EP1992580B1 - Method and device for opening printed products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for opening folded or bound printed products according to the preamble of the corresponding independent claims.

STATE OF THE ART

Devices for collecting or inserting printed products or partial products are well known. In this case, one or more folded sheets of paper are successively placed on each other or inserted into each other. For this purpose, the sheets or partial products which are placed on, or in which plugged, must be opened. This opening is usually very reliable. In exceptional cases, but can still fail the opening device. In a subsequent step, this can result in partial products falling unchecked into the machine.

In general, similar problems arise where a partial product has to be opened for further processing or processing, eg for gluing in a side-dish or a label on one side of a printed product. An openable partial product can be folded or bound, regardless of the exact type of binding (stitched bond or perfect binding, etc.).

US 5,782,465 describes an opening device for a horizontal and subsidized magazine. The magazine is opened at a fixed "spear". A first reflection light barrier checks whether the upper part has actually lifted off and rests on an upper part of the conveyor track, a second checks whether the lower part still rests on a lower part of the conveyor track.

CH 418 297 shows a folded sheet feeder with an opening device and a check whether the two legs of an openable bow as before pass behind and behind a saddle. The detection is done by two mechanical feeler switches, one each for a bow leg. As alternatives to mechanical switches also pneumatically or photoelectrically actuated switches are mentioned.

US 4,078,784 describes an opening device for single to multiple folded sheets before they are placed on a saddle of a collecting device. The opening of the sheet is done by means of rotating drums, one of which detects a leg of the sheet with a gripper. To control this detection, the thickness of the arc detected by the gripper is measured indirectly. As a result, the gripper position is mechanically transmitted to a reflector whose position is scanned by a light barrier. As the gripper co-rotates with the drum, the scan is mechanically synchronized with the rotation of the drum.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for opening folded or bound printed products of the type mentioned, which avoid the effects of opening errors.

This object is achieved by a method and a device for opening folded or bound printed products with the features of the corresponding independent patent claims.

On the one hand, it is therefore detected whether a folded partial product has been opened prior to further processing, and if this is not the case, instead of the further processing, the partial product is subjected to a special treatment. Normally, ie if the partial product is opened correctly, the further processing is carried out. The further processing may, for example, be the collection of the opened partial product on a further partial product, or the insertion of a further partial product into the opened partial product, or the gluing of a side dish into the opened partial product, etc. An only partial opening, or a completely missing opening , or other opening defects are referred to collectively as a defective opening, and should lead to the detection of an opening error.

A partial product may be a single folded sheet, or a bundle of multiple sheets already folded and folded, or a bound printed product as part of a booklet, book, booklet, magazine or newspaper. The special treatment preferably consists in that the partial product is returned to a circulating conveyor, so that it is again supplied to the opening device in a new passage. For example, the circulating conveyor is a chain of grippers that are individually controllable. Thus, if it is detected that a partial product, held by the gripper, has passed the opening device and has not been opened, the gripper does not release the partial product for normal further processing, but carries it back. The returned partial product is then removed and removed, or fed back to the opening device. In this case, a feeder, which the gripper with the partial products loaded, preferably controlled so that the gripper, which already holds the recycled partial product is not charged.

During collection, a first partial product is supplied and opened, in order then to be placed on another, second partial product, which is for example on a saddle of a collecting conveyor or a collection drum. In this case, the second partial product can be moved together with the saddle transversely to the folding direction or saddle direction, and / or the second part product can be moved along the saddle in the saddle direction. Here, therefore, the non-opened partial product is preferably subjected to a special treatment in that it is not applied - since it can not be placed correctly in the unopened state, but would fall down on the second partial product. The further special treatment of the first partial product can then be that it is returned or discharged. The second partial product can also be subjected to a special treatment, for example, it is also returned or discharged, depending on the design of the collector. Thus, if the collector allows to recycle and reopen a partial product within the collector, the collector will also be considered as a circulating conveyor. The second, not complete partial product can also be further promoted and processed, but is preferably marked by the control software as defective and discharged at a later appropriate time.

