Abstract:
A former is used to fold webs longitudinally. During the web drawing-in process; the individually incoming paper webs in a group of paper webs are conveyed smoothly to a folding mechanism at the end of the former. This is accomplished by using a number of upper and lower transport elements which are located above and next to each other at least inside the boundaries of the upper surface of the former. These upper and lower transport elements can be brought together and can be separated. They can be driven as desired.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a former for the longitudinal folding of one or more webs placed on top of each other. Conveying means for guiding the webs are arranged in the former. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A device for the automatic feeding of a start of a paper web is known from DE 196 12 924 A1, wherein the paper web is guided over turning bars or is fed to a former by means of endless driven conveyor belts. 
     DE-AS 11 41 650 describes a former with conveying rollers for webs of material. 
     JP 06-247622 A discloses a former with rotating guide elements for reduction of the friction between the former and the web. 
     GB 862 296 A and EP 0 415 077 A1 each disclose a former with driven conveying means located in the interior. These conveying means convey sheets or webs in the conveying plane of the not yet folded sheets or webs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is based on providing a former. 
     This object is attained by providing driven conveying means which guide the web to the former. The web or the several webs placed on top of each other are longitudinally folded in the former. The driven conveying means guide the web parallel with the plane of the not yet folded web and are adjacent and also inside the former. 
     The advantages which can be achieved by means of the present invention lie, in particular, in that in the course of the draw-in process of a paper web into the web-fed rotary printing press, the paper webs of a paper web train are automatically fed to the folding unit. Introduction or re-introduction of individual paper webs can take place at the speed of the press. In the course of this, the paper webs are each guided with prestress between conveyor belts or conveying devices. These conveying devices act on both sides of the outer paper web, so that the interiorly located paper webs are carried along, clamped by the conveyor belts or conveying devices. A displacement of the paper webs themselves and therefore a blockage in the area of the former inlet is avoided by this. It is moreover advantageous that the paper webs can be conveyed up to the folding rollers, even as a train, where they are grasped by the latter and fed to the folding unit. 
     The paper webs guided by the belt guide devices have a stabilized running direction, so that a lateral excursion, and therefore interruptions of the sequence are prevented. The belt guide device of the present invention can also be employed for removing malfunctions with the running of the webs in the paper web feed device, or in the course of malfunctions with the running of the paper during the draw-in of the paper webs in the folding area. 
     The conveying means are aligned so they work in, or approximately in, the production direction. 
     In accordance with a variation of the present invention, lateral guide elements are provided, and extend on both sides of the lateral boundaries of the former surface as far as, or into the vicinity of the respective former roller. 
     A number of upper and lower conveying means, which are arranged above each other, are provided within the boundaries of the lateral guide elements. 
     Here, the upper and lower conveying means can be brought into and out of contact with each other and can be selectively driven. 
     In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a number of conveyor belts, which point in the direction of the surface of the lateral guide elements and which can be charged with suction air, are provided within the boundaries of the lateral guide elements. 
     In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, the conveying means consist of driven or of non-driven conveying rollers. In this embodiment, the lower and upper driven conveying rollers can act together, for example, or upper conveying rollers can work together with lower suction belts. 
     In accordance with a third preferred embodiment, the conveying means consist of driven driving or conveying chains. 
     In accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment, the conveying means can also consist of driven V-belts, flat belts or toothed belts. 
     A cover, which has slits for the lower conveying means, is suitably provided between the boundaries of the former. 
     Slits which expose the lower conveying means are also provided in the surfaces of the lateral guide elements. 
     It is advantageous if an outer paper guide plate is assigned to each of the lateral guide elements and is spaced apart from them. In this configuration, slits are provided in the outer paper guide plate for making access of the upper conveying means to the lower conveying means possible. 
     It might possibly be sufficient if a paper deflection device, which surrounds the lateral boundaries in the form of a shell, is provided along the lateral boundaries of the former and is spaced apart from them. 
