use as envelope1,1′ is first recorded in the computer-aided machine control29. Not suitable for use as an envelope, for example, is an advertising medium composed of a thick or otherwise hard to fold material or which is located in the transporting direction7in the last stack d of the apparatus40. For each recorded advertising medium, an offset value is then defined that corresponds to the required projecting length24,24′, relative to the associated inserts2,3,4,2′,3′. This offset value is used to compute the required projecting length24,24′ for the changeover from one advertising media compilation5to a following advertising media compilation5′ to be produced, which uses an envelope1′ that differs from the envelope1.

The individual drive units30of the separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D and/or the individual drive unit31of the first conveying element9are actuated with the respective offset value recorded in the computer-aided machine control29. The projecting length24′ of a leading edge22′ of a different envelope1′, relative to the leading edges23′,25′ of the associated inserts2′,3′, can thus be formed during the separating out from the stack b of the advertising medium used as envelope1′, or during the separating out of the associated inserts2′,3′ from the stacks c, d. Alternatively, or also in connection therewith, the projecting length24′ can also be formed via the guide members B″, C″, D″, meaning during the transport of the additional envelope1′ or the associated inserts2′,3′ to the conveying element9or also during the transport on the conveying element9.

The projecting length24′ of the additional envelope1′ can thus be formed through acceleration, as compared to the first envelope1, or an earlier movement of the additional envelope1′ during the separating out from the stack b, or its transport to the conveying element9, or during the transport on the conveying element9. As an alternative, the projecting length24′ of the additional envelope1′ can also be formed with a delay as compared to the inserts3,4of the first advertising medium5, or a later movement of the additional inserts2′,3′ of the envelope1′ during the separating out from the respective stack c, d, or the transport to the conveying element9, or during the transport on the conveying element9.

Even thoughFIG. 4shows that the first separating out and feeding element A, for example, is not operational and that the second separating out and feeding element B in the transporting direction7supplies an advertising media used as envelope1′, an optional downstream arranged separating out and feeding element can also be used for feeding an envelope when using an apparatus40composed of more than the illustrated four separating out and feeding elements A, B, C, D. In general, the respectively first separating out and feeding element that feeds the conveying element9supplies an advertising medium used as envelope1,1′ and the separating out and feeding elements arranged further downstream supply advertising media used as inserts to the conveying element9.

Since the deflection means17and the folding device10are connected to the machine control29, a decision can be made selectively and based on the production order whether to use the previously described joining of an envelope1,1′ with several inserts2,2′,3,3′,4to form an advertising media compilation5,5′, or whether to pass through the folding device10without a folding operation. In the process, an insert2,2′,3,3′4that is not combined with an envelope1,1′ to form an advertising media compilation5,5′ can be positioned during the further processing below or above an advertising media compilation5,5′ and can be delivered jointly therewith to the client. Of course, very different combinations of advertising media compilations5,5′ and additional inserts2,3,4can be generated in this way.

FIG. 5shows a variant of the apparatus40for which the conveying element9comprises several successively arranged conveying sections9′ and each conveying section9′ is provided with an individual drive unit32that is connected to the machine control29. With this variant, the projecting length24can advantageously be formed along the conveying sections9′ of the conveying element9, so that it is not necessary to form the projecting length24during the separating out with the separating out and feeding element A, B, C, D or during the conveying with the guide member A″, B″, D″.

Alternative to using a separating out and feeding element A, B for an envelope1,1′, and/or to using one or several separating out and feeding elements B, C, D for supplying inserts2,3,4,2,3′, the gathering section6can also be connected directly with one or a plurality printing presses, in particular digital printing presses, and can be supplied by the one or plurality of digital printing presses with the envelope1,1′ and/or with inserts2,3,4,2′,3′.

Even though the respective envelope1,1′ and the associated inserts2,3,4,2′,3′ are shown for drawing reasons spaced apart in the figures, they are actually positioned in contact with and one above the other. In the same way, the spacing between the respective envelope1,1′ and the associated inserts2,3,4,2′,3′, relative to the respective conveying means, is only for drawing reasons, meaning the partial products/products are actually in contact with the conveying means for the conveying.

