Arrangement for separating a selectable number of sheets from the main output of a printing press under predetermined operating conditions

Claim 2

In a printing arrangement having sheets passing along a predetermined path past a predetermined location, means furnishing a synchronizing signal upon passage of each of said sheets past said predetermined location, first counting means for counting said synchronizing signals and furnishing counting signals corresponding to the number of so-counted synchronizing signals, a first output station for receiving acceptable printed sheets and a second output station for receiving unacceptable printed sheets, a method for transporting a selectable number of sheets to said second output station upon occurrence of any one of a plurality of predetermined operating conditions, comprising, in combination, the steps of blocking said synchronizing signals from said first counting means until occurrence of one of said predetermined operating conditions; automatically setting said first counting means to said selected number and transporting said sheets to said second output station upon occurrence of any one of said predetermined operating conditions; thereafter applying said synchronizing signals to said first counting means until said counting signal is a predetermined counting siGnal signifying a predetermined final count; and transporting said sheets to said first output station in response to said predetermined counting signal.

Claim 3

A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined counting signal is a signal signifying a zero count.

Claim 4

A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said predetermined operating conditions comprise the starting of said printing arrangement, restarting of said printing arrangement following a malfunction, receipt of an externally applied control signal at an arbitrary time instant, and following the receipt of a preselected number of sheets at said first output station.

Claim 5

In printing equipment having sheets passing along a predetermined path past a predetermined location, and having a first output station for receiving acceptable printed sheets and a second output station for receiving unacceptable printed sheets, an arrangement for transporting a selectable number of said sheets to said second output station upon occurrence of any one of a plurality of predetermined operating conditions, comprising, in combination, means for furnishing a synchronizing signal upon passage of each of said sheets past said predetermined location; first counting means having a reverse counting input, a plurality of setting inputs and an initial counting state; first logic circuit means for furnishing a first control signal upon occurrence of any one of said predetermined operating conditions; code switch means externally settable to a selected one of a plurality of numbers, for presetting said first counting means to said so-selected number in response to said first control signal; second logic circuit means connected to said first counting means for furnishing an initial count signal when said first counting means is in said initial counting state; third logic circuit means having a first, second and third input respectively connected to said first logic circuit means, said means for furnishing synchronizing signals and said second logic circuit means, and an output connected to said reverse counting input of said first counting means, for furnishing said synchronizing signals to said reverse counting input only in the absence of said first control signal and said initial count signal; and control means responsive to said initial count signal for controlling the transport of said sheets to said first output station in response to said initial count signal and to said second output station in the absence of said initial count signal.

Claim 6

In printing equipment having sheets passing along a predetermined path past a predetermined location, and having a first output station for receiving acceptable printed sheets and a second output station for receiving unacceptable printed sheets, an arrangement for transporting a selectable number of said sheets to said second output station upon occurrence of any one of a plurality of predetermined operating conditions, comprising, in combination, means for furnishing a synchronizing signal upon passage of each of said sheets past said predetermined location; first counting means having a reverse counting input, a plurality of setting inputs and an initial counting state; first logic circuit means for furnishing a first control signal upon occurrence of any one of said predetermined operating conditions; code switch means externally settable to a selected one of a plurality of numbers, for presetting said first counting means to said so-selected number in response to said first control signal; second logic circuit means connected to said first counting means for furnishing an initial count signal when said first counting means is in said initial counting state; third logic circuit means having a first, second and third input respectively connected to said first logic circuit means, said means for furnishing synchronizing signals and said second logic circuit means, and an output connected to said reverse counting input of said first counting means, for furnishing said synchronizing signals to said reverse counting input only in the absence of said first control signal and said initial count signal; and control means responsive to said initial count signal for controlling the transport of said sheets to said first output station in response to said initial count signal and to said second output station in the absence of said initial count signal.

Claim 7

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further comprising second counting means having a counting input directly connected to said means for furnishing synchronizing signals and a plurality of counting outputs, each for furnishing a counting signal signifying a corresponding number of received synchronizing signals; selector switch means having a selector output, for connecting a selected one of said counting outputs of said second counting means to said first logic circuit means in such a manner that said first logic circuit means furnishes said control signal upon occurrence of said counting signal at said so-selected counting output.

Claim 8

An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first logic circuit means comprise an OR-gate having a plurality of inputs and an output, for furnishing said first control signal at said output upon receipt of a signal at at least one of said plurality of inputs.

Claim 9

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a source of voltage, and externally activatable switch means for interconnecting said source of voltage to a selected one of said inputs of said OR-gate, whereby said control signal is furnished in response to external activation of said switch means.

Claim 10

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said printing equipment comprises means furnishing a blocking signal indicative of blocking of said first output station; and means for applying said blocking signal to a corresponding one of said inputs of sAid OR-gate, whereby said control signal is furnished in response to said blocking signal.

Claim 11

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said third logic circuit means comprise an AND-gate.

Claim 12

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first counting means comprise a plurality of bistable stages each of said bistable stages having a SET input connected to a corresponding output of said code switch means, a reverse counting input and a reset input.

Claim 13

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said code switch means comprise a plurality of step switch means, each of said step switch means having a selector arm, and means mechanically coupling said selector arms for simultaneous operation in response to external activation.