Cylinder Collecting Patents (Class 270/47)
  • Patent number: 11712866
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a first sheet conveyance passage, a second sheet conveyance passage, a sheet folding portion, and a merging portion. The second sheet conveyance passage branches off from a branch portion on the first sheet conveyance passage. The merging portion is located downstream of the branch portion on the first sheet conveyance passage, and there a folding conveyance passage of the sheet folding portion merges with the first sheet conveyance passage. When performing a folding process on a sheet, a controller guides the sheet conveyed from a sheet introduction port into the first sheet conveyance passage via the branch portion to the second sheet conveyance passage, then reverses the conveyance direction to guide the sheet to the sheet folding portion to perform the folding process, and passes the sheet through the folding conveyance passage, merges the sheet into the first sheet conveyance passage at the merging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Tadahisa Kishimoto, Koji Murata, Yoshiaki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 9878871
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for folding a sheet comprises a jaw cylinder, a folding cylinder, a paper guide, and an actuator. The jaw cylinder has a jaw, and the folding cylinder has a hold down element and a folding blade. The folding blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The folding blade is in the extended positron to transfer one or more sheets to the jaw cylinder during a fold off operation, and the folding blade is in the retracted position during a collect operation. The paper guide is positioned between the folding cylinder and the jaw cylinder. The paper guide includes a static guide element and a reciprocating guide element connected to the static guide element, the reciprocating guide element movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: David Clarke Pollock, John James Sposato, Jr., Gerald Roger Douillard
  • Patent number: 9751274
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for performing folding processing on a sheet in a transporting direction from a carry-in entrance toward a carrying-out exit, has a first transport path for guiding the sheet without performing folding processing; a second transport path for performing folding processing on the sheet; a third transport path for guiding the folded sheet towards the carrying-out exit; and a folding processing device disposed in the second transport path to fold the sheet. The second transport path has a path end portion for guiding the sheet to adjust a folding position of the sheet, a nip point to nip the sheet for folding, and a folded sheet guide path for guiding the folded sheet. The first transport path is arranged between the path end portion of the second transport path and the folding processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventors: Misao Kobayashi, Masaki Oshima, Yuichi Ichinose
  • Patent number: 9039003
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing sheets of different formats, the apparatus including a feeding device that feed sheets of different formats in a feeding direction one behind the other, and at a certain conveying speed, at least two collecting drums disposed downstream of the feeding device, the at least two collecting drums having cylindrical lateral surfaces that rotate about an axis of rotation, securing means for temporarily securing the fed sheets on a circumference of the at least two collecting drums, a drive device that drives the collecting drums in rotation at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the conveying speed of the feeding device, and a sensing device for sensing the sheets of different formats moving past is arranged along the conveying path and senses the leading edge of the sheets of different formats, as seen in the feeding direction, or markings applied to the sheets of different formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HUNKELLER AG
    Inventors: Toni Egli, Stephan Riedel
  • Patent number: 8708326
    Abstract: Sheets of different formats, i.e. of different format lengths, are transported in a feeding direction one behind the other; and at a certain conveying speed, to at least two collecting drums, which have essentially cylindrical lateral surfaces. Each of these collecting drums is driven about an axis of rotation at a circumferential speed, which corresponds essentially to the feeding speed of the sheets. The first incoming sheet is secured temporarily on one of the collecting drums, while the following, second sheet is secured temporarily on the other collecting drum. At a suitable point in time, the two sheets secured on the collecting drums are detached from the collecting drums and brought together with the third fed sheet to form a sub-product or end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hunkeler AG
    Inventors: Toni Egli, Stephan Riedel
  • Patent number: 8690143
    Abstract: A post-processing device includes a processing tray on which sheets are to be stacked, a transport portion for transporting, a sheet introduced through an introduction port, a turn-aside portion for turning aside the sheet to delay arrival of the sheet at the processing tray, and a delivery mechanism for delivering the sheets stacked on the processing tray to a delivery tray on a boundary between copies. When a remaining number of sheets of one copy unstacked on the processing tray exceeds a maximum number of stacked sheets that is an amount of sheets stackable on the processing tray, the delivery mechanism delivers a sheet stack of the one copy a plurality of times so as to avoid delivery of only one sheet on a last page of the one copy, and the turn-aside portion turns aside a sheet on a first page to be stacked after delivering the sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8608150
