Patent Application
20170239971
Priority is claimed to Swiss Application No. CH 00232/16, filed Feb. 19, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a cover feeder for supplying book covers to a production unit in a book completion line, comprising a first receiving device for book covers of a single format, deposited either individually, in an overlapping flow and/or in a stack, a laterally adjustable centering device arranged on the first receiving device which is laterally displaceable for a defined feeding from the side of individual, overlapping and/or stacked book covers, corresponding to a centering required for the production unit of the book completion line, a cover magazine with a stacking chute arranged downstream of the first receiving device, and a first separating out unit for withdrawing the lowest book cover from the stacking chute and for supplying the withdrawn book cover to the production unit of the book completion line. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding method for supplying the book covers.
Known book completion lines successively combine at clocked intervals respectively one book block and one book cover. For this, the book blocks and the book covers are normally produced in separate machines. The book block is subjected in individual processing stations to various processing steps, for example rounding, pressing, applying of glue to the back and the application of a headband. Separate therefrom, the book cover generally moves through a cover bending device before a so-called marriage takes place in a downstream-arranged casing-in machine, meaning a joining of the book block and the book cover.
Generally speaking, medium to large editions of books are processed in conventional book completion lines of this type. The same number of identical book covers are thus supplied to match a series of identical book blocks. It is therefore not necessary to watch the sequence because one book is combined in the same way as the other ones with this type of edition. The book covers in this case are supplied while stacked, in part also overlapping, on a cover magazine, wherein the stack is composed of book covers with the same format, meaning the same dimensions.
European patent document EP2386507 A1 describes a cover feeder as described in the above for supplying book covers to a production unit of a book completion line, embodied as a casing-in machine, in which the so-called marriage of book block and book cover takes place, meaning the joining to form a book.
This cover feeder comprises a receiving device for book covers with a side guiding device, arranged on its drive side, and a downstream-arranged cover magazine with a stacking chute, as well as an adjacent separating out device. In contrast to traditional cover feeders, which contain only a single stack of book covers of the same format on the receiving device, a first stack of book covers having a first format and a second stack with book covers having a second format, which deviates from the first format, can be provided on this book cover feeder for processing small editions with only a few books. Accordingly, two stacks of book covers with respectively different format can be processed sequentially, wherein the format change from the first stack available in production direction to the next stack occurs automatically. In the extreme case of a micro-edition, e.g. when producing a photo album or single book, such a stack consists of a single book cover. The book cover as well as the associated book block therefore are unique, which respectively requires a clear identification.
In the field of modern industrial book binding, orders for small editions and micro-editions frequently alternate. With an increasing share of micro-editions, however, it becomes uneconomical to place a number of book covers with differing formats successively onto the cover feeder while stacks of identical book covers are placed on for small editions.
An object of the invention therefore is to create a cover feeder and a method for supplying book covers to a following production unit of a book completion line, which allow an economic processing of successively following book covers of the same formats and book covers having different formats in an optional sequence.
The above and other objects are achieved according to an embodiment of the invention with a cover feeder for providing book covers to a production unit of a book completion line, the cover feeder comprising: a first receiving device having a transporting direction and receiving book covers of a same format that are deposited at least one of individually, in an overlapping flow and in a stack on the first receiving device; a laterally adjustable centering device arranged on the first receiving device for a defined feeding from a side of the first receiving device, relative to the transporting direction, of the book covers deposited individually, in an overlapping flow or in the form of a stack, to a position corresponding to a centering required for the production unit of the book completion line; a cover magazine, arranged downstream of the first receiving device, comprising a stacking chute and a first separating out device for withdrawing a respectively lowest book cover from the stacking chute and for providing the withdrawn book cover to the production unit of the book completion line; a second receiving device arranged upstream of the first receiving device for accommodating a stack of book covers having different formats, the second receiving device comprising a second separating out device for withdrawing a respectively lowest book cover from the stack of book covers having different formats, which stack rests on the second receiving device, and for conveying in the transporting direction of the first receiving device the separated out book covers of different formats to the first receiving device; and a control unit to which information is transmitted relating to the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers with different formats; wherein the centering device is connected to the control unit for being controlled to be laterally displaced to effect a defined lateral displacement for aligning the respective book covers withdrawn from the second receiving device and positioned on the first receiving device corresponding to the information on format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers with different formats and corresponding to the centering required for the production unit of the book completion line.
