EP3612482B1 - Device and method for ejecting blanking samples, discharge station and machine for treating elements in sheet form - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for ejecting blank samples in a sheet-shaped element processing machine, a waste disposal station, a sheet-shaped element processing machine and a method of ejecting blank samples into a sheet-like element processing machine.

In the packaging manufacturing industry, the sheets are cut according to a die corresponding to the developed shape that one wishes to obtain, for example with a view to obtaining a plurality of boxes of a given shape.

After cutting and ejecting the waste, the attachment points between the blanks of a sheet are broken and the blanks pile up in vertical piles in a reception area where they are separated and stabilized by periodic inserting. The remaining part of the sheet, also called waste, remains pinched in the grippers of the gripper bar of the sheet transport device to be driven towards the waste disposal station.

The gripper bar is driven in the usual way by two chains in loops arranged respectively on both sides of the cutting press and to which the two ends of the gripper bars are fixed. A comb-shaped on-the-fly ejector extending transversely relative to the direction of movement of the waste transported by the gripper bar, is arranged in the waste disposal station.

The trajectory of the gripper bar is synchronized with its opening in the waste disposal station so that when climbing the bend in the loop of the chain trains, the grippers of the bar open crossing the ejector on the fly. The sheet carried by the gripper bar is ejected on the fly and tips over the discharge belt.

The ejection is said to be “on the fly” because the U-turn trajectory of the gripper bar in the waste evacuation station is directly used to tilt the cut sheet onto the evacuation belt. On-the-fly ejection eliminates the need for a gripper bar. Indeed, without on-the-fly ejection, to remove the cut sheet from the gripper bar, the machine would have to include, for example, an additional waste disposal station in which the gripper bar would stop to deposit the waste sheet. . The chain trains would then have to be lengthened with an additional gripper bar, which is expensive and cumbersome.

In order to control the quality of shaping of blanks, it is necessary to regularly take samples of blanks during production. Some manufacturers, such as manufacturers of tobacco or cigarettes require relatively frequent sampling.

Each time samples are taken, production must be greatly slowed down or temporarily stopped while an operator removes the samples from the stack of blanks, which is costly in terms of time and resources. In addition, samples taken from the pose pile may be lost during handling or mixed with leaf waste. This sampling operation is therefore inefficient and not very ergonomic because it slows down the production rate, requires the mobilization of an operator and poses can be lost.

Another solution could be to receive a sheet and its poses in the waste ejection station instead of the poses being separated and received in the reception station. This requires a machine stop. It is also necessary to disengage the sheet from the gripper bar in order to be able to remove it by means of an auxiliary opening mechanism.

It is therefore currently difficult to take regular sampling during production and therefore difficult to carry out quality control of these samples. US-A-2956805 shows the preamble of claim 1.

One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for ejecting samples of blanks in a shaping machine allowing easy and regular sampling of blanks during production.

• une pluralité de stations de travail dont au moins une station d'évacuation des déchets, et
• un dispositif de transport comprenant une pluralité de barres de pinces configurées pour entrainer les éléments en forme de feuilles dans les stations de travail,

le dispositif d'éjection étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un élément d'actionnement mobile entre :

• une position inactive dans laquelle le au moins un élément d'actionnement est positionné à l'écart du trajet de la barre de pinces, et
• une position active dans laquelle le au moins un élément d'actionnement est positionné sur le trajet de la barre de pinces, le au moins un élément d'actionnement étant configuré pour coopérer avec la barre de pinces au passage de la barre de pinces pour ouvrir la barre de pinces et éjecter à plat un échantillon de poses.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is a blank sample ejection device for a sheet-shaped element processing machine, the processing machine comprising:

• a plurality of work stations including at least one waste removal station, and
• a transport device comprising a plurality of gripper bars configured to drive the sheet-like elements into the work stations,

the ejection device being characterized in that it comprises at least one actuating element movable between:

• an inactive position in which the at least one actuating element is positioned away from the path of the gripper bar, and
• an active position in which the at least one actuating element is positioned in the path of the gripper bar, the at least one actuating element being configured to cooperate with the gripper bar at the passage of the gripper bar to open the gripper bar and eject a sample of poses flat.

The at least one actuating element can thus assume an active position to open the grippers of the gripper bar and eject a sample of poses. A sample of exposures can thus be ejected simply and automatically.

In the active position, the at least one actuating element is for example positioned on the path of the gripper bar at the exit of a blank separation tool from the blank separation station and upstream of an ejector at the fly from the waste disposal station. In the active position, the at least one actuating element is for example positioned on the path of the gripper bar to open the gripper bar when the gripper bar makes an angle with the horizontal of between 0° and 60°.

This location of the actuating elements allows the at least one actuating element to open the grippers of the gripper bar on a horizontal portion of the chain trains or at least at the start of the curved part of the chain trains. This allows on the one hand, to maintain a substantially straight trajectory of the sample of poses which is released and on the other hand that the sample of poses which had stopped in the station of separation of poses resumes a little speed so as to take enough energy to be effectively driven as much as possible in a straight line when opening the gripper bar.