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus is provided that includes a first delivery path that guides a sheet to a first post-processing portion, a delivery holding path having a first holding path which branches off from a branch point of the first delivery path and a second holding path which is formed to be continuous with the first holding path and joins together with the first delivery path; a second delivery path that branches off from a branch point of the first holding path and guides the sheet to the second post-processing portion; a first path switching portion that is provided at the branch point of the first delivery path; and a second path switching portion that is provided at the branch point of the first holding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Okumura
  • Patent number: 8556249
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that enables to execute a bookbinding process for sheet bundles without decreasing productivity. The image forming apparatus is connected to a bookbinding apparatus having a bookbinding unit that binds a book by attaching a ring to a punch hole and a buffer unit that performs a buffering process to convey sheets in piles so that sheets for a next sheet bundle are not ejected onto a sheet bundle that is being processed by the bookbinding unit. A determination unit determines whether a sheet is a type that is prohibited from buffering. A control unit adjusts an ejection order so that the sheet of the type that is prohibited from buffering is not ejected within the predetermined number of sheets from the first sheet of sheets that constitute the sheet bundle, when the determination unit determines that the sheet is the type that is prohibited from buffering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Mitsuhiko Sato, Naoto Watanabe, Takayuki Fujii, Yushi Oka, Toshiyuki Miyake, Takashi Yokoya, Hiromasa Maenishi
  • Patent number: 8276901
    Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus includes a transport unit having a main transport path and a return transport path, a detection unit arranged at a predetermined detection position in the main transport path, and a controller controlling the transport unit based on the detection result of the detection unit. The controller leads, at the diversion position in the main transport path, a paper sheet transported along the main transport path into the return transport path, transports a subsequent paper sheet along the main transport path, and controls the transportation of the paper sheet and the transportation of the subsequent paper sheet respectively in response to the arrival of the subsequent paper sheet at the detection position such that the paper sheets are stacked into a batch at the joining position of the two transport paths with certain parts of the paper sheets being aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taniguchi, Kaname Kotani
  • Patent number: 8220792
    Abstract: For effective achievement of an increase in productivity, prolongation of the life cycle of a consumable part, a decrease in the running cost, a lighter burden on the operator's work, and a reduction in spending on plants and equipment, a sheet transport apparatus comprises: a folding cylinder (11) for transporting sheets one by one or as a stack of a plurality of the sheets; a jaw cylinder (12) or a reduction cylinder (13) for holding the sheets by alternate ones of holding means and transporting the sheets when the sheets are transported as the stack of the plurality of sheets; an upper transfer cylinder (14) opposing the jaw cylinder or the reduction cylinder; a lower transfer cylinder (15) opposing the jaw cylinder or the reduction cylinder; and switching means for transporting the sheets from the jaw cylinder or the reduction cylinder to the upper transfer cylinder and the lower transfer cylinder, while allocating the sheets to the upper transfer cylinder and the lower transfer cylinder, when the sheets
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kojima, Shigeaki Kurihara, Hidenobu Tsurunaga
  • Publication number: 20120038096
    Abstract: The apparatus for conveying printed products has a feeding device which conveys the printed products to a discharge end. The gripper circulatory path of the gripper conveyor moves with the receiving section past the latter. During movement through the receiving section, the grippers use their gripper mouth to grasp the printed products and convey said products further. If the receiving section is located in the central position with respect to the feeding device, the printed products are grasped centrally and conveyed further. If, by contrast, the receiving section is displaced by means of the adjustment device into a side position, the printed products are grasped eccentrically and guided further.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Marcel Ramseier
  • Patent number: 7980543
    Abstract: A folder for a web printing press includes a cut cylinder cutting a web into signatures; a first transport belt having a first raised section; a second transport belt having a second raised section, the signatures being received from the cut cylinder so as to be located between the first and second raised sections; and at least one variable speed motor driving the first and second transport belts. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Adrian St. Ours, Lothar John Schroeder, Kevin Lauren Cote
  • Patent number: 7934712
    Abstract: A device for collecting printed products includes a rotating collecting cylinder to and a controllable holding device that holds and releases the printed products collected in a peripheral area of the collecting cylinder. A diverter includes an exposed end and a support roller. The diverter has an operational position to lift the products off the collecting cylinder and transfer them onto a conveying device, and a non-operational position for collecting the products on the collecting cylinder. A control unit moves the diverter from the non-operational position during an interval between two successive printed products and with the timing of the supplied printed products, to the operational position in which the diverter's exposed end is inserted in the surface area of the collecting cylinder. A circulating control member is drive-connected to the collecting cylinder and includes at least one control cam associated with the support roller in the non-operational and operational positions of the diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Heinz Boss
