Abstract:
A gatherer stitcher for brochures has a stitching machine, a delivery station that receives brochures step-by-step during operation, a trimming apparatus, and transport components (brochure ejector, trimmer feed) that transport the brochures from the delivery station to the trimming apparatus during operation. Sensors assigned to the stitching machine and the transport components output signals defining their phase position, and a control system processes the signals. One of the transport components (brochure ejector; trimmer feed) is activated in such a way that the brochures assume a correct position in the trimming apparatus at a predetermined phase angle of the stitching machine, without regard to their width. Changeover times in the event of job changes required when the brochure width changes are shortened.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a gatherer stitcher for brochures, comprising a stitching machine, a delivery station charged step-by-step with brochures during operation, a front cut knife arrangement defining a cutting plane for trimming the brochures along their respective intended cut line, and comprising transport means components which transport the brochures from the delivery station to the front cut knife assembly during operation.  
         [0002]     Gatherer stitchers of that type have been marketed by Brehmer Buchbindereimaschinen GmbH of Leipzig, Germany, under the type designation ST300. Those devices are configured such that the brochures, until stitching and subsequent provision in the delivery station have been carried out, are transported in the longitudinal direction of the spines of the brochures and, in the delivery station, are transferred by way of an ejector to delivery tapes. The latter then convey the brochures onward transversely with respect to their previous transport direction, specifically in the direction of a trimmer. There, first of all a front edge cut and then a top cut and a bottom cut are carried out.  
         [0003]     As a result of the change in the transport direction, the width of the brochures becomes a process-relevant geometric parameter, which is taken into account by means of appropriate adjustments of the phase angles of the machine components affected by this parameter. As a result, a considerable effort arises for converting a gatherer stitcher for a job change in which, in particular, the width of the brochures also changes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a gatherer stitcher for brochures which overcomes the above- mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which is modified in such a way that the conversion effort is reduced in the event of a job change in which the width of the brochures changes.  
         [0005]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a gatherer stitcher for brochures, comprising: 
        a stitching machine;     a delivery station receiving brochures step-by-step during operation;     a front cut knife assembly defining a cutting plane for trimming the brochures along a respective intended cut line;     transport components (brochure ejector, a trimmer feed) for transporting the brochures from the delivery station to the front cut knife assembly during operation;     sensors configured to output signals defining phase positions of the stitching machine and of one of the transport components; and     a control system connected to receive and process the signals from the sensors, and to activate the one transport component such that, given a predetermined phase position of the stitching machine, the respective intended cut line is located in the cut plane, independently of a width of the respective brochure.        
 
         [0012]     In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved in that sensors are provided which output signals defining the phase position or phase angles of the stitching machine and one of the transport components. A control system that processes these signals and activates the one of the transport components in such a way that, given a predetermined phase angle of the stitching machine, the respective intended cut line is located in the cut plane, independently of the width of the respective brochure.  
         [0013]     In the event of a job change in which the width of the brochures changes, this saves any adjustment of the phase angle of the drive for the front cut knife arrangement and, furthermore, provides the advantage that, in the case of a common drive for the stitching machine and the front cut knife arrangement, the result is an always constant loading profile of this drive and that this drive can be designed for the specific loading profile. Therefore, possible functional disruption is prevented and performance restrictions are counteracted.  
         [0014]     In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the transport components comprise a brochure ejector and an ejector drive for imparting a periodic ejection movement to the brochure ejector, one of the sensors is disposed to detect a phase angle of the ejector drive, and the control system is configured to activate the ejector drive accordingly.  
         [0015]     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0016]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a gatherer stitcher for brochures, 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.  
         [0017]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective illustration of a gatherer stitcher;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram of a side view of a gatherer stitcher, in which a continuous conveyor that can be charged with signatures by non-illustrated feeders, a transport system and a brochure ejector are indicated which, operated by means of an ejector drive, carries out a periodic ejection movement;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of a plan view of the gatherer stitcher according to  FIG. 2A , indicating a stitching machine, a trimming apparatus and its drive and also a trimmer feed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of the transport of a wide brochure from a delivery station to a front cut knife assembly;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of the transport of a narrow brochure from a delivery station to a front cut knife assembly; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram for an adjustment of the starting point of the respective ejection movement. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a gatherer stitcher according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device includes three feeders  10 ,  12 ,  14 , which in each case transfer a signature  16 ,  18 ,  20  to a continuous conveyor  34  (cf.  FIG. 2A ). The signatures  16 ,  18 ,  20  placed on and above one another in this way together form a brochure  30  in which, as the brochure being formed before, is transported in a transport direction (arrow P) along a transport and stitching line  22 . The latter extends along the feeders  10 ,  12 ,  14  and beyond a stitching station  24  as far as a delivery station  29 . The stitching station  24  in the present exemplary embodiment comprises two stitching heads  26  and a respective closer assigned to the same but not detectable in  FIG. 1 . The closer bends over staples  27  stuck into the brochures  30  to be stitched by way of the stitching heads  26 , specifically the legs of the wire staples  27  which have penetrated the brochures  30 .  
