EP2593388B1 - Method for protecting a unit for processing a web substrate, feeding station, and machine for producing packaging units - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for protecting a processing unit from a continuous web support. The invention further relates to a packaging production machine, comprising a feed station and a processing unit.

A packaging production machine is intended for the manufacture of boxes, which will be able to form packaging, by folding and gluing. In this machine, the production starts from an initial continuous web support, that is to say a blank tape, for example cardboard, which is unrolled continuously, printed by one or more printing units, possibly embossed, then cut in a platen cutting press.

The processed support in the form of poses or boxes obtained by cutting are then put into sheets, before being stacked in rows to form stacks in a receiving and palletizing station, for storage or transport outside of the machine.

A platen cutting press or also a platen is a processing unit that requires a temporary stop of the scrolling of the continuous web support during the transformation. Due to the continuous feed upstream, there is an accumulation of support in the form of an upstream loop.

A feeding station serves firstly to register the printing with the cutout longitudinally and laterally. The other function of the feed station is to create cyclically and permanently control this loop which extends during the stop due to the work of the press, and which is shortened as soon as the power of the press resumes in view of the subsequent transformation. The Feed Station transforms the continuous scrolling of the media into intermittent scrolling, at each work cycle of the transformation unit, while maintaining a media tension at the loop control.

State of the art

The phases of acceleration, deceleration of the support in the feed station, as well as the transformation occurring flat in the unit, are very sensitive to the quality and the type of the continuous web support. For example, the support at the beginning of the coil does not have the same physical qualities as the support at the end of the coil, this for the same support coil taking place at the entrance of the machine. Despite the presence of a straightener, jams occur in the processing unit.

The documents CH-602.462 and CH-618: 660 disclose a feed station for a platen cutting press, comprising a pull member and a responsive control driving the support around the circumference of an eccentric roller mounted between two rotating platens.

These existing constructions are disrupted and wear too quickly, which leads to jams of the support in the feed station and in the processing unit formed by the press.

It is also known from the documents EP-742.170 and WO-2010 / 063.353 a device and a feed station of a processing unit with a support, the unit working the support stationary. This device comprises a first roller, called a drive roller, also known as the call cylinder or sensitive control, around which oscillates cyclically, upstream and downstream, a second roller, called satellite roller. An introduction arrangement for supplying a transformation unit is mounted downstream of the responsive control. The introducer arrangement comprises a lower roll rotated.

In the event of jamming of the support inside the processing unit, the entire machine, together with the processing unit and the feed station, is stopped automatically by means of jam detection means. placed downstream of the unit. However, due to the inertia of the drive, the tape support will continue to enter the unit, until a complete stop of the tape scroll. The media will form a jam.

In order to remove the material from the web support which has accumulated inside the unit, for example from the press, the operator has to intervene in a very small area between the upper and lower bed bases, as well as in the shelf. the introduction platinum. The agglomerated and compacted material forms plugs that are extremely resistant. The operator of the machine must then extract the material and clean the unit, most often by hand. During this long period of shutdown, the machine is no longer in production.

Due to the very strong pressure exerted by the support at the input of the unit, this results in a twisting or even destruction of the tools of transformation, in this case the cutting tools and counterparts of upsetting, and some mechanical parts, and possibly electrical, of the unit. All of these tools must be replaced and adjusted again for accurate cutting. This unit reconditioning operation is time consuming and very expensive.

Presentation of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to develop a method of protecting a processing unit of a continuous web support. A second objective is to avoid damage to the processing tools present in the processing unit in case of jamming. A third objective is to maintain the longitudinal and lateral register of the support between feed and processing, while stopping the processing unit, the feed station and the packaging production machine. A fourth objective is to produce a packaging production machine for a transformation of a support, comprising a feed station and a support processing unit, and protection means. Yet another purpose is to provide for modifications to protect a feed station from a processing unit with a web support.

• détecter à la sortie de l'unité de transformation du support en bande l'absence de sortie du support transformé ;
• arrêter un moteur d'un agencement d'introduction, de façon à empêcher une entrée du support en bande dans l'unité de transformation du support en bande ;
• arrêter un moteur d'une commande sensible dans la station d'alimentation ; et à simultanément arrêter la machine de production d'emballages.

In accordance with the present invention, a method of protecting a tape media processing unit aims at limiting jamming of the tape medium within the tape media processing unit. converting the support into a band transforming the support into a stationary band in a packaging production machine. The method comprises the successive steps of:

• detecting at the output of the processing unit of the tape medium the absence of output of the transformed medium;
• stopping a motor of an introduction arrangement, so as to prevent a input of the tape media into the web media processing unit;
• stop a motor from a sensitive control in the Power Station; and simultaneously stop the packaging production machine.

