Patent Publication Number: US-8523167-B2

Title: Device for directing sheets in arrival from lines angularly arranged towards an output line

Description:
TECHNICAL SECTOR 
     The invention relates to the technical sector of systems for printing articles in sheet form and subsequent enveloping thereof. 
     In particular, the present invention relates to a directing device of sheet articles in arrival from two or more angularly-arranged printing lines towards an output line associated for example to a storage station. 
     PRIOR ART 
     A typical prior-art printing and enveloping system comprises a plurality of modules, arranged along one or more lines, each having a specific function; the configuration of each line of the system depends on the client&#39;s requirements. 
     A printing and enveloping system is used where large volumes of printed paper materials are required (for example bills, current-account statements, fines, etc.) which have to be sent to the respective destinations, for example in the banking sector, civil service, and/or gas/electric/water bills. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a printing and enveloping system of the prior art having two lines, respectively a first line AL 1  and a second line AL 2 . 
     The first line AL 1  comprises, for example, a reel  30 , a printing module  40  for printing on the continuous sheet unwinding from the reel  30 , cutting organs  50  of the printing continuous sheet, both longitudinal and transversal, in order to realize single sheets  2 A, a module  120  for storing the sheets  2 A and a module  60  for folding the sheets. 
     The second line AL 2  comprises, for example, an infeeder  80  of single sheets  2 A, a printing device  90 , a module  100  for storing printed sheets, a module  110  for folding the sheets. 
     The first line AL 1  and the second line AL 2  are configured respectively for printing, on the continuous sheet of a reel and on single sheets realized in any way; however, there exist known systems, not illustrated, in which both the lines are configured for printing from reels or on single sheets. 
     On exiting the first line AL 1  and the second line AL 2 , a transport organ AT is comprised, which includes a plane that develops substantially perpendicular to the development direction of the lines and is destined to receive the sheets from the two lines, and conveyor means for conveying the sheets towards the next station (an enveloping station SI), which conveyor means are constituted by mobile elements FA in channels comprised in the plane; the lines (AL 1 ;AL 2 ) thus release the sheets in different zones of the transport organ AT, respectively distal and proximal with respect to the enveloping station SI. 
     The two lines (AL 1 ;AL 2 ) must be alternatingly activated, as it is necessary to perform a single insertion of the appropriately-folded sheets internally of each single envelope. 
     The solution does not enable using both the lines contemporaneously and does not enable sheets from one or the other line to be inserted in a same envelope. In a case where production requirements (for example documents with a large number of pages) make it necessary to insert sheets coming from two different lines to be inserted into the same envelope, the two printing lines have to be configured differently, i.e. they do not exhibit, at output ends thereof, folding modules ( 60 ,  110 ) but rather a single folding module is arranged upstream of the enveloping station SI. 
     A store is interposed between the folding module and the transport organ AT in order to receive the sheets conveyed by the transport organ and perform a buffer function in relation to the following folding module. 
     The lines in this specific case therefore release unfolded sheets on the transport organ, which are directed towards the buffer in order to be grouped and subsequently folded in the folding module and enveloped in the enveloping station. 
     This solution is however characterized by limited productivity, due to the need to activate, in a special phase relation, the release of sheets from the first line onto the transport organ and the release of sheets from the second line onto the transport organ. The second line is activated to release the sheets onto the conveyor organ after passage of the sheets of the first line, which are part of the preceding document, in the release zone H of the conveyor plane. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to provide a technical solution which enables the user to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a solution which enables the sheets coming from various lines at high production speeds. 
     A further aim of the invention is to provide a technical solution which enables the above-mentioned drawbacks to be obviated at contained costs with respect to the advantages obtained. 
     The above aims are all obtained as set out in the independent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The characteristics of the invention are described herein below, with particular reference to the accompanying tables of the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a two-line printing and enveloping system of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view, along line III-III of the device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view, along line IV-IV, of the device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, along direction J 2  of  FIG. 2 , of a detail of the device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a variant of the detail of  FIG. 5 , in a different scale with respect to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic plan view of the device in a further embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view of the device in a further embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a section view along line IX-IX of the device of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 2-9 , number  1  denotes in its entirety the device for directing sheets of the present invention. 
