Patent Abstract:
A device is usable to feed at least one material web and/or at least one strand that is comprised of several material webs into a folding device. A superstructure is part of the device, as is a former that can be displaced in relation to the material web, and a transverse cutter which is usable to separate the material web or webs into individual products. At least one guide rail is provided in the superstructure and carries a retaining device that can be displaceably guided on the path of travel of the material web through the superstructure. A leading edge of at least one of the material webs can be attached to the retaining device. The guide rail passes the former and includes at least one flexible guide rail section whose form can be altered. In particular, the length of the flexible guide rail section can be adjusted in the region adjoining the former.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/EP2005/064710, filed Jul. 27, 2006; published as WO 2007/033848 A1 on Mar. 29, 2007 and claiming priority to DE 10 2005 045 041.5, filed Sep. 21, 2005, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to devices and to a method for drawing-in at least one web of material, or at least one continuous web, into a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus has a superstructure and at least one former. At least one guide rail, along which the draw-in device travels, is located along the former. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A folding apparatus, such as the one which is known from WO 00/56652 A1, is comprised of a superstructure, in which paper webs, which have been fed from one or from several printing groups, are brought together, are possibly longitudinally cut and placed on top of each other. At least one former, in which a continuous web, that is combined in the superstructure from one or several paper webs, is longitudinally folded, and a transverse cutting arrangement, in which the longitudinally folded continuous web is separated into individual products are part of the superstructure. Often, the transverse cutting device is configured as a rotating cutter cylinder, whose cutters work together with a thrust element on a gripper or on a folding blade cylinder to sever the continuous web. The grippers of this gripper or folding blade cylinder maintain the products, which have been cut apart by the transverse cutting device, fixed to the surface of the gripper or folding blade cylinder and convey them to a transfer gap located between the folding blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder. There, a folding blade extends out of the folding blade cylinder in order to introduce the product held thereon along a center transverse line into a folding jaw of the folding jaw cylinder and to fold it transversely in this way. 
     To draw a paper web for the first time into a printing press, it is known, from EP 0 553 740 B1, to use a holding element in the form of a rail-guided chain link element, to which holding element the leading edge of the web to be drawn in, which leading edge has been torn off obliquely, is fastened. The guide rail extends next to the intended path of travel of the web through the printing press as far as the superstructure of a folding apparatus. 
     At the folding apparatus, the web is taken over by a draw-in device which is configured in the form of two spike-covered belts, as described in connection with the previously mentioned WO 00/56652 A1. Spikes of these belts spear the web along its lateral edges and pull it over an insertion roller at the upper edge of the former, as well as over the former itself. 
     The pulling elements, which are independent of the guide rail and the holding element conducted on it are the elements provided on the former. It is thus achieved that, in accordance with the respective width of the webs to be processed, the former can be displaced in such a way that a web, which was folded on the displaceable former, enters the transverse cutting device exactly in the center of the cutting device. This is of importance for an interference-free functioning of the transverse cutting device, and is in particular, important for the proper operation of the downstream-connected transverse folding device. 
     DE 42 10 190 A1 discloses a cutting device with an integrated shunt. The cutting device is arranged between draw-in rollers and folding cylinders. 
     DE 101 28 821 shows a device for bringing paper webs together in the course of the webs being drawn in. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,335 discloses a device for drawing in webs of material, by the use of belts. 
     EP 0 673 764 A discloses a device for drawing webs of material to be imprinted in over turning bars. Partial webs to be imprinted are drawn in using draw-in tips fastened on lateral sheet chains extending in guide rails. 
     A former device is known from WO 2004/056686 A1. The former or formers is or are movable transversely to the running direction of the web of material, by the use of at least one actuating member, for matching different web widths. 
     A longitudinally variable guide rail element for a roller chain, which is usable as a draw-in device for a paper web, is known from WO 98/50234 A1. 
     Later published DE 10 2004 022 541 A1 shows an arrangement for drawing in a web along a longitudinal former. 
     DE 33 12 038 A1 discloses a device for drawing in webs of material into rotary printing presses by the use of a draw-in belt. The returning portion of the draw-in belt is conducted over a different pathway in contrast to the drawing-in portion. 
     Later published WO 2005/092614 A2 describes an arrangement for drawing a web of material into a folding apparatus with a former, a transverse cutting device, as well as a guide rail. The arrangement has a cutting device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is directed to providing devices and a method for drawing at least one web of material, or at least one continuous web, into a folding apparatus. 
     In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by the provision of a folding apparatus having a superstructure with at least one former that is movable transversely to a web travel direction. A guide rail, for a web leading end gripping device of a web draw-in assembly, is situated adjacent the former. A subsequent guide rail section, of variable shape, is positioned downstream of the former. First and second cutting devices may be provided in the path of web travel and the guide rail can extend between the two cutting devices. A separate return rail can be provided to return the web leading end gripping devices to their initial position. 
     The advantages which can be achieved by the present invention consist, in particular, in that during each position change of the former, even when employing different widths of the web of material, because of which different web widths the position of the former must be changed to assure the correct operation of the folding apparatus, the operators need not manually adapt the course of the guide rail downstream of the former to the changed position. This is because the guide rail section is of variable shape, which is, in particular, changeable in length and can be curved. 
     Previously, in the utilization of a fixed mounting of the guide rail without a guide rail section of variable shape, if the former, or the frame supporting it, was to be displaced, the track of the guide rail was interrupted at the connection with the former. As a result, the continued draw-in of materials was no longer possible. Instead, the former frame needed to be moved back into its zero position for each draw-in process. 