When inserting the first part to be opened in a plug-in device, such as a plug-in drum, opened, and a second partial product is fed and inserted into the first. In this case, the first partial product must be opened so that the plugging in is done correctly and the combined partial products do not fall apart at a later time. If the first partial product is recognized as not opened, there are also different possibilities here: for example, the second partial product is not inserted and / or it is returned. The first, unopened partial product becomes preferably returned to be opened in a new pass, if the construction of the plug-in allows this, or marked as defective in the controller and later discharged.

In other processing steps, which require the prior opening of the partial product, a special treatment is carried out in an analogous manner instead of a normally intended processing. In particular, the normal processing step is not carried out and the unopened partial product is returned for reopening.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, recycled first partial products are again supplied to the respective opening device, and it is detected whether they will not be opened again in this further run. Only when a partial product has not been opened after a predetermined number of passes, it is marked as defective and discharged. The discharge takes place by removing the partial product from the (part) product stream at a designated location.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed device itself is a circulating conveyor device, and has a plurality of holding means for simultaneously transporting or conveying a plurality of partial products. The holding means are, for example, grippers or pockets. The feeding device is thus itself designed to re-supply incorrectly opened partial products to the opening device. In the case of a circulating gripper chain, this means that after the detection of a faulty opening, the gripper does not release the corresponding partial product for collecting, but preferably conveys it back and re-feeds it to the opening. In a plug-in device, this means that an incorrectly opened partial product is not conveyed out of the insertion pocket, but is preferably left in the insertion pocket and returned to the opening.

The detection of whether a partial product has been opened is preferably done with the aid of one or more optical sensors. Such an optical sensor is in particular a brightness sensor, a sensor line or a camera. A single brightness sensor preferably has a defined detection area, for example a point-like or a line-shaped detection area. A sensor line preferably captures, similar to a camera, an imaging optical system by means of a line-shaped region of the conveyed partial product, wherein individual sections of the line respectively supply associated sensor values.

The sensor or sensors can monitor the conveyed partial products by means of continuous measurements and close them from the time course of the sensor signal or signals on the opening state. The light / dark distribution of the detection range of a sensor which is directed to the conveyed partial products (or, more generally, the image detected by the sensor) changes in each case in time with the conveyor device. As long as the partial products are all in the same, open state, the sensor values are retrieved periodically. This periodically repeated value course is saved as a reference. If a partial product is not opened, deviating sensor values are available during a period. This deviation over time is detected by an analog or digital evaluation of the sensor values, and a faulty opening of the relevant partial product is signaled. Preferably, it is also determined in accordance with the nature of the deviation in which way the opening is faulty, that is, whether the partial product is wrong, for example with the leading or the trailing side. To simplify the evaluation of the periodic signals, the evaluation can be synchronized by a clock signal of the conveyor with the movement of the partial products. This procedure just described is possible for the evaluation of data of all sensors described (individual sensors, line sensors, cameras) and combinations of these sensors. In this case, therefore, continuous measurements with a clocked evaluation take place.

Alternatively, the sensor or sensors can observe the subsidized partial products only at certain times, these times being predetermined by the clock of the conveyor. According to this second variant, therefore, the sensor data are always read out at a time (with respect to a clock period) in which a partial product would have to be located at a specific spatial location. The sensor data is then preferably compared with stored reference values corresponding to a healthy state. If the deviation exceeds a predetermined level, a faulty opening is signaled. This procedure is possible for the evaluation of data of all described sensors (single sensors, line sensors, cameras) and combinations of these sensors. In this case, clocked measurements with a clocked evaluation take place.

Regardless of the timing of the measurements, the reliability or significance of the measurements is preferably increased by the use of multiple sensors. For example, the position of the leading half and the trailing half of the opened partial product can thus be monitored separately and in a targeted manner.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the informative value of the sensor signals is increased by the background or a part of the background area detected by the sensors being highlighted optically. This can be done, for example, by the background illuminated and / or color is particularly marked or coated with a good reflective material. Preferably, the background should differ as much as possible from the partial products in the spectral range in which the sensors are sensitive. Operating ranges of the sensors are preferably in the visible range or in the infrared or ultraviolet range or in a combination of these ranges.

