EP0038277B1 - Machine for forming a tubular profile - Google Patents

Abstract

In a machine for forming a continuous tube which is then cut up into sections, for example to make containers, a plurality of bands of fibrous, cellulosic, metallic, plastic or other material are drawn from supply reels and pass through a gluing and labelling section where adhesive is applied to one side of the bands and labels are applied to the outer face of the center band. After application of the adhesive and labels, the bands, while continuing to move forwardly, are assembled in superposed relation with the bands laterally displaced relative to one another so that the edges of the assembly of bands are stepped. The bands are pressed together in a narrow central width only so as to bond central portions together while leaving side portions unbonded. The band assembly is then progressively formed into tubular profile, thereby bringing opposite side edges together, and subjected to pressure to bond the bands together throughout their width, bond side edges together and impart the finished shape, which may be circular or polygonal. The tubular profile thus formed is cut into sections while it continues to move forwardly and the sections are discharged from the machine.

Description

The invention relates to a machine for the continuous forming of a tubular profile consisting of several strips glued together, these strips being made of fibrous, cellulosic, metallic, plastic and other materials allowing the carrying out of a forming process according to which the assembly of the strips, offset laterally with respect to each other and previously coated with glue on at least one of their faces, is produced initially over a small width and then extended to the entire perimeter of the tubular section being formed by helical progression of this assembly width, helical progression constituted by the combination, on the one hand, of the lateral extension of the assembly width and, on the other hand, of the continuous advance of all of the bands, this machine comprising a gluing station, a press, a forming device, a train of pressure diabolos, a cutting device and a discharge device.

Already known from US-A-3942 418, a machine for the continuous forming of tubular section consisting of several strips. This machine comprises a frame having a table crossed by a pivot. On this pivot can pivot a horizontal support to form a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the machine. On this support are arranged two drums movable in rotation and connected together by a belt. This is partially wrapped around a spindle, one end of which is engaged in the headstock. The two drums are placed on either side of the spindle. The angular position of these drums and their speed of rotation are a function of the diameter of the tubular element as well as the thickness of the wall. By giving the drums a certain angular position, the belt describes a helical movement causing, on the one hand, a helical winding of the various strips of metal and other paper previously provided with a layer of glue and, on the other hand, the continuous advance of the tubular element on the spindle. This machine comprises a multiple cutting device subjected to a displacement in the axis of advance of the tubular element, therefore the variable advance and cutting speeds are synchronized with the speed of advance of the tubular element by l 'Intermediate drive and control means requested by the forming means of said tubular member.

Document FR-A-2 370 581 discloses a practically identical machine provided with a cutting device for tubular elements made of cardboard and similar materials comprising control means urged by pins arranged on the tubular element provided labels respectively by the front edge of said tubular element actuating a device for translating the carriage provided with at least one cutting element, the speed of advance of which is regulated by a synchronization assembly. These control means are a guide gun provided with a locating means such as a photoelectric cell moving along a groove produced in said gun by manual adjustment and / or by servo-control by the through a micromotor.

However, these machines only allow the production of tubular profiles having a round section.

Furthermore, machines are also known which allow the manufacture of tubular profiles having a square and / or rectangular section. These profiles are made up of a plurality of layers of fibrous, cellulosic, metallic and plastic strips. The width of each strip is increased according to the thickness of the material used. Each strip is offset laterally with respect to the neighboring strip. For this purpose, there is known, according to document US-A2-256 263, a method and an apparatus for the formation of paper hollow bodies.

The process described in this patent consists in continuously bringing in several superimposed strips of paper whose edges are offset laterally and gradually. Liquid adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the strips with the intention of making them adhere to each other. The bands are compressed together to form a continuous multi-ply band having pinnate or offset edges in opposite directions while continuing the continuous movement of the multi-ply band. The multi-ply tape is gradually shaped into a tube when the adhesive between the plies is wet. We butt the edges offset in opposite directions to form a continuous tube of uniform thickness over the length. Heat is applied to the tube while moving it longitudinally and maintaining its tubular shape to force the adhesive to harden and maintain said tubular shape, then the continuous tube is cut into lengths of tubular bodies.

To carry out this process, a machine composed of a rack was designed in which several rolls of paper strips are supported. These strips of paper pass through a gluing station which has trays that are not adjustable in height and gluing is done by simply passing the strip over a roller without the possibility of coating the front and back of each strip with glue. Therefore, it is necessary to provide one tray per strip.

The machine further comprises a press to which the different bands are then directed. The press has a lower roller and an upper roller. The assembly of the different strips is provided over their entire width to form a compact strip or with multiple pleats, the plies of which adhere to one another in a superimposed state.

The compact ply band thus obtained then passes through a forming device. comprising an external forming mandrel and an internal forming mandrel and the compact multiple ply strip gradually changes its shape, that is to say passes from a flat strip with multiple pleats to a cylindrical tube.

Then, the cylindrical tube is directed into a drying oven comprising a train of pressure diabolos arranged at the upper, lower and at the lateral parts of the tube to keep it in shape until the adhesive dries.

As soon as it comes out of the oven, the tube passes through a cutting device comprising a circular saw driven by a motor mounted on a carriage moving longitudinally at the same speed as that of the tube, which makes it possible to cut the tube into unitary elements which are evacuated from the machine by an evacuation device with an endless belt conveyor. The circular saw cutting the tube must have a radius greater than the diameter of the tube. Therefore, the diameter of the tube is limited because it is not possible to give the circular saw too large a diameter.

However, it has been found that during forming, the outer strip is subjected to a spacing force while the inner strip is crumpled.

To overcome this drawback, a new process has been devised according to which the assembly of the strips, offset laterally with respect to each other and previously coated with glue on at least one of their faces, is initially carried out on a small width and then extended to the entire perimeter of the tubular section being formed by a helical progression of this assembly width. The helical progression is obtained as a result of the combination of two movements, namely, on the one hand, the lateral extension of the assembly width and, on the other hand, the continuous advance of all of the bands. Thus, the different bands can deploy laterally as the assembly area widens.

