EP3209585B1 - Device for the lateral positioning of a plate element comprising means for detecting superposed elements. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for lateral positioning of a plate element, such as a sheet, in particular for an introduction station. The present invention also relates to an introduction station comprising such a device and a plate element processing machine comprising such an introduction station.

On such a feed table located upstream of a cutting machine or of a platen press, the flat element is advanced against one or more front cleats by first means, such as endless belts or rollers, then is brought by second means against one or more lateral positioning cleats before the front edge of this element is gripped by a series of grippers mounted on a gripper bar mounted on a chain train.

Such a device is used for the precise lateral positioning of flat elements which have already received one or more impressions, the subsequent operation possibly being either a stamping process, for example hot-stamping known as hot foil stamping in a platen press, or an operation of cutting and ejecting waste in such a press. This subsequent operation must be carried out in strict accordance with the previous impressions.

Lateral positioning devices used to date provide jogging of the sheets. They firstly comprise a lower roller driven in rotation, arranged transversely to the direction of movement of a sheet, and this close to a lateral stop located on the left side of the table, as also seen according to the direction of movement of the sheet. the sheet, side usually called the driver's side. These devices then include an upper roller mounted vertically to the roller, at the end of an arm which, at rest, is in the high position. This arm is regularly lowered each time a flat element arrives against the front cleats, so that the upper roller clamps this flat element against the motorized lower roller which generates, by pulling on this element, a corrective displacement up to side cleat.

State of the art

The document EP 0669274 describes a device for lateral positioning of a flat element in a feed table, having elements for gripping the element flat (by pulling or pushing) with extended surfaces. In this way, it is desired to avoid damaging the gripping surfaces of the flat element. Here, the uniqueness of the flat element engaging in the lateral positioning device is verified by a complementary device, located at the entrance of the positioning device, comprising an upper wheel and a lower wheel located in the same vertical plane. and the spacing of which is set to the value of the thickness of a single flat element.

The document JP 3426850 describes a positioning device in which the flat element is moved laterally in one or the other direction of the transverse direction, by means of a guide device comprising two pairs of upper and lower rollers located in the same plane vertical, each mounted on a different side. Each pair of rollers can be disengaged and the direction of rotation of the rollers can be reversed in order to allow the drive of the flat element in the direction required to rectify its positioning. However, this gripping method tends to mark flat corrugated cardboard type elements which are more sensitive to pinching than flat cardboard.

The document JPS 6047751 U describes a device with a pivoting lever arm carrying at its end directed towards the flat element a freely rotating roller located above a drive wheel rotated continuously by a worm, in order to take together the flat element and pull it against the side stop. The roller of the pivoting lever can be moved aside or withdrawn in order to change from the mode of displacement of the flat element by pulling to a mode of displacement of the flat element by pushing.

The document JPH 0430203 ( JPS62147642 ) describes a positioning device in which the flat element is moved laterally in one or the other direction of the transverse direction, by means of a guide device comprising a pair of upper and lower rollers located in the same vertical plane. The upper roller is mounted freely and the direction of rotation of the lower roller can be reversed in order to allow the drive of the flat element in the direction required to rectify its positioning. This same guiding device is present on each side of the positioning station

The document EP 2 657 165 A2 discloses a device for measuring the thickness of a fed plate, this device comprises an articulated lever with two ends.

Disclosure of the invention

An aim of the present invention is to provide a lateral positioning device free from the limitations of known devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a lateral positioning device of simple and economical design. which controls the thickness of the plate element during its lateral positioning.

Thus, it is a question of making it possible, by the detection of a double thickness, to realize the abnormal presence of two superimposed plate elements. More generally, an attempt is made to propose a device capable of detecting an abnormally too great thickness of the plate element, in order to realize the abnormal presence of more than one plate element. Indeed, despite all the care taken upstream so that the plate elements arrive one by one, it happens that a pair of superimposed plate elements appears instead of a single plate element, in particular because of the electrostatic forces which can exist between the opposite faces of two superimposed plate elements.

Such detection makes it possible to stop the operation of the treatment machine in advance of any jamming incident, to remove the superfluous plate element in the presence of a pair of superimposed plate elements or more generally to remove any arrangement of 'plate element not conforming to the expected thickness, and thus allow the machine to be restarted quickly. In this way, the downtime of the machine has been reduced to a minimum, which is beneficial in terms of the efficiency of the machine.

