EP1123889B1 - Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks - Google Patents

Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1123889B1
EP1123889B1 EP00126354A EP00126354A EP1123889B1 EP 1123889 B1 EP1123889 B1 EP 1123889B1 EP 00126354 A EP00126354 A EP 00126354A EP 00126354 A EP00126354 A EP 00126354A EP 1123889 B1 EP1123889 B1 EP 1123889B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
block
folding
lifting element
web
formation system
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
Application number
EP00126354A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1123889A1 (de
Inventor
Thomas Sander
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gevas Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
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Gevas Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2000/001064 external-priority patent/WO2001058793A1/en
Application filed by Gevas Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH filed Critical Gevas Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Priority to EP00126354A priority Critical patent/EP1123889B1/de
Publication of EP1123889A1 publication Critical patent/EP1123889A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1123889B1 publication Critical patent/EP1123889B1/de
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/12—Devices relieving the weight of the pile or permitting or effecting movement of the pile end support during piling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/02—Folding limp material without application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/06—Folding webs
    • B65H45/10—Folding webs transversely
    • B65H45/101—Folding webs transversely in combination with laying, i.e. forming a zig-zag pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/12—Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/20—Zig-zag folders

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a system for forming blocks of folded web material, preferably of nonwoven material or tissue, comprising folding means between which the web is passing for folding it in a zigzag-like manner to a block, and pressing means acting on the block, whereby the block is laid on a lifting element being movable relative to the folding means.
  • a block formation system is mainly used for a process generally known under the term "festooning", making blocks of nonwoven materials which are used for the production of hygienic articles.
  • US-A 1985676 discloses a method and an apparatus for folding a paper block from a continuous web of paper.
  • paper material is fed to an indenting mechanism providing folding lines in certain intervals.
  • the folded material is received by helicoidal members assisting to obtain correct stacking of the folded sheets of band material.
  • the folded block of material is arranged on a lifting table being movable in vertical direction, to keep the distance between the folding device and the upper surface of the block as constant as possible.
  • this apparatus can produce festooned blocks, it has a complicated structure and is not suitable for high-speed applications.
  • EP 0 939 054 A2 discloses an apparatus for folding a continuous strip of material which uses a pair of cylinders having means for deviating and gripping the strip for building a block of folded material.
  • Each cylinder has the gripping means arranged on one side and the deviating means on the opposite side.
  • the gripping means clamp the strip material and move it by a rotation of less than 180° to the upper surface of the block of folded material.
  • the material strips are not accurately laid one on top of each other, and some frictional engagement between the rotating cylinders and the upper surface of the block may lead to damages in the block, in particular if the material is nonwoven fabric such as airlaid, which is very delicate to handle, as every undue friction or tension will result in an undesirable elongation of the web.
  • the material is nonwoven fabric such as airlaid, which is very delicate to handle, as every undue friction or tension will result in an undesirable elongation of the web.
  • there is a certain distance between the surface of the lifting element and the folding cylinders which normally results in instability of the folding process, so that the first layers tend to slip away, are not folded accurately and have to be discarded.
  • Document FR-A-1 514 716 discloses a device for folding a web by an oscillating movement of an arm, whereby the web is folded to a block.
  • On opposite sides of the block holding means are provided, which press on the area of the folding edge and the oscillating arm is feeding the web in an alternate manner to the holding means. If the pressure on the holding means is to high, the holding means move and an electrical contact is closed so that the lifting table is lowered to a predetermined amount.
  • Document WO-A-92 02443 discloses another device for folding a web using belts which are guided through several rollers in order to fold the web on a table. During the folding process the table is automatically lowered and then the finished block is discharged to a conveyor system. It is not disclosed to control the movement of the lifting table with respect to the degree of the compression on the block.
  • a block formation system for forming a block of folded material, preferably of nonwoven material or tissue, comprising folding means between which web material is passing for folding it to a block, and pressing means acting on the block, whereby the block is laid on a lifting element being movable relative to the folding means, and whereby means for controlling the relative movement of the lifting element to the folding means with respect to the degree of compression exerted on the block are provided.
  • a feedback signal for the compression is provided, to increase the speed of the lifting element, as soon as the pressure on the block is exceeding a pre-determined value, or to reduce the speed as soon as the pressure is getting too low.
  • the pressure is maintained within a given range, allowing to obtain an optimised process in terms of stability, with very accurate and symmetric blocks.
  • a physical pressure on the block i.e. assuring a continuous contact between folding cylinders and uppermost material layer during block formation, a significant increase in the overall process speed is obtained.
  • the lifting element has a flexible support device allowing a swinging movement of the lifting element.
  • a "floating" support is mainly used at the beginning of each block to improve handling of the web material in the first layers to be put on the lifting element. Due to the movement of the lifting element in the beginning of the folding process, now also the first layers are accurately laid one on top of the other, eliminating material damage and waste in consequence of unstable layers. As soon as the first layers are formed, the load cells integrated to the system begin to pick up data from the pressure between the folding means and the block surface. At this moment, the rocking mechanism of the lifting element is blocked, and the overall process speed can be increased during formation of the rest of the block.
  • air cushion members are provided to support the lifting element, so that damping of vibrations and other movements is achieved.
  • the flexible support device can be fixed in order to avoid any further swinging movement of the lifting element.
  • a board is provided on the lifting element, receiving the lowermost portion of the web material.
  • the board has a rough surface for providing a frictional engagement between the lowermost portion of the web material and the board, as the adherence of nonwoven materials to smooth surfaces is not good.
  • the pressing means include a measuring unit for detecting the degree of compression on the block, and a control unit analysing the data and comparing them to a pre-set optimum pressure, which is then used as a signal for adapting the speed for the vertical movement of the lifting element.
  • the feedback of the control unit is immediate, so that the handling of the material is easily adaptable with respect to different material properties and thicknesses.
  • the lifting element is allowed to swing in a perpendicular direction to the folding edges of the block in the beginning of the folding process, in order to improve the stability of the overall process even during folding the first layers. Additionally, high-speed operations benefit from an increasing pressure on the block, as this provides a damping effect to the material already folded.
  • the degree of compression on the block is maintained within a given range during the block formation, in order to assure a stable process with similar properties of the finished block in upper and lower portions.
  • a continuos compression can be achieved by two folding cylinders, each being provided with pressing means, whereby one set of fingers is pressing on the block on one side while web material is laid down on the opposite side of the block, and a system integrated in the folding system to obtain data on the pressure exerted on the top layer of the block which data is used to adjust the speed of the lifting table automatically.
  • a mother roll 1 of web material is delivered to the festooning system.
  • the full width of the mother roll is unwound so that a web 10 is fed to the processing station.
  • the web 10 is guided through a tension control system comprising two rollers 2 and a pneumatic dancing roller 3 being connected to a potentiometer to feedback the system on the dancing roller position.
  • the tension control system assures process stability, since the quality of the festooning process is indexed to tension steadiness and avoidance of web elongation.
  • the web 10 passes through a web guiding system comprising an automatic web guiding device tracking the web material 10 within narrow tolerances and thus controlling the position of the web in the slitting station.
  • the material has to be slit into lanes of the required width.
  • This operation is performed at the slitting station with unique crush cut perforations knives 7 that provide multiple width variation capabilities, depending on machine configuration.
  • the slitters are pneumatically loaded with a constant and uniform slit pressure against an anvil roll 6.
  • the slitting system includes a precise S-wrap material metering system. Trim cut of the product edges is also performed in this station, reducing material waste to a minimum.
  • the web 10 is guided between two rolls 8 having another tension control system 9.
  • the tension control system 9 comprises a lever with a roll pressing against the web 10 to assure constant web tension during the festooning process. Then the web 10 is fed to two folding cylinders 11 and 12 to build a block 50 of folded material.
  • the block 50 is arranged on a lifting element which is moved downwards during the festooning process. As soon as the required height of the material block 50 is reached, the block 50 is transferred to another position and a new block is built by the festooner system.
  • the web 10 of airlaid material is passing with constant web tension through a gap between the right folding cylinder 11 and the left folding cylinder 12.
  • Each folding cylinder 11 and 12 has a gripping means 13 and 16, and a pushing means 14 and 15.
  • a swinging set of fingers 17 is mounted on a holder 19.
  • measuring means 18 for measuring the actual pressure of the fingers 17 on the material block 50 during the festooning process.
  • a set of fingers 20 mounted to a holder 22 is provided, having another measuring means 21 for measuring the pressure of the fingers 20 on the material block 50.
  • the folding cylinders 11 and 12 as well as the holders 19 and 22 are mounted to a frame 23.
  • a movable lifting element 24 is provided for receiving the block 50 during the festooning process.
  • the lifting element 24 is arranged on a pneumatic system 25 that allows the element 24 to rock while the first block layers are formed in order to maintain a continuous contact between the lifting element 24 and the material web 10.
  • the pneumatic system 25 is mounted to a lifting frame 26 being movable together with the lifting element 24.
  • this is a cyclical process, where the respective elements of the counterrotating folding cylinders 11 and 12 are alternating between an operative and a non-operative position.
  • This rotation is indicated by arrows ⁇ and ⁇ .
  • the gripping means 13 comprises a gripping element being pivoted around an axis.
  • the gripping element is mounted to a holding member which is biased by a cam. Accordingly, the holding member is biased to a closed position.
  • the pushing element 15 tucks a portion of the web 10 between the gripping element and the receiving element.
  • the gripping means 13 is cam-driven and opens and closes with respect to the angular position of the folding cylinder 11. Before reaching the position where the gripping means 13 and the pushing means 15 are in an adjacent position, the gripping means 13 opens to receive a portion of the web 10, and clamp it between the gripping element and the receiving element. Then the gripping means 13 closes and the web 10 is transmitted to an angular position of about 120°. In this position the gripping means 13 opens to release the web 10.
  • the folding cylinder 11 rotates another 60°, so that the pushing means 14 can tuck the web 10 to the gripping element 16.
  • the gripping element 16 grips the web 10 and transmits it to a position approximately 120° further before releasing the web 10.
  • the folding cylinders 11 and 12 move to the original position shown in Fig. 2, and the cycle starts again.
  • the fingers 17 and 20 alternately press on the block 50 of folded material.
  • the fingers 17 are in a rest position between ribs integrated in the folding cylinder 11.
  • a small gap is provided with a size sufficient to allow passing the clamped portion of the web 10 around to the block 50.
  • the gripping means 13 When the gripping means 13 has moved about 120°, the gripping means 13 opens and releases a clamped portion of the web. Then the fingers 17 are pivoted around the holder 19 in order to press on the uppermost layer of web material on the block 50.
  • the web 10 being moved along the folding cylinder 11 with high speed can be stopped abruptly in order to put down each layer of web material in an accurate position.
  • a new portion of web material 10 is fed between the folding cylinders 11 and 12 until the pushing means 14 press a portion of the web 10 to the gripping means 16 of the folding cylinder 12.
  • the folding cylinder 12 rotates with the gripped portion of the web 10 around the fingers 20, which are in a rest position, while the fingers 17 are pressing on the block 50.
  • the gripping means 16 releases the web 10
  • the fingers 20 are pressing on the block 50, while the fingers 17 are moved to a rest position.
  • the lifting element 24 supports a board 27 with rough surface for providing some frictional engagement between the lowermost layer of web material 10 of the block 50 and the board 27, so that during folding of the lower portion of the block 50 the web material 10 cannot slip away.
  • the driving mechanism of the lifting element 24 comprises a control unit (not shown) for controlling a motor 32, which is driving a lifting frame 26 via a transmission band 33.
  • the lifting frame 26 provides a vertical movement of the lifting element 24 during the folding process. Therefore, the lifting apparatus 34 is guided on a rail 30 by rollers 35 contacting a guide element 36 of the rail 30.
  • the driving mechanism itself can comprise toothed wheels and other appropriate means for transmitting the driving force of the motor 32 to the lifting element 24.
  • the lifting frame 26 drives a holder 40 supporting the lifting element 24 with a floating mechanism.
  • a holder 40 supporting the lifting element 24 with a floating mechanism.
  • four cylinders with air cushion members 25 are provided for a flexible support of the lifting element 24.
  • the air cushion members 25 can be locked, so that the lifting element 24 is fixed to the holder 40.
  • the lifting element 24 is arranged on support members 41 being connected with the holder 40.
  • the degree of compression is measured by wire strain gauge elements 18 and 21, respectively.
  • the degree of pressure on the block 50 is transferred to a control unit analysing the data and comparing them to the pre-set optimum pressure. If the pressure on the block 50 is too high, the control unit sends a signal to increase the speed of the lifting element 24. If the pressure on the block 50 is too low, the control unit sends a signal to decrease the speed of the lifting element 24. Accordingly, the pressure on the block 50 can be maintained within a given range during the festooning process. It is also possible to adjust the degree of compression in relation to the height of the block 50, i. e. the higher the block 50, the higher the pressure on the block 50.
  • the web 10 can be cut before transporting the block 50 to another station. It is also possible to move the block 50 to a rest station and to festoon another block so that the block 50 and the other block are linked by a continuous portion of web material.

Claims (14)

  1. Blockerzeugungssystem zur Bildung eines Blockes aus gefaltetem Material, vorzugsweise aus einem Vliesstoff oder Gewebe, umfassend eine Falteinrichtung (11, 12) mit zwei drehbaren Faltzylindern, zwischen denen Bahnmaterial (10) zum Falten der Bahn (10) zu einem Block (50) durchgeführt ist, und Druckmitteln (17, 20), die auf den Block (50) wirken, wobei der Block auf einem Hubelement (24), der relativ zu der Falteinrichtung (11, 12) bewegbar ist, abgelegt wird, wobei die Druckmittel eine Messeinrichtung (18, 21) zum Messen des Grades an Kompression auf dem Block (5) umfasst, und eine Einrichtung zum Steuern der relativen Bewegung des Hubelementes (24) zu der Falteinrichtung (11, 12) im Hinblick zu dem Grad an Kompression des Blockes (50) vorgesehen ist.
  2. Blockerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hubelement (24) eine flexible Stützvorrichtung besitzt, die eine schwingende Bewegung des Hubelementes (24) ermöglicht.
  3. Blockerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die flexible Stützvorrichtung Luftkissenelemente (25) umfasst, die das Hubelement (24) abstützen.
  4. Blockerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die flexible Stützvorrichtung fixiert werden kann, um eine weitere schwingende Bewegung des Hubelementes (24) zu verhindern.
  5. Blockerzeugungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Platte (27) auf dem Hubelement (24) vorgesehen ist, die den untersten Abschnitt des Bahnmaterials (10) aufnimmt.
  6. Blockerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (27) eine raue Oberfläche für einen reibbehafteten Eingriff zwischen dem untersten Abschnitt des Bahnmaterials (10) und der Platte (27) besitzt.
  7. Blockerzeugungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hubelement (24) mit ebener Oberfläche mit Halteelementen, um eine Platte (27) aufzunehmen, ausgebildet ist.
  8. Blockerzeugungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messeinheit mit einer Steuereinheit verbunden ist, die den Grad an Kompression analysiert und Eingabedaten zum Steuern der vertikalen Bewegung des Hubelementes (24) bereitstellt.
  9. Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blockes, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    Zuführen von Bahnmaterial (10) zu einer Faltvorrichtung (11, 12) mit zwei drehbaren Faltzylindern;
    Falten des Bahnmaterials (10) in einer zick-zack-förmigen Weise unter Bildung eines Blockes (50) aus gefaltetem Material auf einem Hubelement (24);
    wobei Druckmittel (17, 20) auf die oberste Bahnlage wirken und der Grad an Kompression gemessen wird und zum Steuern der relativen Bewegung des Hubelementes (24) zu den Druckmitteln (17, 20) verwendet wird.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hubelement (24) in eine Richtung senkrecht zu den Faltkanten des Bahnmaterials (10) während des Beginns des Faltverfahrens schwingt.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Grad an Kompression des Blockes (50) innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Bereiches während der Bildung des Blockes gehalten wird.
  12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwei Faltzylinder (11, 12) zum Falten des Bahnmaterials (10) verwendet werden, von denen jeder mit Druckmitteln (17, 20) versehen ist, und ein Einsatz auf dem Block (50) auf einer Seite drückt, während Bahnmaterial (10) auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Blockes (50) abgelegt wird.
  13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Platte (27) auf dem Hubelement (24) abgelegt wird, bevor die Blockerzeugung beginnt.
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (27) und der Block (50) zusammen als eine Packungseinheit transportiert werden.
EP00126354A 2000-02-10 2000-12-02 Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks Expired - Lifetime EP1123889B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00126354A EP1123889B1 (de) 2000-02-10 2000-12-02 Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
WOPCT/EP00/01064 2000-02-10
PCT/EP2000/001064 WO2001058793A1 (en) 2000-02-10 2000-02-10 Block formation system and method for controlling the folding of a block
EP00126354A EP1123889B1 (de) 2000-02-10 2000-12-02 Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1123889A1 EP1123889A1 (de) 2001-08-16
EP1123889B1 true EP1123889B1 (de) 2004-03-24

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EP00126354A Expired - Lifetime EP1123889B1 (de) 2000-02-10 2000-12-02 Blockerzeugungssystem und Verfahren zum Steuern des Faltens eines Blocks

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Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015209613A1 (de) 2015-05-26 2016-12-01 Robert Bosch Gmbh Transportvorrichtung
CN117706141B (zh) * 2024-02-05 2024-04-23 连云港市瑞日实业发展有限公司 一种用于电子元器件的检测装置及方法

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH462087A (de) 1966-03-16 1968-09-15 Montforts Fa A Vorrichtung zur vertikalen Tischbewegung in einer Legemaschine für bahnförmiges Gut, insbesondere für Textilbahnen
EP0243799B1 (de) * 1986-04-30 1990-10-31 Bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. Vorrichtung zum Falzen von Materialbahnen
GB9016615D0 (en) * 1990-07-28 1990-09-12 Dalren Engineering And Machine Improvements relating to the folding of webs

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