Although the lateral deployment is very low, it is sufficient to avoid any wrinkling of the internal surface of the tubular profile and to eliminate any effort of spacing the outer strip.

The present invention aims to provide a machine for manufacturing tubular elements in accordance with this new process. The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of creating a machine for the continuous forming of tubular profiles made up of several strips glued together, machine essentially having a press, ensuring the partial gluing of the different strips over a small width while the ends situated on either side of this partial bonding remain independent of each other, press followed by the means, making it possible to widen the bonding zone while ensuring the continuous advance of the set of bands, and a train of pressure diabolos for the finishing of the tubular profile, the end-to-end bonding of the side edges placed upstream of a device for cutting multiple peripheral cuts.

The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist essentially in that the tubular profile is more resistant due to the fact that the spacing force has been eliminated for the outer strip and that the internal surface is smooth and not wrinkled, which avoids that the inner strip does not come off the underlying strip.

• La figure 1 représente, par un schéma synoptique, l'ensemble de la machine pour faciliter la position des différentes parties représentées dans les autres figures par rapport audit ensemble ;
• la figure 2 représente, en vue en élévation, un dévidoir suivi d'un poste d'encollage et d'étiquetage ;
• la figure 3 représente, en vue en plan, un dispositif de formage ;
• la figure 4 représente, en vue en élévation, le même dispositif de formage ;
• la figure 5 représente, en vue en élévation, un sous-ensemble de la machine disposé en aval du dispositif de formage ;
• la figure 6 représente, en vue en plan, le même sous-ensemble ;
• la figure 7 représente, en vue en élévation, le mécanisme d'entraînement du profilé tubulaire ;
• la figure 8 représente, en vue en élévation, le dispositif de fermeture du mécanisme d'entraînement ;
• la figure 9 représente, en vue en élévation, un train de diabolos de pression permettant la finition du profilé tubulaire ;
• la figure 10 représente, en vue de gauche, le premier train de pression ;
• la figure 11 représente, en vue en élévation, une tourelle porte-glissière entraînant en rotation des tourelles de coupe ;
• la figure 12 représente, en vue en élévation, des mandrins de formage ;
• la figure 13 représente, en vue en élévation, le mécanisme d'entraînement des tourelles de coupe ;
• la figure 14 représente, en vue en élévation, un dispositif de coupe ;
• la figure 15 représente, en vue en élévation, le dispositif d'évacuation ;
• la figure 16 représente en vue de gauche, le même dispositif d'évacuation.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of drawings representing only one embodiment.

• Figure 1 shows, by a block diagram, the whole machine to facilitate the position of the different parts shown in the other figures with respect to said assembly;
• 2 shows, in elevation view, a reel followed by a gluing and labeling station;
• Figure 3 shows, in plan view, a forming device;
• Figure 4 shows, in elevational view, the same forming device;
• FIG. 5 represents, in elevation view, a sub-assembly of the machine arranged downstream of the forming device;
• Figure 6 shows, in plan view, the same sub-assembly;
• Figure 7 shows, in elevational view, the drive mechanism of the tubular profile;
• FIG. 8 shows, in elevation view, the device for closing the drive mechanism;
• FIG. 9 represents, in elevation view, a train of pressure diabolos allowing the finishing of the tubular profile;
• Figure 10 shows, in left view, the first pressure train;
• Figure 11 shows, in elevational view, a slide turret driving in rotation cutting turrets;
• FIG. 12 represents, in elevation view, forming mandrels;
• Figure 13 shows, in elevational view, the drive mechanism of the cutting turrets;
• FIG. 14 represents, in elevation view, a cutting device;
• FIG. 15 represents, in elevation view, the evacuation device;
• Figure 16 shows in left view, the same evacuation device.

We refer to figure 1.

The machine, allowing the manufacture of tubular profiles intended for the realization of packaging and made up of several strips glued in fibrous, cellulosic, metallic, plastic and other materials, is made up of several assemblies arranged one behind the other in the same alignment. The first set is a dispenser "A provided with a gluing and labeling station either on reel or in sheet (format). The different strips enabling the tubular profile to be produced are mounted on coils supplying the reel. These bands are coated with glue and the external face of the external strip can be provided with labels. At the exit of this assembly “A •, the different strips are directed to a forming device“ B progressively ensuring the different strips a draft of the final section of the tubular profile. Then, all of the preformed strips are directed to a mechanism “C - for driving and pinching the tubular profile. From there, the tubular profile is directed towards a train of pressure diabolos "D allowing the finishing of the tubular profile. The tubular profile produced continuously is cut in length by a set of peripheral cuts "E and the various sections are then evacuated by a dolly evacuator" F •.

We refer to figure 2.

The reel 1, the location of which is indicated in FIG. 1 by the letter "A", consists of a metal frame 2 formed by two parallel beams 3 connected to each other by crosspieces 4. On this metal frame 2 rest, successively, several pairs of frames 5, 6, 7, 8, the number of which depends on the number of superimposed strips necessary to produce the desired tubular profile. Each frame 5 to 8 consists of a post 9, 10, 11, 12 and a foot 13, 14, 15, 16 connected together by a cross member 17, 18, 19, 20. These cross members 17 to 20 serve of support to pairs of pins 21, 22, 23, 24 on which reels of webs of web material 25, 26, 27, 28 rotate. Each pin 21 to 24 is provided with a longitudinal adjustment assembly 29 making it possible to advance or to retract the reel 25 to 28 relative to the post 9 to 12. Furthermore, each spindle 21 to 24 comprises a transverse adjustment assembly 30 for positioning the reels 25 to 28. In fact, each reel is offset with respect to its neighbor. There is above the reel 1 a monorail 31 whose rail 32, on which moves a hoist 33 provided with a hook 34 on which the coil to be handled is suspended, is located in the axis of the machine 1. This monorail 31 is supported by pillars 35, 36, 37, 38. To allow the handling of the coils 25 to 28, the front end 39 of the rail 32 is upstream relative to the first frame 5 and is cantilevered relative to the first pillar 35. This front end 39 is consolidated by tie rods 40, 41.

