Device for collecting endless forms

Abstract

 Device for collecting endless forms, characterized in that it mainly consists of a collecting space (2) to which endless forms (3) are continuously supplied, whereby this collecting space (2) is provided with means (4) which guide the endless forms (3) in this space (2) and press them on top of one another.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a device for collecting so-called endless forms which are supplied from a handling machine, for example a printing unit or such.

[0002] As is known, endless forms are provided at regular distances with folds or perforations according to which such forms are folded in a zigzag manner and carried to a handling machine, and whereby the purpose is in general that these endless forms, after they have been handled, for example printed, are folded again in a zigzag manner.

[0003] It is known that there are often problems when said endless forms are folded again.

[0004] Indeed it often occurs that due to a small irregularity in this zigzag movement, for example as a result of a blow, the fitting together of the perforated lines of forms or such lying next to one another, the re-folding, stacking respectively of the endless forms is disturbed and they pile up at random and in a disorderly manner.

[0005] The present invention aims a device which offers a remedy to said disadvantage by collecting the endless forms in a proper manner.

[0006] To this end the invention concerns a device which is mainly characterized in that it mainly consists of a collecting space to which endless forms are continuously supplied, whereby this collecting space is provided with means which guide the endless forms in this space and press them on top of one another.

[0007] The means for guiding and pressing the endless forms hereby act on the width of the endless form, in other words the edge where the continuous paper is folded. To this end, said means are preferably situated in a side wall of the collecting space.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment the guiding and pressing means consist of flexible protrusions which are provided on a vertical conveyor belt in the side wall of the collecting space and whereby, next to this vertical conveyor belt with flexible protrusions, stops are provided in the side walls of the collecting space which prevent the endless forms from being taken along sideways, among others due to the movement of said protrusions.

[0009] The device according to the invention can be used to collect endless forms supplied by all sorts of machines, such as laser, matrix, inkjet or other printers or any machine whatsoever whereby continuous paper of any size whatsoever is being moved.

[0010] In order to better explain the characteristics according to the invention, the following preferred embodiment is described by way of example only and without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings where:

figure 1 shows in perspective a device according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a longitudinal section according to line II-II in figure 1;

figure 3 shows a cross section according to line III-III in figure 1.

[0011] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the device 1 according to the invention mainly consists of a collecting space 2 to which endless forms 3 are continuously supplied which, thanks to the presence of the above-mentioned folds or perforations are alternately stacked in zigzag manner, and means 4 to guide the endless forms 3 and press them on, whereby these means 4 are preferably situated in the side walls 5 and 6 of the collecting space 2.

[0012] In this preferred embodiment, the collecting space 2 consists of a bottom plate 7 and two side walls 5, 6 which are fixed on top of this plate 7 and in between which the endless forms 3 are collected.

[0013] The two side walls 5 and 6 in this case consist of rooms in which the means 4 are situated and which partly protrude thereof.

[0014] The walls of the side walls 5-6 directed to one another each have a recess 8 extending over the entire height, and through which the means 4 from the side wall 5-6 in question protrude, one and other such that, next to said recess 8, stops 9-10 are formed on either side.

[0015] The means 4 in this embodiment mainly consist of flexible protrusions 11 which are provided on a vertical conveyor belt 12, such that the protrusions 11 on the inside of the side walls 5 and 6 protrude through the recess 8 in the collecting space 2.

[0016] In this case the protrusions 11 consist of longitudinal, slightly bent strips of rubber or such which are applied over the entire width of the flexible, vertical conveyor belt 10.

[0017] As represented in figure 2, for example four of these protrusions 11 are provided on each vertical conveyor belt 10.

[0018] The vertical conveyor belt 12 is guided in each side wall 5-6 over two horizontal shafts 13 and 14, 15 and 16 respectively, placed one on top of the other, whereby in each case the lower shaft 14, 16 respectively, is driven at one end by a motor 17,18. The shaft 14, 16 respectively is in each case connected with the drive motor 17,18 by means of a fixing bush 19-20 whereas the other end of the shaft 14, 16 respectively, and both ends of the upper shaft 13, 15 respectively, is supported by means of bearings 21 in the side wall 5, 6 respectively, such that they can rotate freely.

