Method of inserting printed products into a folded main product

A method of combining a number of individually printed products into a finished product, for example a weekend newspaper containing numerous sections. The individually printed products are of the type that are folded at their mid portion so that they can be opened along the fold allowing them to receive other printed product or closed which facilitates their insertion into an opened printed product. The process starts by inserting a folded printed product into the main product. The first inserted product could have been open when inserted or opened after it was inserted. Then another printed product is inserted into the main product such that it lies adjacent to the first product that was inserted. The first product that was inserted into the main product can then be opened to permit additional printed products to be inserted into it.

The invention relates to a method of inserting printed products into a
 folded main product, in the case of which at least one printed product
 which is formed as a folded preprinted product and then further printed
 products are inserted.
 Such methods are used in order to put together the different printed
 products in a respectively desired manner to form any desired printed
 material, in particular newspapers and periodicals.
 The disadvantage with the known methods is the fact that the freedom for
 structuring printed material is limited, so that technical limitations
 mean that it is not always possible, in particular, to put together
 newspapers, comprising a main product, at least one preprinted product and
 a plurality of inserts, in the desired structure.
 An object of the invention is to develop a method of the type mentioned in
 the introduction such that, in the operation of putting together printed
 material, in particular newspapers, there is greater flexibility as far as
 the various possible ways of structuring the printed material are
 concerned.
 This object is achieved according to the invention in that the folded
 preprinted product is inserted into the folded main product in the closed
 state, or is closed following the insertion operation, and subsequently at
 least one further printed product, which comes to rest alongside the
 closed preprinted product, is inserted, whereupon the preprinted product
 is opened and, finally, at least one further printed product is inserted
 into the preprinted product.
 In the case of the most straightforward embodiment of the method according
 to the invention, a preprinted product is thus inserted into the main
 product, whereupon, for example, an insert is inserted alongside the
 closed preprinted product. The preprinted product is then opened and, for
 example, a further insert is inserted into the open preprinted product.
 In contrast to the hitherto known methods, in the case of which either the
 preprinted product has to be inserted into the main product with an insert
 already contained therein, which requires so-called preliminary insertion
 with a separate preliminary-insertion apparatus, or the insertion of the
 insert intended for the preprinted product has to take place immediately
 following the insertion of the preprinted product into the main product,
 the method according to the invention is distinguished in that, following
 the insertion of the preprinted product, which does not yet contain the
 respective insert, it is possible to carry out any other desired insertion
 operations before, finally, the desired insertion operations relevant to
 the preprinted product are carried out and certain inserts are inserted
 into the preprinted product. Consequently, in terms of the point in time
 and the location of the insertion of an insert into the preprinted
 product, the use of the method according to the invention provides much
 more freedom than the prior art.
 It is particularly preferred if, according to the invention, a first folded
 preprinted product is inserted in the closed state, or is closed following
 the insertion operation, and subsequently at least a second folded
 preprinted product, which comes to rest alongside the closed, first
 preprinted product, is inserted and, in turn, has at least one further
 printed product inserted in it, whereupon the first preprinted product is
 opened and, finally, at least one further printed product is inserted into
 the first preprinted product.
 In the case of this embodiment of the method according to the invention, it
 is thus possible, for example, for the first preprinted product to be
 arrested without an insert being inserted therein, whereupon the second
 preprinted product is inserted. An arrested printed product or main
 product is intended to mean a part, or the entire respective product,
 retained in a defined position. In order to arrest a product, it is made
 of retaining elements which are fixed statically or can be moved in a
 controllable manner and, in particular in one state, retain a product in a
 defined position and, in the other state, have no direct influence on the
 position of the product, with the result that the product assumes a
 position of its own accord, for example, as a result of the action of
 gravitational force. By virtue of the arresting operation, a printed
 product may be held either open or closed in a controllable manner.
 Following the insertion of the second preprinted product, one or more
 inserts are inserted into the latter, whereupon the first, arrested
 preprinted product is opened and inserts can be inserted into said first
 preprinted product. This makes it possible to produce printed material or
 a newspaper in the case of which two preprinted products which are located
 one beside the other, and in which in each case further preprinted
 products or inserts are located, are arranged in a main product. It is not
 necessary here for the inserts which are intended for the first preprinted
 product to be inserted into the preprinted product immediately following
 the insertion of the preprinted product into the main product. Insertion
 of the inserts into the first preprinted product can take place, within
 the same processing operation, at any desired, later point in time. The
 desired arrangement of the printed products in the main product and/or the
 structure of the printed material can be obtained by virtue of such an
 insertion method.
