Method and apparatus for cutting printed products

• US 5,113,731 A
• Filed: 11/06/1991
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ferag AG (WRH Walter Reist Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Ferag AG (WRH Walter Reist Holding AG)
• Inventors: Reist, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HIEN HUY
• Application Number:
  US07/790,026
• Time in Patent Office: 195 Days
• Field of Search: 83/29, 83/35, 83/39, 83/410.8, 83/411.1, 83/411.3, 83/411.5, 83/411.6, 83/422, 83/426, 83/431, 83/435, 83/435.1, 83/435.2, 83/733 , 83/404.1, 83/404.2, 83/418, 83/407, 83/404, 83/409, 83/409.1, 83/934, 83/425.1
• US Class Current: 83/35
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/20 coacting with a fixed member
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/22 coacting with a movable member, e.g. a roller B26D1/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/015 for sheet material or piles of sheets B26D7/018 and B26D7/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/0675 specially adapted for piles of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/934 Book, being made, e.g. trimming a signature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0505 With reorientation of work between cuts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0524 Plural cutting steps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/648 Work manipulated between tool stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6489 Slitter station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6542 Plural means to constrain plural work pieces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6572 With additional mans to engage work and orient it relative to tool station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6585 Including nonconcurrently acting tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6608 By rectilinearly moving work carriage

Abstract

For cutting multilayer printed products in a continuous process single or multiple printed products 92) are associated with a first knife part (3) which is moved together with the printed products. During the movement, the printed products and the first knife part are engaged along a cutting edge (4) and subsequently moved past a second knife part (5). Through the cooperation between the first (3) and second (5) knife parts, the printed products (2) are cut along the intended cutting edge (4). A corresponding apparatus has a plurality of conveying units for the printed products moving along a circular path. The conveying units are preferably constructed as counterknives while the associated cutting knives are fixed. Thus, even when large quantities are conveyed and the printed products are thick, a top-quality three-sided cut is obtained.

Claims

1. A method for cutting continuously conveyed, multilayer printed products in a substantially continuous process comprising

providing a plurality of first knife parts,

positioning each printed product to be cut against one of the first knife parts,

fixing each printed product and its associated knife part together along a selected edge of the product to be cut,

providing a second knife part,

moving one of the knife parts relative to the other so that the first and second knife parts cuttingly engage each other to cut the product along the selected edge,

repositioning the printed product so that a second selected edge is adjacent a first knife part,

fixing each printed product and its associated knife part together along the second selected edge of the product to be cut, and

again moving one of the knife parts relative to the other so that the first and second knife parts cuttingly engage each other to cut the product along the second selected edge.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first knife parts are moved along a defined path and the second knife part is maintained in a fixed position.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of moving is accomplished so that the selected edge is cut from one end of the edge to the other.

4. A method according to claim 3 which includes simultaneously cuttingly engaging a plurality of first knife parts and their associated products with one second knife part.

5. A method according to claim 4 and including adjusting the relative positions of the first and second knife parts to establish a distribution of cutting forces acting on each printed product.

6. A method according to claim 5 including adjusting the relative positions of the first and second knife parts to establish a correlation between the cutting speed and cutting angle for a specific printed product to be cut.

7. A method according to claim 6 and including cutting each printed product at right angles to a surface thereof.

8. A method according to claim 1 which includes simultaneously cuttingly engaging a plurality of first knife parts and their associated products with one second knife part.

9. An apparatus for cutting edges of continuously conveyed, multi-layer printed products comprising the combination of

means defining a plurality of conveying units revolving about a closed path, each conveying unit receiving a printed product;

means on each conveying unit defining a plurality of counterknives;

means for positioning the product in each said conveyor unit so that a selected edge of said product is in engagement with one said counterknife;

first and second cutting knives;

means for mounting said first cutting knife at a fixed location along said closed path in a position to cuttingly cooperate with each said counterknife to sequentially cut said products along said selected edge;

means for repositioning said product so that a second selected edge of each said product is in engagement with a second said counterknife; and

means for mounting said second cutting knife at a fixed location along said closed path in a position to cuttingly cooperate with each said second counterknife to sequentially cut said products along said second selected edge.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising a rotatable drum, said conveying units being supported on the periphery of said drum.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means defining said conveying units comprises a plurality of compartment walls extending radially outwardly with respect to a central axis of said drum so that said compartments are open outwardly and laterally.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of said compartment walls includes an edge defining a counterknife.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each said cutting knife comprises a circular, rotatable disk having an axis substantially parallel to said central axis of said drum.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 and further comprising a second rotatable drum having a plurality of conveying units supported on the periphery of said second drum, said second drum having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said first-mentioned drum, said two drums being juxtaposed so that printed products can be transferred from the conveying units of said first drum to the conveying units of said second drum, said apparatus further comprising a third cutting knife mounted adjacent said second drum for cutting an edge of the products carried thereby.

15. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each said compartment further comprises means for clamping a printed product received in said compartment along said edge defining said counterknife.

16. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for positioning includes a cam surface along said path and means for engaging said cam surface and for positioning said product in said conveying unit relative to said counterknife.

17. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cutting knife is dimensioned and positioned to simultaneously cuttingly engage printed products in a plurality of adjacent conveying units.

18. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cutting knife is positioned relative to said counterknife to cut each printed product along said selected edge from one end to the other.

19. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the position of said cutting knife relative to the path of said counterknives is adjustable.

20. An apparatus for cutting edges of continuously conveyed, multi-layer printed products comprising the combination of

a rotatable drum;

means defining a plurality of conveying units supported on said drum and revolving about a closed path, each conveying unit receiving a printed product, said means defining said conveying units including a plurality of compartment walls extending radially outwardly with respect to a central axis of said drum so that compartments defined by said walls open outwardly and laterally;

an edge on each of said compartment walls defining a counterknife;

means for positioning the product in each said conveyor unit so that a selected edge of said product is in engagement with said counterknife;

a cutting knife comprising a circular, rotatable disk having an axis substantially parallel to said central axis of said drum;

means for mounting said cutting knife at a fixed location along said closed path in a position to cuttingly cooperate with said counterknives to sequentially cut said products; and

a second cutting knife, said second cutting knife including a rotatable cylinder having a generally helical cutting edge, said cylinder having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said central axis of said drum.

21. An apparatus for cutting edges of continuously conveyed, multi-layer printed products comprising the combination of

a rotatable drum;

means defining a plurality of conveying units supported on said drum and revolving about a closed path, each conveying unit receiving a printed product, said means defining said conveying units including a plurality of compartment walls extending radially outwardly with respect to a central axis of said drum so that compartments defined by said walls open outwardly and laterally;

an edge on each of said compartment walls defining a counterknife;

means for positioning the product in each said conveyor unit so that a selected edge of said product is in engagement with said counterknife;

a cutting knife comprising a circular, rotatable disk having an axis substantially parallel to said central axis of said drum;

means for mounting said cutting knife at a fixed location along said closed path in a position to cuttingly cooperate with said counterknives to sequentially cut said products; and

a second cutting knife, said second cutting knife including a rotatable cylinder having a generally helical cutting edge, said cylinder having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said central axis of said drum.