Also, the present invention aims to provide a lateral positioning device adaptable to very variable thicknesses and rigidity of plate elements, ranging from flat cardboard having any basis weight, passing through single-layer or double-layer corrugated cardboard. or multilayer, up to multilayer complex cardboard combining flat cardboard and corrugated cardboard.

According to the invention, a device for lateral positioning of a plate element, in a machine for processing plate elements, is characterized in that it comprises a detector lever, articulated with respect to a horizontal axis, and capable of in effecting a downward movement from a high position to a low position, a first end of the detector lever being arranged to come in the low position in contact with an upper face of the plate member, and a second end of the detector lever being provided with a target cooperating with a position detector to generate a signal depending on the thickness of the plate member and the number of plate members present at the first end of the detector lever.

Thus, the lateral positioning device further comprises a system for detecting the presence of two superimposed plate elements by measuring the distance between a detector roller, mounted, optionally freewheeling, on the first end of a detector lever and the upper face of the support for receiving the plate element.

This solution has the particular advantage over the prior art of allowing the detection of the presence of a double sheet during an operation carried out simultaneously with that of the lateral positioning, and not during a separate control operation, dedicated to this single check. Also, the use of a rocker-shaped detector lever, having a support roller at the end of one of its arms, and a detection element at the end of the other arm, makes it possible to '' amplify the movements of the support roller (detecting the upper face of the plate element), which makes it possible to use a less sensitive sensor at the other end of the lever. In addition, this solution of deporting the measurement to the other end of the lever, therefore possibly outside the zone of the feed table covered with the plate element, which can be advantageous in terms of design and maintenance.

According to a preferred arrangement, the lateral positioning device further comprises a main lever carrying at its first end a support roller and arranged so that at the end of the downward stroke of its first end, the first end of the lever main is
either lowered, according to a first configuration, to apply the support roller against the upper face of the plate element, so as to press the plate element against a shelf of the feed table,
is raised, according to a second configuration, to avoid crushing the plate element. Thus, there is a lateral positioning device that is completely adaptable to different types of plate elements, such as plate elements, for example of the corrugated cardboard sheet type.

According to another possible arrangement, the lateral positioning device further comprises a feed wheel for pressing the plate element against the lateral margin stop. Advantageously, such a feed wheel has a rotational movement alternately in one direction and then in the other direction, for the individual cadenced drive of each plate element on the shelf in the direction of the lateral margin stop. In this case, preferably, the main lever carries the support roller which is adapted to approach the feed wheel, during a downward movement of the first end of the main lever, when the lateral edge of the The plate member is near or against the side margin stop.

According to a preferred arrangement, the second end of the detector lever is equipped with a metal target which cooperates with a detection head of the position detector, equipped with an inductive type proximity sensor. In this way, the proximity sensor realizes, without contact, the measurement of the distance between the metal target and the detection head, which makes it possible to deduce, when the detection roller presses on the upper face of an element in plate, the thickness of the latter.

Advantageously, the detector lever is coupled to the main lever. The coupling of the movement of the detector lever to the movement of the main lever makes it possible, by a single command, to lower the support roller in the direction of the plate element which undergoes its lateral positioning (with or without contact between the support roller and the plate element) and to lower the detector roller until contact with this same plate element for the measurement of its thickness.

According to another preferred arrangement, the device further comprises a braking system making it possible to slow down the downward movement of the first end of the detector lever during the downward movement of the first end of the main lever. In this way, it is avoided that the sensor roller hits the plate element, which could damage its surface, and to avoid a rebound movement of the sensor roller on the upper face of the plate element, which could disturb and distort the measurement of its thickness.

According to a preferred arrangement, the brake is a passive brake with permanent magnets, the magnets of which cooperate with a braking portion of the detector lever having a variable surface as a function of the position of the detector lever. Such an eddy-type brake is very easy to implement, does not require any power source and since it operates without contact, it does not disturb the movements of the various mechanisms and in particular the movements of the main lever and of the detector lever.

Preferably, the detector lever is rotatably mounted around a shaft on which is disposed a helical spring mounted in preload so as to exert a force tending to drive down the first end of the detector lever. Such an arrangement ensures that in the low position of the first end of the detector lever, the detector roller descends until it comes to bear on the upper face of the plate element, in order to ensure a correct thickness measurement.

