EP3055240B1 - Machine of the folder-gluer type for producing packages - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a flat-bed processing machine equipped with one or more modules according to claim 1. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of the manufacture of packaging boxes, particularly boxes for medicines.

In the packaging industry, the manufacture of boxes is traditionally done online, by folding and gluing cuts by means of a machine commonly called folder-gluer, see for example the document WO 92/07712 A1 . Such a processing machine is usually in the form of a succession of modules in which are distributed the various functional arrangements which are responsible for performing the multiple elementary operations necessary for making boxes. Each module has its own transport system for cuts, usually roller or belt conveyors, but the assembly is arranged in such a way that the conveying is effected globally continuously over the entire length of the folder-gluer. .

During the cut processing process, some cuttings sometimes leave the transport path and fall below, for example below the transport systems of the modules of the machine. These cuts can be found on parts of machines, placed in balance, or even can fall on the ground below the machine. If these cuts are accessible by the operator of the machine, it is possible that it seizes and reintroduces them into the workflow, for example at the entrance of the machine or module in which they fell.

Alternatively, if the cuts are not easily accessible, the operator can chase them and / or drop them for example using a compressed air gun (see for example the document US 2005/0218285 A1 ) which generates dust and dirt that can then foul the machine and prevent its proper operation, or even pollute and contaminate the production in progress. In addition, the use of such a gun may result in the cutouts fly into the machine and are deposited in another place, which affects the proper functioning of the latter and is not at all effective because the operator must restart his intervention.

In addition, in the field of the production of drug packaging, very strict practices impose special operating conditions: in particular, when a batch of packaging changes, that is to say when a new different packaging (eg different size, different grammage, different color or printing in a different language) is introduced into the machine, users want to be sure that the machine has been properly purged of all the cuts of the previous batch to avoid any mixing at the output of the machine. Indeed, if the dimensions of the packages are close, but still different, mixtures are not necessarily detectable to the naked eye and cause problems in the subsequent manufacturing process.

As a result, not only all the individual modules must be empty and no longer contain cutouts of the previous different batch, but in addition the machine itself must be emptied of any cuts that would have fallen into it during the treatment process. by the machine.

The easiest solution is obviously to carry out a visual inspection and a targeted evacuation of the cutouts that are discovered by the operator of the machine. This inspection nevertheless depends on the attention of the operator. It can theoretically not perform this inspection by inattention or lack of time. It can also be done partially and in this case the use of a compressed air gun can lead to fouling of the machine, if not the return of cuts in the machine.

This simple solution does not ensure an optimal purge of the machine. In addition, for obvious safety reasons, it is best to avoid an operator performing an intervention in which he would introduce a hand or an arm in the machine in search of fallen cutouts.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a module for a flat object processing machine which improves the solutions of the state of the art. More precisely, one of the aims of the invention is to propose a module which makes it possible to ensure an effective purge of the machine of the blanks which have fallen into it during the production process. Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that is simple to implement and effective for the evacuation of such cuts and safely for the operator.

A flat object is defined as being any flattened and thin object, regardless of its outline, its format or the material that composes it, such as a whole sheet, a precut sheet, a set of poses or cuts attached punctually to them. to each other, an individual pose or cut, a folding box, etc. Furthermore, such a flat object can be made of any material, including paper, compact cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, etc.

According to the present invention, a flat object processing machine is equipped with at least one module and has the claimed technical characteristics.

Brief description of the drawings

• la Figure 1 représente une machine de traitement de type plieuse-colleuse, équipée de modules conformes à l'invention;
• la Figure 2 représente une vue en perspective d'un module de la machine de traitement de la Figure 1;
• les Figures 3A et 3B représentent des vues détaillées d'un mode d'exécution de l'invention; et
• les Figures 4A et 4B représentent des vues détaillées d'un autre mode d'exécution de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood by the description of several embodiments thereof and by the figures in which:

• the Figure 1 represents a processing machine of the folder-gluer type, equipped with modules according to the invention;
• the Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a module of the processing machine of the Figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3A and 3B show detailed views of an embodiment of the invention; and
• the Figures 4A and 4B show detailed views of another embodiment of the invention.

detailed description

The Fig. 1 illustrates a flat objects processing machine being a packaging manufacturing machine, type folder-gluer 100. The flat objects are thus cuts, most often cardboard. Such machines are generally formed of a succession of modules M each performing one or several folding and gluing operations entering the manufacturing process for the purpose of manufacturing folding boxes made by the machine 100.

The folder-gluer 100 is composed of a feeder 110, an alignment module 120, a quality control module 130, a braille character embossing module 140, a precasement module 150, a gluing module 160, a folding module 170, an ejection module 175, a transfer module 180 and a receiving module 190. These various elements being perfectly known in the art state of the art, they are not described in detail here, both structurally and functionally.

The Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective a view of a module M of the folder-gluer 100. The illustrated module M is in a stripped form which means that it can be any module of the folder-gluer 100 and that its function is not decisive in the context of the description of the present invention. The features that will be described in connection with the present invention are therefore applicable to any module of a production machine.

The module M comprises a support structure, with two side walls 1 and 2 supported by feet 3. The module M also comprises two cross members 4 which mechanically connect the side walls 1 and 2 between them. We can of course provide a single cross 4 or more than two sleepers 4 depending on the length of the module for example, the illustration of the Fig. 2 not being limiting. The support structure is located below the work area in which cut processing is performed. The cuts are transported along a given transport path above the support structure.

According to the invention, the processing machine, and more particularly the module M, is equipped with a cutout evacuation system. In a first variant embodiment, the evacuation system comprises deflection means. The deflection means are able to evacuate any cut-out falling under the transport path, by deflecting the fall of the cutout towards a dedicated recovery zone.

The Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate details ( Fig. 3A in perspective, Fig. 3B cross-section) of the transom 4 referenced in Fig. 2 . Preferably, the deflection means comprise at least one first deflector member 5 adapted to deflect the fall of the cutouts downwards, when these cuts arrive above a support structure portion.

The first deflector member 5 is favorably positioned in an inclined manner, above a portion of support structure extending under the transport path of the cuts. The first deflector member 5 advantageously comprises minus an inclined plane which is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction with respect to the direction of transport or circulation of the cuts (Arrow F in Fig. 1 ).

The first deflector member 5 is preferably integral with the support structure portion over which it extends. In this embodiment, the first deflector member 5 is in the form of a cover 7 which is secured to the cross member 4. This cover 7 is not flat, but of convex shape with two inclined planes 8 and 9 in roof form. The purpose of this particular form is to create an unstable position for a cutout that would fall over the crossbar 4.

This feature solves the problem of the state of the art, namely that it prevents the cuts to be deposited on the crossbar 4, and all the more easily when the size of the cut is less than the width of the crossbar 4.

By giving a shape with two inclined planes to the cover 7, any cutting will continue its fall into the machine thanks to gravity. The cover 7 may also have a single inclined plane, the important thing being the instability of the position for a cut-out.

In a second variant embodiment, the evacuation system preferably comprises first expulsion means that are capable of evacuating any cutout present on the first deflector member 5. In this variant, and to compensate for the extreme case in which a cutout occurs. found in equilibrium between the two inclined planes 8 and 9 of the cover 7 and remains in this position which is undesired, one can use additional means of expulsion. These first expulsion means force the movement of the cut down.

Favorably, the first expulsion means comprise at least one blowing member which is capable of generating a pulsed air flow at the level of the upper surface of the first deflector member 5, i.e. of the cover 7.

In the Figs. 3A and 3B , the blower unit is illustrated which comprises a pipe 10 ( Fig. 3B ) and one or more nozzles 11 ( Fig. 3A ). The compressed air used can easily be taken from the machine which in general uses pressurized air in certain production operations.

These expulsion means are of course optional and one can choose to increase the inclination of the planes 8 and 9 to do without. It is also possible to use other equivalent means, for example mechanical elements that push a dropped cut, such as for example a roll implanted between the two inclined planes 8 and 9 and capable of pushing the cutout on one side or the other .

Such expulsion means can be implemented on command of the operator, by means of a command C, or automatically, or be in function permanently.

Preferably, the deflection means comprise at least a second deflector member adapted to deflect the fall of the blanks to the dedicated recovery zone, when these cuts arrive below the support structure. Each second deflector member is favorably positioned in an inclined manner, below a portion of support structure extending under the transport path of the cutouts.

Each second deflector member advantageously comprises at least one inclined plane which is oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of transport of the cuts F. The deflection means preferably comprise a single second deflector member which extends under substantially the entire support structure portion which is located under the transport path of the cuts.

The second deflector member comprises two lower covers 15 and 16 (see Figs. 1 and 4A ). These covers 15 and 16 are used to recover the cuts falling into the machine from the transport path, but also from sleepers 4 to prevent them from falling to the ground under the machine, or under the module M.

Specifically, a first cover 15 forms an inclined plane, so that the cutouts will all slide to a recovery zone which is on the front of the module, and the machine. As a result, the blanks do not fall loose anywhere under the machine but are directed to a defined area of recovery. The illustrated proposal is only an example and one can provide a cover 15 having a plane inclined in another direction, or ending in recovery bins, the idea being that the cuts are evacuated outside the module M or in an area of the module M easily accessible to the operator.

The cover 16, in addition to its cutout evacuation function, also covers means making it possible to prevent the cutouts from being blocked on the cover 15. The evacuation system advantageously comprises second expulsion means capable of evacuate any cutout present on the second deflector member.

The second expulsion means advantageously comprise at least one blowing member adapted to generate a pulsed air flow at the upper surface of a second deflector member.

This blowing member is typically equipped with a duct 22 which blows air laterally, for example through nozzles, in the direction of the inclined plane 15 (from top to bottom). Arrows A in the Fig. 4B illustrate the blown air which thus ensures that the cutouts descend along the inclined plane 15 for their evacuation.

This blowing member can be actuated on request by the operator, or automatically, or operate continuously, similarly to those located at the cover 7.

Preferably, the operator uses the command C to operate the expulsion means 10, 11, and 22 when he wants to purge the machine of all the cuts that fell.

The cuts purged by the system can finally be retrieved by the operator outside the machine, either manually or by means of recovery means (eg bins) which will be placed for example appropriately at the end of the hood 15.

Thus, using the means proposed by the present invention, an operator can easily purge a machine of all the cuts that would have fallen without manual intervention in the machine. This system is therefore very efficient and fulfills the security requirements.

The embodiments illustrated in the present application are examples which should not be considered as limiting. Variations are possible within the scope of the protection claimed, for example by using equivalent means.

The first and second embodiments may be used alone or in combination according to the desired embodiment. One or more modules may include the flat object disposal system. The machine parts and modules described above can be formed in any suitable material. For example, the covers 7, 8, 15 and 16 may be formed of metal or plastic.

Claims (14)

1. A machine of the folder-gluer type for producing packages (100), processing flat objects being cut-outs, formed by a succession of modules (M), each one performing one or several folding and gluing operations, entering into the process of production, in view of making folding boxes, a module (M) comprising a support structure (1, 2, 3, 4) on top of which the flat objects are transported along a given transport path, characterised in that the module (M) comprises, in addition, a system for releasing such objects, able to release any flat object falling under the transport path.
2. A machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the release system has diversion means (8, 9, 15, 16), able to divert the fall of a flat object towards a dedicated recovery zone.
3. A machine (100) according to claim 2, wherein the diversion means comprise at least one first deflecting body (5), able to divert the fall of flat objects to the bottom, when the objects arrive on top of a section of the support structure (4).
4. A machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein each first deflecting body (5) is positioned tilted, on top of a section of the support structure (4), extending under the transport path of flat objects.
5. A machine (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each first deflecting body (5) comprises at least one tilted plane (8, 9), which is directed following a substantially longitudinal direction in relation to the direction of transport of the flat objects (F).
6. A machine (100) according to one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein each first deflecting body (5) is separate from the section of support structure (4) on top of which it extends.
7. A machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release system has the first ejection means (10,11), able to release any flat object.
8. A machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first ejection means comprise at least one blow-moulding body (10,11), able to generate an airflow driven to the upper surface of a first deflecting body (5).
9. A machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflecting means comprise at least one second deflecting body (15, 16), able to deflect the fall of flat objects towards the dedicated recovery zone, when the objects arrive below the support structure (4).
10. A machine (100) according to claim 9, wherein each second deflecting body (15, 16) is positioned tilted, below a section of the support structure (4) extending under the transport path of flat objects.
11. A machine (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each second deflecting body comprises at least one tilted plane (15, 16), which is directed following a substantially transversal direction in relation to the direction of transport of the flat objects (F).
12. A machine (100) according to claims 9 to 11, wherein the deflecting means comprise one single second deflecting body (15), which extends substantially under the whole section of the support structure (4), which is located under the transport path of flat objects.
13. A machine (100) according to one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the release system additionally comprises two ejection means (22), able to release any flat object present on a second deflecting body (15).
14. A machine (100) according to claim 13, wherein the second ejection means (15) comprise at least one blow-moulding body (22), able to generate an airflow driven to the upper surface of the second deflecting body (15).

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