EP0252827B1 - Device for connecting a machine for making envelopes to a packaging machine - Google Patents

Device for connecting a machine for making envelopes to a packaging machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0252827B1
EP0252827B1 EP87401570A EP87401570A EP0252827B1 EP 0252827 B1 EP0252827 B1 EP 0252827B1 EP 87401570 A EP87401570 A EP 87401570A EP 87401570 A EP87401570 A EP 87401570A EP 0252827 B1 EP0252827 B1 EP 0252827B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
envelopes
envelope
pivoting
batch
conveyor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP87401570A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0252827A1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Muraro
Daniel Pernot
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GPV France SAS
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GPV France SAS
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Priority to AT87401570T priority Critical patent/ATE59831T1/en
Publication of EP0252827A1 publication Critical patent/EP0252827A1/en
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/38Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
    • B65H29/40Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/58Article switches or diverters
    • B65H29/62Article switches or diverters diverting faulty articles from the main streams
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H43/00Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable
    • B65H43/04Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable detecting, or responding to, presence of faulty articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for making a connection between an envelope manufacturing machine having its own manual evacuation chain and a completely different packaging machine so as to allow the envelopes to be grouped in batches, and the distribution towards the packaging device in a fully automatic manner with the erasure of this connection device in the event of incidents and catching up on the manual evacuation chain so as not to interrupt the operation of the envelope manufacturing machine.
  • the general term is used to designate an envelope manufacturing machine any machine capable of producing elements of the postal and non-postal envelope and pouch type, bellows bags and bags, disc pockets, food packaging bags.
  • the glued and folded envelopes ready for use are stacked thanks to a distributor, in particular of the rotary drum type with curved slots according to spokes called snail. Of them drive belts move this stack while a shim mounted on the work table keeps the same stack vertical. The batches of envelopes are then punctured manually while the shim is brought closer to the stack, they are then the subject of different packaging.
  • FIG 1 we can see the manual evacuation chain device with belt drive and temporary storage, devices already existing on conventional machines and consisting of a set of two narrow bands as referenced 1 on the figure; this band is driven in a rotational movement and circulates in abutment on the work and support table 10 in which slides, thanks to a not shown groove, a stud 11 which is none other than a retaining stop for keeping the envelopes their vertical position.
  • the connecting device 2 proper consists of a plate 20 fixed to a rotating shaft 21 by means of a nut 22 screwed on its end. This plate further comprises a guide plate 23 mounted perpendicular to the pivoting plate 20 and welded to the latter at 24.
  • This plate 23 has in its central part an oval cutout 25 in which is positioned a plate with a complementary profile 26 of dimensions such that there remains a free passage 27 between the plate 23 and its internal complement 26.
  • the maintenance of this plate is ensured by a set of two housings 28 and 29 positioned between the two pinions such as 29 whose function is that to drive the chain 30 thanks to the motor 31.
  • a movable rod 32 associated with one of the links of the chain and terminated at its end by an attached cup 33 of diameter greater than that of the rod itself, can perform a course closed in the free interval 27, driven by said chain 30.
  • the length of this rod 32 can be variable, it will be adapted to the width of the batch of envelopes d complete conditioning.
  • the damper-compensator 34 which consists of a very thin spring steel plate made integral with the plate 26 by any suitable means such as bonding for example at 35. In order to play this role of spring, the plate 34 is folded at 36. The clearance between the compressed position and that completely relaxed must correspond to the thickness of the set of envelopes defined, that is to say a clearance close to the length useful of the rod 32.
  • a counter 38 of the type with opto-electronic cells allows the counting of the envelopes when scrolling. This counter has a link with the motor 31, so as to control the start of a sequence of this same motor corresponding to one revolution of the chain supporting the movable rod 32, once the number corresponding to a batch of envelopes has been reached.
  • the evacuation assembly 5 comprises an essential element in the form of a selection finger 50 offset from the front of the batch of envelopes 53 which is pivotally mounted thanks to the axis 51 in such a way that the curved part 52 of this selection finger 50 can come after rotation by pressing on the envelopes symbolized at 53 in line with the strip 56.
  • the rotation of this selection finger is carried out by any suitable means, as long as that -this can be controlled by pulses from the counter 38.
  • the role of the selection finger is to come to bear on the last envelope of the previous batch by blocking the envelopes of the next batch.
  • the conveyor belt consists of two separate bands 55 and 56 mounted so that the plane of the belt is oriented along a vertical axis along y and that their movement is perfectly synchronous.
  • the drive of each of the bands can be obtained by a roller motor, while a second associated roller will act as a tensioner, a pair of mixed rollers being provided for each of the bands.
  • a roller motor while a second associated roller will act as a tensioner, a pair of mixed rollers being provided for each of the bands.
  • the directions of rotation are reversed so as to obtain the movement represented by arrows 57 and 58 which define a swallowing effect between the two moving bands.