     It is moreover practical that a paper guide device is provided which is also spaced apart from the former surface and covers it either completely or partially. In this case, the paper guide device arranged in the area of the former surface is provided with suitable slits for making access of the upper conveying means to the lower conveying means possible. 
     In accordance with a last preferred embodiment, it is also possible that the outer paper guide plate, which covers the lateral guide elements, and the portion of the outer paper guide device covering the former surface, are connected in the area of the lateral deflection elements, or adjoin each other without being connected. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
     FIG. 1, a front plan view of a former with a paper draw-in system in the position of rest in accordance with the present invention, 
     FIG. 2, a lateral view in accordance with FIG. 1, partially in section, and without the conveying rollers in the left former cheek, 
     FIG. 3, a section view taken along line III—III in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 4, an enlarged representation of the former outlet in accordance with FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 5, a lateral view of a further preferred embodiment of the conveying devices in the position of rest and, 
     FIG. 6, a sectional representation taken along line VI—VI of FIG. 1 through a longitudinal former analogous to FIG. 3, but with the further variation of the conveying devices and in the working position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A longitudinal former, identified as former  1  in what follows, is seen in FIG.  1  and for example consists of a triangularly designed former plate  8 , which tapers in the running direction of a paper web  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5  in the direction toward the former nose  7  and has a surface  10 . The former plate  8  has generally conventional deflecting elements  15 ,  20 , which are arranged on both sides, which can be charged with blown air, and which contain bores  9 . The bores  9  in the deflecting elements  15 ,  20  are directed against the paper webs  2  to  5  inside of a deflecting surface  67  of approximately 90°, as seen in FIG. 3, and which is in the form of a segment of a circle and points in the direction of the paper webs  2  to  5 . The deflecting elements  15 ,  20  consist of a hollow profile, for example a tube, preferably a metal tube. Viewed in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5 , a former inlet roller  14  is arranged directly in front of the former inlet, is seated in lateral frames  11 ,  12  and can be driven by means of a motor  13 . Moreover, two known, former folding rollers  18 ,  19 , which are rotatably seated in a frame  16 ,  17 , as seen in FIG. 2, are arranged offset by 90° in relation to the former inlet roller  14  at the end of the former  1  close to the former nose. 
     In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, left and right lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 , each of which enlarge the former surface and extend parallel with the former folding rollers, are arranged, in addition to the former plate  8 , on both sides of the former plate  8  and on the other side of the deflecting elements  15 ,  20 . Each one of the lateral guide elements  21 ,  22  is designed to be approximately triangular and, viewed in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5 , has a maximum width b, as seen in FIG. 2, in the vicinity of the left or right former folding rollers  18 ,  19 . This maximum width b is greater than a maximum width of a longitudinally folded paper web  2  to  5 . The lateral guide elements  21 ,  22  extend in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5 . The paper webs  2  to  5  rest against the lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 . 
     In addition to the former plate  8 , the former  1  has at least one lateral guide element  21 ,  22 , which is arranged approximately vertically in relation to the former plate  8 . 
     Driven endless conveying belts  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 , for example, are shown in FIG.  1  and are arranged a few millimeters below the surface  10  of the former plate  8 . Pairs of these conveyor belts  23  to  26  have different lengths and extend, spaced apart from each other, approximately in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5 . The term approximately means, that ends of the conveyor belts  23 ,  24  which are close to the former folding rollers and are arranged on the left side of the former plate  8  can be offset toward the left by up to 10°, and the conveyor belts  25 ,  26  on the right side can be arranged mirror-reversed offset toward the right by up to 10°—in relation to the conveying direction A, all as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     By means of respective slits  27  in the surface  10 , the conveyor belts  23  to  26  have contact in the direction of the surface  10  and have holes  28 . The endless conveyor belts  23  to  26  can be motor-driven and their speed can be controlled, and they are each conducted over belt guide boxes  29 . 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, conveying means also extend at the left and right lateral element  21 ,  22 , for example respectively two conveyor belts  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  conducted on belt guide boxes  29 , which are shown in FIG.  3 . By means of pipe lines  36 , the belt guide boxes  29  are connected with each other, as well as with at least one suction air feed line  37 . An upper belt guide surface  41 , i.e. facing the surface  10  of the former plate  8  or the surface  38 ,  39  of the lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 , of each belt guide box  29  has perforations, for example longitudinal slits  42  arranged next to each other and behind each other. 
