EP1311383A1

EP1311383A1 - Sheet processing machine for making packages

Info

Publication number: EP1311383A1
Application number: EP01984098A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernard Guiot; Philippe Vallee
Original assignee: Rapidex SM SA
Current assignee: Rapidex SM SA
Priority date: 2000-07-06
Filing date: 2001-07-05
Publication date: 2003-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-05
Also published as: WO2002002305A1; FR2811254B1; US20030191001A1; DE60105173T2; FR2811254A1; US6773384B2; AU2002216756A1; ES2227305T3; EP1311383B1; DE60105173D1; ATE274413T1

Abstract

A machine for treating sheets, said machine comprising drive means (14, 16, 18) for driving the sheets, treatment tooling (52, 62) for forming cutouts or folds in said sheets that extend transversely to the drive direction (F) in which the sheets are driven. The treatment tooling is carried by at least one carrier shaft (52, 62) driven by a shaft motor (M52, M62). The sheets are driven at a substantially constant drive speed through the machine, and said machine further comprises a control unit (UC) which, as a function of said drive speed, and of information relating to the position of a sheet in the machine, control the shaft motor (M52, M62) such that, for treating said sheet, the tooling is in contact with a predetermined region of the sheet and is driven at a treatment speed whose tangential component is equal to the drive speed at which the sheet is driven.

Description

Sheet processing machine for packaging manufacturing

The present invention relates to a sheet processing machine, in particular for the manufacture of packaging made of materials such as cardboard or plastic, comprising drive means, driven by at least one drive motor and capable of driving sheets in a driving direction through a processing zone located between the inlet and the outlet of the machine, a processing tool intended to make in these sheets cutouts and / or folds arranged transversely to the direction d drive, means for determining information relating to the position of a sheet in the treatment zone and means for controlling the treatment tool according to said information. For the manufacture of packaging from cardboard or plastic sheets, on the one hand, "transverse" machines of the aforementioned type are known, in which the cuts or folds, at least for the majority, are made transversely relative to the direction of advancement of the sheets in the machine. On the other hand, "longitudinal" machines are known, for example of the type described in patent application EP 0 539 254 in the name of the applicant, in which the majority of the folds and the cuts are made in the direction of sheet feed in the machine. Longitudinal machines reach high production rates. The different manufacturing stages are carried out by cylinders rotating at high speed. The development of each cylinder determines the length of the sheets that can be processed in the machine. As a result, with a given longitudinal machine, it is only possible to manufacture packages whose length varies within a narrow range, determined by the minimum and maximum expanses of the machine.

In transverse machines of known type, the different tools (cutting tools, tools for conveying) are carried by beams which are arranged transversely with respect to the direction sheet advancement and which can be moved vertically between a working position and a withdrawing position. Various tools can be mounted on the beams, which makes it possible to manufacture various packages. However, the processing operations of the sheets carried out by the cutting or pressing tools can only be carried out when these sheets are stopped. Thus, the drive means advance the sheets step by step between each processing step. As a result, the production rates of known transverse machines are very low since they reach, for example, only 300 cases per hour.

The invention proposes to improve the transverse machines of the type mentioned in the preamble to enable them to achieve significantly higher production rates, for example of the order of 1000 cases per hour.

This object is achieved thanks to the fact that the treatment tool is carried by at least one transverse carrier shaft driven in rotation by a shaft motor which is distinct from said at least one drive motor, to the fact that the means of drive are able to drive the sheets at a substantially constant drive speed between the input and the output of the machine and the fact that the machine has a suitable control unit, depending on said forward speed and the information relating to the position of a sheet in the processing area, to control the shaft motor so that, for processing this sheet, the tool is in contact with a predetermined region of the sheet and is driven by a processing speed whose tangential component is equal to said driving speed.

Unlike the technique known for transverse machines, which drove the sheets in the machine step by step, the invention therefore proposes to drive the sheets at a substantially constant speed, without stopping phase. The tool intended for making the cuts or the transverse folds is carried by the carrier shaft which is arranged transversely with respect to the direction of drive of the sheets and which is driven by a shaft motor which is specific to it. The machine control unit, knowing the speed at which the sheets are driven, the position of the tool on the transverse carrier shaft, the position of a sheet in the treatment zone and the positions of the cutouts or folds to be made in this sheet, control, not the sheet drive means, but the shaft motor of the carrier shaft so that, when processing the sheet, the tool is precisely in contact with the region of the sheet in which a fold or a cut must be made, and then be animated with a processing speed equal to the driving speed. In other words, the invention provides, not for wedging the drive of the sheets on a predetermined position of the processing tools, but rather, using an electronic control unit, for wedging the positions of the tools. and their speed relative to the sheet and its speed of drive. The shaft motor must be sufficiently reactive and flexible so that its speed can increase and decrease in a very short period of time to settle on a precise value which is that of the leaf drive. For example, a positioning motor such as a multi-pole axis motor, which delivers a substantially constant torque both at low speed and at high speed may be suitable. You can also choose an asynchronous electric motor or a brushless motor.