     In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the device  1  for directing sheets  2  comprises three inlets for the sheets, a first A 1 , a second A 2  and a third A 3 , associable to respective infeed lines of angularly-arranged sheets, a first L 1 , a second L 2  and a third line L 3 , and an outlet AU for the sheets, associable to an outlet line LU, the device further comprising: 
     a support member S associated to the first inlet A 1  in order to restingly receive at least a sheet  2  in arrival from the first inlet A 1  such as to enable transfer of the sheet  2  towards the outlet AU; 
     a first element D 2 , associated to the second inlet A 2  and conformed such as to guide at least an entering sheet  2  into the second inlet A 2  and to transfer the sheet towards the outlet AU; 
     a second element D 3 , associated to the third inlet A 3  and conformed such as to guide at least an entering sheet  2  into the third inlet A 3  and to transfer the sheet towards the outlet AU. 
     The first D 2  and the second D 3  guide and transfer elements and the support member S are arranged with respect to one another such as to transfer the sheets  2  towards the same outlet, in an outlet direction DAU. 
     The first inlet A 1  is substantially aligned to the outlet AU and the second A 2  and the third inlets A 3  are substantially perpendicular to the first inlet A 1 , are opposite one another and are arranged on opposite sides of the first inlet A 1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The sheets entering the first inlet A 1  are therefore not subjected to any deviation, while the sheets entering the second A 2  and the third inlet A 3  are deviated on a horizontal plane by 90°. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , and as will be described in more detail herein below, the sheets entering the second inlet A 2  are pushed upwards while the sheets entering the third inlet A 3  are pushed downwards. 
     The support member S, visible in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , comprises a plane fixed to a frame and destined to restingly receive the sheets in arrival from the first inlet A 1 . 
     The sheets are conveyed to each inlet A 1 , A 2 , A 3  by conveyor means C 1 , C 2 , C 3  which comprise, for example, a first series of upper belts  4 , ring-wound about corresponding first pulleys  4 P, and a second corresponding series of lower belts  6 , ring-wound about corresponding second pulleys  6 P ( FIG. 5  illustrates the arrangement of the conveyor means for the third inlet A 3 ). 
     The upper belts and the lower belts  4 ,  6  are interrupted in the inlet associated thereto, in particular the belts of the first inlet A 1  are interrupted in the region RI adjacent to the support member S, i.e. in proximity of the first inlet AI, while the belts of the second A 2  and the third inlet A 3  are interrupted in proximity of the respective guide and transfer element D 2  and D 3 . 
     The single sheets or the bundle of superposed sheets  2  are then transported in each line of the infeed lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , first, second or third, interposed between the upper belts  4 ,  5  and the lower belts  6 ,  7 . 
     Transport means T are located at the outlet AU of the device, comprising a first series of upper belts  5 , ring-wound about corresponding first pulleys  5 P, and a second corresponding series of lower belts  7 , ring-wound about corresponding second pulleys  7 P. 
     The belts  5 ,  7  are destined to cooperate such as to draw out the sheets coming from the first inlet A 1 , the second inlet A 2  or the third inlet A 3 , interposed between the belts. 
     The first and second guide and transfer elements D 2  and D 3 , associated respectively to the second and third conveyor means C 2 , C 3 , are constituted by a metal plate  3 , so conformed and arranged as to enable a deviation by 90° of a second sheet  2  or a bundle of sheets superposed in inlet. 
     Each plate  3 , visible in  FIG. 5 , comprises a first lower portion  14 , substantially triangular, a second upper portion  15 , substantially triangular, and a third portion having a curved profile  16 , which connects the lower portion  14  and the upper portion  15 ; the metal sheet is constrained to a frame, arranged such that the first  14  and the second portion  15  are substantially horizontal and the curved-profile portion  16  is inclined substantially by 45° to the corresponding infeed supply direction DA 2 , DA 3 . 
