Abstract:
The method of adjusting a first longitudinal folding device for processing material webs with longitudinal adhesive bonding in a folder of a web-fed printing machine, wherein the first longitudinal folding device is movable relative to the folder, includes the steps of fixing the position of the former outlet rollers relative to a cylinder part of the folder. The method also includes the step of displacing a frame whereon spindles of the former outlet rollers are displaceably carried, thereby maintaining the distance of the web of material relative to the surfaces of the former outlet rollers. Another method step includes aligning an annular recess, centrally formed in the former outlet rollers, with an axis of the folder, for the purpose of applying the adhesive with regard to any width of material web to be processed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a division of U.S. application No. 09/312,573, filed May 14, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to a method of adjusting a longitudinal folding device in a folder of a web-fed printing machine, printed webs of material entering into the folder via the longitudinal folding device subsequent to a drying and cooling operation.  
           [0004]    In the prior art, the published Japanese Patent Document JP Hei 7-18682 has disclosed a device for regulating the first longitudinal fold on a folder former. In order to achieve a more precise and pronounced formation of the first longitudinal fold on webs of material with low and high grammage or weight, the folder former is provided with a nose that is arranged so as to be adjustable. The former nose, which is located beneath a material web outlet from the former plate, is remotely-controllably pivotable by an adjusting cylinder arranged behind the former plate.  
           [0005]    The published Japanese Patent Document JP Hei 7-29725 relates to a device for adjusting the former of a folder. A drive is arranged on a main frame carrying an inclined former plate and, via an elongated shaft, drives an auxiliary frame in which a former infeed roller is mounted. If there is a change in the web format that is processed in the first longitudinal folding arrangement and in the downline folder, it is then possible simultaneously to adjust the former infeed roller mounted in the auxiliary frame, and the former plate mounted in the main frame. By this simultaneously occurring adjustment of the former infeed roller and the former plate, the incoming material web is displaced, in the travel plane thereof, axially to the former infeed rollers, whereas the former infeed rollers are connected in a stationary manner to the folder cylinder part and are, accordingly, not displaceable for adjusting purposes.  
           [0006]    The technical problem solved by the invention is that, in the course of successive printing jobs or orders, weights and formats or sizes of the papers which are to be processed may vary, which has heretofore resulted in a considerable amount of time being wasted, due to required changeover or conversion work, until production resumes. In the case of a change in the width of the material web that is to be processed, it is necessary, virtually without exception, for the former to be adjusted relative to the folder cylinder part. If the outlet or runout rollers, which are usually laid out or designed, in the length thereof, for the maximum processable web format, are inclined to one another, it would be desirable to maintain the once set angle of inclination, as is similarly the case with other already pre-set parameters which are not to be influenced by the web format.  
           [0007]    If areas of adhesive for subsequently performed adhesive bonding on copies cut from the web of material are applied to individual web lengths which are cut longitudinally in the turner-bar or angle-bar superstructure, and then guided together over various folder formers, it is necessary for the region of the web of material to which the adhesive is applied to run into the folder cylinder part via an annular recess formed in the outlet rollers of the first longitudinal folding arrangement. If other web formats with exactly like areas of adhesive are processed, care should be taken that the areas of adhesive always run over that region of the outlet rollers in which the annular recesses are located.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method of adjusting a longitudinal folding device in a folder of a web-fed printing device wherein, during a change in the format of a web of material that is to be processed therein, protracted adjustment work on the infeed rollers is minimized so as to be able to resume production more quickly after the web format, and possibly the paper sheet format, have been changed.  
           [0009]    With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, in a folder for web-fed printing machines for processing webs of material with longitudinal adhesive bonding, a longitudinal folding device including a displaceable folder former movable relative to a cylinder part of the folder, comprising a frame carrying former outlet rollers and spindles whereon the former outlet rollers are mounted, the frame being displaceable with the longitudinal folding device.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another feature of the invention, the spindles are movable relative to the former outlet rollers.  
           [0011]    In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the spindles are movable axially relative to the former outlet rollers.  