In other words, the first step serves to detect whether a transformed support is coming out or not leaving the processing unit. If the transformed medium does not come out, while the unit, the feed station and the machine are in operation, a signal corresponding to a misfeed is emitted. Media stuffing is immediately detected and processed.

With the second step of stopping a motor of an insertion arrangement, the passage of the support to and inside the unit is instantaneously blocked. The jam inside the unit is immediately stopped and does not worsen.

With the third step of stopping a motor of a sensitive control, separate from the second step, the scrolling of the support is stopped progressively. This stops the entire machine at the same time. The arrival of the support at the feed station and the processing unit is stopped.

With this progressive stop, the register is kept in an acceptable range. In contrast to the invention, a stop too fast or an emergency stop prove to be too sudden stops, which therefore generate a risk of disruption, or even a risk of rupture, the tape medium. With a slower stop, the settings and parameters for controlling the machine are retained.

Thanks to the invention, the stuffing in the unit and in the station is minimized. The operator then quickly re-starts the entire machine as soon as he has removed a small amount of tape media and cleaned the unit and station.

Throughout the description, the longitudinal direction is defined by reference to the median axis of the packaging production machine, the feed station and the processing unit. This direction is determined by that of the drive of the continuous web support. The transverse and lateral direction is defined as being the direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the support. The upstream and downstream directions are defined by referring to the direction of scrolling of the support, in the longitudinal direction, respectively before and after the feed station and the processing unit.

• une unité de transformation d'un support en bande continue, apte à transformer le support en bande à l'arrêt, et
• une station pour alimenter l'unité avec le support en bande continue, possédant une commande sensible et un agencement d'introduction.

According to another aspect of the invention, a packaging production machine comprises

• a unit for converting a support in continuous band, able to transform the support into a band at a standstill, and
• a station for supplying the unit with the continuous web support, having a responsive control and an introduction arrangement.

• des moyens pour détecter un bourrage du support en bande continue à l'intérieur de l'unité de transformation et envoyer un signal de bourrage correspondant à un bourrage du support en bande à l'intérieur de l'unité de transformation, ces moyens étant positionnés à la sortie de l'unité, et
• des moyens pour traiter le signal de bourrage, aptes à générer des signaux d'arrêt, respectivement destinés à l'agencement d'introduction, à la commande sensible, et à la machine de production d'emballages.

The packaging production machine is characterized in that it comprises:

• means for detecting jamming of the continuous web support within the processing unit and sending a stuffing signal corresponding to a jam of the web support within the processing unit, said means being positioned at the exit of the unit, and
• means for processing the stuffing signal, able to generate stop signals, respectively for the introduction arrangement, the sensitive control, and the packaging production machine.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood and its various advantages and different characteristics will become more apparent in the following description of the nonlimiting example of embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawing, in which the Figure shows a side view of a part of packaging machine, comprising a feed station and a processing unit.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

As illustrated in the Figure, a packaging production machine 1 comprises a processing unit, which is in this case a platen cutting press 2. The press 2 transforms a continuous web material or support 3. In this case, For example, the strip 3 is flat cardboard, and this cardboard is cut in the press 2. A feed station 4 is positioned upstream of the press 2. The station 4 receives upstream the band 3, arriving with a constant speed .

Upstream of the station 4, the machine 1 has, by way of example, printing units, means for controlling the quality and the register of the printing, as well as means for embossing, or any other means (not shown ) modifying the surface of the strip 3.

The station 4 delivers downstream this same band 3 to the press 2, with an intermittent speed. The press 2 cuts the strip 3 to the stop, and delivers it in the form of poses 6. The support, that is to say the strip 3, changes from an unprocessed carrier state to a state of transformed support, that is to say the poses 6. The poses 6 exit downstream of the press 2. The direction of advance or scroll (Arrow F) of the band 3 and poses 6 in the longitudinal direction indicates the upstream direction and the downstream direction.

• un guidage latéral de bande 7, utilisé pour corriger si nécessaire le registre latéral de la bande 3 ;
• un rouleau baladeur 8, destiné à établir une tension constante de la bande 3 ;
• un redresseur de bande 9, également connu sous la dénomination anglaise de « decurler », destiné à redresser les courbures du carton ;
• une commande sensible 11, également connue sous la dénomination anglaise de « feathering drive » ;
• un rouleau presseur 12, positionné contre la commande sensible 11, de façon à maintenir la bande 3 contre la commande sensible 11 ; et
• une commande de boucle 13.