Thus, with the apparatus according to the invention, a second receiving device for a stack of book covers having different formats is arranged upstream of the first receiving device. The second receiving device comprises a second separating out device for withdrawing the respectively lowest book cover from the stack of book covers with different formats, positioned on the second receiving device, and for further conveying the separated out book cover in the transporting direction to the first receiving device. The cover feeder is furthermore provided with a control unit to which information can be transmitted relating to the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats. The centering device is connected to the control unit of the cover feeder and is embodied to be laterally displaceable for a defined lateral displacement and/or alignment of a book cover, separated out from the second receiving device and positioned on the first receiving device, corresponding to the information on the format and sequence of book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats and corresponding to the centering required for the production unit of the book completion line. With this type of apparatus, book covers of the same as well as different formats, which are supplied in a stack, can be processed successively and, following the separating out, can be supplied with the required centering to a following production unit of a book completion line. An economic processing of small and micro editions is thus possible.
The centering device according to one embodiment of the apparatus comprises a single centering element. Stacks of book covers having the same format can thus be placed easily and cost-effectively onto the first receiving device, given a corresponding presetting of the centering element with the centering required for the downstream production unit of the book completion line. Also, book covers having different formats, withdrawn from the stacks, which are positioned on the second receiving device and are transported to the first receiving device, can be laterally displaced and/or aligned on the first receiving device, corresponding to the information relating to format and sequence of the book covers in this stack and the centering required for the production unit of the book completion line.
According to a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus, at least one stacking device is provided for forming a stack of book covers having different formats and centered in the middle, which is embodied such that it can be transported to the second receiving device. With a stacking device of this type, book cover stacks suitable for further processing can be formed easily with prefinished book covers having different formats, by depositing these book covers in a specific sequence one on top of the other, corresponding to the sequence of books to be completed by joining the book blocks and the respectively associated book covers, wherein these stacks can subsequently be supplied to the second receiving device of the cover feeder.
According to another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the at least one stacking device comprises a roof-shaped support surface with a ridge oriented (inclined) toward the top or the bottom for accommodating book covers of different formats and a support surface for the leading edges of the book covers in the stack to be formed. As a result of this design, book covers having different formats can essentially be supplied centered in the middle to the stacking device, wherein the leading edges of the book covers rest against the contact surface. An essentially defined stack forming is thus ensured in the stacking device.
According to yet another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the roof-shaped support surface is slanted in the direction of the contact surface, thereby making possible a further improvement in the stack formation.
The contact surface for a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus is provided in the region of the ridge with a first recess that is open toward the top, and the roof-shaped support surface is provided with at least a second recess in the region of the contact surface and the ridge. A machine operator can thus grasp the stack of book covers of different formats and remove it particularly easily from the stacking device.
With yet another embodiment of the apparatus, a first sensor is connected to the control unit of the cover feeder and is embodied such that it is, or can be directed toward detecting an identifier relating to the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats which stack is positioned on the second receiving device or on the at least one stacking device. The respectively current order to be processed can be detected with the aid of this identifier and the first sensor in the control unit. The sequence and formats of the book covers in the stack can be determined in the control unit connected to this sensor, and this information can then be used for the post-processing.
The first sensor, for example, can be attached to the second receiving device of the cover feeder or to the area immediately surrounding it, but can also be moved by a machine operator close to the stack of book covers having different formats and can be directed toward this stack.
According to a different embodiment of the apparatus, the identifier relating to the format and sequence of book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats is attached to at least one book cover in this stack and/or a separate identifier is attached to the device for forming this stack. The identifier in principle can be attached to an optional position on the stack, detectable by the sensor, for example to the top book cover in the stack or even a cover sheet resting on the stack.