The previous statements apply irrespective of the conveying direction of the partial products: partial products can therefore be conveyed parallel or perpendicular or diagonally with respect to the fold of the partial products when the sensor data is acquired.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference values used in the evaluation are determined and stored in error-free operation of the system. Furthermore, the reference values can also be automatically adjusted during the course of operation according to the permanently recorded measured values to defect-free open partial products. This applies to sensors that provide only a single measured value, as well as for sensor arrays and cameras. This makes it possible to take into account the aging and contamination of the system.

Further preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent claims. Characteristics of the method claims are analogously combined with the device claims and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figur 1

eine Sammelvorrichtung;

Figur 2

verschiedene Öffnungsfehler;

Figuren 3-5

verschiedene Sensoranordnungen;

Figur 6-10

Öffnungsfehler und entsprechende Sensorsignale;

Figur 11

eine Öffnungsüberwachung bei einer Einsteckvorrichtung;

Figuren 12-14

eine Öffnungsüberwachung bei einer Sammelvorrichtung;

Figur 15

eine Öffnungskontrollvorrichtung.

In the following, the subject invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each show schematically:

FIG. 1

a collection device;

FIG. 2

different opening errors;

Figures 3-5

various sensor arrangements;

Figure 6-10

Opening error and corresponding sensor signals;

FIG. 11

an opening monitoring at a plug-in device;

Figures 12-14

an opening monitoring at a collecting device;

FIG. 15

an opening control device.

The reference numerals used in the drawings and their meaning are listed in the list of reference numerals. Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The FIG. 1 shows a collecting device with a feed unit 1, a rotating gripper chain 2 and a collecting drum 3. The feed unit 1 conveys folded sheets of paper 4 as partial products to grippers 5 of the gripper chain 2. The gripper chain 2 conveys the sheets 4 via an opening device 6, which by means of a faster-running Bandes pulls the leading edge of the sheets 4 to the left and so opens the sheets. After the opening device 6, the sheets 4 are held open by a synchronous to the grippers 5 and running as an open-holding means acting spiral 7, before being placed on saddles 8 of the collecting drum 3 and released.

Sensors for opening control are preferably arranged in a region of the spiral 7 or the saddles 8, in which the sheets 4 have not yet been released by the gripper 5. If a faulty opening is detected, the corresponding gripper 5 is not opened, but the sheet 4 is conveyed back via the gripper chain 2. The feed unit 1 is then controlled so that the gripper 5 is not opened with the returned sheet 4 and not re-fed with another sheet. The returned sheet 4 can also be stored at the point of loading into a compartment, so that it can later be reintroduced into the process by hand or automatically, possibly after a check.

Various embodiments of the invention will be explained in part in the context of this collection device, but are analogous to other collection or Einsteckvorrichungen or generally in devices for processing or processing of open (part) products feasible.

FIG. 2 schematically shows various opening errors in collecting (top row) and plugging (second row). A partial product 4 can come to lie correctly during collection (middle column) or with both halves left or right of a saddle 8 or the spiral 7. When inserting the partial product 4 can also come to lie correctly (middle column) or both halves left or right in a compartment 9 of a plug-in device. The third row shows partial products 4, which are held on the one hand by gripper 5 at the fold and on the other hand held open by means of open holding means like moving clamps 10. Here is a correct open position shown in the second column, and left and right of it error situation in which the right half of the sheet 4b and the left half of the sheet 4a is not held. In addition, on the right, the further error state is shown in which none of the sheet halves 4a, 4b is held.

The FIG. 3 schematically shows various possible arrangements of sensors in the region of the spiral 7 or a saddle 8. Depending on how the conveyor device is constructed for the partial products 4, remains next to or above the partial products 4 space for the arrangement of the sensors. In the following, the construction of the conveyor device will not be discussed - it is understood that the arrangement of the sensor or sensors used is to be selected appropriately.

In principle, preferred sensor positions are defined first, followed by a discussion of preferred sensor types and data evaluation: The direction of the fold of the partial product 4 defines a y-axis and, in the horizontal plane perpendicular thereto, an x-axis. Perpendicular to both runs a z-axis. The partial product 4 is typically conveyed in the x-direction, but can also be controlled or conveyed in the y-direction be monitored for opening errors. It is assumed that the position of the subsidized sub-product 4 in the drawn reference position.