           [0012]    In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the former outlet rollers are disposed, through the intermediary of a roller support, on framework walls of the folder.  
           [0013]    In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the spindles are adjustable relative to one another on the frame.  
           [0014]    In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the longitudinal folding device includes an adjusting device for adjusting the spindles of the former outlet rollers at a frame-side end thereof.  
           [0015]    In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the spindles of the former outlet rollers are adjustable in a horizontal plane on the frame.  
           [0016]    In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the spindles of the former outlet rollers are adjustable in a vertical plane on the frame.  
           [0017]    In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the former outlet rollers are formed approximately centrally with an annular recess.  
           [0018]    In accordance with still another feature of the invention, roller sections of the former outlet rollers have a coating formed thereon.  
           [0019]    In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the longitudinal folding device includes crossmembers whereon the frame is displaceably mounted.  
           [0020]    In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the frame has rolling elements supported on crossmembers.  
           [0021]    In accordance with still an additional feature of the invention, the frame has slide guides through which the crossmembers extend.  
           [0022]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a folder for web-fed printing machines having a longitudinal folding device for processing webs of material with longitudinal adhesive bonding, including a displaceable former movable relative to a cylinder part of the folder, and comprising a frame carrying former outlet rollers, and spindles whereon the former outlet rollers are mounted, the frame being displaceable with the longitudinal folding device.  
           [0023]    In accordance with a concomitant aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of adjusting a first longitudinal folding device for processing material webs with longitudinal adhesive bonding in a folder of a web-fed printing machine, the first longitudinal folding device being movable relative to the folder, which comprises the steps of fixing the position of the former outlet rollers relative to a cylinder part of the folder, displacing a frame whereon spindles of the former outlet rollers are displaceably carried, thereby maintaining the distance of the web of material relative to the surfaces of the former outlet rollers, aligning an annular recess, centrally formed in the former outlet rollers, with an axis of the folder, for the purpose of applying the adhesive with regard to any width of material web to be processed.  
           [0024]    An advantage of the device according to the invention is that a set angle of the former outlet rollers relative to one another does not need to be adjusted if it is necessary to change over from maximum web-width processing to minimum web-width processing or any stage in between. This angle is constant irrespective of the web widths or the printing-material grammage being processed. Furthermore, the distance between the web, or the lengths of the web of material, and the outside of the former outlet rollers remains constant during an adjustment, because the outlet rollers move parallel to the mutually inclined spindles. Finally, the selected construction ensures that the application of adhesive, which is usually located centrally with respect to the web, is always located parallel to the axis of the folder, and the annular recesses are always located in the center of the folder.  
           [0025]    In further constructions based upon the concept of the invention, the spindles can be moved relative to the former outlet rollers. Because the spindles move relative to the former rollers and are connected to the first longitudinal folding device, during changeovers, they automatically move together with the frame that is connected to the first longitudinal folding device. The former outlet rollers themselves may be connected to the cylinder part of the folder and, accordingly, are in a stationary position. The spindles, which can be adjusted relative to the former outlet rollers, may be provided in a frame so that they can be adjusted or set relative to one another. For this purpose, on the web side and on the drive side of the frame, it is possible to provide an adjusting device by the aid of which the spindles of the former outlet rollers can be adjusted or set precisely both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction for the purpose of pre-setting the roller position. When changing over from the processing of one web format to another, in contrast, actuation of the adjusting device is not necessary; if, on the other hand, another printing-material grammage or weight is processed, then an adjustment may well be necessary.  
           [0026]    The former outlet rollers are formed, approximately centrally, with an annular recess, through which the adhesive material passes without coming into contact with the surfaces of the roller. The surfaces of the former outlet rollers may be provided with a coating which prevents ink from being deposited on the lateral surfaces of the rollers.  
           [0027]    The capacity for movement of the first longitudinal folding device and of the frame relative to the former outlet rollers can be realized in that the frame, together with the adjustable spindles mounted thereon, is supported on crossmembers and is displaceable thereon. For this purpose, it is possible to provide slide guides beneath the frame, for example at corner locations of the latter, and it is also possible to provide, on the frame, rolling elements which roll on the crossmembers which extend parallel to the displacement path of the frame.  