According to a preferred arrangement, in a first configuration in puller mode of the lateral positioning device which is the subject of the present invention, during the descent of the first end of the main lever, the support roller is able to come resting against the upper face of a plate element arranged on the receiving support, between the support roller and the feed wheel, so as to allow the gripping of the plate element which is driven by the feed wheel in the direction of and up to the side margin stop, whereby the lateral positioning of the plate member against the side margin stop is achieved. This first configuration allows the lateral positioning device to position the plate element correctly laterally by pulling it in the direction of the lateral margin stop, its engagement being ensured between the support roller and the superimposed feed wheel, which rotate. opposite to each other around parallel axes of rotation.

• un élément pousseur disposé au-dessus de la tablette, le pousseur étant apte à passer d'une position de repos, dans laquelle un élément en plaque disposé sur la tablette reste en dessous du pousseur, à une position de travail dans laquelle un élément en plaque disposé sur la tablette est à la même hauteur que le pousseur, et
• un système d'entrainement réalisant un mouvement de va et vient en direction latérale, qui coopère avec le pousseur uniquement dans sa position de travail de sorte que le pousseur réalise une course de va et vient entre une position rétractée et une position avancée, apte à pousser un élément en plaque disposé sur la tablette, jusqu'à une position latérale prédéterminée par la position avancée en fin de course du pousseur. Ainsi, l'élément en plaque est positionné latéralement selon la position prédéterminée choisie qui correspond à la position de fin de course du pousseur. L'élément en plaque disposé sur la tablette est par exemple préalablement amené près du dispositif de positionnement latéral par la roue d'amenée. Le système d'entraînement du pousseur est par exemple un système par cames.

Furthermore, advantageously, the lateral positioning device further comprises:

• a pusher element disposed above the tablet, the pusher being adapted to pass from a rest position, in which a plate element disposed on the tablet remains below the pusher, to a working position in which an element in plate placed on the shelf is at the same height as the pusher, and
• a drive system performing a back and forth movement in the lateral direction, which cooperates with the pusher only in its working position so that the pusher performs a back and forth stroke between a retracted position and an advanced position, suitable for pushing a plate element arranged on the tablet, up to a lateral position predetermined by the advanced position at the end of travel of the pusher. Thus, the plate element is positioned laterally according to the chosen predetermined position which corresponds to the end position of the pusher. The plate element arranged on the shelf is for example brought beforehand near the lateral positioning device by the feed wheel. The pusher drive system is for example a cam system.

According to a preferred arrangement, in a second configuration in pusher mode of the lateral positioning device which is the subject of the present invention, at the end of the downward stroke of the first end of the main lever, the support roller remains above the feed wheel and at a distance from the feed wheel preventing it from resting against the upper face of a plate element arranged between the support roller and the feed wheel. Thus, in this second configuration, the support roller is in a raised position preventing it from resting against the upper face of a plate element arranged on the receiving support. This second configuration of the device, which is implemented as an alternative to the aforementioned first configuration, allows the lateral positioning device to position laterally correctly the plate element by pushing it with the pusher by one of its sides, and thus advance this plate element to the desired position.

There are situations in which the type of plate member to be processed by the plate member processing machine has to be changed. Thanks to the coexistence of the first and the second configuration, the lateral positioning device according to the present invention is adaptable to any type of plate element, and in particular to any type of cardboard, such as flat cardboard and corrugated cardboard. This avoids having to remove from the feed table a lateral positioning device of a first type, in particular of the puller type, and which would therefore only be suitable for compact plate elements, in order to mount a device in its place. lateral positioning of a second type, in particular of the pusher type, and which would therefore be suitable for fairly thick plate elements. Rather, the first configuration will be used for boxes that are sufficiently compact so that their lateral positioning by pinching between the support roller and the feed wheel does not generate a visible mark on the surface of the box. This first configuration can thus be used for cardboard plates of any thickness and in particular for thin cardboards, for example with a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm. The second configuration is preferably reserved for less compact plate elements, which would be marked on the surface by a pinch. In particular, the second configuration is used for solid plate elements or else plate elements containing corrugated cardboard. In practice, this second configuration can for example be used for plate elements having a thickness greater than or equal to 2 mm.