1. A: Position: in y-Richtung neben dem Teilprodukt 4, in z-Richtung oberhalb der Mitte des Teilproduktes 4 oder oberhalb des Teilproduktes 4. Orientierung: von der y-Richtung ausgehend in negative x-Richtung verdreht und nach unten zeigend, vorzugsweise in Richtung auf ein mitbewegtes Hintergrundelement der Fördervorrichtung oder Sammel- oder Einsteckvorrichtung.
2. B: Wie A, aber mit Orientierung in positive x-Richtung verdreht.
3. C: Wie A, aber mit Orientierung im wesentlichen senkrecht zur x-Richtung.
4. D: Wie A, aber mit Position in y-Richtung über dem Teilprodukt liegend, und Orientierung in negative x-Richtung und nach unten zeigend.
5. E: Wie D, aber mit Orientierung in positive x-Richtung und nach unten zeigend.
6. F: wie D und E, aber im wesentlichen senkrecht nach unten zeigend.
7. G: Position: in y-Richtung neben dem Teilprodukt 4, in z-Richtung ungefähr im Bereich der Mitte des Teilproduktes 4. Orientierung: im Wesentlichen in y-Richtung.

The preferred sensor positions are identified by the following letters for later reference:

1. A: Position: in the y-direction next to the partial product 4, in the z-direction above the center of the partial product 4 or above the partial product 4. Orientation: Starting from the y-direction in the negative x-direction and pointing down, preferably in Direction to a moving background element of the conveyor or collecting or inserting device.
2. B: Like A, but twisted with orientation in positive x-direction.
3. C: Like A, but with orientation substantially perpendicular to the x-direction.
4. D: Same as A but with position in y-direction over the partial product, and orientation in negative x-direction and pointing down.
5. E: Same as D but with orientation in positive x-direction and pointing down.
6. F: as D and E, but pointing essentially vertically downwards.
7. G: Position: in the y-direction next to the partial product 4, in the z-direction approximately in the region of the middle of the partial product 4. Orientation: essentially in the y-direction.

FIG. 4 shows separately the positions D and E with respect to a Einsteckfaches 9 with reflection means 11, and FIG. 5 the positions D, E, F, G with respect to a conveying device with revolving open-holding clamps 10. Further preferred arrangements D ', E', F 'are obtained by mirroring the positions on the xy plane, in the FIG. 5 indicated by dashed lines, and / or by an oblique viewing direction corresponding to the positions A, B, C.

• passiver Helligkeitssensor, vorzugsweise mit einem aufgefächerten Erfassungsbereich, der beispielsweise ungefähr die Breite des geöffneten Teilprodukts umfasst, und ferner vorzugsweise in Verbindung mit einem optisch hervorgehobenen Element im Hintergrund des erfassten Bereiches oder an der Spirale 7 oder am Sattel 8;
• Reflektions-Lichtschranke, vorzugsweise mit einer retro-reflektierenden Schicht an der Spirale 7 oder am Sattel 8 oder einem (nicht eingezeichneten) Hintergrund;
• Durchlicht-Lichtschranke, mit einer bezüglich des Teilproduktes 4 gegenüberliegenden Lichtquelle;
• Zeilensensor; vorzugsweise zur Beobachtung eines sich in x-Richtung erstreckenden Bereiches; oder
• Video-Kamera oder Einzelbild-Kamera.

In each of the exemplary positions AF, the sensors may basically be of one of the following types:

• passive brightness sensor, preferably with a fanned detection range, for example, approximately the width of the opened partial product, and further preferably in conjunction with an optically highlighted element in the background of the detected area or on the spiral 7 or on the saddle 8;
• Reflection light barrier, preferably with a retro-reflective layer on the spiral 7 or on the saddle 8 or a background (not shown);
• Transmitted-light sensor, with a relative to the partial product 4 opposite light source;
• Line sensor; preferably for observing a region extending in the x-direction; or
• Video camera or still camera.

By way of example, the data evaluation is shown below for individual combinations of sensor position and sensor type. Other combinations are likewise encompassed by the invention and can be realized in basically the same way.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence of partial products 4 with and without opening error, which is held open by holding means 7, 8, 10 and conveyed from right to left. Also marked are the sensor positions considered here, it being understood that typically only sensors in one or two of the positions are used in a real system. The left part of the FIG. 6 shows configurations, such as occur in the resting of the partial products 4 on a spiral 7 or a saddle 8, and which are preferably provided with reflection means 11. The right part shows configurations as they hold apart by hold-open brackets 10 occur.