In known transverse machines, different tools could be mounted on the same beam by aligning them transversely. In such a case, cuts or folds to be made in two regions of the sheet spaced along its direction of advance had to be made either by the same beam during two successive stops of the sheet passing under this beam, or by two spaced beams. Still with the aim of increasing the production rates, the invention advantageously makes it possible to carry out two treatments (cuts or folds) of the sheet in two zones spaced from one another in the direction of drive of this sheet, this using the same bearing tree. Thus, advantageously, the machine comprises a carrier shaft with angular tool adjustment comprising a hub, a holder fixed tool secured to this hub and a mobile tool holder secured to a mobile support which cooperates with the hub by means of position adjustment means allowing the angular position of the tool holder to be adjusted ^' movable relative to the door -fixed tool. In this. In this case, it is not only possible to treat two spaced-apart areas of the sheet using the tools respectively carried by each of the two tool holders, but it is also possible to quickly adapt the machine to different types of packaging, for which the spacings between these zones are different, by moving the movable tool holder relative to the fixed tool holder.

In this case, advantageously, the fixed tool holder is fixed to the hub by being arranged according to a first cylinder generator, the mobile support comprises at least one ring on which the mobile tool holder is fixed according to a second cylinder generator, this crown being coaxial with the hub, having an internal toothing and extending, in the region of the first generator, in a space formed between the exterior surface of the fixed tool holder and the hub, and the position adjustment means comprise an axis with pinion, which is disposed between the hub and the crown by cooperating with the internal toothing of this crown and means for driving the pinion axis in rotation, so as to rotate the crown relative to the hub and thus adjust the angular positioning of the second generator relative to the first generator.

This simple and reliable assembly makes it possible very quickly to modify the angular spacing between the mobile tool holder and the fixed tool holder, to adapt the machine to the manufacture of different packages. Advantageously, the carrier shaft comprises at least one tool holder equipped with quick attachment means for a tool, which comprise a longitudinal fixing groove located on the outer surface of the tool holder, at least one of the longitudinal edges of this groove being mobile and being delimited by a movable wedging piece between a locking position in which it defines with the opposite edge a retaining profile capable of retain a fixing rib having a complementary profile, and an unlocking position in which this edge is spaced from the opposite edge to allow the introduction of the fixing rib in said groove, by a radial displacement of this rib towards the axis of the bearing tree.

With the general aim of avoiding any unnecessary loss of time when using the machine, the invention therefore makes it possible to simplify the positioning of the tools on the carrier shaft by means of quick fixing means. Advantageously, the machine comprises a multi-tool carrier shaft capable of carrying at least first and second angularly spaced tools and the control unit is capable of controlling the shaft motor of said multi-tool carrier shaft according to a cycle comprising a processing phase by the first tool, in which said first tool is in contact with a first determined region of a sheet situated in the processing area of the machine and is driven by a tangential speed equal to the driving speed of this sheet, a positioning phase during which the multi-tool carrying shaft is driven to position the second tool in a situation of processing a second determined region of the sheet and a processing phase by the second tool, in which the second tool is in contact with said second region and is driven by a tangential speed equal to the drive speed. With the angular tool-adjustable carrier shaft, comprising a fixed tool holder and a mobile tool holder, it is possible to adjust the position of the mobile tool holder so that this carrier shaft rotates at the same speed (which, converted to tangential speed is equal to the speed of driving the sheets in the machine), during the treatment phase with the first tool, during the positioning phase and during the treatment phase with the second tool. In this case, the angular spacing between the two tools corresponds to the distance between the two treatment zones in which the two tools must act respectively. In some cases, even with this angular tool adjustment shaft, the positioning can, however, take place at a speed somewhat different from the speed at which the sheets are fed.

However, the multi-tool carrier shaft can also carry different tools in determined zones and be driven during the positioning phase at a speed higher or lower than the speed of driving the sheets to wedge the second tool in the good position for the treatment phase with this second tool.

Advantageously, the machine includes means for moving the multi-tool carrying shaft away from the path for advancing the sheets in the treatment zone during the positioning phase.

For example, the multi-tool carrying shaft can carry 3 or 4 angularly spaced tools, an intermediate tool being interposed between the first and the second aforementioned tool, for example to be used optionally. In this case, the multi-tool carrying shaft is driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of driving the sheets for the treatment phase with the first tool, is moved away from the path of advancement of the sheets and, in this situation, can be moved quickly to position the second tool in a position to process the second determined region of the sheet, without the intermediate tool coming into contact with the latter.

According to an advantageous variant, the drive means cooperate with adjustable position drive rollers which are mounted on roller supports and the machine comprises means for adjusting the positions of these supports transversely to the drive direction. sheets in the machine. It is desirable to arrange the drive rollers in positions determined according to the width of the sheet, measured in the transverse direction. For example, these adjustable position drive rollers must support particular areas of the sheet or make certain cuts or folds which must be arranged parallel to the direction in which the sheets are driven. In this case, the machine advantageously comprises at least one adjustment belt disposed transversely with respect to the direction in which the sheets are driven, means for driving this belt and coupling means capable of being controlled between a coupling situation in which they make a roller support integral with said belt and a stop situation in which they make said roller support integral with a fixed piece of biocage.

Thus, the roller supports, and therefore the rollers they carry, can be easily moved relative to each other without the need to disassemble them.

The invention will be clearly understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of nonlimiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a view of the machine in section in a vertical plane;

- Figure 2 shows the blank of a package after its processing by the machine; - Figure 3 schematically illustrates the main components of the machine and its kinematics;

- Figure 4 is a block perspective view of the main components of the machine, with the principle of their controls; - Figures 5 and 6 are two partial views in vertical section made at the entrance to the machine;

- Figure 7 is a sectional view in a vertical plane and parallel to the direction of drive of the sheets in the machine, showing a carrier shaft with angular tool adjustment; - Figure 8 is a view of the same tree in section in a vertical plane and perpendicular to the direction of drive of the sheets in the machine, illustrating an end region of this tree;

- Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the rapid mounting of a tool on a tool holder of the shaft of Figures 7 and 8; - Figures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D are block diagrams illustrating the movements of a carrier shaft with multiple tools;

- Figure 13 shows, in a vertical plane, the mounting of an adjustable position drive roller; and

- Figures 14 and 15 are diagrams taken in a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of drive of the sheets in the machine, illustrating the mode of adjustment of the position of this roller.

The machine shown in Figure 1 has a feed table 10 on which is disposed a sheet 12, for example, a material such as cardboard or plastic, for processing in the machine.

The latter comprises an entry area E, a processing area T and an outlet area S successively arranged in the direction F of advancement of the sheets. In the entry area, the sheets are taken up by drive means 14 which drive them at constant speed through the treatment area. In the example shown, this processing area T comprises two processing units, respectively U1 and U2 arranged one after the other in the direction F. Between these two units are means of drive relays 16. Drive means 18 are also provided at the outlet S of the machine.

The machine is used to process sheets to shape them so that they can then be folded to form a package. For example, Figure 2 shows a blank processed by the machine from a full sheet. This blank 20 has cutouts 22 and folds 24 which are arranged transversely to the direction F of advancement of the sheet in the machine. The tools of the processing units U1 and U2 located in the processing area T of the machine allow these cuts and folds to be made. These tools include cutting tools or knives which form the cutouts 22 and tools to repress or repressors which form folds 24. The blank shown in FIG. 2 also has folds

26 which are arranged parallel to the drive direction F. As will be seen below, these folds can be produced using delivery rollers which cooperate with the drive means. The blank also has specific cutouts, for example orifices 28 used to form handles in the packaging, which are produced in one of the processing units U1 or U2.

The drive means of the machine include disc-shaped drive rollers which are rotated. We see for example in Figure 1, at the entrance of the machine, lower drive rollers 30 and 32, and upper drive rollers 34 and 36. Similarly, at the outlet, the drive means 18 have lower rollers 38 and 40 and upper rollers 42 and 44. The drive relay means 16 also include lower rollers 46 and upper 48. In FIG. 1, the drive means 14 and 18 each comprise two rows of lower and upper rollers. For simplicity, only one row of rollers has been shown in schematic figures 3 and 4.

Thus, FIG. 4 shows, at the inlet, lower rollers 30 and upper rollers 34 respectively mounted on a lower shaft 31 and on an upper shaft 35. Similarly, at the outlet, the lower and upper rollers 38 and 42 are mounted on two shafts 39 and 43, while the intermediate rollers 46 and 48 of the relay 16 are mounted on two shafts 47 and 49. The drive means are driven by a main drive motor M50 such as (type engine specification). The different shafts are connected to each other by transmission means such as belts 51.

As will be seen below and as the variant of FIG. 3 suggests, the drive rollers, for example those which are at the entry and / or at the exit, may not be mounted directly on their shafts drive, but be mounted on roller supports which allow the adjustment of their respective positions.

The schematic view of FIG. 3 which illustrates the kinematics of the machine represents side by side elements which, in reality, are located one above the other. We see side by side the lower and upper trees 31 and 35, trees 47 and 49 and trees 39 and 43.

It should be noted that the input zones E, treatment T and output S can be located in separable modules, in which case the main motor M50 directly drives a shaft A50, for example located in the treatment zone, which itself even is coupled by means of the Oldham joint type to driven shafts

A50E for input and A50S for output.