The strip 42, coming from the first coil 25, is partially wound around a first deflection roller 43, held by bearings 44 fixed on the top 45 of the side members 3 of the metal frame 2, then around a second roller 46 held by bearings 47 also fixed on the top 45 of the housings 3.

The strip 48, coming from the second reel 26, is first wound around a third deflection roller 49 held by bearings 50 integral with the rear edge 51 of the post 10 and then around the second roller 46.

The strip 52, coming from the third reel 27, is wound around a fourth deflection roller 53 held by bearings 54 integral with the rear edge 55 of the post 11.

The strip 56 of the last reel 28 is wound around a fifth deflection roller 57, held by bearings 58 integral with the rear edge 59 of the post 12 and disposed above a sixth deflection roller 60 maintained by bearings 61. Around this return roller 60 is partially wound up the strip 48 coming from the second coil 26.

The post 12 has on its front edge 62 bearings 63 now a seventh deflection roller 64 acting on the strip 52 coming from the third reel 27.

The longitudinal members 3 of the metal frame 2 have at their rear end 65 adjustable bearings 66 now an eighth deflection roller 67 serving as a guide element for the strip 42 coming from the first reel 25.

Each strip 42, 48, 52, 56, clearly separated from one another as a result of the particular arrangement of the deflection rollers 57, 60, 64 and 67, is directed towards a gluing machine 68.

This gluing machine 68 consists of a metal frame 69 consisting of lower beams 70 connected to each other by crosspieces 71 and of upper beams 72 connected to each other by crossbeams 73. The lower beams 70 and upper 72 are connected by uprights 74, 75, 76.

The front uprights 74 serve to support a first train of guide rollers 77, 78, 79, 80 of the bands 42, 48, 52, 56. Similarly, the intermediate uprights 75 serve to support a second train of guide rollers 81, 82, 83, 84 adjustable in height to adjust the tension of the different bands 42, 48, 52, 56. There is between the front uprights 74 and the intermediate uprights 75 a labeling machine 85. This labeling machine 85, comprising a table 86 subject with a modifiable vertical movement on which the labels are placed, allows continuous labeling and / or labeling step by step and / or labeling according to a given cycle. The back of these labels, handled by a maneuvering arm 87 provided with suction cups, is coated with glue in a glue tank 88 and the labels, by means of a roller 89 and a pressure counter-roll 90, are applied against the external face 91 of the strip 42 moving between the lower guide roller 81 of the second set of rollers 81 to 84 and of an independent guide roller 92. Of course, the gluing tank 88 includes bubbling rollers 93, 94 subjected to a rotational movement.

The other strips 48, 52, 56 are directed towards glue tanks 95, 96, 97 which can be adjusted in height and sliding along slides 98, 99, 100 integral with intermediate beams 101 disposed between the intermediate uprights 75 and the rear pillars 76.

Each gluing tank 95, 96, 97 comprises a set of three deflection rollers 102, 103, 104 of a gluing roller 105 and of a bubbling roller 106 removing the glue from the tank. According to a first embodiment, the adhesive is coated with front and back of each strip or, according to a second embodiment, either the front or the back of the strip is coated with glue. Of course, all known adhesives can be used depending on the nature of the material of the strips. Thus, the glue can be identical in each gluing tank or it can be different.

The different strips 42, 48, 52, 56 coated with glue are directed towards the inlet 107 of a forming device 108.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 showing the forming device 108 whose location is indicated in Figure 1 by the letter "B". Of course, the forming relates to all strip materials, in particular metallic such as aluminum, copper and others. At the inlet 107, the forming device comprises a press 109 composed of an upper roller 110 and a lower roller 111. Depending on the section of the tubular profile, this press 109 causes the various strips 42, 48, 52 to bond. , 56 over a narrow width. Therefore, in the case of a tubular profile, of circular section, this bonding is done along a line located in the axis of the forming device 108. To allow this bonding, the lower roller 111 comprises a concave jacket. Therefore, the parts of the bands, located on either side of this line, remain independent with respect to each other.

In the case of a tubular profile, of polygonal section, the upper roller 110 has a width corresponding to the width of the lower side of the future polygonal tubular profile. Furthermore, the lower roller 111 has a cylindrical part ending on either side with two frustoconical parts. The width of this cylindrical part also corresponds to the width of said lower side. Therefore, the different strips 42, 48, 52, 56 are glued over a width corresponding to the width of the lower side of the polygonal tubular profile while the ends of these strips 42, 48, 52, 56, located on the right and left 'other of this width bonded, remain independent from each other and can therefore deploy laterally.

There are, downstream of this press 109, a plurality of removable templates 112, 113, 114 ... essentially consisting of a vertical panel provided with an opening allowing the shape of all of the different bands 42 to be gradually modified, 48, 52, 56. These templates 112, 113, 114 have a progressive shape exerting no constraint on the different bands 42, 48, 52, 56 but are used only for guiding. Therefore, the ends of the strips located on either side of the width glued by the press 109 remain independent from each other. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the part of the strips glued together 115 remains practically horizontal. On the other hand, all of the lateral edges 116 of the bands 42, 48, 52, 56 are raised as they pass through the openings of the templates 112, 113, 114. The lateral edges 117, 118, 119, 120 of the bands 42, 48, 52, 56 are offset laterally. Thus, in the case of a tubular profile with circular section, a practically flat assembly is imparted, by means of this forming device, to a gutter form constituting the preformed tubular profile 121, a shape obtained at the outlet of the device. 108.

The various removable templates 112, 113, 114 ... are held by a frame 122 formed of upper beams 123, intermediate beams 124 and lower beams 125 provided with a height adjustment means 126, these beams 123, 124, 125 being connected by feet 127, 128, 129, 130. This framework 122 also includes a support 131 on which the press 109 is arranged.

At the outlet 132 from the forming device 108, the preformed tubular profile 121 is then directed to a drive mechanism, for final forming and cutting.

Reference is made to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the part of the machine located downstream from the forming device 108. This part comprises a frame 133 serving as a box for motor elements ensuring the general operation of the machine. These drive elements are mechanical and / or electrical and / or pneumatic and / or electronic and necessarily include the various corresponding controls.