     In the present, the guide rail track is automatically matched to the former position because of the variable-shape guide rail section. Thus, the draw-in process of a web of material is possible in any arbitrary position of the former. The guide rail section of variable shape equalizes an angular offset of the guide rail in the direction toward the machine center, as well as a longitudinal offset of the guide rail in the running direction of the web of material. It is thus possible to perform the draw-in in every position of the former. 
     In a preferred further embodiment of the present invention, the guide section of variable shape is composed on the one hand of a support strip of variable shape and, on the other hand, of guide elements supported by the support strip. It is thereby possible, on the one hand, to obtain the shape variability of the guide rail section exclusively on the basis of the support strip, and to manufacture the guide elements from another material, and in particular from a comparatively stiff material, such as metal, for example. On the other hand, it is possible to manufacture the guide elements from known guide rails, and in particular to use cut-to-size partial pieces of the guide rails of non-variable shape, which are otherwise employed in the press as guide elements. 
     The support strip of variable shape can be a homogeneous strip which is made of suitable plastic materials that can be elastically deformed to a certain extent, or of a caoutchouc or natural rubber material, by the use of which materials the curvature of the guidance arrangement in particular is achieved. To a certain extent, a variability of the length of the support strip can also be accomplished by the use of such deformable materials. 
     In a particularly preferred further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the guide strip includes a plurality of support elements which, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the support strip, are arranged one behind the other. Adjoining ones of the support elements are coupled with each other, in particular at variable spacings, which can be advantageously achieved so that adjoining support elements engage each other with a degree of free play. 
     Such a preferred embodiment of the present invention facilitates a particularly large variability of the shape of the support strip, and therefore of the guide rail section of variable shape, and in particular a large variability in length. This large variability is primarily determined by the sum of the play between the individual adjoining support elements. 
     A particularly simple embodiment of a connection between the adjoining support elements results when the support elements engage each other such as, for example, by the provision of T-shaped shoulders, and corresponding openings in the respectively adjoining support elements with play. In an alternative embodiment, the adjoining support elements are coupled with each other via oppositely oriented coupling shoulders, and in particular by hook-shaped coupling shoulders. 
     Putting together a suitable support strip from individual support elements becomes particularly simple when the support elements, which are configured as discussed above can, for example, be brought into engagement with each other substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail section. To facilitate simple mounting of the guide elements on the support strip, or on the support elements, the guide elements are preferably embodied so that they can be pushed on the support strip or the support elements. In a preferred further embodiment of the present invention, it has been provided that the guide elements extend around the support elements, at least in the area of their coupling, so that, in this way, the coupling or the connection between two adjoining support elements is assured by the assigned guide element. 
     In order to be able to adapt the folding apparatus for use in the processing of continuous webs of different widths, and then to be able to conduct these continuous webs of different widths centered through the transverse cutting device and through the transverse folding device, the former can preferably be displaced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transverse cutting device, as previously discussed. In order that the guide rail can follow a displacement movement of the former, a section of the guide rail, which is located upstream of the former in the running direction of the continuous web, should be stretchable or deformable. It has therefore been provided, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, that the guide rail also has guide rail sections of variable shape, and in particular has a guide rail section of variable length, which is located not only downstream of the former, but which is also located upstream of the former. By the provision of this embodiment, the shifting of the frame supporting the former becomes possible without making the adaptation of the guide rail structure extending to the former necessary. 
     To assure a matching orientation of the holding elements traveling along the guide rail, and with respect to the web of material held on the guide rail, in the course of the passage of the web of material over the former, the guide rail is twisted, at the level of the former, preferably by approximately 90°. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, it is possible to extend the guide rail to a position located, at the path of travel of the web of material between a first cutting device and a second cutting device. The first cutting device can be operated in a phase-correlated manner, and the second cutting device can be operated as an emergency stop. Devices for use in the automatic draw-in of the continuous web are no longer required on the other side of this position if, for example, after trimming off the not-imprinted waste material by the use of the phase-correlated cutting device, the usable portion of the continuous web enters into the emergency stop cutting device which is arranged after the phase-correlated cutting device, or into the transverse cutting device arranged after it, without requiring guidance by the use of the guide rail. 
     In the course of a draw-in process, a storage device, for use in receiving holding elements, and which is arranged in the extension of the guide rail between the first and second cutting devices on the other side of the former, permits the draw-in of several webs of material in rapid succession. This makes it not necessary, in the meantime, to move the holding element, used in the draw-in of a first web of material, back to its initial location in order to free the guide rail for allowing the passage of a holding element of a further web of material. 
     The storage device can be constituted, in a preferred embodiment, by a further guide rail section extending away from the web of material in the lateral direction over a curved section. The storage device is capable of receiving several, and preferably in receiving a plurality, of holding elements situated side-by-side in the holding device. 
     If required, a separating device, for use in separating individual holding elements from their respective webs of material, can be placed upstream of the storage device. The leading sections of each of the webs of material taken along by the individual holding elements need not also be received in the storage device if insufficient space for this receipt exists in the storage device. 
     Preferably, the guide rail can extend continuously from a roll changer of a printing group, which is located upstream of the folding apparatus, as far as into the folding apparatus. Or, the guide rail can extend as far as upstream of the emergency stop cutting device. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present inventor, at least one further return guide rail, which differs from the at least one draw-in guide rail, can be provided for use in returning the holding elements to their initial position after they have been used in the web draw-in process. This has the substantial advantage that, independently of the operation of the remainder of the installation, it is possible, at any time, to return the previously used holding elements to their origin via the at least one return guide rail. 
