Abstract:
A printing system includes a media storage module, a printing station for processing a portion of the receiving media, a receiving station for receiving the processed media, and a base member for supporting the printing system on a support surface. A receiving device is configured to receive a folding module for folding the processed receiving media. The receiving device is positioned substantially in a volume extending from the area defined by the cumulative normal projection of the media storage module and the printing station on the support surface, the volume extending perpendicular to the support surface in the direction of the printing station. A guiding device is configured to guide the processed media to one of the receiving station and the folding module. A method of modifying the printing system includes removing a media storage module to create a vacancy and inserting a folding module into the vacancy.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of copending PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2008/062863 filed on Sep. 25, 2008, which designated the United States, and on which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120. PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2008/062863 claims priority to Application No. 07117954.3 filed in Europe on Oct. 5, 2007. The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a printing system and a folding module for folding a processed receiving media. The present invention also pertains to a combination of the printing system and the folding module and to a method of modifying a printing system. 
     DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART 
     Printing systems that are in-line coupled to a folding system are known. In these kinds of systems, the printing system applies marking material on a portion of a receiving media and outputs the processed media via an output of the printing system towards the input of the folding system. Usually, the folding system comprises a large substantially flat table to support the processed media and apply one or more alignment and measuring operations to determine the folding program. The table is used to ensure a correct alignment. It is a disadvantage of these types of folding systems that they occupy a large floor area additional to the floor area occupied by the printing system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide for a folding system that enables a reduction of floor space needed for the combined printing and folding system. To this end, the present invention is directed to a printing system and a folding module for folding a processed receiving media from the printing system. 
     By placing the folding module in a vacancy in the printing system, wherein the cooperation device of the folding device engages with the receiving device of the printing system, wherein the receiving device is positioned within an imaginary volume extending perpendicular from the footprint area in the direction of the printing station, the folding module does not require additional footprint space. 
     The footprint of the printing system is the area defined by the cumulative normal projection of the media storage module and the printing station on the support surface. This area is commonly referred to as the footprint of the media storage module and the printing station. The footprint area is the area of the imaginary perpendicular projection on the support surface of the media storage module added to the imaginary perpendicular projection on the support surface of the printing station. For the determination of the footprint area, the support surface is represented as a mathematical plane span by the points on which the base member is supported on the physical support surface. 
     In an embodiment of the folding module according to the present invention, the folding module comprises a cooperation device positioned at the circumference of the folding module for cooperation with the receiving device of the printing system, and a folding device configured to fold the processed receiving media. The cooperation device enables the folding module to be placed in the printing system. This placement may have a temporarily character or a permanent character. An operator may replace a module comprising, for example rolls of receiving media, such as paper, by a module comprising a folder, or by a module comprising a folder and an additional roll of receiving media. 
     In a further embodiment, the folding module comprises a media feed device configured to feed a media into the folding device. The media feed device enables a processed media to be transported into the folding device, such that a folding operation may be executed on the processed receiving media. 
     In a further embodiment, the folding module comprises a media feed device, which in an operative state is able to correct for media skew. Commonly, an in-line or off-line folding system requires a large input table to measure a receiving media which is to be folded, and for measuring and correcting for any skew before folding. Such a large input table increases the footprint of the system significantly. This media skew correction may be implemented by driving the media feed device in opposite direction with respect to the media transport direction, such that a processed receiving media is skew corrected before it is fed to the folding device. Thereby, the skew correction device does not increase the footprint area of the system, while maintaining the skew correction quality. 
     In an embodiment of the folding module according to the present invention, the folding means comprises a rotatable folding cylinder, a first and a second rotatable press member, each capable of engaging with said folding cylinder to form respectively a first and a second folding pinch, a medium feed device configured to feed the medium towards the folding cylinder in between said first and second folding pinches, and a control device that is capable of alternating the rotational direction of the rotatable folding cylinder in operative state during a folding program and controllably drive the medium feed means to feed the medium during a folding program towards the folding cylinder. 
     This process of folding a processed receiving media enables the folding operation to be carried out by a relatively compact folding system. The compactness of the folding system enables this folding process to be carried out in a volume equal to a volume needed for storing rolls of receiving material. Therefore this method of folding a processed receiving media is very suitable for implementing in the folding module according to the present invention. 