There is at the front end 134 of this frame 133 a bracket 135 formed of legs 136, 137 whose lower end 138, 139 rests on top 140 of the frame 133 and whose upper end 141, 142 is provided with a plate 143 to which are hung transverse beams 144, 145 to which is suspended a spar 146. At the lower base 147 of this spar 146 is hung a mandrel 148 on which threads the tubular profile having the shape of gutter 121 coming from of the forming device 108. The spar 146 is located in the axis of the gutter 121. This mandrel 148 has a slightly frustoconical front end 149 to facilitate, on the one hand, the threading of the preformed profile and, on the other hand , finishing of forming. The transverse beams 144, 145 also serve as support for a rod 150 comprising at its ends 151, 152 bearings 153, 154 provided with bearings 155, 156 in which slides an axis 157. The end 152 is held by a support 158.

Downstream of this bracket 135, the frame 133 includes a drive and pinching mechanism 159 allowing the lateral ends of the strips to be bonded together. For this mechanism, reference should be made to Figures 5 to 7.

This mechanism 159 comprises a table 160 which can have a certain inclination, the inclination plane of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 161. On the top 162 of this table 160 are fixed bearings 163, 164, 165, 166 serving as support for axes 167, 168, 169, 170. On these axes 167 to 170 slide two carriages 171, 172 which can be brought close and / or distant of the axis 161 for means passing through openings 173, 174 made in the table 160. The carts 171, 172 being practically identical, the following description will be limited to a carriage 171. Of course, the other carriage 172 has the same elements.

Each carriage 171 has an external and internal metal frame 175, 176 formed by two parallel upper beams 177, 178, two lower beams 179 to 180, and feet 181, 182 connecting the various beams 177 to 180 together. The lower beams 179, 180 include bearings 183, 184, 185, 186 provided with bearings 187, 188, 189, 190 sliding on the axes 167 to 170. The upper flanges 177 to 180 are interposed with upper flanges 191, 192 and lower 193, 194. The upper faces 195, 196 of the upper flanges 191, 192 comprise a bearing 197, 198. Similarly, the lower faces 199, 200 of the lower flanges 193, 194 have bearings 201, 202. These bearings 197, 198, 201, 202 are crossed by shafts 203, 204, the front shaft 203 being the driven shaft and the rear shaft 204 being the motor shaft. On these shafts 203, 204 are mounted, integral in rotation, upper toothed wheels 205, 206 and lower toothed wheels 207, 208. These toothed wheels 205 to 208 drive two chains 209, 210 on which are clamps 211, 212 , 213 ... partially matching the external face of the tubular profile 121.

As a result of the cooperation of the clamps 211 to 213 of the two carriages 171, 172 moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis 161, the tubular section 121. is driven. The motor shaft 203 is connected to a reduction gear 214. To ensure constant contact between the tubular profile 121 and the clamps 211, 212, 213, the chains 209, 210 move in guide rails 215, 216.

The internal face 217 of the clamps 211, 212, 213 has a shape adapted to the shape of the section of the tubular profile that it is desired to obtain. This internal face 217 comprises an elastic membrane 218 which can be subjected to the action of a fluid such as air, water, etc. Therefore, the elastic coating 218 can be subjected to a positive or negative pressure . Therefore, one can proceed on the tubular profile to a thickness correction. Furthermore, this fluid can be more or less hot, which allows, on the one hand, a heat sealing and, on the other hand, cooling after said sealing. These pliers are automatic pliers ensuring mechanical application.

We refer to Figures 5, 6 and 8.

For the transverse movement of the carriages 171, 172, a closing and / or opening device 219 is provided passing through the openings 172, 174 of the table 160 of the drive mechanism 159.

The device 219 comprises jacks 220, 221. However, due to the inclination of the table 160, it is necessary for the stroke of the upper carriage 171 to be less than the stroke of the lower carriage 172. Indeed, the weight of the carriage upper 171 tends to push down on said upper carriage 171 while the lower carriage 172 must be lifted by said device 219. For this purpose, a regulating device is provided to ensure simultaneous contact, on the one hand, between the clamps 211 to 213 of the upper carriage 171 and the tubular profile and, on the other hand, between the clamps 211 to 213 of the lower carriage 172 and the tubular profile.

The end 222 of the rod 223 of the jacks 220, 221 is connected by a hinge pin 224 to one of the ends 225 of a lever 226.

The other end 227 of this lever is connected by a pin 228 to a second lever 229, the other end 230 of which has an elongated opening 231. This axis 228 is held in place by a yoke 232. In the elongated opening 231 moves an axis 233 secured to the carriage 172.

By means of an axis 234, disposed between axes 224 and 228, the lever 226 is connected to an adjustable yoke 235 secured to one end 236 of a first rod 237. The other end 238 of this rod 237 is also provided with an adjustable yoke 239 crossed by an axis 240 serving as a connecting element between said rod 237 and a balancing lever 241 consisting of two branches 242, 243 almost perpendicular to each other and pivoting around an axis 244 held by a yoke 245 integral with the underside 246 of the table 160. The first branch 242 is therefore connected to the rod 237 while the second branch 243 is connected by a hinge pin 247 to an adjustable yoke 248 integral with one of the ends 249 of a second rod 250 whose other end 251 is provided with an adjustable yoke 252 crossed by an axis 253 serving as a connecting element between the second rod 250 and a lever 254. This axis 253 is arranged between a first articulation axis 255 r connecting one of the ends 256 of the lever 254 to a yoke 257 integral with the end 258 of the jack 220, 221 and a second hinge pin 259 connecting the other end 260 of the lever 254 to one of the ends 261 of a second lever 262. This axis 259 is held by a yoke 263. The other end 264 of the second lever 262 has an oblong slot 265 in which a pin 266 moves serving as a connection between the second lever 262 and the carriage 171.

Downstream of this drive mechanism 159, the frame 133 serves to support a train of diabolos 267 allowing the finishing of the forming of the tubular profile. After the profile has passed through this dolly train 267, the profile is produced. This train makes it possible to carry out the various joints by gluing end to end of the lateral edges of the various bands.