FIGS. 7 to 10 each show a corresponding time course of the intensity of the detected light, respectively the sensor signal, if this sequence of Partial products passes by the sensors. The sensors preferably have a narrow viewing angle or detection range, and are aligned with a light or reflective background. As with a transmitted light barrier or with a reflex light barrier, in contrast to a brightness sensor with a broad detection range, preferably only an optical system detects the light from a narrow angular range. The evaluation is preferably carried out by continuous measurements with a clocked evaluation. If a sensor detects one of the partial products 4, the sensor signal drops. Preferably, the sensor signals are filtered to eliminate small irregularities. The vertical, dashed lines mark the time of change to the next partial product 4. This time is preferably either automatically determined by analysis of the sensor signal itself or derived from a clock signal of the plant control.

• Figur 7 : Position G; in jedem Takt sollten jeweils die vorlaufende und die nachlaufende Hälfte 4a, 4b zu einem Abfallen der Empfangsintensität führen. Wenn gar kein Puls im Signal EG vorliegt, wird auf das Fehlen des Teilprodukts 4 geschlossen und es kann ein entsprechendes Steuersignal ausgelöst werden. Liegt das Teilprodukt 4 auf der Spirale 7 oder einem Sattel 8 oder einem anderen Offenhaltemittel auf, so ist eine einfache Auswertungsregel, dass wenn nur ein abfallender Puls pro Takt auftritt, ein Fehler signalisiert wird. Aus der zeitlichen Lage des fehlenden Pulses kann geschlossen werden, ob das Teilprodukt 4 links oder rechts aufliegt. Wird das Teilprodukt durch Offenhalteklammern 10 offen gehalten, so verschiebt sich bei einem Fehler die Lage eines der Pulse, oder es tritt, wenn das Teilprodukt weder links noch rechts gehalten ist, nur ein einziger Puls auf.
• Figur 8 : Position A oder D; in jedem Takt sollte jeweils die vorlaufende Hälfte 4a den Hintergrund abdecken. Der Hintergrund kann dabei ein stationärer Teil der Anlage sein, oder ein bewegter Teil der Fördereinrichtung, also der Spirale 7, eines Sattels 8 oder eines Fördermittels der Offenhalteklammern 10. Fällt das Sensorsignal E_A,D nicht ab, respektive steigt es unerwartet an, so wird daraus geschlossen, dass die vorlaufende Hälfte 4a falsch liegt, oder das Teilprodukt 4 überhaupt fehlt.
• Figur 9 : Position B oder E; wie bei Figur 8, mit dem Unterschied, dass jeweils die nachlaufende Hälfte 4b den Hintergrund abdecken sollte. Beim Blick von oben gemäss den Figuren 8 und 9 sind, um beide Fehlerfälle vorlaufend/nachlaufend erfassen zu können, und vom gänzlichen Fehlen des Teilproduktes 4 unterscheiden zu können, also mindestens zwei Sensoren notwendig, einer bei A oder D und der andere bei B oder E.
• Figur 10 : Position C oder F, wobei in der Position C der Sensor derart hoch angeordnet sein muss, dass der Hintergrund durch das Teilprodukt 4 abgedeckt wird. Hier tritt bei jedem Fehler eine Erhöhung der Signalintensität E_C,F auf, und aus der Lage des Intensitätspulses zum Takt kann auf die Art des Fehlers geschlossen werden. Aus der Länge des Pulses kann auf die gänzliche Abwesenheit des Teilprodukts 4 geschlossen werden.