The identifier and/or the separate identifier can be in the form of a numbering of the respective stack of book covers with different formats, which can be combined in the control unit with an information associated with this numbering. The identifier and/or the separate identifier can also be present as a code which itself contains the information relating to the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats.
According to a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus, several stacking devices are provided, and a separate identifier for their identification is arranged on each stacking device. On the one hand, several stacks with book covers having different formats can thus be formed, independent of the further processing in the cover feeder while, on the other hand, the identification of the respective stack is ensured via the individual identifiers attached to the stacking device.
According to another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, a second sensor is arranged on the cover feeder for identifying the book covers withdrawn from the second receiving device and the book covers conveyed further to the first receiving device and is connected to the control unit of the cover feeder. With this sensor, the control unit, and a conveying device for the second receiving device that is connected to the latter, a previously separated-out book cover that still rests partially on the second receiving device can initially be identified, can be stopped and is only deposited in the conveying region of the first receiving device once the preceding book cover has been moved from the first receiving device to the downstream arranged cover magazine. With the aid of this second sensor, it can furthermore be checked whether the currently separated out book cover matches the dataset stored in the control unit for a corresponding book cover.
According to yet another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, a third sensor is arranged on the cover feeder, which is directed toward a downstream region of the first receiving device and is connected to the control unit of the cover feeder. With the aid of this sensor, the control unit and a conveying device for the first receiving device that is connected to the latter, the book cover can be identified and stopped once it is located in the region of the laterally adjustable centering device. The book cover can thus be moved precisely to the required position for the lateral displacement and/or alignment corresponding to the information relating to format and sequence for the covers in the stack of book covers having different formats and corresponding to the requirements for the production unit of the book completion line.
According to yet another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, a fourth sensor is arranged on the cover feeder which detects a gap between two successively following book covers withdrawn from the second receiving device and is connected to the control unit for the cover feeder. With the aid of this sensor, the control unit and a conveying device for the second receiving device that is connected to the latter, the front edge of a book cover withdrawn from the second receiving device can be stopped at a location where the second sensor can read the identifier of this book cover.
According to a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus, a clocked load element is arranged in a downstream region of the first receiving device, for pressing the book covers positioned individually, in an overlapping flow and/or in the form of a stack onto the first receiving device. A premature tipping of the respective book cover(s) into the downstream arranged cover magazine and thus an undesirable deviation of the book cover(s) from the previously adjusted lateral position and/or alignment can be prevented in this way.
Corresponding to a different embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the first and the second receiving devices are embodied such that a first imaginary vertical plane through a first center axis of the first receiving device, oriented parallel to the transporting direction, is spaced transverse to the conveying direction to the side by a specific distance, from a second imaginary vertical plane, oriented parallel to the transporting direction, through a second center axis of the second receiving device. With reference to the transporting direction, the centering device is arranged on a side of the first receiving device which is closer to the second imaginary vertical plane through the second center axis of the second receiving device extended into the first receiving device, than to the first imaginary vertical plane through the first center axis of the first receiving device.
Following the separating out and during the further transport in the cover feeder, the book covers supplied to the second receiving device of the cover feeder in the form of a stack of book covers having different formats can thus be supplied already centered in the middle and can finally be turned over to the following production unit in the book completion line, such that a high-quality book is created after combining the respective book cover with the associated book block. In addition, it is technically easier and cheaper to always displace the book covers in the same direction, regardless of their format and how far they were originally displaced centrally, so that only the relative amount of the displacement changes.
According to another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the second receiving device is provided with a support surface for the stack of book covers having different formats, which support surface is provided with a marking of the vertical plane through its center axis. This marking is advantageously used by the machine operator for the centered depositing of the stack of book covers with different formats onto the support surface and/or in the second receiving device.