[0019] The shafts 13, 14, 15 and 16 are preferably provided with a coating 22, for example rubber, as a result of which the vertical conveyor belt 12 is kept from slipping. Said coating 22 may be applied over the entire length of the shafts 13 to 16, or merely in some places.

[0020] In order to make the device according to the invention suited for different paper sizes, at least one side wall 5 or 6 can be moved on the plate 7.

[0021] The end walls of the side walls 5 and 6 could also be made adjustable so as to make the device adjustable in relation to the length of the paper.

[0022] The working of the device according to the invention is very simple and as follows.

[0023] The device 1 for collecting endless forms according to the invention will generally be erected under the discharge place of the endless forms, such that the endless forms which are carried down from a machine end up in the collecting space 2 of the device 1.

[0024] The first page of the endless forms 3 will for example be placed manually on the bottom plate 7 of the collecting space 2, after which the means 4 make sure that the following pages of the endless forms 3 are automatically folded on top of this first page.

[0025] Of course, the means 4, in particular the protrusions 9, which always move from the top to the bottom in the collecting space 2, will each time carry along downwards the folded edges of the endless form and press them together there on top of the preceding folded endless forms 3.

[0026] Since the protrusions 9 are flexible they will just give way in case of a greater resistance, such as offered by a stack of already folded endless forms 3, and will bend off round this stack.

[0027] As soon as the protrusions 9 are situated at the lower part of the side wall 5, 6 respectively, they are carried along by the continuously turning conveyor belt 12 in the side wall and under the lower shaft 14, 16 respectively, and carried up again, whereby these protrusions 9, during their rotating movement, will exert a sidelong tensile force on the endless forms 3 at the bottom of the side wall 5 and 6 in order to "straighten" the forms. In order to limit the sidelong movement of the endless form 3 in relation to the vertical conveyor belt 12, stops 9-10 are provided, for example on two sides.

[0028] The protrusions 9 move up again together with the vertical conveyor belt 12 in the side walls 5 and 6, and subsequently go out at the top side of the side wall 5, 6 respectively, and carry down endless forms 3 again.

[0029] The rotating movement of the vertical conveyor belt 12 is carried out in opposite directions in the two side walls 5 and 6, since the protrusions 9 on the inside of the collecting space 2 each time have to move downward. This is why the shafts 14 and 16 are also driven in opposite directions of rotation.

[0030] The collecting space 2 may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the endless forms 3 with edges to prevent the stack of endless forms 3 from shifting in this direction as well.

[0031] In this way, a device is obtained with which endless forms are nicely stacked.

[0032] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a device for collecting endless forms can be made in various forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Device for collecting endless forms, consisting of a collecting space (2) to which endless forms (3) are continuously supplied, whereby this collecting space (2) is provided with means (4) which guide the endless forms (3) in this space (2) and press them on top of one another by acting on the folded edges of the endless form (3), characterized in that the collecting space (2) is limited by a bottom plate (7) and at least two side walls (5,6) in between which the endless forms (3) can be caught in their width.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned means (4) to guide and press the endless forms (3) are situated in the side walls (5,6) of the collecting space (2) according to the width of these endless forms (3).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (4) consist of flexible protrusions (9) which are provided on a vertical conveyor belt (12) in the above-mentioned side walls (5,6) of the collecting space (2).

4. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned shafts (13,14,15,16) are provided with a coating (22).

5. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the collecting space (2) can be adjusted to the size of the endless forms (3).

6. Device according to any of the above claims, characterized in that in the walls of the side walls (5,6) directed to one another a recess (8) is provided through which the protrusions (9) reach into the collecting space (2).

7. Device according to claim 6 , characterized in that next to the recesses (8), stops (9-10) are made.

Drawing