     In a further embodiment, the medium feed device is positioned in close proximity to the folding cylinder. By placing the media feed device in close proximity to the folding cylinder, the footprint of the system is not increased and the available space is used optimally to accommodate larger packages to be folded. 
     In an embodiment, the folding module further comprises an output device, configured to eject a folded processed media. The output device may comprise a transport pinch for transporting a folded package to a location reachable for an operator to take out the folded package. This may be the same location as the location where sheets are delivered to when a folding operation is not required. 
     In an embodiment, the folding module further comprises a storing device for storing at least one roll of receiving media. In particular, if the folding module replaces a module intended for storing rolls of receiving media, it is very advantageous to accommodate an additional roll of receiving media if the folding device does not cover the complete available volume. 
     In another embodiment, the folding has substantially the same outside dimensions as a media storage module for storing at least one roll of receiving media of the printing system. This enables exchangeability between a roll storage module and a folding module according to the present invention. By implementing such folding module, the footprint of the system is not increased, while a folding functionality is added. 
     In another aspect, the present invention pertains to a combination of the printing system and the folding module. Such combination adds a folding functionality to the printing system without adding to the required floor space of such a system. In particular in applications where floor space is scarce, such combination will be appreciated. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of modifying a printing system, comprising the steps of removing a media storage module capable of storing at least one roll of receiving media from a printing system, thereby creating a vacancy, and inserting a folding module into the vacancy. 
     Such modification adds a folding functionality to the printing system without adding to the required floor space of such a system. In particular, in applications where floor space is scarce, such combination will be appreciated. It will be clear for one having skill in the art that any electrical signals required for operating the folding module shall be installed after placement of the folding module. 
     In a further embodiment of the method, the media storage module and the folding module are removably connectable to the printing system by means of a receiving device. This enables the exchangeability of the folding module and, for example, a module comprising one or more rolls of receiving media. Such a configurable system adds a significant functionality to be selected, while an operator may still chose to prefer the storage capacity if needed to store more rolls. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  schematically shows a detail of such printing system; 
         FIG. 2B  schematically shows an embodiment of a folding module; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module; and 
         FIGS. 7  A-D are schematic side views of an embodiment of a folding module. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar elements have been identified with the same reference numeral. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a printing system  1  according to the present invention. The printing system  1  comprises a media storage module  10 . The media storage module  10  has the capacity to store two rolls of receiving media, in this system two rolls of wide format paper (not shown). The rolls of paper are mounted in the media storage module  10  such that the paper can be drawn out to be processed, e.g. by driving the axles on which the rolls are mounted or by drawing the media out by a media transport pinch. 
     The receiving media  21  is fed out of the media storage module  10  via the exit  15  of the media storage module  10 . The receiving media  21  is fed into the printing station  30  via the entrance  16  of the printing station  30 . In the printing station  30 , several media transport pinches (not shown) feed the receiving media  21  towards the imaging device. The imaging device comprises a printhead  32  mounted on a carriage  31 . The printhead  32  is drivably mounted such that the printhead  32  is able to make a scanning movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of media transport. The printhead  32  comprises a plurality of nozzles (not shown) and a device for applying marking material through the nozzles to the receiving media  21  in an image wise fashion. 
     The processed receiving media  11  is fed by means of media transport pinches (not shown) towards the exit  17  of the printing station  30 . The printing system  1  further comprises a cutting device (not shown) for cutting the processed receiving media  11  at the required length dimension of the processed receiving media  11 , thereby separating the processed receiving media  11  from the stretch of receiving material on the roll in the media storage module  10 . The cut, processed receiving media  11  is received in the receiving station  12 . This receiving station  12  is mounted in between the legs of the base member  13  and is implemented as a wire frame construction slide. The base member  13  supports the printing system  1  on the support surface  19 . An area  14  bounded by the dashed line segments represents the cumulative normal projection of the media storage module  10  and the printing station  30  on the support surface  19 . This area  14  is commonly referred to as the footprint of the media storage module  10  and the printing station  30 . Footprint area  14  is the area of the imaginary perpendicular projection on the support surface  19  of the media storage module  10  added to the imaginary perpendicular projection on the support surface  19  of the printing station  30 . For the determination of the footprint area  14 , the support surface  19  is represented as a mathematical plane span by the points on which the base member  13  is supported on the physical support surface  19 . 