We refer to Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10.

The location of this train of diabolos is represented by the letter “D in FIG. 1. The train of diabolos 267 comprises a box 268 formed by two vertical plates 269, 270 connected by a base 271 and a tie 272. These two plates vertical 269, 270 are used to support a lower diabolo 273 freely pivoting about a horizontal axis 274. The periphery 275 of this lower diabolo 273 has a shape adapted to the external periphery of the tubular profile 121. In the case shown in these figures, the tubular profile 121 has a circular section and the periphery 275 has the shape of a groove. In the bottom 276 of this groove is placed the lower part 277 of the tubular profile 121. The horizontal axis 274 is maintained by bearings 278, 279. To ensure constant contact between the lower diabolo 273 and the tubular profile 121, one moves vertically said lower diabolo 273 by means of adjustment elements 280, 281 formed by a nut 282, 283 secured to the external face 284, 285 of the plates 269, 270 and a screw 286, 287 cooperating with the bearings 278, 279. To block, in a determined position, said bearings 278, 279 and, consequently, the lower diabolo 273, clamping elements 288 are provided which cooperate with clamps 289, 290.

The upper end 291 of the parallel plates 269, 270 is crossed by an axis 292 around which pivot two levers 293, 294. One of the ends 295 of these levers 293, 294 is provided with a hinge pin 296 on which freely pivots an upper pressure diabolo 297. This diabolo 297, of a shape adapted to the section of the tubular profile, exerts pressure on the edges of the different bands, which makes it possible to make the joints and thus obtain the tubular profile completely finished. To ensure this pressure, two cylinders 298 are provided, the body 299 of which is connected by a hinge pin 300 to the plates 269, 270 and the end 301 of the piston 302 of which is connected by a pin 303 to the other end 304 of the levers 293, 294.

The box 268 also serves as a support for part of the drive device described below.

The machine 1 comprises a motor 305 mounted on slides 306, 307. The shaft 308 of this motor 305 is provided with a driving pulley 309 driving, by means of a transmission 310, a driven pulley 311. This pulley driven 311 is mounted on an intermediate shaft 312 held by bearings 313 to 318 mounted on feet 319 to 324. The end 325 of this intermediate shaft 312 comprises a driving pulley 326 driving, by means of a transmission 327, two driven pulleys 328, 329. These pulleys 328, 329 are integral in rotation with two transmission shafts 330, 331 held by bearings 332 to 335 fixed on vertical supports 336, 337 integral with the box 268 and perpendicular to the plates 269, 270 These transmission shafts 300, 331 drive the reducers 214 of the carriages 171, 172. The transmission shaft 330 comprises at the downstream end 338 a drive variator pulley 339 cooperating, via a transmission 340, with a pulse ie variator driven 341.

We refer to Figures 5, 6 and 11.

The driven variator pulley 341 is mounted on the end 342 of a shaft 343. Of course, the shaft 343 is made integral in rotation with said pulley 341. This shaft 343 is held by bearings 344, 345 with vertical displacement, displacement caused by adjusting elements 346, 347. The bearings 344, 345 slide along the external faces 348, 349 of two vertical walls 350, 351 of a turret 352 whose base 353 is secured to the top 140 of the frame 133. There is on the shaft 343 and between the two vertical walls 350, 351 a toothed pinion 354 integral in rotation with said shaft 343. This toothed pinion 354 drives, via a chain 355, a toothed wheel 356 made integral in rotation of a bush 357 held by bearings 358, 359 provided with ball bearings 360, 361. These bearings 358, 359 are fixed on the external faces 348, 349 of the two vertical walls 350, 351 of the turret 352. In the sleeve 357 moves a ball slide 362 one of which e of the ends 363 is integral in rotation with the end 364 of a drive shaft 365 of a cutting device 366 whose position is represented by the letter "E in FIG. 1.

This cutting device 366 cuts into sections of suitable length an end of the fully formed tubular profile. The advance of this profile being continuous, it is necessary that the cutting device 366, during the cutting phase, advances at the same speed as the profile and, after cutting, returns to its starting point.

We refer to Figures 5, 6, 13 and 14.

The cutting device 366 comprises four pads 367, 368 sliding on four slides 369, 370, 371, 372 held by bearings 373 to 380 integral with the top 140 of the frame 133. These pads 367, 368 have at their ends 381, 382 two vertical end plates 383, 384. The upper end 385 of the plate 383 comprises a yoke 386 made integral with the end 387 of the axis 157. The upper end 385 of the plate 383 is connected to the upper end 388 of the plate 384 by an upper axis 389. There are also two lower axes 390, 391 parallel to the axis 389 and located below the latter. The three axes 389, 390, 391 form an isosceles triangle. The ends 392, 393 of the lower axes 390, 391 are held by bearings 394, 395 integral with the internal faces 396, 397 of the end plates 383, 384. On these axes 389 to 391 can move a plurality of intermediate plates 398 , 399, 400, 401 provided with a flange 402 to 409 provided with locking means. The number of these intermediate plates 398 to 401 is a function of the number of cuts that it is desired to make in a given section of the tubular section.

A hub 410, 411, 412, 413 is fixed on these intermediate plates 398 to 401 on which a sleeve 414, 415 is threaded. The hub 410 to 413 has a pressurized fluid inlet 416 connected by a pipe 417 to a chamber 418 formed in the internal face 419 of the sockets 414, 415. There is provided on either side of this chamber 418 a groove 420, 421 in which there is a seal 422, 423. These grooves 420, 421 are connected to a lubrication pipe 424. On this bush 414, 415 is threaded a cutting turret 425, 426, 427, 428 rotated by a belt 429, itself driven by a pulley 430 mounted on a hollow shaft 431 integral in rotation with the shaft 365. This hollow shaft 431 rotates in a bearing 432 provided with a ball bearing 433 fixed on the intermediate plates 398 to 401 .