  • a pivoting distributor 60 mounted on a rotary base 61 and consisting of two U-shaped profiles 62 and 63 oriented so that the arms 64 and 65 are opposite and their planes are oriented horizontally along the xy plane, that is to say parallel to the plane of the table 10. These two U nevertheless leave a free space 66 whose value is equal to the width of the pads 67, positioned on the horizontal conveyor belt 68 intended to evacuate the packets of envelopes, arranged horizontally after rotation through 90 ° from the dispenser to a packaging station not shown.
  • Such packaging machines can have various shapes depending on the desired products, it can be shrink wrapping, or cellophane, still maintained using a simple strapping using 'a narrow strip of cellulose or synthetic material, or even a can.
  • the envelopes produced are collected at the outlet of the machine through the slits of a snail which allows the envelopes taken out of manufacturing in a horizontal position, these then pile up in the field on the plate 20 while the face of the first envelope comes into contact with the damper-compensator 34.
  • the counter 38 records its pulses by its optical cell given each time an envelope passes to sum it up and when it reaches the number corresponding to the number of envelopes desired in batches, an order is sent by line 37 to the motor 31 which sets in motion the movable rod 32 via the support chain 30 and the sprockets.
  • the small tab 33 gives security for lateral grip of the batches of envelopes.
  • the envelopes are therefore driven perpendicularly by the rod and slide on the movable plate 20 and on the plate of the damper 34.
  • the counter also sent an order via line 54 to the selection finger 50 which then pivots once the envelopes have moved slightly forward in a direction perpendicular to that at the end of manufacture and comes to rest on the outer face of the last envelope selected for the lot.
  • the first envelope of the next batch is already in place and pressing on tab 33 and on the external face of the last envelope of the previous batch. It is therefore driven by the friction between the two faces but its progression is blocked by the part 52 of the selection finger 50.
  • This is the primary role of this selection finger which consists in limiting the batches and retaining the first envelopes of the next batch. Its second role is to slightly compress the batch of envelopes so that it fits perfectly between the two bands 55 and 56.
  • the fact of a synchronous rotation in opposite directions and oriented inward causes a swallowing phenomenon and thanks to the friction forces the batch of envelopes is kept compressed between these two strips and progresses towards the pivoting dispensing device.
  • the envelopes slide between the two opposite U 62 and 64 whose width corresponds to the thickness of the batch of envelopes.
  • a suitable limit switch not shown, then allows the initiation of the 90 ° movement of the pivoting distributor 60 to bring it above the conveyor belt 68 so that one of the pads can drive the package of envelopes by passing through the reserved space 66.
  • an incident is detected in the connection device according to the invention, using sensors in a manner well known in the technical field considered or by the operator , it is then possible, in order not to interrupt the operation and the flow rate of the envelope manufacturing machine, to erase this same connection device in favor of the manual evacuation chain with temporary storage such that it exists on all envelope making machines.
  • Such a system drives, via the bands referenced 1, the packet of envelopes which comes to bear on a retaining stop 11.
  • the connection device is erased by rotating the shaft 21 secured to the plate pivoting 20, only then remains in place the conveyor device 5 and the pivoting finger 50.
  • the latter offset laterally perpendicularly in no way hinder the accumulation of envelopes and the use of the manual system.
  • the selection finger could be supported by the work table 10, and take another form, that of a lateral piston for example.
  • provision could be made for driving the envelopes using a chain and a device placed at the lower part of the plate 20 and moving in a recess in the table 10.
  • the movement of the batch of selected envelopes could also be obtained by a device with cylinder.
  • all operations can be managed at the level of pulses and various commands by a suitably programmed associated microcomputer.
  • the different pivoting and tilting movements can be carried out using pneumatic cylinders.
  • the outlets can be simply in a horizontal plane without a snail, the device according to the invention remains applicable by adequate orientation of the components, in particular for inserting machines.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of linking the operation of a fabrication machine for envelopes and a conditioning machine by utilizing a movable device which in case of mal-functioning, may be short-circuited in favor of a classical system which is already present in fabrication machines for envelopes. This linking device is characterized by the association of an element of the chain, in particular a pivoting selection finger which, besides its task to retain the first envelopes of the subsequent lot also assures a liable guiding of the previous lot of envelopes towards the belt transporter, with a driving device for the envelopes including a mobile bar which is driven by a motor which is controlled by a counter permitting the control of the exact number of envelopes per lot, as well as the association of said two members with a pivoting distributor provided for changing the orientation of the envelopes and for disposing said envelopes in horizontal orientation onto said belt transporter comprising catch studs.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un dispositif permettant de réaliser une liaison entre une machine de fabrication d'enveloppes possédant sa propre chaîne manuelle d'évacuation et une toute autre machine de conditionnement de façon à permettre le regroupement des en­veloppes par lots, et la distribution vers le dispositif de conditionnement de façon totalement automatique avec effacement de ce dispositif de liaison en cas d'incidents et rattrapage sur la chaîne manuelle d' évacuation de façon à ne pas inter­rompre le fonctionnement de la machine de fabrication d'en­veloppes.The present invention relates to a device for making a connection between an envelope manufacturing machine having its own manual evacuation chain and a completely different packaging machine so as to allow the envelopes to be grouped in batches, and the distribution towards the packaging device in a fully automatic manner with the erasure of this connection device in the event of incidents and catching up on the manual evacuation chain so as not to interrupt the operation of the envelope manufacturing machine.