     The plates  3 , constituting the first D 2  and the second D 3  guide and transfer elements are arranged staggered on the vertical plane; in particular the upper portion  15  of the plate  3  constituting the first transfer element D 2  is arranged below the plane of the support member S and the lower portion  14  of the plate  3  constituting the second transfer element D 3  is arranged above the support member S, as is visible in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     The first conveyor means C 1  transport a sheet at a first height, indicated in  FIG. 3  by H 1 , which is also the transport height of the outlet transport means T, while the second and the third conveyor means C 2 , C 3  transport the sheets respectively at a second height H 2 , above the transport height H 1  of the transport means T, and at a third height H 3  higher than the transport height H 1  of the transport means T. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the reciprocal arrangement on a vertical plane of the conveyor means C 1 , C 2 , C 3  of the infeed lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3  and the transport means T of the outlet line LU. 
     The second conveyor means C 2  release the sheets conveyed in proximity and superiorly of the lower portion  14  of the plate  3  constituting the first deviating element D 2 , while the third conveyor means C 3  release the sheets conveyed in proximity of and inferiorly of the upper portion  15  of the plate  3  constituting the second deviating element D 3 . 
     In the following the functioning of the device of the present invention will be described. 
     With reference to the third inlet A 3 , the sheets or the bundle of superposed sheets in arrival from the third line L 3  are conveyed by the third conveyor means C 3  at a height H 3  in a direction of the plate  3  constituting the second deviating means D 3 . 
     The sheets  2  are pushed into the region  9  of internal space of the plate  3  of the second deviating means D 2  and are progressively released by the belts  4 ,  6  of the third conveyor means C 3  in order to encounter the curved-profile portion  16  of the plate  3 ; as a consequence of this, the sheets  2  are subjected to a deviation starting from the portion which first contacts the curved-profile portion  16 , and are transferred towards the outlet transport means T, being deviated by 90° and also being turned over (i.e. the surface of the sheet facing upwards during the conveying on the third conveyor means C 3  is now facing downwards when the sheet, having been deviated, is conveyed on the transport means T). 
     The transport means T grip the sheet  2  between the respective belts  5 ,  7  before the sheet  2  is released by the respective belts  4 ,  6  of the third conveyor means C 3 ; the plate  3  is therefore of such a size as to enable the above gripping sequence. 
     In the second inlet A 2 , the transfer operation is similar to the above-described one, with the difference that the sheet  2  is infed according to the inlet direction DA 2  above the lower portion  14  of the plate  3  associated to the second inlet A 2 , respectively at a height H 2 . 
     The sheets entering the first inlet A 1  do not undergo any deviation; they are released by the belts of the first conveyor means C 1  resting on the plane of the support member S such that the sheets are gripped by the belts  5 ,  7  of the outlet transport means T. 
     The support member S has a longitudinal extension that is smaller than the length of the sheet, such as to enable the sheet entering the first inlet A 1  to be gripped by the transport means T before being released by the first conveyor means C 1 . 
     From the outlet AU the sheets are transported by the transport means T towards a following storage station SA downstream of which, for example, a module can be provided for folding the sheets and an enveloping station. 
     From the above description it is clear how on the outlet line LU the device enables directing sheets destined to be a part of the same document in arrival from the first line L 1 , the second line L 2  and the third line L 3 , which are infed at the various different device inlets, respectively the first A 1 , the second A 2  and the third A 3 . 
     The sheets can be grouped by means of a partial or total superposing in outlet, or can be simply arranged in outlet one after another and thereafter grouped. 
     The device  1  further comprises means for enabling a user to select the supply of sheets to the infeed lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , for example a monitoring unit provided with a device for entering commands, such as a keyboard or alternatively a touch-screen device, functionally connected to a switchboard which enables activating or deactivation of the conveyor means C 1 , C 2 , C 3  of the inlets. 
     The selecting means enable, for example, a definition of a combination of activation of the conveyor means C 1 , C 2 , C 3  in inlet, according to the specific operating requirements of the user, i.e. the means enable activation of any combination of the conveyor means C 1 , C 2 , C 3  or activation of only the first C 1 , the second C 2  or the third C 3  conveyor means. 
     From the above it emerges that the directing device is very flexible, as the user can decide how many and which printing lines to use according to the characteristics of the document which will be printed and the configuration of each line (colour-printing line, black and white, reel, etc.). 
     An advantage of the present invention consists therefore in having created a directing device for sheets from angularly arranged lines that is versatile and low-cost. 
     In a variant, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the guide and transfer element of a generic inlet A i  denoted with general reference number D i , further comprises a counter-plate  4 L that is positioned facing the plate  3  in the region of space  9  internal of the plate  3 . 