     The surfaces  10 ,  38 ,  39  of the former plate  8 , as well as of the lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 , are surrounded by a paper guide device  43 , which is located at a distance c of, for example between 10 and 100 mm, from it, or a paper guide plate of a thin flat material, for example sheet metal, so that a conduit  68  of a width c is formed for receiving the paper webs  2  to  5 . In the area near the former folding rollers, the paper guide device  43  can also have slits  69 , as seen in FIG.  2 . 
     Conveying roller systems  46  to  49 , each having conveying rollers  44 , are located above the conveyor belts  23  to  26  of the former plate  8 . Furthermore, conveying roller systems  51 ,  52  and  53 ,  54  are arranged above the conveyor belts  31 ,  32  or  33 ,  34  of the left or right lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 . In FIG. 3, the conveying roller systems  51 ,  52  are shown in the position of rest. Each of the conveying roller systems  46  to  49  and  51  to  54  have holder brackets  56  fastened on the paper guide device  43 , which holder brackets  56  support a number of hinged levers  57 . A conveying roller  44  is seated at each free end of the levers  57  by means of shafts  55 . Each lever  57  bearing a conveying roller  44  can be pressed against the respectively associated conveyor belt  23  to  26 ,  31  to  24 , for example by means of a controllable work cylinder  58  that is only depicted in FIG.  2 . To make possible the contact between the conveying rollers  44  and the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34 , appropriate cut-outs or slits  59  have been cut into the jacket-like paper guide device  43 . 
     The paper guide device  43  can also consist of a grating, for example a fine-meshed wire grille, arranged at a distance c above the surfaces  10 ,  38 ,  39 . 
     The respective conveying roller systems  46  to  49 ,  51  to  54  can also be designed in such a way that all conveying rollers  44  of a system can be placed against the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34  by means of a common actuating means. 
     The former  1  furthermore has a paper web feed device  61  in the area of the former inlet roller  14 . This paper web feed device  61  is arranged upstream of the former  1 , as viewed in the running direction A of the paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , all as shown in FIG.  2 . This paper web feed device  61  can consist of upper and lower guide tongues  64 ,  66 , also as shown in FIG. 2, which extend at a distance d, for example 50 to 250 mm, from each other in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5 . These guide tongues  64 ,  66  are guided around the former inlet roller  14  approximately at a radius of the former inlet roller  14  and an arc of wrap of between 30° to 90°. The guide tongues  64 ,  66  are arranged respectively spaced apart next to each other in the axial direction of the former inlet roller  14 . 
     On their ends near the former folding rollers, each of paper guide devices  43  arranged above the lateral guide elements  21 ,  22  has several paper web guide tongues  63 , which project into the former folding roller inlet nip  62 . Forced guidance of the paper webs  2  to  5  into the former folding rollers  18 ,  19  is achieved by means of this. 
     The mode of functioning of the former in accordance with the present invention is as follows: in the course of the sequential draw-in of several paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or when re-introducing one paper web, for example the paper web  3 , the drive mechanisms of the conveyor belts  23  to  26  and  31  to  34  are switched on. At the same time the work cylinders  58  are charged with a pressure medium, so that the conveying rollers  44  of the conveying roller systems  46  to  49  and  51  to  54  act on the conveyor belts  23  to  26  and  31  to  34 , or on the previously drawn-in paper webs  2 ,  4 ,  5 . The paper web  3  is fed to the former  1  via the paper web feed device  61 , and in the process comes into the draw-in area of the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34 , as well as of the conveying roller systems  46  to  49 ,  51  to  54 . These clamp the paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and conduct them on the surfaces  10 ,  38 ,  39  of the former  1  to the former folding rollers  18 ,  19  without being backed up. 