On désigne sous le terme général machine de fabri­cation d'enveloppes toute machine apte à produire des éléments du type enveloppes et pochettes postales et non postales, sacs et sacs à soufflets, pochettes à disques, sacs de conditionne­ment alimentaire.The general term is used to designate an envelope manufacturing machine any machine capable of producing elements of the postal and non-postal envelope and pouch type, bellows bags and bags, disc pockets, food packaging bags.

En sortie de chaîne de fabrication, les enveloppes collées et pliées prêtes à l'utilisation sont empilées grâce à un distributeur notamment du type tambour rotatif avec fentes courbes selon des rayons dénommés escargot. Deux courroies d'entraînement assurent le déplacement de cet empilement tandis qu'une cale montée sur la table de tra­vail maintient vertical ce même empilement. Les lots d'en­veloppes sont alors ponctionnés manuellement tandis que la cale est rapprochée de l'empilement, ils font alors l'objet de différents conditionnements.At the end of the production line, the glued and folded envelopes ready for use are stacked thanks to a distributor, in particular of the rotary drum type with curved slots according to spokes called snail. Of them drive belts move this stack while a shim mounted on the work table keeps the same stack vertical. The batches of envelopes are then punctured manually while the shim is brought closer to the stack, they are then the subject of different packaging.

Ce poste de travail en fin de chaîne est relative­ment pénible et il est souhaitable d'automatiser une telle opération. Il se pose alors un problème important dans ce domaine technique particulier car la fabrication ne doit pas être interrompue. L'utilisation de colle à séchage rapi­de, des différents chemins de roulements conduit à des déchets importants lors des remises en route qui doivent donc être aussi peu nombreuses que possible.This workstation at the end of the chain is relatively painful and it is desirable to automate such an operation. An important problem then arises in this particular technical field because the production must not be interrupted. The use of quick-drying glue, of the different raceways leads to significant waste when restarting which must therefore be as few as possible.

L'invention propose donc un disposi­tif qui permet, bien que la cadence de production soit très élevée, de réaliser la liaison entre une machine de fabrication d'enveloppes qui possède sa propre chaîne manuel­le d'évacuation avec stockage temporaire et un poste de con­ditionnement, cette liaison assurant le regroupement d'enve­loppes par lots et l'acheminement vers un des postes de condi­tionnement de façon totalement automatique. Cette liaison est plus particulièrement caractérisée en ce que de façon à ne pas interrompre la machine de fabrication le dispositif de liaison automatique est effacé au profit de la chaîne manuel­le d'évacuation en cas d'incident détecté sur le dispositif de liaison par des capteurs. De même la fabrication n'est pas interrompue lors de la remise en place du dispositif de liai­son automatique.

  • La figure 1 est une vue en coupe du dispositif d'orientation selon l'invention dans sa position de travail ainsi que celle du dispositif manuel existant;
  • La figure 2 est une vue en perspective du doigt distributeur pivotant et du transporteur à bandes.
The invention therefore proposes a device which makes it possible, although the production rate is very high, to make the connection between an envelope manufacturing machine which has its own manual evacuation chain with temporary storage and a packaging station, this link ensuring the grouping of envelopes in batches and the routing towards one of the packing stations in a completely automatic way. This connection is more particularly characterized in that so as not to interrupt the manufacturing machine, the automatic connection device is deleted in favor of the manual evacuation chain in the event of an incident detected on the connection device by sensors. Likewise, the production is not interrupted when the automatic connection device is replaced.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of the orientation device according to the invention in its working position as well as that of the existing manual device;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pivoting dispenser finger and the belt conveyor.