 In the case of that embodiment of the method according to the invention
 which is described hereinbelow, it is possible to select freely not just
 the point in time at which inserts are inserted into the first preprinted
 product, but also the point in time at which inserts are inserted into the
 second preprinted product.
 In the case of this embodiment of the method which is intended for
 inserting printed products into a folded main product and in the case of
 which at least one printed product which is formed as a folded preprinted
 product and then further printed products are inserted, a first folded
 preprinted product is inserted into an open main product, it being the
 case that the preprinted product either is inserted in the closed state or
 is closed following the insertion operation, and subsequently at least a
 second folded preprinted product, which comes to rest alongside the
 closed, first preprinted product, is inserted in the closed state or is
 closed following the insertion operation. The method proceeds such that,
 following these actions, both the first preprinted product and the second
 preprinted product are in an arrested state, and in which [sic] at least
 one further printed product, which comes to rest alongside the arrested,
 first preprinted product and/or alongside the arrested, second preprinted
 product, can be inserted. At this stage of the method, of course, it is
 also possible for a plurality of further printed products to be inserted
 with any desired structuring.
 Depending on the printed material which is to be produced, the main product
 may be configured as a main part, a cover or a frontispiece.
 Following the insertion of said further printed product or of said further
 printed products, the first or second preprinted product can be opened and
 at least one further printed product can be inserted into the first or
 second preprinted product, whereupon the second or first preprinted
 product may then be opened and at least one further printed product may be
 inserted into the second or first preprinted product. It is thus possible
 for both the first preprinted product and the second preprinted product to
 have inserts or further printed products inserted into them at any desired
 points in time.
 A printed product may be arrested in an open position or in a closed
 position. In particular it is possible, once the first preprinted product
 and the second preprinted product have been arrested in a closed position,
 for a third preprinted product, which comes to rest between the arrested
 preprinted products to be inserted and, in turn, to have printed products
 or inserts inserted in it. This then produces printed materials in the
 case of which a total of three preprinted products, located one beside the
 other, are contained within one product, it being possible for each of
 these preprinted products to have printed products or inserts inserted
 into them individually.
 The method according to the invention may be implemented by a wide range of
 different apparatuses for putting together printed material. It is thus
 possible, for example, for the main product to be retained in a pocket
 during the insertion operations, it being possible in each case for a
 plurality of pockets to be arranged one beside the other or one behind the
 other. In this case, the pockets, which are arranged one beside the other
 and/or one behind the other, can be moved by means of a drawing means or
 other drive means along a path which is linear at least in certain
 sections or else along a curved path. When the pockets are moved along a
 curved path, it is advantageously possible to achieve the situation where,
 when subjected to the action of the drawing means, the pockets execute one
 or more tilting movements, which can cause the main and/or preprinted
 products to be opened. It is also possible for the pocket to be connected
 to the drawing means in a pivotable manner and to execute a tilting
 movement, for example, as a result of the action of a guide.
 It is also possible for the pockets, which are arranged one beside the
 other, to be coupled to a rotating drum, rather than use being made of a
 drawing means, with the result that, when the drum rotates, the pockets
 essentially execute a movement along a circular or helical line or a
 combination of circular and helical lines. Tilting of the pockets, which
 makes it possible to achieve said opening movements, also takes place in
 the case of such an arrangement.
 It is also possible for the pockets to be configured as elongate pockets
 and for the printed products which are located in said pockets to be moved
 by means of grippers or pushers in a conveying direction. Said elongate
 pockets may be mounted pivotably or else may be coupled to a rotating
 drum, with the result that the printed products which are conveyed in the
 rotating, elongate pockets essentially execute a movement along a circular
 or helical line or a combination of circular and helical lines.
 It is possible; according to the invention, for the preprinted products,
 which are to be arrested and then opened, to be inserted directly into the
 main product, with the result that the main product and preprinted product
 are in contact with one another immediately following the insertion
 operation. This makes it possible for an apparatus for carrying out the
 method according to the invention to be configured in a particularly
 straightforward manner since it is not necessary, for example, to use
 double-walled pockets or pockets having a plurality of sections nested one
 inside the other. Rather, it is sufficient to use straightforward pockets
 having just a single inlet section and also just a single wall.