The method according to the invention provides that in addition to or alternative to placing book covers individually, in an overlapping flow or in the form of a stack of book covers having the same format onto the first receiving device, a stack of book covers having different formats is placed upstream of the first receiving device onto the second receiving device. The respectively lowest book cover in the stack of book covers with different formats, positioned on the second receiving device, is furthermore withdrawn and transported in conveying direction to the first receiving device. Information regarding the format and sequence of book covers in the stack of book covers with different formats is furthermore transmitted to the control unit of the cover feeder. Finally, based on a signal created by the control unit with the aid of the information relating to format and sequence for the book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats, the book cover separated out from the second receiving device and placed onto the first receiving device is respectively displaced to the side and/or aligned corresponding to the centering required for the production unit of the book completion line.
In this way, the book covers supplied in the form of a stack, having the same as well as different formats, can be processed successively and, following a corresponding separating out, can be made available with the required centering to a following production unit of a book completion line, thereby making possible an economic processing of small and micro editions.
Corresponding to one embodiment of the inventive method, the stack of book covers having different formats is supplied while centered in the middle, extending transverse to the transporting direction, and is deposited onto the second receiving device with the edges of the book covers in this stack coming in contact with at least one holding back device of a second separating out device for the second receiving device.
Corresponding to a different embodiment of the inventive method, the book covers in the stack are deposited centered in the middle, relative to each other, on a marking for the second receiving device. A mostly centered depositing of the stack of book covers having different formats onto the support surface and/or the second receiving device can thus be ensured.
Corresponding to another embodiment of the inventive method, a stack containing book covers with different formats, centered in the middle, is formed with the aid of at least one stacking device, the stacking device with the stack is then transported to the second receiving device where the stack is removed from the stacking device and is deposited on the second receiving device. Stacks of book covers having different formats can thus easily be formed, using a specific stacking sequence, suitable for the further processing, which corresponds to the sequence for the books to be produced in the book completion line by joining the book blocks and the associated book covers. These stacks are then transported to the second receiving device of the cover feeder.
Corresponding to a different embodiment of the inventive method, the information relating to the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats takes the form of an identifier affixed to at least one book cover in this stack or to a stacking device used to form this stack. The identifier, for example, can take the form of a numbering of the respective stack of book covers having different formats, which the control unit combines with an information belonging to this numbering. In the same way, the identifier can take the form of a code which itself contains the information on the format and sequence of the book covers in the stack book covers having different formats.
The invention is described in the following with the aid of an exemplary embodiment, wherein:
According to
In the main production direction 2, downstream of the second operating region 7, a third operating region 8 is provided for applying adhesive and for backlining the respective back of the rounded or straight and pressed or non-pressed book block 4 with the aid of a third production unit 8′ embodied as back-lining machine. A cover feeder 9 according to the invention, which also belongs to the third production unit 8′, is arranged essentially parallel to the back-lining machine, for picking up and, if applicable, separating out and making available the book covers 5, 5′.
The third operating region 8 is followed by a fourth operating region 10 with a fourth production unit 10′, embodied as casing-in machine. The casing-in machine shown herein comprises a number of vertical-storage type circulating saddle plates 11. These function to take over book blocks 4, supplied individually from the back-lining machine, and for transporting these book blocks 4 in a counter-clockwise direction to a location 12 where a book block 4 is combined with the respectively associated book cover 5, 5′ which is supplied by the cover feeder 9. The books 3 formed in this way are removed at a delivery location 13 from the casing-in machine, so that the circulating saddle plate 11 is again available for taking over a book block 4.
Depending on the arrangement and design of the individual production units 6′, 7′, 8′, 10′, a different configuration of the book completion line 1 is also possible.