Sur la figure 1, on peut voir le dispositif de chaîne manuelle d'évacuation avec l'entraînement à bandes et le stockage temporaire, dispositifs déjà existant sur les machines classiques et constitués d'un ensemble de deux bandes étroites telles que référencées 1 sur la figure; cette bande est animée d'un mouvement de rotation et circule en appui sur la table de travail et de supportage 10 dans la­quelle coulisse grâce à une rainure non figurée un plot 11 qui n'est autre qu'une butée de maintien pour conserver aux enve­loppes leur position verticale. Le dispositif de liaison 2 proprement dit est constitué d'une platine 20 fixée sur un arbre tournant 21 grâce à un écrou 22 vissé sur son extrémi­té. Cette platine comporte en outre une plaque de guidage 23 montée perpendiculaire à la platine pivotante 20 et soudée à cette dernière en 24. Cette plaque 23 comporte dans sa partie centrale une découpe de forme ovale 25 dans laquelle vient se positionner une plaque au profil complémentaire 26 de dimensions telles qu'il subsiste un libre passage 27 entre la plaque 23 et son complément interne 26. Le maintien de cet­te plaque est assuré par un ensemble de deux carters 28 et 29 positionnés entre les deux pignons tels que 29 dont la fonc­tion est celle d'entraîner la chaîne 30 grâce au moteur 31. Une tringle mobile 32 associée à l'un des maillons de la chaîne et terminée à son extrémité par une coupelle rappor­tée 33 de diamètre supérieur à celui de la tringle elle-même, peut effectuer un parcours fermé dans l'intervalle libre 27, entraîné par ladite chaîne 30. La longueur de cette tige 32 peut être variable, elle sera adaptée à la largeur du lot d'enveloppes déterminé pour le conditionnement. Par ailleurs, durant l'empilement des enveloppes en sortie de l'escargot, il est nécessaire de maintenir les premières verticales en attendant le complément d'enveloppes devant constituer le lot. C'est le rôle de l'amortisseur-compensateur 34 qui est constitué d'une plaquette d'acier à ressort de très fai­ble épaisseur rendue solidaire de la plaque 26 par tout moyen adapté tel qu'un collage par exemple en 35. Afin de jouer ce rôle de ressort, la plaquette 34 est pliée en 36. Le débattement entre la position comprimée et celle totale­ment relâchée devra correspondre à l'épaisseur du lot d'en­veloppes défini,c'est-à-dire un débattement voisin de la longueur utile de la tringle 32. Un compteur 38 du type à cel­lules opto-électroniques, permet le comptage des enveloppes au défilement. Ce compteur possède une liaison avec le mo­teur 31, de façon à commander le démarrage d'une séquence de ce même moteur correspondant à un tour de la chaîne supportant la tringle mobile 32, une fois que le nombre correspondant à un lot d'enveloppes a été atteint.In Figure 1, we can see the manual evacuation chain device with belt drive and temporary storage, devices already existing on conventional machines and consisting of a set of two narrow bands as referenced 1 on the figure; this band is driven in a rotational movement and circulates in abutment on the work and support table 10 in which slides, thanks to a not shown groove, a stud 11 which is none other than a retaining stop for keeping the envelopes their vertical position. The connecting device 2 proper consists of a plate 20 fixed to a rotating shaft 21 by means of a nut 22 screwed on its end. This plate further comprises a guide plate 23 mounted perpendicular to the pivoting plate 20 and welded to the latter at 24. This plate 23 has in its central part an oval cutout 25 in which is positioned a plate with a complementary profile 26 of dimensions such that there remains a free passage 27 between the plate 23 and its internal complement 26. The maintenance of this plate is ensured by a set of two housings 28 and 29 positioned between the two pinions such as 29 whose function is that to drive the chain 30 thanks to the motor 31. A movable rod 32 associated with one of the links of the chain and terminated at its end by an attached cup 33 of diameter greater than that of the rod itself, can perform a course closed in the free interval 27, driven by said chain 30. The length of this rod 32 can be variable, it will be adapted to the width of the batch of envelopes d complete conditioning. Furthermore, during the stacking of the envelopes at the outlet of the snail, it is necessary to maintain the first verticals in awaiting the addition of envelopes to constitute the lot. This is the role of the damper-compensator 34 which consists of a very thin spring steel plate made integral with the plate 26 by any suitable means such as bonding for example at 35. In order to play this role of spring, the plate 34 is folded at 36. The clearance between the compressed position and that completely relaxed must correspond to the thickness of the set of envelopes defined, that is to say a clearance close to the length useful of the rod 32. A counter 38 of the type with opto-electronic cells, allows the counting of the envelopes when scrolling. This counter has a link with the motor 31, so as to control the start of a sequence of this same motor corresponding to one revolution of the chain supporting the movable rod 32, once the number corresponding to a batch of envelopes has been reached.

Une autre liaison 54 relie le compteur au doigt de sélection qui sera décrit ultérieurement. Sur la figure 2, l'ensemble d'évacuation 5 comporte un élément essentiel sous la forme d'un doigt de sélection 50 décalé par rapport au front du lot d'enveloppes 53 qui est monté pivotant grâce à l'axe 51 de telle façon que la partie recourbée 52 de ce doigt de sélection 50 puisse venir après rotation en appui sur les enveloppes symbolisées en 53 au droit de la bande 56. La mise en rotation de ce doigt de sélection est réali­sée par tout moyen adéquat, du moment que celui-ci peut être piloté par des impulsions en provenance du compteur 38. Le rôle du doigt de sélection est de venir prendre appui sur la dernière enveloppe du lot précédent en bloquant les enveloppes du lot suivant.Another link 54 connects the counter to the selection finger which will be described later. In FIG. 2, the evacuation assembly 5 comprises an essential element in the form of a selection finger 50 offset from the front of the batch of envelopes 53 which is pivotally mounted thanks to the axis 51 in such a way that the curved part 52 of this selection finger 50 can come after rotation by pressing on the envelopes symbolized at 53 in line with the strip 56. The rotation of this selection finger is carried out by any suitable means, as long as that -this can be controlled by pulses from the counter 38. The role of the selection finger is to come to bear on the last envelope of the previous batch by blocking the envelopes of the next batch.