     It can be additionally practical to introduce a storage device for the temporary reception, or for the intermediate storage, of holding elements between the guide rails and the return guide rail. 
     In an alternative embodiment, it can be provided to omit a separate return guide rail and to return the previously used holding elements to an intermediate storage area in the storage device via the at least one guide rail over which these previously used holding elements had been drawn in. However, in connection with this structurally simpler embodiment of the present invention, a return of the holding elements can only take place if the guide rails are available for this. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
       Shown are in: 
         FIG. 1 , a schematic side elevation view of a portion of a printing press with a draw-in device containing a guide rail, in 
         FIG. 2 , a schematic end view of the printing press in accordance with  FIG. 1 , in 
         FIG. 3 , a schematic partial end view, in accordance with  FIG. 2 , in which the guide elements are not represented, in 
         FIG. 4 , a detail view of a guide rail and of a holding element guided in the guide rail for engagement with a web of material to be drawn in, in 
         FIG. 5 , a perspective representation of a short section of a first preferred embodiment of a guide rail section of variable shape, in 
         FIG. 6 , a top plan view of the guide rail section in accordance with  FIG. 5 , in 
         FIG. 7 , a side elevation view of the guide section in accordance with  FIG. 5 , in 
         FIG. 8 , an end view of the guide rail section in accordance with  FIG. 7 , in 
         FIG. 9 , a perspective representation of a short section of a second preferred embodiment of a guide rail section of variable shape, in 
         FIG. 10 , a perspective plan view of a support element and of a guide element of the guide rail section in accordance with  FIG. 9 , in 
         FIG. 11 , a top plan view of the section is accordance with  FIG. 9 , in 
         FIG. 12 , a side elevation view of the section in accordance with  FIG. 9 , in 
         FIG. 13 , an endview of the section in accordance with  FIG. 12 , in 
         FIG. 14 , a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the guide rail section, in 
         FIG. 15 , a side elevation view of the third preferred embodiment in accordance with  FIG. 14 , in 
         FIG. 16 , a top plan view of a further preferred embodiment of a guide rail section of variable shape, and in 
         FIG. 17 , an advantageous embodiment of a chain. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is depicted a web of material  01 , such as, for example, a paper web  01 , coming from a printing group, which is not specifically represented, and arriving from the bottom right in the representation of  FIG. 1 . The paper web  01  exits the printing group and reaches a superstructure  03  of a folding apparatus. The superstructure  03  includes a longitudinal cutter  04  for use in separating the incoming paper web  01  into a plurality of side-by-side located partial webs. A turning deck  06 , in which the partial webs of the paper web  01 , and possibly further, non-represented paper webs, are rearranged, are displaced transversely to the web running direction, which is from the right to the left in  FIG. 1 , and/or turned, and are then placed on top of each other is located after the longitudinal cutter  04 . The path of the paper web  01  then extends from the turning deck  06 , over an arrangement of equalization rollers  07  for web length compensation and traction control, to a former  08 . 
     The former  08  and the equalization rollers  07  are movable in a lateral direction in  FIG. 1  in a common frame  02 , in the direction of web travel, as indicated by the two-headed arrow A in  FIG. 1 . It is furthermore possible for the former  08  to be displaced on the frame  02  transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the incoming paper web  01 , as indicated in  FIG. 2  by the two-headed arrow B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and at the outlet of the former  08 , the paper web  01  runs substantially vertically downward toward the bottom of the former  08  and through a first cutting device  11  and a second cutting device  12 , and then through a transverse cutting device  24  and a transverse folding device, all of a generally conventional construction, which need not be explained in greater detail here. Traction groups  26 ,  27 ,  28  are provided for guiding the paper web  01  between the former  08  and the transverse cutting device  24 , as may be seen in both  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     A guide rail  09  extends along the path of the paper web  01 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Over its larger portion of its length, the guide rail  09  runs together with the paper web  01  in the representation in accordance with  FIG. 1 . However, guide rail  09  is, in actuality, arranged substantially at the side of the paper web  01  and is supported, with respect to the edge of the paper web  01 , at a preset spacing. In a way, which will be described subsequently, the guide rail  09  is used for drawing a paper web  01  in through the machine into the folding apparatus. Preferably, the draw-in process of the web  01  through the printing groups, which are not specifically represented, and which are assigned to the web path takes place when these printing groups are not printing the web. 
     As can be seen by again referring to  FIG. 2  in particular, the guide rail  09  extends along the former  08  and into the area between the first cutting device  11  and the second cutting device  12 . From this area, the guide rail  09  is laterally moved out of the installation via a curved guide rail section  13  to a cross bar  14  and is formed into one or several loops. These loops define a storage device  16  for the holding elements, which will be described subsequently, which holding elements are conducted on the guide rail  09 , and on which holding elements the leading end of a paper web  01  is fixed in place while being drawn in. Preferably, the guide rail  01  extends, without a break, from a roll changer in a printing group, which is not specifically represented in  FIG. 1 , and which is located upstream of the folding apparatus, as far as the holding elements storage device  16 . 
     Adjoining the curved guide rail section  13 , there may be provided a paper web leading end separating device, which is not specifically represented, and which releases the leading end or head section of each paper web  01  passing it from its holding element. Such a separating device can be arranged at the inlet to the storage device  16 . The continuous web, which has become leaderless on the other side of the separating device, drops freely down beside the folding apparatus and is expelled in this way. 