As regards the movement of the cutting device 366, two means are provided which complement each other to ensure perfect synchronization between said movement of the cutting device 366 and the advance of the tubular section. The first means consists of a jack 434 whose body 435 is made integral by means of a yoke 436 to the frame 133 and whose front end 437 of the piston 438 is connected by a yoke 439 to the cutting device 366. This the purpose of jack 434 is to provide the inertia necessary to advance the cutting device 366 during cutting and to bring this device back to its starting point after cutting. The second means is a disengageable pulley 440 essentially serving to regulate the advance of the cutting device 366 conforming to the advance of the tubular section. This disengageable pulley 440 is driven, by means of a transmission 441, by a driving pulley 442 mounted, integrally in rotation, on a shaft 443 held by bearings 444, 445 fixed on supports 446, 447. This shaft 443 comprises at one of its ends 448 a driven variator pulley 449 driven, by means of a transmission 450, by a variable variator drive pulley 451 mounted on the end 452 of the shaft 312.

This disengageable pulley 440 cooperates with a ball screw 453 held by bearings 454, 455 provided with ball bearings 456, 457 and made integral with the front end plate 383.

A cutting assembly 461 is fixed on the cutting turrets 425 to 428, by means of an axis 458, 459, 460. In FIG. 14, only one set has been shown while each turret of cutting 425 to 428 comprises several of the assemblies 461 described below. Each assembly 461 comprises a jack 462 whose end 463 of the piston 464 is provided with a yoke 465 connected by a hinge pin 466 to the end 467 of a lever 468 which can pivot around an axis 469. L other end 470 of this lever 468 is provided with an adjustable articulation axis 471 provided with a ball bearing 472 serving as a connecting element between the axis 469 and two flanges 473, 474 trapping between them a blade of section 475.

By means of a tensioner 476 composed of a roller 477 pivoting around an axis 478 and a lever 479 pivoting around an axis 480, pressure is exerted on the belt 429. The end 481 of this lever 479 cooperates with an elastic element 482.

The operation of the cutting device 366 is as follows: as the tubular section advances, the plates 398 to 401 move horizontally under the combined action of the jack 434 and the disengageable pulley 440. Simultaneously, the cutting turrets 425 to 428 are rotated by the shaft 365 and pivot around the advancing tubular section. At the same time, the cutting blades 475 are applied, via the cylinders 462, to the periphery of the tubular profile. After cutting, the cutting blades 475 are released and the plates 398 to 401 are brought back to their starting position for a new cutting into sections of the tubular section made continuously. When the cutting device 366 advances, the end plate 384 exerts a traction on the upper axis 389, traction transmitted by the yoke 386 to the axis 157. Furthermore, the tubular profile is held in the cutting device 366 by a movable mandrel 483. A certain given length of the tubular profile is cut into several sections but each section must be cleared at the rear 484 of the machine (see FIG. 5) and it turns out that each section must be guided by the movable mandrel 483 until it is removed.

We refer to figure 12.

The movable mandrel 483 is mounted on an axis 485 sliding through bearings 486, 487 arranged inside the fixed mandrel 148 and inside the frustoconical front end 149. The front end 488 of this sliding axis 485 is made integral with the lower end 489 of a joining piece 490, the upper end 491 of which is integral with the front end 492 of the axis 157.

Thus, by exerting traction on the upper axis 389, this traction is transformed, by means of the junction piece 490, into a thrust on the axis 485 and, consequently, on the movable mandrel 483. Therefore, this movable mandrel 483 advances in the same direction as the tubular profile and at a speed synchronized with this advance.

The rear end 493 of this movable mandrel 483 projects beyond an evacuation device 494 secured to the top 140 of the frame 133. The position of this evacuation device 494 is represented by the letter "F in FIG. 1.

We refer to Figures 15 and 16.

The evacuation device 494 comprises a plate 495 pivoting about an articulation axis 496 whose ends 497, 498 are held by bearings 499, 500 integral with the top 140 of the frame 133. An adjustment means 501 is provided, consisting a nut 502, held by a support 503 secured to the frame 133, and an adjustment screw 504 provided with a handle 505. By the action of this means 501, the train 494 can be adjusted in height.

On the top 506 of this plate 495 is fixed a motor 507 provided with a motor pinion 508 which, by means of a chain 509, drives a driven pinion 510 mounted on the end 511 of a shaft 512 passing through bearings 513, 514 with ball bearings 515, 516 held by vertical supports 517, 518 integral with the plate 495. On this shaft 512 is threaded an evacuating diabolo 519. This diabolo 519, made integral in rotation with said shaft 512, has a convex periphery 520 matching the tubular profile.

The speed of rotation of this evacuating dolly 519 is greater than that of the dolly train 267. Therefore, the section is detached downstream from the tubular section of the section upstream.

The machine described above allows the manufacture of a tubular profile having a circular section. However, this same machine can also be used for profiles having a polygonal section. In this case, it suffices to replace the diabolos 275 and 297 with a convex rim with diabolos whose rim is adapted to the shape of the profile. Likewise, the clamps 211 to 213 have an internal face 217 having a shape allowing the clamps 211 to 213 to match the different external faces of the profile. In the case of a rectangular section, the upper 110 and lower 111 rolls of the press 109 have a width corresponding to the width of the small bottom side of the rectangle, while the clamps 211 to 213 act on the two large parallel sides of the rectangle and the upper diabolo 297 ensures the bonding of the small upper side of the rectangle. The same is true for the 519 diabolo spillway, which in this case will have a horizontal periphery.

As regards the cutting blades 475, these no longer move in a circular path but in a horizontal path. Depending on the section of the tubular section, for example rectangular, each cutting turret 425 to 426 will comprise four cutting assemblies 461, two of which will move along a horizontal path and two along a vertical path. The number of cutting sets 461 will be determined by the number of sides of the polygon. Indeed, the cutting blades 475 do not pass through the tubular profile but their penetration depth, therefore of cutting, is slightly greater than the thickness of the wall of the tubular profile.

According to another embodiment, each cutting blade 475 rotates around the polygonal profile. However, the articulation point 458 of the thrust cylinder 462 of the cutting blade 475 will be guided in a hollow cam so that the cutting blade 475 follows the periphery of the polygonal section to be cut at any point with the same pressure.

