EP1932657B1 - Device for printing in Braille - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for printing braille characters on cardboard blanks.

The invention also relates to a folder-gluer comprising a frame carrying means for transporting cuts in a substantially flat trajectory.

State of the art

To comply with certain information regulations for the visually impaired or blind, it has become necessary to print Braille messages on some packaging boxes, especially on medicine boxes. Braille printing is embossing or embossing a surface of the box to reveal raised dots (or protuberances) for tactile reading messages.

It is already known to print braille messages when forming in a flatbed press (or platen press) a sheet of cardboard intended to form cuttings ready to be worked by a folder-gluer machine to form subsequently packaging boxes.

A platen press operates sequentially (or discontinuously), i.e. the sheets passing through the press stop before each shaping operation. A folder-gluer machine operates continuously, that is to say that the cuts that pass through the folder-gluer are processed during their continuous advance in the machine.

Global productivity is the productivity that makes it possible to obtain packaging boxes from cardboard sheets, in other words, it is the combination of the productivity of a platen press and a folder-gluer machine.

Traditionally, the operation of printing braille characters is performed by means of an embossing tool in the form of a plate mounted on a plate of the platen press. Like all the tools of a platen press, the assembly of the embossing tool requires long and careful adjustment operations, which has the effect of reducing the productivity of the platen press and therefore the productivity overall. This disadvantage worsens with the number of embossing tools mounted on the same plate.

In addition, in the state of the art, the embossed blanks coming out of a platen press are intended to feed a folder-gluer. The feeding of a folder-gluer is done through a feeder whose function is to feed the folder-gluer cutting by cutting from a stack of cuts. In a stack of embossed blanks, the protuberances tend to snap into each other so that the blanks have difficulty being separated. However, when a cutout manages to leave the stack, the protuberances of said cutout are crushed by the stack, which has the effect of reducing the readability of braille messages.

Another disadvantage related to the state of the art is the difficulty of printing a braille message near an edge or near a crushing of the cut. Indeed, the cutting, crushing and embossing tools are maintained on the same plate by tool holders which have a certain wheelbase. Because of this wheelbase, the approximation of tools is limited.

A device for printing Braille characters on cardboard blanks comprising rotary embossing tools is also known from the document DE 202005017869 U ;.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a braille printing solution that does not affect the overall productivity of packaging boxes, which facilitates the separation of the blanks of a stack, which improves the readability of the messages. braille and that offers more freedom in the positioning of messages on the box.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for printing Braille characters on cardboard blanks moving in a folder-gluer.

With this new design, the overall productivity of packaging boxes is improved. Indeed, the absence of embossing tools in the platen press saves the time usually spent on the assembly and adjustment of said tools. Having an embossing tool in the folder-gluer has no impact on overall productivity because there is only one embossing tool to mount and adjust. In addition, the mounting and adjustment of said tool can be done while the platen press works.

Another advantage of the invention is the easy separation of blanks from a stack. Indeed, the cuts that feed the folder-gluer not being embossed, the protuberances do not fit into each other. In addition, thanks to this feature, the protuberances are not crushed in the feeder of the folder-gluer which improves the readability of Braille messages.

Another advantage of the invention is also that it is possible to print braille messages anywhere on the blank, in particular near an edge or near an upset of the blank, since the embossing tool works on a blank. cutting already shaped by a platen press.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the description of embodiments, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of drawing figures

• The figure 1 is a schematic view of a folder-gluer according to the invention, seen from the left side with respect to the direction of transport of the cardboard blanks;
• The figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the figure 1 referring to the braille module;
• The figure 3 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, seen from the inner left side with respect to the direction of transport of the cardboard blanks;
• The figure 4 is a section of the perspective view of the figure 3 ;
• The figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the figure 4 relating to the means for adjusting the tools according to the invention;
• The figure 6 is a sectional view of a detail of the figure 4 relating to the clamping means of the tools according to the invention;
• The figure 7 is a perspective view of the angular wedging means of the tools according to the invention;
• The figure 8 is a perspective view of the tools according to the invention;
• The figure 9 is a perspective view of the means for adjusting the vertical position of the upper tool of the device according to the invention;

Best way to realize the invention

In the following description, when referring to the left side and the right side of the folder-gluer, it is in relation to the direction of transport of the cardboard blanks, indicated by an arrow F. Similarly, it defines the plane of the trajectory F as the horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the folder-gluer. The elements above the plane of the trajectory F are called upper and the elements below the plane of the trajectory F are called lower.