The individual courses correspond to the following sensor arrangements:

• FIG. 7 : Position G ; In each cycle, the leading and the trailing halves 4a, 4b should lead to a decrease in the reception intensity. If there is no pulse in the signal EG, the absence of the partial product 4 is concluded and a corresponding control signal can be triggered. If the partial product 4 rests on the spiral 7 or a saddle 8 or another holding means, a simple evaluation rule is that if only one falling pulse per cycle occurs, an error is signaled. From the temporal position of the missing pulse can be concluded whether the partial product 4 rests on the left or right. If the partial product is held open by holding clips 10, the position of one of the pulses shifts in the event of an error, or if the partial product is neither left nor right, only a single pulse occurs.
• FIG. 8 : Position A or D ; In each bar, the leading half 4a should cover the background. The background can be a stationary part of the system, or a moving part of the system If the sensor signal E _{A, D} does not drop, or it rises unexpectedly, it is concluded that the leading half 4a is wrong, or the partial product. 4 absolutely missing.
• FIG. 9 : Position B or E ; as in FIG. 8 , with the difference that each trailing half 4b should cover the background. When looking from above according to the FIGS. 8 and 9 are to be able to detect both cases of error in advance / trailing, and to be able to distinguish from the complete absence of the partial product 4, so at least two sensors necessary, one at A or D and the other at B or E.
• FIG. 10 Position C or F , wherein in the position C, the sensor must be arranged so high that the background is covered by the partial product 4. Here occurs at each error an increase in the signal intensity E _{C, F} , and from the position of the intensity pulse to the clock can be concluded that the nature of the error. From the length of the pulse can be concluded that the complete absence of the partial product 4.

In the arrangement and evaluation of the sensors is preferably considered, if due to the operation of the opening device before collecting or plugging certain types of errors can not occur.

A clocked evaluation instead of the continuous is preferably used when the expected timing of a pulse with respect to the clock is known exactly, and a comparison of the light / dark intensities is not required. Then it is sufficient to interrogate the sensor value at this time and evaluate it accordingly. Basically, the continuous measurement provides more information and allows a more robust evaluation.

FIG. 11 schematically shows the monitoring of the opening state of a partial product 4 in a Einstecktrommel 13 with pockets 9. The drum turns counterclockwise. In the ascending part, the partial product 4 is opened by not shown opening means. Due to gravity, only the error can occur that the partial product 4 rests with both halves on the right. Therefore, it is sufficient to check only for this error, for example, with a sensor 14 in the position E or B, which is directed to the side of the pocket 9, on which the potentially missing (in this case, the leading) half 4a should rest , On this side, a reflective element 11 is preferably mounted in order to increase the intensity difference to the partial product 4. An increase in intensity in a clocked or a continuous measurement thus indicates a faulty opening. This also applies if the partial product 4 in the pocket 9 in the longitudinal direction, ie parallel to the fold, is conveyed past the point monitored by the sensor. In each case, if the partial product 4 is detected as not being opened correctly, no further partial product 20 is inserted, that is, the collating is not carried out. The unopened partial product 4 is preferably left in the drum, discharged or fed again to the opening device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, after a further sub-product 20 has been inserted into the first sub-product 4, in the area of the monitored location 11, a screen 21 is folded over the first sub-product 4. This panel has at the same location on a preferably reflective element 11, so that after opening the further partial product 20 again a control of the opening can be performed.

• Bewegt sich die Anordnung gemäss der Figur 12 am Sensor vorbei, so bleibt der reflektierende Hintergrund 11 im wesentlichen durch die beiden Hälften 4a, 4b des Teilproduktes 4 dauernd verdeckt, und die empfangene Totalintensität E_tot bleibt im wesentlichen währen einer ganzen Taktdauer gering.
• Bewegt sich die Anordnung gemäss der Figur 13 am Sensor vorbei, so wird der reflektierende Hintergrund 11 wegen der fehlenden vorlaufenden Hälfte 4a in der ersten Hälfte einer Taktdauer sichtbar und führt während dieser Zeit zu einer Erhöhung der empfangenen Totalintensität E_tot.
• Bewegt sich die Anordnung gemäss der Figur 14 am Sensor vorbei, so wird der reflektierende Hintergrund 11 wegen der fehlenden nachlaufenden Hälfte 4b in der zweiten Hälfte einer Taktdauer sichtbar und führt während dieser Zeit zu einer Erhöhung der empfangenen Totalintensität E_tot.
• Fehlt das Teilprodukt 4 gänzlich, so wird der reflektierende Hintergrund 11 im wesentlichen während der ganzen Taktdauer sichtbar und führt während dieser Zeit zu einer Erhöhung der empfangenen Totalintensität E_tot.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show configurations, as they are perceived in a further preferred embodiment of the invention by a sensor in the position A, that is, a correctly opened partial product 4 (FIG. FIG. 12 ), an incorrectly lying leading half 4a ( FIG. 13 ) and a misaligned trailing half 4b ( FIG. 14 ). The sensor preferably has a wider detection range than a light barrier and detects, for example, light from a region which is round the width of an opened partial product 4 corresponds. This corresponds, for example, approximately in the FIGS. 12 to 14 Thus, the sensor measures the total amount of light E _tot incident from this region 12. Nevertheless, with this very simple measuring principle, a differentiated determination of the errors is possible. It is assumed that there is a reflective or light background 11, for example on the spiral 7 or in the middle region of a saddle 8, and moves with the partial product 4 (a similar differentiation is also possible with a fixed reflective or light background). , The time course of the received light quantity E _tot is in the FIGS. 12 to 14 each shown in a movement of the partial product 4 from left to right.