     The facing walls  11 ,  12  of respectively the counter-plate  4 L and the plate  3  identify a region  13 , internal of the guide and transfer element D i , into which the sheets  2  are guided and transferred; the deviation of the sheets  2  from the inlet direction Da i ; to the perpendicular outlet direction DAU thus occurring internally of the volume defined by the region  13 . 
     The counterplate  4 L, in association with the plate  3 , advantageously enables the sheets  2  to be guided internally of the deviator means d i ; this guiding action advantageously prevents the sheet, at higher operating levels, from creasing up and getting blocked internally of the deviating means, causing the line to be shut down until the blockage is cleared. 
     The counter-plate  4 L further comprises an inlet portion  10 , inclined such as to facilitate the entry of the sheets into the above-mentioned region  13 . 
     An advantage of this variant is that it enables an increase in the advancement velocity of the sheets in arrival from an inlet supply line L i  to the device, preventing the sheets from getting blocked internally of the deviating means D i  and obstructing the device (for example in consequence of unexpected folding of the sheet). 
     In a further embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the device comprises only two inlets for the sheets, respectively a first A 1  and a second A 2  inlet, and an outlet AU for the sheets; this embodiment is different from the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5  as it does not include the third inlet A 3 . 
     The plate  3  constituting the guide and transfer element associated to the second inlet A 2  is arranged below the support member S; alternatively the plate  3  can also be arranged above the support member S. 
     The above embodiment contains the same technically advantageous characteristics as the preferred embodiment. 
     In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the device comprises only two inlets for the sheets, respectively a first and a second, and an outlet for the sheets, and further comprises: 
     a first element, associated to the first inlet and conformed such as to guide at least a sheet which enters the first inlet and to transfer the sheet towards the outlet; 
     a second element, associated to the second inlet and conformed such as to guide at least a sheet which enters the second inlet and to transfer it towards the outlet. 
     The guide and transfer elements, described previously with reference to the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5 , are arranged with respect to one another in such a way as to transfer the sheets towards the outlet along a same outlet direction; the elements are thus staggered in height. 
     This embodiment does not therefore include the support member; the two inlets, first and second, have an inlet direction which is such that one is opposite the other and perpendicular to the outlet advancement direction. 
     The first and the second deviating elements enable the sheets in inlet to be deviated by 90°, guiding and transferring them towards the outlet transport means T, in the way described previously with reference to the preferred embodiment. 
     In a still further embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the device comprises two only inlets for the sheets, respectively a first inlet A 1  and a second inlet A 2 , and an outlet AU for the sheets. 
     The device comprises:
         a mobile support member S, associated to the first inlet A 1 , for restingly supporting at least a sheet  2  which enters the first inlet AI such as to enable transfer of the sheet towards the outlet AU;   an element D 2 , associated to the second inlet A 2  and conformed such as to guide the sheets entering the second inlet A 2  and to transfer them towards the outlet AU.       

     In this embodiment, the first inlet A 1  of the device is associated to conveyor means C 1  constituted by a pair of belts, first upper belts CS 1  and first lower belts CI 1 , the first lower belts CI 1  being uninterrupted between the first inlet A 1  and the outlet AU and further constituting, in cooperation with the upper belts CSU at the outlet AU and of the device, the transport means T of the outlet line. The first upper belts CS 1  are interrupted at the first inlet A 1 , and the upper belts CSU of the outlet AU develop starting from the outlet AU; an interruption region is defined, denoted by RD. 
     The plate  3  constituting the element D 2 , associated to the second inlet A 2  for guiding the sheets entering the second inlet A 2  and transferring them towards the outlet AU, is arranged superiorly of the first lower belts CS 1 , in the region RD between the first lower belts CS 1  and the upper outlet belts CSU. 
     The mobile support member S is constituted by the upper branch of the first lower belts CI 1 , which supports the sheets entering the first inlet A 1  in the region denoted by RD, in order to convey them from the inlet A 1  towards the outlet AU. 
     This embodiment has the same technical-advantageous characteristics as the preferred embodiment. 
     It is understood that the above has been described by way of non-limiting example, and any eventual constructional variants are understood to fall within the ambit of protection of the present technical solution, as described herein above and as claimed in the following.