     If necessary, the conveyor belts  23  to  26  can be charged with suction air via the belt guide boxes, the longitudinal slits  42 , as well as the holes  28 . In the process, the lower paper web  5  of the paper web train  2  to  5  is aspirated. The remaining paper webs  2  to  4  are pressed against the lower paper web  5  by the conveying rollers  44 . In the course of this, the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  41 , which are acted upon by suction air, together with the conveying rollers  44 , form traction areas, which convey the paper web train  2  to  5 , and which also stabilize its direction of running. 
     In the course of the draw-in process of the paper web, the device in accordance with the present invention can also be switched on in case of web running malfunctions in the paper web feed device, or in case of paper running malfunctions in the folding area. In this case, the conveying rollers are placed on the running paper web and prevent a paper back-up in the paper guide device. Moreover, in case of paper running malfunctions in the folding unit, for example a paper web break during the draw-in process, the paper webs are stabilized in their running direction and cannot drift off laterally. 
     After the mentioned causes for switching on the device in accordance with the invention have been removed, the conveying rollers  44  will be pivoted back into their position of rest by means of the work cylinders  58 , and the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34  are stopped. Since the tops of the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34  lie slightly below the surfaces  10 ,  38 ,  39 , they have no contact with one of the paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5  when the belt drive mechanism has been switched off. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment it is possible to provide the conveying roller systems  46  to  49 ,  51  to  54  with one motor drive mechanism for each system. It is furthermore also possible to provide each individual conveying roller  44  with a motor drive. The drive mechanisms can be designed to be controllable, so that the circumferential speed of the conveying rollers  44  corresponds to the speed of the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34 , as well as to the speed of the paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5 . 
     It is, of course, also possible that a partial paper web of only half the paper web width will need to be drawn in. In that case, either only the left conveyor devices  23 ,  24 ,  31 ,  32 , or the right conveyor devices  25 ,  26 ,  33 ,  34 , need to be switched on. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention it is possible to form the paper guide device  43 , which is arranged over the extended plane  10 , only in the area of the deflecting elements  15 ,  20  of the paper web feed device  61 . 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment which is represented in FIGS. 5 and 6, the conveyor belts or conveying devices  71  to  74 ,  76  to  79 , which are arranged on the side of the former plate  8  which is remote from the conduit, or the left and right lateral guide elements  21 ,  22 , consist of endless, driven lower roller chains  71  to  74  and  76  to  79 . These lower roller chains  71  to  74  and  76  to  79  work together in pairs with conveying systems  81  to  84 ,  86  to  89 , each arranged on the side of the paper guide device  43  remote from the conduit. These conveying systems  81  to  84 ,  86  to  89  also consist of roller chains  81  to  84 ,  86  to  89 . All of these roller chains  71  to  74  and  76  to  79  and  81  to  84 ,  86  to  89  are arranged so that they can be respectively moved in pairs  71 ,  81 ,  72 ,  82 ,  73 ,  83 ,  74 ,  84 ,  76 ,  86 ,  77 ,  87 ,  78 ,  88 , and  79 ,  89 , toward or away from each other, and respectively have deflecting rollers  103  and, if required, support rollers  104 . For this purpose, the upper roller chains  81  to  84 ,  86  to  89 , each have actuating devices  91 ,  92 . These actuating devices  91 ,  92  can support the endless roller chains  86 ,  87 ,  88 ,  89  is pairs, as represented in FIG. 6, and can place them into contact or out of contact. Two two-armed levers  94 ,  96  are pivotably seated in a support  93  that is fixed in place on the paper guide device. Each first end of the levers  94 ,  96  is connected with a piston rod of a work cylinder  100  hinged on the support  93 . Second ends of the levers  94 ,  96  support the respective roller chain  86 ,  87 ,  88 ,  89 . It is also possible to use several actuating devices  91  or  92  for one or several of the roller chains which are shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Each roller chain  71  to  74 ,  76  to  79 ,  81  to  84 , and  86  to  89 , has engagement elements  97  fixed on the links on the side facing the paper webs  2  to  5 , i.e. the paper web contact side. On its paper web contact side, each such engagement element  97  has a coating  98 , for example of plastic, with a high coefficient of friction. Note in FIG. 6, the representation on the roller chain  73 . 