• Moves the arrangement according to the FIG. 12 past the sensor, the reflective background 11 remains substantially concealed by the two halves 4a, 4b of the partial product 4, and the received total intensity E _tot remains substantially low during a whole cycle time.
• Moves the arrangement according to the FIG. 13 past the sensor, the reflective background 11 becomes visible in the first half of a clock period because of the missing leading half 4a and during this time leads to an increase in the received total intensity E _tot .
• Moves the arrangement according to the FIG. 14 past the sensor, the reflecting background 11 becomes visible in the second half of a clock period because of the missing trailing half 4b and during this time leads to an increase in the received total intensity E _tot .
• If the partial product 4 is missing completely, then the reflective background 11 becomes substantially visible during the entire cycle time and leads during this time to an increase in the received total intensity E _tot .

By comparing the intensity profile E _tot within a cycle time with a reference curve, therefore, the different cases are distinguished and corresponding Signals to the controller triggered. An appropriate evaluation is also possible if the sensor is in position B, C, D, E, or F.

With a line sensor, the field of view or line of sight is extended in the conveying direction, a still differentiated detection can be done with a basically same evaluation. In this case, a single clocked measurement of all values of the line sensor provides similar information as the time sequence of measured values of the individual sensor described above. A continuous sequence of measured values of the line sensor supplies correspondingly more information.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, a camera is used at one of the described positions A to G, which provides a two-dimensional black and white image or a color image. Preferably, an image acquisition clocked in the delivery cycle is performed, and the captured image is compared with a reference image. In this case, the images are compared as whole or predetermined excerpts (corresponding, for example, to the expected position of bright or reflecting background elements 11), and the raw data or filtered or transformed image data or image features extracted by image processing can be compared. It is also possible with this image capture to distinguish and control whether the sub-product 4 has been opened in the right place, since usually differ the contents of the individual pages of a printed matter from each other.

FIG. 15 schematically shows an opening control device, with one or more sensors 14, wherein for example one of the sensors 14, an associated bright or reflective surface 11 is shown, and to an optional (dashed) further sensor 14 ', a light source 15. The signals of or Sensors are evaluated by a Sensorauswerteeinheit 16, which transmits control signals 17 to a controller 18 of the entire device for gathering. The control signals 17 signal preferably an opening error or optionally also the absence of a partial product 4. The controller 18 preferably transmits to the sensor evaluation unit 16 clock signals 19, on the basis of which the sensor evaluation unit 16 synchronizes the evaluation with the movement of the conveyed partial products 4. The clock signal, which represents the boundary between two partial products 4 in the sensor evaluation, or the clock signal, which is used to trigger the sensor data acquisition, are usually offset by a constant deviation from a predetermined clock signal of the controller 19.