The first receiving device 14 comprises a conveying device 19, for example embodied as a conveyor belt, onto which the book covers 5 of the same format (
The second receiving device 18 is equipped with a conveying device 23, formed by two spaced-apart conveying belts that are arranged symmetrical to each other. In addition, it comprises a second separating out device 24 and two holding back devices 25 for withdrawing from the stack 15′ of book covers 5′ with differing formats only the lowest book cover 5′ that rests frictionally adhering on the two conveying belts, located in the second receiving device 18, so as to transport the separated out book cover 5′ further in transporting direction 16 to the first receiving device 14 (
Referring to
Referring to
Supplying the second receiving device 18 with at least one stack 15′ of book covers 5′ having different formats can advantageously be realized with at least one stacking device 32 (
The cover feeder 9 comprises a control unit 38 (
The control unit 38 is additionally connected to the cover magazine 17 and the centering device 20 (
Additional sensors are furthermore arranged in the region of the cover feeder 9 and are also connected to the control unit 38 (
In the downstream region 43 of the first receiving device 14, a clocked load element 46, embodied as a roll, functions to press the book covers 5, 5′ which are transported individually, in an overlapping flow and/or as a stack 15, 15′ against the conveying device 19 of the first receiving device 14 (
In operation, for an order to produce books having the same format, book covers 5 of the same format are initially deposited during the cover feeder 9 operation either individually, in an overlapping flow and/or as a stack 15 onto the first receiving device 14 or its conveying device 19 (
However, with an order for producing books having different formats which follow sequentially, a stack 15′ of book covers 5′ with different formats is deposited on the second receiving device 18 or its conveying device 23 (
The sequence of operational steps is described further in the following, starting with a stack 15′ of book covers 5′ having different formats, shown in
Of course, this information can also be transmitted to the control unit 38 without such a first sensor 39. For example, the information relating to the work order can be transmitted based on a data file, can be input via computer keyboard by the machine operator, or can be based on a differently acquired dataset. The basic data can be derived from the production of the book covers 5′ having different formats, or can also be based on the stacking sequence for the respective stack 15′ of book covers 5′ having different formats.
Initially, the lowest book cover 5′ in the stack 15′ is withdrawn with the aid of the two conveying belts of the conveying device 23, as well as the second separating out device 24, and is then conveyed further in the transporting direction 16 to the first receiving device 14. During the withdrawing, the additional book covers 5′ in the stack rest against the holding back devices 25 of the second receiving device 18, thereby ensuring that only the book cover 5′ that rests directly on the conveying belts is actually pulled out from under the stack 15′. Shown herein is a book cover 5′ which has been withdrawn far enough from the stack 15′ so that it could be identified by the downstream arranged second sensor 42 via its identifier 40. At that point in time, the centering element 20′″ of the first receiving device 14 is at a sufficient distance to the leading edge 5″ of the separated out book cover 5′.
With an alternative cover feeder 9, not shown herein, for which the vertical plane extending parallel to the transporting direction 16 through a first center axis 14′ of the first receiving device 14 and the vertical plane extending parallel through a second center axis 18′ of the second receiving device 18 coincide, the centering device 20 is respectively adjusted to the format of the book cover 5′, separated out of the second receiving device 18 and conveyed to the first receiving device 14, so that the book cover 5 subsequently only needs to be aligned. The centering element 20′″ is provided for this with a slanted edge. With this alternative embodiment, a centering device 20 of this type can also be provided on both sides of the first receiving device 14.
While the leading book cover 5′ has been made available for a further conveying to the cover magazine 17, as described, the two conveying belts of the conveying device 23 for the second receiving device 18 are actuated with the second drive motor 27 (
As soon as the leading edge 5″ in the transporting direction 16 of the following book cover 5′ has moved past the fourth sensor 45, arranged below the conveying devices 19, 23 (
As soon as the first receiving device 14 is empty and the centering element 20′″ of the centering device 20 has been adjusted to the format of the following book cover 5′, this cover is transported with the conveying device 19 to the third sensor 44 and/or into the downstream region 43 of the first receiving device 14. For this, the first drive motor 22 and thus the conveying device 19 of the first receiving device 14 as well as the second drive motor 27 and thus the conveying device 23 of the second receiving device 18 start operation. The speeds of the drive motors 22, 27 and thus the speeds of the conveying devices 19, 23 are adjusted such that a gap forms between the book cover 5′ that is withdrawn from the second receiving device 18 and the following book cover 5′ in the stack 15′ of book covers having different formats. The fourth sensor 45 detects this gap, so that the trailing book cover 5′ can be stopped by the control unit 38 in such a way that the second sensor 42 can read the identifier 40 for this book cover 5′.