           [0028]    The device according to the invention may be disposed on a first longitudinal folding device, above a cylinder part of a folder. Depending upon variability, it is possible for a plurality of the first longitudinal folding devices according to the invention, having displaceable spindles for the former outlet rollers, to be arranged upline of a folder cylinder part, notwithstanding whether the spindles are in parallel, side-by-side or in series.  
           [0029]    Also disclosed in addition to the longitudinal folding device is a method of adjusting a first longitudinal folding device on the folder.  
           [0030]    Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
           [0031]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method of adjusting a longitudinal folding device in a folder of a web-fed printing machine, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first longitudinal folding device according to the invention for introducing a web of material having a maximum processable web width into a folder;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of FIG. 1 rotated through 90° counterclockwise, and showing the position of the frame that moves the former outlet rollers;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first longitudinal folding device according to the invention for folding a web of material having a minimum processable web width;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a plan view like that of FIG. 2 showing the position of the frame according to FIG. 3;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the frame according to the invention; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5 showing the frame according to the invention supported on crossmembers on a top part of the folder and disposed so as to be displaceable thereon.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]    Referring now to the drawings and, first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown therein a first longitudinal folding device  1  according to the invention for guiding a web of material having a maximum processable web width.  
         [0040]    The first longitudinal folding device  1  that is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 includes an upper infeed roller  2  over which a material web runs onto a former plate  3 . The former plate  3  is disposed in an adjustably movable former frame  4  which, in the view of FIG. 1, is located in a first position  4 . 1 .  
         [0041]    Fastened at the bottom end of the former frame  4  is a frame  8  that, for its part, carries spindles  9  which are only diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1. According to the invention, the frame  8  which also carries the former outlet rollers  10 , is fastened on the adjustable former frame  4  and is movable together therewith. Due to the fact that the spindles  9  are carried by the frame  8  at the former end  4 , the spindles  9  are movable relative to the former outlet rollers  10 . The former outlet rollers  10  have an approximately central annular recess  10 . 3  therebetween, alongside of which there are located a first roller section  10 . 1  and a second roller section  10 . 2 . The former rollers  10  are mounted so as to be stationary on a respective framework wall  15  of a bracing member by a support  12 . The bracing-member framework wall  15  represents the framework walls of a folder that is disposed immediately downline of the first longitudinal folding device  1 .  
         [0042]    It should also be emphasized that the spindles  9 , upon which the former outlet rollers  10  are mounted, can be displaced relative to the latter by a movement of the frame  8 , which changes the position of the material web  5  relative to the rollers  10 .  
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the diagrammatically illustrated roller support  12  is fastened stationarily to one of the bracing-member framework walls  15 . The illustrated material web  5  has a maximum web width  6  and is transported, approximately centrally to the axis  14  of the folder, in the direction of a continuing web path  16 . The continuing web path  16  may constitute the direct infeed into a folder arranged downline of the first longitudinal folding device  1  according to the invention, in which case the framework walls  15  constitute the side walls of the folder.  
         [0044]    As is also apparent from FIG. 1, the material web  5 , after having passed through the first longitudinal folding device  1 , is provided with a first longitudinal fold  19  and has an open end  20  located opposite thereto (note also FIG. 2).  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frame in a position thereof corresponding to that of FIG. 1, wherein the frame moves the former outlet rollers.  
         [0046]    It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the frame  8  is supported on guide rails  11 . It is possible for the frame  8  to be moved on the guide rails  11 , for example, by slide guides  13  which extend from the framework wall  15  to the framework wall  15  and from the bracing member  15  to the bracing member  15 , respectively. The frame  8  mounted on the displaceable former frame  4  of the first longitudinal folding device  1  is displaceable in the directions represented by the double-headed arrow  22 . On the frame  8 , the spindles  9  are received in spindle bearings  7  (note FIGS. 5 and 6). In the illustration of FIG. 2, the spindles  9  are shown positioned at an angle α with respect to one another; the former outlet rollers  10  are located in the axial position shown in FIG. 1. For an identical width of the material web  3 , the angle α is constant. In the arrangement of the former outlet rollers  10  illustrated in FIG. 2, a material web  5  of maximum web width  6  is folded longitudinally. The folding spine is represented at  19  and the open side located opposite thereto is identified by reference numeral  20 .  