 The preprinted product arrested according to the invention or the
 preprinted products arrested according to the invention is/are preferably
 opened by means of an overfold. Such an overfold allows that side of the
 preprinted product which has the overfold to be lifted off or moved away,
 by suitable means, from that side of the preprinted product which does not
 have any overfold, as a result of which the preprinted product may finally
 be opened.
 Further preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are
 described in the subclaims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pocket 1 which has an interior 2 for receiving printed
 products and which can execute tilting or pivoting movements, about an
 axis running perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing, corresponding to
 the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1a)-1h). These tilting or pivoting
 movements are preferably produced, in a manner already explained above, in
 that the pocket 1 is moved along a curved path, in the [sic] the conveying
 path has a curved progression which is followed by the movement of the
 pocket 1, or in the [sic] the pocket 1 is connected pivotably to the
 conveying path and is moved in a controlled manner, for example, by
 guides. It is also possible for the pocket to be coupled to a rotating
 drum.
 The interior 2 of the pocket 1 is bounded by a base surface 3 and two side
 walls 4, 5 which adjoin said base surface 3 and run in the form of a V in
 relation to one another.
 Arranged at that end of the left-hand side wall 4 which is directed away
 from the base surface 3 is a product-retaining element 6 which can be
 pivoted, as required, between an active position (e.g. FIG. 1c), in which
 it causes at least one printed product to be restrained, and a passive
 position (e.g. FIG. 1a).
 Provided at that end of the right-hand side wall 5 which is directed away
 from the base surface 3 is an overfold-retaining element 7 which is
 designed such that it can restrain the overfold region of printed
 products. It is also possible for this overfold-retaining element 7 to be
 pivoted, as required, between an active position (e.g. FIG. 1a), in which
 it causes at least one overfold to be restrained, and a passive position
 (e.g. FIG. 1h).
 The product-retaining element 6 and the overfold-retaining element 7 differ
 essentially by the fact that, in contrast to the overfold-retaining
 element 7, the product-retaining element 6 can also restrain printed
 products without an overfold since, in its active position, it extends
 further in the direction of the base surface 3 than does the
 overfold-retaining element 7.
 That sequence for a method of putting together printed material which is
 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described hereinbelow:
 According to FIG. 1a, there is inserted into the pocket 1 a folded main
 product 8 which, in the finished printed material (end product), finally
 comes to rest on the outside and, on account of corresponding tilting of
 the pocket 1, comes to rest on the right-hand side wall 5 in the closed
 state. The main product 8, which could also be a cover, is provided with
 an overfold 9 which is fixed by the overfold-retaining element 7. In the
 position shown in FIG. 1a, that side of the folded main product 8 which
 has the overfold 9 is directed toward the right-hand side wall 5, while
 that side of the folded main product 8 which does not have any overfold 9
 is directed toward the left-hand side wall 4.
 According to FIG. 1b, the next step to take place is tilting of the pocket
 1 in the anticlockwise direction, with the result that the side of the
 main product 8 which does not have any overfold 9 is pivoted in the
 direction of the left-hand side wall 4 until it comes into abutment there.
 This movement opens the main product 8.
 According to FIG. 1b, at least one first printed product which is formed as
 a folded preprinted product 11 having an overfold 10 is inserted into the
 open main product 8 together with an insert 12, which is located alongside
 the preprinted product 11.
 The preprinted product 11 and insert 12 then tilt together, on account of
 the oblique position of the pocket 1, into the position depicted in FIG.
 1c, i.e. in the direction of the left-hand side wall 4. Following this
 tilting operation, the product-retaining element 6 is pivoted downward in
 the direction of the base surface 3, as is illustrated in FIG. 1c. In this
 position, the product-retaining element 6 prevents the printed products
 11, 12, which are located between the product-retaining element 6 and the
 left-hand side wall 4, and that half of the printed product 8 which is
 located there from tilting when the pocket 1 is pivoted out of the
 position shown in FIG. 1c into the position shown in FIG. 1d.
 In the positions shown in FIGS. 1c to 1e, the preprinted product 11 is
 located in its arrested position.
 In the case of the method step according to FIG. 1c, at least one second
 printed product which is a folded preprinted product 14 having an overfold
 13 is inserted into the main product 8 together with an insert 15, which
 is located alongside the preprinted product 14, such that the preprinted
 product 14 comes to rest alongside the preprinted product 11.