According to
Corresponding to
Starting with the representation in
As soon as the first conveying device 19 in the operating range of the centering element 20′″ for the centering device 20 is empty, the centering element 20′″ is adjusted with the aid of the guide rods 20″ and the actuator 48 to the new format of the following book cover 5′, which at that point is separated out partially from the second receiving device 18. The book cover 5′ is then transported into the downstream region 43 of the first receiving device 14, meaning to the third sensor 44, meaning initially with the conveying device 23 of the second receiving device 18 as well as the first conveying device 19 of the first receiving device 14, but later on only with the latter. With the aid of the centering element 20″, this book cover 5′ is then displaced and/or aligned, so that it is positioned with the back region 47 in the vertical plane through the first center axis 14′ of the first receiving device 14. The next book cover 5′ in the stack 15′ is then separated out far enough so that the second sensor 42 can detect its identifier 40. Alternative thereto, the conveying device 23 of the second receiving device 18 can already be stopped once the fourth sensor 45 has detected a gap between two successive book covers 5′ and thus a trailing edge 5″ of the leading book cover 5′. In that case, the following book cover 5′ in the stack 15′ is deposited onto the conveying belts of the conveying device 23 and for the time being remains in this waiting position.
As shown, three separated out book covers 5′, but depending on the reviewing instant, at least two separated out and identified book covers 5′ can be made available for the further processing when using a cover feeder 9′ embodied in this way.
Since the cover magazine 17 and the upstream arranged first receiving device 14 have a relatively short design and after the book cover 5′ in the stacking chute 29 has been conveyed further, the side guides 29′ of the cover magazine 17 can be converted relatively quickly to the format of the following book cover 5′, positioned on the first conveying device 19 for the first receiving device 14. This available book cover 5′ can thus also be moved relatively quickly into the stacking chute 29 of the cover magazine 17 and from there can be made available for the further processing in the casing-in machine of the fourth operating region 10′ for the book completion line 1. During the format adjustment of the side guides 29′ of the stacking chute 29, the centering element 20′″ of the centering device 20 can be moved back, so that simultaneous with the further conveying of the book cover 5′ on the first conveying device 19 to the cover magazine 17, the following book cover 5′ can also be separated out completely from the second receiving device 18. Following this, the identifier 40 is detected with the aid of the second sensor 42 and the book cover is initially transported on the second conveying device 49 and then on the first conveying device 19 to the third sensor 44. There, the book cover 5′ is again displaced to the side and/or aligned corresponding to the signal produced by the control unit 38 from the information relating to the format and sequence of the book covers 5′ in the stack 15′ and corresponding to the centering required for the production unit 10′ in the book completion line 1.
With all other production units 6′, 7′, 8′, 10′ of the book completion line 1 and following the format changeover, the following book block 4 must still be transported to the downstream end in main production direction 2 of the respective operating region 6, 7, 8, 10 which in practical operations is equal to eight operating cycles. In contrast, when using the inventive cover feeder 9, 9′, respectively the corresponding method, making available the next book cover 5, 5′ requires only a single cycle following the format change.
With reference to
The identifier 40 on the book cover 5′, which is to be separated out of the respectively following stack 15′ of book covers 5′ having different formats, is therefore known faster than it is possible to transfer the book blocks 4, positioned in the respective production units 6′, 7′, 8′, 10′ of the book completion line 1, to the respectively following operating region 6, 7, 8, 10 to be made available at its the end for the next machine cycle. With the cover feeder 9, 9′ according to the invention, the identifier 40 on the book cover 5′ separated out of the second receiving device 18 can thus advantageously be read fairly quickly and processed by the control unit 38, even before the associated book block 4 is called up.
It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and that the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00232/16 | Feb 2016 | CH | national |
