FR2514296A1 - Separator for packaged pictures - has two compressing posts with detectors and two conveyor belts for reciprocation of one work post - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaged picture separator has a flat, horizontal conveyor (1,3) for stacks (11) of opened boxes, each containing pictures to be separated. A first post (13) stops and compresses each stack. A second post (13') also stops and compresses them, downstream of the first. The second post can move from the first in the feed direction, using conveyors to move back and forth. There is a position detector for each stack, to their right, so that the lines (S1,S2) where separation occurs are at the correct conveyor position. The conveyor is split into two sections.

Description

POSITION SEPARATOR
The present invention relates to a separator of poses, that is to say to a device responsible for automatically separating, at the outlet of the cutting presses, the poses cut from the same flank of cardboard and still integral with the each other.

 In the cardboard packaging industry, generally the cuts or poses corresponding to each packaging model are made by passing the cardboard sides through a blanking press in which the cuts delimiting the outer contour are made. of each package as well as possibly notches, windows and interior cutouts with the outline and creases.

 To this end, the cardboard sides are brought one by one to the cutting press which, in a single practical pass in each side, a certain number of adjacent poses which, however, remain integral with one another by bridges made in the cardboard, to the manner of a stamp sheet, for example, and which will have to be broken later to separate the poses and stack them for their transfer to the next station.

 During the passage of the cardboard flank in the press, it retains its integrity and its cohesion which facilitates the extraction of the cut flank and avoids, on the evacuation device, the dispersion and the incorrect positioning of the poses which might happen if the poses were ohysically independent of each other.

 Currently, there is no device automatically performing the separation of the poses at the exit of such braids to be cut, the separation being manual.

 The cut sides from the press are stacked in bundles over a height of about ten centimeters. As soon as a package of desired height is made up, a worker takes charge of it and, using the edge of the hand, breaks the stack of cardboard in line with the lines of separation of the poses to separate them.

 This work immobilizes several people because of the speed of the press and is particularly painful and tedious so that in practice manual separation does not allow most of the time to follow the press which is then underused.

 The object of the invention is precisely to propose a device capable of automatically performing the separation of the poses at the outlet of the cutting presses without any human intervention and, consequently, of using the presses at full speed.

To this end, the invention relates to a pose separator characterized in that it comprises
- a horizontal and flat conveyor device
pounding of cut cardboard boxes with each-several
poses to separate,
- a first immobilization and tightening station by com
pressure of each stack piling on the device
conveying, this first station being incorporated therein
and mounted fixed in the direction of advancement of the disposi
conveyor belt,
- a second immobilization and tightening station by com
stacking pressure, also incorporated in the dis
positive conveyor and arranged downstream of the first station
and in the immediate vicinity of it, this second post being
mobile nar compared to the first in said direction of travel,
means for moving the second station back and forth by
relation to the first-so as to distance and bring said
second position substantially in line with the advancement of the dis
conveying positive,
- means for detecting the positioning of each empi
lage to the right of the two posts so that the lines follow
before which the separations between
poses are placed in the interval separating the two poses
tes, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the
conveying device, and
- means to command and control, from if
general provided by the above means, successively
stopping the stacking path, actuating the
immobilizers of the two posts, the remoteness
then the reconciliation of the second station vis-à-vis the pre
mier and, finally, the resumption of the stacking path
on the conveying device.

 Such a device is capable of automatically performing a separation between poses along dividing lines transverse to the axis of advance of the conveying device whether there is a single stack or several-in parallel on this device.

 However, it is very easy in a second phase to carry out separations along lines perpendicular to the first separation vines. This is generally the case with cardboard sides cut to six, eight, nine or ten poses for example.

 It suffices to add to the device described above a second absolutely identical separation device arranged at 900 from the first, a transfer table ensuring the change of direction of movement of the blanks coming from the conveying device of the first separator towards the conveying device. of the second separator, the table being of course synchronized with the first separator.