In the first configuration of the lateral positioning device, the pusher is in the rest position and serves as a stop for the shooter. In this way, the pusher does not act while advancing and does not push the plate element which arrives in this case up to its desired lateral position, being first sandwiched and clamped between the feed wheel. and the support roller, then driven by the rotational movement of the feed wheel which rotates while the plate member is still slightly clamped between the feed wheel and the support roller, the lateral displacement of the plate element stopping when it comes up against the lateral margin stop which blocks any possibility of lateral displacement.

In the second configuration, the pusher is in the working position. In this way, the pusher can push the plate element from its initial position. to its final position corresponding to the desired lateral position, when the pusher advances from its retracted position to its advanced position.

It is understood that for its positioning in the desired lateral position by means of the lateral positioning device according to the invention, the direction of movement of the plate element is different and reversed between the first configuration and the second configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lateral margin stop and the pusher belong to the same part. Also, a plate member disposed on the shelf is at the same height as the pusher in its rest position, so that, in the first configuration of the device, the plate member is able to be driven by the wheel. brought in the direction of and up to the pusher, whereby its lateral positioning is achieved. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to position a plate element correctly laterally either by pulling it up to the part or by pushing it to the desired position by means of the part which forms both the lateral margin stop and the pusher. .

An introduction station comprises the lateral positioning device having one or more technical characteristics described and claimed, on one of the two sides of the driver's side and the side opposite to the driver. Advantageously, such an introduction station further comprises a complementary lateral positioning device arranged on the other among the driver's side and the side opposite the driver.

The invention also relates to a machine for processing plate elements comprising a device having one or more technical characteristics described and claimed, mounted in an introduction station, upstream of a processing station.

Description of the drawings

• la Figure 1 illustre en vue de côté partiellement en coupe un dispositif de positionnement latéral selon l'invention dans la première configuration, avec la première extrémité du levier principal abaissée;
• la Figure 2 est une vue de côté du dispositif de positionnement latéral de la Figure 1 dans la première configuration, avec la première extrémité du levier principal relevée;
• la Figure 3 illustre en vue de côté partiellement en coupe le dispositif de positionnement latéral de la Figure 1 dans la deuxième configuration, avec la première extrémité du levier principal abaissée;
• la Figure 4 est une vue de côté du dispositif de positionnement latéral dans la deuxième configuration, avec la première extrémité du levier principal relevée;
• la Figure 5 est une vue partielle depuis le dessus d'une table de marge du dispositif de positionnement latéral des Figures 1 à 4;
• la Figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon la direction VI - VI du dispositif de positionnement latéral de la Figure 5;
• la Figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la direction VII - VII du dispositif de positionnement latéral de la Figure 5; et
• la Figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la direction VIII - VIII de la Figure 6.

The invention will be well understood and its various advantages and various characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of the non-limiting example of embodiment, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the Figure 1 illustrates in side view partially in section a lateral positioning device according to the invention in the first configuration, with the first end of the main lever lowered;
• the Figure 2 is a side view of the lateral positioning device of the Figure 1 in the first configuration, with the first end of the main lever raised;
• the Figure 3 illustrates in side view partially in section the lateral positioning device of the Figure 1 in the second configuration, with the first end of the main lever lowered;
• the Figure 4 is a side view of the lateral positioning device in the second configuration, with the first end of the main lever raised;
• the Figure 5 is a partial view from above of a feed table of the lateral positioning device of the Figures 1 to 4 ;
• the Figure 6 is a sectional view along direction VI - VI of the lateral positioning device of the Figure 5 ;
• the Figure 7 is a sectional view along direction VII - VII of the lateral positioning device of the Figure 5 ; and
• the Figure 8 is a sectional view along direction VIII - VIII of the Figure 6 .

Detailed discussion of preferred embodiments

In the present text, the term "lateral" denotes a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance of the plate elements, such as sheets, in a processing machine, and in particular in an introduction station 10 partially visible on the surface. Fig. 5 . On the Fig. 5 , arrow P designates the direction of advance of the sheets to be treated, from upstream to downstream, arrow L1 designates the left side side or CC for "driver side" and arrow L2 designates the right side side or COC for "side opposite the driver".