     The printing system  1  comprises a further module, depicted as vacancy  20  suitable for receiving a folding system and/or a further media storage module. This further module  20  comprises a receiving device configured to receive a folding system. The receiving device is positioned in an imaginary volume extending perpendicular from the footprint area  14  in the direction of the printing station  30 . 
       FIG. 2A  schematically illustrates a detail of the printing system  1  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Vacancy  20  comprises a receiving device  41  and  42 . In this embodiment the receiving device  41  and  42  is implemented as a drawer rail. This receiving device  41  and  42  is fitted to cooperate with the cooperation device  51  and  52  of a folding station  50 , as schematically shown in  FIG. 2B . The cooperation device  51  and  52  and/or the receiving device  41  and  42  comprise a rolling device (not shown) to improve the relative motion of the folding module  50  during the introduction of the folding module  50  into the printing system  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system  1  incorporating an embodiment of a folding module  50  according to the present invention. Media storage module  10  comprises a first roll of receiving media  71  of which the leading edge is fed into media transport pinch  33  and a second roll of receiving material  72 , which is currently not fed into the printing station  30 , but which leading edge is engaged such that it may be fed into the printing station, for example when roll  71  is empty. Roll  71  and roll  72  may contain the same or different type of receiving material. Types may, e.g. vary in their width, roll length, or surface type of receiving material (glossy, matte, etc.). 
     The stretch of receiving material is fed via the exit  15  of media storage module  10  through the entrance of the printing station  30 . In practice, the printing system will comprise several transport pinches over the length of the paper paths, but these are not all shown. 
     The receiving material  21  is fed under the printhead  32  and towards the cutting device  35 . The cutting device  35  is positioned downstream of the printing location, but it shall be clear that the cutting device may also be positioned at other locations in the system, such as upstream of the printhead  32  or even inside the media storage module  10 . 
     The processed receiving material is fed by transport pinch  37  via exit  17  to the exterior of the printing station  30 . The processed receiving material is selectably received by either the receiving station  12  or the folding module  50 . The selecting is implemented by a valve  65  near the entrance  61  of the folding module  50 . By driving the valve  65  to its opened position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a processed receiving material is guided into the folding module  50  where it will be received by a further transport pinch (not shown), which enables the processed receiving media to be fed into the folding device  75 . If the valve  65  is driven to its closed location, the processed receiving media will be guided into the receiving station  12 , where it slides towards a user reachable delivery position, where the processed receiving media may be taken out by an operator. 
     The folding module  50  comprises a folding device  75  configured to execute a folding operation and an exit  79  for releasing a folded package onto the receiving station  12 . The folding module  50  further comprises an additional roll of receiving material  73 , which may be fed into the printing station  30  by the media transport device (not shown). The folding module  50  is here completely contained in the casing as depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module similar to the printing system as depicted in  FIG. 3 . This embodiment comprises an upper receiving station  12  on top of the printing station  30 . A processed receiving media is selectably fed towards the folding module  50  or towards the upper receiving station  12  by the guiding device  81 . By operating the guiding device  81  in a first state (indicated by dashed lines), the processed receiving media is guided towards the folding module under further guidance of the transport and guidance device  85 . A folding device  75  receives the leading edge of a processed receiving media and executes a folding program to fold the processed receiving media according to a required folding configuration. In this embodiment, the folded package is fed back into the transport path as defined by the transport and guidance device  85  into the upper receiving station  12  by operating the guidance device  81  such that a transport path is formed from the folding module to the upper receiving station  12 . Alternatively, the folding module may comprise an additional exit for releasing a folded package, for example underneath the folding module  50 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module similar to the printing system as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The folding module  50  here comprises a folding device  75 , which extends partly outside the folding module  50  towards the bottom receiving station  12 . For the sake of modularity, this embodiment comprises a device for rotatably mounting the folding device  75  such that, after placing the folding module  50  into the vacancy comprising the receiving device for receiving the folding module, the complete folding device is rotated into the position as depicted here. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a printing system incorporating an embodiment of a folding module similar to the printing system as depicted in  FIG. 3 . This embodiment comprises a folding module  50 , which comprises a selectably operable valve  65  for selectable guiding a processed receiving material into the folding device or the receiving station  12 . This embodiment comprises a folding device, which is stretched in a length direction such that the central folding device takes less height, but offers the same space for long packages to be folded. The media transport path inside the folding device is formed by implementing two smaller rolls with a belt around them. The outside boundary of the transport path is implemented as a plate. Alternatively, this plate may be any other media retaining device, such as an additional belt. A folded package is released through folding exit  79  to the front of the system  1 . This folding exit  79  may also be used as a separate alternative entrance for guiding separate sheets of media into the folding device. In this way, the folding module may be used as an in-line folder via the entrance  61  and as an off-line folder, where an operator manually feeds sheets into the folder via entrance  79 . 
