EP0983951B1 - Correcting device with rollers or belts for lateral aligning, during the processing, of articles such as sheets or blanks, partially folded in a folding-gluing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The corrector (1) consists of a lower structure (6), and an upper structure (26) which pivots in the horizontal plane and carries a series of conveyor rollers (70) which are in contact with the flat under surface of the panels (8) being transported and are controlled by a separate and variable-speed drive (87). It also has a guide member (100) which moves parallel to an axis corresponding to the initial virtual line of the panels' entry.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for correcting rollers or tape for lateral alignment, during shaping, of articles in sheets or sheets partially folded in a folder-gluer; machine commonly used in the packaging industry for making, for example, cardboard boxes from plate elements cut.

Working continuously with moving items, it is frequent folding and gluing operations in this type of machine are preceded by a lateral alignment operation of the scrolling elements, at the risk of having to be confronted with significant complications at the level bodies responsible for carrying out the shaping operations.

Comprising a series of modules, the number of which only depends the complexity of the manufacturing operations required by the type of box chosen, such machines generally consist at least of a feeder feeding the production of the boxes cut by cut from of a pile, of a breaker pre-crushing the 1st and 3rd folds at 180º then opening to again the cutting, of a module of folding hooks which fold 180º the front legs then the rear legs of the cutout, of a gluing station, a folding machine with propellers and conical rollers for folding the 2nd and 4th folds of the cutting, a presser which compresses the 2nd and 4th folds and deposits the boxes in tablecloth, and finally a receiving module which receives the boxes while now pressed to allow the glue to dry.

The conveying of cuts from one station to another is done using belt conveyors which, by friction, grip the cut either between lower and upper belts, i.e. between belts lower and upper support rollers. It is common for such lower and upper conveyor devices are associated with means to orient the articles in a determined position at the entrance of the production line. In the case of folder-gluers, it is indeed each of the cutouts must be perfectly aligned according to one of its lateral sides in an orientation parallel to the direction of its conveying before undertaking any folding operation. If this alignment lateral is made at the entrance of the machine, generally by the feeder which introduces the cutouts one by one on the belt conveyors in a position already perfectly aligned laterally, no device ensuring specifically this alignment is only planned along the path of the cutting in modules or stations located downstream of the feeder, where the scrolling items have already been partially shaped by the folder-gluer. The reason for this state is that in a production process such as previously described, the cut, once properly aligned, can be transformed into a box state without the folding or gluing operations disrupt its lateral alignment.

However, even for making a box as simple as it is, some folding operations require a fairly complex mechanism, made expensive and sophisticated by the production expectations which impose ever higher rates for quality as perfect as possible. Depending on the direction of travel of the cutouts, if the folding of a front tab front is no problem and can be done with a simple hook pivoting around a return spring, it is not the same for folding rear front legs. Indeed, these must be returned in the same direction as that of their scrolling and require a rotary folder electronically controlled by drive motors which constantly must catch in their movement the fleeing leg by its movement while ensuring a progressive and soft folding by a modulated and adapted trajectory leg format. The use of cut-outs in sheets or sheets of low specific mass makes the finesse of such an operation and its adjustments all the more, see too much, delicate for profitable and competitive industrial use. The application of such rotary folders to any folder-gluer drives irreducibly a significant increase, and of course undesirable, in the necessary equipment to bring for the realization of a large number of works. This drawback essentially results from the method of manufacturing previously described and used for the realization of these boxes.

The use of such a method brings another drawback major emerging from the creation of special boxes, made from complicated cuts, which require, for their complete shaping, more of a passage through a folder-gluer before being able to obtain the desired product fully finished.

However, if the pivoting of the boxes in progress In particular, it eliminates the costly use of the rotary folder and reduces the number of machine runs for making certain types of boxes, however, it brings the disadvantage of breaking the constancy of the initial lateral alignment of the moving article within the folder-gluer.

It is with the aim of overcoming this new drawback that the present invention provides a corrective device for restoring alignment initial side of any article in sheet or plate partially folded and / or glued, having undergone a pivoting in the horizontal plane during shaping in a folder-gluer.

To this end, the present invention relates to a corrector to rollers or strip of the above-mentioned type and in accordance with what the claim 1.

The advantages resulting from the present invention are mainly recorded in the fact that such a device makes it possible to carry out a precise and unconstrained lateral alignment, necessary to ensure a perfect continuation of production in continuity with subsequent operations folding and gluing items that have been previously rotated. Indeed, if in a folder-gluer the lateral alignment of unfolded plate elements can be done without any particular problem between two carriers disposed of bias at the start of the production line, it is not the same when these same elements have already been partially folded. Indeed, the establishment elements, already partially folded, by a corrector equipped with a conveyor lower and a higher friction conveyor, does not allow to obtain a ideal alignment devoid of any unnecessary constraints between the article and its folded parts or between them and the upper conveyor. In the case of the use of articles of low specific mass, it may even be that the effort of the upper carrier exerted by pressure on the folded parts can damage them when the item in question is re-aligned and leaves the upper carrier in an oblique direction. In the device corrector subject of the present invention, the use of a single lower conveyor in combination with an intangible support capable of pressing the cutout on the lower conveyor only, allows get rid of any mechanical constraint within the cut between its different parts. In the present case, the immaterial support means in question is given by a source creating depression or overpressure atmospheric, respectively below or above the scrolling article on the lower conveyor only.

Another advantage is that this new device corrector also guarantees, thanks to independent training of its lower carrier, maintaining a transition zone in which cuts can be decelerated to reduce the distance separating them. Indeed, given the rarely circular geometry of the cuts shaped, it is necessary that the spacing between them has been more important in the area of their pivoting, within the previous module, that everywhere else in the production line. However, in order to optimize the subsequent rate of production of the boxes, it is of course advantageous to be able to find the initial spacing of the cutouts as it was before their introduction into the swivel module. The corrective device according to the invention also ensures this action by independent adjustment of his training speed. The scrolling articles will thus be able to undergo a deceleration during lateral realignment, without fear of any damage of their previously folded parts.

In order to define some terms introduced in this description and description of the position of certain elements within the folder-gluer, we will quote the appellations "driver side" (C.C.) and "opposite side driver "(C.O.C.) used without question to refer to a side designated with respect to the longitudinal median axis of the machine. This choice allows to avoid any confusion arising with conventional names left and right dependent on the observer's point of view. In similar optics, we will describe the orientation of certain axes or certain objects by the usual terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" always referring to the axis machine median whose orientation is determined by the direction of the scrolling of plate elements. Finally we will also specify that the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of travel of the plate elements in the folder-gluer.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective de dos du dispositif correcteur placé entre les bâtis de la plieuse-colleuse, en aval d'un module de pivotement permettant d'appliquer, à l'article défilant, une rotation dans le plan horizontal,
• la figure 2 montre, dans une vue en plan, le dispositif correcteur placé entre les deux bâtis de la plieuse-colleuse, dans une position oblique tournée dans le plan horizontal,
• la figure 3 montre le dispositif correcteur selon l'invention dans une vue de face représentée d'après une coupe médiane longitudinale,
• les figures 4, 5 et 6 représentent le dispositif correcteur dans des vues en coupes transversales simplifiées, respectivement selon les lignes A-A, B-B et C-C de la figure 3.

The invention will be better understood from the study of an embodiment taken without any limitation being implied and illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view from the back of the correcting device placed between the frames of the folder-gluer, downstream of a pivoting module making it possible to apply, to the moving article, a rotation in the horizontal plane,
• FIG. 2 shows, in a plan view, the correcting device placed between the two frames of the folder-gluer, in an oblique position turned in the horizontal plane,
• FIG. 3 shows the corrective device according to the invention in a front view represented from a longitudinal median section,
• FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 represent the correcting device in simplified cross-sectional views, respectively along the lines AA, BB and CC of FIG. 3.

Figure 1 provides a general view of the correction device 1 mounted between frames 2 (C.C.) and 3 (C.O.C.) of the folder-gluer, downstream of a pivot module 4 for turning the articles 8 in the plane horizontal in accordance with the new manufacturing method mentioned above. The direction of movement of the articles 8 scrolling above each of these devices 1 and 4 is given by the direction indicated by the arrow 5, and the axis 9 defined the initial virtual line against which said articles 8 fell previously supported in their upstream path before their rotation in the conveyor device 4.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the device corrector 1 is based on a lower structure 6 sliding transversely, consisting of two rectangular cheeks 10 and 11, arranged vertically in their length on either side of the longitudinal axis 7 of the corrector 1. In order to make each of these plates integral with one another, two crosspieces 12 and 13 are screwed, by their ends, to the cheeks 10 and 11 by pairs of screw 14. At the upper end of each of these cheeks are fixed, the along these, two longitudinal crosspieces 15 and 16 screwed by a plurality of screws 17 against the interior blanks of these cheeks. Building on the frames 2 and 3, two fixed axes 18 and 19 pass right through the corrector 1 and allow its transverse sliding thanks to two pairs of bearings smooth 20, 21 arranged in each of the cheeks 10 and 11 (Figure 3). of the lubricators 22 allow the lubrication of each of these plain bearings. The actuation of the transverse displacement of the corrector device 1 along axes 18 and 19 is done by the rotation of a wheel 23 screwed on one of the nuts 24 arranged in the cheeks 10 and 11 by means of bearings with balls 25. These nuts move by turning around a screw 27 fixed in its ends on the frames 2 and 3. The screw 27 can be split by the same mechanism provided upstream of the correction device, at the designated location by the lines of axes 28 against the cheek 11.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, above the structure lower 6 is the upper part 26 of the device 1, mobile part in rotation in a horizontal plane around a pivot point 30. The structure forming the base of this upper part consists mainly of two side members 31 and 32 respectively placed on the driver side and on the side opposite driver. These beams are separated upstream by a plate 33 arranged horizontally and screwed into each of them by pairs of screw 34, and downstream by a spacer 35 screwed at its ends by screws 36 and crossed in its middle part by the pivot point 30. The latter, held axially by circlips, is supported by a bar 37 placed longitudinally in the axis 7 of the corrector 1 and maintained in overhang by two screws 38 (Figure 3) on a plate 39 fixed horizontally by two pairs of screws 40 at the downstream end between the two longitudinal crosspieces 15 and 16. In the upstream part of the correction device 1, there is another plate 41. similar to plate 39, and fixed opposite the latter of the same way thanks to the screws 42 passing through the longitudinal crosspieces 15 and 16. This plate 41 constitutes the main support of the mechanism 45 making it possible to pivot the upper part 26 of the corrector 1 in one direction or in the other, in a limited stroke around the pivot point 30.

The pivoting mechanism is actuated by the rotation of a steering wheel 46 disposed on the driver side upstream of the corrector device 1 on the upper part 26 (Figure 2). This flywheel is pinned on a through screw 47 first a stop ring 48 arranged in the beam 31, then a stud threaded 49 constituting a support element which cannot deviate transversely of axis 7. To fulfill this last condition, this stud comprises at its base a axis 50 passing first through the plate 33 secured to the pivoting part upper 26, then the plate 41 rigidly fixed to the sliding part lower 6 (Figure 4). So as to be able to ensure a certain degree of freedom in the movements of the plate 33 around the axis 50, the latter is pierced with a comfortable rectangular opening 51 of length equal to the maximum stroke which the upper part 26 can pivot the lower part 6 (Figure 2). So that the screw 47 can induce movement of rotation of the upper part 26 while remaining integral with the latter, it is necessary that the threaded stud 49 can, through its axis 50, to both turn on itself and move across the plate 41 in a longitudinal movement along the axis 7 of the correction device. To do this, the axis 50 is held in its vertical plane by a circlip 52 while being able to move longitudinally through an oblong opening 53 formed in the plate 41 along the axis 7.

Locking the upper part 26 in an oblique position axis 55 is illustrated in Figure 5 and obtained by tightening two brackets 60 and 61 between them, one secured to the upper part and the other to the part of the corrective device. The upper bracket 60 is screwed into the side member 31 by two screws 62, and the lower bracket 61 is made secured to the cheek 10 by two screws 63. Two knurled chickens 64 and 65, crossing the two brackets, allow to lock the mechanism 45 of pivoting.

The conveying of the scrolling articles 8 is ensured by a plurality of rollers 70 aligned side by side and resting at their ends in ball bearings 71 and 72 housed in the upper part of the side members 31 and 32. On the driver's side, a screw 73 makes it possible to fix the corresponding span of the roller 70 in the bore of the bearing 71 as shown in Figure 4. A the opposite, each bearing 72 is held axially from each of its sides by a stop plate 74 screwed to the side member 32 by a plurality of screws 75. At the C.O.C. end, a screw 76 maintains a pulley 77 on the bearing surface each roller 70. Two bent protective sheets 78 and 79 are fixed on along each spar 31 and 32 and constitute a security guard against the exposed side portions of the rollers.

Figure 3 makes it possible to follow, in phantom, the winding course a belt 80 running around the pulleys 77, and around a plurality of return pulleys 82. Each of these is fixed to the side member 32, opposite conductor side, by a screw 83 passing through its ball bearing 84. The entire roller drive device 70 is located on the side opposite conductor outside the cheek 11 and the side member 32. The belt 80 is set in motion by the rotation of a drive pulley 85 of large diameter, mounted on at least one ball bearing 86 itself crossed by a hexagon drive axle 87. The latter is maintained in its ends by ball bearings, housed against the frames 2 and 3 of the folder-gluer, and driven in its C.O.C. by a drive shaft 88 located in a chute 89, along the outer face of the frame 3 (Figure 2). As a safety measure, an extendable protection 90, fixed against the faces interior of frames 2 and 3, covers the drive axis 87 in both areas outside the cheeks 10 and 11. A second protection 91, consisting of a trapezoidal sheet held against the cheek 11 by spacers 92, completely hides the belt drive 80 and This prevents dangerous access to this moving part (Figures 1 and 5). In its path, the belt 80 passes through a tension pulley 93 adjustable in position in the horizontal plane using an adjustment screw 94. This tensioning pulley can freely slide along the beam 32 in a groove 95 to bear, by tensioning the belt, against the screw setting 94. The latter is supported by a tapped stud 96 fixed by two screws against the external face of the beam 32.

In order to be able to restore the initial lateral alignment of the scrolling articles 8, FIGS. 1 and 4 show a longitudinal guide rail 100, welded against the lateral edges of two metal tabs 101 each pierced with a oblong opening 102 which precisely allows this rail to be positioned different distances from the frame 2, in an orientation parallel to the axis 7 of the folder-gluer. In practice, the inner edge of this rail should merge with axis 9 materializing the virtual line against which the line must be aligned corresponding edge of each of the articles leaving the correcting device. Two knobs 103 ensure the tightening of the guide rail after have it positioned correctly by means of two strips graduated by example. Each of the knobs 103 is screwed, on the driver's side or the other. in a support 104 fixed on a spacer 105 by two screws 106. The spacer 105 is fixed by two screws 107 on the crosspiece 15 or 16 respectively through the cheek 10 or 11.

In order to ensure sufficient friction between items 8 and the conveyor rollers, a fan 110, centered on axis 55, is placed just below the rollers 70 so as to create a tacky suction source the elements scrolling 8 against the upper surface of the rollers. As better represented in FIGS. 3 and 6, this suction source 110 is fixed under a perforated sheet 111, bent upward at its ends, and occupying all the space available between the side members 31 and 32. Brackets 112 and fixing screws 113 hold this perforated sheet against the faces interior of side rails 31 and 32. As shown in Figure 3, a second sheet 114, perforated and retractable, is placed above the scrolling articles on the rollers 70, and makes it possible to avoid the natural raising of their parts previously folded.

Many improvements can be made to this device within the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

1. Roller or belt correction device (1) for lateral alignment, during converting, of partly folded sheet-like or plate-like workpieces (8) in a folder-gluer, device consisting of a lower structure (6) above which is mounted an upper structure (26), pivoting in the horizontal plane, comprising a row of conveying elements (70) in contact with the lower plane surface of the workpieces (8) and driven by a distinct means (87) at adjustable speed, and of a correction device consisting of a guiding element (100) movable in a parallel direction to an axis (9) materializing the initial virtual line against which said workpieces (8) have been previously supported in their upstream conveying path before being rotated in a conveying device (4), a means of excess or low pressure (110) allowing to apply on these workpieces, in the direction of said conveying elements (70) forming an air permeable surface, a pressure chosen so that, added to the specific gravity of these workpieces, the resulting frictional force between the conveying elements (70) and these workpieces is suitable to transmit to each of them a speed which is substantially equal to the speed of the conveying elements whatever the specific gravity of these workpieces may be.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the lower structure (6) is perpendicularly movable with regard to the axis (7) of motion of the workpieces in the folder-gluer owing to the sliding of two bearing pairs (20, 21) on two guiding means (18, 19) arranged between two frames (2, 3) of the folder-gluer including the object of the present invention, and that this moving can be manually or automatically driven.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the upper structure (26) is carried by the lower structure (6), on the one hand through a plate (41) having low coefficient of friction, being rigidly locked with said lower structure and on which slides a part of the upper structure (26), and on the other hand through a pivot point (30) only movable in rotation, arranged on the axis of motion (7) and rigidly locked with the lower structure (6), that the upper structure (26) can be pivoted in the horizontal plane with respect to the lower structure (6) in both directions around the pivot point (30) by means of an actuator (47) being rigidly locked with the upper structure (26) and arranged near one of the ends of the upper structure.
4. Use of the correction device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a production line for the manufacture of packaging workpieces (8) obtained by folding and gluing from paper or cardboard blanks, after that these blanks have been at least partly converted by such a production line.
5. Use according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the holding means (114) of the folded parts of said workpieces (8) extend parallely above the correction device (1), and that these holding means are retractable and form an air permeable smooth surface which does not obstruct the path of said folded parts.

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