Sheet-material associating – With printing – Folding – with rotary printer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-08-28
Eickholt, Eugene (Department: 2854)
Sheet-material associating
With printing
Folding, with rotary printer
C270S020100, C101S227000, C101S232000, C493S425000, C493S427000, C493S429000, C493S431000, C493S432000, C493S434000, C493S440000, C493S476000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279890
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to printing presses and, more particularly, relates to printing presses adapted to fold signatures cut from a moving web of printed material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Signatures produced from printing presses, such as those for newspapers, periodicals, and catalogs are typically cut from a moving web of printed material traversed through the printing press. After the cut, the signature is typically folded at least once to produce the desired configuration for the end product.
The printing press industry has typically employed one of two mechanisms for creating a fold within a signature cut from a moving web. One of the known mechanisms for creating the fold is referred to as a rotary folder or couple, wherein a pair of second fold rollers are positioned proximate a folding cylinder with a gap or nip being provided between the second fold rollers. The web of material is wrapped around the folding cylinder and a folding blade is adapted to extend from the folding cylinder in a position corresponding to the nip. The folding blade is typically mounted to a spider assembly used to appropriately time the extension of the folding blade. When a folding blade extends from the folding cylinder, the folding blade extends into the nip, pushing the signature cut from the web into the nip. The second fold rollers, which rotate away from the folding cylinder, complete the fold in the signature initiated by the folding blade, and process the folded signature on to a delivery system including such things as delivery flies and conveyor belts.
Another known type of folding couple is referred to as a jaw folder wherein a jaw cylinder is positioned proximate the folding cylinder with a plurality of jaws or clamp assemblies positioned around the periphery of the jaw cylinder. The timing of the rotating jaw cylinder is coordinated with the rotation and extension of the folding blade from the folding cylinder such that when the folding blade extends from the folding cylinder, the folding blade extends into one of the jaws or clamp assemblies on the jaw cylinder. This in turn pushes the fold of the signature into the jaw or clamp to complete the fold. The jaw is then released to allow the folded signature to be transported away by a delivery system. Examples of such jaw cylinders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,226,871, 5,522,586, and 5,797,319, the disclosures of each being herein incorporated by reference.
While such systems continue to be used, certain production criteria necessitate the need for one or the other type of folding couple. For example, rotary folders have proven to be extremely rugged and durable and thus are often preferred by facilities wherein it is desirable to produce a large quantity of product on a daily basis, such as with a newspaper. However, jaw folders have proven to be more accurate and to result in minimized marking on the signatures and thus are more desirable in situations wherein extremely high quality and accuracy are at a premium, such as with magazines and catalogs.
Some printing presses are equipped with both mechanisms. However, such presses are relatively expensive in that, among other things, two separate folding couples need to be provided. This includes additional frames, drive shafts, drive gearing, delivery flies, and conveyors. In addition, since the hardware for both the rotary folder and jaw folder are provided on the same press, regardless of which is being used, the mechanics of the resulting press are tightly grouped, with little access room being provided in the press for maintenance and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a printing press folding system is provided which includes a frame, a folding cylinder mounted to the frame, a jaw cylinder mounted to the frame, and a rotary mode assembly mounted to the frame. A moving web of printed material is adapted to traverse through the printing press and be cut into individual signatures. The folding cylinder is adapted to receive the signatures and includes a folding blade adapted to extend radially therefrom to initiate a fold in each signature. The folding cylinder is configurable into a rotary mode or a jaw mode. The jaw cylinder is positioned proximate the folding cylinder and includes a plurality of clamp assemblies extending radially therefrom, each clamp assembly being adapted to receive the folding blade and a folded signature therein when the folding cylinder is in the jaw mode. The rotary mode assembly includes a pair of second fold rollers separated by a nip which is adapted to receive the folding blade and a signature therein when the folding cylinder is in the rotary mode.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the folding blade may be connected to a timing mechanism which is adjustable to cause a folding blade to extend either into one of the clamp assemblies when in the jaw mode, or into the nip when in the rotary mode. The timing mechanism may include a planetary gear system.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a folding couple for a printing press is provided which includes a rotary mode assembly, a jaw mode assembly, and means for directing a fold in a signature to either the rotary mode assembly or the jaw mode assembly.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method of producing folded signatures from a moving web is provided including the steps of cutting the moving web into signatures, creating a fold in the signature, and directing the fold to a rotary mode assembly or a jaw mode assembly wherein the rotary mode assembly and jaw mode assembly are provided on the same folding couple.
These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 408390 (1889-08-01), Tucker
patent: 658209 (1900-09-01), Firm
patent: 1791694 (1931-02-01), Wood
patent: 1870544 (1932-08-01), Wood
patent: 3083010 (1963-03-01), Salmon et al.
patent: 3986111 (1976-10-01), Anlkanov et al.
patent: 4273320 (1981-06-01), Fijishirio
patent: 4279410 (1981-07-01), Bolza-Schünemann
patent: 4386879 (1983-06-01), Hoshi
patent: 4391596 (1983-07-01), Fischer
patent: 4537390 (1985-08-01), Kiamco et al.
patent: 4564470 (1986-01-01), Schmitt
patent: 4781667 (1988-11-01), Kitai
patent: 4863307 (1989-09-01), Crotatt et al.
patent: 5049120 (1991-09-01), Prüm
patent: 5072919 (1991-12-01), Schneider
patent: 5226871 (1993-07-01), Skipor
patent: 5425697 (1995-06-01), Lanvin
patent: 5439206 (1995-08-01), Raasch et al.
patent: 5443437 (1995-08-01), Mack et al.
patent: 5522586 (1996-06-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 5527256 (1996-06-01), Vauchelle et al.
patent: 5547452 (1996-08-01), Kepert et al.
patent: 5551678 (1996-09-01), Michalik et al.
patent: 5653429 (1997-08-01), Michalik
patent: 5707330 (1998-01-01), Kiamco et al.
patent: 5730056 (1998-03-01), Schmitt
patent: 5797319 (1998-08-01), Tomczak
patent: 5846177 (1998-12-01), Mayr
patent: 5901647 (1999-05-01), Kohlmann
patent: 5921906 (1999-07-01), Nagano
patent: 6093139 (2000-07-01), Bolanger
Eickholt Eugene
Goss Graphic Systems Inc.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
LandOfFree
Combination rotary and jaw folder for a printing press does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Combination rotary and jaw folder for a printing press, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Combination rotary and jaw folder for a printing press will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511460