In order to ensure optimal operation of the press 2, the station 4 may comprise, in order, and from upstream to downstream:

• a lateral band guide 7, used to correct if necessary the lateral register of the band 3;
• a traveling roll 8, intended to establish a constant tension of the band 3;
• a straightener 9, also known by the English name of "decurler", for straightening the curvatures of the carton;
• a responsive control 11, also known by the English name of "feathering drive";
• a pressure roller 12, positioned against the sensitive control 11, so as to maintain the band 3 against the sensitive control 11; and
• a loop control 13.

A first insertion arrangement 14, for guiding, driving and retracting the web 3 inside the press 2, is positioned downstream of the responsive control 11 and the loop control 13 and upstream of the press 2 The insertion arrangement 14 is mounted by being fixed in the feed station 4. A second arrangement of output 16 for guiding, driving and removing the blanks 6 outside the press 2, is positioned downstream of the press 2.

The responsive control is formed by a main driving roller 11, rotating on a main shaft (Arrow R). The main shaft and thus the main roller 11 are mounted substantially horizontally and perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the belt 3. The main roller 11 thus continuously drives the belt 3 from upstream to downstream. An electric main drive motor 17 rotates the main roller 11.

The loop control comprises a satellite roller 13 mounted parallel to the main roller 11. The strip 3 is engaged between the main roller 11 and the satellite roller 13, and is held there, while being drivable. The strip 3 forms a path that is about three-quarters of a turn of the main roller 11 and half of a turn of the satellite roller 13.

The satellite roller 13 is able to oscillate (Arrow O) around the main drive roller 11, from upstream to downstream, and vice versa from downstream to upstream. In the Figure, the satellite roller 13 is shown in extreme downstream position. An electric drive secondary motor 18 oscillates the satellite roller 13.

The oscillation frequency O of the satellite roller 13 causes speed variations of the band 3. The band 3 cyclically goes from a constant speed to a zero speed, and vice versa, from a zero speed to a constant speed. These variations of speed and therefore the frequency of the oscillations O are chosen as a function of the cutting speed of the press 2 downstream.

The insertion arrangement 14 comprises a lower roll 19 and a series of upper pressing rollers 21. The band 3 is engaged, held and driven in the press 2 between the roll 19 and the rollers 21. The roll 19 is rotated by an electric motor 22. The outlet arrangement 16 of the poses 5 has substantially the same mechanical structure as the insertion arrangement 14 of the band 3.

The feed arrangement 14 is also known as RIM or modulated feed roll. Output arrangement 16 is also known as RSM or modulated output roll. The introduction arrangement 14 and the output arrangement 16 are for example substantially similar to that described in the document WO-2010 / 066.325.

According to the invention, means for detecting a jam, advantageously under the 23, are mounted in the machine 1, being positioned downstream and directly at the outlet of the press 2. This cell 23 monitors the output of the poses 6 and counts the poses 6. The reference cell 23 at the surface the presence or absence of poses 6 exiting the press 2. The cell 23 generates and sends a counter which is transformed into a stuffing signal 24 in the absence of a poses 6 outlet.

Means for processing the stuffing signal 24, for example in the form of a signal processing system 26 for controlling the protection of the press 2 are provided in the machine 1 and in the feed station 4. The system 26 is able to generate stop signals 27, 28, 29 and 31.

The first stop signal 27 is for the input arrangement 14 and includes an instant stop command of the motor 22 of the roller 19. The second stop signal 28 is for the responsive control 11 and includes an instruction progressive stop of the motor 17 of the responsive control 11. The third stop signal 29 is for the loop control 13 and comprises an instantaneous stop instruction of the motor 18 of the satellite roller 13. The third stop signal 29 also includes a parking instruction of the satellite roll 13 in a non-interfering position. The fourth stop signal 31 is intended for the machine 1 and comprises a stop instruction of all the units of which the machine 1 is composed, located upstream and downstream of the press 2 and its feed station 4.

The feed station 4 preferably comprises accumulation means, in the form of a volume or a magazine 32 to accommodate the remainder of the band 3, during the transitional phase between the stop of the arrangement of 14 introduction and the judgment of the sensitive control 11. The strip 3 is introduced and is placed in this store 32 until the complete stop sensitive control 11. The store is 32 arranged in the upper part of the station 4. This magazine 32 has an opening pointing downwards towards the loop control 13 and the sensitive control 11.

Mechanical protection means are provided at the feed station 4. These mechanical protection means are in the form of guide means 33 and barrier means 34.

The guide means 33 of the band 3 towards the magazine 32 are advantageously provided and oriented upwards so that the remainder of the band 3 slides in the direction of the opening of the magazine 32 and then enters this magazine 32. means 33 are in the form of protective plates and guiding.

The barrier means 34 for the band 3 are favorably provided and oriented so that the remainder of the band 3 does not come into other parts of the station 4. These damming means 34 prevent the remaining band 3 damages the constituent parts of the feed station 4, and more particularly the loop control 14, the pressure roller 12, and the sensitive control 11.

The method for protecting the press 2 against the jamming of the strip 3 according to the invention comprises several successive steps. A first step, corresponding to the stuffing signal 24, consists of detecting the absence of the poses outlet 6 at the output of the press 2 by means of the cell 23, associated with the signal processing system 26.

A second step, corresponding to the first stop signal 27, consists in instantaneously stopping the motor 22 of the insertion arrangement 14, so as to prevent any entry of the band 3 into the press 2. Therefore, the The inside of the press 2 contains only the poses 6 which caused the stuffing. This jam is much easier to solve because the press 2 contains only cardboard remaining flat. With the stop of the motor 22 of the insertion arrangement 14, the press 2 is protected against the additional arrival of the band 3.

A third step, corresponding respectively to the second and fourth stop signals 28 and 31, consists of stopping progressively by slowing the motor 17 of the responsive control 11 and simultaneously stopping the entire machine 1.

The method advantageously comprises an additional step of calculating a waiting time between the step of stopping the motor 22 of the insertion arrangement 14 and the step of stopping the motor 17 of the responsive control 11. This waiting and thus the band 3 scrolling gently stops scrolling the band 3 without breaking the band 3. This waiting also preserves the mechanical parts of the press 2 and station 4.

An additional step, corresponding to the third stop signal 29, is arranged at the same time as the step of stopping the motor 22 of the insertion arrangement 14 and before the step of stopping the motor 17 of the control 11. This step consists in stopping the motor 18 of the loop control 13. This step also consists in immediately placing the loop control with its satellite roller 13 in a park position.

In this position the satellite roller 13 is on the left (see Figure), in position downstream, against the barrier means 34. This position protects firstly this same loop control 13 against the band 3 that happens, when the motor 17 of the responsive control 11 is still running. On the other hand, this position will favor the access of the band 3 to the lower opening of the magazine 32.

The method comprises an additional step, arranged after the step of stopping the motor 22 of the insertion arrangement 14 and before the step of stopping the motor 17 of the responsive control 11. This step consists in guiding the band 3 to the magazine 32, when the motor 17 of the responsive control 11 is still running, with the appropriate protection, guiding and damming means 33 and 34.

Thanks to the invention, as soon as the operator has extracted the little jam band 3 or poses 6 in the press 2 and as soon as the operator emptied the magazine 32 by leaving the band 3, the restart of the machine 1 and the press 2 is going to be very fast.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Many modifications can be made, without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the set of claims.

Claims (6)

1. Method for protecting a unit for converting (2) a web substrate (3) to limit a jam of the substrate (3) inside the unit (2), said unit (2) converting the substrate (3) when it has stopped, in a machine for producing packaging (1), comprising successive steps consisting of:

   - detecting, at the outlet of the unit (2), that the converted substrate (6) does not come out;

   - stopping a motor (22) of an infeed arrangement (14), so as to prevent an inlet of the substrate (3) in the unit (2);
   said method being characterised in that the successive steps also consist of:

   - stopping a motor (17) of a feathering drive (11); and simultaneously stopping the machine (1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an additional step consisting of calculating a waiting time between the step consisting of stopping the motor (22) of the infeed arrangement (14) and the step consisting of stopping the motor (17) of the feathering drive (11).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises an additional step, arranged at the same time as the step consisting of stopping the motor (22) of the infeed arrangement (14) and before the step consisting of stopping the motor (17) of the feathering drive (11), consisting of stopping a motor (18) of a loop control (13) and of placing the loop control (13) in a parking position.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an additional step, arranged after the step consisting of stopping the motor (22) of the infeed arrangement (14) and before the step consisting of stopping the motor (17) of the feathering drive (11), consisting of guiding the substrate (3) towards accumulation means (32).
5. Machine for producing packaging, comprising

   - a unit for converting (2) a substrate (3), capable of converting the substrate (3) when it has stopped, and

   - a station (4) for feeding the unit (2) with the substrate (3), having a feathering drive (11) and an infeed arrangement (14),
   and

   - means for detecting a jam (23) and sending a jam signal (24) corresponding to a jam of the substrate (3) inside the unit (2), positioned at the outlet of the unit (2), characterised in that it comprises

   - means (26) for processing the jam signal (24), capable of generating stop signals (27, 28, 31), respectively intended for the infeed arrangement (14), for the feathering drive (11), and for the machine (1).
6. Machine according to claim 5, characterised in that the unit is a diecutting platen press (2).

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