  • Patent number: 7913989
    Abstract: A printing press folder is provided. The folder includes a cutting pair cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders forming a first nip and a pair of acceleration cylinders forming a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives the signatures downstream of the cutting pair at the first nip and transports the signatures away from the cutting pair. The first nip is separated from the cutting location by a first distance. The pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders at the second nip and transports the signatures away from the pair of transport cylinders. The second nip is separated from the first nip by a second distance. The pair of transport cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of acceleration cylinders and the pair of acceleration cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of transport cylinder so the first distance and the second distance are selectively variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc
    Inventors: Kyle Albert Sandahl, Douglas Joseph Dawley
  • Patent number: 7900900
    Abstract: A sheet handling device includes a main transport path, a temporarily holding section provided in the main transport path, a transport section, a detection section provided at a predetermined detection position in the main transport path and a controller. The temporarily holding section includes a looped transport path. The controller performs a procedure including the steps of (I) transporting the sheet traveling along the main transport path to the looped transport path, (II) transporting another sheet along the main transport path, (III) controlling the transportation of the sheet and the transportation of said another sheet in response to the arrival of said another sheet at the detection position such that the sheets are stacked into a bunch in the looped transport path with certain parts of the sheets being aligned and (IV) repeating the steps (II) and (III) as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Glory Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaname Kotani
  • Patent number: 7891647
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a winding unit configured to wind a continuous sheet, a binding unit configured to bind the continuous sheet that is wound and stacked by the winding unit, and a first cutting unit configured to cut the continuous sheet that is bound by the binding unit in a state that the continuous sheet is wound by the winding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Nakane, Yuji Yamanaka, Wataru Kawata, Seiichiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 7887035
    Abstract: A fan delivery for a folding apparatus is provided, having at least one fan wheel including a number of fan-wheel elements and having a signature guide member that is movable relative to the fan wheel, in which the signature guide member has at least one arm that is introducible into a space defined by two fan-wheel elements. A folding apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Goss International Montataire SA
    Inventors: Philippe Herda, Jérôme Peres
  • Patent number: 7883080
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a printed copy is disclosed. A collecting cylinder is operable in a non-collect mode and a collect mode. A cam collect is coupled to the collecting cylinder. The collecting cylinder is switchable between the non-collect mode and the collect mode by a relative rotational movement between the collecting cylinder and the cam collect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Hoehle
  • Patent number: 7775509
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a digitally printed product that includes at least one section of sequentially printed sheets folded approximately in the center. The sequentially printed sheets are conveyed one after another on a conveying device and folded inside a folding apparatus to form a first fold. The folded sheets are gathered in a gathering station to form a section which is fed to a work station where the section is folded approximately in the center to form a second fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holdings AG
    Inventors: Daniel Langenegger, Heinz Boss
  • Publication number: 20090212480
    Abstract: In a transfer device R, which feeds a first web group W20 obtained by overlapping a plurality of webs and vertically folding them in a half width by a former F11 and a second web group W10 of a plurality of overlapped webs in the same width dimension as that of the first web group W20 vertically folded by the former F11 in mutual overlap between a cutting cylinder C1 and a folding cylinder C2, so as to form a newspaper signature, wherein at least one transfer roller R1, R2, R3, or R3? is provided for guiding the second web group W10 to a position at which it is overlapped on the first web group W20 and at least one out of the transfer rollers is rotationally driven, at least one of the transfer rollers to be driven is a roller having a step formed at a peripheral surface in a range in contact with the web while circumferential surfaces having different diameters in an axial direction are adjacent to each other, thus providing the transfer device for a folder unit capable of applying an appropriate tension to
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Hiroshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 6895858
    Abstract: A collecting cylinder for a folder unit is provided with at least one disk cam that has peripheral switching depressions. These switching depressions can be covered by using an auxiliary curved trajectory which is created by a pivoting drive. Switching levers are selectively blocked or unblocked by motor-driven rotatable switching parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Kostiza, Viktor Cernovski, Karl-Heinz Fischer, Sebastian Alois Prüm, Rudolf Stäb