Each of the processing units U1 and U2 includes a carrier shaft which carries processing tools. We first describe the unit

U1, with its carrier shaft 52, hereinafter referred to as carrier shaft with angular tool adjustment.

This shaft is located above the plane P of advancement of the sheets in the machine and it cooperates, by means of the tools which it carries, with a counterpart shaft 54 situated under this plane. This counterpart shaft carries a coating 56, for example of a material such as polyurethane, sufficiently flexible to allow the tools to fulfill their functions, for example by folding or cutting the sheet. Likewise, a counterpart shaft 54 ′ is located under the carrier shaft 62 of the processing unit U2.

The counter shafts, as well as the lower drive rollers, can be moved vertically to adapt to sheets of different thicknesses.

The counterpart shafts can be rotated in the same way as the drive means, for example using the main motor M50. However, they are advantageously driven by an M54 auxiliary motor, for example an asynchronous motor with frequency converter, which is controlled to drive the sheets at the same speed as the drive means, i.e. the speed tangential of the counterpart shafts is the same as the tangential speed of the drive rollers, despite their different diameters.

The transverse carrier shaft 52 is rotated by a shaft motor M52 which is separate from the motor or motors of the drive means and the counterpart shafts. This is for example an asynchronous motor, a brushless motor, or so general, of a positioning motor. The shaft 52 is coupled to the output of this motor by a drive pin 53.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the machine comprises a control unit UC which, according to information relating to the position of a sheet 12 in the processing zone T, controls the shaft motor M52 by a command line L52 such that, for the treatment of this sheet by a tool carried by the shaft 52, this tool is in contact with a predetermined region of the sheet and that it moves at the same tangential speed than the leaf speed.

The control unit knows the speed of the drive means 14, 16 and 18. For example, by a control line L50, it controls the main drive motor M50. In addition, it receives information from a speed sensor C50, for example a tachometer integral in rotation with one of the shafts of the drive means, by an information input line LE50. It can thus adjust its control of the M50 engine.

She also knows the position of a sheet in the machine. To do this, it receives information delivered by position sensors such as the photocells C1, C2 and C3 successively arranged on the path of advancement of the sheets, and which are connected to it by information input lines, LC1, LC2 and LC3 respectively.

For example, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sheet 12 is detected at the input by the sensor C1 and is optionally retained by a movable stop 60. At the chosen moment, the driving of the sheet begins, it is ie the stopper 60 retracts and the sheet is pinched between the lower and upper coaches, such as the rollers 32 and 36. The sensor C2 is arranged downstream of the sensor C1, for example just downstream of the rollers 30 and 34 and detects the arrival of the sheet. This allows, if necessary, to correct the speed of the motor M50 or to correct the data used to control the motor M52 if, due to possible slippage, the speed of movement of the sheet between the sensors C1 and C2 is not not strictly equal to the speed of the drive means. Thus, the control unit knows precisely the speed of advance and the position of the sheet in the machine. Consequently, depending on the MP setting means entered in the control unit to memorize which treatment (cutting, fold) must be applied to which region of the sheet, the latter can control the motor M52 independently of the drive means. so that he positions his tools in the right place, at the right time and at the right speed.

The tool carrying shaft 62 is called the multiple tool carrying shaft. This shaft 62 is disposed above the plane P in the treatment zone and cooperates with the counterpart shaft 54 'similar to the shaft 54. The shaft 62 is rotated by a motor M62, for example a motor analogous to the motor M52 of the shaft 52 and which, like the latter is distinct from the motor or motors of the drive means and counterpart shafts. Like the motor M52, the motor M62 is controlled by the control unit UC, by a control line L62, to calibrate the speed and the position of the shaft 62 so that the tools which it carries cooperate with the leaves in the right place, at the right time and at the right speed.

By the lines LE52 and LE62 connected to sensors, the control unit knows the speeds of the shafts carrying tools 52 and 62 and can, according to these data, modify its control of the motors M52 and M62. By a line LE54, also connected to sensors, it still knows the speed of the counterpart shafts 54 and 54 'and it can therefore correct the control of the motor M54.

The sheets are fed into the machine at a substantially constant drive speed. The control unit UC, knowing this speed and the position of the sheet, controls the motor M52 or the motor M62 between a waiting phase, in which its speed is zero or substantially zero, a positioning phase in which its speed is different from the drive speed (it is generally higher) in order to correctly position the ad hoc tool with respect to the position which the region of the sheet to be treated by this tool will reach. The positioning phase is followed by a processing phase in which the motor M52 or M62 is controlled when this region of the leaf is opposite the shaft 52 or 62. In this processing phase, the tangential speed of this tool is equal to the forward speed to perform the desired treatment. A new waiting phase follows the treatment phase.

This cycle is repeated one or more times per sheet, depending on the treatment (s) (cuts, folds ...) to be applied. Between the waiting phase and the positioning or processing phase, the motor 52 or 62 undergoes a very rapid acceleration or deceleration phase.

The configuration means correspond to a type of treatment chosen from different possible treatments, each corresponding to a type of packaging to be manufactured (dimensions of the sheets, shape of the packaging after folding and hanging of the sheets, positioning accordingly of the folds and of the cuts ).

The angular tool-adjustable carrying shaft 52 carries two angularly spaced tools. As best seen in Figure 7, it includes a shaft hub 64 which is coupled to the drive shaft 53. It also includes a fixed tool holder 66 which is integral with the hub 64 and a tool holder mobile 68 which is integral with a mobile support 70 constituted, in this case, by one or more mobile crowns. Figure 7 shows the tools carried by the two tool holders 66 and 68 angularly spaced by an angle α but, in Figures 1 and 8, for the convenience of the drawing, these two tool holders are diametrically opposed.

The fixed tool holder 66 is arranged according to a first cylinder generator G1 by being fixed to the hub, for example by fixing and bracing shoes 72. The mobile tool holder is fixed to the crown 70 by being arranged according to a second cylinder generator G2. The tool holders 66 and 68 are arranged so that their respective tool-carrying surfaces S66 and S68 are on the same cylindrical surface. Due to the thicknesses of the tool holders, these surfaces S66 and S68 are projecting radially with respect to the cylindrical surface S52 of the rest of the shaft 52, in particular determined by the crown 70. It follows that when a portion of the shaft 52 located between the tool holders 66 and 68, is located opposite the sheet being processed, this portion is not in contact with said sheet, so that it is not necessary to 'move the shaft 52 away from the sheet advancement path.

The crown 70 has an internal toothing 70A on which meshes a pinion pin 74 disposed between the hub 64 and the crown. Optionally, this axis is carried by a bearing 76 capable of sliding on the surface of the hub 64. As can be seen in FIG. 8, a space 78 is provided between the outer surface S66 of the fixed tool holder and the hub 64 to allow the passage of the circular crown 70. In the present case, this annular space is produced in the external face of the shoe 72. As can also be seen in FIG. 8, several crowns 70 of similar conformation and several shoes 72 can be arranged on the along the hub 64.

It is understood that when the pinion axis 74 is rotated, it displaces the crown 70, that is to say that it also displaces the mobile tool holder. The dimensions of the shoe 72 determine the minimum space that it is possible to obtain between the fixed and mobile tool holders.

It is possible to drive the pinion axis in rotation using a manual device such as a crank that is put in place only when it is necessary to move the mobile tool holder.

In this case, the means for driving the pinion axis 74 in rotation, comprise a toothed wheel 80 coaxial with the drive axis 53 of the shaft 52 and freely mounted around this axis (Figures 3 and 8) . This toothed wheel meshes with the pinion pin 74 and cooperates with rotation drive means. It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the end of the axle 74 carries a toothed drive wheel 82 which cooperates with the wheel 80.

Thus, to move the mobile tool holder, it suffices to rotate the toothed wheel 80. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that it is coupled to an annex motor M80 by means of a D80 differential. To simplify, this motor M80 is not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4. It is understood, however, that it can be controlled by the control unit using a control line L80. The carrier shaft 52 or 62 advantageously comprises a tool holder which is equipped with quick attachment means for a tool. In this case, this is the case of the shaft 52 and we understand better the shape of these means in FIGS. 7 and 9 to 10.

In Figures 9 and 10, only one of the tool holders 66 and 68, for example the tool holder 66, is shown in section perpendicular to the axis of the carrier shaft. It can be seen that its carrying surface S66 has a longitudinal fixing groove 84 whose longitudinal edge 84A is movable. It is in fact delimited by a movable wedging piece 86 which has the shape of a longitudinal rod. This rod is movable between a locking position (Figure 10) in which the edge 84A defines, with the opposite edge 84B of the groove 84, a retaining profile and an unlocking position (Figure 9) in which the edge 84A is spread edge 84B to allow easy installation of a tool in the groove. In this case, the edge 84A is delimited by a recess made in the rod 86 and the latter pivots about its longitudinal axis between its unlocking and locking positions.

For example, the retaining profile of the groove 84 can be a dovetail profile or a T-profile. The back of the tool 88 has a fixing rib 90 having a complementary retaining profile, which can therefore be 'embed in the groove. For example, the actual tool (for example formed by two knives 94) is carried by a plate or base 92 whose curvature delimits a cylindrical surface so that, during the rotation of the carrier shaft for the treatment of a sheet in the machine, the distance between the tool and the plane P remains constant.