The lateral positioning device 100 visible on the Fig. 5 is located in this example on the driver's side and is intended to ensure the correct lateral positioning of a plate element such as a sheet of printed cardboard, before its processing, such as a platen cut, while the correct longitudinal positioning (in direction A) is provided by a front positioning device, not shown.

The principle of operation of the lateral positioning device 100 is explained in relation to the Figs. 1 to 4 on which the lateral positioning device 100 is seen from upstream. A feed wheel 102 which rotates alternately clockwise and counterclockwise forms the drive means for introducing a plate member 20: Figs. 1 and 2 , the lateral positioning device 100 is in a first configuration capable of carrying out the lateral jogging of a plate element 20, which may be of very variable thickness, and in particular between 0.2 mm and 4 mm. Conventionally, it is a flat cardboard printed with a multitude of sub-assemblies which will be pre-cut in the unit. following, with a view to forming cardboard blanks which, after assembly, will constitute packaging.

On the Fig. 1 , the plate element 20 rests on a front cleat shelf 101 having a window at the location of the feed wheel 102 in order to allow the periphery of the latter to come into contact with the underside of the sheet in order to drive it from the lateral side L1 using the feed wheel 102. The sheet is pulled from the lateral side L2 using the stopper COC. A main lever 110 rotatably mounted around the direction P on its pivot 111 of horizontal axis, present at its first end 112 (to the right on the Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 ) a support roller 114, here shown in the form of a rolling bearing, placed above the receiving support. Here, the main lever 110 is articulated around a horizontal axis. The arrangement allows, during the tilting of the main lever 110 in the direction of the descent of the first end 112, the support roller 114 to come to be placed in line with the feed wheel 102 (see Figs. 1 and 3 ) with the two axes of rotation of the support roller 114 and of the feed wheel 102 parallel to each other. More precisely, in the low position of the first end 112, the axis of rotation of the support roller 114 is in line with the axis of rotation of the feed wheel 102 as can be seen in the figure. Fig. 1 , while the raised position of the first end 112 is visible on the Fig. 2 .

On the Fig. 1 , in the lower position of the first end 112, there is a slight back pressure exerted by the support roller 114 downwards, so as to slightly pinch the sheet 20 between the feed wheel 102 and the roller of support 114 and ensure by this socket, its transfer in the direction of the rotational movement of the feed wheel 102, which is then the anti-clockwise direction, until the abutment of its lateral edge against the face of the lateral margin stop 121 turned towards the feed wheel 102: in this position, the sheet 20 is disposed laterally in the desired position. A preliminary adjustment of the low position of the first end 112 is carried out according to the thickness of the sheet 20. The main lever 110 is driven by an electric motor and cams allowing its tilting with ascent-descent timed according to the machine cycle for each. packaging element 20.

Thus, in this first configuration, the lateral positioning device 100 operates in puller mode, since the wedging in the desired lateral position of the sheet is achieved by pulling this packaging element 20, clamping and advancing between the support roller 114 and the feed wheel 102, until this packaging element 20 comes into abutment against the lateral margin stop 121.

In parallel with the clocked movement of the main lever 110, there is a movement clocked on the same rhythm of a secondary lever, coupled to the lever main 110, called detector lever 130. This detector lever 130 is parallel to the main lever, being located next to and upstream of the main lever 110, with respect to the direction of advance P of the plate elements 20. The detector lever 130 rocks around the direction P on its pivot 131 of horizontal axis, and has at its first end 132 (to the right on the Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 ) a detection roller 134 formed of an idle wheel placed above the shelf 101.

The arrangement allows, when tilting the main lever 110 in the direction of the descent of the first end 112, to lower the first end 132 of the detector lever 130 to allow the detector roller 134 to come to be placed exactly against the upper face. of sheet 20 as shown in Fig. 1 . In this position, the second end 133 of the detector lever 130 is raised. A metal target 135 is disposed on this second end 133. This metal target 135 belongs to a proximity detector 140, which is for example an inductive sensor, and which is located under a detection head 141 which is calibrated to measure the distance d between its lower face 142 and the metal target 135. The value d measured when the detector roller 134 touches the sheet 20 enables the thickness e of this packaging element to be very precisely deduced therefrom.