According to another embodiment, the cut can also be carried out with a saw blade passing right through the profile.

The machine allows the production of normal packaging and special packaging. Thus, it will be possible to make boxes for beer. It suffices that the internal strip 56 is impermeable to obtain watertight boxes. These sealed boxes can also be used as milk boxes.

Claims (37)

1. A Machine for continuously forming a tubular profile constituted of several bands (42, 48, 52, 56) glued together, these bands (42, 48, 52, 56) being composed of fibrous, cellulosic, metallic, plastic and like materials allowing the realization of a forming process according to which the assembling of the bands (42, 48, 52, 56), laterally set off one with respect to the other and previously coated with glue on at least one of their faces, is initially realized on a small width, then extended to all the periphery of the tubular profile being formed by an helicoidal progression of this assembling width, helicoidal progression constituted of the combination, on the one hand, of the lateral extension of the assembling width and, on the other hand, of the continuously advance of the bands (42, 48, 52, 56), this machine comprising a gluing station (68), a press (109), a forming device (108), a train of pressure diabolos (267), a cutting device (366) and a discharge device (494) is characterized in that the gluing station (68) is provided with a labelling set and followed of the press (109), assuring the partial gluing of the different bands (42, 48, 52. 56) on a small width, when the extremities situated on both sides of this partial gluing remain independent of each other ; the forming device (108) co-operates with a drive and pinching mechanism (159) for continuing and widening the gluing zone, the train of pressure diabolos (267) permitting the finishing of the tubular profile and the end to end gluing of the lateral edges (117, 118, 119, 120) of the bands (42, 48, 52, 56) ; the cutting device (366) operating with multiple cuttings, completed by the discharge device (494) of the tubular profile pieces severed by the cutting elements (475) of the said cutting device (366).

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the gluing station (68) comprises a first train of guide- rollers (77 to 80) and a second train of guide- rollers (81 to 84) regulable in height for regulating the tension of the different bands (42, 48, 52, 56).

3. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 2, wherein the gluing station (68) comprises a labeller (85) provided with a table (86) submitted to a vertical shifting, modifiable as a function of a step by step labelling and/or a continuous labelling and/or a labelling according to a given cycle, with a working arm (87) provided with a suction-cup, this labeller (85) co-operating with a roller (89) and a counter-roller of pressure (90) for applying labels on the external face (91) of the external band (42) on which no glue will be applied.

4. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 2, wherein the gluing station (68) comprises gluing tanks (95 to 97) regulable in height and provided with reversing rollers (102 to 104), a gluing roller (105) and a stirrer-roller (106) taking the glue in the tank.

5. A machine according to claim 1, wherein it comprises, downstream the forming device (108), a press (109) composed of a superior roller (110) and an inferior roller (111) causing the gluing of the different bands (42, 48, 52, 56) on a small width, while maintaining the parts of the bands, stuated on both sides of this gluing, independent of each other.

6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the inferior roller (111), co-operating with the superior roller (110), comprises, in case of a profile with a circular section, a concave jacket for assuring a gluing along a line situated in the axis of the machine.

7. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the superior roller (110) comprises, in case of a tubular profile with a polygonal section, a width corresponding to the width of one of the sides of the polygon.

8. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the inferior roller (111) comprises, in case of a tubular profile with a polygonal section, a cylindrical part whose the width corresponds to the width of one of the sides of the polygon, joining end to end two parts having the shape of a truncated cone.

9. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the forming device (108) comprises a plurality of removable templets (112 to 114) constituted of a vertical panel provided with an aperture for progressively modifying the shape of the different bands (42 to 56).

10. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the templets (112 a 114) have a progressive shape not exercising a constraint on the different bands (42, 48, 52, 56) for maintaining the extremities of the bands situated on both sides of the width glued by the press (109) independent of each other.

11. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive and pinching mechanism (159) comprises a table (160) having an inclination plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (161) and provided with bearings (163 to 165) acting as support for the axes (167 to 170) on which slide two carriages (171, 172) being able to be brought nearer or removed away of the axis (161) by means crossing the apertures (173, 174) made in the table (160).

12. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 11, wherein each carriage (171, 172) comprises the bearings (183 to 186) provided with bushings (187 to 190) sliding on the axes (167 to 170), a driving shaft (204) set downstream and driven by a reducer (214), and a driven shaft set up-stream, a superior cog-wheel (205, 206) and an inferior cog-wheel (207, 208) jointly mounted for rotating on each shaft (203, 204) and two chains (209, 210) driven by the wheels (205 to 208) and on which are fixed pliers (211 to 213) partially fitting the external face of the tubular profile exactly, these chains (209, 210) being longitudinally guided.

13. A machine according to claim 12, wherein the pliers (211 to 213) comprise an internal face (217) whose the shape is adapted to the shape of the section of the final tubular profile.

14. A machine according to claim 13, wherein the internal face (217) of the pliers (211 to 213) comprises a resilient membrane (218) acting on a part of the periphery of the tubular profile on account of an action of a fluid.

15. A machine according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is a fluid under positive and/or negative pressure for correcting the thickness of the tubular profile.

16. A machine according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is a fluid the temperature of which is variable for a warm sealing and a cooling of the tubular profile after said sealing.

17. A machine according to claim 12, wherein the means crossing the apertures (173,174) of the table (160) are a closing and/or an opening device (219) comprising jacks (220, 221) co-operating with a regulator for assuring a simultaneous contact, on the one hand, with the pliers (211 to 213) of the superior carriage (171) and the tubular profile and, on the other hand, with the pliers (211 to 213) of the inferior carriage (172) and the tubular profile.

18. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the regulator mechanism acting on the inferior carriage (172) comprises a first lever (226), connected by an articulation axis (224) to the rod (223) of the jack (220, 221), and a second lever (229) connected, on the one hand, to the first lever (226) by an articulation axis (228) and, on the other hand, to the carriage (172) by an articulation axis (233) sliding into a port (231) made in the extremity (230) of the second lever (229).

19. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the regulator mechanism acting on the superior carriage (171) comprises a first lever (254) connected, by an articulation axis (255), to the extremity (258) of the jack (220, 221), and a second lever (262) connected, on the one hand, to the first lever (254) by an articulation axis (259) and, on the other hand, to the carriage (171) by an articulation axis (266) sliding into a port (265) made in the extremity (264) of the second lever (262).

20. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the regulator mechanism comprises means transmitting the action of the jack (220, 221), directly acting on the carriage (172), to the carriage (171), these means being a first rod (237) connected, on the one hand, by an articulation axis (234), to the first lever (226) of the carriage (172) and, on the other hand, by an articulation axis (240), to one of the legs (242) of a counterbalancing lever (241) pivoting about an articulation axis (244), and a second rod (250) connected, on the one hand, by an articulation axis (247), to the second leg (243) of the counterbalancing lever (241) and, on the other hand, by an articulation axis (253), to the first lever (254) of the carriage (171), the articulation axes (234) and (254) being situated between the axes (224, 228) and between the axes (255, 259) respectively.

21. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the train of pressure diabolos (267) comprises an inferior diabolo (273) freely pivoting about an horizontal axis (274) and whose the periphery (275) is adapted to the external periphery of the tubular profile, and an upper diabolo (297) maintained applied against the upper part of the tubular profile in order to complete the gluing on account of the end to end gluing of the different edges (117 to 120) of the bands (42, 48, 52, 56).

22. A machine according to claim 21, wherein the train of pressure diabolos (267) comprises jacks (298) made integral by an axis (300) with the vertical plates (269, 270) of a box (268) and whose the pistons (302) act through a pair of levers (293, 294) pivoting about an articulation axis (292) upon the upper diabolo (297) freely pivoting about an axis (296).

23. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device (366) comprises a shifting set in the advance direction of the tubular profile composed of skates (367, 368), sliding on slide- bars (369 to 372), maintained by bearings (373 to 380) integral with the upper part (140) of the frame-work (133) and two end trays (381, 382) connected between them by an upper axis (389) and two lower axes (390, 391), as also operating means.

24. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 23, wherein the operating means are a jack (434), whose the body (435) is integral with the frame-work (133) and whose the piston is connected to the cutting device (366), this jack giving the inertia necessary for the advance of the cutting device (366) ; and a disengageable pulley (440) co-operating with a ball-screw (453) for regularizing the advance of the cutting device (366).

25. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 23, wherein the cutting device (366) comprises intermediate trays (398 to 401) movable on the axes (389 to 391) provided with hubs (410 to 413) on which is drawn on a sleeve (414, 415) acting as a linking element between the intermediate trays (398 to 401) and cutting turrets (425 to 428) which rotate.

26. A machine according to any one of the claims 1, 23 and 25, wherein the cutting turrets (425, 428) comprise several cutting sets (461) assuring a peripheral cut of the tubular profile.

27. A machine according to any one of the claims 1, 23 and 26, wherein each cutting set (461) comprises a jack (462) whose the body is connected by an axis (458 to 460) to the cutting turret (425 to 428) and whose the piston (464) acts upon a lever (468) pivoting about an axis (469), the extremity of this lever (468) being provided with two webs (473, 474) confining a cutting blade (475) and pivoting about a regulable articu- latiori axis (471) provided with a ball-bearing (472).

28. A machine according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a set of mandrels, on which draws on itself the tubular profile, these mandrels being a fixed mandrel (148) having an extremity in the shape of a truncated cone (149) disposed close to the train of pressure diabolos (267) and a movable mandrel (483) disposed inside the cutting device (366).

29. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 28, wherein the shifting means of the movable mandrel (483) are an axis (485) sliding through bearings (486, 487) disposed inside the fixed mandrel (148) and the extremity (149) in the shape of a truncated cone, a junction element (490) connecting the axis (485) to an axis (157) made integral with the upper axis (389) of the cutting device (366), the moving of the cutting device (366) causing the moving of the movable mandrel in the same direction.

30. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge device (494) of the severed pieces of tubular profile comprises a tray (495) pivoting about an axis (496), a motor (507), a driving set composed of a motive pinion (508) jointly rotating with the motor (507), a chain (509) and a driven pinion (510) jointly rotating with a shaft (512) on which is drawn on a discharging diabolo (519) having a periphery (520) fitted to the section of the tubular profile.

31. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 30, wherein the discharge device (494) comprises a regulation means (501) constituted of a nut (502), maintained by a support (503) integral with the framework (133), and a regulation screw (504) provided with a handle (505) for pivoting the tray (495) about the articulation axis (496).

32. A machine according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a motor (305) causing by drive means the rotation of the shafts (203, 204) of the drive mechanism (159), the rotation of the driving shaft (365) of the curring turrets (425 to 428) and the rotation of the disengageable pulley (440).

33. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 32, wherein the drive means are an intermediate shaft (312) on which is mounted a driven pulley (311) actuated through a transmission gear (310) by a motive pulley (309) mounted on the motor (305).

34. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 33, wherein the intermediate shaft (312) comprises at one of its extremities (325) a motive pulley (326) actuating, through a transmission gear (327), two driven pulleys (328, 329) jointly mounted for a rotation on two transmission shafts (330, 331) operating the reducers (214) of the carriages (171, 172) of the drive mechanism (159).

35. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 34, wherein one of the transmission shafts (331) comprises a motive variator pulley (339) co-operating, through a transmission gear (340), with a driven variator pulley (41) disposed at the extremity of a shaft (343) on which is mounted a motive pinion (354) actuating, through a chain (355), a cog-wheel (356) mounted on a sleeve (357) co-operating with a ball slide-bar (362) turning a shaft (365) provided with pulleys (430) actuating, through a belt (429), the cutting turrets (425 to 428).

36. A machine according to any one of the claims 1 and 33, wherein the intermediate shaft (312) comprises at its other extremity (452) a motive variator pulley (451) actuating, through a transmission gear (450), a driven variator pulley (449) mounted on a shaft (443).

37. A machine according to any one of the claims 1, 33 and 36, wherein the shaft (443) comprises a motive pulley (442) operating, through a transmission gear (441), the disengageable pulley (440).

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