         [0025]     The closers together with the stitching heads  26  and further non-illustrated apparatuses for producing the wire staples  27 , form a machine component in the form of a stitching machine  28  (see  FIG. 2B ).  
         [0026]     The delivery station  29  comprises a brochure ejector  29 . 2  indicated in  FIG. 2A  having an ejector blade  29 . 3  and delivery tapes  29 . 1 . The ejector blade  29 . 3  engages periodically in the respective fold of the stitched copies  32 , lifts the latter out of the transport and stitching line  22  and transfers them to the delivery tapes  29 . 1 , by means of which the stitched copies  32  are transported onward in the direction of the arrow T, specifically in the direction of a trimming apparatus  31 , in which the stitched copies  32  are fed firstly to a front-edge knife arrangement  31 . 1 , indicated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,  which defines a cut plane  31 . 2  and is provided in order to trim the trailing edge of the brochures  30  along an intended cut line  31 . 5 .  
         [0027]     In order to operate the brochure ejector  29 . 2 , a reversing ejector drive  29 . 4  is provided, which imparts a periodic ejection movement to the brochure ejector  29 . 2 , more precisely the ejector blade  29 . 3 .  
         [0028]     A measuring station  33  is provided upstream of the stitching station  24 , with respect to the transport direction P. In the measuring station  33  the thickness of the brochures  30  to be stitched is determined.  
         [0029]     The continuous conveyor  34  in the present exemplary embodiment is constructed as an endless gathering chain which circulates during operation and on which drivers  34 . 2  are disposed, which push in front of them the signatures  16 ,  18 ,  20  transferred to the gathering chain astride, and ultimately the brochures  30  to be stitched.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  reproduces a schematic diagram of a section of the gatherer stitcher comprising the stitching station  24 . In this section, a transport run  34 . 1  of the continuous conveyor  34  constructed as a gathering chain, and the further transport of the brochures  30  is carried out step by step by means of a finger-strip system  36  which oscillates during operation, although this is merely reproduced schematically in  FIG. 2   a.  It comprises an anvil strip  36 . 1  for engaging under the brochures  30  to be stitched and a finger strip  36 . 2  that oscillates together with the anvil strip  36 . 1 . Fingers  36 . 3  which can be actuated are arranged on the finger strip  36 . 2 . The fingers  36 . 3  can be actuated in that they are attached to the finger strip  36 . 2  by means of an articulated connection  36 . 6  such that they can be pivoted in the direction of the anvil strip  36 . 1  and in the opposite direction, are prestressed in the pivoting direction of the anvil strip  36 . 1  and, under the action of the control strip  36 . 4  executing a reciprocating movement during operation, indicated by the double arrow in  FIG. 2   a,  can in particular be pivoted away from the anvil strip  36 . 1 . At their ends facing away from the control strip  36 . 4 , the fingers  36 . 3  are preferably provided with freely rotatable rollers  36 . 5 , which, during an adjustment of the control strip  36 . 4  in the direction of the finger strip  36 . 2  or in the opposite direction, roll on the control strip  36 . 4 .  
         [0031]     For the oscillatory movement of the finger-strip system  36 , the latter is attached to a coupler of a coupler mechanism  38 , which in turn is driven by means of a crank drive  40 . The drive means provided for the actuation of the crank drive  40  and therefore for the oscillatory movement of the finger-strip system  36  is represented in the present exemplary embodiment by a stitching machine drive  42  also provided for the actuation of the stitching heads  26  (see  FIG. 2B ).  
         [0032]     The stitching machine drive  42  is also used to drive the feeders  10 ,  12 ,  14  via a drive shaft  15  that is common to the latter, and also the trimming apparatus  31  (see  FIG. 2B ).  
         [0033]     In any case in the extended position of the crank drive  40  and at least as far as a specific crank angle, of 16 degrees in the present exemplary embodiment, the anvil strip  36 . 1  and the finger strip  36 . 2 , on the one hand, and the transport run  34 . 1  of the continuous conveyor  34  are overlapped, so that the anvil strip  36 . 1  can engage under a brochure  30  located in the correct position on the transport run  34 . 1 , and the fingers  36 . 3  of the finger strip  36 . 2  can press the brochure  30  against the anvil strip  36 . 1 , with the control strip  36 . 4  set off. This is carried out with equal speeds of the finger-strip system  36  and of the continuous conveyor  34 , in the present exemplary embodiment at a crank angle of 16 degrees, which thus defines a point of engagement. The fingers  36 . 3  remain pressed against the accepted brochure  30  until the top position of the crank drive  40  is reached. During the zero passage of the speed of the finger strip  36 , which takes place here, the brochure  30  is then deposited on the transport and stitching line  22  at a deposit point.  
