FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for gluing a plurality of folded papers over a running web. In particular, the present invention relates to the apparatus and the method for gluing a plurality of folded Glazed News Print (GNP) over a longitudinally moving web.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the printing industry, it is a common practice to provide an additional page over the regular newsprint or magazine for advertisement purposes. In case of newsprint publications, this additional paper may be glued on top a travelling web of a paper or like material. The additional paper that is pasted are generally single page GNP, glued longitudinally along the edge of the newspaper. But, there is a need in the printing industry to provide additional papers pasted on top of the newspaper in a cost-effective manner.

[0003] Such a newsprint publication may comprise for example a plurality of folded GNP pasted on top of the regular newspaper. It is desirable in such a newsprint publication to have several pages of coated paper to accommodate and attract advertisers desiring glossy, multicolor advertising entries. In the past these additional pages have been provided by separately printing, folding, and cutting one or more coated webs, placing the coated products in inventory, separately printing, folding, and cutting one or more newsprint webs, bringing the coated and newsprint products together in a stapling or gluing operation. This separate printing of the coated and newsprint webs, followed by the final gluing of the coated and newsprint products together to form the newsprint publication, is extremely expensive and time-consuming.

[0004] In light of the above, there is a need for a solution that provides an effective solution for gluing multiple pages over a continuously running web.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, an web folding apparatus for gluing a plurality of folded papers over a longitudinally moving web is disclosed. The web folding apparatus includes a first running web configured to pass through a first set of formers and a second running web configured to pass through a second set of formers. The web folding apparatus also includes a gluing apparatus configured to apply glue between the first running web and the second running web. The gluing apparatus is positioned in a predefined location facilitating in pasting the second running web over the first running web continuously over a longitudinally moving web.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined position of the gluing apparatus is after the first set of formers and second set of formers and between the first running web and the second running web.

[0007] Further, nipping rollers are placed after the gluing apparatus to paste the first running web and the second running web by pushing the first running web and the second running web together after application of the glue for a predefined thickness. The predefined thickness is within a range of 2-7 mm. [0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gluing apparatus includes a glue pump, glue gun and control panel.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first running web is at least one of: Standard News Print (SNP) and Glazed News Paper (GNP). Further, the second running web is at least one of: Standard News Print (SNP) and Glazed News Paper (GNP).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of web folding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0013] The present invention would now be discussed in the context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0014] An offset printing press includes a former plate which may be triangular in shape and located above a plurality of nip rollers of a nip rolling assembly. The nipping rollers are pressure rollers that push a web towards the running direction and maintains the tension of the web. The web refers to a moving printing material that passes through various assemblies undergoing different transformations before being made into a readable material. The term "longitudinally moving web" is alternatively referred to herein as "moving web" or "running web". The former plate is mounted on the former plate fixing shaft. The offset printing press may be provided with a web folding apparatus.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the web folding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The web folding apparatus may include an adjustable folding assembly (102), a folding nose assembly, a first set of formers (104a), a second set of formers (104b), a plurality of nipping rollers (106) and a plurality of cylinders (108). The web folding may also include a first running web (112) and a second running web (110).

[0016] The first running web (112) and the second running web (110) may travel through the printing unit, where the paper may get printed. Further, the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) may pass through a plurality of turner Bars and folder super structure. Furthermore, the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) may pass through a plurality of formers. Also, from Roller on Top of Former (RTF), the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) may get their first fold through former and then the folded first running web (112) and the second running web (110) passes through a plurality of nipping rollers. In an embodiment of the present invention, the folding nose assembly may support the adjustable folding assembly in web folding.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first running web (112) may be a Standard News Print (SNP) or Glazed News Paper (GNP). Similarly, the second running web (110) may be a Standard News Print (SNP) or Glazed News Paper (GNP).

[0018] In operation, a first running web (112) may be configured to pass through the first set of formers (104a) and the second running web (110) configured to pass through the second set of formers (104b). Further, the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) may then pass downwardly over a plurality of guide rollers. The guide rollers facilitate in passing through the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) through the nipping rollers (106). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first running web (112) may be a 4 page Glazed News Print (GNP) and the second running web (110) may be a multiple page folded newsprint.

[0019] Further, the gluing apparatus (114) may be positioned in a predefined location facilitating in pasting the second running web (110) over the first running web (112) continuously over a longitudinally moving web. Furthermore, the gluing apparatus may be configured to apply glue between the first running web (112) and the second running web (110). The gluing apparatus (114) may be positioned after the first set of formers (104a) and second set of formers (104b).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gluing apparatus (114) consists of a glue Pump, a glue Gun and a control panel. The Glue gun is operated according the speed of the Press. After reaching a specific speed, the selected glue guns get ON and while stopping after reaching a specific speed, the glue gun switched OFF. Further, the operation of the gluing apparatus (114) may be adjusted via control panel. The control panel may be touch screen activated.

[0021] The gluing apparatus (114) may apply an adhesive along longitudinal lines on the running webs (110 and 112). In an embodiment of the present invention, the gluing apparatus (114) may apply the adhesive at an edge of the second running web (110) longitudinally. In an embodiment of the present invention, nipping rollers may be placed after the gluing apparatus (114) to paste the first running web (112) and the second running web (110) by pushing the first running web (112) and the second running web (114) together after application of the glue for a predefined thickness. The predefined thickness is within a range of 2-7 mm. [0022] The completed news book includes the GNP glued on top of a plurality of folded papers. In an embodiment of the present invention, the GNP is a 4-page GNP. The GNP is glued longitudinally along the edge of the plurality of folded papers. The GNP and the plurality of folded papers are bound along a common longitudinal edge.

[0023] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.

[0024] The invention provides a method and apparatus for producing a news book of folded pages along with a 4-page GNP in a cost-effective manner. More specifically, the invention will be seen to provide a method and apparatus for producing a book of interspersed coated and newsprint pages in which the book is produced in a total, continuous on-press run. The invention allows the ready and inexpensive provision of a book having a number of glossy coated pages so as to enhance the attractiveness of the book to advertisers by offering a relatively large quantity of glossy, four-color advertising space. [0025] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.