• le au moins un élément d'actionnement est une came de profil actif courbe, le déplacement de la barre de pinces le long du profil actif courbe de la came forçant une ouverture suivie d'une fermeture des pinces de la barre de pinces,
• le au moins un élément d'actionnement est en position inactive lorsque la machine de traitement est en production,
• le dispositif d'éjection comporte un organe de commande configuré pour que son actionnement commande le déplacement de l'élément d'actionnement de la position inactive vers la position active,
• le dispositif d'éjection comporte un organe de blocage agencé dans la station de séparation des poses, configuré pour empêcher la séparation des points d'attaches de l'échantillon de poses, en bloquant un outil supérieur de l'outil de séparation des poses de la station de séparation des poses en position haute,
• le au moins un élément d'actionnement est mobile dans la direction de déplacement des feuilles,
• le dispositif d'éjection comporte au moins un actionneur et au moins un organe démultiplicateur, l'organe démultiplicateur étant configuré pour être entrainé par l'actionneur et agencé entre une partie fixe et le au moins un élément d'actionnement pour entrainer le déplacement du au moins un élément d'actionnement en position active,
• le dispositif d'éjection comporte des moyens de guidage en déplacement configurés pour guider le déplacement du au moins un élément d'actionnement entre la position active et la position inactive.

According to one or more characteristics of the ejection device, taken alone or in combination:

• the at least one actuating element is a curved active profile cam, the movement of the gripper bar along the curved active profile of the cam forcing an opening followed by a closing of the grippers of the gripper bar,
• the at least one actuating element is in the inactive position when the processing machine is in production,
• the ejection device comprises a control member configured so that its actuation controls the movement of the actuation element from the inactive position to the active position,
• the ejection device comprises a blocking member arranged in the blank separation station, configured to prevent the separation of the attachment points of the blank sample, by blocking an upper tool of the blank separation tool the blank separation station in the high position,
• the at least one actuating element is movable in the direction of moving leaves,
• the ejection device comprises at least one actuator and at least one multiplier member, the multiplier member being configured to be driven by the actuator and arranged between a fixed part and the at least one actuating element to cause the movement of the at least one actuation element in the active position,
• the ejection device comprises movement guide means configured to guide the movement of the at least one actuating element between the active position and the inactive position.

Another subject of the invention is a station for removing waste from a machine for processing elements in the form of sheets, characterized in that it comprises a device for ejecting samples of blanks as described previously.

The waste disposal station comprises for example a fly ejector for the fly discharge of sheet waste, characterized in that the at least one actuating element of the ejection device is arranged upstream of the fly ejector in the direction of sheet travel, i.e. before the fly ejector.

The invention also relates to a machine for processing sheet-like elements, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of work stations including a waste disposal station as described previously and a transport device comprising a plurality of gripper bars configured to drive the sheet-like elements into the work stations.

• on bloque la séparation des poses d'au moins une feuille découpée dans la station de séparation des poses,
• on déplace au moins un élément d'actionnement sur le trajet de la barre de pinces à la sortie d'un outil de séparation des poses de la station de séparation des poses et en amont d'un éjecteur à la volée de la station d'évacuation des déchets pour coopérer avec la barre de pinces au passage de la barre de pinces afin d'ouvrir la barre de pinces et éjecter à plat un échantillon de poses.

The invention also relates to a process for ejecting blank samples into a sheet-shaped element processing machine as described above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• the separation of the blanks of at least one sheet cut in the blank separation station is blocked,
• at least one actuating member is moved in the gripper bar path out of a blank separation tool of the blank separation station and upstream of an on-the-fly ejector of the blanking station waste disposal to cooperate with the gripper bar as the gripper bar passes to open the gripper bar and eject a sample of blanks flat.

In the active position, the at least one actuating element opens the grippers of the gripper bar to eject the sample from flat lays, when the gripper bar is angled between 0° and 60° with the horizontal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 illustre de façon très schématique un exemple de machine de traitement d'éléments en forme de feuilles.
• La figure 2 montre une vue schématique de côté d'éléments de la machine de traitement de la figure 1.
• La figure 3A montre une vue similaire à la figure 2 en cours de production, montrant un élément d'actionnement d'un dispositif d'éjection d'échantillons de poses, en position inactive.
• La figure 3B montre une vue similaire à la figure 3A au cours d'un procédé d'éjection d'échantillons de poses, l'élément d'actionnement étant en position active.
• La figure 3C montre une vue similaire à la figure 3B après l'éjection à plat d'un échantillon de poses, l'élément d'actionnement étant déplacé en position inactive.
• La figure 4 montre une vue en perspective d'éléments du dispositif d'éjection d'échantillons de poses en position active.
• La figure 5A montre une vue de côté des éléments de la figure 4 ainsi qu'une vue en coupe d'une barre de pinces au début d'une coopération en ouverture avec un élément d'actionnement du dispositif d'éjection en position active.
• La figure 5B montre une vue similaire à la figure 5A avec la barre de pinces à la fin de la coopération en ouverture avec l'élément d'actionnement.
• La figure 6 montre une vue similaire à la figure 2, la figure 6 montrant plus particulièrement un dispositif de contrôle d'échantillons de poses.
• La figure 7 montre une vue schématique d'un dispositif de récupération d'échantillons de poses, en position de convoyage continu, en cours de production.
• La figure 8 montre une vue schématique du dispositif de récupération de la figure 6 en position relevée, au cours d'un prélèvement d'échantillon de poses.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as on the appended figures which represent a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and in which:

• The figure 1 very schematically illustrates an example of a sheet-shaped element processing machine.
• The picture 2 shows a schematic side view of elements of the processing machine figure 1 .
• The Figure 3A shows a view similar to the figure 2 during production, showing an actuating element of a blank sample ejection device, in the inactive position.
• The Figure 3B shows a view similar to the Figure 3A during a blank sample ejection process, the actuating element being in the active position.
• The Fig. 3C shows a view similar to the Figure 3B after the flat ejection of a sample of blanks, the actuating element being moved to the inactive position.
• The figure 4 shows a perspective view of elements of the blank sample ejection device in the active position.
• The figure 5A shows a side view of the elements of the figure 4 as well as a sectional view of a gripper bar at the start of an opening cooperation with an actuating element of the ejection device in the active position.
• The figure 5B shows a view similar to the figure 5A with the gripper bar at the end of the opening cooperation with the actuating element.
• The figure 6 shows a view similar to the picture 2 , the figure 6 showing more particularly a device for controlling pose samples.
• The figure 7 shows a schematic view of a blank sample recovery device, in the continuous conveying position, during production.
• The figure 8 shows a schematic view of the device for recovering the figure 6 in the raised position, during a sampling of poses.

In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers. The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features only apply to one embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

The terms upstream and downstream are defined with reference to the direction of movement of the sheets, as illustrated by the arrow D on the figure 1 . These elements move upstream, generally following the main longitudinal axis of the machine, in a movement clocked by periodic stops. The transverse direction T is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of movement of the sheets D. The horizontal plane corresponds to the plane (L, T).

The terms “flat elements” and “sheets” will be considered as equivalent, and will relate to elements composed of corrugated cardboard as well as flat cardboard, paper or any other material commonly used in the packaging industry. It is understood that throughout this text, the terms "sheet" or "element in sheets" or "element in the form of sheets" refer very generally to any printing medium in the form of sheets such as, for example , sheets of cardboard, paper, plastic, etc.

The figure 1 represents an example of processing machine 1 for processing sheets. This processing machine 1 is conventionally composed of several workstations which are juxtaposed but interdependent one by one to form a unitary assembly. There is thus an introduction station 100, a transformation station 300 for cutting the sheets, such as comprising a platen press 301, a waste ejection station 400, a blank separation station 500 where the transformed sheets are repackaged in a stack and a waste removal station 600 where the cut sheet waste (usually in grid form) is removed on the fly.

The transformation operation of each sheet takes place in the transformation station 300, for example between a fixed platen and a lower mobile mounted platen of the press 301 for cutting the sheets according to a die corresponding to the developed shape that the it is desired to obtain, for example with a view to obtaining a plurality of boxes of a given shape. The movable platen successively raises and lowers once during each machine cycle.

A transport device 70 is also provided to individually move each sheet from the output of the introduction station 100 to the waste removal station 600, passing through the transformation station 300.

The transport device 70 comprises a plurality of transverse bars fitted with grippers, commonly called gripper bars 75, which each in turn pick up a sheet at its front edge, before pulling it successively into the different stations of the stations 300, 400, 500, 600 from machine 1.

The lateral ends of the gripper bars 75 are each connected respectively to a side chain forming a loop, commonly called chain train 80. Two chain trains 80 are thus arranged laterally on each side of the gripper bars 75.

The transport device 70 also includes at least one chain guiding device 90 configured to guide a respective chain train 80.

Thanks to a movement transmitted to the chain trains 80 at the level of driving wheels 72, the set of clamp bars 75, will start from a stopped position, accelerate, reach a maximum speed, decelerate, then stop, thus describing a cycle corresponding to the movement of a sheet from one workstation to the next workstation. Chain trains 80 move and stop periodically so that during each move all gripper bars 75 have moved from one station to the adjacent downstream work station. Each station performs its work in synchronism with this cycle which is commonly called the machine cycle. The workstations are in the initial position to start a new job at each start of the machine cycle. A machine cycle is commonly defined by a machine angle (AM) varying between 0° and 360°.

The number and nature of processing stations in a processing machine 1 can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the operations to be performed on the sheets. In the context of the invention, the notion of processing machine thus covers a very large number of embodiments due to the modular structure of the workstations. Depending on the number, nature and layout of the workstations used, it is in fact possible to obtain a multitude of different processing machines. It is also important to emphasize that there are other types of workstations than those mentioned, allowing a transformation of the sheet, such as embossing stations, upsetting or such as loading stations for stamping strips for machine stamping or hot foil stamping machine where, between the plates of a press, patterns are deposited on each sheet from a film resulting from one or more stamping strips. The same processing machine can comprise a combination of several work stations carrying out a transformation of the sheet, such as a cutting station and an embossing station. Finally, it is understood that the same processing machine can very well be equipped with several stations of the same type.

Elements of a transport device 70 have been schematized on the figure 1 . This figure shows the plurality of gripper bars 75, eight in the example, making it possible to move the sheets in the various positions of the stations 300, 400, 500, 600 of the processing machine 1, a train of chains 80 and a chain guide device 90 arranged in the waste removal station 600, downstream from the blank separation station 500. The driving wheels 72 driving the chain trains 80 in displacement are arranged on the opposite side, close to entry station 100.

Better visible on the picture 2 , each chain guide device 90 comprises for example a deflection wheel 91 produced for example by a pulley or a chain wheel or a simple guide of cylindrical shape, as well as, for example, an upper chain guide arranged substantially horizontally in the machine 1, to guide the train of chains 80 out of the idler wheel 91 and a lower chain guide, having a curved shape to guide the train of chains 80 on a turn of the loop, towards the idler wheel 91.

In the sheet separation station 500, after shaping in the converting station 300 and ejection of the small waste in the waste ejection station 400, the attachment points between the sheets of a sheet are broken by means of a blanking tool, such as comprising an upper male tool 501 and a lower female tool 502 mounted vertically one above the other in a receiving area (referring again to the figure 1 ). The blanks fall through the meshes of a grid of the lower tool 502 and stack in a vertical stack in the receiving area on a receiving pallet.

The waste removal station 600 includes a flying ejector 92 for removing the waste from the cut sheet on the fly, the front edge of which is in engagement with the gripper bar 75. The flying ejector 92, present by example a general shape of a comb and extending transversely relative to the direction of movement of the waste transported by the gripper bar 75. The trajectory of the gripper bar 75 is synchronized with its opening in the waste evacuation station 600 to that when climbing in the bend of the loop of the chain trains 80, the clamps of the bar open by crossing the ejector on the fly 92. The ejector on the fly 92 is for example positioned on the path of the gripper bar 75 to open the gripper bar 75 and release the waste sheet-like member when the gripper bar 75 begins to turn over the idler wheel 91 to go back in the other direction. The sheet driven by the gripper bar 75 is ejected on the fly 92 and swings over a discharge belt 93 of the processing machine 1. The waste is then for example conveyed by the discharge belt 93 to a waste bin ( figure 1 ).

The ejection is said to be "on the fly" because the U-turn trajectory of the gripper bar 75 in the waste evacuation station 600 is directly used to tip the cut sheet onto the evacuation belt 93. Ejection on the fly makes it possible to save a bar of grippers 75 by using the curved trajectory of the bars of grippers 75 to send the waste, by nature of low weight, on the conveyor belt 93.

The waste removal station 600 may also comprise a device 2 for ejecting samples of poses.

The blank sample ejection device 2 comprises at least one actuating element 3 arranged in the waste removal station 600.

The at least one actuating element 3 is movable between an inactive position ( figure 3A, 3C ) in which the actuating element 3 is positioned away from the path of the gripper bar 75 and an active position in which the actuating element 3 is positioned in the path of the gripper bar 75 ( Figure 3B , 4 ).

In the active position, the at least one actuating element 3 is positioned on the path of the gripper bar 75 at the exit of the blank separation tool 501, 502 from the blank separation station 500 and upstream of the fly ejector 92 of the waste disposal station 600 (also referring to the figure 1 ).

The at least one actuating element 3 is for example movable in the transverse direction T.

According to another example, the at least one actuating element 3 is movable in the direction of movement of the sheets D (arrows F1, F2, Figures 3B, 3C ). The actuating element 3 is for example positioned at the base of the turn of the train of chains 80 of the transport device 70 in the direction of the return wheel 91. Thus, the actuating element 3 in the inactive position does not interfere the path of the gripper bars 75 which leave the horizontal position and go up towards the return wheel 91.

As can be seen on the figure 4 , the device 2 for ejecting blank samples comprises for example at least one actuator 14, such as a jack, configured to cause the movement of at least one actuating element 3 into the active position.

The ejection device 2 further comprises, for example, at least one multiplier member 16 driven by the actuator 14 and arranged between a fixed part 18 and the actuating element 3 movable to cause the movement of the at least one element of actuation 3 in active position. The multiplier member 16 comprises, for example, a system of toggle-type rods, able to assume a deployed position ( Figures 5A, 5B ) in the active position and a folded position in the inactive position.

The ejection device 2 may also comprise displacement guide means, such as at least one oblong hole 15 cooperating with at least one pin, one carried by the actuating element 3, the other carried by a fixed part 18 of the ejection device 2. The movement guide means are configured to guide the movement of at least one actuating element 3 between the active position and the inactive position.

The at least one actuation element 3 is for example a cam.

The cam has a curved active profile 17, movement of the gripper bar 75 along the curved active profile of the cam forcing a progressive opening followed by a closing of the grippers 76 of the gripper bar 75.

The curved active profile 17 of at least one actuating element 3 cooperates with the gripper bar 75 in the active position to gradually open the grippers 76 of the gripper bar 75 over a machine angle for example between 50° machine angle (AM ) and 70° machine angle (AM), such as 60° AM, so as to allow the ejection of a wide range of sheet weights, the machine angle between two successive stopped positions of the gripper bar 75 being equal at 360° AM. The curved active profile 17 cooperates in opening with the gripper bar 75 from a machine angle λ°AM, such as 160°AM, on the figure 5a up to a machine angle λ°AM + 60°AM on figure 5b . The remaining part of the curved active profile 17 of the cam, substantially recessed, causes the clamp bar 75 to close.

The at least one actuating element 3 is configured to cooperate with a lateral drive element in rotation 19 as the gripper bar 75 passes and cause the rotation of an opening axis of the gripper bar 75. lateral rotational drive element 19 is arranged at the end of the gripper bar 75, such as at the end of the opening axis of the gripper bar 75. The rotational drive of the the opening axis causes the simultaneous opening of all the grippers 76 of the gripper bar 75 and thus the release of the sheet.

The gripper bar 75 comprises for example two lateral drive elements in rotation 19, a lateral drive element in rotation 19 being arranged at each end of the opening axis. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lateral rotation drive element 19 comprises a pivoting lever carrying a roller, the pivoting lever being integral with the opening axis and the roller being capable of cooperating with the curved active profile 17 of the actuating element 3.

The ejection device 2 comprises for example two actuating elements 3 arranged so that in the active position, each actuating element 3 is capable of cooperating with a respective lateral drive element 19 in rotation of the gripper bar 75. Each actuation element 3 also cooperates, for example, with an actuator 14, a reduction gear member 16 and a respective displacement guide means 15 .

Thus, when the gripper bar 75 arrives at the actuating elements 3 of the waste disposal station 600, the actuating elements 3 lift the pivoting levers to open the grippers 76.

In the active position, the at least one actuating element 3 is for example positioned on the path of the gripper bar 75 to open the gripper bar 75 when the gripper bar 75 makes an angle α of between 0 and 60°, such as 52°, with the horizontal H. The angle α is the angle formed between the plane of a front part of a sheet gripped by the grippers 76 of the gripper bar 75 and the horizontal H. The sheet is released from the clamps 76 sooner or later depending on its weight, a thicker sheet being released later, that is to say for a larger opening of the clamps corresponding to a higher angle α.

In the active position, the at least one actuating element 3 can be positioned in the path of the gripper bar 75 to begin to open the gripper bar 75 when the grippers 76 of the gripper bar 75 form an angle α between 0 and 10° with the horizontal H, such as of the order of 8.5° ( figure 3C and 5A ). The sheet is thus released when the gripper bar 75 forms an angle α of between 0° and 60° with the horizontal ( figure 3C and 5A ) and before the curved active profile 17 completes the cooperation in opening with the gripper bar 75, for example at a machine angle λ°AM + 60°AM on figure 5B .

The at least one actuating element 3 may be arranged close to the previous stopped position of the gripper bar 75 which positions the sheet-like element in the blank separation station 500.

In the active position, the at least one actuating element 3 thus allows the opening of the clamps 76 of the clamp bar 75 on a horizontal portion of the chain trains 80 or at least, at the beginning of the curved part of the chain trains 80.

This location of the actuating elements 3 makes it possible, on the one hand, to maintain a substantially straight trajectory of the sample of poses P which is released and, on the other hand, that the sample of poses P which had stopped in the station the blank separation 500 picks up a little speed so as to take enough energy to be effectively driven as much as possible in a straight line when the gripper bar 75 is opened.

The location of the actuating elements 3 and the curved active profile 17 of the cams allow that, when the sample of poses P is released, it does not catch up with the gripper bar 75 which precedes it and has enough speed not to be caught up by the next gripper bar 75 because the sample of poses P ejected flat is in the trajectory of the gripper bars 75.

In idle position ( Figures 3A, 3C ), the at least one actuating element 3 is positioned apart and does not cooperate with the gripper bar 75 which remains closed when it passes at the height of the at least one actuating element 3.

The at least one actuation element 3 is for example in the inactive position when the processing machine 1 is in production.

The ejection device 2 may further comprise a control member 4, such as a button, the actuation of which allows control, via a processing unit 13 of the processing machine 1 ( figure 1 ), the movement of the actuating element 3 from the inactive position to the active position for the flat ejection of at least one sample of poses P.

The processing unit 13 is for example a controller or a microprocessor or a computer.

The displacement of the actuating elements 3 from the inactive position to the active position can be controlled for example on a machine cycle.

After actuation, the control member 4 can return to a normal deactivated position, for example after a predetermined number of machine cycles.

The ejection device 2 may comprise a blocking member 5 arranged in the blank separation station 500, configured to prevent the separation of the attachment points of the sample of blanks P, by blocking the upper tool 501 from the the blanking tool in the high position.

The blocking member 5 is for example controlled by the actuation of the control member 4, for example on a machine cycle.

The actuation of the control member 4 can also control, for example, a predetermined number of sheet hole(s) before the sample of blanks P and/or after the sample of blanks P, for example two holes of sheets before and after. A sheet hole is made by controlling a gripper bar 75 not to pick up sheets in the insertion station 100.

The leaf hole before the leaf that is to be sampled makes it possible to move the last waste sheet-shaped element away from the evacuation belt 93 (or from the first belt evacuation 94 as will be seen later) so that the sample of poses P is not placed on a previous waste F. Similarly, the hole in sheets following the sample of poses P makes it possible to prevent a waste element in the form of a sheet F successive from coming to cover the sample of poses P.

Provision can also be made for the blocking of the upper tool 501 and the movement of the actuating element 3 into the active position to be simultaneous over several machine cycles and coordinated with a hole in the sheets upstream and downstream on the flat ejection of the sample poses P.

The waste disposal station 600 may further comprise a device 6 for checking samples of poses P ( figure 6 ). The control device 6 comprises an optical monitoring device 7 configured to determine a quality defect of a sample of poses P placed flat on the evacuation belt 93.

The optical monitoring device 7 comprises for example a camera or a photographic device.

The control device 6 may comprise a control unit 8 connected to the optical monitoring device 7, the control device 6 being configured to compare an image taken by the optical monitoring device 7 with at least one reference image to determine the presence of a quality defect. The control unit 8 is for example a controller or a microprocessor or a computer of the processing machine 1. It can be the processing unit 13. The control unit 8 comprises a memory storing at least one reference image .

The control device 6 may further comprise an alert unit 9 connected to the control unit 8, the alert unit 9 being configured to generate an alert, such as a warning message or the ignition an indicator, to warn the operator in the event of the presence of a quality defect.

The optical monitoring device 7 thus takes, for example, an image of the sample of poses P placed flat on the evacuation carpet 93 and the control unit 8 compares it with at least one reference image to determine the presence or not of a quality defect and generate an alert signal in the event of the presence of a defect.

The quality defect may be a cutting defect having occurred in the transformation station 300, such as a misalignment of the cut or a partial non-cut or an uneven cut. The quality defect may also relate to defects in printing, smudging, tones or color alignment.

Quality control can therefore be carried out automatically, without requiring operator intervention. Regular checks can thus be scheduled at regular intervals. This visual inspection is in particular made possible due to the possibility of having a sample of poses P placed flat on a discharge mat 93 by means of the ejection device 2, and in particular also due to the fact that the waste from sheet-shaped elements F are moved away from the sample of poses P by the implementation of sheet holes.

The waste disposal station 600 may also comprise a device 10 for recovering samples of poses P ( figures 7 and 8 ). In this case, instead of a single evacuation belt 93 as previously described, the recovery device 10 comprises a first evacuation belt 94 and a second evacuation belt 95.

The second discharge belt 95 is arranged following the first discharge belt 94 with respect to the direction of movement of the sheets D.

The evacuation belts 94, 95 are for example, like the evacuation belt 93, treadmills, forming a closed loop around two drums.

The first evacuation belt 94 is fixed. The second discharge belt 95 is movable between a continuous conveying position ( figure 7 ) and a raised position ( figure 8 ).

In the continuous conveying position, first ends 94a, 95a of the first and second discharge belts 94, 95 are brought together so that waste sheet-like elements F can be conveyed from the first discharge belt 94 to the second evacuation belt 95 ( figure 7 ), then from the second evacuation belt 95 to a waste bin.

The first ends 94a, 95a are close together in a substantially horizontal position but do not touch each other to avoid friction and allow the pivoting of the second evacuation belt 95.

More specifically, the first end 95a of the second conveyor belt 95 can be positioned lower than the first end 94a of the first conveyor belt 94 in the continuous conveying position. The centers of the drums of the first ends 95a, 94a are for example substantially aligned on a substantially horizontal straight line, the drum of the first end 94a of the first evacuation belt 94 being larger than the drum of the first end 95a of the second conveyor belt. evacuation 95. This ensures that in the continuous conveying position, the waste of sheet-shaped elements F are indeed conveyed from the first evacuation belt 94 to the second evacuation belt 95.

The second discharge belt 95 is for example in the continuous conveying position when the processing machine 1 is in production.

The second evacuation belt 95 is for example configured to pivot around a second end 95b opposite first end 95a.

The recovery device 10 comprises for example an actuator, such as a cylinder, possibly associated with a system of connecting rods to multiply the action of the actuator, to pivot the second evacuation belt 95. The actuator is for example controlled by the processing unit 13, via the actuation of the control unit 4 of the device 2 for ejecting samples of poses. The second evacuation belt 95 thus pivots, for example, in the raised position on arrival of at least one sample of poses P on the first evacuation belt 94.

In the raised position, the first end 95a of the second conveyor belt 95 has pivoted upwards, for example by an angle comprised between 20° and 50°, creating a gap 11 between the first conveyor belt 94 and the second evacuation belt 95.

The gap 11 is large enough so that the at least one sample of poses P conveyed by the first evacuation belt 94 cannot be conveyed towards the second evacuation belt 95, but swings into the gap 11, for example to a collection tray or drawer 12 for laying samples P ( figure 8 ).

An operator can then recover the sample or samples of poses P directly in the recovery tray or drawer 12, these being sorted from the waste F.

In production, the waste of sheet-shaped elements F which generally fall back in great disorder due to the ejection on the fly can thus be evacuated towards the waste bin substantially in a straight line ( figure 7 ), which makes it possible to avoid jams during production and therefore machine stoppages even when the waste of sheet-shaped elements F fall in an upright position or askew or otherwise.

When taking a sample of poses P, the samples of pose P are less likely to get stuck in the gap 11 ( figure 8 ) because on the one hand, they can rest flat on the first evacuation belt 94 and on the other hand, there is only one or a few samples of laying P which are taken.

In operation, the blank sampling method 100 comprises the following steps.

In production operation ( figure 3A ), the actuating elements 3 of the ejection device 2 are in the inactive position. They are positioned away from the path of the gripper bar 75.

The sheet-like elements are shaped in the converting station 300, the small scraps are ejected in the scrap ejection station 400, the attachment points between the sheets of a sheet are broken in the separation station of the poses 500 and the scraps of sheet-like elements F are ejected on the fly in the scrap discharge station 600 at the flying ejector 92 and swing onto the discharge belt 93 or onto the first discharge belt 94 of the device 10 for recovering pose samples (see figure 1 , 7 ).

In the case where the processing machine 1 includes a recovery device 10, the second discharge belt 95 is in the continuous conveying position ( figure 7 ). Waste sheet-shaped elements F ejected on the fly are conveyed from the first discharge belt 94 to the second discharge belt 95 substantially in a straight line, then from the second discharge belt 95 to a waste bin.

When an operator wishes to take samples of poses P, he actuates the control member 4 ( figure 1 ).

The actuation of the control member 4 can trigger, via the processing unit 13, the possible control of a predetermined number of sheet holes before the sample of blanks P, for example of two sheet holes, the blocking of the upper tool 501, for example over a single machine cycle, the displacement of the actuating elements 3 from the inactive position to the active position, for example over a single machine cycle, that following the machine cycle of the blocking of the tool for separating the blanks, the control of a predetermined number of sheet holes after entering the sample of blanks P, for example two sheet holes, the pivoting of the second evacuation belt 95 on arrival of the sample of poses P ejected flat onto the first discharge belt 94 by the ejection device 2 when the processing machine 1 is equipped with a recovery device 10, as well as the taking of an image of the sample poses P laid flat on the evacua mat tion 93 or on the first conveyor belt 94.

On two machine cycles, two gripper bars 75 do not grip a sheet.

Then a gripper bar 75 picks up a sample of blanks P (a full sheet) which is shaped in the transformation station 300, whose small scraps are ejected in the scrap ejection station 400, and which comes to rest in the blank separation station 500. While the sample of blanks P is cut and cleared of small waste, two gripper bars 75 do not grasp a sheet.

Since the upper tool 501 of the blank separation station 500 is blocked, the attachment points between the blanks of the sample of blanks P are not broken.

Once the gripper bar 75 conveying the sample of blanks P (then an unseparated cut sheet), has left the blank separation station 500, the upper tool 501 is unlocked.

The actuating elements 3 are moved to an active position in which they are positioned on the path of the gripper bar 75 (arrow F1, Figure 3B ).

Thus positioned, the actuating elements 3 cooperate with the gripper bar 75 leaving the blank separation station 500 when the gripper bar 75 passes.

The actuating elements 3 cause the opening axis of the gripper bar 75 to pivot in order to open the grippers 76 and thus eject the sample of poses P flat on the evacuation belt 93 ( Fig. 3C ) or on the first discharge belt 94 ( figure 8 ).

The sample of poses P is ejected flat, performing a movement close to a direct translation in the direction of movement of the sheets D.

The blank sample P is ejected flat at the actuation elements 3 instead of being ejected on the fly at the on-the-fly ejector 92 as is the waste sheet-like element F in production. The sample of blanks P can thus be ejected in a "gentle" manner, without the attachment points between the blanks breaking and without the sheet bending by falling on the evacuation belt 93 or on the first evacuation mat 94.

The actuating elements 3 then return to their inactive position away from the path of the lateral drive elements 19 in rotation of the gripper bars 75 (arrow F2, Figure 3C ).

In the case where the processing machine 1 comprises a device 10 for recovering the samples of blanks, the actuator pivots the second evacuation belt 95 in the raised position on the arrival of at least one sample of blanks P on the first carpet. evacuation belt 94, creating a gap 11 between the first evacuation belt 94 and the second evacuation belt 95. The at least one sample of poses P conveyed by the first evacuation belt 94 tilts in the gap 11 towards a collection tray or drawer 12 for laying samples P ( figure 8 ).

Then, the actuator pivots the second discharge belt 95 into the continuous conveying position.

The control device 4 is deactivated.

Machine 1 can then resume production ( Figure 3A ).

The operator can thus recover the cut sheet not separated from its poses (or sample of poses P) on the evacuation belt 93 or in the recovery tray or drawer 12.

The operator can then determine himself by visual inspection if the sample of poses P has quality defects.

A quality control can also be carried out automatically, without requiring the intervention of the operator by means of the control device 6.

For this, a quality defect of a sample of poses P laid flat on a discharge belt 93 or on the first discharge mat 94 is determined by taking an image of the sample of poses P laid flat.

It is then possible to compare the image taken with at least one reference image to determine the presence or not of a quality defect and to alert the operator in the event of the presence of a defect.

Claims (15)

1. Device (2) for ejecting exposure samples (P) for a machine (1) for processing sheet-shaped elements, the processing machine (1) comprising:

   - a plurality of workstations (300, 400, 500, 600), including at least one waste discharge station (600), and

   - a transportation device (70) comprising a plurality of gripper bars (75) configured to drive the sheet-shaped elements into the workstations (300, 400, 500, 600),

   the ejection device (2) being characterised in that it comprises at least one actuating element (3) movable between:

   - an inactive position in which the at least one actuation element (3) is positioned at the gap of the path of the gripper bar (75), and

   - an active position in which the at least one actuation element (3) is positioned on the path of the gripper bar (75), the at least one actuation element (3) being configured to engage with the gripper bar (75) at the passage of the gripper bar (75) to open the gripper bar (75) and eject an exposure sample (P) flat.
2. Ejection device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that in the active position, the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned on the path of the gripper bar (75) at the exit of an exposure separation tool (501, 502) of the exposure separation station (500) and upstream from an in-flight ejector (92) of the waste discharge station (600).
3. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the active position, the at least one actuating element (3) is positioned on the path of the gripper bar (75) to open the gripper bar (75) when the gripper bar (75) forms an angle (a) with the horizontal (H) of between 0° and 60°.
4. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one actuating element (3) is a cam with a curved active profile (17), the movement of the gripper bar (75) along the curved active profile (17) of the cam forcing an opening followed by a closing of the grippers (76) of the gripper bar (75).
5. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one actuating element (3) is in the inactive position when the processing machine (1) is in production.
6. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a control member (4) configured such that its actuation controls the movement of the actuating element (3) from the inactive position to the active position.
7. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a blocking member (5) arranged in the exposure separation station (500), configured to prevent the separation of fastening points of the exposure sample (P), by blocking an upper tool (501) of the exposure separation tool of the exposure separation station (500) in the top position.
8. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one actuating element (3) is movable in the movement direction of the sheets (D).
9. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one actuator (14) and at least one demultiplier member (16), the demultiplier member (16) being configured to be driven by the actuator (14) and arranged between a fixed part (18) and the at least one actuating element (3) to drive the movement of the at least one actuating element (3) in the active position.
10. Ejection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises movement guiding means (15) configured to guide the movement of the at least one actuating element (3) between the active position and the inactive position.
11. Waste discharge station (600) for machine for processing sheet-shaped elements (1), characterised in that it comprises a device (2) for ejecting exposure samples according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Waste discharge station (600) according to the preceding claim, comprising an in-flight ejector (92) for the discharge of sheets in flight, characterised in that the at least one actuating element (3) of the ejection device (2) is arranged upstream from the in-flight ejector (92) in the movement direction of the sheets (D).
13. Machine (1) for processing sheet-shaped elements, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of workstations (300, 400, 500, 600), of which a waste discharge station (600) according to one of claims 11 or 12 and a transport device (70) comprising a plurality of gripper bars (75) configured to drive the sheet-shaped elements into the workstations (300, 400, 500, 600).
14. Method for ejecting exposure samples (P) into a machine (1) for processing sheet-shaped elements according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

    - the separation of the exposures of at least one cut sheet is blocked in the exposure separation station (500),

    - at least one actuating element (3) is moved over the path of the gripper bar (75) at the outlet of an exposure separation tool (501, 502) of the exposure separation station (500) and upstream from an in-flight ejector (92) of the waste discharge station (600) to engage with the gripper bar (75) at the passage of the gripper bar (75) in order to open the gripper bar (75) and eject an exposure sample (P) flat.
15. Ejection method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that in the active position, the at least one actuating element (3) opens the grippers (76) of the gripper bar (75) to eject the exposure sample (P) flat, when the gripper bar (75) forms an angle (a) with the horizontal (H) of between 0° and 60°.

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