 The essential elements of the separator according to the invention, that is to say the conveyor system, the means for controlling the relative movement between the two anchoring and clamping stations, the means for immobilizing / tightening the poses as well as the detection, control and command members can of course be produced using various technologies without departing from the scope of the invention.

 The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which two embodiments of separators according to the invention are shown.

On these drawings
- Fig. 1 shows a side elevation view of a
o
first embodiment of a conformal separator
to the invention;
- Fig. 2 shows a left view of the separator
Fig. 1;
- Fig 3 shows a top view of the -separator of the
Fig. 1,
- Fig. 4 shows a top view of two separators
according to Figs. 1 to 3, arranged at right angles, for the
separation of poses along separation lines
perpendicular,
- Fig. 5 shows a side view in elevation of a
second embodiment of a separator according to the
vention,
- Fig. 6 shows a left view of the separator of the
Fig. 5, and
- Fig. 7 illustrates the out of service position of the means
immobilization / tightening of poses.

 The installation shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a first horizontal conveyor designated by the general reference 1, mounted on a fixed bdti 2 and a second horizontal conveyor 3, identical to the first but ~ mounted on a carriage 4 supported by a fixed frame 5 ..

 The two conveyors 1 and 3 are level and their axes of movement 6 (Fig. 3 coincide.

 Each conveyor 1, 3 comprises a number of idle carrier rollers 7, a number of flexible parallel conveyor belts R passing over two end rollers 9, one of which is motor and driven by means of a gear motor 10 fixed laterally to the frame 2 on to the carriage 4.

 At the downstream end of the conveyor 1 is mounted an immobilization and clamping station for a stack 11 of cartons arranged flat and originating, for example, from a cutting press (not shown).

 In Fig. 3 is shown in plan of such cartons 11 in which six identical cutouts or poses 12 are made with the press, the contours of which are symbolized in FIG. 3 by simple rectangles.

 The six poses of each carton are, at the exit of the press, joined to one another by bridging which must be broken in order to separate the poses 12.

 Said immobilization and clamping station (13) comprises a horizontal fixed table 14 disposed under the conveyor belts 8 parallel to the end roller 9, and a movable table 15 parallel to the fixed table 14.

 The movable table 15 is arranged vertically above the fixed table 14. It is carried by a frame 16 itself mounted vertically movable on a gantry 17 secured to the bSti 2.

 In Fig. 3, in order to simplify the drawing, only the movable table 15 has been shown. Two hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 18 with double effect arranged vertically and mounted on a horizontal plate of the frame 16, move the table 15.

 The bdti 16 further comprises two vertical end plates 19 movable along the vertical uprights of the gantry 17 by means of two racks 20 fixed to the gantry and engaged with two pinions 21 driven by the same shaft 22 from a geared motor 23 secured to one of the plates 19.

Upstream of the station 13 is arranged a detector 24 (for example with a photocell) adjustable in height and integral with the movable frame 16 and responsible for pre-positioning the frame 16 according to the height of the stack. 11 detected , as we will see later
At the upstream end of the conveyor 3 is mounted a station 13 ′ which is the symmetrical of the station 13 and the members of which bear the same references as the counterparts of the station 13. This station 13 ′, however, is not provided with the detector 24 , that controlling the simultaneous movement of the two frames 16.

 Finally, the working face of the mobile tables 15 is provided opposite each strip 8 with a plate 25 of a material similar to that of the strips 8, that is to say a slightly flexible material, gripping the cardboard well and not damaging it under compression.

 The gantry 17 of the station 13 ′ is integral with the carriage 4. The latter consists of two parallel lateral beams moving by means of wheels 26 in two parallel parallel rails 27 carried by the frame 5.

 The carriage 4 can move away from or approach the fixed frame 2 thanks to two horizontal double-acting lateral jacks 28 articulated between the carriage 4 and the upper part of the frame 2.

 The two jacks 28 are controlled synchronously to obtain a movement of the carriage parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor I. One could however imagine guiding the carriage 4 and displacement means allowing an angular lateral offset of the carriage during its distance from the b ti 2 as we will see later.