  • Patent number: 6691995
    Abstract: A conveying unit that is useable for the conveyance of generally flat objects, particularly in a folder of a rotary printing press, includes endless first and second belts and a roller. A conveying path for the flat objects extends initially between the two belts and then subsequently between the second belt and the surface of the roller. The second belt is driven by a drive device at a speed which can be regulated independently of the rotational speed of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Berthold Peter Held
  • Publication number: 20030102616
    Abstract: A conveying unit that is useable for the conveyance of generally flat objects, particularly in a folder of a rotary printing press, includes endless first and second belts and a roller. A conveying path for the flat objects extends initially between the two belts and then subsequently between the second belt and the surface of the roller. The second belt is driven by a drive device at a speed which can be regulated independently of the rotational speed of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Berthold Peter Held
  • Patent number: 6554266
    Abstract: A guide apparatus is composed of a guide plate which is disposed in such a manner as to be able to move between an active position located within the sheet transfer space and a retreat position where the guide plate does not interfere with the sheet transferring from the collect cylinder to the jaw cylinder; a position-changeover drive unit for moving the guide plate between the active position and the retreat position; a printing-speed detection unit for detecting the driving speed of a rotary press and outputting a driving speed signal during printing; and a control unit for outputting, upon reception of the driving speed signal from the printing-speed detection unit, a position changeover signal to the position-changeover drive unit in order to move the guide plate accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho Ltd
    Inventors: Takeo Nanba, Takao Narui
  • Publication number: 20020063372
    Abstract: Disclosed is a guide apparatus for use in a folder which is composed of a collect cylinder, a cutting cylinder, and a jaw cylinder. In the guide apparatus, a paper guide is disposed to partially cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder on the downstream side of a narrowest gap between the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder, to thereby define a triangular sheet transfer space in cooperation with the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Nanba, Takao Narui
  • Patent number: 6270067
    Abstract: An apparatus for slowing down products in the folder of rotary printing machines. A product-directing system is arranged between the jaw cylinder and paddle wheel, and a driven decelerating-roller pair is integrated into the product-directing system. In order to provide an apparatus which can be adjusted in a straightforward manner and ensures that the products are slowed in a functionally reliable manner upstream of the paddle wheel, the circumference of the decelerating rollers is equal to at least one product length, and the decelerating-roller pair is driven at a non-uniform speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Stephan Bergmann, Ralf Werner
  • Patent number: 6250622
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a paper conducting cylinder in a folder which is assigned to a rotary printing press such as a rotary newspaper printing press. A plurality of cylinder's surface sections (19) is mounted about the circumference of said cylinder (8). Each of said surface sections (19) being of layered structure comprises a compressible material (24) adhesively attached thereto. Said surface sections (19) are removably secured to mounting surfaces (29) of said cylinder (8), preferably on its side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gary Frank Fowler, Wayne Harvey Garland, Michael Alexander Novick
  • Patent number: 6092804
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing jams in a folder of a printing press includes a roller having vacuum holes to which vacuum pressure may be applied to attract the loosely constrained signature towards the roller. The signature will follow the curved path of the roller and be led away from a jam area of the printing press. When the printing press is running at normal operating speed (e.g., steady state), the vacuum is removed from the roller because the signatures will be guided by grippers and will then take a path through the printing press for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wingate
  • Patent number: 5924970
    Abstract: A cylinder in a folding apparatus includes a plurality of product seizing devices. Each product seizing device includes a cam and a shaft having a plurality of product seizing devices attached thereto. A cam follower is mounted to the shaft and a torsion bar is coupled to the cam follower. A torque preloading element for applying a preloaded torque to the torsion bar is provided which maintains the cam follower in contact with the cam. Finally, mechanism for incrementally adjusting and maintaining the preloaded torque on the torsion bar is provided. A variety of mechanisms for incrementally adjusting the preloaded torque are possible. For example, the mechanism may include a first facial toothing on an interior face of the torque preloading element and a second facial toothing on an exterior face of an opposing element. The opposing element is mounted to a work side end of the cylinder and the first facial toothing engages the second facial toothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wingate
  • Patent number: 5782464