     The folding module may comprise any folding device small enough to fit in a module suitable to be placed in vacancy  20  as depicted in  FIG. 2A .  FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate some well working examples of folding devices suitable to be implemented in such a limited space. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a folding module comprising a selectably operable valve  65  for guiding a processed receiving media into the folding device  75  and a front delivery station  101 .  FIG. 7B  further comprises an additional roll of receiving media  73  and has a bottom exit  79 . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the folding device comprises a feed unit  110 , a folding substrate which, in this embodiment, is configured as a cylindrical drum  112 , and a pair of pinch and guide structures (not shown) that are arranged symmetrically with respect to the feed unit  110  at the peripheral surface of the drum  112 . A discharge unit  116  is arranged in a position diametrically opposite to the feed unit  110 . 
     The feed unit  110  comprises a guide channel  118  arranged for a sheet of processed receiving media (not shown), vertically downward onto the peripheral surface of the drum  112 . A pair of feed rollers  120  form a nip in the supply channel  118 . At least one of the feed rollers  120  is driven, so as to control the supply of the sheets to the drum  112 . 
     Two deflection fingers  122  and  124  are arranged at the downstream end of the feed unit  112  for deflecting the sheets at the transit point between the feed unit  110  and the surface of the drum  112 . The deflection fingers  122 ,  124  are adjustable by means of a set mechanism that has not been shown, so that they may optionally be brought into an operative position. In the example shown in  FIG. 7A , the deflection finger  124  is in the operative position. 
     Each pinch and guide structure comprises a pinch roller  126  and an endless belt (not shown) or rather an array of several parallel belts that are trained around the pinch roller  126  and two deflection rollers (not shown). The pinch roller  126  and the deflection rollers are arranged such that a portion of the belt is held in mating engagement with the peripheral surface of the drum  112 . In the example shown, that portion extends over an angle of almost 180° from the feed unit  110  to the discharge unit  116 . The belt may be elastic, or one of the deflection rollers, e.g., the roller, may be supported elastically so as to hold the belt under appropriate tension, so that the portion will suitably be pressed against the surface of the drum  112 . 
     The drum  112  is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be rotatable in either direction about its central axis. The belts and the pinch rollers and deflection rollers may be driven through frictional contact with the peripheral surface of the drum  112 . Preferably, however, one of the pinch rollers  126  and deflection rollers of each pinch and guide structure is driven actively by means of a drive mechanism (not shown). 
     The discharge unit  116  comprises a discharge gate  134  that is disposed between the two deflection rollers and is pivotable about an axis  136 . Further, a pair of discharge rollers  138  form a transport nip below the deflection rollers. 
       FIG. 7C  shows a folding module comprising a selectably operable valve  65  for guiding a processed receiving media into the folding device  75  and a front delivery station  101 .  FIG. 7D  further comprises an additional roll of receiving media  73  and has a bottom exit  79 . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 7C and 7D , the folding device is shown, wherein the folding substrate is formed by two separate smaller drums  112 ′ that are arranged in parallel and are connected by stationary guides  160  which, together with the belts  128 , define a closed circulation path for the sheets. Here, the belts  128  have straight portions running along the guides  160  without pressing against these guides or pressing only moderately there against, so that the sheets or sheet portions, when passing along the guide  160 , will not experience any substantial friction or shearing strains. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.