 The operation of the device described above is as follows.

 The cardboard plates with their six poses arrive in stack 11 flat on the upstream end of the first conveyor 1, the latter being for example directly attached to the end of the discharge conveyor of a cutting press.

 The stack 11 is conveyed by the conveyor 1 then the conveyor 3 to the position shown on the FIg. 1 to 3.

 Previously, when the front of the stack 11 arrived at the height of the detector 24, the latter (in the low initial position) commands the raising of the frames 16 by the geared motors 23 and therefore of the tables 15, of the stations 13 and 13 '. The purpose of the maneuver is to save time by prepositioning the tables 15 just some distance above the upper face of the stack in order to reduce the dead stroke of the jacks 18.

 Stopping of the stack 11 is controlled when the first transverse line of separation S1 of the poses is substantially in line with the interval separating the two conveyors 1 and 3.

The conveyor drive system is stopped or disengaged, the command being ordered from a detector, for example with a photocell (not shown) placed transversely to the conveyor 3 and responsible for detecting the presence of the stack. This detector is of course adjustable in height and in the direction of movement of the poses
As soon as the stacking 11 has stopped, the tables 15 descend under the action of the jacks 18 in order to press the packaging firmly against the fixed tables 14.

 The carriage 4 can then be moved away from the b ti 2 by acting on the two jacks 28 simultaneously.

 This movement detaches the poses 12-stuck under the post 13 'from the rest of the stack, along the separation line S1.

 The tables 15 are then raised and the carriage 4 is brought back to its initial place near the conveyor 1 t however that the conveyors 1 and 3 are restarted for the evacuation of the packet of poses which has just been detached and the brought to station 13 'of a new pack of poses to be separated according to S2 according to the same process as above.

The device of FIGS. 1 and 3 can only carry out separations along lines S1 and S2 perpendicular to the direction of travel of conveyors 1 and 3. To carry out separation along line S3 perpendicular to lines S1 and S2 it is necessary to add, as illustrated by the
Fig. 4, a second separator arranged at right angles.

 The separator designated by the general reference 30 in FIG. 4 is strictly in accordance with that of FIGS. 1 to 3. The second separator designated by 30 ′ is identical to the first, the homologous members of the two devices bearing the same numerical references as in FIGS. 1 to 3.

 Between the two separators there is a transfer table 31 in the extension of the evacuation conveyor 3 of the separator 30 but at a sufficient distance to allow the back and forth movement of the carriage 4.

 The upstream conveyor 1 of the separator 30 ′ is in the extension of the table 31. There is shown at 32 the device for detecting the presence of the front of the stack controlling the operating cycle of the installation and whose already spoken about Figs. 1 to 3.

 The transfer table 31 is conventional and comprises, on the one hand, motorized rollers 33 perpendicular to the direction of supply of the cartons onto the table coming from the conveyor 3 of the separator 30, and, on the other hand, conveyor belts parallel 34 arranged between the rollers 33.

 A suitable system allows relative vertical movement between the rollers 33, on the one hand, and the belts 34, on the other hand.

 An adjustable stop 35 is responsible for correctly positioning the cartons in the axis of the separator 30 '.

 For the transfer of the pairs of blanks 12 from the conveyor 3 of the separator 30 to the table 31, the rollers 33 are placed in the high position relative to the belts 34. The blanks 12 then come into abutment against the roof 35, as shown in Fig. 4.

 For the transfer of the poses 12 from the table 31 to the separator 30 ', it is the belts 34 which are placed in the high position relative to the rollers 3 ?. On the separator 30 'performs the separation along line S3 exactly the same. so that for lines S1, S2 on separator 30.

The separator 30 '(as well as the table 31) of the
Fig. 4 is dimensioned for a single stack of poses 12 at the front but its width could of course be increased to receive two packets of poses at the front or even three of the same stack 11.

