Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as to a conveyor-technology device for processing printed products. The conveyor-technology device comprises a guide means and conveyor means which may be moved along the guide means, for conveying printed products which are fed by way of feeders. The guide means is curved in several spatial directions. The conveyor-technology device comprises holding means which serve for the temporary fixing of printed products in a manner such that these at least in regions may be conveyed against gravitational force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as to a conveyor-technology device for processing printed products. The conveyor-technology device comprises a guide means and conveyor means which may be moved along the guide means, for conveying printed products which are fed by way of feeders. The guide means is curved in several spatial directions. The conveyor-technology device comprises holding means which serve for the temporary fixing of printed products in a manner such that these at least in regions may be conveyed against gravitational force.

Abstract: A rolling conveying device including guide rails 6, 6?, 5? in which, respectively, at least one rolling body 1, 1?, 8 with a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 2 is arranged in operational interaction with a plurality of conveying bodies 10 which are freely displaceable between the rollers of the rolling body. The rolling body or bodies form tracks closed in themselves, they are not, however, chains because they are neither pulled nor pushed. Solely the conveying bodies are displaced, respectively, driven between the rolling bodies. The invention essentially consists of few components, namely: of guide rails 6, 6?, 5?, in which respectively a rolling body 1, 1?, 8 with a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 2 is arranged, in operational interaction with a plurality of conveying bodies 10, which are freely displaceable between the rollers of the rolling bodies. The rolling bodies form tracks closed in themselves, they are not, however, chains because they are neither pulled nor pushed.

Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, of the invention the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.

Abstract: A roller element (10) is provided which has a central body (1) and a roller unit (2). The roller unit (2) is mounted so as to circulate on a non-circular race (21) about the central body (1) and so as to be mobile with respect to the central body (1) by the rolling movement of the rollers (3) of the roller unit (2) on the central body (1). The rollers (3) are configured as balls or substantially cylindrical elements. A peripheral surface of the rollers (3), for a substantial part, is shaped as a rolling surface that corresponds to the central body (1) and for rolling off on the central body (1). The elements of the roller unit (2) have play in relation to one another and/or the roller unit has play regarding its mobility in relation to the central body (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller element (10) which has a central body (1) and a roller unit (2). The roller unit (2) is mounted so as to circulate on a non-circular race (21) about the central body (1) and so as to be mobile with respect to the central body (1) by the rolling movement of the rollers (3) of the roller unit (2) on the central body (1). The rollers (3) are provided on the exterior of the roller unit (2) for rolling off on a rigid counter body (5). The roller element (10) is provided with drive means (6) which engage with the roller unit (2) and drive the same in relation to the central body (1). The roller unit (2) is directly driven by engagement of the drive means (6) between the rollers (3) and is pulled or pushed on the race (21) about the central body (1).

Abstract: Flat objects (10) are packaged with a packaging material (1) that is supplied as a quasi-endless web. The packaging material (1) is gripped at one of its surfaces by gripping elements (6), which are spaced from on another. During conveyance of the packaging material (1) by the gripping elements (6), the distances between the gripping elements (6) are reduced and the packaging material (1) is made to buckle between the gripping elements to one side, forming a string of bags (1?). During further conveyance these bags (1?) are charged with the flat objects (10), are severed from the string of bags, and are sealed. The packaging material, which is supplied, with its width aligned essentially horizontally, is gripped from above by the gripping elements (6) and therefore buckles downwards by gravity, and the bags are charged from above.

Abstract: Method of depositing sheet-like products (2), in particular printed products, which are taking part in a conveying process and follow sequentially one after the other, it being the case that, for at least a period of time of the depositing operation, assisted by gravitational force, the products (2) are pivoted about an axis (B) which extends essentially parallel to the direction in which the conveying process is oriented immediately prior to the depositing operation.

Abstract: For packaging flat objects (4) using a packaging material (7) being supplied as a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (7?) being open on three sides and closed on one side is continuously formed and conveyed in a conveying direction. During conveyance the bags (7?) are each charged with at least one object (4), are severed from each other, and are then sealed with seams corresponding with the open bag sides. The depth of the bags during the step of forming the string of bags (7?) and/or the distance between the two lateral seams during the step of sealing are adjusted to the format of the object to be packaged (4), or to the width of the packaging material (7), respectively.

Abstract: The apparatus has a feed conveyor (12) which is assigned an opening apparatus (18). Located at the downstream end of the feed conveyor (12) is the transfer region (16), through which the movement path (26) of clamps (24) runs. The clamp (24) has two clamp elements (30), which can be moved from an open position into a closed position (60?) for gripping and retaining an article (10). The clamp (24) is assigned a holding-open element (28) which, when the article (10) is gripped by means of the clamp (24), ends up between the two parts (22, 22?) of the article (10) lifted off from one another by means of the opening apparatus (18), and which is intended for holding the article (10) open when the clamp (24) is closed.