         [0034]     After the zero passage of the speed of the finger-strip system  36  has taken place in the top position of the crank  40 , the finger-strip system  36  reverses its direction of movement and finally assumes an overlapped position again, corresponding to the crank angle of 0 degrees, with the transport run  34 . 1  of the continuous conveyor  34 , that is to say the starting point for a further cycle of the type described above.  
         [0035]     The finger-strip system  36  thus transports a brochure accepted from the continuous conveyor  34  step by step with a step length, which corresponds to a distance, which is covered, beginning at the point of engagement, until the deposit point is reached.  
         [0036]     A brochure  30  accepted from the continuous conveyor  34  in a cycle of the finger-strip system  36  and, after a first step, deposited on the transport and stitching line  22 , is again gripped by the finger-strip system  36  in the following cycle and transported onward a further time by the aforementioned step length. For a respective brochure  30 , this procedure is repeated until it has reached the delivery station  29  after stitching has been carried out. Starting from this point, the brochures are supplied to the trimming apparatus  31  by transport means. The transport means in any case comprise the brochure ejector  29 . 2  having an ejector drive  29 . 4  and a trimmer feed  31 . 3 .  
         [0037]     After the brochures  30  have been lifted out of the transport and stitching line  22 , the further transport of the brochures  30  is initially carried out by means of the delivery tapes  29 . 1 , specifically transversely with respect to the transport direction defined up to this point by the continuous conveyor  34  and the finger-strip system  36 . The delivery tapes  29 . 1  transfer a respective brochure to the trimmer feed  31 . 3  (see  FIG. 2B ), which transfers the brochures  30  with a uniform speed on transport and alignment tapes, not illustrated here, provided on the trimming apparatus  31 , which circulate in a cyclic manner and at a speed which is greater than that of the brochures  30  in the trimmer feed  31 . 3  and which align the spines of a respective brochure  30  with a stop  31 . 4  in such a way that the intended cut line  31 . 5  lies in the cut plane  31 . 2  (see  FIGS. 3A, 3B ).  
         [0038]     In the subject of the invention, this state is always reached at one and the same phase angle of the stitching machine  28 , both when trimming wide brochures  30  and when trimming narrow brochures  30 ′, that is to say irrespective of the brochure width.  
         [0039]     In order to achieve this, in the refinement used as a basis here, it is ensured by means of a control system  48  (see  FIG. 4 ) that the brochures  30 ,  30 ′ are lifted out of the transport and stitching line  22  by the ejector blade  29 . 3  at different phase angles of the stitching machine  28 , depending on their width. In this case, the phase angle of the stitching machine  28  at the time at which a brochure  30 ,  30 ′ is lifted out of the transport and stitching line  22  is larger the smaller the width of the brochure  30 ,  30 ′, and it is chosen such that, when a specific first phase angle φB is reached after the brochure  30 ,  30 ′ has been lifted out of the transport and stitching line  22 , the trailing ends of the brochures  30 ,  30 ′ are located substantially at one and the same location, only depending on the width of the strip  31 . 6  to be separated from the brochures  30 ,  30 ′ and on the speed relationships of the trimmer feed  31 . 3  and the transport and alignment tapes provided on the trimming apparatus  31 , and such that, after a second phase angle OC, larger than the first, has been reached, the intended cut line  31 . 5  lies in the cut plane  31 . 2 , irrespective of the width of the brochure  30 ,  30 ′ (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B ).  
         [0040]     In order to implement this, appropriate activation of the ejector drive  29 . 4  is carried out by the control system  48  which, in order to output an appropriate activation signal, processes the signals output by sensors  46 , which define the phase angles of the stitching machine  28 , more precisely the stitching machine drive  42 , and of the ejector drive (see  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0041]     Although the explanations above are based on the brochure ejector  29 . 2  or its ejector drive  29 . 4  as the activated transport means component, the scope of the invention includes, for example, activating the trimmer feed  31 . 3  in such a way that, at a predetermined phase angle of the stitching machine  28 , the intended cut line  31 . 5  of a respective brochure  30 ,  30 ′ lies in the cut plane  31 . 2 , irrespective of the width of the brochures  30 ,  30 ′.  
         [0042]     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German patent application No. 102004021960.5, filed May 4, 2004; the entire disclosure of the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference.