The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 25, 1999
Klemens Kemmerer, Seligenstadt, DE;
Harald Bayer, Rodgau, DE;
MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG, , DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus turning a sheet in a printing machine. More specifically, a swing arm is provided to grip a trailing edge of a sheet delivered on a first cylinder and transfer the gripped edge to a second cylinder. The invention provides low-outlay sheet-turning apparatus which provides smear-free sheet transportation. In conjunction with the swing arm, the second cylinder has secant-like flattened sections, or a non-circular cross-section, forming clearance areas within an outer circumference of the second cylinder as defined by a rotary path of radially outward portions of the second cylinder. In face-and-reverse printing mode, these clearances enable the swing arm to synchronously travel a sheet-feed path which intersects the circumference of the second cylinder. With this motion the swing arm draws the sheet from the first cylinder in a substantially tangential manner, avoiding dramatic curving of the sheet. The swing arm deposits the transferred edge of the sheet to a gripper on the second cylinder, which carries the sheet to a downstream cylinder. When the sheet is transferred onto the downstream cylinder, it is 'turned over' relative to its initial orientation. In a face printing mode, the swing arm can be fixed in a position near the second cylinder, the swing arm having openings which deliver a flow of air against the sheet to assist in guiding the sheet onto the second cylinder.