Abstract: The clamp has two interacting clamp elements (14) which can be moved relative to one another. These are intended for retaining a sheet-like article (70). The clamp (12) also has a holding-open element (20) which is intended for engaging between two parts (78, 78′) of the article and, when the clamp elements (14) are located in the closed position (18′), for keeping these parts (78, 78′) separate from one another and thus holding the article (70) open.

Abstract: For stacking flat articles (2), a stacking shaft (10) including a pusher (11) for removing stacks from the shaft is used and for supplying the articles (2) into the stacking shaft (10) a supply support (12) is used. The supply support (12) is oriented towards the opening of the stacking shaft (10) at an inclination from above and the completed stacks (1) are pushed out in a direction opposite the supply direction. With this arrangement, it is possible to resume the supply operation after an interruption necessary for the pushing-out, before the stack (1) is pushed out of the stacking shaft (10) completely, and thereby results in very short cycle times. The stacking method is suitable in particular for stacking folded printed products being supplied in the supply stream parallel to their folded edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat objects, such as sheet-like printed products. The apparatus has a rail system which defines a closed path of travel, and a plurality of conveyor elements are supported by the rail system for free and independent movement along the path of travel. The conveyor elements in turn mount product carrier elements. A plurality of stations, including a product feed station, a product processing station, and a product output station, are disposed along the path of travel, and the stations each include a dedicated drive arrangement for the conveyor elements and thus the product carrier elements along the path of travel at a spacing and speed required by the associated station.

Abstract: For packaging flat objects (4) using a packaging material (7) being supplied as a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (7′) being open on three sides and closed on one side is continuously formed and conveyed in a conveying direction. During conveyance the bags (7′) are charged with at least one object (4) each, are severed from each other, and are then sealed with seams corresponding with the open bag sides. The depth of the bags during the step of forming the string of bags (7′) and/or the distance between the two lateral seams during the step of sealing are adjusted to the format of the object to be packaged (4), or to the width of the packaging material (7) respectively.

Abstract: Flat objects (10) are packaged with a packaging material (1), which is supplied as a quasi-endless web. For this purpose, the packaging material (1) is gripped at one of its surfaces by gripping elements (6) spaced at intervals. During conveyance of the packaging material (1) by the gripping elements (6) the distances between the gripping elements (6) are reduced and the packaging material (1) is made to buckle between the gripping elements to one side such forming a string of bags (1′). During further conveyance these bags (1′) are charged with the flat objects (10), are severed from the string of bags, and are sealed. The packaging material is supplied, e.g. with its width aligned essentially horizontally, is gripped from above by the gripping elements (6), buckles downwards by gravity, and the bags are charged from above.

Abstract: In each case at least two objects arriving in a lamellar flow (14) are grasped from the side by a conveyor clamp (22) and conveyed further while maintaining their mutual position. The at least two objects forming a section are held by a single conveyor clamp in a clamping area (30) where the objects (14) overlap.

Abstract: Method of raising sheet-like products (2), in particular printed products, which are taking part in a conveying process and follow sequentially one after the other, the products (2) resting, at least in certain regions, on a conveying means (1) during the conveying process, it being the case that, for at least a period of time of the raising operation, gravitational force being overcome in the process, the products (2) are pivoted actively about an axis (B) which extends essentially parallel to the direction (A) in which the conveying process is oriented immediately prior to the raising operation.

Abstract: A conveying-in stream in which flat articles (4) are conveyed held gripped individually is transformed into a conveying-away stream in which the articles (4) are loosely lying overlapping one another in an imbricated manner and in alternating groups oriented rotated relative to each other. The conveying-in track intersects with the conveying away track at two track intersections (A and B) and the articles (4) are transferred from the conveying-in track to the conveying-away track in alternating groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) at the first track intersection (A) or at the second track intersection (B). In the conveying-away stream, the articles (4) are arranged in imbricated stream sections (1A/1B) with each section including one or two groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) of articles (4) and being separated from neighboring sections by a stream gap (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing flat objects, such as sheet-like printed products. The apparatus has a rail system which defines a closed path of travel, and a plurality of conveyor elements are supported by the rail system for free and independent movement along the path of travel. The conveyor elements in turn mount product carrier elements. A plurality of stations, including a product feed station, a product processing station, and a product output station, are disposed along the path of travel, and the stations each include a dedicated drive arrangement for the conveyor elements and thus the product carrier elements along the path of travel at a spacing and speed required by the associated station.

Abstract: The apparatus has a feed conveyor (12) which is assigned an opening apparatus (18). Located at the downstream end of the feed conveyor (12) is the transfer region (16), through which the movement path (26) of clamps (24) runs. The clamp (24) has two clamp elements (30), which can be moved from an open position into a closed position (60′) for gripping and retaining an article (10). The clamp (24) is assigned a holding-open element (28) which, when the article (10) is gripped by means of the clamp (24), ends up between the two parts (22, 22′) of the article (10) lifted off from one another by means of the opening apparatus (18), and which is intended for holding the article (10) open when the clamp (24) is closed.