Method for advancing signatures using a retracting drive
US6719123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1932
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for advancing and/or slowing signatures in a printing press. The apparatus and method includes a series of two or more belt drives, where each belt drive includes at least a pair of opposed belts. The belts are preferably timing or toothed belts driven by sprockets. The sprockets are formed with a semi-elliptical outer surface. As a result, the belts have two directions of motion. The first direction—horizontal—advances the signatures and may be used to slow the signatures. The second direction—vertical—withdraws the belts away from contact with the signatures to prevent buckling or wrinkling during a speed transition or during a transfer between belts. In one embodiment of the present invention, both opposed belts are retracting belts; in another embodiment, one belt is a fixed conveyor belt, while the other opposed belt is a retracting belt. The apparatus can be formed of a series of sequential belts running at different speeds, or a slower set of belts could be located inside the faster set of belts. In another embodiment, the upper and lower belts can be offset relative to one another to create an S-wrap along the signature, there…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.