    Abstract: A folding cylinder for a folding apparatus of a rotary printing press having displaceable mechanisms which are connected with at least one spindle which is arranged in the folding cylinder, spaced radially from its shaft and can be turned by an adjustment spindle arranged in a coaxial bore in the shaft. The adjustment spindle is secured against rotation with respect to the shaft but is axially displaceable in its bore, and, axially spaced, is firmly attached to a pull which has two courses that extend towards each other, pass over a guide pulley, arranged in a radial opening of the bore to a drive disk which is fastened on the spindle and wrapped by the pull chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Hohle, Winfried Militzer
  • Patent number: 5743517
    Abstract: A signature ejecting assembly for use in a folding apparatus in a printing press. A first rotatably mounted surface is provided, and a second rotatably mounted surface is movingly mounted on a bracket. The first and second rotatably mounted surfaces located within the product transfer area or nip of the folding apparatus. The second rotatably mounted surface exerts a positive drive force upon loosely held or bunched signatures during start-up, thereby ejecting the signatures and preventing jams in the folding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Eugene John Bergeron
  • Patent number: 5653428
    Abstract: A phase control system for a fan blade assembly of a folder is provided which includes a fan blade assembly, a folded product transport assembly, and a control system. The fan blade assembly includes a first and second rotating fan blade assembly. The first rotating fan blade assembly has a plurality of first fan blades and has a first circumference. The second rotating fan blade assembly includes a plurality of second fan blades and has a second circumference. A product receiving area is defined at an intersection of the first and second circumferences such that only one of the first and second fan blades can occupy the product receiving area at any instant. The folded product transport assembly is provided for delivering folded products to the product receiving area. The control system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a fan blade assembly motor actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Henry Dufour, Paul Raymond Bolduc
  • Patent number: 5527256
    Abstract: A device for converting the function of a cutting/collecting cylinder (4) of a folding apparatus for rotary printing presses is provided. The cutting/collecting cylinder is convertible from a "collect" to a "non-collect" mode of operation and vice versa. Within the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) there is placed at least one group of pins (7), the pins (7) being disposed on a pin-bearing shaft (9) which can be actuated via a cam follower (41) rolling off on a cam body (27). The cam body (27) is adjustably mounted in a side wall (25) of the folding apparatus so as to be situated opposite a face side of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4). The relationship between the circumferential speed of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) and the cam body (27) is changeable through a second power transmission element (34) which is coaxially movable and engageable with a first power transmission element (29) having at least two engagement areas (29a, 29b) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris S.A., Heidelberger Druckmeschner AG
    Inventors: Thierry Vauchelle, Herve Henry
  • Patent number: 5287805
    Abstract: In a folding apparatus with a collect cylinder (1) which can be switched from collect production to non-collect production, the holding elements and folding blades of which are connected with actuating elements, preferably embodied as scanner rollers (14, 15), which can be controlled by a respectively associated radial cam (12 or 13), the control area of which, preferably embodied as a control recess (16), can be selectively uncovered or covered by means of a cover device provided with cover cams (17) disposed on a drivable cam support (22) which is coaxial with the radial cam (12 or 13), a great variability in respect to feasible collect operations is attained in that the cover cams 17.1-17.8 of each cover device are received radially displaceable on the respectively associated cam support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Albert-Frankenthal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Emil Fischer, Rudolf Staeb
  • Patent number: 5259604
    Abstract: To cross-fold a moving web into one-third lengths, a cutter blade cylinder (1, 26) is at a cutting position with a counter cylinder (4, 28), which carries needles and may also carry cutting knives. The cutting knives are arranged to cut the web into a format of one-third/two-third length, respectively. The needles (5, 6) on the cylinder transfer the one-third cut element to a second needling cylinder (9, 32) which re-transfers the cut elements to a group of needles (6) on the first needling cylinder (4, 28) so that the one-third length portion is superimposed on the two-third length portion. These two superimposed portions are then transferred to a combination needling-folding blade cylinder (10, 33) which folds the two-third portion in half and transfers the fold to a folding jaw cylinder (14, 38) so that the one-third portion is interlaced into the two-thirds portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Schneider, Klaus-Ulrich Lange
  • Patent number: 5213316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the formation of "dog-ears" or folded corners in material handled by sheet material handling machines such as folders for printing presses in which material such as paper is secured to a rotating cylinder near a leading edge, which includes providing a projection on the cylinder which deflects air flow away from the material leading edge so as to reduce the tendency for the material to lift from the cylinder. In order to pass through the cylinder nip, the projection may be constructed of compressible resilient material such as foam rubber or may be deflectable upon contact with an opposing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Michael B. Loebach