Claims (15)

1. Device for opening folded or bound printed products, comprising a feeder device (2,13) for feeding-in individual folded or bound sub-products (4) and an opening device (6) for opening the sub-products (4),
   wherein the device comprises an opening verifying installation (11,14,15,16), which is designed to detect deficiently opened sub-products (4) with optical means (14) before the sub-products (4) are further processed, wherein sub-products not opened at all are also considered as deficiently opened sub-products,
   and wherein in the case of sub-products (4) detected as being deficiently opened the device is designed not to carry out the further processing, but to either eject a deficiently opened sub-product (4) or to conduct it back to the opening device (6) once more,
   characterised in that
   either, for the further processing a collecting device (8) is present, that the feeder device comprises a circulating gripper chain (2) with selectively openable grippers (5), and that the device is arranged to release the sub-products (4) for collection, and, if an opening error is detected, to not release them for collection but to convey them back or at a later point in time to release them for being ejected,
   or, for the further processing the feeder device comprises an inserting device (13), the inserting device (13) comprises insertion pockets (9) and is equipped to open the sub-product (4), and that the device is designed to insert a further sub-product (20) into the sub-product (4) providing no opening error is detected, and, if an opening error is detected, to not insert a further sub-product (20) and to retain the sub-product (4) in the inserting device (13) and convey it again to the opening device or to a point of ejection.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the feeder device (2, 13) is a circulating conveying device (2, 13), which is designed for the simultaneous transporting of a plurality of sub-products (4), and the feeder device (2, 13) itself is designed for conducting deficiently opened sub-products (4) back to the opening device (6) once more.
3. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) with a sensing direction parallel to the fold of the sub-products (4) is present.
4. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) with a sensing direction essentially vertical to the fold of the sub-products is present.
5. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) with a sensing direction skewed to the fold of the sub-products (4) is present.
6. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) comprises a narrow sensing angle and is essentially directed to observe a single point.
7. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) comprises a wide sensing angle and therefore senses light from a area corresponding to a sub-product (4).
8. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (14) is a line sensor or a camera.
9. Method for opening folded or bound printed products, comprising the following steps:

   - Feeding-in folded or bound sub-products (4) by means of a feeder device (2, 13);

   - opening the sub-products (4) by means of an opening device (6);

   - monitoring the nominally opened sub-products (4) for correct opening by means of an opening verifying installation (11,14,15,16);

   - if a sub-product (4) is identified by the opening verifying installation (11,14,15,16) as correctly opened, processing the sub-product (4) further;

   - if a sub-product (4) is identified by the opening verifying installation (11,14,15,16) as not correctly opened, ejecting or conducting back the sub-product (4)
   characterised in that
   either, for the further processing a collecting device (8) is present, that the feeder device comprises a circulating gripper chain (2) with selectively openable grippers (5), and the sub-products (4), if no opening error is detected, are released for collection, and, if an opening error is detected, are not released for collection but are conveyed back or at a later point in time released for being ejected,
   or that for the opening and for further processing, the feeder device comprises an inserting device (13), the inserting device (13) comprises insertion pockets (9), the sub-product (4) is opened in the inserting device (13), and, providing no opening error is detected, a further sub-product (20) is inserted into the sub-product (4), and, if an opening error is detected, no further sub-product (20) is inserted and the sub-product (4) is retained in the inserting device (13) and is conveyed again to the opening device or to a point of ejection.
10. Method according to claim 9, comprising the step of conducting back the not correctly opened sub-product (4) by means of the feeder device (2, 13) itself, wherein the feeder device (2, 13) is a circulating conveying device, and transports a plurality of sub-products (4) simultaneously.
11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the step of synchronising at least one of a capturing an an evaluation of sensor signals with the movement of the sub-products (4), wherein the synchronisation takes place based on a clocking signal (19) from the control system (18) of the feeder device, or a clocking signal that is automatically generated on the basis of the sensor signals.
12. Method according to claim 11, comprising the step of capturing the sensor data in accordance with the clocking signal (19).
13. Method according to claim 11, comprising the steps

    - continuously recording of the sensor data;

    - evaluating the sensor data on the basis of their temporal displacement relative to the clocking signal (19).
14. Method according to claim 13, in case of which a sensor in the manner of a light barrier is arranged parallel to the fold of the sub-products (4), and comprising the step of detecting of opening errors in accordance with the temporal position of the darkening of the sensor within one clocking cycle.
15. Method according to claim 13, in case of which a sensor is arranged at a slant relative to the fold of the sub-products (4) and detects a total light intensity (E) from a range (12) of respectively one sub-product (4), and comprising the step of detecting opening errors in accordance with the intensity trajectory when transporting the sub-product (4) past the sensor during a clocking period.

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