FIGS. 7 to 11schematically illustrate the operating steps for producing an advertising media compilation5with an apparatus40that corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

According toFIG. 7, the advertising medium withdrawn by the separating out and feeding element A, not shown herein, and deposited on the first conveying element9as envelope1for the advertising media compilation5to be formed is conveyed in conveying direction7. An additional conveying element28is optionally arranged above the envelope1to effectively prevent the envelope1from being displaced on the first conveying element9. The additional conveying element28and the second conveying element13can be combined into a single conveying element.

FIG. 8shows the advertising media used as inserts2,3,4, which are deposited offset by the non-depicted separating out and feeding elements B, C, D onto the envelope1that is conveyed on the first conveying element9in transporting direction7. In addition, the projecting length24of the leading edge22of the envelope1is clearly visible, relative to the leading edges23,25,26of the inserts2,3,4.

FIG. 9illustrates how the compressed air jet18′ exiting the discharge opening18of the pneumatic deflection element19deflects the projecting length24of the envelope1upward and into the deflection chamber20, between the downstream deflection roll12of the second conveying element13and the upstream deflection roll14of the third conveying element15.

FIG. 10shows how the projecting length24of the envelope1, conveyed further in transporting direction7, is folded over via the upstream-arranged deflection roll14of the third conveying element15, but only around the folding edge27of the inserts2,3,4that are positioned offset on the envelope1, as well as partially around the insert stack39.

According toFIG. 11, the envelope1and the thereon positioned inserts2,3,4are conveyed further in transporting direction7, so that the earlier projecting length24of the envelope1is folded in the folding device10between the first conveying element9and the third conveying element15, thus forming the advertising media compilation5which consists of the envelope1and the inserts2,3,4. A folding roll33can also be arranged below the upstream deflection roll14of the third conveying element15which is embodied as a folding roll, wherein this folding cooperates with the deflection roll for the full surface folding of the advertising media compilation5. Alternatively, two folding rolls arranged downstream of the folding device10are conceivable as well.

FIG. 6shows a second exemplary embodiment of an apparatus40′ where an advertising medium used as envelope1′ is withdrawn only with the last separating out and feeding element D of the gathering section6from the stack d, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 to 11, and is deposited on the insert stack39, formed previously with advertising media used as inserts2,3,4and transported on the first conveying element9, such that the leading edge22of the envelope1″ in transporting direction7is arranged offset to the edges23,25,26of the inserts2,3,4that form the folding edge27and thus form a projecting length24. The first conveying element9which is also guided around deflection rolls8ends downstream of the gathering section6. Downstream of the first conveying element9and at a distance thereto, a further conveying element35is arranged which moves around deflection rolls34and is embodied as a conveying belt. A deflection chamber20′ is located between the downstream deflection roll8of the first conveying element9and the third upstream deflection roll34of the conveying element35. Above the two conveying elements9,35and at a distance thereto, another conveying element37is arranged which overlaps the two conveying elements9,35, circulates around deflection rolls36and is also embodied as a conveying belt. The conveying element35and the conveying element37jointly form a folding device10′.

Analogous toFIG. 9showing the first exemplary embodiment,FIG. 12shows the second embodiment for which the projecting length24of the envelope1″ is deflected downward into the deflection chamber20′ via the compressed air jet18′ from the discharge opening18in the pneumatic deflection element19, between the downstream deflection roll8of the first conveying element9and the upstream deflection roll34of the conveying element35.

As shown inFIG. 6, the envelope1″ and thereon positioned inserts2,3,4are then conveyed further in transporting direction7, so that the projecting length24of the envelope1″ that is folded over the folding edge27. Thus, the advertising media compilation5″, composed of the envelope1″ and the inserts2,3,4, is folded in the folding device10′, meaning between the conveying element35and the conveying element37. Referring again toFIG. 12, a folding roll38can optionally be arranged above the deflection roll34, additionally embodied as folding roll and positioned upstream of the conveying element35, which cooperates therewith for the folding of the advertising media compilation5″. Two folding rolls arranged downstream of the folding device10′ are alternatively also conceivable.

FIG. 13shows an advertising media compilation5″, formed with the apparatus40according to the second exemplary embodiment, which differs optically from the advertising media compilations5produced with an apparatus40according to the first exemplary embodiment, but only with respect to the positioning of the envelope1″ that is folded around the inserts2,3,4. The advertising media compilations5,5″ can essentially be processed further in the same way.