EP0096564A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forms manufacturing system
Assignee: Harris Graphics Corp
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Filing: 1983-06-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for manufacturing multi-part forms (F1, F2, F3 in Figure 3) uses web presses (Fig. 2) having printing stations and processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images, and uses a collator (Fig. 2) to assemble related webs from said presses, and to perform additional operations on assembled webs in registry with images thereon. A digital job description of a form is created, including location of printed images on several parts of the form and location of process items, e.g. perforations, holes, or cuts on parts of the form. This job description is stored in the memory of a computer (PR-2 in Fig. 2) with a job identifying code. Also, a digital description is created of images to be printed on the form, and stored in memory with the job identifying number. Image descriptions are recalled from memory and used to create printing plates for the presses and to pre-set printing and processing sections of a press for each part of the form. The form parts are then produced on the presses and supplied to the collator. The job description is recalled from memory and used to pre-set stations of the collator to assemble and complete processing of the multi-part forms. The computer also gathers and stores management data as the presses and collator operate, keeps a record of suppliesl tools needed for each job and makes this information available to operators through terminals, and maintains records of jobs entered, work in process, and jobs shipped.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Barrera
- 👤 Robert A. Dessert
- 👤 Richard A. Gaspar
- 👤 Richard T. Laubach
- 👤 Dinesh G. Punater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:23
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F17/00; B41F17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A process for manufacturing multi-part forms using at least one web press having one or more printing stations and one or more processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images produced at a printing station,; the steps comprising a) creating a digital job description of a form including the location and content of printed images on the several parts of the form and/or the location of process items such as perforations, holes, cuts or other markings on one or more parts of the form, b) storing said job description in a digital memory with a job identifying number, c) using the job number from the memory to pre-set the printing sections and processing sections of a press for each part of the form, d) producing the several parts of the form on the press or presses, and e) assembling and completing the processing of the several parts into a quantity of multi-part forms sufficient to complete the job.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A process for manufacturing multi-part forms using at least one web press having one or more printing stations and one or more processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images produced at a printing station,; the steps comprising a) creating a digital job description of a form including the location and content of printed images on the several parts of the form and/or the location of process items such as perforations, holes, cuts or other markings on one or more parts of the form, b) storing said job description in a digital memory with a job identifying number, c) using the job number from the memory to pre-set the printing sections and processing sections of a press for each part of the form, d) producing the several parts of the form on the press or presses, and e) assembling and completing the processing of the several parts into a quantity of multi-part forms sufficient to complete the job.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process as in claim 1, also using a collator having a collating station at which job related webs from said press or presses are assembled in registry and having one or more processing stations at which additional operations are performed on the assembled webs in registry with a series of printed images thereon; the additional steps comprising f) using the digital job description to pre-set the processing stations of the collator, and g) performing the assembling and completing the processing of step (e) on the collator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as defined in claims 1 or 2, including the further step of using the digital descriptions from the memory to make printing plates for use in the printing stations of a press.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process as defined in claim 3, including the further step of gathering production data during the steps of creating the job description, making the printing plates, pre-setting the press and producing the form parts, or pre-setting the collator and completing processing of the forms, and storing the gathered production data in a digital memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a forms plant including a first terminal (CT) for generating data describing the composition and arrangement of a business form, a computer (PR-2) receiving data from said first terminal and having at least one data output line, said computer functioning to prepare job instructions from the data, a data processor (DB) communicating with one of said data output lines and functioning to store makeready data, and a microprocessor controller (PMST) receiving the makeready data from said data processor and transmitting the makeready data to a plurality of power operated adjustment devices (Figs. 8 and 9) on a web processing machine upon command of the operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a forms plant including a first terminal (CT) for generating data describing the composition and arrangement of a business form, a computer (PR-2) receiving data from said first terminal and having at least one data output line, said computer functioning to prepare job instructions from the data, a data processor (DB) communicating with one of said data output lines and functioning to store makeready data, and a microprocessor controller (PMST) receiving the makeready data from said data processor and transmitting the makeready data to a plurality of power operated adjustment devices (Figs. 8 and 9) on a web processing machine upon command of the operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A forms plants as defined in claim 5, also including means including a photocomposing device (PC-1) functioning to produce one or more printing plates to provide a press with print information to complete part of a job.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
A forms plant as defined in claim 5, said first terminal including data input means for determining in digital form certain parameters of the layout of a form to be produced, a memory associated with the data processor for storing information pertaining to the parameters concerning the content of a form and for supplying information to produce the form; a web processing machine (Figs. 2 and 10) for receiving at least one portion of said information for producing the form, including a plurality of stations (12--45) arranged along a path and having apparatus adapted to operate on the material to be moved through the machine along such path; said stations including the adjustment devices (Figs. 11-14) for positioning parts of the apparatus laterally or circumferentially relative to the path the material travels through the machine; control means (Figs. 8 and 9) responsive to makeready position signals for controlling the settings of said adjustment devices, and means (MP-5) for generating makeready position signals from said stored information and supplying such signals to said control means to preset said adjustment devices in accordance with the parameters of the form to be produced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A forms production system as defined in claim 7 wherein said data input means includes: means for supplying a job number to said computer for storage in said memory in association with form content parameters stored in said memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A forms production system as defined in claims 7 or 8 also including: production monitoring means for monitoring the production of printed material produced by said machine including means for receiving information concerning production runs and for terminating the production runs when they have been achieved; and means for supplying production run information to said computer for storage in said memory in association with the job number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A forms production system as defined in claim 7 including: means for supplying storeroom information, press tooling information, material information and print color information to said computer for storage of such information in memory in association with said job number, and output means coupled to said computer for providing a visual display of information concerning press tooling, material and color, and storage information concerning supplies and/or material needed for the job along with the associated job number prior to the application of the control signals to said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
200 words
A printing system as defined in claims 7 or 8 wherein said machine is a web press, and further including: a collator (Figs. 2 and 22) having a plurality of stations (120, 130) through which a plurality of the webs are adapted to be transported including a first station (120) at which the webs are collated and subsequent stations (132-145) including apparatus for operating simultaneously on said webs to produce physical changes therein; said apparatus including collator adjustment means (Fig. 24) at certain of said stations for changing the lateral or circumferential position of the apparatus relative to the path of movement of the webs; adjustment control means (PMSI-IV) coupled to said collator adjustment means for controlling the position of the adjustment means and responsive to control signals derived from information stored in said memory; means for supplying information concerning the operation of said collator for storage in said memory in association with a job number; and said computer (PR-2) being coupled to said collator adjustment control means for associating the collator with a job number and for applying control signals for presetting the collator adjustment means in accordance with job parameters in said memory associated with said job number.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A printing system as defined in claim 11 including: means for supplying information concerning collator tooling to said computer means for storage in said memory means in association with a job number, and output means coupled to said computer means for providing visual display of such information along with an associated job number prior to the application of control signals to said collator adjustment control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for producing forms comprising: a machine (Fig. 10 or Fig. 22) for producing forms including means for transporting material along a given path and a plurality of stations along the path for consecutively performing repetitive operations on the material, each station including mechanism for operating repetitively on the material as a step in the production of a form and certain of said stations including at least one adjustment means for laterally and/or circumferentially adjusting the operation of the mechanism relative to the path of travel of the material; forms composing means (PR-1) for identifying certain parameters of a form to be produced relative to said adjustment means and the path of travel of the material and a memory for storing such parameters; control means, (PMST-I, II, etc.) responsive to position signals, for positioning the adjustment means; and computer means, responsive to a command signal, for generating position signals from the parameters stored in said memory and applying the position signals to said control means for automatically positioning the adjustment means in accordance with the specified form to be produced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for producing forms comprising: a machine (Fig. 10 or Fig. 22) for producing forms including means for transporting material along a given path and a plurality of stations along the path for consecutively performing repetitive operations on the material, each station including mechanism for operating repetitively on the material as a step in the production of a form and certain of said stations including at least one adjustment means for laterally and/or circumferentially adjusting the operation of the mechanism relative to the path of travel of the material; forms composing means (PR-1) for identifying certain parameters of a form to be produced relative to said adjustment means and the path of travel of the material and a memory for storing such parameters; control means, (PMST-I, II, etc.) responsive to position signals, for positioning the adjustment means; and computer means, responsive to a command signal, for generating position signals from the parameters stored in said memory and applying the position signals to said control means for automatically positioning the adjustment means in accordance with the specified form to be produced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus for producing forms as set forth in claim 13 including: said forms composing means includes a digital processor cooperating with said memory, and means for supplying a job number to said processor for storage in said memory in association with parameters stored in said memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for producing forms as set forth in claims 13 or 14 including: production control means associated with said computer for monitoring and controlling the production of printed material produced by said machine including means for receiving information concerning (a) production runs of said machine in association with a job number and/or (b) concerning the operation of said forms composing means, and for storing such information in said memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for producing forms as set forth in claim 13 wherein said machine is a forms printing press and includes; means for supplying storeroom information, press tooling information, material information and print color information to said computer for storing such information in memory in association with said job number, and output terminal means coupled to said computer for providing a visual display of information concerning press tooling, material and color, along with the associated job number prior to the application of the control signals to said adjustment control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for producing forms as set forth in claim 13 wherein said machine is a collator in which a plurality of printed webs are adapted to be collated; means for supplying information concerning printed material on the webs and collator tooling information to said computer for storage in said memory in association with a job number, and output terminal means coupled to said computer for providing visual display of information concerning collator tooling and printed material to be collated along with an associated job number prior to the application of control signals to said adjustment control means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
326 words
A printing system for use in a forms plant such as in claim 5, comprising: a plurality of printing presses, each having a plurality of stations through which web material is transported, each of said stations including mechanism for operating repetitively on the material to produce printed matter or related physical changes on the material, certain of said stations including adjustment means for locating the lateral or circumferential position of the mechanism relative to the path of movement of said material; a plurality of adjustment control means, a separate one for each of said adjustment means, each of said adjustment control means being responsive to control signals for controlling the position of its connected adjustment means; a plurality of processors, a separate one for eac.; of said printing presses, coupled to each of the adjustment control means on its respective press for providing control signals thereto to position the associated adjustment means; editing means having a visual display for designinc the layout of information to be printed and including means for identification of certain parameters for use in presetting said press adjustment means according to a desired layout, which parameters along with the information to be printed and an associated job identification number are adapted to be stored in memory; circuit means coupled to said editing means for supplying said print information in digital form for use in plate making; a central computer including a memory, coupled to said editing means for receiving and storing the parameters in the memory with the associated job number; terminal means coupled to said central computer for supplying information concerning production, supply and tooling for storage in said central computer memory in association with the corresponding job number; and circuit means coupling said central computer to each of said plurality of press processors for supplying the parameters from memory to a selected press and to enable said press processor to automatically preset said adjustment means in accordance with said parameters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A printing system as defined in claim 18 including: production control means for each of said presses connected to monitor the production of printed material produced by said presses, including means for receiving information concerning production runs of said presses and for terminating a production run which has been achieved by a press; and means for supplying production run information to said central computer means for storage in the memory of a press computer in association with a job number.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing system as defined in claim 19 including: wherein said production control means at said press includes means subject to command for determining the status of the press including makeready, stop, maintenance and time to complete production run and providing information concerning the press status to said central computer, and wherein said central computer analyzes the press status information in selecting the press for a job.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
A printing system comprising: data input means for recording in memory parameters of the layout of printed matter to be produced including a computer, and memory means for storing information pertaining to the parameters; a machine for receiving said information for producing the printed matter, including a plurality of stations arranged along a path and having apparatus adapted to operate on the material to be moved through the machine along such path; said stations including adjustment devices for positioning parts of the apparatus laterally or circumferentially relative to the path the material travels through the machine; control means responsive to makeready position signals for controlling the settings of said adjustment devices, and means for generating makeready position signals from the stored information and supplying such signals to said control means to preset said adjustment devices in accordance with the parameters of the printed matter to be produced.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
147 words
A printing system comprising: data input means for recording in memory parameters of the layout of printed matter to be produced including a computer, and memory means for storing information pertaining to the parameters; a machine for receiving said information for producing the printed matter, including a plurality of stations arranged along a path and having apparatus adapted to operate on the material to be moved through the machine along such path; said stations including adjustment devices for positioning parts of the apparatus laterally or circumferentially relative to the path the material travels through the machine; control means responsive to makeready position signals for controlling the settings of said adjustment devices, and means for generating makeready position signals from the stored information and supplying such signals to said control means to preset said adjustment devices in accordance with the parameters of the printed matter to be produced.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a forms plant including departments for production supervision, sales/estimating, composition, accounting, a manufacturing department having at least one forms press and one collator, a supply department for storing ink, paper, and other supplies and including a receiving area, and a shipping department; the improvement comprising a computer including a CPU, a memory providing means for storing an integrated data base for jobs, and a plurality of terminals for use by the departments to enter order and design information, job instructions, and the like under a job identification code; an interactive control for the press and the collator including an operator console, a microprocessor controller, power operated adjustors on the press and the collator and drivable by said controller, and means on the press and the collator providing feedback data to said controller; and means providing data communication between said computer and said controller, whereby a unique data base may be created in said memory for each form manufacturing job and may be utilized and/or added to by each department as the job progresses through the plant..
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a forms plant including departments for production supervision, sales/estimating, composition, accounting, a manufacturing department having at least one forms press and one collator, a supply department for storing ink, paper, and other supplies and including a receiving area, and a shipping department; the improvement comprising a computer including a CPU, a memory providing means for storing an integrated data base for jobs, and a plurality of terminals for use by the departments to enter order and design information, job instructions, and the like under a job identification code; an interactive control for the press and the collator including an operator console, a microprocessor controller, power operated adjustors on the press and the collator and drivable by said controller, and means on the press and the collator providing feedback data to said controller; and means providing data communication between said computer and said controller, whereby a unique data base may be created in said memory for each form manufacturing job and may be utilized and/or added to by each department as the job progresses through the plant..
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
102 words
A forms production system for use in controlling a machine which has a plurality of stations arranged along a path with apparatus adapted to operate on the material to be moved through the machine along such path, said system comprising: adjustment devices adapted to position parts of the apparatus laterally or circumferentially; control means responsive to makeready position signals for controlling the settings of said adjustment devices, and means for generating makeready position signals from said stored information and supplying such signals to said control means to preset said adjustment devices in accordance with the parameters of the form to be produced.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
102 words
A forms production system for use in controlling a machine which has a plurality of stations arranged along a path with apparatus adapted to operate on the material to be moved through the machine along such path, said system comprising: adjustment devices adapted to position parts of the apparatus laterally or circumferentially; control means responsive to makeready position signals for controlling the settings of said adjustment devices, and means for generating makeready position signals from said stored information and supplying such signals to said control means to preset said adjustment devices in accordance with the parameters of the form to be produced.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus for producing forms as set forth in claim 23 including: production control means associated with said computer for monitoring and controlling the production of printed material produced by the machine including means for receiving information concerning makeready and/or running of said machine in association with a job number, and for storing such information in said memory.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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