Abstract:
A diverter mechanism for signatures in a folding apparatus is provided including a set of high-speed tapes (3) for conveying signatures in a conveying plane (1) toward delivery stations (12, 13). Rotating diverting elements (7.1, 7.2) are integrated into the path of the high speed tapes (3). Each of the diverting elements (7.1, 7.2) has at least two rotatably mounted guiding surfaces (10) that alter the diverting direction of signatures upon rotation of the diverting elements (7.1, 7.2).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mechanism for diverting signatures by the rotation of surfaces, especially within a folding apparatus assigned to a rotary printing press. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     EP 0 254 037 A2 purports to disclose a sheet diverter for signature collation and method thereof In a sheet diverter adapted for cooperative association with a cutter in a pinless folder assembly for a high-speed printing press, a ribbon is cut into a plurality of signatures destined for serially deflected parallel collation from a diverter path through the sheet diverter to a desired one of a plurality of collation paths to systematize the order of signatures in a selected array. An oscillating diverter guide member reciprocates in a diverter plane having a component which is generally normal to the diverter path of a signature through the guide member for directing the lateral disposition of the leading edge of the signature into engagement with a diverter member. A plurality of diverting paths, each has a throat for receiving a selected signature and merging to confined course for guiding it. The diverter member including a diversion surface disposed in each of the throats lying at a diversion angle respecting the travel of the signature from the oscillating guide member. The diverter member directs the leading edge of the signature and controls its course through the throat into a collation path. 
     EP 0 297 282 B1 and EP 0297 283 B1 each concern a device for subdividing a stream of prints. In EP 0 297 282 B1 two deflecting elements are placed against one another and rotating against one another. In particular, these deflecting elements are cylinders which force the prints into one of two subsequently arranged transport paths. The deflecting elements are formed by a pair of respectively similarly eccentrically rotating cutting cylinders to which a print carrier web is supplied. A print cut off between the cutting cylinder pair from the print carder web is then introduced into one of the transport paths. 
     EP 0 297 283 B1 purports to disclose two rotating deflection elements by means of which prints are forced into one of two transport paths situated downstream. The deflection elements are designed as wings which are different from each other, resilient and set against each other. They are arranged alternatingly on a pair of cutting cylinders to which a web is fed. The prints to be cut between the pair of cutting cylinders are introduced with the leading edge by one of the deflection elements into one of the transport paths. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,713 purports to disclose a diverter mechanism. A sheet diverter is disposed in the path of a stream of cut sheets to be diverted in predetermined sequence in different directions, in which a pair of rotary diverters having cam surfaces thereon divert and guide the sheets in their predetermined sequence relative to a pair of guiding surfaces. 
     The above-mentioned disclosures all require a steeple and corresponding secondary tape paths to forward diverted products to the respective predetermined delivery stations. EP 0 254 037 only allows for sinusoidal motion resulting in the tails of respective signatures ending on the wrong side of the steeple, thus, increasing the propensity for the signatures to be marked or damaged or to jam on the steeple. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a diverter mechanism for diverting signatures in a folding apparatus includes a set of high-speed tapes for conveying signatures in a conveying plane towards delivery stations. First and second rotating diverting elements are integrated into the path of the set of high-speed tapes. Each rotating diverting element has at least two rotatably mounted rotary guiding surfaces. By rotating the diverting elements, the diverting direction of signatures may be changed. 
     This configuration offers several advantages over the state of the art outlined above. For example, in accordance with the present invention, the requirement for a secondary transport belt system to convey signatures to fan wheels or the like is eliminated. Moreover, the present invention requires less space within the folding apparatus than prior art mechanisms. Another advantage of the present invention is that delivery of signatures into fan pockets can be tuned by a simple adjustment of opposing guiding surfaces of the rotating diverting elements. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the diverting elements include support members which rotate about respective axes. The guiding surfaces are rotatably mounted on the support members. The guiding surfaces can, for example, be formed as rollers extending over the entire width of the signature conveying plane or as a plurality of disc-shaped elements spaced over the width of the signature conveying plane, each disc having a thickness adapted to the width of the high-speed tape. The guiding surfaces contact the high speed tapes which in turn contact the signatures. The guiding surfaces do not directly contact the signatures. 
     The diverting elements can have two or more guiding surfaces. When diverting elements with two guiding surfaces are used, the guiding surfaces can be mounted side by side on the support members, e.g., 180 degrees offset from one another. If three or more guiding surfaces are used, they can be mounted on the support members in a planetary or satellite configuration, whereby the support member rotates about a central rotation point and the guiding surfaces are rotatably mounted to the support member at positions surrounding the central rotation point. Simultaneous rotation of the first and second diverting elements causes the guiding surfaces of the first diverting element to cooperate with the guiding surfaces of the second diverting element to divert signatures cyclicly right and left toward opposing delivery stations, such as a pair of fan wheels. 
     In a configuration in which each diverting element has two guiding surfaces, the support members of the diverting elements are oriented at an approximate 90° offset from each other. In this configuration, a guiding surface of one of the diverting elements encroaches a space between the two guiding surfaces of the other diverting element. The encroachment causes the high-speed tapes to become angularly offset from a centerline defined between the axes of the diverting elements, resulting in a deflection of signatures. For each 90° rotation of the diverting elements, the encroaching guiding surface changes from one side to the other thereby causing cyclic lateral movement of the high speed tape. This results in alternating right and left delivery of the signature. The signatures may be directed over a stationary guide member as in the prior art described above, or, alternatively, aimed directly into different delivery stations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a diverter mechanism employing rotating diverting elements having three guiding surfaces. 
     FIGS. 1(a, b) show a side view of two embodiments of the guiding surface of the diverting elements. 
     FIG. 1(c) shows a more detailed view of the diverting element of FIGS. 1, 1(b). 
     FIG. 2(a) shows a diverting-only configuration of the present invention in which a pair of diverting elements diverts a signature laterally from the center line. 
     FIG. 2(b) shows a diverting-with-aiming configuration in accordance with the present invention in which a pair of diverting elements diverts a signature angularly from the center line. 
     FIGS. 3.1 to 3.4 show a sequence of movements of the guiding surfaces to cause a signature&#39;s deflection to a first delivery station. 
     FIGS. 3.5 to 3.8 show a sequence of movements of the guiding surfaces to cause a signature&#39;s deflection to a second delivery station. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a diverter mechanism according to the present invention including a guide member. 
     FIG. 5 is a from view of a diverter mechanism employing diverting elements having two guiding surfaces. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of a diverter mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention having satellite-like rotating diverting elements 7 integrated into a path of a set of high speed tapes 3. 
     A signature conveying path 1 extends from a pair of cutting cylinders 2 and between a set of high-speed tapes 3 which include a first high-speed tape 3.1 and a second high-speed tape 3.2. The high-speed tapes 3.1, 3.2, traverse a closed path around rollers 4, driving rollers 5, tensioning rollers 5.1, wrap rollers 6, and diverting elements 7. The diverting elements 7 include first and second diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2, assigned to the left and right high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2 respectively. 
     Diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 rotate about respective axes of rotation 8, 9. The diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2, shown with a triangular support member in FIG. 1, have several guiding surfaces 10 attached thereto. The guiding surfaces 10 include a first guiding surface 10.1, a second guiding surface 10.2 and a third guiding surface 10.3. The guiding surfaces of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 form overlapping circumferential envelopes 100.1, 100.2 about axes 8, 9. As shown in FIGS. 1(a,b), the guiding surfaces 10 can either be rollers 10&#39; extending through the width of the signature conveying path 1 (FIG. 1(a)) or a plurality of individual disc-shaped roller elements 10&#34; extending across the width of the signature conveying path 1. 
     By rotating in clockwise and counterclockwise directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2 divert signatures cyclicly left and right toward opposing fan wheels 12 and 13. The diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2, are synchronized such that one guiding surface 10, that is, the first guiding surface 10.1, the second guiding surface 10.2, or the third guiding surface 10.3 of the first diverting element 7.1, cooperates with one of the corresponding surface elements 10 of the second diverting element 7.2. FIG. 1 shows the second surface 10.2 of the first diverting element 7.1 cooperating with the first guiding surface 10.1 of the second diverting element 7.2. For the position shown, a signature would be deflected as indicated by arrow 19 in the deflection area 11. 
     FIG. 1(c) shows a more detailed side view of a diverting element, indicated generally by reference numeral 7, for which the guiding surface 10 is composed of a plurality of disc-shaped roller elements 10&#34;. The diverting element 7 is rotated by a first drive 30. The first drive 30 may be of any known construction suitable for rotating the diverting element 7, e.g., gears, belts, or individually driven motors. 
     The driving rollers 5 drive the high speed tapes 3.1, 3.2. Preferably, the driving rollers 5 are driven by a second drive (not shown) which is independent from the first drive 30. By rotating the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2, via the first drive 30 independently of the high speed tape driving rollers 5, the diverting elements 7 can be used for any signature length. For example, for a given speed of the high speed tape driving roller 5, a shorter signature length would require a faster rotation of the diverting elements 7 to achieve proper delivery of the signature. Correspondingly, a longer signature, driven at the same speed by driving roller 5, would require a slower rotation of diverting elements 7 by drive 30 to achieve proper delivery. With independent drives for the high speed tape driving rollers 5 and the diverting elements 7, any arrangement of signature length and delivery frequency can be accommodated. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the deflection area 11 is delimited by envelope curves 14, 15 of the fan wheels 12, 13, respectively. The fan wheels 12, 13 include a plurality of fan pockets 17 each having an entry region 16. The rotation of the fan wheels 12, 13 is phased so that a fan pocket entry region 16 is in rotational position to receive a signature at the instant the diverting elements 7 deflect the signature toward it. The diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 and the fan wheels 12 and 13 are synchronized so that succeeding signatures will be cyclicly deflected left and right toward fan pocket entry regions 16 of fan wheels 12 and 13, respectively. Reference numeral 18 indicates the centerline between fan wheels 12 and 13. Reference numeral 18 is also the centerline between the axes 8,9 of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2. As will be explained in more detail below, the signature conveying path 1 will be set off angularly to the right and left sides of the centerline 18 by the diverting elements 7. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the diverters 7.1, 7.2 can be configured to accomplish either `diverting-only` or `diverting-with-aiming.` A diverting only configuration is shown in FIG. 2(a). The diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2 are shown with a distance l 1  between their respective axes of rotation 8 and 9. This arrangement offsets the high speed tapes 3.1, 3.2 laterally to the right or left of the centerline 18 without conforming the high speed tape path to the guiding surfaces. The result is that the signatures are diverted laterally to the right or left of the centerline 18. As shown,4 such a configuration can be used, for example, to divert a signature laterally to the right or left of the center line and to guide it over a steeple 26. 
     FIG. 2(b) shows a diverting with aiming configuration. The distance l 2  between the axes of rotation 8 and 9 is smaller than the distance l 1  shown in FIG. 2(a). In this configuration, the path of the high speed tapes 3.1, 3.2, rather than being merely offset from the centerline 18, is altered to conform to the surface of the guide surfaces 10. A signature emerging from the diverting elements as shown in the configuration of FIG. 2(b) will be angularly offset from the centerline 18 and aimed to the left as indicated by arrow 19. The degree of aiming can be varied by adjusting the size, spacing, and interferences of the diverting elements and its components. 
     Moreover, it is apparent that alternative embodiments are possible in which the distances l 1  and l 2  are equal, and diverting-only or diverting-with-aiming is achieved by changing the size of the diverting elements, the guiding surfaces, or the relative angular relationship between the diverting elements 7 during signature release. 
     For example, FIGS. 3.1 to 3.4 show a sequence of rotational movement of diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 of FIG. 1 in a diverting-with-aiming configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 3.1, the center distance is equal to l 1 . Each diverting element 7.1, 7.2 has three guiding surfaces 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3. The diverting elements 7.1, 7.2, are wrapped by high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2, respectively. The second diverting element 7.2 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow on the right. The first diverting element 7.1 rotates clockwise. In FIGS. 3.1 to 3.4 the rotational movement of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 is shown in increments of about 15°. 
     In FIG. 3.2, the first guiding surface 10.1 of diverting element 7.2 and the third guiding surface 10.3 of diverting element 7.1 form a nip. Upon further rotation of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2, the nip narrows according to FIGS. 3.2 and 3.3. In FIG. 3.4, a deflection of a signature emerging from the nip between the high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2 is achieved. The emerging signature is diverted angularly with respect to the centerline toward the right as indicated by arrow 19. 
     In FIGS. 3.5 to 3.8, guiding surface 10.1 of the second diverting element 7.2 is shown cooperating with guiding surface 10.2 of the first diverting element 7.1. The successive FIGS. 3.5 to 3.8 show rotational increments of approximately 15° of the diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2. As shown, the first guiding surface 10.1 moves into the second diverting element 7.2, thereby laterally offsetting the conveying plane of the signatures, diverting them in the direction indicated by the arrow 19 shown in FIG. 3.8. In general, FIGS. 3.1 to 3.4 show a rotational sequence of the diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2 resulting in signature deflection to the right, whereas FIGS. 3.5 to 3.8 show a rotational sequence resulting in signature deflection to the left. 
     As a result, by altering the relative angular relationship between the diverting elements 7 from FIG. 2(a), diverting-with-aiming is accomplished while maintaining the center distance at l 1 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention in which the diverting elements 7 are arranged in a diverting-only configuration. The high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2, are not completely wound around the outer circumference of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2, but are arranged above a diverting unit 27 having a guide member 26. The diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2, each having a plurality of guiding surfaces 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3. The relative angular relationship between the diverting elements during signature delivery is the same as in FIGS. 2(a,b) and the center distance is equal to l 1 . The diverting elements 7 cooperate to deflect the signatures laterally to one side of the guide member 26 or the other, depending on the rotational position of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2. Thus, the signatures are either conveyed between the left high-speed tape 3.1 and its corresponding transport tape 28 or between the right high-speed tape 3.2 and its corresponding transport tape 29. The signatures enter fan pocket entry region 16 of either the left fan wheel 12 or the right fan wheel 13, as arranged below the diverting unit 27. 
     FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2 each have two guiding surfaces 23 and 24 respectively. The guiding surfaces 23, 24 of the diverting elements 7.1, 7.2 form overlapping circumferential envelopes 100.1, 100.2 about axes 8, 9. The guiding surfaces 23, 24 are supported by supports 21 and 22 which rotate about axes 8 and 9 respectively. The support 21 for the left guiding surfaces 23 rotates at the same angular velocity but with a 90° phase shift from the support 22 for the right guiding surfaces 24. When support 21 is vertical, support 22 is horizontal. After a 90° rotation, the orientation is reversed such that support 21 is horizontal and support 22 is vertical. As the supports 21, 22 rotate, the high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2 are angularly offset from the centerline 20 by the encroaching motion of the guiding surfaces 23, 24. 
     In the position shown in FIG. 5, a guiding surface 24 of the right diverting element 7.2 is encroaching the nip between the guiding surfaces 23 of the left diverting element 7.1. Consequently, a signature emerging from the cooperating high-speed tapes 3.1, 3.2 will be diverted angularly to the right of the centerline 20, as indicated by arrow 25. 
     A 90° rotation of the diverting elements 7.1 and 7.2 from the position shown in FIG. 2 results in the high-speed tapes 3.1 and 3.2 being angularly offset to the right of the centerline 20. One of the guiding surfaces 23 of the left diverting element 7.1 will encroach the nip between the guiding surfaces 24 of the right diverting element 7.2. Consequently, signatures emerging from the nip between the high-speed tapes 3.1, 3.2 will be diverted angularly to the left of the centerline 20.