 During the subsequent tilting operation of the pocket 1 into the position
 illustrated in FIG. 1d, the closed preprinted product 14 is pivoted,
 together with the insert 15, in the direction of the right-hand side wall
 5, where the insert 15 comes to rest on that section of the main product 8
 which has the overfold 9. Following this pivoting movement, the
 overfold-retaining element 7 is changed over such that it retains not just
 the overfold 9 of the main product 8, but also the overfold 13 of the
 preprinted product 14, in the region of the right-hand side wall 5 of the
 pocket 1.
 By virtue of a further tilting operation of the pocket 1 in the
 anticlockwise direction, into the position illustrated in FIG. 1e, that
 section of the preprinted product 14 which does not have any overfold 13
 is pivoted in the direction of the left-hand side wall 4, as a result of
 which the preprinted product 14 passes into an open state. By virtue of
 the product-retaining element 6 being pivoted briefly from its active
 position into its passive position and back again, this operation taking
 place between the method steps according to FIGS. 1d and 1e, that section
 of the preprinted product 14 which does not have any overfold 13 passes
 into the region between the product-retaining element 6 and left-hand side
 wall 4.
 Inserted into the preprinted product 14, which is open in FIG. 1e, is a
 further fourth printed product, folded printed product 16, which does not
 have any overfold, together with an insert 17, which is located alongside
 said printed product 16.
 Following this insertion operation, the pocket 1 is tilted in the clockwise
 direction into the position illustrated in FIG. 1f, in this case the
 product-retaining element 6 being pivoted simultaneously into its passive
 position, as a result of which those elements which are positioned between
 the product-retaining element 6 and left-hand side wall 4 are released and
 it is possible to execute a pivoting movement in the direction of the
 right-hand side wall 5.
 According to FIG. 1f, the overfold-retaining element 7 is changed over such
 that it then restrains the overfold 10 of the preprinted product 11. In
 the position illustrated in FIG. 1f, the overfolds 9, 10 and 13 are thus
 located between the overfold-retaining element 7 and right-hand side wall
 5.
 The pocket 1 is then tilted in the anticlockwise direction into the
 position illustrated in FIG. 1g, that section of the preprinted product 11
 which does not have any overfold 10 being pivoted in the direction of the
 left-hand side wall 4. Once this pivoting movement has been executed, the
 preprinted product 11 is open.
 Once said pivoting movement has been executed, the product-retaining
 element 6 is moved into its active position, with the result that that
 section of the preprinted product 11 which does not have any overfold 10,
 the insert 12 and that section of the main product 8 which does not have
 any overfold 9 are fixed between the product-retaining element 6 and
 left-hand side wall 4. In that position of the pocket 1 which is
 illustrated, it would also be possible for the product-retaining element
 6, as is illustrated in FIG. 1b, to remain in the passive position if the
 gravitational force which is active in the position illustrated ensures
 that the open state remains until the printed product 18 has been
 inserted.
 In the open state of the preprinted product 11, which is illustrated in
 FIG. 1g, at least one third printed product 18, which does not have any
 overfold, is inserted into the preprinted product 11.
 By virtue of a subsequent pivoting operation of the product-retaining
 element 6 into its passive position and a likewise occurring tilting
 operation of the pocket 1 in the clockwise direction into the position
 illustrated in FIG. 1h, and by virtue of a pivoting operation of the
 overfold-retaining element 7 into its passive position, the finished
 printed material (end product) is released for a removal operation (not
 illustrated).
 The finished printed material, which is illustrated in FIG. 1h, is
 distinguished in that arranged in a main product 8 are two preprinted
 products 11, 14 which are located one beside the other and into which
 respectively further printed products 18 and 16 and 17 are inserted. It is
 advantageous, in particular, that, rather than taking place immediately
 following the insertion operation of the preprinted product 11, the
 insertion operation of the printed product 18 can take place at any
 desired, later point in time. Of course, the printed material illustrated
 is only one exemplary embodiment taken from a large number of possible
 ways of putting together printed material comprising a main product 8 and
 preprinted products 11, 14, further printed products 16, 17, 18 and
 inserts. It would also be possible for the printed products, inserts and
 preprinted products inserted to be of a wide range of different sizes.
 FIG. 2 shows the sequence for a method according to the invention in an
 apparatus in which the pockets 1 do not tilt.
 The pockets 1 are constructed in accordance with the pockets illustrated in
 FIG. 1, for which reason use is made analogously of the designations 2, 3,
 4 and 5 for the interior, the base surface, the left-hand side wall and
 the right-hand side wall.
 Arranged at that end of the right-hand side wall 5 which is directed away
 from the base surface 3 is a product-retaining element 19 which can be
 pivoted, as required, between an active position (e.g. FIG. 2c), in which
 it causes at least one printed product to be restrained, and a passive
 position (e.g. FIG. 2b).
 Also provided in the region of the pocket 1 is a gripper 20 which can be
 pivoted in the direction of the arrow A between the right-hand side wall 5
 and the left-hand side wall 4. The gripper 20 is designed such that it can
 retain merely the overfold region of printed products, in the position
 illustrated in FIG. 2a, for example, it can retain the overfold 21 of a
 main product 22.
 In the position shown in FIG. 2a, the main product 22 has been introduced
 into the pocket 1 and is in its closed state. With the product-retaining
 element 19 located in its passive position, a movement of the gripper 20
 in the direction of the left-hand side wall 4 pivots that section of the
 main product 22 which has the overfold 21 in the direction of the
 left-hand side wall 4, as a result of which the main product 22 is opened.
 In this open position of the main product 22, according to FIG. 2b, a
 folded preprinted product 24 having an overfold 23 is inserted into the
 main product 22 together with an insert 25.
 According to FIG. 2c, the preprinted product 24 and insert 25 then tilt in
 the direction of the right-hand side wall 5, whereupon the
 product-retaining element 19 is pivoted into its active position, with the
 result that that section of the main product 22 which does not have any
 overfold, the preprinted product 24 and the insert 25 are retained between
 the product-retaining element 19 and right-hand side wall 5.
 In this position, a further, folded preprinted product 27, which has an
 overfold 26, is inserted and comes to rest on the left alongside the
 insert 25.
 In the positions according to FIGS. 2c to 2f, the preprinted product 24 is
 located in an arrested position.
 Following the preprinted product 27 being inserted into the main product
 22, the gripper 20 pivots in the direction of the right-hand side wall 5,
 where, in addition to the overfold 21 of the main product, it also grips
 the overfold 26 of the preprinted product 27. This state is illustrated in
 FIG. 2d.
 The gripper 20 then pivots, together with those sections of the main
 product 22 and of the preprinted product 27 which respectively have an
 overfold 21 and 26, in the direction of the left-hand side wall 4, as a
 result of which the preprinted product 27 is opened according to FIG. 2e.
 In this position, an insert 28 can be inserted into the preprinted product
 27.
 Following this insertion operation, corresponding to FIG. 2f, the gripper
 20 is pivoted in the direction of the right-hand side wall 5, as a result
 of which the main product 22, with the printed product inserted therein,
 is closed. The gripper 20 is then changed over such that it grips not only
 the overfold 21 and the overfold 26, but also the overfold 23 of the
 arrested preprinted product 24.
 When the gripper 20 is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2f into
 the position illustrated in FIG. 2g, i.e. in the direction of the
 left-hand side wall 4, the preprinted product 24 is opened, with the
 result that a further insert 29 can be inserted into the preprinted
 product 24.
 When the gripper 20 is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2f in
 the direction of the left-hand side wall 4, according to FIG. 2g, the
 product-retaining element 19 has to be moved into its passive position,
 with the result that that section of the preprinted product 24 which has
 the overfold 23 can be pivoted in the direction of the left-hand side wall
 4.
 Subsequently, according to FIG. 2h, the gripper 20 is pivoted in the
 direction of the right-hand side wall 5, with the result that the finished
 printed material butts against the right-hand side wall 5. Finally, both
 the product-retaining element 19 and the gripper 20 are moved into the
 passive position, with the result that the finished printed material can
 be removed from the pocket 1.
 The method illustrated in FIG. 2 ultimately produces printed material in
 the case of which two preprinted products 24 and 27 which are located one
 beside the other come to rest within a main product 22, an insert 25 being
 arranged between the two preprinted products 24, 27. An insert 29 and 28
 is respectively inserted into each of the two preprinted products 24 and
 27. It is advantageous that, rather than taking place immediately
 following the insertion operation of the preprinted product 24 into the
 main product 22, the insertion operation of the insert 29 into the
 preprinted product 24 can take place at a later point in time.
 FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an apparatus for implementing the
 method illustrated by means of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The pockets 1 are
 arranged such that they run perpendicularly to the conveying direction B
 and are conveyed by a drawing or drive means 45 in the direction of the
 arrow B. FIG. 3 shows a row of pockets 1 which are arranged one beside the
 other, adjoin one another and are conveyed in the direction of the arrow
 B, in particular along a circulatory path.
 During one circuit, the pockets 1 thus run through a plurality of positions
 a to h, in which the method steps a to h according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 are
 carried out in each case. Pivoting of the pockets 1, which is illustrated
 in FIG. 1, can be produced, for example, in that the pockets 1 are
 connected fixedly to the drawing or drive means 45, it being the case
 that, in certain areas, the drawing or drive means 45 have a, for example,
 hump-like progression, which deviates from the horizontal direction, with
 the result that the pockets 1 assume the positions illustrated in FIG. 1.
 The pivoting of the pockets 1, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, can also be
 produced in that the pockets 1 are fastened pivotably on the drawing or
 drive means 45 and guides which are arranged along the conveying route and
 act on the pockets 1 bring about a pivoting operation.
 Of course, in the direction running perpendicularly to the conveying
 direction B, it is also possible for a plurality of, for example, two or
 three, pockets 4 [sic] to be arranged one beside the other and to be
 conveyed by the same drawing or drive means 45.
 FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of different method steps as the
 method according to the invention is implemented using a further
 apparatus, which differs from an apparatus according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2
 essentially in that in this case elongate pockets 30 are illustrated, said
 pockets, for example, being mounted pivotably or arranged on the
 circumference of a rotating drum (not illustrated) and printed products
 which are located in the pockets 30 being conveyed, by means of grippers
 or pushers (not illustrated either), in a direction parallel to the
 folding line of the respective product. Suitable grippers or pushers for
 producing said conveying movement are described, for example, in German
 Patent application DE 24 47 336.
 The method illustrated in FIG. 4 puts together printed material which
 corresponds largely to he printed material which can be produced using a
 method according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
 The construction of an apparatus for implementing the method according to
 FIG. 4 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5:
 FIG. 4 shows the sectional view of an elongate pocket 30, while FIG. 5
 illustrates the plan view of such an elongate pocket 30, the top part of
 FIG. 5 showing the left-hand part of the pocket 30 and the bottom part of
 FIG. 5 showing the right-hand part of the pocket 30.
 Provided at the top end of the right-hand side wall 5 of the pocket 30 is a
 retaining plate 34 which is bent in the form of an L and of which the
 longer leg extends in the direction of the base surface 3 of the pocket
 30. According to FIG. 5, the retaining plate 34 is interrupted a number of
 times in the longitudinal direction of the pocket 30 by pivotable opening
 elements 35.
 These opening elements 35 serve for gripping the overfold of a printed
 product as the latter is conveyed in the direction of the arrow C
 according to FIG. 5, and for directing the same from a region in front of
 the retaining plate 34 to behind the retaining plate 34. This takes place,
 for example, with that section of the preprinted product 37 of FIG. 4
 which has an overfold 36 as the printed products are moved from the
 position according to FIG. 4d into the position according to FIG. 4e.
 The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is suitable merely for moving
 sections of preprinted products from a region in front of the retaining
 plate 34 to behind the retaining plate 34. However, it is likewise
 conceivable, in practice, for the purpose of providing further structuring
 options, also to provide apparatuses by means of which printed products or
 sections of printed products can be moved out of a position behind the
 retaining plate 34 into the region in front of the retaining plate 34.
 In addition, the retaining plates 34 form a precisely defined
 product-guiding plane for the opening and introduction of a printed
 product.
 At the top end of the left-hand side wall 4, a plurality of
 product-retaining elements 38 are spaced apart from one another in the
 longitudinal direction of the pocket 30, and these product-retaining
 elements are each designed in accordance with the product-retaining
 elements 6, 19 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
 The operation of putting together printed material according to FIGS. 4 and
 5 is merely described briefly hereinbelow since it corresponds essentially
 to the operation which has already been described with reference to FIGS.
 1 and 2:
 The overfold 39 of the main product 31 is directed behind the retaining
 plate 34 by means of a pivotable opening element 35 (FIGS. 4a, 4b), as a
 result of which the main product 31 is opened. According to FIG. 4b, a
 preprinted product 32 and an insert 33 are then inserted into the open
 main product 31. According to FIG. 4c, these inserted printed products 32,
 33 are then retained behind the product-retaining element 38, whereupon a
 further preprinted product 37 and a further insert 40 are inserted into
 the main product 31.
 According to FIGS. 4d, 4e, the overfold 36 of the preprinted product 37 is
 then directed behind the retaining plate 34 by means of the opening
 element 35. In addition, the pocket was tilted in the anticlockwise
 direction, as a result of which the preprinted product 37 is opened
 according to FIG. 4e.
 An insert 41 is then inserted into said open preprinted product 37.
 According to FIGS. 4f, 4g, the product part with the overfold 42 of the
 preprinted product 32, which is arrested in the positions 4c to 4e, is
 moved behind the retaining plate 34. By virtue of the pocket 1 being
 tilted in the anticlockwise direction, and by virtue of the product being
 conveyed simultaneously, the preprinted product 32 is then opened, it
 being possible, according to FIG. 4g for a further insert 43 to be
 inserted into said preprinted product 32.
 The printed material 44 which has been put together in this way is then
 moved into a region E (FIG. 5) in which the retaining plate 34 either is
 no longer present or, according to FIG. 4h terminates above the preprinted
 material 44. It is possible for the finished printed material to be
 removed in this region.
 The exemplary embodiment of an elongate pocket 30 which is illustrated in
 FIG. 4 requires a tilting or pivoting movement. However, it is also
 possible for the method according to the invention to function with a
 statically arranged, elongate pocket 30. An elongate pocket 30 according
 to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 could be arranged in a fixed and
 immovable manner, for example, in a position which is rotated through 45
 degrees in the clockwise direction in relation to the position illustrated
 in FIG. 4a. The pushers or grippers (not illustrated) for producing the
 conveying movement run along the base of the elongate pocket 30, arranged
 in the horizontal direction for example. A pocket 30 which arranged in
 this way has the property that, on account of the gravitational force
 which is active, all the printed product or parts of printed products
 located above the retaining plate 34 are always subjected to a force which
 acts in the direction of the retaining plate 34. Since the printed
 products can be displaced in the direction in which the elongate pocket 30
 runs, use may be made of a so-called diverting plate which runs from the
 retaining plate 34 to the opposite wall of the elongate pocket 30, with
 the result that, during the conveying movement, the printed products
 resting on the retaining plate 34 are displaced in the direction of the
 opposite wall, and this produces an opening into which at least one
 additional printed product can be inserted. By virtue of a holding-open
 plate, which adjoins the diverting plate in the conveying direction, the
 printed products resting on said plate may be held open over a
 determinable length of the conveying route or over a determinable length
 in the elongate pocket 30. At the end of the holding-open plate, the open
 printed products are moved toward the retaining plate 34 on account of the
 gravitational force which is active. In the direction in which the
 elongate pocket 30 runs it is possible for a plurality of such diverting
 plates, as appropriate in combination with a holding-open plate, to be
 spaced apart one behind the other, and the size of the spacings is to be
 selected, in particular, such that a printed product moves away from the
 influence of the diverting plate or holding-open plate in such a spacing,
 and move toward the retaining plate 34. An elongate pocket 30 which is
 statically arranged in this way makes it possible to produce the same
 printed material 44 as is possible using a pivotable or tiltable elongate
 pocket 30 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. Passively
 acting diverting and holding-open plates are used instead of the actively
 movable means.
 The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described
 above; it is possible to realize a large number of other structuring
 options, for example by way of differently configured printed products, by
 way of a different sequence of insertion of the printed product, as far as
 timing or location is concerned, or by way of a suitable combination of
 retaining elements, grippers, retaining plates, diverting plates,
 holding-open plates and/or opening elements. Thus, in the exemplary
 embodiment according to FIG. 1, it would be possible for a number of
 product-retaining elements 6 and/or overfold-retaining elements 7 to be
 provided per pocket and to be controlled individually, this resulting in
 additional ways for printed products which are located in the pocket 1 to
 be opened at locations determined in each case by the product-retaining
 elements 6 or overfold-retaining elements 7. Likewise, in the exemplary
 embodiment according to FIG. 2, it would be possible for a number of
 grippers 20 and/or product-retaining elements 19 to be and [sic] provided
 and to be controlled individually.