         [0047]    In the plan view according to FIG. 2, it is possible to see the roller support  12  by way of which the former outlet rollers  10  are fixed in relation to the framework walls  15 . The longitudinally folded paper web  5  is located at a distance  21  from the surfaces of the former outlet rollers  10 , which are subdivided centrally, by an annular recess  10 . 3 , into a first roller section  10 . 1  and a second roller section  10 . 2 . The central annular recess  10 . 3  is aligned with the axis  14  of the folder and permits an application of adhesive to pass without being transferred to a rotating surface. The first longitudinal fold  19 , also referred to herein as a folding spine, is aligned with the axis  18  of the first longitudinal folding device  1 . Corresponding to that position of the former frame  4  shown in FIG. 1, the former frame  4 , in the position  4 . 1  thereof according to FIG. 2, is located in an extreme position in which it has been pushed up to the opposite framework wall  15 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first longitudinal folding device according to the invention for folding a minimum processable web format.  
         [0049]    In this configuration, a minimum processable web format  23  is folded longitudinally, the frame  8  having been moved into a position wherein the former outlet rollers  10  are uniformly disposed more closely together, but the application of adhesive on the material web  5  is again in alignment with the recess  10 . 3  of the former outlet rollers  10 . In this case, the frame  8  has been displaced more closely towards the left-hand bracing member or framework wall  15 , as seen in the travel direction  16  of the web. Accordingly, that format width of the material web  5  that is measured by the double-headed arrow  23  extending from the folding spine  19  to the open rear side  20  remains in alignment with the axis  14  of the folder.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the frame  8  in the position thereof during the processing of the minimum web format according to FIG. 3.  
         [0051]    In comparison with the position of the frame  8  which is illustrated in FIG. 2, it is apparent from FIG. 4 that, due to the frame  8  being displaced in the direction of the bottom framework wall  15 , the former outlet rollers  10  have been positioned closer together, without any need for any changeover operations other than the displacement of the frame  8 . The former outlet rollers  10 , which are stationarily fastened, are displaced on the respective spindles  9  thereof due to the displacement of the frame  8 , so that the former-roller lateral surfaces  10  shift towards one another, because the former rollers  10  are closer together at one end than at the opposite end, on the operative side  19  (fold side) and the open side  20 . The adjustment or setting of the former rollers  10  relative to one another is derived from the selected pre-setting of the angle α between the spindles  9  in the frame  8 . If the frame  8  moves in the direction of the upper part of the double-headed arrow  22 , then, due to the greater distance between the spindles  9 , the rollers are moved apart from one another proportionally at the operative-side end thereof and towards one another proportionally at the drive-side end thereof. This is derived from the angle α defined by the spindles  9  relative to one another, a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4 showing that, respectively, the distance  21  between the material web  5  and the surfaces  10  remains the same, regardless of the width of the respective format  6 ,  23 , and there is no longer any need for any follow-up adjustment.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIGS. 5 and 6 are respective front elevational and plan views of the frame  8 . By an adjusting device  24 , the respective spindles  9  of the former rollers  10  can be adjusted at the mounting supports  7  thereof in the frame  8 . The adjusting device  24  may include both a setting or adjusting element  24 . 1  for the vertical plane and a setting or adjusting element  24 . 2  for the horizontal plane. In the illustrated embodiment of the frame  8 , the setting or adjusting elements  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  are designed as capstan-head or T-screws respectively provided with knurling for manual actuation. By the threaded parts of the knurled screws, the mounting supports  7  of the spindles  9 , respectively, are adjustable relative to the frame  8 . By an arrangement of two levers  25  and  26 , which are connected to the rollers  10  to be adjusted, and by the position thereof on a guide  27 , it is possible to set or adjust the distance between the respective rollers  10  individually. It is thereby possible to achieve a precise setting or adjustment. In this regard, the mounting supports at the ends of the spindles  9  may well be moved apart to different extents (note FIGS. 2 and 4).  