 The transfer table 31 could thus either send the packets of double exposures one by one to the separator 30 'or else group them and send them by two or three, or more depending of course on the number of exposures and their distribution on each side of cardboard from the cutting press.

 The various members of the separator according to the invention can be produced using different technologies. This is how the jacks 28 could be replaced by any device (mechanical, electrical, etc.) capable of effecting the same reciprocating movement of the carriage 4 relative to the fixed frame 2 (for example a mechanical system with rod and wheel).

 The actuation of the jacks 28 is preferably simultaneous so that the carriage 4 moves well in transration parallel to the direction of advancement of the stacks ll on the conveyors, but it could be delayed over time in order to separate the poses gradually from 'an edge to the other of the stack, the means for guiding the carriage 4 then being arranged accordingly to absorb the lateral angular offset relative to the supporting carrier 5.

 Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a separator according to the invention, operating on exactly the same principle.

 In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the minimum distance between the station 13 'and the station 13 is relatively large due to the presence of the end rollers 9 of the conveyors 1 and 3. Consequently, the outer edges facing the tables movable 15, which are located at the same level as the axes of said rollers 9 for the sake of not deforming the stack during pressing, are necessarily at a relatively large distance from one another.

 This does not have any disadvantages when the lines of separation of the poses are not flanked by zones of least resistance (comprising cutouts, notches or grooves) liable to cause tearing outside the separation lines when moving away from the station 13 '.

 To avoid these risks, however, it is necessary to bring the edges of the tables (fixed and mobile) of the two Posts closer together. This is the objective of the FIg embodiments. 5 3 7.

 In this embodiment, the device for conveying the stacks 11 of blanks to be separated is completely different, as is the system for mounting and moving the second station for immobilizing / tightening the blanks.

 The conveyor device in fact comprises, mounted on a fixed frame 40, a train of upstream motorized rollers 41 and a downstream conveyor constitutes conveyor belts or mechanical chains 42, stretched between two rollers 43 one of which is driven by a gear motor 44.

 Downstream of the belt conveyor 42 is disposed an evacuation table 45 with motorized rollers.

 The rollers 43 have fixed axes carried by the frame 40.

 The installation comprises, as in the device of FIG. 1, two immobilization / clamping posts of the stack 11, one (46) fixed, integral with the frame 40 and the other (46 ') movable relative to the first in the direction of advance of the conveying system. The two stations 46, 46 ′ are of identical structure and each comprise a horizontal low table 47 and a horizontal high table 48, both movable in the direction of one another thanks to hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 49 with double or single effect, the whole being carried by a cradle 50 and 50 '.

 The cradle 50 of station 46 is of course fixed.

On the other hand, the cradle 50 'of the station 46' is mounted oscillating so as to approach or move away from the cradle 50.

 To this end, the cradle 50 ′ is supported by two vertical lateral connecting rods 51 articulated using rotatory bearings on the frame 40 and held laterally by four hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 52, double or single acting, interposed horizontally between the two cradles 50.50 'substantially at the four corners thereof.

 Also at the four corners of the assembly formed by the two cradles 50.50 ', are arranged limiters of stroke symbolized at 53 interposed between the two cradles and making it possible to adjust the maximum distance of the cradle 50' from the cradle 50.

 The operation of the above device is as follows.

 The stack 11 of poses to be separated along the separation lines S1 and S2 is brought by the conveyor 41 onto the belts 42, the pressing tables 47 and 48 being in the offset position as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this position, the upper face of the low tables 47 is slightly below the belts 42.

When the front of the covering 11 comes up to a detector device 32 (identical to that of the
Fig. 4), the conveying device is stopped and all the jacks 49 are put in extension to compress the stack on either side of the line
During the ascent of the low tables 47, these, although arranged under the belts 42, bear directly against the underside of the stack 11 thanks to grooves 54 formed in the upper face of the tables 47 and intended for receive the belts 42 (Fig G)
At the end of the upper stroke of the table jacks 47 (FIG. 5) the stack 11 is strongly compressed and slightly lifted above the conveying plane.