The figure 1 illustrates a folder-gluer according to the invention. In the example, the cardboard blanks arrive in the folder-gluer by the entry E and are recovered in the form of folded boxes at the exit S. The folder-gluer successively comprises of the entry E at the exit S, a margin station 10, a breaking module 20, a module 30 which will be called a "braille module", a folding module 40 and a receiving station 50. The braille module 30 is defined by the function it fulfills in the folder-gluer. The function of the braille module 30 is to print braille characters on the cardboard cut-out scrolling in the folder-gluer. This function is new in a folder-gluer.

The figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the braille module. To perform the function of the braille module 30, the folder-gluer according to the invention comprises a main frame formed essentially of two vertical parts, left and right, respectively 1 and 2, held apart from one another by several spacers 31 (see figure 2 ). The folder-gluer according to the invention also comprises means 3, 4 for transporting the cardboard blanks in a substantially flat trajectory F and a device 15 associated with the main frame, for printing braille characters on said cardboard blanks scrolling in the folder- gluer. Since the device 15 is the device according to the invention, it will be described separately.

The figure 2 also illustrates an example of horizontal transport mechanism of the cuts. In this example, the transport mechanism is carried by a frame 16 disposed between the left and right parts 2 of the main frame. The frame 16 is movable transversely so that it can be moved towards or away from the left 1 or right 2 parts. The frame 16 comprises a lower conveyor 3 and an upper conveyor 4. Each conveyor 3, 4 comprises a respective endless conveyor belt 32, 42. These two carriers 3, 4 being similar, only one of them is described. The conveyor belt 42 of the upper conveyor 4 is guided by a plurality of upper rollers 43 and frictionally driven by the conveyor belt 32 of the lower conveyor 3. The upper rollers 43 are directly mounted on the upper conveyor 4.

Each conveyor 3, 4 comprises rollers arranged in a plane corresponding to the path F for transporting the cardboard blanks. On the upper conveyor 4, the rollers forming the planar transport portions are grouped into a plurality of bogies subjected to elastic pressure means (not shown) for pressing the conveyor belts 32, 42 against one another.

The figure 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. The device 15 comprises a cradle 9 comprising two respective parallel flanks 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d kept at a distance from one another by spacers 22. The sidewall 9b, 9c, 9d consists of a lower flank 9b, 9d and an upper flank 9c. The lower flank 9b, 9d consists of a first lower flank 9b extended by a second lower flank 9d. The lower flank 9b is fixed to the second lower flank 9d through screws 39 passing through the field of the flanks. To be able to associate the device 15 to the main frame, the left part 1 of the frame is adapted to be clamped between the sidewalls 9a and 9b by means of screws and nuts (not shown). Alternatively, the device 15 may be movably mounted on transverse shafts so as to be remote or close to the transport mechanism. The transverse shafts are mounted between the left and right parts 2 of the main frame and an opening is made in the left part 1 of the frame so that, in a remote position, the device 15 passes partially through the left part 1 of the frame. The device 15 comprises an upper rotary embossing tool 5 and lower 6 rotatably mounted.

As can be seen at figure 4 each tool 5, 6 is mounted on a respective tool-holder shaft 7, 8. The two shafts 7, 8 are parallel to each other and cantilevered in the cradle 9, ie the two shafts 7, 8 each have a free end that is not supported. The tools 5, 6 are mounted at the free end of said respective shafts 7, 8. Because the shafts 7, 8 do not cross the entire width of the main frame to bear on the right part 2 of the main frame, a way to limit the bending of the shafts 7, 8 is to support them near their free end. For this purpose, support housings 14, 17 are provided on the cradle. Each housing 14, 17 has the general shape of a hollow truncated cone. Advantageously, the side 9c of the cradle forms the base 14a of the cone 14, a hole 14c is provided at the base 14a of the cone for passing the tool-holder shaft 7. Similarly, the side 9d of the cradle forms the base 17a of the cone 17, a hole 17c is provided at the base 17a of the cone for passing the tool-holder shaft 8. The vertex 14b of the cone 14 receives a ball bearing 23 to support the shaft 7, near its free end, as the top 17b of the cone 17 receives a ball bearing 24 to support the shaft 8, near its free end. Thus the housings 14, 17 can limit the bending of the trees 7, 8 while protecting them from the outside. Thanks to these arrangements, the tools 5, 6 can be mounted easily on their respective tool-holder shaft 7, 8. For this purpose, each of the respective parallel shafts 7, 8 comprises at its free end clamping means for connecting the respective rotary embossing tools 5, 6 to said shafts.

Advantageously, each of the clamping means is constituted by a biconical clamp 11, 12. To connect the tools 5, 6 to their respective shaft 7, 8, each tool 5, 6 has a respective axial rod 5b, 6b (see detail figure 6 ) introduced into a respective bore 7a, 8a formed at the free end of the respective axes 7, 8. To hold the tools 5, 6 firmly, nuts 11 ', 12' respective biconical tongs 11, 12 are screwed on a portion 7, 8. The screwing of the nuts 11 ', 12' has the effect of pushing on respective conical rings 11a, 12a integral with the respective rods 5b, 6b. The inlet of each bore 7a, 8a being tapered, the shape cooperation between the conical rings 11a, 12a and the respective bores 7a, 8a has the effect of pinching the respective rods 5b, 6b, in other words blocking the respective tools 5, 6.

In addition, each tool shaft 7, 8 is integral with a synchronous drive motor M1, respectively M2. The motors M1, M2 are mounted opposite the respective tools 5, 6, on the rear of the upper side 9c and lower 9d, respectively. A cover 19 mounted on the rear side 9a protects the motors. The front of the sidewall 9a is defined as being the face of the sidewall 9a turned towards the tools 5, 6, the rear of the sidewall being the face opposite to the front. This definition also applies to the sidewall 9c, 9d. An opening 21 is provided in the side 9a to allow the passage of motors M1, M2. Fixing the motors M1, M2 on the rear of the upper side 9c, respectively lower 9d, is provided by respective clamping bolts 26a, 27a. Each motor M1, M2 has a respective flange 26, 27 (see figure 5 ) in plane support against the rear of the upper flank 9c and lower 9d, respectively. The clamping bolts 26a, 27a pass through the respective flanges 26, 27 to screw into the upper 9c and lower 9d, respectively.

Advantageously, the spacing of the tools 5, 6 can be adjusted. By this arrangement it is intended to use the device according to the invention with cardboard blanks of different thickness. To this end, the crankcase 14 is mounted vertically movable on slides 25a, 25b fixed on the front of the sidewall 9a (see figure 3 ). A screw adjusting device 13 makes it possible to adjust the vertical position of the casing 14.

A known example of a screw adjusting device is illustrated in FIG. figure 9 . In this example, the screw adjusting device 13 comprises two bevelled wedges 18, 19 arranged horizontally and cooperating with each other by their respective inclined face 18a, 19a. The shim 19 is connected to the end of a horizontal screw 13 while a wheel 13a is mounted at the other end of said screw. By turning the knob 13a, the screw 13 drives the shim 19 in translation along the axis of the screw. During this movement, the wedge 18 being locked in horizontal translation and free in vertical translation, the inclined face 19a of the wedge 19 slides under the inclined face 18a of the wedge 18, causing the vertical displacement of the wedge 18.

The figure 5 illustrates an example of use of the screw adjustment device described above. By allowing the wedge 19 to slide in a horizontal groove made at the top of the flange 27 and by screwing the wedge 18 on the base of the flange 26, the rotation of the wheel 13a causes a vertical displacement of the tool 5. In this example the lower tool 6 is fixed, in an alternative embodiment, the upper tool 5 can be fixed and the lower tool 6 can be movable.

Advantageously, the casing 14 vertically movable can move up against a ramp of springs 28 (see figure 3 ). This feature makes it possible to prevent a thickness of cardboard from damaging the tools 5, 6. Indeed, if a cardboard blank has a thickness greater than the thickness adjusted by means of the screw adjusting device 13, the vertical force applied by the cutout on the tool 5 is transferred to the casing 14 via the ball bearing 23 and attachment points of the motor M1 to the upper side 9c. This vertical force has the effect of pushing the housing 14 against the spring ramp 28. By compressing itself, the springs 28 allow the housing 14 to rise along the vertical runners 25a, 25b so that the tool 5 deviates from the tool 6.

Advantageously, a pneumatic cylinder 29 is mounted on the side 9a to the vertical of the casing 14, the free end of the rod of the cylinder 29 is integral with the casing 14. In the position where the rod of the cylinder is retracted, the casing 14 is pulled up so that the tool 5 deviates from the tool 6. When the device according to the invention is put out of service, the rod of the cylinder 29 is retracted.

Before starting a braille print job, it must be ensured that the tools 5, 6 are correctly positioned relative to one another on their respective shaft 7, 8. For this purpose, wedging means angular 33 and axial stall 35 are provided.

The figure 7 illustrates an example of angular wedging means. In this example, an elongated plate 33 is provided with two pairs of pins (or pins) 33a respectively, 33b placed at specific locations of said plate. Each tool 5, 6 has a pair of respective holes 5a, 6a (see figure 3 ). By matching the holes 5a, 6a with the respective pins 33a, 33b, the tools 5, 6 are in a specific angular position, the tools are synchronized. This determined angular position is recorded in a computer (not shown) and continuously monitored by two pulse generators associated with the respective synchronous drive motors M1, M2 (not shown). Thus, any drift of the angular position of the tools 5, 6 can be corrected during production.

Advantageously, the plate 33 is extended by a tongue 37 adapted to cooperate with a presence sensor 36 mounted on the housing 14. With this arrangement, it is possible to check that the angular setting has been made and that the plate 33 has well removed before starting production. Indeed, if the plate 33 is not put in place before the start of production, the presence sensor 36 does not detect the presence of the tongue 37, ie the sensor 36 is not activated. This information is sent to the computer which informs the operator via a control screen or any other man-machine interface. Similarly, if the angular setting has been made but the plate 33 has not been removed, the sensor 36 remains active. This information is sent to the computer that blocks production and informs the operator. In the example, the presence sensor 36 is of the induction type.

The figure 6 illustrates an example of axial stalling means. The axial rod 5b of the tool 5 is traversed by an axial hole into which a screw 35 is inserted. The end opposite to the screw head 35b opens out from the rod 5b and bears against the bottom of the bore 7a. . The rotation of the screw head 35b has the effect of lengthening or narrowing the opening portion 35a of the screw 35. Thanks to this characteristic, it is possible to move the tool 5 axially on its shaft 7 and thus to axial correspondence the tools 5, 6.

The figure 8 illustrates an example of tools according to the invention. The tools 5, 6 comprise a male rotary embossing tool 5 and a female rotary embossing tool 6. The male tool 5 is constituted by a cylinder whose peripheral surface is dotted with pins (or protuberances) 41. The female tool 6 is constituted by a cylinder whose peripheral surface is dotted with recesses (or depressions) 42. During braille printing, the pins 41 penetrate into the thickness of the carton to form braille characters. Each cylindrical tool 5, 6 comprises in its center a respective axial rod 5b, 6b. A screw 35 passes through the axial rod.

Advantageously, the pins 41 and the recesses 42 are carried by a respective metal plate 43, 44 wound on the respective cylindrical tool 5, 6.

The operation and use of the device described are as follows: to print braille characters on cardboard blanks, a first job is to choose the tools 5, 6 according to the message to be printed. Then the tools 5, 6 are mounted on their respective shaft 7, 8, and angularly positioned by the means 33 and axially (or transversely if one refers to the direction of transport F cuts) through the means 35. Then the tools 5 , 6 are fixed with the respective biconical clamps 11, 12. Finally, thanks to the device 13, the spacing of the tools 5, 6 is adjusted according to the thickness of the carton to be treated. This adjustment also makes it possible to accurately and simultaneously adjust the penetration depth of the pins 41 of the tool 5.

It can be seen from the foregoing description that the device object of the invention makes it possible to adapt to a range of dimensions and types of cardboard blanks extremely wide and that the adjustment operations are simple to perform.

Claims (12)

1. Device for printing Braille characters on cardboard blanks travelling in a folder-gluer along a substantially planar path (F), the device comprising rotary embossing tools (5, 6) carried by two respective parallel shafts (7, 8) rotatably mounted above and below of the plane of said path (F) and operable for printing said Braille characters on said blanks during their run through said folder-gluer, characterized in that the two said parallel shafts (7, 8) are cantilevered mounted on a cradle (9).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said parallel shafts (7, 8) includes on its free end respective tightening means (11, 12) for tightening said rotary embossing tools (5, 6) on said respective shafts (7, 8).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said tightening means (11, 12) is a biconical clamp.
4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of said two parallel shafts (7) is movable in translation in a direction perpendicular to said planar path (F).
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said parallel shafts (7, 8) are each secured to a synchronous drive motor (M1, M2).
6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that angular adjustment means (33) are provided for positioning said rotary embossing tools (5, 6), with respect to each other, on said respective shafts (7, 8).
7. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that axial adjustment means (35) are provided for positioning said rotary embossing tools (5, 6), one with respect to the other, on said respective shafts (7, 8).
8. Folder-gluer for cardboard blanks comprising a frame (1, 2) which carries means (3, 4) for conveying said blanks along a substantially planar path (F), characterized in that it comprises a device (15) defined by at least one of the claims 1 to 7.
9. Folder-gluer according to claim 8, characterized in that said means (3, 4) for conveying said blanks comprise an upper conveyor (4) and a lower conveyor (3).
10. Folder-gluer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said device (15) is secured to said frame (1, 2).
11. Folder-gluer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said device (15) is transversely movable between the two vertical parts of said frame (1, 2).
12. Folder-gluer according to one of the claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said device (15) is able to print said Braille characters on said blanks before their folding.

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