     At the latest, after all of the holding elements have been released from the leading ends of their respective paper webs  01 , a start is made to return them to their respective starting points. To insure that exactly one holding element is returned to each respective starting point, appropriate shunts, which are not specifically represented, are provided, whose settings are automatically controlled in order to convey each holding element back to a starting point which is assigned to it. 
     To accomplish the return of the holding elements to their initial starting points at the respective roll changers, it is possible to return the holding elements in the opposite direction along the same path they had taken in the course of drawing in the respective paper web  01 . 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment, an additional return guide rail is provided, over which the holding elements are conveyed back into their original positions. Such a return guide rail, which is not specifically represented in the drawings, can, for example, be connected to the end of the storage device  16 . In this way, the holding elements are conducted in a cycle, so to speak. It would also be possible to do without a storage device  16 , if such an additional return guide rail were provided, since the provision of a return guide rail permits the return of the holding elements at any time, regardless of the operational state of the machine. 
     As was previously discussed above, the end of the guide rail  09  is arranged between the first cutting device  11 , which can, in particular, be a phase-correlated cutting device  11 , and the second cutting device  12 , the function of which can be an emergency stop cutting device  12 , which will be explained in greater detail in what follows, and in particular while making reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The web of material  01 , and in particular the paper web  01 , contains a pattern to be processed, such as, for example, a print image, which reappears after a defined repetition length L B , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . In the further processing stage containing the folding apparatus F, also as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the web of material  01 , or a continuous web  05  which is made of one or of several such webs of material  01 , containing the repeated pattern to be processed, is cut into product sections  17 , often referred to as signatures. As represented in  FIG. 3 , the folding apparatus F can include a transport cylinder  38 , such as, for example, a gripper cylinder  38  embodied as cylinder  38  with grippers  39  and cutters  41 , and a folding jaw cylinder  43 , which works together with the transport cylinder  38  and defines a folding gap  42 . The transport cylinder  38  works together with a cylinder  44 , such as, for example, with a cutter cylinder  44 , which supports cutters  45 , so that the transverse cutting device  24  is formed. 
     The continuous web  05  is cut into product sections  17  matching the recurring repetition length L B  in the transverse cutting device  24 . To accomplish the making of a cut matching the repetition length L B , the operating cycles of the transverse cutting device  24  and of a printing unit, which is not specifically represented, and which applies the pattern to be processed, such a printing unit being, for example, a printing group, are synchronized. If required, a path length of the web, or webs, from the printing unit to the location of the cut can be additionally set to a whole-number multiple of the repetition length L B  by the use of a linear registration device, which is not specifically represented. If the printing unit and the transverse cutting device  24  are driven by a common drive motor, synchronization can take place by the use of mechanical coupling, or can take place electronically, in case of the printing unit and the transverse cutting device  24  being driven mechanically independently of each other by drive motors, preferably by the use of a virtual guide shaft. In this case, the virtual guide shaft is understood to be a component of a machine control device  18  that is indicated schematically in  FIG. 3 . Control device  18  can generate set point values Φ purely synthetically, on the basis of preset values with regard to the production speed, and can transmit these set point values to all of the drive mechanisms of the printing units to be synchronized, as well as for example to a drive mechanism M, which drives the transverse cutting device  24 . However, the set point values Φ of the guide shaft, and therefore all of the remaining drive mechanisms, can also follow the position of the folding apparatus F, or of the transverse cutting device  24 , for synchronization. 
     The cutting device  12  for use to accomplish the spontaneous cutting of the continuous web  05 , such as, for example, as a result of an emergency stop, is arranged in the path of the continuous web  05  between the printing unit, which is applying the pattern to be processed, and the transverse cutting device  24 . This emergency cutting device  12  is configured to cut through the continuous web  05  with a short reaction time and upon receipt of an appropriate command and, in an advantageous further development, to simultaneously conduct the now cut, continuous web  05  out of the continuous web path, in the direction toward the folding apparatus F. Basically, every cutting device  12 , having a cutter  31  that can be moved into the continuous web path or out of the continuous web path, can be provided for this emergency web cutting and deployment. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the emergency cutting device  12  has a cutter  31 , which is pivotably seated on a shaft  36 , and which can be moved into the continuous web path, or out of the continuous web path, by pivoting of the shaft  36 . Pivoting of the shaft  36 , and therefore movement of the cutter  31 , takes place by the operation of a lever  37 , which lever  37  is hinged eccentrically in respect to the shaft  36 , by a pressure-medium-operated actuating device  32 . Here, the actuating device  32  is operated as a result of a signal N, exemplifying an emergency stop, via a control device  35 , or via an actuating member  35 , which may be, for example, embodied as a valve for charging with a pressure medium. This signal N can come from the machine control device  18  or, for a short running time, can come directly from sensors for detecting errors. In an advantageous further development, the cutting device  12  may also have a guide element  33 , such as, for example, a deflecting tongue  33  which, in the active state of the cutter  31 , works together with the cutter  31 , blocks the operational continuous web path and conducts the now severed continuous web  05  out of the normal, operational web travel path to the folding apparatus F. Furthermore, the cutting device  12  can have a strap  34 , which can be pivoted together with the cutter  31  and which strap  34  aids the guidance of the start of the continuous web in the direction toward the folding apparatus  12  when the cutter  31  is deactivated. 
     If an error or fault occurs, in the course of the operation of the machine, in which circumstance the further run-in of the continuous web  05 , or of the webs  01  of material into the folding apparatus F is to be prevented, the machine is stopped, for example, and the continuous web  05  is cut by the operation of the cutting device  12 . In  FIG. 3 , this circumstance is indicated by the signal N acting on the actuating member  35 . This cutting, or “emergency cutting”, takes place spontaneously and without considering a location, or a cutting line S, which is typically provided for the usual cutting step at one end or the other of a section length L B  step in accordance with the typical operation of the device. The continuous web  05  is now moved laterally out during the braking of the installation. As represented in  FIG. 3 , in an operational state shortly following the first cutting, or the so-called emergency cutting, and since as a rule, the emergency cut does not coincide with the planned cut between two repetition lengths L B , a rest or residual section, R of a length less than L B  remains on the continuous web  05  and extends from the location of the emergency cut up to the start of the next repetition length L B . 
     If the continuous web  05 , now containing the rest or residual section R, were to be conducted to the folding apparatus F, cutting off of the rest or residual section R would take place as the first operational cut in the transverse cutting device  24 , because of the synchronization with the repetition length L B , which rest or residual section, because of its shortened length, could not be picked up by the gripper  39 . If it is intended to avoid the risk of a further disruption caused by this residual section being mishandled by the gripper cylinder  38 , it would be necessary to remove the rest or residual section R, in an elaborate manner, from the folding apparatus F. 
     To prevent this elaborate removal process, the emergency cutting device  12  is also programmed so that it can be triggered in response to the correct registration of the section L B . In this case, cutting in response to the correct registration is to be understood as the cutting of a continuous web  05 , or of webs of material  01 , at a location at an operational cutting line S which is typically intended for accomplishing cutting between two successive repetition lengths L B . Thus, in the course of the entry of the newly formed leading edge, at the start of the continuous web, newly formed by the operation of the emergency cutting device  12  in this way, which newly formed leading edge coincides with the operational cutting line S, into the transverse cutting device  24 , this newly formed leading edge runs together with, or is aligned with the cutter  45  which cutter  45 , in the course of the forward movement of the continuous web  05 , is moved synchronously with respect to the newly formed leading edge into the effective cutting gap  46 . 
     In the preferred embodiment which is depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first cutting device  11  has a cutting element  47 , or a cutter  47 , which extends perpendicularly, with respect to a linear extension of the continuous web  05 , and parallel, with respect to the plane of the continuous web  05 , and which cutter  47  is conducted, movable perpendicularly, with respect to the plane of the continuous web  05 , on a linear actuating path. A displacement of the cutting element  47 , and therefore of the associated cutter  47 , takes place, for example, by the use of a pressure-medium-operated actuating device  48 , such as, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder  48  with a piston and tappet, and whose movement can be converted into the linear movement of the cutting element  47  by the utilization of a movement transfer mechanism  49 , which can be a pivot lever mechanism  49  in particular. In the case of the preferred embodiment described above, the actuating movement of the actuating device  48 , such as, for example, its piston and tappet, extends perpendicularly with respect to the actuating movement of the cutting element  47 , because of which, the movement transfer mechanism  49 , or of a pivot lever mechanism  49 , is required. However, on the other hand, a space-saving arrangement is provided. 
     In an advantageous further development of the present invention, the cutting element  47 , or the cutter  47 , works together with an oppositely located further cutting element  50 , or an abutment  50 , which may be, for example, embodied as a counter-cutter  50  or as a cutting strip  50 . The two cutting elements  47 ,  50  cooperate and form a cutting groove in the course of their working together. The counter-cutter or cutting abutment  50  is preferably arranged so that it is fixed in place on a side of the continuous web  05  opposite to the cutting element  47 , but could also be movable, and in particular could be linearly movable, or could also itself be movable instead of the first cutting element  47 , or the cutter  47  being movable. 
     The operation of the first cutting device  11  takes place in a phase-correlated manner with respect to the transverse cutting device  24 . Triggering of the first cutting device  11 , in accordance with the correct registration for the subsequent operational cut, i.e. triggering of the first cutting device  11  at the correct moment in regard to the forward moving continuous web  05 , takes place based on a signal with respect to status information I regarding the operational transverse cutting device  24 , such as, for example, the folding apparatus F, and in particular phase information I, referred to hereinafter as signal I, for short. In connection with a transverse cutting device  24  based on rotating cutters  45 , this phase information I represents an angle information I of the cutter cylinder  44 , which is driven synchronously with the continuous web  05 . As represented in  FIG. 3 , the phase information I can be advantageously obtained directly at the cutter cylinder  44  by the use of an appropriate detection system  40 , such as, for example, by the use of a sensor working together with an initiator, which is connected, fixed against relative rotation, with the cutter cylinder  44 . In this case, for example, the initator is located in a fixed, exactly selected angular relationship of correct registration with the first cutting device  11  in regard to the cutting operation, so that cutting, by the use of the cutting device  11 , takes place on the basis of a pulse when the initiator passes the sensor. 
     In an embodiment which is represented by dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the phase information I can also be derived from the guide shaft of the machine control device  18 , since the phase relation of the latter is correlated with the phase relation of the folding apparatus F, and in particular, with the phase relation of the transverse cutting device  24 , in a defined manner. 
     The signal with the phase information I, in the form of angle information I, or in the form of a singular pulse at the time of the passage of the initiator, is processed in a control arrangement  56  and triggers the cutting at the correct registration by operation of the cutting device  11 . In the case of an already phase-correlated singular pulse, the control arrangement  56  can be embodied as a simple actuating member  56 , such as, for example, as a valve for a pressure medium charge. If the phase information I merely represents information regarding the angular position at the moment, the control arrangement  56  has means, such as, for example, input means for determining a defined set point position and for the respective evaluation of the received phase information I. 
     In the discussion which now follows, the guide rails  09 , or the differently configured guide rail sections used in this connection, will be explained in greater detail. 
     The guide rail  09 , which is depicted somewhat schematically in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and which is substantially employed primarily over the entire guide path has, as is represented in  FIG. 4 , a generally U-shaped or C-shaped cross section. This cross section defines a groove  23 , as is also seen in  FIG. 4  and through which groove  23 , and in particular through longitudinal groove  23 , respective chain elements  51  are conducted. The chain element  51  is constructed of alternatingly single- or double-segmented chain links  52 ,  53 , at least one of which has an arm  19  extending out of the groove  23 . In  FIG. 4 , two adjoining links  53  support an arm  19  together in cooperation with each other. The chain element  51  and the arm  19  will also be referred to as holding element  51 ,  19 . A hook is provided at the end of the arm  19  remote from the chain  51 , and is usable for fastening, with the aid of a loop placed around the hook, a leading edge  54  of a paper web  01  to be newly drawn in, or a draw-in tip connected with the leading edge  54 . 
     The single-segmented links  52  are elastic per se, for example because they are made as one piece from an elastic material, or because they have an elastic center piece of spring steel or the like, which is not specifically represented in  FIG. 4 . In this way, these single segment elastic links  52  make possible the twisting of the chain element  51  around an axis which is extending parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail  09 , and also make possible the bending of the chain element  51  around an axis which is perpendicular with respect to the plane of the paper web  01  that is to be drawn in. 
     Motors, which are not specifically represented, are arranged at uniform spacings along the guide rail  09 , each of which motors supports a chain wheel which chain wheel enters into the groove  23  of the guide rail  09 , through a gap in the side of the guide rail  09 , and possibly also enters between the links  52 ,  53  of a chain element  51  that is located in the guide rail  09  at the position of the chain wheel. The length of the chain element  51  has been selected to be slightly greater than the spacing between each two successive chain wheels located sequentially along the guide rail  09 , so that there is always at least one chain wheel in engagement with the chain element  51 , when the chain element  51  is conveyed along the guide rail  09 . The at least one chain wheel thus drives the chain element  51 . For use in drawing in a paper web  01 , it is therefore sufficient to fasten the paper web&#39;s leading edge  54  to the respective arm  19  of a chain element  51 , which arm  19  is protruding from the groove  23 , and thereafter to put the chain element  51  into motion along the guide rail  09  in order to draw in the paper web  01 . 
     The guide rail  09 , as described above, is twisted by about 90° in the area of the former  08 . The direction of travel of the paper web  01 , or of the continuous web  05 , which has been put together from several individual paper webs  01 , is changed at a former inlet roller  10 , as is seen in  FIG. 1 , and reaches the slanting surface of the former  08 , which former slanting side surface comes to a point at the bottom of the former  08 . While the continuous web  05  is pulled over the lateral edge of the former  08 , its orientation changes. An orientation of the web  05  upstream of the former inlet roller  10 , which is substantially perpendicular with respect to the plane of  FIG. 1  becomes an orientation substantially perpendicular with respect to the plane of  FIG. 2  as the web  05  is formed. In order to be able to guide the paper web  01  through this change in orientation, the guide rail  09  is twisted by 90° in a section following the former inlet roller  10 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2 . After passage of at least the web  05  through the former inlet roller  10 , the groove  23  of the guide rail  09 , as is depicted somewhat schematically in  FIG. 2 , initially still faces the former inlet roller  10 , and the arm  19  of a holding element  51 ,  19  projects out of the groove  23  in the direction toward the former inlet roller  10  and parallel to an axis of rotation of the former inlet roller  10 . After the twisted section of the guide rail  09  has been passed, the orientation of the chain element  51  is rotated by 90°. By the twisting of the guide rail  09  through generally 90° it is achieved that the paper webs  01  are still exactly guided, even after passage through the former  08 . 
     Since, as has already been mentioned above, it is intended to process paper webs  01  of different widths by use of the folding apparatus F, it is important for interference-free operation that these paper webs  01  of possibly differing widths pass through the transverse cutting device  24  and the subsequent transverse folding arrangement exactly centered with respect to a longitudinal axis of, for example, the cutter cylinder  44  and the transport cylinder  38  and the folding jaw cylinder  43 . To this end, the ability to displace the former  08  in a direction that is parallel in respect to the axes of rotation of the cylinders  38 ,  44 , or of the cutting direction of the transverse cutting device  24 , is required, as was previously mentioned in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To make this transverse displacement possible, the guide rail  09  can be telescopically pulled out in an area  57 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , between the turning deck  06  and the compensation rollers  07 , or its length can be changed in any other suitable way. Its shape can also be varied, following the former  08 , in the area  58  marked by the dash-dotted circle  58  depicted in  FIG. 1 . in particular, the guide rail  09  is configured to be variable in length and to also be flexible, so as to make possible the smooth passage of the holding elements  51 ,  19  through the machine as far as the storage device  16 , in any position the former  08  can take up. These areas of variable shape  57 ,  58  are each constituted by guide rail sections  57 ,  58  of variable shape, which variable shape guide rail sections  57 ,  58  have been inserted into the guide rail  09  and which will be described, in greater detail, in the subsequent discussion. 
     First, reference is made to the preferred embodiment in accordance with  FIGS. 5 to 8 . It should be pointed out that, for the purpose of clarifying the representation, the center guide element  101 , which is represented in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , is not shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The guide rail section  58  of variable shape, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , is comprised of a plurality of guide elements  101 , which are supported, and in particular which are fastened, placed one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, on a support strip  102 . These plurality of guide elements  101  and support strip  102  together form a U-shaped, or a C-shaped rail for a draw-in device, which is not specifically represented in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , in particular a roller chain such as the roller chain shown at  51  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The guide elements  101  have a generally known cross section, such as is depicted particularly clearly in  FIG. 8 , and which cross section otherwise preferably corresponds to the cross section of the guide rails  09  shown in  FIG. 4  and which are not constructed to have a variable shape, which are conventionally used in the machine shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The guide elements  101 , which are configured as profiled strips  101 , or as profiled strip elements  101 , each have a rectangular-shaped exterior cross section and can be made of metal, and in particular can be made of aluminum, but also could be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material or of a composite material. 
     Each guide element  101  has a guide section  103  for use in guiding the draw-in arrangement, such as the chain element  51  which is not specifically represented, and a fastening section  104  for use in fastening the guide element on the support strip  102 . In the case of the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , the fastening section  104  is formed by a hollow profiled section  104 . An interior cross section of the hollow profiled section  104  is shaped substantially rectangularly. In an assembled functional state of the variable shape guide rail section  58 , the fastening section  104 , or the hollow profiled section  104 , completely extends around the support strip  102 , so that the support strip  102  is guided, or is received, in the hollow profiled sections  104  of the support elements  101 . 
     The guide section  103  has a generally U- or C-shaped cross section, and is substantially open on one side. The opening of the guide section  103  opens or extends in a direction away from the fastening section  104 . The guide section  103  of each guide element  101  has two generally parallel, spaced legs  106 , extending away from the hollow profiled section  104  and at right angles thereto. A groove  107  is formed on an inner face of each leg  106 , so that the facing grooves  107  define a runway for the rollers of a roller chain. 
     The support strip  102  is configured to be variable in shape, and in particular to be variable in length, and/or able to be curved. It is possible to give the support strip a suitable variability of shape, such as, for example, through the selection of a suitable material, and in particular through the selection of an elastically deformable material, primarily a suitable plastic material, or a caoutchouc material. By the provision of this material, it is possible to achieve a twisting capability and a curving capability which, in particular, is sufficient for actual use. 
     In order to also be able to provide a sufficient length variability capability, the support strip  102  is constituted of a plurality, or of a multitude, of support elements  108 , which are arranged one behind the other, viewed in the longitudinal direction L of the guide rail section  58 , and which support elements  108  work together in the manner of links. Adjoining support elements  108  are connected at variable spacings in the longitudinal direction L, and in particular, engage each other with play. Thus, the individual support elements  108  can be pushed together or can be pulled apart, in relation to each other, so that the length of the support strip  102  can be changed in that way. 
     A guide element  101  is assigned to each support element  108 , so that, respectively, one guide element  101  is fastened to respectively one support element  108 . The length of each of the guide elements  101  is selected to be a function of the length of each of the support elements  108 , preferably in such a way that, and considering also making use of the play provided, the guide elements  101  rest with their front faces abutting against each other when the support strip  102  has been completely pushed together. The sum of the lengths of the guide elements  101  therefore corresponds to the minimum length of the support strip  102  assigned to these guide elements  101 , and the maximum length of the variable shape guide rail section  58  results from adding the sum of the play of the assigned support elements  108 . 
     The individual support elements  108  are embodied to each be approximately plate-shaped and basically each have an overall cross section corresponding to the interior cross section of the hollow profiled sections  104  of the guide elements  101 , such that a displacement of the support elements  108  within the hollow profiled sections  104  is possible. In the case of the present preferred embodiment, the cross section of each of the support elements  108  is substantially rectangular so as to match the interior cross section of the hollow profiled sections  104  of the guide elements  101 . 
     Successive support elements  108  are coupled to each other so that their respective spacing can be varied. Successive or adjoining support elements  108 , in particular, engage each other with play. To this end, each plate- shaped support element  108  has a C-shaped opening  109  of rectangular interior cross section at its one end, as may be seen in  FIG. 6 , which opening  109  is arranged centered, i.e. symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal direction L. At its other end, each support element  108  has a T-shaped shoulder  111 , also arranged centered, i.e. symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal direction L. The T-shaped shoulder  111  of each support element  108  engages, and is received in, the C-shaped opening  109  of the respectively adjoining support element  108 , also as seen in  FIG. 6  with sufficient longitudinal play in such a way that adjoining support elements  108  can be shifted relatively to each other in the longitudinal direction L. 
     The width of the opening  109  in each support element  108 , measured transversely to the longitudinal direction L, corresponds to the width of a transverse leg  112  of the T-shaped shoulder  111 . The length of the opening  109 , measured in the longitudinal direction L of the support element  108 , is greater than the thickness of the transverse leg  112 , also in the longitudinal direction L, because of which, the play between the support elements  108  is provided. In a direction toward the end of each respective support element  108 , each opening  109  is delimited by, or is defined by, two end legs  113 ,  114  having leg ends pointing toward each other, and between which leg ends of legs  113  and  114  a longitudinal leg  116  of the T-shaped shoulder  111  is conducted, and whose mutual spacing distance corresponds to a transverse thickness of the longitudinal leg  116 . 
     In the representation of the variable shape guide rail section  58 , in accordance with  FIG. 6 , the support elements  108  can be put together in a direction perpendicular to the drawing plane. Then, guide elements  101  are pushed onto the now assembled support elements  108 , over their hollow profiled sections  104 , and are each fastened on a respective one of the support elements  108  in a manner to be described subsequently. As is clear from a review of the drawing figures shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , the guide elements  101  each extend at least partially around the respective support elements  108  in the area of the coupling, or connection, and specifically in the area of the opening  109  and the transverse leg  112  of the shoulder  111 , because of circumextension which, this connection is secure from inadvertently becoming or being released. 
     In the case of the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , a locking element  117 , and in particular a locking bolt  117 , is provided as the mechanism  117  for fixing a guide element  101  in place on a support element  108 . Each locking bolt  117  is passed through aligned bores  118  and  119  in the support element  108 , or in the fastening section  104  of the guide element  101 , and can be fixed in place, in this position, in a positive or in a non- positive manner. It is possible, in particular, to embody the locking bolt  117  as a screw bolt  117 , and a bore  119  in the fastening section  104  of the guide element  101 , or a bore  118  in the support element, as threaded bores  118 ,  119 . 
     A second preferred embodiment, in accordance with  FIGS. 9 to 15 , differs from the above described first preferred embodiment only with respect to the different configuration, or the shape, of the connection between the support elements  108 , as is described in what follows. Otherwise, reference is made to the above description. 
     In the second preferred embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 9 to 15 , the plate-like support elements  108  have L-shaped or angular-shaped cutouts  121 ,  122  at opposite ones of each of their respective ends. These cutouts  121 ,  122  are embodied in such a way that hook-shaped coupling shoulders  123 , 124  are formed at both ends of each support element  108 , at respectively oppositely located sides. These coupling shoulders  123 ,  124  are oriented opposite or facing each other, so that the coupling shoulder  123  of one support element  108  works together, with play, with the coupling shoulder  124  of the adjoining support element  108 . 
     The play between adjacent ones of the support element  108  is provided for because the thickness of a hook element  126  or  127 , which is extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction L and which is formed at the end of the respective coupling shoulder  123  or  124  is less than the length, measured in the longitudinal direction L, of a leg  128 ,  129  of the respective cutout  121 ,  122  which is working together with the respective hook element  126 ,  127 . 
     The hook-shaped coupling shoulders  123 ,  124  are furthermore configured in such a way that the free ends of the hook elements  126 ,  127  are supported at the respective longitudinal strip  131 ,  132  of the respective coupling element  123  or  124 . This cooperative configuration aids the stability of the support strip  102 . 
     The hook element  127  and the associated leg  128  of the first cutout  121  are wider than the hook element  126  and the associated leg  129  of the second cutout  122 . This configuration insures that both cooperating coupling elements  123 ,  124  are guided in both associated guide elements  101 , or in their hollow profiled sections  104 ,  104 , even in case of the greatest possible stretching of the support strip  102 . This is true, even in cases in which the individual guide elements  101  are maximally spaced apart and the gap between adjoining guide elements  101  has therefore attained its maximum size. In this context, see, for example,  FIG. 7 . This structure also contributes to the stability of the support strip. 
     In accordance with the depiction of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the support strip  102  is connected, at both its ends, with a respective one of a guide segment  133  or  134 , each of whose cross section corresponds to that of the guide elements  101 , but which has a length in the longitudinal direction L that is longer than the length of each of the guide elements  101 . The guide elements  133 ,  134  are connected with the guide rails  09 . In an actual use configuration, linear variability can amount to 3 mm per coupling, for example. In the case of the example shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  this linear variability can amount to a total of 15 mm. 
     A further preferred embodiment of a guide rail section  57  of variable shape is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 16 . This third preferred embodiment of a guide rail section  57  is configured to be variable in length, or it can be telescopically extended. It is configured substantially in the arrangement disclosed in WO 98/50234 A1; the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     The guide rail section  57  shown in  FIG. 16  also has a C-shaped or a U-shaped interior cross section and is comprised of partial elements  61 ,  62 . These engage each other in a relatively displaceable manner and always maintain a positive guidance of the roller chain  51 . 
     It is to be understood that in place of a length-variable guide rail section  57  in the area  57  it would also be possible to employ a guide rail section  58  of variable shape, such as the one shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8  or  FIGS. 9 to 15 . Also, guide rail sections  57 ,  58  of variable shape can additionally be employed at other locations, if needed. 
     An advantageous embodiment of the chain  51  which is intended to be conducted in the guide rail  09 , or in the guide rail sections  57 ,  58 , is represented in  FIG. 17 . The chain  51  has rollers, respectively seated on pins  22 . The pins  22  are connected, spaced apart, by the use of tongues. To insure that the chain  51  can perform more than solely a pivot movement around the longitudinal axis of the pins  22 , the bores in the tongues are slightly larger, for example, than are the diameter of the pins  22 . The result is that the chain  51  can be curved transversely to the running direction, or to the longitudinal axis direction, of the pins  22 . A maximum radius of curvature R 51  of the chain of 1,000 mm, but preferably less than 600 mm, and particularly preferred less than 500 mm, results in the curved state of the chain  51 . 
     It is also possible to configure the pin  22  with different diameters in its longitudinal direction, in particular to configure the pin  22  to be crowned. 
     It should be pointed out that in order to be able to process several webs of material in a bundled or superimposed or layered manner, the superstructure of the folding apparatus has several selectable, alternative paths, on each of which respectively at least one web  01  of material can be guided through the superstructure  03  and to the transverse cutting device  24 . In a manner, which is not specifically shown in detail, several rail sections, which are each extending along each one of these paths, are capable of being united with the guide rail  09  upstream of the transverse cutting device  24 . 
     While preferred embodiments of a device and a method for feeding at least one material web or web strand into a folding device, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example, the drive assembly for the draw-in chains, the attachment of the web leading end to the draw-in device, the specific structure of the superstructure and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1