The mechanical coupling between the main lever 110 and the detector lever 130 is ensured during the ascent of the main lever 110 by a pin 116, disposed on the side of the first end 112 of the main lever 110, projecting in the upstream direction. . This pin 116 extends over a sufficient length in order to be able to cooperate with the first end 132 of the detector lever 130 by pressing under a stud 136 present on this first end 132 of the detector lever 130, so that during the ascent of the first end 112 of the main lever 110, the pin 116 pushes the stud 136 upwards and makes it go up while driving the first end 132 of the detector lever 130 in its course.

When the main lever 110 descends, the descent of the pin 116 breaks this support of the stud 136 by the pin 116, leaving the first end 132 of the detector lever 130 free to descend at least as low as the position of the pin 116. The arrangement levers 110 and 130 is such that when the first end 112 of the main lever 110 is in its lowest position, the support roller 114 is in contact with the sheet 20, the pin 116 is lower than the stud 136 then that the detector roller 134 is in contact with the upper face of the sheet 20.

In order to force down the first end 132 of the detector lever 130 when the stud 136 is not coupled to the pin 116, the shaft 131 around which the detector lever 130 pivots is surrounded by a helical spring 137 pre-stressed. This prestressing also makes it possible to generate a bearing force guaranteeing the contact of the detector roller 134 on the sheet 20 and therefore a correct thickness measurement.

A selection system, with the pin 116 and a support 117 for the pin 116, allows the detector lever 130 to be raised regardless of the position of the main lever 110.

To ensure contact between the detector roller 134 and the sheet 20 without marking its upper face, arrangements are made to slow down the downward movement of the second end 132 of the detector lever 130. For this purpose, a braking system 150 is used. passive. In the embodiment shown, it is a permanent magnet brake or Foucault type brake operating as follows: the detection lever 130 comprises, between the second end 133 and the pivot 131, a braking portion 138 formed of a metal plate oriented vertically upwards. Furthermore, the device 100 comprises, next to the detection head 141, two permanent magnets 152 in the form of a frame, parallel to each other and extending vertically, which delimit an air gap in which the braking portion 138 engages. The surface of the braking portion 138 which is located in the air gap is variable and increases during the downward movement of the detector roller 134, which slows down this downward movement.

A check of the value of the thickness e measured for each new packaging element 20 which is presented at the level of the lateral positioning device 100, makes it possible to stop, if necessary, the treatment machine so that an operator can check and remove the packaging. non-compliant sheet 20 or the set of sheets 20.

On the Fig. 3 , the main lever 110 has been adjusted so that, in the down position of the first end 112, there is a slight back pressure exerted by the support roller 114 on the sheet 20 'which is thicker than the sheet 20 of Figs. 1 and 2 .

Furthermore, the lateral positioning device 100 operates according to a second configuration shown in the Figs. 3 and 4 . In this case, we want to avoid pressing the support roller 114 on the sheet 20 'under pressure, for example because this packaging element 20' is not very dense, its surface is easily marked with an imprint under pressure. of a pebble. This is particularly the case if this packaging element 20 ′ contains one or more layers of corrugated cardboard. In the example shown, this packaging element 20 'has a thickness e' greater than the thickness e of the sheet 20 shown in the Figs. 1 and 2 . This thickness e 'corresponds to a distance d' between the metal target 135 and the detection head 141.

In this second configuration, the support roller 114 is raised relative to its position of the first configuration so as not to be able to touch the surface. top of the sheet 20 'when the first end 112 of the main lever 110 is lowered. To compensate for this rise of the support roller 114, and still allow the detector roller 134 to descend until it reaches the upper surface of the sheet 20 ', the height position of the pin 116 has also been shifted by rotating its 180 °. support 117 around a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the feed wheel 102.

The lateral margin stop acts as a pusher element 121 and is disposed just above the shelf 101 and on the other side of the feed wheel 102 with respect to the support roller 134. This pusher element 121 has a thrust face against which the lateral edge of the sheet 20 'bears. It is the pusher 121 which performs a horizontal translational movement (from left to right on the Figs. 3 and 4 ) from a retracted position visible on the Figs. 3 and 4 , to an advanced position adjusted so that at the end of the stroke, the sheet 20 'is disposed laterally in the desired position.

Thus, in this second configuration, the lateral positioning device 100 operates in pusher mode, since the wedging in the desired lateral position of the sheet 20 'is achieved by pushing this packaging element 20', passing from the retracted position to the advanced position of the pusher 121, until it is brought into the lateral position of this packaging element 20 'corresponding to the end of travel (advanced position) of the pusher 121.

In this second configuration, the control of the thickness of the sheet present on the feed table is unchanged from what has previously been described in relation to the first configuration. In order to understand how the passage from the first configuration (shooter mode) to the second configuration (pusher mode) and vice versa takes place, we refer to the Figs. 5 to 8 .

As it appears on the Fig. 7 , the pusher 121 is locked in the forward position and serves as a stopper for the shooter. An adjustment screw 150 allows, by its rotation, to raise or lower an adjustment support 152 having a bevelled lower edge which cooperates with a bevelled upper edge of the block forming both the pusher and the lateral margin stop 121. Thus, the lowering the adjustment support 152 causes the pusher 121 to move forward in horizontal translation, to the right on the Figs. 6 and 7 .

The pusher 121 is integral with the slide 155, itself integral with the cam roller 156 (see Fig. 6 ). The position of Figs. 6 and 7 corresponds to the aforementioned second configuration of the lateral positioning device: in this case, the cam roller 156 is housed in a space for receiving the cam 160, which is driven in a permanent cyclic movement, in a position allowing a movement of go and comes between the right and the left of the slide 155. It is this forward movement which allows the pusher 121 to perform the positioning by pushing the sheet 20 '. To pass into the first configuration, the adjustment support 152 is lowered by means of the adjustment screw 150, whereby the pusher 121 advances in the direction of the right in a position which remains in the space for receiving the cam 160. , but this time the pusher 121 is no longer able to follow the movement of the cam 160 which rotates in a vacuum in the direction since the cam 160 no longer drives the pusher 121.

The introduction station 10 which presents the lateral positioning device 100 which has just been described preferably comprises a complementary lateral positioning device located on the other side, in the same axial position as the lateral positioning device 100. Thus, , if the lateral positioning device 100 is on the driver's side, the complementary lateral positioning device is on the side opposite to the driver. In a first variant, the complementary lateral positioning device is identical to the lateral positioning device 100, except the adaptation to the side opposite the driver by modifying the structure of the lateral positioning device 100 by symmetry with respect to the median vertical plane of the shelf 101. In a second variant, the complementary lateral positioning device does not include the detector lever 130 and all the elements of the system for detecting the presence of two superimposed plate elements making it possible to check the thickness of the sheet 20 or 20. '.

• une butée de marge latérale 121 dépassant vers le haut depuis la face supérieure de la tablette 101,
• un levier principal 110 portant à sa première extrémité un galet d'appui 114 apte à se rapprocher de la roue d'amenée 102, lors d'un mouvement de descente de la première extrémité du levier principal 110, lorsque le bord latéral de la feuille 20, 20' est proche de ou contre la butée de marge latérale 121.

Advantageously, the complementary lateral positioning device comprises (the elements identical to those of the lateral positioning device 100 are referenced with the same reference sign):

• a side margin stop 121 protruding upwards from the upper face of the shelf 101,
• a main lever 110 carrying at its first end a support roller 114 adapted to approach the feed wheel 102, during a downward movement of the first end of the main lever 110, when the lateral edge of the sheet 20, 20 'is near or against the side margin stop 121.

• une roue d'amenée 102 des éléments en plaque présentant un mouvement de rotation alternativement dans un sens puis dans l'autre sens, pour l'entraînement cadencé de chaque élément d'emballage 20, 20' en direction de la butée de marge latérale 121.

According to another preferred arrangement, such a complementary lateral positioning device further comprises:

• a feed wheel 102 of the plate elements having a rotational movement alternately in one direction and then in the other direction, for the cadenced drive of each packaging element 20, 20 'in the direction of the side margin stop 121 .

• le pousseur 121 disposé au-dessus de la tablette 101, le pousseur 121 étant apte à passer d'une position de repos, à une position de travail dans laquelle un élément d'emballage 20, 20' disposé sur la tablette 101 est à la même hauteur que le pousseur121, et
• un système d'entrainement, notamment par cames, réalisant un mouvement de va et vient en direction latérale, qui coopère avec le pousseur 121 uniquement dans sa position de travail de sorte que le pousseur 121 réalise une course de va et vient entre une position rétractée et une position avancée, apte à pousser un élément d'emballage 20 et 20' disposé sur la table de marge jusqu'à une position latérale prédéterminée par la position avancée (fin de course du pousseur 121).

Preferably, such a complementary lateral positioning device further comprises:

• the pusher 121 disposed above the shelf 101, the pusher 121 being able to pass from a rest position, to a working position in which a packaging element 20, 20 'disposed on the shelf 101 is at the same height as the pusher121, and
• a drive system, in particular by cams, performing a back and forth movement in the lateral direction, which cooperates with the pusher 121 only in its working position so that the pusher 121 performs a back and forth stroke between a retracted position and an advanced position, capable of pushing a packaging element 20 and 20 'disposed on the feed table to a lateral position predetermined by the advanced position (end of travel of the pusher 121).

When using the infeed station 10, several possibilities exist depending on the size and type of packaging element supported by the feed table. According to a second possibility, one uses both only the lateral positioning device 100 or else only the complementary lateral positioning device, which is placed either in the first configuration or in the second configuration.

Claims (15)

1. Device for laterally positioning (100) a plate element (20, 20'), in a plate element processing machine,
   characterised in that it comprises a detector lever (130), articulated with respect to a horizonal axis, and capable of carrying out a descent movement from a high position to a low position,
   a first end (132) of the detector lever (130) being arranged to come into a low position in contact with an upper face of the plate element (20, 20'), and
   a second end (133) of the detector lever (130) being provided with a target (135) engaging with a position detector (140) to generate a signal depending on the thickness of the plate element (20, 20') and on the number of plate elements (20, 20') present at the level of the first end (132) of the detector lever (130).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises a braking system, allowing to slow down the descent movement of the detector lever (130).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the braking system is an eddy-current brake.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detector lever (130) is mounted rotating about a shaft, on which are disposed return means (137), capable of exerting a force generating the descent movement of the detector lever (130).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second end (133) of the detector lever (130) is equipped with a metal target (135) which engages with a detection head (141) of the position detector (140), equipped with an inductive-type proximity sensor.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a main lever (110), carrying, at its first end (112), a support roller (114) and arranged such that at the end of the descent course of its first end (112), the first end (12) of the main lever has:

   - a first lowered configuration, to apply the support roller against the upper face of the plate element (20, 20'), so as to laterally drive the plate element, and

   - a second raised configuration, to avoid flattening the plate element (20).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the detector lever (130) is mechanically coupled with the main lever (110).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a selection system (116, 117), allowing the detector lever (130) to be raised whatever the position of the main lever (110).
9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a feeding wheel (102), capable of making the plate element (20, 20') flush against a lateral margin abutment (121).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that in a first configuration, during the descent of the first end of the main lever (110), the support roller (114) is capable of bearing against the upper face of a plate element (20) disposed on a tablet (101), between the support roller (114) and the feeding wheel (102), so as to allow the crimping of the plate element (20) which is driven by the feeding wheel (102) in the direction of and up to the lateral margin abutment (121), whereby the lateral positioning of the plate element (20) is done against the lateral margin abutment (121).
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises:

    - a pusher (121) disposed above a tablet (101), the pusher (121) being capable of passing from a rest position, to a working position wherein a plate element (20, 20') disposed on the tablet (101) is at the same height as the pusher (121), and

    - a drive system carrying out a to-and-fro movement in the lateral direction, which engages with the pusher (121) only in its working position such that the pusher (121) carries out a to-and-fro course between a retracted position and an advanced position, capable of pushing a plate element (20, 20') disposed on the tablet (101) to a predetermined lateral position by the advanced position.
12. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that in a second configuration, at the end of the descent course of the first end of the main lever (110), the support roller (114) remains above the feeding wheel (102) and at a distance of the feeding wheel (102) preventing its bearing against the upper face of a plate element (20, 20') disposed between the support roller (114) and the feeding wheel (102).
13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that in the first configuration, the pusher (121) is in the rest position.
14. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that in the second configuration, the pusher (121) is in the working position.
15. Machine for processing plate elements comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims, mounted in an introduction station (10), upstream from a processing station.

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