 The jacks 52 are then actuated to move the station 46 'from the station 46 and therefore separate the poses 12 from the rest of the stack 11.

 The control of the four jacks 52 can be shifted in time in order to facilitate the separation of the poses, by starting for example from one side in the upper or lower corner then by spreading the separation front gradually throughout the mass stacking.

 At the end of the extension stroke of the jacks 52, the cradle 50 'is found parallel to the cradle 50 thanks to the stroke limiters 53 so that the pack of loose poses 12 is properly positioned in the axis of the conveyor system, this pack being evacuated by the conveyor 45.

 The belts 42 which slide freely in the grooves 54 do not hinder the movement of mutual distance from the coffee tables 47.

 The cradle 50 'of course returns to the initial position near the cradle 50.

 This initial position may correspond to a very small difference (the latter being adjusted by the end positions of the rods of the jacks 52) between the pressing tables, no obstacle being between them.

As soon as the detached package 12 is taken up by the conveyor 45, the covering system 41, 42 is restarted for a new separation along the line S2. 2
The cycle is thus fully automatic. To carry out separations along lines perpendicular to S1, S2, it suffices to add a separator identical to that of FIGS. 5,6, arranged at right angles with the interposition of a transfer table exactly according to the general arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4.

 I1 it should be noted that the vertical relative movement between the low tables 47 and the belts 42 could also be reached by fixing the tables 47 and moving the supporting rollers 43 by means of vertical jacks fixed to the frame 40 and arranged at the ends of the axes of said rollers.

 The detector 32 is adjustable in position both in height and in distance from the end roller 43 of the belt conveyor 42.

 The first packet of poses to be separated may indeed overflow onto the conveyor 45 and be straddling the two conveyors when the front of the packet reaches the level of the detector 32 in which case the latter commands the simultaneous stopping of the conveyor devices 41 , 42 and 45 then restarting them also simultaneously. It can also be envisaged to introduce, if necessary, more or less accentuated offsets between the instants of stopping and restarting of each conveyor (41, 42, 45) as well as between their respective speed since the The conveyor systems of these conveyors are independent.

 Finally, as in the embodiment of Figs.

1 to 4, many variants can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, both with regard to the technology of the various sub-assemblies and the structure and arrangement of their members insofar as the 'we perform identical or analogous functions.

Claims (15)

R E V E N D I C A-T I O N S  1. Pose separator characterized by ink, which includes:  - a horizontal and flat conveying device  (1,3; 41,42) stacking (11) of cut-out cardboard  as each one several poses to separate,  - a first station (13,46) for immobilization and securing  by compression of each stack (11) running on the  conveying device, this first station being incorporated  porous therein and mounted fixed in the direction of a  advancement of the conveying device,  - a second station (13 ', 46') for immobilization and tightening  by compression of the stacks, also incorporated in  the conveying device and arranged downstream of the first  post and in the immediate vicinity of it, this second  station being movable relative to the first in said sense  advancement,  - means (4.28;; 49.51) for moving back and forth the  second post (13 ', -46') compared to the first so  to move away and bring said second station substantially  in line with the advancement of the conveying device,  - means (32) for detecting the positioning of each  stacking (11) at the right of the two stations so that the  lines (S1, S2) along which the  the separations between poses are placed in the interval  separating the two posts, perpendicular to the direc  advancement of the conveying device, and  - means to command and control from the si  general supplied by the above means (32) successively  of the stacking path (11), the actuation of the  mobilization of the two posts (13.13 '; 46.46'), moves it away  then the reconciliation of the second station vis-à-vis the  first and, finally, the resumption of the path of the empi-  lage on the conveying device (l, 3; 41,42).  2. poses separator according to claim 1 characterized in that the conveying device comprises a first conveyor (1) arranged on a fixed frame (2) and a second conveyor (3) arranged in the extension of the first, on a carriage ( 4) supported by a fixed frame (5) but capable of moving away from and approaching said first conveyor (1) using appropriate means (28) and in that said first immobilization / clamping station (13 ) is fixedly mounted to the downstream part of the first conveyor (1) while said second station (13 ') is integral with the downstream part of the second conveyor (3).  3. Pose separator according to claim 2 characterized in that the conveyors (1,3) are constituted by-support rollers (7) and conveyor belts (8) parallel to the direction of travel and passing on rollers end (9) of which at least one is a motor and in that said immobilization / clamping stations (13; 13 ') each comprise a low, horizontal, fixed table (14) transverse to the conveyors and located immediately under said conveyors - belts (8) and near the end rollers (9) respectively downstream of the first conveyor (1) and upstream of the second conveyor (3) and a high table (15) parallel to the low table, overhanging the latter ci and mounted vertically movable.  4. Separator of poses according to claim 3 characterized in that said high tables (15) are moved using cylinders (18) hydraulic or pneumatic, single-or double effect and fixed on a gantry (17) integral with the support (respectively 2 and 4) of the interested conveyor (respectively 1 and 3).  5. poses separator according to claim 4 characterized in that said cylinders (18) are integral  a horizontal crossmember (16) movable vertically along said gantry (17) under the control of a detector (24) for pre-positioning the high tables (15) as a function of the height of the stack - (11) detected by said detector (24) on said first conveyor (1).  6. poses separator according to one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that the means for moving back and forth the second station (13 ') relative to the first (13) are constituted by horizontal cylinders (28 ) hydraulic or pneumatic arranged on the sides of the conveyors (1 and 3) and articulated, on the one hand, on the frame of the first conveyor (1) and, on the other hand, on the carriage (4) carrying the second conveyor ( 3).  7. poses separator according to claim 1 characterized in that the conveyor device comprises a first conveyor (41) followed by a conveyor belt conveyors (42) or the like, the two conveyors being carried by a fixed frame ( 40) and in that the two immobilization / clamping stations (46,46 ') are installed between the two end rollers (43) of the belt conveyor (42).  8. poses separator according to claim 7 characterized in that each station (46,46 ') comprises a low table (47) horizontal transverse to the conveyor and provided with parallel grooves (54) in which are likely to retract said belts of the conveyor (42) so that the upper face of the low table can come into direct contact with the lower face of the stack (11) and a high table (48) parallel to the low table and vertically movable.  9. Pose separator according to claim 8 characterized in that the low tables (47) - are mounted movable vertically relative to the conveyor belts (42).  10. Pose separator according to claim 8 characterized in that the low tables (47) are fixed vertically, the conveyor belts (42) being movable vertically by means of vertical cylinders acting on the shafts of the end rollers (43 ) of the belt conveyor (42>.  11. Pose separator according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the immobilization / clamping station (46 ') movable relative to the fixed station (46) is mounted oscillating on a system of vertical connecting rods (51 ) and connected to the fixed station (46) by a set of horizontal cylinders (52).  12. poses separator according to claim 11, characterized in that said jacks (52) are four in number distributed substantially at the four corners of the frames (50.50 ') of the stations and are capable of being actuated with an offset in the predetermined time.  13.Pose separator according to claim 12, characterized in that adjustable stroke limiters (53) are interposed between the bdtis - (50.50 ') of the two stations so quten end of travel distance from the mobile station (46 ') the poses (12) separated by this position are well positioned in the axis of the conveying device (41, 42, 45).  14. pos-separator su-ivant one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that immediately downstream of the mobile station (13 ', 46') is installed a detector (32), adjustable in position, loaded detect the front edge of the stack (11) and start the cycle: stopping the conveying system - pressing the stack - separating - replacing the mobile station and restarting the conveying system.  15. Pose separator according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in order to produce separations along lines (S3) parallel to the direction of advance of the stack (11) it is associated with a second separator of the same type (30 ') but arranged at right angles to the first (30), a transfer table (31) being interposed between the two separators.