Machine having a pneumatic drum for processing sheets of different formats

{
  "publication_number": "US9315331B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Machine having a pneumatic drum for processing sheets of different formats",
  "abstract": "A machine for processing sheets of different formats includes a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering the nozzle channels in a format-dependent way. A motor is provided to rotate the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of the pneumatic drum.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A machine for processing sheets of different formats, the machine comprising: a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering said nozzle channels in a format-dependent way, said inner sleeve being concentric with said outer sleeve, said inner sleeve having pneumatic grooves provided as circumferential grooves; and a first motor configured to rotate said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of said pneumatic drum.",
    "2. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises a control unit configured to control said first motor in such a way that once the format has been set, an angular position of said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve remains unchanged.",
    "3. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 2, wherein said first motor is controlled by said control unit in such a way that said first motor is at a rotary standstill once the format has been set.",
    "4. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 2, wherein said first motor is disposed inside said pneumatic drum.",
    "5. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 2, which further comprises a second motor configured to drive said outer sleeve, said first motor being controlled by said control unit in such a way that once the format has been set, said first motor drives said inner sleeve in synchronism with said outer sleeve being driven by said second motor.",
    "6. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 5, wherein said first motor and said second motor are disposed outside said pneumatic drum.",
    "7. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises a shaft connected to said outer sleeve for co-rotation with said outer sleeve, said inner sleeve disposed for rotation on said shaft.",
    "8. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 7, which further comprises a rotary joint disposed on said shaft.",
    "9. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 8, wherein said rotary joint is a pneumatic and electrical rotary joint.",
    "10. The sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine is a printing press, a digital printer or a die-cutting machine.",
    "11. machine for processing sheets of different formats, the machine comprising: a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering said nozzle channels in a format-dependent way, said covering segment being tightly fitted against an inner circumferential surface of said outer sleeve for selectively closing openings of said nozzle channels at said inner circumferential surface, said inner sleeve having pneumatic grooves provided as circumferential grooves; and a first motor configured to rotate said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of said pneumatic drum."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a machine having a pneumatic drum for processing sheets of different formats.\n\nThe machines include machines for printing on sheets and machines for the further processing of printed sheets. Examples are printers, printing presses and die cutting machines.\n\nThe aforementioned pneumatic drums include blower drums, suction drums, and combined blower and suction drums. Such drums are used to convey the sheets and are equipped with blown-air or suction air nozzles.\n\nSince the sheets have different formats, the nozzles that are not covered by the conveyed sheet need to be deactivated to avoid wasting compressed air or air infiltration.\n\nGerman Patent Application DE 26 44 232 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,040, describes a suction drum wherein the number of suction slots that are successively connectible to a suction line during a revolution of an outer sleeve of the drum may be varied by the insertion of pistons into channels to varying depths. The suction drum may be adapted to different formats of the sheets to be conveyed by adjusting a piston plate. The suction drum may continuously be connected to a vacuum source and may move continuously. The activation and deactivation of the suction slots occurs automatically as a result of the rotary movement of the outer sleeve.\n\nIt is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a machine having a pneumatic drum for processing sheets of different formats, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known machines of this general type.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65G 29/00",
    "B41F 21/102",
    "B65H 2406/362",
    "B65H 29/243",
    "B65H 5/226"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65G 29/00",
    "B41F 21/08",
    "B41F 21/10",
    "B65H 29/24",
    "B65H 5/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Michael Gieser",
    "Michael Krueger",
    "Helmut Meyer"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-03-11",
  "publication_date": "2016-04-19",
  "grant_date": "2016-04-19",
  "priority_date": "2013-03-11",
  "application_number": "US-201414204368-A",
  "family_id": "51385638",
  "cited_by_count": 13,
  "citations": [
    "DE2644232A1",
    "US4145040A",
    "US4121819A",
    "US4202542A",
    "US4437659A",
    "US5183252A",
    "US5228391A",
    "US6038976A",
    "DE19954390C1",
    "EP1099552A2",
    "US6722652B2",
    "US6676787B2",
    "US8177231B2"
  ]
}