  • Patent number: 5165674
    Abstract: The folded products are not completely creased across their width in a folding apparatus but, rather, leaving an open loop or bulge or end portion (101). A separating cylinder (100) includes gripper or holding elements (38-41) located spirally about the circumference of the cylinder, in groups, and axially shiftable, for insertion of the grippers, sequentially, into said open loop. After the first gripper moves to an insertion position, it opens the sides of the folded products for insertion of subsequent grippers or holding elements along the length of the folded sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Godber Petersen
  • Patent number: 5165671
    Abstract: A folding machine for both inside and outside three folding operations comprising a cutter drum (1) having a saw blade (1a) thereon, a folding drum (2) having saw blade receivers (2a), needles (2b), and folding blades (2c), a first holding drum (21) having holding devices (21a) and folding blades (21c), a second holding drum (22) having holding devices (22a), and raising devices (23) for preventing the interference of web A disposed in proximity to the saw blade receivers (2a) on the folding drum (2) so that both inside and outside three folding operations can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Motooka
  • Patent number: 5112033
    Abstract: A folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press having a printed-product delivery with two fan arrangements, each of which is formed of a plurality of mutually adjacent fans spaced-apart from one another on a common axis, the respective common axis of each of the two fan arrangements being disposed parallel to the common axis of the other, each of the fans of one of the fan arrangments being disposed adjacent to an in a respective common plane with a respective one of the fans of the other of the fan arrangements, each of the fans being formed with blades having tips located at a circumference of the respective fan, the circumference of the fans in the respective common plane intersecting with one another, and a device provided on the fans for preventing a collision of respective blade tips of the fans disposed in the respective common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Breton
  • Patent number: 5108082
    Abstract: An improved Z-folder for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a Z-folder. The improved Z-folder comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. An assembly is mounted on the frame for moving a reproduction sheet directed to the Z-folder along a prescribed path to effect Z-folding of such reproduction sheet. A device for collecting reproduction sheets prior to having a finishing operation carried out thereon is also associated with the frame. A sheet feed path is defined for delivering reproduction sheets directly to the collecting device, such path intersecting the prescribed path of the Z-folding assembly, whereby a compact arrangement is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Shea, Frank Hacknauer, Steven M. Russel
  • Patent number: 5096175
    Abstract: To move folding jaws (4, 5) in a scissor-like or pincer-like movement symmetrical with respect to a center line (CL) and to permit adjustment of the gap or opening of the jaws, for acceptance of folded substrates of different thicknesses, the jaws are coupled together by a rotation reversal arrangement (14, 114, 112, 314) so that rotation of one of the carrier bodies (6) will be transferred as an equal and opposite movement to the other (7) of the carrier bodies. An axial position adjustment spindle (25, 125, 325), controllable by a hand wheel (29) or servo motor (30), changes the axial position of gears rotating or rotating with a shaft (2, 202, 402) of a folding jaw cylinder (1, 201, 401), at least some of the gears or gear pairs having inclined teeth, to thereby transfer a positioning movement into a relative rotary shift of the respectively rotating gear with respect to the gear driving the shaft, thereby causing rocking or tilting of the folding jaw carriers (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Ulrich Lange, Eckhard Schneider, Friedrich Michaelis
  • Patent number: 5096174
    Abstract: A composite type folding machine which cuts printed paper into cut sheets and selects between a mode in which the cut sheets are discharged one by one as a non-collected or separate folded sheet alternately into two directions and a mode in which two collected folded sheets of different kinds are discharged into a single direction is disclosed.Two gripping cylinder provided at the discharging side in this machine are disposed at different intervals compared with that of pin mechanisms comprised in a thrusting cylinder close to the gripping cylinders in which a rotary cam having cam portions to actuate each the pin mechanism with different modes is provided.In consequence, the phase of the rotary cam over the thrusting cylinder is changed to thereby choose one of the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunisuke Nishihara
  • Patent number: 5090671
    Abstract: Method and device for folding pliable material. Arranged approximately on opposite sides of a feeding plane and directly opposite each other are folding rollers. The starting point is a position of the pliable material where a portion of the pliable material is in the feeding plane and a portion is bent out of that plane. An arcuate poriton of the portion of the pliable material that is bent out of the plane is folded over and conducted to a folding/nipping area between the folding rollers by pressing that portion at at least one location against the proximal folding roller and rotating this folding roller. A trailing portion of the pliable material is fed from the feeding plane in a controlled fashion. The folding rollers then make the fold. The invention enables accurate control of the location where the fold is made and the exertion of a relatively small force is sufficient for the pliable material to be conducted into the folding nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Hadewe B.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus F. Gombault, Gerhard Hidding