     With their sides  99  which respectively extend on the side of the contact with the paper web, i.e. the sides  99  that are close to the conduit, the endless lower roller chains  71  to  74 ,  76  to  79  are guided on a slide rail  101 . The slide rail  101  is maintained in a guide device  102 , for example in the shape of a U-shaped profile, fixed in place on the former plate or the lateral plate, wherein the engagement elements  97  with the coating  98  point into the conduit  68  through the slits  27 . The lower roller chains  71  to  74 , and  76  to  79  are each pivotably seated on holders  103  fixed in place on the former. 
     It is, of course, also possible to omit the left and right lateral guide elements  21 ,  22  with the roller chains  76 ,  86 ,  77 ,  87 ,  78 ,  88 ,  79 ,  89 . Then only the pairs of roller chain drive mechanisms  71 ,  81 ,  72 ,  82 ,  73 ,  83 , and  74 ,  84 , as well as the paper guide device  43 , become effective. 
     If in the course of the paper draw-in process, the roller chains  71  to  74 ,  76  to  79 ,  81  to  84 , and  86  to  89  circulate by means of drive mechanisms, not represented, and the upper roller chains  81  to  84 , and  86  to  89  are moved by means of actuating devices  91 ,  92  in the direction of the conduit  68 , the engagement elements  97  will project through the slits  59  in the paper guide device  43 . By means of this, one or several paper webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  are held in place between the pairs of roller chains  71 ,  81 ,  72 ,  82 ,  73 ,  83 ,  74 ,  84 ,  76 ,  86 ,  77 ,  87 ,  78 ,  88 , and  79 ,  89  and are conveyed to the former folding rollers  18 ,  19  as seen in the work position depicted in FIG.  6 . At the end of the paper web draw-in, the upper roller chains are moved back into their position of rest which is shown in FIG.  5 . The drive mechanism for all of the roller chains is switched off. 
     In summary, the concept of the present invention resides in that the conveyor belts  23  to  26 ,  71  to  74  of the longitudinal former  1  are arranged approximately in the running direction A of the paper webs  2  to  5  below a plane or surface  10  extending between the deflecting elements  15 ,  20 . In the course of this, at least the conveying devices or conveyor belts  23  to  26 , and  71  to  74  work together with conveying systems  46  to  49 , and  81  to  85 , which are arranged above the conveyor belts  23  to  26 , and  71  to  74  and which can be brought into contact with the conveyor belts  23  to  26 , and  71  to  74 . To this end, it is necessary that the former  1  be wholly or at least partially provided with a paper guide device in the area of the running paper webs  2  to  5 , which paper guide device is arranged at a distance c above the running paper web. 
     It is possible to arrange a paper deflecting arrangement  70 , spaced apart above each one of the left and right deflecting element  15 ,  20 , for example at a distance c. 
     The left lateral guide element  21  is bordered by a left,  106 , and right,  107 , and a lower border  108 , for example a frame. The right lateral guide element  22  is also bordered by borders  109 ,  110 ,  111 . 
     A conveying path of the respective conveying means  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34 ,  44 ,  71  to  74 , and  76  to  79  preferably is designed at least approximately straight and is arranged to extend parallel with the conveying plane of the webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 . 
     Thus, the conveying means  23  to  26 ,  31  to  34 ,  44 ,  71  to  74 , and  76  to  79 ; together with the webs  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  they hold extend along a straight line and are therefore embodied as a linear conveyor. 
     While preferred embodiments of a former in accordance with the present invention have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that a number of changes in, for example the particular type of printing press used to print the paper webs, the specific support for the former, and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims.