Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5462266?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=5,915,131
Timestamp: 2015-07-05 15:48:41
Document Index: 415246583

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 22', 'art 24', 'arts 22', 'art 24', 'arts 22', 'art 22']

Patent US5462266 - Process and apparatus for opening folded printed products - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsFolded printed products are transported while held in suspended position at their fold and supported in their end region remote from the fold. The end section of the first product part, projecting with respect to the second product part, is seized and temporarily held by a gripper which is driven in...http://www.google.com/patents/US5462266?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5462266 - Process and apparatus for opening folded printed productsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5462266 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/160,386Publication dateOct 31, 1995Filing dateDec 1, 1993Priority dateDec 4, 1992Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2110614A1, CA2110614C, DE59302441D1, EP0600216A1, EP0600216B1Publication number08160386, 160386, US 5462266 A, US 5462266A, US-A-5462266, US5462266 A, US5462266AInventorsJacques MeierOriginal AssigneeFerag AgExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (36), Referenced by (10), Classifications (15), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetProcess and apparatus for opening folded printed products
US 5462266 AAbstract
1. An apparatus for opening folded printed products having a first product part and a second product part joined at a fold, each of said product parts having a free end edge opposite the fold, the apparatus comprising:a conveying device including a plurality of transport clips, the transport clips being driven in a conveying direction and each clip adapted to hold a printed product at the fold and extending transversely to the conveying direction; a supporting element arranged underneath the conveying device for supporting the printed products in the region of their free ends as the products are conveyed; and an opening unit adjacent the supporting element including a plurality of grippers driven in a circulating manner and each gripper adapted to seize the free edge of one of said product parts in each product; said opening unit also including a stabbing element moveable relative to the grippers and effective to move between the product parts in each product and at least partially move the other part away from the one part whereby the printed product is opened. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:said opening unit also includes a product holding-open element; said holding-open element having a spiral configuration and adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis extending generally in the conveying direction; rotation of said spiral element being effective to hold open each opened printed product after its release by a gripper and before its release by a clip. 3. A process for opening folded printed products wherein the fold joins a first product part to a second product part, the method comprising the steps of:holding suspended the printed products at their fold, the fold running transversely to a conveying direction and supported at their end region lying opposite the fold; conveying the printed products in the conveying direction; seizing the first product part and temporarily holding it at its end edge, lying opposite the fold, with a gripper; driving the gripper approximately in the direction of movement of the end edge; moving the other, second product part away from the held first product part; stabbing the printed product between the held first product part and the second product part with a stabbing element, movable relative to the gripper; moving the stabbing element and gripper away from each other such that while the stabbing element is moving away from the gripper, the second product part is at least partially lifted off of the first product part, whereby the printed product is opened. 4. The process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the printed products are folded off-center wherein:the holding step comprises holding the off-center printed product in an approximately vertical suspended position and supporting the printed products in their end region such that, in the end region, the end section of the first product part projects beyond the second product part and is upper-lying; and wherein the first product part is seized and held at the end section by the gripper and the printed products are stabbed from underneath the end section by the stabbing element. 5. The process as claimed in claim 3 comprising:arranging a spiral-like holding-open element such that its longitudinal axis runs in the conveying direction; rotatably driving the spiral-like holding-open element about its longitudinal axis; and engaging the spiral-like holding-open element between the product parts, lifted at least partially off each other, to hold the printed products open after release of the first product part by the grippers. 6. An apparatus for opening folded printed products having a first product part and a second product part, the apparatus comprising:a conveying device including transport clips, the transport clips being driven in a conveying direction and hold the printed products suspended at their fold, running transversely to the conveying direction and joining two product parts to each other; a supporting element, arranged underneath the conveying device, the supporting element supporting the printed products at their end region lying opposite the fold; and an opening unit, arranged underneath the conveying device, the opening unit including: 1) a plurality of controllable grippers, driven in a circulating manner along a closed circulating path which runs by the supporting element, the grippers seizing the one, first product part at its end edge, lying opposite the fold; 2) an actively holding region subsequent to where the printed products are seized, including means for actuating the grippers to temporary hold the first product part, and means for moving the other, second product part away from the held first product part; and 3) a stabbing element, which is movable relative to the grippers, the stabbing element stabbing into the printed products between the held first product part and the second product part within the actively holding region of the circulating path of the grippers wherein, during the moving away of gripper and stabbing element from each other, the stabbing element lifts the second product part at least partially off of the first product part, whereby the printed product is opened. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein:the grippers are arranged on a carrying member, which is driven in a rotating manner; the opening unit includes a plurality of stabbing elements, driven in a circulating manner along a closed path of movement, a section of the path of movement running by the actively holding region of the circulating path of the grippers; and the speed of the stabbing elements in the section is variable relative to the circulating speed of the grippers. 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein:the grippers are arranged on a carrying member, which is driven in a rotating manner; the opening unit includes a plurality of stabbing elements, driven in a circulating manner along a closed path of movement, a section of the path of movement running by the actively holding region of the circulating path of the grippers; and the speed of the stabbing elements in the section is different relative to the circulating speed of the grippers. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein between respectively neighboring grippers, there is between the circulating path of the grippers and the carrying member a free space, into which the second product part can engage during opening of the printed products.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising:a pivotally mounted bearing element having radially projecting bearing arms, the stabbing elements being arranged on the radially projecting bearing arms; and controlled clamping levers arranged on the bearing arms, the controlled clamping levers interacting with the stabbing elements, in order firmly to clamp the second product part temporarily after the stabbing into a printed product. 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 comprising a vacuum source and wherein the gripper jaws and gripper tongues have openings, for connection to the vacuum source, in order to hold the two product parts during opening of the grippers and lift them off each other at the border lying opposite the fold, and wherein the stabbing elements stab between the product parts thereby lifted off each other.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein:the printed products are folded off-center such that they have on their first product part an end section projecting beyond the second product part; the transport clips transport the off-center folded printed products in an approximately vertical suspended position and with the first product part trailing with respect to the second product part; the supporting element includes a fixed supporting member, in order to support the printed products with, seen in the conveying direction, rearwardly bent end region and upper-lying end section; the mouths of the grippers are, seen in circulating direction, directed forward; and the stabbing elements move at a greater speed than the grippers. 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein:the printed products are folded off-center such that they have on their first product part an end section projecting beyond the second product part; the transport clips transport the off-center folded printed products in an approximately vertical suspended position and with the first product part leading with respect to the second product part; the supporting element includes a supporting belt, the supporting belt driven in a circulating manner at a greater speed relative to the transport clips, in order to support the printed products with, seen in the conveying direction, forwardly bent end region and upper-lying end section; the mouths of the grippers are, seen in circulating direction directed rearward; and the stabbing elements move at lower speed than the grippers. 21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the opening unit comprises a spiral-like holding-open element, the spiral-like holding-open element driven rotatingly about its longitudinal axis, running in the conveying direction, and the spiral-like holding-open element engaging with its rear end, seen in the conveying direction, in each case between the product parts which have been lifted off of each other, in order to hold the opened printed products open after release of the first product part by the grippers during further transport.
Underneath the conveying device 10 there is further provided a supporting element 56. In the present embodiment, the supporting element 56 is formed by two bent supporting plates 58. The supporting plates 58 are fastened on the frame 34 on both sides of the carrying member 38 and at a distance from the latter and from the stabbing wheel 50. The supporting plates 58 have the same curvature as the circulating path 48 of the grippers 44 and are arranged in line with the latter in the axial direction. The supporting plates 58 in this embodiment extend approximately from the height of the shaft 36 over an angle of about 80� upward on the side of the opening unit 28 facing the incoming printed products 20. The vertical distance between the opening unit 28 and the conveying device 10 is set such that the printed products 20, which are transported in a vertical suspended position, run with their end region 30 onto the supporting plates 58. Here the printed products 20 come to bear against the supporting plates 58, the end regions 30 being bent rearward (seen in conveying direction F) and thereby undergo a delay.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the carrying member 38 with the parts arranged thereon, such as grippers 44, control levers 74, angle levers 86 with stabbing elements 54, is designed substantially the same as the embodiment according to FIG. 3. The only difference is that this structural unit is now turned through 180� about a diametral axis in its arrangement on the shaft 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2), so that the grippers 44 are now directed to the rear (seen in the circulating direction U). The construction of this structural unit is therefore not described any further. Only the form of the opening link 84 and of the stabbing link 92 is different, to which reference will be made however in the functional description. It should also be mentioned that the spacing A of the transport clips 14 is equal to, but preferably slightly greater than, the spacing C between the grippers 44.
The printed products 20, transported in a vertical suspended position, running with their free end region 20 onto the supporting plates 58, are supported and bent rearward (seen in the conveying direction F). A gripper 44 picks up the printed product 20, which is then seized at its end edge 29 by closing of the gripper 44 and is held. The channels 122 are then connected to the vacuum source. Once the gripper 44 has left the region of the supporting plates 58, the gripper tongue 46 is transferred into the open position. Since, however, there is now a vacuum in the openings 120, the two product parts 22, 24 are firmly held and lifted off each other at the gripper tongue 46 or gripper jaw 42. The opening in the gripper jaw 42 is now separated from the vacuum source, whereupon the jaw releases the second product part 24. At the same time, the angle lever 86 is swiveled in the counterclockwise direction, so that it stabs with its stabbing element 54 between the product parts 22, 24, which are already lifted a little off of each other. By the further movement of the stabbing element 54, the second product part 24 is pushed off the upper jaw 42 and the printed product 20 is further opened. As soon as the holding-open element 68 has engaged between the two product parts 22, 24, lifted off each other, the opening 120 in the gripper tongue 46 is also separated from the vacuum source. The first product part 22, held up until then, is thereby also released. If two-fold printed products 20 are to be opened, the opening unit 28 is preferably arranged laterally offset with respect to the conveying device 10. In this manner it acts on the printed product 20 at the lateral fold. It will be recognized that it is also conceivable to open printed products 20 with leading end region 30. In this case, the carrying member 38 with the grippers 44 and the supporting elements 56 is again to be turned through 180� about a diametral axis on the shaft 36 (FIGS. 1, 2).
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Donnelley & Sons CompanySignature conveyor system with automatic phase adjustmentUS5794926 *Jan 12, 1996Aug 18, 1998Ferag AgDevice for opening printed products and apparatus for processing printed productsUS6017027 *Aug 28, 1997Jan 25, 2000Ferag AgMethod and apparatus for opening flexible, sheet productsUS6877732 *Jan 23, 2001Apr 12, 2005Ferag AgFeed conveyor with opening apparatusUS7063313 *Oct 24, 2001Jun 20, 2006Ferag AgDevice for holding printed productsUS7073785 *Oct 24, 2001Jul 11, 2006Ferag AgApparatus for processing printed productsUS7318587 *Dec 9, 2004Jan 15, 2008Ferag AgMethod of, and apparatus for, stabilizing and positioning sheet-like articlesUS7591466 *Mar 14, 2007Sep 22, 2009M�ller Martini Holding AGDevice for transferring print products, conveyed while suspended from spaced-apart clamps on a circulating conveying elementUS8376123May 27, 2011Feb 19, 2013Ferag AgDevice and method for opening printed productsUS20100200363 *Jul 23, 2008Aug 12, 2010Ferag AgSystem for combining groups of flat objects* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification270/52.16, 271/204, 270/52.25International ClassificationB65H5/12, B65H47/00, B65H5/30, B42C19/00, B42C19/08Cooperative ClassificationB65H5/12, B65H2301/323, B65H5/308, B65H2301/44712, B65H2301/44795European ClassificationB65H5/12, B65H5/30HLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 1, 1993ASAssignmentOwner name: FERAG AG, SWITZERLANDFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MEIER, JACQUES;REEL/FRAME:006798/0153Effective date: 19931117Apr 7, 1999FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 3, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Apr 24, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services