Le transporteur à bandes est constitué de deux bandes distinctes 55 et 56 montées de façon que le plan de la bande soit orienté selon un axe vertical suivant y et que leur déplacement soit parfaitement synchrone. L'entraîne­ment de chacune des bandes peut être obtenu par un rouleau moteur, tandis qu'un deuxième rouleau associé jouera le rôle de tendeur, une paire de rouleaux mixtes étant prévus pour chacune des bandes. Bien que synchrones dans le défilement, les sens de rotation sont inversés de façon à obtenir le mouvement représenté par les flèches 57 et 58 qui définissent un effet d'avalement entre les deux bandes mobiles. En sor­tie de ce transporteur à bandes, il est prévu un distribu­teur pivotant 60 monté sur une embase rotative 61 et cons­titué de deux profils en U 62 et 63 orientés de telle sorte que les branches 64 et 65 soient opposées et que leurs plans soient orientés horizontalement suivant le plan xy, c'est-à-dire parallèle au plan de la table 10. Ces deux U laissent néanmoins subsister un espace libre 66 dont la va­leur est égale à la largeur des plots 67, positionnés sur la bande de transport horizontale 68 destinée à évacuer les pa­quets d'enveloppes, disposés horizontalement après rotation à 90° du distributeur vers un poste de conditionnement non représenté. De telles machines de conditionnement peuvent présenter des formes diverses suivant les produits recherchés, il peut s'agir d'une mise sous film rétractable, ou cellopha­ne,encore d'un maintien à l'aide d'un simple cerclage à l'aide d'une bande étroite de cellulose ou de matière synthé­tique, ou bien encore d'une mise en boîte.The conveyor belt consists of two separate bands 55 and 56 mounted so that the plane of the belt is oriented along a vertical axis along y and that their movement is perfectly synchronous. The drive of each of the bands can be obtained by a roller motor, while a second associated roller will act as a tensioner, a pair of mixed rollers being provided for each of the bands. Although synchronous in scrolling, the directions of rotation are reversed so as to obtain the movement represented by arrows 57 and 58 which define a swallowing effect between the two moving bands. At the outlet of this conveyor belt, there is provided a pivoting distributor 60 mounted on a rotary base 61 and consisting of two U-shaped profiles 62 and 63 oriented so that the arms 64 and 65 are opposite and their planes are oriented horizontally along the xy plane, that is to say parallel to the plane of the table 10. These two U nevertheless leave a free space 66 whose value is equal to the width of the pads 67, positioned on the horizontal conveyor belt 68 intended to evacuate the packets of envelopes, arranged horizontally after rotation through 90 ° from the dispenser to a packaging station not shown. Such packaging machines can have various shapes depending on the desired products, it can be shrink wrapping, or cellophane, still maintained using a simple strapping using 'a narrow strip of cellulose or synthetic material, or even a can.

Nous allons maintenant décrire le fonctionne­ment d'un tel dispositif selon le procédé prévu par l'in­vention.We will now describe the operation of such a device according to the method provided by the invention.

Les enveloppes fabriquées sont collectées en sortie de machine par les fentes d'un escargot qui permet la mise en position verticale des enveloppes sorties de fabrication en position horizontale, celles-ci viennent alors s'empiler de champ sur la platine 20 tandis que la face de la première enveloppe vient au contact de l'amortis­seur-compensateur 34. Simultanément, le compteur 38 enregis­tre par sa cellule optique les impulsions données à chaque passage d'une enveloppe pour en faire la somme et lorsque celle-ci atteint le chiffre correspondant au nombre d'envelop­pes souhaitées par lots, une commande est envoyée par la li­gne 37 au moteur 31 qui met en mouvement la tringle mobile 32 par l'intermédiaire de la chaîne support 30 et des pignons. Le petit onglet 33 donne une sécurité de prise latérale du lots d'enveloppes. Les enveloppes sont donc entraînées per­pendiculairement par la tringle et glissent sur la platine mobile 20 et sur la plaquette de l'amortisseur 34.The envelopes produced are collected at the outlet of the machine through the slits of a snail which allows the envelopes taken out of manufacturing in a horizontal position, these then pile up in the field on the plate 20 while the face of the first envelope comes into contact with the damper-compensator 34. Simultaneously, the counter 38 records its pulses by its optical cell given each time an envelope passes to sum it up and when it reaches the number corresponding to the number of envelopes desired in batches, an order is sent by line 37 to the motor 31 which sets in motion the movable rod 32 via the support chain 30 and the sprockets. The small tab 33 gives security for lateral grip of the batches of envelopes. The envelopes are therefore driven perpendicularly by the rod and slide on the movable plate 20 and on the plate of the damper 34.

