Method for closing a flat product, and apparatus for carrying out the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for closing a flat product ( 14 ) which comprises a cover sheet which is open on at least one side and at least one printed product which is inserted loosely into the cover sheet, wherein the product ( 14 ) is fed to a closing apparatus ( 15, 15 ′) in a freely suspended manner or in an overlapping stream, and wherein the at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed in the closing apparatus ( 15, 15 ′) exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet by means of a closing tool ( 19, 19 ′).

1 . A method for closing a flat product ( 14 ) which comprises a cover sheet ( 21 ) which is open on at least one side, preferably on three sides, and at least one printed product ( 22 ,  23 ) which is inserted loosely in the cover sheet ( 21 ), the method comprising:
 feeding the product ( 14 ) such that it hangs freely or is in an overlapping stream to a closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 );   and   closing at least one open side of the cover sheet ( 21 ) in the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet ( 21 ) by means of a closing tool ( 19 ,  19 ′;  39 ,  46 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one open side to be closed of the cover sheet ( 21 ) is closed by caulking of two edges ( 21   a ,  21   b ) which lie on one another. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side to be closed of the cover sheet ( 21 ) is closed by interlocking of two edges ( 21   a ,  21   b ) which lie on one another. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 conveying the product ( 14 ) in a conveying apparatus ( 10 ,  32 ,  36 ,  40 ) with other products ( 14 ) of the same type in a continuous stream along a conveying path ( 11 ), and   feeding the product ( 21 ) by means of the conveying apparatus ( 10 ,  32 ,  36 ,  40 ) to the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) for closing, and is led leading away after being closed.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 guiding the product ( 14 ) through the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) by means of the conveying apparatus ( 10 ,  32 ,  36 ,  40 ) for closing.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 moving the product ( 14 ) continuously through the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ), and   moving the closing tool ( 19 ,  19 ′;  39 ,  46 ) during the closing operation synchronously with the product ( 14 ) to be closed.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 moving the product ( 14 ) through the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) on a straight conveying path ( 11 ), and   moving the closing tool ( 19 ,  19 ′) during the closing operation parallel to the product ( 14 ) to be closed.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 moving the product ( 21 ) through the closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) on a straight conveying path ( 11 ), and   moving the closing tool ( 39 ,  46 ) during the closing operation on a circular path, along which the product is transported substantially tangentially.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 moving the closing apparatus ( 33 ) during the closing operation synchronously with the product ( 14 ) to be closed.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 conveying the products ( 14 ) in the form of an overlapping stream in the conveying apparatus ( 32 ), in that, in order to fan out the products ( 14 ), the conveying path ( 11 ) extends in a circular arc about a pivot axis ( 34 ), and in that, during the closing operation, the closing apparatus ( 33 ) is driven synchronously with the product ( 14 ) to be closed, such that said closing apparatus ( 33 ) pivots about the pivot axis ( 34 ).   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the product ( 14 ) comprises a rectangular cover sheet ( 21 ) which is folded once ( 24 ) along a center line and forms a pocket which is open on three sides, and in that the cover sheet is closed on at least one of the two transverse sides ( 21   a ,  21   b ). 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a conveying apparatus ( 10 ,  32 ,  36 ,  40 ) for conveying the product ( 14 ) with other products ( 14 ) of the same type in a continuous stream along a conveying path ( 11 ), wherein the conveying path ( 11 ) leads through or along a closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′;  33 ;  37 ;  44 ) which has a closing tool ( 19 ,  19 ′;  39 ,  46 ) which closes the cover sheet ( 21 ) of the products ( 14 ) on at least one side exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet ( 21 ). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the conveying apparatus ( 10 ) is configured for conveying the products ( 14 ) in a hanging manner, the products ( 14 ) being held in each case centrally by a gripper ( 13 ), and in that a closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′) is arranged on at least one side of the conveying apparatus ( 10 ), which closing apparatus ( 15 ,  15 ′) has tongs-shaped closing tools ( 19 ,  19 ′) for laterally closing the product ( 14 ) or cover sheet ( 21 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the closing tool ( 19 ,  19 ′) moves parallel to the conveying path ( 11 ) and synchronously with the products ( 14 ). 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the closing tools ( 19 ,  19 ′) are fastened to a carrying element ( 16 ,  16 ′) which is guided around two deflecting wheels ( 17 ,  18 ;  17 ′,  18 ′) in the manner of an endless belt. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in one of  claim 13 , wherein the closing tools ( 19 ,  19 ′) each include two clamping jaws ( 25 ,  26 ) which can be pivoted with respect to one another about a common pivot axis ( 29 ) and on which elements ( 30 ,  31 ) for mechanically closing the cover sheet ( 21 ) are arranged. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the elements for mechanically closing the cover sheet ( 21 ) comprise perforation elements ( 30 ) on one clamping jaw ( 25 ) and associated openings ( 31 ) on an other clamping jaw ( 26 ). 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the conveying apparatus ( 32 ,  36 ,  40 ) is configured for conveying the products ( 14 ) in an overlapping stream, and in that a closing apparatus ( 33 ,  37 ,  44 ) is arranged at least on one side of the conveying apparatus ( 32 ,  36 ,  40 ), which closing apparatus ( 33 ,  37 ,  44 ) has an upper part ( 39 ;  46 ) and a lower part ( 38 ,  45 ), between which the product ( 14 ) is guided through in the conveying apparatus ( 32 ,  36 ,  40 ). 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the upper and lower parts are configured as closing tools ( 39 ,  46 ) and rolls ( 38 ,  45 ) which rotate in opposite directions and synchronously with the products. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the closing tool ( 39 ) and the roll ( 38 ) are displaced with respect to one another in order to exert pressure on the cover sheet ( 21 ).