         [0053]    In the operating phase illustrated in FIG. 5, the distance between the sides of the spindles  9  is represented by an unidentified double-headed arrow. This set position of a mounting support of the spindles  9  could be adjusted, for example, to tapering mounting-support positions of the former outlet rollers  10 , as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The levers  25  and  26  which, according to FIG. 5, are arranged in front or forward of the roller segments  10 , are formed with recesses  28  by which they are accommodated together on the setting screw  27  like respective slotted guides.  
         [0054]    The recesses  28  allow movement of the levers  25  and  26  relative to one another during the change in distance between the former outlet rollers  10 .  
         [0055]    The illustrated frame structure  8  has rolling elements  29 , which may be carried by the frame  8  alternatively to the slide guides according to FIGS. 1 and 3. The rolling elements  29  run on profiled rails  11  which are supported on the frame structure  8  fastened to the former frame  4 .  
         [0056]    In addition to setting or adjusting, by manually operatable setting or adjusting elements  24 . 1  and  24 . 2 , the positions of the spindles  9  whereon the outlet rollers  10  are mounted, the positions of the spindles  9  may also be actuated by setting or adjusting elements such as electric motors or the like. It would be possible, for example, initially to preselect a roller position as part of the order input at the rotation control console, without having to require the pressman or other press operator to reset the adjusting device  24 . According to the invention, the positions of the frame  8  are changed, in any event, during a changeover from maximum to minimum web format or to a format somewhere in between and vice versa, by a displacement of the former-frame position.  
         [0057]    The plan view of an embodiment of the frame  8  according to FIG. 6 illustrates the end-side mounting supports  7  of the frame  8 . Located at the two ends of the spindles  9  is a respective adjusting device  24  having setting or adjusting elements  24 . 1  and  24 . 2 . On the mutually adjustable spindles  9 , the outlet rollers  10 , interrupted by gaps, are mounted so as to be axially displaceable. The former outlet rollers  10  are formed with an approximately central annular recess  10 . 3  that subdivides the lateral surface of the former outlet rollers into a first roller section  10 . 1  and a second roller section  10 . 2 . In the arrangement shown, the two spindles  9  for the former outlet rollers  10  are positioned parallel to one another. The annular recesses  10 . 3  formed in the former outlet rollers  10  are aligned with the axis  14  of the folder, and the frame  8  is aligned with the axis  18  of the first longitudinal folding device  1 .  
         [0058]    Those positions of the spindles  9  relative to one another which are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 can be preadjusted or preset without difficulty via the adjusting devices  24  which are carried on the frame  8 . It is possible to preset the angle α in a straightforward manner by the adjusting or setting elements  24 . 1  and  24 . 2 , which can be displaced in the horizontal and vertical directions. The angle α also fixes the distance  21  between the outer surfaces of the material web  5  and the former outlet rollers  10 . Of course, it is also possible for the outlet rollers  10  to be set so that the material web  5  and the surfaces of the rollers  10  are in contact with one another.  
         [0059]    The former outlet rollers  10  move relative to the spindles  9  upon a displacement of the former frame  4 , because the frame  8  that carries the former outlet rollers  10  is fastened to the former frame  4 . It is believed to be readily apparent from the plan view according to FIG. 6 that the spindles  9  are connected to the respective setting or adjusting elements  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  via articulation heads in order to ensure the greatest possible freedom of movement of the spindles  9 .  
         [0060]    Guide rails  11 , which may have a profiled construction, are visible beneath the frame  8 . The rolling elements  29  run on the guide rails  11  so that the operation of displacing the frame  8  involves as little friction as possible. In addition to the guide rail  11  being profiled, it is also possible for the rails  11  to be prefabricated from round bars or other semifinished products.  
         [0061]    As has been mentioned briefly hereinbefore, a first longitudinal folding device  1  may be located directly above the infeed into the cylinder part of a folder.