Le compteur a également envoyé une commande par la ligne 54 au doigt de sélection 50 qui pivote alors une fois que les enveloppes ont effectué un léger déplace­ment vers l'avant dans une direction perpendiculaire à celle de sortie de fabrication et vient s'appuyer sur la face ex­terne de la dernière enveloppe sélectionnée pour le lot. Parallèlement, la première enveloppe du lot suivant est déjà en place et en appui sur l'onglet 33 et sur la face externe de la dernière enveloppe du lot précédent. Elle est donc entraînée par le frottement entre les deux faces mais sa progression est bloquée par la partie 52 du doigt de sélec­tion 50. C'est là le premier rôle de ce doigt de sélection qui consiste à limiter les lots et à retenir les premières enveloppes du lot suivant. Son deuxième rôle vise à compri­mer légèrement le lot d'enveloppes de façon à ce qu'il s'in­troduise parfaitement entre les deux bandes 55 et 56. Le fait d'une rotation synchrone dans des sens opposés et orien­tés vers l'intérieur provoque un phénomène d'avalement et grâce aux forces de frottement le lot d'enveloppes est main­tenu comprimé entre ces deux bandes et progresse en direc­tion du dispositif distributeur pivotant.The counter also sent an order via line 54 to the selection finger 50 which then pivots once the envelopes have moved slightly forward in a direction perpendicular to that at the end of manufacture and comes to rest on the outer face of the last envelope selected for the lot. In parallel, the first envelope of the next batch is already in place and pressing on tab 33 and on the external face of the last envelope of the previous batch. It is therefore driven by the friction between the two faces but its progression is blocked by the part 52 of the selection finger 50. This is the primary role of this selection finger which consists in limiting the batches and retaining the first envelopes of the next batch. Its second role is to slightly compress the batch of envelopes so that it fits perfectly between the two bands 55 and 56. The fact of a synchronous rotation in opposite directions and oriented inward causes a swallowing phenomenon and thanks to the friction forces the batch of envelopes is kept compressed between these two strips and progresses towards the pivoting dispensing device.

En sortie du dispositif transporteur 5, les en­veloppes glissent entre les deux U opposés 62 et 64 dont la largeur correspond à l'épaisseur du lot d'enveloppes. Un détecteur de fin de course approprié et non représenté permet alors le déclenchement du mouvement à 90° du dis­tributeur pivotant 60 pour l'amener au-dessus de la bande transporteuse 68 de façon que l'un des plots puisse entraî­ner le paquet d'enveloppes par passage à travers l'espace réser­vé 66. Dans le cas où un incident est détecté dans le dispo­sitif de liaison selon l'invention, à l'aide de capteurs d'une façon bien connue dans le domaine technique considéré ou par l'opérateur, il est alors possible, pour ne pas interrompre le fonctionnement et le débit de la machine de fabrication des enveloppes, de procéder à un effacement de ce même dispo­sitif de liaison au profit de la chaîne manuelle d'évacua­tion avec stockage temporaire telle qu'elle existe sur tou­tes les machines de fabrication d'enveloppes. Un tel système entraîne par l'intermédiaire des bandes référencées 1 le pa­quet d'enveloppes qui vient en appui sur une butée de main­tien 11. L'effacement du dispositif de liaison est réalisé par mise en rotation de l'arbre 21 solidaire de la platine pivotante 20, seul subsiste alors en place le dispositif trans­porteur 5 et le doigt pivotant 50. Ces derniers décentrés la­téralement de façon perpendiculaire ne gênent en aucun cas l'accumulation des enveloppes et l'utilisation du systeme manuel. Il est entendu que la présente description d'un mode de réalisation particulier ne saurait se limiter aux stricts éléments qui viennent d'être représentés ni à leur forme. Ainsi, le doigt de sélection pourrait être supporté par la table de travail 10, et prendre une autre forme, celle d'un piston latéral par exemple. De même, on pourrait prévoir un entraînement des enveloppes à l'aide d'une chaîne et d'un dispositif placés à la partie inferieure de la platine 20 et se déplaçant dans un évidement ménagé dans la table 10. Le déplacement du lot d'enveloppes sélectionné pourrait également être obtenu par un dispositif avec vérin. Par ail­leurs, l'ensemble des opérations peut être géré au niveau des impulsions et des différentes commandes par un micro-ordina­teur associé convenablement programmé.On leaving the conveyor device 5, the envelopes slide between the two opposite U 62 and 64 whose width corresponds to the thickness of the batch of envelopes. A suitable limit switch, not shown, then allows the initiation of the 90 ° movement of the pivoting distributor 60 to bring it above the conveyor belt 68 so that one of the pads can drive the package of envelopes by passing through the reserved space 66. In the event that an incident is detected in the connection device according to the invention, using sensors in a manner well known in the technical field considered or by the operator , it is then possible, in order not to interrupt the operation and the flow rate of the envelope manufacturing machine, to erase this same connection device in favor of the manual evacuation chain with temporary storage such that it exists on all envelope making machines. Such a system drives, via the bands referenced 1, the packet of envelopes which comes to bear on a retaining stop 11. The connection device is erased by rotating the shaft 21 secured to the plate pivoting 20, only then remains in place the conveyor device 5 and the pivoting finger 50. The latter offset laterally perpendicularly in no way hinder the accumulation of envelopes and the use of the manual system. It is understood that the present description of a particular embodiment cannot be limited to the strict elements which have just been represented or to their form. Thus, the selection finger could be supported by the work table 10, and take another form, that of a lateral piston for example. Likewise, provision could be made for driving the envelopes using a chain and a device placed at the lower part of the plate 20 and moving in a recess in the table 10. The movement of the batch of selected envelopes could also be obtained by a device with cylinder. In addition, all operations can be managed at the level of pulses and various commands by a suitably programmed associated microcomputer.