  • Patent number: 5088708
    Abstract: The folding cylinder assembly has: rotatable folding cylinder having three pin lever shaft assemblies spaced substantially equally about the folding cylinder, each of the pin lever shaft assemblies having at least one pin and a cam follower positioned on a first end of the folding cylinder; one piece cam for interfacing with the cam followers, the one piece cam rotationally mounted on the first end of the folding cylinder, the one piece cam having two lobes which periodically contact the cam followers as the cam rotates; mechanism for rotating the folding cylinder and the cam such that the cam and the folding cylinder have a first relative angular velocity for the first mode of operation and second relative velocity for the second mode of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation the folding cylinder rotates at a substantially constant angular velocity and the cam rotates at one and one-half times the substantially constant angular velocity in the same direction of rotation as the folding cylinder, an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Brent M. T. Nowak
  • Patent number: 5082255
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing sheets, comprising: first structure for feeding a nestable sheet having a leading edge downstream in a path of travel; structure for forming a buckle loop in a foldable sheet, the buckle loop forming structure including a stop, the buckle loop forming structure including second structure for feeding the foldable sheet across the path of travel and against the stop to form a buckle loop therein, the buckle loop forming structure including structure for guiding the buckle loop downstream of the leading edge of the nestable sheet and in the path of travel thereof; and structure for assembling the sheets, the assembling structure including third structure for feeding the sheets in the path of travel, the third feeding structure including an elongate drive roller extending transverse to the path of travel, the third feeding structure including an elongate roller extending parallel to the drive roller and defining therebetween an elongate gap, and the assembling structure including structur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Mary-Jo F. Brigante, Joseph W. Guiles, James Morabito
  • Patent number: 5080340
    Abstract: An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Frank Hacknauer, Steven M. Russel, Robert H. Shea
  • Patent number: 5076556
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is disclosed which includes an inlet for receiving a sheet material from outside of the sheet folding apparatus, an outlet for discharging the sheet material to outside of the sheet folding apparatus, and a folding mechanism within the apparatus for placing one or more folds in the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Barry P. Mandel
  • Patent number: 5072919
    Abstract: A web (17) received, for example, from an 8-page or 16-page printing machine, is severed in a cutter blade cylinder (6) needle-tucking blade cylinder (7) combination and the severed sheets are provided with a cross fold in a first system (A) formed by the combination needle-tucking blade cylinder (7) and a combination needle-cutter blade cylinder (12), to be then further cross-folded and cut in a second system formed by the combination of the needle-cutter blade cylinder (12) with a needle-folding jaw cylinder (13). To permit the second combination to be operative, the combination needle-cutter blade cylinder (12) is additionally formed with tucking blades (21) for engagement in the folding jaws (22) of the needle-folding jaw cylinder (13). This arrangement permits double cutting and folding, for example, of longitudinally folded superimposed webs into, selectively, 81/2".times.11" or A4 products and cross-folding them to 51/2".times.81/2 or A5 products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: MAN ROLAND Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Schneider, Erwin Saalfrank
  • Patent number: 5065993
    Abstract: Accoumulator cylinder assembly for a folding machine of a printing press having tucking blades mounted on respective tucking-blade shafts and respectively associated with entrainer members mounted on entrainer shafts includes, for each entrainer shaft and each tucking-blade shaft, a latch fixed to the accumulator cylinder and having an operating position in which the latch blocks the shaft to prevent an roller thereof from being affected by a respective control region of a respective cam thereof and a non-operating position in which the latch does not act on the shaft; a latch-signal production device for generating at least one series of periodic signals according to an angular position of the accumulator cylinder, in order to cause it to operate in an accumulation mode; a device for enabling the latches to respond to the signals wherein each latch the operating position thereof when a signal is addressed to it, and the non-operating position thereof when no signal is addressed to it; and a device for select
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Andre Reponty
  • Patent number: 5064180
    Abstract: A folder of a web-fed rotary printing machine includes a device for separating a stream of signatures into a plurality of secondary streams thereof having a device for applying an electrostatic charge to a signature, two diverter cylinders disposed alongside one another and carrying thereon electrostatically chargeable elements extending substantially parallel to respective axes of the diverter cylinders, a device for conducting the signature to the diverter cylinders, and a device for removing the signature from the diverter cylinders and for further guiding the signature to a delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Wingate