The machine comprises cutting tools such as the tool 88 represented in FIGS. 9 to 11 which each include a cutting part (knives 94), and tools to push back such as the tool 88 'in FIG. 11 which include each a delivery part (rib 96). These tools further include a base 92 bearing the fixing rib 90. Once the ribs 90 are inserted in the groove 84, the tools can be moved in translation to be arranged against each other. Thus, the tools 88 and 88 ′ can be arranged against the tool 88 "in FIG. 11. By these simple fixing means, the tools can very easily be placed in a chosen order, one next to the other on the holder. -tool, and according to selected spacings, so as to adapt them to the manufacture of different packages.

The shafts 52 and 62 can each carry several tools, and can therefore be driven according to a cycle comprising a treatment phase with a first tool, a positioning phase and a treatment phase with a second tool. For the shaft 52, for which the spacing between the tools is adjustable and for which the tools protrude from its cylindrical surface so that it is not necessary to move it away from the path of advancement of the sheets, the positioning phase can simply consist in continuing to train it at the same speed between the two processing phases.

The shaft 62 also carries several angularly spaced tools, but its cylindrical surface S62 is, in the working position, close to the plane P of advancement of the sheets. For example, the tools can be mounted on simple plates which are screwed into threads. radials formed on the cylindrical surface of the shaft 62. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the shaft 62 carries, for example, a tool 100 having a knife intended to make orifices such as the openings 28 in the blank of FIG. 2.

In FIGS. 12A to 12D, this shaft 62 is shown diagrammatically in cross section and it carries four tools numbered from 100 to 103, which are angularly spaced. It has been indicated in these figures, a sheet 12 disposed on the plane P of advancement of the sheets. After the processing of a first determined region of the sheet R1 by the first tool 100, and before the processing of a second determined region of the sheet R2 by another tool, for example the tool 103, the shaft 62 is driven according to its positioning phase. Insofar as its cylindrical surface S62 is too close to the sheet in the working position, this shaft 62 is discarded the path of advancement of the sheets in the treatment zone during the positioning phase.

The means controlling this spacing are shown in Figures 4 and 12A to 12D. They comprise a spacer shaft 106 which carries at least one eccentric 108. The carrier shaft 62 is mounted on a movable axis 110 which is supported by the spacer shaft 106 via the eccentric.

In this case, the shaft 106 is fixed relative to the frame of the machine and the eccentric 108 is formed by a roller which is connected to it in an eccentric position. This roller 108 is rotated by a spacer motor M108, around its geometric axis. Thus, during its rotation, the roller 108 moves around the center of the shaft 106 through the different positions shown in Figures 12A to 12D. The axis 110 of the shaft 62 is supported by the spacer shaft

106 via the roller 108. More precisely, the roller is connected to the shaft 62 via a system of connecting rods 112. In this case, the shaft 106 extends transversely inside of the treatment zone and, at each of its ends, it carries a roller 108 rotating at the first end of a connecting rod 112, the second end of which is connected to the shaft 62 while being articulated with respect to it. In this case, this connection is indirect and uses a lever 114 as indicated below.

Advantageously, the movable axis 110 is integral with a lever which carries a counterweight intended to facilitate the upward movement of the carrier shaft.

In FIG. 4, it can be seen that each connecting rod 112 is articulated by its second end on a lever 114, one end portion of which directly carries the axis 110 of the shaft 62 and the opposite end of which carries a counterweight 116. The levers 114 are pivotally mounted around a pivot axis A114. The counterweight 116 is balanced with respect to the shaft 62 so that the force required to raise this shaft 62 is low.

In FIG. 12A, the shaft 62 is lowered so that the tool 100 comes into contact with the sheet 12. During the treatment phase, it rotates at a speed such that the tool moves exactly at the same speed as the sheet. As soon as the processing of the region R1 is finished, the motor M108 is controlled by the control unit UC, to which it is connected by a control line L108, so as to raise the carrier shaft 62. During this phase of positioning, the motor M62 is controlled by the control unit so as to bring the tool to perform the following processing, for example the tool 103, in a position to carry out this processing. Figures 12B and 12C show this positioning phase. By a line LE108 connected to a sensor, the control unit is informed of the speed of the motor M 108, to adjust it accordingly.

The drive means include drive rollers such as those of the relay 16, the spacing of which in the transverse direction to the machine need not be modified. Similarly, stations 14 and 18 may include rollers fixed in translation. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to change the positions of the rollers. One can, moreover, add to them certain rollers which are used not only for driving, but also for carrying out certain operations such as cuts or folds arranged longitudinally in the direction of advancement of the sheet.

In FIG. 3, we have chosen to represent the lower 30 and upper rollers 34 of the inlet station 14, as well as the lower 40 and upper rollers 44 of the outlet station 18, in the form of rollers with adjustable position.

By way of example, FIG. 13 shows a roller 30. Like the other adjustable rollers, it is mounted on a roller support 120 which can be moved transversely relative to the drive direction F. For this, the machine comprises an adjustment belt 122 which is driven transversely to the direction F. This belt is driven by means such as a motor M 122 (FIG. 3).

The roller supports 120 can be coupled with this belt to allow the movement of the rollers or, on the contrary, be uncoupled with respect to the belt and locked to keep the rollers in position. Thus, each roller support 120 comprises a coupling pad 124 and a coupling counterpart 126 which are arranged on either side of the belt 122 (on one of the arms of the loop which it forms). The shoe 124 can be placed in a coupling position (FIG. 14) in which it presses the belt 122 against the counterpart 126, so that the roller support 120 and the roller that it carries are moved with the belt. This shoe can also occupy an inactive position (Figure 15), in which it is moved away from the belt. Each roller support 120 further comprises a stop shoe 128 which can be placed in a stop position (FIG. 15) in which it cooperates with a fixed locking piece 130 to make the roller support 120 integral with this part and block it in the desired position, and which can be placed in an inactive position (FIG. 14), in which it is moved away from this blocking part 130.

The machine comprises means for controlling the coupling shoe 124 and the stop shoe 128 which are capable of placing the coupling shoe in its coupling position when the stop shoe occupies its inactive position and which are suitable placing the stop shoe in its stop position when the coupling shoe is in its inactive position.

Quite simply, the stop shoe 128 and the coupling shoe 124 can be arranged at each of the two ends of a rod 132 movable back and forth. This rod is for example controlled between its two positions by a pneumatic cylinder.

The fixed blocking part can be constituted by a fixed belt which is stretched parallel to the strand of the belt 122 with which the shoe 124 cooperates, or by another part such as a fixed plate or the like. If necessary, it can be arranged between the shoe 130 and a counterpart 131 to be pinched between these parts in the stopped position.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the roller support 120 is integral with the grooved drive axis 31. It indeed has a toothed wheel whose internal periphery meshes with this axis and which, itself, drives a system of toothed wheels for the transmission of the drive to the roller 30. The mechanical connection mode with the splined axis 31 allows the support 120 to be moved in translation along this shaft. The support 120 is carried by a console 134, which is itself supported by a support beam 136 arranged transversely to the direction F. The console 134 slides by ball slides 138 on the lower end of this beam. The pads 124 and 128, as well as the counterparts 126 and 131, are carried by an arm 134A of the console 134. The belt 122 is arranged vertically, the pad 128 cooperating with one of its horizontal strands (the lower strand) . Another arm 134B of the console 134 supports a cylinder 137 which serves to adjust the vertical position of the roller 30 relative to its support 120, to adapt this position to different thicknesses of sheets.

Claims

1. sheet processing machine (12), in particular for manufacturing packaging materials such as cardboard or plastic, comprising drive means (14, 16, 18), comprising at least one motor drive and able to drive sheets in a drive direction (F) through a processing area (T) located between the inlet (E) and the outlet (S) of the machine, a processing tool (88, 88 ', 88 "; 100, 101, 102, 103) intended to make cut-outs (22) and / or folds (24) arranged transversely to the drive direction (F) in these sheets, means ( C1, C2, C3) to determine information relating to the position of a sheet in the treatment zone (T) and means (UC) for controlling the treatment tool according to said information, characterized in that l the processing tool is carried by at least one transverse carrier shaft (52, 62) driven in rotation by a motor r shaft (M52, M62), in that the drive means (14, 16, 18) are capable of driving the sheets (12) at a substantially constant drive speed between the inlet (E) and the output (S) of the machine and in that it comprises a suitable control unit (UC), as a function of said speed of advance and of the information relating to the position of a sheet in the processing zone , controlling the shaft motor (M52, M62) so that, for processing this sheet, the tool is in contact with a predetermined region (R1, R2) of the sheet and is driven by a processing speed whose tangential component is equal to said driving speed.

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (UC) is able to control the shaft motor

(M52, M62) according to the cycles comprising a waiting phase, a positioning phase in which said motor angularly positions the tool of the transverse carrier shaft (52, 62) and a processing phase, in which said tool is driven at a tangential speed equal to the driving speed and processes said predetermined region of the sheet.

3. Machine according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (UC) is able to control the shaft motor (M52, M62) according to the corresponding setting means (MP) to a selected treatment type.

4. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a carrier shaft with angular tool adjustment (52), comprising a hub (64), a fixed tool holder (66) integral of this hub and a mobile tool holder (68) integral with a mobile support (70) which cooperates with the hub (64) by means of position adjustment means allowing the angular position of the tool holder to be adjusted movable (68) relative to the fixed tool holder (66).

5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixed tool holder (66) is fixed to the hub (64) being arranged according to a first cylinder generator (G1), in that the movable support comprises at least one crown (70) on which the mobile tool holder is fixed according to a second cylinder generator (G2), this crown being coaxial with the hub, having internal toothing (70A) and extending, in the region of the first generator ( G1), in a space formed between the outer surface (S66) of the fixed tool holder (66) and the hub (64) and in that the position adjustment means comprise a pinion pin (74), which is arranged between the hub (64) and the crown (70) by cooperating with the internal toothing (70A) of this crown and means (M80, 80) for driving the pinion axis in rotation, so as to rotate the crown ( 70) relative to the hub (64) and thus to adjust the angular positioning (a) of the d second generator (G2) with respect to the first generator (G1).

6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for driving the pinion axis (74) in rotation comprise a toothed wheel (80) coaxial with the drive axis (53) of the carrier shaft to angular adjustment of tool (52) and freely mounted around this axis, this toothed wheel meshing with the pinion axis (74) and cooperating with means for driving in rotation (80).

7. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the carrier shaft comprises at least one tool holder (66, 68) equipped with quick attachment means for a tool (88, 88 ', 88 "), which comprise a longitudinal fixing groove (84) situated on the external surface (S66, S68) of the tool holder (66, 68), at least one of the longitudinal edges (84A) of this groove being movable and being delimited by a wedging piece (86) movable between a locking position (Fig. 10) in which it defines with the opposite edge (84B) a retaining profile capable of retaining a fixing rib (90) having a complementary profile , and an unlocking position (Fig. 9) in which this edge is spaced from the opposite edge to allow the introduction of the fixing rib (90) in said groove, by a radial displacement of this rib towards the axis of l carrier tree.

8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the wedging piece is formed by a longitudinal rod (86) whose section has a recess defining the movable longitudinal edge (84A), this rod being able to pivot about its axis longitudinal between its unlocking and locking positions.

9. Machine according to any one of claims 5 and 8, characterized in that it comprises cutting tools (88, 88 ") and upsetting tools (88 ') which each comprise a cutting part ( 94) or discharge (96) and a base (92) carrying a fixing rib (90) able to cooperate with the fixing groove (84) of a tool holder (66, 68), these tools thus being able to be arranged in a chosen order next to each other on the tool holder.

10. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a multi-tool carrier shaft (52, 62) capable of carrying at least a first and a second tool (88, 88 ', 88 "; 100, 101, 102, 103) angularly spaced and in that the control unit (UC) is capable of controlling the shaft motor (M52, M62) of said multi-tool carrier shaft according to a cycle comprising a phase processing by the first tool, in which said first tool (100) is in contact with a first determined region (R1) of a sheet (12) located in the processing area (T) of the machine and is animated by '' a tangential speed equal to the speed of driving of this sheet, a positioning phase during which the multi-tool carrying shaft (62) is driven to position the second tool (103) in a position to process a second determined region (R2) of the sheet (12) and a treatment phase with the second tool (103), in which the second tool is in contact with said second region and is driven by a tangential speed equal to the drive speed.

11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means (106, 108, 112, M108) for separating the multi-tool carrying shaft (62) from the path of advancement of the sheets (12) in the treatment zone (T) during the positioning phase.

12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a spacer shaft (106) carrying at least one eccentric (108) and in that the carrier shaft (62) is mounted on a movable axis (110 ) supported by the spacer shaft (106) via said eccentric (108).

13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the movable axis (110) is integral with a lever (114) which carries a counterweight (116) intended to facilitate an upward movement of the carrier shaft (62 ).

14. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the drive means (14, 18) cooperate with adjustable position drive rollers (30, 34; 40, 44) which are mounted on roller supports and in that it comprises means (122, 124, 128) for adjusting the positions of these supports transversely with respect to the direction of drive of the sheets in the machine.

15. Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one adjustment belt (122) disposed transversely with respect to the direction (F) for driving the sheets, means (M 122) for driving this belt and coupling means (124, 128) capable of being controlled between a coupling situation (Fig. 14) in which they make a roller support (120) integral with said belt (122) and a stop situation (Fig. 15) in which they make said roller support (120) integral with a fixed blocking part (130).

16. Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that each support (120) of adjustable position drive rollers (30) comprises a coupling pad (124) and a coupling counterpart (126) arranged on one side and on the other side of the belt (122), this shoe being movable between a coupling position (Fig. 14) in which it presses the belt (122) against said coupling counterpart (126) and an inactive position (Fig. 15) in which it is moved away from the belt.

17. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that each support (120) of adjustable position drive rollers

(30) further comprises a stop shoe (128) movable between a stop position (Fig. 15) in which it cooperates with the fixed blocking part (130) to make the support (120) integral with this part and an inactive position (Fig. 14) in which it is moved away from said blocking part (130) and in that it comprises means for controlling the coupling pad (124) and the stop pad ( 128) able to place the coupling shoe in its coupling position when the stop shoe occupies its inactive position and able to place the stop shoe in its stop position when the coupling shoe is in its inactive position.

18. Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the stop pad (130) and the coupling pad (128) are arranged at each of the two ends of a rod (132) movable back and forth. .