Les différents mouvements de pivotement et bascule­ment peuvent quant à eux être effectués grâce à des vérins pneumatiques.The different pivoting and tilting movements can be carried out using pneumatic cylinders.

Dans les fabrications des différents produits énumérés en objet, les sorties peuvent être simplement dans un plan horizontal sans escargot, le dispositif selon l'inven­tion reste applicable par orientation adéquate des composants, notamment pour les machines à insérer.In the manufacture of the various products listed in the subject, the outlets can be simply in a horizontal plane without a snail, the device according to the invention remains applicable by adequate orientation of the components, in particular for inserting machines.

La présente invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples de réalisation qui viennent d'être décrits, elle est au con­traire susceptible de modifications et de variantes qui apparaîtront à l'homme de l'art.The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, it is on the contrary liable to modifications and variants which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims (11)

1. A device for the making and conditioning of products of the envelope and small postal pocket or transfert, bag and bellows bag, disk case, alimentary conditioning bag type, including, on the one hand, a machine for making said products having its own manual discharge line including two narrow belts running onto an operating table (10) wherein a maintaining stud (11) slides and a conditioning station, on the other hand, which allows said products to be batch gathered, characterized in that it includes a linking device between said making machine and said conditioning station provided with :
- a pivoting plate (20) for holding orientation and separation means (2) integral with a rotating shaft (21) and free from any contact with the operating table (10) of the envelope making machine, said pivoting plate being able, by rotating about the rotating shaft (21) to switch from a first position where envelopes directly coming from the making machine are vertically stacked on said pivoting plate (20) to a second position where the envelopes are vertically stacked on the narrow belts (1) and against the manual discharge line stud (11) at the exit of the making machine;
- a movable rod (32) for shifting the envelopes in a direction sutstantially perpendicular to the output direction of the manufactured products;
- a drive motor (31) for driving said movable rod and two associated sprockets and chain (30);
- a damper-compensator (34) for maintaining the envelopes from a batch during the making thereof;
- a swinging selection finger (50) adapted to limit the number of envelopes in the batches (53) and to hold the envelopes of the next batch until the discharge of the preceding batch is completed in the first belt conveyor (5);
- an envelope counter (38) connected to the drive motor by a line (37) as well as to the selection finger by a line (54);
- a first belt (55, 56) conveyor (5);
- a pivoting distributor (60) ensuring, through a rotating movement, the envelope batches (53) to be switched from the first conveyor (5) to the second conveyor (68), which is associated to said pivoting distributor (60), of the horizontal belt type provided with studs (67) with a view to driving said envelope batches (53).
2. The device of claim 1, characterized in that said damper-compensator (34) comprises a flexible leaf, the deflection of which corresponds to the thickness of an envelope batch.
3. The device of claim 1, characterized in that a shift is provided between the selection finger (50) and the lateral front of the envelope batch.
4. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the finger (50) stroke at the completion of the pivoting movement thereof causes its end portion to be past one of the belts of the first belt conveyor (5), so as to help said envelope batch to be suction inserted and driven.
5. The device of claim 1, characterized in that said counter (38) comprises an opto-electronic cell.
6. The device of claim 1, characterized in that said first belt conveyor (5) is of the independent and synchronous belts (55, 56) type with the belts being vertically mounted and contra-rotating moved.
7. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the distance between both synchronous belt (55, 56) is slightly lower that the width of a non-compressed envelope batch at the end of the making thereof.
8. The device of claim 1, characterized in that said pivoting plate (20) happens to be contactless superimposed to said operating table (10) of the manual envelope discharge line.
9. The device of claim 1, characterized in that said pivoting distributor (60) comprises two U-shaped horizontal plates (62, 63) with opposite openings therein, the leg internal faces of which are aligned with the face of the conveyor belt (68) portion in contact with the envelopes.
10. The device of claim 9, characterized in that said U-shaped plates ( 62, 63 ) are also spaced by an amount which, at the completion of a 90° pivoting movement, allows the studs driving the envelopes carried by a conveyor belt (68) to be passed towards said conditioning station.
11. The device of any claim 1-10, characterized in that the various pivoting and swinging movements are obtained through cylinders.
EP87401570A 1986-07-07 1987-07-03 Device for connecting a machine for making envelopes to a packaging machine Expired - Lifetime EP0252827B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87401570T ATE59831T1 (en) 1986-07-07 1987-07-03 DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AN ENVELOPE MANUFACTURING MACHINE TO A PACKAGING MACHINE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8609847A FR2600992B1 (en) 1986-07-07 1986-07-07 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LINKING BETWEEN A MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ENVELOPES AND A PACKAGING MACHINE
FR8609847 1986-07-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0252827A1 EP0252827A1 (en) 1988-01-13
EP0252827B1 true EP0252827B1 (en) 1991-01-09

Family

ID=9337149

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87401570A Expired - Lifetime EP0252827B1 (en) 1986-07-07 1987-07-03 Device for connecting a machine for making envelopes to a packaging machine

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US4884675A (en)
EP (1) EP0252827B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE59831T1 (en)
CA (1) CA1331360C (en)
DE (1) DE3767235D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2019954B3 (en)
FI (1) FI85669C (en)
FR (1) FR2600992B1 (en)
GR (1) GR3001698T3 (en)
PT (1) PT85264B (en)
ZA (1) ZA874940B (en)

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US5421700A (en) * 1993-04-29 1995-06-06 Tension Envelope Corporation Envelope flap up pick and place apparatus and method
FI100048B (en) * 1995-07-06 1997-09-15 Jopamac Ab Oy Packaging equipment for staple transportable piece goods
ITTO20010716A1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2003-01-20 Elsag Spa DEVICE AND METHOD OF LOADING, TRANSPORT AND SELECTION FOR SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT OBJECTS (FLATS), IN PARTICULAR POSTAL OBJECTS.
ITTO20080318A1 (en) * 2008-04-24 2009-10-25 Elsag Datamat Spa POSTAL OBJECT TREATMENT DEVICE PACKED
DE102010025224B4 (en) * 2010-06-23 2014-08-21 Palamides Gmbh Device and method for transporting flat products
WO2012131557A2 (en) * 2011-03-29 2012-10-04 M.T.C. Macchine Trasformazione Carta S.R.L. Machine for producing stacks of folded sheets of paper and method therefor
WO2024072676A1 (en) * 2022-09-29 2024-04-04 Cenveo Worldwide Limited Robotic envelope separator

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FR1398022A (en) * 1964-03-24 1965-05-07 Hotchkiss Brandt Machine for arranging letters and all similar documents in piles
DE2206682B2 (en) * 1972-02-12 1976-09-09 Windmöller & Hölscher, 4540 Lengerich DEVICE FOR FORMING AND CONVEYING STACKS OF FLAT WORKPIECES
US3927777A (en) * 1972-05-15 1975-12-23 Pneumatic Scale Corp Method of loading magazine with cartons
IT969204B (en) * 1972-11-16 1974-03-30 Attucci F EQUIPMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC AND SIMILAR BAGS WITH MEANS TO ALLOW AUTOMATIC STACKING
CH591383A5 (en) * 1976-01-27 1977-09-15 Grapha Holding Ag
CH630860A5 (en) * 1979-05-18 1982-07-15 Bobst Sa DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND PACKAGING FOLDING BOXES MADE BY A folder-gluer.
US4285621A (en) * 1979-11-14 1981-08-25 Paper Converting Machine Company Apparatus for stacking product
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US4625957A (en) * 1984-06-19 1986-12-02 Paper Converting Machine Company Apparatus for stacking and delivering paper napkins, paper towels, and the like

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI85669C (en) 1992-05-25
ATE59831T1 (en) 1991-01-15
ZA874940B (en) 1988-03-30
PT85264B (en) 1993-07-30
GR3001698T3 (en) 1992-11-23
CA1331360C (en) 1994-08-09
FI872963A0 (en) 1987-07-03
FI872963A (en) 1988-01-08
DE3767235D1 (en) 1991-02-14
FR2600992A1 (en) 1988-01-08
US4884675A (en) 1989-12-05
FI85669B (en) 1992-02-14
ES2019954B3 (en) 1991-07-16
FR2600992B1 (en) 1989-03-31
PT85264A (en) 1988-07-29
EP0252827A1 (en) 1988-01-13

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